Celecoxib versus indomethacin as prevention of arthrofibrosis. A perspective case-control study

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remain the most commonly utilised prophylaxis to reduce arthrofibrosis (AF) related to the inflammatory response which leads to a pathological condition called arthrofibrosis. Several NSAIDs have shown to be effective, although postoperative indomethacin has been the historical gold standard. More recently, credit has been given to the use of COX-2 selective inhibitors, due to concerns over gastrointestinal effects, as peptic ulcers, with non-selective COX. However, to date, few studies have compared the therapeutic effects of the two drugs. The aim of this study is to compare the postoperative administration of indomethacin and celecoxib in patients with diagnosis of AF treated with arthroscopic lysis and evaluate joint recovery. In this prospective study, 42 patients were diagnosed with hip, knee and elbow residual AF. The inclusion criteria were age > 18 years and a diagnosis of residual AF, following exposure to a previous traumatic event or surgical treatment; exclusion criteria were patients with 35 or < 18 kg/m2, affected by peripherical neuropathies and presence of heavy functional limitations, active infection, complex regional pain syndrome diagnoses. All patients underwent to arthroscopy, operated by a single surgeon with the same team in the same clinic and postoperatively were randomly divided into two groups, one treated with indomethacin, and the other with celecoxib. Of the patients examined, the following parameter was considered: joint range of motion (ROM) preintervention and post-intervention at 3 months and after 12 months. ROM was analysed with Student t test. The comparison of the ROM between both the 3 months postoperative groups has been shown to be not statistically significant. On the other hand, after 1 year, t-Student test referred to preoperative condition was significantly in favour of the group treated with celecoxib (p = 0.02). Lastly, neither celecoxib nor indomethacin showed any gastrointestinal side effects

Current methods and treatment options for interprosthetic femur fracture: an overview

As life expectation is prolonged and the elderly population increases, we are witnessing a growth in the number of prosthesis implanted; therefore, an increase in interprosthetic femoral fractures can be expected in the next future. For this reason, a proper and specific classification system needs to be.Nowadays, depending on the localization of the fracture, Vancouver or Rorabeck classifications are used, and some attempts have been made to create a new one or adjust and adapt the previously mentioned systems. However, there is no unique classification system that is accepted worldwide.The goal would be a classification that permits identifying the correct surgical treatment based on the type of interprosthetic femoral fracture. A pragmatic grading scale to provide a standardised approach, so that the best possible outcomes could be achieved. Despite minimal diffusion, in our opinion the Pires classification system should be universally accepted and used

Previous anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction influences the complication rate of total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: The results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction are still under-investigated. The purpose of this research is to investigate the differences between TKA after ACL reconstruction and TKA for primary osteoarthritis through a review and meta-analysis of the literature. Methods: Case–control and cohort studies reporting outcomes of TKA following ACL reconstruction were considered eligible for inclusion. The primary endpoint was to systematically review and meta-analyze the reported complications of TKA following ACL reconstruction. The outcomes have been compared with a group of patients who underwent TKA for primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) with any previous ACL surgery. Secondary endpoints were to assess and compare technical difficulties and results including the operative time, the use of revision components, the request for intraoperative release or additional procedures, the revision rate, and the clinical outcomes. Results: Seven studies were included involving 1645 participants, 619 of whom underwent TKA in previous ACL reconstruction and 1026 TKA for primary OA with no previous ACL reconstruction. Meta-analysis showed that TKA in previous ACL reconstruction had a significantly higher complication rate (OR = 2.15, P < 0.001), longer operative times (mean differences (MD): 11.19 min; P < 0.001) and increased use of revision components (OR = 2.16; P < 0.001) when compared to the control group without differences of infection, and revision rate. Conclusions: TKA in a previous ACL reconstruction has a significantly higher complication rate, longer operative times, and a higher need for revision components and intraoperative soft tissue releases in comparison to TKA for primary OA without previous ACL reconstruction

Return to sport activity after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in skeletally immature athletes with manual drilling original all inside reconstruction at 8 years follow-up

Objective: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are common injuries in adolescent athletes, especially in those who bear high stress on their knees due to shearing forces. The goal of the surgical procedures in skeletally immature patients is to restore joint stability avoiding the adverse effects on the growth process. The aim of this study was to verify the return of the skeletally immature professional athletes to sports in the long-term, following ACL reconstruction with the original all-inside technique and with manual drilling. Methods: This study included 24 athletes (14 boys, 10 girls; mean age: 13.15 years, range: 9e14 years) who had radiographic evidence of open physes, were less than 14 years of age at the time of surgery and those with a minimum follow-up of eight years. All patients completed a questionnaire, the IKDC subjective knee evaluation form, and Tegner Activity Scale. Biomechanical outcomes of the KT-1000 arthrometer, gait analysis, and stabilometric and isokinetic results were also evaluated. A plain radiograph of both lower limbs was taken to obtain a precise measurement of the limb length and mechanical axis angles. Results: The patients returned to sport activities in a mean time of 6.43 months. No rerupture or resurgery due to growth abnormalities was observed. The mean difference in length between the operated and contralateral legs was 0.4 (range: 0.2 to 0.7) cm. The mean side-to-side difference measured with the KT-1000 arthrometer was 5.2 (range: 3.5 to 7) mm in the preoperative and 0.8 (range: 0 to 2.5) mm in the postoperative measurements. Conclusion: In conclusion, the original all-inside technique with manual drilling with a half tunnel and short graft seems to be a very effective technique for the surgical management of ACL injuries in pediatric/ adolescent athletes. A good rate of return to sports at pre-injury levels or higher, high patient satisfaction and a decent motor and proprioceptive function is possible as shown by our analysis. Level of evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic study

