Objective To explore the technique of the soft tissue balancing in the total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for the patients of rheumatoid arthritis with flexion contracture. Methods From November 1997 to May 2006, 38 patients with rheumatoid arthritis with flexion contracture underwent primary bilateral TKA and balancing of the soft tissues, among whomthere were 8 males and 30 females, aged 48-71 years old (58.2 on average). The course of disease was 28 months-16 years (7.6 years on average). The preoperative flexion contracture was (38.2 ± 11.3)°. The average range of motion (ROM) and HSS score were (49.1 ± 17.8)° and 23.9 ± 16.9, respectively. According to the preoperative flexion-contracture degree of the knees, these patients were divided into 3 levels: 5 patients with ≤ 20°, 26 patients with 20-60° and 7 patients with ≥ 60°. During the TKA procedure, based on the correct osteotomy, different methods of soft tissue balancing were used for different degrees of flexion contracture. The TKA soft tissue treatment was summed up as the releasing of posterior structures and the balancing between medial collateral ligaments (MCL) and lateral collateral ligaments (LCL), etc. Results The flexion contractures in 38 cases were all improved after the operation, among which 33 patients had a complete correction and only 5 patients had a residual flexion contracture of 5-10°. Eight knees suffered from complications within 1 week after operation, among which 3 had subcutaneous superficial infection and 5 had deep vein thrombus (DVT). These patients obtained good heal ing after active treatment. All the 38 patients were followedup for 10 months to 8 years with the median time of 37 months. The postoperative flexion deformity declined to (2.4 ± 5.7)°, and the ROM and HSS scores were (96.3 ± 14.6)° and 81.7 ± 10.4, respectively. There was statistical difference (P lt; 0.05). According to the HSS score, 27 patients (71.05%)were rated as excellent, 6 good (15.79%) and 5 fair (13.16%), and the choiceness rate was 86.84%. Conclusion The balancing of the soft tissue is a major treatment for correction of the flexion contracture, which can avoid bone over-resection during the surgery of TKA. The proper balancing of the soft tissue can not only achieve an obvious correction of the flexion contracture but also effectively improve the range of motion and the functional recovery of the knee joint after TKA.
Objective To explore the significance and the relationshi p between osteoporosis and the mRNA expressions of vascular endothel ial growth factor (VEGF) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) in nontraumatic avascular necrosis of the femoral head (NONFH), so as to provide a theoretical basis for the pathogenesis and the cl inical treatment of NONFH. Methods Sixty-nine specimens of femoral head were collected from voluntary donators undergoing total hi p arthroplasty, including 37 cases of NONFH (NONFH group) and 32 cases of fresh femoral neck fracture (control group). In NONFH group, there were 26 males and 11 females with an average age of 57.3 years (range, 43-75 years), including 19 cases of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH), 16 cases of alcohol ic ANFH, and 2 cases of idiopathicANFH; according to Ficat staging system, there were 23 cases at stage III and 14 cases at stage IV. In control group, there were 23 males and 9 females with an average age of 58.6 years (range, 46-79 years). The NO level of serum, the Q value of femur, and the bone mineral density (BMD) of weight-bearing area were measured firstly. The bone tissues were harvested from weightbearing necrosis area and healthy area. The pathological change was observed by HE staining, the percentage of empty bone lacuna and the percentage of trabecular bone area were calculated. The mRNA expressions of VEGF and BMP-2 in femoral head were detected through in situ hybridization technique. Results There were significant differences (P lt; 0.05) in the NO level of serum, the Q value of femur, and the BMD between NONFH group and control group. In NONFH group, the femoral head showed irregular shape, the articular cartilage exfol iated and collapsed. In weight-bearing necrosis area, the bone trabeculae were sparse and non-intact with a great number of empty lacuna; necrotic bone trabeculae were decomposed and absorbed; no obvious bone regeneration and repair were observed. In weight-bearing healthy area, the fat cells in bone marrow showed prol iferation and hypertrophy. In control group, the femoral head had normal appearance, intact articular cartilage, and intact bone trabeculae with a regular arrange, and osteocytes were clearly seen. There were significant differences in the percentage of empty bone lacuna and the percentage of trabecular bone area between NONFH group and control group (P lt; 0.05). The mRNA expressions of VEGF and BMP-2 were positive in 2 groups. The positive area ratio, the absorbance value, and integral absorbancevalue of VEGF mRNA and BMP-2 mRNA in NONFH group were significantly lower than those in control group (P lt; 0.05);the grey scales of VEGF mRNA and BMP-2 mRNA in NONFH group were significantly higher than that in control group (P lt;0.05). Conclusion The pathological stage of osteoporosis may play an important role in the mechanism of the NONFH. The decrease of mRNA expressions of VEGF and BMP-2 in femoral head of NONFH is important reason that affect its bone mass, osteoporosis, rehabil itation, and reconstruction. It may be benefit to the reparative process of the necrosis femoral head to increase the mRNA expressions of VEGF and BMP-2 in the femoral head.
Objective To study the expression changes of vascular endothel ial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) in femoral neck fracture, traumatic, and non-traumatic avascular necrosis of femoral head (ANFH), and to study the relationshi p between the expressions of VEGF, bFGF, BMP-2mRNA and bone mass so as to explore the pathogenesis of ANFH and provide the exprimental basis for individual treatment of ANFH. Methods Femoral head specimens were obtained from 59 donors undergoing total hip replacement, including 22 cases of traumatic ANFH (group A, 13 cases of Ficat stage III and 9 cases of Ficat stage IV), 19 cases of non-traumatic ANFH (group B, 11 cases of Ficat stage III and 8 cases of Ficat stage IV; 10 cases of steroid-induced ANFH, 7 cases of alcohol ic ANFH, and 2 cases of unexplained ANFH), and 18 cases of fresh femoral neck fracture (group C). There was no significant difference in the general data among 3 groups (P gt; 0.05). The bone mineral density (BMD) at weight-bearing area of the femoral head was measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The pathological changes were observed by using optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. The percentage of empty bone lacuna and the percentage of trabecular bone area were calculated. The expressions of VEGF, bFGF, and BMP-2 mRNA in femoral head were detected by use of in-situ hybridization technique. Results The BMD in groups A and B were significantly lower than that in group C (P lt; 0.05), and there was significant difference between group A and group B (P lt; 0.05). In the necrosis area of groups A and B, the bone trabecula was rarefactive and not of integrity, with a great number of empty bone lacuna. In healthy area, more fiber hyperplasia was observed in group A, the prol iferated and hypertrophic fat cells in the medullary cavity in group B. Scanning electron microscope showed that many osteocytes underwent fatty degeneration and necrosis, and that the prol iferation of fat cells in bone matrix was observed in groups A and B. While in group C, the femoral head had intact articular cartilage and intact bone trabeculae, and osteocytes were clearly seen. The percentage of empty bone lacuna was significantly higher (P lt; 0.05) and the percentage of trabecular bone area was significantly lower (P lt; 0.05) in groups A and B than group C; and there was significant difference in the percentage of empty bone lacuna between groups A and B (P lt; 0.05). The expressions of VEGF, bFGF, and BMP-2 mRNAwere significantly lower in groups A and B than group C (P lt; 0.05), and the expressions of BMP-2 and bFGF mRNA in group A were significantly higher than those in group B (P lt; 0.05). There were positive l inear correlation between the expressions of VEGF mRNA, bFGF mRNA, BMP-2 mRNA and the BMD and percentage of trabecular bone area, respectively. While there were significantly negative correlation between the expressions of VEGF mRNA, bFGF mRNA, BMP-2 mRNA and percentage of empty bone lacuna. Conclusion The repair capacity of local femoral head in traumatic ANFH is ber than that in non-traumatic ANFH. The expressions of VEGF mRNA, bFGF mRNA, and BMP-2 mRNA decl ine in traumatic and nontraumatic ANFH.
Objective To perfect the theory system of minimally invasive treatment for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) with β tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) bioceramic system and evaluate the effectiveness. Methods Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits aged 7-8 months were used to establish an animal model to verify the vascularization of porous β-TCP bioceramic rods. Micro-CT based three-dimensional reconstruction and fluorescence imaging were used to display the new blood vessels at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after operation. The inserting depth, number and diameter of vessels in the encapsulated area were analyzed. Nine pig femoral specimens were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=3): group A was normal femur; group B had cavity (core decompression channel+spherical bone defect in femoral head); in group C, mixed bioceramic granules were implanted to fill the defect in femoral head, and porous β-TCP bioceramic rod was implanted into decompression channel. The stiffness and yield load of specimens were analyzed by biomechanical test. A multicenter retrospective study was conducted to analyze 200 patients (232 hips) with femoral head necrosis treated with bioceramic system in 7 hospitals in China between January 2012 and July 2018. There were 145 males and 55 females, with an average age of 42 years (range, 17-76 years). According to the Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) stage, 150 hips were in stage Ⅱ and 82 hips in stage Ⅲ. Postoperative imaging assessment was carried out regularly, and hip function was evaluated by Harris score. The effectiveness of ARCO stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ was also compared. Results Animal experiments showed that blood vessels could grow into the encapsulated area and penetrate it at 12 weeks. The inserting depth, number and diameter of blood vessels in the encapsulated area gradually increased, and there was significant difference between different time points (P<0.05). Biomechanical tests showed that the stiffness and yield load of specimens in groups B and C were significantly lower than those in group A, while the yield load in group B were significantly lower than that in group C (P<0.05). The stiffness in group C was restored to 41.52%±3.96% in group A, and the yield load was restored to 46.14%±7.85%. Clinical study showed that 200 patients were followed up 6-73 months, with an average of 22.7 months. At last follow-up, 12 patients (16 hips) underwent total hip arthroplasty, and the hip survival rate was 93.10%. According to the imaging evaluation, 184 hips (79.31%) were stable and 48 (20.69%) were worse. Harris score (79.3±17.3) was significantly higher than that before operation (57.3±12.0) (t=18.600, P=0.000). The excellent rate of hip function was 64.22% (149/232). The survival rate of hip joint, imaging score and Harris score of patients in ARCO stage Ⅱ were better than those in ARCO stage Ⅲ (P<0.05). Conclusion β-TCP bioceramic system can guide the abundant blood supply of greater trochanter and femoral neck to the femoral head to promote repair; it can partly restore the mechanical properties of the femoral head and neck in the early stage, providing a new minimally invasive hip-preserving method for patients with ONFH, especially for those in early stage.