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In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), bone fragility increases fracture risk. Teriparatide (TPTD) improves bone strength, and exercise therapy suppresses blood glucose levels in T2DM. In this study, the combined effects of TPTD and exercise therapy on trabecular and cortical bone were examined in advanced T2DM model rats.Thirty-week-old Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats were divided into four groups (n = 9-10 in each group at two time points): Cont group (vehicle-treated control), TPTD group (TPTD 30 μg/kg injected subcutaneously, 3 times/week), Exe group (treadmill exercise, 10 m/min, 60 min/day, 5 times/week), and Comb group (TPTD-treated and treadmill exercise combined). Five and 10 weeks after treatment, bone mineral density (BMD), bone strength, and bone micro-architecture were measured.TPTD and combined treatment significantly increased BMDs of the lumbar spine and femur compared to the Cont group (p 0.05 to p 0.01). In the three-point bending test of the femur, only combined treatment increased the maximum load at 5 weeks compared with the Cont and Exe groups (p 0.01). In the compression test of the distal femoral metaphysis, both TPTD and combined treatment increased the trabecular bone strength compared with the Cont and Exe groups (p 0.05 to p 0.01). Although TPTD and combined treatment improved the micro-architecture of trabecular bone (p 0.05 to p 0.01), only combined treatment improved the micro-structures of cortical bone from 5 weeks of treatment (p 0.05 to p 0.01).The combination of TPTD and treadmill exercise increased BMD and trabecular and cortical bone strength of the femur with improved micro-architecture in T2DM model rats.

Background: Distal femoral physeal injuries are a challenging clinical scenario because the injuries have a high risk of growth disturbance. The selected treatments include closed reduction and cast immobilization, percutaneous pin fixation, and cannulated screws or internal fixation, but these treatments have some complications. Circular external fixation enables rigid immobilization and walking with full weight bearing. To the best of our knowledge, there is no article on the results of using circular external fixation for distal femoral physeal injury. This case is the first in which circular external fixation for distal femoral physeal injury is used. Case Presentation: A 9-year-old boy was injured in a skiing accident, and his injury was a Salter-Harris type II fracture of the distal femoral epiphysis. We immediately performed percutaneous pin fixation with circular external fixation under general anesthesia. After surgery, he was allowed to walk with full weight bearing. One year after surgery, he had no pain, and his knee regained full extension and 140°flexion. Conclusion: We consider circular external fixation to be an effective treatment option because of its rigid immobilization without injury to the plate. However, we and patients must fully acknowledge its difficulties (i.e., pin-site problems, neurologic injury, vascular injury, joint stiffness, and pain, and difficulty sleeping).

This study evaluated the effect of haematogenous administration of acridine orange (AO) alone and in combination with zoledronate (ZOL) on bone metastases.E0771 cells (1.0×10At 4 weeks, the bone destruction rate was lower in the AO+ZOL group than in the radiation group. At 6 weeks, the AO+ZOL group had a lower bone destruction rate than the control and radiation groups; the ZOL group had a lower rate than the radiation group. The AO and AO+ZOL groups had suppressed tumour weight and volume compared to the control and radiation groups. The number of extraosseous apoptotic cells was higher in the AO+ZOL group than in all other groups except the AO group.In a model of local bone metastasis of breast cancer, haematogenous administration of AO reduced tumour size and more so when combined with ZOL.

Pilon fractures are associated with soft tissue complications such as skin necrosis, and deep infections have been reported very often. This study retrospectively compared the treatment effects of Ilizarov external fixation and of internal fixation methods in elderly patients with pilon fractures.A total of 37 patients60 years old with pilon fractures (AO classification type 43) were investigated. Patients were treated either with internal fixation (n = 15) or Ilizarov external fixation (n = 22). The patients' mean age was 74.2 (range, 60-78) years in the internal fixation group and 76.1 (range, 60-82) years in the Ilizarov external fixation group. Many patients in the internal fixation group received toe-touch to 1/3 partial weight-bearing at 2-4 weeks postoperatively and full weight-bearing by 6-8 weeks postoperatively. Many patients in the Ilizarov external fixation group received partial weight-bearing (as tolerated) 1 day postoperatively, 1/2 partial weight-bearing at 2 weeks postoperatively, and full weight-bearing at 4 weeks postoperatively.The mean duration of hospitalization was 79.1 ± 30.1 days for the internal fixation group and 29.1 ± 18.8 days for the Ilizarov external fixation group (p 0.05). Bone mineral density (T-score) was 2.6 ± 0.7 for the internal fixation group and 3.6 ± 1.2 for the Ilizarov external fixation group (p 0.05). The incidence of skin disorders that required additional surgical treatment was 33.3% (5/15 patients) in the internal fixation group and 0% (0/22 patients) in the Ilizarov external fixation group (p 0.05).In elderly patients with periarticular fractures of the ankle, those who underwent Ilizarov external fixation had a shorter duration of hospitalization and fewer complications than those who underwent internal fixation.

