Introduction. The ACTIVE(Advanced Cartilage Treatment with Injectable-hydrogel Validation of the Effect) study investigates safety and performance of a novel dextran-tyramine hydrogel implant for treatment of small cartilage defects in the knee (0.5-2.0cm2). The hydrogel is composed of a mixture of natural polymer conjugates that are mixed intra-operatively and which cross-link in situ through a mild enzymatic reaction, providing a cell-free scaffold for cartilage repair. Method. The ACTIVE study is split into a safety (n=10) and a performance cohort (n=36). The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), pain (numeric rating scale, NRS), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were compared at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The primary performance hypothesis is an average change in the KOOS from baseline to 12 months (ΔKOOS) greater than a minimal clinically important change (MIC) of 10. No statistical tests were performed as these are preliminary data on a smaller portion of the total study. Result. All patients of the safety cohort (n=10, mean age±SD, 30±9 years) were treated with the hydrogel for a symptomatic (NRS≥4) cartilage defect on the femoral condyle or trochlear groove (mean size±SD, 1.2±0.4cm2). No signs of an adverse foreign tissue reaction or serious adverse events were recorded within the safety cohort. At final follow-up mean KOOS±SD was 66.9±23.5, mean NRS resting±SD was 1.3±1.9, NRS activity±SD was 3.8±2.9 and mean SF-36±SD was 72.0±10.9. ΔKOOS was 21. One patient sustained new knee trauma prior to final follow-up, affecting final scores considerably. When excluded, ΔKOOS was 24(n=9). Conclusion. These promising initial findings provide a solid basis for continuation and expansion of this unique cartilage treatment. The MIC of 10 was surpassed. Though, results should be interpreted cautiously as they are based solely on preliminary data of the first 10 patients. Acknowledgements. Study is sponsored by Hy2Care, producer of the CartRevive®(dextran-tyramine) Hydrogel implant

The multimodal management of canal stenosis is increasing, and inhibitors of central sensitization are playing a crucial role in central sensitization processes. Pregabalin and gabapentin are antiepileptic drugs that reduce presynaptic excitability. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the use of pregabalin and gabapentin is effective in the symptomatic management of canal stenosis. A literature search was conducted in four databases. The inclusion criteria were studies that compared pregabalin or gabapentin with a control group in lumbar canal stenosis. Randomized clinical trials and a comparative retrospective cohort study were included. The main clinical endpoints were VAS/NRS, ODI, and RDQ (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire) at 2, 4, 8 weeks, and 3 months, adverse events, and walking distance were also collected. Data were combined using Review Manager 5.4 software. Six studies and 392 patients were included. The mean age was 60.25. No significant differences were observed in VAS at 2, 4, and 8 weeks: (MD: 0.23; 95% CI: −0.63-1.09), (MD: −0.04; 95% CI: −0.64 to −0.57), and (MD: −0.6; 95% CI: −1.22 to 0.02). Significant differences were observed in favor of pregabalin with respect to VAS at three months: (MD: −2.97; 95% CI: −3.43 to −2.51). No significant differences were observed in ODI (MD: −3.47; 95% CI: −7.15 to −0.21). Adverse events were significantly higher in the pregabalin/gabapentin group (OR 5.88, 95%CI 1.28-27.05). Walking distance and RDQ could not be compared, although the results were controversial. Gabapentinoids have not been shown to be superior to other drugs used in the treatment of LSS or to placebo. However, they have shown a higher incidence of adverse effects, improved results in VAS at 3 months, and a slight improvement in ambulation at 4 months in combination with NSAIDs compared to NSAIDs in monotherapy

Objectives. To define Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) thresholds for the Oxford hip score (OHS) and Oxford knee score (OKS) at mid-term follow-up. Methods. In a prospective multicentre cohort study, OHS and OKS were collected at a mean follow-up of three years (1.5 to 6.0), combined with a numeric rating scale (NRS) for satisfaction and an external validation question assessing the patient’s willingness to undergo surgery again. A total of 550 patients underwent total hip replacement (THR) and 367 underwent total knee replacement (TKR). Results. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves identified a PASS threshold of 42 for the OHS after THR and 37 for the OKS after TKR. THR patients with an OHS ≥ 42 and TKR patients with an OKS ≥ 37 had a higher NRS for satisfaction and a greater likelihood of being willing to undergo surgery again. Conclusions. PASS thresholds appear larger at mid-term follow-up than at six months after surgery. With- out external validation, we would advise against using these PASS thresholds as absolute thresholds in defining whether or not a patient has attained an acceptable symptom state after THR or TKR. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;3:7–13

