Search

Large and massive rotator cuff tears are challenging for surgeons because of postoperative complications such as repaired site retears. Recently, collagen extracted from fish scales has gained more attention because fish byproducts are considered a safer collagen source than other animal-derived scaffolds. This study aimed to evaluate the biological efficacy of tilapia scale-derived collagen scaffolds for rotator cuff repair in rat models.The infraspinatus tendon was resected from the greater tuberosity of Sprague-Dawley rats. In the control group, the tendon edge was sutured directly to the humeral head. In the augmentation group, the repaired site was augmented with a tilapia scale-derived collagen scaffold. Histologic examinations were performed at 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively via safranin O and immunofluorescence staining (isolectin B4 and type II collagen) in the bone-tendon junction. For mechanical analysis, the ultimate failure load of the tendon-humeral head complex was evaluated at 6 weeks postoperatively.During safranin O staining, the repaired enthesis demonstrated greater proteoglycan staining in the augmentation group than in the control group at 4 weeks postoperatively. Compared to controls, the augmentation group had significantly higher vascular staining with isolectin B4 at 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively, type II collagen expression at 4 weeks postoperatively, and ultimate failure load at 6 weeks postoperatively.Augmentation therapy using tilapia scale-derived type I collagen scaffolds promoted angiogenesis and fibrocartilage regeneration at the enthesis and provided higher mechanical strength than controls.

Recently, deep learning (DL) algorithms have been adapted for the diagnosis of medical images. The purpose of this study was to detect image features using DL without measuring median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) in ultrasonography (US) images of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and calculate the diagnostic accuracy from the confusion matrix obtained. US images of 50 hands without CTS and 50 hands diagnosed with CTS were used in this study. The short-axis image of the median nerve was visualized, and 5000 images of both groups were prepared. Forty hands in each group were used as training data for the DL algorithm, while the remainder were used as test data. Transfer learning was performed using three pre-trained models. The confusion matrix and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, regions where DL was determined to be important were visualized. The highest score had an accuracy of 0.96, precision of 0.99 and recall of 0.94. Visualization of the important features revealed that the DL models focused on the epineurium of the median nerve and the surrounding soft tissue. The proposed technique enables the accurate prediction of CTS without measurement of the CSA.

Background: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are end products of protein glycation that bind to the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) and activate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX), resulting in increased oxidative stress and rotator cuff fragility. Stump classification using the signal intensity ratio of the tendon rupture site to the deltoid muscle in the coronal view of T2-weighted fat-suppressed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans is an indicator of clinical outcomes after rotator cuff repair surgery. Comparing the signal intensities of the deltoid (D) and rotator cuff tears (C), Ishitani et al. classified C/D 1.3 as type 3. Hypothesis/Purpose: It was hypothesized that the oxidative stress and collagen degeneration that occur in the rotator cuff due to accumulation of AGEs can be assessed on MRI scans (stump classification). Therefore, this study aimed to compare AGE-related factors in the rotator cuff tear site tissues based on stump classification. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: The authors included 30 patients (11 with type 1, 9 with type 2, and 10 with type 3; mean age, 62.3 years) who underwent surgery for complete rotator cuff tears at our hospital. Tendon tissue was harvested from the torn rotator cuff site during surgery for tissue and cell evaluation. Results: There was no significant difference in the mean age according to stump classification. The number of patients with diabetes was significantly larger in type 3 than in the other types ( P < .05). Tissue evaluation showed significantly higher expression of AGE and RAGE staining in type 3 than in the other types (~6.7-fold; P < .01). Cell evaluation showed that the expression rates of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis were significantly higher in type 3 than in the other types (~4.3-fold; P < .01). Gene expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction showed significantly higher RAGE (~5.1-fold), NOX (~5.3-fold), and IL (~3.0-fold) in type 3 than in the other types ( P < .05). Conclusion: Stump classification type 3 exhibited the highest accumulation of AGEs and the highest oxidative stress and apoptosis, suggesting a high degree of degeneration and inflammation. Imaging based on stump classification reflects the degeneration and fragility of the torn rotator cuff site. Clinical Relevance: This study provides evidence of a relationship between stump classification, which reflects rotator cuff fragility on MRI, and pathologies related to advanced glycation end products.

