Palliative arthroscopic debridement with continuous irrigation for infected total knee arthroplasty in high mortality risk patients.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the infection control rate of palliative arthroscopic debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) for the high mortality risk or terminal cancer stage patients. METHODS: From March 2018 to August 2021, 21 patients met the following inclusion criteria: old age of more than 80, diagnosed as a terminal stage of cancer, high risk of mortality and morbidity representing as Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) ≥ 5, low daily activity with disabled extremity, and re-infection after two-stage revision. Each patient underwent arthroscopic DAIR and additional continuous irrigation for 48 hours. The need for subsequent re-arthroscopic DAIR or two-stage revision was determined by the post-operative trends of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Infection control was defined as continuing controlled status of infection based on clinical and laboratory results by one or two times of arthroscopic DAIR within initial two months. Treatment failure was defined as more than three times arthroscopic debridement, two-stage revision surgery, or expired due to uncontrolled infection. RESULTS: Arthroscopic DAIR controlled the infection in 19 (90.5%) of the 21 cases. The other knee underwent a total of three times of re-arthroscopic DAIR and the other one underwent two-stage revision. Although five patients expired during the follow-up period due to worsening medical problems or terminal cancer, there were no deaths from uncontrolled infection, sepsis, or surgery-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic debridement with continuous irrigation for the infection TKA with high mortality risk or terminal cancer patients showed a 90.5% infection control rate. For high-risk patients, arthroscopic debridement with continuous irrigation can be an alternative treatment to improve the quality of life during survival.

State of the Art: The Immunomodulatory Role of MSCs for Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) has generally been introduced as a degenerative disease; however, it has recently been understood as a low-grade chronic inflammatory process that could promote symptoms and accelerate the progression of OA. Current treatment strategies, including corticosteroid injections, have no impact on the OA disease progression. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) based therapy seem to be in the spotlight as a disease-modifying treatment because this strategy provides enlarged anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects. Currently, bone marrow, adipose derived, synovium-derived, and Wharton's jelly-derived MSCs are the most widely used types of MSCs in the cartilage engineering. MSCs exert immunomodulatory, immunosuppressive, antiapoptotic, and chondrogenic effects mainly by paracrine effect. Because MSCs disappear from the tissue quickly after administration, recently, MSCs-derived exosomes received the focus for the next-generation treatment strategy for OA. MSCs-derived exosomes contain a variety of miRNAs. Exosomal miRNAs have a critical role in cartilage regeneration by immunomodulatory function such as promoting chondrocyte proliferation, matrix secretion, and subsiding inflammation. In the future, a personalized exosome can be packaged with ideal miRNA and proteins for chondrogenesis by enriching techniques. In addition, the target specific exosomes could be a gamechanger for OA. However, we should consider the off-target side effects due to multiple gene targets of miRNA.

Optimal Release Timing of Drain Clamping to Reduce Postoperative Bleeding after Total Knee Arthroplasty with Intraarticular Injection of Tranexamic Acid.

Background and Objectives: Intraarticular injection of tranexamic acid (IA-TXA) plus drain-clamping is a preferred method of reducing bleeding after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, no consensus has been reached regarding the timing of the clamping. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum duration of drain-clamping after TKA with IA-TXA. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 151 patients that underwent unilateral TKA with IA-TXA plus drain-clamping for 30 min, 2 h, or 3 h. The total drained volume was reviewed as the primary outcome, and hematocrit (Hct) reductions, estimated blood loss (EBL), transfusion rates, and wound complications were reviewed as secondary outcomes. Results: The mean total drained volume, Hct reduction, and EBL were significantly less in the 3 h group than in the 30 min group. Between the 2 h and 3 h groups, there was no statistical difference in the mean total drained volume, Hct reduction, or EBL. The proportion of patients who drained lesser than 300 mL was high in the 3 h group. No significant intergroup difference was observed for transfusion volume, transfusion rate, and wound related complications. Conclusions: In comparison of the IA-TXA plus drain-clamping after TKA, there was no difference in EBL between the 2 h group and the 3 h group, but the amount of drainage volume was small in the 3 h group.

