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Nonunions of the femoral shaft represent a treatment challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon and a serious socioeconomic problem for the patient. Inadequate fracture stability, insufficient blood supply, bone loss or presence of infection are the main reasons for the development of a nonunion. Careful classification and exclusion of infection are crucial for the choice of the proper treatment alternative. Nail dynamization, primary intramedullary nailing or nail exchange, plate osteosynthesis and external fixation along with bone grafting, usage of bone substitutes and electrical stimulation can stimulate osseous union. A review of the aetiology, classification and treatment should prove helpful managing this serious complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: With the advances and improvement of computer-assisted surgery devices, computer-guided pedicle screws insertion has been applied to the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine. The purpose of the present study was to perform a systematic review of all available prospective evidence regarding pedicle screw insertion techniques in the thoracic and lumbar human spine.Materials and Methods: We considered all prospective in vivo clinical studies in the English literature that assessed the results of different pedicle screw placement techniques (free-hand technique, fluoroscopy guided, computed tomography (CT)-based navigation, fluoro-based navigation). MEDLINE, OVID, and Springer databases were used for the literature search covering the period from January 1950 until May 2010.Results: 26 prospective clinical studies were eventually included in the analysis. These studies included in total 1,105 patients in which 6,617 screws were inserted. In the studies using free-hand technique, the percentage of the screws fully contained in the pedicle ranged from 69 to 94%, with the aid of fluoroscopy from 28 to 85%, using CT navigation from 89 to 100% and using fluoroscopy-based navigation from 81 to 92%. The screws positioned with free-hand technique tended to perforate the cortex medially, whereas the screws placed with CT navigation guidance seemed to perforate more often laterally.Conclusions: In conclusion, navigation does indeed exhibit higher accuracy and increased safety in pedicle screw placement than free-hand technique and use of fluoroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Context: Traumatic pneumorrhachis (PR) is a rare entity, consisting of air within the spinal canal. It can be classified as epidural or subarachnoid, identifying the anatomical space where the air is located, and is associated with different etiologies, pathology, and treatments. Purpose: To conduct a systematic review of the scientific literature focused on the etiology, pathomechanism, diagnosis, and treatment of PR, and to report a case of an asymptomatic epidural type. Study Design: International medical literature has been reviewed systematically for the term "traumatic pneumorrhachis" and appropriate related subject headings, such as traumatic intraspinal air, traumatic intraspinal pneumocele, traumatic spinal pneumatosis, traumatic spinal emphysema, traumatic aerorachia, traumatic pneumosaccus, and traumatic air myelogram. All cases that were identified were evaluated concerning their etiology, pathomechanism, and possible complications. Samples: Studies that included one of the aforementioned terms in their titles. Methods: A systematic review was performed to identify, evaluate, and summarize the literature related to the term "traumatic pneumorrhachis" and related headings. Furthermore, we report a rare case of an asymptomatic epidural PR extending to the cervical and thoracic spinal canal. We present the current data regarding the etiology, pathomechanism, diagnosis, and treatment modalities of patients with PR. Results: The literature review included 37 related articles that reported 44 cases of traumatic PR. Only isolated case reports and series of no more than three cases were found. In 21 cases, the air was located in the epidural space, and in 23 cases, it was in the subarachnoid space. Most of the cases were localized to a specific spinal region. However, eight cases extending to more than one spinal region have been reported. Conclusions: Traumatic PR is an asymptomatic rare clinical entity and often is underdiagnosed. It usually resolves by itself without specific treatment. We stress the significance of this information to trauma specialists, so that they may better differentiate between epidural and subarachnoid PR. This is of great significance because subarachnoid PR is a marker of severe injury. The management of traumatic PR has to be individualized and frequently requires multidisciplinary treatment, involving head, chest, and/or abdomen intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of our study is to report a rare complication of halo pin insertion associated with an epileptic seizure and brain abscess, and to discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to its management. The treatment of unstable cervical spine injuries with a halo vest is an established procedure. Complications of pin penetration such as brain abscess and seizure are rare, and need to be urgently treated. Intracranial abscess and seizure associated with the use of the halo device is an unusual complication, and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. A 21-year-old male had a halo vest placed for the management of an odontoid type II fracture, which he sustained from a motor vehicle accident. Ten weeks after halo ring placement he complained of headaches which relieved by analgesics. After 2 weeks he was admitted at the emergency unit in an unconscious condition after a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. The halo pins were displaced during the seizure and were removed at his admission. No drainage was noted from the pin sites, and a Philadelphia cervical collar was applied. A brain CT and MRI revealed intracranial penetration of both posterior pins and a brain abscess in the right parietal lobe. Computed tomography of the cervical spine revealed stable fusion of the odontoid fracture. Cultures from the pin sites were negative; however, intravenous wide spectrum antibiotic treatment was administered to the patient immediately for 4 weeks followed by oral antibiotics for additional 2 weeks. Anti-epileptic medication was also started at his admission. The patient was discharged from the hospital in 6 weeks without symptoms, continuing anti-epileptic medication. On the follow-up visits he had fully recovered without any neurologic sequelae. In conclusion, complications of halo pin penetration are rare which need immediate intervention. Any neurologic or infectious, local or generalized, symptom need to be investigated urgently with available imaging techniques and treated promptly. Pin over-tightening may cause bone penetration and possible deep cranial infection with serious complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lumbar intervertebral disc is a complex anatomic structure that can be affected by a number of distinct pathologic processes. Categories of the disease include degenerative changes, subclinical or overt trauma, infectious lesions, inflammatory insults, metabolic disease, and tumors. Abnormalities affecting the intervertebral disc may assume atypical appearances or alterations may as well mimic pathologic processes related to degeneration that can be asymptomatic. Although the imaging findings of degenerative diseases of the vertebral column have been emphasized extensively, the assembly of pathologic conditions associated with the discovertebral segment has not received adequate attention. This manuscript reviews and illustrates a range of abnormalities affecting the discovertebral segment, providing a detailed analysis of postmortem material, in the realm of a close anatomic-imaging correlation. Knowledge of the characteristic morphology and patterns of abnormal conditions affecting the intervertebral disc and discovertebral segment can help radiologists narrow the differential diagnosis in a broad spectrum of disease processes., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Theodorou et al.)

