The impact of early weight-bearing on results following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are common injuries that typically affect young, physically active individuals and may require surgical reconstruction. Studies have shown that the long time success of ACL reconstruction depends on the surgical technique and the postoperative rehabilitation strategy. However, there is still no consensus on the content of rehabilitation programs. Hence, additional research is required to elucidate the significance of early weight-bearing in the rehabilitation process following ACL reconstruction. The aim of this article is to examine the impact of weight-bearing on the clinical results of ACL reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patient records who had undergone arthroscopic reconstruction using a semitendinosus-gracilis tendon graft for anterior cruciate ligament rupture between January 2018 and December 2020. The study included the data of 110 patients. The patients were split into two groups: Group 1 underwent early weight-bearing, while Group 2 followed a non-weight-bearing regimen for three weeks. We assessed the patients using the anterior drawer test, Lachman test, range of motion, Lysholm knee scale, Cincinnati scale, Tegner scale, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form and clinical records. Analytical tests were conducted to compare the results. RESULTS: The complication rates did not show a significant difference between the groups. Group 1 had higher frequencies of positive anterior drawer and Lachman tests. The Lysholm and Cincinnati knee scores of patients in Group 1 were notably lower than those of patients in Group 2. Additionally, the Tegner activity scores and IKDC scores of patients in Group 1 were also meaningfully lower than those of patients in Group 2. In Group 1 patients, there was no notable relationship observed between body mass index (BMI) and the results of the anterior drawer test (ADT) or Lachman test. However, patients with a BMI of 25 or higher in Group 1 showed a decrease in postoperative IKDC scores. In Group 2 patients, no significant relationship was identified between BMI and either the ADT or the Lachman test outcome. CONCLUSION: Based on current literature and current rehabilitation guidelines following ACL reconstruction, the decision to initiate early weight-bearing is based on a limited number of studies with low levels of evidence. In our study, we found that patients who followed a non-weight-bearing regimen for 3 weeks after surgery had better mid-term results than those who were allowed to bear weight early. It appears that further prospective studies on this topic are needed to update rehabilitation guidelines in the next.

Clinical Results of Decortication with Bone Grafting Method versus Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment in Long-Bone Pseudoarthrosis.

BACKGROUND Despite advanced treatment methods, the treatment of pseudoarthrosis still poses a significant challenge for orthopedists. In this study, we aimed to assess the clinical results of decortication and bone grafting and extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) in long-bone pseudoarthrosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between 2007 and 2015, 68 fractures of 66 patients treated for long-bone pseudoarthrosis were evaluated retrospectively. ESWT was used in 36 extremities and decortication and iliac bone grafting was used in 32. The treatment results of these patients were evaluated and compared with rates in the literature. RESULTS The mean patient age was 43.9 years (range, 21-69). The mean interval between the occurrence of the fracture and treatment with bone grafting or ESWT was 8.6 months and the mean interval between the procedure and achievement of union was 6.9 months. The patients were followed up for a mean period of 25.2 months. After the mean follow-up period, bone union had occurred in all 32 patients (100%) in the decortication and bone grafting group and in 28 (78%) of the 36 patients in the ESWT group (P=0.023). CONCLUSIONS This study shows that extracorporeal shock wave treatment should be considered the first option in treatment of pseudoarthrosis as it is a non-invasive method and also provides good rates of union. In patients that do not heal with ESWT, decortication and bone grafting remains the criterion standard therapy.

Insall-Salvati index is associated with anterior cruciate ligament tears in men: A Case-controlled study.

PURPOSE: Many factors in the etiology of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, predisposing factors related to knee morphology have also been reported. This study aimed to determine whether the Insall-Salvati (IS) index, which measures patella height, is a predisposing risk factor for ACL tears. METHODS: The IS index, patellar length (PL), and patellar tendon length (PTL) values of patients (study group) that underwent arthroscopic reconstruction for ACL tears obtained by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were compared with the index values in the preoperative MRIs of patients that underwent knee arthroscopy for reasons besides ACL tears. In addition, the anterior tibial translation (ATT) of both groups was also measured and compared on MRI images. The MRI findings of the subjects included in both study groups were arthroscopically confirmed. RESULTS: The mean ages of the study group (n = 120) and control group (n = 90) were 29.1 ± 8.2 years and 31.8 ± 9.8 years, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the study and control groups in terms of the PL and PTL values (p = 0.016 and p = 0.001, respectively). The IS index was statistically significantly higher in the study group with ACL tears (p = 0.009). The ATT was 8.61 ± 4.68 mm in the study group and 3.80 ± 1.92 mm in the control group. The ATT results of both groups were evaluated, and it was found that the study group was significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As a result of our current study, we observed higher IS index values in patients with ACL tears than in patients without ACL tears. It should be kept in mind that patella alta, which is associated with a high IS index as one of the factors of knee morphology associated with ACL tears, may play a role in the etiology of ACL tears.

Evaluation of Severity Score in Patients with Lower Limb and Pelvic Fractures Injured in Motor Vehicle Front-Impact Collisions.

