The significance of flat-foot in childhood and adolescence in Italy has never been studied on a statistically significant sample. In our survey, thousands of subjects from different regions of northern, central and southern Italy (Calabria, Lazio, Umbria, Lombardia) were studied in order to determine the prevalence of flat-foot and search for possible genetic or environmental factors that may influence the normal development of the longitudinal arch, starting from birth.
Podoscopy was integrated with anamnesis, physical examination and measurement of weight and height. Footprint morphology has been related with variables such as age, sex, geographical area of origin and BMI (Body Mass Index).
Biomaterial porosity is considered one of most important proprieties required to obtain fixation of bone ingrowth and ongrowth in prostheses. Since 1998 in the USA and from in Europe a new highly porous biomaterial, Trabecular Metal Technology (TMT, ©Zimmer, USA) has been used in orthopaedic surgery. This study evaluates the short-term morphological findings of porous tantalum screws implanted in three patients with osteonecrosis of a femoral head. Tantalum trabecular metal offers several advantages over conventional materials. Its regular porosity is considered one of most important properties in bone ingrowth and ongrowth and high biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. The biomechanical properties of tantalum are sufficient to withstand physiological load. Our study disclosed a good integration. The bone penetrated the porous metal completely and many characteristics of good bio-integration were evident such as new formation of lamellae, presence of calcium and phosphorus elements, absence of fracture and signs of implant metallosis. The presence of peri-implant medullary cisternae confirmed the functional sites of new bone formation. We conclude that the porous tantalum material is an optimal osteoinductor and osteoconductor even in critical conditions.
