Angel A. Martínez

Patients with pertrochanteric hip fracture may benefit from preoperative intravenous iron therapy: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND:  Patients undergoing pertrochanteric hip fracture (PHF) repair surgery often receive perioperative allogeneic blood transfusions (ABTs) to avoid the deleterious effects of anemia. Nevertheless, concerns about adverse effects of ABTs have prompted the review of transfusion practice and the search for a safer treatment of perioperative anemia.

Epidemiology of osteoporotic hip fractures in Spain

We conducted a multicentre study, divided into a retrospective and a prospective portion. The retrospective study evaluated osteoporotic hip fractures that occurred during 2002. The prospective study evaluated osteoporotic hip fractures that occurred during May 2003. The study was conducted in 77 hospitals in Spain and comprised patients 60 years of age and over. In the retrospective study we registered 13,195 hip fractures. Of the patients, 74% were women and 26% were men. The mean age was 80.7±8.4 years. The average incidence was 6.94±0.44 hip fractures per 1,000 inhabitants/year (95% CI, 6.07–7.82). In the prospective study, we registered 1,399 hip fractures. This represents a monthly incidence of 0.60±0.04 hip fractures per 1,000 inhabitants/year (95% CI, 0.51–0.69). Of the subjects, 74% were women and 26% were men. The mean age was 81.4±8.1 years. Using these data, we calculated the average annual prevalence in 2003 to be 7.20 fractures per 1,000 inhabitants. Thirty-three percent had previously suffered a hip fracture. Prior to the fracture, only 18% had received medical treatment for osteoporosis. After discharge from the hospital, only 26% were receiving pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis.RésuméNous avons conduit une étude multicentrique, divisée en une portion rétrospective et une portion prospective. L’étude rétrospective a étudiée les fractures de la hanche ostéoporotique qui se sont produites pendant l’année 2002. L’étude prospective transversale a évalué les fractures de la hanche ostéoporotique qui se sont produites pendant le mois de mai 2003. L’étude a été conduite dans 77 hôpitaux en Espagne et a inclus des patients de 60 ans et plus. Dans l’étude rétrospective nous avons enregistré 13195 fractures de la hanche. 74% étaient des femmes et 26% des hommes. L’âge moyen était 80,7±8,4 années. La fréquence moyenne était 6,94±0,44 fractures de la hanche par 1000 habitants/année (95% CI, 6,07–7,82). Dans l’étude prospective, nous avons enregistré 1399 fractures de la hanche. Cela représente une fréquence mensuelle de 0,60±0,04 fractures par 1000 habitants (95% CI, 0,51–0,69). 74% étaient des femmes et 26% des hommes. L’âge moyen était 81,4±8,1 ans. Utilisant ces données, nous avons calculé la prévalence annuelle moyenne en 2003 qui est de 7,20 fractures pour 1000 habitants. 33% avaient souffert d’une fracture de la hanche précédemment. Avant la fracture, seulement 18% avaient reçu un traitement médical contre l’ostéoporose. Après l’hospitalisation , seulement 26% avaient un traitement contre l’ostéoporose.

The treatment of proximal humerus nonunions in older patients with reverse shoulder arthroplasty

INTRODUCTION Experience with treating proximal humeral nonunions with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is limited. We report our results. PATIENTS Eighteen patients with proximal humeral atrophic nonunion were treated with reverse total shoulder prosthesis. There were 12 women and 6 men, with a mean age of 78.8 years (range, 75-84 years). The mean follow up after reverse arthroplasty was 28 months (range, 24-32 months). Extensive proximal humeral bone loss that was found in six cases was treated adding a proximal humeral allograft. A long humeral stem was always used. RESULTS The mean Constant score increased from 26% preoperatively to 55% postoperatively (p <0.0001). The average anterior elevation increased from 35° to 90° (p<0.0001), abduction from 35° to 85° (p<0.0001), external rotation from 15° to 30° (p <0.0001) and internal rotation from 25° to 55° (p <0.0001). The average subjective shoulder score increased from 10% preoperatively to 50% postoperatively (p <0.0001). All but 4 patients would undergo the same procedure again if faced with the same problem. Eight patients were very satisfied, 6 satisfied and 4 unhappy with the operation. We had one case of transitory axillary nerve palsy and two cases of infection. Two prosthetic dislocations occurred; they were successfully treated by revision with a larger polyethylene glenosphere of 44 mm. CONCLUSIONS Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty improves function and motion in patients with proximal humeral fracture sequelae. However, the rate of dislocation is high.

