Clinical efficacy of botulinum toxin in lateral elbow tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin injections for lateral elbow tendinopathy have been used as an alternative therapeutic option. However, few studies have quantitatively summarized the effect of botulinum toxin as well as its clinical significance. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy (based on pain and grip strength) and adverse events of botulinum toxin on lateral elbow tendinopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched until March 2023 for randomized controlled trials reporting the effects of botulinum toxin injections on lateral elbow tendinopathy. A random- or fixed-effects model (depending of inter-study variability) and generic inverse variance method were used to pool quantitative data from outcomes. The risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. RESULTS: A total of 8 clinical trials recruiting 438 subjects were included for meta-analysis. Pooled analysis revealed that botulinum toxin significantly reduced pain (mean difference [MD] -0.95, 95% CI [-1.63, -0.26], p=0.007) but it was not clinically relevant. No significant effect was detected for grip strength (MD-0.62kg, 95% CI [-2.25, 1.02], p=0.46) or in the risk for adverse events (odds ratio [OR] 0.41, 95% CI [0.05, 3.56], p=0.42) between botulinum toxin injection and control interventions. DISCUSSION: The use of botulinum toxin reached greater pain relief than control interventions and normal saline after a period of 12 to 24 weeks. However, changes in pain relief did not reach clinical significance. The studies that had the greatest reduction in pain used higher doses of botulinum toxin (60 U). Additionally, differences in grip strength and adverse events did not reach statistical or clinical importance. A subanalysis indicated that botulinum toxin outperformed corticosteroid injections in terms of improving grip strength. Botulinum toxin only causes local and minimal side effects such as irritation, ecchymosis, and paralysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

Platelet-Rich Plasma for Knee Osteoarthritis: What Does the Evidence Say?

The utilization of platelet-rich-plasma as a therapeutic intervention for knee osteoarthritis has gained immense attention since 2008. The increase in the number of scientific publications dedicated to this area can be attributed to the majority of favorable results reported in clinical trials and basic science studies. However, despite the growing evidence, the use of platelet-rich plasma in clinical practice still poses controversial aspects. The potential mechanisms of action described for platelet-rich-plasma so far indicate that it could serve as a disease-modifying drug, acting to counteract important aspects of knee osteoarthritis pathophysiology (cartilage breakdown, inflammation, and bone remodeling). Nevertheless, its efficacy in slowing down the progression of knee osteoarthritis remains unproven. While inconsistencies have been noted, the majority of controlled clinical trials and meta-analyses advocate for the utilization of platelet-rich-plasma in treating knee osteoarthritis, as it has demonstrated greater efficacy than hyaluronic acid and placebo, with a follow-up of at least 1 year. Despite advancements made in certain areas, significant diversity persists regarding the formulations used, therapeutic regimen, extended follow-up periods, patient selection, and assessment of clinically relevant outcomes. Consequently, the leading clinical practice guidelines do not recommend its use. In light of the emerging evidence, this narrative review aims to provide an objective evaluation of the recent available scientific literature (last 5 years) focused on randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses to present a current overview of the topic.

Two-year prevalence of spinal gunshot injuries in Mexico: A single center experience.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to report epidemiological and clinical data of the patients that were admitted with spinal gunshot injuries. METHODS: This was retrospective study and observational study. Patients who had a spinal injury secondary to a gunshot wound that was admitted to our hospital (level III trauma center) from July 2018 through July 2020 were included in the study. Demographic and clinical data including age, gender, civil status, occupation, level of injury (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar), degree of neurological impairment at admission, associated injuries, treatment established, length of hospital stay, and mortality rate were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients were included in the study, of which 50 patients (90.9%) were men and five female patients (9.09%). The average age was 30.2 years. Three patients died during hospitalization representing a mortality rate of 5.45%. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal gunshot injuries are associated with significant sequelae, requiring long and costly treatments. This study obtained one of the highest incidences of gunshot injuries to the spine reported in the literature.

