A study on role of triiodothyronine (T3) hormone on the improvement of articular cartilage surface architecture.

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of triiodothyronine (T3) on the improvement of articular cartilage surface architecture at in vitro level. The T3 hormone was applied to neo-tissues in the range of 50, 100, 150 and 200ng/ml for 5 weeks. At the end of the treatment, biochemical and histological evaluation was carried out in the neo-tissues. T3 hormone application significantly increased the collagen production in neo-cartilage tissues. The properties of tensile and compressive were significantly increased compared to the controls. However, T3 hormone application also induced hypertrophy. At the higher dose concentration of T3 hormone application, tensile and compressive properties were tremendously increased 4.3 and 4.6 fold respectively. Taking all these data together, it suggested that the T3 hormone application could be a potential agent to increase the functional properties such tensile and compressive in neo-tissues.

[A study of three different procedures for avulsion fracture of tibial intercondylar eminence].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical outcomes and differences among three surgical procedures for avulsion fracture of tibial intercondylar eminence. METHODS: From October 1995 to October 2005, 3 different procedures had been performed on 49 patients, which included open reduction and internal fixation (Group A, n = 17), arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation( Group B, n = 19) and limited open reduction and internal fixation assisted with arthroscopy (Group C, n = 13). All patients were followed up for 1 to 10 years (average 4. 6 years). RESULTS: For the 3 groups, normal extension function were 35.5%, 16.0% and 38.0%, mild abnormal 35.5%, 11.0% and 23.0%, moderate abnormal 29.0%, 47.0% and 31.0%; and severe abnormal were 0,26.0% and 8.0%. Normal flexion were 82.0%, 78.0% and 84.0%, mild abnormal 12.0%, 11.0% and 8.0%, moderate abnormal 6.0%, 11.0% and 8.0%. The positive rate of Lachman's or anterior drawer test were 35.0%, 45.0% and 38.0%; McIntoshi test were 11.0%, 16.0% and 13.0% respectively for 3 groups. Lysholm' scale were average 98.6, 97.3 and 98.2; Tegner' scale were 6.6, 6.4 and 6.7. KT-2000 showed that anterior translation of tibial were 6.9, 7.1 and 6.6 mm; side to side difference were 11.4, 1.7 and 1.5 mm, except that statistically significant differences were found in extension function between group A and group B (P = 0.02). There were no any statistically significant differences in other aspects. CONCLUSION: Limited open and properly over reduction and three dimensional as well as strong internal fixation assisted with arthroscopy should been attempted for the treatment of avulsion fracture of tibial intercondylar eminence.