In order to ensure safety of the cell-based therapy for bone
regeneration, we examined BM cells obtained from a total of 13 Sprague-Dawley (SD) green
fluorescent protein transgenic (GFP-Tg) rats were culture-expanded
in an osteogenic differentiation medium for three weeks. Osteoblast-like
cells were then locally transplanted with collagen scaffolds to
the rat model of segmental bone defect. Donor cells were also intravenously infused
to the normal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats for systemic biodistribution.
The flow cytometric and histological analyses were performed for
cellular tracking after transplantation.Objectives
Methods
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) provides good results even for severe knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients. However, patients often suffer from post-operative pain and have long rehabilitation periods. In recent years, utilization of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has increased in an effort to decrease pain and shorten recovery compared to TKA. Moreover, the long-term results of the UKA have improved. Many surgeons now wonder whether TKA or UKA is better for patients with isolated medial knee OA. In Japan, the government has public insurance system and patients are able to receive the joint replacement surgery inexpensively. This study was conducted to compare the cost the public insurance and the patients co-payment for TKA and UKA. We investigated a series of thirty TKAs and fifteen UKAs performed in Fussa Hospital (Tokyo, Japan) from July 2012 to April 2013. Data from two TKAs' were excluded since the patients had comorbidities (asthma and severe DM) that extended their hospitalizations. Patients were discharged from the hospital if they were able to go up and down the stairs or were able to conduct routine activities of daily living. Total payments the hospital received averaged $19600 (S.D. $1600) for a TKA and $15200 (S.D. $1300) for a UKA. Patients paied averaged of $690 (S.D. $370) for a TKA and $470 (S.D. $170) for a UKA (Figure 1). The surgical fee was $3769 for both TKA and UKA, and was uniform thoughout Japan. The implant price averaged $6200 (S.D. $300) for TKA and $3900 (S.D. $200) for UKA, where prices were also determined by the government. Hospitalization averaged 28 days (S.D. 7 days) for TKA and 21 days (S.D. 6 days) for UKA. For both TKA and UKA, the total cost and the number of days in hospital were highly correlated (R = 0.92 and R = 0.96, respectively). A linear cost model suggests the TKA cost was $210 times days of hospitalization plus $13100 and the UKA cost was $220 times days of hospitalization plus $10000. Patients' payments were not correlated to the days of hospitalization (R = 0.22 and R = 0.45, respectively). TKA and UKA are performed all over the world now and the number of the surgeries increases each year. Althouth each country has a different insurance system, many countries face an increasing and problematic economic burden for both patients and insurance organization (either public or private company). This study showed UKA is less expensive than TKA by $4400, an advantage that might complement the traditional view that UKA is less invasive and often has fewer complications for treating isolating medical compartment OA. For Japanese system, patients pay relatively little out-of pocket despite long hospitalization, and length of stay has a direct and significant effect on total cost for TKA and UKA
This multicentre prospective clinical trial aimed
to determine whether early administration of alendronate (ALN) delays
fracture healing after surgical treatment of fractures of the distal
radius. The study population comprised 80 patients (four men and
76 women) with a mean age of 70 years (52 to 86) with acute fragility
fractures of the distal radius requiring open reduction and internal
fixation with a volar locking plate and screws. Two groups of 40 patients
each were randomly allocated either to receive once weekly oral
ALN administration (35 mg) within a few days after surgery and continued
for six months, or oral ALN administration delayed until four months
after surgery. Postero-anterior and lateral radiographs of the affected
wrist were taken monthly for six months after surgery. No differences
between groups was observed with regard to gender (p = 1.0), age
(p = 0.916), fracture classification (p = 0.274) or bone mineral
density measured at the spine (p = 0.714). The radiographs were
assessed by three independent assessors. There were no significant
differences in the mean time to complete cortical bridging observed
between the ALN group (3.5 months ( Cite this article:
The ratio of the incidence of trochanteric to cervical fractures increased with age in the elderly female population, but the reason for this fact remain unclear. The purposes of this study were to investigate whether or not there are specificities of the local distribution of mechanical properties at the trochanteric region of the elderly female using a scanning acoustic microscope (SAM). Human proximal femurs were harvested from seven female cadavers (67–88 years) and proximal femur was coronally sectioned into halves across the center of neck. The surface of the coronal section was polished in order to achieve flat surfaces of smoothness well below the surface resolution in scanning with SAM. Bone tissue density and elastic modulus were calculated from the acquired SAM data. Mechanical properties were measured at the lateral and medial trochanter. Cortical bone tissue of the lateral trochanter had significantly lower elastic modulus than that of the medial trochanter in the all specimen over 70s(p<0.05). Trabecular bone tissue of proximal region of the lateral trochanter had significantly lower elastic modulus than that of distal region in all 80s specimens (p<0.05). Decrease of the elastic modulus of cortical bone in the lateral trochanter and low value of the elastic modulus of trabecular bone in the proximal region of the lateral trochanter may be related to the increase of the ratio of trochanteric to cervical fractures with age in the elderly female population.
