Transtibial osseointegration following unilateral traumatic amputation: An observational study of patients with at least two years follow-up.

IMPORTANCE: Most patients use a traditional socket prosthesis (TSP) to ambulate independently following transtibial amputation. However, these patients generally require prosthesis repairs more than twice annually and an entirely new prosthesis every two years. Furthermore, transtibial amputation patients have four times the skin ulceration rate of transfemoral patients, prompting more frequent prosthesis refitting and diminished use. Trans-Tibial osseointegration (TTOI) is a promising technique to address the limitations of TSP, but remains understudied with only four cohorts totaling 41 total procedures reported previously. Continued concerns regarding the risk of infection and questions as to functional capacity postoperatively have slowed adoption of TTOI worldwide. OBJECTIVE: This study reports the changes in mobility, quality of life (QOL), and the safety profile of the largest described cohort of patients with unilateral TTOI following traumatic amputation. DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort study. The cohort consisted of patients with data outcomes collected before and after osseointegration intervention. SETTING: A large, tertiary referral, major metropolitan center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one skeletally mature adults who had failed socket prosthesis rehabilitation, with at least two years of post-osseointegration follow-up. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Mobility was evaluated by K-level, Timed Up and Go (TUG), and Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT). QOL was assessed by survey: daily prosthesis wear hours, prosthesis problem experience, general contentment with prosthesis, and Short Form 36 (SF36). Adverse events included any relevant unplanned surgery such as for infection, fracture, implant loosening, or implant failure. RESULTS: All patients demonstrated statistically significant improvement post osseointegration surgery with respect to K-level, TUG, 6MWT, prosthesis wear hours, prosthesis problem experience, general prosthesis contentment score, and SF36 Physical Component Score (p < 0.01 for all). Three patients had four unplanned surgeries: two soft tissue refashionings, and one soft tissue debridement followed eventually by implant removal. No deaths, postoperative systemic complications, more proximal amputations, or periprosthetic fractures occurred. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: TTOI is likely to confer mobility and QOL improvements to patients dissatisfied with TSP rehabilitation following unilateral traumatic transtibial amputation. Adverse events are relatively infrequent and not further disabling. Judicious use of TTOI seems reasonable for properly selected patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 (Therapeutic investigation, Observational study with dramatic effect).

Is Suprascapular Nerve Block Better Than Intra-articular Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder? A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Adhesive Capsulitis of shoulder (AdCS) is a treatment dilemma for surgeons. Intraarticular Corticosteroid Injection (IACI) has shown only short-term benefit in improving shoulder-related disability. Suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) has shown promise in trials in reducing chronic shoulder pain. Thus a RCT was conducted to compare the efficacy of SSNB versus IACI in the treatment of AdCS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 86 patients with AdCS were divided into SSNB and IACI groups by block randomization. SSNB group received single Suprascapular Nerve Block with 10ml of 0.5% Bupivacaine while IACI group received single injection of 40mg Triamcinolone and 1ml 2% Lignocaine in the shoulder; both followed by physiotherapy and followed-up and evaluated with SPADI and modified Constant scores at 1, 6 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements occurred in both groups. At 12 weeks, the SPADI and Con-stant score for SSNB improved to 9.62±10.07 and 36.95±3.43 respectively (p<0.001); and for IACI improved to 11.65±5.56 and 35.07±3.32 respectively (p <0.001). The difference in the scores between the 2 groups at 1st and 6th week was insignificant, but was statistically significant in favour of SSNB at 12 weeks (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: 1. Thus, from the present study it can be concluded that both Suprascapular Nerve Block and Intra-articular Corticosteroid injection are effective mo-dalities of treatment for Adhesive Capsulitis of the shoulder. 2. Suprascapular Nerve Block increased patients' pain tolerability for effective mobilization, the effect be-ing persistent even at 12 weeks following injection. 3. It was safer than Intra-articular Corticosteroid in-jection with less incidence of adverse effects in our study and the literature. 4. It is an easy-to-perform outpatient procedure, with minimal chance of infection and other complications. 5. In light of the above, we may recommend Su-prascapular Nerve Block as the initial procedure of choice in patients with Adhesive Capsulitis of Shoulder.