Although teriparatide (TPTD) and exercise may improve osteoporosis, muscle atrophy, and fat metabolism during ageing, the effects of treatment with a combination of TPTD and exercise on these factors remain unclear. Therefore, this study examined the effects of TPTD and exercise on bone, skeletal muscle, and fat in ovariectomized and tail-suspended rats. Seven-month-old female Wistar rats were ovariectomized and subjected to tail suspension. The rats were then randomized into one of the following four groups (n = 20/group) after 4 weeks: control group, treated with TPTD vehicle and no exercise; TPTD group (30 µg/kg TPTD, 3 days/week); Exercise group (treadmill at 12 m/min, 60 min/day, 5 days/week); and Combined group treated with TPTD and treadmill exercise. After 1 and 8 weeks of treatment, bone, skeletal muscle, and fat tissue parameters were evaluated. TPTD improved bone mineral density (BMD), bone structure, bone strength at the femoral metaphysis, and the percentage of skeletal muscle mass, and decreased the percentage of fat mass and the adipose volume in the bone marrow. Treadmill exercise increased BMD, bone strength of cancellous bone, and the percentage of skeletal muscle mass, and decreased the percentage of fat mass as seen on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Furthermore, combined treatment significantly affected BMD, bone structure, and bone strength of cortical bone at the femoral diaphysis. TPTD or treadmill exercise improved bone, skeletal muscle, and fat mass. Combination therapy with TPTD and exercise had synergistic effects on BMD, structure, and bone strength in ovariectomized, tail-suspended rats.

Background Severe varus deformity and soft tissue injury caused by a burn around a complex knee dislocation is a rare injury. Soft tissue reconstruction and deformity correction with circular hexapod external fixation of the knee and hinged total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are challenging and can lead to major complications if not performed appropriately. We present a case in which a combination of soft tissue reconstruction, circular hexapod external fixation, and TKA was used treat severe knee dislocation due to burn scarring. Case presentation We report the case of a 58-year-old woman who presented for knee surgery with soft tissue reconstruction, deformity correction with circular hexapod external fixation, and hinged TKA for a severe complex deformity and soft tissue injury caused by a burn injury at 6 months of age. The left leg was shorter by 35 mm in terms of functional leg length discrepancy. She walked with a limp, with a marked varus deformity of the left knee during the stance phase of walking. After a 3-stage repair, the patient was able to walk without assistance, confirming improvement of mobility. Conclusion The treatment method was an effective use of a combination of soft tissue reconstruction, circular hexapod external fixation, and rehearsal surgery using a 3D printed bone model of the modular rotating hinge component of TKA, which was successfully used to treat a severe knee dislocation due to burn scarring. This staged surgery maintained the leg length and ultimately achieved a satisfactory alignment.

Background Gustilo–Anderson type IIIc tibial open fracture with large bone defects in severely osteoporotic elderly patients is a rare injury that may be a challenging clinical scenario.Case presentation This study presents the case of a 68-year-old man who sustained a Gustilo–Anderson type IIIc open tibial fracture with a large bone defect. The patient had severe osteoporosis and the bone was contaminated; therefore, we determined that the bone could not be returned to the tibia. The patient underwent acute limb shortening and gradual lengthening with an Ilizarov external fixator combined with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and teriparatide administration for limb reconstruction, which allowed immediate full weight-bearing capacity. The fixator was removed at 12 months postoperatively, and by this time, the fracture had completely healed. At the most recent 5-year follow-up after the injury, the patient reported fully weight-bearing capacity without walking aids and had full knee and ankle range of motion.Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the use of combined Ilizarov technique, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound, and teriparatide for limb reconstruction of Gustilo–Anderson type IIIc open tibial fractures with large bone defects in elderly patients with severe osteoporosis.

