The use of factor Xa inhibitors following opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) and evaluate the efficacy and safety of edoxaban for the prevention of VTE in patients undergoing OWHTO.

Methods: A total of 139 patients with osteoarthritis or osteonecrosis undergoing OWHTO were enrolled in this prospective, randomized study. Four patients were excluded because of preoperatively diagnosed VTE, and 135 patients were divided into two groups-an edoxaban group and a non-edoxaban group-and underwent computed tomography venography on day 7 to check for postoperative VTE.

Is the surgical epicondylar axis the center of rotation in the osteoarthritic knee?

The relationship between the surgical epicondylar axis (SEA) and the rotational axis of the distal femur remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between the SEA and the distal femur and whether the SEA can be used as the rotational axis of the knee. Angular and linear measurements of 70 femora at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° of flexion were recorded.

Changes in synovial fluid biomarkers and clinical efficacy of intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid for patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Background: The changes in synovial fluid biomarkers after intra-articular injection of hyarulonic acid (IA HA) remain controversial. We investigate the changes in the properties of synovial fluid (SF) and clinical symptoms before the first and fifth IA HA.

Methods: A total of 73 patients (73 knees) with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis were treated with five weekly intra-articular injections of HA and 55 patients (55 knees) were analyzed.

Mid- term results of stryker® scorpio plus mobile bearing total knee arthroplasty.

Background: The mobile bearing knee system was introduced to lessen contact stress on the articular bearing surface and reduce polyethylene wear. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the mid-term results of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) using Scorpio Plus Mobile Bearing Knee System (Stryker, Mahwah, NJ), and compare the outcomes between patients with osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis (OA·ON group) and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA group).

Methods: Eight males and 58 females were followed up for a period of 4.

Case of juxta-articular osteoid osteoma of calcaneus mimicking arthritis.

Juxta-articular osteoid osteoma is a rare disorder that is difficult to correctly diagnose at an early stage. We report a case of osteoid osteoma in the calcaneus that arose near to the talocalcaneal joint. An 18-year-old female presented with symptoms of joint swelling and effusion similar to those of monoarthritis.

A mid term comparison of open wedge high tibial osteotomy vs unicompartmental knee arthroplasty for medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee.

Background: The choice of surgical treatments for unicompartmental osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is still somewhat controversial. Midterm results from cases treated using unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) or open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) were evaluated retrospectively.

Methods: Twenty-seven knees of 24 patients with varus deformities underwent OWHTO and 30 knees of 18 patients underwent UKA surgeries for the treatment of medial compartmental osteoarthritis (OA).

Clinical results and radiographical evaluation of opening wedge high tibial osteotomy for spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee.

We evaluated the clinical outcomes, in terms of early weight bearing, of using opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) to treat spontaneous osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle of the knee (SONK) using TomoFix and artificial bone substitute. Damaged cartilage tissue was removed and drilling of the necrotic area followed by OWHTO was performed in 30 knees from 30 patients with an average age of 71 years (range 58-82) at the time of operation. Patients were allowed to undertake partial weight-bearing exercises 1 week after the osteotomy procedure, with all patients performing full weight-bearing exercise at 2 weeks post-surgery.

Medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy with early full weight bearing.

Purpose: We performed clinical and radiographic evaluation of patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee who had undergone treatment with opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) followed by early full weight bearing. OWHTO procedures were performed by use of TomoFix (Synthes, Bettlach, Switzerland) and bone substitute materials.

Methods: OWHTO was performed in 57 knees in 52 patients with a mean age of 69 years (range, 54 to 82 years) at the time of operation.

Evaluation of lesion in a spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee using 18F-fluoride positron emission tomography.

Positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging has several advantages over conventional scintigraphy, including a high spatial resolution and the ability to quantify disease progression. Recently, (18)F-fluoride PET has been applied to the evaluation of malignant tumors and musculoskeletal disorders. In our current study, spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK) was visualized using this technique.

Simultaneous bilateral opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy with early full weight-bearing exercise.

Simultaneous bilateral opening-wedge high tibial osteotomies (OWHTOs), using the TomoFix fixation device and artificial bone wedges (beta-TCP) were performed on 20 knees of 10 patients with an average age of 67 years (range 53-75) at the time of the operation. We established an early weight-bearing exercise program during which patients were permitted partial weight-bearing exercise 1 week after osteotomy, with all patients performing full weight-bearing exercise at 3 weeks. The follow-up period was an average of 15 months (range 6-39).

Clinical evaluation of the effect of attenuation correction technique on 18F-fluoride PET images.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate effect of attenuation correction technique on 18F-fluoride positron emission tomography (PET).

Methods: We performed PET scans after the injection of 185 MBq 18F-fluoride on 32 patients from October 20th, 2004 to April 13th, 2005. We calculated bone-to-muscle ratios for the images with and without attenuation correction.