Changes in Health-Related Quality of Life by Patient Education and Rehabilitation Based on a Behavior Change Program in Knee Osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine how rehabilitation and patient education for knee osteoarthritis improves health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and to identify factors influencing HRQOL. METHODS: Between May 2020 and March 2022, 30 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were treated conservatively and rehabilitated with a patient education program. The patient education program was based on the health belief model by Sedlak et al., and patient education using pamphlets was provided during the rehabilitation intervention. The survey items were patient basic information, instrumental activities of daily living (ADL) (FAI), fear of falling (FES), degree of depression (GDS), HRQOL (SF-8), knee function assessment (JOA score), and X-ray classification (K-L classification), and the survey method was a self-administered questionnaire at the start of rehabilitation, 1 month after the intervention, and at the end of the rehabilitation intervention. We examined factors affecting the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of HRQOL scores. RESULTS: JOA score, FES, FAI, GDS, and SF-8 improved significantly (p<0.01). MCS was also negatively correlated with FES and age (r=-0.486, -0.368). Sex was extracted as a factor for PCS as a factor affecting HRQOL (p<0.01). MCS was extracted with FES as a factor (p=0.046). CONCLUSION: A rehabilitation intervention incorporating patient education in osteoarthritis of the knee showed improvement in HRQOL and may be useful for improving depression, fear of falling, and instrumental ADL.

Therapeutic potential of dedifferentiated fat cells in a rat model of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Introduction: Mature adipocyte-derived dedifferentiated fat cells (DFATs) represent a subtype of multipotent cells that exhibit comparable phenotypic and functional characteristics to adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). In this study, we assessed the chondroprotective properties of intra-articularly administrated DFATs in a rat model of osteoarthritis (OA). We also investigated in vitro the expression of anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective genes in DFATs prepared from the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) and subcutaneous adipose-tissue (SC) of human origin. Methods: In the cell transplantation experiment, rats were assigned to the DFAT and Control group (n = 10 in each group) and underwent anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) accompanied by medial meniscus resection (MMx) to induce OA. One week later, they received intra-articular injections of 1 × 106 DFATs (DFAT group) or PBS (control group) four times, with a weekly administration frequency. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluations were conducted five weeks post-surgery. In the in vitro experiments. DFATs derived from the IFP (IFP-DFATs) and SC (SC-DFATs) were prepared from donor-matched tissue samples (n = 3). The gene expression of PTGS2, TNFAIP6, PRG4, BMP2, and BMP6 under TNF-α or IFN-γ stimulation in these cells was evaluated using RT-PCR. Furthermore, the effect of co-culturing synovial fibroblasts with DFATs on the gene expression of ADAMTS4 and IL-6 were evaluated. Results: Intra-articular injections of DFATs significantly inhibited cartilage degeneration in the rat OA model induced by ACLT and MMx. RT-PCR analysis revealed that both IFP-DFATs and SC-DFATs upregulated the expression of genes involved in immune regulation, anti-inflammation, and cartilage protection such as PTGS2, TNFAIP6, and BMP2, under stimulation by inflammatory cytokines. Co-culture with DFATs suppressed the expression of ADAMTS4 and IL6 in synovial fibroblasts. Conclusions: The intra-articular injection of DFATs resulted in chondroprotective effects in the rat OA model. Both SC-DFATs and IFP-DFATs induced the expression of anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective genes in vitro. These results indicate that DFATs appear to possess therapeutic potential in inhibiting cartilage degradation and could serve as a promising cellular resource for OA treatment.

Evaluation of the Angle Between the Long Axis of the Femoral Anterior Cruciate Ligament Footprint and Bony Morphology of the Knee: A Cadaveric Descriptive Study.