The intervertebral disc is designated the most important cartilaginous articulation of the vertebral column that functions to withstand compressive biomechanical forces and confer strength and flexibility to the spine. A thorough study of the complex fine structure and anatomic relationships of the intervertebral disc is essential for the characterization of the integrity of each individual structure in the discovertebral segment. This elaborate work in human cadavers explores the sophisticated internal structure of the normal intervertebral disc and the discovertebral segment, providing detailed data derived from the dissection of specimens through imaging and close anatomic-histologic correlation. Familiarity with the normal appearances and basic functional properties of the lumbar intervertebral disc and discovertebral segment is fundamental for the recognition of aberrations that may have important clinical implications in patients with low back pain. In Part I of this article, the anatomic structure and features of the discovertebral complex in adults will be described., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Theodorou et al.)

Context: Dorsal migration of the sequestered lumbar intervertebral disc is an unusual and underrecognized pattern of lumbar disc herniation associated with pain and neurological deficit. Findings: Three patients presented with lower limb- and low back pain. MR imaging showed intracanalicular mass lesions with compression of the spinal cord and allowed precise localization of lesions in the extradural or intradural space. Diagnosis was straightforward for the patients with the posterior and anterior epidural disc fragments, whereas various differential diagnostic considerations were entertained for the patient with the intradural mass lesion. All patients underwent surgical removal of the sequestered disc fragments, and recovered full motosensory function. Surgical repair of the dura mater due to CSF leak was required for the patient with intradural disc herniation. Conclusion/clinical relevance: Posterior and anterior epidural, and intradural disc migration may manifest with clinical symptoms indistinguishable from those associated with non-sequestered lumbar disc hernias. Missed, migrated disc fragments can be implicated as a cause of low back pain, radiculopathy or cauda equina syndrome, especially in the absence of visible disc herniation. A high index of suspicion needs to be maintained in those cases with unexplained and persistent symptoms and/or no obvious disc herniation on MR images.

Patients with chronic back pain as a result of degenerated disc disease, besides pain, also present with impaired gait. The purpose of the article was to evaluate kinetic and kinematic characteristics during gait analysis in patients with chronic low back pain as a result of degenerated disc disease, before and after the application of physiotherapy, including manual therapy techniques. Seventy-five patients suffering from chronic low back pain were randomly divided into 3 groups of 25 each. Each group received five sessions (one per week) of interventions with the first group receiving manual therapy treatment, the second a sham treatment and the third, classic physiotherapy (stretching exercises, TENS and massage). The effectiveness of each treatment was evaluated using an optoelectronic system for recording and analysis of gait (kinetic and kinematic data). Patients overall showed an impaired gait pattern with a difference in kinetic and kinematic data between the left and the right side. Following the application of the above-named interventions, only the group that received manual therapy showed a tendency towards symmetry between the right and left side. In patients suffering from chronic low back pain as a result of degenerated disc disease, the application of five manual therapy sessions seems to produce a tendency towards symmetry in gait.

Introduction: Heterotopic ossification may develop after major hip surgeries, thus preventive strategies including radiation therapy and non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly employed. There are certain concerns regarding the effects of radiation therapy on implant loosening and carcinogenesis. Our study aims to evaluate whether radiation therapy results in implant loosening or radiation-induced tumours in the long term., Patients and Methods: This was a prospective study including 97 high-risk patients for heterotopic ossification who underwent total hip arthroplasty. Patients were divided into 2 groups and received either a combination of radiation therapy and indomethacin (Group A), or indomethacin alone (Group B). Evaluated outcomes included implant loosening or development of radiation-induced tumours during the follow-up period., Results: The follow-up period of the study was 10 years. Group A consisted of 50 patients, while Group B consisted of 47 patients. 3 patients died during the follow-up. There were 2 cases of implant loosening, 1 from each of the 2 groups at 9 and 10 years after surgery respectively; thus, no statistically significant difference regarding implant loosening was found ( p < 0.05). During the follow-up period no cases of radiation-induced tumours were identified., Conclusion: Our results are consistent with those of other studies supporting the safety of radiation therapy as a preventive strategy for heterotopic ossification following major surgeries in high risk patients. Further studies with even longer follow-up may be required to definitely exclude the possibility of adverse outcomes linked with radiation therapy.

