nobuyuki fujita

PURPOSE: Retro-odontoid pseudotumor (ROP) is a condition characterized by benign soft tissue proliferation at the odontoid process due to mechanical stress in the atlantoaxial joint, often represented by atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS). However, the pathogenesis of ROP remains unclear, as AAS can also occur without ROP. The purpose of this study is to clarify the pathogenesis of ROP in patients with AAS by analyzing imaging findings in patients without rheumatoid arthritis who underwent surgery for AAS and/or ROP. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients without rheumatoid arthritis who underwent surgery for AAS and/or ROP at three university hospitals between 2010 and 2022 were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: the ROP group, comprising patients with AAS and ROP, and the non-ROP group, comprising those with AAS without ROP. Patient demographics and preoperative imaging findings, including plain radiography, multidetector computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The ROP group included 32 patients (age: 75.6 ± 7.7 years; 23 male and 9 female patients), while the non-ROP group comprised 18 patients (age: 70.5 ± 14.6 years; 9 male and 9 female patients). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of age, sex, or history of cervical spine surgery. However, the O-C2 angle in the extension position and C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis were significantly larger in the ROP group than in the non-ROP group. Additionally, degeneration of the facet joints and intervertebral discs in the subaxial cervical spine was significantly more advanced in the ROP group than in the non-ROP group. CONCLUSION: In patients with AAS, the anterior translation of the cervical spine, as well as the progressive degeneration of the subaxial cervical facet joints and intervertebral discs, may increase mechanical stress on the atlantoaxial joint, contributing to the development of ROP.

PURPOSE: Low back pain (LBP) is a common occupational health problem. Chronotype, an individual's preferred timing of activity and sleep, has been linked to pain perception. Previous studies have found a potential association between chronotype and LBP, although the findings were limited by small sample sizes and restricted population types. We investigated the association between evening chronotype (eveningness) and LBP in a cohort comprising public servants of various ages. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 4728 full-time public servants in Japan. LBP was assessed using a self-reported question. Individuals' chronotypes were determined using the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. The association between chronotype and LBP was analyzed using the chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, occupation, overtime work, use of the internet/email, body mass index, smoking status, exercise habits, sedentary behavior, sleep duration, sleep medication use, and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: In total, 30% of the subjects reported LBP. The most common chronotype was intermediate type (51%), followed by morningness (38%) and eveningness (11%). A significant association between eveningness and LBP was observed. After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals with eveningness had a higher prevalence of LBP than those with morningness (36.2% vs. 28.7%; odds ratio: 1.46; 95% confidence interval: 1.16-1.83). CONCLUSION: Eveningness was statistically associated with LBP in a cohort of public servants. The present findings would strengthen the association's generalizability to more varied populations.

BACKGROUND: Hip fractures represent a significant public health issue in an aging society. Early surgical intervention for hip fractures in older adults is associated with fewer complications and higher survival rates, and recent reimbursement incentives in Japan have aimed to encourage surgery within 48 h of injury. However, information on the determinants of delayed surgery, including reimbursement incentives, remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the number of days from admission to surgery and identify factors associated with delayed surgery using data from two acute care hospitals in Japan. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 1,209 patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent hip fracture surgery at two hospitals in Japan between April 2021 and March 2024. Patient- and healthcare system-related factors were compared between patients who underwent surgery within 2 days of admission (E group) and those who underwent surgery at later times (L group). Poisson regression was used to identify independent factors associated with delayed surgery. RESULTS: In total, 56% of patients underwent surgery within 2 days of admission. Multivariable analysis identified age ≥ 85 years (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.81) and trochanteric fracture (PR = 0.81) as factors that reduced the prevalence of delayed surgery. Conversely, diabetes (PR = 1.18); cardiovascular disease (PR = 1.19); low serum albumin levels (PR = 2.08); admission in the pandemic period (PR = 1.26), university hospital (PR = 1.24); and admission on Thursday (PR = 1.69), Friday (PR = 2.99), or Saturday (PR = 2.60) were associated with delayed surgery. The in-hospital mortality rate was approximately 2%, with no significant difference observed between the E and L groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both patient- and healthcare system–related factors were associated with delayed surgery for hip fractures in older adults. Although a reimbursement incentive has been introduced to promote early surgery, real-world challenges, including preoperative risk factors and hospital resources, continue to affect surgical timing. These findings could help inform strategies to enhance timely surgical care for older patients with hip fractures in aging societies.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction is an essential metric for evaluating treatment outcomes for LSS, both for patients and for their primary physicians. However, the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) is the only representative patient-reported outcome measure that evaluates satisfaction. To develop a model using machine learning to predict postoperative satisfaction among older patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) based on preoperative and postoperative scores of the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ). METHODS: The training dataset was composed of time-course data of ZCQ and JOABPEQ scores from patients aged ≥65 years who underwent LSS surgery at a university hospital. The validation dataset included data from patients with LSS treated at a private orthopedic clinic. A linear support vector machine classifier was trained to predict achievement of a "Satisfied" state from preoperative and postoperative JOABPEQ scores. Internal validation was carried out via leave-one-out cross-validation, and external validation using a separate dataset to assess the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, F1 score, and area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC). Variable importance was analyzed using model class reliance. RESULTS: A total of 232 and 66 individuals were included in the training and validation datasets, respectively. The machine-learning model exhibited an accuracy of 0.72, sensitivity of 0.75, specificity of 0.69, and AUROC of 0.82. Psychological disorder and walking ability were identified through permutation importance analysis as key factors for satisfaction. External validation on an independent dataset demonstrated comparable accuracy (0.76), sensitivity (0.83), and AUROC (0.75), although the specificity decreased (0.42). CONCLUSIONS: The machine learning model presented here can predict the postoperative satisfaction score on the ZCQ from preoperative and postoperative JOABPEQ scores, highlighting its potential for broader application in clinical settings.

BACKGROUND: Surgical outcomes for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) are generally favorable, even in older adults, and they effectively address locomotive syndrome. In older patients with LSS, support from family members during the postoperative recovery period is expected to be helpful, but the extent to which family structure influences surgical outcomes for LSS remains unclear. Herein, this study aimed to investigate the involvement of family structure in surgical outcomes for older patients with LSS. METHODS: This retrospective study included 350 consecutive patients aged ≥65 years who underwent LSS surgery between April 2020 and December 2023. Patients were categorized by family structure into the M (living with multiple family members) or S group (living with few or no family members). Postoperative outcomes were assessed using patient-reported outcomes, including the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. RESULTS: The M group consisted of 102 participants, while the S group comprised 248 participants. Preoperatively, there were no significant differences in the scores of all patient-reported outcomes between the groups. However, even after adjusting for baseline characteristics that significantly differed between the groups, the RDQ (p = 0.018) and GLFS-25 scores (p = 0.030) were significantly better in the M group than in the S group at 1 year postoperatively. Furthermore, the proportion of patients with postoperative improvement in the locomotive syndrome stage was significantly higher in the M group than in the S group at both 6 months (p = 0.027) and 1 year (p = 0.002) postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Family structure significantly affected postoperative outcomes in older adults with LSS, particularly concerning locomotive syndrome recovery. These findings highlight the potential value of involving families in healthcare planning, while recognizing that the availability and quality of support may vary across households.

