Efficacy of poller screw in addition to lag screw in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures with proximal femoral nail: a biomechanical evaluation.

PURPOSE: The most common type of failure in treating intertrochanteric fractures with proximal femoral nails is cut-out due to varus collapse. We aim to evaluate the effect of the poller screw applied to the proximal fragment and the lag screw on varus collapse and stability in intertrochanteric fractures. METHODS: An unstable intertrochanteric fracture model without medial support was simulated in 20 synthetic femur models. In the poller screw group, in addition to the lag screw, pole screws were applied to the proximal fragment superior and inferior to the lag screw. In the progressive cyclic loading test, starting from 100 N, the loading was increased by 50 N in each cycle, and the test was continued until the maximum load at which failure occurred as a result of conditioning cycles and progressive cyclic loading tests, stiffness, type of failure, force at failure, lag screw displacement, and varus collapse were recorded. RESULT: The average stiffness was found to be 124.705 N/mm in the poller screw group and 102.77 N/mm in the control group (P < 0.001). The maximum load to failure was 1897.10 N in the poller screw group and 1475.20 N in the control group (P < 0.001). The average displacement of the lag screw within the femoral head was 0.85 mm in the poller screw group and 3.60 mm in the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: As a result, it has been shown that poller screws applied around the lag screw increase fixation stiffness and reduce varus collapse.

A comparative biomechanical study of the krackow suture technique with three common percutaneous suture techniques in the treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical resistance under tensile forces of the Krackow suture technique with the frequently used Dresden, Carmont & Maffulli, and Ma & Griffiths percutaneous repair techniques in bovine models of Achilles tendon rupture. METHODS: Transverse Achilles tendon rupture models were created from 4 cm proximal of the calcaneal insertion point in a total of 20 bovine Achilles tendon specimens. These were randomly allocated to 4 groups and repaired with configurations appropriate to the Dresden, Carmont & Maffulli, Ma & Griffiths and Krackow techniques. Failure mechanisms were recorded with force values (as Newton units) creating a 5 mm gap and load to failure under tensile loading at a rate of 10 mm/sec in a static testing device. RESULTS: In the Dresden technique group, the force required for a 5 mm gap was mean 41.21 ± 13.19 N and for load to failure, mean 193.83 ± 30.16 N, which were evaluated as statistically significantly higher than in the other techniques (p < 0.05). The lowest values were determined in the Ma & Griffiths technique group (5 mm gap: 11.06 ± 8.12 N, load to failure: 97.73 ± 29.60 N) but these were not significantly lower than the values in the Krackow and Carmont & Maffulli technique groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the Dresden technique was biomechanically superior against tensile forces compared to the Krackow technique, and the other frequently used percutaneous techniques of Carmont & Maffulli and Ma & Griffiths.

Postoperative alpha angle seems to be important for the achievement of clinical significance at a minimum 5-year follow-up after primary hip arthroscopy.

The purpose of the present study was to clarify whether there is an association of postoperative alpha value with functional scores or progression of osteoarthritis at X-rays at the midterm after arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome with femoral osteoplasty, labral repair or debridement and rim trimming. A retrospective review of prospectively gathered data from 2013 to 2017 was performed. All patients who underwent first-time unilateral hip arthroscopy for FAI resection with 5-year follow-up were included. Patient-reported outcomes included the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and Visual Analog Scale for Pain (Pain VAS). The progression of osteoarthritis (Tönnis grade) and radiological parameters (alpha angle, lateral center-edge angle [LCEA] and head-neck offset) were evaluated. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between significant variables and achievement of patient-acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) and degree of osteoarthritis. We identified 52 patients with a minimum 5-year follow-up (average, 6.7 years). The average patient age was 33.9 ± 11.5 years. There were 19 (36.5%) female patients. The mHHS improved from 60.1 ± 13.4 before surgery to 86.8 ± 14 after surgery (P < 0.001). The Pain VAS decreased from 6.21 before surgery to 2 after surgery (P < 0.001). Overall, 69% achieved the PASS for mHHS. The ROC curve for postoperative alpha angle demonstrated acceptable discrimination between patients achieving a fifth-year PASS value and those who did not have an area under the curve of 0.72. Patients having a postoperative alpha angle of ≤48.3° achieved the fifth-year PASS value at a significantly higher rate than patients having a postoperative alpha angle of >48.3° (P = 0.002). The postoperative alpha angle is a predictor of the achievement of the fifth-year PASS value for the mHHS. A threshold of ≤48.3° had a sensitivity of 0.75 and a specificity of 0.69 to predict positivity. Level of evidence IV.