OBJETIVO: El propósito de este estudio es reportar datos epidemiológicos y clínicos de los pacientes que ingresaron con heridas por arma de fuego en columna. MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo y observacional. Se incluyeron pacientes que presentaban una lesión medular a secundaria a una herida por arma de fuego que ingresaron en nuestro hospital (centro de trauma de nivel III) desde julio de 2018 hasta julio de 2020. Se registraron datos demográficos y clínicos que incluían edad, sexo, estado civil, ocupación, grado de lesión (cervical, torácica o lumbar), grado de deterioro neurológico al ingreso, lesiones asociadas, tratamiento establecido, duración de la estancia hospitalaria y tasa de mortalidad. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron en el estudio un total de 55 pacientes, de los cuales 50 pacientes (90,9%) eran hombres y 5 mujeres (9,09%). La edad media fue de 30,2 años. Tres pacientes fallecieron durante la hospitalización lo que representa una tasa de mortalidad del 5,45%. CONCLUSIONES: Las lesiones por arma de fuego en la columna están asociadas con secuelas importantes, que requieren tratamientos largos y costosos. Este estudio obtuvo una de las incidencias más altas de heridas por arma de fuego en la columna vertebral reportadas en la literatura.

Efficacy and safety of avocado-soybean unsaponifiables for the treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials to examine the efficacy and safety of avocado-soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) in patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA). DATA SOURCES: Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched for randomized placebo-controlled trials. STUDY SELECTION: Original studies were randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating the effect of orally administered ASU on knee or hip OA symptoms using the Lequesne index, visual analog scale (VAS) and/or joint space width (JSW). DATA EXTRACTION: Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model and generic inverse variance method. Heterogeneity was tested using the I2 statistic index. DATA SYNTHESIS: Avocado-soybean unsaponifiables therapy had a significant reduction on pain by VAS assessment (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -9.64 mm, 95% CI: -17.43, -1.84; P = .02; I2  = 92%). A subanalysis according to the type of OA showed that ASU significantly decreased both VAS and Lequesne index in knee OA (WMD: -17.36, 95% CI: -25.91, -8.82; P < .0001; I2  = 87% and WMD: -2.33, 95% CI: -2.88, -1.78; P < .00001; I2  = 18%, respectively) but not in hip OA. Finally, ASU supplementation showed no significant differences for adverse events compared to placebo (relative risk: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.83, 1.25; P = .88; I2  = 0%). CONCLUSION: Results of this meta-analysis suggest a beneficial effect of ASU treatment in symptomatic knee OA but not in hip OA. Additionally, adverse events were similar in patients receiving ASU therapy or placebo.

Effect of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.

Although glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have showed beneficial effects on joint tissues in osteoarthritis (OA), their therapeutic use in the clinical setting is still debatable. Hence, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials was conducted to investigate the efficacy of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate on knee OA symptoms. Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched for randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating the effect of orally administered glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate on OA symptoms using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and/or the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model and generic inverse-variance method. Heterogeneity was tested using the I2 statistic index. Treatments with glucosamine and chondroitin were found to significantly reduce pain in VAS [weighted mean difference (WMD) - 7.41 mm, 95% CI - 14.31, - 0.51, p = 0.04 and WMD - 8.35 mm, 95% CI - 11.84, - 4.85, p < 0.00001, respectively]. Their combination did not show this behavior (WMD - 0.28 mm, 95% CI - 8.87, 8.32, p = 0.95). None of the glucosamine, chondroitin or their combination had a significant positive effect on the total WOMAC index and its subscores. Oral supplementation with glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate reduces pain in knee OA. However, there is no additional effect using both therapeutic agents in combination for the management of symptomatic knee OA.

Knee chondral lesions treated with autologous chondrocyte transplantation in a tridimensional matrix: clinical evaluation at 1-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Despite the many studies on chondral injury repair, no outcomes have been evaluated with the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) Universities osteoarthritis index, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the Oxford Knee Score, all of which are specific for evaluating the presence of osteoarthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the clinical progress of patients following autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) performed by our Bone and Tissue Bank using a technique in which cells, instead of being introduced to the articular defect in a liquid form, are implanted into a tridimensional matrix of semisolid collagen (Condrograft((R))). A total of 22 patients underwent the procedure, 15 of whom were available for a 1-year follow-up that included clinical evaluation by WOMAC score before and after surgery and KOOS and the Oxford Knee Score after surgery. RESULTS: The results were improved WOMAC score from 56.4 before surgery to 16.2 after surgery (P < 0.002), average KOOS score of 83.6, and average Oxford Knee Score of 18.8. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that our tridimensional matrix technique effectively improved patients' quality of life, at least in the short term, and delayed any subsequent procedure. Long-term assessment is necessary to determine the true value of this technique.