Perception of a Natural Joint After Total Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundAssessing patients’ functional outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with traditional scoring systems is limited by their ceiling effects. Patient’s Joint Perception (PJP) question of the reconstructed joint is also of significant interest. Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) was created as a more discriminating option. The actual score constituting a “forgotten joint” has not yet been defined. The primary objective of this study is to compare the PJP and the FJS in TKA patients to determine the FJS score that corresponds to the patient’s perception of a natural joint.MethodsOne hundred TKAs were assessed at a mean of 40.6 months of follow-up using the PJP question, FJS, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Correlation between the 3 scores and their ceiling effects were analyzed.ResultsWith PJP question, 39% of the patients perceived a natural joint (FJS: 92.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 89.4-96.4), 12% an artificial joint with no restriction (FJS: 79.5; 95% CI, 65.7-93.3), 36% an artificial joint with minor restrictions (FJS: 70.0; 95% CI, 63.2-76.9), and 13% had major restrictions (FJS: 47.3; 95% CI. 32.8-61.7). PJP has a high correlation with FJS and WOMAC (Spearman’s rho, −0.705 and −0.680, respectively). FJS and WOMAC had a significant ceiling effect with both reaching the best possible score in >15%.ConclusionPatients perceiving their TKA as a natural knee based on PJP have a FJS ≥89. PJP has a good correlation with FJS and may be a shorter, simple, and acceptable alternative.     

基于关节液代谢组学变化研究刺络药物罐疗法治疗膝骨性关节炎的机制

目的：基于关节液代谢组学变化分析刺络药物罐疗法治疗膝骨性关节炎（KOA）的作用机制。方法：选取2018年4月至2019年5月深圳市宝安区中医院收治的KOA患者98例作为研究对象，按照治疗方法不同分为西药观察组(n=52)和刺络药物罐疗法组(n=46)；比较所有患者治疗前后VAS评分和WOMAC评分；统计不同手段治疗前后血尿酸、C反应蛋白和红细胞沉降率；分离来自膝骨关节的关节液进行NMR分析。结果：治疗前，刺络药物罐疗法组和西药观察组VAS和WOMAC评分以及血尿酸、C反应蛋白和红细胞沉降率差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）；治疗后，刺络药物罐疗法组和西药观察组VVAS和WOMAC评分以及血尿酸、C反应蛋白含量和红细胞沉降率均降低，其中刺络药物罐疗法降低幅度更大，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）；治疗后，刺络药物罐疗法组和西药观察组异丁酸和葡萄糖增加，羟脯氨酸，天冬酰胺，丝氨酸和尿苷均降低，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论：刺络药物罐疗法可以有效地改善KOA患者的治疗效果和身体功能。     

舒筋活血胶囊联合艾瑞昔布治疗膝骨关节炎的临床研究

目的探讨舒筋活血胶囊联合艾瑞昔布治疗膝骨关节炎的临床疗效。方法选取2017年5月—2018年5月在邯郸市第一医院治疗的膝骨关节炎患者88例,随机分为对照组(44例)和治疗组(44例)。对照组口服艾瑞昔布片,0.1 g/次,2次/d;治疗组在对照组基础上口服舒筋活血胶囊,1.35 g/次,3次/d。两组患者均治疗4周。观察两组患者临床疗效,同时比较治疗前后两组患者膝关节功能指标和血清学指标。结果治疗后,对照组和治疗组临床有效率分别为81.82%和97.73%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组骨关节指数评分(WOMAC)和VAS评分均显著降低(P0.05),膝关节功能评分(LKSS)评分显著升高(P0.05),且治疗组WOMAC、VAS和LKSS评分明显好于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后,两组超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、IL-17、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)和环氧化酶-2(COX-2)水平均显著降低(P0.05),且治疗组上述血清学指标明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论舒筋活血胶囊联合艾瑞昔布片治疗膝骨关节炎,可有效降低机体炎症反应,延缓关节进一步损伤,具有一定的临床推广应用价值。     

The importance of objectively measuring functional tests in complement to self-report assessments in patients with knee osteoarthritis

BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease which can result in chronic pain, loss of joint function and consequently decline in quality of life.Research questionA variety of instruments that measure the different dimensions of health status in patients with OA are available. However, despite the fact that WOMAC and other questionnaires and scales may provide additional understanding regarding the patient’s condition, some studies have reported discrepancies between patients’ perceptions and their actual ability to perform the task. The aim of the present study was investigate the physical capabilities with the function domain of WOMAC.MethodsThis study has a cross-sectional design including patients diagnosed with moderate to severe knee OA (i.e., grades II, III and IV) according to the Kellgren-Lawrence. These patients were submitted to the battery of functional tests recommended by the OARSI group (30-second chair stand test, 40 m fast paced walking test, Stair climb test, timed “Up and Go”, and Six-minute walking test) and filled the WOMAC. Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression was applied.ResultsA total of 153 patients were included. A significant and weak correlation was observed between WOMAC and the 40-meter walking test, TUG, stair-climbing test, and the 6MWT. In addition, 30-second chair stand test demonstrated a significant and moderate correlation (r=-0.503). The multiple regression analysis results indicated that only 30-second chair stand test was a significant (p = 0.001) predictor of WOMAC. This result remains significant even after adjusting for age, BMI, total muscle mass, and number of knees affectedSignificanceThe 30-second chair stand test is associated with the WOMAC function domain. There is no correlation of this domain with any other functional tests, emphasizing the importance of including other tests for a global evaluation.     

