Opposing and Operated Side Electroacupuncture Generates Similar Analgesic Effects on Pain after Knee Surgery

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether opposing electroacupuncture (EA) could produce similar analgesic effects as operated side EA after knee surgery in rats. Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the sham surgery group, and three surgery groups: opposing EA, operated side EA, and model. After surgery, compared with the sham surgery group, three kinds of pain behavior test methods (mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT), cumulative pain score [CPS], and mechanical hypersensitivity of knee) were used to assess the pain behavior of the rats in the surgery groups. After knee surgery, the three surgery groups were intervened for three consecutive days: EA on the nonoperated side in the opposing EA group, EA on the operated side in the operated side EA group, and no intervention in the model group. It was shown that MWT was higher and CPS was lower in the two EA groups than in the model group on the first and second days after surgery. On the third day after surgery, MWT in the two EA groups was the highest among the 3 days, CPS was the lowest among the 3 days, and the number of nonvocalizations in rats also increased compared with the model group. Moreover, the MWT of the nonoperated side increased more in the opposing EA group than in the model and operated side EA groups. This indicated that both opposing EA and operated side EA methods can be used to relieve pain after knee joint surgery.

PROLONGED SYSTEMIC SPINAL ANESTHESIA IN ORTHOPEDICS AND TRAUMATOLOGY (clinical study)

Introduction. The task of providing anesthesia for long-term operations on the lower extremities in the traumatology and orthopedics is resolved by different ways. Prolonged systemic spinal anesthesia (SA) using oral clonidine (clophelin) deserves a special attention. Aim is to study the duration of SA using oral clonidine (clophelin) in orthopedic and traumatic patients who were undergoing prolonged surgery on the knee joint and the proximal tibia epi-metaphysis. Materials and Methods: The study involved 43 patients who were divided into two groups - group without clophelin (22 patients) and group with clophelin (21 patients) use. Operations in both groups were performed under conditions of SA (0.5% solution of isobaric bupivacaine at a dose of 13 mg in combination with 40 mg of 2% solution of lidocaine). In group with clophelin the premedication included the addition appointment of oral clophelin at a dose of 4 μg / kg (approximately 300 μg) 60 minutes before surgery. There were determined the SA duration, the total duration of intraoperative anesthesia, the total duration of the pneumatic harness action, a state of hemodynamics during the operation and postoperative period. Results and Discussions. There were no statistically significant differences in duration of operations in the group without clophelin and in group with clophelin that amounted to 228.63 ± 51.59 minutes and 241.04 ± 48.46 minutes, respectively (p = 0.24). SA duration in the group with clophelin statistically significantly exceeded the duration in group without clophelin and consisted of 236.38 ± 39.76 minutes and 204.77 ± 38.92 minutes, respectively (p = 0.011). The pulse rate in the clophelin group, comparing to the group without clophelin was significantly lower during the operation, in 6 hours after surgery and did not reach the level of critical bradycardia. The mean arterial pressure in the group with clophelin, comparing with group without clophelin was significantly lower during the operation, in 24 hours after surgery and did not reach the level of critical hypotension.Conclusions. The duration of SA by bupivacaine in combination with lidocaine using oral clonidine (clophelin) before surgery at a dose of 4 μg / kg (about 300 μg) in orthopedic and traumatic patients undergoing the knee joint surgery was increased by an average of 32 minutes. Against the background of prolonged systemic SA with the use of oral clonidine (clophelin), these operations can be performed for up to 4 hours. The detected hemodynamic changes against the background of clonidine use were not critical and are not considered as complications.

