We undertook this retrospective study to determine the rate of recurrence and functional outcome after intralesional curettage for chondroblastoma of bone. The factors associated with aggressive behaviour of the tumour were also analysed. We reviewed 53 patients with histologically-proven chondroblastoma who were treated by intralesional curettage in our unit between 1974 and 2000. They were followed up for at least two years to a maximum of 27 years. Seven (13.2%) had a histologically-proven local recurrence. Three underwent a second intralesional curettage and had no further recurrence. Two had endoprosthetic replacement of the proximal humerus and two underwent below-knee amputation after aggressive local recurrence. One patient had the rare malignant metastatic chondroblastoma and eventually died. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumour Society functional score of the survivors was 94.2%. We conclude that meticulous intralesional curettage alone can achieve low rates of local recurrence and excellent long-term function

1. Experimental avascular necrosis of the femoral head was produced in rabbits and the histological and radiographic changes were compared. 2. Avascular bone which was not re-ossified or altered in any way showed no change in density to x-rays. 3. Areas of avascular bone which were being repaired by the formation of appositional new bone showed an absolute increase in density in the radiographs. This is apparently due to simple increase in bulk of bone to be penetrated by the x-ray beam. On this basis, increasing density in radiographs of bone suspected of being dead is a sign of increasing re-ossification rather than of increasing necrosis. 4. Re-ossification of dead bone occurred rapidly in the absence of simultaneous resorption of necrotic trabeculae. It is thus suggested that the term "creeping substitution" is misleading and does not reflect accurately the histological findings, at least as they occur in rabbits

The major advantage of hip resurfacing is the decreased amount of bone resection compared with a standard total hip replacement. Fracture of the femoral neck is the most common early complication and poor bone quality is a major risk factor. We undertook a prospective consecutive case control study examining the effect of bone mineral density changes in patients undergoing hip resurfacing surgery. A total of 423 patients were recruited with a mean age of 54 years (24 to 87). Recruitment for this study was dependent on pre-operative bilateral femoral bone mineral density results not being osteoporotic. The operated and non-operated hips were assessed. Bone mineral density studies were repeated over a two-year period. The results showed no significant deterioration in the bone mineral density in the superolateral region in the femoral neck, during that period. These findings were in the presence of a markedly increased level of physical activity, as measured by the short-form 36 health survey physical function score

Objectives. We performed a systematic review of the literature to determine the safety and efficacy of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) compared with bone graft when used specifically for revision spinal fusion surgery secondary to pseudarthrosis. Methods. The MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were searched using defined search terms. The primary outcome measure was spinal fusion, assessed as success or failure in accordance with radiograph, MRI or CT scan review at 24-month follow-up. The secondary outcome measure was time to fusion. Results. A total of six studies (three prospective and three retrospective) reporting on the use of BMP2 met the inclusion criteria (203 patients). Of these, four provided a comparison of BMP2 and bone graft whereas the other two solely investigated the use of BMP2. The primary outcome was seen in 92.3% (108/117) of patients following surgery with BMP2. Although none of the studies showed superiority of BMP2 to bone graft for fusion, its use was associated with a statistically quicker time to achieving fusion. BMP2 did not appear to increase the risk of complication. Conclusion. The use of BMP2 is both safe and effective within the revision setting, ideally in cases where bone graft is unavailable or undesirable. Further research is required to define its optimum role. Cite this article: Mr P. Bodalia. Effectiveness and safety of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 for adults with lumbar spine pseudarthrosis following spinal fusion surgery: A systematic review. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:145–152. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.54.2000418

