Evaluation of the orthopaedics and traumatology resident education in Turkey: A descriptive study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to describe the current situation regarding the training, working conditions, future plans, fields of interest and satisfaction of orthopaedics and traumatology residents in Turkey. METHODS: A descriptive survey questionnaire consisting of 24 questions was designed to identify the problems and solution suggestions concerning training of orthopaedic residents. All orthopaedics and traumatology residents who took the 2013 Progress Testing for Speciality in Medicine (UEGS) held by Turkish Orthopaedics and Traumatology Education Council (TOTEK) were surveyed in the class at the end thereof as well as the young orthopaedic surgeons who were reached through the email groups of Turkish Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology - Residents and Young Attendings Council (TOTBID-AGUH). RESULTS: A total of 725 residents and 132 young attendings were surveyed. The most outstanding answers are as follows: 62,7% of the respondents replied to the question "Is there a training program/Is it being applied" as "yes/yes". It was found out that 94,3% of the respondents wanted to be involved in a rotation abroad. The "patient care" was the most common answer, with a ratio of 36,9%, to the question "What's the priority of the department you are studying in?". Regarding work conditions, "many emergency on-calls" was found to be the most important parameter affecting life conditions (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Aiming to identify the challenges that orthopaedics and traumatology residents in Turkey face as regards their training, this survey stands as a pioneering study with a high participation rate. Analysis of survey data highlights the importance of several key factors such as the development of training programs and increasing the time spent with academicians as well as spreading and promotion of log book application.

Can rhBMP-2 containing collagen sponges enhance bone repair in ovariectomized rats?: a preliminary study.

With an aging population the frequency of postmenopausal fractures is increasing. Methods to enhance the repair of osteoporotic bone repair therefore become more important to reduce the society burden of care. We asked if absorbable collagen sponges containing recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) have the potential to enhance bone repair. We randomly assigned 40 rats into the ovariectomy and sham operation groups. A segmental defect was created in the right tibia 12 weeks after ovariectomy. rhBMP-2-containing absorbable collagen sponges were implanted into the defect in half of the animals in each group. We analyzed radiographs and histological sections and performed three-point bending tests to assess repair. Radiological scores in the rhBMP-2 applied rats were higher than those in controls at the end of 8 weeks after tibial osteotomy. The specimens failed under higher loads in the rhBMP-2-applied groups and histology revealed a higher fracture healing score, including callus formation, bone union, marrow changes, and cortex remodeling. We observed no adverse tissue responses such as fibrous connective tissue formation and inflammatory cellular infiltration. rhBMP-2 in absorbable collagen sponges enhanced bone repair in segmental tibial defects of ovariectomized rats. The sponges with rhBMP-2 appeared to enhance bone repair.

Soccer causes degenerative changes in the cervical spine.

BACKGROUND: Radiological changes and degeneration of the cervical spine have been previously described in soccer players. The onset of such changes was 10-20 years earlier than that of the normal population. The aim of this study was to assess these early degenerative changes in amateur active and veteran soccer players in a cross-sectional descriptive study using biomechanical, radiological, and magnetic resonance measures. METHODS: The subjects were active (<30 years; n=15) and veteran (>30 years; n=15) male amateur soccer players, and their age-matched controls ( n=13 and n=15). Biomechanical measurements were made on a cervical dynamometer. Dynamic radiological and magnetic resonance findings were also obtained and evaluated. RESULTS: The normalized mean extension moment was higher in the active soccer players, but the mean range of motion was lower. Degenerative changes were prominent in veteran players, and the sagittal diameter of their spinal canal at C2 to C6 was lower when compared to active players and controls. Magnetic resonance findings of degeneration were more prominent in soccer players when compared to their age-matched controls. CONCLUSION: A tendency towards early degenerative changes exists in soccer players most probably due to high- and/or low-impact recurrent trauma to the cervical spine caused by heading the ball.