Knotless All-Inside Arthroscopic Modified Broström Procedure for Lateral Ankle Instability

One reported complication of the arthroscopic modified Broström operation is pain caused by the suture anchoring knot. We hypothesized that a knotless technique could reduce such pain. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes after knotless all-inside arthroscopic modified Broström operation for lateral ankle instability. From July 2017 to November 2017, 28 patients were treated. Clinical and radiological features were evaluated preoperatively and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale score, visual analogue scale score for pain, anterior talar drawer test, and talar tilt angle. The mean age of the 28 patients (14 men, 14 women) was 41.71 ± 17.19 years. Three (10.7%) complications, but no knot-associated pain, occurred. The clinical and radiological outcomes were significantly improved 12 months postoperatively compared with preoperative outcomes (all p < .05). Knotless all-inside arthroscopic modified Broström operation for lateral ankle instability avoided knot-associated pain and improved not only patient satisfaction but also clinical and radiological outcomes.     

Short-term therapy with anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody induced long-term liver allograft survival in nonhuman primates

Tolerance induction remains challenging following liver transplantation and the long-term use of immunosuppressants, especially calcineurin inhibitors, leads to serious complications. We aimed to test an alternative immunosuppressant, a chimeric anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody, MD-3, for improving the outcomes of liver transplantation. We used a rhesus macaque liver transplantation model and monkeys were divided into three groups: no immunosuppression (n = 2), conventional immunosuppression (n = 4), and MD-3 (n = 5). Without immunosuppression, liver allografts failed within a week by acute rejection. Sixteen-week-long conventional immunosuppression that consisted of prednisolone, tacrolimus, and an mTOR inhibitor prolonged liver allograft survival; however, recipients died of acute T cell–mediated rejection (day 52), chronic rejection (days 62 and 66), or adverse effects of mTOR inhibitor (day 32). In contrast, 12-week-long MD-3 therapy with transient conventional immunosuppression in the MD-3 group significantly prolonged the survival of liver allograft recipients (5, 96, 216, 412, 730 days; p = .0483). MD-3 effectively suppressed intragraft inflammatory cell infiltration, anti-donor T cell responses, and donor-specific antibody with intact anti-cytomegalovirus antibody responses. However, this regimen ended in chronic rejection. In conclusion, short-term therapy with MD-3 markedly improved liver allograft survival to 2 years without maintenance of immunosuppressant. MD-3 is therefore a promising immune-modulating agent for liver transplantation.     

Association between Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures and Age,Bone Mineral Density,and European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions in Korean Postmenopausal Women: A Nationwide Cross-sectional Observational Study

BackgroudThe purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) in Korean postmenopausal women and the association between OVCFs and clinical factors such as age, bone mineral density (BMD), and quality of life.MethodsAccording to the population distribution in four regions in Korea, 1,281 postmenopausal female patients were recruited from nationwide orthopedic outpatient clinics. Radiologic, asymptomatic, and within 3 months of OVCF groups were analyzed based on age, fracture location, and prevalence according to BMD. In addition, BMD, T-score, body mass index, and European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) were investigated in the three groups, and the differences between groups were compared and analyzed.ResultsThe prevalence of radiologic OVCFs at the T11–L1 was 3.7 times higher in the 70s group (44.0%) than in the 50s group (11.9%). Femur and total hip BMD were significantly lower in patients with thoracolumbar junction fractures than in patients with L2–5 fractures, whereas no difference was observed in lumbar spine BMD. Of the three OVCF groups, the within 3 months of OVCF group had the lowest lumbar spine T-score of −2.445. The asymptomatic OVCF group also showed significantly lower lumbar spine T-score than did the group without radiologic OVCFs (p < 0.001). The EQ-5D showed a significant decrease in the radiologic OVCF group (p < 0.001) and within 3 months of OVCF group (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe prevalence of OVCFs in the thoracolumbar junction rapidly increases with old age and low BMD in Korean postmenopausal women. Femur and total hip BMD are more predictive of thoracolumbar junction fractures than lumbar spine BMD. Patients with radiologic OVCFs had a significantly lower quality of life than no OVCF group. Therefore, this study shows it is important to treat and prevent osteoporosis before an OVCF occurs.     

