Arthroscopic Matrix-Assisted Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation Versus Microfracture: A 6-Year Follow-up of a Prospective Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Few randomized controlled trials with a midterm follow-up have compared matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) with microfracture (MFx) for knee cartilage lesions. PURPOSE: To compare the structural, clinical, and safety outcomes at midterm follow-up of MACT versus MFx for treating symptomatic knee cartilage lesions. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: A total of 48 patients aged between 18 and 50 years, with 1- to 4-cm2 International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade III to IV knee chondral lesions, were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the MACT and MFx treatment groups. A sequential prospective evaluation was performed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 mapping, the MOCART (magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue) score, second-look arthroscopic surgery, patient-reported outcome measures, the responder rate (based on achieving the minimal clinically important difference for the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS] pain and KOOS Sport/Recreation), adverse events, and treatment failure (defined as a reoperation because of symptoms caused by the primary defect and the detachment or absence of >50% of the repaired tissue during revision surgery). RESULTS: Overall, 35 patients (18 MACT and 17 MFx) with a mean chondral lesion size of 1.8 ± 0.8 cm2 (range, 1-4 cm2) were followed up to a mean of 6 years postoperatively (range, 4-9 years). MACT demonstrated significantly better structural outcomes than MFx at 1 to 6 years postoperatively. At final follow-up, the MRI T2 mapping values of the repaired tissue were 37.7 ± 8.5 ms for MACT versus 46.4 ± 8.5 ms for MFx (P = .003), while the MOCART scores were 59.4 ± 17.3 and 42.4 ± 16.3, respectively (P = .006). More than 50% defect filling was seen in 95% of patients at 2 years and 82% at 6 years in the MACT group and in 67% at 2 years and 53% at 6 years in the MFx group. The second-look ICRS scores at 1 year were 10.7 ± 1.3 for MACT and 9.0 ± 1.8 for MFx (P = .001). Both groups showed significant clinical improvements at 6 years postoperatively compared with their preoperative status. Significant differences favoring the MACT group were observed at 2 years on the KOOS Activities of Daily Living (P = .043), at 4 years on all KOOS subscales (except Symptoms; P < .05) and the Tegner scale (P = .008), and at 6 years on the Tegner scale (P = .010). The responder rates at 6 years were 53% and 77% for MFx and MACT, respectively. There were no reported treatment failures after MACT; the failure rate was 8.3% in the MFx group. Neither group had serious adverse events related to treatment. CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent MACT had better structural outcomes than those who underwent MFx at 1 to 6 years postoperatively. Both groups of patients showed significant clinical improvements at final follow-up compared with their preoperative status. MACT showed superiority at 4 years for the majority of the KOOS subscales and for the Tegner scale at 4 to 6 years. The MACT group also had a higher responder rate and lower failure rate at final follow-up. REGISTRATION: NCT01947374 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

