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Biomedical subjects

J E Bechtold

Publications and source records attributed to J E Bechtold.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effects of short-term alendronate treatment on the three-dimensional microstructural, physical, and mechanical properties of dog trabecular bone.

The bisphosphonate, alendronate, is well known for its potent inhibition of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. It has been used clinically for the treatment of osteoporosis and has also recently been used to reduce osteolysis around prostheses in a canine revision model of implant loosening (femoral condyle). In this study, the effects of alendronate on trabecular bone properties were assessed in dogs at an oral dose of 0.5 mg/kg per day over a 12 week period, and compared with control dogs. Cubic cancellous bone specimens were produced from lumbar vertebrae (L-1 and L-2) and bilateral proximal humeri. These specimens were scanned using a high-resolution microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) system. From accurate data sets, three-dimensional microstructural properties were calculated and physical and mechanical properties were determined. Treatment with alendronate increased bone volume fraction by 9.5%, 7.7%, 7.4%, and 18.4%, respectively, in L-1, L-2, humeral greater tuberosity, and humeral head trabecular bone. In the lumbar vertebrae, the alendronate-treated trabeculae were thicker and lower in bone surface-to-volume ratio. In the greater tuberosity, the alendronate-treated trabeculae were thicker, lower in bone surface-to-volume ratio, and less anisotropic. In the humeral head, the alendronate-treated trabeculae were thicker, less anisotropic, lower in surface density, and showed decreased trabecular separation. Alendronate significantly increased apparent density and collagen density in the lumbar vertebrae and humeral heads, and significantly decreased collagen concentration in the vertebrae. In the lumbar vertebrae, Young's modulus in the cephalocaudal direction, ultimate stress, and failure energy were significantly increased in the alendronate-treated group. The changes in mechanical properties in the humeral head trabecular bone were similar to those seen in the lumbar vertebrae. Our results demonstrate that alendronate increases the mechanical properties of healthy canine trabecular bone after short-term treatment. The physical and microstructural changes of trabecular bone are consistent with the significantly increased mechanical properties.

Alendronate↗

Bone ingrowth in the presence of particulate polyethylene. Synergy between interface motion and particulate polyethylene in periprosthetic tissue response.

We have investigated whether the presence of polyethylene (PE) alone is sufficient to cause an aggressive periprosthetic tissue response, or whether certain mechanical interface conditions can allow bone to grow while in the presence of PE. An experimental implant was loaded in the presence and absence of particulate PE under stable and unstable conditions. Bone with a thin, discontinuous fibrous membrane formed in both groups of stable implants, either in the presence or absence of PE. By contrast, a continuous fibrous membrane consistently formed in both groups of unstable implants. The membrane consisted of loose fibrous connective tissue when PE was absent, and dense connective tissue with macrophages and a synovial lining when PE was present. In this model, if the interface was stable, the presence of PE was not sufficient to prevent the formation of bone or to produce a phagocytic tissue response. Only when the interface was unstable did a fibrous membrane form, and only then in the presence of PE.

Animals↗

Loading improves anchorage of hydroxyapatite implants more than titanium implants.

Roentgen Stereophotogrammetric Analysis (RSA) studies have shown that the quality of the early fixation of implants has a dominant effect on their long-term function. To evaluate methods to improve their fixation, we examined the influence of mechanical loading and surface coating on the quality of the bone-implant interface. We compared the fixation of a cylindrical, stable 6.0 mm implant initially surrounded by a 0.75 mm concentric gap, after 4 weeks of loaded or unloaded conditions. Two types of surfaces were analyzed: plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) and plasma sprayed titanium (Ti). The histomorphometric evaluation showed that HA implants had greater bone coverage than Ti implants, and this coverage was further increased under loaded conditions only for HA. Furthermore, loading reduced the fibrous tissue coverage for the HA implants, while it increased fibrous tissue coverage for Ti implants. These findings were in agreement with pushout results showing that HA implants had greater shear strength, stiffness, and energy than Ti implants, and (except for energy) these parameters were further increased under loaded conditions only for HA. In addition, because the two implant surfaces exhibited a different relative response to load, it is important to evaluate new surfaces under the more clinically relevant loaded condition.

Animals↗

A controlled experimental model of revision implants: Part I. Development.

