High Incidence of Intraoperative Fractures With a Specific Cemented Stem Following Intracapsular Displaced Hip Fracture.

BACKGROUND: To reduce costs of orthopedic implants, the government decided to standardize implants used across different specialties in a group of hospitals located in the same geographic area. The usual cemented stem used in the context of intracapsular displaced geriatric hip fractures was replaced by another stem. Abnormal intraoperative calcar and trochanteric fractures were noted. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of intraoperative periprosthetic fractures following an intracapsular displaced hip fracture treated with this specific cemented stem compared to the previous implant. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study comparing an historic cohort of hip fractures treated with the OmniFit EON (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI) cemented stem with a new cohort of patients who received the Corail (DePuy Synthes, Warsaw, IN) cemented stem. Four orthopedic surgeons reviewed operative reports and postoperative radiographs. RESULTS: The treatment group included 348 patients who received the Corail stem. The control group included 77 patients. The 2 groups had similar baseline characteristics (P > .05) except for the presence of dementia. Incidence of intraoperative calcar or greater trochanteric fracture was 15.5% for the Corail group and 2.7% for the control group (P < .05). No patient-related factors or surgeon-related factors were related to a higher number of fractures in the treatment group (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The Corail cemented stem presents an abnormal number of iatrogenic intraoperative fractures following displaced femoral neck fracture in our geriatric population. No external factor seems to explain this high number of fractures. Implant design should be questioned. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Impairment of chemical hypoxia-induced sphingosine kinase-1 expression and activation in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts: A signature of exhaustion?

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) and 2 (SphK2) have been shown contribute to synovial inflammation in animal models of arthritis. However, low levels of intracellular sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P) were reported in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients in the end stage of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared to normal FLS. Moreover, the S1P receptor-mediated chemokine synthesis was altered in RAFLS in response to chemical hypoxia. Since the mechanisms responsible for low levels of intracellular S1P in RAFLS are not fully identified, we evaluated the contribution of SphKs to the S1P-induced synthesis of chemokines under conditions of chemical hypoxia. Our results show that a chemical hypoxia mimetic cobalt chloride (CoCl2) increased SphK1 expression and activation in normal FLS but not in RAFLS. Using selective inhibitors of SphKs and gene silencing approaches, we provide evidence that both SphK1 and SphK2 are involved in hypoxia-induced chemokine production in normal FLS. In contrast, only SphK2 mediates hypoxia-induced chemokine production in RAFLS. Moreover, CoCl2 increased S1P2 and S1P3 receptor mRNA levels in normal FLS but not in RAFLS. The data suggest that altered expression and/or activation of SphK1 combined with reduced induction of S1P receptor expression by CoCl2 impaired the CoCl2-mediated autocrine S1P receptor signaling loop and chemokine production in RAFLS.

Risk Factors for Removal of Calcaneus Screws: A Retrospective Study.

Although techniques using calcaneus screws have shown high union rates, posterior heel pain due to prominent hardware at the posterior and plantar aspect of the calcaneal tuberosity seems to be a significant complaint that often leads to hardware removal. The purpose of the present study was to identify the clinical and radiologic risk factors associated with calcaneus screw removal. A retrospective study of adult patients who required calcaneus screw fixation from January 2008 to December 2016 was conducted. We reviewed the medical records and radiographs to evaluate the risk factors for screw removal. Of the 123 patients included in the present study, 63 were male and 60 were female. The mean age was 55.0 ± 6.0 years, and the mean body mass index was 31.0 ± 6.0 kg/m2. The removal rate was 8.8% (10 of 114 evaluated) at the 1-year follow-up point and 13.6% (12 of 88 evaluated) at the 2-year follow-up point. The mean interval to removal was 1.23 ± 1.22 years. A total of 16 screws (72.7%) were removed for heel pain. At the 1-year follow-up examination, the removal rate due to inflammatory arthritis was 25.0% (p = .07). Moreover, the proportion of screw removal was greater at 2 years in illicit drug users (p = .008). Screw sizes ≤6.5 mm showed a tendency (p = .12) toward a lower rate of removal at the 2-year follow-up point. Calcaneus screws should be used with caution in specific patient populations such as illicit drug users and those with inflammatory arthritis. The use of smaller diameter calcaneus screws might be an option to lower the rate of screw removal due to heel pain.

Retrospective cohort study on radial head replacements comparing results between smooth and porous stem designs.

BACKGROUND: When necessary, radial head integrity after a fracture can be re-created by the use of a radial head arthroplasty if the radial head is judged irreparable. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of metal modular radial head replacements with a smooth vs. a porous stem. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of radial head replacements performed in the first 4 weeks after a trauma in an adult patient at our institution between 2000 and 2014 was completed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: a porous stem group (ExploR; Biomet Orthopedics, Warsaw, IN, USA) and a smooth stem group (EVOLVE; Wright Medical Group, Memphis, TN, USA). Primary outcomes were the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and Mayo Elbow Performance Index scores. Secondary outcomes were the visual analog scale score for pain, range of motion, grip strength, and radiographic evaluations. RESULTS: Of the 80 eligible patients, 57 agreed to participate (porous stem group, 36; smooth stem group, 21). Demographic data were similar between the 2 groups. Average follow-up was 6.3 years. Average Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and Mayo Elbow Performance Index scores were similar between the 2 groups. Porous implants were more prone to osteolysis (64.3% vs. 23.5%; P = .01) and were associated with a greater loss of elbow flexion (6° vs. 1°; P = .02). The porous stem group showed a tendency toward more overstuffing (24.0% vs. 5.9%; P = .21). CONCLUSION: Our results reveal that outcomes between smooth and porous stem metal modular radial head implants are equivalent. However, the smooth stem implant may represent the preferred option as it is associated with a lower rate of complications.

