@article{HeinzEidmannAndersonetal.2023, author = {Heinz, Tizian and Eidmann, Annette and Anderson, Philip and Weißenberger, Manuel and Jakuscheit, Axel and Rudert, Maximilian and Stratos, Ioannis}, title = {Trends in computer-assisted surgery for total knee arthroplasty in Germany: an analysis based on the operative procedure classification system between 2010 to 2021}, series = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, volume = {12}, journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, number = {2}, issn = {2077-0383}, doi = {10.3390/jcm12020549}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-304879}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Alignment strategies for primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have changed significantly over time with a shift towards a more individualized alignment goal. At the same time, computer-assisted surgery (CAS) has gained interest for intraoperative control and accuracy in implant positioning and limb alignment. Despite the often discussed benefits and drawbacks of robotics and navigation for TKA, the routine use of these new devices on a day-to-day basis remains obscure. Therefore, nationwide hospital billing data based on the Operation Procedure Classification System (OPS) were retrieved from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany for the period from 2010 to 2021. OPS codes for primary total knee arthroplasty (OPS code: 5-822*) were further analyzed regarding the usage of computer navigation (additional OPS code: 5-988) or robotic devices (additional OPS code: 5-987). Gender and age at the time of surgery were also assessed. The results show a total of 2,226,559 primary TKAs were implanted between 2010 and 2021, of which 2,044,914 were performed conventionally (91.84\% of all TKAs). A total of 170,276 TKAs were performed using navigation technique (7.65\% of all TKAs) and another 11,369 TKAs were performed using robotics (0.51\% of all TKAs). For the period from 2018 to 2021, a substantial increase in robot-assisted TKA (R-TKA) was observed, with an average increase rate of 84.74\% per year, while the number of navigated TKAs declined (-3.67\% per year). Computer-assisted surgery, and particularly robotics for TKA, are seeing growing popularity and stepwise translation into routine clinical use in Germany, with a steep increase rate of more than 80\% per year since 2018. Nevertheless, the majority of TKAs are still performed using manual instrumentation, rendering conventional TKA the currently unchanged gold standard.}, language = {en} } @article{EidmannEisertRudertetal.2022, author = {Eidmann, Annette and Eisert, Marius and Rudert, Maximilian and Stratos, Ioannis}, title = {Influence of Vitamin D and C on bone marrow edema syndrome — A scoping review of the literature}, series = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, volume = {11}, journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, number = {22}, issn = {2077-0383}, doi = {10.3390/jcm11226820}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-297356}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Bone marrow edema syndrome (BMES) is a rare disease with a largely unknown etiology. The aim of this scoping review is to systematically evaluate and combine the available evidence about vitamin D and C and BMES. The analysis of the manuscripts was based on country of origin, number of patients, gender, study type, epidemiology, localization, bone mineral density measurements, vitamin status and therapy. Sixty studies were included. The overall number of patients was 823 with a male-to-female ratio of 1.55:1 and a mean age of 40.9 years. Studies were very heterogeneous and of diverging scientific scope with a weak level of evidence. The hip was the most affected joint, followed by the foot and ankle and the knee; 18.3\% of patients suffered from multifocal BMES. Sixteen studies reported on vitamin D levels, resulting in a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (47\%) and insufficiency (17.9\%) among BMES patients. Three BME manuscripts were associated with vitamin C deficiency. Current therapeutic interventions include conservative measures (mainly unloading), various osteoactive drugs and iloprost. In summary, data about BMES in association with vitamin status is limited. A causal relationship between vitamin D or vitamin C status, osteopenia, and BMES cannot be determined from the existing literature.}, language = {en} } @article{EidmannEwaldBoelchetal.2021, author = {Eidmann, Annette and Ewald, Andrea and Boelch, Sebastian P. and Rudert, Maximilian and Holzapfel, Boris M. and Stratos, Ioannis}, title = {In vitro evaluation of antibacterial efficacy of vancomycin-loaded suture tapes and cerclage wires}, series = {Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine}, volume = {32}, journal = {Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1007/s10856-021-06513-x}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-260089}, pages = {42}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Usage of implants containing antibiotic agents has been a common strategy to prevent implant related infections in orthopedic surgery. Unfortunately, most implants with microbial repellent properties are characterized by accessibility limitations during daily clinical practice. Aim of this in vitro study was to investigate whether suture tapes and cerclage wires, which were treated with vancomycin, show a sustainable antibacterial activity. For this purpose, we used 24 stainless steel wire cerclages and 24 ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and polyester suture tape test bodies. The test bodies were incubated for 30 min. in 100 mg/ml vancomycin