OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between trace elements in synovial fluid and cartilage and severity of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS: Patients with KOA who underwent knee arthrocentesis or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were recruited based on inclusion criteria between June 2021 and December 2021. Synovial fluid samples were obtained during knee arthrocentesis and TKA, and participants were divided into the mild group (grading Ⅰ/Ⅱ) and the severe group (grading Ⅲ/Ⅳ) according to the Kellgren-Lawrence grading (K-L grading). Cartilage samples with different degrees of wear were collected during the TKA from the same patient and were divided into mild wear (0-1 point) and severe wear (2-4 points) groups based on the Pelletier score. The contents of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) in synovial fluid and cartilage were evaluated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the differences between groups were compared. RESULTS: A total of 33 synovial fluid samples were collected, including 19 specimens from 14 patients who underwent knee arthrocentesis of mild group, with 5 bilateral sides knee arthrocentesis in them, and 14 specimens from 14 TKA patients of severe group. The patients were significantly younger in the mild group than in the severe group ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in gender or body mass index between the two groups ( P>0.05). Nineteen pairs of cartilage samples with mild and severe wear were collected from severe KOA patients (K-L grading Ⅲ and Ⅳ), including 9 males and 10 females, with an average age of 70.4 years (range, 58-80 years). The body mass index ranged from 21.2 to 30.7 kg/m ², with an average of 25.6 kg/m ². The content of Zn in synovial fluid and cartilage from KOA patients was the highest, followed by Cu, and Mn was the lowest. The Cu content in synovial fluid was significantly higher in the severe group than in the mild group ( P<0.05), and in the severe wear group than in the mild wear group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in Zn and Mn content between the two groups ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION The Cu content increases with the severity of cartilage wear in patients with KOA.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Synovial Fluid ; Trace Elements ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Cartilage, Articular ; Zinc

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of knee joint kinematics after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction assisted by personalized femoral positioner based on the apex of deep cartilage (ADC). METHODS: Between January 2021 and January 2022, a total of 40 patients with initial ACL rupture who met the selection criteria were randomly divided into the study group (using the personalized femoral positioner based on ADC design to assist ACL reconstruction) and the control group (not using the personalized femoral positioner to assist ACL reconstruction), with 20 patients in each group. Another 20 volunteers with normal knee were collected as a healthy group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, and affected side between groups ( P>0.05). Gait analysis was performed at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation using Opti _ Knee three-dimensional knee joint motion measurement and analysis system, and the 6 degrees of freedom (flexion and extension angle, varus and valgus angle, internal and external rotation angle, anteroposterior displacement, superior and inferior displacement, internal and external displacement) and motion cycle (maximum step length, minimum step length, and step frequency) of the knee joint were recorded. The patients' data was compared to the data of healthy group. RESULTS: In the healthy group, the flexion and extension angle was (57.80±3.45)°, the varus and valgus angle was (10.54±1.05)°, the internal and external rotation angle was (13.02±1.66)°, and the anteroposterior displacement was (1.44±0.39) cm, the superior and inferior displacement was (0.86±0.20) cm, and the internal and external displacement was (1.38±0.39) cm. The maximum step length was (51.24±1.29) cm, the minimum step length was (45.69±2.28) cm, and the step frequency was (12.45±0.47) step/minute. Compared with the healthy group, the flexion and extension angles and internal and external rotation angles of the patients in the study group and the control group decreased at 3 months after operation, and the flexion and extension angles of the patients in the control group decreased at 6 months after operation, and the differences were significant ( P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the other time points and other indicators when compared with healthy group ( P>0.05). In the study group, the flexion and extension angles and internal and external rotation angles at 6 and 12 months after operation were significantly greater than those at 3 months after operation ( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the other indicators at other time points ( P>0.05). There was a significant difference in flexion and extension angle between the study group and the control group at 6 months after operation ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference of the indicators between the two groups at other time points ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION Compared with conventional surgery, ACL reconstruction assisted by personalized femoral positioner based on ADC design can help patients achieve more satisfactory early postoperative kinematic results, and three-dimensional kinematic analysis can more objectively and dynamically evaluate the postoperative recovery of knee joint.