BACKGROUND Lower limb and pelvic injuries and fractures occur at a very high incidence in motor vehicle accidents. In this study, the characteristics (e.g., body side, bone location, and fracture severity) of lower limb and pelvic fractures that occurred during front-impact collisions were correlated with the injured patients' sex, age, and position in the vehicle. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 191 patients (136 males, 55 females) who were injured in motor vehicle accidents, specifically in frontal collisions. RESULTS This study revealed that most of lower limb and pelvic fractures occurred in males (71.2%; p=.000), 19-36 years old (55.5%; p=.000), small vehicles (86.4%; p=.000), and rear seat passengers (49.2%; p=.000). Fractures most commonly occurred in the left side of the body (46.6%; p=.000) and upper legs (37.7%; p=.000). Severity scores were higher (2.76) in males than females (2.07). No statistically significant was found in severity scores of patients and other personal characteristics and fracture features of patients with lower limb and pelvic fractures who were injured in a vehicle during front-impact collisions (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study will be useful for the automobile industry, forensics and criminal scientists, and for trauma research studies.

Effectiveness of etofenamate for treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

The intramuscular application of etofenamate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis was not observed in the existing English language literature. The objectives of this study were to compare the efficacy of etofenamate versus hyaluronic acid (HA) in reducing joint pain and functional improvement for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. The patients were randomly divided into etofenamate (n=29) and HA (n=30) groups. Intramuscular etofenamate injection was administered as a series of seven intramuscular injections at intervals of 1 day. Intra-articular HA injection was administered as a series of three intra-articular injections at intervals of 1 week. Clinical evaluation was made before the first injection and again both 6 and 12 months after the last injection. The evaluation consisted of patient-assessed pain on a visual analog scale (VAS) and on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Statistical significance was found for the etofenamate group when comparing preinjection with 12 months postinjection VAS scores (P<0.05). Statistical significance was also found for the HA group when comparing preinjection with 12 months postinjection VAS and WOMAC scores (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the etofenamate and HA groups in terms of VAS or WOMAC scores measured at 12 months after injection (P>0.05). Results from this study indicated that, etofenamate treatment was not significantly more effective than HA treatment. However, both methods were effective and successful in treating knee osteoarthritis.

An Alternative Surgical Method for Treatment of Osteoid Osteoma.

BACKGROUND An osteoid osteoma is a benign bone tumor that tends to be <1 cm in size. The tumor is characterized by night-time pain that may be relieved by aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Osteoid osteoma can be treated with various conservative and surgical methods, but these have some risks and difficulties. The purpose of the present study was to present an alternative treatment method for osteoid osteoma and the results we obtained. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the period from 2010 to 2014, 10 patients with osteoid osteoma underwent nidus excision by using a safe alternative method in an operating room (OR) with no computed tomography (CT). The localization of the tumor was determined by use of a CT-guided Kirschner wire in the radiology unit, then, in the OR the surgical intervention was performed without removing the Kirschner wire. RESULTS Following the alternative intervention, all the patients were completely relieved of pain. In the follow-up, no recurrence or complication occurred. CONCLUSIONS The presented alternative method for treating osteoid osteoma is an efficient and practical procedure for surgeons working in clinics that lack specialized equipment.

Ewing's Sarcoma of the Finger.

Ewing's sarcoma is a mesenchymal cell tumor usually seen in long bones but very rarely seen in the bones of a finger. Swelling and pain are the most common complaints of the affected finger. In radiological imaging, it may be seen as permeative bone destruction accompanied by a soft tissue component or an expansile bone lesion. A 27-year-old right-hand dominant female patient presented with a swelling on the proximal phalanx of her right 3(rd) finger that had existed for 3 years. However, the mass started to gradually increase in size and the pain worsened over a period of 5 weeks. The mass was excised under regional intravenous anesthesia and Ewing's sarcoma was confirmed following a histopathological evaluation. No local recurrence or metastasis was detected 1 year after surgery. Since Ewing's sarcoma is rarely seen in the finger, we present this case with its radiological and clinical findings.

Results of treatment of chronic osteomyelitis by "gutter procedure and muscle flap transposition operation".

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of creation of a gutter and muscle flap transposition method for the treatment of long-bone chronic osteomyelitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of thirty chronic osteomyelitis patients (thirty-one extremities), who had undergone the gutter creation and muscle flap transposition procedure between 2005 and 2009, were included in the study (19 male, 11 female; mean age 24.4 years; age range 2-75 years). Osteomyelitis of the long bones involved the femur in 13 patients, the tibia in 13, the humerus in 2, the fibula in 2 and the ulna in 1 patients, respectively. All the patients received post-operative antibiotic therapy of at least 6 weeks. The mean follow-up period was 28.7 months (6-53 months). At the end of this follow-up period, the patients were evaluated using clinical, laboratory and screening methods. RESULTS: Complete pain relief, disappearance of toxic symptoms, improvement in radiological findings, fistula closure and return of the blood parameters to normal ranges were accepted as successful treatment when all the afore-mentioned had been fulfilled. According to these criteria, 29 of the 30 patients had been cured. DISCUSSION: The gutter creation and muscle flap transposition method in the treatment of long-bone chronic osteomyelitis may be a successful mode of therapy when performed correctly and supported by long-term antibiotherapy.

