Improvement In Functional Outcome Research Articles

Emerging Value of Osseointegration for Intuitive Prosthetic Control after Transhumeral Amputations: A Systematic Review.

Upper extremity limb loss profoundly impacts a patient's quality of life and well-being and carries a significant societal cost. Although osseointegration allows the attachment of the prosthesis directly to the bone, it is a relatively recent development as an alternative to conventional socket prostheses. The objective of this review was to identify reports on osseointegrated prosthetic embodiment for transhumeral amputations and assess the implant systems used, postoperative outcomes, and complications. A systematic review following PRISMA and AMSTAR guidelines assessed functional outcomes, implant longevity and retention, activities of daily living, and complications associated with osseointegrated prostheses in transhumeral amputees. The literature search yielded 794 articles, with eight of these articles (retrospective analyses and case series) meeting the inclusion criteria. Myoelectric systems equipped with Osseointegrated Prostheses for the Rehabilitation of Amputees implants have been commonly used as transhumeral osseointegration systems. The transhumeral osseointegrated prostheses offered considerable improvements in functional outcomes, with participants demonstrating enhanced range of motion and improved performance of activities compared with traditional socket-based prostheses. One study demonstrated the advantage of an osseointegrated implant as a bidirectional gateway for signal transmission, enabling intuitive control of a bionic hand. Osseointegrated prostheses hold the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with transhumeral amputations. Continued research and clinical expansion are expected to lead to the realization of enhanced efficacy and safety in this technique, accompanied by cost reductions over time as a result of improved efficiencies and advancements in device design.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes After Different Surgical Approaches for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is one of the most common causes of lateral elbow pain. When nonoperative treatment fails, 1 of the 3 surgical approaches-open, percutaneous, or arthroscopic-is used. However, determining which approach has the superior clinical outcome remains controversial. To review the outcomes of different operative modalities for LE qualitatively and quantitatively. Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. This review was performed and reported according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies published in PubMed, Medline (via EBSCO), and ScienceDirect databases that treated LE with open, percutaneous, or arthroscopic approaches with at least 12 months of follow-up were included. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies score. The primary outcome was the success rate of each operative treatment approach-open, percutaneous, and arthroscopic. From an initial search result of 603 studies, 43 studies (n = 1941 elbows) were ultimately included. The arthroscopic approach had the highest success rate (91.9% [95% CI, 89.2%-94.7%]) compared with the percutaneous (91% [95% CI, 87.3%-94.6%]) and open (82.7% [95% CI, 75.6%-89.8%]) approaches for LE surgery with changes in the mean visual analog scale pain score of 5.54, 4.90, and 3.63, respectively. According to the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, the functional outcome improved in the arthroscopic group (from 54.11 to 15.47), the percutaneous group (from 44.90 to 10.47), and the open group (from 53.55 to 16.13). The overall improvement was also found in the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, the arthroscopic group (from 55.12 to 90.97), the percutaneous group (from 56.31 to 87.65), and the open group (from 64 to 93.37). Arthroscopic surgery had the highest rate of success and the best improvement in functional outcomes among the 3 approaches of LE surgery.

GET-UP Trial 1-year results: long-term impact of an early mobilization protocol on functional performance after surgery for chronic subdural hematoma.

