Factors affecting the features of platelet-rich plasma in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present an analysis of platelet-rich plasma obtained from patients with knee osteoarthritis and reveal the factors affecting its features. METHODS: A total of 62 patients (mean age: 56.68 ± 7.13 years) with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis were included in this study. Age (years), gender, height (m), weight (kg), body mass index (kg/m2), duration of symptoms, smoking status, smoking index, general health status, and physical activity scores were recorded. Whole blood and platelet-rich plasma cell counts were performed with a hematology analyzer. White blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet counts were recorded. According to the dose of injected platelets, efficiency of the procedure, purity of platelet-rich plasma, and activation classification, dose of platelets, efficiency of the procedure (platelet recovery rate, %), and purity of the obtained platelet-rich plasma product (relative composition in platelets, %) were calculated. Correlation analysis between the features of platelet-rich plasma and the patient-related variables, including age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, smoking index, presence of other health conditions, physical activity scores, duration of symptoms, and pain levels, was performed. RESULTS: Dose of injected platelets, efficiency of the procedure, purity of platelet-rich plasma, and activation analysis showed that the dose of injected platelets was 3.25 billion, the efficiency of the process was 77%, and the purity rate of the platelet-rich plasma was 98.4%. Platelet-rich plasma platelet count was correlated with whole blood platelet count (r = 0.81, P < .001), whole blood white blood cell count (r = 0.39, P = .002), smoking status (r = 0.56, P = .03), smoking index (r = -0.63, P = .002), and the presence of hypertension (r = -0.31, P=.04). Platelet-rich plasma white blood cell and purity of platelet-rich plasma were correlated with the smoking status of the patients (r = 0.52, P = .01; r = 0.64, P = .003, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated that high dose and very pure platelet-rich plasma with medium efficiency was yielded with this platelet-rich plasma preparation procedure; whole blood platelet count, the presence of hypertension, and the smoking status of patients affect the features of the obtained platelet-rich plasma. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Diagnostic Study.

Comparison of analgesic consumption of hemophilic and non-hemophilic patients in knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Hemophilia is a rare hereditary bleeding disorder that develops as a result of factor VIII or IX deficiency. Long-term complications of hemophilia such as arthropathy, synovitis, and arthritis can lead to the development of recurrent chronic pain. Pain is therefore a critical aspect of hemophilia. The gold standard treatment for end-stage hemophilic knee arthropathy is total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The hypothesis of this study was that after knee replacement surgeries that cause severe post-operative pain, hemophilia patients with chronic analgesic consumption may experience higher levels of pain than non-hemophilic patients, and use more opioid and non-opioid drugs. METHODS: This retrospective study included 82 patients who were hemophilic and non-hemophilic TKA patients operated under general anesthesia. Seventy-three patients were evaluated and divided into two groups according to the diagnosis of hemophilia: 36 patients were investigated in the hemophilic group and 37 patients in the non-hemophilic group. RESULTS: Post-operative tramadol consumption (p=0.002) and pethidine consumption (p=0.003) were significantly higher in the group hemophilia. The length of stay in the hospital was also significantly longer in the hemophilic group (p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: In the light of these informations, we think that acute post-operative pain management of hemophilia patients should be planned as personalized, multimodal preventive, and pre-emptive analgesia.

