Optimization of transdisciplinary management of elderly with femur proximal extremity fracture: A patient-tailored plan from orthopaedics to rehabilitation

Fractures of femur proximal extremity (FFPE) are the most common fragility fractures requiring hospitalization, with a high risk of mortality, low independence in the activities of daily living and severe consequences on health-related quality of life. Timing for surgery has a key role in the management of elderly patients with FFPE as recommended by the Australian and New Zealand guidelines and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. Early surgery (within 48 h from hospital admission) allows significant benefits in terms of lower rates of postoperative complications and risk of death and can provide better functional outcomes. Therefore, time for surgery could be considered as a comorbidity marker. The choice between conservative or surgical approach surprisingly seems to be still not strongly supported by available literature, but it seems that both 30 d and 1 year risk of mortality is higher with the conservative treatment rather than with surgery. In light of these considerations, the optimization of FFPE management care is mandatory to improve functional outcomes and to reduce sanitary costs. Albeit it is widely accepted that transdisciplinary approach to patients suffering from FFPE is mandatory to optimize both short-term and long-term outcomes, the feasibility of a comprehensive approach in clinical practice is still a challenge. In particular, the large variability of figures involved could be considered both a resource and an additional disadvantage taking into account the difficulty to coordinate multidisciplinary approach covering care in all settings. Therefore, the aim of the present article was to summarize current evidence supporting transdisciplinary management of patients with FFPE, highlighting the benefits, feasibility and limitations of this approach.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validation of the Italian version of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society - MetaTarsoPhalangeal-InterPhalangeal Scale (AOFAS-MTP-IP) for the hallux

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK

An incorrect interpretation or patients' misunderstanding of evaluation scales can induce a mistake; therefore the real applicability of an evaluation scale should be determined by procedures that take care of cultural adaptability and not only of scientific validity. Our purpose was to translate and culturally adapt into Italian the AOFAS-MTP-IP scale for hallux, and to check its reproducibility and validity.

METHODS

The AOFAS-MTP-IP scale was processed for translation and checked for medical part coherence. The scale was submitted to 10 patients to verify a correct cultural adaptation. Then, the scale was submitted to 50 randomized patients operated at their hallux. Intra and inter-observer reproducibility was checked by two interviewers and a repeated interview. Short-Form-36-questionnaire for Quality of Life and Visual-Analogue-Scale for pain were also administered to perform validation analysis. The Pearson's-Correlation-Coefficient and the Intra-Class-Correlation coefficient were calculated to analyse the scale reproducibility and validation.

RESULTS

Cultural adaptation of the translated version of the scale resulted good in terms of understandability by patients. An optimal correlation of the inter and intra-observer reproducibility was obtained. The correlation with well-known validated scales as SF-36 and VAS has shown good correlation indicating success in the validation process.

CONCLUSIONS

Validation of the Italian version of the AOFAS-MTP-IP evaluation scale for hallux has been performed successfully. Therefore its use can be considered appropriate and suggested in Italian clinical practice.

Chondral tissue engineering of the reumatoid knee with collagen matrix autologous chondrocytes implant

Articular cartilage repair is still a challenge. To date evidence is insufficient to support a treatment over the others. Inflammatory conditions in the joint hamper the application of tissue engineering during chronic joint diseases. Most of the Matrix Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (MACI) cases reported in literature do not deal with rheumatoid knees and do not have a long clinical-histologic follow-up. We report about a 46-year old woman who suffered of a painful focal Outerbridge 4th degree chondral lesion in the medial femoral condyle of her left rheumatoid knee. The tissue defect was filled by a Cartilage Regeneration System (CaReS®) based on a type I collagen matrix seeded by autologous in vitro expanded chondrocytes. The patient was followed up to ten years clinically and by MRI, and finally treated with a Total Knee Replacement for the increasing arthritis. Histologically, the explanted MACI tissue showed an increased cellularity with an extracellular matrix rich of collagen and glycosaminoglicanes even though the overall architecture was different from the normal cartilage pattern. The case reported suggests that the main goal of treatment for chondropathy is the long lasting control of symptoms, while permanent restoration of normal anatomy is still impossible. Mesenchymal stem cells, that develop into joint tissues, show immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory qualities, in vitro and in vivo, indicating a potential role for tissue engineering approaches in the treatment of rheumatic diseases.

Osteosynthesis devices in absorbable Magnesium alloy in comparison to standard ones: a Systematic Review on effectiveness and safety

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK

Magnesium (Mg) is a metal physiologically present in bone tissue and essential for bone health. Mg-based-alloys exhibit mechanical properties, namely density and strength, similar to human cortical bone. These features have been exploited for the development of osteosynthesis devices in biodegradable Mg-based-alloys. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to rank the effectiveness and safety of Mg-based alloys applied in bone surgery in comparison to other suitable metals, focusing in particular on Mg superior biocompatibility and biodegradability.

METHODS

a systematic-review of the literature was conducted including only primary research studies dealing with patients suffering from fractured or osteotomized bones fixed using Mg-based osteosynthesis-devices.

