Outcomes of interlaminar and transforminal spinal injections.

Epidural spinal injections can be administered via a translaminar or transforaminal route, depending on the clinical scenario. When it is more desirable to target a specific nerve root, a transforaminal approach is typically used, and when the target is more diffuse, a translaminar method is chosen. Both are commonly used and can be utilized similarly in the lumbar or cervical spine. However, it is essential that the clinician understand the risks and benefits of these injections. In the lumbar spine, both translaminar epidural steroid injections (TLESI) and transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI) have been shown to provide up to 6 months of pain relief, though long-term benefits are less reliable. In the cervical spine, translaminar injections may provide longer relief and have a lower complication rate than cervical transforaminal injections. Proper technique is essential to minimize the rate of these rare but occasionally severe complications.

Comparison of surgical outcomes and implant wear between ceramic-ceramic and ceramic-polyethylene articulations in total hip arthroplasty.

The results of a prospective multicenter trial comparing 357 hips randomized to total hip arthroplasty with either ceramic-ceramic or ceramic-polyethylene couplings are presented. No statistically significant difference in clinical outcomes scores between the ceramic-ceramic and ceramic-polyethylene groups was observed at any time interval. The mean linear rate was statistically lower (P < .001) in the ceramic-ceramic group (30.5 µm/year) when compared with the ceramic-polyethylene group (218.2 µm/year). The rates of ceramic implant fracture (2.6%) and audible component-related noise (3.1%) were statistically higher in the ceramic-ceramic group when compared with the ceramic-polyethylene group (P < .05). Lastly, there was no statistically significant difference in the dislocation or revision rate between the groups at the time of last clinical follow-up.

Effect of a perioperative intra-articular injection on pain control and early range of motion following bilateral TKA.

Pain control after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is integral in the immediate postoperative period for early rehabilitation. Numerous different methods of postoperative analgesia are available, but each has its own risk of adverse side effects. This study was performed to prospectively evaluate the benefits of an intra-articular analgesic injection in patients undergoing bilateral TKA.Thirty consecutive patients undergoing bilateral TKA were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, controlled study. Each patient was randomized to receive (1) a perioperative intra-articular mixture of morphine, bupivacaine with epinephrine, and ketorolac in 1 knee, and (2) injectable sterile saline in the contralateral knee. Each patient acted as his or her own internal control. The pharmacologically injected knee had statistically significantly less pain immediately postoperatively when compared to the control knee and displayed significantly increased range of motion within the first week of rehabilitation.The use of an intraoperative intra-articular injection with the above drug combination significantly reduces patient pain and increases postoperative mobility with no apparent risks following bilateral TKA.

Fracture of fully coated echelon femoral stems in revision total hip arthroplasty.

Three cases of fractured uncemented, fully porous Echelon femoral stems (Smith & Nephew, Memphis, Tenn) are examined. Fracture of these components, an uncommon complication of revision hip surgery, is thought to result from cantilever bending after distal bony ingrowth. The stems in these cases fractured at 11, 22, and 28 months after revision surgery. Risk factors include increased body weight, excessive activity, an undersized stem, varus alignment, inadequate proximal femoral bone stock, and metallurgic defects. Extraction can be difficult and is often accomplished with the use of multiple trephines or via tamping through a distal cortical window.

The effect of repair of the lacertus fibrosus on distal biceps tendon repairs: a biomechanical, functional, and anatomic study.

BACKGROUND: To date, repair of the lacertus in distal biceps tendon ruptures, recommended by some, has not been evaluated. The goal of these biomechanical experiments was to evaluate the degree to which its repair increases the strength of a distal biceps tendon repair. HYPOTHESIS: An intact or repaired lacertus fibrosus will increase the strength of a distal biceps tendon repair. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Four matched pairs of fresh-frozen human cadaveric upper extremities were prepared by isolating the lacertus fibrosus and the distal biceps tendon. The extremity was placed in a custom-built rig with the distal biceps brachii clamped and affixed to a stepper motor assembly. The distal biceps tendon was sharply removed directly from the radial tuberosity and repaired through a bony tunnel in all specimens. One side of each pair was randomized to also receive repair of the lacertus. The specimens were pulled at a constant rate until failure. RESULTS: The mean failure strength, defined as maximal strength to 15 mm of displacement, was higher in specimens with a repaired lacertus (250.2 N vs 158.2 N; P =.012), as was mean maximum strength (256.8 N v. 164.5 N; P =.0058). Mean stiffness was not significantly different (16.36 N/mm vs 13.8 N/mm; P =.58). All specimens failed due to fracture at the bony bridge. CONCLUSION: Repair of the lacertus strengthened distal biceps tendon repair in a controlled laboratory setting. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Repair of the lacertus fibrosus as an adjunct to distal biceps tendon repair strengthens the repair in the laboratory setting. Clinical testing is needed to verify that this increased strength improves clinical results. Surgeons should be cautioned to protect the underlying neurovascular structures during repair of the lacertus fibrosus and to avoid an overly tight repair.

