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To evaluate the effects of systemic medical ozone (O3) application and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on surgically induced knee osteoarthritis (OA) in a rat model. We performed anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) in order to create experimental OA in the right knees of 27 male rats. The left knee joints of all rats were sham-operated without ACLT as the negative control group. The rats were randomly assigned into three groups: (1) control group, which received no treatment; (2) O3 group, which received intraperitoneal 30 μg medical O3; (3) HBO group, which received HBO therapy for 60 minutes twice a day. We sacrificed the rats on the tenth week after the operation. We evaluated the degree of OA using Mankin scores. As a result of histopathological examination, the mean Mankin scores in the right knees with ACLT were 8.17 ± 2.12 in the control group, 6.22 ± 1.56 in the HBO group, and 4.72 ± 1.30 in the O3 group. The differences between the O3 group and the HBO group and the O3 group and the control group were found to be statistically significant (p 0.001, p 0.039, respectively). There was no difference between the HBO group and the control group (p 0.086). The results of the present study show that systemic medical O3 application was more effective than HBO therapy and may reduce development of cartilage damage and prevent OA formation.

Introduction The objective of this study was to investigate quality and scientific accuracy of videos related to rotator cuff tear on YouTube. Methods Term of “rotator cuff tear” was entered to the searching bar of YouTube and the first 50 YouTube videos about rotator cuff tear with the highest view counts were recorded and evaluated by two orthopedists. Title of the videos that met the inclusion criteria were recorded. The videos were evaluated with DISCERN and JAMA scoring system, and Video Power Index. Results The mean DISCERN score was calculated as 35.7±8.9, and the mean JAMA score was found as 2.9±0.4. The mean DISCERN score was statistically significantly higher in the physician group compared to the non-physician group. There was a very strong and statistically significant correlation and an excellent compliance between both observers. Conclusion In general, quality of videos published on YouTube about rotator cuff tear was low.

Background Context L5-S1 transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is a demanding procedure because of structures such as iliac crest, L5 transverse process, hypertrophic L5-S1 facet joint, and sacral ala. There has been no definite preoperative evaluation method to evaluate the surgical validity of L5-S1 transforaminal PELD. Purpose The authors report a new preoperative trajectory evaluation method for L5-S1 transforaminal PELD using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) examinations. Study Design/Setting This is a technical report study. Patient Sample Patients who were diagnosed L5-S1 soft disc herniation were included in the present study. Outcome Measures Success rate of transforaminal PELD according to height of iliac crest was measured. Methods Twelve patients who were diagnosed L5-S1 disc herniation were preoperatively evaluated with this new method. A skin marker is attached to patient's back as a tentative skin entry point, which was determined by usual preoperative MRI or CT. A new tilted axial and coronal MRI or CT scan is performed according to axis of L5-S1 transforaminal working channel. The images show good relationship between working channel and iliac crest. Results Six patients underwent a transforaminal PELD, and the results were successful. The other six patients were considered to be “unsuitable” for transforaminal PELD because of the probable blockade by iliac crest. Conclusions The tilted MRI or CT provides precise evaluation for L5-S1 transforaminal PELD trajectory and may achieve good outcome.

Background and Study Aims Although transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar diskectomy (PELD) offers certain advantages in the treatment of disk herniations, it used to be limited to nonmigrated or low-migrated herniations. With improvements in endoscopic spinal surgery, the range of indications for PELD has expanded. Various techniques including transforaminal and interlaminar approaches for migrated disk herniations are described in the literature. This study describes a transforaminal PELD approach to address downmigrated intracanal soft disk herniations effectively using the lever-up, rotate, and tilt technique. Patients and Methods We performed a retrospective review of 18 patients who had been operated on with the described technique between October 2012 and December 2015. We assessed clinical outcomes using the visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) preoperatively at their respective clinical visits and postoperatively at the patients' final follow-up examinations. Results The mean preoperative VAS scores for back and leg pain were 3.75 + 1.34 (range: 2–6) and 8.3 + 0.6 (range: 8–10), respectively. The mean preoperative ODI was 67.3 + 15.3 (range: 48–90). The mean VAS scores for back and leg pain improved to 1.38 + 1.58 (range: 0–6) and 1.19 + 0.75 (range: 0–3), respectively, at the last follow-up. The mean ODI also improved to 14.1 + 6.2 (range: 8–30) at the last follow-up. All differences between the preoperative and last follow-up scores were statistically significant (p Conclusions The lever-up, rotate, and tilt technique for transforaminal PELD is an effective maneuver to treat downmigrated disk herniations in selected patients by experienced surgeons.

