A systematic review and meta-analysis of biological treatments targeting tumour necrosis factor α for sciatica

Purpose

Systematic review comparing biological agents, targeting tumour necrosis factor α, for sciatica with placebo and alternative interventions.

Methods

We searched 21 electronic databases and bibliographies of included studies. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs and controlled observational studies of adults who had sciatica treated by biological agents compared with placebo or alternative interventions.

Results

We pooled the results of six studies (five RCTs and one non-RCT) in meta-analyses. Compared with placebo biological agents had: better global effects in the short-term odds ratio (OR) 2.0 (95 % CI 0.7–6.0), medium-term OR 2.7 (95 % CI 1.0–7.1) and long-term OR 2.3 [95 % CI 0.5 to 9.7); improved leg pain intensity in the short-term weighted mean difference (WMD) −13.6 (95 % CI −26.8 to −0.4), medium-term WMD −7.0 (95 % CI −15.4 to 1.5), but not long-term WMD 0.2 (95 % CI −20.3 to 20.8); improved Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) in the short-term WMD −5.2 (95 % CI −14.1 to 3.7), medium-term WMD −8.2 (95 % CI −14.4 to −2.0), and long-term WMD −5.0 (95 % CI −11.8 to 1.8). There was heterogeneity in the leg pain intensity and ODI results and improvements were no longer statistically significant when studies were restricted to RCTs. There was a reduction in the need for discectomy, which was not statistically significant, and no difference in the number of adverse effects.

Conclusions

There was insufficient evidence to recommend these agents when treating sciatica, but sufficient evidence to suggest that larger RCTs are needed.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00586-013-2739-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Pre-injury health-related factors in relation to self-reported whiplash: longitudinal data from the HUNT study, Norway

Purpose

To examine if pre-injury health-related factors are associated with the subsequent report of whiplash, and more specifically, both whiplash and neck pain.

Methods

Longitudinal population study of 40,751 persons participating in two consecutive health surveys with 11 years interval. We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratio (OR) for reporting whiplash or whiplash with neck pain lasting at least 3 months last year, related to pre-injury health as indicated by subjective health, mental and physical impairment, use of health services, and use of medication. All associations were adjusted for socio-demographic factors.

Results

The OR for reporting whiplash was increased in people reporting poor health at baseline. The ORs varied from 1.47 (95% CI 1.13–1.91) in people visiting a general practitioner (GP) last year to 3.07 (95% CI 2.00–4.73) in people who reported poor subjective health. The OR associated with physical impairment and mental impairment was 2.69 (95% CI 1.75–4.14) and 2.49 (95% CI 1.31–4.74), respectively. Analysis of reporting both whiplash and neck pain gave somewhat stronger association, with ORs varying from 1.50 (95% CI 1.07–2.09) in people visiting a GP last year to 5.70 (95% CI 3.18–10.23) in people reporting poor subjective health. Physical impairment was associated with an OR of 3.48 (95% CI 2.12–5.69) and mental impairment with an OR of 3.02 (95% CI 1.46–6.22).

Conclusion

Impaired self-reported pre-injury health was strongly associated with the reporting of a whiplash trauma, especially in conjunction with neck pain. This may indicate that individuals have, already before the trauma, adopted an illness role or behaviour which is extended into and influence the report of a whiplash injury. The finding is in support of a functional somatic disorder model for whiplash.     

Poorer survival after a primary implant during revision total knee arthroplasty

Purpose

Revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) is a complex procedure. Depending on the degree of ligament and bone damage, either primary or revision implants are used. The purpose of this study was to compare survival rates of primary implants with revision implants when used during rTKA.

Methods

A retrospective comparative study was conducted between 1998 and 2009 during which 69 rTKAs were performed on 65 patients. Most common indications for revision were infection (30 %), aseptic loosening (25 %) and wear/osteolysis (25 %). During rTKA, a primary implant was used in nine knees and a revision implant in 60.

Results

Survival of primary implants was 100 % at one year, 73 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 41–100] at two years and 44 % (95 % CI 7–81) at five years. Survival of revision implants was 95 % (95 % CI 89–100) at one year, 92 % (95 % CI 84–99) at two years and 92 % (95 % CI 84–99) at five years. Primary implants had a significantly worse survival rate than revision implants when implanted during rTKA [P = 0.039 (hazard ratio = 4.56, 95 % CI 1.08–19.27)].

