Christoph Ihle

Digital planning of high tibial osteotomy. Interrater reliability by using two different software

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to determine the interrater reliability as well as the correlation of mediCAD® and PreOPlan® in deformity analysis and digital planning of osteotomies.MethodsDigital radiographs were obtained from 81 patients planned to undergo an open wedge high tibial osteotomy. The JPEG files of the radiographs were imported to landmark-based software. Deformity analysis and planning of correction were performed by 1 experienced and 2 unexperienced observers. Osteotomy planning was aimed at correction to the predefined mechanical tibiofemoral angle of 3° valgus leg alignment. The interrater reliability of measurements was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the confidence interval.ResultsThe ICC of PreOPlan® was from 0.841 (mechanical lateral distal femur angle) to 0.993 (wedge-angle) and from 0.896 (joint line convergence angle) to 0.995 (mechanical tibiofemoral angle) of mediCAD®. The ICC of height of wedge-base was 0.979 with PreOPlan® and 0.969 with mediCAD®. Comparing PreOPlan® and mediCAD®, the ICC of the height of wedge-base of the observers was 0.966, 0.956 and 0.969, respectively.ConclusionsThe results show a high interrater reliability of digital planning software. Experience of the observer had no influence on results. Furthermore, a high interrater reliability and correlation of digital planning specific parameters was found. Surgeons need to master limb geometry measurements and osteotomy planning on digital radiographs as digital planning reports are used for intercolleagual correspondence, teaching purposes and as medicolegal documents. The digital planning software tested agrees with the actual demands and could be recommended for deformity analysis and planning of osteotomies.Level of evidenceDiagnostic studies, Level I.

Crucial Role of Vitamin D in the Musculoskeletal System

Vitamin D is well known to exert multiple functions in bone biology, autoimmune diseases, cell growth, inflammation or neuromuscular and other immune functions. It is a fat-soluble vitamin present in many foods. It can be endogenously produced by ultraviolet rays from sunlight when the skin is exposed to initiate vitamin D synthesis. However, since vitamin D is biologically inert when obtained from sun exposure or diet, it must first be activated in human beings before functioning. The kidney and the liver play here a crucial role by hydroxylation of vitamin D to 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the liver and to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in the kidney. In the past decades, it has been proven that vitamin D deficiency is involved in many diseases. Due to vitamin D’s central role in the musculoskeletal system and consequently the strong negative impact on bone health in cases of vitamin D deficiency, our aim was to underline its importance in bone physiology by summarizing recent findings on the correlation of vitamin D status and rickets, osteomalacia, osteopenia, primary and secondary osteoporosis as well as sarcopenia and musculoskeletal pain. While these diseases all positively correlate with a vitamin D deficiency, there is a great controversy regarding the appropriate vitamin D supplementation as both positive and negative effects on bone mineral density, musculoskeletal pain and incidence of falls are reported.

Factors circulating in the blood of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients affect osteoblast maturation - Description of a novel in vitro model

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most frequent metabolic disorders in industrialized countries. Among other complications, T2DM patients have an increased fracture risk and delayed fracture healing. We have demonstrated that supraphysiological glucose and insulin levels inhibit primary human osteoblasts׳ maturation. We aimed at developing a more physiologically relevant in vitro model to analyze T2DM-mediated osteoblast changes. Therefore, SCP-1-immortalized pre-osteoblasts were differentiated with T2DM or control (non-obese and obese) sera. Between both control groups, no significant changes were observed. Proliferation was significantly increased (1.69-fold), while AP activity and matrix mineralization was significantly reduced in the T2DM group. Expression levels of osteogenic marker genes and transcription factors were altered, e.g. down-regulation of RUNX2 and SP-7 or up-regulation of STAT1, in the T2DM group. Active TGF-β levels were significantly increased (1.46-fold) in T2DM patients׳ sera. SCP-1 cells treated with these sera showed significantly increased TGF-β signaling (2.47-fold). Signaling inhibition effectively restored osteoblast maturation in the T2DM group. Summarizing our data, SCP-1 cells differentiated in the presence of T2DM patients׳ serum exhibit reduced osteoblast function. Thus, this model has a high physiological impact, as it can identify circulating factors in T2DM patients׳ blood that may affect bone function, e.g. TGF-β.

