ObjectiveTo evaluate the short-term effectiveness of Hyprocure subtalar stabilization for adolescent flexible flatfoot. MethodsBetween December 2013 and September 2015, 14 cases (26 feet) of adolescent flexible flatfoot were treated with Hyprocure subtalar stabilization. There were 10 males (18 feet) and 4 females (8 feet) with the average age of 14.5 years (range, 12-18 years). There were 12 cases (24 feet) of congenital flatfoot and 2 cases (2 feet) of flatfoot caused by neurological diseases. The preoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS) was 4.2±0.4; the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and foot function score was 72.2±12.3. Simple Hyprocure subtalar stabilization was used in 8 feet, and a combination of minimally invasive percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening or gastrocnemius lysis, preposing of posterior tibial tendon and spring ligament tightening surgery, or open dorsal medial cuneiform osteotomy and bone graft in 18 feet. The VAS score and AOFAS ankle and foot function score were used to evaluate the effectiveness. The talus-the first metatarsal angle (T1MT), the talus-the second metatarsal angle (T2MT), and talonavicular coverage angle (TCA) were measured on the anteroposterior X-ray film; the Meary's angle, calcaneal inclination angle (CI), and the talar declination (TD) were measured on the lateral X-ray film. ResultsAll incisions healed well. Two cases (2 feet) had tarsal sinus pain, which was cured after symptomatic treatment. All patients were followed up 5-24 months (mean, 14.5 months). Pain was obviously relieved. At last follow-up, VAS score was significantly decreased to 1.4±0.3 (t=27.676, P=0.000). AOFAS ankle and foot function score was significantly increased to 94.5±10.8 (t=7.765, P=0.000). The postoperative X-ray film showed that medial arch was elevated after the Hyprocure subtalar stabilization was placed in tarsal sinus. At last follow-up, the T1MT, T2MT, TCA, Meary's angle, and TD were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P < 0.05); CI has no significant improvement (t=0.109, P=0.598). ConclusionHyprocure subtalar stabilization is simple, effective for adolescent flexible flatfoot, the short-term effectiveness is good. But the indications should be strictly controlled, treatment should be individualized, corresponding auxiliary soft tissue and bone surgery is needed. The long-term effectiveness needs further follow-up.
ObjectiveTo retrospectively compare the mid-term effectiveness between by direct anterior approach (DAA) and by posterolateral approach in total hip arthroplasty (THA).MethodsBetween January 2009 and December 2010, 110 patients (110 hips) treated with THA and followed up more than 5 years were chosen in the study. THA was performed on 55 patients by DAA (DAA group), and on 55 patients by posterolateral approach (PL group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, types of hip joint disease, and preoperative Harris score between 2 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, amount of bleeding, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and the Harris scores were recorded and compared.ResultsThere was no significant difference in operation time and length of hospital stay between 2 groups (t=0.145, P=0.876; t=1.305, P=0.093). The amount of bleeding was significantly less in DAA group than in PL group (t=2.314, P=0.032). All patients were followed up 5-7 years (mean, 5.97 years). Complications happened in 5 cases (9.1%) of DAA group and in 3 cases (5.5%) of PL group, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between 2 groups (χ2=0.539, P=0.463). There was significant difference in Harris scores at 6 months after operation between 2 groups (t=2.296, P=0.014), but no significant difference was found in Harris score at 1 year and 5 years between 2 groups (t=1.375, P=0.130; t=0.905, P=0.087). Further analysis, at 6 months after operation, the joint function score in DAA group was significantly higher than that in PL group (t=1.087, P=0.034), while there was no significant difference in the pain score and range of motion score between 2 groups (t=1.872, P=0.760; t=1.059, P=0.091).ConclusionTHA by DAA has the advantages of less bleeding and faster recovery. The short-term effectiveness is superior to the THA by traditional posterolateral approach, but there is no obvious advantage in the mid-term effectiveness.
