Unusual presentation of Sjogren's syndrome.

Sjogren's syndrome is a known cause of renal tubular acidosis (RTA). However, osteomalacia associated with Sjogren's syndrome is rare and seldom reported in literature. We report a case of pseudofractures of both femora due to osteomalacia as a result of RTA secondary to Sjogren's syndrome, which was initially misdiagnosed as a stress fracture. A man in his 30s presented with hip pain and was initially misdiagnosed to have stress fractures because of the 'through and through' extension of the 'fracture' lines at the neck of both femora. The patient had a normal serum biochemistry profile except for elevated alkaline phosphatase levels. On further evaluation, he was found to have distal RTA secondary to Sjogren's syndrome. The patient responded to sodium bicarbonate therapy with clinical, biochemical and radiological improvement. A high index of suspicion for RTA should be kept in a patient with osteomalacia with a normal calcium profile and vitamin D level.

Outcomes of Hybrid Total Hip Arthroplasty for Subchondral Insufficiency Fracture of the Femoral Head.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate functional outcomes, radiologic results, and complications after hybrid total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with subchondral insufficiency fractures (SIFs) of the femoral head. Methods: From June 2009 to December 2020, among 985 patients who underwent hybrid THA at our hospital, 19 patients diagnosed with SIF through a retrospective chart review were included. Those under 50 years of age, with radiographic findings of osteonecrosis on the contralateral side of surgery, a history of organ transplantation, and alcohol abuse, were excluded. Functional evaluation was performed using a modified Harris Hip Score (HHS). After surgery, inclination and anteversion of the acetabular cup and version of the femoral system were measured using postoperative x-ray. The outpatient follow-up was performed at 6 weeks, 3 months, 9 months, and 12 months after surgery and every year thereafter. Complications including dislocation, implant loosening, stem subsidence, and periprosthetic infection were observed on follow-up radiographs. Results: The average follow-up time was 29.3 ± 9.1 months (range, 24-64 months) with no loss to follow-up. The mean modified HHS was 83.4 ± 9.6 (range, 65-100) at the last outpatient clinic follow-up. The average inclination of the acetabular cup was 41.9° ± 3.4° (range, 37°-48°), and the anteversion was 27.5° ± 6.7° (range, 18°-39°). The version of the femoral stem was 19° ± 5.7° (range, 12°-29°). There was no case of intraoperative fracture. There were no cases of dislocation, loosening of the cup, subsidence of the femoral stem, intraoperative or periprosthetic fracture, or periprosthetic infection on the follow-up radiographs. Conclusions: In our study, hybrid THA showed favorable outcomes in patients diagnosed with SIF, and there were no further special considerations as for THA performed due to other diseases or fractures.

Congenital Generalized Lipodystrophy in a Division 1 Female Sprinter.

ABSTRACT: A 21-year-old African American Division 1 female sprinter presented with 3-weeks history of right great toe and forefoot pain, fatigue, and a 30-day continuous menstrual cycle despite implanted etonogestrel (Nexplanon) inserted 3 years prior. An magnetic resonance imagine (MRI) identified likely stress fracture of the second metatarsal base with a diffusely low T1 signal indicating hyperactive red marrow. Due to persistent pain, a follow-up MRI was ordered 6 months later and indicated serous atrophy of the bone marrow, prompting a further metabolic workup notable for triglycerides exceeding 4000 mg/dL and a hemoglobin A1c of 10.9%. This case highlights the manifestation of a rare congenital lipodystrophy that initially presented as a relatively classic stress fracture and metrorrhagia in a female athlete.

