Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most common knee joint disease. Although KOA belongs to a disease of degeneration of knee joint cartilage, its pathology involves cartilage, subchondral bone, meniscus, synovial membrane, articular capsule and other joint tissue. The infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP), an intracapsular but extrasynovial structure, has some special characteristics of endocrine metabolism, then it has double roles in the development of KOA, but its protective effect is much more than harmful effect. Considering protective roles of IPFP in KOA and some serious complications after IPFP resection, the surgeon shall protect IPFP as far as possible if total knee arthroplasty surgical field is good. If it is necessary to improve the surgical field, its fibrotic tissue even all part can be removed.
Adipose Tissue ; physiology ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate results of total knee arthroplasty using the long-stem tibial component combined with metallic wedge of knee prosthesis for the treatment of proximal defects.

METHODSFrom January 2011 to May 2013, 10 patients (11 knees) were treated with total knee arthroplasties using the long-stem tibial component with metallic tibial wedge of knee prosthesis. All the patients were female and the average age was 67 years old (ranged, 60 to 77 years old). All the patients were osteoarthritis. All the patients were classified as T2A style. The patients were evaluated according to knee score system (KSS).

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up for 12 months on average (ranged 3 to 29 months). The clinical outcome was assessed using KSS score, including knee pain score, knee stability score, knee range of motion score and knee walking score, knee stairs score. There were significantly differences at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months between pre-and postoperative KSS score.

CONCLUSIONThe mechanical stability of tibial fixation in primary TKA is significantly increased by using the long-stem tibial component with metallic wedge of knee prosthesis, even in the presence of poor proximal bone.

Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Knee Prosthesis ; Male ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Tibia ; abnormalities ; physiopathology ; surgery

The capacity to perform certain activities is frequently compromised after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) due to a functional decline resulting from decreased range of motion and a diminished ability to kneel. In this manuscript, the current biomechanical understanding of hyperflexion and kneeling before and after TKA will be discussed. Patellofemoral and tibiofemoral joint contact area, contact pressure, and kinematics were evaluated in cadaveric studies using a Tekscan pressure measuring system and Microscribe. Testing was performed on intact knees and following cruciate retaining and posterior stabilized TKA at knee flexion angles of 90degrees, 105degrees, 120degrees, and 135degrees. Three loading conditions were used to simulate squatting, double stance kneeling, and single stance kneeling. Following TKA with double stance kneeling, patellofemoral contact areas did not increase significantly at high knee flexion angle (135degrees). Kneeling resulted in tibial posterior translation and external rotation at all flexion angles. Moving from double to single stance kneeling tended to increase pressures in the cruciate retaining group, but decreased pressures in the posterior stabilized group. The cruciate retaining group had significantly larger contact areas than the posterior stabilized group, although no significant differences in pressures were observed comparing the two TKA designs (p < 0.05). If greater than 120degrees of postoperative knee range of motion can be achieved following TKA, then kneeling may be performed with less risk in the patellofemoral joint than was previously believed to be the case. However, kneeling may increase the likelihood of damage to cartilage and menisci in intact knees and after TKA increases in tibiofemoral contact area and pressures may lead to polyethyelene wear if performed on a chronic, repetitive basis.
*Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cadaver ; Humans ; Knee Joint/*physiopathology/surgery ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/*physiopathology/surgery ; Patellofemoral Joint/physiopathology/surgery ; Posture/physiology ; Range of Motion, Articular

OBJECTIVETo investigate surgical procedure and clinical effects for the treatment of patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) with arthroscopic patelloplasty and circumpatellar denervation.

METHODSTotally 156 patients with PFOA (62 males and 94 females; aged from 45 to 61 years old with an average of 52) were treated from September 2011 and March 2013. The clinical manifestations included recurrent swelling and pains on knee-joint,and aggravated pains upon going up/down-stairs, squatting-down, or standing-up. PFOAs were treated with arthroscopic patelloplasty and circumpatellar denervation. The therapeutic effects before and after surgery were evaluated by Lysholm scores and Kujala scores. The therapeutic effects were graded by classification of cartilage injury degrees.

RESULTSTotally 149 cases were successfully followed up for 14.8 months. The incisions were healed well and no complication were occurred. Lysholm score was improved from 73.29 preoperatively to 80.93 postoperatively and average Kajala score from 68.34 preoperatively to 76.48 after surgery. This procedure was highly effective for patients with I - III degree cartilage injury, while not for patients with IV degree cartilage injury.

CONCLUSIONFor PFOA patients, arthroscopic patelloplasty and circumpatellar denervation is effective for significantly relieving anterior knee pains, improving knee-joint functions and quality of life, and deferring arthritic procession.

