The effect of joint aspiration and corticosteroid injections in osteoarthritis of the knee

Aim: To evaluate the benefits of knee joint aspiration and injection in knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: A retrospective, pilot study involved 110 patients with knee OA from a dedicated OA clinic in a Melbourne tertiary hospital from 2007 to 2009. Only those who had completed two Multiple Attribute Prioritization Tool (MAPT) questionnaires within 6 months of the initial review were included. The MAPT was designed to help prioritise patients on orthopedic waiting lists. Three groups were analyzed: patients who had no corticosteroid injection or aspiration, patients who received corticosteroid injections, and patients who received both joint aspiration with corticosteroid injections. Results: Patients who had both joint aspiration and injection reported an improvement in pain compared with those who had no injection (56.3%vs. 32.2%, P = 0.03). Those who had joint injections also did better than those without injection (62.7%vs. 32.2%, P = 0.001). Reduced analgesia use was noted in 12.5% of patients with aspiration and injection compared with 1.7% with no injection or aspiration (P = 0.03). Improved walking distance was noted in 22.4% of patients who had injections compared with 8.5% of patients with no injections (P = 0.03). No significant differences in MAPT scores among the different treatment groups were noted. Conclusion: This pilot study appears to show a beneficial trend in giving corticosteroid injections and to aspirate the knee in OA patients. Further studies are needed to address the mechanical benefits, quadriceps strengthening and pain reduction with knee aspiration, as well as the effects that different volumes of fluid may have on knee mechanics and symptoms.     

Mid-term clinical outcome of constrained condylar knee prosthesis for patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objectives: This study retrospectively investigated the mid-term outcome of Legacy constrained condylar knee (LCCK) prosthesis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) having severe varus/valgus deformity, instability, and/or bone loss.

Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2015, LCCK prostheses had been performed in 32 knees of 25 patients with RA, and 23 knees of 17 patients of the postoperative follow-up minimum 2 years were analyzed in this study (Primary: 14 knees, Revision: 9 knees). The average of follow-up duration was 6.9?±?2.7 years, all were female, and the average of age and RA duration at the surgery was 59.0?±?9.5 years and 26.6?±?13.5 years, respectively. Clinical result was analyzed by Knee Society Score (KSS) knee and function at preoperative time and final visit. Imaging outcome was investigated by femoral tibial angle (FTA), four component alignment angles, and radiolucent line at pre-/postoperative time.

Results: KSS knee/function scores and radiographic FTAs were improved after operation. Radiolucent lines around components were seen in 17 knees (73.9%), of which only one knee (4.3%) has shown aseptic loosening. The seven-year Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis resulted in 91.7%.

Conclusion: LCCK prosthesis in RA patients was achieved to the excellent mid-term clinical and radiographic result.     

Bone marrow lesions in the knee: the clinical conundrum

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a common, debilitating condition. Twelve percent of people aged 60 years or older have symptomatic knee OA. With increasing global incidence of obesity, the prevalence of OA is set to dramatically rise Cartilage deterioration is a hallmark of the disease, but other areas are equally as important, such as changes to the subchondral bone. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has enabled us to view bone marrow lesions (BMLs) in the subchondral bone, allowing progress to be made in understanding their natural history, effect on pain, structural deterioration and other factors. The focus of this review is to try to put a new clinical perspective for the patients with BMLs in relation to pain, functional decline and prognosis.     

Total knee arthroplasty for severe haemophilic arthropathy: long-term experience in Taiwan