Conclusions

Based on these results, it has to be considered whether primary implants are even an option during rTKA.     

Do synovial leptin levels correlate with pain in end stage arthritis?

Purpose

We evaluated whether synovial fluid (SF) leptin concentrations correlate with pain severity in patients with hip or knee endstage osteoarthritis (OA) and whether they mediate the association between increased joint pain and (1) female gender and (2) obesity.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study including patients with primary hip and knee OA undergoing joint replacement between January and December 2010. SF leptin concentrations obtained on the day of surgery were assessed. Main outcome was pain severity measured pre-operatively using WOMAC and VAS pain scales.

Results

A total of 219 patients were included, 123 hip and 96 knee arthroplasties. Mean age was 72 years, 59 % were women. Mean SF leptin levels were 22.9 (±25.6) ng/ml in women and 5.4 (±5.9) ng/ml in men. Levels >19.6 ng/ml (highest quartile) were significantly associated with increased pain on both WOMAC (mean difference −9.6, 95 % CI −15.1 to −4.0) and VAS scale (mean difference 0.8, 95 % CI 0.2–1.3). Associations remained unchanged after adjusting for age, co-morbidities, contra-lateral arthritic joint, OA site, and disability. The associations observed between increased pain and female gender or obesity were substantially reduced after adjusting for SF leptin.

Conclusion

Joint pain is associated with SF leptin concentrations. Increased pre-operative pain observed in women and obese may be related to high intra-articular leptin levels.     

Is Cervical Disc Arthroplasty Superior to Fusion for Treatment of Symptomatic Cervical Disc Disease? A Meta-Analysis

Background

As the current standard treatment for symptomatic cervical disc disease, anterior cervical decompression and fusion may result in progressive degeneration or disease of the adjacent segments. Cervical disc arthroplasty was theoretically designed to be an ideal substitute for fusion by preserving motion at the operative level and delaying adjacent level degeneration. However, it remains unclear whether arthroplasty achieves that aim.

Questions/purposes

We investigated whether cervical disc arthroplasty was associated with (1) better function (neck disability index, pain assessment, SF-36 mental and physical health surveys, neurologic status) than fusion, (2) a lower incidence of reoperation and major complications, and (3) a lower risk of subsequent adjacent segment degeneration.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive search in MEDLINE^®, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and identified 503 papers. Of these, we identified 13 reports from 10 randomized controlled trials involving 2227 patients. We performed a meta-analysis of functional scores, rates of reoperation, and major complications. The strength of evidence was evaluated by using GRADE profiler software. Of the 10 trials, six trials including five prospective multicenter FDA-regulated studies were sponsored by industry. The mean followups of the 10 trials ranged from 1 to 5 years.

Results

Compared with anterior cervical decompression and fusion, cervical disc arthroplasty had better mean neck disability indexes (95% CI, −0.25 to −0.02), neurologic status (risk ratio [RR], 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00–1.08), with a reduced incidence of reoperation related to the index surgery (RR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.22–0.79), and major surgical complications (RR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.27–0.75) at a mean of 1 to 3 years. However, the operation rate at adjacent levels after two procedures was similar (95% CI, 0.31–1.27). The three studies with longer mean followups of 4 to 5 years also showed similar superiority of all four parameters of cervical disc arthroplasty compared with fusion.

Conclusions

For treating symptomatic cervical disc disease, cervical disc arthroplasty appears to provide better function, a lower incidence of reoperation related to index surgery at 1 to 5 years, and lower major complication rates compared with fusion. However, cervical disc arthroplasty did not reduce the reoperation rate attributable to adjacent segment degeneration than fusion. Further, it is unclear whether these differences in subsequent surgery including arthroplasty revisions will persist beyond 5 years.     

Incidence of metacarpal fractures in the US population

Background

There are scarce data regarding the epidemiology of metacarpal fractures within the US population. The purpose of this study is to report the epidemiology of metacarpal fractures in the USA using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System Database (NEISS).

Methods

The NEISS database represents a national probability sample of approximately 100 hospitals in the USA and its territories. The database was queried for metacarpal fractures during the time period 2002–2006. US census data were used to calculate incidence rate (IR) for various demographic criteria.

