Long-term Results of Meniscus Allograft Transplantation with Bone Fixation Show Improved Outcomes but Progression of Joint Space Narrowing, Osteoarthritis, and Cartilage Degeneration.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical and objective outcomes of meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) using bone fixation in patients after a minimum follow-up duration of 15 years, and to compare the demographic factors and allograft status between patients who experienced progression of osteoarthritis and those who did not. METHODS: The consecutive patients who underwent primary MAT between December 1996 and January 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The inclusion criteria was primary MAT with a minimum follow-up duration of 15 years. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the modified Lysholm score, along with an evaluation of clinical failure. In objective outcomes, the progression of joint space narrowing, osteoarthritis, and the status of the associated cartilages and allografts were evaluated with follow-up radiographs and MRI. RESULTS: Among the 79 cases, 54 knees in 52 patients were included in the study and evaluated for clinical outcomes. The mean Lysholm score improved from 73.9 ± 17.5 preoperatively to 86.4 ± 15.6 over a mean follow-up period of 17.5 ± 3.8 years (P<0.001). Regarding the Minimal clinically important differences (MCID), 38 cases (70.4%) showed an improvement in the Lysholm score. The cumulative clinical survival rate was 87.0%. Objective evaluations evaluated in 32 cases with a minimum of 15 years of radiographic data revealed significant progression of joint space narrowing, osteoarthritis, and cartilage degeneration at the final follow-up, with 11 (34.4%) out of 32 cases exhibiting allograft tears involving ˃50% of the allograft. Patients with osteoarthritis progression exhibited more meniscal allograft tears and extrusion on the last follow-up MRI scan than those without progression. CONCLUSION: Notable progression in joint space narrowing, osteoarthritis, and cartilage degeneration were observed in objective assessment. The progression of osteoarthritis might be associated with allograft tears and extrusion. In clinical evaluations, favorable long-term clinical outcomes were consistently demonstrated after MAT using the bone fixation technique. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level Ⅳ, therapeutic case series.

Effect of joint-line obliquity on long-term survivorship of total knee arthroplasty: A postoperative phenotype analysis.

PURPOSE: Whether the longevity of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) differs between postoperative phenotypes has not been investigated. This study aims to examine which phenotype has a worse long-term survival rate than the reference phenotype (neutral alignment-parallel joint line), and whether joint-line obliquity (JLO) affects the survivorship of TKA. METHODS: A total of 945 knees that underwent primary TKAs for primary osteoarthritis from January 2000 to January 2009 were included. These were classified into nine postoperative phenotypes based on the combined assessment of the hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle and JLO, measured on standing radiographs. The 5-, 10- and 15-year survival rates were analysed using Kaplan-Meier methods and log-rank tests. The long-term survival rates of each phenotype were compared with the reference phenotype. RESULTS: There were 55 aseptic mechanical failures within a period of 10.4 ± 5.0 years. The most frequently observed phenotypes were the reference phenotype (n = 527), neutral alignment-lateral joint-line inclination (n = 162), varus alignment-lateral joint-line inclination (n = 104) and varus alignment-parallel joint line (n = 101). The overall failure rate for each phenotype was 3.6%, 3.7%, 18.3% and 7.9%, respectively. Only the 10- and 15-year survival rates of the varus alignment-lateral joint-line inclination phenotype were significantly different from those of the reference phenotype (97%-93% vs. 90%-69%; p = 0.017, <0.001). CONCLUSION: The lateral joint-line inclination phenotype had an inferior long-term survival rate after varus-aligned TKA. This suggested that alignment and JLO affected the long-term survival rate of patients who underwent TKA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Retrospective cohort study.

