Three-dimensional geometrical modelling of the femoral intramedullary cavity using ring cyclide model.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate if geometrical modelling in addition to three-dimensional (3D) modelling will standardize models and allow performing mathematical calculations easily for the compatibility of femoral implant curvature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 50 subjects (27 males, 23 females; mean age 55 years; range, 21 to 84 years). The femoral shaft intramedullary cavity was resembled into a chord of the ring cyclide, where the rotational radius was centered at its smallest radius. A 3D evaluation of the left femoral computed tomography data of the subjects was used to investigate the population parameters. The fitting was defined as being between the anterior and posterior border radii in the sagittal plane. RESULTS: The best fitting radius of implants was in between 90 to 99 cm in 72% of subjects in our sample. These radii values were lower than the mean intramedullary and cortical centerline radii which had only 62% and 50% fittings, respectively, among our population sample. The bowing radii and the smallest intramedullary width increased with the femoral length. These values were not affected by gender. CONCLUSION: This modelling may have value for understanding femoral shaft intramedullary cavity geometry and may be a good tool to assess implant fitting.

The popliteal surface axis may define hip anteversion.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the usability and reliability of our new axis in a three-dimensional modelling work and demonstrate if it is a reproducible method for anteversion measurement that sufficiently correlates with other computed tomography (CT)-derived gold standards including trans- epicondylar axis (TEA) and posterior condylar axis (PCA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional solid models were derived from left femoral CT data of 100 participants (50 males, 50 females; mean age 57 years; range, 21 to 86). The newly proposed popliteal surface axis (PSA) was compared with TEA and PCA in terms of anteversion measurement on these solid models. RESULTS: Popliteal surface axis was found as a reproducible reference axis in our study as it could be measured in 99% of our sample. The mean value of PSA based anteversion was (-) 1.8° which was 10.7° and 4.4° for PCA and TEA, respectively. Popliteal surface axis was perfectly correlated with PCA and TEA for anteversion measurements (p<0.001, r=0.92 for both). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the newly defined PSA may be used as an alternative method for determination of anteversion.

The effects of radial bowing and complications in intramedullary nail fixation of adult forearm fractures.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effects of radial bowing changes on fracture healing and functional results in adult forearm intramedullary nail applications and complications of forearm nails that have been discussed rarely in the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients -11 with isolated radius and 12 with both radius and ulna fractures- (17 males, 6 females; mean age 38.6 years; range 18 to 69 years) who were operated between September 2009 and August 2014 were included in the study. The effects of radial bowing changes on bone healing rates, time to union, and functional levels of the forearm as well as complications of forearm nails were evaluated. RESULTS: We observed fracture healing without any complication in 20 patients (86.9%) and nonunion in three patients (13.1%) although six months had passed after the operation. Statistically significant difference was detected between radial bowing change and nonunion (p=0.01). Two patients (8.6%) with AO/OTA Classification (The Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen [AO]/Orthopaedic Trauma Association [OTA] Classification), type B3 forearm double fractures had synostosis. Extensor pollicis longus tendon rupture or impingement was detected in six patients (26.8%) for which nails were applied on radius fracture. CONCLUSION: Intramedullary nail application may be an appropriate treatment alternative in forearm fractures with their high healing rates; however, synostosis may arise with its use in wedge fractures (AO/OTA type B3) at the same level. Although radial bowing changes do not have a significant effect on ranges of motion of the forearm, it should be kept in mind that fracture healing may be affected adversely in patients with radial bowing changes of high rates. Complications regarding extensor pollicis longus tendon may develop during intra- or postoperative periods in patients for which a radius nail has been applied.

Femoral bowing plane adaptation to femoral anteversion.