Autism spectrum disorder covers a group of behaviorally defined disorders that may result in the patient having difficulty staying calm during medical treatments, due to anxiety-related overreactions. Tibial fractures are the third most common pediatric long-bone fracture. Conservative treatment is selected in many cases, but surgical treatment may be selected in cases of open fracture and no treatment policy has been established. We described the case of a 6-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder who was unable to stay calm due to anxiety and required sedation. We diagnosed open tibial shaft fracture (Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification 42A1, 4F2A; Gustilo classification type 1). On the day of injury, we performed osteosynthesis using a ring external fixator and primary closure of the open wound. Full weight-bearing was permitted from immediately after surgery. No significant complications were observed postoperatively, and the external fixator was removed 84 days postoperatively. No abnormal alignment of the lower leg, leg-length discrepancy or range of motion disorder was identified. To the best of our knowledge, no other reports have described use of a ring external fixator for open tibial shaft fractures in children with autism spectrum disorder. Using a ring external fixator appears helpful for open tibial shaft fractures in children who are unable to stay calm due to autism spectrum disorder, because there is no need to limit weight-bearing immediately after surgery. For Gustilo classification type 1 pediatric open fracture, primary closure of the open wound is safe after sufficient bone fixation.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis and dyslipidemia are well-known skeletal and metabolic changes in middle-aged women. We investigated the effects of combined treatments with a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) and exercise on bone and fat parameters in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Sixteen-week-old female Sprague–Dawley rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy, and rats were randomized to BZA (bazedoxifene at 0.3 mg/kg/day), Exe (treadmill exercise at 12–15 m/min, 60 min/day, 5 days/week), Comb (BZA and Exe), and Cont (control treated with vehicle and no exercise) groups 8 weeks after ovariectomy. After 4 or 8 weeks of treatment, bone mineral density (BMD) of the total femur and lumbar spine and whole-body percentage fat mass were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and mechanical testing of the femoral shaft, and bone and fat histomorphometric analyses of the proximal tibia were performed. Treadmill exercise had decreased bone marrow adipocytes from 4 weeks of treatment and whole-body percentage fat mass at 8 weeks. BZA increased BMD at the lumbar spine and decreased the whole-body percentage fat mass from 4 weeks and bone marrow adipocytes at 8 weeks. Combination therapy increased BMD for the lumbar spine and decreased bone marrow adipocytes and whole-body percentage fat mass from 4 weeks. Combination therapy with BZA and exercise appears effective to improve bone and fat parameters in OVX rats.

Background: Povidone-iodine (PVI) irrigation is currently used to decrease the frequency of postoperative surgical site infections. Ethanol (EtOH) is sometimes applied to prevent local recurrence after curettage of benign bone tumors. However, the effects of PVI and EtOH on surrounding soft tissue and on bone union are unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine whether PVI or EtOH adversely affects the cancellous bone healing of the osteotomy site at the proximal tibia in rats. Methods: A cancellous bone osteotomy was performed at the right proximal tibia in 4-month-old, female, Sprague Dawley rats. Vehicle, 10% PVI, or 95% EtOH-soaked gauze was inserted into the osteotomy site and maintained for 6 minutes. The rats were euthanized 2 or 4 weeks after the osteotomy. Results: Two weeks after treatment, the bone union rate was significantly higher in the vehicle group than in the PVI group and the EtOH group (p < 0.001). However, the bone union rate was not significantly different between the PVI and EtOH groups. There was no significant difference among the three groups in the bone union rate 4 weeks after treatment. Conclusion: PVI or EtOH delayed bone union of the cancellous bone osteotomy site of the proximal tibia in the early phase (2 weeks), but not at 4 weeks, in rats.

Introduction: Pilon fracture in elderly individuals is characterized by senile skin atrophy, poor dermal extensibility, and thin subcutaneous tissue. The use of bulky internal fixation material can thus cause the swelling that accompanies the fracture to induce secondary injury to skin tissue. In addition, initiation of postoperative weight-bearing is delayed due to bone fragility and difficulties with partial weight-bearing, causing a tendency toward prolonged hospitalization. Mean duration of hospitalization after pilon fracture for elderly patients in our department was 79.2 days. Case Presentation: An 80-year-old woman with pilon fracture with soft tissue injury and severe osteoporosis was transferred to our department. The fracture was treated using Ilizarov external fixation. Fourteen days postoperatively, walking with full weight-bearing was permitted. The hospital stay was 28 days. The external fixator of the ankle was removed 87 days postoperatively, at which time the patient was anatomically and functionally recovered and able to walk unaided. Conclusion: Ilizarov external fixation may represent a useful option in elderly patients with pilon fracture showing severe soft tissue injury and severe osteoporosis. The present case provides evidence that this procdure can be successfully applied to the management of such pilon fractures in elderly patients.