Results

A total of 4,718 metacarpal fractures were identified, representing approximately 160,790 metacarpal fractures. The calculated IR was 13.6 (95 % CI, 13.6–13.67) per 100,000 person-years. The highest IR occurred in the 10–19 age group (IR 38.8; 95 % CI, 38.6–38.9) followed by those 20–29 years of age (IR 28.4; 95 % CI, 28.3–28.5). Metacarpal fractures were found more commonly in males (IR 23; 95 % CI, 22.9–23.1) than females (IR 4.5; 95 % CI, 4.5–4.5), with an incidence rate ratio of 5.08. The most common mechanisms of injury were contact with a wall or door, and falls. The most common setting was in the home, followed by recreational locations.

Conclusions

The estimated incidence of metacarpal fractures presenting for acute hospital care in the USA is 13.6 per 100,000 person-years. Males in the second and third decades of life sustain this injury most commonly. Metacarpal fractures occur frequently in the home or recreational setting, with contact force as the primary mechanism of injury.     

Antirotation Pins Improve Stability of the Compress Limb Salvage Implant: A Biomechanical Study

Background

Limb salvage implants that rely on compliant compression osseointegration to achieve bone fixation may achieve longer survivorship rates compared with traditional cemented or press-fit stemmed implants; however, failures resulting from rotational instability have been reported. The effect of using antirotation pins on the rotational stability of the fixation has not been well studied.

Questions/purposes

We asked the following question: When tested in a cadaver model, does the use of antirotation pins increase the torque required to cause implant failure or rotation?

Methods

Thirty-two cadaver femurs were divided into four groups of eight femurs. We compared the torque to failure among groups containing zero, one, two, three, and four pins using a servohydraulic testing device.

Results

Adding antirotation pins increased the torque required to cause failure (R² = 0.77; p < 0.001). This increase was most notable in groups comparing zero pins with one pin (14 N-m, [95% CI, 10.9–17.1] versus 23 N-m, [95% CI 22.5–23.48]; p = 0.01) and two compared with three pins (29 N-m, [95% CI, 21.7–36.3] versus 42 N-m, [95% CI, 37.8–46.2]; p = 0.35).

Conclusions

It appears that the use of antirotation pins improves rotational stability of the compliant compression endoprosthesis. Although these findings need to be verified in a clinical study, the addition of antirotation pins may improve osteointegration and we have changed our practice to use a minimum of three antirotation pins when implanting this device.

Clinical Relevance

Improvements in implant technology and surgical techniques may lead to improved clinical outcomes and patient quality of life. Addition of antirotation pins appears to improve implant stability and may decrease the need for revision surgery.     

Disability and pain after cortisone versus placebo injection for trapeziometacarpal arthrosis and de Quervain syndrome

Background

This study tested the null hypothesis that type of injection (corticosteroid vs. placebo) is not a predictor of arm-specific disability as measured with the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire 1 to 3 months after injection of dexamethasone or placebo for treatment of trapeziometacarpal (TMC) arthrosis or de Quervain syndrome. Secondly, we tested if type of injection was a predictor of pain intensity.

Methods

Thirty-six English-speaking adults with TMC arthrosis or de Quervain syndrome were randomized for a dexamethasone or a placebo injection. At time of the injection, patients completed a demographic data sheet and validated questionnaires assessing arm-specific disability, pain intensity, depressive symptoms, pain catastrophizing, and patient’s health-related beliefs. At an average of 1.4 ± 0.42 months (range, 0.79–2.5 months) after the injection, patients completed questionnaires regarding arm-specific disability, pain, and treatment satisfaction. Grip and pinch strength measurements were measured at both time points. Bivariable and multivariable analyses assessed predictors of arm-specific disability and pain intensity at follow-up.

Results

Type of injection was not a predictor of arm-specific disability or pain intensity 1 to 3 months after injection. The best model both for arm-specific disability and pain intensity at follow-up included pain catastrophizing and explained 18 % and 33 % of the variability, respectively.

Conclusions

Catastrophic thinking was a better predictor of both of arm-specific disability and pain intensity than diagnosis or type of injection (steroid vs. placebo) 1to 3 months after an injection.     

Predictors of outcome after surgery with disc prosthesis and rehabilitation in patients with chronic low back pain and degenerative disc: 2-year follow-up

Purpose

A prospective study to evaluate whether certain baseline characteristics can predict outcome in patients treated with disc prosthesis or multidisciplinary rehabilitation.

Methods

Secondary analysis of 154 patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) for at least 1 year and degenerative discs originally recruited for a randomized trial. Outcome measures were Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) dichotomized to < or ≥15 points improvement and whether subjects were working at 2-year follow-up. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used.

