Concomitant Ankle Osteoarthritis Is Related to Increased Ankle Pain and a Worse Clinical Outcome Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Occasionally, patients experience new or increased ankle pain following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The aims of this study were to determine (1) how the correction of varus malalignment of the lower limb following TKA affected changes in alignment of the ankle and hindfoot, (2) the difference in changes in alignment of the ankle and hindfoot between patients with and without ankle osteoarthritis (OA), and (3) whether the rate of ankle pain and the clinical outcome following TKA differed between the 2 groups.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data of 56 patients (99 knees) treated with TKA. Among these cases, concomitant ankle OA was found in 24 ankles. Radiographic parameters of lower-limb, ankle, and hindfoot alignment were measured preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively. In addition, ankle pain and clinical outcome 2 years after TKA were compared between patients with and without ankle OA.

RESULTS

The orientation of the ankle joint line relative to the ground improved from 9.4° of varus to 3.4° of varus, and the valgus compensation of the hindfoot for the varus tilt of the ankle joint showed a 2.2° decrease following TKA. Patients in the group with ankle OA showed decreased flexibility of the hindfoot resulting in less preoperative valgus compensation (p = 0.022) compared with the group without ankle OA. The postoperative hindfoot alignment was similar between the 2 groups because of the smaller amount of change in patients with ankle OA. The group with ankle OA had a higher rate of increased ankle pain (38% compared with 16%) as well as a worse Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score (mean of 22.2 compared with 14.2) following TKA.

CONCLUSIONS

A considerable proportion of patients who underwent TKA had concomitant ankle OA with reduced flexibility of the hindfoot. These patients experienced increased ankle pain following TKA and a worse clinical outcome.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Factors associated with knee pain in 5148 women aged 50 years and older: A population-based study

Objective

This study was performed to investigate the factors associated with the level of knee pain in a nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized women aged 50 years or older.

Methods

Women aged 50 years or older were selected and included in the data analyses from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2010–2013). Those having malignant diseases or using osteoarthritis medication were excluded. Significant factors associated with the level of knee pain were analyzed using multivariate regression analysis.

Results

A total of 5148 women (average age, 62.9 years; standard deviation, 9.3 years) were included. For women without knee osteoarthritis, level of hip pain (p<0.001), presence of back pain (p<0.001), age (p<0.001), and body mass index (BMI) (p<0.001) were found to be significant factors associated with the level of knee pain. For women with knee osteoarthritis, the radiographic grade of knee osteoarthritis (p<0.001), presence of back pain (p<0.001), level of hip pain (p<0.001), presence of depressive symptoms (p<0.001), and BMI (p = 0.026) were the factors significantly associated with the level of knee pain.

Conclusions

Women without knee osteoarthritis tended to report increasing knee pain with increasing age. BMI is considered a significant controllable factor in knee pain in women regardless of the presence of radiographic knee osteoarthritis. The presence of depressive symptoms may aggravate knee pain in women with knee osteoarthritis. Attention needs to be focused on concomitant musculoskeletal problems such as lumbar spinal and hip diseases in women with knee pain.

Interactive effect of femoral posterior condylar offset and tibial posterior slope on knee flexion in posterior cruciate ligament-substituting total knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

This work aimed to evaluate the changes in the femoral posterior condylar offset (PCO) and tibial slope after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)-substituting total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and to address the presence of any interactive effect between the two on knee flexion.

METHODS

Fifty-two PCL-substituting TKAs were performed using a posterior referencing system. Three-dimensional reconstructed computed tomographic (CT) images were used to evaluate PCO and tibial slope before and after arthroplasty. Range of motion and clinical scores were evaluated at a mean of 3.1years postoperatively. Multivariate linear model with interaction terms was used to evaluate and compare the relationships among changes in PCO, tibial slope, and postoperative knee flexion angles.

RESULTS

The degree of change in PCO was greater in the lateral condyle than in the medial condyle (3.1±2.5mm and -0.5±2.8mm, respectively). Postoperative medial and lateral tibial slopes were 1.4°±1.8 and 1.4°±2.0, respectively. The mean degree of postoperative knee flexion was 125°. Analysis with interaction terms and covariate adjustment demonstrated that medial PCO and tibial slope were significantly related to knee flexion with interactive effect (P=0.011). In cases with <3° posterior tibial slope, the postoperative PCO was positively correlated to the degree of knee flexion angle. However, in cases with >3° tibial slope, PCO was negatively correlated to knee flexion.

