In vivo intra-articular contrast enhanced μCT imaging of mouse knee cartilage.

In vivo micro-Computed Tomography (μCT) is commonly used tool in the study of mouse bone architecture. However, in vivo imaging of mouse cartilage has been limited. Intra-articular contrast injection was evaluated for its utility in detecting mouse cartilage in μCT.

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva and Pregnancy: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Objective: To evaluate maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant patients with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP; OMIM#135100), an ultrarare genetic disorder characterized by progressive heterotopic ossification of soft tissues and cumulative disability.

Methods: This is a retrospective case series of three patients with FOP who were admitted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, from to February 2011 to July 2021.

Results: Three women delivered preterm infants at our institution.

Imaging of Entrapment Neuropathies in the Ankle.

Entrapment neuropathies of the ankle and foot pose a major diagnostic challenge and thus remain underdiagnosed. Recent advancements in imaging modalities, including magnetic resonance neurography (MRN), have resulted in considerable improvement in the anatomical localization and identification of pathologies leading to nerve entrapment. MRN supplements clinical examination and electrophysiologic studies in the diagnosis of neuropathies, aids in assessing disease severity, and helps formulate management strategies.

Spine Fusions, Yoga Instructors, and Hip Fractures: The Role of Dual Mobility in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Background: Despite the increased use of dual mobility (DM) in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), debate exists regarding the indications for its use. No specific algorithm exists to guide this decision-making process. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to summarize the currently available literature regarding the use of DM in primary THA and provide evidence-based guidelines based on specific patient populations and risk factors for instability.

Elevated Cardiac Troponin T in Patients with Lupus Myositis Presenting with Noncardiac Chest Pain.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting with chest pain pose a unique diagnostic challenge, with causes ranging from cardiopulmonary disease to esophageal disorders and musculoskeletal chest wall pain. The most common biomarkers for myocardial injury are cardiac troponin T and I (cTnT and cTnI) due to their high sensitivity for the early detection of myocardial infarction. In the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, cTnT is commonly elevated, and this reflects skeletal muscle breakdown rather than myocardial damage.

Association of Discharge to Home vs Institutional Postacute Care With Outcomes After Lower Extremity Joint Replacement.

Importance: Changes in financial incentives have led to more patients being discharged home than to institutional forms of postacute care, such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), after elective lower extremity total joint replacement (LEJR).

Objective: To evaluate the association of this change with hospital readmissions, surgical complications, and mortality.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study used cross-temporal propensity-matching to identify 104 828 adult patients who were discharged home following LEJR between 2016 and 2018 (after changes in financial incentives) and 84 121 adult patients discharged to institutional forms of postacute care (eg, SNFs) between 2011 and 2013 (before changes in financial incentives).

Wide Local Excisions and Pedicled Perforator Flaps in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Study of Quality of Life.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin pathology characterized by the occurrence of inflamed and swollen lesions, with a devastating impact of the disease on patient's quality of life. Wide local excision (WLE) of the affected tissue is the criterion-standard treatment, but there is no general consensus on the best reconstructive technique. The aim of this article is to evaluate the quality of life before and after WLE combined with pedicled perforator flap reconstruction, in patients suffering from HS.

The Relationship Between the Tensile and the Torsional Properties of the Native Scapholunate Ligament and Carpal Kinematics.

Purpose: The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the relationship between the tensile and the torsional properties of the native scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) and kinematics of the scaphoid and lunate of an intact wrist during passive radioulnar deviation.

Methods: Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens were transected at the elbow joint and loaded into a custom jig. Kinematic data of the scaphoid and lunate were acquired in a simulated resting condition for 3 wrist positions-neutral, 10° radial deviation, and 30° ulnar deviation-using infrared-emitting rigid body trackers.

Can an arthroplasty risk score predict bundled care events after total joint arthroplasty?

Background: The validated Arthroplasty Risk Score (ARS) predicts the need for postoperative triage to an intensive care setting. We hypothesized that the ARS may also predict hospital length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, and episode-of-care cost (EOCC).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a series of 704 patients undergoing primary total hip and knee arthroplasty over 17 months.

Tensile and Torsional Structural Properties of the Native Scapholunate Ligament.

Purpose: The ideal material for reconstruction of the scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) should replicate the mechanical properties of the native SLIL to recreate normal kinematics and prevent posttraumatic arthritis. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the cyclic torsional and tensile properties of the native SLIL and load to failure tensile properties of the dorsal SLIL.

Methods: The SLIL bone complex was resected from 10 fresh-frozen cadavers.

Can Probiotic Supplements Improve Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to frame the discussion of the potential use of probiotics for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the historical and scientific context linking the human microbiota to the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of RA. Given this context, the review then details the clinical trials that have been carried out so far that have tried to address the question.

Recent Findings: A variety of laboratory and clinical observations link the flora of the oral cavity and lower gastrointestinal tract with citrullination, as well as immunological alterations that may contribute to the risk of developing RA.

The FOP Connection Registry: Design of an international patient-sponsored registry for Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva.

The Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) Connection Registry is an international, voluntary, observational study that directly captures demographic and disease information initially from patients with FOP (the patient portal) and in the near future from treating physicians (the physician portal) via a secure web-based tool. It was launched by the International FOP Association (IFOPA) with a guiding vision to develop and manage one unified, global, and coordinated Registry allowing the assembly of the most comprehensive data on FOP. This will ultimately facilitate greater access and sharing of patient data and enable better and faster development of therapies and tracking their long-term treatment effectiveness and safety.

Rheumatology Research Foundation Clinician Scholar Educator Award: Fifteen Years Promoting Rheumatology Educators and Education.

Objective: The Rheumatology Research Foundation's Clinician Scholar Educator (CSE) award is a 3-year career development award supporting medical education research while providing opportunities for mentorship and collaboration. Our objective was to document the individual and institutional impact of the award since its inception, as well as its promise to strengthen the subspecialty of rheumatology.

Methods: All 60 CSE Award recipients were surveyed periodically.

Current Perspectives on Imaging for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic Sclerosis, and Dermatomyositis/Polymyositis.

Systemic rheumatic diseases frequently pose diagnostic challenges to the clinician. The precise nature of the disorder can be obscure and different disorders can present with similar symptoms, such as joint pain. Plain radiographs provide an appropriate starting point for detection of joint abnormalities.

Autologous tendon-derived cell-seeded nanofibrous scaffolds improve rotator cuff repair in an age-dependent fashion.

Rotator cuff tendon tears are one of the most common shoulder pathologies, especially in the aging population. Due to a poor healing response and degenerative changes associated with aging, rotator cuff repair failure remains common. Although cell-based therapies to augment rotator cuff repair appear promising, it is unknown whether the success of such a therapy is age-dependent.