Temporary Bridge Plating vs Primary Arthrodesis of the First Tarsometatarsal Joint in Lisfranc Injuries: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Unstable Lisfranc injuries are best treated with anatomic reduction and stable fixation. There are controversies regarding which type of stabilization is best. In the present study, we compared primary arthrodesis of the first tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint to temporary bridge plating in unstable Lisfranc injuries. Methods: Forty-eight patients with Lisfranc injuries were included and followed for 2 years. Twenty-four patients were randomized to primary arthrodesis (PA) of the medial 3 TMT joints, whereas 24 patients were randomized to temporary bridge plate (BP) over the first TMT joint and primary arthrodesis of the second and third TMT joints. The main outcome parameter was the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot scale and the secondary outcome parameters were the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and visual analog scale for pain (VAS pain). Computed tomography (CT) scans pre- and postoperatively were obtained. Radiographs were obtained at follow-ups. Pedobarographic examination was performed at the 2-year follow-up. Twenty-two of 24 patients in the PA and 23/24 in the BP group completed the 2-year follow-up. Results: The mean AOFAS midfoot score 2 years postoperatively was 89 (SD 9) in the PA group and 85 (SD 15) in the BP group ( P = .32). There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to SF-36 or VAS pain scores. The alignment of the first metatarsal was better in the BP group than in the PA group measured by the anteroposterior Meary angle ( P = .04). The PA group had a reduced peak pressure under the fifth metatarsal ( P = .047). In the BP group, 11/24 patients had radiologic signs of osteoarthritis in the first TMT joint. Conclusion: Both treatment groups had good outcome scores. The first metatarsal was better aligned in the BP group; however, there was a high incidence of radiographic osteoarthritis in this group. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic level I, prospective randomized controlled study

Outcome after nonoperative treatment of stable Lisfranc injuries. A prospective cohort study

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome after nondisplaced and stable Lisfranc injuries. Methods 26 patients with injuries to the Lisfranc joint complex detected on CT scans, but without displacement were tested to be stable using a fluoroscopic stress test. The patients were immobilized in a non-weightbearing short leg cast for 6 weeks. The final follow-up was 55 (IQR 53–60) months after injury. Results All the Lisfranc injuries were confirmed to be stable on follow-up weightbearing radiographs at a minimum of 3 months after injury. Median American Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score at 1-year follow-up was 89 (IQR 84–97) and at final follow-up 100 (IQR 90–100); The AOFAS score continued to improve after 1-year (P=.005). The median visual analog scale (VAS) for pain was 0 (IQR 0–0) at the final follow-up. One patient had radiological signs of osteoarthritis at 1-year follow-up. Conclusion Stable Lisfranc injuries treated nonoperatively had an excellent outcome in this study with a median follow-up of 55 months. The AOFAS score continued to improve after 1 year

Lisfranc injuries: Incidence, mechanisms of injury and predictors of instability

Background In Lisfranc injuries the stability of the tarsometatarsal joints guides the treatment of the injury. Determining the stability, especially in the subtle Lisfranc injuries, can be challenging. The purpose of this study was to identify incidence, mechanisms of injury and predictors for instability in Lisfranc injuries. Methods Eighty-four Lisfranc injuries presenting at Oslo University Hospital between September 2014 and August 2015 were included. The diagnosis was based on radiologically verified injuries to the tarsometatarsal joints. Associations between radiographic findings and stability were examined. Results The incidence of Lisfranc injuries was 14/100,000 person-years, and only 31% were high-energy injuries. The incidence of unstable injuries was 6/100,000 person–years, and these were more common in women than men (P = 0.016). Intraarticular fractures in the two lateral tarsometatarsal joints increased the risk of instability (P = 0.007). The height of the second tarsometatarsal joint was less in the unstable injuries than in the stable injuries (P = 0.036). Conclusion The incidence of Lisfranc injuries in the present study is higher than previously published. The most common mechanism of injury is low-energy trauma. Intraarticular fractures in the two lateral tarsometatarsal joints, female gender and shorter second tarsometatarsal joint height increase the risk of an unstable injury

Lumbar total disc replacement: predictors for long-term outcome

Purpose We aimed to identify patient characteristics associated with favourable long-term outcomes after lumbar total disc replacement (TDR). Methods We analysed a cohort of 82 patients with degenerative disc and chronic low back pain (LBP) who were treated with TDR and originally participated in a randomised trial comparing TDR and multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Potential predictors were measured at baseline, and the outcomes assessed 8 years after they received allocated treatment. Outcome measures were dichotomised according to whether the participants achieved a clinically important functional improvement (15 points or more on the Oswestry Disability Index, ODI) (primary outcome) and whether they were employed at 8-year follow-up (secondary outcome). Associations between potential predictors and outcomes were modelled using logistic regression. For the secondary outcome, the results were also organised in a prediction matrix and expressed as probabilities. Results For 71 patients treated with TDR according to protocol, the follow-up time was 8 years. For a subgroup of 11 patients randomised to rehabilitation who crossed over and received TDR, the median postoperative follow-up time was 72 (range 41–88) months. Of all assessed baseline variables, only presence of Modic changes (type 1 and/or 2) was statistically significantly associated with an improvement of ≥ 15 ODI points. The probability of employment at 8-year follow-up was 1% for patients with ≥ 1 year of sick leave, comorbidity, ODI ≥ 50 and ≤ 9 years of education prior to treatment, and 87% for patients with < 1 year of sick leave, no comorbidity, ODI < 50 and higher education. Conclusions Patients with Modic changes prior to the TDR surgery were more likely to report a clinically important functional improvement at long-term follow-up. Comorbidity, low level of education, long-term sick leave and high ODI score at baseline were associated with unemployment at long-term follow-up