RESULTS

literature revision suggested Mg-alloys holding comparable properties and side effects in comparison with titanium (Ti) screws, thus showing similar efficacy and safety. In particular, the gas formation in the carpal bones was identified as the main side effect of the Mg-alloys, during the corrosion/degradation phase of Mg.

CONCLUSIONS

according to the considered literature, the main advantages exploiting Mg-alloys for bone implants are related to their biocompatibility, bio-absorbability/-degradability, the lack of surgical removal, osteoconductivity and antibacterial activity. On the opposite, the main limitation of Mg-alloys is due to the poor mechanical resistance of small devices for internal fixation of bone fragments that lack of sufficient strength to withstand high forces. Therefore, an important future prospect could rely in the development of innovative hybrid systems aimed at fixing high load-bearing fractures, as well as in regenerative-medicine by developing new Mg-based engineered scaffolds.

Arthroscopically-assisted Reduction and Internal Fixation (ARIF) of tibial plateau fractures: clinical and radiographic medium-term follow-up

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK

Tibial plateau fractures include a wide spectrum of lesions with potentially disabling sequelae. Arthroscopically-assisted Reduction and Internal Fixation (ARIF) is an alternative to traditional ORIF. The aim of this retrospective single centre study is to evaluate medium-term clinical and radiographic outcomes achieved in a consecutive series of patients treated with ARIF.

METHODS

21 patients, with a mean age of 52.2 ± 13.4 years at surgery, were included. According to Schatzker classification, there were 9 type II, 10 type III, 2 type IV fractures. Associated intra-articular injuries (meniscal tears, tibial spine fractures, chondral lesions) were detected in 8 patients. At follow up, patients were clinically and radiographically evaluated according to knee ROM, KOOS, OKS and Rasmussen Clinical and Radiological Scores.

RESULTS

At an average follow-up of 84 ± 22.5 months, 18 patients were evaluated. Mean values recorded were the following: knee ROM 1° - 135°, OKS 41.6 / 48 ± 8.18, subscale KOOS scores ranged from 75% ± 25.4 (Quality of Life) to 91.1% ± 11.2 (Pain), Rasmussen Clinical e Radiological 27.2 ± 2.64 (14 excellent, 3 good, 1 fair) and 9.1 ± 0.64 (15 excellent, 3 good) respectively. Worse results were observed in 5 patients with pre-existing degenerative chondropathy.

CONCLUSIONS

ARIF revealed to be an effective technique for surgical treatment of unicondylar tibial plateau fractures. Our findings support the favourable results reported by other authors. ARIF is not a simple technique and requiresspecific experience in knee arthroscopy and a steep learning curve.(www.actabiomedica.it).

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validation of the italian version of the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI)

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK

Foot-and-Ankle-Disability-Index (FADI) is one of the most widely used evaluation questionnaires for this anatomical district, but an italian validated version lacks and is necessary to properly evaluate italian people. In fact a correct interpretation of the items by patients is essential to obtain a precise subjective response, making the questionnaire valid to evaluate patients' satisfaction and wellness. Our purpose was to translate and culturally adapt into Italian the FADI questionnaire, and to check its reproducibility and validity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The original english version of FADI questionnaire was translated into Italian and checked for medical part coherence. It was submitted to 10 italian randomized patients to verify a correct cultural adaptation, and then to other 50 randomized patients operated at their ankle or hallux to assess intra- and inter-observer reproducibility by the Pearson's-Correlation-Coefficient (PCC) and the Intra-Class-Correlation (ICC) coefficient. Moreover, Short-Form-36 (SF36) questionnaire for Quality-of-Life and Visual-Analogue-Scale (VAS) for pain were also administered to the same 60 people and compared to italian-FADI to perform validation analysis by PCC and ICC coefficient.

RESULTS

Cultural adaptation of the translated version of the scale resulted good in terms of understandability by patients. An optimal correlation of the inter- and intra-observer reproducibility was obtained. The correlation obtained between FADI and SF-36 as well as between FADI and VAS indicates success in the validation process.

CONCLUSIONS

Validation of the FADI italian version has been performed successfully, its use can be considered appropriate and is indicated in italian clinical practice. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Nerve lesions during arthroscopic procedure: a literature overview

Arthroscopy is more and more popular. Although minimally-invasive, it's not completely free of complications as nerves lesions which can be invalidating for the patient and frustrating for the surgeon with significant economic, psychological and medico-legal implications. The purpose was to review the literature about nerve injuries related to arthroscopy. A scientific literature review was performed in PubMed/Medline, including articles dealing with cases of iatrogen lesions of the peripheral nerves occurred during arthroscopic procedures. These lesions are mainly due to direct damage by nerve section while cutting for making the portals or during surgical maneuvers, or indirect damage due to traction or pressure mechanisms especially for errors in patient positioning. Also the tourniquet can lead to compression and ischemic nerve injury. Arthroscopy can cause both transient and permanent neurological lesions manifested with dysesthesia up to paralysis according to Seddon's classification in neuroapraxia, axonotmesis and neurotmesis. Incidence of complications in general and of nerve injuries during arthroscopy are reported by joint. A rigorous respect for surgical technique and all perioperative precautions, particularly in relation to the positioning of the patient, greatly reduce the risk of nerve injury. The suggested waiting time before surgical nerve revision is 6 months. In the meanwhile the patient should perform physiotherapy constantly and improvements should be evaluated with clinical examination and electromyography 15-20 days after the lesion, and thereafter at 3 and 6 months.

