The impact of total knee arthroplasty on golfing activity.

Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is frequently performed among individuals who golf. This study examines the effect of TKA on pre- and postoperative pain, frequency of sport participation, handicap, driving distance, use of a cart, and overall game enjoyment. Methods: This is a survey-based retrospective review of 71 patients after primary TKA at a tertiary medical facility in upstate New York. Patients were evaluated using postoperative pain scores and asked to complete a survey that included questions about their return to sport. Results: A total of 71 patients were included, with an average age of 70 years old. Postoperatively 85% of patients returned to play within 7.9 months, driving distance increased by 4 yards, patients' golf game improved by 1.07 strokes, and pain during and after golf was significantly decreased. Most patients did not change golf cart usage, and reported unchanged or improved performance in and enjoyment of golf. Conclusions: We found that a majority of patients undergoing TKA returned to playing golf postoperatively. Patients were more likely to report decreased pain both before and after play and positive changes to their golf game. Our results suggest that most patients can expect to return to golf after TKA and the majority will enjoy the sport with less pain postoperatively.

Cutaneous ulcers in association with sprue-like enteropathy secondary to Losartan.

Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) which may cause severe sprue-like enteropathy (SLE) with skin manifestation. Clinicians should be informed of this side effect and its reversibility after cessation of the drug.

Late Anterior Prosthetic Hip Dislocation Due to Yoga.

The popularity of yoga and the prevalence of total hip arthroplasty (THA) have simultaneously increased in the United States. Accordingly, one can assume that the number of THA patients practicing yoga has increased. Certain yoga poses reach the extremes of hip range of motion, potentially leaving patients vulnerable to dislocation. To date, 2 cases of late posterior prosthetic hip dislocations during yoga have been reported; however, there have been no reports of anterior prosthetic hip dislocations. We present one case of late anterior prosthetic hip dislocation during yoga in a patient who underwent THA via the direct anterior approach. Prosthetic hip dislocation during yoga may be a growing concern. We provide additional evidence in support of recommendations for THA patients to safely practice yoga.

Evolving Patient Perception of Limb Length Discrepancy Following Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Limb length discrepancy (LLD) is a known complication of total hip arthroplasty (THA), leading to decreased patient function and satisfaction. It remains unknown how a patient's perception of LLD evolves over time. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between measured and perceived LLD, and to assess whether perceived LLD resolved with time in most patients. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed radiographs of 140 consecutive patients undergoing primary THA by a single surgeon via a direct anterior approach, calculating postoperative change in limb length (ΔL). Patient perceptions of LLD were recorded at standard postoperative visit intervals. A P-value of .05 was used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: Of 130 patients (mean ΔL = +7.9 mm), 22 patients endorsed perceived postoperative LLD and the remainder were asymptomatic (mean ΔL +11.1 mm vs +7.3 mm, P = .03). Seventeen patients reported mild symptoms and 5 reported severe symptoms (mean ΔL +10.2 mm vs +13.8 mm, P = .4). After 1 year, 45% (10) patients reported complete resolution of perceived LLD (mean follow-up 364 days), 18% (4) reported notable improvement, and 36% (8) reported no improvement. Four excluded patients endorsed perceived LLD (2 mild, 2 severe), which resolved after contralateral THA. CONCLUSION: This study noted a correlation between increasing postoperative ΔL and perceived LLD. A majority of patients (63%) experienced either improvement or full resolution of symptoms during the follow-up period. This data may have a role in reassuring the orthopedic surgeon and the patient regarding the natural course of postoperative LLD. Further investigation is needed to help identify risk factors for persistent LLD. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III (Prognostic).

The enigmatic fascia: eosinophilic fasciitis.

This case report highlights the potentially underrecognized subtype of unilateral eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) in a 28 year old man. With fewer than 300 reported encounters to date, EF is a rare disease that eludes clinicians by presenting as a scleroderma like syndrome. As EF remains a clinical diagnosis, biopsy results may be nonspecific, and the disease can easily be misdiagnosed (or missed entirely) if a full thickness biopsy is not reviewed by a dermatopathologist. The authors also emphasize the importance of internationally accepted diagnostic criteria, of which at least two different sets exist.

