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Biomedical subjects

E Y Chao

Publications and source records attributed to E Y Chao.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Observer variation in the detection of acetabular bone deficiencies.

To determine observer variation in the detection of acetabular bone deficiencies, 42 pairs of frontal (AP) and lateral hip radiographs and CT studies for total hip arthroplasty patients obtained within an average of 4 weeks of each other were reviewed separately by five radiologists and one orthopedic surgeon. Interobserver variations were calculated for each individual reading the films using kappa values. The individual film readings were then compared with a consensus reading of the CT data. When separate observers were analyzed, agreement on plain film readings was slight to fair (av. kappa = 0.1440 +/- 0.1047). The individual observers were not able to give readings which were very consistent with the CT consensus reading, resulting in a low sensitivity (65%) and specificity (74%) for acetabular defect classification with plain radiographs. The identification of acetabular bone defects from the AP and lateral views of the hip is highly subjective and variable from observer to observer.

Acetabulum

A comparison of different methods in predicting static pressure distribution in articulating joints.

Pressure distribution along the contact surface of an articulating joint model was analyzed using different numerical and analytical methods: a discrete rigid element method [rigid-body-spring-model (RBSM)], the finite element method (FEM), a simplified elasticity solution (SES) and the modified Hertzian (MH) theory. The FEM and MH methods modeled joints interposed with elastic layers, while the RBSM and SES methods assumed a simplified joint with a rigid convex indenter on an elastic concave surface. Results for an axisymmetric joint model indicate that all of these methods predict similar pressure distributions on joint surfaces. In non-axisymmetric deformation mode, the RBSM method and FEM calculation showed good agreement in contact pressure prediction. Compared to the other three methods, the RBSM is relatively simple and effective in predicting joint contact pressure under symmetric and non-symmetric loading. The computational efficiency of the RBSM method is particularly attractive for pre-operative planning of reconstructive surgical procedures in orthopaedics in which geometric changes dictate the eventual outcome of the surgery.

Biomechanical Phenomena

Internal forces and moments in the femur during walking.

The forces exerted by the soft and hard tissues of the thigh together represent a system in equilibrium. This balance of loads must be considered when the system components are examined independently. However, in many biomechanical analyses of the thigh, the femur is studied without considering soft tissue loading. To improve the understanding of femoral loading a three-dimensional model was developed. Taking into account all thigh muscles, body weight and contact forces at the hip, patello-femoral and knee joints, the internal loads of the bone were calculated. Internal loads of the femur decreased as a result of muscle activity from proximal to distal at the hip and from distal to proximal at the knee. The load reduction could be up to 50% of the internal forces at the hip, depending on gait phase. Maximal forces were found between 40 and 60% of the stance phase, whereas maximal torsional moments occurred shortly after heel strike. This model demonstrated that muscles play a substantial role in balancing the loads within the femur. In general, the bone is loaded axially, rather than in bending, with maximum shear forces at the proximal and distal ends. Bending moments are relatively small compared to models which do not consider muscle activity. From one gait phase to another, the femur experiences alternating, rather than one-sided bending load.

Biomechanical Phenomena

A comparison of methods of repairing the symphysis pubis in bladder exstrophy by tensile testing.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of several fixation techniques in the reconstruction of diastasis of the symphysis pubis in bladder exstrophy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The symphysis of 32 pelves removed from piglets about 1 month old were disrupted and repaired using one of eight methods. After repair, each pelvis was tested biomechanically for load-to-failure, stiffness and energy-to-failure. The various repair techniques were compared with one another and to a group of six pelves tested intact. RESULTS: Four of the methods tested, including a #2 nylon suture placed through bone in a horizontal mattress arrangement, several loops of #2 nylon suture tied around the pubes, Mersilene tape tied around the pubes, and Mitek G-II suture anchors placed into the superior pubic rami, showed the highest stiffness and load-to-failure. All methods were very weak compared with the intact symphysis; the best load-to-failure (#2 nylon horizontal mattress suture) was less than half of that for intact bone, and the best stiffness (mersilene tape) was less than one-third that for the intact symphysis. CONCLUSION: The repairs varied greatly in the variables tested and those which are most promising merit further investigation to assess methods of improving their performance.

Animals

Free vascularised fibular grafting for reconstruction after tumour resection.