Evidence on timing for mobilization after chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) surgery is heterogeneous, and practices differ considerably among neurosurgical centers. The Impact of an Early Out-of-Bed Paradigm in Postoperative Outcomes of Chronic Subdural Hematomas: GET-UP Randomized Prospective Trial (GET-UP Trial) is a randomized clinical trial comparing a postoperative early mobilization protocol to bed rest. Previously reported results at clinical discharge and 1 month after surgery indicated a decreased risk of medical complications in the early mobilization group. Herein, the authors report outcomes at the 1-year follow-up. The GET-UP Trial is a prospective, randomized, unicentric, open-label study with an intention-to-treat primary analysis designed to evaluate the impact of an early mobilization protocol after burr hole craniostomy for cSDH on the occurrence of medical complications and functional outcomes. Between January 2019 and August 2021, a total of 208 patients were recruited and randomized to either an early mobilization group, in which patients began elevation of the head of the bed within the first 12 hours after surgery, or to a bed rest group, in which patients remained recumbent for 48 hours. Outcomes assessed at the 1-year follow-up included functional status as measured by the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) and repeat surgery for hematoma recurrence (surgical recurrence). A total of 203 patients completed 1 year of follow-up: 101 in the bed rest group and 102 in the early mobilization group. No significant baseline pre-randomization clinical differences were observed between the two management groups. At 1 year after surgery, a favorable functional outcome, defined as a GOSE score ≥ 5, was observed in 59 patients (58.4%) in the bed rest group and 78 (76.5%) in the early mobilization group (p = 0.006). Death occurred in 25 patients (24.8%) in the bed rest group and 16 (15.7%) in the early mobilization group (p = 0.108). Surgical recurrence was noted in 6 patients (5.9%) in the bed rest group and 7 (6.9%) in the early mobilization group (p = 0.788). Multivariate analysis showed an independent association between early mobilization and an increase in favorable functional outcomes (OR 2.006, 95% CI 1.076-3.739, p = 0.028). The GET-UP Trial is the first randomized clinical trial assessing the impact of mobilization strategies on medical complications after burr hole craniostomy for cSDH. Regarding functional results 1 year after surgery, early mobilization was associated with an improvement in functional outcomes without an increase in surgical recurrence. These findings support the preference for an early mobilization protocol in cSDH patients over mandatory bed rest strategies.

Robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty improves functional outcomes, complications, and revisions.

Robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (R-UKA) has been proposed as an approach to improve the results of the conventional manual UKA (C-UKA). The aim of this meta-analysis was to analyze the studies comparing R-UKA and C-UKA in terms of clinical outcomes, radiological results, operating time, complications, and revisions. The literature search was conducted on three databases (PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science) on 20 February 2024 according to the guidelines for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Inclusion criteria were comparative studies, written in the English language, with no time limitations, on the comparison of R-UKA and C-UKA. The quality of each article was assessed using the Downs and Black Checklist for Measuring Quality. Among the 3,669 articles retrieved, 21 studies on 19 series of patients were included. A total of 3,074 patients (59.5% female and 40.5% male; mean age 65.2 years (SD 3.9); mean BMI 27.4 kg/m2 (SD 2.2)) were analyzed. R-UKA obtained a superior Knee Society Score improvement compared to C-UKA (mean difference (MD) 4.9; p < 0.001) and better Forgotten Joint Score postoperative values (MD 5.5; p = 0.032). The analysis of radiological outcomes did not find a statistically significant difference between the two approaches. R-UKA showed longer operating time (MD 15.6; p < 0.001), but reduced complication and revision rates compared to C-UKA (5.2% vs 10.1% and 4.1% vs 7.2%, respectively). This meta-analysis showed that the robotic approach for UKA provided a significant improvement in functional outcomes compared to the conventional manual technique. R-UKA showed similar radiological results and longer operating time, but reduced complication and revision rates compared to C-UKA. Overall, R-UKA seems to provide relevant benefits over C-UKA in the management of patients undergoing UKA.

Arthroscopic Biceps Tenodesis With Interference Screw Fixation: A Technique Video

Background: Management of long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) pathology is accomplished through a biceps tenotomy or tenodesis. While both modalities provide beneficial outcomes, a biceps tenodesis may confer improved cosmesis, functional outcomes, and decreased muscle cramping postoperatively. Many procedural considerations are undertaken prior to a tenodesis, such as the surgical approach and fixation device. While similar clinical outcomes are achieved between an open subpectoral and arthroscopic suprapectoral biceps tenodesis (ASPBT) with interference screw (IS) fixation, the latter technique offers a minimally invasive modality. Indications: The primary indications for an ASPBT include superior labrum anterior posterior (SLAP) tears, LHBT tears, biceps instability, bicipital tunnel disease, biceps pulley lesions, and biceps tenosynovitis. Contraindications to the arthroscopic approach include a distal lesion of the biceps tendon below the pectoralis major tendon (PMT). The IS may be used to create a biomechanically stiffer construct. Technique Description: With the arthroscope in the lateral portal, the distal aspect of the bicipital groove proximal to the superior border of the PMT is identified and opened. The LHBT is subsequently mobilized and released. An anterosuperolateral portal is localized with a spinal needle positioned perpendicular to the bicipital tunnel, 1.5 cm proximal to the superior border of the PMT. The biceps is then removed ex vivo and whip-stitches are sewn beginning 1 cm proximal to the myotendinous junction of the LHBT. After firmly associating the LHBT with the tip of the IS, a guidewire is placed 1.5 cm superior to the superior border of the PMT, perpendicular to the humerus, and a reamer is used to prepare a 6-, 7-, or 8-mm diameter socket. The tendon is inserted through the accessory portal into the tunnel, followed by screw fixation. Suture tails are tied with 5 alternating half hitches, each secured via an arthroscopic knot pusher. Results: ASPBT with IS fixation provides significant pain relief, improves range of motion (ROM), and enhances quality of life. Discussion: ASPBT with IS fixation provides significant improvements in patient-reported and functional outcomes and thus can be an acceptable treatment for LHBT pathology. Patient Consent Disclosure Statement: The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Adolescents in China: A Pilot Study

