Previous Fracture Research Articles

Previous fracture and subsequent fracture risk: a meta-analysis to update FRAX.

The aim of this study was to quantify the fracture risk associated with a prior fracture on an international basis and to explore the relationship of this risk with age, sex, time since baseline and bone mineral density (BMD). We studied 665,971 men and 1,438,535 women from 64 cohorts in 32 countries followed for a total of 19.5 million person-years. The effect of a prior history of fracture on the risk of any clinical fracture, any osteoporotic fracture, major osteoporotic fracture, and hip fracture alone was examined using an extended Poisson model in each cohort. Covariates examined were age, sex, BMD, and duration of follow-up. The results of the different studies were merged by using the weighted β-coefficients. A previous fracture history, compared with individuals without a prior fracture, was associated with a significantly increased risk of any clinical fracture (hazard ratio, HR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.72-2.07). The risk ratio was similar for the outcome of osteoporotic fracture (HR = 1.87; 95% CI = 1.69-2.07), major osteoporotic fracture (HR = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.63-2.06), or for hip fracture (HR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.62-2.06). There was no significant difference in risk ratio between men and women. Subsequent fracture risk was marginally downward adjusted when account was taken of BMD. Low BMD explained a minority of the risk for any clinical fracture (14%), osteoporotic fracture (17%), and for hip fracture (33%). The risk ratio for all fracture outcomes related to prior fracture decreased significantly with adjustment for age and time since baseline examination. A previous history of fracture confers an increased risk of fracture of substantial importance beyond that explained by BMD. The effect is similar in men and women. Its quantitation on an international basis permits the more accurate use of this risk factor in case finding strategies.

Height Loss Is an Independent Predictor of Fracture Incidence in Postmenopausal Women: The Results from the Gliwice Osteoporosis Study (GO Study).

The aim of a longitudinal, retrospective study was to establish variables predicting fracture incidence over a decade. The study sample comprises a group of 457 postmenopausal women aged over 55 years, recruited from the database of an outpatient osteoporotic clinic. Several variables with potential influence on bone status, including the measurement of body height and hip bone densitometry, were collected. BMD at the femoral neck (FN BMD) was established using a Prodigy device (Lunar, GE, USA). Current body height was compared with the maximal historical body height in early adulthood, as reported by the patient. Three hundred and ninety-four women did not have fractures during the follow up, and 63 subjects presented fractures. Subjects with fracture had lower FN BMD with a T-score of -1.86 ± 1.04 compared to -1.44 ± 0.89 in those without fractures (p < 0.001). Mean height loss (HL) was 3.47 ± 2.11 cm in fractured subjects and 2.50 ± 2.47 cm in unfractured ones, and differed significantly, p < 0.01. Fracture incidence was significantly related to age, rheumatoid arthritis, falls, and previous fractures. In the multivariable analysis using logistic regression, FN BMD, baseline fracture, and HL were identified as the significant predictors of fractures of follow up. Osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women were predicted by FN BMD, prior fracture(s), and HL easily established during physical examination.

Comparison of both lower leg bone mineral density in single limb knee osteoarthritis patients.

The relationship between knee osteoarthritis (OA), bone mineral density (BMD), and alignment has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the two limbs in patients with single-limb knee OA. Patients who underwent single-limb total knee arthroplasty between March 2019 and February 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Only patients with Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grades III and IV on the operated side and KL I and II on the opposite side were included. Patients with traumatic OA, a surgery that could change the alignment of both lower extremities and previous fractures were excluded. The proximal femur BMD on the OA and non-OA sides were compared. In addition, the difference in BMD was compared between a group with a difference in alignment of both lower extremities (> 5°) and a group without a difference (< 5°). In total, 149 patients were included. The BMD T-score of the femoral neck on the OA side was lower than that of the non-OA side (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between BMD and alignment, and there was no difference in BMD according to the difference in alignment. The femoral neck BMD of the leg on the side with knee OA was lower than that on the side without OA. However, the alignment difference between the legs did not affect BMD. BMD was lowered because of OA and not because of alignment.

Outcomes in Ankle Replacement Study (OARS).

