[Intra-articular injections of corticosteroids--pro].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to S Rehart.
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After patient history and clinical evaluation, sonography is a first-line modality in the orthopedic diagnostic algorithm together with laboratory results and standard radiographic findings. As an inexpensive investigation without known adverse effects it is used (and also repeated in the course of the disease) for the dynamic control of joint movements, and especially for imaging soft tissues. Sufficient training in the use of ultrasound in the musculoskeletal system is required; individual investigations are relatively time-consuming. The procedure is especially useful in evaluating the shoulder, hand, and knee regions and rheumatic illnesses.
Patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis in many cases develop typical swan-neck and buttonhole deformities. In the further course of the disease we observe several stages. In the beginning active and later passive correction are still possible, while ultimately a fixed contracture is present. The activities of daily life may be severely reduced. The pathology of the swan-neck deformity is initiated at the level of the metacarpophalangeal joint, while at the origin of the buttonhole deformity the synovitis of the proximal interphalangeal joint is obvious. In the early stages, synovectomy and balancing of the soft tissues are surgically indicated. In advanced stages, complicated soft tissue reconstruction in combination with alloarthroplasty or arthrodeses may become necessary to allow for sufficient finger function.
Optimal fixation of cementless stems is a precondition for long-lasting stability. Thus, anchorage, stabilizers, material and surface are of essential importance. To achieve primary stability, good rotational, tilting and axial stability is necessary. Stabilizers such as fins and ribs optimize stability. The CCD-angle and length of neck-axis determine the offset (laterality), leg-length and center of rotation. The stem, is responsible for the fixation of the prosthesis and for transmitting forces to the bone. The types of fixation are epiphyseal (the femoral head is covered by a cup prosthesis), metaphyseal and meta-diaphyseal (with straight or anatomically shaped monoblock-prostheses of different lengths, modular and custom-made prostheses) and diaphyseal (using predominantly modular systems). Titanium alloys are the predominate material for cementless stems. The surfaces are generally corundum-blasted or plasma sprayed. For metaphyseal and meta-diaphyseal stems, survival rates from 95 to 98% have been reached after 15 years. Diaphyseal-fixed stems have mid-term survival-rates of 92-99%.
Important criteria for stable cup fixation are the type of anchor system and stabilizers,cup form and the material and surface structure. Different fixation systems are manifest in pressfit and threaded cups. Pressfit implants are oversized and lead to equatorial jamming. For additional fixation, and to improve stability, screws, pegs, rings, fins, spikes or hollow cylinders are used. In threaded cups, thread geometry is decisive for the cup's performance during the screw-in process and positioning. The hemispheric shape of the cups requires less bone resection and the position of the implant can be arbitrarily selected. The conical shape guarantees high tilting stability. Most implants are made of pure titanium or a titanium-aluminum alloy. A rough surface area - produced by corundum blasting, titanium-plasma spray, titanium balls, nets or other grid designs - is essential for osseointegration. The results of second generation pressfit and threaded cups with 10 year survival rates of 93-100% are persuasive.
In 1890, the German surgeon T. Gluck was the first to implant an ivory arthroplasty into a wrist which was being destroyed by tuberculosis. The finger joints were first replaced with endoprostheses in 1940 by Burman. Indications for the procedure are degenerative, posttraumatic or arthritis related destruction of the joints of the hand.Nowadays, several more or less comparable prosthetic designs are available. The replacement of single bones of the wrist has not been of lasting success. Occasionally, an indication for arthroplasty of the trapezium-metacarpal joint of the thumb may exist. The metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb should, in our experience, be fused when the need arises. Up until the present, the silastic spacer of Swanson for the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints has not shown any substantial development, although a variety of designs have been introduced. Questions related to the complicated biomechanics of these articulations in combination with problems concerning the material to be used, intraosseous fixation, the articulation of the prosthesis components and the design of the stems have not yet been solved convincingly. The Swanson spacers in mid- to long-term follow-ups show little active range of motion, although the subjective patient satisfaction is very high and the potential for removal at its best. We do not see an indication for arthroplasty in the distal interphalangeal finger joints.