The Reliability of Remote Patient-Reported Outcome Measures via Mobile Apps to Replace Outpatient Visits After Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery: Repetitive Test-Retest Comparison Study for 1-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: With the development of health care-related mobile apps, attempts have been made to implement remote patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). In order for remote PROMs to be widely used by mobile apps, the results should not be different depending on the location; that is, remote PROM results performed in locations other than hospitals should be able to obtain reliable results equivalent to those performed in hospitals, and this is very important. However, to our knowledge, there are no studies that have assessed the reliability of PROMs using mobile apps according to the location by comparing the results performed remotely from the hospital and performed at the outpatient visits. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of remote PROMs using mobile apps compared to PROMs performed during outpatient follow-up visits after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. METHODS: A total of 174 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair completed questionnaires 2 days before visiting the clinic for the 1-, 2-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups (test A). The patients completed the questionnaires at the clinic (test B) using the same mobile app and device for the 1-, 2-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Test-retest comparisons were performed to analyze the differences and reliability of the PROMs according to the period. RESULTS: Comparisons of tests A and B showed statistically significant differences at 1, 2, and 3 months (all Ps<.05 except for the ASES function scale at 3-months) but not 6 or 12 months after surgery (all Ps>.05). The intraclass correlation values between the two groups were relatively low at the 1-, 2-, and 3-month follow-ups but were within the reliable range at 6 and 12 months after surgery. The rate of completion of tests A and B using the mobile app was significantly lower in the group older than 70 years than in the other groups for all postoperative periods (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: PROMs using mobile apps with different locations differed soon after surgery but were reliably similar after 6 months. The remote PROMs using mobile apps could be used reliably for the patient more than 6 months after surgery. However, it is to be expected that the use of mobile app-based questionnaires is not as useful in the group older than 70 years as in other age groups.

Microfractures Versus a Porcine-Derived Collagen-Augmented Chondrogenesis Technique for Treating Knee Cartilage Defects: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of treating patients with a cartilage defect of the knee with microfractures and porcine-derived collagen-augmented chondrogenesis technique (C-ACT). METHODS: One hundred participants were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 48, microfracture) or the investigational group (n = 52, C-ACT). Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes were assessed 12 and 24 months postoperatively for efficacy and adverse events. Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) assessment was used to analyze cartilage tissue repair. MRI outcomes for 50% defect filling and repaired tissue/reference cartilage (RT/RC) ratio were quantified using T2 mapping. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and 20% improvement, minimal clinically important difference (MCID), and patient acceptable symptom state for Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and the International Knee Documentation Committee score. RESULTS: MOCART scores in the investigation group showed improved defect repair and filling (P = .0201), integration with the border zone (P = .0062), and effusion (P = .0079). MRI outcomes showed that the odds ratio (OR) for ≥50% defect filling at 12 months was statistically higher in the investigation group (OR 3.984, P = .0377). Moreover, the likelihood of the RT/RC OR becoming ≥1 was significantly higher (OR 11.37, P = .0126) in the investigation group. At 24 months postoperatively, the OR for the VAS 20% improvement rate was significantly higher in the investigational group (OR 2.808, P = .047). Twenty-three patients (52.3%) in the control group and 35 (77.8%) in the investigation group demonstrated more than the MCID of KOOS pain from baseline to 1 year postoperatively, with a significant difference between groups (P = .0116). CONCLUSION: In this multicenter randomized trial, the addition of C-ACT resulted in better filling of cartilage defect of the knee joint. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level Ⅰ, Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Actinomycotic osteomyelitis of a long bone in an immunocompetent adult: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Actinomycosis is a rare, chronic granulomatous disease caused by Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria that colonize the oral cavity. Cervicofacial actinomycosis is the most frequent clinical presentation of actinomycosis, but hematogenous osteomyelitis at distant sites can occur in rare instance in immunocompromised or pediatric patients, only a few cases have been reported in healthy patients. Here we described a new case of distal femur osteomyelitis caused by Actinomyces in an adult patient who was immunocompetent and had no predisposing factors. CASE PRESENTATION: A woman aged 52 years with no history of trauma presented with severe pain, swelling, and increased local heat in the proximal area of the right knee 3 weeks after she first noticed discomfort. Magnetic resonance imaging showed persistent osteomyelitis of the distal metaphysis and diaphysis of the femur with a multifocal intraosseous abscess pocket. An incision and drainage of the abscess were conducted. The tissue culture, fungus culture, acid fast bacillus (AFB) culture, AFB smear, and tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction test results were negative. A pathologic examination confirmed the presence of actinomycosis. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous penicillin G for 8 weeks followed by oral amoxicillin-clavulanate for 6 weeks with repeated surgical debridement and drainage. After a 5-year follow up, the patient had no signs of recurring infection or complications and she had full range of movement in the affected knee. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, actinomycotic osteomyelitis can occur in healthy people. Furthermore, actinomycotic osteomyelitis is easily misdiagnosed as tuberculosis in areas with a high prevalence of tuberculosis. To detect and identify the bacteria accurately, pathologic examination should be performed as well as culture tests, because the probability for culture confirmation of actinomycosis is quite low. The initial treatment is vital to a successful outcome without ostectomy or amputation.

