Giulia Raffaella Mosele

Treatment of Early Hip Osteoarthritis: Ultrasound-Guided Platelet Rich Plasma versus Hyaluronic Acid Injections in a Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose  The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided intra-articular injections of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) versus hyaluronic acid (HA) for symptomatic early osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip. Methods  A prospective controlled double-blinded randomized trial on 80 patients with hip OA was conducted. The patients were divided in two groups of 40 patients each: group 1 underwent three PRP intra-articular ultrasound-guided injections, whereas group 2 underwent three HA injections. WOMAC, VAS, and Harris Hip Score were evaluated for both groups before and at 6 and 12 months after treatment. Results  The two groups were comparable in age, sex, body mass index, and severity of hip OA. Both groups showed a significant improvement from baseline at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups for all the outcome measures. No major complications were observed during the treatment and at follow-ups in both the groups. Conclusion  PRP did not offer significantly better results compared with HA in patients with moderate signs of OA, and thus it should not be considered as first-line treatment. Level of Evidence  Level II, randomized controlled trial.

Safety and effectiveness of teriparatide vs alendronate in postmenopausal osteoporosis: a prospective non randomized clinical study

In this work we study the safety and effectiveness of teriparatide and alendronate in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis at high risk of fracture; it was a double-blinded and it was done by examining the comparisons between teriparatide 20 μg/day and alendronate 10 mg/day. Safety and effectiveness analyses were based on data from 355 woman with a mean age of 68 years. Two groups (A and B) with T-score ≤-2.5 at bone mineral density were analyzed and 3 or more vertebral fractures on radiograph. Group A: was treated with teriparatide 20 μg/day and composed from 182 women, in post-menopausal age, without a history of cancer. Group B: was treated with alendronate 10 mg/day composed from 173 women, postmenopausal age, with previous history of cancer (non-active during the study). Clinical evaluations were on bone turnover markers (alkaline phosphatase, procollagene type 1 N-terminal propeptide, and N-telopeptide cross-links), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and health-related quality of life (HrQoL). Safety was assessed by reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The results of this study imply that teriparatide comparated with alendronate has a favorable safety profile and is effective in the treatment of patients with osteoporosis at high risk of fracture.

New Techniques and MIS: The XLIF Technique

Over the past decade, the minimally disruptive lateral transpsoas approach for lumbar interbody fusion (XLIF, DLIF, or LLIF) is increasingly being used as a valid alternative to conventional surgical approaches.

Anterior decompression and plate fixation in treatment of cervical myelopathy: A multicentric retrospective review

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the results on anterior decompression and fusion with titanium mesh or expanding cage and plate fixation in patients with cervical myelopathy. Methods We conducted a retrospective multicentric review of 114 patients, 75 males and 39 females, with cervical myelopathy who underwent surgical treatment between July 2009 to December 2011. All surgeries were performed via a ventral approach. Based on the type of surgery the patients received, they were divided into 3 groups: group 1 consisted of 49 patients who received multilevel corpectomies and fusion with strut iliac bone graft and plates; group 2 consisted of 26 patients who received multilevel corpectomies and fusion with titanium expanding cage and plating; group 3 consisted of 39 patients who received multilevel corpectomies and fusion using titanium mesh with autologous bone graft and anterior plating. Results Decompression of the cervical spinal cord and grafting with plate fixation via a ventral approach demonstrated a high rate of improvement in neurological function with minimal complications. Fusion was documented radiologically in all cases. Eighty-three patients experienced a partial improvement and 41 had a complete recovery according to Nuricks myelopathy grading. Sixty-two patients were ranked as excellent, 48 as good, 4 as fair; unsatisfactory outcome was related to donor site complications. Conclusion Spinal decompression and fusion with titanium cages and plates appears to be a safe and effective alternative in patients with cervical spinal myelopathy. Level of evidence Level IV, therapeutic study.

Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study on 943 Cases in Sardinian People

Purpose  To evaluate the prevalence of adhesive capsulitis (AC) of the shoulder in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in Sardinia. Methods  In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 943 patients with T1DM attending the division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University Hospital in Sassari, Italy. The criteria for diagnosing AC were: pain for at least 1 month, inability to lie on the affected shoulder, and restricted active and passive shoulder joint movements in at least three planes. Age, gender, duration of DM, blood pressure, and presence of neuropathy and retinopathy were noted. Metabolic control of DM was evaluated with glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (GHbA1c) blood concentrations. Results  AC was diagnosed in 331 patients (prevalence: 35.1%). Age, duration of DM, high blood pressure levels, and the presence of neuropathy and retinopathy were significantly associated with AC. No significant association was observed between gender and AC. There was no significant difference in mean levels of GHbA1c in T1DM patients with or without AC. Conclusion  This study shows that AC of the shoulder is a common disorder in patients with T1DM in Sardinia. It is significantly associated with age, duration of DM, and related complications. Level of Evidence  Level IV, observational cross-sectional study.