Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy vs non-surgical or sham treatment in patients with MRI-confirmed degenerative meniscus tears: a systematic review and meta-analysis with individual participant data from 605 randomised patients.

OBJECTIVE: To identify subgroups of patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-confirmed degenerative meniscus tears who may benefit from arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) in comparison with non-surgical or sham treatment. METHODS: Individual participant data (IPD) from four RCTs were pooled (605 patients, mean age: 55 (SD: 7.5), 52.4% female) as to investigate the effectiveness of APM in patients with MRI-confirmed degenerative meniscus tears compared to non-surgical or sham treatment. Primary outcomes were knee pain, overall knee function, and health-related quality of life, at 24 months follow-up (0-100). The IPD were analysed in a one- and two-stage meta-analyses. Identification of potential subgroups was performed by testing interaction effects of predefined patient characteristics (e.g., age, gender, mechanical symptoms) and APM for each outcome. Additionally, generalized linear mixed-model trees were used for subgroup detection. RESULTS: The APM group showed a small improvement over the non-surgical or sham group on knee pain at 24 months follow-up (2.5 points (95% CI: 0.8-4.2) and 2.2 points (95% CI: 0.9-3.6), one- and two-stage analysis, respectively). Overall knee function and health-related quality of life did not differ between the two groups. Across all outcomes, no relevant subgroup of patients who benefitted from APM was detected. The generalized linear mixed-model trees did also not identify a subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: No relevant subgroup of patients was identified that benefitted from APM compared to non-surgical or sham treatment. Since we were not able to identify any subgroup that benefitted from APM, we recommend a restrained policy regarding meniscectomy in patients with degenerative meniscus tears.

Development of osteoarthritis in patients with degenerative meniscal tears treated with exercise therapy or surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate progression of individual radiographic features 5 years following exercise therapy or arthroscopic partial meniscectomy as treatment for degenerative meniscal tear. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial including 140 adults, aged 35-60 years, with a magnetic resonance image verified degenerative meniscal tear, and 96% without definite radiographic knee osteoarthritis. Participants were randomized to either 12-weeks of supervised exercise therapy or arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. The primary outcome was between-group difference in progression of tibiofemoral joint space narrowing and marginal osteophytes at 5 years, assessed semi-quantitatively by the OARSI atlas. Secondary outcomes included incidence of radiographic knee osteoarthritis and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, medial tibiofemoral fixed joint space width (quantitatively assessed), and patient-reported outcome measures. Statistical analyses were performed using a full analysis set. Per protocol and as treated analysis were also performed. RESULTS: The risk ratios (95% CI) for progression of semi-quantitatively assessed joint space narrowing and medial and lateral osteophytes for the surgery group were 0.89 (0.55-1.44), 1.15 (0.79-1.68) and 0.77 (0.42-1.42), respectively, compared to the exercise therapy group. In secondary outcomes (full-set analysis) no statistically significant between-group differences were found. CONCLUSION: The study was inconclusive with respect to potential differences in progression of individual radiographic features after surgical and non-surgical treatment for degenerative meniscal tear. Further, we found no strong evidence in support of differences in development of incident radiographic knee osteoarthritis or patient-reported outcomes between exercise therapy and arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01002794).

Anterior knee pain following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction does not increase the risk of patellofemoral osteoarthritis at 15- and 20-year follow-ups.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the relationship between the presence or persistence of anterior knee pain (AKP) during the first 2-years following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) at 15- and 20-years. DESIGN: This study was ancillary to a long-term prospective cohort study of 221 participants following bone-patellar-tendon-bone ACLR. AKP was assessed at 1- and 2-years post-ACLR using part of the Cincinnati knee score with an additional pain location question (persistence defined as presence at both follow-ups). Radiographic PFOA (definite patellofemoral osteophyte) and symptomatic PFOA (patellofemoral osteophyte, with knee pain during past 4 weeks) was assessed at 15- and 20-years follow-up. We used generalized linear models with Poisson regression to assess the relationship between AKP and PFOA. RESULTS: Of the 181 participants (82%) who were assessed at 15-years post-ACLR (age 39 ± 9 years; 42% female), 36 (24%) and 33 (22%) had AKP at 1- and 2-years, respectively, while 14 (8%) reported persistent AKP. Radiographic and symptomatic PFOA was observed at 15-years in 130 (72%) and 70 (39%) participants, respectively, and at 20-years in 115 (80%) and 60 (42%) participants, respectively. Neither the presence nor persistence of AKP at 1- and/or 2-years post-ACLR was associated with significantly higher risk of radiographic or symptomatic PFOA at 15- or 20-years (risk ratios <2.1). CONCLUSIONS: Although AKP and PFOA were prevalent, AKP does not appear to be associated with long-term PFOA following ACLR.

