Efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma and hyaluronic acid combination therapy for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate whether a combination of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) is more effective and safer than injection alone for treating KOA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MEDLINE (PubMed), the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for articles published until January 2024, and gray literature and bibliographic references were searched. All published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) compared pain, functional outcomes, and adverse events (AEs) associated with PRP + HA therapy vs. PRP or HA treatments. Two independent researchers extracted the pertinent data and evaluated the methodological quality following the PRISMA guidelines. The primary outcomes were pain, functional outcomes, and AEs. A fixed-effects model was used for data analysis in cases with low heterogeneity (P > 0.10 and I2 < 50%). Otherwise, a random effects model was used. RESULTS: Ten RCTs involving 943 patients were included in the analysis. The statistical findings did not differ between the treatment of PRP + HA and PRP alone, while a discernible enhancement in treatment efficacy was observed when compared to HA monotherapy: the visual analog scale scores at 1- (mean difference[MD], -1.00; 95% CI: -1.37 - -0.62; P < .001), 6- (MD, -1.87; 95% CI: -3.46 - -0.28; P = .02), 12-months (MD, -2.07; 95% CI: -3.77 - -0.38; P = .02), and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index total scores at 12-months (MD, -8.82; 95% CI: -14.48 - -3.16; P = .002). The incidence of adverse events was notably lower with PRP + HA than with HA alone (OR, 0.37; 95% CI: 0.19 - 0.69; P = .00) or PRP alone (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.30 - 0.87; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: PRP + HA therapy resulted in more pronounced pain and functional improvement in symptomatic KOA patients than HA treatments, and combination therapy may have higher clinical safety than PRP or HA monotherapy.

Estrogen-related receptors: novel potential regulators of osteoarthritis pathogenesis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that is associated with articular cartilage destruction, subchondral bone alterations, synovitis, and even joint deformity and the loss of joint function. Although current basic research on the pathogenesis of OA has made remarkable progress, our understanding of this disease still needs to be further improved. Recent studies have shown that the estrogen-related receptor (ERR) family members ERRα and ERRγ may play significant roles in the pathogenesis of OA. In this review, we refer to the latest research on ERRs and the pathogenesis of OA, elucidate the structure and physiopathological functions of the ERR orphan nuclear receptor family, and systematically examine the relationship between ERRs and OA at the molecular level. Moreover, we also discuss and predict the capacity of ERRs as potential targets in the clinical treatment of OA.

Bilateral anterior congenital radial head dislocation in adults: a case report and literature review.

Objective: Congenital dislocation of the radial head (CRHD) is a rare condition, with bilateral anterior cases being even less common worldwide. Only a few cases had residual pain after adulthood, even when left untreated. Herein, we describe an adult case of bilateral anterior CRHD with significant pain and snapping during motion. The aim of this study was to report the physical and radiological findings, treatment methods, and short-term outcomes of our case and to review adult CRHD cases in the literature. Patient: A 21-year-old male patient presented to our hospital with chief complaints of snapping and exacerbated pain during motion in his left elbow. Diagnoses and interventions: Detailed medical history and physical examination results were recorded. Radiographic examinations were performed on the bilateral elbow, and the diagnosis of bilateral anterior congenital radial head dislocation was confirmed. To relieve the pain and snapping in the left elbow, we performed open reduction and fixation of the radial head with annular ligament reconstruction and ulnar osteotomy. Postoperatively, the elbow rested at 90° flexion with a cast for 16 weeks, and the K-wire was removed on the 10th week; afterward, active functional exercises were performed. Outcomes: The patient was followed-up for 1 year. The pain in his left elbow was relieved with a reduction in the visual analog scale score from 7 to 3. The range of motion of the left elbow was changed from 0° to 135° (preoperative) to -5° to 120° (postoperative) (extension-flexion) without any snapping. However, restrictions in external rotation have not yet been fully resolved. Further physical rehabilitation is required. Conclusion: When managing patients with congenital radial head dislocation, the contralateral elbow should be evaluated to identify potential bilateral cases. Surgical options should be discussed with adult patients only for the strong need for functional improvement, although the outcomes may not be fully satisfactory.

