OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early effectiveness of local infiltration anesthesia (LIA) with compound betamethasone in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: The clinical data of 102 patients with knee osteoarthritis who were treated by TKA and met the selection criteria between May 2022 and March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into control group and study group according to whether LIA preparation was added with compound betamethasone, with 51 cases in each group. There was no significant difference of baseline data, such as age, gender, body mass index, operative side, preoperative range of motion (ROM), Knee Society Score (KSS), white blood cell (WBC), and hematocrit between the two groups ( P>0.05). The intraoperative total blood loss and hidden blood loss were recorded, and WBC was recorded on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days after operation. Pain was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) score on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days after operation and morphine intake milligrames equivalent within 48 hours after operation. Passive ROM, maximum extension and flexion angles of knee joint were measured on the 3rd day after operation; the early postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in total blood loss and hidden blood loss between the two groups ( P>0.05). The postoperative pain levels in both groups were relatively mild, and there was no significant difference in VAS scores in the first 3 days after operation and in morphine intake milligrams equivalent within 48 hours after operation between the two groups ( P>0.05). The WBC in the first 3 days after operation was significantly improved in both groups ( P<0.05). The WBC in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group on the 1st and 2nd days after operation ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups on the 3rd day after operation ( P>0.05). On the 3rd day after operation, the maximum extension angle of knee joint in the study group was smaller than that in the control group, while the maximum flexion angle and passive ROM of knee joint in the study group were larger than those in the control group, and the differences were significant ( P<0.05). There were 6 cases of fever and 17 cases of deep venous thrombosis in the control group, and 1 case and 14 cases in the study group, respectively. There was no poor wound healing and periprosthetic joint infection in the two groups, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION The application of compound betamethasone in LIA during TKA is a safe and optimal strategy to promote the early postoperative rehabilitation of patients.
Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Anesthesia, Local ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Morphine

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of needle-knife on the chondrocyte apoptosis of knee joint in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) based on the CircSERPINE2-miR-1271-5P-E26 specific transformation-related gene (ERG) axis, and to explore the mechanism of needle-knife for KOA. METHODS: Thirty-six New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a needle-knife group and a sham needle-knife group, 9 rabbits in each group. The rabbits in the model group, the needle-knife group and the sham needle-knife group were treated with modified Videman method to prepare KOA model. After successful modeling, the rabbits in the needle-knife group were treated with needle-knife at cord adhesion and nodules near quadriceps femoris tendon and internal and external collateral ligament on the affected knee joint; the rabbits in the sham needle-knife group were treated with sham needle-knife baside the needle insertion point of the needle-knife group (needle-knife was only inserted, without any operation). The treatment was given once a week, 3 times in total. The Lequesne MG behavioral score was used to evaluate the knee joint damage in each group before and after intervention. After intervention, HE staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the cartilage tissue morphology and ultrastructure of chondrocytes in the knee joint in each group; TUNEL method was used to detect the level of chondrocyte apoptosis in the knee joint; real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of CircSERPINE2, miR-1271-5P and ERG mRNA in knee cartilage tissue in each group. RESULTS: After intervention, compared with the normal group, the Lequesne MG behavioral score in the model group was increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group and the sham needle-knife group, the Lequesne MG behavioral score in the needle-knife group was decreased (P<0.01). In the model group and the sham needle-knife group, the number of chondrocytes and organelles was decreased, the cell nucleus was shrunk, mitochondria was swelling or disappeared; in the needle-knife group, the number of chondrocytes and organelles was increased, the cell nucleus was not obviously shrunk and the mitochondria was not obviously swelling. Compared with the normal group, the level of chondrocyte apoptosis in the model group was increased (P<0.01); compared with the model group and the sham needle-knife group, the level of chondrocyte apoptosis in the needle-knife group was decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the expression of CircSERPINE2 and ERG mRNA in the model group was decreased (P<0.01), and the expression of miR-1271-5P mRNA was increased (P<0.01); compared with the model group and the sham needle-knife group, the expression of CircSERPINE2 and ERG mRNA in the needle-knife group was increased (P<0.01), and the expression of miR-1271-5P mRNA was decreased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Needle-knife could reduce the knee joint damage and chondrocyte apoptosis in KOA rabbits, which may be related to up-regulating the expression of CircSERPINE2 and ERG mRNA, and inhibiting the expression of miR-1271-5P mRNA.
Rabbits ; Animals ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/metabolism* ; Chondrocytes/metabolism* ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Apoptosis ; MicroRNAs/genetics*

