Effectiveness of anabolic steroids in improving outcomes for post-operative hip fracture patients: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPost-operative elderly hip fracture patients require significant rehabilitation. Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid used to promote muscle growth. This study aims to examine the effect of nandrolone in improving rehabilitation and quality of life in elderly female patients with hip fractures undergoing hemiarthroplasty.MethodsThis is a double-blinded prospective randomized-controlled-trial consisting of female patients above the age of 65 with an isolated neck of femur fracture planned for a hip hemiarthroplasty. Participants were randomized into two arms of the study – 50 mg intramuscular nandrolone vs normal saline placebo administered on post-operative day 0, and weeks 2, 6 and 12. The participants were followed up across a 1-year period following the surgery. Clinical outcomes such as time taken to achieve rehabilitation milestones, distance of ambulation and thigh muscle girth, and functional scoring with SF-36 questionnaire were recorded at intervals of 2, 6 and 12 weeks, 6 months and 1 year following the surgery.ResultsThere were a total of 23 subjects with 11 in the steroid group and 12 in the placebo group. There was no significant difference in demographics and injury patterns between both groups. There was no significant difference for time taken to achieve various rehabilitation milestones and distance of ambulation. SF-36 scores on discharge and at 1-year follow-up mark were comparable. There was no difference in the complication rate between both groups.ConclusionIntra-muscular Nandrolone after hip surgery in elderly female patients does not result in short to mid-term improved rehabilitation or functional outcomes. Nandrolone did not result in increased short-term complications after hip surgery.Level of evidenceI.     

PKP术中不同注入量高粘度骨水泥治疗骨质疏松性腰椎骨折的疗效分析

目的探讨经皮椎体后凸成形术（PKP）术中不同注入量高粘度骨水泥治疗骨质疏松性腰椎骨折（OLVF）的疗效及安全性。 方法前瞻性收集2016年9月至2018年9月本院OLVF患者150例，男84例，女66例，年龄（60±8）岁。依据随机数字表分为高量组、中量组、低量组，每组50例，高量组、中量组、低量组PKP术中高粘度骨水泥注入量分别为5.0~7.0 ml、3~4.9 ml、<3.0 ml，比较三组疗效及安全性。 结果150例患者获得满意随访，随访时间（19±7）个月。高量组、中量组、低量组手术时间、术中出血量比较，差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）；高量组和中量组术后3、6个月椎体前缘高度[（27.3±3.1）mm、（26.0±2.7）mm和（26.9±3.0）mm、（25.7±2.8）mm]明显高于低量组[（23.8±2.8）mm、（21.3±2.5）mm]，高量组和中量组术后3、6个月Cobb角及疼痛视觉模拟评分法（VAS）、Oswestry功能障碍指数问卷表（ODI）评分[（40.2±4.7）°、（41.5±4.8）°、（2.6±0.4）分、（1.6±0.3）分、（25.8±3.5）分、（26.9±3.5）分和（40.9±4.8）°、（42.1±4.8）°、（2.6±0.4）分、（1.6±0.3）分、（26.2±3.5）分、（27.2±3.7）分]明显低于低量组[（46.3±5.3）°、（47.8±5.6）°、（3.3±0.4）分、（2.3±0.4）分、（33.3±4.1）分、（34.3±4.2）分]，差异有统计学意义（F=25.371、18.914、29.334、22.457、34.276、30.217、29.364、20.071，均P<0.001）；高量组骨水泥渗漏率（28.00%）明显高于中量组和低量组（8.00%和4.00%），差异有统计学意义（χ²=10.241，P=0.005）。 结论PKP术中不同注入量高粘度骨水泥治疗OLVF的疗效及安全性存在一定的差异，其中注入中量（3~4.9 ml）高粘度骨水泥可获得良好的疗效及安全性，值得临床推广。     

Management of hip fracture in COVID-19 infected patients

Given that the global population of elderly individuals is expanding and the difficulty of recovery, hip fractures will be a huge challenge and a critical health issue for all of humanity. Although people have spent more time at home during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, hip fractures show no sign of abating. Extensive studies have shown that patients with hip fracture and COVID-19 have a multifold increase in mortality compared to those uninfected and a more complex clinical condition. At present, no detailed research has systematically analyzed the relationship between these two conditions and proposed a comprehensive solution. This article aims to systematically review the impact of COVID-19 on hip fracture and provide practical suggestions. We found that hip fracture patients with COVID-19 have higher mortality rates and more complicated clinical outcomes. Indirectly, COVID-19 prevents hip fracture patients from receiving regular medical treatment. With regard to the problems we encounter, we provide clinical recommendations based on existing research evidence and a clinical flowchart for the management of hip fracture patients who are COVID-19 positive. Our study will help clinicians adequately prepare in advance when dealing with such patients and optimize treatment decisions.     

