Alexander Zimmerer

Dr. Alexander Zimmerer


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

12Years (2015-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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27 January 2021 in Arthroscopy
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
AZAlexander Zimmerer
Alexander Zimmerer
ARAnnalena Ramoser
Annalena Ramoser
MSMarcus Streit
Marcus Streit
VJViktor Janz
Viktor Janz
CSChristian Sobau
Christian Sobau
WMWolfgang Miehlke
Wolfgang Miehlke

12 October 2020 in Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AZAlexander Zimmerer
Alexander Zimmerer
MHM. Hauschild
M. Hauschild
RNR. Nietschke
R. Nietschke
MSM. M. Schneider
M. M. Schneider
GWG. Wassilew
G. Wassilew
WMW. Miehlke
W. Miehlke
Background: A cause of groin pain after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is mechanical irritation or impingement of the iliopsoas tendon. The incidence is about 4%. If conservative therapy fails, an arthroscopic release of the iliopsoas tendon can be performed. The aim of the study was to assess the mid-term clinical outcome after arthroscopic release. We hypothesize that good results can be achieved by a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure. Methods: Using our in-house database, all patients who received an endoscopic release of the iliopsoas tendon due to mechanical irritation after THA were identified. Inclusion criteria were mechanical irritation of the iliopsoas tendon after cementless THA with minimal acetabular component prominence. Exclusion criteria were marked prominence of the acetabular component and groin pain after THA for any other reason. In these patients, the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), the pain level using the numerical analogue scale and the UCLA Activity Score were measured. The mean follow-up period was 7 ± 3.8 (2.6–11.7) years. Results: 25 patients were identified in whom an arthroscopic release of the iliopsoas tendon had been performed since 2007. The data of 20 patients were available at follow-up. The gender ratio was 1:1, the average age at the time of arthroscopy was 59 ± 27.7 (52–78) years. The average interval between THA and arthroscopy was 6.3 ± 4.0 (1.7–15) years. The mHHS showed a significant improvement from preoperative 31.2 ± 9.8 (17.6–47.3) to 82.0 ± 9.8 (46.2–100) points (p = 0.001). The pain level on the NAS decreased significantly from 8.5 ± 1.2 (7–10) to 2.5 ± 1.8 (0–6) points (p = 0.001). The activity level based on the UCLA Activity Score raised from 4.0 ± 2.7 (0–7) to 6.5 ± 1.8 (3–9) (p = 0.09). Conclusion: Mechanical irritation and impingement of the iliopsoas tendon is an important diagnosis to be considered in persistent groin pain after total hip arthroplasty. In failure of non-operative treatment, good clinical results can be achieved with arthroscopic release and the pain level can be significantly reduced. Level of evidence: IV.

1 May 2020 in Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AZAlexander Zimmerer
Alexander Zimmerer
MSMarco M. Schneider
Marco M. Schneider
RNRainer Nietschke
Rainer Nietschke
WMWolfgang Miehlke
Wolfgang Miehlke
CSChristian Sobau
Christian Sobau
Recent studies have shown that assessment of the lateral center-edge angle (LCEA) between 18° and 25° is not sufficient to adequately classify mildly dysplastic hips and that further radiological features should be considered. However, no correlation between different morphologic features and clinical outcomes has been investigated so far. To analyze the clinical outcomes of patients with different subtypes of borderline dysplastic hips who underwent arthroscopic surgery. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. We examined patients with an LCEA between 18° and 25° who underwent arthroscopic treatment for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome between January 2015 and December 2016. A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to identify hip morphologic subtypes according to radiographic parameters, including the LCEA, femoro-epiphyseal acetabular roof (FEAR) index, anterior and posterior wall indices (AWI and PWI), Tönnis angle, alpha angle, and femoral neck-shaft angle. In addition, the International Hip Outcome Tool 12 (iHOT-12) and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain were applied preoperatively and at follow-up, and the results were compared among the different clusters. Previously reported minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) values were used to determine clinically significant improvements. A total of 40 patients were identified. Of these, 36 patients were available for evaluation at a mean follow-up of 43.8 months. In total, 4 sex-independent clusters with different morphologic patterns of the hip were identified: cluster 1, unstable anterolateral deficiency (FEAR index >2°, AWI <0.35); cluster 2, stable anterolateral deficiency (FEAR index <2°, AWI 2°, normal AWI and PWI); and cluster 4, stable posterolateral deficiency (FEAR index <2°, PWI <0.85). At follow-up, clusters 1, 2, and 3 showed significantly improved iHOT-12 (P < .0001) and VAS pain (P < .0001) scores, and cluster 4 showed no significant improvements. The MCID of 15.2 points was achieved by all patients in clusters 2 and 3, by 63% of patients in cluster 1, and by 23% of patients in cluster 4. Clusters 2 and 3 differed significantly from clusters 1 and 4 (P = .02). A postoperative PASS score of 60 was achieved by all patients in cluster 3, by 86% of patients in cluster 2, by 63% of patients in cluster 1, and by 20% of patients in cluster 4. The differences between the groups were statistically significant (P = .01). Arthroscopic surgery yielded good results in the treatment of stable borderline hip dysplasia with anterolateral and lateral deficiency. In contrast, borderline hip dysplasia with acetabular retroversion showed no improvements after arthroscopic therapy. This study underlines the need for an accurate analysis of all possible radiological signs to adequately classify borderline dysplastic hips.

