Novel Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Clade 2.3.4.4b Virus in Wild Birds, South Korea.

We isolated 5 highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4.b viruses from wild waterfowl feces in South Korea during November 2022. Whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed novel genotypes produced by reassortment with Eurasian low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses. Enhanced surveillance will be required to improve prevention and control strategies.

Graft Extrusion of 3 Millimeters Is Acceptable at a Minimum of 5-Year Outcomes for Lateral Meniscal Allograft Transplantation.

PURPOSE: To determine the acceptable amount of graft extrusion based on long-term radiographic outcomes in lateral meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT). METHODS: 94 lateral MAT patients with a minimum 5-year follow-up period were reviewed. Graft extrusion was measured on MRI scans taken 1 year after surgery, and the study population was divided according to the amount of extrusion: group A, extrusion <3 mm; group B, 3 mm ≤ extrusion <5 mm; and group C, extrusion ≥5 mm. For radiographic evaluation, the bilateral lateral joint space widths (JSWs) were measured on a standing 45° flexion posteroanterior radiograph. To standardize the measurements, the affected JSW was divided by the contralateral JSW. The change in the standardized JSW (ΔJSWstd) between the preoperative and latest follow-up assessments was analyzed according to the three groups. Multiple regression analysis was performed to control other related factors, such as lower limb alignment and cartilage status at the time of MAT. The acceptable amount of graft extrusion was calculated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the third quartile of ΔJSWstd. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Lysholm score and were compared among the groups. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 8.3 ± 3.1 years. There were 54, 25, and 15 patients in group A, group B, and group C, respectively. In multiple regression analysis, both group B and group C had significant associations with ΔJSWstd and their beta coefficients were comparable (group B, P < .001, ß = .642; group C, P < .001, ß = 0.613). No significant difference in ΔJSWstd was found between group B and group C (P = .494). On the basis of the ROC curve, the acceptable amount of graft extrusion was 3.74 mm (sensitivity, 81.8%; specificity, 77.8%). There were no differences in the Lysholm scores among the three groups (P = .329). CONCLUSIONS: ΔJSWstd differed between graft extrusion <3 mm (group A) and graft extrusion ≥3 mm (group B and group C). However, there was no significant difference in ΔJSWstd between group B and group C. No significant difference in clinical outcomes was found according to graft extrusion. This study gave supporting evidence for the currently recognized acceptable amount of graft extrusion (3 mm). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Signal intensity of lateral meniscal allografts deteriorates over time: a longitudinal MRI analysis during a minimum follow-up of 8 years.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the serial change of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal intensity (SI) of lateral meniscal allografts in a long-term period of > 8 years and to determine whether the SI change adversely affected clinical outcomes. METHODS: Thirty-three lateral meniscal allograft transplantation (LMAT) patients with MRI taken > 8 years after surgery were included. The allograft was assessed using MRI at five serial time points (1, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, and > 8 years after surgery), based on the following grading system: grade 1, globular increased SI not adjacent to the articular surface; grade 2, linear SI within the meniscus; and grade 3, increased SI extended to the articular surface. MRI evaluation was performed for three locations of the allograft (anterior horn, mid-body, and posterior horn), and the serial changes of allograft SI at each location were analyzed using the generalized estimating equation (GEE) with cumulative logit link function. The patients were classified according to SI change at each location (stationary group and deterioration group), and the two groups were compared in terms of clinical outcomes using the Lysholm score. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 9.2 ± 1.2 years. During that period, SI of the allograft deteriorated over time, regardless of the location (anterior horn, p = 0.034; mid-body, p = 0.002; posterior horn, p < 0.001). The amount of SI deterioration at each location of the graft differed with a borderline significance (p = 0.050, GEE), and the proportion of grade 3 SI was higher at the posterior horn (36.4%) than at the other locations at the last follow-up (p < 0.001, chi-square test). However, no significant differences in the Lysholm scores were found between the stationary group and the deterioration group at all locations. CONCLUSION: SI of the meniscal allograft deteriorated over time at all locations during the long-term follow-up. Deterioration of the graft was more prominent at the posterior horn than at the other locations. SI deterioration did not adversely affect the clinical outcomes, which should be interpreted with caution, considering the small sample size of this study. In the prognosis of lateral MAT, SI deterioration at the posterior horn is a more determining factor than that at the other part of the allograft. Therefore, SI at the posterior horn needs to be examined with special concern. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Age alone does not affect the joint survivorship after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for degenerative medial meniscus tears: a propensity-score matched survival analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of age itself on the joint survivorship after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) for degenerative medial meniscus tears (DMTs). METHODS: Patients undergoing APM for DMTs during 1999-2010 were retrospectively reviewed. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) DMTs identified on preoperative MRI scans, (2) no definite history of trauma, and (3) follow-up duration more than 5 years. In evaluation of the joint survivorship, the endpoint was defined as conversion to arthroplasty (or realignment osteotomy) or progression to Kellgren-Lawrence grade 4. The study population was divided into older and younger groups by a cutoff age at which the difference in the joint survival rates was maximized, using a time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The two groups were then matched based on propensity scores. The joint survival rates were compared between the groups using Kaplan-Meier analysis, before and after propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: A total of 633 knees were included. The cutoff age was calculated as 60 years. Before PSM, 239 knees were allocated to the older group (≥ 60 years) and 394 knees to the younger group (< 60 years). A significant difference in the joint survival rates was noted between the groups (log-rank test, p < 0.001). After PSM, 183 knees remained in each group. The difference in the survival rates was no more statistically significant (n.s.). The latest Lysholm scores of the older and the younger groups before PSM were 72.2 ± 20.8 and 79.9 ± 19.6, respectively (p < 0.001); however, the scores after PSM were 73.2 ± 20.3 and 77.4 ± 20.5, respectively (n.s.). CONCLUSIONS: Joint survivorship after APM was affected by other factors associated with the aging process, such as cartilage status and meniscal tear pattern, rather than age itself. Advanced age should not be the only reason for precluding APM in treatment of DMTs. APM is a viable option when treating DMTs in elderly patients if adopted with caution. According to this study, a surgeon should assess the age-related factors when he considers APM in elderly patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Difference in Joint Stability Between Small Posterior Malleolar Fragments With Fixation and Those Without Fixation: A Biomechanical Cadaver Study.