当归四逆汤联合甲氨蝶呤 洛索洛芬钠治疗类风湿关节炎疗效分析

目的探讨当归四逆汤联合甲氨蝶呤、洛索洛芬钠治疗类风湿关节炎患者的临床效果.方法将243例娄风湿关节炎患者按简单随机化分组法分为3组,每组81例,西药组口服甲氨蝶呤、洛索洛芬钠治疗,中药组口服当归四逆汤治疗,联合组予以当归四逆汤联合甲氨蝶呤及洛索洛芬钠治疗,观察1个月.比较3组治疗1个月后总有效率,曼彻斯特大学骨性关节炎指数评分、中医症候积分、实验室指标(血沉、C反应蛋白、娄风湿因子、抗环瓜氨酸肽抗体)、Wnt/β-catenin信号通路(Wnt3α、β-catenin)表达水平及不良反应发生率.结果(1)联合组治疗1个月后总有效率(90.1%)显著高于西药组(75.3%)、中药组(72.8%)(P<0.05),西药组与中药组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);(2)联合组治疗1个月后曼彻斯特大学骨性关节炎指数评分、中医症候积分显著低于西药组、中药组(P<0.01),西药组与中药组比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)(3);联合组治疗1个月后血沉、C反应蛋白、类风湿因子、抗环瓜氨酸肽抗体水平及Wnt3α、β-catenin表达水平均显著低于西药组、中药组(P<0.01),西药组与中药组各项指标比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);(4)联合组、中药组不良反应发生率(2.5%、1.2%)显著低于西药组(13.6%)(P<0.01),中药组、联合组不良反应发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论当归四逆汤联合甲氨蝶呤及洛索洛芬钠治疗类风湿关节炎患者具有协同增效作用,能有效改善患者疼痛、晨僵等临床症状,缓解炎症反应,控制患者病情,且安全性高.     

Effects of orthopaedic manual therapy in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

This systematic review to aimed to evaluate the effects of orthopaedic manual therapy (OMT) on pain, improving function, and physical performance in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Muscle strength, muscle balance, physical function and plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in elderly women with knee osteoarthritis (OA)

An increased circulating level of inflammatory cytokines has been associated with sarcopenia, functional disability, chronic diseases, and mortality in the elderly. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease common to this population, the seriousness of articular degeneration has been associated to the increase in some cytokines, IL-6 among them. The aim of the present study was to correlate IL-6 plasma levels with muscle strength, endurance, muscle balance hamstring/quadriceps (H/Q) and physical function in 80 elderly women (71.2 ± 5.3) with knee OA. IL-6 was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength, endurance and hamstring-quadriceps muscle balance were assessed using a Biodex system 3 pro^® isokinetic dynamometer. Physical function was assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to explore the relationship between the outcomes at the significance level of α = 0.05. IL-6 was inversely correlated to the endurance of the hamstring muscles (r = −0.232; p = 0.03) and muscle balance (H/Q) on the lower right side at 180°/s (r = −0.254; p = 0.023). No significant correlation between IL-6, muscle strength and physical function was found. Our results show that elevated levels of IL-6 may possibly contribute to the reduction of the endurance of hamstring muscles and H/Q muscle balance in the elderly studied.     

Immediate Efficacy of Laterally Wedged Insoles With Arch Support on Walking in Persons With Bilateral Medial Knee Osteoarthritis

ObjectiveTo investigate the immediate efficacy of laterally wedged insoles with arch support (LWAS) on gait in persons with bilateral medial knee osteoarthritis (OA).DesignA prospective case-control intervention study.SettingA gait laboratory with a 6-camera motion analysis system and 2 forceplates.ParticipantsFifteen women with bilateral medial knee OA and 15 healthy control subjects (N=30).InterventionsLWAS.Main Outcome MeasuresSubjective knee pain and objective biomechanical indices, namely, joint angles and moments in the frontal plane, frontal plane ground reaction force and lever arm, as well as medial/lateral center of mass and center of pressure during gait.ResultsWhen wearing the LWAS, knee pain during gait in persons with medial knee OA decreased (P=.01). Peak internal knee abductor moments were also reduced (P<.001) with increasing foot progression angles, laterally shifted center of pressure, and a shortened frontal plane lever arm (all P<.05). However, ankle invertor moments were increased (P<.05) when wearing the LWAS.ConclusionsAlthough peak internal knee abductor moment and knee pain were immediately reduced during gait when wearing the LWAS, increased ankle invertor moments were found, suggesting that the LWAS should be used with caution. Strengthening and monitoring the condition of the ankle invertor muscles may be necessary if the LWAS is used as an intervention for persons with bilateral medial knee OA.