We performed a retrospective review of 98 patients with malignant tumours of the periacetabular region, treated by resection and endoprosthetic reconstruction between 1971 and 2005 at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore and The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham.

The mean age of the patients was 43.6 years (10 to 76). 53 patients (54%) were male. The age distribution demonstrated peaks in the 2nd and 6th decades. The mean follow up was 65 months (2 to 405. The overall 10-year survival rate was 56% (determined by the Kaplan-Meier method).

54 patients (58.1%) had one or more complications. Infection was the most common (30%) with the majority occurring in the first 2 years. Dislocation occurred in 19 (20%) of our patients all in the first year following surgery. All were recurrent with a mean of 2.9 (2 to 6) episodes. Operations performed before 1994 were associated with a dislocation rate of 40.5% and after 1996 the rate was only 3.9% (p < 0.001).

Function was assessed according the Toronto Extremity Salvage Sore (TESS). The overall TESS was 59.4. In patients that had a major complication the TESS was 37.1 but in the group that did not the TESS was 70.3 (p < 0.001).

Men experienced higher rates of death, infection and revision than women (p < 0.05). The local recurrence rate was 31% with high grade tumours associated with higher recurrence rates (p < 0.05). Tumour resection in the ilium is associated with higher rates of infection than tumours located in the periacetabular region alone (p < 0.05).

This method of reconstruction is still associated with high complication rates. Function is good if a major complication can be avoided. The lower dislocation rate more recently is probably the result of improved surgical technique and the use of larger femoral heads.

Chondrosarcoma is a malignant tumour and accounts for approximately 20% of bone sarcomas. The pelvis is one of the commonest sites. Chondrosarcoma of the pelvis lends itself to surgical excision and is relatively resistant to irradiation and chemotherapy. A long term survival analysis of this challenging condition is rarely reported in literature. We review and evaluate the oncological and functional results of all the patients operated at our centre and we analyse the survival analysis of these patients with special focus on the prognostic factors.

Fifty-four consecutive patients with chondrosarcoma of the pelvis who were treated at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK between 1987 and 2001 were included in the study. Demographic data, case notes, histopathological results and follow-up data were obtained and statistically analysed.

There were 38 males and 16 females with a mean age of 48.4 years [18-77]. The chondrosarcomas were primary [n=38], secondary [n-7] or recurrences [n=9]. The anatomical sites in the pelvis were in the epicentre I [n=24], II [n=20] and III [n=10]. The surgical procedures performed were local resection [n=28], local resection and hip arthroplasty [n=6], hemipelvectomy (+endoprothesis) [n=16], hemipelvectomy [+fibular strut graf] [n=2] and hinquarter amputation [n=2]. The histological grade was Gr [n=27], Gr 2[n=20] and Gr 3 [n=7]. The complication rate was 24%:wound revision [9%], dislocation [8%] and infection [7%]. There was a 5, 10 and 15 year cumulative survival rate of 74%, 65% and 40%. The overall recurrence rate was 24%.

The factors associated with a worse prognosis were high histologic tumour grade, increasing patient age, anatomical location in site I and III, primary surgery outside of tumour centre, inadequate surgical margins, and those treated by local extension. Aggressive surgical approach significantly improves the prognosis of the patients with chondrosarcoma of the pelvis.

When performing limb salvage operations for malignant bone tumours in skeletally immature patients, it is desirable to reconstruct the limb with a prosthesis that can be lengthened without surgery at appropriate intervals to keep pace with growth of the contra-lateral side. We have developed a prosthesis that can be lengthened non-invasively. The lengthening is achieved on the principle of electromagnetic induction.

The purpose of this study was to look at our early experience with the use of the Non Invasive Distal Femoral Expandable Endoprosthesis. A prospective study of 17 skeletally immature patients with osteosarcoma of the distal femur, implanted with the prosthesis, was performed at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore. The patients were aged between 9 and 15 years (mean 12.1 years) at the time of surgery. Patients were lengthened at appropriate intervals in outpatient clinics. Patients were functionally evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) Scoring System and the Toronto Extremity Severity Score (TESS). Average time from the implantation to the last follow-up was 18.2 months (range 14-30 months). The patients have been lengthened by an average of 25mm (4.25-55mm). The mean amount of knee flexion is 125 degrees. The mean MSTS score is 77% (23/30; range 11-29) and the mean TESS score is 72%. There have been two complications: one patient developed a flexion deformity of 25 degrees at the knee joint and one patient died of disseminated metastatic malignancy.