The indication for the surgical treatment of ankle fractures that involve a posterior malleolar fragment remains controversial. This cadaver study assessed the biomechanical results of rotation stiffness of Haraguchi type 1 posterior malleolar fragments with or without cannulated screw fixation. Twelve anatomic lower-extremity specimens from 6 cadavers were tested. Six right legs were subjected to posterior malleolus osteotomy (Haraguchi type I) followed with (group A; n = 3) or without (group B; n = 3) fixation using a cannulated screw. Ankle joint stability was measured under both external rotation force and axial loading, and the passive resistive torque was measured in both groups. The mean torque value in group A was 0.1093 Nm/º, while that in group B was 0.0537 Nm/º. There was a significant intergroup difference (p = .004). In group B, the torque value was further increased in the latter rotation period (about 40-60 degrees). Group A proved more stable under experimental conditions than group B. Fixation in type I posterior malleolar fragments produced improved stability in ankle rotation, even for posterior malleolar fragments involving <25% of the articular surface, and has been considered an effective aid in treatment.

Insufficient Correction and Preoperative Medial Tightness Increases the Risk of Varus Recurrence in Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy.

PURPOSE: To assess serial changes of limb alignment after open wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) using the weightbearing line (WBL) ratio in the midterm, with a focus on varus recurrence. METHODS: Patients undergoing open wedge HTO from January 2010 to December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Those without serial postoperative weightbearing long-leg alignment films, those who showed remained varus alignment after osteotomy, and those who had <2 years of follow-up were excluded. In terms of immediate postoperative limb alignment (≤3 months) measured using WBL ratio, cases were categorized into 4 groups: <50%, undercorrection; 50% to 57%, insufficient correction; 57% to 67%, planned correction; and >67%, overcorrection. To determine risk factors for varus recurrence (WBL ratio <50%), immediate postoperative WBL ratio category and preoperative valgus and varus stress angles (which represent medial and lateral tightness of the joint, respectively) were investigated using logistic regression analysis, taking other related factors into account. Clinical outcomes according to varus recurrence were measured using Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores. RESULTS: A total of 148 cases were included. Varus recurrence was noted in 40 cases (27.0%), with a mean follow-up of 49.7 ± 21.8 months (range 24 to 102 months). The incidence of varus recurrence was different according to WBL ratio category: 10/10 (100.0%) in undercorrection; 16/33 (48.5%) in insufficient correction; 13/58 (22.4%) in planned correction; and 1/47 (2.1%) in overcorrection. Based on logistic regression analysis, insufficient correction and preoperative valgus stress angle were found to be significant risk factors (P = .038, and .008, respectively). With valgus stress angle <2°, 7 of 10 insufficient correction cases showed varus recurrence (P = .005). However, HSS scores did not differ according to varus recurrence (P = .363). CONCLUSION: Insufficient correction and preoperative medial tightness increased the risk of varus recurrence. Especially in cases where preoperative valgus stress angle was <2°, insufficient correction was strongly associated with varus recurrence. However, no significant differences in clinical outcomes were observed according to varus recurrence in the midterm. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective cohort study.

Meniscal allograft transplantation shows a mismatch between anatomic and clinical failures.