Summary. A number of articles have investigated the outcomes of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and causes of prosthetic failure in patients with haemophilic arthropathy. The aims of this retrospective study were to evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of TKA and causes of prosthetic failure in patients with haemophilic arthropathy. A consecutive series of 35 TKA in 26 patients with haemophilic arthropathy were performed between November 1985 and October 2006 by one experienced surgeon. The mean age at index operation was 34.2 years old (range: 23.4–47 years) and the mean follow‐up duration was 82.2 months (range: 12–218 months). Clinical assessment included range of flexion, range of extension and total range of motion (ROM). Functional evaluation comprised pain score and functional score by Dr. Insall’s Knee Society Clinical Rating System. The average preoperative ROM was 63.2° with flexion contracture 15°, whereas the average postoperative ROM was 79.8° with flexion contracture 5.5°. Improvement of range of flexion was 7.1° (P = 0.16); improvement of range of extension was 9.5° (P < 0.01). Average increase of total ROM was 16.6° (P = 0.02). Pain score by Knee Society was 7.1 points preoperatively and 48 points postoperatively (P < 0.01); functional score by Knee Society was 42 points preoperatively and 77.1 points postoperatively (P < 0.01). Three patients received manipulations because of an inadequate ROM. Three infection episodes were treated with debridement and one of them received arthrodesis after removal of prosthesis. Two patients received revision TKA. One of them was because of loosening of femoral component. The other one received revision TKA because of insert wear. Though improvement in range of flexion is insignificant in haemophilic arthropathy of knee after TKA, it showed significant increase in total ROM after operation, especially in improvement of flexion contracture. It also showed great pain relief and significant functional gain. Under the circumstance of acceptable infection rate and complication, TKA is an effective method to achieve pain relief and gain better function in patients with haemophilic arthropathy of knee. The data of this study confirm those previously published by many authors.     

Perioperative clotting factor replacement and infection in total knee arthroplasty

Total knee arthroplasty, or replacement (TKR), is now the most commonly performed surgical procedure performed in adults with haemophilia. It is indicated when end-stage haemophilic arthropathy results in intractable pain and reduced function. In patients with haemophilia, however, there has always been a concern about the high risk of infection, which carries with it potentially catastrophic consequences. The aims of this study were to review the case series of TKR for haemophilic arthropathy published in the medical literature, comparing the published infection rates and the differing clotting factor replacement regimes employed. Nineteen retrospective case series were identified; representing 556 TKR's in 455 patients with an overall infection rate of 7.9%. Case series which maintained a high level of clotting factor replacement throughout the first two postoperative weeks, however, had an infection rate of 2.15%, significantly lower than that of case series using the clotting factor replacement regime currently recommended in the World Federation of Hemophilia guidelines (9.22% P = 0.00545). We believe this study supports the use of a high level clotting factor replacement regime, replacing clotting factors to maintain them at a higher level for a longer period of time than currently recommended in international guidelines.     

Effectiveness of home exercise on pain and disability from osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a home based exercise programme, designed to improve quadriceps strength, on knee pain and disability. METHODS: 191 men and women with knee pain aged 40-80 were recruited from the community and randomised to exercise (n = 113) or no intervention (n = 78). The exercise group performed strengthening exercises daily for six months. The primary outcome measure was change in knee pain (Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC)). Secondary measures included visual analogue scales (VAS) for pain on stairs and walking and WOMAC physical function scores. RESULTS: WOMAC pain score reduced by 22.5% in the exercise group and by 6.2% in the control group (between group difference p < 0.05, unpaired t test). VAS scores for pain also reduced in the exercise group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Physical function scores reduced by 17.4% in the exercise group and were unchanged in controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A simple programme of home quadriceps exercises can significantly improve self reported knee pain and function.     

单髁置换术治疗老年人内侧单间室膝骨关节炎的临床疗效

目的分析固定平台单髁置换术治疗老年内侧单间室骨关节炎的临床疗效。方法解放军总医院骨科2005年1月至2010年3月收治膝关节骨关节炎患者38例,男14例,女24例;年龄60~72(66.0±5.6)岁。站立行走内侧关节间隙疼痛,术前膝关节正侧位X线等影像学检查提示内侧单间室膝骨关节炎。术前美国特种外科医院(HSS)评分(52.6±16.7),疼痛视觉模拟量表(VAS)评分(6.3±1.2),膝关节内翻畸形(8.9±1.6)°,关节活动度(112.6±23.5)°。结果手术时间(45.0±10.2)min,无血管、神经等副损伤,伤口均Ⅰ期愈合,无切口感染等并发症发生;所有患者均随访,无死亡、退出等情况,随访时间71~133(102.0±12.2)个月。末次随访时,膝关节HSS评分(91.8±17.9),VAS评分(1.8±0.9),膝关节内翻畸形(4.7±0.9)°,关节活动度(129.7±36.8)°;与术前相比,均具有显著的改善(P0.05)。结论固定平台单髁置换术治疗老年内侧单间室骨关节炎具有较好的临床疗效。     

