Background: This study evaluates the potential of ChatGPT and Google Bard as educational tools for patients in orthopedics, focusing on sports medicine and pediatric orthopedics. The aim is to compare the quality of responses provided by these natural language processing (NLP) models, addressing concerns about the potential dissemination of incorrect medical information. Methods: Ten ACL- and flat foot-related questions from a Google search were presented to ChatGPT-3.5 and Google Bard. Expert orthopedic surgeons rated the responses using the Global Quality Score (GQS). The study minimized bias by clearing chat history before each question, maintaining respondent anonymity and employing statistical analysis to compare response quality. Results: ChatGPT-3.5 and Google Bard yielded good-quality responses, with average scores of 4.1 ± 0.7 and 4 ± 0.78, respectively, for sports medicine. For pediatric orthopedics, Google Bard scored 3.5 ± 1, while the average score for responses generated by ChatGPT was 3.8 ± 0.83. In both cases, no statistically significant difference was found between the platforms (p = 0.6787, p = 0.3092). Despite ChatGPT’s responses being considered more readable, both platforms showed promise for AI-driven patient education, with no reported misinformation. Conclusions: ChatGPT and Google Bard demonstrate significant potential as supplementary patient education resources in orthopedics. However, improvements are needed for increased reliability. The study underscores the evolving role of AI in orthopedics and calls for continued research to ensure a conscientious integration of AI in healthcare education.

Background: Investigating the relationship between functional capacity and psychological readiness is of paramount importance when planning sport resumption following knee surgery. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess clinical and functional outcomes in athletes 6 months after primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and to evaluate whether jumping ability is related to psychological readiness to return to sport following ACL surgery. Methods: Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction were prospectively enrolled and evaluated pre-operatively and 6 months after surgery. Assessment included Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form, Tegner activity level, and the ACL–Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale. Jumping ability was instrumentally assessed by an infrared optical acquisition system using a test battery including mono- and bipodalic vertical jump and a side hop test. Patients were dichotomized by ACL-RSI into two groups: group A (ACL-RSI > 60), and group B (ACL-RSI < 60). Results: Overall, 29 males and two females from the original study group of 37 patients (84%) were available for clinical evaluation. Mean age at surgery was 34.2 years (SD 11.3). Mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.4 (SD 3.7). Mean overall Lysholm, IKDC, and ACL-RSI scores increased from pre-operatively (p < 0.001). No differences in Tegner score were reported (p = 0.161). Similarly, improvement in most variables regarding jumping ability were observed at follow-up (p < 0.05). According to ACL-RSI, 20 subjects were allocated in group A (ACL-RSI > 60), while 11 were allocated in group B (ACL-RSI < 60). A statistically significant difference in favor of patients in group A was recorded for the post-operative Lysholm and Tegner score, as well as Side Hop test LSI level (p < 0.05), while a trend for IKDC was observed without statistical significance (p = 0.065). Conclusions: Patients with higher values of ACL-RSI scores showed better functional and clinical outcomes as well as improved performance 6 months after ACL reconstruction

Our study aims to prospectively report the functional outcomes of 31 sportsmen following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, up to 12 months after surgery, with regards to subjective tests and drop jump performance, and to investigate the correlations between these variables, to be used for determining the return to sports after ACL reconstruction. Lysholm score, Tegner activity level, and the ACL–Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale were evaluated preoperatively, at 6 months, and at 12 months after surgery. Drop vertical jump was recorded using an infrared optical acquisition system. Lysholm and ACL-RSI scores significantly improved at the 12-month follow-up compared to the baseline and 6-month evaluations (p < 0.001). Concerning Tegner activity level, no statistically significant differences were reported between pre- and post-operative status (p = 0.179). Drop jump limb symmetry index significantly improved at 12 months, with the mean value improving from 76.6% (SD: 32,4) pre-operatively to 90.2% (SD: 14.7; p < 0.001) at follow-up. Scarce positive correlation was reported between the ability to perform drop jumps and activity level in athletes one year after ACL reconstruction. In addition, subjective knee score and psychological readiness were not related to jumping performance.

