Idiopathic Spontaneous Occurrence of Heterotrophic Occurrence During Pregnancy.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) typically presents in the hip, knee, and elbow joints in the setting of trauma or postsurgical intervention. Less commonly, it may occur secondary to neurologic dysfunction or underlying genetic conditions, but idiopathic HO is rare. Most cases of HO are managed nonoperatively with surgical resection remaining a controversy due to high recurrence rates. We describe a case of idiopathic HO of the shoulder that occurred in the absence of trauma, neurologic dysfunction, or underlying genetic disorder that was treated with surgical excision.

Clinical Validation of Rapid Gout Detection Method and Kit.

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis, which causes intense, acute pain due to the buildup of uric acid crystals in synovial fluid. The gold standard for gout diagnosis consists of synovial fluid analysis by polarized light microscopy, which is costly, time-intensive, and technique-dependent, therefore meriting a more efficient, inexpensive, and accessible method for diagnosis. We previously developed and validated a novel colorimetric gout detection method and device based on the reduction of silver nitrate by uric acid; here, we clinically validated our method and device using arthroscopically obtained synovial fluid samples from gout patients. We successfully identified uric acid crystals in clinical samples via our colorimetric method, visualized uric acid crystals in synovial fluid via handheld microscopy, and determined that silver nitrate stain did not interfere with the microscopic visualization of uric acid crystals necessary for diagnosis. We also developed and validated a method of processing turbid clinical samples for use in our device to prevent the obscuration of uric acid crystals by suspended material. Our method and device will clinically facilitate the immediate colorimetric diagnosis of gout and the subsequent bedside visualization of uric acid crystals in both ideal and turbid synovial fluid samples, allowing for a point-of-care diagnosis of gout.

Rapid Gout Detection Method and Kit.

Gout is a form of arthritis characterized by buildup of uric acid in synovial fluid, which causes severe swelling and can harm joints, tendons, and other tissues. It affects approximately 4% of the United States population, or approximately 8.3 million people nationwide and is therefore a topic of epidemiologic consideration due to its prevalence. Gout is typically diagnosed via polarized microscopy of arthroscopically-aspirated synovial fluid, which is a costly, time-consuming, labor-intensive, and technically complex procedure, warranting a simpler and less complex method for diagnosis. Here, we propose and validate a colorimetric method which is based on the ability of uric acid to reduce silver nitrate. We also assessed how the colorimetric change can be accelerated by changing the concentration of silver nitrate or adding different silver catalysts, as well as develop a matrix bed for improved handling and ease of use. When translated to the clinic, this diagnostic method for gout will have the potential to increase diagnostic efficiency and accelerate patient care at the bedside.

Novel Spiked-Washer Repair Is Biomechanically Superior to Suture and Bone Tunnels for Arcuate Fracture Repair.

OBJECTIVES: Injuries to the posterolateral corner of the knee can lead to chronic degenerative changes, external rotation instability, and varus instability if not repaired adequately. A proximal fibula avulsion fracture, referred to as an arcuate fracture, has been described in the literature, but a definitive repair technique has yet to be described. The objective of this study was to present a novel arcuate fracture repair technique, using a spiked-washer with an intramedullary screw, and to compare its biomechanical integrity to a previously described suture and bone tunnel method. METHODS: Ten fresh-frozen cadaveric knees underwent a proximal fibula osteotomy to simulate a proximal fibula avulsion fracture. The lateral knee capsule and posterior cruciate ligament were also sectioned to create maximal varus instability. Five fibulas were repaired using a novel spiked-washer technique and the other 5 were repaired using the suture and bone tunnel method. The repaired knees were subjected to a monotonic varus load using a mechanical testing system instrument until failure of the repair or associated posterolateral corner structures. RESULTS: Compared with the suture repair group, the spiked-washer repair group demonstrated a 100% increase in stiffness, 100% increase in yield, 110% increase in failure force, and 108% increase in energy to failure. CONCLUSIONS: The spiked-washer technique offers superior quasi-static biomechanical performance compared with suture repair with bone tunnels for arcuate fractures of the proximal fibula. Further clinical investigation of this technique is warranted and the results of this testing may lead to improved outcomes and patient satisfaction for proximal fibula avulsion fractures.

