Restoration of leg length and offset correlates with trochanteric pain syndrome in total hip arthroplasty

Persistent pain around the greater trochanter is a common complication after total hip arthroplasty. Restoration of biomechanics such as leg length, femoral und acetabular offset is crucial in THA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate postoperative differences of these parameters after THA and to analyze their association to greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate the clinical relevance of trochanteric pain syndrome compared to patient reported outcome measures. 3D-CT scans of 90 patients were analyzed after minimalinvasive total hip arthroplasty and leg length, femoral and acetabular offset differences were measured. Clinical evaluation was performed three years after THA regarding the presence of trochanteric pain syndrome and using outcome measures. Furthermore, the patients' expectation were evaluated. Patients with trochanteric pain syndrome showed a higher absolute discrepancy of combined leg length, femoral and acetabular offset restoration compared to the non-operated contralateral side with 11.8 +/- 6.0mm than patients without symptoms in the trochanteric region with 7.8 +/- 5.3mm (p=0.01). Patients with an absolute deviation of the combined parameters of more than 5mm complained more frequently about trochanteric symptoms (29.2%, 19/65) than patients with a biomechanical restoration within 5mm compared to the non-affected contralateral side (8.0%, 2/25, p=0.03). Clinical outcome measured three years after THA was significantly lower in patients with trochanteric symptoms than without trochanteric pain (p<0.03). Similarly, fulfillment of patient expectations as measured by THR-Survey was lower in the patients with trochanteric pain (p<0.005). An exact combined restoration of leg length, acetabular and femoral offset reduces significantly postoperative trochanteric pain syndrome and improves the clinical outcome of the patients

Klinische und sonographische Meniskusdiagnostik (=Clinical and sonographic meniscus diagnosis)

Clinical examination still plays an important role in diagnosing meniscal tears. The types of sensitive nerves in the knee joint are responsible for nonspecific pain, which is often correlated with too little specificity in meniscal tests. Ultrasound examination of meniscal structures of the knee joint has been debated extensively in recent years. Criticism of this noninvasive technique was due to small patient groups, improper technical and inaccurate manual standards. Since 1988 ultrasound of the tibial meniscus has become a standard technique in our Department of Orthopaedic Surgery with defined criteria of the intersecting plane and evaluation of ultrasound images. A prospective follow-up study during 6/1988 and 5/1993 including 1186 ultrasound examinations before arthroscopy, was performed. The sensitivity for ultrasound of the lateral meniscus was 58% and for the medial meniscus 83%. Specificity with 98% for the lateral and 90% for the medial meniscus was good. Sonographic detection of meniscal tears depends on the shape and location of meniscal tears. This has been shown by experimental studies in cadavers. A follow-up study including 113 knee joints was performed to prove the value of clinical and ultrasound examination in relation to arthroscopy. The sensitivity of sonography for medial meniscus was 81% and 40% for the lateral meniscus. Although the sensitivity of the clinical examination was 81% (medial) and 47% (lateral), the low specificity of 70% for meniscus tears indicated that it was because of false-positive clinical evaluation of meniscal disorders. In young patients with reflectory muscle spasm and those with acute trauma of the knee joint, clinical examination of the meniscal structures showed poor results. In these cases, too, ultrasound examination showed advantages. Ultrasound of the knee joint meniscus is noninvasive, reproducible and low cost. In cases of uncertain clinical results, ultrasound offers a good opportunity to visualize meniscal disorders

Fast-Track-Endoprothetik

Einführung Wesentliche Bestandteile von Fast-Track- oder Enhanced-Recovery-Programmen in der Endoprothetik sind die Optimierung der interdisziplinär-organisatorischen Abläufe sowie der prä-, intra- und postoperativen Vorgehensweisen im klinischen Alltag. Die frühpostoperative Mobilisation der Patienten ist nach Gelenkersatzoperation von zentraler Bedeutung, mit dem Ziel, Schmerzen und Komplikationen nachweislich zu vermeiden. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen detaillierten Überblick hinsichtlich der zwischenzeitlich zunehmend verbreiteten Fast-Track-Vorgehensweisen. Zudem zeigt er die klinischen Vorteile von Fast-Track für die Hüftendoprothetik im Rahmen eines randomisierten Studiendesigns evidenzbasiert auf. Material und Methoden Es wurden 194 Patienten mit primärer HTEP nach einfach verblindeter Randomisierung in zwei Gruppen untersucht: Fast-Track (n = 98) oder konventioneller Behandlungspfad (n = 96). Als primärer Outcomeparameter war die Mobilisierung definiert, gemessen mit dem Timed-Up-and-Go-Test (TUG) in Sekunden. Sekundäre Parameter waren erreichbare Gehstrecke in Metern sowie Schmerzen auf der Numerische Rating-Skala (NRS). Alle Parameter wurden präoperativ und täglich bis zum 6. postoperativen Tag erfasst. Ergebnisse Innerhalb der ersten postoperativen Woche wurden keine Komplikationen oder Revisionen verzeichnet. Die Fast-Track-Gruppe zeigte im Vergleich zur konventionellen Gruppe bis zum 6. postoperativen Tag signifikant bessere TUG-Werte sowie Gehstreckenergebnisse (jeweils p  0,05). Fazit Die Anwendung von Fast-Track-Konzepten in der Hüftendoprothetik kann evidenzbasiert die klinischen Ergebnisse verbessern. Diese prospektive, einfach verblindete randomisierte kontrollierte Studie konnte ein sehr gutes kurzfristiges Ergebnis mit vergleichbaren Schmerzen nach Fast-Track-HTEP im Vergleich zu einem konventionellen Behandlungspfad aufzeigen. Fast-Track-Konzepte sind hochwirksam in Bezug auf Frühmobilisierung und klinisches Ergebnis – ohne in der Frühphase ein höheres Komplikationsrisiko einzugehen