From February 2017 to December 2018, 20 patients had undergone the proposed modified Wilson-SERI osteotomy technique, for moderate hallux valgus. The mean age of patients was 58,25 years (range 19 to 78). The hallux valgus angle (HVA), the intermetatarsal angle between first and second metatarsal bone (IMA) and the distal metatarsal articular angle (D.M.A.A) were measured. The feet were assessed based on the scoring system used by Broughton and Winson and by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux-metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale. All twenty one patients were followed up postoperatively for a minimum of 12 months. The mean HVA angle decreased significantly from 31,1° before surgery (range 22.9°-40°SD 5.0) at 11,2° (range 2.5° to 22.0°SD 5.3) at twelve months follow up. The mean IMA angle decreased significantly from 12,5° (range 8.0°-18.6°SD 3.8) before surgery at 7,4° (range 3.4°-14.0°SD 2.5) at twelve months follow up. The mean DMMA angle decreased significantly from 15.1° (range 5.3° to 20.0°SD 4.4) before surgery at 7,4 °(1.5°- 10.7°SD 2.5) at twelve months follow up. The mean score according to the AOFAS forefoot was increased from 22,1 (range 13-30 SD 5.0) to 88,2 (Range 77-96 SD 5.2) (p<0.0001). No complications, like dislocations, avascular necrosis of the first metatarsal and deep venous thrombosis, were observed in the post-operative period. Short term results at twelve months after surgery are quite satisfactory but further studies are necessary, to better comprehend an overall outcome of such approach in the long run.

Background: Hip osteoarthritis is a highly prevalent degenerative condition and a leading indication for total hip arthroplasty (THA). As anterior approaches have gained popularity, optimizing postoperative rehabilitation according to the muscles involved in recovery has become increasingly relevant. However, evidence regarding muscle-specific rehabilitation following the Anterior Minimally Invasive Surgery (AMIS) approach remains limited. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate whether rehabilitation protocols specifically targeting the hip flexors or abductors could improve postoperative functional recovery compared with standard rehabilitation following AMIS THA. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 29 patients aged 50–80 years with BMI < 30 kg/m² undergoing unilateral THA through the AMIS approach. The cohort included 14 men and 15 women. Patients were non-randomly allocated according to clinical and organizational factors to standard rehabilitation (ST; n = 10), a hip flexor-focused protocol (SP1; n = 10), or a hip abductor-focused protocol (SP2; n = 9). Postoperative recovery was evaluated using clinical, functional, and patient-reported outcome measures. Rehabilitation was supervised by physiotherapists. Outcomes included goniometric hip range of motion, dynamometer-measured hip flexor and abductor strength, Timed Up and Go (TUG), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Harris Hip Score (HHS), Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), and SF-12. Longitudinal outcomes were analyzed using two-factor models assessing time, rehabilitation group, and their interaction, with post hoc comparisons where appropriate. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Of the 29 initially enrolled patients, 26 completed the study assessments and were included in the final analysis (ST, n = 9; SP1, n = 10; SP2, n = 7). Significant improvements over time were observed for hip flexion and internal rotation ROM, abductor strength, TUG, VAS, HOOS, and HHS. No consistent superiority of either targeted protocol over standard rehabilitation was identified. Postoperative improvements in hip range of motion, muscle strength, mobility, pain, and functional performance were observed over time across the study cohort. Although no protocol demonstrated statistically significant superiority in range of motion or functional outcomes, all three groups showed postoperative improvement over time following AMIS THA. Conclusions: All rehabilitation groups improved during postoperative recovery, but neither the flexor- nor abductor-focused protocol demonstrated superiority over standard rehabilitation. Given the small sample size and non-randomized design, these findings are preliminary and hypothesis-generating and require confirmation in adequately powered randomized studies. Because the targeted protocols also involved a greater overall number of prescribed exercises, the present design cannot distinguish the effects of muscle-specific targeting from those of greater exercise exposure.