CONCLUSION

Medial femoral PCO and tibial slope showed interactive effect on knee flexion after PCL-substituting TKAs. Reconstitution of the proper PCO and avoiding excessive tibial slope may be necessary.

A Randomized, Multicenter, Phase III Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Polmacoxib Compared with Celecoxib and Placebo for Patients with Osteoarthritis

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and analgesic efficacy of polmacoxib 2 mg versus placebo in a superiority comparison or versus celecoxib 200 mg in a noninferiority comparison in patients with osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

This study was a 6-week, phase III, randomized, double-blind, and parallel-group trial followed by an 18-week, single arm, open-label extension. Of the 441 patients with knee or hip OA screened, 362 were randomized; 324 completed 6 weeks of treatment and 220 completed the extension. Patients were randomized to receive oral polmacoxib 2 mg (n = 146), celecoxib 200 mg (n = 145), or placebo (n = 71) once daily for 6 weeks. During the extension, all participants received open-label polmacoxib 2 mg. The primary endpoint was the change in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC)-pain subscale score from baseline to week 6. Secondary endpoints included WOMAC-OA Index, OA subscales (pain, stiffness, and physical function) and Physician's and Subject's Global Assessments at weeks 3 and 6. Other outcome measures included adverse events (AEs), laboratory tests, vital signs, electrocardiograms, and physical examinations.

Results

After 6 weeks, the polmacoxib-placebo treatment difference was −2.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], −4.4 to −0.6; p = 0.011) and the polmacoxib-celecoxib treatment difference was 0.6 (CI, −0.9 to 2.2; p = 0.425). According to Physician's Global Assessments, more subjects were “much improved” at week 3 with polmacoxib than with celecoxib or placebo. Gastrointestinal and general disorder AEs occurred with a greater frequency with polmacoxib or celecoxib than with placebo.

Conclusions

Polmacoxib 2 mg was relatively well tolerated and demonstrated efficacy superior to placebo and noninferior to celecoxib after 6 weeks of treatment in patients with OA. The results obtained during the 18-week trial extension with polmacoxib 2 mg were consistent with those observed during the 6-week treatment period, indicating that polmacoxib can be considered safe for long-term use based on this relatively small scale of study in a Korean population. More importantly, the results of this study showed that polmacoxib has the potential to be used as a pain relief drug with reduced gastrointestinal side effects compared to traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for OA.

Radiological characteristics of Kienböck's disease in the Korean population

PURPOSE

In Kienböck's disease, the wrist displays certain characteristic radiological parameters, which have been reported to differ among countries. In the present study, we aimed to identify specific radiological parameters of the unaffected wrists in patients with unilateral Kienböck's disease and to determine the extent of the association of each parameter with the disease in Korea.

METHODS

This retrospective case-control study assessed the radiological parameters of patients with Kienböck's disease ( n = 53) and controls ( n = 53), who visited our institution between January 2000 and May 2013. Ulnar variance (UV), radial inclination, lunate fossa inclination, lunate diameter, lunate height, lunate tilting angle (LTA), lunate covering index (LCI), and Ståhl index (SI) were measured and analyzed using a binary logistic regression model.

RESULTS

We observed that wrists with a high LTA and LCI, and low UV and SI had a tendency to develop Kienböck's disease.

CONCLUSION

In the Korean population, a high LTA and LCI, and low UV and SI of the unaffected wrists on plain radiography might be associated with Kienböck's disease. The radiographic characteristics of the unaffected wrists can differ between patients with unilateral Kienböck's disease and normal individuals.

Sparing Surgery for the Successful Treatment of Thyroid Papillary Carcinoma Invading the Trachea: A Case Report

Published reports on salvage treatment for trachea reconstruction after total thyroidectomy or partial tracheotomy are available, some of them using structures of the trachea itself, auricular cartilage, a musculocutaneous flap, or other methods. In our report, we emphasize the importance of a search for a new material and approach for sparing surgery. The purpose of this article is to describe a case of a successful sparing surgery in a patient with advanced thyroid papillary carcinoma invading the trachea. After total thyroidectomy in 2012, partial resection of the trachea was performed in 2014. The lesion defect was 5.5 × 2.3 cm in size, located between 4 (2nd–6th) tracheal cartilaginous rings and involving about a semicircumference. It was reconstructed with the aid of the knitted TiNi-based mesh endograft, which has been prefabricated in the sternocleidomastoid muscle and further covered with the skin draped over the wound. The tracheostoma was fully closed 6 weeks after the surgery. There were neither side effects nor complications. This kind of tracheal surgery for extensive lesions demonstrates good functional and cosmetic outcomes.