The oncofetal gene survivin is re-expressed in osteoarthritis and is required for chondrocyte proliferation in vitro

Background Regulation of cell death and cell division are key processes during chondrogenesis and in cartilage homeostasis and pathology. The oncogene survivin is considered to be critical for the coordination of mitosis and maintenance of cell viability during embryonic development and in cancer, and is not detectable in most adult differentiated tissues and cells. We analyzed survivin expression in osteoarthritic cartilage and its function in primary human chondrocytes in vitro. Methods Survivin expression was analyzed by immunoblotting and quantitative real-time PCR. The localization was visualized by immunofluorescence. Survivin functions in vitro were investigated by transfection of a specific siRNA. Results Survivin was expressed in human osteoarthritic cartilage, but was not detectable in macroscopically and microscopically unaffected cartilage of osteoarthritic knee joints. In primary human chondrocyte cultures, survivin was localized to heterogeneous subcellular compartments. Suppression of survivin resulted in inhibition of cell cycle progression and sensitization toward apoptotic stimuli in vitro. Conclusions The present study indicates a role for survivin in osteoarthritic cartilage and human chondrocytes. In vitro experiments indicated its involvement in cellular division and viability. Learning more about the functions of survivin in chondrocyte biology might further help toward understanding and modulating the complex processes of cartilage pathology and regeneration

Arbeitsbezogenes sedentäres Verhalten

Hintergrund Sedentäres Verhalten ist mit einem erhöhten Risiko für chronische Krankheiten und einer höheren Gesamtmortalität assoziiert. Arbeitsbezogenes Sitzen hat einen großen Anteil am täglichen sedentären Verhalten, insbesondere bei Büroangestellten. Ziel der Arbeit In dieser Studie sollte untersucht werden, wie viel Zeit bei verschiedenen Aufgaben am Arbeitsplatz und beim Pendeln von Verwaltungsangestellten einer Universitätsklinik in Deutschland im Sitzen verbracht wird. Material und Methoden Eine fragebogengestützte Querschnittsstudie mit Verwaltungsangestellten des Universitätsklinikums Regensburg wurde durchgeführt, um arbeitsbezogenes sedentäres Verhalten zu untersuchen. Ergebnisse Die Studienpopulation bestand aus 159 Teilnehmenden (54,1 % Frauen, 51,6 % älter als 40 Jahre), was einer Antwortquote von 26 % entspricht. Die durchschnittliche tägliche Sitzzeit am Arbeitsplatz betrug im Median 7,0 h (Interquartilsbereich [IQR] 6,0–7,5 h) und fand hauptsächlich bei der Computerarbeit statt (57,3 %). Die mittlere Stehzeit bei der Arbeit betrug im Median 0,8 h (IQR 0,3–1,4 h). Verwaltungsangestellte verbrachten während des Pendelns im Median 0,7 h (IQR 0,3–1,0 h) pro Tag im Sitzen. Die Teilnehmenden waren der Ansicht, dass langes und ununterbrochenes Sitzen negative (69,6 %) oder eher negative (29,7 %) Auswirkungen auf die Gesundheit hat. Diskussion Verwaltungspersonal in Krankenhäusern verbringt einen großen Teil der täglichen Arbeitszeit mit sedentärem Verhalten. Maßnahmen, die es ermöglichen, sowohl im Sitzen als auch im Stehen zu arbeiten, können zu einer Verringerung der arbeitsbedingten Sitzzeit führen und damit die Gesundheit am Arbeitsplatz und im weiteren Sinne die öffentliche Gesundheit verbessern

