The purpose of this study is to clarify optimal timing of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction from the point of view of meniscus injury. One hundred thirty-five ACL injuries (under 40 years of age) were analyzed in this study. All knees had undergone primary reconstruction without other ligament injury, and follow-up arthroscopy. ACL reconstruction was performed by the semitendinosus and gracilis method. The rehabilitation protocol was based on that of Shelbourne. Cases were divided into 4 groups by the period from injury to reconstruction. Nineteen knees were of the acute phase, which is within 1 month from the injury to reconstruction. Thirty-one knees were of the subacute phase, which is from 1 month over to reconstruction. Thirty-one knees were of the subacute phase, which is from 1 month over to 3 months from the injury to reconstruction. Forty knees were of the subchronic phase, which is from 3 months over to 1 year from the injury to reconstruction. Forty-five knees were of the chronic phase, which is over 1 year from the injury to reconstruction. We compared arthroscopic findings as well as clinical follow-up results of each phase. The rate of lateral meniscus injury were 84% in the acute phase, 39% in the subacute phase, 58% in the subchronic phase, and 51% in the chronic phase. The rates of medial meniscus injury were 32% in the acute phase, 29% in the subacute phase, 53% in the sub-chronic phase, and 60% in the chronic phase. Horizontal tear and degenerative tear of the lateral meniscus were increased with time. Osteoarthritic change at follow-up arthroscopy was observed 3 knees in the acute phase, 4 knees In the subacute phase, 8 knees In the subchronic phase, and 13 knees in the chronic phase. There was no difference between clinical results of our ACL reconstruction in the acute phase and chronic phase. ACL reconstruction in the acute phase was the effective method for preventing secondary osteoarthritis after medial meniscus injury

Aims. The ulna is an extremely rare location for primary bone tumours of the elbow in paediatrics. Although several reconstruction options are available, the optimal reconstruction method is still unknown due to the rarity of proximal ulna tumours. In this study, we report the outcomes of osteoarticular ulna allograft for the reconstruction of proximal ulna tumours. Methods. Medical profiles of 13 patients, who between March 2004 and November 2021 underwent osteoarticular ulna allograft reconstruction after the resection of the proximal ulna tumour, were retrospectively reviewed. The outcomes were measured clinically by the assessment of elbow range of motion (ROM), stability, and function, and radiologically by the assessment of allograft-host junction union, recurrence, and joint degeneration. The elbow function was assessed objectively by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score and subjectively by the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) questionnaire. Results. The mean follow-up of patients was 60.3 months (SD 28.5). The mean elbow flexion-extension ROM was 95.8° (SD 21). The mean MSTS of the patients was 84.4 (SD 8.2), the mean TESS was 83.8 (SD 6.7), and the mean MEPS was 79.2 (SD 11.5). All the patients had radiological union at the osteotomy site. Symptomatic osteoarthritic change was observed in three patients (23%), one of whom ended up with elbow joint fusion. Two patients (15.4%) had recurrence during the follow-up period. Surgical complications included two allograft fractures, two plate fractures, three medial instabilities, and two infections. Conclusion. Osteoarticular ulna allograft reconstruction provides acceptable functional outcomes. Despite a high rate of complications, it is still a valuable reconstruction method, particularly in skeletally immature patients who need their distal humerus physis for the rest of hand growth. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(9):749–757

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes and factors contributing to failure of transposition osteotomy of the acetabulum (TOA), a type of spherical periacetabular osteotomy, for advanced osteoarthritis secondary to hip dysplasia.

The April 2023 Foot & Ankle Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Outcomes following a two-stage revision total ankle arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infection; Temporary bridge plate fixation and joint motion after an unstable Lisfranc injury; Outcomes of fusion in type II os naviculare; Total ankle arthroplasty versus arthrodesis for end-stage ankle osteoarthritis; Normal saline for plantar fasciitis: placebo or therapeutic?; Distraction arthroplasty for ankle osteoarthritis: does it work?; Let there be movement: ankle arthroplasty after previous fusion; Morbidity and mortality after diabetic Charcot foot arthropathy.

Aims

The optimal management of posterior malleolar ankle fractures, a prevalent type of ankle trauma, is essential for improved prognosis. However, there remains a debate over the most effective surgical approach, particularly between screw and plate fixation methods. This study aims to investigate the differences in outcomes associated with these fixation techniques.

