Effects of vertebral fusion on levels of pro-inflammatory and catabolic mediators in a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the alterations in levels of pro-inflammatory and catabolic mediators following vertebral fusion in a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration. METHODS: In this study, 24 female New Zealand albino rabbits (aged 4 to 5 months and weighing 3 to 3.5 kg) were used. All the animals were randomly categorized into four groups, and dorsal spinal exposure of all lumbar vertebrae was routinely performed in each group. While disc degeneration was created in groups B, C, and D, spinal fusion was added to disc degeneration in groups C and D. Disc degeneration was typically created by puncturing the discs with an 18-gauge needle under the guidance of C-arm imaging. Fusion was achieved with posterior/posterolateral decortication and iliac bone grafts. The rabbits in groups A, B, and C were euthanized, and the discs were removed in the first week after the surgery. The rabbits in Group D were sacrificed, and the discs were harvested at 5 weeks after the surgery. The levels of Interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, Nitric Oxide (NO), Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP-13, and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in the discs were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTS: Significant increase was observed in the protein levels of both pro-inflammatory and catabolic mediators in disc degeneration groups (Group B, C, and D) compared to Group A. In the fusion groups (Group C and D), these increased mediators decreased, compared to non-fusion group (Group B), (IL1-ß P = 0.017, TIMP-1 P = 0.03, NO P = 0.03). However, there was no statistically significant difference in mediator levels between the short- and long-term fusion (Group C versus D). CONCLUSION: The results of this study have shown that a significant decrease in pro-inflammatory and catabolic mediators may be expected after vertebral fusion whereas there may be no significant difference between the first and fourth week of fusion surgery. These findings may contribute to clarifying the mechanism of action of vertebral fusion in the treatment of low back pain.

There is No Remarkable Difference Between Pedicle Screw and Hybrid Construct in the Correction of Lenke Type-1 Curves.

AIM: To compare the deformity correction success of segmental pedicle screw and hybrid instrumentation for the treatment of Lenke type-1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) curves. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Surgically treated Lenke type-1 scoliosis patients were retrospectively evaluated and data of 26 patients treated with hybrid instrumentation were included in the first group. In this group, all patients had been operated with hooks at the thoracic part and transpedicular screws at the lumbar part. The second group included 26 patients operated with all segment transpedicular screws. Cobb angles of curves, flexibility, apical vertebral translation (AVT), coronal body balance, kyphosis and lordosis were measured. All measurements and correction ratios were compared between the groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups for preoperative thoracic and lumbar Cobb angles, thoracic and lumbar curve flexibility, coronal balance, AVT, kyphosis and lordosis. However, the postoperative thoracic correction ratio was significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Segmental screw instrumentation had better results for thoracic curve correction than hybrid instrumentation for the treatment of Lenke type-1 curves. Good results may be achieved with both techniques to provide sagittal balance.

An anatomic study of the lateral patellofemoral ligament.

OBJECTIVE: The lateral patellofemoral ligament (LPFL) is part of the lateral retinaculum cut during arthroscopic or open release. We investigated its anatomic and morphometric characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified the LPFL insertion point on the condyle in vertical and sagittal planes in 32 adult cadaveric knees. We measured its length and width at the insertion point. We located the midpoint of this point and measured from it to the distal and posterior condylar ends. We measured anterior-posterior and proximal-distal lateral condylar lengths. We evaluated the insertion point shape on the lateral femoral condyle. Degree of relationship between variables was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The LPFL mean length was 23.2 mm, and mean width at the insertion point was 15.6 mm. Regarding its insertion into the lateral condyle, central insertions were more frequent (vertical plane: 53.1% central and sagittal plane: 75% central). A significant positive correlation was evident between the LPFL length and width at the insertion point (p = 0.05). Thus, the LPFL length was proportional to its width at the insertion point. A significant positive correlation was found between the anterior-posterior condylar length and width of the LPFL at the insertion point (p = 0.017). Therefore, greater anterior-posterior condylar length equates to a larger area of insertion on the condyle. CONCLUSION: Greater width of the LPFL at the insertion point corresponds to greater LPFL and anterior-posterior lateral condylar lengths.

