Influence of Cortical Comminution and Intra-articular Involvement in Distal Radius Fractures on Clinical Outcome: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Aim The purpose of this prospective multicenter study was to test the predictive value of cortical comminution and intra-articular involvement on function and quality of life in distal radius fractures (DRFs) using the Buttazzoni's classification system. Patients and Methods We studied 406 patients between skeletal maturity and 74 years of age with DRF. Fractures with acceptable radiographic alignment were immobilized with a cast. Fractures with nonacceptable radiographic alignment underwent closed reduction and 4 to 6 weeks cast immobilization. Radiographs were obtained after reduction and at 10 to 14 days. Redisplaced fractures were offered surgical treatment. One-year follow-up included grip strength, range of motion (ROM), quickDASH, EQ-5D (including visual analog scale [VAS] for health status), and VAS pain. Results We found no statistically significant differences in QuickDASH, EQ-5D questionnaire, EQ-5D health status VAS, and VAS pain among the Buttazzoni classes. However, initial displacement was associated with worse quickDASH score, worse EQ-5D score, reduced grip strength, and reduced ROM. Dorsal comminution was associated with worse quickDASH score, reduced flexion, and reduced pronation-supination ability. Volar comminution predicted loss of extension, while intra-articular involvement was associated with reduced flexion-extension arc and worse EQ-5D score. There was a significant difference in ROM between noncomminuted and comminuted fracture classes. Conclusion Initial fracture position, type of comminution, and intra-articular involvement influenced the clinical outcome in DRF.

Dual mobility cups for preventing early hip arthroplasty dislocation in patients at risk: experience in a county hospital.

Dislocation remains a major concern after hip arthroplasty. We asked whether dual mobility cups (DMC) would improve early hip stability in patients with high risk of dislocation. We followed 34 patients (21 females, 13 males) treated between 2009 and 2012 with cemented DMC for hip revisions caused recurrent hip prosthetic dislocation or as a primary procedure in patients with high risk of instability. Functional outcome and quality of life were evaluated using Harris Hip Score and EQ-5D respectively. We found that the cemented DMC gave stability in 94%. Seven patients (20%) were re-operated due to infection. One patient sustained a periprosthetic fracture. At follow-up (6 to 36 months, mean 18), the mean Harris hip score was 67 (standard deviation: 14) and mean EQ-5D was 0.76 (standard deviation: 0.12). We concluded that treating patients with high risk of dislocation with DMC can give good stability. However, complications such as postoperative infection can be frequent and should be managed carefully.

A new surgical method for treating patients with refractory external snapping hip: Pedersen-Noor operation.

The technical description of a new surgical method (Pedersen-Noor operation) to treat refractory external snapping hip [coxa saltans externa (CSE)] is presented. The method consists of distal lengthening of the iliotibial band by Z-plasty under local anesthesia and on an outpatient basis. Five patients with refractory CSE were treated with the new method. Postoperatively, the outcome was evaluated by phone interview and physical examination, 3 to 4 months and 1 year postoperatively, respectively. The snapping disappeared in all five patients. No postoperative complications were reported. Three patients were very satisfied and two patients were satisfied with the result of the operation. All five patients would recommend the operation to another patient with similar symptoms. The described method is simple, economic, and effective and can be recommended in the treatment of refractory CSE.

Measurement of leg length discrepancy after total hip arthroplasty. The reliability of a plain radiographic method compared to CT-scanogram.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility of post total hip arthroplasty (THA) leg length discrepancy (LLD) measurement on radiographs as well as to evaluate its accuracy by comparing it with LLD measurement on computed tomographic scanogram (CT-scanogram). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, postoperative LLD measurements in ten THA patients were made by four observers on anteroposterior radiographs of the pelvis (inter-teardrop line to the tip of lesser trochanter) and compared to LLD measurements made on CT-scanogram scout views of the lower limb. Two observers repeated the LLD measurements on radiographs 8 weeks after the first measurements. The interobserver reliability of the LLD measurement on plain radiographs was evaluated by comparing the measurements of the four observers and the intraobserver reproducibility by comparing the two repeated measurements made by the two observers. RESULTS: We found excellent interobserver reliability (mean ICC 0.83) and intraobserver reproducibility (ICC 0.90 and 0.88) of the LLD measurements on plain radiographs. There was a moderate to excellent agreement, but with wide variation of measurements among the four observers, when plain radiographic measurement was compared with CT-scanogram (ICC 0.58, 0.60, 0.71, and 0.82). CONCLUSION: Despite the excellent interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility of LLD measurement on radiographs, clinicians should be aware of its limited accuracy when compared to CT-scanogram.

Severe metallosis after total elbow arthroplasty-a case report.

We present a case of severe metallosis after total elbow arthroplasty in a female patient presenting with manifestations resembling a septic loosening. We discuss the clinical and the operative findings as well as the outcome of this uncommon complication. A review of the literature regarding the pathogenesis, radiographic appearance, and management of metallosis in prosthetic joints is presented.

Case reports: two femoral insufficiency fractures after long-term alendronate therapy.

