José Luis Pais-Brito

Extracapsular hip fractures are very common in the elderly. They are mainly treated surgically with an intramedullary nail. Nowadays, both endomedullary hip nails with single cephalic screw systems and interlocking double screw systems are available on the market. The latter are supposed to increase rotational stability and therefore decrease the risk of collapse and cut-out. A retrospective cohort study was carried out, in which 387 patients with extracapsular hip fracture undergoing internal fixation with an intramedullary nail were included to study the occurrence of complications and reoperations. Of the 387 patients, 69% received a single head screw nail and 31% received a dual integrated compression screw nail. The median follow-up was 1.1 years, and in that time, a total of 17 reoperations were performed (4.2%; 2.1% for single head screw nails vs. 8.7% for double head screws). According to the multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for age, sex and basicervical fracture, the adjusted hazard risk of reoperation required was 3.6 times greater when using double interlocking screw systems (p = 0.017). A propensity scores analysis confirmed this finding. In conclusion, despite the potential benefits of using two interlocking head screw systems and the increased risk of reoperation in our single center, we encourage to other researchers to explore this question in a wider multicenter study.

Metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes mellitus seem to have an influence on reoperation and long-term functional outcomes after arthroscopic repair of chronic rotator cuff tears. High prevalence of these pathologies can be found in the Canary Islands. A retrospective cohort study was carried out, in which 80 patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopic surgery for the repair of chronic rotator cuff tears were included, with a minimum follow up of 5 years, to study the occurrence of complications, reoperation, and functional outcomes. Functionality after surgery improved in 75% of patients with diabetes and remained the same or worsened in 25% (OR = 1.444). In the group of non-diabetic patients, 83.9% had improved function after surgery while it remained the same or worsened in 16.1% (OR = 0.830). Functionality after surgery improved in 76.6% of obese patients and remained the same or worsened in 23.4% (OR = 1.324). In the non-obese group, 87.9% had improved function after surgery, while it remained the same or worsened in 12.1% (OR = 0.598). Despite not obtaining statistically significant differences, the analysis of the results obtained suggests that obesity and diabetes could act by decreasing the subjective improvement in functionality after surgery, and, in the case of obesity, also increase the risk of reoperation.

There is currently a debate on whether all Vancouver B2 periprosthetic hip fractures should be revised. The aim of our work was to establish a decision-making algorithm that helps to decide whether open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or revision arthroplasty (RA) should be performed in these patients. Relative indications in favour of ORIF are low-medium functional demand (Parker mobility score (PMS) <5), high anaesthetic risk (American Society of Anesthesiologists score (ASA) ≥ 3), many comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) ≥ 5), 1 zone fractured (VB2.1), anatomical reconstruction possible, and no prior loosening (hip pain). Relative indications in favour of RA are high functional demand (PMS ≥6), low anaesthetic risk (ASA< 3), few comorbidities (CCI<5), fracture ≥ 2 zones (VB2.2), comminuted fractures, and prior loosening (hip pain). In cemented stems, those fractures with fully intact cement–bone interface, no stem subsidence into the cementraliser, cement mantle anatomically reducible, and some partial stem-cement attachment can be safely treated with ORIF.

Purpose Several studies comparing osteosynthesis and stem revision in Vancouver B2 (VB2) periprosthetic hip fractures (PPHF) have been published. This work aims to be the first systematic review and meta-analysis to include only studies involving statistical comparison between the two techniques. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched from inception to October 2021 for studies involving a comparison between VB2 treated by osteosynthesis versus revision arthroplasty. The effect size (ES) was calculated using Cohen´s d index. Results From 17 published studies selected, a total of 856 patients were recruited (363 osteosynthesis / 493 revision arthroplasty). The pooled ES estimates for the Parker mobility score were 1.03 (95% CI, 0.22–1.84; I2 = 87.7%) for ORIF surgery, and 0.54 (95% CI, − 0.10–1.17; I2 = 83%) for revision surgery. The pooled ES estimates for the operative time, reintervention, complications, hospital stay and needing for blood transfusion were significant lower in ORIF than in revision surgery. There were no differences in first-year mortality between groups. There was a higher proportion of ASA > 3 patients in the ORIF group. Conclusion Osteosynthesis versus revision arthroplasty has a shorter operative time, less need for blood transfusion, fewer complications and reoperation rate and shorter hospital stay. Nonetheless, similar results were found for functional tests and first-year mortality. These results support the use of osteosynthesis in selected patients (low functional demand, multiple comorbidities, and high anesthetic risk). Level of evidence III.

