Hamstrings anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with and without platelet rich fibrin matrix.

PURPOSE: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is the most common complete ligamentous injury in the knee. Many studies explored ACL graft integration and maturation, but only a few assessed the application of platelet rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) as augmentation for ACL reconstruction. The main aim of this study was to test the PRFM augmentation in terms of graft-bone integration and knee stability. The secondary aim was to investigate patient-reported functional status. METHODS: Prospective evaluation has been done in two consecutive series of patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with semitendinosus and gracilis (STG) grafts: 14 patients were operated with PRFM augmentation and 14 patients without PRFM augmentation. Objective clinical evaluation (Rolimeter) and MRI evaluation were performed at 1 year from surgery. Subjective evaluation (IKDC) was performed pre-operatively and at 6 months, 1 and 2 years from surgery. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was not detected between the two groups in terms of MRI and objective clinical evaluation, although PRFM-augmented patients showed a statistically significant higher clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The procedure described for PRFM augmentation in ACL STG reconstruction does not improve radiologic graft integration and knee stability after 1 year and should not be used by clinicians to this purpose. However, it may result in a short-term improvement of patient-reported knee function, and future research should focus on further developing PRP treatment to optimize ACL clinical outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Shoulder hemiarthroplasty for fractures of the proximal humerus.

Proximal humeral fractures were managed with primary hemiarthroplasty in 57 patients, 53 women (93%) and 4 men (7%) aged 51-87 years (mean 72.2). The mean follow-up period was 52 months (range 12-98), and the mean Constant score was 59.2 (range 38-76). Patients were very satisfied (n = 19); satisfied (n = 32) or dissatisfied with the outcome (n = 5). One patient required early revision surgery. Surgical treatment of three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus with hemiarthroplasty is a safe and effective approach, the outcome of which appears to be related to the quality of the anatomical reconstruction of the tuberosities.

Transtendon arthroscopic repair of partial-thickness, articular surface tears of the supraspinatus: results at 2 years.

Partial-thickness articular tears of the supraspinatus represent a not uncommon event in shoulder pathology, but their treatment remains controversial. We believe that these lesions must be treated with surgical repair: we hereby describe our technique of transtendon arthroscopic repair. We have treated 33 patients with an average age of 53.3 years (range 34-69). The average follow-up was 33 months (range 26-45). The post-operative Constant score values have shown a total increase of 48.2 points (from preoperative 44.4 points to post-operative 91.6 points). In the MRI follow-up assessment no cases of retears have occurred. The use of this technique enables the reconstitution of the tendon with complete reconstruction of its footprint without damaging its intact part. We believe that this can allow a better recovery.

Cost-effectiveness of cemented versus cementless total hip arthroplasty. A Markov decision analysis based on implant cost.

BACKGROUND: Probabilistic decision analysis is a means of reflecting the uncertainty parameter in models and of presenting it in a comprehensible manner to decision-makers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cost-effectiveness model was constructed to compare the cementless and cemented total hip prostheses implanted at our department in terms of lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALY). Revision rates were obtained from the Orthopaedic Prosthesis Register of the Laboratory of Medical Technology, Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy. RESULTS: The risk of early revision (at 5 years of follow-up) for cementless and cemented prostheses was 1.6% and 1.4%, respectively, resulting in equal QALY for the two implant types. Analysis of mean cost and QALY indicated that use of either implant is not associated with cost savings. DISCUSSION: Management with cementless or cemented total hip prostheses in a theoretical cohort of 70-year-old patients with fracture of the femoral neck or arthritis involving the hip is not significantly different according to the probabilistic results from the model.