Objective To investigate the interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels changes in both synovial fluid and venous plasma of patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) after intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Methods Between January 2015 and January 2016, 30 patients with primary knee OA were treated by intra-articular injection of PRP once a week for 3 weeks (trial group). Thirty healthy individuals were recruited into the study as control. There was no significant difference in gender, age, and body mass index between 2 groups (P>0.05). Visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Knee Society Score (KSS) were used to evaluate pain level and function of the knee for patients with OA. The IL-17 levels in both venous plasma and synovial fluid were measured before injection and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after injection in trial group and the IL-17 levels in venous plasma were measured in control group. The levels were determined using ELISA method. Results There was no knee joint swelling, fever, local infection, or other uncomfortable symptoms for all patients in process of PRP injection. All patients were followed up 13.5 months on average (range, 12-15 months). In trial group, the VAS scores at different time points after injection were significantly lower than that before injection (P<0.05). And the KSS scores at different time points after injection were significantly higher than that before injection (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS and KSS scores between different time points after injection (P>0.05). The IL-17 levels in venous plasma before and after injection in trial group were significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The IL-17 levels in venous plasma at each time point after injection were significantly lower than that before injection (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in IL-17 levels in both venous plasma and synovial fluid between different time points after injection (P>0.05). Conclusion Intra-articular injection of PRP can significantly release the pain symptoms, improve joint function, and reduce IL-17 levels in both synovial fluid and venous plasma of the patients with knee OA, but IL-17 levels can not reduce to normal level.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the treatment of severe medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsA clinical data of 69 patients (69 knees), who underwent joint replacement due to severe medial compartment OA between February 2015 and September 2018 and met the selection criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 38 cases were treated with UKA (UKA group) and 31 cases with TKA (TKA group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, course of disease, lesion side, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, Feller score, range of motion of knee, physiological and psychological scores of short-form 12 health survey scale (SF-12) between the two groups (P>0.05). The femorotibial angle (FTA) of TKA group was bigger than that of UKA group, and hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA) was smaller, showing significant differences (P<0.05). The operative time, incision length, blood loss, time for flexion 90°, ambulation time, hospital stay, and incidence of deep venous thrombosis of lower extremity were recorded and compared between the two groups. The VAS score, HSS score, WOMAC score, Feller score, range of motion, and physiological and psychological scores of SF-12 were used to evaluate patients’ quality of life. FTA, HKA, and prosthesis looseness were observed by X-ray films. Kaplan-Merier survival analysis was used to evaluate the survival rate of prosthesis.ResultsAll operations were successfully completed in both groups. Compared with TKA group, UKA group had shorter incision length, longer operative time, and less blood loss (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in time for flexion 90°, ambulation time, hospital stay, and the incidence of deep venous thrombosis of lower extremity between the two groups (P>0.05). The incisions in both groups healed by first intention. During follow-up, 3 patients in the UKA group and 1 patient in the TKA group developed mild anterior knee pain. Patients were followed up (30.7±9.6) months in the UKA group and (34.9±8.7) months in the TKA group, and the difference was not significant (t=–1.832, P=0.071). At last follow-up, there were significant differences in the HSS score, Feller score, WOMAC score, range of motion, VAS score, and physiological and psychological scores of SF-12 between pre- and post-operation (P<0.05). The range of motion in the UKA group was bigger than that in the TKA group (Z=–2.666, P=0.008), and there was no significant difference in the other indexes between the two groups (P>0.05). X-ray films showed that the alignment of the two groups recovered well, and the FTA and HKA of the two groups were improved at 1 week after operation (P<0.05). No radiolucency was found around the prosthesis during follow-up, no prosthesis loosening and meniscal bearing dislocation occurred. The survival rates of the prostheses in the two groups were 100%.ConclusionFor severe medial compartment OA, the early survival rates of the two prostheses are similar, but UKA has less traumatic, can preserve the normal structure of the knee, and the range of motion of the knee after operation is significantly better than TKA.