Lumbar total disc replacement: predictors for long-term outcome

Purpose: We aimed to identify patient characteristics associated with favourable long-term outcomes after lumbar total disc replacement (TDR). Methods: We analysed a cohort of 82 patients with degenerative disc and chronic low back pain (LBP) who were treatedwith TDR and originally participated in a randomised trial comparing TDR and multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Potential predictors were measured at baseline, and the outcomes assessed 8 years after they received allocated treatment. Outcome measures were dichotomised according to whether the participants achieved a clinically important functional improvement (15 points or more on the Oswestry Disability Index, ODI) (primary outcome) and whether they were employed at 8-year follow-up (secondary outcome). Associations between potential predictors and outcomes were modelled using logistic regression. For the secondary outcome, the results were also organised in a prediction matrix and expressed as probabilities. Results: For 71 patients treated with TDR according to protocol, the follow-up time was 8 years. For a subgroup of 11 patients randomised to rehabilitation who crossed over and received TDR, the median postoperative follow-up time was 72 (range 41–88) months. Of all assessed baseline variables, only presence of Modic changes (type 1 and/or 2) was statistically signifcantly associated with an improvement of ≥ 15 ODI points. The probability of employment at 8-year follow-up was 1% for patients with ≥ 1 year of sick leave, comorbidity, ODI ≥ 50 and ≤ 9 years of education prior to treatment, and 87% for patients with < 1 year of sick leave, no comorbidity, ODI < 50 and higher education. Conclusions: Patients with Modic changes prior to the TDR surgery were more likely to report a clinically important functional improvement at long-term follow-up. Comorbidity, low level of education, long-term sick leave and high ODI score at baseline were associated with unemployment at long-term follow-up

Iterative reconstruction improves image quality and reduces radiation dose in trauma protocols; A human cadaver study

Background: Radiation-related cancer risk is an object of concern in CT of trauma patients, as these represent a young population. Different radiation reducing methods, including iterative reconstruction (IR), and spilt bolus techniques have been introduced in the recent years in different large scale trauma centers. Purpose: To compare image quality in human cadaver exposed to thoracoabdominal computed tomography using IR and standard filtered back-projection (FBP) at different dose levels. Material and methods: Ten cadavers were scanned at full dose and a dose reduction in CTDIvol of 5 mGy (low dose 1) and 7.5 mGy (low dose 2) on a Siemens Definition Flash 128-slice computed tomography scanner. Low dose images were reconstructed with FBP and Sinogram affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) level 2 and 4. Quantitative image quality was analyzed by comparison of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Qualitative image quality was evaluated by use of visual grading regression (VGR) by four radiologists. Results: Readers preferred SAFIRE reconstructed images over FBP at a dose reduction of 40% (low dose 1) and 56% (low dose 2), with significant difference in overall impression of image quality. CNR and SNR showed significant improvement for images reconstructed with SAFIRE 2 and 4 compared to FBP at both low dose levels. Conclusions: Iterative image reconstruction, SAFIRE 2 and 4, resulted in equal or improved image quality at a dose reduction of up to 56% compared to full dose FBP and may be used a strong radiation reduction tool in the young trauma population

Iterative reconstruction improves image quality and reduces radiation dose in trauma protocols; A human cadaver study

Background Radiation-related cancer risk is an object of concern in CT of trauma patients, as these represent a young population. Different radiation reducing methods, including iterative reconstruction (IR), and spilt bolus techniques have been introduced in the recent years in different large scale trauma centers. Purpose To compare image quality in human cadaver exposed to thoracoabdominal computed tomography using IR and standard filtered back-projection (FBP) at different dose levels. Material and methods Ten cadavers were scanned at full dose and a dose reduction in CTDIvol of 5 mGy (low dose 1) and 7.5 mGy (low dose 2) on a Siemens Definition Flash 128-slice computed tomography scanner. Low dose images were reconstructed with FBP and Sinogram affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) level 2 and 4. Quantitative image quality was analyzed by comparison of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Qualitative image quality was evaluated by use of visual grading regression (VGR) by four radiologists. Results Readers preferred SAFIRE reconstructed images over FBP at a dose reduction of 40% (low dose 1) and 56% (low dose 2), with significant difference in overall impression of image quality. CNR and SNR showed significant improvement for images reconstructed with SAFIRE 2 and 4 compared to FBP at both low dose levels. Conclusions Iterative image reconstruction, SAFIRE 2 and 4, resulted in equal or improved image quality at a dose reduction of up to 56% compared to full dose FBP and may be used a strong radiation reduction tool in the young trauma population