Fractures of the distal humerus in the adult comprise approximately one third of all humeral fractures. Successful management of distal humerus fractures depends on correct reduction of the fracture, reconstruction of the articular surface if needed, stability and rigidity of the fixation, and appropriate rehabilitation. In this review, we evaluated the available literature and highlighted current therapy concepts. We assessed the evolution of internal fixation and elbow arthroplasty focusing on the established surgical approaches against the background of a growing incidence of distal humeral fractures in an aging patient population. Therefore evaluating the aspect and influence of age-dependent comorbidities like osteoporosis on successful treatment.
Purpose
Chronic Achilles tendinopathy is one of the most common causes of malfunction and pain, which can lead to a significant reduction of the quality of life. The hypothesis of this study argues that autologous conditioned serum (i.e. Orthokine) injections in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy have a better outcome than eccentric training.
Methods
This study investigates, retrospectively, the effects of peritendinous autologous conditioned serum injections as compared to standard eccentric training in 50 patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy between 2012 and 2015. Before injection or eccentric training and 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 6 months thereafter, the patients were assessed by means of the VISA‐A‐G score (Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment‐Achilles questionnaire—German). An MRI was also performed before and 6 months after injection and eccentric training.
Results
Both patient groups had statistically significant better VISA‐A‐G scores after injection or eccentric training compared to the baseline before injection (90 vs 40, respectively, P < 0.001) or eccentric training (81 vs 47, respectively, P < 0.001). Comparing the baseline corrected VISA‐A‐G scores, patients in the autologous‐conditioned‐serum‐group had significantly higher changes in VISA‐A‐G scores than the eccentric‐training‐group after 12 weeks (40 vs 36, P = 0.018) and 6 months (50 vs 34, P = 0.034). Both patient groups had statistically significant (P < 0.001) reduction of tendon thickness (autologous conditioned serum: 0.32; eccentric training: 0.24) and length of bursa (autologous conditioned serum: 0.24; eccentric training: 0.21) as well as significant (P < 0.001) improvement of tendon quality in MRI (autologous conditioned serum: 14 vs 1; eccentric training: 14 vs 2). There were no statistical differences in MRI‐findings between the two groups.
Conclusion
Both therapies led to improvement of MRI‐findings, including reduction of tendon thickness and tendon quality. Autologous‐conditioned‐serum‐injections show greater clinical long‐term benefit as compared to eccentric training and, therefore, offers a good alternative to eccentric training.
Level of evidence
Therapeutic studies, Level III.
ObjectiveDuring a high-altitude expedition, the association of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) parameters with the risk of developing acute mountain sickness (AMS) and the chance of reaching the summit were investigated.MethodsThirty-nine subjects underwent maximal CPET at lowlands and during ascent to Mount Himlung Himal (7126 m) at 4844 m, before and after 12 days of acclimatisation, and at 6022 m. Daily records of Lake-Louise-Score (LLS) determined AMS. Participants were categorised as AMS+ if moderate to severe AMS occurred.ResultsMaximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) decreased by 40.5%±13.7% at 6022 m and improved after acclimatisation (all p<0.001). Ventilation at maximal exercise (VEmax) was reduced at 6022 m, but higher VEmaxwas related to summit success (p=0.031). In the 23 AMS+ subjects (mean LLS 7.4±2.4), a pronounced exercise-induced oxygen desaturation (ΔSpO2exercise) was found after arrival at 4844 m (p=0.005). ΔSpO2exercise>-14.0% identified 74% of participants correctly with a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 81% for predicting moderate to severe AMS. All 15 summiteers showed higher V̇O2max(p<0.001), and a higher risk of AMS in non-summiteers was suggested but did not reach statistical significance (OR: 3.64 (95% CI: 0.78 to 17.58), p=0.057). V̇O2max≥49.0 mL/min/kg at lowlands and ≥35.0 mL/min/kg at 4844 m predicted summit success with a sensitivity of 46.7% and 53.3%, and specificity of 83.3% and 91.3%, respectively.ConclusionSummiteers were able to sustain higher VEmaxthroughout the expedition. Baseline V̇O2maxbelow 49.0 mL/min/kg was associated with a high chance of 83.3% for summit failure, when climbing without supplemental oxygen. A pronounced drop of SpO2exerciseat 4844 m may identify climbers at higher risk of AMS.
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