Purpose: High tibial valgus osteotomy (HTO) is a well-established surgical procedure for patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. The hybrid closed-wedge HTO (CWHTO) procedure permits extensive correction in patients with severe deformities or patellofemoral joint OA. The aim of this study was to report the short-term results in a consecutive series of patients treated with hybrid CWHTO. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical outcomes and radiographic parameters in 29 consecutive knees that underwent hybrid CWTHO to correct medial compartment OA at an average follow-up of 52.6 months. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Lysholm score and knee scoring system of the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA). The Kellgren-Lawrence grading system and pre- and postoperative mechanical axis (MA), femorotibial angle (FTA), posterior tibial slope, and patella height were assessed. Results: The FTA and MA significantly changed from 180.7° to 170.4° and from 22.0° to 60.2°, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the mean pre- and postoperative posterior tibial slope, Insall-Salvati ratio, or Caton-Deschamps index. The postoperative JOA and Lysholm scores significantly improved from 76.7 to 95.8 and from 58.8 to 90.2, respectively. Conclusions: Satisfactory outcomes can be achieved with hybrid CWHTO in patients with medial OA.

Objectives: Differences in mechanisms of subtrochanteric and diaphyseal atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) are speculated in studies that analyzed differences in the patients’ background. However, the etiologies of each type of AFF have not been studied in detail. This study aimed to investigate the nature and etiologies of the risk factors for diaphyseal AFFs. Materials and Methods: Eighty consecutive Japanese patients with 91 diaphyseal AFFs (AFF group) and 110 age-matched women with osteoporosis (non-AFF control group) were included. Their clinical data were compared; factors affecting AFFs were investigated, and the etiologies of the risk factors for diaphyseal AFFs were examined. Results: Multivariate analysis revealed that femoral serrated changes, bisphosphonate or denosumab usage, and lateral and anterior femoral curvatures were risk factors for diaphyseal AFFs (p < 0.0011, p = 0.0137, and p < 0.0001, respectively). Multivariate analyses revealed that serrated changes and low serum 25(OH)D levels affected the lateral curvature (p = 0.0088 and 0.0205, respectively), while serrated changes affected the anterior curvature (p = 0.0006), each significantly affected the femoral curvature. High serum calcium (Ca) levels, lateral femoral curvature, and anterior femoral curvature were predictors of serrated changes (p = 0.0146, 0.0002, and 0.0098, respectively). Conclusion: Risk factors for diaphyseal AFFs were bone resorption inhibitor usage, a strong femoral curvature, and serrated changes. Low serum 25(OH)D levels and serrated changes are risk factors for lateral curvature, while a high serum Ca level is a risk factor for serrated changes.

High tibial valgus osteotomy (HTO) is a well-established surgical procedure to correct a varus malalignment and treat medial compartment osteoarthritis. Recently, double level osteotomy (DLO) was recommended for extensive varus knees as a single level osteotomy (SLO) approach may create an excessive joint line obliquity and eventually result in a new bony deformity. However, a severe varus knee in cases of advanced osteoarthritis involves not only a bony deformity (extra-articular deformity) but also a medial joint space narrowing with a widened lateral joint space (intra-articular deformity). A DLO alone cannot reduce this intra-articular deformity. However, tibial condylar valgus osteotomy (TCVO) can complement DLO as to reduce this intra-articular deformity. This technical note describes a novel modified DLO procedure associated with TCVO which can restore a normal alignment and a joint line and achieve joint preservation even in cases of extensive varus osteoarthritis.

