Pseudo-outbreak of Mycobacterium paragordonae in a hospital: possible role of the aerator/rectifier connected to the faucet of the water supply system.

Background: Pseudo-outbreaks of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in association with the water supply system in hospitals have been previously reported. We found that the frequency of NTM isolation in clinical samples increased after the reconstruction and renovation of a hospital in Japan in 2014.

Aim: To analyse NTM, their possible relationship with the hospital water supply system, and outcomes of preventive measures.

Influence of coronal bowing on the lower alignment and the positioning of component in navigation and conventional total knee arthroplasty.

Background: Coronal alignment is an important factor for the function and longevity of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Coronal bowing of the lower extremity is common among Asians and it may pose a risk for malalignment of the lower leg and malposition of component.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that coronal bowing itself has a risk for malalignment of the lower leg and malposition of femoral/tibial components and that navigation TKA is beneficial for patients with coronal bowing.

The use of factor Xa inhibitors following opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) and evaluate the efficacy and safety of edoxaban for the prevention of VTE in patients undergoing OWHTO.

Methods: A total of 139 patients with osteoarthritis or osteonecrosis undergoing OWHTO were enrolled in this prospective, randomized study. Four patients were excluded because of preoperatively diagnosed VTE, and 135 patients were divided into two groups-an edoxaban group and a non-edoxaban group-and underwent computed tomography venography on day 7 to check for postoperative VTE.

Predictive factors for the progression of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee.

Purpose: To assess potentially predictive factors that were evaluated 1 year after the onset of symptoms in patients with spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK) and to determine receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve cut-off values.

Methods: Within 1 year of symptom onset, patients with SONK-selected treatment options, mainly based on severity of pain, chose either conservative treatment (n = 27 knees) or operative treatment (n = 27 knees). Knee and whole-leg radiographs, knee MRIs and bone mineral density scans of the lumbar spine, femoral neck and femoral condyles were obtained.

Is the surgical epicondylar axis the center of rotation in the osteoarthritic knee?

The relationship between the surgical epicondylar axis (SEA) and the rotational axis of the distal femur remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between the SEA and the distal femur and whether the SEA can be used as the rotational axis of the knee. Angular and linear measurements of 70 femora at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° of flexion were recorded.