Needle arthroscopic-assisted repair of tibio-fibular syndesmosis acute injury: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Acute injuries to the tibiofibular syndesmosis, often associated with high ankle sprains or malleolar fractures, require precise diagnosis and treatment to prevent long-term complications. This case report explores the use of needle arthroscopy as a minimally invasive technique for the repair of tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries. CASE SUMMARY: We report on a 40-year-old male patient who presented with a trimalleolar fracture and ankle subluxation following a high ankle sprain. Due to significant swelling and poor soft tissue quality, initial management involved external stabilization. Subsequently, needle arthroscopy was employed to assess and treat the tibiofibular syndesmosis injury. The procedure, performed under spinal anesthesia and fluoroscopic control, included nanoscopic evaluation of the ankle joint and reduction of the syndesmosis using a suture button. Follow-up assessments showed significant improvement in pain levels, range of motion, and functional scores. At 26 weeks post-procedure, the patient achieved full range of motion and pain-free status. Needle arthroscopy offers a promising alternative for the management of acute tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries, combining diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities with minimal invasiveness. CONCLUSION: This technique may enhance clinical outcomes and reduce recovery times, warranting further investigation and integration into clinical practice.

Is There Any Purpose in Routine Syndesmotic Screw Removal? Systematic Literature Review.

Introduction: The aim of this systematic review is to examine the recent evidence comparing the removal and non-removal of syndesmotic screws in tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries in terms of functional, clinical, and radiographic outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify clinical studies on syndesmotic screw removal and its outcomes, searching the Cochrane Library and PubMed Medline for publications from 1 January 2004 to 12 February 2024. Studies were included if they involved tibiofibular syndesmotic screw fixation, assessed screw removal or retention, described clinical outcomes, and were original research with at least fifteen patients per group. Results: Most reviewed articles (18 out of 27; 67%) found no significant differences between the routine removal and retention of syndesmotic screws post-fixation. Four retrospective studies (15%) suggested that retaining screws might result in worse outcomes compared to removal. Two studies (7%) indicated that removing screws could introduce additional risks. One study (4%) observed that post-removal, there is some fibula-tibia separation without affecting the medial clear space. Another study (4%) noted that intraosseous screw breakage might increase the need for implant removal due to pain. Additionally, no significant differences in ankle function were found among groups with varying intervals of screw removal. Conclusions: The current literature does not definitively support routine removal of syndesmotic screws. Given the potential complications and financial costs, routine removal should not be performed unless specifically indicated.

Silicone Arthroplasty as an Alternative to Arthrodesis in the Metatarsophalangeal Degenerative Disease of Hallux Valgus-A 5-Year Observational Study.

Background: Arthroplasty is gaining more and more popularity in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the metatarsophalangeal I joint (MTP1). The aim of our study was to evaluate the early and long-term objective clinical and radiographic results, as well as the subjective results, of MTP1 arthroplasty in comparison to MTP1 arthrodesis among patients with OA and a valgus deformity of their MTP 1 joint. Methods: Patients with OA MTP1 were examined before surgery and in the 5-year period after surgery. The inclusion criteria for the study were OA of the MTP1 joint and a non-axial position of the toe in valgus between 20 and 40 degrees. Prostheses were created for the patients with higher demands for mobility of their MTP 1 joint and arthrodesis was carried out for those with lower expectations. The treatment outcomes were assessed by clinical examination, radiography, the AOFAS scale, the SEFAS scale, and using patient-related outcome measures (PROM). Results: A total of 39 people, 37 women and 2 men, aged 55 to 67 years old (average, 61 years old) participated in the study. During the follow-up period, there were no complications in the form of infection or a loosening of the implant after both arthroplasty and arthrodesis. The follow-up examination 60 months after the surgery showed an improvement in scores (>20 points) on both the AOFAS and SEFAS scales. All patients, after surgery, reported reduced pain. Conclusions: The use of a silicone prosthesis in the surgical treatment of degenerative changes in the MTPI joint, with appropriate indications and excluding cases with large hallux valgus, gives better results than arthrodesis.