OARSI Clinical Trials Recommendations: Design and conduct of clinical trials of rehabilitation interventions for osteoarthritis.

A Task Force of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) has previously published a set of guidelines for the conduct of clinical trials in osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and knee. Limited material available on clinical trials of rehabilitation in people with OA has prompted OARSI to establish a separate Task Force to elaborate guidelines encompassing special issues relating to rehabilitation of OA. The Task Force identified three main categories of rehabilitation clinical trials. The categories included non-operative rehabilitation trials, post-operative rehabilitation trials, and trials examining the effectiveness of devices (e.g., assistive devices, bracing, physical agents, electrical stimulation, etc.) that are used in rehabilitation of people with OA. In addition, the Task Force identified two main categories of outcomes in rehabilitation clinical trials, which include outcomes related to symptoms and function, and outcomes related to disease modification. The guidelines for rehabilitation clinical trials provided in this report encompass these main categories. The report provides guidelines for conducting and reporting on randomized clinical trials. The topics include considerations for entering patients into trials, issues related to conducting trials, considerations for selecting outcome measures, and recommendations for statistical analyses and reporting of results. The focus of the report is on rehabilitation trials for hip, knee and hand OA, however, we believe the content is broad enough that it could be applied to rehabilitation trials for other regions as well.

Effect of exercises with weight vests and a patient education programme for women with osteopenia and a healed wrist fracture: a randomized, controlled trial of the OsteoACTIVE programme.

BACKGROUND: Exercise programmes have shown to be important for the prevention of fractures in patients with established osteoporosis. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of such programmes for women with low bone mineral density (BMD) (osteoporosis or osteopenia) who have already suffered a fracture. Studies have indicated that exercise programmes concentrating on muscular strength and dynamic balance have a positive effect on significant risk factors for falls such as quadriceps strength and balance. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of a 6-month exercise programme and a patient education component (OsteoACTIVE) on quadriceps strength, BMD, dynamic balance, walking capacity, physical activity level and quality of life in postmenopausal women with osteopenia and a previous wrist fracture. METHODS: Eighty postmenopausal women with low BMD and a healed wrist fracture were randomized to OsteoACTIVE (n = 42) (age 65.5, range 51.2-79.2 years) or patient education only (control group) (n = 38) (age 63.9, range 52.7-86.8 years). Follow-up was conducted after 6 months (end of intervention) and 1 year. Outcome measures included quadriceps strength, BMD, dynamic balance, walking capacity, physical activity level and quality of life. RESULTS: Thirty-five participants (83 %) completed the OsteoACTIVE programme. Mean adherence to OsteoACTIVE was 87 % (range 48-100 %). Twenty-five participants (72 %) met the a priori goal of 80 % adherence to the program. No adverse events were reported. There were no significant differences between the two groups over the 1-year follow-up for any of the outcome measures. CONCLUSION: The OsteoACTIVE rehabilitation programme revealed no significant effect on quadriceps strength, BMD, dynamic balance, walking capacity or self-reported functional outcomes over the 1-year follow-up. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01357278 at ClinicalTrials.gov (date of registration 2010-04-21).

How does a combined preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation programme influence the outcome of ACL reconstruction 2 years after surgery? A comparison between patients in the Delaware-Oslo ACL Cohort and the Norwegian National Knee Ligament Registry.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative knee function is associated with successful postoperative outcome after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). However, there are few longer term studies of patients who underwent progressive preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation compared to usual care. OBJECTIVES: To compare preoperative and 2 year postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients undergoing progressive preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation at a sports medicine clinic compared with usual care. METHODS: We included patients aged 16-40 years undergoing primary unilateral ACLR. The preoperative and 2 year postoperative Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) of 84 patients undergoing progressive preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation at a sports medicine clinic (Norwegian Research Center for Active Rehabilitation (NAR) cohort) were compared with the scores of 2690 patients from the Norwegian National Knee Ligament Registry (NKLR). The analyses were adjusted for sex, age, months from injury to surgery and cartilage/meniscus injury at ACLR. RESULTS: The NAR cohort had significantly better preoperative KOOS in all subscales, with clinically relevant differences (>10 points) observed in KOOS Pain, activities of daily living (ADL), Sports and Quality of Life. At 2 years, the NAR cohort still had significantly better KOOS with clinically relevant differences in KOOS Symptoms, Sports and Quality of Life. At 2 years, 85.7-94% of the patients in the NAR cohort scored within the normative range of the different KOOS subscales, compared to 51.4-75.8% of the patients in the NKLR. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in a prospective cohort who underwent progressive preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation at a sports medicine clinic showed superior patient-reported outcomes both preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively compared to patients in the NKLR who received usual care.

