Successful Empirical Treatment of Suspected Spinal Tuberculosis: A Case Report.

Spinal tuberculosis is an uncommon extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis infection, known as a great masquerade that often mimics other pathologies, such as pyogenic and non-pyogenic infection, bone metastasis, haematological malignancy, and metabolic bone disease. It presents great challenges in establishing a diagnosis, deciding on treatment, and monitoring the response to treatment. A tissue-proven diagnosis is the cornerstone of a definitive diagnosis before initiating medical antitubercular therapy, leading to successful treatment. Here, we present a distinct and rare instance of spinal tuberculosis with an atypical presentation of upper thoracic myelopathy. It involved the cervicothoracic junction, exhibiting minimal axial symptoms but intensive destruction of the affected levels radiologically, along with an incomplete neurological deficit and the possibility of catastrophic neurological complications. The ultimate distinctiveness of this case lies in the diagnostic challenge it posed. Despite undergoing three separate tissue biopsies, tuberculosis infection could not be established, as all results returned negative for cellular, molecular, and histopathological markers, leading to a delay in initiating empirical medical therapy. Nonetheless, the patient responded well to empirical antitubercular therapy, resulting in favourable outcomes. To the best of our knowledge, a case of spinal tuberculosis with numerous negative tissue diagnoses has not been previously reported.

An algorithm for successfully managing anterior shoulder instability.

ABSTRACT: The most common form of shoulder instability involves the anterior glenohumeral joint. Often it is associated with labral and bony injuries with subsequent recurrent instability. To determine optimal management, clinicians should perform a detailed history and physical examination, including appropriate diagnostic imaging to assess for concomitant humeral and glenoid bony deficiencies and other soft-tissue pathologies. Early surgical intervention may reduce risk of recurrence, particularly in young, active athletes. This article highlights the relevant anatomy, pathoanatomy, diagnostic examination including radiologic imaging, management, and prevention of complications for anterior shoulder instability. Minimizing recurrence is key to restoring function for patients to safely return to recreational and sporting activities, and to perform activities of daily living.

Diagnosis and Management of Partial Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears: A Comprehensive Review.

Partial thickness rotator cuff tears (PRCTs) are a challenging disease entity. Optimal management of PRCTs continues to be controversial. Although advances in magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography have aided in early diagnosis, arthroscopic evaluation remains the benchmark for diagnosis. Conservative treatment is often the first line of management for most patients; however, evidence suggests that surgical intervention may limit tear progression and the long-term sequelae. Surgical decision making is driven by factors such as age, arm dominance, etiology, activity level, tear thickness, and tear location. Many surgical options have been described in the literature to treat PRCTs including arthroscopic débridement, transosseous, in situ repair techniques, and tear completion and repair. Biologic supplements have also become an attractive alternative to aid in healing; however, the long-term efficacy of these modalities is largely unknown. This article will provide a detailed review of the etiology and natural history of PRCTs, as well as diagnosis, and current management to guide clinical decision-making and formulate an algorithm for management of PRCTs for the orthopaedic surgeon.

Relevance of the Tibial Slope on Functional Outcomes in ACL-Deficient and ACL Intact Fixed-Bearing Medial Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Excessive posterior tibial slope in medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has been implicated in early failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between preoperative posterior tibial slope and postoperative slope of the implant (PSI) on outcomes in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) intact and ACL-deficient knees after fixed-bearing medial UKA. METHODS: Patients who underwent a medial UKA between 2002 and 2017 with a minimum 3-year follow-up were included. Preoperative posterior tibial slope and postoperative PSI were measured. Outcomes measures included Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS) subscales, Lysholm, and VR-12. Failure was defined as conversion to total knee arthroplasty. RESULTS: Of 241 knees undergoing UKA, 131 patients (70 women, 61 men; average age of 65 ± 10 years (average BMI of 27.9 ± 4) were included. For all patients, survivorship was 98% at 5 years and 96% at 10 years with a mean survival time for UKA was 15.2 years [95% CI: 14.6-15.7]. No failure had a PSI >7°. There were no superficial or deep infections. There were no significant differences in outcome scores between the ACL intact and the ACL-deficient group; therefore, the data were combined for analysis. At mean 8-year follow-up, KOOS pain scores were better in patients with PSI ≤7° (87 ± 16) than those with PSI >7° (81 ± 15). 76% of patients with PSI ≤7° reached the Patient Acceptable Symptom State for KOOS pain; whereas, 59% of patients with PSI >7° reached PASS for KOOS pain (P = .015). CONCLUSION: Patients with postoperative posterior slope of the tibial implant >7° had significantly worse postoperative pain, without conversion to TKA, and with maintenance of high function. In ACL deficient and intact knees, nonrobotically-assisted, fixed-bearing medial UKA had a 96% survivorship at 10 years.

Enhanced Recovery After Pediatric Scoliosis Surgery: Key Components and Current Practice.

With the goal of safety and efficiency in health care delivery, enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) continue to gain traction throughout various surgical disciplines, including in pediatric scoliosis surgery. The growing body of literature reporting decreased length of stay and cost with no change in readmissions or complications has brought these protocols to the forefront. The key components of ERPs include preoperative patient counseling, perioperative pain management, and early patient mobilization. In this review, the authors aim to describe the foundational history and major components of ERPs following pediatric spine deformity surgery. [Orthopedics. 2020;43(5):e338-e344.].

The Changing Face of Orthopaedic Education: Searching for the New Reality After COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had immediate impact on the practice of medicine and on orthopaedic education. As the practice of social distancing has been put into place to help slow the spread of disease as well as to conserve medical supplies and equipment, elective surgery has come to a grinding halt. This dramatic change has forced our leaders to evaluate critically the delivery of education and skills training for our residents, fellows and all orthopaedic surgeons. We must continue to develop technologies, such as virtual meeting platforms, distance learning, simulation-based training, virtual reality and augmented reality to open up the new world of orthopaedic education.