Cost Effectiveness of Allogeneic Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the cost effectiveness of allogeneic umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells with sodium hyaluronate (hUCB-MSC) compared with microfracture in patients with knee cartilage defects caused by osteoarthritis (OA) in South Korea. METHODS: A partitioned survival model approach was taken consisting of five mutually exclusive health states: excellent, good, fair, poor, and death over a 20-year time horizon. Utility values were obtained from a randomized clinical trial. Cost data were extracted from a database provided by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, and the utilization of healthcare services was estimated from an expert panel of orthopedic surgeons using a structured questionnaire. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) in terms of quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) was calculated. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: In the base case, the incremental costs of US$14,410 for hUCB-MSC therapy along with its associated QALY gain of 0.857 resulted in an ICER of US$16,812 (₩18,790,773) per QALY (95% confidence interval [CI] US$13,408-US$20,828) when compared with microfracture treatment from a healthcare payer perspective. From a societal perspective, the ICER was US$268 (₩299,255) per QALY (95% CI -US$2915 to US$3784). When using a willingness-to-pay threshold of US$22,367/QALY, the probability of hUCB being cost effectiveness compared with microfracture was 99% from the healthcare payer perspective and 100% from the societal perspective. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that hUCB-MSC therapy was cost effective compared with microfracture when treating patients with knee OA. These findings should inform health policy decision makers about considerations for cost-effective therapy for treating knee OA to ultimately enhance population health.

Allogeneic Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Implantation Versus Microfracture for Large, Full-Thickness Cartilage Defects in Older Patients: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial and Extended 5-Year Clinical Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: There is currently no optimal method for cartilage restoration in large, full-thickness cartilage defects in older patients. PURPOSE: To determine whether implantation of a composite of allogeneic umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells and 4% hyaluronate (UCB-MSC-HA) will result in reliable cartilage restoration in patients with large, full-thickness cartilage defects and whether any clinical improvements can be maintained up to 5 years postoperatively. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: A randomized controlled phase 3 clinical trial was conducted for 48 weeks, and the participants then underwent extended 5-year observational follow-up. Enrolled were patients with large, full-thickness cartilage defects (International Cartilage Repair Society [ICRS] grade 4) in a single compartment of the knee joint, as confirmed by arthroscopy. The defect was treated either with UCB-MSC-HA implantation through mini-arthrotomy or with microfracture. The primary outcome was proportion of participants who improved by ≥1 grade on the ICRS Macroscopic Cartilage Repair Assessment (blinded evaluation) at 48-week arthroscopy. Secondary outcomes included histologic assessment; changes in pain visual analog scale (VAS) score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score from baseline; and adverse events. RESULTS: Among 114 randomized participants (mean age, 55.9 years; 67% female; body mass index, 26.2 kg/m2), 89 completed the phase 3 clinical trial and 73 were enrolled in the 5-year follow-up study. The mean defect size was 4.9 cm2 in the UCB-MSC-HA group and 4.0 cm2 in the microfracture group (P = .051). At 48 weeks, improvement by ≥1 ICRS grade was seen in 97.7% of the UCB-MSC-HA group versus 71.7% of the microfracture group (P = .001); the overall histologic assessment score was also superior in the UCB-MSC-HA group (P = .036). Improvement in VAS pain, WOMAC, and IKDC scores were not significantly different between the groups at 48 weeks, however the clinical results were significantly better in the UCB-MSC-HA group at 3- to 5-year follow-up (P < .05). There were no differences between the groups in adverse events. CONCLUSION: In older patients with symptomatic, large, full-thickness cartilage defects with or without osteoarthritis, UCB-MSC-HA implantation resulted in improved cartilage grade at second-look arthroscopy and provided more improvement in pain and function up to 5 years compared with microfracture. REGISTRATION: NCT01041001, NCT01626677 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Epidemiology of Bearing Dislocations After Mobile-Bearing Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: Multicenter Analysis of 67 Bearing Dislocations.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the epidemiology and causes of bearing dislocations following mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (MUKA) and determined whether the incidence of primary bearing dislocations decreases as surgeon experience increases. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the bearing dislocations following MUKAs performed by 14 surgeons with variable experience levels. Causes of bearing dislocations were determined based on the surgical records, radiographs, and operator's suggestion. Using a chi-squared test, the incidence of bearing dislocation was compared between the first 50, the second 50, and the next 100 unicompartmental knee arthroplasties (UKAs) of each surgeon's cohort. RESULTS: There were 67 (3.6%) bearing dislocations from 1853 MUKAs. The mean time to bearing dislocations after index MUKAs was 33 months (range, 1-144 months); 55% of the bearing dislocations occurred within 2 years after the index MUKAs. Primary bearing dislocations (n = 58) were the most common, followed by secondary (n = 6) and traumatic dislocations (n = 3). There was no significant difference in the incidence of bearing dislocation between the first 50 and second 50 UKAs for each surgeon. Two surgeons showed a significant decrease in bearing dislocations in their second 100 UKAs, while the other surgeons did not show a difference between their first 100 and second 100 UKAs. CONCLUSION: Most bearing dislocations after MUKAs were related to technical errors such as component malposition or gap imbalance. This study did not confirm that the incidence of bearing dislocations decreases as the number of cases increases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, Case series.

