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Purpose: In the last 15 years, vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty have become established operative procedures for treating osteoporotic vertebral-body fractures and vertebral bodies afflicted with metastases. These procedures are quickly performed with few personnel and material resources and have a low rate of complications. However, cases of neurological impairment are reported in the scientific literature. We analysed whether potentially harmful heat is radiated/conducted by the polymerisation temperature of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement in the spinal canal.Methods: We performed vertebroplasty on 25 vertebral bodies and measured the temperature distribution during polymerisation of bone cement within the spinal canal using heat probes placed in the respective areas. The vertebral bodies were located in a circulating water bath at 37°C.Results: During polymerisation of the bone cement, a temperature rise was measured. The peak temperature was reached after few minutes. Temperature curves differed; a maximum temperature of up to 43.16°C was detected for a few seconds only.Conclusion: When vertebroplasty is performed correctly, there is no temperature development that could eventually damage the spinal cord or spinal nerves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of our study was to analyse the prevalence of femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI) in national elite track and field athletes compared to peers using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical examination including impingement tests., Methods: A total of 44 participants (22 national elite track and field athletes and 22 non-athletes) underwent an MRI for radiological findings associated with FAI, including alpha angle, lateral centre edge angle (CEA), findings of labral and cartilage lesions. The study group was furthermore investigated by the hip outcome score (HOS) and a clinical hip examination including range of motion (ROM) and impingement tests., Results: Concerning the cam impingement, there was a significant difference measured by mean alpha angle between the athlete group (52.2 ± 7.29°) and the control group (48.1 ± 5.45°, P = 0.004). Eleven athletes showed a cam impingement, while two probands of the control group had a pincer impingement and one a mixed form (P = 0.0217). There was no statistically significant difference concerning the CEA upon evaluating pincer impingement. Seven track and field athletes had a positive impingement test, whereof three had an increased alpha angle >55°. No participant of the control group showed pathological results in the impingement test (P = 0.0121)., Conclusions: MRI evidence and clinical examination suggest that cam impingement is more common in elite athletes in comparison to non-athletes. At a professional level, the intense practice of track and field athletics is susceptible for FAI.

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate whether the mechanical axis deviation (MAD) of the leg correlates with an increased hip alpha angle as described by Nötzli, which is associated with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)., Methods: In a retrospective analysis, standing full-length anteroposterior radiographs were analysed in patients who suffered from symptomatic leg alignment. The study included 85 radiographs of 80 patients with an average age of 43.11 years (range 18-60 years). Five patients underwent a bilateral long-leg X-ray examination. All radiographs were transferred as Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine data files from the Picture Archiving and Communications System into the OrthoPlanner software version 2.3.2. The radiographs were measured by one orthopaedic surgeon and one independent radiologist., Results: The mean value of the alpha angle of Nötzli was 61.43° (49.07-74.04°). A total of 57 (67%) radiographs showed a varus deviation, 25 (29.5%) had a valgus malalignment and three (3.5%) a straight leg axis. Of 82 radiographs, 40 (48.8%) had a moderate axis deviation with a MAD <15 or > - 15 mm and a mean alpha angle of 57.81°, and 42 (51.2%) with extended axis deviation of a MAD > 15 or < - 15 mm had a mean alpha angle of 62.93°; 40 (95.2%) of these 42 showed an alpha angle > 55°. The alpha angle was significantly increased in extended axis deviation compared to moderate axis deviation (P = 0.001)., Conclusions: This study confirmed that increased alpha angles were found significantly at higher degrees of axis deviation on the full-length radiograph. In cases of a MAD >15 or < - 15 mm and symptomatic coxalgia, diagnostic tests must be pursued for FAI.