Sport and sexual recovery after total hip arthroplasty in young adults: a retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) is the main treatment for end-stage degenerative hip arthrosis in the elderly, while became increasingly performed as treatment of secondary arthrosis in younger patients, a population at high functional requests in terms of resumption of physical activity and resumption of sexual activity. This study evaluates the physical, sports recovery and the sexual quality of life in young patients undergoing primary THA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing primary THA aged between 18 and 45, operated in a 10 year timeframe, were selected. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were collected. The Harris Hip Score (HHS) was assessed before and after the surgery. The UCLA Activity Score was collected, sport participation in pre and post-operative period was acquired. The quality of sexual activity (SQoL) before and after surgery was analysed through a qualitative questionnaire. Collected data were also compared on the surgical approach, namely Direct Anterior (DAA), Postero-Lateral (PL) and Direct lateral (DL). RESULTS: The population consisted of 242 THA implanted in 232 patients, including 143 males and 89 females, with an average age of 37.4. The mean follow-up period was 51.0 months, with a minimum of 2.9 months and a maximum of 122.6 months. Postoperatively, the average HHS was 90.29 ± 0.9 points, compared to 62.43 ± 1.34 points preoperatively (p < 0.001). The UCLA Activity Score in the postoperative period was 7.17 ± 0.17 matching to intermediate impact sport activity. The 64% of patients reported an improvement in SQoL after-surgery, 73% of which being females that show a significant improvement in SQoL compared to males (p = 0.046). By surgical approach comparison, DAA patients demonstrated better UCLA Activity Score (p = 0.037) and Return to sport (p = 0.027) compared to PL and DL. CONCLUSION: Primary THA surgery in young adults can improve the level of physical activity and promote the involvement of subjects in moderate impact sports. Patients showed a better quality of sexual life compared to the preoperative period, an effect more evident in female patients.

A Registry Study On Acetabular Revisions Using Jumbo Cups: Do We Really Need A More Complex Revision Strategy?

BACKGROUND: The increasing global performance of total hip arthroplasty (THA) has led to a corresponding rise in revision surgeries, primarily due to cup implant failure, with aseptic loosening and periprosthetic infection being common causes. Various techniques and implants, including jumbo cups (JCs), are employed to manage residual bone loss post-cup removal, facilitating enhanced surface area for improved host bone contact and biological osteointegration. The purpose of the present study was to determine the outcomes of acetabular revision arthroplasty using JC implants over a 20-year follow-up period by reporting overall survival, complications leading to re-revision surgery, and surgical strategy in the case of re-revision. METHODS: A cohort study based on a large regional registry was conducted, examining revision THA surgeries utilizing JCs between 2000 and 2020. The study included all the revision acetabular procedures performed with cementless JCs, identified with a diameter ≥ 62 mm in women or ≥ 66 mm in men. All iliac fixation cups were excluded. Data on demographics, revision surgery indications, components, fixation types, causes of failure, and reintervention strategies were collected and analyzed. A total of 541 JCs implanted from January 2000 to December 2020 were evaluated. The most common revision indications were "cup aseptic loosening" (54.5%) and "total aseptic loosening," which included both the cup and stem (32%). RESULTS: Jumbo cup survival rates were 92.5% at 5 years, 85.8% at 10 years, and 81.5% at 15 years. Among the 70 failures, the main causes were "cup aseptic loosening" (40%), "total aseptic loosening" (17.1%), and "septic loosening" (12.8%). Revisions primarily involved acetabular cup revision surgery (54 cases), component explantation (11 cases), or insert/head revision (5 cases). CONCLUSIONS: This registry-based study of JCs in revision THA demonstrates excellent 15-year survival rates and acceptable failure rates. It supports JCs as a viable option, offering relative surgical simplicity compared to alternatives like anti-protrusion cages, bone grafts, and augments.

