Biomechanical effects of sequential resection of the posterior ligamentous complex on intradiscal pressure and resistance to compression forces

ObjectiveThe aim of this biomechanical experimental study was to evaluate the resistance of each posterior ligamentous complex structure of the thoracic and lumbar spine to compression forces and to measure the shifting load to the intervertebral disc when each PLC structure was interrupted.MethodThe study was conducted on 4 groups for thoracic and lumbar region as intact, supraspinous ligament interrupted, interspinous ligament/ligamentum flavum combination interrupted and facet joint capsule interrupted. Pre and post anterior vertebral body height, the highest compression force and pressure changes in the intervertebral disc during 40 N loading were measured.ResultsA significantly different degree of resistance to compression force was determined in each posterior ligamentous complex structure in the thoracic and lumbar spine samples. The combination of interspinous ligament and ligamentum flavum was found to be the most effective structure to resist compression forces (p = 0.001 in both groups). The effect of the supraspinous ligament in thoracic and lumbar segments was found to be similar to that of the interspinous ligament and ligamentum flavum combination (p = 0.008 and p = 0.006, respectively). The least effective structure was observed to be the facet joint capsule. Compression forces were significantly increased in the intervertebral disc as a result of the disruption of supraspinous ligament (p = 0.0032 and p = 0.0029, respectively in thoracic and lumbar segments) and combination of interspinous ligament/ligamentum flavum (p = 0.0019 and p = 0.0021, respectively in thoracic and lumbar segments).ConclusionThe interspinous ligament/ligamentum flavum combination and supraspinous ligament are the largest contributor to resisting applied compression moments in the sheep thoracic and lumbar spine. As a result of the loss of resistance to compression forces, there will be a shift of a great proportion of this force onto the intervertebral disc.Level of evidenceLevel V.     

The high frequency of superior labrum,biceps tendon,and superior rotator cuff pathologies in patients with subscapularis tears: A cohort study

Background

The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of superior labrum anterior posterior (SLAP) lesions, long head of biceps tendon (LHBT) pathologies, and superior rotator cuff tears accompanying subscapularis tears. We hypothesised that LHBT lesions, superior rotator cuff tears, and especially SLAP lesions were very frequent with subscapularis tears.

Comparison between the patients with surgery and without surgery after recommendation of surgical repair for symptomatic rotator cuff tear

Purpose

Symptomatic full-thickness rotator cuff (RC) tears are often recommended for surgical repairs. However, some patients decide not to have surgery. The aim of this study was to see if there was any difference in preoperative variables between the two groups.

Evaluation of cartilage coverage with magnetic resonance imaging in residual dysplasia and its impact on surgical timing

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to measure the cartilaginous coverage of the acetabulum using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to analyze its effect on the timing and necessity of secondary operations in residual acetabular dysplasia (RAD).MethodsThe MRI results of 33 children (30 girls and 3 boys) aged between 5 and 9 years who were operated on unilaterally via a posteromedial limited approach were compared with the radiographical findings of acetabular dysplasia at follow-up. The acetabular index (AI) and the center-edge (CE) angles were measured. MRI was used to measure the osseous acetabular index (OAI), cartilage acetabular index (CAI), and cartilaginous center-edge angles (CCE). The Children's Hospital's Oakland Hip Evaluation Score (CHOHES) was used for the assessment of clinical and functional results. The Severin scoring system was used to evaluate the radiographic results. The Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman correlation tests were used for statistical analysis.ResultsIn all, 30 (90.9%) girls and 3 (9.1%) boys with an average age of 7.4 years (range: 5–9 years) and a mean follow-up period of 6.1 years (range: 4–8 years) were included. While there was a significant difference between non-dislocated hips and operated hips in 3 measurements (AI, Wiberg CE, and Ogata CE) using X-rays (p < 0.05), no significant difference was found in the MRI measurements (OAI, CAI, and CCE) (p > 0.05). The CAI values were lower than the AI measured on X-ray (p = 0.035). The mean CCE was higher than the mean CE (p = 0.022). The mean CHOHES score was 83.1 (range: 52–100) and the score of 62% patients was above 90. There was no significant difference in terms of CHOHES score according to age at the time of operation (p = 0.43). Three (9.1%) patients were Severin class I, 8 (24.3%) patients were class II, 12 (36.3%) patients were class III and 10 (30.3%) patients were class IV. There was no correlation between preoperative hip dislocation and Severin score (p = 0.056). No significant difference was found between the ambulatory and non-ambulatory groups in terms of Severin classification (p = 0.063).ConclusionCartilaginous acetabulum should be taken into account in RAD measurements. MRI may be a more appropriate option for the evaluation of acetabular cartilaginous coverage in the evaluation of RAD and the decision to perform surgery, though X-rays are currently the most used method. The results revealed no effect on functional or radiological scores as a result of being of walking age.Level of studyLevel III, Diagnostic Study.     

Alterations in structure of the muscle-tendon unit and gait pattern after percutaneous repair of Achilles tendon rupture with the Dresden instrument

BackgroundFunctional deficits after Achilles tendon (AT) ruptures are observed. The relationship between musculotendinous structural alterations and functional outcome is not clear.MethodsKinematic analyses (level walking, stair climbing), patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), calf atrophy (maximum calf circumference (MCC)), and AT length were evaluated in patients after percutaneous AT repair with the Dresden instrument (n = 20 min. follow-up: 24 months).ResultsPatients achieved good results in PROMs. However, MCC decreased significantly and AT length increased significantly postoperatively. Side-to-side MCC differences over 2 cm resulted in significantly lower PROMs. AT lengthening correlated with increased dorsiflexion and decreased plantarflexion.ConclusionCalf atrophy and AT lengthening after minimally invasive AT repair resulted in inferior ankle kinematics and PROMs.     

