Bilateral temporomandibular joint dislocation in a 29-year-old man: a case report

Introduction A dislocation of the temporomandibular joint represents three percent of all reported dislocated joints. The treatment entails reduction of the deformity and this can often be achieved in a ward setting. Case presentation We present the case of a 29-year-old Caucasian man with a non-traumatic bilateral anterior temporomandibular joint dislocation. Following several unsuccessful attempts, due to both inadequate patient analgesia and sedation, joint reduction had to be performed in theatre with the patient under general anesthesia. Conclusion This case highlights the importance of providing the patient with adequate analgesia and sedation when attempting the reduction of temporomandibular joint dislocations

An unexpected diagnosis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus septic arthritis

Hand infections can result in serious tissue damage and gross functional impairment. This is particularly true in the case of septic arthritis, the most destructive of all joint disease. We report the first case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint to have occurred in a patient devoid of all risk factors traditionally associated with a hospital-associated infection (HA-MRSA). The afflicted patient's only exposure to the pathogen was during her role as a community carer for an asymptomatic carrier. Delayed treatment allowed the infection to rapidly destroy surrounding soft tissue and necessitate in the need for arthrodesis. It is, therefore imperative that clinicians maintain a low index of suspicion for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as the causative pathogen in similar cases. Consequently, consideration of empirical antibiotic therapy for this patient subgroup is discussed

Tendon reattachment to bone in an ovine tendon defect model of retraction using allogenic and xenogenic demineralised bone matrix incorporated with mesenchymal stem cells

BACKGROUND: Tendon-bone healing following rotator cuff repairs is mainly impaired by poor tissue quality. Demineralised bone matrix promotes healing of the tendon-bone interface but its role in the treatment of tendon tears with retraction has not been investigated. We hypothesized that cortical demineralised bone matrix used with minimally manipulated mesenchymal stem cells will result in improved function and restoration of the tendon-bone interface with no difference between xenogenic and allogenic scaffolds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an ovine model, the patellar tendon was detached from the tibial tuberosity and a complete distal tendon transverse defect measuring 1 cm was created. Suture anchors were used to reattach the tendon and xenogenic demineralised bone matrix + minimally manipulated mesenchymal stem cells (n = 5), or allogenic demineralised bone matrix + minimally manipulated mesenchymal stem cells (n = 5) were used to bridge the defect. Graft incorporation into the tendon and its effect on regeneration of the enthesis was assessed using histomorphometry. Force plate analysis was used to assess functional recovery. RESULTS: Compared to the xenograft, the allograft was associated with significantly higher functional weight bearing at 6 (P = 0.047), 9 (P = 0.028), and 12 weeks (P = 0.009). In the allogenic group this was accompanied by greater remodeling of the demineralised bone matrix into tendon-like tissue in the region of the defect (p = 0.015), and a more direct type of enthesis characterized by significantly more fibrocartilage (p = 0.039). No failures of tendon-bone healing were noted in either group. CONCLUSION: Demineralised bone matrix used with minimally manipulated mesenchymal stem cells promotes healing of the tendon-bone interface in an ovine model of acute tendon retraction, with superior mechanical and histological results associated with use of an allograft

The early functional outcome of Mau osteotomy for the correction of moderate-severe hallux valgus

Hallux valgus is one of the commonest conditions of the foot and has been reported to affect nearly half of the adult population. It is most effectively treated by a corrective osteotomy of which there a numerous subtypes. The Mau osteotomy confers the greatest structural stability but is not thought to provide adequate correction of moderate-severe deformities. Accordingly, complications such as under correction and non-union are common. The aim of this study was to determine the functional outcome in patients with moderate-severe hallux valgus following a Mau osteotomy. A retrospective review of 23 patients with moderate-severe hallux valgus treated by Mau osteotomy was conducted. Patients were assessed clinically by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scoring system and radiologically by measuring the first intermetatarsal (IM) and hallux abductovalgus angles (HAV). The mean AOFAS score had improved from 47 preoperatively to 92 postoperatively (P<0.01). Additionally, preoperative HAV and IM angles improved from 39° and 15° respectively to 15° and 9° respectively (P<0.01). There were no cases of undercorrection or non-union. In this series, the Mau osteotomy was able to achieve good correction of the IM and HAV angles in patients with moderate-severe hallux valgus. This was reflected in a significantly higher postoperative AOFAS score. Contrary to other studies there were no cases of undercorrection and despite allowing patients to fully weight-bear postoperatively there were no cases of non-union

Characterisation of the tensile properties of Demineralised Cortical Bone when used as an anterior cruciate ligament allograft

Background: Graft choice in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains controversial and some grafts fail due to inadequate osteointegration. Demineralised cortical bone (DCB) is an osteoinductive collagen-based scaffold. The aim of this study was to measure the tensile properties of DCB from different locations and from different ages, and determine its compatibility with current ACL fixation systems. Methods: The tensile properties of DCB manufactured from femur and tibia of young (9 month) and old (2–3 years) sheep was measured to determine the most appropriate graft choice. The ultimate load and stiffness of DCB allograft using two fixation systems, interference screws and sutures tied around screw posts, was measured ex vivo in an ovine ACL reconstruction model. Comparison was made with superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and ovine ACL. Results: DCB derived from young tibia had the highest ultimate load and stiffness of 67.7 ± 10.6 N and 130.2 ± 64.3 N/mm respectively. No DCB fixation system reached the published peak in vivo force through the ovine ACL of 150 N. SDFT fixation with interference screws (308.2 ± 87.3 N) did reach the in vivo threshold but was significantly weaker than ovine ACL (871.0 ± 64.2 N). Conclusion: The tensile properties of DCB were influenced by the donor age and bone. Owing to inferior tensile properties and incompatibility with suspensory fixation devices, this study indicates DCB is inferior to current tendon grafts options for ACL reconstruction