Is an anodizing coating associated to the photobiomodulation able to optimize bone healing in ovariectomized animal model?

This in vivo study investigated whether the bioactivity of anodizing coating, produced by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), on mini-plate in femur fracture could be improved with the association of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy. From the 20 ovariectomized Wistar female rats, 8 were used for model characterization, and the remaining 12 were divided into four groups according to the use of PBM therapy by diode laser (808 nm; power: 100 mW; energy: 6.0 J; energy density: 212 J/cm2; power density: 3.5 W/cm2) and the type of mini-plate surface (commercially pure titanium mini-plate -cpTi- and PEO-treated mini-plate) as follow: cpTi; PEO; cpTi/PBM; and PEO/PBM. After 60 days of surgery, fracture healing underwent microstructural, bone turnover, histometric, and histologic adjacent muscle analysis. Animals of groups with PEO and PBM showed greater fracture healing than cpTi control group under histometric and microstructural analysis (P < 0.05); however, bone turnover was just improved in PBM's groups (P < 0.05). there was no difference between cpTi and PEO without PBM (P > 0.05). Adjacent muscle analysis showed no metallic particles or muscle alterations in all groups. PEO and PBM are effective strategies for bone repair in fractures, however their association does not provide additional advantages.

Arthroplastie cervico-céphalique pour fracture du col fémoral à Brazzaville: résultats anatomiques et fonctionnels au recul de 28 mois

Introduction: Les fractures du col du fémur sont fréquentes chez le sujet âgé. Elles sont en général traitées par des prothèses cervico-céphaliques. Le but de cette étude était d'évaluer les résultats anatomiques et fonctionnels obtenus avec ce type de prothèse. Matériel et méthodes: Cette étude rétrospective réalisée entre janvier 2008 et mai 2014 a concerné 30 patients totalisant 31 fractures. L'âge moyen était 71 ans (42 -87ans). On notait quatre fractures Garden III et 27 Garden IV. Vingt-sept patients étaient classés ASA II et trois patients ASA I. Le score de Parker était côté à 9/9 chez 23 patients et à 6/9 chez sept. Les prothèses étaient la prothèse de Moore (n=28 ; 90%), la prothèse de Thompson (n= 2 ; 7%) et la prothèse de Merle d'Aubigné(n= 1; 3%). Les résultats anatomiques ont été évalués selon les critères de Sharif. Les résultats fonctionnels ont été analysés selon Postel Merle d'Aubigné et Parker. Le recul moyen était 28 mois (6-61 mois). Résultats: Initialement toutes les prothèses étaient bien implantées. Au dernier recul, les complications anatomiques étaient une cotyloïdite (n=7), une bascule en varus (n=4) une prothèse perchée par lyse de l'éperon de Merckel (n=3), un enfoncement de la prothèse (n=7), une fracture périprothétique (n=1), et une subluxation de la prothèse (n=1). Selon Postel Merle d'Aubigné les résultats étaient très bons (n=1 ; 3%), bons (n=3 ;10%), moyens (n=4 ; 13%) , médiocres (n=14 ; 47%), et mauvais (n=8 ; 27%).Selon Parker, 24 patients étaient côtés à 7/9, cinq à 6/9 et un à 0. Conclusion: Au recul moyen de 28 mois les résultats des prothèses cervico-céphaliques n'étaient pas satisfaisants. Par nécessité, elles restent une option thérapeutique dans notre contexte socio-économique

Enclouage centromédullaire type « SIGN»: un traitement des fractures adapté aux conditions africaines

Objectif: Évaluer les résultats radiologique et fonctionnel des patients traités par enclouage centromédullaire verrouillé type SIGN pour fractures du membre pelvien. Matériel et méthodes: Cette étude prospective a été réalisée entre janvier 2012 et décembre 2013. Elle a concerné 82 patients traités pour fractures récentes du fémur ou du tibia par clou SIGN. Le recul moyen était de 7,2 mois. On notait 63(77%) hommes et 19(23%) femmes dont l'âge moyen était de 37ans avec des extrêmes de 15 et 85 ans. La cause des fractures a été un accident de la voie publique dans 60 (73%) cas. La fracture siégeait au fémur dans 53 (65%) cas et au tibia dans 29 (35%). Au fémur, l'enclouage était fait par voie antérograde (n=30;57%) ou rétrograde (n=23; 43%). Au tibia, l'enclouage a été fait à foyer fermé dans quatre cas. Le délai moyen d'hospitalisation était de 10 jours. Résultats: Soixante-quinze (91%) patients avaient un cal radiologique à 3 mois. Le délai moyen de consolidation était de 11 semaines. Une dynamisation a été nécessaire pour les autres patients. Soixante-treize (89%) patients n'avaient aucune douleur et pouvaient faire leurs courses et utiliser le transport public à trois mois de l'intervention. Trente-deux (39%) patients qui avaient un travail sédentaire l'ont repris dans un délai moyen de 7semaines. Nous avons noté deux cas d'échec de verrouillage et quatre cas d'infection superficielle. Conclusion: Le clou SIGN nous a permis d'obtenir de bons résultats anatomiques et fonctionnels avec une reprise de l'activité professionnelle et sportive dans les meilleurs délais

