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Objectives To assess the prevalence of US-confirmed enthesitis in a cohort of patients with SLE and to analyse the clinical associations to enthesitis during the course of SLE. Methods In a retrospective analysis of the SLE cohort of the Lupus Unit of the Careggi University Hospital, US examinations of SLE patients presenting with tender and/or swollen joints were retrieved to assess the presence of enthesitis. Patients with US-proven enthesitis were compared with SLE controls with tender and/or swollen joints who showed no US evidence of enthesitis. Clinical and laboratory features were compared at disease onset and during follow-up. Results A total of 400 patients fulfilling EULAR/ACR classification criteria for SLE were assessed. Of these, 106 underwent articular US examination. Evidence of enthesitis was found in 31/106 (29.2%) patients. Seventy-one patients without US-enthesitis were included as controls; four were excluded due to lack of follow-up data. Laboratory and clinical features were comparable between cases and controls at disease onset. Throughout a median follow-up of 10.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 8.3–23.3) years for cases and 12.4 (IQR 7.2–13.3) years for controls, patients with enthesitis were less likely to develop renal involvement (22.6% vs 46.5%, P  = 0.028) and failed B cell depletion more frequently (75.0% vs 0%). Conclusion In SLE patients with clinically active joints, US-proven enthesitis is a fairly common finding. Enthesitis in SLE could be the hallmark of a distinct disease phenotype with less renal involvement, more arthritis and low response to anti-CD 20 therapy, potentially requiring a tailored treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Some studies have reported the development of moderate and severe de novo SpA-associated disease under vedolizumab (VDZ) treatment for IBD. Herein, we report a case series who developed severe enthesitis under VDZ therapy from a cohort of 90 treated cases. Methods In a single Italian IBD Unit in which 90 cases were on VDZ therapy, we identified 11 cases who developed severe enthesitis. The onset of disease in relationship to VDZ initiation, clinical and sonographic imaging features, and outcomes (including therapy switches) was described. Results A total of 11 cases, including 8 prior anti-TNF failures, with new-onset entheseal pathology were identified: multifocal (n  = 4), unifocal (n  = 6), and enthesitis/synovitis/dactylitis (n  = 1). The mean duration of symptoms was 46 weeks (range 6–119), the mean CRP was 5.1 mg/dl, and the majority were HLA-B27 negative and showed good clinical response for gut disease. Clinical features and US showed severe enthesitis, including power Doppler change in 7 patients. All patients were initially treated with NSAIDs, and 5 patients underwent local steroid injections. At 12 months, 5/7 cases continued VDZ and 2 were switched to ustekinumab. At 12 months follow-up of 7 cases, 5 patients were in clinical remission and 2 patients had mild enthesitis with minimal increase of power Doppler signal. In addition, 4/7 severe patients developed marked post-inflammatory entheseal calcifications Conclusions A predominant isolated severe enthesitis pattern of SpA may develop under VDZ therapy with severe disease in 8% of cases. Most cases continued VDZ therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgical management of Achilles tendon rupture is still controversial: open techniques have a higher rate of soft tissue complications but a lower incidence of re-rupture than percutaneous tenorrhaphies. The aim of our retrospective study was to analyze and compare clinical and functional results in patients treated with either the conventional open or minimally invasive suture treatment with the Achillon® system.Methods: A retrospective review of 140 patients was performed; 72 were treated with open tenorrhaphy, 68 with the minimally invasive Achillon® suture system.Results: With a comparable re-rupture rate, there was a statistically significant reduction in surgical time, incidence of minor complications, time required to return to sport activities and return to work in the minimally invasive group.Conclusions: Achillon® mini-invasive suture system is a reliable tool for the Achilles tendon ruptures, able to reduce the incidence of soft tissues complications if compared to the classic open tenorrhaphy, while maintaining strength of the suture and leading to superimposed functional outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: quadriceps tendon subcutaneous rupture is an uncommon injury affecting predominantly middle-aged men as a result of direct or indirect trauma; aim of this work is to evaluate clinical outcome and tendon morphology in patients treated surgically with transpatellar drilling suture. Methods: 20 patients (20 male) with an average age of 54 (42-59) were evaluated with a mean follow-up of 36 months. Measurements of range of motion (ROM) and of tight circumference were collected. Lysholm and Rougraff Score were also performed. All the patients underwent a US evaluation the morphologic changes of the repaired tendon. Results: mean active ROM was 1°-117°; average difference in the circumference of the quadriceps was 2.6% 10 C and 3.3% 15 C. The mean Lysholm Score calculated was 88/100; the mean Rougraff Score 17/25. At ultrasonographic evaluation all tendons were continuous; heterotopic ossification was present in 18 quadriceps tendons. Thickness was augmented in 18 quadriceps tendons and in 5 patellar tendons. Vascularization was always conserved. Lateral subluxation of patella was reported in 1 case. Conclusions: patellar drilling holes repair is a non-demanding procedure, inexpensive and technically uncomplicated. US evaluation confirms tendon healing; tendon remodeling does not affect patient's clinical outcome and quality of life. Level of incidence: IV [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Tenodermodesis" is a surgical technique devised and recommended in order to correct chronic mallet finger deformity. In the last ten years, at the I Orthopedic Clinic of Padua University, tenodermodesis combined with a longitudinal transarticular Kirschner wire fixation has been used for treating a total of 25 mallet fingers: 20 acute and 5 chronic lesions. This lesion was always due to a simple tendon injury with a flexion deformity up to 45 degrees. Based on the results, the authors suggest the use of this techniques for treating acute lesions especially in young people, whatever finger has been injured. The reason why the authors themselves are not capable of giving a significant opinion on the validity of the method in the treatment of chronic mallet deformity is the small number of patients treated.