Good Crises? Implications for Developing Countries

Abstract In this paper I argue that the most important consequences of the current economic crisis for developing countries will not be the direct negative economic e¤ects, which have received the most attention. More important are the induced e¤ects on politics, policy and institutions. In this context I ask: can the crisis provide opportune circumstances for developing countries to reform their institutions? Such a claim is implicit in the discussion by the Obama administration of not wanting to 'waste a good crisis' and it is supported by a large social science literature on the implications of crisis for policy reform. I argue, however, that while there exists an optimistic scenario, there is also a pessimistic scenario. I illustrate both scenarios by examining the history of policy and institutional reform in the great depression of the 1930s and show that the consequences of this crisis for policy were very di¤erent in independent developing countries than they were in developed countries. I also argue that the recent experience of policy reform since the 1980s in fact provides less support for the 'good crises' hypotheses than is commonly believed. Crises may be good or bad, depending on the nature of the political equilibrium in the societies they hit. I conclude with some speculation about Sub-Saharan Africa: though the most likely scenario is that the current shock is not large enough to change the institutional equilibrium in developing countries, if it were, there are circumstances which are consistent with the optimistic scenario. "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. What I mean by that is that it is an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before&quot

Acetabular reconstruction with femoral head autograft in primary total hip arthroplasty through a direct anterior approach is a reliable option for patients with secondary osteoarthritis due to developmental dysplasia of the hip

BACKGROUND Developmental dysplasia is challenging to treat with total hip arthroplasty via the direct anterior approach (DAA). Reconstructing the former anatomy while restoring the acetabular bone stock for future revisions in this young patient collective combined with the known advantages of the DAA would be desirable. The purpose of this study was to analyze the feasibility, radiographic outcome and clinical outcome of primary uncemented total hip arthroplasty with bulk femoral head autograft for acetabular augmentation through a DAA with a minimal follow-up of 12 months. METHODS A retrospective, consecutive series from March 2006 to March 2018 of 29 primary total hip arthroplasty with acetabular augmentation with bulk femoral head autograft through a direct anterior approach was identified. All complications, reoperations and failures were analyzed. Radiographic and clinical outcome was measured. RESULTS 24 patients (29 hips) with a mean age of 43 (18-75) years and a mean follow-up of 35 months (12-137) were included. Surgical indication was secondary osteoarthritis for developmental dysplasia of the hip (Hartofilakidis Grade A (n = 19), B (n = 10)) in all cases. We noted no conversion of the approach, no dislocation and no acetabular loosening. The center of rotation was significantly distalized by a mean of 9 mm (0-23) and significantly medialized by a mean of 18 mm (6-29). The bone graft was fully integrated after 12 months in all cases. CONCLUSION Acetabular reconstruction with femoral head autograft in primary THA through a direct anterior approach seems to be a reliable option for the treatment of secondary osteoarthritis in patients with DDH Hartofilakidis grade A and B. Prospective cohort studies with a large sample population and a long-term follow-up are necessary to confirm our findings

Inferior results of salvage arthrodesis after failed ankle replacement compared to primary arthrodesis

BACKGROUND: Up to now, there has been no evidence that salvage arthrodesis would perform inferior when compared with primary ankle arthrodesis. The purpose of this study was to compare their clinical and radiographic results. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using 2 validated scores and assessment of radiographic union by comparing 23 patients who underwent salvage ankle arthrodesis (group SA = salvage arthrodesis) after failed total ankle replacement with 23 matched patients who received primary ankle arthrodesis (group PA = primary arthrodesis). The mean follow-up period was 38 (range 16-92) months in group SA and 56 (23-94) months in group PA. RESULTS: Complete union was achieved in 17 patients (74%) after a mean time of 50 (13- 114) weeks in group SA and in 16 patients (70%) after a mean time of 23 (10-115) weeks in group PA. The SF-36 score averaged 48 points (7-80) in SA and 66 points (14-94; P = .006) in group PA. In group SA the mean FFI was 57% (22-82) for pain and 71% (44-98) for function. In group PA significantly better results for pain with 34% (0-88; P = .002) and function with 48% (1-92; P = .002) were found. CONCLUSION: Salvage arthrodesis led to impaired life quality and reduced function combined with significantly higher pain when compared with primary ankle arthrodesis. These findings can be used to counsel our patients preoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective case series

