Complex Reconstruction for Acetabular Pathologic Fracture in Unusual Chondroblastoma With Aneurysmal Bone Cyst.

Treating bone loss with complex arthroplasty poses a significant challenge for the arthroplasty surgeon. When considering a reconstructive case after pathologic fracture and oncologic excision, a multidisciplinary approach with reliance on arthroplasty principles is critical. An 18-year-old patient presented with a complex acetabular pathologic fracture through a chondroblastoma with a secondary aneurysmal bone cyst. An outside institution performed a biopsy and placed a hip-spanning external fixator. Multidisciplinary planning led to tumor excision, complex acetabular arthroplasty reconstruction including structural bone grafting, and internal fixation. At the third year of follow-up, there was no evidence of mechanical loosening of the hip arthroplasty, reoperation, or tumor recurrence. The structural graft was completely osseointegrated, confirmed by a computed tomography scan obtained at 2 years postoperatively. This report demonstrates an unusual location of chondroblastoma, presenting with acetabular fracture definitively treated with complex multidisciplinary reconstruction leading to an excellent outcome in a young patient.

Uncemented fixation of a monoblock ingrowth polyethylene glenoid: early follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Traditional monoblock pegged glenoid components are implanted with cement, increasing operative time and potentially violating more bone than those inserted without cement. We study the early radiographic loosening and reoperation rate following uncemented fixation of a hybrid cage monoblock polyethylene glenoid component. METHODS: Between 2013 and 2015, a total of 51 shoulders underwent anatomic shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) using a hybrid ingrowth cage polyethylene glenoid component by a single surgeon, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. In all cases, the glenoid component was placed without cement. Mean follow-up was 33 months (range, 24-57). The primary outcome was Lazarus scale-assessed radiographic loosening. Secondary outcomes included reoperation, range of motion (ROM), and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). RESULTS: Twelve glenoid components (24%) had radiolucent lines. Glenoid lines were rated grade 1, grade 2, and grade 5 (6, 4, and 2 shoulders, respectively). Six shoulders (12%) had humeral lucent lines. Two shoulders (4%) underwent reoperation, only 1 of these occurring due to isolated failure of the glenoid component. As a group, mean ROM and PROMs improved significantly compared with preoperative values and exceeded the minimal clinically important difference. CONCLUSION: Glenoid loosening remains a major concern at mid- to long-term follow-up of TSA. Placement of this hybrid cage monoblock polyethylene glenoid component in a completely uncemented fashion does not lead to early clinical loosening, after which bony ingrowth into the central cage can be expected. Uncemented fixation of this hybrid cage component appears to be a safe treatment option for patients undergoing primary TSA.

Early results of augmented anatomic glenoid components.

BACKGROUND: Augmented glenoid components restore the native joint line and preserve bone in shoulders with posterior glenoid bone loss. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of augmented total shoulder arthroplasties (TSAs) vs. case-matched shoulders with standard implants to assess the early performance of a full-wedge augmented glenoid component. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2015, all TSAs using a full-wedge posteriorly augmented glenoid component with a minimum 2-year follow-up from a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 37 augmented TSAs were matched with 37 control shoulders with unaugmented glenoid components. The primary outcomes were revision and radiographic glenoid lucencies. Secondary outcomes included range of motion (ROM) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). RESULTS: Both augmented and standard TSAs produced similar improvements in all ROM and PRO measures. Patients with augmented glenoid components were more likely to have type B2 or B3 deformities (P = .004). At final follow-up, 54% of augmented glenoids showed implant lucencies compared with 46% of control shoulders (P = .5). The mean Lazarus score remained similar between groups (1.5 vs. 1.2, P = .8). When 8° and 16° augmentations were compared, the 16° augmentation demonstrated a significantly higher mean Lazarus score (4.2 vs. 1.1, P = .03). Reoperation rates were similar between groups (5% vs. 3%, P = .6). DISCUSSION: Patients with posteriorly augmented glenoid components demonstrate similar improvements in ROM and PROs to patients with standard anatomic glenoid components. Radiographic loosening and revision rates were similar. However, a higher failure rate was seen with the 16° full-wedge augmentation, which is no longer used in our practice.

