BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders最新文献

Background: In rhizarthrosis the saddle joint of the thumb is affected. Occupational therapy after interposition arthroplasty is of particular importance and a key factor for a successful outcome. Orthosis use and/or the timeline of using the orthosis is still under debate.

Research questions: In patients with rhizarthrosis after interposition arthroplasty, what is the effect of an orthotic thumb device compared with no orthotic thumb device during accompanying occupational therapy? In patients with rhizarthrosis after interposition arthroplasty, what is the effect of a long orthotic thumb device compared with a short orthotic thumb device during accompanying occupational therapy?

Methods: Forty-two patients with confirmed symptomatic rhizarthrosis after interposition arthroplasty by Weilby and 2 weeks cast fixation were randomly assigned to one of the following study arms: Group I: long orthotic thumb device, Group II: short orthotic thumb device, Group III without orthotic thumb device for 4 weeks, accompanied by 12 weeks postoperative occupational therapy. After 6 and 12 weeks, VAS-Pain-Score, Quick-DASH, pinch-and grip-strength, and ROM were evaluated.

Results: All groups improved in their hand functions 12 weeks after surgery. The VAS-pain-score improved by 5 points. The Quick-DASH score halved for patients with short or no orthotic thumb device. Patients with the short orthotic thumb device showed the highest rate of improvement (pain, QuickDASH, mobility of the carpometacarpal joint in abduction, interphalangeal joint mobility, and thumb function) 12 weeks after surgery, followed by the non-orthotic thumb device-group. Non-orthotic thumb device patients did not show higher pain levels. Patients of the long orthotic thumb device-group showed more impairment of their function (pain, grip- and pinch strength compared to the other groups, 12 weeks after surgery).

Conclusion: After interposition arthroplasty of the thumb followed by two weeks cast fixation, a thermoplastic short orthotic thumb device should be used. The short orthotic thumb device only restricts motion of the operated first carpometacarpal joint, leaving all other joints of the thumb moveable for 4 weeks. This recommendation is based on the results obtained 12 weeks after surgery.

Trial registration: Not applicable because this is the publication following a thesis in Austria. At the time of the start of the study, there was no need for registration for such studies in Austria.

Background: Methods of assessment, treatment and referral rates of patients presenting with longstanding hip and groin pain (LHGP) are not well documented. The aim of this study was to investigate assessment and treatment of patients with LHGP among general practitioners (GPs) and physical therapists (PTs) in primary care.

Methods: An anonymous web-based survey was developed specifically for this study and distributed to GPs and PTs at primary care centers in the southern part of Sweden. The survey covered the use of different methods of assessment and treatment for LHGP, the perceived importance these methods, and referral rates to orthopedic care. Responses from clinicians were reported in frequencies and percentages, and differences in assessment methodology between professions were examined with chi-square tests.

Results: PTs (n = 104) and GPs (n = 62) referred less than 25% of patients with LHGP to orthopedic care. Both professions used clinical assessments as range of motion tests, but PTs were more likely to use specific clinical tests (PTs 76% vs. GPs 19%, p = < 0.001), GPs used more imaging (GPs 98% vs. PTs 58%, p = < 0.001) and neither profession used validated patient-reported outcome measures (GPs 2% vs. PTs 11%, p = 0.134). GPs and PTs ranked patient history and range of motion as the most important factors for diagnosis. GPs and PTs both reported providing patient education and advice on physical activity as part of the treatment. GPs commonly prescribed pain medication, including NSAIDs (97%), paracetamol (100%), and opioids (69%). 77% of PTs reported treatment duration less than 3 months, with treatment consisting of combinations of exercise therapy and manual therapy.

Conclusions: GPs and PTs in primary care referred 25% or less of patients with LHGP to orthopedic care. Both professions generally used assessment for LHGP in line with clinical recommendations. However, some assessment methods differed between GPs and PTs, and neither used validated patient-reported outcome measures. Treatment strategies mainly included pain medication (GPs), exercise and manual therapy (PTs), and education (both professions). Inconsistent with clinical recommendations, GPs commonly prescribed opioids as part of pain management, and PTs report treatment duration of less than 3 months.

Clinical trial number: NA.

Background: Osteoporosis is common in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) awaiting total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and varies in different regional and ethnic. However, it is unclear whether the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in these patients is different from that in the general population. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in both populations to help exploring the relationship between the osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, and to explore whether knee function and radiological assessments of KOA are associated with osteoporosis.

Methods: In total, 249 patients diagnosed with KOA awaiting TKA were investigated in this cross-sectional study. The mean age was 70.9 ± 6.4 years. Bone mineral density (BMD) and T scores at the hip and lumbar spine were used to assess bone status using dual X-ray absorptiometry. A matched cohort from 2448 individuals in the Health Examination Center of our hospital was set as controls by matching sex, age (± 3.0 years) and BMI (± 1.0). The Kellgren-Lawrence grades (K-L grades), mechanical femorotibial angle (mFTA), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score and range of motion (ROM) of the knee were measured to evaluate radiological assessments and knee function in patients awaiting TKA and used to explore the association between KOA and BMD or T score. Prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia were investigated in the two cohorts, and inferential statistical analyses were undertaken. The chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test was used for categorical variables while comparisons of scores were examined by ANOVA with/without Bonferroni correction or the Kruskal‒Wallis test.