The association between radiographic knee osteoarthritis and knee symptoms, function and quality of life 10-15 years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: There are conflicting results in the literature regarding the association between radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and symptoms and function in subjects with previous anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. AIM: To investigate the associations between radiographic tibiofemoral knee OA and knee pain, symptoms, function and knee-related quality of life (QOL) 10-15 years after ACL reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 258 subjects were consecutively included at the time of ACL reconstruction and followed up prospectively. The authors included the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score to evaluate knee pain, other symptoms (symptoms), activities of daily living and sport and recreation (Sport/Rec) and QOL. The subjects underwent standing radiographs 10-15 years after the ACL reconstruction. The radiographs were graded with the Kellgren and Lawrence (K&L) classification (grade 0-4). RESULTS: 210 subjects (81%) consented to participate in the 10-15-year follow-up. Radiographic knee OA (K&L ≥ grade 2) was detected in 71%, and 24% showed moderate or severe radiographic knee OA (K&L grades 3 and 4). No significant associations were detected between radiographic knee OA (K&L grade ≥ 2) and pain, function or QOL, respectively, but subjects with radiographic knee OA showed significantly increased symptoms. Severe radiographic knee OA (K&L grade 4) was significantly associated with more pain, symptoms, impaired Sport/Rec and reduced QOL. CONCLUSION: Subjects with radiographic knee OA showed significantly more symptoms than those without OA, and subjects with severe radiographic knee OA had significantly more pain, impaired function and reduced quality of life than those without radiographic knee OA 10-15 years after ACL reconstruction.

Efficacy of patient education and supervised exercise vs patient education alone in patients with hip osteoarthritis: a single blind randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of patient education and supervised exercise with that of patient education alone for the management of pain in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: Single blind randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Recruitment of patients from hospitals, primary health care and advertisement, Oslo, Norway. PARTICIPANTS: 109 patients with radiographic and symptomatic hip OA with mild to moderate symptoms. INTERVENTIONS: Patient education (PE). Patient education and supervised exercise (PE+SE). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: The pain subscale of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC pain). RESULTS: No significant between group differences were found for WOMAC pain over the 16-month follow-up. Significant improvements were found for the secondary outcome WOMAC physical function (P=0.011) in the group receiving PE+SE compared to the group receiving PE only. No significant differences were found for WOMAC stiffness, the SF-36 subscales or the activity scale. The effect sizes (95% confidence interval) for WOMAC pain were -0.26 (0.11, -0.64), -0.35 (0.07, -0.77), and -0.30 (0.15, -0.75), and for WOMAC physical function -0.29 (0.09, -0.67), -0.48 (-0.06, -0.91), and -0.47 (-0.02, -0.93) at 4, 10 and 16 months, respectively, in favor of the group receiving both PE and SE. All patients attended the three-session PE program, and 75% performed ≥16 sessions of the 12-week SE program. CONCLUSION: The study could not demonstrate a significant difference in pain reduction over time between PE+SE vs PE alone. Adding SE to PE may improve physical function, but the magnitude of possible benefit is unknown as the 95% confidence intervals around the mean difference were wide. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials NCT00319423.

Performance-based functional evaluation of non-operative and operative treatment after anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Highly active anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-injured patients are usually recommended surgical treatment as the primary intervention. The objective of this study was to compare the functional outcome in a cohort of individuals after non-operative treatment to individuals after surgical treatment at a 1-year follow-up. One hundred and twenty-five subjects with a mean age of 27.2 years (+/-8.6 years), and participating in level I or II activities were included. Baseline and 1-year follow-up examination included four single-legged hop tests, IKDC 2000, KOS-ADLS, KT-1000 knee arthrometer measurement, VAS, episodes of giving way, and activity level. Fifty-one percent went through non-operative treatment. Non-operated subjects performed significantly better on two of the four single-legged hop tests compared with the ACL-reconstructed subjects at the 1-year follow-up. No other differences were observed. Both groups performed an average >90% compared with their uninjured leg on all single-legged hop tests at the 1-year follow-up. The IKCD 2000 scores in the non-operated and ACL-reconstructed group were on average 86 and 87. ACL-injured subjects should be informed of the possibility of success after non-operative treatment, but future studies are needed to determine significant predictive factors for success for non-operative and surgically treated individuals.