PURPOSE: Clinical results of meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) are not always consistent with graft status. This study aimed to investigate (1) the degree and pattern of mismatch between anatomic and clinical failures in MAT and (2) preoperative factors associated with the mismatch. METHODS: Two hundred and ninety-eight consecutive patients who underwent primary medial or lateral MAT during 2004-2015 were reviewed. Anatomic failure was defined as an allograft showing meniscal tear involving > 50% of the graft or unstable peripheral rim. Clinical failure included poor Lysholm score of < 65 and any requirement for re-operations such as arthroplasty, realignment osteotomy, revision MAT, and meniscectomy (more than 50% of the graft or to the zone of meniscocapsular junction). Failure cases were categorised according to the type of failure as follows: (1) type 1, anatomic failure followed by clinical failure; (2) type 2, anatomic failure did not lead to clinical failure; and (3) type 3, clinical failure without anatomic failure. Preoperative factors including age, sex, body mass index, MAT compartment, time from previous meniscectomy, alignment, cartilage status, and accompanying procedures were analysed according to the failure type. RESULTS: Forty (13.4%) patients showed anatomical or clinical failure during the median (25th-75th percentile) follow-up duration of 47 (30-72) months (range 24-178 months). Eleven (3.7%) patients showed both anatomical and clinical failure (type 1 failure). Seventeen (5.7%) patients showed anatomic failure that did not lead to clinical failure (type 2 failure). Twelve (4.0%) patients failed clinically without meniscal tear (> 50% of graft) or unstable peripheral rim (type 3 failure). Comparative analyses among failure types found a significant difference in MAT compartment (p = 0.01). In particular, the incidence of type 3 failure was higher in medial than in lateral MAT (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: A notable number of failure cases of MAT showed a mismatch between anatomic and clinical failures. Even with anatomic failure, MAT did not always lead to poor clinical scores or re-operations, whereas MAT could have poor results without substantial allograft problems. Therefore, both anatomic and clinical aspects should be considered when evaluating MAT. In particular, type 3 failure occurred more frequently in medial than in lateral MAT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Topical Tranexamic Acid Can Be Used Safely Even in High Risk Patients: Deep Vein Thrombosis Examination Using Routine Ultrasonography of 510 Patients.

Background and Objectives: Previous studies regarding tranexamic acid (TXA) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) investigated only symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or did not include high risk patients. The incidence of DVT including both symptomatic and asymptomatic complications after applying topical TXA has not been evaluated using ultrasonography. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 510 patients who underwent primary unilateral TKA between July 2014 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Because TXA was routinely applied through the topical route, those who had a history of venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, or cerebral vascular occlusive disease, were not excluded. Regardless of symptom manifestation, DVT was examined at 1 week postoperatively for all patients using ultrasonography, and the postoperative transfusion rate was investigated. The study population was divided according to the use of topical TXA. After the two groups were matched based on the propensity scores, the incidence of DVT and the transfusion rate were compared between the groups. Results: Of the 510 patients, comprising 298 patients in the TXA group and 212 patients in the control group, DVT was noted in 22 (4.3%) patients. Two patients had DVT proximal to the popliteal vein. After propensity score matching (PSM), 168 patients were allocated to each group. In all, 11 patients in the TXA group and seven patients in the control group were diagnosed with DVT, which did not show a significant difference (p = 0.721). However, the two groups differ significantly in the transfusion rate (p < 0.001, 50.0% in the TXA group, 91.7% in the control group). Conclusions: The incidence of DVT, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, was not affected by the use of topical TXA. The postoperative transfusion rate was reduced in the TXA group. Topical TXA could be applied safely even in patients who had been known to be at high risk.

