We studied whether the presence of lateral osteophytes
on plain radiographs was a predictor for the quality of cartilage
in the lateral compartment of patients with varus osteoarthritic
of the knee (Kellgren and Lawrence grade 2 to 3). The baseline MRIs of 344 patients from the Osteoarthritis Initiative
(OAI) who had varus osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee on hip-knee-ankle
radiographs were reviewed. Patients were categorised using the Osteoarthritis
Research Society International (OARSI) osteophyte grading system
into 174 patients with grade 0 (no osteophytes), 128 grade 1 (mild
osteophytes), 28 grade 2 (moderate osteophytes) and 14 grade 3 (severe
osteophytes) in the lateral compartment (tibia). All patients had
Kellgren and Lawrence grade 2 or 3 arthritis of the medial compartment.
The thickness and volume of the lateral cartilage and the percentage
of full-thickness cartilage defects in the lateral compartment was
analysed. There was no difference in the cartilage thickness or cartilage
volume between knees with osteophyte grades 0 to 3. The percentage
of full-thickness cartilage defects on the tibial side increased
from <
2% for grade 0 and 1 to 10% for grade 3. The lateral compartment cartilage volume and thickness is not
influenced by the presence of lateral compartment osteophytes in
patients with varus OA of the knee. Large lateral compartment osteophytes
(grade 3) increase the likelihood of full-thickness cartilage defects
in the lateral compartment. Cite this article:
INTRODUCTION. Mobile bearing unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) is an accepted treatment for patients with isolated medial unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis (OA) with a full thickness cartilage loss. The aim of this study was to determine if this recommendation was correct and if the procedure could be used for partial-thickness cartilage loss. METHODS. 1053 Oxford medial UKRs were studied prospectively. The knees were divided into two groups; partial-thickness cartilage loss (PTCL) group and the full thickness-cartilage loss (FTCL) group. The primary outcome measure was the total Oxford Knee Score (OKS, 0 to 48) at the time of final follow up. The groups were also compared for the change in OKS (?OKS) and the proportion of patients that were considered to have benefited substantially from surgery (?OKS >5). RESULTS. There were 21 knees in the PTCL group, with a mean age of 61 years (SD 13) and mean follow-up of 1.7 years (SD 1.0). There were 1032 knees in the FTCL group, with a mean age of 66 years (SD 10) and mean follow-up of 3.9 years (SD 2.5). The PTCL group had a significantly lower (p=0.03) total OKS (mean 35.8, SD 10.7) at final review than the FTCL group (mean 39.8, SD 8.5). There was no significant difference in pre-operative or ?OKS between the groups. However the proportion of patients that did not have substantial benefit from surgery (?OKS>5) was significant lower (p=0.04) in the PTCL group. CONCLUSIONS. The results confirm that a good outcome can routinely be achieved with UKR if there is bone-on-bone. If there is partial loss of cartilage the results are less predictable. Although some patients do well, a higher proportion do not benefit from the surgery. It may be that in a subgroup of these patients the pain did not initially arise from the partially
Abstract. Introduction. The outcome of revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) is guarded, particularly their return to sports activities. It is important to know the factors affecting the functional outcomes following a revision ACL-R. Methods. We analysed results from 39 patients, who underwent a revision ACL reconstruction by a single surgeon and was followed up over a year. Some of them were treated in 2-stage revision while the rest were single-stage revision, depending upon their size of bone tunnel or osteolysis as assessed by pre-operative CT scan. Result. We analysed data from 39 patients with a mean age of 31 (17–52) and an average follow-up of 3.6 years (2–5 years). The average KOOS quality of life score was 58.94 (±23.02) and the mean Lysholm score was 89.48 (±10.1). Medial meniscal tear was significantly correlated with Lysholm score (p<0.005), but not with KOOS-QOL. Tear in lateral meniscus was not related significantly. Patients having Grade II or above
Aims. To investigate the risk factors for progression of articular
cartilage damage after anatomical anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
reconstruction. Patients and Methods. A total of 174 patients who underwent second-look arthroscopic
evaluation after anatomical ACL reconstruction were enrolled in
this study. The graded condition of the articular cartilage at the
time of ACL reconstruction was compared with that at second-look
arthroscopy. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), ACL reconstruction
technique, meniscal conditions, and other variables were assessed
by regression analysis as risk factors for progression of damage
to the articular cartilage. Results. In the medial compartment, multivariable logistic regression
analysis indicated that partial medial meniscectomy (odds ratio
(OR) 6.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.11 to 22.04, p = 0.001),
pivot-shift test grade at the final follow-up (OR 3.53, CI 1.39
to 8.96, p = 0.008), BMI (OR 1.15, CI 1.03 to 1.28, p = 0.015) and
medial meniscal repair (OR 3.19, CI 1.24 to 8.21, p = 0.016) were
significant risk factors for progression of