BACKGROUND: Patellofemoral joint (PFJ) degeneration has traditionally been regarded as a contraindication to unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). More recently, some researchers have proposed that PFJ degeneration can be ignored in medial UKA, and others have proposed that this change should be reviewed in PFJ degenerative facets and severity. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effect of PFJ degeneration on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and revision rates after medial UKA. METHODS: Electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, etc.) were searched for studies assessing the influence of PFJ degeneration on medial UKA. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted for the Oxford knee score (OKS), Knee society score (KSS), and revision rates and stratified by PFJ degenerative facets (medial/lateral/trochlear/unspecified), severe PFJ degeneration (bone exposed), and bearing type (mobile/fixed). Heterogeneity was assessed by the Cochran Q test statistic and chi-squared tests with the I-squared statistic. RESULTS: A total of 34 articles with 7007 knees (2267 with PFJ degeneration) were included (5762 mobile-bearing and 1145 fixed-bearing and 100 unspecified). Slight to moderate degenerative changes in the medial and trochlear facets did not decrease the OKS and KSS, and only lateral facets significantly decreased the OKS (mean difference [MD] = -2.18, P   <  0.01) and KSS (MD = -2.61, P   <  0.01). The severity degree of PFJ degeneration had no additional adverse effect on the OKS, KSS, or revision rates. For mobile-bearing UKA, only lateral PFJ degeneration significantly decreased the OKS (MD = -2.21, P  < 0.01) and KSS (MD = -2.44, P  < 0.01). For fixed-bearing UKA, no correlation was found between PROMs/revision rates and PFJ degeneration. CONCLUSION For medial mobile-bearing UKA, slight to moderate degenerative changes in the PFJ, except lateral facet, did not compromise PROMs or revision rates. For medial fixed-bearing UKA, although it might not be conclusive enough, PROMs or revision rates were not adversely affected by PFJ degeneration (regardless of the facet).
Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Patellofemoral Joint/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Knee Prosthesis ; Bone Diseases ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies

Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Follow-Up Studies ; Cohort Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Knee Prosthesis ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery*

To summarize the clinical application of patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and provide reference for the application of PROM in perioperative evaluation of the patients receiving TKA,we reviewed the recent studies about the application of PROM in TKA and analyzed the contents and application characteristics of the PROM.The common PROM in TKA,such as the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index,Oxford Knee Score,and Forgotten Joint Score,principally focus on patients' subjective feelings about pain,function and other aspects of their knees.However,they have diverse ranges of application and each of them has their own advantages and disadvantages.There is a variety of PROM applied in TKA,which makes it challenging to select the proper measurement for evaluation.The PROM in TKA remains to be improved for broader use.
Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Patient Reported Outcome Measures

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term effectiveness of "SkyWalker" robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and traditional TKA. METHODS: A clinical data of 54 patients (54 knees) with TKA who met the selection criteria between January 2022 and March 2022 was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 27 cases underwent traditional TKA (traditional operation group) and 27 cases underwent "SkyWalker" robot-assisted TKA (robot-assisted operation group). There was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05) in terms of gender, age, body mass index, osteoarthritis side, disease duration, and preoperative Knee Society Score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), and posterior proximal tibial angle (PPTA). The operative time, intraoperative bleeding volume, surgery-related complications, the KSS, WOMAC, and VAS scores before operation and at 6 months after operation, and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) at 6 months after operation were recorded. X-ray films were taken to review the prosthesis position and measure HKA, LDFA, MPTA, and PPTA. The differences of the clinical and imaging indicators between before and after operation were calculated and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The operations were completed successfully in both groups. There was no significant difference in the operative time and intraoperative bleeding volume between the two groups ( P>0.05). After operation, 1 case of incision nonunion and 1 case of heart failure occurred in the traditional operation group, while no surgery-related complications occurred in the robotic-assisted operation group. The incidences of surgical complications were 7.4% (2/27) in the traditional operation group and 0 (0/27) in the robotic-assisted operation group, with no significant difference ( P=0.491). Patients in both groups were followed up 6 months. KSS score, WOMAC score, VAS score, and ROM significantly improved in both groups at 6 months after operation when compared with preoperative ones ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05) in the differences between the pre- and post-operative values of the clinical indicators and FJS scores at 6 months after operation. X-ray films showed that the lower extremity force lines of the patients improved and the knee prostheses were in good position. Except for LDFA in the robot-assisted operation group, HKA, LDFA, MPTA, and PPTA significantly improved in both groups at 6 months after operation when compared with the preoperative ones ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the differences between the pre- and post-operative values of the radiological indicators ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION The "SkyWalker" robot-assisted TKA is one of the effective methods for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and had good short-term effectiveness. But the long-term effectiveness needs to be further studied.
Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/methods* ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Knee Prosthesis ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Robotics ; Treatment Outcome

