Association of varus thrust with prevalent patellofemoral osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional study

This cross-sectional study investigated (i) the association of varus thrust during gait with the presence of patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) and (ii) patellar alignment in the knees with varus thrust. Participants from orthopedic clinics (n = 171; mean age, 73.4 years; 71.9% female) diagnosed with radiographic medial knee OA (Kellgren/Lawrence [K/L] grade ≥1) were included in this study, and underwent gait observation for varus thrust assessment using 2D video analysis. A radiographic skyline view was used to assess the presence of medial PFOA using the grading system from the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Atlas. The tibiofemoral joint K/L grade, patellar alignment (i.e., lateral shift and tilting angle), and knee pain intensity were also evaluated as covariates. Thirty-two (18.7%) of 171 patients exhibited varus thrust and they presented significantly higher knee pain (46.0 ± 3.04 mm vs. 32.4 ± 2.73 mm; P = 0.024), a lower patellar tilting angle (P = 0.024), and a higher prevalence of PFOA compared with those without varus thrust. A logistic regression analysis with adjustment of covariates showed that varus thrust was significantly associated with higher odds of the presence of mixed and medial PFOA, and trended to significantly associate with any PFOA, including lateral PFOA. This indicates that varus thrust was associated with PFOA in a compartment-nonspecific manner in patients with medial knee OA. Varus thrust may represent a clinical disease feature of more advanced and multicompartmental disease.     

Arthroscopy of the Patello-Femoral Joint

Arthroscopy of the knee joint was performed in 126 patients complaining of symptoms in the patello-femoral joint. in about one-third of these cases the arthroscopic findings in the patello-femoral joint were normal, whereas the remainder had varying degrees of chondromalacia or arthrosis. the classification of changes agreed well with an independent classification carried out in conjunction with surgery. in one-third of the cases there were additional findings which could explain the knee symptoms, more than half of these being degenerative changes reminiscent of an early gonarthrosis located in the femuro-tibial joint. There were no complications arising from the arthroscopy procedure which was well tolerated by the patients. It is concluded that arthroscopy is a helpful tool for differential diagnosis in patients with patello-femoral pain and for classification of degenerative changes in this joint.     

Proper Fitting and Use of Crutches

In brief: Injured athletes who need crutches must be fitted correctly and taught their proper use to help prevent further injury, undue complications, and discouragement. Crutches should reach to about two finger widths below the armpit, and the handgrip should be adjusted so the elbow is flexed 25° to 30° with the wrist straight. The weight should be supported through the palms on the handgrips. The three-point gait is used when only one foot, ankle, or knee is injured. Proper instruction is extremely important for negotiating stairs.     

What Factors Predict Patient Dissatisfaction After Contemporary Medial Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy?

BackgroundAlthough current advances in surgical techniques have improved outcomes of the medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO), the factors associated with patient dissatisfaction remain unclear. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify risk factors for patient dissatisfaction following contemporary MOWHTO.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data on 140 consecutive MOWHTO patients using an anatomical locking plate with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Patient demographics, pain Visual Analogue Scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade, activity level, articular cartilage and meniscal status, hip-knee-ankle angle, change in alignment, and postoperative weight-bearing line ratio were recorded. Patients were categorized using the New Knee Society Score into satisfied (satisfaction score ≥20) or dissatisfied (satisfaction score <20) groups. Patient and surgical factors were compared between the groups by the identified predictors. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze risk factors, including K-L grade IV medial osteoarthritis (OA), preoperative pain Visual Analogue Scale, total Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score, postoperative hip-knee-ankle angle, change in alignment, and partial meniscectomy.ResultsOf the 140 patients, 24 (17.1%) were dissatisfied with their results. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only K-L grade IV medial OA was statistically associated with patient dissatisfaction following MOWHTO (odds ratio 4.911, 95% confidence interval 1.820-13.256, P < .01).ConclusionSevere medial OA was an independent risk factor for dissatisfaction following contemporary MOWHTO using a rigid locking plate. Surgeons should take this into consideration when counseling and choosing surgical options in MOWHTO candidates with severe medial OA.Level of EvidenceLevel III.     

温针灸联合玻璃酸钠关节腔内注射治疗膝骨性关节炎Meta分析

目的:系统评价温针灸联合玻璃酸钠治疗膝骨性关节炎的疗效。方法:计算机检索自建库截止至2018年7月PubMed,Wed of Science CBM,The Cochrane Library,EMBase,中国期刊全文数据库(CNKI)、万方数据库(Wan Fang Data)、维普中文科技期刊数据库(VIP)中关于温针灸联合玻璃酸钠治疗膝骨性关节炎的随机对照试验(RCTs)。由2位研究员分别进行文献筛选、数据提取和质量评价后,采用Rev Man 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果:有15篇RCTs纳入本研究,共1247例膝骨性关节炎患者(试验组628例,对照组619例)。试验组:温针灸联合玻璃酸钠;对照组:玻璃酸钠/温针灸/其他治疗。Meta分析结果:试验组治疗膝骨性关节炎总有效率比玻璃酸钠组、温针灸组、其他组分别高15%、20%及24%,且差异有统计学意义(RR=1.15,95%CI:1.10～1.21,P<0.00001;RR=1.20,95%CI:1.05～1.36,P=0.005;RR=1.36,95%CI:1.11～1.66,P=0.003)。试验组治疗膝骨性关节炎改善视觉模拟(VAS)评分优于玻璃酸钠组、温针灸组及其他组,且差异有统计学意义(MD=-1.46,95%CI:-1.84～-1.08,P=0.009;MD=-4.73,95%CI:-6.46～-3.01,P<0.00001;MD=-1.83,95%CI:-2.39～-1.28,P<0.00001);试验组治疗膝骨性关节炎改善WOMAC评分优于温针灸组,且差异有统计学意义(MD=-37.11,95%CI:-49.36～-24.85,P<0.00001)。试验组治疗膝骨性关节炎改善膝关节(LKSS)评分优于玻璃酸钠组及温针灸组,且差异有统计学意义(MD=39.14,95%CI:20.87～57.42,P<0.0001;MD=41.05,95%CI:27.77～54.33,P<0.00001)。结论:温针灸联合玻璃酸钠治疗膝骨性关节炎疗效优于单一用药及其他组,不过本研究纳入文献的质量及数量有限,故仍需更多长时间随访且高质量的RCTs试验进一步验证。     