[Changes of patella position after closed and open wedge high tibial osteotomy: review of the literature].

AIM High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is an established treatment for varus osteoarthritis of the knee. The correction can be achieved by lateral closed wedge HTO or medial open wedge HTO techniques. Both techniques can change the patella position which influences alignment of the patella. Patella infera may compromise the result of secondary total knee prosthesis. An analysis of the current literature was carried out focusing on changes of patella position after HTO. METHOD A literature search was performed in PubMed which identified 15 relevant publications and the Insall-Salvati-index, the Blackburne-Peel-index and the Caton-Deschamps-index were analyzed. RESULTS Results after closed wedge HTO: the Insall-Salvati-index decreased in 7 papers, increased in 3 papers and was unchanged in 1 paper. The Blackburne-Peel-index increased in 5 papers and decreased in 2. The Caton-Deschamps-index decreased in 4 papers and increased in 2 papers. Results after open wedge HTO: the InsalI-Salvati-index decreased in 5 papers and increased in 2. The Blackburne-Peel-index decreased in all 7 papers and the Caton-Deschamps-index decreased in all 5 papers. The results of these studies vary significantly and there was a tendency to patella infera in both techniques. The Blackburne-Peel-index and the Caton-Deschamps-index may be biased by slope changes but the exact effect is not yet known. The Insall-Salvati-index seems to be independent of slope changes. The effect of different rehabilitation concepts on patella height is not known. CONCLUSION The clinical relevance of the observed changes in patella position must be clarified by prospective studies with strict criteria.

Veränderung der Patellahöhe nach „open“- und „closed wedge high tibial osteotomy“

AIM High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is an established treatment for varus osteoarthritis of the knee. The correction can be achieved by lateral closed wedge HTO or medial open wedge HTO techniques. Both techniques can change the patella position which influences alignment of the patella. Patella infera may compromise the result of secondary total knee prosthesis. An analysis of the current literature was carried out focusing on changes of patella position after HTO. METHOD A literature search was performed in PubMed which identified 15 relevant publications and the Insall-Salvati-index, the Blackburne-Peel-index and the Caton-Deschamps-index were analyzed. RESULTS Results after closed wedge HTO: the Insall-Salvati-index decreased in 7 papers, increased in 3 papers and was unchanged in 1 paper. The Blackburne-Peel-index increased in 5 papers and decreased in 2. The Caton-Deschamps-index decreased in 4 papers and increased in 2 papers. Results after open wedge HTO: the InsalI-Salvati-index decreased in 5 papers and increased in 2. The Blackburne-Peel-index decreased in all 7 papers and the Caton-Deschamps-index decreased in all 5 papers. The results of these studies vary significantly and there was a tendency to patella infera in both techniques. The Blackburne-Peel-index and the Caton-Deschamps-index may be biased by slope changes but the exact effect is not yet known. The Insall-Salvati-index seems to be independent of slope changes. The effect of different rehabilitation concepts on patella height is not known. CONCLUSION The clinical relevance of the observed changes in patella position must be clarified by prospective studies with strict criteria.

Malnutrition – An underestimated factor in the inpatient treatment of traumatology and orthopedic patients: A prospective evaluation of 1055 patients

