Radiofrequency energy in the arthroscopic treatment of knee chondral lesions: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Cartilage debridement is one of the recommended procedures for the management of chondral defects. Radiofrequency probes allow to debride the cartilage, but may induce subchondral bone necrosis. SOURCES OF DATA: Medline, Cochrane and Google Scholar were searched to identify studies on arthroscopic debridement of the articular cartilage of the knee using radiofrequency chondroplasty. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Coleman methodology score (CMS). AREAS OF AGREEMENT: Monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency devices provide significantly better clinical outcomes, especially for patients with high-grade chondral lesions, compared with mechanical shaver only. Despite the original concerns regarding subchondral bone necrosis, low complication rates are reported. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY: Heterogeneity in terms of type of device does not allow sound comparison of the published results. There is lack of evidence on the long-term effects of radiofrequency chondroplasty. GROWING POINTS: Study methodology should be improved: the average Coleman methodology score was 56.2 out of 100. RESEARCH: More comparative, well-designed and larger cohort trials are needed to ascertain whether radiofrequency chondroplasty offers long-term benefits over other simpler and more economical alternatives.

Platelet-Rich Plasma, Mesenchymal Stem Cell, and Non-metallic Suture-Based Fixation Technique in a Patellar Fracture Nonunion: A Technical Note and Systematic Review

Background@#We performed a systematic review on the management of patellar fracture nonunion and report a novel suturebased non-metallic fixation technique associated with platelet-rich plasma and mesenchymal stem cell injections in the management of this injury. @*Methods@#A systematic search was performed up to August 2020 in PubMed and Scopus electronic databases of scholarly articles evaluating different surgical techniques used for nonunion of patellar fractures, with no restrictions on language or year of publication. Furthermore, we describe our novel non-metallic suture fixation technique and a patient in whom this technique was applied. @*Results@#A total of 9 articles were included in the systematic review. Tension band wiring was the most commonly used procedure (62.7%). Nonoperative procedures (8.1%) resulted in nonunion in all patients. The most common complication after open reduction and internal fixation was infection (7.8%). Our patient at the latest follow-up reported full functional recovery and full extension and flexion of the affected knee with no pain and subjectively normal strength. @*Conclusions@#The management of patella nonunions is still a challenge. The technique reported here can be used in patellar fracture nonunion, as well as in primary patellar fractures.

Platelet-Rich Plasma, Mesenchymal Stem Cell, and Non-metallic Suture-Based Fixation Technique in a Patellar Fracture Nonunion: A Technical Note and Systematic Review

Background@#We performed a systematic review on the management of patellar fracture nonunion and report a novel suturebased non-metallic fixation technique associated with platelet-rich plasma and mesenchymal stem cell injections in the management of this injury. @*Methods@#A systematic search was performed up to August 2020 in PubMed and Scopus electronic databases of scholarly articles evaluating different surgical techniques used for nonunion of patellar fractures, with no restrictions on language or year of publication. Furthermore, we describe our novel non-metallic suture fixation technique and a patient in whom this technique was applied. @*Results@#A total of 9 articles were included in the systematic review. Tension band wiring was the most commonly used procedure (62.7%). Nonoperative procedures (8.1%) resulted in nonunion in all patients. The most common complication after open reduction and internal fixation was infection (7.8%). Our patient at the latest follow-up reported full functional recovery and full extension and flexion of the affected knee with no pain and subjectively normal strength. @*Conclusions@#The management of patella nonunions is still a challenge. The technique reported here can be used in patellar fracture nonunion, as well as in primary patellar fractures.

Pseudoaneurysm of peroneal artery after ankle arthroscopy.

BACKGROUND: ankle arthroscopy increased its role in the diagnosis and treatment of pathology of the ankle since 1970s. Although the benefits are well established, ankle arthroscopy is associated with a definite risk of complications, especially neurological. The incidence rate of vascular complication after anterior ankle arthroscopy has been reported. METHODS: we review the literature on vascular complications after anterior ankle arthroscopy especially pseudoaneurysm and a case report of a peronal artery pseudoaneurysm was reported. CONCLUSION: vascular complications after an anterior ankle arthroscopy are extremely rare but orthopaedic surgeons should be wary of this chance. Among vascular complications after an anterior ankle arthroscopy, peroneal artery pseudoaneurysm to our knowledge never has been described until now.