As has been shown in larger animal models, knee immobilization can lead to arthrofibrotic phenotypes. Our study included 168 C57BL/6J female mice, with 24 serving as controls, and 144 undergoing a knee procedure to induce a contracture without osteoarthritis (OA). Experimental knees were immobilized for either four weeks (72 mice) or eight weeks (72 mice), followed by a remobilization period of zero weeks (24 mice), two weeks (24 mice), or four weeks (24 mice) after suture removal. Half of the experimental knees also received an intra-articular injury. Biomechanical data were collected to measure passive extension angle (PEA). Histological data measuring area and thickness of posterior and anterior knee capsules were collected from knee sections.Aims
Methods
This study aimed to explore the biological and clinical importance of dysregulated key genes in osteoarthritis (OA) patients at the cartilage level to find potential biomarkers and targets for diagnosing and treating OA. Six sets of gene expression profiles were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differential expression analysis, weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), and multiple machine-learning algorithms were used to screen crucial genes in osteoarthritic cartilage, and genome enrichment and functional annotation analyses were used to decipher the related categories of gene function. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis was performed to analyze immune cell infiltration. Correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship among the hub genes and immune cells, as well as markers related to articular cartilage degradation and bone mineralization.Aims
Methods
We report a prospective analysis of clinical
outcome in patients treated with medial patellofemoral ligament
(MPFL) reconstruction using an autologous semitendinosus graft.
The technique includes superolateral portal arthroscopic assessment
before and after graft placement to ensure correct graft tension
and patellar tracking before fixation. Between October 2005 and
October 2010, a total of 201 consecutive patients underwent 219 procedures.
Follow-up is presented for 211 procedures in 193 patients with a
mean age of 26 years (16 to 49), and mean follow-up of 16 months
(6 to 42). Indications were atraumatic recurrent patellar dislocation
in 141 patients, traumatic recurrent dislocation in 50, pain with
subluxation in 14 and a single dislocation with persistent instability
in six. There have been no recurrent dislocations/subluxations.
There was a statistically significant improvement between available pre-
and post-operative outcome scores for 193 patients (all p <
0.001).
Female patients with a history of atraumatic recurrent dislocation
and all patients with history of previous surgery had a significantly
worse outcome (all p <
0.05). The indication for surgery, degree
of dysplasia, associated patella alta, time from primary dislocation
to surgery and evidence of associated
To assess the incidence of radiological lateral osteoarthritis (OA) at 15 years after medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and assess the relationship of lateral OA with symptoms and patient characteristics. Cemented Phase 3 medial Oxford UKA implanted by two surgeons since 1998 for the recommended indications were prospectively followed. A 15-year cumulative revision rate for lateral OA of 5% for this series was previously reported. A total of 163 unrevised knees with 15-year (SD 1) anterior-posterior knee radiographs were studied. Lateral joint space width (JSWL) was measured and severity of lateral OA was classified as: nil/mild, moderate, and severe. Preoperative and 15-year Oxford Knee Scores (OKS) and American Knee Society Scores were determined. The effect of age, sex, BMI, and intraoperative findings was analyzed. Statistical analysis included one-way analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis H test, with significance set at 5%.Aims
Methods
We describe 119 meniscal allograft transplantations performed concurrently with articular cartilage repair in 115 patients with severe articular cartilage damage. In all, 53 (46.1%) of the patients were over the age of 50 at the time of surgery. The mean follow-up was for 5.8 years (2 months to 12.3 years), with 25 procedures (20.1%) failing at a mean of 4.6 years (2 months to 10.4 years). Of these, 18 progressed to knee replacement at a mean of 5.1 years (1.3 to 10.4). The Kaplan-Meier estimated mean survival time for the whole series was 9.9 years (. sd. 0.4). Cox’s proportional hazards model was used to assess the effect of covariates on survival, with age at the time of surgery (p = 0.026) and number of previous operations (p = 0.006) found to be significant. The survival of the transplant was not affected by gender, the severity of
The aim of this study was to establish consensus statements on medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, anteromedialization tibial tubercle osteotomy, trochleoplasty, and rehabilitation and return to sporting activity in patients with patellar instability, using the modified Delphi process. This was the second part of a study dealing with these aspects of management in these patients. As in part I, a total of 60 surgeons from 11 countries contributed to the development of consensus statements based on their expertise in this area. They were assigned to one of seven working groups defined by subtopics of interest. Consensus was defined as achieving between 80% and 89% agreement, strong consensus was defined as between 90% and 99% agreement, and 100% agreement was considered unanimous.Aims
Methods
Aims. Medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is associated
with successful outcomes in carefully selected patient cohorts.
