Thomas Kibsgård

Scoliosis detection, patient characteristics, referral patterns and treatment in the absence of a screening program in Norway

BackgroundEarly diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis allows for observation and timely initiation of brace treatment in order to halt progression. School scoliosis screening programs were abolished in Norway in 1994 for lack of evidence that the programs improved outcome and for the costs involved. The consequences of this decision are discussed.ObjectivesTo describe the detection, patient characteristics, referral patterns and treatment of idiopathic scoliosis at a scoliosis clinic during the period 2003–2011, when there was no screening and to compare treatment modalities to the period 1976–1988 when screening was performed.MethodsPatient demographics, age at detection, family history, clinical and radiological charts of consecutive patients referred for scoliosis evaluation during the period 2003–2011, were prospectively registered. Patients were recruited from a catchment area of about 500000 teenagers. Maturity was estimated according to Risser sign and menarcheal status. Severity of pain was recorded by a verbal 5-point scale from no pain to pain at all times. Physical and neurological examinations were conducted. The detector and patient characteristics were recorded. Referral patterns of orthopedic surgeons at local hospitals and other health care providers were recorded. Patient data was obtained by spine surgeons. Treatment modalities in the current period were compared to the period 1976–1988.ResultsWe registered 752 patients with late onset juvenile and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis from 2003–2011. There were 644 (86%) girls and 108 (14%) boys. Mean age at detection was 14.6 (7–19) years. Sixty percent had Risser sign ≥ 3, whilst 74% were post menarche with a mean age at menarche of 13.2 years. Thirty-one percent had a family history of scoliosis. The mean major curve at first consultation at our clinic was 38° (10°-95°). About 40% had a major curve >40°. Seventy-one percent were detected by patients, close relatives, and friends. Orthopaedic surgeons referred 61% of the patients. The mean duration from detection to the first consultation was 20(0–27) months. The proportion of the average number of patients braced each year was 68% during the period with screening compared to 38% in the period without screening, while the proportion for those operated was 32% and 62%, respectively ( p=0.002, OR 3.5, (95%CI 1.6 to 7.5).ConclusionIn the absence of scoliosis screening, lay persons most often detect scoliosis. Many patients presented with a mean Cobb angle approaching the upper limit for brace treatment indications. The frequency of brace treatment has been reduced and surgery is increased during the recent period without screening compared with the period in the past when screening was still conducted.

Patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty: functional outcome differs with different outcome scores: A randomized, double-blind study of 129 knees with 3 years of follow-up

Background and purpose — Recent research on outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has raised the question of the ability of traditional outcome measures to distinguish between treatments. We compared functional outcomes in patients undergoing TKA with and without patellar resurfacing, using the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) as the primary outcome and 3 traditional outcome measures as secondary outcomes. Patients and methods — 129 knees in 115 patients (mean age 70 (42–82) years; 67 female) were evaluated in this single-center, randomized, double-blind study. Data were recorded preoperatively, at 1 year, and at 3 years, and were assessed using repeated-measures mixed models. Results — The mean subscores for the KOOS after surgery were statistically significantly in favor of patellar resurfacing: sport/recreation, knee-related quality of life, pain, and symptoms. No statistically significant differences between the groups were observed with the Knee Society clinical rating system, with the Oxford knee score, and with visual analog scale (VAS) for patient satisfaction. Interpretation — In the present study, the KOOS—but no other outcome measure used—indicated that patellar resurfacing may be beneficial in TKA.

Radiostereometric analysis of sacroiliac joint movement and outcomes of pelvic joint fusion

Background Different techniques have been used to quantify the movement of sacroiliac (SI) joints. These include radiostereometric analysis (RSA), but the accuracy and precision of this method have not been properly evaluated and it is unclear how many markers are required and where they should be placed to achieve proper accuracy and precision. Purpose The purpose of this study was to test accuracy and precision of RSA, applied to the SI joint, in a phantom model and in patients. Methods We used a plastic phantom attached to a micrometer to obtain a true value of the movement of the SI joint and compared this value with the measured value obtained by RSA; the difference represented the accuracy. The precision of the system was measured by double examination in the phantom and in six patients, and was expressed by a limit of significance (LOS). We analyzed different marker distributions to find optimal marker placement and number of markers needed. Results The accuracy was high and we identified no systematic errors. The precision of the phantom was high with a LOS less than 0.25 and 0.16 mm for all directions, and in patients, the precision was less than 0.71 for rotations and 0.47 mm translations. No markers were needed in the pubic symphysis to obtain good precision. Conclusions The accuracy and precision are high when RSA is used to measure movement in the SI joint and support the use of RSA in research of SI joint motion.