Currently, there is a lack of cost-effective and accessible intervention resources for Chinese adolescents with emotional disorders. The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Adolescents (UP-A), which aims to apply transdiagnostic treatment principles to target core dysfunctions across a range of emotional disorders with a single protocol, could fill this gap. We first modified the UP-A for use in the Chinese cultural context and then assessed its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy using a single-arm design. Twenty-four Chinese adolescents (14.1 ± 1.2 years old) with emotional disorders completed a 12-week group UP-A intervention along with their parents. Multiple outcomes were evaluated at five time points: pretreatment (T1), week 4 (T2), week 8 (T3), posttreatment (T4), and 3-month follow-up (T5). The results showed a low dropout rate (16.7%), high attendance (at 10.2 ± 1.6 sessions in adolescents and 10.7 ± 2.0 sessions in parents), and sufficient participant satisfaction. Adolescents exhibited significant decreases in emotional disorder severity (g = −1.298 to −1.341) and emotional symptoms (g = −0.440 to −1.988) and significant improvements in emotion regulation (ER) strategies, resilience, functional outcomes, and executive function. The efficacy of the intervention was significant starting at T2 and was maintained at T4 and T5. Exploratory analyses revealed that predictors of treatment outcomes included the presence of multiple comorbidities, the severity of emotional disorders, adaptive ER strategies, and resilience at T1. This study demonstrated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the Chinese version of the UP-A, and future randomized controlled trials are warranted.

Coronal Plane Alignment Classification of Arthritic Knees in a South Indian Population and Functional Outcome Comparison Post-mechanical Alignment Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Mechanical alignment has always been considered as the gold standard in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), but various other coronal alignment strategies have been proposed to enhance native knee kinematics and thus elevate patient satisfaction levels. Coronal plane alignment of the knee (CPAK) classification introduced by MacDessi is a simple yet comprehensive system to classify knees based on their coronal plane alignment. It categorizes knees into nine phenotypes based on medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA). This study investigates the distribution of classification of primary arthritic knees (CPAK) types among arthritic knees in the South Indian population and compares the functional outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using traditional mechanical alignment among various CPAK types. The research, spanning from September 2021 to August 2023, encompasses a comprehensive analysis of 324 patients with 352 knees in the first part and 48 patients with 72 knees in the second part of the study who underwent TKA, incorporating demographic data and radiological evaluations. Results indicate a predominant distribution of CPAK type 1, followed by type 2 and type 4 among the South Indian population. In the functional outcomes analysis, regardless of CPAK type, patients exhibited significant improvements in Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores post-operatively. CPAK distribution among the South Indian population is comparable to other Indian study and studies with an Asian population, but varies with studies among the White population. Significant improvement of functional outcome among all CPAK types signifies the robust nature of conventional mechanical alignment strategy. Thus, our study serves as an initial exploration into the knee phenotype of the South Indian population and findings contribute to ongoing research on optimal alignment strategies in knee arthroplasty, paving the way for future, more extensive studies in this dynamic field.

Task-specific resistance training adaptations in older adults: comparing traditional and functional exercise interventions.

