[Hip arthroscopy - indications and limits]

Through continuous improvement and advancement of technology over the last 10 years, hip arthroscopy has developed into a standard orthopedic procedure and this has greatly expanded the range of indications. The main indications for hip arthroscopy include any disorder of the synovial membrane, damage to the labrum acetabulare, lesions of the ligament of the head of the femur, loose bodies, degenerative and traumatic cartilage lesions and especially disorders of the joint mechanism caused by femoroacetabular impingement. Increasingly, endoscopic procedures additionally allow the treatment of periarticular pathologies. Hip arthroscopy is limited in particular due to the difficult anatomy, a large distance from the skin to joint cavity and the problematic visualization of the posteromedial joint area. Furthermore, a time-limited distraction of the joint must be considered in the choice of therapy.

[Orthopedic patients with or without thrombophilia. Diagnostic, therapy and peri-operative strategies]

Venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms are currently associated with high mortality rates in Europe as well as in the United States (mortality rate >300,000-500,000/year). The highest risk is attributed to orthopedic surgery. Besides the use of antithrombotic agents, surgical and anesthesiological procedures as well as a multitude of trigger mechanisms, many thrombophilic risk conditions have to be considered. The incidence of thrombotic complications could be continuously reduced by the improvement of different antithrombotic strategies and use of drugs. According to national and international guidelines low molecular weight heparins and fondaparinux (besides aPTT adjusted strategies by using unfractionated heparin) are mainly indicated in high risk patients undergoing hip and knee surgery.The use of newly developed anti-IIa and anti-Xa inhibitors (e.g. dabigatran etexilate, rivaroxaban) is not yet established in guidelines. The discovery of pentasaccharide has further improved the antithrombotic efficiency, but it is still unknown how to manage patients with thrombophilia. Otherwise the knowledge of thrombophilia is not mandatory to know how to manage high risk patients. In contrast information on a history of thrombotic complications as well as indications gained from the family history are of great importance. Whether and to what extent, which patients with or without thrombophilic disposition, under which conditions from which medication within an anti-coagulation prophylaxis profit most over which time period, will be of future interest. Fundamentally, the age of the patient as well as liver and kidney function values and possible interactions between medications must be taken into consideration for selection of individual anti-thrombotic drugs. Even prolongation of medical immobilization prophylaxis can lead to accumulative risks, such as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, the risk of which grows with increased exposition to the triggering agent.

[Femoroacetabular impingement. Clinical and radiological diagnostics]

A systematic approach to the examination of the hip region is mandatory to identify patients with femoroacetabular impingement. The patients' age, history, and physical examination may lead to the correct diagnosis. Plain radiographs are the imaging modality of first choice. In addition to obvious findings, more subtle changes such as loss of offset at the head-neck transition or acetabular retroversion have to be assessed. For correct analysis, a high quality of the images must be ensured. Therefore, knowledge of the technique used to take the pictures seems essential. With three-dimensional reconstructed computed tomography, asphericities of the head-neck junction or retroversion of the acetabulum may be visualized. In addition to the accurate demonstration of the head-neck junction, magnetic resonance imaging is particularly suitable to reveal pathological conditions of soft tissues such as articular cartilage or labral lesions.

Influence of deposit stage and failed ESWT on the surgical results of arthroscopic treatment of calcifying tendonitis of the shoulder

The purpose of the present study is the evaluation of a possible influence of the preoperative deposit stage, the postoperative deposit elimination and failed preoperative extracorporeal shockwave therapy on the surgical outcome of arthroscopic treatment of tendinosis calcarea. From 1997 to 2004, 65 patients underwent arthroscopic resection of calcific deposits of the shoulder after failed conservative treatment. Patients with rotator cuff tears, major cartilage damage, or previous surgery were excluded. Out of 50 patients 45 (17 men, 28 women) that could be contacted with a mean age of 49 +/- 8 years could be followed-up with a mean of 36 months (14-89) after surgery. A total of 24 patients (53.3%) underwent preoperative extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT). For the clinical evaluation the Constant and Murley Score, the Simple Shoulder Test, the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) and visual analog scales for pain, function and satisfaction were used. For the radiological evaluation, the classifications according to Gaertner and Bosworth were used. Statistical analysis was done with the Wilcoxon test, the Mann-Whitney test and ANOVA. The Constant and Murley Score improved significantly from preoperative 63.5 +/- 11.4 to postoperative 93.9 +/- 9.9 points (P < .0001) at follow-up, the Simple Shoulder Test from 1.7 +/- 2 to 9.9 +/- 2.8 points (P < .0001), the WORC score from 1,591.2 +/- 337.4 to 345.4 +/- 392 points (P < .0001). The visual analog scales for pain, function and patient satisfaction also significantly improved (P < .0001). Preoperative radiological evaluation according to the Gaertner classification revealed 37 type I deposits, 6 type II and 2 type III deposits; postoperative no calcific deposits were seen in 37 patients, 6 type I and 2 type III deposits. According to the Bosworth classification 13 type I, 19 type II and 13 type III deposits were seen preoperatively. Postoperative X-rays showed 6 type I and 1 type II and III deposits. There was no significant correlation of the clinical results with the pre- or postoperative findings. The 24 patients who underwent ESWT before surgery did not show significantly better results than patients without ESWT. In conclusion, arthroscopic removal of calcific deposits of the shoulder shows good clinical results for pain reduction, shoulder function and patient satisfaction. The type of calcific deposit and the preoperative treatment of the shoulder with ESWT did not have any significant impact on the postoperative results.

