Objective. To study the effect of
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of
Aims. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is known to induce several types of tissue regeneration by activating tissue-specific stem cells. Here, we investigated the therapeutic potential of PEDF 29-mer peptide in the damaged articular cartilage (AC) in rat osteoarthritis (OA). Methods. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) were isolated from rat bone marrow (BM) and used to evaluate the impact of 29-mer on chondrogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs in culture. Knee OA was induced in rats by a single intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) in the right knees (set to day 0). The 29-mer dissolved in 5%
Aims. There is conflicting evidence on the safety of intra-articular injections of
The excursion resistance between the tendon and pulley is an important factor contributing to the limitation of function after surgery to the hand. The administration of
A total of 159 patients (84 women and 75 men,
mean age of 53 (20 to 87)) with subacromial impingement were randomised
to treatment with subacromial injections using lidocaine with one
of
Aims. Intra-articular (IA) injection may be used when treating hip osteoarthritis (OA). Common injections include steroids,
The August 2023 Foot & Ankle Roundup. 360. looks at: Achilles tendon rupture: surgery or conservative treatment for the high-demand patient?; First ray amputation in diabetic patients; Survival of ankle arthroplasty in the UK; First metatarsophalangeal joint fusion and flat foot correction; Intra-articular corticosteroid injections with or without
Aims. In this investigation, we administered oxidative stress to nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs), recognized DNA-damage-inducible transcript 4 (DDIT4) as a component in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), and devised a hydrogel capable of conveying small interfering RNA (siRNA) to IVDD. Methods. An in vitro model for oxidative stress-induced injury in NPCs was developed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the upregulation of DDIT4 expression, activation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)-NLRP3 signalling pathway, and nucleus pulposus pyroptosis. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of small interfering DDIT4 (siDDIT4) on NPCs in vitro was validated. A triplex hydrogel named siDDIT4@G5-P-HA was created by adsorbing siDDIT4 onto fifth-generation polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer using van der Waals interactions, and then coating it with
We have investigated the effects of the intra-operative application of a combination of
Objectives. Intra-articular injections of local anaesthetics (LA), glucocorticoids (GC), or
The December 2013 Knee Roundup. 360 . looks at: Conflict of interest and
The August 2012 Knee Roundup. 360. looks at: meniscal defects and a polyurethane scaffold; which is best between a single or double bundle; OA of the knee; how to resolve anterior knee pain; whether yoga can be bad for your menisci; metal ions in the serum; whether ACI is any good; the ACL; whether
The June 2012 Foot &
Ankle Roundup. 360. looks at: the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS); endoscopic treatment of Haglund’s syndrome; whether it is worth removing metalwork;
Microfracture is frequently used as the first line of treatment for the repair of traumatic cartilage defects. We present the clinical and histological results 18 months to two-years after treatment in a 26-year-old male with a post-traumatic chondral defect of the medial femoral condyle managed by microfracture covered with chondrotissue, a cell-free cartilage implant made of a resorbable polyglycolic acid felt and
The multifunctional adhesion molecule CD44 is a major cell-surface receptor for
The October 2023 Sports Roundup360 looks at: Extensor mechanism disruption in the treatment of dislocated and multiligament knee injuries; Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with injection of stem cells; Corticosteroid injection plus exercise or exercise alone as adjuvants for patients with plantar fasciitis?; Generalized joint hypermobility and a second ACL injury?; The VISA-A ((sedentary) questionnaire for Achilles tendinopathy?.
The February 2023 Hip & Pelvis Roundup360 looks at: Total hip arthroplasty or internal fixation for hip fracture?; Significant deterioration in quality of life and increased frailty in patients waiting more than six months for total hip or knee arthroplasty: a cross-sectional multicentre study; Long-term cognitive trajectory after total joint arthroplasty; Costal cartilage grafting for a large osteochondral lesion of the femoral head; Foley catheters not a problem in the short term; Revision hips still a mortality burden?; How to position implants with a robotic arm; Uncemented stems in hip fracture?
The August 2024 Wrist & Hand Roundup360 looks at: Methotrexate shows potential in reducing pain for hand osteoarthritis with synovitis; Circumferential casting versus plaster splinting in adult distal radius fractures: the CAST study findings; Surgery shows superior long-term success for Dupuytren contracture compared to needle fasciotomy and collagenase injection; Evolving trends in surgical management of wrist arthritis: a decade-long national analysis; Mid-term outcomes of three commonly used surgical reconstructions for scapholunate instability; SLAC and SNAC: what is the evidence for treatment?; Steroids for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis?; When is it safe to return to driving after distal radius fracture fixation? A prospective study.