The aim of this study was to capture 12-month outcomes from a representative multicentre cohort of patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), describe the pattern of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at 12 months, and identify predictors of these outcome measures. Patients listed for a primary TAA at 19 NHS hospitals between February 2016 and October 2017 were eligible. PROMs data were collected preoperatively and at six and 12 months including: Manchester-Oxford Foot and Ankle Questionnaire (MOXFQ (foot and ankle)) and the EuroQol five-dimension five-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). Radiological pre- and postoperative data included Kellgren-Lawrence score and implant position measurement. This was supplemented by data from the National Joint Registry through record linkage to determine: American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade at index procedure; indication for surgery, index ankle previous fracture; tibial hind foot alignment; additional surgery at the time of TAA; and implant type. Multivariate regression models assessed outcomes, and the relationship between MOXFQ and EQ-5D-5L outcomes, with patient characteristics. Data from 238 patients were analyzed. There were significant improvements in MOXFQ and EQ-5D-5L among people who underwent TAA at six- and 12-month assessments compared with preoperative scores (p < 0.001). Most improvement occurred between preoperative and six months, with little further improvement at 12 months. A greater improvement in MOXFQ outcome postoperatively was associated with older age and more advanced radiological signs of ankle osteoarthritis at baseline. TAA significantly benefits patients with end-stage ankle disease. The lack of substantial further overall change between six and 12 months suggests that capturing PROMs at six months is sufficient to assess the success of the procedure. Older patients and those with advanced radiological disease had the greater gains. These outcome predictors can be used to counsel younger patients and those with earlier ankle disease on the expectations of TAA.

Secondary fracture prevention with osteoporosis medication after a fragility fracture in Sweden remains low despite new guidelines

SummaryThis national register study investigated osteoporosis medication prescriptions for secondary fracture prevention among older Swedish adults. Although prescription proportions are increasing for both men and women, they remain low, especially among individuals aged 90 and older. Improved Fracture Liaison Services could increase the prescription proportions and should be bolstered.PurposeDespite clear guidelines for secondary fracture prevention among older adults, it seems undertreatment persists. We aimed to describe secondary fracture prevention with medical osteoporosis treatment in the older Swedish population. Specifically, how prescription has changed over time and if these patterns differ in sociodemographic subgroups.MethodsBetween 2007 and 2020, osteoporosis medication use was studied among all Swedish residents aged 70 and older who had a fragility fracture in the previous 5 years. Previous fragility fractures were defined as fractures of the humerus, wrist, hip, or vertebrae. Osteoporosis medication was defined as any prescription of bone-enhancing medications (including bisphosphonates and denosumab).ResultsOsteoporosis medication increased over the study period, especially among men. Prescription among individuals 90 + was consistently two- to threefold lower compared to 70–79- and 80–89-year-olds. In 2018–2020, 8–17% of women and 5–9% of men, depending on age, received osteoporosis medication. At the beginning of the study period, women with higher education were more likely to be prescribed osteoporosis medication, though this difference decreased over time. Prescription of vitamin D and/or calcium as the only treatment was more common than osteoporosis medications throughout the study period.ConclusionDespite increasing prescription proportions, medical treatment for secondary fracture prevention remains low. In addition, it is more common to be prescribed vitamin D or calcium than osteoporosis medication after a fragility fracture, contrary to current guidelines. These results indicate that there is room for improvement for Fracture Liaison Services in Sweden.