The early results from patients treated using this device have been encouraging. Using this implant avoids multiple surgical procedures and general anaesthesia. This results in low morbidity, cost savings and reduced psychological trauma. We do need additional data regarding the long-term structural integrity of the prosthesis.

Background

Endoprosthetic reconstruction is an established method of treatment for primary bone tumours in children. Traditionally these were implanted with cemented intramedullary fixation. Hydroxyapatite collars at the shoulder of the implant are now standard on all extremity endoprostheses, but older cases were implanted without collars. Uncemented intramedullary fixation with hydroxyapatite collars has also been used in an attempt to reduce the incidence of problems such as aseptic loosening. Currently there are various indications that dictate which method is used.

Non-invasive expandable prostheses for limb salvage tumour surgery were first used in 2002. These implants allow ongoing lengthening of the operated limb to maintain limb-length equality and function while avoiding unnecessary repeat surgeries and the phenomenon of anniversary operations.

A large series of skeletally immature patients have been treated with these implants at the two leading orthopaedic oncology centres in England (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, and Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham).

An up to date review of these patients has been made, documenting the relevant diagnoses, sites of tumour and types of implant used. 74 patients were assessed, with an age range of 7 – 16 years and follow up range of 4 – 88 months.

We identified five problems with lengthening. One was due to soft tissue restriction which resolved following excision of the hindering tissue. Another was due to autoclaving of the prosthesis prior to insertion and this patient, along with two others, all had successful further surgery to replace the gearbox. Another six patients required mechanism revision when the prosthesis had reached its maximal length. Complications included one fracture of the prosthesis that was revised successfully and six cases of metalwork infection (two of which were present prior to insertion of the implant and three of which were treated successfully with silver-coated implants). There were no cases of aseptic loosening.

Overall satisfaction was high with the patients avoiding operative lengthening and tolerating the non-invasive lengthenings well. Combined with satisfactory survivorship and functional outcome, we commend its use in the immature population of long bone tumour cases.

Introduction: Hydrogenated (acetylene:C2H2) and silanized (tetra methyl silane:TMS) diamond-like-carbon coatings (DLC) are applied to titanium alloy to reduce surface energy, cell adhesion and hydrophilicity. The incorporation of silicon into DLC reduces its surface energy. It was hypothesized that surfaces that have high surface energy and high hydrophilicity favoured the adhesion and maturation of fibroblasts when compared with C2H2 and TMS coated substrates in vitro. This would help in achieving a seal at the prosthesis – soft tissue interface, thereby helping in reducing infection.

Methods: and Materials: Fibroblasts were cultured on 10 mm diameter titanium alloy, C2H2 and TMS coated titanium alloy discs for 4 hours and 24 hours (2500 cells per disc). Cell area, adhesion plaque numbers, number of plaques per unit area (plaque density) and the total area of adhesion plaques per cell were analysed. The results were compared between experimental groups and controls at 4 and 24 hours. In order to measure the strength of adhesion of cells fibroblasts were cultured on discs (30 mm diameter)[machine finished and polished(Ra = 0.031)](density-300,000 cells per disc) for 4 and 24 hours with similar coatings and exposed to radial shear by flow (100 mls/min) of culture media over their surface. These discs were then stained and analysed using Photoshop (ver.5.5) and SPSS (ver.16). Mann-Whitney tests were used to calculate significance (p< 0.05).

