Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) has historically been thought of as a degenerative joint disease, but inflammation and angiogenesis are increasingly being recognised as contributing to the pathogenesis, symptoms and progression of OA. b-dystroglycan (b-DG) is a pivotal element of the transmembrane adhesion molecule involved in cell-extracellular matrix adhesion and angiogenesis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the main enzymes responsible for cartilage extracellular matrix breakdown and are also implicated in both angiogenesis and b-DG degradation in a number of malignancies. We aimed to investigate the expression and localisation of b-DG and MMP-3, -9, and -13 within cartilage, synovium and synovial fluid and establish their roles in the pathogenesis of OA.

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) has historically been thought of as a degenerative joint disease, but inflammation and angiogenesis are increasingly being recognised as contributing to the pathogenesis, symptoms and progression of OA. β-dystroglycan (β-DG) is a pivotal element of the transmembrane adhesion molecule involved in cell-extracellular matrix adhesion and angiogenesis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the main enzymes responsible for cartilage extracellular matrix breakdown and are also implicated in both angiogenesis and β-DG degradation in a number of malignancies. We aimed to investigate the expression and localisation of β-DG and MMP-3, -9, and -13 within cartilage, synovium and synovial fluid and establish their roles in the pathogenesis of OA.

Methods: Following ethical committee approval, cartilage, synovium and synovial fluid were obtained from the hip joints of 5 osteoarthritic (patients undergoing total hip replacement) and 5 control hip joints (patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture). The samples were analysed for β-DG expression using Western Blotting and for the distribution of β-DG, MMP-3, -9, and -13 using immunohistochemistry on paraffin embedded tissue.

Results: Whilst no significant expression of β-DG was found in cartilage or synovial fluid, β-DG was expressed in the smooth muscle of both normal and osteoarthritic synovial blood vessels. Moreover, β-DG was expressed in endothelium of blood vessels of OA synovium, but not in the normal endothelium. In the endothelium of osteoarthritic synovial blood vessels, β-DG co-localised with MMP −3 and −9.

Discussion: Our results demonstrate that β-DG does not act as a cell adhesion molecule binding chondrocytes to the ECM. However, specific immunolocalisation of β-DG within endothelium of inflamed OA blood vessels suggests that β-DG may play a role in angiogenesis associated with OA. Its co-localisation with MMP-3 and −9, previously reported to also have pro-angiogenic roles, may be linked. Further research is required to understand these roles more fully.

Introduction: Osteoarthritis has historically been thought of as a degenerative joint disease, but inflam-mation and angiogenesis are increasingly being recognised as contributing to the pathogenesis, symptoms and progression of osteoarthritis. Beta-dystroglycan is a pivotal element of the transmembrane adhesion molecule involved in cell-extracellular matrix adhesion and angiogenesis. Matrix metalloproteinases are the main enzymes responsible for cartilage extracellular matrix breakdown and are also implicated in both angiogen-esis and beta-dystroglycan degradation in a number of malignancies. We aimed to investigate the expression and localisation of beta-dystroglycan and matrix metal-loproteinase 3, 9, and 13 within cartilage, synovium and synovial fluid and establish their roles in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.

Methods: Following ethical committee approval, cartilage, synovium and synovial fluid were obtained from the hip joints of 5 osteoarthritic (patients undergoing total hip replacement) and 5 control hip joints (patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture). The samples were analysed for beta-dystroglycan expression using Western Blotting and for the distribution of beta-dystroglycan, matrix metalloproteinase 3, 9, and 13 using immunohistochemistry on paraffin embedded tissue.

Results: Whilst no significant expression of beta-dystro-glycan was found in cartilage or synovial fluid, beta-dys-troglycan was expressed in the smooth muscle of both normal and osteoarthritic synovial blood vessels. Moreover, beta-dystroglycan was expressed in endothelium of blood vessels of osteoarthritic synovium, but not in the normal endothelium. In the endothelium of osteo-arthritic synovial blood vessels, beta-dystroglycan co-localised with matrix metalloproteinase 3 and 9. Discussion: Our results demonstrate that beta-dystro-glycan does not act as a cell adhesion molecule binding chondrocytes to the extracellular matrix. However, specific immunolocalisation of beta-dystroglycan within endothelium of inflamed osteoarthritic blood vessels suggests that beta-dystroglycan may play a role in angiogenesis associated with osteoarthritis. Its co-localisation with matrix metalloproteinase 3 and 9, previously reported to also have pro-angiogenic roles, may be linked. Further research is required to understand these roles more fully.

The aim of surgery in the treatment of tumours of the distal radius is to achieve satisfactory clearance whilst best preserving function of the hand and wrist. Since 1992 a technique of distal radial tumour excision with reconstruction by autologous free fibula strut grafting has been employed in the treatment of thirteen patients at our unit. The procedure employs fixation of the non-vascularised fibula shaft to the proximal radius by step-cuts and a dynamic compression plate. The fibula head substitutes for the distal limit of the radius and articulates with the carpus.

We have treated 10 cases of primary or recurrent giant cell tumour and cases of osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and Ewings’ sarcoma by this technique. The patients were reviewed at a mean of 50 months post surgery, with assessment of their functional outcome and measurement of the range of wrist movement and grip strength.

The patient with Ewings tumour had died of meta-static disease 62 months post grafting. Three patients treated for giant cell tumour had required further surgery, two of these had forearm amputation for malignant transformation. In comparison to the unoperated wrist, range of movement was well preserved. The power of grip strength was 57% of the contralateral wrist and hand.

These results compare well with published rates of recurrence of benign giant cell tumour treated by other methods. This technique would seem to offer an acceptable functional result without compromise of the tumour prognosis.

Aim of Study: To evaluate the efficacy of pulsed radio-frequency ablation to the suprascapular nerve in patients with chronic shoulder pain secondary to cuff tear arthropathy.

Methods: Twelve patients with chronic shoulder pain secondary to cuff tear arthropathy were recruited following ethics approval. Mean age 68 yrs (60–83 yrs). The suprascapular notch was identified under image intensifier and the suprascapular nerve lesioned with pulsed radiofrequency ablation for 120 seconds. Patients were assessed with the Oxford and Constant Shoulder scores, Visual Analogue pain score and sleep score pre, 3 and 6 months post procedure. Statistical analysis was undertaken using the Friedman test (non parametric analysis of variance).

Results: Ten patients had an improvement in the visual analogue pain score and Constant score, 11 in the Oxford score and all an improvement in sleep pattern.

Conclusions: Shoulder pain was reduced in 10 out 12 patients up to 6 months post procedure. This procedure may be a useful adjunct in elderly patients with painful cuff tear arthropathy who are not suitable for surgery.