Validation of JSBMR's CTIBL manual for Japanese men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer causes cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL), increases the fracture risk 2-3 times, and worsens life prognoses. The Japan Society of Bone and Mineral Research (JSBMR) created a CTIBL treatment manual in 2020; however, no study has validated its use in patients with ADT/CTIBL prostate cancer. This study classified 124 patients with prostate cancer without bone metastasis who received ADT into high- and low-risk groups using the JSBMR CTIBL algorithm. Comparisons were made with the period to incident vertebral fracture and the existing International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) classification. The median age was 74years; the median observation period was 81months. At 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9years, the prevalence of incident vertebral fractures was, respectively, 3.3%, 10.7%, 17.9%, 21.4%, and 31.2% in the entire population; 13%, 27%, 36%, 42%, and 58% in the high-risk group (19%); and 1%, 7%, 14%, 17%, and 25% in the low-risk group (81%). The hazard ratio between the two groups was 3.57 (p = 0.0004). Based on multivariate analysis, age, previous vertebral fracture and femoral neck bone density were significant risk factors for incidental vertebral fracture. The JSBMR had a hazard ratio of 3.26 (p = 0.04) relative to 1.13 (p = 0.84) for the IOF, indicating the JSBMR classification performed better. Taking preventive measures against fractures is necessary, including starting bone-modifying agents early in patients with a high fracture risk. The JSBMR CTIBL manual may be useful for this purpose.

FEMORAL NECK FRACTURES, EPIDEMIOLOGY, ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION, MECHANISM OF ACTION, CLASSIFICATION, CLINICAL EVALUATION, IMAGING EVALUATION, TREATMENT AND COMPLICATIONS

Introduction: Femoral neck fractures (FNF) are frequent and devastating injuries in orthopedics and traumatology. It usually has several therapeutic options depending on the type of fracture and the comorbidities of the affected individual, among the conservative treatment alternatives are bed rest with or without traction and among the surgical alternatives are internal fixation. Objective: to detail the current information related to femoral neck fractures, epidemiology, anatomical description, mechanism of action, classification, clinical evaluation, imaging evaluation, treatment and complications. Methodology: a total of 40 articles were analyzed in this review, including review and original articles, as well as clinical cases, of which 31 bibliographies were used because the other articles were not relevant to this study. The sources of information were PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane; the terms used to search for information in Spanish, Portuguese and English were: fractures, femur, femoral neck, prosthesis, trauma. Results: 80% are generated in women, and the incidence doubles every 5 to 6 years in women over 30 years of age. It presents bimodal incidence. The risk factors are female sex, white race, advanced age, poor health, smoking, alcohol consumption, previous fractures, history of falls and low estrogen concentrations. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the test of choice for the diagnosis of undisplaced or occult fractures not observable on plain radiographs. Up to 40% of impacted or nondisplaced fractures will displace if they do not undergo internal fixation. Secondary displacement is 5% following internal fixation. Pseudarthrosis may complicate up to 5% of non-displaced fractures and up to 25% of displaced fractures; furthermore, osteonecrosis complicates up to 10% of non-displaced fractures and up to 30% of displaced fractures. Conclusions: femoral neck fractures present a high incidence, the mechanism of action mostly presented in young people is high energy trauma, in the elderly the most common mechanism is low energy falls. Patients with displaced femoral neck fractures are unable to walk and show shortening and external rotation of the lower limb. Anteroposterior projections of the pelvis are indicated, as well as anteroposterior and cross lateral projections of the affected proximal femur. The goals of treatment are to relieve the patients pain, restore hip function and have rapid mobilization through anatomical reduction and internal fixation or by prosthetic replacement. Conservative treatment of fractures is recommended in individuals at extreme surgical risk; it can also be considered in individuals with dementia, who do not maintain the ability to walk and have little symptomatology due to hip pain. Among the most important complications are pseudarthrosis and osteonecrosis. Surgery to treat nondisplaced femoral neck fractures is associated with a higher number of consolidation and associated with less avascular necrosis compared to conservative treatment. KEY WORDS: fractures, femoral neck, trauma, prosthesis.

Development and validation of a predictive model for spinal fracture risk in osteoporosis patients.