Muscle strength declines ∼3% per year after the age of 70. Resistance training guidelines for older adults are often based on free-weight and machine exercises, which may be inaccessible and lack carryover to activities of daily living. We tested the hypothesis that resistance training adaptations in older adults are task-specific. Thirty adults (8 males, 22 females; mean age = 71 years) were randomly assigned to participate in 6weeks of supervised, high-intensity resistance training (twice per week) utilizing free-weight and machine exercises (traditional) versus functional activities that were overloaded with a weighted vest (functional). Participants were thoroughly familiarized with the exercises and testing prior to beginning the study. Major outcome measures included assessments of functional performance, five-repetition maximum strength, isometric knee extensor force, and quadriceps muscle size. Physical activity and nutrition were monitored. The study results demonstrate that the magnitude of improvement within a given outcome was largely dependent on group assignment, with greater improvements in gait speed and the timed-up-and-go in the functional group, but 2-3× greater five repetition maximum strength improvements for the trap bar deadlift, leg press, and leg extension following traditional resistance training. Both groups showed improvements in isometric knee extensor force and muscle size, suggesting that some aspects of the observed adaptations were generic, rather than specific. Overall, these novel findings suggest that, among older adults, 1) resistance training adaptations exhibit a high degree of task specificity and 2) significant improvements in functional outcomes can be achieved with the use of a weighted vest.

RETROSPECTIVE PROSPECTIVE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF RECONSTRUCTION OF ACL TEAR WITH QUADRUPLED HAMSTRING GRAFT VERSUS QUADRUPLED HAMSTRING GRAFT INTERNALLY BRACED WITH FIBERTAPE

Background: Reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament is a widely done surgery. The surgical outcome is dependent upon the strength of the graft used. Quadrupled hamstring graft is a commonly used graft as it provides good strength and functional outcomes. However graft re-rupture and laxity of the graftare amongst the known complications which lead to repeat surgeries and unsatisfactory outcomes. Various techniques have been described to strenghthen the graft. This study compares the cumulative effect of internally bracing quadrupled hamstring graft using fibertape with quadrupled hamstring graft alone in terms of functional outcome and laxity. Materials and Method:The study was done at the Department of Orthopaedics at King Georges Medical University in Lucknow on 60 patients with anterior cruciate ligament tears from October 2021 to October 2022. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 had quadrupled hamstring graft reconstruction done alone, and Group 2 had quadrupled hamstring graft reconstruction done with fibertapebracedinternally.Lysholm knee score was used as a measure of functional outcome along with standardized Pivot shift test, Lachman testand anterior drawer test to measure and compare the pre- and postoperative variation in laxity. Results:On comparing the improvement in grades at subsequent follow-up, group 2 showed significant improvement in functional outcomes in terms of Lysholm knee score . Conclusion:We concluded that reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament using quadrupled hamstring graft internally braced with fiber tape gives a better functional outcome in form of Lysholm knee score although there was no significant improvement in grades of Anterior Drawer and Lachman test. Although follow up period of six months was a limiting factor . Further clinical evaluation over a longer period of follow up to evaluate the effect of fibertape on shielding and creeping of graft is essential and also to study the resultant collagen fibretapes clinical behavior.

Comparison of Discectomy versus Sequestrectomy in Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Lumbar disc herniation is a common spinal condition characterized by the protrusion or extrusion of intervertebral disc material. This extruded or protruded disc material compresses the spinal nerves causing various symptoms such as low back pain radiculopathy and functional limitation. Objective: To assess and compare the outcomes of pain relief as well as functional improvement among patients who underwent Discectomy and Sequestrectomy. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the neck and surgery department, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Quetta. A total of 80 patients were included in the study, 26 (32.5%) patients underwent Sequestrectomy while microdiscectomy was done in 54 (67.5%) patients. The data collection proforma consisted of demographic information, baseline clinical characteristics, description of surgical procedures, pre and postoperative VAS scores, and functional outcomes assessed by the Oswestry disability index. The statistics used in this study were independent t-test and paired t-tests. Results: The study results showed no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the groups. Both procedures showed a significant improvement in pain levels, in terms of lowered VAS scores and ODI scores. Conclusions: The procedure of sequestrectomy has shown significant improvements in postoperative pain relief and functional outcomes as compared to microdiscectomy.

Functional outcomes in intradural extramedullary spinal tumors.