Hip fracture is the most feared complication of osteoporosis, producing up to 30% mortality at the first year. With the aging of society, it is increasingly common to deal with ethical dilemmas that involve decision making in the elderly patient with a hip fracture. The objectives of the present work are to describe the main bioethical dilemmas in this group of patients and their relationship with surgical delay. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study that studied an elderly population admitted to a University Hospital with a diagnosis of hip fracture. In total, 415 patients were analyzed. The majority received surgical treatment, a correct application of the principles of justice, non-maleficence and beneficence is verified, but a possible violation of the principle of autonomy is confirmed. Based on the results of this study, the elderly population may somehow lose their principle of autonomy when they enter a hospital due to a hip fracture. On the other hand, the so-called ageism due to ignorance can influence the surgical delay and therefore the mortality of these patients.

Although stem revision is recommended for Vancouver B2 periprosthetic hip fractures (PPHFs), there has recently been a debate whether, under certain conditions, they could be treated by osteosynthesis alone. This study aimed to describe the medium-term clinical and radiological results of several patients with V-B2 fractures treated via osteosynthesis. A retrospective study of patients with V-B2 PPHF treated by osteosynthesis without stem revision, operated on between 2009 and 2019, was performed. The type of arthroplasty, type of stem, ASA, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), medical and implant complications, reoperation rate, first-year mortality, radiological results (consolidation time), and functional results were analyzed. Thirty-nine patients were included. Their average age was 78.82 years. Most of the patients presented ASA ≥ 3 (35/39) and CCI ≥ 5 (32/39). Radiological consolidation was achieved in 93.5% of patients, with an average consolidation time of 92.93 days. The average Parker test score before admission was 5.84 while the current one was 4.92 (5.16 years follow-up). Osteosynthesis without stem revision is a valid surgical alternative in certain types of patients with V-B2 PPHF, depending on previous mobility, fracture pattern (anatomical reconstruction possible), anesthetic risk, comorbidities, and previous hip pain.

The incidence of peripheral neurological injuries related to calcaneal osteotomies reported in the literature is low and often described as occasional. The main objective of this study is to determine the incidence of neurological injuries after calcaneal osteotomies and identify which nerve structures are most affected. This retrospective work included 69 patients. Medical records, surgical protocols, and radiographs were analyzed. All patients were summoned to perform current functional tests (EFAS score and SF-12), and a thorough physical examination was performed systematically and bilaterally. The total incidence of neurological injuries was 43.5% (30/69). The percentage of neurapraxias (transient injuries) was 8.7%, while 34.8% of patients presented neurological sequelae (permanent injuries). The most injured nerve or branch was, in decreasing order: sural nerve, medial plantar branch, lateral plantar branch and medial calcaneal branch. Following the so-called “safe zone” clearly decreases the incidence of sural nerve injury (p = 0.035). No significant differences were found between osteotomy site, number of screws, and type of closure and increased neurological injuries. No significant differences were found in the functional tests between the different techniques, nor between patients who presented neurological injuries and those who did not. Neurological injuries after calcaneal osteotomies are underdiagnosed and the incidence is higher than previously reported (43.5%). Such injuries mostly go unnoticed and have no implications in the functional results and patients’ satisfaction.