High incidence of subsequent re-operation following treatments for medial meniscus tears combined with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: second-look arthroscopic study.

BACKGROUND: The Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) group recently reported that medial meniscus (MM) repairs are associated with more frequent re-operations when compared to lateral meniscus (LM) repairs. The purpose of this study was to compare the meniscal healing and the incidence of subsequent re-operation of medial and lateral meniscal tears that occurred concurrently with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent second-look arthroscopy after primary ACL reconstruction (ACLR) between June 2005 to December 2016. The healing of meniscal tears following repair or left in situ, and re-tear following partial meniscectomy, were evaluated via second-look arthroscopy and compared between medial and lateral meniscus. Moreover, the incidence of subsequent meniscal re-operation after the index ACLR were investigated and compared between medial and lateral meniscus. Subsequent meniscal re-operation was performed in cases of the following three symptomatic meniscus tears: re-tears at the meniscectomy site; new tears; and failed healing of repaired or left in situ meniscus. RESULTS: There were 148 meniscal tears in 121 patients at index ACLR. There were 62 MM tears, 38 LM tears, and 24 bilateral meniscus tears. At second-look arthroscopy, the "successful healing" rate for tears following repair was higher in LM tears (91.2%) compared to MM tears (80.0%), although it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the healing of left in situ tears or re-tear of meniscectomy site between medial and lateral meniscus. Patients with MM tears combined with ACL injuries had a higher incidence of subsequent meniscal re-operation compared to patients with LM tears (25.6% vs 16.1%, p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: There was a trend for the successful healing rate to be higher in LM repairs than MM repairs. Subsequent meniscal re-operations after ACLR were more frequent in patients with medial meniscal tears concurrently with ACL injuries in comparison to patients with lateral meniscal tears. LEVEL OF STUDY: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Redislocation after Bearing Exchange for the Treatment of Mobile Bearing Dislocation in Medial Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the outcomes of bearing exchange for the treatment of mobile bearing dislocation in medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 18 patients (15 females and 3 males, mean age of 65 years) treated with bearing exchange following mobile bearing dislocation in medial UKA. The occurrence of bearing redislocation, the Oxford Knee Score, and radiographic changes at the last follow-up were investigated. RESULTS: Bearing redislocation after bearing exchange occurred in 9 of 18 patients (50%). Of these 9 patients, 7 underwent conversion to total knee arthroplasty after bearing redislocation. The 9 patients without bearing redislocation showed good to excellent clinical outcomes at a mean follow-up of 55 months after bearing exchange. The non-redislocation group had a higher percentage of posterior dislocation of the bearing than the redislocation group (55.5% vs. 22.2%, p=0.040). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed no significant risk factors for bearing redislocation. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a high rate of bearing redislocation after isolated, mobile bearing exchange for bearing dislocation following medial UKA. Therefore, bearing exchange as a sole treatment should be carefully considered in selected patients with correctable causes of bearing dislocation.