Diffuse noxious inhibitory control (DNIC) works through the “pain-inhibits-pain” principle in which an additional painful (conditioned) stimulus can suppress the initial experienced pain through the descending and inhibiting pathways. Painful stimulation produced less pain inhibition in patients with knee osteoarthritis patients (KOA) than in controls, suggesting an impaired DNIC function and a loss of endogenous pain modulation. Electroacupuncture (EA) is widely used to treat acute pain associated with KOA, but the available evidence of its benefit on chronification of acute pain is scarce. This is a single-arm clinical study aims to evaluate the effect of EA on the chronification of pain associated with KOA and provide a profile of various cytokines underlying the pathogenesis of KOA. Participants are recruited through hospital-based recruitment and advertisements, diagnosis was based upon the criteria formulated by the American College of Rheumatology. Each participant was administered with EA (2 mA < current < 5 mA) at the ipsilateral EX-LE5, ST35, ST34 and SP10 for two weeks (once a day, 30 minutes per session, in 5 sessions per week). Visual Analog Scale (VAS), DNIC function, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Emotional Scale (ES) and Present Pain Intensity (PPI) are evaluated before treatment and after 5 to 10 sessions of treatment. Cytokines including GRO, TNF-α, VEGF, IP-10, IL-1β, IL-17, IL-8, MCP-1 and IL-10 levels in plasma were measured using a Human Cytokine/Chemokine Magnetic Bead Panel on MAGPIX instrument before and after two weeks of treatment. A total of 39 patients with KOA were enrolled in our study (age: 63.46±9.89 years; height: 1.63±0.07 m; BMI: 22.83±2.89), all of them completed the trial. After 5 sessions of EA treatment, a significant decrease of VAS, WOMAC scores, NRS, ES and PPI was detected, but no significant difference in DNIC was observed. After two weeks' treatment, all clinical parameters (VAS, DNIC, WOMAC, NRS, ES, PPI) reduced significantly when compared with baseline; GRO, IL-17A, IL-1b, IL-8, MCP-1, TNF-a, VEGF levels in plasma reduced significantly while IL-10 and IP-10 concentrations were elevated. This study appeared to provide evidence that EA was effective in improving chronic pain associated with KOA through repairing the impaired DNIC function and down-regulation of OA detrimental cytokines. A randomized controlled prospective study with large sample size is required to clarify the effect of EA in reversing the chronification of pain in KOA

Autologous micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) for the treatment of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) is gaining interest although there is still a lack of supportive data on safety and clinical efficacy. This study primarily aimed to identify patient- and pathology-related parameters to tighten patient selection criteria for future clinical MFAT application. Secondly, the overall (1) therapeutic response rate (TRR), (2) short-term clinical effect, (3) effect durability and (4) therapeutic safety was investigated at a minimal follow-up of 1 year. Sixty-four subjects (91 knees) with symptomatic knee OA (mild-severe on MRI) were enrolled in a prospective single-centre case series. Ethical approval was obtained from the local and academic ethical committee (#B300201733775). After liposuction, the adipose tissue was mechanically processed in a Lipogem® device which eventually produced 6–9cc MFAT. Subjects were clinically assessed by means of the KOOS, NRS, UCLA and EQ-5D at baseline and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after injection. Adverse events were meticulously recorded. The TRR was defined according to the OMERACT-OARSI criteria. A baseline MRI was scored following the MOAKS system. Paired sample t-tests, independent t-test and Fischer's exact test were applied on appropriate variables. Multiple regression models were fit separately for patient-and pathology-specific factors. Significance level was set at α=0.05. The overall TRR was 66% at 3 months and 50% at 12 months after injection. Subgroup analysis revealed that specifically patients with no-mild bone marrow lesions (BML) had a TRR of 88% at 3 months and 75% at 12 months after MFAT injection. Therapy responders at these timepoints improved with 29.3±14.1 points and 30.8±15.3 points on KOOS pain, while non-responders deteriorated mildly. All clinical scores were significantly higher at follow-up compared to baseline (p<0.05). BMI (factor 0.17, p=0.002) and age (factor −0.48, p=0.048) were prognosticators for the TRR% at 1 month and for absolute KOOS pain improvement at 6 months, respectively. Posterior horn lesions (PHL) in the medial meniscus (p<0.001) and bone marrow lesions (p=0.003) were negative prognosticators for the TRR at respectively 6 and 12 months post-injection. An inflammatory reaction (pain, swelling or stiffness) to MFAT was reported in 79% knees and resolved spontaneously within 16.6±13.5 days after administration. The study showed a durable and satisfying TRR (up to 75% at 1 year in selected patients without BML) and clinical improvement after a single intra-articular injection with autologous MFAT. The availability of an index knee MRI is mandatory to select MFAT patients, preferably with no or mild BML and without PHL of the medial meniscus. High BMI and younger age are associated with better early outcomes. In comparison to other injection therapies such as cortisone, hyaluronic acid and PRP, MFAT appears very attractive with an effect durability of at least 1 year

Purpose. Even though various factors have been associated with neck pain, skeletal muscle mechanical properties have been cited among the leading causes of neck pain. Changes in skeletal muscle stiffness may be related to chronic neck pain and these changes may be associated with the severity of pain and disability in patients with chronic neck pain. The purpose of the present study was to investigate differences in neck muscle stiffness between patients with chronic neck pain and asymptomatic control group. Another purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship of muscle stiffness with the severity of physical disability and pain in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods. A cross-sectional case-control study with 86 participants (43 patients with chronic neck pain and 43 age-matched asymptomatic controls) was designed. The present study included patients with a pain intensity level of 20 or more based on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and a total disability level of 10 or more based on the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Ultrasonic evaluation of upper trapezius, splenius capitis, and sternocleidomastoid muscle performed with the ACUSON S3000 Ultrasonography Device using Siemens 9L4 (4–9 MHz) linear-array ultrasound probe. Shear Wave Velocity (SWV) of selected muscles was obtained using customized software, Virtual Touch Imaging and Quantification® (Siemens Medical Solution, Mountain View, CA, USA). Results. SWV of splenius capitis was similar in both groups (p=0.979); however, SWV of upper trapezius (p<0.001) and sternocleidomastoid (p=0.003) of the patients with chronic neck pain were higher compared to the asymptomatic controls groups. NRS score did not correlate with SWV of upper trapezius (r=−0.27, p=0.085), sternocleidomastoid (r=−0.02, p=0.879) and splenius capitis (r=0.01, p= 0.990). Similarly, NDI score did not correlate with SWV of upper trapezius (r=−0,09 p=0.567), sternocleidomastoid (r=0.15, p=0.345) and splenius capitis (r=0.18, p= 0.274). Conclusions. SWV of splenius capitis muscle stiffness was found similar in both groups, but SWV of upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscle were found increased in patients with neck pain compared to asymptomatic controls groups. In addition, severity of pain and disability did not relate to stiffness of these muscles in patient with chronic neck pain

Background. Adequate pain management is mandatory for patients' early rehabilitation and improvement of outcome after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Conventional pain management, consisted of mainly opioids, has some adverse effects such as dizziness and nausea. Motor blockade occasionally resulted from epidural analgesics. A novel multimodal analgesic strategy with peripheral nerve block, peri-articular injection (PAI) and intravenous patient controlled analgesia (IVPCA) were utilized for our patients receiving TKA. In this study, we compared the clinical efficacy and adverse effects in the group of multimodal analgesia (MA) or epidural analgesia alone. Methods. One hundred and eighteen patients undergoing TKA with spinal anesthesia were enrolled. Patients of TKA received either our protocol of multimodal analgesia or patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) alone. MA included ultrasound guided nerve block in femoral and obturator nerves before spinal anesthesia, and PAI mixed with NSAID, morphine, ropivacaine and epinephrine, as well as IVPCA after surgeries. The analgesic effect with numeric rating scale (NRS) and occurrence of adverse effects, including motor blockade, numbness, postoperative nausea/vomiting (PONV), and dizziness were recorded for all patients. Results. Thirty-one patients received MA, and eighty-seven patients received PCEA. No significant difference of NRS in MA and PCEA group within 24 hours after surgery either in rest (0.2 ± 1 compared with 0.22 ± 0.98; p = 0.930) or motion (0.40 ± 1.56 compared with 0.31± 1.23; p = 0.764). MA group sustained lesser motor blockade than PCEA (6.45% compared with 22.98%; p = 0.028) beyond 24 hours after surgery. The occurrence of numbness is lower in MA group (18.52%) compared with PCEA group(43.33%) (p=0.031). No statistic difference of PONV and dizziness is noted between two groups. However, there is a trend that lesser PONV and dizziness occurred in MA group than PCEA group. Conclusion. TKA patients receiving either MA or PCEA have adequate analgesic efficacy after surgeries. MA group has a lower incidence of motor blockade and PONV than PCEA. This multimodal analgesia proposed here has shown patients' safety and improved pain control after TKA, decreased narcotics use and their associated side effects. Besides, lesser motor blockade and adequate pain relief may encourage patient's early rehabilitation

Background. In 2009, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) produced the guidance: Low back pain: early management of persistent non-specific low back pain aimed at general practitioners (GPs), consultants, and manual therapists in order to ensure all involved in the care of this complex and often debilitating condition are aware of the options most likely to yield a positive outcome. Two years since the publication of the clinical guidance, services have had ample time to adapt and overcome early teething issues in order to deliver these guidelines. Methods. A retrospective audit was carried out at an out-patient physiotherapy department. One-hundred notes were randomly selected from those who meet the NICE criteria, i.e. non-specific low back pain for six weeks to 12 months in duration. A questionnaire was developed to target National Health Service (NHS) musculoskeletal physiotherapists using electronic media, mail shot and professional networking (clinical interest) groups within the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). Sixty-one completed questionnaires were returned detailing the barriers for implementation. The results show that 75% of patients received NICE recommended care, and they improved by numerical rating scale (NRS) −3.89, while those who did not, improved by NRS −1.24 producing a significant difference of 2.654 (95% Confidence Interval 1.008–4.300), p≤0.002. The main perceived barriers were too few follow-up slots, local policy, managerial demands, and inadequate training. Conclusions. The conclusions are that while three-quarters of patients are receiving and benefiting from NICE recommended care, many practitioners feel departmental policy and procedures reduce compliance. Conflicts of Interest. None. Source of Funding. Poster funding via the University of Leicester. This abstract has not been previously published in whole or in part; nor has it been presented previously at a national meeting