solution or equivalent volumes of 0.9\% NaCl. After measuring the initial solution uptake of the test bodies, antibacterial efficacy via agar diffusion test with Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin elution tests were performed 1, 2, 3, and 6 days after incubation. Vancomycin-loaded tapes as well as vancomycin-loaded cerclage wires demonstrated increased bacterial growth inhibition when compared to NaCl-treated controls. Vancomycin-loaded tapes showed an additional twofold and eightfold increase of bacterial growth inhibition compared to vancomycin-loaded wires at day 1 and 2, respectively. Elution tests at day 1 revealed high levels of vancomycin concentration in vancomycin loaded tapes and wires. Additionally, the concentration in vancomycin loaded tapes was 14-fold higher when compared to vancomycin loaded wires. Incubating suture tapes and cerclage wires in vancomycin solution showed a good short-term antibacterial activity compared to controls. Considering the ease of vancomycin application on suture tapes or wires, our method could represent an attractive therapeutic strategy in biofilm prevention in orthopedic surgery.}, language = {en} } @article{HeinzWildEidmannetal.2023, author = {Heinz, Tizian and Wild, Moritz and Eidmann, Annette and Weißenberger, Manuel and Rak, Dominik and Nedopil, Alexander Johannes and Rudert, Maximilian and Stratos, Ioannis}, title = {Impact of COVID-19 on fracture incidence in germany: a comparative age and gender analysis of pre- and post-outbreak periods}, series = {Healthcare}, volume = {11}, journal = {Healthcare}, number = {15}, issn = {2227-9032}, doi = {10.3390/healthcare11152139}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-362686}, year = {2023}, abstract = {In March 2020, Germany imposed a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19, prompting questions about the impact on the incidence of common fractures. This study examined 15 fracture types in pre-outbreak (2010-2019) and post-outbreak (2020-2021) periods, using data categorized by age (18-64 years, 65 years) and sex (male, female). Linear regression assessed annual growth rates, and mean fracture numbers were compared across periods for significant differences. Results indicated a positive correlation between fracture incidence rates and time for various types, such as cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and pelvic spine fractures, rib fractures, femoral neck, pertrochanteric femur, femoral shaft, and ankle fractures. Frequencies of proximal humerus, distal radius, femoral neck, pertrochanteric femur, femoral shaft, and ankle fractures in 2020 and 2021 were within predicted ranges from previous years. However, rib fractures and spinal fractures (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and pelvic spine) occurred less frequently during this time. Notably, this study found a consistent decline in most fracture types for individuals aged 18-64 after the pandemic's onset, while the fracture incidence of hip fractures, often referred to as fragility fractures, for those over 65 remained unchanged. Fibula fractures showed the most considerable decrease in both age groups. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic substantially impacted fracture incidence, with lower rates among individuals under 65 and unchanged fragility fractures in the elderly population.}, language = {en} } @article{EidmannHeinzOberfeldetal.2023, author = {Eidmann, Annette and Heinz, Tizian and Oberfeld, Jan and Weißenberger, Manuel and Rudert, Maximilian and Stratos, Ioannis}, title = {Epidemiology and trends in cartilage surgery of the foot and ankle in Germany: an analysis of national healthcare billing and reporting data from 2006 to 2020}, series = {Medicina}, volume = {59}, journal = {Medicina}, number = {7}, issn = {1648-9144}, doi = {10.3390/medicina59071256}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-362835}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Background and objectives: Cartilage surgery constitutes a standard intervention in foot and ankle procedures. Currently, there is a lack of epidemiological data on its frequency, age distribution, and surgical options for cartilage surgery. This study aimed to investigate the current landscape of cartilage surgery in Germany and identify the most common procedures from an epidemiological standpoint. Materials and methods: Medical billing and reporting data from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, encompassing the period 2006-2020, was examined, including all foot and ankle cartilage surgical procedures (summarized under OPS codes 5-812 and 5-801). The dataset incorporated information on the affected joint, patient age and sex, and surgery type. Each surgical procedure was categorized as "debridement", "regeneration" or "refixation". Linear and nonlinear regression analyses were employed, with a statistical significance threshold of 0.05. Results: From the total of 136,501 procedures conducted during the study period, the most frequently performed interventions were microfracture (58,252) and chondroplasty (56,135), and thus, debridement procedures were in the leading position. The use of acellular membranes was the most used regenerative technique (n = 11,414). At the ankle joint, interventions were mostly arthroscopic and in men, while foot cartilage surgeries were preferably performed via open surgery and mostly in women. Age distribution analysis revealed two primary peaks: the first in the 20-25-year-old group (ankle and foot) and the second in the 45-50-year-old group (ankle) and 55-60-year-old group (foot). Refixation and regenerative procedures were more frequent among younger individuals, while debriding procedures were more frequent among older individuals. Regenerative procedures, particularly in the ankle, significantly increased over time. Conclusions: Cartilage surgery of the foot and ankle was common, with two primary age groups predominantly affected. Notably, recent years have witnessed a considerable rise in cartilage regenerative procedures.