Unstable Lateral Hinge Fracture or Occult Complete Osteotomy Adversely Affects Correction Accuracy in Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy.

PURPOSE: To verify whether lateral hinge fracture (LHF) affects correction accuracy in open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) and to identify the fracture characteristics responsible for inaccurate correction, including LHF type and hinge location. METHODS: Patients undergoing OWHTO with locking plate fixation between 2010 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who did not have a minimum 2-year of follow-up or postoperative long-standing hip-to-ankle radiographs were excluded. Correction accuracy was assessed using the weight-bearing line ratio: 57% to 67%, planned correction; 50% to 70%, acceptable correction; otherwise, inappropriate correction. The association between LHF and correction accuracy was assessed using the χ2 test. To identify the fracture characteristics responsible for inaccurate correction, LHF type (stable type 1 and unstable types 2 and 3) and hinge location (shallow osteotomy, deep osteotomy, and occult complete osteotomy) were analyzed using ordinal logistic regression analysis, taking other related demographic and radiologic factors into account. Clinical outcomes according to LHF type were evaluated using the Hospital for Special Surgery scores. RESULTS: A total of 148 cases were included; 41 (27.7%) showed LHF: type 1, 32 cases; type 2, 7 cases; and type 3, 2 cases. Planned, acceptable, and inappropriate corrections were noted in 63 (42.6%), 36 (24.3%), and 48 (32.4%) cases, respectively. LHF had a significant association with correction accuracy (P = .010). Regarding fracture characteristics, unstable LHF and occult complete osteotomy were significant risk factors (P = .016 and P = .004, respectively). Specifically in cases of stable LHF, occult complete osteotomy adversely affected correction accuracy (P = .025). No difference was found in the final Hospital for Special Surgery scores according to LHF type (P = .816). CONCLUSIONS: LHF affected the accuracy of coronal alignment correction in OWHTO. Unstable LHF or occult complete osteotomy were risk factors for inaccurate correction. Even among stable LHFs, those with occult complete osteotomy could lead to inaccurate correction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Cartilage Status, Rather Than Chronologic Age, Determines the Outcomes of Open Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy: A Cartilage Status-Matched Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the true effects of chronologic age on the clinical and radiologic outcomes of open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) in a sample of patients who had been matched according to cartilage status in the medial and lateral compartments. METHODS: The records of 107 OWHTO cases were reviewed. To evaluate potential differences in the outcomes according to age, the subjects were divided into 2 groups by the median age: older group and younger group. The Hospital for Special Surgery scores and Knee Society objective and functional scores before surgery and at the latest follow-up were compared between the groups. Then, the subjects in each group were matched 1:1 according to cartilage status in the medial and lateral compartments, which had been evaluated during arthroscopy prior to the osteotomy. The clinical scores were compared between the matched groups. The change in the medial joint space width (ΔJSW) from 6 to 12 months postoperatively to the latest follow-up was also compared before and after matching. RESULTS: With a median age of 55 years, 44 and 63 cases were allocated into the older and younger groups, respectively. Prior to cartilage status matching, the latest Hospital for Special Surgery and Knee Society functional scores were significantly higher in the older group (P = .042 and P = .025, respectively). After matching, each group included 41 cases, and the differences in these clinical scores were no longer significant (P = .164 and P = .165, respectively). No difference in ΔJSW was observed between the groups, regardless of matching status (P = .901 before matching, P = .979 after matching). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical outcomes of OWHTO were affected by cartilage status, rather than by the chronologic age itself. No difference was observed in the radiologic outcome (ΔJSW) with respect to age. OWHTO should not be waived in treating elderly patients without highly advanced cartilage degeneration simply because of their chronologic ages. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Joint Space Width Increases Medially and Decreases Laterally at Different Time Points After Medial Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the serial changes in the joint space width (JSW) of the medial and lateral compartments after medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) and its associated factors. METHODS: The medial and lateral weight-bearing JSWs were measured on serial radiographs and analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively within 2 weeks, as well as at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Associations between the medial and lateral JSWs and age, body mass index, mechanical axis, correction angle, lateral distal femoral angle, medial proximal tibial angle, joint line convergence angle (JLCA), JLCA on stress radiographs, and arthroscopic cartilage status were examined. Clinical outcome was measured according to the Knee Society objective and functional scores. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients who underwent MOWHTO with locking-plate fixation were analyzed. The respective mean medial and lateral JSWs on serial radiographs were as follows: 3.08 mm and 5.14 mm preoperatively, 3.10 mm and 4.63 mm postoperatively, 3.37 mm and 4.57 mm at 3 months, 3.40 mm and 4.59 mm at 6 months, 3.44 mm and 4.57 mm at 1 year, and 3.42 mm and 4.64 mm at 2 years. At 3 months, the medial JSW increased (P < .001), whereas the lateral JSW decreased immediately (P < .001). JSW showed no significant differences at other time points. Preoperative and postoperative JLCAs and medial femoral and tibial cartilage grades were associated with medial JSW changes (P = .021). However, no significant parameters were associated with decreases in the lateral JSW (P > .05). The postoperative Knee Society objective and functional scores improved and were maintained. CONCLUSIONS: After MOWHTO, the medial JSW increased at 3 months postoperatively and the lateral JSW decreased immediately. The preoperative and postoperative JLCAs and the medial femoral and tibial cartilage grades were associated with the change in the medial JSW. However, no significant parameters were associated with the decrease in the lateral JSW. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series of therapeutic study.

