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Bone marrow lesions (BML) represent areas of deteriorated bone structure and metabolism characterized by pronounced water‐equivalent signaling within the trabecular bone on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). BML are associated with repair mechanisms subsequent to various clinical conditions associated with inflammatory and non‐inflammatory injury to the bone. There is no approved treatment for this condition. Bisphosphonates are known to improve bone stability in osteoporosis and other bone disorders and have been used off‐label to treat BML. A randomized, triple‐blind, placebo‐controlled phase III trial was conducted to assess efficacy and safety of single‐dose zoledronic acid (ZOL) 5 mg iv with vitamin D 1000 IU/d as opposed to placebo with vitamin D 1000 IU/d in 48 patients (randomized 2:1) with BML. Primary efficacy endpoint was reduction of edema volume 6 weeks after treatment as assessed by MRI. After treatment, mean BML volume decreased by 64.53% (±41.92%) in patients receiving zoledronic acid and increased by 14.43% (±150.46%) in the placebo group (p = 0.007). A decrease in BML volume was observed in 76.5% of patients receiving ZOL and in 50% of the patients receiving placebo. Pain level (visual analogue scale [VAS]) and all categories of the pain disability index (PDI) improved with ZOL versus placebo after 6 weeks but reconciled after 6 additional weeks of follow‐up. Six serious adverse events occurred in 5 patients, none of which were classified as related to the study drug. No cases of osteonecrosis or fractures occurred. Therefore, single‐dose zoledronic acid 5 mg iv together with vitamin D may enhance resolution of bone marrow lesions over 6 weeks along with reduction of pain compared with vitamin D supplementation only.
Background
The role of cement-augmented screw fixation for calcaneal fracture treatment remains unclear. Therefore, this study was performed to biomechanically analyze screw osteosynthesis by reinforcement with either a calcium phosphate (CP)-based or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-based injectable bone cement.
Methods
A calcaneal fracture (Sanders type IIA) including a central cancellous bone defect was generated in 27 synthetic bones, and the specimens were assigned to 3 groups. The first group was fixed with four screws (3.5 mm and 6.5 mm), the second group with screws and CP-based cement (Graftys (R) QuickSet; Graftys, Aix-en-Provence, France), and the third group with screws and PMMA-based cement (Traumacem (TM) V+; DePuy Synthes, Warsaw, IN, USA). Biomechanical testing was conducted to analyze peak-to-peak displacement, total displacement, and stiffness in following a standardized protocol.
Results
The peak-to-peak displacement under a 200-N load was not significantly different among the groups; however, peak-to-peak displacement under a 600- and 1000-N load as well as total displacement exhibited better stability in PMMA-augmented screw osteosynthesis compared to screw fixation without augmentation. The stiffness of the construct was increased by both CP- and PMMA-based cements.
Conclusion
Addition of an injectable bone cement to screw osteosynthesis is able to increase fixation strength in a biomechanical calcaneal fracture model with synthetic bones. In such cases, PMMA-based cements are more effective than CP-based cements because of their inherently higher compressive strength. However, whether this high strength is required in the clinical setting for early weight-bearing remains controversial, and the non-degradable properties of PMMA might cause difficulties during subsequent interventions in younger patients.