Platelet-Rich-plasma (PRP) has been used in combination with stem cells, from different sources, with encouraging results both in vitro and in vivo in osteochondral defects management. Adipose-derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) represents an ideal resource for their ease of isolation, abundance, proliferation and differentiation properties into different cell lineages. Furthermore, Stem Cells in the adipose tissue are more numerous than from other sources. Aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of ADSCs in enhancing the effect of arthroscopic mesenchymal stimulation combined with infiltration of PRP. The study includes 82 patients. 41 patients were treated with knee arthroscopy, Steadman microfractures technique and intraoperative PRP infiltration, Group A. In the Group B, 41 patients were treated knee arthroscopy, Steadman microfractures and intraoperative infiltration of PRP and ADSCs (Group B). Group A was used as a control group. Inclusion criteria were: Age between 40 and 65 years, Outerbridge grade III-IV chondral lesions, Kellegren-Lawrence Grade I-II. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) evaluated with KOOS, IKDC, VAS, SF-12 were assessed pre-operatively and at 3 weeks, 6 months, 1-year post-operative. 2 patients of Group A and 3 patients of Group B, with indication of Puddu plate removal after high tibial osteotomy (HTO), underwent an arthroscopic second look, after specific informed consent obtained. On this occasion, a bioptic sample was taken from the repair tissue of the chondral lesion previously treated with Steadman microfractures.Introduction and Objective
Materials and Methods
Functional outcomes of mechanically aligned (MA) total knee arthroplasty have plateaued. The aim of this study is to find an alternative technique for implant positioning that improves functional outcomes of TKA. We prospectively randomized 100 consecutive patients undergoing TKA into two groups: in the group A an intramedullary femoral guide and an extramedullary tibial guide were used with aim to obtain a neutral traditional mechanical alignment; in the group B an extramedullary femoral guide set on distal femoral condyles and an extramedullary tibial guide neutrally aligned were used to obtain an adaptation of the conventional MA technique. Patients were followed-up clinically with the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and Visual Analogue Score (VAS) questionnaires pre-operatively and then at 1 year post-operatively. Mechanical alignment was calculated on standing weight bearing Xray pre- and post-operatively. T-test was used to compare the results between groups.Introduction
Methods
Failure rates of Metal-on-Metal (MoM) ASR XL hip implants have been unacceptably high compared with other bearing surfaces, so patients must be monitored over the time checking for disorders in clinical condition, blood tests or in diagnostic imaging. We have carried out a continuing prospective investigation to evaluate the relationship between blood metal ions measurements and ultrasound levels and to evaluate if ultrasound score can predict a future indication to revision.Introduction
Objectives
The Articular Surface Replacement XL system (ASRXL) with metal-on-metal (MoM) of the articular surfaces was produced by DePuy Orhopaedics since 2003 for total hip replacement. In 2010 following the notification received from the National Joint Registry (NJR) of England and Wales concerning the excessive failure rate of the ASR system (approximately 13% at 5 years), the DePuy send the recall of the product. All operated patients were checked. We enrolled in our Followup 106 patients (51 males, 55 females, mean age 63.6) with a total of 107 implants (one is a bilateral case), subjected with clinical and instrumental investigations. The controls were performed annually; for the patients who presented positive clinical-instrumental condictions and values of Chromium (Cr) and Cobalt (Co)> 7 mg /l it has been proposed followup closer, every 6 months for the entire life of the implant. For the evaluation of the cases in our study, we used the following scales:
Clinical Score: Harris Hip Score (pain and functional limitation) Rx score: 0 normal; 1 bone resorbtion and mobilization Ultrasound score: 0 none 1 fluid collection <20 mm 2 fluid collection >20 mm 3 solid mass: metallosis Blood metal levels of Cr-Co (μg/l = parts per billion = ppb) Normal < 3 ppb Alert 3–7 ppb Pathological >7 ppb The analysis of ionemia was made at the Clinical Chemistry at Charing Cross Hospital in London.INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Self-locking button-like fixation devices for ACL reconstruction are attracting knee surgeons' attention due to promising technical advantages: complete filling of the tunnel with graft, anatomic reconstruction (AM portal), fixation achievement even when a short tunnel is reamed, opportunity of graft re-tensioning after tibial fixation and/or cyclic load. We compared two similar devices (TightRope vs ToggleLocZL) 20 fresh-frozen porcine femurs (mean age 2.1 years) were assigned to the two groups by randomization. Hamstrings with 9 mm of diameter were obtained using bovine tendons that show the same biomechanic behaviour of human hamstrings. Femoral tunnel was created by AM portal technique (anatomic position). Zwick-Roell z010 tension/compression device with bone and tendon clamps, was used for the study: Cyclic test (1000 cycles, 0.5 Hz, 50–250 N/cycle, 50 cycles of preload at 10–80 N/cycle) Final pull-out test (1 mm/s) Failure analysis CT scan and densitometry Any implant didn't fail during cyclic test. The elongation average was 2.85±1.63 for ToggleLoc and 2.71±.85 for TightRope (P>0.05). Pull-out test showed different values in terms of Ultimate Strength Failure (USF), Stiffness at USF, and Stiffness: The failure mode was: The mean method of failure was the fracture of the cortical bone of the femoral condyle, for both groups. But if we extrapolate the USF the difference was favourable(P<0.05) for TightRope (707.83 N) than ToggleLoc (580.16). The mean bone density of porcine femora was comparable to young human femora (1.12±0.31 BMD) The reproducibility of surgical technique, the mechanical strength and endurance of the systems suggest two valid options for ACL reconstruction with hamstring. ToggleLoc showed worse results due to the sharp squared edges of the button.
