An Attempt to Assess the Indications for Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Based on Biomechanical Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Starting from the 1950s, shoulder arthroplasty has been developing, one consequence of which has been the concept of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). Initially, it was supposed to be used only in patients with irreversible rotator cuff damage, but it quickly gained more and more indications for use. The aim of the present study was to assess biomechanical, objective indications for RSA in patients with shoulder osteoarthritis (OA) based on an inertial measurement system with electromyography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 20 patients were qualified to this prospective study, 10 each in a control and experimental group. The study was conducted between August 2020 and October 2021. The experimental group consisted of 9 women and 1 man aged 55 to 85 years old, with osteoarthritis of the shoulder associated with rotator cuff damage. The study utilised the myoMotion inertial sensor system (Noraxon, USA) synchronized with the surface electromyography system Myotrace 400 (Noraxon, USA). RESULTS: Movement phase diagrams were used to assess the movement patterns. To examine the movement pattern in the shoulder, three motor tests can be proposed: flexion-extension, flexion in the scapular plane and abduction-adduction. The observation of trends for the operated limb showed the highest absolute improvement in the group with the greatest impairment of the movement pattern in the initial test. However, on final evaluation, these results were still twice as low as those obtained in the group with the least impairment. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Early qualification of patients with shoulder OA for RSA could mean a greater likelihood of functional and quality-of-life improvement. 2. Movement patterns after RSA may improve, but will probably not return to physiological values.

Chronic, Neglected Medial Subtalar Dislocation with Associated Talar and Calcaneal Fractures. A Case Report.

Subtalar dislocation is a very rare injury that accounts for just approximately 1% of traumatic dislocations. Stan-dard treatment in acute subtalar dislocations is immediate closed reduction and cast immobilization. Early reduction is of key importance and allows avoiding further damage to soft tissues, nerves and blood vessels. Neglected, chronic subtalar dislocations are seen extremely rarely and only a few cases have been reported in the literature to date. Considering the lack of guidelines and very few literature reports relating to the treatment of such injuries, we have decided to present the case of a male patient with a chronic, neglected, closed medial subtalar dislocation of the right foot with associated fractures of the talar and calcaneal bones. The patient was admitted 4 months post trauma to his right ankle joint caused by a fall from a ladder. An open subtalar reduction was performed with arthrodesis of the talocalcaneal joint and the talonavicular joint of the right foot. The treatment was effective and recreated the me-chanical axis of the limb. One year after the surgery, the patient reported no pain and no limitations in everyday functioning, work and activities. At the one-year follow-up, his AOFAS score was 88/100.

Assessment of Microbiological and Clinical Findings of Two-Stage Revision Arthroplasty Performed Due to Prosthetic Joint Infection.

BACKGROUND: Two-stage revision arthroplasty remains the main surgical strategy for the treatment of prosthetic joint infections (PJI). Sonicate fluid culture has improved sensitivity compared to standard periprosthetic tissue culture, but its usefulness is questionable during the second stage of revision arthroplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with prosthetic joint infection were investigated. Tissue and sonicate fluid cultures were examined to detect bacteria on the removed spacer during the second stage of exchange arthroplasty. Microbiological findings were analyzed and patients were assessed within an average of 5 years follow up. RESULTS: Tissue cultures in second-stage revision arthroplasties were positive in 6/27 cases (22.2%) growing CNS in 4 cases (14.8%), Staphylococcus aureus in 1 case (3.7%), and Enterococcus faecalis in 1 case (3.7%). In 3 cases (11.1%) infection was identified as a result of a sonication procedure. Clinical failures at final follow-up were recorded in 4 (14.8%) patients, with reinfection noted in 3 of them. Arthrodesis and spacer exchange followed by suppressive antibiotic therapy were performed in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Tissue cultures remain the gold standard in diagnosis of PIJ although a negative culture does not rule out the presence of bacteria on spacers removed during second stage revision for PJI. 2. Sonication appears to have limited ability to detect persistent infection before reimplantation and was not associated with recurrent infection; however, it can be considered a complementary method that could make it possible to identify new microorganisms and facilitate the selection of appropriate treatment options. 3. The positive results of sonication should be interpreted as the detection of actual pathogens in the light of the clinical, microbiological and histopathological data, especially for patients with immunodeficiency.

Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty in Osteoarthritis Evaluation of the Results.

