Reliability of preoperative MRI findings in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis

Background Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an important tool in preoperative evaluation of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Reported reliability of various MRI findings in LSS varies from fair to excellent. There are inconsistencies in the evaluated parameters and the methodology of the studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the preoperative MRI findings in patients with LSS between musculoskeletal radiologists and orthopaedic spine surgeons, using established evaluation methods and imaging data from a prospective trial. Methods Consecutive lumbar MRI examinations of candidates for surgical treatment of LSS from the Norwegian Spinal Stenosis and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis (NORDSTEN) study were independently evaluated by two musculoskeletal radiologists and two orthopaedic spine surgeons. The observers had a range of experience between six and 13 years and rated five categorical parameters (foraminal and central canal stenosis, facet joint osteoarthritis, redundant nerve roots and intraspinal synovial cysts) and one continuous parameter (dural sac cross-sectional area). All parameters were re-rated after 6 weeks by all the observers. Inter- and intraobserver agreement was assessed by Gwet’s agreement coefficient (AC1) for categorical parameters and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) for the dural sac cross-sectional area. Results MRI examinations of 102 patients (mean age 66 ± 8 years, 53 men) were evaluated. The overall interobserver agreement was substantial or almost perfect for all categorical parameters (AC1 range 0.67 to 0.98), except for facet joint osteoarthritis, where the agreement was moderate (AC1 0.39). For the dural sac cross-sectional area, the overall interobserver agreement was good or excellent (ICC range 0.86 to 0.96). The intraobserver agreement was substantial or almost perfect/ excellent for all parameters (AC1 range 0.63 to 1.0 and ICC range 0.93 to 1.0). Conclusions There is high inter- and intraobserver agreement between radiologists and spine surgeons for preoperative MRI findings of LSS. However, the interobserver agreement is not optimal for evaluation of facet joint osteoarthritis. Trial registration www.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02007083, registered December 2013.

Comprehensive supervised heavy training program versus home training regimen in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: a randomized trial

Background There is no consensus on the best training regimen for subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS). Several have been suggested, but never tested. The purpose of the study is to compare a comprehensive supervised training regimen (STR) based on latest evidence including heavy slow resistance training with a validated home-based regimen (HTR). We hypothesized that the STR would be superior to the HTR. Methods Randomised control trial with blinded assessor. 126 consecutive patients with SIS were recruited and equally randomised to 12 weeks of either supervised training regimen (STR), or home-based training regimen (HTR). Primary outcomes were Constant Score (CS) and Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) from baseline and 6 months after completed training. Results were analyzed according to intention-to treat principles. The study was retrospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov. Date of registration: 07/06/2021. Identification number: NCT04915430. Results CS improved by 22.7 points for the STR group and by 23,7 points for the HTR (p = 0.0001). The SRQ improved by 17.7 and 18.1 points for the STR and the HTR groups respectively (p = 0.0001). The inter-group changes were non-significant. All secondary outcomes (passive and active range of motion, pain on impingement test, and resisted muscle tests) improved in both groups, without significant inter-group difference. Conclusion We found no significant difference between a comprehensive supervised training regimen including heavy training principles, and a home-based training program in patients with SIS.

Mid-term outcomes of a stemless ceramic head anatomic total shoulder replacement

Background In an anatomic shoulder replacement (aTSR) good results have been reported with the use of a stemless humeral prosthesis. In vitro a ceramic articulation with polyethylene has been shown to produce less polyethylene wear particles than with metal. This study aims to evaluate clinical and radiographic results of a stemless aTSR with a ceramic head articulating with a polyethylene glenoid component, with mid-term follow-up. Methods All patients (n = 92) in this prospective study had an aTSR utilizing a stemless humeral component with a ceramic head and a cemented double pegged cemented polyethylene glenoid component for glenohumeral osteoarthritis. Pre- and postoperative clinical evaluations at 2 years were performed using the ASES score, Constant score, SPADI score, DASH score, VAS pain score, patient satisfaction and range of motion. There was a 5-year evaluation of SPADI, ASES, pain, and satisfaction, plus radiographic assessment of glenoid component radiolucent lines and humeral osteolysis. Results Seventy-four cases (68.1 ± 7.1 years) had a five-year follow-up and demonstrated active elevation improvement from 91.3° preoperatively to 151.1° (p < 0.001). Further improvement was identified with the ASES from 41.6 to 94.3, the SPADI from 62.9 to 4.3, VAS pain from 5.6 to 0.4 (0–10), and satisfaction levels were at 96%. Sixty-two cases had no glenoid radiolucent lines with a maximum Lazarus score of 2 in one patient. Constant scores, available up to 2 years, improved significantly from 30.3 to 77.9 (p < 0.001). There was one case that required revision for glenoid loosening. Conclusions Overall, the 5-year results of this ceramic head prosthesis demonstrated good radiographic and clinical outcomes. Trial registration ACTRN12613001183774. Registered: 29 October 2013 - Retrospectively registered. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR).

