Z-bunionectomy with internal screw fixation.

A new procedure for the correction of hallux valgus was performed on 39 patients (66 feet). The follow-up period averaged 29 months, with a range of 24 to 32 months. The new procedure is a horizontally directed displacement Z-osteotomy in the head and shaft region of the first metatarsal.

Healing potential of the anulus fibrosus.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the healing of surgically created defects in the anulus fibrosus in an effort to determine the healing potential of this structure. Four identical lesions were made in the anulus fibrosus of ten dogs at levels L2-L5. Two dogs were killed at 3, 6, and 9 weeks.

Identification of IgG in the canine intervertebral disc.

Nucleus pulposus was taken at necropsy from five mongrel dogs and tested in an enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) system designed to indicate the presence of IgG and IgM. This assay positively identified IgG. Agarose-bound Protein A was used to treat the nucleus pulposus material to extract the IgG.

The inflammatory effect of nucleus pulposus. A possible element in the pathogenesis of low-back pain.

Homogenized autogenous nucleus pulposus was injected into the lumbar epidural space of four dogs through an indwelling catheter. After daily injections of the material over 5 to 7 days, the dogs were killed at 5, 7, 14, or 21 days after the first injection. In four dogs that served as controls, normal saline was injected on an identical schedule and the dogs were killed at times identical to the experimental group.