Kemal Durak

C-Reactive Protein Values and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rates after Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty

We studied the changes in serum C-reactive protein levels (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) in patients with primary osteoarthritis, who underwent uncomplicated arthroplasty. Of the 28 patients studied, 12 had cementless total hip replacement (THR), and 16 underwent cemented total knee replacement (TKR) with a tourniquet. In both groups serum CRP levels increased rapidly after surgery, peaking on day 2 (THR 23.17 mg/dl, TKR 26.02 mg/dl), and dropping gradually to pre-operative values on day 21 in THR patients and at the end of the second month in TKR patients. ESR peaked on day 5 after operation (THR 100.5 mm/h, TKR 101.3 mm/h), dropping close to pre-operative values at the end of the third month in THR patients and at the end of the ninth month in TKR patients, although, even after a year, ESRs were slightly above their pre-operative values. Serum CRP levels changed more rapidly than ESRs and returned to normal more rapidly. CRP and ESR values tended to be higher in TKR than in THR patients.

The effects of vitamins E and C on fracture healing in rats.

Forty-eight rats were divided into four groups of 12. For 3 days, each group received the following vitamins in once-daily doses: group 1, vitamin E only; group 2, vitamin C only; group 3, vitamins E and C; and group 4, no treatment (control). The right tibia of each rat was fractured on day 4; the rats then received the same regimen three times a week (once-daily doses) until day 21. Fracture healing was evaluated radiologically by measuring the callus indices, and histologically by a 5-point grading scale. On days 14 and 21, the callus index values in group 2 were statistically higher than those in the other groups. Histological evaluation scores in group 2 were the highest overall, and group 3 scores were higher than those in groups 1 and 4. These findings indicate that vitamin C accelerates fracture healing, vitamin E does not exert a marked effect on this process, and vitamins E and C in combination do not have a synergistic impact on fracture healing.

Antioxidant Effect of α-Tocopherol on Fracture Haematoma in Rabbits

In this study, the effect of free oxygen radicals on lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant role of α-tocopherol (vitamin E) in these reactions were investigated in haematoma fluid and venous blood samples in rabbits with femoral fracture. There were 21 male rabbits, divided into 3 groups. Conjugated dienes values (as optical density) were compared in venous blood of the rabbits in Group I taken preanaesthesia and after the onset of anaesthesia and the difference between these values proved to be insignificant (P > 0.05). A control group (Group 2) was given saline before fracture occurrence and the other group (Group 3) was injected with α-tocopherol 20 mg/kg intramuscularly. Venous blood samples and fracture haematoma fluids in both Group 2 and Group 3 were assayed biochemically. It was established that conjugated dienes values in fracture haematoma fluid in rabbits in the control group were higher than the values in the venous blood of the rabbits in the same group (P < 0.05). However, conjugated dienes values in the a-tocopherol injected group both in the haematoma fluid and in venous blood were reduced compared with those in the control group (P < 0.5). In view of the fact that ischaemia and reperfusion develop in fractured regions and that general body ischaemia develops following serious fractures of the extremities, we consider that prophylactic administration of antioxidants such as α-tocopherol may be beneficial in suppressing the destructive effects of free oxygen radicals in cells.

Histological Assessment of the Effect of α-Tocopherol on Fracture Healing in Rabbits

To investigate the effect of α-tocopherol (vitamin E) on fracture healing in rabbits, two groups of 10 rabbits were either injected with α-tocopherol (treated) or untreated (controls). The right femurs of both groups were fractured, and the treated group were injected intramuscularly with 20 mg/kg α-tocopherol daily for 5 days starting on the day of fracture. After 21 days, histological sections of the fractured region were examined and scored. Fracture healing had progressed further in the α-tocopherol group than in the control group. A statistically significant difference between the histological grading of fracture healing in the two groups was found. This difference may result from an antioxidant (α-tocopherol) effect on free oxygen radicals in the fracture area. We conclude that α-tocopherol may affect fracture healing favourably and might be useful as a therapeutic agent in clinical fracture management.

Distal fibula resection in osteochondroma

We evaluated the effects of distal fibula resection on the ankle function in a patient with osteochondroma. Osteochondroma is a benign tumour which localizes in the metaphysis of the long bones, in the knees and in the shoulders. Although it does not usually cause any symptoms in children under 10 years, we had a 4-year-old patient with a painful swollen ankle with limited motion. Resection of the lateral malleolus did not affect ankle function and he remained pain-free in daily activities during a 2.5 year follow-up period.

