International orthopaedics
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The 'reamer-irrigator-aspirator' (RIA) is an innovation developed to reduce fat embolism (FE) and thermal necrosis (TN) that can occur during reaming/nailing of long-bone fractures. Since its inception its indications have expanded to include the treatment of long-bone osteomyelitis and as a harvester of bone graft/mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). ⋯ The RIA is a reliable method in achieving high volumes of bone graft/MSCs, and high union rates are reported when using RIA bone-fragments to treat non-unions. Evidence suggests possible effectiveness in treating long-bone osteomyelitis. The RIA appears relatively safe, with a low rate of morbidity provided a meticulous technique is used. When complications occur they respond well to conventional techniques. The RIA demands further investigation especially with respect to the optimal application of MSCs for bone repair strategies.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of headless screws used in the treatment of proximal nonunion of scaphoid bone.
Screws with different levels of compression force are available for scaphoid fixation and it is known that the Acutrak screw generates greater compression than the Herbert screw. We retrospectively compared two types of headless compression screw for their effectiveness in the repair of scaphoid nonunion. Twenty-nine cases of proximal scaphoid nonunion were surgically treated with non-vascularised bone graft: the Acutrak screw was used in 17 patients and the cannulated Herbert screw in 12 patients. ⋯ Statistically, there was no significant difference between the Acutrak and Herbert screw types in terms of functional evaluation and time required for consolidation. Greater compression did not influence the functional outcome, consolidation rate or time to consolidation. The need for greater compression in the treatment of proximal scaphoid nonunions is thus questionable because it may increase the risk of proximal fragment communition.
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The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis of >100° via posterior-only surgery with strong halo-femoral traction and posterior wide release. From December 2003 to August 2006, 121 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were treated in our hospital; among them, 29 patients with curves over 100° were included in this study. From December 2003 to June 2005, group A included the first 12 patients who underwent combined anterior release followed by two-week halo-femoral traction and then posterior instrumentation. ⋯ There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in gender, age, type of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, preoperative coronal major curve values, major curve flexibility, or final follow-up major curve correction rate. The average operative time, blood loss and hospital stay in group B were less than those in group A. In adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with Cobb >100°, posterior-only surgery with strong halo-femoral traction and posterior wide release can provide comparable curve correction with shorter operative time, less blood loss and shorter hospital stay when compared to combined anteroposterior surgery.
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The aim of this study was to assess sporting and physical activities in patients who had undergone hip resurfacing. Our study included 117 patients who underwent hip resurfacing between 2003 and 2008. University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) activity level and Oxford hip scores (OHS) were used. ⋯ There was statistically significant improvement in UCLA activity scores from 4.4 to 6.8 (p < 0.05) and Oxford hip scores from 43.4 to 17.7 following surgery. Eighty-seven percent of patients continued to take part in sporting activities following hip resurfacing. Our study has demonstrated that hip resurfacing can allow patients to remain extremely active.