Partial tetraplegic syndrome as a complication of a mobilizing/manipulating procedure of the cervical spine in a man with Forestier's disease: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Even if performed by qualified physical therapists, spinal manipulation and mobilization can cause adverse events. This holds true particularly for the cervical spine. In light of the substantial risks, the benefits of cervical spine manipulation may be outweighed by the possibility of further injury.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present the case of a 56-year-old Caucasian man with Forestier's disease who went to see a physiotherapist to relieve his aching neck while on a holiday trip. Following the procedure, he was transferred to a local hospital with a partial tetraplegic syndrome due to a cervical 6/7 luxation fracture. Reportedly, the physiotherapist took neither a detailed history, nor adequate diagnostic measures.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This case highlights the potentially dangerous complications associated with cervical spine mobilization/manipulation. If guidelines concerning cervical spine mobilization and manipulation practices had been followed, this adverse event could have been avoided.</p

Interphanlangeal and First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Fusion for Osteomyelitis and Septic Arthritis in Patients with Forefoot Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Category: Diabetes, infection Introduction/Purpose: In cases of Diabetic Foot ulcers over joints with assocuated septic arthritis or osteomylitis, the erradication of the infection can be difficult to achieve. In order to avoid amputations which are often associated with reduced quality of life, we try to be as conservative as possible in order to save as many big toes as possible. The backbone of our noval treatment protocol involve performing a thorough soft tissue and bony debridement, stabilizing the infected bones or joint by fusing them in the acute phase, and closing the skin over the infected ulcer. We present our experience of this concept. Methods: Retrospective study between the years 2012-2016, in a single centre, treating diabetic foot patients. 29 patients, 31 feet, were identified with IPj or 1st MTPJ fusion for Infection. All patients had a combination of bone and soft tissue infections. All patients had a preoperative radiograph, 22patients had a pre-operative MRI scan to define the extent of the bony and soft-tissue infection. In all cases the involved joint was fused in the acute phase using screws, kw’s, plates, combination of the above fusion techniques. In all cases the skin was closed above the infected ulcer. Results: Closed ulcers of the fitst ray after fusing the infected joint were achieved in 26 patients (84%) by 12 months after surgery. The radiographic fusion rate was 55% by one year after surgery while 77% of the cases were clinically stable by 1 year after surgery. 5 patients (16%) endend up with an amputation. In 4 of them the base of the proximal phalangx could be left to ensure the biomechanical properties as good as possible. 1 patient needed a BKA. In 26 patients, pathogens could be identified; in 77%, polymicrobial flora were found. Conclusion: Arthrodesis of IPJ- or 1st MTPJ in diabetic foot patients presents a successful way of treatmentin order to achieve a stable situation which allow healing of bony and soft-tissue problems. Fusing an infected joint is a safe procedure that allows maintaining functional capabilities. </jats:sec

Solitary Navicular Metastasis of a Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma

The authors present a case of a 62-year-old male with a symptomatic isolated midfoot metastasis as the first clinical presentation of a primary pulmonary tumor. In this case of a metastatic adenocarcinoma, the lesion leading to diagnosis was located in the foot. The poor outcome and the sparse relevant literature are presented in brief.Level of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV</jats:p

Surgical management of hallux valgus and hallux rigidus: An email survey among Swiss orthopaedic surgeons regarding their current practice

Background Various clinical and radiological criteria have been suggested to choose one of the numerous techniques in surgical treatment of hallux valgus and rigidus. We hypothesized that the surgeons' professional background will influence that choice depending on specialization, age, type and institution of training as well as his orthopaedic cultural orientation. Since Switzerland is characterized by regional languages (the most important being German and French), we were interested to learn if the linguistic differences had an influence on the orientation of the surgeons towards e.g. Anglo-American or French surgical traditions and/or sources of literature on the subject. Methods A survey was e-mailed to all members of the Swiss Orthopaedic Society (SGOT-SSOT). Questions were asked regarding respondents’ demographics as well as their preferred treatment for 3 separate cases of (1) moderate and (2) severe hallux valgus and (3) hallux rigidus. The responses were collected and statistically analyzed. Results Two hundred thirty of 322 respondents completed the survey(response rate 46 %). as they perform foot surgery on a regular base; 39 % were members of the Swiss Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (SFAS). Selected surgical treatments differed as follows: in joint sparing procedures older and busier surgeons were more likely to use Chevron osteotomies, however more than 50 % preferred a Scarf-type of osteotomy. Along the so-called "Rösti-Graben" separating the French from the German speaking part of Switzerland no significant difference was found in the choice of operation technique. Nevertheless the fact being a member of SFAS showed significant differences in technical choice in case 2 and 3. Conclusions There are significant associations between the surgeons’ age, expertise and training and their preferred operative intervention. Considerable differences in the surgical management were found in the practice of the general orthopaedic surgeons 72 and the foot and ankle specialists. The cultural background and training is not mirroring the classical Swiss east west discrepancy. Despite the large number of surgical options available for hallux valgus, only a small number were preferred by the majority of surgeons.ISSN:1471-247

How to make MIS bunion surgeries easier- it's all about the room set-up: Technical tip

There has been increasing interest and studies reporting the clinical and radiologic outcomes of minimally invasive bunion surgeries (MIS). These studies address how to perform these surgeries, however there are no clear standards or guidance to help surgeons improve and optimize their operating room setup for minimally invasive bunion surgeries unlike other orthopedic procedures.Improving and optimizing operating room setup for MIS bunion surgeries is important to improve surgeon's convenience, patient safety and outcomes and hopefully shorten the learning curve for MIS bunion surgeries.The aim of this paper is to share our experience with what we believe is an improved operating room setup for MIS bunion and forefoot surgeries. This setup might help new MIS surgeons improve their outcomes, decrease the complication rates and shorten the learning curve

Sutures versus sterile strips for closure of ankle arthroscopy portals: prospective crossover trial

BACKGROUND: Either a nylon single suture or adhesive tape in the form of Steri strip are commonly used for the closure of portals in ankle arthroscopy. The purpose of this study was to compare the two methods with regards to their safety, complications and cosmetic result. METHODS: This was a prospective cross over study of 100 patients who underwent ankle arthroscopy. Materials used for wound closure were either a 3-0 nylon suture or a single Steri strip. Portals were reviewed according to a validated wound scoring system. Parameters such as the age and gender of the patients, the duration of tourniquet use and the use of an intraarticular corticosteroid injection at wound closure were also studied. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were included in the statistical analysis. No technique was found to be superior in terms of the wound description (p = 0.164), infection grade (p = 0.232), infection treatment (p = 0.557) and the cosmetic appearance (p = 0.371). Seventy-two percent of patients had a good to excellent cosmetic result. There were two cases of infection requiring administration of antibiotics, one from each method of closure. Of the independent parameters, the use of cortisone was related to a lower infection treatment score (p = 0.013). Patients with signs of infection had a shorter total tourniquet time compared to the patients with no infection (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The use of either a single suture or Steri strip in the closure of ankle arthoscopy portals has equivalent results. Both methods were safe with equivalent cosmesis and low infection rates.Peter Stavrou, Panagiotis D. Symeonidis, Lukas D. Iselin and George Dracopoulo