Results: At 4 and 24 hours, the number of adhesion plaques was significantly greater on control and C2H2 compared with TMS. At 4 hours, cell area on control discs was significantly greater than C2H2 and TMS. At 24 hours, cell area on control and C2H2 was significantly greater than TMS. Between 4 and 24 hours, the number of adhesion plaques increased significantly on all the surfaces. Cell area increased significantly on C2H2 and TMS between 4 and 24 hours. At 4 hours, shear stress needed to dislodge the cells was highest for polished C2H2 and least for titanium unpolished surface. Cells on polished surfaces in corresponding groups required higher shear stress to remove the cells than cells on unpolished surfaces. At 24 hours, cells on polished C2H2 required significantly higher shear stresses to detach them than cells on unpolished C2H2 and TMS (polished and unpolished). Cells on unpolished Ti required higher stress to dislodge than cells on unpolished TMS. From 4 to 24 hours, a significant increase in shear stress to remove the cells was required on all unpolished surfaces and polished C2H2. A significant correlation was seen between adhesion plaque density at 4 hours and shear stress.

Discussion: This work supports the hypothesis that surfaces with high surface energy and high hydrophilicity lead to increased cell attachment and cell area. It also shows the correlation between adhesion plaque density and the shear stress needed to dislodge fibroblasts from bioactive surfaces.

Between 1997 and 2007, 68 consecutive patients underwent replacement of the proximal humerus for tumour using a fixed-fulcrum massive endoprosthesis. Their mean age was 46 years (7 to 87). Ten patients were lost to follow-up and 16 patients died. The 42 surviving patients were assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) Score and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) at a mean follow-up of five years and 11 months (one year to ten years and nine months). The mean MSTS score was 72.3% (53.3% to 100%) and the mean TESS was 77.2% (58.6% to 100%).

Four of 42 patients received a new constrained humeral liner to reduce the risk of dislocation. This subgroup had a mean MSTS score of 77.7% and a mean TESS of 80.0%. The dislocation rate for the original prosthesis was 25.9; none of the patients with the new liner had a dislocation at a mean of 14.5 months (12 to 18).

Endoprosthetic replacement for tumours of the proximal humerus using this prosthesis is a reliable operation yielding good results without the documented problems of unconstrained prostheses. The performance of this prosthesis is expected to improve further with a new constrained humeral liner, which reduces the risk of dislocation.

Bone marrow cells are well known for improving healing. Recent studies report that stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) play roles in stem cell homing and are related to short-term and long-term engraftment. SDF-1 secreted from an injured organ can pass the endothelium barrier in a CXCR4-dependent manner into the bone marrow and recruit hematopoietic progenitors to the circulation. There is evidence to show that SDF-1 also has chemoat-tractive effects and is able to recruit mesenchymal stem cells and osteoprogenitors. Our previous study also showed that SDF-1 has an enhanced effect on osteoblas-tic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of genetically modified bone marrow cells that overexpress SDF-1 on bone fracture healing in rat model. The hypothesis is that genetically modified rat bone marrow cells (rBMCs) that over expresses SDF-1 will enhance the fracture healing process compared to non-treated groups or to groups treated with only rBMCs. rBMCs were harvested from femora of young male Wistar rats. rBMCs were expanded ex vivo, and cells of passage 3 were used in the experiment. SDF-1 over-expressing rBMCs (rBMC-SDF-1) were engineered by infection of adenovirus carrying human SDF-1 gene at the multiplicity of infection (MOI) 500. Eighteen adult female Wistar rats were divided into three groups with 6 rats in each group:

rBMC-SDF-1,

A 3mm gap in the middle of femur was created during surgery and stabilized by an external fixator. In two groups three hundred thousand rBMCs or rBMCs-SDF-1 were seeded into a collagen sponge and transplanted into the gap. For the control group, sponges without cells were used. Rats were sacrificed 3 weeks after operation and the femora were harvested. Bone mineral content within the gap was measured immediately after operation and compared with the bone mineral content within the same gap at the third week by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning. The area of new bone formation was measured using histomorphometery on H& E stained sections and quantified by imaging analysis system. In the present study, the rBMC-SDF-1 group showed the most dominant influence in both new bone formation and bone mineral increase. rBMC-SDF-1 not only increases new bone formation but also has higher bone mineral content after 3 weeks compare with the rBMC only. This bone healing progress may due to the enhanced local SDF-1/CXCR4 interaction that recruited more host’s stem cells into the fracture site. The control group showed an increased new bone formation in the histological analysis but a reduced bone mineral content after 3 weeks whereas in comparison the rBMC group showed a similar new bone area to the control group but a significantly higher bone mineral content. This may indicate a faster bone repairing ability with the BMCs. Both rBMC and rBMC-SDF-1 groups have a higher bone mineral content and a more compact new bone structure that may indicate an accelerate effect of rBMC in the bone mineralization. In this study, we show that SDF-1 induces improved bone formation in early fracture healing.

