Taner Gunes

Ultrasonographic appearance of the plantar fasciitis

PURPOSE To study high frequency sonographic in the examination of plantar fasciitis (PF), which is a common cause of heel pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our study was done with 25 PF (21 unilateral, 4 bilateral) and 15 control cases of similar age, weight and gender. In this study, the plantar fascial thickness (mainly), fascial echogenity and biconvexity were examined using 7.5 MHz linear phase array transducer. Perifascial fluid collection, fascial rupture and fascial calcification that are rarely seen were also examined. RESULTS The fascial thickness ranges for the PF cases: for the symptomatic heels: 3.9-9.1 mm (mean: 4.75 +/- 1.52 mm), for the asymptomatic heels: 2.0-5.9 mm (mean: 3.37 +/- 1.0 mm) and for the control group: 2.1-4.7 mm (3.62 +/- 0.68 mm). The results were significantly different in Group I for symptomatic heels and the control group statistically for PF (P < .05). The echogenity of plantar fascia and biconvexity of plantar fascia were the major criteria for symptomatic heels. In three heels (10%), perifascial fluid was diagnosed, in three heels (10%) fascial calcification, in one heel (3%) partial fascial rupture. Subcalcaneal spur was encountered sonographically in both cases of Groups I and II. CONCLUSION Ultrasonography (US) is the first step for PF, because of its easy and quick performance, availability and high sensitivity of diagnosis, low-cost and free radiation.

Comparison of intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections and mud-pack therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVES Conservative treatment should be tried prior to surgical treatment in knee osteoarthritis. This study was designed to evaluate the short-term effects of mud-pack therapy on pain relief and functional improvement in knee osteoarthritis in comparison with intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections. METHODS The study included 23 patients who were diagnosed as having knee osteoarthritis according to the ACR (American College of Rheumatology) criteria, and had complaints lasting for more than three months. All the patients had stage 2 or 3 osteoarthritis radiographically according to the Kellgren-Lawrence criteria. Twelve patients (3 males, 9 females; mean age 54+/-6 years; range 46 to 67 years) received mud therapy bilaterally. Mud packs were heated to 45 degrees C and applied on both knees for 30 minutes daily for a total of 12 weekdays. Eleven patients (2 males, 9 females; mean age 53+/-9 years; range 40 to 66 years) received a total of three bilateral intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections, each interspersed by weekly intervals. The patients were evaluated before and after treatment in terms of pain and functionality using the pain subscale of the WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities) osteoarthritis index, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, and Knee Society clinical rating system (knee and function scores). The patients were followed-up for a mean of 5.9+/-6.3 months (range 4 to 8 months) after mud-pack therapy, and 5.8+/-0.8 months (range 5 to 7 months) after intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections. RESULTS No significant differences were found between the two groups with respect to pre-and posttreatment WOMAC, HSS, and knee and function scores (p>0.05). The scores of all instruments showed significant improvements following treatment in both groups (p<0.001). Posttreatment changes in relation to baseline scores did not differ significantly between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections or mud-pack therapy yielded similar results in the short-term in terms of functional improvement and pain relief. Mud-pack therapy is a noninvasive, complication-free, and cost-effective alternative modality for the conservative treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Arthroscopic removal of a subperiosteal osteoid osteoma of the talus.

We report a case of a subperiosteal osteoid osteoma on the talar neck that was removed arthroscopically. Intralesional excision, en bloc resection, and percutaneous ablation techniques have all been used for the treatment of osteoid osteoma. For intra-articular osteoid osteomas, arthroscopy-assisted removal of the tumor has been described in a few case reports. Obtaining a nidus fragment for pathologic evaluation is important during arthroscopic removal of intra-articular osteoid osteomas. Sometimes it is not possible to obtain a specimen for pathologic examination. In the present case, the osteoid osteoma on the talar neck was easily located, the nidus was completely removed, and the tumor was extirpated.

