The Functional Impact of Home-based Self-rehabilitation Following Arthroscopic Root Repair

Purpose: COVID-19 pandemic makes outdoors rehabilitation a potential hazard. Patient education to perform simple home-based exercises seems to be an interesting and sometimes a mandatory option. This study provides a comparison between the conventional and home-based virtual rehabilitation after surgical repair of medial meniscus root tears. Methods: All patients who underwent MPRT repair with a modified trans-tibial pull-out technique from March 2019 to March 2021 were evaluated. Those who underwent surgery after December 2019 were trained to perform self-rehabilitation. The rest had undergone outdoors specialized rehabilitation according to a unified protocol and these were used as a historical control group. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 year after surgery. Final Lysholm scores were utilized to compare functional outcomes. Results: Forty-three consecutive patients with medial meniscal root tears were studied. Thirty-nine (90.7%) were women and 4 (9.3%) were men. The mean age of participants was 53.2 ±8.1 years. The total Lysholm knee score, and all its items were significantly improved in both groups at a two-year follow-up (p<0.05), except the “Using cane or crutches” item (p=0.065). Nevertheless, the final Lysholm knee score improvement was higher in patients who performed outdoors specialized rehabilitation and in patients with shorter time-to-surgery.Conclusion: Regardless of age and gender, home-based rehabilitation after meniscal root repair with the modified trans-tibial pull-out technique improved the patients’ function at a two-year follow-up. Nonetheless, this effect was still significantly lower than that of the outdoors specialized rehabilitation. Future work is required to clarify basic protocols for home-based tele-rehabilitation programs and determine clinical, radiological and functional results.Level of evidence: Level IV, therapeutic, historically controlled study

The use of autologous platelet-rich fibrin matrix combined with meniscal repair in the treatment of parameniscal cyst: clinical results and cyst recurrence after 2-year of follow up

Purpose Parameniscal cysts are associate with horizontal meniscal tears. Arthroscopic meniscal repair and the excision of the cyst by mini-open approach represent a valid treatment. However, the recurrence of cyst is still a current issue. Therefore, biological factors may be considered to promote the biological repair and avoid recurrence. The aim of the present study was to report the clinical results and the rate of recurrence of the cyst after minimum 2-year of follow up in a cohort of patients treated by meniscal repair and autologous platelet-rich fibrin matrix augment. Methods Patients with lateral parameniscal cyst undergoing arthroscopic meniscal repair and autologous platelet-rich fibrin matrix augment between 2016 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed in March 2021. Inclusion criteria were absence of prior surgery on the affected knee with minimum 2-year of follow-up. Exclusion criteria were concomitant ligament lesions, rheumatic diseases and knee osteoarthritis. After reviewing the database, each selected patient was contacted and asked to participate in the study; at the follow-up evaluation all patient signed an informed consent. Tegner-Lysholm knee score, IKDC and NRS were collected before surgery and at follow-up. Results This study included 15 patients (8 male) with mean age of 32.8 years old. No recurrence of the cysts was observed. The Tegner-Lysholm knee score and IKDC subjective scores increased respectively from 41.3 ± 5.4 and 37.6 ± 5.1 at baseline to 92.3 ± 4.6 and 89.4 ± 2.6 at the final follow up. Concerning pain relief, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS) displayed a significant improvement reaching at the follow up a score of 1,3 ± 1.1 in comparison to 6.8 ± 0.9 at the baseline. Conclusion Surgical management of symptomatic lateral parameniscal cyst with cyst excision, autologous PRP membrane application and meniscus repair demonstrated excellent subjective clinical outcome with any cyst reoccurrence. Level of evidence III, retrospective cohort study.

Fractures of the distal femur in elderly patients: retrospective analysis of a case series treated with single or double plate

Introduction: We evaluated the radiologic and clinical outcomes of a lateral incision single plate with and a single-incision double plating in elderly patients with osteoporotic distal femoral fractures.Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 82 cases of distal femoral fractures from May 2004 to June 2018. Group A consisted of 42 patients who underwent single-plate fixation. Group B consisted of 40 patients who underwent double-plate fixation. The mean patient age was 77 years (67–87 years) and 76 years (64–86 years) in groups A and B, respectively. All patients were evaluated for procedure duration, time to union, range of knee motion, Lysholm knee score, and presence of complications.Results: The average procedure time was 81 min (66–92 min) and 110 min (95–120 min) in groups A and B, respectively(p=0.33). One case in group B required bone grafting after 5 months. The average time to union was 14 weeks (9–19 weeks) and 12.2 weeks (8–19 weeks) (p=0.63), and the mean range of knee motion was 105° (90–125°) and 110.7° (90°–130°) (p=0.37) in groups A and B, respectively. There was no significant statistical difference between the two groups in the Lysholm knee score(p=0.44) and knee society score(p=0.53).Conclusion: The clinical and radiological outcomes were similar in the 2 groups. In elderly patients, double plate fixation for distal femoral fractures is an useful method for several advantages such as adequate exposure, easy manipulation, anatomical reduction and stable fixation.

