Comparison of morbidity and mortality of hip and vertebral fragility fractures: Which one has the highest burden?

Objectives@#Hip fragility fractures were regarded as one of the most severe, but recent papers report on the underestimated burden of vertebral compression fractures. This study aims to compare morbidity and mortality of hip and vertebral fragility fractures in patients treated in the same setting. @*Methods@#Patients aged 50 years with hip fracture, and those with vertebral fracture presenting to our hospital between January 2014 and January 2017 were included. Patients were evaluated 1 year after their index fracture. SF-36 scores, mortality, and institutionalization are then recorded. Patients were divided into 2 groups: hip fractures and vertebral fractures. @*Results@#There were 106 and 90 patients respectively evaluated in hip and vertebral fracture groups at 1 year. Patients in both groups were comparable for age, sex, comorbidities and neuropsychiatric condition (P > 0.05). At 1 year follow-up, SF-36 showed better averages in all 8 scales in hip fracture group compared to vertebral fracture group. Mortality in the hip fracture group reached 32.1% compared to 10% for the vertebral fracture group (P 0.05). @*Conclusions@#When comparing patients treated in the same setting, hip fracture is associated with significantly increased mortality than vertebral fracture; however, the latter is associated with more morbidity.

Synovial chondromatosis of the posterior compartment of the knee a case report and literature review focusing on arthroscopic treatment

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare panarticular synovial disease affecting large joints and especially the knee. When the disease is localized in the knee, it affects the anterior compartment. We report the case of a posterior localized disease with a review of the literature focusing on arthroscopic treatment

extraskeletal actions of vitamin D: Myths and facts

Vitamin D is well known for its effects on bone metabolism, calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. Recently, a worldwide focus has been made on the extraskeletal effects of this liposoluble vitamin. The New York Times even called it the [wonder drug]. Vitamin D is a liposoluble vitamin and acts via an intracellular receptor. This article reviews the extra-skeletal effects of vitamin D focusing on cardiovascular effects, regulation of glucose, antitumoral properties, and effect on the immune system and the skeletal muscle and attempts to offer possible molecular explanations to these effects

Guidelines for fragility fractures in Lebanon

With the increasing life expectancy, osteoporosis is becoming a major worldwide health problem. Osteoporotic fragility fractures affect the quality of life and are associated with premature mortality. The magnitude of the disease may become larger in developing countries, particularly in the Middle East where the prevalence of low bone mass is higher than in Western countries. Besides two small studies, there is no serious fragility fracture registry in Lebanon. The British Orthopedic Association published guidelines on the care of fragility fractures in 2007. Inspired by this effort, and taking into consideration the Lebanese socio-medico-economical particularities, we will detail the multidisciplinary management of a fragility fracture, as listed in the international standards, from its presentation to the Emergency Department, through its peri-operative care, and we will pay particular attention to the different aspects of secondary prevention. We hope that this paper will contribute to the upgrading of care of fragility fractures in Lebanon in order to meet the international standards of care, thus setting the example to other countries and healthcare systems in the Middle East region