Humans ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Femur/surgery* ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Cartilage/surgery* ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the role of chondrocyte mitochondrial homeostasis imbalance in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) and analyze its application prospects. METHODS: The recent literature at home and abroad was reviewed to summarize the mechanism of mitochondrial homeostasis imbalance, the relationship between mitochondrial homeostasis imbalance and the pathogenesis of OA, and the application prospect in the treatment of OA. RESULTS: Recent studies have shown that mitochondrial homeostasis imbalance, which is caused by abnormal mitochondrial biogenesis, the imbalance of mitochondrial redox, the imbalance of mitochondrial dynamics, and damaged mitochondrial autophagy of chondrocytes, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of OA. Abnormal mitochondrial biogenesis can accelerate the catabolic reaction of OA chondrocytes and aggravate cartilage damage. The imbalance of mitochondrial redox can lead to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibit the synthesis of extracellular matrix, induce ferroptosis and eventually leads to cartilage degradation. The imbalance of mitochondrial dynamics can lead to mitochondrial DNA mutation, decreased adenosine triphosphate production, ROS accumulation, and accelerated apoptosis of chondrocytes. When mitochondrial autophagy is damaged, dysfunctional mitochondria cannot be cleared in time, leading to ROS accumulation, which leads to chondrocyte apoptosis. It has been found that substances such as puerarin, safflower yellow, and astaxanthin can inhibit the development of OA by regulating mitochondrial homeostasis, which proves the potential to be used in the treatment of OA. CONCLUSION The mitochondrial homeostasis imbalance in chondrocytes is one of the most important pathogeneses of OA, and further exploration of the mechanisms of mitochondrial homeostasis imbalance is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of OA.
Humans ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Chondrocytes/metabolism* ; Osteoarthritis/metabolism* ; Homeostasis ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Cartilage, Articular/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction assisted by personalized femoral locator based on the apex of deep cartilage (ADC) combined with patient imaging data. METHODS: Between January 2021 and January 2022, a total of 40 patients with primary ACL rupture were selected and randomly divided into study group (ACL reconstruction assisted by personalized femoral locator based on ADC) and control group (ACL reconstruction assisted by intraoperative fluoroscopy and traditional femoral locator), with 20 cases in each group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, affected side, cause of injury, and preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lyshlom score, and Tegner score between the two groups ( P>0.05). IKDC score, Lyshlom score, and Tegner score were used to evaluate the functional recovery of the affected knee before operation and at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation. CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction were performed before and after operation to measure the horizontal distance from ADC to the anterior cartilage margin (L) and the horizontal distance from ADC to the center of the femoral canal (I), and the anteroposterior position of the bone canal (R) was calculated by I/L; the distance from the center to the distal cartilage margin (D) was measured on the two-dimensional cross section; the R value and D value were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The operation time of the study group was significantly less than that of the control group [ MD=-6.90 (-8.78, -5.03), P<0.001]. The incisions of the two groups healed by first intention, and no complication such as intra-articular infection, nerve injury, and deep vein thrombosis of lower limbs occurred. There was no significant difference in the R value and D value between the preoperative simulated positioning and the actual intraoperative positioning in the study group [ MD=0.52 (-2.85, 3.88), P=0.758; MD=0.36 (-0.39, 1.11), P=0.351]. There was no significant difference in the actual intraoperative positioning R value and D value between the study group and the control group [ MD=1.01 (-2.57, 4.58), P=0.573; MD=0.24 (-0.34, 0.82), P=0.411]. The patients in both groups were followed up 12-13 months (mean, 12.4 months). The IKDC score, Lysholm score, and Tegner score of the two groups increased gradually with time, and there were significant differences between pre- and post-operation ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the scores between the two groups at each time point after operation ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION The personalized femoral locator based on ADC can accurately assist the femoral tunnel positioning in ACL reconstruction, which can shorten the operation time when compared with traditional surgical methods, and achieve satisfactory early effectiveness.
Humans ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery* ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/methods* ; Cartilage/surgery* ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the repair method of type Ⅱc injury in the lateral meniscus popliteal tendon area based on the porcine knee joint. METHODS: Eighteen commercially available fresh porcine knee joints were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=6). After preparing a type Ⅱc injury in the lateral meniscus popliteal tendon area, and the anterior (group A), posterior (group B), or anterior and posterior (group C) of the popliteal hiatus (PH) was sutured by vertical mattress. The tension meter was used to apply gradient tensions of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 N along the tibial plateau horizontally, respectively, to pull the midpoint of the lateral meniscus popliteal tendon area. The displacement values before modeling, after modeling, and after suture were recorded. The reduction value of lateral meniscus displacement and reduction rate after suture were calculated and compared between groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between groups ( P>0.05) in the displacement values before modeling, after modeling, and after suture under different tensions. There was no significant difference between groups A and C ( P>0.05) in the reduction value of lateral meniscus displacement and reduction rate after suture under different tensions. The reduction value of lateral meniscus displacement and reduction rate after suture in group B were lower than those in groups A and C. The reduction value of lateral meniscus displacement under tension of 2 N and the reduction rates under tensions of 2, 4, and 6 N between groups A and B showed significant differences ( P<0.05). The reduction value of lateral meniscus displacement and the reduction rate under tensions of 2, 4, and 6 N between groups B and C showed significant differences ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION Suturing the anterior area of PH is the key to repairing type Ⅱc injury of lateral meniscus popliteal tendon area.