Three-dimensional gait characteristics of patients after unilateral total knee arthroplasty

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the gait characteristics of bilateral limbs after unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using three-dimensional (3D) dynamic capture technology.Forty-two patients who underwent TKA were selected from the Orthopedic Medical Center of The Second Hospital of Jilin University from November 2018 to May 2019. We used a 3D dynamic capture system to measure the gait characteristics of patients at 3 months after TKA. The data, including relative position and direction of different body parts, the force between feet and ground, spatial and temporal relationship of the lower limb muscles, were measured. Besides, the surface electromyogram signal and the force plate analog signal were also collected. The walking ability, knee 3D kinematic, and kinetic characteristics were analyzed by the Cortex software.Spatial and temporal parameters, including stride frequency, double support phase, single support phase, step length, step time, step width, stride length, gait cycle, velocity, were no significant difference in bilateral lower extremities (P > .05). The reaction force of hip, knee, and ankle joint in the operation side were less than that of the healthy side, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > .05). However, when compared with the healthy side, the hip joint in operation side had a larger maximum extension angle (P < .001), the knee joint in operation side had a larger maximum valgus angle and valgus activity (P < .05), and had a smaller tibial maximum internal rotation angle (P < .05). Besides, the surface electromyogram signals of tibialis anterior muscles were reduced (P < .05).3D gait analysis, as an objective and quantitative evaluation method, is a safe, effective, and reliable method for evaluating postoperative knee function. The data of gait analysis prove that TKA is a vital treatment to improve the function of patients with knee arthritis. Besides, gait analysis also showed that there were various kinematic and biomechanical abnormalities in the knee after TKA, which may be the reason why the surgical knee could not immediately return to normal level.     

Follow-up results of arthroscopic synovectomy for the rheumatoid knee

Arthroscopic synovectomy (ASS) of a rheumatoid knee is performed in cases of intractable synovitis. This spares the articular cartilage, and is an effective and simple treatment for chronic knee synovitis. This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the outcome of surgical arthroscopy, and study the clinical results in detail. A total of 160 knees, in 138 patients, were assessed after a mean follow-up of 35 months. There was a statistically significant improvement in pain, synovitis, and walking ability for at least 24 months after surgery. Based on the results of our study, age, duration of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and level of C-reactive protein (CRP) at surgery were not predictors of a poor long-term outcome of ASS. However, the clinical results correlated with the Lansbury index, loss of extension of the knee joint, a modified Larsen score, and the Larsen grade of the knee joint. Of the cases studied, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was performed in 29 knee joints. We concluded that although ASS can reduce local inflammation and delay the need for definitive replacement surgery, patients over 60 years of age who show severe radiographic changes should undergo primary TKA. Received: September 5, 2000 / Accepted: January 29, 2001     

Correlation between goniometric measurements of range of motion and radiographic scores in osteoarthritis knee: An observational study among females

