Tanil Esemenli

Morton Neuroma: Comparative Results of Two Conservative Methods

Background: The initial treatment of Morton neuromas consists of conservative methods that include shoe modifications and steroid injections. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare the efficacy of these two methods to determine which is more effective as the initial treatment method. Methods: Eighty-two patients with Morton neuromas were randomly assigned to receive either footwear modification with orthoses or steroid injections as initial treatment. Outcomes were evaluated at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months. Results: Patient satisfaction was significantly better (p < 0.01) in the group treated with steroid injections than those treated with shoe modifications at all three followup intervals. At 12-month followup, 82% of those treated with steroid injections had complete or partial relief of pain compared to 63% of those treated with footwear modifications alone. Conclusion: Steroid injections as initial treatment and shoe modifications with steroid injections at 6 months appear to give better results in Morton neuromas than shoe modifications alone, but the difference in the two groups were not statistically significant at one year followup.

The effect of proteolytic enzyme serratiopeptidase in the treatment of experimental implant-related infection

BACKGROUND Infection around an implanted orthopaedic device is a devastating complication, and the treatment of infections involving slime-forming bacteria is especially difficult. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a proteolytic enzyme, serratiopeptidase, in the eradication of a periprosthetic infection in an in vivo animal model. METHODS In sixty Sprague-Dawley rats, the medullary canal of the right femur was drilled through the intercondylar notch and was inoculated with a Staphylococcus epidermidis strain (ATCC 35984) with a high slime-producing capacity. The cavity was filled with polymethylmethacrylate cement, and a Kirschner wire that had contact with the knee joint was inserted. None of the animals received any treatment for two weeks. Twenty rats were killed at two weeks after the inoculation in order to determine if the infection had become established. The remaining forty rats were randomized into two groups. One group received serratiopeptidase enzyme injections into the knee joint in addition to antibiotic therapy for four weeks, and the other group received intra-articular saline solution injections together with the same antibiotic therapy. The animals from both groups were killed two weeks after the end of therapy (on Day 56). The knee specimens were evaluated bacteriologically and histologically to determine the prevalence of persistent infection and the effects of the enzyme on local tissue. RESULTS At two weeks, inoculated bacteria grew on culture of specimens from twelve (63.2%) of nineteen animals in the no-treatment group. Microbiological testing suggested that infection persisted in only one (5.6%) of eighteen animals in the serratiopeptidase-and-antibiotic group, whereas it was present in six (37.5%) of sixteen animals in the antibiotic-only group (p = 0.001). Histological evaluation showed similar results (kappa = 0.92). CONCLUSIONS Serratiopeptidase was effective for eradicating infection caused by biofilm-forming bacteria in this experimental animal model. The antibiofilm property of the enzyme may enhance antibiotic efficacy in the treatment of staphylococcal infections.

Effect of Metatarsophalangeal Joint Position on the Reliability of the Tangential Sesamoid View in Determining Sesamoid Position

Background: Lateral displacement of the sesamoids of the first toe relative to the metatarsal head is a common finding in hallux valgus deformity. Several methods have been described for quantifying the amount of subluxation from anteroposterior radiographs but a tangential sesamoid radiograph has been determined to be the best view to evaluate sesamoid displacement. Method: We evaluated the sesamoid position at different angles of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint to determine the effect of first MTP joint dorsiflexion on sesamoid position when tangential sesamoid view radiographs are made. Sesamoid positions of 22 feet with hallux valgus were graded from the short axis computed tomography (CT) images obtained with the MTP joint in 0, 35, and 70 degrees of dorsiflexion. Results: Approximation of the sesamoids to reduction was apparent as dorsiflexion of the first MTP joint increased. Conclusion: Different dorsiflexion degrees of the first MTP joint when tangential sesamoid radiographs are made modulate the position of the sesamoids and may lead to misclassification on grading.

