Microfracture- and Xeno-Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis for Treatment of Focal Traumatic Cartilage Defects of the Knee: Age-Based Mid-Term Results.

The aim of this study was to investigate clinical and instrumental outcomes of the autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) technique for the treatment of isolated traumatic condyle and femoropatellar cartilage lesions. A total of 25 patients (12 males, 13 females, mean age 47.3 years) treated between 2018 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed and subdivided into two groups based on age (Group A, age < 45 years; Group B, age > 45 years). A clinical evaluation was performed using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm score and Visual Analogue Score (VAS). Cartilage regeneration was evaluated via magnetic resonance (1.5 Tesla) and classified according to a Magnetic resonance Observation of CArtilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) scoring system. At a minimum follow-up of 2 years, Group A patients obtained greater instrumental results in comparison to group B: in fact, the MOCART score was statistically significantly correlated with IKDC (r = 0.223) (p < 0.001) exclusively in group A. Nevertheless, a significant improvement in clinical functionality was shown in Group B (p < 0.001), demonstrating that this technique is safe, reproducible and capable of offering satisfactory clinical results regardless of age.

Double posteromedial portals for posterior ankle arthroscopy in supine position.

UNLABELLED: Both posterior and anterior arthroscopy of the ankle may be indicated in the same patient. With the patient supine, it is possible to reach most intraarticular structures of the ankle through the standard anterior portals, but difficult to examine the posterior compartments and to perform hindfoot endoscopy. In most patients following the anterior procedure the patient is positioned prone to operate on the posterior compartment. We describe a two-portal posteromedial hindfoot procedure that allows the surgeon to reach both the posterior joint space and the extraarticular compartment of the hindfoot with the scope and instruments, regardless of diagnosis, with the patient supine. After arthroscopy on the anterior portion of the foot using standard anterior portals, the two posteromedial portals allow endoscopic inspection and management of abnormalities in this region without repositioning the patient and without any remarkable local complication. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament reconstructin in chronic ankle instability: Two years results.

PURPOSE: In chronic lateral ankle instability, primary ligament repair is not always possible because of poor quality of the local tissues. A free autologous or allograft tendon graft or synthetic grafts are suitable alternative. We describe middle term results of arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) using a free autologous ipsilateral gracilis graft in patients with chronic ankle instability. METHODS: Eleven patients with chronic lateral ankle instability with imaging evidence of isolated ATFL tear underwent arthroscopic reconstruction of the ATFL using a free ipsilateral gracilis graft. Functional and subjective assessment were performed after an average of 24 months following the index procedure. RESULTS: At 24 months, all patients showed objective improvements. One patient reported transient dysaesthesiae on the dorsolateral aspect of the foot and heel. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic isolated reconstruction of the ATFL with a free ipsilateral gracilis grafts is safe, allowing restoration of joint stability and low surgical morbidity. STUDY DESIGN: Case series.

Impact of structured report on the quality of preoperative CT staging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: assessment of intra- and inter-reader variability.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether a structured radiology report improves the completeness of preoperative CT staging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) compared to conventional free-text reports. METHODS: We retrospectively included 27 patients (mean age, 64 ± 11.1 years) referred for pancreatic preoperative CT scan for staging of PDA between 2015 and 2018 and in whom a diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma was ultimately confirmed. Four readers independently reported CT scans with both conventional free-text and structured reports. Differences in reported morphologic and vascular features with the two reports were assessed through McNemar Test. Intra-reader and inter-reader were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 216 reports were completed by four different readers including 108 free-text and 108 structured reports. Overall, 139 of 540 morphologic characteristics of PDA and 869 of 1188 vascular key features were only described in structured reports. Encasement of left gastric artery, gastroduodenal artery and splenic artery was described in up to 14.8% using free-text reports and in up to 29.6% using structured report, resulting in low-intra-reader agreement (k = 0.033-0.216). Inter-reader agreement improved with structured report compared to free-text one for left gastric artery (ICC = 0.844 vs. ICC = 0.493, respectively), gastroduodenal artery (ICC = 0.730 vs. ICC = 0.449, respectively), portal vein (ICC = 0.847 vs. ICC = 0.638, respectively), portal confluence (ICC = 0.848 vs. ICC = 0.422, respectively) superior mesenteric vein (ICC = 0.765 vs. ICC = 0.695, respectively), and splenic vein (ICC = 0.921 vs. ICC = 0.841, respectively). CONCLUSION: Structured reports for PDA staging significantly reduces the number of missing morphological and vascular features of PDA and improves the inter-reader agreement compared to free-text reports.

Italian consensus conference on guidelines for conservative treatment on lower limb muscle injuries in athlete.