Effect of coronal plane acetabular correction on joint contact pressure in Periacetabular osteotomy: a finite-element analysis

Background The ideal acetabular position for optimizing hip joint biomechanics in periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) remains unclear. We aimed to determine the relationship between acetabular correction in the coronal plane and joint contact pressure (CP) and identify morphological factors associated with residual abnormal CP after correction. Methods Using CT images from 44 patients with hip dysplasia, we performed three patterns of virtual PAOs on patient-specific 3D hip models; the acetabulum was rotated laterally to the lateral center-edge angles (LCEA) of 30°, 35°, and 40°. Finite-element analysis was used to calculate the CP of the acetabular cartilage during a single-leg stance. Results Coronal correction to the LCEA of 30° decreased the median maximum CP 0.5-fold compared to preoperatively (p < 0.001). Additional correction to the LCEA of 40° further decreased CP in 15 hips (34%) but conversely increased CP in 29 hips (66%). The increase in CP was associated with greater preoperative extrusion index (p = 0.030) and roundness index (p = 0.038). Overall, virtual PAO failed to normalize CP in 11 hips (25%), and a small anterior wall index (p = 0.049) and a large roundness index (p = 0.003) were associated with residual abnormal CP. Conclusions The degree of acetabular correction in the coronal plane where CP is minimized varied among patients. Coronal plane correction alone failed to normalize CP in 25% of patients in this study. In patients with an anterior acetabular deficiency (anterior wall index < 0.21) and an aspherical femoral head (roundness index > 53.2%), coronal plane correction alone may not normalize CP. Further studies are needed to clarify the effectiveness of multiplanar correction, including in the sagittal and axial planes, in optimizing the hip joint’s contact mechanics.

Biomechanical analysis of two medial buttress plate fixation methods to treat Pauwels type III femoral neck fractures

Background Femoral neck fractures in young people are usually Pauwels Type III fractures. The common treatment method are multiple parallel cannulated screws or dynamic hip screw sliding compression fixation. Due to the huge shear stress, the rate of complications such as femoral head necrosis and nonunion is still high after treatment. The aim of our study was to compare the stabilities of two fixation methods in fixating pauwels type III femoral neck fractures. Methods All biomimetic fracture samples are fixed with three cannulated screws combined with a medial buttress plate. There were two fixation groups for the buttress plate and proximal fracture fragment: Group A, long screw (40 mm); Group B, short screw (6 mm). Samples were subjected to electrical strain measurement under a load of 500 N, axial stiffness was measured, and then the samples were axially loaded until failure. More than 5 mm of displacement or synthetic bone fracture was considered as construct failure. Results There were no significant differences in failure load (P = 0.669), stiffness (P = 0.842), or strain distribution (P > 0.05) between the two groups. Conclusions Unicortical short screws can provide the same stability as long screws for Pauwels Type III Femoral Neck Fractures.

An anti-inflammatory diet intervention for knee osteoarthritis: a feasibility study

Background Knee osteoarthritis has an inflammatory component that is linked to pain and joint pathology, yet common non-surgical and non-pharmacological interventions (e.g., exercise, calorie restricting diets) do not typically target inflammation. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a telehealth delivered anti-inflammatory diet intervention for knee osteoarthritis. Methods This 9-week single-arm feasibility study recruited participants aged 40–85 years with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (inclusion criteria: average pain ≥4/10 or maximal pain ≥5/10 during past week). All participants received a telehealth-delivered anti-inflammatory dietary education intervention involving 1:1 consultations at baseline, 3- and 6-week follow-up. The diet emphasised nutrient-dense wholefoods and minimally processed anti-inflammatory foods and discouraged processed foods considered to be pro-inflammatory. The primary outcome of feasibility was assessed via: i) eligibility, recruitment and retention rates; ii) self-reported dietary adherence; iii) adverse events; and iv) treatment satisfaction. Post-intervention interviews evaluated the acceptability of the dietary intervention delivered via telehealth. Secondary outcomes included changes in self-reported body mass, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), health-related quality of life (EuroQoL-5D), analgesic use and global rating of change. Worthwhile effects were determined by the minimal detectable change (MDC) for all five KOOS-subscales (pain, symptoms, activities of daily living, sport/recreation, quality of life) being contained within the 95% confidence interval. Results Forty-eight of seventy-three (66%) individuals screened were eligible and 28 enrolled over 2 months (82% female, mean age 66 ± 8 years, body mass index 30.7 ± 4.8 kg.m−2). Six participants withdrew prior to final follow-up (21% drop-out). Of those with final follow-up data, attendance at scheduled telehealth consultations was 99%. Self-reported adherence to diet during the 9-week intervention period: everyday = 27%, most of time = 68% and some of time = 5%. Two minor adverse events were reported. Change scores contained the MDC within the 95% confidence interval for all five KOOS subscales. Suggestions to improve study design and limit drop-out included an initial face-to-face consultation and more comprehensive habitual dietary intake data collection. Conclusion This study supports the feasibility of a full-scale randomised controlled trial to determine the efficacy of a primarily telehealth-delivered anti-inflammatory dietary education intervention in adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Trial registration ACTRN12620000229976 prospectively on 25/2/2020.

