PURPOSE:The purpose of this study was to compare the chondroprotective effect of diacerein and glucosamine regarding degenerative changes and articular stiffness in an experimental model of arthritis. METHODS: Twenty rats underwent medial meniscectomy on the right knee. Ten animals were given diacerhein, and 10 were given glucosamine, from day 1 to the third month postoperatively, when all of them were killed. Histological and functional analysis of the knees were performed (measurement of maximum extension). RESULTS: All operated knees showed more limited extension values and more degenerative changes as compared to nonoperated contralateral sides. A comparison of the two drugs showed that the degree of articular stiffness was significantly lower with diacerein, although degenerative changes were similar. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Prophylactic use of diacerein leads to lower degree of articular stiffness when compared to glucosamine; 2) The prophylactic chondroprotective effects of diacerein and glucosamine are histologically similar.

BackgroundThe present study introduces a new surgical technique and the results of a case series of patients with humeral shaft nonunion.Materials and methodsFifteen patients with diagnosis of diaphyseal nonunion of humerus were operated by a bridge-plate technique. A 4.5-mm plate is slid on the anterior surface of the humerus, submuscular to the brachial muscle. With the plate over the anterior surface of the humerus, screws are inserted from anterior to posterior on the ends of the plate. When there is a small bone gap, an iliac autologous graft is inserted. Minimum follow-up was 1 year.ResultsBone healing was obtained in all patients: 1.5 months postoperatively in 11 patients, 2 months in 3 patients, and 3 months in 1 patient. There were no postoperative infections, there was one case with loosening of the screws and plate, and there were no nerve injuries.ConclusionsThe present technique avoids wide dissection, radial nerve isolation, and periosteum stripping. The anterior minimally invasive bridge-plate technique for treatment of humeral shaft nonunion is a safe procedure and obtained bone healing in all patients in this series.

Level IV; case series.

Introduction: Humeral nonunion is a condition resulting from lack of healing at the fracture site often associated with alteration of the local biological potential. Case Presentation: A 38-year-old male patient, who had a fracture in the left humerus caused by a fall 8 months earlier was presented. He was treated non-operatively with Sarmiento brace. Conclusions:The present study introduced a new minimally invasive bridge-plate technique for treatment of humeral shaft nonunion that avoids wide dissection, radial nerve isolation and periosteum stripping. It is a safe procedure, which led to bone healing and good results in a patient with atrophic humeral shaft nonunion.

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