续筋接骨方治疗骨折临床观察

目的研究续筋接骨方治疗骨折的临床疗效。方法选取2018年1月—2018年6月在辽宁中医药大学附属第三医院就诊的骨折患者60例,所有患者按照随机数字表法分为对照组与观察组,每组30例。观察组口服续筋接骨方联合正骨后小夹板固定治疗,对照组患者采用正骨后小夹板固定治疗。分析2组患者干预3个月后的血清骨代谢指标、骨密度、生活质量改善情况以及疗效判定。结果干预前,2组的血清Ⅰ型前胶原羧基端肽β特殊序列(β-CTX)、血清Ⅰ型前胶原氨端肽原(PINP)、骨特异性碱性磷酸酶(ALP)水平、钙、磷及骨密度比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);干预后,2组的β-CTX、PINP、骨特异性ALP水平、钙、磷及骨密度较干预前改善,观察组的改善效果优于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。干预前,2组的物质生活、社会功能、躯体健康以及心理健康评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);干预后,2组的物质生活、社会功能、躯体健康以及心理健康评分较干预前升高,观察组的各项生活质量评分高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组的治疗恢复率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论续筋接骨方可以改善骨折患者骨代谢功能及生活质量。     

Hip Displacement in Cerebral Palsy: The Role of Surveillance

IntroductionHip displacement is common in cerebral palsy (CP) and is related to the severity of neurological and functional impairment. It is a silent, but progressive disease, and can result in significant morbidity and decreased quality of life, if left untreated. The pathophysiology of hip displacement in CP is a combination of hip flexor-adductor muscle spasticity, abductor muscle weakness, and delayed weight-bearing, resulting in proximal femoral deformities and progressive acetabular dysplasia. Due to a lack of symptoms in the early stages of hip displacement, the diagnosis is easily missed. Awareness of this condition and regular surveillance by clinical examination and serial radiographs of the hips are the key to early diagnosis and treatment.Hip surveillance programmesSeveral population-based studies from around the world have demonstrated that universal hip surveillance in children with CP allows early detection of hip displacement and appropriate early intervention, with a resultant decrease in painful dislocations. Global hip surveillance models are based upon the patients’ age, functional level determined by the Gross Motor Function Classification system (GMFCS), gait classification, standardized clinical exam, and radiographic indices such as the migration percentage (MP), as critical indicators of progressive hip displacement.ConclusionDespite 25 years of evidence showing the efficacy of established hip surveillance programmes, there is poor awareness among healthcare professionals in India about the importance of regular hip surveillance in children with CP. There is a need for professional organizations to develop evidence-based guidelines for hip surveillance which are relevant to the Indian context.     

Acute total hip arthroplasty for older patients with acetabular fractures: A meta-analysis

ObjectiveMultiple treatment options for acetabular fractures in geriatric patients exist. However, no large-scale studies have reported the outcomes of acute total hip arthroplasty (THA) in this patient population. We systematically evaluated all available evidence to characterize clinical outcomes, complications, and revisions of acute THA for acetabular fractures in geriatric patients.MethodsMeta-analysis of 21 studies of 430 acetabular fractures with mean follow-up of 44 months (range, 17−97 months). Two independent researchers searched and evaluated the databases of Ovid, Embase, and United States National Library of Medicine using a Boolean search string up to December 2019. Population demographics and complications, including presence of heterotopic ossification (HO), dislocation, infection, revision rate, neurological deficits, and venous thromboembolic event (VTE), were recorded and analyzed.ResultsWeighted mean Harris Hip Score was 83.3 points, and 20% of the patients had reported complications. The most common complication was HO, with a rate of 19.5%. Brooker grade III and IV HO rates were lower at 6.8%. Hip dislocation occurred at a rate of 6.1%, 4.1% of patients developed VTE, deep infection occurred in 3.8%, and neurological complications occurred in 1.9%. Although the revision rate was described in most studies, we were unable to perform a survival analysis because the time to each revision was described in only a few studies. The revision rate was 4.3%.ConclusionsAcute THA is a viable option for treatment of acetabular fracture and can result in acceptable clinical outcomes and survivorship rates in older patients but with an associated complication rate of approximately 20%. Considering the limited treatment options, THA might be a viable alternative for appropriately selected patients.     

Intra-articular Hymovis injection for managing hip OA in active sportsmen. A 24-month observational retrospective clinical investigation

BackgroundHip Osteoarthitis (OA) risk is sport-specific and depends on frequency, intensity, and type of mechanic stress the hip is subjected to. This retrospective observational study aims to investigate the safety and performance of Hymovis (HYADD-4) injection, a hexadecyl (C-16) HA-derivative, when used to manage symptomatic hip OA in active middle-aged sportsmen over a 24-month observation period.MethodsThe retrospective analysis included clinical records of active sportsmen, aged between 40 and 65 years, and suffering from symptomatic Kellgren-Lawrence grade II to III hip OA, treated with two (24 mg/3 ml) Hymovis injections, two weeks apart, every 3–4 months, for two years. When available, data on MRI examination were included in the analysis as well as Heidelberg Sports Activity Score (HAS) and Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) questionnaires.ResultsThirty patients (56.4 ± 7.3 years) were included in the study, sixteen cyclists and 14 tennis players. For all patients, HAS and most HAGOS scores improved significantly (p < 0.05) at the first control visit (4 months) and further improved over time. For all other scores an important clinical benefit was experienced by more than 50% of participants. No adverse events were recorded.ConclusionTreatment of hip OA in active sportsmen with Hymovis seems a safe and effective approach for the management of OA symptoms, by potentially protecting cartilage and subchondral bone from further damage.