Should we be concerned when the anterior approach to the hip goes accidentally medial? A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The direct anterior approach is increasingly used for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) due to its minimally invasive nature and rapid recovery time. Difficulties in identifying the correct intermuscular interval can arise during the procedure, sometimes resulting in excessive medial exposure. This study aimed to evaluate demographics and risk factors, outcomes, and potential complications in those THA patients in which a medialized approach was performed. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed cases of anterior THA to identify cases where the surgical approach to the hip was more medial than the standard interval. Demographic data, operative time, blood loss, intraoperative and postoperative complications, radiographic findings were collected and compared with a control group of 50 THA performed using the standard anterior intermuscular interval. RESULTS: In a series of 1,450 anterior total hip arthroplasty (THA) procedures performed between January 2018 and December 2021, with an average follow-up of 33 ± 22.3 months, six patients (0.4%) had a medialized surgical interval. In one case the superficial layer was medial to the sartorious muscle while in the other five cases, the interval was lateral to the sartorius superficially, and medial to the rectus femoris deeply. Four out of 6 patients (66.6%) showed neuropraxia affecting the femoral nerve, and 3 out of 6 (50%) had involvement of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. In 6 out of 6 patients (100%), surgery was performed during the learning curve of DAA. No patients in the control group developed femoral nerve neuropraxia, and 2 out of 50 patients (4%) showed involvement of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The anterior approach can rarely result in excessive medial exposure to the hip joint, especially during the learning curve. In our study cohort, an increased rate of neurological complications and reduced outcomes were observed, thereby rendering this event of particular clinical significance. To avoid unconventional intermuscular intervals, patient positioning and correct identification of the muscle bellies by recognizing the orientation of the muscle fibers are useful, together with the identification and ligation of the circumflex vessels, to ensure the identification of the correct intermuscular interval.

Accuracy of patient-specific instrumentation for implant positioning in custom-made total ankle arthroplasty.

Purpose: This retrospective radiological analysis aimed to assess the accuracy of implant positioning in patients with ankle arthritis undergoing custom-made total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) with patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) compared with preoperative planning. Methods: Patients who underwent custom-made TAA with PSI from January 2018 to March 2023 were retrospectively evaluated, focusing on the tibial anterior surface (TAS) angle, tibial lateral surface (TLS) angle and tibiotalar ratio (TTR). Additionally, data regarding the time from the preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan to surgery, associated procedures and complications were recorded. Results: No associated procedures were performed, and only one intraoperative complication, an iatrogenic lateral malleolar fracture, was recorded. In the coronal plane, custom-made TAA with PSI consistently achieved precise positioning of prosthetic components, even in cases with significant preoperative deformities or bone deficits. However, a statistically significant deviation from the planned values was observed in the sagittal plane (p = 0.007). A notable correlation was identified between the time elapsed from the preoperative CT scan to surgery and the deviation from the planned to the actual postoperative TAS angle (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study underscores the efficacy of PSI systems in achieving precise positioning in the coronal plane, in accordance with preoperative planning. In contrast, sagittal plane positioning did not demonstrate the same level of accuracy, as evidenced by a statistically significant difference between the planned and postoperative TLS values. Nevertheless, all measurements remained within the recommended range according to the existing literature. Level of Evidence: Level IV.

Hip-spine relationship: clinical evidence and biomechanical issues.

The hip-spine relationship is a critical consideration in total hip arthroplasty (THA) procedures. While THA is generally successful in patient, complications such as instability and dislocation can arise. These issues are significantly influenced by the alignment of implant components and the overall balance of the spine and pelvis, known as spinopelvic balance. Patients with alteration of those parameters, in particular rigid spines, often due to fusion surgery, face a higher risk of THA complications, with an emphasis on complications in instability, impingement and dislocation. For these reasons, over the years, computer modelling and simulation techniques have been developed to support clinicians in the different steps of surgery. The aim of the current review is to present current knowledge on hip-spine relationship to serve as a common platform of discussion among clinicians and engineers. The offered overview aims to update the reader on the main critical aspects of the issue, from both a theoretical and practical perspective, and to be a valuable introductory tool for those approaching this problem for the first time.

The Medium- to Long-Term Results of Vascular-Sparing Subcapital Osteotomy (VASSCO) for Pediatric Patients with Chronic Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis.

Background: In patients affected by chronic slipped capital femoral epiphysis (C-SCFE), the performance of a subcapital osteotomy is an effective procedure to correct the deformity at the proximal femur. However, the rate of postoperative complications is very high, with iatrogenic avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVN) being the most bothersome. To overcome the risk of AVN, the modified Dunn procedure according to Ganz and, more recently, the Vascular Sparing Subcapital Osteotomy (VASSCO) technique have been proposed; however, only short-term follow-up studies are available on the latter technique being used. The aim of this study is therefore to show our mid-term clinical and radiological results with the VASSCO technique. Materials and Methods: A total of 26 patients underwent VASSCO for moderate or severe stable C-SCFE between 2012 and April 2016 with an average 10-year follow-up (range 8-12 years). The outcomes was evaluated using the HHS and pre- and postoperative ROM. The radiological outcomes and complications were collected. Results: No major intraoperative complications occurred; three patients reported postoperative transient apraxia of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which completely recovered in six months. All the radiological outcomes showed substantial improvement postoperatively. One case patient developed AVN of the femoral head and required a total hip arthroplasty after 12 years. Conclusions: The current data suggest that VASSCO osteotomy is a reliable technique with very good clinical results at mid-term follow-up; it could be considered a valuable alternative to using more complex techniques to restore the proximal femoral anatomy in moderate to severe C-SCFE.

Direct Anterior Approach in Total Hip Arthroplasty for Severe Crowe IV Dysplasia: Retrospective Clinical and Radiological Study.

Background and Objectives: total hip arthroplasty (THA) for Crowe IV hip dysplasia poses challenges due to severe leg shortening, muscle retraction and bone stock issues, leading to an increased neurological complication, and revision rate. The direct anterior approach (DAA) is used for minimally invasive THA but its role in Crowe IV dysplasia is unclear. This retrospective study examines if DAA effectively restores hip biomechanics in Crowe IV dysplasia patients with <4 cm leg length discrepancy, managing soft tissue and yielding functional improvement, limb length correction, and limited complications. Materials and Methods: 19 patients with unilateral Crowe IV hip osteoarthritis and <4 cm leg length discrepancy undergoing DAA THA were reviewed. Surgery involved gradual soft tissue release, precise acetabular cup positioning, and stem placement without femoral osteotomy. Results: results were evaluated clinically and radiographically, with complications recorded. Follow-up revealed significant Harris Hip Score and limb length discrepancy improvements. Abductor muscle insufficiency was present in 21%. The acetabular component was accurately placed, centralizing the prosthetic joint's rotation. Complications occurred in 16% of cases, including fractures, nerve issues, and infection. DAA in THA showcased positive outcomes for hip function, limb length, and biomechanics in Crowe IV dysplasia. Conclusions: the technique enabled accurate cup positioning and rotation center adjustment. Complications were managed well without implant revisions. DAA is a viable option for Crowe IV dysplasia, restoring hip function, biomechanics, and reducing limb length discrepancy. Larger, longer studies are needed for validation.

Outcomes of direct anterior approach for uncemented total hip replacement in medial femoral neck fractures: a retrospective comparative study on the first 100 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: With the aging of the population, the incidence of medial femoral neck fractures is likely to increase, and along them the need for total hip replacement. The present study aimed to analyze whether the use of the direct anterior hip approach, compared with posterolateral approach in medial proximal femur fracture patients, results in any advantage in terms of complications rate and functional recovery. METHODS: A total of 162 patients were included in the study, and divided by approach: 100 performed with direct anterior approach (group A) and 62 with posterolateral approach (group B). The two populations were overlapping in age (75 vs 74 years; p = 0.13), sex (58F 42M vs 46F 16M; p = 0.12) and BMI (24 vs 24; p = 0.77). RESULTS: Group A showed a higher ASA score compared to group B (3 vs 2; p = 0.04). Similar hospital stays (7 vs 7 days; p = 0.55) and complication rates (6% vs 8%; p = 0.61) were observed among groups, the most frequent being periprosthetic fractures, and need for allogeneic blood transfusion (20% vs 13%; p = 0.25). Patients in group A (96 vs 85 min; p = 0.10) showed a slightly, longer surgical time and a faster postoperative functional recovery witnessed by the ability to climb stairs at hospital discharge (37% vs 21%; p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: The use of the direct anterior hip approach was effective in the management of frail patients with medial femoral neck fractures managed by total hip arthroplasty, allowing faster functional recovery in the elderly population.

How to Prevent Wound Complications After Total Ankle Arthroplasty Through Anterior Approach: A Systematic Review on Current Treatment Options.

INTRODUCTION: Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) through anterior approaches is a common treatment for end-stage tibiotalar arthritis. The occurrence of wound healing problems can lead to severe consequences. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the available methods to minimize postoperative wound complications after TAA through standard anterior approaches. METHODS: Three databases were searched for original articles concerning methods to reduce anterior wound complications after TAA. Eligible articles were examined to extract studies' characteristics, population data, type of intervention, and related wound complications. Study risk of bias assessment was conducted through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: Thirteen articles were included for analysis, investigating 8 types of intervention, which were grouped into 3 classes: biological, mechanical, and pharmacological methods. A significant decrease in wound complications was reported for negative pressure wound therapy (3% vs 24%, P = .014), soft tissue expansion strips (2% vs 12%, P = .04), and tranexamic acid (TXA) administration (9% vs 22%, P = .002). CONCLUSION: Despite the limitations of the included studies, this review showed encouraging results for TXA administration. Good results were found for mechanical methods, despite each intervention being supported by only 1 comparative study. Careful selection of patients is recommended to identify potential benefits or contraindications to such interventions. Further prospective randomized studies would be helpful to confirm these results.Levels of Evidence: 3.

Impact of previous lumbar spine surgery on total hip arthroplasty and vice versa: How long should we be concerned about mechanical failure?

INTRODUCTION: This registry study aims to assess the prevalence and demographic characteristics of patients with lumbar spine (LS) surgical procedures who undergo total hip arthroplasty (THA), to compare the long-term survival and causes of failure of THA in patients who previously underwent LS fusion and non-fusion surgical procedures, and to evaluate the risk of undergoing a revision LS surgery after THA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent LS surgery followed by THA were identified by cross-referencing data from the Orthopedic Prosthetic Implants Registry and the Regional Hospital Discharge Database. Three groups of THA patients were identified: patients who underwent previous lumbar surgery with fusion (LS fusion-THA), without fusion (LS non-fusion-THA), and a control group with only THA (No LS surgery-THA). Demographic data, THA survival, number and causes of failure, and data on revision procedures on THA and LS were collected. RESULTS: Of the total of 79,984 THA, 2.2% of patients had a history of LS procedures. THA only patients showed better results, while patients in the LS fusion-THA group had worse implant survival at 5-year follow-up. In the LS fusion-THA and LS non-fusion-THA, mechanical THA failures were more frequent in the first two years after implantation. There were no differences between groups regarding the risk of undergoing LS revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: LS surgery negatively affects THA survivorship. In patients who previously underwent LS fusion and non-fusion surgical procedures, most THA failure occurs in the first two years after implant. The study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between the hip and the LS and provides useful guidance for clinical practice.

Is the Direct Anterior Approach for Total Hip Arthroplasty Effective in Obese Patients? Early Clinical and Radiographic Results from a Retrospective Comparative Study.

Background and objectives: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) in obese patients (BMI > 30) is considered technically demanding, and it is associated with higher rates of general and specific complications including infections, component malpositioning, dislocation, and periprosthetic fractures. Classically, the Direct Anterior Approach (DAA) has been considered less suitable for performing THA surgery in the obese patient, but recent evidence produced by high-volume DAA THA surgeons suggests that DAA is suitable and effective in obese patients. At the authors' institution, DAA is currently the preferred approach for primary and revision THA surgery, accounting for over 90% of hip surgeries without specific patient selection. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to evaluate any difference in early clinical outcomes, perioperative complications, and implant positioning after primary THAs performed via DAA in patients who were divided according to BMI. Material and methods: This study is a retrospective review of 293 THA implants in 277 patients that were performed via DAA from 1 January 2016 to 20 May 2020. Patients were further divided according to BMI: 96 patients were normal weight (NW), 115 were overweight (OW), and 82 were obese (OB). All the procedures were performed by three expert surgeons. The mean follow-up was 6 months. Patients' data, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, surgical time, days in rehab unit, pain at the second post-operative day recorded by using a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and number of blood transfusions were recorded from clinical charts and compared. Radiological evaluation of cup inclination and stem alignment was conducted on post-operative radiographs; intra- and post-operative complications at latest follow-up were recorded. Results: The average age at surgery of OB patients was significantly lower compared to NW and OW patients. The ASA score was significantly higher in OB patients compared to NW patients. Surgical time was slightly but significantly higher in OB patients (85 ± 21 min) compared to NW (79 ± 20 min, p = 0.05) and OW patients (79 ± 20 min, p = 0.029). Rehab unit discharge occurred significantly later for OB patients, averaging 8 ± 2 days compared to NW patients (7 ± 2 days, p = 0.012) and OW patients (7 ± 2 days; p = 0.032). No differences in the rate of early infections, number of blood transfusions, NRS pain at the second post-operative day, and day of post-operative stair climbing were found among the three groups. Acetabular cup inclination and stem alignment were similar among the three groups. The perioperative complication rate was 2.3%; that is, perioperative complication occurred in 7 out of 293 patients, with a significantly higher incidence of surgical revisions required in obese patients compared to the others. In fact, OB patients showed a higher revision rate (4.87%) compared to other groups, with 1.04% for NW and 0% for OW (p = 0.028, Chi-square test). Causes for revision in obese patients were aseptic loosening (2), dislocation (1), and clinically significant post-operative leg length discrepancy (1), with a revision rate of 4/82 (4.87%) during follow-up. Conclusions: THA performed via DAA in obese patients could be a solid choice of treatment, given the relatively low rate of complications and the satisfying clinical outcomes. However, surgical expertise on DAA and adequate instrumentation for this approach are required to optimise the outcomes.

Magnetic resonance-based hip muscles retrospective analysis shows deconditioning and recovery after total hip arthroplasty surgery.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to estimate the effect of unilateral hip osteoarthritis (OA) on hip muscle volume and fatty infiltration and to evaluate changes of muscles after total hip arthroplasty (THA) surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with unilateral hip OA subjected to THA with perioperative pelvic girdle 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thirty-five patients were included. Ten of these have also postoperative MRIs. Medius gluteus (MG) and iliopsoas (IP) muscles were manually segmented on the MRI scans, the corresponding 3D muscle geometries were reconstructed, and the volumes extracted. Muscle quality was assessed using the Goutallier classification on coronal MRI images. Volume and muscle quality differences were calculated between healthy and affected side. RESULTS: Pre-operatively, MG and IP on the affected side presented a mean muscle volume 17.5 ± 18% (p < 0.001) and 14.4 ± 15.8% (p < 0.001) smaller than the healthy counterpart, respectively. Muscles on the affected side showed a significant higher grade of fatty infiltration compared to the healthy side (p < 0.05 for MG; p < 0.001 for IP). At an average follow-up of 13 ± 5.3 months after THA, MG, and IP muscles of the affected hip showed an average 22.8% (p < 0.001) and 28.2% (p < 0.001) volume increase after THA. Also, the healthy side showed a significant increase of muscle volume for IP (17.1% p < 0.001). No significant change for MG muscle was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated preoperative reduced muscle volume and higher fatty infiltration at the muscles of the OA hip compared to the contralateral healthy one. A significant positive effect of THA on hip muscle volume was observed. These findings give an interesting insight on muscle deconditioning and recovery in patients undergoing THA.

Femoral Head Autograft to Manage Acetabular Bone Loss Defects in THA for Crowe III Hips by DAA: Retrospective Study and Surgical Technique.

Introduction: The pathologic anatomy of Crowe III is characterized by the erosion of the superior rim of acetabulum, with a typical bone defect in its supero-lateral portion. The performance of a total hip arthroplasty requires the management of the acetabular bone defect, and femoral head autograft can be a valid option to optimize implant coverage. Material and Methods: In all, eight Crowe III patients (nine hips), seven of which having unilateral hip affected, and one with bilateral involvement by secondary osteoarthritis in DDH; maximum limb length discrepancy (LLD) of 3.5 cm in unilateral patients. All were operated on by direct anterior approach. Patients were evaluated in terms of clinical, surgical, and radiological (center-edge, horizontal coverage, cup inclination) parameters. Results: Cup placement was implanted with a mean of 39.5 ± 7.5°. Stem alignment showed average 1.5 ± 2.3° in valgus. LLD showed an overall average preoperative of -29.5 ± 10.5 mm at the affected side, with a significant improvement to -2.5 ± 6.4 mm (p = 0.023). The mean initial coverage evaluated like a percentage of the horizontal bone host was 52.1 ± 7.1%, while the mean final coverage at the last post-operative X-ray from femoral autograft bone was 97.0 ± 4.5% with an average improvement of 44.5%. Average CE improved from -9.5 ± 5.2° (CE I) to the immediate post-operative (CE II) of 40.6 ± 8.2°. At the final follow up, CE III showed a mean of 38.6 ± 6.2°, with an average decrease of 2.0°. Discussion: Acetabular bone defect in Crowe III DDH patients undergoing THA by DAA, can be efficiently managed by massive autograft femoral head, which allowed an adequate and long-lasting coverage of the implant, with cup positioning at the native acetabulum.