We investigated the roles of particulate matter with unstable implant, in engendering the aggressive tissue response associated with implant loosening in humans. This study serves as a basis for establishing a controlled animal model to reproduce the conditions present after implant loosening. The model includes a 6 mm polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cylinder concentrically pistoning 500 microm under load in a 0.75-mm circumferential gap, inserted into canine medial femoral condyles for 8 weeks. We evaluated two size concentrations of polyethylene: type A particulate polyethylene (0.5-12 microm), and type B particulate polyethylene (0.5-50 microm; 85% < 12 microm). The following three treatment groups were investigated in 28 unstable implants in 14 dogs: (1) without polyethylene (control), (2) with type A polyethylene, and (3) with type B polyethylene. We found an aggressive periprosthetic membrane, similar to that seen at revision in humans, only in the unstable implant with polyethylene. The features of this membrane included macrophages with intracellular polyethylene, a dense fibrous membrane with a synovial-like lining layer, and a sclerotic neocortex. The size distribution of the polyethylene did not alter the tissue response. An unstable implant without polyethylene resulted in a benign, quiescent membrane with loose fibrous connective tissue. The model creates a revision cavity analogous to that seen in revision joint arthroplasty, and merits further studies of revision joint replacement.

Animals↗

A controlled experimental model of revision implants: Part II. Implementation with loaded titanium implants and bone graft.

We used an experimental model producing an aggressive tissue response associated with implant loosening in humans: a 6 mm polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cylinder was pistoning 500 microm concentrically in a 7.5 mm hole, with polyethylene (PE) particles, for 8 weeks. At 8 weeks, the PMMA implant was revised with a titanium alloy (Ti) implant, and an identical primary Ti implant was inserted contralaterally for 4 weeks. With this protocol, we evaluated primary and revision plasma-sprayed Ti implants which were loaded under stable conditions with or without allograft, or under unstable conditions without allograft (bilateral primary and revision implants, n 8 per group, 48 implants in 24 dogs). Revision implants had lower interfacial shear strength, less bone in contact with and adjacent to the implant, and resulted in higher levels of IL-6beta and TNFalpha and lower levels of TGFbeta. In both the revision and primary settings, allograft increased shear strength, stiffness and energy, bone-implant contact, and bone area adjacent to the implant. Unstable implants could not generate a mechanically sound interface, and further exacerbated the difference between primary and revision. We conclude that factors important for improving the fixation of revision implants were bone graft and a stable interface.

Animals↗

Intracapsular components do not change hip proprioception.

We compared joint proprioception in 12 hips in 12 patients with hemiarthroplasty after fracture of the hip, in 12 hips in 11 patients with total hip arthroplasty because of osteoarthritis and in a control group of 12 age-matched patients with no clinical complaints. There was no significant difference (p = 0.05) in joint proprioception in any of the groups. There was no decrease in joint proprioception in the group with total hip arthroplasty compared with the hemiarthroplasty group or with the control group. Other factors such as stretch receptors in the adjacent tendons and muscles may have a greater influence on proprioception in the hip than the intracapsular components.

Aged↗

Improving the detection of acetabular osteolysis using oblique radiographs.

Visualisation of periacetabular osteolysis by standard anteroposterior (AP) radiographs underestimates the extent of bone loss around a metal-backed acetabular component. We have assessed the effectiveness of standard radiological views in depicting periacetabular osteolysis, and recommend additional projections which make these lesions more visible. This was accomplished using a computerised simulation of radiological views and a radiological analysis of simulated defects placed at regular intervals around the perimeter of a cadaver acetabulum. The AP view alone showed only 38% of the defects over all of the surface of the cup and failed to depict a 3 mm lesion over 83% of the cup. When combined with the AP view, additional 45 degree obturator-oblique and iliac-oblique projections increased the depiction, showing 81% of the defects. The addition of the 60 degree obturator-oblique view further improved the visualisation of posterior defects, increasing the rate of detection to 94%. Based on this analysis, we recommend using at least three radiographic views when assessing the presence and extent of acetabular osteolysis.

Acetabulum↗

Screw home motion after total knee replacement.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of muscle force and the posterior cruciate ligament on screw home motion in patients with total knee replacement in a posterior cruciate ligament retaining prosthesis (10 knees) and a posterior cruciate ligament substituting prosthesis (10 knees). Screw home motion was examined with only active extension and with two types of externally loaded active extension (2 kg and body weight). Screw home motion was measured with a 6 degrees of freedom electrogoniometer (instrumented spatial linkage). Retaining the posterior cruciate ligament maintained screw home motion, with and without external load to muscles, whereas substituting the posterior cruciate ligament maintained screw home motion only under the full external load of body weight. This was not seen with a 2-kg external load. As for the normal knee, it appears that screw home motion of a prosthetic knee is influenced, not only by the presence of ligamentous structures, but also by the activity of the muscles. The activity of the muscles may have a much greater effect on screw home motion with currently used prosthetic designs than does the presence of ligamentous structures.

