Scaffold-free Three-dimensional Graft From Autologous Adipose-derived Stem Cells for Large Bone Defect Reconstruction: Clinical Proof of Concept.

Long bone nonunion in the context of congenital pseudarthrosis or carcinologic resection (with intercalary bone allograft implantation) is one of the most challenging pathologies in pediatric orthopedics. Autologous cancellous bone remains the gold standard in this context of long bone nonunion reconstruction, but with several clinical limitations. We then assessed the feasibility and safety of human autologous scaffold-free osteogenic 3-dimensional (3D) graft (derived from autologous adipose-derived stem cells [ASCs]) to cure a bone nonunion in extreme clinical and pathophysiological conditions. Human ASCs (obtained from subcutaneous adipose tissue of 6 patients and expanded up to passage 4) were incubated in osteogenic media and supplemented with demineralized bone matrix to obtain the scaffold-free 3D osteogenic structure as confirmed in vitro by histomorphometry for osteogenesis and mineralization. The 3D "bone-like" structure was finally transplanted for 3 patients with bone tumor and 3 patients with bone pseudarthrosis (2 congenital, 1 acquired) to assess the clinical feasibility, safety, and efficacy. Although minor clones with structural aberrations (aneuploidies, such as tri or tetraploidies or clonal trisomy 7 in 6%-20% of cells) were detected in the undifferentiated ASCs at passage 4, the osteogenic differentiation significantly reduced these clonal anomalies. The final osteogenic product was stable, did not rupture with forceps manipulation, did not induce donor site morbidity, and was easily implanted directly into the bone defect. No acute (<3 mo) side effects, such as impaired wound healing, pain, inflammatory reaction, and infection, or long-term side effects, such as tumor development, were associated with the graft up to 4 years after transplantation. We report for the first time that autologous ASC can be fully differentiated into a 3D osteogenic-like implant without any scaffold. We demonstrated that this engineered tissue can safely promote osteogenesis in extreme conditions of bone nonunions with minor donor site morbidity and no oncological side effects.

Examination and treatment of scaphoid fractures and pseudarthrosis.

BACKGROUND: About 2,000 patients annually incur a fractured scaphoid in Norway. Assessment and diagnosis can be difficult, and fractures are overlooked. Scaphoid fractures have traditionally been cast-immobilised, but for the last decade screw fixing has been used increasingly, and offers hope of a higher healing frequency and improved function. Some scaphoid fractures are not diagnosed in the acute phase and some do not heal after treatment. Patients may then end up with painful pseudarthrosis. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the assessment, treatment and outcomes of scaphoid fractures. METHOD: The article is based on literature searches in PubMed and the authors' own clinical experience. RESULTS: Primary diagnosis of scaphoid fractures and subsequent plaster cast immobilisation yield very good clinical results. Surgery should be limited to displaced fractures, fractures forming part of more extensive wrist injuries and exceptional other cases. Results comparable a quality equivalent to cast immobilisation are achieved by experienced surgeons in this area. Untreated scaphoid fractures often result in painful pseudarthrosis with subsequent abnormal position of the carpal bones and secondary arthrosis. This outcome can be counteracted by surgery on old fractures with bone grafting, internal fixation and cast immobilisation. INTERPRETATION: Norwegian procedures for treating scaphoid fractures/pseudarthrosis are consistent with internationally documented good practice. Assessment of wrist pain following falls can be improved by conducting clinical tests for scaphoid fracture and radiology with four wrist projections. In the event of clinical suspicion, but no X-ray findings, the patient should be referred for a CT or MRI scan.

Tratamiento de la pseudoartrosis séptica y recalcitrante de la diáfisis humeral mediante impactación intramedular / Treatment of the septic and recalcitrant humeral shaft nounion by means intramedullary impactation

Se presenta un caso de una fractura de la diáfisis humeral complicada con una pseudoartrosis recalcitrante, infección y parálisis radial. Se propone una alternativa de tratamiento que, por su sencillez y aplicabilidad, puede incluirse en el arsenal terapéutico para solucionar esta grave patología (AU)

We present a case of humeral shaft fracture complicated with recalcitrant nonunion, infection and radial nerve paralisys. A treatment alternative sets out that, by its simplicity and applicability, deserves to have it in account within the therapeutic arsenal which we arrange to the solution of this serious pathology (AU)