Background: Medical screening using ultrasonography (US) has been performed on young baseball players for early detection of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the humeral capitellum. Deep learning (DL) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques are widely adopted in the medical imaging research field. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to calculate the diagnostic accuracy using DL for US images of OCD. We hypothesized that using DL for US imaging would improve the prediction accuracy of OCD. Study Design: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 40 elbows (mean age of patients, 12.1 years) that were suspected of having OCD at a medical checkup and later confirmed by radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging were included in the study. The affected elbows were used as the OCD group and the contralateral elbows as the control group. From US videos, 100 images per elbow were captured from different angles, and 4000 images of the elbows were prepared for both groups. Of these, 80% were randomly selected by DL models and used as training data; the remaining were used as test data. Transfer learning was conducted using 3 pretrained DL models. The confusion matrix and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the model, and the visualization of the areas deemed important by the DL models was also performed. Furthermore, OCD regions were detected using an automatic image recognition model based on DL. Results: Classification of the OCD image by the DL model was performed; the best accuracy score was 0.87; the recall was 1.00. AUC was high for all DL models. Visualization of important features showed that AI predicted the presence of OCD by focusing on the irregularity or discontinuity of the surface of subchondral bone. In the detection of OCD task, the mean average precision was 0.83. Conclusion: The DL on US images identified OCD with high accuracy. The important features detected by the DL models correspond to the areas used by clinicians in screening the US images. The OCD was also detected with high accuracy using the object detection model. The AI model may be used in medical screening for OCD.

Purpose: One-stage arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with manipulation has been recently performed for rotator cuff tears with shoulder stiffness, whereas some patients require capsular release due to severe stiffness that is difficult to treat with manipulation. The purpose of this study was to analyze patient backgrounds and related factors of success or failure of manipulation alone for the treatment of shoulder stiffness associated with rotator cuff tears. Methods: This study included 64 patients with rotator cuff tears and shoulder stiffness who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with manipulation alone or with manipulation and capsular release of the glenohumeral joint at our institution between January 2015 and September 2019. The patients were divided into two groups: those whose shoulder stiffness could be improved by manipulation alone (Manipulation group) and those whose stiffness could not be improved by manipulation alone and required capsular release (Capsular release addition group). Analysis was performed between the two groups regarding patient backgrounds and related factors, including rotator cuff tear morphology and range of motions pre- and postoperatively. Results: Exactly 45 patients and 19 patients were included in Manipulation group and Capsular release addition group, respectively. A comparison between the two groups showed that patient age (p = 0.0040), sex (p = 0.0005), and injury due to trauma (p = 0.0018) were significantly related to the success or failure of manipulation alone. Multivariate logistic regression analysis on these three factors showed that sex (odds ratio, 5.5; p = 0.048) was significantly associated with the success or failure of manipulation alone. In both groups, the passive ROM of all patients improved at the last postoperative follow-up compared to their pre-operative values (p < 0.001), except for internal rotation in the Capsular release addition group (p = 0.49). Conclusion: Young male patients who have shoulder stiffness associated with rotator cuff tears should be considered for arthroscopic capsular release rather than manipulation.