Objective To investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the short-term effectiveness of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in the treatment of varus knee arthritis. Methods The clinical data of 84 patients (84 knees) with varus knee arthritis treated with HTO between May 2016 and August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to BMI, the patients were divided into normal group (32 patients in group A, BMI<25 kg/m2), overweight group (27 patients in group B, BMI>30 kg/m2), and obese group (25 patients in group C, BMI>30 kg/m2). The BMI of groups A, B, and C were (23.35±0.89), (26.65±1.03), and (32.05±1.47) kg/m2, respectively. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in gender, age, surgical side, disease duration, and preoperative Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, knee range of motion, and hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA) between groups. The operation time, intraoperative dominant blood loss, and the decrease of hemoglobin on the 3rd day after operation were recorded and compared between groups. The improvement of knee joint function and pain status were evaluated by knee joint HSS score, knee range of motion, and VAS score before and after operation, and measuring the HKA of patients on X-ray film. During the follow-up, the X-ray films of the knee joint were reexamined to observe the position of the internal fixator and the healing of osteotomy. Results All patients completed the operation successfully and were followed up 8-40 months (mean, 19.3 months). There was no significant difference in follow-up time, operation time, intraoperative dominant blood loss, and the decrease of hemoglobin on the 3rd day after operation between groups (P>0.05). No operative complications such as severe vascular or nerve injury occurred. After operation, deep venous thrombosis of lower extremities occurred in 1 case in groups A and B respectively, and fat liquefaction of surgical incision occurred in 2 cases in group C. There was no significant difference in the incidence of perioperative complications between groups (3.1% vs. 3.7% vs. 8.0%) (P=0.689). During the follow-up, there was no bone nonunion, plate fracture or loosening. At last follow-up, HSS score, VAS score, knee range of motion, and HKA significantly improved in the 3 groups when compared with those before operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the differences of the above indexes between groups before and after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion BMI does not affect the short-term effectiveness of HTO in the treatment of varus knee arthritis. HTO can be selected for overweight and obese patients after standard medical treatment is ineffective.
ObjectiveTo evaluate long-term radiographic and clinical effectiveness of total cervical disc replacement (TDR) with Prodisc-C prosthesis at a minimum of 10 years follow-up.MethodsThe clinical data of 118 patients with cervical disc degeneration disease (CDDD) treated with TDR by using Prodisc-C prosthesis between December 2005 and April 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 66 males and 52 females, with the age of 25-62 years (mean, 46.8 years). There were 38 cases of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, 28 cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy, and 52 cases of mixed cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The operative segments were C3-7, including 90 cases of single segment, 20 cases of continuous double segments, and 8 cases of continuous three segments. A total of 154 Prodisc-C prostheses were used during the operation. The clinical effectiveness was evaluated by pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, neck disability index (NDI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and Odom grade before and after operation. Imaging evaluation indicators included range of motion (ROM), sagittal lordosis angle, intervertebral disc height (IDH), and prosthesis displacement, subsidence, loosening, locking, and heterotopic ossification (HO), adjacent segment degeneration (ASD), and other complications. Patients were grouped according to whether HO or ASD occurred or not, the ROM of surgical segment was compared.ResultsAll patients were followed up 121-150 months (mean, 135.8 months). No revision operation was performed during the follow-up period. The VAS, NDI, JOA scores and Odom grades were significantly improved at 1 week after operation and last follow-up when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05); VAS and NDI scores were further improved at last follow-up than those at 1 week after operation (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in JOA scores and improvement rates between at 1 week after operation and at last follow-up (P>0.05). The ROM of the whole cervical spine and the operative segment decreased at 1 week and 10 years after operation when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the other time points (P>0.05); there was no significant difference in the ROM between the upper adjacent segment (UAS) and the lower adjacent segment (LAS) at each time point after operation (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in sagittal lordosis angle of cervical spine before and after operation (P>0.05); the sagittal lordosis angle of operative segment increased significantly at 1 week, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after operation (P<0.05). The IDH of operative segment was significantly improved at each time point after operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in IDH between UAS and LAS at each time point after operation (P>0.05). No prosthesis displacement, subsidence, or loosening occurred at each time point after operation. There was no significant difference of the prosthetic displacement and subsidence distance between all time points after 6 months after operation (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the incidence of prosthetic locking/fusion was 10.4%, showing no significant difference when compared with 6 months (1.9%) (P<0.05). The incidence of upper ASD and lower ASD was 1.3% and 2.6% respectively at 1 week after operation. The incidence of upper ASD and lower ASD increased gradually with time prolonging, and there were significant differences between different time points (P<0.05). The ROM of operative segment in ASD group was lower than that in non-ASD group at each time point after operation, but there was no significant difference (P>0.05). HO appeared in 58.4% of the segments at 6 months after operation, and the incidence of HO increased significantly with time, which was significantly different from that at 6 months after operation (P<0.05). The ROM of operative segments in HO group was significantly lower than that in non-HO group at 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years after operation (P<0.05).ConclusionTDR has little effect on adjacent segments, although there are some imaging complications, it has no significant effect on the improvement of overall clinical effectiveness. Prodisc-C prosthesis can provide long-term, safe, and definite clinical effectiveness in the treatment of CDDD.
