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The present study aimed to investigate the effects of levodopa (LEV) on cellular apoptosis in a rabbit model of steroid-associated necrosis of the femoral head (SANFH). A total of 44 healthy adult Chinese rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (n=15), administered a combination of lipopolysaccharide and hormone to establish the SANFH animal model; group B (n=15), SANFH animal model as in group A orally administered LEV (0.4 g/kg/day) on the day of injection; and group C (n=14), the control group. On the 6th and 8th week of modeling, seven rabbits from each group were sacrificed to harvest bilateral femoral head specimens for hematoxylin and eosin staining and apoptosis detection by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling assay analysis, as well as for observing pathological changes and analyzing cellular apoptosis. Eight weeks after modeling, the serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 levels of the three groups were measured. The empty lacunae rate and apoptosis index of bone cells in the treatment group were significantly lower than that of the model group (P<0.01). Eight weeks after treatment, the serum levels of IGF-1 were significantly higher than that of the model group (P<0.01). These findings suggested that LEV was able to reduce steroid-induced bone cellular apoptosis, reduce the occurrence of necrosis of the femoral head and, through in vivo metabolism, it may promote the synthesis and release of IGF-1, which could be one of its biological pathways to prevent and treat SANFH.

Objective: To analyze the clinical feature and constituent ratio of adult hip fractures in Southwest China., Methods: The data of adult inpatients and outpatients with hip fractures treated between January 2010 and December 2011 in 11 hospitals of the Southwest China were collected and analyzed. The data includes gender, age, age distribution and fracture pattern according to AO classification., Results: There were a total of 2,833 adult hip fractures, including 1,340 (47.30%) males and 1,493 (52.70%) females, with a male-to-female incidence ratio of 1: 1.11 and a mean age of (66±18) years. The highest frequency of hip fractures was seen in the 71 to 85 years age group (42.18%, 1,195/2,833). There were 844 fractures (29.79%) in the young and middle-aged group (16-<60 years) and 1 898 fractures (70.21%) in the geriatric group (≥60 years). Men had a higher rate than women (men: 577 fractures, 68.4%) in the young and middle-aged group, while women had a higher rate than men (women: 1,226 fractures, 61.64%) in the geriatric group, with a significant difference in the sex distribution between the two groups (χ2=214.001, P<0.01). The proportion of intertrochanteric fracture (type 31-A), femoral neck (type 31-B) and femoral head fracture (type 31-C) was 46.59%, 49.74% and 3.67% respectively. The highest frequency of the sub-type in each fracture type was type 31-A2, type 31-B2 and type 31-C2., Conclusions: Women have a higher rate than men in Southwest China. Geriatric patients are more than the young and middle-aged patients. The femoral neck fractures, intertrochanteric fractures and femoral head fractures are in descending orders according to the proportion of the three different hip fractures.

Objective: To investigate the early clinical effect of resurfacing arthroplasty on the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head in the young and middle-aged patients., Methods: Eleven patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head in Ficat Stages III -IV (14 hips) were treated by femoral head resurfacing operations. Of 11 cases, there were 7 males and 4 females. With an age range of 35 to 49 years. While 13 patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head in Ficat Stages III - IV (16 hips) were treated by total hip resurfacing arthroplasty of 13 cases there were 8 males and 5 females. With an age range of 23 to 48 years. The prostheses were improved in light of the anatomic features of the Chinese., Results: These patients treated by femoral head resurfacing operations were followed up for 1 to 5 years. The average Harris hip score was increased from 39 points preoperatively to 91 points postoperatively. These patients treated by total hip resurfacing operations were followed up for 6 to 40 months. The average Harris hip score was increased from 30 points preoperatively to 93 points postoperatively., Conclusion: Hip resurfacing operations may be the most effective treatment for avascular necrosis of the femoral head in the young and middle aged patients.