Results: The prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in patients awaiting TKA was 30.5% (76/249) and 44.2% (110/249), respectively. In the matched cohort, 72/249 (28.9%) had osteoporosis, while 98/249 (39.4%) had osteopenia. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of osteoporosis or osteopenia between the two groups (χ2 = 2.603, P = 0.272). mFTA was significantly correlated with BMD and T score (P < 0.05), while no correlation was found between K-L grade, ROM or WOMAC and BMD or T score (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: The prevalence of osteoporosis in patients awaiting TKA was similar to that in the general population. BMD and T score were not correlated with WOMAC score or K-L grade but were correlated with mFTA.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are a potent risk factor for post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis (PTOA). Annually, in Aotearoa New Zealand, approximately 2,500 people under the age of 30 undergo ACL reconstruction surgery. Due to the young age of injury and surgery, many develop osteoarthritis before age 50 and have a higher likelihood of requiring total knee replacement compared to the general population. This study aimed to gain insight into the medium- to long-term impacts of ACL rupture on people's well-being in Aotearoa New Zealand, by exploring their lived experiences five or more years post-injury.

Method: In this Interpretive Description observational study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with people who had ruptured their ACL and had or were at risk of developing PTOA. Analysis was conducted guided by Braun and Clarke's Reflexive Thematic Analysis.

Findings: Twelve people (7 women, median age 49.5 [25-62] years) were interviewed. Three themes were generated from the data: 1) Nobody Ever Told Me…, 2) The Post-Rehabilitation Void, and 3) The Elephant in the Room: The Psychosocial Impact. Participants commonly described fear, grief and long-term psychological impacts, and most reported wanting to know more about the long-term management of their knees.

Conclusion and impact: The study highlights opportunities to provide better long-term support and management, improve outcomes, and reduce the burden on these individuals. ACL injury can profoundly impact people's lives in the long term. Better education, support services, and consideration of psychosocial factors are needed. Addressing identified barriers could reduce the individual and socioeconomic burden of PTOA for New Zealanders. Future research involving stakeholders must establish acceptable long-term management programmes tailored to ensure they meet the population's needs and address the unique socioeconomic context and ethnic disparities in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Background: Congenital early-onset scoliosis (CEOS), particularly due to hemivertebra, presents significant challenges in spinal deformity correction. The standard surgical approach, hemivertebra resection combined with short-segment fusion, can be complicated by the crankshaft phenomenon, a progressive deformity that may develop postoperatively. This study aims to evaluate the long-term surgical outcomes of single-stage posterior hemivertebra resection with mono-segment fusion in CEOS, stratified by the presence or absence of the crankshaft phenomenon.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 31 CEOS patients who underwent single-stage posterior hemivertebra resection and mono-segment fusion between 2003 and 2019. Patients were grouped based on the presence (n = 9) or absence (n = 22) of the crankshaft phenomenon. Clinical and radiographic outcomes, including main curve correction, compensatory curves, apical vertebral translation (AVT), coronal balance (CB), and sagittal balance (SB), were assessed at preoperative, immediate postoperative, and latest follow-up points. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS and R software.

Results: The cohort showed significant deformity correction with an initial main curve angle reduction from 29.76° to 7.34° (76% correction rate), though some loss of correction was observed at the last follow-up (12.28°). The group with the crankshaft phenomenon exhibited a significantly lower initial correction rate (62%) compared to the non-crankshaft group (82%), with a higher rate of curve progression at follow-up (25.02° vs. 7.06°). Compensatory curves, AVT, and CB showed differences between groups, with those having the crankshaft phenomenon demonstrating worse outcomes. However, no significant differences were found in sagittal parameters (segmental kyphosis, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis) between the two groups.

Conclusions: The study demonstrates that single-stage posterior hemivertebra resection with mono-segment fusion is effective in correcting deformities in CEOS patients. However, the presence of the crankshaft phenomenon is associated with a poorer long-term surgical outcome, including higher rates of curve progression and worse compensatory curve management. These findings highlight the importance of identifying the crankshaft phenomenon as a potential factor influencing the prognosis of surgical correction in CEOS.

Background: Wrist joint tuberculosis(WJ-TB)is a rare manifestation of osteoarticular tuberculosis(OAT).Delayed diagnosis is common and often leads to postponed treatment, resulting in complications such as joint stiffness and persistent pain in the affected limb.

Case presentation: A 50-year-old man presented with symptoms in the wrist joint suggestive of WJ-TB.Initially, he was diagnosed with traumatic arthritis.However, following a series of diagnostic tests, the final diagnosis of tuberculous arthritis was confirmed.The patient underwent effective treatment, which led to a marked improvement in his condition.

Conclusions: WJ-TB is a treatable condition.Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential to prevent joint destruction and maintain function in patients with OAT.