Florid reactive periostitis of the clavicle: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Florid reactive periostitis (FRP), a rare reactive bone lesion, typically presents in the short tubular bones of the extremities, with infrequent occurrences in the long tubular bones. This report discusses a unique case of FRP in the clavicle, managed through comprehensive lesion debridement and bone grafting, yielding positive results over a 3-year duration. PATIENT CONCERN: A 25-year-old male presented with a discernible mass at the left sternal end of the clavicle, discovered incidentally 2 weeks prior. The patient exhibited no clinical signs of inflammation, pain, sinus tract, or suppuration. DIAGNOSIS: Initial pathological examination of the local excision suggested benign lesions, although malignancy could not be ruled out. A definitive diagnosis of clavicular FRP was reached post complete lesion resection, with supporting evidence from postoperative pathology, imaging, and clinical symptoms. INTERVENTION: The left clavicle was reconstructed through an open surgical procedure involving total mass removal and ipsilateral extraction of an iliac bone of suitable dimensions. This was implanted into the clavicular bone defect and internally fixed with a plate. OUTCOMES: Three years of consecutive follow-up revealed no recurrence of hyperplasia, absence of mass or tenderness at the left sternal end of the clavicle, and unimpaired function of adjacent joints. LESSONS: The primary clinical challenge with FRP is its diagnosis. While pathological diagnosis remains crucial, it is also important to incorporate imaging and clinical symptoms for a comprehensive assessment. Complete mass excision may offer specific benefits in distinguishing FRP from its malignant counterparts.

[Quantitative study of 3.0T MRI on the thickness of knee joint cartilage in healthy young people].

OBJECTIVE: To explore 3.0T MRI accurate measurement of knee cartilage thickness in healthy youth provides reliable anatomical parameters for quantitative diagnosis of osteoarthritis and accurate osteotomy of joint replacement. METHODS: From January 2013 to December 2013, 30 healthy young volunteers including 14 males and 16 females with an average age of (25.8±2.4) years old ranging from 22 to 33 years were recruited in Changchun, Jilin Province, and a 3.0T MRI scan was performed on the bilateral knee joints of each volunteer. The cartilage thickness was measured on the lateral femoral condyle (LFC), medial femoral condyle (MFC), lateral tibial plateau (LTP) and medial tibial plateau (MTP). RESULTS: In four regions of the knee joint:LFC, MFC, LTP and MTP, whether young men or women, there was no significant difference in cartilage thickness between the left and right knee joints (P>0.05). There were significant differences in knee cartilage thickness between healthy young men and women (P<0.05). In the same sex group, LFC cartilage thickness was thinner in the middle, thicker in front and rear;MFC cartilage thickness was the thinnest in front and gradually thickening from the front to the rear; LTP cartilage thickness was thickest in the middle, second in the rear and thinnest in the front;MTP cartilage thickness was the thinnest in the front, was relatively uniform in the middle and rear and thicker than that in the front. CONCLUSION: In Northeast China, among healthy adults aged 22 to 33, gender difference may be an important factor in the difference of cartilage thickness in various regions of the knee joint. Regardless of whether male or female healthy young people, the cartilage thickness of the entire knee joint is unevenly distributed, but there is no significant difference in cartilage thickness in the same area between the left and right knee joints.

Osteoradionecrosis of the Hip, a Troublesome Complication of Radiation Therapy: Case Series and Systematic Review.

Background: Osteoradionecrosis of the hip is a serious complication of radiotherapy that is easily overlooked by physicians and patients in the early stages. There are relatively few reports on this subject, so there is no clear scientific consensus for the pathogenesis, early diagnosis, and clinical treatment of hip osteoradionecrosis. In this paper, we report two cases of hip osteoradionecrosis and systematically review the related literature. Case Presentation: We report two cases of hip osteoradionecrosis. One patient successfully underwent total hip arthroplasty in our hospital and recovered well postoperatively. Another patient although we offered a variety of surgical options for this patient, the patient was worried that the bone loss would lead to poor prosthesis fixation, resulting in prosthesis loosening and infection, and therefore ultimately refused surgical treatment. Conclusion: With the development of radiological techniques, the incidence of hip osteoradionecrosis is decreasing year by year, but early diagnosis and rational treatment remain challenging. The effects of non-surgical treatment are limited. Early prevention, early detection, and early intervention are crucial to delay or prevent the emergence of more serious complications.

