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.

Remplissage May Decrease the Redislocation Rate After Arthroscopic Bankart Repair in Patients With an Engaging Hill-Sachs Defect: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Studies With Minimal 2-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The redislocation rate after arthroscopic Bankart repair (BR) among patients with a Hill-Sachs lesion (HSL) may be reduced with the use of remplissage. PURPOSE: To investigate the outcomes of adding remplissage to an arthroscopic BR in patients with concomitant HSL. STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were searched between February 2022 and April 2023 with the terms "remplissage" and "shoulder instability" according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The inclusion criteria were formed using the population, intervention, control, and outcome method; the investigation included studies that compared BR with and without remplissage and had ≥24 months of follow-up. RESULTS: From 802 articles found during the initial search, 7 studies with a total of 837 patients-558 receiving isolated BR (BR group) and 279 receiving BR with remplissage (BR+REMP)-were included. The probability of recurrence of instability among patients with an engaging HSL was significantly diminished in the BR+REMP group compared with the BR group (odds ratio, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.24; P < .001). Regarding shoulder range of motion, the BR+REMP group achieved increased forward flexion (mean difference [MD], 1.97°; 95% CI, 1.49° to 2.46°; P < .001) and decreased external rotation in adduction (MD, -1.43°; 95% CI, -2.40° to -0.46°; P = .004) compared with the BR group. Regarding patient-reported outcome measures, the BR+REMP group had Rowe (MD, 2.53; 95% CI, -1.48 to 6.54; P = .21) and Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) (MD, -61.60; 95% CI, -148.03 to 24.82; P = .162) scores that were comparable with those of the BR group. CONCLUSION: Remplissage resulted in a 9-fold decrease in the recurrence of instability after arthroscopic BR in patients with HSL. Remplissage not only led to an increase in forward flexion but also only slightly limited patients' external rotation in adduction. WOSI and Rowe scores after remplissage at the final 24-month follow-up were comparable with those obtained after isolated Bankart repair.

Trapeziometacarpal Osteoarthritis. Conservative and Surgical Treatment. A Diagnostic-Therapeutic Algorithm.

Trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (carpometacarpal arthritis / CMC-1 arthritis) is a common cause of chronic thumb pain and may significantly worsen patients' quality of life. The thumb is the most important digit of the hand. A diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm for CMC-1 arthritis should be widely known and based on up-to-date evidence-based medical knowledge. The literature describes many medical and surgical treatment approaches. The methods used vary between hospitals and clinics. They also depend on patients' financial capabilities and many other factors.Medical (conservative) treatment appears to be effective in 60% of cases, in particular when the synergy of combining several treatment methods is taken advantage of. The most commonly performed surgical procedures in CMC-1 arthritis fall into two major groups, namely trapeziectomy or arthroplasty. However, there is no proof of superiority of one surgical treatment method over the others, and all of them have their advantages and disadvantages.This paper aims to present the most up-to-date knowledge about: (1) conservative and (2) surgical treatments for CMC-1 arthritis and (3) to propose a diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm for this condition. It is based on the latest literature (mainly works published in the last 5 years) acquired from databases such as PubMed, Clinical Key and Science Direct. The article is the second of a two-part series that presents a diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm for CMC-1 arthritis. The authors believe that it may contribute to broadening knowledge about CMC-1 arthritis, optimizing the therapeutic process and improving care for patients with CMC-1 arthritis in Poland.

Patellar Base Support Technique During Manipulation Under Anesthesia for Knee Arthrofibrosis Limits the Risk of Iatrogenic Complications.

Knee extension contracture is a common postinjury and postsurgical complication, which decreases knee joint flexion. Many techniques have been described in the literature to restore knee flexion, with the most common one being an arthroscopic lysis of adhesions. However, in severe cases, additional intra- and extra-articular procedures are needed to restore full knee flexion. Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) is one of them. Unfortunately, it may lead to devastating complications, such as iatrogenic rupture of the patellar tendon or fractures of the patella or tibial tuberosity. Therefore, the purpose of this report is to present a safer modification of MUA for knee extension contracture in cases in which excessive force is demanded to achieve flexion. The key aim of the "patellar base support" technique (PBS technique) is to stretch the contracted quadriceps muscle with controlled and decreased tension on the patella, patellar tendon, and tibial tuberosity.

Trapeziometacarpal Osteoarthritis Anatomy, Biomechanics, Epidemiology, And Diagnosis.

Arthritis is the most common joint disease. It impairs patients quality of life on account of the associated chronic pain and loss of joint function. The thumb is the most important digit of the hand and trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (carpometacarpal arthritis / CMC-1 arthritis) may significantly compromise functions of the entire hand. CMC-1 arthritis produces several non-specific symptoms, affecting mainly postmenopausal women. The risk of developing CMC-1 arthritis increases with age.Considering these facts, knowledge about the etiopathogenesis and diagnosis of CMC-1 arthritis should be widely disseminated and based on evidence-based medicine. The first step in the diagnostic work-up is a detailed history and clinical examination where the use of more sensitive tests than the grind test, e.g. the pressure-shear test, is recommended. It is advisable to widen the classic radiographic views with additional thumb projections such as Roberts view. The use of magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography is only advised in special individual cases.This paper aims to present the most up-to-date knowledge about: (1) the anatomy and biomechanics of the trapeziometacarpal joint, (2) the epidemiology of CMC-1 arthritis and (3) its diagnosis. It is based on the latest literature (mainly works published in the last 5 years) acquired from databases such as PubMed, Clinical Key and Science Direct. The article is the first of a two-part series that presents a diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm for CMC-1 arthritis. The authors believe that it may contribute to broadening knowledge about CMC-1 arthritis, optimizing the therapeutic process and improving care for patients with CMC-1 arthritis in Poland.