Radiation-induced lumbosacral plexopathy and pelvic insufficiency fracture: A case report of unique coexistence of complications after radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Case reports of plexopathy after prostate cancer are usually neoplastic. Radiation-induced lumbosacral plexopathy and insufficiency fractures have clinical significance due to the need to differentiate them from tumoral invasions, metastases, and spinal pathologies. Certain nuances, including clinical presentation and screening methods, help distinguish radiation-induced plexopathy from tumoral plexopathy. This case report highlights the coexistence of these two rare clinical conditions. Herein, we present a 78-year-old male with a history of radiotherapy for prostate cancer who developed right foot drop, severe lower back and right groin pain, difficulty in standing up and walking, and tingling in both legs over the past month during remission. The diagnosis of lumbosacral plexopathy and pelvic insufficiency fracture was made based on magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and electroneuromyography. The patient received conservative symptomatic treatment and was discharged with the use of a cane for mobility. Radiation-induced lumbosacral plexopathy following prostate cancer should be kept in mind in patients with neurological disorders of the lower limbs. Pelvic insufficiency fracture should also be considered if the pain does not correspond to the clinical findings of plexopathy. These two pathologies, which can be challenging to diagnose, may require surgical or complex management approaches. However, in this patient, conservative therapies led to an improvement in quality of life and a reduction in the burden of illness.

Insights into pelvic insufficiency fracture following pelvic radiotherapy for cervical cancer: a comparative review.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy (RT)-induced pelvic insufficiency fractures (PIF) are prevalent in patients with cervical cancer. Inconclusive studies on PIF after cervical irradiation create uncertainty. This review examined PIF after RT in cervical patients, including its pathobiology, likely locations of fractures, incidence, clinical symptoms, and predisposing factors. We further discussed study limitations and therapeutic possibilities of PIF. METHODS: The following online resources were searched for relevant articles: Google Scholar and PubMed. The keywords 'pelvic insufficiency fractures', 'cervical carcinoma' and 'cervical cancer', as well as 'chemoradiotherapy', 'chemoradiation', and 'radiotherapy', were some of the terms that were used during the search. RESULTS: Patients with PIF report pelvic pain after radiation treatment for cervical cancer; the incidence of PIF ranges from 1.7 to 45.2%. Evidence also supports that among all patients treated with pelvic radiation, those who experienced pelvic insufficiency fractures invariably had at least one sacral fracture, making it the most frequently fractured bone in the body. Menopausal status, weight, BMI, age, and treatments and diagnosis modalities can influence PIF during radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our comparative review of the literature highlights significant heterogeneity in various aspects of PIF following radiation for patients with cervical cancer. This diversity encompasses prevalence rates, associated risk factors, symptoms, severity, diagnosis methods, preventive interventions, and follow-up periods. Such diversity underscores the complexity of PIF in this population and emphasizes the critical need for further research to elucidate optimal management strategies and improve patient outcomes.

Bone health and the masters runner.

Masters runners are often defined as those ages 35 years and older who train and compete in running events. These runners represent a growing population of the overall running community and experience running-related injuries including bone stress injuries (BSIs). Similar to younger runners, health considerations in masters runners include the goal to optimize bone health with focus on mitigating age-associated loss of bone strength and preventing BSIs through a combination of ensuring appropriate physical activity, optimizing nutrition, and correcting faulty biomechanics. Importantly, BSIs in masters runners may include characteristics of both overuse injury from insufficient recovery and failure of bone weakened by age-related loss of bone (insufficiency fractures). This narrative review covers the limited available research on strategies to optimize bone health in masters runners. Applying knowledge on masters athletes and extrapolating from other populations, we propose strategies on treatment and prevention of BSIs. Finally, the review highlights gaps in knowledge that require further age-specific discoveries to advance treatment and prevention.

Robert H. Cofield, MD, Award for Best Oral Presentation 2023: Up to 8 mm of glenoid-sided lateralization does not increase the risk of acromial or scapular spine stress fracture following reverse shoulder arthroplasty with a 135° inlay humeral component.