Aged↗

Gait analysis after total knee arthroplasty. Comparison of posterior cruciate retention and substitution.

: The objective of this study was to measure three-dimensional knee motion during gait in patients with total knee replacements which either retained the posterior cruciate ligament (n = 11), or required sacrifice of the posterior cruciate ligament and replacement of its function with a posterior stabilizing articular surface (n = 9). Clinically meaningful translations (anterior and posterior, medial and lateral, proximal and distal) and rotations (flexion and extension, internal and external rotation, abduction and adduction) were measured using an instrumented spatial linkage. Although patients from both groups were able to achieve passive full extension and a minimum of 95 degrees flexion, some of their translations and rotations during free speed walking were consistently less than those in a group of healthy controls. Motion during the swing phase of gait was similar for both knee replacement groups. However, abduction and adduction and proximal and distal translation were larger (but neither difference was significant) for the patients with implants with a posterior stabilizing surface, which suggests that the stabilizing surface may not reliably provide as much stability in these directions as does retention of the posterior cruciate ligament.

Aged↗

A parametric study of acetabular cup design variables using finite element analysis and statistical design of experiments.

To isolate the primary variables influencing acetabular cup and interface stresses, we performed an evaluation of cup loading and cup support variables, using a Statistical Design of Experiments (SDOE) approach. We developed three-dimensional finite element (FEM) models of the pelvis and adjacent bone. Cup support variables included fixation mechanism (cemented or noncemented), amount of bone support, and presence of metal backing. Cup loading variables included head size and cup thickness, cup/head friction, and conformity between the cup and head. Interaction between and among variables was determined using SDOE techniques. Of the variables tested, conformity, head size, and backing emerged as significant influences on stresses. Since initially nonconforming surfaces would be expected to wear into conforming surfaces, conformity is not expected to be a clinically significant variable. This indicates that head size should be tightly toleranced during manufacturing, and that small changes in head size can have a disproportionate influence on the stress environment. In addition, attention should be paid to the use of nonmetal backed cups, in limiting cup/bone interface stresses. No combination of secondary variables could compensate for, or override the effect of, the primary variables. Based on the results using the SDOE approach, adaptive FEM models simulating the wear process may be able to limit their parameters to head size and cup backing.

Acetabulum↗

Forces required to initiate sliding in second-generation intramedullary nails.

Second-generation intramedullary nails, which allow the fixation screw that is placed in the femoral head to slide distally and thus allow compression of the fracture of the femoral neck, have become a popular option for the treatment of ipsilateral fractures of the femoral neck and shaft. However, the sliding characteristics of the screw within the barrel of the nail or the side-plate have not been assessed biomechanically, to our knowledge. The goal of the current study was to investigate the forces required to initiate sliding of the proximal screw in intramedullary devices and to compare these forces with those required to initiate sliding of hip screws. The loading configuration simulated the typical angle of 135 degrees between the intramedullary nail and the proximal screw. The forces required to initiate sliding of the proximal screw, with the screw extended fifty-one, seventy-six, eighty-six, and 102 millimeters beyond the proximal end of the barrel, were measured for three different types of second-generation intramedullary nails (Recon, ZMS, and Gamma), a sliding compression hip screw, and an intramedullary hip screw, and these forces were then compared. With each amount of extension of the screw, the hip screws required lower forces to initiate sliding than did the second-generation intramedullary devices. Of the second-generation devices, the Gamma nail required the highest forces to initiate sliding; the Recon and ZMS nails required 20 to 40 percent lower forces compared with the Gamma nail. None of the devices jammed in any of the loading configurations that were tested. When the extension of the screw was increased, higher forces were required to initiate sliding.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Comparison of joint position sense after total knee arthroplasty.

A comparison of joint position sense, determined by reproducibility of index angles and their subsequent change, was performed in 55 knees that had undergoing a semiconstrained total knee arthroplasty. Knees were stratified into groups that represented arthroplasties performed with or without posterior cruciate ligament retention, with or without resurfacing of the patella, and with or without cement for fixation. There was no significant difference in joint position sense among all the arthroplasty groups. Likewise, there was no difference in joint position sense between any of the arthroplasty groups and an age-matched control group of 32 knees in 32 patients who had not previously undergoing a total knee arthroplasty. Knee arthroplasty does not affect joint position sense.

