Background: Lospa posterior-stabilized (PS) Plus type is a modified version of Lospa PS, in which the polyethylene insert shape is modified to reinforce stability and prevent patella-post impingement compared to Lospa PS. However, studies comparing the clinical and radiographic results of the two designs have not been reported yet. This study aimed to compare the clinical results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using the existing PS type and the modified Lospa PS Plus type. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 558 knees of 342 patients who underwent TKA using the Lospa PS or PS Plus types and were followed up for at least 2 years. Cases were divided into two groups according to the implant used: 212 cases in the PS group and 346 cases in the PS Plus group. For clinical outcome assessment, knee range of motion (ROM), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, and Knee Society Score (KSS) were recorded before surgery and at the 2-year follow-up. Radiographic outcomes were evaluated according to the American Knee Society method. The incidence of postoperative complications and survival rates were compared between the two groups. Results: Both groups showed significant clinical improvement after surgery. The average KSS significantly improved from 53.4 points in the PS group and 52.3 points in the PS Plus group preoperatively to 91.3 points and 93.2 points after surgery, respectively (p < 0.001). The average WOMAC score improved from 50.4 points in the PS group and 52.3 points in the PS Plus group before surgery to 15.6 points and 14.8 points after surgery, respectively (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in ROM, the alignment of the lower limbs, and the implant position after surgery. The complication rates were also similar between the groups (p = 0.167). Conclusions The Lospa PS Plus model is a modified design that improves the post structure from the previous PS type. Compared to the PS type, the PS Plus type showed similar statistical results at 2-year follow-up and good clinical results. The short-term average survival rate was over 98%, showing promising results.

Purpose: In the past 20 years, studies on extracorporeal shock wave therapy in myofascial pain syndrome have been conducted in various ways, but no studies have compared the effects of the radial and focused type directly. This study examined the clinical treatment effects of periscapular myofascial pain syndrome according to the type of extracorporeal shock wave. Materials and Methods: From January 2018 to February 2019, 66 patients were diagnosed with periscapular myofascial pain syndrome and subjected to extracorporeal shock waves. Twenty-four patients were in the radial extracorporeal shock wave treatment group, and 42 patients were in the focused extracorporeal shock wave treatment group. Before starting treatment, the visual analog pain scale, Constant Murley scale, and UCLA score were examined. After six shock wave treatments were completed at intervals of one week, the visual analog pain scale, Constant Murley scale, and UCLA score were re-evaluated. Results: The visual analog pain scale improved from pre-treatment 3.66 points to post-treatment 2.54 points in the radial extracorporeal shock wave treatment group (p=0.007), and improved from pre-treatment 3.26 points to post-treatment 2.52 points in the focused extracorporeal shock wave treatment group (p=0.010). For the shoulder function evaluation, the Constant Murley scale and UCLA score in the radial extracorporeal shock wave treatment group improved from 64.60 points and 24.96 points, respectively, before treatment to 71.76 points and 27.98 points after treatment, respectively (p<0.001, p=0.006). The Constant Murley scale and UCLA score in the focal extracorporeal shockwave treatment group improved from 64.06 points and 25.26 points, respectively, to 72.19 points and 28.80 points after treatment (p<0.001, p<0.001). Conclusion Both radial and focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy were effective in reducing pain and increasing the shoulder function in patients with periscapular myofascial pain syndrome.

