Orthopaedic Surgery最新文献

Objective: Type IV fragility fractures of pelvis (FFP IV) are serious and complicated and the treatment is challengeable. Robotic-assisted minimally invasive triangular fixation (RoboTFX) is a new and advanced technique to treat this injury. The objective of this report is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of FFP IV treated with RoboTFX.

Methods: From March 2017 to December 2022, 22 consecutive patients with FFP IV were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical method employed (RoboTFX or robotic-assisted minimally invasive iliosacral screws, RoboISS). Between two groups, we compared clinical data on operation time, intraoperative bleeding, intraoperative fluoroscopy time, favorable fracture healing rate, implant loosening rate, and Majeed pelvic outcome score.

Results: All operations were undertaken from 3 to 15 days (average 5.7 ± 1.7 days) following primary injuries. All patients were followed up continuously 15 months. The average surgical time was 125.3 ± 15.5 (55-190) min in group RoboTFX, 137.1 ± 17.2 min in group RoboISS (p > 0.05). The average amount of intraoperative bleeding was 320.4 ± 25.2 (50-550) mL in group RoboTFX, 302.4 ± 21.5 (50-500) mL in Group 2 (p > 0.05). The average intraoperative fluoroscopy time of the two groups was 23.3 ± 4.5 (15-35) s in group RoboTFX and 40.3 ± 3.8 (10-75) s in group RoboISS (p < 0.05). No patients experienced loss of reduction, 5 of 40 screws had implant loosening in group RoboTFX, meanwhile 13 of 48 screws had implant loosening in Group 2. Four of 20 vertical sacral fractures were healed undesirable including 2 nonunion and the favorable healing rate of 80% in group RoboTFX, meanwhile 8 of 24 fractures were undesirable including 4 nonunion and the favorable healing rate was 66.7% in group RoboISS. Implant loosening rate in the RoboTFX group were all significantly better than those of the RoboISS group (p < 0.05). There were no occurrences of wound infection in both groups, and Majeed scores for the last follow-up were 76.2 ± 3.4 in group RoboTFX and 74.2 ± 2.7 in group RoboISS (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: RoboTFX has the advantages of less intraoperative fluoroscopy and implant loosening rate compared to RoboISS which is better than other methods. We thus recommend RoboTFX as an effective option for treating FFP IV. However, the indications of its operation should be strictly evaluated.

Objective: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is characterized by structural changes. Aging is a major risk factor for KOA. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the role of genes related to aging and circadian rhythms in KOA.

Methods: This study identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by comparing gene expression levels between normal and KOA samples from the GEO database. Subsequently, we intersected the DEGs with aging-related circadian rhythm genes to obtain a set of aging-associated circadian rhythm genes differentially expressed in KOA. Next, we conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, using the differentially expressed aging-related circadian rhythm genes in KOA as the exposure factors, their SNPs as instrumental variables, and KOA as the outcome event, to explore the causal relationship between these genes and KOA. We then performed Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) to investigate the pathways associated with the selected biomarkers, conducted immune infiltration analysis, built a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network, and performed molecular docking studies. Additionally, the findings and functional roles of the biomarkers were further validated through experiments on human cartilage tissue and cell models.

Results: A total of 75 differentially expressed aging-circadian rhythm related genes between the normal group and the KOA group were identified by difference analysis, primarily enriched in the circadian rhythm pathway. Two biomarkers (PFKFB4 and DDIT4) were screened by MR analysis. Then, immune infiltration analysis showed significant differences in three types of immune cells (resting dendritic cells, resting mast cells, and M2 macrophages), between the normal and KOA groups. Drug prediction and molecular docking results indicated stable binding of PFKFB4 to estradiol and bisphenol_A, while DDIT4 binds stably to nortriptyline and trimipramine. Finally, cell lines with stable expression of the biomarkers were established by lentiviral infection and resistance screening, Gene expression was significantly elevated in overexpressing cells of PFKFB4 and DDIT4 and reversed the proliferation and migration ability of cells after IL-1β treatment.

Conclusions: Two diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers associated with aging-circadian rhythm in KOA were identified. Functional analysis, molecular mechanism exploration, and experimental validation further elucidated their roles in KOA, offering novel perspectives for the prevention and treatment of the disease.

Objective: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common knee issue, and hip joint function significantly affects knee health. Gluteus activation exercises are a promising treatment for PFPS. This study aims to investigate the impact of gluteal muscle activation exercises on the muscle involvement and movement patterns of young male patients with PFPS.

