Effectiveness of Ilizarov external fixation in elderly patients with pilon fractures.

BACKGROUND: Pilon fractures are associated with soft tissue complications such as skin necrosis, and deep infections have been reported very often. This study retrospectively compared the treatment effects of Ilizarov external fixation and of internal fixation methods in elderly patients with pilon fractures. METHODS: A total of 37 patients >60 years old with pilon fractures (AO classification type 43) were investigated. Patients were treated either with internal fixation (n = 15) or Ilizarov external fixation (n = 22). The patients' mean age was 74.2 (range, 60-78) years in the internal fixation group and 76.1 (range, 60-82) years in the Ilizarov external fixation group. Many patients in the internal fixation group received toe-touch to 1/3 partial weight-bearing at 2-4 weeks postoperatively and full weight-bearing by 6-8 weeks postoperatively. Many patients in the Ilizarov external fixation group received partial weight-bearing (as tolerated) 1 day postoperatively, 1/2 partial weight-bearing at 2 weeks postoperatively, and full weight-bearing at 4 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean duration of hospitalization was 79.1 ± 30.1 days for the internal fixation group and 29.1 ± 18.8 days for the Ilizarov external fixation group (p < 0.05). Bone mineral density (T-score) was 2.6 ± 0.7 for the internal fixation group and 3.6 ± 1.2 for the Ilizarov external fixation group (p < 0.05). The incidence of skin disorders that required additional surgical treatment was 33.3% (5/15 patients) in the internal fixation group and 0% (0/22 patients) in the Ilizarov external fixation group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients with periarticular fractures of the ankle, those who underwent Ilizarov external fixation had a shorter duration of hospitalization and fewer complications than those who underwent internal fixation.

Effectiveness of distal tibial osteotomy with distraction arthroplasty in varus ankle osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: In highly active older individuals, end-stage ankle osteoarthritis has traditionally been treated using tibiotalar arthrodesis, which provides considerable pain relief. However, there is a loss of ankle joint movement and a risk of future arthrosis in the adjacent joints. Distraction arthroplasty is a simple method that allows joint cartilage repair; however, the results are currently mixed, with some reports showing improved pain scores and others showing no improvement. Distal tibial osteotomy (DTO) without fibular osteotomy is a type of joint preservation surgery that has garnered attention in recent years. However, to our knowledge, there are no reports on DTO with joint distraction using a circular external fixator. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of DTO with joint distraction using a circular external fixator for treating ankle osteoarthritis. METHODS: A total of 21 patients with medial ankle arthritis were examined. Arthroscopic synovectomy and a microfracture procedure were performed, followed by angled osteotomy and correction of the distal tibia; the ankle joint was then stabilized after its condition improved. An external fixator was used in all patients, and joint distraction of approximately 5.8 mm was performed. All patients were allowed full weight-bearing walking immediately after surgery. RESULTS: The anteroposterior and lateral mortise angle during weight-bearing, talar tilt angle, and anterior translation of the talus on ankle stress radiography were improved significantly (P < 0.05). Signal changes on magnetic resonance imaging also improved in all patients. Visual analog scale and American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society scores improved significantly (P < 0.05), and no severe complications were observed. CONCLUSION: DTO with joint distraction may be useful as a joint-preserving surgery for medial ankle osteoarthritis in older patients with high levels of physical activity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Comparison of Atypical and Osteoporotic Femoral Shaft Fractures in the Elderly: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: In atypical femoral fractures, owing to the high rates of complications and delayed healing that accompany the plate fixation, the most favorable treatment is intramedullary nailing. Although there is insufficient evidence, plate fixation is chosen due to anterolateral bowing of the femur. This study compared the bone healing time and rates of complications in atypical femoral shaft fractures and osteoporotic femoral shaft fractures. METHODS: We searched the medical records of 3 institutions in Japan for patients with femoral shaft fractures who visited between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2015. We identified 65 patients and excluded 37 among these due to high-energy injuries or being younger than 65 years. Among the remaining patients, we identified 17 and 11 women with atypical (AFF group) and osteoporotic femoral shaft fractures (OP group), respectively. RESULTS: In surgical method, there were differences in intramedullary nailing (94.1% versus 27.2%) (p < 0.01). The mean bone healing time was 11.1 months versus 6.7 months in 2 groups (p < 0.01). Iatrogenic femoral fractures during intramedullary nail insertion were observed in both groups, and reoperation was only seen in atypical femoral fractures treated with a plate fixation, but there was no difference in the rate of complications (23.5% versus 9.1%). CONCLUSIONS: In the atypical femoral fracture group, intramedullary nailing was more chosen, but the bone healing time was delayed and plate fixation cases needed reoperation. There was no significant difference in the rate of complications between the 2 groups.