Abstract A 68-year-old female suffering from habitual patellar dislocations following a mal-positioned total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was successfully treated with a biplanar closed wedge distal femoral osteotomy (CWDFO) and medial patello-femoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction. To the best of our knowledge, no such case has been previously described. Our experience with this case suggests that treatment for a patella dislocation following valgus mal-positioning of TKA should be considered positively. Level of evidence V

BackgroundThe incidence of periprosthetic fractures after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is rising due to an increasing number of TJAs performed annually and the growing elderly population. In many elderly patients with periprosthetic fractures, the bone strength is lowered due to the deterioration of bone quality and a decrease in bone quantity; rigid fixation of the fracture is difficult. It is a challenging operation for orthopedic surgeons. The usefulness of circular external fixation for periprosthetic fractures has been reported in several case studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of union and complications associated with circular external fixation in periprosthetic fractures around the knee.MethodsWe included 19 patients with periprosthetic femur and tibial fractures who underwent osteosynthesis using a circular external fixator and had at least 2 years of follow-up. All patients had comorbidities and high risks associated with anesthesia. Tourniquets were not used in any of the patients. There were no cases in which the skin incision was placed, and the closed reduction technique was used in all cases.ResultsA 100% union rate was achieved with no serious complications. All fractures healed after a mean time of 14.3 ± 5.2 weeks (range, 8–38 weeks). The walking ability was the same level as before the injury in 13 cases.DiscussionThere are many comorbidities associated with periprosthetic fractures in elderly patients. Double-plate or revision surgery were largely invasive and had high risks associated with anesthesia. Circular external fixation is a feasible and effective treatment option because it provides stable fixation, prompt postoperative mobilization, and has no major complications, especially in elderly patients who are treated for periprosthetic fractures.ConclusionCircular external fixation is a safe and reliable method for periprosthetic fractures around the knee in elderly patients.Level of evidenceLevel IV, retrospective case series.

Background In highly active older individuals, end-stage ankle osteoarthritis has traditionally been treated using tibiotalar arthrodesis, which provides considerable pain relief. However, there is a loss of ankle joint movement and a risk of future arthrosis in the adjacent joints. Distraction arthroplasty is a simple method that allows joint cartilage repair; however, the results are currently mixed, with some reports showing improved pain scores and others showing no improvement. Distal tibial osteotomy (DTO) without fibular osteotomy is a type of joint preservation surgery that has garnered attention in recent years. However, to our knowledge, there are no reports on DTO with joint distraction using a circular external fixator. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of DTO with joint distraction using a circular external fixator for treating ankle osteoarthritis. Methods A total of 21 patients with medial ankle arthritis were examined. Arthroscopic synovectomy and a microfracture procedure were performed, followed by angled osteotomy and correction of the distal tibia; the ankle joint was then stabilized after its condition improved. An external fixator was used in all patients, and joint distraction of approximately 5.8 mm was performed. All patients were allowed full weight-bearing walking immediately after surgery. Results The anteroposterior and lateral mortise angle during weight-bearing, talar tilt angle, and anterior translation of the talus on ankle stress radiography were improved significantly (P P Conclusion DTO with joint distraction may be useful as a joint-preserving surgery for medial ankle osteoarthritis in older patients with high levels of physical activity. Level of evidence Level IV, retrospective case series.

BackgroundThe incidence of periprosthetic fractures after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is rising due to the increasing number of TKAs performed annually and the growing elderly population. A periprosthetic fracture of the proximal tibia following TKA is a rare injury that may be a challenging clinical scenario.Case presentationThe case of an 84-year-old woman who sustained a periprosthetic tibial fracture 10 years after a TKA is presented. This patient had multiple risk factors. The fracture was not deemed amenable to conventional treatment because the bone fragment was too small. This patient underwent fixation of her tibial fracture above the TKA using a five-ring Ilizarov external fixator. This allowed immediate full weight-bearing. The fixator was removed at 12 weeks, at which time the fracture was solidly healed. At the most recent follow-up, 2 years from injury, she was fully weight-bearing without walking aids and had a knee range of motion (ROM) of 0–110°.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in which Ilizarov external fixation has been used for a periprosthetic tibial fracture after TKA.

Introduction. Charcot neuroarthropathy is a progressive, deforming pathology of the bone and joints, especially affecting the knees and ankles. Although it is rare, it leads to considerable morbidity. The treatment of Charcot arthropathy of the knee and ankle remains controversial. Many authors suggest that knee involvement is an absolute contraindication to total knee arthroplasty. In recent years, however, several studies have shown satisfactory results for total knee arthroplasty. In the ankle, external fixators have recently been advocated by many authors. Their main advantages are that they permit monitoring of soft tissue healing and avoidance of more invasive surgery. Simultaneous Charcot knee and ankle joint surgery involving total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and ankle arthrodesis is rare and challenging and can lead to major complications if not addressed appropriately. Case Presentation. The case of a 71-year-old woman who underwent simultaneous total knee arthroplasty and ankle arthrodesis for severe neurosyphilitic Charcot arthropathy (Eichenholtz classification stage III) and was evaluated three years after surgery is reported. Deformities of the left knee joint and ankle developed. The left leg was shorter by 20 mm, with a functional leg length discrepancy. The patient was limping, and marked varus instability of the left ankle was observed during the stance phase of walking. Postoperatively, the patient was able to walk without assistance, confirming improvement of mobility. Conclusion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of combined, simultaneous neurosyphilitic Charcot knee and ankle joint surgery involving TKA and ankle arthrodesis. It was an effective surgical method that maintained leg length and achieved satisfactory alignment without an autologous iliac bone graft.