BACKGROUND: Femoral bowing plane (FBP) is the unattended subject in the literature. More over the femoral shaft with its bowing is neglected in established anteversion determination methods. There is limited information about the relationship between FBP and anteversion. Thus we focused on this subject and hypothesized that there could be an adaptation of FBP to anteversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: FBP is determined on three-dimensional solid models derived from the left femoral computerized tomography data of 47 patients which were taken before for another reason and comparatively evaluated with anteversion. There were 20 women and 27 men. The mean age of patients was 56 years (range 21-84 years). RESULTS: The anteversion values were found as the angle between a distal condylar axis (DCA) and femoral neck anteversion axis (FNAA) along an imaginary longitudinal femoral axis (LFA) in the true cranio-caudal view. The FBP was determined as a plane that passes through the centre-points of three pre-determinated sections on the femoral shaft. The angles between DCA, FNAA and FBP were comparatively evaluated. The independent samples t-test was used for statistical analysis. At the end, it was found that FBP lies nearly perpendicular to the anteversion axis for the mean of our sample which is around 89° in females and 93° in males (range 78-102°). On the other hand, FBP does not lie close to the sagittal femoral plane (SFP); instead, there is an average 12.5° external rotation relative to the SFP. FBP is correlated well with anteversion in terms of FBP inclination from SFP and femoral torsion (i.e., angle between FBP and femoral neck anteversion axis (P < 0.001; r = 0.680 and r = -0.682, respectively). Combined correlation is perfect (R2 = 1) as the FBP, SFP, and posterior femoral plane forms a triangle in the cranio-caudal view. CONCLUSIONS: We found that FBP adapts to anteversion. As FBP lies close to perpendicularity for the mean, femoral component positioning perpendicular to the FBP can be an alternate way in the replacement surgeries. In addition, it has been found that FBP lies externally rotated relative to the SFP.

Fosfomycin Addition to Poly(D,L-Lactide) Coating Does Not Affect Prophylaxis Efficacy in Rat Implant-Related Infection Model, But That of Gentamicin Does.

Gentamicin is the preferred antimicrobial agent used in implant coating for the prevention of implant-related infections (IRI). However, the present heavy local and systemic administration of gentamicin can lead to increased resistance, which has made its future use uncertain, together with related preventive technologies. Fosfomycin is an alternative antimicrobial agent that lacks the cross-resistance presented by other classes of antibiotics. We evaluated the efficacy of prophylaxis of 10% fosfomycin-containing poly(D,L-lactide) (PDL) coated K-wires in a rat IRI model and compared it with uncoated (Control 1), PDL-coated (Control 2), and 10% gentamicin-containing PDL-coated groups with a single layer of coating. Stainless steel K-wires were implanted and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 43300) suspensions (103 CFU/10 µl) were injected into a cavity in the left tibiae. Thereafter, K-wires were removed and cultured in tryptic soy broth and then 5% sheep blood agar mediums. Sliced sections were removed from the tibiae, stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and semi-quantitatively evaluated with X-rays. The addition of fosfomycin into PDL did not affect the X-ray and histopathological evaluation scores; however, the addition of gentamicin lowered them. The addition of gentamicin showed a protective effect after the 28th day of X-ray evaluations. PDL-only coating provided no protection, while adding fosfomycin to PDL offered a 20% level protection and adding gentamicin offered 80%. Furthermore, there were 103 CFU level growths in the gentamicin-added group, while the other groups had 105. Thus, the addition of fosfomycin to PDL does not affect the efficacy of prophylaxis, but the addition of gentamicin does. We therefore do not advise the use of fosfomycin as a single antimicrobial agent in coating for IRI prophylaxis.

Humeral shaft fractures and radial nerve palsy: early exploration findings.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to present the results of early nerve explorations in cases with radial nerve palsy associated with humeral shaft fracture and to investigate in which cases early nerve explorations may be beneficial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients (17 males, 7 females; mean age 36 years; range 18 to 72 years) with complete sensory and motor radial nerve damage associated with humeral shaft fracture were retrospectively analyzed. The patients with high-energy trauma and the ones who had spiral and segmental fractures with low energy traumas were included in the study. Early nerve exploration was performed in all patients within an average of 4.8 days (range 1 to 20 days) after fracture development. Electrophysiological assessments were performed in cases with no neurological recovery until 12th week. RESULTS: Spiral fractures of the humerus shaft observed in 14 (58.3%) of the 24 operated patients were the most common fracture type, followed by transverse fracture in four patients (16.6%) and comminuted fracture in two patients (8.3%). As a result of the exploration, we observed nerve compression between the fracture fragments in seven patients (29.1%); a majority of these patients (n=6) had spiral fractures of humerus and one patient had comminuted fracture. One patient with a spiral type fracture had nerve transection. Radial nerve function recovered in most of the patients (95.8%). Average duration for fracture union was 6.7±3.8 months (range 3 to 18 months). CONCLUSION: Spiral fractures of humerus, particularly with wedge fragment, may be a candidate for early surgical exploration. Early exploration may be beneficial in terms of early identification of neural injury in patients with radial nerve dysfunction associated with spiral and comminuted humerus fracture.

