Comparison of local massage, steroid injection, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy efficacy in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with lateral epicondylitis (LE) treated with local massage, corticosteroid (CS) injection, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This randomized prospective study included 52 patients. Patients treated with local massage in Group 1 (n=17; 9 males, 8 females; mean age: 46.1±10.9 years; range, 27 to 64 years), CS injection in Group 2 (n=17; 7 males, 10 females; mean age: 46.0±8.8 years; range, 28 to 63 years), and ESWT in Group 3 (n=18; 12 males, 6 females; mean age: 46.7±11.3 years; range, 28 to 68 years) for LE were evaluated between March 2021 and June 2022. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), and DASH-Work Model (DASH-WM) scoring systems at the initial examination at the beginning of the study and at two-week, three-month, and six-month follow-up controls. RESULTS: Similar results were observed between VAS, DASH, and DASH-WM scores measured during LE diagnosis. In the first two weeks of follow-up, statistically significant decreases were observed in VAS, DASH, and DASH-WM scores in all three groups. Compared to baseline values, Group 1 and 2 had significant difference in VAS and DASH scores at three months. Group 3 had a significant difference in all clinical evaluation scores. At six months, no significant difference was observed in Groups 1 and 2 in any of the scoring systems, while Group 3 showed significant improvements in all scoring systems. CONCLUSION: Treatment with ESWT was superior to other treatments throughout the study and at the final follow-up. In patients receiving CS injections, the clinical outcomes worsened with time, evidenced by the six-month follow-up. Further studies on combined treatment modalities are needed on this subject.

Management preferences of orthopedic surgeons in developmental dysplasia of the hip under 1 year of age in Türkiye: Results of a nationwide cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnosis and treatment preferences of orthopedic surgeons in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) cases under the age of 1 in Türkiye with a higher incidence of DDH, estimated to be around 5-15 per 1000 live births. METHODS: This was a nationwide cross-sectional survey. A link for the online survey, including 16 multiple-choice questions, was sent to the email group of the National Orthopedic Society. RESULTS: Among 233 filled-out surveys, 211 met the inclusion criteria. Half of the participants had experience of <10 years as orthopedic surgeons, managed <25% of pediatric patients in daily practice, and treated <25 DDH cases per year before walking age. Ninety-seven percent used more than one method, hip ultrasound the most common, for exact diagnosis of DDH under 6 months. Pavlik harness was the most commonly preferred brace, but the use of Tübingen orthosis increased among experienced surgeons. The uppermost age limit for bracing was higher in surgeons dealing with more pediatric patients and treating more DDH cases. Dislocated hips and hips requiring closed/open reduction were more commonly referred to other surgeons by less experienced surgeons in terms of years, number of pediatric patients, and treated DDH cases per year. The lowest age limit for intervention under general anesthesia was lower in surgeons treating >25 DDH cases per year. Over one-third used both anterior and medial approach open reduction, but a trend to anterior open reduction alone was more evident in surgeons treating >50 DDH cases per year. More experienced surgeons were more prone to check the intraoperative reduction with postoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Diagnosis and treatment ages of DDH cases did not significantly change during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. CONCLUSION: Management preferences of orthopedic surgeons in DDH before walking age primarily depend on the rate of pediatric patients in daily practice and the number of treated DDH cases per year.

Comparison of the effectiveness of the WALANT method in soft tissue and bone tissue surgeries in lower extremities.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of wide-awake local anesthesia with no tourniquet (WALANT) technique in both bony and soft tissue procedures in lower extremities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2021 and December 2022, a total of 29 patients (20 males, 9 females; mean age: 34.6±20.2 years; range, 14 to 82 years) who were operated for lower extremity pathologies with the WALANT technique in our clinic were included. The patients were divided into two groups: lower extremity soft tissue surgeries in Group A (n=10) and bone tissue surgeries in Group B (n=19). Postoperative pain onset time, pain score, the amount of intraoperative bleeding, need for additional solution, use of cautery, and the amount of bleeding in the surgical field were compared within groups. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age (p=0.265), sex (p=0.107), and surgical side (p=0.700). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of intraoperative bleeding at the discretion of the surgeon (p=0.701). There was no significant difference in the use of additional solution (p=0.105), cautery usage (p=0.522), pain onset time (p=0.636), and VAS scores (p=0.735) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that the WALANT technique is an effective and safe method in selected lower extremity surgeries. It is of utmost importance to apply the technique correctly to prevent complications that may occur.