We investigated the hypothesis that autologous bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) sprayed on the surface of acetabular cups would improve bone formation and bone implant contact.

Total hip replacements were implanted in 11 sheep, randomly assigned to receive either acetabular implants sprayed with autologous BMSCs suspended in fibrin (study group) or fibrin only (control group). Sheep were sacrificed after six months and the acetabulum with the implant was retrieved and prepared for undcalcified histology. Implant bone contact in both groups was compared, by microscopically noting the presence or absence of new bone or fibrous tissue along the implant at 35 consecutive points (every 1000 μm). The observers undertaking the histological analysis were blinded.

Significantly increased bone implant contact was noted in the BMSC treated group 30.71% ± 2.95 compared to the control group 5.14% ± 1.67 (p = 0.014). The mean thickness of fibrous tissue in contact with the implant was greater at the periphery 887.21mm ± 158.89 and the dome 902.45mm ± 80.67 of the implant in the control group compared to the BMSC treated group (327.49mm ± 20.38 at the periphery and 739.1 mm ±173.72 at the centre). Conversely direct bone contact with the implant surface was significantly greater around the cups with stem cells.

BMSC sprayed on surface of implants improves bone implant contact. Spraying acetabular cups using stem cells could be used in humans where acetabular bone contact is compromised such as in revision procedures.

Background: Osseointegrated amputation prostheses avoid soft tissue complications associated with traditional socket prostheses. Forces are transmitted directly to the skeleton resulting in improved function. However, approximately 50% of transcutaneous implants become infected due to the lack of a successful skin-implant seal. Intraosseous Transcutaneous Amputation Prostheses (ITAP) are designed to integrate with the skin preventing epithelial downgrowth and infection.

Fibronectin adsorption enhances fibroblast adhesion in vitro; however, in vivo, fibronectin becomes desorbed from the implant surface. Covalent attachment of fibronectin by silanisation has been shown to be durable in vitro. The silanisation process for fibronectin includes a stage of passivation with sulphuric acid which alters surface characteristics.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine if in vitro fibroblast adhesion to silanised fibronectin (SiFn) titanium alloy could be improved by omitting or reducing the length of time of passivation. The study also assessed the effects of SiFn on dermal attachment in vivo comparing the results with adsorbed fibronectin substrates and with uncoated controls.

Methods: Scanning electron microscopy, Ra profilometry and contact angle measurement (n=6) were used for topographical characterization of surfaces. Anti-vinculin antibodies were used to immunolocalize fibroblast adhesion sites after 24 hours. The morphology of fibroblasts on each surface was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Subcutaneous plates were implanted onto the tibiae of an ovine model (n=3) in order to evaluate the performance of the modified SiFn surface in vivo. Hydroxyapatite (HA) and adsorption of fibronectin to HA (HAFn) were also tested because HA coatings are currently applied to the dermal section of ITAP in clinical trials. After four weeks, a histological assessment of the percentage of soft-tissue attachment and cell alignment relative to the implant was performed.

Results: Passivation produced rougher, more hydrophobic surfaces with numerous microcracks and was associated with poorer fibroblast adhesion and spreading than un-passivated controls in vitro.

SiFn with passivation resulted in poorer cell adhesion than SiFn without passivation. Reducing the time period for passivation did not reduce the detrimental effects of passivation In vivo, HAFn and SiFn resulted in higher median values for soft-tissue attachment than simple adsorption of fibronectin; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Cell alignment was significantly different for HAFn and SiFn compared with controls (p< 0.05), with cells on the fibro-nectin treated surfaces orientated more perpendicular to the implant surface.