Objective To evaluate the mid-term effectiveness of two-stage hip prosthesis revision in the treatment of infection after hip arthroplasty. Methods Between April 2002 and November 2006, 12 cases of infection after hip arthroplasty were treated. There were 5 males and 7 females, aged from 47 to 72 years (mean, 59.8 years). The femoral head arthroplasty wasperformed in 2 cases and total hip arthroplasty in 10 cases. Infection occurred 1 to 67 months after arthroplasty. According to the Segawa classification criteria, infections included type 2 in 1 case, type 3 in 2 cases, and type 4 in 9 cases. The preoperative Harris score was 36.7 ± 6.1. Nine cases had elevated C reactive protein and 10 cases had elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The results of bacterial culture were positive in 8 cases and negative in 4 cases. After the removal of the infected prosthesis and thorough debridement, antibiotic-loaded cement spacers or infected therapeutic temporary prosthesis were used as placeholders, and then the anti-infection treatments were given after operations; two-stage hip prosthesis revisions were performed 3 to 10 months after debridement. Results In 1 patient who failed to control infection after debridement, infection was controlled after the second debridement and the antibiotic-loaded cement spacer as placeholder. Other patients achieved heal ing of incision by first intention, and no compl ication such as deep venous thrombosis and nerve injury occurred. All patients were followed up 3 to 8 years after revision (mean, 5.4 years). During the follow-up, no infection recurrence and joint dislocation occurred. Dull pain was present in 2 cases during activity and mild claudication in 3 cases at last follow-up. The Harris score was 81.6 ± 4.5, showing significant difference (t=52.696, P=0.000) when compared with preoperative score. The X-ray films showed that noprosthesis loosening and obvious subsidence were observed, and bone graft healed. Conclusion The two-stage hip prosthesis revision has good infection control rate and mid-term effectiveness in treatment of infection after hip arthroplasty.
Objective To investigate the short- and mid-term effectiveness of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) for post-traumatic arthritis (PTA) of knee. Methods The clinical data of 30 patients with PTA of unilateral knee between March 2014 and September 2021 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 14 males and 16 females with an average of 64.5 years (range, 33-81 years). The average body mass index was 26.7 kg/m2 (range, 19.8-35.6 kg/m2). The types of injuries that caused PTA included intra-articular fracture in 16 cases, extra-articular fracture in 8 cases, and soft tissue injury in 6 cases. The initial injuries were treated by conservative therapy in 12 cases and by surgical therapy in 18 cases. Ten cases were medial compartment osteoarthritis and 20 cases were lateral compartment osteoarthritis. According to Kellgren-Lawrence staging, there were 19 cases of grade Ⅲ and 11 cases of grade Ⅳ. The operative time, the length of hospital stay, complications, and subjective satisfaction were recorded. The Oxford Knee Function Score (OKS), Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, and knee range of motion (ROM) were used to evaluate knee function. Weight-bearing X-ray films were taken to measure the femoro-tibial angle (FTA) and to assess alignment correction of the lower limb. Results The operative time ranged from 50 to 95 minutes (mean, 63.7 minutes), the length of hospital stay ranged from 3 to 8 days (mean, 6.9 days). Superficial infection occurred in 2 patients, while the remaining incisions healed by first intention. There was no deep vein thrombosis or neurovascular injury. All patients were followed up 17-109 months (median, 70 months). At last follow-up, OKS score, HSS score, and ROM in 30 cases significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). Lower limb alignment was significantly corrected and there was significant difference in FTA of the varus and valgus knees between pre- and post-operation (P<0.05). The patient satisfaction rate was 86.7% (26/30). Two cases developed contralateral osteoarthritis progression during follow-up. No bearing dislocation, prosthesis loosening or sinking occurred and none required further revision. Conclusion For patients with PTA of knee, UKA can obtain definite short- and mid-term effectiveness with high patient satisfaction.
