Patella baja is an uncommon yet dangerous condition primarily found in patients who have received knee surgery, but can occur in anyone, more commonly in overweight, middle-aged males. The case presented outlines an instance in which a man with no previous history of knee injury or surgery, yet with other high-risk factors, develops patella baja after a minor injury. The case highlights the importance of testing and awareness of such conditions. The case report outlines the cause, diagnosis, and treatment of the patient's condition.
Background: Pediatric orthopedic conditions present unique challenges due to ongoing skeletal growth and development. Managing these cases requires addressing both structural anomalies and functional deficits.
Care presentation: This case report discusses a 13-year-old male with recurrent left knee pain exacerbated by physical activity. The patient's history of a left knee infection at 1.5 years of age, possibly septic arthritis or osteomyelitis, underscores the long-term consequences of early pathology on skeletal growth and alignment. Imaging studies revealed a distal lateral femur physis bar and genu valgum, necessitating surgical intervention.
Management and outcomes: The surgery involved medial distal femur hemiepiphysiodesis and lateral distal femur bar excision to correct anatomical deformities and restore optimal limb alignment and function. Postoperative rehabilitation, including targeted exercises to improve quadriceps strength, was crucial for functional recovery and reducing the risk of complications such as medial patellofemoral pain.
Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing complex pediatric orthopedic cases.
Background: The wrist is a complex joint that plays a role in several everyday tasks. Various radiological indices have been created to assess the alignment and structure of the wrist using standard X-ray images. Nevertheless, these indicators may differ based on variables such as age, gender, ethnicity, handedness, and wrist position. This research aimed to assess the radiological indices of the wrist in a group of healthy people from Jordan and investigate the impact of age and gender on these indices.
Methods: We obtained data from a sample of 385 patients who presented at our hospital with minor non-specific wrist pain and satisfied the specified criteria for inclusion. We conducted measurements of radial inclination, radial height, volar tilt, ulnar variance, and carpal height ratio using both anteroposterior and lateral views of the wrist. We used linear regression and independent sample t-test to examine the correlation between age, gender, and radiological indicators. The reliability of the measurements was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).
Results: Our study revealed a negative correlation between age and carpal height ratio (r = -0.13, p = 0.03). However, no significant gender differences were seen in any of the radiological indices (p > 0.05). Our findings indicate that ulnar variance had the greatest level of reliability across observers, with an intra-observer intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.95 and an inter-observer ICC of 0.8. Conversely, volar tilt exhibited the lowest inter-observer reliability, with an ICC of 0.1.Our results provide a valuable point of reference for the wrist morphology and alignment in the Jordanian population. Our suggestion is that the carpal height ratio might indicate alterations in the wrist joint due to aging, whereas ulnar variation may serve as a dependable indicator of wrist alignment. We suggest doing more research to investigate the biological and anatomical factors behind these results and to compare them with other demographic groups.
Introduction: The pectoralis major (PM) muscle is the largest and most superior muscle of the anterior chest wall. The PM plays an important role in flexion, adduction, and internal rotation of the arm. The pectoralis major's size, strength, and anatomical location make it an excellent candidate in transfer surgeries due to its ability to restore balancing forces that may be lost in scapular winging and subscapularis tears. Each of these injuries and pathologies involves the PM muscle in some way, and careful consideration of its anatomy and physiology is necessary. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the anatomy, physiology, and surgical considerations of the pectoralis muscle with a specific focus on the surgical techniques involving the muscle.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search using a combination of the following terms: pectoralis major, rupture, transfer, chronic subscapularis tear, pectoralis surgery, anatomy, scapular winging, and long thoracic nerve anatomy. There were no limitations with regards to article type or publishing date, but article language was limited to only English.
Conclusion: The pectoralis muscle is an important muscle when it comes to function of the upper extremity primarily or through transfer procedure. Injuries and impairments of the pectoralis major or other muscles of the upper extremity can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, limiting their ability to perform activities of daily living. A thorough understanding of anatomical, functional, and surgical purposes of the pectoralis muscle is crucial for achieving optimal outcomes and avoiding complications.
Osgood Schlatter disease is the inflammation of the tibial tubercle, right below the patella. It is prevalent in athletic adolescents experiencing growth plate maturation due to puberty. This case study highlights the main causes and symptoms of Osgood Schlatter disease (OSD) and relates them to a case about a 10-year-old girl who runs daily and is going through puberty. The authors also discuss recent research regarding OSD, which suggests that OSD will typically conclude after the child stops growing. Surgery is only needed in extreme cases where the growth or inflammation at the tibia continues to push onto the shinbone, even after puberty.
Background: Smoking is a known risk factor for complications after open tibia fractures, but it is unclear if smokeless tobacco confers a similar risk.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rates of postoperative complications after surgical fixation of open tibia fractures in smokeless tobacco users as compared to matched tobacco naïve controls.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the national PearlDiver database. For patients who had a unilateral open tibia fracture, smokeless tobacco users (n=121) and tobacco-naïve controls (n=242) were matched at a 1:2 ratio. Rates of bone complications within 1 year were compared using multivariable logistic regression.