Results

In patients treated with disc prosthesis, long duration of LBP and high Fear-Avoidance Beliefs for work (FABQ-W) predicted worse ODI outcome [odds ratio (OR) = 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2–3.2 and OR = 1.7, CI 1.2–2.4 for every 5 years or 5 points]. Modic type I or II predicted better ODI outcome (OR = 5.3, CI 1.1–25.3). In patients treated with rehabilitation, a high ODI, low emotional distress (HSCL-25), and no daily narcotics predicted better outcome for ODI (OR = 2.5, CI 1.4–4.5 for every 5 ODI points, OR = 2.1, CI 1.1–5.1 for every 0.5 HSCL points and OR = 23.6, CI 2.1–266.8 for no daily narcotics). Low FABQ-W and working at baseline predicted working at 2-year follow-up after both treatments (OR = 1.3, CI 1.0–1.5 for every 5 points and OR = 4.1, CI 1.2–13.2, respectively).

Conclusions

Shorter duration of LBP, Modic type I or II changes and low FABQ-W were the best predictors of success after treatment with disc prosthesis, while high ODI, low distress and not using narcotics daily predicted better outcome of rehabilitation. Low FABQ-W and working predicted working at follow-up.     

Radiographic quantification of dynamic hip screw migration

Purpose

This study aimed to propose a technique to quantify dynamic hip screw (DHS®) migration on serial anteroposterior (AP) radiographs by accounting for femoral rotation and flexion.

Methods

Femoral rotation and flexion were estimated using radiographic projections of the DHS® plate thickness and length, respectively. The method accuracy was evaluated using a synthetic femur fixed with a DHS® and positioned at pre-defined rotation and flexion settings. Standardised measurements of DHS® migration were trigonometrically adjusted for femoral rotation and flexion, and compared with unadjusted estimates in 34 patients.

Results

The mean difference between the estimated and true femoral rotation and flexion values was 1.3° (95 % CI 0.9–1.7°) and −3.0° (95 % CI – 4.2° to −1.9°), respectively. Adjusted measurements of DHS® migration were significantly larger than unadjusted measurements (p = 0.045).

Conclusion

The presented method allows quantification of DHS® migration with adequate bias correction due to femoral rotation and flexion.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00264-013-2146-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorised users.     

How Do Hindfoot Fusions Affect Ankle Biomechanics: A Cadaver Model

Background

While successful subtalar joint arthrodesis provides pain relief, resultant alterations in ankle biomechanics need to be considered, as this procedure may predispose the remaining hindfoot and tibiotalar joint to accelerated degenerative changes. However, the biomechanical consequences of isolated subtalar joint arthrodesis and additive fusions of the Chopart’s joints on tibiotalar joint biomechanics remain poorly understood.

Questions/purposes

We asked: What is the effect of isolated subtalar fusion and sequential Chopart’s joint fusions of the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints on tibiotalar joint (1) mechanics and (2) kinematics during loading for neutral, inverted, and everted orientations of the foot?

Methods

We evaluated the total force, contact area, and the magnitude and distribution of the contact stress on the articular surface of the talar dome, while simultaneously tracking the position of the talus relative to the tibia during loading in seven fresh-frozen cadaver feet. Each foot was loaded in the unfused, intact control condition followed by three randomized simulated hindfoot arthrodesis modalities: subtalar, double (subtalar and talonavicular), and triple (subtalar, talonavicular, and calcaneocuboid) arthrodesis. The intact and arthrodesis conditions were tested in three alignments using a metallic wedge insert: neutral (flat), 10° inverted, and 10° everted.

Results

Tibiotalar mechanics (total force and contact area) and kinematics (external rotation) differed owing to hindfoot arthrodeses. After subtalar arthrodesis, there were decreases in total force (445 ± 142 N, 95% CI, 340-550 N, versus 588 ± 118 N, 95% CI, 500–676 N; p < 0.001) and contact area (282 mm², 95% CI, 222–342 mm², versus 336 ± 96 mm², 95% CI, 265–407 mm²; p < 0.026) detected during loading in the neutral position; these changes also were seen in the everted foot position. Hindfoot arthrodesis also was associated with increased external rotation of the tibiotalar joint during loading: subtalar arthrodesis in the neutral loading position (3.3° ± 1.6°; 95% CI, 2°–4.6°; p = 0.004) and everted loading position (4.8° ± 2.6°; 95% CI, 2.7°–6.8°; p = 0.043); double arthrodesis in neutral (4.4° ± 2°; 95% CI, 2.8°–6°; p = 0.003) and inverted positions (5.8° ± 2.6°; 95% CI, 3.7°–7.9°; p = 0.002), and triple arthrodesis in all loaded orientations including neutral (4.5° ± 1.8°; 95% CI, 3.1°–5.9°; p = 0.002), inverted (6.4° ± 3.5°; 95% CI, 3.6°–9.2°; p = 0.009), and everted (3.6° ± 2°; 95% CI, 2°–5.2°; p = 0.053) positions. Finally, after subtalar arthrodesis, additive fusions at Chopart’s joints did not appear to result in additional observed differences in tibiotalar contact mechanics or kinematics with the number of specimens available.

