Total Talar Prosthesis, Learning from Experience, Two Reports of Total Talar Prosthesis after Talar Extrusion and Literature Review.

Recently, total talar prosthesis has been proposed to substitute the talus during the management of complex talar lesions such as talar extrusion, comminuted talar fractures, or avascular necrosis. Herein, we report two cases of talar extrusion treated with total talar replacement after a high-intensity trauma. Both cases subsequently required revision surgery due to degenerative changes of the tibial plafond (arthrodesis in the first case, conversion to a total ankle prosthesis in the latter). We report and analyze the literature concerning total talar replacement to discuss strategies that could help improve prosthesis survival and reduce the incidence of osteoarthritis.

Early hip fracture surgery and rehabilitation. How to improve functional quality outcomes. A retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Hip fractures are one of the major disability causes associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate. Early surgery and stable fixation could be associated with better pain control, possibly lower mortality rates, and early recovery of autonomy.

Surgical approach to correction of severe knee malalignment in a pediatric population in Tanzania.

AIM: Severe knee malalignment in children usually needs surgery with different options available in surgical approaches. The aim of this study was to report the results of the surgical correction of severe knee malalignment in children treated with femoral and tibial osteotomy, temporarily fixed with percutaneous Kirschner wires, in a low- and middle-income country (LMIC), with limited medical resources.

Congenital and Bilateral Dislocation of the Knee: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Background: Congenital and bilateral dislocation of the knee is an uncommon disorder; it may be isolated or combined with other congenital muscoloskeletal disorders, associated with neurologic disorders or occur in syndromic conditions. The knee presents a typical pathologic hyperextension, with or without joint dislocation. If untreated, the knee may develop stiffness or instability. Case Summary: We report about a new-born baby girl presented at birth with an unusual position of both lower limbs with obvious hyperextended knees. Starting from the first hours of life, this baby was treated conservatively with reduction and serial cast immobilizations of the limbs. At the end of the treatment (21 days of life), the knees appeared completely corrected with physiologic active and passive range of motion and joint stability, and they were left free. Conclusion: A correct evaluation at birth, both of the newborn and the deformity, is mandatory in order to decide the proper treatment, that could be conservative or surgical. A prompt treatment can be very effective to completely resolve the problem.

One-stage release by double surgical approach for neglected congenital vertical talus: results in a series of walking children in Tanzania.

Congenital vertical talus is an uncommon rigid flatfoot deformity present at birth, producing pain and disability if untreated. This study reports results and complications in a series of walking children affected by neglected congenital vertical talus treated by one-stage release through a double surgical approach in a hospital sited in the Tanzanian rural outback. Between 2009 and 2014, nine consecutive congenital vertical talus were observed in five patients (three males and two females) aged between 2 and 4 years. In two children, the deformity was idiopathic, in two it was associated to distal arthrogryposis and in one to Larsen syndrome. The surgical procedure was performed through a posteromedial and a lateral incision and included extensive soft tissue release and reduction of talo-navicular and subtalar joint, pinned with percutaneous Kirschner wires. The talar axis-first metatarsal base angle (TAMBA) was measured preoperatively and at follow-up. Results were summarized using the Adelaar score and the PODCI (Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument) questionnaire. The mean follow-up was 2.6 years (2-4). No major intraoperative complications were observed. The TAMBA passed from 74.4° (range 68-82°) to 20.2° (range 18-24°). No talar osteonecrosis was observed. The results were excellent in three cases, good in five cases and fair in one (Adelaar score). The mean postoperative PODCI score was 48 (range 38-60). None of the patients underwent further surgery. In case of neglected congenital vertical talus and limited health resources, this surgical technique has proved to be a viable option, providing satisfactory results, with low rate of surgical and postsurgical complications.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Clubfoot: A Review of Current Available Methodology.

BACKGROUND: Clubfoot is one of the most common congenital limb deformities. Prenatal diagnosis of the condition is essential as it can help treat the malformation as early as possible. We reviewed the recent available literature concerning the current methods for prenatal diagnosis of clubfoot. METHODS: The following databases were searched from 1966 to 2015: PubMed, OVID, Cochrane, CINAHL, Google scholar and Embase. RESULTS: Out of a total number of 197 retrieved articles, after abstract or title page evaluation, 158 articles not matching the inclusion criteria were excluded. The full text versions of the remaining 39 articles were obtained, and their reference lists screened, with the addition of another 5 full-text articles. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, ultrasonography is considered the most reliable method of prenatal diagnosis of clubfoot. Ultrasonographic diagnosis of clubfoot appears more likely between the 18th and the 24th week of pregnancy. Alternative imaging is not indicated. There is no agreement whether to propose foetal karyotyping when isolated clubfoot is diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography. Early detection of clubfoot should prompt a careful surveillance during pregnancy in order to detect any possible additional abnormalities and, if any of these are detected, invasive testing should be offered.

The clubfoot over the centuries.

