Intraoperative arthroscopic classification tool for posterolateral elbow instability

Background: Introducing and implementing an arthroscopic classification tool for posterolateral elbow instability. Methods: Thirty arthroscopies were performed on 30 patients, and all recordings were collected, blinded, and labeled. Three orthopedic surgeons reviewed and scored all 30 recordings three times with a period of at least seven days in between to analyze the intraobserver and interobserver reliability. The classification consisted of five different grades. Results: Indications for elbow arthroscopy included impingement (n = 7), osteochondritis dissecans (n = 5), pain (n = 7), osteoarthritis (n = 6), and other (n = 5). The kappa value for intrarater reliability was 0.71, indicating good reliability, while the kappa value for inter-rater reliability was 0.38 indicating fair reliability. Conclusion: This new classification is a tool for an arthroscopic assessment of PLRI and can be used as a standardized grading system for further research and communication between orthopedic surgeons. We demonstrated good intrarater reliability (k = 0.71) with fair inter-rater reliability (k = 0.38). However, further research is necessary to study the clinical significance.</p

The song remains the same : ownership concentration and format homogeneity in the radio industry

"Radio stations tend to repeat existing formats, inhibiting diversity of musical broadcasting. Musical format homogeneity is problematic, because music conveys knowledge and ideas; therefore, an absence of musical diversity among radio stations indicates limits on knowledge dissemination. I contend that concentration of ownership contributes to the pattern of format redundancy in the radio industry. I tested two hypotheses. My first hypothesis is that both radio industry ownership concentration and format homogeneity are higher after 1996 when telecommunications regulation changed than from 1994-1996. My second hypothesis is that as ownership concentration increases, format homogeneity will also increase, regardless of year. I coded and analyzed data from The Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media. I utilized means comparisons and ordinary least squares regression to test my hypotheses, finding a positive and strong relationship between ownership concentration and format homogeneity. My research confirms the danger of loosely regulated radio station ownership for promoting a pluralistic American society."--Abstract from author supplied metadata

Analysis of 516 cases of revision total elbow arthroplasty from the Dutch Arthroplasty Registry:centralization of care is the future

Background: The number of revision total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) remains relatively low. As a result, there are relatively few orthopedic surgeons and a limited number of centers with substantial expertise in revising TEA. This study provides a comprehensive description of the current practice concerning revision TEA in a northern European Country based on the data of the Dutch National Implant Registry. Methods: Data of all revision TEA procedures performed between 2014 and 2022 were extracted from the national registry, including cases where the primary procedure was either not recorded in the registry or was not a TEA. Descriptive statistics were used to report the current practice of revision TEA in the Netherlands. Results: Five hundred sixteen revision TEAs were performed in the Netherlands between 2014 and 2022. Eighty-four elbows required more than one revision during that period. The primary cause for revision was aseptic loosening 51%. The procedures were performed in 35 centers, and 21/35 centers performed 5 or less revision procedures per year. No center performed 20 or more revision procedures per year. Discussion: All types of elbow arthroplasty are associated with a considerable rate of complications, and a direct volume-outcome relationship exists in these surgical procedures. Despite the considerable complication rate, the volume of revision TEA remains low, primarily due to the infrequent occurrence of primary procedures. Conclusion: The study reported that aseptic loosening was the primary reason for revision TEA. We recommend centralizing infrequent surgical procedures such as revision TEA in selected highly specialized centers to increase surgeon and center volumes, aiming to yield more favorable outcomes.</p

Diagnosis and Treatment of Children with a Radiological Fat Pad Sign without Visible Elbow Fracture Vary Widely:An International Online Survey and Development of an Objective Definition