Sonographic Characterization of the Pericruciate Fat Pad with the Use of Compression Elastography-A Cross-Sectional Study among Healthy and Post-Injured Patients.

Background: The pericruciate fat pad (PCFP) in the knee joint is still insufficiently studied despite its potential role in knee pathologies. This is the first reported study which aimed to clarify the characteristics of the PCFP in healthy individuals and contrast them with cases of post-traumatic injuries. Methods: Conducted as a retrospective cross-sectional study (n = 110 knees each) following STROBE guidelines, it employed grayscale ultrasound with echogenicity measurement, compression elastography with elasticity measurement, and Color Doppler for blood flow assessment. Results: PCFP showed a homogenic and hyperechoic echostructure. The echogenicity of the PCFP was higher than that of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) (p < 0.001, z-score = 8.97) and of the medial head of gastrocnemius (MHG) (p = 0.007, z-score = 2.72) in healthy knees, but lower than subcutaneous fat (SCF) (p < 0.001, z-score = -6.52). Post-injury/surgery, PCFP echogenicity surpassed other structures (p < 0.001; z-score for PCL 12.2; for MHG 11.65 and for SCF 12.36) and notably exceeded the control group (p < 0.001, z-score = 8.78). PCFP elasticity was lower than MHG and SCF in both groups, with significantly reduced elasticity in post-traumatic knees (ratio SCF/PCFP 15.52 ± 17.87 in case group vs. 2.26 ± 2.4 in control group; p < 0.001; z-score = 9.65). Blood flow was detected in 71% of healthy PCFPs with three main patterns. Conclusions: The main findings, indicating increased echogenicity and reduced elasticity of PCFP post-trauma, potentially related to fat pad fibrosis, suggest potential applications of echogenicity and elasticity measurements in detecting and monitoring diverse knee pathologies. The description of vascularity variations supplying the PCFP adds additional value to the study by emphasizing the clinically important role of PCFP as a bridge for the middle genicular artery on its way to the inside of the knee joint.

Quadriceps muscle contraction causes medial patellofemoral ligament elongation by intermeshed fibers of vastus medialis oblique muscle.

The first aim of this study was to compare the medial patellofemoral length between contracted and relaxed quadriceps muscle and second to assess the importance of the intermeshed vastus medialis oblique fibers. After a priori power analysis (α = 0.05, power [1-ß] = 0.95), 35 healthy males aged 18-30 were prospectively examined with a 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner in 10-15° of knee flexion. Two axial MRI sequences (25 s each) were made with relaxed and contracted quadriceps. Two blinded, independent raters measured twice medial patellofemoral ligament length (curved line) and attachment-to-attachment length (straight line). Mean medial patellofemoral ligament length and attachment-to-attachment length with relaxed quadriceps was: 65.5 mm (SD = 3.7), 59.7 mm (SD = 3.6), and after contraction, it increased to 68.7 mm (SD = 5.3), 61.2 mm (SD = 4.7); p < 0.01 and <0.001, respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficients for intra- and inter-rater reliabilities ranged from 0.55 (moderate) to 0.97 (excellent). Mean medial patellofemoral ligament length elongation after quadriceps contraction was significantly greater (3.2 mm, SD = 3.9) than mean attachment-to-attachment length elongation (1.6 mm, SD = 2.8); p < 0.001. Contraction of quadriceps muscle causes elongation of the medial patellofemoral ligament to the extent greater than the elongation of distance between its attachments. This confirms that medial patellofemoral ligament elongation after quadriceps contraction results not only from movement of its patellar attachment but also directly from intermeshed vastus medialis oblique fibers pulling medial patellofemoral ligament in a different direction creating a bow-like construct in agreement with the "pull-and-guide mechanism" proposed in the literature.

Optimization of Revision Hip Arthroplasty Workflow by Means of Detailed Pre-Surgical Planning Using Computed Tomography Data, Open-Source Software and Three-Dimensional-Printed Models.