Preoperative quadriceps strength is a significant predictor of knee function two years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To identify preoperative predictive factors for knee function two years after reconstructive surgery of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The main hypothesis was that preoperative quadriceps strength would be the most significant predictor for knee function two years after reconstructive surgery. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: ACL injured individuals treated at a University Hospital and an outpatient clinic in Oslo, Norway. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-three individuals with complete unilateral rupture of the ACL scheduled for reconstruction with a bone-patellar-bone autograft were included in the study, from where 60 were available for two-year follow up and included in the final analyses. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Identification of baseline independent variables that may predict knee function assessed with the Cincinnati Knee Score as dependent variable two years after ACL reconstruction. RESULTS: Quadriceps muscle strength, meniscus injury and the Short-Form-36 Bodily Pain sub score were identified as significant predictors for knee function assessed from the Cincinnati Knee Score two years after ACL reconstruction. Individuals with preoperative quadriceps strength deficits above 20% also had persistent significantly larger strength deficits two years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative quadriceps muscle strength deficits and meniscus injuries have significant negative consequences for the long-term functional outcome after ACL reconstruction. From our findings we suggest that ACL reconstruction should not be performed before quadriceps muscle strength deficits of the injured limb is less than 20% of the uninjured limb.

Rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament injury influences joint loading during walking but not hopping.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify changes in clinical outcome and lower extremity biomechanics during walking and hopping in ACL-injured subjects before and after a 20-session neuromuscular and strength training programme. STUDY DESIGN: Pre and post experimental design. SETTING: Outpatient clinic, primary care. PATIENTS: 32 subjects with unilateral ACL injury, mean 60 (SD 35) days after injury, with a mean age of 26.2 (5.4) years. INTERVENTION: The rehabilitation programme consisted of neuromuscular and strength exercises. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Outcome measurements assessed before and after a 20-session rehabilitation programme were: self-assessment questionnaires (KOS-ADL, IKDC2000, Global function), four single-leg hop tests, and isokinetic muscle strength tests. Lower extremity kinematics and kinetics were captured during the stance phase of gait and landing after a single leg hop, synchronised with three force plates. RESULTS: These ACL-injured individuals significantly improved their clinical outcome after rehabilitation. Gait analysis disclosed a significantly improved knee extension moment after rehabilitation, but no change in hip or knee excursions. During landing after hop no change in knee excursion or knee moment was recorded. CONCLUSION: After rehabilitation the ACL-injured subjects showed a significantly improved clinical outcome, but lower extremity biomechanics were still significantly impaired during both walking and hopping. The rehabilitation programme influenced knee joint loading during walking, but not during hopping. Longer rehabilitation should be considered before ACL-injured individuals return to jumping activities.

A new device to measure knee laxity during weightbearing and non-weightbearing conditions.

The Vermont knee laxity device (VKLD) was developed to evaluate anterior-posterior (A-P) displacement of the tibia relative to the femur (A-P laxity) during weightbearing and non-weightbearing conditions. The purposes of this study were to determine the repeatability and reliability of the VKLD measurements of A-P laxity and to compare them with two devices currently in clinical use: the KT-1000 knee arthrometer and planar stress radiography. Two independent examiners tested six subjects with no history of knee injury. A-P laxity was measured on three separate days with the KT-1000 and the VKLD. With the VKLD, A-P laxity was measured in the weightbearing and non-weightbearing conditions. In addition, one examiner measured A P laxity in each subject on each day using a planar stress radiography technique. Similar A-P laxity values were obtained with the KT-1000 and the VKLD; however, the planar stress radiography technique measured less A-P laxity compared to the VKLD (9.2+/-2.2 mm versus 13.3+/-2.9 mm, P = 0.0004). None of the three devices showed significant differences in measuring A-P laxity between days. During weightbearing, A-P laxity was reduced by 65-70% compared to the non-weightbearing condition (P = 0.0001). Future investigations will use the VKLD to study subjects that have suffered injury to the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments.

The effect of knee bracing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. A prospective, randomized study with two years' follow-up.