Preoperative phenotype has no significant impact on the clinical outcomes and long-term survival of mechanically aligned total knee arthroplasty in Asian patients with osteoarthritis.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of phenotypes in Asian patients with end-stage osteoarthritis (OA) and assess whether the phenotype affected the clinical outcome and survival of mechanically aligned total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We also compared the survival of the group in which the phenotype unintentionally remained unchanged with those in which it was corrected to neutral. Methods: The study involved 945 TKAs, which were performed in 641 patients with primary OA, between January 2000 and January 2009. These were classified into 12 phenotypes based on the combined assessment of four categories of the arithmetic hip-knee-ankle angle and three categories of actual joint line obliquity. The rates of survival were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methods and the log-rank test. The Hospital for Special Surgery score and survival of each phenotype were compared with those of the reference phenotype with neutral alignment and a parallel joint line. We also compared long-term survival between the unchanged phenotype group and the corrected to neutral alignment-parallel joint line group in patients with Type IV-b (mild to moderate varus alignment-parallel joint line) phenotype. Results: The most common phenotype was Type I-b (mild to moderate varus alignment-medial joint line; 27.1% (n = 256)), followed by Type IV-b (23.2%; n = 219). There was no significant difference in the clinical outcomes and long-term survival between the groups. In Type IV-b phenotypes, the neutrally corrected group showed higher 15-year survival compared with the unchanged-phenotype group (94.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 92.0 to 97.8) vs 74.2% (95% CI 98.0 to 100); p = 0.020). Conclusion: Constitutional varus was confirmed in more than half of these patients. Mechanically aligned TKA can achieve consistent clinical outcomes and long-term survival, regardless of the patient's phenotype. The neutrally corrected group had better long-term survival compared with the unchanged phenotype group.

Differences in Graft Tear Configurations in Medial and Lateral Meniscal Allograft Transplantation: Objective Evaluations Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have compared the characteristics of meniscal allograft tears between medial and lateral meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) using bone fixation. PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence, location, and patterns of allograft tears after MAT with the bone fixation technique and compare tear patterns between medial and lateral compartments according to the time elapsed after surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: The charts of consecutive patients who underwent primary medial or lateral MAT between December 1996 and June 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The location, pattern, and postoperative periods during which allograft tears occurred were evaluated by reviewing all series of follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, which were performed at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively and every 2 years thereafter with the patient's agreement. Postoperative periods for allograft tears were defined as the time between surgery and the follow-up MRI scan in which the meniscal tear was first confirmed. Allograft tears were compared between the medial and lateral MAT groups. RESULTS: A total of 327 consecutive patients who underwent MAT (55 medial, 272 lateral) with a minimum 2-year follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. The incidences of allograft tears after medial and lateral MATs were 32.7% and 30.9%, respectively. The mean times for tears were 80.1 ± 81.1 months and 48.9 ± 46.3 months in the medial and lateral MAT groups, respectively (P = .130). In both the medial and lateral MAT groups, allograft tears were observed mainly in the posterior horn, with complex tears being the most commonly identified tear type. In medial MATs, root tears were the second most common at 27.8%, with a significantly higher proportion than the lateral MATs (P = .014). On the other hand, in lateral MATs, meniscocapsular separation and radial tears were the second most common at 15.5% each, albeit not significantly more common than in medial MATs (P = .123 and P = .454, respectively). All root tears in medial MATs and meniscocapsular separations in lateral MATs were observed within 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Significant differences in allograft tear patterns were identified between the medial and lateral MAT groups. The proportion of root tears in medial MATs was higher than that in lateral MATs; conversely, the proportion of meniscocapsular separation was more common in lateral MATs. Such tear patterns, which may require surgical repair or graft resection, were observed only within 1 year of surgery. Therefore, close observation and regular follow-up in the earlier postoperative period are necessary after medial or lateral MATs.

