Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
Volume:11 Issue: 7, Jul 2023

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is the mainstay therapy for terminally hemophilic arthropathy patients.Hemophilic patients have distinguishing characteristics, including the increased likelihood of bleeding, younger age, restricted pre-operative joint motion, disrupted anatomy, and more post-operative side effects. The present study aimed to assess the THA sequels in hemophilic patients from various perspectives, including indications, challenges, factor replacement post-operative outcomes, and other complications. Level of evidence: V

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been known as a definitive treatment for advanced knee osteoarthritis. Both intramedullary (IM) and extramedullary (EM) tibial guides have been used to restore the desired extremity alignment. However, controversy exists regarding the superiority of either technique We aimed to compare the functional outcomes and accuracy of IM and EM tibial guides in providing neutral alignment after TKA. In a randomized, double-blinded clinical trial, we studied 98 patients undergoing primary TKA in two groups of IM and EM. We measured the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), varus angle (VA), and joint-line convergence angle with normal ranges of 90°±3°, 0-2°, and 0±3°, respectively, on a three-joint alignment view after three months. We also assessed the functional outcomes at the last follow-up. Finally, we compared these outcomes between the two groups.  Eighty-four patients (IM=42, EM=42) were included in the final analysis (16 males, 68 females, mean age: 63.9±8.6 years, mean follow-up: 13±2.9 months). The mean postoperative (post-op) alignment angles showed no significant difference, although MPTA outliers were significantly more frequent in the EM group (26.2% vs. 9.5% in IM, P=0.04). None of the functional outcomes showed a significant difference between the two groups. However, the mean increase in knee range of motion (ROM) was significantly higher in the knees with VAs within ±3° of neutral than those outside this range (30.8 vs. 27.4, respectively, P=0.039). We conclude that both techniques were not different regarding the mean alignment angles and functional outcomes. However, fewer MPTA outliers can be seen with the IM technique. A post-op mechanical axis within ±3° of neutral can result in a more ROM increase after one year.  Level of evidence: I

Intramedullary (IM) screw fixation of metacarpal fractures is a technique, which has gained in popularity owing to its simplicity, speedy rehabilitation, and good functional outcomes. A new, larger diameter, non-compression screw designed specifically for IM metacarpal fixation was recently introduced which could provide better fracture stability and reduce the risk of hardware failure. Our goal was to evaluate the strength of this screw compared to a first-generation screw. This mechanical study was designed to compare a 4.5 mm metacarpal headless screw (MCHS) to data from our prior research evaluating a 3.0 mm headless screw (HS). Accordingly, we used identical bone models, testing constructs, equipment, and protocols. A metacarpal neck osteotomy was created in 10 Sawbones models. A 4.5 mm x 50 mm MCHS was inserted retrograde to stabilize the fracture. Flexion bending strength was measured through a cable tension construct on a materials testing machine. Failure mechanism and strength was recorded and compared to data with a 3.0 mm screw construct. Eight models failed by bending of the intramedullary screw. Two models failed by rotation of the metacarpal head. Failure occurred at an average of 539 N (Range 315 – 735 N). The MCHS demonstrated a significantly greater load to failure compared to the previously studied 3.0 mm HS at 215 N (P<0.05).  A larger, 4.5 mm metacarpal-specific headless screw is more than twice as strong as a 3.0 mm diameter screw in a metacarpal neck fracture model. Level of evidence: II

When obtaining surgical fixation of lateral malleolus fractures, a cortical lag screw is commonly used to obtain anatomic reduction. Subsequently, a neutralization plate is applied. Slight loss of fracture reduction after plate placement occasionally occurs. Although this is frequently attributed to poor bone quality or suboptimal initial lag screw fixation, a frequently overlooked factor is screw order when applying the neutralization plate. The purpose of this technique tip is to highlight the biomechanical rationale behind this loss of reduction and advocate a specific screw order for lateral malleolus fixation. Level of evidence: V

More than 100,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions are performed annually in the United States and one of the most common autografts for ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is the HS tendons. Nevertheless, proper HS harvest can be challenging, and several complications can be encountered, including, iatrogenic neurovascular damage, premature amputation of the tendons, graft contamination, and postoperative hematoma. The aim of this technical note is to describe a safe and effective technique for autologous HS tendon harvest in ACLR. Level of evidence: V

Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is increasingly used, especially in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and distal humerus fractures (DHFs). This narrative review of the recent literature published in 2022 reached the following conclusions 1) Age greater than 80 is not a contraindication for TEA. 2) The estimated 10-year survival reported for linked TEAs is 92%, and unlinked TEAs 84%. 3) For DHFs in the elderly, regarding the flexion/extension arc, TEA gives substantially better results than open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). The reoperation and elbow stiffness rates are substantial ly lower in TEA than in ORIF. 4) Comparing distal humeral hemiarthroplasty (DHH) vs. TEA in individuals over 65 years with a non-reconstructable DHF favors DHH regarding the range of motion but with a similarly high rate of adverse events in the two surgical techniques. 5) The rate of eradication of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is 69-76% with two-stage, 71% with resection arthroplasty, 67% with one-stage, 58% with DAIR, and 40% with elbow arthrodesis. Level of evidence: III

The incidence of Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) after management of femoral neck fracture in pediatrics is very rare. In this case report, a nine-year-old female child sustained left sided femur neck fracture after a motor car accident. The fracture was fixed by two cannulated screws and healing with mild varus occurred after six weeks. However, progressive slippage of femoral epiphysis was observed. This was treated by subtrochanteric valgus osteotomy and fixed by tension band and Wagner technique. Better radiological and functional outcomes were obtained at the short term follow up. Level of evidence: V

We report a case of a 32-year-old pregnant woman who suffered a combined type pelvic fracture and medial malleolus fracture due to a car accident at 24 weeks and 2 days of gestation. She underwent external fixation of the pelvic ring and percutaneous screw fixation of the ankle fracture. She recovered well and delivered a healthy baby by cesarean section at 37 weeks and 1-day gestation. External fixation can be a definitive treatment option for some pelvic fractures with anterior instability in pregnant patients, as it reduces the risk of fetal harm. Level of evidence: IV

Research depends on talented people with bright ideas more than anything else. Preserving the turnover of skilled and fresh researchers can help a research center move toward its goals more strongly. We have recently organized an innovative event, titled "Proposal School," to address this issue. It was an incubator and accelerator for students and post-graduates interested in orthopedic research. This first-coming two-month program included high-standard theoretical education, practical tutoring to help create an actual proposal, faculty supervision, and blinded faculty reviews. During this program, we hosted 94 junior researchers from 25 universities across the country; 22 hours of educational content were provided to 88 people; and 45 junior researchers developed 18 proposals, of which 11 were accepted and recruited for grants. In this article, we will share our experiences with our colleagues as a source of inspiration for their future plans.