Background: A pseudotumor adjacent to the odontoid has been reported to be a non-neoplastic mass that is mainly associated with atlantoaxial instability. Methods: Case report. Results: A 72-year-old woman presented to our clinic with a chief complaint of bilateral fine motor dysfunction and gait disturbance. She had rheumatoid arthritis as a comorbidity. Physical examination revealed bilateral hand fine motor dysfunction and signs of myelopathy, including hyperreflexia of the deep tendon reflexes in the lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a retro-odontoid pseudotumor. Surgery was proposed to the patient, but she did not wish to undergo surgery at this time. At a follow-up visit approximately one year after the initial visit, she complained of the progression of the bilateral hand fine motor dysfunction and gait disturbance. MRI demonstrated a pseudotumor in the space anterior to the odontoid process, indicating that the localization of the pseudotumor around the odontoid process changed from the posterior space to the anterior space in its natural course. Conclusions: The speculated sequential mechanism of the change in the location of the pseudotumor from the posterior space to anterior space to the odontoid process in the natural course is as follows: As the rheumatoid arthritis progressed, the C1-2 joint was immobilized in the dislocated position, and as a result, the retro-odontoid pseudotumor disappeared due to immobilization of the C1-2 joint. Following the disappearance of the retro-odontoid pseudotumor, the odontoid process shifted backward owing to rupture of the transverse annular ligament. Consequently, a new space appeared in front of the odontoid process. Subsequently, damage to the apical and alar ligaments resulted in pseudotumor formation in the new space. Considering our case, the formation of an antero-odontoid pseudotumor occurs only in limited cases, with extreme progression of the pathology. Most cases of retro-odontoid pseudotumors are treated by surgery before such a progression; therefore, we consider that such a case has not yet been reported in the literature.

BACKGROUND: The administration of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) as well as polypharmacy in older individuals has become a medical and socioeconomic issue. Meanwhile, given that lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions, significantly affecting mobility in older adults and becoming increasingly common in aging societies, its management in this population has emerged as a critical concern. We aimed to elucidate the prevalence of PIMs among older LSS patients and identify those potentially impacting surgical outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 296 consecutive patients aged 65 years or older who underwent LSS surgery. Based on available guidelines, 19 medication categories were considered PIMs. Pre- and postoperative health-related quality of life was assessed using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. RESULTS: The most frequently prescribed PIMs included hypnotics, steroids, antithrombotic drugs, antidiabetic drugs, laxatives, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in older LSS patients. Among these medications, antithrombotic drugs showed a significant association with surgical outcomes. When the subjects were divided into antithrombotic drug users (n = 57) and non-users (n = 239), no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications was observed between the two groups. However, 1 year after surgery, users had significantly worse walking ability than did nonusers (adjusted p value = 0.028), despite no significant differences before and 6 months after surgery. Furthermore, nonusers showed significant improvement in walking ability (p < 0.001) and social life scores (p = 0.014) from 6 months to 1 year after surgery, whereas users exhibited no significant improvements during this period. CONCLUSIONS: Among the PIMs, hypnotics, steroids, antithrombotic drugs, laxatives, antidiabetic drugs, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were commonly used by older LSS patients. Older LSS patients taking antithrombotic drugs are unlikely to have good surgical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The management of elective surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic was controversial, and the impact on lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) surgery outcomes remains unclear. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze older adults who underwent LSS surgery during the pandemic and compare cases from its early and late phases. METHODS: Medical records of patients aged 65 and older who underwent LSS surgery between April 2020 and April 2023 were reviewed. The Zurich Claudication Questionnaire and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) were administered preoperatively and at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: The period from April 2020 to September 2021 was classified as the early phase, while October 2021 to April 2023 was classified as the late phase. This study evaluated a total of 267 older patients with LSS, with 138 undergoing surgery during the early phase and 129 during the late phase. There was one case of COVID-19 infection during hospitalization in the early phase and none in the late phase. Significant differences were found between the early and late phases in the distribution of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA) and frequency of degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS). When the association between the COVID-19 pandemic phase and effective case of surgery treatment on JOABPEQ was examined, the multivariable adjusted relative risks of effective case in social life domain for the late-stage group were 0.7 (95 % CI = 0.5-0.9) at both 6 months and 1 year postoperatively using the early-phase group as the reference. No significant differences were found in the other four domains at either 6 months or 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Poorer social life outcomes in the late-phase patients with LSS surgery may be attributed to worse preoperative ASA scores and changes in social life during different pandemic phases.

BACKGROUND: Fractures are a significant health concern for older adults, affecting their activities of daily living (ADL), physical function, and mental well-being, and contributing to the need for long-term care. However, the factors associated with fractures among independent older adults remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between fractures and the health status of independent older adults in a representative suburban city in Japan using data from a survey of community-dwelling residents and to identify factors associated with fractures. METHODS: A total of 15,853 survey questionnaires were mailed, and 11,346 valid responses were received, resulting in a response rate of 71.6%. The survey included questions on ADL, physical function, mental health, memory, medical conditions, and subjective complaints. For fractures, participants were asked the following question: "How many times have you experienced fractures since the age of 65?". Data were analyzed using Poisson regression models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, family structure, and smoking history. RESULTS: Among the respondents, 15% reported fractures after age of 65 years. A decline in ADL, physical function, mental health, and memory were significantly associated with increased fracture frequency. Under medical conditions, the prevalence of depression (p for trend = 0.042), respiratory diseases (p for trend = 0.001), and ophthalmologic conditions (p for trend = 0.002) increased significantly with fracture number. Most subjective complaints were significantly associated with fracture number, with dysphagia demonstrating the strongest association. CONCLUSIONS: This study utilized a relatively large and highly representative sample of community-dwelling residents to identify factors associated with fractures in independent older adults. Even in independent older adults who were not certified as requiring long-term care, fractures were significantly associated with a decline in multiple health domains. These findings provide valuable insights that can inform efforts to promote healthy aging and reduce care dependency. CLINICAL TRIAL: Not applicable.

OBJECTIVES: Symptomatic hand osteoarthritis (HOA) significantly affects daily activities and quality of life, but its associations with osteoarthritis (OA) in other joints and systemic factors remain unclear. This study aimed to comprehensively assess patients with symptomatic HOA by examining their laboratory findings and radiographic features across multiple joints. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 53 patients with symptomatic HOA who initially presented to the outpatient clinic with hand pain and were subsequently diagnosed. Radiographic assessments of the hands, knees, hips, and spine were performed using the grading system of Kellgren-Lawrence (KL). The sum of the KL scores for all joints in both hands was calculated as the hand KL score. RESULTS: In total, 79.2% of patients had coexistent knee OA. Elevated triglyceride levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rates were observed in >50% of the cohort. Hand KL scores displayed weak positive correlations with C-reactive protein levels (r=0.34) and knee KL scores (r=0.35). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the frequent coexistence of knee OA in patients with symptomatic HOA and suggests potential links between HOA, systemic inflammation, and lipid metabolism. These findings provide insights into the multifactorial nature of HOA and underscore the importance of comprehensive evaluation in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: At present, the threshold defining older adults is 65 years, and this classification has been widely accepted globally. However, with the extension of both life expectancy and healthy life expectancy, there is a need to reconsider this age-based definition. This study compared the characteristics and surgical outcomes of older patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) between the early and late stages to clarify age diversity in this population. METHODS: Data collected from consecutive patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent LSS surgery were retrospectively reviewed. All participants completed the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ), and 25-Question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale preoperatively as well as 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Frailty was evaluated using the 11-point modified frailty index. Polypharmacy was defined as the concomitant use of at least six drugs. RESULTS: In total, 311 older patients with LSS were enrolled. Among them, 136 patients younger than 75 were categorized into the E group, and 175 patients aged 75 and older were categorized into the L group. Baseline characteristics, including frailty and polypharmacy, significantly differed between the groups. The frequency of effective case of surgical treatment on JOABPEQ was significantly lower for walking ability in the L group. At 1 year after surgery, the incidence of non-improvement in locomotive syndrome stages was higher in the L group than in the E group (relative risk = 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08-1.78). In addition, when the L group was further divided into three subgroups based on age, the relative risk was 1.32 (95% CI = 0.99-1.76) for patients aged 75 to < 80, 1.42 (95% CI = 1.07-1.88) for those aged 80 to < 85 years, and 1.68 (95% CI = 1.16-2.45) for those aged ≥ 85. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics and postoperative improvement of walking ability and locomotive syndrome based on age among older patients with LSS. Our findings underscore the significant age diversity among older adults, highlighting the necessity of considering each patient in a more nuanced age-specific manner rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.

