Quantitative evaluation of the tibiofemoral joint cartilage by T2 mapping in patients with acute anterior cruciate ligament injury vs contralateral knees: results from the subacute phase using data from the NACOX study cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Immediate cartilage structural alterations in the acute phase after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture may be a precursor to posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) development. Our aim was to describe changes in cartilage matrix in the subacute phase of the acutely ACL-injured knee compared to the contralateral uninjured knee. DESIGN: Participants (n = 118) aged 15-40 years with an acute ACL injury were consecutively included in subacute phase after acute ACL-injury and underwent MRI (mean 29 days post trauma) of both knees. Mean T2 relaxation times, T2 spatial coefficient of variation and cartilage thickness were determined for different regions of the tibiofemoral cartilage. Differences between the acutely ACL-injured and uninjured knee were evaluated using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: T2 relaxation time in injured knees was increased in multiple cartilage regions from both medial and lateral compartment compared to contralateral knees, mostly in medial trochlea and posterior tibia (P-value<0.001). In the same sites of injured knees, we observed significantly thinner cartilage. Moreover, injured knees presented shorter T2 relaxation time in superficial cartilage on lateral central femur and trochlea (P-value<0.001), and decreased T2 spatial coefficient of variation in lateral trochlea and load bearing regions of medial-central femoral condyle and central tibia in both compartments. CONCLUSION: Small but statistically significant differences were observed in the subacute phase between ACL-injured and uninjured knee in cartilage T2 relaxation time and cartilage thickness. Future longitudinal observations of the same cohort will allow for better understanding of early development of PTOA. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02931084.

Prognostic factors for tibiofemoral and patellofemoral osteoarthritis 32-37 years after anterior cruciate ligament injury managed with early surgical repair or rehabilitation alone.

OBJECTIVE: Explore prognostic factors for tibiofemoral (TFJ) and patellofemoral (PFJ) radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA) and 'symptoms plus ROA' (SOA), 32-37 years following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. DESIGN: Exploratory analysis, longitudinal cohort. METHODS: In 1980-1985, 251 patients aged 15-40 years with acute ACL rupture were allocated to early augmented or non-augmented repair (5 ± 4 days post-injury) plus rehabilitation, or rehabilitation alone. 127 of 190 participants who completed follow-up questionnaires were eligible. We classified ROA as TFJ/PFJ K&L Grade ≥2, and SOA as ROA plus pain and/or symptoms. Multivariable age-adjusted logistic regression investigated potential prognostic factors (assessed at 4 ± 1 year follow-up: ACL treatment, isokinetic quadriceps/hamstrings strength, single-leg-hop for distance, knee flexion/extension deficit, knee laxity, Tegner Activity Scale, Lysholm Scale; sex, baseline meniscus status). RESULTS: 127 patients were aged 58 ± 6 years; BMI 27 ± 4 kg/m2; 28% female; 59% had TFJ-ROA, 48% had TFJ-SOA (including n = 9 knee-arthroplasties), 36% had PFJ-ROA; 27% had PFJ-SOA. Baseline meniscus surgery was a prognostic factor for TFJ-ROA (multivariable age-adjusted odds ratio (95% CI): 3.0 (1.2, 7.8)). A single-leg-hop limb symmetry index (LSI) < 90% was a prognostic factor for PFJ-ROA (5.1 (1.4, 18.7)) and PFJ-SOA (4.9 (1.2, 19.7)). Hamstrings strength LSI <90% was a prognostic factor for PFJ-SOA (5.0 (1.3, 19.3)). ACL treatment with rehabilitation-alone was associated with an 80% reduction in the odds of PFJ-SOA (0.2 (0.1-0.7)), compared with early ACL-repair. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are hypothesis generating, research is needed to determine whether ACL-injured individuals with these characteristics benefit from interventions to prevent or delay the onset of osteoarthritis.

Patterns of antiepileptic drug prescription in Sweden: A register-based approach.

OBJECTIVES: To determine drug utilization pathways from the incident healthcare visit due to epilepsy and three years onward. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Anti-epileptic drug utilization was calculated using individual information on inpatient- and outpatient care utilization and drug sales. Throughout, we used national register information pertaining to pharmaceutical sales linked to diagnosis-related healthcare utilization. Information on pharmaceutical sales was collected for the 2007-2013 period. RESULTS: For the entire studied period, a majority of new patients with epilepsy were initiated on anti-epileptic drug treatment with a monotherapy (98%); most of these patients remained on that first treatment (64%). The three most frequently prescribed drugs accounted for 72% of the initiated AED treatments. Patients with epilepsy (ICD-10: G40/41) were most commonly prescribed carbamazepine, lamotrigine and valproate. The most common second-line monotherapy was levetiracetam. About 12% of new patients with epilepsy who were initiated on AED treatment during the period eventually switched to an add-on therapy. The proportion of patients who were initiated on treatment with carbamazepine or valproate decreased, and the proportion of patients who remained on their initial monotherapy increased between 2007 and 2013. CONCLUSIONS: A limited number of anti-epileptic drugs accounted for the treatment of a majority of new patients with epilepsy (carbamazepine, lamotrigine and valproate accounted for more than 70%). Add-on therapies showed the same pattern, as the most frequently prescribed add-on regimens were the same ones that accounted for most of the monotherapies. There was a tendency towards fewer patients being initiated on AED treatment with either carbamazepine or valproate.

