Gamma 3 Long Nail for Complex Sub-Trochanteric Fractures: A Ten-Year Retrospective Study

Cephalomedullary nailing is considered the treatment of choice for trochanteric and subtrochanteric femoral fractures. The aim of this study was to report postoperative outcomes of one of the widely used trochanteric nail device, the Gamma 3 long nail. We retrospectively assessed 405 patients treated with Gamma 3 long nail in a single Level One Trauma Centre between 2010 and 2018. We finally included 261 ambulant patients with 65 years or older, a lowenergy trauma and a closed trochanteric or subtrochanteric femoral fracture. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Hip Fracture Functional Recovery Score (FRS), while radiological complications and failures were assessed on postoperative x-rays. More than two-thirds of patients had completed fracture consolidation within 4 months after surgery. Immediate full weight bearing was allowed postoperatively in 64.0% of patients. We reported a mortality of 24.5% at one year postoperatively. The leading clinical postoperative complication was anemia (69.3%), followed by deep venous thrombosis (7.7%). Coxa vara was observed in 73 patients (28%), followed by malreduction in flexion-external rotation of the proximal femoral fragment (26.8%). No case of lag screw cutout was reported. Our study indicated that last generation of Long Gamma nail is a reliable implant for trochanteric and subtrochanteric femoral fractures in the elderly patients, leading to high rate of bone union and reduced incidence of related complications. An excellent fracture reduction and prevention of postoperative varus malalignment are the main factors that can avoid the major postoperative complications and failures after Gamma 3 long nailing.

Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

Purpose: For several years, adipose tissue has gained increasing interest as an ideal source of mesenchymal stem cells for the regenerative treatment of numerous pathologies and degenerative processes, as like Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA). The aim of our study was to report postoperative clinical, functional and radiological outcomes in patients with KOA treated with intra-articular injection of autologous Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs). Methods: We performed a systematic review searching for all the clinical studies dealing with the use of ADSCs for the treatment of KOA published in PubMed and Embase until April 2021. We included 8 prospective studies dealing with postoperative outcomes after ADSCs therapy. Results: All clinical and functional outcomes improved after intra-articular injections of ADSCs. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scores showed an increased quality of repaired cartilage compared to the preoperative time. No serious advent events were observed. Conclusion: This study suggests that ADSCs therapy seems to be safe and effective. It can be considered an innovative procedure for improved cartilage regeneration and as adjuvant for the surgical treatment of diffuse degenerative chondral lesions with good clinical and radiological outcomes.

Acupuncture Used as a Method of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation in Chronic Prostatitis: A Case Study

Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) is defined as chronic pelvic pain lasting for at least 3 months, often associated with lower urinary tract symptoms and/or sexual dysfunction [1]. Prostatitis is a common condition, with 35–50% of men affected by symptoms suggesting prostatitis during their lifetime. It is associated with negative psychological effects and substantial health care costs [2]. There are currently many approaches for its management, using both pharmacological and non‐pharmacological interventions, though there is a lack of evidence for the efficacy of these treatments. A systematic review [3] examined the evidence for 16 different pharmacological treatments of CP/CPPS. Ninety-nine studies included 9119 men. Treatment approaches included alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, allopurinol and botulinum toxin injections. The authors found low‐ to very low‐quality evidence that these interventions cause a reduction in prostatitis symptoms, without an increased incidence of adverse events in the short term. They reported lack of evidence regarding the effects of these drugs on sexual dysfunction, quality of life, or anxiety and depression. The efficacy of acupuncture on CP/CPPS was examined in a systematic review and meta-analysis [4] of 10 published trials (n=770). Analysis revealed that acupuncture significantly reduced the National Institute of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) score and provided pain relief, compared to standard medication, and reduced symptoms when compared to sham. Four acupuncture sessions were the minimum “dose” to reach clinical efficacy, and prolonged acupuncture sessions continuously improved urinary symptoms and quality of life. Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) is an effective tool for the treatment of chronic pain. Miniaturized devices that are less invasive than previous generations has brought this treatment modality into mainstream use. Recent clinical evidence suggests clinically significant and sustained reductions in pain can persist well beyond the PNS treatment period [5]. Acupuncture is a minimally invasive method of PNS. Acupuncture points have been shown to overlie major neuronal bundles, which correlate with cutaneous branches of major nerves [6]. These nerves converge and interact with visceral nociceptive inputs at the spinal cord level. This anatomical correlation provides the basis on which acupuncture applied to a specific region could treat a variety of conditions such as prostatitis, remote to the site of treatment.

The Role of Sonoelastography in the Diagnosis of Supraspinatus Tendinosis

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of compressive elastosonography (“Strain Elastography”), integrated with the B-mode ultrasound examination, in supraspinatus tendinosis, using magnetic resonance imaging as the gold standard for diagnosis. We also verified the intra-observer reproducibility of this elastosonographic method. Materials and Methods: The supraspinatus tendons of 30 patients with shoulder pain and positive magnetic resonance imaging for tendinosis were examined with B-Mode ultrasound and compressive elastosonography in the absence of full-thickness tendon ruptures. At the same time, 30 control individuals, asymptomatic for shoulder pain and with a negative history of previous diseases affecting the rotator cuff, were examined with B-Mode ultrasound and compressive elastosonography. The MRI exam was used as a gold standard reference exam for the diagnosis of tendinosis. At the “Strain” elastosonography the images were evaluated qualitatively with the color elastogram and quantitatively with the percentages of deformation of the supraspinatus tendon (Strain T), of the deltoid muscle used as reference tissue (Strain R) and of the SR/ST ratio (Ratio). Results and Conclusions: The comparison between the group of individuals with tendinosis and the control group shows a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) for the Ratio values (SR/ST), respectively: 4.7 ± 0.14 vs 5.3 ± 0.19. The different Ratio values indicate that the supraspinatus tendon, when compared with the deltoid muscle, is softer in patients with tendinosis than in the control group. As indicated by the statistical analysis of the ROC curve, the Ratio value of 4.8 represents the best sensitivity and specificity data (70% and 61% respectively). Elastosonography can therefore provide added value, compared to the conventional ultrasound examination only, to confirm the diagnosis of supraspinatus tendinosis. The analysis showed a low variance of results, due to its excellent intra-observer reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.86). Future studies could aim to describe any changes in Stain T, Strain R and Ratio values in a cohort of individuals stratified by gender, age and BMI.