PURPOSE: This study was designed to clarify the osseointegration of the titanium screw coated with CMP, in regard to the time schedule, through the characteristic of early osseointegration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mechanical, radiological and histomophometric measurements were performed in 28 rabbit tibial proximal metaphyseal cortical bone screws 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks after surgery for the in vivo comparison of the osseointegration of titanium screws (3.75 mm diameter, 5 mm length) with different surface treatments: CMP coating group, with the sol-gel method (experimental group) and uncoated group (control group). RESULTS: 1. Radiology: There were no differences between the two groups without a radiolucent line or in regard to the time schedule. 2. Histology: There were no differences between the two groups without a fibrous tissue intervening surface or in regard to the time schedule. 3. Torque test: The test results for the CMP coated group were 1.5 times higher than those for the uncoated group, which was statistically meaningful, but there was no difference in regard to the time schedule. CONCLUSION: CMP coating is an option to increase the osseointegration of the titanium screw.
Appointments and Schedules ; Bone Screws ; Ceramics* ; Osseointegration* ; Tibia ; Titanium ; Torque

Osteoporosis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder characterized by fragility of bone, deafness, blue sclerae; and laxity of joints. Four types of OI are distinguished by clinical findings. Although mutations affecting collagen I are responsible for the disease in the most patients, the mechanism by which the genetic defects cause abnormal bone development has not been well established. Therefore we evaluated static and dynamic bone histomorphometry of type I OI in the case study of a 15 year old boy with OI who had blue sclerae, a history of frequent fracture and a familial history of blue sclerae. Biopsy of the ilium showed loss of connection between the cortical bone and trabecular bones. The Harversian system in the cortical bone was poorly developed. In the trabecular bones, the lamellar pattern was poorly developed. Mineral apposition rate of the cortical bone was 1.0 m/day and of the trabecular bone was 0.79 m/day. Thus OI might be regard as a disease whereby abnormal collagen synthesis interferes with bone strength by multiple mechanisms.
Adolescent ; Biopsy ; Bone Development ; Collagen ; Deafness ; Humans ; Ilium ; Joints ; Male ; Osteogenesis Imperfecta* ; Osteogenesis* ; Osteoporosis ; Sclera

PURPOSE: We report the results of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autograft and a bioab-sorbable interference screw (Bioscrew, poly L-lactic acid, Linvatec co., USA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1998 to December 1998, we performed 39 cases of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using BPTB autograft and a bioabsorbable interference screw. The average follow-up period was 2 years and 8 months. We performed KT-2000 testing and measured the IKDC, Tegner and Lysholm scores preoperatively and compared these with the results of a final evalua-tion. We performed second-look arthroscopy on 4 cases and observed the degree of degradation of the bioabsorbable interference screw. RESULTS: Preoperative evaluation revealed an average range with a KT-2000 of 8.1 +/-3.4 mm, a Lysholm score of 66.2 +/-16.3, an IKDC score below C in all cases and a Tegner score of 3.7 +/-0.9, but final results showed a KT-2000 of 2.8 +/-2.2 mm, a Lysholm score of 91.7 +/-7.5, an IKDC score above B in all except 3 cases and a Tegner score of 6.9 +/-1.1. Second-look arthroscopy at 3 and 12 months post-operatively showed no degradation of the bioabsorbable interference screw, but there was partial degradation of the bioabsorbable inteference screw at 21 and 33 months. CONCLUSION: Bioabsorbable interference screws seems a reasonable alternative to metallic screws in ACL reconstruction. Bioab-sorbablescrew implanted in humans may take much longer to degrade than expected, more study is needed.
Arthroscopy ; Autografts* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lactic Acid

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the effects of the critical pathway (CP) on the quality of medical care, and to determine means of reducing costs for lumbar posterolateral fusion in patient with lumbar spinal stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 25 control patients with lumbar posterolateral fusion, and 25 experimental patients with application of CP. We compared the patients' functional status using the Oswestry disability index, patients'satisfaction by quality patient care scale, the length of hospitalization and the medical charges between the two groups. RESULTS: Differences between the Oswestry disability index of the experimental and control groups were not significant. No differences were found between two groups regarding general care, but the experimental group was more satisfied with specific care related to spinal fusion. The mean length of stay of the experimental group was shorter than that of the control group, and the charge of medication and treatment of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group. CONCLUSION: Critical pathway improves the quality of care and reduces medical charges.
Critical Pathways* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Patient Care ; Spinal Fusion ; Spinal Stenosis*

PURPOSE: To investigate the annual change of bone mineral density (BMD) around the femoral stem and identified the factors that influence the stress shielding effect in patients who have received extensively porous coated cementless stem. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed seventy-four patients who were followed up for longer than three years after unilateral primary total hip replacement arthroplasty. The BMD was measured annually using a DEXA QDR 4500(R) on the proximal femur according at the Gruen zone. We analyzed the relationship between the results and the possible variates of periprosthetic bone remodeling. RESULTS: In first year after operation, the BMDs of all Gruen zone decreased significantly. From the second year, the BMDs in Gruen zones 1, 2, and 7 were decreased significantly, but those in Gruen zones 3, 5, and 6 were increased. After three years, the BMD showed no significant change. Among the examined variables including sex, patient's age, stem size, and preoperative Singh's index, stem size and age were found to have strong predictive value. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that periprosthetic BMD decreased in all areas over first postsurgical year. From the third year, the BMD stabilized.
Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip* ; Bone Density* ; Bone Remodeling ; Femur ; Humans