Changes in femoral posterior condylar offset and knee flexion after PCL-substituting total knee arthroplasty: comparison of anterior and posterior referencing systems

PURPOSE

Anterior referencing and posterior referencing are two major techniques for positioning femoral components and balancing the sagittal plane during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in medial and lateral posterior condylar offset (PCO) after bilateral TKA using anterior referencing (AR) or posterior referencing (PR) systems and compare the effect of the PCO changes on knee flexion.

METHODS

Twenty female patients (mean age, 68.6 years) underwent bilateral TKA using the AR technique in one knee and the PR technique in the contralateral knee. Three-dimensional reconstructed computed tomographic images from the sagittal plane were used to evaluate PCO before and after arthroplasty. Knee Society scores and range of motion were evaluated postoperatively at a mean of 2.9 years.

RESULTS

Postoperative medial and lateral PCOs were significantly greater (p < 0.001 and p = 0.048, respectively) in the AR group (30.9 ± 2.2 and 29.1 ± 1.5 mm, respectively) than those in the PR group (29.1 ± 2.7 and 27.3 ± 2.3 mm, respectively). In addition, the degree of change in the PCO after TKA was greater in the AR group than in the PR group. On the final follow-up, no differences in the degree of knee flexion were observed between the two groups (124.7° for AR and 124.5° for PR). Knee Society scores were similar in the two groups both preoperatively and postoperatively. On the final follow-up, individual changes in the medial and lateral PCO were not associated with changes in the knee flexion angle.

CONCLUSIONS

Restoration of PCO after TKA was more accurate with the PR technique than with the AR technique. However, the postoperative differences in PCO showed no correlation with changes in knee flexion 2 years after PCL-substituting TKA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study, Level I.

The relationship between the presence of depressive symptoms and the severity of self-reported knee pain in the middle aged and elderly

PURPOSE

Knee pain is a very common symptom of knee osteoarthritis (OA), and identification of the major contributors to knee pain is important to establish management plans for patients with knee OA. Among the potential contributors, we hypothesized that coexisting depressive symptoms might increase the severity of knee pain because the increased cytokine levels and neurotransmitter changes related to depression are known to influence the threshold of physical pain perception. Therefore, a possible relationship between self-reported depressive symptoms and self-reported knee pain has been explored. Additionally, we sought to determine factors influencing the severity of knee pain in a middle-aged and elderly Korean population using data from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

METHODS

In total, 6599 persons aged ≥50 years were evaluated in terms of the radiographic severity of OA and pain severity using 10-point numerical rating scales. Depressive mood was assessed using a polar question: "Had the subject felt despair or depression every day for more than 2 weeks during the past year?"

RESULTS

The Kellgren-Lawrence knee OA grade, depression, gender, educational level, household income, smoking status, marital status, living place, comorbidity status, BMI, and age were identified by multiple linear regression as variables affecting knee pain severity. The presence of depressive symptoms was associated with an increased risk of severe knee pain (odds ratio 2.55 [95 % confidence interval 1.77-3.66]). After stratifying the group in terms of the radiographic severity of knee OA, the relationship with depression persisted in the minimal (2.89 [1.90-4.32]) and moderate OA subgroups (2.29 [1.33-3.94]), but not in the severe OA subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe knee pain was independently associated with the presence of depressive symptoms in middle-aged and elderly Korean subjects. This suggests that screening for and treatment of depression may help improve knee pain in elderly individuals.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

Medial Soft-Tissue Realignment Versus Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction for Recurrent Patellar Dislocation: Systematic Review

PURPOSE

To compare the clinical outcomes between medial soft-tissue surgery and medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction for recurrent patellar dislocation without any evident predisposing factors.

METHODS

A literature search was performed on the established medical databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane register. The inclusion criteria were as follows: English-language papers for recurrent patellar dislocation without any evident predisposing factors, clinical trial(s) with clear description of surgical technique, adult subjects, medial soft-tissue surgery or MPFL reconstruction without combined surgery, and a follow-up longer than 2 years. The methodological quality of all articles was assessed by 2 authors according to the Coleman methodology score.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies (mean Coleman methodology score value, 74.1; standard deviation, 11.5) were included in the analysis. Five studies reported the outcomes of patients undergoing medial soft-tissue surgery, compared with 7 studies reporting MPFL reconstruction. Overall, 109 patients underwent medial soft-tissue surgery with a minimum 2-years follow-up, compared with 308 patients of MPFL reconstruction. There was one direct comparative study between medial soft-tissue surgery and MPFL reconstruction. Of the patients who received medial soft-tissue surgery, 0 to 9.7% experienced redislocation, compared with 0 to 10.7% of the MPFL reconstruction group. The ranges of differences in Kujala scores were 23.6 to 31.7 points in patients who underwent medial soft-tissue surgery and 23.11 to 38.8 points in patients who underwent MPFL reconstruction. The ranges of postoperative congruence angles were -14.4° to 8.2° for medial soft-tissue surgery and -7.7° to -5.2° for MPFL reconstruction. The ranges of postoperative lateral patellofemoral angles were 7.9° to 9.4° for medial soft-tissue surgery and 5° to 5.3° for MPFL reconstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

All studies on medial soft-tissue surgery and MPFL reconstruction for recurrent patellar dislocation without predisposing factors showed satisfactory outcomes despite the use of numerous surgical techniques, graft types, and follow-up periods.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, Systematic Review.

Value of SPECT-CT Imaging for Middle-Aged Patients with Chronic Anterior Knee Pain

Background

Single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) is a highly sensitive tool for detecting bone metabolism. We determined whether subchondral bone metabolism, as indicated by SPECT-CT in the patellofemoral (PF) joint, predicts response to conservative management in middle-aged patients with chronic anterior knee pain (AKP), and whether SPECT-CT results correlate with arthroscopic assessments of chondral lesions in the PF joint.

Methods

The study group comprised 74 middle-aged patients with chronic AKP. All of the patients underwent SPECT-CT, and the results were graded along a scale of 0 to 3°. After 8 weeks of conservative management, they were grouped as responders (n = 40) or non-responders (n = 34) according to symptom improvement. We compared the median scintigraphic uptake of the PF joint between the two groups, and evaluated the positive predictive value (PPV) of uptake for treatment response in each patient. In non-responders, cartilage condition was assessed during arthroscopy, and the correlation of scintigraphic uptake with severity of the chondral lesion was assessed.

Results

The median scintigraphic uptake in the patella was higher in non-responders than in responders (2 vs. 1). Among patients with higher patella uptake (grade 2 or 3), the PPV for non-response to conservative therapy was 62–67 %, whereas it was 24–25 % in patients with lower uptake (grade 0 or 1). Patella uptake corresponded strongly with arthroscopic assessment of patellar chondral lesions; the correlation was less strong for the femoral trochlea.

Conclusions

Increased subchondral bone metabolism in the patella is associated with responsiveness to conservative therapy. SPECT-CT can benefit clinicians by predicting the treatment response from conservative management.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of porous TiNi-based alloy as a scaffold for cell tissue engineering

This study aims to look into the applicability of a porous TiNi-based shape memory alloy (SMA) scaffold as an incubator for bone marrow mesenchymal cells, hepatocytes, and pancreatic islet cells. The porous TiNi-based SMA used was fabricated using a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) technique, in which scaffold blocks measuring 4 × 4 × 10 mm were prepared. In vitro tests were done using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) isolated from mature bone marrow of CBA/j inbred mice, and cultured in 3 different culture media - Control medium, Osteogenic medium, and Chondrogenic medium. Hepatocytes and islet cells were isolated from the livers and pancreatic glands of Wistar rats respectively, seeded on porous TiNi-based SMA scaffolds, and cultured. The scaffolds were then implanted into the abdominal cavity of Wistar rats and later harvested, at days 7, 14, 21, and 28, post-implantation. SEM imaging was performed with pre-implanted scaffolds at day 0 and harvested scaffolds at days 7, 14, 21, and 28, post-implantation. Based on weight increase percentages, the in vitro study revealed that the osteogenic group showed a 2-fold increase, and the chondrogenic group showed a 1.33-fold increase, compared to the control group. The in vivo study, on the other hand, showed that from day 7 post-implantation, the cellular in-growth gradually invaded the inner porous structure from the periphery towards the center, and at day-28 post-implantation, all pores were closed and completely filled with cells and the extracellular matrix. The results show that porous TiNi-based SMA is a unique biocompatible incubator for cell cultures and can be successfully used for tissue bioengineering and artificial organs.

