The effects of a single-dose subacromial injection of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug in geriatric patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: a randomized double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: As nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids have similar effects, steroids can be avoided to reduce adverse effects. This study aimed to compare the differences in symptom improvement after subacromial injection of steroids or NSAIDs. METHODS: Sixty patients with rotator cuff syndrome for at least 3 months were enrolled and divided into steroid and NSAID groups. The steroid group received a mixture of 1 mL of triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg/mL) and 1 mL of lidocaine hydrochloride 2%, while the NSAID group received a mixture of 1 mL of Ketorolac Tromethamine (30 mg/mL) and 1 mL of lidocaine hydrochloride 2%. The patients were assessed before and at 3, 6, and 12 weeks after the procedure. Shoulder scores from visual analog scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) were used for evaluation. RESULTS: Both groups showed improvements in the clinical outcomes. Overall VAS, ASES, and UCLA scores improved from 6.9, 32.7, and 16.0 before the procedure to 2.0, 1.2, and 1.1; 81.5, 87.6, and 88.5; and 29.7, 31.8, and 32.0 at weeks 3, 6, and 12 weeks after the procedure, respectively. Twenty-six patients (86.7%) in the steroid group and 28 (93.3%) in the NSAID group reported satisfactory treatment outcomes. There were no significant differences in the outcomes between the two groups (p=0.671). CONCLUSIONS: Subacromial injection of NSAIDs for rotator cuff tendinitis with shoulder pain had equivalent outcomes with those of steroid injection at the 12-week follow-up.

Comparison of stemless and conventional stemmed shoulder arthroplasties in shoulder arthropathy: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether stemless shoulder prosthesis lead to better clinical outcomes than conventional stemmed shoulder prosthesis. The purpose is to compare clinical outcomes and complication rates after surgery in patients with shoulder arthropathy treated with stemless or conventional stemmed shoulder prosthesis. METHOD: All studies comparing the constant score (CS), range of motion (ROM), and complication rates after surgery in patients with shoulder arthropathy treated with stemless or conventional stemmed shoulder prosthesis were included. The major databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and SCOPUS were searched for appropriate studies from the earliest available date of indexing through March 31, 2019. No restrictions were placed on language of publication. RESULTS: A total of 6 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed in detail. Overall postoperative ROM (95% CI: 3.27 to 11.92; P < .01) was significantly greater for stemless prosthesis compared to conventional stemmed prosthesis. However, postoperative CS (95% CI: -2.98 to 7.13; P = .42) and complication rates (OR 1.22, 95% CI: 0.48-3.08; P = .68) were did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis revealed that postoperative CS and complication rates did not differ significantly between the 2 treatment methods, stemless shoulder prosthesis and conventional stemmed shoulder prosthesis, for shoulder arthropathy. However, stemless shoulder prosthesis resulted in better outcomes than conventional stemmed shoulder prosthesis in terms of postoperative ROM. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic study.

Effect of a Heating System Using a Ground Source Geothermal Heat Pump on Production Performance, Energy-Saving and Housing Environment of Pigs.

This study examined the effects of a heating system using a ground source geothermal heat pump (GHP). A GHP was installed in a pig house, and a comparative analysis was performed between the GHP and the control (conventional heating system) in terms of the production performance, housing environment, noxious gas emissions, electricity consumption, and economics. The geothermal system performance index, such as the coefficient of performance (COP), inlet, and outlet temperature, were also evaluated. The outflow temperature during each period (weaning, growing, and finishing) was significantly higher than the inflow temperature in all three components of the GHP system. Similarly, the average internal temperature of the GHP-connected pig house was increased (p < 0.05) during each period. The carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, electricity usage, and cost of electricity during the 16-week experimental period were reduced significantly in the GHP system relative to the control. The concentrations of ammonia (NH3) during the growing and finishing period and the concentrations of formaldehyde during the weaning phase were also lower in the GHP-installed pig house (p < 0.05). These results indicate that the GHP system can be used as an environmentally friendly renewable energy source in pig houses for sustainable pig production without harming the growth performance.

Study of the Transverse Foramen in the Subaxial Cervical Spine in Korean Patients With Degenerative Changes: An Anatomical Note.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to provide anatomical data on the dimensions and location of the subaxial transverse foramen (TF) in relation to surgical landmarks routinely used during anterior cervical procedures. METHODS: A total of 116 patients who underwent preoperative computed tomography (CT) evaluations for degenerative cervical disease were enrolled. Axial and coronal CT images of the cervical vertebrae from C3 to C6 were analyzed to measure interforaminal distance, the TF distance from the anterior and posterior vertebral body margin, TF dimensions, and the TF medial margin from the tip and medial margin of the uncus. Comparative and correlative analyses were also performed according to age, body mass index (BMI), and sex. RESULTS: All measurement values in male patients were larger than those in their female counterparts. The interforaminal distance gradually increased from C3 to C6. The distance of the TF medial margin from the tip of the uncus was found be above approximately 3 mm in all vertebrae except C6. Correlation analysis revealed that age had a significant negative relationship with the transverse diameter of TF. In contrast, BMI had a significant positive correlation with interforaminal distance. Moreover, the distances of the TF medial margin from the tip and medial margin of the uncus showed strong negative correlations with age. CONCLUSION: Useful morphometric data were obtained that may help the operating surgeon to avoid vertebral artery injury. The safe distance from the tip of the uncus to the TF medial margin was found to be approximately 3 mm, and this distance should not be violated during lateral decompression. In addition, this value may decrease with age.

