Arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of the finger is an established procedure for advanced osteoarthritis. As there are different techniques of fusion, it seems necessary to evaluate the results. Primary outcome of this review was to evaluate different arthrodesis methods of the PIP joint and describe different numbers of non-unions. Secondary outcome was to evaluate time to consolidation. Respective complications, if mentioned, were listed additionally. The review process was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The selected databases were PubMed, Medline, Embase, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library. Studies reporting outcomes of the arthrodesis with a defined technique and radiological consolidation were included. Complication rates and types were recorded. In total, 6162 articles could be identified, 159 full-texts were assessed and 64 studies were included. Methodological quality was assessed using Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies. A total of 1923 arthrodeses of the PIP joint could be identified. Twelve different surgical techniques were described, four of these techniques with compression at the arthrodesis site. The most frequently used techniques were K-wires (n = 743, 14 studies), tension-band (n = 313, 15 studies) and compression screws (n = 233, 12 studies). The lowest rate of described non-unions in compression techniques was 3.9% with the compression screw. The highest non-union rate of 8.6% was achieved by interosseous wiring. All the described techniques can achieve the goal of fusing an osteoarthritic joint. There is a tendency in the more recent literature for the use of compression techniques.

Background: Malnutrition might lead to a worse outcome in hip fractures of older patients. The purpose of this study is to analyze different indicators of malnutrition that lead to worse outcomes. Methods: 252 patients of a geriatric trauma unit were analyzed prospectively. Different demographic, as well as data on the trauma and whether osteoporosis prophylaxis or anticoagulation was present, were recorded. The nutritional status with respect to laboratory parameters as well as nutritional risk score was also analyzed. Results: The main finding of this study is that a poor nutritional status is statistically significantly associated with higher mortality as well as worse independence (p < 0.05). A postoperatively prescribed osteoporosis prophylaxis is protective of mortality and independence (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Malnutrition of geriatric patients increases the risk for death, worse mobility, and independence after hip fractures. Osteoporosis prophylaxis prescribed during an inpatient stay enables patients to retain their independence. The nutritional status of geriatric patients with hip fractures should be obtained and provisions made.

(1) Quadriceps tendon rupture (QTR) is a rare pathology, usually occurring in elderly patients with comorbidities, requiring surgical therapy. The aim of this study was to analyze rupture patterns and concomitant injuries using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to evaluate patient-reported outcome measures. (2) In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 113 patients with QTR were screened and rupture patterns/concomitant injuries (n = 33) were analyzed via MRI. Clinical outcome was assessed in 45 patients using the International Knee Documentation (IKDC) and Lysholm score with a mean follow-up of 7.2 (±5.0) years. (3) The evaluation of preoperative MRIs showed multiple ruptures of subtendons in 67% with concomitant knee injuries in 45%. The most common associated pathology detected using MRI was pre-existing tendinosis (31.2%). Surgical refixation demonstrated good results with a mean post-operative IKDC score of 73.1 (±14.1) and mean Lysholm score of 84.2 (±16.1). Patient characteristics and individual radiologic rupture patterns did not significantly affect the clinical outcome of patients. (4) Acute QTRs are complex injuries with common involvement of multiple subtendons. MRI imaging can be useful for achieving an accurate diagnosis as pre-existing tendinosis as well as concomitant injuries are common, and might be useful for providing an individual surgical strategy and improving outcomes.

Pisotriquetral osteoarthritis is important to consider in the differential diagnosis of chronic ulnar-sided wrist pain. It can develop following traumatic injury to the pisiform or in rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. It has been shown that pisiformectomy can relieve symptoms in cases that have not responded to nonoperative treatment, and the excision does not compromise the function or strength of the wrist. Most studies focus on posttraumatic causes of pisotriquetral osteoarthritis. In the current study, rheumatic causes are also considered and the outcomes are compared. This retrospective study included 35 patients who underwent pisiformectomy for pisotriquetral osteoarthritis. All patients underwent a thorough diagnostic evaluation to exclude other etiologies for ulnar-sided wrist pain. Radiological examinations including posteroanterior and lateral views of the wrist and a tangential view of the pisotriquetral joint were analyzed. All patients had excellent or very good results after pisiformectomy, with a significant reduction in pain. No significant difference was found in the outcomes for patients with rheumatic vs posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Patients with rheumatic causes of pisotriquetral osteoarthritis can be successfully treated with pisiformectomy. With respect to idiopathic causes, these patients need a longer postoperative period to gain full pain relief. It is important to consider the possibility of pisotriquetral osteoarthritis after excluding other diagnoses in patients with rheumatic osteoarthritis.

Background: Hip fractures in geriatric patients often have a poor outcome in terms of mortality, mobility as well as independence. Different surgical influence factors are known that improve the outcome. Methods: In this observational cohort study, 281 patients of a geriatric trauma unit were analyzed prospectively. Demographic factors, as well as data regarding the trauma mechanism and perioperative treatment, were recorded. The nutritional status was also analyzed. The follow-up was set to 120 days. Results: The key conclusion of this study is that a high ASA classification, the use of anticoagulatory medicine and malnutrition are significantly associated with higher mortality together with worse independence (p < 0.05). There is no significant difference in outcome concerning the time to surgery within the first 24 h. Conclusions: Malnutrition seems to be an important risk factor for an adverse outcome of geriatric patients and therefore warrants a focus in multidisciplinary treatment. The risk factor ASA cannot be improved during the pre-surgery phase, but requires intensified care by a multidisciplinary team specialized in orthogeriatrics.