We occasionally came across cortical atrophy of femurs with cemented collarless polished triple-taper stem in a short term period. This study aimed to estimate radiographs of cemented collarless polished triple-taper stem taken 6 months after the initial operation. Between May 2009 and April 2011, 97 consecutive patients underwent primary total hip arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty using SC-stem or C-stem implants. At the 6 month follow-up, a radiographic examination was performed on 70 patients (71 hips). 44 hips had Total Hip Arthoplasty, 35 had osteoarthritis, 5 had idiopathic osteonecrosis, 2 had other diseases and 27 hips had hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fractures. The postoperative radiographs were used to estimate the cementing grade. Then the 6 month postoperative radiographs were analyzed for changes in stem subsidence, cortical atrophy and cortical hypertrophy. According to the system of Gruen- cortical atrophy and cortical hypertrophy were classified on the femoral side. We defined no cortical atrophy as grade 0, cortical atrophy less than 1 mm as grade 1, more than 1 mm and less than 2 mm as grade 2, more than 2 mm as grade 3.Background
Methods
Surgical site infection (SSI) is an infrequent but serious complication of total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Orthopaedic SSI causes substantial morbidity, prolonging the hospital stay by a median of 2 weeks, doubling the rates of rehospitalization, and more than tripling overall healthcare costs. Colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) is known to be associated with an increased risk of subsequent SSI. Carriers are two to nine times more likely to acquire S. aureus SSIs than non-carriers. Screening of the nose and throat for MRSA colonization and preoperative patient decolonization have been shown to decrease the incidence of subsequent MRSA infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the results of MRSA colonization screening and the incidence of SSI in our hospital. Between June 2007 and June 2010, 238 patients were admitted for TJA, among whom 235 underwent preoperative assessment that included screening of the nose and throat for MRSA colonization. Fifty-nine of these patients underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA), 69 underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA), 6 underwent unilateral knee arthroplasty (UKA), and 101 underwent bipolar hip prosthesis arthroplasty (BPH). The mean age of the patients was 72.7 (49–95) years and the male to female ratio was 1:3.8. We analyzed these patients retrospectively, and determined the site of colonization, eradication prior to surgery, and subsequent development of SSI in the year after surgery. SSI was defined according to the criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Purpose
Materials and Methods
Correction and arthrodesis for cervical kyphosis associated with atetoid cerebral palsy has been considered to be difficult because of their involuntary neck movements and severe deformity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the surgical outcome of midline T-saw laminoplasty and posterior arthrodesis using pedicle screws. 15 patients were retrospectively reviewed. There were 6 women and 9 men, with a mean age 52.9 years (range 31–71 years). Mean follow-up period was 43 months (range 24–84 months). For clinical evaluation, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and Barthel index (BI) which shows independence in ADL were used. For radiographic evaluation, change of C2–C7 Cobb angle of sagittal alignment, adjacent segment instability after the surgery were evaluated.Introduction
Methods
Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) has been shown to be a treatment option for elderly patients with complex distal humeral fractures and osteoporotic bone. The published results have often included rheumatoid patients who traditionally would be expected to do well from elbow arthroplasty. Only short-term results have been published using this technique in non-rheumatoid patients. The current study contains the largest number and longest follow-up of non-rheumatoid patients whose fractures have been treated with a non-custom TEA. In total there were 26 patients, mean age 72 years, 22 female and 4 male, 25% dominant arm. The mean follow-up was of 5 years. There was 1 case of loosening, 1 radial nerve palsy and 2 cases of heterotrophic ossification. At final review the mean range of flexion/extension was 97.5 degrees and the mean range of pronation/supination was 151.75 degrees. The mean Mayo Elbow Performance score was 92. We would suggest that TEA provides a very satisfactory outcome in elderly patients with complex distal humeral fractures, the benefit of which can be observed at a mean of 5 years.
