Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate pain, functional impairment, mental health, and daily activity in patients with end-stage hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods The study included 63 patients, with hip or knee OA, who had been scheduled for arthroplasty that was postponed because of COVID-19. Patients were evaluated by telephone interviews during the first week after lockdown, in the fourth week, and again at the end of the lockdown. Patients rated their pain level on the basis of a visual analog scale (VAS) and completed WOMAC, SF-12 and Tegner activity scale (TAS) questionnaires. Results VAS and WOMAC scores increased significantly during lockdown, while physical activity significantly decreased. At the final evaluation, VAS and WOMAC showed a significant negative correlation with TAS. The SF-12 subscale scores showed a significant decrease of the physical component during the lockdown, while the mental component remained largely unchanged. Patients with knee OA showed a faster progress of pain compared to those with hip OA. 50 patients (79%) stated they wished to have arthroplasty as soon as possible. Conclusion The COVID-19 lockdown had a significant impact on pain, joint function, physical function, and physical activity in patients with end-stage hip and knee OA. Level of evidence II (Prospective cohort study).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSETo identify and evaluate diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features in patients with suspicion of discoligamentous cervical injury after hyperextension trauma of the cervical spine.METHODSMR images with a standard protocol (1.5 T, including sagittal T2‐weighted images and short tau inversion recovery [STIR]) in 21 patients without any sign of fracture or instability on multidetector computed tomography of the cervical spine were assessed. Among other structures we evaluated the following: prevertebral hematoma, anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL), intervertebral disc, and spinal cord. Presence and the anatomic level of injury were identified and recorded. Results were then compared with intraoperative findings as a reference standard. Simple descriptive statistical analysis, agreement coefficients (given by calculating the percent agreement), and the determination of Gwet's AC1 coefficient were used to analyze our results.RESULTSThe overall percent agreement between STIR and intraoperative findings was 90.9% (AC1 = .881) and for T2 69.7% (AC1 = .498). For the ALL, the overall agreement was 87.9% (AC1 = .808) and for the intervertebral disc 78.8% (AC1 = .673), in which STIR always showed a higher agreement. Prevertebral hematoma was found in 20 of 21 patients with the maximum thickness at the same anatomic level as the intraoperatively proven lesion in 12 of 18 patients (67%). Edema and/or hemorrhage of the spinal cord was shown in 16 of 21 being at the same anatomic level as the intraoperatively confirmed pathology in 16 of 16 patients (100%).CONCLUSIONSMRI is a reliable tool for the evaluation of discoligamentous injuries in the cervical spine, with ancillary features proven as helpful information.

IntroductionIn combined posterior–anterior stabilization of thoracolumbar burst fractures, the expandable vertebral body replacement device (VBRD) is typically placed bisegmentally for anterior column reconstruction (ACR). The aim of this study, however, was to assess feasibility, outcome and potential pitfalls of monosegmental ACR using a VBRD. In addition, clinical and radiological outcome of monosegmental ACR was related to that of bisegmental ACR using the same thoracoscopic technique.MethodsThirty-seven consecutive neurologically intact patients with burst fractures of the thoracolumbar junction (T11–L2) treated by combined posterior–anterior stabilization were included. Monosegmental ACR was performed in 18 and bisegmental ACR in 19 patients. Fracture type and extent of vertebral body comminution were determined on preoperative CT scans. Monosegmental and bisegmental kyphosis angles were analyzed preoperatively, postoperatively and at final radiological follow-up. Clinical outcome was assessed after a minimum of 2 years (74 ± 45 months; range 24–154; follow-up rate 89.2%) using VAS Spine Score, RMDQ, ODI and WHOQOL-BREF.ResultsMonosegmental ACR resulted in a mean monosegmental and bisegmental surgical correction of − 15.6 ± 7.7° and − 14.7 ± 8.1°, respectively. Postoperative monosegmental and bisegmental loss of correction averaged 2.7 ± 2.7° and 5.2 ± 3.7°, respectively. Two surgical pitfalls of monosegmental ACR were identified: VBRD positioning (1) onto the weak cancellous bone (too far cranially to the inferior endplate of the fractured vertebra) and (2) onto a significantly compromised inferior endplate with at least two (even subtle) fracture lines. Ignoring these pitfalls resulted in VBRD subsidence in five cases. When relating the clinical and radiological outcome of monosegmental ACR to that of bisegmental ACR, no significant differences were found, except for frequency of VBRD subsidence (5 vs. 0, P = 0.02) and bisegmental loss of correction (5.2 ± 3.7° vs. 2.6 ± 2.5°, P = 0.022). After exclusion of cases with VBRD subsidence, the latter did not reach significance anymore (4.9 ± 4.0° vs. 2.6 ± 2.5°, P = 0.084).ConclusionsThis study indicates that monosegmental ACR using a VBRD is feasible in thoracolumbar burst fractures if the inferior endplate is intact (incomplete burst fractures) or features only a single simple split fracture line (burst-split fractures). If the two identified pitfalls are avoided, monosegmental ACR may be a viable alternative to bisegmental ACR in selected thoracolumbar burst fractures to spare a motion segment and to reduce the distance for bony fusion.