Background: To evaluate the associations between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and pain, disability and quality of life before surgery and up to 5 years after lumbar microdiscectomy., Materials and Methods: Sixty-one patients who underwent one-level lumbar microdiscectomy by the same surgeon participated in this analytic, observational, prospective study. Lumbar spine MRI was performed preoperatively and 5 years postoperatively. Pain, disability and quality of life were measured with VAS, ODI, Roland Morris and SF-36 pre- and up to 5 years postoperatively. Subsequently associations between radiological findings and clinical outcomes were recorded., Results: Before surgery patients with disc extrusion or sequestration, with increased thecal sac compression (d > 2/3), with Modic changes (MC) 2 and 3 on the operated level and Pfirrmann grades IV and V on the operated and both adjacent discs presented the worst preoperative clinical outcomes. MC preoperatively were not related with postoperative results, in contrast with the type of disc herniation and thecal sac compression. Preoperative Pfirrmann grade IV and V on the operated and both adjacent discs and postoperative MC 2 and 3 on the operated level were related to poor clinical outcomes 36-60 months post-discectomy., Conclusions: Extrusion or sequestration of the operated disc, increased compression of thecal sac, MC 2 and 3 on the operated level and Pfirrmann grades IV and V on the operated and adjacent discs were associated with the worst clinical outcomes. Nerve root impingement, facet joint arthritis, perineural fibrosis and disc granulation tissue had no effect on clinical scores.

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether computer-assisted navigated TKA reduces perioperative blood loss. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups and underwent either a conventional TKA (n = 40) or a TKA with computer-assisted navigation (n = 40). Perioperative blood loss was evaluated by laboratory parameters, postoperative drain output and number of required transfusions. Change in hemoglobin concentration and in hematocrit levels was similar. Also, there was no statistically significant difference in drain output and in the number of transfused units. The results of this study showed that TKA with computer-assisted navigation is similar to the conventional TKA regarding perioperative hemorrhage., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2020 Professor P K Surendran Memorial Education Foundation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) following spinal surgery is a frequent clinical problem with significant clinical and socio-economic consequences. Malnutrition has been linked with SSI in various other surgical procedures., Aim: To investigate whether malnutrition is a risk factor for SSI following spinal surgery., Methods: Two electronic databases (PUBMED and SCOPUS) and the Cochrane Library were searched systematically from inception to May 2019. Cohort and case-control studies assessing malnutrition as a risk factor for SSI in patients undergoing spinal procedures were considered eligible. Μalnutrition was defined according to laboratory measurements or by relevant International Classification of Diseases-9 codes. SSI was the outcome of interest. Two reviewers independently abstracted study data and assessed the risk of bias for each study. Pooled effect estimates were calculated using random effects models., Findings: In total, 22 studies (20 retrospective cohort and two case-control) with over 175,000 participants (of whom 2.14% developed postoperative SSI) were analysed. SSIs were more likely to develop in malnourished patients [odds ratio (OR) 2.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.75-3.05]. While pre-operative malnutrition was significantly associated with SSI in patients undergoing thoracolumbar spinal and sacral surgery, no significant difference was seen in patients undergoing cervical spinal surgery. In subgroup analyses, similar results were observed for both hospital-based (OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.84-5.43) and population-based (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.63-2.46) studies., Conclusions: Malnutrition is associated with increased risk of developing SSI after spinal surgery. Further high-quality research is warranted to investigate whether improvement of pre-operative nutritional status can decrease SSI rates., (Copyright © 2019 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Total hip arthroplasty is one of the most successful orthopedic surgical procedures aiming to eliminate pain related to several types of hip arthritis and restore mobility. Obesity has been associated with an increased risk of complications after a total hip arthroplasty such as poor wound healing, periprosthetic joint infection, instability, and aseptic loosening., Methods: This paper presents an in-vitro study on composite femoral models to investigate the impact of different weight loading conditions on the mechanical environment of the hip joint endoprosthesis considering normal-weight and overweight individuals from 70 to 110 kg. The micro strains on the femur during single-leg stance of gait were measured on critical stress points based on the Gruen femoral zones., Findings: The micro strains increase as the weight increases implying that the displacement in the hip joint endoprosthesis is higher for overweight subjects enhancing the risk of failure. The highest increase was measured in Gruen zone 1 by 5.60% indicating that the great trochanter is subjected to higher stress shielding with increasing the weight. Also, the statistically significant increase of the micro strain values with increasing the weight in Gruen Zones 3 (2.91%), 5 (1.56%), and 11 (1.75%) may enhance the risk for a periprosthetic fracture at the lower region of the prosthesis., Interpretation: This is the first biomechanical study which quantifies the effect of increasing weight loading conditions on the mechanical environment of the hip joint endoprosthesis considering different positions of evaluation., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Postoperative pain management following lumbar discectomy is a key part of the procedure and various postoperative pain protocols including a wide range of agents are being used in daily practice worldwide. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of intraoperative epidural infiltration of local anaesthetic and steroid compared with placebo (normal saline) following microscopic lumbar discectomy., Methods: Sixty patients undergoing lumbar discectomy were randomized to intraoperative infiltration of 3 mg betamethoasone acetate and 18 mg ropivacaine (Group A) or normal saline (Group B). Infiltration was performed after discectomy and decompression and immediately prior to incision closure. Postoperatively a standard protocol of intravenous acetaminophen administration and physiotherapy was followed. Additional analgesia with tramadol was given only in patients who required further pain management. Postoperative pain was evaluated using VAS score. Opioid consumption was recorded. Primary outcome measures included immediate postoperative back pain VAS score, opioid consumption and infection rate. Patients were reviewed in clinic at 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively., Results: None of the patients in Group A required further analgesia while 12 Group B patients required further treatment with tramadol (p = 0.01). At 3 h postoperatively the VAS score was significantly lower in Group A compared to Group B (p < 0.05). Fifty-seven patients completed the 1 year follow up (95%) and 2 patients (1 from each group) suffered a complication of postoperative radiculopathy., Conclusion: Intraoperative application of steroid and local anaesthetic agent is effective on pain reduction for only a short period after surgery, while there is no effect on infection rate or any other long-term outcome compared with placebo. Hence although it is a safe technique, its benefits are limited from the duration of action., Competing Interests: None., (© 2019 Delhi Orthopedic Association. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Intraneural cysts usually involve the common peroneal nerve, and in many cases, they are causing symptoms due to neural compression. It is hypothesized that these cysts originate from the adjacent joints while articular pathology is a major contributing factor for the formation of these lesions. Although ulnar nerve is the second most commonly affected nerve, these lesions usually develop distally at the Guyon tunnel, so cubital tunnel syndrome due to epineural cysts is very rare. In such cases, elaborate preoperative work-up is mandatory and surgical treatment should follow certain well-defined principles., Case Description: A 60-year-old female patient presented with complaints of pain along the medial side of her elbow, forearm and hand and a tingling sensation in the same distribution for the past 2 months. The patient had sustained an injury 15 years ago, and a distal humerus fracture was diagnosed at that time. Radiological signs of posttraumatic elbow arthritis were evident at the initial evaluation. The patient was diagnosed with cubital tunnel syndrome which was further confirmed by nerve conduction studies, and she underwent surgical decompression of the nerve. During surgery, intraneural cysts were identified and addressed by excision, while dissection of the articular branch of the nerve was also performed. Pain and numbness subsided shortly after surgery, while the patient remained free of symptoms until the last follow-up.

