Arthroscopic Subacromial Balloon Spacer for Massive Rotator Cuff Tears Demonstrates Improved Shoulder Functionality and High Revision-Free Survival Rates at a Minimum 5-Year Follow-Up.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of arthroscopic subacromial balloon placement for massive rotator cuff tear (MRCT), assessing patient satisfaction, outcomes, shoulder functionality, pain scores, and revision-free survivorship up to 8 years after the initial surgery.

Methods: In this retrospective study with prospective data collection, patients with MRCTs undergoing balloon placement from 2014 to 2017 were prospectively enrolled. Their outcomes were analyzed retrospectively over a minimum 5-year follow-up.

Anterior Referencing versus Posterior Referencing in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing clinical and radiographic outcomes between anterior referencing (AR) and posterior referencing (PR) systems in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). (2) Methods: This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Central databases were searched in August 2022.

Osteoporosis in patients affected with thalassemia. Our experience.

The authors examine 72 patients affected with homozygous B-thalassemia; The study was conducted by clinical-hematological and radiologic examination. The Singh method is used to compare clinical data with the degree of osteoporosis. The results indicate that there is a high frequency of osteoporotic abnormalities in thalassemia.

Surgical synovectomy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: the results obtained in a controlled study.

The authors report the long-term results obtained after 2 and 4 years in a controlled study conducted on surgical synovectomies performed in articular and extra-articular regions in rheumatoid arthritis. Out of a total of 157 patients submitted to surgery between 1977 and 1987 admitted to the study were 82 patients with bilateral symmetric localizations, but who had been submitted to synovectomy only unilaterally. The collection and interpretation of data showed that synovectomy is truly effective and that clinical improvements is not related to a spontaneous regression in the rheumatoid process.

Skeletal changes in thalassemia major.

The authors clinically and radiographically examined 72 patients with homozygous beta thalassemia. The clinical data were compared to the degree of osteoporosis calculated by Singh's method. The results indicate a high incidence of skeletal changes in patients with thalassemia, including lower limb-length discrepancy (16.

The biomechanics of pelvic osteotomy according to the Chiari method.

The authors analyze the biomechanical effectiveness of pelvic osteotomy according to the Chiari method. This type of operation reduces joint loading and increases the joint support surface. The authors examined 18 patients aged an average of 31 years.

Fractures in Paget's disease.

After analyzing the various types of anatomical and radiographic fractures in pagetic bone, the authors explain the reason for their preference for surgical treatment if the lesion is localized in the lower limbs. This choice allows for a reduction in the duration of immobilization and a lowered incidence of local (rapid and intense osteolysis of the pagetic bone) and general complications (hypercalciuria, at times, hypercalcemia). It is best to resort to internal osteosynthesis for diaphyseal fractures and prosthetic substitution for fractures of the femoral neck where treatment with screws and plates is less reliable due to the fragility of the pagetic bone.

A case of osteoporosis associated with adenosine deaminase deficiency.

The authors report a case of early and marked osteoporotic syndrome in a patient affected with adenosine-deaminase deficiency (ADA) of the heterozygotic type. The negative results obtained in all the tests carried out to ascertain any dysmetabolic, nutritional or iatrogenic disease, and the literature reporting homozygotic patients with osteometabolic and skeletal changes similar to those observed in this particular patient, led the authors to suggest a possible pathogenetic role in ADA deficiency. They conclude by describing the mechanisms by which this enzymatic defect could determine the clinical picture, and by presenting a possible type of treatment.

[Paget's disease: a case history, clinical and therapeutic contribution].

The authors, after referring the various pathogenetic hypotheses for Paget's disease (till the latest hypothesis of infection by slow-action virus) report their follow-up of forty-five patients with Paget's disease of bone; then explain their diagnostic method, and record complications stressing the sarcomatous degeneration. Finally they give details on their therapeutic treatment emphasizing the need of hematochemical and radiographic periodical controls in order to optimize the treatment case by case.

[An anatomicoclinical analysis of the synovial plica syndrome].

The authors describe embryology and anatomy of synovial plica of the knee joint. They propose a clinic and pathogenic classification and after examining the diagnostic problem of plica syndrome, analyze their long-term results after surgical treatment.