BACKGROUND: Glenoid-sided lateralization in reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) decreases bony impingement and improves rotational range of motion, but has been theorized to increase the risk of acromial or scapular spine fractures (ASFs). The purpose of this study was to assess if glenoid-sided lateralization even up to 8 mm increases the risk for stress fracture following RSA with a 135° inlay humeral component. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed from a multicenter prospectively collected database on patients who underwent primary RSA from 2015 to 2021. All RSAs were performed with a 135° inlay humeral component. Varying amounts of glenoid lateralization were used from 0 to 8 mm. Preoperative radiographs were reviewed for the presence of acromial thinning, acromiohumeral distance (AHD), and inclination. Postoperative implant position (distalization, lateralization, and inclination) as well as the presence of ASF was evaluated on minimum 1-year postoperative radiographs. Regression analyses were performed on component and clinical variables to assess for factors predictive of ASF. RESULTS: Acromial or scapular spine fractures were identified in 26 of 470 shoulders (5.5%). Glenoid-sided lateralization was not associated with ASF risk (P = .890). Furthermore, the incidence of fracture did not vary based on glenoid-sided lateralization (0-2 mm, 7.4%; 4 mm, 5.6%; 6 mm, 4.4%; 8 mm, 6.0%; P > .05 for all comparisons). RSA on the dominant extremity was predictive of fracture (odds ratio [OR] 2.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-5.75; P = .037), but there was no relationship between patient age, sex, preoperative acromial thinning, or diagnosis and risk of fracture. Although there was no difference in mean postoperative AHD between groups (P = .443), the pre- to postoperative delta AHD was higher in the stress fracture group (2.0 ± 0.7 cm vs. 1.7 ± 0.7 cm; P = .015). For every centimeter increase in delta AHD, there was a 121% increased risk for fracture (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.33-3.68; P = .012). Additionally, for every 1-mm increase in inferior glenosphere overhang, there was a 19% increase in fracture risk (P = .025). CONCLUSION: Up to 8 mm of glenoid-sided metallic lateralization does not appear to increase the risk of ASF when combined with a 135° inlay humeral implant. Humeral distalization increases the risk of ASF, particularly when there is a larger change between pre- and postoperative AHD or higher inferior glenosphere overhang. In cases of pronounced preoperative superior humeral migration, it may be a consideration to avoid excessive postoperative distalization, but minimizing bony impingement via glenoid-sided lateralization appears to be safe.

Multifocal stress fractures in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

Stress fractures are often associated to activities that requires repetitive stress such as running. However, insufficiency-type stress fractures can also occur in patients with risk factors such as rheumatoid arthritis. Diagnosis of stress fracture would require a thorough clinical evaluation along with radiological imaging. However, this may be difficult due to how it mimics other musculoskeletal problems. The case of a woman in her 60s presenting with 2 months of severe ipsilateral right knee and ankle pain is used as an example. Based on initial clinical assessment and plain radiograph, her provisional diagnosis was osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis secondary to rheumatoid disease. However, MRI scan revealed that she had multifocal stress fractures in her knee, ankle and foot. Hence, we hope that this case study can allow clinicians to consider multifocal stress fracture as a possible diagnosis in patients with risk factors and to have lower threshold in performing MRI scans.

Morbidity Associated With Distal Tibial Autograft Harvest.

Distal tibial autograft harvesting has been studied in the past, but morbidity at the level of the donor site is unclear. The purpose of this retrospective review is to assess morbidity in distal tibial autograft harvesting associated with foot and ankle arthrodesis procedures. A retrospective analysis was performed utilizing patients treated in the last 13 years at a large, multicenter, academic, tertiary referral, research institution. Included patients were between the ages of 18 and 80 years old. One-hundred and seven patients (39 male; 68 female) underwent ipsilateral distal tibial bone graft (n = 110) harvesting to augment the index procedure. Patients were followed for an average of 11.2 months after surgery (Range: 1-73 months). The incidence rate of distal tibial stress fractures was 4.5%, with an overall postoperative complication rate of 8.2%. Overall, low complication rates associated with distal tibial autograft harvesting were found, supporting the use of the distal tibia as an appropriate site for autograft harvesting in foot and ankle surgery.

The role of torsional stress in the development of subchondral insufficiency fracture of the femoral head: A finite element model analysis.