The Effect of Exercise Intervention on Disability and Kinesiophobia in a Retired Athlete With Old Patella Fracture: A Case Report

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of exercise intervention on disability, pain, and kinesiophobia in a retired athlete with old patella fracture.Methods: A 34-year-old retired football player with old patella fracture conducted the exercise intervention for 12 weeks, 1 h each time, three times a week. the retired football player completed the Lysholm Knee Score (LKS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) were measured at pre-intervention, mid-intervention, and post-intervention.Results: Based on the functional training perspective, the retired athlete was subjected to two stages of exercise intervention for a total of 12 weeks. The patient's LKS score increased from 76 to 95, and the pain level of various physical states was relieved. When walking, the VAS score was reduced from 3 to 1, and when running, the VAS score was reduced from 5 to 2. Jumping VAS score for actions was reduced from 6 to 3, and the VAS score for of daily life activities was reduced from 3 points to 2. The patient's TSK score from 50 to 37.Conclusion: A 12-week exercise intervention could improve knee joint function, relieve pain and relieve kinesiophobia.

Alterations in cartilage quantification before and after injections of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoarthritic knees

Several studies have reported improvement in knee pain following mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) injections for knee osteoarthritis (OA). We developed a novel 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis software program that provides “projected cartilage area ratios” for automatic detection of changes in cartilage amounts. The primary objective of this prospective interventional study was to compare alterations in the projected cartilage area ratio (thickness ≥ 1.5 mm) at the femoral posteromedial region between 30 weeks before and 30 weeks after synovial MSC injections. Secondary objectives were to assess the clinical scores and safety of MSC injections. Patients with OA who complained of knee pain underwent autologous synovial MSC injections into the knee at time 0 and again 15 weeks later. MRI examinations were performed at − 30, − 15, − 1, and 30 weeks. Patients showing < 3% decreases in the projected cartilage area ratio (thickness ≥ 1.5 mm) at the femoral the posteromedial region from − 30 weeks to − 15 weeks were excluded from the study. The Lysholm Knee Score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scale (KOOS), and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores were evaluated at − 30, − 15, − 5, − 2, 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 weeks. Five patients were excluded because 3D MRI analysis showed no cartilage loss at − 15 weeks. Ultimately, eight OA patients underwent MSC injections. The projected cartilage area ratio significantly decreased by 0.07 in the 30 weeks before MSC injections (p = 0.01), but no further decreases occurred in the 30 weeks after MSC injections. The projected cartilage area ratio at the femoral posteromedial region showed a significant difference between 30 weeks before and 30 weeks after MSC injections. The Lysholm Knee Score, KOOS, and NRS values improved significantly after the injections. MSC injection could not be ruled out as the cause of two adverse events: transient knee pain and itching in both hands. Fully automatic 3D MRI analysis showed that synovial MSC injections suppressed cartilage loss in patients with progressive OA.Trial registration: Intraarticular injections of synovial stem cells for osteoarthritis of the knee (Number UMIN 000026732). Date of registration; June 1, 2017. https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000029967.

Tension Band Wiring for Fracture Patella Outcome with 3 K Wire versus 2 K Wire

Introduction: Fractures of the patella constitute almost 1% of all skeletal injuries, resulting from either direct or indirect trauma. Many forms of internal fixation for patellar fractures have been described in the literature but perfect anatomical reduction during surgery has an excellent outcome irrespective of the method of fixation used. The conventional method of patellar tension band wiring is always done with the help of two parallel Kirschner wires. Here, in our study, we intended to see whether the use of 3 parallel Kirschner wires in comparison to conventional one results in a superior functional outcome. Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out in ANIIMS and GB Pant hospital Port Blair from November 2016 to November 2019 on 44 patients of patellar fracture operated by tension band wiring with 22 patients in 2 parallel Kirschner wires and 3 parallel Kirschner wires groups respectively. Results: 44 patients were followed up postoperatively for 1 year and assessed by Lysholm knee score for pain status and working status and other variables. The mean age of the participants was 40.27 years (41.86 in two Kirschner wire group and 38.68 in three Kirschner wire group) in our study. Lysholm knee score, pain status, or working status was not significant throughout the mean follow-up periods for both groups. Conclusions: We found no significant difference between patellar TBW in 3 Kirschner wire and 2 Kirschner wire groups. However small sample size limits our study.