We have reviewed 30 patients at a mean of 36 months after free vascularised fibular transfer to reconstruct massive skeletal defects after resection of primary bone tumours. There were 23 malignant and 7 benign neoplasms, half in the lower limb and half in the upper. Arthrodesis was performed in 15 and intercalary bone replacement in 15. The mean fibular graft length was 189 mm. Union was achieved in 27 (90%) at an average of 7.6 months, and the 3-year survival was 89%. There was a high complication rate (50%), but most resolved without greatly influencing the final outcome. There was local recurrence in two (6.7%), but 16 of the 24 assessed patients (67%) had satisfactory functional results. This is a reasonably effective means of reconstruction for limb salvage after resection of tumours.

Adolescent

Treatment of humeral shaft fractures by retrograde locked nailing.

From 1992 to 1994, 29 middle and 19 distal humeral shaft fractures (39 acute fractures, six nonunions, and three pathologic fractures) in 48 patients were treated by retrograde locked nailing. The first eight acute fractures were treated with Seidel nails, the other 40 fractures with specially designed humeral locked nails. Nails were inserted from the supracondylar (6) or the olecranon fossa (42) entry portal. With a single operation, all acute fractures and nonunions achieved osseous union without serious complications. The average time to union was 8.2 weeks for acute fractures and 14.2 weeks for nonunions. Recovery of shoulder function was complete. Elbow motion was excellent in all but one nonunion that resulted from a Type IIIB open fracture. Two patients with supracondylar entry had apex to posterior angular malunion. One patient with a distal comminuted fracture had varus malunion. Three patients had an iatrogenic bony split, but healing was unaffected. Patients with pathologic fractures maintained satisfactory arm function postoperatively. Given the few complications and good functional recovery seen in this study, retrograde locked nailing appears to be a good alternative treatment in middle and distal humeral shaft fractures. The olecranon fossa approach, with more linearity to the humerus, is preferred. In the authors' experience, humeral locked nails are inserted more easily and are associated with fewer complications than are Seidel nails.

Adolescent

A new method for theoretical analysis of static indentation test.

A new mathematical method was developed to study the indentation problem of an infinite elastic layer overlaid on a rigid foundation. Rigid, flat-ended cylindrical or spherical indenters are pressed onto the upper surface of the elastic layer causing a small deformation mode. Shear stresses between the indenter and the layer are assumed negligible and the layer is assumed to be either bonded or unbonded to the rigid foundation. The problem is equivalent to a mixed boundary-value problem of the theory of elasticity. Instead of using the Fredholm integral equation reported in the literature, the new approach obtained closed-form solutions through an infinite series. Convergence can be achieved using less than 10 terms of the series.

Algorithms

Fixation of femoral allograft/prosthesis composites after 25%, 50% and 75% resection.

The relative linear and angular displacements of proximal femoral reconstructions were compared within six different replacement techniques during ex vivo axial compression, mediolateral bending, and axial torsion in dogs. Each femur was osteotomized at 25%, 50%, or 75% of its length and the proximal portion subsequently replaced using one of six techniques. The reconstruction techniques included various combinations of proximal and distal fixation methods (graft fixation/distal fixation): (1) an allograft/prosthesis composite (APC) press-fit proximally and cemented distally (press-fit/cement); (2) APC cemented proximally and distally (cement/cement); (3) APC cemented proximally and the host bone/graft interface double plated (cement/plates); (4) APC cemented proximally and secured distally with bicortical screws (cement/screws); (5) APC secured proximally and distally with bicortical screws (screws/screws); (6) Segmental proximal femoral replacement cemented into the distal femur without an allograft (no graft/cement). For axial compression and mediolateral bending, the combined resection lengths revealed no differences in linear and angular displacements, respectively, between reconstruction methods. During axial torsion, the cement/cement technique allowed larger angular displacements than all but the press-fit/cement technique which had larger displacements than the cement/screws, screws/screws, and no graft/cement groups (p < 0.0001). Overall, the measured implant stability was solid and consistent as evidenced by small amounts of relative displacement and small error values.

Animals

Limb salvage for neoplasms of the shoulder girdle. Intermediate reconstructive and functional results.