BACKGROUND: Subchondral insufficiency fracture of the femoral head generally occurs without evidence of trauma or with a history of minor trauma. Insufficient bone quality is considered one cause; however, the detailed mechanism of fracture development at the subchondral area (SA) is not understood. The aim of this study was to clarify the directions of force that cause subchondral fracture using finite element model analysis. METHODS: Two types of finite element models were generated from the CT data of femurs obtained from three individuals without osteoporosis (normal models) and another three with osteoporosis (osteoporosis models). Three directions of force, including compressive, shearing, and torsional, were applied to the femoral head. The distribution of von Mises stress (Mises stress) was evaluated at the SA, principal compressive trabeculae (PC), and principal tensile trabeculae. RESULTS: Under compressive force, the mean Mises stress value was greatest at the PC in both the normal and osteoporosis models. Under shearing force, the mean Mises stress value tended to be greatest at the SA in the normal model and at the PC in the osteoporosis model. Under torsional force, the mean Mises stress value was greatest at the SA in both types of models. CONCLUSIONS: The torsional force showed the greatest Mises stress at the SA in both the normal and osteoporosis models, suggesting the importance of torsion as a possible force responsible for subchondral insufficiency fracture development.

Sacral insufficiency fractures are a frequent and painful consequence of pubic symphysis osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: Pubic symphysis osteomyelitis can result from urosymphyseal fistula formation. High rates of sacropelvic insufficiency fractures have been reported in this population. The aim of this study was to describe the presentation and risk factors for sacral insufficiency fractures (SIF) associated with surgical treatment of pubic symphysis osteomyelitis. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed for 54 patients who underwent surgery for pubic symphysis osteomyelitis associated with a urosymphyseal fistula at a single institution from 2009 to 2022. Average age was 71 years and 53 patients (98%) were male. All patients underwent debridement or partial resection of the pubic symphysis at the time of fistula treatment. Average width of the symphyseal defect was 65 mm (range 9-122) after treatment. RESULTS: Twenty patients (37%) developed SIF at a mean time of 4 months from osteomyelitis diagnosis. Rate of sacral fracture on Kaplan-Meier analysis was 31% at 6 months, 39% at 12 months, and 41% at 2 years. Eleven patients developed SIF prior to pubic debridement and 12 patients developed new or worsening of pre-existing SIF following surgery. Width of pubic resection was higher in patients who developed SIF (76 mm vs. 62 mm), but this did not meet statistical significance (p = 0.18). CONCLUSION: Sacral insufficiency fracture is a common sequela of pubic symphysis osteomyelitis. These fractures are often multifocal within the pelvis and can occur even prior to pubic resection. Pubectomy further predisposes these patients to fracture. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for these injuries in patients with symphyseal osteomyelitis.

Long-term results of arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesions in sports: assessment of return to pre-injury playing level and critical risk factors for complication.

PURPOSE: The management of isolated SLAP lesions is still debated especially in athletes. Aims of the study were: 1. to analyse our algorithm to treat SLAP lesions starting from the selection of patients for surgery and 2. to correlate the familiarity for diabetes and hypothyroid disorders with post-operative results. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with isolated SLAP lesion were arthroscopically treated using knotless anchors and microfractures. All patients had a pre-operative and post-operative clinical examination according to Walch-Duplay, Constant, Rowe and Dash scores and interviewed for familiarity to diabetes and hypothyroid disorders. RESULTS: About 68.8% of patients solved pain with rehabilitation. About 29% of patients returned to the sports activities. About 32% of patients were no responder to physiotherapy and were arthroscopically treated. About 53.9% of patients responded excellent, 34.7% good, 3.8% medium and 7.6% poor results according to Walch-Duplay score. The Constant score increased from 64 to 95, the Rowe score from 48 to 96. The outcomes were significantly worse in patients with familiarity for diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Microfractures and knotless anchor give long-term good results for the treatment of SLAP lesions in athletes. The familiarity for diabetes is an important risk factor that can lead to decreased outcomes.