The aim of this paper is to review all treatment methods of the clubfoot over the years through the documentation present in the literature and art with the aim of better understanding the pathoanatomy of the deformity, but to also clarify factors that allow a safe, logical approach to clubfoot management. The initial part of this paper traces the most representative iconographic representations of clubfoot in history to describe how his presence was witnessed since ancient times. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, was the first to present written references about treatment methods of clubfoot. After the dark period of the Middle Ages, during the Renaissance, there were more detailed studies on the disease, with the creation of the first orthopedic orthotics, designed to correct the deformity with the help of famous names in medicine's history. In the XVIII century, as we witness the birth of orthopedics as a distinct discipline in medicine, more and more brilliant minds developed complex orthoses and footwear with the aim of obtaining a proper correction of the deformity. In the last part of the paper, there is a description of the main surgical techniques developed over the years until the return to conservative treatment methods such as the Ponseti method, internationally recognized as the gold standard of treatment, despite the presence of some unresolved issues such as the possible recurrence of the disease.

Effect of different postoperative flexion regimes on the outcomes of total knee arthroplasty: randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: A consistent limb position strategy could be an attractive and easier alternative to reduce blood loss and increase range of motion following total knee arthroplasty. The aim of this study was to understand the proper amount of flexion required to improve functional outcomes with limited patients' discomfort. METHODS: Eighty-five patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty were randomly assigned to receive mild (30° of knee flexion) or high-flexion protocol (70° of knee flexion), 48 h after surgery. The same daily rehabilitation scheme was followed. Total blood loss, hidden blood loss, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels, fixed flexion deformity, range of motion and limb circumference at the superior patellar pole were evaluated preoperatively and 7 days after surgery. RESULTS: Demographics, blood parameters and preoperative range of motion did not show any significant difference between the two groups. No complications were recorded in both groups. High-flexion group had greater rate of dropout due to excessive patients' discomfort. A significantly lower Hb at day 1 was found in the high-flexion group. No differences were recorded regarding the remaining parameters. CONCLUSION: No significant differences were found between the high-flexion and mild-flexion protocols; however, mild-flexion protocol was better tolerated by patients. We therefore recommend a 30° flexion protocol to be routinely used 48 h postoperatively after total knee arthroplasty. This is an easy strategy to improve functional outcomes, which is a fundamental issue considering the steady increase in knee prostheses utilization. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Randomized controlled trial, Level II.

Central sensitization in chronic low back pain: A narrative review.

Low back pain is one of the four most common disorders in all regions, and the greatest contributor to disability worldwide, adding 10.7% of total years lost due to this health state. The etiology of chronic low back pain is, in most of the cases (up to 85%), unknown or nonspecific, while the specific causes (specific spinal pathology and neuropathic/radicular disorders) are uncommon. Central sensitization has been recently recognized as a potential pathophysiological mechanism underlying a group of chronic pain conditions, and may be a contributory factor for a sub-group of patients with chronic low back pain. The purposes of this narrative review are twofold. First, to describe central sensitization and its symptoms and signs in patients with chronic pain disorders in order to allow its recognition in patients with nonspecific low back pain. Second, to provide general treatment principles of chronic low back pain with particular emphasis on pharmacotherapy targeting central sensitization.

Congenital idiopathic talipes equinovarus before and after walking age: observations and strategy of treatment from a series of 88 cases.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed a series of newborns, toddlers and ambulating children affected by idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (clubfoot). Taking into account the time of diagnosis, stiffness of the deformity and walking age, nonsurgical or surgical treatment was considered. This study reports clinical outcomes, early complications and relapse at mid-term follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two clubfeet were diagnosed at birth, 12 in non-ambulating children aged between 4 and 12 months and 24 in ambulating children. Feet were classified using the Pirani score. Newborns and toddlers were treated with serial casting (Ponseti); however, toddlers also underwent open Achilles tendon lengthening (2 feet) and posteromedial release (3 feet). In all ambulating children, surgical treatment was always performed: selective medial release combined with cuboid subtraction osteotomy (1 foot), posteromedial release (6 feet), and posteromedial release combined with cuboid subtraction osteotomy (17 feet). RESULTS: The average follow-up was 5 years (1-6 years). In newborns treated with Ponseti, the results were excellent in 42 feet, good in 6, and poor in 4. In non-ambulating children, the results were excellent in 9 feet, and good in 3. In ambulating children, the results were excellent in 5 feet, good in 16, and poor in 3. No major complications were reported. No overcorrections were observed. The need for open surgery was higher in cases of delayed treatment. In cases of relapse, re-casting and/or more extensive surgery was considered. CONCLUSIONS: Early treatment enables a high rate of good correction to be obtained with serial casting and limited surgery. Conversely, if the deformity is observed after walking age surgery should be considered. Serial casting in cases of late observation and relapse have demonstrated encouraging results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Corticosteroid Treatment Impact on Spinal Deformity in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive disease with loss of ambulation at around 9-10 years of age, followed, if untreated, by development of scoliosis, respiratory insufficiency, and death in the second decade of life. This review highlights the natural history of the disease, in particular, with regard to the development of the spinal deformity and how this complication has been modified by surgical interventions and overall by corticosteroid treatment. The beneficial effect of corticosteroids may have also an impact on the clinical trial design of the new emerging causative therapies.