Previous studies have reported that glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) may increase the risk of throwing-shoulder injuries. The purpose of this study was to analyze the conditions of the throwing shoulder in professional baseball pitchers with GIRD by comparing with those in pitchers without GIRD.In total, 26 male professional baseball pitchers participated in this study. We evaluated passive range of motion (ROM) and isometric muscle strength at internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) at 90° of abduction, as well as the muscle thickness of the supraspinatus (SSP) and infraspinatus (ISP) by ultrasound. The pitchers were divided into 2 groups: those who exhibited a loss of IR of ≥20° in the throwing shoulder (GIRD group) and those who did not (non-GIRD group).In the GIRD group, the total ROM deficit (throwing side - non-throwing side) (P.001), the muscle thickness ratio (throwing to non-throwing) of the SSP and ISP (P = .017 and P = .014, respectively), and the muscle strength ratio (throwing to non-throwing) of ER (P = .028) were significantly lower than those in the non-GIRD group. In contrast, the muscle strength ratio (throwing to non-throwing) of IR was significantly higher in the GIRD group than in the non-GIRD group (P = .0064).We have shown that GIRD has significant correlations with several conditions, such as atrophy of the SSP and ISP, weakness of ER strength, enhancement of IR strength, limitation of total ROM, and throwing side, all of which could be important factors for throwing-shoulder injuries.

Background Coronal shear fractures of the distal humerus are rare injuries, and fragmentation of the capitellum and trochlea with posterior comminution is challenging for surgeons. We retrospectively evaluated the functional outcomes of patients with coronal shear fractures managed with open reduction and internal fixation, focusing on the number of trochlea fragments in Dubberley type 3B fractures. Materials and methods The functional outcomes of 25 patients, including 8 patients with type 3B fractures, with a mean age (and standard deviation) of 57 ± 20 years, were evaluated at a mean follow-up duration of 15 ± 9 months. Type 3B fractures were classified into two groups: those with two trochlea fragments or less group (group A) and those with three or more fragments (group B). Patient outcomes were assessed with clinical and radiographic examination, range of motion, and the Mayo Elbow Performance scale (MEPS). Results Two patients with type 3B in group B experienced nonunion, and two patients with type 3B in group A and 1 patient with type 1B demonstrated avascular necrosis on radiographs. The average MEPS score was 96.3 points (range, 70-100), with 18 excellent, 5 good, and 1 fair results. The average range of motion was 10 ± 8 to 130 ± 12. The MEPS score worsened as Dubberley classification progressed from type 1 to type 3 (98.3 vs. 96.7 vs. 88, P = .014, respectively) and subtypes A to B (97.9 vs. 90, P = .014, respectively). In comparing groups A and B, the MEPS score was significantly worse in group B (93.8 vs. 76.3, P = .006). Conclusion Our open reduction and internal fixation results were largely good, although functional outcomes were diminished as Dubberley classification progressed from type 1 to type 3 and subtype A to B. Type 3B fractures with three trochlea fragments or more in the elderly were the most difficult to treat with open reduction and internal fixation and possibly 1-term total elbow arthroplasty.

Background: Most degenerative rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are associated with a limited range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder joint. Additionally, patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) show a higher frequency of limited ROM. Recently, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) of proteins have been observed to cause tissue fibrosis, primarily through abnormal collagen cross-linking and oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the effect of AGEs on ROM limitation in the shoulder capsule and its relationship with DM.Methods: 16 patients (8 each in the DM and non-DM groups) who underwent arthroscopic surgery for RCT with limited shoulder ROM were included in this study. AGE-related pathologies in both groups were compared, and the relationship between AGE accumulation and shoulder joint ROM was evaluated. Shoulder capsule tissue was harvested and subjected to histological and in vitro evaluation. Results: The DM group displayed high levels of AGEs and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reduced cell viability. There was a significant positive correlation between ROS expression, apoptosis, and preoperative hemoglobin A1c. ROS expression, apoptosis, and ROM of the shoulder joint showed a negative correlation. The NADPH oxidase (NOX) expression and collagen III/I ratio were significantly higher in the DM group than in the non-DM group.Conclusions: The DM group showed significant AGE deposition in the shoulder capsule. Additionally, there was a significant association between AGEs and ROM limitation. The oxidative stress induced by AGE deposition, which leads to fibrosis and local inflammation, might contribute to the limited ROM of the shoulder joint.

