This study aimed to investigate the level of exposure of eye lenses in orthopedic surgeons performing routine clinical work and to determine future monitoring practice, as Serbian radiation protection law still employs higher limits. The dose was measured monthly in terms of H (0.03) with three different dosimeters placed on a 3-D-printed headband, worn on a forehead by three orthopedic surgeons, during all procedures involving fluoroscopy. The mean dose for the left and right eye was 271 ? 109 ?Sv and 269 ? 101 ?Sv, respectively, with no significant difference (p-value 0.977) between the left and right eye observed. Considering the highest recorded monthly value, the annual dose is expected to be 4.85 mSv without protective items, well below the new ICRP limit of 20 mSv. There was no observed correlation between eye lens dose and both fluoroscopy time and exposure parameters. Considering the cumulative impact of dose and the evidence pointing to an elevated incidence of lenticular opacities for cumulative doses exceeding 10 mSv, it is advisable to institute ongoing monitoring, especially when new surgeons incorporate image-guided procedures or when novel techniques are introduced into surgical practice.

Several diseases caused by tick-borne pathogens, including Lyme borreliosis (LB) and spotted fever group rickettsioses, are endemic in the Balkan Peninsula, positioned between Central Europe and the Middle East. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess serological exposure to Borrelia spp. and spotted fever group Rickettsiae (SFGR) among individuals with recent tick bites and healthy controls in two Balkan countries—Serbia and North Macedonia. Serum samples from 223 participants were tested for anti-Borrelia and anti-SFGR IgG antibodies. SFGR exposure was significantly higher in tick-exposed individuals from Skopje (North Macedonia) compared to those from Novi Sad (Serbia) (30.9% vs. 8.0%; p = 0.003). In contrast, anti-Borrelia IgG was more frequently detected in Novi Sad, though differences did not reach statistical significance. The findings support a north-to-south gradient in Borrelia exposure and a reverse trend for SFGR, consistent with earlier studies and regional tick infection data. Given the high SFGR exposure and limited clinical reporting in North Macedonia, the results highlight the likelihood that tick-borne rickettsioses remain under-recognized. Additionally, Borrelia exposure in North Macedonia warrants further investigation. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced tick-borne disease surveillance, identification of endemic zones, and improved diagnostic and public health infrastructure in both countries.

Introduction. The aim of the study was to report surgical treatment results of complete patellar tendon ruptures reconstructed by different surgical procedures. Material and Methods. This study included 35 patients, 26 males and 9 females, with an average age of 39 (range, 16 - 66) years. Seventeen patients had the risk factors (48.6%), including 11 with prior surgeries of the same knee: 7 reconstructions of the anterior cruciate ligament, 3 total knee replacement surgeries, and one intramedullary nailing. In 27 patients (77.1%), the surgery was performed during the first seven days after the injury. The following procedures were applied: patellar tendon repair with suture anchors in 5 cases; 13 transpatellar suturing through transpatellar tunnels; additional strengthening with wires and screws was performed in 7 patients; 7 reconstructions with bone-tendon-bone allograft taken from the bone bank, and in 3 patients contralateral bonetendon-bone autografts were used. Results and Discussion. The average Lysholm score was 86.1 (range, 27 - 100). Excellent results were found in 19 cases (54.2%), satisfactory in 10 (28.6%), and unsatisfactory in 6 patients (17.1%) who had chronic diseases and total knee replacement. The patients with timely diagnosis had significantly better results (90.1) than patients with chronic tendon injuries (72.6 points). Conclusion. Good results of acute rupture reconstruction are achieved by transosseous techniques or suture anchors. The surgery is much more complicated in neglected and chronic ruptures, and the results are worse. Surgical procedures, such as the patellar tendon reconstruction by bone-tendon-bone graft, additionally strengthened with wiring and screws, contribute to stable fixation, enable early rehabilitation, and prevent stiffness and muscle weakness.

BACKGROUND: Chronic subtalar dislocation can develop in patients with severe, long-standing flatfoot or in those with neuroarthropathy or neglected trauma. We report a rare case of chronic subtalar dislocation, wherein treatment was effectively performed employing subtalar joint complex arthrodesis, involving the talo-navicular and talo-calcaneal joints and cuboido-talar pseudoarthrisis. CLINICAL CASE DESCRIPTION: A 55-year-old female patient was referred to the specialist orthopedic clinic with complaints of progressively worsening right ankle pain for 12 months. She had been diagnosed with acquired flatfoot five years prior, which had since deteriorated. Computed tomography revealed lateral dislocations of both the subtalar and talonavicular joints. A single-stage surgery using cannulated screws was performed for achieving arthrodesis. Within just 4.5 months of this procedure, the patient was able to bear weight and walk independently. CONCLUSION: Incorporating talo-cuboid fusion is crucial for a stable outcome. The outcome seems to be unaffected by subtalar dislocation duration, provided the soft tissue and skin coverage are manageable.

Objetivo: El número óptimo de tornillos en la placa volar de bloqueo para la fijación de fracturas distales del radio no ha sido estable...