Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Jan 2000
The effect of extracorporeal shock waves on joint cartilage--an in vivo study in rabbits.
The application of extracorporeal shock waves has become a new mode of treatment for affections of the locomotor apparatus such as calcifying tendinitis, epicondylitis humeri radialis, calcaneodynia and pseudarthrosis. The treatment often takes place in the vicinity of joints. Up to now no systematic data have been published about possible side-effects on joint cartilage. ⋯ The left lateral femoral condyle of each animal was treated with 2000 shock waves of 1.2 mJ/mm2; the right condyle served as control. Macroscopical, radiological and histological analysis at 0, 3, 12 and 24 weeks after treatment showed no pathological changes in the joint cartilage. We conclude that extracorporeal shock wave treatment does not cause damage to the joint cartilage of growing rabbits.
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The shape of the proximal segment of the femur must be taken into account when implanting femoral endoprostheses, especially those intended for cementless anchorage. Numerous femoral prostheses are available for the proximally broadly extending, "trumpet-shaped" morphology. However, the femur often has a narrow, more cylindrical configuration, as is frequently seen with dysplastic hip joints, but variants of the anatomical constitution or ethnic variants are also found. ⋯ The surgical technique is relatively straightforward, and complications are rare. The patients' subjective satisfaction is particularly remarkable. The success of the operation lies in correct preoperative planning, which ensures that the morphology of the selected femur guarantees contact between the bone cortex and the middle third of the prosthetic stem.
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The accessory navicular bone is one of the most symptomatic bones of the foot. Although it has been reported to be present in various members of the same family, there is a lack of knowledge about its inheritance in the literature. We examined three families and suggest that it has an autosomal dominant trait with incomplete penetrance.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Jan 2000
Unexpected resection of soft-tissue sarcoma. More mutilating surgery, higher local recurrence rates, and obscure prognosis as consequences of improper surgery.
Sixteen referred patients were reviewed after excision of an unexpected soft-tissue sarcoma of the extremities. Eight tumors were located in the muscle deep to the fascia, and 8 lesions exceeded the size of 5 cm. The lack of awareness by the primary physician towards the possibility of a malignant lesion was striking, although 11 of 16 tumors presented as a newly formed mass. ⋯ Physicians' alertness towards the possible malignancy of an enlarging mass cannot be overemphasized. Evaluation by adequate imaging techniques, biopsy, and definitive resection and reconstruction should be performed by an oncologically trained orthopaedic surgeon. Inadequate primary excision leads to a high local recurrence rate and more mutilating surgery and obscures the long-term prognosis.