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty fails to completely restore normal gait patterns during level walking.

PURPOSE: Gait analysis is a valuable instrument for measuring function objectively after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). However, most gait analysis studies have reported conflicting results for functional assessment after UKA. This meta-analysis compared the gait patterns of UKA patients and healthy controls during level walking. METHODS: Studies were included in the meta-analysis if they recorded vertical ground reaction force (GRF), flexion at initial contact, flexion at loading response, extension at mid-stance, flexion at swing, walking speed, cadence, and stride length in UKA patients or healthy controls. RESULTS: Seven studies met the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The UKA patients and healthy controls were similar in terms of vertical GRF (95% CI - 0.54 to 0.23; ns), flexion at initial contact (95% CI - 0.47 to 4.96; ns), flexion at loading response (95% CI - 1.29 to 3.69; ns), and flexion at swing (95% CI - 8.85 to 0.40; ns). In contrast, extension at mid-stance (95% CI 0.53 to 4.88; P = 0.01), walking speed (95% CI - 2.13 to - 0.15; P = 0.02), cadence (95% CI - 1.02 to - 0.25; P = 0.001), and stride length (95% CI - 2.02 to - 0.22; P = 0.01) differed significantly between groups. Subgroup analyses revealed that the pooled data were similar between groups: 1st maximum (heel strike), - 0.43 BW (ns); 1st minimum (mid-stance), 0.61 BW (ns); and 2nd maximum (toe off), - 0.46 BW (ns). CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in vertical GRF or overall kinematics in the sagittal plane between UKA patients and healthy controls during level walking. However, the UKA group had a significantly slower walking speed and cadence and a shorter stride length than healthy controls. The current findings suggest that, clinically, UKA fails to completely restore normal gait patterns. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, therapeutic study.

Safety and efficacy of bi-annual intra-articular LBSA0103 injections in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

The objective of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of repeated intra-articular injection of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LBSA0103) at a 26-week interval, in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. The study was an open-label, single arm, multicentre prospective trial conducted in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. The intervention consisted of two intra-articular injections of LBSA0103, with the second injection performed 26 weeks after the first injection. The primary outcome was the incidence of adverse drug reactions related to each injection. Assessment of efficacy of repeated injections in terms of maintenance of pain relief was a secondary objective of this study. Of the 185 patients screened, 174 patients received the first injection and 153 patients received both injections of LBSA0103. Nine adverse drug reactions occurred in seven patients (4.02%) after the first injection, while only one adverse drug reaction occurred (0.65%) after the second injection. As a secondary outcome measure, the improvements in the efficacy parameters including total WOMAC score and weight-bearing pain were all significant at both week 13 and 39 compared to the baseline value (P < 0.001), and improvements after the second injection were consistent with those after the initial injection of LBSA0103 (between week 26 and week 39, P < 0.001). Repeated intra-articular injection of LBSA0103 at a 26-week interval is safe without increased risk of adverse drug reactions. Additionally, LBSA0103 is effective in reduction of osteoarthritis knee pain and in maintenance of pain reduction for a 39-week period when a second injection is administered.

Factors associated with clinical and structural outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with a suture bridge technique in medium, large, and massive tears.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate clinical outcomes, maintenance of repair integrity, and retear rate after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair by a suture bridge technique among patients with medium, large, and massive rotator cuff tears. METHODS: We evaluated 147 patients who had undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Clinical and functional evaluations were performed with the Constant and University of California-Los Angeles scores. All patients were confirmed to have magnetic resonance imaging evidence of tendon healing at least 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The average postoperative time to follow-up magnetic resonance imaging was 23.4 months (range, 12-48 months). A total of 25 (17.0%) retears were observed. All clinical outcome scores were improved significantly at follow-up. Larger intraoperative tear sizes were correlated with higher retear rates. The incidence of retear was also higher in cases in which the preoperative fatty degeneration grade was higher. The incidence of retear increased with age and in the heavy worker group (e.g., farmers, carriers, car mechanics) but was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair by a suture bridge technique yields improvements in clinical outcome measures and a relatively high degree of patient satisfaction despite the fact that repair integrity is not maintained in many cases.