Anatomic Repair of the Central Slip with Anchor Suture Augmentation for Treatment of Established Boutonniere Deformity

BackgroudThe rupture of the central slip of an extensor tendon of a finger causes a boutonniere (or buttonhole) deformity, characterized by pathologic flexion at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and hyperextension at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. Currently, there are no standard treatment guidelines for this deformity. This study aimed to report clinical results of surgery to correct chronic boutonniere deformity.MethodsThis retrospective case series was conducted between January 2010 and December 2018 and only 13 patients with trauma-induced chronic deformity were included. After excision of elongated scar tissue, a direct anatomic end-to-end repair using a loop suture technique with supplemental suture anchor augmentation was conducted. Total active motion was assessed before and after surgery and self-satisfaction scores were collected from phone surveys.ResultsAll patients presented with Burton stage I deformities defined as supple and passively correctable joints. The initial mean extension lag of the PIP joint (43.5°) was improved by an average of 21.9° at the final follow-up (p < 0.001). The mean hyperextension of the DIP joint averaged 19.2° and improved by 0.8° flexion contracture (p < 0.001). The average total active motion was 220.4° (range, 160°–260°). Based on the Souter''s criteria, 69.2% (9/13) of the patients had good results. Only 1 patient reported fair outcome and 23.1% (3/13) reported poor outcome. The average Strickland formula score was 70 (range, 28.6–97.1). In total, 10 patients (77%) had excellent or good results. Of 10 patients contacted by phone, self-reported satisfaction score was very satisfied in 2, satisfied in 3, average in 3, poor in 1, and very poor in 1. Three patients reported a relapse of the deformity during range of motion exercises, 1 of whom underwent revision surgery. One patient complained of PIP joint flexion limitation, and 2 complained of DIP joint flexion limitation at final follow-up.ConclusionsIn chronic boutonniere deformity, central slip reconstruction with anchor suture augmentation can be an easily applicable surgical option, which offers fair to excellent outcome in 77% of the cases. The risk of residual extension lag and recurrence of deformity should be discussed prior to surgery.     

Effect of high-BDNF microenvironment stem cells therapy on neurogenic bladder model in rats

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to explore the effects of high-BDNF microenvironment produced by engineered immortalized mesenchymal stem cells (imMSCs) on the neurogenic bladder (NB) and investigate underlying mechanism.MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley rat (12-week-old, weighing about 370–400 g) were purchased from a Korean company (Orient Bio Co. Seongnam, Korea) and divided into the following groups (n=32): sham control group (n=8), NB group (n=8), NB + ImMSCs group (n=8), NB + ImMSCs (BDNF) group (n=8). The major pelvic ganglion (MPG) was observed under anesthesia. Three NB groups of rats were then subjected to bilateral MPG injury. The sham control group of rats was treated with sham surgery. Cystometry were performed before the rats were sacrificed, and then MPG and bladder were collected for histochemical and Western blot analysis.ResultsMSCs treatment improves lower urinary tract function, and the NB + ImMSCs (BDNF) group is better than the NB + ImMSCs group (P<0.01). MSCs treatment accelerates recovery of injured nerve tissue, and the NB + ImMSCs (BDNF) group is better than the NB + ImMSCs group (P<0.01). In high BDNF environment, apoptosis was reduced more significantly and muscle tissue recovered more rapidly (P<0.01). High-BDNF microenvironment activates more BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathways (P<0.01).ConclusionsIn a rat NB model caused by nerve injury, imMSCs have certain effects on nerve tissue repair. At the same time, it was proved that increasing the expression of BDNF which had specific effect on nerve injury repair could more effectively repair injured MPG in local microenvironment. The mechanism may be related to the activation of the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway and the reduction of apoptosis by highly expressed BDNF.