Current Trends in Knee Arthroplasty: Are Italian Surgeons Doing What Is Expected?

Can a Total Knee System Providing 1 mm Increment of Polyethylene Insert Thickness Offer a Clinical Benefit?

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes and polyethylene (PE) insert thickness between total knee arthroplasty (TKA) systems providing 1 mm and 2 mm increments. Materials and Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 50 patients (100 knees) undergoing same-day or staggered bilateral TKA were randomized to receive a TKA system providing 1 mm increments in one knee (1 mm group) and a TKA system providing 2 mm increments in the other knee (2 mm group). At 2 years postoperatively, Knee Society Score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), range of motion (ROM), and insert thicknesses were compared between the groups. Results: A total of 47 patients (94 knees) participated in follow-up analysis. In each group, patient-reported outcomes improved significantly after TKA (all, p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in patient-reported outcomes. The mean ROM was not significantly different between groups at preoperative and 2-year points. The rate of postoperative flexion contracture ≥ 5° was 2.1% and 4.3%, and the rate of postoperative recurvatum ≥ 5° was 4.3% and 2.1% in the 1 mm group and 2 mm, respectively (all, p = 1.000). Mean insert thickness was significantly thinner in the 1 mm group than the 2 mm group (p = 0.001). The usage rate of a thick insert (≥14 mm) was 12.7% and 38.3% in the 1 mm group and 2 mm group (p = 0.005). Conclusions: The use of a TKA system providing 1 mm PE insert thickness increments offered no clinical benefit in terms of patient reported outcomes over systems with 2 mm increments at 2 years of follow-up. However, the TKA system with 1 mm increments showed significantly thinner PE insert usage. As a theoretical advantage of 1 mm increments has yet to be proven, the mid- to long-term effects of thinner PE insert usage must be determined.

Overtraining Syndrome as a Risk Factor for Bone Stress Injuries among Paralympic Athletes

Background and Objectives: In this review, we have explored the relationship between overtraining syndrome (OTS) and bone stress injuries among paralympic athletes. OTS is a complex condition that arises from an imbalance between training volume, nutrition, and recovery time, leading to significant negative effects on paralympic athlete's performance and overall well-being. On the other hand, bone stress injuries occur when abnormal and repetitive loading is applied to normal bone, resulting in microdamage accumulation and potential. The prevalence of overtraining syndrome and bone stress injuries among athletes highlights the need for a better understanding of their relationship and implications for prevention and management strategies. Methods: A literature review from the PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases including the MeSH keywords "overtraining syndrome", "bone", and "paralympic athletes". Results: Studies have consistently shown that athletes engaged in endurance sports are particularly susceptible to overtraining syndrome. The multifactorial nature of this condition involves not only physical factors, but also psychological and environmental determinants. In addition, the diagnosis and management of OTS and bone stress injuries present challenges in clinical practice. Conclusions: Currently, there are no definitive biochemical markers for overtraining syndrome. The diagnosis is based on a combination of subjective measures such as questionnaires, symptoms checklists, and objective biomarkers, including hormone levels, inflammatory markers, and imaging studies. However, these diagnostic approaches have limitations regarding their specificity and sensitivity.

Influence of Risk Factors on the Well-Being of Elderly Women with Knee Osteoarthritis

Background and Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a widespread chronic joint disease characterized by functional limitations and pain. Functioning restrictions exert a detrimental impact on societal integration, relationships, and psychological well-being, resulting in significant emotional distress in KOA patients. The objective of this study is to examine how various risk factors impact the emotional well-being of individuals with KOA. Materials and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study involved 154 postmenopausal women treated at the Special Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Novi Sad, Serbia. The experimental group comprised 97 individuals with chronic knee pain and structural knee damage (Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) scale II-IV), while the control group had 53 individuals with chronic knee pain but no structural knee damage (KL scale 0-I). The collected data consisted of sociodemographic factors, general characteristics, associated diseases, and laboratory results. Adequate anthropometric measurements were conducted, and all subjects were required to complete the SF-36 RAND questionnaire. Results: The analysis identified several variables that independently influenced emotional well-being. These included pain intensity (beta (β) 0.21; 95% CI: 0.03-0.20; p < 0.01), social functioning (beta (β) 0.47; 95% CI: 0.23-0.43; p < 0.001), physical functioning (beta (β) 0.23; 95% CI: 0.04-0.21; p < 0.01), and education level (8-12 years: beta (β) 0.25; 95% CI: 1.47-9.41; p < 0.01; >12 years: beta (β) 0.27; 95% CI: 2.51-12.67; p < 0.01). However, the multivariate model revealed that only social functioning (beta (β) 0.57; 95% CI: 0.27-0.53; p < 0.001) and education level (8-12 years: beta (β) 0.21; 95% CI: 1.10-8.260; p < 0.05; >12 years: beta (β) 0.21; 95% CI: 1.18-10.30; p < 0.05) were significantly associated with emotional well-being in KOA patients. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that a reduced social functioning and a lower educational attainment are linked to a poorer emotional well-being among patients with KOA.

Validation of the Polish Version of Knee Outcome Survey Activities of the Daily Living Scale in a Group of Patients after Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to assess the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Polish version of Knee Outcome Survey Activities of the Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS) in a group of patients after arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

METHODS

The study was a longitudinal study with repeated measures. One hundred and twelve subjects who qualified for arthroscopic ACL reconstruction (mean age = 31.8 years) were initially enrolled in this study. The Polish version of KOS-ADLS and Short Form-36 v. 2.0 (SF-36) were used.