Reconstruction of a chronically ruptured Achilles tendon using an internal brace: a case report.

BACKGROUND: We reconstructed a chronically ruptured Achilles tendon and the associated scar tissue using braided polyblend polyethylene sutures (FiberWire; Arthrex Inc.; Naples, FL, USA) and anchors. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old Japanese man, who was being treated for right Achilles tendinosis, felt pain in his Achilles tendon when walking and started to find plantar flexion of his ankle joint difficult. As his symptoms persisted, he visited us after 4 weeks. Surgery and orthotic therapy were recommended, but he did not want to undergo these treatments. However, he began to find walking difficult and so underwent surgery 6 months after suffering the injury. The interior of the tendon was curetted, and the ruptured region was subjected to plication using the surrounding scar tissue. Using the percutaneous Achilles repair system (Arthrex Inc.), FiberWire sutures were inserted, and two skin incisions were made on the medial and lateral sides of his calcaneus in the region surrounding the Achilles tendon attachment. SutureLasso (Arthrex Inc.) was passed through, and the proximal FiberWire suture was relayed and fixed with 4.75-mm SwiveLock (Arthrex Inc.). After surgery, his foot was fixed in plaster at 20° plantar flexion of his ankle joint. The plaster was removed 1 week after surgery, and after-treatment was initiated with active dorsiflexion training. No orthosis was used after surgery. As of 16 postoperative months, no re-rupture had occurred. CONCLUSIONS: This method might allow post-treatment rehabilitation, and so on, to occur earlier, and, hence, could become an option for the reconstruction of chronically ruptured Achilles tendons.

Cut-Off Value of Medial Meniscal Extrusion for Knee Pain.

Purpose. Medial meniscal extrusion (MME) has attracted attention as an index of knee pain in conjunction with clinical symptoms that could be more useful than the diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis on X-ray. However, the size of MME that would cause knee pain has not been clarified. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cut-off value of MME for knee pain. Methods. A total of 318 knees were evaluated. The presence of current or past knee pain was confirmed by interview. Next, MME was measured using vertical sonographic images of the medial joint spaces during weightbearing. Results. Overall, 71 knees were painful (P-group), and 247 knees were not (N-group). MME was 5.9 ± 1.8 mm in the P-group and 2.9 ± 1.5 mm in the N-group (P < 0.0001). Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the cut-off value of MME for knee pain was 4.3 mm, with sensitivity of 0.8451 and specificity of 0.8502. In addition, 64% of knees without pain cases at the time of examination whose MME exceeded this cut-off value had past knee pain. Conclusions. The sensitivity and specificity of MME for knee pain were very high with a cut-off value of 4.3 mm.

Comminuted distal humeral fracture treated using the Ilizarov technique in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.

