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A new locking screw technology, named variable fixation, has been developed aiming at promoting bone callus formation providing initial rigid fixation followed by progressive fracture gap dynamisation. In this study, we compared bone callus formation in osteotomies stabilized with standard locking fixation against that of osteotomies stabilized with variable fixation in an established tibia ovine model.

A 3 mm tibial transverse osteotomy gap was stabilized in three groups of six female sheep each with a locking plate and either 1) standard fixation in both segments (group LS) or 2) variable fixation in the proximal and standard fixation in the distal bone segment (group VFLS

) or 3) variable fixation in both segments (group VFLS

). The implantation site and fracture healing were compared between groups by means of radiologic, micro tomographic, biomechanical, and histological investigations.

Compared to LS callus, VFLS

callus was 40% larger and about 3% denser, while VFLS

callus was 93% larger andts that fractures treated with variable fixation might have a higher probability to bridge the fracture gap. The conditions where its usage can be most beneficial for patients needs to be clinically defined.

Variable fixation promoted the formation of a larger amount of bone callus, equally distributed at the cis and trans cortices. The histological and biomechanical properties of the variable fixation callus were equivalent to those of the standard fixation callus. The magnitude of variable fixation had a biological effect on the formation of bone callus. At the implantation site, the usage of variable fixation did not raise additional concerns with respect to standard fixation. The formation of a larger amount of mature callus suggests that fractures treated with variable fixation might have a higher probability to bridge the fracture gap. The conditions where its usage can be most beneficial for patients needs to be clinically defined.

Direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty may be undertaken on a traction table, but the effects that patient positioning can have on axial pelvic tilt (aPT) are unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the degree of error from patient positioning on the traction table during anterior minimally-invasive surgery (AMIS) THA.

Patients were included who underwent direct anterior THA via the AMIS technique at a single institution between 11/2018 and 03/2019. Axial pelvic tilt was measured (a) in the supine position on the operating table, and (b) after positioning on the traction table, by the same consultant surgeon in all cases.

In the above-mentioned study period, 50 patients (F 32; M 18) with an average age of 60.6 ± 13.6 (range 26.5 to 88.3) years, and an average BMI of 27.2 ± 5.0 (range 17.9 to 41.5) kg/m

met the inclusion criteria. When measured in supine position, the average aPT was - 0.2 ± 1.7 (range - 5.6 to 3.8) degrees. After positioning on the traction table, the average aPT was - 3.5 ± 2.1 (- 8.5 to 1.6) degrees (p < 0.001). In patients with an aPT of more than 5 degrees, the caput-collum-diaphyseal (CCD) angle was significantly lower (125 ± 11° vs. 134 ± 8°, p = 0.007).

This study raises awareness for the potential risk of aPT during positioning of the patient on the traction table, commonly used during direct anterior THA via the AMIS technique.

This study raises awareness for the potential risk of aPT during positioning of the patient on the traction table, commonly used during direct anterior THA via the AMIS technique.

Gestational weight interventions are important in maternity care to counteract adverse pregnancy events. However, qualitative findings indicate potential obstacles in the implementation of interventions due to the sensitivity of the subject and existing obesity stigma. Pregnant women have reported disrespectful or unhelpful communication, while some midwives seem to avoid the topic, as not to upset women. This descriptive study aimed to provide knowledge about maternity care providers’ beliefs about obesity, and their attitudes towards gestational weight management.

A web survey was emailed to Swedish maternity care clinics. Existing questionnaires, “Beliefs About Obese People” (BAOP), “Perceived weight bias in health care” and “Attitudes toward obese patients” was used, supplemented with questions formulated for this study. An open free-text question allowed participants to provide a deeper and more nuanced picture of the topic.

274 respondents (75% midwives and 25% obstetricians) participated. One thir fear of upsetting women. Education about obesity facts, training in person-centered communication, i.e. motivational interviewing, and access to dieticians may facilitate gestational weight management implementation.

Swedish maternity care staff displayed empathy for women with obesity and found gestational weight interventions important, but almost one fifth of midwives sometimes avoid the subject of body weight for fear of upsetting women. Education about obesity facts, training in person-centered communication, i.e. motivational interviewing, and access to dieticians may facilitate gestational weight management implementation.

Despite the established relevance of ultrasonography and assessment of pressure pain thresholds in patients with plantar fasciopathy, patient and probe positioning has been mostly ignored and are not necessarily reported in research. see more The primary aim of this study was to compare plantar fascia thickness in stretched and relaxed positions in patients with plantar fasciopathy. The secondary aim was to compare plantar heel pressure pain thresholds in these positions.

In this cross-sectional study, we measured the plantar fascia thickness with ultrasonography, and localised pressure pain thresholds using pressure algometry of 20 patients with plantar fasciopathy. These were assessed bilaterally, with the plantar fascia in both a stretched and relaxed position. In the stretched position, toes were maximally dorsiflexed, while in the relaxed position participants’ feet were hanging freely over the end of the table.

The plantar fascia of the most symptomatic foot was significantly thicker when stretched compared with the relaxed position (sagittal mean difference 0.