MRI Assessment of Muscle Damage After the Posterolateral Versus Direct Anterior Approach for THA (Polada Trial). A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: There is controversy in literature whether the direct anterior approach (DAA) results in less muscle damage compared with the posterolateral approach (PLA) for total hip arthroplasty. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess muscle damage between these two approaches. METHODS: Forty-six patients were included. Muscle atrophy, determined with the Goutallier classification, and muscle surface of twelve muscles were analyzed on magnetic resonance imaging images made preoperatively and one year postoperatively. Differences in component placement after DAA or PLA were assessed on radiographs. Harris hip scores and Hip disability and Osteoarthritis and Outcome Score were used as functional outcomes. RESULTS: External rotator musculature was damaged in both approaches. After PLA, the obturator muscles showed significantly more atrophy and a decrease in muscle surface. After DAA, the tensor fascia latae showed an increased muscle atrophy and the psoas muscle showed a decreased muscle surface. An increase in muscle surface was seen for the rectus femoris, sartorius, and quadratus femoris after both approaches. The muscle surface of the gluteus medius and iliacus was also increased after PLA. No difference in muscle atrophy was found between the approaches for these muscles. The inclination angle of the cup in PLA was significantly higher. No differences were found in functional outcomes. CONCLUSION: Different muscle groups were affected in the two approaches. After PLA, the external rotators were more affected, whereas the tensor fascia latae and psoas muscles were more affected after DAA

Flow cytometric assessment of leukocyte kinetics for the monitoring of tissue damage

Leukocyte populations quickly respond to tissue damage, but most leukocyte kinetic studies are not based on multiparameter flow cytometry. We systematically investigated several blood leukocyte populations after controlled tissue damage. 48 patients were assigned to either an anterior or posterolateral total hip arthroplasty. Peripheral blood was collected pre-operatively and at 2 h, 24 h, 48 h, 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively and assessed by flow cytometry for absolute counts of multiple leukocyte populations using standardized EuroFlow protocols. Absolute counts of leukocyte subsets differed significantly between consecutive time points. Neutrophils increased instantly after surgery, while most leukocyte subsets initially decreased, followed by increasing cell counts until 48 h. At two weeks all leukocyte counts were restored to pre-operative counts. Immune cell kinetics upon acute tissue damage exhibit reproducible patterns, which differ between the leukocyte subsets and with “opposite kinetics” among monocyte subsets. Flow cytometric leukocyte monitoring can be used to minimally invasively monitor tissue damage.This was supported by Stichting Anna Fonds/NOREF (Dutch Orthopedic Research and Education Fund) and the Erasmus MC Medical research grant (grant no. DRP337224)

Percutaneous vertebroplasty as a treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures:a systematic review

Percutaneous vertebroplasty has been performed for more than ten years to treat painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Clinical results have been encouraging, but little is known about the efficacy and safety of this minimally invasive procedure. We therefore performed a systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of percutaneous vertebroplasty in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. A search was conducted using Medline, Embase and The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. The search yielded fifteen studies, eleven prospective, three retrospective and one controlled trial. Totally 1,136 interventions were performed on 793 patients. Mean pain scores, measured using a 0 to 10 VAS score, improved significantly from 7.8 to 3.1 (-60.3%) immediately after percutaneous vertebroplasty. The short-term complication rate varied between 0.4 and 75.6%. Leakage of cement outside the vertebral body was markedly common, ranging from 3.3 to 75.6%. Although the majority was asymptomatic, a few devastating clinical adverse effects were reported (mean 2.4%). Although percutaneous vertebroplasty is a widely accepted treatment for osteoporotic vertebral fractures, we revealed only a single controlled trial. We conclude that there are insufficient data available to reliably assess efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty. The procedure has a low rate of clinical complications, but potential complications can be devastating. In the future, assessing the efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty requires controlled trials with long-term follow-up

Milwaukee shoulder syndrome:A painful swollen shoulder as a result of a rare condition

Background: A painful and swollen shoulder has an extensive differential diagnosis, with Milwaukee shoulder syndrome (MSS) being diagnosed infrequently. Analysis of crystals in the synovial fluid is an important diagnostic step in patients with a swollen shoulder.Case description: A 69-year-old female presented at the orthopaedic outpatient clinic with pain, limited mobility and swelling of the left shoulder. The diagnosis MSS was made based on the characteristic features on X-ray and MRI combined with the analysis of the synovial fluid, including a positive alizarin-red staining.Conclusion: MSS is a rare, destructive, calcium-hydroxyapatite crystal-associated arthropathy. After a typical X-ray, a joint aspiration is preferred to avoid unnecessary expensive radiographic imaging. Alizarin-red staining is a simple, inexpensive, and sensitive test to identify calcium-hydroxyapatite crystals in synovial fluid, and aids in the diagnosis of MSS. This is important in order to adequately inform patients regarding the prognosis of their disease