}, language = {en} } @article{HeinzEidmannJakuscheitetal.2023, author = {Heinz, Tizian and Eidmann, Annette and Jakuscheit, Axel and Laux, Tino and Rudert, Maximilian and Stratos, Ioannis}, title = {Demographics and trends for inbound medical tourism in Germany for orthopedic patients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic}, series = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}, volume = {20}, journal = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}, number = {2}, issn = {1660-4601}, doi = {10.3390/ijerph20021209}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-304955}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Medical tourism is a rapidly growing sector of economic growth and diversification. However, data on the demographics and characteristics of the traveling patients are sparse. In this study, we analyzed the common demographic properties and characteristics of the inbound medical tourists seeking orthopedic medical care in Germany for the years 2010 to 2019 compared to a domestic group. At the same time, we examined how the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak of 2020 changed the field of medical tourism in Germany. Calculations were performed using administrative hospital data provided by the Federal Statistical Department of Germany. Data were analyzed from the years 2010 to 2020. A total of six elective orthopedic surgery codes (bone biopsy, knee arthroplasty, foot surgery, osteotomy, hardware removal, and arthrodesis) were identified as key service indicators for medical tourism and further analyzed. Factors including residence, sex, year, and type of elective surgery were modeled using linear regression analysis. Age and sex distributions were compared between patients living inside Germany (DE) or outside Germany (non-DE). Between 2010 and 2020, 6,261,801 orthopedic procedures were coded for the DE group and 27,420 key procedures were identified for the non-DE group. Medical tourists were predominantly male and significantly younger than the domestic population. The linear regression analysis of the OPS codes over the past years showed a significantly different slope between the DE and non-DE groups only for the OPS code "hardware removal". With the COVID-19 pandemic, an overall decline in performed orthopedic procedures was observed for the non-DE and the DE group. A significant reduction below the 95\% prediction bands for the year 2020 could be shown for hardware removal and foot surgery (for DE), and for hardware removal, knee arthroplasty, foot surgery, and osteotomy (for non-DE). This study is the first to quantify inbound medical tourism in elective orthopedic surgery in Germany. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected many — but not all — areas of orthopedic surgery. It has to be seen how this negative trend will develop in the future.}, language = {en} } @article{EidmannKamawalLuedemannetal.2023, author = {Eidmann, Annette and Kamawal, Yama and Luedemann, Martin and Raab, Peter and Rudert, Maximilian and Stratos, Ioannis}, title = {Demographics and etiology for lower extremity amputations — experiences of an university orthopaedic center in Germany}, series = {Medicina}, volume = {59}, journal = {Medicina}, number = {2}, issn = {1648-9144}, doi = {10.3390/medicina59020200}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-304856}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Background and Objectives: Currently, the worldwide incidence of major amputations in the general population is decreasing whereas the incidence of minor amputations is increasing. The purpose of our study was to analyze whether this trend is reflected among orthopaedic patients treated with lower extremity amputation in our orthopaedic university institution. Materials and Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study and included patients referred to our orthopaedic department for lower extremity amputation (LEA) between January 2007 and December 2019. Acquired data were the year of amputation, age, sex, level of amputation and cause of amputation. T test and Chi² test were performed to compare age and amputation rates between males and females; significance was defined as p < 0.05. Linear regression and multivariate logistic regression models were used to test time trends and to calculate probabilities for LEA. Results: A total of 114 amputations of the lower extremity were performed, of which 60.5\% were major amputations. The number of major amputations increased over time with a rate of 0.6 amputation/year. Men were significantly more often affected by LEA than women. Age of LEA for men was significantly below the age of LEA for women (men: 54.8 ± 2.8 years, women: 64.9 ± 3.2 years, p = 0.021). Main causes leading to LEA were tumors (28.9\%) and implant-associated complications (25.4\%). Implant-associated complications and age raised the probability for major amputation, whereas malformation, angiopathies and infections were more likely to cause a minor amputation. Conclusions: Among patients in our orthopaedic institution, etiology of amputations of the lower extremity is multifactorial and differs from other surgical specialties. The number of major amputations has increased continuously over the past years. Age and sex, as well as diagnosis, influence the type and level of amputation.}, language = {en} }