[Research status of acetabular reconstruction in Crowe type â ¡ and â ¢ developmental dysplasia of the hip].

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a major cause of hip arthritis and ultimately total hip arthroplasty. Due to the dysplastic acetabulum, how to place the acetabular cup becomes a challenge in acetabular reconstruction for such patients. Especially in the acetabula classified as Crowe typeⅡand type Ⅲ, the dislocation of the femoral head causes bone defects above the true acetabulum, which will affect the stability of the acetabular cup when the acetabular reconstruction is performed at the true acetabulum. Many acetabular reconstruction methods such as bone grafting, the use of small acetabular cups, socket medialization technique, and high hip center technique are used to increase the host bone coverage of the cup. However, each method has its own shortcomings that can not be ignored so that there is no unified conclusion on the acetabular reconstruction methods for Crowe typeⅡand type Ⅲ hip dysplasia. This article summarized and evaluated various reconstruction methods in combination with the acetabular morphology of DDH, and put forward the research direction in the future.

Delayed versus Accelerated Weight-bearing Rehabilitation Protocol Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare accelerated and delayed weight-bearing rehabilitation of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction regarding clinical outcome measures of knee function (International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC), Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, Tegner Activity Scale, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)), knee laxity, range of movement, quadriceps, and bone tunnel enlargement. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Systematic searches of Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library databases, from inception to February 2021, for studies comparing delayed or accelerated weight-bearing rehabilitation protocol after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in adult patients. RESULTS: Nine studies met the eligibility criteria. A meta-analysis revealed a higher risk of knee laxity in the accelerated weight-bearing group. Accelerated weight-bearing may be related to higher IKDC scores, while there was no statistical difference for Lysholm, Tegner, and KOOS scores at a follow-up within 2 years. Four of 5 studies reported no statistical difference for quadriceps strength and range of movement scores, while 2 studies reported bone tunnel enlargement in the accelerated weight-bearing group. CONCLUSION: This systematic review confirmed that accelerated weight-bearing caused more serious knee laxity and bone tunnel widening than delayed weight-bearing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We therefore recommend that clinicians should select postoperative rehabilitation programmes with caution.

[Research progression in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis].

Osteoarthritis(OA) is one of the most common joint diseases. As Chinese society enters the age of aging, the incidence of OA has been soar year by year, and research on its pathogenesis has been continuously valued by researchers. Studies have found that inflammatory cytokines, mainly interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were responsible for the construction of OA inflammatory networks. It was also found that the overexpression of proteases, mainly matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS), was the direct cause of OA cartilage deficiency. What's more, signaling pathways such as stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and Wnt, chondrocytic senescence and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), chondrocyte apoptosis and autophagy, and estrogen all play significant roles in OA pathogenesis. This paper extensively reviews the research literature relevant to the pathogenesis of OA in recent years, and systematically expounds the pathogenesis of OA from two aspects:molecular level and cell level. At the end of the paper, we discussed and predicted some potential directions in the future clinical diagnosis and treatment of OA.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis with hypopituitarism in adults: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a common disease in pediatric orthopedics. Most research on SCFE has focused on high-risk groups or the whole population, and studies focusing on adult SCFE patients are rare. In the present study, we report the case of an adult patient with SCFE. PATIENT CONCERN: A 37-year-old man presented to our clinic with persistent pain that was poorly localized to both hips, groin regions, and thighs for more than 1 year. DIAGNOSES: A bilateral hip X-ray examination was performed, and the femoral epiphyses were found to be unfused on both sides. Low levels of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, and testosterone, and high levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin, and cortisol. INTERVENTIONS: Hormone-substitution therapies (levothyroxine sodium to treat hypothyroidism and testosterone enanthate to treat hypogonadism) were prescribed. Total hip arthroplasty was performed to treat femoral epiphysis slippage. OUTCOMES: After 6 months of postoperative follow-up, the patient's gait improved significantly, and bilateral hip pain was relieved. LESSONS: When treating adults with SCFE, clinicians must be alert to endocrine disorders. Comprehensive imaging evaluation is crucial for the accurate diagnosis and selection of an appropriate treatment.