Predictive Factors for Toxicity After Primary Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Women with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) undergoing primary platinum-based chemoradiotherapy and brachytherapy often experience toxicities. Normal-tissue complication probability (NTCP) models quantify toxicity risk and aid in optimizing radiation therapy to minimize side effects. However, it is unclear which predictors to include in an NTCP model. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of the identified predictors contributing to gastrointestinal (GI), genitourinary (GU), and vaginal toxicities and insufficiency fractures for LACC. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A systematic search was performed and articles evaluating the relationship between predictors and toxicities in women with LACC treated with primary chemoradiation were included. The Quality In Prognosis Studies tool was used to assess risk of bias, with high-risk studies being excluded from further analysis. Relationships between dose-volume parameters, patient and treatment characteristics, and toxicity endpoints were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-three studies were identified. Twenty-six had a low or moderate risk of bias and were therefore included. Brachytherapy-related dose-volume parameters of the GI tract, including rectum and bowel equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2) D2 cm3, were frequently related to toxicities, unlike GU dose-volume parameters. Furthermore, (recto)vaginal point doses predicted toxicities. Few studies evaluated external beam radiation therapy dose-volume parameters and identified rectum EQD2 V30 Gy, V40 Gy, and V55 Gy, bowel and bladder EQD2 V40 Gy as toxicity predictors. Also, total reference air kerma and vaginal reference length were associated with toxicities. Relationships between patient characteristics and GI toxicity were inconsistent. The extent of vaginal involvement at diagnosis, baseline symptoms, and obesity predicted GU or vaginal toxicities. Only 1 study evaluated insufficiency fractures and demonstrated lower pretreatment bone densities to be associated. CONCLUSIONS: This review detected multiple candidate predictors of toxicity. Larger studies should consider insufficiency fractures, assess dose levels from external beam radiation therapy, and quantify the relationship between the predictors and treatment-related toxicities in women with LACC to further facilitate NTCP model development for clinical use.

Incidence, risk factors, and complications of acromial stress fractures after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: An acromial stress fracture (ASF) is an uncommon complication after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) that can have severe clinical consequences on shoulder function. Although patient-specific factors have been identified to influence the risk of ASF, it is unclear whether modifying these factors can minimize risk. Moreover, there is limited information on the treatment outcomes of these fractures. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine modifiable risk factors for ASFs and the complication and revision rates of conservatively and operatively managed ASFs. METHODS: The PearlDiver database was queried to identify a cohort of patients who underwent RTSA with minimum 2-year follow-up. Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases codes were used to compare the demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and medication use of patients with and without ASFs. Surgical complication and revision rates were compared between operatively and conservatively treated fractures. RESULTS: The overall incidence of ASFs was 1.4%. Patient-specific factors that were independently associated with the occurrence of an ASF included osteoporosis, rheumatologic disease, shoulder corticosteroid injection within 3 months before surgery, and chronic oral corticosteroid use. Among patients with osteoporosis, the initiation of physical therapy within 6 weeks after surgery also increased the risk of ASF. Patients who underwent surgical treatment of ASFs had a revision arthroplasty rate of 7.0% compared to a rate of 3.2% among those with conservatively managed fractures. CONCLUSION: ASFs are infrequent complications that can occur after RTSA. Preoperative factors that affect the quality of bone independently increase the fracture risk. Moreover, this risk can be minimized by avoiding shoulder corticosteroid injections 3 months before surgery and delaying physical therapy exercises among patients with osteoporosis. Surgical fixation of these fractures should be reserved for instances when conservative management has failed given high rates of infection, instability, and revision shoulder arthroplasty.

Shockwave Treatment vs Surgery for Proximal Fifth Metatarsal Stress Fractures in Soccer Players: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: To compare the clinical, radiologic, and functional outcomes between shockwave and operative treatments for proximal fifth metatarsal stress fractures in soccer players in a pilot study. METHODS: Between 2017 and 2019, 18 soccer players with fifth metatarsal stress fractures attended at Mutualidad de Futbolistas Españoles-Delegación Catalana were included. Patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups receiving either surgery with an intramedullary screw (group 1) or high-energy focused extracorporeal shockwave treatment (group 2 performed once a week for 3 weeks using 2000 impulses at an energy flux density of 0.21 mJ/mm2 and 4 Hz frequency). Clinical (pain), radiologic (bone healing), and functional (Tegner Activity Scale and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society [AOFAS] ankle-hindfoot scales) outcomes before and after receiving the treatment were compared between both groups. In addition, ability and time to return to play was also compared between groups. RESULTS: No patients were lost to follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences at last follow-up between surgery and extracorporeal shockwave treatment for bone healing, pain relief, AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, Tegner score, and time return to play. No complications were reported in either of the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, extracorporeal shockwave treatment and operative treatment were found to be equally effective at reducing pain, achieving bone healing, and allowing the soccer players to return to play after proximal fifth metatarsal stress fractures. This study suggests that ESWT may be a good option for the management of proximal fifth metatarsal stress fractures in soccer players. If this approach proves successful in larger trials, the shockwave approach might help avoid known complications of the surgical treatment like wound problems, nerve injury, and hardware intolerance. Further investigations with larger sample size should be conducted in order to confirm the present conclusions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, therapeutic, pilot randomized controlled trial.

