@article{StratosHellerRudert2022, author = {Stratos, Ioannis and Heller, Karl-Dieter and Rudert, Maximilian}, title = {German surgeons' technical preferences for performing total hip arthroplasties: a survey from the National Endoprosthesis Society}, series = {International Orthopaedics}, volume = {46}, journal = {International Orthopaedics}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1007/s00264-021-05188-x}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-266350}, pages = {733-739}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Purpose The goal of our study was to conduct an online survey that highlights patterns of practice during total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods The survey was conducted in June and August 2020. Three hundred thirteen members of the German Society for Endoprosthesis participated in the survey. Results The anterolateral approach is by far the most popular approach used for primary total hip arthroplasty, followed by the anterior approach during minimally invasive (55\% for the anterolateral and 29\% for the anterior) and regular surgery (52\% for the anterolateral and 20\% for the anterior). Two-thirds of the orthopaedic surgeons do not use drainages during THA. Moreover, 80\% of the survey participants routinely apply tranexamic acid during surgery. Surgeons who perform minimally invasive surgery for THA use more frequently fast-track-concepts for post-operative rehabilitation. According to the interviewees, the application of fast-track-concepts leads to reduced periods of hospital stay after THA. Conclusion Our data demonstrate that patterns of practice during THA in Germany are in line with the evidence provided by current literature. This study can be seen as a stimulus to conduct similar surveys in other countries in order to promote minimally invasive surgery for THA.}, language = {en} } @article{PrasseStratosNiehoffetal.2022, author = {Prasse, Tobias and Stratos, Ioannis and Niehoff, Anja and Christ, Hildegard and Heck, Vincent and Meyer, Carolin and Mittlmeier, Thomas}, title = {Bisphenol A-related effects on bone morphology and biomechanical properties in an animal model}, series = {Toxics}, volume = {10}, journal = {Toxics}, number = {2}, issn = {2305-6304}, doi = {10.3390/toxics10020086}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-262216}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Bisphenol A (BPA), which is contained in numerous plastic products, is known to act as an endocrine-disruptive, toxic, and carcinogenic chemical. This experimental series sought to determine the influence of BPA exposure on the femoral bone architecture and biomechanical properties of male and female Wistar rats. BPA was applied subcutaneously by using osmotic pumps. After 12 weeks, the bones were analyzed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and a three-point bending test. Comparing the female low- and high-dose groups, a significantly greater marrow area (p = 0.047) was identified in the group exposed to a higher BPA concentration. In addition, the trabecular number tended to be higher in the female high-dose group when compared to the low-dose group (p > 0.05). The area moment of inertia also tended to be higher in the male high-dose group when compared to the male low-dose group (p > 0.05). Considering our results, BPA-related effects on the bone morphology in female Wistar rats are osteoanabolic after high-dose exposure, while, in male rats, a tendency toward negative effects on the bone morphology in terms of a reduced cross-sectional cortical area and total area could be demonstrated.}, language = {en} } @article{StratosScarlatRudert2021, author = {Stratos, Ioannis and Scarlat, Marius M. and Rudert, Maximilian}, title = {Bibliometrics of orthopaedic articles published by authors of Germanophone countries}, series = {International Orthopaedics}, volume = {45}, journal = {International Orthopaedics}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1007/s00264-021-05052-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-266343}, pages = {1121-1124}, year = {2021}, abstract = {No abstract available.}, 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{StratosBehrendtAnselmetal.2022, author = {Stratos, Ioannis and Behrendt, Ann-Kathrin and Anselm, Christian and Gonzalez, Aldebarani and Mittlmeier, Thomas and Vollmar, Brigitte}, title = {Inhibition of TNF-α restores muscle force, inhibits inflammation, and reduces apoptosis of traumatized skeletal muscles}, series = {Cells}, volume = {11}, journal = {Cells}, number = {15}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells11152397}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-286094}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background: Muscle injuries are common in humans and are often associated with irrecoverable damage and disability. Upon muscle injury, TNF-α signaling pathways modulate the healing process and are predominantly associated with tissue degradation. In this study we assumed that TNF-α inhibition could reduce the TNF-α-associated tissue degradation after muscle injury. Materials and methods: Therefore, the left soleus muscle of 42 male Wistar rats was injured using a standardized open muscle injury model. All rats were treated immediately after injury either with infliximab (single i.p. injection; 10 mg/kg b.w.) or saline solution i.p. Final measurements were conducted at day one, four, and 14 post injury. The muscle force, the muscle cell proliferation, the muscle cell coverage as well as the myofiber diameter served as read out parameters of our experiment. Results: Systemic application of infliximab could significantly reduce the TNF-α levels in the injured muscle at day four upon trauma compared to saline treated animals. The ratio of muscle weight to body weight was increased and the twitch muscle force showed a significant rise 14 days after trauma and TNF-α inhibition. Quantification of myofiber diameter in the penumbra zone showed a significant difference between both groups at day one and four after injury, indicated by muscle hypertrophy in the infliximab group. Planimetric analysis of the injured muscle at day 14 revealed increased muscle tissue fraction in the infliximab group compared to the control animals. Muscle cell proliferation did not differ between both groups. Conclusions: These data provide evidence that the TNF-α blockade positively regulates the restauration of skeletal muscles upon injury.