Does the grading of chondromalacia patellae influence anterior knee pain following total knee arthroplasty without patellar resurfacing?

OBJECTIVES

The influence of chondromalacia patellae (CMP) on post-operative anterior knee pain (AKP) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains controversial, and few studies have focused on the relationship between them. The purpose of this study was to determine whether different CMP grades affect the incidence of AKP after TKA without patellar resurfacing.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on 290 TKAs with the use of the low contact stress mobile-bearing prosthesis, without patellar resurfacing in 290 patients from February 2009 to January 2013. Patients were assessed by the Outerbridge classification for CMP, visual analog scale for AKP, the Knee Society clinical scoring system of knee score (KS), function score (FS), the patellar score (PS) for clinical function, and patients' satisfaction.

RESULTS

The intra-operative grading of CMP: grade I in 30 patients, grade II in 68 patients, grade III in 97 patients, and grade IV in 95 patients. The incidence of AKP at 36-month follow-up was 10.3% (30/290). No statistical difference was detected among the different CMP grades in terms of the incidence of AKP (p = 0.995), patients' satisfaction (p = 0.832), KS (p = 0.228), FS (p = 0.713), and PS (p = 0.119) at 36-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings may suggest no relevant influence of CMP grading on the incidence of AKP after TKA without patellar resurfacing.

Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy for Patellar Chondral Pathology in an Active United States Military Population

PURPOSE

To quantify rates of perioperative complications, secondary surgery, subjective pain relief, and knee-related medical separation in an active military population after a tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) for the primary indication of chondral pathology.

METHODS

All active-duty service members undergoing TTO with a minimum of 2 years' follow-up were isolated from the Military Health System database. The exclusion criteria were patients with patellar instability, other periarticular osteotomy, and insufficient follow-up. Demographic information and surgical characteristics were abstracted from the electronic health record and correlated with improvement in pain and medical discharge from the military.

RESULTS

A total of 76 patients (86 knees) who underwent TTO for patellofemoral chondromalacia were identified with a mean age of 32.3 years. Major and minor complications occurred in four patients (4.7%) and three patients (3.5%), respectively, and the overall improvement in the visual analog scale score after TTO was 1.5 (P < .0001). At a mean follow-up of 3.4 years (range, 2.0 to 7.3 years), 37% of patients were unable to return to modified military activity because of knee-related limitations. Junior military rank group (P = .0084), age younger than 35 years (P = .0031), bilateral TTO procedures (P = .0294), and tobacco use (P = .0218; odds ratio, 3.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.19 to 9.12) were risk factors for medical separation, whereas absence of concomitant chondral repair (P = .5408), previous knee procedures (P = .9674), and greater occupational demands (P = .7062) were not.

CONCLUSIONS

At short-term to midterm follow-up, 63% of patients successfully returned to military function with a low rate of perioperative complications (8%). The postoperative decrease in pain after TTO is of unknown clinical significance. Age younger than 35 years, junior military rank, bilateral TTO procedures, and tobacco use were significant risk factors for medical separation, whereas absence of concomitant cartilage repair, previous knee procedures, and lower occupational demands were not associated with improved visual analog scale scores or prevention of knee-related medical discharge.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Maquet III procedure: what remains after initial complications--long-term results

BACKGROUND

Maquet III procedure, unloved due to its complications (2% to 59%), has been progressively abandoned. At long-term follow-up, what happens to patients with complications that exceeded the initial ones (Acta Orthop Scand 60:20, 1989)? We retrospectively studied patients who were submitted to Maquet III procedure, by functional and radiologic long-term outcomes, in order to determine if this surgery has or has not fulfilled its initially proposed objectives. From 1970 to 1991, 116 patients benefit from the Maquet III procedure. From this, we were able to review in 2011, 23 patients (25 knees) who went through a single Maquet III procedure. Of these patients, 52% were males. Age at surgery was 39.7 ± 11.4, with a postoperative follow-up of 27.2 ± 3.1 years.

METHODS

A questionnaire has been prepared for collecting data, and it has been supplemented by clinical records. We evaluated the preoperative complaints, postoperative complications, and range of motion during the recovery time, as well as the postoperative pain-absence period. All patients underwent an objective assessment using the visual analog scale (VAS) at rest and activity, and the Kujala patellofemoral scoring system. A radiological assessment was also made in order to evaluate the arthrosis degree. The bicondylo-patellar angle described by Delgado-Martins (Arch Orthop Traumat Surg 96:303-304, 1980) was used to measure patellar tilt, and the Caton-Deschamps index to calculate the patellar height.