Background Most degenerative rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are associated with a limited range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder joint. Additionally, patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) show a higher frequency of limited ROM. Recently, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) of proteins have been observed to cause tissue fibrosis, primarily through abnormal collagen cross-linking and oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the effect of AGEs on ROM limitation in the shoulder capsule and its relationship with DM in the patients with RCTs. Methods Sixteen patients (eight in the DM and non-DM groups) who underwent arthroscopic surgery for RCT with limited shoulder ROM were included in this study. AGE-related pathologies in both groups were compared, and the relationship between AGE accumulation and shoulder joint ROM was evaluated. Shoulder capsule tissue was harvested and subjected to histological and in vitro evaluation. Results The DM group displayed high levels of AGEs and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reduced cell viability. There was a significant positive correlation between ROS expression, apoptosis, and preoperative hemoglobin A1c. ROS expression, apoptosis, and ROM of the shoulder joint showed a negative correlation. The NADPH oxidase (NOX) expression and collagen III/I ratio were significantly higher in the DM group than in the non-DM group. Conclusions The DM group showed significant AGEs deposition in the shoulder capsule. Additionally, there was a significant association between AGEs and ROM limitation. Collectively, the findings suggest that the oxidative stress induced by AGEs deposition, which leads to fibrosis and local inflammation, might contribute to the limited ROM of the shoulder joint in patients with RCTs accompanied by DM.

Introduction Excellent outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for small and medium tears have been recently reported. However, re-tears after surgery have been a common complication after surgical repair of large and massive rotator cuff tears and often occur in early postoperative phase. It was previously reported that basic fibroblast growth factor and platelet-rich plasma enhanced rotator cuff tear healing. We hypothesized that this combined therapy could enhance rotator cuff healing after rotator cuff repair in a rat model. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combined therapy of platelet-rich plasma and basic fibroblast growth factor with gelatin-hydrogel sheet. Methods To create a rotator cuff defect, the infraspinatus tendon of Sprague Dawley rat was resected from the greater tuberosity. The infraspinatus tendons were repaired and covered with gelatin-hydrogel sheet impregnated with PBS (control group), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF group), platelet-rich plasma (PRP group), or both basic fibroblast growth factor and platelet-rich plasma (combined group). Histological examinations were conducted using hematoxylin and eosin, safranin O, and immunofluorescence staining, such as Isolectin B4, type II collagen at 2 weeks postoperatively. For mechanical analysis, ultimate failure load of the tendon-humeral head complex was evaluated at 6 weeks postoperatively. Results In the hematoxylin and eosin staining, the tendon maturing score of the combined group was higher than that of the control group at postoperative 2 weeks. In the safranin O staining, stronger proteoglycan staining was observed in the combined group compared with the other groups at postoperative 2 weeks. Vascular staining with isolectin B4 in 3 treatment groups was significantly higher than that in the control group. Type II collagen expression in the combined group was significantly higher than those in the other groups. The ultimate failure load of the combined group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Conclusion Combined therapy of basic fibroblast growth factor and platelet-rich plasma promoted angiogenesis, tendon maturing and fibrocartilage regeneration at the enthesis, which could enhance the mechanical strength. It was suggested that combined basic fibroblast growth factor and platelet-rich plasma might enhance both tendon and bone–tendon junction healing, and basic fibroblast growth factor and platelet-rich plasma might be synergistic.