Results: Compared to controls, the smokeless tobacco user cohort demonstrated significantly higher rates of nonunion (OR: 3.42, 95% CI: 1.05 - 11.12), infection / inflammatory reaction of implant (OR: 12.45, 95% CI: 2.67 - 58.93), and osteomyelitis of the leg (OR: 6.15, 95% CI: 1.90 - 19.93) within 1 year of open tibia fracture. Compared to the most recent population figures, smokeless tobacco use was significantly under-reported in both males and females.
Conclusions: Smokeless tobacco use confers an increased risk of fracture nonunion, infection or inflammatory response to implant, and osteomyelitis of the leg in patients with open tibia fractures. Surgeons should consider this risk when counseling patients and deciding on treatment plans for patients with tibia fractures.
Introduction: Proximal femoral fractures (PFF) are a significant health concern among the elderly, often leading to complications and high mortality rates. Intramedullary nailing is widely considered the most effective treatment for lateral proximal femoral fractures (LPFF), with the Tip Apex Distance (TAD) being a crucial predictor of surgical success. This study aimed to compare outcomes between patients treated with and without the ADAPT (ADAptive Positioning Technology) system, which aids in the precise placement of the cephalic screw.
Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 97 patients with intertrochanteric fractures treated in 2022. Patients were divided into two groups: those treated with the ADAPT system (group I, n=34) and those treated without it (group II, n=63). Fractures were classified according to AO/OTA classification. The primary outcomes measured were operative time, cephalic screw angle, TAD, and incidence of lag screw cut-out. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and t-tests, with significance set at P < 0.05.
Results: The ADAPT system did not significantly reduce TAD (18.21 mm in the ADAPT group vs. 19.94 mm in the control group, p=0.149). Operative times were similar between the groups. The incidence of lag screw cut-out was low in both groups, with no significant differences. The study confirmed a strong correlation between higher TAD and increased risk of screw cut-out, underscoring the importance of precise screw placement.
Discussion: Computer-assisted surgery, such as the ADAPT system, aims to enhance the accuracy of cephalic screw placement. In this study, the ADAPT system didn't demonstrate a statistically significant advantage in reducing TAD or preventing screw cut-out. Nevertheless, the critical role of TAD in preventing fixation failure was reaffirmed, emphasising the need for precise surgical techniques.
Conclusion: While the ADAPT system did not show a significant advantage in reducing TAD or preventing screw cut-out in this study, the importance of achieving optimal TAD in cephalomedullary nailing was reinforced. Future research should continue to explore the role of computer-assisted systems in enhancing surgical accuracy and improving outcomes for patients with LPFF.
Background: Treatment modalities for partial distal biceps tendon (DBT) ruptures include conservative management (immobilization, medication, and physical therapy) or surgery. Selecting treatment modality can present a challenge to both patient and provider.
Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that patients undergoing surgical treatment for partial DBT rupture would have higher complications but better overall strength, range of motion (ROM), and patient satisfaction.
Study design: Systematic Review.
Methods: A systematic review was performed in adherence to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Cochrane, Embase, and Medline databases were searched for studies published through May 2023. Studies were included if they examined patients with a partial DBT rupture who underwent treatment. Exclusion criteria were non-human studies, studies not in English, reviews, technical notes, letters to the editor, surgical technique papers, and studies reported in a prior review.
Results: 13 studies consisting of 290 patients with a partial DBT tear were included in this review. 75% of the patients were male and the ages ranged from 23 - 75 years. The follow up for the patients ranged from 1 - 94 months. 55 patients underwent conservative treatment versus 256 patients underwent surgical treatment. Outcomes examined by the studies included pain, strength, range of motion (ROM), complications, patient reported outcomes (PROs), return to activity, and patient satisfaction.
Conclusion: Treatment for partial DBT tear via surgery or conservative treatment both produce good clinical outcomes. There are similar outcomes between treatment options for pain and ROM. Conservative treatment had some poorer outcomes in terms of strength after treatment. Surgical treatment had more complications and a few patients with decreased satisfaction. Overall, both are viable treatment options, requiring a physician and patient discussion regarding the pros and cons of both options as a part of a shared decision-making process that incorporates patient priorities.
Orthopedic research plays a crucial role in improving patient outcomes for musculoskeletal disorders. This narrative review explores the intricate interplay between funding patterns and the trajectory of breakthroughs achieved in this dynamic field. A meticulous search strategy identified studies illuminating the diverse sources of orthopedic research funding, including public funding (government agencies), philanthropic organizations, private sector investment, and international funding bodies. The review further delved into the spectrum of breakthroughs, encompassing fundamental scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and personalized medicine approaches. Public funding emerged as a significant pillar, supporting foundational research that lays the groundwork for future advancements. Philanthropic organizations addressed specific musculoskeletal disorders, often focusing on patient-centric applications. International funding bodies played a role in supporting research in low- and middle-income countries. Breakthroughs extended beyond cutting-edge prosthetics and minimally invasive surgeries, encompassing fundamental discoveries in areas like gene therapy and biomaterials science. Technological advancements included brain-computer interface prosthetics and 3D-printed implants. Personalized medicine offered the potential for tailored treatments based on individual needs and genetic profiles. This review underscores the complex interplay between funding patterns and breakthroughs in orthopedic research. A multifaceted approach is essential for continued progress. Fostering collaboration, optimizing funding models, and prioritizing both foundational and translational research hold the key to unlocking the true potential of orthopedic research and transforming the lives of patients suffering from musculoskeletal disorders.