Forecasting Posttreatment Outcome of Hallux Valgus Surgery Patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite advancements in operative techniques and the extraordinary number of procedures described for correcting hallux valgus (HV), there is still uncertainty as to why some patients thrive postoperatively whereas others do not. This study aimed to investigate whether the postoperative outcome of HV surgery could be predicted from patient demographics or functional impairment at the time of referral. METHODS: The prospectively collected data, from 92 patients, were analyzed to determine whether patient demographics significantly influenced outcome 52 weeks after surgery. Potential relationships between socioeconomic deprivation and the outcome, as well as between preoperative functional impairment and postoperative improvement, were examined. The Manchester Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) and Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) were used in this evaluation. RESULTS: None of the demographics studied were found to be statistically significant determinants of outcome. Preoperative MOXFQ scores for patients from the most deprived areas were significantly worse at the time of referral. Patients living in the least deprived postcodes experienced the lowest improvement in MOXFQ scores. Patients from the most deprived SIMD quintile achieved significantly higher improvement in MOXFQ-walking and standing compared to those from the least deprived quintile. A strong positive correlation was found between the preoperative MOXFQ scores and the improvement in the scores postoperatively. CONCLUSION: In this patient cohort, demographics could not be used to predict the postoperative outcome at week 52. Socioeconomic disparities seem to influence the timing of patients seeking surgery. Lower preoperative MOXFQ scores strongly correlate with a lesser degree of postoperative improvement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective study with prospective arm.

Osseointegrated reconstruction and rehabilitation of transtibial amputees: the Osseointegration Group of Australia surgical technique and protocol for a prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Lower extremity amputation uniformly impairs a person's vocational, social and recreational capacity. Rehabilitation in traditional socket prostheses (TSP) is associated with a spectrum of complications involving the socket-residuum interface which lead to reduced prosthetic use and quality of life. Osseointegration has recently emerged as a novel concept to overcome these complications by eliminating this interface and anchoring the prosthesis directly to bone. Though the complications of TSPs affect both transfemoral and transtibial amputees, Osseointegration has been predominantly performed in transfemoral ones assuming a greater benefit/risk ratio. However, as the safety of the procedure has been established, we intend to extend the concept to transtibial amputees and document the outcomes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is protocol for a prospective cohort study, with patient enrolment started in 2014 and expected to be completed by 2022. The inclusion criteria are age over 18 years, unilateral, bilateral and mixed transtibial amputation and experiencing socket-related problems. All patients receive osseointegrated implants, the type of which depend on the length of the residuum and quality of bone, which are press-fitted into the residual bone. Objective functional outcomes comprising 6-Minute Walk Test, Timed Up-and-Go test and K-level, subjective patient-reported-quality-of-life outcomes (Short Form Health Survey 36, daily prosthetic wear hours, prosthetic wear satisfaction) and adverse events are recorded preoperatively and at postoperative follow-up intervals of 3, 6, 12 months and yearly, and compared with the preoperative values using appropriate statistical tests. Multivariable multilevel logistic regression will be performed with a focus to identify factors associated with outcomes and adverse events, specifically infection, periprosthetic fracture, implant fracture and aseptic loosening. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Ethics approval for the study has been received from the University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia (014153S). The outcomes of this study will be disseminated by publications in peer-reviewed academic journals and scientific presentations at relevant orthopaedic conferences.