Learning Curve For Lateral Meniscal Allograft Transplantation: Preventing Meniscal Extrusion.

PURPOSE: This study analyzes the large number of lateral meniscal allograft transplantation (LMAT) procedures conducted by a single surgeon over 23 years to determine whether the absolute amount of graft subluxation and the incidence of extrusion are different at the present time compared to the early MAT era. METHODS: We reviewed 320 cases of LMAT performed by a single surgeon between 1996 and 2019. This cohort was chronologically divided into 8 groups (of 40 subjects). The absolute amount of subluxation was measured by the coronal sections of magnetic resonance images taken 1 year after operation. Subluxation by more than 3 mm was considered as extrusion. The graft extrusion learning curve was plotted in each series using the learning curve cumulative summation test (LC-CUSUM). RESULTS: Extrusion incidence was 41.6%, and the mean absolute amount of graft subluxation was 3.4 ± 2.2 mm for all subjects. There were significant between-group differences in extrusion incidence and absolute amount of graft subluxation (extrusion incidence, P < .001; absolute amount of graft subluxation, P < .001), and the extension incidence and graft subluxation decreased from Group I (72.5%, 4.6 ± 1.7) to Group VIII (27.5%, 2.5 ± 2.1). LC-CUSUM analysis signaled that the surgeon had achieved predefined acceptable outcomes in avoiding extrusion after 128 cases. CONCLUSION: The incidence of extrusion and absolute amount of graft subluxation decreased significantly over a period of 23 years, and the surgeon achieved a certain level of proficiency after 128 cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Case series.

Patellar Fracture After Total Knee Arthroplasty With Retention: A Retrospective Analysis of 2954 Consecutive Cases.

BACKGROUND: To the best of our knowledge, there have been no large case studies on patellar fracture after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with patella retention. METHODS: From 2005 to 2019, 2954 consecutive TKAs with patella retention were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence of patellar fracture was confirmed. Perioperative demographic factors associated with patellar fracture were compared between the nonpatellar fracture control (randomly selected after age and sex matching) and patellar fracture patient groups. To confirm the prognosis of identified patellar fractures, Hospital for Special Surgery knee score, union rates, and complications after treatment were evaluated. Treatment outcomes were compared as per the treatment method, and fracture type was classified by shape. RESULTS: For primary TKAs with patella retention, patellar fracture occurred in 32 of 2883 cases (incidence 1.11%). When comparing the preoperative demographic factors between the patellar fracture and control groups, there was a significant difference in knee flexion of the affected limb. Twenty-three cases were treated nonoperatively, and nine cases were treated operatively. Of the 32 patellar fractures, 28 had confirmed union, and the HSS score at the latest follow-up increased significantly from the preoperative score. The only complication noted after treatment was nonunion in three cases. We found no significant differences in treatment results as per the treatment method and fracture type. CONCLUSION: Patellar fracture after TKA with retained patella is infrequent, with relatively improved clinicoradiological results over those of patellar fracture after TKA with resurfaced patella reported in the literature. The improved results did not differ as per the treatment method and fracture type.