[Asociación de la composición corporal total con la fuerza del tronco, el dolor y la discapacidad en pacientes con espondiloartrosis lumbar]. / The association of total body composition with trunk strength, pain and disability in patients with lumbar osteoarthritis.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las alteraciones en la composición corporal total podrían influir sobre la fuerza, el dolor y la discapacidad en pacientes con espondiloartrosis lumbar. OBJETIVO: Analizar la asociación de la composición corporal total con la fuerza muscular del tronco, el dolor y la discapacidad en pacientes con espondiloartrosis lumbar. MÉTODO: Estudio piloto en mayores de 50 años con dolor crónico de espalda baja y espondiloartrosis lumbar. Se excluyeron pacientes con diabetes mellitus, depresión, ansiedad, artropatías inflamatorias, fracturas vertebrales, escoliosis, cirugías de columna, cardiopatías, hipertensión arterial, radiculopatía o claudicación neurogénica. Se recolectaron datos sobre tiempo de evolución, composición corporal (masa grasa y muscular total), fuerza del tronco (isocinesia), dolor (escala numérica verbal) y discapacidad (Roland Morris). Análisis estadístico con U de Mann-Whitney y correlaciones de Spearman. RESULTADOS: 27 pacientes (18 mujeres y 9 hombres) con edad de 58.59 ± 6.98 años. La masa muscular total se asoció con el dolor (rho: -0.63, p = 0.001) y con la fuerza del tronco (flexores rho: -0.42, p = 0.02; extensores rho: -0.50, p = 0.007), sin correlación con la discapacidad. No se encontró correlación de la masa grasa con ninguna de las variables. CONCLUSIÓN: La disminución de la masa muscular se asocia con el dolor, pero no con la discapacidad, en pacientes con espondiloartrosis lumbar. BACKGROUND: Variations in body composition among patients with lumbar osteoarthritis may influence pain and disability and muscle strength. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between body composition with pain, disability and muscle strength, in patients with lumbar osteoarthritis. METHODS: Pilot study in patients older than 50 years of age, with chronic low back pain and lumbar osteoarthritis, who agreed to participate through informed consent. We excluded patients with diabetes mellitus, depression, anxiety, inflammatory arthropathies, vertebral fractures, idiopathic scoliosis, spinal surgery, heart disease or hypertension, radiculopathy or neurogenic claudication. Data on evolution time, body composition (total body fat and muscle mass), trunk strength, pain (numerical rating scale), and disability (Roland Morris questionnaire) were collected. Mann-Whitney U-test and Spearman correlations were performed. RESULTS: 27 patients (18 women and 9 men) aged 58.59 ± 6.98 years. Negative correlations between muscle mass with pain (rho: −0.63, p = 0.001) and strength (flexors rho: −0.42, p = 0.02; extensors rho: −0.50, p = 0.007) were found, without correlation with disability. No correlations of fat mass with pain or disability were found. CONCLUSION: Decreased of muscle mass were associated with higher pain scores without influencing the disability in patients with lumbar osteoarthritis..

Percutaneous Vertebroplasty Versus Conservative Treatment and Rehabilitation in Women with Vertebral Fractures due to Osteoporosis: A Prospective Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous vertebroplasty is commonly used in the management of osteoporosis-related vertebral fractures, although there is controversy on its superiority over conservative treatment. Here we compare pain and function in women with vertebral osteoporotic fractures who underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty versus conservative treatment with a protocolized rehabilitation program. METHODS: A longitudinal and comparative prospective study was conducted. Women ≥ 60 years of age with a diagnosis of osteoporosis who had at least one vertebral thoracic or lumbar compression fracture were included and divided into two groups, conservative treatment or vertebroplasty. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess pain and function, respectively, as the outcome measures. RESULTS: We included 31 patients, 13 (42%) treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty and 18 (58%) with conservative treatment. Baseline clinical characteristics, bone densitometry and fracture data were similar in both groups. At baseline, VAS was 73.1 ± 28.36 in the vertebroplasty group and 68.6 ± 36.1 mm in the conservative treatment group (p = 0.632); at three months it was 33.11 ± 10.1 vs. 42 ± 22.21 mm (p = 0.111); and at 12 months, 32.3 ± 11.21 vs. 36.1 ± 12.36 mm (p = 0.821). The ODI at baseline was 83% in the vertebroplasty group vs. 85% for conservative management (p = 0.34); at three months, 36 vs. 39% (p = 0.36); and at 12 months, 29.38 vs. 28.33% (p = 0.66). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with percutaneous vertebroplasty had no advantages over conservative treatment for pain and function in this group of women ≥ 60 years of age with osteoporosis.

Renal function status in patients with primary osteoporosis (type 2).