Purpose: There have been numerous studies of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) anatomy, but few have focused on the long axis angle of the femoral ACL footprint. This study investigated the angle between the long axis of the femoral ACL footprint and the bony morphology of the knee. Methods: This study is a cadaveric descriptive study. Thirty non-paired formalin-fixed knees of Japanese cadavers were used. Anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles were identified according to the tension pattern differences during the complete range of motion of the knee. In the ACL femoral footprint, there is a fold between the mid-substance insertion site and fan-like extension fibers. After identifying AM and PL bundles of mid-substance fibers, the mid-substance and fan-like extension fibers were divided into those bundles and stained. We defined the line passing through the center of the AM and PL bundles as the long axis of the ACL. The center points of each of the four areas and the angle between the long axis of the ACL and the bony morphology of the knee were calculated using Image J software. Results: The mean angle between the axis of the femoral shaft and the long axis of the ACL mid-substance insertion was 28.8 ± 12.2 degrees. The mean angle between the Blumensaat line and the long axis of the mid-substance was 54.2 ± 13.5 degrees. Conclusion: The mean angle between the axis of the femoral shaft and the long axis of the femoral ACL footprint was approximately 29 degrees. There is a wide variation in the long axis of the femoral ACL footprint. To achieve better clinical results through a more anatomically accurate reconstruction, it can be beneficial to replicate the ACL femoral footprint along its native long axis.

Femoral Tunnel Position in Anatomical Double-bundle ACL Reconstruction is not Affected by Blumensaat's Line Morphology.

The aim of this study was to reveal the influence of the morphological variations of the Blumensaat's line on anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) femoral tunnel position in anatomical double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.Fifty-three subjects undergoing anatomical double-bundle ACL reconstruction were included (29 female, 24 male; median age 27.4 years; range: 14-50 years). Using an inside-out transportal technique, the PL tunnel position was made on a line drawn vertically from the bottommost point of the lateral condyle at 90 degrees of knee flexion, spanning a distance of 5 to 8 mm, to the edge of the joint cartilage. AM tunnel position was made 2 mm distal to the PL tunnel position. Following Iriuchishima's classification, the morphology of the Blumensaat's line was classified into straight and hill (large and small) types. Femoral tunnel position was determined using the quadrant method. A Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare straight and hill type knees according to AM and PL femoral tunnel position.There were 18 straight and 35 hill type knees (13 small and 22 large hill). AM and PL femoral tunnel position in straight type knees were 21.7 ± 7.0 and 33.6 ± 10.5% in the shallow-deep direction, and 42.1 ± 11.1 and 72.1 ± 8.5% in the high-low direction, respectively. In hill type knees, AM and PL femoral tunnel position were 21.3 ± 5.8 and 36.9 ± 7.1% in the shallow-deep direction, and 44.6 ± 10.7 and 72.1 ± 9.7% in the high-low direction, respectively. No significant difference in AM or PL femoral tunnel position was detected between straight and hill type knees.AM and PL femoral tunnel position in anatomical double-bundle ACL reconstruction was not affected by the morphological variations of the Blumensaat's line. Surgeons do not need to consider Blumensaat's line morphology if AM and PL femoral tunnel position is targeted at the bottommost point of the lateral condyle. This was a level of evidence III study.

Bony mallet toe of the hallux treated with screws: a case report.

Traumatic avulsion fracture of the distal phalanx of the hallux, known as the bony mallet toe of the hallux, is rare, and there is no consensus regarding its treatment. Few reports of treatment methods exist, such as nonsurgical treatment using a splint, Kirschner wires, and suture anchors, but there are no reports of screw fixation. We describe the case of a 54-year-old man with a bony mallet toe of the hallux treated with screws and augmented with strong sutures. The interphalangeal joint of the hallux was fixed with a Kirschner wire for 4 weeks after surgery, and weight bearing was allowed on the hallux 5 weeks postoperatively. A total of 20 months after the surgery, the patient had no symptoms or complications. Because of screw fixation and augmentation with strong sutures, fixation strength increased. We showed the feasibility of this new technique for treating an uncommon bony mallet toe of the hallux.

The anteroposterior distance between the posterior edge of the medial tibial condyle and the posterior edge of the fibular head in the lateral view can be a reference in determining the axis perpendicular to the tibial anteroposterior axis.