Changes in the incidence of stress reactions and fractures among intercollegiate athletes after the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the impact of detraining due to the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence of bony injuries and stress fractures in collegiate athletes. METHODS: A comprehensive collegiate athletic conference injury database was queried for all in-season, sport-related bony injuries (defined as all stress reactions and fractures) that occurred across all sports from January 2016 to June 2021. The bony injury rate per 1000 athlete exposure hours (AEH) was calculated and compared between the immediate post-hiatus season and historic rates from pre-hiatus seasons (2016-2019). Injury characteristics were also compared between the pre- and post-hiatus time periods. RESULTS: A total of 868 bony injuries across 23 sports were identified. The sports with highest overall baseline bony injury rates in historic seasons were women's cross country (0.57 injuries per 1000 AEH) and men's cross country (0.32). Compared to historic pre-hiatus rates, female cross-country runners demonstrated a significantly lower bony injury incidence rate in the post-hiatus season (0.24 vs. 0.57, p = 0.016) while male swimming athletes demonstrated a statistically significant increase in bony injury rate (0.09 vs. 0.01, p = 0.015). The proportion of bony injuries attributed to repetitive trauma increased; while, the proportion of injuries attributed to running decreased between the pre- and post-hiatus seasons. CONCLUSION: Across all sports, there was no consistent trend toward increased rates of bony injury in the immediate post-hiatus season. However, female cross-country runners demonstrated lower rates of bony injury in the post-hiatus season while male swimmers demonstrated higher rates. Furthermore, bony injuries in the post-hiatus season were more likely to be the result of repetitive trauma and less likely to be from running. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective, cross sectional study.

Stress Fractures of the Distal Phalanx in Skeletally Immature Sport Climbers.

Stress fractures in the distal phalanx of skeletally immature patients are rare and previously unreported clinical occurrences. We report on 2 adolescent sport climbers with such fractures of the dorsal metaphysis of the distal phalanx at the point where parts of the extensor tendon insert. A conservative treatment approach alone was sufficient in healing this fracture type in both patients after 12 wk. Clinicians should be informed of the existence of this rare clinical phenomenon and counsel patients that a conservative treatment approach may result in complete healing without the need for an invasive procedure.

Pelvic insufficiency fractures and pelvic bone metastases after neoadjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy for rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic insufficiency fractures (PIFs) are a late complication of radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies. We evaluated the incidence, radiologic findings, clinical course, and outcome of PIFs in patients treated with neoadjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy ((C)RT) for rectal cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data of patients diagnosed with rectal cancer from a large teaching hospital treated from 2002 to 2012 were extracted from the Dutch Cancer Registry. All hospital records were reviewed for the diagnosis of PIFs or pelvic bone metastases. An expert radiologist reassessed all imaging procedures of the lower back, abdomen, and pelvis. RESULTS: A total of 513 rectal cancer patients were identified of whom 300 patients (58.5%) were treated with neoadjuvant (C)RT (long- vs. short-course radiotherapy: 91 patients [17.7%] vs. 209 [40.7%], respectively). Twelve PIFs were diagnosed initially according to hospital records and imaging reports of all 513 patients. These 12 patients were treated with neoadjuvant (C)RT. After reassessment of all pelvic imaging procedures done in this patient group (432 patients (84.2%)), 20 additional PIFs were detected in patients treated with neoadjuvant (C)RT, resulting in a 10.7% PIF rate in irradiated patients. One PIF was detected in the group of patients not treated with neoadjuvant (C)RT for rectal cancer. This patient had palliative radiotherapy for prostate cancer and is left out of the analysis. Median follow-up time of 32 PIF patients was 49 months. Median time between start of neoadjuvant (C)RT and diagnosis of PIF was 17 months (IQR 9-28). Overall median survival for patients with PIF was 63.5 months (IQR 44-120). CONCLUSION: PIFs are a relatively common late complication of neoadjuvant (C)RT for rectal cancer but are often missed or misdiagnosed as pelvic bone metastases. The differentiation of PIFs from pelvic bone metastases is important because of a different treatment and disease outcome.