The 2- and 8-week effects of decompressive brace use in people with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis is a prevalent disease. Unloading the affected compartment using a brace is a treatment option. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a decompressive knee brace alters loading in medial knee osteoarthritis following 2 and 8 weeks of use. STUDY DESIGN: Within subjects; pre- and post-testing. METHODS: A total of 15 individuals with medial knee osteoarthritis attended four sessions: baseline, fitting, 2 weeks after fitting (post), and 8 weeks after fitting (final). A gait analysis was performed at baseline (without knee brace), post and final. Knee adduction impulse, first and second peak knee adduction moment, knee motion, and walking velocity were calculated. Participants also recorded hours and steps taken while wearing the brace. RESULTS: On average, the brace was worn for more than 6 h/day. Through use of repeated-measures analysis of variance, it was determined that the knee adduction impulse and second peak knee adduction moment were reduced (p < 0.05) at post and final compared to baseline (36% and 34% reduction in knee adduction impulse, 26% reduction in second peak knee adduction moment for post and final, respectively). Furthermore, participants walked faster with increased knee motion during stance. CONCLUSION: The studied decompressive brace was effective in reducing potentially detrimental forces at the knee-knee adduction impulse and second peak knee adduction moment during the stance phase of gait. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The data from this study suggest that use of a medial unloading brace can reduce potentially detrimental adduction moments at the knee. Clinicians should use this evidence to advocate for use of this noninvasive treatment for people presenting with medial knee osteoarthritis.

Prospective evaluation of patient comprehension of informed consent.

BACKGROUND: Physicians and society may overestimate the level of patient comprehension during the process of obtaining informed consent for medical and surgical treatment. The purpose of this study was to prospectively measure the immediate level of patient comprehension at the time that surgical consent is obtained and the effect of time on this level of understanding. In addition, we studied the effect of sex, education level, and age on comprehension. METHODS: One hundred patients scheduled for elective orthopaedic surgery were enrolled voluntarily into this study. Following discussion of risks and benefits with the surgeon and a reading and explanation of the entire consent form, each patient immediately completed a questionnaire to test recall of the information that had just been reviewed. The same questionnaire was administered to each patient at the first postoperative visit and, if applicable, again at the second postoperative visit. Age, sex, education level, and questionnaire scores were recorded. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients completed the questionnaire preoperatively and scored an average of 70.7% correct answers. Seventy-five patients completed the first postoperative questionnaire, scoring an average of 59.5%. Thirty-nine patients completed the second postoperative questionnaire, scoring an average of 60.8%. The decline between the preoperative and the first postoperative score was significant. The mean score did not differ significantly according to sex at any time point. College-educated patients scored higher than patients without a college education did on both the preoperative and postoperative questionnaires, with the difference in the preoperative score being significant. Patients who were less than fifty years old scored higher than older patients did, with the difference in the postoperative score being significant. CONCLUSIONS: Patient comprehension and recall immediately following a thorough discussion of the consent form was unexpectedly low. This poor recall deteriorated further between the preoperative visit and the first postoperative visit (a period of no more than two weeks). Greater age and lower education level were associated with poorer comprehension. Sex did not affect any of the scores.

Management of acute glenohumeral dislocations.

The glenohumeral joint is the most commonly dislocated joint in the human body. Glenohumeral joint dislocations account for a large number of orthopedic consultations in inpatient and outpatient settings. A thorough workup is required for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of this injury. Complete history and physical examination and radiographic studies are essential, and reduction should always be attempted. In this article, we review the literature for each phase of the workup for glenohumeral dislocation and describe the anatomy, biomechanics, and basic science of the injury. Featured is a detailed synopsis of the more commonly used reduction maneuvers plus their risks and success rates.

Determination of anterior labral repair stress during passive arm motion in a cadaveric model.