BACKGROUND: Obtaining an accurate tibial lateral view is important during high tibial osteotomy. This study investigated whether the posterior edge of the medial/lateral tibial condyle (PEMTC/PELTC) and the posterior edge of the fibular head (PEFH) in a lateral view could be a reference for determining the accurate tibial lateral view. METHODS: A total of 75 lower limbs in 38 subjects were evaluated in this study. In order to target healthy knees, subjects undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty were selected. The MF/LF, comprising the anteroposterior distance between PEMTC/PELTC and PEFH, was measured on the lateral view of the tibial bone model based on the tibial anteroposterior (AP) axis (true lateral view: TLV). In addition, measurements were calculated in the model with a 10° external/internal rotation. Using these measurements, linear regression analysis was performed to predict the tibial rotation with MF/LF. RESULTS: The mean MF/LF was 0.9/4.6 mm (P < 0.001). MF and LF increased with incremental tibial rotation. Regression formulas were derived from these results as follows: Tibial rotation = (1) -1.01 + 1.06 × MF (R2 = 0.87, P < 0.001), (2) -8.70 + 1.86 × LF (R2 = 0.51, P < 0.001). The mean tibial rotation angle when MF was 0 mm was -0.9°. CONCLUSIONS: Based on formula (1) and actual measurements, the mean tibial rotation angle when MF is 0 mm is an internal rotation of about 1°. Therefore, a lateral view, in which PEMTC and PEFH are seen colinearly, can be the approximate TLV. The MF can be a suitable intraoperative reference in determining TLV.

Femoral Tunnel Length in Anatomical Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Is Correlated with Body Size and Knee Morphology.

The purpose of this study was to reveal the correlation between anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) femoral tunnel lengths in anatomical double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and body size and knee morphology. Thirty-four subjects undergoing anatomical double-bundle ACL reconstruction were included in this study. Preoperative body size (height, body weight, and body mass index) was measured. Using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), quadriceps tendon thickness and the whole anterior-posterior length of the knee were measured. Using postoperative computed tomography (CT), axial and sagittal views of the femoral condyle were evaluated. The correlation between measured intraoperative AM and PL femoral tunnel lengths, and body size and knee morphology using preoperative MRI and postoperative CT parameters was statistically analyzed. Both AM and PL femoral tunnel lengths were significantly correlated with height, body weight, posterior condylar length, and Blumensaat's line length. These results suggest that the femoral ACL tunnel length created using a transportal technique can be estimated preoperatively by measuring the subject's body size and/or the knee morphology using MRI or CT. For clinical relevance, surgeons should be careful to create femoral tunnel of sufficient length when using a transportal technique, especially in knees of subjects with smaller body size and knee morphology. Level of evidence is III.

Impact of Preoperative Motor Status for the Positive Predictive Value of Transcranial Motor-Evoked Potentials Alerts in Thoracic Spine Surgery: A Prospective Multicenter Study by the Monitoring Committee of the Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective multicenter study. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the validity of transcranial motor-evoked potentials (Tc-MEP) in thoracic spine surgery and evaluate the impact of specific factors associated with positive predictive value (PPV). METHODS: One thousand hundred and fifty-six cases of thoracic spine surgeries were examined by comparing patient backgrounds, disease type, preoperative motor status, and Tc-MEP alert timing. Tc-MEP alerts were defined as an amplitude decrease of more than 70% from the baseline waveform. Factors were compared according to preoperative motor status and the result of Tc-MEP alerts. Factors that showed significant differences were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Overall sensitivity was 91.9% and specificity was 88.4%. The PPV was significantly higher in the preoperative motor deficits group than in the preoperative no-motor deficits group for both high-risk (60.3% vs 38.3%) and non-high-risk surgery groups (35.1% vs 12.8%). In multivariate logistic analysis, the significant factors associated with true positive were surgical maneuvers related to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (odds ratio = 11.88; 95% CI: 3.17-44.55), resection of intradural intramedullary spinal cord tumor (odds ratio = 8.83; 95% CI: 2.89-27), preoperative motor deficit (odds ratio = 3.46; 95% CI: 1.64-7.3) and resection of intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumor (odds ratio = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.16-7.8). The significant factor associated with false positive was non-attributable alerts (odds ratio = .28; 95% CI: .09-.85). CONCLUSION: Surgeons are strongly encouraged to use Tc-MEP in patients with preoperative motor deficits, regardless of whether they are undergoing high-risk spine surgery or not. Knowledge of PPV characteristics will greatly assist in effective Tc-MEP enforcement and minimize neurological complications with appropriate interventions.