Objective To analyze the correlation between the polymorphism on interleukin 6 (IL-6) gene promoter region-174 locus and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), including the susceptibility, the bracing effectiveness, and the possible mechanism. Methods The 182 AIS patients and 210 healthy controls who met the inclusion criteria between January 2013 and January 2016 were collected as research objects. The genotype of IL-6 gene promoter region-174 locus, the serum IL-6, the bone mineral density (BMD) of femoral neck and vertebrae (L1–4), and the bone metabolism parameters, including bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), bone gla protein (BGP), tartrate resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b), urine Ca, and urine Ca/Cr, were detected. All research objects were divided into the AIS group and the control group according to whether they had AIS, the GG, CG, CC groups according to their genotype, and progression-free group and progression group according to the therapeutic effectiveness of 1-year bracing treatment. Statistical analysis for the indexes were conducted respectively. Results There were significant differences in AIS history, BMD of femoral neck and lumbar vertebrae between the AIS group and control group (P<0.05). According to the therapeutic effecitveness of 1-year bracing treatment, 182 AIS patients were divided into progression-free group in 110 cases and progression group in 72 cases. The results of single factor analysis showed that there were significant differences in the genotype and allele distribution of IL-6 gene promoter region-174 locus, BMD of femoral neck and lumbar vertebrae, IL-6, TRACP-5b, urine Ca, and urine Ca/Cr between the progression-free group and progression group (P<0.05). The results of multivariable analysis showed that the BMD of lumbar vertebrae, TRACP-5b, and urine Ca were the influencing factors of bracing efficacy (P<0.05). According to the results of genotype detection, all research objects were divided into GG group in 264 cases, CG group in 104 cases, and CC group in 24 cases. The IL-6, TRACP-5b, urine Ca, and urine Ca/Cr of GG type carriers were higher and BMD of femoral neck and lumbar vertebrae were lower when compared with the CG and CC type carriers (P<0.05). The BMD of lumbar vertebrae of CG type carriers was lower than that of CC type carriers (P<0.05). Conclusion The polymorphism of IL-6 genepromoter region-174 locus wasn’t correlated with the AIS susceptibility, but it was correlated (not independently correlated) with the scoliosis progression under bracing treatment, and the risk for G-carried patients was higher. The mechanism may be that the polymorphism affected the IL-6 expression level and eventually affected the BMD of AIS patients through the bone metabolism.
Objective To investigate the impact of sarcopenia on effectiveness of lumbar decompression surgery in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods The clinical data of 50 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who met the selection criteria between August 2017 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the diagnostic criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), based on the calculation of the skeletal muscle index (SMI) at the L3 level, SMI<45.4 cm2/m2 (men) and SMI<34.4 cm2/m2 (women) were used as the diagnostic threshold, the patients were divided into sarcopenia group (25 cases) and non-sarcopenia group (25 cases). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, level of lumbar spinal stenosis, surgical fusion level, and comorbidity between the two groups (P>0.05); the body mass index in sarcopenia group was significantly lower than that in non-sarcopenia group (t=−3.198, P=0.002). Clinical data of the two groups were recorded and compared, including operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, hospitalization stay, and complications. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of low back pain and sciatica and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores were recorded preoperatively and at last follow-up. The effectiveness was evaluated according to modified MacNab standard. Results There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative drainage volume (P>0.05). However, the hospitalization stay in sarcopenia group was significantly longer than that in non-sarcopenia group (t=2.105, P=0.044). The patients were followed up 7-36 months (mean, 29.7 months). In sarcopenia group, 1 case of dural tear and cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred during operation, as well as 1 case of internal fixator loosening during follow-up; 1 case of incision exudation and poor healing occurred in each of the two groups, and no adjacent segment degeneration and deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity occurred in the two groups during follow-up. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications (12% vs. 4%) between the two groups (χ2=1.333, P=0.513). VAS scores in low back pain and sciatica as well as ODI scores in two groups significantly improved when compared with preoperative results at last follow-up (P<0.05). The differences of VAS scores in low back pain and ODI scores before and after operation in sarcopenia group were significantly lower than that in non-sarcopenia group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference of that in VAS scores of sciatica between the two groups (t=−1.494, P=0.144). According to the modified MacNab standard, the excellent and good rate of the sarcopenia group was 92%, and that of the non-sarcopenia group was 96%, showing no significant difference between the two groups (χ2=1.201, P=0.753). ConclusionPatients with sarcopenia and lumbar spinal stenosis may have longer postoperative recovery time, and the effectiveness is worse than that of non-sarcopenic patients. Therefore, for elderly patients with lumbar spine disease, it is suggested to improve preoperative assessment of sarcopenia, which can help to identify patients with sarcopenia at risk of poor surgical prognosis in advance, so as to provide rehabilitation guidance and nutritional intervention in the perioperative period.
