Introduction:

In this study, the results of open-wedge osteotomy with Puddu plate for the treatment of varus gonarthrosis have been evaluated prospectively. This study assessed 65 knees of 60 patients with varus gonarthrosis who underwent high tibial osteotomies. Our study population consisted of 13 male and 47 female patients with a mean age of 54 (range 39-76) years. For the clinical evaluation of the patients Hospital of Special Surgery (HSS) score, American Knee Society and Oxford knee scores, and for the radiological assessment mechanical axis deviation (MAD), lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), femorotibial angle and Insall-Salvati index were basically taken into consideration. Our patients were followed up for an average of 34 (range 18-60) months. In the last assessments of our cases, mean improvements detected in HSS scores, Oxford knee scores, knee and functional scores of Knee Society were 26.72, 19.18, 49.9, and 30 points, respectively. The radiological examinations revealed that their mechanical axes on the average passed 5.09 mm laterally achieving an average of 6.5 degrees genu valgum, and a mean Insall-Salvati index of 1.09. As complications, superficial wound infection in two patients (3%), implant infections in one patient (1.5%), deep vein thrombosis in two patients (3%), peroperative lateral tibial plateau fracture in one patient (1.5%), and postoperative lateral tibial plateau fracture due to a falling down were encountered. According to the results obtained, postoperative pain resolves promptly and a significant degree of improvement of knee functions of the patients are achieved. Therefore, we believe that high tibial osteotomy with a Puddu plate is a valuable alternative to total knee arthroplasty in cases with varus gonarthrosis. Although early results are satisfactory, long-term follow-up studies are required especially in the middle aged and elderly patient populations.

The association between exercise intensity and related oxidative stress was investigated in nine men who exercised for 30 min at their aerobic (AeT) and anaerobic (AnaeT) thresholds. We also tested the effect of oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on exercise-associated rapid blood glutathione (GSH) oxidation in subjects performing two identical maximal bicycle ergometer exercise (Max) tests. Before the second test (Max with NAC supplementation [Max(NAC)]), the men took 200 x 4 mg/day of NAC tablets for 2 days and an additional 800 mg on the test morning. Blood samples were drawn before, immediately after, and 24 h after the tests. Total and oxidized GSH levels in blood were determined. Plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and net peroxyl radical scavenging capacity (PSC) were assayed. Exercise-associated damage in leukocyte DNA was estimated by fluorometric analysis of DNA unwinding. A single bout of exercise at Max, AeT, and AnaeT resulted in a significant increase in blood GSH oxidation but did not influence net PSC of plasma. Although an association between a single bout of exercise and leukocyte DNA damage was apparent, this study suggests that the parameter may not serve as a sensitive index to assess the role of exercise intensity in the extent of exercise-associated oxidative stress. Plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances did not change after either Max or Max(NAC) tests. NAC supplementation resulted in an increase in preexercise PSC, indicating a higher net antioxidant capacity of the plasma, but did not affect blood GSH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

No abstract

Bifocal compression-distraction osteogenesis is a safe, reliable, and largely successful method for the acute treatment of open tibia fractures with bone and soft-tissue loss. Further nonoperative or operative treatment can correct most complications.

No abstract

This combined method may prove to be an improvement on the classic techniques for the treatment of a nonunion of a long bone associated with chronic osteomyelitis, in terms of external fixation period and consolidation index. The earlier removal of the external fixator is associated with increased patient comfort, a decreased complication rate, and a convenient and rapid rehabilitation.

In this study, mid to long-term results of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring tendons and Transfix technique were evaluated. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with four-strand hamstring tendon was performed with Transfix technique on 271 (198 males, 73 females; mean age 25.7; 17-52) patients with anterior cruciate ligament ruptures. The patients were followed up with clinical examination, Lysholm and Tegner activity scales, IKDC scoring system, KT-1000 test and radiological examination. The mean follow-up period was 82 (48-100) months; 204 (75%) patients had no subjective complaints. According to the KT-1000 test, only 14 (5%) patients had more than 5 mm laxity postoperatively, whereas, 161 (59%) patients had more than 5 mm laxity preoperatively. In addition to this, only 19 (7%) patients had Lysholm scores less than 80 postoperatively, whereas 154 (57%) patients scored less than 80 preoperatively. When compared with Tegner activity scale, 189 (70%) patients scored<6 preoperatively and only 24 (8%) postoperatively; 78 (29%) patients scored D preoperatively and only 5 (2%) patients scored D postoperatively on the basis of the IKDC scoring system. Our functional results were found to be satisfactory in more than 90% of patients. Commonly seen problems in ACL reconstruction such as inaccurate graft placement and tunnel widening were found to be consistent with the values in relevant literature. However, we demonstrated that the functional results and the stability of the knee were not related with tunnel widening. This study concludes that the reconstruction of ACL with hamstring tendons and the Transfix technique is reasonably successful, safe and causes low morbidity. Furthermore, we believe that proper graft preparation, accurate tunnel placement, notch-plasty, fixation and rehabilitation program are all as important as the choice of graft and fixation material.