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Background and Purpose: Lateral elbow pain is quite common in everyday life. Lateral epicondylitis and radial tunnel syndrome are the most common causes of lateral elbow pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of neuromuscular ultrasound examination in the diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis versus radial tunnel syndrome. Methods: This was a prospective double‐blinded pilot study of 68 elbows in 34 patients with lateral elbow pain. Patients underwent clinical examination and standardized neuromuscular ultrasound evaluation in the first 15 days after the initiation of symptoms. Statistical significance was set at p <.001. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated. Results: Sixty‐eight radial nerves were examined in 34 healthy controls (16 males; mean age 48.1 ± 8.2 years). Pain with palpation over the radial tunnel was found in 25 of 48 elbows (52.1%) compared to the pain over the lateral epicondyle found in 10 of 48 elbows (20.8%). Τhe sensitivity of palpation in differentiating radial tunnel syndrome from lateral epicondylitis was 75.7%, while the specificity was 50% (PPV 71.4%, NPV 51.5%). The sensitivity of neuromuscular ultrasound in differentiating radial tunnel syndrome from lateral epicondylitis was 92.6%, while the specificity was 80% (PPV 92.6%, NPV 80.0%). In most of the patients (25/31), fibrous bands anterior to the radio‐capitellar joint were responsible for the nerve entrapment. Conclusions: The present study highlights the importance of the neuromuscular ultrasound's diagnostic role in differentiating radial tunnel syndrome from lateral epicondylitis in the clinical scenario of lateral elbow pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There have been controversial studies on the impact of prior knee arthroscopy (KA) on outcomes of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this comparative study is to investigate the impact of prior KA of medial meniscus on patients undergoing TKA by evaluating the International Knee Society Score (IKS), the complications, and revisions. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 84 patients with TKA who had undergone prior KA of the medial meniscus and compared them to 84 cases, without a history of prior KA as a control group. Outcomes were assessed with the original IKS scores and complications. The mean follow-up was 8 years. Results: There was no significant difference between groups with respect to demographics, or pre-operative IKS. The mean pre and postoperative IKS was not different between groups. The all-cause reoperation, revision, and complication rates of the KA group were not significantly higher than those of the control group. Conclusion: The present study seems to reveal that previous KA of the medial meniscus does not negatively affect a subsequent TKA. Nevertheless, larger studies may be necessary to confirm this observation.

Background: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is popular for the treatment of degenerative glenohumeral joint disease. Bone remodeling around the humeral stem related to stress shielding (SS) has been described. This review focuses on the specific radiological characteristics, risk factors, and clinical consequences of SS in RSA. Methods: A meticulous review was conducted of articles published between 2013 and 2023. Data on the definition, risk factors, and clinical impact of stress shielding were recorded. Results: Twenty-eight studies describing 2691 patients who had undergone RSA were included. The mean age of patients ranged from 63 to 80 years with mean follow-up periods of 12 months to 9.6 years. The prevalence of SS reached up to 39% at a 2-year follow-up. Females and elderly are typically at higher risk due to osteopenia. SS was more frequent with the use of long stems(>100 mm) compared to short stems(

Finite element analysis (FEA) is a fundamental tool that can be used in the orthopaedic world to simulate and analyze the behaviour of different surgical procedures. It is important to be aware that removing more than 20% of the meniscus could increase the shear stress in the cartilage and enlarge the risk of knee joint degeneration. In this fact, the maximal shear stress value in the medial cartilage increased up to 225% from 0.15 MPa to 0.5 MPa after medial meniscectomy. Also, meniscal root repair can improve meniscal biomechanics and potentially reduce the risk of osteoarthritis, even in cases of a loose repair. FEA has been used to better understand the biomechanical role of cruciate ligaments in the knee joint. ACLr with bone-patellar tendon-bone graft at 60 N of pretension and double-bundle PCLr were closer to that of a native knee in terms of biomechanics. The addition of a lateral extra-articular augmentation technique can reduce 50% of tibial translation and internal rotation, protecting the graft and minimizing the risk of re-rupture. Interestingly, anatomic and non-anatomic medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction increased the pressure applied to the patellofemoral joint by increasing patellar contact pressure to 0.14 MPa at 30° of knee flexion using the semitendinosus as a graft. After all the advances in medical imaging technologies, future studies should take into consideration patient-specific data on both anatomy and mechanics, in order to better personalize the experimental model.