Objective To assess the medium- and long-term effectiveness of selective posterior rhizotomy (SPR) for spastic cerebral palsy. Methods A retrospective analysis was made on 27 patients with spastic cerebral palsy undergoing SPR between January 1997 and January 2008, whose data were complete with more than 5 years follow-up. There were 14 males and 13 females with an average age of 10.1 years (range, 4-19 years). All patients had simple spastic cerebral palsy, including 17 cases of bilateral spastic palsy and 10 cases of unilateral spastic palsy. The muscle strength, muscle tone, ambulatory function, the sharp foot and crossing-feet, knee jerk, ankle clonus, and Babinski’s sign were evaluated before and after operation. Results All the patients were followed up 5-16 years (mean, 9.6 years). No obvious limitation of lumbar flexion, extension and lateral flexion, spondylolisthesis, kyphosis, and other deformities occurred. At last follow-up, the muscle strength of hip extensors, hip flexors, and knee extensors were significantly increased when compared with preoperative ones (P lt; 0.05); but no significant difference was found in the muscle strength of hip abductors, hip adductors, knee flexors, plantar extensors, and plantar flexors (P gt; 0.05). Abnormal increased muscle tone of hip flexors, hip adductors, knee flexors, and plantar flexors was declined in different degrees in all patients, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (P lt; 0.05); but no significant difference was found in hip extensors, hip abductors, knee extensors, and plantar extensors (P gt; 0.05). At last follow-up, the status of toe steps and crossing-feet disappeared without recurrence for a long time. Sthenic knee jerk was eliminated, but there were several patients also keeping the active knee jerk, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative ones (Z= — 7.404, P=0.000). The results of Babinski’s sign were negative in 31 sides and positive in 13 sides, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative ones (Z= — 6.897, P=0.000). No sharp foot or crossing-feet was observed. And ambulation ability was significantly improved after operation (Z= — 4.111, P=0.000). Conclusion SPR is very effective in decreasing the muscle tone and improving the motor function without recurrence in long-term.
Objective To explore early effectiveness of modified minimally invasive Chevron-Akin (MICA) osteotomy in the treatment of moderate to severe hallux valgus. Methods A clinical data of 49 patients (61 feet) with moderate to severe hallux valgus, who met the selection criteria between December 2019 and October 2022, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 males (8 feet) and 42 females (53 feet) with an average age of 38.0 years (range, 15-59 years), including 37 of unilateral foot and 12 of bilateral feet. There were 41 feet of moderate hallux valgus [hallux valgus angle (HVA) 20°-40°] and 10 feet of severe hallux valgus (HVA>40°). All patients underwent modified MICA osteotomy. A transverse osteotomy on the distal end of the first metatarsal bone was performed to replaced the traditional Chevron osteotomy, and three Kirschner wires were used to assist in three-dimensional correction. The other treatments were the same as traditional MICA osteotomy. The HVA, inter metatarsal angle (IMA), Hardy score of the sesamoid, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score of 61 feet before operation and at last follow-up were recorded, and the results were compared between the various severity of hallux valgus. Results All patients were followed up 6-24 months with an average of 12.0 months. After operation, the redness and swelling around the incision occurred in 1 foot; limited mobility of the metatarsophalangeal joint occurred in 2 feet; mild numbness of the skin occurred in 5 feet; mild inversion of the great toe occurred in 2 feet. No complication such as tendon injury was found. X-ray films showed no abnormal healing, nonunion, or necrosis of the metatarsal head after osteotomy. The healing time of osteotomy ranged from 3 to 4 months, with an average of 3.2 months. At last follow-up, the HVA, IMA, Hardy score of sesamoid, and AOFAS scores all significantly improved when compared with preoperative levels (P<0.05). The AOFAS scores were excellent in 45 feet, good in 15 feet, and fair in 1 foot, with an excellent and good rate of 98.4%. The above indicators for moderate or severe hallux valgus patients were significantly improved when compared with preoperative levels (P<0.05). The changes between pre- and post-operation in HVA, IMA, and Hardy scores of severe hallux valgus were all greater than those of moderate hallux valgus, with significant difference in HVA change between groups (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the other two changes (P>0.05). Conclusion Modified MICA osteotomy can achieve good orthopedic effects and early functional improvement in the treatment of moderate to severe hallux valgus.