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.

Effectiveness of continuous femoral nerve block for pain relief after total knee arthroplasty: comparison with epidural patient-controlled analgesia and periarticular injection.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical outcomes among three analgesic techniques, continuous femoral nerve block (CFNB), epidural patient-controlled analgesia (EPCA) and periarticular injection (PAI), in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: This retrospective case-control study enrolled patients that underwent TKA. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, sleep disturbance, additional opioid consumption and incidence of opioid-related side-effects were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were categorized into three groups: EPCA (group A, n = 40), PAI (group B, n = 40) and CFNB (group C, n = 40). Group C had significantly lower VAS pain scores than groups A and B at 8, 12 and 24 h after TKA. There were no significant differences in VAS pain scores among the three groups from 48 h after TKA. Sleep quality on the first day after surgery was significantly better in group C than in groups A and B. Additional opioid consumption was significantly lower in the group C than in the groups A and B. Group C showed a lower rate of opioid-related side-effects than groups A and B. CONCLUSION: CFNB was a more effective additional analgesic technique than EPCA or PAI for acute postoperative pain control within 24 h of TKA.

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).

Autologous chondrocyte implantation in the knee using fibrin.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is widely used to treat symptomatic articular cartilage injury of the knee. Fibrin ACI is a new tissue-engineering technique for the treatment of full-thickness articular cartilage defects, in which autologous chondrocytes are inserted into a three-dimensional scaffold provided by fibrin gel. The objective of this study is to document and compare mean changes in overall clinical scores at both baseline and follow-up. Fibrin ACI was used to treat deep cartilage defects of the femoral condyle in 30 patients. There were 24 men and 6 women with a median age of 35 years (range 15-55) and with a mean defect size of 5.8 cm(2) (range 2.3-12). Clinical and functional knee evaluations were performed using different scoring systems, MRI was performed 24 months postoperatively, and arthroscopy was performed 12 months postoperatively. All patients achieved clinical and functional status improvements following surgery (P < 0.01). The mean scores of the Henderson classification (MRI evaluation) significantly improved from 14.4 to 7 (P = 0.001), and no graft-associated complications were noted. Arthroscopic assessments performed 12 months postoperatively produced nearly normal (grade II) International Cartilage Repair Society scores in 8 of the 10 study patients. Fibrin ACI offers the advantages of technical simplicity, minimal invasiveness, a short surgery time, and easier access to difficult sites than classical ACI. Based on the findings of this clinical pilot study, we conclude that fibrin ACI offers a reliable means of treating articular cartilage defects of the knee.

Clinical, radiological, and histological outcomes after the fibrin-matrix autologous chondrocyte implantation for chondral lesions of the knee in patients more than 50 years old: A prospective case series with minimum 2-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes and to analyze the histological findings of repaired cartilage in patients more than 50 years old with underwent fibrin-matrix autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). METHODS: From January 2013 to February 2014, a prospective study was conducted on 16 patients (16 knees) who underwent fibrin-matrix ACI for International Cartilage Repair Society grade 3 or 4 chondral lesions of the knee. The major lesion was in the medial femoral condyle in all patients. The mean age of the patients was 58.1 ± 6.2 (range 51-66) years, and the minimum follow-up period was 2 years. All patients had clinical and radiological evaluations at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. Twelve patients had second-look arthroscopies at 1 year after surgery, and implanted chondral biopsies were performed in 11 of these 12 patients for histological analysis. RESULTS: Functional disability assessment scales for the knee significantly improved after fibrin-matrix ACI (p < 0.05). The visual analog scale score significantly decreased from 6.7 ± 1.2 to 2.0 ± 1.8 (p < 0.001). The mean modified magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue score was 83.8 ± 17.3 at 1 year after surgery and 74.0 ± 19.2 at 2 years after surgery. Repair of the tissue with hyaline cartilage was confirmed histologically. CONCLUSIONS: Satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes were obtained from gel-type fibrin-matrix ACI technique in older patients with a cartilage defect of the knee. Histological analysis confirmed that the new repaired tissue with hyaline cartilage filled the cartilage defect area. Therefore, fibrin-matrix ACI is believed to be an applicable treatment for older patients with chondral lesions of the knee. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Plate fixation versus titanium elastic nailing in midshaft clavicle fractures based on fracture classifications.

