Biomedical subjects

Franz Löer

Publications and source records attributed to Franz Löer.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Suppression of polyethylene particle-induced osteolysis by exogenous osteoprotegerin.

Alterations of the key regulators of osteoclastogenesis, receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK), RANK ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) have been implicated in wear particle-induced osteolysis, the most common cause for implant failure in total joint replacements. This study investigated the effect of exogenous OPG on ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particle-induced osteolysis. The murine calvarial osteolysis model was utilized in 28 C57BL/6J mice randomized to four groups. Group I underwent sham surgery only, group II received UHMWPE particles, and group III and IV particles and subcutaneous OPG starting from day 0 (group III) or day 5 (group IV) until sacrifice. After 2 weeks, calvaria were prepared for histology and histomorphometry. Bone resorption was measured within the midline suture using Giemsa staining and osteoclast numbers were determined using TRAP staining. UHMWPE particle implantation resulted in grossly pronounced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. Both immediate and delayed treatment with OPG counteracted these particle-induced effects significantly, suppressing osteoclast formation and bone resorption (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, exogenous OPG markedly suppressed UHMWPE particle-induced osteolysis in a murine calvarial model. This important finding underscores the crucial significance of the OPG-RANKL-RANK signaling in wear particle-induced osteolysis. Exogenous OPG may prove an effective treatment modality for wear debris-mediated periprosthetic osteolysis after total joint arthroplasty.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

The decrease of particle-induced osteolysis after a single dose of bisphosphonate.

The most common cause of implant failure in joint replacement is aseptic loosening due to particle-induced osteolysis. Bisphosphonates have been shown to be effective against particle-induced osteolysis when administered daily. We investigated the effect of a single subcutaneous dose of a more potent third generation bisphosphonate on particle-induced osteolysis. We utilized the murine calvaria osteolysis model in C57BL/J6 mice. Bone resorption was measured as resorption within the midline suture using Giemsa staining. Twenty-eight mice were used, seven per group. Seven animals were treated with a single dose of zoledronic acid (ZA) directly after surgery and seven animals were treated four days postoperatively. For statistical analysis one-way ANOVA and a Student's t-test were used. Bone resorption was 0.26+/-0.09 mm(2) in animals with particle implantation, 0.14+/-0.05 mm(2) in animals with particle implantation and ZA treatment directly after surgery (p = 0.0047), and 0.15+/-0.05 mm(2) in animals with particle implantation and ZA treatment on the fourth postoperative day (p = 0.006). In conclusion, particle-induced bone resorption was markedly decreased by a single s.c. dose of a third generation bisphosphonate. This important new finding holds great promise, because single dose treatment of particle-induced osteolysis may reduce side effects compared to repeated application of bisphosphonates.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Stimulation of bone formation by zoledronic acid in particle-induced osteolysis.

We investigated the effect of a single subcutaneous dose of zoledronic acid on particle-induced osteolysis and observed excessive regional new bone formation. We utilized the murine calvarial osteolysis model and polyethylene particles in C57BL/J6 mice. Twenty-eight mice were used, seven per group. Specimens were stained with Giemsa dye. The osteoid tissue area was determined. Bone thickness was measured as an indicator of bone growth. Net bone growth was significantly increased in animals with zoledronic acid treatment: 0.02 mm(2)+/-0.03 mm(2) in animals with particle implantation only (group 2), 0.25 mm(2)+/-0.08 mm(2) with particle implantation and zoledronic acid treatment directly after surgery (group 3; p=0.0018), and 0.21 mm(2)+/-0.11 mm(2) with particle implantation and zoledronic acid treatment on the fourth postoperative day (group 4; p=0.0042). The mean bone thickness was 0.2 mm+/-0.04 mm (range 0.17 mm-0.31 mm) in group 1 (sham controls) and 0.16 mm+/-0.02 mm (range 0.14 mm-0.19 mm) in group 2, 0.31 mm+/-0.04 mm (range 0.28 mm-0.39 mm) in group 3, and 0.29 mm+/-0.02 mm (range 0.28 mm-0.34 mm) in group 4. Student's t-test revealed a statistically significant difference between groups 2 and 3 (p=0.00042), and groups 2 and 4 (p=0.0019). In conclusion, our observational study suggests that zoledronic acid may stimulate bone apposition locally in the process of particle-induced osteolysis.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

The effect of simvastatin on polyethylene particle-induced osteolysis.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor simvastatin on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particle-induced osteolysis. The murine calvarial osteolysis model was used in 21 C57BL/J6 mice randomized to three groups. Group I underwent sham surgery only, group II received UHMWPE particles, and group III, particles and simvastatin treatment. After two weeks, calvaria were processed for histomorphometry. Bone resorption was measured as resorption within the midline suture using Giemsa staining. Osteoclast numbers were determined per high-power field using TRAP-staining. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Student's t-test. Bone resorption in midline suture was 0.094+/-0.007 mm(2) in sham controls (group I), 0.25+/-0.025 mm(2) after particle implantation without further intervention (group II), and 0.131+/-0.02 mm(2) with particle implantation and additional simvastatin treatment (group III) (p=0.00003). Osteoclast numbers were 15.3+/-3.6 in group I, 48.7+/-7.1 in group II and 6.2+/-3.1 in group III (p=0.00002). In conclusion, simvastatin treatment markedly decreased UHMWPE particle-induced osteolysis in a murine calvarial model. This finding suggests that simvastatin may have a role for noninvasive prevention and treatment of wear debris-mediated periprosthetic osteolysis after total joint arthroplasty.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Promotion of bone formation by simvastatin in polyethylene particle-induced osteolysis.