Animals ; Humans ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Menisci, Tibial/surgery* ; Swine ; Tendons ; Tibia

OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of meniscus repair in recent years, in order to provide help for the clinical decision-making of meniscus injury treatment. METHODS: The domestic and foreign literature related to meniscal repair in recent years was extensively reviewed to summarize the reasons for the prevalence of meniscal repair, surgical indications, various repair methods and long-term effectiveness, the need to deal with mechanical structural abnormalities, biological enhancement repair technology, rehabilitation treatment, and so on. RESULTS: In order to delay the occurrence of osteoarthritis, the best treatment of meniscus has undergone an important change from partial meniscectomy to meniscal repair, and the indications for meniscal repair have been expanding. The mid- and long-term effectiveness of different meniscal repair methods are ideal. During meniscus repair, the abnormality of lower limb force line and meniscus protrusion should be corrected at the same time. There are controversies about the biological enhancement technology to promote meniscus healing and rehabilitation programs, which need further study. CONCLUSION Meniscal repair can restore the normal mechanical conduction of lower limbs and reduce the incidence of traumatic osteoarthritis, but the poor blood supply and healing ability of meniscal tissue bring difficulties to meniscal repair. Further development of new biological enhanced repair technology and individualized rehabilitation program and verification of its effectiveness will be an important research direction.
Humans ; Menisci, Tibial/surgery* ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Meniscectomy/methods* ; Lower Extremity ; Osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of facet joint degeneration in adjacent segments on the incidence of adjacent segment disease (ASD) after lumbar fusion and fixation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 138 patients who underwent L₅S₁ posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) from June 2016 to June 2019. Patients were divided into a degeneration group (68 cases) and a non-degenerative group (70 cases) based on the presence or absence of L_4,5 facet joint degeneration before surgery (graded using the Weishaupt standard). Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), follow-up time, and preoperative L_4,5 intervertebral disc degeneration (graded using the Pfirrmann standard) were collected for both groups. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) at 1 and 3 months after surgery. The incidence and time of ASD after surgery were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, gender, BMI, follow-up time, or preoperative L_4,5 intervertebral disc degeneration. Both groups showed significant improvement in VAS and ODI at 1 and 3 months after surgery (P<0.001), with no significant difference between the groups(P>0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference in the incidence and timing of ASD between the groups (P<0.05). The degeneration group had 2 cases of ASD in gradeⅠdegeneration, 4 cases of ASD in gradeⅡdegeneration, and 7 cases of ASD in grade Ⅲ degeneration. There was a statistically significant difference between the number of patients with grade Ⅲ degeneration and those with gradesⅠandⅡASD (P<0.0167, Bonferroni correction). CONCLUSION Preoperative degeneration of adjacent articular processes will increase the risk of ASD after lumbar fusion fixation, whereas gradeⅢ degeneration will further increase the risk.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/surgery* ; Zygapophyseal Joint/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion/adverse effects* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Spondylosis ; Treatment Outcome

Wallis dynamic stabilization system is a surgical approach in the non-fusion technique of lumbar spine, consisting of interspinous blockers and dacron artificial ligaments that provide stability to the spine while maintaining a degree of motion in the affected segment. Recent studies have demonstrated the significant benefits of Wallis dynamic stabilization system in treating lumbar degenerative diseases. It not only improves clinical symptoms, but also effectively delays complications such as adjacent segmental degeneration. This paper aims to review the literature related to the Wallis dynamic stabilization system and degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine to describe the long-term prognostic effect of this system in the treatment of such diseases. This review provides a theoretical basis and reference for selecting surgical methods to treat degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine.