Hamstring autograft maturation is superior to tibialis allograft following anatomic single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Using second-look arthroscopy, graft maturation was investigated and compared between hamstring (HA) autografts and tibialis anterior (TA) allografts after anatomic single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). METHODS: Fifty-six patients who underwent second-look arthroscopy after anatomic single-bundle ACLR with either HA autografts (26, HA group) or TA allografts (30, TA group) from 2007 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Graft maturation on second-look arthroscopy was evaluated in terms of four parameters: graft integrity (tear), synovial coverage, graft tension, and graft vascularization. Each parameter received a maximum of two points, depending on the status of the reconstructed graft. The total graft maturation score was calculated as the sum of the parameter scores. The total graft maturation and individual parameter scores were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean time from ACLR to second-look arthroscopy was 22.5 ± 7.8 months. The maturation scores in the HA group were significantly better in terms of graft integrity (p = 0.041), graft tension (p = 0.010), and graft vascularization (p = 0.024), whereas the graft synovial coverage score was not significantly different. The total graft maturation score of the HA group was significantly higher than that of the TA group (6.3 ± 0.4 vs. 4.9 ± 0.3, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the superior graft maturation of HA autografts compared with that of TA allografts at a mean follow-up of 22.5 ± 7.8 months after anatomic single-bundle ACLR. When anatomic ACLR using soft tissue graft is planned, HA autograft is recommended rather than soft tissue allograft, especially in young and active patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective cohort review, Level III.

Diagnostic Value of Synovial White Blood Cell Count and Serum C-Reactive Protein for Acute Periprosthetic Joint Infection After Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains difficult, particularly in acute postoperative stage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the optimal cutoff value of synovial white blood cell (WBC) count, percentage of polymorphonuclear cells, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein (CRP) for diagnosing early postoperative infection after knee joint arthroplasty. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed primary total knee arthroplasties and unicompartmental knee arthroplasties, with a knee aspiration within 3 weeks of surgery, from January 2006 to November 2016. Twelve infected cases and 185 uninfected cases met the inclusion criteria of our study. We compared the laboratory parameters (synovial WBC count, percentage of polymorphonuclear cells, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and CRP levels) between the 2 groups. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to determine the optimal cutoff values for each parameter. Each parameter was studied to determine its sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) in diagnosing acute PJI. RESULTS: There were 2 optimal cutoff values for synovial WBC count and CRP levels. With the cutoff value of synovial WBC set at 11,200 cells/µL, acute PJI could be diagnosed with the highest sensitivity (100%) and specificity (98.9%); with the cutoff value set at 16,000 cells/µL, the best PPV and NPV were found (100% and 99.5%, respectively). Similarly, the CRP level >34.9 mg/L had the best sensitivity (100%) and specificity (90.3%), whereas the CRP level >74.5 mg/L had the best PPV (100%) and NPV (99.2%). CONCLUSION: Synovial WBC count and CRP levels are useful in diagnosing acute PJI between 1 and 3 weeks after primary knee arthroplasty.

What Factors Are Associated With Femoral Component Internal Rotation in TKA Using the Gap Balancing Technique?

