Eui Chan Jang

Use of a modified Quengel hinge to prevent posterior displacement of the tibia during treatment of PCL injury.

During treatment of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries, posterior displacement of the tibia may occur inside the cast due to the effect of gravity on the lower leg. To prevent this problem the authors attempted to apply the original Quengel cast, first described by Mommsen in 1922 and perfected by Jordan, to correct the flexion contracture of the knee in hemophiliacs. However, the authors found that the cast was not effective in preventing the posterior displacement of the tibia during management of PCL injuries. They modified the design of the original Quengel hinge to obtain a more effective anterior traction on the tibia parallel to the knee joint line. Of the 32 patients who used the modified Quengel brace, 15 who could be followed had less than a 3 mm difference between the injured and uninjured knee 3 months postoperatively.

Effect of Carboxy Methyl Chitosan on Experimental Osteoarthritis in a Rabbit Knee - Carboxy methyl chitosan vs. Hyaluronan -

Purpose: This study evaluates the effect on carboxy methyl chitosan on the articular cartilage of an osteoarthritic knee. Materials and Methods: The biological effect of chitosan on the osteoarthritic articular cartilage was compared with hyaluronan, which is one of the treatment modalities for an osteoarthritic knee. Chitosan or hyaluronan were injected into the intraarticular space of the experimental osteoarthritic knee of a rabbit with a transected anterior cruciate ligament at weekly intervals for 5 weeks, and the articular cartilage and synovium were obtained. Nine weeks later, the specimens were analyzed by their gross findings, histological examinations, and histo-morphometric studies. Results: The hyaluronan and chitosan group showed less severe osteoarthritic changes than the control group. Although the hyaluronan group showed less severe osteoarthiricic changes than the chitosan group, there was no statistical significance. Conclusion: Carboxy methyl chitosan, which has an excellent affinity to the body, appeared to have an positive effect on delaying the progress of cartilage degeneration.

Discomfort in Winter Season after Fixing Lateral Malleolar Fracture with Plates - A comparison between stainless steel and titanium plate -

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find a method of proving cold discomfort in patients who complain during the winter seasons, after receiving an internal fixation with a metal plate, and to determine the different in the developments of cold discomfort according to the type of metal plate used. Materials and Methods : Among 26 cases of lateral malleolar fracture, 16 stainless-steel plates and 10 titanium plates were compared. Discomfort was induced by placing ice over both lateral malleoli (ice provocation test), and the side on which discomfort was induced first was recorded. Results : Ten patients who felt discomfort in the winter, among which 8 cases stainless-steel plate and 2 cases titanium plate. The degree of pain was rated as 3.6 on average (ranging 2-4) on the VAS (visual analogue scale). Conclusion : Cold discomfort during the winter season can be confirmed by using the ice provocation test (p=0.0004). The frequency of discomfort during the winter season was higher (p=0.126) in cases filted with stainless-steel plate (50%) than in those with a titanium plate (20%).