Humans ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Lumbosacral Region ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics of intervertebral disc tissue injury and herniation into the vertebral body in thoracolumbar fracture on fracture healing, vertebral bone defect volume and intervertebral space height. METHODS: From April 2016 to April 2020, a total of 140 patients with thoracolumbar single vertebral fracture combined with upper intervertebral disc injury treated with pedicle screw rod system reduction and internal fixation in our hospital. There were 83 males and 57 females, aged from 19 to 58 years old, with an average age of (39.33±10.26) years old. All patients were followed up regularly 6 months, 12 months and 18 months after surgery. The patients with injured intervertebral disc tissue not herniated into the fractured vertebral body were the control group, and the patients with injured intervertebral disc and herniated into the fractured vertebral body were the observation group. By detecting the thoracolumbar AP and lateral X-ray films, CT and MRI of the thoracolumbar segment at different follow-up time, calculate the changes of the wedge angle of the fractured vertebral body, the sagittal kyphosis angle and the height of the superior adjacent intervertebral space, the changes of the fracture healing and bone defect volume after the reduction of the vertebral body, and the changes of the intervertebral disc degeneration grade. The prognosis was evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS) and Oswestry disability index(ODI). Finally, the differences of the above results among different groups were comprehensively analyzed. RESULTS: All the patients had normal wound healing without complications. A total of 87 patients received complete follow-up data, at least 18 months after internal fixation. Thoracolumbar AP and lateral X-ray films showed that 18 months after the reduction and internal fixation operation, the vertebral wedge angle, sagittal kyphosis angle and the height of the upper adjacent intervertebral space in the observation group were greater than those in the control group(P<0.05). CT scanning showed that the deformity of the fracture healed 12 months after the vertebral body reduction in the observation group and formed a "cavity" of bone defect connected with the intervertebral space, and its volume was significantly increased compared with that before (P<0.05). MRI scanning showed that the degeneration rate of injured intervertebral discs in the observation group was more serious than that in the control group 12 months after operation(P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in VAS and ODI score at each time. CONCLUSION Herniation of injured intervertebral disc tissue hernias into the fractured vertebral body leads to increased bone resorption defect volume around the fracture and forms a malunion "cavity" connected with the intervertebral space. This may be the main reason for the change of vertebral wedge angle, the increase of sagittal kyphosis angle and the decrease of intervertebral space height after removal of internal fixation devices.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Vertebral Body/injuries* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/injuries* ; Thoracic Vertebrae/injuries* ; Treatment Outcome ; Fractures, Bone ; Spinal Fractures/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Pedicle Screws ; Kyphosis/surgery* ; Intervertebral Disc/surgery* ; Hernia ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between spinous process deviation and lumbar disc herniation in young patients. METHODS: From March 2015 to January 2022, 30 treated young (under the age of 30) patients with lumbar disc herniation were included as the young group. In addition 30 middle-aged patients (quinquagenarian group) with lumbar disc herniation and 30 patients with non-degenerative spinal diseases (young non-degenerative group) were selected as control groups. The angle of the spinous process deviation was measured on CT and statistically analyzed by various groups. All the data were measured twice and the average value was taken and recorded. RESULTS: The average angle of spinous process deviation in the degenerative lumbar vertebra of young patients were (3.89±3.77) degrees, similar to the (3.72±2.98) degrees of quinquagenarian patients(P=0.851). The average angle of s spinous process deviation young non-degenerative group were (2.20±2.28) degrees, significantly less than young group(P=0.040). The spinous process deviation angle of the superior vertebral of the degenerative lumbar in the young group was (4.10±3.44) degrees, which similar to the (3.47±2.87) degrees in the quinquagenarian group (P=0.447). A total of 19 young patients had the opposite deviation direction of the spinous process of the degenerative lumbar vertebra and upper vertebra, while only 7 quinquagenarian patients had this condition(P=0.02). The type of lumbar disc herniation in young patients had no significant relationship with the direction of spinous process deflection of the degenerative or upper lumbar vertebra (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Spinous process deviation is a risk factor of young lumbar disc herniation patients. If the deviation directions of adjacent lumbar spinous processes are opposite, it will increase the incidence of lumbar disc herniation in young patients. There was no significant correlation between the type of disc herniation and the deviation direction of the spinous process of the degenerative or upper lumbar vertebra. People with such anatomical variation can strengthen the stability of spine and prevent lumbar disc herniation through reasonable exercise.
Middle Aged ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/complications* ; Vertebral Body ; Spinal Diseases ; Spinal Fusion/adverse effects* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/etiology*