The last report of the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that approximately four million people experience bone pain due to malignant diseases. Among them, metastatic bone pain is one of the ...most important sources of complaint. The estimated median survival in the presence of bone metastases ranks from 10 to 12 weeks. Bone represents a potential target of distant metastases for the majority of malignant tumours. However, the exact incidence of bone metastases is unknown. Bone metastases have an important socio-economic impact, and due to the enhancement of the overall survivorship, their incidence is increasing. Malignant neoplasms such as lung, thyroid, renal cancer, multiple myeloma, and melanoma often metastasize to the bone. Bone metastases commonly localize to the spinal column, pelvis, shoulder, and distal femur. The proper treatment for painful skeletal metastases is still unknown. Hence, the purpose of this review of the literature was to update current evidence concerning the aetiogenesis, biological behaviour, and treatment algorithms for painful skeletal metastases.
Introduction
To achieve the most desirable post-operative results, operation techniques and procedures for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are highly standardized. However, debates persist whether ...patients having undergone a gap balancing technique (GB) perform better than those having undergone measured resection (MR) technique. Therefore, a meta-analysis study was conducted to investigate advantages of GB compared to the MR. The focus of the present study was on clinical and functional scores, radiological measurements and further complications.
Materials and methods
The present meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA checklist. In November 2019, literature search was performed. All clinical studies comparing measured resection technique versus gap balancing technique for primary total knee arthroplasty were considered for inclusion. Only articles reporting quantitative data under the outcomes of interest were eligible for inclusion. The methodological quality assessment and statistical analyses were performed through the Review Manager Software version 5.3 (The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen).
Results
Data from 25 clinical trials (2971 procedures) were collected. Patient baseline demonstrated a good comparability. No difference among the two cohorts was found in terms of SF-12 Mental and Physical, ROM, KSS, KSS Function, OKS, WOMAC. No difference was found in the alignment of mechanical axis and femoral rotation. During the knee motion, no difference was found between the medial and lateral gaps among the two techniques. The GB showed a significant elevated joint line (
P
< 0.0001), along with a longer duration of the operating time (
P
= 0.001). No differences were found in terms of revision surgery, aseptic loosening or prosthetic infections.
Conclusion
GB and MR achieve similar outcomes for TKA. In the GB group, a proximalisation of the joint line and extended operating time was detected. Regarding the additional outcomes of interest, the present analysis showed comparability between both groups, MR and GB.
We determined whether the early improvement in symptoms and function after microfracture in the management of articular cartilage defects of the talus is maintained at mid term follow-up. Factors ...influencing outcome and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging were also evaluated. We performed data collection prospectively using the Hannover Scoring System for the ankle (HSS) and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and function preoperatively, at 1 ± 0.1 year (45 ankles), 2 ± 0.4 years (45 ankles), and at an average of 5.8 ± 2.0 years (39 ankles) postoperatively. MRI was used to assess cartilage repair tissue based on the following variables: degree of defect repair and filling of the defect, integration to border zone, surface of the repair tissue, structure of the repair tissue and subchondral bone alterations. Comparing the outcome scores of the last follow-up to the previous follow-up points, the HSS and the VAS (pain, function and satisfaction) showed no deterioration. Four ankles, however, underwent further surgery to address the chondral defect and were regarded as failures. A body mass index greater than 25 kg/m
2
and having severe post-traumatic cartilage damage appeared to be negative prognostic factors. Results for patients older than 50 years were not inferior to those in younger patients. Microfracture arthroplasty induces repair of localized articular cartilage defects of the talus maintaining the encouraging early results at mid term follow-up.
The management of periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) of the lower limb is challenging, and evidence-based recommendations are lacking. The present clinical investigation characterized the ...pathogens diagnosed in patients who underwent revision surgery for PJI of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
The present study follows the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE). The institutional databases of the RWTH University Medical Centre of Aachen, Germany, were accessed. The OPS (operation and procedure codes) 5-823 and 5-821 and the ICD (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems) codes T84.5, T84.7 or T84.8 were used. All patients with PJI of a previous THA and TKA who underwent revision surgery were retrieved and included for analysis.
Data from 346 patients were collected (181 THAs and 165 TKAs). 44% (152 of 346 patients) were women. Overall, the mean age at operation was 67.8 years, and the mean BMI was 29.2 kg/m2. The mean hospitalization length was 23.5 days. 38% (132 of 346) of patients presented a recurrent infection.
PJI remain a frequent cause for revisions after total hip and knee arthroplasty. Preoperative synovial fluid aspiration was positive in 37%, intraoperative microbiology was positive in 85%, and bacteraemia was present in 17% of patients. Septic shock was the major cause of in-hospital mortality. The most common cultured pathogens were Staph. epidermidis, Staph. aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Methicillin-resistant Staph aureus (MRSA). An improved understanding of PJI pathogens is important to plan treatment strategies and guide the choice of empirical antibiotic regimens in patients presenting with septic THAs and TKAs.
Level III, retrospective cohort study.
Introduction
Although there is anatomical individuality among patients, some standardized requirements for component orientation for total hip arthroplasty (THA) exist. To date, no study has compared ...implant positioning using a network meta-analysis (NMA). Hence, the purpose of this study was to perform a NMA comparing implant positioning among the various approaches for THA.