Provide the state of the art concerning (1) biology and aetiology, (2) classification, (3) clinical assessment and (4) conservative treatment of lower limb muscle injuries (MI) in athletes. Seventy international experts with different medical backgrounds participated in the consensus conference. They discussed and approved a consensus composed of four sections which are presented in these documents. This paper represents a synthesis of the consensus conference, the following four sections are discussed: (i) The biology and aetiology of MIs. A definition of MI was formulated and some key points concerning physiology and pathogenesis of MIs were discussed. (ii) The MI classification. A classification of MIs was proposed. (iii) The MI clinical assessment, in which were discussed anamnesis, inspection and clinical examination and are provided the relative guidelines. (iv) The MI conservative treatment, in which are provided the guidelines for conservative treatment based on the severity of the lesion. Furthermore, instrumental therapy and pharmacological treatment were discussed. Knowledge of the aetiology and biology of MIs is an essential prerequisite in order to plan and conduct a rehabilitation plan. Another important aspect is the use of a rational MI classification on prognostic values. We propose a classification based on radiological investigations performed by ultrasonography and MRI strongly linked to prognostic factors. Furthermore, the consensus conference results will able to provide fundamental guidelines for diagnostic and rehabilitation practice, also considering instrumental therapy and pharmacological treatment of MI. Expert opinion, level IV.

Osteochondral lesions of the talus: randomized controlled trial comparing chondroplasty, microfracture, and osteochondral autograft transplantation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of chondroplasty versus microfracture versus osteochondral autologous transplantation (OAT) in patients with osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT). METHODS: After prospective sample size analysis, patients with symptomatic, recalcitrant Ferkel class 2b, 3, and 4 OLT were randomized to chondroplasty, microfracture, or OAT treatment groups. Outcomes were measured with use of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AHS), the Subjective Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) rating, Numeric Pain Intensity (NPI), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: Eleven patients had chondroplasty, 10 ankles (9 patients) had microfracture, and 12 patients had OAT. Mean time to follow-up was 53 months (range, 24 to 119 months). AHS scores showed no differences at 12 and 24 months, and SANE ratings showed no differences at final follow-up. NPI was significantly lower (P < .001) in chondroplasty and microfracture cases as compared with OAT at 24 hours postoperatively. Pearson's correlation analysis demonstrated an inverse relation between microfracture and OAT groups in that better outcome was associated with smaller lesions, compared with the chondroplasty group, which revealed mixed results with no particular trend. MRI revealed incomplete fill and edema after chondroplasty or microfracture and chondral gaps after OAT. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate no difference between chondroplasty, microfracture, and OAT with regard to AHS and SANE ratings in patients with OLT. However, NPI at 24 hours postoperatively was significantly lower in patients who had chondroplasty and microfracture. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, Therapeutic study, high-quality randomized controlled trial with no statistically significant differences but narrow confidence interval.

Endoscopy of the Posterior Aspect of the Ankle: Double Posteromedial Portals.

Posterior and anterior arthroscopy of the ankle and hindfoot may have to be undertaken at the same surgical sitting. Standard arthroscopic practice does not allow to approach both compartments without changing the position of the patient. In the supine position, most intra-articular structures of posterior portion of the ankle joint can be accessed from anterior portals with judicious traction, but visualization of posterior extra-articular compartment and hindfoot are not possible. To avoid repositioning of the patient, we have developed a procedure that allows access to the posterior compartment of the ankle with the patient supine. We describe a 2 posteromedial ankle portals procedure, which allows to reach both the posterior side of the ankle joint and the hindfoot extra-articular compartments keeping the patient supine throughout the procedure. After treatment of anterior compartment disorders using standard anterior portals, 2 posteromedial entry portals permit to visualize and treat pathologies of the posterior ankle and of the hindfoot, without prolonging surgery.

Postero-medial approach procedure in the supine position for one-step anterior and posterior ankle arthroscopy.

Standard arthroscopy of the ankle does not allow to approach at the same time the anterior and posterior compartments. Keeping the patient supine and with the application of judicious traction, anterior ankle arthroscopy allows to examine the various intra-articular structures, but treat is limited only to anterior pathology. Also, it is not possible to explore posterior compartment and posterior hindfoot through an anterior approach. Normally, for those patients in whom both the anterior and posterior compartments were to be operated upon, surgery is stopped, and the patient has to be re-positioned. We describe a 2 postero-medial hindfoot portals procedure, which allows to reach both the posterior aspect of the ankle joint and the extra-articular compartment of the hindfoot keeping the patient supine throughout the procedure. After arthroscopy of the anterior compartment using standard anterior portals, 2 postero-medial endoscopic approaches make it possible to visualize and treat pathologies of the posterior ankle and of the hindfoot, without prolonging the operation through the need to reposition the patient in the prone position.