A Biomechanical Comparison of Locked Unicortical with Non-Locking Bicortical Screws for Metacarpal Shaft Fractures in a Randomized Human Cadaveric Model.

Locking plate fixation is widely used in large long bone fixation and is now available for small "long" bones in the hand. Potential advantages of unicortical locked fixation are reduced risk of over-drilling and therefore reduced risk of damage to surrounding structures and reduced risk of irritation from proud screws. Furthermore, unicortical fixation may be used where bicortical fixation is technically impossible.

In vitro and ex vivo characterisation of an in situ gelling formulation for sustained lidocaine release with potential use following knee arthroplasty.

Sustained lidocaine release via a thermoresponsive poloxamer-based in situ gelling system has the potential to alleviate pain following knee arthroplasty. A previously developed formulation showed a promising drug release profile in synthetic phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). To support the translation of this formulation, ex vivo characterisation was warranted.

Inter-observer validation study of quantitative CT-osteodensitometry in total knee arthroplasty.

Introduction: Proximal tibial bone quality is an important factor in implant mechanical stability following total knee arthroplasty. Quantitative computed tomography (CT) osteodensitometry has been used to measure the change in bone density post-operatively. We sought to validate the inter-observer reliability of these measurements.

Computer-assisted osteodensitometry following total hip arthroplasty.

Several factors, including polyethylene wear debris, implant micromotion and stress shielding, can cause bone loss and fixation failure following total hip arthroplasty. Various techniques have been utilized in an effort to detect bone density loss in vivo with varying success. Quantitative computed tomography (qCT)-assisted osteodensitometry has been shown to be useful in assessing the in vivo structural bone changes after total hip arthroplasty.

A novel in vivo model to study endochondral bone formation; HIF-1alpha activation and BMP expression.

Numerous growth and transcription factors have been implicated in endochondral bone formation of the growth plate. Many of these factors are up-regulated during hypoxia and downstream of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF)-1alpha activation. However, the specific function of these factors, in the context of oxygenation and metabolic adaptation during adult periosteal endochondral bone formation, is largely unknown.

Appropriate use of pagers in a New Zealand tertiary hospital.

Aims: To identify the appropriateness of calls to on-call house officers in a major tertiary teaching hospital.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at Auckland City Hospital over the months of June, July, and August 2004. Fourteen house officers from a range of medical and surgical services categorised calls received while on-call after-hours into one of three groups: 'appropriate and urgent'; 'appropriate but not urgent'; and 'inappropriate'.