PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of Thompson quadricepsplasty in ankylosis of the knee joint by a comparison of the patients'ages, the causes, the duration of the ankylosis and the preoperative range of motion (ROM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 17 patients who received Thompson quadricepsplasty for knee ankylosis between 1991 and 1998, and who could be followed up for more than one year. We compared the results according to the patients'ages, the causes and degree of ankylosis and the duration. Since onset, the postoperative ROM, the final degree of the flexion, the flexion gain (difference between the preoperative and the postoperative ROM), and the loss of ROM (difference between the intraoperative ROM and the postoperative ROM) were also assessed. RESULTS: The preoperative mean arc of motion (26.2degrees, range 0degrees-80degrees) and the mean flexion (30degrees, range 5degrees-90degrees) were significantly increased up to a mean of 98.8degrees (75-100degrees) and 102.1degrees (80-130degrees) respectively. In the severe ankylosis group, the flexion gain was significantly increased. However, the correlation according to the patients'ages, causes and duration of the ankylosis were not statistically significant. The mean loss of ROM was 14.7degrees (-20-30degrees), and it occurred within the postoperative 2 month period in most patients. CONCLUSION: The Thompson quadricepsplasty procedure can be considered to be an acceptable technique for the treatment of ankylosis of the knee joint. Rehabilitation in the postoperative 2 month period is very important for a good outcome.
Ankylosis* ; Humans ; Knee Joint* ; Knee* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation

PURPOSE: The severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice which lack the functional T and B lymphocytes have been widely used for the research of various human diseases including AIDS, transplantation, autoimmune disease and cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the huPBMC-SCID mouse as an animal model for human breast cancer research. METHODS: 5x10(7) human PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cell) were injected intraperitoneally in 18 SCID mice. After 24 hours, 2.5x10(6), 5x10(6) and 10x10(6) MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were innoculated subcutaneously in the right flank of each of the 3 groups of 6 huPBMC-SCID mice. RESULTS: 4 subcutaneous ecchymosis (2 perioral area, 2 scalp), 1 splenomegaly and 1 hepatic embolism were found during the 20 weeks after the injections. The growth of tumor xenograft was identified in 14 of the total 18 huPBMC-SCID mice, and the growth rate of the tumor was proportional to the number of the innoculated cancer cells. Distant metastases were found in the retroperitoneum, kidney, pelvic cavity, omentum, perisplenic area and regional lymph node in 50 % of mice, but not in the lung and liver at 20 weeks. CONCLUSION: In summary, the huPBMC-SCID mouse was expected to play an important roles as an animal model of human cancers including breast cancer.
Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases ; B-Lymphocytes ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Ecchymosis ; Embolism ; Heterografts ; Humans ; Kidney ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Mice* ; Mice, SCID ; Models, Animal ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Omentum ; Splenomegaly ; Transplants*