To assess the alterations in cell-specific DNA methylation associated with chondroitin sulphate response using peripheral blood collected from Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) patients before initiation of chondroitin sulphate treatment. Peripheral blood samples were collected from KBD patients at baseline of chondroitin sulphate treatment. Methylation profiles were generated using reduced representation bisulphite sequencing (RRBS) from peripheral blood. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified using MethylKit, while DMR-related genes were defined as those annotated to the gene body or 2.2-kilobase upstream regions of DMRs. Selected DMR-related genes were further validated by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to assess expression levels. Tensor composition analysis was performed to identify cell-specific differential DNA methylation from bulk tissue.Aims
Methods
Orthopaedic surgery requires grafts with sufficient mechanical strength. For this purpose, decellularized tissue is an available option that lacks the complications of autologous tissue. However, it is not widely used in orthopaedic surgeries. This study investigated clinical trials of the use of decellularized tissue grafts in orthopaedic surgery. Using the ClinicalTrials.gov (CTG) and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) databases, we comprehensively surveyed clinical trials of decellularized tissue use in orthopaedic surgeries registered before 1 September 2022. We evaluated the clinical results, tissue processing methods, and commercial availability of the identified products using academic literature databases and manufacturers’ websites.Aims
Methods
The purpose of our study was to determine whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an effective and safe therapeutic agent for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA), owing to their cartilage regeneration potential. We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, with keywords including “knee osteoarthritis” and “mesenchymal stem cells”, up to June 2019. We selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that explored the use of MSCs to treat knee OA. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), adverse events, and the whole-organ MRI score (WORMS) were used as the primary evaluation tools in the studies. Our meta-analysis included a subgroup analysis of cell dose and cell source.Aims
Methods
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive cartilage degradation, synovial membrane inflammation, osteophyte formation, and subchondral bone sclerosis. Pathological changes in cartilage and subchondral bone are the main processes in OA. In recent decades, many studies have demonstrated that activin-like kinase 3 (ALK3), a bone morphogenetic protein receptor, is essential for cartilage formation, osteogenesis, and postnatal skeletal development. Although the role of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling in articular cartilage and bone has been extensively studied, many new discoveries have been made in recent years around ALK3 targets in articular cartilage, subchondral bone, and the interaction between the two, broadening the original knowledge of the relationship between ALK3 and OA. In this review, we focus on the roles of ALK3 in OA, including cartilage and subchondral bone and related cells. It may be helpful to seek more efficient drugs or treatments for OA based on ALK3 signalling in future.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease resulting from progressive joint destruction caused by many factors. Its pathogenesis is complex and has not been elucidated to date. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a series of irreversible and stable macromolecular complexes formed by reducing sugar with protein, lipid, and nucleic acid through a non-enzymatic glycosylation reaction (Maillard reaction). They are an important indicator of the degree of ageing. Currently, it is considered that AGEs accumulation in vivo is a molecular basis of age-induced OA, and AGEs production and accumulation in vivo is one of the important reasons for the induction and acceleration of the pathological changes of OA. In recent years, it has been found that AGEs are involved in a variety of pathological processes of OA, including extracellular matrix degradation, chondrocyte apoptosis, and autophagy. Clearly, AGEs play an important role in regulating the expression of OA-related genes and maintaining the chondrocyte phenotype and the stability of the intra-articular environment. This article reviews the latest research results of AGEs in a variety of pathological processes of OA, to provide a new direction for the study of OA pathogenesis and a new target for prevention and treatment. Cite this article:
Corticosteroid injections are often used to manage glenohumeral arthritis in patients who may be candidates for future total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) or reverse shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). In the conservative management of these patients, corticosteroid injections are often provided for symptomatic relief. The purpose of this study was to determine if the timing of corticosteroid injections prior to TSA or rTSA is associated with changes in rates of revision and periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following these procedures. Data were collected from a national insurance database from January 2006 to December 2017. Patients who underwent shoulder corticosteroid injection within one year prior to ipsilateral TSA or rTSA were identified and stratified into the following cohorts: < three months, three to six months, six to nine months, and nine to 12 months from time of corticosteroid injection to TSA or rTSA. A control cohort with no corticosteroid injection within one year prior to TSA or rTSA was used for comparison. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine the association between specific time intervals and outcomes.Aims