BACKGROUND: When using the gap-balancing technique for TKA, excessive medial release and varus proximal tibial resection can be associated with internal rotation of the femoral component. Previous studies have evaluated the causes of femoral component rotational alignment with a separate factor analysis using unadjusted statistical methods, which might result in treatment effects being attributed to confounding variables. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What pre- and intraoperative factors are associated with internal rotation of the femoral component in TKA using the gap balancing technique? (2) To what degree does femoral component rotation as defined by the navigation system differ from rotation as measured by postoperative CT? METHODS: Three hundred seventy-seven knees that underwent computer-assisted primary TKA attributable to degenerative osteoarthritis with varus or mild valgus alignment in which medial soft tissue release was performed, and those with preoperative radiographs including preoperative CT between October 2007 and June 2014 were included in the study. To achieve a balanced mediolateral gap, the structures released during each medial release step were as follows: Step 1, deep medial collateral ligament (MCL); Step 2, superficial MCL (proximal, above the pes anserine tendon) and semimembranosus tendon; and Step 3, the superficial MCL (distal, below the pes anserine tendon). Knees with internal rotation of the femoral component, which was directed by navigation, to achieve a rectangular mediolateral flexion gap were considered cases, and knees without internally rotated femoral components were considered controls. Univariable analysis of the variables (age, sex, BMI, operated side, preoperative hip-knee-ankle angle, preoperative medial proximal tibial angle, preoperative rotation degree of the clinical transepicondylar axis [TEA] relative to the posterior condylar axis [PCA], coronal angle of resected tibia, resection of the posterior cruciate ligament, type of prosthesis, and extent of medial release) of cases and controls was performed, followed by a multivariable logistic regression analysis on those factors where p equals 0.15 or less. For an evaluation of navigation error, 88 knees that underwent postoperative CT were analyzed. Postoperative CT scans were obtained for patients with unexplained pain or stiffness after the operations. Using the paired t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis, the postoperative TEA-PCA measured with postoperative CT was compared with theoretical TEA-PCA, which was calculated with preoperative TEA-PCA and actual femoral component rotation checked by the navigation system. RESULTS: After controlling for a relevant confounding variable such as postoperative hip-knee-ankle angle, we found that the extent of medial release (Step 1 as reference; Step 2: odds ratio [OR], 5.7, [95% CI, 2.2-15]; Step 3: OR, 22, [95% CI, 7.8-62], p < 0.001) was the only factor we identified that was associated with internal rotation of the femoral component. With the numbers available, we found no difference between the mean theoretical postoperative TEA-PCA and the postoperative TEA-PCA measured using postoperative CT (4.8° ± 2.7º versus 5.0° ± 2.3º; mean difference, 0.2° ± 1.5º; p = 0.160). CONCLUSIONS: Extent of medial release was the only factor we identified that was associated with internal rotation of the femoral component in gap-balancing TKA. To avoid internal rotation of the femoral component, we recommend a carefully subdivided medial-releasing technique, especially for the superficial MCL because once the superficial MCL has been completely released it cannot easily be restored. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

Does new instrumentation improve radiologic alignment of the Oxford® medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: A new instrument system has been introduced to improve the accuracy and reproducibility of implant positioning in Oxford® unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). This study aimed to determine if the new instrumentation could improve postoperative implant positioning and limb alignment, and reduce the occurrence of outliers in Oxford® UKA. METHODS: A total of 77 cases of Oxford® UKA with the new instrumentation were included. Individual matching for the conventional instrument group was performed according to age, sex, and body mass index. Postoperative radiological variables, including the hip-knee-ankle angle and the varus/valgus and flexion/extension angles of the femoral and tibial implants, were measured and compared between the new instrumentation group and the conventional group. The outliers in implant positions and postoperative complications were also compared. RESULTS: No significant between-group differences were observed in terms of lower limb alignment and tibial implant alignment. However, statistically significant differences were identified in the varus/valgus and flexion/extension angles of the femoral implant (P=0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). More outliers were observed in the flexion/extension angles of the femoral and tibial implants in the new instrumentation group. Eight meniscal bearing dislocations and three lateral compartmental degenerative changes were found in the conventional group, while there were two meniscal bearing dislocations in the new instrumentation group during the study period. CONCLUSION: The present study did not confirm any benefit of the new instrument system in terms of postoperative limb alignment, positioning of the implant, or reducing outliers beyond the use of the conventional instruments.

Tibial component rotation during the unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: is the anterior superior iliac spine an appropriate landmark?

PURPOSE: No "ideal" landmark for tibial component rotation in medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has been suggested by a biomechanical and clinical study. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) could provide a consistent rotational landmark of the tibial component during mobile-bearing medial UKA using computed tomography (CT). METHODS: During sagittal tibial resection, we utilized the ASIS as a rotational landmark. In 47 knees that underwent postoperative CT scans after medial UKA, the tibial component position was assessed by drawing a line tangential to the lateral wall of the tibial component. Rotation of the tibial component was measured using two reference lines: a line perpendicular to the posterior cortical rim of the tibia (angle α) and Akagi's line (angle ß). Instant bearing position and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) fossa involvement were also evaluated. External rotation of the tibial component relative to each reference line was considered positive values. RESULTS: The mean α and ß angles were 8.0° ± 6.1° (range -4.0 to 24.3) and 8.7° ± 4.8° (range 1.9-25.2), respectively. Fourteen knees (29.8 %) showed PCL fossa involvement of the tibial resection margin. One bearing showed complete 180° rotation at 2 weeks postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Due to the wide variation and inherent difficulty of identifying the ASIS during the operation, it is not recommended for guidance of sagittal tibial resection during medial UKA. In cases of inappropriate tibia component rotation, risk of PE bearing spinning and iatrogenic PCL injury should be reminded after medial UKA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

The Mediolateral Excursion of the Meniscal Bearing during Flexion and Extension of the Knee after Medial Mobile-Bearing Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.