Conclusion: Omission of passivation improves fibro-blast adhesion to SiFn surfaces in vitro. Coating with fibronectin either by silanisation onto titanium alloy or by adsorption onto HA surfaces affected the orientation of cells in vivo, implying that tissue attachment was enhanced. A time course may be of value to determine if fibronectin coatings are lost over time in vivo.

Introduction: Due to uneven distribution of stress between the stump and the socket in amputees pain, infection and necrosis of soft tissue can be problematic (Dudek, Marks, & Marshall 2006)Implants have been developed that allow the external prostheses to attach directly to the skeleton by a percutaneous section by osseointegration that reduces the stresses on the soft tissue alleviating the problems associated with a socket (Lai et al. 1998). It has been postulated that surface coatings can enhance soft tissue attachment and increase the in growth of fibroblastic dermal tissues enhancing the seal at the skin implant interface and reducing infection (Pendegrass et al. 2006). Hydrogenated (acetylene: C2H2) and silanized (tetra methyl silane: TMS) diamond-like-carbon coating (DLC) can be applied to titanium(Ti) alloy to reduce surface energy and hydrophilicity. It was hypothesized that biomaterial surfaces having high surface energy and high hydrophilicity eg, Ti alloy enhance the adhesion and maturation of human dermal fibroblasts when compared with C2H2 and TMS coated substrates in vitro.

Methods: Fibroblasts were cultured on 10 mm diameter Ti alloy, C2H2 and TMS coated Ti alloy discs for 4 hours and 24 hours (2500 cells per disc). Cell area and attachment were analysed using Image Analysis and quantification of immunolocalised vinculin containing adhesion plaques respectively. The number of plaques per cell and cell area were compared between experimental groups and controls at 4 and 24 hours. The change in cell area and number of adhesion plaques between 4 and 24 hours were compared for each substrate type. SPSS version 10 was used for the statistical analysis.

Results: At 4 and 24 hours, the number of adhesion plaques was significantly greater on control and C2H2 compared with TMS (p< 0.001). No significant difference was observed between control and C2H2 discs (p> 0.05). At 4 hours, cell area was significantly greater in control compared to both C2H2 and TMS (p< 0.001). At 4 hours, the cell area in TMS was significantly greater than C2H2 (p< .001). At 24 hours, the cell area on control and C2H2 was significantly greater than TMS(p< 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between cell area on control and C2H2 (p> 0.05). From 4 to 24 hours, the number of adhesion plaques increased significantly on all the surfaces (p< 0.001). Cell area increased significantly on C2H2 and TMS between 4 and 24 hours. No significant increase in the cell area was observed on control substrates

Discussion: This supports the hypothesis that surfaces with high surface energy and high hydrophilicity lead to increased cell attachment and cell area. Thus, it can be concluded that the hydrophilic surfaces with higher surface energies favour the adhesion of dermal fibroblasts.

Disarticulation of the hip in patients with high-grade tumours in the upper thigh results in significant morbidity. In patients with no disease of the proximal soft tissue a femoral stump may be preserved, leaving a fulcrum for movement and weight-bearing. We reviewed nine patients in whom the oncological decision would normally be to disarticulate, but who were treated by implantation of an endoprosthesis in order to create a functioning femoral stump. The surgery was undertaken for chondrosarcoma in four patients, pleomorphic sarcoma in three, osteosarcoma in one and fibrous dysplasia in one. At follow-up at a mean of 80 months (34 to 132), seven patients were alive and free from disease, one had died from lung metastases and another from a myocardial infarction. The mean functional outcome assessment was 50 (musculoskeletal tumor society), 50 and 60 (physical and mental Short-form 36 scores).

Implantation of an endoprosthesis into the stump in carefully selected patients allows fitting of an above-knee prosthesis and improves wellbeing and the functional outcome.