Methods
This study aimed to investigate whether human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) can prevent articular cartilage degradation and explore the underlying mechanisms in a rat osteoarthritis (OA) model induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA). Human UC-MSCs were characterized by their phenotype and multilineage differentiation potential. Two weeks after MIA induction in rats, human UC-MSCs were intra-articularly injected once a week for three weeks. The therapeutic effect of human UC-MSCs was evaluated by haematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue, Safranin-O/Fast green staining, and Mankin scores. Markers of joint cartilage injury and pro- and anti-inflammatory markers were detected by immunohistochemistry.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
This study investigates the effects of intra-articular injection of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on lameness, pain, and quality of life in osteoarthritic canine patients. With informed owner consent, adipose tissue collected from adult dogs diagnosed with degenerative joint disease was enzymatically digested and cultured to passage 1. A small portion of cells (n = 4) surplus to clinical need were characterized using flow cytometry and tri-lineage differentiation. The impact and degree of osteoarthritis (OA) was assessed using the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD) score, Modified Canine Osteoarthritis Staging Tool (mCOAST), kinetic gait analysis, and diagnostic imaging. Overall, 28 joints (25 dogs) were injected with autologous AdMSCs and PRP. The patients were followed up at two, four, eight, 12, and 24 weeks. Data were analyzed using two related-samples Wilcoxon signed-rank or Mann-Whitney U tests with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.Aims
Methods
MicroRNA-183 ( Clinical samples were collected from patients with OA, and a mouse model of OA pain was constructed by surgically induced destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to measure the expression of miR-183, transforming growth factor α (TGFα), C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (Aims
Methods
We wanted to evaluate the effects of a bone anabolic agent (bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2)) on an anti-catabolic background (systemic or local zoledronate) on fixation of allografted revision implants. An established allografted revision protocol was implemented bilaterally into the stifle joints of 24 canines. At revision surgery, each animal received one BMP-2 (5 µg) functionalized implant, and one raw implant. One group (12 animals) received bone graft impregnated with zoledronate (0.005 mg/ml) before impaction. The other group (12 animals) received untreated bone graft and systemic zoledronate (0.1 mg/kg) ten and 20 days after revision surgery. Animals were observed for an additional four weeks before euthanasia.Aims
Methods
The aim of this retrospective study was to determine if there are differences in short-term clinical outcomes among four different types of matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT). A total of 88 patients (mean age 34 years (SD 10.03), mean BMI 25 kg/m2 (SD 3.51)) with full-thickness chondral lesions of the tibiofemoral joint who underwent MACT were included in this study. Clinical examinations were performed preoperatively and 24 months after transplantation. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form, the Brittberg score, the Tegner Activity Scale, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain. The Kruskal-Wallis test by ranks was used to compare the clinical scores of the different transplant types.Aims
Methods
The management of symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) can be challenging. The number of ways of treating these lesions has increased considerably during the last decade, with published studies often providing conflicting, low-level evidence. This paper aims to present an up-to-date concise overview of the best evidence for the surgical treatment of OLTs. Management options are reviewed based on the size of the lesion and include bone marrow stimulation, bone grafting options, drilling techniques, biological preparations, and resurfacing. Although many of these techniques have shown promising results, there remains little high level evidence, and further large scale prospective studies and systematic reviews will be required to identify the optimal form of treatment for these lesions. Cite this article:
Osteoarthritis (OA), one of the most common motor system disorders, is a degenerative disease involving progressive joint destruction caused by a variety of factors. At present, OA has become the fourth most common cause of disability in the world. However, the pathogenesis of OA is complex and has not yet been clarified. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) refers to a group of RNAs more than 200 nucleotides in length with limited protein-coding potential, which have a wide range of biological functions including regulating transcriptional patterns and protein activity, as well as binding to form endogenous small interference RNAs (siRNAs) and natural microRNA (miRNA) molecular sponges. In recent years, a large number of lncRNAs have been found to be differentially expressed in a variety of pathological processes of OA, including extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, synovial inflammation, chondrocyte apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Obviously, lncRNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression, maintaining the phenotype of cartilage and synovial cells, and the stability of the intra-articular environment. This article reviews the results of the latest research into the role of lncRNAs in a variety of pathological processes of OA, in order to provide a new direction for the study of OA pathogenesis and a new target for prevention and treatment. Cite this article:
To analyze the potential role of synovial fluid peptidase activity as a measure of disease burden and predictive biomarker of progression in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). A cross-sectional study of 39 patients (women 71.8%, men 28.2%; mean age of 72.03 years (SD 1.15) with advanced KOA (Ahlbäck grade ≥ 3 and clinical indications for arthrocentesis) recruited through the (Orthopaedic Department at the Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, Spain (CAULE)), measuring synovial fluid levels of puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase (PSA), neutral aminopeptidase (NAP), aminopeptidase B (APB), prolyl endopeptidase (PEP), aspartate aminopeptidase (ASP), glutamyl aminopeptidase (GLU) and pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase (PGAP).Aims
Methods
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is known to have a poor wound healing capacity, whereas other ligaments outside of the knee joint capsule such as the medial collateral ligament (MCL) apparently heal more easily. Plasmin has been identified as a major component in the synovial fluid that varies among patients. The aim of this study was to test whether plasmin, a component of synovial fluid, could be a main factor responsible for the poor wound healing capacity of the ACL. The effects of increasing concentrations of plasmin (0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 50 µg/ml) onto the wound closing speed (WCS) of primary ACL-derived ligamentocytes (ACL-LCs) were tested using wound scratch assay and time-lapse phase-contrast microscopy. Additionally, relative expression changes (quantitative PCR (qPCR)) of major LC-relevant genes and catabolic genes were investigated. The positive controls were 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF).Aims
Methods
During the last decades, several research groups have used bisphosphonates for local application to counteract secondary bone resorption after bone grafting, to improve implant fixation or to control bone resorption caused by bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). We focused on zoledronate (a bisphosphonate) due to its greater antiresorptive potential over other bisphosphonates. Recently, it has become obvious that the carrier is of importance to modulate the concentration and elution profile of the zoledronic acid locally. Incorporating one fifth of the recommended systemic dose of zoledronate with different apatite matrices and types of bone defects has been shown to enhance bone regeneration significantly
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. 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 106 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.Aim
Materials and Methods
Implant-related infection is one of the leading reasons for failure in orthopaedics and trauma, and results in high social and economic costs. Various antibacterial coating technologies have proven to be safe and effective both in preclinical and clinical studies, with post-surgical implant-related infections reduced by 90% in some cases, depending on the type of coating and experimental setup used. Economic assessment may enable the cost-to-benefit profile of any given antibacterial coating to be defined, based on the expected infection rate with and without the coating, the cost of the infection management, and the cost of the coating. After reviewing the latest evidence on the available antibacterial coatings, we quantified the impact caused by delaying their large-scale application. Considering only joint arthroplasties, our calculations indicated that for an antibacterial coating, with a final user’s cost price of €600 and able to reduce post-surgical infection by 80%, each year of delay to its large-scale application would cause an estimated 35 200 new cases of post-surgical infection in Europe, equating to additional hospital costs of approximately €440 million per year. An adequate reimbursement policy for antibacterial coatings may benefit patients, healthcare systems, and related research, as could faster and more affordable regulatory pathways for the technologies still in the pipeline. This could significantly reduce the social and economic burden of implant-related infections in orthopaedics and trauma.
Meniscal injuries are often associated with an active lifestyle. The damage of meniscal tissue puts young patients at higher risk of undergoing meniscal surgery and, therefore, at higher risk of osteoarthritis. In this study, we undertook proof-of-concept research to develop a cellularized human meniscus by using 3D bioprinting technology. A 3D model of bioengineered medial meniscus tissue was created, based on MRI scans of a human volunteer. The Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data from these MRI scans were processed using dedicated software, in order to obtain an STL model of the structure. The chosen 3D Discovery printing tool was a microvalve-based inkjet printhead. Primary mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from bone marrow and embedded in a collagen-based bio-ink before printing. LIVE/DEAD assay was performed on realized cell-laden constructs carrying MSCs in order to evaluate cell distribution and viability.Objectives
Methods
The February 2015 Wrist &
Hand Roundup360 looks at: Toes, feet, hands and transfers… FCR Tendonitis after Trapeziectomy and suspension, Motion sparing surgery for SLAC/SNAC wrists under the spotlight, Instability following distal radius fractures, Bilateral wrist arthrodesis a good idea?, Sodium Hyaluronate improves hand recovery following flexor tendon repair, Ultrasound treatments for de Quervain’s, Strategies for treating metacarpal neck fractures.