BACKGROUND: In revision hip arthroplasty (RHA), establishing the center of rotation (COR) can be technically challenging due to the acetabular bone destruction that is usually present, particularly in severe cases such as Paprosky type II and III defects. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the use of open-source medical image reconstruction software and low-cost 3D anatomical models in pre-surgical planning of RHA. METHODS: A total of 10 patients, underwent RHA and were included in the study. Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed for all cases, before surgery and approximately 1 week after the procedure. The reconstruction of CT data, 3D virtual planning of the COR and positioning of acetabular cups, including their inclination and anteversion angles, was carried out using the free open source software platform 3D Slicer. In addition, anatomical models of the pelvis were built on a desktop 3D printer from polylactic acid (PLA). Preoperative and postoperative reconstructed imaging data were compared for each patient, and the position of the acetabular cups as well as the COR were evaluated for each case. RESULTS: Analysis of the pre- and post-op center of rotation position data indicated statistically insignificant differences for the location of the COR on the X-axis (1.5 mm, t = 0.5741, p = 0.5868) with a fairly strong correlation of the results (r = -0.672, p = 0.0982), whilst for the location of the COR in the Y and Z-axes, there was statistical dependence (Y axis, 4.7 mm, t = 3.168 and p = 0.0194; Z axis, 1.9 mm, t = 1.887 and p = 0.1081). A strong correlation for both axes was also observed (Y and Z) (Y-axis, r = 0.9438 and p = 0.0014; Z-axis, r = 0.8829 and p = 0.0084). Analysis of inclination angle values showed a statistically insignificant difference between mean values (3.9 degrees, t = 1.111, p = 0.3092) and a moderate correlation was found between mean values (r = -0.4042, p = 0.3685). Analysis of the anteversion angle showed a statistically insignificant difference between mean values (1.9 degrees, t = 0.8671, p = 0.4192), while a moderate correlation between mean values was found (r = -0.4782, p = 0.2777). CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional reconstruction software, together with low-cost anatomical models, are very effective tools for pre-surgical planning, which have great potential use in orthopedic surgery, particularly RHA. In up and in- and up and out-type defects, it is essential to establish a new COR and to identify three support points within the revision acetabulum in order to correctly position acetabular cups.

Assessment of fibrillin-2 and elastin gene polymorphisms in patients with a traumatic Achilles tendon rupture: Is Achilles tendon rupture a genetic disease?

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the polymorphism of fibrillin-2 (FBN2) and elastin genes in patients with Achilles tendon rupture and to compare the results with a control group of participants who did not experience such an injury. METHODS: In this prospective study, 106 consecutive patients in whom traumatic Achilles tendon rupture was diagnosed and treated were included. The control group consisted of randomly selected 92 athletes (10 women and 82 men) 85 of whom had practiced sports in the past, aged 40-76 years, who during their sports career did not experience Achilles tendon ruptures. Material for genetic tests was obtained by the swab from the oral cavity epithelium of all the study population. RESULTS: 102 (96%) of patients with traumatic Achilles tendon ruptures were people with polymorphism B or heterozygotes for the elastin gene. 97 (92%) of patients with traumatic Achilles tendon ruptures were people with polymorphism B and heterozygotes for the FBN2 gene. Patients with homozygote A of the elastin gene and homozygote A of the FBN2 gene demonstrated a considerably lower incidence rate of sport-related Achilles tendon rupture. The type of sport that led to the Achilles tendon rupture and the amount of experience practicing it, as well as BMI and drug usage, did not contribute to a higher rate of incidence of any additional musculoskeletal problems or a longer time to return to their pre-injury sports activity. Polymorphisms of the fibrillin 2 (P=.0001) and elastin (P=.0009) genes impact the occurrence of traumatic injury to the Achilles tendon. However, it does not affect the length of full recovery time (P =.2251). CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive and, above all, safe collection of genetic material from the epithelium of the oral cavity in order to assess the polymorphic state of the FBN and elastin genes may allow the identification of a group of players at risk of Achilles tendon rupture resulting in long-term injury, which will significantly affect their sports career in the future. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, Prognostic Study.