Background Muscle atrophy causes difficulty in resuming daily activities after a fracture. Because transcutaneous carbon dioxide (CO2) application has previously upregulated oxygen pressure in the local tissue, thereby demonstrating its potential in preventing muscle atrophy, here we investigated effects of CO2 application on muscle atrophy after femoral shaft fracture. Methods Thirty fracture model rats were produced and randomly divided into a no treatment (control group) and treatment (CO2 group) groups. After treatment, the soleus muscle was dissected at post-fracture days 0, 14, and 21. Evaluations were performed by measuring muscle weight and performing histological examination and gene expression analysis. Results Muscle weight was significantly higher in the CO2 group than in the control group. Histological analysis revealed that the muscle fiber cross-sectional area was reduced in both groups. Nevertheless, the extent of atrophy was lesser in the CO2 group. Muscle fibers in the control group tended to change into fast muscle fibers. Vascular staining revealed that more capillary vessels surrounded the muscle fibers in the CO2 group than in the control group. Messenger RNA (mRNA) analysis revealed that the CO2 group had a significantly enhanced expression of genes that were related to muscle synthesis. Conclusion Transcutaneous CO2 application may be a novel therapeutic strategy for preventing skeletal muscle atrophy after fracture.

Background Limitations of shoulder range of motion (ROM) have been reported to be at high risk for shoulder disorders in baseball players. In this study, we assessed posterior shoulder muscle stiffness using shear wave elastography in baseball players with and without posterior shoulder tightness. Materials and methods In total, 21 college baseball players volunteered to participate in this study. Passive ROMs for shoulder abduction and horizontal adduction were measured using a goniometer. Subsequently, we divided all participants into 2 groups based on the differences between bilateral shoulder ROMs: STIFF+ and STIFF− groups. Thickness and elasticity of the posterior and inferior shoulder muscles were assessed using ultrasound. Results Shoulder abduction ROM on the throwing side was 114.5° ± 5.3° and 131.3° ± 5.7° in the STIFF+ and STIFF− groups, respectively, which was significantly different between the 2 groups (P = .023). Horizontal adduction ROM on the throwing side was 96.6° ± 4.9° and 110.9° ± 4.8° in the STIFF+ and STIFF− groups, respectively, which was also significantly different between the 2 groups (P = .014). The elasticity of infraspinatus and lower trapezius in the STIFF+ group was significantly greater than that in the STIFF− group (P = .018 and .033, respectively). Discussion In this study, we found that the elasticity of infraspinatus and lower trapezius in stiff shoulders was significantly greater than that in nonstiff shoulders, which indicated that the infraspinatus and lower trapezius could be the key muscles in posterior shoulder tightness.

Locking of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint is a relatively rare condition. We report successful treatment in 11 cases of locking of the thumb. Ten patients were diagnosed at an average of 3.2 days (range: 0–21 days) from the injury onset, whereas one patient was diagnosed at 4 months from the injury. Seven of 11 cases underwent successful manual reduction, whereas the other four cases required surgical treatment. Among the surgically treated cases, all cases had a sharp prominent of the radial condyle of the metacarpal head. Therefore, this case series showed 1 chronic case and 4 of 10 cases with a nonround shape of metacarpal heads requiring open reduction.

Background: Data of vitamin D sufficiency in Asian patients with osteoporotic fragility hip fractures are limited. This study aimed to obtain data from the Japanese population. Methods: Patients aged 60 years or older with hip fractures were prospectively enrolled. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured. Levels were compared between patients receiving and not receiving treatment for osteoporosis, those with and without previous contralateral hip fractures, and those with femoral neck versus trochanteric fractures. Sex-based differences were also assessed. The serum levels in patients younger than 60 years with extremity fractures were assessed, and differences between elderly and younger patients were evaluated. The individual correlation between 25(OH)D levels and the ultraviolet (UV) index and age was analyzed in elderly patients with hip fractures. Results: The data of 360 patients (aged 84.7 ± 8.2 years), comprising 80 men and 280 women, were analyzed. The mean 25(OH)D level was 16.5 ± 7.2 ng/mL. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (25(OH)D Conclusion: Perennial vitamin D insufficiency is prevalent in elderly Japanese patients with hip fractures.