Survivorship After Lateral Meniscal Allograft Transplantation Plus Concurrent Cartilage Procedure in Patients With Poor Cartilage Status: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of a concurrent cartilage procedure in lateral meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) in patients with bipolar cartilage lesions (high-grade lesions on both the femoral and the tibial side) is not well studied. An objective evaluation of graft status after MAT and a concurrent cartilage procedure has not been reported. PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of concurrent cartilage procedures and lateral MAT on objective and clinical outcomes, including survival, in patients with bipolar cartilage lesions. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A total of 149 patients with high-grade (International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society grade 3 or 4) cartilage lesions were enrolled and assigned to 1 of 3 groups based on the cartilage procedure and cartilage status at the time of MAT. Femoral cartilage procedures (microfracture, n = 18; osteochondral autograft transfer, n = 13) and lateral MAT were performed in 31 patients with bipolar cartilage lesions (cartilage procedure group). Another 70 patients with bipolar lesions underwent only lateral MAT without cartilage procedure (bipolar lesion group). The remaining 48 patients, who had high-grade lesions only on the tibial side and underwent lateral MAT without a cartilage procedure, were selected as a control group (unipolar lesion group). Anatomic survival was objectively assessed by follow-up magnetic resonance imaging and second-look arthroscopy. Clinical survivorship was determined with a Lysholm score <65 or need for additional surgery, such as revision MAT. RESULTS: The mean Lysholm score improved from 67.2 ± 15.9 preoperatively to 86.7 ± 11.1 with a mean follow-up of 78.0 ± 51.2 months (P < .001). The postoperative scores were not significantly different between the 3 groups. The estimated 5-year anatomic survival rate in the cartilage procedure group (86.7%) was higher than that in the bipolar lesion group (65.0%; P = .043) but comparable with that in the unipolar lesion group (90.2%; P = .572). The estimated 5-year clinical survival rates were not significantly different between the groups (P = .187). CONCLUSION: A concurrent femoral cartilage procedure improved the anatomic survival rate in patients with bipolar chondral lesions who underwent lateral MAT. This finding suggests that the cartilage procedure is an effective treatment choice and may improve the status of an allograft after lateral MAT for patients with bipolar cartilage lesions.

Effect of High Body Mass Index on Survivorship After Lateral Meniscal Allograft Transplantation: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative body mass index (BMI) is one of the correctable factors before surgery. Few studies have investigated the effect of BMI on the survivorship of lateral meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT). HYPOTHESIS: Patients with a high BMI have inferior survivorship after lateral MAT when compared with those with a normal BMI. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Overall, 306 consecutive patients who underwent lateral MAT were retrospectively reviewed. According to the classification criteria of the World Health Organization, patients were split into 2 groups: normal weight (BMI <25.0) and overweight (BMI ≥25.0). There were 104 patients (34.0%) allocated into the overweight group. Given the demographic heterogeneity between the groups, propensity score matching was performed. Before and after propensity score matching, the anatomic and clinical survival rates of the 2 groups were compared by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Anatomic failure was defined as a tear covering >50% of the allograft or unstable peripheral rim on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging and second-look arthroscopy. Clinical failure was defined as a Lysholm score <65 or need for additional surgery, such as revision MAT. RESULTS: For all patients, the mean ± SD follow-up period was 6.9 ± 4.2 years. The mean BMI of the overweight and normal weight groups was 27.8 ± 2.6 and 22.0 ± 1.9, respectively. The mean Lysholm scores at the last follow-up were not significantly different between the groups. However, the anatomic survival rate in the overweight group (77.9%) was significantly lower than that in the normal weight group (90.1%) (P < .001). The clinical survival rate (82.7%) in the overweight group was significantly lower than that in the normal weight group (95.0%) (P < .001). After propensity score matching for patient characteristics, which left 87 patients per group, the anatomic and clinical survival rates were significantly lower in the overweight group. CONCLUSION: Preoperative high BMI was associated with inferior anatomic and clinical survival rates. The results of the current study suggest that weight loss before lateral MAT may be required in overweight patients for the improvement of anatomic and clinical survival rates.