BACKGROUND: Several studies correlate renal function with lower bone mineral density (BMD); however, the relationship between early stages of renal dysfunction and BMD has not been clearly defined. Our objective was to determine renal function in patients with primary osteoporosis (type 2) and its relationship with BMD. METHODS: Patients with primary osteoporosis diagnosed using DEXA were evaluated in this cross-sectional analysis. Renal function was estimated according to the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation and classified according to the National Kidney Foundation for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The relationship between renal function and BMD was analyzed. RESULTS: Included in the study were 120 women with a mean age 67.9 + or - 6.56 years. There was a positive relationship between spine BMD and moderate affection of renal function (F = 4.860, p = 0.009). No relationship was found between hip BMD or fracture with renal function (p = 0.223). CONCLUSIONS: Although women with poor renal function have significantly lower spine BMD, no relationship between early stages of CKD and low BMD has been demonstrated.

Effectiveness of calcitonin in intermittent claudication treatment of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: a systematic review.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the level of evidence in the effectiveness of calcitonin on the treatment of neurogenic claudication in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: One of the most disabling features of lumbar spinal stenosis is neurogenic claudication. There have been proposed different drug therapies for it. The recommendation for calcitonin use in these patients has been sustained on autocontrolled clinical trial (Streifler et al, Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1989;52:543-4), which only included 6 patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We performed a search on electronic databases that included Medline and Embase; we recovered 10 original articles, of which only 4 fulfilled the RCT criteria. These articles were reviewed independent and blinded way by 6 previously capacitated reviewers to extract data and score a quality of them by the criteria of Cochrane Handbook (1996) with maximum score of 1.00 and minimum score of 0.33. RESULTS: Score quality vary in the 4 articles: Porter and Millar, Spine 1988;13:1061-4 (score, 0.68), Eskola et al, Calcif Tissue Int 1992;50:400-3 (score, 0.88), Podichetty et al, Spine 2004;29:2343-9 (score, 0.88), and Tafazal et al, Eur Spine J 2007;16:207-12 (score, 0.92). Due to the great heterogenicity observed (sample sizes, selection criteria, doses, frequency, and duration of calcitonin, and outcome measurements), we were unable to perform a meta-analysis. Only one of these studies (Porter and Millar, Spine 1988;13:1061-4; score, 0.68) found favorable results for the use of calcitonin compared with placebo; of the 3 remaining trials none found significative evidence between drug therapy and placebo. CONCLUSION: The present data suggest that calcitonin administration in the treatment for neurogenic claudication has no benefit in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Estado del funcionamiento renal de pacientes con osteoporosis primaria (tipo 2) / Renal function status in patients with primary osteoporosis (type 2)

Introducción: Diversos estudios han corroborado la relación entre la insuficiencia renal crónica y la disminución de la densidad mineral ósea; sin embargo, no se ha determinado la misma en presencia de función renal levemente disminuida. El objetivo de esta investigación fue valuar el estado de la función renal en pacientes con osteoporosis primaria y su relación con la densidad mineral ósea. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo, transversal, descriptivo, en pacientes con osteoporosis primaria determinada mediante densitometría central (cadera y columna). Se calculó la función renal con la fórmula MRDR (modification of diet in renal disease) en base a la creatinina sérica. Los resultados se clasificaron utilizando las categorías recomendadas por The National Kidney Foundation. Se analizó la relación entre el grado de alteración del funcionamiento renal y la densidad mineral ósea. Resultados: 120 mujeres con edad promedio de 67.9 ± 6.56 años. Se encontró correlación entre valores menores de densidad mineral ósea de columna (T score) y afección moderada de la función renal (F = 4.860, p = 0.009). No hubo relación entre la densitometría de cadera con la función renal ni entre la función renal y el antecedente de fractura (p = 0.223). Conclusiones: Existe relación significativa entre la disminución de la densidad mineral ósea de columna y el deterioro de la función renal de las pacientes con osteoporosis primaria. No fue significativa la relación de la función renal con la incidencia de fracturas en esta población.