The causes of unsatisfactory results and mistakes in treatment of patients with pigmented villo-nodular synovitis (teno-synovial giant-cell tumor) of a knee joint

Objective. To reveal the causes of unsatisfactory results and mistakes in treatment of patients with pigmented villo-nodular synovitis of a knee joint with the objective to improve this disease diagnosis, as well as the results of treatment and rehabilitation/ Materials and methods. Through the period 2010 - 2018 yrs we conducted a retrospective analysis of medical documents (the case histories) in 77 patients with pathohistologically verified diagnosis of pigmented villo-nodular synovitis of a knee joint, who were treated in the clinic of Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (ITO), Kyiv and operated on a knee joint. Results. The causes of unsatisfacory results of treatment for pigmented villo-nodular synovitis of a knee joint are the disease severity, and its diffuse form, absence of the diagnosis-treatment algorithm for this process and rehabilitation of the patients, what leads to diagnostic and tactical mistakes on the treatment process stages. Conclusion. The awaiting tactics in diagnosis and treatment of pigmented villo-nodular synovitis constitutes a wide-spread tactical mistake. Insufficient knowledge of traumatologists in a knee joint surgery leads to tactical faults as well. Most treatment mistakes occur as a consequence of unreadiness of orthopedist-traumatologist for possible intraoperative accidental revealing of pigmented villo-nodular synovitis of a knee joint, as well as because of absence of intraoperative tactics and material gears for treatment of this disease and its outcomes.

Design Evaluation of a Novel Multicompartment Unloader Knee Brace

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a significant problem in the aging population, causing pain, impaired mobility, and decreased quality of life. Conservative treatment methods are necessary to reduce rapidly increasing rates of knee joint surgery. Recommended strategies include weight loss and knee bracing to unload knee joint forces. Although weight loss can be beneficial for joint unloading, knee OA patients often find it difficult to lose weight or begin exercise due to knee pain, and not all patients are overweight. Unicompartment offloader knee braces can redistribute joint forces away from one tibiofemoral (TF) compartment; however, <5% of patients have unicompartmental tibiofemoral osteoarthritis (TFOA), while patients with isolated patellofemoral or multicompartmental OA are much more common. By absorbing body weight (BW) and assisting the knee extension moment using a spring-loaded hinge, sufficiently powerful knee-extension-assist (KEA) braces could be useful for unloading the whole knee. This paper (1) describes the design of a spring-loaded tricompartment unloader (TCU) knee brace intended to provide unloading in all three compartments of the knee while weight-bearing, (2) measures and compares the force output of the TCU against the only published and commercially available KEA brace, and (3) calculates the static unloading capacity of each device. The TCU and KEA braces delivered maximum assistive moments equivalent to reducing BW by approximately 45 and 6 lbs, respectively. The paper concludes that sufficiently powerful spring-loaded knee braces show promise in a new class of multicompartment unloader knee orthoses, capable of providing a clinically meaningful unloading effect across all three knee compartments.

The Effect of Patellar Tendon Release on the Characteristics of Patellofemoral Joint Squat Movement: A Simulation Analysis

Objectives: This paper studies the patellar tendon release’s effect on the movement characteristics of the artificial patellofemoral joint squat to provide reference data for knee joint surgery. Methods: Firstly, the dynamic finite element model of the human knee joint under squatting was established. Secondly, in the above no-release models, the release of 30% of the attachment area at the upper end, the lower end, or both ends of the patellar tendon were conducted, respectively. Then the simulations of all above four models were conducted. Finally, the results of the simulation were compared and analyzed. Results: The simulation results show that, after releasing the patellar tendon (compared with the no-release simulation’s results), the relative flexion, medial-lateral rotation, medial-lateral tilt, and superior-inferior shift of the patella relative to the femur increased; the medial-lateral shift and anterior-posterior shift of the patella relative to the femur decreased. Conclusion: In this paper, the maximum flexion angle of the patella increased after the patellar tendon being released (compared with the no-release model), which indicated that the mobility of knee joint was improved after the patellar tendon release. The simulation data in this paper can provide technical reference for total knee arthroplasty.