Aims

Therapeutic agents that prevent chondrocyte loss, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, and osteoarthritis (OA) progression are required. The expression level of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeats and discoidin I-like domains-containing protein 3 (EDIL3) in damaged human cartilage is significantly higher than in undamaged cartilage. However, the effect of EDIL3 on cartilage is still unknown.

Aims. Osteoarticular reconstruction of the distal femur in childhood has the advantage of preserving the tibial physis. However, due to the small size of the distal femur, matching the host bone with an osteoarticular allograft is challenging. In this study, we compared the outcomes and complications of a resurfaced allograft-prosthesis composite (rAPC) with those of an osteoarticular allograft to reconstruct the distal femur in children. Methods. A retrospective analysis of 33 skeletally immature children with a malignant tumour of the distal femur, who underwent resection and reconstruction with a rAPC (n = 15) or osteoarticular allograft (n = 18), was conducted. The median age of the patients was ten years (interquartile range (IQR) 9 to 11) in the osteoarticular allograft group and nine years (IQR 8 to 10) in the rAPC group (p = 0.781). The median follow-up of the patients was seven years (IQR 4 to 8) in the osteoarticular allograft group and six years (IQR 3 to 7) in the rAPC group (p = 0.483). Limb function was evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score. Results. At final follow-up, the knee was unstable in 9/18 patients (50%) in the osteoarticular allograft group and 2/15 patients (13%) in the rAPC group (p = 0.026). The median range of motion (ROM) of the knee was 117° (IQR 115° to 120°) in the osteoarticular allograft group and 100° (IQR 95° to 105°) in the rAPC group (p < 0.001). The median MSTS score was 25 (IQR 23 to 26) in the osteoarticular allograft group and 28 (IQR 26 to 29) in the rAPC group (p = 0.007). Osteoarthritic change was detected in 11/18 patients (61%) in the osteoarticular allograft group and in 4/15 (26%) patients in the rAPC group (p = 0.048). Conclusion. In our series, a resurfaced allograft-prosthesis composite provided better knee stability and function, with a lower rate of osteoarthritis; an osteoarticular allograft was associated with better knee ROM. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(10):1174–1179

Aims. Cartilage injuries rarely heal spontaneously and often require surgical intervention, leading to the formation of biomechanically inferior fibrous tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the possible effect of amelogenin on the healing process of a large osteochondral injury (OCI) in a rat model. Methods. A reproducible large OCI was created in the right leg femoral trochlea of 93 rats. The OCIs were treated with 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, or 5.0 μg/μl recombinant human amelogenin protein (rHAM. +. ) dissolved in propylene glycol alginate (PGA) carrier, or with PGA carrier alone. The degree of healing was evaluated 12 weeks after treatment by morphometric analysis and histological evaluation. Cell recruitment to the site of injury as well as the origin of the migrating cells were assessed four days after treatment with 0.5 μg/μl rHAM. +. using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Results. A total of 12 weeks after treatment, 0.5 μg/μl rHAM. +. brought about significant repair of the subchondral bone and cartilage. Increased expression of proteoglycan and type II collagen and decreased expression of type I collagen were revealed at the surface of the defect, and an elevated level of type X collagen at the newly developed tide mark region. Conversely, the control group showed osteoarthritic alterations. Recruitment of cells expressing the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) markers CD105 and STRO-1, from adjacent bone marrow toward the OCI, was noted four days after treatment. Conclusion. We found that 0.5 μg/μl rHAM. +. induced in vivo healing of injured articular cartilage and subchondral bone in a rat model, preventing the destructive post-traumatic osteoarthritic changes seen in control OCIs, through paracrine recruitment of cells a few days after treatment. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2023;12(10):615–623