The goal of treatment for distal humeral fractures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is to obtain sufficient bone union and good elbow function. However, treating comminuted distal humeral fractures in patients with RA and osteoporosis is challenging. We present the case of a 58-year-old woman with RA and osteoporosis who suffered a comminuted distal humeral fracture and was successfully treated with the Ilizarov technique. The Ilizarov technique is minimally invasive compared with conventional open surgery, can obtain good stabilization, and allows earlier rehabilitation, even if the fractured bone is severely osteoporotic. The patient exhibited good elbow function and alignment at the final follow-up examination (18 postoperative months). To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first in which a comminuted distal humeral fracture in a patient with RA and severe osteoporosis was successfully treated with an Ilizarov external fixator.

Effects of risedronate alone or combined with vitamin K2 on serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin and osteocalcin levels in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Risedronate decreases osteoporotic fracture incidence; however, its effects remain unclear in elderly osteoporotic patients. Vitamin K mediates carboxylation of osteocalcin (OC), and high undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) levels indicate vitamin K deficiency and increased osteoporotic fracture risk. We aimed to evaluate the effects of risedronate alone or combined with vitamin K2 on serum ucOC, OC, and incidence of vertebral fractures in elderly osteoporotic patients. A total of 101 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis aged >60 years were randomly stratified into two groups-R group (n = 51), treated with risedronate alone; and R + K group (n = 50), treated with risedronate and vitamin K2. Serum ucOC, OC and incidence of vertebral fractures were evaluated before treatment and at 6 and 12 months post-treatment. Decreased ucOC rates at 6 and 12 months were not significant between groups. However, at 6 and 12 months, decreased OC rates in the R group (p < 0.01 and 0.05, respectively) were significantly higher than in the R + K group, and ucOC/OC change rates in the R group (p < 0.05 and 0.001, respectively) were significantly lower than in the R + K group. Vertebral fracture incidence was not significantly different between the groups at 6 and 12 months. ucOC levels in patients with incident vertebral fractures were significantly higher than in patients without incident vertebral fractures in the R group at 6 months (p < 0.05). Although no significant difference was observed for ucOC decrease rate and incidence of vertebral fractures between treatments, ucOC levels in patients with incident vertebral fractures were significantly greater than in patients without when using risedronate alone.

Osteosarcoma of the patella: a case report.

We present a rare case of osteosarcoma involving the patella. A 30-year-old Japanese woman first consulted our out-patient clinic with a 2-year history of knee pain. Radiographs showed an enlargement of the patella with irregular distribution of both osteolytic and sclerotic lesions. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated soft tissue extension at the anterior part of the patella. Incisional biopsy showed abundant osteoid formation by spindle-shaped malignant cells, and the histological diagnosis was conventional osteosarcoma. The patient underwent preoperative chemotherapy, but there was no response. Furthermore, she developed a pathological fracture during chemotherapy. She underwent above-the-knee amputation with postoperative chemotherapy. She developed multiple metastases in the thoracic vertebrae 20 months after the surgery. At the most recent examination, she remains alive with multiple spinal metastases without paralysis 4 years after the surgery.

Bilateral stress fracture of the fibulae and periostitis of the tibiae.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes a unique case of bilateral stress fractures of the fibulae and provides a literature review. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 16-year-old female badminton player presented with pain around the bilateral distal lateral legs. She had mild bilateral varus deformity at the knee joint, and the bilateral ankles showed valgus deformity in standing posture. Radiographs and computed tomography showed periosteal reactions on the bilateral distal fibulae. Technetium-99m bone scintigraphy demonstrated increased uptake in the bilateral distal fibulae and the bilateral middle third of the tibiae. A diagnosis of bilateral distal fibular stress fractures was made. She was advised to stop playing badminton until the symptoms disappeared. CONCLUSION: Varus deformity of the knee and valgus deformity of the ankle may have influenced the mechanism underlying bilateral symmetric stress fractures.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the elbow treated with the Tsuge wide joint exposure technique.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a benign, locally aggressive disease of the synovium; its cause remains unclear. The most frequently involved joint is the knee, followed by the hip, ankle, wrist, and shoulder. Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the elbow joint is rare. Synovectomy is currently believed to be the best treatment for PVNS. Open or arthroscopic synovectomy is usually selected. During synovectomy for PVNS, the possibility of local recurrence after surgery must be considered. The recurrence rate after synovectomy of any joint for PVNS is approximately 40%. Therefore, surgical treatment for PVNS of the elbow requires sufficient removal of the lesion. For good functional results, prevention of postoperative joint stiffness is also necessary. This article describes a case of a 29-year-old woman with PVNS of the right elbow who was treated by total synovectomy using the Tsuge technique. Tsuge reported a new surgical technique for debridement arthroplasty using a posterolateral approach to the elbow in 1987. He has also reported using this procedure during arthroplasty for posttraumatic stiff elbow and for synovectomy in rheumatoid arthritis. This approach permits easy dislocation of the elbow and provides a good view of the whole joint. Although the recurrence rate of PVNS of the elbow is high, our patient has retained good elbow function with no evidence of local recurrence at 30 months postoperatively.