Risk factors, classification, and operative choices of femur fractures at a Tertiary Hospital: first report from Somalia.

A traumatic femur fracture is a significant cause of morbidity, affecting one to three million individuals annually. The present is the first study investigated the epidemiological characteristics, risk factors, classification, mechanisms of injury, and early management of femoral fractures in Somalia. This retrospective epidemiological study included all patients with a femur fracture who were admitted for four years between November 2018 and December 2022 to the orthopedic and trauma surgery department. We reviewed patient demographic characteristics, including age and gender, the mechanism of injury, injury characteristics, and the type of fixation performed. We reviewed the radiographs and classified the fracture using the AO/OTA classification system. During the study period, a total of 402 patients were treated for femur fractures; 256 (64%) were males, and 144 (36%) were females. The mean patient age was 47.7 ± 8.5 years. Regarding the anatomical location of femur fractures, the proximal (31A, 31B) was the most common, accounting for 50% of the patients. Femur neck fracture (31B) was the most common in the proximal femur fractures. Gunshot 82 (59.42%) was the leading cause of femur shaft fractures. Most patients with femur shaft fractures were males; 150 (86.20%) and 152 (64.47%) were young patients between 19 and 40 years old. Almost half of the patients (86) with femur shaft fractures had open fractures. The distribution of the mechanism of injury significantly differed according to age (p < 0.001). Younger patients (< 40 years) were predominantly injured due to gunshot injuries compared to elderly cases (> 60 years), where falls from standing height were the primary mechanism of injuries. There was a statistically significant difference between the mechanism of injury and gender categories (p < 0.001). Male patients were injured mainly by gunshots in about 40%, while 80% of fractures in female patients were due to falls from standing height. Female fractures occurred primarily in the proximal, while the males had an equal fracture rate for proximal and shaft fractures. Femur fracture causes significant morbidity and mortality. The study findings revealed that the most common femur fracture type was femur neck fracture, and low-energy injuries were the most common mode of injury in the elderly. Proximal femur fractures occur in older age and mainly in females. Gunshots were the most common cause of femur shaft fractures in Somalia, a country that has struggled with wars for over 30 years.

Video-based digital platforms as an educational resource for the surgical preparation of orthopedic surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to research the video-based digital platforms that orthopedic specialists in Turkey use as an educational resource in their surgical preparations that they have not seen or done before, the frequency of their use of these platforms, and their trust in these platforms, with a survey study. METHODS: The importance of video-based digital platforms in surgical preparations that surgeons have not seen or done before was measured using the data obtained from 181 orthopedic specialists using a survey prepared on an Internet-based server (docs.google.com). RESULTS: Orthopedists used video-based digital platforms with a ratio of 38.7% among the educational resources in their surgical preparations that they have not seen or done before. There was no significant difference between the specialists with a surgical experience of 1-10 years and more than 10 years of experience in terms of using video-based digital platforms in surgical preparation (p>0.05). A total of 81.2% of the participants used only video-based digital platforms in the preparation of a surgical procedure they have never seen before. The most frequently used digital platform was YouTube, and 62% of the participants considered these platforms reliable. CONCLUSION: Orthopedic specialists in Turkey primarily and frequently use video-based digital platforms as a training resource in their preparations for surgery that they have not seen or done before. The establishment or support of platforms with evidence-based content with references from official orthopedic institutions and organizations can increase the trust of orthopedic specialists in these platforms.

A Novel Plate for Vertical Shear Fractures of Medial Malleolus: A Biomechanical Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate and compare stiffness and the load to failure values of our novel medial malleolus compression plate (MP) and 3,5mm 1/3 tubular plate (TP) in the treatment of vertical shear fractures of medial malleolar fractures. METHODS: Fourteen identical synthetic third generation composite polyurethane bone models of right distal tibia were randomly separated into two groups. Fracture models were created with a custom-made osteotomy guide to provide the same fracture characteristics in every sample (AO OTA type 44A2). Fractures were reduced and novel medial malleolus compression plate was applied to bone models in MP group and tubular plate was applied to TP group. All samples were evaluated biomechanically, force/displacement and the load to failure values were recorded. RESULTS: The force required to create displacement in MP group was twice of that of the TP group. There was a significant difference between two groups in all amounts of displacement (p = .006, p = .005, p = .007 and .015 for 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of vertical shear fractures of the medial malleolus, the strength of fixation with the novel medial malleolar compression plate is biomechanically higher than the one-third semi-tubular plate.