Objective We analyzed the features of fast oscillations (FOs) and connectivity in hypsarrhythmia to identify biomarkers for predicting seizure outcomes after total corpus callosotomy (TCC) in children with pharmacoresistant infantile spasms (IS). We hypothesize that the power of FOs and connectivity of slow waves in hypsarrhythmia would indicate the prognosis of IS. Method We retrospectively identified 42 children with pharmacoresistant IS who underwent TCC from 2009 to 2014 at Nagasaki Medical Center. We collected preoperative hypsarrhythmia for 200 seconds from each child. Children were categorized into three groups with interictal epileptic discharges on EEG at 6 months after TCC: group A, no epileptic discharge; group B, lateralized epileptic discharges; and group C; bilateral epileptic discharges. We analyzed spectral power and phase synchronization in preoperative hypsarrhythmia among the three groups. Results We found 10 children in group A, 10 children in group B, and 22 children in group C. All group A and 1 in group B achieved seizure freedom after TCC. Six (67%) of 9 group B children who underwent further surgeries achieved seizure freedom. Ten (45%) of group C children had seizure reduction >50% after TCC, and 13 (87%) of 15 children who underwent further surgeries had residual seizures. The clinical profiles of the three groups did not differ significantly. The power of FOs (≥45 Hz) in hypsarrhythmia was significantly stronger in group C at the midline and temporal regions than in groups B and A (P = .014). The connectivity of theta (4-9 Hz) and FOs (29-70 Hz) tended to increase in group C, compared with the increased connectivity of 1-2 Hz in group A (P = .08). Significance The increased power and connectivity of FOs in hypsarrhythmia may correlate with pharmacoresistant and surgically resistant seizures in IS. The existence and connectivity of FOs are associated with unilateral/bilateral cortical epileptogenicity in hypsarrhythmia. Prominent slow waves and connectivity without FOs might correlate with seizure freedom after TCC. Modulation of the callosal system with subcortical/cortical epileptic discharges might play a role in generating hypsarrhythmia and IS.

Background Most rotator cuff tears are the result of age-related degenerative changes, but the mechanisms underlying these changes have not been reported. Recently, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been regarded as an important factor in senescence. Therefore, we hypothesized that AGEs would have detrimental effects on rotator cuff–derived cells. In this study, we investigated the influence of AGEs on rotator cuff–derived cells in vitro and ex vivo. Methods Rotator cuff–derived cells were obtained from human supraspinatus tendons. The cells were cultured in the following media: (1) regular medium with 500 μg/mL AGEs (High-AGEs), (2) regular medium with 100 μg/mL AGEs (Low-AGEs), and (3) regular medium alone (Control). Cell viability, secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor, and the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, reactive oxygen species, and apoptosis were assessed after cultivation. An ex vivo tissue culture with AGEs was also performed to measure the tensile strength. Results Cell viability in the High-AGEs group was significantly suppressed relative to that in the Controls. The amount of vascular endothelial growth factor secretion was significantly greater in the High- and Low-AGEs groups than in the Controls. Immunofluorescence stain demonstrated enhancement of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and reactive oxygen species expressions and cell apoptosis in the High- and Low-AGEs groups relative to that in the Controls. In ex vivo mechanical testing, tensile strength was significantly higher in the Control group than in the AGEs groups. Discussion These results indicated that AGEs caused age-related degenerative rotator cuff changes. The reduction of AGEs might prevent rotator cuff senescence-related degeneration.