Background: Posterior tibial plateau bicondylar fracture combined with anterior cruciate ligament injury, also known as the "Posterior Condylar Triad", is a regular combination injury. The traditional surgical strategy involves first fixing the posterior condyle in the prone position and then treating the anterior cruciate ligament avulsion injury after the patient turns over. This surgical strategy is cumbersome, requires multiple surgical preparations, prolongs the surgical time, and increases the patient's risk. Our centre proposed one lateral prone position with three incisions to treat the "Posterior Condylar Triad".

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 11 "Posterior Condylar Triad" patients who underwent surgical treatment at our centre from February 2017 to August 2020. Using a unified surgical strategy, the patient rotates the limb in a lateral prone position. The posterior condyle fracture of the tibial plateau is treated through a posterior medial incision and posterior lateral Frosch approach. Finally, anterior cruciate ligament avulsion fracture is treated through a small incision on the medial side of the patella. All patients were encouraged to perform functional exercises of the knee joint early after surgery. The postoperative complications (deep vein thrombosis, poor wound healing, deep infection, internal fixation failure and fracture reduction loss) and knee joint function (knee joint range of motion, Lysholm score and SF36 scale) of the patients were recorded 1 year after surgery.

Results: All patients' fractures healed smoothly, with an average fracture healing time of 17.0 weeks, ranging from 12 to 22 weeks. There were 2 patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after the operation. One patient experienced wound fat liquefaction, and no patients reported serious complications, such as loss of fracture reduction, failure of internal fixation, or deep infection. One year after surgery, the average range of motion (ROM) of the affected limb's knee joint was 3.6-120.5°, the average Lysholm score was 86.7, ranging from 61 to 100, and the average SF36 score was 76.96, with a range of 52.45-94.75.

Conclusion: The "Posterior Condylar Triad" is a serious injury, and our proposed surgical strategy can simplify the surgical process, avoid large-scale changes in patient position during surgery, shorten surgical time, and reduce the risk of surgical anaesthesia, enabling patients to achieve good clinical prognosis.

Background: Little is known regarding both the role of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the impact of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on inflammatory and immune responses in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This study is aimed to explore the role of MPO and the regulatory effect of umbilical cord-derived MSCs on MPO expression in monocytes in AS.

Methods: MPO mRNA expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was detected by Real-time PCR. Cytokines including IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-17 A, IL-4, IL-10, IL-6 and TNF-α were determined by flow cytometry. A co-culture system was established by culturing THP-1 cells with MSCs at a ratio of 5:1.

Results: Increased mRNA expression of MPO was observed in PBMCs of AS patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of MPO was positively associated with C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (P < 0.05) in AS. Besides, the levels of IL-2, IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-17 A, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α in plasma were notably increased in AS (P < 0.05). Positive correlations between MPO expression and IL-2, IFN -γ, IL-4, TNF-α as well as IL-6 were demonstrated in AS (P < 0.05). Furthermore, MSCs remarkably suppressed the mRNA expression of MPO along with the secretion of IL-17 A and TNF-α, but promoted IL-10 generation in monocytes.

Conclusion: MPO expression is significantly upregulated and correlates with cytokine imbalance in AS. It may serve as a valuable immunotherapeutic target for AS. MSCs can significantly inhibit monocyte-mediated inflammatory response potentially by downregulating MPO in monocytes.

Background: Few longitudinal studies have explored changes in physical and mental health in individuals prior to and after arthritis diagnosis. This is important for understanding timing of diagnosis in relation to symptoms and their broader health impacts.

Methods: Adults (≥ 16 years) reporting new diagnoses of arthritis between 2010 and 2023 in the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) were included in the study (N = 5,258), along with a 1:1 matched sample of arthritis-free individuals. Trajectories of physical health (assessed using the SF-12 physical component summary), mental health (General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12)) and satisfaction with health were constructed from 8 years prior to 8 years after diagnosis using growth curve models with linear splines. Difference in difference analysis was used to test whether changes in health measures following diagnosis were attributable to arthritis diagnosis.

Results: Physical health decreased from 8 years prior to diagnosis, but began to show a steeper decline from 4 years before diagnosis. There was a small recovery in the year following diagnosis, followed by a continued decline from 4 years post diagnosis. Mental health worsened at 2 years prior to diagnosis and then remained relatively stable. Health satisfaction also decreased around 2 years prior to diagnosis, showing a gradual increase in the 3 years following diagnosis and then remaining stable. Patterns of change were similar by sex, neighbourhood deprivation and living situation. There was some evidence that changes in mental health and health satisfaction were larger and occurred earlier in individuals diagnosed at younger ages (16-49 year olds). Difference in difference models showed consistent findings, with deteriorations across all three outcomes in the arthritis group relative to their matched controls.

Conclusions: Detectable changes in physical and mental health several years prior to diagnosis suggest the need to improve pathways to diagnosis. Persistence of worse mental health, particularly amongst younger people, highlights the importance of considering both physical and mental health in the years following diagnosis.