The Effect of Repeated Intraarticular Bleeding in the Synovium and Articular Cartilage: An Animal Model / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: We designed this study to demonstrate the pathophysiology of hemophilic arthropathy (HA) by creating an animal model for determining the effect of repeated intraarticular bleeding in the synovium and articular cartilage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 normal male New Zealand white rabbits were used for this study. We injected 1 ml of autologous blood from the ear vein of the rabbits into the right knee joint three timeds a week for 18 weeks, and we injected 1 ml of normal saline into the left knee joint three times a week for 18 weeks as a control group. We examined the pathologic changes by microscopy and plain X-ray, and we determined the mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the synovium of the HA by performing real time RT-PCR at the 11th week and 18th week after starting blood-injection. We also examined the GAG and the PGE2 production in cultured chondrocytes that were extracted from the HA knees. RESULTS: At the 11th week, after blood injection there were no remarkable gross changes in the HA knees and the control knee joints. At the 18th weeks, the experimental knee joints (HA knees) showed grossly swelling and degenerative changes by X-ray. The infiltration of inflammatory cells and the synovial proliferation in the HA knee joints were compared with that in the control knee joints by microscopic examination. The expressions of the mRNA of TNF-alpha, IL-1, MMP-1 and MMP-3 in the HA synovium were increased, as determined by real time RT- PCR, as compared with that in the control knee. In the cultured chondrocytes, the GAG production was decreased and the PGE2 was increased, but the MMP-1 and MMP-3 were not changed, as determined by ELISA. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the GAG production of chondrocytes of the HA knees was decreased and there was increased PGE2, so that the cartilage degeneration by intra-articular bleeding was caused by the decreased metabolism of chondrocytes rather than by increased catabolism of the chondrocytes. We suggest that HA was associated with synovitis and cartilage degeneration, but decreased cartilage metabolism was the major mechanism of HA.

Vascularized Fibular Graft in the Treatment of Intractable Infected Nonunion of Femur: 3 Cases

PURPOSE: To report the clinical results of the vascularized fibular graft in the treatment of intractable infected nonunion of femur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 3 patients who were performed vascularized fibular graft in treated for intractable infected nonunion of femur. They had received an average of 5.6 times(4~8 times) surgical treatment at different hospitals. 1 case was of a infected nonunion in a fracture treated with internal fixation, the fracture having occurred after resection of a malignant tumor and transplantation of pasteurized autologous bone. 2 cases occurred after internal fixation in closed fractures. Surgical treatment was performed an average of 4 times(3~5 times) at our hospital and in all of the cases debridement of necrotic tissue and sequestrectomy. And vascularized fibular graft was performed. In all cases unilateral external fixation devices were used, of these, 1 case was changed into internal fixation. The final conclusion was made by assessment of functional outcomes and complications according to the standards of Paley. RESULTS: As a result, in all of the cases bone union was achieved, and in the last follow up the functional results were excellent in 2 cases and good in 1 case. There were not presented leg length discrepancy of more than 2 cm, and further loss of knee joint motion. After previous treatment, average 23.3 months(16~30 months) was taken to eliminate infection and achieve complete bone union via vascularized fibular graft in our hospital. CONCLUSION: In treatment of intractable infected nonunion of femur, fairly good results can be expected after firm fixation, through debridement and vascularized fibular graft.