RANDOMIZED EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF INTRAVENOUS USE OF DEXAMETHASON ON POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIA IN PATIENTS AFTER ARTHROSCOPIC OPERATIONS ON THE KNEE JOINT UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE PERIPHERAL REGIONARY BLOCKADE

Aim: to evaluate the effects of intravenous dexamethasone on postoperative analgesia in patients after arthroscopic knee joint surgery in conditions of peripheral regional blockade. Material and methods: 60 patients were included in the study, divided into 2 groups. In the first group, patients underwent peripheral regional blockade of the femoral and sciatic nerves with a 0.5% solution of levobupivacaine. In the second, the traditional peripheral regional blockade was supplemented by intravenous administration of 8 mg (0.4% - 2 ml) of dexamethasone immediately after catarrhization of the peripheral vein. Results: The duration of the sensory blockade in the group using dexamethasone was 25% greater than in the first group. In the postoperative period, patients who were intraoperatively injected with dexamethasone required 33% less additional anesthesia. The duration of motor blockade in the group with dexamethasone was 26.5% higher than in the patients of the first group. Conclusion: intravenous dexamethasone injection with levobupivacaine peripheral regional anesthesia with arthroscopic knee joint surgery, increases the duration of the sensory block and the duration of postoperative analgesia. The use of dexamethasone led to a decrease in the need for additional anesthesia in the early postoperative period.

Planning corrective osteotomy of the femoral bone using three-dimensional modeling. Part II

Introduction. Three-dimensional (3D) modeling and prototyping are increasingly being used in various branches of surgery for planning and performing surgical interventions. In orthopedics, this technology was first used in 1990 for performing knee-joint surgery. This was followed by the development of protocols for creating and applying individual patterns for navigation in the surgical interventions for various bones. Aim. The study aimed to develop a new 3D method for planning and performing corrective osteotomy of the femoral bone using an individual pattern and to identify the advantages of the proposed method in comparison with the standard method of planning and performing surgical intervention. Materials and methods. A new method for planning and performing corrective osteotomy of the femoral bone in children with various pathologies of the hip joint is presented. The outcomes of planning and performing corrective osteotomy of the femoral bone in 27 patients aged 5 to 18 years (32 hip joints) with congenital and acquired deformity of the femoral bone were analyzed. Conclusion. The use of computer 3D modeling for planning and implementing corrective interventions on the femoral bone improves the treatment results owing to an almost perfect performance accuracy achieved by the minimization of possible human errors reduction in the surgery duration; and reduction in the radiation exposure for the patient.

Running and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition characterized by pain, impaired function, and reduced quality of life. A number of risk factors for knee OA have been identified, such as obesity, occupation, and injury. The association between knee OA and physical activity or particular sports such as running is less clear. Previous reviews, and the evidence that informs them, present contradictory or inconclusive findings. Purpose: This systematic review aimed to determine the association between running and the development of knee OA. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Four electronic databases were searched, along with citations in eligible articles and reviews and the contents of recent journal issues. Two reviewers independently screened the titles and abstracts using prespecified eligibility criteria. Full-text articles were also independently assessed for eligibility. Eligible studies were those in which running or running-related sports (eg, triathlon or orienteering) were assessed as a risk factor for the onset or progression of knee OA in adults. Relevant outcomes included (1) diagnosis of knee OA, (2) radiographic markers of knee OA, (3) knee joint surgery for OA, (4) knee pain, and (5) knee-associated disability. Risk of bias was judged by use of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed with case-control studies investigating arthroplasty. Results: After de-duplication, the search returned 1322 records. Of these, 153 full-text articles were assessed; 25 were eligible, describing 15 studies: 11 cohort (6 retrospective) and 4 case-control studies. Findings of studies with a diagnostic OA outcome were mixed. Some radiographic differences were observed in runners, but only at baseline within some subgroups. Meta-analysis suggested a protective effect of running against surgery due to OA: pooled odds ratio 0.46 (95% CI, 0.30-0.71). The I2 was 0% (95% CI, 0%-73%). Evidence relating to symptomatic outcomes was sparse and inconclusive. Conclusion: With this evidence, it is not possible to determine the role of running in knee OA. Moderate- to low-quality evidence suggests no association with OA diagnosis, a positive association with OA diagnosis, and a negative association with knee OA surgery. Conflicting results may reflect methodological heterogeneity. More evidence from well-designed, prospective studies is needed to clarify the contradictions.