[Pseudoarthrosis of the first rib in a patient who practices yoga. A case report]. / Seudoartrosis de la primera costilla en una practicante de yoga. Presentación de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: Pseudoarthrosis of the first rib is a rare condition that may occur in athletes as a result of repetitive activities, mainly overhead. The usual clinical presentation is pain in the neck or the ipsilateral shoulder. CASE REPORT: This is the case of a 19-year-old female patient who had sudden pain of the base of the neck while doing yoga. Pseudoarthrosis of the first rib was diagnosed with X-rays and CAT scan. Treatment consisted of a rehabilitation and physical therapy program that was successful despite the persistence of the pseudoarthrosis. DISCUSSION: Cases of first rib fractures have been reported in athletes practicing multiple activities; however, pseudoarthrosis cases are rare since most of them progress to bone healing. This is the first reported case of a fracture or pseudoarthrosis in a patient practicing yoga. As in most reported cases, conservative treatment was successful. CONCLUSION: Fractures and pseudoarthrosis of the first rib are rare in athletes and should be included in the differential diagnosis of athletes presenting with shoulder and neck pain. Conservative treatment is successful in most cases.

Electrical stimulation therapies for spinal fusions: current concepts.

Electrical stimulation therapies have been used for more than 30 years to enhance spinal fusions. Although their positive effects on spinal fusions have been widely reported, the mechanisms of action of the technologies were only recently identified. Three types of technologies are available clinically: direct current, capacitive coupling, and inductive coupling. The latter is the basis of pulsed electromagnetic fields and combined magnetic fields. This review summarizes the current concepts on the mechanisms of action, animal and clinical studies, and cost justification for the use of electrical stimulation for spinal fusions. Scientific studies support the validity of electrical stimulation treatments. The mechanisms of action of each of the three electrical stimulation therapies are different. New data demonstrates that the upregulation of several growth factors may be responsible for the clinical success seen with the use of such technologies.

Uso de la magnetoterapia en afecciones articulares y periarticulares / Use of magnetotherapy in articular and periarticular disorders

Se analizan los resultados obtenidos en 200 pacientes tratados en el Policlínico Integral Docente Centro, de Camagüey, con diversas artropatías y enfermedades ortopédicas y reumatológicas. Se utilizó el campo magnético producido por el equipo TERAMAG-MT-200. Se obtuvo buen resultado en 189 casos (94,5 por ciento). Las afecciones más beneficiadas fueron las de la rodilla (osteoartritis, sinovitis, fibrosis y rigideces posquirúrgicas, condromalacia y enfermedad de Hoffa), la epicondilitis y otras lesiones del codo, la periatritis escapulohumeral, tendinitis, insercionitis, trocanteritis, síndrome de Barré-Liéou y los dedos en resorte. Se describen los métodos utilizados en cada afección

Uso de la magnetoterapia en afecciones articulares y periarticulares / Use of magnetotherapy in articular and periarticular disorders

Se analizan los resultados obtenidos en 200 pacientes tratados en el Policlínico Integral Docente Centro, de Camagüey, con diversas artropatías y enfermedades ortopédicas y reumatológicas. Se utilizó el campo magnético producido por el equipo TERAMAG-MT-200. Se obtuvo buen resultado en 189 casos (94,5 por ciento). Las afecciones más beneficiadas fueron las de la rodilla (osteoartritis, sinovitis, fibrosis y rigideces posquirúrgicas, condromalacia y enfermedad de Hoffa), la epicondilitis y otras lesiones del codo, la periatritis escapulohumeral, tendinitis, insercionitis, trocanteritis, síndrome de Barré-Liéou y los dedos en resorte. Se describen los métodos utilizados en cada afección(AU)

Electroestimulación del callo óseo / bone callus electrostimulation

La estimulación del tejido óseo por medio de corriente eléctrica directa bipolar de 20 microamperes y menos de 1 voltio, asociada a la fijación externa de los huesos, fue utilizada en 29 pacientes con diferentes lesiones óseas. En todos los casos se demostró el papel coadyuvante de la electricidad en la consolidación. Los tiempos en que fue obtenida la curación de las distintas afecciones resultaron inferiores a lo logrado cuando sólo se utilizó la fijación externa en la osteosíntesis interfragmentaria(AU)

La inducción eléctrica en el tratamiento de las seudoartrosis / Electric induction in the treatment of pseudoarthrosis

Se informa que 48 pacientes con seudoartrosis en cúbito-escafoides, fémur y tibia recibieron tratamiento en el período entre 1983 y 1987 con la adición de estimulación eléctrica y electromagnética en una adecuada osteosíntesis. Para esto se contó con distintos sistemas de estimulación, los cuales se diseñaron y construyeron en nuestro país, según parámetros internacionales previamente establecidos. Cuarenta y uno (85