Utilization of the bicipital groove axis for confirming alignment of the humerus with transepicondylar and ulnar shaft axes during intramedullary nailing.

OBJECTIVE: Intramedullary nailing is the preferred surgical treatment of humerus shaft fractures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the bicipital groove and specific anatomical landmarks in achieving correct alignment of the humerus during intramedullary nailing, and to describe these anatomical landmarks. METHODS: Thirty (15 right; 15 left) total upper cadaver extremities were used in this study. After the anatomical landmarks were identified and marked, humeral head axis, transepicondylar axis, ulnar shaft axis, bicipital groove axis, and angular measurements of these were obtained. RESULTS: The mean angle between the bicipital groove axis and transepicondylar axis was 48.17°±12.35º (range: 20.10º to 74.6º). The mean angle between the bicipital groove axis and ulna diaphysis axis was 41.82º±11.56 º (range: 17.91º to 68.27º). The mean angle between the humeral head axis and bicipital groove axis was 20.53°±3.90º (range: 11.85º to 31.81º). The mean retroversion angle between the humeral head axis and transepicondylar axis was 27.52±11.37º (range: 4.26º to 49.36º). The mean angle between the humeral head axis and ulna diaphysis axis was 61.73º±12.08º (range: 33.97º to 86.37º). The mean torsion angle was 62.58º±11.28 º (range: 40.74º to 85.74º). CONCLUSION: Measurement and utilization of the relationship between the bicipital groove, ulna diaphysis and transepicondylar axes may be used for restoring humeral rotation.

Interobserver reliability of the Turkish version of the expanded and revised gross motor function classification system.

PURPOSE: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common disability in childhood. The gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) has become an important tool to assess motor function in CP patient. In 2007, the expanded and revised (E&R) version of GMFCS which includes age band for youth 12-18 years of age was developed. The aim of this study was to evaluate reliability of Turkish version of expanded and revised GMCS. METHODS: We assessed interobserver reliability between two physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists in 136 children with CP and test-retest reliability within a subgroup of 48 patients. Percent agreement, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and µ statistics were used to evaluate reliability. RESULT: The ICC between two physicians was 0.97 and the total agreement was 89%. This result indicates excellent agreement. The overall weighted µ was 0.86. High test-retest reliability was found (ICC: 0.94 95% confidence interval) and the total agreement was 75% for test-retest reliability. CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the E&R GMFCS is shown to be reliable and valid for assessment of Turkish CP children.

Regional migratory osteoporosis: case report of a patient with neuropathic pain.

Regional migratory osteoporosis (RMO) is an idiopathic disorder characterized by severe periarticular pain, transient and migratory arthralgia, and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis in this disease may appear in the form of local regional osteoporosis and bone marrow edema or generalized osteoporosis. It occurs most commonly in middle-aged men and late second or third trimester pregnant women. The laboratory findings of the disease are usually normal and do not demonstrate apparent anomalies. The presence of bone marrow edema on MRI is its characteristic finding. RMO can only be separated from transient osteoporosis of hip and avascular necrosis with migration to other joints. Clinically, RMO progresses in three stages: increasing pain and disability, radiological findings (osteopenia), maximalization of symptoms, and finally, the regression of the disease and radiological changes. In this case report, we present a 29-year-old woman whose symptoms had first appeared at the second trimester of pregnancy and migrated both to the other joints in the proximo-distal direction and to the adjacent bones within the same joint. She also had symptoms such as hyperalgesia, hyperesthesia and hypertrichosis along with neuropathic pain, which she described as a burning, biting, and prickling type of pain at the right leg. The neuropathic pain of the patient was resistant to medical treatment. We believe that this case was worth reporting because of the obstinate clinical course of the patient's disease and her severe neuropathic pain that was resistant to treatment.

