The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between
Salter’s criteria and Kalamchi’s classification of avascular necrosis
in patients treated for developmental dysphasia of the hip (DDH). The study involved a retrospective analysis of 123 patients (123
hips) with DDH treated by operative and non-operative reduction
before the age of two years, with a minimum follow-up of ten years.
Salter’s criteria (S1 to S4) were determined from radiographs obtained
at one to two years post-reduction, whilst the Kalamchi grade was determined
from radiographs obtained at ten or more years of age. Early post-reduction
radiographs were also used to evaluate the centre-head distance
discrepancy (CHDD) and the occurrence of a dome-shaped deformity
of the proximal femoral metaphysis (D-shaped metaphysis). The prognosis was described as good (Kalamchi grade K0 or KI),
fair (Kalamchi grade KII) or poor (Kalamchi grade KIII or KIV) for
analysis and correlation with the early Salter criteria, CHDD and
D-shaped metaphysis.Aims
Patients and Methods
We measured the serum concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) by a high-sensitive method in patients with lumbar disc herniation. There were 48 patients in the study group and 53 normal controls. The level and type of herniation were evaluated. The clinical data including the neurological findings, the angle of straight leg raising and post-operative recovery as measured by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, were recorded. The high-sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) was measured by an ultrasensitive latex-enhanced immunoassay. The mean hs-CRP concentration was 0.056 ± 0.076 mg/dl in the patient group and 0.017 ± 0.021 mg/dl in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.006). There was no other correlation between the hs-CRP concentration and the level and type of herniation, or the pre-operative clinical data. A positive correlation was found between the concentration of hs-CRP before operation and the JOA score after. Those with a higher concentration of hs-CRP before operation showed a poorer recovery after. The significantly high concentration of serum hs-CRP might indicate a systemic inflammatory response to impingement of the nerve root caused by disc herniation and might be a predictor of recovery after operation.