Lower functioning patients demonstrate atypical hip joint loading before and following total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis

Previous studies have established that up to 1 year post total hip arthroplasty (THA), patients do not recover normal function and the magnitude of hip joint loading remains reduced compared to healthy individuals. However, the temporal nature of the loading profile has not been considered to identify individuals who are at a greater risk of poor functional outcomes following THA. This study aimed to determine changes to the profile and magnitude of the resultant hip joint reaction force before and up to 6 months post-primary THA, and factors associated with atypical loading profiles. Hip joint loading was computed using a personalized lower-limb musculoskeletal model in 43 participants awaiting primary THA for osteoarthritis (mean age: SD = 65, 14 years; body mass index: SD = 30, 5 kg/m²) before and up to 6 months after THA. Atypical, single-peak loading profiles were observed for 11 patients before surgery, where four showed a single peak at 6 months. Patients displaying a single-peak profile walked slower (mean difference: −0.4 m/s) compared to individuals displaying double-peak profile (P = <.001) and had significantly reduced sagittal plane hip range of motion during gait (mean difference −9.6°, P = <.001). Self-reported pain, function, and stiffness did not differentiate between patients with a single or double-peak loading profile. Individuals with a single-peak force profile did not meet the minimal clinically important hip range of motion during gait and would be classified as low-functioning THA patients. Clinical Relevance: The temporal nature of the force profile may help to identify individuals who are at the greatest risk of poor functional outcomes after THA.     

Genicular Artery Embolization for the Treatment of Knee Pain Secondary to Osteoarthritis

PurposeTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of embolization of hyperemic synovial tissue for the treatment of knee pain secondary to osteoarthritis (OA).Materials and MethodsTwenty patients with radiographic knee OA and moderate-to-severe pain refractory to conservative therapy were enrolled in a prospective, 2-site pilot study. Genicular artery embolization (GAE) was performed with 75- or 100-μm spherical particles. Patients were assessed with magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and at 1 month and with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months. Adverse events were recorded at all timepoints.ResultsEmbolization of at least 1 genicular artery was achieved in 20/20 (100%) patients. Mean VAS improved from 76 mm ± 14 at baseline to 29 mm ± 27 at 6-month follow-up (P < .01). Mean WOMAC score improved from 61 ± 12 at baseline to 29 ± 27 at 6-month follow-up (P < .01). Self-limiting skin discoloration occurred in 13/20 (65%) patients. Two of 20 (10%) patients developed plantar sensory paresthesia that resolved within 14 days.ConclusionsGAE to treat knee pain secondary to OA can be performed safely and demonstrates potential efficacy. Further randomized comparative studies are needed to determine true treatment effect versus placebo effect.     

Installing and thereafter removing an aberrant prosthesis elicited opposite remodelling responses in growing mouse temporomandibular joints

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) displays a high remodelling capability. The current purpose was to investigate the differences between mandibular condylar remodelling responses of growing mice to installation and removal of unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC) prosthesis. Twenty‐four mice were divided into one mock control group and two UAC groups. Unilateral anterior crossbite was created by installing a pair of prosthesis to left‐side maxillary and mandibular incisors. Unilateral anterior crossbite was removed in removal group at 3 weeks but remained in UAC group. Temporomandibular joints were sampled at 7 weeks. Changes in condylar cartilage and subchondral bone were assessed by histology and in vivo micro‐CT. Real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate expression changes in ADAMTS‐5, MMP‐3, MMP‐9, MMP‐13, IL‐1, TNF‐α, OPG and RANKL. Statistical analysis was performed at α = 0·05. Temporomandibular joint cartilage degradation was induced by UAC as previously reported but was reversed by removal of UAC. The dropped cartilage thickness, chondrocyte number and collagen II‐positive area, the increased expression levels of Adamts‐5, Mmp3, 9, 13, Tnf‐α and Il‐1β in cartilage, the decreased ratio of OPG/RANKL in both condylar cartilage and subchondral bone, the loss of TMJ subchondral bone and the increase in the TRAP‐positive cells in subchondral bone were all reversed in the removal group (P < 0·05). The growing mouse TMJ condyle displays a high remodelling capability which can be degenerative and rehabilitative, respectively, in response to placement and thereafter removal of the aberrant prosthesis. Eliminating aberrant prosthesis is helpful to promote the degraded condyle to recover.