Outcomes of Revisions for Failed Trapeziometacarpal Joint Arthritis Surgery.

PURPOSE: We compare outcomes of revision surgery for trapeziometacarpal (TM) arthritis with outcomes for both primary and revision surgery for TM arthritis reported in the literature. We hypothesized that patients undergoing revision surgery for TM arthritis would demonstrate pain and functional outcome scores that were worse than those of patients undergoing primary TM surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing revision TM surgery at a single institution from 1995 to 2015 was performed. Eighty-three patients (86 hands) met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 25 patients (27 hands) were available for follow-up via phone survey or clinical examination; 58 patients (59 hands) were available for chart review only. Patients available for phone survey or clinical examination were evaluated with the visual analog scale, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score, and the Conolly-Rath evaluation method. Patients available for clinical examination were also evaluated with grip strength, pinch strength, and radiographs. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 8.5 years (range, 2.0-21.2 years). Twenty percent of patients experienced postoperative complications, most commonly pin problems (7%). Of the 27 hands available for interview or clinical examination, 15 were dominant and 12 were nondominant. The average visual analog scale was 28.2 (SD, 29.7). Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores averaged 32.0 (SD, 20.8). According to the Conolly and Rath criteria, 10 patients had a good outcome, 7 were fair, and 10 were poor. For the group of 13 patients who underwent physical examination, average adduction was 42° in the affected side versus 51° in the nonaffected side. Radial abduction was 58° in the affected side versus 65° in the nonaffected side. Palmar abduction was 53° versus 85° in each group, respectively. Tip finger pinch was 3.4 kg for the affected hand versus 4.0 kg for the nonaffected side. Key pinch was 4.7 and 5.5 kg, respectively. Grip strength was measured as 22.1 kg in the affected side versus 27.6 kg in the contralateral side when adjusted for dominance. CONCLUSIONS: In our study group, revision surgery for unsuccessful primary TM surgery demonstrated results inferior to those previously reported for primary surgery for TM arthritis but similar to prior studies of revision TM surgery. Revision surgery, however, can result in satisfactory long-term outcomes particularly when metacarpophalangeal joint pathology is addressed and complications are avoided. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Outcomes of distal humerus fractures: What are we measuring?

INTRODUCTION: We evaluate the most common outcome measures used in distal humerus fracture studies in order to suggest standardization for future research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review identified articles assessing the outcomes of acute distal humerus fractures from 2006 to 2016 from PubMed and Web of Science databases. The inclusion criterion was studies reporting on the outcomes of treatment of acute distal humerus fractures. Review articles, meta-analyses, studies with<5 patients, technique articles, biomechanical studies, and those focusing on one complication/outcome were excluded. Patient demographics and all outcome measures were reviewed. Journal and demographic factors were then compared. RESULTS: One-hundred-nine of 2158 articles met inclusion criteria. The median number of fractures per study was 35. Mean patient age was 55.0 years. Average follow-up was 35 months. Range-of-motion and strength measurements were reported in 90% and 17% of studies, respectively. Twenty patient-reported outcome instruments were used. The most commonly reported measures were MEPS, DASH, VAS pain, and Quick DASH scores. An average of 1.9 outcome measures were reported per study. A journal impact factor of≥1.5 was associated with more reported outcome measures. Articles including elbow arthroplasty were associated with higher impact factor journals, more outcome measures, and longer follow-up. Level of evidence was not associated with the number of reported outcome measures. DISCUSSION: The current distal humerus fracture literature inconsistently reports outcome measures. More outcome measures were reported in higher impact journals. Future distal humerus fracture studies should include MEPS, DASH or Quick DASH, and VAS Pain scores to allow for appropriate cross-study comparison. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, Systematic review.

Self-Complementary Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Gene Delivery for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis: Test of Efficacy in an Equine Model.