Intradural extramedullary (IDEM) spinal cord tumors account for approximately two-thirds of benign intraspinal neoplasms. These are amenable to gross total excision but can have variable functional outcomes, which plays a key role in assessing their impact on a patient's quality of life. Understanding the functional outcomes associated with these tumors is crucial for healthcare professionals to devise appropriate treatment plans and provide comprehensive care. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 130 patients with IDEM tumors who underwent surgery in the past six years between January 2017 and December 2022 at a single institution. Patient demographics, symptoms, and tumor characteristics (anatomical and pathological) in all operated spinal IDEM tumors were analyzed. The neurological findings obtained during the preoperative stage and the postoperative follow-up were evaluated according to the Frankel grading. The back pain was assessed using the Denis pain scale (DPS). The age range, gender distribution, presentation, histopathology, and tumor characteristics were analyzed. The histopathological outcomes of the study were as follows: 56 cases of schwannoma, 37 cases of meningiomas, 16 patients of neurofibroma, six cases of epidermoid cyst, five cases each of ependymoma and dermoid cyst, three cases of arachnoid cyst, two cases of metastasis, and one case of paraganglioma. Pain was the most common symptom (38.5%), followed by weakness in limbs (31.5%), paresthesia/numbness (22.3%), and sphincter disturbance (7.7%). Complete total resection was seen in 93% of cases, with 7% undergoing subtotal excision. The complications encountered were - four cases of surgical site infection and one case each of cerebrospinal fluid leak, pseudomeningocele, and epidural hematoma. In our series, 49.3% of patients had significantly good improvement in functional outcomes as per improvement in Frankel score, and 43% of patients had good functional improvement. Significant functional improvement was noted at immediate postoperative follow-up, 2-week follow-up, and six-month follow-up periods. Reoccurrence was seen in 7 cases (5.4%). The DPS score mean values showed a significant decrease over the follow-up duration as compared to preoperative mean values. Significantly poor outcome was seen in IDEM tumours present anteriorly. The IDEM tumors are usually benign and are readily detected by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging scans. These have variable functional outcomes in different centers. Assessing this functional outcome is an essential aspect of managing IDEM spinal tumors. It was observed through our study that the ventral location of the tumor, thoracic tumors, and poor preoperative neurological status of the patient correspond with poorer postoperative functional outcomes. Furthermore, a significant decrease in the pain symptoms with improvement of Frankel score was seen postoperatively, thus this being suggestive of a significant improvement of functional outcome after surgery. This study helps to conclude that the morbidity associated with the resection of IDEM tumors is not as significant as originally thought to be.

Abstract SY31-03: Cancer takes a nerve: Challenges and opportunities in cancer neuroscience

Abstract Neuronal reprogramming in cancer represents a groundbreaking frontier that intricately links the nervous system's plasticity to tumor progression and response to treatment. This process involves the aberrant activation or suppression of neuronal signals that can significantly influence cancer cell behavior, including proliferation, migration, and resistance to therapies. The concept of repurposing drugs originally designed to target the nervous system for use in clinical oncology offers a promising therapeutic strategy, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment. By intercepting neuronal pathways that cancer cells exploit for their growth and survival, these drugs could modulate the tumor microenvironment, enhance the efficacy of conventional therapies, and potentially reverse drug resistance mechanisms. Moreover, targeting neuronal signaling in cancer could lead to improvements in patients' functional outcomes, mitigating cancer-related neurological deficits and improving quality of life. Importantly, this approach may also have profound implications for survival outcomes, as modulating the neuro-cancer interface could slow tumor progression and reduce metastatic spread. The repurposing of neuroactive drugs for cancer treatment thus opens a new avenue for personalized medicine, where the intricacies of neuronal reprogramming are leveraged to tailor therapy, improve response rates, and ultimately, enhance patient survival and well-being. Citation Format: Moran Amit. Cancer takes a nerve: Challenges and opportunities in cancer neuroscience [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr SY31-03.