Anatomical variations of iliolumbar artery and its relation with surgical landmarks.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to reveal the variations of origin of iliolumbar artery, and its relations with the surrounding surgically important anatomical structures. METHODS: The origin, diameter, and tract of iliolumbar artery were determined bilaterally in 21 formalin-fixed adult male cadavers (21 right and 21 left arteries) in the Laboratory of Department of Anatomy. RESULTS: Iliolumbar artery was originating from common iliac artery in 4.8% (2 arteries), internal iliac artery in 71.4% (30 arteries), posterior trunk of internal iliac artery in 19% (8 arteries), and as two different arteries from internal iliac artery in 4.8% (2 arteries) of the cases. The mean diameter of the iliolumbar artery was 3.7 mm. CONCLUSION: The anatomical properties of iliolumbar artery and its relation with anatomical landmarks, which were presented here, would be helpful in decreasing iatrogenic trauma to iliolumbar artery during surgery.

Neurovascular risks of sacral screws with bicortical purchase: an anatomical study.

The aim of this cadaver study is to define the anatomic structures on anterior sacrum, which are under the risk of injury during bicortical screw application to the S1 and S2 pedicles. Thirty formaldehyde-preserved human male cadavers were studied. Posterior midline incision was performed, and soft tissues and muscles were dissected from the posterior part of the lumbosacral region. A 6 mm pedicle screw was inserted between the superior facet of S1 and the S1 foramen. The entry point of the S2 pedicle screw was located between S1 and S2 foramina. S1 and S2 screws were placed on both right and the left sides of all cadavers. Then, all cadavers were turned into supine position. All abdominal and pelvic organs were moved away and carefully observed for any injury. The tips of the sacral screws were marked and the relations with the anatomic structures were defined. The position of the sacral screws relative to the middle and lateral sacral arteries and veins, and the sacral sympathetic trunk were measured. There was no injury to the visceral organs. In four cases, S1 screw tip was in direct contact with middle sacral artery. In two cases, S1 screw tip was in direct contact with middle sacral vein. It was observed that the S1 screw tips were in close proximity to sacral sympathetic trunk on both right and the left sides. The tip of the S2 screw was in contact with middle sacral artery on the left side only in one case. It is found that the tip of the S2 screw was closely located with the middle sacral vein in two cases. The tip of the S2 pedicle screw was in contact with the sacral sympathetic trunk in eight cases on the right side and seven cases on the left side. Lateral sacral vein was also observed to be disturbed by the S1 and S2 screws. As a conclusion, anterior cortical penetration during sacral screw insertion carries a risk of neurovascular injury. The risk of sacral sympathetic trunk and minor vascular structures together with the major neurovascular structures and viscera should be kept in mind.

Botulinum toxin A injection for spasticity in diplegic-type cerebral palsy.

Botulinum toxin type A can be both safe and effective in relieving spasticity in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy. In our prospective study, we evaluated the functional effect of botulinum toxin A in spastic diplegic-type cerebral palsy. Patients were examined on enrollment and at 1, 3, and 6 months after injection. Passive dorsiflexion of the ankle joint was measured using a goniometer as an angle of possible maximal dorsiflexion with the knee extended and flexed. Spasticity was graded using the Modified Ashworth Scale. Selective motor control at the ankle was assessed, and observational gait analysis was done. The functional status of the patients was determined by using the gross motor classification system. Botulinum toxin A was injected into the gastrocnemius muscle in all patients, and in four patients with concomitant jump knee gait, a hamstring muscle injection was added. Fourteen patients were included in the study. The mean age was 58.81 +/- 15.34 months. Following injection, spasticity was clinically decreased and statistically significant improvement was noticed in all clinical parameters after 1, 3, and 6 months of injection. The improvement in the clinical parameters decreased after 6 months but not to the baseline. One patient was Level II, four patients were Level III, and six patients were Level IV according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System at baseline. Improvement in the gross motor classification system is continued after 6 months in 12 children. The main goal of spasticity treatment in cerebral palsy is functional improvement. In our study, most of our patients had functional improvement according to the gross motor function classification system and did not change at 6 months.