The use of massive endoprostheses following bone tumour resection is well recognised. Where possible, joint salvage rather than joint replacement is usually attempted. However cases arise where there is insufficient bone following tumour resection to allow adequate fixation of a joint sparing prosthesis. We reporta series of 4 patients (aged 4–12), treated between 1994 and 2008, in which irradiated autologous bone has been combined with a diaphyseal or distal femoral replacement in order to preserve the native hip joint.

There were 3 cases of osteosarcoma and 1 case of Ewing‘s sarcoma. After a mean follow-up of 53.5 months (range 9–168), all four patients are alive without evidence of local recurrence or metastases. One implant was revised after 14 years following fracture of the extending component of the growing endoprosthesis. There have been no cases of loosening or periprosthetic fracture.

This is the first report of irradiated autologous bone with joint sparing endoprostheses in skeletally immature patients.

This case highlights the close association between osteo-fibrous dysplasia (OFD) and adamantinoma, drawing attention to the role for more radical treatment options when treating OFD. We discuss the advancements in joint-sparing endoprostheses using bicortical fixation. Finally we describe a unique biomedical design allowing for manufacture of an end cap to allow amputation through a custom made joint-sparing proximal tibial replacement as opposed to an above knee amputation.

A 37 year old presented 7 years ago having sustained a pathological fracture of her tibia. Subsequent biopsy revealed OFD, curettage with bone graft was performed. She later developed recurrence, two percutaneous biopsies confirmed OFD. 6 years following her initial diagnosis she was referred to RNOH with further recurrence, a biopsy at this stage revealed a de-differentiated adamantinoma. A joint-sparing proximal tibial replacement was performed and adjuvant chemotherapy administered, she remained well for one year. Recurrence was noted at the distal bone-prosthesis interface, histology revealed a high grade dedifferentiated osteosarcoma, limb preservation was not deemed possible and an amputation was performed through the prosthesis. The proximal tibial device was uncoupled leaving a residual 7 cms insitu, a small custom made end cap was attached to the remaining prosthesis and a myocutaneous flap fashioned over it, this ultimately enabled the patient to mobilise well with a below–knee orthotic device.

This case highlights the need for more radical surgery when treating cases of OFD and the relationship between OFD and adamantinoma. It also introduces a joint-sparing proximal tibial device for use in proximal tibial tumours that do not invade the proximal tibial metaphysis. The biomechanical design solution has given us the unique option of preserving the knee joint allowing the patient a below knee amputation whereas previously an above knee amputation would have been performed thereby significantly reducing her functional outcome.

Purpose: To determine if Cobalt-Chrome (CoCr) femoral components of knee replacement components roughen significantly, and when significant roughening may start.

Methods:

Retrieval study:

14 knee replacement components were retrieved after revision procedures. The average surface roughness (Ra) of the articulating regions of each condyle was measured by surface profilometry and compared to Ra of non-articulating regions, which acted as controls on each implant.

In vitro testing:

Pin-on-plate testing of 6 paired CoCr pins and vacuum γ-irradiated UHMWPE discs was carried out under a force of 2.3kN at 1Hz to investigate how the articular Ra of CoCr pins varied with increasing number of cycles. Ra was measured at 0, 10, 100 and 1000 cycles using surface profilometry.

Results:

Retrieval analysis:

Average medial femoral condyle Ra was significantly greater than control Ra (p=0.040). Average lateral femoral condyle Ra was not significantly greater than control Ra (p=0.158). Significantly higher average Ra was seen on the medial condyles when compared with the lateral condyles (p < 0.05). 8/14 retrieved femoral components had ≥1 significantly roughened condyle (p< 0.05).

In vitro testing:

At 100 and 1000 cycles the Ra of the CoCr pins was significantly greater than Ra at 0 cycles (p< 0.05).

Conclusion: A large proportion of femoral components of knee replacement implants roughen significantly in vivo, a finding supported by our in vitro testing which indicates that roughening may begin very early on. This may have important implications for aseptic loosening of knee replacement components. However, the average Ra of those CoCr surfaces significantly (p< 0.05) roughened was within acceptable limits for orthopaedic implants (0.050μm).

