Accuracy of Hip Pericapsular Nerve Block (PENG) without Ultrasound Aid in Patients with Hip Pain.

Objective To describe and evaluate the accuracy of the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block technique with no ultrasound guidance. Method Series of 40 infiltrations in patients with hip pain undergoing outpatient follow-up in the hip surgery group or admitted to the emergency room from a hospital in São Paulo, SP, Brazil. The hip PENG technique was guided by palpable anatomical pelvic structures, with no ultrasound orientation for needle positioning, using the equipment only to check the correct location after an unguided puncture. Results In the 40 hips infiltrated from 35 patients with a mean age of 59.2 years, the success rate was 85%. Among the mispositioned cases, 71.4% occurred in the first 13 applications and 28.6% in the subsequent 27 applications. In all patients, the neurovascular bundle was in the medial third of the pen-made demarcation. Even in cases with a failed needle location, the distance from the neurovascular bundle was safe. A single adverse effect occurred, with spontaneous improvement of the femoral nerve apraxia within two days. Conclusion Unguided PENG block is a viable technique for a physician knowledgeable about its application in services with no ultrasound availability.

Block of the Pericapsular Nerve Group of the Hip with and without Ultrasound Guidance: Comparative Cadaveric Study.

Objective To evaluate the technical reproducibility of a block of the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) of the hip aided or not by ultrasound in cadavers. Materials and Methods The present is a randomized, descriptive, and comparative anatomical study on 40 hips from 2 cadaver groups. We compared the PENG block technique with the method with no ultrasound guidance. After injecting a methylene blue dye, we verified the dispersion and topographical staining of the anterior hip capsule through dissection. In addition, we evaluated the injection orifice in both techniques. Results In the comparative analysis of the techniques, there were no puncture failures, damage to noble structures in the orifice path, or differences in the results. Only 1 hip from each group (5%) presented inadequate dye dispersion within the anterior capsule, and in 95% of the cases submitted to either technique, there was adequate dye dispersion at the target region. Conclusion Hip PENG block with no ultrasound guidance is feasible, safe, effective, and highly reliable compared to its conventional counterpart. The present is a pioneer study that can help patients with hip pain from various causes in need of relief.

Patient Education in Orthopedics: the Role of Information Design and User Experience.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This narrative review will focus on concepts and methods of Information Design and User Experience for patient education in orthopedics, with osteoarthritis as an application example. RECENT FINDINGS: Information design can make complex health information clear according to the needs of the patients. Digital health presents new opportunities to design scalable educational interventions and may be improved with User Experience Design. Human-centered design methods such as user research, co-design, and prototype testing are being applied in orthopedics to achieve patient-centered care. Current international guidelines on osteoarthritis put patient education as one of the key care strategies. Educational interventions target preoperative education and osteoarthritis self-management, but current models could be enhanced. Patient education and health literacy are fundamental to face the burden of musculoskeletal pain. The collaboration between design and health is essential to deal with the demand for education, behavioral, and social change.

Comparative Evaluation of Cross-table and Ducroquet Incidences for Measurement of the Hip Alpha Angle.

Objective The purpose of the present paper is to compare the equivalence of the measurement of the alpha angle using the Ducroquet and cross-table lateral views. Methods We have recruited 90 patients, resulting in 95 hips. We have standardized the realization of the radiographic views. The incidence of the lateral cross-table views were taken with 15° of internal rotation with the patient in the supine position, and the incidence of the Ducroquet views was standardized with the patient in the supine position, with 90° of flexion and 45° of abduction of the hip. The alpha angle was measured in both lateral views, by two musculoskeletal radiologists. The measurements were performed in 2 different times: an initial evaluation and another 4 weeks afterwards. The t Student test was used and calculated the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results We have found a good intraobserver correlation for both views in different times; there was no statistically significant difference between the measurements performed by the two views. However, the interobserver correlation was low. Conclusion In conclusion, the Ducroquet profile view is a good choice for the α angle measurement and can be used instead of the cross-table view.

SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR FEMOROACETABULAR IMPINGEMENT IN A GROUP THAT PERFORMS SQUATS.

OBJECTIVE: Describe the results from arthroscopic surgical treatment on a group of patients who developed symptoms after repetitive physical activity of moving their hips in a position of hyperflexion, as in leg presses and squats. METHODS: The study group comprised 47 individuals (48 hips) who developed the onset of painful symptoms associated with hip hyperflexion exercises (leg presses or squats) and underwent arthroscopic treatment. The patients were evaluated radiographically and clinically according to the "Harris Hip Score", as modified by Byrd (MHHS), pre and postoperatively, and were asked about their return to sports activities and the surgical findings. RESULTS: The mean preoperative and postoperative MHHS, respectively, were 60 points (SD 11.0, range 38.5 to 92.4) and 95.9 points (SD 7.7, range 63.8 to 100), with an increase of 35.9 points (P < 0.001). Regarding physical activity, 30 individuals (71.5%) resumed sports activities after surgery, and 25 of them (83.4%) at the previous level. Six patients (12.8%) did not resume activities because of persistent pain. During arthroscopy, 48 hips (100%) presented lesions of the acetabular labrum, and 41 hips (85.4%) had acetabular chondral lesions. CONCLUSION: The patients with painful symptoms after hip hyperflexion exercises associated with femoroacetabular impingement presented improvements after arthroscopic treatment.

