Molecular profile of major growth factors in lumbar intervertebral disc herniation: Correlation with patient clinical and epidemiological characteristics.

The involvement of growth factors (GFs) in the pathogenesis of lumbar intervertebral disc (ID) herniation and the spontaneous resorption of herniated ID fragments remains only partially elucidated. A simultaneous assessment of the transcript levels of numerous GFs and their association with clinical and epidemiological profiles of human ID herniation would provide valuable insight into the biology and clinical course of the disease. In the present study, we examined simultaneously the transcript levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF­ß1), basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (bFGF2), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) isoforms and receptors, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin growth factor­1 (IGF­1) in herniated and control ID specimens and investigated their correlation with the clinicopathological profiles of patients suffering from symptomatic lumbar ID herniation. GF mRNA expression levels were determined by RT-qPCR in 63 surgical specimens from lumbar herniated discs and 10 control ID specimens. Multiple positive correlations were observed between the transcript levels of the GFs examined in the ID herniation group. VEGF mRNA expression was significantly increased in the protruding compared with the extruded discs. Intense and acute pain significantly upregulated the PDGF transcript levels. Significant negative correlations were observed between the patient body mass index and the transcript levels of VEGF and PDGF receptors. Our findings support the hypothesis of the involvement of GFs in the natural history of ID herniation. GFs synergistically act in herniated IDs. Increased VEGF expression possibly induces the neovascularization process in the earliest stages of ID herniation. PDGF­C and ­D play a role in the acute phase of radiculopathy in a metabolic response for tissue healing. A molecular effect, in addition to the biomechanical effect of obesity in the pathogenesis of ID herniation is also implied.

Effect of fatigue on tibial rotation after single- and double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a 3-dimensional kinematic and kinetic matched-group analysis.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is an extrinsic factor adversely affecting joint proprioception and neuromuscular response, thereby increasing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) strain and injury risk. The effectiveness of the single- and double-bundle techniques for ACL reconstruction to control residual rotational knee laxity under fatigue has not been examined. HYPOTHESIS: Fatigue results in a significant increase in tibial rotation angles and moments in both ACL-intact and single- and double-bundle ACL-reconstructed knees. The 2 groups with ACL-reconstructed knees will show no significant differences in tibial rotation angles and moments either pre- or postfatigue. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Twenty-four male patients who underwent successful single-bundle (n = 12) or double-bundle (n = 12) ACL reconstructions and 10 matched healthy controls were subjected to a standard lower limb muscle fatigue protocol using an isokinetic dynamometer. Three-dimensional motion analysis was used to measure tibial rotation and rotational knee moments in the pre- and postfatigue states, during a swinging maneuver on the weightbearing leg from a standing position with the knee in extension. RESULTS: Tibial rotation of the single-bundle group significantly increased postfatigue (prefatigue 22° ± 10° vs 29° ± 15° postfatigue, P = .015). In contrast, the double-bundle group showed similar tibial rotation values pre- and postfatigue (16° ± 6° vs 18° ± 4°, P = .22). The double-bundle group showed a trend toward decreased tibial rotation values pre- and post-fatigue compared with controls (22 ± 4 and 23 ± 4) (P = .065 and .08, respectively). In the prefatigue state, rotational moments (N·mm/Kg) of the single-bundle (339 ± 148) and double-bundle (317 ± 97) groups were significantly lower than that of controls (465 ± 134) (P = .05 and .03, respectively). In the postfatigue state, an increase was observed in rotational moments of the single-bundle (388 ± 131) and double-bundle (408 ± 187) groups compared with prefatigue values, whereas a decrease was noted in the control group (411 ± 117). CONCLUSION: Single-bundle ACL-reconstructed knees demonstrate a reduced ability to resist rotational loads under fatigue. Double-bundle reconstructed knees had significantly better control of tibial rotation when fatigued. However, they demonstrate an excessive, yet not significant, reduction in tibial rotation compared with the intact knee, suggesting a possible overcorrection in rotational laxity.

Reconstruction nailing for ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures.

The surgical management of ipsilateral fractures of the femoral neck and shaft presents a difficult and challenging problem for the orthopaedic surgeon. The purpose of the present study was to report the mid-term results and complications in a series of patients who sustained ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures and treated in our trauma department with a single reconstruction nail for both fractures. Eleven patients were included in the study with an average age of 46.4 years. The mean follow-up was 47 months (range, 15-75 months). There were no cases of a missed diagnosis at initial presentation. The mean time to union was 4.5 months for the neck fracture and 8.2 months for the shaft. There were no cases of avascular necrosis of the femoral head or non-union of the neck fracture. The mean Harris Hip Score was (85 ± 4.3). Complications included two cases of shaft fracture non-union and one case of peroneal nerve palsy. Heterotopic ossification at the tip of the greater trochanter was evident in two cases without causing any functional deficit. The current study suggests that reconstruction nailing produces satisfactory clinical and functional results in the mid-term. The complications involved only the femoral shaft fracture and were successfully treated with a single operative procedure.