INTRODUCTION Suboptimal nutritional status is often observed among hospitalized patients across all medical specialties. The objective of the present study was to (1) analyze the prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized orthopedic and trauma patients and (2) to evaluate the relationship between malnutrition and selected clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS The prospective field study was conducted between 06/2014 and 06/2015 in a German level I trauma center (Department of Traumatology, Septic Trauma Surgery and Arthroplasty) with a total number of 1055 patients. At hospital admission, patients were checked for malnutrition using the validated Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS). Patients at risk for malnutrition were defined as NRS≥3. Quality of life (SF-36) was assessed to evaluate the physical and mental health status prior to hospitalization. Clinical outcomes under consideration included 1) rate of adverse events, 2) length of hospitalization, and 3) mobilization after operative and conservative treatment. Patients were included independently of surgical intervention or age. RESULTS 22.3% (235) of our patients were at risk for malnutrition (NRS≥3) while a regular nutritional status (NRS<3) was diagnosed in 77.7% (819). The highest prevalence of malnutrition was found in Septic Surgery with 31.0% (106), followed by Traumatology with 19.2% (100) and Arthroplasty with 15.1% (29). Higher prevalence of malnutrition was observed among patients with typical fractures of the elderly, such as lumbar spine and pelvis (47.4%), proximal femur (36.4%) and proximal humeral (26.7%) fractures. Furthermore, patients at risk for malnutrition showed prolonged hospitalization (13.7±11.1 vs. 18.2±11.7days), delayed postoperative mobilization (2.2±2.9 vs. 4.0±4.9days) and delayed mobilization after conservative treatment (1.1±2.7 vs. 1.8±1.9days). A statistically significant correlation of NRS with each parameter (Spearmans rank correlation, p<0.05) was observed. The incidence of adverse events in patients at risk for malnutrition was statistically significantly higher compared to that of patients with a regular nutritional status (37.2% vs. 21.1%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Malnutrition is widespread regarding hospitalized patients in the field of orthopedic and trauma surgery and results in suboptimal clinical outcome. It should be considered as an important factor that significantly contributes to delayed recovery. Especially elderly trauma patients and patients suffering from postoperative infections should be monitored carefully during hospitalization.

Increased Oxidative Stress Response in Granulocytes from Older Patients with a Hip Fracture May Account for Slow Regeneration

Proximal femur fracture, a typical fracture of the elderly, is often associated with morbidity, reduced quality of life, impaired physical function and increased mortality. There exists evidence that responses of the hematopoietic microenvironment to fractures change with age. Therefore, we investigated oxidative stress markers and oxidative stress-related MAPK activation in granulocytes from the young and the elderly with and without fractured long bones. Lipid peroxidation levels were increased in the elderly controls and patients. Aged granulocytes were more sensitive towards oxidative stress induced damage than young granulocytes. This might be due to the basally increased expression of SOD-1 in the elderly, which was not further induced by fractures, as observed in young patients. This might be caused by an altered MAPK activation. In aged granulocytes basal p38 and JNK activities were increased and basal ERK1/2 activity was decreased. Following fracture, JNK activity decreased, while ERK1/2 and p38 activities increased in both age groups. Control experiments with HL60 cells revealed that the observed p38 activation depends strongly on age. Summarizing, we observed age-dependent changes in the oxidative stress response system of granulocytes after fractures, for example, altered MAPK activation and SOD-1 expression. This makes aged granulocytes vulnerable to the stress stimuli of the fracture and following surgery.

Die Fraktur der Gegenkortikalis bei der aufklappenden Osteotomie des Tibiakopfes

BACKGROUND Open wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) is an increasingly more common surgical method. A typical problem of this procedure is fracture of the lateral hinge. OBJECTIVES The aims of this article are to present the special issue of fractures of the lateral hinge after HTO and to discuss surgical hints on how to prevent and treat this problem. METHODS The results of recently published clinical studies are summarized and tips from own clinical experiences are given. RESULTS Type II fractures of the lateral hinge are unstable and can create a major problem. Using short spacer plates results in a problem of stability for all types of fractures. CONCLUSION The classification into Takeuchi grades I-III has been proven to be suitable for fractures of the lateral hinge. The TomoFix plate is a safe implant to stabilize the osteotomy in type I and III fractures with which healing can be achieved with no problems. Type II fractures can be stabilized with the TomoFix plate; however, an autologous bone graft has to be taken into consideration. For fractures of the lateral hinge short spacer plates are not recommended due to stability issues.

