Effectiveness of Pamidronate Infusion in the Treatment of Charcot Arthropathy

Introduction

The objective of this case series is to investigate the efficacy and safety of intravenous infusion of Pamidronate, a second generation bisphosphonate, in the treatment of active Charcot arthropathy.

Materials and methods

All patients with active Charcot arthropathy treated at the medical centre from 1 January 2013 to 30 June 2020 were included in the study. Efficacy outcome was evaluated based on time to consolidate findings observed through radiographic examination, while safety outcome was evaluated based on the incidence of adverse event (AE) occurrence.

Results

A total of 81 patients (37 male, 44 female) diagnosed with active Charcot arthropathy were included. 64.2% of patients were at stage 1 of Charcot arthropathy whereas 35.8% were at stage 2. The mean time to consolidate for stage 1 and stage 2 was 6.50 ± 4.21 months and 3.63 ± 2.92 months respectively (p-value = 0.139). No significant association was observed between gender, ethnicity and disease stage with the consolidation time (p-value >0.05). The rate of AE incidence was 2.5%, observed in 2 patients who developed a fever during the treatment. No other serious AE was observed in the study.

Conclusion

Intravenous Pamidronate infusion is a safe and effective treatment option for Charcot arthropathy.

Removing a Bent Femoral Intramedullary Nail Cost Effectively: A Case Report

A bent intramedullary (IM) nail becomes challenging and technically demanding to the orthopaedic surgeon for nail extraction. A broken nail can be easily removed through the fracture site. However, a bent nail has to be broken before it can be removed. Several studies and case reports outline the strategies and techniques for removing a bent IM nail. However, there is a paucity of guidelines and standard protocol describing the best and inexpensive strategy. We report a case where two years following surgery for intramedullary nailing of the right femur, the IM mail was bent following secondary trauma. We used a technique based on the principles of an ability to fully cut the nail and extract it in two pieces by using a Jumbo cutter which is available in the orthopaedic armamentarium. This technique is simple yet economical, with the likelihood of causing less soft tissue damage and thermal necrosis.

Isolated Peroneus Longus Tear - Commonly Missed Diagnosis of Lateral Ankle Pain: A Case Report

Peroneal tendon tear is a relatively common cause of lateral ankle pain but often missed due to mixed presentation or low index of suspicion. Left untreated, peroneal injuries can lead to persistent ankle pain, instability and ultimately substantial functional disabilities. An isolated peroneus longus tear is rare with the lowest incidence rate compared to isolated peroneus brevis tear and mixed tear of both peroneal tendon. This is a case report of a 49-year-old lady with a chronic left ankle pain who ultimately underwent surgery for an isolated peroneus longus tear.

Is Procalcitonin more superior to hs-CRP in the diagnosis of infection in diabetic foot ulcer?

INTRODUCTION

Procalcitonin (PCT) has recently emerged as a marker for diagnosing infection. This study aimed to compare the performance of PCT and other infection markers in diagnosing infected diabetic foot ulcer (IDFU).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 128 diabetic patients with foot ulcers were recruited and divided into two groups, consisting of 73 patients in the IDFU group and 55 in the non-infected diabetic foot ulcer (NIDFU). The severity of infection in IDFU patients was graded based on the Infectious Disease Society of America-International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot classification. Blood samples from all the patients were collected for measurement of PCT, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and white cell count (WBC). The area under the receiver operating curves (AUC) were then constructed and analysed.

RESULTS

PCT, hs-CRP and WBC levels were significantly higher in the IDFU group compared to NIDFU with hs-CRP demonstrated the highest AUC (0.91; p <0.001) followed by PCT (0.814; p < 0.001) and lastly WBC (0.775; p < 0.001). The best cut off value, sensitivity and specificity for the presence of infection in diabetic foot, were 3.47 mg/dL, 80% and 89% for hs-CRP, 0.11 ng/ml, 70% and 87% for PCT and 11.8x109/L, 60% and 90% for WBC. All the infection markers showed significant positive correlations with infection severity of DFU.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that hs-CRP is a more sensitive marker for diagnosing IDFU. Although PCT is useful in differentiating IDFU from NIDFU, the use of PCT is not necessary as it adds little value to the current practice.