A biomechanical comparison of polymethylmethacrylate-reinforced and expansive pedicle screws in pedicle-screw revisions

OBJECTIVES Different techniques and choices exist for revision of pedicle screws, two of which are pedicle screw combined with cement augmentation and expansive pedicle screw fixation. This biomechanical study was designed to compare the pullout strengths of two different revision techniques. METHODS Fourteen lumbar vertebrae obtained from four calves (mean age 15 months) were divided into two groups equal in number. Monoaxial 6.0-mm pedicle screws were inserted into the right pedicles, and axial pullout testing was performed at a rate of 10 mm/min and failure strengths were recorded. Revision was performed with the same-sized pedicle screws reinforced with polymethylmethacrylate in group 1, and with 7.0-mm expansive pedicle screws in group 2, and pullout testing was repeated to record maximum revision pullout strengths. RESULTS The mean pullout strengths recorded before and after revision were significantly different in both groups, being 2,162.9+/-718.5 N and 2,794.3+/-979.2 N in group 1 (p=0.041) and 2,605.0+/-487.6 N and 3,327.1+/-640.8 N in group 2 (p=0.012), respectively. However, the mean pullout strengths recorded before and after revision did not differ significantly between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Our results showed that expansive pedicle screws 1 mm larger in diameter provide similar pullout strengths to those of same-sized, polymethylmethacrylate-reinforced screws in revision of pedicle screw fixation, suggesting that they can be preferred with the additional advantages of ease of application and avoiding risks for pedicle fracture and cement leakage.

Arthroscopic excision of the osteoid osteoma at the distal femur

Osteoid osteoma is a benign, osteoblastic and painful tumoral lesion. Apart from en-bloc resection, intralesional resection and percutaneous excision or destruction of the nidus, arthroscopic removal of the lesion in intraarticular locations have been reported. We present a patient with osteoid osteoma at distal femur which is accessible through knee joint, treated by arthroscopic complete excision.

Simvastatin improves spinal fusion in rats

OBJECTIVE Statins stimulate bone formation by inducing the expression of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP-2). The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of orally administered simvastatin on spinal fusion in rats. METHODS Twenty rats were randomized into a spinal fusion group (SF) (n=10) or a spinal fusion and oral simvastatin administered group (SFS) (n=10). A spinal fusion was performed between L4-L6 representing two levels. Simvastatin (120 mg/kg/day) was administered orally in the SFS group. The rats were killed at the end of the 12 week study period. RESULTS Manual palpation revealed two moderate fusions in the SF group. The SFS group did not reveal any signs of pseudoarthrosis. An average three-point bending force causing failure of fusion revealed results of 148.80±39.403 Newtons and 123.80±28.479 Newtons in SFS and SF groups, respectively (p>0.05). Histological examination revealed better fusion grades in the SFS group (mean: 9.30±0.949) than in the SF group (mean: 6.80±2.044) (p=0.003). Radiographic examination revealed Grade C fusion in two levels and Grade A fusion in 18 levels in the SF group. In the SFS group, Grade C fusion was detected in one level and Grade A fusions in 19. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that simvastatin can promote spinal fusion and can be used as an adjunct to spinal fusion procedures in an elderly population with high cholesterol levels.

Minimal invasive midvastus versus standard parapatellar approach in total knee arthroplasty

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the short-term results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgeries performed with minimally invasive mini-midvastus (MMV) incision and the standard medial parapatellar technique (ST). METHODS Twenty patients (18 males, 2 females; mean age: 67.25±6.70) operated with the ST and 19 patients (4 males, 15 females; mean age: 64.53±7.53) operated with the MMV approach were retrospectively evaluated. The surgery time, blood loss, time to straight leg raise (SLR) postoperatively, range of motion (ROM) and Knee Society (KSS) score and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score were compared between the groups. Radiological evaluation was made with standing orthoroentgenographs both pre- and postoperatively. Mean follow-up time was 29.4±8.2 months in the ST and 17.7±11.1 months in the MMV group. RESULTS In the early postoperative period (10th day), the MMV group was significantly better than the ST group in terms of ROM. Time to SLR and blood loss values were also significantly better in the MMV group. However, there was no significant difference between the groups after the sixth month, for ROM, KSS and HSS values (p>0.05). Surgery time was significantly longer (with a mean difference of 22 minutes) in the MMV group. Radiological examination revealed ideal alignment in both groups. No deep or superficial infection was detected. Two patients in the MMV group had skin problems which healed after clinical follow-up. CONCLUSION Our results suggested that functional results of TKAs performed via the MMV approach are better in the first six months when compared to those of the ST.

