Background

Forefoot surgery is often performed under regional anaesthesia (ankle block) in awake patients, using tourniquet or esmarch bandage to obtain bloodless field. The purpose of this study was to examine the value and need for local tourniquet pain control using local subcutaneous analgesic mixture in patients undergoing forefoot surgery under regional anaesthesia.

We prospectively randomized 56 patients who underwent forefoot surgery under ankle block to receive subcutaneous local anaesthetic mixture under the tourniquet. We checked for local tourniquet pain score (VAS 0–100) and skin condition during and after the procedure.

Background

Hallux valgus is a complex deformity of the first ray and forefoot, which can be surgically treated by different procedures and osteotomies. Preoperative planning includes antero-posterior and lateral plain films. The effect of weightbearing on the results of the standardized measurements is still the subject of debate.

Metatarsalgia is a recognised complication following iatrogenic shortening of the first metatarsal in the management of hallux valgus. The traditional surgical treatment is by shortening osteotomies of the lesser metatarsals.

We describe the results of lengthening of iatrogenic first brachymetatarsia in 16 females. A Scarf-type osteotomy was used in the first four cases and a step-cut of equal thicknesses along the axis of the first metatarsal was performed in the others.

The mean follow-up was 21 months (19 to 26). Relief of metatarsalgia was obtained in the six patients in whom 10 mm of lengthening had been achieved, compared to only 50% relief in those where less than 8 mm of lengthening had been gained.

One-stage step-cut lengthening osteotomy of the first metatarsal may be preferable to shortening osteotomies of the lesser metatarsals in the treatment of metatarsalgia following surgical shortening of the first metatarsal.

Introduction: Many mini compression screws are now available for fixation in procedures such as metatarsal osteotomies or arthrodeses of the foot.

The aim of the current study is to compare the compression forces achieved by mini compression screws on cortical and cancellous bone models.

Material and Methods: The screws that were tested are listed in the table below. The compression forces were tested by inserting a pressures load measurement cell between longitudinally-split sheep tibia as a cortical bone model and longitudinally split retrieved femoral heads as a cancellous bone model.

Results: The Headed AO 3.5 mm cortical screw gave the best compression force and the Bold was the weakest, both in cortical and cancellous bone. The relative compression forces of the other tested screws were different between cortical and cancellous bone. Compression with the headless screws was lost as soon as the screw penetrated through the cortex in the cortrical bone model.

Conclusions: The indications for using headless self-tapping screws should be reserved for fixation of cancellous bone or of metatarsal or Akin osteotomies where compression is not required for union. When compression is important, such as in MPJ, tarso-metatarsal or talonavicular arthrodeses, Headed AO 3.5 mm or 2.7 mm cortical or 4 mm cancellous screws, which give better compression, should be used.

Introduction: Many mini compression screws are now available for fixation in procedures such as metatarsal osteotomies or arthrodeses of the foot.

The aim of the current study is to compare the compression forces achieved by the relatively new commercial mini compression screws on cortical and cancellous bone models.

Material and Methods: The screws that were tested are listed in the table below. All screws apart from the AO screws are headless and cannulated; and all screws apart from the AO cortical screw are self-tapping. The compression forces were tested by inserting a pressures load measurement cell between longitudinally-split sheep tibia as a cortical bone model and longitudinally split retrieved femoral heads as a cancellous bone model. The screws were inserted across the 2 halves with gradual compression after allowing the reading of the cell to settle.

Results: The Headed AO 3.5 mm cortical screw gave the best compression force, both in cortical and cancellous bone and the Bold was the weakest both in cortical and cancellous bone. The relative compression forces of the other tested screws were different between cortical and cancellous bone. Compression with the headless screws was lost as soon as the screw penetrated through the cortex in the cortrical bone model.

Conclusions: The indications for using headless self-tapping screws should be reserved for fixation of cancellous bone or of metatarsal or Akin osteotomies where compression is not required for union. When compression is important, such as in MPJ, tarso-metatarsal or talo-navicular arthrodeses, Headed AO 3.5 mm or 2.7 mm cortical or 4 mm cancellous screws, which give better compression, should be used.

Introduction: One of the complications of first metatatarsal osteotomies is metatarsalgia secondary to shortening of the first metatarsal. Conservative treatment with insoles is not acceptable to all patients and the traditional treatment of this condition is by shortening osteotomies of the lesser metatarsals (eg Weil, Helal)- the latter osteotomies themselves have complications of causing pain or stiffness in the lesser toes.