The purpose of this study was to compare the mid-term clinical outcomes between screw internal fixation and Ilizarov external fixation in patients who underwent ankle arthrodesis and to elucidate the differences between the 2 fixation methods. This study investigated 43 ankles in 41 patients who underwent ankle arthrodesis at 1 of the 2 study institutions. There were 15 men and 26 women, and their mean age was 66.2 (range 49 to 87) years. The primary disease included osteoarthritis (OA) (79%), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (16.3%), and Charcot joint (4.7%). Patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the surgical approach: the screw group (S) and the Ilizarov group (I). The following items were evaluated and compared between the 2 groups: patient characteristics, Tanaka-Takakura classification based on preoperative plain X-ray images, duration of surgery, blood loss, surgical complications, time to start weightbearing, and the Japanese Society of Surgery of the Foot (JSSF) standard rating system for the ankle-hindfoot. Duration of surgery was significantly shorter in the S group (162.3 versus 194.9 min), and the amount of blood loss was also significantly lower in the S group (29.2 versus 97.5 ml). Preoperative JSSF scale was significantly lower in the I group (44.8 versus 33), but postoperative JSSF scale was not significantly different between the 2 groups (82.1 versus 77.9). The S group had satisfactory clinical outcomes with a shorter duration of surgery and smaller amount of blood loss than the I group. However, severe patients in the I group achieved similar treatment outcomes.

Purpose Teriparatide is sometimes used in the treatment of atypical femoral fracture (AFF). Even if bone union is achieved, orthopedic physicians must consider the risk of relapse. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting AFF recurrence, and to determine the appropriate treatment for osteoporosis after bone union. Methods One hundred thirty-one consecutive AFFs in 113 Japanese patients were included. Eleven patients had AFF in the unaffected limb (9 patients) after the first AFF or re-fracture at the original fracture site (2 patients) after bone union of the first AFF was confirmed. We divided all patients into two groups: the second fracture group (22 AFFs in 11 patients) and non-second fracture group (109 AFFs in 102 patients). We compared clinical information between the 2 groups and investigated the factors affecting AFF recurrence using the Student t-, Welch t-, and chi-square tests. Results Although there was no significant difference in clinical characteristics between the 2 groups, multivariate analysis of factors associated with AFF recurrence identified short duration of treatment with teriparatide and active vitamin D3 (p = 0.0408 and 0.0366, respectively) as risk factors. Even in the analysis excluding subtrochanteric AFF, short periods of teriparatide and active vitamin D3 administration were observed as risk factors (p = 0.0484 and 0.0346, respectively). Conclusion The administration of teriparatide for as long as possible after occurrence first AFF and the use of active vitamin D3 after completion of teriparatide therapy may be the most effective strategy to prevent the recurrence of AFF.

The goal of treatment for distal humeral fractures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is to obtain sufficient bone union and good elbow function. However, treating comminuted distal humeral fractures in patients with RA and osteoporosis is challenging. We present the case of a 58-year-old woman with RA and osteoporosis who suffered a comminuted distal humeral fracture and was successfully treated with the Ilizarov technique. The Ilizarov technique is minimally invasive compared with conventional open surgery, can obtain good stabilization, and allows earlier rehabilitation, even if the fractured bone is severely osteoporotic. The patient exhibited good elbow function and alignment at the final follow-up examination (18 postoperative months). To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first in which a comminuted distal humeral fracture in a patient with RA and severe osteoporosis was successfully treated with an Ilizarov external fixator. Keywords: Distal humeral fracture, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ilizarov technique