The intermediate functional results were assessed for fifty-seven patients who had had a limb-salvage procedure for treatment of a tumor of the shoulder girdle region at our institution from 1980 through 1990. Fifty-three patients had a malignant bone tumor (a sarcoma) and four had an extensive giant-cell tumor. The resections were classified according to the system of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society. A variety of reconstructive procedures were performed after resection of the tumor, with the choice of procedure depending on the type of resection and the needs of the patient. The functional results were described and graded quantitatively according to the functional rating system of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society. The average duration of follow-up was 5.3 years (median, 4.6 years) for the forty-seven patients who were still alive at the time of the latest follow-up examination. Eight patients died of disease and two others died of unrelated malignant tumors an average of 1.8 years postoperatively. The resection of the tumor was classified as wide in forty of the fifty-three patients who had a sarcoma and as marginal in thirteen; four patients had local recurrence (two, after a wide resection, and two, after a marginal resection). One of the four patients who had a giant-cell tumor had local recurrence. The functional results were related to the type of resection and the method of skeletal reconstruction. After resection of the entire scapula and the proximal aspect of the humerus, reconstruction with a spacer frequently resulted in asymptomatic superior subluxation of the implant and poor function of the shoulder. After extra-articular resection of the glenoid cavity and the proximal aspect of the humerus with loss of the abductor mechanism, osseous arthrodesis resulted in good function that was superior to that found after reconstruction with a spacer or a proximal humeral replacement prosthesis. Our preferred method to achieve fusion was insertion of an intercalary allograft and a vascularized fibular graft. However, the allograft fractured in three of four patients in whom primary fusion had been obtained with this technique. An osteoarticular allograft inserted after intra-articular resection of the proximal aspect of the humerus and preservation of the abductor mechanism provided good function that was superior to that found after reconstruction with a proximal humeral replacement prosthesis, which produced symptomatic instability that led to a secondary arthrodesis in some patients. However, subchondral fracture and collapse of the osteoarticular allograft occurred in four of eight patients by the time of the latest follow-up examination. The results of all methods of reconstruction were satisfactory with regard to pain, emotional acceptance, and manual dexterity. We believe that the use of a method of reconstruction that is appropriate with regard to the needs of the patient and preoperative counseling regarding the expected functional level and restrictions of activity are critical for a high level of postoperative satisfaction.

Adolescent

Megaprostheses after resection of distal femoral tumors. A rotating hinge design in 30 patients followed for 2-7 years.

Between 1981-1993, we inserted 32 Kinematic Rotating-Hinge Knee tumor prostheses in 30 patients, of which 2 concerned revisions of the same type of prosthesis. The diagnoses were 21 osteosarcomas, 2 chondrosarcomas, 2 Ewing's sarcomas, 2 metastatic breast carcinomas, 1 multiple myeloma, 1 giant cell tumor and 1 Gorham's disease. The median age was 25 (12-60) years and the median follow-up for survivors was 3.5 (2-6.6) years. There were 7 metastases and 1 local recurrence. 20 knees had excellent (MSTS) scores for motion (median flexion 120 degrees), 8 had good (84 degrees) and 4 had fair (45 degrees). The overall function was excellent in 6 cases, good in 14, fair in 9 and poor in 3. The radiographic assessment (ISOLS) gave "excellent" or "good" scores in 27 knees for bone remodelling, 31 for the interface, 28 for the anchorage, 31 for the implant body and 30 for the articulation. Extracortical bone bridging greater than 25% was observed in 18 of 27 prostheses.

Adolescent

Development of a canine chemotherapeutic model with ifosfamide.

The purpose of this study was to develop a canine experimental model for neoadjuvant chemotherapy of primary bone tumors with ifosfamide, which is safe and clinically relevant for use in human beings with bone tumors. Our study was divided into two steps, each with four dogs. In the first step ifosfamide was administered for 4 consecutive days in three cycles with 3-week intervals between each cycle. For this first step a daily dosage of 300 mg/m2 of body surface resulted in only moderate leukopenia, whereas a daily dosage of 450 mg/m2 caused severe leukopenia. Therefore, to determine the maximal dose tolerable and to verify the results from step 1, we administered the higher daily dosage of 450 mg/m2 in step 2 for four successive cycles with 3-week intervals. In each step one dog died acutely after the first cycle of chemotherapy. In addition during step 2 one dog died of overwhelming sepsis after the second cycle of ifosfamide. The remaining five dogs survived without other appreciable laboratory abnormalities. Neither hematuria nor proteinuria was observed throughout the course of study, and relevant findings were not observed at autopsy. We determined that 450 mg/m2 was the maximal tolerated dosage of ifosfamide for our regimen, with the dose-limiting factor being myelosuppression, specifically leukopenia. Using this canine model, we can estimate the effect of ifosfamide on bone graft incorporations and the fixation of biologic prostheses that is clinically the most important aspect of limb salvage surgery.