Ankle Lead Arthropathy and Systemic Lead Toxicity Secondary to a Gunshot Wound After 49 Years: A Case Report.

Intra-articular bullet wounds have been found to cause both local and systemic consequences, in particular, when retained over many years. Only a few such cases have been described in published reports, each with different implications, depending on the joint involved and whether the patient experienced lead toxicity. We report the rare case of a 63-year-old male with lead arthropathy of the ankle secondary to a gunshot wound 49 years earlier. In addition to his severe tibiotalar arthritis, he presented with significantly elevated blood lead levels. Although he remained asymptomatic of lead toxicity, the patient was treated with preoperative chelator therapy and arthroscopic debridement, excision of accessible bullet fragments, and partial synovectomy to alleviate his ankle pain. However, he continued to experience ankle pain, and his blood lead levels remained elevated. He, therefore, underwent arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis with preoperative chelator therapy to prevent a further increase in blood lead levels secondary to surgical manipulation. Although lead arthropathy and toxicity secondary to retained intra-articular bullets has been documented in various joints during the past decades, to the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first adult case of an affected ankle reported in published English studies in 40 years. The standard of care has evolved since then, in particular, in regard to chelator therapy and the necessity for removal of intra-articular lead fragments to prevent further lead toxicity. The present case serves as an example of lead arthropathy of the ankle and highlights the importance of balancing the standard of care with symptomatic care to optimize patient well-being.

Incipient malunion of an isolated humeral trochlea fracture treated with an elbow hemiarthroplasty: case report.

We report the case of a 49-year-old woman with severe elbow ankylosis 10 weeks after a trochlea fracture treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Imaging confirmed failure of open reduction and internal fixation with a displaced and severely damaged trochlea. We treated the nascent malunited trochlea and associated elbow ankylosis with a distal humeral hemiarthroplasty and circumferential elbow arthrolysis. The patient regained functional range of motion of the elbow and had minimal pain. Distal humeral hemiarthroplasty, which has been indicated for acute fractures involving the capitellum or the entire distal humerus, may also be indicated for certain isolated complex fractures of the trochlea.

A prospective randomized multicenter trial comparing clinical outcomes of patients treated surgically with a static or dynamic implant for acute ankle syndesmosis rupture.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical and radiographic outcome after stabilization of an acute syndesmosis rupture with either a static implant (a 3.5-mm metallic screw through 4 cortices) or a dynamic device (TightRope; Arthrex). DESIGN: Multicenter randomized double-blind controlled trial. SETTINGS: Study realized in 5 trauma centers (2 level 1 and 3 level 2) in 2 countries. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Seventy subjects admitted for an acute ankle syndesmosis rupture entered the study and were randomized into 2 groups (dynamic fixation = 34 and static fixation = 36). The 2 groups were similar regarding demographic, social, and surgical data. Sixty-five patients (dynamic = 33 and static = 32) completed the study and were available for analysis. INTERVENTION: Syndesmosis fixation in the static group was realized with a 4 cortices 3.5-mm cortical screw (Synthes) and in the dynamic group with 1 TightRope (Arthrex). Standardized rehabilitation process for the 2 groups: no weight bearing in a cast for 6 weeks and then rehabilitation without protection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Olerud-Molander score. RESULTS: Subjects with dynamic fixation achieved better clinical performances as described with the Olerud-Molander scores at 3 (68.8 vs. 60.2, P = 0.067), 6 (84.2 vs. 76.8, P = 0.082), and 12 months (93.3 vs. 87.6, P = 0.046). We also observed higher American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores at 3 months (78.6 vs. 70.6, P = 0.016), but these were not significant at 6 (87.1 vs. 83.8, P = 0.26) or 12 months (93.1 vs. 89.9, P = 0.26). Implant failure was higher in the screw group (36.1% vs. 0%, P < 0.05). Loss of reduction was observed in 4 cases in the static screw group (11.1% vs. 0%, P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic fixation of acute ankle syndesmosis rupture with a dynamic device seems to result in better clinical and radiographic outcomes. The implant offers adequate syndesmotic stabilization without failure or loss of reduction, and the reoperation rate is significantly lower than with conventional screw fixation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Irreducible Fracture-Dislocation of the Ankle Associated With Interposition of the Tibialis Posterior Tendon in the Syndesmosis: A Case Report.

Although ankle fracture-dislocations are common orthopedic injuries, it is very uncommon for them to be irreducible, and such cases require special attention. We report the case of a closed fracture-dislocation of the ankle in a 17-year-old male that required 3 surgeries because of persistent anterior subluxation of the talus on the postoperative radiographs. After advanced radiologic investigations, tibialis posterior tendon interposition in the syndesmosis was identified as the cause of the subluxation. This is a very rare event, reported in only 5 patients in published studies. Once the diagnosis was identified by magnetic resonance imaging, the tendon was relocated to its anatomic position, and the tibiofibular and tibiotalar joints were reduced adequately. The patient was then able to regain a satisfactory level of function many months after the initial trauma.