Ankle joint distraction is a promising alternative treatment for patients with severe haemophilic ankle arthropathy.

Introduction: Haemophilic ankle arthropathy (HAA) causes major morbidity. When conservative treatment fails, major surgical interventions are indicated. An alternative treatment to maintain joint mobility and postpone these interventions is desired.

Five-Year Follow-up of Knee Joint Distraction: Clinical Benefit and Cartilaginous Tissue Repair in an Open Uncontrolled Prospective Study.

Objective In end-stage knee osteoarthritis, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may finally become inevitable. At a relatively young age, this comes with the risk of future revision surgery. Therefore, in these cases, joint preserving surgery such as knee joint distraction (KJD) is preferred.

Evidence of cartilage repair by joint distraction in a canine model of osteoarthritis.

Objective: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disorder characterized by cartilage, bone, and synovial tissue changes that lead to pain and functional impairment. Joint distraction is a treatment that provides long-term improvement in pain and function accompanied by cartilage repair, as evaluated indirectly by imaging studies and measurement of biochemical markers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate cartilage tissue repair directly by histologic and biochemical assessments after joint distraction treatment.

Paediatric lower limb deformity correction using the Ilizarov technique: a statistical analysis of factors affecting the complication rate.

Limb length discrepancy (LLD) and other patient factors are thought to influence the complication rate in (paediatric) limb deformity correction. In the literature, information is conflicting. This study was performed to identify clinical factors that affect the complication rate in paediatric lower-limb lengthening.

Tissue structure modification in knee osteoarthritis by use of joint distraction: an open 1-year pilot study.

Background: Modification of joint tissue damage is challenging in late-stage osteoarthritis (OA). Few options are available for treating end-stage knee OA other than joint replacement.

Objectives: To examine whether joint distraction can effectively modify knee joint tissue damage and has the potential to delay prosthesis surgery.

[Trends in the number of knee and hip arthroplasties: considerably more knee and hip prostheses due to osteoarthritis in 2030].

Objective: To predict the future number of knee and hip arthroplasties due to osteoarthritis (OA) in the Netherlands based on historical trends and demographic projections.

Design: Data analysis and model calculations.

Method: Two future projections were based on age and sex-specific number of hospital admissions for the placement of total knee or hip prostheses due to OA between 1995 and 2005; data were obtained from the Dutch National Medical Registration (LMR).

Long-term psychosocial functioning after Ilizarov limb lengthening during childhood.

Background And Purpose: Few studies have been concerned with the patient's perception of the outcome of limb lengthening. We describe the psychological and social functioning after at least 2 years of follow-up in patients who had had a leg length discrepancy and who had undergone an Ilizarov limb lengthening procedure.

Patients And Methods: Self-esteem and perceived competence were measured in 37 patients (aged 17-30 years) both preoperatively and at a mean follow-up of 7 (2-14) years.

Growth rate after limb deformity correction by the Ilizarov method with or without knee joint distraction: lengthening in 30 children followed for at least 2 years.

Background And Purpose: Growth inhibition and stimulation have both been reported after juvenile limb lengthening. Distraction of a joint usually suspends and unloads the growth plate and may stimulate growth. We investigated the influence of knee joint distraction on the speed of growth after limb lengthening.

Lower limb deformity due to failed trauma treatment corrected with the Ilizarov technique: factors affecting the complication rate in 52 patients.

Background And Purpose: Failed treatment of fractures may be corrected by the Ilizarov technique but complications are common. In 52 patients with compromised healing of femoral and tibial fractures, the results of secondary reconstruction with Ilizarov treatment were investigated retrospectively in order to identify the factors that contribute to the risk of complications.

Methods: 52 consecutive patients was analyzed.

Unloading joints to treat osteoarthritis, including joint distraction.

Purpose Of Review: Patients are increasingly becoming interested in nonpharmacologic approaches to manage their osteoarthritis. This review examines the recent literature on the potential beneficial effects of unloading joints in the treatment of osteoarthritis, with a focus on joint distraction.

Recent Findings: Mechanical factors are involved in the development and progression of osteoarthritis.

The canine 'groove' model of osteoarthritis is more than simply the expression of surgically applied damage.

Objective: Recently a new canine model of osteoarthritis (OA; the 'groove' model) has been described. This model is based on surgically applied mechanical damage of the articular cartilage followed by transient forced loading of the affected joint. Ten weeks after surgery this model shows characteristics of OA, mimicking human OA.

Accumulation of advanced glycation end products as a molecular mechanism for aging as a risk factor in osteoarthritis.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent and disabling chronic conditions affecting the elderly. Its etiology is largely unknown, but age is the most prominent risk factor. The current study was designed to test whether accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are known to adversely affect cartilage turnover and mechanical properties, provides a molecular mechanism by which aging contributes to the development of OA.

Clinical benefit of joint distraction in the treatment of ankle osteoarthritis.

Irrespective of underlying mechanisms, the structural changes after joint distraction and the efficacy during several years validate the concept of joint distraction in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Therefore, joint distraction in the case of severe ankle osteoarthritis at relatively young age may be a treatment of choice. In the light of increased aging, and the limited life span of an endoprosthesis, evaluation of joint distraction in the case of knee and hip osteoarthritis is justified.

Joint distraction as an alternative for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Irrespective of underlying mechanisms, the long-term efficacy of joint distraction in the treatment of severe ankle osteoarthritis at young age validates the concept of joint distraction in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Therefore, joint distraction in the case of severe ankle osteoarthritis may be a treatment of choice. This opens the possibility to study joint distraction as a treatment for other joints.

Clinical benefit of joint distraction in the treatment of severe osteoarthritis of the ankle: proof of concept in an open prospective study and in a randomized controlled study.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative, disabling joint disease that affects >10% of the adult population. No effective disease-modifying treatment is available. In the present study, we used joint distraction, a relatively new treatment in which mechanical contact between the articular surfaces is avoided while intraarticular intermittent fluid pressure is maintained, to treat patients with severe OA of the ankle.