Efficiency of vitamin D supplementation in patients with mechanical low back ache.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary evidence suggests an association of hypovitaminosis D (hypo.D) with mechanical Low back ache (mLBA). AIM: This study was designed to 1. Explore the relationship of hypovitaminosis D with mLBA in the absence of other confounding factors 2. Formulate and validate an appropriate treatment protocol and 3. Explore the differences in outcomes with various oral formulations of vitamin D available in Indian market. MATERIALS & METHODS: Three randomised groups of patients with mLBA and hypo.D between 18 and 45 years of age without any co morbid conditions were studied for the effectiveness of adjunctive vit.D supplementation of 6,00,000 IUs (60,000 IUs/day for ten consecutive days) in the form of granule or nano syrup or soft gel capsule for the treatment of mLBA. Review evaluation of pain, functional disability and vit.D was done at three weeks and an additional evaluation of vit.D was done at nine months. Evaluation with 3,00,000 IUs of vit.D (60,000 IUs/day for five consecutive days) was done with nano syrup in a different cohort. RESULTS: High prevalence of hypo.D (96%) was noted in patients with mLBA. Significant improvement was noted after supplementation of vit.D. The subjects of nano syrup group have shown significantly better improvement compared to others (P < 0.000). Non obese and chronic patients have shown significantly better results than their peers. Though there was significant difference in vit.D before treatment, the difference of improvement between the genders, deficiency and insufficiency, in-door and out-door, smokers and non smoker subgroups was not significant. Seasonal variation in vit.D before and after the treatment was significant. CONCLUSION: Hypovitaminosis D can be a potential causative factor for mLBA in addition to the other known causes. Proper evaluation and adjunctive vit.D supplementation can effectively break the vicious cycle of low back ache with significant improvement in serum vit.D level, effective relief of pain and significant functional improvement without any adverse effects. Improvement in vit.D was not significantly related to its initial status and obese individuals have shown significantly lesser improvement. The results with nano syrup formulation were significantly better compared to others. Formulation based dosage adjustments assume significance in view of these results.

Role of autologous non-vascularised intramedullary fibular strut graft in humeral shaft nonunions following failed plating.

BACKGROUND: Non-union humeral shaft fractures are seen frequently in clinical practice at about 2-10% in conservative management and 30% in surgically operated patients. Osteosynthesis using dynamic compression plate (DCP), intramedullary nailing, locking compression plate (LCP), Ilizarov technique along with bone grafting have been reported previously. In cases of prior failed plate-screw osteosynthesis the resultant osteopenia, cortical defect, bone loss, scalloping around screws and metallosis, make the management of non-union more complicated. Fibular graft as an intramedullary strut is useful in these conditions by increasing screw purchase, union and mechanical stability. This study is a retrospective and prospective follow up of revision plating along with autologous non-vascularised intramedullary fibular strut graft (ANVFG) for humeral non-unions following failed plate osteosynthesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy eight cases of nonunion humeral shaft fractures were managed in our institute between 2008 and 2015. Of these, 57 cases were failed plate osteosynthesis, in which 15 cases were infected and 42 cases were noninfected. Out of the 78 cases, bone grafting was done in 55 cases. Fibular strut graft was used in 22 patients, of which 4 cases were of primary nonunion with osteoporotic bone. Applying the exclusion criteria of infection and inclusion criteria of failed plate osteosynthesis managed with revision plating using either LCP or DCP and ANVFG, 17 cases were studied. The mean age of the patients was 40.11 yrs (range: 26-57 yrs). The mean duration of non-union was 4.43 yrs (range: 0.5-14 yrs). The mean follow-up period was 33.41 months (range: 12-94 months). The average length of fibula was 10.7 cm (range: 6-15 cm). Main outcome measurements included bony union by radiographic assessment and pre- and postoperative functional evaluation using the DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score. Results: Sixteen out of 17 fractures united following revision plating and fibular strut grafting. Average time taken for union was 3.5 months (range: 3-5 months). Complications included one each of implant failure with bending, transient radial nerve palsy and transient ulnar nerve palsy. No case had infection, graft site morbidity or peroneal nerve palsy. Functional assessment by DASH score improved from 59.14 (range: 43.6-73.21) preoperatively to 23.39 (range: 8.03-34.2) postoperatively (p = 0.0003). Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that revision plating along with ANVFG is a reliable option in humeral diaphyseal non-unions with failed plate-screw osteosynthesis providing adequate screw purchase, mechanical stability and high chances of union with good functional outcome.