Medialized repair for retracted rotator cuff tears.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcomes of medialized rotator cuff repair and the continuity of repaired tendon in chronic retracted rotator cuff tears. METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive patients were selected from 153 cases that underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for more than medium-sized posterosuperior rotator cuff tears between July 2009 and July 2012 performed with the medialized repair. All cases were available for at least 2 years of postoperative follow-up. The visual analog scale of pain, muscle strength, Constant score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and University of California-Los Angeles score were evaluated. RESULTS: At the final follow-up, all clinical outcomes were significantly improved. The visual analog scale score for pain improved from 6 ± 1 preoperatively to 2 ± 1 postoperatively. The range of motion increased from preoperatively to postoperatively: active forward elevation, from 134° ± 49° to 150° ± 16°; active external rotation at the side, from 47° ± 15° to 55° ± 10°; and active internal rotation, from L3 to L1. The shoulder score also improved: Constant score, from 53.5 ± 16.7 to 79 ± 10; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, from 51 ± 15 to 82 ± 8; and University of California-Los Angeles score, from 14 ± 4 to 28 ± 4. The retear cases at the final follow-up were 6 (17%). CONCLUSIONS: Medialized repair may be useful in cases in which anatomic bone-to-tendon repair would be difficult because of the excessive tension of the repaired tendon and a torn tendon that does not reach the anatomic insertion.

Outcome of Surgical Treatment of AO Type C Pelvic Ring Injury.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiologic and clinical outcomes of AO type C pelvic ring injury and identify the prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 53 patients who were treated for AO type C pelvic ring injury from January 2002 to February 2010. Mean age and mean follow-up duration were 42.4 years and 14 months, respectively. We had 8 cases of AO type C1-1, 19 cases of C1-2, 11 cases of C1-3, 6 cases of C2 and 9 cases of C3 injury. We analyzed type of fracture, displacement, method of fixation and associated injuries. Radiologic outcome was evaluated with Matta and Saucedo criteria and clinical outcome was evaluated using Majeed score. RESULTS: The average Majeed score was 86.2 distributing as 36 excellent cases, 15 good cases and 2 fair cases. Using radiologic Matta and Saucedo criteria, patients were divided as 31 excellent cases, 17 good cases and 5 fair cases. There was no significant difference between the outcomes of anterior, posterior and antero-posterior fixation. Neurologic injury was the reason for an unsatisfactory functional outcome. We identified two cases with complication, one with postoperative infection and the other with nonunion following anterior-posterior fixation. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory radiologic and clinical outcomes were obtained with open reduction and internal fixation in the management of AO type C pelvic ring injuries. Neurologic injuries affected the clinical outcome.

Lateral tibial bone mineral density around the level of the proximal tibiofibular joint.

PURPOSE: During open-wedge high tibial osteotomy, fracture occurring in the insufficient osteotomy before distraction of the osteotomy gap is an important complication. The objective of this study was to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) around the proximal tibiofibular joint (PTFJ) and the osteotomy hinge. The hypotheses of this study were (1) BMD would be higher in the level of PTFJ, compared with that of above--or below--the level of PTFJ, (2) BMD of the posterolateral side of the hinge would be higher than that of the anterior or lateral side. METHODS: Computed tomography was used to determine the BMD of the lateral aspect of the proximal tibia around the PTFJ and the osteotomy hinge. The means and standard deviations of the regions of interest were measured. To verify the first hypothesis, a coronal reconstructed image showing the beginning of the fibula head was used and an axial reconstructed image showing the beginning of the fibula head was used for verification of the second hypothesis. RESULTS: BMD of the lateral aspect of the proximal tibia at the level of the PTFJ was significantly higher, compared with that of above (P = 0.04)-or below (P < 0.01)--the level of the PTFJ in male patients. In addition, it was also significantly higher, compared with that of below the level of the PTFJ (P < 0.01). BMD of the posterolateral area of the proximal tibia was significantly higher than that of the anterior or lateral area in both male and female patients (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: BMD of the level of the PTFJ was higher, compared with that of above-or below-the level of the PTFJ and that of the posterolateral area of the proximal tibia was significantly higher, compared with that of the anterior or lateral area.