To calculate the diagnostic accuracy from the confusion matrix using deep learning (DL) on ultrasound (US) images of Palmer 1B triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury.Twenty-nine wrists of 15 healthy volunteers (11 men; mean age, 34.9 years ± 9.7) (control group) and 20 wrists of 17 patients (11 men; mean age 41.0 years ± 12.2) with TFCC injury (Palmer type IB) (injury group) were included in the study. The diagnosis of Palmer 1B TFCC injury was made using magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography arthrography, and intraoperative arthroscopic findings. In total, 2,000 images were provided to each group, 80% of which were randomly selected by AI and used as training data; the remaining data were used as test data. Transfer learning was conducted using a pretrained 3 separate models (GoogLeNet, ResNet50, ResNet101). Model evaluation was performed using a confusion matrix. The area under a receiver operating characteristic curve was also calculated. The occlusion sensitivity was used to visualize the important features.For the prediction of TFCC injury by the DL model, the best score of accuracy was 0.85 in GoogLeNet, a recall was 1.0 in ResNet50 and ResNet101, and a specificity was 0.78 in GoogLeNet. In predicting the TFCC injury for the test data, the best score of the AUC was 0.97 on ResNet101. Visualization of important features showed that AI predicted the presence of injury by focusing on the morphology of the articular disc.US images using the DL model predicted Palmer 1B TFCC injury with high accuracy, with the best scores of 0.85 for accuracy on GoogLeNet, 1.00 for sensitivity on ResNet50 and ResNet101, and 0.78 for specificity on GoogLeNet. The use of DL for US imaging of Palmer 1B TFCC injury predicted the injury as well as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography arthrography LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective case series study.

Introduction The superficial branch of the radial nerve (SBRN) has a risk of nerve injury during cephalic vein (CV) cannulation. Due to the lack of imaging study regarding SBRN and CV relationship, we analyzed the anatomical relationship between the SBRN and the CV using ultrasound (US) imaging. Materials and Methods In total, 82 upper limbs of 41 healthy volunteers were analyzed. The SBRN and CV were identified at the following three points in the elbow extension and pronation position: at the radial styloid process (point 1), 5 cm proximal to point 1 (point 2), and 10 cm proximal to point 1 (point 3). Results The distance between the SBRN and CV was 1.1 ± 1.0 mm at point 1, 1.3 ± 1.3 mm at point 2, and 2.1 ± 1.6 mm at point 3. The depth of the SBRN from the surface of the skin was 2.7 ± 0.9 mm at point 1, 3.5 ± 1.1 mm at point 2, and 5.5 ± 1.9 mm at point 3. The percentage of the SBRN that ran beneath the CV was 17.5%, 53.5%, and 92.4% at points 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Conclusion Ultrasonography can reveal the anatomical relationship between the SBRN and CV.

We report the case of a 37-year-old male with autism spectrum disorder who was hospitalized for chronic elbow dislocation. He had suffered a posterior elbow dislocation 5 months ago. His elbow dislocation was easily reduced, but the reduction position could not be maintained. Severe varus and valgus instabilities were observed in his right elbow. He was diagnosed with chronic elbow dislocation due to bilateral collateral ligament dysfunction and was surgically treated. Bilateral ligament reconstruction using the bilateral palmaris longus (PL) tendon combined with a temporary ulnohumeral joint fixation was performed. Cast immobilization was applied for 6 weeks. One year after surgery, his range of motion was −15° in extension, 140° in flexion, 80° in pronation, and 90° in supination. He did not face any problems in daily activities.

Background Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) plays an important role in energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, aging, and cell death. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is one of the key precursors of NAD+. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the oxidative stress effects of NMN on rat tenocytes in-vitro.Methods Tenocytes from normal Sprague–Dawley rats were cultured in regular glucose (RG) and high-glucose (HG) conditions with or without NMN, and were divided into four groups: RG NMN−, RG NMN+, HG NMN−, and HG NMN+. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptosis, and messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of NADPH oxidase (NOX) 1, NOX4, interleukin (IL)-6, SIRT1, and SIRT6, were determined in-vitro.Results The NMN groups led to significantly higher cell viabilities compared with the other groups. The mRNA expressions of NOX1, NOX4, and IL6, in the HG NMN+ group were significantly lower compared with those of the HG NMN− group. Conversely, the corresponding expressions of the SIRT1 and SIRT6 levels in the HG NMN+ group were significantly higher compared with those of the HG NMN−group. Both the accumulation of ROS and apoptosis in the HG NMN− group were significantly higher compared with those in the RG NMN− group at 48 h.Conclusion The expression levels of NOX1, NOX4, IL6, and ROS were significantly reduced by NMN. These results suggest that NMN could effectively reduce the oxidative stress by activating SIRT1 and SIRT6, and by inhibiting the activity of NOX and apoptosis in the tenocytes.

