Osteoporosis

Due to the increase in life expectancy in all countries, the stratum of elderly and senile people, who often have osteoporosis (OP), is increasing. The fragility of the bone base of the skeleton in OP leads to frequent fractures of the spine, femoral neck, bones of the forearm and other areas of the musculoskeletal system (IOS). The prevention of OP and its treatment are becoming a socio-economic problem, in the solution of which doctors of all specialties should take part. In the course of studying the problem of OP, there has been a departure from the traditional ideas about it as an age-related inevitability, and in women as a result of menopause. It is appropriate to mention that S.A. Reinberg [2] emphasized the polyetiology of OP.

Matrix metalloproteinases in children with uncomplicated compression fractures of the spine

The aim of the study was to determine changes in the content of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and their tissue inhibitor in children with uncomplicated compression fractures of the spine (UCFS). Materials and methods. Eighty-five children, including 69 patients with UCFS (average age 12.3 ± 2.6 years), were comprehensively examined. The reference group consisted of 16 children (average age 11.8 ± 2.7 years) without spinal pathology. During the diagnostic period for 1-3 days, changes in the MMP content and their tissue inhibitor (TIMP-1) in blood serum were determined by the enzyme immunoassay method in all children after trauma. Results. It was found that in the acute period after spinal injury, the blood levels of gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), stromelysin (MMP-3), and collagenases (MMP-8) significantly increased compared to their levels in children of the reference group. At the same time, the levels of TIMP-1 and the ratio of MMP/TIMP-1 concentrations in the blood of patients with UCFS significantly decreased compared to the control, which indicates the predominance of the proteolytic effect of MMP. Analysis of changes in the content of MMP in the blood in UCFS boys and girls did not reveal significant differences in the levels of the studied MMP and TIMP-1, except for a significant increase in the concentrations of stromelysin (MMP-3) in the blood serum of boys compared with its level in girls and the control. With different severity of the course of UCFS in children, a significant increase in MMP concentrations associated with an increase in the severity of the injury was revealed, and a substantial decrease in the content of TIMP-1 in the blood of patients compared to its levels in children with 1-2 degrees of severity and control. Conclusion. The established patterns indicate that the determination of the content of MMR and TIMP-1 in the blood in UCFS children allows monitoring the course of the reparative process after injury to the vertebral bodies in children.

Characteristics of Osteoporosis & Osteoporotic Fractures in Korea Based on Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) Database: 2009–2017

To investigate the incidence and characteristics of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures in Korea, we used the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database. Patients over 50 years old, who were diagnosed or treated for osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures in all hospitals and clinics, were analyzed between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2017 by using the HIRA database that contains prescription data and diagnostic codes. These data were retrospectively analyzed by decade and age-specific and gender-specific incidents in each year. We also evaluated other characteristics of patients including medication state of osteoporosis, primary used medical institution, regional-specific incidence of osteoporosis, and incidence of site-specific osteoporotic fractures. The number of osteoporosis patients over 50 years old, as diagnosed by a doctor, steadily increased from 2009 to 2017. The number of osteoporosis patients was notably greatest in the 60′s and 70′s age groups in every study period. Patients undergoing treatment for osteoporosis increased significantly (96%) from 2009 to 2017. Among the patients diagnosed with osteoporosis, the proportion who experienced osteoporotic fracture increased gradually (60%) from 2009 to 2017. The number of patients with osteoporotic fractures of the spine and hip was highest in the 70 to 90 age range, and the number of patients with osteoporotic fractures in the upper and lower extremities was highest in the 50 to 70 age range. Understanding the trends of osteoporosis in Korea will contribute to manage the increased number of patients with osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures.

SPLIT-TYPE FRACTURES OF THE SPINE: A NEW MINIMALLY INVASIVE PERCUTANEOUS TECHNIQUE

ABSTRACT Objective: This research presents a biomechanical analysis performed in the lumbar spine of a porcine animal model, considering a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of split fractures. Methods: Porcine spines were used to perform compression tests, considering three different approaches. Three groups were defined in order to verify and validate the proposed technique: a control group (1); spines with split fractures (2); and a treatment group (3). For the first group (control), spines were axially compressed until any kind of fracture occurred, in order to verify the strength of the structure. In the second group, split fractures were created to obtain the mechanical failure pattern of the model. In the third group, the split fractures were submitted to the proposed treatment, to verify the resistance achieved. The three groups were compared by means of axial compression tests. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA. Results: The control group (intact spine) and the treated split fracture group presented similar results (p>0.05), differing from the results for the untreated split fracture group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The tests performed in order to determine the behavior and strength of the lumbar spine when subjected to axial compression provided positive data for the development of a minimally invasive technique capable of restoring split fractures of the spine. Level of evidence III; Experimental research.