[The relationship between objective and subjective evaluation criteria in lumbar spinal stenosis]. / Lomber spinal stenozda objektif ve subjektif degerlendirme ölçütleri arasindaki iliski.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the relationship between functional objective and patient-based subjective assessments and quality of life in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). METHODS: Thirty patients (25 females, 5 males; mean age 62+/-9 years; range 41-78 years) were prospectively studied. All were diagnosed as having LSS by clinical and radiological evaluations. Pain was assessed by a visual analog scale. The patients were evaluated by the two-staged treadmill exercise tolerance (TET) test, SF-36 health status survey, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The relationships between the TET test, which is an objective functional assessment, and patient-based assessments (SF-36 and ODI), pain and age were investigated. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the functional grades of the patients at the speed of 1.9 km/hour with respect to ODI scores, the physical component scale of SF-36, age, and the preferred speed of the patients (p<0.05). These differences emerged from the fourth functional stage (p<0.01). Oswestry disability scores and the physical component scores of SF-36 worsened in parallel with the stages of the TET test. The preferred speed of the patients at the TET test was positively correlated with the physical component scores of SF-36 and negatively correlated with Oswestry disability scores (p<0.05). There was a negative correlation between the physical component scores of SF-36 and Oswestry disability scores (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The TET test used to determine the functional capacity seems to be correlated well with subjective patient-based assessments. This objective tool, when combined with subjective assessments, may be helpful in the evaluation and treatment of patients with LSS.

Flexible flatfoot and related factors in primary school children: a report of a screening study.

The aim of this study was to analyze the longitudinal arch morphology and related factors in primary school children. Five hundred and seventy-nine primary school children were enrolled in the study. Generalized joint laxity, foot progression angle, frontal hindfoot alignment, and longitudinal arch height in dynamic position were evaluated. The footprints were recorded by Harris and Beath footprint mat and arch index of Staheli was calculated. The mean age was 9.23 +/- 1.66 years. Four hundred and fifty-six children (82.8%) were evaluated as normal and mild flexible flatfoot, and 95 children (17.2%) were evaluated as moderate and severe flexible flatfoot. The mean arch indices of the feet was 0.74 +/- 0.25. The percentage of flexible flatfoot in hypermobile and non-hypermobile children was found 27.6 and 13.4%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in dynamic arch evaluation between hypermobile and non-hypermobile children. There was a significant negative correlation between arch index and age, and a significant negative correlation between hypermobility score and age. Our study confirms that the flexible flatfoot and the hypermobility are developmental profiles.

Reliability and validity of adapted Turkish Version of Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire.