Intra-articular distal humeral fractures in the elderly are difficult to treat. There is evidence in the literature to support the use of both Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) and Total Elbow Arthroplasty (TEA) as primary procedures, although we have been unable to find any direct comparisons of outcome. This study reports the results of ORIF in 12 elderly patients with distal humeral fractures and compares the outcome with 12 matched patients who had undergone TEA. All procedures were performed by two experienced Consultant Surgeons. The Coonrad-Morrey TEA was used in all cases of TEA and a double-plating technique was used in all ORIFs. Both groups of patients were similar with respect to fracture configuration, age, sex, co-morbidity and hand dominance. The mean follow-up in both groups of patients was over 30 months. At final review, patients who had had a TEA had a mean Mayo score of 91 and a range of flexion/extension of 90 degrees. There was 1 superficial wound infection that resolved with antibiotics, 1 temporary radial nerve palsy, and 1 case of heterotrophic ossification The ORIF group had a mean Mayo score of 89 (p>
0.05) and a range of flexion/extension of 112 degrees (P=0.03). There was 1 case of heterotrophic ossification, 2 cases of ulnar nerve compression that needed decompression and 1 superficial wound infection that resolved with antibiotics. All the fractures united.
A special surgical technique and consideration is necessary in the total hip arthroplasty for dysplastic osteoarthritis after Kalamchi and MacEwen Type III or IV deformity (so called “Perthes-like-deformity”). There have been few reports concerning the total hip arthroplasty for “Perthes-like-deformity”. We evaluated the clinical and radiological outcome of 52 uncemented hip arthroplasties for the lesion. We have performed 106 hips of uncemented total hip arthroplasty for dysplastic osteoarthritis after Kalamchi and MacEwen Type III or IV deformity. Among them, 52 hips of 47 patients (11 males and 41 females) were evaluated with minimum of three years follow-up. The average age at the surgery was 52 (28 to 65). The average follow-up period was 4.8 (3 to 8.1) years. Against the developmental dysplasia or dislocation, 29 hips of 26 patients had been treated by casting or surgery in infancy. Thirteen hips of 11 patients had no previous treatment before the arthroplasty. Spongiosa metal cup (GHE: ESKA implants, Lübeck, Germany) was used for 33 hips of 28 patients and Zweymüller type cup (Allo-classic cup: Zimmer Inc., Warsaw, IN, Bicon cup: Smith &
Nephew Orthopedics AG, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) for 19 hips of 19 patients. Spongiosa Metal stem (GHE: ESKA implants) was used for 23 hips of 19 patients and Zweymüller type stem (Alloclassic stem: Zimmer Inc., SL stem: Smith &
Nephew Orthopedics AG) for 29 hips of 28 patients. The average operative time was 108 (53 to 233) minutes. The average blood loss during the surgery was 731(150 to 1749) milliliters. The adductor tendon release was added in 28 hips of 26 patients against the severe contracture. The patients were evaluated clinically (pre-surgical history, hip score, leg length discrepancy, Trendelenburg sign, and gait function) and radiologically (ATD before the surgery, alignment, and stability of implants). Average ATD before the surgery was −2.2 (−28 to 17) millimeters. The average leg length discrepancy was 1.9 (0 to 7) centimeters before the surgery and was improved to 0.1 (0 to 1) centimeters after the surgery. The average hip score was 54 (23 to 80) before the surgery and was improved to 90 (69 to 100) after the surgery. At the final follow-up, Trendelenburg sign was positive in 14 hips of 14 patients (26.9%) and the limping was not obvious in 38 hips of 33 patients (73.1%). All implants were stable at the final follow-up. “Perthes-like-deformity” often has the severe deformity. It has a shortening or an absence of the neck and an excessive antetorsion of the femur. When it has the coxa magna, the acetabulum is shallow, has the narrow anteroposterior diameter, and has the thin wall like the osteophyte. It is frequently accompanied by shortening of leg and contracture, as the lesion arises from the development disorders. Thus, the total hip arthroplasty, especially uncemented one, is complicated. However, the satisfactory result can be obtained by careful consideration and surgical procedure such as a provision against the bleeding and the soft tissue release.
Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA), as a primary procedure and open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) have been used to treat complex intra-articular distal humeral fractures in elderly patients. The failure rate after ORIF is high and TEA has often been used as a salvage procedure. Although satisfactory results have been reported after TEA as a primary procedure, there are no publications reporting the results of TEA after failed internal fixation (FIF). In this study we compared the results of patients that had TEA after FIF with those that had had primary arthroplasty (PA). We reviewed the results of 9 consecutive patients who had FIF with 12 patients who had PA. All the operations were performed by one surgeon using the same technique and same prosthesis. Both groups of patients were similar with respect to ages, sex, co-morbidity and hand dominance. The mean follow-up for both groups of patients was 5 years. At final review, patients who had had FIF had a mean Mayo score of 68 and a range of flexion/extension of 90 degrees, there was 1 infection and 1 case of loosening. The PA group had a mean Mayo score of 88 and a range of flexion/extension of 96 degrees, there were no cases of infection or loosening. This study shows the results of TEA are satisfactory either as a PA or after FIF, however the results after PA are significantly better than after FIF.
Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) has been shown to be a treatment option for elderly patients with complex distal humeral fractures and osteoporotic bone. The published results have often included rheumatoid patients who traditionally would be expected to do well from elbow arthroplasty. Only short-term results have been published using this technique in non-rheumatoid patients The current study contains the largest number and longest follow-up of non-rheumatoid patients whose fractures have been treated with a non-custom TEA. In total there were 26 patients, mean age 72 years, 22 female and 4 male, 25% dominant arm. All had a minimum of 5 years follow-up. There was 1 case of loosening, 1 radial nerve palsy and 2 cases of heterotrophic ossification. At final review the mean range of flexion/extension was 97.5 degrees and the mean range of pronation/supination was 151.75 degrees. The mean Mayo Elbow Performance score was 92. We would suggest that TEA provides a very satisfactory outcome in elderly patients with complex distal humeral fractures, the benefit of which can be observed for at least 5 years.
Assess the outcome of plating of lateral end clavicle fractures. Lateral end clavicle fractures can be treated both conservatively and surgically. Different surgical methods are available to stabilize lateral end clavicle fractures. We treated 15 lateral end clavicle fractures with plate fixations (4 AO ‘T’ plate and 11 ACUMED lateral clavicle plate) from September 2002 to December 2005. There were 12 males and 3 females and the mean age was 33.12 year (range 23–61). 3 were done for non-union and 13 for acute fractures. 2 non-unions were treated with AO ‘T’ plate and 1 with ACUMED lateral clavicle plate. 1 patient with non-union had bone grafting at the time of the procedure. Acute fractures were stabilized with in 3 weeks from the time of the injury. All fractures were Type 2 according to Neer classification of lateral end clavicle fractures. The cause of the injury was, simple fall (3), fall from pushbike (3), assault (3), sports/skate-board (3), and RTA (3). The senior author operated on all patients. The arm was immobilized in a sling for six weeks post operatively. The follow up ranged between 5 months to 36 months All but one fracture healed. 1 ‘T’ and 1 ACUMED plate was removed 7 months after the index procedure after fracture consolidation. There was no superficial or deep infection. Patients were assessed clinically with Constant and DASH scores; patient satisfaction with the procedure was also recorded and union assessed radiologically.. Lateral end clavicle fractures pose a challenge due to the small size of the distal fragment. In our experience plating of these fractures give satisfactory results. Oblique fracture patterns result in better fixation and union rates. The plate design and advantages of the ACUMED contoured distal clavicle plates are further discussed in the paper.