Is it really advantageous to operate proximal femoral fractures within 48 h from diagnosis? – A multicentric retrospective study exploiting COVID pandemic-related delays in time to surgery

Objectives: Hip fractures in the elderly are common injuries that need timely surgical management. Since the beginning of the pandemic, patients with a proximal femoral fracture (PFF) experienced a delay in time to surgery. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate a possible variation in mortality in patients with PFF when comparing COVID-19 negative versus positive. Methods: This is a multicentric and retrospective study including 3232 patients with PFF who underwent surgical management. The variables taken into account were age, gender, the time elapsed between arrival at the emergency room and intervention, pre-operative American Society of Anesthesiology score, pre-operative cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and 10-day/1-month/6-month mortality. For 2020, we had an additional column, “COVID-19 swab positivity.” Results: COVID-19 infection represents an independent mortality risk factor in patients with PFFs. Despite the delay in time-to-surgery occurring in 2020, no statistically significant variation in terms of mortality was detected. Within our sample, a statistically significant difference was not detected in terms of mortality at 6 months, in patients operated within and beyond 48 h, as well as no difference between those operated within or after 12/24/72 h. The mortality rate among subjects with PFF who tested positive for COVID-19 was statistically significantly higher than in patients with PFF who tested. COVID-19 positivity resulted in an independent factor for mortality after PFF. Conclusion: Despite the most recent literature recommending operating PFF patients as soon as possible, no significant difference in mortality was found among patients operated before or after 48 h from diagnosis

Foot Macrodactyly Associated with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome is a rare congenital malformation which may be associated with macrodactyly. The main problem is the need for custom-made shoes. We describe the case of a female newborn affected by Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, with a larger and longer right foot; the difference increased progressively and, at 5 years of age, the right foot was 50% larger and 38% longer than the left one. Due to the progression of the deformity, reduction surgery was advised to reduce the foot’s width. Resection of the second ray and 2nd cuneiform was performed. The result was excellent and there were no complications during a 10-year follow-up period with a decrease of width and length difference to 10% and 4%, respectively, in comparison to the contralateral foot. There were no gait anomalies. Abnormal foot width and length represented the main problems and guided the surgical strategy. Second ray resection was effective, without complications and with a good long-term functional outcome. Possibility of wearing fashionable conventional shoes without insoles was achieved to the patient’s satisfaction

Congenital Pseudoarthrosis of Medial Malleolus in A Young Soccer Player – Diagnosis in Clinical setting of Ankle Sprain

Introduction: We report a case of a young female soccer player affected by congenital medial bilateral malleolus pseudoarthrosis and os subfibulare. Congenital pseudoarthrosis is the failure of the bones to fuse prior or at birth. The etiology is still unknown, although frequency is high in subjects affected by neurofibromatosis or correlated syndromes, so it has been suggested that these congenital disorders may be the cause of congenital pseudoarthrosis. Case Report: Our patient, a 16-year-old female, high level soccer player, was referred to us following a right ankle sprain during a match. She reported no medical history of tibia-tarsus joint injuries or disease. Pain, swelling and functional impairment were noted immediately after the accident. Standard radiographs in the emergency department revealed a displaced fracture of the medial malleolus and the presence of os subfibularis. The patient was transferred to our Traumatology and Orthopaedic Department to undergo malleolus ostheosynthesis. Before surgery swelling, functional impairment and intense pain at the medial malleolus level were confirmed. However, there was no radiological opening of ankle, instability or pronation pain; furthermore the flexion-extension was preserved with slight pain. Twenty-four hours later a considerable remission of symptoms was evident with increased range of motion and reduction in the swelling and post-traumatic edema. A radiograph on the left ankle to compare with that of the right ankle was necessary to overcome the discrepancy between the radiological diagnosis and the clinical examination. The radiographic results of both medial malleoli were comparable although on the left the os subfibularis was absent. Since the diagnosis of fracture by the association between the radiographs and the symptomatology was doubtful, a bilateral CT was performed. The scan revealed a medial bilateral malleolus pseudoarthrosis and an accessory right subfibularis nucleus. The patient was discharged from hospital with the diagnosis of “second degree right ankle sprain in patient affected by congenital medial bilateral malleolus pseudoarthrosis”. A therapeutic-rehabilitative program was prescribed for the ankle sprain and unnecessary surgery was avoided. After 30 days there was an almost complete remission of pain. At a follow-up of six months the patient was completely asymptomatic and gradually began competitive activity. Conclusion: An accurate history and an objective examination should be performed and correlated with the results of diagnostic procedures in order to avoid the incorrect diagnosis of a fracture needing surgery. The rarity of this ailment and the absence of consequences on long-term function, show that this disease does not justify sports activity cessation. Traumatic events at this site must be assessed properly in order to avoid being confused with malleolus fractures leading to over treatment. Keywords: Ankle sprain, medial malleolus, pseudoarthrosis Introduction. Keywords: Ankle sprain, medial malleolus, pseudoarthrosis Introduction