Methods: Our study was a randomized controlled clinical trial study from June 2020 to December 2021, included 18 young male patients with PFPS, randomly divided into two groups: the gluteus activation group (GAG) and control group (CON), with nine cases in each group. The GAG underwent gluteal muscle activation exercises for 40 min per session, three times per week, for 6 weeks; the CON received no intervention. At baseline and after 6 weeks, the integrated electromyography (IEMG), contribution rates (CRs), and activation times (ATs) of the gluteus maximus (GM), vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), and semitendinosus (ST) muscles of the affected lower limb during stair-climbing exercise were assessed. Additionally, the explosive power (EP) of the lower limbs and the visual analog scale (VAS) pain value of the knee joint were evaluated. Paired sample t-tests and independent sample t-tests were used to compare the differences within and between groups.

Results: After 6 weeks, the GAG showed a significant increase in the IEMG of GM by 118 ± 67.09 μVs compared to CON (p < 0.05), and an increase in the CR of the GM by 6.75% (p < 0.05). Additionally, the AT of the GM and BF was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), and the lower limb EP increased by 14.66% compared to the CON (p < 0.05). Concurrently, there was a very significant reduction in the knee VAS pain score (p < 0.01). The CON exhibited no significant changes in the EMG indices of the lower limbs, EP, and VAS before and after the 6 weeks (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: A 6-week gluteal muscle activation training program for patients with PFPS can adjust and optimize the IEMG, CR, and firing order of the lower limb muscle groups, enhance EP, and alleviate pain.

Objective: The paraspinal muscles are a crucial component of the spine's extrinsic stabilization system. While the impact of paraspinal muscle sarcopenia on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after lumbar surgery is well known, its effects following percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) have not been investigated. To investigate the prognostic value of preoperative paraspinal sarcopenia on long-term PROMs after PTED, and to identify independent predictors of chronic postoperative low back pain.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 145 patients who underwent PTED for lumbar disc herniation (2017-2022) were stratified into sarcopenia (n = 52) and non-sarcopenia (n = 93) groups using sex-specific psoas muscle index (PMI) thresholds (male: < 6.36 cm²/m²; female: < 3.92 cm²/m²). Preoperative MRI/CT was used to quantify paraspinal muscle parameters, including PMI, multifidus muscle index (MMI), erector spinae muscle index (EMI), Goutallier-classified fat infiltration (FI) severity (Grades 0-4), and multifidus muscle density (MMD). Primary outcomes were assessed via the visual analog scale (VAS; 0-10) and Oswestry disability index (ODI; 0%-100%) at preoperative, 1-month, 6-month, and final follow-up (mean 65.6 weeks). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of chronic pain (defined as VAS ≥ 4 at final follow-up).

Results: The study cohort comprised 145 patients (69 female, 76 male; mean age: 50.1 ± 7.6 years). The sarcopenia group exhibited significantly lower muscle indices (PMI: 4.55 vs. 7.48 cm²/m², p < 0.001, MMI: 2.61 ± 0.80 vs. 3.66 ± 0.94 cm²/m², p < 0.001, EMI: 9.72 ± 2.46 vs. 12.54 ± 2.27 cm²/m², p < 0.001) and higher FI severity (p < 0.05). At final follow-up, the sarcopenia group reported significantly worse pain (VAS: 3.04 ± 1.25 vs. 2.31 ± 1.50, p = 0.004) and disability (ODI: 28.33 ± 6.61 vs. 21.57 ± 7.28, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified BMI (OR = 1.319), PMI (OR = 0.745), MMI (OR = 0.454), and moderate/severe multifidus FI (OR = 7.036) as independent predictors of chronic pain (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Paraspinal sarcopenia, particularly multifidus degeneration, is a modifiable determinant of chronic pain after PTED. Preoperative muscle quality assessment combined with targeted rehabilitation may optimize outcomes.

Objectives: Preoperative levels of certain inflammatory markers in the blood can predict acute infection after primary total joint arthroplasty in patients without inflammatory disease, but whether they can do so in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is unclear. The objectives of this study were to determine whether, with appropriate cut-off values, (1) preoperative levels of NLR predicted postoperative acute infection; and (2) preoperative plasma fibrinogen, monocyte-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein or erythrocyte sedimentation rate predicted postoperative acute infection.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 964 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who underwent primary total joint arthroplasty at our hospital between January 2010 and November 2020. We compared preoperative levels of inflammatory markers including neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), plasma fibrinogen (FIB) between patients who suffered acute infection or not within 90 days after surgery. The ability of markers to predict infection was assessed in terms of the area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) based on optimal cut-off values determined from the Youden index.