RESULTS

The Polish version of KOS-ADLS in subjects after ACL rupture demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha for KOS-ADLS- total = 0.91), and test-retest reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC-total = 0.98). The standard error of measurement (SEM) value was 0.81 and the minimal detectable change (MDC) was 2.23 for KOS-ADLS-total. The validity analysis showed a moderate and low correlation between KOS-ADLS and different domains of SF-36 from r = 0.354 between KOS-ADLS activity and the physical component scale (PCS) of SF-36: to r = 0.206 between KOS-ADLS activity and the mental component scale (MCS) of SF-36.

CONCLUSIONS

The Polish version of KOS-ADLS turned out to be a reliable, valid and responsive self-reported outcome measure, allowing for the self-assessment of symptoms and function related to the knee joint impairment after ACL reconstruction. Therefore, the scale can be applied in clinical practice and research.

Anterior variable-angle locked plating versus tension band wiring of simple and complex patella fractures - a biomechanical investigation

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical performance of novel anterior variable-angle locking plates versus tension band wiring used for fixation of simple and complex patella fractures.

METHODS

Sixteen pairs of human cadaveric knees were used to simulate two-part simple transverse AO/OTA 34-C1 and five-part complex AO/OTA 34-C3 patella fractures. The complex fracture pattern was characterized with a medial and a lateral proximal fragment, together with an inferomedial, an inferolateral and an inferior fragment mimicking comminution around the distal patella pole. Eight pairs with simple fractures were split for fixation via either tension band wiring (TBW) through two parallel cannulated screws or anterior variable-angle locked plating, whereas other eight pairs with complex fractures were split for either TBW through two parallel cannulated screws plus circumferential cerclage wiring, or anterior variable-angle locked plating using a cortical caudo-cranial polar screw. Each specimen was tested over 5000 cycles with a range of motion from 90° flexion to full extension by pulling on the quadriceps tendon. Interfragmentary movements were captured by motion tracking.

RESULTS

For both fracture types, the longitudinal and shear articular displacements, measured between the proximal and distal fragments at the central patella aspect between 1000 and 5000 cycles, together with the relative rotations of these fragments around the mediolateral axis were all significantly smaller following anterior variable-angle locked plating versus TBW, p ≤ 0.01.

CONCLUSIONS

From a biomechanical perspective, anterior locked plating of both simple and complex patella fractures resulted in less interfragmentary displacement under extended cyclic loading.

Diabetes mellitus is a potential risk factor for aseptic loosening around hip and knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Aseptic loosening is a leading cause of revision following total hip and knee arthroplasty which is caused by chronic inflammation around the prosthesis. Diabetes mellitus causes systemic inflammatory changes which could increase the risk of aseptic loosening. This study investigated the association between diabetes mellitus and aseptic loosening around hip and knee arthroplasty.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted at a single arthroplasty centre over the seven-year period of January 2015 to December 2021. Cases were defined as any adult patient undergoing revision hip or knee arthroplasty for aseptic loosening. Controls were randomly selected patients undergoing primary total hip or knee arthroplasty during the same period at a 1:4 ratio. Risk factors were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

A total of 440 patients were included in our study - 88 in the aseptic loosening group and 352 patients in the control group. The odds of having diabetes mellitus in the aseptic loosening group was 2.78 (95%CI 1.31-5.92, P = 0.01). Other risk factors were not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of diabetes mellitus is significantly greater in patients undergoing revision arthroplasty for aseptic loosening. Further research is required to explore whether this association is indeed causative.

Continuous Cold Flow Device Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: Myths and Reality

Background and Objectives: To assess the effect of continuous cold flow (CCF) therapy on pain reduction, opioid consumption, fast recovery, less perioperative bleeding and patient satisfaction in patients undergoing a total knee arthroplasty. Materials and Methods: Patients affected by knee osteoarthritis between September 2020 and February 2022 were enrolled in this case-control study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups (n = 50, each): the study group received postoperative CCF therapy while the control group was treated by cold pack (gel ice). The CCF device is a computer-assisted therapy with continuous cold fluid, allowing a selective distribution, constant and uniform, of cold or hot on the areas to be treated. In both groups, pre- and postoperative evaluations at 6, 24, 72 h and at the fifth day were conducted using Visual Analogic Scale (VAS), opioid consumption, passive range of motion, preoperative hematocrit, total blood loss by Gross formula, transfusion requirement and patient satisfaction questionnaire. Results: One hundred patients, 52 women (52%), were included in the study. Reduction of pain, opioid consumption and increase in passive range of movement were statistically significantly demonstrated in the study group on the first and third days. Patients were satisfied with adequate postoperative pain management due to CCF therapy (p = 0.01) and they would recommend this treatment to others (p = 0.01). Conclusions: A continuous cold flow device in the acute postoperative setting after total knee arthroplasty is associated with pain reduction and improving early movement. Patients were almost satisfied with the procedure. The management of perioperative pain control could improve participation in the early rehabilitation program as demonstrated by the increase in ROM, psychological satisfaction and reduction in opioid use.