Critical Limit of Lower-Extremity Lengthening in Total Hip Arthroplasty: An Intraoperative Neuromonitorization Study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of limb lengthening on neural structures was assessed with use of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) during primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). The relationship between the critical limit of lengthening and anthropometric measurements was evaluated. METHODS: Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) from the deep peroneal nerve (tibialis anterior muscle), tibial nerve (gastrocnemius muscle), and femoral nerve (quadriceps muscle), as well as somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) from the posterior tibial nerve, were recorded in 16 patients undergoing THA. Height, weight, the distance between the anterior superior iliac spine and the medial malleolus (ASIS-MM distance), and the total femoral length were measured preoperatively. Lower-extremity traction was performed after resection of the femoral head, and the amount of extremity lengthening was measured with use of an image intensifier. A maximum of 50% reduction in any one of the SEP or MEP amplitudes or a 10% increase in the SEP latency were considered to be indicative of the critical limit of lengthening. RESULTS: Initial IONM changes (indicating the safe limit of lengthening) and maximum allowed IONM changes (indicating the critical limit of lengthening) were reached in the deep peroneal nerve in all cases. The mean safe limit of lengthening (and standard deviation) was 14.9 ± 6.2 mm (3% relative to femoral length and 1.7% relative to ASIS-MM distance), whereas the critical limit of lengthening was exceeded at a mean of 22.4 ± 5.6 mm (5% relative to femoral length and 2.6% relative to ASIS-MM distance). When the critical limit was reached in the deep peroneal nerve, the mean decrease in MEP amplitudes was 27% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.1% to 32.7%) for the tibial nerve and 12% (95% CI, 6.9% to 18.1%) for the femoral nerve. There was a positive correlation between critical lengthening and femoral length (r = 0.782; p < 0.001), ASIS-MM distance (r = 0.811; p < 0.001), and height (r = 0.835; p = 0.001). No correlation existed between the critical lengthening amount and the decrease in amplitude in the tibial and femoral nerves. CONCLUSIONS: The critical limit of nerve lengthening was directly correlated with anthropometric measurements. Nerve lengthening of 5% relative to femoral length and of 2.6% relative to ASIS-MM distance was found to be critical; however, these limits depended on the predetermined threshold values for IONM. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Outcomes of salvage total hip arthroplasty after failed osteosynthesis for collum femoris fractures.

BACKGROUND: This study is an investigation of the outcomes of salvage total hip arthroplasty (THA) to treat collum femoris fractures that resulted in complications or failure after osteosynthesis. METHODS: Twenty patients (6 male, 14 female; mean age: 56.7 years) who underwent salvage total hip arthroplasty (THA) between 1988 and 2012 due to failure developing after closed reposition and osteosynthesis in the treatment of collum femoris fractures were included in the study. The type of osteosynthesis, and the length of time until failure and before THA application after collum femoris fracture were recorded. Cementless acetabular and femoral components were used in all of the patients. Complications were defined as those occurring during and after surgery. The clinical results were assessed with the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and the presence of loosening was assessed with radiological evaluation in follow-up. RESULTS: The mean length of the follow-up period was 59.4 months (range: 15-178 months). The collum femoris fractures of the 20 patients were classified as: 5 Garden type II, 13 type III, 2 type IV, and 3 Pauwels type I, 8 type II, and 9 type III. Cannulated screws were used in 13 patients (65%) and dynamic hip screw (DHS) fixation was used in 7 patients (35%). Complications observed after osteosynthesis were nonunion in 4 cases (20%), malunion in 2 (10%), avascular necrosis in 10 (50%), and implant failure in 4 (20%). A mean of 9.66 months (range: 3-54 months) elapsed before osteosynthesis failure and the mean length of time until THA was 31.6+-51.7 months. There was no statistically significant difference between cannulated screw and DHS fixation in the development of complications (p=0.084). Early dislocation (5%), periprosthetic fracture (5%) and acetabular protrusion (5%) were recorded as complications. A revision was made upon determination of loosening in the 10th year in the patient who developed early dislocation. While the mean HHS was 54.05+-8.22 before THA, it was evaluated to be 86.45+-8.73 at the last follow-up, which was a statistically significant difference (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The study findings demonstrated that THA applied with suitable surgical technique is a safe and successful method that may be used after failed osteosynthesis in cases of collum femoris fracture.

High Rates of Psychiatric Disorders and Below Normal Mental Capacity Associated With Spastic Peroneal Flatfoot: A New Relationship.

Spastic peroneal flatfoot (SPFF) is a rare hindfoot pathology usually seen in the adolescent age group that is characterized by painful spasms in the peroneal muscles. We have clinically observed that patients with SPFF also have some behavioral and emotional difficulties and problems in their academic achievements. Because of these observations, we investigated the prevalence and patterns of psychiatric disorders and intellectual disability among young subjects with SPFF. Our cohort consisted of 16 patients with SPFF. Their mean age at presentation was 21 (range 13 to 31) years. Only 6 patients had a tarsal coalition as an underlying condition. The psychometric evaluation was conducted using validated instruments (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-revised form, Stanford Binet intelligence quotient [IQ] test, and Cattell IQ test). Psychiatric disorders were assessed using a semistructured diagnostic instrument (Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children Present and Lifetime Version). The testers and psychiatrists were unaware of the orthopedic condition and the preliminary psychiatric diagnoses. The ethical committee approved the study protocol. The mean follow-up period was 41 (range 12 to 97) months. The mean IQ score of the patients was 75.1 ± 17.9 (range 52 to 107). Compared with the general population, the rate of intellectual disability was significantly greater (p = .0001) and the rate of normal intelligence significantly lower (p = .0015) in our patient group. Furthermore, according to the community schooling ratio, our cohort also had lower junior high and secondary education rates compared with the general population. The rate of most psychiatric disorders diagnosed in the SPFF patients was greater than that in the normal population. The most commonly identified psychiatric disorders were social phobia and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (75%). Timely interventions of the psychosocial and academic problems of patients with SPFF might increase their compliance with orthopedic treatment and help with their psychological well-being and academic achievement. In addition, this relationship might be a clue for uncovering the etiology of this disease, which has not yet been clarified.