BACKGROUND: The aging structure of society results in a growing need for treatment of shoulder osteoarthritis. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has been developed to improve the motor function and strength of the shoulder joint without increasing the risk of dislocation. The aim of the study was to assess the change in quality of life and functional assessment of the shoulder joint after RSA in patients with osteoarthritis, based on the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) and an assessment of joint mobility parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 10 patients were admitted to our centre for shoulder arthroplasty between August 2020 and October 2021. The assessment of the degenerative changes was based on the Walch classification and the Samelson & Prieto classification. The OSS questionnaire was used to assess function of the affected shoulder joint and pain in each patient. The range of motion in the shoulder joint was assessed in the pre- and postoperative period. A follow-up examination was performed approximately 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Analysis of the OSS scores revealed a mean value of 46 points preoperatively and 25 points postoperatively. The OSS scores six months after the procedure were an average of 20.5 points lower. A statistically significant improvement was noted in shoulder flexion (mean 37), abduction (42), external rotation (34), and internal rotation (5)(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Each patient reported reduced pain and demonstrated an increased range of motion in the affected shoulder joint and functional improvement.

The electromyographic activity characteristics of the gluteus medius muscle before and after total hip arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: The clinical outcomes of total hip arthroplasty are influenced by the correct muscle function that determines good, longterm and proper function of the artificial joint. The aim of the study was to analyze the electromyographic activity of the gluteus medius muscle in patients with hip osteoarthritis and after arthroplasty in various static weight bearing conditions, both on the affected and contralateral side. METHODS: The prospective study involved 70 patients qualified for hip replacement. Patients underwent a surface electromyography of the gluteus medius muscle which involved the Trendelenburg test. The normalized results were obtained for both hips, preoperatively and 6 months after arthroplasty. RESULTS: The only muscle activity differences were found at a full load condition of lower limb. In the preoperative assessment, the activity of the gluteus medius muscle was greater on the side qualified for surgery. After arthroplasty and the rehabilitation period, the muscle activity on the operated side decreased and significantly increased on the contralateral side. Detailed analysis of the contralateral side revealed relationship with osteoarthritis. Previous hip arthroplasty of that side resulted in lower muscle activity, similar to fully functional joints. CONCLUSION: The activity characteristics of the gluteus medius muscle vary depending on the condition of the joint, and the characteristics change as a result of the surgical procedure performed on both the operated and contralateral sides. These dependencies should be taken into account in the rehabilitation process, especially at the side opposite to the operated one.

Identification of Asymptomatic Prosthetic Joint Infection: Microbiologic and Operative Treatment Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: This prospective study investigated the role of mechanical and biological factors in aseptic implant loosening or presumed silent prosthetic joint infection (PJI). METHODS: Thirty-seven patients were investigated. Microbiologic and molecular methods were used to detect bacteria on the surface of the failed implants removed during revision arthroplasty. Histopathologic analysis was performed. The influence of body mass index (BMI) and various co-morbidities on implant failure also was determined. RESULTS: The results of sonicated fluid cultures were positive for bacteria in 29.7% and the results of intra-operative tissue and joint liquid cultures in 18.9% and 16.2%, respectively. Molecular detection with 16S rRNA sequencing revealed a large variety of bacteria. The most frequent organism was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS). The outcomes of histopathologic tests of peri-prosthetic tissue showed evidence of the infection type in all culture-positive joints and in 41.4% of the cases with negative culture results. Overweight status or obesity was present in 82.8% of the culture-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study proved the presence of micro-organisms on the surface of implants in both aseptic and presumed PJI cases. Inclusion of the sonication procedure in the diagnostic algorithm increased the ability to identify the pathogen. The results of our study suggest the co-existing roles of BMI and the time to implant loosening as well as biological agents in causing prosthesis loosening.

