Kyriakos A. Papavasiliou

Efficacy of Steroid and Nonsteroid Caudal Epidural Injections for Low Back Pain and Sciatica: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind Clinical Trial

Study Design. Prospective, double-blind, randomized, case-control study. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of caudal epidural injections (CEI) containing steroid versus nonsteroid preparations when treating patients suffering from low back pain (LBP) and sciatica. Summary of Background Data. Literature seems to be deprived of well-designed randomized, controlled studies that evaluate the effectiveness of CEI in the treatment of chronic LBP; hence the value of CEI remains still the subject of controversy. Methods. Patients suffering from severe chronic LBP and sciatica were randomly allocated into 2 groups. Steroid-group’s patients (n = 93) underwent CEI containing 12 mL of xylocaine 2% and 1 mL of betamethasone dipropionate and betamethasone phosphate (2 + 5) mg/dL. Water for Injection (WFI)-group’s patients (n = 90) underwent CEI containing 12 mL of xylocaine 2% and 8 mL of WFI. Both groups were statistically comparable as far as their demographic data and the cause and duration of symptoms were concerned. Patients answered the Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire and underwent physical examination, before and at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year following the CEI. Results. Symptoms improved in 132 patients (72.1%) following CEI. The mean Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire score of steroid-group’s patients was statistically significant lower than that of the WFI-group at all postinjection re-evaluations. Patients receiving steroid CEI experienced faster relief during the first postinjection week. The Straight Leg Rising test improved in both groups following CEI; this improvement was faster among steroid-group’s patients. Fifty-one patients (27.8%), noticed no improvement 1 week post-CEI and underwent a second CEI (with the same preparation) 7 to 14 days later. Nineteen of them reported improvement; 32 (steroid-group:13, WFI-group:19) did not respond well and underwent operative decompression (n = 15) or spinal fusion (n = 17). Conclusion. CEI containing local anesthetic and steroids or WFI seems to be effective when treating patients with LBP and sciatica. CEI containing steroid preparations demonstrated better and faster efficacy.

Radial head replacement with the MoPyC pyrocarbon prosthesis

BACKGROUND Radial head fractures often pose therapeutic dilemmas. We present the early results of patients who underwent radial head replacement with the MoPyC prosthesis (Bioprofile, Tornier, Saint-Ismier, France). MATERIALS AND METHODS We re-evaluated patients who underwent post-traumatic radial head resection and implantation of the MoPyC prosthesis due to pain and motion restriction. All patients underwent radiographic evaluation. Clinical evaluation was performed using the Broberg-Morrey and the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) scales. RESULTS Thirty-two patients (20 men, 12 women; mean age, 54 years; 22 dominant upper limbs) were evaluated. Twenty had a comminuted radial head fracture (Mason IV, 15; Mason III, 5), 2 from radial head fracture malunion, and 10 had complex elbow injuries (comminuted radial head fractures with ligamentous ruptures with or without coronoid process fractures). Mean follow-up was 27 months (range, 21-46 months). The mean results at the latest follow-up were flexion-extension, 130° (range, 105°-150°); pronation, 74° (range, 60°-80°); and supination, 72° (range, 60°-80°). No laxity was evident during valgus and varus stress tests. Mean grip strength was 96% of the contralateral side. Broberg-Morrey scores were excellent in 33%, good in 44%, and fair in 23%. MEPS results were excellent in 80%, good in 17%, and fair in 3%. There were 6 cases of periprosthetic lucencies or osteolysis of the radius without any clinical signs of loosening. CONCLUSIONS Radial head replacement with the MoPyC pyrocarbon prosthesis (when performed in carefully selected patients) yields satisfactory results regarding range of motion and function of the elbow joint.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and exercising: is there truly a liaison?