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease. Different radiological changes are found according to grades. Range of motions (ROMs) of knee decreases with severity of OA. Women are more sufferer than men in OA knee. Objective was to correlate goniometric ROM with Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) radiographic score of female osteoarthritic knee. The study was a cross-sectional study conducted in Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, BSMMU, Dhaka, from February 2020 to March 2021. According to ACR (American College of Rheumatology) criteria, total 66 patients with primary OA knee were selected and examined in this study. Maximal flexion, extension, and rotation movements were measured by a universal goniometer. X-ray of standing both (A/P and lateral) view and skyline view of knee joint were taken and assessed with KL radiographic scores for medial, lateral, and patellofemoral compartments. Correlations between ROMs and KL scores were analyzed by Pearson correlation test. Among the 66 patients, mean age was 53.59 ± 7.19 years and mean body mass index was 26.62 ± 3.35. Majority (84.8%) of the patients were housewives. Mean maximum flexion was 126.71 ± 4.88°, maximum extension was –3.98 ± 1.74°, and internal and external rotations were 6.38 ± 1.29 and 8.48 ± 1.55°, respectively. More than half of patients had medial compartment KL score 3 or more while KL score 2 was found in 47% and 62.1% patients, respectively, in lateral and patellofemoral compartments. Statistically significant negative correlations were found between range of motion and radiographic scores. Strong correlation was present between maximal flexion and medial compartment score (r = –0.821, P < .001), whereas moderate correlation with other compartments. Extension values were moderately correlated with patellofemoral scores (r = –0.560, P < .001) and weakly correlated with rest of radiographic scores. Internal and external rotation were more related with medial compartment (r= –0.469, P < .001) and lateral compartment scores (r = –0.481, P < .001), respectively, than other compartment scores. There were significant negative correlations between goniometric measurements of knee ROM and radiographic scores in osteoarthritis knee in female patients.     

膝症状性骨关节炎320例X线分析

目的：探讨膝骨关节炎Ｘ线特点及临床意义。方法：临床就诊组２０６例，流行病学调查组１１４例，共４７６个病膝。摄常规正、侧位片，分析Ｘ线征象并作骨关节炎分级。结果：两组病膝胫股关节内侧部骨关节炎征象较外侧部显著，胫骨纵轴线与胫骨平台关节面切线的外侧交角（胫骨角）为９２°±１４６°。就诊组病膝的Ｘ线改变（尤其髌股关节和髌上囊肿胀），较流行病学调查组明显。结论：膝胫股关节的骨关节炎主要发生在内侧部，可能与胫骨上端的内翻有关。膝关节炎Ｘ线改变的程度，尤其髌股关节和关节囊肿胀，与临床表现相关。     

Effects of bariatric surgery for knee complaints in (morbidly) obese adult patients: a systematic review

Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of knee osteoarthritis, and over the past 30 years the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled. In an advanced‐stage knee osteoarthritis is treated with total knee arthroplasty, and the demand for primary total knee arthroplasties is expected to grow exponentially. However, total knee arthroplasty in obese patients is associated with more complications, longer hospital stay and higher costs. We aimed to determine the effects of bariatric surgery on knee complaints in (morbidly) obese (body mass index >30 kg m^?2) adult patients. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, TRIP, BIOSIS‐Previews and reference lists of retrieved publications were systematically searched from earliest available up to 20 April 2014 for any English, German, French and Dutch studies. There was no restriction on study design. We included studies on the effect of surgically induced weight reduction on knee complaints in (morbidly) obese adult patients, with a minimal follow‐up of 3 months. Studies on the effects of lipectomy or liposuction and studies in which patients had already received a total knee arthroplasty were excluded. Thirteen studies were included in this systematic review with a total of 3,837 patients. Although different assessment tools were used, an overall significant improvement in knee pain was seen in 73% out of the used assessments. All studies measuring intensity of knee pain, knee physical function and knee stiffness showed a significant improvement after bariatric surgery. The quality of evidence was very low or too low for most of the included studies and moderate for one study. Bariatric surgery with subsequent marked weight loss is likely to improve knee pain, physical function and stiffness in (morbidly) obese adult patients. However, with the current available evidence, there is need for high‐quality studies.     

Should synovectomy be performed during total knee arthroplasty for knee osteoarthritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:To evaluate the effect of synovectomy performed during primary total knee arthroplasty for knee osteoarthritis on patients’ postoperative pain and knee function.Methods:We will search the following electronic databases from inception to June 2021, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chinese Scientific Journals Database, the Wanfang database, and the Chinese Biomedicine Database. Eligible references will be all randomized controlled trials of initial total knee arthroplasty for primary knee osteoarthritis with or without synovectomy. Two reviewers will independently extract the data. Reviewer Manager 5.3 software will be used for statistical analysis.Result:It will provide results on the short- and long-term efficacy and safety of synovectomy in total knee arthroplasty by various comprehensive assessments.Conclusion:This study will provide solid evidence on whether and when synovectomy treatment should be performed during total knee arthroplasty.     