Aim. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have several properties that may support their use as an early treatment option for osteoarthritis (OA). This study investigated the role of multiple injections of allogeneic bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) to alleviate the progression of osteoarthritic changes in the various structures of the mature rabbit knee in an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient OA model. Materials and Methods. Two months after bilateral section of the ACL of Japanese white rabbits aged nine months or more, either phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or 1 x 10. 6. MSCs were injected into the knee joint in single or three consecutive doses. After two months, the articular cartilage and meniscus were assessed macroscopically, histologically, and immunohistochemically using collagen I and II. Results. Within the PBS injection (control group), typical progressive degenerative changes were revealed in the various knee structures. In the single MSC injection (single group), osteoarthritic changes were attenuated, but still appeared, especially in the medial compartments involving fibrillation of the articular cartilage, osteophyte formation in the medial plateau, and longitudinal tear of the meniscus. In the multiple-injections group, the smoothness and texture of the articular cartilage and meniscus were improved. Histologically, absence or reduction in matrix staining and cellularity were noticeable in the control and single-injection groups, respectively, in contrast to the multiple-injections group, which showed good intensity of matrix staining and chondrocyte distribution in the various cartilage zones. Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring showed significantly better results in the multiple-injections group than in the other groups. Immunohistochemically, collagen I existed superficially in the medial femoral condyle in the single group, while collagen II was more evident in the multiple-injections group than the single-injection group. Conclusion. A single injection of MSCs was not enough to restore the condition of osteoarthritic joints. This is in contrast to multiple injections of MSCs, which had the ability to replace lost cells, as well as reducing inflammation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:824–831

Abstract. Introduction. A lipohaemarthrosis seen on Horizontal beam lateral X-ray in acute knee injury is often considered predictive of an intra-articular fracture requiring further urgent imaging. Methodology. We retrospectively searched a five-year X-ray database for the term “lipohaemarthrosis”. We excluded cases if the report concluded “no lipohaemarthrosis” or “lipohaemarthrosis” AND “fracture”. All remaining cases were reviewed by an Orthopaedic Consultant with a special interest in knee injuries (AD) blinded to the report. X-rays were excluded if a fracture was seen, established osteoarthritic change was present, a pre-existing arthroplasty present or no lipohaemarthrosis present. Remaining cases were then studied for any subsequent Radiological or Orthopaedic surgical procedures. Results. 136 cases were identified and reviewed by an Orthopaedic Consultant. 31 were excluded for no lipohaemarthrosis (n= 11), for degenerative change (n=9), for fracture (n=4), for existing arthroplasty (n=4) and for data errors (n=3). The remaining 105 patients had a mean age of 32, and range 5–90 years. 66 patients underwent further imaging in the form of MRI scan (n=47), CT Scan (n=9) repeat x-rays (n=9) and ultrasound (n=1). 27 fractures were identified. Surgery was performed in 12 cases (11%). Two (2%) urgently (One ACL reconstruction plus meniscus repair, one for ORIF of tibial plateau fracture). Ten (10%) had elective surgery (6 for ACL reconstruction, 2 for ACL reconstruction plus meniscus repair, 2 for loose body removal. Conclusion. The presence of a lipohaemarthrosis on x-ray following acute knee injury was a poor predictor of intra-articular fracture (26%) or need for urgent surgery (2%)

Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway is key in maintaining redox homeostasis and the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) involves oxidative distress. We thus investigated whether Nrf2/ARE signaling may control expression of key chondrogenic differentiation and hyaline cartilage maintenance factor SOX9. In human C-28/I2 chondrocytes SOX9 expression was measured by RT–qPCR after shRNA-mediated knockdown of Nrf2 or its antagonist the Kelch-like erythroid cell-derived protein with cap “n” collar homology-associated protein 1 (Keap1). Putative ARE-binding sites in the proximal SOX9 promoter region were inactivated, cloned into pGL3, and co-transfected with phRL–TK for dual-luciferase assays to verify whether Nrf2 transcriptionally regulates SOX9. SOX9 promoter activity without and with Nrf2-inducer methysticin were analyzed. Sox9 expression in articular chondrocytes was correlated to cartilage thickness and degeneration in wild-type (WT) and Nrf2-knockout mice. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, a Student's t-test, or Wilcoxon rank-sum test, according to the normal distribution. Statistical significance was set to p < 0.05. While Keap1-specific RNAi increased SOX9 expression, Nrf2-specific RNAi significantly decreased it. Putative ARE sites (ARE. 1. , ARE. 2. ) were identified in the SOX9 promoter region. ARE. 2. mutagenesis significantly reduced SOX9 promoter activity, while truncation of ARE. 1. did not. A functional ARE. 2. site was thus essential for methysticin-mediated induction of SOX9 promoter activity. Knee cartilage of young Nrf2-knockout mice further revealed significantly fewer Sox9-positive chondrocytes as compared to old Nrf2-knockout animals, which further showed thinner cartilage and more severe cartilage erosion. Our data suggest that SOX9 expression in articular cartilage is directly Nrf2-dependent and that pharmacological Nrf2 activation may hold potential to diminish age-dependent osteoarthritic changes in knee cartilage through improving protective SOX9 expression