RESULTS

Only one knee had benefited from a total knee arthroplasty (20 years after the Maquet III procedure). Preoperative complains were mainly anterior knee pain, crepitus, and patellar instability. Nowadays, 10 patients (40%) still are pain free. Others had an average period without pain of 19.1 ± 6.1 years. VAS at rest was 1.7 ± 0.7 and in activity 4.4 ± 3.0. KPS was 61.9 ± 22.3 points. X-ray shows that 40% had a Kellgren-Lawrence grade of 1 at the patellofemoral joint.

CONCLUSION

Maquet proposed this technique for knee-pain relief, maintenance of the knee range of motion, and for slowly progressive osteoarthritic development. Viewed in a dispassionately way, we could notice that the initial objectives of this procedure were completely achieved. A part of 80% of the initial population was lost during follow-up, which may compromise the conclusions, perhaps, it is time to reflect again on this solution, so unloved by so many.

The role of autologous chondrocyte implantation in the treatment of symptomatic chondromalacia patellae

PURPOSE

Chondromalacia patella is a distinct clinical entity of abnormal softening of the articular cartilage of the patella, which results in chronic retropatellar pain. Its aetiology is still unclear but the process is thought to be a due to trauma to superficial chondrocytes resulting in a proteolytic enzymic breakdown of the matrix. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of autologous chondrocyte implantation on patients with a proven symptomatic retropatellar lesion who had at least one failed conventional marrow-stimulating therapy.

METHODS

We performed chondrocyte implantation on 48 patients: 25 received autologous chondrocyte implantation with a type I/III membrane (ACI-C) method (Geistlich Biomaterials, Wolhusen, Switzerland), and 23 received the Matrix-assisted Chondrocyte Implantation (MACI) technique (Genzyme, Kastrup, Denmark).

RESULTS

Over a mean follow-up period of 40.3 months, there was a statistically significant improvement in subjective pain scoring using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and objective functional scores using the Modified Cincinnati Rating System (MCS) in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Chondromalacia patellae lesions responded well to chondrocyte implantation. Better results occurred with MACI than with ACI-C. Excellent and good results were achieved in 40% of ACI-C patients and 57% of MACI patients, but success of chondrocyte implantation was greater with medial/odd-facet lesions. Given that the MACI procedure is technically easier and less time consuming, we consider it to be useful for treating patients with symptomatic chondral defects secondary to chondromalacia patellae.

[Analgesic effect of intra-artcular fentanyl in knee arthroscopy to treat patellofemoral lateral hyperpressure syndrome]

INTRODUCTION

During arthroscopy for the treatment of patellofemoral lateral hyper-pressure syndrome (LHS), intra-articular morphine or its derivatives (fentanyl) may reduce postoperative pain when combined with anesthetics. We therefore decided to determine whether adding fentanyl to epinephrine and bupivacaine produced an increased analgesia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We randomly distributed 40 patients into two groups. The experimental group (n=20) was given 0.5% bupivacaine (2 mg/kg), epinephrine (100 microg) and fentanyl (2.5 microg/kg). The control group (n=20) received 0.5% bupivacaine (2 mg/kg) and epinephrine (100 microg). Patients underwent chondroplasty and retinacular release, and we assessed pain, time of analgesia and postoperative range of motion at postoperative hours 6 and 24.

RESULTS

The age and the grade of patellofemoral chondromalacia (PFC) were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). No differences were found in pain and ranges of motion intraoperatively and at postoperative hours 6 and 24 (p > 0.05) between both groups. The postoperative analgesia time was similar (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Adding intra-articular fentanyl to the combination of epinephrine plus bupivacaine did not decrease pain, and did not increase neither the analgesia time nor the range of motion in patients with LHS undergoing knee arthroscopy.

Combined proximal and distal realignment procedures to treat the habitual dislocation of the patella in adults

BACKGROUND

Habitual dislocation of the patella (HDP) is a rare condition. Many surgical procedures using proximal realignment have been reported to treat HDP in children, with around 80% satisfactory results. However, few articles have addressed the treatment of HDP associated with high-grade patellofemoral chondromalacia in adults.

