BACKGROUND:With changing lifestyles and aging,sagittal spinal imbalance has become a common orthopedic issue significantly affecting knee and pelvic function.Understanding the impact of sagittal spinal imbalance and its compensatory mechanisms is crucial for improving the clinical management of chronic pain.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the alignment of the spine-pelvis-lower extremities using whole-body EOS imaging,analyze the correlation between spinal sagittal imbalance and knee joint parameters,and explore their compensatory mechanisms.METHODS:A total of 71 patients with chronic low back pain or patellofemoral pain who visited Department of Orthopedics,First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between January 1,2021 and December 31,2023 were included.Radiographic measurements were performed using whole-body EOS to determine pelvic tilt,pelvic incidence,lumbar lordosis,sagittal vertical axis,global tilt,hip-knee-angle,knee flexion angle,lateral distal femoral angle,and medial proximal tibial angle.Patients were classified into normal group(pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis＜10°),compensated group(10°＜pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis＜20°),and decompensated group(pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis＞20°)based on the SRS-Schwab spinal deformity classification according to pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis difference.The differences in radiographic parameters among the groups were analyzed.The differences in American Knee Society Knee Score and Oswestry Disability Index scores were compared among each group.Patients were divided into chronic low back pain group and non-chronic low back pain group,patellofemoral pain group and non-patellofemoral pain group based on clinical symptoms,and the relationship between radiographic parameter differences and clinical symptoms was analyzed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)When pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis was less than 20°,lateral distal femoral angle and medial proximal tibial angle tended to stabilize.When pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis was greater than 20°,it showed a linear correlation with lateral distal femoral angle and medial proximal tibial angle,with lateral distal femoral angle increasing and medial proximal tibial angle decreasing with increasing pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis values.(2)Compared with the normal group,the compensated group had significantly increased pelvic tilt(P＜0.01),while knee joint parameters hip-knee-angle and knee flexion angle showed no significant differences;the decompensated group showed significant increases in pelvic tilt(P＜0.01),and decreases in hip-knee-angle,and knee flexion angle(P＜0.01).Compared with the compensated group,the decompensated group showed a significant decrease in hip-knee-angle(P＜0.05),but had no significant differences in pelvic tilt and knee flexion angle.(3)Compared with the non-patellofemoral pain group,patients with patellofemoral pain had significant decreases in spinal lumbar lordosis,lateral distal femoral angle,and medial proximal tibial angle(P＜0.05)and a significant increase in pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis(P＜0.05).(4)Patients with low back pain had significant differences in radiographic parameters compared with the non-chronic low back pain group(P＜0.05).(5)Compared with the normal group,both the compensated and decompensated groups showed a significant decrease in American Knee Society Knee Score scores and a significant increase in Oswestry Disability Index scores(P＜0.05).Compared with the compensated group,the decompensated group showed a significant decrease in American Knee Society Knee Score scores and a significant increase in Oswestry Disability Index scores(P＜0.05).(6)Pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis values increased with age and were higher in females compared with males.(7)This study systematically reveals the spine and lower limbs play an important role in disease progression and clinical symptoms.Associated symptoms low back pain and patellofemoral pain are related to the stability of the spine-pelvis-lower extremity alignment.Furthermore,spinal sagittal imbalance is more severe in elderly and female patients.

