Bulletin of the NYU hospital for joint diseases
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Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis · Jan 2010
The effectiveness of tricyclic antidepressants on lumbar spinal stenosis.
Tricyclic antidepressants have not been explicitly studied in the conservative treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. A retrospective chart review was conducted in a subset of patients with chronic low back pain and lumbar spinal stenosis managed with low dose tricyclic antidepressants. Of 26 patients, 20 reported improvement in back pain. ⋯ Patients with both leg and back pain reported improvement in greater proportion than patients with back pain alone. According to this study tricyclic antidepressants appear to be effective in controlling lumbar spinal stenosis symptoms in this patient population. Tricyclic antidepressants need to be further analyzed in randomized controlled studies as a means to conservatively manage lumbar spinal stenosis with stratification based on location of pain.
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Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis · Jan 2010
Assessment of arthroscopic training in U.S. orthopedic surgery residency programs--a resident self-assessment.
There has been an increasing number of arthroscopic surgeries performed in general orthopedic surgery practice, as well as a rapid evolution of arthroscopic techniques. The objective of this investigation was to assess the adequacy of arthroscopic training in U.S. orthopedic residency programs from a resident and program director perspective. ⋯ Fifth-year residents who were surveyed felt less prepared in arthroscopic training, compared to open surgical procedures. Program directors surveyed over estimated confidence levels in fifth-year residents performing arthroscopic procedures. To ensure that graduating residents are appropriately prepared for the current demands of a clinical setting, it may be necessary to reexamine residency requirements to ensure adequate practice in developing arthroscopic surgical skills.
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In recent years, metal-on-metal hip resurfacing has become an increasingly popular treatment for patients needing hip arthroplasty. Important factors to consider for a successful outcome include proper patient selection and surgical technique, including approach, component positioning, and cementing technique. This review will serve as guide to both those who are learning the technique of hip resurfacing and to more experienced surgeons.
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While much literature has focused on the management of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, far less information is available regarding the treatment and outcomes of this disease in the proximal humerus. To a great extent, management of humeral head osteonecrosis has been inferred from studies involving the femoral head. ⋯ Regardless of the underlying etiology, the common pathway involves disruption of the arterial inflow or the venous outflow of the bone, with resultant osseous cell death. The general treatment strategies for humeral head osteonecrosis include nonoperative modalities for symptomatic early disease, with surgical intervention reserved for more advanced disease or those with recalcitrant pain.