Animals

Effects of freeze/thaw conditioning on the tensile properties and failure mode of bone-muscle-bone units: a biomechanical and histological study in dogs.

Eight pairs of canine supraspinatus bone-muscle-bone units were mechanically tested to failure in tension. One side was tested immediately post mortem, and the other side was tested after exposure to a standard freeze/thaw process (-60 degrees C). The failure site was analyzed histologically. Fresh specimens had greater values for ultimate strength (p < 0.001), stiffness (p < 0.001), and energy to failure (p < 0.001). All specimens failed in the muscle close to the musculotendinous junction. The length of muscles subjected to the freezing process was reduced (9.3%). In addition, the load-displacement curves for the fresh and frozen specimens showed marked differences in shape. The loss of tensile strength in muscle tissue is due to damage of the intracellular contractile elements caused by postmortem autolysis; this type of damage is increased as a result of the freeze/thaw process. The freeze/thaw process significantly altered the tensile properties of normal muscle tissue, no matter how carefully it was done. One cannot expect to receive representative data if muscle is frozen and thawed.

Animals

Comparison of healing of allograft/endoprosthetic composites with three types of gluteus medius attachment.

This study compared three methods of gluteus medius tendon attachment to an allograft/endoprosthetic composite of the proximal 25% of the femur in a canine model. The three methods were bone to bone, tendon to bone, and tendon to tendon attachment. In an in vivo study, 24 dogs were assigned to three groups of eight dogs each, and serial radiography and weight-bearing analyses were performed throughout the study. The dogs were killed at 6 months, and the specimens were tested in tension to failure and were analyzed histologically. In an in vitro study, each repair was done on six limbs, with a contralateral limb serving as a control for each. In these specimens, the bone to bone attachments were significantly stronger (99.1% of the controls) than the tendon to bone attachments (71.8% of the controls) and the tendon to tendon attachments (40.0% of the controls); there were no differences in tensile stiffness among the three types of attachment. By 6 months, the tensile strength of the tendon to tendon attachments increased significantly and that of the tendon to bone attachments decreased significantly. There were no significant differences in tensile strength among the three types of attachment. The tensile stiffness of the bone to bone attachments (91.0% of the controls) was significantly greater than that of the tendon to bone attachments (40.8% of the controls) but not significantly different from that of the tendon to tendon attachments (63.2% of the controls). The bone to bone attachment was associated with increased bone resorption, bone remodeling, and bone porosity, accompanied by thinner allograft cortices, when compared with the other types of attachment. In dogs with a bone to bone attachment, weight-bearing increased more slowly than in dogs with either of the other two attachments. These changes associated with the bone to bone attachment may merely be secondary to healing of the bone to bone attachment to the greater trochanter; therefore, they may only be temporary phenomena or they may be the portents for long-term complications. Longer term studies of at least 1-2 years must be performed before these questions can be answered.

Animals

Thermal response and torque resistance of five cortical half-pins under simulated insertion technique.

A model was developed that can quantitate heat generation during placement of half-pins in cortical bone. Five half-pins were tested to assess differences in insertion torque, heat generation, and micro-damage at the pin-bone interface. Thin thermocouple probes were placed 0.5 mm from the track of the pin and within the pin to measure its temperature during insertion. Scanning electron microscopy was used to view the pin-bone interface to assess the microdamage during placement. The design of the tip of the pin influenced insertion torque and heat generation. Higher heat generation was measured when a thermocouple was placed within the pin itself and less was measured when thermocouple probes were placed within bone samples 0.5 mm from the impending pin track. Furthermore, insertion torque and thermal responses were related, but there were no significant differences in microdamage to bone when different pins and drilling/tapping techniques were used. Due to the significant heat generation at the pin-bone interface, proper cooling with saline irrigation should be applied during pin insertion regardless of the design of the pin. The microdamage observed at the surface of the pin track may have significant implications with regard to loosening of pins, but such effects must be studied with in vivo models.