Conclusions

Using a cadaveric biomechanical model, we identified some predictable trends in ankle biomechanics during loading after hindfoot fusion. In our tested specimens, fusion of the subtalar joint appeared to exert a dominant influence over ankle loading.

Clinical Relevance

A loss or deficit in function of the subtalar joint may be sufficient to alter ankle loading. These findings warrant consideration in the treatment of the arthritic hindfoot and also toward defining biomechanical goals for ankle arthroplasty in the setting of concomitant hindfoot degeneration or arthrodesis.     

Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials comparing unipolar with bipolar hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral-neck fractures

Purpose

Unipolar and bipolar hemiarthroplasty (HA) are used to treat displaced femoral-neck fractures. However, which type is best for treating displaced femoral-neck fractures in elderly patients remains a subject for debate. Our aim was to review randomised controlled trials to establish which type provides superior clinical outcome for this patient population.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials databases and Web of Science for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing unipolar with bipolar HA to treat femoral-neck fracture in the elderly. Risk ratios (RRs) and mean differences (MDs) from each trial were pooled using random-effects or fixed-effects models depending on study heterogeneity. Analysis was performed using RevMan5.2 from the Cochrane Collaboration.

Results

A total of 1,100 patients from nine studies were assessed in this meta-analysis. Results showed no significant differences in function score [MD = −0.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) −2.42–2.13], mortality (RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.65–1.46), dislocation (RR = 1.33, 95 % CI 0.53–3.34), deep infection (RR = 0.79, 95 % CI 0.35–1.79), acetabular erosion (RR = 1.99, 95 % CI 0.61–6.52), operating time (MD = 2.14, 95 % CI −9.85 to14.14), blood loss (MD = 13.40, 95 % CI −49.60 to 76.39) and length of hospital stay (MD = 0.12, 95 % CI −0.49to0.73) between unipolar and bipolar HA.

Conclusions

Unipolar and bipolar HA achieved similar clinical outcomes in patients with displaced femoral-neck fractures.     

Risk factors for dislocation arthropathy after Latarjet procedure: a long-term study

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to analyse the long-term incidence of dislocation arthropathy after a modified Latarjet procedure for glenohumeral instability.

Methods

Long-term follow-up information was obtained from a consecutive series of patients who had undergone a modified Latarjet procedure by one surgeon between 1986 and 1999. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to examine the relation between the development of a dislocation arthropathy and patients and surgery-related factors.

Results

There were 117 patients (117 shoulders) for evaluation, (35 women and 82 men) with a mean age 28.4 ± 8.5 (range, 16–55). The mean follow-up was 16.2 years (range, ten to 22.2 years). Signs of dislocation arthropathy were found in 36 % of patients, graded as Samilson 1 in 30 %, Samilson 2 in 3 %, and 3 % Samilson 3 in 3 % of patients. Risk factors for dislocation arthropathy included surgery in patients older than 40 years of age (64.3 vs. 34.4 %; adjusted RR 2.2, 95 % CI 1.7–2.9) and lateral positioning of the transferred coracoid process in relation to the glenoid rim (82.4 vs. 30.4 %; adjusted RR 2.3, 95 % CI 1.7–3.2). Patients with hyperlaxity developed less dislocation arthropathy (15 vs. 42.5 %; adjusted RR 0.4, 95 % CI 0.1–0.95).

Conclusion

The development of dislocation arthropathy after the Latarjet procedure remains a source of concern in the long term. It correlates with surgery after the age of 40 and lateral coracoid transfer in relation to the glenoid rim. On the other hand, hyperlaxity seems to have a protective effect on the development of dislocation arthropathy.