The role of fibular length and the width of the ankle mortise in post-traumatic osteoarthrosis after malleolar fracture. (1/391)

We assessed the role of fibular length and the width of the ankle mortise as risk factors in the occurrence of post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the ankle joint by comparison of radiographs of the affected and unaffected sides. A shortened fibular malleolus (P < 0.01), a wide ankle mortise (P < 0.01) and Weber type B fracture (P < 0.01) were significantly associated with the development of osteoarthrosis but an elongated fibular (P > 0.05) and a narrowing of the ankle mortise (P > 0.07) were not.  (+info)

Percutaneous autologous bone marrow grafting on the site of tibial delayed union. (2/391)

Six months after injury, 150 mL of autogenous bone marrow was applied percutaneously at the site of delayed union to stimulate the healing of a tibial delayed union fracture in a 44 year-old man. Five months following the procedure, the fracture gaps and bone defects were completely filled with callus, the external fixator was removed, and the patient started using normal leg loading.  (+info)

Fibre composition in the interosseous nerve of the pigeon. (3/391)

The interosseous nerve of birds innervates a string of Herbst corpuscles located near the interosseous membrane between the tibia and fibula. Fibre composition of this nerve was assessed including both myelinated and unmyelinated axons. The diameter of the whole nerve is approximately 100 microm. Complete data were obtained for 3 nerves. The mean total number of myelinated fibres and unmyelinated axons was 2872 +/- 53. The mean number of myelinated fibres was 280 +/- 20 and that for unmyelinated axons was 2600 +/- 47. There was a broad distribution of diameters for myelinated fibres ranging from approximately 2 microm to 10 microm with a distinct peak at approximately 3-5 microm and a less prominent second peak at 6-8 microm. Similarly, myelin sheath thickness distribution showed 2 peaks, one at 0.6-0.8 microm and another at 1.4-1.6 microm. It is suggested that the group represented by the second peak innervates the Herbst corpuscles. The group of smaller myelinated fibres and the unmyelinated axons are assumed to innervate other types of receptors, some of which may be nociceptors.  (+info)

Treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head by free vascularized fibular grafting: an analysis of surgical outcome and patient health status. (4/391)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the limb-specific outcome and general health status of patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head treated with vascularized fibular grafting. DESIGN: A retrospective review. SETTING: A single tertiary care centre. PATIENTS: Fifty-five consecutive patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head who underwent fibular grafting (8 bilaterally). INTERVENTION: Vascularized fibular grafting. OUTCOME MEASURES: Limb-specific scores (Harris Hip Score, St. Michael's Hospital Hip Score), general health status (Nottingham Health Profile, SF-36 health status survey) and radiographic outcome measures (Steinberg stage). RESULTS: Patients were young (mean age 34 years, range from 18 to 52 years) and 80% had advanced osteonecrosis (Steinberg stages IV and V). Fifty-nine hips were followed up for an average of 50 months (range from 24 to 117 months) after vascularized fibular grafting. Sixteen hips (27%) were converted to total hip arthroplasty (THA). To date, 73% of hips treated with vascularized fibular grafting have required no further surgery. Preoperative and postoperative Harris Hip Scores were 57.3 and 83.6 respectively (p < 0.001). As measured by patient-oriented health status questionnaires (SF-36, Nottingham Health Profile) and compared with population controls, patients had normal mental health scores and only slight decreases in physical component scores. CONCLUSIONS: Free vascularized fibular grafting for osteonecrosis of the femoral head provides satisfactory pain relief, functional improvement and general health status and halts the progression of symptomatic disease.  (+info)

Osteogenic activity of OP-1 bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-7) in a human fibular defect. (5/391)

We performed a prospective, randomised double-blind study in 24 patients undergoing high tibial osteotomy to evaluate the effectiveness of human recombinant osteogenic protein (OP-1) on a collagen type-I carrier in a critically-sized fibular defect. The study had two phases, each evaluated by clinical, radiological and DEXA methods during the first postoperative year. The first concerned the validation of the model of the fibular defect, using positive (demineralised bone) and negative (untreated) controls. The second phase concerned the osteogenic potential of OP-1 on collagen type-I v collagen type-I alone. The results of the first phase established the critically-sized nature of the defect. In the untreated group no bony changes were observed while, in the demineralised bone group, formation of new bone was visible from six weeks onwards. The results of the second phase showed no significant formation of new bone in the presence of collagen alone, while in the OP-1 group, all patients except one showed formation of new bone from six weeks onwards. This proved the osteogenic activity of OP-1 in a validated critically-sized human defect.  (+info)

Prosthetic reconstruction for tumours of the distal tibia and fibula. (6/391)

We have carried out prosthetic reconstruction in six patients with malignant or aggressively benign bone tumours of the distal tibia or fibula. The diagnoses were osteosarcoma in four patients, parosteal osteosarcoma in one and recurrent giant-cell tumour in one. Five tumours were in the distal tibia and one in the distal fibula. The mean duration of follow-up was 5.3 years (2.0 to 7.1). Reconstruction was achieved using custom-made, hinged prostheses which replaced the distal tibia and the ankle. The mean range of ankle movement after operation was 31 degrees and the joints were stable. The average functional score according to the system of the International Society of Limb Salvage was 24.2 and five of the patients had a good outcome. Complications occurred in two with wound infection and talar collapse. All patients were free from neoplastic disease at the latest follow-up. Prosthetic reconstruction may be used for the treatment of malignant tumours of the distal tibia and fibula in selected patients.  (+info)

Reconstruction and limb salvage after resection for malignant bone tumour of the proximal humerus. A sling procedure using a free vascularised fibular graft. (7/391)

We assessed the intermediate functional results of eight patients after wide resection of the proximal humerus for malignant bone tumour. We used a free vascularised fibular graft as a functional spacer and a sling procedure to preserve passive scapulohumeral movement. Scapulohumeral arthrodesis was not carried out. Five patients had osteosarcoma, two achondrosarcoma and one a malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the bone. The mean duration of follow-up was 70 months (median, 76) for the seven patients who were still alive at the time of the latest follow-up. One patient died from the disease 12 months after surgery. There were no local recurrences. The functional results were described and graded quantitatively according to the rating system of the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society. Our results were satisfactory with regard to pain, emotional acceptance and manual dexterity. Function and lifting ability were unsatisfactory in two patients. One patient had delayed union between host and graft, but this united after six months without further surgery. Radiographs of the shoulder showed absorption or collapse of the head of the fibula in four of the eight patients and a fracture in another. No functional problems related to absorption or fracture of the head of the fibula were noted. There was no infection or subluxation of the head. We conclude that this is a reasonably effective technique of limb salvage after resection of the proximal humerus.  (+info)

Osteoid osteoma. Direct visual identification and intralesional excision of the nidus with minimal removal of bone. (8/391)

We describe 100 consecutive patients with osteoid osteoma. Of the 97 who had operations, 89 were treated by intralesional excision and eight by wide resection. The three remaining patients were not operated on because the osteoid osteoma was almost painless, or was found in the pedicle of the 12th thoracic vertebra at the site of entrance of the artery of Adamkjewicz. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically in all specimens. No local recurrences were observed at a minimum follow-up of one year. All except one patient were mobilised two to four days after surgery. A precise preoperative diagnosis of the lesion is mandatory, based on clinical findings, standard radiographs, thin-section CT and a bone scan. We compared our operative technique with 247 cases in which the percutaneous technique of removal or coagulation of the nidus had been performed. The latter procedure has a less constant rate of primary cure (83% v 100%). Its principal indication appears to be for osteoid osteomas in the proximal femur and the pelvis.  (+info)