Orthopaedic publications from Egypt in the last five years: a bibliometric report.

INTRODUCTION: This review was done to find the trend for orthopaedic publications from Egypt in the last 5 years, detailing the specialties that are most published and comparing this with the surrounding Middle East region. METHODS: The search included orthopaedic-related articles published in journals that are listed in PubMed, including author affiliation from Egypt between 2013 and 2017. RESULTS: Four hundred eighty-one publications were found. The results showed that Trauma was the highest published branch while Arthroscopy has shown the highest increase since 2013 to become as Trauma by 2017. Two hundred seventy-two articles were published in Q1 and Q2 journals which represents 56.54% from the total publications. There were 1243 citations for these publications. The country ranking was between the fourth and fifth in Middle East region over the last five years. DISCUSSION: Publications are an important part of each country's research work. The trend for orthopaedic publication is showing an increase in subspecialty publications with a gradual increase in number of publications per year, while Egypt's position remains in the top five in the region.

Flexor hallucis longus transfer clinical outcome through a single incision for chronic Achilles tendon rupture.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcome of single-incision flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer in chronic Achilles tendon rupture. METHODS: A prospective study of a series of cases of chronic Achilles tendon rupture that were treated with single-incision flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer, from April 2015 to December 2016. The study included 21 patients (15 men and 6 women), with mean age 40.3 ± 17.5 years. The average follow-up time was 15 (12-24) months. Flexor hallucis longus transfer was fixed with a titanium interference screw in an intraosseous calcaneal tunnel. RESULTS: The average operative time was 52.9 ± 8.7 minutes. The AOFAS-hindfoot score was significantly improved from the mean pre-operative value of 57.4 ± 10.3 to mean value of 95.3 ± 4.4 (p value < 0.001). There was no effect on the big toe function. The complication recorded was one superficial wound infection which resolved by dressing and appropriate antibiotic coverage. All patients were satisfied with the results of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Single-incision flexor hallucis longus transfer for chronic Achilles tendon ruptures is a simple method with minimal morbidity and complications. The technique resulted in great patients' satisfaction as well as excellent functional and clinical outcomes.

Hypovitaminosis D Among Patients Admitted With Hip Fracture to a Level-1 Trauma Center in the Sunny Upper Egypt: Prevalence and Associated Correlates.

INTRODUCTION: Despite abundant sunshine, hypovitaminosis D is common in the Middle East. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and related correlates among patients with hip fracture in Assiut University Hospitals in Upper Egypt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 133 patients with hip fracture, aged 50 years and older, admitted to Trauma Unit of Assiut University Hospitals, from January through December 2014. Patients were selected by systematic random sampling. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Weight and height measurements were used for body mass index (BMI) calculation. RESULTS: Patients' median age was 70 years (range: 50-99); 51.9% were females. Osteoporosis (femoral neck T score: <-2.5 standard deviation) prevalence was 72.2%. Of all patients, 60.9% had vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL); 15.8% reported vitamin D inadequacy (from 20 to 29 ng/mL) and vitamin D levels were normal in 23.3% (>30 ng/mL). According to univariate analysis, vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with obesity (P = .012) and low T scores of the femoral neck (P = .001), L2 (P = .021), L3 (P = .031), L4 (P = .012), and the greater trochanter (P < .001). In a multivariable logistic regression model, high BMI and low BMD of the femoral neck and greater trochanter were associated with hypovitaminosis D. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D is high among patients with hip fracture and associated with low BMD and high BMI. Increasing awareness about prevention as well as detection and treatment of vitamin D deficiency is recommended.

Comparison between pedicle subtraction osteotomy and anterior corpectomy and plating for correcting post-traumatic kyphosis: a multicenter study.

Kyphosis is a common sequel of inadequately managed thoracolumbar fractures. This study compares between pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) and anterior corpectomy and plating (ACP) for correcting post-traumatic kyphosis. Forty-three patients with symptomatic post-traumatic kyphosis of the thoracolumbar spine were treated with PSO and prospectively followed for a minimum of 2 years. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess clinical improvement and radiographs were obtained at 2, 6, 12 and 24 months. The recorded clinical and radiological outcomes were compared to a control group of 37 patients, who were treated earlier by the same authors with ACP. The mean correction of the kyphotic angle was 29.8° for the PSO group and 22° for the ACP group (P = 0.001). PSO group showed significantly better improvement in the VAS score and the ODI. At final follow-up, patients reported very good satisfaction (93% in PSO vs. 81% in ACP) and good function (90% in PSO vs. 73% in ACP). Complications in the PSO group included pulling out of screws and recurrence of deformity requiring revision and longer fixation (1 patient), and transient lower limb paraesthesia (2 patients). Recorded complications in the ACP group included an aortic injury (1 patient) that was successfully repaired, pseudarthrosis (1 patient), persistent graft donor site morbidity (3 patients), and incisional hernia (1 patient). PSO and ACP are demanding procedures. PSO seems to be equally safe but more effective than ACP for correcting post-traumatic kyphosis.

