Clinical results of surgical treatment for femoral neck fractures with the Targon FN.

84 cases (male 15 cases, female 69 cases) of intracapsular femoral neck fractures treated with the Targon FN (TFN) were available for review. Mean patient age was 74.0 years (range 36-100 years).

Role of sodium channels in recovery of sciatic nerve-stretch injury in rats.

Introduction: To elucidate the mechanism of functional recovery after gradual nerve-stretch injury, we used rats in which the femur length was increased by 15 mm at 1.5 mm/day.

Methods: We performed electrophysiology, mRNA analysis of tetrodotoxin-resistant voltage-gated sodium channels (TTX-R VGSCs) in dorsal root ganglia, and histology of unmyelinated sciatic nerve fibers and examined pain thresholds at 1, 10, 20, and 30 days after cessation of lengthening.

Complications and fixation techniques of trochanteric fractures with the TARGON(®) PF.

The purpose of this study was to analyse clinical results of elderly patients with trochanteric fractures that were treated with use of TARGON(®) PF nail. Overall, 494 patients (113 males) were available for this study. On the basis of Jensen classification, there were 76 cases in type I, 164 cases in type II, 70 in type III, 129 in type IV and 55 in type V.

Cellular and extracellular matrix changes in anterior cruciate ligaments during human knee aging and osteoarthritis.

Introduction: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) degeneration is observed in most osteoarthritis (OA)-affected knee joints. However, the specific spatial and temporal relations of these changes and their association with extracellular matrix (ECM) degeneration are not well understood. The objective of this study was to characterize the patterns and relations of aging-related and OA-associated changes in ACL cells and the ECM.

Clinical results of arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction for irreparable rotator cuff tears.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical outcome and radiographic findings after arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction (ASCR) for symptomatic irreparable rotator cuff tears.

Methods: From 2007 to 2009, 24 shoulders in 23 consecutive patients (mean, 65.1 years) with irreparable rotator cuff tears (11 large, 13 massive) underwent ASCR using fascia lata.

Effect of scapular orientation on shoulder internal impingement in a cadaveric model of the cocking phase of throwing.

Background: Although deviations in scapular orientation are thought to predispose to shoulder injuries in throwing athletes, the biomechanical mechanism underlying shoulder injuries in throwing athletes with an altered scapular orientation remains unclear.

Methods: Seven fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders were evaluated at 90° of abduction, with the humerus externally rotated from 90° to the maximum angle, to simulate the late cocking phase of the throwing motion. Loads were applied to the deltoid, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, teres major, and all rotator cuff muscles.

Superior capsule reconstruction to restore superior stability in irreparable rotator cuff tears: a biomechanical cadaveric study.

Background: There have been many clinical reports of patch graft surgery for irreparable rotator cuff tears. However, the retear rate of the patch graft is relatively high because of the lack of superior stability, causing subacromial abrasions.

Purpose: To compare superior stability among 3 types of patch grafting for simulated irreparable rotator cuff tears.

A new manual method for assessing elbow valgus laxity.

Background: A screening of ulnar collateral ligament insufficiency is required for overhead throwers, since secondary pathologic changes result from an increased elbow valgus laxity. We developed a new manual method for assessing elbow valgus laxity and investigated the reliability of this method and its correlation with ultrasonographic assessment.

Methods: We defined elbow valgus laxity as the difference between the shoulder external rotation angle (ER angle) measured with the elbow in 90 degrees flexion and that measured with the elbow in extension because ER angle measured with the elbow in 90 degrees flexion includes elbow valgus laxity and ER angle with the elbow in extension does not include it.

In vivo degradation and new bone formation of calcium phosphate cement-gelatin powder composite related to macroporosity after in situ gelatin degradation.

Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is reported to have excellent biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. However, its biodegradability must be improved to promote bone regeneration. We have mixed gelatin powder with CPC to create a composite containing macropores with interconnectivity.

Anterior cruciate ligament changes in the human knee joint in aging and osteoarthritis.

Objective: The development and patterns of spontaneous age-related changes in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and their relationship to articular cartilage degeneration are not well characterized. This study was undertaken to investigate the types and temporal sequence of age-related ACL changes and to determine their correlation with cartilage lesion patterns at all stages of osteoarthritis (OA) development in human knee joints without prior joint trauma.

Methods: Human knee joints (n = 120 from 65 donors ages 23-92) were obtained at autopsy, and ACLs and cartilage were graded macroscopically and histologically.

Hallux valgus angle as a predictor of recurrence following proximal metatarsal osteotomy.

Background: Postoperative recurrence of hallux valgus is a common complication. We hypothesized that patients who are at higher risk for recurrence of hallux valgus following a proximal metatarsal osteotomy could be recognized preoperatively and at the early follow-up on the basis of their radiographic evaluation. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between the hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, and recurrence of hallux valgus.

Functional and structural outcomes of single-row versus double-row versus combined double-row and suture-bridge repair for rotator cuff tears.

Background: Although previous biomechanical research has demonstrated the superiority of the suture-bridge rotator cuff repair over double-row repair from a mechanical point of view, no articles have described the structural and functional outcomes of this type of procedure.

Hypothesis: The structural and functional outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair may be different between the single-row, double-row, and combined double-row and suture-bridge (compression double-row) techniques.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Effect of shoulder abduction angle on biomechanical properties of the repaired rotator cuff tendons with 3 types of double-row technique.

Background: After rotator cuff repair, the shoulder is immobilized in various abduction positions. However, there is no consensus on the proper abduction angle.

Purpose: To assess the effect of shoulder abduction angle on the biomechanical properties of the repaired rotator cuff tendons among 3 types of double-row techniques.