Modified Surgical Treatment for Achilles Tendon Rupture Secondary to Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy Using Midline Dorsal Approach

Objective: To assess the pain relief and functional outcomes of patients who undergo surgical management of Achilles tendon rupture secondary to insertional Achilles tendinopathy and associated conditions using a midline dorsal approach.Methods: This prospective observational study included 30 patients diagnosed with Achilles tendon rupture secondary to insertional Achilles tendinopathy. We recorded risk factors, predisposing factors, and co-morbidities for all cases. Pain relief and functional improvement were assessed by comparing Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) at the time of presentation and at the final follow-up. We conducted statistical analysis using SPSS 21.0 software, with a significance level of p&lt;0.05.Results: Of the participants, 17 (56.67%) were male and 13 (43.13%) were female, resulting in a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.76. The mean age of male and female patients was comparable (p=0.7515). The majority of patients (60%) were overweight, while 9 (30%) were obese, and 3 (10%) had a normal body mass index. We observed a significant reduction in pain and functional improvement in the studied cases, as evidenced by a statistically significant reduction in VAS scores and improvements in AOFAS. Eight (26.66%) patients experienced minor complications that could be managed conservatively, but no major complications were observed.Conclusion: Modified surgical treatment of Achilles tendon rupture secondary to insertional Achilles tendinopathy using a midline dorsal approach leads to significant improvements in pain and functional outcomes, with an acceptable complication rate.

Internal limiting membrane peeling in vitreoretinal surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: clinical results, surgical options, and future prospects

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is one of the leading causes of primary vision disability, while the majority of RRD patients with RRD are people of active working age. Over the past 50 years, retinal detachment surgery has been progressing rapidly, the rate of success increasing up to 90% or higher. However, the reduction of reoperation risks of reoperations, improvement of functional outcomes and increase of postoperative visual acuity remain topical issues. The main reason for repeated surgical interventions is the proliferative vitreoretinopathy progression, which can lead to epiretinal fibrosis, macular oedema, or retinal detachment recurrence. The review is focused on current literature studies that report the results of internal limiting membrane peeling in cases of RRD surgeries and other optional techniques aimed at reducing the risk of the above mentioned postoperative complications.

Removal of Spinal Instrumentation Is Not Required to Successfully Treat Postoperative Wound Infections in Most Cases.

Controversy exists regarding whether spinal implants need to be removed to treat postoperative deep wound infections (DWIs). This retrospective study aimed to determine whether the removal or retention of implants impacts the successful treatment of a DWIafter spine surgery. Postoperative spine surgery patients presenting with signs of infection who underwent irrigation and debridement (I&D) at Twin Cities Spine Surgeons at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minnesota, USA, were studied. First, the persistence of infection when implants were retained or removed was assessed. Second, we analyzed the persistence of infection with respect to the number of I&D, the use of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) treatment, pseudoarthrosis status, and functional outcomes. One hundred thirty-five patients were included. Treatment of infection with retention of implants occurred in 64% (87/135); of these, 7% (6/87) had a persistent infection. Of patients with implant removal (36%, 48/135), 6% (3/48) had a persistent infection. Thus, we observed no difference between treatment with implants present compared to implants removed (p = 1.0). Fifty of the 135 patients (37%) received I&D and primary wound closure, and 85 (63%) patients received I&D and VACtreatment. There was no statistical difference between primary wound closure and VAC treatment (p = 0.15) with respect to persistence. Repeat I&D with VAC (three or more times) had a significantly lower rate of recurrence than those with two I&Ds. Pseudoarthrosis and persistent infection were unrelated. At minimum one-year follow-up, achieving a minimum clinically important difference in functional outcome was independent of persistent infection status. Persistent infection was unrelated to the retention of implants. When VAC treatment was deemed necessary, more than two I&Ds resulted in a significantly better cure for infection. Those with a persistent infection were no more likely to exhibit pseudoarthrosis than those with no persistent infection. All patients showed improvement in functional outcomes at minimum one-year follow-up.

