Effect of callus development on the deformation of external fixation frames.

Purpose: We designed a sensor that measures the bending moments at the articulations and the torque of the rod of a Hoffmann II® external fixation. We considered the effect of the callus formation in the stabilisation of a "fracture-fixation system."

Methods: Four Hoffmann II® frame configurations were mechanically tested.

Risk factors and impact of orthopaedic monitoring on the outcome of avascular necrosis of the femoral head in adults with sickle cell disease: 215 patients case study with control group.

Introduction: Sickle cell disease is a public health problem. The WHO has recommended that global management be implemented to reduce mortality and morbidity. Since no comprehensive care programme for bone and joint complications exists, the Caribbean Sickle Cell Disease Center added orthopaedic consultation to screen for and monitor these complications in 1992.

[External fixation at the wrist and hand].

Distraction radio-metacarpal external fixation is an excellent technique for the osteosynthesis of distal radius fractures, in particular of comminuted articular fractures. The alternative is the locked palmar plate, a more demanding technique. The published literature does not allow concluding if one method is better than the other.

[The Orthopaedic and Traumatology Research Laboratory].

The history of the Orthopaedics and Traumatology Research Laboratory (LROT) is summarized during the last thirty years. The approach, initially focused on bone biomechanics and strength of materials, underwent a rapid diversification as expressed by the list of research topics: monitoring of bone healing; bone strains measurements for different level of activities including microgravity and prevention of disuse osteoporosis; biological effects of electromagnetic fields; evolution of the viscoelastic properties of the callus during bone healing; improvement of the osteoinductive properties of bone substitutes produced by the Tissues Bank of the University Hospital Erasme; Kashin-Beck disease; SICOT telediagnostic, and biomechanics of threaded implants. Those topics, event the most fundamental ones, have immediate significant clinical applications allowing a decrease of the morbidity and an acceleration of the rehabilitation of the patients.

[The Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of the University Clinics of Brussels, Erasme Hospital].

On the occasion of the thirty years since its inauguration, the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of the University Hospital Erasme reviews the milestones of its development. Various original new techniques have been implemented: monitoring of implants using strain gauges, external fixation of the limbs, external minifixation, miniinvasive anterior approach in hip arthroplasty, knee ligamentoplasties, orthopaedic microsurgery and composite tissue allotransplantation. The care of aged patients takes place in close collaboration with the Department of Geriatrics.