The effects of statins on bone formation in periprosthetic osteolysis have not been determined to date. We investigated the effect of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor simvastatin on osteoblastic bone formation under conditions of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particle-induced osteolysis. The murine calvarial osteolysis model was utilized in 21 C57BL/J6 mice randomized to three groups. Group I underwent sham surgery only, group II received UHMWPE particles, and group III, particles and simvastatin treatment. After 2 weeks, calvaria were processed for histomorphometry and stained with Giemsa dye. New bone formation was measured as osteoid tissue area within the midline suture. Bone thickness was quantified as indicator of net bone growth. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and a Student's t-test. New bone formation and bone thickness were significantly enhanced following simvastatin treatment. New bone formation was 0.008+/-0.008 mm2 in sham controls (group I), 0.015+/-0.012 mm2 after particle implantation without further intervention (group II), compared to 0.083+/-0.021 mm2 with particle implantation and simvastatin treatment (group III) (p=0.003). The bone thickness was 0.213+/-0.007 mm in group I, 0.183+/-0.005 mm in group II, and 0.238+/-0.009 mm in group III (p=0.00008). In conclusion, simvastatin treatment markedly promoted bone formation and net bone growth in UHMWPE particle-induced osteolysis in a murine calvarial model. These new findings indicate that simvastatin may have favorable osteoanabolic effects on wear debris-mediated osteolysis after total joint arthroplasty, involving local stimulation of osteoblastic bone formation.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Comparison of subtraction arthrography, radionuclide arthrography and conventional plain radiography to assess loosening of total knee arthroplasty.

The value of plain radiographs, digital subtraction arthrography and radionuclide arthrography was analysed in 23 cases of failed total knee arthroplasty. The preoperative diagnosis was compared with the intraoperative assessment. Sensitivity, specificity and the positive and negative predictive value for assessing a loose component were determined separately for the femoral and tibial components. At revision we found 13 loose femoral and 12 loose tibial implants. In eight cases both components were unstable. Plain radiography had a sensitivity of 77% for loosening of the femoral and 83% for the tibial component; digital subtraction arthrography 77% for the femoral and 8% for the tibial component and radionuclide arthrography 31% and 8%. The specificity for plain radiography was 90% for the femoral and 72% for the tibial implant. For subtraction arthrography it was 50% and 82% and for subtraction arthrography 70% and 82%. Radiography had the highest positive and negative predictive values for both components compared with the other two techniques. As a diagnostic tool to detect implant loosening, plain radiography is the most effective in this study. Subtraction arthrography and radionuclide arthrography are not suitable for use as routine methods for detection of total knee arthroplasty loosening.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Rotating platform components for revisions of hinged knee prostheses.

If hinged prostheses are revised with smaller and nonhinged prostheses, do these implants provide adequate fixation, do massive bone grafts in combination with smaller implants reinforce host bone stock, do less constrained prostheses restore ligament tension, and do they avoid problems of the extensor mechanism? To answer these questions, 20 failed hinges were revised to rotating platform revision prostheses with short intramedullary stems in a prospective study. Meticulous soft tissue release techniques and extensive bone grafts were used (tibia, impaction grafting in 16 cases, and structural grafts in four cases; femur, impaction grafting in four cases and structural grafts in 16 cases). The mean followup was 5.3 years (range, 2.3-10.5 years). The Knee Society score improved from a preoperative mean of 21 points (range, 7-49 points) to a mean 81.2 points (range, 59-94 points). One cementless tibial component with extensive impaction grafting became loose. The remaining components (95%) were well-fixed. All cancellous bone grafts showed trabecular remodeling. All structural grafts united to the host bone without resorption. All knees had ligamentous stability after surgery. There were no problems of the extensor mechanism. In this series the rotating platform revision prostheses were used successfully for failed hinged prostheses.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The diagnostic value of digital subtraction arthrography and radionuclide arthrography in revision total hip arthroplasty.

An analysis of plain radiographs, digital subtraction arthrography, and radionuclide arthrography was performed in 25 revision hip arthroplasties to evaluate the efficacy and usefulness of these methods in the diagnosis of loosening. The findings by each method were compared with intraoperative assessment of the status of components and expressed in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive accuracy. Overall accuracy for the acetabular component by plain radiographs was 80%; by digital subtraction arthrography, 88%; by radionuclide arthrography, 68%. Overall accuracy for the femoral component by plain radiographs was 92%; by digital subtraction arthrography, 84%; radionuclide arthrography, 76%. We consider subtraction arthrography and radionuclide arthrography to be adjuvant diagnostic tools which may be indicated in individual cases of suspected implant loosening of total hip arthroplasty. The routine use of these two methods is not warranted when compared to plain radiographs.

Arthrography↗

PubMed2003

Strut allografts for failed treatment of periprosthetic femoral fractures: good outcome in 13 patients.

Strut allografts are not recommended after a femoral shaft exposure, because they may endanger the femoral blood supply. Up till now, we have seen no clinical reports on this problem. We treated 13 consecutive patients with very large anteromedial and anterolateral femoral strut allografts to restabilize periprosthetic fractures which had become loose after a previous attempt at surgical fixation (Vancouver type B fractures with severe bone loss). In 8 cases, the stem was revised in conjunction with the use of strut allografts and in 5 cases, strut allografts alone were used. All refractures and nonunions healed without further treatment. At a mean follow-up of 3 (1.2-7) years, the mean Harris Hip Score was 78 (65-92). All strut grafts showed ingrowth with augmentation of periprosthetic bone on the radiographs. There were 3 complications, 1 nonprogressive subsidence of a revision stem (fibrous stable), 1 deep hematoma and 1 partial lesion of the sciatic nerve. In this series, strut grafts gave reliable healing with augmentation of the host bone stock despite previous femoral exposure, severe bone loss, adverse type of fracture, and persistent instability at the index operation.

Aged↗