Is Radiographic Osteoporotic Hip Morphology A Predictor For High Mortality Following Intertrochanteric Femur Fractures?: Osteoporotic Hip Morphology & Mortality.

INTRODUCTION: Factors related to mortality after intertrochanteric femur fractures (ITFF) have been investigated intensively in the literature except for radiographic osteoporotic hip morphology. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between mortality and radiographic osteoporotic hip morphology of patients with ITFF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery between the dates of January 2012 and June 2018 due to ITFF were retrospectively reviewed. Osteoporotic status of the proximal femur was determined based on Singh Index grading and Dorr classification systems on preoperative anteroposterior pelvis radiographs of contralateral hips. The mortality rates of the patients were measured at 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months. For controlling the confounders, multiple regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 321 consecutive ITFFs were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 81.5 ± 6.6 years. All patients were treated with osteosynthesis utilizing a cephalomedullary nail. The overall mortality rates at 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months were 7.2%, 13.4%, 16.2%, 22.7%, respectively. There was 2.196 (1.140 - 4.229) folds increase in the mortality rate of patients with the Dorr type C femurs at 6th month (p=0.019). However, Singh index grade was not significantly associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Patients with Dorr type C femur seem to have 2.1 times increased mortality at 6th months following ITFFs. A simple anteroposterior pelvis radiograph obtained during the initial evaluation of the patients may be used to estimate the mortality rate after ITFF.

Is there an optimal timing for surgical treatment of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures in the first 24 hours?

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the ideal surgical timing in the first 24 hours after admission to the hospital of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures (SHF) that do not require emergent intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery in our institution between January 2011 and January 2019 due to pediatric Gartland type 3 SHFs were evaluated retrospectively. Open fractures, fractures associated with vascular injury and compartment syndrome, flexion type fractures were excluded. A total of 150 Gartland type 3 were included. The effect of early (<12 hours) or late (>12 hours) surgical interventions, daytime or night-time surgeries, working or non-working hour surgeries on operative parameters (operative duration and open reduction rate, reduction quality on postoperative early radiographs) were evaluated in pediatric SHFs. RESULTS: Early (<12 hours) or late (>12 hours), daytime or nighttime, working or non-working hour surgeries were found to be similar in Gartland type 3 patients regarding early postoperative reduction quality, duration of surgery, open reduction rate (p>0.05). Mean times passed from first admission to hospital until surgery were longer in working hour, late (>12 hours) and daytime surgery groups than non-working hour, early (<12 hours) and night-time surgery groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Although delaying the operation to the working hours seems to prolong the time until surgery in pediatric Gartland type 3 SHF patients who do not require emergent intervention such as open fractures, neurovascular impairment and compartment syndrome, there may not be a time interval that makes a difference for the patients if surgery is performed within the first 24 hours, thus the surgery could be scheduled according to the surgeons' preference. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3, Retrospective cohort study.

The Cost and Consequences of Failed Osteosynthesis of Intertrochanteric Femur Fractures: A Matched Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the cost and consequences of failed osteosynthesis of intertrochanteric femur fracture (ITFF) patients and compare with primary ITFF patients. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 689 patients who underwent surgery due to ITFF via cephalomedullary nail. 31 patients (5.8%) had revision surgery because of osteosynthesis failure of ITFF. Each revision case included in the study was matched with four primary ITFF cases as control group based on age, gender, year of operation, type of fracture and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade. Total cost for the admission that patients underwent surgery, mortality rate at first year, infection rate, length of stay at hospital, length of stay at intensive care unit, and erythrocyte transfusion amounts were recorded from hospital registry records. Tip apex distances (TAD) were noted. RESULTS: The mean total cost of the revision cases and primary cases was 10,027 ± 6387 and 5261 ± 1773 Turkish Liras, respectively (p < 0.001). TAD was ≥ 20 mm in 32.3% (10/31) of patients in revision group while 2.4% (3/124) of the patients in control group (p < 0.001). The mean length of stay at hospital, length of stay at intensive care unit, erythrocyte transfusion amounts, infection rate and mortality rate at first year were significantly higher in revision cases compared to matched primary control cases (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Revision surgeries due to failed osteosynthesis of ITFFs with cephalomedullary nail have at least two times higher mean total cost than primary cases. The awareness of the cost, morbidity and mortality of the revision surgeries may reduce the modifiable risk factors of osteosynthesis failure including maintenance of TAD below 20 mm, obtaining optimal lag screw position and reduction quality. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3, retrospective cohort study.