Low-dose X-ray irradiation promotes osteoblast proliferation, differentiation and fracture healing.

Great controversy exists regarding the biologic responses of osteoblasts to X-ray irradiation, and the mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, the biological effects of low-dose radiation on stimulating osteoblast proliferation, differentiation and fracture healing were identified using in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal studies. First, low-dose (0.5 Gy) X-ray irradiation induced the cell viability and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells. However, high-dose (5 Gy) X-ray irradiation inhibited the viability and proliferation of osteoblasts. In addition, dynamic variations in osteoblast differentiation markers, including type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase, Runx2, Osterix and osteocalcin, were observed after both low-dose and high-dose irradiation by Western blot analysis. Second, fracture healing was evaluated via histology and gene expression after single-dose X-ray irradiation, and low-dose X-ray irradiation accelerates fracture healing of closed femoral fractures in rats. In low-dose X-ray irradiated fractures, an increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells, cartilage formation and fracture calluses was observed. In addition, we observed more rapid completion of endochondral and intramembranous ossification, which was accompanied by altered expression of genes involved in bone remodeling and fracture callus mineralization. Although the expression level of several osteoblast differentiation genes was increased in the fracture calluses of high-dose irradiated rats, the callus formation and fracture union were delayed compared with the control and low-dose irradiated fractures. These results reveal beneficial effects of low-dose irradiation, including the stimulation of osteoblast proliferation, differentiation and fracture healing, and highlight its potential translational application in novel therapies against bone-related diseases.

[Dyspnea, hypoxia and a confusional state--a post-recovery diagnosis].

We present a case of a 48 year old female, with a medical history significant for paraplegia due to a cervical cord injury and a history of transitional cell carcinoma, which necessitated a urinary bladder ileal reconstruction. The patient was hospitalized due to an acute confusional state, severe respiratory distress and hemolytic anemia. One day prior to hospitalization, she was involved in a minor motor vehicle accident, yet she and her family denied any injuries due to the accident and the patient did not complain of pain. During the course of her hospitalization the patient was febrile, yet we did not find any evidence of an infectious cause for her symptoms. Notably, lumbar puncture and MRI scan were relatively contraindicated, hence a CNS infection was not completely ruled out. We also thoroughly investigated her respiratory symptoms, but could not reach a conclusive diagnosis. Nevertheless, after approximately 14 days of diagnostic efforts, empirical antibiotic treatment and supportive care, all clinical and laboratory abnormalities had resolved. The patient was discharged with a presumed diagnosis of a poorly understood infectious process. However, not long after, she returned to the emergency department complaining of a red, painful, swollen right knee. Imaging studies demonstrated a right supracondylar as well as a tibial plateau fracture. Consequently, a post-recovery diagnosis of fat emboli syndrome was made.

Effects of radiation and surgery on healing of femoral fractures in a rat model.

Management of soft tissue sarcoma involves multimodality treatment, including surgery and radiotherapy. Pathologic fracture of the femur after such treatment in the thigh is one serious, late complication and nonunion rates of 80-90% are reported. We hypothesize that the combination of radiotherapy and periosteal stripping (during tumor resection) leads to greater impairment of the fracture repair process than either intervention alone. Female Wistar retired breeder rats were randomized into four treatment groups (control, radiotherapy, surgery, and combination of radiotherapy and surgery) and three end-points (21, 28, and 35 days post-fracture). Designated animals first underwent radiotherapy, followed by surgical stripping of the periosteum 3 weeks later and femoral fracture with fixation after another 3 weeks. Animals were sacrificed and fractures examined using microCT and histomorphometry. Simple transverse or short oblique femoral fractures were produced. By 35 days, control animals formed unions, periosteum-stripped animals formed hypertrophic non-unions and irradiated animals formed atrophic non-unions. Histomorphometry revealed an absence of chondroid and osteoid production in animals undergoing radiotherapy. The relative contribution of periosteal stripping to occurrence of non-union was statistically insignificant. Radiation prior to fracture reliably resulted in atrophic non-union in our model. The contribution of periosteal stripping was negligible.

Helium-neon laser improves bone repair in rabbits: comparison at two anatomic sites.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of helium-neon laser on bone repair of femur and tibia in rabbits. For this purpose, 15 New Zealand rabbits underwent bilateral bone damage (tibia and femur) using a spherical bur. Helium-neon laser light, at a fluency of 6 J∕cm(2) and wavelength of 632.8 nm was applied on the left legs (laser group). The right tibia or femur lesions (control group) served as negative control. All sections were histopathologically analyzed using HE sections and the morphometric data from bone tissue and hyaline cartilage were achieved. Histopathological analysis showed regular bone trabeculae covered by osteoblastic cells after 1 week in the group exposed to laser therapy from femur and tibia indistinctly. After 3 weeks, the laser group showed new bone formation coming from the bony walls in the femur and tibia as well. On the 5th week, well-defined trabecula undergoing remodeling process was detected for the most intense pattern in tibia only. Morphometric analysis revealed significant statistical differences (p < 0.05) in the bone tissue for the laser-exposed group on 1st and 3rd weeks. After 5th week, bone formation was increased to tibia only. Taken together, such findings suggest that helium-neon laser is able to improve bone repair in rabbits being the most pronounced effect in tibia.

Effect of biostimulation on healing of bone defects in diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of biostimulation on healing of bone defects in diabetic rats. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-eight Wistar rats weighting 250 to 300 g were used for this study. Diabetes was chemically induced with streptozotocin, and 14 nondiabetic and 14 diabetic rats were included in the study. The distal epiphysis of the right and left femurs of the diabetic rats were perforated with a surgical bone drill. This surgical procedure was performed on the left femurs of normal rats too. The wound on the right side of each diabetic rat received laser stimulation. The left femur of each nondiabetic (normal) rat served as a control. The rats were assigned to three experimental groups: (1) normal bur (control group); (2) diabetic bur; (3) diabetic bur + biostimulation. RESULTS: There was a significant difference among all groups in substantia spongiosa formation on day 10. According to the Mann-Whitney U test, there was a difference between Groups 1 and 2. A significant difference was noted between Groups 2 and 3 as well as between Groups 1 and 3 and between Groups 2 and 3 in union at 20 d of healing. CONCLUSIONS: Substantia spongiosa formation was slightly more evident in Groups 1 and 3 than in Group 2. Also, there was more union in Group 3 than in the other groups on day 20. As a result, it can be concluded that low-level laser therapy (808 nm laser at 10 J/cm(2)) can have a beneficial effect on spongiosa in diabetic bone repair when five treatments are administered with 2 d intervals between treatments.

The effects of shockwave on bone healing and systemic concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), TGF-beta1, VEGF and BMP-2 in long bone non-unions.

This study investigated the effects of extracorporeal shockwave treatment (ESWT) on bone healing and the systemic concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), TGF-beta1, VEGF and BMP-2 in long bone non-unions. Forty-two patients with 42 established non-unions of the femur and tibia were enrolled in this study. Each long bone non-union was treated with 6000 impulses of shockwave at 28 kV in a single session. Ten milliliters of peripheral blood were obtained for measurements of serum NO level and osteogenic growth factors including TGF-beta1, VEGF and BMP-2; serum levels of calcium, alkaline phosphatase, calcitonin and parathyroid hormone before treatment and at 1 day, 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment. The evaluations for bone healing included clinical assessments and serial radiographic examinations. At 6 months, bony union was radiographically confirmed in 78.6%, and persistent non-union in 21.4%. Patients with bony union showed significantly higher serum NO level, TGF-beta1, VEGF and BMP-2 at 1 month after treatment as compared to patients with persistent non-union. Shockwave-promoted bone healing was associated with significant increases in serum NO level and osteogenic growth factors. The elevations of systemic concentration of NO level and the osteogenic factors may reflect a local stimulation of shockwave in bone healing in long bone non-unions.

