Vancouver Experience of Recombinant Human Platelet-Derived Growth Factor.

Joint arthrodesis utilizing autogenous bone graft remains the gold standard of treatment in fusion procedures of the foot and ankle. Graft harvest, however, has been associated with increased morbidity to patients as well as increased costs. With this in mind, multiple clinical studies have evaluated the efficacy of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rh-PDGF-BB) with beta-tricalcium phosphate (B-TCP) to augment in foot and ankle arthrodesis with favorable results.

Increased Cost of Negative Pressure Dressings Is Not Justified for Split-Thickness Skin Grafting of Low-Risk Wounds.

Objectives: (1) To determine whether negative pressure dressings (NPDs) are superior to conventional compressive dressings (CDs) for split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) placed on healthy, low-risk wounds, (2) To determine the cost difference of NPDs versus that of CDs.

Design: Retrospective.

Setting: Level I Trauma Center.

Applications of musculoskeletal ultrasonography in pediatric patients.

Ultrasonography is an excellent adjunct to other musculoskeletal imaging tools utilized in the pediatric population and in some instances offers advantages over CT and MRI. It permits dynamic examination of anatomic structures and assists in guiding minimally invasive procedures. In the lower extremity, ultrasonography assists in screening for such disorders as developmental dysplasia of the hip and in detecting slipped capital femoral epiphysis and femoral acetabular impingement.

Complications of high-energy bicondylar tibial plateau fractures treated with dual plating through 2 incisions.

Objectives: To characterize the rate of complications after operative fixation of bicondylar (OTA/AO 41-C) tibial plateau fractures and to evaluate the contribution of common risk factors.

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Level 1 regional trauma center.

Genomewide molecular and biologic characterization of biomembrane formation adjacent to a methacrylate spacer in the rat femoral segmental defect model.

Objectives: This study focuses upon the morphologic and molecular features of the layer of cells, termed the "biomembrane," which forms around methacrylate spacers in bone segmental defects. The objective of this research was to assess the biomembrane formed in a novel rodent femoral segmental defect model at 4, 8, and 16 weeks with histologic and molecular studies.

Methods: Following Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approval, a segmental defect was created in the rat femur and stabilized with the AO LockingRatNail and analyzed at 4, 8, and 16 weeks postsurgery using digital radiologic imaging, morphological and immunohistochemical studies, and genomewide gene expression studies employing microarray analysis.

Utilization of the AO LockingRatNail in a novel rat femur critical defect model.

Background: Our objective was to utilize a commercially available rodent locked intramedullary nail in a rat femur diaphyseal defect. This model is needed for future studies where materials in the critical defect could be modified with agents to fight infection (antibiotics) or promote osteogenesis.

Methods: After unsatisfactory attempts to develop a reliable femur critical size defect model utilizing various forms of fixation, a locked intramedullary nailing system (AO LockingRatNail) was employed in 105 male Sprague Dawley rats.

Effect of graft height mismatch on contact pressures with osteochondral grafting of the talus.

Background: Osteochondral allograft transplantation is technically demanding. It is not always possible to place the surface of the graft perfectly flush with the surrounding cartilage. One must often choose between placing at least some portion of the surface of the graft slightly elevated or recessed.

Biomechanical comparison of hallux valgus correction using the proximal chevron osteotomy fixed with a medial locking plate and the Ludloff osteotomy fixed with two screws.

Background: For moderate-to-severe hallux valgus deformities with a 1-2 intermetatarsal angle in excess of 15 degrees , a proximal first metatarsal osteotomy is indicated. The ideal osteotomy has yet to be defined, but should inherently limit the incidence of dorsal malunion and allow for early ambulation. The present study evaluates the mechanical integrity of two popular first metatarsal osteotomies.

Revision tibiotalar arthrodesis.

Background: Contemporary recommendations for primary and revision ankle arthrodesis favor internal compression techniques involving the use of screw and/or plate fixation. While tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with internal fixation may be a suitable method of salvage for the treatment of a failed tibiotalar arthrodesis in selected patients, ring external fixation has been reported as an alternative. We reviewed our experience with revision tibiotalar arthrodesis, with a focus on ring external fixation.