BACKGROUND: The best strategy for implant selection in midshaft clavicular fractures (MCF) remains controversial. The present study aims to determine the optimal strategy for implant selection by comparing plate and Titanium Elastic Nail (TEN) with respect to outcomes and related complications and analyze the results based on fracture patterns. METHODS: A total of 97 patients with MCF who underwent plate (48 patients) or TEN (49 patients) fixation were retrospectively reviewed. Both groups were divided into three subgroups by fracture type using the AO Foundation/Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification: simple fracture (type A), wedge fracture (type B), and multi-fragmentary fracture (type C). The observed outcome measures were bone union rate, related complications, functional scores, and patient satisfaction score. These outcomes were analyzed based on the fracture classification. RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated excellent union rates (p = 0.495) and similar functional scores (p > 0.05). Visual analog scale (VAS) for satisfaction was better in TEN than plate fixation (p < 0.001). In type A and B subgroups, there were no significant difference in functional scores between plate and TEN fixation (p > 0.05). In type C subgroup, however, both VAS for pain and DASH score in TEN fixation were significantly worse than in plate fixation at 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively (p < 0.05). The incidences of clavicle shortening and skin irritation are higher especially in type C subgroup of TEN fixation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patient satisfaction of TEN fixation was higher than that of plate fixation, but TEN fixation had a higher incidence of early postoperative pain and migration in type C fractures. Therefore, type A and B fractures can successfully be treated with plate or TEN fixation, but type C fractures should be treated with plate fixation.

Comparison of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate and Allogenic Human Umbilical Cord Blood Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Implantation on Chondral Defect of Knee: Assessment of Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Outcomes at 2-Year Follow-Up.

Biological repair of cartilage lesions remains a significant clinical challenge. A wide variety of methods involving mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been introduced. Because of the limitation of the results, most of the treatment methods have not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) implantation were approved by Korea FDA. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes after two different types of MSCs implantation in knee osteoarthritis. Fifty-two patients (52 knees) who underwent cartilage repair surgery using the BMAC (25 knees) and hUCB-MSCs (27 knees) were retrospectively evaluated for 2 years after surgery. Clinical outcomes were evaluated according to the score of visual analogue scale (VAS), the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Cartilage repair was assessed according to the modified Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (M-MOCART) score and the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) cartilage repair scoring system. At 2-year follow-up, clinical outcomes including VAS, IKDC, and KOOS significantly improved (P < 0.05) in both groups; however, there were no differences between two groups. There was no significant difference in M-MOCART [1-year (P = 0.261), 2-year (P = 0.351)] and ICRS repair score (P = 0.655) between two groups. Both groups showed satisfactory clinical and MRI outcomes. Implantation of MSCs from BMAC or hUCB-MSCs is safe and effective for repairing cartilage lesion. However, large cases and a well-controlled prospective design with long-term follow-up studies are needed.

PBT-6, a Novel PI3KC2γ Inhibitor in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) is considered as a promising therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because of its involvement in inflammatory processes. However, limited studies have reported the involvement of PI3KC2γ in RA, and the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated the role of PI3KC2γ as a novel therapeutic target for RA and the effect of its selective inhibitor, PBT-6. In this study, we observed that PI3KC2γ was markedly increased in the synovial fluid and tissue as well as the PBMCs of patients with RA. PBT-6, a novel PI3KC2γ inhibitor, decreased the cell growth of TNF-mediated synovial fibroblasts and LPS-mediated macrophages. Furthermore, PBT-6 inhibited the PI3KC2γ expression and PI3K/ AKT signaling pathway in both synovial fibroblasts and macrophages. In addition, PBT-6 suppressed macrophage migration via CCL2 and osteoclastogenesis. In CIA mice, it significantly inhibited the progression and development of RA by decreasing arthritis scores and paw swelling. Three-dimensional micro-computed tomography confirmed that PBT-6 enhanced the joint structures in CIA mice. Taken together, our findings suggest that PI3KC2γ is a therapeutic target for RA, and PBT-6 could be developed as a novel PI3KC2γ inhibitor to target inflammatory diseases including RA.