}, language = {en} } @article{StratosRinasSchroepferetal.2023, author = {Stratos, Ioannis and Rinas, Ingmar and Schr{\"o}pfer, Konrad and Hink, Katharina and Herlyn, Philipp and B{\"a}umler, Mario and Histing, Tina and Bruhn, Sven and M{\"u}ller-Hilke, Brigitte and Menger, Michael D. and Vollmar, Brigitte and Mittlmeier, Thomas}, title = {Effects on bone and muscle upon treadmill interval training in hypogonadal male rats}, series = {Biomedicines}, volume = {11}, journal = {Biomedicines}, number = {5}, issn = {2227-9059}, doi = {10.3390/biomedicines11051370}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-319266}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Testosterone deficiency in males is linked to various pathological conditions, including muscle and bone loss. This study evaluated the potential of different training modalities to counteract these losses in hypogonadal male rats. A total of 54 male Wistar rats underwent either castration (ORX, n = 18) or sham castration (n = 18), with 18 castrated rats engaging in uphill, level, or downhill interval treadmill training. Analyses were conducted at 4, 8, and 12 weeks postsurgery. Muscle force of the soleus muscle, muscle tissue samples, and bone characteristics were analyzed. No significant differences were observed in cortical bone characteristics. Castrated rats experienced decreased trabecular bone mineral density compared to sham-operated rats. However, 12 weeks of training increased trabecular bone mineral density, with no significant differences among groups. Muscle force measurements revealed decreased tetanic force in castrated rats at week 12, while uphill and downhill interval training restored force to sham group levels and led to muscle hypertrophy compared to ORX animals. Linear regression analyses showed a positive correlation between bone biomechanical characteristics and muscle force. The findings suggest that running exercise can prevent bone loss in osteoporosis, with similar bone restoration effects observed across different training modalities.}, language = {en} } @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{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} } @article{RakKlannHeinzetal.2023, author = {Rak, Dominik and Klann, Lukas and Heinz, Tizian and Anderson, Philip and Stratos, Ioannis and Nedopil, Alexander J. and Rudert, Maximilian}, title = {Influence of mechanical alignment on functional knee phenotypes and clinical outcomes in primary TKA: a 1-year prospective analysis}, series = {Journal of Personalized Medicine}, volume = {13}, journal = {Journal of Personalized Medicine}, number = {5}, issn = {2075-4426}, doi = {10.3390/jpm13050778}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-313646}, year = {2023}, abstract = {In total knee arthroplasty (TKA), functional knee phenotypes are of interest regarding surgical alignment strategies. Functional knee phenotypes were introduced in 2019 and consist of limb, femoral, and tibial phenotypes. The hypothesis of this study was that mechanically aligned (MA) TKA changes preoperative functional phenotypes, which decreases the 1-year Forgotten Joint (FJS) and Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and increases the 1-year WOMAC. All patients included in this study had end-stage osteoarthritis and were treated with a primary MA TKA, which was supervised by four academic knee arthroplasty specialists. To determine the limb, femoral, and tibial phenotype, a long-leg radiograph (LLR) was imaged preoperatively and two to three days after TKA. FJS, OKS, and WOMAC were obtained 1 year after TKA. Patients were categorized using the change in functional limb, femoral, and tibial phenotype measured on LLR, and the scores were compared between the different categories. A complete dataset of preoperative and postoperative scores and radiographic images could be obtained for 59 patients. 42\% of these patients had a change of limb phenotype, 41\% a change of femoral phenotype, and 24\% a change of tibial phenotype of more than ±1 relative to the preoperative phenotype. Patients with more than ±1 change of limb phenotype had significantly lower median FJS (27 points) and OKS (31 points) and higher WOMAC scores (30 points) relative to the 59-, 41-, and 4-point scores of those with a 0 ± 1 change (p < 0.0001 to 0.0048). Patients with a more than ±1 change of femoral phenotype had significantly lower median FJS (28 points) and OKS (32 points) and higher WOMAC scores (24 points) relative to the 69-, 40-, and 8-point scores of those with a 0 ± 1 change (p < 0.0001). A change in tibial phenotype had no effect on the FJS, OKS, and WOMAC scores. Surgeons performing MA TKA could consider limiting coronal alignment corrections of the limb and femoral joint line to within one phenotype to reduce the risk of low patient-reported satisfaction and function at 1-year.}, language = {en} }