Bone marrow lesions in the knee are associated with meniscal lesions and cartilage pathologies according to the six-letter system.

PURPOSE: This study aims to find a correlation between bone marrow lesions (BMLs) in knee MRI and pathologies of joint structures. In addition, according to the six-letter system classification, the authors analyzed a potential association between the area affected by BMLs and the specific type of joint lesion. METHODS: The authors screened all the knee MRIs performed in the investigation center between 2017 and 2018 to identify the presence of BMLs. The lesions were then categorized following the "six-letter system". The authors searched the presence of associated meniscal, chondral or ligamentous lesions. Finally, the authors researched a correlation between the lesion type described by the six-letter system classification and the associated lesions. RESULTS: MRI exams of 4000 patients were studied, identifying 666 BMLs. The associated lesions were collected for all patients, resulting in an overall prevalence of related lesions in almost 90% of patients. The authors found a statistical significance for type TLD (Tibia-Lateral-Articular) and ACL rupture. The study suggests a strong positive correlation between type E (Edge) and meniscal fracture or extrusion. CONCLUSION: BMLs in the knee are associated in 90% of cases with a radiological sign of related injury to the joint structures. The six-letter system of BMLs type TLD can be considered a sign of ACL rupture and type E as a high suspicious sign for meniscal extrusion. Those very typical BML patterns can help the clinician in the diagnosis of ACL tears and meniscal extrusion. Furthermore, the presence of a BML must be, for the clinician, a high suspicious sign of joint-related injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1.

Long Term Effectiveness of ESWT in Plantar Fasciitis in Amateur Runners.

BACKGROUND: Shock wave therapy is one of the modern methods of treatment used to treat diseases of muscles, tendons, and entheses in orthopedics, as well as in sports medicine. The therapy is increasingly used in the treatment of plantar fasciitis-a disease that is very difficult and burdensome to treat. Where basic conservative treatment for heel spurs fails, the only alternative consists of excision of the bone outgrowth, and shock wave therapy: a modern, minimally invasive, and relatively safe method. The aim of the study was to determine the long-term effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of painful ailments occurring in the course of plantar fasciitis in amateur runners. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study includes a group of 39 men and women, aged 34-64 (mean age 54.05 ± 8.16), suffering from chronic pain in one or both feet, occurring in the course of plantar fasciitis. The patients had to meet five criteria to qualify for the study. The group was divided into two subgroups: those who had not undergone other physiotherapeutic procedures prior to the extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT-alone; 23 people), and those who had received other procedures (ESWT-plus; 16 people). The therapy was performed using extracorporeal shock wave (ESWT). No local anesthesia was used. The effectiveness of the extracorporeal shock wave therapy was evaluated using the visual analogue scale of pain (VAS), Modified Laitinen Pain Index Questionnaire, the AOFAS scale (American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society), and a survey questionnaire consisting of 10 questions concerning metrics and subjective assessment of the effects of therapy. The interview was conducted before ESWT, and again five years later. RESULTS: The use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy reduced the intensity and frequency of pain, and improved daily and recreational activity. Moreover, a reduction in the level of pain sensation on the VAS scale and pain symptoms during walking was demonstrated. More favorable results were obtained in the ESWT-plus group; however, the first effects were observed later than in the ESWT-alone group. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is an effective form of therapy for amateur runners. It reduces pain associated with plantar fasciitis that amateur runners may experience at rest, while walking, and during daily and recreational activity.

Assessment of the deformation model of the proximal tibia in the course of degenerative disease: analysis of the 3-dimensional mathematical model.