The clinical and radiological results of individualized surgical treatment depending on pathologic abnormalities in recurrent patellar dislocation: low recurrence rate, but unintended patella baja.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes and chondral lesion change using individualized surgery for recurrent patellar dislocation. METHODS: A total of 31 knees with recurrent patellar dislocation underwent surgery depending on individual pathologic abnormalities. Pathologic abnormalities including medial laxity, lateral tightness, increased tibial tuberosity (TT)-to-trochlear groove distance (>20 mm), and patella alta (Caton-Deschamps ratio >1.2) were evaluated in each patient. The abnormalities were corrected through medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction, TT distalization, TT anteromedialization, and lateral retinacula release. The mean follow-up period was 33 months. RESULTS: There was one recurrent case (3.2%), requiring additional surgery. The mean Kujala scores were significantly (P = 0.002) improved from 75.8 (SD 12.4) to 84.6 (SD 13.1). Tegner scores were significantly improved from 3.7 (range 1-9) to 5.4 (range 2-9) (P < 0.001), as were and visual analogue scale pain scores from 4.7 (SD 2.5) to 2.6 (SD 2.2) (P = 0.001). Caton-Deschamps ratio was significantly decreased from 1.1 (SD 0.2) to 0.9 (SD 0.1) (P < 0.001), regardless of TT distalization. Chondral lesions of the patella and trochlear groove were improved or maintained in 57.1 and 71.4% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Individualized surgery in recurrent patellar dislocation was effective and safe with a low recurrence rate. However, the possibility of unintended patella baja, which might be related to post-operative anterior knee pain, should be considered. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Arthroscopic Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Reconstruction Using Auto-Gracilis Tendon.

There have been several techniques to repair the medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRTs) with the goal of restoring the anatomic and firm fixation of the meniscal root to bone. Many anatomic studies about the menisci also have been developed, so a better understanding of the anatomy could help surgeons perform correct fixation of the MMPRTs. The meniscal roots have ligament-like structures that firmly attach the menisci to the tibial plateau, and this structural concept is important to restore normal biomechanics after anatomic root repair. We present arthroscopic transtibial medial meniscus posterior root reconstruction using auto-gracilis tendon.

Accordion Maneuver with Modified Ilizarov Frame for treatment of recalcitrant nonunion of shaft of femur in a patient with Pycnodysostosis.

Accordion Maneuver is a strong "Bloodless Tool" in the Ilizarov technology, that helps to bring about healing of nonunion of fractures of long bones. A 50 years old male, a rare case of Pycnodysostosis, presented to us with recalcitrant nonunion of the fracture shaft of the femur after two failed surgical attempts, with a broken plate in the last attempt. We treated this very difficult nonunion by Ilizarov monofocal osteosynthesis with Accordion Maneuver that finally yielded union. This appears to be the only case report of treating such a case with Accordion Maneuver.

Use of tranexamic acid in dynamic hip screw plate fixation for trochanteric fractures.

PURPOSE: To evaluate perioperative blood loss and blood transfusion requirement in patients who underwent dynamic hip screw plate fixation for a stable trochanteric fracture with or without preoperative intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA). METHODS: 49 men and 11 women (mean age, 56.5 years) who underwent open reduction and internal fixation with a dynamic hip screw plate for a stable trochanteric fracture by a single surgeon were equally randomised to receive either a single dose of intravenous TXA (15 mg/kg) 15 minutes prior to surgery or an equal volume of normal saline by slow infusion. Intra- and post-operative blood loss and the need for blood transfusion were assessed, as was any thromboembolic adverse event. RESULTS: The TXA and control groups were comparable in terms of age, gender, body mass index, blood pressure, pulse rate, time from injury to surgery, operating time, and preoperative haematological data. Blood loss was lower in the TXA than control group intraoperatively (320.3 vs. 403.33 ml, p<0.001), during 0 to 24 hours (61.67 vs. 186.67 ml, p<0.001), and during 24 to 48 hours (27 vs. 86.67 ml, p<0.001), as well as the total volume (408.97 vs. 676.67 ml, p<0.001). Respectively for the TXA and control groups, 27 and 30 required 28 and 41 units of blood intra-operatively (p<0.001), and 6 and 15 required 6 and 15 units of blood postoperatively (p=0.014). No patient had any thromboembolic adverse event. CONCLUSION: TXA is safe and effective in reducing blood loss in dynamic hip screw plate fixation for stable trochanteric fractures.

Segmental Schwannomatosis of the Spine: Report of a Rare Case and Brief Review of Literature.