Impact of guideline adherence on patient outcomes in early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines on survival outcomes in patients with early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Our institutional cancer registry data on 266 patients with Stage I epithelial ovarian cancer was reviewed retrospectively and compliance with treatment guidelines for surgery and adjuvant treatment was determined. Patients were categorized according to adherence or non-adherence. The primary endpoints were recurrence-free survival and disease-specific survival. Hazard ratios (HRs) for survival were estimated with a Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

Of the 266 patients, 71 (26.7%) underwent adequate surgical staging in accordance with the guidelines. The guidelines for adjuvant chemotherapy were followed adequately in all 71 patients that were adherent to surgical staging and in 163 of the 195 patients with non-adherence to surgical staging (83.6%). Multivariate analysis, adjusted for prognostic factors, identified higher recurrence-free survival (HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.15-0.88) and disease-specific survival (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.16-1.12) among patients whose treatment adhered to both surgical and chemotherapy guidelines, although disease-specific survival was not statistically significant. When excluding clear cell histology from the cohort, the guideline-adherent group had significantly better disease-specific survival than the non-adherent group (HR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.02-0.94).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that adherence to NCCN guidelines may improve survival outcomes in patients with early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer, particularly in cases other than clear cell histology.

A randomized study to compare the efficacy and safety of extended-release and immediate-release tramadol HCl/acetaminophen in patients with acute pain following total knee replacement

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relative efficacy and safety of extended-release tramadol HCl 75 mg/acetaminophen 650 mg (TA-ER) and immediate-release tramadol HCl 37.5 mg/acetaminophen 325 mg (TA-IR) for the treatment of moderate to severe acute pain following total knee replacement.

METHODS

This phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study randomized 320 patients with moderate to severe pain (≥4 intensity on an 11 point numeric rating scale) following total knee replacement arthroplasty to receive oral TA-ER (every 12 hours) or TA-IR (every 6 hours) over a period of 48 hours. In the primary analysis, TA-ER was evaluated for efficacy non-inferior to that of TA-IR based on the sum of pain intensity difference (SPID) at 48 hours after the first dose of study drug (SPID48). Secondary endpoints included SPID at additional time points, total pain relief at all on-therapy time points (TOTPAR), sum of SPID and TOTPAR at all on-therapy time points (SPID + TOTPAR), use of rescue medication, subjective pain assessment (PGIC, Patient Global Impression of Change), and adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS

Analysis of the primary efficacy endpoint (SPID48) could not establish the non-inferiority of TA-ER to TA-IR. However, a post hoc analysis with a re-defined non-inferiority margin did demonstrate the non-inferiority of TA-ER to TA-IR. No statistically significant difference in SPID at 6, 12, or 24 hours was observed between the TA-ER and TA-IR groups. Similarly, analysis of TOTPAR showed that there were no significant differences between groups at any on-therapy time point, and SPID + TOTPAR at 6 and 48 hours were similar among groups. There was no difference in the mean frequency or dosage of rescue medication required by both groups, and the majority of patients in both the TA-ER and TA-IR groups rated their pain improvement as 'much' or 'somewhat better'. The overall incidence of ≥1 AEs was similar among the TA-ER (88.8%) and TA-IR (89.5%) groups. The most commonly reported AEs by patients treated with TA-ER and TA-IR included nausea (49.7% vs 44.4%), vomiting (28.0% vs 24.2%), and decreased hemoglobin (23.6% vs 26.1%). This study is limited by the lack of placebo control, and the invalidity of the initial non-inferiority margin.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that the analgesic effect of TA-ER is non-inferior to TA-IR, and supports TA-ER as an effective and safe treatment for moderate to severe acute pain post total knee replacement.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01814878.