Background: The high tibial osteotomy (HTO) is an effective knee-saving procedure, which relieves arthritis symptoms and prolongs the life of the knee joint. This procedure requires detailed preoperative planning. Usually, the contralateral side is used as a template for this purpose. Some intra-operative complications made us thinking how exactly the degenerative disease alter the epiphysis if the tibia. Our study aimed to assess morphological differences between healthy knees and degenerative knees using a three-dimensional mathematical model. Methods: Twenty-three computed tomography (CT) examinations were collected out of 237 individuals screened for inclusion/exclusion. The inclusion criteria were: age between 40 and 69 years, degenerative knees with visible varus deformation, and signs of radiological osteoarthritis (OA) in the knee joint (such as joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, subchondral cyst formation, and osteophytes. The average age of the included patients was 56.2 years. Nine men's and 14 women's knee joints were used for the calculation and comparisons. Results: Female varus knees showed much more significant variability in tibial plateau dimensions according to sides of the body than male ones. These differences were statistically significant (P=0.03). In comparison between the basal bone and bones with OA, variability in 3D dimensions was statistically significant only for lateral condyles in males' right knees (P=0.025). Compared to the degenerative knees to the most average, healthy knees, there were significant differences in the measured surface area of males' right knees for both condyles: for the medial P=0.0046, for lateral P=0.005. Male varus knees had a statistically more considerable (P=0.028) surface area for all measured condyles. Angles of inclination differ significantly between knees with OA and healthy knees in the male population for the medial condyle plateau in the left knees. The female population for the lateral condyle in left knees and the medial condyle in right knees. Conclusions: The proximal tibial plateau deformation showed high variability in the two-dimensional and three-dimensional analysis in the designed mathematical models. This finding must be considered during preoperative planning.

A Review of the Clinical Effectiveness and Safety of Hybrid Cooperative Complexes in Intra-articular Viscosupplementation.

Viscosupplementation by intra-articular (i.a.) injection of the non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) hyaluronic acid (HA) is a conservative therapy widely accepted in clinical practice for the management of osteoarthritis (OA) and joint diseases. The aim of viscosupplementation is to restore the rheological properties of the synovial fluid to relieve joint inflammation and pain and improve joint function through a chondroprotective effect. However, there is a range of hyaluronic acid products for OA that differ in preparation, molecular weight, rheological characteristics and concentration, and different i.a. formulations are more suited to particular patient populations and clinical situations, in part because of anatomical differences between joints. This paper focuses on innovative hybrid cooperative complexes of high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA-HL) and hyaluronic acid plus sodium chondroitin (HA-SC) that have been developed. Both products are formulated with pharmaceutical-grade, highly purified hyaluronic acid obtained with a multi-step biofermentation process, with properties that make them suitable across a range of degenerative joint diseases. They represent progress in building on the symptomatic and functional benefits of viscosupplementation in joint disease, with the additional beneficial effect of treating the patient with a high concentration of GAGs by a low number of injections. Here, we review the clinical evidence for the efficacy of a hybrid cooperative compound of HA-HL in various degenerative joint diseases, which suggests a synergistic effect of the different molecular weight hyaluronans that together more closely mimic the physiological composition of synovial fluid. Similarly, the evidence shows that HA-SC is safe, effective, and well tolerated in hip OA, with rapid and clinically significant improvements in pain symptoms and functionality. Such innovations in viscosupplementation expand the usefulness of the modality in the management of OA and other joint diseases, complemented by a lack of systemic or local side effects that allow the concurrent use of other drugs if needed.

Translation and rotation analysis based on stress MRI for the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament tears.

