Transient bone loss of distal radius and ulna following clean-cut tendon injuries, repair and passive mobilisation.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is any significant bone loss of the ulna and radius following acute tendon-artery-nerve clean-cut injuries at the wrist level which were repaired and rehabilitated by early passive mobilisation. Fifty-eight patients who underwent such operation were enrolled in this study. Patients in Group I (n=28) had primary tendon repairs alone, in Group II (n=15) primary tendon and nerve repairs and in Group III (n=15) primary tendon, nerve and artery repairs. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurements of the ulna and radius were obtained during the first week, the sixth week, the third month and the 12th month after operation. The results demonstrated that BMD decrease in the ulna was more common than in the radius. When compared with the first week BMD measurements, the highest reduction was seen in the sixth week in Group I and during the third month, when bone loss of both the radius and ulna was considerable in Group II. The bone loss in all groups and subgroups were found to have recovered at the 12th month measurements, except in the distal region of the ulna in Group I. This study suggests that passive immobilisation is deleterious in respect of demineralisation of the forearm bones.

Effects of resveratrol in inflammatory arthritis.

UNLABELLED: Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), is a pivotal transcription factor involved in the activation of the TNF-alpha and IL-1beta genes. Activation of NF-kappaB in synovial cells is a feature seen in arthritis patients. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic, natural phytoalexin found with particularly high levels in grape skin and red wine is potent and specific inhibitor of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta induced NF-kappaB activation. We aimed to determine the in vivo effects of intra-articular injections of resveratrol on cartilage and synovium in an experimental rabbit inflammatory arthritis model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Arthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of three times of 50 mug lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at day 0, 4 and 8 at 4-day intervals into the knee joints of rabbits. To the test group, 10 muMol/kg resveratrol in the DMSO was injected in the knees at day 0 and then it was continued once daily for 2 weeks. To the control group the same time and amount of DMSO was injected the knees of rabbits. All rabbits were killed 1 week after the last injection and cartilage tissue and synovium were evaluated with semiquantitative scoring histologically. RESULTS: According to control group in the resveratrol group, significantly decreased cartilage destruction was determined by H&E staining (p = 0.04). Loss of matrix proteoglycan content in the cartilage was much lower, as determined by safranin O staining (p = 0.03). We also observed marked synovial inflammation after intra-articular injection to control knees, but not in the resveratrol treated group knees (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that intra-articular injection of resveratrol may protect cartilage against the development of experimentally induced IA.

Effect of resveratrol in experimental osteoarthritis in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: Resveratrol (trans-3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene) is a phytoalexin found in high concentration in the skins of grapes and red wines which has been shown to have antiinflammatory, anticancerogen and antioxidant properties. Resveratrol is a potent and specific inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB). Resveratrol also inhibits COX-2 gene expression and enzyme activity. We aimed to determine the in vivo effects of intra-articular injections of resveratrol on cartilage and synovium in an experimental osteoarthritis (OA) model in rabbits. METHODS: As OA model, rabbits underwent unilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). Five weeks after test group was injected with 10 microMol/kg resveratrol in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) in the knees once daily for two weeks and as the control group at the same time DMSO was injected into the knees. All rabbits were killed one week after the last injection. Cartilage tissue and synovium were evaluated with a histological scoring system. RESULTS: Histological evaluation of cartilage tissue by H&E staining revealed a significantly reduced average cartilage tissue destruction score of 1.7 in the resveratrol group versus 2.8 in the control group (p = 0.016). Loss of matrix proteoglycan content in cartilage was also much lower, as determined by safranin O staining. Scores of synovial inflammation didn't show difference between groups (1.3 vs 2.2; p = 0.057). CONCLUSION: A characteristic parameter in arthritis is the progressive loss of articular cartilage. This study suggests that intraarticular injections of resveratrol starting at the onset of disease may protect cartilage against the development of experimentally induced OA.

Cervical myositis ossificans traumatica: a rare location.

An unusual case of myositis ossificans traumatica lesion located in the paraspinal region is reported. Despite the contiguity of the lesion with the cervical vertebrae and ominous appearance of the biopsy material, the history of antecedent trauma and computed tomography findings allowed preoperative accurate diagnosis. To our knowledge, myositis ossificans traumatica located in the cervical paraspinal region is very rare.

Anterior sacroiliac fusion: a new video-assisted endoscopic technique.

We present a case of sacroiliac fusion performed for an intraarticular osteochondroma of the sacroiliac joint, which was the cause of severe pain and disability. Excision of the lesion and sacroiliac fusion were successfully performed by utilizing minimally invasive surgical techniques. Although the application of this technique requires a dedicated and highly experienced team, the encouraging result of our first case, with minimal morbidity and disability due to the operation, induces us to recommend this technique in sacroiliac fusion, especially when fusion is combined with additional procedures such as drainage, biopsy, or excision.

The stone man: myositis (fibrodysplasia) ossificans progressiva.

Myositis ossificans progressiva (MOP) is a rare hereditary connective tissue disorder characterized by progressive ossification of striated muscle and connective tissue associated with pain and disability. It is presumably transmitted as an autosomal dominant defect. Congenital anomalies of the hands and feet are early signs of this disease. Involvement of the spine, hips and extremities lead to the development of the "stone man" with only less than 600 cases reported in the literature. We present a case of MOP with typical muscle ossifications and skeletal malformations.