Extracellular sulfatases support cartilage homeostasis by regulating BMP and FGF signaling pathways.

The balance between anabolic and catabolic signaling pathways is critical in maintaining cartilage homeostasis and its disturbance contributes to joint diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA). A unique mechanism that modulates the activity of cell signaling pathways is controlled by extracellular heparan endosulfatases Sulf-1 and Sulf-2 (Sulfs) that are overexpressed in OA cartilage. This study addressed the role of Sulfs in cartilage homeostasis and in regulating bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/Smad and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/Erk signaling in articular cartilage.

Excessive glenohumeral horizontal abduction as occurs during the late cocking phase of the throwing motion can be critical for internal impingement.

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of increased horizontal abduction with maximum external rotation, as occurs during the late cocking phase of throwing motion, on shoulder internal impingement.

Hypothesis: An increase in glenohumeral horizontal abduction will cause overlap of the rotator cuff insertion with respect to the glenoid and increase pressure between the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendon insertions on the greater tuberosity and the glenoid.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Adjacent vertebral body fracture following vertebroplasty with polymethylmethacrylate or calcium phosphate cement: biomechanical evaluation of the cadaveric spine.

Study Design: A biomechanical study using human cadaveric thoracolumbar spinal columns.

Objective: To compare the effect of treatment by vertebroplasty (VP) with polymethylmethacrylate cement and VP with calcium phosphate cement on the creation of adjacent vertebral body fracture following VP.

Summary Of Background Data: Adjacent vertebral body fractures have been reported as a complication following VP.

Altered expression of sodium channel distribution in the dorsal root ganglion after gradual elongation of rat sciatic nerves.

To elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying chronic nerve-stretch injury, we gradually lengthened rat femurs by 15 mm at the rate of 0.5 mm/day (group L, n = 13). The control groups comprised sham-operated (group S, n = 10) and naive (group N, n = 8) rats.

Effect of rotator cuff muscle imbalance on forceful internal impingement and peel-back of the superior labrum: a cadaveric study.

Background: Throwing athletes with shoulder pain have been shown to have decreased rotator cuff muscle strength. Shoulder internal impingement and labral peel-back mechanism, as may occur during the late cocking phase of throwing motion, are thought to cause rotator cuff injury and type II superior labrum anterior and posterior lesions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the effect of rotator cuff muscle force on internal impingement and the peel-back of the superior labrum by quantifying maximum external rotation, glenohumeral contact pressure, and position of the cuff insertion relative to the glenoid.

Tissue neogenesis and STRO-1 expression in immature and mature articular cartilage.

This study determined the potential for neotissue formation and the role of STRO-1+ cells in immature versus mature articular cartilage. Cartilage explants from immature and mature bovine knee joints were cultured for up to 12 weeks and stained with safranin-O, for type II collagen and STRO-1. Bovine chondrocyte pellet cultures and murine knee joints at the age of 2 weeks and 3 months, and surgically injured cartilage, were analyzed for changes in STRO-1 expression patterns.

Postoperative incomplete reduction of the sesamoids as a risk factor for recurrence of hallux valgus.

Background: It is unknown whether postoperative incomplete reduction of the sesamoids is a risk factor for the recurrence of hallux valgus. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the relationship between the postoperative relative sesamoid position and the recurrence of hallux valgus.

Methods: Dorsoplantar weight-bearing radiographs of sixty normal feet (the control group) and sixty-five feet with hallux valgus (the hallux valgus group) in a study of adult women were reviewed.

Expression and distribution of GABAergic system in rat knee joint synovial membrane.

The GABAergic system, found in the adult mammalian brain and composed of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), GABA synthesizing enzyme glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and GABA receptors, is also located in many peripheral nonneuronal tissues. Studies suggest that synovial membranes possess GABA, and that GABA participates in the control of the inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, no studies on the GABAergic system in synovial membranes have been done so far.

Radiographic measurements in patients with hallux valgus before and after proximal crescentic osteotomy.

Background: Radiographic measurements such as those of the hallux valgus angle and the intermetatarsal angle are essential parameters for assessing the severity of hallux valgus deformities and the extent of surgical correction required. However, to our knowledge, no study has investigated the reliability of the measurements that are made radiographically before and after a proximal crescentic osteotomy of the first metatarsal. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of different methods that are used to measure the angles and to determine the most reliable method.

A comparative study of the effects of bucillamine and salazosulfapyridine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Bucillamine (Buc), developed in Japan, is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) which has been used to treat numerous patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Japan and Korea with favorable results. However, it has not been used globally. In the present study, we compared the timing of onset of efficacy and the usefulness of this drug with that of the globally accepted agent salazosulfapyridine (SASP).

Proximal metatarsal osteotomy for hallux valgus: comparison of outcome for moderate and severe deformities.

Background: We compared the results of a distal soft-tissue procedure with a proximal crescentic osteotomy of the first metatarsal for moderate and severe hallux valgus.

Materials And Methods: The series consisted of 54 feet treated with this procedure. The average followup was 30 months.

Expression of novel extracellular sulfatases Sulf-1 and Sulf-2 in normal and osteoarthritic articular cartilage.

Introduction: Changes in sulfation of cartilage glycosaminoglycans as mediated by sulfatases can regulate growth factor signaling. The aim of this study was to analyze expression patterns of recently identified extracellular sulfatases Sulf-1 and Sulf-2 in articular cartilage and chondrocytes.

Methods: Sulf-1 and Sulf-2 expressions in human articular cartilage from normal donors and patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and in normal and aged mouse joints were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting.