The effect of vitamin D and bisphosphonate on fracture healing: An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the using bisphosphonate, vitamin D, and a combination of bisphosphonate and vitamin D on fracture healing, by comparison of radiological and histological findings of the study groups and a control group. METHODS: A total of 24 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. A mid-third fracture was created in the femur of all rats. Saline was administered to Group A, bisphosphonate (Alendronate) to Group B, bisphosphonate (Alendronate) + vitamin D (Calcitriol) to Group C and vitamin D (Calcitriol) to Group D. All preparations were administered orally for 28 days. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups in respect of the effect on fracture healing according to radiological findings. The histological findings of fracture healing showed Groups B and C to be significantly more advanced than Group A (p = 0.017, p = 0.009). However no significant difference was found in Group D comparison with Group A (p = 0.224). CONCLUSION: According to the histological findings, advanced fracture healing was seen in the groups administered with bisphosphonate or combined bisphosphonate and vitamin D compared to the use of vitamin D alone and the control group. It was concluded that bisphosphonate treatment combined with vitamin D can be used safely without any negative effect on fracture healing.

The effect of arthroscopic surgery and intraarticular drug injection to the antioxidation system and lipid peroxidation at osteoarthritis of knee.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the effects of arthroscopy and intraarticular hyaluronan therapies on antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation. METHODS: This study was conducted between January and May 2005, at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey. A total of 60 patients with knee pain who were diagnosed as knee osteoarthritis according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were included in this study and randomly and equally divided into 4 groups. Intraarticular Hylan G-F 20 treatment was given to group 1 for 3 weeks. Intraarticular Hylan G-F 20 treatment plus oral vitamin E were administered to group 2 for 3 weeks. Only arthroscopy treatment was applied to the control group (group 3). Intraarticular Na-hyaluronate treatment was given to group 4 for 5 weeks. Blood and synovial fluid samples were taken from all the patients for biochemical analysis, and the following parameters were measured: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in blood SOD, CAT, GPx levels, and synovial SOD and GPx levels in groups treated with hyaluronan, when compared with the controls. However, there was a significant change in MDA levels in synovial fluid samples of group 1, group 2, and group 4, when compared with the controls. CONCLUSION: In knee osteoarthritis, intraarticular hyaluronan therapy following arthroscopy may diminish lipid peroxidation in synovial fluid.

Results of intravenous regional anaesthesia with distal forearm application.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of distal forearm intravenous regional anaesthesia (IVRA) with the tourniquet applied 3 cm above the wrist. One hundred and twenty patients undergoing out-patient hand surgery were operated for 13 different hand problems under distal forearm IVRA, using 10 ml of a solution containing 1.5 mg/kg prilocaine. Sensory block onset time was 4.5 minutes (3.5-6.5 min.). Mean tourniquet time was 17.6 minutes (range, 7-27.5 min). Mean tourniquet pressure was 240 mmHg (range, 220-270 mm Hg). The mean VAS score for tourniquet pain was 3.8 (range, 2-10). No local or systemic side effects related to the IVRA were observed. The study showed that distal forearm IVRA using 10 ml of a solution containing 1.5 mg/kg prilocaine provides safe, rapid and effective anaesthesia for patients undergoing outpatient hand surgery.