BACKGROUND:With changing lifestyles and aging,sagittal spinal imbalance has become a common orthopedic issue significantly affecting knee and pelvic function.Understanding the impact of sagittal spinal imbalance and its compensatory mechanisms is crucial for improving the clinical management of chronic pain.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the alignment of the spine-pelvis-lower extremities using whole-body EOS imaging,analyze the correlation between spinal sagittal imbalance and knee joint parameters,and explore their compensatory mechanisms.METHODS:A total of 71 patients with chronic low back pain or patellofemoral pain who visited Department of Orthopedics,First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between January 1,2021 and December 31,2023 were included.Radiographic measurements were performed using whole-body EOS to determine pelvic tilt,pelvic incidence,lumbar lordosis,sagittal vertical axis,global tilt,hip-knee-angle,knee flexion angle,lateral distal femoral angle,and medial proximal tibial angle.Patients were classified into normal group(pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis＜10°),compensated group(10°＜pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis＜20°),and decompensated group(pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis＞20°)based on the SRS-Schwab spinal deformity classification according to pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis difference.The differences in radiographic parameters among the groups were analyzed.The differences in American Knee Society Knee Score and Oswestry Disability Index scores were compared among each group.Patients were divided into chronic low back pain group and non-chronic low back pain group,patellofemoral pain group and non-patellofemoral pain group based on clinical symptoms,and the relationship between radiographic parameter differences and clinical symptoms was analyzed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)When pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis was less than 20°,lateral distal femoral angle and medial proximal tibial angle tended to stabilize.When pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis was greater than 20°,it showed a linear correlation with lateral distal femoral angle and medial proximal tibial angle,with lateral distal femoral angle increasing and medial proximal tibial angle decreasing with increasing pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis values.(2)Compared with the normal group,the compensated group had significantly increased pelvic tilt(P＜0.01),while knee joint parameters hip-knee-angle and knee flexion angle showed no significant differences;the decompensated group showed significant increases in pelvic tilt(P＜0.01),and decreases in hip-knee-angle,and knee flexion angle(P＜0.01).Compared with the compensated group,the decompensated group showed a significant decrease in hip-knee-angle(P＜0.05),but had no significant differences in pelvic tilt and knee flexion angle.(3)Compared with the non-patellofemoral pain group,patients with patellofemoral pain had significant decreases in spinal lumbar lordosis,lateral distal femoral angle,and medial proximal tibial angle(P＜0.05)and a significant increase in pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis(P＜0.05).(4)Patients with low back pain had significant differences in radiographic parameters compared with the non-chronic low back pain group(P＜0.05).(5)Compared with the normal group,both the compensated and decompensated groups showed a significant decrease in American Knee Society Knee Score scores and a significant increase in Oswestry Disability Index scores(P＜0.05).Compared with the compensated group,the decompensated group showed a significant decrease in American Knee Society Knee Score scores and a significant increase in Oswestry Disability Index scores(P＜0.05).(6)Pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis values increased with age and were higher in females compared with males.(7)This study systematically reveals the spine and lower limbs play an important role in disease progression and clinical symptoms.Associated symptoms low back pain and patellofemoral pain are related to the stability of the spine-pelvis-lower extremity alignment.Furthermore,spinal sagittal imbalance is more severe in elderly and female patients.

Objective To explore the feasibility,effectiveness,and safety of balloon catheter-assisted total hepatic vascular exclusion.Methods We designed and manufactured an endovascular catheter with three lumens and double balloons,which can be inserted into the retrahepatic inferior vena cava through the femoral vein.The superior and inferior vena cava of the liver can be blocked by filling balloon,and the total hepatic vascular exclusion was achieved by combining with pringle method.In animal experiments,total hepatic vascular exclusion was performed by balloon catheter-assist method(experimental group)or traditional methods(control group),and the complete time was compared between the two groups.Blood flow blocking effect was observed by angiography and incision of retrahepatic inferior vena cava under direct vision.The complications were recorded.Results Total hepatic vascular exclusion was successfully completed in both groups.The completion time in the experimental group was significantly shorter than that in the control group([12.5±1.2]min vs.[35.8±4.9]min,P<0.05).CT angiography,DSA,and direct vision of blood vessels all confirmed the effectiveness of balloon catheter-assisted hepatic blood flow exclusion.No catheter displacement,balloon rupture,or air embolism occurred.Conclusion The balloon catheter-assisted hepatic total vascular exclusion is simpler and more feasible than traditional method.

Objective:To evaluate the performance of our self-developed deep learning (DL) model which was designed to automatically classify the knee X-ray images into one non-surgical category and 4 surgical categories, including non-surgical knees (NSK), high tibial osteotomy (HTO), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), and tibial plateau fracture fixation with an internal fixation plate (TPFF).Methods:The knee X-ray images were collected of the patients who had undergone knee joint surgery at Department of Orthopaedics, Fuzhou Second General Hospital from January 2017 to December 2022. On the Baidu EasyDL AI platform, a multi-class object recognition DL model was built using the You Only Look Once (YOLO) algorithm. The model was trained on a dataset of 1,281 knee anteroposterior X-ray images (including NSK, HTO, TKA, UKA, and TPFF) to generate a DL model which was able to automatically recognize and classify the knee X-ray images. The reliability of the model classification performance was evaluated by analyzing the 5 indicators [accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV)] using a test set of 450 knee anteroposterior X-ray images with the above 5 categories. The receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to further quantify the classification performance of the model.Results:In the test set, on the whole, the model achieved an accuracy of 97.0%, a sensitivity of 92.4%, a specificity of 98.1%, a PPV of 92.4%, and a NPV of 98.1%, an AUC of 0.947, indicating a high reliability in classifying various categories. The model showed a best performance for TKA, with the 5 indicators being 99.1%, 99.0%, 99.1%, 97.1% and 99.7%. The model showed a slightly lower sensitivity for TPFF and HTO (87.0% and 86.0%, respectively).Conclusion:A successful DL model has been developed which can automatically classify the knee X-ray images into non-surgical and surgical categories due to its satisfactory performance, particularly in accuracy and AUC.