Total Hip Arthroplasty is the Most Effective Treatment for Atraumatic Subchondral Insufficiency Fractures of the Femoral Head.

BACKGROUND: Subchondral insufficiency fracture of the femoral head (SIFH) is a relatively newly used diagnosisfollowing an insidious onset of hip pain in individuals without apparent antecedent trauma. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of a consecutive series of patients with SIFH treated at one institution. METHODS: A total of 93 patients aged 23 to 91 years who were treated for SIFH in the outpatient clinics at one academic, urban medical center between August 2012 and August 2019 were identified. The diagnosis was made by magnetic resonance imaging or radiograph of the hip and was confirmed by a radiologist specialized in orthopedic surgery. Patient demographics, injury history, duration of pain, treatment type, and persistence of pain were recorded. RESULTS: Sixty-five (69.9%) patients with a mean age of 64.2 ± 9.4 years ultimately underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA). Twenty-eight (30.1%) patients chose no surgical intervention. Patients who underwent THA had less pain at their final follow-up appointment than patients who elected non-operative treatment (p < 0.001). At their final follow-up appointments, 92.9% of patients treated non-operatively reported pain, compared to only 13.8% of patients who underwent THA who had pain. Age, body mass index, and duration of pain prior to initial complaint did not affect presence of continued pain at final follow-up appointments, regardless of treatment type (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the majority of patients, SIFH is often not sufficiently managed with non-operative treatments. Pain reported among patients with confirmed or suspected SIFH is usually severe and interferes with patients' ability to perform their activities of daily life. Total hip arthroplasty seems to be the most reliable method of treatment for this condition. Physicians who treat patients with SIFH should counsel them as to the expectations of recovery and the potential for poorer outcome if treated without THA.

Outcomes of conservative treatment of acromial and scapular spine stress fracture post reverse shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Acromial and scapular spine stress fractures are common complications post reverse shoulder arthroplasty. A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the clinical outcomes of conservatively treated acromial and scapular spine stress fractures post reverse shoulder arthroplasty in comparison to nonfracture control. METHODS: Embase, MEDLINE, and Web of Science were searched on September 9, 2022, using various terms related to fracture, acromion, scapula, and reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Meta-analysis using a random effects model was performed on common outcome scores. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tools for case-controlled studies. Sensitivity analysis was performed for imputed standard deviations and studies with <20 participants. RESULTS: Thirteen studies with a total of 339 fracture and 3142 control patients were included in the systematic review. Meta-analysis was performed on 12 studies assessing active forward flexion, abduction, external rotation, Constant-Murley score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form, pain score, Simple Shoulder Test, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation. Fracture patients experienced significantly poorer functional outcome compared with control patients when the fractures were managed conservatively. Levy III fractures tend to experience worse outcomes. Pain score did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the fracture and nonfracture cohort. DISCUSSION: Currently, literature regarding surgical management is lacking, partially because of a dearth of high-quality literature but also hindered by a lack of standardized techniques. This review was limited by inclusion of studies of low evidence, small sample sizes, and inconsistency in outcome measurement and follow-up period. Overall, patients with acromial and scapular spine stress fractures treated conservatively are expected to have reduced shoulder function compared to nonfracture patients, with the spine of scapula fracture patients suffering the poorest outcomes. Future studies should aim to use the same sets of outcomes parameters to assess the patients at fixed time intervals and report outcomes stratified by Levy classification. This will enable interinstitutional collaboration and pooling of results.