INTRODUCTION: Hip fractures, which result in a high rate of complications and mortality, are a major public health concern in aging societies. Physical restraint for older patients with hip fractures may be employed to ensure safety, continue medical treatment, and minimize the risk of harm to oneself or others. This study aimed to investigate the current practices of physical restraint use among hip fracture patients across 2 acute-care hospitals, as well as uncover factors associated with physical restraint in patients with hip fracture. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients aged ≥65 years who underwent surgery for hip fractures at two institutions. Physical restraint was applied in accordance with institutional guidelines, following thorough assessments by physicians and nurses and obtaining informed consent from the patient or their family. When we examined the independent associations of physical restraint during hospitalization, the Poisson regression models were used to estimate the relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: In total, 463 older patients with hip fractures were assessed. Among the included patients, 118 (25.5%) were subjected to physical restraint. Multivariable analysis revealed that 85 years or older (RR, 1.8; CI: 1.1-3.0), a BMI below 18.5 (RR, 1.8; CI: 1.4-2.5), dementia (RR, 2.3; CI: 1.7-3.1), stroke (RR, 1.5; CI: 1.1-2.0), impairment in physical function (RR, 3.1; CI: 1.2-8.3), and administration of antipsychotics (RR, 1.6; CI: 1.0-2.4) were significantly associated with the implementation of physical restraint. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study provided real-world data regarding the use of physical restraint in older patients with hip fractures. Patients with older age, low BMI, dementia, stroke, impaired physical function, and administration of antipsychotics may be at high risk for the use of physical restraints. To minimize the use of physical restraints, future research for further data collection will be essential.

Low back pain (LBP) is a major public health issue, and lifestyle-related factors (LRFs) are increasingly recognized as key contributors to LBP. However, comprehensive studies using recent data concerning the association between LBP and LRFs remain limited. In this study, a nationally representative sample of Japanese adults were surveyed to evaluate the relationship between LRFs and LBP and to explore how these factors relate to both the severity and chronicity of LBP. A cross-sectional nationwide survey was conducted among 5000 randomly selected Japanese adults aged 20-90 years; valid responses were obtained from 2188. Participants were analyzed using three different methods: (1) those with or without current LBP, (2) those with no/mild or moderate/severe pain, and (3) those with or without chronic LBP. Key LRFs included body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise habits, comorbidities (dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension), and self-image regarding body shape. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that current LBP was significantly associated with body mass index (odds ratio [OR]=1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-1.07), alcohol consumption (OR=1.37, 95% CI: 1.04-1.80), smoking (OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.21-2.20), and dyslipidemia (OR=1.51, 95% CI: 1.06-2.13), and the severity of LBP was associated with smoking (OR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.19-2.64), lack of exercise (OR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.10-2.15), and dyslipidemia (OR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.06-2.55). In addition, smoking was the only LRF significantly associated with chronic LBP (OR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.23-2.34). Multiple LRFs are associated with the prevalence of LBP. Stratified analysis provided deeper insight into specific risk factors for LBP. In particular, dyslipidemia is linked to pain severity, whereas smoking is associated with both severity and chronicity. Future longitudinal studies should focus on the influence of these key LRFs on onset, severity, and chronicity of LBP.

An absorbable adhesion barrier is a medical device that prevents postoperative adhesion and matches its biodegradation time with the regeneration period of its target tissues, which is important for antiadhesion effects. Physical hydrogels of Bombyx mori silk fibroin (SF) proteins are degradable in vivo. However, their biodegradation time is too long to exert antiadhesion effects. To shorten the biodegradation time of the SF hydrogels, we decreased the molecular weight (MW) of the SF proteins by alkaline treatment and prepared low-MW (LMW) SF hydrogels. The hydrogels contained less β-sheet crystalline and more amorphous structures than conventional, high-MW (HMW) SF hydrogels. Because of the potential loosened SF molecular structures in the hydrogel networks, the LMW SF hydrogels showed enhanced biodegradation (i.e., shorter in vitro enzymatic biodegradation time and faster in vivo biodegradation rate) as well as a lower affinity for plasma proteins and fibroblasts, which are involved in postoperative adhesion formation. An antiadhesion test using a rat abdominal adhesion model demonstrated that the LMW SF hydrogel applied to the abraded cecum was almost completely degraded within two weeks postimplantation, with a significantly lower adhesion severity score than that in the untreated model rat group. Conversely, the HMW SF hydrogel remained between the cecum and abdominal wall, with the same adhesion severity as that of the untreated model rat group. Therefore, we concluded that the antiadhesion effects of SF hydrogels were induced by enhanced biodegradation. The results of this study indicate the potential of LMW SF hydrogels as absorbable adhesion barriers.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the capability of proton density with fat fraction (PD-FFQ) imaging to help assess hematopoietic ability and diagnose aplastic anemia in adults. METHODS: Between January 2021 and March 2023, patients diagnosed with aplastic anemia (AA: n = 14) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS: n = 14) were examined by whole-body PD-FFQ imaging, and 14 of 126 age and gender matched patients who had undergone the same PD-FFQ imaging were selected as control group. All proton density fat fraction (PDFF) index evaluations were then performed by using regions of interest (ROIs). Pearson's correlation was used to determine the relationship between blood test results and each quantitative index, and ROC-based positive test and discrimination analyses to compare capability to differentiate the AA from the non-AA group. Finally, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of all quantitative indexes were compared by means of McNemar's test. RESULTS: Mean PDFF, standard deviation (SD) and percentage of coefficient of variation (%CV) for vertebrae showed significant correlation with blood test results (-0.52 ≤ r ≤ -0.34, p < 0.05). Specificity (SP) and accuracy (AC) of %CV of PDFF in vertebrae were significantly higher than those of mean PDFF in vertebrae and the posterior superior iliac spine (SP: p = 0.0002, AC: p = 0.0001) and SD of PDFF in vertebrae (SP: p = 0.008, AC: p = 0.008). Moreover, AC of SD of PDFF in vertebrae was significantly higher than that of mean PDFF in vertebrae and the posterior superior iliac spine (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Whole-body PD-FFQ imaging is useful for hematopoietic ability assessment and diagnosis of aplastic anemia in adults.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Synovial osteochondromatosis of the shoulder joint is predominantly primary, characterized by multiple osteochondral fragments, with reports of secondary synovial osteochondromatosis being rare. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient, a 48-year-old male, presented to our hospital with right shoulder pain persisting for several months. While there was no significant restriction in the range of motion, pain was noted during horizontal adduction and external rotation in the dependent position. Radiographs and CT scans revealed an osteochondral loose body in the glenohumeral joint and an osteophyte on the anterior margin of the glenoid cavity. A lidocaine test in the glenohumeral joint was positive, suggesting impingement by the loose body, leading to its surgical removal. Arthroscopically, the loose body was grasped and removed from the anterior aspect of the glenohumeral joint. The osteochondral fragment measured approximately 15 mm, with the total length including soft tissue being about 40 mm. Pathological findings indicated a layered arrangement of synovial cells, consistent with secondary synovial osteochondromatosis. Postoperatively, the shoulder pain improved rapidly, and follow-up was concluded six months after surgery. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: In this case, arthroscopy revealed a Hill-Sachs-like lesion and labral deficiency on the glenoid, suggesting past trauma. However, no bone defect matching the size of the loose body was observed. In secondary synovial osteochondromatosis, small osteochondral fragments can grow with nourishment from the synovium, suggesting the loose body in this case might have similarly enlarged post-trauma. CONCLUSION: The shoulder pain caused by a giant secondary synovial osteochondromatosis improved by removing the loose body arthroscopically.