Initial Pull-Out Strength of Tendon Sutures: An In Vitro Study in Sheep Achilles Tendon

Forty-eight fresh frozen sheep achilles tendons were used to compare the pull-out strengths of Kessler, Bunnell and locking loop techniques which are the standard configurations described for Achilles tendon repair. A simulated Achilles tendon rupture was done with a tenotomy made 2 cm proximal to the calcaneal insertion. One of the configurations was placed at the distal end of the proximal portion of the tendon specimens using No. 5 Ticron. The distal ends of the suture materials were left free and were not used to connect the proximal and distal portions of the tendon. Using a servohydraulic materials testing machine, each tendon was tested to failure in tension at a displacement rate of 20 mm/min. All the specimens failed due to pull-out of the suture material. Since the cause of failure was suture material breakage in the previous studies reporting repair strength, they were unable to represent the effect of configuration on the strength. This study is the first to represent the effect of configuration on the initial strength since there is no failure due to suture material breakage.

Lateral shifting of the first metatarsal head in hallux valgus surgery: effect on sesamoid reduction.

Thirty feet with hallux valgus (HV) having grade 2 and 3 sesamoid stations on AP radiographs were examined after Lindgren-Turan oblique distal metatarsal osteotomy with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Adductor tendon release from the lateral sesamoid was not performed to determine the isolated effect of distal metatarsal osteotomy on metatarsosesamoidal reduction. Of the 30 feet, 20 (67%) had reduced and 10 (33%) unreduced sesamoids at the follow-up. Ultimately, distal metatarsal osteotomy (DMO) with lateral shifting of the first metatarsal head more than 7.2 mm was found to reduce the sesamoids in the great majority of the cases (95% CI 7.243–9.757). Sesamoid release is redundant for metatarsosesamoidal reduction if sufficient lateral shift of the first metatarsal head over the sesamoids is accomplished.

Suture holding capacity of the Achilles tendon during the healing period: an in vivo experimental study in rabbits.

Background: Early motion and weightbearing is known to promote the healing of Achilles tendon repair. It is important to be informed about the repair strength for a secure rehabilitation. There are reports about the initial repair strength of Achilles tendons; however, they are mainly in vitro studies that represent the time zero strength of the repair. Softening of the tendon observed during the biological process of the tendon healing, which may effect the suture holding capacity and in turn the repair strength of the tendon has not been evaluated before. Methods: In the current study, the suture holding capacity of rabbit Achilles tendon was observed at various times during the healing period. Results: The suture holding capacity of the tendon at the end of the first and third weeks after surgery was found to be similar within 30% of the control tendon. However, at the end of the fourth week it was doubled reaching 65% of the control tendon. Conclusions: Intrinsic tendon insufficiency which causes a decrease in the suture holding capacity of the tendon may lead to pull-out of the suture material during the postoperative third week. This period is precarious for early motion and weightbearing since the suture holding capacity of the tendon doubled relative to the previous three weeks.

The effect of dehydration and irrigation on tendon adhesion formation after tendon exposure

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dehydration due to tendon exposure on adhesion formation on the tendon surface. METHODS Achilles tendons of 60 New Zealand white rabbits were surgically exposed and evaluated. In the control group (Group 1), the wound was closed immediately; and in the remaining two groups, Achilles tendons were exposed to air for 60 minutes without (Group 2) or with (Group 3) regular saline irrigation. After undergoing clinical examination, 50% of rabbits in each group were sacrificed 3 weeks postoperatively and 50% at the 6th postoperative week. RESULTS All tendons exposed to air exhibited mild or moderate degrees of adhesion. Compared to the control group, the incidence of adhesion formation was significantly higher in the groups where tendons had been exposed to air for 60 minutes, whereas no significant difference was found between the irrigated and non-irrigated groups. No limitations or contractures were detected in the hind limbs of the animals at the clinical examination. CONCLUSION Regardless of irrigation, tendons are not prone to form clinically apparent adhesions during operations under 60 minutes of duration.