Background: A growing body of evidence associates malnutrition with several adverse outcomes., Aim: To investigate the link between malnutrition with surgical site and periprosthetic joint infections (SSIs and PJIs) following total knee and hip arthroplasty (TKA and THA) through a comprehensive meta-analysis of observational studies., Methods: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus databases through December 2018, and recent proceedings of major orthopaedic meetings. Data from eligible studies were extracted and synthesized; pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated., Findings: Seven publications were included, reporting eight independent cohort studies with >250,000 subjects. SSIs and PJIs were more likely to develop in malnourished patients (OR: 2.49; 95% CI: 2.13-2.90; and 3.62; 2.33-5.64, respectively). The association of SSI with malnutrition was evident both after TKA (2.42; 1.94-3.02) and after THA (2.66; 1.64-4.30). Similarly, PJI was associated with malnutrition after TKA (2.55; 1.10-5.91) and after THA (3.10; 1.84-5.25). Finally, PJI correlated with malnutrition both after primary arthroplasty (3.58; 1.82-7.03) and revision arthroplasty (3.96; 2.47-6.33). The subgroup analysis by study setting confirmed the relationship between PJI and malnutrition in hospital (6.02; 3.07-11.81) and population-based (2.80; 1.76-4.44) studies., Conclusion: Malnutrition is associated with PJIs and SSIs after total joint arthroplasty. Further high-quality research is warranted to confirm or refute these findings., (Copyright © 2019 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background Vascularized bone grafts have become one of the first treatment options for scaphoid nonunions and Kienböck's disease. The aim of this study is to review the current body of the literature regarding the use of four vascularized bone grafts (1,2 ICSRA [1,2 intercompartmental supraretinacular artery] graft, 4+5 ECA [4+5 extracompartmental artery] graft, volar radial graft, and free medial femoral condyle graft) in these pathologies. Patients and Methods A search on MEDLINE and Google Scholar was performed. Exclusion criteria included language other than English, studies with no full text available, case reports, letters, editorials, and review articles. The primary outcomes included consolidation rate of the grafts and time to union regarding scaphoid nonunion, as well as the clinical outcomes (pain, grip strength, range of motion), revascularization of the lunate, and progression of the disease regarding Kienböck's disease. Results A total of 37 articles were included in the study enrolling 917 patients. Regarding scaphoid nonunion, the consolidation rate was 86.3% for the 1,2 ICSRA graft, 93.9% for the volar radial bone graft, and 88.8% for the free medial femoral condyle graft. In patients with Kienböck's disease, progression of the disease was observed in 13% of patients, and grip strength and pain were substantially improved whereas range of motion did not demonstrate statistically significant improvement ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Vascularized bone grafts yield successful outcomes in patients with scaphoid nonunions demonstrating a high union rate. In patients with Kienböck's disease, vascularized grafts lead to revascularization of the lunate in most of the cases with concomitant improvement of the clinical parameters.