UNLABELLED: To report a case of segmental schwannomatosis involving the dorsal and lumbar spine and describe its excision as well as review of literature on schwannomatosis involving the spine. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Schwannomas are nerve sheath tumours which usually occur as solitary lesions. Presence of multiple schwannomas suggests a genetic predisposition to tumorogenesis and possible association with neurofibromatosis. However, in very rare cases multiple schwannomas exist without typical features of neurofibromatosis and constitute a clinically and genetically distinct rare syndrome termed schwannomatosis. A 31-year-old female presented with low back pain with left lower limb radiculopathy and sensory deficit over the L4-L5 dermatome. Auditory and ophthalmologic examinations were normal. MRI showed two discrete intradural masses at D12-L2 and L3-L5. MRI of the brain was negative for any vestibular schwannoma. The tumours were excised discretely through a single midline incision to improve the symptoms. HPE of both the tumours revealed them to be schwannomas. Karyotyping from lymphocyte DNA revealed no abnormality. CONCLUSION: This is the 3rd case of schwannomatosis involving the dorsal and lumbar spine, in which excision of the tumours led to resolution of symptoms.

Immobilisation of extra-articular distal radius fractures (Colles type) in dorsiflexion. The functional and anatomical outcome.

BACKGROUND: Cast immobilisation after successful closed reduction is a standard treatment for displaced extra-articular fractures of lower end radius. The position of the wrist during immobilisation is controversial. Immobilisation in dorsiflexion prevents redisplacement after closed reduction. Our aim is to determine the effectiveness of immobilization of wrist in dorsiflexion in such cases and evaluate anatomical and functional outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study included 54 patients, above 19 years of age with closed extra-articular fractures of lower end radius treated conservatively with below elbow cast application. The wrist was maintained in 15° of dorsiflexion during plaster immobilisation. At 24 weeks, functional results were evaluated with subjective symptoms and objective signs, as per modified Demerit Point Score System. Anatomical result was evaluated based on the scheme devised by Lidstrom (1959) and modified by Sarmiento et al. (1980). RESULTS: 76% patients had Excellent to Good subjective symptoms. Out of 42 patients that had residual dorsal angulation of less than 10°, 37 had excellent to good functional outcome. 39 of the 43 patients who had loss of radial length less than 6 mm had excellent to good functional outcome. 40 out of 49 patients having loss of radial angulation less than 9° showed excellent to good functional outcome. Functional result was directly proportional to anatomical outcome. CONCLUSION: Cast immobilization of extra articular fractures of lower end radius with wrist in dorsiflexion prevents re-displacement of the fragments resulting in satisfactory anatomical & functional outcome.

Solitary sacral osteochondroma without neurological symptoms: a case report and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: To report a case of solitary sacral osteochondroma without neurological symptoms and describe the en bloc excision of the tumour, as well as review the literature on osteochondroma involving the sacrum. SUMMARY OF THE BACKGROUND DATA: although osteochondromas are among the most common benign tumours of the bone, they uncommonly involve the spine. Its occurence in the sacrum is rare, accounting for only 0.5 % of the osteochondromas involving spine. All previous cases of sacral osteochondroma have reported neurological symptoms on presentation. CASE REPORT: A 21-year-old male presented with a palpable, painless mass in the left side of the sacral region of 1 year duration, without neurological symptoms. Radiological studies showed a well-circumscribed lesion with bony osteoid within arising from the sacrum at S3-S4 level left to midline, with features suggestive of osteochondroma. The tumour was excised en bloc through posterior approach. A literature review of sacral osteochondroma was conducted using MEDLINE search of English Literature and bibliographies. RESULTS: Histopathological studies showed the lesion to consist mature bone trabeculae with active enchondral ossification with cap of normal hyaline cartilage. Literature review yielded only 8 cases of sacral osteochondroma reported earlier. CONCLUSION: This is the 9th case of solitary osteochondroma of the sacrum to be reported, the first to be reported without any neurological symptoms, and third case reported for which en bloc excision was performed.