Humeral shaft fracture: a randomized controlled trial of nonoperative versus operative management (plate fixation).

PURPOSE: This randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the outcomes of humeral shaft-fracture management with the functional Sarmiento brace (nonoperative) versus open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). METHODS: Sixty humeral shaft-fracture patients with a minimum age of 18 years were randomly assigned into two groups: operative treatment with open reduction-internal fixation (ORIF) or functional brace (Sarmiento). A similar postoperative rehabilitation program was applied for all subjects for the next 12 months. The outcomes of each method were measured in terms of nonunion rate, union time, "quick" Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire scores, and rate of complications, such as malunion, infection, and radial nerve injury. RESULTS: The two groups had similar baseline characteristics, including age, sex, smoking status, and type and mechanism of fracture. The mean union time was about 4.8 weeks shorter in the ORIF group (13.9 weeks in operative group versus 18.7 weeks in nonoperative group), indicating a definite significant superiority (p=0.001) of ORIF management to functional Sarmiento bracing. However, a comparison of quick DASH scores revealed a borderline-significant difference between the groups (p=0.065). Additionally, we found that treatment of humeral shaft fractures using functional bracing was associated with slightly higher risk of nonunion; however this was not significant (p=0.492). CONCLUSION: According to the present findings, there is remarkable superiority of ORIF over functional Sarmiento bracing in the management of patients with humeral shaft fracture.

The comparison of the effectiveness between different doses of local methylprednisolone injection versus triamcinolone in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: a double-blind clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Local corticosteroid injection is one of the most prevalent methods in treating carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, the most efficient substance and its appropriate dosage remain controversial. In the present double-blind randomized controlled trial, the efficacy and safety of local injection of two corticosteroids (triamcinolone and methylprednisolone) were compared at two different dosages, 20 and 40 mg. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We consecutively included 80 patients with mild or moderate CTS and randomly assigned them to four groups: 20 or 40 mg triamcinolone (T20 or T40) and 20 or 40 mg methylprednisolone (M20 or M40) groups; each patient received a single injection of steroid using conventional approach. The four groups were relatively comparable and did not show any significant difference initially in their baseline measurements including pain intensity measured using VAS, pain-free grip strength (PFGS), nerve conduction study (NCS), and two parts of Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire: symptom severity scale (SSS) and functional status scale (FSS); the latter was our primary outcome measure. Three months after injection, they were reassessed to evaluate the clinical and electrodiagnostic changes. RESULTS: Almost all NCS parameters, VAS, and PFGS significantly improved after treatment in all the groups (P<0.05). Compound motor action potential amplitude significantly improved only in T40 group (P=0.032), while there was no significant improvement in other groups. Furthermore, SSS remarkably decreased in all the four groups, without any significant difference between the groups (P=0.87). A similar significant decrease was found in FSS, with a higher improvement in T40 group (P=0.009). There was no significant difference between the four groups in other variables after treatment. CONCLUSION: Based on the current data, the efficacy and safety of local injection of triamcinolone and methylprednisolone at doses of 20 and 40 mg were associated with a significant improvement in pain, functional status, and strength. Although, there was no remarkable superiority, 40 mg injection, especially for triamcinolone, yielded better NCS results and functional status.

Bilateral total hip arthroplasty: one-stage versus two-stage procedure.

BACKGROUND:: Despite several studies, controversy has prevailed over the rate of complications following 1-stage and 2-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA). In the current study, we compare the complications and functional outcomes of 1-stage and 2-stage procedures. METHODS:: One hundred and eighty patients (ASA class I or II) with bilateral hip osteoarthritis were assigned randomly to two equal groups. The two groups were matched in terms of age and sex. All of the surgeries were performed via the Hardinge approach using uncemented implants. In 2-stage procedures, surgeries were performed with a 6-month to 1-year interval. All patients were evaluated 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS:: The Harris Hip Score (HHS) averaged 84.1 and 82.6 in 1-stage and 2-stage groups, respectively ( p = 0.528). The hospital stay was significantly longer in the 2-stage group (9.8 days vs. 4.9 days). The cumulative haemoglobin drop and the number of transfused blood units were the same. One patient in each group developed symptomatic deep venous thrombosis which was managed successfully. There was no patient with perioperative death, pulmonary embolism, infection, dislocation, periprosthetic fracture or heterotrophic ossification. No patient required reoperation. Two patients in the 1-stage group developed unilateral temporary peroneal nerve palsy, which was resolved after 3-4 months. CONCLUSION:: 1-stage bilateral THA can be used successfully for patients with bilateral hip disease without increasing the rate of complications. Functional and clinical outcomes are comparable and hospital stay is significantly shorter.

The Effect of Sagittal Femoral Bowing on the Femoral Component Position in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

In the current study, we investigated that how sagittal femoral bowing can affect the sagittal alignment of the femoral component in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). There were 25 patients underwent TKA. Long leg radiography in lateral view was performed. The sagittal femoral bowing (SFB) and component alignment in relation to the sagittal mechanical axis and distal anterior cortical line (DACL) were measured. Finally, the correlation of component alignment and SFB was examined. Mean SFB was 7±2.7 degrees. The component was in flexion position in relation to mechanical axis and DACL as 8.4±2.9 degrees and 1.7±0.9 degrees, respectively. The flexion alignment of the component was significantly correlated with SFB. Mechanical alignment of the limb in both coronal and sagittal axes should be preserved in TKA. SFB can significantly increased the flexion alignment of the femoral component.