BACKGROUND: Due to the increasing need for a detailed biomechanical analysis of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) lesions, the aim of the study was to develop a method of direct measurement of the three-dimensional tibial translation and rotation based on stress MRI. METHODS: For the purpose of the study, thirty patients with acute ACL rupture and 17 healthy control subjects were selected. Based on clinical examination, they were qualified for MRI examination using the Arthroholder Device prototype to perform anterior tibial translation. Each examination was performed at 30° of knee flexion, initially without tibia translation and then using the force applied to the calf of 80 N. The femur and tibia were separately registered using rigid local SimpleITK landmark refinement; translation and rotation parameters were then calculated using the 3D transformation algorithms. The significance level was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Initially, the device and method for obtaining the parameters of the 3D translation and rotation were validated. The pooled Standard Deviation for translation parameters was 0.81 mm and for rotation parameters 0.87°. Compared to the control group, statistically significant differences were found in parameters such as Anterior Shift [(median ± interquartile range) 3.89 mm ±6.55 vs. 0.90 mm ±2.78, P=0.002238] and External Rotation (-0.55° ±3.88 vs. -2.87° ±2.40, P=0.005074). Statistically significant correlations were observed in combined groups between Anterior Shift and parameters such as External Rotation (P=0.001611), PCL Tibial Attachment Point (pPCL) Anterior Shift (<0.000001), Rolimeter Measurement (P=0.000016), and Side-to-Side Difference (SSD) (P=0.000383). A significant statistical correlation was also observed between External Rotation and parameters such as Rolimeter (P=0.02261) and SSD (P=0.03458). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the anterior tibia translation using stress MRI and the proposed three-dimensional calculation method allows for a detailed analysis of the tibial translation and rotation parameters. The correlations showed the importance of external rotation during anterior tibial translation.

The popliteofibular ligament: a cadaveric ultrasound study.

OBJECTIVE: The popliteofibular ligament (PFL) is an important stabilizer of the knee found within the posterolateral corner (PLC) of the joint. Injuries to the PLC can cause substantial patient morbidity. Accurate PFL visualization has been historically challenging, impeding injury diagnosis and treatment. The gold standard for in vivo PFL visualization is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but this procedure has slice thickness limitations, is costly, and is subject to longer wait times. Ultrasonographic (US) PFL assessment is a potentially viable alternative to MRI. This study aimed to determine the viability of US PFL assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten fresh-frozen lower limb specimens were evaluated for the presence and morphometric characteristics of the PFL via US using an 18.0-MHz linear transducer. The cadavers were then dissected and reassessed for the presence and morphometric characteristics of the PFLs for comparison with US findings. Moreover, the fracture of the fibular styloid process near the site of the insertion of the PFL (the arcuate sign) was simulated and assessed via US. RESULTS: The PFL was visualized and measured in all ten knees via both US and cadaveric assessments. There were no statistically significant differences in PFL morphometric characteristics determined via US examination and dissection. The fibular styloid fracture was easily identified in US examination. CONCLUSION: US imaging is a viable alternative for accurate and effective assessment of the normal PFL. Moreover, the arcuate sign can be evaluated via US.

Assessment of morphological differences of the proximal tibia in healthy knees: analysis of the 3-dimensional mathematical model.

BACKGROUND: High tibial osteotomy and many orthopedic surgical procedures around the knee joint requires precise preoperative planning. In-depth knowledge of the tibial plateau morphology is necessary to limit intraoperative complications like lateral hinge fracture. No studies were exploring the differences in proximal tibia surface geometry, in regards to gender and laterality, using a mathematical model. The aim of our study was to assess morphological differences in healthy knees using a three-dimensional mathematical model. METHODS: Eighty-seven computed tomography examinations collected from 52 patients were selected for the study. The inclusion criteria were: age between 20 and 40 years, knee joint without visible deformities, no history of significant trauma to index knee, no history of systemic and chronic disorders. The average age of the included patients was 32.5±8.9 years old. For the calculation and comparisons, 45 right knee joints (18 females and 27 males) and 42 left knee joints (17 females and 25 males) were used. RESULTS: The male tibial plateau was much larger than the female one, for the right (P=0.001) and left knees (P=0.001). Male knees showed much bigger variability in two-dimensional tibial plateau dimensions especially for the left knees (P=0.001), and there was also a marked difference in variability between sides in males. Three-dimensional variability was significant for medial condyles for both genders. Male knees had a statistically bigger (P=0.04) tibial plateau surface area for all measured condyles. CONCLUSIONS: The proximal tibial plateau showed in the designed mathematical models high variability in the two-dimensional and three-dimensional analysis. The males' knees presented great variability between sides and condyles. This finding must be considered during preoperative planning.

Arthroscopic utilization of ChondroFiller gel for the treatment of hip articular cartilage defects: a cohort study with 12- to 60-month follow-up.