Children often present at the emergency department with a suspected elbow fracture. Sometimes, the only radiological finding is a ‘fat pad sign’ (FPS) as a result of hydrops or haemarthros. This sign could either be the result of a fracture, or be due to an intra-articular haematoma without a concomitant fracture. There are no uniform treatment guidelines for this common population. The aims of this study were (1) to obtain insight into FPS definition, diagnosis, and treatment amongst international colleagues, and (2) to identify a uniform definition based on radiographic measurements with optimal cut-off points via a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. An online international survey was set up to assess the diagnostic and treatment strategies, criteria, and definitions of the FPS, the probability of an occult fracture, and the presence of an anterior and/or posterior FPS on 20 radiographs. Additionally, the research team performed radiographic measurements to identify cut-off values for a positive FPS, as well as test–retest reliability and inter-rater reliability via intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). A total of 133 (paediatric) orthopaedic surgeons completed the survey. Definitions, further diagnostics, and treatments varied considerably amongst respondents. Angle measurements of the fat pad as related to the humeral axis line showed the highest reliability (test–retest ICC, 0.95 (95% CI 0.88–0.98); inter-rater ICC, 0.95 (95% CI 0.91–0.98)). A cut-off angle of 16° was defined a positive anterior FPS (sensitivity, 1.00; specificity, 0.87; accuracy, 99%), based on the respondents’ assessment of the radiographs in combination with the research team’s measurements. Any visible posterior fat pad was defined as a positive posterior FPS. This study provides insight into the current diagnosis and treatment of children with a radiological fat pad sign of the elbow. A clear, objective definition of a positive anterior FPS was identified as a ≥16° angle with respect to the anterior humeral line

Analysis of 516 cases of revision total elbow arthroplasty from the Dutch Arthroplasty Registry:centralization of care is the future

Background: The number of revision total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) remains relatively low. As a result, there are relatively few orthopedic surgeons and a limited number of centers with substantial expertise in revising TEA. This study provides a comprehensive description of the current practice concerning revision TEA in a northern European Country based on the data of the Dutch National Implant Registry. Methods: Data of all revision TEA procedures performed between 2014 and 2022 were extracted from the national registry, including cases where the primary procedure was either not recorded in the registry or was not a TEA. Descriptive statistics were used to report the current practice of revision TEA in the Netherlands. Results: Five hundred sixteen revision TEAs were performed in the Netherlands between 2014 and 2022. Eighty-four elbows required more than one revision during that period. The primary cause for revision was aseptic loosening 51%. The procedures were performed in 35 centers, and 21/35 centers performed 5 or less revision procedures per year. No center performed 20 or more revision procedures per year. Discussion: All types of elbow arthroplasty are associated with a considerable rate of complications, and a direct volume-outcome relationship exists in these surgical procedures. Despite the considerable complication rate, the volume of revision TEA remains low, primarily due to the infrequent occurrence of primary procedures. Conclusion: The study reported that aseptic loosening was the primary reason for revision TEA. We recommend centralizing infrequent surgical procedures such as revision TEA in selected highly specialized centers to increase surgeon and center volumes, aiming to yield more favorable outcomes.</p

Silicone radial head prostheses revisited: do they have a role in today’s practice? A systematic review of literature on clinical outcomes

Background Silicone radial head prostheses (SRHP) are considered obsolete due to reports of frequent failure and destructive silicone-induced synovitis. Considering the good outcomes of modern non-radial silicone joint implants, the extent of scientific evidence for this negative view is unclear. The aim of this research was to systematically analyze the clinical evidence on complications and outcomes of SRHP and how SRHP compare to both non-SRHP and silicone prostheses of other joints. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted through the Cochrane, PubMed, and Embase databases. Results Eight cohort studies were included, consisting of 142 patients and follow-up periods ranging from 23 months to 8 years. Average patient satisfaction was 86%, range of 71%–100%, and 58 complications were seen, but no cases of synovitis. These outcomes were in line with non-SRHP. Four case series with 11 cases of synovitis were found, all due to implant fractures years to decades after implantation. Six systematic reviews of currently used non-radial silicone joint implants showed excellent outcomes with low complication rates. Conclusions Since SRHP have satisfactory clinical results and an acceptable complication rate when selecting a patient group in suitable condition for surgical indications, it is considered that SRHP can still be chosen as a potential surgical treatment method in current clinical practice. Level of evidence2A