Combined radius addition osteotomy and ulnar shortening to correct extra-articular distal radius fracture malunion with severe radial deviation and ulnar plus

Malunion can occur in 11 to 28% of Distal Radius Fractures and can result in radius shortening and ulnar plus with wrist deviation, pain and disability. We aimed to report particular cases of extra-articular distal radius fracture malunion with severe radial deviation and ulnar plus treated by corrective osteotomy of distal radius with bone graft associated to ulnar procedure. One of these patients was firstly operated with ulna subtraction osteotomy synthesized with plate and in a second stage with distal radius corrective addition osteotomy with homologous bone graft, plate and external fixator. Two other cases were treated in a single-step by radius addition osteotomy and caput ulnae Darrach resection. These three patients were followed-up from 2 to 12 years, successfully observing the maintenance of anatomical correction and recovery of ROM and strength with good pain relief and return to daily activities. After Darrach procedure external-fixation wasn't needed and pronation-supination was better. Darrach procedure can solve ulna plus and improve ROM in pronation-supination with a quicker healing, avoiding the risk of ulnar non-union. Darrach's procedure associated to addition corrective osteotomy of distal radius can be a valid treatment for distal radius severe malunion, in patients with low-moderate functional demand. In conclusion, the surgeon should choose the right corrective treatment after the complete evaluation of the patient and his functional needs.

Comparison of clinical results after augmented versus direct surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK

Achilles tendon rupture is frequent and can result in a disabling condition. The ideal method of management remains a matter of debate. We aimed to compare the clinical outcome of patients who underwent surgical repair of Achilles tendon rupture with Silfverskiöld augmentation technique with gastrocnemius fascia flap versus Krackow end-to-end stitching technique.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied all patients that were surgically treated for Achilles tendon rupture at our institution, between January 2000 and December 2015, using either Silfverskiöld or Krackow technique. We excluded all patients deceased or untreaceble, and those refusing the follow up interview. Disability, Quality-of-Life and functional restriction were evaluated using the Achilles-Tendon-total-Rupture-Score (ATRS) and Foot-and-Ankle-Disability-Index (FADI); means were compared by the Mann-Whitney test and correlations by the Spearman coefficient.

RESULTS

A total of 90 patients were included, with a mean age of 45.3±12.6 years. The augmented repair group-A included 33 patients and the simple repair group-B 57 patients. Follow-up averaged 8 years (1 to 16). FADI was 103.7±1.6 for group-A versus 100.3±15.6 for group-B. ATRS was 2.0±7.1 and 5.7±18.8, respecitvely. Differences were not significant. Age showed a low linear correlation with ATRS (R=0.41) and FADI (R=-0.40), indicating that clinical outcomes minimally tend to worsen in older patients.

CONCLUSIONS

We didn't find significative differences in the clinical outcomes between the two groups of patients. Acute uncomplicated Achilles tendon ruptures can be successfully treated with a direct suture technique. Augmentation with a fascial flap should be reserved to chronic or neglected cases with severe tendinosis or tissue defect.

Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in the treatment of elbow epicondylitis and plantar fasciitis: medium to long term clinical outcome

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) is a popular biological therapy especially used to regenerate different musculoskeletal tissues by releasing growth-factors and cytokines promoting cell proliferation, chemotaxis, differentiation, and angiogenesis. The aim was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of PRP for Lateral-Epicondylitis (LE) of the elbow and Plantar-Fasciitis (PF).

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted including patients treated with a single topic autologous-PRP-injection between 1-1-2009 and 7-18-2019 for LE or PF at our institution; patients operated for the same problem, patients refusing the study or not traceable were excluded. Patients were assessed with VAS for pain and clinical scales.

RESULTS

33 patients were treated with PRP and 13 (8F, 5M) included: 4LE and 9PF for a total of 16 cases. The average pain level was 0.61±0.63: 1±1.41 for LE and 0,44±0 for PF. No significant side effect was reported. 4 PRP-treatments failed: 2LE and 2PF. OES and PRTEE gave excellent results for elbow. Average foot scores were AOFAS 98.2±5 and FADI 91.3±1. Patients were stratified and compared according to plantar arch conformation, follow-up length, healing time, time from diagnosis to PRP-treatment, therapies before PRP (physiotherapy, steroid infiltration or shock-waves), risk factors (standing work, sport, age, sex).

CONCLUSIONS

As in other studies, our results do not allow to draw sufficiently valid conclusions regarding the effectiveness and safety of PRP in the treatment of LE and PF: in particular the statistical significance is limited by the small sample size. PRP can be chosen as a non-first-line treatment for LE and PF.