Purpose: Fractures of the capitellum of the humerus are relatively rare injuries, and the prevalence is known to be less than 1% of all elbow fractures. Since the capitellum forms an articular surface with the radial head, this fracture is considered to be an intra-articular fracture, and surgical treatment is required for the displaced fracture. Due to the rarity of this type of fracture, only a few studies on treatment have been published. We report the results of cases that underwent surgical treatment for capitellum fractures. Materials and Methods: Through a retrospective review, patients who underwent surgical treatment for a capitellum fracture from January 2002 to January 2020, and who could be followed-up for at least 12 months and were over 16 years old were included. A total of 19 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation with K-wires and headless compression screws were included.Radiographic analysis was carried out using simple radiographs taken to investigate the stability of the joint and the union of fractures.Clinical results were analyzed using the range of motion of the elbow, visualized pain score, Mayo Elbow Performance score (MEPS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, and postoperative complications were analyzed at the time of the final follow-up. Results: The average age of the patients was 57.3 years, and their average follow-up time was 22.6 months. Most of them were type I (n=12) as per the Bryan–Morrey classification. The radiographic analysis showed that bony union was obtained at the final follow-up in all cases, and there was no case of joint instability. The results of the clinical analysis showed that average flexion contracture was 9.7° (min 0°–max 30°), average further flexion was 130.3° (min 90°–max 145°), and average range of motion was 120.5°, and the average visualized pain score at the final follow-up was 1.3 (min 0–max 3). At the final follow-up, the average MEPS was 85.5 (min 75–max 95) and the average DASH score was 27.6 (min 5–max 46), which was satisfactory. Conclusion With early rehabilitation, capitellum fractures can be treated well without complications if the joint surface is aligned congruently with open reduction and firm fixation by using K-wire or headless compression screws.

Purpose: Various problems have been reported with tension-band wire (TBW) fixation. With the devel-opment of anatomical plates and the improvement of fixation forces, plate fixation is currently being performed for non-comminuted, displaced, transverse olecranon fractures (Mayo Type 2A). This study compared the usefulness of the above two procedures applied in non-comminuted, displaced, transverse olecranon fractures. Materials and Methods: Fifty-three patients with Mayo Type 2A were studied retrospectively. Twenty-nine patients underwent TBW fixation, while the other 24 underwent plate fixation. The averageoutpatient follow-up period was 10 months for both groups. Both groups were analyzed radiologically and clinically. The radiological assessment included the time to bone union, joint stability, and presence of traumatic osteoarthritis at the final follow-up. The clinical assessment included the operation time,range of motion of the elbow joint, Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, and the presence of postoperative complications. Results: Both groups showed stable elbow joints, proper union of fractures, and no traumatic osteo-arthritis at the final follow-up. The range of motion for the TBW fixation group was 142° (range, 3°-145°), while that of the plate fixation group was 135° (range, 4°-139°) at the final follow-up (p=0.219). The MEPS was 98.2 and 97.7 for the TBW fixation and plate fixation groups, respectively (p=0.675). The DASH score was 10.7 and 13.9 for the TBW fixation and plate fixation groups, respectively. Both groups showed excellent results, and the differences were not statistically significant (p=0.289). Conclusion TBW fixation and plate fixation were compared in non-comminuted, displaced, transverse olecranon fractures, and good results were obtained without significant differences between the two groups. Hence, surgeons should choose a technique they are more confident with and can be applied more efficiently.

Background: Pediatric trigger digit (TD) does not appear at birth but is diagnosed after birth by finding a flexion contracture of the thumb or other fingers. The reported incidence of pediatric TDs varies from 0.5 to 5 cases per 1,000 live births without sex-specific predominance. We performed a nationwide large-scale study to determine the prevalence and incidence of pediatric TDs and analyzed operative treatment for pediatric TDs using the National Health Insurance data of South Korea. Methods: Patients with pediatric TDs, aged 0–10 years between 2011 and 2020, were included in this study. Children born between 2011 and 2015 were set as the reference population and followed up until 2020. We calculated the prevalence and incidence rates of pediatric TDs according to age and sex and analyzed the operation rate, age at surgery, time interval from initial diagnosis to surgery, and follow-up period. Patient selection and treatment were based on International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10). Results: The prevalence rates of pediatric TDs ranged from 0.063% to 0.084%. Girls had a higher prevalence rate (0.066%–0.094%) than boys (0.060%–0.075%). The total incidence rate was 77.6/100,000 person-years, and the incidence rate was higher in girls (84.8) than in boys (70.7). Among 2,181,814 children born between 2011 and 2015, 12,729 were diagnosed with pediatric TDs, of which 1,128 (8.9%) underwent operative management. The means of age at initial diagnosis, age at surgery, and the time interval between diagnosis and operation were 2.76 ± 1.91 years, 3.79 ± 2.19 years, and 1.15 ± 1.71 years, respectively. Conclusions High prevalence and incidence rates of pediatric TDs were found in 2- to 3-year-old patients. Among pediatric patients, 8.9% underwent operative management that was most frequently conducted between 2 and 3 years of age (within 1 year of initial diagnosis).