Arthroscopy ; Denervation ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; innervation ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the change of clearance and range of joint improved situation during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by operating extended release manipulation of the posterior knee clearance.

METHODSA total of 120 patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing unilateral TKA from March 2010 to March 2012 were equally randomized prospectively assigned to the experimental group and control group, each 60 cases. There were 46 male and 74 female patients, the mean age was 63.6 years (range from 49 to 75 years). After the osteotomy of the tibia and the femoral condyle and before the release of soft tissue intraoperation, patients in experimental group were taken the extended release manipulation of the posterior knee clearence while the control group were cleaned the osteophyte of the posterior condyle only, 2-sided paired t test was used to compare the clearence intraoperation and the time to flexion angle of 90° and 120° and the maximum angle after 3 months' follow-up.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference of the index between the experimental group and control group (P > 0.05). Between experimental group and control group, the difference was significant in extention clearance ((18.9 ± 1.5) mm vs. (17.9 ± 1.6) mm, t = 3.53, P < 0.01) intraoperation, and no significant difference in flexion clearance ((20.7 ± 1.8) mm vs. (20.2 ± 1.9) mm, t = 1.48, P > 0.05). It took longer time for the knee flexion range of motion to 90°(t = 10.2399, P < 0.01) or 120°(t = 11.142, P < 0.01) of the control group than that of the experimental group, and the difference of the maximum range of motion between experimental group and control group was significant statistically at the 3-months follow-up (t = 4.4255, P < 0.01). All the patients were followed up for 3 - 24 months, average of 14.6 months, no femoral component loosening happened.

CONCLUSIONSExtended release of the posterior knee clearance benefits the knee extension clearence intraoperation and functional exercise of range of motion postoperation, while it is no meaning to the flexion clearence.

Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Capsule Release ; methods ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Osteotomy ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSETo determine the effect of the posterior condylar offset (PCO) on clinical results after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using a high-flex posterior-stabilized (PS) fixed-bearing prosthesis.

METHODSWe prospectively studied the clinical and radiographic materials of 89 consecutive female patients (89 knees), who had undergone primary TKAs for end-stage osteoarthritis. All operations were performed by a single senior surgeon or under his supervision using the same operative technique. Based on the corrected PCO change, we divided all cases into two groups: group A (corrected PCO change ≥0 mm, 58 knees) and group B (corrected PCO change<0 mm, 31 knees). One-year postoperatively, clinical and radiographic variables from the two groups were compared by independent t-test. The associations between the corrected PCO changes and the improvements of clinical variables in all patients were analyzed by Pearson linear correlation.

RESULTSOne-year postoperatively, the Knee Society Scores, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, non-weight-bearing active and passive range of knee flexion, flexion contracture, extensor lag, and their improvements had no statistical differences between the two groups (all p>0.05). The corrected PCO change was not significantly correlated with the improvement of any clinical variable (all p>0.05). Group A demonstrated greater flexion than group B during active weight bearing (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSRestoration of PCO plays an important role in the optimization of active knee flexion during weight-bearing conditions after posterior-stabilized TKA, while it has no benefit to non-weight-bearing knee flexion or any other clinical result.

Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; methods ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; Knee Prosthesis ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Prospective Studies ; Range of Motion, Articular

OBJECTIVETo study the synergistic effects of electroacupuncture on the treatment of knee osteoarthritis after arthroscopic debridement.

METHODSFrom May 2008 to July 2010, 78 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into two groups. There were 42 patients in the experimental group, including 16 males and 26 females, ranging in age from 41 to 63 years, with an average of (53.62 +/- 6.53) years; the disease course ranged from 8 to 24 months, with an average of (10.35 +/- 6.42) months. The patients were treated with arthroscopic debridement combined with electroacupuncture after operation. There were 36 patients in the control group, including 14 males and 22 females, ranging in age from 40 to 62 years, with an average of (54.34 +/- 7.67) years; the disease course ranged from 6 to 25 months, with an average of (11.94 +/- 5.13) months. Those patients were treated only with arthroscopic debridment. All the patients performed isometric quadriceps femoris contraction exercise and knee flexion and extension activities after operation. The visual analog scale(VAS) score and Lysholm knee score were used to evaluate the therapeutic effects.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 12 to 30 months, with an average of 15.6 months. At the final follow-up, VAS score was significantly decreased, and the Lysholm score, except for the item demanding for support, significantly increased, compared with those before surgery respectively in both groups. There was significant difference in VAS score between two groups after treatment. As to Lysholm score, there were significant differences in limp, pain, swelling, stair activity and squat, but there were no significant differences in items of interlocking and instability between two groups after treatment.

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and knee joint's motor function of knee joints in patients with knee osteoarthritis, as well as the synergistic effects on the treatment of knee osteoarthritis after arthroscopic debridement, leading to a much better long-term therapeutic effect with respect of improving the function of knee joint. This therapy, combined with traditional Chinese medicine and Western Medicine,is worth of clinical application in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthroscopy ; Case-Control Studies ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Debridement ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint diseases in the world, and the prevalence rate of osteoarthritis increases with the increase of age. Artificial knee replacement surgery has become one of the major measures to treat the severe pathological changes in the knee. The bone mechanical axis realigning and the soft tissue balance are the two key problems in the artificial knee arthroplasty. In this paper is introduced the development of the technique for measuring the soft tissue balance in knee replacement. And it is concluded that such technique would be continuosly improved in light of the development in the sensor technique and computer aided surgery technique. The soft tissue balance in knee arthroplasty can prolong the life of the artificial knee.
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; methods ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Collateral Ligaments ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Knee Prosthesis ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; surgery ; Range of Motion, Articular ; physiology ; Recovery of Function ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the rotation of femoral component and tibial component with CT and evaluate the relationship between patellofemoral complications and rotational alignment of the components.

METHODSThirty patients with isolated patellofemoral complications after total knee arthroplasty were compared with 20 patients with well functioning total knee replacements free of patellofemoral complications. The epicondylar axis and tibial tubercle were used as references on CT scans to quantify the rotational alignment of the femoral and tibial components.

RESULTSPatients with patellofemoral complications had excessive combined (tibial plus femoral) internal component rotation, which was directly proportional to the severity of the patellofemoral complications. Mild combined internal rotation (1 degree-4 degrees) was correlated with patellar and lateral tracking tilting, moderate rotation (3 degrees-8 degrees) with patellar subluxation, and severe rotation (7 degrees-17 degrees) with early patellar dislocation or late patellar prosthesis failure. The control group had combined external rotation of 10 degrees-0 degree.

CONCLUSIONSThe direct correlation of combined internal component rotation to the severity of the patellofemoral complication suggests that internal component rotation may be the predominant cause of patellofemoral complications in patients with normal axis alignment. CT scans can be used intraoperatively and postoperatively to determine whether the rotational malalignment is present to require revision of one or both components.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Prosthesis Failure ; Radiography ; Rotation

OBJECTIVETo compare the early clinical outcomes of primary total knee arthroplasty in the valgus knee between mobile-bearing prosthesis and fixed-bearing prosthesis.

METHODSFrom January 2011 to December 2013, 17 patients (23 knees) treated by the same surgeon were selected for a retrospective study in the First Hospital of Jilin University, including 2 males and 15 females with a mean age of 61.5 years old (48 to 75 years). The pre-operative diagnosis included osteoarthritis (14 patients, 19 knees) and rheumatoid arthritis (3 patients, 4 knees). The patients with valgus deformity were divided into group A and group B. The patients in group A were treated with the fixed-bearing prosthesis (9 patients, 12 knees), and the patients in group B were treated with the mobile-bearing prosthesis (8 patients, 11 knees). The Knee Society Score (KSS), Hosptial for Special Surgery (HSS), Western Ontario MacMaster (WOMAC), the range of motion (ROM) and femorotibial angle were collected at pre-operation and post-operation follow-up for statistical analysis.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 6 to 36 months (mean 25 months). The valgus deformity was corrected in all patients, and there were significant differences for all patients between pre-operation and post-operation at the latest follow-up with regard to the KSS knee score, function score, HSS score, WOMAC score, ROM and femorotibial angle (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in KSS knee score, function score, HSS score, WOMAC score, improvement in ROM and femorotibial angle between two groups at the latest follow-up. However there were significant differences in ROM (P<0.05) between fixed-bearing group (101.8±8.8)° and mobile-bearing group (108.4±7.2)° at the latest follow-up. No case with spin-out of mobile bearing was observed. There were no complications in any patient, such as infection, common peroneal nerve injury, dislocation and instability. The X-ary imaging showed no osteolysis or implant loosening.

CONCLUSIONThe early clinical outcomes of primary total knee arthroplasty by using mobile-bearing prosthesis and fixed-bearing prosthesis are satisfactory for the treatment of the valgus knee, and the short term clinical outcomes of mobile-bearing TKA and fixed-bearing TKA are similar.

Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Deformities, Acquired ; surgery ; Knee Joint ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies