Better outcomes using suture button compared to screw fixation in talofibular syndesmotic injuries of the ankle: a level I evidence-based meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The present meta-analysis evaluated current level I clinical trials which compared the use of a suture button (SB) versus syndesmotic screw (SS) fixation techniques for syndesmosis injuries of the ankle. The outcomes of interest were to compare patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and complications. It was hypothesised that SB might achieve better PROMs along with a lower rate of complications. METHODS: This study was conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA statement. In August 2023, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase were accessed. All the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which compared SB versus SS fixation for syndesmosis injuries of the ankle were accessed. Data concerning the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS), and Olerud-Molander score (OMS) were collected at baseline and at last follow-up. Data on implant failure, implant removal, and joint malreduction were also retrieved. RESULTS: Data from seven RCTs (490 patients) were collected. 33% (161 of 490) were women. The mean length of the follow-up was 30.8 ± 27.4 months. The mean age of the patients was 41.1 ± 4.1 years. Between the two groups (SB and SS), comparability was found in the mean age, and men:women ratio. The SS group evidenced lower OMS (P = 0.0006) and lower AOFAS (P = 0.03). The SS group evidenced a greater rate of implant failure (P = 0.0003), implant removal (P = 0.0005), and malreduction (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Suture button fixation might perform better than the syndesmotic screw fixation in syndesmotic injuries of the ankle.

Negative pressure wound therapy in the management of postoperative spinal wound infections: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative wound infection after spinal surgery might be a challenge to manage. A wide range of procedures have been described for managing infected spinal wounds. An increasingly common procedure in the management of surgical site infections (SSI) is negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), also known as vacuum-assisted closure. As there is a paucity of clear clinical advice the present investigation aims to update current evidence on the use of NPWT to manage postoperative SSI occurring after instrumented spine surgery. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted according to the preferred reporting Items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the 2020 PRISMA statement. In January 2024, the following databases were accessed: PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. No time constraint was set for the search. All the clinical studies investigating the unique use of NPWT in treating postoperative spinal wound infections were accessed. RESULTS: A total of 381 patients were included in the present study. Of them 52.5% (200 of 381 patients) were women. The mean age was 52.2 ± 15.2 years. The average length of the NPWT was 21.2 days (range 7-90 days). CONCLUSION: NPWT could be a valuable adjuvant therapy for the management of SSI after spine surgery. Additional high-quality investigations are required to assess the efficacy and safety of NPWT in SSI after spine surgery, especially if combined with contraindications or risk factors, such as the presence of intraoperative CSF leak. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Systematic review.

Physiotherapeutic and non-conventional approaches in patients with chronic low-back pain: a level I Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a major cause of disability and healthcare expenditure worldwide. Its prevalence is increasing globally from somatic and psychosocial factors. While non-pharmacological management, and in particular physiotherapy, has been recommended as a first-line treatment for cLBP, it is not clear what type of physiotherapeutic approach is the most effective in terms of pain reduction and function improvement. This analysis is rendered more difficult by the vast number of available therapies and a lack of a widely accepted classification that can effectively highlight the differences in the outcomes of different management options. This study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. In January 2024, the following databases were accessed: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase. All the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which compared the efficacy of physiotherapy programs in patients with cLBP were accessed. Studies reporting on non-specific or mechanical cLPB were included. Data concerning the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) or numeric rating scale (NRS), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Data from 12,773 patients were collected. The mean symptom duration was 61.2 ± 51.0 months and the mean follow-up was 4.3 ± 5.9 months. The mean age was 44.5 ± 9.4 years. The mean BMI was 25.8 ± 2.9 kg/m2. The Adapted Physical Exercise group evidenced the lowest pain score, followed by Multidisciplinary and Adapted Training Exercise/Complementary Medicine. The Adapted Physical Exercise group evidenced the lowest RMQ score followed by Therapeutic Exercises and Multidisciplinary. The Multidisciplinary group evidenced the lowest ODI score, followed by Adapted Physical Exercise and Physical Agent modalities. Within the considered physiotherapeutic and non-conventional approaches to manage nonspecific and/or mechanic cLBP, adapted physical exercise, physical agent modalities, and a multidisciplinary approach might represent the most effective strategy to reduce pain and disability.

Functional alignment in robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: The present study systematically reviewed current evidence on functional alignment (FA) in robotic total knee arthroplasty (TKA), discussing advantages and limitations, possible pitfalls, and prospects. METHODS: This study was conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA statement. In August 2023, the following databases were accessed: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase with no additional filters or time constraints. All the clinical studies investigating functional alignment in robotic TKA were accessed. Only studies published in peer-reviewed journals were considered. The risk of bias was evaluated following the guidelines in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Non-randomized controlled trials (non-RCTs) were evaluated using the Risk of Bias in Nonrandomised Studies of Interventions (NRSI) (ROBINS-I) tool. RESULTS: Data from 1198 patients (seven studies) were retrieved. The mean length of the follow-up was 17.1 ± 6.4 months. The mean age was 67.2 ± 5.4 years, and the mean BMI was 30.9 ± 2.7 kg/m2. CONCLUSION: FA might improve resection accuracy, implant alignment, and gap balancing in TKA, and additional high-quality clinical trials are necessary to properly establish the superiority of FA to other alignment techniques in TKA. Long-term clinical trials are needed to investigate the impact of FA on implant survivorship. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review and meta-analysis.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in skeletally immature patients is effective: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: The present study evaluated the outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in children with open physes. The outcomes of interest were to compare the increase in joint laxity and PROMs from baseline to the last follow-up, the rate and features of the return to sport and the rate of complications. METHODS: This study was conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA guidelines. In October 2023, the following databases were accessed: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Embase. All the clinical studies investigating ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients were accessed. Only articles which clearly stated that surgeries were conducted in children with open physis were eligible. RESULTS: Data from 53 studies (1691 procedures) were collected. 35% (597 out of 1691 patients) were women. The mean length of the follow-up was 44.7 ± 31.3 months. The mean age of the patients was 12.7 ± 1.1 years old. All PROMs significantly improved from the baseline values to those at the last follow-up. The mean time to return to sport was 8.3 ± 1.9 months. 89% (690 out of 771 patients) returned to sports, 15% (109 out of 721 patients) reduced their level of sports activity or league, and 84% (651 out of 771 patients) returned to their previous level of sport. 9% (112 out of 1213) of patients experienced re-tear of the reconstructed ACL, and 11% (75 out of 660) of patients underwent a further ACL reoperation. No patients (0 out of 83) demonstrated increased laxity at the last follow-up, and persistent sensation of instability was reported by 5% (11 out of 235) of patients. CONCLUSION: ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients is effective and safe, and is associated with fast recovery and a high rate of return to sport. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Minimal clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) in patients who have undergone total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The present systematic review investigated the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) of several frequent and established PROMs used to assess patients who have undergone TKA. This study was conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA statement. METHODS: In September 2023, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were accessed with no time constraint All clinical studies investigating tools to assess the clinical relevance of PROMs used to evaluate patients having received TKA were accessed. Only studies which evaluated the MCID, PASS, or SCB were eligible. The PROMs of interest were the Forgotten Joint Score-12 (FJS-12), the Oxford Knee Score (OKS), the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and its related subscales activity of daily living (ADL), pain, quality of life (QoL), sports and recreational activities, and symptoms, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) score, the Knee Society Score (KSS) and related function score, and the Short Form-12 (SF-12) and Short Form-36 (SF-36). RESULTS: Data from 29,737 patients were collected. The overall risk of bias was low to moderate. The great variability of thresholds for MCID, SCB and PASS between questionnaires but also between investigated aspects was noted, whereby MCIDs for the SF-36 appear lower than for knee-specific questionnaires. CONCLUSION: Despite its critical role from a patient's perspective, the dimension of SCB is still neglected in the literature. Moreover, thresholds for the different concepts need to be condition-specific. We encourage authors to specifically report such data in future studies and to adhere to previously reported definitions to allow future comparison. Level of evidence Level IV, systematic review and meta-analysis.

Level I of evidence does not support manual lymphatic drainage for total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis.

It is unclear whether manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is effective in reducing pain and swelling and improving knee function. The present study investigated the efficacy of MLD after TKA. The outcomes of interest are the range of motion (ROM), pain (visual analogue scale, VAS), and circumference of the lower leg. This meta-analysis was conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA statement. In November 2023, the following databases were accessed: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase, with no time constraint. Only level I evidence studies, according to the Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine, were considered. All the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing patients who have received MLD versus a group of patients who did not undergo MLD following primary TKA were accessed. Data from four RCTs (197 TKAs) were retrieved. 67% (132 of 197 patients) were women. The mean length of follow-up was 7.0 ± 5.8 weeks. The mean age of the patients was 69.6 ± 2.7 years, and the mean BMI was 28.7 ± 0.9 kg/m2. At baseline, between-group comparability was evidenced in the male:female ratio, mean age, mean BMI, knee flexion, and VAS. No difference was found in flexion (P = 0.7) and VAS (P = 0.3). No difference was found in the circumference of the thigh (P = 0.8), knee (P = 0.4), calf (P = 0.4), and ankle (P = 0.3). The current level I of evidence does not support the use of MLD in primary TKA.

Meniscectomy is associated with a higher rate of osteoarthritis compared to meniscal repair following acute tears: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Meniscal tears are common and may impair knee function and biomechanics. This meta-analysis compared meniscal repair versus resection in patients with symptomatic meniscal tears in terms of patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs), joint width, surgical failure, and rate of progression to osteoarthritis (OA) at conventional radiography. METHODS: This study was conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA statement. In August 2023, the following databases were accessed: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase. Two reviewers independently performed the analysis and a methodological quality assessment of the included studies. All the clinical investigations which compared repair versus resection of meniscal tears were accessed. RESULTS: Data from 20 studies (31,783 patients) were collected. The mean BMI was 28.28 ± 3.2 kg/m2, and the mean age was 37.6 ± 14.0 years. The mean time elapsed from injury to surgery was 12.1 ± 10.2 months and the mean medial joint width was 4.9 ± 0.8 mm. Between studies comparability at baseline was found in age, women, BMI, time from injury to surgery and length of the follow-up, PROMs, medial joint width, and stage of OA. The resection group demonstrated a greater Lysholm score (P = 0.02). No difference was found in the International Knee Documentation Committee (P = 0.2). Nine studies reported data on the rate of failures at a mean of 63.00 ± 24.7 months. No difference was found between the two groups in terms of persistent meniscal symptoms (P = 0.8). Six studies reported data on the rate of progression to total knee arthroplasty at a mean of 48.0 ± 14.7 months follow-up. The repair group evidenced a lower rate of progression to knee arthroplasty (P = 0.0001). Six studies reported data on the rate of advanced knee OA at a mean of 48.0 ± 14.7 months of follow-up. The repair group evidenced a lower rate of advanced knee OA (P = 0.0001). No difference was found in the mean joint space width (P = 0.09). CONCLUSION: Meniscal repair is associated with a lower progression to knee osteoarthritis at approximately six years of follow-up compared to partial meniscectomy. No difference in PROMs, medial joint width, and failures were evidenced. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, meta-analysis.

Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament: a historical view.

Management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears has continuously evolved since its first description in approximately 170 A.D. by Claudius Galenus of Pergamum and Rome. The initial immobilization using casts was replaced by a variety of surgical and conservative approaches over the past centuries. The first successful case of ACL repair was conducted by Mayo Robson in 1885, suturing cruciate at the femoral site. In the nineteenth century, surgical techniques were focused on restoring knee kinematics and published the first ACL repair. The use of grafts for ACL reconstruction was introduced in 1917 but gained popularity in the late 1900s. The introduction of arthroscopy in the 1980s represented the greatest milestones in the development of ACL surgery, along with the refinements of indications, development of modern strategies, and improvement in rehabilitation methods. Despite the rapid development and multitude of new treatment approaches for ACL injuries in the last 20 years, autografting has remained the treatment of choice. Compared to the initial methods, arthroscopic procedures are mainly performed, and more resistant and safer fixation devices are available. This results in significantly less trauma from the surgery and more satisfactory long-term results. The most commonly used procedures are still patellar tendon or hamstring autograft. Additionally, popular, but less common, is the use of quadriceps tendon (QT) grafts and allografts. In parallel with surgical developments, biological reconstruction focusing on the preservation of ACL remnants through the use of cell culture techniques, partial reconstruction, tissue engineering, and gene therapy has gained popularity. In 2013, Claes reported the discovery of a new ligament [anterolateral ligament (ALL)] in the knee that could completely change the treatment of knee injuries. The intent of these modifications is to significantly improve the primary restriction of rotational laxity of the knee after ACL injury. Kinematic studies have demonstrated that anatomic ACL reconstruction and anterolateral reconstruction are synergistic in controlling pivot displacement. Recently, there has been an increased focus on the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve predictive capability within numerous sectors of medicine, including orthopedic surgery.

Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty in clinical practice: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Between 2 and 20% of patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA) report restricted motion and anterior knee pain. Non-optimal alignment of the implant components is a common cause of such complaints. Robotic-assisted TKA has been advocated to improve the accuracy of component positioning to match patients' anatomy and biomechanics. However, the advantages of robotic surgery over conventional freehand TKA are still unclear. The present study is a protocol for a single-blind clinical trial in which patients will be randomly allocated to undergo either robotic-assisted TKA or conventional freehand TKA. A restricted kinematic alignment with medial para-stellar approach shall be made in all patients. The present study follows the SPIRIT guidelines. The primary outcome of interest is to compare robotic TKA versus traditional freehand TKA in terms of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), length of hospitalisation, blood values, blood transfusion units, and range of motion. The second outcome of interest is to evaluate the accuracy of component positioning of robotic-assisted TKA compared to the conventional freehand TKA.Level of evidence Level I, randomised controlled trial.Registration German Registry of Clinical Trials (ID: DRKS00030614).

