Hallux rigidus treated with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells: A case report

BACKGROUND First metatarsophalangeal joint arthritis (FMTPA), also known as hallux rigidus, is the most frequent degenerative disease of the foot. Diagnosis is made through both clinical and radiological evaluation. Regenerative medicine showed promising results in the treatment of early osteoarthritis. The aim of the present study was to report the results of a case of FMTPA treated with the injection of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. CASE SUMMARY A gentleman of 50 years of age presented with a painful hallux rigidus grade 2 resistant to any previous conservative treatment (including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hyaluronic acid injections). An injection of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells into the first metatarsophalangeal joint was performed. No adverse events were reported, and both function and pain scales improved after 9 mo of follow-up. CONCLUSION The FMTP joint injection of mesenchymal stem cells improved symptoms and function in our patient with FMTPA at 9 mo of follow-up

Problems, complications, and reinterventions in 4893 onlay humeral lateralized reverse shoulder arthroplasties, a systematic review: part II-problems and reinterventions

Background: Several modifications to the original Grammont reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) design have been proposed to prevent distinctive issues, such as both glenoid and humeral lateralization. The aim of this systematic review was to determine rates of problems, complications, reoperations, and revisions after onlay lateralized humeral stem RSA, hypothesizing that these are design related. Methods: This systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement guidelines. A literature search was conducted (1 January 2000 to 14 April 2020) using PubMed, Cochrane Reviews, Scopus, and Google Scholar, employing several combinations of keywords: "reverse shoulder arthroplasty," "reverse shoulder prosthesis," "inverse shoulder arthroplasty," "inverse shoulder prosthesis," "problems," "complications," "results," "outcomes," "reoperation," and "revision." Results: Thirty-one studies with 4893 RSA met inclusion criteria. The 892 postoperative problems and 296 postoperative complications represented overall problem and complication rates of 22.7% and 7.5%, respectively. Forty-one reoperations and 63 revisions resulted, with overall reoperation and revision rates of 1.7% and 2.6%, respectively. Conclusions: Problem, complication, and reintervention rates proved acceptable when implanting a high humeral lateralization stem RSA. The most frequent problem was scapular notching (12.6%), and the most common postoperative complication was scapular stress fracture (1.8%). An overall humeral complication rate of 1.9% was identified, whereas no humeral fractures or stem loosening were reported with short stems. Infections (1.3%) were the most common reason for component revision, followed by instability (0.8%). Level of evidence: Systematic review IV

Fragility Fractures of the Acetabulum: Current Concepts for Improving Patients’ Outcomes

The incidence of fragility fractures of the acetabulum (FFA) is constantly increasing. Generally, these fractures are related to a fall on the greater trochanter involving the anterior column. The management of FFA is extremely difficult considering both patients’ comorbidities and poor bone quality. Both non-operative and several operative treatment protocols are available, and the choice among them is still ambiguous. The proposed surgical techniques for FFA [namely open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), percutaneous fixation and total hip arthroplasty (THA)] are associated with a high complication rate. The treatment with the higher early mortality is the ORIF + THA, while the one with the lowest is the non-operative. However, at longer follow-up, this difference dreadfully change is becoming the opposite. Frequently ORIF, percutaneous fixation, and non-operative treatment need a subsequent re-operation through a THA. This latter could be extremely difficult, because of poor bone quality, acetabular mal union/non-union, bone gaps and hardware retention. However, the outcomes of each of the proposed treatment are mostly poor and controverted; therefore, a comprehensive patient evaluation and an accurate fracture description are required to appropriately manage acetabular fracture in the elderly

SuperPath approach is a recommendable option in frail patients with femoral neck fractures: a case–control study

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of intracapsular femoral neck fractures (FNFs) in the elderly is usually based on hip replacement, both total hip arthroplasty (THA) and hemiarthroplasty (HA). Recently, several tissue-sparing approaches for hip arthroplasty had been described with promising results in terms of hospitalization length, blood loss and dislocation rate. The aim of the present study was to compare the blood loss and the transfusion rate in a cohort of patients with FNF treated using an HA through both the SuperPath (SP) and the traditional posterolateral (PL) approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from patients affected by FNFs between January 2018 and February 2020. All patients with intracapsular FNF treated with a single HA implant (Profemur L, MicroPort Orthopedics Inc., USA) via PL or SP approaches were included. Exclusion criteria were pathological fractures, polytrauma and preoperatively transfused patients. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were included and analysed in the present study. 17 patients were classified in the SP group, and 18 in the PL one. The rate of antithrombotic therapy was higher in the SP group compared with the PL group [10 (58, 82%) vs 4 (22, 2%)]. While the two groups did not differ in terms of preoperative haemoglobin (Hb), 48 h postoperative Hb and Hb reduction, a significative difference was observed in terms of blood transfusion rate (1 SP vs 9 PL, p = 0.0072). CONCLUSIONS: The SuperPath approach in patients with FNF under antithrombotic therapy assures lower transfusion rate, potentially reducing complication rates and improving patients' outcomes

