Orthopedics
Article Abstract:
The field of orthopedics has benefitted directly from advances made in the polymer and plastics industries. New synthetic materials are available that can be used to construct artificial bones and joints. Artificial bones must not only be strong, the material must also be tolerable by the body. The wrong material may stimulate inflammatory reactions, and the body may attempt to encapsulate the foreign substance in fibrous sheaths, rendering it useless as a bone substitute. Fortunately, the synthetic plastic polymethyl methacrylate seems to have all the qualities desirable in a bone substitute. In a study of artificial hips, 78 percent were found to be good or excellent at 15 years after implantation. Knee joint replacements have been more problematic; much of the problem is related to wear. The patella (kneecap) in an artificial knee is subject to a great deal of wear, and the debris from this wear tends to accumulate, leading to failure of the prosthetic joint. Many advances in spine surgery are the result of the application of modern imaging techniques, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The images delineate details of spinal damage prior to surgery, and provide information about damage sustained by the spinal cord inside the spine. This information is very important in determining both the prognosis and the best form of treatment for a patient with a back injury. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1991
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Orthopedics
Article Abstract:
An overview of orthopedic surgical issues including spinal fusion with pedicle screws, joint replacement surgery and the risk of orthopedic surgeons contracting HIV from patients is discussed. Vertebral fusion is often used to stabilize the spine in cases where a patient has a degenerative disease or has endured some type of trauma to the spine. Researchers are uncertain about the benefits of fusion in general and of surgery with pedicle screws in particular. Intracellular debris was present in 90% of patients who had hip joint replacement. Joint replacements create particulate debris from wear on the bone. The debris was found in all types of joint replacement, even in those in which cement had not been used as a fixative. Other studies indicate that autogenous reconstruction of degenerated bone is safer and more effective than reconstruction performed with donated tissue. The risk of orthopedic surgeons contracting HIV from their patients was found to be low, but due to the nature of the surgery infection control techniques should be followed.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1993
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Orthopedics
Article Abstract:
Research in orthopedics is focusing on cartilage healing, since cartilage diseases will be more common as the population ages. Human bone morphogenetic protein is being tested in the treatment of bone fractures. Injectable calcium phosphate bone mineral cement may replace screws as a method to anchor implants to bone. Enoxaparin appears to be effective in treating deep vein thrombosis, which is a complication of hip fracture. Research has also shown that vascular reconstruction of lower extremity injuries may avoid the need for amputation.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
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