Gerrit Steffen Maier

Is There an Epidemic Vitamin D Deficiency in German Orthopaedic Patients

BackgroundVitamin D plays an essential role in bone health and muscle function. Some studies have shown a widespread rate of vitamin D deficiency in the general population, but few have reported on the vitamin D status of orthopaedic patients.Questions/purposesWe investigated (1) the extent of hypovitaminosis D in orthopaedic patients, (2) seasonal variations in vitamin D levels, and (3) possible risk factors for insufficient vitamin D levels.MethodsVitamin D levels in 1119 patients consecutively admitted to an orthopaedic surgery department in 2011 were measured. To investigate the correlation between climate factors and vitamin D levels, the sunshine hours for each month in 2011 were collected by Deutscher Wetterdienst (the German weather service) in the region where most tested patients lived. The prevalence of normal (> 30 ng/mL), insufficient (20–30 ng/mL), and deficient (< 20 ng/mL) 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels was determined. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess risk factors for insufficient vitamin D levels.ResultsOverall, 84% of patients had insufficient levels of vitamin D and 60% were vitamin D deficient. Only 15% were in the target range of 30 to 60 ng/mL. The prevalence of low vitamin D levels was greater during winter and months with fewer sunshine hours. Vitamin D levels did not vary according to age, sex, and disease. Individuals with obesity, hypertension, and osteoporosis were more likely to have low vitamin D levels compared with their healthy counterparts.ConclusionsThere is an alarmingly high rate of hypovitaminosis D and vitamin D deficiency among orthopaedic patients in this region of Germany, whose latitude (50° N) is approximately the same as those of Vancouver (49°, 15’ N) and Paris (48°, 51’ N). Given the well-known effects on bone metabolism and muscle health, low vitamin D levels may negatively affect patients. Screening and treating hypovitaminosis D appears to be important in this patient population.Level of EvidenceLevel II, prognostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with vertebral fragility fractures

Hypovitaminosis D has been identified as a common risk factor for fragility fractures and poor fracture healing. Epidemiological data on vitamin D deficiency have been gathered in various populations, but the association between vertebral fragility fractures and hypovitaminosis D, especially in males, remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D) in patients presenting with vertebral fragility fractures and to determine whether patients with a vertebral fracture were at greater risk of hypovitaminosis D than a control population. Furthermore, we studied the seasonal variations in the serum vitamin D levels of tested patients in order to clarify the relationship between other known risk factors for osteoporosis and vitamin D levels. We measured the serum 25-OH D levels of 246 patients admitted with vertebral fractures (105 men, 141 female, mean age 69 years, sd 8.5), and in 392 orthopaedic patients with back pain and no fractures (219 men, 173 female, mean age 63 years, sd 11) to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency. Statistical analysis found a significant difference in vitamin D levels between patients with vertebral fragility fracture and the control group (p = 0.036). In addition, there was a significant main effect of the tested variables: obesity (p < 0.001), nicotine abuse (p = 0.002) and diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001). No statistical difference was found between vitamin D levels and gender (p = 0.34). Vitamin D insufficiency was shown to be a risk factor for vertebral fragility fractures in both men and women.

Risk factors for pelvic insufficiency fractures and outcome after conservative therapy