Fibula-pro-tibia in plating tibial non-unions.

PURPOSE: Plating non-unions of the tibial diaphysis often presents the technical problem of poor purchase of screws due to osteoporosis. To improve the stabilization, insertion of one or more screws through the plate across the tibio-fibular space to the fibula (fibula-pro-tibia plating) has been practiced. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the fibula-pro-tibia plating technique in managing difficult diaphyseal tibial non-unions. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2008, 30 patients with diaphyseal non-union of tibia were managed with this technique. The time between injury and index operation ranged between six and 24 months (average, 11 months). Sixteen patients had three surgical procedures before the index operation, ten had two procedures and four patients had one. RESULTS: The duration of follow-up ranged between ten and 38 months (average 26 months). The mean healing time was 3.5 months. Complications were minimal and included two cases of delayed union which required regrafting after four months and two cases, which had infected nonunion, had reactivation of the infection, which resolved completely after achieving union and removing the plates. There was no negative effect from this fixation technique on the ankle joint motion. CONCLUSION: The fibula-pro-tibia plating technique is an effective variation in plating diaphyseal tibial non-unions.

Valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy with single-angled 130° plate fixation for fractures and non-unions of the femoral neck.

Non-union of femoral neck fractures may occur due to mechanical and biological factors. Valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy (VITO) alters hip biomechanics and enhances fracture union. The double-angled 120° plate is usually used for internal fixation of the osteotomy. It allows the osteotomy to heal with medialisation and verticalisation of the femoral shaft. This deformity causes medial ligament strain of the knee joint, genu valgum and ultimately osteoarthritis. This work presents our experience in treating vertical fractures and non-unions of the femoral neck by VITO and fixation by a single-angled 130º plate. Thirty-six patients presented with 19 recent vertical femoral neck fractures, and 17 non-unions were included. They were 26 men and ten women, and their ages averaged 37 years. Preoperative planning and VITO technique are described. Union was achieved in 35 patients (97%), and one recent fracture failed to unite (3%). Time to fracture union averaged four months in recent fractures and eight months in un-united fractures. All patients with united fractures had an almost normal configuration of the upper femur. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head was reported in five patients. Twenty-two patients (61%) were pain free, nine (25%) had hip pain on lengthy walks and the remaining five (14%) had persistent pain. Preoperative limb shortening averaged 2.5 cm, and post-operative shortening averaged 0.5 cm. We recommend VITO and fixation by a single-angled 130º plate for vertical femoral neck fractures and non-unions in relatively young adult patients.

Technique and short-term results of ankle arthrodesis using anterior plating.

Clinical and biomechanical trials have shown that rigid internal fixation during ankle arthrodesis leads to increased rates of union and is associated with a reduced infection rate, union time, discomfort and earlier mobilisation compared with other methods. We describe our technique of ankle arthrodesis using anterior plating with a narrow dynamic compression plate (DCP). Between 2004 and 2007, 29 patients with a mean age of 24.4 years (range 18-42) had ankle arthrodesis using an anteriorly placed narrow DCP. Twenty-two patients were post-traumatic and seven were paralytic (five after spine fracture and two after common peroneal nerve injury). Follow-up was between 12 and 18 months (average 14 months). A rate of fusion of 100% was achieved at an average of 12.2 weeks. According to the Mazur ankle score, 65.5% had excellent, 20.7% good and 13.8% fair results. Ankle arthrodesis using an anteriorly placed narrow DCP is a good method to achieve ankle fusion in many types of ankle arthropathies.

Delayed union of multifragmentary diaphyseal fractures after bridge-plate fixation.

Despite recent developments in fracture treatment, cases of non-union after long bone fractures are still encountered. This work aims at evaluating the active management of delayed union after the bridge-plate fixation of multifragmentary diaphyseal fractures by a limited surgical interference. Nineteen patients were included. All had revision surgery for delayed union of multifragmentary diaphyseal fractures after bridge-plate fixation. The period between primary and revision surgery was 12-20 weeks. Increasing stability was performed by adding more screws in all cases. Interfragmentary compression was performed in 16 patients. Axial compression of the fracture was applied in two patients, while one patient had the plate exchanged for a longer one. Bone grafting was added in nine patients. Union was achieved in all patients 8-16 weeks after re-operation. This work is a message for timely surgical interference in delayed union after bridge-plate fixation by a limited surgical procedure, before complete failure of the fracture stabilisation or non-union.