AIM: Older patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) have a higher incidence of polypharmacy attributed to comorbidities and the use of pain relief medications. This study aimed to explore the effect of polypharmacy and hyperpolypharmacy on surgical outcomes in older patients with LSS based on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and locomotive syndrome. METHODS: Consecutive patients aged ≥65 years who underwent lumbar spinal surgery for LSS were retrospectively reviewed. We assessed the preoperative and 1- and 2-year postoperative scores of three common HRQOL tools and the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale. The patients were classified into the hyperpolypharmacy group (those taking ≥10 medications), polypharmacy group (those taking 6-9 medications) and non-polypharmacy group (those taking ≤5 medications). RESULTS: In total, 148 participants were evaluated. Among them, 35 were included in the non-polypharmacy group. There were no significant changes in the HRQOL and locomotive syndrome stage at baseline, even with polypharmacy progression. However, the HRQOL and locomotive syndrome stage worsened postoperatively with polypharmacy progression. When surgical efficacy was directly examined, results showed that the surgical outcomes were significantly associated with polypharmacy progression in older patients with LSS, even after adjusting for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Polypharmacy, especially hyperpolypharmacy, had a negative impact on surgical outcomes in older patients with LSS. The number of prescription drugs should be taken into consideration before surgery in this patient group. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••-••.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: T2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) mapping has been applied to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) for quantitative assessment of the median nerve. However, quantitative changes in the median nerve before and after surgery using T2 MRI mapping remain unclear. We aimed to investigate whether pathological changes could be identified by pre- and postoperative T2 MRI mapping of the median nerve in CTS patients after open carpal tunnel release. METHODS: This was a prospective study that measured median nerve T2 and cross-sectional area (CSA) values at the distal carpal tunnel, hamate bone, proximal carpal tunnel, and forearm levels pre- and postoperatively. Associations between T2, CSA, and nerve conduction latency were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients with CTS (mean age, 64.5 ± 11.7 years) who underwent surgery were studied. The mean preoperative T2 values significantly decreased from 56.3 to 46.9 ms at the proximal carpal tunnel levels (p = .001), and from 52.4 to 48.7 ms at the hamate levels postoperatively (p = .04). Although there was a moderate association between preoperative T2 values at the distal carpal tunnel levels and distal motor latency values (r = -.46), other T2 values at all four carpal tunnel levels were not significantly associated with CSA or nerve conduction latency pre- or postoperatively. DISCUSSION: T2 MRI mapping of the carpal tunnel suggested a decrease in nerve edema after surgery. T2 MRI mapping provides quantitative information on the median nerve before and after surgery.

Hand osteoarthritis (HOA), characterized by an earlier onset age and reduced susceptibility to mechanical stress compared with knee and hip osteoarthritis, is considered a suitable disease for identifying predictive biomarkers of osteoarthritis. In particular, DNA methylation variants, expected to contribute to HOA susceptibility, hold potential as osteoarthritis biomarkers. In this study, leukocyte DNA methylation patterns were analyzed in blood samples from patients with HOA, aiming to identify disease-specific biomarkers for osteoarthritis. Using DNA methylation microarrays, we analyzed samples from three subjects with HOA and three age- and gender-matched healthy individuals. For validation, pyrosequencing analysis was conducted using samples from 16 to 9 subjects with and without HOA, respectively. From 735,026 probes in the DNA methylation array, the Top 100 CpG sites associated with HOA, based on low adjusted P-values, including those targeting bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7), SBF2-AS1, PLOD2, ICOS, and CSF1R were identified. Validation analysis revealed significantly higher methylation levels in the BMP7-related site in the HOA group compared with the control group, even after adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index (p = 0.037). In contrast, no significant difference was observed in the other selected CpG sites between the HOA and control groups. This study highlights the significantly increased frequency of methylation at the specific BMP7 site in leukocytes of patients with HOA, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for HOA. Measurement of methylation levels at the CpG sites identified in this study offers a potential approach to prevent future osteoarthritis progression, providing valuable insights into disease management.

BACKGROUND: Managing medication use in older orthopedic patients is imperative to extend their healthy life expectancy in an aging society. However, the actual situation regarding polypharmacy, the intake of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), and fall risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) among older orthopedic patients is not well characterized. This study aimed to investigate the medication-based profiles of older orthopedic patients to highlight the critical points of concern. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of consecutive patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent orthopedic surgery at two acute care hospitals between April 2020 and March 2021. The cutoff number of prescribed drugs for polypharmacy was set at 6. According to the specified guidelines, 19 categories of drugs were identified as PIMs, and 10 categories were classified as FRIDs. RESULTS: A total of 995 older patients with orthopedic surgery were assessed, of which 57.4% were diagnosed with polypharmacy, 66.0% were receiving PIMs, and 41.7% were receiving FRIDs. The prevalence of FRID intake did not significantly differ among patients with degenerative spinal disease (n = 316), degenerative disease of extremities (n = 331), and fractures (n = 272). Compared with patients with degenerative disease of the extremities, the multivariable-adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) of polypharmacy and PIM intake were significantly higher in patients with degenerative spinal disease (1.26 [confidence intervals (CI): 1.11-1.44] and 1.12 [CI: 1.00-1.25]), respectively. Use of antiemetic drugs (adjusted PR, 13.36; 95% CI: 3.14-56.81) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (adjusted PR, 1.37; 95% CI: 1.05-1.78) was significantly higher in patients with degenerative spinal disease. Among patients with degenerative spinal disease, the prevalence of antiemetic drug intake was 8.7% in lumbar spinal patients and 0% in cervical spinal patients. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the orthopedic patients in this study were affected by polypharmacy, and approximately two-thirds were prescribed some form of PIMs. Patients with degenerative spinal disease showed a significantly higher prevalence of polypharmacy and PIM use compared with other orthopedic diseases. Particular attention should be paid to the high frequency of antiemetic drugs and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs intake among patients with degenerative lumbar spine conditions.