We compared the effectiveness of promoting bone healing between two teriparatide preparations for atypical femoral fracture (AFF). A total of 45 AFFs were included in this study, and we compared the duration of bone union. Teriparatide administered by daily injection enhanced bone union more than weekly administration in complete AFFs. The efficacy of teriparatide for atypical femoral fracture (AFF) has been recently reported. Although two different teriparatide preparations can be used to treat osteoporosis in Japan, daily or weekly injection, all previous reports on the effectiveness of teriparatide for AFF only examined daily injection formulations. Therefore, we compared the promotion of bone healing between the two teriparatide preparations for AFF. A total of 45 consecutive AFFs in 43 Japanese patients were included in this study. They received either a daily 20-μg teriparatide injection (daily group; n = 32) or a once-a-week 56.5-μg teriparatide injection (weekly group; n = 13). We compared the clinical background and duration of bone union between these two groups. When all patents were included, the fracture healing time was not significantly different between the two groups. Only patients with complete AFFs had significantly fewer daily bisphosphonate or denosumab injections than the weekly group (P

Purpose. In knee osteoarthritis, the degree of pain varies despite similar imaging findings. If there were quantitative findings related to the pain of knee osteoarthritis, it could be used for diagnosis or screening. The medial meniscal extrusion was investigated as a candidate quantitative finding related to the pain of knee osteoarthritis.Methods. Seventy-six knees of 38 patients (mean age, 73 years) who received intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid into unilateral knees at the time of diagnosis of knee arthritis were investigated. Cartilage thickness of the femoral medial condyle and medial meniscal extrusion of bilateral knees were measured by ultrasonography. Thirty-eight knees that had hyaluronic acid injections were compared with 38 other side knees from the same patients as the control group.Results. The average cartilage thicknesses of the knees with pain that received intra-articular injections and the knees without pain that received no injections were 1.02 and 1.05 mm, respectively (P=0.6394). On the other hand, the average medial meniscal extrusions of the knees with and without pain were 7.58 and 5.88 mm, respectively (P=0.0005); pain was associated with greater medial meniscal extrusions.Conclusion. Medial meniscal extrusion is a quantitative finding related to the pain of knee osteoarthritis.

Background The number of bedridden patients in our super-aging society is increasing. We previously studied fractures occurring in bedridden patients during daily activities with caregiver assistance (dry baths, range of motion exercises, transfer to wheelchair, changing diapers, and so forth) and non-traumatic fractures detected by pain, swelling, subcutaneous bleeding, deformity, and so on. These minimal trauma or spontaneous fractures were defined as “spontaneus fractures in the bedridden patients unintentionally caused by caregivers”. Despite efforts to draw attention to preventing these injuries, the incidence of such fractures has been increasing. Spontaneus fractures caused by caregivers are characterized by the presence of untreated osteoporosis, contracture or spasticity near the lesion, institutionalization or hospitalization, repeated fractures, femur fracture, and other unknown causes. Objectives Spontaneus fractures caused by caregivers frequently occur without any noticeable trauma and at present, predicting the risk of occurrence is difficult. This study aimed to explore the usefulness of bone metabolism markers in predicting the risk for spontaneus fractures caused by caregivers. Methods Study subjects were selected from a pool of 28 patients (3 men; 25 women) with 33 spontaneus fractures caused by caregivers who were treated in our hospital between April 2006 and July 2016. Patients were selected based on the following inclusion criteria: no renal dysfunction (eGFR ≥60) and those who had undergone measurement of bone metabolism markers. Finally, 12 women with a mean age at onset of 90.6 (76–100) years were enrolled in the study. The following markers were evaluated: the bone formation markers bone type alkaline phosphatase and intact procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide; the bone resorption markers tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP)-5b, urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD), and serum N-telopeptide; and the bone quality markers undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC), urinary pentosidine (Pen), and homocysteine (Hcy). Results Low levels of bone metabolism markers were not observed in these subjects. However, TRACP-5b levels were high in six subjects while urinary DPD levels were abnormally high in all subjects with a mean value of 23.3 (9.2–41.4) nmol/mmol creatinine (Cr). With regards to bone quality markers, levels of Hcy and ucOC were high in two and three subjects, respectively; while Pen levels were abnormally high in ten subjects with a mean value of 0.183 (0.0774–0.3115) μg/mg Cr. Conclusions The majority of subjects with spontaneus fractures caused by caregivers had untreated osteoporosis and some had repeated fractures, indicating that early treatment of osteoporosis is important. Assessing osteoporosis in bedridden patients is challenging as measurement of bone density is often difficult due to spinal deformity and contracture. Our results suggest that among the bone metabolism markers, DPD and Pen may be useful predictors for the risk of spontaneus fractures caused by caregivers. References T Kashiwagura et al. Clinical results of spontaneous fractures in the bedridden patients unintentionally caused by caregivers. Orthop Surg Traumatol 56:189–193, 2013. Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank Y. Sasaki for technical assistance. Disclosure of Interest None declared