Translation and testing of measurement properties of the Swedish version of the IKDC subjective knee form.

To translate to Swedish language and cross-culturally adapt the IKDC-SKF and to test the measurement properties of the Swedish version of IKDC-SKF in ACL-injured patients undergoing reconstruction surgery.The translation and cross-cultural adaption was performed according to guidelines. Seventy-six patients with an ACL injury filled out the IKDC-SKF and other questionnaires before ACL reconstruction and at 4, 6, and 12 months after surgery. A total of 203 patients from the Swedish ACL Registry participated at 8 months post-operative. Measurement properties were tested according to the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines.The Swedish IKDC-SKF had high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.90) and test-retest reliability (ICC2,1 =0.92, CI 95%: 0.81-0.97, P<.001). A single factor solution accounted for 46.1% of the variance in IKDC-SKF scores. Criterion validity was moderate to high. All ten predefined hypotheses for hypothesis testing were confirmed. The six hypotheses for responsiveness testing were confirmed. The effect size was 1.8, the standardized response mean was 1.9, the and minimal clinically important difference was 13.9 points.The Swedish version of the IKDC-SKF had good measurement properties and can be recommended for use in a population of ACL-deficient patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.

Knee arthroscopic surgery is beneficial to middle-aged patients with meniscal symptoms: a prospective, randomised, single-blinded study.

OBJECTIVE: There is no evidence that a knee arthroscopy is more beneficial to middle-aged patients with meniscal symptoms compared to other treatments. This randomised controlled trial aimed to determine whether an arthroscopic intervention combined with a structured exercise programme would provide more benefit than a structured exercise programme alone for middle-aged patients with meniscal symptoms that have undergone physiotherapy. METHOD: 150 out of 179 eligible patients, aged 45 to 64 (mean:54 ± 5), symptom duration more than 3 months and standing X-ray with Ahlbäck grade 0, were randomised to: (1) a physiotherapy appointment within 2 weeks of inclusion that included instructions for a 3-month exercise programme (non-surgery group); or (2) the same as (1) plus, within 4 weeks of inclusion, knee arthroscopy for resection of any significant meniscal injuries (surgery group). The primary outcome was change in pain at 12 months, assessed with the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOSPAIN). RESULTS: In the Intention-To-Treat analysis, pain at 12 months was significantly lower in the surgery than in the non-surgery group. The change in KOOSPAIN was significantly larger in the surgery than in the non-surgery group (between-group difference was 10.6 points of change; 95% CI: 3.4 to 17.7, P = 0.004). The As-Treated analysis results were consistent with the Intention-To-Treat analysis results. CONCLUSION: Middle-aged patients with meniscal symptoms may benefit from arthroscopic surgery in addition to a structured exercise programme. Patients' age or symptom history (i.e., mechanical symptoms or acute onset of symptoms) didn't affect the outcome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01288768.

Translation and measurement properties of the Swedish version of ACL-Return to Sports after Injury questionnaire.

Psychological factors may be a hindrance for returning to sport after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The ACL-Return to Sport after Injury scale (ACL-RSI) measures athletes' emotions, confidence in performance, and risk appraisal in relation to return to sport. The aim of this study was to translate the ACL-RSI scale from English to Swedish and to examine some of the measurement properties of the Swedish version. The ACL-RSI was translated and culturally adapted. A professional expert group and five patients evaluated face validity. One hundred and eighty-two patients completed the translated ACL-RSI, a project-specific questionnaire, the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), the Knee-Self-Efficacy Scale (K-SES), the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC-C), the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Quality of Life (ACL-QoL) questionnaires. Fifty-three patients answered the ACL-RSI twice to examine reproducibility. The ACL-RSI showed good face validity, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.948), low floor and ceiling effects and high construct validity when evaluated against the TSK, K-SES, MHLC-C, KOOS, and ACL-QoL scales. The reproducibility was also high (intra-class correlation = 0.893). Therefore, the ACL-RSI can be used to evaluate psychological factors relevant to returning to sport after ACL reconstruction surgery.

Altered movement and muscular-activation patterns during the one-legged jump in patients with an old anterior cruciate ligament rupture.

