Objective This study aimed to compare gracilis and semitendinosus tendon graft diameters in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using quadruple, quintuple, and sextuple assemblies. Another objective was to evaluate the percentage of patients in which each assembly type is possible, depending on the length of each free tendon. Methods Seventy-one patients underwent ACL reconstruction using hamstring tendons. We measured the diameters of the quadruple, quintuple, and sextuple assemblies in all patients. We recorded tendon length and graft diameter from three assembly types. Results Assembly comparison showed a statistically significant difference ( p < 0.001). In each assembly, graft diameter increased by 1 mm, a statistically significant value ( p < 0.001). In 2.8% of patients, the only potential assembly was the quadruple assembly because the free lengths of the 2 tendons removed were lower than 24 cm. The quintuple assembly was possible in 23.9% of subjects, as only the semitendinosus had a minimum length of 24 cm. The sextuple assembly was possible in 73.2% of patients because both tendons were at least 24 cm in length. Conclusion A quintuple or sextuple assembly is possible in 97.2% of cases since the final graft length of at least 8 cm is statistically significant between comparisons.
Objective To evaluate surgeons' performance in resecting CAM-type deformities using a realistic arthroscopic surgery simulator. Methods An arthroscopic simulator was created using low-cost materials with the help of a GTMax Core A1 3D printer and the programs Invesalius and Meshmixer 2017, which were used to develop femoral head parts in ABS material, with the presence of a CAM-type deformity, to mimic a femoroacetabular impact situation. After the operations were performed by 16 surgeons, the femurs were compared to a previous model with deformity and another without, using Cloudcompare, and parameters such as the volumetric difference between the operated femurs, with and without deformity, the minimum and maximum distance between them, the percentage of the deformity resected, the estimated time for total resection of the deformity, as well as a qualitative analysis based on the images and graphs provided by the program representing the areas of the parts resected, were evaluated at the end. Results The average resection speed was 34.66 mm 3 /min (SD = 46 mm 3 /min, max = 147.33; min = -2.66). The average resection rate was 26.2% (SD = 34.7%, max = 111; min = -2). Qualitative analysis showed hyporesection of deformities and sometimes hyperresection of nondeformed areas. The simulator was highly rated by the surgeons, with a tactile sensation very similar to real surgery, according to them. Conclusion Arthroscopic simulators have proved very useful in training less experienced surgeons.
Objective To investigate whether patients undergoing anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (ATSA) between January and March 2020 experienced different postoperative outcomes than patients in 2019. We hypothesized that patients in 2020 would have less access to physical therapy (PT) and experience different postoperative outcomes. Methods Records from patients who received ATSA between January 1st, 2019, and March 17th, 2019, and January 1st, 2020, to March 17th, 2020, were analyzed. Patient data, including demographic information, range of motion (ROM), strength, and PT was collected and compared between the two groups. The 2020 patients were contacted by phone during October 2022 and patient-reported metrics were gathered. Results The present study identified 24 patients in 2019 and 27 patients in 2020 who underwent ATSA during the specified time frame and had a minimum 1-year follow-up. Patients in 2019 experienced improvements in forward elevation (FE) ROM (125.4° to 146.7°; p = 0.008), external rotation (ER; 33.0° to 47.7°; p < 0.001), and internal rotation (IR; S1 to L4; p = 0.019). Patients in 2020 also experienced significant improvements in FE (120.2° to 141.1°; p = 0.009), ER (32.9° to 42.0°; p = 0.037), and IR (S1 to L3; p = 0.002). Patients in 2020 terminated PT earlier (2019: 125.8 days; 2020: 91.1 days; p = 0.046) and completed fewer sessions (2019: 21.4 sessions; 2020: 13.1 sessions; p = 0.003). At the final follow-up, patients in 2020 reported an average Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score of 1.67 ± 1.1. Conclusion Despite decreased PT, patients who underwent ATSA in 2020 had significant improvements in ROM and strength and were comparable to patients in 2019.
Objective To identify the location of the Riché-Cannieu anastomosis (RCA) in relation to the Cardinal Kaplan Line (KCL) and the Y line. Methods A total of 20 hands of 10 recently-deceased adult male cadavers aged between 27 and 66 years were dissected for the investigation of the relationship of the most distal point of the RCA with the KCL and with the Y line, drawn from the axis of the third metacarpal head, following the longitudinal axis of the hand. Results In 20 limbs, the most distal point of the nerve communication was positioned distally in relation to the KCL. The Y line was positioned on the radial side in relation to the most distal point of the RCA in 14 limbs, and it was positioned on the ulnar side in relation to the Y line in 6 limbs. The crossing between the KCL and the Y line occurred proximal to the RCA in 18 limbs; in 1 hand, it was positioned distal to the intersection between these lines; and in another hand, the KCL was positioned exactly on the RCA. Conclusion Knowledge of these anatomical relationships can prevent damage to nerve branches and thus also prevent paralysis of intrinsic muscles in surgical procedures in the palm of the hand.