Extraspinal Bone Hydatidosis

BACKGROUND Bone hydatidosis caused by the tapeworm larva, Echinococcus granulosis, is rare. Extraspinal locations are even rarer. We report our experience with the treatment of twenty-six patients with extraspinal osseous hydatidosis. METHODS Between 1972 and 1998, we treated twenty-six patients with extraspinal hydatidosis. There were sixteen men and ten women, with a mean age of 51.5 years. The mean duration of follow-up was 12.8 years. The infected area was the ilium in four patients, the ilium and sacral ala in two, the ilium and hip in eight, the femoral head and the acetabular roof in five, the femoral shaft in one, the distal part of the femur in one, the femoral head in one, the scapula in two, and the ribs in two. All patients were treated with curettage or wide resection. Chemotherapy was used in all but five patients. RESULTS Nineteen patients (73%) were free of disease at the time of the last follow-up. Repeated curettage or wide resection was necessary in nine of these patients; it was required in three of the nine because of surgical wound infection and in six because of recurrence. Of the seven patients who were not free of disease at the time of the last follow-up, six had persistent chronic productive sinuses and one had a chronic wound infection. The cases involving both the ilium and the hip were the most difficult to treat. Radical surgery is difficult in this location, and numerous surgical procedures were always required. CONCLUSIONS The results of treatment of osseous hydatidosis are satisfactory only in locations where complete and wide excision is possible. In the pelvis and hip, where radical surgery is almost impossible, the results are disappointing.

Allograft reconstruction of segmental defects of the humeral head associated with posterior dislocations of the shoulder

Six men underwent operative management of defects of the humeral head involving at least 40% of the articular surface, following posterior dislocation of the humeral head. The cause of dislocation was a grand mal seizure in three and a fall in three cases. In five cases the dislocation was reduced under general anaesthesia, and in all the posterior dislocation recurred early. Time between dislocation and surgery ranged from 7 to 8 weeks. The defect in the head, revealed by CT, was filled with an allogeneic segment of humeral head contoured to restore the spherical shape. All the patients returned to their occupation 4 months later. The mean duration of follow-up was 62.6 (60-68) months. At discharge, four of the men had no complaints of pain, instability, clicking or catching; two had pain, clicking, catching and stiffness. Radiographs and CT revealed no failures of fixation or of incorporation of the allograft. In four cases the contour and volume of the graft were maintained, but in the two with a bad clinical result, flattening and collapse of the graft and osteoarthrosis were observed. If the procedure fails, prosthetic reconstruction should be simple because the skeletal anatomy has not been distorted.

Atraumatic spontaneous posterior subluxation of the sternoclavicular joint

Abstract We report a case of atraumatic spontaneous posterior subluxation of the sternoclavicular joint in a 19-year-old woman without any known underlying pathology. There was no history of injury. The patient was treated operatively using the gracilis tendon to reinforce the anterior sternoclavicular ligament. One year later the patient is asymptomatic and has returned to her usual life.

Long-Term Remodeling in Proximal Femur Around a Hydroxyapatite-Coated Anatomic Stem: Ten Years Densitometric Follow-Up

Bone remodeling after a hip arthroplasty has been quantified with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, usually for short-term follow-up. We used this technique to determine the long-term remodeling produced by a hydroxyapatite-coated, anatomic stem. Eighty patients with unilateral hip osteoarthritis were included in the study. The contralateral, healthy hip was taken as control. Bilateral dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scans were done before the surgery, at 15 days, and 1 and 10 years postoperatively. There was a decrease of bone mineral density in zones 1 and 7, which ranged from 12.2% to 27.3% at the end of the first year. There were no changes in zones 1 to 6 from the 1st to the 10th year, but there was a late decrease, up to 42.9%, in zone 7. The changes of bone mineral density promoted by this stem occurred in the first postoperative year. Late loss was seen only in area 7.

Late lower extremity fractures in patients with paraplegia

We report the result of the treatment of 26 lower limb fractures in patients with established paraplegia. We treated one fracture of the femoral neck, one intertrochanteric, two subtrochanteric, two of the femoral shaft, seven of the supracondylar region, six of the proximal tibia, one of the tibial shaft, and six pilon fractures. Nine fractures were treated non-operatively, and the remaining fractures were treated operatively. Union was achieved in all the patients, but we think that open reduction and internal fixation may improve the level of independence and mobility of these patients during fracture healing.

Good results with unreamed nail and bone grafting for humeral nonunion A retrospective study of 21 patients

21 patients with humeral shaft nonunions were treated by retrograde nailing with the unreamed humeral nail. In all cases, we reamed the fracture site and performed a bone graft. Union of the fracture occurred in every case. The mean healing time was 4.2 (4-6) months. The range of motion of the shoulder and elbow was excellent in 14 patients, that of the shoulder moderate in 6 and poor in 1, and that of the elbow moderate in 7. The functional results were excellent in 13 patients, good in 5 and fair in 3. Given the good functional results in this series, retrograde locked nailing and bone grafting appears to be a good method for treating humeral shaft nonunions.

Arthroscopic treatment for malunions of the proximal humeral greater tuberosity

The purpose of this article was to report an arthroscopic treatment method for greater tuberosity malunion. Eight patients with malunion of the greater tuberosity were treated by arthroscopic acromioplasty, detachment of rotator cuff, tuberoplasty of the greater tuberosity and repair of the rotator cuff. On the basis of the UCLA rating scale, the overall score increased from 11.1 (range 9–14) to 30.2 (range 25–35) postoperatively, with one excellent result, six good results, and one poor result. All patients had less pain than preoperatively. Full activity level was achieved in two patients, five patients had only slight functional restriction, and one patient had mild limitation in activities of daily living. Seven patients returned to their previous occupations without restrictions. One patient did not return to work because of residual upper extremity weakness. We conclude that arthroscopic tuberoplasty is a good method for the treatment of greater tuberosity malunion.