We studied the bone mineral density (BMD) and the bone mineral content (BMC) of the proximal tibia in patients with a well-functioning uncemented Oxford medial compartment arthroplasty using the Lunar iDXA bone densitometer. Our hypothesis was that there would be decreased BMD and BMC adjacent to the tibial base plate and increased BMD and BMC at the tip of the keel. There were 79 consecutive patients (33 men, 46 women) with a mean age of 65 years (44 to 84) with a minimum two-year follow-up (mean 2.6 years (2.0 to 5.0)) after unilateral arthroplasty, who were scanned using a validated standard protocol where seven regions of interest (ROI) were examined and compared with the contralateral normal knee. All had well-functioning knees with a mean Oxford knee score of 43 (14 to 48) and mean Knee Society function score of 90 (20 to 100), showing a correlation with the increasing scores and higher BMC and BMD values in ROI 2 in the non-implanted knee relative to the implanted knee (p = 0.013 and p = 0.015, respectively). The absolute and percentage changes in BMD and BMC were decreased in all ROIs in the implanted knee compared with the non-implanted knee, but this did not reach statistical significance. Bone loss was markedly less than reported losses with total knee replacement. There was no significant association with side, although there was a tendency for the BMC to decrease with age in men. The BMC was less in the implanted side relative to the non-implanted side in men compared with women in ROI 2 (p = 0.027), ROI 3 (p = 0.049) and ROI 4 (p = 0.029). The uncemented Oxford medial compartment arthroplasty appears to allow relative preservation of the BMC and BMD of the proximal tibia, suggesting that the implant acts more physiologically than total knee replacement. Peri-prosthetic bone loss is an important factor in assessing long-term implant stability and survival, and the results of this study are encouraging for the long-term outcome of this arthroplasty. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1480–3

1. Cancellous bone cubes from calf and man were deproteinised with hydrogen peroxide and with ethylenediamine. 2. Long bones were removed aseptically from sheep, stored in the bone bank and used for cancellous homografts. 3. Holes were drilled in the upper part of the tibia or ulna or in the lower part of the femur of sheep. Some were left empty; others were filled with plugs of the deproteinised heterogenous bone, with autografts, or with homografts. 4. Histological appearances were studied after seventeen and thirty-six days. 5. At seventeen days repair was more advanced in the plugged holes; the biological result was better with the ethylenediamine-treated than with the peroxide-treated material. After thirty-six days repair was at an advanced stage. As much new bone had been deposited on the trabeculae of the deproteinised heterografts as on those of the homografts. 6. There was no evidence of metaplastic bone formation; new bone seemed to form from endosteal osteoblasts. 7. Certain clinical implications are briefly discussed

1. The effects of the insertion of pieces of fresh cancellous bone into the subcutaneous tissues of the ear upon lymph nodes and spleens have been investigated in seventy rabbits. 2. The main immunological response is found to occur in the first regional nodes draining the sites of insertion of homografts of bone, which show a considerable increase in weight compared with nodes draining autografts of bone. 3. An increased number of large and medium lymphoid cells occurs principally in the first regional node of the homografted animals, as Scothorne and McGregor (1955) observed using skin as the homografted tissue. 4. The large and medium lymphoid cell response is found in both the cortex and the medulla of the lymph nodes. In the cortex a sectoral distribution of the cellular response is observed and the name reactive cortex is given to these sectors. Evidence is presented to show that the sectoral pattern of reactivity is probably determined by the localised entry into the node of iso-antigens through lymphatic vessels draining the bed of the graft. 5. We have made a quantitative analysis of the large and medium lymphoid cell response in the reactive parts of the diffuse lymphoid tissue of the cortex. The mean maximal large and medium lymphoid cell response occurs five days after the insertion of bone homografts. 6. The origin and fate of the large and medium lymphoid cells and their role in the production of antibodies is reviewed in the light of recent work. 7. A correlation is made between the maximal production of large and medium lymphoid cells in the first regional lymph node, the invasion of the graft bed with small lymphocytes and the inhibition of new bone formation in the homografts

The efficacy of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) loaded with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2)-gene-modified bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was evaluated for the repair of experimentally-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in goats. Bilateral early-stage osteonecrosis was induced in adult goats three weeks after ligation of the lateral and medial circumflex arteries and delivery of liquid nitrogen into the femoral head. After core decompression, porous β-TCP loaded with BMP-2 gene- or β-galactosidase (gal)-gene-transduced BMSCs was implanted into the left and right femoral heads, respectively. At 16 weeks after implantation, there was collapse of the femoral head in the untreated group but not in the BMP-2 or β-gal groups. The femoral heads in the BMP-2 group had a normal density and surface, while those in the β-gal group presented with a low density and an irregular surface. Histologically, new bone and fibrous tissue were formed in the macropores of the β-TCP. Sixteen weeks after implantation, lamellar bone had formed in the BMP-2 group, but there were some empty cavities and residual fibrous tissue in the β-gal group. The new bone volume in the BMP-2 group was significantly higher than that in the β-gal group. The maximum compressive strength and Young’s modulus of the repaired tissue in the BMP-2 group were similar to those of normal bone and significantly higher than those in the β-gal group. Our findings indicate that porous β-TCP loaded with BMP-2-gene-transduced BMSCs are capable of repairing early-stage, experimentally-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head and of restoring its mechanical function