Unusual association between enchondroma and Camurati-Engelmann disease: a case report.

This case report describes an enchondroma of the distal phalanx of the right little finger in a 37-year-old woman with Camurati-Engelmann disease. Curettage of the tumor and artificial bone grafting were performed in May 2004. Surgical treatment resulted in a good clinical outcome with no evidence of recurrence at 5-year follow-up. The genetic relationships between Camurati-Engelmann disease and benign chondroid tumors are discussed.

Infiltration by macrophages and lymphocytes in transplantable mouse sarcoma after irradiation with high-intensity focused ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy offers great promise for the treatment of cancer. The histological changes, including the antitumor immunological response, after HIFU treatment was examined in soft tissue sarcoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sarcoma 180 cells were injected subcutaneously in mice. Approximately 2 weeks after the injection, the tumor was irradiated by a single shot of HIFU. The tumor diameter was measured and the survival rate was observed after treatment. The tumors were resected, and stained with TUNEL stain, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) stain to detect tumor-associated macrophages, and immunohistochemical stains for CD4 and CD8. RESULTS: The tumor size in the HIFU group was significantly smaller than the control and survival rate was significantly higher. The numbers of TUNEL-, TRAP-, CD4- and CD8-positive cells infiltrating the tumor were significantly higher in the HIFU group. CONCLUSION: HIFU, even when administered as a single shot, induces apoptosis of tumor cells and intratumoral infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes.

Tenosynovitis with rice body formation in a non-tuberculosis patient: a case report.

In this report, we present a 68-year-old man with rice body formation in the flexor tendon sheath of the fingers without any inflammatory diseases such as tuberculosis or rheumatoid arthritis. The patient visited our institute in March 2004 with a one-month history of swelling and pain of the right distal forearm. Laboratory data were within normal limits, and the rheumatoid factor was negative. He had no history of tuberculosis, and the tuberculin reaction was weakly positive. Magnetic resonance (MR) images showed a mass measuring 6 cm x 4 cm around the flexor tendons of the forearm. Many rice bodies had been erupted from a small hole of the fibrous wall of the mass at the time of incisional biopsy performed in June 2004. Histological diagnosis was synovitis with fibrous loose bodies. In July 2004, spontaneous ruptures of the right fourth and fifth flexor tendons occurred. Open repair was performed in August 2004. The patient regained good function of the operated fingers with no evidence of recurrence at the latest follow-up in March 2009.

The sonodynamic antitumor effect of methylene blue on sarcoma180 cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a promising methodology for cancer treatment. Methylene blue (MB) is a phenothiazine dye that is widely used in clinical practice and can be administered intravenously. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sonodynamic antitumor effect of 1, 10 and 100 microM MB on sarcoma180 (S180) cells was investigated in vitro. RESULTS: After ultrasound (US) exposure at 0.24 W/cm(2) for 30 seconds, survival rates of S180 cells in the presence of 10 and 100 microM MB were significantly lower than that of the control group. These effects were significantly inhibited by the addition of D-mannitol, but not by L-histidine or superoxide dismutase. Microvilli loss and blebbing on the surface of S180 cells were observed in the presence of 100 muM MB after US exposure. CONCLUSION: MB has a sonodynamic antitumor effect on S180 cells in vitro and the hydroxyl radical appears to be the principal mediator of this effect.