The re-establishment of vascularity is an early event in fracture healing; upregulation of angiogenesis may therefore promote the formation of bone. We have investigated the capacity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to stimulate the formation of bone in an experimental atrophic nonunion model. Three groups of eight rabbits underwent a standard nonunion operation. This was followed by interfragmentary deposition of 100 μg VEGF, carrier alone or autograft. After seven weeks, torsional failure tests and callus size confirmed that VEGF-treated osteotomies had united whereas the carrier-treated osteotomies failed to unite. The biomechanical properties of the groups treated with VEGF and autograft were identical. There was no difference in bone blood flow. We considered that VEGF stimulated the formation of competent bone in an environment deprived of its normal vascularisation and osteoprogenitor cell supply. It could be used to enhance the healing of fractures predisposed to nonunion.
Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
is one of the most devastating and frequent injuries of the knee. Surgical
reconstruction is the current standard of care for treatment of
ACL injuries in active patients. The widespread adoption of ACL
reconstruction over primary repair was based on early perception
of the limited healing capacity of the ACL. Although the majority
of ACL reconstruction surgeries successfully restore gross joint stability,
post-traumatic osteoarthritis is commonplace following these injuries,
even with ACL reconstruction. The development of new techniques
to limit the long-term clinical sequelae associated with ACL reconstruction
has been the main focus of research over the past decades. The improved
knowledge of healing, along with recent advances in tissue engineering
and regenerative medicine, has resulted in the discovery of novel
biologically augmented ACL-repair techniques that have satisfactory
outcomes in preclinical studies. This instructional review provides
a summary of the latest advances made in ACL repair. Cite this article:
The aim of this systematic literature review was to assess the clinical level of evidence of commercially available demineralised bone matrix (DBM) products for their use in trauma and orthopaedic related surgery. A total of 17 DBM products were used as search terms in two available databases: Embase and PubMed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses statement. All articles that reported the clinical use of a DBM-product in trauma and orthopaedic related surgery were included.Objectives
Methods
The August 2015 Research Roundup360 looks at: Lightbulbs, bleeding and procedure durations; Infection and rheumatoid agents; Infection rates and ‘bundles of care’ revisited; ACI: new application for a proven technology?; Hydrogel coating given the thumbs up; Hydroxyapatite as a smart coating?
Matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT)
has been developed and applied in the clinical practice in the last
decade to overcome most of the disadvantages of the first generation
procedures. The purpose of this systematic review is to document
and analyse the available literature on the results of MACT in the
treatment of chondral and osteochondral lesions of the knee. All studies published in English addressing MACT procedures were
identified, including those that fulfilled the following criteria:
1) level I-IV evidence, 2) measures of functional or clinical outcome,
3) outcome related to cartilage lesions of the knee cartilage.Objectives
Methods
The August 2015 Knee Roundup360 looks at: Two days as good as three in TKA; Bilateral TKA: minimising the risks; Tranexamic acid in knee arthroplasty: everyone should be using it, but how?; Initial follow-up for knee arthroplasty?; Navigation finds its niche?; Another take on navigation?; Multimodal care for early knee osteoarthritis; ACL graft fixation methods under the spotlight
Injection or aspiration of the ankle may be performed through either an anteromedial or an anterolateral approach for diagnostic or therapeutic reasons. We evaluated the success of an intra-articular puncture in relation to its site in 76 ankles from 38 cadavers. Two orthopaedic surgical trainees each injected methylene blue dye into 18 of 38 ankles through an anterolateral approach and into 20 of 38 through an anteromedial. An arthrotomy was then performed to confirm the placement of the dye within the joint. Of the anteromedial injections 31 of 40 (77.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 64.6 to 90.4) were successful as were 31 of 36 (86.1%, 95% CI 74.8 to 97.4) anterolateral injections. In total 62 of 76 (81.6%, 95% CI 72.9 to 90.3) of the injections were intra-articular with a trend towards greater accuracy with the anterolateral approach, but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.25). In the case of trainee A, 16 of 20 anteromedial injections and 14 of 18 anterolateral punctures were intra-articular. Trainee B made successful intra-articular punctures in 15 of 20 anteromedial and 17 of 18 anterolateral approaches. There was no significant difference between them (p = 0.5 and p = 0.16 for the anteromedial and anterolateral approaches, respectively). These results were similar to those of other reported studies. Unintended peri-articular injection can cause complications and an unsuccessful aspiration can delay diagnosis. Placement of the needle may be aided by the use of ultrasonographic scanning or fluoroscopy which may be required in certain instances.