PURPOSE The prevalence of osteoporosis has continuously increased over the past decades and it is set to increase substantially as life expectancy rises steadily. Fragility or osteoporotic fractures of the pelvis often occur after low energy falls e.g. from standing, however, some patients present with assumed insufficiency fractures of the pelvis without a previous trauma. Osteoporotic fractures impose a tremendous economic burden and these fractures deserve attention as they lead to a decrease in mobility with an increase in dependency and are associated with a high rate of mortality. To date, little is known about potential risk factors for pelvic insufficiency fractures. Furthermore, information on clinical outcome is scarce. In view of this rather limited knowledge, we aimed to identify potential risk factors for pelvic insufficiency fractures and to collect information on their short- and long-term outcomes. METHODS Files of all consecutive patients admitted between January 2010 and December 2013 for a pelvic insufficiency fracture were enrolled in this study. Pelvic fractures that occurred on tumorous bone or after high-energy trauma were excluded. Fractures of the pelvis included all pelvic bones except the coccyx. For all patients, we recorded clinical and biological parameters available from their medical history. For comparison, the same biological and clinical parameters were evaluated in an age matched control group of 1083 patients aged over 70 who were admitted to our orthopaedic department to undergo knee or hip arthroplasty. The statistical analyses used or Fisher test for percentages comparison, 2-tailed t-tests and Mann Whitney for mean comparison. To determine what factors are predictors and what factors are confounders of pelvic insufficiency fractures, multivariate linear regression analysis using the fracture as a continuous variable was performed. RESULTS Ninety-three patients with a pelvic insufficiency fracture were identified. Following the Rommens and Hofmann classification for fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP), 51 were FFP Type Ia, 26 were FFP Type IIb lesions and 26 were FFP Type IIc. Osteoporosis was found to be significantly associated with pelvic insufficiency fractures (p=0.003), as was hypertension (p=0.036), diabetes (p=0.021), vitamin D deficiency (p=0.004), hypocalcaemia (p=0.002) and nicotine abuse (p=0.0012) after adjustment for possible confounders in the multivariate linear regression analysis. Comparing the autonomous state before and after pelvic fracture, a high loss of autonomy was observed. Patients needing daily assistance nearly doubled their number. Overall mortality was high (20%). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, this study showed multiple risk factors for pelvic insufficiency fractures. Some, like vitamin D deficiency, can benefit easy preventive measures. Outcome of conservative therapy is poor, with loss of social and physical independence and autonomy. The mortality rate is high. Efforts should be made in preventing pelvic insufficiency fractures. All patients should be treated for the severe osteoporosis being associated with these fracture type.

In vitro elution characteristics of gentamicin and vancomycin from synthetic bone graft substitutes.

Objects: Beta tricalciumphosphate pellets loaded with individualized antibiotics may represent novel options in the treatment of osteomyelitis and infectious bone disease. Here, the in vitro antibiotic elution of vancomycin and gentamicin from the synthetic bone graft substitutes Cerasorb® and Cerasorb M® was tested. Methods: Antibiotic elution and concentration of gentamcin and vancomycin were measured using photometrically-based measurement and homogeneous particle-enhanced turbidimetric inhibition immunoassays (PETINIA). Results: Initially both materials showed a high release of the loaded antibiotics, with Cerasorb M® showing lower release levels for gentamicin and vancomycin than Cerasorb®. Gentamicin concentrations of Cerasorb M granules and Cerasorb were below the minimum detectiontreshold until day four and six of the experiment respectively. The vancomycin release-level followed a similar pattern, although the vancomycin concentration eluted by Cerasorb M® granules stayed above the detection threshold during the experimental time. Conclusions: Cerasorb® and Cersorb M® may represent a new treatment option in osteomyelitis and infectious bone disease.

Ibandronate: The loading dose concept in the treatment of metastatic bone pain.

Background/Aim Severe bone pain is experienced by 60–80% of patients with metastatic bone disease, and has a profound impact on quality of life. Therefore, effective pain relief is an important goal in managing metastatic bone disease. Orthopedic surgeons are often challenged with patients presenting with newly diagnosed bone metastases and severe and disabling bone pain. It is important to provide fast and sufficient analgesia. Clinical trials have demonstrated that bisphosphonates reduce effectively and sustained bone pain by approved standard dosage over time. Open label prospective trials have shown that short time high dose i.v. Ibandronate is effective in rapid pain relief in different primary tumors. Patients and methods In 33 patients with metastatic bone pain from newly diagnosed skeletal metastases we utilized the loading-dose concept for intravenous ibandronate (6 mg infused over 1 h on 3 consecutive days). Results In 33 patients loading-dose ibandronate therapy significantly reduced bone pain within the first 5–7 days (VAS day 0: 6–8 vs. day 7: 3–4). Only 3 patients showed no response concerning a distinct pain reduction within the first days of therapy. There was no increase in pain medication. Conclusion This clinical observational study in selected patients with severe metastatic bone pain undergoing an intensive high dosed ibandronate-therapy for a short period demonstrated that loading-dose ibandronate (6 mg i.v., 3 consecutive days) resulted in a reduction of pain within days.