Purpose: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment for intervertebral disc (IVD) repair and tissue engineering technologies have been the target of intense research with promising results. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of only one intradiscal injection of PRP in the degenerated rabbit IVD and to assess the restoration process over a 6-week follow-up period., Methods: The L3-L4 and L4-L5 discs of 18 adult female rabbits were injured, according to an established degenerative model, with an 18-gauge needle, and classified into two groups: In the discs of group A rabbits, after needle puncture, an intradiscal injection of autologous PRP growth factors was performed, using a 27-gauge needle, and in the discs of the control group (group B), the same procedure was followed by intradiscal injection of normal saline. The PRP preparation was carried out aseptically, after blood collection from the same rabbit., Results: During the 6 weeks, there was a noteworthy progression of degeneration process in group B, whereas the grade of degeneration was significantly lower in group A, both for annulus fibrosus (AF) and for nucleus pulposus (NP). The intervertebral disc regeneration and reversal process of the lesions are obvious on 45 days after the injury, in group A. The hematoxylin and eosin histology grading score and the expression of collagen type II in NP and inner layer of AF were the markers better mirroring the degeneration and restoration process., Conclusion: PRP intradiscal treatment in degenerative disc disease provokes the maintenance of the disc's basic morphological characteristics with restoration being evident early after injury.

Background: To evaluate the effect of lumbar microdiscectomy (LM) in pain, disability and quality of life in a 5-year period and to identify potential demographic and clinical risk factors., Methods: One hundred patients who underwent LM by the same surgeon participated in this prospective study. Clinical assessment was made with validated questionnaires preoperatively and up to 5 years postoperatively. Subsequently, associations between clinical outcomes and demographic data were recorded., Results: In every assessment questionnaire, there was a significant improvement in the first postoperative month, which lasted up to 1 year post-discectomy. After that, improvement was statistically significant (p < 0.05) but without clinical importance. Women reported more pain preoperatively and 1 month after surgery. Urban residents also presented more pain preoperatively. Older patients had more pain, disability and worse quality of life 1-5 years postoperatively. Similarly, patients with lower education presented the worst scores in every questionnaire at the same time. Smokers reported less pain 1.5-4 postoperative years. Higher alcohol consumption and obesity were associated with lower levels of preoperative pain. However, obese patients had worse SF-36 and ODI scores after the 6th postoperative month. Patients with heavy jobs presented the worst preoperative ODI scores., Conclusion: Significant clinical improvement was recorded from the first postoperative month to the first postoperative year; stabilization was noticed later on. Feminine gender, urban residency, older age, low level of education, obesity and heavy physical occupation were negative prognostic factors. Oddly smoking and alcohol were correlated with less pain.

Background: Lumbar microdiscectomy is a common procedure with satisfactory results; however, postoperative events like progressive adjacent level degeneration and perineural fibrosis can contribute to long-term pain. The purpose of the study was to evaluate MRI changes 5 years after lumbar microdiscectomy and assess their association with clinical parameters., Materials and Methods: A prospective study enrolling 61 patients who underwent microdiscectomy. Changes between preoperative and postoperative MRI findings were recorded, and these findings were tested for associations with demographic, clinical and perioperative parameters. The measured imaging parameters were degeneration of the operated and adjacent discs and endplates, morphology of the disc herniation, facet joints arthritis and the presence of postoperative perineural fibrosis., Results: Statistically significant differences were found between preoperative and postoperative morphology of the operated disc, facet joints arthritis and degeneration of the operated and caudal adjacent disc. There were no differences between preoperative and postoperative disc degeneration of the superior adjacent disc and in degeneration of the operated and adjacent endplates. Postoperatively perineural fibrosis was common; however, thecal sac compression and nerve root impingement were reduced. Age at the time of surgery was the only parameter associated with postoperative changes., Conclusion: Five years after microdiscectomy, several postoperative MRI changes including operated disc's morphology, facet joints arthritis and degeneration of the operated and caudal adjacent disc were shown. Taking into consideration that participants were on average middle-aged, these changes could be attributed not only to the impact of the surgery but also to the natural history of lumbar spine degeneration.

Neonatal brachial plexus palsy is a devastating complication after a difficult delivery. The incidence of this injury has not significantly decreased over the past decades, despite all the advances in perinatal care. Although primary repair of the nerves with microsurgical techniques is the common treatment strategy nowadays, there are late cases in which secondary procedures in tendons or bones are necessary. Moreover, secondary procedures may be needed to improve the results of primary repair. A careful preoperative assessment of all the residual defects and deformities in upper limbs of these patients is essential. The aim of these procedures is usually to restore the deficient shoulder abduction and external rotation, release of any elbow flexion contracture or to correct a weak elbow flexion. More distally a supination or pronation deformity is usually apparent, and available options include tendon transfers or radial osteotomy. The wrist of these patients may be ulnarly deviated or may has absent extension, so tendon transfers or free muscle transfers can also be used for correction of these deformities. In severe cases, wrist fusion is an alternative option. The clinical presentation of the hand is highly variable due to complex deformities including thumb adduction deformity, metacarpophalangeal joints drop, and weak finger flexion or extension depending on the level of the injury. Each of these deformities can be restored with a combination of soft tissue procedures like local or free muscle transfer and bony procedures like arthrodesis.