The treatment of chronic osteomyelitis often includes surgical debridement and filling the resultant void with antibiotic-loaded polymethylmethacrylate cement, bone grafts or bone substitutes. Recently, the use of bioactive glass to treat bone defects in infections has been reported in a limited series of patients. However, no direct comparison between this biomaterial and antibiotic-loaded bone substitute has been performed. . In this retrospective study, we compared the safety and efficacy of surgical debridement and local application of the bioactive glass S53P4 in a series of 27 patients affected by chronic osteomyelitis of the long bones (Group A) with two other series, treated respectively with an antibiotic-loaded hydroxyapatite and calcium sulphate compound (Group B; n = 27) or a mixture of tricalcium phosphate and an antibiotic-loaded demineralised bone matrix (Group C; n = 22). Systemic antibiotics were also used in all groups. After comparable periods of follow-up, the control of infection was similar in the three groups. In particular, 25 out of 27 (92.6%) patients of Group A, 24 out of 27 (88.9%) in Group B and 19 out of 22 (86.3%) in Group C showed no infection recurrence at means of 21.8 (12 to 36), 22.1 (12 to 36) and 21.5 (12 to 36) months follow-up, respectively, while Group A showed a reduced wound complication rate. Our results show that patients treated with a bioactive glass without local antibiotics achieved similar eradication of infection and less drainage than those treated with two different antibiotic-loaded calcium-based bone substitutes. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:845–50

Post-natal vasculogenesis, the process by which vascular committed bone marrow stem cells or endothelial precursor cells migrate, differentiate and incorporate into the nacent endothelium and thereby contribute to physiological and pathological neurovascularisation, has stimulated much interest. Its contribution to neovascularisation of tumours, wound healing and revascularisation associated with ischaemia of skeletal and cardiac muscles is well established. We evaluated the responses of endothelial precursor cells in bone marrow to musculoskeletal trauma in mice. Bone marrow from six C57 Black 6 mice subjected to a standardised, closed fracture of the femur, was analysed for the combined expression of cell-surface markers stem cell antigen 1 (sca-1. +. ) and stem cell factor receptor, CD117 (c-kit. +. ) in order to identify the endothelial precursor cell population. Immunomagnetically-enriched sca-1. +. mononuclear cell (MNC. sca-1+. ) populations were then cultured and examined for functional vascular endothelial differentiation. Bone marrow MNC. sca-1+,c-kit+. counts increased almost twofold within 48 hours of the event, compared with baseline levels, before decreasing by 72 hours. Sca-1. +. mononuclear cell populations in culture from samples of bone marrow at 48 hours bound together Ulex Europus-1, and incorporated fluorescent 1,1′-dioctadecyl- 3,3,3,’3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate-labelled acetylated low-density lipoprotein intracellularily, both characteristics of mature endothelium. Our findings suggest that a systemic provascular response of bone marrow is initiated by musculoskeletal trauma. Its therapeutic manipulation may have implications for the potential enhancement of neovascularisation and the healing of fractures

Specimens of femoral cortical bone from normal subjects and from patients with osteoporosis were mechanically tested in tension to destruction. The osteoporotic bone showed less strength and less stiffness than the normal bone; these reductions are related to the increased cavity area in osteoporosis. Further, the osteoporotic bone is not able to absorb as much energy before fracture as the normal bone; but this difference is not related to changes in cavity area