Pediatric Calcaneus Fractures and Associated Injuries

Category: Trauma; Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: The objective of the study was to determine the injuries associated with calcaneus fractures in pediatric patients and to determine if the skeletally immature sustain different injury patterns than the skeletally mature. In the adult population, these concurrent injuries are well-defined and consistent with a large axial load; however in the pediatric population, we anticipate that the differences in the mechanism of injury and developmental anatomy will alter the types of injuries observed with calcaneus fractures. Additionally, given the plasticity of immature bone, the skeletally immature patients may sustain different fracture patterns than the skeletally mature. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of pediatric patients presenting with a calcaneus fracture from 2008 to 2017. Patients under the age of 18 with an ICD code consistent with a calcaneus fracture were included. Patients who sustained penetrating trauma were excluded along with medical records with incomplete data. Demographics, injury information, associated injuries, skeletal maturity, fracture characteristics, and treatment were recorded. As defined by calcaneal apophyseal closure, the cohort was divided into the skeletally mature and immature for analysis. Student’s t-test and Fisher’s exact tests were used to determine significance. Results: 199 records were reviewed resulting in a sample of 81 pediatric patients with 91 calcaneus fractures. 37(40.7%) patients were immature at the time of injury. The most common mechanism witnessed was a fall in 52(64.2%) patients, with an average age of 12.8 years-old (range 0-17). There were 50(54.9%) intra-articular fractures and 15(16.5%) who underwent reduction and fixation. In the immature, open reduction internal fixation was performed on 6(14.3%) fractures which demonstrated a significantly decreased average Bohler’s angle than the conservatively treated, 14 degrees(p= 0.048). Fractures of the spine were the most commonly associated injury in 10(12.3%) pediatric patients however tibia fractures were the most commonly observed injury in the skeletally immature cohort, 7(18.9%). There were no associated injuries significantly unique to the skeletally immature. Conclusion: The present study provides one of the largest published cohorts to date of pediatric calcaneus fractures. They were most commonly associated with fractures of the spine however in the skeletally immature group as defined by apophyseal staging, tibia fractures were most often observed. No injuries were found to be significantly associated with immature patients. The skeletally immature calcanei produce fracture patterns which may be difficult to observe on radiographs and often require advanced imaging to delineate. While the majority may be treated with conservative therapy, there are no current concrete operative indications for the closed skeletally immature calcaneus fracture.

Pathological fractures of the spine in children (review of the literature and clinical and morphological monocenter cohort analysis)

Background. Pathological vertebral fractures are rare and occur in inflammatory, tumor, and dystrophic lesions. Aim. This study aimed to analyze clinical features and morphological structure of pathological fractures of the spine in children. Materials and methods. The authors examined and operated 62 children aged 217 years for pathological vertebral fractures. We investigated the clinical, radiological, and morphological features. Results. The average age of children at the time of hospitalization was 10 years. Lesions of thoracic vertebrae prevailed (78%) with the maximum frequency of occurrence at the apex of physiological kyphosis Th78. In 10 cases, multiple lesions were noted, including the pathology of other parts of the skeleton. In 69% of observations, clinical symptoms were not dominated by mechanical back pain. Palpation pain (34%) and local spinal deformation (27%) were noted. On average, local kyphosis was 24. Eleven patients (18%) manifested a neurological deficiency, of which nine fractures were a consequence of the tumor process. In 16% of observations, the fracture of the vertebra was detected to be an accidental Х-ray finding. Among the radiation manifestations, all cases (12 patients) registered the decrease in the height of the vertebral body in the form of collapse. Destruction was manifested by various options other than blastic. Therapeutic and diagnostic interventions were performed in 56 patients, and in six children, manipulation was limited to trepan biopsy. The pathological fracture was caused by an inflammatory process in 50% of observations and tumors in 42%, of which 31% is malignant. Conclusions. Pathological spinal fracture in children should be considered as a syndrome, which in most cases is based on an inflammatory or tumor process. The high frequency of neoplastic, including malignant processes, requires active invasive diagnosis. Therapeutic tactics are determined by the clinical, radiation, and morphological characteristics of pathology.