A randomized controlled trial demonstrating sustained benefit of autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC®) over microfracture: 10-year follow-up

Purpose Autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis ( AMIC®) and microfracture are established treatments for focal chondral defects in the knee, but there are little clinical data concerning these procedures over the long term. This study evaluates the outcomes of AMIC ® compared to microfracture over 10-year follow-up. Methods Forty-seven patients were randomized and treated either with MFx (n = 13), sutured AMIC ® (n = 17) or glued AMIC ® (n = 17) in a prospective, randomized, controlled multicentre trial. The Modified Cincinnati Knee Score, a visual analogue scale for pain and MOCART score were used to assess outcomes over 10 years post-operatively. Results All treatment arms improved in the first 2 years, but a progressive and significant deterioration in scores was observed in the MFx group, while both AMIC ® groups remained stable. MOCART scores were comparable between groups. Conclusion The AMIC ® procedure results in improved patient outcomes in comparison with microfracture up to 10 years following surgery for the repair of focal chondral defects in the knee. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0299351

Prospective medium-term results of multimodal pain management in patients with lumbar radiculopathy

Lumbar radiculopathy is one of the most common diseases of modern civilisation. Multimodal pain management (MPM) represents a central approach to avoiding surgery. Only few medium-term results have been published in the literature so far. This study compared subjective and objective as well as anamnestic and clinical parameters of 60 patients who had undergone inpatient MPM because of lumbar radiculopathy before and 1 year +/- 2 weeks after treatment. The majority of patients were very satisfied (35%) or satisfied (52%) with the treatment outcome. Merely 8 patients commented neutrally and none negatively. The finger-floor distance had decreased significantly (p < 0.01), and 30 patients (50%) had shown improved mobility of the spine after therapy. The need for painkillers had also been significantly reduced after 1 year. The arithmetical average of pain on a visual analogue scale was 7.21 before treatment, which had significantly decreased to 3.58 at follow-up (p < 0.01). MPM is an effective approach for treating lumbar radiculopathy by mechanical nerve root irritation. Therefore, in the absence of an absolute indication for surgery or an absolute contradiction for MPM, patients should first be treated with this minimally invasive therapy

Sex-Dependent Differences in Symptom-Related Disability Due to Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Study Design: Retrospective observational study. Objective: The objective of this study is to identify possible sex-dependent differences in symptom-related disability in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods: 103 consecutive outpatients (42 men and 61 women) with lumbar spinal stenosis were assessed on the basis of their medical history, the physical examination, and a series of questionnaires including the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), the Patient Health Questionnaire module 9 (PHQ-9), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS). Narrowing of the spinal canal was graded according to the method established by Schizas. Parameters were statistically analyzed according to the biological sex of the patients. The influence of the variables on the disability scores was analyzed by means of a multivariate regression model. Results: Symptom severity was equally distributed between men and women. Female patients showed higher RMDQ and ODI scores as well as significantly higher intermediate depression scores. The confounding variables age, pain chronicity, and psychological affection as well as the symptoms level of pain and paresis were dependent on patient sex. Conclusion: The study shows sex-depended differences in the perception of symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis and disability of life. The findings suggest that the main mediators are pain perception and psychological influences on the quality of life

Trainee Surgeons Affect Operative Time but not Outcome in Minimally Invasive Total Hip Arthroplasty

Training of young surgeons in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is crucial, but might affect operative time and outcome especially in minimally invasive (MIS) THA. We asked whether the learning curve of orthopaedic residents trained on MIS THA has an impact on (1) operative time (2) complication rates and (3) early postoperative outcome. In a retrospective analysis of over 1000 MIS THAs from our institutional joint registry, operative time, complication rates, patient reported outcome measures (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index [WOMAC] and Euro-Qol 5D-5L [EQ-5D]) within the first year and responder rates for positive outcome as defined by the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology and Osteoarthritis Research Society International consensus responder (OMERACT-OARSI) criteria were compared between trainee and senior surgeons. Mean operative time was nine minutes longer for trainees compared to senior surgeons (78.1 +/- 25.4 min versus 69.3 +/- 23.8 min, p < 0.001). Dislocation (p = 0.21), intraoperative fracture (p = 0.84) and infection rates (p = 0.58) were comparably low in both groups. Both trainee and senior THAs showed excellent improvement of EQ-5D (0.34 +/- 0.26 versus 0.32 +/- 0.23, p = 0.40) and WOMAC (45.9 +/- 22.1 versus 44.9 +/- 20.0, p = 0.51) within the first year after surgery without clinical relevant differences. Similarly, responder rates for positive outcome were comparable between trainees with 92.9% and senior surgeons with 95.2% (p = 0.17). MIS THA seems to be a safe procedure during the learning curve of young orthopaedic specialists, but requires higher operative time