Study Design. Cross-sectional observational study. Objective. Evaluation and comparison of the prevalence of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) among 2 groups of patients (athletes and nonathletes) to determine whether athletic activities are related to the development of AIS. Summary of Background Data. The potential association between AIS and exercising remains uncertain. The latter has often been considered as a therapeutic means and a causative factor of the former. Methods. A group of 2387 adolescents (boys: 1177, girls: 1210, mean age: 13.4 years) was evaluated. All completed a questionnaire concerning personal, somatometric, and secondary sex characteristics, type, duration and character of daily-performed physical activities, and existing cases of AIS among relatives. Patients were classified into 2 groups according to their answers; “athletes” and “nonathletes.” The groups were comparable as far as age, height, weight, onset of menstruation, family history of scoliosis, and side of handedness were concerned. Children underwent physical examination by 3 orthopedic surgeons who were unaware of their level of athletic activities. Children considered, by all, to be suspicious of suffering from scoliosis, underwent further radiographic evaluation. Results. In 99 cases (athletes: 48, nonathletes: 51), AIS was radiographically confirmed (Cobb angle >10°). No statistically significant difference was found between athlete and nonathlete adolescents (P = 0.842), athlete and nonathlete boys (P = 0.757), and athlete and nonathlete girls (P = 0.705), as far as the prevalence of AIS was concerned. The mean value of the Cobb angle of the main scoliotic curve was not statistically different between male athletes and nonathletes (P = 0.45) and female athletes and nonathletes (P = 0.707). With the Cobb threshold reset at 20°, no statistically significant differences were detected either. Conclusion. Our results demonstrate that systematic exercising is probably not associated with the development of AIS. Actively participating in sports activities doesn’t seem to affect the degree of the main scoliotic curve either.

Effects of Teriparatide Compared with Risedronate on Recovery After Pertrochanteric Hip Fracture: Results of a Randomized, Active-controlled, Double-blind Clinical Trial at 26 Weeks

BACKGROUND Osteoporosis drugs might affect fracture-healing. We therefore studied the effects of teriparatide in comparison with risedronate on recovery after pertrochanteric hip fractures. METHODS The study was a randomized, multicenter, active-controlled, 78-week trial comparing teriparatide (20 μg/day) with risedronate (35 mg/week) initiated within 2 weeks after fixation of a low-trauma pertrochanteric hip fracture (AO/OTA 31-A1 or 31-A2). The main inclusion criteria were a bone mineral density T-score of ≤-2.0 and 25-OH-vitamin D of ≥9.2 ng/mL. During the first 26 weeks, patients received study medication with oral or injectable placebo plus calcium and vitamin D in a double-blinded fashion. Secondary (Timed Up-and-Go [TUG] test, hip pain, Short Form [SF]-36 health status, and safety) and exploratory (radiographic outcomes and ability to walk) 26-week end points are reported. RESULTS Of the 224 patients who were randomized, 171 (86 teriparatide, 85 risedronate) were included in the analysis. The mean age was 77 ± 8 years, 77% were female, and 26% had a prior history of low-trauma fracture. The teriparatide group completed the TUG test in a shorter time at 6, 12, 18, and 26 weeks (differences of -5.7, -4.4, -3.1, and -3.1 seconds, respectively; p = 0.021 for the overall difference). They also reported less pain on a visual analog scale immediately after the TUG test at 12 and 18 weeks (adjusted absolute differences of 10.6 and 11.9 mm, respectively; p < 0.05). There were no significant between-group differences in the SF-36 score, Charnley hip pain score, ability to walk, or use of walking aids during follow-up. Radiographic healing at 6, 12, and 26 weeks, mechanical failure of the implant (teriparatide, 7; risedronate, 8), loss of reduction (teriparatide, 2; risedronate, 4), and nonunion (0 cases) were not significantly different. Mild hypercalcemia and hyperuricemia were more frequent with teriparatide. CONCLUSIONS Teriparatide was associated with less pain and a shorter time to complete the TUG test between 6 and 26 weeks compared with risedronate. Other fracture-recovery outcomes were similar. The results should be interpreted with caution as these were secondary end points. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Management of traumatic sacral fractures: A retrospective case-series study and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Being the result of high-energy trauma in most cases, traumatic sacral fractures are rare, difficult to recognise and frequently misdiagnosed. Furthermore they may lead to vascular injuries, mechanical instability, neurological impairment and increased morbidity. As a result, patients with traumatic sacral fractures may suffer major socio-economic consequences. OBJECTIVE This retrospective case-series study evaluated the functional, neurological, mental and emotional status of patients who had suffered traumatic sacral fractures and either followed conservative or underwent operative treatment at our department. PATIENTS AND METHODS We evaluated the clinical and radiographic results of all patients who had suffered traumatic sacral fractures between December 2003 and June 2007. The case-notes of all patients were reviewed, all co-existing injuries were registered and an ISS was calculated for each patient. At the latest follow-up visit, all patients completed the Short Form-36 questionnaire as well. RESULTS Sixteen patients (eleven male, five female) were included in this study. At the time of initial admission, the mean age of the patients was 30 years (range: 14-53) and the mean ISS was 33.2 points (range: 21-59). The mean follow-up period was 24.1 months (range: 13-40). Six patients were treated operatively (four patients diagnosed with some type of neurological impairment at their initial physical examination and two patients due to pelvic instability). The mean ISS of the patients who were treated operatively was 41.1 points (range: 21-59), whereas of those who were treated conservatively was 28.5 points (range: 21-45). No patient had any neurological deficit at his/her latest re-evaluation. Patients who were treated conservatively achieved the best scores in every domain of the SF-36 questionnaire, when compared with those who were treated operatively. CONCLUSION The diagnosis and management of sacral fractures may pose several dilemmas in everydays clinical praxis. Patients suffering from traumatic sacral fractures who were treated conservatively seem to have better functional and mental/emotional outcomes, probably because their injuries were less severe than those of the patients who were treated conservatively.

