Bilateral Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Femoral Condyles in Both Knees: A Report of Two Sibling Cases

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of both femoral condyles is very rare, with no previously reported cases of bilateral OCD of both knees in two siblings. We report on a brother and sister with both femoral condyle OCD with a description of surgical technique and clinical results. Fixation using headless compressive screws, osteochondral autologous transplantation and autologous chondrocyte implantation were all successful.

Effects of Beraprost Sodium on Subjective Symptoms in Diabetic Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effects of Beraprost sodium (Berasil) on subjective leg symptoms in patients with peripheral arterial disease caused by diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Ninety-four diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease were treated with Beraprost in a fixed-dose, prospective, multicenter, cohort study. Beraprost (40 microg) was administered orally 3 times daily (120 microg/day) for 12 weeks. We developed a new disease-specific symptom questionnaire, which evaluated the effect of peripheral arterial disease on leg discomfort in daily life and assessed therapeutic responses to treatment. Patients were asked for their subjective assessment of symptoms on a written questionnaire before treatment and after 12 weeks of therapy. RESULTS: There was significant improvement in all estimated subjective symptoms (burning, coldness, edema, exertional pain, stabbing, and paresthesias) in the lower extremities at 12 weeks (p < 0.001). There were 18 patients with neuropathy in whom significant improvement was noted for 6 subjective symptoms at 12 weeks (p < 0.05). Adverse events considered to be drug-related were observed in 4 patients (4.3%), all of which were mild and resolved with discontinuation of the medication. CONCLUSIONS: Beraprost is effective as a treatment for improving various subjective symptoms in the lower extremities, such as burning, coldness, edema, exertional pain, stabbing, and paresthesias, in diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Short Term Result of Minimally Invasive Total Knee Arthroplasty with Mini-Midvastus Approach / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness of minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty using the mini-midvastus approach through analyzing the short-term clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-seven consecutive total knee arthroplasties were performed with the mini-midvastus surgical technique from August 2005 to February 2006 and were followed for more than 1 year after the procedure. All operations were performed with the Nexgen LPS-flex total knee system using a MIS quad-sparing instrument. The evaluation included preoperative and postoperative clinical data, surgical and radiological outcomes. RESULTS: The length of skin incision was average 8.4+/-0.6 cm and the operation time was average 95.5+/-15.7 minutes. The blood loss was average 727.5+/-315.5 cc. The tibial component alignment angles averaged 0.2+/-1.3degrees varus and the tibiofemoral angles averaged 5.8+/-1.8degrees. The mean ROM and the mean HSS score was 117+/-10degrees and 120+/-11degrees, 88.9+/-7.1 and 96.2+/-4.5 at eight weeks and one year after surgery respectively. CONCLUSION: If proper surgical procedures are performed using the appropriate surgical instruments, minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty with the assistance of the mini-midvastus approach, can result in good clinical outcomes and alignment of the implants.

Intraspinal Clear Cell Meningioma: A Case Report / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Meningioma is one of the most common tumors of the spinal canal. Spinal meningiomas are usually found in the thoracic spine and intradural extramedullary space. Intraspinal clear cell meningiomas are a rare histological variant. Fewer than 20 intraspinal cases have been reported in the literature and only two cases have been reported in the Korean literature, but there is no report available in the Korean orthopedic literature. We report here on a case of an intraspinal clear cell meningioma that was found in the thoracic region and it was completely resected. The nonspecific MR imaging characteristics make the diagnosis of this tumor difficult. Histological examination must be used to differentiate clear cell meningiomas from other tumors. Clear cell meningioma represents an aggressive variant of meningiomas, and surgical reatment and adjuvant radiotherapy are though to be essential. Further more, long term follow-up observation will be needed for detecting recurrence of clear cell meningioma.

Operative Treatment of Distal Clavicle Fracture Nonunion

PURPOSE: The distal clavicle has a biomechanical structure different from that of the proximal or middle 1/3 clavicle, and delayed union or nonunion occurs frequently in a distal clavicle fracture. The authors obtained favorable results from an open reduction and bone grafting of the distal clavicle nonunion. We report the results together with review of the relevant literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 8 patients (average age, 38.9) who had undergone surgery for distal clavicle nonunion from August 2003 to May 2006. Nonunion occurred after surgical treatment in 4 cases, and after conservative treatment in the other 4. In all cases, the patients complained of pain. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 14 months, and radiological union was observed in 8 weeks on average. In all cases, the range of shoulder joint motion was normal at the end of the follow-up observation. In the functional evaluation, 7 cases showed excellent results and 1 case showed good results. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment is a safe and reliable treatment for distal clavicle fracture nonunion because it can achieve early rehabilitation and union.

Treatment of Displaced Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures Using a F-plate

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of F-plate in displaced intra-articular fractures of calcaneus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 43 cases treated with F-plate and followed up at least six months postoperatively were reviewed. Radiographically, Böhler angle was measured and all cases were subdivided by Sanders classification. Each case was reviewed for the presence of local infection, traumatic arthritis, nonunion, and any breakage of plate or screw. Maryland foot score was used for clinical assessment and factors influencing on clinical results were determined. RESULTS: The mean Böhler angle was improved from 0.5° (range: -24.7~35.5°) preoperatively to 25.8° (range: 14.2~38.6°) postoperatively and the angle at last follow-up was 23.5° (range: 10.2~37.5°), showing about 2.3 degree decline compared to postoperative Böhler angle. There were two cases of F-plate breakage and two cases of screw breakage but the metal breakage did not affect any change in Böhler angle. Other complications were; five cases of traumatic arthritis, one case of varus malunion and one case of deep wound infection. According to Maryland foot score, there were 10 excellent, 22 good, 10 fair and 1 poor result. Furthermore, Age, pre-operative Böhler angle and the patient's expectation on financial compensation had significant influences upon the clinical result. CONCLUSION: F-plate fixation seems to yield firm fixation and satisfactory clinical results in the treatment of displaced intra-articular fractures of calcaneus.