Purpose: The aim of this work is to report our results of step cut metatarsal lengthening of iatrogenic first brachymetatarsia.

Patients and Methods: 16 female patients had metatarsal lengthening of iatrogenic first brachymetatarsia. A typical Scarf type osteotomy was used in the first 4 cases and a simple step cut of equal thicknesses along the axis of the first metatarsal was performed in the next 12 procedures.

Results: When 10mm lengthening was done, the metatarsalgia was relieved in all of the 6 patients, in contrary to only 50% relief of symptoms in the patients when less then 8mm lengthening was achieved.

Conclusions: One stage step cut lengthening osteotomy of the iatrogenic short first metatarsal, when over 8mm length is achieved, is safe with good results and is a preferable alternative to shortening osteotomies of the lesser metarsals in the treatment of metarsalgia due to inappropriate shortening of the first metatarsal.

Introduction: Recent studies proved that Colchicine inhibits in-vitro proliferation of osteoblasts and osteosarcoma cells, and that Colchicine is non-selective mitosis inhibitor and selective inhibitor of mineralization. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Colchicine (CO), given on a daily basis on healing process of bones. Materials and Methods: In a double blind prospective study, 3 groups of adult rats were checked. In each rat the left posterior tibia was broken. The study groups were treated with CO, one week before the fracture in one group, and on the fracture day in other group. The control group was not treated with CO at all. After six weeks the broken tibias were x-rayed and the radiographic union was compared between the groups. After the radiographic evaluation the bones were divided randomly to mechanical and histological evaluation. The union in each sample was estimated by 10 grades histopathological grading system. The mechanical tests were done, by checking the resistance to 3-points bending stress. Results: The results demonstrate signiþcant negative inßuence of chronic colchicine treatment on fracture healing. Radiographically, chronic treatment with colchicine reduced the union chance by 29. Clinically and mechanically, chronic treatment with colchicine reduced signiþcantly (p< 0.02) the callus strength. Pathological examination demonstrated mark reduction in the callus quality (p< 0.0001). Conclusions: In this study we proved that chronic treatment with colchicine reduce bone healing, and maybe the treatment policy (þxation methods, casting time, etc..) of skeletal injuries in colchicine treated patients, should be change.

Introduction: Since James Syme described his amputation at the ankle joint (1842), there were progonists and opponents to it. Most authors agreed that Syme’s Amputation should not be considered for patients with Diabetic Vascular Disease (DVD). Patients and Methods: We describe the results of 70 patients who underwent Syme’s Amputation between the years 1980–2000 in our department. Fifty-one of the patients had Syme’s Amputation due to Diabetic Vascular Disease. The other 19 patients had their Syme’s Amputation due to other reasons (i.e. trauma, malignancy, congenital). Results: The 19 patients of the non-DVD group had success rate of 94.7% (18/19). The overall success rate of the DVD patients was 49% (25/51). When we analysed the DVD group by age, the cut point was 65 years old. Patients under the age of 65 (including) had success rate of 68.2% (15/22) and over the age of 65 30.8% (8/26). The cause (disease) is the leading factor in predicting the success. If the patient has DVD, there is 18.5 fold (odd ratio) to fail a Syme’s Amputation. The age is the second in significance for success in Syme’s Amputation. For each decade aging, there is 1.96, (odd ratio) fold chance to fail a Syme’s Amputation. Conclusions: Patients sustaining DVD should be considered as good candidates for Syme’s Amputation if they are younger than 65 years old.

Background: Heterotopic ossification is a common feature that follows total hip arthroplasty, and affects up to 70% of patients with clinical implications, such as pain and restricted hip movements. Previous clinical observation showed negligible heterotopic ossification in our patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty due to familial Mediterranean fever, and received colchicines on a daily basis.

Aims: To evaluate in vitro, in vivo and during clinical studies whether colchicines, given on a prophylactic daily basis to all total hip arthroplasty patients, was responsible for the negligible heterotopic ossification.