Dynamic and Stabilometric Analysis After Syndesmosis Injuries.

BACKGROUND: Distal tibiofibular syndesmosis contributes to dynamic stability of the ankle joint and thereby affects gait cycle. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the grade of syndesmosis injury on plantar pressure distribution and dynamic parameters of the foot. METHODS: Grade of syndesmosis injury was determined by preoperative plain radiographic evaluation, intraoperative hook test, or external rotation stress test under fluoroscopic examination, and two groups were created: group 1, patients with grade III syndesmosis injury (n = 17); and group 2, patients with grade II syndesmosis injury (n = 10). At the last visit, radiologic and clinical assessment using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score was performed. Dynamic and stabilometric analysis was carried out at least 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 48.9 years (range, 17-80 years), and the mean follow-up was 16 months (range, 12-24 months). No statistically significant difference was noted between two groups regarding Foot and Ankle Outcome Score. The comparison of stabilometric and dynamic analysis revealed no significant difference between grade II and grade III injuries (P > .05). However, comparison of the data of patients with grade III syndesmosis injury between injured and healthy feet showed a significant difference for dynamic maximum and mean pressures (P = .035 and P = .49, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Syndesmosis injury does not affect stance phase but affects the gait cycle by generating increased pressures on the uninjured foot and decreased pressures on the injured foot. With the help of pedobarography, processing suitable orthopedic insoles for the injured foot and interceptive measures for overloading of the normal foot may prevent later consequences of ankle trauma.

Injury mechanisms of ankle fractures with dislocation and analysis of differences on functional outcome.

BACKGROUND: In the existing classifications, no importance is given to dislocations accompanying ankle fractures. The present study aims to investigate differences in injury mechanisms of ankle fractures with concomitant dislocation injury in respect of functional outcomes and complications. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was carried out of 285 patients who underwent surgery in our clinic for an ankle fracture between January 2012 and December 2018. A comparison was made of functional scores and complications between the patients with ankle fracture with dislocation (AF-D group) and patients with ankle fracture without dislocation (AF-WD). The correlation of dislocation with current classifications (Lauge-Hansen and Danis-Weber) and the effects on functional outcomes were also evaluated. In addition to functional scores, a record was also made for each patient of infection during follow-up, soft-tissue defect, malalignment, non-union, arthrosis and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 44.7±12.04 years (range, 18-72 years) and the mean follow-up period was 3.2 years. Ankle fracture with dislocation was observed in 88 (30.8%). Similar functional results were determined in the AF-WD and AF-D groups with mean AOFAS 84.05±10.5, and 80.33±9.47, respectively (p=0.379), and mean VAS scores of 1±0.5 and 1.23±0.48, respectively (p=0.117). When the AOFAS values of the dislocation function results were evaluated according to the Lauge-Hansen and Danis-Weber subgroups, no significant difference was observed (p=0.562, 0.723). Arthrosis was seen in two of the AF-WD group and seven of the AF-D group (p=0.004). RSD was determined in two of the AF-WD group and in 10 of the AF-D group (p=0.000). From a medico-legal perspective, patients should be informed about arthrosis, and RSD is another significant problem encountered in this patient group. CONCLUSION: Although dislocation accompanying ankle fracture was not seen to worsen functional results, arthrosis and RSD were determined more often in these patients.

The mid-term effects on quality of life and foot functions following pilon fracture.

BACKGROUND: Although pilon fractures are uncommon, they are of importance to orthopaedic surgeons because of the difficulty of treatment. Poor outcomes and high complication rates are seen despite various surgical methods. This study aims to examine the changes affecting the quality of life and foot functions in patients applied with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for a pilon fracture. METHODS: In this study, a total of 45 patients treated with ORIF for a pilon fracture in our clinic between January 2010 and December 2016 were evaluated with AOFAS and SF-12 in a total of 10 categories according to demographic data, fracture classification and surgical technique. In addition to functional values, patient records were examined regarding complications, including infection, soft-tissue defect, malalignment, non-union, arthrosis and Sudeck atrophy. In patients with AOFAS <85 and low SF-12 scores, variables were examined and the relationship with complications was evaluated. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 3.7 years (range 2 to 7). The AOFAS value was determined to fall to <85 when the Ruedi Allgower classification increased (p=0.010), when AO classification increased (p=0.020), when there was a concomitant lateral malleolar fracture (p=0.028), and when the status was non-anatomic according to the Ovadia Bell criteria (p=0.031). The SF-12 PCS value was observed to decrease when the Ruedi Allgower classification increased (p=0.018) and when the status was non-anatomic according to the Ovadia Bell criteria (p=0.012). A correlation was determined between the SF-12 PCS and the AOFAS values (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: The reasons for the failure of ORIF in tibia pilon fractures were found to be Ruedi 3 classification, concomitant lateral malleolar fracture, and non-anatomic surgical reduction. Failure in foot functions has a direct effect on quality of life in both the short and mid term.