Osteoid Osteoma of the Trapezium: Case Report

Osteoid osteoma is a benign bone tumor representing approximately 10% of all benign bone tumors. Although osteoid osteoma of the long bones and carpus is frequent, the location in the trapezium is extremely rare. We found only one other report in the literature regarding osteoid osteoma of the trapezium.

Total hip arthroplasty using the anterolateral minimally invasive approach

OBJECTIVES We evaluated the clinical and radiographic results of total hip arthroplasties (THA) performed with the minimally invasive anterolateral (MIA) and standard anterolateral (SA) approaches. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 25 patients (17 women, 8 men; mean age 57.7+/-12.5 years) and 15 patients (11 women, 4 men; mean age 68.9+/-5.5 years) who underwent THA with the SA and MIA approaches, respectively. The mean body mass index was 32.5+/-5.8 kg/m2 in the SA group and 28.7+/-2.7 kg/m2 in the MIA group. The two groups were compared with respect to blood loss, operation time, blood transfusions, and length of hospital stay. Pain was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS), and functional results were assessed with the Harris hip score (HHS). The SF-36 questionnaire was administered pre- and postoperatively. Radiographic evaluations included femoral and acetabular components and signs of loosening. The mean follow-up was 25.2+/-8.7 months in the SA group and 26.1+/-7.2 months in the MIA group. RESULTS The amount of blood loss and blood transfusions were significantly reduced and length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the MIA group (p<0.001). The mean operation time did not differ between the two groups (p>0.05). Improvements in the VAS and HHS scores were significantly better in the MIA group (p<0.001). Similarly, improvements in all the SF-36 subscales other than general health, mental health, and role-physical subscales were significantly greater in the MIA group. Radiographically, no signs of loosening and osteolysis were seen. Superficial or deep wound infections did not occur. CONCLUSION Compared to the SA approach, the MIA approach in THA operations is associated with shorter hospital stay, reduced blood loss and blood transfusions, better postoperative pain control, and higher levels of improvements in HHS and SF-36 scores.

Intraarticular Hyaluronic Acid Injection after Microfracture Technique for the Management of Full-Thickness Cartilage Defects Does Not Improve the Quality of Repair Tissue

Objective: Tissue repair that occurs after microfracture does not include hyaline-like cartilage. Therefore, other treatment modalities must be combined with microfracture to improve repair tissue quality. In this study, we combined exogenous hyaluronic acid with microfracture. Design: Thirty mature New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups as control, microfracture (MF), and microfracture and hyaluronic acid (MFHA). Four-millimetre full-thickness cartilage defects were created in the medial femoral condyle of each rabbit. Microfracture was performed on defects in the MF and MFHA groups. At 1 week following surgery, 1 mL of saline was injected into the knees of the control and MF groups, whereas 1 mL (15 mg/mL) hyaluronic acid was injected into the knees of the MFHA group 3 times weekly. At 6 months postsurgery, defects were evaluated according to the ICRS (International Cartilage Repair Society) and Wakitani scales. Results: According to the ICRS and Wakitani scales, the quality of repair tissue was improved in MF and MFHA groups as compared the control group (P = 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). No significant difference was observed between the MF and MFHA groups (P = 0.342). Conclusions: According to the model in this study, no beneficial effect was obtained when HA injection was combined with microfracture in the treatment of full-thickness cartilage defects.