RASopathies and spinal deformities for screening of scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: The RASopathies (Noonan syndrome [NS] and Costello syndrome [CS]) are rare disorders. Although these have been characterized, precise delineation of the differences in the spinal deformities associated with RASopathy has not been described. This study characterized the spinal deformities found in NS and CS and describes a strategy for the screening of scoliosis. METHODS: The clinical records and spinal X-rays of 35 consecutive NS and CS patients were reviewed. Spinal X-rays were assessed to define the presence and progression of scoliosis. Clinical records were examined to identify the risk factors associated with scoliosis. In addition, we investigated the association between clinical records and scoliosis using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients with NS and 11 with CS were included. Nine patients with NS and five with CS showed scoliosis. The mean ± SD age at diagnosis was 12.6 ± 2.4 years in NS and 11.4 ± 2.5 years in CS (p = 0.55), and mean follow-up period was 4.8 ± 2.6 years and 6.3 ± 2.4 years (p = 0.42), respectively. The coronal angular deformity at final follow-up was 27.3 ± 8.5° in NS and 19.4 ± 6.9° in CS (p = 0.030) with a mean annual progression of 2.8 ± 1.1° in NS 1.0 ± 1.0° in CS (p = 0.030). Cardiac disease was present in eight out of nine patients with NS with concomitant scoliosis in NS, and significantly more than in CS (p = 0.007). PTPN11 significantly correlated with scoliosis (odds ratio 12.4 0.035, 95% confidence interval: 1.20-128.00). CONCLUSIONS: Spinal deformity in NS is more severe than in CS. This study identified a relationship between PTPN11 and scoliosis. Therefore, PTPN11 can be used for the screening of scoliosis.

Preoperative Scoring System for Prediction of Early Adjacent Vertebral Body Fracture After Balloon Kyphoplasty Using X-Rays Taken in a Non-Weight-Bearing Position.

BACKGROUND: Prevention of adjacent vertebral body fracture (AVF) following balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) is a key challenge. The objective of this study was to develop a scoring system that could be more extensively and effectively used to determine the surgical indications for BKP. METHODS: The study involved 101 patients aged 60 years or older who had undergone BKP. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for early AVF within 2 months following BKP. Scoring was based on the odds ratio for risk factors, and cut-off values were determined from the receiver operating characteristics curve. The correlation between the total scores and the incidence of early AVF, and the area under the curve for the logistic regression model predicting early AVF using the scoring system were investigated. RESULTS: 29 cases (28.7%) experienced early AVF after BKP. The scoring system was created as follows: 1) age (<75 years: 0 points (P), ≥75 years: 1P), 2) number of previous vertebral fractures (0: 0P, 1 or more: 2P), and 3) local kyphosis (<7°: 0P, ≥7°: 1P). The total scores were found to be positively correlated with the incidence of early AVF (r = 0.976, P = 0.004). The area under the curve of the scoring system for predicting early AVF was 0.796. The incidence of early AVF was 4.2% at ≤1P and 44.3% at ≥2P (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A scoring system which can be applied to a broader patient population was developed. In cases where the total score is 2P or more, alternatives to BKP should be considered.

The Relationship Between Global Sagittal Balance and the Incidence of Early Adjacent Vertebral Fractures Following Balloon Kyphoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Recently, it is widely known that global sagittal balance (GSB) influences the postoperative outcome of the spine. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between GSB and the incidence of early adjacent vertebral fracture (AVF) following balloon kyphoplasty (BKP). METHODS: This study included 96 patients (19 males, 77 females, mean age 77.4 ± 5.5 years) who underwent BKP for osteoporotic vertebral fracture and who were over 60-years-old. We investigated the effect of GSB on early AVF within 2 months after surgery. Of the 96 patients, 76 patients (16 males, 60 females, mean age 77.0 ± 5.4) underwent BKP at the thoracolumbar junction (T11-L2) and were investigated independently. After the two-group comparison, logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: During the observation period (18.3 ± 14.7 months), 27 of 96 patients (28.1%) suffered AVF after BKP, and 24 of 96 patients (25.0%) suffered early AVF. In the logistic regression analysis, spinopelvic parameters were not detected as significant risk factors. In cases of BKP at the thoracolumbar junction (T11-L2), 24 of 76 patients (31.6%) suffered AVF after BKP during the observation period (15.3 ± 19.5 months), and 21 of 76 patients (27.6%) suffered early AVF. Logistic regression analysis detected pelvic tilt (PT): odds ratio 1.087 (P = 0.046∗) and local kyphosis: 1.147 (P = 0.003∗) as risk factors for early AVF. The cutoff value was PT≥29° from the receiver operating characteristics curve. CONCLUSIONS: At the thoracolumbar junction (T11-L2), PT ≥29° is one of the risk factors of early AVF following BKP.