The effects of intra-articular injection of ibuprofen on knee joint cartilage and synovium in rats

ObjectiveThe aim of this animal study was to investigate the short and long-term local histomorphologic effects and the utility of intra-articular application of ibuprofen.MethodsForty-six Wistar Albino rats were used in the study. The rats were randomized into 5 groups of 8 and a sham group of 6. The 40 rats in the study groups were anaesthetised with 60 mg/kg of ketamine, then 0.25 ml ibuprofen (25 mg) was injected to the right knee joint of each rat (ibuprofen group) and 0.25 ml 0.9% saline to the left knee joint as the control group. To the 6 rats in the sham group, only puncture was applied to both knee joints. The rats in each of the 5 study groups were sacrificed on days 1, 2, 7, 14 and 21 respectively. The histomorphologic changes were graded on a 6-point scale regarding inflammation of the synovia, cartilage tissue, and subchondral bone. Inflammation scores were compared using the Mann Whitney U-test and comparisons of the sacrifice day and drug used were evaluated with the Kruskal Wallis test. The p values below 0.05 were considered as significant.ResultsStatistically significant difference was found between the ibuprofen injected knees (10/40) and the saline injected (0/40) and sham knees (0/12) in respect of hematoma positivity (p = 0.002). Significantly higher inflammation scores were found in ibuprofen injected knees on the 1st, 2nd, 7th and 14th days compared to controls and sham (p < 0.05). Inflammation scores were similar in ibuprofen injected knees with and without hematoma (p > 0.05). Inflammation of the ibuprofen injected group was most severe on day one and the severity of inflammation reduced gradually throughout the 3 weeks.ConclusionOur results show that intra-articular injection of ibuprofen can cause intra-articular hematoma. It also leads to transient inflammation of the synovia that is more severe in the early period, which gradually recovers.     

Correlation of 3-T MRI and CT findings with patient symptoms and treatment outcome in radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteoma

ObjectiveThe aim of this prospective study was to evaluate pre- and post-treatment MRI and CT findings of osteoid osteoma (OO) patients treated with radiofrequency thermo-ablation (RFTA) and to compare these findings with visual analog scale (VAS) scores.MethodsSixteen patients (4 females and 12 males; mean age of 18.87 ± 8.75 years (range: 8–37)) with OO were examined with CT and MRI, at baseline and at an average of 3 months following the procedure. On pre- and post-procedural CT and MRIs, OO-related findings were recorded. Treatment success was evaluated with VAS scores.ResultsBaseline VAS scores were 8 or 9 and follow-up scores were 0 or 1, indicating no early recurrences.Nidus diameters decreased significantly after the procedure (p = 0.027, p = 0.002, and p = 0.002; and p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001 for AP, ML and CC nidus diameters for CT and MRI, respectively).The mean nidus volume were significantly decreased after the procedure (p = 0.001, for CT and MRI).On post-procedural images, cortical thickening, the signal intensity and contrast enhancement of the nidus and the extent of periostitis were significantly decreased (p = 0.019, p = 0.001, p = 0.001 and p = 0.034, respectively). There was no significant change in nidus calcification, perinidal cortical and intramedullary sclerosis, periosteal reaction, bone deformity, bone marrow and soft tissue edema, joint effusion and synovitis after the procedure (p = 0.253, p = 0.062, p = 0.245, p = 1, p = 1, p = 0.429, p = 0.371, p = 0.625, p = 1).ConclusionAlthough the changes in imaging findings may be helpful in early follow-up of OO patients treated with RFTA, these changes alone cannot be used with accuracy in predicting treatment response.Level of EvidenceLevel IV, Therapeutic Study.     

Factors associated with needle breakage of antegrade suture passer and effect of intratendinous remnant needle tip on clinical outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate factors associated with the needle breakage of antegrade suture passer and the effect of intratendinous remnant needle tip on clinical outcomes after rotator cuff repair.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 283 patients (138 men and 145 women; mean age: 59.7 ± 9.3 years) who underwent arthroscopic repair for full-thickness rotator cuff tear. We evaluated the characteristics of 16 patients in whose needle tip had been broken and embedded and remained in the rotator cuff (remnant needle group) and compared them with the remaining 267 patients (control group). Afterwards, another 64 patients were selected from control group (1:4 matching) after propensity score matching (PSM). The groups were compared anatomically with MRI or ultrasonography and functionally (serial pain VAS and ROM; ASES, Constant, UCLA and SST scores) at a minimum follow-up of 1 year.ResultsThe remnant needle group showed preoperative thicker tendon (6.72 mm vs 5.33 mm, p = 0.047), higher tendinosis (mean grade, 1.88 vs. 1.43, p = 0.029), and more frequent delaminated tears (p = 0.035) compared with control group. When we compare the clinical outcomes after PSM, the initial pain VAS of the remnant needle tip group was higher up to 3 months (pain VAS: 4.13 ± 2.07 vs 2.48 ± 1.61 (p = 0.032) at 5 weeks and 3.79 ± 2.12 vs 2.25 ± 1.76 (p = 0.044) at 3 months), however the difference disappeared after 6 months postoperatively. In final evaluation, there was no significant differences in every outcome parameters (all p > 0.05).ConclusionBreakage of the needle of the antegrade suture passer occurred more frequently in the thicker tendon, higher tendinosis, and delaminated tears. The retained broken needle tip was associated with higher pain scores during the early postoperative period, but revealed no difference in final outcomes by using PSM.Level of EvidenceLevel III, Therapeutic Study