ChondroFiller gel is an absorbable collagen implant. It serves as a protective cover for the cartilage defects, allowing chondrocyte migration into the lesion. The implant consists of collagen (Type I) and is derived from veterinary monitored rats. This study evaluates the use of ChondroFiller gel in the treatment of cartilage lesions during hip joint arthroscopy. A prospective study was conducted on a group of 26 adult patients. All patients had an existing femoroacetabular impingement together with acetabular cartilage lesions >2 cm2. All patients underwent hip arthroscopic surgery and the lesions were treated using ChondroFiller gel. The cartilage tissue healing was evaluated postoperatively using MRI. A total of 26 patients, including 5 females and 21 males, all with articular cartilage lesions, were included in the study. Cartilage healing conditions were evaluated for all patients, and the difference between pre- and post-surgery conditions was statistically significant. The follow-up scores have been acquired from 21 out of initial 26 patients (2 were disqualified after receiving THR, 3 could not be reached by researchers) after 3, 4 and 5 years consecutively with 17/21 patients having good/excellent results. The use of ChondroFiller gel during arthroscopy of the hip for acetabular cartilage lesions is an effective treatment technique. Encouraging long-term results have been observed, but further research on larger group of patient is required to better assess the full value of this technique. Patients with pre-existing osteoarthritis (Tönnis 2-3) have poor results.

The knee function of the soccer players after ACLR is comparable with non-injured controls: A case-control study.

PURPOSE: Many studies report a high primary success rate of ACL reconstruction (ACLR), with an increased risk of decline in knee performance correlating with the time passed since surgery. Only one study has compared male soccer players after ACLR to a matched control group of uninjured players in terms of their return to sport and performance. The purpose of this cross-sectional case-control study was to determine the knee performance between soccer players after ACLR and control group matched by age, sex, and professional experience. METHODS: All the male professional soccer players aged 18-36 years at the time of injury, who sustained an ACL tear while playing league soccer in Poland between January 2008 and December 2011 were contacted and compared with age and experience-matched healthy control group selected from professional football players. KOOS, IKDC-2000, Lysholm and SF-36 scales were used for comparison. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 7.9 years (range 6-9 years). The ACL-injured soccer players scored significantly lower in IKDC and Lysholm scores compared with the reference group but still were classified as normal knee function in both scales. In all five dimensions of the KOOS and subscales of SF-36 no apparent differences were noted. In all scales in the study group, no correlation was observed between the player's age and follow-up time after ACLR. CONCLUSION: After ACL reconstruction and successful return to professional sport, knee function is as good as uninjured team members in the midterm follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

The Comparison of Clinical Result between Primary Repair of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament with Additional Internal Bracing and Anatomic Single Bundle Reconstruction-A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The current standard of treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is reconstruction (ACLR). This technique has some disadvantages: poor proprioception, donor site morbidity and the inability to restore joint kinematics. ACL repair could be an alternative treatment. The purpose of the study was to compare the stability and the function after ACL primary repair versus single-bundle ACLR. METHODS: In a retrospective study, 12 patients underwent primary ACL repair with internal bracing, 15 patients underwent standard ACLR. Follow-up examinations were evaluated at up to 2 years postoperatively. One patient in the ACL repair group was lost to follow-up due to re-rupture. The absolute value of anterior tibial translation (ATT) and the side-to-side difference in the same patient (ΔATT) were evaluated using the GNRB arthrometer. The Lysholm knee scoring was obtained. Re-ruptures and other complications were recorded. RESULTS: Anterior tibial translation (ATT) was significantly decreased in the ACL repair group compared with the ACLR group (5.31 mm vs. 7.18 mm, respectively; p = 0.0137). Arthrometric measurements demonstrated a mean side-to-side difference (ΔATT) 1.87 (range 0.2 to 4.9) mm significantly decreased compared to ACLR 3.36 (range 1.2-5.6 mm; p = 0.0107). The mean Lysholm score was 85.3 points in the ACL repair group and 89.9 in ACLR group. No significant differences between ACL repair and ACLR were found for the Lysholm score. There was no association between AP laxity and clinical outcomes. There were two complications in the internal bracing group: one patient had re-rupture and was treated by ACLR, another had limited extension and had arthroscopic debridement. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior tibial translation was significantly decreased after ACL repair. Additionally, the functional results after ACL repair with internal bracing were comparable with those after ACLR. It should be noted that the two complications occurred. The current study supports further development of ACL repair techniques.