Atypical cartilaginous tumours are usually treated by curettage. The purpose of this study was to show that radiofrequency ablation was an effective alternative treatment. . We enrolled 20 patients (two male, 18 female, mean age 56 years (36 to 72) in a proof-of-principle study. After inclusion, biopsy and radiofrequency ablation were performed, followed three months later by curettage and adjuvant phenolisation. The primary endpoint was the proportional necrosis in the retrieved material. Secondary endpoints were correlation with the findings on gadolinium enhanced MRI, functional outcome and complications. Our results show that 95% to 100% necrosis was obtained in 14 of the 20 patients. MRI had a 91% sensitivity and 67% specificity for detecting residual tumour after curettage. The mean functional outcome (MSTS) score six weeks after radiofrequency ablation was 27.1 (23 to 30) compared with 18.1 (12 to 25) after curettage (p < 0.001). No complications occurred after ablation, while two patients developed a pathological fracture after curettage. We have shown that radiofrequency ablation is capable of completely eradicating cartilaginous tumour cells in selective cases. MRI has a 91% sensitivity for detecting any residual tumour. Radiofrequency ablation can be performed on an outpatient basis allowing a rapid return to normal activities. If it can be made more effective, it has the potential to provide better local control, while improving functional outcome. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1540–5

Intra-articular resection of bone with soft-tissue balancing and total knee replacement (TKR) has been described for the treatment of patients with severe osteoarthritis of the knee associated with an ipsilateral malunited femoral fracture. However, the extent to which deformity in the sagittal plane can be corrected has not been addressed. We treated 12 patients with severe arthritis of the knee and an extra-articular malunion of the femur by TKR with intra-articular resection of bone and soft-tissue balancing. The femora had a mean varus deformity of 16° (8° to 23°) in the coronal plane. There were seven recurvatum deformities with a mean angulation of 11° (6° to 15°) and five antecurvatum deformities with a mean angulation of 12° (6° to 15°). The mean follow-up was 93 months (30 to 155). The median Knee Society knee and function scores improved from 18.7 (0 to 49) and 24.5 (10 to 50) points pre-operatively to 93 (83 to 100) and 90 (70 to 100) points at the time of the last follow-up, respectively. The mean mechanical axis of the knee improved from 22.6° of varus (15° to 27° pre-operatively to 1.5° of varus (3° of varus to 2° of valgus) at the last follow-up. The recurvatum deformities improved from a mean of 11° (6° to 15°) pre-operatively to 3° (0° to 6°) at the last follow-up. The antecurvatum deformities in the sagittal plane improved from a mean of 12° (6° to 16°) pre-operatively to 4.4° (0° to 8°) at the last follow-up. Apart from varus deformities, TKR with intra-articular bone resection effectively corrected the extra-articular deformity of the femur in the presence of antecurvatum of up to 16° and recurvatum of up to 15°

The technique of storing bone by refrigeration is described and the following advantages are indicated: 1) A patient avoids a second wound and the loss of bone from some other part of the body; this is a very important matter for patients in whom poliomyelitis has affected both legs. 2) Almost unlimited bone is available to the surgeon and he is consequently able to insert very large grafts and so obtain better results

Vancomycin-supplemented allografts provide biological restoration of bone stock and sound fixation with a low incidence of re-infection. Experimental incorporation of these grafts is similar to allografts without vancomycin. However, the underlying biology remains unknown. We report the first histological observations of vancomycin-supplemented impacted bone allografts in two reconstructions performed 14 and 20 months after revision surgery because of a periprosthetic fracture. Areas of active bone remodelling (creeping substitution), as well as calcified bone trabeculae and graft particles embedded in dense fibrous tissue, were observed with osteoid and fibroconnective tissue surrounding polymethylmethacrylate particles. These pathological findings are similar to those reported in allografts without vancomycin and support the hypothesis that high levels of vancomycin do not affect the incorporation of bone graft

Failure of bone repair is a challenging problem in the management of fractures. There is a limited supply of autologous bone grafts for treating nonunions, with associated morbidity after harvesting. There is need for a better source of cells for repair. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold promise for healing of bone because of their capacity to differentiate into osteoblasts and their availability from a wide variety of sources. Our review aims to evaluate the available clinical evidence and recent progress in strategies which attempt to use autologous and heterologous MSCs in clinical practice, including genetically-modified MSCs and those grown on scaffolds. We have compared various procedures for isolating and expanding a sufficient number of MSCs for use in a clinical setting. There are now a number of clinical studies which have shown that implantation of MSCs is an effective, safe and durable method for aiding the repair and regeneration of bone