Unexpected sequelae of plantar fasciitis: Iatrogenic calcaneal osteomyelitis following plantar heel injection

The injection of a local anesthetic in combination with a corticosteroid is an accepted choice in the treatment of plantar fasciitis with recalcitrant heel pain. When the injection is performed properly, post-injection infection is extremely rare. We are reporting a rare case of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis that developed secondary to a local corticosteroid injection. A 56-year-old lady diagnosed with right plantar fasciitis presented with a 6-month history of pain and a persistent sinus with serous discharge of her right heel following a local infiltration of a corticosteroid. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging demonstrated right calcaneal osteomyelitis with intramuscular abscess. Surgical drainage and debridement were done, followed by antibiotic therapy. A recurrence of infection was not detected throughout the duration of follow-up. It is suggested that a plantar heel injection be done in a more controlled environment, such as in operating theatre, to reduce the risk of infection and to avoid injecting a steroid as compared to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in view of their safety profiles. However, such an injection should only be offered after conservative treatment has failed, as 80% of patients recover well after initial conservative management.

Sonographically abnormal placenta: an association with an increased risk poor pregnancy outcomes

BACKGROUND

The placenta is a most interesting but unfortunately often ignored and misunderstood organ. Placental abnormalities, therefore, can be an "early warning system" for fetal problems. A complete prenatal sonographic examination of the placenta is an essential component as its abnormalities can have a direct effect on fetal or maternal outcomes, obstetrical management and future fertility.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether any association exists between the finding of an increased thickness of placenta, abnormal placenta shape, placental calcification, placental lake and abnormal cord insertion site at 20-22 and 30-32 weeks gestation with an increased risk of uteroplacental complications or a poor pregnancy outcome.

METHODOLOGY

A real-time ultrasound was used at the time of detail scan (at 20-22 weeks gestation) and at 30-32 weeks gestation to look for placenta appearance, fetal growth and anomaly. The main outcome measures were risk of hypertension disease in pregnancy, fetal growth restriction and poor fetal outcomes such as low Apgar score and low cord pH.

RESULT

The majority of the participants were Malay (77.9%). Abnormal placenta found at both gestations were placental lakes and thickness, and only one case had marginal cord insertion. Approximately 6% of the cases were confirmed placenta previa. No abnormal shape or abnormal calcification found at both gestations. About 10% patient developed hypertensive disease in pregnancy, 15% of the fetus was found to have growth restriction and another 16% have low umbilical cord pH. Majority of them delivered at term (90%) and via vaginal delivery (81%). There was no significance between presence of abnormal placental lake and thickness at both gestations with the maternal and fetal outcome.

CONCLUSION

Presence of abnormal placental thickness and lakes at 30-32 weeks scan associated with maternal hypertensive disease, fetal growth restriction and low umbilical cord pH, however these were not statistically significant.

Bilateral Clavicle Fractures: A Case Report

Bilateral clavicle fractures are not frequently seen. To treat these injuries surgically or non-surgically is still a debatable issue. Implant option for surgical management is also in doubt. We would like to share our experience in treating a patient with bilateral clavicle fracture surgically. He had excellent outcomes in terms of function and radiology. Surgical option for bilateral clavicle fractures promises excellent outcome in terms of early rehabilitation and return in function.

Malignant melanoma masqueraded as ingrown toe nail

We report a case in a 62-year-old female who presented with a year history of dull aching pain of the left big toe, which was aggravated by pressure on the nail and relieved by analgesia. Tissue biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of malignant melanoma. There was a black colour swelling about 3x8 mm in size over the medial side of the dorsum of left big toe with a scar of previous operation. Histopathological examination showed on gross section of 2 blackish area one infiltrate the bone the other the tumour not infiltrate the proximal interphalangial joint with another satellite lesion 20mm from main tumour area was found. Malignant cells were large with abundant cytoplasm, hyperchromatic nuclei and some prominent eosinophilic nucleoli. Melanin pigment was markedly seen. The big toe was amputated. We here highlight a case where the patient was diagnosed and managed as having ingrown nail of the left big toe while in actual fact she had a subungual amelanotic melanoma.