Methods: In vitro: cell lines of fibroblasts and osteoblasts were cultured with increasing concentrations of colchicines. Direct cell counts [3H]thymidine uptake, and mineralization were measure. In vivo: heterotopic ossification was induced in the thigh muscle of rabbits by injecting bone marrow. Animals were given colchicines, and X-ray radiographs, ultrasound the histological studies measured its effect on heterotopic ossification. Clinical study: Fifty-two patients admitted for total hip arthroplasty were randomly selected to receive colchicines on a daily basis, starting 10 days pre-operatively, and 6 weeks postoperatively. Clinical evaluation was made according to Harris Hip Score and heterotopic ossification according to Brooker classification.

Results: In vitro: colchicines was found to be a strong, nonselective inhibitor of cell proliferation, and an even greater inhibitor of tissue mineralization. In vivo: statistically significant reduction in the amount of hetero-topic ossification induced in the thigh muscle of rabbits was measured in the groups that received colchicines. Clinical study: Patients who received colchicines pre-operatively developed a negligible amount of hetero-topic ossification after total hip arthroplasty at 1-year follow-up without adversely affecting the Harris Hip Score.

Conclusions: Colchicine is a strong inhibitor of cell proliferation and tissue mineralization, and an effective means of reducing heterotopic ossification after total hip arthroplasty. These effects may be used in other bone-forming processes: after hip/pelvic trauma, head injury, and possibly in other bone-forming conditions.

Background: The few reported results of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients younger than 30 years of age involve mostly patients suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), indicate a high complication rate, and questionable durability.

Aim: We report our results of treatment of 56 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (71 THA operations) < 30 years of age at the time of surgery.

Methods: 56 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (71 THA operations) < 30 years of age at the time of surgery (mean 23.23 ± 4.31) were followed-up for a mean of 7.4 ± 3.79 years after surgery. Multivariant regression analysis indicated that although there was a variability of indications for surgery, only patient age at surgery, hospitalization time, and type of hip prosthesis (cementless vs. cemented) had a statistically valid influence on the final result, namely: Harris Hip Score (HHS) and complication rate.

Results: The final average HHS was 90.59 ± 9.36. Loosening of the cup in 11 of 71 and early traumatic dislocation of 5 of 71, accounted for the majority of complications.

Conclusions: These results indicated that THA is a durable, good treatment modality for young patients with disabling diseases that affect the hip joint.

Background: Childhood septic hip should usually be treated immediately by arthrotomy and antibiotic. Even if treated correctly, the affected hip may become osteoarthritic and functionally disabling.

Usually the literature is not in favor of THA in young patients, and the reports are on patients older than 32 years of age.

Aims: We present here a unique group of very young patients who suffered from early coxarthrosis due to septic hip in childhood, with an average age of 19.14 years at the time of the arthroplasty.

Methods: Seven patients who suffered from early coxarthrosis due to septic hip in childhood underwent total hip arthroplasty, with an average age of 19.14 years (range between 14 and 25 years) at the time of the arthroplasty.

Results: The Harris Hip Score (HHS) improved from a pre-operative mean of 58.43 to a post-operative mean of 94.14. The follow-up period ranged between 2 and 25 years, with an average of 8.14 years.

Conclusion: We conclude that THA in young people with early coxarthrosis due to septic hip in childhood provides good functional results.

Colchicine is often used in the treatment of diseases such as familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and gout. We have previously reported that patients with FMF who had colchicine on a daily basis and who had a total hip arthroplasty showed no heterotopic ossification after surgery. The mechanism by which colchicine causes this clinical phenomenon has never been elucidated. We therefore evaluated the effect of various concentrations of colchicine on cell proliferation and mineralisation in tissue culture, using rat and human cells with and without osteogenic potential. Cell proliferation was assessed by direct cell counts and uptake of (³H)thymidine, and mineralisation by measuring the amount of staining by Alizarin Red.

Our findings indicate that concentrations of colchicine of up to 3 ng/ml did not affect cell proliferation but inhibition was observed at 10 to 30 ng/ml. Mineralisation decreased to almost 50%, which was the maximum inhibition observed, at concentrations of colchicine of 2.5 ng/ml. These results indicate that colchicine at low concentrations, of up to 3 ng/ml, has the capacity to inhibit selectively bone-like cell mineralisation in culture, without affecting cell proliferation. Further clinical and laboratory studies are necessary to evaluate the effects of colchicine on biological processes involving the proliferation of osteoblasts and tissue mineralisation in vivo, such as the healing of fractures, the formation of heterotopic bone and neoplastic bone growth.