Comprehensive Insights into Metastasis-Associated Spinal Cord Compression: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis: A State-of-the-Art Systematic Review.

Background: Spinal cord compression is a formidable complication of advanced cancer, and clinicians of copious specialities often have to encounter significant complex challenges in terms of diagnosis, management, and prognosis. Metastatic lesions from cancer are a common cause of spinal cord compression, affecting a substantial portion of oncology patients, and only in the US has the percentage risen to 10%. Acute metastasis-correlated spinal cord compression poses a considerable clinical challenge, necessitating timely diagnosis and intervention to prevent neurological deficits. Clinical presentation is often non-specific, emphasizing the importance of thorough evaluation and appropriate differential diagnosis. Diagnostic workup involves various imaging modalities and laboratory studies to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of compression. Treatment strategies focus on pain management and preserving spinal cord function without significantly increasing patient life expectancy, while multidisciplinary approaches are often required for optimal outcomes. Prognosis depends on several factors, highlighting the importance of early intervention. We provide an up-to-date overview of acute spinal cord compression in metastases, accentuating the importance of comprehensive management strategies. Objectives: This paper extensively explores the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic strategies, treatment modalities, and prognosis associated with spinal cord metastases. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Conclusions: We aim to help healthcare professionals make informed clinical decisions when treating patients with spinal cord metastases by synthesizing current evidence and clinical insights.

Porous Tantalum Acetabular Cups in Primary and Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty: What Has Been the Experience So Far?-A Systematic Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: The global population, especially in the Western world, is constantly aging and the need for total hip arthroplasties has rocketed, hence there has been a notable increase in revision total hip arthroplasty cases. As time has passed, a considerable developments in science and medicine have been attained which have also resulted in the evolution of both surgical techniques and implants. Continuous improvements have allowed large bore bearings to be utilized which provide an increased range of motion, with ameliorated stability and a very low rate of wear. The trend for almost the last two decades has been the employment of porous tantalum acetabular cups. Several studies exist comparing them with other conventional methods for total hip arthroplasties, exhibiting promising short and midterm results. METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and a Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) were used to identify published studies in a comprehensive search up to February 2023, and these studies were reviewed by the authors of the article. Specific rigorous pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria were implemented. RESULTS: Fifty-one studies met our inclusion criteria and were involved in the systematic review. Sixteen studies examined postoperative clinical and radiological outcomes of using a tantalum cup in primary and revision total hip arthroplasty, whilst four biomechanical studies proved the superiority of tantalum acetabular components. Five articles provided a thorough comparison between tantalum and titanium acetabular cups, while the other studies analyzed long-terms results and complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: Porous tantalum acetabular cups appear to be a valuable option in revision total hip arthroplasty, providing clinical improvement, radiological stability, and promising long-term outcomes. However, ongoing research, longer follow-up periods, and careful consideration of patient factors are essential to further validate and refine the use of tantalum in various clinical scenarios.

A Comprehensive Review of COVID-19-Infection- and Steroid-Treatment-Associated Bone Avascular Necrosis: A Multi-Study Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented numerous challenges to the global healthcare system and emerging evidence suggests a potential link between COVID-19 treatment, specifically steroid therapy, and the development of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent studies and case reports investigating the relationship between COVID-19, corticosteroid therapy, and the development of AVN. Understanding the nuances of AVN in the context of COVID-19 is crucial for healthcare professionals to navigate treatment decisions and mitigate potential complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and a Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) were used in the systematic review until 1 September 2023. The full texts of the remaining twenty-three (n = 23) articles were independently reviewed by the authors of this review. CONCLUSIONS: The association between steroid therapy for COVID-19 and the development of hip AVN is a noteworthy concern even though no relationship is evident between the duration of treatment, cumulative dosage of medication, maximum daily dosage received, and presence of AVN. Further research with larger cohorts and long-term follow up is needed to better understand the causative relationship and optimal management strategies for hip AVN in the context of COVID-19 and steroid therapy.

Study protocol: biomechanical testing, finite element analysis and prospective, randomized, clinical study of single screw cephalomedullary nailing versus integrated dual interlocking screw fixation for unstable (31A21-3) intertrochanteric fractures in patients > 70 years old.

