Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy with Risk of Total Hip Replacement in Patients with Nontraumatic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) contributes to 45% of total hip replacements (THRs) annually in Taiwan. Nontraumatic ONFH (NONFH) is multifactorial; no effective Western medicine is available to delay the disease process. This population-based cohort study investigated the association of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy with risk of THR in patients with NONFH. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted using claims data from all insured residents covered by the National Health Insurance from 2000 to 2010. We enrolled 1,680 newly diagnosed ONFH patients who had not undergone THR, before or within 6 months after diagnosis of ONFH; these patients did not exhibit hip fracture or dislocation before the endpoint. In total, 595 propensity score-matched pairs were selected from among 1,028 TCM users and 652 non-TCM users. The association between TCM use and risk of THR was analyzed using a Cox proportional hazard model. Kaplan-Meier and log rank tests were performed to plot the cumulative incidence of THR. RESULTS: The mean follow-up periods were 5.00 years and 3.57 years for TCM and non-TCM cohorts, respectively. Compared to the non-TCM cohort, the TCM cohort had fewer patients undergoing THR surgery (25.4% vs. 18.2%, adjusted hazard ratio: 0.60, p<0.0001). The risk of reduction was noted in the group aged 30-59 years (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.56, p<0.0001), but there was no association with gender nor socioeconomic status. There was a significantly lower cumulative incidence of THR in TCM users (p<0.0001). Shu-Jing-Huo-Xue-Tang and Yan Hu Suo were the most frequently prescribed formula and single herb, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: NONFH patients using TCM had a lower risk of THR; the risk of reduction was noted in the group aged 30-59 years but was not associated with gender nor socioeconomic status. TCM might be useful in conservative treatment for NONFH.

The repair of full-thickness articular cartilage defect using intra-articular administration of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in the rabbit knee: randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although various alterative models of therapy are used for cartilage repair, no definite conclusion has been reached. Glucosamine (GlcN) is widely used as a nutritional supplement. However, the clinical- evidence-based outcome of GlcN administration remains controversial. N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc), a derivative of GlcN, shows chondroprotective activity and mediates the activation of articular chondrocytes. Therefore, we investigated the effect of intra-articular administration of GlcNAc in rabbits' knee joints with experimental full-thickness articular cartilage (FTAC) defects. METHODS: Twelve male adult New Zealand white rabbits, providing 24 knees, were used in this study. FTAC defects were created in the high-weight-bearing area of the medial femoral condyles of bilateral knees. All rabbits were randomly allocated to analysis at postsurgical week 4 or postsurgical week 12. In the week 4 group, rabbits' knees (six per group) were intra-articularly injected with normal saline or with GlcNAc twice per week for 3 weeks, beginning 1 week postoperatively. In the week 12 group, the rabbits' knees (six in each group) were intra-articularly injected with normal saline or with GlcNAc twice per week for 4 weeks, beginning 1 week postoperatively. Rabbits were sacrificed at 4 or 12 weeks after surgery for macroscopic, histological and radiological examinations of the knee joints. RESULTS: All rabbits had no systemic or local adverse effects. The saline and GlcNAc groups showed visible differences in healing of the FTAC defect at the end of testing. At week 4, the GlcNAc group had a higher level of collagen type II (COL II) and showed up-regulated production of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß2 and TGF-ß3, suggesting the involvement of endogenous growth factors. At week 12, the GlcNAc group displayed formation of hyaline-like cartilage regeneration with mature chondrocytes (SOX9+), robust glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, and positive COL II content in both the adjacent cartilage and reparative sites. However, the saline group demonstrated mainly fibrocartilage scar tissue, indicating COL I expression. Furthermore, the GlcNAc group had significantly higher bone volume per tissue volume and higher trabecular thickness than the saline group. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular GlcNAc may promote the repair of experimental FTAC defects in the rabbit knee joint model.

Local autogenous bone mixed with bone expander: an optimal option of bone graft in single-segment posterolateral lumbar fusion.

BACKGROUND: This was a retrospective study of clinical results for single-segment posterolateral lumbar fusion using local autograft bone with bone expander. METHODS: Sixty-six patients underwent single-segment decompression with instrumented posterolateral fusion. Locally harvested morselized bone from the decompressive site mixed with 2 mL calcium sulfate (OSTEOSET, Wright Medical Technology, Arlington, TN, USA) was used for the fusion at the posterolateral aspect of the lumbar spine. The minimum follow-up period was 15 months. The status of the fusion was evaluated by plain film, flexion-extension view, and fine-cut computed tomography (CT) with coronal reconstruction. Radiographic fusion criteria included less than 5 degrees of angular motion, less than 2 mm of translation, and evidence of bridging bone in the posterolateral lumbar area on the CT scan. The clinical outcome was recorded using VAS score and the ODI. The results were then compared with the result of the other group who had received the same procedure except that a pure autogenous bone graft harvested from the PSIS was used. RESULTS: In the group using local bone and OSTEOSET, the fusion rate was 92.3% by the strict criteria. The VAS scores for leg pain and back pain were decreased in the 2 groups, but there was no significant difference between them. The improvement in the ODI was also similar between the 2 groups. Intraoperative blood loss and the time needed for the operation were significantly decreased in the group using local bone and OSTEOSET as the bone graft. In the group using autogenous bone graft, donor site morbidity was still encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Using local laminectomy bone with calcium sulfate as bone graft is a practical option in posterolateral lumbar fusion with the advantages of less operative time, less blood loss, and avoidance of donor site morbidity.