Impact of Spinal Instrumentation on Early Postoperative Inflammatory Markers: A Comparative Analysis in the Same Patient Cohort with or without Instrumentation.

Backgrounds: Postoperative inflammatory parameters are important markers of surgical site infection. Some authors have reported that spine surgery with instrumentation elevates CRP levels more than that without instrumentation does. However, those studies compared early postoperative inflammatory markers with or without instrumentation in different patients, although CRP levels vary widely among patients.

Radiographic factors associated with painful callosities after forefoot surgery in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Operative procedures for rheumatoid forefoot deformities have gradually changed from arthrodesis or resection arthroplasty to joint-preserving surgery. Although joint-preserving arthroplasty has yielded good outcomes, painful plantar callosities may occur post-operatively. This study aimed to reveal the radiographic factors associated with painful callosities after joint-preserving surgery for forefoot deformities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

How reliable is assessment of joint swelling and tenderness over socks or stockings in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis?

Objectives: Physicians tend to omit examinations of the foot and ankle in routine practice because it consumes a lot of time when working within tight time constraints. Although barefoot examination is critical to assess disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we think occasional examination of foot over socks or stockings is better than not examining foot at all. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of foot examinations over socks or stockings in patients with RA.

Joint-Preserving Surgery for Forefoot Deformities in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Literature Review.

The combination of first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis and resection arthroplasty of all lesser metatarsal heads has been historically considered the golden standard treatment for rheumatoid forefoot deformities. However, as recent improved management of rheumatoid arthritis have reduced progression of joint destruction, the surgical treatments for rheumatoid forefoot deformities have gradually changed from joint-sacrificing surgery, such as arthrodesis and resection arthroplasty, to joint-preserving surgery. The aim of this literature review was to provide current evidence for joint-preserving surgery for rheumatoid forefoot deformities.

Patient-Reported and Radiographic Outcomes of Joint-Preserving Surgery for Rheumatoid Forefoot Deformities: A Retrospective Case Series with Mean Follow-up of 6 Years.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder and a chronic inflammatory disease that can damage joints throughout the body. As dramatic improvements in medical treatment have contributed to reduced progression of joint destruction, surgical methods for the treatment of RA-related forefoot deformities have gradually changed from joint-sacrificing to joint-preserving. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes, including patient-reported outcomes, of joint-preserving surgery for forefoot deformities associated with RA.