Clinical orthopaedics and related research
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Mar 2010
Sensitivity of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein in childhood bone and joint infections.
In addition to the examination of clinical signs, several laboratory markers have been measured for diagnostics and monitoring of pediatric septic bone and joint infections. Traditionally erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and leukocyte cell count have been used, whereas C-reactive protein (CRP) has gained in popularity. We monitored 265 children at ages 3 months to 15 years with culture-positive osteoarticular infections with a predetermined series of ESR, CRP, and leukocyte count measurements. On admission, ESR exceeded 20 mm/hour in 94% and CRP exceeded 20 mg/L in 95% of the cases, the mean (+/- standard error of the mean) being 51 +/- 2 mm/hour and 87 +/- 4 mg/L, respectively. ESR normalized in 24 days and CRP in 10 days. Elevated CRP gave a slightly better sensitivity in diagnostics than ESR, but best sensitivity was gained with the combined use of ESR and CRP (98%). Elevated ESR or CRP was seen in all cases during the first 3 days. Measuring ESR and CRP on admission can help the clinician rule out an acute osteoarticular infection. CRP normalizes faster than ESR, providing a clear advantage in monitoring recovery. ⋯ Level II, diagnostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Mar 2010
Increasing the osmolarity of joint irrigation solutions may avoid injury to cartilage: a pilot study.
Saline (0.9%, 285 mOsm) and Hartmann's solution (255 mOsm) are two commonly used joint irrigation solutions that alter the extracellular osmolarity of in situ chondrocytes during articular surgery. We asked whether varying the osmolarity of these solutions influences in situ chondrocyte death in mechanically injured articular cartilage. We initially exposed osteochondral tissue harvested from the metacarpophalangeal joints of 3-year-old cows to solutions of 0.9% saline and Hartmann's solution of different osmolarity (100-600 mOsm) for 2 minutes to allow in situ chondrocytes to respond to the altered osmotic environment. ⋯ Increasing the osmolarity of 0.9% saline and Hartmann's solution to 600 mOsm decreased in situ chondrocyte death in the superficial zone of injured cartilage. Compared with 0.9% saline, Hartmann's solution was associated with greater chondrocyte death in the superficial zone of injured cartilage, but not when the osmolarity of both solutions was increased to 600 mOsm. These experiments may have implications for the design of irrigation solutions used during arthroscopic and open articular surgery.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Mar 2010
Shoulder arthroplasties have fewer complications than hip or knee arthroplasties in US veterans.
Total shoulder arthroplasties (TSA) are being performed more commonly for treatment of arthritis, although fewer than either hip (THA) or knee (TKA) arthroplasties. Total shoulder arthroplasty also provides general health improvements that are comparable to THA. One study suggests TSAs are associated with lower morbidity and mortality than THAs and TKAs. To confirm and extend that study, we therefore examined the association of patient characteristics (sociodemographics, comorbid illness, and other risk factors) with 30-day complications for patients undergoing TSAs, THAs, or TKAs. We used data from the Veterans Administration (VA) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) for fiscal years 1999 to 2006. Sociodemographics, comorbidities, health behaviors, operative factors, and complications (mortality, return to the operating room, readmission within 14 days, cardiovascular events, and infections) were available for 10,407 THAs, 23,042 TKAs, and 793 TSAs. Sociodemographic features were comparable among groups. The mean operative time was greater for TSAs (3.0 hours) than for TKAs (2.2 hours) and THAs (2.4 hours). The 30-day mortality rates were 1.2%, 1.1%, and 0.4% for THAs, TKAs, and TSAs, respectively. The corresponding postoperative complication rates were 7.6%, 6.8%, and 2.8%. Adjusting for multiple risk factors, complications, readmissions, and postoperative stays were less for TSAs versus THAs and TKAs. In a VA population, TSAs required more operative time but resulted in shorter stays, fewer complications, and fewer readmissions than THAs and TKAs. ⋯ Level III, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Feb 2010
Comparative StudyDoes femoral component loosening predispose to femoral fracture?: an in vitro comparison of cemented hips.
The incidence of femur fracture around total hip arthroplasties continues to increase at substantial cost to society. These fractures are frequently associated with a loose femoral component. Consequently, we sought to test whether femoral component loosening predisposes to periprosthetic femoral fracture. ⋯ For the cadaveric specimens, torque to failure was reduced by 58%, whereas stiffness decreased 70% for the loose group compared with the well-fixed group. Fracture patterns were similar between synthetic and cadaveric femora with a proximal spiral pattern in loose specimens and more distal fracture patterns with well-fixed stems. Based on our data, patients with loosened femoral components are at risk for fracture at a substantially lower torque than those with well-fixed components.