Animals

Comparison of allograft/endoprosthetic composites with a step-cut or transverse osteotomy configuration.

This study was designed to compare the biomechanical and functional characteristics of allograft/endoprosthetic composites of the proximal 25% of the femur repaired with either a transverse or a step-cut osteotomy, using a canine model (10 dogs, five with each type of osteotomy). Serial radiography and weight-bearing studies were performed monthly, and mechanical testing was done 6 months after surgery. The femora were tested in torsion and compared with the contralateral control (insertion of a femoral component but no osteotomy). At 6 months, the composites with a step-cut osteotomy had 36% greater structural stiffness than the composites with a transverse osteotomy (p < 0.005) and 121% greater maximum torque at failure than the controls (p < 0.005), without greater structural stiffness. Evaluation of peak vertical ground reaction forces revealed significantly greater weight-bearing on the experimental limb in dogs with a transverse osteotomy. The results of this relatively short-term study were mixed. Despite the increased structural stiffness of the allograft/endoprosthetic composite with a step-cut osteotomy, the dogs with this type of reconstruction had decreased weight-bearing throughout the course of the study. The step-cut osteotomy may augment the stability of the allograft/endoprosthetic composite, allowing faster healing (as demonstrated by the results of mechanical testing), but in some way, not understood, may cause pain in the reconstructed limb. Longer term studies are needed to answer these questions and to determine whether alteration of the traditional transverse osteotomy has any advantage.

Animals

Force and pressure transmission through the normal wrist. A theoretical two-dimensional study in the posteroanterior plane.

Force transmission through the wrist in the normal population was investigated using the rigid body spring modeling (RBSM) technique (assuming carpal bones are rigid bodies interposed by series of springs simulating articulating cartilage and constraining ligaments). One-hundred and twenty normal wrist posteroanterior X-rays of adults (evenly divided to represent both genders and two age groups) provided the anatomical data. Reaction forces between the carpal bones were modeled using a system of compression linear springs, representing cartilage and subchondral bone, and of tensile linear springs, representing ligaments. The spring constants were determined based on the material properties of wrist cartilage and ligaments. Assumed axial loads were applied along the metacarpals to simulate a grasp strength of 10 N with active stabilization of the wrist in neutral position. The force transmission ratio at the radio-ulno-carpal joint was 55% through the radio-scaphoid and 35% through the radio-lunate joints. The remaining 10% of the load was passing through the triangular fibrocartilage with minor differences between genders. Among the intercarpal joints, a large percentage of the load of the wrist was transmitted to the scaphoid. The peak pressure was highest at the proximal pole of the radio-scaphoid, with a radio-scaphoid versus radio-lunate peak pressure ratio of 1.6. The most important ligaments in terms of load transmission were those opposing ulnar translation of the carpus. The wrist morphology had little influence on the magnitude and pattern of load distribution. There was no effect of age on wrist force distribution.

Adult

A comparison of intersegmental joint dynamics to isokinetic dynamometer measurements.

This study quantified the errors associated with measurements obtained using an isokinetic dynamometer for knee evaluation at 60 degrees and 180 degrees s-1. Five normal subjects were tested. A triaxial electrogoniometer was used to measure the kinematics. A custom-designed load cell was used to measure the three orthogonal components of the reaction force applied by the isokinetic dynamometer to the leg. The inverse dynamics problem was solved to obtain the intersegmental dynamics at the knee joint. These data were compared to those obtained from the isokinetic dynamometer. The results indicate that the knee motion recorded by the isokinetic dynamometer was in error by 7-9 degrees during flexion and 10-13 degrees during extension. The isokinetic dynamometer recorded knee flexions which were less than actual during the flexion portion of the exercise and greater than actual during extension. The duration of constant velocity was limited based on the speed selected. The knee moment was in error by 5 Nm during flexion and 25-29 Nm during extension. The use of a gravity correction factor reduced the knee moment error during extension, but increased it during flexion.

Biomechanical Phenomena