Porous Tantalum Metaphyseal Cones for Severe Femoral and Tibial Bone Defects in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty are Reliable for Fixation at Mean 5-Year Follow-Up

BackgroundPorous tantalum metaphyseal cones may facilitate reconstructions of severe bone defects during revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA), but there remains a paucity of data on their outcomes at mean 5 years of follow-up. This study reports the component survivorship, patient satisfaction, functional outcomes, radiographic osseointegration, and complications of revision TKA with porous tantalum metaphyseal cones at mid-term (mean 5-year) follow-up. MethodsThis study included 152 patients who had a mean age of 66 years (range, 33 to 86 years) undergoing revision TKA with porous tantalum metaphyseal cones. Indications for surgery included aseptic loosening (n = 87, 57.3%), second-stage reimplantation for infection (n = 42, 27.6%), osteolysis with well-fixed components (n = 20, 13.2%), and periprosthetic fracture (n = 3, 2.0%). Component survivorship, clinical outcomes, radiographic outcomes, and any complications were recorded. The mean follow-up time was 5.6 years (range, 2.2 to 13.7). ResultsSurvivorship was 100% when the end point was revision of the metaphyseal cone (no cones were revised) and 83.8% (95% confidence interval: 77.9 to 90.2%) when the end point was reoperation for any reason at 5-year follow-up. Reoperations were performed for infection (n = 10), instability (n = 4), periprosthetic fracture (n = 2), and quadriceps rupture/dehiscence (n = 3). The mean patient satisfaction score was 78.8 ± 11.3 and the mean Forgotten Joint Score was 62.2 ± 16.7 at the final follow-up. The preoperative median University of California at Los Angeles score improved from 2 (interquartile range 2 to 3) to 6 points (interquartile range 5 to 6) (P < .001), and the preoperative Oxford knee score improved from 15.2 ± 3.8 to 39.4 ± 5.1 points (P < .001) at the final follow-up. All metaphyseal cones showed radiographic evidence of osteointegration without any subsidence or loosening. ConclusionsPorous tantalum metaphyseal cones enabled robust reconstructions of severe femoral and tibial bone defects during revision TKA. These reconstructions were associated with excellent survivorship, improvements in functional outcomes, and reproducible radiographic osseointegration at mean 5-year follow-up. The most common reasons for reoperation were infection and instability.

O142: Current clinical applications and limitations of graft augmentation in rotator cuff repair: a systematic review

Abstract Background Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are a leading source of chronic and acute shoulder pain globally, with causes spanning from tendon degeneration to traumatic injury. Especially prevalent in the aging population, RCTs have a significant retear rate despite surgical intervention, and recent years have seen an increase in the use of grafts in surgery to address many of the clinical issues previously encountered in tendon-healing. Objectives To compare the effectiveness of various grafts in graft-augmentation surgery for full-thickness rotator cuff tears, assessed with functional and clinical outcomes. Selection criteria Adult patients with MRI-diagnosed full-thickness RCT and subsequently underwent graft-augmentation surgery; followed-up &amp;gt;1year, with assessment for retear and quantitative clinical outcomes. Results 32 primary studies, mean follow-up of 2 years and total of 1052 patients were included. The effectiveness of graft-augmentation was assessed using retear rate, ASES, Constant, UCLA and VAS. Graft-augmentation significantly improves all functional and clinical scores (p&amp;lt;0.05), and decreases retear rate to an average of 18.5% &amp;gt;1year post-surgery (p&amp;lt;0.0001), with no significant difference in effectiveness between the 4 different types of grafts. (p&amp;gt;0.05). No significant difference in outcomes was found in graft-augmentation between different tear sizes. Conclusions Graft augmentation for RCTs shows significant improvements in clinical and functional outcomes, and significantly lowers retear rate compared to conservative treatment or surgery without graft augmentation. The choice of graft has been shown to be of less importance than the clinical decision to use surgical-intervention with graft-augmentation, which applies to full-thickness tears of all sizes; both primary and revision tears.

Hi1a Improves Sensorimotor Deficit following Endothelin-1-Induced Stroke in Rats but Does Not Improve Functional Outcomes following Filament-Induced Stroke in Mice.