Survival Differences Between Pediatric Head and Neck Versus Body Melanoma in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To review the demographics, treatment, and survival of pediatric melanoma of the head and neck and to determine if melanoma of the head and neck has worse survival than melanoma of other body sites. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective database review. METHODS: Pediatric patients from 0 to 21 years in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 registries database were included from 1975 to 2016 based on a diagnosis of melanoma of the skin using the primary site International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition codes from C44.0-C44.9.skin of lip, C44.1-eyelid, C44.2-external ear, C44.3-skin other/unspecified parts of face, C44.4-skin of scalp and neck, C44.5-skin of trunk, C44.6-skin of upper limb and shoulder, C44.7-skin of lower limb and hip, C44.8-overlapping lesion of skin, and C44.9-skin, NOS (not otherwise specified). RESULTS: A total of 4,561 pediatric melanomas of the skin were identified. There were 854 (18.7%) cases of melanoma of the head and neck (MHN) and 3,707 (81.3%) cases of melanoma of the body (MOB). The hazard ratio for MHN versus MOB was 1.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.3-2.1) after accounting for sex, race, and age. Of MHN sites, the hazard ratio for melanoma of the scalp and neck was 2.2 (1.1-4.7). The 2- and 5-year Kaplan-Meier overall survival for MHN were 94.6% and 90.7%, respectively, compared with 96.6% and 94.7%, respectively, for MOB (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Survival outcomes of pediatric melanoma are notably related to anatomic site. Children with melanoma of the scalp and neck have the worst survival of all sites. Additionally, children who are older/white/male are at greater risk for worse survival outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:E635-E641, 2021.

Anterolateral entorhinal cortex thickness as a new biomarker for early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Loss of entorhinal cortex (EC) layer II neurons represents the earliest Alzheimer's disease (AD) lesion in the brain. Research suggests differing functional roles between two EC subregions, the anterolateral EC (aLEC) and the posteromedial EC (pMEC). METHODS: We use joint label fusion to obtain aLEC and pMEC cortical thickness measurements from serial magnetic resonance imaging scans of 775 ADNI-1 participants (219 healthy; 380 mild cognitive impairment; 176 AD) and use linear mixed-effects models to analyze longitudinal associations among cortical thickness, disease status, and cognitive measures. RESULTS: Group status is reliably predicted by aLEC thickness, which also exhibits greater associations with cognitive outcomes than does pMEC thickness. Change in aLEC thickness is also associated with cerebrospinal fluid amyloid and tau levels. DISCUSSION: Thinning of aLEC is a sensitive structural biomarker that changes over short durations in the course of AD and tracks disease severity-it is a strong candidate biomarker for detection of early AD.

Conversion Total Hip Arthroplasty Following Failed Hip Fracture Fixation in a Patient with Factor XI Deficiency: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Factor XI (FXI) deficiency is a hematologic condition that is rarely encountered by the arthroplasty surgeon. Effective risk assessment and perioperative management are paramount in minimizing the risk of intra- and post-operative bleeding in this patient population. An interdisciplinary approach is crucial in minimizing complications and achieving successful outcomes. We present the case of a patient that successfully underwent conversion total hip arthroplasty (THA) following failed internal fixation of a proximal femur fracture. CASE REPORT: A 71-year-old man with a history of FXI deficiency presented with significant right-sided hip pain secondary to post-traumatic arthritis from a previously treated right proximal femur fracture. The patient underwent removal of the cephalomedullary nail and conversion to a THA. Before the procedure, a comprehensive perioperative plan was enacted to manage the patient's FXI deficiency. The patient underwent several infusions of aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid (TXA) in an effort to prevent intra- and post-operative bleeding. The surgery was completed with excellent hemostasis and no post-operative complications. CONCLUSION: Patients with FXI deficiency can successfully undergo conversion THA surgery; however, an individualized hematologic plan must be enacted to minimize complications and maximize surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction. This case demonstrates that the antifibrinolytic agents, aminocaproic acid and TXA, can be successfully used for hematologic prophylaxis in the perioperative period for this population of patients.

The Relationship Between Cumulative Exogenous Corticosteroid Exposure and Volumes of Hippocampal Subfields and Surrounding Structures.