We hypothesised that severity and location of patellofemoral cartilage
lesions significantly influences functional outcome after Oxford
medial compartmental knee arthroplasty. Patients and Methods. We reviewed 100 consecutive UKAs at minimum eight-year follow-up
(96 to 132). A single surgeon performed all procedures. Patients
were selected based on clinical and plain radiographic assessment.
All patients had end-stage medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA)
with sparing of the lateral compartment and intact anterior cruciate ligaments.
None of the patients had end-stage patellofemoral OA, but patients
with anterior knee pain or partial thickness chondral loss were
not excluded. There were 57 male and 43 female patients. The mean
age at surgery was 69 years (41 to 82). At surgery the joint was
carefully inspected for patellofemoral chondral loss and this was documented
based on severity of cartilage loss (0 to 4 Outerbridge grading)
and topographic location (medial, lateral, central, and superior
or inferior). Functional scores collected included Oxford Knee Score
(OKS), patient satisfaction scale and University College Hospital
(UCH) knee score. Intraclass correlation was used to compare chondral
damage to outcomes. Results. All patients documented significant improvement in pain and improved
functional scores at mid-term follow-up. There were four revisions
(mean 2.9 years, 2 to 4; standard deviation (. sd). 0.9) in
this cohort, three for tibial loosening and one for femoral loosening.
There was one infection that was treated with debridement and insert exchange.
The mean OKS improved from 23.2 (. sd. 7.1) to 39.1 (. sd. 6.9);
p <
0.001. The cohort with central and lateral grade 3 patellofemoral
OA documented lower mean satisfaction with pain (90, . sd. 11.8)
and function (87.5, . sd. 10.3) on the patient satisfaction
scale. On the UCH scale, patients reported significantly decreased
mean overall scores (7.3, . sd. 1.2 vs 9, . sd. 2.3)
as well as stair climb task (3.5, . sd. 0.3 vs 5, . sd. 0.1)
when cartilage lesions were located centrally or laterally on the
PFJ. Patients with medial chondral PFJ lesions behave similar to
patients with no chondral lesions. Conclusion. Topographical location and severity of
While residual fixed flexion deformity (FFD) in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has been associated with worse functional outcomes, limited evidence exists regarding FFD changes. The objective of this study was to quantify FFD changes in patients with medial unicompartmental knee arthritis undergoing UKA, and investigate any correlation with clinical outcomes. This study included 136 patients undergoing robotic arm-assisted medial UKA between January 2018 and December 2022. The study included 75 males (55.1%) and 61 (44.9%) females, with a mean age of 67.1 years (45 to 90). Patients were divided into three study groups based on the degree of preoperative FFD: ≤ 5°, 5° to ≤ 10°, and > 10°. Intraoperative optical motion capture technology was used to assess pre- and postoperative FFD. Clinical FFD was measured pre- and postoperatively at six weeks and one year following surgery. Preoperative and one-year postoperative Oxford Knee Scores (OKS) were collected.Aims
Methods
Adenosine, lidocaine, and Mg2+ (ALM) therapy exerts differential immuno-inflammatory responses in males and females early after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). Our aim was to investigate sex-specific effects of ALM therapy on joint tissue repair and recovery 28 days after surgery. Male (n = 21) and female (n = 21) adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into ALM or Saline control treatment groups. Three days after ACL rupture, animals underwent ACLR. An ALM or saline intravenous infusion was commenced prior to skin incision, and continued for one hour. An intra-articular bolus of ALM or saline was also administered prior to skin closure. Animals were monitored to 28 days, and joint function, pain, inflammatory markers, histopathology, and tissue repair markers were assessed.Aims
Methods
Purpose. To assess performance of a polyurethane scaffold designed to facilitate regrowth of tissue after irreparable partial meniscus tissue loss. Methods. Fifty-two subjects with irreparable medial or lateral meniscus tissue lesions with intact rim, presence of both horns and stable, well aligned knees, were treated with the scaffold. Tissue ingrowth was assessed using dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) at 3 months (n=43), and by histological examination of biopsies (n=44) at 12 months relook arthroscopy. Cartilage status on MRI at 1week, 3, 12 and 24 months, and clinical outcomes were assessed from baseline to 24 months using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Knee and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC). Results. Clinically and statistically significant improvements on all outcome scores were observed at 6, 12 and 24 months. On MRI, stable or improved ICRS scores in all but 3 subjects (n=40) at 24 months were observed, with no signs of scaffold related
Meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) for patients with symptomatic meniscal loss has demonstrated good clinical results and survivorship. Factors that affect both functional outcome and survivorship have been reported in the literature. These are typically single-centre case series with relatively small numbers and conflicting results. Our aim was to describe an international, two-centre case series, and identify factors that affect both functional outcome and survival. We report factors that affect outcome on 526 patients undergoing MAT across two sites (one in the UK and one in Italy). Outcomes of interest were the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score four (KOOS4) at two years and failure rates. We performed multiple regression analysis to examine for factors affecting KOOS, and Cox proportional hazards models for survivorship.Aims
