Background: Enchondroma is the most common benign bone tumor of the hand. Surgical excision of the tumor using curettage is the treatment of choice. The management of the resulting defects is still a controversial topic in the literature. Methods: This retrospective study includes 15 patients diagnosed with solitary enchondroma in the hand bones: eight cases with type A, three cases with type B and four cases with type D according to Takigawa classification. The aim of this study was to compare the course and outcome in the three patient groups treated by curettage associated with natural consolidation of the bone defect, autologous bone graft or injectable synthetic bone substitute in association with plate and screw osteosynthesis. Results: Outcomes were assessed using the DASH score (mean score 2.5) and TAM score (excellent in all patients) with no significant functional differences between the three groups. Defects managed with k-IBS^® injectable bone substitute were associated with shorter operating time, simpler surgical technique and less postoperative pain assessed by VAS score. Conclusion: The use of k-IBS^® bone substitute is efficient and less technically demanding than autologous bone grafting. The Takigawa classification could be a good indicator for treatment choice.

Background/Objectives: Periprosthetic fractures (PFs) can occur in both the upper and lower limbs, commonly resulting from falls at the same level. The frequency of PFs following total hip arthroplasty (THA) ranges from 0.045% to 4.1%, and this incidence is influenced by several factors, including age, gender, the type of prosthesis used, and existing comorbidities. Previous studies on this subject have been small in scale and did not adequately address the associated comorbidities, which pose a challenge for the aging population. This study aims to comparatively assess the incidence of THA-related PFs, immediate postoperative complications, and comorbidities in patients with PFs from three emergency hospitals. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted from 1 January to 31 December 2024, in which 54 patients with PFs hospitalized in three emergency hospitals (Bucharest, Oradea, and Ploiești) were evaluated, divided into Group B (n = 29), Group O (n = 14), and Group P (n = 11). Results: Of all patients with PFs, 81.48% had minor complications—grade 1, 9.26% had grade 2 complications (complications requiring medical treatment or other minor interventions), and 3.70% had complications requiring surgery or invasive procedures. Clavien–Dindo grade 5 (patient death) had an incidence of 3.70%. Cardiac pathology was the most common pathology; hypertension predominated in Group O (42.85%). Alzheimer’s disease was associated in 7 patients (12.96%). Without associated pathology, about 13% of patients were identified. Diabetes mellitus also occurred frequently in 31.50%. Data analysis indicates a very weak positive correlation between the Dindo Index and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (r = 0.046), which is not statistically significant (p = 0.628). The effect size, measured by Fisher’s z, is also reported as 0.046. Conclusions: No significant differences were found among the evaluated centers regarding therapeutic approaches, postoperative complications, and associated comorbidities. Furthermore, there is insufficient evidence to suggest a significant association between the Charlson Comorbidity Index and the Clavien–Dindo Index.

Background/Objectives: Periprosthetic fractures (PFs) are serious complications that can occur after total hip arthroplasty (THA), particularly in elderly patients who often have multiple comorbidities and low bone density. The surgical treatment of PFs typically involves internal fixation or revision arthroplasty, depending on the fracture type categorized by the Vancouver classification. This study examines the annual incidence of PFs and the complications that arise during hospitalization, as well as the predictive role of age in the occurrence of these fractures and their associated complications. Methods: Based on a retrospective observational study conducted over three years (2021–2023) at the Bihor County Emergency Hospital in Oradea, we analyzed 783 patients who underwent various hip surgeries. Results: The retrospective analysis identified 38 cases of PF out of 768 hip surgeries, resulting in an incidence of PF of 4.5%. Most PFs were classified as Vancouver B, with surgeries mainly involving internal fixation. Complications occurred in 23.68% of cases, including a mortality rate of 7.90%. A correlation analysis examining the relationship between age and post-surgical complications demonstrates a weak and statistically insignificant association (r = 0.120, p = 0.478). To highlight whether age is a predictive factor for PFs, we used the linear regression model; this suggests that older age explains 2.7% of the total variability in the incidence of PFs, being statistically significant ([F(1, 766) = 20.923], p < 0.001). Conclusions: The rising incidence of periprosthetic fractures is closely linked to the increasing number of total hip arthroplasties and the aging population. Fractures of this type are more common in elderly women, with no statistically significant differences have been found between the sexes.