How many radiographs are needed to detect angular stable head screw cut outs of the proximal humerus - A cadaver study

INTRODUCTION: Cut out of locking head screws is the most common complication of locking plates in fracture fixation of the proximal humerus with potentially disastrous consequences. Aim of the study was to find the single best and combination of radiographic projections to reliably detect screw cut outs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The locking plate was fixed to six cadaveric proximal humeri. Six different radiographs were performed: anteriorposterior in internal (apIR), in neutral (ap0) and in 30° external rotation (apER); axial in 30° (ax30) and 60° (ax60) abduction and an outlet view. Each head screw (n=9) was sequentially exchanged to perforate the humeral head with the tip and all radiographs were repeated for each cut out. Randomized image reading by two blinded examiners for cut out was done for single projection and combinations. RESULTS: Interrater agreement was 0.72-0.93. Best single projection was ax30 (sensitivity 76%) and the worst was the outlet view (sens. 17%). Standard combination of apIR/outlet reached a sens. of 54%. The best combination of two was: apER/ax30 (90% sens.), of three: apIR/apER/ax30 (96% sens.) and of four: apIR/ap0/apER/ax30 (100% sens.). CONCLUSION: Standard radiographs (ap/outlet), especially in internal rotation, may miss nearly half of screw cut outs. Single best radiographic projection was an axial view with 30° abduction. To account for all cut outs and correct screw position a combination of four projections was needed. These simple and feasible intraoperative and postoperative radiographs help to detect screw perforations of the locking plate reliably

Lack of Conclusive Evidence of the Benefit of Biologic Augmentation in Core Decompression for Nontraumatic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE To assess whether biologic augmentation in addition to core decompression (CD), compared with CD alone, improves clinical and radiographic outcomes in the treatment of nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Our hypothesis was that biologic augmentation would reduce the progression of osteonecrosis and therefore also the rate of conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS A systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. Six databases were searched: Central, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, AMED, and Web of Science. Studies comparing outcomes of CD versus CD plus biologic augmentation (with or without structural augmentation), with a reported minimum level of evidence of III and ≥24 months of follow-up, were eligible. Procedural success was conceptualized as (1) avoidance of conversion to THA and (2) absence of radiographic disease progression. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklists. A quantitative analysis of heterogeneity was undertaken. RESULTS We included studies reporting on 560 hips in 484 patients. Biologic augmentation consisted of bone marrow stem cells in 10 studies, bone morphogenic protein in 2, and platelet-rich plasma in 1. Three studies used additional structural augmentation. The median maximum follow-up time was 45 months. Only 4 studies reported improvement in all clinical scores in the augmentation group. Seven studies observed a reduction in the rate of radiographic progression, and only 5 found reduced rates of conversion to THA when using augmentation. A high risk of bias and marked heterogeneity was found, with uncertainty about the study designs implemented, analytical approaches, and quality of reporting. CONCLUSION Current evidence is inconclusive regarding the benefit of biologic augmentation in CD for nontraumatic ONFH, because of inconsistent results with substantial heterogeneity and high risk of bias. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III, systematic review of level I, II, and III studies

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS For their contributions to the preparation of this report, we thank:

Chicago is getting healthier. How do we know this? Because Chicago residents are living longer. Life expectancy has long been one of the most commonly used measures of a population’s general health as it is a reflection of a number of overall indicators which include quality of care, access to care, health behaviors and the environment. This report shows a dramatic increase in our City’s life expectancy over the past two decades. A Chicago resident born today can expect to live to 77.8 years of age, a new high for our City and more than seven years longer than a resident born in 1990. Not only are Chicagoans living longer, but we are outpacing the nation. Since 1990, our life expectancy has grown twice as fast as the U.S. rate overall. True, the U.S. rate is still slightly higher, but that gap is closing quickly. Furthermore, as this report demonstrates, the improvements in life expectancy are being felt across our great city. In fact, we have seen significant increases in life expectancy in every neighborhood, among both males and females and among every ethnic group in the City over the past twenty years. Over this same period, we have moved toward greater health equity, as we have helped close some long standing gaps between Chicago’s major ethnic groups. For example