Spinal osteoporosis is a prevalent health condition characterized by the thinning of bone tissues in the spine, increasing the risk of fractures. Given its high incidence, especially among older populations, it is critical to have accurate and effective predictive models for fracture risk. Traditionally, clinicians have relied on a combination of factors such as demographics, clinical attributes, and radiological characteristics to predict fracture risk in these patients. However, these models often lack precision and fail to include all potential risk factors. There is a need for a more comprehensive, statistically robust prediction model that can better identify high-risk individuals for early intervention. To construct and validate a model for forecasting fracture risk in patients with spinal osteoporosis. The medical records of 80 patients with spinal osteoporosis who were diagnosed and treated between 2019 and 2022 were retrospectively examined. The patients were selected according to strict criteria and categorized into two groups: Those with fractures (n = 40) and those without fractures (n = 40). Demographics, clinical attributes, biochemical indicators, bone mineral density (BMD), and radiological characteristics were collected and compared. A logistic regression analysis was employed to create an osteoporotic fracture risk-prediction model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the model's performance. Factors significantly associated with fracture risk included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking history, BMD, vertebral trabecular alterations, and prior vertebral fractures. The final risk-prediction model was developed using the formula: (logit [P] = -3.75 + 0.04 × age - 1.15 × sex + 0.02 × BMI + 0.83 × smoking history + 2.25 × BMD - 1.12 × vertebral trabecular alterations + 1.83 × previous vertebral fractures). The AUROC of the model was 0.93 (95%CI: 0.88-0.96, P < 0.001), indicating strong discriminatory capabilities. The fracture risk-prediction model, utilizing accessible clinical, biochemical, and radiological information, offered a precise tool for the evaluation of fracture risk in patients with spinal osteoporosis. The model has potential in the identification of high-risk individuals for early intervention and the guidance of appropriate preventive actions to reduce the impact of osteoporosis-related fractures.

Identifying the Most Important Factors in Determining the Osteoporosis in Women Using Data Mining Techniques

Osteoporosis is one of the primary causes of disability and mortality in the elderly. If osteoporosis's significant features can be identified, the risk of developing this disease will be reduced. In recent years, data mining approaches have become a suitable tool for medical researchers. This study applied data mining methods to identify osteoporosis’s significant features. This study applied data from women having osteoporosis or osteopenia in the period 2011-2019 in the Osteoporosis Diagnosis Center, Isfahan, Iran. Data mining methods such as linear regression, naïve bayes, decision tree, support vector machine, random forest, and neural network were implemented on the dataset. This study consisted of 8258 patients’ information, of which 1482 had osteoporosis. The results showed that the support vector machine, decision tree, neural network are the best method based on accuracy, precision, and AUC measures. Six candidate features were age, weight, back pain, low activity, menopause date, and previous fracture. Support vector machine, decision tree, and neural network are the best candidate techniques for predicting osteoporosis. Thin older people are more at risk of osteoporosis than other people. Yet, people with middleweight and middle age are at lower risk of osteoporosis.

Hip fracture treatment and complications after surgery

Falls are one of the most important geriatric syndromes due to their high frequency, often without fatal consequences, but they do tend to affect the person's health and quality of life. The purpose of this review is to mention to most used options of treatment and the most common complication that occurred after the treatment. Whether physical or psychological complications. The average age is 82 years in women and 79 years in men; the largest number of causes occur during the day and at home, which is why more than 40% of the population has suffered a previous fracture. Most fractures are the result of trips or falls, but there are 5% who do not report previous traumatic episodes. The most common types of fracture according to the AO/OTA classification correspond to type 31-A1 and 31-A2 which are considered stable, likewise it is mentioned that the scope of treatment commonly used is intramedullary nailing and sliding screw plate, being the second one the preferred one. The risk factors associated with this complication were age, sex, and ASA score. In another way, the surgical complications included hematoma/healing, mechanical disorder, complications, infections, Necrosis, pseudoarthrosis, and malposition Healing and had the same risk factors associated plus the time it took to perform the surgery.

Is the Citak classification of distal femur morphology age and gender dependent?