Following resection of tumours in the distal femur, reconstruction with joint-sparing prostheses have shown good short-term functional outcomes. There is however limited literature on the affect of knee-sparing prostheses on function of the distal femoral physis in children of bone growing age.

We discuss two patients, a male (11yrs) and female (10yrs) who had joint-sparing distal femoral prostheses inserted for treatment of Ewing’s sarcoma. The knee joint, along with the distal growth plate, was preserved and fixed to the distal end of the prosthesis using uni-cortical screws positioned distal to the physis. In the female, these screws were removed 6 months postop due to prominence of the screws under the skin. In both patients, we assessed radiographs from immediately post[surgery and the most recent follow-up (20 and 28 months respectively). In each set, for the operated limb, we measured the height and width of the distal femoral epiphysis, the total length of the femur and the length of the proximal femoral bone segment from the femoral head to the proximal bone-prosthesis interface. In addition, postoperative assessments of leg lengths, bilaterally, were documented.

In both patients, distal femoral epiphyseal height and width in the operated leg showed no significant change following endoprosthetic replacement. In the female, growth did not resume even after removal of the epiphyseal screws. In both patients, lengths of the femur and the proximal bone segment increased significantly following surgery. The patients demonstrated no clinical leg length discrepancy at the most recent follow-up.

This study suggests that the function of the distal femoral growth plate ceases following insertion of joint-sparing distal femoral endoprostheses, probably due to trans-physeal fixation. This does not appear to resume following early removal of distal screws. The proximal growth plate, however, continues to function adequately enough to maintain symmetry in overall leg length.

Despite advances in total hip arthroplasty, failure of acetabular cup remains a concern. The role of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) to aid osseointegration of orthopaedic implants have been recently studied. We investigated the hypothesis that autologous BMSCs sprayed on the surface of acetabular cups would improve bone formation and bone implant contact.

Total hip replacements were implanted in 11 sheep, randomly assigned to receive either acetabular implants sprayed with autologous BMSCs suspended in fibrin (study group) or fibrin only (control group). Sheep were sacrificed after six months and the acetabulum with the implant was retrieved and prepared for undecalcified histology. Implant bone contact in both groups was compared microscopically, by noting the presence or absence of new bone or fibrous tissue along the implant at 35 consecutive points (every 1000 μm). The observers undertaking the histological analysis were blinded.

Significantly increased bone implant contact was noted in the BMSC treated group 30.71% ± 2.95 compared to the control group 5.14% ± 1.67 (p = 0.014). The mean thickness of fibrous tissue in contact with the implant was greater at the periphery 887.21mm ± 158.89 and the dome 902.45mm ± 80.67 of the implant in the control group compared to the BMSC treated group (327.49mm ± 20.38 at the periphery and 739.1 mm ± 173.72 at the centre). Conversely, direct bone contact with the implant surface was significantly greater around the cups with BMSCs.

Our data demonstrate that BMSC sprayed on surface of acetabular implants improves bone implant contact. Spraying acetabular cups using stem cells could be used in humans where acetabular bone contact is compromised such as in revision procedures.

Introduction: The non-invasive growing prosthesis continues to be used successfully for the treatment of limb salvage operations in tumour patients. We report our continued experience in 17 skeletally immature patients with osteosarcoma of the distal femur.

Methods: Patients had a mean age of 10.2 years (range 6 to 15) at the time of surgery. The endoprosthesis was lengthened at appropriate intervals in outpatient clinics without anaesthesia using the principle of electromagnetic induction.

Results: The mean follow-up was 28 months (range 2 to 55). The prostheses were lengthened by a mean of 47.4 mm (range 0.5 to 208) and maintained a mean knee flexion of 110 degrees (range 90 to 120 degrees).

Complications developed in seven patients: two implants failed requiring revision, one peri-prosthetic fracture occurred, one developed a flexion deformity of 25 degrees at the knee joint, which was subsequently overcome and three died of disseminated disease.

Discussion: The medium term results from patients treated with this device have continued to show a promising outcome. Four patients successfully completed desired lengthening, six patients are continuing with ongoing lengthening. The implant avoids multiple surgical procedures, general anaesthesia and assists in maintaining leg-length equality.

