Osteoarthritis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Osteoarthritis, including details on treatment, symptoms, causes, medication.

A new articulated distraction arthroplasty device for treatment of the osteoarthritic knee joint: a preliminary report.

Deie M, Ochi M, Adachi N, Kajiwara R, Kanaya A

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of a new distraction arthroplasty device when used in conjunction with a bone marrow-stimulating technique for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. METHODS: We developed a new distraction arthroplasty device that allows continuous joint movement. We compared preoperative and postoperative findings for 6 knees (6 patients; age range, 42 to 58 years). The fixation period for the distraction device ranged from 7 to 13 weeks, and the follow-up period ranged from 1 to 3.5 years. RESULTS: The Japanese Orthopaedic Association knee score, range of motion, and joint space values were significantly improved in all cases at the latest follow-up (P < .05). Scores on a visual analog pain scale were also significantly improved (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that treatment using this new arthroplasty device in combination with a bone marrow-stimulating method was effective for osteoarthritic knees in middle-aged patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Published 7 August 2007 in Arthroscopy, 23(8): 833-8.
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