Aesthetic Results, Functional Outcome and Radiographic Analysis in THA by Direct Anterior, Bikini and Postero-Lateral Approach: Is It Worth the Hassle?

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) can be performed by several approaches such as direct anterior (DAA), direct lateral (DL) and postero-lateral (PL). Our study was conducted to compare among different approaches, such as DAA, bikini (BK) and PL, the aesthetic impact of the scar, differences in the position of prosthetic components and differences in functional rehabilitation outcomes. Materials and methods: Population, composed by 240 patients, was collected among patients treated for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2021 and divided by surgical approach. Of these, 160 female patients were included in the current analysis, leaving 58 DAA, 52 BK patients and 50 PL patients. Demographic and clinical parameters were retrospectively collected: age, BMI, time of surgery, length of stay, Harris Hip Score (HHS) before and after surgery at 6 months and patient, intra/post-surgical complications and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). Results and Discussion: Our results showed a better aesthetical result in BK group compared to DAA group and faster rehabilitation with the DAA compared to PL. Optimal cup positioning was reached both in PL approach and DAA approach. DAA showed no increase in complications compared to PL approach and offered a faster recovery. Bikini approach is an alternative to the standard DAA approach and can be proposed for patients where a better aesthetic result is desired in addition to better functional recover.

Epigenetic Factors Related to Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature.

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common causes of pain and disability. At present, treatment and interventions for acute and chronic low back pain often fail to provide sufficient levels of pain relief, and full functional restoration can be challenging. Considering the significant socio-economic burden and risk-to-benefit ratio of medical and surgical intervention in low back pain patients, the identification of reliable biomarkers such as epigenetic factors associated with low back pain could be useful in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to review the available literature regarding the epigenetic factors associated with low back pain. This review was carried out in accordance with Preferential Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search was carried out in October 2022. Only peer-reviewed articles were considered for inclusion. Fourteen studies were included and showed promising results in terms of reliable markers. Epigenetic markers for LBP have the potential to significantly modify disease management. Most recent evidence suggests that epigenetics is a more promising field for the identification of factors associated with LBP, offering a rationale for further investigation in this field with the long-term goal of finding epigenetic biomarkers that could constitute biological targets for disease management and treatment.

Chronic abductor lesion after total hip arthroplasty in a sitting proud stem: direct repair by osteotomy of the greater trochanter.

A woman in her late 70s with bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) presented with left hip pain arising immediately after the last THA procedure, progressively worsening. Clinically, a severe abductor insufficiency with Trendelenburg limp was observed. Moreover, symptomatic leg length discrepancy required a contralateral heel lift of 0.5 cm. She was previously managed conservatively without any clinical benefit. Radiographs showed a well-fixed uncemented straight, sitting proud stem. MRI showed a large abductor tear. A minimally invasive proximal advancement of the greater trochanter was planned to allow direct surgical repair of the abductor lesion. The patient made a good recovery, and 12 months after surgery, wire removal was performed. The patient gained significant improvements in hip function (Harris Hip Score from 52 to 89), full limp recovery and complete pain relief at 13 months follow-up from primary surgery.

Multilevel non-contiguous thoracic pedicle subtraction osteotomy for fixed rounded hyperkyphotic deformity of the thoraco-lumbar junction with anterior bony fusion: technical note.