Effect of subacromial erosion shape on rotator cuff and clinical outcomes after hook plate fixation in type 5 acromioclavicular joint dislocations: a retrospective cohort study

Background Surgical fixation using hook plates is widely used in the treatment of acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and shape of subacromial erosions after removal of the hook plate in type 5 AC joint dislocations. Further, we evaluated the effect of the shape of the subacromial erosion on the rotator cuff. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients who underwent hook plate fixation for type 5 AC joint dislocations at our hospital between December 2010 and December 2018. Patients with a follow-up of at least 1 year were included. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the final follow-up Constant-Murley, Korean Shoulder, and visual analog scores. To ensure that the appropriate reduction was well maintained, the coracoclavicular distances of the injured and contralateral sides were evaluated at the last follow-up. Computed tomography was performed to investigate the presence and shape of the subacromial erosion after hook plate removal at 4 months after surgery. Ultrasonography was performed to investigate the presence of rotator cuff lesions at the last follow-up. Clinical and radiological outcomes were compared between groups divided according to the presence and types of subacromial erosions. Results Subacromial erosion was observed in 60% of patients (18/30): 13, 2, and 3 simple groove, cave, and marginal protrusion types, respectively. Four patients showed reduction loss at the final follow-up. There were no significant differences in clinical and radiological outcomes between the groups with and without subacromial erosion. Moreover, there were no significant differences between groups according to the types of subacromial erosion. There were no rotator cuff lesions, such as partial tears, in the injured shoulders. Conclusions Hook plate fixation may induce subacromial erosions. However, the subacromial erosions caused by the hook plate did not affect the clinical outcomes of type 5 AC joint dislocations. Moreover, regardless of its shape, the subacromial erosion did not affect the clinical outcomes nor cause rotator cuff lesions after plate removal.

Fixation of intraoperative proximal femoral fractures during THA using two versus three cerclage wires - a biomechanical study

Background Intraoperative proximal femoral fractures (IPFF) are relevant complications during total hip arthroplasty. Fixation using cerclage wires (CW) represents a minimally-invasive technique to address these fractures through the same surgical approach. The goal of treatment is to mobilise the patient as early as possible, which requires high primary stability. This study aimed to compare different cerclage wire configurations fixing IPFF with regard to biomechanical primary stability. Methods Standardised IPFF (type II, Modified Mallory Classification) were created in human fresh frozen femora and were fixed either by two or three CW (1.6 mm, stainless steel). All cadaveric specimens (n = 42) were randomised to different groups (quasi-static, dynamic) or subgroups (2 CW, 3 CW) stratified by bone mineral density determined by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. Using a biomechanical testing setup, quasi-static and dynamic cyclic failure tests were carried out. Cyclic loading started from 200 N to 500 N at 1 Hz with increasing peak load by 250 N every 100 cycles until failure occurred or maximum load (5250 N) reached. The change of fracture gap size was optically captured. Results No significant differences in failure load after quasi-static (p = 0.701) or dynamic cyclic loading (p = 0.132) were found between the experimental groups. In the quasi-static load testing, all constructs resisted 250% of the body weight (BW) of their corresponding body donor. In the dynamic cyclic load testing, all but one construct (treated by 3 CW) resisted 250% BW. Conclusions Based on this in vitro data, both two and three CW provided sufficient primary stability according to the predefined minimum failure load (250% BW) to resist. The authors recommend the treatment using two CW because it reduces the risk of vascular injury and shortens procedure time.

Periarticular screws: what’s in and what’s out of the joint?

Periarticular hardware placement can be challenging and a source of angst for orthopaedic surgeons due to fear of penetrating the articular surface and causing undue harm to the joint. In recent years, many surgeons have turned to computed tomography (CT) and other intraoperative or postoperative modalities to determine whether hardware is truly extraarticular in areas of complex anatomy. Yet, these adjuncts are expensive, time consuming, and often unnecessary given the advancement in understanding of intraoperative fluoroscopy. We present a review article with the goal of empowering surgeons to leave the operating room, with fluoroscopy alone, assured that all hardware is beneath the articular surface that is being worked on. By understanding a simple concept, surgeons can extrapolate the information in this article to any joint and bony surface in the body. While targeted at both residents and surgeons who may not have completed a trauma fellowship, this review can benefit all orthopaedic surgeons alike.