Background: Distal metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction fractures of the humerus are a subset of injuries between humeral shaft fractures and distal intra-articular humerus fractures. A lack of space for distal fixation and the unique anatomy of concave curvature create difficulties during operative treatment. The closely lying radial nerve is another major concern. The aim of this study was to determine whether anterolateral dual plate fixation could be effective for a distal junctional fracture of the humerus both biomechanically and clinically. Methods: A right humerus 3-dimensional (3D) model was obtained based on plain radiographs and computed tomography data of patients. Two fractures, a spiral type and a spiral wedge type, were constructed. Three-dimensional models of locking compression plates and screws were constructed using materials provided by the manufacturer. The experiment was conducted by using COMSOL Multiphysics, a finite element analysis, solver, and simulation software package. For the clinical study, from July 2008 to March 2021, a total of 72 patients were included. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed to obtain patient demographics, elbow range of motion, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores, Mayo Elbow Performance Scores (MEPS), and hand grip strength. Results: No fracture fixation construct completely restored stiffness comparable to the intact model in torsion or compression. Combinations of the 7-hole and 5-hole plates and the 8-hole and 6-hole plates showed superior structural stiffness and stress than those with single lateral plates. At least 3 screws (6 cortices) should be inserted into the lateral plate to reduce the load effectively. For the anterior plate, it was sufficient to purchase only the near cortex. Regarding clinical results of the surgery, the range of motion showed satisfactory results in elbow flexion, elbow extension, and forearm rotation. The average DASH score was 4.3 and the average MEPS was 88.2. Conclusions Anterolateral dual plate fixation was biomechanically superior to the single-plate method in the finite element analysis of a distal junctional fracture of the humerus model. Anterolateral dual plate fixation was also clinically effective in a large cohort of patients with distal junctional fractures of the humerus.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the current study is to determine the role of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) on hip fracture development by retrospectively analyzing the relationship between vitamin D and PTH levels and hip fracture prevalence. METHODS: Among 288 patients over 50 years of age, 113 patients with hip fracture and 111 controls without fracture were analyzed after excluding patients with conditions affecting bone metabolism. Bone mineral density and serum biochemical markers were measured, while demographic data were obtained. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-[OH]D) and PTH levels: LowD+LowP (low 25[OH]D and PTH); LowD+HighP, (low 25[OH]D and high PTH); HighD+LowP (high 25[OH]D and low PTH); and HighD+HighP, patients with (high 25[OH]D and PTH). Measured values and percentages of patients with hip fracture in each group were then determined and compared. RESULTS: The number of patients included in the LowD+LowP, LowD+HighP, HighD+LowP, and HighD+HighP groups was 116, 17, 87, and 4, while the percentages of patients with hip fracture in the same groups were 60.3%, 88.2%, 27.6%, and 100%, respectively. The percentage of hip fracture was significantly lower in the LowD+LowP than the LowD+HighP group (P=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with low serum 25(OH)D and PTH levels showed lower hip fracture prevalence, indicating the potential protective role of low PTH levels on bone health in patients with vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, clinicians should pay more attention to the possibility of fractures in patients with vitamin D deficiency who present with high PTH levels.
Biomarkers ; Bone Density ; Hip Fractures ; Hip ; Humans ; Hypoparathyroidism ; Metabolism ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins