Chiaki Hamanishi

An anteroposterior axis of the tibia for total knee arthroplasty.

The objective of the current study was to identify a new extraarticular anatomic landmark indicating the anteroposterior orientation of the tibia using computed tomography. In 39 volunteers (20 males, 19 females), computed tomography scans for healthy right knees in extension were done perpendicular to the tibial shaft axis. The anteroposterior axis of the tibia was defined as a line perpendicular to the transepicondylar axis and passing through the middle of the posterior cruciate ligament. At the level of the tibial plateau and the patellar tendon attachment, the mean medial percentage width of intersecting point of the patellar tendon and the anteroposterior axis was 10.8% ± 9.8% (range, −9.3%–+30.0%) and −0.2% ± 10.4% (range, −23.6%–+23.0%), respectively. The mean angle between the anteroposterior axis and a line connecting the middle of the posterior cruciate ligament to the medial border of the patellar tendon attachment was 0.0° ± 2.8° (range, −6.3°–+5.2°). The medial border of this attachment therefore can serve as a reliable anterior anatomic landmark to determine the anteroposterior axis of the tibia, and the line connecting the middle of the posterior cruciate ligament and the medial border of the attachment may be useful as a reference axis indicating the anteroposterior orientation of the tibia.

Variability of extraarticular tibial rotation references for total knee arthroplasty.

Anatomic reference axes that determine rotational alignment of the tibial component have not been established. To assess variability of three anatomic reference axes (a new tibial anteroposterior axis that we proposed, the transmalleolar axis of the ankle, and the second metatarsus bone axis of the foot), we measured the angles between a defined anteroposterior axis of the tibia (a line perpendicular to the transepicondylar axis) and each of the three axes in 57 knees of healthy subjects using computed tomography scans. The angle between the defined anteroposterior axis and our proposed anteroposterior axis (a line connecting the middle of the posterior cruciate ligament and the medial edge of the patellar tendon attachment) averaged −0.2° ± 2.8° (range, −5.5°-6.3°). The angle between the defined anteroposterior axis and the transmalleolar axis averaged 25.9° ± 9° (range, 8°-49.4°), and the angle between the defined anteroposterior axis and the second metatarsus bone axis averaged 5.2° ± 10° (range, −21.9°-24°). The variability of the anteroposterior axis was less than than the other reference axes. These data indicate that our proposed tibial anteroposterior axis is more reliable for determining rotational alignment of the tibial component in total knee arthroplasty.

Cross-sectional Area of the Stenotic Lumbar Dural Tube Measured from the Transverse Views of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The cross-sectional area of the lumbar dural tube was calculated from transverse-slice lumbosacral magnetic resonance images (MRI) using the simple geometric formulas and computerized digitizer in 51 patients with low-back pain only, 79 with mainly radicular symptoms, and 53 with intermittent claudication, and in 39 controls with confirmed symptomatic lesions at a nonlumbar level or of a nonspinal organ. Findings suggesting developmental narrowing of the spinal canal were found not only in the intermittent claudication group, but also in the radicular pain group. Cross-sectional area of < 100 mm2 at more than two of three (L2/3, L3/4, and L4/5) intervertebral levels was highly associated with the presence of intermittent claudication. The cross-sectional area value obtained with the simplified geometric formulas was highly correlated with that calculated with the digitizer, indicating that this simple method can be used with MRI in outpatient clinics for the rapid determination of the most stenotic portion of the dural tube.

Schmorl's nodes on magnetic resonance imaging : their incidence and clinical relevance

Schmorls nodes were observed in 76 (19%) of 400 patients with lumbar symptoms, and in 10 (9.4%) of 106 control patients. In the lumbar group, the highest incidence was 57%, in the second decade of life, and the lowest was 5%, in the sixth decade of life. Using MRI, among both groups, a total number of 218 Schmorls nodes were observed at 170 disc levels; however, plain x-ray revealed only 73 (33%) of them. There were associated posterior disc herniations at 39 disc levels in 30 cases (39%), most of which were at the L4/5 level. The ratio of the cases showing only Schmorls nodes to those with associated disc herniations at the same level increased markedly with age. Three of the four teenaged patients with multiple Schmorls nodes at four or more disc levels had a history of hard sports. Schmorls nodes, therefore, appear to be a type of vertical disc herniation, and to be an important pathognomonic condition, especially for young people.

Healing of segmental bone defects in rats induced by a β‐TCP‐MCPM cement combined with rhBMP‐2

A beta-tricalcium phosphate-monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (beta-TCP-MCPM) cement was evaluated as an effective carrier of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in rat femoral critical-size defects. Hard cement cylinders (4 x 5 mm) impregnated with two different doses of rhBMP-2 (1.26 or 6.28 microg) were implanted into each defect, and the results were compared with those in rats that had implantations of cylinders only. Implantation of the 6.28 microg dose of rhBMP-2 caused a large bone shell to form around the defect, resulting in osseous union in all cases within 3 weeks. Except for beta-TCP granules, the cement was resorbed and replaced by bone tissue at 6 weeks. A torsion test at 9 weeks showed that the failure torque and bone stiffness had recovered 99% and 141%, respectively, compared with the intact contralateral femur. The defects that received 1.26 microg of rhBMP-2 resulted in 40% union and 41% of the failure torque at 9 weeks. However, no instances of union were observed in the defects implanted with cylinders only. In conclusion, the beta-TCP-MCPM cement was shown to be effective as a rhBMP-2 carrier. Combined with rhBMP-2, this cement was rapidly resorbed and completely healed the defects.

