Standing on shoulder of giants: the incredible legacy of the Judet family in orthopaedic surgery

In orthopaedic surgery, as well as other areas in medicine, it is common for a surgical technique to carry the original authors' name describing the procedure. The Judet family represents a unique history, since several orthopaedic procedures are known as "Judet's technique". The aim of this historic review is to outline the genealogy of the orthopaedic arm of the Judet family, while crediting each surgical procedure to the specific family member that described the technique.

Comparison of DN4 and DN4 Interview Tests in the Identification of Neuropathic Pain after Fracture Surgery

Objective:  This study aimed to compare results obtained with the DN4 (in-person interview) and DN4i (telephone interview) questionnaires in identifying neuropathic pain after fracture surgery. Methods:  This study was methodological, using questionnaires administered in person (DN4) or via telephone (DN4i). The participants were at least 18 years old, underwent fracture surgery at a university hospital between January 2017 and July 2020, signed the Informed Consent Form (ICF), and could go to the Orthopedics and Traumatology Hospital. Pearson's correlation coefficient determined the agreement between the total score obtained during in-person and telephone interviews. The kappa coefficient evaluated the agreement between individual questionnaire items. Results:  Of the 53 participants, 50 presented the same result for neuropathic pain screening in DN4 and DN4i, including 41 with a positive score for neuropathic pain and 12 with a negative score. The Pearson's correlation coefficient and kappa coefficient were r = 0.84. Conclusion:  DN4 and DN4i presented a strong agreement between individual items of the questionnaires and the total scores obtained.

The hidden impact of neuropathic pain after surgical fixation of wrist, hip, and ankle fractures: A cross-sectional retrospective study evaluating its prevalence and risk factors

BACKGROUND

Dysesthesia, electrical and burning sensations, in addition to allodynia are frequent symptoms of neuropathic pain. Despite the high frequency, scientific data on the development of neuropathic pain after surgery for fracture fixation are scarce. The goal of the present study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and evaluate potential associations among neuropathic pain, pain intensity, sociodemographic, and clinical variables after wrist, hip, and ankle fracture fixation.

METHODS

A cross-sectional retrospective study involving a cohort of 166 patients who underwent surgery for distal radius, proximal femur, malleolar fracture fixation was performed. Neuropathic pain was assessed one year after fracture fixation using the Doleur Neuropathique Questionnaire (DN4).

RESULTS

The incidence of neuropathic pain in our sample was 49 (29.5%). Predictors for the development of neuropathic pain included patients with a high body mass index (BMI), female gender, diabetes mellitus, long-term use of analgesics (especially using pain-modulating medication), patients who presented some fracture-related complication during the course of the treatment, who had limitations for daily activity, and who were away from work due to chronic pain.

CONCLUSION

In our study, neuropathic pain after wrist, hip, and ankle fracture fixation was prevalent and associated with higher BMI values and amount of medication, in addition to higher proportions of female sex, absence from work, DM, limitation for daily activities, postoperative complications, and use of pain modulating medications.

Evaluation of three methods of suture for skin closure in total knee arthroplasty: a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

There are several studies comparing techniques and different materials, yet the results are not unanimous. We compared three methods of skin closure in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), including suture with single stitches and unabsorbable MonoNylon®, as well as continuous subcuticular suture with Monocryl® or barbed Stratafix® absorbable suture.

METHODS

A prospective, randomized study was conducted with 63 patients undergoing TKA between March 2016 and December 2016. Patients were divided into three groups: traditional suture MonoNylon® (n 22), subcuticular continuous suture with Monocryl® (n 20), and another barbed with Stratafix® (n 21). The closure time, length of wire used, pain intensity, possible complications, and cosmeses were evaluated.

RESULTS

Subcuticular continuous suture using Monocryl® was superior to traditional suture using MonoNylon® as less thread was used (p 0.01) and a better cosmetic effect was achieved (p < 0.01), which was equal to Stratafix® aspects analyzed (p > 0.05). Complications were observed mostly in patients who used Stratafix®.

CONCLUSIONS

This study concluded that the subcuticular suture with absorbable monofilament Monocryl® proved to be advantageous compared to the others because it presented results equal to the barbed Stratafix®, however with fewer complications. Furthermore, Monocryl® was shown to be equal or superior to traditional MonoNylon® suture regarding in relation pain intensity, aesthetic result, and effective cost.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

WHO ICTRP identifier RBR78dh5d. Retrospectively registered: 07/29/2020.

Calf Augmentation Implant Disruption Following a Tibial Plateau Fracture Fixation: An Extremely Rare Complication

Introduction:

Calf augmentation is a procedure to enhance leg contour, therefore, providing better aesthetic aspect. Patient satisfaction is extremely high, and reported complications following this procedure are rare.

Case Report:

The aim of this study is to report an as yet described complication related to calf implants: Prosthesis disruption in a 60-year-old female patient who fell downstairs and presented a closed bicondylar tibial plateau fracture on the right knee (Schatzker V).

Conclusion:

We believe this case report can alert orthopaedic surgeons to carefully evaluate leg images in traumatized extremities and look for calf augmentation implants, especially in unconscious patients.