Activation of acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) plays a major role in mediating acidosis-induced neuronal injury following a stroke. Therefore, the inhibition of ASIC1a is a potential therapeutic avenue for the treatment of stroke. Venom-peptide Hi1a, a selective and highly potent ASIC1a inhibitor, reduces the infarct size and functional deficits when injected into the brain after stroke in rodents. However, its efficacy when administered using a clinically relevant route of administration remains to be established. Therefore, the current investigation aims to examine the efficacy of systemically administered Hi1a, using two different models of stroke in different species. Mice were subjected to the filament model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and treated with Hi1a systemically using either a single- or multiple-dosing regimen. 24 h poststroke, mice underwent functional testing, and the brain infarct size was assessed. Rats were subjected to endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced MCAO and treated with Hi1a intravenously 2 h poststroke. Rats underwent functional tests prior to and for 3 days poststroke, when infarct volume was assessed. Mice receiving Hi1a did not show any improvements in functional outcomes, despite a trend toward reduced infarct size. This trend for reduced infarct size in mice was consistent regardless of the dosing regimen. There was also a trend toward lower infarct size in rats treated with Hi1a. More specifically, Hi1a reduced the amount of damage occurring within the somatosensory cortex, which was associated with an improved sensorimotor function in Hi1a-treated rats. Thus, this study suggests that Hi1a or more brain-permeable ASIC1a inhibitors are a potential stroke treatment.

Lateral-PLIF for spinal arthrodesis: concept, technique, results, complications, and outcomes.

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) surgery represents an effective option to treat degenerative conditions in the lumbar spine. To reduce the drawbacks of the classical technique, we developed a variant, so-called Lateral-PLIF, which we then evaluated through a prospective consecutive series of patients. All adult patients treated at our institute with single or double level Lateral-PLIF for lumbar degenerative disease from January to December 2017 were prospectively collected. Exclusion criteria were patients < 18years of age, traumatic patients, active infection, or malignancy, as well as unavailability of clinical and/or radiological follow-up data. The technique consists of insert the cages bilaterally through the transition zone between the central canal and the intervertebral foramen, just above the lateral recess. Pre- and postoperative (2years) questionnaires and phone interviews (4years) assessed pain and functional outcomes. Data related to the surgical procedure, postoperative complications, and radiological findings (1year) were collected. One hundred four patients were selected for the final analysis. The median age was 58years and primary symptoms were mechanical back pain (100, 96.1%) and/or radicular pain (73, 70.2%). We found a high fusion rate (95%). A statistically significant improvement in functional outcome was also noted (ODI p < 0.001, Roland-Morris score p < 0.001). Walking distance increased from 812m ± 543m to 3443m ± 712m (p < 0.001). Complications included dural tear (6.7%), infection/wound dehiscence (4.8%), and instrument failure (1.9%) but no neurological deterioration. Lateral-PLIF is a safe and effective technique for lumbar interbody fusion and may be considered for further comparative study validation with other techniques before extensive use to treat lumbar degenerative disease.

Effectiveness and efficiency of telerehabilitation on functionality after spinal cord injury: A matched case-control study.

Telerehabilitation in spinal cord injury (teleSCI) is a growing field that can improve access to care and health outcomes in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). The clinical effectiveness of teleSCI is not known. To compare independence in activities of daily living and mobility capacity in patients following teleSCI and matched controls undergoing traditional rehabilitation. Matched case-control study. TeleSCI occurring in home setting (cases) versus traditional rehabilitation on inpatient unit (controls). Forty-two consecutive patients with SCI followed with teleSCI were compared to 42 historical rehabilitation inpatients (controls) matched for age, time since injury to rehabilitation admission, level of injury (paraplegia/tetraplegia), complete or incomplete injury, and etiology (traumatic/nontraumatic). The teleSCI group (n = 42) was also compared to the complete cohort of historical controls (n = 613). The teleSCI group followed home-based telerehabilitation (3.5 h/day, 5 days/week, 67 days average duration) and historical controls followed in-person rehabilitation. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM), the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) and the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI). We formally compared gains, efficiency and effectiveness. International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury and the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) were used. The teleSCI group (57.1% nontraumatic, 71.4% paraplegia, 73.8% incomplete, 52.4% AIS grade D) showed no significant differences compared with historical controls in AIS grades, neurological levels, duration, gains, efficiency and effectiveness in FIM, SCIM, or WISCI, although the teleSCI cohort had significantly higher admission FIM scores compared with the complete cohort of historical controls. TeleSCI may provide similar improvements in mobility and functional outcomes as traditional rehabilitation in medically stable patients (predominantly with paraplegia and motor incomplete SCI) when provided with appropriate support and equipment.