Introduction: Dentistry students and dentists comprise a unique group of professionals, whose everyday professional activity requires long hours of standing and working in a position considered unhealthy for the lower back and neck. Our aim was to explore the factors involved in the appearance of low back and neck pain in dentistry students as well as the impact of the pain on the students' professional and everyday activities., Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was given to all dentistry students of the 4th and 5th year of our university. The questionnaire included 43 questions regarding demographic data, history (spinal injury, other comorbidities), daily activities (exercise, smoking, alcohol and caffeine consumption, use of cell phone), professional activities (length and type of dental work), pattern and intensity of pain, and personal pain evaluation. A statistical analysis of the gathered data was performed., Results: All students having suffered a spinal trauma or indicating any other comorbidity that could cause severe pain of the spine were excluded from the study. Fifty-five students (21 male, 34 female) were included. Our data showed that increased alcohol consumption and prolonged use of cell phone were connected to increased levels of pain. The students reported that the most frequent onset of pain was 1 h after starting to work in a standing position, while the majority believed that their working habits were involved in the appearance and the intensity of neck and low-back pain., Conclusion: Our findings indicate that among dentistry students appears to be a causative relationship between their professional activities and the experienced spinal pain. These findings may be useful in a possible future restructuring of the educational program in dental schools, as well as in improving the ergonomics of dentistry working units.

Fusion is one of the most commonly performed spinal procedures, indicated for a wide range of spinal problems. Elimination of motion though results in accelerated degeneration of the adjacent level, known as adjacent level disease. Motion preservation surgical methods were developed in order to overcome this complication. These methods include total disc replacement, laminoplasty, interspinous implants and dynamic posterior stabilization systems. The initial enthusiasm about these methods was followed by certain concerns about their clinical usefulness and their results. The main indications for total disc replacement are degenerative disc disease, but the numerous contraindications for this method make it difficult to find the right candidate. Application of interspinous implants has shown good results in patients with spinal stenosis, but a more precise definition is needed regarding the severity of spinal stenosis up to which these implants can be used. Laminoplasty has several advantages and less complications compared to fusion and laminectomy in patients with cervical myelopathy/radiculopathy. Dynamic posterior stabilization could replace conventional fusion in certain cases, but also in this case the results are successful only in mild to moderate cases.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the efficacy of spinal mobilization in subjects with low back pain (LBP) and associated spinal disk degeneration., Methods: Seventy-five subjects suffering from chronic LBP (>3 months) were randomly allocated into 3 groups of 25 subjects each. Each group received five treatment sessions with the first group receiving manual therapy (MT) (spinal mobilization), the second a sham treatment, and the third conventional physiotherapy (CP) (stretching exercises, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and massage). Subjects were assessed for their pain intensity using the numerical pain rating scale and for their self-reported disability using the Oswestry and Roland-Morris Questionnaire at baseline and after the completion of the five treatment sessions., Results: Paired t -tests showed a significant improvement for all outcome measures in the MT and CP group ( p  < 0.05). Analysis of covariance revealed that the MT group had significant improvement in all outcome measures in comparison with the sham and CP group ( p  < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed between the sham and CP group ( p  > 0.05)., Discussion: MT is preferable to CP in order to reduce the pain intensity and disability in subjects with chronic LBP and associated disk degeneration. The findings of this study may lead to the establishment of spinal mobilization as one of the most preferable approaches for the management of LBP due to disk degeneration., Level of Evidence: 1b.

Background: Modular total hip arthroplasty incorporating a double taper design is an evolution offering potential advantages compared to single head-neck taper or monolithic designs. Changes in femoral offset, neck length or femoral anteversion are expected to alter the strain distribution., Methods: We therefore analyzed the strain patterns after usage of all types of necks of a modular neck prosthesis, implanted in composite femurs., Findings: The load distribution presented a repeatable pattern. Anteverted neck combinations resulted in higher stress at the anterior surface, whereas the retroverted ones at the posterior (e.g. at the middle frontal site, stress is 13.63% higher when we shifted from the long neutral neck to the long 15° anteverted neck and at the middle back site 19.73% higher when we shifted from the long neutral to the long 15° retroverted neck). Compressive stress was larger at the calcar region and exacerbated by the use of the varus neck (e.g. at the frontal 1 site stress increased by 44.01% when we used the long 8° varus neck in comparison to the long neutral neck). Anteverted neck combinations resulted in higher strain at the anterior cortex around the tip of the prosthesis. Short necks exhibited lower stress at the femoral shaft and higher at the trans-trochanteric area., Interpretation: Anteverted neck combinations could be more prone to anterior thigh pain. Because of the possible risk of adaptive hypertrophy and early mechanical failure due to increased stress, the surgeon should be cautious when using necks with combined characteristics or short necks., (Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Concerns have been raised regarding the effects of schoolbag carriage on adolescent schoolchildren and particularly those with a pre-existing spinal deformity. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of school backpack loads in scoliotic and healthy school-age children during walking, in terms of peak vertical ground reaction forces and loading rates. We hypothesized that walking with a loaded backpack would have a greater effect on gait kinetics of scoliotic compared to healthy., Methods: Eight children with idiopathic scoliosis and eight healthy children were assessed. Kinetic data were collected using two AMTI OR6-7 force-plates, while the subjects walked freely along a 6-m walkway under three walking conditions: (1) without a schoolbag, (2) carrying a schoolbag bilaterally (over both shoulders-symmetrical load) and (3) carrying a schoolbag unilaterally (over each shoulder-asymmetrical load). Kinetic data were collected and four parameters were calculated; peak ground reaction force at the first maximum force peak (F1), time needed to reach F1 (T1), loading rate of F1 (LRF1) and total contact time (T2)., Results: We found no significant differences between the scoliotic and healthy children for any of the kinetic variables examined. In addition, the position of the bag did not seem to have any effect on loading rate., Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that in terms of kinetic parameters during normal gait, the schoolbag load (symmetrical or asymmetrical) does not have a different effect on children with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis compared to normal controls.