Medial and Lateral Meniscus Allograft Transplantation Showed No Difference With Respect to Graft Survivorship and Clinical Outcomes: A Comparative Analysis With a Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: To compare the differences with respect to clinical and graft survivorship and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between lateral (LMAT) and medial (MMAT) meniscus allograft transplantation. METHODS: Patients having a primary MAT between 1998 and 2016 were enrolled. The inclusion criteria were (1) patients who had a minimum 2-year follow-up and (2) patients who had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) >2 years after surgery. Knees with localized grade 4 articular cartilage lesions >3 cm2 at the time of MAT were excluded. Clinical failure was defined as follows: modified Lysholm score <65, meniscectomy >50% of the graft, meniscectomy to the meniscocapsular junction zone, conversion to revision MAT, or realignment osteotomy or arthroplasty. Graft failure was defined as follows: tears involving >50% of the graft or unhealed peripheral rim observed on MRI. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank test was used to compare survivorship between LMAT and MMAT. Patient-reported outcomes were compared based on the Hospital for Special Surgery, modified Lysholm, and International Knee Documentation Committee subjective scores collected preoperatively and at the final follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 299 knees (249 LMAT, 50 MMAT, mean age 33.0 ± 9.8 years) were included. Twenty clinical [2 MMAT (4.0%), 18 LMAT (7.2%)] and 24 graft [2 MMAT (4.0%), 22 LMAT (8.8%)] failures were identified. The mean clinical follow-up period was 63.1 ± 43.1 months (range 2 to 248), and MRI follow-up period was 62.6 ± 43.8 months (range 2 to 248). No significant differences in clinical and graft survivorship were found between the LMAT and MMAT groups (P = .481, P = .271, respectively). PROs preoperatively and at last follow-up also showed no significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: No significant differences in clinical survivorship, graft survivorship, and PROs were found between the LMAT and MMAT groups. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Long-term Survival Analysis of Meniscus Allograft Transplantation With Bone Fixation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term clinical results and clinical survival rate of meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT) with bone fixation. METHODS: The inclusion criteria of this study were previous MAT with bone fixation technique in our institution and minimum follow-up duration of 8 years. Potential subjects were identified using the medical records and database that was prospectively collected from December 1996 to December 2005. The exclusion criteria were diffuse International Cartilage Repair Society grade IV articular cartilage degeneration that was not treated with a concomitant or staged cartilage repair procedure. Surgical indication for MAT was previous total or subtotal meniscectomy followed by persistent swelling and pain in involved compartment. Recommendations to return to contact sports or strenuous activities were not made. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the modified Lysholm score, and comparison between preoperative and final Lysholm score was done using Student t-test. During the follow-up period, failure was defined as (1) subtotal resection of the allograft, (2) conversion to total knee arthroplasty, or (3) a modified Lysholm score less than 65 or that of the preoperative status. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: During the study period, 52 knees underwent MAT in our institution and 49 knees were eligible for this study. Three knees were excluded because they had diffuse grade IV cartilage degeneration in the respective compartment. Among the 49 knees enrolled, 34 underwent lateral and 15 underwent medial MAT. Two patients had bilateral lateral MAT. Of those 47 patients, 37 were male and 10 were female. Mean patient age at the time of the MAT was 30.4 ± 8.6 years. The median follow-up period was 11.5 years (8 to 17 years). The preoperative mean modified Lysholm score was 73.2 ± 10.6, which significantly increased to 89.4 ± 13.2 at the time of the final follow-up (P < .001). There were 2 failures noted at 6 months and 11.3 years, respectively, after MAT. All of the other allografts were surviving at the time of the latest follow-up. The 10-year survival rate was 98.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 94.1%-100%), and the 15-year survival rate was 93.3% (95% CI, 83.7%-100%) according to the Kaplan-Meier analysis. CONCLUSIONS: MAT using the bone fixation techniques demonstrated a high clinical survival rate according to the long-term observation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Risk Factor for Clinical Failure of Medial Meniscal Allograft Transplant: Early vs Late Graft Tear.

