Treatment of Pyogenic Arthritis of the Knee Using Drainage Tube Insertion in the Posterior Compartment through the Posterior Transeptal Portal after an Arthroscopic Synovectomy / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: This study analyzed the treatment effects of drain insertion in the posteromedial portal after an arthroscopic synovectomy and posterior septum resection for pyogenic arthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2005 to December 2016, 56 cases (55 patients, 1 case of bilateral knee) were diagnosed with pyogenic arthritis and arthroscopic treatment was performed. Fourteen patients (25.0%) were identified with causative organisms. The average follow-up period was 12.3 months, and the mean age was 67.8 years old. Twenty-four cases were males and 31 cases were females. Kellgrene–Lawrence grade (K–L grade) I was 6 patients, II was 20 patients, III was 11 patients, and IV was 18 patients. Surgery was performed through six portal. The posterior septum was removed and a drainage tube was inserted from the posterior medial side to the posterior side of the joint. The Lysholm score was used after surgery for a functional evaluation. The K–L grade at the time of admission and at the last follow-up were compared for a radiological evaluation. RESULTS: The mean normalization period of the C-reactive protein was 59.8 days (6–164 days). Intravenous antibiotics were used for an average of 37.1 days. The results of the functional evaluation revealed a mean Lysholm score of 64.5 (30–98) in a total of 56 cases. Two reoperations was performed, but the treatment was completed with same method in all patients. The K–L grade was similar at the time of surgery and at the last follow-up (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The method of drain insertion in the posteromedial portal after arthroscopic synovectomy and posterior septum resection for pyogenic arthritis is an effective technique that can obtain satisfactory results by inducing proper exudate discharge.

Serratia marcescens Spinal Epidural Abscess Following Caudal Epidural Injection / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Spinal infection due to Serratia marcescens is very rare. A 78-year-old male patient withoutany risk factor was admitted to our hospital with chief complaints of severe back pain, fever, weakness in both legs, and bowel dysfunction, following caudal epidural injection. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed spondylodiscitis with epidural abscess. Surgical decompression was performed and the epidural abscess was removed. The cultures isolated S. marcescens, which can cause nosocomial infection in immunocompromised patient. However, to the best of our knowledge, we report the first case of S. marcescens spinal epidural abscess following epidural injection, with literature review.

Pregnancy and Lactation-associated Osteoporosis with Vertebral Compression Fracture / 대한골다공증학회지

Pregnancy- and lactation associated osteoporosis is a rare condition. However, it may cause fragility fracture with severe pain. A 29-year-old woman had first delivery without any complications and she was breast-feeding her baby. In a postpartum one month, she had a severe back pain and it has gotten worse. She was diagnosed with multiple recent compression fractures in thoracic spines and treated with brace immobilization and bisphosphonate therapy. We report this rare case of pregnancy- and lactation associated osteoporosis with multiple vertebral compression fractures.

Differences in Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures by Falls from Height with Associated Foot and Ankle Fractures

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective clinical study. OBJECTIVES: To know how the associated foot or ankle fracture influences the fracture pattern in the thoracolumbar burst fractures caused by falls from height. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: There were few studies on how the foot or ankle fracture influences the thoracolumbar fracture caused by falls from height. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 46 subjects, who underwent surgery due to burst fracture of the thoracic or lumbar region, caused by fall accidents, from May 2004 to October 2008. Among them, we defined 19 cases that had associated foot or ankle fractures as group A, and the other 27 cases as group B. We analyzed the differences of radiological and clinical findings, and functional outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: The falling heights were higher in group A than in group B (P<0.01). Thoracolumbar junction (T11-L2) was the most common location involved in both groups, but group A had more fractures on the lower lumbar region (L3-5), relatively (p=0.03). Kyphotic deformity was more severe in group B (p=0.01) but there were no significant differences in the wedge angle, amount of canal compromise, compression rate of anterior column between both groups (p=0.08, 0.46, 0.76). More segments were fused in group B (P=0.04). Neurologic deficit was more common in group B (p=0.03), but there were many complications related with foot or ankle fractures in group A (38%).There was no significant difference in the final clinical outcome between both groups (Pain scale p= 0.48, Work scale p=1.00). CONCLUSIONS: In patients who had burst fractures in the thoracic or lumbar region associated with foot or ankle fractures, there was a tendency to increase the incidence of lower lumbar fracture, relatively. The neurologic deficits were less common in this group of patients, but there was no difference in the functional outcome.