Background/Objectives: Calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder is a degenerative condition characterized by calcium deposits within the rotator cuff tendons, particularly the supraspinatus. It is a frequent cause of chronic shoulder pain and functional limitation, adversely affecting quality of life. While conservative treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physiotherapy, and corticosteroid injections are commonly used, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has emerged as a promising non-invasive alternative. This interventional clinical trial compared the efficacy of ultrasound-guided versus landmark-based ESWT in treating calcific tendinopathy. Methods: Eighty-four patients with ultrasound-confirmed calcific tendinopathy were randomized into two groups. Group 1 received ultrasound-guided ESWT with real-time targeting of the deposit; Group 2 received landmark-based ESWT based on anatomical palpation. Both groups underwent three sessions (2000 impulses at 2.2 bars, energy level 5, 8 Hz). Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Constant–Murley score (CMS) at baseline, 12 weeks, and 6 months. Calcific deposit resorption was evaluated via ultrasound imaging. Results: The ultrasound-guided group showed a significant improvement in CMS from a median of 50 (range: 30–75) at baseline to 97 (52–100) at 6 months. The landmark-based group also improved, from 48 (32–74) to 79 (40–96). At 6 months post-treatment, 90.9% of patients in the ultrasound-guided group achieved successful outcomes (CMS ≥ 86), compared to 50% in the landmark-based group. Complete calcific resorption occurred in 65.9% of patients in Group 1, compared to 50% in Group 2; 15% of patients in Group 2 showed no resorption. Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided ESWT was significantly more effective than landmark-based ESWT in improving shoulder function, reducing pain, and promoting calcific deposit resorption. These findings support ultrasound guidance as a preferred approach for optimizing ESWT outcomes in patients with calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder.

Background/Objectives: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains a widely utilized and effective intervention for patients with end-stage hip osteoarthritis. Although multiple surgical approaches and fixation techniques are available, their application in non-tertiary clinical settings is less frequently documented. This study primarily aims to provide an educational overview of stepwise THA procedures using intraoperative visual documentation, with a secondary, exploratory assessment of postoperative outcomes related to surgical approach and fixation strategy. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at Arad Clinical Emergency County Hospital between March 2023 and March 2024, involving 23 patients undergoing primary THA. Patients received either cemented or uncemented femoral components based on intraoperative bone quality. Procedures were documented using stepwise intraoperative photographs and postoperative radiographs. Recovery was assessed using the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at both six weeks and six months postoperatively. Results: Both lateral (Hardinge) and posterolateral approaches provided adequate exposure with reproducible results. Cemented implants allowed for immediate full weight-bearing and were preferred in elderly patients with poor bone quality, while uncemented components were used in younger patients with good bone density, requiring a delayed weight-bearing protocol. Functional scores improved in both groups between six weeks and six months. At six weeks, the mean HHS was 87.6 ± 6.2 and WOMAC 18.3 ± 4.8; by six months, these improved to 91.8 ± 5.1 and 12.7 ± 3.9, respectively. Cemented fixation demonstrated slightly better outcomes at both time points; however, intergroup differences remained below the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) thresholds. Conclusions: Tailored surgical approaches and fixation strategies, guided by intraoperative assessment, result in favorable short- and mid-term recovery profiles in THA. The integration of intraoperative visual documentation and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) enhances procedural transparency while supporting evidence-based decision-making and surgical training.

Heart failure (HF) is determined by pathophysiologic changes in the left ventricle (LV) that occur before the onset of clinical symptoms; these changes can lead to mitral insufficiency that will maintain and favor ventricular dysfunction. An associated change in contractility occurs which will maintain the vicious circle. 252 patients with HF were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Patients were divided into two groups, Group I-S/V (n = 55) and Group II-CT (n = 197) to comparatively assess cardi-ac parameters according to the administered therapy and to determine their correlation with quality of life domains. 2D measurements were performed to determine ultrasound parameters. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life. When analyzing the mean values of the determined echocardiographic parame-ters, significant differences in LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (p < 0.03) Results: Analysing the mean values of the echocardiographic parameters determined, significant differences in LV ejection fraction (LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (p < 0.001) and right ventricular diameter (p = 0.030) were found between the two study groups. The incidence of aortic regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation was higher in the I-S/V group (40% vs. 25%, p = 0.001, respec-tively 47% vs. 35%, p = 0.03). Mitral regurgitation was present in relatively similar per-centages. Testing the association of echocardiographic parameters with quality of life do-mains showed a significant association of LVEF with physical health and relationship with the environment (p = 0.002, r = 0.143, respectively p = 0.041, r = 0.129). Physical dimension and relationship with the environment are more affected in pa-tients with low LVEF. Routine echocardiographic evaluation is essential in the global as-sessment of the HF patient and may suggest a low quality of life with impaired physical dimension.