The role of soft-tissue traction forces in bone segment transport for callus distraction A force measurement cadaver study on eight human femora using a novel intramedullary callus distraction system

Abstract Callus distraction using bone segment transport systems is an applied process in the treatment of bone defects. However, complications such as muscle contractures, axial deviation and pin track infections occur in the treatment process using the currently available devices. Since successful treatment is influenced by the applied distraction force, knowledge of the biomechanical properties of the involved soft tissues is essential to improve clinical outcome and treatment strategies. To date, little data on distraction forces and the role of soft-tissue traction forces are available. The aim of this study was to assess traction forces generated by soft tissues during bone segment transport using a novel intramedullary callus distraction system on eight human femora. For traction force measurements, bone segment transport over 60-mm femoral defects was conducted under constant load measurement using 40- and 60-mm bone segments. The required traction forces for 60-mm bone segments were higher than forces for 40-mm bone segments. This study demonstrates that soft tissues are of relevance biomechanically in bone segment transport. The size of the bone segment and the selection of the region for osteotomy are of utmost importance in defining the treatment procedure.

A novel intramedullary callus distraction system for the treatment of femoral bone defects

An intramedullary device has some advantages over external fixation in callus distraction for bone defect reconstruction. There are difficulties controlling motorized intramedullary devices and monitoring the distraction rate which may lead to poor results. The aim of this study was to design a fully implantable and non-motorized simple distraction nail for the treatment of bone defects. The fully implantable device comprises a tube-in-tube system and a wire pulling mechanism for callus distraction. For the treatment of femoral bone defects, a traction wire, attached to the device at one end, is fixed to the tibial tubercle at its other end. Flexion of the knee joint over a predetermined angle generates a traction force on the wire triggering bone segment transport. This callus distraction system was implanted into the femur of four human cadavers (total 8 femora), and bone segment transport was conducted over 60-mm defects with radiographic monitoring. All bone segments were transported reliably to the docking site. From these preliminary results, we conclude that this callus distraction system offers an alternative to the current intramedullary systems for the treatment of bone defects.

The Importance of Bone Mineral Density in Hip Arthroplasty: Results of a Survey Asking Orthopaedic Surgeons about Their Opinions and Attitudes Concerning Osteoporosis and Hip Arthroplasty.

Objective. In patients scheduled to undergo total joint arthroplasty of the hip, the bone quality around the joint affects the safety of prosthetic implantation. Bone strength is clinically assessed by measuring bone mineral density (BMD); therefore we asked if BMD is important to orthopaedic surgeons performing hip arthroplasty. Methods. In a 14-question survey, we asked about treatment patterns with respect to BMD, osteoporosis work-up, and treatment for patients with low BMD scheduled to undergo hip arthroplasty. Results. 72% of all asked orthopaedics reported to use cementless implants as a standard in hip arthroplasty. Over 60% reported that low BMD is a reason to reconsider operation strategies, but only 4% performed BMD measurement preoperatively. 26% would change their treatment strategy in case of a BMD (T-Score) between −1.5 and −2 and 40% in case of a T-score between −2 and −2.5, and 29% would change their intraoperative strategy if a T-score smaller than −2.5 was measured. Conclusion. The majority of orthopaedic surgeons who responded to the survey reported that they do not perform routine measurement of BMD before arthroplasty. However, most surgeons commented that low bone mineral density will influence their surgical plan and the implant design.

Vitamin D and the Elderly Orthopedic Patient

Abstract Vitamin D is a key player in calcium homeostasis and bone health. Beyond these well-known effects, new data suggest that vitamin D deficiency potentiates a variety of chronic disease states, including diabetes, cancer, and depression. Extremely low vitamin D levels have been associated with osteomalacia and impaired muscle function, both core elements in the field of orthopedic surgery. Good muscle function and healthy bones are essential for fast rehabilitation and positive outcome after orthopedic surgery as well, especially for elderly patients seeking good physical function. Physical function is important for the preservation of independence in daily life and for the prevention of falls, which are associated with fractures and high mortality. This review focuses on the role of vitamin D deficiency in elderly orthopedic patients.