Can modified Dunn radiographs be an alternative to standing AP pelvis radiographs in the evaluation of pincer femoroacetabular impingement?

The purpose of this study was to compare modified Dunn radiographs with standing anteroposterior (AP) pelvis radiographs in respect of the tilt ratio, lateral centre-edge angle (LCEA), crossover sign, crossover percentage and joint space width measurements. The study hypothesis was that modified Dunn radiographs could be an alternative method to standing AP pelvis images in the evaluation of pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). The study included 31 patients with a mean age of 42 years (range: 29-55 years) who had modified Dunn and standing AP pelvis radiographs taken in the radiological evaluation of non-traumatic hip pain between July 2018 and September 2022. Similar tilt ratio values were obtained on standing AP and modified Dunn images (P = 0.986). Joint space width showed a decrease in the transition from the modified Dunn position to the standing position, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.161). The mean LCEA was measured as 34° ± 4° in the standing position and as 35° ± 5° in the modified Dunn position. No statistically significant difference was determined in the number of patients with a crossover sign or the crossover percentage values in these patients (P > 0.05). The data obtained in this study showed that there was no significant difference between images taken in the standing and modified Dunn positions in respect of radiological findings of pelvic tilt and pincer-type FAI. The modified Dunn radiograph is equivalent to the standing AP pelvis radiograph for the evaluation of pincer FAI.

Balance Control and Plantar Pressure Distribution in Hyperkyphotic Adolescent and Young Adults.

AIM: To assess differences in static/dynamic balance and plantar pressure distribution (PPD) in hyperkyphotic adolescents and young adults based on sagittal spinopelvic alignment changes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve hyperkyphotic patients and 12 normal subjects were included in the study group and control group, respectively. Lateral spine X-rays were used to evaluate spinopelvic parameters, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis (LL), and sagittal vertical axis offsets. A Balance Master device was used to evaluate the balance and postural control of subjects, and an EMED pedobarography device was used to record dynamic PPDs. Radiologic parameters, center of pressure (COP) velocity, COP alignment, and PPDs were compared in both groups to determine significance. RESULTS: A positive correlation was found between kyphosis and lordosis (r = 0.573, p=0.03) in the study group. No significant difference was found in COP alignment and mean sway velocity between the two groups (p > 0.05). Statistically significant differences were found in the endpoint excursion values in the forward direction between groups in terms of dynamic balance measurement (p=0.09). The dynamic pedobarographic measurements did not reveal any intergroup differences (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Delayed balance control may be observed during forward reach in hyperkyphotic adolescents and young adults. Compensatory LL may be effective to maintain normal gravity projections, static balance control, and PPDs as a response to thoracic hyperkyphosis.

Video-based digital platforms as an educational resource for the surgical preparation of orthopedic surgeons

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to research the video-based digital platforms that orthopedic specialists in Turkey use as an educational resource in their surgical preparations that they have not seen or done before, the frequency of their use of these platforms, and their trust in these platforms, with a survey study. METHODS: The importance of video-based digital platforms in surgical preparations that surgeons have not seen or done before was measured using the data obtained from 181 orthopedic specialists using a survey prepared on an Internet-based server (docs.google.com). RESULTS: Orthopedists used video-based digital platforms with a ratio of 38.7% among the educational resources in their surgical preparations that they have not seen or done before. There was no significant difference between the specialists with a surgical experience of 1-10 years and more than 10 years of experience in terms of using video-based digital platforms in surgical preparation (p>0.05). A total of 81.2% of the participants used only video-based digital platforms in the preparation of a surgical procedure they have never seen before. The most frequently used digital platform was YouTube, and 62% of the participants considered these platforms reliable. CONCLUSION: Orthopedic specialists in Turkey primarily and frequently use video-based digital platforms as a training resource in their preparations for surgery that they have not seen or done before. The establishment or support of platforms with evidence-based content with references from official orthopedic institutions and organizations can increase the trust of orthopedic specialists in these platforms.