The Effect of Alpha-2 Macroglobulin on the Healing of Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament in Rabbits

To investigate the effect of modification of biological environmental conditions, one of the factors influencing the healing of anterior cruciate ligament rupture, we performed experimental anterior cruciate ligament ruptures on New Zealand rabbits. After experimental rupture, intra-articular alpha-2 macroglobulin was injected into the knees of the rabbits in the experiment group to prevent structural changes resulting from the enzymatic reactions in the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. At the end of 10th day of the experiment, we observed that the anterior cruciate ligaments in the experiment group had retained their prerupture brightness and volume when compared with the control group in which intra-articular alpha-2 macroglobulin had not been injected. We also noted that the anterior cruciate ligaments in the experiment group had not retracted or swollen, the incision sites were regular and clean, and they did not show any signs of degeneration. In the histological examination, the anterior cruciate ligaments in the control groups showed disruption of the collagen network and a significant diminution in number of fibroblasts and fibrocytes (p <. 001). At the end of this study, we concluded that the necessary conditions for the healing and repair of ruptured anterior cruciate ligament could exist if the enzymatic and biological environments were under control.

Total hip arthroplasty for acetabular fractures: “Early Application”

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional and clinical results of early total hip arthroplasty performed to treat acetabulum fracture. METHODS Evaluation of 17 patients who were diagnosed with acetabulum fracture and treated with early total hip arthroplasty between January 2008 and October 2013 was performed. In all, 14 patients were male, and 3 were female, with mean age of 52 years (range: 29-80 years). Time elapsed between trauma and operation was mean of 13 days (range: 2-21 days). Observation period was average of 48.2 months (range: 24-70 months). Mean Harris Hip Score was 89.6 (range: 70-100). RESULTS In 13 patients, score was good or excellent. Total of 7 of 10 patients had returned to their pre-trauma jobs. Mean length of time for return to work was determined to be 7.2 months (range: 1.5-24 months). Of the total, 9 (52.9%) patients were diagnosed with heterotopic ossification according to Brooker Classification. CONCLUSION After acetabulum fracture, early total hip arthroplasty with the correct indications and appropriate patient can result in functional, pain-free hip joint with the advantages of early mobilization, early return to work, and decrease in reoperation risk. Heterotopic ossification prophylaxis should be considered in the presence of 1 or more risk factors, such as a head injury, high-energy trauma, or associated musculoskeletal injuries.

The effect of immunonutrition (glutamine, alanine) on fracture healing

Background There have been various studies related to fracture healing. Glutamine is an amino acid with an important role in many cell and organ functions. This study aimed to make a clinical, radiological, and histopathological evaluation of the effects of glutamine on fracture healing. Methods Twenty rabbits were randomly allocated into two groups of control and immunonutrition. A fracture of the fibula was made to the right hind leg. All rabbits received standard food and water. From post-operative first day for 30 days, the study group received an additional 2 ml/kg/day 20% L-alanine L-glutamine solution via a gastric catheter, and the control group received 2 ml/kg/day isotonic via gastric catheter. At the end of 30 days, the rabbits were sacrificed and the fractures were examined clinically, radiologically, and histopathologically in respect to the degree of union. Results Radiological evaluation of the control group determined a mean score of 2.5 according to the orthopaedists and 2.65 according to the radiologists. In the clinical evaluation, the mean score was 1.875 for the control group and 2.0 for the study group. Histopathological evaluation determined a mean score of 8.5 for the control group and 9.0 for the study group. Conclusion One month after orally administered glutamine–alanine, positive effects were observed on fracture healing radiologically, clinically, and histopathologically, although no statistically significant difference was determined.

A case report of multiple fractures with arterial vasospasm associated with ergotamine use.

Vasospasm that develops in association with ergotamine use is a rarely seen but well-understood complication. A case is presented here of multiple fractures in which arteriospasm affecting all the arteries of the lower limb on the same side occurred 10 days post-trauma. In this case, the arteriospasm resulting from ergotamine addiction and high doses of ergotamine, which may be confused with post-traumatic angiospasm, was treated with a marcaine infusion by epidural catheter and heparin, iliomedin and nitronal infusion intravenously. This clinical condition should be borne in mind for all trauma cases determined to have arterial vasospasm, and the use of ergotamine must be queried when taking the anamnesis from the patient.

Comparison of hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty in elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fractures

Objective This study was performed to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of displaced femoral neck fractures (FNFs) treated with either hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty (THA) in elderly patients. Morbidity and mortality were also evaluated. Methods Twenty-two patients who underwent hemiarthroplasty and 16 patients who underwent THA for treatment of Garden type 3–4 FNFs from 2012 to 2015 were enrolled in this study. All patients were >65 years of age. Cox regression analysis was performed for mortality evaluation. Results The postoperative blood loss volume, decrease in the hemoglobin level, and transfusion rate were significantly higher in the THA group. The univariate mortality risk was higher in patients with a Charlson comorbidity score of >4, American Society of Anesthesiologists score of >2, Singh index of <3, and postoperative hospitalization of >1 week. Conclusion This study revealed no significant difference in the short-term clinical and radiological results between cementless hemiarthroplasty and THA in elderly patients with displaced FNFs. However, morbidity and mortality were associated with the presence of additional systemic diseases. THA is the preferred surgical technique in patients with displaced FNFs and low comorbidities.