Sonodynamic effects of lomefloxacin derivatives conjugated with methoxy polyethylene glycol on sarcoma 180 cells.

BACKGROUND: Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a promising methodology for cancer treatment. Lomefloxacin hydrochloride (LFLX) has been reported to have sonodymamic antitumor effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We synthesized LFLX derivatives conjugated with methoxy polyethylene glycol (PEGylated LFLXs) and investigated their ultrasonically induced antitumor effects. RESULTS: After ultrasound exposure at 2.0 MHz for 30 s, the survival rates of Sarcoma 180 cells in the presence of lower molecular weight PEGylated LFLXs (200 microM) were significantly lower than those of the control and the LFLX at 1.5 and 2.0 W/cm2. This enhancement was significantly inhibited by the addition of L-histidine, but not by D-mannitol or superoxide dismutase. There was no apparent cell damage in the presence of high molecular weight PEGylated LFLX even at 3.0 W/cm2. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the sonodynamic antitumor effects of lower molecular weight PEGylated LFLXs are better than those of LFLX.

Curettage with pasteurization in situ for grade 1 chondrosarcoma - long-term follow up study of less invasive surgical procedure.

BACKGROUND: In the treatment of grade 1 chondrosarcoma of long tubular bones, a wide excision with replacement by a metal prosthesis has been widely used. However, postoperative function of the affected extremity has occasionally been problematic. CASE REPORT: In two cases of grade 1 chondrosarcoma, a 54-year-old man with a lesion in the mid humerus and a 17-year-old woman with the lesion in the proximal femur, we performed curettage with pasteurization in situ. In both cases, destruction of the cortical bone was limited on radiographs. Follow-up studies 11 years after surgery did not showed local recurrence or functional deficit in either case. CONCLUSIONS: This less invasive surgical procedure has an advantage of sparing limb function and preventing local recurrence for grade 1 chondrosarcoma.

Discal cyst associated with myxoid change and apoptosis of herniated disc materials: a case report.

Discal cyst is a lumbar intraspinal cyst communicating with intervertebral disc, and previously reported series described the wall of these cysts as consisting of dense fibrous connective tissue. We report a 29-year-old Japanese male with discal cyst showing unusual histological features. Clinical symptoms in the current case as well as imaging features including discography were similar to those previously reported.However, the wall of the cyst consisted of disc material with myxoid degeneration. In addition, apoptosis of chondrocytes was diffusely observed in the herniated disc material. The current case was considered a histological variant of discal cyst. Myxoid degeneration of herniated disc material with diffuse apoptotic change of chondrocytes was probably associated with the formation of discal cyst.

Antitumor effect of acridine orange under ultrasonic irradiation in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Sonodynamic synergistic antitumor therapy is a promising new methodology for cancer treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine the antitumor effects of ultrasound (US) in the presence of acridine orange (AO), 1.0 microg/ml solution of AO was tested as a sonodynamic compound against sarcoma 180 cells in vitro. RESULTS: After US irradiation at 2.0 W/cm2 for 60 sec, the survival rate of tumor cells in the presence of AO was significantly lower than in its absence (p < 0.001). In the AO-treated group, the tumor cells were mostly fragmented. When D-mannitol or L-histidine was used along with the AO, the survival rate of tumor cells after irradiation was significantly higher than that when AO alone was applied. CONCLUSION: AO could exhibit useful antitumor activity under US irradiation, and the generation of singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals is involved in the processes of tumor cell damage.