Objective To investigate the role of β-catenin in pathogenesis and progression of knee primaryosteoarthritis (OA) by detecting the expression of β-catenin. Methods Between October 2010 and May 2011, 40 cartilagespecimens were collected from adult knee primary OA patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and 10 cartilage specimensfrom adult patients suffering from amputation and femoral condylar fracture. All cartilage samples were taken out from femoralcondylar. The decalcified paraffin-embedded sections were prepared and stained with fast green-safranin O to observe thedegeneration of cartilage, then the modified Mankin scale was used to classify the degeneration. The expression of β-cateninwas detected by the immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot. Results According to the Mankin scale, 10 caseshad normal cartilage, 12 had mild degenerative cartilage, and 28 had moderate to severe degenerative cartilage. The histologicalobservation showed the mild degenerative cartilage characterized by fissures in the superficial zone of the articular cartilage,decreased chondrocytes, arrangement disorder, and duplicated tidemark; and the moderate to severe degenerative cartilagecharacterized by fissures in the deep zone of the articular cartilage, obviously decreased chondrocytes and cluster, and even fullthicknesscartilage defect. The β-catenin did not expressed in normal articular cartilage; but it expressed in the degenerativecartilage, and the expression was significantly higher in the moderate to severe degenerative cartilage than in mild degenerativecartilage (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion β-catenin plays a significant role in the pathogenesis and progression of knee primary OA,and the mechanism may be the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which promotes transcri ption of inflammatorygenes and leads to the destruction of articular cartilage.
Objective To investigate the influence of tibial component posterior slope angle (TCPSA) on the short- and mid-term effectiveness of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). MethodsThe clinical data of the patients with anterior medial knee osteoarthritis (KOA) treated by UKA between May 2014 and May 2019 were retrospectively analysed. There were 10 males and 45 females with a median age of 68 years (range, 49-83 years). The body mass index (BMI) was 27.63-52.26 kg/m2, with an average of 40.04 kg/m2. There were 28 cases of left knee, 21 cases of right knee, and 6 cases of double knees. The disease duration was from 7 months to 12 years, with an average of 4.33 years. Measurements of posterior tibial slope (PTS) and TCPSA were performed on the knee joint X-ray films of patients before operation and at last follow-up, respectively. According to the postoperative TCPSA, patients were divided into TCPSA<4° group (group A), 4°≤TCPSA<9° group (group B), and TCPSA>9° group (group C) with the quartile method. Baseline data such as age, gender, BMI, and affected side were compared among the 3 groups, as well as the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and range of motion (ROM) before and after operation. ResultsAll 55 patients were followed up 17-72 months, with an average of 36 months. No complication such as prosthesis loosening, infection, tibial plateau collapse, and dislocation of the meniscus pad occurred. The preoperative PTS was (7.38±3.37)°, and the postoperative TCPSA was (6.25±3.22)°, showing no significant difference (t=1.815, P=0.074). According to postoperative TCPSA, there were 12 knees in group A, 32 in group B, and 17 in group C. There was no significant difference in age, gender, BMI, affected side, and preoperative HSS scores, ROM, and VAS scores among the 3 groups (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the HSS scores, ROM, and VAS scores of the 3 groups significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the difference of the above indicators before and after operation among 3 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe patients with anterior medial KOA may have good short- and mid-term effectiveness after UKA. Among the recommended range of TCPSA, there is no significant influence on the postoperative short- and mid-term effectiveness. Long-term effectiveness need to extend the follow-up time and expand the sample size for research verification.