Objective To analyze and compare the differences between 3D-printed patient-specific instrumentation(PSI)-assisted medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy(OWHTO)and conventional medial OWHTO in terms of the postoperative mechanical stability,accuracy of weight-bearing alignment adjustment,and clinical outcomes.Methods Data from patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis(KOA)and undergoing OWHTO from Jan.2019 to Jan.2022 were collected.The patients were divided into the conventional method group(23 individuals)and 3D-printed PSI-assisted group(18 individuals)based on the surgical methods.The accuracy of correction between the two methods was evaluated by comparing the preoperatively planned target correction of the hip-knee-ankle(HKA)angle with the postoperative HKA angle difference.The preoperative posterior tibial slope(PTS)and postoperative PTS angle differences were also assessed.The clinical efficacy of the two methods was assessed by collecting and analyzing the Lysholm score,visual analog scale(VAS),and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC)of the patients in both the groups prior to surgery and at the 1st,6th,12th,and 24th month postoperatively.The occurrence of postoperative complications in both the groups was analyzed to evaluate the safety of PSI-assisted OWHTO.Results There were no differences in demographic characteristics,preoperative imaging observations,and clinical symptoms between the two groups(P>0.05).With regard to the results of correction accuracy,the postoperative HKA angle difference was 2.7°±1.8° in the conventional OWHTO group and 0.8°±1.1° in the 3D-printed PSI-assisted OWHTO group(P<0.001).The postoperative PTS angle difference was 2.8°±2.2° for conventional OWHTO and 1.7°±1.9° for PSI-assisted OWHTO(P=0.003).In terms of clinical efficacy,the surgical time of the PSI-assisted group was 59.2±14.8 min.This was significantly shorter than that of the conventional method group(87.6±21.4 min)(P=0.019).The Lysholm,VAS,and WOMAC scores of the PSI-assisted group were superior to those of the conventional method group at each postoperative follow-up visit.With regard to postoperative complications,there were four cases(17.3%)in the conventional method group and three(16.7%)in the PSI-assisted group.The statistical difference between the two groups is not significant.Conclusions Compared with the conventional method,3D-printed PSI-assisted OWHTO demonstrated superior accuracy in correcting lower limb alignment,in conjunction with favorable clinical efficacy and safety.This study has provided an effective reference for clinicians in selecting surgical treatment plans.

Objective To analyze and compare the differences between 3D-printed patient-specific instrumentation(PSI)-assisted medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy(OWHTO)and conventional medial OWHTO in terms of the postoperative mechanical stability,accuracy of weight-bearing alignment adjustment,and clinical outcomes.Methods Data from patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis(KOA)and undergoing OWHTO from Jan.2019 to Jan.2022 were collected.The patients were divided into the conventional method group(23 individuals)and 3D-printed PSI-assisted group(18 individuals)based on the surgical methods.The accuracy of correction between the two methods was evaluated by comparing the preoperatively planned target correction of the hip-knee-ankle(HKA)angle with the postoperative HKA angle difference.The preoperative posterior tibial slope(PTS)and postoperative PTS angle differences were also assessed.The clinical efficacy of the two methods was assessed by collecting and analyzing the Lysholm score,visual analog scale(VAS),and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC)of the patients in both the groups prior to surgery and at the 1st,6th,12th,and 24th month postoperatively.The occurrence of postoperative complications in both the groups was analyzed to evaluate the safety of PSI-assisted OWHTO.Results There were no differences in demographic characteristics,preoperative imaging observations,and clinical symptoms between the two groups(P>0.05).With regard to the results of correction accuracy,the postoperative HKA angle difference was 2.7°±1.8° in the conventional OWHTO group and 0.8°±1.1° in the 3D-printed PSI-assisted OWHTO group(P<0.001).The postoperative PTS angle difference was 2.8°±2.2° for conventional OWHTO and 1.7°±1.9° for PSI-assisted OWHTO(P=0.003).In terms of clinical efficacy,the surgical time of the PSI-assisted group was 59.2±14.8 min.This was significantly shorter than that of the conventional method group(87.6±21.4 min)(P=0.019).The Lysholm,VAS,and WOMAC scores of the PSI-assisted group were superior to those of the conventional method group at each postoperative follow-up visit.With regard to postoperative complications,there were four cases(17.3%)in the conventional method group and three(16.7%)in the PSI-assisted group.The statistical difference between the two groups is not significant.Conclusions Compared with the conventional method,3D-printed PSI-assisted OWHTO demonstrated superior accuracy in correcting lower limb alignment,in conjunction with favorable clinical efficacy and safety.This study has provided an effective reference for clinicians in selecting surgical treatment plans.