Objective To evaluate if there is a significant difference in the outcomes of isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in patients with or without associated anterolateral ligament (ALL) injury. Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study through the analysis of medical records and the application of the questionnaires of the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form to patients undergoing isolated ACL reconstruction. Results The 52 participants included were divided into two groups: 19 with associated ALL injury and 33 with no associated ALL injury. None of the patients with associated ALL injury suffered an ACL rerupture, and 21.1% presented injuries to other knee structures after surgery. Among the patients with no associated injury, 6.1% suffered ACL rerupture, and 18.2% presented injuries to other structures after surgery ( p = 0.544). Return to activities at the same level as that of the preoperative period occurred in 60% of the patients with associated ALL injury and in 72% of those with no associated injury ( p = 0.309). The mean score on the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale was of 81.6 points in patients with associated ALL injury, and of 90.1 in those with no associated injury ( p = 0.032). The mean score on the IKDC Subjective Knee Form was of 70.3 points in patients with associated ALL injury and of 76.7 in those with no associated injury ( p = 0.112). Conclusion There was no statistically significant difference regarding graft injuries or new injuries to other structures, satisfaction with the operated knee, or the score on the IKDC Subjective Knee Form. Return to activity was similar in the groups with and without associated ALL injuries. The scores on the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale were better, with a statistically significant difference in the group with no associated ALL injuries.
Objective This study aimed to describe the methodological process for developing a questionnaire to identify the prevalence and risk factors for chronic occupational low back pain in healthcare professionals working at hospitals. Method An exploratory crossectional survey study was carried out in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, and its metropolitan region, in two stages. Initially, the authors prepared a questionnaire based on the Roland Morris disability questionnaire and sent it to a committee of low back pain specialists for validation using the Delphi technique. The second stage consisted of sending the final questionnaire to health professionals working in a hospital environment for at least 2 years and presenting chronic low back pain for at least 3 months. Results Validation occurred in two rounds of questionnaire adjustments by a panel consisting of physical therapists and physician experts in the field (orthopedists with more than 3 years of experience). Both rounds had 13 participants. The questionnaire initially consisted of 27 items, and, after validation, it had 19 items. The study included 65 subjects, with an average age of 40.91 years old and an average time working at a hospital of 40 hours per week. The total sample had 76.9% of physicians, 10.8% of physical therapists, and 12.3% of nurses or nursing technicians. Most (52.3%) subjects reported staying in uncomfortable positions affecting the lower back for 5 to 10 hours per day. Conclusion We developed and validated, using the Delphi technique, a questionnaire on the prevalence and risk factors associated with chronic occupational low back pain among healthcare professionals working at hospitals. This unprecedented tool can benefit the population studied since the questionnaires currently used to evaluate chronic low back pain are not specific for investigating the occupational cause of this condition.
Objective To analyze associations between anxiety and postsurgical clinical outcomes in patients who underwent minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery in addition to comparing symptoms of anxiety and depression before and after surgery. Methods This prospective cohort study of patients who underwent minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery. Clinical outcomes were measured before and 6 months after surgery using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Global Perceived Effect of Change (GPE), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Based on the presurgical anxiety score, patients were categorized into anxious and non-anxious patients, and the outcomes were compared. Results The patients of both groups obtained similar results concerning the clinical outcomes evaluated. Preoperative HADS scores decreased significantly 6 months after surgery in both anxiety (8.70 ± 3.48 vs. 5.75 ± 3.91) and depression (6.95 ± 3.54 vs. 5.50 ± 2.99). The VAS scale for the back (-2.8 ± 3.64) and legs (-5.5 ± 3.5) showed a reduction in pain. Conclusion Minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery promoted clinical and functional improvement, not being affected by preoperative anxiety symptoms. Mental health indicators showed a significant reduction in symptoms 6 months after surgery.
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is considered the most severe and common spinal deformity, affecting children and adolescents still in the neuropsychomotor development phase before they reach skeletal maturity. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical approach to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), considering the results associated with the reduction of pathological curvature, pulmonary function, and repercussions on the quality of life of adolescents undergoing such treatment. Systematic literature review, with a quantitative and qualitative approach to the data collected, structured according to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), carried out in the databases linked to the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS). The total sample of the studies was 638 adolescents with AIS, with a mean age of 14.93 years ± 1.24. The mean correction of the main pathological curvature in the studies was 55.06% ± 12.24. In all of the selected studies using posterior spinal fusion to correct AIS, there was a significant reduction in pathological curvatures (> 49%), and the recurrence of curvature in none of the studies exceeded a pathological gain of more than 5%. As for lung function, the studies showed significant increases in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) in patients with severe AIS, and no pulmonary function losses were reported after surgery to correct AIS.
Objective To investigate the epidemiology of injury types among jiu-jitsu practitioners, as well as the incidence regarding different skill and experience levels, through the question: "What are the characteristics and prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries in Jiu-Jitsu practitioners?". Methods Since the beginning of the study, in August 2020, we conducted a search on the MEDLINE, LILACS, and SciELO electronic databases. We included cross-sectional studies published between 2018 and 2023 on the epidemiology of the types of injuries among jiu-jitsu practitioners that compared their incidence regarding different levels of ability and experience. Two independent researchers performed the data extraction and assessed the risk of bias. Results Seven studies were included. The common outcomes involved 2,847 jiu-jitsu practitioners. A high prevalence in the knee joint and chest and rib areas was reported. Considering the difference in experience level among the practitioners, we could observe that most of the individuals included were beginners. Among the age groups observed, male practitioners older than 30 years of age were the ones who presented the highest rate of musculoskeletal injury, especially during training sessions. Conclusion There is a high prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries among jiu-jitsu practitioners. The most affected anatomical segments are the knee joint, the chest, and the rib region, followed by the shoulder joint. The related factors change according to certain variables, being more common during training in male individuals over 30 years of age and beginners in the sport.