BACKGROUNDThere are no clear guidelines on implant removal. Few have assessed the long-term outcomes of patients with implants left in-situ, or removed. Therefore, removal of implants after fracture fixation remains controversial.

METHODSIn this retrospective study, we reviewed 53 patients with implant for fracture fixation in-situ for more than 3 years. All patients were younger than 60 years. Quality of life of each patient was assessed with the Chinese (Hong Kong) validated Short Form-36 and the pain was assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS). All patients were clinically examined and plain radiographs were taken.

RESULTSThe total SF-36 score of the patients was not statistically different from the Hong Kong norm (P > 0.05). Mean score of VAS was 2.08. Thirty-three patients (62.3%) reported limited range of movement, 9 patients (17%) complained of cosmetic problems, and 10 patients (18.9%) complained of weakness. Clinically, 82.6% of patients had no scarring, 84.7% of patients had full range of movement and all had no tenderness on assessment. Radiologically, no abnormality was detected except for one patient with known avascular necrosis of the femoral head after screw fixation.

CONCLUSIONAs most patients were clinically and radiologically normal with quality of life scores comparable to the norm, removal of implants is not advisable as a routine practice.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Elbow Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthopedics ; methods ; Prostheses and Implants ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Tarsal Bones ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDAge-associated decrease in type IIA/B human skeletal muscle fibers was detected in human biopsies in our previous study. The relationship between change in muscle fiber typing and bone mineral density (BMD) is, however, unknown either cross-sectionally or longitudinally. We therefore conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate their correlation using human muscle biopsies.

METHODSForty human subjects aged (53.4 ± 20.2) years were recruited. Histomorphometric parameters of their muscle biopsies were measured by ATPase staining and image analysis, including average area percentage, fiber number percentage, mean fiber area, and area percentage of connective tissues. Hip and spine BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Partial correlation with adjusting age was performed.

RESULTSType IIB muscle fiber was found positively correlated with hip BMD irrespective to age and demonstrated significantly stronger relationship with BMD among all fiber types, in terms of its cross-sectional area (r = 0.380, P = 0.029) and size (r = 0.389, P = 0.025). Type IIA muscle fibers associated with hip BMD in mean fiber area only (r = 0.420, P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONSType IIB muscle fiber may play an important role in maintaining bone quality. This may also be a relatively more sensitive fiber type of sarcopenia and osteoporosis. These findings further consolidate the muscle-bone relationship.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch ; cytology ; metabolism ; Prospective Studies ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe association of long-term bisphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis and related safety problems such as atypical fractures were not clearly defined. This study was to evaluate the structural, densitometric and biomechanical properties of the prolonged bisphosphonate-loaded bones.

METHODSBone mineral density (BMD) at hip and femoral midshaft, bone cross-sectional area, moment of inertia of both femurs, bone formation and resorption biochemical markers were compared between 28 elderly with at least 4 years of bisphosphonate treatment from 2002 through 2006 and age-matched group of 37 elderly.

RESULTSThe total hip BMD and t-score were found not different between two groups. However, bisphosphonate treated patients were found to have significantly lower bone mineral content in the femoral shaft (P < 0.05); morphological study showed lower cross-sectional area in subtrochanteric and mid-diaphyseal region and thus significantly lower moment of inertia (P < 0.01). High resolution-peripheral quantitative computed tomography showed significantly decreased trabecular density, bone volume ratio, trabecular number but increased trabecular spacing in tibia and distal radius. Finite element analysis further confirmed significantly lower stiffness and failure load in tibia. Biochemical studies also showed lower bone resorption and severely suppressed bone formation activity (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe unchanged total hip BMD between two groups confirmed the beneficial effects of bisphosphonate on trabecular bone, thus preventing osteoporotic fractures at large in previous studies. However, the inferior structural, densitometric and biomechanical properties at cortical bones, especially femur midshaft, need a special attention to look into the association between long-term bisphosphonate intake and the occurrence of stress fractures. When patients taking bisphosphonate complain of proximal thigh pain or discomfort, plain X-ray film can be the first line screening. All patients prescribed with bisphosphonate should be informed of such a complication though we must stress its rarity.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone Density Conservation Agents ; adverse effects ; Bone Remodeling ; drug effects ; Densitometry ; Diphosphonates ; adverse effects ; Female ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RANK Ligand ; blood

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to validate a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of flow-diverter treatment through Doppler ultrasonography measurements in patient-specific models of intracranial bifurcation and side-wall aneurysms. METHODS: Computational and physical models of patient-specific bifurcation and sidewall aneurysms were constructed from computed tomography angiography with use of stereolithography, a three-dimensional printing technology. Flow dynamics parameters before and after flow-diverter treatment were measured with pulse-wave and color Doppler ultrasonography, and then compared with CFD simulations. RESULTS: CFD simulations showed drastic flow reduction after flow-diverter treatment in both aneurysms. The mean volume flow rate decreased by 90% and 85% for the bifurcation aneurysm and the side-wall aneurysm, respectively. Velocity contour plots from computer simulations before and after flow diversion closely resembled the patterns obtained by color Doppler ultrasonography. CONCLUSION: The CFD estimation of flow reduction in aneurysms treated with a flow-diverting stent was verified by Doppler ultrasonography in patient-specific phantom models of bifurcation and side-wall aneurysms. The combination of CFD and ultrasonography may constitute a feasible and reliable technique in studying the treatment of intracranial aneurysms with flow-diverting stents.
Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Computer Simulation ; Endovascular Procedures ; Hydrodynamics ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Stents ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Doppler* ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color