Radiosteriometric analysis of movement in the sacroiliac joint during a single-leg stance in patients with long-lasting pelvic girdle pain

BACKGROUND Chamberlains projections (anterior-posterior X-ray of the pubic symphysis) have been used to diagnose sacroiliac joint mobility during the single-leg stance test. This study examined the movement in the sacroiliac joint during the single-leg stance test with precise radiostereometric analysis. METHODS Under general anesthesia, tantalum markers were inserted into the dorsal sacrum and the ilium of 11 patients with long-lasting and severe pelvic girdle pain. After two to three weeks, a radiostereometric analysis was conducted while the subjects performed a single-leg stance. FINDINGS Small movements were detected in the sacroiliac joint during the single-leg stance. In both the standing- and hanging-leg sacroiliac join, a total of 0.5 degree rotation was observed; however, no translations were detected. There were no differences in total movement between the standing- and hanging-leg sacroiliac joint. INTERPRETATION The movement in the sacroiliac joint during the single-leg stance is small and almost undetectable by the precise radiostereometric analysis. A complex movement pattern was seen during the test, with a combination of movements in the two joints. The interpretation of the results of this study is that, the Chamberlain examination likely is inadequate in the examination of sacroiliac joint movement in patients with pelvic girdle pain.

Negative correlation between extent of physeal ablation after percutaneous permanent physiodesis and postoperative growth: Volume computer tomography and radiostereometric analysis of 37 physes in 27 patients

Background and purpose Percutaneous physiodesis in the knee region is a well-established method for treating leg-length inequality. Longitudinal growth in the physis is believed to stop almost immediately after the operation. The extent of physis ablation required has never been investigated by any kind of tomography in humans. Using radiostereometric analysis (RSA), we determined when definite growth arrest occurred after surgery. We also studied the correlation between the extent of physis ablation and postoperative growth. Finally, we assessed any bone bridging across the physis. Methods 6, 12, and 30 weeks after surgery, we used RSA to measure longitudinal growth in 27 patients (37 physes) with a mean age of 13 years. CT scanning of the knee region was performed 12 weeks after surgery to measure the percentage of the ablated physis and to determine the distribution of bone bridges across the physis. Results RSA showed that growth rate was reduced to less than half of the expected rate after 6 weeks. During the next 6 weeks, the growth ceased completely. CT scans revealed a large variation in the extent of ablated physes (17–69%). In the ablated areas, tissues of various densities were mixed with mature bone. Bridges were found both laterally and medially across the physes in all of the patients. There was a negative correlation between the extent of ablation and total postoperative growth (rho = –0.37, p = 0.03). Interpretation Growth across the physis is effectively stopped by percutaneous physiodesis. RSA is well-suited for observation of this phenomenon. Volume CT scanning can be used to detect bone bridges that cross the physis and to calculate the extent of physis ablation.

Movement of the sacroiliac joint during the Active Straight Leg Raise test in patients with long-lasting severe sacroiliac joint pain

Background The Active Straight Leg Raise is a functional test used in the assessment of pelvic girdle pain, and has shown to have good validity, reliability and responsiveness. The Active Straight Leg Raise is considered to examine the patients’ ability to transfer load through the pelvis. It has been hypothesized that patients with pelvic girdle pain lack the ability to stabilize the pelvic girdle, probably due to instability or increased movement of the sacroiliac joint. This study examines the movement of the sacroiliac joints during the Active Straight Leg Raise in patients with pelvic girdle pain. Methods Tantalum markers were inserted in the dorsal sacrum and ilium of 12 patients with long‐lasting pelvic girdle pain scheduled for sacroiliac joint fusion surgery. Two to three weeks later movement of the sacroiliac joints during the Active Straight Leg Raise was measured with radiostereometric analysis. Findings Small movements were detected. There was larger movement of the sacroiliac joint of the rested legs sacroiliac joint compared to the lifted legs side. A mean backward rotation of 0.8° and inward tilt of 0.3° were seen in the rested legs sacroiliac joint. Interpretation The movements of the sacroiliac joints during the Active Straight Leg Raise are small. There was a small backward rotation of the innominate bone relative to sacrum on the rested legs side. Our findings contradict an earlier understanding that a forward rotation of the lifted legs innominate occur while performing the Active Straight Leg Raise. HighlightsMovements of the sacroiliac joint during the Active Straight Leg Raise is unknown.We measured the movement with the precise radiosteriometric analysis.The patients had long‐lasting sacroiliac pain and were assigned for surgery.Movements in the sacroiliac joint during the test is small in both joints.A backward and inward rotation of the rested legs sacroiliac joint was seen.