BACKGROUND: Several studies correlate renal function with lower bone mineral density (BMD); however, the relationship between early stages of renal dysfunction and BMD has not been clearly defined. Our objective was to determine renal function in patients with primary osteoporosis (type 2) and its relationship with BMD. METHODS: Patients with primary osteoporosis diagnosed using DEXA were evaluated in this cross-sectional analysis. Renal function was estimated according to the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation and classified according to the National Kidney Foundation for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The relationship between renal function and BMD was analyzed. RESULTS: Included in the study were 120 women with a mean age 67.9 + or - 6.56 years. There was a positive relationship between spine BMD and moderate affection of renal function (F = 4.860, p = 0.009). No relationship was found between hip BMD or fracture with renal function (p = 0.223). CONCLUSIONS: Although women with poor renal function have significantly lower spine BMD, no relationship between early stages of CKD and low BMD has been demonstrated.

[Spinal stenosis-related risk factors: case and control study]. / Factores de riesgo asociados al conducto lumbar estrecho: estudio de casos y controles.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the risk factors described in the literature are applicable to our population or not. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case and control study was undertaken. Seventy patients with an imaging-confirmed diagnosis of lumbar stenosis were included as well as 70 controls that denied having any of the following symptoms: chronic lumbar pain, claudication, sensory alterations and muscle weakness of the lower limbs. A survey to identify risk factors possibly associated with lumbar stenosis was carried out. The statistical analysis was done with non-conditional logistic regression and the risks were determined by means of an odds ratio (OR) in both a univariate and a multivariate modality. RESULTS: One hundred and forty individuals of both genders were included; 70 cases and 70 controls. The factors that were found to be significant in the univariate analysis were included in the multivariate analysis. The OR for age was 7.6 (CI 95% = 2.81-20.93; p = 0.0001), for scoliosis, 5.14 (IC 95% = 1.27-20.77; p = 0.021), for SAH, 1.82 (IC 95% = 0.74-4.48; p = 0.19) and for neoplasias, 2.55 (IC 95% = 0.22-29.23; p = 0.45). CONCLUSION: This study showed that age over 65 years, scoliosis and systemic arterial hypertension are risk factors for lumbar stenosis. The multivariate analysis showed that age increases the risk in the presence of scoliosis.

[Correlation of age, IGF-1 serum levels, muscular mass index and their influence as determinants of isokinetic variables in patients with osteoporosis]. / Correlación de edad, niveles séricos de IGF-1 e índice de mas muscular, y su influencia como determinantes de las variables isocinéticas en pacientes con osteoporosis.

INTRODUCTION: Bone and skeletal muscle mass loss is related to age. Mechanisms by which they interact have not been well established. OBJECTIVE: To establish a relationship of age with serum levels of IGF-1, skeletal muscle and appendicular muscle mass index, and their influence in isokinetic parameters in osteoporotic female patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression analyses were used. RESULTS: There were 38 patients with a mean age of 65.16 years (range: 50-84 years), mean appendicular skeletal mass index (ASMI) of 6.3 kg/m2 (range: 4.3-8.3) and mean skeletal mass index (SMI) of 12.4 kg/m2 (range: 9.6-15.7), mean serum IGF-1 levels of 82.97 ng/ml (range: 22-177). Linear regression predicted hip mineral bone density by SMI (p = 0.19) and age (p = 0.017, r = 0.50). Some isokinetic parameters had a positive correlation for work with age. Knee acceleration time had a positive correlation with age. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoporosis and sarcopenia may have related pathophysiologic mechanisms. Growth factor study must include the influence of sex hormones. Some isokinetic parameters are determined by the predominant muscle fiber, skeletal mass index and age.

Rehabilitación en fracturas del tercio medio de clavícula operadas con clavo Hunec / Rehabilitation of clavicle fractures after surgical treatment by Hunec intramedullary pinning