Akt/PKB isoforms expression in the human lumbar herniated disc: correlation with clinical and MRI findings.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration suggests a complex process influenced by genetics, lifestyle and biomechanics, which accounts for the development of low back pain (LBP) and lumbar radiculopathy, a major cause of musculoskeletal disability in humans. The family of Akt/PKB kinases is a principal mediator in the signal transduction pathways, which contribute to transcriptional regulation, cell growth, proliferation, apoptosis, and survival ability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the transcriptional profile of the AKT family genes in human herniated discs and the involvement of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in human IVD degeneration. Real-time PCR analysis was used to assess the mRNA expression pattern of the three Akt/PKB isoforms in 63 herniated and 10 control disc specimens. Our results showed a significant positive correlation between AKT1 and AKT3 mRNA in herniated discs suggesting a synergistic action between these isoforms in disc herniation. Interestingly, AKT2 mRNA was up-regulated in patients with acute pain during the first 12 months, indicating that AKT2 transcriptional activation may be associated with acute rather than chronic inflammation and phagocytosis. Finally, Akt1/PKB transcription presented a stepwise activation as disc herniation deteriorated. Our findings provide evidence on the transcriptional activation of the Akt/PKB pathway indicating that it is involved in lumbar disc degeneration. There is need for further studies to elucidate the exact role and down-stream signaling action of Akt/PKB isoforms in the pathogenesis of lumbar disc herniation.

Transcript levels of major MMPs and ADAMTS-4 in relation to the clinicopathological profile of patients with lumbar disc herniation.

The involvement of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in both the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc (ID) herniation and the spontaneous regression of herniated ID fragments remains only partially elucidated. The purpose of the present study was to simultaneously examine the transcript levels of a large number of MMPs (-1, -3, -8, -9, -13 and -14) and ADAMTS-4 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) and to investigate their correlation with the clinicopathologic profile of patients suffering from symptomatic lumbar ID herniation. mRNA expression levels were determined by means of the real-time polymerase chain reaction in 63 herniated and 10 control ID specimens. Our results showed multiple positive correlations among all MMPs and ADAMTS-4 mRNA in herniated samples, indicating their possible synergistic effect in ID herniation. MMP-9 and -13 mRNA levels were significantly elevated in patients with chronic pain, presumably as a consequence of neovascularization and chronic inflammation. Smoking habits were found to have a negative dose-dependent effect on the transcript levels of MMP-3 and MMP-13 and a positive correlation with pain intensity, suggesting an unfavorable role for smoking in the regression process of herniated disc fragments. Our findings provide evidence of the molecular portrait of MMPs and ADAMTS-4 in lumbar ID herniation, as well as of its association with the clinicopathological profile of the patients included in this study, reinforcing the hypothesis of MMPs involvement in the natural history of ID herniation. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate the exact role of MMPs in the resorption process of herniated lumbar discs.

Isolated acute dislocation of the proximal tibiofibular joint.

Lesions of knee's lateral side are less common than medial injuries. The anatomy of the lateral ligaments and the presence of additional structures (eg, fibula head) can cause diagnostic problems. Isolated dislocation of the proximal tibiofibular joint is unusual; therefore, it may be overlooked in the emergency department. Many cases are missed due to failure of diagnosis. This type of injury is common in athletes whose sports require twisting motions of the flexed knee (eg, wrestling, parachute jumping, judo, gymnastics, skiing, rugby, football, soccer, track, baseball, basketball, racquetball, and roller-skating). Anterolateral dislocation of the proximal tibiofibular joint is seemingly rare in soccer players, as less than a handful cases have been reported in the literature. The diagnosis can be made by clinical examination, plain knee radiographs, and, sometimes, computed tomography (CT) scanning for further confirmation. Treatment usually consists of closed or open reduction. In complicated cases, however, arthrodesis or resection of the fibular head may be required. This article reports a rare case of acute isolated anterolateral dislocation of the proximal tibiofibular joint in a soccer player and discusses the joint anatomy, types of dislocations, mechanisms of injury, and treatment options.