Differentiating overlapping symptoms of vulvodynia and pudendal neuralgia.

Context: Vulvodynia is defined as a chronic vulvar pain non-associated with infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic or hormonal disorders.

Objectives: To present a case demonstrating the difficulty in assessing concomitant disease in vulvodynia.

Methods: A 26-year-old woman, presented with persistent vulvodynia.

Use of autologous bone marrow cells concentrate enriched with platelet-fibrin on extensor mechanism allograft reconstruction for extensor mechanism failure following total knee arthroplasty.

Allografts techniques remain the best reconstructive strategy for chronic extensor mechanism lesions after total knee arthroplasty (3) but outcomes depend strictly on the host tissue-allograft junctions healing. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if modern techniques of adding autologous bone marrow cells concentrate enriched with platelet-rich fibrin, provide better healing of the allograft. We present the case of an 86 years old patient affected by patellar tendon rupture after TKA.

The Biological Metallic versus Metallic Solution in Treating Periprosthetic Femoral Fractures: Outcome Assessment.

. The periprosthetic fracture of the femur is, in order of frequency, the fourth leading cause (5.9%) of surgical revision.

Dynamic corset versus three-point brace in the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine: a prospective, comparative study.

Background: The three-point orthosis is the most commonly used brace in the conservative treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. The Spinomed dynamic orthosis represents an alternative.

Aims: We compared efficacy and safety of these two types of brace in treating osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound, conventional radiography and synovial fluid analysis in the diagnosis of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease.

Objectives: To assess the diagnostic performance of ultrasound (US), x-rays, and microscopic analysis of synovial fluid (SF) for calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease (CPPD) using histology as a reference standard.

Methods: We enrolled consecutive patients with osteoarthritis waiting to undergo knee replacement surgery. Each patient underwent US of the knee, focusing on menisci and the hyaline cartilage, the day before surgery.

Serum C-reactive protein and procalcitonin kinetics in patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty.

Background: The sensitivity and the specificity of different methods to detect periprosthetic infection have been questioned. The current study aimed to investigate the kinetics of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in patients undergoing uncomplicated elective total hip arthroplasty (THA), to provide a better interpretation of their levels in noninfectious inflammatory reaction.

Methods: A total of 51 patients were included.

Synovial fluid levels of bradykinin correlate with biochemical markers for cartilage degradation and inflammation in knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: To determine the content of bradykinin (BK) and markers of cartilage degradation and inflammation in the synovial fluid (SF) of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), and to evaluate correlations with biomarkers or clinical parameters.

Methods: SFs were obtained from 30 patients with knee OA. Levels of basal and generated BK, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), interleukin (IL) 1, IL-6, IL-8 and matrix metalloprotease (MMP) 1, MMP-3, MMP-13 and sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or colorimetric assays.

Rosuvastatin inhibits spontaneous and IL-1β-induced interleukin-6 production from human cultured osteoblastic cells.

Objective: Experimental and clinical data suggest that statins may protect bone by inhibiting bone resorption and/or stimulating bone formation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is produced by osteoblasts, and potently stimulates osteoclast activation playing a key role in normal bone resorption as well as in post-menopausal and inflammation-driven osteoporosis. Although statins inhibit IL-6 production from different cell types, currently no data exist on osteoblasts.

In vitro exposure of human osteoarthritic chondrocytes to ELF fields and new therapeutic application of musically modulated electromagnetic fields: biological evidence.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequently occurring rheumatic disease, caused by metabolic changes in chondrocytes, the cells that maintain cartilage. Treatment with electromagnetic fields (MF) produces benefits in patients affected by this pathology. Isolated human osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes were cultured in vitro under standard conditions or stimulated with IL-1beta or IGF-1, to mimic the imbalance between chondroformation and chondroresorption processes observed in OA cartilage in vivo.

Painful hip arthroplasty: definition.