) de los 48 pacientes presentaron consolidación en un período de 24,6 semanas; y el resto con extremos entre 10 semanas para una no-unión del escafoides y de 35 semanas para una seudoartrosis séptica del fémur. No se observaron complicaciones inherentes a la estimulación eléctrica o magnética, por lo que se concluye reafirmando el beneficio de su uso y la necesidad de que se incremente este proceder no invasivo

La inducción eléctrica en el tratamiento de las seudoartrosis / Electric induction in the treatment of pseudoarthrosis

Se informa que 48 pacientes con seudoartrosis en cúbito-escafoides, fémur y tibia recibieron tratamiento en el período entre 1983 y 1987 con la adición de estimulación eléctrica y electromagnética en una adecuada osteosíntesis. Para esto se contó con distintos sistemas de estimulación, los cuales se diseñaron y construyeron en nuestro país, según parámetros internacionales previamente establecidos. Cuarenta y uno (85 %) de los 48 pacientes presentaron consolidación en un período de 24,6 semanas; y el resto con extremos entre 10 semanas para una no-unión del escafoides y de 35 semanas para una seudoartrosis séptica del fémur. No se observaron complicaciones inherentes a la estimulación eléctrica o magnética, por lo que se concluye reafirmando el beneficio de su uso y la necesidad de que se incremente este proceder no invasivo

[Our results of electrobiologic stimulation of callus]. / Nasi rezultati elektrobioloske stimulacije kalusa.

Results of the achieved electrobiologic calus stimulation in pseudoarthrosis were presented in this paper. A parallel treatment was performed with the apparatus producing low-frequent (EBI) and high-frequent (THELF) pulsing magnetic fields in 11 patients. Results obtained by these methods were compared with those of other authors from literature and they were considered very impressive. From the casuistry presented it was pointed out that the success of these noninvasive methods was confirmed in the most severe cases of pseudoarthrosis where they could be complemented, if necessary.

Management of resistant pseudarthrosis of long bones.

A retrospective review was undertaken of 15 patients with long-bone pseudarthrosis with long-standing nonunion. These patients were referred to a tertiary care center after their fractures failed to unite after numerous surgical attempts as well as a course of electrical stimulation. Fourteen patients had nonunion of the tibia, and one had nonunion of a humerus fracture. Twelve were originally Gustillo Grade II or III fractures, and four sustained multiple injuries. The average duration of nonunion before presentation to the clinic was 22.5 months. Five patients presented as infected nonunions. Each nonunion was analyzed with specific reference to injury mechanism, skin and bone conditions, presence of infection, primary treatment protocol, and selection criteria for treatment with electrical stimulation. Review of the data revealed that the most common factor associated with failure of electrical stimulation treatment was inappropriate patient selection, according to criteria previously published for the use of these techniques. Treatment modalities consisted of intramedullary fixation in three, open reduction and internal fixation using Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen (AO) technique in nine, and external fixation in three. All patients were bone grafted. The mean follow-up duration was 1.5 years. Nonunions were healed in fourteen patients. Twelve were fully weight bearing at six months, and one at 12 months. Success was defined as restoration of a functional extremity, giving a success rate of 87%. A thorough reevaluation of the original treatment regimen and a return to basic principles of operative fracture management and bone grafting can yield excellent results, even in patients with recalcitrant nonunion.

Electrical stimulation to promote the union of fractures.

The object of this study was to investigate the effect of electrical stimulation on recent fractures and in established nonunion, using an electrical stimulator of my own design. Fresh osteotomies of the fibula in rabbits were treated with a direct current of 20 microA; there was no reduction of healing time. Then, 62 patients with various types of nonunion, all of more than 9 months duration, were treated. They included patients with osteomyelitis (30%), atrophic (67%) and hypertrophic (33%) nonunion. Electrical stimulation alone was used in 34 patients but 30 needed additional operative treatment. Bony union was achieved in 58 patients (91%), confirming the theoretical proposition that DC current is effective in stimulating osteogenesis in nonunion. This form of treatment is effective, simple and safe; it can be used after the failure of repeated operations for nonunion.

[Direct electrostimulation in the treatment plan of pseudarthroses]. / Direkte Elektrostimulation im Behandlungsplan der Pseudarthrosen.

Direct electrostimulation with bipolar rectangular pulse currents was used as a complementary measure on 13 patients with pseudoarthrosis and delayed healing of fractures. In ten cases now completed, evidence was produced to accelerated ossification and transformation of autologous spongiosa, which cut consolidation periods by several months. Implantable mini-stimulators have yielded good clinical results.