Osteomyelitis variolosa, an issue inherited from the past: case report and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Osteomyelitis variolosa is a self-limiting disease triggered by variola virus that cannot be prevented or repaired. Smallpox has been eradicated for 40 years, and complications that remain after smallpox has been cured have become a remarkable diagnostic challenge for contemporary physicians. In this systematic review, we searched PubMed (MEDLINE), Web of Science, and Google Scholar for cases on complications, diagnosis, and treatment for osteomyelitis variolosa between January 1980 and February 2021. RESULTS: Ten papers and eleven finished cases, all patients from India, were included for comparison with the present case. In total, 100% of patients presented with bilateral elbow deformities, the ankle was the second most common site of lesion in 50%, and knee lesions accounted for 25% in this study. Flexion contracture, joint instability, secondary arthritis, and fracture are common complications of osteomyelitis variolosa, and most patients receive conservative treatment, while internal fixation has good results for combined fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Although osteomyelitis variolosa is not a direct threat to the safety of patients, severe skeletal deformities can have a significant impact on quality of life. With advances in surgical techniques, clinicians are offering an increasing number of treatment options for patients with osteomyelitis variolosa. However, most importantly, smallpox has basically been removed from the historical arena, and for areas where smallpox was once endemic, physicians need to deepen the understanding of this disease again.

Glycolysis Rate-Limiting Enzymes: Novel Potential Regulators of Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathogenesis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a classic autoimmune disease characterized by uncontrolled synovial proliferation, pannus formation, cartilage injury, and bone destruction. The specific pathogenesis of RA, a chronic inflammatory disease, remains unclear. However, both key glycolysis rate-limiting enzymes, hexokinase-II (HK-II), phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1), and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), as well as indirect rate-limiting enzymes, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3), are thought to participate in the pathogenesis of RA. In here, we review the latest literature on the pathogenesis of RA, introduce the pathophysiological characteristics of HK-II, PFK-1/PFKFB3, and PKM2 and their expression characteristics in this autoimmune disease, and systematically assess the association between the glycolytic rate-limiting enzymes and RA from a molecular level. Moreover, we highlight HK-II, PFK-1/PFKFB3, and PKM2 as potential targets for the clinical treatment of RA. There is great potential to develop new anti-rheumatic therapies through safe inhibition or overexpression of glycolysis rate-limiting enzymes.

Primary nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma of the scapular bone: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of bone is usually caused by metastasis from the lungs, bladder, or other sites. Primary SCC of bone most frequently involves the skull bones, and primary involvement of other sites in the skeletal system is extremely rare. To date, only three such cases have been reported, which makes the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of this disease a challenge. CASE SUMMARY: A 76-year-old Chinese man presented to our hospital with nonspecific pain and limited mobility in the right shoulder for 4 mo. He underwent three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction and magnetic resonance imaging of the right shoulder, which revealed an osteolytic destructive lesion in the right scapula with invasion into the surrounding muscles and soft tissues. Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy detected a malignant tumor, and immunohistochemical analysis revealed a poorly differentiated SCC. Wide excision of the right scapular bone was performed, and pathological examination of the surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis. At the last follow-up examination within 2 years, the patient was doing well with the pain significantly relieved in the right shoulder. CONCLUSION: Primary SCC of bone is extremely rare at sites other than the skull. Clinicians must exhaust all available means for the diagnosis of primary SCC of the bone, so greater attention can be paid to its timely and effective management. Regular and adequate follow-up is essential to help rule out metastasis and judge the prognosis.