Objective To investigate the risk factors affecting Sandwich vertebral re-fracture after vertebral augmentation surgery for osteoporotic spine Sandwich fractures.Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted on the clinical data of 90 patients with osteoporotic spine Sandwich fractures treated with vertebral augmentation surgery from January 2004 to December 2015.There were 26 males and 64 females,aged (69.9 ± 7.4) years.The patients were divided into fracture group (n =15) and non fracture group (n =75) according to the incidence of re-fracture after operation during follow-up.Gender,age,height,weight,bone mineral density,cumulative number of cemented vertebrae,location of the Sandwich vertebrae in the thoracolumbar segment,the preoperative kyphosis angle of the Sandwich fracture segment,surgical approach,cement injection approach (unilateral or bilateral),cement injection volume,cement leakage between the Sandwich intervertebral spaces,the postoperative kyphosis angle of the Sandwich fracture segment,and follow-up duration were used as independent variables.Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors of vertebral Sandwich fracture.Results There were 97 Sandwich vertebrae in 90 patients,and 226 fractured vertebrae were treated with initial intensive treatment.The mean follow-up was 18.1 months.There were no significant differences in gender,age,height,weight,cumulative number of cemented vertebrae,whether the Sandwich vertebrae was located at the thoracolumbar segment,the preoperative kyphosis angle of the Sandwich fracture segment,the cement injection approach (unilateral or bilateral),the volume of cement injection,and the cement leakage between the Sandwich intervertebral spaces (P ＞ 0.05).There were significant differences in bone mineral density,surgical approach,and postoperative kyphosis angle of the Sandwich fracture segment between the two groups (P ＜ 0.05).Further logistic regression analysis showed that bone mineral density ≤ 3.5 SD and segmental kyphosis (≥ 10°) were risk factors for Sandwich fracture (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The low bone mineral density (T value ≤-3.5 SD) and postoperative kyphotic angle (≥ 10°) are risk factors for re-fracture of Sandwich vertebrae.Vertebroplasty itself does not increase the risk of recurrent vertebral fractures.

Objective To investigate the perioperative effects of simultaneous fixation and staging fixation in polytrauma patients combined with spine injury and long bone fracture.Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 41 severe polytrauma patients with unstable spine combined with long bone fracture admitted from June 2009 to June 2015.There were 30 males and 11 females,aged 21-66 years [(41.2 ± 12.2)years].The injured spinal segments included cervical vertebrae in 11 patients,thoracic vertebrae in 15,lumbar vertebrae in 23,sacrococcygeal vertebrae in two,as well as injuries at two or more different segments in 10 patients.The long bone fracture segments included humerus in six patients,radius and ulna in 14,femur in 15,tibia and fibula in 14,as well as injuries at two or more different segments in eight patients.The injury severity score (ISS) were all ≥ 15 points.According to the timing of operation,the patients were divided into the simultaneous operation group (20 patients) and the staging operation group (21 patients).In the simultaneous operation group,there were 16 males and four females,aged (43.1 ± 12.6)years,and internal or external fixations of spine and long bone were performed at stage Ⅰ.In the staging operation group,there were 14 males and seven females,aged (40.1 ± 11.9)years.Spine fixation surgery was performed first,and then surgery for long bone fracture was performed after the conditions were stabilized.Spinal surgery methods included anterior subtotal vertebral resection,bone graft plate internal fixation,posterior laminectomy and decompression,and lateral mass screw or pedicle screw internal fixation.Plate and interlocking nail were used for internal fixation of long bone fracture,and single arm bracket for external fixation.The preoperative hospitalization time,operation time,operative blood loss (intraoperative hemorrhage and postoperative drainage),postoperative complications,hospitalization time and Frankel score of spinal cord injury before and after operation were compared between the two groups.Results The preoperative hospital stay was (9.3 ± 6.7) days in the simultaneous operation group and (5.6 ± 5.0) days in the staging operation group (P ＞ 0.05).The simultaneous operation group had significantly longer operation time [(4.9 ± 2.0) hours] than the staging operation group [(3.2 ± 1.2) hours] (P ＜ 0.01),more operative blood loss [(1 322.6 ± 507.1) ml] than the staging operation group [(1 036.7 ± 233.9) ml] (P＜0.05),and shorter hospitalization stay [(22.8 ± 12.6)days] than the staging operation group [(33.0 ± 15.4) days] (P ＜ 0.05).The complication incidence of the simultaneous operation group [45％ (9/20)] was significantly lower than that of the staging operation group [86％ (18/21)] (P ＜ 0.01).No significant difference was found in Frankel score between the simultaneous operation group [(3.3 ±1.7)points] and the staging operation group [(3.1 ± 1.5)points] (P ＞0.05).Conclusion For polytrauma patients combined with spine injury and long bone fracture,simultaneous operation can reduce hospitalization time and complication incidence compared with staging operation.