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the postoperative outcome of posterolateral decompression and posterior instrumentation in lumbar and thoracolumbar burst fracture with neurologic deficit. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: There are several methods to decompress the spinal canal following fracture. The use of posterolateral decompression had been limited due to several reasons including postoperative instability and further neurologic injury. The development of fixation system and new designed impactor solved the limitation of posterolateral decompression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 11 posterolateral decompression and pedicle screw instrumentation in burst fractures were performed. We measured canal compromise, reduction of sagittal curve and recovery of neurologic condition before and after surgery and at final follow-up. RESULTS: Canal compromise was reduced from 60.4% to 12.8% postoperatively. The sagittal index was 24.5 .preoperatively, 2.3 . postoperatively and 7.4 .at final follow-up. The recovery of neurologic condition was 1.1 degree in Frankel grade. CONCLUSION: Single-stage posterolateral decompression and posterior instrumentation is an effective technique to obtain neurologic recovery and rigid stabilization in the management of a lumbar and thoracolumbar burst fracture with neurologic deficit.
Decompression* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Neurologic Manifestations* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to present the usefulness of arthrometer (KT-2000) in patients with anterior knee instability and to assist in evaluating an objective prognosis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We analyzed the manual maximum anterior displacement, passive anterior displacement at 30Ib force and compliance index between 15Ib and 30Ib, measured by KT-2000 in 82 cases of patient who had unilateral anterior knee instability and 40 cases of volunteers, as control group, who had no history of knee injury. We used the Paired and Independent t-test for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In control group, the mean value of manual maximum anterior displacement is 0.8 +/- 0.9mm, passive anterior displacement, 1.4 +/- 1.3mm and compliance index, 1.1 +/- 1.1mm. In patient group, the mean value of manual maximum anterior displacement is 7.1 +/- 2.7mm, passive displacement, 6.1 +/- 2.6mm and compliance index, 3.8 +/- 1.8mm. We found that the patient group was revealed much higher degree of anterior displacement than the control group (p<0.005) . CONCLUSION: KT-2000 is objective and quantitative in diagnosis of anterior knee instability.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Compliance ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; Knee* ; Prognosis ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: Of all meniscal tears, isolated meniscal tear accounted for about 20%~30%. Also only a few reports in the literature dealt with isolated meniscal tear, which has a lower repairability and healing rate compared to patients with meniscal tear associated with ACL rupture. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical characteristics of isolated meniscal tear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June, 1996 and May, 1999, 170 cases confirmed to have a meniscal tear by arthroscopy, were included in this study. We analysed clinical characteristics, according to the type of injury, medial meniscal tear versus lateral meniscal tear, type and site of meniscal tear, as well as possibility of repair. RESULTS: The frequency of medial meniscus tear is more common than that of lateral meniscus tear. Additionally, the most common cause of meniscal tear was non- contact injury. Of the total isolated meniscal tears, 20.5% were repaired. CONCLUSION: In our case, the incidence of medial meniscus tear is higher than that of the lateral meniscus tear, but this study noted a significantly low incidence of repairablity in isolated meniscal tear. Based on preliminary findings in this study, we consider degenerative change of meniscus as the most important factor explaining the clinical characteristics of meniscus tear in patients, especially, over the age of 30.
Arthroscopy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Menisci, Tibial ; Rupture

STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study is to confirm the diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous needle biopsy of vertebral lesions. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous needle biopsy and the clinical and pathological correlation of vertebral lesions. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: A review of previous articles showed that the diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous needle biopsy of vertebral lesions was between 77-94%. The greatest accuracy was achieved in diagnosis of metastatic disease or infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed 22 percutaneous needle biopsies in twenty vertebral bodies and two posterior elements under the CT guidance. All biopsies were performed with a 16-gauge Osty-cut bone biopsy needle. There were 1 cervical, 8 thoracic and 13 lumbar biopsies. Transpedicular approach was performed on 13 patients and paraspinal approach on 7 patients. There were 8 malignancies, 9 infections, 2 benign tumors, 2 compression fractures and 1 butterfly vertebra. RESULTS: An accurate diagnosis was made in 18 cases(81.8%) of all cases. Two of the 22 specimens were blood clots and two specimens of tuberculous spondylitis were insufficient for definite diagnosis. Bacteriological studies revealed a causative agent in 43% of pyogenic spondylitis. Histologic diagnosis confirming the clinical suspicion was obtained in 16(80%) of the 20 positive cases. There was no complication. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous needle biopsy under the CT guidance is a safe and accurate method for obtaining a diagnosis of vertebral lesions such as osteolytic lesion and infection.
Biopsy ; Biopsy, Needle* ; Butterflies ; Diagnosis ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Needles* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine ; Spondylitis

PURPOSE: Recently, there are many good reports on the arthroscopic management of tibial condylar fractures. But, it may be appropriate for selected tibial condylar fractures and also needs a skilled technique. So we report the results of the tibial condylar fractures treated by the arthroscopy and limited percutaneous fixation or the arthroscopic-assisted management with conventional internal fixation without arthrotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 1996 to December 1997, we treated 22 cases of the tibial condy- lar fractures including relatively comminuted one and analysed the results of patients who have been observed at least 1 year with Porters knee evaluation criteria. RESULTS: In 18 out of 22 cases, the results were Acceptable on symptoms(excellent 3, good 15, fair 4), in 18, on function(excellent 10, good 8, fair 3), in 21, on appearance(excellent 12, good 9, fair 1) and in 20, on radiographic appearance(excellent 11, good 9, fair 2). Overall results were Acceptable in 18 cases(82%) and Unacceptable in 4 cases(18%). CONCLUSION: The arthroscopic-assisted management with conventional internal fixation without arthrotomy can be the recommendable treatment for the tibial condylar fractures, including relatively comminuted one, without complications.
Arthroscopy ; Humans ; Knee