Bisphosphonates are widely used for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Although short-term safety and efficacy of these drugs have been investigated and documented, an increasing number of recent reports draw attention to the possible correlation between long-term alendronate therapy and the occurrence of insufficiency fractures in the proximal femur owing to what is known as severely suppressed bone turnover. We describe two femoral insufficiency fractures in two women receiving long-term alendronate therapy. The first woman sustained a periprosthetic fracture at the tip of the femoral stem whereas the other woman had a fracture in the subtrochanteric region. We analyze the characteristics and natural course of these two unique fractures, and emphasize the importance of being aware of the possible correlation between long-term alendronate therapy and insufficiency femoral fractures.

The Buttazzoni classification of distal radial fractures in adults: interobserver and intraobserver reliability.

Despite the fact that distal radial fracture is the commonest fracture, there is a little evidence-based knowledge about the value of its classification to guide management and predict prognosis. The available classification systems are either complicated or weakly applicable in clinical practice. Older's classification is the most reliable, but does not cover all radial fracture types. We evaluated the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of a new classification system which is a modification of Older's classification covering all radial fracture types. Two hundred and thirty-two consecutive adult patients with acute distal radial fractures were blindly evaluated according to the new classification by three orthopedic surgeons twice with 1-year interval. The interobserver reliability was measured using the Fleiss kappa coefficient, and the intraobserver reliability was measured using the Cohen's kappa coefficient. The new classification showed fair to substantial interobserver and intraobserver reliability, i.e., results comparable to the reliability of commonly used classification systems. The reliability was better for younger patients and when evaluation was carried out by hand-surgery-interested orthopedic surgeons. The new classification system is simple, covers all radial fracture types, and has an acceptable reliability. Further studies are needed to judge its ability to direct management and predict prognosis.

Leg length discrepancy in total hip arthroplasty: comparison of two methods of measurement.

Measurement of leg length discrepancy is an important part in planning a successful total hip arthroplasty (THA). Many clinical and radiological methods with variable degrees of accuracy have been advocated to carry out this measurement. We studied the accuracy of a commonly used clinical method by comparing it to a well-known and reliable radiological method. A total of 139 patients aged 44-89 (mean: 67.5 years) scheduled to undergo THA were examined for clinical and radiological leg length discrepancy measurements before and after the operation by the same observers. There was a poor correlation between the clinical and radiological methods preoperatively [r = 0.21, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.33]. The correlation was better postoperatively (r = 0.45, ICC = 0.62). The clinical method used is not recommended for leg length discrepancy measurement preoperatively. Caution should even be taken when using this method postoperatively. The authors recommend using the radiological method when measuring leg length discrepancy as a part of planning for THA.

Distal lengthening of ilio-tibial band by Z-plasty for treating refractory greater trochanteric pain after total hip arthroplasty (Pedersen-Noor operation).

INTRODUCTION: The development of greater trochanteric pain (GTP) after total hip arthroplasty (THA) represents a special category. Despite that treatment is mainly conservative, some patients show poor response and surgical intervention should be considered. We propose a new method consisting of distal lengthening of ilio-tibial band (ITB) by Z-plasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between March 2004 and June 2006, 12 women with refractory GTP after THA were operated on using distal ITB lengthening. The procedure was done under local anaesthesia on an outpatient basis. The patients were followed up 3-4 months postoperatively by phone interview and at 1-3 years by EQ-5D questionnaire and clinical examination including tenderness evaluation with algometer. RESULTS: All patients improved significantly (EQ-5D = 0.26 preoperatively vs. 0.67 postoperatively; P < 0.005) except one patient who experienced no change in GTP symptoms. No postoperative complications were reported. CONCLUSION: We believe that treating patients with GTP after THA by the technique described offers a simple, safe and reliable method.

Pressure-pain threshold algometric measurement in patients with greater trochanteric pain after total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of tenderness associated with greater trochanteric pain (GTP) syndrome is amenable to bias and depends on the examiner's experience. In this study, we tested whether the use of an electronic pressure algometer enhanced the reliability of this evaluation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pressure-pain threshold (PPT) was measured with an electronic algometer in 18 patients who developed GTP after total hip arthroplasty and in matched controls. Both groups were evaluated with visual analog scale. RESULTS: The PPT measurements showed large interindividual variability across patients. The correspondence of the PPT measurements in asymptomatic patients was good. We found good validity for the algometer used. The PPT ratio of 0.8 (affected vs. unaffected side) can be used as a cut-off ratio. The PPT measurements at the greater trochanter (local pain) were significantly lower than at the ilio-tibial band (radiated pain). There was no correlation between PPT measurements and visual analog scales. Despite the acceptable sensitivity and specificity of pressure algometer, because of low positive predictive value and large interindividual variability, pressure algometer has a limited value as a screening test. CONCLUSIONS: The examination of tenderness associated with GTP is facilitated by the used algometer. It is the intraindividual body-side PPT differences that yield the most sensitive measurement for the assessment of deep pain. A cut-off value of 0.8 can be used for diagnostic purposes. Interindividual differences might be considerable and could mask pathologic diagnostic findings.