Despite the large number of the outstanding researches, pathogenesis of osteonecrosis remains unknown. During the last decades the hypothesis that increased intravascular coagulation may be the pathogenetic mechanism which leads to osteonecrosis is gaining constantly support. Both primary factors of hyper-coagulability, such as resistance to activated protein C, protein C and protein S deficiency, low levels of tissue plasminogen activator, high levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor, von Willebrand factor, lipoprotein (a), and secondary factors of hypercoagulability with factors potentially activating intravascular coagulation, such as pregnancy, antiphospholipid antibodies, systemic lupus erythematosus, hemoglobinopathies and sickle cell disease, and hemato-oncologic diseases are discussed in this article. Although coagulation abnormalities in patients with hip osteonecrosis might represent increased risk factors for the development of bone necrosis by predisposing the patient to thromboembolic phenomena, further investigation is needed to indicate the definite correlation between factors leading to increased intravascular coagulation and pathogenesis of osteonecrosis.

Low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a distinctive variant of fibrosarcoma with a high metastasizing potential and sometimes long interval between tumour presentation and metastasis. We present the case of a 50-year-old male who developed a large mass in the posterior aspect of his lower left thigh. The tumor was excised with preservation of the neurovascular structures surrounded by the mass. The tumour measured 11 x 10 x 9 cm and on pathology evaluation was diagnosed as LGFMS. Due to the relative rarity of LGFMS, there is no dedicated protocol regarding follow-up recommendations. In order to early diagnose possible metastasis it is important to inform the patients about the longstanding metastatic potential of the disease.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of wide surgical decompression and concomitant posterior instrumentation in patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis., Methods: Thirty-seven consecutive patients (14 men, 23 women; mean age 64 years; range 36 to 82 years) with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis were prospectively evaluated following surgical treatment with spinal decompression and concomitant instrumented posterior fusion. The mean duration of symptoms before surgery was 24 months (range 12 to 60 months). Preoperatively, six patients had degenerative spondylolisthesis (grade 1) and two patients had degenerative lumbar scoliosis. Decompression was performed at one level in four patients, at two levels in 16 patients, at three levels in 11 patients, and at four levels in six patients. Discectomy was also performed in seven patients. Preoperatively and postoperatively, the patients were assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index and a visual analog scale for overall pain (leg and low back pain). The satisfaction level of the patients for surgical outcome was also questioned. The mean follow-up period was 4.6 years (range 1 to 7 years)., Results: Preoperatively, the mean Oswestry Disability Index score was 60.5% and the mean overall pain score was 7.5. Postoperatively, the Oswestry Disability Index score significantly decreased to 36.8% and the overall pain score significantly decreased to 3.5 (p<0.001). Preoperative and postoperative walking distances of the patients were as follows, respectively: more than 1,000 meters (6 and 14 patients), 500 to 1,000 meters (5 and 7 patients), less than 500 meters (26 and 16 patients). Twenty patients did not use any analgesics and eight patients used analgesics on a weekly basis. Twenty-six patients were satisfied with the surgical outcome, nine patients were somewhat satisfied, and two patients were dissatisfied. Overall, the outcomes were excellent to good in 22 patients (59.5%). None of the patients required revision surgery., Conclusion: Most patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis benefit from decompressive surgery. Patients with long-standing preoperative symptoms and concomitant diseases often have poor results and are less satisfied with the postoperative outcome.

In order to assess the efficacy of epidural steroid injections (ESI) in acute and subacute pain due to lumbar spine disk herniation, we conducted a randomized trial, comparing 2 different protocols. Fourty patients with radicular pain due to L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc herniation were assigned to receive either 3 consecutive ESI every 24 hours through a spinal catheter (group A) or 3 consecutive ESI every 10 days with an epidural needle (group B). All patients had improved Oswestry Disabilty Index (ODI) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain scores at 1 month of follow-up compared to baseline, while no significant differences were observed between the 2 groups. The scores for group B were statistically significant lower at 2 months of follow-up compared to those of group A. The improvement in the scores of group B was continuous since the mean scores at 2 months of follow up were lower compared to the respective scores at 1 month. Protocol B (3 consecutive ESI every 10 days) was found more effective in the treatment of subacute pain compared to Protocol A (3 consecutive ESI every 24 hours) with statistically significant differences in the ODI and VAS scores at 2 months of follow-up.

Introduction: The diagnosis of cervical spine injuries remains a significant problem in many blunt trauma patients. Correct and early diagnosis of these injuries is imperative as delayed or missed diagnoses result in increased morbidity and mortality., Case Presentation: A 57-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a misdiagnosed bilateral C5-C6 dislocation one month after a fall and head injury, without clearance of the cervical spine in her previous visits to two physicians and having already started physiotherapy sessions, despite the presence of pain in the clinical examination. Dislocation was treated with open reduction and spinal fusion with posterior instrumentation 4 weeks post-trauma., Conclusions: Every physician should be highly suspicious of cervical spine injury in blunt trauma patients with positive clinical examination and include radiologic studies in his screening modality. Physiotherapy sessions should under no circumstances be started in the presence of underlying spine injury.