The purpose of this prospective, randomized, clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of knee bracing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Sixty patients were randomized into one of two groups: Patients in the braced group wore rehabilitative braces for 2 weeks, followed by functional braces for 10 weeks, and patients in the nonbraced group did not wear braces. Data were recorded preoperatively, and postoperatively after 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months, and 1 and 2 years. The following outcome measures were used: KT-1000 arthrometry, the Cincinnati knee score, goniometry to record range of motion, computed tomography to determine thigh atrophy, Cybex 6000 isokinetic testing to evaluate muscle strength, three functional knee tests, and a visual analog scale to evaluate pain. At all follow-up times there were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to knee joint laxity, range of motion, muscle strength, functional knee tests, or pain. However, the Cincinnati knee score showed that patients in the braced group had significantly improved knee function compared with patients in the nonbraced group at the 3-month follow-up, even though the braced group showed significantly increased thigh atrophy compared with the nonbraced group at 3 months.

Four-strand hamstring tendon autograft compared with patellar tendon-bone autograft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. A randomized study with two-year follow-up.

Seventy-two patients with subacute or chronic rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament were randomly assigned to autograft reconstruction with four-strand gracilis and semitendinosus tendon (N = 37) or with patellar tendon-bone (N = 35) from the ipsilateral side. The groups were similar in terms of age, sex, level of activity, degree of laxity, meniscal lesions found surgically, and rehabilitation program. The follow-up was performed at another hospital by independent observers after 6, 12, and 24 months. Sixty-one patients (32 with hamstring tendon grafts and 29 with patellar tendon grafts) complied with the follow-up routine for the full 24 months. No differences were found between the groups with respect to Cincinnati functional score, KT-1000 arthrometer measurements, or stairs hopple test results. The subjective result and the single-legged hop test result were better for the hamstring tendon group after 6 and 12 months, but no differences were found after 24 months. The hamstring tendon group showed better isokinetic knee extension strength than did the patellar tendon group after 6 months, but not after 12 and 24 months. There was a significant weakness in isokinetic knee flexion strength among the hamstring tendon group. Anterior knee pain was not significantly different between the groups, but kneeling pain was significantly less common in the hamstring tendon group after 24 months.

Assessment of functional tests after anterior cruciate ligament surgery.

Functional tests are often used to assess knee function after knee ligament injuries. However, the reliability and validity of these tests have not been sufficiently studied. The main purpose of this study was to examine six functional knee tests in order to establish the tests according to functional demands. The functional tests (vertical jump, figure-of-eight, stairs-running, triple jump, stairs hopple, and side jump tests) were evaluated on 35 patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (mean = 18 months postoperative). Evaluative variables were the Lysholm functional score, thigh atrophy, and knee instability. Factor analysis was used to identify knee tests based on the same basic variables in order to employ the most representative tests. The factor analysis disclosed two factors that reflected diverse functions. The first factor had significant correlation to the Lysholm score (daily life function) and was best represented by the figure-of-eight and stairs-running tests. The second factor was best correlated to the strength/stability function and was best represented by the triple jump test and the new stairs hopple test. Thus, the tests were categorized according to functional demands--daily life function and strength/stability function. The Lysholm functional score was inaccurate in identifying functional problems during strenuous activities.

Prospective study of changes in impairments and disabilities after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

STUDY DESIGN: Single-group, repeated-measures prospective study. OBJECTIVES: To analyze changes in impairments and disabilities among patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and to assess the relationships between the impairment and disability outcome measures from 3 months to 2 years following ACL reconstruction. BACKGROUND: Outcomes after ACL reconstruction can be categorized as impairments or disabilities. The relationship between impairments and disabilities may be crucial to understanding physical therapy interventions and predicting long-term outcome. METHODS AND MEASURES: Sixty patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction participated in the study. Impairment measures were range of motion, pain, knee-joint laxity, and muscle performance using isokinetic muscle tests. Disability measures were the Cincinnati knee score and lower limb performance using the triple-jump and stair-hop tests. Follow-up times were 3 and 6 months and 1 and 2 years after surgery. RESULTS: The Cincinnati knee score results show significant improvement 1 year after surgery (84.2 +/- 13.6) compared with 6 months (76.8 +/- 13.7) and 3 months (67.4 +/- 16.3) after surgery. Quadriceps total work (percentage of normal leg) significantly improved 2 years after surgery (92.6 +/- 14.1%) compared with 1 year after surgery (81.6 +/- 16.8%). Between 37 and 75% of the variability in the Cincinnati knee score could be explained by variation in the impairment variables, and quadriceps muscle performance and pain were the most significant predictors of disability. Extension deficit and pain at 3 months were significantly related to the Cincinnati knee score at the 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Up to 2 years may be needed to regain normal quadriceps muscle performance following ACL reconstruction. Pain and quadriceps muscle performance explained most of the variability in the Cincinnati knee score.