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the incidence of offset stem usage in revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA), and to assess the necessity for their use with the femoral and tibial components. Methods: This retrospective radiological study included 862 patients who underwent rTKA between 2010 and 2022. Patients were divided into a non-stem group (group NS), offset stem group (group OS), and straight stem group (group SS). Two senior orthopedic surgeons evaluated all the post-operative radiographs of the group OS to assess the necessity of offset use. Results: In total, 789 patients met all eligibility inclusion criteria and were reviewed (305 males (38.7%)) with a mean age of 72.7 ± 10.2 years old [39; 96]. Eighty-eight (11.1%) patients had undergone rTKA with offset stems (34 tibia, 31 femur, 24 both) and 609 (70.2%) with straight stems. The tibial and femoral stems were diaphyseal of over 75 mm in 83 revisions (94.3%) for group OS and 444 revisions (72.9%) for group SS (p

Patellofemoral instability (PFI) is a common condition in children and adolescents, ranging from mild discomfort and mal-tracking to lateral patellar dislocation [1]. A number of anatomical risk factors have been described in the literature, such as trochlear dysplasia, patella alta, excessive tibial tuberosity to trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, patellar tilt and soft tissue alterations [2]. Among them, TD has been identified as the main anatomical risk factor with the strongest association with PFI [1-2]. In the study by Dejour et al. [2] radiographically observed TD was identified in 96% of patients with a history of patellofemoral dislocation [1-2]. Patients with Dejour Type D dysplasia are characterized by a prominent and convex lateral facet with a vertical connection to a hypoplastic medial facet (Figure 1), which provides inadequate tracking of the patella in the trochlea during flexion leading to patella subluxation [2]. Non-operative treatment of lateral patellar dislocation presents a rate of re-dislocation up to 70% within 24 months of the first episode [3]. Sulcus deepening trochleoplasty is indicated for Type B and D dysplasia, in order to improve patella tracking, reduce the rate of re-dislocation and achieve good functional outcomes [2, 4]. Trochlea dysplasia is defined as a shallow or flattened groove with decreased resistance to lateral patellar translation. TD can be assessed on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the use of overlapping axial images and are able to show perfectly the global shape of the femoral trochlea [2]. The thresholds for identifying trochlear dysplasia are established based on the sulcus angle ≥ 145°, medial/lateral trochlea facet asymmetry < 40%, trochlear depth < 3 mm and lateral trochlear inclination ≤ 11° and therefore it can be used in young adolescents [4-5]. A deep knowledge of anatomic variations and abnormalities of the patellofemoral joint, which may predispose to PFI, is crucial in order to choose the appropriate treatment for each patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This technical note aimed to present a straigthforward method for harvesting quadriceps tendon autografts with the use of a simple vaginal speculum and direct visualisation of a scope. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with quadriceps tendon autografts has gained popularity in recent years, with many harvesting techniques that use different harvesting systems available on the market. These techniques vary from transverse to longitudinal skin incisions and from open to minimally invasive approaches and have a learning curve, as with the majority of surgical procedures. The technique proposed in this technical note is minimally invasive, can be easily reproduced by any surgeon irrespective of their experience, has a short learning curve, requires no additional cost or technical support during the procedure and creates a stable working space that allows for freedom of manipulation of surgical instruments and the arthroscope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the patient‐reported outcomes and return to sports of the conservative and surgical treatment of distal hamstring tendon injuries. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines, two reviewers searched PubMed, Scopus and Virtual Health Library databases in January 2023. Clinical studies evaluating conservative or surgical management outcomes of distal hamstring tendon injuries were considered eligible for this systematic review if predefined criteria were fulfilled: (1) published in English or Spanish; (2) evaluated any of the following: patient‐reported outcomes, return‐to‐sports rate (RTS‐R) or return‐to‐sports time (RTS‐T). Data were presented in tables using absolute values from individual studies and derived pooled percentages. Results: Eighteen studies were included for 67 patients and 68 distal hamstring tendon injuries. Initially, 39 patients (58.2%) underwent surgical treatment, whereas 28 (41.8%) were treated conservatively. Among conservative treatment patients, 15 failed and had to be operated on (53.6%), all with distal semitendinosus tendon injuries. Anchor fixation was the technique of choice in 20 lesions (36.4%), tenodesis in 16 (29.1%), tenectomy in 14 (25.5%) and sutures were preferred in five (9%). Thirteen out of 28 patients (46.4%) undergoing initial conservative treatment returned to sports at a mean of 3.6 months (range 1 week to 12 months), in contrast to surgical treatment, in which 36 out of 39 patients (92.3%) returned at a mean of 4.2 months (range 6 weeks to 12 months). Additionally, 14 of 15 patients (93.3%) converted to surgical treatment after failed conservative treatment returned to sports at a mean of 7.6 months after injury. Conclusion: Initial surgical treatment of distal hamstring tendon injuries yields a high RTS‐R (92.3%) at a mean of 4.2 months. Furthermore, 15 out of 28 patients (53.6%) initially treated conservatively had to be operated on, delaying the RTS‐T (mean 7.6 months after injury) without affecting their RTS‐R. Level of Evidence: IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lateral patellofemoral ligament (LPFL) is an important anatomical structure and a stabilizer of the patella against medial subluxation or dislocation. It is located within the second layer of the lateral soft tissue of the knee, with firm attachments to the anterior‐distal region of the lateral femoral epicondyle and the the lateral edge of the patella and patellar tendon. LPFL has a non‐isometric character and decreases its length across the knee flexion, especially from 0° to 30°. Most LPFL injuries are iatrogenic (> 90%) and occur during lateral retinacular release, while the mainstay treatment option involves reconstruction of the torn ligament using an autograft or an allograft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A second hip fracture can occur in older adults who have already suffered an initial hip fracture. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, mortality and risk factors for second hip fractures in older adults with hip fractures. Methods: Between 2009 and 2019, 2013 patients (mean age: mean age 76.5 ± 5.4 SD) who were admitted to a tertiary care hospital for a hip fracture surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: those with a second hip fracture and those without a second hip fracture within the following two years after the initial fracture. Results: 321 patients (15.9%, mean age: 85.3 ± 4.9 SD) sustained a second contralateral hip fracture, the first two years after the initial hip fracture whereas 136 patients (6.8%) sustained a contralateral hip fracture within 12 months. In total 274 (13.6%) died in the first two years after the initial hip fracture; among these, 139 patients (43.3%) had a contralateral second hip fracture. The mean time from the first hip fracture to second hip fracture was 13.2 ± 7.6 months. The advance age, female gender, living alone, dementia, chest and urinary tract infection, chronic heart failure, peripheral vascular disease were identified as risk factors for a second contralateral hip fracture. Conclusions: Identifying risk factors for a second contralateral hip fracture can be particularly helpful in providing focused medical assistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This technical note describes a simple arthroscopic technique that was introduced without the need for further staff during an operation to address osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle. A 2.4 mm pin was positioned through the sleeve of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial guide and marked with a steri-strip at its body, aiming at 5--10 mm distance between the tips of guide and the pin. The steri-strip serves as a marker and as a stop for inadvertent violation of the cartilage. The tip of the ACL was positioned just over the bone lesion, while the marked 2.4 mm pin was inserted through the ACL tibial guide from anterior surface of the femur. A stab incision was made and without advancing the sleeve to the bone, the pin was drilled to the marked position while cartilage integrity was confirmed arthroscopically. This arthroscopic technique is simple, fast and effective and is performed without the need for special equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]