The number of arthroplasties being undertaken
is expected to grow year on year, and periprosthetic joint infections will
be an increasing socioeconomic burden. The challenge to prevent
and eradicate these infections has resulted in the emergence of
several new strategies, which are discussed in this review. Cite this article:
The major problem with repair of an articular cartilage injury
is the extensive difference in the structure and function of regenerated,
compared with normal cartilage. Our work investigates the feasibility
of repairing articular osteochondral defects in the canine knee
joint using a composite lamellar scaffold of nano-ß-tricalcium phosphate
(ß-TCP)/collagen (col) I and II with bone marrow stromal stem cells
(BMSCs) and assesses its biological compatibility. The bone–cartilage scaffold was prepared as a laminated composite,
using hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nano-HAP)/collagen I/copolymer
of polylactic acid–hydroxyacetic acid as the bony scaffold, and
sodium hyaluronate/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) as the cartilaginous
scaffold. Ten-to 12-month-old hybrid canines were randomly divided
into an experimental group and a control group. BMSCs were obtained
from the iliac crest of each animal, and only those of the third
generation were used in experiments. An articular osteochondral
defect was created in the right knee of dogs in both groups. Those
in the experimental group were treated by implanting the composites
consisting of the lamellar scaffold of ß-TCP/col I/col II/BMSCs.
Those in the control group were left untreated.Objectives
Methods
Salubrinal is a synthetic agent that elevates phosphorylation
of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α) and
alleviates stress to the endoplasmic reticulum. Previously, we reported
that in chondrocytes, Salubrinal attenuates expression and activity
of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) through downregulating nuclear
factor kappa B (NFκB) signalling. We herein examine whether Salubrinal
prevents the degradation of articular cartilage in a mouse model
of osteoarthritis (OA). OA was surgically induced in the left knee of female mice. Animal
groups included age-matched sham control, OA placebo, and OA treated
with Salubrinal or Guanabenz. Three weeks after the induction of
OA, immunoblotting was performed for NFκB p65 and p-NFκB p65. At
three and six weeks, the femora and tibiae were isolated and the sagittal
sections were stained with Safranin O.Objectives
Methods
The pathophysiology of intervertebral disc degeneration has been extensively studied. Various factors have been suggested as influencing its aetiology, including mechanical factors, such as compressive loading, shear stress and vibration, as well as ageing, genetic, systemic and toxic factors, which can lead to degeneration of the disc through biochemical reactions. How are these factors linked? What is their individual importance? There is no clear evidence indicating whether ageing in the presence of repetitive injury or repetitive injury in the absence of ageing plays a greater role in the degenerative process. Mechanical factors can trigger biochemical reactions which, in turn, may promote the normal biological changes of ageing, which can also be accelerated by genetic factors. Degradation of the molecular structure of the disc during ageing renders it more susceptible to superimposed mechanical injuries. This review supports the theory that degeneration of the disc has a complex multifactorial aetiology. Which factors initiate the events in the degenerative cascade is a question that remains unanswered, but most evidence points to an age-related process influenced primarily by mechanical and genetic factors.
The treatment of osteochondral lesions and osteoarthritis
remains an ongoing clinical challenge in orthopaedics. This review
examines the current research in the fields of cartilage regeneration,
osteochondral defect treatment, and biological joint resurfacing, and
reports on the results of clinical and pre-clinical studies. We
also report on novel treatment strategies and discuss their potential
promise or pitfalls. Current focus involves the use of a scaffold
providing mechanical support with the addition of chondrocytes or mesenchymal
stem cells (MSCs), or the use of cell homing to differentiate the
organism’s own endogenous cell sources into cartilage. This method
is usually performed with scaffolds that have been coated with a
chemotactic agent or with structures that support the sustained
release of growth factors or other chondroinductive agents. We also
discuss unique methods and designs for cell homing and scaffold
production, and improvements in biological joint resurfacing. There
have been a number of exciting new studies and techniques developed
that aim to repair or restore osteochondral lesions and to treat
larger defects or the entire articular surface. The concept of a
biological total joint replacement appears to have much potential. Cite this article:
Modern athletes are constantly susceptible to performance-threatening injury as they push their bodies to greater limits and endure higher physical stresses. Loss of performance and training time can adversely and permanently affect a sportsperson’s career. Now more than ever with advancing medical technology the answer may lie in biologic therapy. We have been using peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) clinically and have been able to demonstrate that stem cells differentiate into target cells to enable regenerative repair. The potential of this technique as a regenerative agent can be seen in three broad applications: 1) articular cartilage, 2) bone and 3) soft tissue. This article highlights the successful cases, among many, in all three of these applications.
