The Interdisciplinary Approach: Preventive and Therapeutic Strategies for Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

The appropriate treatment of the common diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in diabetic patients demands enormous human, organizational and financial resources that are finite. Interdisciplinary teams of medical and surgical specialists, as well as allied health professionals, can help to reduce the consumption of these resources, optimize treatment, and prevent DFUs. They consist primarily of vascular surgeons, endocrinologists, and orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons and are closely supported when required by infectious diseases specialists, plastic surgeons, wound care specialist nurses, podiatrists, and orthotists. A timely interdisciplinary team review in each clinic session decreases the number of hospital visits for the oftentimes-handicapped diabetic patients significantly. The interdisciplinary team clinic setup has also been shown to reduce the risk of amputations, length of hospital staz and mortality rates.

Teriparatide as an Effective Nonsurgical Treatment for a Patient with Basicervical Peritrochanteric Fracture Nonunion-A Case Report.

The nonunion rate of surgically treated basicervical peritrochanteric fractures has been reported to be as high as 9%. Due to the high 1-year mortality rate following revision surgery, finding an effective nonsurgical treatment option is of interest. Over the last decade, numerous reports have been published that have suggested teriparatide as an effective treatment for certain types of fracture nonunion. However, the literature focused on teriparatide treatment for proximal femoral fracture nonunion is scanty. A 70-year-old man suffering from a left hip basicervical peritrochanteric fracture received cephalomedullary nail fixation. Nine months after the surgery, the patient still complained of left hip pain referring to the medial thigh with an antalgic limping gait. No sign of healing was noted for more than a consecutive 3 months of follow-up. Fracture nonunion was diagnosed and further confirmed by the computed tomography (CT). The patient preferred nonsurgical treatment after thorough discussion. He then received 4 months of subcutaneous teriparatide injections, 20 mcg daily. After less than 4 months of teriparatide treatment, a follow-up CT confirmed fracture union and the patient's pain subsided. The patient also tolerated independent ambulation afterward. Teriparatide has been reported to be an effective treatment for certain types of fracture nonunion. Our case goes a step further to expand its possible application for basicervical peritrochanteric fracture nonunion. However, further larger scale studies are needed to confirm its efficacy.

A versatile method for dorsal-approach plantar plate repair using standard operative instruments.

BACKGROUND: The plantar plate is an important static stabilizer of the lesser metatarsophalangeal joints, and disruptions of the plantar plate can lead to significant instability and lesser toe deformities. In recent years, direct plantar plate repair has been proposed. Although direct repair via a dorsal approach is attractive, a torn plantar plate is small and difficult to access using regular instruments in a restricted operative field. METHODS: In this report, a unique method for plantar plate repairs was used to repair various configurations of plantar plate tears with standard operative instruments that are available in most operating rooms. RESULTS: Using this method, 10 patients underwent plantar plate repairs, and the mean follow-up period was 24 (range, 14-38) months. The mean visual analog scale score for pain preoperatively was 4.1 (range, 0-6) and decreased to 0.6 (range, 0-3) at last follow-up. Postoperatively, the mean visual analog scale score for satisfaction was 9.6 (range, 8-10) and the mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society forefoot score was 88.8 (range, 75-100). CONCLUSIONS: Our study proposes an inexpensive and versatile method for plantar plate repair via a dorsal approach that uses standard operative instruments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT04949685 . July 2, 2021 - Retrospectively registered, LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE: 4.

A Modified Extra-articular Lateral Column Lengthening Procedure for Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity.

