Outcome of Joint Aspiration in Acute Knee Haemarthrosis in a Haemophilic Joint: A Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial in 120 Patients in a Tertiary Haemophilia Care Centre

Background

Bleeding into the joints cause major morbidity in haemophilia patients. The clinical hallmark of haemophilia is haemarthrosis especially in knee, ankle and elbow joint. Current literature suggests that aspiration of an acute haemarthrosis in haemophilia may lead to further bleeding and prevent tamponade effect. But the rehabilitation gets delayed, leading to joint stiffness and the function gets deteriorated. This study was done to evaluate the efficacy of joint aspiration in the management of acute knee haemarthrosis, with regard to pain relief and functional outcome.

Materials and Methods

This is a prospective, randomised controlled trial in a tertiary care haemophilia treatment centre comprising 120 haemophilic patients with unilateral acute knee haemarthrosis. Factor level was checked and appropriate factor replacement [40%] was done. The patients were randomly allocated in two groups: Group A and Group B, each consisting of 60 patients. All patients received ice application, limb immobilisation, analgesics, physiotherapy and compression bandage as the routine primary management. In addition, study Group A also received therapeutic aspiration of the knee joint at initial presentation, after the first factor infusion. All patients were clinically evaluated for pain in terms of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS score) and function in terms of Haemophilic Joint Health Score [HJHS], before and at 4 h, 48 h and 7 days after initial factor administration.

Results

All patients showed therapeutic improvement in terms of a declining trend in VAS and HJHS scores. Pain relief (VAS Score) in Group A, was found to be significantly better compared to Group B at the end of 4 h [4.80 ± 0.49 vs 6.54 ± 1.05; p < 0.001], 48 h [2.48 ± 0.50 vs 3.30 ± 0.46; p < 0.001] and 7 days [1.16 ± 0.37 vs 1.70 ± 0.46; p < 0.001]. Functional improvement (HJHS Score) in Group A, was found to be significantly better compared to Group B as well at the end of 4 h [11.24 ± 0.77 vs 14.52 ± 0.61; p < 0.001], 48 h [7.24 ± 0.65 vs 11.28 ± 0.64; p < 0.001] and 7 days [2.36 ± 0.48 vs 5.52 ± 0.67; p < 0.001].

Conclusion

Our study recommends the use of joint aspiration as a therapeutic tool in the holistic management of acute knee haemarthrosis in addition to usual treatment of ice application, immobilization and oral tranexamic acid. Early factor replacement along with therapeutic joint aspiration is a key for better pain relief and a better functional outcome.

The influence of joint line restoration on functional outcome after primary total knee arthroplasty: A prospective study

Objective

Restoration of proper joint line position after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is important for improved knee function and kinematics. We reviewed the magnitude of joint line alteration and the resulting effect on post-operative knee outcomes scores at one year follow-up.

Materials and methods

120 patients who underwent TKA for primary osteoarthritis knee were included. Assessment of joint line position before and after surgery was performed with the help of bony landmarks (excluding osteophytes): Medial Epicondyle Joint Line distance (MEJL), Lateral Epicondyle Joint Line distance (LEJL) and Fibula Head Joint Line distance (FHJL) were calculated. Post-operative knee function was assessed using 'The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index' (WOMAC) and 'Knee Society Score' (KSS) at one year follow-up.

Results

Joint line elevation was observed in 104/120 (86.7%) patients and 16/120 (13.3%) patients had no joint line elevation. The mean joint line elevation was 3.00 (±2.13) mm. The patients were sub-classified into two study groups: Group A- Joint line elevation <5 mm and Group B- Joint line elevation ≥ 5 mm. The mean post-op one-year KSS score was significantly higher in patients in Group A compared to Group B (52.82 ± 7.564 vs. 40.73 ± 7.146; p < 0.001). The mean post-op one-year WOMAC score was lower in patients in Group A compared to Group B (65.51 ± 14.762 vs.75.64 ± 8.203) and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Elevation of joint line ≥5 mm from the pre-operative value has a negative impact on post-operative functional outcome in primary TKA.

Anatomic Considerations of Anterior Transarticular Screw Fixation for Atlantoaxial Instability

Study Design

Cadaveric, observational study.

Purpose

Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) is characterized by excessive movement at the C1–C2 junction between the atlas and axis. An anterior surgical approach to expose the upper cervical spine for internal fixation and bone grafting has been developed to fix AAI. Currently, no anatomic information exists on the anterior transarticular atlantoaxial screw or screw and plate fixation between C1 and C2 in the Indian population. The objective of this study is to assess the anatomic landmarks of C1–C2 vertebrae: entry point, trajectory, screw length, and safety of the procedure.

Overview of Literature

Methods outlined by Magerl and Harms are the optimal approaches among the dorsal techniques. Contraindications for these techniques include aberrant location of vertebral arteries, fractures of C1–C2 posterior structures. In these cases, anterior transarticular fixation is an alternative. Several available screw insertion trajectories have been reported. Biomechanical studies have demonstrated that adequate rigidity of this fixation is comparable with posterior fusion techniques.

Methods

Direct measurements using Vernier calipers and a goniometer were recorded from 30 embalmed human cadavers. The primary parameters measured were the minimum and maximum lateral and posterior angulations of the screw in the sagittal and coronal planes, respectively, and optimum screw length, if it was placed accurately.

Results

The posterior and lateral angles of screw placement in the coronal and sagittal planes ranged from 16° to 30° (mean±standard deviation [SD], 23.93°±3.93°) and 8° to 17° (mean±SD, 13.3°±2.26°), respectively. The optimum screw length was 25–38 mm (mean±SD, 28.76±3.69 mm).

Conclusions

If the screw was inserted without lateral angulation, the spinal canal or cord could be violated. If a longer screw was inserted with greater posterior angulation, the vertebral artery at the posterior or posterolateral aspect of the C1 superior facet could be violated. Thus, 26° and 30° of lateral and posterior angulations, respectively, are the maximum angles permissible to avoid injury of the vertebral artery and violations of the spinal canal or atlanto-occipital joint.

Unusual Presentation of Koch's Spine Involving Posterior Elements of Vertebra- A Case Report

Introduction:

Spinal Koch involving posterior elements of the neural arch is one of the atypical presentations which are often missed.

Case presentation:

A 40-year-old female presented with radiculopathy and bilateral lower limb claudication for 5 months. Radiological investigations showed compressive lesion resembling flavum hypertrophy and a degenerative etiology was thus suspected. However, histopathology report pointed toward tuberculosis (TB) of the posterior elements (atypical form). Management with surgical decompression and anti-Koch treatment gave a successful outcome.

Conclusion:

TB affecting posterior elements of spine is a rare entity and needs a high degree of suspicion for accurate diagnosis. Newer radiological interventions such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging along with histopathological evidence will help to clinch the diagnosis of Koch’s spine early before neurological problems or deformity sets in. Keeping a high index of suspicion will help to avoid missing the atypical forms of the disease.