Evaluation of results of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using peroneus longus graft

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background: </strong>The objective of the study was to assess clinical outcome and donor site morbidity of ACL reconstruction with peroneus longus tendon autografts in patients with ACL injury.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> 60 Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using peroneus longus autograft after fulfilling inclusion criteria and obtaining informed consent were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively and followed up for 1 year. Graft diameter was measured intraoperatively. Functional score of knee (Tegner and Lysholm Knee score) and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) for donor site morbidity were recorded preoperatively and 1 year after surgery.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results: </strong>93.3% Patients (56 out of 60) had good to excellent Lysholm knee score 1 year postoperatively and the mean AOFAS score was 96.7. The average peroneus longus graft diameter 8 .7mm.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with peroneus longus autografts produces a good functional outcome at 1 year follow-up, with the advantages of large graft diameter and excellent ankle function based on AOFAS score.res.</p>

All-Inside Arthroscopic Repair For Longitudinal Meniscal Tears: Clinical and Functional Results

Meniscal injuries are a common challenge in orthopaedic surgery. Depending on their location and the patient’s age and functional needs, they can be treated either conservatively or surgically. A surgical approach can consist of arthroscopic meniscectomy or meniscal suture. The latter is the treatment of choice in case of lesions involving the red-red or red-white areas of the meniscus, especially for young high-demanding patients. We report here our experience with the repair of longitudinal meniscal tears using the all-inside technique with the Fast-Fix™ 360 Meniscal Repair System (Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, Andover, MA). We retrospectively evaluated 20 consecutive cases of longitudinal meniscal tears. In 4 cases, concomitant ACL rupture was diagnosed and treated alongside the meniscal repair. All patients underwent periodic clinical evaluations. At the latest check-up, their functional outcomes were rated according to the Tegner-Lysholm Knee and KOOS scoring scales. The mean Tegner-Lysholm Knee score was 84.85 (44-100) and the mean KOOS score was 88.58. No failure or major complications were observed. Furthermore, a negative statistical association was observed between age at surgery and the post-operative Tegner-Lysholm Knee score (coef. = -1.01189 [-1.942073,-0.0817063], p = 0.035). This relation, independent of gender, meniscus involved, eventual associated ACL reconstruction, and chondral injury, suggests that functional outcomes worsen with increasing patient age. Our results suggest that the arthroscopic all-inside suture is both safe and effective in cases of longitudinal meniscal tear, considering the good post-operative functionality and low rates of local complications and surgical failures.

COMPARISON OF FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF DYNAMIC CONDYLAR SCREW AND CONDYLAR BLADE PLATE IN TYPE A FRACTURES OF DISTAL FEMUR IN SKELETALLY MATURUE PATIENTS

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Distal femur fractures are increasingly common injuries in today’s orthopedic practice. Early treatment with suitable implant brings in promising functional outcomes. There is a growing debate over the type of implant used in these injuries. Therefore, we have compared two commonly used implants to determine the functional outcomes in search of an implant that has less post op complications, less technically demanding and produces better results. To compare the functional outcome of dynamic condylar screw with condylar blade plate in treatment of distal femur fractures. METHODOLOGY: A total of 372 skeletally mature patients aging 18-60 years of both gender with fracture distal femur (Type A, according to OTA classification) presented within 3 weeks of fracture time were included. Patients meeting inclusion criteria were stratified into two groups having 186 patients each. Group A and Group B. Group A received dynamic condylar screw fixation and in group B, condylar blade plate fixation was preferred. Patients were followed for 3 years and their Functional outcome was evaluated with the help of Lysholm Knee Score. RESULTS: Lysholm knee score after 3 years in group A (Dynamic condylar screw) was excellent (95-100) in 173 patients (76.9%), Good in 33 (17.7 %), Fair in 8 (4.3%), poor in 2 (1.1%).However, group B had Excellent in 57(30.6%), Good in 59(31.7%), Fair in 38 (20.4%), and poor in 32 (17.2%). CONCLUSION: Dynamic condylar screw can be used as an effective treatment with better functional outcome as compared to condylar blade plate in type A fractures of distal femur.

A case of synovial chondromatosis of knee joint treated with total knee arthroplasty

Synovial Chondromatosis is a rare disease of the synovial membrane characterised by formation of multiple loose bodies in a joint. Knee is the most common joint to be affected by this disease. Though, this disease can be managed by synovectomy and removal of loose bodies with a favourable functional outcome but in some cases where there is damage of articular cartilage, simple synovectomy might not be sufficient. Here, we present a case of right knee pain in a 53 year old male since 4 years with a established diagnosis of synovial chondromatosis. No other joint was affected. Pain was associated with a fixed flexion deformity and restriction of knee range of motion and multiple slipping bodies. Radiography showed multiple loose bodies in the tibio-femoral as well as in patello femoral compartment. MRI of knee revealed several damaged areas in the knee articular surface. As a result, decision was taken to perform total knee arthroplasty. Intraoperatively all the loose bodies were removed along with the affected synovium and arthroplasty was done. Patient was discharged in fourth post operative day with proper instructions and was called for follow up at 1 month, 3 month, 6 month, 1 year. Functional outcome was assessed by Tegner Lysholm knee score, Knee Society score and Visual Assessment Scale.