BACKGROUND: Graft tears are common postoperative findings in meniscal allograft transplant (MAT). Graft tear in medial MAT may be different from that of lateral MAT, considering the difference between medial meniscal tears and lateral meniscal tears. Moreover, medial MAT is frequently accompanied by ligament reconstruction, which is associated with graft tear. The effect of graft tear on the long-term survivorship of medial MAT has not been investigated. HYPOTHESIS: Graft tear would adversely affect the survivorship of medial MAT and the effect would be different according to the timing of graft tear. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A total of 55 patients undergoing medial MAT between June 2019 and March 2000 were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were reviewed to identify graft tears, and the timing of their occurrence was investigated. Postoperative MRI was performed routinely during the first postoperative year and every 2 years thereafter. The patients were classified into a no graft tear (NT) group, early graft tear (occurring within 1 year; ET) group, and late graft tear (occurring 1 year after surgery; LT) group. The survival rate of medial MAT was estimated according to graft tear, with a failure being defined as (1) reoperations including arthroplasty, realignment osteotomy, revision MAT, and meniscectomy (>50% of the graft or to the zone of the meniscocapsular junction) or (2) Lysholm score <65. Clinical scores were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 8.6 ± 5.3 years. During that period, clinical failures occurred in 6 (10.9%) patients. The overall survival rate at 5 years was 94.0% (95% CI, 90.6%-97.4%). Graft tears were seen in 18 patients: 6 patients in the ET group and 12 patients in the LT group. The median time when the graft tear was noted on MRI scans was 5.5 months (range, 1-11 months) postoperatively in the ET group and 99.5 months (range, 19-264 months) postoperatively in the LT group. Five patients in the ET group had root tears, whereas 9 patients in the LT group had complex or horizontal tears. The 5-year survival rate of the ET group was 62.5% (95% CI, 41.2%-83.8%), which was significantly lower than that of the NT group (96.8%; 95% CI, 93.6%-99.9%) and the LT group (85.7%; 95% CI, 72.5%-98.9%; P = .002). The mean postoperative Lysholm scores were 85.6 ± 17.9 in the NT group, 93.0 ± 2.8 in the ET group, and 79.3 ± 11.6 in the LT group, showing no significant difference between the groups (Kruskal-Wallis test, P = .058). CONCLUSION: Clinical relevance of graft tear that occurred after medial MAT was dependent upon its timing. ET was a risk factor for clinical failure, whereas LT did not adversely affect graft survivorship. Lysholm scores did not differ according to graft tear.

Midterm Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Revision Lateral Meniscal Allograft Transplantation.

Background: It is unknown whether the outcomes achieved in the early period after revision lateral meniscal allograft transplantation (RLMAT) are maintained through the midterm period. Purpose: To evaluate the midterm clinical and radiological results of patients who underwent RLMAT. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: We reviewed the outcomes of 19 RLMATs in 18 patients with at least 5 years of follow-up data. The mean follow-up period was 6 ± 1.1 years (range, 5-8.5 years). Clinical outcomes were assessed using the modified Lysholm score, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, and the Tegner activity level. Radiographic progression of arthritis was measured by the absolute and relative joint space widths on 45° of knee flexion posteroanterior radiographs preoperatively, 1 year postoperatively, and at the latest follow-up.Failure was defined as meniscocapsular separation, removal, or tear of more than half of the meniscal allograft on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or conversion to total knee arthroplasty. Of the 18 patients, 3 underwent ≥2 RLMATs. The survival rate was evaluated according to the number of revision surgeries. Results: For knees with an intact meniscus transplant at the final follow-up, the modified Lysholm and IKDC scores were significantly improved compared with preoperatively, but the Tegner activity level was unchanged. No significant differences were found in the absolute and relative joint space widths postoperatively. There were 6 failures within 3 years after RLMAT; the overall 5-year survival rate was 68.4% (13/19 knees). All failed knees showed bucket-handle tear patterns on MRI due to meniscocapsular healing failure. The survival rate decreased as the number of RLMATs increased-73.3% for a first RLMAT (n = 15 knees), 66.7% for a second RLMAT (n = 3 knees), and 0% for a third RLMAT (n = 1 knee). Midterm MRIs of 8 well-healed RLMATs showed evidence of meniscal degeneration; nonetheless, this did not affect clinical outcomes. Conclusion: The midterm results of RLMATs demonstrated a 5-year survival rate of 68.4% and positive clinical and radiological outcomes for failed MATs despite unimproved activity levels. Inadequate meniscocapsular healing was the leading cause of failure, and it needs to be carefully considered when performing RLMATs.