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids are a class of hormones that include naturally occurring cortisol and corticosterone, as well as prescription drugs commonly used to manage inflammatory, autoimmune, and allergic conditions. Adverse effects, including neuropsychiatric symptoms, are common. The hippocampus appears to be especially sensitive to the effects of glucocorticoids. However, to our knowledge, no studies to date have examined hippocampal subfields in humans receiving glucocorticoids. We examined patients on chronic glucocorticoid regimens to determine relationships between dose and duration of treatment, and hippocampal subfields, and related regions volumes. METHODS/PROCEDURES: The study included adult men and women receiving at least 5 mg daily of prednisone equivalents for at least 6 months. Volumes of brain regions were measured via magnetic resonance imaging. A multivariate general linear model was used for analysis, with brain volumes as dependent variables and age, sex, and cumulative corticosteroid exposure, as predictors. FINDINGS/RESULTS: The study population consisted of 81 adult outpatients (43 male) on corticosteroids (mean dose, 7.88 mg; mean duration, 76.75 months). Cumulative glucocorticoid exposure was negatively associated with left and right hippocampal dentate gyrus/CA3 volume. In subsequent subgroup analysis, this association held true for the age group older than the median age of 46 years but not for the younger age group. IMPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: This finding is consistent with previous studies showing detrimental effects of elevated glucocorticoids on the hippocampus but further suggests that the dentate gyrus and CA3 regions are particularly vulnerable to those effects, which is consistent with animal models of chronic stress but has not been previously demonstrated in humans.

Longitudinal Mapping of Cortical Thickness Measurements: An Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative-Based Evaluation Study.

Longitudinal studies of development and disease in the human brain have motivated the acquisition of large neuroimaging data sets and the concomitant development of robust methodological and statistical tools for quantifying neurostructural changes. Longitudinal-specific strategies for acquisition and processing have potentially significant benefits including more consistent estimates of intra-subject measurements while retaining predictive power. Using the first phase of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI-1) data, comprising over 600 subjects with multiple time points from baseline to 36 months, we evaluate the utility of longitudinal FreeSurfer and Advanced Normalization Tools (ANTs) surrogate thickness values in the context of a linear mixed-effects (LME) modeling strategy. Specifically, we estimate the residual variability and between-subject variability associated with each processing stream as it is known from the statistical literature that minimizing the former while simultaneously maximizing the latter leads to greater scientific interpretability in terms of tighter confidence intervals in calculated mean trends, smaller prediction intervals, and narrower confidence intervals for determining cross-sectional effects. This strategy is evaluated over the entire cortex, as defined by the Desikan-Killiany-Tourville labeling protocol, where comparisons are made with the cross-sectional and longitudinal FreeSurfer processing streams. Subsequent linear mixed effects modeling for identifying diagnostic groupings within the ADNI cohort is provided as supporting evidence for the utility of the proposed ANTs longitudinal framework which provides unbiased structural neuroimage processing and competitive to superior power for longitudinal structural change detection.

A randomized trial of an NMDA receptor antagonist for reversing corticosteroid effects on the human hippocampus.

Preclinical and clinical research indicates that excess corticosteroid is associated with adverse effects on the hippocampus. Animal model data suggest that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists may block corticosteroid effect on the hippocampus. This translational clinical trial investigated the effect of memantine vs. placebo on hippocampal subfield volume in humans receiving chronic corticosteroid therapy. Men and women (N = 46) receiving chronic prescription corticosteroid therapy were randomized to memantine or placebo in a double-blind, crossover design (two 24-week treatment periods, separated by a 4-week washout) for 52 weeks. Structural magnetic resonance imaging was obtained at baseline and after each treatment. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. Mean corticosteroid dose was 7.69 ± 6.41 mg/day and mean duration 4.90 ± 5.61 years. Controlling for baseline volumes, the left DG/CA3 region was significantly larger following memantine than placebo (p = .011). The findings suggest that an NMDA receptor antagonist attenuates corticosteroid effect in the same hippocampal subfields in humans as in animal models. This finding has both mechanistic and clinical implications. Attenuation of the effect of corticosteroids on the human DG/CA3 region implicates the NMDA receptor in human hippocampal volume losses with corticosteroids. In addition, by suggesting a drug class that may, at least in part, block the effects of corticosteroids on the human DG/CA3 subfield, these results may have clinical relevance for people receiving prescription corticosteroids, as well as to those with cortisol elevations due to medical or psychiatric conditions.

Safe Zones for Anterior Acetabular Retractor Placement in Direct Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Cadaveric Study.

