Articular Cartilage Injury and Potential Remedies.

Osteoarthritis affects millions of people worldwide, is associated with joint stiffness and pain, and often causes significant disability and loss of productivity. Osteoarthritis is believed to occur as a result of ordinary "wear and tear" on joints during the course of normal activities of daily living. Posttraumatic osteoarthritis is a particular subset of osteoarthritis that occurs after a joint injury.

Resorption and remodeling of hydroxyapatite-poly-L-lactic acid composite anterior cruciate ligament interference screws.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the progression of hydroxyapatite-poly-L-lactic acid (HA-PLLA) interference screw resorption and remodeling in patients after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Methods: Sixty-five patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with patellar tendon autograft or allograft fixed at both the femur and tibia with HA-PLLA screws were evaluated. We evaluated 10 patients each at 2, 3, and 4 years postoperatively, whereas 35 patients were evaluated at 5 years postoperatively.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a new technique for Achilles tendon allograft preparation.

We describe a new technique in Achilles tendon allograft preparation for use in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction that allows for secure bony interference fixation on each side of the joint and aperture fixation for all patients. In addition, preparation of the graft in this manner avoids some problems that are frequently encountered with patellar tendon allografts, including graft tunnel mismatch and limited availability. Previous studies have reported successful results with Achilles tendon allograft use in ACL reconstruction with soft tissue fixation in the tibial tunnel.

Electromyographic evaluation after primary repair of massive rotator cuff tears.

Anatomic dissections have suggested that mobilization of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons greater than 1 cm may cause suprascapular nerve injury. This study evaluated rotator cuff function by use of electromyographic (EMG) analysis after primary repair of massive tears in 9 patients. All subjects had massive rotator cuff tears involving at least the entire supraspinatus and entire infraspinatus tendons.