Although remnant-preserved ACL reconstruction (ACLR) restores knee joint stability and dampens the problem of acute ACL rupture-induced knee pain, an increasing number of patients still develop post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) after 10 to 15 years of ACLR. We previously found that remnant-preserved ACLR with concomitant medial and lateral meniscus repair may not prevent cartilage degeneration and weaken muscle strength, while the clinical features of PTOA are not clear. We hypothesized that remnant-preserved ACLR with concomitant medial and lateral meniscus tears is related to early cartilage damage, worse function recovery, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and delayed duration to return to sports. The aim is to evaluate the remnant-preserved ACLR with complicated meniscal injuries in predicting which patients are at higher risk of osteoarthritic changes, worse function and limited activities after ACLR for 12 months. Human ethical issue was approved by a committee from Xi'an Jiaotong University. 26 young and active patients (24 male, 2 female) with ACL injuries (Sherman type I and II) with concomitant medial and lateral meniscus within 2 months were included from January 2014 to March 2022. The average age of the ACLR+ meniscus repair was 26.77±1.52 (8 right, 5 left) and isolated ACLR control was 31.92±2.61 years old (7 left, 6 right). Remnant-preserved ACLR with a 5- to 6-strand hamstring tendon graft was operated on by the same sports medicine specialists. MRI CUBE-T. 2. scanning with 48 channels was conducted by a professional radiologist. The volume of the ACL graft was created through 3 dimensional MRI model (Mimics 19, Ann Arbor). Anterior Cruciate Ligament OsteoArthritis Score (ACLOAS) was applied to score visible cartilage damage. IKDC 2000 score and VAS were assessed by two blinded researchers. Results were presented as mean± SEM of each group. The cross-sectional area and 3D volume of the ACL graft were greater in the remnant-preserved ACLR+meniscus group compared with isolated ACLR (p=0.01). It showed that ACLR+ meniscus group had early signs of joint damage and delayed meniscus healing regarding ACLOAS compared to control group (p=0.045). MRI CUBE-T. 2. prediction of radiographic cartilage degeneration was not obvious in both groups post remnant-preserved ACLR over 12 months (p>0.05). However, higher VAS scores, lower IKDC scores, and long-last joint swelling were reported in the ACLR+ meniscus repair group at the end of 12 months follow-up. Although remnant-preserved ACLR+ meniscus was able to maintain the restore the knee function, it showed delayed timing (>12 months) to return to play at the pre-injury stage, while no difference between the timing of returning to the normal daily routine of their ACLR knee compared to control (p=0.30). The cost of ACLR+ meniscus (average 10,520.76$) was higher than the control group (6,452.92$, p=0.018). Remnants-preserved ACLR with concomitant injured medial and lateral meniscus repair shows a higher risk of cartilage damage, greater cost, worse functional performance, and longer time for young male patients to return to sports after 12-month follow-up compared to isolated ACLR. Further evidence and long-term follow-up are needed to better understand the association between these results and the risk of development of PTOA in this patient cohort

Aims. Delayed diagnosis is a well-known complication of a Monteggia fracture-dislocation. If left untreated, the dislocated radial head later becomes symptomatic. The purposes of this study were firstly, to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of open reduction of the radial head and secondly, to identify the factors that may affect the outcome of this procedure. Materials and Methods. This retrospective study evaluated 30 children with a chronic Monteggia lesion. There were 18 boys and 12 girls with a mean age of 7.4 years (4 to 13) at the time of open reduction. The mean interval to surgery, after the initial fracture, was 23.4 months (6 to 120). Clinical grading used a Kim modified elbow score: radiological outcome was recorded. The effect of the patient’s age, gender, duration from initial injury, Bado classification, and annular ligament reconstruction were analyzed. The mean follow-up was 42.2 months (15 to 20). Results. The Kim elbow scores evaluated at the last clinic visit were excellent in 23 patients, good in three, fair in two, and poor in two. A majority of the patients were found to have significant improvement of elbow flexion (p < 0.001). Six met the criteria of a fair radiological outcome; four of these were operated on more than 24 months after the initial injury, and three had surgery after the age of 11. Univariate analysis failed to find any factor that was significantly associated with a fair or poor outcome. Conclusion. Good clinical and radiological outcomes can be expected in most patients. Osteoarthritic changes were associated with age > 11 years and/or a delay of treatment of > 24 months. However, no statistically significant factor could be identified which correlated with an unfavourable outcome. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1117–24