Factors related to degradation of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis : A review

OBJECTIVES Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint deterioration initiated by multiple factors. To better understand related factors in the development of this disease, we focused on the mechanical stress loaded on articular cartilage. MATERIALS AND METHODS The anterior cruciate ligaments of rabbit knee joints were transected, and expression of protein kinase C (PKC) examined immunohistochemically. The PKC activator 12-o-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) was then administered intraarticularly. To determine the involvement of gas mediators, a cartilage defect was made on the medical femoral condyle of rabbit knee joints. Hydrostatic pressure was loaded on the cartilage taken from the surrounding defects, and levels of superoxide anion and nitric oxide (NO) were measured. Bovine chondrocytes were subjected to cyclic mechanical stretch using a Flexercell Strain Instrument. Proteoglycan synthesis and PKC activity were measured. Expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in articular cartilages obtained from OA patients were examined using Northern blots. RESULTS Chondrocytes from experimentally induced OA were stained positively with anti-alpha-PKC antibody. Intraarticular administration of TPA prevented the development of OA changes. Cyclic tensile stretch loaded on chondrocytes decreased proteoglycan synthesis and PKC activity. Thus, PKC is involved in the stress-mediated degradation of articular cartilage. Cartilage defects led to degradation of surrounding cartilage and to enhanced superoxide anion and NO synthesis. We also noted increased and decreased expressions of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 mRNA in human OA cartilage, respectively. CONCLUSION PKC, gas mediators (superoxide anion, NO), and proteinases are all involved in OA.

A self-setting TTCP-DCPD apatite cement for release of vancomycin

Vancomycin (VCM), a methiciline-cefem resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-specific antibiotic, was incorporated in a self-setting tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP)-dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) apatite cement that hardened isothermally into a hydroxyapatite (HAP) phase with crystallinity similar to that of host bone. Effective release of VCM into PBS lasted for 2 weeks from cements containing 1% VCM and for longer than 9 weeks from cements containing 5% VCM. The rate of release of VCM differed between cements with different crystallinities as well as between the two dissolution media, PBS and simulated body fluid. Mean concentration of VCM in the bone marrow tissue released from cements containing 5% VCM was 20 times the minimum inhibitory concentration 3 weeks after implantation in bone. Direct contact with new bone was observed with the cements containing 1% VCM. Slow delivery of VCM from a self-setting TTCP-DCPD apatite cement with low crystallinity could be used to treat MRSA osteomyelitis.

Induction of Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells with Chondrogenic Property from Mouse-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Despite recent cell-engineering advances, treatment and repair of cartilage remains challenging. Although stem cell transplantation therapy using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is considered a prominent strategy, the major problem of limited proliferative capacity of autologous cells has been unsolved. Recently, an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell line was suggested as an alternative way to cure various human diseases due to their potential proliferating infinitely while possessing the capacity to form all types of cells. However, the method to induce lineage-restricted differentiation has not been well examined or established. Here, we suggest a simple method to induce mesenchymal progenitors possessing chondrogenic property from mouse iPS cells. The MSC-like cells produced in our study expressed some MSC markers, and could also differentiate to osteoblast and adipocyte. The present study demonstrates the property of iPS cells as an alternative candidate for treatment of articular disorders, and suggests an effective approach for preparing chondrocyte from iPS cells.

Reactive oxygen species depolymerize hyaluronan: involvement of the hydroxyl radical

We have previously demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in cartilage degradation. A decrease in the size of hyaluronan (HA), which is the major macromolecule in synovial fluid and is responsible for imparting viscosity to it, is reported in arthritis patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the ROS that depolymerize HA. The luminol derivative, L-012, was used to determine the generation of ROS. To generate hydroxyl radicals, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and ferrous ions (Fe(2+)) was added to HA. The antioxidants and the depolymerization of HA were studied in this system. The hydroxyl radical is one of the ROS, causing the depolymerization of HA, which reacts with L-01. These data suggest that hydroxyl radicals play an important role at the site of inflammation.

Classification of the callus in limb lengthening Radiographic study of 35 limbs

35 calluses formed during limb lengthening were classified radiographically into 6 types: external, straight, attenuated, opposite, pillar, and agenetic. The healing indexes correlated well to the intrinsic periosteal and endosteal conditions of each type. This classification enabled us to estimate the intrinsic conditions, predict the healing index, control the daily lengthening speed, and decide to apply early augmentation of the callus.