Bone marrow-derived dedifferentiated fat cells exhibit similar phenotype as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells with high osteogenic differentiation and bone regeneration ability.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to have different differentiation potential depending on the tissue of origin. Dedifferentiated fat cells (DFATs) are MSC-like multipotent cells that can be prepared from mature adipocytes by ceiling culture method. It is still unknown whether DFATs derived from adipocytes in different tissue showed different phenotype and functional properties. In the present study, we prepared bone marrow (BM)-derived DFATs (BM-DFATs), BM-MSCs, subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissue-derived DFATs (SC-DFATs), and adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) from donor-matched tissue samples. Then, we compared their phenotypes and multilineage differentiation potential in vitro. We also evaluated in vivo bone regeneration ability of these cells using a mouse femoral fracture model. METHODS: BM-DFATs, SC-DFATs, BM-MSCs, and ASCs were prepared from tissue samples of knee osteoarthritis patients who received total knee arthroplasty. Cell surface antigens, gene expression profile, and in vitro differentiation capacity of these cells were determined. In vivo bone regenerative ability of these cells was evaluated by micro-computed tomography imaging at 28 days after local injection of the cells with peptide hydrogel (PHG) in the femoral fracture model in severe combined immunodeficiency mice. RESULTS: BM-DFATs were successfully generated at similar efficiency as SC-DFATs. Cell surface antigen and gene expression profiles of BM-DFATs were similar to those of BM-MSCs, whereas these profiles of SC-DFATs were similar to those of ASCs. In vitro differentiation analysis revealed that BM-DFATs and BM-MSCs had higher differentiation tendency toward osteoblasts and lower differentiation tendency toward adipocytes compared to SC-DFATs and ASCs. Transplantation of BM-DFATs and BM-MSCs with PHG enhanced bone mineral density at the injection sites compared to PHG alone in the mouse femoral fracture model. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that phenotypic characteristics of BM-DFATs were similar to those of BM-MSCs. BM-DFATs exhibited higher osteogenic differentiation potential and bone regenerative ability compared to SC-DFATs and ASCs. These results suggest that BM-DFATs may be suitable sources of cell-based therapies for patients with nonunion bone fracture.

Differentiation Between Compressive Cervical and Thoracic Myelopathy Using the Central Motor Conduction Time Ratio.

PURPOSE: Thoracic myelopathy is a rare condition whose diagnosis is often missed or delayed. This study aimed to differentiate between cervical and thoracic myelopathy using motor-evoked potential testing. METHODS: The authors included 835 patients with compressive cervical myelopathy and 94 patients with compressive thoracic myelopathy. Myelopathy using motor-evoked potentials were recorded from the bilateral abductor digiti minimi and abductor hallucis muscles through transcranial magnetic stimulation. The peripheral conduction time was measured through electrical stimulation of the ulnar and tibial nerves; moreover, the central motor conduction time (CMCT) was calculated by subtracting the peripheral conduction time from the myelopathy using motor-evoked potential latency. RESULTS: The most accurate differentiation between compressive cervical myelopathy and compressive thoracic myelopathy was achieved by the CMCT ratios (CMCT-ADM:CMCT-AH; cutoff value of 0.490, sensitivity of 83.0%, and specificity of 80.5%). After excluding patients with compressive cervical myelopathy who had spinal cord compression at C6-7, the cutoff value was 0.490, with a sensitivity of 83.0% and specificity of 87.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Determining the CMCT ratio (cutoff value of 0.490) through motor-evoked potential testing could facilitate differentiation between compressive cervical myelopathy and compressive thoracic myelopathy.