Osteonecrosis (ON) around the knee joint can be spontaneous (primary), without comorbid medical conditions, or secondary. ON is characterized by sudden pain, usually self resolving after six months to a year, night pain, and involving mainly women older than 55 years of age. Twenty seven patients with primary ON were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were evaluated clinically (physical examination and H.S.S. scoring) and radiographically (plain radiographs were done at the beginning and at the end of follow-up and MRI studies). The MRI study included calculations of the area and the volume of the lesion, osteoarthritic changes, bone collapse and meniscal pathologic findings. The majority of the patients, 96% (26/27), complained of sudden pain. Night pain was observed in 46% of the patients. Osteoarthritic changes observed in 60% of the patients and further deterioration (37%) was noted at follow up radiographs. Osteoarthritic changes were more predominant in patients with tibial condyle involvement rather than those with femoral involvement, 61% vs. 43% (p=0.04), respectively. Diagnosis of osteonecrosis by the initial radiographs was more common in patients with femoral involvement (7 femurs vs. 1 tibia). All ON lesions were diagnosed by MRI, from these, 17 meniscal tears (63%) were detected. Several observations were noted in the volumetric analysis: Tibial lesions were larger than femoral lesions (8.1cm. 3. vs. 3.1cm. 3. , respectively, p=0.026). Women had significantly larger lesions in volume and area than men (area – 5.09cm. 2. vs 2.05cm. 2. , p=0.01; and volume – 6.6cm. 3. vs. 1.2cm. 3. , p=0.001). Significant correlation was found between bone collapse and the need for total knee replacement (TKR): 40% collapse in the TKR patients versus 13.6% collapse without TKR (p=0.028). Patients that were diagnosed with collapse at the end of the follow up had a larger area (5.8cm. 2. vs 3.7cm. 2. ) and a lower HSS score (68.5 points vs. 83 points, p=0.02) than those without. A significant correlation was noted between a larger lesion area and lower HSS scoring (p=0.037) at the end of the follow-up. Patients with tibial lesions had more meniscal pathologies involvement, 56.3% vs. 43.8%, however it was not statistically significant (p=0.68). We conclude that MRI study for patients with ON and calculating the area and the volumetric data particularly, is an accurate predictive tool for the natural history of knee ON. The findings presented here may guide us in determining the best possible treatment

We evaluated the long-term results of a modified Spitzy shelf operation for secondary osteoarthritis in 119 hips with a mean follow-up of 23.8 years. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 25 years. Preoperative osteoarthritic change, the age at operation and shelf height were important factors in determining the outcome. Of the 61 hips in the pre-stage (three) and the initial stage (58) of osteoarthritis, 53 (87%) had good results, compared with only 30 (51%) of 58 hips with advanced osteoarthritis. Of the latter, 72% of those aged less than 25 years had good results compared with only 40% of patients aged over 25 years. The shelf height in the group with good results was significantly lower than in those with poor results. This operation is a safe procedure and indicated for acetabular dysplasia or subluxation of the hip with early osteoarthritic change in patients aged less than 25 years