Preoperative intra-articular steroid injections within 3 months increase the risk of periprosthetic joint infection in total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Albeit with no disease-modifying effects, intra-articular steroid injections (IASIs) are still widely used to relieve symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Previous literature has reported conflicting results regarding the safety of IASI in terms of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study tried to determine whether preoperative IASIs increased the risk of PJI, with different time intervals between the injections and surgery. METHODS: A computerized search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library was conducted for studies published before October 2022, which investigated the PJI rates of patients who received IASIs before TKA and patients who did not. The primary outcome was the association between preoperative IASI and PJI in TKA. The time point from which IASIs could be applied without risking PJI was also assessed. RESULTS: Fourteen studies, with 113,032 patients in the IASI group and 256,987 patients in the control group, were included. The pooled odds ratio of PJI was 1.13 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.27, p = 0.05), indicating no increased risk of PJI. With the time interval < 6 months, the pooled odds ratio was 1.19 (95% CI 0.99-1.43, p = 0.06). However, with the time interval < 3 months, the pooled odds ratio was 1.26 (95% CI 1.06-1.50, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: IASI is not a safe procedure for patients who are expected to undergo TKA. The time interval between the injections and surgery was an important factor in assessing the safety of IASI. Preoperative injections that were applied within 3 months increased the risk of PJI in TKA.

Early Graft Tear As a Major Risk Factor for the Clinical Failure of Lateral Meniscal Allograft Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Graft tears are often observed on magnetic resonance imaging after lateral meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT). Their characteristics, such as the location and configuration, are likely to be different depending on the timing of the injury. However, the clinical relevance of early and late graft tears has not been investigated. HYPOTHESIS: (1) Both early and late graft tears would be associated with the clinical failure of lateral MAT, and (2) an early graft tear (ET) would lead to worse outcomes than a late graft tear (LT) or an intact graft. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A total of 261 patients who had undergone lateral MAT between March 2000 and June 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The graft tear was investigated using magnetic resonance imaging, which was performed routinely during the first postoperative year and every 2 years thereafter. The patients were classified according to the timing of the graft tear: no graft tear (NT) group, ET (≤1 year after surgery) group, and LT (>1 year after surgery) group. Clinical failure was defined as (1) reoperations including arthroplasty, realignment osteotomy, revision MAT, and meniscectomy (>50% of the graft or to the zone of the meniscocapsular junction) or (2) a Lysholm score of <65. Risk factors for a low survival rate were investigated using Cox regression analysis. A comparison of the Lysholm scores for each group was also performed. RESULTS: There were 24 (9.2%) patients who had clinical failure at a mean follow-up of 7.5 ± 4.3 years. The overall survival rate at 5 years was 92.8% (95% CI, 91.1%-94.5%). A graft tear was noted in 80 patients: 23 patients in the ET group and 57 patients in the LT group. The most common tear pattern was a meniscocapsular tear in the ET group and a complex tear in the LT group. The hazard ratios for clinical failure in the ET and LT groups were 30.7 (95% CI, 9.4-76.4; P < .001) and 4.0 (95% CI, 1.3-12.9; P = .013), respectively. The Lysholm score of the ET group (82.7 ± 14.8) was significantly lower than that of the other 2 groups (NT: 87.6 ± 11.7; LT: 90.7 ± 9.0; P = .024). CONCLUSION: An ET was a major risk factor for the clinical failure of lateral MAT. An LT was associated with a lower survival rate. An ET was also associated with worse clinical outcomes.