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis. MethodsDatabases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2016), WanFang Data, CBM, and CNKI were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis from inception to February 2016. The meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 17 RCTs involving 4 070 patients were included. The results of metaanalysis showed that: there were no significant differences in WOMAC pain scores (7 weeks: MD=-0.01, 95%CI -0.46 to 0.44, P=0.98; 13 weeks: MD=-0.01, 95%CI -0.46to 0.43, P=0.95; 26 weeks: MD=0.32, 95%CI -0.04 to 0.67, P=0.08), stiffness scores (7 weeks: MD=0.10, 95%CI -0.26 to 0.45, P=0.59; 13 weeks: MD=0.24, 95%CI -0.11 to 0.60, P=0.17; 26 weeks: MD=0.06, 95%CI -0.09 to 0.22, P=0.42), and life function scores (7 weeks: MD=-0.20, 95%CI -0.75to 0.36, P=0.49; 13 weeks: MD=-0.02, 95%CI -0.57 to 0.52, P=0.93; 26 weeks: MD=0.30, 95%CI -0.07 to 0.67, P=0.11) between the hyaluronic acid group and the control group in 7-, 13- and 26 weeks. However, the hyaluronic acid group was superior to the control group in 50-step test (MD=-0.49，95%CI -7.36 to -3.61，P<0.000 01). ConclusionCurrent evidence suggests that intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid has better effect than control treatment for pain at movement. However, due to the limited quantity of the included studies, the above conclusion still need to be verified by more high quality studies．
Objective To review the research progress on the correlation between sarcopenia and osteoarthritis (OA). Methods The basic and clinical studies at home and abroad in recent years on sarcopenia and OA were extensively reviewed. The correlation between sarcopenia and OA was analyzed and summarized from five aspects: epidemiological status, risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical treatments, and the impact on joint arthroplasty. Results Sarcopenia and OA are common diseases in the elderly with high prevalence and can increase the ill risk of each other. They share a set of risk factors, and show negative interactive and influence on pathogenesis and clinical treatments, thus participating in each other’s disease process and reducing the treatment benefits. Clinical studies show that sarcopenia can affect the rehabilitation effect and increase the risk of postoperative complications after total joint arthroplasty in many ways. ConclusionCurrent research results show that sarcopenia and OA are related and can be mutually affected in the above 5 aspects, but more studies are needed to further clarify the relationship between them, so as to provide more theoretical basis for the understanding, prevention, diagnosis, and treatments of the two diseases.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical and radiologic effectiveness in patients with versus without lateral hinge fracture during medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) to evaluate the effect of lateral hinge fracture on short-term effectiveness.MethodsThe clinical data of 84 patients (97 knees) with medial compartment osteoarthritis who treated with MOWHTO between September 2015 and July 2018 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 10 males (10 knees) and 74 females (87 knees). The age ranged from 45 to 65 years with an average of 57.7 years. Lateral hinge fracture was recognized by the intraoperative fluoroscopy or immediate postoperative X-ray film. Fractures were classified into types Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ according to the Takeuchi classification. The healing of osteotomy was observed by radiographs during follow-up; the femur tibia angle (FTA), medialproximal tibial angle (MPTA), and hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA) were also calculated. The knee joint function was evaluated by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score and knee society score (KSS).ResultsThe incision healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 15-48 months with an average of 24.8 months. No hinge fracture occurred in 78 knees (80.41%, group A), and lateral hinge fractures were observed in 19 knees (19.59%, group B) and were divided into the type Ⅰ (13 knees, 13.40%) and type Ⅲ (6 knees, 6.19%) groups. Type Ⅰ fractures were not additionally treated, type Ⅲ fractures were anatomic reduced fixed with additional lag screws. X-ray film and CT examination showed that all patients had bone healing at 3 months after operation without delayed healing or nonunion. During follow-up, there was no loosening or fracture of internal fixation plates and screws. HKA, FTA, and MPTA of patients in group A and group B (type Ⅰ and Ⅲ) were significantly improved at each time point after operation compared with preoperative values (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between groups at each time point before and after operation (P>0.05). After operation, the pain of knee joint was alleviated and the function of joint was improved. At last follow-up, KSS score and HSS score of groups A and B were significantly improved compared with those before operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionThe lateral hinge fracture may occur during MOWHTO. As long as the treatment and rehabilitation were guided according to the fracture classification of the hinge, the effectiveness can be similar to those without the hinge fracture.