Role of Transcranial Motor Evoked Potential Monitoring During Traumatic Spinal Injury Surgery: A Prospective Multicenter Study of the Monitoring Committee of the Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective multicenter observational cohort study. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the role of transcranial motor evoked potential (TcMEP) monitoring during traumatic spinal injury surgery, the timing of TcMEP alerts, and intervention strategies to avoid intraoperative neurological complications. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Intraoperative neuromonitoring, including TcMEP monitoring, is commonly used in high-risk spinal surgery to predict intraoperative spinal cord injury; however, little information is available on its use in traumatic spinal injury surgery. METHODS: The TcMEP monitoring data of 350 consecutive patients who underwent traumatic spinal injury surgery (mean age, 69.3 y) between 2017 and 2021 were prospectively reviewed. In this study, a TcMEP amplitude reduction ≥70% was established as a TcMEP alert. A rescue case was defined as a case with the recovery of TcMEP amplitudes after certain procedures and without postoperative neurological complications. RESULTS: Among the 350 patients who underwent traumatic spinal injury surgery (TcMEP derivation rate 94%), TcMEP monitoring revealed seven true-positive (TP) (2.0%), three rescues (0.9%; rescue rate 30%), 31 false-positive, one false-negative, and 287 true-negative cases, resulting in 88% sensitivity, 90% specificity, 18% positive predictive value, and 99% negative predictive value. The TP rate in patients with preoperative motor deficits was 2.9%, which was higher than that in patients without preoperative motor deficits (1.1%). The most common timing of TcMEP alerts was during decompression (40%). During decompression, suspension of surgery with intravenous steroid injection was ineffective (rescue rate, 0%), and additional decompression was effective. CONCLUSION: Given the low prevalence of neurological complications (2.3%) and the low positive predictive value (18.4%), single usage of TcMEP monitoring during traumatic spinal injury surgery is not recommended. Further efforts should be made to reduce FP alert rates through better interpretation of multimodal Intraoperative neuromonitorings and the incorporation of anesthesiology to improve the positive predictive value. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Costello syndrome-associated orthopaedic manifestations focussed on kyphoscoliosis: a case series describing the natural course.

Costello syndrome (CS) is a rare genetic condition caused by a heterozygous mutation in the HRAS gene, with an estimated prevalence of 1: 300 000. Individuals with CS present with characteristic features including scoliosis, kyphosis, Chiari 1 malformation, and syringomyelia. The natural history of the spinal deformity associated with CS has been incompletely described. This case series describes the spinal deformity associated with CS and sets out a strategy for screening and treatment. The clinical records and spinal radiographs of nine consecutive CS patients encountered at a single centre were reviewed. Radiological assessments for the presence and progression of scoliosis were studied. Nine patients with confirmed CS were followed for a mean of 6.6 years. Five patients showed mild scoliosis. Two patients had lumbar kyphosis in addition to their scoliosis, and one showed scoliosis with proximal thoracic kyphosis. Three patients underwent investigation with MRI, one of which showed Chiari I malformation and a syrinx. One showed no change in the severity of their deformity over time. The remaining four patients showed a rate of increasing coronal deformity of 2.1° per year. There were no cases of rapid progression. All cases showed delayed skeletal maturity. The spinal deformity in CS appears to be slowly progressive. To identify those at risk of more rapid progression, brain and spine MRI should be carried out to exclude structural neurological abnormalities. Long follow-up is required for patients with spinal deformity in CS due to the delay in reaching skeletal maturity. Evidence level: 4.

Size Comparison of the Cadaveric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Midsubstance Cross-Sectional Area and the Cross-Sectional Area of Semitendinosus Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Autografts in Surgery.

The purpose of this study was to compare the cadaveric midsubstance cross-sectional anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) area and the cross-sectional semitendinosus (ST) double-bundle ACL autograft area in surgery. Thirty-nine nonpaired formalin-fixed cadaveric knees and 39 subjects undergoing ST double-bundle ACL reconstruction were included in this study. After soft tissue resection, cadaveric knees were flexed at 90 degrees, and the tangential line of the femoral posterior condyles was marked and sliced on the ACL midsubstance. The cross-sectional ACL area was measured using Image J software. In the patients undergoing ACL surgery, the harvested ST was cut and divided into anteromedial (AM) bundle and posterolateral (PL) bundle. Each graft edge diameter was measured by a sizing tube, and the cross-sectional graft area was calculated: (AM diameter/2)2 × 3.14 + (PL diameter/2)2 × 3.14. Statistical analysis was performed for the comparison of the cross-sectional area between the cadaveric ACL midsubstance and the ST double-bundle ACL autografts. The cadaveric midsubstance cross-sectional ACL area was 49.0 ± 16.3 mm2. The cross-sectional ST double-bundle autografts area was 52.8 ± 7.6 mm2. The ST double-bundle autograft area showed no significant difference when compared with the midsubstance cross-sectional ACL area. ST double-bundle autografts were shown to be capable of reproducing the midsubstance cross-sectional ACL area.