Lateral hinge fractures in open wedge high tibial osteotomy

BACKGROUND Open wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) is an increasingly more common surgical method. A typical problem of this procedure is fracture of the lateral hinge. OBJECTIVES The aims of this article are to present the special issue of fractures of the lateral hinge after HTO and to discuss surgical hints on how to prevent and treat this problem. METHODS The results of recently published clinical studies are summarized and tips from own clinical experiences are given. RESULTS Type II fractures of the lateral hinge are unstable and can create a major problem. Using short spacer plates results in a problem of stability for all types of fractures. CONCLUSION The classification into Takeuchi grades I-III has been proven to be suitable for fractures of the lateral hinge. The TomoFix plate is a safe implant to stabilize the osteotomy in type I and III fractures with which healing can be achieved with no problems. Type II fractures can be stabilized with the TomoFix plate; however, an autologous bone graft has to be taken into consideration. For fractures of the lateral hinge short spacer plates are not recommended due to stability issues.

Komplikationen in der Behandlung periprothetischer Frakturen bei einliegender Knietotalendoprothese – eine klinisch-radiologische Outcome-Analyse

Background The incidence of periprosthetic fractures associated with total knee arthroplasty (PpFxK) has been reported to be 0.3 – 5.5%. 40% of all cases are related to revision TKA. The most common localisation is the distal femur. Classification is performed according to Rorabeck (RB). RB I – II fractures are usually treated with locked plating and retrograde intramedullary nailing, whereas RB III fractures are an indication for revision arthroplasty using a hinged endoprosthesis. PpFxK of the patella can be classified according to Goldberg and PpFxK of the proximal tibia can be grouped as in Felix. Interprosthetic fractures can be regarded as a special type of PpFx. Due to the increasing numbers of TKA being performed, increasing numbers of adverse events in arthroplasty can be expected. Adverse events in the treatment of PpFxK occur in up to 41% of patients according to the literature and revision is needed in approximately 29% of all cases. Risk factors are age, osteoporosis, infection, malalignment, osteolysis/loosening of the implant and status post revision. Patients A clinical and radiographic follow-up was performed with 50 patients (14 men, 36 women) treated for PpFxK of the femur, tibia and patella between 2011 and 2015 at the department of arthroplasty at a level 1 trauma center in Europe. Results The follow-up of all patients was 68%, with an average of 19.1 ± 14.6 (1 – 49) months between PpFxK and clinical follow-up. 16% of the patients were allocated for further treatment or revision surgery from other hospitals. The patientsʼ median age was 78.0 ± 8.8 (55 – 94) years. Most patients were affected by several orthopaedic and internal medical comorbidities. PpFxK classified as RB II were the most common fractures (60%, n = 30). PpFxK usually occurred 5.0 ± 4.8 (0 – 20) years after index TKA (primary or revision TKA), mostly in patients with CR-retaining endoprosthesis, whereas PpFxK according to Felix occurred significantly earlier and mostly in hinged TKAs. Patients achieved on average a mean Oxford Knee Score of 31.1 ± 9.9 (14 – 46) points. The functional Knee Society Score (KSS) was 52.6 ± 24.4 (20 – 100) and the mean KSS was 58.7 ± 26.8 (0 – 99) points (n = 25). Radiographic evaluation of the RB I – II patients showed frontal and sagittal malalignment in 20.6% of all cases after reduction and plate fixation. The overall rate of surgical adverse events was 50%; 44% of all RB patients needed revision surgery. Adverse events comprised non-union, failure of osteosynthesis, infection, wound healing disorders and re-fractures in the RB II and the Felix subgroup. Conclusion PpFxK are severe injuries and are associated with a high rate of adverse events related to treatment. Patients often have a complex background and a history of revision surgery or periprosthetic joint infection. The treatment of PpFxK should therefore take place at a centre with expertise in traumatology as well as in revision arthroplasty. Preoperative infection diagnostic testing as well as adequate imaging (X-rays and CT) are essential. We furthermore advise early evaluation of revision arthroplasty, especially in elderly patients suffering from PpFxK with insufficient bone quality around the TKA and closeness between fracture and TKA. In the case of plate fixation, it is important to give attention to correct reduction – to prevent non-union, loosening of the implant and failure of the osteosynthesis – as well as to consider double plating.