Recurrent Spontaneous Hemarthrosis After Total Knee Arthroplasty Successfully Treated with Synoviorthesis

A case of spontaneous recurrent hemarthrosis--due to developed hypertrophied synovium--after total knee arthroplasty is reported. The patient was successfully treated with radiosynovectomy. The first hemorrhage occurred 18 months after the total knee arthroplasty. Several similar episodes followed over a period of 4 years. Because conservative treatment failed to control the bleeding, an arthroscopic lavage was performed, which revealed the existence of proliferative synovium. A significant part of the hypertrophic tissue was excised with the use of a thermocoagulator. However, 1 month later, another episode of hemarthrosis occurred. As a final step before reoperation, the patient was treated with intra-articular injection of ytrium 90. Eighteen months later, she remains symptom-free, is very satisfied with the result, and reports no new episode of hemarthrosis.

Treatment of multiple myeloma bone disease: experimental and clinical data

Introduction: Bone survival rate. In addition to suppression of osteoclastogenesis, there have been developments made in terms of the therapeutic agents available, such as novel immunomodulating agents, proteasome and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand inhibitors. Areas covered: Areas covered include in vitro, in vivo and clinical evidence was collected using MEDLINE® (1950 – May 2014), EMBASE (1980 – May 2014) and Google Scholar (1980 – May 2014) databases. Expert opinion: Bisphosphonates are the mainstay of myeloma bone disease treatment. Oral clodronate and intravenous pamidronate and zoledronic acid are currently used drugs and seem to have comparable results in preventing skeletal-related events of the disease. Zoledronate can also have survival benefits and based on the available evidence is the superior bisphosphonate; however, its side effects have to be monitored. Denosumab had comparable results with zoledronate on myeloma bone disease treatment; its use has not been completely proven yet. There is an expanding set of drugs, proteasome inhibitors, under investigation with great potential to reduce the negative effects of myeloma cells on bone. Future clinical studies should compare both the catabolic and anabolic effects of these agents on bone.