HYPOTHESIS

A combination of proximal and distal realignment procedures of the patella will reduce pain and increase function in adult patients with HDP.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

Twelve patients with 13 symptomatic cases of HDP of the knee underwent surgical treatment that included lateral release, medial retinaculum advancement, and the anteromedial tibial tubercle transfer procedure. The average period between dislocation and surgery was 10.8 years. One patient had an additional procedure, an open-wedge varus corrective osteotomy of the distal femur, because of a 20 degrees valgus deformity of the knee. The patellofemoral morphology study included routine and Merchant views of the knee and a computed tomography scan at full extension and at 30 degrees flexion of the knee, before the operation and at follow-up. Any associated intra-articular pathologic findings during the surgical procedure were addressed. Patellofemoral function was evaluated with the Kujala functional score before surgery and at the time of the final follow-up.

RESULTS

Chondromalacia of the patella over the medial facet and central ridge was grade III in 8 knees and grade IV in 5 knees. Corresponding chondral erosion of the lateral femoral condyle was noted in every knee. All patients were followed for an average period of 67.3 months (range, 25-103 months). The average preoperative Kujala functional score was 43.9 and the average postoperative score was 88.9 (P< .05). Radiographically, there was a statistically significant improvement in the congruence angle from 62.1 degrees +/- 15.0 degrees preoperatively to -2.7 degrees +/- 9.8 degrees postoperatively (P< .01) and in the lateral patellofemoral angle from -40.2 degrees +/- 9.3 degrees preoperatively to 1.4 degrees +/- 7.0 degrees postoperatively (P< .01). No patient has reported an episode of patellar dislocation after the surgical procedures.

CONCLUSION

Combined proximal and distal realignments of the patella effectively treat HDP in adults with associated high-grade patellofemoral chondromalacia.

Who is the ideal candidate for autologous chondrocyte implantation?

We investigated the prognostic indicators for collagen-covered autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI-C) performed for symptomatic osteochondral defects of the knee. We analysed prospectively 199 patients for up to four years after surgery using the modified Cincinnati score. Arthroscopic assessment and biopsy of the neocartilage was also performed whenever possible. The favourable factors for ACI-C include younger patients with higher pre-operative modified Cincinnati scores, a less than two-year history of symptoms, a single defect, a defect on the trochlea or lateral femoral condyle and patients with fewer than two previous procedures on the index knee. Revision ACI-C in patients with previous ACI and mosaicplasties which had failed produced significantly inferior clinical results. Gender (p = 0.20) and the size of the defect (p = 0.97) did not significantly influence the outcome.

Determination of factors influencing tissue effect of thermal chondroplasty: an ex vivo investigation

PURPOSE

Scientific investigation of thermal chondroplasty using radiofrequency energy (RFE) is confounded by multiple factors associated with the technique. Our purpose was to determine the relative importance of the following factors on tissue effect (depth of tissue debridement plus depth of underlying cell death) of thermal chondroplasty: probe design, generator power setting, speed, force, and number of passes of the probe over treated tissue. We hypothesized the relative importance of these factors would be (from most to least important) power, passes, speed, force, and design.

METHODS

Bovine patellae were treated using monopolar RFE. Sample size was based on a 2-level, half-factorial design. Low and high extremes of the factors tested were power setting (50 W v 110 W), passes (1 v 5), speed (3 mm/sec v 10 mm/sec), force (0.15 N v and 0.59 N), and probe design (electrode protrusion 25 microm v 125 microm). Samples were incubated with cell viability stain and examined using confocal laser microscopy to determine tissue effect. Data were analyzed using multiple regression.

RESULTS

All factors that were tested significantly influenced tissue effect (P < .05). Power setting had the greatest effect, followed by design, speed, passes, and force. The following interactions of factors were also significant: design and force, power and passes. The optimal configuration resulting in least tissue effect was a power setting of 50 W, electrode protrusion of 25 microm, speed of 10 mm/sec, 1 pass, and 0.15 N of applied force during treatment, which resulted in a predicted tissue effect of 99 +/- 15 microm.

CONCLUSIONS

The least tissue effect of thermal chondroplasty was achieved with lower power using a probe with minimal electrode protrusion while performing a rapid, single, lower force pass of the probe over treated tissue.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Power and probe design have the greatest influence among the factors tested; selecting these parameters preoperatively could control tissue effect.