Resection of a primary sarcoma of the diaphysis of a long bone creates a large defect. The biological options for reconstruction include the use of a vascularised and non-vascularised fibular autograft. The purpose of the present study was to compare these methods of reconstruction. Between 1985 and 2007, 53 patients (26 male and 27 female) underwent biological reconstruction of a diaphyseal defect after resection of a primary sarcoma. Their mean age was 20.7 years (3.6 to 62.4). Of these, 26 (49 %) had a vascularised and 27 (51 %) a non-vascularised fibular autograft. Either method could have been used for any patient in the study. The mean follow-up was 52 months (12 to 259). Oncological, surgical and functional outcome were evaluated. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed for graft survival with major complication as the end point. At final follow-up, eight patients had died of disease. Primary union was achieved in 40 patients (75%); 22 (42%) with a vascularised fibular autograft and 18 (34%) a non-vascularised (p = 0.167). A total of 32 patients (60%) required revision surgery. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed a mean survival without complication of 36 months (0.06 to 107.3, . sd. 9) for the vascularised group and 88 months (0.33 to 163.9, . sd. 16) for the non-vascularised group (p = 0.035). . Both groups seem to be reliable biological methods of reconstructing a diaphyseal bone defect. Vascularised autografts require more revisions mainly due to problems with wound healing in distal sites of tumour, such as the foot. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1258–63

Implants of solid sintered hydroxyapatite form very tight bonds with living bone, but are susceptible to fatigue failure. This problem can be overcome by using plasma-sprayed apatite coatings on titanium implants. A very strong bond is formed between bone and this composite material; this was studied in canine bone with plug implants, avoiding any mechanical retention. Mechanical testing showed an interface shear strength at six weeks of 49 MPa with a maximum of 64 MPa after six months. There was histological evidence of direct bonding between the apatite coating and living bone while uncoated control plugs were easily extracted. The results indicate that apatite-coated implants can form a chemical fixation with a strength comparable to that of cortical bone itself. This fixation is far stronger than that provided by current cemented or uncemented fixation techniques

Various chemicals are commonly used as adjuvant treatment to surgery for giant-cell tumour (GCT) of bone. The comparative effect of these solutions on the cells of GCT is not known. In this study we evaluated the cytotoxic effect of sterile water, 95% ethanol, 5% phenol, 3% hydrogen peroxide (H. 2. O. 2. ) and 50% zinc chloride (ZnCI. 2. ) on GCT monolayer tumour cultures which were established from six patients. The DNA content, the metabolic activity and the viability of the cultured samples of tumour cells were assessed at various times up to 120 hours after their exposure to these solutions. Equal cytotoxicity to the GCT monolayer culture was observed for 95% ethanol, 5% phenol, 3% H. 2. O. 2. and 50% ZnCI. 2. The treated samples showed significant reductions in DNA content and metabolic activity 24 hours after treatment and this was sustained for up to 120 hours. The samples treated with sterile water showed an initial decline in DNA content and viability 24 hours after treatment, but the surviving cells were viable and had proliferated. No multinucleated cell formation was seen in these cultures. These results suggest that the use of chemical adjuvants other than water could help improve local control in the treatment of GCT of bone

1. In five series of experiments in eighty-two rabbits we succeeded in causing rarefaction of the calcaneum of all the animals soon after it was relieved from muscular compressing forces; new bone was generated when the calcaneum was subjected again to the stresses and strains of muscle contraction. 2. We found evidence that during muscle action pressure forces are transmitted through the bone, and that the presence or absence of these pressure forces conditions the balance between bone formation and bone removal. 3. In the calcaneum of the rabbit lack of muscular action seems to be the most important factor inducing osteoporosis. It is possible that the origin of post-traumatic osteoporosis has the same basis. 4. In our experiments bone rarefaction was characterised by a great increase in the vascularity of the bone; this increase ceased when the bone reached its final precarious bone density. Thus, vascular over-activity accompanied the removal of bone; but bone reconstruction was also seen to be accompanied by a more localised increase in vascularity. 5. From our experiments we cannot suggest that the inhibition of muscle contraction accompanying Sudeck's syndrome is responsible for this disorder, because we were unable in our animals to cause any of the other signs characteristic of Sudeck's bone atrophy. But the constancy with which we caused bone atrophy by the removal of muscle action may possibly help to explain the mechanism of bone absorption accompanying Sudeck's disease