We presented a case in which massive hydroxyapatite accumulation was observed around the artificial hip joint. A 66-year-old female showed a massive accumulation of fluid in and around the hip joint, and milk-like aspirate was obtained. Her aspirate culture was negative, and sediment analysis by X-ray diffraction showed that its component was hydroxyapatite. Since pain was mild, the patient was treated conservatively. To our knowledge, this is the first case in which liquid hydroxyapatite (milk of calcium) was accumulated around the artificial hip joint.

Background: The symptoms of rotator cuff tear vary and may even be absent. Thus, the symptoms cannot be explained solely by the presence of rotator cuff tear, and other factors are thought to be involved. Because the rotator cuff comes in contact with the coracoacromial ligament, the elasticity of the ligament may be a factor of the symptoms. The purpose of this study was to clarify the elasticity of the coracoacromial ligament in live shoulders with rotator cuff tears. Methods: Forty-one shoulders in 24 persons were enrolled in this study. The average age was 52 years old (range, 15 - 84 years old). We investigated the presence of rotator cuff tear and measured the elasticity of the coracoacromial ligament by ultrasound elastography (EUB-7500, HITACHI, Japan). Ultrasound elastography was a useful method to quantify the strain of soft tissue when pressure was added. The strain ratio (the ratio of strain of the coracoacromial ligament to that of the rotator cuff) was used as the index of the elasticity of coracoacromial ligament. Thus, the higher the strain ratio was, the softer the ligament was. Results: The strain ratio of the coracoacromial ligaments without rotator cuff tear showed a negative correlation to the age (r = ﹣0.825, P 0.01). The strain ratio of the ligaments with rotator cuff tear (23.75 ± 15.05, 69.6 years old) was higher than that of the older ligaments without cuff tear (12.62 ± 7.94, 64.6 years old) (P = 0.0486). In shoulders with rotator cuff tear, the strain ratio of the ligaments with pain (14.37 ± 10.15, 66.7 years old) was lower than that of ligaments without pain (33.12 ± 13.59, 69.1 years old) (P = 0.0221). Conclusions: The coracoacromial ligament became stiffened with aging but softened with the existence of rotator cuff tear. The ligaments with symptomatic cuff tear are more stiffened than the ligaments with asymptomatic cuff tear.

It is an advantage for orthopaedic surgeons to remove an Ilizarov external fixator as early as possible after surgery. Although both teriparatide and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) have been found to accelerate fracture-healing processes, the effect of the combination of teriparatide and LIPUS in clinical bone fracture management remains unclear.From among 721 patients with a lower limb fracture on admission to our department who underwent surgical treatment for a lower limb fracture with an Ilizarov external fixator, 38 patients over 60-year-old were investigated. Patients were either treated with an Ilizarov external fixator alone (IEF alone, n = 20) or an Ilizarov external fixator combined with teriparatide and LIPUS (IEF combination, n = 18). The patients' mean age was 64.1 years (range, 60-79 years) in the IEF alone group and 67.2 years (range, 60-83 years) in the IEF combination group. Teriparatide (20 μg subcutaneous injection daily or 56.5 μg subcutaneous injection once-weekly) and LIPUS (20 min/d) were started immediately after surgery for the IEF combination group in an attempt to accelerate healing of the lower limb fracture with the Ilizarov external fixator.The mean time to union was 111.9 days (range, 94-175 days) for IEF alone and 72.1 days (range, 68-141 days) for the IEF combination; it was significantly shorter with the IEF combination. Bone density (relative to young adult mean, YAM) was 61.3% (range, 38%-82%) for IEF alone and 52.1% (range, 30%-79%) for the IEF combination. The mean AOFAS score was 86.2 (range, 72-100) for IEF alone and 91.2 (range, 82-100) for the IEF combination.In elderly patients with lower limb fractures, combined therapy (teriparatide and LIPUS) showed a shorter mean duration of union than the Ilizarov external fixator alone. Combined therapy with teriparatide and LIPUS may become a useful option in the treatment of elderly patients with lower limb fractures.