Operative treatment of deep chondral defects of the patella: results after abrasive arthroplasty and periosteal arthroplasty

This prospective, non-randomized study was aimed to evaluate the effects of abrasive arthroplasty and periosteal arthroplasty in the treatment of deep chondral defects of the patella. A total of 30 patients in group A (13 male, 17 female, age: 28.7+/-6.9 years) underwent arthroscopic abrasive arthroplasty. The other patients in group B (n=17, 11 male, 8 female, age 26.8+/-7.0 years) underwent periosteal arthroplasty by an autologous periosteal flap. The maximal diameter of the defects was 31.1+/-6.7 (range 20-45 mm). The Lysholm score and the intensity of pain were evaluated preoperatively and at the time of follow-up (3.1+/-1.1, range 2-5 years). The Tegner activity score was evaluated before onset of the symptoms and at the time of follow-up. The Lysholm score increased significantly in both groups (in group a from 36.1+/-7.1 to 42.5+/-6.6 points and in group B from 42.7+/-2.4 to 67.6+/-7.8 points). The result in group B was significantly better than in group A. In group A the intensity of pain was unchanged, whereas patients from group B reported a significant reduction of pain. The level of physical activity (Tegner score) was 5.5+/-2.1 in group A and 5.5+/-2.1 in group B before onset of the complaints. In follow-up, patients from group B (4.9+/-1.2) had a reduced Tegner score in tendency. The patients in group A had a significantly reduced level of physical activity (2.7+/-0.6). A total of 12 patients from group B had a range of motion lesser than 80 degrees in flexion. These patients underwent joint mobilization and control arthroscopy. During control arthroscopy there was always found a stable periosteal flap. Short-term clinical results with periosteal arthroplasty produced a significant reduction in pain and improved Lysholm score in comparison to abrasive arthroplasty.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation at the knee using a bilayer collagen membrane with bone graft. A preliminary report

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a technique used for the treatment of symptomatic osteochondral defects of the knee. A variation of the original periosteum membrane technique is the matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) technique. The MACI membrane consists of a porcine type-I/III collagen bilayer seeded with chondrocytes. Osteochondral defects deeper than 8 to 10 mm usually require bone grafting either before or at the time of transplantation of cartilage. We have used a variation of Peterson's ACI-periosteum sandwich technique using two MACI membranes with bone graft which avoids periosteal harvesting. The procedure is suture-free and requires less operating time and surgical exposure. We performed this MACI-sandwich technique on eight patients, five of whom were assessed at six months and one year post-operatively using the modified Cincinnati knee, the Stanmore functional rating and the visual analogue pain scores. All patients improved within six months with further improvement at one year. The clinical outcome was good or excellent in four after six months and one year. No significant graft-associated complications were observed. Our early results of the MACI-sandwich technique are encouraging although larger medium-term studies are required before there is widespread adoption of the technique.

Welche Faktoren beeinflussen das Ergebnis der ACT bei Überschreiten der Indikationsgrenzen?

AIM

The present study evaluates the results of ACT at the knee joint with transgression of the usual spectrum of indications and points out the possible limits of the method.

METHODS

In 20 of a total of 71 patients the indication limits of ACT were exceeded. The clinical follow-up over two years was related to the localisation, size, adjacent cartilage, previous and additional operations and the quality of the transplanted chondrocytes.

RESULTS

The average patient age at time of operation was 41.1 years (24 to 55 years). The average defect size was 7.9 cm (2) (3.75 to 14 cm (2)). In the analysed group outside of the indication limits of ACT half of the patients showed good or excellent results at clinical follow-up after 2 years. 10 patients, however, assessed the clinical situation as fair or poor. Within this group 5 patients showed a minimum of two lesions. In 6 patients the treated defect was not completely surrounded by an adjacent cartilage shoulder. In 7 cases the meniscus at the site of the lesion had been partially removed in a previous operation and osteoarthrosis or kissing lesions were detected in 4 cases. The persistent good cell quality had no negative influence on the postoperative results.

CONCLUSION

The results after ACT are influenced by the adjacent cartilage shoulder, kissing lesions, previous meniscectomy and osteoarthrosis. This may limit the indications of the method.