Background In osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, supplementation using vitamin D preparations and maintenance of blood vitamin D level within the normal range are necessary for proper fracture union, enhancement of muscle strength, and maintenance of body balance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on blood vitamin D level, pain relief, union time, and functional outcome in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture and vitamin D deficiency. Methods One hundred thirty patients who were deficient in blood vitamin D level and had osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture were divided into supplementation group and non-supplementation group. Initially, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the injury, radiographs were taken to assess fracture union, and questionnaires were evaluated to evaluate the functional outcome and quality of life. Results The mean age of the 130 patients (36 males and 94 females) was 74.75 ± 7.25 years. There were no statistically significant differences in initial severity of low back pain, functional outcome, and quality of life between the insufficient group and the deficient group (all p values were > 0.05). There was no significant time-by-group interaction between the supplementation group and the non-supplementation group (p = 0.194). In terms of SF-36 physical component score, there was no significant time-by-group interaction between the supplementation group and the non-supplementation group (p = 0.934). Conclusions Fracture union was achieved in all patients regardless of serum vitamin D level, and there were significant improvements in severity of low back pain, functional outcome, and quality of life over 12 months in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. Short-term vitamin D supplementation of patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture and deficiency of vitamin D did not result in significant differences in fracture union status, functional outcome, and quality of life between the supplementation groups and the non-supplementation groups of patients.

Study Design. Retrospective study of data collected prospectively. Objective. To investigate changes in the degree of lower leg radiating pain (LLRP) after selective nerve root block (SNRB) and to evaluate associations of this change with postoperative improvements in symptom severity, functional outcomes, and quality of life. Summary of Background Data. SNRB is routinely performed as an initial treatment for lumbar foraminal or lateral recess stenosis with LLRP. The degree of improvement after SNRB has been suggested to predict the improvement in postoperative pain and functional outcomes. However, there have been no studies on the predictive value of this parameter.Methods. We enrolled 60 patients who underwent SNRB followed by decompressive surgery. They were divided into three groups. The degree of improvement was evaluated as a percentage of the pre-injection values. Functional outcomes of the spine were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Quality of life was assessed using the 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36) physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS). The degree of LLRP was measured preoperatively and at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. These functional outcomes were evaluated preoperatively and at 12 and 24 months after surgery. Results. The improvement in LLRP in the short term (6 hours after SNRB) was found to be statistically significantly associated with the improvement in LLRP at 12 months after SNRB (P ¼ 0.044, correlation coefficient ¼ 0.261). No relationship between pain improvement after SNRB and functional outcome was identified. Conclusion.The degree of improvement in symptoms 6 hours after SNRB can predict the degree of improvement in LLRP at 12 months after surgery. However, symptomatic improvement after SNRB does not predict postoperative functional outcome or quality of life.

Background: This study was conducted to compare the radiological and clinical outcomes of internal fixation using a Polarus humeral nail for treatment of a humeral shaft fracture according to fracture types.Methods: From 43 patients, 13 were excluded and 30 patients were included. The 30 patients were divided into 2 groups: 15 in group I (Orthopaedic Trauma Association/Arbeitsgemeinschaft f?r Osteosynthesefragen classification type A and B) and 15 in group II (type C). The mean age was 63.1 years (range, 20?87 years), and mean follow-up period was 2.3 years (range, 1.0?6.1 years). The causes of injuries were as follows: 12, traffic accidents; 14, simple slips; 2, simple falls; 2, contusions after lower energy trauma. Radiological and clinical evaluations were performed.Results: Radiological union was confirmed by plain anteroposterior and lateral radiographs on average of 5.0 months in group I, and 8.4 months in group II, respectively. Differences between the two groups were statistically significant (<i>p</i><0.01). The clinical union value was 1.6 in group I, and 2.0 months in group II, but these values did not differ significantly (<i>p</i>=0.441). The mean Korean shoulder scoring system scores were 89.7 and 90.6, which did not differ significantly (<i>p</i>=0.352).Conclusions: Intramedullary nailing using the Polarus humeral nail is considered to be a good treatment modality for all types of humeral shaft fractures. Additionally, the Polarus humeral nail can be an optimal choice for the treatment of complex type fractures such as segmental or comminuted humeral shaft fractures.

Background Selective nerve root block (SNRB) was shown to effectively control radiating pain and reduce the need for surgical intervention. However, repetitive injections may trigger corticosteroid‐induced side effects (hypercorticism, hyperglycemia, or fluid retention). This study aims to compare the potency of hyaluronic acid‐carboxymethylcellulose (HA‐CMC) solution versus that of corticosteroids regarding lower leg radiating pain (LLRP) improvement and functional outcome. Methods Among 128 patients, 44 patients who complain about having LLRP due to lumbar spinal stenosis and do not have neurological symptoms requiring surgery were enrolled for this study. Group A with 22 patients injected with cocktail A (local anesthetics and corticosteroid) and group B with 22 patients injected with cocktail B (local anesthetics and HA‐CMC). Outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and short form‐36 (SF‐36). All patients were asked to fill in the questionnaires during the follow‐up assessment period at 3 days, 7 days, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Results In all time periods, there were no statistical differences between the two groups for VAS scores and VAS improvement over time, ODI scores and ODI improvement over time, and SF‐36 PCS scores and SF‐36 mental component score scores. Additionally, the 95% confidence interval of the difference in VAS score improvement between the 2 groups in all time periods was within VAS 5.0, which is the minimum clinically relevant difference. Conclusions Considering the adverse effects of corticosteroids, and the similar LLRP improvements, functional outcome, and quality of life, the HA‐CMC solution may be an alternative option to corticosteroid in SNRB.

The aim of this study was to estimate the degree of normalization of C-reactive protein (CRP) at 2-weeks and 4-weeks after hip arthroplasty after femoral neck fracture. We also wished to determine whether the degree of CRP normalization differs after total hip arthroplasty (THA) compared to bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BH). We also wanted to analyze the patient factors that may influence CRP normalization. We conducted a retrospective study of 135 patients who had undergone THA (32 cases) or BH (103 cases) for femoral neck fracture by single surgeon from January 2015 to December 2019. We analyzed CRP levels during the preoperative period, the early postoperative period, the 2-week postoperative period, and the 4-week postoperative period. In THA, CRP was normalized in 4 patients (12.5%) and in 15 patients (46.9%) within 2-weeks and 4-weeks after surgery, respectively. In BH, CRP was normalized in 16 patients (15.5%) and in 52 patients (50.5%) within 2-weeks and 4-weeks after surgery, respectively. There were no statistical differences between THA and BH. Compared to women, men were 3.78 (95% confidence interval, 1.05–13.63) times less likely to have normalized CRP at 2-weeks after surgery ( P = .042). Compared to women, men were 3.01 (95% confidence interval, 1.44–6.27) times less likely to have normalized CRP at 4-weeks after surgery ( P = .003). Only 50% of patient's CRP level was normalized during 4-week postoperative period. In men, CRP levels were significantly higher than women in whole period. In the case of THA, the CRP level was higher only in early postoperative period compared to BH, and there was no difference since then.