Summary. In a rabbit model of early osteoarthritis, structural changes in femoral condyle cartilage were severer in the lateral compartment and preceded alterations in the underlying bone. In the medial compartment, altered bone properties occurred together with structural changes in cartilage. Introduction. Early osteoarthritic changes in cartilage have been previously studied through anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) in rabbits. However, parallel changes in the structure of subchondral and trabecular bone at 4 weeks after ACLT are not known. Methods. Skeletally mature 14-month old New Zealand white rabbits (n=8) underwent ACLT in the left knee, while right knees were used as controls (CTRL). Femoral condyles (FCs) were harvested at 4 weeks after ACLT. INDENTATION TESTING. Stepwise stress-relaxation tests were performed on medial and lateral FC cartilage (100%/s ramp rate, 3×5% step, 15 min relaxation time). Sinusoidal loading was then applied (amplitude 4% of thickness, 1Hz, 4 cycles). Equilibrium (Eeq) and dynamic (Ed) moduli were derived from stress-relaxation and sinusoidal tests, respectively. STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF CARTILAGE. Polarised light microscopy (PLM) and digital densitometry (DD) were used to analyze the collagen orientation angle (COA) and proteoglycan content in the cartilage samples. STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF BONE. Distal compartments of FCs were scanned using a high-resolution µCT scanner (Skyscan 1172, Belgium) with an isotropic voxel size of 25 µm. µCT data were imported into Mimics (Materialise, Belgium) for segmentation. 2×2×4 mm. 3. volumes of interest (VOIs) were placed in weight-bearing regions of medial and lateral FCs. Subchondral bone plate thickness (Pt.Th), trabecular volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), structural model index (SMI) and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) were calculated using the CTAnalyzer software (Skyscan) from the VOIs. STATISTICAL TESTS. Mixed linear model for cartilage parameters and Wilcoxon signed-rank test for bone parameters were used to compare ACLT and CTRL groups (p < 0.05). Results. In both lateral and medial FC compartments, Eeq was significantly smaller in ACLT than in CTRL cartilage. In the medial compartment, also Ed was significantly smaller in ACLT than in CTRL cartilage. As a result of ACLT, significant alterations in the COA extended deeper into cartilage in the lateral than medial compartment, while proteoglycan content was reduced significantly and similarly in both lateral and medial FC cartilages. After ACLT, Pt.Th was significantly reduced in the medial compartment, while no changes were observed in the lateral compartment. Furthermore, only in the medial compartment, both BV/TV and Tb.Th were significantly smaller in the ACLT compared to the CTRL group. Discussion. The study showed that disruption of the collagen architecture in the ACLT joint cartilage extended into the middle zone only in the lateral FC compartment. Instead, thinning of the subchondral bone plate combined with resorption of trabecular bone was observed only in the medial FC compartment. The former finding reflects early osteoarthritic changes, while the latter finding may be indicative of a diminished loading in the medial FC compartment, as caused by ACLT

Abstract. INTRODUCTION. The mechanisms underlying abnormal joint mechanics are poorly understood despite it being a major risk factor for developing osteoarthritis. Glutamate signalling has been implicated in osteoarthritic bone changes and AMPA/kainate glutamate receptor (GluR) antagonists alleviate degeneration in rodent models of osteoarthritis. We investigated whether glutamate signalling molecules are mechanically regulated in a human, cell-based 3D model of bone. METHODS. Human Y201 MSC cells embedded in 3D type I collagen gels (0.05 × 106 cell/gel) differentiated to osteocytes were mechanically loaded in silicone plates (5000 µstrain, 10Hz, 3000 cycles) or not loaded (n=5/group). RNA extracted 1-hr post load was quantified by RTqPCR and RNAseq whole transcriptome analysis (NovaSeq S1 flow cell 2 × 100bp PE reads). Differentially expressed GluRs and glutamate transporters (GluTs) were identified using DEseq2 analysis on normalised count data. Genes were considered differentially expressed if >2 fold change and FDR p<0.05. RESULTS. Cells expressed mature osteocyte markers (E11, sclerostin, DMP-1). DEseq2 analysis, revealed 981 mechanically regulated genes. Mechanical loading upregulated kainate GluRs, GRIK2 (1.6 fold, p=0.024) and GRIK5 (4.2 fold, p=0.045); the NMDA GluR GRIN3B (3.25 fold, p=0.047) and the GluT SLC1A1 (3 fold, p=0.037). Conversely, AMPA GRIA3, NMDA GluRs GRIN2A&C, and the GluT SLC1A2 were down regulated by 50–60%, although not significant. Kainate GRIK3&4; AMPA GRIA2, NMDA GRIN1, and GluTs SLC1A6&A7 were not expressed in control or loaded osteocytes, whereas GluRs (GRIK1, GRIA1&4, GRIN2B&2D&3A) and GluT SLC1A3 were expressed but not regulated by mechanical loading. DISCUSSION. Mechanical loading of human osteocytes in 3D revealed that they regulated expression of glutamate receptors and transporters. This is consistent with our observation that mechanical perturbation after joint injury in rodent models of OA regulates glutamatergic signalling in the bone thus linking mechanical stimuli to inflammatory and nociceptive pathways mediated by glutamate receptors. Declaration of Interest. (a) fully declare any financial or other potential conflict of interest