Intra-articular punctures and injections are performed routinely on patients with injuries to and chronic diseases of joints, to release an effusion or haemarthrosis, or to inject drugs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of placement of the needle during this procedure. A total of 76 cadaver acromioclavicular joints were injected with a solution containing methyl blue and subsequently dissected to distinguish intra- from peri-articular injection. In order to assess the importance of experience in achieving accurate placement, half of the injections were performed by an inexperienced resident and half by a skilled specialist. The specialist injected a further 20 cadaver acromioclavicular joints with the aid of an image intensifier. The overall frequency of peri-articular injection was much higher than expected at 43% (33 of 76) overall, with 42% (16 of 38) by the specialist and 45% (17 of 38) by the resident. The specialist entered the joint in all 20 cases when using the image intensifier. Correct positioning of the needle in the joint should be facilitated by fluoroscopy, thereby guaranteeing an intra-articular injection.
The pathogenesis of rotator cuff disease (RCD) is complex and
not fully understood. This systematic review set out to summarise
the histological and molecular changes that occur throughout the
spectrum of RCD. We conducted a systematic review of the scientific literature
with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria.Introduction
Methods
Invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) is the most common cause of monomicrobial necrotising fasciitis. Necrotising infections of the extremities may present directly to orthopaedic surgeons or by reference from another admitting specialty. Recent epidemiological data from the Health Protection Agency suggest an increasing incidence of iGAS infection in England. Almost 40% of those affected had no predisposing illnesses or risk factors, and the proportion of children presenting with infections has risen. These observations have prompted the Chief Medical Officer for the Central Alerting System in England to write to general practitioners and hospitals, highlighting the need for clinical vigilance, early diagnosis and rapid initiation of treatment in suspected cases. The purpose of this annotation is to summarise the recent epidemiological trends, describe the presenting features and outline the current investigations and treatment of this rare but life-threatening condition.
In this retrospective study we have assessed the results of low tibial valgus osteotomy for varus-type osteoarthritis of the ankle and its indications. We performed an opening wedge osteotomy in 25 women (26 ankles). The mean follow-up was for eight years and three months (2 years 3 months to 17 years 11 months). Of the 26 ankles, 19 showed excellent or good clinical results. Their mean scores for pain, walking, and activities of daily living were significantly improved but there was no change in the range of movement. In the ankles which were classified radiologically as stage 2 according to our own grading system, with narrowing of the medial joint space, and in 11 as stage 3a, with obliteration of the joint space at the medial malleolus only, the joint space recovered. In contrast, such recovery was seen in only two of 12 ankles classified as stage 3b, with obliteration of the joint space advancing to the upper surface of the dome of the talus. Low tibial osteotomy is indicated for varus-type osteoarthritis of stage 2 or stage 3a.
The gelatin-based haemostyptic compound Spongostan was tested as a three-dimensional (3D) chondrocyte matrix in an in vitro model for autologous chondrocyte transplantation using cells harvested from bovine knees. In a control experiment of monolayer cultures, the proliferation or de-differentiation of bovine chondrocytes was either not or only marginally influenced by the presence of Spongostan (0.3 mg/ml). In monolayers and 3-D Minusheet culture chambers, the cartilage-specific differentiation markers aggrecan and type-II collagen were ubiquitously present in a cell-associated fashion and in the pericellular matrix. The Minusheet cultures usually showed a markedly higher mRNA expression than monolayer cultures irrespective of whether Spongostan had been present or not during culture. Although the de-differentiation marker type-I collagen was also present, the ratio of type-I to type-II collagen or aggrecan to type-I collagen remained higher in Minusheet 3-D cultures than in monolayer cultures irrespective of whether Spongostan had been included in or excluded from the monolayer cultures. The concentration of GAG in Minusheet cultures reached its maximum after 14 days with a mean of 0.83 ± 0.8 μg/106 cells; mean ±, Our results suggest that Spongostan is in principle suitable as a 3-D chondrocyte matrix, as demonstrated in Minusheet chambers, in particular for a culture period of 14 days. Clinically, differentiating effects on chondrocytes, simple handling and optimal formability may render Spongostan an attractive 3-D scaffold for autologous chondrocyte transplantation.