Autologous platelet gel for tissue regeneration in degenerative disorders of the knee

Background

The refinement of the use of platelet-derived growth factors that has occurred over the last decade has led to a broadening of the fields of use, in particular for new treatments in orthopaedics aimed at improving tissue regeneration.

Materials and methods

Twenty-seven patients, aged between 18 and 81 years, with a diagnosis of degenerative joint disease lasting for more than 1 year were treated. The patients were divided into two groups, one with arthritis of the knee, the other with degenerative cartilage disease of the knee. Both groups were treated with a therapeutic protocol consisting of a cycle of three infiltrations of platelet-rich plasma at weekly intervals.The extemporaneous preparation was made from a sample of about 8 mL of venous whole blood collected into a specific Fibrin Polymer 2 test-tube from RegenLab^® and centrifuged before addition of calcium gluconate.During the initial pre-treatment evaluation, specific questionnaires were administered, the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for subjective measurement of pain and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC); these assessments were repeated 7 days after the end of the treatment and at 6 months during the follow-up.

Results

The parameters evaluated improved in both groups after treatment and there was a further improvement after 6 months of follow-up; furthermore, there was a substantial decrease in pain right after the first infiltration.

Discussion

The patients were treated on an out-patient basis by a specifically created multidisciplinary team comprising a transfusion specialist, an orthopaedist and a radiologist, who collaborate in a symbiotic manner. The out-patient protocol exploits the regenerative properties of platelet-rich plasma, which is a low cost treatment; in practice, a diagnostic-therapeutic programme of lower intensity, but of high technical and professional quality is created. The strategy also reduces both the number of hospital services and the pharmacological support required, thereby optimising the use of health care resources.     

Evaluation of analgesic effect,joint function recovery and safety of meloxicam in knee osteoarthritis patients who receive total knee arthroplasty: A randomized,controlled, double-blind study

Meloxicam is commonly administrated to control postoperative pain in orthopedic surgery, while its efficacy in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is not clear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the postoperative analgesic effect and tolerance of meloxicam in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients undergoing TKA.Totally, 128 knee OA patients scheduled for TKA were enrolled in this randomized, controlled, double-blind study, then randomized into meloxicam group (N = 65) and control group (N = 63) as 1:1 ratio. Patients took meloxicam or placebo from 4 hours (h) to 72 h after TKA. Patients were followed up at 6 h, 12 h, day (D)1, D2, D3, D7, month (M)1, and M3.Pain visual analog scale score at rest was decreased in meloxicam group at 12 h, D1 and D3 compared to control group; pain visual analog scale score at flexion was reduced in meloxicam group at 6 h, 12 h, D1, D2, and D3 compared to control group. Additional and total consumption of patient-controlled analgesia were both attenuated in meloxicam group compared to control group. Furthermore, patient satisfaction score was higher on D1, D2, D3 in meloxicam group compared to control group. However, no difference of hospital for special surgery knee score score at M1 or M3 was found between the 2 groups. Moreover, the occurrence of adverse events was similar between the 2 groups.Meloxicam displays good effect on controlling postoperative pain and improving patient satisfaction, while does not affect long-term knee function recovery or safety profile in knee OA patients undergoing TKA.     

The identification of high risk knee bleeds in adolescents with severe haemophilia A

One hundred and thirty-seven knee bleeds treated with an initial dose of 11–16 units of factor VIII/kg have been reviewed in an attempt to find the predictive factors for bleeds requiring retransfusion. Thirty-two bleeds (23.4%) were retransfused within 48 hours because of extension of bleeding or poor progress. Fifty-nine per cent of bleeds which were retransfused presented with pain and 72% were tender at presentation. These figures contrasted with those for bleeds which were not retransfused of 30% and 45%. The difference in each case is significant. Forty-seven per cent of retransfused bleeds presented with less than 50% of normal movement against 12% who were not retransfused. This difference was also highly significant. It is suggested that knee bleeds presenting with pain, tenderness and/or more than 50% restriction of movement should be considered for higher initial doses of factor VIII.