The Adequacy of Diagnosis and Treatment for Osteoporosis in Patients with Proximal Humeral Fractures

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether physicians' practice was adequate for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in patients with proximal humeral fracture over the age of 50 years, which is one of major osteoporotic fractures. METHODS: A retrospective nation-wide cohort study was performed using data collected in 2010 by the Korean Health Insurance Review Agency. The incidences of fractures around the hip, spine, and proximal humerus in patients more than 50 years of age, the frequencies of diagnostic bone density scan for osteoporosis, and the prescription for the osteoporosis medication were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: A search of database identified 48,351 hip fractures, 141,208 spine fractures, and 11,609 proximal humeral fractures in patients more than 50 years of age in 2010. Among these patients, 12,097 (25.0%) of hip fractures, 41,962 (29.7%) of spine fractures, and 1,458 (12.6%) of proximal humeral fractures underwent diagnostic bone density scan (p < 0.001); 4,773 (9.9%) of hip fractures, 27,261 (19.3%) of spine fractures, and 639 (5.5%) of proximal humeral fractures were managed with at least one medication approved for the treatment of osteoporosis (p < 0.001). Furthermore, 1,217 (2.5%) of hip fractures, 7,271 (5.2%) of spine fractures, and 188 (1.6%) of proximal humeral fractures received diagnostic bone density scans as well as osteoporosis medications (p < 0.001). Younger patients (50–69 years of age) were less likely to be evaluated and managed for osteoporosis relative to older patients (≥ 70 years of age) (p < 0.001); and men were less likely to be evaluated and managed for osteoporosis relative to women (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Current physicians' practice pattern may be inadequate for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in patients of proximal humeral fractures over the age of 50 years. Additional study and educational programs are necessary to improve this care gap, beginning with physicians who are responsible for the fracture treatment and shoulder diseases.

Current Concepts of Arthroplasty for the Treatment of Massive Rotator Cuff Tears / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The purpose of this article was to explore current concepts of arthroplasty as a treatment for massive rotator cuff tears. Pubmed was searched using the words 'massive rotator cuff tears' and 'arthroplasty' for suitable articles, which were then reviewed and investigated with respect to history, indications, clinical outcomes, and treatment algorithms of arthroplasty in patients of massive rotator cuff tear. Arthroplasty can be considered a primary surgical treatment for patients with irreparable massive rotator cuff tears and hemiarthroplasty may be the treatment of choice in younger patients with an intact coracoacromial arch and no pseudoparalysis. Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is the best surgical treatment for pain relief and the restoration of active forward flexion in elderly patients with cuff tear arthropathy and pseudoparalysis. Proper selection of arthroplasty can provide pain relief and functional improvement in patients with massive rotator cuff tears. However, complication rates remain high, and emphasize the importance of appropriate patient selection and careful operative technique.

A Comparison between Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis & Interlocking Intramedullary Nailing in Distal Tibia Fractures

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness between minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) and interlocking IM nailing in the treatment of distal tibia fracture without involvement of ankle joint retrospectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 38 patients with distal tibia fracture from Jan. 2004 to Oct. 2005 were divided into two groups. Minimum follow-up was for 12 months. Group MIPO consisted of 18 patients were treated with MIPO and group Nail consisted of 20 patients were treated with interlocking intramedullary nail. The results were compared between two groups by assessing bony union time and operation time. Clinical evaluation was evaluated by Olerud score. RESULTS: The mean bony union time was 14.4 weeks (12~17 weeks) in group MIPO and 16.7 weeks (13~19 weeks) in group Nail (p=0.011). The mean operation time was 1.05 hours (0.6~1.6 hours) in group MIPO and 0.74 hours (0.4~1.1 hours) in group Nail (p=0.044). The Olerud score was 83.8 (75~100) in group MIPO and was 89.6 (70~100) in group Nail (p=0.075). In Complication, group MIPO showed one metal failure and two skin irritations, group Nail showed three superficial wound infections. CONCLUSION: MIPO was the shorter bony union time and the longer operation time than the interlocking intramedullary nailing. There were no significant differences between the two groups in clinical results.

Results of the Ludloff Osteotomy for Moderate to Severe Hallux Valgus Deformity / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of the Ludloff osteotomy for moderate to severe hallux valgus deformity retrospectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2003 and October 2006, 33 patients (42 feet) who had undergone with Ludloff osteotomy combined with distal soft tissue procedure were followed up for more than one year. The average follow-up period was 14.6 months and the average age at the time of surgery was 47.7 years (26-70 years). The American Othopeaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was used for clinical outcome assessments. We analyzed the hallux valgus angle (HVA), the first-second intermetatarsal angle (IMA) and the degrees of the tibial sesamoid subluxation in preoperative and the last follow-up radiographs. RESULTS: The AOFAS score improved from a preoperative average of 45.6 points to an average 84.3 points at the last follow-up. HVA and IMA were 34.8 and 14.5 degrees preoperatively, 17.2 and 5.9 degrees at the last follow-up. The tibial sesamoid position improved from a preoperative average of grade 2.5 to the last follow-up average of grade 1.2. CONCLUSION: Ludloff osteotomy produced satisfactory results for moderate to severe hallux valgus deformity.