The purpose of this study was to compare the distal femur morphology in different age and gender groups using the Citak classification. All patients who had standard knee anteroposterior radiographs between 2010 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed using the electronic patient database. Patients were divided into three age groups as follows: young adults (Group I, younger than 50years), middle-aged adults (Group II, ranging from age 51 to 73years), and elderly (Group III, more than 74years). From each age group, 80 patients were randomly selected with an equal number of gender (40 males/40 females). An age-stratified selection was applied to obtain the best sample that represents the selected age groups. Patients younger than 18years of age, history of previous fracture or surgical procedure, those with fixation implants or prosthesis, and abnormalities of the lower limb, such as a congenital deformity, were excluded from the study. All measurements were performed by an experienced orthopedic surgeon familiar with the Citak classification. All measured variables were compared between age and gender groups. There were 240 patients (120 male and 120 female) with a mean age of 59.6 ± 20.4 (range 18-95). The distal femur morphology index was similar (p:0.811), and the morphological types were equally distributed among age groups (p:0.819). Furthermore, there was no significant difference between genders on the measured variables (p > 0.05 for all variables). Citak classification types were similarly distributed between the genders (p:0.153). No correlation was found between age and the Citak index in either gender (p:0.967 and p:0.633, respectively). Distal femoral morphology classified by the Citak index is not age and gender dependent. Type C, which has a wider diaphyseal diameter, and is supposed to be more common in elderly subjects, was equally distributed in all age groups. Level IV. Retrospective case series.

Bone parameters in T1D and T2D assessed by DXA and HR-pQCT – A cross-sectional study: The DIAFALL study

People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) have an increased risk of fractures due to skeletal fragility. We aimed to compare areal bone mineral density (aBMD), volumetric BMD (vBMD), cortical and trabecular measures, and bone strength parameters in participants with diabetes vs. controls. In a cross-sectional study, we included adult participants with T1D (n=111, MA=52.9years), T2D (n=106, MA=62.1years) and controls (n=328, MA=57.7years). The study comprised of DXA scans and HR-pQCT scans, biochemistry, handgrip strength (HGS), Timed Up and GO (TUG), vibration perception threshold (VPT), questionnaires, medical histories, alcohol use, and previous fractures. Group comparisons were performed after adjustment for sex, age, BMI, diabetes duration, HbA1c, alcohol, smoking, previous fractures, postmenopausal, HGS, TUG, and VPT. We found decreased aBMD in participants with T1D at the femoral neck (p=0.028), whereas T2D had significantly higher aBMD at peripheral sites (legs, arms, p<0.01) vs. controls. In T1D we found higher vBMD (p<0.001), cortical vBMD (p<0.001), cortical area (p=0.002) and thickness (p<0.001), lower cortical porosity(p=0.008), higher stiffness (p=0.002) and failure load (p=0.003) at radius and higher vBMD (p=0.003), cortical vBMD(p<0.001), bone stiffness (p=0.023) and failure load(p=0.044) at the tibia than controls. In T2D we found higher vBMD (p<0.001), cortical vBMD (p<0.001), trabecular vBMD (p<0.001), cortical area (p<0.001) and thickness (p<0.001), trabecular number (p=0.024), lower separation (p=0.010), higher stiffness (p<0.001) and failure load (p<0.001) at the radius and higher total vBMD (p<0.001), cortical vBMD (p<0.011), trabecular vBMD (p=0.001), cortical area (p=0.002) and thickness (p=0.021), lower trabecular separation (p=0.039), higher stiffness (p<0.001) and failure load (p=0.034) at tibia compared with controls. aBMD measures were as expected lower in T1D and higher in T2D than controls. Favorable bone microarchitecture and strength parameters were seen at the tibia and radius for T1D and T2D.

A narrative review of the pharmaceutical management of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder classified by the loss of bone density in older adults leading to compromised bone strength and an increased risk of fracture. It can be divided into categories based on its etiology: senile, post-menopausal, and secondary osteoporosis. Specific prevention measures and treatments exist for targeting bone loss. Here we review and summarize the literature regarding the presentation of osteoporosis and discuss pharmaceutical therapies. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for articles published in English between 1980 and 2021. Search terms combined "senile osteoporosis", "osteoporosis treatment", "osteoporosis", "bisphosphonates", "denosumab", types of hormone therapy, and other relevant keywords used in various combinations. Osteoporosis affects millions but often goes undiagnosed until a pathologic fracture. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) and are a diagnostic tool for osteoporosis. Adults over the age of 65, post-menopausal women, and those with risk factors such as previous fractures are recommended to receive DEXA scans every one to two years. Bisphosphonates, denosumab, and hormonal therapies are among the most common pharmacologic treatments for osteoporosis. Daily, orally administered bisphosphonates are the first-line therapy for osteoporosis given their efficacy in decreasing fracture risk and favorable safety profile. Denosumab is an alternative that is administered subcutaneously every six months and may be given as initial therapy to select patients. Hormonal therapies are used if patients cannot tolerate bisphosphonates or denosumab or are refractory to these medications. Preventative measures for osteoporosis include tailored exercise and sufficient intake of calcium and vitamin D via diet or supplementation.

