This systematic review aims to evaluate critically and synthesize the existing literature on the outcomes of meniscectomy versus meniscal repair for posterior medial meniscus injuries, with a focus on osteoarthritis (OA) development. We sought to assess the incidence of OA following both treatment modalities, compare functional outcomes post-treatment, and identify factors influencing treatment choice, providing evidence-based recommendations for clinical decision-making. A comprehensive search strategy was employed across PubMed, Scopus, and Embase up until December 2023, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. The primary outcomes included OA development, functional knee outcomes, and quality of life measures. Six studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 298 patients. The systematic review revealed a significant association between meniscal repair and decreased progression of OA compared to meniscectomy. Meniscectomy patients demonstrated a 51.42% progression rate towards OA, significantly higher than the 21.28% observed in meniscal repair patients. Functional outcomes, as measured by the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm scores, were notably better in the repair group, with average scores of 74.68 (IKDC) and 83.78 (Lysholm) compared to 67.55 (IKDC) and 74.56 (Lysholm) in the meniscectomy group. Furthermore, the rate of complete healing in the repair group was reported at 71.4%, as one study reported, indicating a favorable prognosis for meniscal preservation. However, these pooled data should be interpreted with consideration to the heterogeneity of the analyzed studies. Meniscal repair for posterior medial meniscus injuries is superior to meniscectomy in preventing OA development and achieving better functional outcomes and quality of life post-treatment. These findings strongly suggest the adoption of meniscal repair as the preferred treatment modality for such injuries, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift in clinical practice towards preserving meniscal integrity to optimize patient outcomes.
Background: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of the single-incision technique with a distal biceps repair system versus the modified double-incision technique, specifically the Morrey-modified approach, Krackow sutures, and drill holes, for the management of acute and chronic distal biceps tendon rupture. The study was conducted at the Orthopedic-Traumatology Clinic II of SCJUPBT Timisoara, Romania, between 2014 and 2022. Methods: A total of sixty-nine patients with acute distal biceps tendon rupture and five patients with chronic distal tendon rupture were included in the study. Forty-eight cases underwent the single-incision technique with the distal biceps repair system, while twenty-four patients were treated with the modified double-incision technique. Results: Both surgical techniques demonstrated favorable outcomes in terms of successful tendon repair and functional restoration. However, the single-incision technique exhibited slightly superior results in terms of patient satisfaction, range of motion, and postoperative rehabilitation. The modified double-incision technique showed comparable outcomes but had a higher incidence of complications, particularly related to wound healing. Conclusion: The single-incision technique with the distal biceps repair system and the modified double-incision technique, including the Morrey-modified approach, Krackow sutures, and drill holes, are effective surgical approaches for the management of distal biceps tendon rupture. The single-incision technique yielded better functional outcomes and patient satisfaction, while the modified double-incision technique had a higher risk of complications. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is necessary to validate these findings and determine the most appropriate surgical approach for distal biceps tendon rupture.
The aim of our study was to investigate the accuracy of dynamic ultrasound assessment of the anterior tibial translation, in diagnosing anterior cruciate ligament tears, and to assess its test–retest reliability. Twenty-three patients (32 ± 8.42 years; 69.56% males) with a history of knee trauma and knee instability participated in the study. Knee ultrasound was performed by an experienced orthopedic surgeon. The anterior tibial translation was measured in both knees and differences between the injured and uninjured knee were calculated. Side-to-side differences > 1 mm were considered a positive diagnosis of an ACL tear. The anterior tibial translation values were 3.34 ± 1.48 mm in injured knees and 0.86 ± 0.78 mm in uninjured knees. Side-to-side differences > 1 mm were found in 22 cases (95.65%). The diagnosis accuracy was 91.30% (95%CI: 71.96–98.92%) and sensitivity 95.45% (95%CI: 77.15–99.88%). The intraclass correlation coefficient showed an excellent test–retest reliability (ICC3,1 = 0.97 for the side-to-side difference in anterior tibial translation). The study highlights the accuracy and reliability of the dynamic ultrasound assessment of the anterior tibial translation in the diagnosis of unilateral anterior cruciate ligament tears. Ultrasound assessment is an accessible imaging tool that can provide valuable information and should be used together with physical examination in suspected cases of ACL injuries.
This study investigates the correlation between COVID-19 and avascular necrosis of the femoral head, considering the potential contribution of medication-induced effects. This research spans the period from August 2022 to January 2024 and includes 32 patients diagnosed with avascular necrosis. While steroid usage, particularly in high doses, is known to predispose individuals to this condition, this study aims to discern if COVID-19 itself plays a role beyond the influence of medication. Notably, COVID-19 is associated with disturbances in the coagulation system, potentially leading to thromboembolic complications. Of the patients, six did not have COVID-19, while seven had the virus but did not receive steroid treatment. However, 19 patients with COVID-19 exhibited severe pulmonary involvement and were administered both high-dose steroids and antiviral medication. Among the observed patients, 14 were female and 18 were male. Notably, three patients presented bilateral necrosis, all of whom had COVID-19 and significant pulmonary involvement. Diagnostic assessments included frontal and profile X-rays, as well as MRI scans for all patients.
Attention Deficit Hyperkinetic Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological behavioral disorder of the child, adolescent, and adult characterized by problems of concentration, hyperactivity, and impulsivity caused by an imbalance of chemical neurotransmitters in the brain—dopamine and noradrenaline. ADHD first-line drugs are divided in psychostimulant, as Methylphenidate and Amphetamines and non-psychostimulant medications-Atomoxetine (the only representative non-psychostimulant medication approved in our country in children and adolescents). The purpose of our research was to assess the clinical evolution of patients with ADHD based on the drug treatment that is administered: psychostimulant or non-psychostimulant. Both psychostimulant—Methylphenidate, and non-psychostimulant therapy—Atomoxetine, proved to significantly improve the symptoms of attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder. There was a significant reduction in the severity of ADHD symptoms at six months and at one year from the start of treatment in the case of the psychostimulant group, whereas in the non-psychostimulant group, the significant reduction in severity of symptomatology occurs only at six months after the start of treatment. We can conclude that both types of drugs are effective in reducing the severity of symptoms and in improving the clinical condition of patients with ADHD, but the comparative analysis of the two groups demonstrated that significantly better results are obtained with psychostimulant treatment.
Objectives: The aim of our study was to assess the incidence of night-time voiding in a population of male patients with hip fracture, and to analyze the correlations between the severity of the lower urinary symptoms and the other most significant comorbidities of the patients. Patients and methods: We have initially selected a group of patients containing all males admitted into a Department of Orthopedic Surgery with the diagnosis of hip fracture, with indication for replacement surgery, over a four-year period. Applying well-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, we have selected all the patients who have reported that falling during the night, on the way to the toilet (for micturition), was the event leading to the hip fracture. A comprehensive medical history and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) Questionnaire were gathered from all the patients and the obtained data were analyzed. Results: From a total of 363 patients with hip fractures, 68 cases were attributable to night-time voiding. The detailed analysis of the 68 patients has shown that all of them had significant nocturia (2.72 episodes of voiding per night, in average), but only 11 of them were already diagnosed with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Moreover, only four of the eleven patients diagnosed with BPH were taking specific therapy at the moment of their falling leading to hip fracture. Subsequent analysis has shown that a group of 45 patients with no previously known co-morbidities, had similar IPSS score results with the total group of 68 patients. Conclusions: Night-time voiding and LUTS are underdiagnosed in the general male population, as they represent significant risk factors for hip fractures due to falling during the night. The low level of BPH/LUTS therapy adherence adds a supplementary risk for falling during the night.