BACKGROUND: In total knee arthroplasty (TKA), cementless fixation is initially weaker than cement fixation. This study aimed to examine whether filling the tibial peg holes with bone improves initial fixation strength in cementless TKA. METHODS: This prospective, comparative study examined 88 joints in 66 patients randomized to the bone filling (48 joints) or conventional group (no bone filling; 40 joints). All patients underwent TKA with the NexGen® trabecular metal modular tibial component. In the bone filling group, resected cancellous bone was filled into the peg holes before insertion of the tibial component. We performed clinical and plain radiographic evaluations after the operation and measured bone mineral density (BMD) at five sites below the component at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Operative time and clinical evaluations were not significantly different. Plain radiography showed significant longitudinal thickening of the trabecula below the peg (P<0.05) and decreased occurrence of reactive lines (P=0.07) in the bone filling group compared with the conventional group. BMD was significantly higher in the bone filling group in the medial region below the peg at 1, 3, and 6 months and in the central region at 1 and 3 months (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: When using the NexGen trabecular metal modular tibial component, concurrent peg hole bone filling increases the initial component fixation strength. Possible effects on long-term stabilization warrant further study.

BACKGROUND: The management of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), which often impairs lower extremity function and increases the risk of falls, is gaining recognition for its importance in an aging society. Despite the significant overlap between frailty and locomotive syndrome (LS) in older adults, their interaction in older DCM patients remains unclear. We aimed to determine the characteristics of older DCM patients with frailty, focusing on the association between frailty and LS. METHODS: We retrospectively examined the clinical records and imaging data of consecutive patients aged 65 years and above who underwent surgery for DCM at a single facility. Frailty and LS stage were diagnosed using the modified frailty index-11 and the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25), respectively. RESULTS: A total of 114 subjects were analyzed, among whom approximately 30% were diagnosed with frailty. DCM patients with frailty had significantly worse Japanese Orthopaedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Assessment Questionnaire (JOACMEQ) and GLFS-25 scores at baseline than did those without frailty. Moreover, DCM patients with frailty had significantly more advanced LS stage at baseline than did those without frailty. Meanwhile, no significant difference in the improvement in JOACMEQ and GLFS-25 scores were observed between those with and without frailty after surgery. More precisely, DCM patients with frailty experienced better improvement in lower extremity function based on the JOACMEQ than did those without frailty. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that older DCM patients had favorable outcomes following surgery regardless of frailty. Despite the significant association between frailty and LS in DCM patients, frailty did not negatively impact the improvement in LS in older DCM patients. These findings provide valuable information for both older DCM patients and their attending physicians that would help guide decisions about cervical spine surgery for DCM.

Bone fractures represent a common health problem, particularly in an increasingly aging population. Bioresorbable magnesium (Mg) alloy-based implants offer promising alternatives to traditional metallic implants for the treatment of bone fractures because they eliminate the need for implant removal after healing. The Mg-Y-rare-earth (RE)-Zr alloy WE43, designed for orthopedic implants, has received European Conformity mark approval. However, currently, WE43 is not clinically used in certain countries possibly because of concerns related to RE metals. In this study, we investigated the use of a RE-free alloy, namely, Mg-Zn-Zr alloy (ZK30), as an implant for bone fractures. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) treatment was performed to improve the corrosion resistance of ZK30. HF-treated ZK30 (HF-ZK30) exhibited lower corrosion rate and higher biocompatibility than those of WE43 in in vitro experiments. After implanting a rod of HF-ZK30 into the fractured femoral bones of mice, HF-ZK30 held the bones and healed the fracture without deformation. Treatment results of HF-ZK30 were comparable to those of WE43, indicating the potential of HF-ZK30 as a bioresorbable and safe implant for bone repair.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, patient satisfaction has gained prominence as a crucial measure for ensuring patient-centered care. Furthermore, patient satisfaction after lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LCS) surgery is an important metric for physician's decision of surgical indication and informed consent to patient. This study aimed to elucidate how patient satisfaction changed after LCS surgery to identify factors that predict patient dissatisfaction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed time-course data of patients aged ≥40 years who underwent LCS surgery at multiple hospitals. The participants completed the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) before surgery and then 6 months and 1 year postsurgery. Patient satisfaction was categorized according to the postoperative score of the satisfaction domain of the ZCQ: satisfied, score ≤2.0; moderately satisfied, 2.0< score ≤2.5; and dissatisfied, score >2.5. RESULTS: The study enrolled 241 patients. Our data indicated a satisfaction rate of around 70% at 6 months and then again 1 year after LCS surgery. Among those who were dissatisfied 6 months after LCS surgery, 47.6% were more satisfied 1 year postsurgery. Furthermore, 86.2% of those who were satisfied 6 months after LCS surgery remained satisfied at 1 year. Multivariable analysis revealed that age (relative risk, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-0.8) and preoperative score of psychological disorders on the JOABPEQ (relative risk, 0.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.03-0.08) were significantly associated with LCS surgery dissatisfaction. In addition, the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the cutoff value for the preoperative score of psychological disorder of the JOABPEQ was estimated at 40 for LCS surgery dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Age and psychological disorders were identified as significant predictors of dissatisfaction, with a JOABPEQ cutoff value providing potential clinical applicability.

INTRODUCTION: Locomotive syndrome caused by degenerative musculoskeletal diseases is reported to improve with surgical treatment. However, it is unclear whether surgical treatment is effective for the locomotive syndrome developing in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). Thus, this study primarily aimed to longitudinally assess the change in locomotive syndrome stage before and after cervical spinal surgery for patients with DCM using the 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale (GLFS-25). A secondary objective was to identify factors associated with the postoperative improvement in the locomotive syndrome stage. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data of patients undergoing cervical spine surgery at our institution from April 2020 to May 2022 who had answered the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Assessment Questionnaire, visual analog scale, and GLFS-25 preoperatively and at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. We collected demographic data, medical history, preoperative radiographic parameters, presence or absence of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification, and surgical data. RESULTS: We enrolled 115 patients (78 men and 37 women) in the present study. Preoperatively, using the GLFS-25, 73.9% of patients had stage 3, 10.4% had stage 2, 9.6% had stage 1, 6.1% had no locomotive syndrome. The stage distribution of locomotive syndrome improved significantly at 6-months and 1-year postoperatively. The multivariable Poisson regression analysis revealed that better preoperative lower extremity function (relative risk: 3.0; 95% confidence interval: 1.01-8.8) was significantly associated with postoperative improvement in the locomotive syndrome stage. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to longitudinally assess the locomotive syndrome stage in patients with DCM using GLFS-25. Our results indicated that patients with DCM experienced significant improvement in the locomotive syndrome stage following cervical spine surgery. Particularly, the preoperative lower extremity function was significant in postoperative improvement in the locomotive syndrome stage.