Effects of NSAIDs and hydroxyapatite coating on osseointegration.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study is to investigate the bone ongrowth of two different alternative surfaces and the effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on osseointegration. METHODS: Hips of 40 New Zealand white rabbits were operated bilaterally. Hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated titanium rods were implanted into the right femur, and grit-blasted titanium rods were implanted into the left femur. They were divided into three groups. At the end of 8 weeks, both femora of the rabbits were removed and investigated biomechanically and histologically. RESULTS: HA-coated implants had a significantly better failure load and "percentage of bone-implant contact" than grit-blasted implants. There was no significant difference between the medication groups as a result of the biomechanical and histologic investigations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that NSAIDs did not have any negative effect on the osseointegration. HA-coated implants may provide more tensile strength and greater bone-implant contact rate in comparison with grit-blasted implants.

The results of monoblock stem with step-cut femoral shortening osteotomy for developmentally dislocated hips.

INTRODUCTION: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the midterm results of cementless THA with the use of monoblock stems combined with step-cut femoral shortening derotational osteotomy for DDH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 66 hips of 49 patients with Crowe type IV developmental hip dislocation, with a mean follow-up of 90 (range 26-207) months, were reviewed retrospectively. Subtrochanteric step-cut shortening osteotomy and monoblock femoral stems were used. The cup was placed in the true acetabulum in all cases. 21 hips had previous femoral valgisation osteotomies. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of both hips were obtained preoperatively and at the last follow-up examination. The Harris Hip Score (HHS) was used for pre- and postoperative clinical evaluation. RESULTS: The mean HHS increased from 49 to 86 points. A total of 13 hips of 10 patients (the isolated acetabular component in 7 hips of 6 patients, the femoral component in 3 hips of 3 patients, and both components in 2 patients) were revised during the follow-up period. Dislocation occurred in 3 hips, deep periprosthetic infection in 2, superficial wound infection in 2, and femoral vein injury and sciatic nerve palsy in 1. Nonunion was observed in 3 osteotomy sites. 10-year survival probabilities of 91% for femoral components for all cases and 78% for acetabular components were found. CONCLUSIONS: THA with subtrochanteric femoral shortening osteotomy was proven to be an effective technique for avoiding neurological complications for Crowe IV DDH. Cementless THA with the use of monoblock stems showed overall survival rates of 95% at 5 years and 85% at 10 years.

Long-term result of mosaicplasty for femoral head osteochondral lesion: a case report with 8 years follow-up.

PURPOSE: Treatment of the chondral lesions of the hip joint is problematic due to its deep anatomy and complex biomechanical demands. The purpose of the study is to present the long-term result of a deep, large femoral head cartilage defect treated successfully with surgical safe dislocation of the hip and autologous osteochondral grafting. METHODS: A 27-year-old male patient was admitted to our clinic with left hip pain. On assessment, a large femoral head osteochondral defect was detected in his left hip. An open safe hip dislocation and autologous osteochondral grafting was performed due to the large size of the lesion and subchondral bone involvement. RESULTS: Using a Kocher-Langenbeck incision, the hip was dislocated after a trochanteric flip osteotomy. The defect was reconstructed with 3 x 13 mm and 1 x 11 mm osteochondral plug from the ipsilateral knee. We have not encountered any complication at the postoperative period. After 8 years follow-up his left hip range of motion was preserved and The Harris Hip Score was qualified as excellent with 96 points. CONCLUSIONS: Chondral defects of the femoral head are still a challenging problem in orthopaedic practice. Mosaicplasty of the femoral head is a demanding procedure with safe dislocation of the hip. However, if successful it can provide satisfactory functional and radiological results in the long-term.