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been indicated as the surgical intervention with greatest improvement in pain and physical function. However some patients continue to experience hip pain after elective surgery. We investigate prognostic factors that negatively affect treatment effectiveness and the patient outcome.

Retroperitoneal hematoma due to spontaneous lumbar artery rupture during fondaparinux treatment. Case report and review of the literature.

We present the case of a 78 year-old man who developed a spontaneous rupture of the lumbar artery leading to a retroperitoneal hematoma while receiving fondaparinux therapy after a total hip replacement. A selective angiographic embolization stopped the bleeding. Fondaparinux was discontinuated and the patient presented a complete resolution of his medical status.

[Anabolic effects and inhibition of interleukin 6 production induced by neridronate on human osteoblasts].

Unlabelled: Bisphosphonates (BPs) are pharmacological compounds widely used in the treatment of a variety of bone-related diseases, particularly where the bone-turnover is skewed in favour of osteolysis. The mechanisms by which BPs reduce bone-resorption directly acting on osteoclasts (OCs) are now largely clarified even at molecular level. The researches concerning the BPs effects on osteoblasts (OBs) have instead shown variable results.

Osteogenic growth peptide effects on primary human osteoblast cultures: potential relevance for the treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

The osteogenic growth peptide (OGP) is a naturally occurring tetradecapeptide that has attracted considerable clinical interest as a bone anabolic agent and hematopoietic stimulator. In vivo studies on animals have demonstrated that the synthetic peptide OGP (10-14), reproducing the OGP C-terminal active portion [H-Tyr-Gly-Phe-Gly-Gly-OH] increases bone formation, trabecular bone density and fracture healing. In vitro studies performed on cellular systems based on osteoblastic-like cell lines or mouse stromal cells, have demonstrated that OGP (10-14) increases osteoblast proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) activity and matrix synthesis and mineralization.

Recovery of physical function and patient's satisfaction after total hip replacement (THR) surgery supported by a tailored guide-book.

Background And Aim Of The Work: The purpose of this prospective study was to give a customized guide, describing the hospitalization period and the postoperative exercise program, to patients scheduled for total hip arthroplasty (THA) and to show its effectiveness on functional recovery and on patient's satisfaction with the rehabilitation care and with the in-hospital discharge planning after surgery.

Methods: This trial included 365 consecutive subjects with osteoarthritis who underwent THA at the Orthopaedic and Traumatology Clinic of Siena (Italy). The Harris Hip Score (HHS), a disease specific measure, was determined before and after surgery.

Long-term effects of neridronate on human osteoblastic cell cultures.

Unlabelled: Bisphosphonates (BPs) are widely used in the treatment of a variety of bone-related diseases, particularly where the bone turnover is skewed in favor of osteolysis. The mechanisms by which BPs reduce bone resorption directly acting on osteoclasts are now largely clarified even at molecular level. Researches concerning the BP's effects on osteoblast have instead shown variable results.

Metallosis due to impingement between the socket and the femoral head in a total hip prosthesis. A case report.

Metallosis is usually defined as aseptic fibrosis, local necrosis, or loosening of a device secondary to metallic corrosion and release of wear debris. It is an occasional but characteristic clinical finding in patients who have a metal-on-metal design of total hip replacement, or when metal surfaces contact after a failure or erosion of the polyethylene component. We report the case of a patient who had severe metallosis caused by wear of the femoral head with the titanium socket, after the complete erosion and destruction of the polyethylene cup, with failure of the accetabular component.

The Onik method of automated percutaneous lumbar diskectomy (A.P.L.D.). Criteria of selection, technique, and evaluation of results.

The Onik method of automated percutaneous lumbar diskectomy is a new type of percutaneous surgery for the treatment of herniated lumbar disk. Candidates for this procedure should be carefully evaluated on the basis of precise clinical criteria and instrumental diagnosis. The goal is to select patients in whom excellent results can be achieved, recognizing the limitations as well as the merits of the technique.