Clinical Outcomes and Joint Stability after Lateralized Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty with and without Subscapularis Repair: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Subscapularis tendon repair in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty represents a potentially modifiable risk factor for dislocation, and its role continues to be debated. The purpose of the present meta-analysis was to compare the outcomes of the primary lateralized RSAs with and without subscapularis repair in terms of range of motion, clinical outcomes, dislocations, and complications rate. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search in MEDLINE (Pubmed), Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials database was carried up to December 2020. A data extraction form was developed to collect select data from the included studies. The methodological quality was assessed using a Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies (MINORS) score. Statistical analysis was performed with Review Manager (Version 5.4, The Cochrane Collaboration). Results: A total of four comparative studies involving 978 patients were included. In the pooled analysis, the reinsertion of the subscapularis yielded better functional outcomes in terms of the constant (P < 0.00001) and ASES (P = 0.002) scores. The forward elevation, external rotation at 0°, internal rotation, and dislocation rates were comparable between the two groups (P = n.s.), while statistically increased abduction was observed in those patients who did not have their subscapularis repaired (P < 0.00001). Conclusion: The results of the present findings suggest that it seems reasonable to reinsert the subscapularis whenever it is present, in good tissue conditions, and with no evidence of fatty degeneration of its muscle belly. Level of evidence: Level III meta-analysi

X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets. What the orthopedic surgeon needs to know

Purpose: X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) is a rare genetic disease characterized by an increase in fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) expression. The skeleton is one of the systems most affected and deformities of the lower limbs are one of the first reasons for consulting an orthopedic surgeon. The aim of the present study was to offer practical advice for a comprehensive orthopedic approach to XLH. Materials: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, a freely available and cost-effective database. The articles included in the study were discussed by a research group with specific expertise in bone metabolism and pediatric deformities, in order to answer three fundamental questions and thus provide the orthopedic specialist with guidance on XLH: (1) How should the physician complete the diagnosis of XLH?; (2) When might a surgical procedure be recommended?; (3) What kind of surgical procedure should be performed? Results: Sixty-three articles were included and discussed by the research group. Conclusions: A correct and timely diagnosis of XLH is essential to appropriately manage affected patients. To complete this diagnosis a detailed medical history of the patient, a comprehensive clinical and radiographic evaluation, and specific biochemical tests are needed. Pharmacological treatment is based on supplementation of both phosphate and vitamin D, however, a monoclonal antibody that inactivates FGF23 (burosumab), has recently been introduced with promising results. Orthopedic surgery is needed in cases of moderate or severe deformities, to allow physiological growth and prevent early osteoarthritis and gait alterations. Surgical options are osteotomies and hemiepiphysiodesis, which is preferred whenever possible. Three different devices for temporary hemiepiphysiodesis are available (staples, transphyseal screws and tension band plates). Obviously, surgical procedures need an appropriate medical therapy to be effective. In conclusion, the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of XLH require a multidisciplinary approach and a comprehensive evaluation of anamnestic, clinical and radiographic data

Extracapsular femoral neck fractures treated with total hip arthroplasty: identification of a population with better outcomes

BACKGROUND: Femoral neck fractures (FNF) are associated to patient’s disability, reduced quality of life and mortality. None of the fixation devices commonly used for extracapsular (EC) FNF (i.e., dynamic hip screws (DHS) and intramedullary nails (IN)) is clearly superior to the other, especially in case of unstable fractures (31.A2 and 31.A3 according to AO/OTA classification). The aim of our study was to identify a sub-population of patients with EC fractures in which better outcomes could be obtainable using total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: All patients with EC unstable fractures treated with THA were included in the present study. Demographic data, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, hospitalization length, transfusion rate, implant-related complications and mortality rate were collected. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), while patients’ general health status through the 12 Item Short Form questionnaires (SF-12). RESULTS: 30 patients (7 male; 23 female) with a mean age of 78.8 years were included. The 1-year mortality rate was 13.3%. The mean OHS was 27.5, while the mean SF-12 were 45.84 for the mental item and 41.6 for the physical one. Age was the only factor associated with the OHS and patients older than 75 years presented a 12- fold higher risk of developing bad outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: THA seems to be a viable option for unstable EC fractures, with good clinical outcomes, especially in patients younger than 75 years of age. The mortality rate associated with THA in EC fractures is low and anyway comparable with IN

Does D-Dimer really help in the diagnosis of chronic periprosthetic joint infections (PJI)? A case-control study

Introduction The differential diagnosis between aseptic and septic total joint arthroplasty (TJA) revision is fundamental in order to be successful in the surgical treatment. Several serum biomarkers have been proposed as gold standards in the diagnosis of Periprosthetic Joint Infections (PJI). The aim of the current study was (1) to evaluate serum levels of D-dimer in a retrospective series of PJIs diagnosed by traditional methods and (2) to compare the D-dimer performance as a diagnostic test with other well established PJI biomarkers in a case-control study. Materials and methods A total of 159 TJA revisions were included in the study database: 55 implants in 55 patients met the inclusion criteria. The final study group included 33 aseptic and 22 septic (with micro-organism isolation) TJA revisions; these two groups were not statistically different in terms of demographics. All patients were preoperatively tested with the following serologic tests: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, D-dimer and white blood cell (WBC) count. A standard univariate logistic analysis was performed in order to investigate the association between chronic PJI and the serologic tests. Results A gram-positive microorganism was isolated in 15 patients whereas a gram-negative microorganism was isolated in 7 patients. Univariate analysis showed that high D-dimer, ESR or fibrinogen were not associated with a PJI occurrence, whereas high CRP and WBC count &gt;10.000 cells/mm3 were significantly elevated in chronic PJI patients. A multivariate analysis confirmed that leukocytosis was a significant predictor of PJI. Conclusions This study showed that D-dimer had a low sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing chronic PJI, especially when evaluated as a single diagnostic biomarker