Accuracy of acetabular cup placement during anterolateral supine total hip arthroplasty using intraoperative fluoroscopy: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: In our institution, total hip arthroplasty (THA) is performed using the anterolateral supine (ALS) approach with intraoperative fluoroscopy. This study aimed to investigate and review the accuracy of acetabular cup placement in ALS-THA using intraoperative fluoroscopy. METHODS: A total of 142 patients with 154 joints (mean age 64.3 years, 30 males and 112 females) underwent ALS-THA with intraoperative fluoroscopy at the same institution. The target angle of the cup position was set at 40° for radiographic inclination (RI) and 5°-25° for radiographic anteversion (RA) based on the functional pelvic plane according to the pelvic motion during individual postural changes. The cup position angle was measured using postoperative computed tomography, and the error in the target angle was investigated. RESULTS: The target angle of RI was 40°, and the postoperative RI was 39.3° ± 4.3°. The target angle of the RA was 17° ± 2.6°, and the postoperative RA was 20.6° ± 3.7°. The absolute values of the error from the target angle were 3.6° ± 2.5° for RI and 4.2° ± 3.3° for RA. For RI and RA, 67.5% (104/154 joints) were within ± 5° of the target and 96.1% (148/154 joints) were within ± 10°. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of cup positioning in ALS-THA using intraoperative fluoroscopy was good and appeared comparable to that of various navigation systems.

Relationship Between Start of Feeding and Functional Outcome in Aspiration Pneumonia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Aspiration pneumonia is the predominant form of pneumonia in the elderly. Low oral intake levels and malnutrition have been reported to be associated with increased mortality and loss of function in aspiration pneumonia. However, the relationship between start of feeding and readmission, which is associated with malnutrition and low oral intake levels, has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between start of feeding and functional prognosis in aspiration pneumonia. METHODS: Patients' basic information, comorbidities, severity of pneumonia, swallowing function, time from admission to the start of feeding, geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), readmission, and Barthel index (BI) were evaluated in 160 patients. The patients were divided into two groups-a readmission group and a non-readmission group-and statistical verification was performed. RESULTS: The readmission group was 62 cases (38.8%). Univariate analysis showed that the time from admission to the start of feeding was significantly longer in the readmission group (p < 0.001). Age was significantly higher and nutrition parameters were lower in the readmission group (p = 0.001, 0.006). Furthermore, according to logistic regression analysis, readmission was associated with age (odds ratio, 1.063; p = 0.007; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.017-1.111) and time from admission to the start of feeding (odds ratio 1.080; p < 0.001; 95% CI 1.025-1.137). CONCLUSION: The time from admission to the start of feeding was significantly longer in the readmitted patients. A comprehensive intervention with multidisciplinary collaboration should be performed from the early stage of hospitalization. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered in the UMIN-Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR). UMIN-CTR meets the criteria of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). (Registration number: 000047141).

Aspiration pneumonia is the predominant form of pneumonia in the elderly. Low oral intake levels and malnutrition have been reported to be associated with increased mortality and loss of function in aspiration pneumonia. However, the relationship between start of feeding and readmission, which is associated with malnutrition and low oral intake levels, has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between start of feeding and functional prognosis in aspiration pneumonia. Patients' basic information, comorbidities, severity of pneumonia, swallowing function, time from admission to the start of feeding, geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), readmission, and Barthel index (BI) were evaluated in 160 patients. The patients were divided into two groups: a readmission group and a non-readmission group. The readmission group was 62 cases (38.8%). Univariate analysis showed that the time from admission to the start of feeding was significantly longer in the readmission group. Age was significantly higher and nutrition parameters were lower in the readmission group. According to logistic regression analysis, readmission was associated with age and time from admission to the start of feeding. The time from admission to the start of feeding was significantly longer in the readmitted patients. A comprehensive intervention with multidisciplinary collaboration should be performed from the early stage of hospitalization. It is necessary to carry out indirect swallowing training from the time of hospitalization, nursing care such as feeding assistance, oral care, and functional training; to periodically evaluate intention; to identify problems by conference; and to decide on a treatment plan.