10 January 2018 in Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AZAlexander Zimmerer
Alexander Zimmerer
CSChristian Sobau
Christian Sobau
PBPeter Balcarek
Peter Balcarek
Recent years have been characterized by an ongoing increase in knowledge about the different conditions associated with lateral patellar instability. This increase in knowledge provides differentiated approaches to the various pathologies of the patellofemoral joint. Though current guidelines consider medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction the basic treatment for the unstable patella, medial soft tissue–stabilizing procedures should not be interpreted as stand‐alone procedures in every case. The influence of different anatomical factors leading to patellar instability, as well as their impact on clinical outcome measures, is becoming increasingly apparent and deserves further attention. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to summarize recent developments in lateral patellar instability beyond MPFL reconstruction techniques. For this goal, the literature published within the last 3 years considering all aspects of lateral patellar instability was analysed. Six main topics evolved according to the number of publications and in terms of novel aspects and recent developments in the evaluation and treatment of lateral patellar instability. Those topics formed the basis of this article: (1) treatment of first‐time patellar dislocation, (2) the impact of trochlear dysplasia and trochleoplasty procedures, (3) the relevance of torsional deformities, (4) patellar instability in open physis, (5) the implementation of new outcome measures, and (6) rehabilitation after patellar stabilizing procedures.

1 February 2021 in Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AZAlexander Zimmerer
Alexander Zimmerer
VJViktor Janz
Viktor Janz
CSChristian Sobau
Christian Sobau
GWGeorgi I. Wassilew
Georgi I. Wassilew
WMWolfgang Miehlke
Wolfgang Miehlke
Background: Arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) has become a common procedure. However, meaningful long-term clinical outcomes have not been defined. Purpose: To define the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) for the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) at a minimum 10-year follow-up in patients undergoing arthroscopic treatment for FAIS and identify preoperative predictors for achievement of the MCID, SCB, and PASS. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A consecutive series of patients undergoing arthroscopic treatment for FAIS between 2007 and 2009 with a minimum 10-year follow-up was analyzed. Patient data included patient characteristics, radiographic parameters, and the pre- and postoperative mHHS and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain score. Paired t tests were used to compare the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The MCID was determined by calculating half of the standard deviation, and SCB and PASS were calculated by the anchor method. Correlation and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors for the achievement of the MCID, SCB, and PASS. Results: A total of 44 patients (27 men, 17 women) were included. The mean age and body mass index were 42.2 years (range, 16-67 years) and 22.3 kg/m2 (range, 16.76-29.78 kg/m2), respectively. The MCID, absolute SCB, net change SCB, and PASS of the mHHS were calculated to be 19.6, 90.1, 31.5, and 84.4 points, respectively. Preoperative symptom duration was identified as an independent predictor for the achievement of meaningful clinical outcomes. The median symptom durations for patients who achieved the MCID, absolute SCB, net change SCB, and PASS were 11.7, 9.1, 9.0, and 10.8 months, respectively. The median symptom duration for patients who did not achieve the MCID, absolute SCB, net change SCB, and PASS were 15.8, 17.4, 17.3, and 18.4 months, respectively. No other statistically significant correlations were found. Conclusion: The preoperative duration of symptoms was identified as an independent predictor for achievement of the MCID, SCB, and PASS. These findings can be helpful in accelerating the transition to surgical treatment of FAIS.

24 September 2021 in Arthroscopy
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
AZAlexander Zimmerer
Alexander Zimmerer
MSMarco M. Schneider
Marco M. Schneider
CSChristian Sobau
Christian Sobau
WMWolfgang Miehlke
Wolfgang Miehlke
FEFrank Eichler
Frank Eichler
JMJohannes Wawer Matos
Johannes Wawer Matos