Molecular responses of the infrapatellar fat pad may contribute to pathological changes in the knee joint following idealized anterior cruciate ligament surgery.

Background: Toxic elements, such as aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), are persistent environmental pollutants that can cause adverse effects on the health of exposed individuals. Bone is one of the primary target organs of accumulation and potential damage from toxic elements.Objectives: This study was performed to determine the Al, As, Cd, and Pb concentrations in the femoral cancellous bone, femoral cartilage, anterior cruciate ligament, meniscus, tibial cartilage, tibial cancellous bone and infrapatellar fat pad. Furthermore, the aim of this study was to explore the relationships between toxic element concentrations and related factors such as gender, age, place of residence, hypertension and diabetes, and to determine the correlations among these toxic elements in knee joint structures.Methods: The samples used this study were collected from 51 patients following total knee arthroplasty. The Al, As, Cd, and Pb concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma optic emission spectrometry.Results: Significant differences were found in the Al, As, Cd, and Pb concentrations among the knee joint structures. Cd concentration in the tibial cancellous bone in women was significantly higher than in men. Pb concentration in the infrapatellar fat pad of urban patients was significantly higher as compared to rural patients. Al concentrations in the femoral cancellous bone, femoral cartilage, anterior cruciate ligament, meniscus and tibial cartilage were significantly higher in patients living in urban areas than in rural areas. As concentration in the tibial cancellous bone of diabetic patients was significantly higher compared to non-diabetic patients. In addition, significant Spearman's positive correlations were found between Al and Pb in the knee joint structures.Conclusion: The obtained results of the investigated toxic elements may serve as a basis for establishing the reference values of Al, As, Cd, and Pb in the knee joint structures. The results reported in the study provides novel data regarding the relationships between the toxic element concentrations and gender, age, place of residence, hypertension and diabetes in the studied structures of knee joint. Furthermore, new interactions among these toxic elements were noted.

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Changes in Infrapatellar Fat Pad Volume From 6 to 12 months Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Associations with Patient-Reported Knee Function

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-0458.20 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kyle G. Wallace ◽

Steven J. Pfeiffer ◽

Laura S. Pietrosimone ◽

Matthew S. Harkey ◽

Xiaopeng Zong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Patient Reported Outcomes ◽

Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Infrapatellar Fat Pad ◽

Fat Pad ◽

Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Context: Hypertrophy of the Infrapatellar Fat Pad (IFP) in idiopathic knee osteoarthritis has been linked to deleterious synovial changes and joint pain related to mechanical tissue impingement; yet, little is known regarding the IFP's volumetric changes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Objective: To examine changes in IFP volume between 6 and 12 months following ACLR and determine associations between patient-reported outcomes and IFP volume at each time point, as well as volume change over time. In a subset of individuals, we examined inter-limb IFP volume differences 12 months post-ACLR. Study Design: Prospective cohort study Setting: Laboratory Patients or Other Participants: We included 26 participants (13 females, 13 males, 21.88±3.58 years, 23.82±2.21 kg/m2) for our primary aims and 13 of those participants (8 females, 5 males, 21.15±3.85 years, 23.01±2.01 kg/m2) for our exploratory aim. Main Outcome Measure(s): Using magnetic resonance imaging, we evaluated IFP volume change between 6 and 12 months post-ACLR in the ACLR limb and between-limb differences at 12 months in a subset of participants. International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee evaluation (IKDC) scores were collected at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups and associations between IFP volume and patient-reported outcomes were determined. Results: IFP volume in the ACLR limb significantly increased from 6 (19.67±6.30 cm3) to 12 (21.26±6.91 cm3) months post-ACLR. Greater increases of IFP volume between 6 and 12 months significantly associated with better 6-month IKDC scores (r=0.44, P=0.03). IFP volume was significantly greater in the uninjured limb (22.71±7.87 cm3) compared to the ACLR limb (20.75±9.03 cm3) 12 months post-ACLR. Conclusions: IFP volume increased between 6 and 12 months post-ACLR; however, the IFP volume of the ACLR limb remained smaller than the uninjured limb at 12-months. Additionally, those with better knee function 6 months post-ACLR demonstrated greater increases in IFP volume between 6 and 12 months post-ACLR. This suggests greater IFP volumes may play a role in long-term joint health following ACLR.

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