Methods
Recent studies have suggested that corticosteroid injections into the knee may harm the joint resulting in cartilage loss and possibly accelerating the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to assess whether patients with, or at risk of developing, symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee who receive intra-articular corticosteroid injections have an increased risk of requiring arthroplasty. We used data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI), a multicentre observational cohort study that followed 4,796 patients with, or at risk of developing, osteoarthritis of the knee on an annual basis with follow-up available up to nine years. Increased risk for symptomatic OA was defined as frequent knee symptoms (pain, aching, or stiffness) without radiological evidence of OA and two or more risk factors, while OA was defined by the presence of both femoral osteophytes and frequent symptoms in one or both knees. Missing data were imputed with multiple imputations using chained equations. Time-dependent propensity score matching was performed to match patients at the time of receving their first injection with controls. The effect of corticosteroid injections on the rate of subsequent (total and partial) knee arthroplasty was estimated using Cox proportional-hazards survival analyses.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to evaluate cartilaginous patellotrochlear congruence and patellofemoral alignment parameters after deepening trochleoplasty in severe trochlear dysplasia. The study group comprised 20 patients (two male, 18 female; mean age 24 years (16 to 39)) who underwent deepening trochleoplasty and medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction for the treatment of recurrent lateral patellar dislocation due to severe trochlear dysplasia (Dejour type B to D). Pre- and postoperative MRI investigations of the study group were compared with MRI data of 20 age- and gender-matched control patients (two male, 18 female; mean age 27 years (18 to 44)) regarding the patellotrochlear contact ratio, patellotrochlear contact area, posterior patellar edge-trochlear groove ratio, and patellar tilt.Aims
Patients and Methods
Altered alignment and biomechanics are thought to contribute to the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) in the native compartments after medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the bone activity and remodelling in the lateral tibiofemoral and patellofemoral compartment after medial mobile-bearing UKA. In total, 24 patients (nine female, 15 male) with 25 medial Oxford UKAs (13 left, 12 right) were prospectively followed with sequential 99mTc-hydroxymethane diphosphonate single photon emission CT (SPECT)/CT preoperatively and at one and two years postoperatively, along with standard radiographs and clinical outcome scores. The mean patient age was 62 years (40 to 78) and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 29.7 kg/m2 (23.6 to 42.2). Mean osteoblastic activity was evaluated using a tracer localization scheme with volumes of interest (VOIs). Normalized mean tracer values were calculated as the ratio between the mean tracer activity in a VOI and background activity in the femoral diaphysis.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to assess the effect
of injecting genetically engineered chondrocytes expressing transforming
growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) into the knees of patients with osteoarthritis.
We assessed the resultant function, pain and quality of life. A total of 54 patients (20 men, 34 women) who had a mean age
of 58 years (50 to 66) were blinded and randomised (1:1) to receive
a single injection of the active treatment or a placebo. We assessed
post-treatment function, pain severity, physical function, quality
of life and the incidence of treatment-associated adverse events. Patients
were followed at four, 12 and 24 weeks after injection. At final follow-up the treatment group had a significantly greater
improvement in the mean International Knee Documentation Committee
score than the placebo group (16 points; -18 to 49, This technique may result in improved clinical outcomes, with
the aim of slowing the degenerative process, leading to improvements
in pain and function. However, imaging and direct observational
studies are needed to verify cartilage regeneration. Nevertheless,
this study provided a sufficient basis to proceed to further clinical testing. Cite this article:
It is not clear whether anterior knee pain and osteoarthritis
(OA) of the patellofemoral joint (PFJ) are contraindications to
medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Our aim was to
investigate the long-term outcome of a consecutive series of patients,
some of whom had anterior knee pain and PFJ OA managed with UKA. We assessed the ten-year functional outcomes and 15-year implant
survival of 805 knees (677 patients) following medial mobile-bearing
UKA. The intra-operative status of the PFJ was documented and, with
the exception of bone loss with grooving to the lateral side, neither
the clinical or radiological state of the PFJ nor the presence of
anterior knee pain were considered a contraindication. The impact
of radiographic findings and anterior knee pain was studied in a
subgroup of 100 knees (91 patients).Aims
Patients and Methods