Joint Diseases and Related Surgery (JDRS), the official journal of the Turkish Joint Diseases Foundation, is an international, peer-reviewed, immediate open access journal. All published articles in JDRS has been free for everyone, without embargo, since 1990.

Acute Achilles tendon ruptures (ATR) are among the most common sports-related injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between Achilles tendon (AT) and Kager's fat pad (KFP) thickness with clinical and functional outcomes, measured using the Achilles Tendon Rupture Score (ATRS) and the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), in patients treated with open surgical repair for acute ATR. This retrospective study included 42 patients who underwent surgery for ATR at our institution between January 2017 and December 2021. All patients were treated using the open surgical Krackow suture technique. ATRS, FAOS, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were recorded one year postoperatively. AT and KFP thicknesses were measured via ultrasonography by an independent radiologist at one-year follow-up. The mean age of the patients was 45.38+-9.68 years, with 22 male patients (52.4%). The mean ATRS was 65.17+-24.46, the mean FAOS was 76.14+-16.75, and the mean VAS score was 3.02+-1.44. The mean AT thickness on the operated side was 15.54+-2.89 mm, compared to 14.58+-2.28 mm on the contralateral side (p=0.009). The mean KFP thickness on the operated side was 8.42+-2.99 mm, compared to 6.32+-2.67 mm on the contralateral side (p=0.005). A strong correlation was found between ATRS and FAOS (r=0.742, p<0.001). For AT thickness, there were moderate negative correlations with both ATRS and FAOS (r=-0.544, p=0.013; r=-0.451, p=0.003, respectively). For KFP thickness, a moderate negative correlation was found with ATRS (r=-0.506, p=0.001). AT and KFP thicknesses had no significant direct effect on ATRS and FAOS. However, ATRS and FAOS scores following open surgical repair of acute ATR were correlated with each other and with functional outcomes. Despite its specific complications, open surgical repair of acute ATR is an effective option for patients eligible for surgery.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the common joint diseases. Hematologic markers have been investigated to determine its severity and predict the prognosis of joint diseases. In this study, we investigated whether the systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) is a marker for assessing the severity of OA. Methods: The records of patients diagnosed with OA at various stages between 1 January 2020 and 1 January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients aged 18–75 years with complete blood count within the last 15 days and not taking anti-inflammatory drugs were included in the study. Patients were classified according to the Kellgren–Lawrance classification as stage 1-2-3 mild to moderate OA (Group I) and stage 4 severe OA (Group II). A total of 1580 patients were diagnosed with knee OA and 946 were included in the study. Of the patients, 246 (26%) were male and 700 (74%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 61.00 (53.00–68.00) years. Results: There were 449 (47.5%) patients in Group I and 497 (52.5%) patients in Group II. Statistically significant differences were found between the groups in age, gender, hemoglobin, lymphocytes, and SII (p < 0.05). An SII value of 627.9 was found to distinguish severe OA from mild–moderate OA with 42.5% sensitivity and 70.6% specificity. Conclusions: Although this study is the first in the literature, it shows that SII has limited predictive value in assessing the severity of knee OA. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to establish causality and explore therapeutic implications.

Biomaterials used in fracture healing hold a significant place in orthopedics. This study aimed to develop biomaterials coated with hydroxyapatite (HA), boric acid (BA), and magnesium (Mg) and investigate their effects on fracture healing. Sixty female Wistar Albino rats were included in the study. The subjects were randomized into five groups. Cytotoxicity tests were performed on HA, BA, and Mg, and cell viability rates were calculated. Coatings were applied to Kirschner (K) wires at determined ratios. Group I was the control group with a steel K wire, Group II used HA-coated K wires, Group III used HA + BA-coated K wires, Group IV used HA + BA + Mg-coated K wires, and Group V used HA + Mg-coated K wires. A fracture was induced in the right femur of the subjects, followed by fixation with intramedullary K wires. The subjects were randomly divided into equal numbers and sacrificed at 6 and 12 weeks. Radiological and histopathological evaluations were performed. In direct cytotoxicity tests, the highest viability rate was observed in Group IV, while in indirect cytotoxicity tests, it was highest in Group II. In radiological evaluation at the 6th week, the highest scores were in Groups IV and V, while the lowest was in Group III. At the 12th week, the highest scores were in Groups II and V, while the lowest was in Group I. No significant differences were found between the groups (p = 0.837, p = 0.0479). In histopathological evaluation, a significant difference was observed between the groups (p < 0.001), with the highest scores in Group V. A correlation was found between the radiological and histopathological scores (p < 0.001, r = 0.438). It was found that HA + Mg significantly improved histological outcomes in fracture healing. Good histological results can be achieved with the use of Mg-containing implants in both early and late-stage fracture healing. Coating the biomaterials used in fracture fixation with Mg may lead to positive outcomes in fracture healing.