Prevalence of osteoporosis in female patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis undergoing total knee arthroplasty

This study sought to demonstrate bone mineral density (BMD) conditions in elderly female patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In addition, we sought to determine whether their BMD conditions differ from those of community-based females without knee OA. Finally we sought to determine whether clinical statuses are related to BMD in the knee OA patients. BMD conditions in 347 female patients undergoing TKA and 273 community-based females were evaluated. Additionally, comparative analyses of BMD between age and body mass index-matched knee OA groups (n=212) and the control groups (n=212) were performed. In the pre-matched knee OA group, regression analyses were performed to determine whether preoperative clinical statuses were related to BMD. Considerable prevalence of coexistent osteoporosis (31%) was found in the pre-matched knee OA patients undergoing TKA. We found no significant differences of the BMD T-scores and the prevalence of osteoporosis between the age and body mass index-matched knee OA and control groups. In the pre-matched knee OA patients, poorer preoperative clinical scores were related to poorer BMD T-scores in the proximal femur and/or lumbar spine. Our study suggests that more attention should be paid to identify and treat osteoporosis in elderly female patients with advanced knee OA undergoing TKA.

Efficacy and Safety of Aceclofenac Controlled Release in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A 4-week, Multicenter, Randomized, Comparative Clinical Study

Purpose

To evaluate the analgesic effect, efficacy and safety of aceclofenac controlled release (CR) in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Materials and Methods

A total of 125 subjects with chronic knee OA were randomly divided into two groups: one group (n=62) was administered aceclofenac CR once daily and the other (n=63), aceclofenac immediate release (IR) twice a day for 4 weeks. A 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and range of motoin (ROM) were evaluated as the outcome measures. To evaluate the safety of the drug, adverse events, vital signs, physical examination findings, clinical laboratory values and electrocardiographic findings were evaluated.

Results

The VAS, KOOS and ROM were improved after 4 weeks of administration in both groups, but the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant. Significant differences between the two groups were not shown in the evaluation of the adverse events, vital sign, physical examination results, clinical laboratory values, and electrocardiography.

Conclusions

The aceclofenac CR and aceclofenac IR were equally effective in patients with chronic knee OA and the clinical trial results didn't show any significant difference in safety. The new aceclofenac CR formulation was found to be effective and safe with the practical advantage of once daily administration.

Relations between long-term glycemic control and postoperative wound and infectious complications after total knee arthroplasty in type 2 diabetics

Background

The authors examined whether poor preoperative glucose control, as indicated by the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of more than 8%, is associated with postoperative wound and infectious complications in diabetic patients that have undergone total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

One hundred and sixty-seven TKAs performed in 115 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, from January 2001 through March 2007, were retrospectively reviewed. Logistic regression was used to identify the variables that had a significant effect on the risk of wound complications or early deep infection. The variables considered were age, gender, body mass index, comorbidities, operation time, antibiotic-impregnated cement use, amount of blood transfusion, close suction drain use, duration of diabetes, method of diabetes treatment, diabetes complications, and preoperative HbA1c level.

Results

The overall incidence of wound complications was 6.6% (n = 11) and there were seven cases (4.2%) of early postoperative deep infection. Logistic regression revealed that the independent risk factors of wound complications were preoperative HbA1C ≥ 8% (odds ratio [OR], 6.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 33.0) and operation time (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.03). No variable examined was found to be significantly associated with the risk of early postoperative deep infection.

Conclusions

Poorly controlled hyperglycemia before surgery may increase the incidence of wound complications among diabetic patients after TKA.

Brief followup report: Does high-flexion total knee arthroplasty allow deep flexion safely in Asian patients?

BACKGROUND

The long-term survivorship of TKA in Asian countries is comparable to that in Western countries. High-flexion TKA designs were introduced to improve flexion after TKA. However, several studies suggest high-flexion designs are at greater risk of femoral component loosening compared with conventional TKA designs. We previously reported a revision rate of 21% at 11 to 45 months; this report is intended as a followup to that study.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

Do implant survival and function decrease with time and do high-flexion activities increase the risk of premature failure?

METHODS

We prospectively followed 72 Nexgen LPS-flex fixed TKAs in 47 patients implanted by a single surgeon between March 2003 and September 2004. We determined the probability of survival using revision as an end point and compared survival between those who could and those who could not perform high-flexion activities. Minimum followup was 0.9 years (median, 6.5 years; range, 0.9-8.6 years).