The authors are investigating self-complementary adeno-associated virus (scAAV) as a vector for intra-articular gene-delivery of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and its therapeutic capacity in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). To model gene transfer on a scale proportional to the human knee, a frequent site of OA incidence, studies were focused on the joints of the equine forelimb. Using AAV2.5 capsid and equine IL-1Ra as a homologous transgene, a functional ceiling dose of ∼5 × 1012 viral genomes was previously identified, which elevated the steady state levels of eqIL-1Ra in synovial fluids by >40-fold over endogenous production for at least 6 months. Here, using an osteochondral fragmentation model of early OA, the functional capacity of scAAV.IL-1Ra gene-delivery was examined in equine joints over a period of 12 weeks. In the disease model, transgenic eqIL-1Ra expression was several fold higher than seen previously in healthy joints, and correlated directly with the severity of joint pathology at the time of treatment. Despite wide variation in expression, the steady-state eqIL-1Ra in synovial fluids exceeded that of IL-1 by >400-fold in all animals, and a consistent treatment effect was observed. This included a 30-40% reduction in lameness and ∼25% improvement in total joint pathology by both magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopic assessments, which included reduced joint effusion and synovitis, and improved repair of the osteochondral lesion. No vector-related increase in eqIL-1Ra levels in blood or urine was noted. Cumulatively, these studies in the equine model indicate scAAV.IL-1Ra administration is reasonably safe and capable of sustained therapeutic IL-1Ra production intra-articularly in joints of human scale. This profile supports consideration for human testing in OA.

Gene Therapy for Osteoarthritis: Pharmacokinetics of Intra-Articular Self-Complementary Adeno-Associated Virus Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Delivery in an Equine Model.

Toward the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), the authors have been investigating self-complementary adeno-associated virus (scAAV) for intra-articular delivery of therapeutic gene products. As OA frequently affects weight-bearing joints, pharmacokinetic studies of scAAV gene delivery were performed in the joints of the equine forelimb to identify parameters relevant to clinical translation in humans. Using interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) as a secreted therapeutic reporter, scAAV vector plasmids containing codon-optimized cDNA for equine IL-1Ra (eqIL-1Ra) were generated, which produced eqIL-1Ra at levels 30- to 50-fold higher than the native sequence. The most efficient cDNA was packaged in AAV2.5 capsid, and following characterization in vitro, the virus was injected into the carpal and metacarpophalangeal joints of horses over a 100-fold dose range. A putative ceiling dose of 5 × 1012 viral genomes was identified that elevated the steady-state eqIL-1Ra in the synovial fluids of injected joints by >40-fold over endogenous levels and was sustained for at least 6 months. No adverse effects were seen, and eqIL-1Ra in serum and urine remained at background levels throughout. Using the 5 × 1012 viral genome dose of scAAV, and green fluorescent protein as a cytologic marker, the local and systemic distribution of vector and transduced cells following intra-articular injection scAAV.GFP were compared in healthy equine joints and in those with late-stage, naturally occurring OA. In both cases, 99.7% of the vector remained within the injected joint. Strikingly, the pathologies characteristic of OA (synovitis, osteophyte formation, and cartilage erosion) were associated with a substantial increase in transgenic expression relative to tissues in healthy joints. This was most notable in regions of articular cartilage with visible damage, where foci of brilliantly fluorescent chondrocytes were observed. Overall, these data suggest that AAV-mediated gene transfer can provide relatively safe, sustained protein drug delivery to joints of human proportions.

Strategy for the development of a smart NDVI camera system for outdoor plant detection and agricultural embedded systems.

The application of (smart) cameras for process control, mapping, and advanced imaging in agriculture has become an element of precision farming that facilitates the conservation of fertilizer, pesticides, and machine time. This technique additionally reduces the amount of energy required in terms of fuel. Although research activities have increased in this field, high camera prices reflect low adaptation to applications in all fields of agriculture. Smart, low-cost cameras adapted for agricultural applications can overcome this drawback. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) for each image pixel is an applicable algorithm to discriminate plant information from the soil background enabled by a large difference in the reflectance between the near infrared (NIR) and the red channel optical frequency band. Two aligned charge coupled device (CCD) chips for the red and NIR channel are typically used, but they are expensive because of the precise optical alignment required. Therefore, much attention has been given to the development of alternative camera designs. In this study, the advantage of a smart one-chip camera design with NDVI image performance is demonstrated in terms of low cost and simplified design. The required assembly and pixel modifications are described, and new algorithms for establishing an enhanced NDVI image quality for data processing are discussed.