Crush injury is one of the categories of nerve injury, which is often encountered in the clinical field. There is no doubt that crushed nerves, which have anatomical continuity, regenerate spontaneously and somehow reinnervate their target tissues, such as muscle and skin. However, the longer it takes to reinnervate the target tissues, the more profoundly the atrophy of these target tissues progresses, resulting in a poor outcome. Clinically, it is therefore crucial to accelerate nerve regeneration if excellent results are to be achieved. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is well known to be involved in many biological functions, such as organ regeneration and angiogenesis, and to exert neurotrophic effects on motor, sensory, and parasympathetic neurons. This raised hopes that HGF protein might be useful for the clinical treatment of nervous system disorders. However, administration of HGF as a recombinant protein is still beset by a number of problems, such as a short serum half-life and poor access to the central nervous system by the systemic route because of the presence of the blood-brain barrier. These problems can be major obstacles to the therapeutic use of such factors, and this has highlighted the need to develop innovative therapeutic strategies for more efficient delivery into the nervous system. Gene transfer into the nervous system has enormous therapeutic potential for a wide variety of disorders. It appears to have advantages over the administration of single or multiple bolus doses of a recombinant protein because gene transfer can achieve an optimally high, local concentration within the nervous system. Recently, two different strategies have been reported. Firstly gene transfer by local intraneural injection and secondly gene transfer via retrograde axonal transport. In crush injury, it is well known that some axons in the crushed nerve can remain intact. It is from this evidence that the idea of performing gene transfer via retrograde axonal transport arose. In this study, we gave repeated intramuscular injections of the human HGF gene, using nonviral HVJ (Hemagglutinating Virus of Japan) liposome method, to examine whether transfection of the rat nervous system with this gene is able to exert neurotrophic effects facilitating recovery of a crushed nerve. The expression of HGF protein and HGF mRNA indicated that gene transfer into the nervous system did occur via retrograde axonal transport. At 4 weeks after crush, electrophysiological examination of the crushed nerve showed a significantly shorter mean latency and a significantly greater mean maximum M-wave amplitude with repeated injections of HGF gene. Furthermore, histological findings showed that the mean diameter of the axons, the axon number and the axon population were significantly larger in the group with repeated injections of HGF gene. The above results show that repeated human HGF gene transfer into the rat nervous system is able to promote crushed-nerve recovery, both electrophysiologically and histologically, and suggest that HGF gene transfer has potential for the treatment of crushed nerve.
We investigated the effect of delay before nerve repair on neuropathic pain after injury to the brachial plexus. We studied 148 patients, 85 prospectively and 63 retrospectively. The mean number of avulsed spinal nerves was 3.2 (1 to 5). Pain was measured by a linear visual analogue scale and by the peripheral nerve injury scale. Early repair was more effective than delayed repair in the relief from pain and there was a strong correlation between functional recovery and relief from pain.
The location of the lesion shown by the band pattern low intensity was determined by Japanese investigation committee as follows. Type A lesion occupies the medial one-third or less; Type B occupies the medial two-thirds or less; Type C-1 occupies more than the medial two-thirds; and Type C-2 extends laterally to the acetabular edge at the neutral position. Types were observed on initial and final MRIs. The mean follow up was 4 years and 3 months. For the repair patterns, the direction was observed in the anterior and posterior slices of MRIs.