Risk Factors Associated with Adjacent and Remote- Level Pathologic Vertebral Compression Fracture Following Balloon Kyphoplasty: 2-Year Follow-Up Comparison Versus Conservative Treatment.

Vertebral compression fractures are a significant source of morbidity and mortality among patients of all age groups. These fractures result in both acute and chronic pain. Patients who sustain such fractures are known to suffer from more comorbidities and have a higher mortality rate compared with healthy people in the same age group.

Short Term Outcomes of a Hydroxyapatite Coated Metal Backed Patella.

We retrospectively evaluated the records and radiographs of 101 knees with a hydroxyapatite coated metal backed patella (HAP) and 50 knees with a cemented polyethylene patella (CP) with minimum two year clinical follow up. There were no patellar revisions during the study period. Patients in both the HAP and CP groups had similar clinical outcomes at final follow-up.

The implications of mechanical alignment on soft tissue balancing in total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: We hypothesized that the individual bone geometry is the most important variable to achieve acceptable soft tissue balancing during total knee arthroplasty.

Methods: Long-standing 3-foot films and computer navigation data from 90 patients with varus (n = 45) or valgus deformity (n = 45) were utilized who underwent navigated total knee arthroplasty. Mean age was 65 ± 8 years with 50 women and 40 men.

Hemolysis as a clinical marker for propionibacterium acnes orthopedic infection.

Determining if a Propionibacterium acnes culture is a true infection or a contaminant remains a challenge. We conducted a study to distinguish between a true infection and a contaminated culture based on the P acnes hemolytic phenotype and clinical presentation. All P acnes strains were from orthopedic patients who had undergone arthroplasty or nonarthroplasty shoulder procedures.

A radiographic and clinical comparison of reamer-irrigator-aspirator versus iliac crest bone graft in ankle arthrodesis.

Purpose: We evaluated radiographic fusion at follow-up and complication rates in patients who had either iliac crest (ICBG) or femoral reamer-irrigator-aspirator (RIA) bone graft for tibiotalar fusion.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed charts and radiographs of all patients who had a tibiotalar fusion from August 2007 to February 2011. Records were analysed for patient demographics, complications, and clinical symptoms.

Hemiarthroplasty of the distal humerus for acute and chronic complex intra-articular injuries.

Background: Comminuted intra-articular distal humeral fractures represent a challenging upper extremity injury. This study reviews clinical and radiographic results in patients with distal humeral hemiarthroplasty (DHH).

Methods: DHH with the Latitude prosthesis (Tornier, Saint-Ismier, France) was performed in 8 patients (mean age, 64 years; age range, 33-75 years) for unreconstructible fractures of the distal humerus or salvage of failed internal fixation.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Propionibacterium acnes isolates from shoulder surgery.

Orthopedic surgeons at our institution have noticed an increase in the number of infections due to Propionibacterium acnes, especially following operations on the shoulder. We collected P. acnes isolates from our hospital microbiology laboratory for 1 year and performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing on 28 strains from the shoulder.

Biomechanical comparison of femoral fixation devices for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a novel testing method.

Background: A novel biomechanical test method was implemented to compare the mechanical performance of two femoral fixation anchors (AperFix(r), Cayenne Medical, Scottsdale, AZ, USA or the AppianFx(r), KFx Medical, Carlsbad, CA, USA) that were utilized in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Methods: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions were performed in 20 porcine femurs by using bovine extensor tendon grafts secured with 9 mm femoral anchors (AperFix(r) or AppianFx(r)). 10 specimens were tested for each anchor type.

Chlorhexidine gluconate cleansing has no effect on the structural properties of human patellar tendon allografts.

Purpose: If an anterior cruciate ligament graft somehow becomes contaminated intraoperatively, soaking it in 4% chlorhexidine gluconate has been shown to be the most popular and efficacious method for sterilization before implantation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a chlorhexidine soak on the structural properties of human patellar tendon allografts.

Methods: Sixteen human patellar tendon allografts were randomly split into 2 groups of 8.

Bilateral acetabular fractures in an adolescent after low-energy trauma.

Background: Pediatric pelvic fractures are rare, accounting for approximately 2.4% to 5.5% of annual admissions at large level I trauma centers.

Brace treatment resulting in overcorrection of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Brace treatment for idiopathic scoliosis in skeletally immature children is the only effective nonoperative modality for the control of curve progression. The Charleston bending brace is a custom-molded spinal orthosis that holds the patient in a completely corrected or overcorrected position while worn at night. A 9-year-old girl presented with 10° right upper thoracic and 7° left lower thoracic curves and was Risser sign 0.

Ceramic-on-ceramic failure secondary to head-neck taper mismatch.

We report a case of catastrophic failure of ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty without precipitating event or trauma. The patient was a 64-year-old woman who had degenerative osteoarthritis and underwent the index primary total hip arthroplasty 3 years earlier. Intraoperative findings included an intact ceramic femoral head, a slightly damaged ceramic liner insert, diffuse metallosis, and excessive wear of the trunnion of the stem.

How often does computed tomography change the management of acute appendicitis?

Computed tomography (CT) diagnoses appendicitis accurately, but few studies evaluate how often CT changes the management of appendicitis. Consultations for appendicitis were evaluated by surgeons and assigned to groups: high, indeterminate, and low suspicion. After assignment, CT was reviewed if completed or ordered if desired by the surgeon and changes in plans were noted.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: A review.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease, of unknown etiology, affecting women almost exclusively. Microscopically, LAM consists of a diffuse proliferation of smooth muscle cells. LAM can occur without evidence of other disease (sporadic LAM) or in conjunction with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).