Three-Dimensional CT Findings of Os Calcaneus Secundarius Mimicking a Fracture.

Os calcaneus secundarius is one of several accessory ossicles of the foot that have been identified as normal variants of skeletal development. It may cause ankle pain and may mimic an avulsion fracture of the anterior calcaneal process. A twenty-year-old male was admitted to our institution with right ankle pain following an inversion injury. An axial CT image of the patient's right ankle revealed a shape with smooth and sharp margins, identified as a well-corticated bone fragment in the subtalar region. A diagnosis of an accessory ossicle, os calcaneus secundarius, was made based on radiographic findings. As a result of this case, it is recommended that potential locations of the accessory bones should be well understood in order to prevent misdiagnosis and inappropriate surgical procedures. Os calcaneus secundarius must be considered when an apparent bone fragment or a suspicious fracture line at the anterior region of os calcaneus is demonstrated.

Effectiveness of local tenoxicam versus corticosteroid injection for plantar fasciitis treatment.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of foot pain in adults. In this prospective study, the outcomes of local tenoxicam injection and corticosteroid therapy for the treatment of plantar fasciitis were compared. Patients were randomly assigned to either the tenoxicam or corticosteroid group. The tenoxicam group (n=31) was treated using a local injection of 1 mL of tenoxicam (20 mg/2 mL) and 1 mL of 2% lidocaine, whereas the steroid group (n=30) was treated with a local 1-mL injection containing 40 mg of methylprednisolone acetate and 1 mL of 2% lidocaine. Clinical evaluations, which were performed before the injection and 6 and 12 months after the injection, consisted of patient-assessed pain using a visual analog scale. In addition, patient satisfaction was measured using the Roles and Maudsley score. Comparison of pre- and posttreatment visual analog scale scores demonstrated a statistically significant difference in both groups (P<.05). Furthermore, no significant difference was found between the steroid and tenoxicam groups in terms of visual analog scale scores measured 12 months after injection (P>.05). The tenoxicam injection was not significantly more effective than the corticosteroid injection. However, both methods were effective and successful in treating patients with plantar fasciitis. Tenoxicam therapy appears to provide pain relief, but its effectiveness in the long term should be explored in additional studies.

Review of Van earthquakes form an orthopaedic perspective: a multicentre retrospective study.

PURPOSE: This is a descriptive analysis, of victims of Turkey's October 23, 2011 and November 21, 2011 Van earthquakes. The goal of this study is investigated the injury profile of the both earthquakes in relation to musculoskeletal trauma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 3,965 patients admitted to in seven hospitals. A large share of these injuries were soft tissue injuries, followed by fractures, crush injuries, crush syndromes, nerve injuries, vascular injuries, compartment syndrome and joint dislocations. A total of 73 crush injuries were diagnosed and 31 of them were developed compartment syndrome. RESULTS: The patients with closed undisplaced fractures were treated with casting braces. For closed unstable fractures with good skin and soft-tissue conditions, open reduction and internal fixation was performed. All patients with open fracture had an external fixator applied after adequate debridement. Thirty one of 40 patients with compartment syndrome were treated by fasciotomy. For twelve of them, amputation was necessary. The most common procedure performed was debridement, followed by open reduction and internal fixation and closed reduction-casting, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study may provide the basis for future development of strategy to optimise attempts at rescue and plan treatment of survivors with musculoskeletal injuries after earthquakes.

Effect of Zofenopril on regeneration of sciatic nerve crush injury in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: Zofenopril is an antioxidant agent which has been shown to have beneficial effects in hypertension and heart failure. The aim of this study was to test the effects of Zofenopril on nerve regeneration and scarring in a rat model of peripheral nerve crush injury. METHODS: Twenty-one adult Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a surgical procedure involving right sciatic nerve crush injury. 15 mg/kg Zofenopril was administered orally to seven rats in group Z for seven days. Seven rats in group S received saline orally for seven days. Seven rats in the control group C received no drug after crush injury. Fourteenth and 42nd days after injury, functional and electromyography assessments of nerves were performed. Functional recovery was analyzed using a walking track assessment, and quantified using the sciatic functional index (SFI). After these evaluations, all rats were sacrificed and microscopic evaluations were performed. RESULTS: The Sciatic functional Index (SFI) in group Z on 14th day is different significantly from group S and group C (p = 0.037). But on 42nd day there was no difference between groups (p = 0.278). The statistical analyses of electromyelographic (EMG) studies showed that the latency in group Z is significantly different from group S (p = 0.006) and group C (p = 0.045). But on 42nd day there was no difference between groups like SFI (p = 0.147). The amplitude was evaluated better in group Z than others (p < 0.05). In microscopic evaluation, we observed the highest number of nerve regeneration in the group Z and the lowest in the group C. But it was not significant statistically. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that Zofenopril promotes the regeneration of peripheral nerve injuries in rat models.