Previous traumatic brain injury is associated with an increased odds for gestational diabetes: a nationwide register-based cohort study in finland

AimsDespite recent findings that traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a possible risk factor for type 2 diabetes (DM2) and that a strong association exists between gestational diabetes (GDM) and the risk for the development of DM2, no previous studies have investigated the effects of TBI on the risk for the development of GDM. Therefore, this study aims to determine the possible association between a previous traumatic brain injury and later gestational diabetes.MethodsIn this retrospective register-based cohort study, data from the National Medical Birth Register were combined with data from the Care Register for Health Care. Women who had sustained a TBI before pregnancy were included in the patient group. Women who had sustained previous fractures of the upper extremity, pelvis, or lower extremity were included in the control group. A logistic regression model was used to assess the risk for the development of GDM during pregnancy. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals between the groups were compared. The model was adjusted by prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and maternal age during pregnancy, the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF), maternal smoking status, and multiple pregnancies. The risk for the development of GDM during different periods following the injury (0–3 years, 3–6 years, 6–9 years, and 9+ years) was calculated.ResultsIn total, a 75 g 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed on 6802 pregnancies of women who had sustained a TBI and on 11 717 pregnancies of women who sustained fractures of the upper extremity, pelvis, or lower extremity. Of these, 1889 (27.8%) pregnancies were diagnosed with GDM in the patient group and 3117 (26.6%) in the control group. The total odds for GDM were higher after TBI compared to the other traumas (aOR 1.14, CI 1.06–1.22). The odds were highest at 9 + years after the injury (aOR 1.22, CI 1.07–1.39).ConclusionThe total odds for the development of GDM after TBI were higher when compared to the control group. Based on our findings, more research on this topic is warranted. Moreover, a history of TBI should be considered a possible risk factor for the development of GDM.

Preoperative Scoring System for Prediction of Early Adjacent Vertebral Body Fracture After Balloon Kyphoplasty Using X-Rays Taken in a Non-Weight-Bearing Position

Prevention of adjacent vertebral body fracture (AVF) following balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) is a key challenge. The objective of this study was to develop a scoring system that could be more extensively and effectively used to determine the surgical indications for BKP. The study involved 101 patients aged 60years or older who had undergone BKP. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for early AVF within 2months following BKP. Scoring was based on the odds ratio for risk factors, and cut-off values were determined from the receiver operating characteristics curve. The correlation between the total scores and the incidence of early AVF, and the area under the curve for the logistic regression model predicting early AVF using the scoring system were investigated. 29 cases (28.7%) experienced early AVF after BKP. The scoring system was created as follows: 1) age (<75years: 0 points (P), ≥75years: 1P), 2) number of previous vertebral fractures (0: 0P, 1 or more: 2P), and 3) local kyphosis (<7°: 0P, ≥7°: 1P). The total scores were found to be positively correlated with the incidence of early AVF (r= 0.976, P= 0.004). The area under the curve of the scoring system for predicting early AVF was 0.796. The incidence of early AVF was 4.2% at ≤1P and 44.3% at ≥2P (P < 0.001). A scoring system which can be applied to a broader patient population was developed. In cases where the total score is 2P or more, alternatives to BKP should be considered.