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients (33 knees) underwent revision for aseptic loosening of the femoral component at a mean of 4 years (range, 1-8 years). The probability of revision-free survival for aseptic loosening was 67% and 52% at 5 and 8 years, respectively. Eight-year cumulative survivorship was lower in patients capable of squatting, kneeling, or sitting crosslegged (31% compared with 78%). There were no differences in the pre- and postoperative mean Hospital for Special Surgery scores and maximum knee flexion degrees whether or not high-flexion activities could be achieved.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall midterm high-flexion TKA survival in our Asian cohort was lower than that of conventional and other high-flexion designs. This unusually high rate of femoral component loosening was associated with postoperative high-flexion activities.

Attitudes and practices of Korean gynecologists towards hormone replacement therapy in endometrial cancer survivors

PURPOSE

To investigate the attitudes of Korean gynecologists towards prescribing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after treatment for endometrial cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A questionnaire, addressing attitudes towards HRT and treatment strategies for patients previously treated for endometrial cancer, was distributed to 163 Korean gynecologists.

RESULTS

Of the 163 gynecologists that were sent this questionnaire, 98 (60.1%) responded. Among the respondents, 81 (82.7%) had previously prescribed HRT to patients with endometrial cancer. Of the latter, 75 (92.6%) had prescribed HRT to patients with Stage I, and more than half to patients with Stage II, endometrial cancer. Of the respondents who had prescribed HRT, 33 (40.7%) did so without regard for cancer-cell type and 33 (40.7%) began patients on HRT more than two years after endometrial cancer treatment. Tibolone was the most commonly prescribed drug (61.9%). The most common reason not to prescribe HRT was fear of cancer recurrence (38.1%).

CONCLUSION

Most of the Korean gynecologists surveyed had experience prescribing HRT to endometrial cancer patients. Although HRT is not actively recommended, HRT given post-therapy to endometrial cancer patients is considered acceptable.

Retrograde intramedullary nailing for distal femur fracture with osteoporosis

BACKGROUND

The incidence of distal femur fracture in the elderly has been increasing recently, and commonly occurs with osteoporosis. Retrograde intramedullary nailing has been considered a good surgical option for distal femur fracture. The purpose of the present study was to present our surgical results with retrograde intramedullary nailing for distal femur fractures with osteoporosis.

METHODS

Thirteen patients diagnosed with extra-articular distal femur fracture and osteoporosis and managed with retrograde intramedullary nailing were retrospectively reviewed. Cement augmentation was used in four patients, shape memory alloy was used in eight patients and both were used in one patient. All patients were followed up for more than 2 years. Radiologic alignments were scored and Tegner and the Lysholm activity score was used for a functional assessment.

RESULTS

The average time to clinical union was 13 weeks (range, 10 to 15 weeks). In 12 of our cases, the total alignment scores were excellent. At the last follow-up, the mean range of motion was 116° (range, 110° to 125°). The average functional score at postoperative 1 year was 2.6 (range, 1 to 5).

CONCLUSIONS

Retrograde intramedullary nailing is a good surgical option for distal femur fracture with osteoporosis. Cement augmentation and shape memory alloy can also be used for added mechanical stability. This surgical technique is very useful for distal femur fracture with osteoporosis as it promotes fracture healing and early rehabilitation.

High control rate for lymph nodes in cervical cancer treated with high-dose radiotherapy using helical tomotherapy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether bulky lymphadenopathy located in the abdominopelvic cavity in cervical cancer can be controlled without severe toxicity by increasing radiation dose using helical tomotherapy. From January 2007 to December 2010, 26 patients with cervical cancer with metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) having at least one short diameter > 1.5 cm were treated with helical tomotherapy. A total of 58 LN sites were treated and the largest LN of each site was evaluated for response. Median follow-up time was 28 months (4-50 months). Median short diameter of the LNs was 1.7 cm (0.7-4.2 cm) with median radiation dose of 62.6 Gy(10) in 2 Gy equivalent dose (53.3-77.9 Gy(10)). Initial LN response was evaluated on imaging obtained within 4 months after radiotherapy. Initial complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and stable disease (SD) were observed in 54, 2 and 2 lesions, respectively. Recurrence occurred in two with CR and progression in one with PR. Therefore, final CR, PR, SD, and progression of disease were observed in 52, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Actuarial 3-year LN progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were 63% and 65%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed final LN response (CR vs. non-CR) as a strong prognostic factor for OS (p = 0.016). Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grade 2 or more acute and late toxicity was observed in 8 and 1 patients, respectively. The treatment of bulky lymphadenopathy using helical tomotherapy in advanced cervical cancer is highly effective and has acceptable toxicity.