PURPOSE: The actual forces encountered at the labrum after anterior labral repair have yet to be quantified. The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of force experienced at the glenoid-labrum interface with passive range of motion after an isolated Bankart repair and Bankart repair with capsular shift. METHODS: In 12 fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders, anterior-inferior labral tears were created and then instrumented with a modified load cell. The labral lesions were repaired with either an anatomic "labral only" technique or a labral repair along with a capsular shift by use of a transglenoid technique. Shoulders were then taken through a series of movements (forward flexion, abduction, external rotation, and abduction and then external rotation) simulating passive range-of-motion rehabilitation while force measurements were taken. Maximum force (in Newtons) on the simulated repairs was recorded. RESULTS: The forces experienced at the labrum showed a statistically significant difference between the group that underwent anatomic "labral only" repair and the group that underwent labral repair with capsular shift. The greatest mean force experienced (17.7 N) was in shoulders undergoing the labral repair with capsular shift with the arm in abduction and external rotation. CONCLUSIONS: In a transglenoid suture repair technique, the forces experienced at the repair site were significantly less than those determined by previous authors to be necessary to result in failure of the Bankart repair. The results of this study show that the forces experienced at the glenoid-labrum interface are higher when a capsular shift is included with a labral repair as opposed to labral repair alone. This difference was statistically significant. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data suggest that early postoperative rehabilitation may safely allow greater passive range of motion than is presently accepted.

Intra-articular knee injuries in patients with knee extensor mechanism ruptures.

The knee extensor mechanism is composed of the quadriceps tendon, patella and patellar tendon. Rupture of either the quadriceps tendon or patella tendon is a rare but significant injury. The purpose of our study is to determine if there are any associated injuries with these ruptures necessitating the need for further evaluation such as MRI or arthroscopy. We retrospectively reviewed all patients with ruptures of the knee extensor mechanism who required operative repair at our institution over the last 10 years. We reviewed the chart for any documented associated injury. The type and incidence of associated injuries were recorded. We further divided these patients into two groups: low energy indirect mechanism or high-energy direct impact mechanism. Sixty-four patients met our requirements for inclusion in this study. Thirty-three patients with patellar tendon ruptures and thirty-one patients with quadriceps tendon ruptures were included. Ten out of 33 (30%) patients with a patellar tendon rupture had an associated injury. Four out of 25 (16%) patients with patellar tendon ruptures in the low energy mechanism category had an associated injury. Six out of 8 (75%) patients with a high-energy direct impact patellar tendon rupture had an associated injury. Three out of 31 (10%) patients with quadriceps tendon rupture had an associated injury. The most common associated injuries in the patellar tendon rupture patients were anterior cruciate ligament tears (18%) and medial meniscus tears (18%). We found almost one-third of all patients with a patellar tendon rupture had an associated intra-articular knee injury. We found 10% of patients with quadriceps tendon rupture had an associated intra-articular knee injury. We also found an even higher incidence of associated injuries in patients with high-energy direct impact mechanism patellar tendon ruptures (75%). The most common associated injuries in patients with patellar tendon ruptures were tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (18%) and medial meniscus (18%). We recommend that consideration be given in obtaining a MRI or diagnostic arthroscopy in patients with patellar tendon ruptures especially those with high-energy direct impact mechanism. To our knowledge this has not previously been documented in the literature.

A Rare Manifestation of Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis of the Elbow in a Child.

There are only a few reported cases in the literature of pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) involving the elbow. Even more rare is its occurrence in the pediatric population as this condition mainly affects young adults. We report a unique case of an 8 year old girl presenting with diffuse form of PVNS of the elbow. The diagnosis is often not considered by clinical history and plain films as both are nonspecific in suggesting PVNS. MRI demonstrates the characteristic findings of PVNS, and therefore, is the imaging modality of choice for the evaluation of PVNS. When evaluating a pediatric patient with elbow pain, it is important to be aware of PVNS as part of the differential diagnosis if imaging features are suggestive and other etiologies have been excluded by history or imaging.

Shoulder pain and the overhand athlete.

There has been much controversy surrounding the issue of shoulder pain and the overhand athlete. Several hypotheses have been suggested as to the cause of the shoulder pain--subacromial impingement, anterior capsular laxity, internal or posterosuperior impingement, traction injury, and scapular imbalance. Treatment for the patient depends on the specific cause of the pain. As always, a full routine of nonoperative therapeutic measures should be administered before resorting to surgical intervention.