Evaluation of oxidative stress in degenerative rotator cuff tears.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress occurs as a result of the disruption of the balance between the formations of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defense mechanisms during the conversion of nutrients into energy. Increased body oxidative stress has been reported to be involved in the etiology of several degenerative and chronic diseases. We hypothesized that the body oxidative stress level is higher in patients with atraumatic degenerative rotator cuff tear than that in healthy individuals. METHODS: The patients who underwent arthroscopic repair for atraumatic, degenerative rotator cuff tear were prospectively evaluated. A total of 30 patients (group 1, 19 females and 11 males; mean age: 57.33 ± 6.96 years; range: 50-77 years) and 30 healthy individuals (group 2, 18 females and 12 males; mean age: 56.77 ± 6 years; range: 51-72 years) were included in the study. The Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scoring systems were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. Serum oxidative stress parameters of the patients and the control group were biochemically evaluated. Accordingly, thiol/disulfide (DS) balance (DS/native thiol [NT], DS/total thiol [TT]), Total Oxidant Status (TOS), oxidative stress index, and nuclear factor erythroid-2-associated factor-2 values were used as the biochemical parameters indicating an increase in the serum oxidative stress level. Total antioxidant status and NT/TT values served as the biochemical parameters indicating a decrease in the serum oxidative stress level. RESULTS: The study follow-up duration was 12 months. A statistically significant increase was observed in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Constant scores of patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair relative to that during the preoperative period (P = .01). The values of biochemical parameters (DS/NT, DS/TT, TOS, oxidative stress index, and nuclear factor erythroid-2-associated factor-2), which indicated an increase in the serum oxidative stress, were significantly higher in preoperative patients than those in postoperative patients, albeit the control group values were significantly lower than those of the postoperative patients. The biochemical parameters (NT/TT and total antioxidant status) indicating a decrease in the serum oxidative stress levels were significantly higher in the postoperative patients than those in the preoperative patients and significantly lower than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: High levels of markers indicating an increase in the serum oxidative stress in patients with degenerative rotator cuff rupture suggested that TOS may be involved in the etiopathogenesis of rotator cuff degeneration. Although the oxidative load decreases during the postoperative period, the fact that it is still higher than that in healthy individuals supports this claim.

Evaluation of avascular necrosis risk factors after closed reduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip before walking age.

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is one of the most important complications after closed reduction and spica cast application in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) treatment. This study aims to put forth the impact of closed reduction age and other factors which can cause AVN. Inclusion criteria of the study were: closed reduction and spica cast application before walking age (12 months) and minimum 2 years duration of follow-up. The presence of femoral head ossific nucleus, International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) score, acetabular indices and AVN were evaluated from radiographies. Hip abduction angles were evaluated on CT images. The absence of the ossific nucleus at the closed reduction time and preoperative IHDI grade were not significant risk factors for AVN (respectively OR = 2.83; 95% CI, 0.99-8.07; P = 0.052; OR = 2.5; 95% CI, 0.85-7.32; P = 0.094). For the patients older than 10 months, (1) the absence of the ossific nucleus was a significant risk factor for grade 2 or higher AVN according to the Bucholz Ogden criteria (P = 0.020) and (2) the higher preoperative IHDI grade (IHDI 3-4) was a significant risk factor for AVN (P = 0.032). AVN of the femoral head was a significant risk factor for fair or poor clinical outcome (P = 0.001). It is not reasonable to wait for radiological visibility of the ossific nucleus to prevent femoral head AVN before applying closed reduction and spica cast, irrespective of the age interval.

Effects of developmental dysplasia of the hip screening program on the treatment strategies: A retrospective study from a tertiary care hospital in the southeast region of Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the developmental dysplasia of the hip screening program on the treatment procedures in a tertiary health care center. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all the DDH patients between 2012 and 2019 from the operating theatre records. The patients were separated based on the year of treatment. The rates of each treatment modality were determined respectively from 2012 to 2019, and Pavlik harness usage of the patients were queried. The changes in the rates of several surgical interventions after the start of screening program were identified. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2019, 831 interventions were applied to 711 DDH patients. Closed Reduction (CR) is the least invasive treatment method, and it increased significantly from 20% to 46%. The rate of Open Reductions (OR) also increased from 3% to 9% at this time period, but it was statistically insignificant. Conversely, Pemberton-Salter Osteotomy (PSO) and Dega-Chiari Osteotomy (DCO) rates decreased significantly (41% to 28% and 9% to 0%, respectively). The rate of Pemberton- Salter osteotomy with femoral shortening (PSO-FS) rate decreased insignificantly from 27% to 20%. In patients that used Pavlik harness, the most common intervention was CR (83%). In CR group, the screened newborn rate increased more than two times from 2012 to 2019. CONCLUSION: The results of this study have shown that after the initiation of the screening program for DDH, less invasive treatment modalities such as CR and OR interventions increased, and major bony procedures such as PSO, PSO-FS and DCO interventions decreased. Furthermore, as the screening program advanced, CR rate and the use of Pavlik harness rate in CR interventions increased. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Therapeutic Study.