This mediolateral excursion of the bearing during knee motion is supposed to be caused by external rotation of the tibia during knee extension. However, to our knowledge, there is no published clinical evidence supporting these hypotheses. The current study aimed to evaluate the mediolateral excursion of the bearing during flexion-extension motion of the knee after medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). In 52 knees, varus/valgus (F-VarVal) or rotational position (F-Rot) of the femoral component and relative location of the bearing were measured with the standing anteroposterior and modified axial view, respectively. We adopted the modified axial radiographs that are simple to assess the bearing position in the flexed knee. The modified axial view showed excellent inter- and intraobserver agreements. F-Rot in the modified axial view and CT showed a high agreement in terms of validity (r = 0.98; p < 0.0001). On average, the bearing showed more medial position in extension than flexion of the knee. No correlation was found between the femoral component positions (F-VarVal and F-Rot) and mediolateral bearing excursion (p = 0.68 and 0.80, respectively). In conclusion, coronal location of bearing according to flexion-extension of the knee is not influenced by the coronal and axial alignment of the femoral component. With simple radiographic method, more medial position of the bearing according to flexion-extension of the knee. Our method could be used to assess axial rotation of the femoral component and spin-out phenomenon of the bearing following the medial UKA.

Sagittal osteotomy inclination in medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy.

PURPOSE: Unlike postoperative changes in posterior tibial slope after medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy, sagittal osteotomy inclination has not been examined. It has been recommended that the osteotomy line in the sagittal plane be parallel to the medial posterior tibial slope. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of parallel osteotomy in medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy. METHODS: To determine the sagittal osteotomy inclination, the angle between the medial joint line and the osteotomy line was measured in the lateral radiograph. A positive angle value indicates that the osteotomy is anteriorly inclined relative to the medial posterior tibial slope. Correlation between the sagittal osteotomy inclination and posterior tibial slope was also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean sagittal osteotomy inclination was 15.1 ± 7.5°. The majority 87.1 % of knees showed an anterior-inclined osteotomy. There was a significantly positive correlation between the postoperative posterior tibial slope and the sagittal osteotomy inclination (r, 0.33; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.19-0.46; P < 0.001). The postoperative change in posterior tibial slope also showed a significantly positive correlation with the sagittal osteotomy inclination (r, 0.35; 95 % CI 0.21-0.47; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although parallel osteotomy in the sagittal plane relative to the medial joint line was planned, only 12.9 % of cases achieved osteotomy parallel to the medial posterior tibial slope in the sagittal plane. Because of high rate of the anterior-inclined osteotomy and their correlations with posterior tibial slope, surgeons should make all efforts to perform parallel osteotomy relative to medial posterior tibial slope. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Arthroscopic Meniscectomy for Medial Meniscus Horizontal Cleavage Tears in Patients under Age 45.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the demographics, clinical features, and outcomes of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) for isolated medial meniscus horizontal cleavage tears (MMHCTs) in patients under 45 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 98 patients (100 knees) under 45 years who underwent APM for MMHCTs. Clinical outcomes were assessed using International Knee Document Committee (IKDC) subjective core, Tegner activity scale, visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, and a question on the symptom relief. RESULTS: 79% were male and 70% had no trauma. The mean symptom duration was 10 months. At arthroscopy, a flap tear was identified in 75%. At a mean of 19-month follow-up, the IKDC subjective score, Tegner activity scale, and VAS pain score were significantly improved compared to the preoperative values (p=0.025, p=0.043, and p=0.032, respectively). While 85% were free of symptoms, 15% had persistent pain. No significant differences in outcomes were observed based on the tear type and the presence of flap tears. No progression or development of radiographic degenerative changes was observed in all knees. CONCLUSIONS: Demographics of MMHCTs under age 45 showed a male dominance and higher frequency of non-traumatic tears. APM was beneficial to symptomatic HCTs in this cohort during the short-term follow-up. Type of HCTs and combined flap tears did not affect clinical outcomes.