We studied nine patients with an isolated, unrepaired rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament to evaluate whether well-rehabilitated patients with an old rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament had adapted their patterns of motor control in situations that provoke knee instability and if the possible adaptation results in a measurable decrease of the deteriorating sagittal shear load. The study was performed by means of a movement analysis system with synchronized force plate and electromyographic recordings. A different movement and muscular-activation pattern was found for the injured leg compared to the noninjured when performing a one-legged jump for distance. An internal knee model was developed and implemented. In that way, a simultaneously decreased capsuloligamentous sagittal load at the landing moment was shown.

Implementation of a two-dimensional biomechanical model i n an opto-electronic motion analysis system.

The objective of this study was to implement a dynamic, two-dimensional biomechanical model, a force plate, and electromyography in a three-dimensional, opto-electronic motion analysis system. Further objectives were to present kinematic and kinetic data for basic movements used in rehabilitation and athletic testing, and to make the system rapid and adaptable for clinical use. Kinematic data, including joint movements and muscle length changes, as well as kinetic data, including net torque and net power output, are presented for the ankle, knee and hip joints when performing two-legged vertical counter-movement jumps, walking, and one-leg long hops. Coefficients of variation for net torque and the net power output were between 1.6% and 18·1% when analysing the countermovement jumps, and there were similar results for walking. When performing the hop, the coefficients of variation for net torques were all less than 16%, but power output values were unequivocally non-satisfactory (30% maximum). In conclusion, reliability was acceptable for the counter-movement jumps and for the analysis of walking, but power output reliability for the hops at touch-down was found to be poor, probably due to soft tissue and marker movement relative to the underlying bone. The moderate amount of time needed for testing makes the system useful for clinical practice.

Three-dimensional analysis of the talocrural and subtalar joints in single-limb stance.

A quasi-static three-dimensional model of the rear foot was developed to enable calculation of joint motion and net torque with respect to talocrural and subtalar joint axes. The functional behaviour of these joints was analysed during single-limb stance. Six female soccer players with unilateral functional instability of the ankle joint were examined. Recordings were performed both with eyes open and eyes closed. The rear-foot model was implemented into an optoelectronic motion analysis system together with a force plate. The subtalar torque precedes the angular movement by 0.1-0.2 s, indicating active postural corrections. Up to a certain limit of subtalar joint inversion, the external everting torque increases. If the inversion is further increased an external inverting torque is obtained. With eyes closed the amplitudes increased for joint motions, torques, centre of pressure trajectories, shear forces, and vertical forces. All events found with external inverting torques occurred when standing on the injured foot with the eyes closed.

[Orthopedic inpatients--an afflicted and complex patient group]. / Ortopedpatienter i sluten vård--en sjuk och svår patientgrupp.

We studied all patients (n = 147) discharged from the orthopedic wards at Kärnsjukhuset, Skövde, during a four week period. Two thirds had been admitted via emergency rooms, were older, used more medicines and had more diagnoses than the elective patients, and they required a great deal of medical resources. 38% of the emergency patients did not require specific orthopedic care. 47% of these were more than 80 years of age, had several diagnoses, and had been in-patients in at least two departments during the past year. There is a need for enhanced cooperation and information between departments in order to better provide care for elderly patients with more than one diagnosis.

Effect of ankle disk training on postural control in patients with functional instability of the ankle joint.

The postural control of ten male soccer players with functional instability (FI) of the ankle joint, i.e., recurrent sprains and/or a feeling of giving way, was studied before and after ankle disk training. Postural control was studied by means of stabilometry and an optoelectronic movement recording system. In the present study, we found increased postural sway in men with functional instability, which is in line with previous studies. We found improved postural control after ankle disk training as shown by stabilometry. Postural correction patterns were restored, and segmental displacement amplitudes reached even supranormal values. A subgroup of players with unilateral FI also decreased postural sway when standing on the non-symptomatic, untrained foot after ankle disk training. This bilateral improvement and the restored postural correction pattern do not tally with Freemans proprioceptive theory for postural control, but stresses the importance of central motor programs.

Function testing in patients with old rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Fifteen patients with isolated old rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) were examined to judge their functional disability. The following basic factors were used for evaluation: thigh muscle strength testing, stabilometry in a one-leg stance with straight and flexed knee, gait analysis, performance tests, knee function score, activity grading scale, and clinical joint laxity tests. We found that these rehabilitated patients mainly had impaired performance in those tests which greatly stressed the knee joint's sagittal stability. One-leg hop length was impaired for the injured limb. This group of patients had bilateral impairment of postural control compared with a reference group. This dysfunction was not revealed when comparing limbs. A derotation brace (ECKO) had neither a positive nor a negative effect in the tests. Different aspects of knee function evaluation are emphasized. Some of the altered functions are suggested to be due to central adjustments of motor control.