A novel unified constraint parameter based on plastic strain energy

Constraint, defined as the resistance of a component against plastic deformation, has a significant effect on the materials’ fracture toughness. A loss of constraint can mean a higher fracture toughness. The standard test geometries such as C(T) specimens are designed to have high levels of constraint thus ensuring that a lower bound toughness is measured. To get a more accurate estimate of the integrity of low constraint components, it is necessary to study an approach of quantifying the constraint level and evaluating it on failure load. Currently, widely accepted crack-tip constraint parameters are validated using specimens with uniaxial loading such as C(T) and SEN(B). However, a large number of industrial equipment experiences loading modes other than uniaxial. The multi-axiality has been considered an important effect in various standards. Load multiaxiality can cause a change in constraint thus fracture toughness. In this paper, a novel unified constraint parameter λ based on the plastic strain energy was proposed. A series of uniaxial and biaxial bending experiments made of BS1501-224 28B steel were conducted at −160℃. A large amount of previous fracture test data of C(T) and SEN(B) specimens were used to support the study. The elastic–plastic parameter Q and the unified parameters φ, Ad* were calculated as a comparison. It is shown that the newly suggested parameter λ not only can characterize the constraint of C(T) and SEN(B) specimens but is effective in characterizing the multi-axiality effect while traditional constraint parameters fail to do so.

Examination of the Increased Risk for Falls Among Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging Population-Based Study.

To characterize the profile of individuals with and without knee osteoarthritis (OA) who fell, and to identify factors contributing to an individual with knee OA experiencing 1 or multiple injurious falls. Data are from the baseline and 3-year follow-up questionnaires of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, a population-based study of people ages 45-85 years at baseline. Analyses were limited to individuals either reporting knee OA or no arthritis at baseline (n=21,710). Differences between falling patterns among those with and without knee OA were tested using chi-square tests and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. An ordinal logistic regression model examined predictors of experiencing 1 or more injurious falls among individuals with knee OA. Among individuals reporting knee OA, 10% reported 1 or more injurious falls; 6% reported 1 fall, and 4% reported 2+ falls. Having knee OA significantly contributed to the risk of falling (odds ratio [OR] 1.33 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.14-1.56]), and individuals with knee OA were more likely to report having a fall indoors while standing or walking. Among individuals with knee OA, reporting a previous fall (OR 1.75 [95% CI 1.22-2.52]), previous fracture (OR 1.42 [95% CI 1.12-1.80]), and having urinary incontinence (OR 1.38 [95% CI 1.01-1.88]) were significant predictors of falling. Our findings support the idea that knee OA is an independent risk factor for falls. The circumstances in which falls occur differ from those for individuals without knee OA. The risk factors and environments that are associated with falling may provide opportunities for clinical intervention and fall prevention strategies.

Hyaluronic scaffold transplantation with bone marrow concentrate for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus: durable results up to a minimum of 10years.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical results of the transplantation of a hyaluronic acid membrane augmented with bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) in an one-step technique for the treatment of patients affected by osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT). A total of 101 patients (64 men, 37 women, age 32.9 ± 10.9) were evaluated for a minimum of 10years of follow-up (151.5 ± 18.4months) The mean lesion size was 2.2 ± 1.4 cm2, the lesion had a post-traumatic origin in 73 patients, 15 patients previously had an ankle fracture, 22 patients had ankle osteoarthritis. All patients were clinically evaluated at baseline and at 2, 5, and a minimum of 10years after treatment using the AOFAS score, the NRS for pain, and the Tegner score. A survival analysis was performed to check the survival to failure up to the last follow-up. The AOFAS score significantly improved from baseline (59.6 ± 13.9) to the final follow-up (82.3 ± 14.2) (p < 0.0005). A significant reduction in the AOFAS score was found from 2 to 10years (p < 0.0005). The NRS for pain changed from 7.0 ± 1.3 at baseline to 3.9 ± 2.7 at the final follow-up (p < 0.0005). A significant worsening was documented between 5years and the final follow-up (p < 0.0005). The Tegner score improved from the preoperative value of 2.0 (range 1-7) to 3.0 (range 1-7) at the final follow-up (p < 0.0005), although it remained lower as compared to the preinjury level of 4.0 (range 1-9) (p < 0.0005). Better results were documented in male and younger patients with smaller lesions, without the previous surgery, and without the previous ankle fractures or osteoarthritis. At the final follow-up, 85 patients considered their general health status "satisfactory" and 84 patients reported feeling "better" than the preoperative condition. Five patients were considered failures and underwent prosthetic ankle replacement or repeated the same surgery. This one-step technique showed to be an effective procedure for the treatment of OLT, providing a low failure rate and offering durable clinical improvements up to a minimum of 10years of follow-up. However, this technique demonstrated a small yet significant decrease over the years in terms of pain and function and poor results in terms of sports activity level. Level IV.