Results: Among the 964 patients, 27 (2.8%) experienced acute infection. Preoperative levels of individual inflammatory markers predicted infection with the following AUCs and cut-off values: NLR, 0.704 (cut-off: 2.528); MLR, 0.608 (0.2317); CRP, 0.516 (4.125 mg/L); ESR, 0.533 (66.5 mm/h); and FIB, 0.552 (3.415 g/L). The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio showed diagnostic sensitivity of 92.6% and specificity of 43.3%, while the monocyte-lymphocyte ratio showed sensitivity of 77.8% and specificity of 46.3%.

Conclusion: The preoperative NLR shows some ability to predict acute infection after total joint arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Monitoring this ratio, perhaps in conjunction with other markers not analyzed here, may be useful for optimizing the timing of surgery in order to minimize risk of postoperative infection.

Objectives: There is currently no consensus on the optimal placement of the low tibial tunnel for posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. This study aimed to perform the quantitative measurements of the optimal tangential low tibial-tunnel (OTLT) parameters based on 2D CT images and 3D virtual knee models and expect to provide reference data for clinical creation of the OTLT during the arthroscopic transtibial PCL reconstruction.

Methods: This was a retrospective CT image study. A total of 101 patients between January 2018 and December 2020 were included in our study for analysis. The CT image data of included patients were imported into Mimics software to create the 3D knee models, and the OTLT for PCL reconstruction was simulated on 2D CT images and 3D knee models, respectively. With that, the distances of the tunnel's entry (ADT) and exit points (BDT) to the tibial plateau, the length of the tunnel (LT), and the angle of the tunnel (AT) were measured. Variables were compared using the independent t-test or the Mann-Whitney u test. Correlation analyses between the data and patient demographic factors were performed using the Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis. One-way ANOVA was used to compare differences among height subgroups.

Results: The mean ADT, LT, and AT on 2D CT images were 57.96 ± 5.34 mm, 39.92 ± 5.49 mm, and 37.23° ± 4.57° respectively, smaller than the values on 3D knee models (61.86 ± 6.80 mm, 45.56 ± 4.27 mm, and 48.17° ± 6.12°, all p values < 0.001). While the mean BDT on 2D CT images was significantly larger than 3D knee models (35.28 ± 3.07 mm vs. 29.72 ± 3.00 mm, p < 0.001). The BDT showed larger in males than females, the LT showed larger in the taller group, and the AT seemed to be larger in females and shorter people (all p values < 0.05).

Conclusion: The quantitative parameters of the OTLT based on 2D CT images and 3D knee models can be used as reference data for clinical surgeons to build an anteromedial OTLT during the arthroscopic transtibial PCL reconstruction.

Objective: The conventional open decompression surgery for degenerative lumbar lateral recess stenosis (DLLRS) yields definitive therapeutic outcomes; however, it confronts numerous challenges, including extensive surgical trauma and iatrogenic spinal instability. The purpose of this study is to investigate the surgical outcomes of full-endoscopic DLLRS decompression by an interlaminar approach.

Methods: A consecutive cohort of 275 patients, including 148 males and 127 females, with an average age of 64.62 (55-82) years, with DLLRS between July 2021 and December 2022, was reviewed in this retrospective study. The involved segments were L4/5 in 126 patients and L5/S1 in 149 patients. The computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar were examined before and after surgery to evaluate the degree of decompression. The VAS score of back and leg pain and the ODI scale were recorded preoperatively, 1 day, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, and at the last follow-up. The modified Macnab score was determined at the last follow-up. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the VAS and ODI scores of back/leg pain at various time points before and after surgery.

Results: All of the patients underwent surgery successfully. The average duration of surgery was 84.90 min, the average blood loss was 47.33 mL, and the length of hospitalization was 3-4 (3.31 ± 0.46) days, with no nerve injury, infections, or other complications. One-way ANOVA results showed significantly improved VAS and ODI scores for back/leg pain at each time point after surgery compared to those preoperatively (p < 0.05). The mean follow-up was 23.6 ± 2.3 (range, 15-32) months; at the last follow-up, the modified Macnab was excellent in 143 patients, good in 102 patients, fair in 18 patients, and poor in 12 patients.

Conclusion: Full-endoscopic lumbar lateral recess decompression through an interlaminar approach is a safe and effective approach for DLLRS.

Objective: There is a lack of research on modic change (MC) in the cervical spine, especially regarding its impact on patients following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Some researchers strongly believe that MC may affect the prognosis after anterior cervical surgery. Thus, this study aimed to assess MC in patients who underwent ACDF, investigating its incidence, risk factors, and correlation with fusion success and subsidence rate.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 154 patients who underwent single-level ACDF from January 2010 to December 2020, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Preoperative and postoperative clinical and radiological parameters were recorded at pre-operation, 1 week, 3 months after operation, and the last follow-up. The primary outcomes were the fusion rate and cage subsidence. Radiological measurements, including overall (Cobb C) and segmental cervical angle (Cobb S), anterior disc height (ADH), and posterior disc height (PDH) were also recorded. The independent t-test or Mann-Whiteny U test was used to compare continuous data, and categorical variables were assessed using the Pearson's chi-square test of Fisher's exact test. Logistic regression analysis was also adopted to distinguish corresponding factors related with the progress of MC.

Results: Of the 154 patients, the incidence of MC was 44.2% (68/154). The group with MC showed a larger proportion of males and osteoporosis. The fusion rate of those with MC was 88.2% (60/68) while that in the non-MC group was 97.7% (84/86, p = 0.02). The MC group presented a subsidence rate of 27.9%, which was substantially higher than in the non-MC group (9.3%, p < 0.01). NDI and VAS neck was significantly higher in the MC group than in the non-MC group (p = 0.014; p = 0.039). Sex and osteoporosis were distinguished as independent factors related to MC by regression analysis (p = 0.006; p = 0.026).

Conclusion: Preoperative MC could adversely hinder the fusion process and may increase the incidence of subsidence, affecting clinical outcomes of those underwent ACDF. Patients with MC, especially type 1 MC, are more easily suffered from neck pain than those without MC. Male sex and osteoporosis were risk factors for MC. In order to achieve a better bony fusion and avoid cage subsidence in those with MC, we encourage patients to prolong their immobilization duration with a cervical collar and precisely manage osteoporosis during the peri-operative period.

Objective: The principle of selecting a Zero-P implant of an appropriate height remains a topic of debate, particularly when similarly sized implants seem to appropriately fit the intervertebral space. Thus, this study compared the biomechanical performance of smaller and larger Zero-P implants within an appropriate height range with that of oversized Zero-P implants for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

Methods: A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of the C2-C7 cervical spine was constructed and validated. The implants were categorized as smaller (6 mm), larger (7 mm), and oversized (8 mm) according to the average intervertebral height and implant specifications. Thus, the following four FE models were constructed: the intact cervical spine model (M1), the 6 mm model (M2), the 7 mm model (M3), and the 8 mm (M4) Zero-P implant C5/6 segment ACDF surgical model. Then, a pure moment of 1.0 N·m combined with a follower load of 75 N was applied at C2 to simulate flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation.

Results: The results indicated that the maximum stress on the vertebral body, intervertebral disc, and facet joints under self-weight increased with increasing Zero-P height. Under six different loading conditions, the maximum stress on the vertebral body in the surgical segment of the M4 model was generally greater than that in the M2 and M3 models. Following an increase in the height of the implant from 6 mm to 8 mm, the maximum stress increased, and the intervertebral disc stress of both segments reached its peak in the M4 model. In the M4 model, the implant experienced the highest stress, whereas the M2 model exhibited the lowest stress on the implant under both self-weight and loading conditions. Furthermore, the stress on the posterior facet joints of the surgical segment increased with increasing Zero-P height. The range of maximum stress on the posterior facet joints for the M3 model was situated between that of the M2 and M4 models.

Conclusion: In summary, after determining the appropriate height range for the implant in accordance with the mean height of the intervertebral space, opting for a larger size appears to be more advantageous. This approach helps maintain the height of the intervertebral space and provides greater stress, promoting a tighter fit between the upper and lower endplates and the Zero-P. This tighter fit is crucial for maintaining spinal stability, enhancing the early bony fusion rate, and potentially leading to better postoperative outcomes.