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 short- and mid-term effectiveness of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) for post-traumatic arthritis (PTA) of knee. METHODS: The clinical data of 30 patients with PTA of unilateral knee between March 2014 and September 2021 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 14 males and 16 females with an average of 64.5 years (range, 33-81 years). The average body mass index was 26.7 kg/m ² (range, 19.8-35.6 kg/m ²). The types of injuries that caused PTA included intra-articular fracture in 16 cases, extra-articular fracture in 8 cases, and soft tissue injury in 6 cases. The initial injuries were treated by conservative therapy in 12 cases and by surgical therapy in 18 cases. Ten cases were medial compartment osteoarthritis and 20 cases were lateral compartment osteoarthritis. According to Kellgren-Lawrence staging, there were 19 cases of grade Ⅲ and 11 cases of grade Ⅳ. The operative time, the length of hospital stay, complications, and subjective satisfaction were recorded. The Oxford Knee Function Score (OKS), Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, and knee range of motion (ROM) were used to evaluate knee function. Weight-bearing X-ray films were taken to measure the femoro-tibial angle (FTA) and to assess alignment correction of the lower limb. RESULTS: The operative time ranged from 50 to 95 minutes (mean, 63.7 minutes), the length of hospital stay ranged from 3 to 8 days (mean, 6.9 days). Superficial infection occurred in 2 patients, while the remaining incisions healed by first intention. There was no deep vein thrombosis or neurovascular injury. All patients were followed up 17-109 months (median, 70 months). At last follow-up, OKS score, HSS score, and ROM in 30 cases significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). Lower limb alignment was significantly corrected and there was significant difference in FTA of the varus and valgus knees between pre- and post-operation ( P<0.05). The patient satisfaction rate was 86.7% (26/30). Two cases developed contralateral osteoarthritis progression during follow-up. No bearing dislocation, prosthesis loosening or sinking occurred and none required further revision. CONCLUSION For patients with PTA of knee, UKA can obtain definite short- and mid-term effectiveness with high patient satisfaction.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Retrospective Studies ; Knee Prosthesis ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Lower Extremity/surgery* ; Range of Motion, Articular

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the short-term effectiveness of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in the treatment of varus knee arthritis. METHODS: The clinical data of 84 patients (84 knees) with varus knee arthritis treated with HTO between May 2016 and August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to BMI, the patients were divided into normal group (32 patients in group A, BMI<25 kg/m ²), overweight group (27 patients in group B, BMI>30 kg/m ²), and obese group (25 patients in group C, BMI>30 kg/m ²). The BMI of groups A, B, and C were (23.35±0.89), (26.65±1.03), and (32.05±1.47) kg/m ², respectively. There was no significant difference ( P>0.05) in gender, age, surgical side, disease duration, and preoperative Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, knee range of motion, and hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA) between groups. The operation time, intraoperative dominant blood loss, and the decrease of hemoglobin on the 3rd day after operation were recorded and compared between groups. The improvement of knee joint function and pain status were evaluated by knee joint HSS score, knee range of motion, and VAS score before and after operation, and measuring the HKA of patients on X-ray film. During the follow-up, the X-ray films of the knee joint were reexamined to observe the position of the internal fixator and the healing of osteotomy. RESULTS: All patients completed the operation successfully and were followed up 8-40 months (mean, 19.3 months). There was no significant difference in follow-up time, operation time, intraoperative dominant blood loss, and the decrease of hemoglobin on the 3rd day after operation between groups ( P>0.05). No operative complications such as severe vascular or nerve injury occurred. After operation, deep venous thrombosis of lower extremities occurred in 1 case in groups A and B respectively, and fat liquefaction of surgical incision occurred in 2 cases in group C. There was no significant difference in the incidence of perioperative complications between groups (3.1% vs. 3.7% vs. 8.0%) ( P=0.689). During the follow-up, there was no bone nonunion, plate fracture or loosening. At last follow-up, HSS score, VAS score, knee range of motion, and HKA significantly improved in the 3 groups when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the differences of the above indexes between groups before and after operation ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION BMI does not affect the short-term effectiveness of HTO in the treatment of varus knee arthritis. HTO can be selected for overweight and obese patients after standard medical treatment is ineffective.
Humans ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Body Mass Index ; Overweight ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Obesity/complications* ; Osteotomy ; Blood Loss, Surgical

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