The Role of Exercising in a Pair of Female Monozygotic (High-Class Athletes) Twins Discordant for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Study Design. The report of 2 cases and review of the literature. Objective. To report the cases of a pair of female monozygotic (high-class athletes) twins discordant for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Summary of Background Data. The relation between scoliosis and exercising is rather unclear. The latter has often been considered both as a therapeutic means and a causative factor of the former. The existence of genetic predisposition in the development of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is commonly accepted. According to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a pair of female monozygotic (high-class athletes) twins, discordant for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Methods. A pair of 13.5-year-old female monozygotic twins, high-class level athletes of synchronized swimming, was clinically examined during a school screening program. Both girls were observed in the standing erect position for asymmetries of the lateral contours of the trunk, shoulders, and scapulas and their limb’s length was measured. The “forward bending test” was performed to determine the existence of rib hump asymmetry. Results. One of the sisters was considered to be suspicious of suffering from scoliosis. The radiologic evaluation that followed confirmed the existence of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (left thoracolumbar curve of 32° as measured by the Cobb angle). The clinical and radiologic evaluation of her sibling failed to reveal the existence of any spinal deformity. Conclusion. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis seems to be a multifactorial skeletal disorder. The role of exercising and heredity in its development remain controversial.

Measured Resection versus Gap Balancing Technique for Femoral Rotational Alignment: A Prospective Study

Purpose. To compare the measured resection technique and the gap balancing technique for correction of the femoral rotational alignment. Methods. 57 women and 6 men (mean age, 70 years) with end-stage osteoarthritis and ±15° malalignment and ±10° flexion contracture of the knee underwent primary total knee arthroplasty through the medial approach using the measured resection technique (n=34) or the gap balancing technique (n=29). Femoral rotational alignment was evaluated before and 7 days after surgery using computed tomography by referencing the 2 posterior condyles to the transepicondylar axis. Results. The 2 groups did not differ significantly in terms of correction of the femoral rotational alignment (3.4°±1.4° vs. 3.5°±3.1°, p=0.817). Conclusion. The measured resection and the gap balancing techniques achieved comparable correction of femoral rotational alignment.

The role of pantalar arthrodesis in the treatment of paralytic foot deformities. A long-term follow-up study.

BACKGROUND Pantalar arthrodesis is considered by many to be the final operative option before amputation for the treatment of paralytic foot deformities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term results of pantalar arthrodesis with regard to its impact on the adjacent joints and the walking ability of patients with paralytic foot deformities. METHODS Twenty-four patients (seventeen men and seven women) who underwent a one-stage pantalar arthrodesis between 1953 and 1973 for the treatment of sequelae of poliomyelitis were reevaluated. All patients underwent a physical and radiographic examination, and all completed the Short Form-36 questionnaire and a pantalar arthrodesis-specific questionnaire. RESULTS The average age of the patients was twenty years at the time of the operation and 57.2 years at the time of the latest evaluation. The average duration of follow-up was 37.2 years. Eleven patients had development of immediate postoperative complications, including wound-healing problems (nine) and infections (two). The long-term results, however, were good (mean Short Form-36 scores, 73 of 100 points [overall], 51.5 points [physical functioning], and >70 points [all other domains]). Sixteen patients experienced repeated episodes of ipsilateral knee pain; most (fifteen) of these patients experienced a gradual onset of this pain, starting at an average of 20.8 years (range, fifteen to thirty years) postoperatively. The position of the fused ankle did not appear to have a significant impact on the development of ipsilateral knee pain or the time interval between the pantalar arthrodesis and the onset of ipsilateral knee pain. CONCLUSIONS Pantalar arthrodesis effectively stabilizes the ankle, hindfoot, and midfoot in patients with severe paralytic deformities. Even though most patients can be expected to have development of osteoarthritis of the ipsilateral knee, it seems that a successfully performed pantalar arthrodesis in carefully selected cases is a reliable operative option offering a strong and stable foot that will function well for many years.