Prophylaxis for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after total knee arthroplasty. A comparison between unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparin.

We compared the efficacy and safety of low-molecular-weight heparin with that of low-dose unfractionated heparin in the prevention of venous thromboembolism after total knee arthroplasty in a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial. One hundred and eighty-five patients were randomly assigned to two groups: ninety-two received low-molecular-weight heparin (forty milligrams of enoxaparin the evening before the operation and once a day subsequently) and ninety-three received unfractionated heparin (5000 international units the evening before the operation and three times a day thereafter). The prophylaxis was continued until bilateral ascending venography was performed six to nine days after the operation or, if venography was not done, until the eighth postoperative day.

Histomorphometry of periarticular bone in rheumatoid arthritis.

Periarticular osteoporosis is a common feature of rheumatoid arthritis. However, the cellular basis and the aetiology of periarticular bone loss have not been established. We studied periarticular bone samples obtained from metatarsal resections (n = 18) and total knee arthroplasties (n = 9) by histomorphometry.

Treatment of osteoporosis with 1-alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol and calcium.

A double-blind comparative study of 1 alpha-OHD3 and placebo was performed on 37 patients with osteoporotic hip fracture without clinical osteomalacia. 1 alpha-OHD3, in a dose of 1 microgram/day together with 2.5 g CaCO3, did not heal osteoporosis as judged from determinations of bone mineral density and histomorphometric analyses during four months of treatment.

Melorheostosis. A case report with special reference to bone mineral density, bone circulation and bone scan.

A new case of melorheostosis is presented. Bone mineral density, and bone circulation were determined and bone scan carried out in the patient. The bone mineral density measured by photon absorption in the region of the distal radius of the patient's left forearm was found to be within normal limits, the bone blood circulation determined by Xc-133 clearance method was better in the affected side, and an area of increased uptake of Tc99m was found by bone scanning in the affected extremity.