Low-dose X-irradiation promotes mineralization of fracture callus in a rat model.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the hypothesized beneficial effect of low-dose irradiation (LDI) on fracture callus mineralization in a rat model. METHODS: Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were averagely randomized into LDI group (rats treated with LDI) and SHAM group (rats treated with sham irradiation). Right after either LDI or sham irradiation, a standardized closed fracture on the right femur was established. At 2, 3 and 4 weeks postfracture, 12 rats in each group were euthanized. Fracture callus was assessed by using radiography and MicroCT for callus bridging, peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) for quantifying bone mineral content (BMC) and cross sectional area (CSA), confocal laser scanning microscopy for measuring area fraction of fluorescence labeling (AFFL) and four-point bending test for examining mechanical properties. RESULTS: The CSA and AFFL were found to be 22 and 33% smaller in the LDI group compared to the SHAM group at 2 weeks (P<0.05 for both), whereas the BMC and AFFL were 15 and 34% higher in the LDI group at 3 weeks (P<0.05 for both). The changing patterns were consistent with the findings in 3-D MicroCT reconstructions. The mechanical parameters (Max-Load, Stiffness and Energy) were also 18, 30 and 24% higher in the LDI group than in the SHAM group at 3 weeks (P<0.05 for all). At 4 weeks, there was no difference found for all assessments between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The results indicated LDI promoted mineralization at the stage of hard callus formation in a rat fracture model.

Healing of bone fractures of rat shin and some immunological indices during magnetic laser therapy and osteosynthesis by the ilizarov method.

The effect of magnetic and laser therapy on healing of bone fractures and blood levels of T and B lymphocytes was studied in rats during osteosynthesis by the Ilizarov method. Laser therapy induced changes in cells attesting to stimulation of reparative processes and normalization of immunological parameters.

[Surgical management of bone metastases of the lower extremity with AO interlocking nail]. / Zur operativen Versorgung von Skelettmetastasen der unteren Extremität mittels AO-Verriegelungsmarknagel.

Between January 1991 and June 1995 we have operated on 19 patients (9 male, 10 female) with 22 skeletal metastases of the lower limb (19 femora, 3 tibiae) using a static interlocking nail. Closed intramedullary nailing without resection of the metastasis has been established as our standard procedure. We have stabilized 15 patients with advanced osteolysis and seven pathological fractures. Sixteen patients underwent postoperative local radiation therapy with 40 Gy. As intraoperative complications we have observed one fracture of an osteolysis and one death due to fat embolism. Postoperatively there were observed one seroma, one haematoma and one patient with non fatal pulmonary embolism following DVT. Two patients died within the first 30 postoperative days because of tumor progression. All patients surviving longer than 30 days could be mobilized under full weight-bearing. Morphine like analgetics for metastasis related pain were no longer needed. A secondary instability has not been observed within a mean survival time of 199 days (811 longest follow up). Closed intramedullary nailing in combination with postoperative local radiation therapy seems to be an appropriate and technically non demanding procedure to stabilize skeletal metastases of the lower limb in patients with a short or medium-term expectation of life.

Postfracture irradiation effects on the biomechanical and histologic parameters of fracture healing.

The effects of single-dose local irradiation on the biomechanical properties of closed femoral fractures were studied in 75 mature Sprague-Dawley rats. Ten days after fracture, the rats were irradiated with 900 rads at 250 kV to the entire fractured femur. At 2, 3, 4, 8, and 16 weeks after fracture, both fractured and contralateral intact femurs were recovered and evaluated biomechanically by testing to failure in torsion. Results were compared with those from a similar study involving fractures irradiated 3 days after fracture as well as nonirradiated control fractures. Fracture healing progressed faster when irradiation was delayed 10 days than when delayed 3 days, and control fractures healed more rapidly than after either delay. In the 10-day delay group, fractures showed greater strength than did those in the 3-day delay group at 8 weeks, but the strength of irradiated fractures in both groups was similarly depressed at 16 weeks, with a maximum torque well below that of control fractures. These results suggest that delaying radiation exposure of a fracture may mitigate short-term deleterious effects on fracture repair, but that long-term results may be similar to those associated with expeditious irradiation.

Changing concepts in the management of pathological and impending pathological fractures.

The benefits in the management of pathological fractures by internal fixation are well recognized. However, failures in bone or metal can occur where there is a large amount of bone destruction. Seven of 69 pathological fractures in our series were treated by internal fixation with adjunctive use of methylmethacrylate without failure. This allowed for secure fixation in fractures with large amounts of bone destruction, thus decreasing the patient's pain and allowing earlier mobilization. Neither the effects of radiotherapy on bone involved with neoplasm nor methylmethacrylate are altered when radiotherapy is used after internal fixation and adjunctive use of methylmethacrylate. We believe that an aggressive program of stabilization of these fractures or fixation before actual fracture provides significant patient benefits including reduction of pain, decreased length of hospital stay, reduction of financial expense, and return to as near normal function as possible.