Influence of Patellar Tilt Angle in Merchant View on Postoperative Range of Motion in Posterior Cruciate Ligament-Substituting Fixed-Bearing Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether the patellar tilt angle influences the maximum knee flexion after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) performed by using a posterior cruciate ligament-substituting (PS) fixed-bearing prosthesis in patients with relatively loose or tight flexion gap. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, we followed up 169 patients for at least 2 years after TKA using PS fixed-bearing prosthesis. The patients were divided into two groups according to the flexion gap value-calculated by subtracting the thickness of the final bearing from the flexion gap measured intraoperatively under 200-cN·m force after patellar reduction and insertion of the final femoral and tibial components-into a relatively tight group (group T; 3-6.5 mm) and a relatively loose group (group L; 7-11 mm). Patellar tilt angles and maximum non-weight-bearing active knee flexion angles were assessed postoperatively. Group T was further divided into subgroup Tn if the patellar tilt angle was < 5° and subgroup Tw if the angle was ≥ 5°. Pearson correlation test was used for the correlation analysis of the flexion gap, patellar tilt angle, and postoperative flexion range. RESULTS: The mean postoperative flexion was 137.3° in group T and 137.5° in group L. The mean patellar tilt angle was 6.5° in group T and 6.9° in group L. In group T, a strong negative correlation (r = -0.78, p < 0.05) was observed between the patellar tilt and postoperative flexion range. However, further analysis revealed that only the subgroup Tw showed a strong negative correlation (r = -0.76, p < 0.05). Significant correlations were not found in the subgroup Tn and group L. CONCLUSIONS: In TKA where a relatively tight flexion gap (≤ 6.5 mm) is created because of concerns about postoperative flexion instability due to a loose flexion gap, the patellar tilt angle should be < 5° for maximal postoperative knee flexion.

Analysis of Impingement between Patella Bone and Bearing Post in Cruciate-Substituting High-Flexion Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the causes of impingement between the patella bone and the bearing post during high flexion in cruciate-substituting total knee arthroplasty and proposed a treatment strategy. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 218 cases that had undergone cruciate-substituting total knee arthroplasty from February 2014 to January 2015; a single surgeon performed the operation using the same method without patellar resurfacing in all patients. RESULTS: In these patients, the occurrence of impingement was determined by performing more than 120° high knee flexion after inserting a bearing perioperatively. The incidence of impingement was significantly associated with bearing design, femoral implant size, patella bone length, and patella inferior pole angle (p < 0.05). The impingement was resolved by resection of the lower articular side of the patella bone. CONCLUSIONS: In the cruciate-substituting high-flexion total knee arthroplasty, impingement between the patella bone and bearing post was more common in patients with mobile bearing, small-size femoral component, and a long patella or a large inferior pole angle. In cases of intraoperative impingement between the patella bone and the bearing post, resection in the lower portion of the patella prevented impingement of the bearing with soft tissue or the patella by widening the space between the patella and the bearing post, which in turn prevented postoperative reduction in range of motion.

Quantitative PCR for Etiologic Diagnosis of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia in Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) requires prompt and appropriate treatment. Since methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a frequent pathogen in VAP, rapid identification of it, is pivotal. Our aim was to evaluate the utility of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as a useful method for etiologic diagnoses of MRSA pneumonia. METHODS: We performed qPCR for mecA, S. aureus-specific femA-SA, and S. epidermidis-specific femA-SE genes from bronchoalveolar lavage or bronchial washing samples obtained from clinically-suspected VAP. Molecular identification of MRSA was based on the presence of the mecA and femA-SA gene, with the absence of the femA-SE gene. To compensate for the experimental and clinical conditions, we spiked an internal control in the course of DNA extraction. We estimated number of colony-forming units per mL (CFU/mL) of MRSA samples through a standard curve of a serially-diluted reference MRSA strain. We compared the threshold cycle (Ct) value with the microbiologic results of MRSA. RESULTS: We obtained the mecA gene standard curve, which showed the detection limit of the mecA gene to be 100 fg, which corresponds to a copy number of 30. We chose cut-off Ct values of 27.94 (equivalent to 1×10(4) CFU/mL) and 21.78 (equivalent to 1×10(5) CFU/mL). The sensitivity and specificity of our assay were 88.9% and 88.9% respectively, when compared with quantitative cultures. CONCLUSION: Our results were valuable for diagnosing and identifying pathogens involved in VAP. We believe our modified qPCR is an appropriate tool for the rapid diagnosis of clinical pathogens regarding patients in the intensive care unit.