Heterotopic ossification after local steroid injection.

Pachydermodactyly (PDD) is a rare, benign disease associated with progressive swelling of the periarticular soft tissue of phalangeal hand joints typically treated with local steroid injections. We present a case of a 37-year-old man with PDD treated with local steroid injections. He later developed heterotopic ossification and para-articular calcifications in the injection sites. Heterotopic ossification is not associated with PDD nor is it a recognised complication of local steroid injections. This is the first case in literature of heterotopic ossification occurring after local steroid injection and brings to attention a new potential complication of a widely performed procedure.

The influence of botulinum toxin A injections into the calf muscles on genu recurvatum in children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: With cerebral palsy (CP), an equinus deformity may lead to genu recurvatum. Botulinum toxin A (BtA) injection into the calf muscles is a well-accepted treatment for dynamic equinus deformity. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether BtA injections into the calf muscles to decrease equinus would decrease coexisting genu recurvatum in children with diplegic CP. METHODS: In a retrospective study, 13 children (mean age, 5 years) with spastic diplegic CP showing equinus and coexisting primary genu recurvatum, who were treated with BtA injections into the calf muscles, were included. Evaluations were done before and 6 and 18 weeks after intervention using three-dimensional gait analysis and clinical examinations according to a standardized protocol. Basic statistical analyses (power analysis, ANOVA) were performed to compare genu recurvatum before treatment and at 6 and 18 weeks after injection with BtA. RESULTS: During stance phase, maximum ankle dorsiflexion was increased substantially from -3.0° ± 14.3° before to 6.2° ± 14.2° 6 weeks after the injections. Despite this, with the numbers available, the amount of recurvatum in stance did not improve with treatment at either 6 or 18 weeks. There was significant improvement of knee hyperextension during stance phase of 6.2° between baseline and 18 weeks after BtA injection, but a genu recurvatum was still present in most patients. CONCLUSIONS: Despite improvement of ankle dorsiflexion after injection with BtA, genu recurvatum did not show relevant improvement at 6 or 18 weeks after injection with the numbers available. Because knee hyperextension remained in most patients, other factors leading to genu recurvatum should be taken into consideration. In addition, a botulinum toxin-induced weakness of the gastrocnemius may explain why recurvatum gait was not significantly reduced. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Pentosan polysulfate: a novel therapy for the mucopolysaccharidoses.

BACKGROUND: Pentosan polysulfate (PPS) is an FDA-approved, oral medication with anti-inflammatory and pro-chondrogenic properties. We have previously shown that animal models of the mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) exhibit significant inflammatory disease, contributing to cartilage degeneration. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) only partly reduced inflammation, and anti-TNF-alpha antibody therapy significantly enhanced clinical and pathological outcomes. Here we describe the use of PPS for the treatment of MPS type VI rats. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Treatment began during prenatal development and at 1 and 6 months of age. All animals were treated until they were 9 months old. Significant reductions in the serum and tissue levels of several inflammatory markers (e.g., TNF-alpha, MIP-1alpha and RANTES/CCL5) were observed, as was reduced expression of inflammatory markers in cultured articular chondrocytes. ADAMTS-5/aggrecanase-2 levels also were reduced in chondrocytes, consistent with an elevation of serum tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1. Marked improvements in motility and grooming behavior occurred, along with a reduction in eye and nasal secretions and a lessening of the tracheal deformities. MicroCT and radiographic analyses further revealed that the treated MPS skulls were longer and thinner, and that the teeth malocclusions, misalignments and mineral densities were improved. MicroCT analysis of the femurs and vertebrae revealed improvements in trabecular bone mineral densities, number and spacing in a subset of treated MPS animals. Biomechanical assessments of PPS-treated spines showed partially restored torsional behaviors, suggesting increased spinal stability. No improvements were observed in cortical bone or femur length. The positive changes in the PPS-treated MPS VI rats occurred despite glycosaminoglycan accumulation in their tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings we conclude that PPS could be a simple and effective therapy for MPS that might provide significant clinical benefits alone and in combination with other therapies.

Joint damage and disability in rheumatoid arthritis: an updated systematic review.

Joint damage and disability in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) both increase with disease duration but the nature of their relationship is uncertain. This review updates knowledge of the progression and inter-relationship of joint damage and disability in treated RA and provides a synopsis of the main predictive factors for damage and disability. In early RA 39-73% of patients develop one or more erosions in their hands and wrists by 5 years. In established RA the average annual increase in radiological damage scores is 1.9% maximal damage. After 20 years RA patients have on average 43% of maximum possible damage. These data suggests that joint damage progresses constantly over the first 20 years of RA. The average annual increase in HAQ scores is 0.033 per year (1% of possible maximum disability). In the first years of disease there is a "J-shaped" curve with an initial fall in HAQ scores followed by an increase over the next four years. In cross-sectional studies there is either no correlation or a weak correlation between damage and disability in early RA; this absence of correlation is explained by the "J-shaped" curve of disability with disease duration in early RA. As disease duration increases the correlation between damage and disability becomes more obvious; 9 studies show correlation coefficients between 0.31 and 0.75. The most predictive factors of damage and disability are rheumatoid factor status and disease activity. The validity of our conclusions are limited by the potential indirect link between small joint damage and disability, with large joint damage being a more important predictor, and the presence of ceiling effects on X-rays. In conclusion, joint damage accounts for a substantial proportion of the disability associated with the disease.

Current and emerging therapies for rheumatoid arthritis, with a focus on infliximab: clinical impact on joint damage and cost of care in canada.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a physically debilitating disease that places an enormous burden not only on individuals and their families but also on the economy. Affecting -1% of the Canadian population, RA is characterized by pain and swelling of joints. Without effective treatment, RA results in joint destruction that often requires surgery. OBJECTIVE: This review summarizes the effect of current and new RA treatments on joint damage, with a focus on infliximab. The health-economic repercussions and potential impact of arresting the joint destruction of RA are discussed. METHODS: Information for inclusion in this review was identified through searches of the MEDLINE and HealthStar databases from 1995 to 2000. Search terms included rheumatoid arthritis, treatment guidelines, economics, and individual drug names. RESULTS: Standard initial RA drug therapy has been aimed at reducing pain and inflammation, whereas use of the more potent disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) has been reserved for later stages of disease. More aggressive RA treatment involves introducing DMARDs at the earliest stage. The largest single direct cost of RA involves hospital admissions for the correction of joint deformities. Among newer therapies, the anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha agent infliximab has been shown to arrest radiographic measures of disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: With early and aggressive treatment involving new drugs and drug combinations, it may be possible to ameliorate the physical, social, and economic effects of RA.