ObjectiveTo analyze the methods of offside reconstruction in total hip arthroplasty (THA) for severe osteoarthritis. MethodsBetween July 2009 and June 2011,18 cases (18 hips) of severe osteoarthritis of the hip were treated by THA,including 14 males and 4 females with a mean age of 55.4 years (range,47-72 years).The disease duration was 11-74 months (mean,33.6 months).The left hip was involved in 11 cases and the right hip in 7 cases.The hip Harris score was 34.6±5.3.The lower limb discrepency was observed in 15 cases.Thomas sign,Patrick sign,and Trendelenburg sign were positive in all cases.All patients received THA; during operation,standard femoral neck osteotomy was performed and the correct rotation center was chosen to reconstruct offside. ResultsAll the incisions healed primarily.Common peroneal nerve injury occurred in 1 case and was cured after symptomatic treatment for 3 months,and the other patients had no complication.The mean follow-up period was 43.5 months (range,30-53 months).All patients achieved pain relief,and returned to normal gait.The X-ray films showed no dislocation of the hip or prosthetic loosening.Lower limb discrepency was observed in 6 cases.The mean offside difference between normal and ipsilateral side was 0.4 mm (range,0.1-0.7 mm).At last follow-up,the hip Harris score was 83.0±7.1,showing significant difference when compared with preoperative score (t=-22.96,P=0.01); the hip range of motion was significantly increased when compared with preoperative one (P<0.05). ConclusionThe offside reconstruction can accurately be carried out by making precise template and vernier caliper measurement,selecting suitable prosthesis preoperatively,maintaining the proper femoral calcar length,adjusting the length of the neck and neck-shaft angle,releasing the soft tissue reasonably during THA for severe osteoarthritis,and the short-term effectiveness is satisfactory.
Extracorporeal shock wave treatment is capable of providing a non-surgical and effective treatment modality for patients suffering from osteoarthritis. The major objective of current works is to investigate how the shock wave (SW) field would change if a bony structure exists in the path of the acoustic wave. Firstly, a model of finite element method (FEM) was developed based on Comsol software in the present study. Then, high-speed photography experiments were performed to record cavitation bubbles with the presence of mimic bone. On the basis of comparing experimental with simulated results, the effectiveness of FEM model could be verified. Finally, the energy distribution during extracorporeal shock wave treatment was predicted. The results showed that the shock wave field was deflected with the presence of bony structure and varying deflection angles could be observed as the bone shifted up in the z-direction relative to shock wave geometric focus. Combining MRI/CT scans to FEM modeling is helpful for better standardizing the treatment dosage and optimizing treatment protocols in the clinic.
Objective To measure and analyze the relationships among the posterior tibial slope (PTS), meniscal slope (MS), and meniscus posterior horn thickness (MPHT) of the medial and lateral tibial plateau in healthy people and patients with anteromedial osteoarthritis (AMOA) in Heilongjiang province, so as to provide reference basis for appropriate tibial osteotomy and prosthesis placement angles in knee joint surgeries. Methods A retrospective collection of imaging data from knee joint MRI examinations conducted prior to AMOA for various reasons was performed. A total of 103 healthy individuals (healthy group) and 30 AMOA patients (AMOA group) were included. There was no significant difference in the gender composition ratio, side, and body mass index between the two groups (P>0.05); however, the comparison of ages between the two groups showed a significant difference (P<0.05). The collected DICOM format image data was imported into the RadiAnt DICOM Viewer software and measured the medial PTS (MPTS), lateral PTS (LPTS), medial MS (MMS), lateral MS (LMS), medial MPHT (MMPHT), and lateral MPHT (LMPHT) with standard methods. The differences of the above indexes between the two groups and between different genders and sides in the two groups were compared, and Pearson correlation analysis was carried out. At the same time, the measured data of healthy group were compared with the relevant literature reported in the past. Results Compared to the healthy group, the AMOA group exhibited significantly smaller MPTS and LPTS, as well as significantly greater MMPHT and LMPHT, with significant differences (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the MMS and LMS between the two groups (P>0.05). The differences in various indicators between genders and sides within the two groups were not significant (P>0.05). The correlation analysis and regression curves indicated that both MPTS and LPTS in the two groups were positively correlated with their respective ipsilateral MS and MPHT (P<0.05); as PTS increased, the rate of increase in MS and MPHT tend to plateau. Compared to previous related studies, the MPTS and LPTS measured in healthy group were comparable to those of the Turkish population, exhibiting smaller values than those reported in other studies, while MMS and LMS were relatively larger, and MMPHT and LMPHT were smaller. ConclusionIn healthy people and AMOA patients in Heilongjiang province, PTS has great individual differences, but there is no significant individual difference in MS. MPHT can play a certain role in retroversion compensation, and its thickness increase may be used as one of the indicators to predict the progression of AMOA. The above factors should be taken into account when UKA is performed, and the posterior tilt angle of tibial osteotomy should be set reasonably after preoperative examination and evaluation.