Background. Spinal fusion has been shown to be the preferred surgical option to reduce pain, recover function, and increase quality of life in the treatment of a variety of lumbar spinal disorders. The main goal of the present study is to report our clinical experience and results of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (PELIF) applications using the expandable spacer in a single institution.Methods. We performed a retrospective review of 18 patients with >12-month follow-up who had been operated on PELIF using expandable spacer from 2001 to 2007. Their clinical and radiological data were collected and analyzed.Results. The mean follow-up period was 46 months. The mean DH before the surgery was 8.3 mm which improved to 11.4 mm at the early postoperative period and regressed to 9.3 mm at the last follow-up visit. The VAS-B, VAS-L, and ODI scores at the last follow-up showed a 54%, 72%, and 69% improvement from the preoperative period, respectively.Conclusions. The presented PELIF technique with the expandable spacer seems to be a promising surgical technique for the treatment of a variety of lumbar spinal disorders. Conversely, radiological results including disc space subsidence make the stand-alone application of the expandable spacer debatable.

Determining a surgical plan for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) can be challenging. Despite treatment recommendations and classification systems (such as the Lenke classification system) there is still no consensus on the optimal surgical plan for each curve type. The main objective of this study is to analyze the disagreements in surgical planning between spinal surgeons in AIS. In a monthly meeting, four orthopaedic spine surgeons from different institutions analyzed a consecutive series of AIS patients. The differences in surgical plans were evaluated for each patient. The primary physician of the patient presented the case and specifically stated the Lenke type of the deformity in the presentation. We wanted to specifically document the disagreements between surgeons despite knowing the Lenke type of the deformity. One hundred consecutive AIS patients were reviewed over a 10-month period. There was a difference of at least one surgical plan from at least one surgeon in 31 of the cases; 30 of these disagreements in surgical planning were about fusion levels; 19 of these 30 disagreements were in only the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV), while seven were disagreements in only the lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV). In four cases, both the UIV and LIV levels varied. There was at least one difference in surgical planning in 31 of the 100 cases (31 %). This shows that despite treatment algorithms and the Lenke classification system, disagreements in surgical planning still exist between spinal surgeons.

Purpose We report our experience, treatment protocol, and 2-year follow-up results of 24 fingertip replantations treated using the artery-only technique without vein or nerve repair. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 24 patients who had undergone fingertip replantation at the same center between 2005 and 2011. All patients in this study had complete fingertip amputation at or distal to the distal interphalangeal joint of the fingers or interphalangeal joint of the thumb. Patients with incomplete and complete amputations who had undergone vein and/or nerve repair along with artery repair were excluded. All patients received the same protocol including removal of the nail at the surgery and intravenous heparin 70 U/kg administered at the time of arterial anastomosis. After surgery, the nailbed was mechanically made to bleed with a sterile needle and mechanically scrubbed with a heparin-saline gauze. All patients received the same postoperative medical treatment protocol until physiological outflow was restored. Successful replantation was confirmed with clinical observation. Results Twenty-one of the 24 fingertip replantations (88%) were successful. The mean length of hospital stay was 7 days (range, 4–9 d). Fifteen of 22 patients required blood transfusion. The average amount of blood transfusion was 1.2 U (range, 0–3 U). Conclusions This study shows that the described technique and protocol reconstructed circulation without vein anastomosis and with a high success rate. Furthermore, adequate sensory recovery without any nerve repair had occurred by the 2-year follow-up. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.

