Management of septic arthritis and prosthetic joint infection.

Management of joint infection is an evolving topic. This article reviews the literature on the management of native and prosthetic joint infection and suggests some areas of improvement in short- and long-term management which could lead to better patient outcomes. Surgical management is the mainstay of treatment for native or prosthetic knee infection and aspiration should only be used for diagnostic purposes.

A Randomized Trial of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation Versus Alternative Forms of Surgical Cartilage Management in Patients With a Failed Primary Treatment for Chondral or Osteochondral Defects in the Knee.

Background: There are limited randomized controlled trials with long-term outcomes comparing autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) versus alternative forms of surgical cartilage management within the knee.

Purpose: To determine at 5 years after surgery whether ACI was superior to alternative forms of cartilage management in patients after a failed previous treatment for chondral or osteochondral defects in the knee.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

A Case of Intermittent Exercise-Induced Foot Drop in a Recreational Runner.

Foot drop is a reduction in ankle dorsiflexion during the swing phase of gait. We report a case of a 51-year-old recreational runner and cyclist who presented with intermittent left foot drop initially triggered by running distances in excess of 10 km. The patient was investigated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine and leg, nerve conduction studies, electromyography, and compartment pressure testing, which were all normal.

Successful two-stage revision of a KineSpring® joint unloading implant: a case study.

Few nonsurgical treatment options are available to the patient with debilitating knee osteoarthritis (OA) that is refractory to conservative care. The KineSpring® System joint unloading implant is a unique device that reduces the load carried by the medial compartment of the knee joint by up to 13 kilograms during the stance phase of gait. We report a case of a male patient who underwent implant with the KineSpring System for symptomatic knee OA but subsequently required revision due to local infection.

The use of intradiscal steroid therapy for lumbar spinal discogenic pain: a randomized controlled trial.

Study Design: A prospective randomized study of the therapeutic effect of intradiscal steroid injection compared to a saline placebo.

Objectives: To determine whether intradiscal steroid injection influences the clinical outcome at 1 year in patients with chronic low back pain of discogenic origin.

Summary Of Background Data: Steroids have been used empirically in the treatment of back pain.

Bone mineral density after removal of rigid plates from forearm fractures: preliminary report.

Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured on three occasions following removal of metal plates used to fixate diaphyseal forearm fractures in eight patients (mean age 38.5 years). At plate removal the mean BMD of the distal radius/ulna and the ulnar shaft sites were, respectively, 10.