Using Proximal Hooks as a Soft-Landing Strategy to Prevent Proximal Junctional Kyphosis in the Surgical Treatment of Scheuermann's Kyphosis.

AIM: To evaluate the occurrence of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) as well as both the clinical and radiologic outcomes of patients who underwent surgery for Scheuermann?s Kyphosis (SK) using either exclusively pedicle screws or a combination of proximal hooks and pedicle screws constructs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Surgically treated 37 patients with the diagnosis of SK were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups based on the type of instrumentation employed. The first group contained 22 patients with only pedicle screws (PP) while the second group consisted of 15 patients with mixed constructs that were proximal hooks and pedicle screws (HP) at the rest of the levels. The clinical and radiological data were compared in patients who were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. RESULTS: The average duration of follow-up for the PP group was approximately 94.7 ± 53.1 months, whereas the HP group had an average follow-up period of around 103 ± 64.4 months. After conducting the analyses, no statistically significant findings were identified in the measurements taken for the SRS-22 scores in preoperative, postoperative, and the most recent follow-up radiographs (p > 0.05). It is worth noting that among patients who exclusively utilized pedicle screws, both the proximal (p=0.045) and distal (p=0.030) junctional kyphosis angles experienced more pronounced increases compared to hybrid structures. CONCLUSION: While no notable distinction was observed between the two groups, patients with pedicle screws fixation had a higher PJK angle. Conversely, the use of hooks at the upper end seems to be a preventive measure against the development of PJK.

The effect of brace on apical vertebral derotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

PURPOSE: The current study aims to evaluate the effect of Boston brace treatment on apical vertebral derotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients receiving conservative treatment. METHODS: The study included 51 AIS patients, consisting of 8 males and 43 females, with Cobb angles between 25° and 45° and Risser's findings ranging from 0 to 4. The mean age of the participants was 12.20 ± 1.34 years. All patients were treated with the Boston brace for a minimum of 2 years and evaluated before the brace, during early brace use, and at the last follow-up. Radiographs were assessed to measure apical vertebral rotation (AVR) and vertebral translation (AVT). The SRS-22 questionnaire was used to evaluate patient outcomes. RESULTS: The radiographs of patients were evaluated over a mean follow-up period of 32.42 ± 8.65 months. Before the brace, the mean AVR was 2.1 ± 0.6, while it was 1.1 ± 0.5 with the brace. At the last follow-up, the mean AVR was 1.3 ± 0.5 (p < 0.001). Before the brace, the mean AVT was 36.4 ± 9.6 mm, which decreased to 16.7 ± 7.3 mm with the brace (p < 0.001). At the last follow-up, the mean AVT was 19.8 ± 8.1 mm (p < 0.001). The use of the brace had a significant corrective effect on thoracolumbar and lumbar curvatures compared to before the brace (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings of the current study suggest that the use of a Boston brace in the conservative treatment of AIS is effective in correcting the coronal and sagittal plane deformities, including thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbar curvatures, and in reducing apical vertebral rotation and translation.

The combined use of carbon nanotubes with synthetic ceramics enhances posterolateral fusion: an experimental study in a rat spinal fusion model.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/ HA-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) composite in a posterolateral spinal fusion model. METHODS: At first, CNTs and CNTs/HA-TCP composites were prepared. Twenty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into four groups with five rats in each group. Decortication was carried out in standard manner in all animals. Group 1 (only decortication), group 2 (CNTs), group 3 (HA-TCP) and group 4 (CNTs/HA-TCP) were formed. Eight weeks later, all animals were killed and obtained fusion segments were evaluated by manual palpation, histomorphometry and micro-computed tomography (mCT). RESULTS: In all evaluations, highest fusion values were obtained in Group 4. In mCT investigations, bone volume/ tissue volume (BV/TV) ratio was found to be significantly higher in composite group (group 4) only compared to ceramic group (group 3) (p < 0.001). Although in Group 2, in which only CNTs were used, the ratio was found to be statistically significantly higher than group 1(p < 0.001), the difference was not considered as significant in terms of fusion and in addition in group 2, CNTs were completely surrounded by fibrous tissue, i.e., no bone formation was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The CNTs/HA-TCP composite is a promising synthetic bone graft substitute for spinal fusion. Although CNTs are inadequate in producing spinal fusion when they are used alone, due to their high biocompatibility due to their high biocompatibility, and multiple effect on bone regeneration, they seem to increase fusion rates significantly when they are used in combination with ceramic-based synthetic grafts.

Effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation for treatment of plantar fasciitis.

ABSTRACT: Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Pain can be persistent in some patients and interrupt daily activities and sportive activities. There are a lot of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis. We hypothesized that patients with chronic persistent plantar fasciitis can be successfully treated with radiofrequency nerve ablation (RFNA).Two hundred sixty-one patients with plantar fasciitis (378 feet) treated with RFNA from February 2017 to January 2019 were retrospectively assessed. All the patients had plantar heel pain for at least 6months. Based on their body mass index (BMI), the enrolled patients were divided into obese (BMI ≥ 30kg/m2) and non-obese (BMI < 30kg/m2) groups. The patients were asked to complete a questionnaire just before and after the procedure and during the final follow-up. The BNS Radiofrequency Lesion Generator was used during a single session. The patients' information, including their visual analogue scale (VAS) score and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, was assessed. During their final follow-up, the patients were asked to rate the success of their treatment by choosing one of the following options: completely successful, very successful, moderately successful, marginally successful, or not successful.The VAS and AOFAS scores of all the patients were evaluated pre-procedure, in the first month after procedure, and during the final follow-up (8-24 months). There was a statistically significant difference between the pre-procedure and postprocedure VAS scores (P < .001), there was no statistically significant difference between the VAS scores in the first month postprocedure and during the final follow-up.There was a statistically significant difference between the pre-procedure and postprocedure AOFAS scores (P < .001), there was no statistically significant difference between the AOFAS scores in the first month postprocedure and during the final follow-up.RFNA can be used as an alternative method to surgical procedures for treating plantar fasciitis because it is safe and effective. The advantages of RFNA are that patients can quickly return to their work and resume weight-bearing activities.

The validity and reliability study of the Turkish version of the spinal appearance questionnaire for congenital scoliosis patients over 10 years old.

PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the validity and the reliability of the Turkish version of the SAQ (Tr-SAQ) in congenital scoliosis patients. METHODS: Applied to 52 patients with congenital scoliosis (38 female), the Tr-SAQ was applied to the same patients for the second time with an average interval of 14.9 ± 0.9 days. Construct validity was evaluated using factor analysis. SRS-22 was used to test the convergent validity of Tr-SAQ. Internal consistency analysis and test-retest reliability were evaluated to show the reliability of Tr-SAQ. RESULTS: A two-factor structure with eigenvalues greater than one, namely "6.1" and "2.6" belonging to the Tr- SAQ, was obtained. The total variance of the factors is 62.1%. The factor load of each item in the first factor 'Appearance' domain varies between 0.7 and 0.8. The second factor 'Expectations' consists of four items. The factor load of each item varies between 0.7 and 0.8. A significant negative correlation was found between the Tr-SAQ appearance score and the self-image/appearance score of SRS-22 (r = - 0.5; p < 0.001). Cronbach alpha for Tr-SAQ was found to be 0.9. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) calculated for test-retest reliability was 0.991 CONCLUSION: Previous validity and reliability studies of SAQ have been performed in idiopathic scoliosis patients. This is the first study containing patients diagnosed with congenital scoliosis. In this piece of work, the 2-factor structure of the Tr-SAQ consisting of 14 items was found to be valid and reliable in patients over 10 years of age with a diagnosis of congenital scoliosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I.

A comparison of double single suture-button fixation, suture-button fixation, and screw fixation for ankle syndesmosis injury: A retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT: Different methods have been used throughout the years for syndesmotic injury but there is no consensus on the ideal treatment. Some methods are expensive and some have more complications. The aim of this study is to compare single suture endobutton with double suture endobutton and screw fixation for syndesmotic injury.Sixty nine patients with syndesmotic injury with fibular fractures whom were treated with a single interosseous suture endobutton system (ZipTightTM, Zimmer Biomet), a double interosseous suture endobutton system (ZipTightTM, Zimmer Biomet) and 1 syndesmotic screw (TST, Istanbul, Turkey) were included in this study. Functional and radiological results from patient records between 2015 and 2018 were retrospectively evaluated.Twenty patients were treated with the double interosseous suture endobutton, 23 were treated with the single interosseous suture endobutton, and 26 were treated with traditional AO screw fixation. Three patients from the screw fixation group (11.5%) required revision surgery (P < .05). All the radiologic and clinical outcomes were statistical similar in all 3 groups.Our findings showed that the interosseous suture endobutton system is at least as safe as the screw fixation technique for treatment of syndesmosis joint injuries and can be used as an alternative to the screw method. The interosseous suture endobutton system eliminates the need for a second surgery to remove the hardware, which minimizes the probability of re-diastasis. Since our results showed no statistical difference between single and double interosseous suture endobutton systems, the less costly single endobutton system may be the better alternative.