INTRODUCTION: Frailty is an important factor in surgical outcomes. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of preoperative frailty on postoperative outcomes in older patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS). METHODS: We retrospectively examined 209 patients aged ≥65 years who underwent surgery for LSCS. Health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) tools, including the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ), were used in the assessment conducted before surgery and at 6 months and 1 year after surgery. Frailty was categorized based on the 11-item modified frailty index (mFI-11). Patients with mFI-11 of 0, <0.21, and >0.21 were classified under the robust (R), pre-frailty (P), and frailty (F) groups, respectively. RESULTS: According to the mFI-11, 24, 138, and 47 patients were included in the R, P, and F groups, respectively. Regarding preoperative radiographic parameters, there was a remarkable increase in the sagittal vertical axis and a significant decrease in the development of lumbar lordosis with frailty progression. The preoperative scores of RDQ and ZCQ, and lumbar function, walking ability, social life, and psychological disorder domain scores of JOABPEQ differed significantly among these groups. The frequency of revision surgery was not higher in the F group than in the other groups. After adjustment for factors have shown different distributions among the three groups, the frequency of effective surgical cases did not show a clear trend among the three groups in all domains of the JOABPEQ. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative HRQOL scores and the radiographic parameters of patients with LSCS worsened with frailty severity. However, frailty did not affect the rate of revision surgery and surgical efficacy in patients with LSCS. Although this study has limitations, our findings indicated that even LSCS patients with frailty can be considered for surgery if they have an indication for LSCS surgery.

BACKGROUND: Various treatments for chronic low back pain (LBP) have been reported; among them, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a regenerative medicine has attracted much attention. Although Modic type 1 change (MC1) is associated with LBP, no treatment has been established so far. In addition, no studies have administered PRP to intervertebral discs (IVDs) in patients with LBP, targeting MC1 only. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of PRP administration to the IVDs in patients with MC1 experiencing LBP. METHODS: PRP was injected intradiscally to 10 patients with MC1 experiencing LBP. Patients were followed prospectively for up to 24 weeks after primary administration. Physical condition, laboratory data, and lumbar x-ray images were evaluated for safety assessment. Furthermore, to evaluate the effectiveness of PRP, patient-reported outcomes were considered. In addition, changes in MC1 were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: There were no adverse events in the laboratory data or lumbar X-ray images after administration. The mean visual analog scale, which was 70.0 ± 13.3 before the treatment, significantly decreased 1 week after PRP administration and was 39.0 ± 28.8 at the last observation. Oswestry disability index and Roland Morris disability questionnaire scores promptly improved after treatment, and both improved significantly 24 weeks after PRP administration. Follow-up MRI 24 weeks after treatment showed a significant decrease in the mean high-signal intensity of fat-suppressed T2-weighted imaging from 10.1 to 7.90 mm2 compared with that before PRP administration. CONCLUSIONS: The safety and efficacy of PRP administration to the IVDs of patients with MC1 experiencing LBP were identified. Post-treatment MRI suggested improvement in inflammation, speculating that PRP suppressed inflammation and consequently relieved the patient's symptoms. Despite the small number of patients, this treatment is promising for patients with MC1 experiencing LBP. The study protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Certified Committee for Regenerative Medicine and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (Japan Registry of Clinical Trials [jRCT] No. jRCTb042210159).

STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter case-control study. OBJECTIVE: To identify imaging characteristics of the cervical spine in patients with retro-odontoid pseudotumor (ROP) without rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and determine the pathogenesis of ROP. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: ROP results from proliferative changes in the soft tissue of the atlantoaxial junction surrounding the region of the transverse ligament, and is commonly seen in RA patients. However, the pathogenesis of ROP caused by mechanical instability of the upper cervical spine in patients without RA is yet to be explained. METHODS: We collected imaging data (preoperative radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], and computed tomography [CT]) of patients who underwent surgery between April 2011 and March 2022 at the three university hospitals for ROP (cases) and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (as age, sex, and institution matched controls). The two groups were compared for different parameters on cervical dynamic radiographs, MRI, and CT. RESULTS: The ROP group consisted of 42 patients, and the control group comprised 168 patients. C2-C7 range of motion was significantly smaller in the ROP group (25.8 ± 2.6°) compared to the control group (33.0 ± 1.0°). C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis was significantly larger in the ROP group than the control group (39.3 ± 3.6 mm versus 32.2 ± 1.3 mm). MRI and CT assessment showed progressive degeneration at all intervertebral levels in the ROP group. A significant positive correlation was observed between the thickness of the soft tissue posterior to the dental process and the atlantodental interval in the flexion position (r = 0.501). CONCLUSION: The development of ROP was associated with degeneration of facet joints and intervertebral discs in the middle and lower cervical spine. Our findings suggest that decreased mobility of the middle and lower cervical spine may cause instability in the upper cervical spine, leading to the formation of ROP.

AIMS: With the aging society worldwide, lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) has become common, and its incidence has been increasing worldwide. Frailty and locomotive syndrome significantly overlap as disorders in older people. The current study aimed to validate the association between frailty and locomotive syndrome in patients with LSS. In particular, the involvement of frailty in locomotive syndrome following surgery was examined. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the time-course data of consecutive patients aged ≥65 years who underwent lumbar spinal surgery for LSS. The locomotive syndrome stages were determined using the 25-Question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale: stage 0, score ≤6; stage 1, score ≥7; stage 2, score ≥16; and Stage 3, score ≥24. Robust, pre-frailty, and frailty were defined as a modified frailty index-11 score of 0, <0.21, and >0.21, respectively. RESULTS: This study included 234 patients. All patients except one were diagnosed with locomotive syndrome preoperatively. Approximately 24.8% of participants were diagnosed with frailty. LSS surgery improved locomotive syndrome regardless of frailty severity. Meanwhile, multivariable analysis indicated that frailty could significantly inhibit improvement in locomotive syndrome after surgery in old patients with LSS (estimated relative risk: 0.6; 95% confidence interval: 0.4-0.9). CONCLUSIONS: This study first assessed the association between locomotive syndrome and frailty in patients with LSS. Locomotive syndrome could be managed effectively with surgery regardless of frailty severity in old patients with LSS. However, our findings emphasize the need to screen for frailty preoperatively in this patient group. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 116-122.

CASE: An 85-year-old woman was transported to our institution due to difficulty in walking. Preoperative imaging showed spinal cord lesions indicative of spinal cord tumor at the T7-8 level, accompanied by T8 vertebral fracture. Intraoperatively, the spinal lesion was suspected to be an epidural abscess; therefore, the capsule was resected, and the abscess was drained. We added pedicle screw fixation at the T6-10 level. Postoperatively, the spinal cord lesion was definitively diagnosed as spinal epidural tuberculoma. CONCLUSION: Spinal epidural tuberculomas should be considered in the treatment of spinal cord lesions causing paralysis attributed to spinal cord compression.