Comparison of cultures and 16S rRNA sequencing for identification of bacteria in two-stage revision arthroplasties: preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: The use of a prefabricated spacer in two-stage revision arthroplasty remains one of the few surgery strategies for infected-joint arthroplasty treatment, despite the many unidentified microorganisms in the infected joint replacements reported in some recent studies. The aim of this prospective survey was to investigate if the sonication followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can improve bacterial identification on the surfaces of prefabricated spacers and if the systemic laboratory mediators of infection and positive microbiological results can take a role of predictive factors of infection and clinical failures in 2-years follow-up. METHODS: Thirteen patients with prosthetic joint infection were investigated. Bacterial culture and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing were used to detect bacteria on the surface of prefabricated spacers removed during the second stage of revision arthroplasty. The results of pre- and intraoperative culture and DNA sequencing were compared. Minimum follow-up was 2 years. RESULTS: The result of tissue cultures in second-stage revision arthroplasties revealed positive results in 15 % of patients with Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS) growth. Bacterial DNA was found in over 90 % of patients with negative synovial fluid culture. Positive PCR results revealed potential pathogenic bacteria and species of human and environmental microflora with low virulence. Clinical failures at final follow-up were recorded in 2 (16.6 %) patients. CONCLUSION: The lack of clinical signs of infection, negative culture of preoperative joint aspirate, and intraoperative specimens do not exclude the presence of bacteria on the surfaces of spacers. The positive results of sonication and molecular tests should be interpreted as real pathogenicity factors in the light of the clinical and laboratory data, especially for patients with immunodeficiency. We confirmed our previous results that sonication followed by PCR and sequencing improved bacterial identification.

Identification of silent prosthetic joint infection: preliminary report of a prospective controlled study.

PURPOSE: We will test the hypothesis that ultrasound supported by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) could improve bacterial identification in non-infected prosthetic joint loosening. The aim was to detect bacterial species in non-infected prosthetic joint loosening using ultrasound and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. METHODS: A total of 16 patients (11 women and five men) aged 46-80 years (mean age 65.7) with diagnosed knee or hip implant loosening (mean implant survival of 102.1 months) were investigated. Bacterial culture and DNA sequencing were used to detect bacteria on the surface of failed implants removed during revision arthroplasty. The results of pre- and intraoperative culture and DNA sequencing were compared. Histopathological analysis was also performed. RESULTS: The number of positive cultures rises with a higher level of C-reactive protein (CRP). The results of the cultures from synovial fluid obtained through joint aspiration were consistent with sonicates from components of prostheses in 12 cases (75%). Bacterial DNA was found in 90% of patients with negative synovial fluid culture. PCR revealed two or more bacterial species, often of the same genus: Ralstonia pickettii, Pseudomonas spp., Brevibacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp., Propionibacterium spp. and Staphylococcus spp.These are micro-organisms present in the environment or on the human body and often associated with compromised immunity. CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasound procedure followed by PCR and sequencing improve bacterial identification in silent prosthetic joint infection. The lack of clinical signs of infection and negative preoperative and intraoperative cultures do not exclude the presence of micro-organisms on the implants.

Treatment of excessive bone loss from both crus bones with internal bone transport using an intramedullary nail. Case report.

We present a case report of a 16-year-old patient who suffered multisite and multiorgan injuries following a road accident. The most prominent musculoskeletal problem was a bilateral crush injury of the crus in combination with open fractures. The aim of this study is to present the possibilities and available methods of treatment of patients with extensive posttraumatic and postinflammatory bone loss of the lower limbs that make it possible to avoid amputation. We used intramedullary nailing and internal bone transport to reconstruct continuity and leg length of both crus bones. The treatment was complicated by poor vascularity and emerging complications. After several months and multi-stage treatment the patient was able to walk with full weight-bearing without crutches. Importantly, the patient is satisfied with the outcome of the treatment and does not consider herself disabled. The study presents our approach to the dilemma of choosing between prolonged reconstruction surgery and amputation as a final method.

Neglected, developmental hip dislocation treated with external iliofemoral distraction, open reduction, and pelvic osteotomy.

Between 1995 and 2003, we operated upon 18 children with 20 hips involved, aged 5-11 years (average: 7.5 years) suffering from an inveterate high developmental dislocation of the hip joint. An average follow-up period of our middle-term study was 51 months (range: 34-96 months). A two-staged management was applied. First, femoral head was lowered back to the level of acetabulum with an external fixator or a distractor device. The second stage involved open reduction combined with pelvic osteotomy and, in four cases with femoral derotation osteotomy. We noted two cases of avascular necrosis. Equal limb length was achieved in 15 cases. There were two cases of 0.5-cm length discrepancy, two cases of 1-cm length inequalities, and one case of 5-cm limb shortening. We endorse this method in neglected cases of previously untreated unilateral high developmental hip dislocations in children aged 8-10 years. It results in a usable hip joint without the need of femoral shaft shortening and facilitates future joint replacement.