Management of osteoporosis in men based Ukrainian version of FRAX

Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the previous published FRAX thresholds in a male referral cohort from Ukraine. Methods. The cohort comprised 653 men aged 40‒88 years (mean age 60.5 ± 11.8). The 10-year probabilities of hip fracture and a major osteoporotic fracture werecalculated using the Ukrainian FRAX model. The intervention threshold was set at the age specific fracture probability as first used by the National Osteoporosis Guideline Group for FRAXbased guidelines in the UK and adapted for the Ukraine. Treatment pathways were compared with a previously published female referral cohort from Ukraine. Results. 27 % of men and 51 % of women referred for skeletal assessment had a prior fracture that categorized eligibility for treatment that was more frequent in women than in men. The requirement for BMD testing was also higher in women than in men (18.3 % vs. 4.9 %, respectively). If referral for fracture risk assessment was contingent on the presence of at least one FRAX risk, the proportion of men and women eligible for treatment would rise from 5 % to 89 % in men and from 57 % to 93 % in women. Conclusions. This study demonstrated a higher need for both antiosteoporotic treatment without DХA and additional densitometric examination to further assess the osteoporotic fractures risk in Ukrainian women compared to men and the need for special attention in fracture risk assessment in men with previous fractures. The developmentof National guidelines together with a validation based on cost-effectiveness would help drive a cohesive national approach to risk assessment in both men and women.

Intramedullary Nailing vs Sliding Hip Screw in Trochanteric Fracture Management

Fractures of the hip have devastating effects on function and quality of life. Intramedullary nails (IMN) are the dominant implant choice for the treatment of trochanteric fractures of the hip. Higher costs of IMNs and inconclusive benefit in comparison with sliding hip screws (SHSs) convey the need for definitive evidence. To compare 1-year outcomes of patients with trochanteric fractures treated with the IMN vs an SHS. This randomized clinical trial was conducted at 25 international sites across 12 countries. Participants included ambulatory patients aged 18 years and older with low-energy trochanteric (AO Foundation and Orthopaedic Trauma Association [AO/OTA] type 31-A1 or 31-A2) fractures. Patient recruitment occurred between January 2012 and January 2016, and patients were followed up for 52 weeks (primary end point). Follow-up was completed in January 2017. The analysis was performed in July 2018 and confirmed in January 2022. Surgical fixation with a Gamma3 IMN or an SHS. The primary outcome was health-related quality of life (HRQOL), measured by the EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ5D) at 1-year postsurgery. Secondary outcomes included revision surgical procedure, fracture healing, adverse events, patient mobility (measured by the Parker mobility score), and hip function (measured by the Harris hip score). In this randomized clinical trial, 850 patients were randomized (mean [range] age, 78.5 [18-102] years; 549 [64.6% female) with trochanteric fractures to undergo fixation with either the IMN (n = 423) or an SHS (n = 427). A total of 621 patients completed follow-up at 1 year postsurgery (304 treated with the IMN [71.9%], 317 treated with an SHS [74.2%]). There were no significant differences between groups in EQ5D scores (mean difference, 0.02 points; 95% CI, -0.03 to 0.07 points; P = .42). Furthermore, after adjusting for relevant covariables, there were no between-group differences in EQ5D scores (regression coefficient, 0.00; 95% CI, -0.04 to 0.05; P = .81). There were no between-group differences for any secondary outcomes. There were also no significant interactions for fracture stability (β [SE] , 0.01 [0.05]; P = .82) or previous fracture (β [SE], 0.01 [0.10]; P = .88) and treatment group. This randomized clinical trial found that IMNs for the treatment of trochanteric fractures had similar 1-year outcomes compared with SHSs. These results suggest that the SHS is an acceptable lower-cost alternative for trochanteric fractures of the hip. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01380444.