Methods of Tibiofibular Syndesmosis Fixation.

The tibiofibular syndesmosis is a ligamentous structure connecting the distal ends of the tibia and fibula. This article presents and compares the available methods of treatment of syndesmosis injuries. Current publications from the online database PubMed and relevant available books are analysed and compared with AO Surgery guidelines. Metal and bioabsorbable syndesmotic screws and the suture button technique, including all possible modifications of these approaches, are compared. The focus is on the technical aspects of the procedures, functional outcomes and complications of these procedures. According to the literature, the best long-term functional outcomes are obtained with the dynamic fixation method involving the suture button. This fixation technique is closest to a physiological connection, there is no need to subsequently remove the implant and return to work is faster. Given all this, the popularity of this fixation technique can be expected to increase dynamically.

Evolution of the Hyaluronic Acid in Viscosupplementation - from Linear Particles to Hybrid Complexes.

The discovery of unique properties of the hyaluronic acid and learning about the role of this aid in pathophysiology of extracellular matrices resulted in using this substance in pharmacological support in cases of tissue dysfunction due to numerous disease units. Therefore, the products containing this substance are now widely used in medicine including dermatology and aesthetic medicine, ophthalmology, facial-mandibular surgery and orthopedics, being among the most effective products used in the treatment of numerous cases of function impairment and deformation of tissues and organs. There are applied in both post-traumatic and post-inflammatory conditions as well as in symptoms due to chronic conditions. Their therapeutic effects result from joint surface moisturizing, reduction of the coefficient of friction (COF) and good bio-tolerance and biocompatibility confirmed by a low percentage of side effects and biocompatibility. The introduction of hyaluronic acid hybrid complexes with high and low molecular mass (H/L-HA) has increased the clinical usefulness of hyaluronic acid products thanks to their increased viscoelasticity, increased anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective properties and thermodynamic stabilization of the product guaranteeing its half-life. Thanks to the above mentioned pro-perties it becomes more effective in the non-surgical treatment of osteoarthritis.

Smoking is associated with prolonged time of the return to daily and sport activities and decreased knee function after meniscus repair with outside-in technique: Retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic repair of post-traumatic meniscal lesion is one of the most common procedures in the orthopedics. Although algorithm of the treatment of meniscal lesion, this procedure is rarely discussed in combination with smoking as a risk factor for the meniscal healing. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the knee function, and the amount of time needed to return to daily and sport activities after the non-bucket-handle meniscal outside-in repair depending on Tobacco use. METHODS: Retrospective chart review identified 99 patients after isolated outside-in meniscal repair within a series of 292 consecutive patients who underwent meniscus repair during a 3 years period. Ninety-two patients were available for follow-up and were divided into smokers and non-smokers group. Demographic data were collected from their medical records which included: age and body mass index, gender, side of index knee, duration of symptoms prior to surgery, meniscal involvement. At the time of the minimum 2 years follow-up examination: KOOS, time of the return to daily activities, time of the return to sport activities, and Tegner scale were collected. RESULTS: The smoking and non-smoking groups were similar in age, sex, BMI, side, meniscus involved, Tegner scale, and duration of symptoms. Smokers population was 3.5 years older on average. The knee function was significantly better in non-smokers group with average KOOS score 80.2 vs 67.4 in smokers group. In smokers population delayed time of return to daily activities (5.4 vs 4.2 months) and prolonged time of the return to sport activities (9.4 vs 7.6 months) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking is associated with significantly prolonged time of the return to daily and sport activities and decreased knee function after meniscus repair with outside-in technique. Level of evidence: III.