Personalized Three-Dimensional Printing Pedicle Screw Guide Innovation for the Surgical Management of Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of patient-specific three-dimensional (3D) rapid-prototype printing technology for pedicle screw insertion in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). METHODS: The 3D pedicle screw guides were produced after selecting the fixation points for all individual levels to be used intraoperatively. Preoperative computed tomography images recreated 3D bone models of each vertebra specific to each patient. Safe pedicle trajectories were determined in all 3 planes on these models. 3D printed guides were modeled according to these trajectories and manufactured with a biocompatible material. Postoperatively, all screws were evaluated and scored with computed tomography as class 1 (accurate), class 2 (inaccurate), or class 3 (deviated). The mean angle between the inserted pedicle screw and the intended trajectory, and the mean distance between the central longitudinal axis of a screw and pedicle were also measured. RESULTS: A total of 134 screws were inserted. On the concave and convex sides, the mean medial malposition was 0.5 ± 0.8 and 0.4 ± 0.6 mm, the mean lateral malposition was 1.4 ± 2.3 and 0.8 ± 1.3 mm, angle between the inserted pedicle screw and the intended trajectory was 4.2 ± 4.6 and 4.3° ± 6.0°, and distance between the central longitudinal axis of a screw and pedicle was 1.5 ± 2.1 and 0.9 ± 1.2 mm, respectively. A total of 117 screws were regarded as class 1, 14 as class 2, and 3 as class 3. Of all screws inserted, 92.5% achieved positional accuracy. There were no screw-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the initial reports to note the novel design and implementation of patient-specific 3D pedicle screw guides for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery. Our pilot study shows that the use of these low-cost personalized 3D guides is completely safe and effective in both convex and concave sides of the curves.

The implant density does not change the correction rate of the main and the accompanying curves: A comparison between consecutive and intermittent pedicle screw constructs.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and the coronal correction rate of the main and accompanying curves of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) corrected with pedicle screws inserted consecutively or intermittently. METHODS: The prospectively collected data of 60 patients (8 men and 52 women; mean age: 14.6±2.5 years) who underwent corrective surgery for AIS between January 2010 and December 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. Two groups were constituted according to the pedicle screw construct type: consecutive pedicle screw construct (CPSC) and intermittent pedicle screw construct (IPSC) groups. The preoperative, early postoperative, and 24-month follow-up radiographs and the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) scores were reevaluated. The Cobb angle of the main and accompanying curves, the correction rate, and the flexibility of the curves were calculated. RESULTS: The mean preoperative Cobb angles were 57.03° and 57.46°, the mean postoperative Cobb angles were 14.93° and 14.4°, and the mean correction rates were 76.22% and 75.31% in IPSC and CPSC groups, respectively (p>0.05). The preoperative and postoperative accompanying curve magnitudes and correction rates were similar (p>0.05). These radiographic outcomes were also consistent with the SRS-22 scores. CONCLUSION: Both the pedicle screw constructs had satisfactory outcomes following the surgery, which were confirmed by both the SRS-22 scores and radiographs taken perioperatively and at follow-ups. The IPSC and CPSC groups did not demonstrate a significant change in the correction rate of the main and minor or major accompanying structural and nonstructural curves, and also in the SRS-22 scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Retrospective comparative study.

3D printing and spine surgery.

Rapid prototyping (RP), also known as three-dimensional printing (3DP), allows the rapid conversion of anatomical images into physical components by the use of special printers. This novel technology has also become a promising innovation for spine surgery. As a result of the developments in 3DP technology, production speeds have increased, and costs have decreased. This technological development can be used extensively in different parts of spine surgery such as preoperative planning, surgical simulations, patient-clinician communication, education, intraoperative guidance, and even implantable devices. However, similar to other emerging technologies, the usage of RP in spine surgery has various drawbacks that are needed to be addressed through further studies.

Does the ZipTightTM effective to maintain reduction after the treatment of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation?