The limbus and the neolimbus in developmental dysplasia of the hip.

UNLABELLED: The limbus and the neolimbus are both pathological lesions that form in response to a developmentally dislocated hip. An understanding of these structures is integral to treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Yet, we believe the current peer-reviewed orthopaedic literature and orthopaedic textbooks commonly fail to correctly use or define these terms. The neolimbus is best defined as a hypertrophied ridge of fibrocartilage in the superolateral region of the acetabulum caused by pressure from the dislocated hip on this region. The limbus is the labrum that is hypertrophied with fibrous and fibrocartilaginous overgrowth, and is a potential block to concentric reduction of a dysplastic hip. We review the early and current literature in an attempt to clarify the use of the terms limbus and neolimbus and provide an overview of the importance and treatment of these abnormal structures associated with DDH. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Orthopaedic management of the patient with osteopetrosis.

Osteopetrosis is a sclerosing bone dysplasia characterized by hard, brittle bone secondary to dysfunctional osteoclast resorption. The three main forms are malignant autosomal recessive, intermediate autosomal recessive, and benign autosomal recessive. These various clinical manifestations ultimately are caused by genetic mutations affecting acidification of Howship's lacuna. Common radiographic features include a generalized sclerosis, rugger jersey spine, and endobone formation. Medical problems include cranial nerve palsies and pancytopenia. Because cortical and cancellous bone thickness is increased, medullary canals and cranial nerve foramina are overgrown with bone. Patients typically present with such orthopaedic problems as frequent fractures, coxa vara, osteoarthritis, and osteomyelitis. Management with open reduction and internal fixation and with intramedullary fixation of fractures is difficult but possible. Reported results of total hip and total knee arthroplasties are excellent.

Bilateral core decompression for osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

UNLABELLED: Early treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head yields better results than late treatment. Because osteonecrosis frequently is bilateral, it often is advisable to treat both hips simultaneously. Core decompression is one of the more common methods of treatment; however the safety of doing simultaneous bilateral core decompression has been questioned. We sought to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of simultaneous bilateral core decompression compared with unilateral core decompression. One hundred ninety-three patients (276 hips) who had core decompression with bone grafting were followed up for 24 to 145 months. One hundred twenty-four procedures were unilateral and 152 were bilateral. Patients were evaluated by change in Harris hip score, radiographic progression, postoperative complications, and conversion to total hip arthroplasty. Total hip arthroplasty was required in 56 of 124 (45%) of hips in the unilateral, and 48 of 152 (32%) of hips in the bilateral group. Postoperative complications were similar. In the unilateral group there were two major and nine minor complications; in the bilateral group there were three major and 10 minor complications. When bilateral core decompression is indicated, it can be done simultaneously on both hips, allowing earlier treatment of the contralateral hip without risk of increased complications and possibly with a better outcome. It requires only one hospitalization and decreases recovery time compared with two separate procedures. Therefore, it provides advantages over procedures that cannot be done simultaneously on both hips. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series-no common or historical control group). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Congenital formation of an intraspinal osseous vertebral ring causing spinal cord compression.

STUDY DESIGN: A unique case of the congenital formation of an intraspinal osseous vertebral ring causing spinal cord compression is reported. OBJECTIVES: To our knowledge, such an osseous ring has not yet been described. The authors detail the clinical presentation, imaging, and treatment of the intraspinal osseous ring. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are two traditional categories of congenital vertebral anomalies, that of failure of formation and of segmentation. The authors propose that this ring may not fit into either of these categories and may represent a new category of failure of migration. METHODS AND RESULTS: Surgical decompression using a costotransversectomy approach was performed. Adequate decompression the spinal cord was achieved. Anterior and posterior fusions with instrumentation were used to stabilize the spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS: An intraspinal osseous vertebral ring is a unique anomaly that, to our knowledge, has not been reported to date. The authors discuss the pathology, imaging, and treatment of this unique condition.