Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society
-
The infrapatellar fat pad has been implicated as a possible source of anterior knee pain. This study examined the nature, distribution and time-course of experimentally induced pain in the infrapatellar fat pad. Hypertonic saline (5%) was injected into the medial fat pad of 11 healthy individuals with no history of knee pain. ⋯ Thermal and sensory thresholds were not altered at a region close to the injection site during the experimental pain. These results suggest that nociceptive stimulation of the infrapatellar fat pad may cause anterior knee pain that is not necessarily confined locally particularly if pain is severe. This has implications for the investigation of pathological structures in patients presenting clinically with anterior knee pain and provides an experimental model of anterior knee pain.
-
Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) are used clinically to expedite healing of fracture non-unions, however, the mechanism of action by which PEMF stimulation is effective is unknown. The current study examined the acute effects of PEMF stimulation on arteriolar microvessel diameters in the rat cremaster muscle. The study hypothesis was that PEMF would increase arteriolar diameters, a potential mechanism involved in the healing process. ⋯ These results support the hypothesis that local application of a specific PEMF waveform can elicit significant arteriolar vasodilation. Systemic hemodynamics and environmental temperature could not account for the observed microvascular responses.
-
Aseptic loosening of orthopaedic implants is precipitated by wear debris-induced osteolysis. Central to this process are the pro-inflammatory mediators that are produced in response to wear by the fibroblastic cells, which comprise the majority of periprosthetic membranes. Since this pro-inflammatory cascade is mediated by a plethora of factors with redundant functions, it is imperative to establish a hierarchy. ⋯ Interestingly, COX-2 was also required for IL-6 production in these assays, which could be rescued by the addition of exogenous PGE2 (10(-6) M). Pharmacology studies that utilized the COX-1 selective inhibitor SC 560, the COX-2 selective inhibitor celecoxib, and the nonselective COX inhibitor indomethacin confirmed these results. Taken together, these results indicate that selective inhibition of prostaglandin signaling could favorably impact aseptic loosening beyond its direct effects on PGE2 synthesis, in that it inhibits downstream pro-inflammatory/pro-osteoclastic cytokine production.
-
This study is to investigate the changes of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) induced by mechanical compression using in vivo model. ⋯ It is important to be aware that in patients with nerve root compression due to lumbar disc herniation or lumbar canal stenosis, dysfunction is not confined to degeneration at the site of compression, but also extends to the primary sensory neurons within the dorsal root ganglion as a result of the axon reaction. Patients with sensory disturbance should therefore be fully informed of the fact that these symptoms will not resolve immediately after surgery.