Intraobserver and interobserver reliability assessment of tibial plateau fracture classification systems.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the intra- and interobserver reliability of commonly used tibial plateau fracture classification systems. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included computed tomography (CT) and plain radiographic images (lateral and anteroposterior X-rays) of 60 patients (40 males, 20 females; mean age 45.9 years; range 18 to 80 years) who presented to two orthopaedic clinics between January 2011 and January 2015 with unilateral tibial plateau fractures. All plain X-rays (XR) and CT images were evaluated by four observers on two separate occasions, 1.5 months apart. All fractures were classified according to the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen-Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO-OTA), Schatzker, Hohl and Moore, Luo and revised Duparc systems. Intraobserver reliability was measured with Cohen's kappa (κ) coefficient and interobserver reliability with Fleiss' kappa coefficient. RESULTS: When Schatzker classification was performed, interobserver reliability was in moderate level for (κ=0.51) for XR and in substantial level for CT (κ=0.61). When AO/OTA classification was used, interobserver reliability was in moderate level for both methods of diagnosis (κXR=0.43 and κCT=0.54, respectively). In the Hohl and Moore classification, the interobserver reliability was also moderate for both methods of diagnosis (κXR=0.45 and κCT=0.51, respectively). Revised Duparc classification showed the lowest interobserver reliability ranging from fair to moderate level (κXR=0.27-0.55 and κCT=0.44-0.61). Interobserver reliability for Luo classification was κCT=0.47. Intraobserver reliability for CT in Luo classification was in substantial level for observers 1, 2 and 3 (κCT=0.67-0.71) and in perfect level for observer 4 (κCT=0.84). Intraobserver reliability was in substantial level in Schatzker classification and in moderate level at the other classifications. CONCLUSION: Among the classification systems compared in this study, Schatzker was the most reliable particularly when CT was used. On the other hand, revised Duparc classification presented the worse reliability results due to its complexity and different morphological subtypes.

Platelet-rich plasma versus open surgical release in chronic tennis elbow: A retrospective comparative study.

PURPOSE: To compare short and mid-term results in the treatment of chronic elbow tendinosis with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or Nirschl surgical technique. METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted on patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis, treated by Nirschl surgical technique (50 elbows) or PRP (60 elbows). Outcome was evaluated with Visual Analog Score (VAS), Mayo Elbow Scores and grip strength measurements. RESULTS: VAS and Mayo Elbow Scores of the PRP group had improved as a mean of 83% (p = 0.0001), 74% (p = 0.0001) over baseline and 34.2 pounds gain of grip strength. CONCLUSION: The PRP seems to be better for pain relief and functionality in the short and mid-term periods.

Why two-thirds of patients accepted the second session in staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty: a prospective analysis of 111 patients.

PURPOSE: In staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA), regaining functional recovery and a painless joint with fulfilment of patients' expectations at the first stage is an integral part for a patient to progress to the second stage. As patient expectations drive postoperative satisfaction, the challenge is to match patient and surgeon expectations before surgery. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the postoperative patient expectations and clinical outcomes and to evaluate the rate of second stage in bilateral staged TKA. METHODS: The study included 111 patients; 81 females and 30 males with a median age at surgery of 68 years (range 59-85 years) and 46 were older than 70 years. Postoperative functional data included Knee Society Scores (KSS). Expectation data were collected according to the post-visit 'Questionnaire of Patient Expectations of Healthcare'. RESULTS: The overall refusal rate for the second stage was 36.9 % (n = 41). The patients older than 70 years had a higher refusal rate compared to relatively younger patients (< 70 years old) (p = 0.038). Younger age, postoperatively improved KSS, fulfilment of patient expectations of the healthcare process, treatment outcomes and whole expectations were the main determinants for patients accepting the second stage. The most important determinative factors for attendance were 'Process of Healthcare' and subsequently 'Treatment Outcomes' and total questionnaire scores (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The postoperative perception of healthcare and the treating surgeon's knowledge and responsivity are the major concerns for patients considering second stage TKA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.