Patellar Fixation With Suspensory Fixation Device in Single-Tunnel Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction.

The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is the primary soft-tissue stabilizer of the patellofemoral joint. Among the patellofemoral instability surgery options, MPFL reconstruction is the most preferred soft-tissue procedure. There is no gold-standard surgical treatment method in MPFL reconstruction, and many surgical methods have been described. We describe our surgical technique for MPFL reconstruction wherein the semitendinosus autograft is fixed to a single tunnel opened in the patella with a suspensory fixation device and only a single interference screw on the femoral side.

Using the modified Ponseti method to treat complex clubfoot: Early results.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to present the results of complex clubfoot patients treated with modified Ponseti method and put forth the warning clinical signs of complex deformities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 11 patients (10 males, 1 female; mean age 60.1±49.7; range, 2 to 180 days) with 16 complex clubfeet treated with modified Ponseti method were included in this study conducted between January 2016 and June 2019. All the data of the patients were collected prospectively and reviewed retrospectively. Demographic features, clubfoot severity, number of casts, position of each foot before cast removal, ankle dorsiflexion (DF), complications, and additional procedures were noted at all clinical visits. RESULTS: Eleven (11.2%) of 98 patients had complex clubfoot deformity. Six (7.7%) of 78 newly diagnosed patients and five (25%) of 20 referred patients had complex clubfeet. We treated 16 complex clubfeet of 11 patients. The mean follow-up period was 13.3 (range, 10 to 16) months. All deformities were initially corrected using a mean of seven (range, 5 to 8) casts and Achilles tenotomy. Relapses occurred in three (18.75%) patients, but all recovered after recasting. The creases above the heels disappeared in all of the patients, whereas plantar creases persisted on two (12.5%) feet. Pirani scores and DF improved statistically significantly after treatment, and DF improved significantly between tenotomy and the final visit. CONCLUSION: The modified Ponseti method is an effective treatment for complex clubfoot. Classical clinical appearance, treatment-resistant deformities and referred patients should be warning signs for complex clubfoot.

Serum prolidase activity and oxidative-antioxidative status in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip and its relationship with radiographic severity.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate serum prolidase activity and to investigate its association with oxidative-antioxidative status in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). METHODS: Oxidative status parameters, including lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), total oxidant status (TOS), and the oxidative stress index (OSI), and antioxidative status parameters, free sulfhydryl groups (Total -SH), and total antioxidative capacity (TAC), as well as serum prolidase activity were assessed in patients with DDH (n = 93), and in healthy controls (n = 82). The severity of dysplasia was evaluated according to the Tonnis grading system. RESULTS: Serum prolidase activity and the oxidant parameters (LOOH, TOS, and OSI) were significantly higher and the antioxidant parameters (Total -SH and TAC) were significantly lower in patients with DDH compared to the controls (P < 0.005 for all). Serum prolidase activity was positively correlated with the Tonnis grade of DDH and LOOH, TOS, and OSI levels (P < 0.001 for all), but inversely correlated with total -SH and TAC levels (P < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: Increased levels of serum prolidase activity, LOOH, TOS, and OSI, and decreased levels of total -SH and TAC, may be associated with DDH, and these parameters may be useful adjunctive tools to assess the severity of DDH.

Endoscopically Assisted Resection of a Rare Mass: Intra-Articular Osteochondroma of Shoulder Originated from Scapula.

Osteochondromas are the most common benign bone tumors which are mostly seen in the metaphysis of distal femur, proximal tibia, and proximal humerus. As arising from flat bones such as scapula is a rare case, intra-articular osteochondroma is also rare. When the literature is searched it appeared that the scapula and shoulder joint are an uncommon site for osteochondroma. We present a case in which a patient had an osteochondroma placed in shoulder joint and originated from scapula which is a rare situation determined in the literature.