Gastrointestinal safety and efficacy of long-term GCSB-5 use in patients with osteoarthritis: A 24-week, multicenter study.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE: A previous study indicated non-inferiority of GCSB-5 to celecoxib regarding efficacy and safety in treating OA; however, the gastrointestinal (GI) safety data was limited to 12 weeks. Accordingly, a longer term study with a larger number of patients was necessary to establish the GI safety of GCSB-5. AIM OF STUDY: The primary goal was to determine the safety and efficacy of 24-week use of GCSB-5. The secondary goal was to compare the GI safety data of GCSB-5 with that of the previously reported Celecoxib Long-term Arthritis Safety Study (CLASS). METHOD: This was a 24-week, multicenter, single-arm phase IV Study for the safety and efficacy of GCSB-5. A total of 761 patients were enrolled and 756 patients received at least one dose of GCSB-5. Among them, 629 patients (82.7%) completed the 24 week follow up. The primary goal was to determine the safety and efficacy of GCSB-5 for 24 weeks. The secondary goal was to compare the GI safety data of GCSB-5 with that of the previously reported Celecoxib Long-term Arthritis Safety Study (CLASS). RESULTS: The incidence of GI disorders of GCSB-5 was 23.7%. The annual rate of perforation, ulcer obstruction, or bleeding (PUB) incidence was 0.0%. The drop-out rate due to GI disorders following GCSB-5 use was 4.8%. Compared to celecoxib data from CLASS, the incidence of GI disorders (23.7% vs. 31.4%, p<0.001), annual rate of PUB and gastroduodenal ulcers (0.0% vs 2.2%, p=0.004), and drop-out rate due to GI disorders following GCSB-5 use were significantly low (4.8% vs 8.7%, p<0.001). Efficacy was proven by significant improvements in Western Ontario McMaster Questionnaire (WOMAC) scale, Korean Knee Score (KKS), 100-mm pain visual analogue scale (VAS), and physician's global assessments of patient's response to therapy (PGART). CONCLUSIONS: The safety and efficacy profile of GCSB-5 are comparable to celecoxib. These results indicate GCSB-5 is safe for a long-term treatment of knee OA patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01604239).

Above-the-knee replantation in a child: a case report with a 24-year follow-up.

Replantation of an amputated limb is generally contraindicated in crushing and traction injuries. Injury to muscle tissue and skin also creates difficulties in coverage, and bony fractures may shorten limb length which can impede lower extremity function. Numerous cases have been reported on the successful replantation of the lower limb in children; however, review of previous English literature has documented only very few replantation at the thigh level, and those with severe crushing injury resulted in subsequent amputation. We report a case of successful thigh-level replantation in a 3-year-old child who sustained a crushing-traction type of injury with a follow-up of 24 years. After the replantation, early and late complications developed but these were successfully managed. On her last visit, the patient had pain-free ambulation without assistance, had intact protective sensation distal to the injury, and was very satisfied with the outcome. Replantation of the lower limb in children with crushing or avulsion type of injuries is still a worthwhile procedure. However, both the patient and the family should be aware that multiple surgeries may be needed to accommodate to long-term complications such as joint stiffness, scar contractures, and limb length discrepancies.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Enhancing Biologic Healing after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries.

Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using tendon grafts is the current gold standard for the treatment of ACL tears in active patients. However, many patients still experience residual knee instability, knee pain and progressive cartilage degeneration following ACL reconstruction. Recent developments in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based approaches for treating musculoskeletal injuries have led to the application of MSCs for enhancing healing after ACL injuries. The purpose of this article is to review recent pre-clinical and clinical studies using MSCs for the enhancement of biologic healing of ACL injuries. Because of the success of pre-clinical studies, MSC-based approaches are now thought to be promising treatment options for enhancing biologic healing of ACL grafts and restoring the functional properties to the levels of the native ACL, and ultimately improving clinical outcomes.

Self-Assembled Poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):Poly(styrenesulfonate)/Graphene Quantum Dot Organogels for Efficient Charge Transport in Photovoltaic Devices.

We report the self-assembly of poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) ( PEDOT: PSS) organogel films incorporating graphene quantum dots (GQDs). Because of the electrostatic interaction between the GQDs and the PEDOT chains, GQD@PEDOT core-shell nanostructures are readily formed. We demonstrate that the GQDs affect the reorientation of PEDOT chains and the formation of interconnected structure of PEDOT-rich domains, improving the charge transport pathway. The power conversion efficiency of the organic photovoltaic device containing the self-assembled organogel as the hole extraction layer (HEL) was 26% higher than the device with pristine PEDOT-PSS as the HEL.

High Axial Loads While Walking Increase Anterior Tibial Translation in Intact and Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Deficient Knees.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of high axial loading (AL) on anterior tibial translation (ATT) according to the increase in knee flexion and the effect of valgus stress (VS) and internal rotation (IR) combined with high AL in intact and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knees according to the increase in knee flexion. METHODS: We used 10 fresh-frozen, human cadaveric knees. Different loading conditions (134-N anterior drawer, 1,000-N AL, 10-Nm VS, and 5-Nm IR) were sequentially combined, and ATT was measured at 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, and 60° of flexion in the intact and ACL-deficient knees. RESULTS: ATT increased significantly by adding high AL in intact knees (P = .001) and ACL-deficient knees (P < .0001) according to the change in flexion angle (P < .0001). Under high AL, ATT in the ACL-deficient knees was significantly larger than that in the intact knees for all loading conditions, and it also increased gradually according to the increase in knee flexion (P = .0001). ATT increased significantly after adding IR or VS with high AL in intact knees (VS, P = .002; VS/IR, P = .03) and ACL-deficient knees (VS, P = .0004) at some of the flexion angles. CONCLUSIONS: The added high AL increased ATT in intact and ACL-deficient knees from 0° to 60° of flexion. The effect of high AL on ATT became greater in ACL-deficient knees than in intact knees, and ATT also gradually increased according to the increase in knee flexion from 0° to 60°. In both the intact and ACL-deficient knees, ATT increased significantly after valgus stress or IR from 0° to 60°. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: ATT during weight bearing increases stress to the ACL, which worsens with valgus stress and/or IR forces. This finding should be considered when one is studying ACL injury mechanisms, as well as prescribing rehabilitation after ACL surgery.

An in Vivo 3D Computed Tomographic Analysis of Femoral Tunnel Geometry and Aperture Morphology Between Rigid and Flexible Systems in Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using the Transportal Technique.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare femoral tunnel length, femoral graft-bending angle, posterior wall breakage, and femoral aperture morphologic characteristics between rigid and flexible systems after double-bundle (DB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using the transportal (TP) technique. METHODS: We evaluated 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) results for 54 patients who underwent DB ACL reconstruction using the TP technique with either a flexible system (n = 27) or a rigid system (n = 27). The femoral tunnel length, femoral graft-bending angle, posterior wall breakage, femoral tunnel aperture height to width (H:W) ratio, aperture axis angle, and femoral tunnel position were assessed using OsiriX Imaging Software and Geomagic Qualify 2012 (Geomagic, Cary, NC). RESULTS: The mean anteromedial (AM) femoral tunnel length of the flexible group was significantly longer than that of the rigid group (P = .009). The mean femoral graft-bending angles in the flexible group were significantly less acute than those in the rigid group (AM, P < .001; posterolateral [PL], P = .003]. Posterior wall breakage was observed in both groups (P = 1.00). The mean H:W ratios in the rigid group were significantly larger (more elliptical) than those of the flexible group (AM, P < .001; PL, P = .006). The mean aperture axis angle of the PL femoral tunnel in the rigid group was more parallel to the femoral shaft axis than that in the flexible group (P < .001). There were no significant differences in femoral tunnel position between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The AM femoral tunnel length and the AM/PL femoral graft-bending angle of the flexible system were significantly longer and less acute than those of the rigid system. However, the aperture morphologic characteristics of the AM/PL femoral tunnel and the aperture axis angle of the PL femoral tunnel in the rigid system were significantly more elliptical and closer to parallel to the femoral shaft axis than those of the flexible system. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.