INTRODUCTION: There is paucity of literature evaluating anterior acetabular retractor proximity to the femoral nerve and external iliac vessels during total hip arthroplasty through the direct anterior approach. In this cadaveric study, we evaluated three retractor locations to identify optimal positioning of anterior retractors. METHODS: A direct anterior approach was performed in 22 hips of 15 cadavers. Anterior acetabular retractors were placed over the anterior acetabular wall in-line with the femoral neck (12-o'clock or middle position). The anterior neurovascular structures were identified through the ilioinguinal approach. Retractors were reinserted at 10-o'clock (right hip; superior) and 2-o'clock (right hip; inferior) locations marked using K-wires. Horizontal and vertical distances from retractor tip positions to neurovascular structures were measured with a digital caliper. RESULTS: Retractor tips moved significantly from lateral to the femoral nerve when placed in the superior position (mean, 2.8 mm) to medial to the femoral nerve in the middle (mean, -2.3 mm) and inferior (mean, -4.8 mm) locations. Retractor tips moved significantly medial toward the external iliac artery when retractors were moved from superior (mean, 15.3 mm) to inferior (mean, 6.6 mm) positions placing the retractor tip closer to the vessels. CONCLUSION: As retractor placements moved inferior, retractor tips moved medial to neurovascular structures. Inferior retractor positioning placed the femoral nerve and external iliac artery at the risk of injury during the initial retractor placement or adjustment. Retractors should be placed in a relative safe zone superior to the 12-o'clock position to avoid damage to neurovascular structures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of lamotrigine for prescription corticosteroid effects on the human hippocampus.

In animals, stress and corticosteroid excess are associated with decreases in memory performance and hippocampal volume that may be prevented with agents that decrease glutamate release. Humans also demonstrate changes in memory and hippocampus with corticosteroids. In this report the effects of glutamate-release inhibitor lamotrigine on hippocampal structure and memory were examined in people receiving medically needed prescription corticosteroid therapy. A total of 54 outpatient adults (n = 28 women) receiving chronic (≥ 6 months) oral corticosteroid therapy were randomized to lamotrigine or placebo for 48 weeks. Declarative memory was assessed using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT); structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as single-voxel proton MR spectroscopy (1HMRS) focused on hippocampus were obtained at baseline and week 48. Utilizing a mixed-model approach, structural and biochemical data were examined by separate ANOVAs, and memory was assessed with a multi-level longitudinal model. RAVLT total scores demonstrated significantly better declarative memory performance with lamotrigine than placebo (p = 0.047). Hippocampal subfield volumes were not significantly different between the treatment groups. In summary, lamotrigine was associated with less decline in declarative memory performance than placebo in corticosteroid-treated patients. Findings suggest that, in humans as well as in animal models, glutamate release inhibitors may attenuate some of the effects on the human memory associated with corticosteroids.

Rapid stimulation of human dentate gyrus function with acute mild exercise.

Physical exercise has beneficial effects on neurocognitive function, including hippocampus-dependent episodic memory. Exercise intensity level can be assessed according to whether it induces a stress response; the most effective exercise for improving hippocampal function remains unclear. Our prior work using a special treadmill running model in animals has shown that stress-free mild exercise increases hippocampal neuronal activity and promotes adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus, improving spatial memory performance. However, the rapid modification, from mild exercise, on hippocampal memory function and the exact mechanisms for these changes, in particular the impact on pattern separation acting in the DG and CA3 regions, are yet to be elucidated. To this end, we adopted an acute-exercise design in humans, coupled with high-resolution functional MRI techniques, capable of resolving hippocampal subfields. A single 10-min bout of very light-intensity exercise (30%[Formula: see text]) results in rapid enhancement in pattern separation and an increase in functional connectivity between hippocampal DG/CA3 and cortical regions (i.e., parahippocampal, angular, and fusiform gyri). Importantly, the magnitude of the enhanced functional connectivity predicted the extent of memory improvement at an individual subject level. These results suggest that brief, very light exercise rapidly enhances hippocampal memory function, possibly by increasing DG/CA3-neocortical functional connectivity.

Financial impact of total hip arthroplasty: a comparison of anterior versus posterior surgical approaches.

BACKGROUND: Compared to the posterior approach, the anterior approach to total hip arthroplasty (THA) offers the potential for an accelerated recovery secondary to less dissection and therefore less pain in the immediate postoperative period. This offers potential financial benefit through a reduction in length of stay. This study retrospectively reviewed 98 anterior approach and 69 posterior approach THA cases (N = 167) to compare perioperative outcomes and cost-effectiveness. METHODS: Patients who underwent anterior approach THA were discharged sooner than those who underwent posterior approach THA. RESULTS: The anterior approach was also less expensive per patient than the posterior approach. Overall, differences in perioperative outcomes between these approaches to THA are less robust than previously reported. There is a significant difference in operative cost between these surgical approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Although there are many sources for this difference in cost, the predominant contributor is surgeon implant preference.