Optimizing Field Body Fat Percentage Assessment in Professional Soccer Players

Body composition is a determinant of performance in soccer. To estimate the body fat percentage (%BF), dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is effective though this method is expensive and not readily accessible. This study examines the validity of widely used field methods based on anthropometric data and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Participants were 21 male Spanish First Division soccer players aged between 22 and 35 years. In each participant, body fat mass was determined by BIA and using 18 anthropometric equations including skinfold (SKF) measurements. DXA was used as reference. Correlation with DXA measurements was excellent for all equations and separate SKF measurements yet only moderate for BIA. However, only the equation recently developed for use in soccer players based on iliac crest and triceps SKFs showed no significant or standardized differences with DXA-derived %BF and these measurements also had the lowest bias. Our findings suggest that when DXA is not available, the best field method for %BF assessment in footballers is the equation based on iliac crest and triceps SKF. As another good option, we propose the sum of triceps, subscapular, supraspinal, and abdominal SKFs, as this combination also showed good correlation with DXA.

Approach-related anatomical differences in patients with lumbo-sacral transitional vertebrae undergoing lumbar fusion surgery at level L4/5

Introduction Lumbo-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) are accompanied by changes in soft tissue anatomy. The aim of our retrospective study was to evaluate the effects of LSTV as well as the number of free lumbar vertebrae on surgical approaches of ALIF, OLIF and LLIF at level L4/5. Material and methods We assessed the CTs of 819 patients. Of these, 53 had LSTV from which 11 had six (6LV) and 9 four free lumbar vertebrae (4LV). We matched them for sex and age to a control group. Results Patients with LSTV had a higher iliac crest and vena cava bifurcation, a greater distance between the common iliac veins and an anterior translation of the psoas muscle at level L4/5. In contrast, patients with 6LV had a lower iliac crest and aortic bifurcation, no differences in vena cava bifurcation and distance between the iliac veins compared to the control group. Conclusions For patients with LSTV and five or four free lumbar vertebrae, the LLIF approach at L4/5 may be hindered due to a high riding iliac crest as well as anterior shift of the psoas muscle. Whereas less mobilization and retraction of the iliac veins may reduce the risk of vascular injury at this segment by ALIF and OLIF. For patients with 6LV, a lower relative height of the iliac crest facilitates lateral approach during LLIF. For ALIF and OLIF, a stronger vessel retraction due to the deeper-seated vascular bifurcation is necessary during ALIF and is therefore potentially at higher risk for vascular injury.

Safety and efficacy of a novel retrograde route for femoral bone graft harvesting by Reamer-Irrigator-Aspirator: a pilot study on 24 patients

Background The Reamer–Irrigator–Aspirator system was initially developed to reduce fat embolism and thermic necrosis during reamed intramedullary nail fixation of femoral shaft fractures. Currently, this system is used in extended applications including accessing large volume of autologous bone graft, as alternative for iliac crest harvesting. Antegrade femoral bone graft harvesting using the Reamer-Irrigator-Aspirator system is considered the standard technique. The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy (bone graft volume) and the complications (blood loss, postoperative pain, and incidence of iatrogenic fractures) of the Reamer–Irrigator–Aspirator system through the retrograde femoral route in a series of patients with post-traumatic bone defects or nonunions. Methods A non-controlled single center retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in a level1 trauma center to evaluate all patients who were treated using the RIA system. Between November 2015 and May 2019, 24 patients (8 women and 16 men; mean age: 41 years [range 27–55 years]) with bone defects or nonunions underwent bone graft harvesting using the Reamer–Irrigator–Aspirator system through retrograde femoral route. Postoperative pain, complications, and bone graft volume were analyzed. Inclusion criteria was patients older than 18 years with a diagnosis of post-traumatic bone defect or associated tibial or femoral nonunion, with minimum 6-months follow, treated using the RIA. We hypothesized that the retrograde route of the RIA system is a safe and efficacious method for bone harvesting. Results The average volume of collected graft was 45 cc (range 30–60 cc). In 83% of the cases, bone grafting was sufficient, while in 17% it was necessary to add iliac crest bone graft to completely fill the bone defect. A mean drop in postoperative hemoglobin of 4.1 g / dL (range 0.5–6.0 g / dL) was evidenced. In 4 cases (33%), a unit of packed red blood cells was required. Regarding postoperative pain, visual analogue scale after 3 months postoperatively was 1.6 in average. After 6 months, the value has decreased to 0.4. There were no perioperative or postoperative complications at 6-month follow-up. Conclusion In this limited case series, large volumes of bone graft were harvested using the retrograde route of the RIA system and there were no intra-/ postoperative complications observed at 6-month follow-up. Therefore this novel technique appears safe and efficacious. However, it’s important to highlight that future prospective controlled studies are necessary to validate the insights from this pilot study.

