Properties of the Temporomandibular Joint in Growing Pigs.

A subset of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders is attributed to joint degeneration. The pig has been considered the preferred in vivo model for the evaluation of potential therapies for TMJ disorders, and practical considerations such as cost and husbandry issues have favored the use of young, skeletally immature animals. However, the effect of growth on the biochemical and biomechanical properties of the TMJ disk and articulating cartilage has not been examined. The present study investigates the effect of age on the biochemical and biomechanical properties of healthy porcine TMJs at 3, 6, and 9 months of age. DNA, hydroxyproline, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content were determined and the disks and condyles were tested in uniaxial unconfined stress relaxation compression from 10% to 30% strain. TMJ disks were further assessed with a tensile test to failure technique, which included the ability to test multiple samples from the same region of an individual disk to minimize the intraspecimen variation. No differences in biochemical properties for the disk or compressive properties at 30% stress relaxation in the disk and condylar cartilage were found. In tension, no differences were observed for peak stress and tensile modulus. The collagen content of the condyle was higher at 9 months than 3 months (p < 0.05), and the GAG content was higher at 9 months than 6 months (p < 0.05). There was a trend of increased compressive instantaneous modulus with age. As such, age-matched controls for growing pigs are probably appropriate for most parameters measured.

Obesity and Hypogonadism.

The relationship between obesity and hypogonadism is complicated. The relationship is bidirectional and there are numerous causative and correlative factors on both sides of the equation. Obesity is increasing in prevalence in epidemic proportions. Likewise, we are beginning to see the rapid increase in the incidence of male hypogonadism. It is only recently that we are learning the ways in which these 2 conditions exacerbate each other, and we are only beginning to understand how by treating one of these conditions, we can help to treat the other as well.

Traumatic Fracture in a patient of Osteopoikilosis with Review of Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Osteopoikilosis or osteopathia condensans disseminata is a rare hereditary autosomal dominant sclerosing bone dysplasia. Patients are usually asymptomatic and the diagnosis is usually made incidentally on radiographs which show presence of symmetric, multiple, well defined, small ovoid areas of increased radiodensity clustered in peri-articular osseous regions with propensity for epiphyseal and metaphyseal involvement. There are no increased risks of pathological fracture in a case of osteopoikilosis and traumatic fracture healing in a case of osteopoikilosis is similar to fracture occurring in other normal patients. CASE REPORT: A 34 years male, electrician came with history of accidental fall from height while working in office leading to development of pain and swelling over left lower leg and ankle diagnosed with Ruedi-Allgower classification type I pilon fracture(without fibula fracture) no distal neuro-vascular deficit. Patient was offered surgical treatment in form of open reduction and internal fixation of tibial fracture by plate osteosynthesis using antero-medial approach, showed complete union and was followed up for eight months. CONCLUSION: Osteopoikilosis has a benign course and it should always be kept as a possible differential diagnosis for osteoblastic metastasis to avoid diagnositic dilemma. Diagnosis can be settled by routine x-rays (for type, extent and site of lesions, bones affected), clinical features of patient, histopathology and other systemic or pre-existing conditions.

Pseudo-Acetabulum due to Heterotopic Ossification in a Child with Post Traumatic Neglected Posterior Hip Dislocation.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic neglected dislocations of hip in children are rare entity. Neglected traumatic dislocations of hip in children along with heterotopic ossification are still rare. Post traumatic neglected hip dislocations are to be diagnosed as early as possible and have to be treated with precision and aggression as the outcome of treatment for the same is not predictable. CASE REPORT: 5 year female with post-traumatic neglected hip dislocation with heterotopic ossification forming a pseudoacetabulum postero-superiorly in which femur head was lodged. The girl was operated by open reduction using Moore's Posterior approach and showed good results. Here is a mention of a rare case with a good 18 months follow up with no complication. CONCLUSIONS: Post-traumatic neglected posterior hip dislocation mostly requires open reduction and relocation of femoral head in original acetabulum with concentric reduction. Heterotopic ossification is a rare but known complication of traumatic dislocation of hip in children. Good results can be achieved in such cases and regular follow-up of patient is required post-operatively.