Aged↗

Biomechanical properties of canine corticocancellous bone frozen in normal saline solution.

Eleven pairs of canine metacarpal bones, 10 pairs of metatarsal bones, and 7 pairs of ribs were harvested cleanly and prepared for banking at -20 C for 1 year. One bone of each pair was randomly assigned to 1 type of storage: plastic pack vs immersion in a normal solution of sodium chloride. The contralateral bone was assigned to the opposite treatment. Six pairs of metacarpal bones and 5 pairs of metatarsal bones were tested in torsion to failure. No significant difference was found within pairs. All ribs, 5 pairs of metacarpal bones, and 5 pairs of metatarsal bones were loaded in 4-point bending to failure. The energy absorbed at failure and the ultimate displacement of ribs and metacarpal and metatarsal bones were increased by 25 to 30% and 18 to 24%, respectively, when the bones were frozen in isotonic saline solution. Corticocancellous grafts frozen in normal saline solution are biomechanically less fragile and brittle than grafts stored in plastic without saline solution.

Animals↗

Extramedullary versus intramedullary alignment guides in total knee arthroplasty.

Use of extramedullary and intramedullary guides to prepare the tibia was studied comparatively in 100 consecutive primary total knee arthroplasties done by a single surgeon. Each type of guide was used in 50 consecutive cases, for a total of 100 cases. In all cases, an intramedullary guide was used to prepare the distal femur. Long (hip to ankle) anteroposterior radiographs were taken postoperatively to measure the mechanical angle, tibial component angle, femoral component angle, physiologic valgus angle, and tibiofemoral angle. No significant differences between the extramedullary and intramedullary groups were found; each system allowed satisfactory alignment. It is important for the surgeon to appreciate the benefits and deficiencies of each guide and to use whichever is suited most properly in each particular case.

Adult↗

Results of nonmetal-backed, high-density polyethylene, biconvex patellar prostheses. A 5-7-year follow-up evaluation.

This study evaluates the clinical and radiographic results of an all-polyethylene, biconvex, dome-shaped patellar prosthesis with precise instrumentation implanted in 53 knees with a minimum follow-up period of 5 years (average, 6.3 years; range, 5.0-7.1 years). The mean patient age was 70.9 years (range, 18.0-89.0 years). The mean Hospital for Special Surgery knee rating score was 63.6 before surgery and 83.4 after surgery. There was no fracture of the patella, no implant failure, or radiographic loosening of the prosthesis. Patellar complications consisted of two dislocations secondary to trauma and one case of patellar subluxation. Several radiographic parameters were measured. Means and SDs were computed for: (1) patellar tilt, as measured from a line between the anterior limits of the femoral condyles and the patella, which showed no significant difference after surgery (3.01 degrees +/- 5.12 degrees) compared to before surgery (3.73 degrees +/- 5.44 degrees); (2) the angle between the patellar component and the residual bone was -0.04 degrees +/- 2.04 degrees, with every case in the normal range (+/- 5 degrees); (3) there was no significant difference between pre- and postoperative patellar length, patellar thickness, or articular length of the patella; (4) the patellar height showed a small but statistically significant difference after surgery (2.69 +/- .64 cm) and before surgery (2.94 +/- .72 cm); (5) the distance from the tibial tubercle to the joint line did not differ significantly between preoperative (2.73 +/- 0.34 cm) and postoperative (3.06 +/- 0.36 cm) measurements; and (6) the distance from the center of the tibial plateau to the center line of the tibial prosthesis was 1.34 +/- 0.32 cm. These results are superior to previously reported series.

Aged↗

The effect of staple size, orientation, and number on torsional fracture fixation stability.

Staples have been used for fixation of metaphyseal fractures, but there are no guidelines for placing the staples to ensure maximum fixation stability. This study investigated the effect of staple size, orientation, and number on torsional stability in simulated transverse fractures. Six homogeneous foam cylinders were cut transversely, stapled back together using a power driver, and rotated coaxially on a servohydraulic test system. Staples with bridge widths of 7, 10, 13, and 16 mm, and leg lengths of 7, 10, 15, and 20 mm were used. Each test was performed seven times. Torsional holding power was increased when two staples were oriented in opposite directions (45 degrees) and had bridges wide enough to maintain bone purchase with respect to the fracture line. Fixation effectiveness increased with the number of staples: the use of two staples (as opposed to one) yielded the biggest increase; further significant increases were also observed for the use of three, four, and five staples. Bridge width and leg length had minimal effect, as long as bone purchase sufficient to avoid cutout was maintained from the staple to the fracture surface.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