Treatment of comminuted radial head fractures with personalized radial head prosthesis produced with 3-dimensional printing technology

The Role of 3D Custom Implants in Upper Extremity Surgery

SUMMARY

As the technology of three-dimensional (3D) printing becomes more refined and accessible, multiple applications of its use are becoming more commonplace in upper extremity surgery. 3D-printed models have been beneficial in preoperative planning of complex cases of acute trauma or malunions, contributing to spatial understanding or even contouring of implants. Custom guides can also be created to assist intraoperatively with precise placement of osteotomies or arthroplasty implants. Finally, custom 3D implants have been described for cases of bone loss in the upper extremity. This can be for relatively small gaps after malunion correction or extensive defects, typically for trauma or tumor. Articular defects can also be addressed with this technology, although special considerations should be given to the implant design and longevity in these situations. Because of the relatively recent nature of 3D implants, long-term data are lacking. However, they show great promise in an expanding range of challenging clinical indications.

Evaluation of single and multiple hyaluronic acid injections at different concentrations with high molecular weight in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Knee osteoarthritis is severe progressive and most commonly diagnosed articular disease and its incidence is increasing around the world depending on age. This pathologic condition which limits daily activity of patients can be characterized by degeneration of cartilage and inflammation. Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAII) agents and other analgesics are routinely used treatment options, the potential effects of intraarticular injections including hyaluronic acid (HA) have also been demonstrated by various studies. However, few studies compare the efficacy of a single high molecular weight (HMW) high dose and a triple HMW low dose. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of single high molecular weight (HMW) high dose (2 mL / 60 mg) and triple HMW low dose (2 mL /30 mg) intra-articular injection of HA in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients by evaluating function and pain parameters during 12 months.

METHODS

This is a single-center, retrospective clinical study that included and involved 128 patients. Group I (n=64) patients received triple 30 mg HA injections (SEMICAL®) with one-week intervals, while Group II (n=64) patients received a single 60 mg HA injection (SEMICAL®). Lequesne Index, WOMAC and VAS scores were recorded to assess pain and function during a 12-month period.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in characteristics of patient demographics. Our finding indicate that WOMAC, VAS score, and Lequesne Index values during follow-up visits exhibited a decrease, signifying improvement in the clinical condition. Notably, scores were significantly more favorable with the 30 mg of HA injection compared to the 60 mg of HA injection.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that the triple low-dose injection of HMW HA is more effective in improving WOMAC, VAS scores and Lequesne Index values than a single high-dose injection.