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of early total care (ETC) for polytrauma patients combined with thoracolumbar fractures.Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 137 polytrauma patients combined with thoracolumbar fractures admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and the Third People's Hospital of Zhang,jiagang from January 2012 to October 2015.There were 90 males and 47 females,aged 26-69 years,with an average age of 48.2 years.The patients were divided into ETC group (n =59) and TMC group (n =78).In the ETC group,physicians from different departments evaluated the patients and developed individualized therapeutic regimens to allow the patients to undergo surgery at early stage after injury.The TMC group preferentially stabilized the patient's condition or transferred the patients to specialist treatment,and then the surgery was performed electively after the condition of the patient was stable.The ISS of the ETC group was (22.15 ± 9.28)points,and that of the TMC group was (23.37 ± 10.74) points.All patients underwent conventional posterior pedicle screw internal fixation.For patients with burst fracture and nerve injury,posterior spinal canal decompression was performed.The thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS),spinal load sharing classification (LSC),preoperative and postoperative Glasgow coma score (GCS),Frankel classification,hospitalization time and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results The TLICS scores of ETC group were significantly lower than those of TMC group (P ＜ 0.05) while the LSC scores showed no significant differences between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).ETC group had shorter hospitalization time [(11.8 ± 3.7)days ∶ (17.5 ±4.5)days] and lower pressure ulcer incidence [(5％ ∶ 21％)] than the TMC group (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01),but the former had significantly higher wound infection rate [(17％ ∶ 15％)] (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in pulmonary infection and deep venous thrombosis incidence between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).No significant differences were found in the preoperative GCS scores between the two group (P ＞ 0.05) while the postoperative GCS scores of TMC group were higher than those of ETC group (P ＜ 0.01).Postoperative GCS scores in both groups were significantly higher than their preoperative GCS (P ＜ 0.05).The results of postoperative Frankel classification in the ETC group were as follows:Grade A in one patient,Grade B in one,Grade C in three,Grade D in four and Grade E in two patients,with an improvement rate of 82％.The results of postoperative Frankel classification in the TMC group were as follows:Grade A in three patients,Grade B in three,Grade C in three,Grade D in four and Grade E in four,with an improvement rate of 65％.Conclusions For polytrauma patients combined with thoracolumbar fractures,ETC can shorten hospitalization time,reduce the pressure ulcer incidence,and better facilitate the recovery of nerve function,yet with higher wound infection risk compared with TMC.TMC was preferred subjectively for patients with unstable thoracolumbar fractures and high TLICS.

Objective To compare the clinical outcomes of long and short InterTan intramedullary nailing of senior intertrochanteric hip fracture in conjunction with early total care (ETC).Methods In this prospective study, records of 30 elder patients with intertrochanteric fracture hospitalized between January 2011 and September 2013 were included.Using the concept of ETC, the patients were treated with long (long-nail group, n =15) and short InterTan intramedullary nails (shortnail group, n =15) within 72 hours postinjury.The two groups were compared for operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, Harris hip score, time to pre-injury mobilization and hardware failure rate.Results Operation time was (77.25 ± 7.38) minutes in long-nail group versus (72.10 ± 6.90) minutes in short-nail group (P ＜ 0.01).Time to pre-injury mobilization was (7.45 ± 1.61) months in long-nail group versus (8.57 ± 2.18) months in short-nail group (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences between long-and short-nail groups regarding the blood loss [(180.75 ± 38.26)ml vs (178.62 ± 34.79)ml], fracture healing time [(4.82 ± 1.12)months vs (4.76 ± 1.04) months], and Harris hip score [(83.75 ± 1.71) points vs (82.57 ± 2.18) points] (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Either long or short InterTan intramedullary nailing combined with ETC is effective in treatment of intertrochanteric hip fracture in the elderly.However patients treated with long nails return to pre-injury mobilization relatively earlier.Long InterTan intramedullary nail system is better for the patients combined with serious osteoporosis.