BACKGROUND: Hip fractures are an increasingly common consequence of falls in older people that are associated with a high risk of death and reduced function. The vast majority of intertrochanteric fractures require surgical treatment to withstand early mobilization and weight bearing, which prevents complications due to prolonged bed rest and aids in fracture healing. METHODS: This study is compromised by two parts, the experimental study and the clinical part. In the first part, a standard 130° nail will be used with the appropriate lag screw(s) and dynamic distal locking in synthetic osteoporotic femurs and the transmission of forces in the proximal femur, measured by a cortical surface-strain distribution, will be evaluated using digital image correlation. Finite element parametric models of the bone, the nails and their interface will be also developed. Finite element computations of surface strains in implanted femurs, after being validated against biomechanical testing measurements, will be used to assist the comparison of the nails by deriving important data on the developed stress and strain fields, which cannot be measured through biomechanical testing. In the other part, will set up a prospective, randomized, comparative clinical study among the Gamma3 and IT cephalomedullary nailing, in order to investigate if there are any statistical important differences in the main radiological measurements and functional status in closed unstable intertrochanteric fractures (A21-3) in patients aged over 70 years old at the 24-week follow-up evaluation using patient reported disease-specific outcomes. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first to compare clinical, radiological and biomechanical measurements of the two different cephalomedullary nails. Our main hypothesis is that the IT nail would provide better radiological outcome and probably better clinical results than the Gama3 nail. Clinical trial registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15588442 , registered on 19/4/2022.

Post Traumatic Neuroma in Continuity of the Median Nerve in a Child: A Case Report.

An 8-year-old girl suffered a wrist laceration from a sharp glass, severing the median nerve. The nerve was end-to-end repaired at the time by a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Six months later, the girl suffered wrist pain and hyperesthesia over the previous surgical incision, significantly affecting her daily activities. Physical examination revealed a palpable mass over the median nerve with a positive Tinel sign, and the diagnosis of a painful neuroma in continuity was set. She underwent another surgery where the defective neuroma in-continuity was excised, and the median nerve was reconstructed using sural nerve cable autografts. At 18 months follow-up after the second surgery, the girl appeared with a full passive and active painless range of motion and a negative Tinel sign. This is the first case of neuroma in continuity presenting in a child in the literature, successfully managed surgically.

Pseudoaneurysm of the Superior Lateral Genicular Artery of the Knee Following Arthroscopic Irrigation and Debridement and Review of Literature.

Knee arthroscopy is among the most popular surgical procedures performed worldwide. Following knee arthroscopy, complications are infrequent, with vascular damage being extremely rare. We present a case of a 16-year-old man with a superior lateral genicular artery pseudoaneurysm of his right knee. The pseudoaneurysm developed after arthroscopic irrigation and debridement for septic arthritis following previous arthroscopic meniscal repair. Diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography angiography and the patient underwent intravascular embolization. We conducted a literature review to demonstrate the incidence of vascular injuries following knee arthroscopy, vessels that are more at risk, clinical presentation and current treatment options. Although vascular injuries following knee arthroscopy are uncommon, high clinical suspicion can lead to early detection and treatment of this severe complication.

Bilateral Hoffa Fractures of the Medial Femoral Condyles: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Intra-articular distal femoral fractures in the coronal plane, widely described as Hoffa fractures, are a rare entity. Lateral femoral condyles are mostly affected, while diagnosis can be challenging. Bilateral medial femoral condyle fractures are exceedingly scarce, with only one case being published in recent literature. Case Report: We present a case of a white 65-year-old man with bilateral medial femoral condyle Hoffa fractures caused by a crush injury. The patient was treated operatively by two different teams operating simultaneously on both sides, with good clinical and radiological outcomes after a follow-up period of 3 months. Conclusion: A literature review was conducted to analyze the potential mechanism of injury, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic approach. Bilateral medial Hoffa fractures are rare injuries concerning the orthopedic trauma field and this is the first case described, that was treated operatively with good functional outcomes.

Mosaicplasty of the Femoral Head: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Current Literature.

Osteochondral lesions of the femoral head are rare. For the treatment of these lesions, various joint-preserving procedures, particularly in young, active patients, have been developed. Mosaicplasty is a well-established surgical procedure for the knee. However, there is little evidence that this method can also be used to treat osteochondral lesions in the hip. The indication for cartilage procedures continues to evolve for the knee, and a similar strategy may be adopted for the hip joint. Due to limited evidence and a lack of experience, mosaicplasty treatment of these lesions remains challenging, especially in young patients. This study shows that open and arthroscopic management using the knee and femoral head as donor sites yielded good to excellent short- to mid-term outcomes. For osteochondral lesions of the femoral head, mosaicplasty may be a new alternative treatment option, although this needs to be proven with longer follow-ups and in a larger sample of patients.