[Radiological examination of the hip. Analysis of standard projections]

Plain radiography of the hip joint is the imaging modality of first choice. The standard projections are an anteroposterior view of the whole pelvis and a lateral view of the involved hip. Depending on the suspected pathology, different lateral projections are used such as the Lauenstein view, a false profile view, or a lateral cross-table view. Additional projections may be helpful in special indications. For correct analysis and interpretation, the radiographs need to be checked for adequate orientation and exposure. The orthopedic surgeon has to be familiar with the imaging technique of each radiograph and its normal appearance in order to assess the orientation of the pelvis during exposure and to detect even subtle pathology or changes in orientation of the acetabulum or proximal femur.

Magnetresonanztomographie und -arthrographie des Hüftgelenks

Plain film radiographs represent the imaging of choice for the initial evaluation of pathologies of the hip. However, many lesions of the joint itself and surrounding soft tissues are often not visualized by conventional radiographs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrates most of these pathologies with high sensitivity and specificity. For further assessment of intra-articular lesions such as labral tears, hyaline cartilage lesions, rupture of the ligamentum teres, and loose bodies, direct MR arthrography after intra-articular administration of contrast medium may be indicated. This article summarizes the technical aspects and the most important indications for MRI and MR arthrography of the hip in correlation with typical imaging findings of the most frequent pathologies.

[Synovial disorders and loose bodies in the hip joint. Arthroscopic diagnostics and treatment]

Synovial disorders and loose bodies are one of the most common indications for hip arthroscopy. Arthroscopic intervention has been reported for loose bodies, synovial plicae, synovial chondromatosis, pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) as well as rheumatoid and septic arthritis. One major advantage in comparison to radiologic imaging is the ability to inspect, biopsy, and treat within one procedure. In contrast to an arthrotomy, hip arthroscopy avoids the potential risks of extensive surgical exposure and prolonged rehabilitation. Nevertheless, hip arthroscopy cannot be promoted as curative in all synovial disorders. In patients with loose bodies, synovial plicae, initial septic arthritis and, to a certain extent, PVNS curative therapy and "restitutio ad integrum" can be achieved. In contrast, in patients with synovial chondromatosis and rheumatoid arthritis, the goal of hip arthroscopy is to enable the correct diagnosis and to provide symptomatic relief and maintain or improve joint function. Success or failure of arthroscopic treatment depends on proper patient selection and a correct arthroscopic technique.

The phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor roflumilast is effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND

The beneficial effects of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors in allergic asthma have been shown in previous preclinical and clinical studies. Because allergic rhinitis and asthma share several epidemiologic and pathophysiologic factors, PDE4 inhibitors might also be effective in allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of oral roflumilast (500 microg/day) in allergic rhinitis.

METHODS

In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, crossover study, 25 subjects (16 male, 9 female; median age, 28 years) with histories of allergic rhinitis but asymptomatic at screening received roflumilast (500 microg once daily) and placebo for 9 days each with a washout period of at least 14 days in between treatment periods. In each of the treatment periods, controlled intranasal allergen provocation with pollen extracts was performed daily beginning the third day of treatment, each time approximately 2 hours after study drug administration. Five and 30 minutes after each allergen provocation, rhinal airflow was measured by means of anterior rhinomanometry and the subjective symptoms obstruction, itching, and rhinorrhea were assessed by means of a standardized visual analog scale.

RESULTS

Rhinal airflow improved almost consistently during the 9 days of roflumilast treatment, and it was significantly higher at study day 9 on roflumilast in comparison with placebo, a result also found for itching and rhinorrhea. With respect to the subjective obstruction score, a significant difference in comparison with placebo could be demonstrated within 4 days.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that a PDE4 inhibitor, roflumilast, effectively controls symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Thus PDE4 inhibitors might be a future treatment option not only in allergic asthma but also in allergic rhinitis or the combination of the 2 diseases.