Primary Arthroplasty or Internal Fixation in Intertrochanteric Femur Fractures: A Survey of Surgical Attitudes of Orthopedic Surgeons in Turkey.

This study aimed to examine the primary arthroplasty attitudes of Turkish orthopedics and traumatology specialists and residents to patients with intertrochanteric fractures, of various ages, comorbidity situations and fracture types, using an internet-based questionnaire. Between March and April 2021, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with a total of 159 orthopedics and traumatology specialists and residents in Turkey, using an online questionnaire that consisted of 16 different patient scenarios of varying intertrochanteric fracture types, ages, and comorbidity conditions. Respondents' preference ratio for primary arthroplasty was 24.1% in the scenarios with patients over the age of 71, while it was 8.4% in the scenarios with patients aged between 50 and 70. The ratios of primary arthroplasty preference were 12.4%, 21% and 27.3% in 2-part, 3-part and 4-part fracture scenarios, respectively. The primary arthroplasty preferences of respondents with 10 years or more of professional experience were observed to be statistically significantly different to those of the respondents with 1 to 10 years of experience in the 4-part fracture scenario where the patient was aged 71 years and above with an ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) score of 3-4 (p < 0.05). Despite varying opinions in the literature in recent years, primary arthroplasty can be considered a valuable alternative approach for Turkish surgeons, and in older adult patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures, particularly those who need early mobilization and have high ASA scores.

Biomechanical Comparison of a Closed-Loop Double Endobutton to a Lag Screw in Fixation of Posterior Malleolar Fractures.

Anteroposterior (AP) lag screw, posteroanterior (PA) lag screw, or posterior buttress plate are usually performed for posterior malleolar fixation, but the biomechanically strongest technique is unclear. The aim of our study was to biomechanically compare 3 different fixation methods for posterior malleolar fractures; AP lag screw, PA lag screw, and closed-loop double endobutton. Fracture models were created using a thin blade power saw after drawing the fracture line. The resultant fracture involved 30% of the joint on the distal tibial joint surface and extends with an angulation of approximately 50 degrees using 15 tibia composite bone samples. After anatomical reduction, fixation was achieved with 3.5 mm cortical screw in PA direction and in AP direction for group PA and AP, respectively. In Group DL, fixation was achieved with a closed-loop double endobutton (double lift loop, Orthomed, Turkey). The highest compression force to generate all displacement amounts was required for the double loop group (Group DL). The strongest fixation against compression was a double loop. The PA group was the second strongest fixation, and the AP group was the biomechanically weakest among these 3 fixation techniques. The closed-loop double endobutton technique was found biomechanically superior to anterior to posterior or posterior to anterior screw fixation techniques for posterior malleolar fracture.

The primary factor for suture configuration at rotator cuff repair: Width of mattress or distance from tear edge.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study was first to investigate whether the bite size or the bite distance from the tear edge is of primary importance in mattress suture configuration for rotator cuff repair. Secondly, whether the use of a 450 left side bent Arthro-Pierce™ (Smith & Nephew, Andover, USA) during suture passage can be more effective on the strength of the configuration compared to a straight Arthro-Pierce™. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight bovine infraspinatus muscle tendons were randomized into four groups. Group 1; 5 mm wide 'bite size' × 15 mm length 'distance from the tear edge's mattress'; Group 2: 7.5 mm × 10 mm; Group 3: 15 mm × 5 mm 'using straight Arthro-Pierce™' and Group 4: 5 mm × 15 mm using left sided 450 bent Arthro-Pierce™. The repair specimens underwent cyclic loading prior to loading the failure testing. Cyclic elongation (mm), peak-to-peak displacement (mm), ultimate load (N), stiffness (N/mm) and failure mode were recorded for each specimen. RESULTS: The mean ultimate load in Group 1 was higher compared to group 3. The peak to peak displacement was higher in Group 4 compared to Group 1 (p < 0.05). The predominant failure mode in Groups 1, 2 and 4 was suture rupture. The Group 3 most specimens failed due to suture cut through the tendon. CONCLUSION: Bite size from the edge of the tendon seems to be more important than the width of the mattress. The curve of the suture passing device may also have an effect on the strength of the suture tendon interface.