INTRODUCTION: Fractures are often caused by falls in older people. Among various causes of falls, polypharmacy is known to be a risk of falls. Furthermore, potentially inappropriate medicines (PIMs), which interact with polypharmacy, include the drugs involved in falls. Here, we primarily aimed to investigate the prescribed drugs in older surgical patients with extremity fractures to determine the frequency of polypharmacy and identify PIMs. The second aim was to clarify the characterization of prescribed drugs of older patients with hip fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected the following clinical data of consecutive patients aged ≥65 years who underwent surgery for extremity fractures at our hospital between April 2019 and March 2021. A total of 19 categories were considered as PIMs. The Poisson regression models were used to examine the association between the number of prescribed drugs and hip fracture prevalence. RESULTS: A total of 590 patients were reviewed. Our data showed that 55% of older patients with extremity fractures took ≥6 prescription drugs. The frequency of prescription of hypnotics, antithrombotic drugs, diuretics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was comparatively high among the 19 categories of PIMs. Multivariable analysis revealed that polypharmacy was significantly associated with hip fractures. Among PIMs, antithrombotic drugs and diuretics were significantly associated with the prevalence of hip fractures. Finally, we found a significant positive association between the prevalence of hip fracture and the number of drug categories of PIMs among older patients with extremity fractures. CONCLUSIONS: The present study clarified the characterization of the prescribed drugs in older surgical patients with extremity fractures. Special attention should be paid to hip fractures of older patients with polypharmacy or prescribed with many drugs categories of PIMs, particularly antithrombotic drugs and diuretics.

INTRODUCTION: Because we have a limited number of surgeries performed under general anesthesia, implant removal after plate fixation for clavicular fracture is often performed under local anesthesia. However, it is unclear whether local anesthesia or general anesthesia is preferred. Therefore, we conducted a questionnaire survey of patients who had undergone implant removal surgery under local or general anesthesia after clavicle fracture surgery to assess their impressions of each procedure and which anesthesia they would prefer if they were to undergo plate removal in the future. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted on 239 patients. Fifty-six patients who had undergone plate fixation of a clavicle fracture in whom plate removal was conducted under local anesthesia in a university hospital, and one hundred and eighty-three patients in whom plate removal was conducted under general anesthesia in a general hospital. All participants had undergone plate fixation for clavicle fractures under general anesthesia. The participants were asked to complete a questionnaire including a question on which method of anesthesia they would prefer should they have to undergo similar surgery in the future. RESULTS: The patients of both groups responded that they would prefer the same method of anesthesia as before to be used (87.1 % of the patients who underwent plate removal under local anesthesia, 78.9 % of the patients underwent plate removal under general anesthesia), with no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent surgery under local anesthesia preferred local anesthesia if they were to undergo it next, even though most of them felt some pain. Though surgeons tend to focus only on the patient's distress during surgery, they also find that patients are often dissatisfied during the perioperative period, including bed rest and urinary catheters. Although clavicle plate removal may be performed under general anesthesia in many cases, it may be worth considering plate removal under local anesthesia to use general anesthesia surgery effectively, which is limited due to financial problems and facilities. Plate removal under local anesthesia was just as acceptable as general anesthesia for the patients.

PURPOSE: It is still unclear how lumbar spinal surgery affects the lipid metabolism of patients with lumbar spinal disorders (LSDs) such as lumbar spinal canal stenosis and lumbar disk herniation. The present study aimed to assess the impact of lumbar spinal surgery on lipid metabolism in patients with LSDs and clarify the factors associated with changes in visceral fat (VF) accumulation before and after lumbar spinal surgery. METHODS: Consecutive patients with lumbar spinal surgery for LSDs were prospectively included. Abdominal computed tomography images and blood examination of the participants were evaluated before surgery and at 6 months and 1 year after surgery. The cross-sectional VF area (VFA) was measured at the level of the navel using computed tomography images. Blood examination items included triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). RESULTS: The study enrolled a total of 138 patients. Female patients with LSDs had significantly increased VFA and serum triglyceride levels after lumbar spinal surgery. On multivariable analysis, the group with > 100 cm2 of preoperative VFA and a postoperative decrease in VFA had a significantly worse preoperative walking ability based on the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (relative risk 2.1; 95% confidence intervals 1.1-4.1). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that patients with LSDs did not necessarily improve their lipid metabolism after lumbar spinal surgery. Instead, female patients with LSDs had significantly deteriorated lipid metabolism after lumbar spinal surgery. Finally, a worse preoperative walking ability was associated with the improvement in excess VF accumulation after lumbar spinal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has a potential risk for postoperative pleural effusion. Although pleural effusion at an early period after PSF for AIS occurs with a relatively high frequency and occasionally requires some treatments, the impact of postoperative pleural effusion on future pulmonary function or lung volume (LV) has not been clarified to date. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pleural effusion after PSF for AIS on the postoperative pulmonary function and LV. METHODS: A total of 114 consecutive patients who underwent PSF for AIS followed up greater than 2 years at our institute were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated postoperative pleural effusion by computed tomography (CT) at the 1-week follow-up and divided patients into the pleural effusion (PF) and non-pleural effusion (NP) groups. We investigated spirometry parameters recorded for testing included vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), %VC, and FEV1% and measured the LV using CT images and a workstation at baseline and 2 years after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 87 (76.3%) patients with postoperative pleural effusion were identified, but all patients were asymptomatic and did not require additional treatment for postoperative pleural effusion. All pulmonary function parameters at the 2-year follow-up exhibited no significant differences between the two groups. Although preoperative left LV (1.21±0.30 L vs. 1.36±0.34 L; p=.022) and total LV (2.68±0.62 L vs. 2.99±0.73 L; p=.031) were significantly lower in the PF group than in the NP group, all postoperative LV parameters were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Pleural effusion at an early period after PSF for AIS was a postoperative occurrence without an impact on future pulmonary function and LV.

Bone marrow endothelial cells (BMECs) play a key role in bone formation and haematopoiesis. Although recent studies uncovered the cellular taxonomy of stromal compartments in the bone marrow (BM), the complexity of BMECs is not fully characterized. In the present study, using single-cell RNA sequencing, we defined a spatial heterogeneity of BMECs and identified a capillary subtype, termed type S (secondary ossification) endothelial cells (ECs), exclusively existing in the epiphysis. Type S ECs possessed unique phenotypic characteristics in terms of structure, plasticity and gene expression profiles. Genetic experiments showed that type S ECs atypically contributed to the acquisition of bone strength by secreting type I collagen, the most abundant bone matrix component. Moreover, these cells formed a distinct reservoir for haematopoietic stem cells. These findings provide the landscape for the cellular architecture in the BM vasculature and underscore the importance of epiphyseal ECs during bone and haematopoietic development.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics and symptoms of patients with hip osteoarthritis that are associated with spatiotemporal gait parameters, including their variability and asymmetry. DESIGN: A retrospective, cross-sectional study. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The study analyzed the gait analysis data of 155 patients (N=155) with hip osteoarthritis who were admitted to a university hospital for total hip replacement and were able to walk on a treadmill without a handrail. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The dependent variables were gait parameters during treadmill walking. These included gait speed, stride length, cadence, coefficient of variation of stride length and stride time, swing time symmetry index, and step symmetry index. Single and multiple regression analyses were conducted using independent variables of the characteristics and symptoms of the patients, including age, sex, height, pain, leg-length discrepancy, and muscle strength of the affected and normal sides measured with a hand-held dynamometer (iliopsoas, gluteus medius, and quadriceps). RESULTS: In the analysis, gait speed and stride were the dependent variables, whereas age, height, and muscle strength on the affected side were the significant independent variables (P<.05). Additionally, pain demonstrated a marginal association with gait speed (P=.053). Only the leg-length discrepancy correlated with cadence. When the coefficient of variation of the stride length was the dependent variable, age and muscle strength on the affected side were significant. For the swing time symmetry index, only the muscle strength on the affected side was significant. Furthermore, the step symmetry index only correlated with leg-length discrepancy. The muscle strength on the affected side was the only significant independent variable for the coefficient of variation of the stride time. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that each of the frequent clinical symptoms of hip osteoarthritis, such as pain, muscle weakness, and leg-length discrepancy, can explain different aspects of gait performance.

