Hsa-miR-21-5p reflects synovitis and tenosynovitis components of musculoskeletal ultrasonography Seven-joint scores in rheumatoid arthritis disease and predicts the disease flare.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by progressive joint destruction with subsequent serious disability. Objective biomarkers of RA course progression are lacking, which necessitates the discovery of activity indicators and predictors of the disease outcome. Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Seven-joint Score (MSUS7) is proposed as a reliable technique to evaluate radiographic RA progression. Homo sapiens-microRNA-21-5p (hsa-miR-21-5p) plays an important role during joint remodeling and the pro-inflammatory process driving RA progression. We aimed to evaluate plasma hsa-miR-21-5p as a noninvasive RA activity biomarker and to investigate if hsa-miR-21-5p is linked to MSUS7 components in the context of RA activity. This cross-sectional study included 71 RA patients classified into inactive (n = 36) and active (n = 35) groups according to the Disease Activity Score 28-joint count with ESR (DAS28-ESR). Joints were assessed by MSUS7. Gray-scale ultrasound (GSUS) and power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) were used to rate the synovitis, tenosynovitis, and erosion in the joints. Plasma hsa-miR-21-5p expression was measured by real-time PCR. The absolute count of regulatory T cell (Treg) was calculated after Treg frequency was assessed by flow cytometry. Results: Hsa-miR-21 expression was significantly up-regulated in the active RA group with a median fold change of 51.6 in comparison to the inactive cases with a median fold change of 7.7 (p < 0.001). Hsa-miR-21-5p was positively correlated with DAS28-ESR, C reactive protein (CRP), and rheumatoid factor (r = 0.7, p < 0.001, r = 0. 0.6, p < 0.001, and r = 0.4, p = 0.002, respectively), while negatively correlated with Treg absolute count (r = -0.4, p < 0.001). Hsa-miR-21-5p levels were correlated with synovitis and tenosynovitis in GSUS (r = 0.4, p < 0.001, r = 0.3, p = 0.025, respectively) and in PDUS (r = 0.5, p < 0.001 and 0.4, p = 0.001, respectively). The hsa-miR-21-5p accurately distinguished RA activity [AUC 0.933, 94.3% sensitivity, and 86.1% specificity]. Logistic regression analysis revealed hsa-miR-21-5p as an independent predictor for RA flare (OR = 1.228, p = 0.004). Hsa-miR-21-5p was linked to synovitis and tenosynovitis components of the MSUS7. Up-regulated hsa-miR-21-5p can be utilized as a predictor for RA disease flare.

Intramedullary Kirschner wire fixation of displaced distal forearm fractures in children.

AIM OF THE WORK: This study was designed to highlight internal fixation by intramedullary K-wires for displaced distal forearm fractures among children and analyze the results of this technique. We hypothesize that physis-sparing intramedullary fixation prevents displacement with a lower complication rate. METHODS: This prospective case series involving 47 patients was conducted between February 2018 and December 2019. All patients with open physis presented with recent displaced distal forearm fractures were included, and all of them were treated with an intramedullary k-wire fixation for both bones with the assessment of the union rate, union time, suspected complication, radiographic evaluation, and functional outcome. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 31 boys (66%) and 16 girls (34%). The mean age of the patients was 10.68 ± 2.728 years (range, 7-15 years). All fractures were united in a median of 6 weeks (range, 4-8 weeks), The functional outcome after 12 months was normal in 42 patients (89.4%), whereas, in five patients (10.6%), the functional parameters were minimally reduced. The median preoperative angulation improved from 36° (range, 24°-52°) preoperatively to 4° (range, 0°-10°) on immediate postoperative radiographs. After 12 months, the median angulation was 2° (range, 0°-7°) (p < 0.001). The angulation of the distal radius immediately after surgery and at the final follow-up was statistically correlated with the functional outcome (p < 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: This technique provides a good result with less susceptibility to re-displacement and low complication rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Minimally Invasive Reconstruction of the Medial Collateral Ligament of the Knee.

Background: This study describes a minimally invasive technique for the reconstruction of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and posterior oblique ligament (POL) through minimal incisions on the tibial and femoral sides of the ligament using the modified Bosworth technique. Methods: This study included 19 consecutive patients who presented with chronic grade III injury; the mean age was 29.6 years (standard deviation ± 7.5 years, range 19-43 years), and five patients (26.3%) had no associated injuries. Ten patients (52.6%) had associated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and four patients (21.1%) had associated posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury. All patients were assessed 18 months postoperatively regarding functional outcome using the Lysholm score and medial joint space opening. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in the patient functional outcome as the Lysholm score improved from 55.39 ± 6.9 to 89.42 ± 6.4 at 18 months postoperatively. (P< 0.001). At the end of the follow-up, 16 cases had grade 1 medial laxity, 3 cases with grade II laxity, and no patients with grade III medial laxity. Conclusion: Minimally invasive MCL reconstruction with modified Bosworth technique gives very good results regarding the functional outcome and residual medial laxity of the knee.

A Single Intramedullary K-Wire Is Sufficient for the Management of Nonthumb Metacarpal Shaft Fractures.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the outcome after the internal fixation of diaphyseal metacarpal fractures by a single intramedullary K-wire. METHODS: In this prospective case series study, conducted from July 2017 to June 2019 in 23 adult patients with a single, unstable, diaphyseal metacarpal fracture, outcomes after internal surgical fixation using a single antegrade intramedullary K-wire were evaluated. The outcomes were evaluated by union rate, time to union, handgrip measurements at 6 and 12 months, and the modified Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score at 12 months. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 17 males and 6 females, with a mean patient age of 28.4 ± 8.5 years (range, 16-45 years). The median time to final follow-up was 14 ± 1.8 months (range: 12-24 months). The mean duration of the union was 7.3 ± 1.6 weeks (range: 5-11 weeks), with a union rate of 95.7% (22 cases). The mean handgrip strength was 68% ± 12.8% of the strength of the uninjured hand after 6 months and 92.7% ± 6.9% after 12 months. The mean modified DASH score was 2.6 ± 0.26 after 12 months (range: 0-5.8). There were no cases of malrotation or infection. In conclusion, using a single 1.8-2.0 mm K-wire gives excellent functional outcomes and union rate without significant complications when used to treat an unstable metacarpal shaft fracture.

Impingement-free hip range of motion after osteochondroplasty and relative neck lengthening in adults with healed Perthes disease.

OBJECTIVE: Our main objective is to assess the efficiency of the osteochondroplasty with relative neck lengthening in adults with healed Perthes clinically (through assessment of impingement-free hip ROM, functional scores) and radiographically. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective case series study included 30 hips of 30 patients who underwent osteochondroplasty and RNL due to symptomatic healed LCPD. This study included 16 males (53.3%) and 14 females (46.7%). The age of patients ranged from 19 to 40 years with mean age 26.4 years at the date of surgery (SD 6.4). RESULTS: Median time of follow-up was 27.7 months after surgery (range 12-60 months). Two patients (6.6%) developed avascular necrosis (AVN) and needing total hip replacement; none of our patients developed nerve injury, detachment of the trochanteric fragment, and wound infection needing treatment. Preoperative Stulberg classes II and III improved more than preoperative Stulberg classes IV and V, although not statistically significant (P = 0.1104, n = 30). The mean HHS and WOMAC score values for each patient were higher in the Stulberg II and III groups compared to the Stulberg IV and V groups CONCLUSION: Head and neck osteochondroplasty performed through the surgical dislocation approach, combined with RFNL, relieved pain and restored function in most of the patients with reasonable complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.