BACKGROUND: The present study evaluated the functional and radiographic outcomes of acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint reconstruction performed using the mini-open technique and a knotless suspensory loop device METHODS:: A total of 25 patients (20 male and 5 female patients; mean age, 30.7 years; standard deviation, 10 years; range, 17-57 years) who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study. A functional assessment was performed using the Constant and University of California Los Angeles score. The radiologic assessment included standard anterior-posterior views of the AC and coracoclavicular (CC) distances. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 18.6 months (range, 12-23 months). The mean Constant score was 87.2 ±â€Š3.2, and the mean University of California Los Angeles score was 30.1 ±â€Š2.4 at the final follow-up. Radiological evaluation at the last follow-up of the patients: Although there was no statistically significant increase in the AC and CC values of the patients () at the last follow-up, the average CC value in 6 (24%) of the 25 patients was greater than 50% compared with the unaffected side CC and early postoperative CC values. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the Constant and UCLA scores between the 6 patients with reduction loss and the 19 patients with reduction maintenance (P = .86). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical results of fixation of acute AC joint dislocations using the ZipTight knotless suspensory loop device system and mini-open technique were favorable in terms of functional recovery and pain relief. However, the major disadvantage of this method was radiological loss of AC joint reduction when compared to the contralateral shoulder.

Strategies of management of deep spinal infection: from irrigation and debridement to vacuum-assisted closure treatment.

Postoperative surgical site problems (PSSPs) following spinal surgery may lead to patient mortality, increased treatment costs and possible recurrent medical interventions. Despite efforts to reduce spinal surgery-related infection rates, complications are common and significantly increased by patient comorbidities. Since PSSPs occur regardless of deterrent measures, it is essential to distinguish the related risk factors. Different treatment conventions for PSSPs, for example, antibiotic treatment, debridement, soft tissue care and removal of implants have been prescribed with blended outcomes. The utilization of the wound vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system has gained increasing popularity in the management of deep wound infections after deformity surgery.

Epidermal growth factor enhances spinal fusion: Posterolateral lumbar fusion model on rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of human recombinant epidermal growth factor (EGF) on posterolateral lumbar fusion in a rat model. METHODS: 36 male Sprague Dawley rats underwent posterolateral fusion at L4-5 level. They were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 1- Sham control group where no local augmentation was made, 2- Local Hydoxyapatite ß-tricalcium phosphate (HA/ß-TCP) augmentation group and 3- Local HA/ß-TCP + EGF augmentation group. Rats were euthanized at 8 weeks post-surgery. 6 rats from each group were selected for manual palpation examination, micro-computed tomography analysis and histologic analysis; and the rest was used for biomechanical analysis. RESULTS: Based on manual palpation, there was no fusion in the sham control group. Fusion rate was 33.3% in the HA/ß-TCP group and 66.7% in the HA/ß-TCP + EGF group (p = 0.085). Micro-CT results revealed that new bone formation was higher in the HA/ß-TCP + EGF group (BV/TV: 40% vs. 65%) (p = 0.004). Histologically newly formed bone tissue was more pronounced in the EGF group and compacted and bridging bone spicules were observed. The median maximum bending moment values were 0.51 Nmm (0.42-0.59), 0.73 Nmm (0.49-0.88) and 0.91 Nmm (0.66-1.03) in the sham control, HA/ß-TCP and HA/ß-TCP + EGF groups, respectively (p = 0.013). The median stiffness values were 1.69 N/mm (1.12-2.18), 1.68 N/mm (1.13-2.74) and 3.10 N/mm (1.66-4.40) as in the previous order (p = 0.087). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that EGF enhances posterolateral lumbar fusion in the rat model. EGF in combination with ceramic grafts increased the fusion rates. Our findings may provide insights to further studies, investigating EGF's clinical usage as an alternative fusion enhancer.

[Salter innominate osteotomy for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip: 37 years of follow-up]. / Gelisimsel kalça displazisinin tedavisi için Salter innominat osteotomisi: 37 yillik izlem.

In this article, we report the radiological and clinical status at postoperative 37th year of a 39-year-old male patient who was treated with bilateral Salter innominate osteotomy due to bilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip when he was two years old. The patient expressed that he had no complaint including pain or limitation in range of motion in both hip joints for 37 years. Pain started six months ago in right hip joint. Patient used cortisone for 12 months with a diagnosis of Henoch-Schönlein purpura five years ago. Radiologic imaging revealed findings of bilateral Salter innominate osteotomy and avascular osteonecrosis on the right femoral head. Kirschner wires which were used during operations 37 years ago remained buried in pelvic bone. Bilateral development of acetabulum and femoral head was very good. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of right hip joint revealed degenerative osteoarthritis secondary to avascular osteonecrosis on the right femoral head. Except for the last six months, patient has been living without pain or limitation in range of motion for postoperative 37 years.