Chondral damage to the knee is common and, if left untreated, can proceed to degenerative osteoarthritis. In symptomatic patients established methods of management rely on the formation of fibrocartilage which has poor resistance to shear forces. The formation of hyaline or hyaline-like cartilage may be induced by implanting autologous, cultured chondrocytes into the chondral or osteochondral defect. Autologous chondrocyte implantation may be used for full-thickness chondral or osteochondral injuries which are painful and debilitating with the aim of replacing damaged cartilage with hyaline or hyaline-like cartilage, leading to improved function. The intermediate and long-term functional and clinical results are promising. We provide a review of autologous chondrocyte implantation and describe our experience with the technique at our institution with a mean follow-up of 32 months (1 to 9 years). The procedure is shown to offer statistically significant improvement with advantages over other methods of management of chondral defects.
The aim of this study was to determine whether subchondral bone influences in situ chondrocyte survival. Bovine explants were cultured in serum-free media over seven days with subchondral bone excised from articular cartilage (group A), subchondral bone left attached to articular cartilage (group B), and subchondral bone excised but co-cultured with articular cartilage (group C). Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, fluorescent probes and biochemical assays, in situ chondrocyte viability and relevant biophysical parameters (cartilage thickness, cell density, culture medium composition) were quantified over time (2.5 hours vs seven days). There was a significant increase in chondrocyte death over seven days, primarily within the superficial zone, for group A, but not for groups B or C (p <
0.05). There was no significant difference in cartilage thickness or cell density between groups A, B and C (p >
0.05). Increases in the protein content of the culture media for groups B and C, but not for group A, suggested that the release of soluble factors from subchondral bone may have influenced chondrocyte survival. In conclusion, subchondral bone significantly influenced chondrocyte survival in articular cartilage during explant culture. The extrapolation of bone-cartilage interactions in vitro to the clinical situation must be made with caution, but the findings from these experiments suggest that future investigation into in vivo mechanisms of articular cartilage survival and degradation must consider the interactions of cartilage with subchondral bone.
We developed a new porous scaffold made from a synthetic polymer, poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG), and evaluated its use in the repair of cartilage. Osteochondral defects made on the femoral trochlear of rabbits were treated by transplantation of the PLG scaffold, examined histologically and compared with an untreated control group. Fibrous tissue was initially organised in an arcade array with poor cellularity at the articular surface of the scaffold. The tissue regenerated to cartilage at the articular surface. In the subchondral area, new bone formed and the scaffold was absorbed. The histological scores were significantly higher in the defects treated by the scaffold than in the control group (p <
0.05). Our findings suggest that in an animal model the new porous PLG scaffold is effective for repairing full-thickness osteochondral defects without cultured cells and growth factors.
Human bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells have an important role in the repair of musculoskeletal tissues by migrating from the bone marrow into the injured site and undergoing differentiation. We investigated the use of autologous human serum as a substitute for fetal bovine serum in the Autologous human serum was as effective in stimulating growth of bone-marrow stem cells as fetal bovine serum. Furthermore, medium supplemented with autologous human serum was more effective in promoting motility than medium with fetal bovine serum in all cases. Addition of B-fibroblast growth factor to medium with human serum stimulated growth, but not motility. Our results suggest that autologous human serum may provide sufficient
We used a canine intercalary bone defect model to determine the effects of recombinant human osteogenic protein 1 (rhOP-1) on allograft incorporation. The allograft was treated with an implant made up of rhOP-1 and type I collagen or with type I collagen alone. Radiographic analysis showed an increased volume of periosteal callus in both test groups compared with the control group at weeks 4, 6, 8 and 10. Mechanical testing after 12 weeks revealed increased maximal torque and stiffness in the rhOP-1 treated groups compared with the control group. These results indicate a benefit from the use of an rhOP-1 implant in the healing of bone allografts. The effect was independent of the position of the implant. There may be a beneficial clinical application for this treatment.
Articular cartilage repair remains a challenge to surgeons and basic scientists. The field of tissue engineering allows the simultaneous use of material scaffolds, cells and signalling molecules to attempt to modulate the regenerative tissue. This review summarises the research that has been undertaken to date using this approach, with a particular emphasis on those techniques that have been introduced into clinical practice, via in vitro and preclinical studies.