Las fracturas de clavícula del tercio medio de la clavícula tratadas con clavo Hunec pueden iniciar la rehabilitación inmediatamente después de la cirugía, por que es un implante que permite la movilidad articular del hombro, por lo tanto fortalecimiento inmediato. Se estudiaron 35 pacientes, con edad promedio de 29 años, 30 masculinos (86 por ciento) y 5 femeninos (14 por ciento), la ocupación de mayor porcentaje fue el hogar 15 por ciento y estudiante 29 por ciento. Los arcos de movilidad fueron completos y la fuerza muscular normal. La integración de las actividades de la vida diaria 3 días (56 por ciento) y laboral en 15 a 20 días, posterior a la cirugía. Prueba t de Student p<0.05 para arcos de movilidad y fuerza muscular. Discusión. La rehabilitación inicia con la selección del implante de acuerdo a la clasificación de las fracturas ya que permite hacer un programa de atención, que logre integrar al paciente a su vida laboral tempranamente. Conclusión. El clavo Hunec en las fracturas de clavícula permite integrar a las actividades de la vida diaria y de trabajo antes de 20 días

Férula dinámica para favorecer dorsiflexión de tobillo / Dynamic splint for enhacing dorsiflexion of the ankle

La fractura de tobillo por su complejidad anatómica de la región, tiende a dejar secuelas, como es la rigidez articular en posición de equino, el abordaje quirúrgico que hace que presente lesión nerviosa del tipo neuropraxia en la mayor parte de los pacientes permite que el músculo tibial anterior tenga fuerza muscular menor a la del gemelo y sóleo, lo que favorece la posición del paciente en forma alterada. El programa de rehabilitación es tardío cuando el equino no se reduce en forma eficaz, es por eso que el servicio diseñó una ortesis dinámica que presenta una función de reeducación muscular del tibial anterior y fortalecimiento muscular de los gemelos. Se estudiaron 30 pacientes de uno u otro sexo, de edad promedio de 30 años, que tuvieron fractura de tobillo B y C, con intervención quirúrgica y por un implante como es el hunec y la placa un tercio de caña y tornillo de situación. Se elaboró la ortesis en el primer día del postoperatorio, con un estribo como ejercitador, utilizándose hasta el retiro del tornillo de situación, posteriormente se acondicionó para un zapato deportivo que le permitiera seguir las fases de la marcha. Al retiro del tornillo de situación, la movilidad de dorsiflexión fue a la neutra y la fuerza muscular 3 del tibial anterior con el inicio del apoyo, se entrenó las fases de la marcha. El retiro de la ortesis fue cuando se recuperó el arco de movimiento a 20º de dorsiflexión, fuerza muscular de 5 fases de la marcha fueron normal, el tiempo total fue de 4 semanas de tratamiento posterior al retiro de tornillo de situación biomecánica. Prueba de tracción de fuerza 40 N y una deformación de 200 mm obteniendo 49.24 N

Biomecánica de ortesis dinámica de tobillo / Biomechanics of the dynamic splint of the ankle

Para una más eficiente rehabilitación de las fracturas del tobillo operadas, se diseño y ensayó mecánicamente en la máquina Instron 4502 del laboratorio de Biomecánica, una ortesis dinámica de tobillo, y se programó tratamiento a 30 pacientes de uno u otro sexo entre 20 y 50 años, con fractura B y C tratadas con clavo Hunec, placa un tercio de caña y tornillo de situación, preparándole a cada uno su ortesis; se les tomaron dos mediciones: del extremo del calcáneo al tobillo, y del extremo del calcáneo al punto de aplicación de la ortesis. Se aplicó carga de tracción dentro del rango elástico y, para una deformación total de 200 mm se requirieron 39.5; la gráfica carga-deformación mostró un comportamiento no lineal característico de los materiales plásticos. Resultados. Arcos de movilidad completa 100 por ciento, fuerza muscular normal del 100 por ciento, marcha normal 100 por ciento, el tiempo promedio de tratamiento se redujo 2 semanas; con el análisis de fuerzas durante la aplicación de la ortesis, se determinó una carga de tracción de 49.2 N para los tejidos blandos del tobillo. Se aplicó la prueba t de Student para los arcos de movilidad y fuerza muscular de dorsiflexión (p<0.05). La ortesis es de bajo costo por ser ®hecha en casa¼, sus materiales son de fácil adquisición, la recuperación funcional del tobillo fue total