Background and Objectives: There are several advantages of using lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) for correction surgeries for adult spinal deformity (ASD); however, we currently have unresolved new issues, including occasional anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) rupture during the posterior correction procedure. When LLIF was initially introduced, only less lordotic cages were available and ALL rupture was more frequently experienced compared with later periods when more lordotic cages were available. We performed finite element analysis (FEA) regarding the mechanism of ALL rupture during a posterior correction procedure. Methods: A spring (which mimics ALL) was introduced at the location of ALL in the FEA and an LLIF cage with two different lordotic angles, 6 and 12 degrees (6DC/12DC), was employed. To assess the extent of burden on the ALL, the extension length of the spring during the correction procedure was measured and the location of the rotation center was examined. Results: We observed a significantly higher degree of length extension of the spring during the correction procedure in the FEA model with 6DC compared with that of 12DC. We also observed that the location of the rotation center was shifted posteriorly in the FEA model with 6DC compared with that of 12DC. Conclusions: It is considered that the posterior and rostral edge of the less lordotic angle cage became a hinge, and the longer lever arm increased the burden on ALL as the principle of leverage. It is important to use an LLIF cage with a sufficient lordotic angle, that is compatible with the degree of posterior osteotomy in ASD correction.

OBJECTIVES: Although cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) has a marked impact on locomotive function, few studies have evaluated this relationship in terms of locomotive syndrome. Thus, we assessed (i) the stages of locomotive syndrome in preoperative CSM patients using the 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale (GLFS-25), (ii) the correlation between GLFS-25 scores and the Japanese orthopaedic association (JOA) scores or the JOA cervical myelopathy evaluation questionnaire (JOACMEQ) scores, and (iii) the factors associated with stage 3 locomotive syndrome in preoperative CSM patients. METHODS: We used clinical data from 107 patients scheduled for cervical spinal surgery for CSM. Data were collected prior to surgery, and included age, gender, body mass index, medical history, JOA score, and JOACMEQ and GLFS-25 scores. RESULTS: Of the included CSM patients, 93.5% were diagnosed with locomotive syndrome, of whom 77.6% were stage 3 according to GLFS-25 evaluation. For the correlation between GLFS-25 and JOA or JOACMEQ, the upper and lower extremity function scores of JOACMEQ and the JOA were strongly inversely correlated with the GLFS-25 score. Finally, multivariate analysis suggested that severe lower extremity status in the JOACMEQ was significantly associated with stage 3 locomotive syndrome in preoperative CSM patients. CONCLUSIONS: Using the GLFS-25, we found that lower extremity status had the strongest association with stage 3 locomotive syndrome in preoperative CSM patients. These findings are useful for preventing CSM patients from requiring future nursing care.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the possibility of silver (Ag)-induced adverse events and the degree of bone fusion in posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery using an Ag-containing hydroxyapatite (HA) lumbar interbody cage. METHODS: An Ag-HA cage consisting of highly osteoconductive HA interfused with Ag was developed, and we applied it clinically at three university-affiliated hospitals from April 2020 to December 2020. During the 12-month postoperative observation period, Ag-related adverse events, neuropathy, and postoperative complications were investigated as indicators of safety, while clinical improvement and the fusion status were investigated as indicators of efficacy. Clinical improvement was defined as improvement beyond the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in the numerical rating scale (NRS; 1.6) for low back and lower limb pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI; 12.8). RESULTS: We performed lumbar interbody fusion using an Ag-HA cage for 48 patients (female, n = 25; mean age, 67.5 years). The mean preoperative NRS was 6.4 (standard deviation, 1.9), while the mean preoperative ODI was 44 [12]. No adverse effects (i.e., argyria) were identified during the 12-month observation period. Surgical site infection occurred in one case, although the implant was preserved via immediate debridement. In total, 39 (81%) participants showed clinical improvement beyond MCID for both NRS and ODI. Bone fusion was achieved at 45 levels (88%) at 6 months and 48 levels (91%) at 12 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that Ag-HA cages can be safely used in spinal fusion procedures and have the potential to prevent postoperative infections, prevent deterioration of the quality of life, and result in favorable outcomes. Larger-scale and longer-term follow-up studies will be required to corroborate these conclusions. Trial registration UMIN 000039964 (date: April 01, 2020).

INTRODUCTION: Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) has been introduced in Japan in 2013. Despite the effectiveness of this procedure, several considerable complications have been reported. This study reported the results of a nationwide survey performed by the Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research (JSSR) on the complications associated with LLIF performed in Japan. METHODS: JSSR members conducted a web-based survey following LLIF between 2015 and 2020. Any complications meeting the following criteria were included: (1) major vessel, (2) urinary tract, (3) renal, (4) visceral organ, (5) lung, (6) vertebral, (7) nerve, and (8) anterior longitudinal ligament injury; (9) weakness of psoas; (10) motor and (11) sensory deficit; (12) surgical site infection; and (13) other complications. The complications were analyzed in all LLIF patients, and the differences in incidence and type of complications between the transpsoas (TP) and prepsoas (PP) approaches were compared. RESULTS: Among the 13,245 LLIF patients (TP 6,198 patients [47%] and PP 7,047 patients [53%]), 389 complications occurred in 366 (2.76%) patients. The most common complication was sensory deficit (0.5%), followed by motor deficit (0.43%) and weakness of psoas muscle (0.22%). Among the patient cohort, 100 patients (0.74%) required revision surgery during the survey period. Almost half of the complications developed in patients with spinal deformity (183 patients [47.0%]). Four patients (0.03%) died from complications. Statistically more frequent complications occurred in the TP approach than in the PP approach (TP vs. PP, 220 patients [3.55%] vs. 169 patients [2.40%]; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The overall complication rate was 2.76%, and 0.74% of the patients required revision surgery because of complications. Four patients died from complications. LLIF may be beneficial for degenerative lumbar conditions with acceptable complications; however, the indication for spinal deformity should be carefully determined by the experience of the surgeon and the extent of the deformity.

Spinal diseases are commonly associated with pain and neurological symptoms, which negatively impact patients' quality of life. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous source of multiple growth factors and cytokines, with the potential to promote tissue regeneration. Recently, PRP has been widely used for the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases, including spinal diseases, in clinics. Given the increasing popularity of PRP therapy, this article examines the current literature for basic research and emerging clinical applications of this therapy for treating spinal diseases. First, we review in vitro and in vivo studies, evaluating the potential of PRP in repairing intervertebral disc degeneration, promoting bone union in spinal fusion surgeries, and aiding in neurological recovery from spinal cord injury. Second, we address the clinical applications of PRP in treating degenerative spinal disease, including its analgesic effect on low back pain and radicular pain, as well as accelerating bone union during spinal fusion surgery. Basic research demonstrates the promising regenerative potential of PRP, and clinical studies have reported on the safety and efficacy of PRP therapy for treating several spinal diseases. Nevertheless, further high-quality randomized controlled trials would be required to establish clinical evidence of PRP therapy.