A Surgical Approach to Giant Cell Tumor of Lower End of Tibia with Curettage and Reconstruction by Bone Grafting Harvested from Left Iliac Crest and K-wire Fixation: A Case Report

Introduction: Giant cell tumor (GCT) is a distinctive lesion characterized by the proliferation of multinucleate giant cells in a stroma of mononuclear cells; it is generally seen in skeletally mature individuals. GCT is usually found in the long bones around the knee or in the distal radius but distal end of tibia, proximal humerus, vertebrae of young adults are unusual location. We report a case of GCT of the distal end of tibia, with a secondary aneurysmal bone cyst, in a 26-year-old female. Based on our review of the medical literature, it appears that the occurrence of a GCT along with a secondary aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) in distal end of tibia is less typical with challenging task for full tumor resection and restoration of ankle function to normal. Case Summary: 26 year old female presented with pain&swelling over left ankle since last six month. Biopsy was suggestive of GCT with ABC of lower third tibia. We managed this case with intralesional curettage using phenol and burr and bone graft harvested from left iliac crest for reconstruction of defect along with kwire fixation to achieve optimum anatomical restoration. Conclusion: In cases of GCT, the management depends upon the various factors such as site, age, involvement of the bone, extent of bone involvement and whether there is articular involvement or not. Here Intra-articular GCT is managed with extended intralesional curettage with phenol. Bone graft plays a role of agent for reconstruction of the defect and kwire for anatomical reduction.

Large segmental defects in midshaft clavicle nonunion treated with autologous tricortical iliac crest bone graft

Background To evaluate the use of intercalary iliac crest bone graft in the treatment of clavicle nonunion with a large segmental bone defect (3–6 cm). Methods This retrospective study evaluated patients with large segmental bone defects (3–6 cm) after clavicle nonunion, treated with open reposition internal fixation and iliac crest bone graft between February 2003 and March 2021. At follow-up the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was administered. A literature search was performed to provide an overview of commonly used graft types per defect size. Results We included five patients treated with open reposition internal fixation and iliac crest bone graft for clavicle nonunion with a median defect size of 3.3 cm (range 3–6 cm). Union was achieved in all five, and all pre-operative symptoms resolved. The median DASH score was 23 out of 100 (IQR 8-24). An extensive literature search revealed that there are no studies describing the use of an used iliac crest graft for defects larger than 3 cm. Instead, a vascularized graft was typically used to treat defects sizes between 2.5 and 8 cm. Discussion An autologous non-vascularized iliac crest bone graft can be safely used and is reproducible to treat a midshaft clavicle non-union with a bone defect between 3 and 6 cm.

Sustained Release of Vitamin D3 Enhanced Osseointegration Capacity: An Experimental Sheep Study

This study aimed to investigate the effect of sustained-release vitamin D loaded in poly-lactic acid (PLA) nanoparticles and applied to grafting materials around titanium (ti) dental implants. A total of 48 implants were inserted into the standardized bone defects created in the iliac crest of 6 sheep, divided into 4 different experimental sites (empty control, autografted, xenografted, and autograft + xenografted). Vitamin D3, which was encapsulated by PLA nanoparticles, was prepared and applied in half of the defects and left to heal for 3 and 6 weeks. New bone formation (NBF%) and bone-implant contact (BIC%) values were evaluated by histologic and histomorphometric analyses (P < 0.05). Nanoparticles with a yield of 80.30% ± 2.14% and high encapsulation efficiency of 72.99% ± 2.20% were achieved. In all sections, osseointegration was observed, with no signs of inflammation, necrosis, or foreign body reaction. NBF% and BIC% were significantly higher in vitamin D3–loaded groups (P < 0.001). In both healing periods, the highest NBF% and BIC% have been recorded in the autograft + xenograft groups. (For the respective third and sixth weeks: the NBF% was 49.63 ± 1.53 and 74.25 ± 0.96, and BIC% was 54.26 ± 0.66 and 82.59 ± 2.09, respectively; P < 0.001). Sustained-release of vitamin D loaded into the PLA system demonstrated high biocompatibility, favorable sustained release of vitamin D3, and improved NBF% and BIC% around ti implants placed in box-shaped sheep iliac crest defects. Further investigations are required for their clinical applicability.