Scarf osteotomy is widely used as a surgical treatment for hallux valgus. It is a versatile osteotomy, allowing shortening, depression or medial displacement of the capital fragment but it remains uncertain how stresses within the bone subsequently vary. The aim of this study was to design a computerised model to explore the effect on bone stress of changing the position of bony cuts for a scarf osteotomy.

A computerised image was constructed using finite element analysis. This utilises a mathematical technique to form element equations which represent the effect of applied force to the object appropriate to each finite element. Maximum bone stresses were then measured using different osteotomy variables. The osteotomy variables studied were the length of the longditudinal cut, apex of the distal cut to articular cartilage, resection level of the longditudinal cut and combinations of these variables. A saw bone model was used to test the findings of the study.

The results of this study show that lowering the longditudinal resection level and shortening via the distal cut beyond 6 mm will decrease bone stress. Additionally, raising the longditudinal resection level and shortening via the proximal cut caused an increase in bone stress. A saw bone model confirmed the findings of the study.

In conclusion, our experience is that finite element analysis is a very useful model in studying the bony stresses for a scarf osteotomy and assists in optimising the direction and angle of bony cuts used.

Introduction: Recent studies have shown that MSCs can be isolated from the peripheral blood of many different species. Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) mobilization from the bone marrow to the circulating bloodstream can be induced using granulocyte colony stimulating factors (G-CSF). As it has been shown that HSCs and MSCs have positive interactions with each other, it may be possible that G-CSF also promotes the release of circulating peripheral blood MSCs (PBMSCs). The hypothesis of this study was that G-CSF would increase the mobilization of peripheral blood-derived stromal-like cells.

Materials and Methods: Six sheep with normal hematological profiles were given 5& #956;g/kg Neupogen& #63721; (filgrastim, G-CSF) subcutaneously for five days. Pre- and post-G-CSF treatment, blood was taken 4, 12, 24, and 2 weeks post-treatment. PBMSCs were isolated from the blood and cells plated at a cell density of 4.0 x 10e4 nucleated cells/cm2. Fibroblastic colony forming units (CFU-F) were counted 7 and 14 days after initial culture. The cells were tested for their multipotency by treating them with osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic supplements, and staining with the Von Kossa, Oil Red ‘O,’ and Alcian Blue stains, respectively, to show differentiation down the different lineages.

Results: No CFU-F formation was observed in all blood samples taken before G-CSF therapy (0 CFU-F) after 7 and 14 days in culture. After G-CSF treatment, CFU-Fs were observed in blood samples taken 4, 12, and 336 hours (2 weeks) post-G-CSF. The CFU-F count was highest after 14 days in culture in the blood samples obtained 2 weeks post-G-CSF administration (1.027 ± 30.1353 CFU-F/cm2), compared to the lowest count, which was at 12 hours post-G-CSF treatment (0.064 ± 0.064 CFU-F/cm2). Hematology showed an increase in white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, and eosinophil counts 24 hours after G-CSF administration. Two weeks post-G-CSF treatment, WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts dropped back to normal range values. The highest number of CFU-F/cm2 were observed at this time. When WBC numbers were correlated with CFU-F counts using Pearson’s correlation co-efficient, the result was 0.523, a significant value (p=0.023) indicating that 27.4% of the WBC counts were related to CFU-F counts and vice versa. When time was accounted for as a third variable using the test for partial correlation coefficients, the co-efficient was found to be −0.0063, and was not significant (p=0.492). Expanded cells were fibroblastic in morphology, and upon differentiation were positive for the Von Kossa, Oil Red ‘O,’ and Alican Blue stains, indicating differentiation down the osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineages, respectively.

Discussion and Conclusions: We have shown that PBMSCs can be isolated after G-CSF administration in sheep, and that the numbers of CFU-F increase after WBC levels have returned to normal. A previous in vitro study proposed that the increased BMSC growth observed when co-cultured with CD45+ HSCs was due to positive interactions between HSCs and MSCs, indicating a possible steady-state balance. PBMSCs may have important future applications in bone tissue regeneration.