The aim of this study was to compare total hip replacement (THR) in rheumatoid and osteoarthritic patients. Ten rheumatoid and ten osteoarthritic patients undergoing THR were compared with respect to preoperative diagnostics, operative therapy, nursing and rehabilitation. Statistically significant differences existed between the groups: In rheumatoid patients, radiographic diagnostics were more extensive ( P=0.0021), surgery time was extended ( P=0.0355), referrals to non-orthopedic subspecialties were more frequent ( P=0.0524) and rehabilitation was more extensive ( P=0.0000). The groups were not significantly different with respect to the duration of hospitalisation, preoperative hemoglobin, perioperative blood loss, transfusion requirements, duration of intensive care and nursing requirements. THR in the rheumatoid population required additional resources during inpatient therapy in comparison to THR in osteoarthritic patients.
This article aims at determining the differences in resources needed for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis as opposed to osteoarthritis. Data on ten patients for each of these diagnoses, all of whom had been subject to the implantation of a knee arthroplasty,were compared. We looked at parameters such as the duration of surgery, further diagnoses, costs of radiological measures and medical treatment, simultaneous operations, need of nursing care,physical and occupational therapy and complications. Patients presenting with rheumatoid arthritis in many respects required substantially more clinical and/or financial resources than osteoarthritis patients. This statement holds true at least for the period of hospital care during which the knee-prosthesis was implanted.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the expression of and monokine induction by interleukin 18 (IL-18; also called interferon-gamma inducing factor, IGIF), in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and cultured synoviocytes from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: We carried out IL-18 Western blotting and semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of cytokines in PBMC [IL-18, IL-1beta and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)] and long-term cultured fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) [IL-18, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, interferon gamma (INF-gamma) and [granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)] from RA patients and controls. FLS were isolated from RA synovial membranes (FLS(SM)) and RA synovial fluids (FLS(SF)), osteoarthritis (OA) FLS(SM) and FLS(SF) from spondyloarthropathy patients. FLS were characterized by fluorescence-activated cell sorting of the FLS. PBMC and FLS from RA patients and control subjects were stimulated with recombinant human IL-18 and IL-1beta (rHuIL-18/rHuIL-1beta), and TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and MMP-1 were measured by ELISA in supernatants. RESULTS: Constitutive expression of IL-18 mRNA was significantly reduced whereas that of TNF-alpha was enhanced in RA PBMC. Persistent low expression of IL-18, TNF-alpha, GM-CSF and IL-1beta was observed in RA and OA FLS(SM) as well as spondyloarthropathy FLS(SF). In contrast, high constitutive expression of IL-18 in FLS (CD90/Thy-1- and CD54-positive, CD14- and CD86-negative), accompanied by persistent high levels of TNF-alpha, GM-CSF and IL-1beta expression, was restricted to synovial fluid-derived FLS obtained from RA patients. IFN-gamma was not detectable in any culture, but IL-6 mRNA was equally expressed in all FLS cultures. rHuIL-18 was effective in stimulating TNF-alpha and IL-1beta secretion in PBMC from healthy controls, but failed to stimulate TNF-alpha and IL-1beta secretion from PBMC in 11 of 12 RA patients, and all FLS cultures. rHu-IL-1beta, but not rHu-IL-18, induced interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) in FLS. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent high production of proinflammatory cytokines in RA-FLS(SF) may be relevant for chronic progression in RA synovitis. Levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta expression are increased in RA-FLS(SF), but are independent of IL-18. The pathological function of enhanced IL-18 expression in RA-FLS(SF) remains to be further elucidated.
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The purpose of this experimental study was to compare certain mechanical properties of a true epitendineal cross stitch suture with simple and double locking core tendon repairs. Using tensile strength and tendon lengthening until gap formation as measurement parameters, these three types of repair were tested in human flexor and extensor tendons from fresh cadavers. The peripheral cross stitch and the locked core repairs were found to have a greater lengthening capacity than the simple core suture, whereas the latter significantly better withstood axial load. Our findings established that, at least when used as a true epitendinous suture, the cross stitch technique alone was not suited for the repair of severed tendons. However, its design is particularly useful in preventing the suture site from potentially restrictive bulking.