STUDY DESIGN: Outcome study to determine the internal consistency, and validity of adapted Turkish version of Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) Instrument. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the validity and reliability of adapted Turkish Version of SRS-22 questionnaire. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The SRS-22 questionnaire is a widely accepted questionnaire to assess the health-related quality of life for scoliotic patients in the United States. However, its adaptation in languages other than the source language is necessary for its multinational use. METHODS: Translation/retranslation of the English version of the SRS-22 was done, and all steps for cross-cultural adaptation process were performed properly by an expert committee. Later, SRS-22 questionnaires and previously validated Short Form-36 (SF-36) outcome instruments were mailed to 82 patients who had been surgically treated for idiopathic scoliosis. All patients had a minimum of 2 years follow-up. Fifty-four patients (66%) responded to the first set of questionnaires. Forty-seven of the first time respondents returned their second survey. The average age of the 47 patients (12 male, 35 female) was 19.8 years (range, 14-31 years). The two measures of reliability as internal consistency and reproducibility were determined by Cronbach alpha statistics and intraclass correlation coefficient, respectively. Concurrent validity was measured by comparing with an already validated questionnaire (SF-36). Measurement was made using the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). RESULTS: The study demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency with high Cronbach alpha values for the four of the corresponding domains (pain, 0.72; self-image, 0.80; mental health, 0.72; and satisfaction, 0.83). However, the Cronbach alpha value for function/activity domain (0.48) was considerably lower than the original questionnaire. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the same domains was 0.80, 0.82, 0.78, 0.81, and 0.76, respectively, demonstrating a satisfactory test/retest reproducibility. Considering concurrent validity, two domains had excellent correlation (r = 0.75-1), while 9 had good correlation (r = 0.50 to 0.75), and 6 had moderate correlation (r =0.25-0.50). Based on these results, question 18 in the function/activity domain with lower Cronbach alpha value was revised while question 15 was excluded. The revised SRS-22 was given to 30 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients not included in the index study. The revision could improve the Cronbach alpha value for function/activity domain from 0.48 to 0.81. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that, if measures are to be used across cultures, the items must not only be translated well linguistically but also must be culturally adapted to maintain the content validity of the instrument at a conceptual level across different cultures. This may necessitate several validation studies to ensure and improve consistency in the content and face validity between source and target versions of a questionnaire due to difficulty in detecting subtle differences in the living habits of different cultures.

Apical instrumentation alters the rotational correction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the effect of apical vertebral instrumentation in the axial plane in the surgical treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. Seventy-six consecutive patients with King type II idiopathic scoliosis, treated with posterior spinal instrumentation, were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 14.5 years (range 10-18 years), and the mean follow-up was 49 (range 28-74) months. Preoperative radiological evaluation was performed with postero-anterior, lateral, traction and side-bending radiographs. Vertebral rotation was measured with a Perdriolle torsion meter. Patients were retrospectively divided into two groups according to the presence of apical vertebra instrumentation. Group 1 consisted of 43 patients in whom the upper and lower neutral and intermediate vertebrae of thoracic curves had been instrumented on the concave side. Group 2 consisted of 33 patients who had received instrumentation of the apical vertebra on the concave side in addition to the instrumentation configuration of group 1. Posterior fusion was added in all patients. Cobb and Perdriolle measurements were compared between the two groups preoperatively and at the last follow-up. Preoperative age and gender distribution, Cobb angle and rotational measurements, and correction ratios on side-bending films were similar in the two groups. Although the differences between the two groups in preoperative mean values of both Cobb angle and apical rotation were not statistically significant (P>0.05), mean values of apical rotation were significantly different postoperatively (P<0.05). At the same time, apical derotation ratios differed significantly between the two groups (P=0.000). We conclude that instrumentation of the apical vertebra provides better derotation at the apex.

Relationship between onychocryptosis and foot type and treatment with toe spacer. A preliminary investigation.

The relationship between onychocryptosis and foot type was investigated in a series of 512 patients. Of these patients, 124 had signs or a history of onychocryptosis. Among the nine foot types identified by digital and metatarsal formulas, the Greek index minus and squared index minus types showed the strongest association with onychocryptosis, which was present in more than one-third of such feet. When anteroposterior radiographs of each type of foot were taken after binding the first and second toes together to simulate a tight shoe, the enlargement of bony structures of the second toe at the distal interphalangeal level in the Greek and squared index minus feet moved toward the distal enlargement of the distal phalanx of the first toe where the ingrowing occurs. Ten cases of stage I and four cases of stage II onychocryptosis were treated by placing a toe spacer between the first and second toes; all healed in about 3 weeks, suggesting that counterpressure of the second toe in tight shoes is a factor in the development of onychocryptosis.

Congenital anterior dislocation of the radial head: a case with radiographic findings identical to traumatic dislocation.

Differentiation of congenital unilateral dislocation of the radial head from a traumatic dislocation depends mainly on the radiographic findings. Here, we report a case of congenital unilateral anterior radial head dislocation with radiographic findings identical to traumatic dislocation.