Collagen membrane wrapping around methotrexate-containing calcium-phosphate cement reduces the side effects on soft tissue healing.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate whether the collagen membrane (membrane) wrapping around the methotrexate (MTX)-containing calcium-phosphate cement (CPC) reduces the side effects on soft tissue healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 36 rats, femoral bone defects were created and treated in six groups which were CPC only, CPC and membrane wrapping around, CPC containing 2% MTX, CPC containing 2% MTX and membrane wrapping around, CPC containing 5% MTX, CPC containing 5% MTX and membrane wrapping around. RESULTS: Histological examinations revealed a statistically significantly improved healing in the connective tissue samples of the CPC containing 5% MTX group wrapped around by membrane compared to those without membrane (p=0.04). However, this was not seen in other groups. CONCLUSION: Membrane wrapping around the CPC containing MTX reduces the side effect of MTX on cellular proliferation at its highest concentration, particularly. Membrane wrapping may allow administration of higher doses of an anti-neoplastic drug which can be more effective.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the Risser sign. Is it a reliable and reproducible method?

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study of ultrasonographic evaluation (UE) results of the Risser sign (RS) in adolescents. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the efficiency of UE of RS, compare it with radiographic evaluation, and investigate the intraexaminer and interexaminer reliability of UE. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The use of ultrasound in orthopedic practice has a growing popularity. As a noninvasive radiological method, the evaluation of RS seems to be a promising alternative in patients suffering from scoliosis who require a long-term follow-up. METHODS: This study consists of 142 patients (70 female and 72 male cases) aged between 10 and 17 years, with a mean age of 13.8 ± 1.7 years. Menarche experience, body mass index, and skinfold thickness of the patients were recorded. Forty-five patients were found to have scoliosis. All ultrasonographic and radiographic evaluations were made by 2 blinded orthopedists. X-ray was considered as the gold standard. RESULTS: Percentage accuracy of UE was found to be 77.7% (κ = 0.698) for the first examiner and 64.30% (κ = 0.542) for the second examiner. Intraexaminer and interexaminer agreement were 0.971 and 0.924 for the UE, respectively. Moreover, interexaminer agreement for radiographic evaluation was 0.689. No significant difference was observed between the values of scoliosis and nonscoliosis patients. When the patients with a skinfold thickness of 16 mm or less and more than 16 mm were examined, the percentage accuracy of the UE was 80.43% (κ = 0.727) for the first group, whereas it was 72.91% (κ = 0.637) in the other group. CONCLUSION: We found the intraexaminer and interexaminer agreement for the UE of RS to be reliable. In radiographic evaluation of RS, the intraexaminer and interexaminer agreement were lower. These findings were also consistent with data from the literature. In conclusion, UE of RS is a reliable method; however, the results may vary when x-ray is considered as the gold standard.

Evaluation of risk factors in developmental dysplasia of the hip: results of infantile hip ultrasonography.

In this study, risk factors of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) were evaluated. History, clinical examination and risk factors for DDH of the babies were recorded. The hips were evaluated with ultrasonography. Infantile hip ultrasonography is one of the best methods for screening of DDH. Ultrasonography is easy, repeatable and provides visualization of the cartilage part of the hip joint. Graf's method of infantile hip ultrasonography was used to evaluate the hip in this study. Both hips of 371 babies and 32 unilateral hips of 32 babies were included in the study. In 403 babies, 14 (3.4%) had DDH. There were 5 type IIB, 7 type IIC, 1 type D, and 1 type IV hips. Physiological immaturity was present in 81 hips (19% of babies). According to risk factor analysis, the only risk factor in unilateral analysis was presence of oligohydramnios (odd ratio-OR: 11.8, confidence interval-CI: 2.7-52.7). In correlation analysis, there was a correlation between female gender and swaddling. There was overall increase in DDH in female babies who were swaddled compared to those who were not. The results of this study showed that the most important risk factor was oligohydramnios for DDH. Swaddling and female gender increased the risk of the disease, but further studies in larger series are necessary for the confirmation of these results.