We aimed to investigate the reliability and reproducibility of a magnetic tracking technique for the assessment of overall cervical spine motion (principal and coupled movements). Ten asymptomatic male volunteers with a mean age of 29.3 years (range 20-37 years) were included in the study. Flexion, extension, left and right lateral bending and left and right axial rotation were measured using a magnetic tracking device (MTD) mounted onto a custom head-piece. For rotational movements in the frontal and sagittal planes the results were compared with the measurements of two standard inclinometers. Intra-observer, inter-observer and intra-instrument reliability was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient method. There were no significant differences for all motion measurements between the MTD and the inclinometer. High inter-observer reliability was found in flexion, extension, axial rotation and lateral bending indicating that the testing routine is applicable for different examiners. The intra-observer variability was high in flexion and extension, whereas in lateral bending the reliability coefficients were lower and displayed a fair to good reliability for most of the measurements with the MTD. The results of the MTD were found to be highly comparable with the inclinometer results with an inter-instrument correlation coefficient ranging from 0.88 to 0.99. The MTD is a reliable, reproducible method for three-dimensional motion analysis of the cervical spine and therefore a valuable method both for the clinical assessment of various degenerative and traumatic disorders and as a supplement of different therapeutic procedures and rehabilitation.

We report the outcome of 50 patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis who were treated surgically by spinal decompression between 1984 and 1995. Their mean age at the time of surgery was 59.9 (45-77) years and the mean follow-up was 11.6 (6.1-17.2) years. Five patients had a concomitant spinal fusion. The preoperative data were collected retrospectively from the patients' charts. The follow-up data were obtained from a clinical examination and questionnaire including overall pain, ability to work, walking ability, use of analgesics and satisfaction with surgery. The outcome was rated as excellent in 23 patients, good in 13 patients, fair in 9 patients and poor in 5 patients. Patients with concomitant fusion had good to excellent results and were more satisfied, whereas patients with long-standing preoperative symptoms had poor to fair result and were less satisfied.

Objective: To determine whether the procedure of unreamed femoral nailing is simpler, faster, and safer than reamed femoral intramedullary nailing., Design: Prospective randomized., Setting/participants: One hundred femoral shaft fractures without significant concomitant injuries admitted to an academic Level 1 urban trauma center., Intervention: Stabilization of the femoral shaft fracture using a reamed or unreamed technique., Outcome Measurements: The surgical time, estimated blood loss, fluoroscopy time, and perioperative complications were prospectively recorded., Results: One hundred patients with 100 femoral shaft fractures were correctly prospectively randomized to the study. Thirty-seven patients received reamed and sixty-three patients received unreamed nails. All nails were interlocked proximally and distally. The average surgical time for the reamed nail group was 138 minutes and for unreamed nail group was 108 minutes (p = 0.012). The estimated blood loss for the reamed nail group was 278 milliliters and for the unreamed nail group 186 milliliters (p = 0.034). Reamed intramedullary nailing required an average of 4.72 minutes, whereas unreamed nailing required 4.29 minutes of fluoroscopy time. Seven perioperative complications occurred in the reamed nail group and eighteen in the unreamed nail group. Two patients in the unreamed group required an early secondary procedure. Iatrogenic comminution of the fracture site occurred during three reamed and six unreamed intramedullary nailings. Reaming of the canal was required before the successful placement of three nails in the unreamed group because of canal/nail diameter mismatch., Conclusions: Unreamed femoral intramedullary nailing involves fewer steps and is significantly faster with less intraoperative blood loss than reamed intramedullary nailing. The unreamed technique, however, was associated with a higher incidence of perioperative complications, although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.5).

This article defines the indications for spinal fusion surgery based on the current literature as well as a rationale for selecting the appropriate spinal fusion techniques for the more common degenerative lumbar and thoracic conditions.

Enchondroma of the scaphoid has been rarely reported. A young male manual worker presented with a pathologic fracture on the lesion. It was successfully managed with a vascularized bone graft from the dorsum of the distal radius.

Computed tomography (CT) provides important three-dimensional anatomic details in congenital dislocation of the hip that are useful for total hip arthroplasty (THR) and are not obtainable with conventional radiographic evaluation. In this study, 84 patients (119 hips) with congenital dislocation of the hip were evaluated with CT before surgery. Specifically, both the acetabulum and the femur were analyzed to make the best selection of the prosthesis. The average anteversion of the acetabulum was 23 degrees, with an opening of 30.9 mm and a depth of 14.7 mm. The bone stock of the true acetabulum was calculated and the average available diameter for the acetabular implant was 44.9 mm. The CT topogram revealed the true leg-length discrepancy (average 0.5-1.9 cm), and the amount of a shortening osteotomy when necessary was determined. Finally, to determine the stem with optimum fit and fill, a three-dimensional reconstruction of the femoral canal using CT data and computer-aided design (CAD) was matched with a three-dimensional geometry of several stem designs and sizes obtained from a CAD system.