HEMIARTHROPLASTY IN THE TREATMENT FRACTURES OF THE FEMORAL NECK.

OBJECTIVE: To epidemiologically and clinically evaluate patients with displaced femoral neck fractures that were surgically treatment with cemented hip hemiarthroplasty. METHODS: All patients with displaced femoral neck fractures (Garden III and IV) who underwent cemented hip hemiarthroplasty using a unipolar prosthesis (Thompson), by means of a posterolateral access between June 2005 and September 2008 were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Seventy patients were initially evaluated. Their mean age was 83.1 years. The patients were predominantly female (84.3%). Thirty-six patients were monitored as outpatients for periods ranging from 10 to 48 months (mean of 26.5 months). Fifteen patients were lost to follow-up. Nineteen patients died, and the mortality rate within the first year was 25.4%. Patients classified as ASA III had a mortality rate of 25.7% and ASA II patients, a rate of 12.1%. Two patients had symptomatic deep vein thrombosis; one patient had an operative wound infection; and none of the patients presented hip dislocation. Most of the patients did not experience pain. Twelve patients (33%) showed deterioration of their walking ability. CONCLUSION: There were no cases of hip dislocation. Patients classified as ASA III had a higher mortality rate than did patients with ASA I or II. There was a worsening of walking ability in 33% of the patients. No revision due to loosening or pain was needed for any patient. Thirty patients did not present any pain (83.3%), four presented moderate pain (11.1%) and two presented intense pain (5.5%).

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DIAGNOSIS OF SUBCHONDRAL FRACTURE OF THE FEMORAL HEAD, HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE IT FROM AVASCULAR NECROSIS AND HOW TO TREAT IT.

Subchondral fracture of the femoral head is an uncommon and underdiagnosed affection. The abrupt or gradual onset of groin pain with functional disability on weight-bearing that improves with a resting period should alert the orthopedic surgeon to the possibility of this diagnosis. The differential diagnosis from osteonecrosis of the femoral head can be provided by assessing the different patterns of bone edema on MRI studies of the hip, thus avoiding unnecessary invasive operations on the hip.

ARTHROSCOPIC TREATMENT OF FEMOROACETABULAR IMPINGEMENT.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the short-term follow-up results of arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement. Our hypothesis is that arthroscopic treatment results are favorable. METHODS: Between August 2003 and August 2007, 28 hips had femoroacetabular impingement treated by hip arthroscopy. The mean age was 34 years, with mean follow-up period of 27 months. Clinical results were graded with the modified Harris hip score, which was measured pre- and postoperatively. Patients had also their internal rotation analyzed. These parameters were calculated by using Wilcoxon's t test for analysis of nonparametric paired samples performed. RESULTS: The mean preoperative Harris Hip Score was 54.2, improving to 94.8 postoperatively (p<0,001). The mean increase was 37.5 points. We had 4 good results (15%) and 24 excellent results (85%). Preoperatively, the patients had a mean internal rotation of 17°, and, postoperatively, 36°. The average internal rotation increase was 19° (p<0,001). CONCLUSIONS: The arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement presents satisfactory results.

ARTHROSCOPIC TREATMENT OF SYNOVIAL OSTEOCHONDROMATOSIS OF THE HIP.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to show the results achieved in the treatment of hip osteochondromatosis by arthroscopy. METHODS: Six patients submitted to hip arthroscopy for synovial osteochondromatosis have been assessed for pre- and postoperative function and pain. The time of preoperative complaint ranged from nine to 48 months, in an average of 28.2 months and the follow-up ranged from eight to 25 months (mean: 17.1 months). Mean age was 45.1 years, with four female patients (66.6%) and the right side affected in five cases (83.3%). RESULTS: Concerning the results according to Byrd-modified Harris' criteria, the mean score evolved from 54.1 to 90.4, and the mean score on the face expressions scale for pain assessment ranged from 1.7 to 5.1. CONCLUSION: arthroscopy is a good alternative for hip osteochondromatosis treatment, although longer follow-up times are required to strictly stating this. The results found so far are encouraging, constituting a littleinvasive procedure allowing good recovery.