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Background: The Achilles tendon is the body's strongest and largest tendon. It is commonly injured, particularly among athletes, accounting for a significant portion of serious tendon injuries. Several factors play a precipitating role in increasing the risk of these injuries., Objective: Our objective is to derive and validate a risk calculator for the prediction of incidence of any complication following Achilles tendon repair., Methods: We used de-identified data from the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP) database from 2005 to 2021. It comprises 7010 individuals who had undergone Achilles tendon rupture repair. Demographic and risk factors information was collected. To develop the calculator, the sample was divided into a derivation cohort (40%) and a validation cohort (60%). Multivariate logistic regression was used for statistical analysis, and a risk calculator for incidence of any complication was derived from the derivation cohort and validated on the remaining 60% of the sample. Patients with missing data were excluded, and the significance level was set at p < 0.05., Results: We analyzed the derivation cohort of 2245 individuals who underwent Achilles tendon repair surgery between 2005 and 2021, with a 5.5% overall complication. Multivariate logistic regression identified anesthesia type, ASA classification, certain co-morbidities (pre-operative dialysis and medication-requiring hypertension), and wound classification as significant predictors of complications. The developed risk calculator model had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.685 in the derivation cohort and 0.655 in the validation cohort, surpassing the widely used and validated modified frailty index. A cut-off score threshold of 0.06 was established using Youden's index to dichotomize individuals into low and high risk for developing any postoperative complications., Conclusion: Our risk calculator includes factors that most significantly affect the incidence of any complication following Achilles tendon repair., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

In the evolving field of orthopedic surgery, the integration of three-dimensional printing (3D printing) has emerged as a transformative technology, particularly in addressing the rising incidence of degenerative joint diseases. The integration of 3D printing technology in hip arthroplasty offers substantial advantages throughout the surgical process. In preoperative planning, 3D models enable meticulous assessments, aiding in accurate implant selection and precise surgical strategies. Intraoperatively, the technology contributes to precise prosthesis design, reducing operation duration, X-ray exposures, and blood loss. Beyond surgery, 3D printing revolutionizes medical equipment production, imaging, and implant design, showcasing benefits such as enhanced osseointegration and reduced stress shielding with titanium cups. Challenges include a higher risk of postoperative infection due to the porous surfaces of 3D-printed implants, technical complexities in the printing process, and the need for skilled manpower. Despite these challenges, the evolving nature of 3D printing technologies underscores the importance of relying on existing orthopedic surgical practices while emphasizing the need for standardized guidelines to fully harness its potential in improving patient care., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Barakeh et al.)

Menisci are crucial for knee joint functions and meniscal tears are common injuries, especially in sports activities. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which enhances healing, has emerged as a promising additive treatment for meniscus injuries, utilizing the regenerative properties of platelets and growth factors for improved clinical outcomes. In studies with a follow-up period of less than one year, the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for meniscus injuries showed significant improvements in knee symptoms and daily activity. Patients experienced enhanced outcomes in terms of pain reduction and increased sports activity, with MRI scans indicating stable meniscus conditions after six months. Studies with a follow-up of more than one year, however, did not find significant differences between groups treated with PRP and groups not treated with PRP in terms of various outcome measures, including pain and knee function. The vascularization of the menisci is vital for their proper function, and insufficient blood supply can affect healing of meniscal injuries. PRP therapy is used to enhance meniscal healing by introducing growth factors and anti-inflammatory agents. PRP therapy may enable athletes with meniscal tears to return to sports more quickly and has less rehabilitation duration. While PRP seems promising as an alternative to failed treatment or as an adjunct to treatment in the short term, its long-term effectiveness remains inconclusive. Patient preferences, commitment to therapy rehabilitation, and cost should all be considered on an individual basis., Competing Interests: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.