The Effectiveness of Two COX-2 Inhibitors in the Prophylaxis Against Heterotopic New Bone Formation: An Experimental Study in Rabbits

The purpose of this study was to present the effectiveness of 2 cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, meloxicam and parecoxib, in the prevention of heterotopic ossification. Eighteen white mature male rabbits were divided into 3 groups of 6 animals. One was the control group; 1 group was administered meloxicam subcutaneously, and 1 group was administered parecoxib subcutaneously. For the induction of heterotopic new bone, the Michelsson model was used. The extent of heterotopic new bone development was assessed according to Scott's classification. The meloxicam and parecoxib groups developed significantly less heterotopic bone when compared to the control group. There was no significant difference between the meloxicam and parecoxib group. We concluded that meloxicam and parecoxib are capable of preventing the development of heterotopic new bone in rabbits. The clinical relevance of this study is that meloxicam and parecoxib may be helpful in reducing heterotopic ossification in humans. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

The results of knee manipulation for stiffness after total knee arthroplasty with or without an intra-articular steroid injection

BACKGROUND: Stiffness after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) requiring manipulation has a reported incidence of 1.3-54%. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of stiffness warranting manipulation using two different pain management protocols. We also studied the effect of an intra-articular injection of local anesthetic and steroid given at the time of manipulation on the range-of-motion (ROM) at last follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 286 TKAs (248 patients between January 2002 and December 2003) were compared to a second group of 292 TKAs (251 patients between January 2004 and March 2006). The first group received patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for postoperative pain management. The second group had a peri-articular injection of a steroid-containing local anesthetic at the time of surgery, but no postoperative PCA. All patients undergoing manipulation in the second group also received a similar intra-articular injection at the time of manipulation as well. Only patients with minimum 12 months follow-up after manipulation were included in the study. RESULTS: The overall incidence of stiffness requiring manipulation in both groups was similar at 2.4% and 2.1%, respectively (P = 0.1). The end results of manipulation with and without injection showed a significantly higher final ROM in patients who had had an injection at the time of manipulation (P = 0.001). The difference was due to the fact that patients who had an injection lost no motion from that achieved at the time of manipulation. CONCLUSION: We were unable to demonstrate a significant reduction in the incidence of stiffness after TKA using a modern pain management protocol. However, injection of a local anesthetic and steroid at the time of manipulation did have a significant influence on preserving the ROM that was obtained at the time of manipulation

Distal tibial fractures treated with hybrid external fixation

Management of distal tibia fractures remains challenging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether hybrid external fixation, as definite treatment, was associated with satisfactory results and low rate of complications. Between November 1999 and October 2006, 48 patients (33 men and 15 women) with a mean age of 45.6 years and a median ISS of 14.3 were admitted to our department with a distal tibia fracture and treated with the use of a hybrid external fixator. Eight patients had an open fracture. Mean follow-up was 14 months (range, 9-36 months). In 40 patients, radiographic evidence of union was observed at 3.6 months (range, 3-6 months). Delayed union was observed in three patients. There were five non-unions (10.4%) with three of them were septic. When compared to previously reported series, with conventional open reduction and internal fixation, the use of hybrid external fixation with or without open reduction and internal fixation of the fibula, was associated with satisfactory clinical and radiographic results and limited complications. © 2009