Experimental Study for Development of New Alloy for Domestic Total Knee Prosthesis / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The total knee replacement is an excellent method for the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. of the knee joint. The tendency of the use of total knee prosthesis is increasing now in Korea. But domestic production of the prosthesis is not avaliable and all are imported from abroad. Moreover, these prosthesis are not well adapted to Korean people, and in occation, the custom-made prosthesis should be needed. So, domestic production of the prosthesis is required. For production of new prosthesis, in cooperation with KAIST(Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), we developed the new alloy 15-57 for total knee prosthesis. We conducted an animal experimental study to confirm the biocompatibility of the new alloy. In this experiment, the Zimmer® company vitallium was compared with this new alloy as control study. The results are as follows: 1. Biocompatibility of the new alloy 15-57 is similar than that of Zimmer® company vitallium in histological study of metal-bone interspace area. 2. Surface corrosion of both metal was nearly absent. 3. In summary, the new alloy 15-57 is suggested as an acceptable metal for the production of total knee prosthesis.

The Shape of Küntscher nail for Treatment of Tibial Shaft Fractures / 대한정형외과학회잡지

We have experienced 40 cases of the tibial shaft fractures treated with Küntscher nail from 1979 to 1986. Authors analysed these cases and our own experimental study concerned with the shape of Küntscher nail. The shape of Küntscher nail for the tibial shaft fractures should be designed according to the type and location of the fracture. The proximally bent and distally straight nail is used for the extension fracture, proximally and distally bent nail or entirely bent nail is inserted for the flexion fracture of the tibia. The large nail(over 13 mm in diameter) may produce injury to the patella because it has minimal flexibility. In order to permit easy driven down of nail and prevent this injury, the nail should b. bent into three to four segments and the length of the longest segment should not exceed the permissible length of straight nail (Permissible length is distance from entrance of nail to posterior cortex of the upper fragment, where tip of the (nail impinged-about 12cm) The midpoint of the middle segment of dual dent nail is placed at the fracture site. The middle segment of the nail may bent anteriorly for flexion fracture and posteriorly for extension fracture, securing the dynamic fixation of the fracture.