Olecranon apophyseal nonunion is an elbow injury from overuse that affects adolescent athletes such as baseball pitchers who participate in overhead throwing sports. However, such injury is rare in collision sports. Here, we report two patients with this condition who are Judo athletes. The purpose of this report was to describe three elbows with olecranon apophyseal nonunion in two adolescent patients participating in Judo. This is a case series; the level of evidence is 4. Two 15-year-old patients were evaluated. One suffered from unilateral and the other from bilateral chronic posterior elbow pain. They were diagnosed with olecranon apophyseal nonunion, which was treated using internal fixation and bone grafting. Radiographic evidence of the apophyseal union was observed four months postsurgery. Two elbows were treated with tension band wiring, then they underwent hardware removal six months postsurgery. Both patients returned to their previous levels of activities six months postsurgery. Internal fixation using autologous bone grafting was a useful treatment for these Judo athletes with olecranon apophyseal nonunion.

The acceleration of nerve regeneration remains a clinical challenge. We previously demonstrated that transcutaneous CO2 application using a novel hydrogel increases the oxygen concentration in local tissue via an "artificial Bohr effect" with the potential to prevent muscle atrophy. In this study, we investigated the effect of transcutaneous CO2 administration on limb function after peripheral nerve injury in a rat sciatic nerve injury model. In total, 73 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a sham group, a control group (crush injury to sciatic nerve and no treatment) or a CO2 group (crush injury with transcutaneous CO2 application). CO2 was administered percutaneously for 20 min five times per week. Scores for the sciatic function index and pinprick test were significantly higher in the CO2 group than control group. The muscle wet weight ratios of the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles were higher in the CO2 group than control group. Electrophysiological examination showed that the CO2 group had higher compound motor action potential amplitudes and shorter distal motor latency than the control group. Histological examination of the soleus muscle sections at postoperative week 2 showed shorter fiber diameter in the control group than in the CO2 group. The mRNA expression of Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 was lower, mRNA expression of VEGF and myogenin and MyoD was higher in CO2 group at postoperative week 2 compared to the control group. Clinical significance Transcutaneous CO2 application has the therapeutic potential to accelerate the recovery of muscle atrophy in peripheral nerve injury. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1653-1658, 2018.

BACKGROUND: Common peroneal nerve (CPN) injury following a knee dislocation is a serious problem, and an optimal treatment is yet to be established. We report a case of complete CPN palsy following a knee dislocation treated with sural nerve grafting. CASE: A 19-year-old man suffered a knee injury during a hurdle race. Diagnosis in a previous hospital revealed a complex ligament injury with CPN palsy. Ten weeks following injury, he was admitted to our institution because of a lack of neurological improvement. Considering the grade 0 results obtained in the manual muscle test (MMT) of tibialis anterior (TA) and extensor hallucis longus (EHL), the patient was diagnosed with complete neurotmesis of CPN, and surgery was performed. Operative findings revealed CPN discontinuity and an extended nerve defect length of 15 cm; therefore, sural nerve grafting was performed to repair the CPN injury. One year postoperatively, a grade 1 result from MMT of TA and EHL indicated a gradual neurological recovery. Three years postoperatively, MMT of TA and EHL showed significant improvement to grade 4+ and grade 4, respectively, and he could walk and jog without a knee brace. DISCUSSION: Nerve graft length of >6 cm has shown limited success, and their efficacy for the treatment of CPN palsy following knee dislocations is controversial. However, young patients with complete CPN lesion are more likely to recover regardless of the length of nerve injury. Therefore, in such cases, nerve grafting can be considered as one of the treatments for complete CPN lesion following knee dislocations.