Classification and Incidence of Heterotopic Ossifications in Relation to NSAID Prophylaxis after Elbow Trauma.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) after elbow trauma can be responsible for significant motion restrictions. The study's primary aim was to develop a new X-ray-based classification for HO of the elbow. This retrospective study analyzed elbow injury radiographs from 138 patients aged 6-85 years (mean 45.9 ± 18) who underwent operative treatment. The new classification was applied at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively. The severity of HO was graded from 0 to 4 and localization was defined as r (radial), p (posterior), u (ulnar) or a (anterior) by two observers. The patients were categorized based on injury location and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for HO prophylaxis. The correlations between the generated data sets were analyzed using Chi-square tests (χ2) with a significance level of p < 0.05. The inter- and intraobserver reliability was assessed using Cohen's Kappa. In 50.7% of the evaluated X-rays, the formation of HO could be detected after 12 weeks, and in 60% after 6 months. The analysis showed a significant correlation between the injury's location and the HO's location after 12 weeks (p = 0.003). The use of an NSAID prophylaxis did not show a significant correlation with the severity of HO. The classification showed nearly perfect inter- (κ = 0.951, p < 0.001) and intrareliability (κ = 0.946, p < 0.001) according to the criteria of Landis and Koch. Based on the presented classification, the dimension and localization of HO in the X-ray image can be described in more detail compared to previously established classifications and, thus, can increase the comparability of results across studies.

Prevalence of cauliflower ear in high level judoka.

Judo is an Olympic sport, and the way of its performing can lead to repetitive blunt injuries on head and ears. The chronic consequences of such traumata on the auricle are the formation of so-called cauliflower ear. This condition is painful, can lead to interruptions in the training process and long-term consequences for the athlete's health. There is limited knowledge of epidemiological data about cauliflower ear deformities in judo. Evaluation of the prevalence of cauliflower ear among judokas based on their profile pictures on the international judo federation was performed. A large cohort of judo athletes from around the world was studied. Two different classifications for the severity of ear deformities were used. Statistical calculations of the collected data and correlations to different parameters were performed. Images of 1632 top athletes were evaluated in the study. Ear deformities were found in 55.5% of the judokas. There was gender-specific differences. Male athletes were affected much more often than female athletes. In addition, ear deformities were more pronounced in male athletes. A correlation was found between the age of the athletes and the presence of an ear deformity. It has also been shown that judokas with a high world ranking are more likely to have an ear deformity. Ear deformities are a common consequence of injury among leading judo athletes. The current study represents the largest and high heterogeny cohort ever conducted on the prevalence of cauliflower ear in judoka. Knowledge of the prevalence of cauliflower ear in judoka based on reliable data from this study, may be important prerequisites for further studies on the impact of this traumatic consequence on training preparation and judoka health.

Increase in Bone Mass Before Onset of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Rats.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The typical insulin deficiency in type 1 diabetes mellitus has general effects on metabolism and also affects bone quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two diabetic rat lines (BB/OK; BB.6KWR) and two non-diabetic rat strains (KWR and BB.14+18KWR), as control group, were included in the study. Bone mineral density, bone mineral content and body structure measurements were performed. The measurements took place before the onset of diabetes mellitus Results: A comparison of the groups showed increased bone density values of the diabetic rats in relation to the control groups. A new finding of increased bone density in the diabetic rats occurs. CONCLUSION: Diabetic rats showed no osteoporotic bone metabolism before the onset of clinically relevant type 1 diabetes mellitus, but rather increased bone metabolic activity.

The neck-shaft angle: an update on reference values and associated factors.

Background and purpose - The neck-shaft angle (NSA) is valuable for diagnostics and therapy of the hip, but current reference values derive mostly from studies on anatomic specimens, small cohorts, or are hospital-based. Moreover, associated factors such as age, sex, or anthropometric data have rarely been considered. Therefore, we determined associated factors for NSA and reassessed the historical reference values in a general adult population.Methods - NSAs on both sides of 3,226 volunteers from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) were measured with MRI. SHIP drew a representative sample of the population of Pomerania (northeastern Germany). NSAs were compared with sex, age, and anthropometric data by bivariable linear regression models. Reference values were assessed by quantile regressions for 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles.Results - The mean NSA was 127° (SD 7), while men had a lower NSA than women (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.4°-1.4°). The reference range was 114°-140°. Age was inversely associated with NSA (CI -0.2 to -0.1). Body height was positively associated with the NSA, while BMI and waist circumference showed a negative association. There was no association between body weight and NSA.Interpretation - The historical lower limit of 120° might be too high, so the radiological prevalence of hip pathology might have been overestimated. The previously reported influence of age, sex, and body height on the NSA has been confirmed.