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Affections of the rear-foot-complex may occur because of various etiologies and show differing pathogenetic patterns. Besides posttraumatic changes, the rheumatoid arthritis, primary disorders and neurologic complications are registered. Biomechanically the hindfoot-complex is characterised by the joint play of ligamentous, bony and tendineal structures. Referring to diagnostics the clinical and radiologic examination are predominant. In the literature there is no uniform opinion concerning the therapeutic algorithm. The arthrodesis as a surgical procedure is commonly used, nevertheless important differences may be stated with regard to the choice of the osteosynthesis or the number of the joints to be fused. We present biomechanical models, diagnostic examinations and operative procedures in this context. Our own results of patients who underwent surgical interventions involving joints of the lower rear-foot using the Kitaoka hindfoot-score are demonstrated.
Results of surgical synovectomy and radiation synovectomy (radiosynoviorthesis) of the tibiotalar joint in rheumatoid patients are reported. The staged concept for management of the rheumatoid ankle joint is presented which is based on the radiographic appearance of disease progression. Results of 16 rheumatoid patients with disease to the ankle joint suggest that pain and walking capability is positively influenced by synovectomy and radiosynoviorthesis. Follow-up of 30 months revealed no deterioration of postoperative clinical improvement. In the absence of contraindications to radiosynoviorthesis it is suggested to combine arthroscopic synovectomy with radiosynoviorthesis for the treatment of early stages of rheumatoid disease of the ankle joint. Open synovectomy is preferred to arthroscopic synovectomy, if tenosynovectomy is simultaneously required.
PURPOSE: We present data of 27 radiolunate and 23 Mannerfelt arthrodeses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHOD AND CLINICAL MATERIAL: Benefits of surgery, i.e. the reduction of pain, swelling, tenderness, and signs of instability as well as radiographic findings of carpal height, carpal collapse, progression of rheumatoid disease beyond the site of wrist fusion were assessed after a mean time of 44 months. RESULTS: Wrist pain and swelling were better managed by Mannerfelt than by radiolunate arthrodesis. Average grip strength of wrists with radiolunate fusion exceeded the strength developed in wrists with Mannerfelt-fusion. However, grip strength of wrists with Mannerfelt-fusion was greater than in the opposite unfused hand, while this was not found in wrists with radiolunate arthrodesis. Postoperative improvements in hand intensive activities were more frequent in the radiolunate fusion population. CONCLUSION: Advancement of carpal degeneration in radiolunate wrist fusions beyond the fusion site may indicate a rising number of symptomatic wrists with increase of follow-up time. Our results have led us to suggest radiolunate fusion for the non-dominant hand in patients with slow carpal progression of rheumatoid disease and especially if complete wrist fusion of the opposite--often dominant hand--has already been performed.
AIM: Intraarticular osteochondral fractures resulting from traumatic patellar dislocation in children are reported most frequently between 13 and 15 years of age. Fracture localization concerns, apart from loose intraarticular bodies, the inferiomedial patellar facet and the lateral femoral condyle. Osteochondral fractures of the lateral femoral condyle with more than 50 % of its surface are extremely rare and reported infrequently. METHOD: We report a traumatic patellar dislocation in a 14 year old patient that let to an osteochondral fracture of the lateral femoral condyle. MRI-scan demonstrated an extensive fracture size concerning more than 50 % of the condylar surface with intraarticular dislocation. Initially arthroscopic surgery followed an open reduction and internal refixation of the osteochondral fragment with resorbable, poly-p-dioxanon pins. RESULTS: Follow-up MRI-scan revealed 7 weeks after surgery an adequate repositioning of the fragment with correct pin placement. Second-look arthroscopy demonstrated an osteochondral reintegration of the fragment within a period of 7 months after prior surgery. CONCLUSION: Resorbable poly-p-dioxanon pins as a mean for refixation of an osteochondral, intraarticular fracture in an adolescent, with an arthroscopic confirmed acceptable result, seem to be a considerable therapy option.