Methods
This study was conducted according to the PRISMA extension statement for reporting of systematic reviews incorporating network meta-analyses of health care interventions. All randomized (RCT) and non-randomized (nRCT) clinical trials comparing two or more different approaches for THA were considered for inclusion. For the statistical analysis, the STATA Software/ MP, Version 14.1 (Stata Corporation, College Station, Texas, USA) was used. The NMA was performed through a Stata routine for Bayesian hierarchical random-effects model analysis.
Results
We enrolled in the present study, a total of 4060 patients, with a mean of 17.84 ± 16.41 months follow-up. The patient baseline data were very homogeneous across the groups concerning age (
P
= 0.91), sex (
P
= 0.52), and BMI (
P
= 0.83). Concerning the cup anteversion, the anterolateral approach reported the value closest to the reference value. The test for overall inconsistency, however, was not statistically significant (
P
= 0.30). Concerning cup inclination, the lateral approach reported the value closest to the reference value. The test for overall inconsistency was statistically significant (
P
= 0.01).
Conclusion
The anterolateral approach for total hip arthroplasty detected the best femoral stem alignment and cup anteversion. Data concerning cup inclination detected no sufficient transitivity to draw consistent conclusions.
External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) allows remarkable pain control in patients with skeletal metastases. We performed a Bayesian network meta-analysis comparing the most commonly used radiotherapy ...regimens for palliative management in patients with skeletal metastases. The main online databases were accessed in October 2020. All randomized clinical trials evaluating the irradiation of painful bone metastases were considered. The following irradiation patterns were analysed and included in the present network meta-analysis: 8 Gy- and 10 Gy/single fraction, 20 Gy/5 fractions, 30 Gy/10 fractions. The Bayesian hierarchical random-effect model analysis was adopted in all comparisons. The Log Odds-Ratio (LOR) statistical method for dichotomic data was adopted for analysis. Data from 3595 patients were analysed. The mean follow-up was 9.5 (1 to 28) months. The cumulative mean age was 63.3 ± 2.9. 40.61% (1461 of 3595 patients) were female. The 8Gy/single fraction protocol detected reduced rate of “no pain response” (LOR 3.39), greater rate of “pain response” (LOR-5.88) and complete pain remission (LOR-7.05) compared to the other dose patterns. The 8Gy group detected a lower rate of pathological fractures (LOR 1.16), spinal cord compression (LOR 1.31) and re-irradiation (LOR 2.97) compared to the other dose patterns. Palliative 8Gy/single fraction radiotherapy for skeletal metastases shows outstanding results in terms of pain control, re-irradiations, pathological fractures and spinal cord compression, with no differences in terms of survivorship compared to the other multiple dose patterns.
Level of evidence
: I, Bayesian network meta-analysis of RCTs.
Introduction
After the first patellar dislocation, most patients report damage of the medio-patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) and surgical reconstruction is required. The purpose of this study is to ...systematically review current evidence and to clarify the role of the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons as graft for isolated MPFL reconstruction.
Materials and methods
The present systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. The literature search was conducted in October 2019. All clinical trials using the semitendinosus and/or gracilis tendon grafts for isolated MPFL reconstruction in patients with patellofemoral instability were considered for inclusion. Only articles reporting a minimum of 12-month follow-up were considered. The PEDro score was used for the methodological quality assessment.
Results
Data from 1491 procedures were collected. The mean follow-up was 36.12 months. There was comparability among the patient baseline. All the scores of interests (Kujala, Tegner, Lysholm) and range of motion scored better in the semitendinosus group. Moreover, in favour of the semitendinosus group, a statistically significant reduction of the revision surgeries and re-dislocations were evidenced. Apprehension test and persistent instability sensation found any statistical correlations.
Conclusion
Isolated MPFL reconstruction through semitendinosus tendon graft performed better than the gracilis in selected patients suffering from recurrent patellofemoral instability.
Introduction
Hemiarthroplasty is commonly performed to treat femoral neck fractures. Still, there is a lack of consensus concerning the best component for hemiarthroplasty: unipolar and bipolar ...implants. Last meta-analysis on this topic is outdated, and an update of current evidences is required. The purpose of this study is to conduct a meta-analysis comparing the unipolar versus bipolar implants for hemiarthroplasty, focusing on the clinical scores, perioperative data, further complications and mortality rate.
Materials and methods
In September 2019, the main databases were accessed: all the clinical trials comparing unipolar versus bipolar hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures were considered for inclusion. For the methodological quality assessment, we referred to the PEDro score. For the statistical analysis, we referred to the Review Manager 5.3 (The Nordic Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen). For implant survivorship, we referred to the STATA/MP software version 14.1 (StataCorp, College Station, Texas).
Results
A total of 27 articles were considered for inclusion, consisting of 16 randomized and 11 non-randomized clinical trials. A total of 4511 patients were enrolled, undergoing a mean 21.26 months follow-up. A statistically significant reduction in the acetabular erosion was observed in the bipolar group (OR 3.16,
P
< 0.0001). Although statistically insignificant, the bipolar group reported a reduction in the mean Harris hip score, reduced surgical duration and hospitalization, reduced dislocation and revisions rate. Concerning the mortality, a reduction across all the follow-ups in favor of the bipolar group was detected, but without statistically significance.
Conclusions
This meta-analysis evidenced a reduction in the acetabular erosion after bipolar hemiarthroplasty compared to the unipolar implants. Any statistically significant difference concerning the other endpoints of interest was detected. Current evidence concerning this topic are controversial, and further randomized clinical trials are required.
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