Local Corticosteroid Injections versus Surgical Carpal Tunnel Release for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy. This meta-analysis compared local steroid injections (LSIs) versus carpal tunnel release (CTR) for the management of CTS. Neurophysiological parameters, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and the complication rate were investigated. We hypothesized that LSIs may represent an effective and safe alternative to surgical management. Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA statement. All the clinical investigations comparing LSIs versus CTR for carpal tunnel syndrome were accessed. In March 2022, the following databases were accessed: Pubmed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase. No time constrains were used for the search. The risk of bias and statistical analyses were conducted using the Review Manager Software 5.3 (The Nordic Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen). Results: Data from 1096 procedures were retrieved. The mean follow-up was 12.3 (1 to 58) months. The mean age of the patients was 51.1 ± 4.6. Nocturnal paraesthesia (p < 0.0001) and visual analogue scale (p < 0.0001) were greater in the LSIs cohort. No difference was found in the functional (p = 0.2) and symptom (p = 0.4) subscales of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), median nerve distal motor latency (p = 0.9), median nerve motor amplitude (p = 0.7), median nerve sensory conduction velocity (p = 0.4), or median nerve sensory amplitude (p = 0.3). No difference was found in terms of minor complications (p = 0.9). No major complications were observed within the duration of follow-up. Conclusion: Both CTR and LSIs were effective and feasible in reducing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Though LSIs led to greater pain relief, this superiority was not permanent. Irrespective of the severity of the symptoms, current evidence suggests that a cycle of LSIs may be considered in patients with CTS. However, patients must be aware that LSIs may not be the definitive therapy, and CTR should be recommended.

Design Platform for Sustainable Catalysis with Radicals: Electrochemical Activation of Cp2 TiCl2 for Catalysis Unveiled.

The combination of synthesis, rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements, and computational investigations with the aid of DFT methods shows how a thiourea, a squaramide, and a bissulfonamide as additives affect the Eq Cr equilibrium of Cp2 TiCl2 . We have, for the first time, provided quantitative data for the Eq Cr equilibrium and have determined the stoichiometry of adduct formation of [Cp2 Ti(III)Cl2 ]- , [Cp2 Ti(III)Cl] and [Cp2 Ti(IV)Cl2 ] and the additives. By studying the structures of the complexes formed by DFT methods, we have established the Gibbs energies and enthalpies of complex formation as well as the adduct structures. The results not only demonstrate the correctness of our use of the Eq Cr equilibrium as predictor for sustainable catalysis. They are also a design platform for the development of novel additives in particular for enantioselective catalysis.

Management of financial conflicts of interests in clinical practice guidelines in Germany: results from the public database GuidelineWatch.

BACKGROUND: The reliability of clinical practice guidelines has been disputed because guideline panel members are often burdened with financial conflicts of interest (COI). Current recommendations for COI regulation advise not only detailed declaration but also active management of conflicts. To continuously assess COI declaration and management in German guidelines we established the public database LeitlinienWatch (GuidelineWatch). METHODS: We analyzed all German guidelines at the highest methodological level (S3) that included recommendations for pharmacological therapy (n = 67) according to five criteria: declaration and assessment of COI, composition of the guideline development group, independence of the coordinators and lead authors, imposed abstentions because of COI and public external review. Each criterion was assessed using predefined outcome categories. RESULTS: Most guidelines (76%) contained a detailed declaration of COI. However, none of the guidelines provided full transparency of COI assessment results. The guideline group was composed of a majority of participants with COI in 55% of the guidelines, no guideline was free of participants with COI. Only 9% of guidelines had coordinators and lead authors without any financial COI. Most guidelines (70%) did not provide a rule for abstentions for participants with COI. In 21% of guidelines there was a rule, but abstentions were either not practiced or not documented, whereas in 7% partial abstentions and in 2% complete abstentions were documented. Two thirds of the guideline drafts (67%) were not externally reviewed via a public website. CONCLUSIONS: COI are usually documented in detail in German guidelines of the highest methodological level. However, considerable improvement is needed regarding active management of COI, including recruitment of independent experts for guideline projects, abstention from voting for participants with COI and external review of the guideline draft. We assume that the publicly available ratings on GuidelineWatch will improve the handling of conflicts of interest in guideline development.