BACKGROUND: Lateral column lengthening (LCL), originally described by Evans, is an established procedure to correct stage II adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD). However, the relative position between the facets is violated, and other problems may include nonunion, malunion, and calcaneocuboid (CC) joint subluxation. Herein, we report a modified extra-articular technique of LCL with hockey-stick osteotomy, which preserves the subtalar joint as a whole, increases bony apposition to enhance healing ability, and preserves the insertion of the calcaneofibular ligament to stabilize the posterior fragment to promote adduction of the forefoot. METHODS: We retrospectively recruited 24 patients (26 feet) with stage II AAFD who underwent extra-articular LCL. The mean age was 55.7 ± 15.7 years, and the mean follow-up period was 33.4 ± 12.1 months. Associated procedures of spring ligament repair/reconstruction and posterior tibial tendon plication or flexor digitorum longus transfer were routinely performed and may also include a Cotton osteotomy, heel cord lengthening, or hallux valgus correction. Clinical and radiographic outcomes at the final follow-up were compared with the preoperative assessments. RESULTS: All patients achieved calcaneus union within 3 months of operation. The VAS pain score improved from 5.3 ± 0.75 preoperatively to 1.2 ± 0.79 at the final follow-up (P < .001), and the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale from 63.5 ± 8.5 to 85.8 ± 4.8 points (P < .001). The radiographic measurements significantly improved in terms of the preoperative vs final angles of 8.9 ± 5.3 vs 15.2 ± 3.6 degrees for calcaneal pitch (P < .001), 20.5 ± 9.2 vs 4.9 ± 4.8 degrees for Meary angle (P < .001), 46.5 ± 5.2 vs 41.9 ± 3.2 degrees for lateral talocalcaneal angle (P < .001), 23.9 ± 8.5 vs 3.9 ± 3.1 degrees for talonavicular coverage angle (P < .001), and 18.2 ± 9.2 vs 7.3 ± 5.0 degrees for talus-first metatarsal angle (P = .002). The CC joint subluxation percentage was 7.0% ± 5.4% preoperatively compared with 8.5% ± 2.4% at the final follow-up (P = .101). No case showed progression of CC joint arthritis or CC joint subluxation (>15% CC joint subluxation percentage). One case showed transient sural nerve territory paresthesia, and 1 had pin tract infection. Three cases had lateral foot pain, which could be relieved by custom insoles. CONCLUSION: Modified extra-articular LCL as part of AAFD correction is a feasible alternative technique without subtalar joint invasion and may be associated with less CC joint subluxation compared with the Evans osteotomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Increased fracture risk after discontinuation of anti-osteoporosis medications among hip fracture patients: A population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To compare the risks of major osteoporotic, vertebral, and non-vertebral fractures between patients who discontinued anti-osteoporosis medications. METHODS: We conducted a comparative effectiveness study with a nationwide population-based cohort study design. Patients aged ≥50 years admitted between 2012 and 2015 for incident hip fractures and receiving denosumab or bisphosphonates with sufficient compliance for at least 1 year were included. Patients were categorized into persistent or non-persistent denosumab or bisphosphonates users based on their subsequent use pattern. The main outcomes were subsequent hospitalizations for a major osteoporotic, vertebral or non-vertebral fracture. Multivariate, time-varying Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the risk of major outcomes. RESULTS: Compared with persistent denosumab users, non-persistent denosumab users had a significantly higher risk of major osteoporotic fractures (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-2.14), vertebral fractures (HR = 2.18; 95% CI, 1.46-3.24) and death (HR = 3.57; 95%CI, 2.63-4.84). However, the increased risk of fracture was not found in both persistent and non-persistent bisphosphonates users. Noteworthy, the increased risk of vertebral fractures in non-persistent denosumab users was more pronounced within 1 year post-discontinuation (HR = 2.90; 95% CI, 1.77-4.74) and among patients who discontinued from 2-year denosumab therapy (HR = 3.58; 95% CI, 1.74-7.40). DISCUSSION: Discontinuation of denosumab resulted in an increased risk of major osteoporotic fractures, especially vertebral fractures. The increased risk tends to reveal within 1 year post-discontinuation and be greater after a longer treatment duration. Notably, only fracture with hospitalization was identified as our research outcome, the real risk of osteoporotic fracture post discontinuation is believed to be higher, especially for vertebral fracture.

Vancomycin-loaded oxidized hyaluronic acid and adipic acid dihydrazide hydrogel: Bio-compatibility, drug release, antimicrobial activity, and biofilm model.

BACKGROUND: Prosthesis infection is a difficult-to-treat situation. Hydrogel is a novel biomaterial, which can be applied by simply spraying or by coating on implants before surgery and can be easily mixed with antibiotics. METHODS: In order to evaluate the potential use of antibiotic-loaded hydrogel, we incorporated vancomycin into oxidized hyaluronic acid (HA) and adipic acid dihydrazide and evaluated the drug release and antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213). RESULTS: The average release percentage of vancomycin on day 3 was about 86%. The antibiotic-loaded gel was biocompatible with mesenchymal stem cell, MC3T3, and L929 cell lines. The in vitro inhibition zones of vancomycin-loaded hydrogel [500X minimal inhibition concentration (MIC), 50X MIC, 10X MIC, and blank hydrogel] were 21, 13, 9, and 5 mm, respectively. In the Ti6Al4V implant biofilm model, 0.01-1% vancomycin-loaded gel exhibited significant anti-biofilm activity, measured by the MTT assay. CONCLUSIONS: Vancomycin could be loaded onto oxidized HA and adipic acid dihydrazide, which exhibited excellent drug release and in vitro antimicrobial activity with minimal cell toxicity.

Reduction of the domino effect in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures through short-segment fixation with intravertebral expandable pillars compared to percutaneous kyphoplasty: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture is the leading cause of disability and morbidity in elderly people. Treatment of this condition remains a challenge. Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures can be managed with various approaches, but each has limitations. In this study, we compared the clinical outcomes obtained using short-segment fixation with intravertebral expandable pillars (I-VEP) to those obtained with percutaneous kyphoplasty in patients who had suffered vertebral compression fractures. METHODS: The study included 46 patients with single-level osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures. Twenty-two patients in Group I underwent short-segment fixation with I-VEP and 24 patients in Group II underwent kyphoplasty. All patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively using a visual analogue scale, anterior height of the fractured vertebra, and kyphotic angle of the fractured vertebra. The latter 2 radiological parameters were measured at the adjacent segments as well. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of gender or fracture level, but the mean age was greater in Group II patients (p = 0.008). At the 1-year follow-up, there were no significant differences in the visual analogue scale scores, anterior height of the fractured vertebra, or the value representing anterior height above the fractured vertebra and kyphotic angle below the fractured vertebra, after adjusting for the patients' gender, fracture level, and age. When considered separately, the anterior height below the fractured vertebra was significantly higher and the kyphotic angle above the fractured vertebra was significantly smaller in Group I than in Group II (p = 0.029 and p = 0.008, respectively). The kyphotic angle of the fractured vertebra was significantly smaller in Group II than in Group I (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In older individuals with vertebral compression fractures, kyphoplasty restored and maintained the collapsed vertebral body with less kyphotic deformity than that induced by short-segment fixation with I-VEP. Short-segment fixation with I-VEP was more effective in maintaining the integrity of adjacent segments, which prevented the domino effect often observed in patients with osteoporotic kyphotic spines.