BACKGROUND: Fixed severe hyperkyphotic deformities spread over more than five vertebral levels represent a therapeutic challenge, especially when the deformity apex is located at the thoraco-lumbar junction, thus requiring a huge amount of correction. The aim of this article is to describe an innovative all-posterior corrective technique based on multilevel non-contiguous thoracic pedicle subtraction ostoeotomy (PSO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of three patients with fixed severe thoracic hyperkyphosis (a deformity angle of over 70°) with a thoraco-lumbar apex (between T11 and L1) treated by simultaneous two-level thoracic PSO and thoraco-lumbar posterior fusion was performed. Radiographic and clinical records were evaluated pre-operatively, post-operatively and at last follow-up (after a minimum of 2 years). Each variable was presented as mean ± SD (standard deviation). Statistical analyses were performed using paired t-tests (P value < 0.05 was considered significant). RESULTS: The mean local deformity angle decreased by 75% (from 81.3° ± 2.1° to 20.7° ± 1.4°, p < 0.001), the post-operative thoracic kyphosis decreased by 46% (from 61.4° ± 2.4° to 33.2° ± 0.9°, p < 0.001) and the sagittal vertical axis decreased by 73% (from 14.7 cm ± 0.8 cm to 3.9 cm ± 0.3 cm, p < 0.001). No differences were observed in the radiological results between post-operative values and those at the final follow-up. The average Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score reduced from 65.7 ± 1.8 pre-operatively to 17.3 ± 1.7 at last follow-up (p < 0.001). No neurological, mechanical nor infective complication occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The presented technique, although technically demanding, proved to be a safe and effective alternative for the management of fixed severe thoraco-lumbar junction hyperkyphotic deformities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV TRIAL REGISTRATION Retrospectively registered.

Is Sarcopenia a Risk Factor for Postoperative Surgical Site Infection After Posterior Lumbar Spinal Fusion?

BACKGROUND: This retrospective observational study aimed to evaluate the impact of sarcopenia on surgical site infection (SSI) risk in patients who undergo posterior lumbar fusion. While many studies have investigated the impact of sarcopenia on postoperative morbidity both in general and orthopedic surgery, none of them examined the risk of postoperative infection after lumbar spine surgery in sarcopenic vs nonsarcopenic patients. METHODS: Consecutive 55- to 75-year-old patients who underwent short posterior lumbar fusion for degenerative pathology between 2004 and 2019 were included. Charts were reviewed, and the psoas:lumbar vertebral index (PLVI) was used as a measure of central sarcopenia. Patients were stratified according to low vs high PLVI and then according to postoperative infection status. SSI was assessed as an outcome. A statistical analysis was performed to identify risk factors for infection. RESULTS: A total of 304 patients were included; 24 (7.9%) developed postoperative SSI. The average follow-up was 26.2 months. The sarcopenic group was found to not have a higher likelihood of experiencing postoperative SSI (P = 0.947). Only Charlson Comorbidity Index and American Society of Anesthesiology score were significantly associated with infectious complications (P = 0.008 and P = 0.017, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Low PLVI was not associated with postoperative SSI in this study. This finding is in contrast with the findings of other authors who found sarcopenia to be a risk factor for postoperative complications. However, these studies did not consider SSI as the only primary endpoint, and patients were not stratified by indication (degeneration, infection, tumor, and trauma) or surgical procedure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Low PLVI was not associated with postoperative SSI in patients who undergo short posterior lumbar fusion for degenerative pathology.

Epigenetic and Genetic Factors Related to Curve Progression in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Scoping Review of the Current Literature.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a progressive deformity of the spine. Scoliotic curves progress until skeletal maturity leading, in rare cases, to a severe deformity. While the Cobb angle is a straightforward tool in initial curve magnitude measurement, assessing the risk of curve progression at the time of diagnosis may be more challenging. Epigenetic and genetic markers are potential prognostic tools to predict curve progression. The aim of this study is to review the available literature regarding the epigenetic and genetic factors associated with the risk of AIS curve progression. This review was carried out in accordance with Preferential Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search was carried out in January 2022. Only peer-reviewed articles were considered for inclusion. Forty studies were included; fifteen genes were reported as having SNPs with significant association with progressive AIS, but none showed sufficient power to sustain clinical applications. In contrast, nine studies reporting epigenetic modifications showed promising results in terms of reliable markers. Prognostic testing for AIS has the potential to significantly modify disease management. Most recent evidence suggests epigenetics as a more promising field for the identification of factors associated with AIS progression, offering a rationale for further investigation in this field.