We report the outcome at a mean of 93 months (73 to 110) of 71 patients with an acute fracture of the scaphoid who were randomised to Herbert screw fixation (35) or below-elbow plaster cast immobilisation (36). These 71 patients represent the majority of a randomised series of 88 patients whose short-term outcome has previously been reported. Those patients available for later review were similar in age, gender and hand dominance. There was no statistical difference in symptoms and disability as assessed by the mean Patient Evaluation Measure (p = 0.4), or mean Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (p = 0.9), the mean range of movement of the wrist (p = 0.4), mean grip strength (p = 0.8), or mean pinch strength (p = 0.4). Radiographs were available from the final review for 59 patients. Osteoarthritic changes were seen in the scaphotrapezial and radioscaphoid joints in eight (13.5%) and six patients (10.2%), respectively. Three patients had asymptomatic lucency surrounding the screw. One non-operatively treated patient developed nonunion with avascular necrosis. In five patients who were treated non-operatively (16%) there was an abnormal scapholunate angle ( > 60°), but in four of these patients this finding was asymptomatic. No medium-term difference in function or radiological outcome was identified between the two treatment groups

Aims: Arthroscopic drilling for the treatment of osteo-chondral lesion (OCL) of talus has been able to return earlier to social life resulting from less invasive operation. However, long term results of drilling have not been clear. Results of arthroscopic drilling for OCL which have passed 5 years or longer are reported. Methods: Subjects were 54 feet in 52 patients who had passed more than 5 years who underwent arthroscopic drilling. Age ranged 21 to 52 years with an average of 34 years. Classiþcation based on Berndt & Harty was as follows: 1 foot for stage?, 38 feet for stage?, 8 feet for stage?and 7 feet for stage?. Resdults: No patients showed limited range of motion at the þnal examination. With pain, 2 patients developed pain in the lesion, while no patients showed disturbance in gait, either. With sports, all the patients returned to initial sports, however, in patients with extensive lesion (3 patients), there remained pain causing a decrease in sports level. X-ray þndings revealed osteoarthritic change in three patients. Conclusions: In the present study, in patients of 90 percent or greater, there were no new developed or deterorated pains. However, osteoarthritic change was observed in the cases with lateral ligaments tear or subchondral bone cyst. Thus, it may suggest the limit in the indications of drilling. Furthermore, since there remained pain in the patients with complicated injuries or extensive lesion, it may be difþcult to obtain excellent results with use of arthroscopic drilling alone

Knee osteoarthritis is a common, debilitating condition. Intra articular corticosteroid injections are a commonly used non-operative treatment strategy. Intra articular hip injection with Ketorolac (an NSAID) has proven to be as efficacious as corticosteroids. No prior study compares the efficacy of Ketorolac relative to corticosteroids for relief of discomfort in knee osteoarthritis. The study design was a single centre double blinded RCT. Severity of osteoarthritic changes were graded on plain film weightbearing radiographs using the Kellgren and Lawrence system. Injection was with either 30mg Ketorolac or 40mg Methylprednisolone, given by intra-articular injection, in a syringe with 5mls 0.5% Marcaine. Pre-injection clinical outcomes were assessed using the Numerical Pain Score (NPS), WOMAC, and Oxford knee scores. Patients' NPS scores were assessed at Day 1 and Day 14 post-injection. An assessment of all clinical outcomes took place in clinic at six weeks. There were 72 participants (83 knees) in the study. No patients were lost to follow-up. Mean age was 62.66 years (Range 29–85). 42 knees received a corticosteroid injection, 41 a NSAID injection. Mean Kellgren and Lawrence score was 3.1. There was no significant difference in pre-injection clinical scores in either group. There was a significant improvement of NPS on Day 1 and 14 in both injection groups(p<0.05). These improved pain scores were sustained at 6 weeks in both groups. WOMAC and Oxford Knee Scores showed a statistically significant improvement in the corticosteroid group. WOMAC scores showed significant improvement in the NSAID group, however these improvements didn't achieve statistical significance using the Oxford Knee Score. Corticosteroid or NSAID injectate are a safe and effective non-operative treatment strategy in the patient with knee osteoarthritis. Ketorolac appears to provide effective medium-term improvement of pain and clinical scores. Further follow-up is recommended to investigate if this trend in sustained