Study design Randomized, double-blinded, animal model. Objective The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) on spinal fusion in a rabbit model. Summary of background data Previous studies assert that PTX increases new bone formation. Because PTX seems to have these profound effects on bone metabolism, it may be hypothesized that it may enhance spinal fusion. Methods Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomized and each received single-level posterolateral, inter-transverse process fusion with autologous iliac crest. In group 1, 12 male New Zealand white rabbits were treated with intravenous PTX treatment in 100-mg/kg/day dose after the surgical procedure. In group 2, 12 received no PTX medication and were accepted as the control group. Nine weeks after surgery, the animals were killed. The spines were tested via a manual palpation test, biomechanical testing, plain radiography, computed tomographic scans, and histomorphometric analysis. Results The fusion rates of manual palpation were 40% in the control group and 80% in the PTX group (P = 0.17). Using a 5-grade radiographical system, the mean fusion grade was 2.4 in the control group and 3.1 in PTX group (P = 0.012). Total displacement of the fused level for the control group under flexion and extension was 0.2515 mm and was lower for the PTX-treated group: 0.1266 mm (P = 0.012). In the control group, the mean bone volume of the fusion mass determined from computed tomographic analysis was 4.0678 cm, whereas in the PTX group it was 4.7802 cm (P = 0.009). The mean trabecular bone area was 14% and 19% for the control and PTX groups, respectively (P = 0.002). Conclusion The differences between groups was statistically significant in terms of radiological fusion grading, biomechanical testing, volume of the fusion mass, and percentage of trabecular bone area. These results suggest that PTX may have a beneficial effect on spinal fusion. Level of evidence 2.

Purpose To determine the efficacy of pins and rubber band traction for treatment of comminuted intra-articular fractures in the hand. Methods We performed a retrospective study from 1994 to 2013 to evaluate 33 patients in whom pins and rubber band traction was employed. We clinically evaluated the active range of motion of the affected fingers after surgery. Eleven of the 33 fractures were at the proximal interphalangeal joint, 10 at the distal interphalangeal joint, 5 at the thumb interphalangeal joint, and 2 at the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. The remaining 5 patients had complex fracture-dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joints. Results The mean follow-up period was 24 months. The average active motion of the metacarpophalangeal joints of the fingers was 91° (range, extension 0°–10°/flexion 85°–90°), proximal interphalangeal joints was 92° (range, extension/flexion 0°–10°/85°–100°), and distal interphalangeal joints was 73° (range, extension/flexion 0°–10°/60°–80°). The overall average of all active motion of the injured fingers except thumbs was 255° (range, 240°–270°). The average active motion of the of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint was 56° (range, extension 5°–10°/flexion 50°–55°), and interphalangeal joint was 74° (range, extension 0°–10°/flexion 75°–80°). The average of active motion of the injured thumb metacarpal and interphalangeal joints combined was 130° (range, 125°–135°). Conclusions Pins and rubber band traction is a treatment option for comminuted displaced intra-articular fractures of the digits that offers satisfactory clinical results. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.

Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a derivative of methylxanthine and is used in peripheral vascular and cerebrovascular diseases for its effect on the regulation of blood circulation. We investigated whether PTX could be beneficial for femoral head osteonecrosis associated with steroid through these effects.Sixty mature Leghorn type chickens were chosen and divided into three groups. The 25 chickens in group A were given a weekly dose of 3 mg/kg/week methylprednisolone acetate intramuscularly. Four chickens in group B died after the first drug injection and were excluded from the study. Therefore, the remaining 21 chickens in group B were additionally given 25 mg/kg/day pentoxifylline intramuscularly, along with the steroid medication as given in group A. The ten chickens in group C were not given any injections, as they were accepted as the control group. After the sacrifice of the animals at week 14, both femoral heads were taken from each animal. The animals which died along the course of the study also underwent pathological examination but were not a part of the statistical analysis.In this study, steroid induced femoral head osteonecrosis has been experimentally observed in chickens after high doses of corticosteroid therapy. The chickens were given pentoxifylline in order to prevent the effects of steroid on bones and bone marrow. The results showed that chickens are suitable osteonecrosis models, and that steroid causes adipogenesis and necrosis in the bone marrow and the death of the subchondral bone.The results of this study hint at the assumption that PTX may have a positive benefit on ONFH. PTX seems to minimise the effects of the steroid and reduce the incidence of ONFH.