Efficacy and safety of short-term use of a pelubiprofen CR and aceclofenac in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: A double-blinded, randomized, multicenter, active drug comparative, parallel-group, phase IV, non-inferiority clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: At present, information about clinical efficacy and adverse events of controlled release (CR) form of pelubiprofen, a prodrug of 2-arylopropionic acid with relatively selective effects on cyclooxygenase-2 activity, remains scarce. In this study, we sought to determine non-inferiority of pelubiprofen CR 90 mg/day compared to aceclofenac 200 mg/day regarding clinical efficacy and adverse events after a 4-week course of medication in the patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 191 patients were randomly assigned to take either pelubiprofen CR 90 mg (n = 95) or aceclofenac 200 mg (n = 96). The primary outcome variable was non-inferiority of pain reduction between baseline and week 4 when assessed using a 100 mm pain visual analogue scale (VAS). Pelubiprofen was considered non-inferior to aceclofenac if the upper limit of the one-sided 97.5% confidence interval for the difference in terms of pain VAS was above 15 mm (the average change of pain VAS in the pelubiprofen group-pain VAS reduction in the aceclofenac group). Secondary outcome variables were the changes in 100 mm pain VAS at week 2 versus baseline, K-Western Ontario, and McMaster University Arthritis Index (K-WOMAC) changes at weeks 2 and 4 as compared to baseline, patient global assessment at weeks 2 and 4. The frequency and amount of rescue medicine usage at weeks 2 and 4 were also evaluated as the secondary outcome variable. For safety analysis, adverse events, clinical laboratory tests, vital signs, and physical examinations were assessed and conducted at each follow-up visit. RESULTS: At week 4, the pain VAS values were significantly reduced in both groups receiving either pelubiprofen CR 90 mg or aceclofenac 200 mg as compared to the baseline. However, the pelubiprofen group and the aceclofenac group respectively showed the pain VAS changes of -22 and -21.9 in the pre-protocol set and -20.8 and -21.7 in the full analysis set, confirming non-inferiority. The pelubiprofen CR 90 mg showed a reduced incidence of adverse events compared to the aceclofenac 200 mg (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Pelubiprofen CR 90 mg is as effective as aceclofenac 200 mg with reduced adverse events for the treatment of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

The proper correction of the mechanical axis in high tibial osteotomy with concomitant cartilage procedures-a retrospective comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The guidelines to correct the mechanical axis in high tibial osteotomy (HTO) have changed recently, and some studies have suggested that the correction of the mechanical axis should be based on the severity of cartilage defect. The purpose of this study was (1) to evaluate the radiographic and clinical outcomes of HTO with concomitant cartilage procedures and (2) to compare our method with conventional method regarding the mechanical axis correction. METHODS: Sixty-six knees which underwent opening wedge HTO with cartilage procedures were evaluated retrospectively. The mean age was 56.0 ± 8.3 years, and the average follow-up period was 35.9 ± 22.0 months (range, 24-93 months) with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. All patients were divided into two groups regarding the method of mechanical axis correction; the postoperative mechanical axis was shifted to 50-55% of the tibial plateau width in group I (n = 46) and to 62-66% according to the conventional method in group II (n = 20). Concomitant cartilage procedures were performed, and each technique of those was determined according to the cartilage status. RESULTS: The functional scores and visual analog scale for pain in all patients showed a significant improvement at the final follow-up, but there was no significant difference between two groups. The postoperative mechanical axis was the valgus axis of 0.7° in group I with average mechanical axis deviation (MAD) of 51.7%, whereas the valgus axis of 4.2° in group II with average MAD of 64.0%. In patients who underwent second-look arthroscopy, the cartilaginous regeneration could be obtained by cartilage procedures. CONCLUSION: In HTO with concomitant cartilage procedures, the method to correct postoperative mechanical axis to the neutral or valgus axis less than 3° could be an effective and safe method to obtain reliable clinical outcomes without complications. Therefore, our method can be used as a selective technique to prevent complications related to the postoperative valgus alignment in patients who are needed much correction angle due to the preoperative severe varus alignment. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study, level III.

Clinical and radiological results after modified distal metatarsal osteotomy for hallux valgus.

BACKGROUND: The chevron osteotomy is an acceptable method for correction of mild and moderate hallux valgus, but can result in instability at the osteotomy site. The purpose of this study was to present clinical and radiological results with our modified technique of osteotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a modified technique of distal osteotomy of the first metatarsal on 77 feet of 46 patients with symptomatic hallux valgus; followed up for an average of 52 months. RESULTS: All of the patients experienced satisfactory pain relief and acceptable cosmesis. The mean postoperative reduction in the intermetatarsal angle was 6.5 degrees and of the metatarsophalangeal angle was 23.0 degrees. There was no loss of correction and there was no discrepancy in preoperative and postoperative lengths of the first metatarsal during the followup period. CONCLUSION: We found our modified distal metatarsal osteotomy to be an effective method of correcting hallux valgus.