F. Handelberg

Characterized Chondrocyte Implantation Results in Better Structural Repair When Treating Symptomatic Cartilage Defects of the Knee in a Randomized Controlled Trial Versus Microfracture

Background As the natural healing capacity of damaged articular cartilage is poor, joint surface injuries are a prime target for regenerative medicine. Characterized chondrocyte implantation uses an autologous cartilage cell therapy product that has been optimized for its biological potency to form stable cartilage tissue in vivo. Purpose To determine whether, in symptomatic cartilage defects of the femoral condyle, structural regeneration with characterized chondrocyte implantation is superior to repair with microfracture. Study Design Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods Characterized chondrocyte implantation was compared with microfracture in patients with single grade III to IV symptomatic cartilage defects of the femoral condyles in a multicenter trial. Patients aged 18 to 50 years were randomized to characterized chondrocyte implantation (n = 57) or microfracture (n = 61). Structural repair was blindly assessed in biopsy specimens taken at 1 year using (1) computerized histomorphometry and (2) evaluation of overall histological components of structural repair. Clinical outcome was measured using the self administered Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. Adverse events were recorded throughout the study. Results Characterized chondrocyte implantation resulted in better structural repair, as assessed by histomorphometry (P = .003) and overall histologic evaluation (P = .012). Aspects of structural repair relating to chondrocyte phenotype and tissue structure were superior with characterized chondrocyte implantation. Clinical outcome as measured by the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score at 12 to 18 months after characterized chondrocyte implantation was comparable with microfracture at this stage. Both treatment groups had a similar mean baseline overall Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (56.30 ± 13.61 and 59.53 ± 14.95 for microfracture and characterized chondrocyte implantation, respectively), which increased in both groups to 70.56 ± 12.39 and 72.63 ± 15.55 at 6 months, 73.26 ± 14.66 and 73.10 ± 16.01 at 12 months, and 74.73 ± 17.01 and 75.04 ± 14.50 at 18 months, respectively. Both techniques were generally well tolerated; the incidence of adverse events after characterized chondrocyte implantation was not markedly increased compared with that for microfracture. Conclusion One year after treatment, characterized chondrocyte implantation was associated with a tissue regenerate that was superior to that after microfracture. Short-term clinical outcome was similar for both treatments. The superior structural outcome may result in improved long-term clinical benefit with characterized chondrocyte implantation. Long-term follow-up is needed to confirm these findings.

The accuracy of three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of ruptures of the lateral ligaments of the ankle

In a prospective study, the diagnostic accuracy of three- dimensional magnetic resonance imaging in the evalu ation of ruptures of the lateral ligaments of the ankle was determined by comparing three-dimensional mag netic resonance findings with operative findings. In a series of 18 consecutive cases of acute significant inversion trauma to the ankle, a three-dimensional fast imaging with steady-state precession pulse sequence (3D FISP) was performed. The study included only those cases in which views showed a difference in talar tilt of 15° or more, and a difference in anteroposterior drawer of 10 mm or more between the imaged and the normal ankle. All ankles were scheduled for surgical exploration. Compared with operative findings, the sen sitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 3D FISP imaging were, respectively, 100%, 50%, and 94.4% for ruptures of the anterior talofibular ligament and 91.7%, 100%, and 94.4% for ruptures of the calcaneofibular ligament. We believe that 3D FISP magnetic resonance imaging is a noninvasive, fast, and very accurate diagnostic aid to operative planning for double ligament tears in younger competitive athletes.

Chondral lesions of the patella evaluated with computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and arthroscopy

In a small series of cadaver knees, experimentally created lesions of the patellar cartilage were compared using contrast computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Contrast CT was able to recognize only 50% of the lesions smaller than 3-mm diameter at the first attempt, and none of the lesions of 0.8 mm. MR imaging detected all the lesions, even those as small as 0.8 mm, without use of contrast material. Simultaneously, a prospective clinical study comparing MR diagnoses of chondral lesions with arthroscopic findings was initiated in a series of 54 knees. This clinical study revealed that, concerning patellar chondral lesions, the accuracy of MR imaging compared with arthroscopy (the gold standard) was 81.5%. The sensitivity was 100%, but the specificity only 50% due to the false positives. Reexamination of the MR records enabled us to refine the MR diagnosis and to propose a staging of the chondral lesions. The high rate of false-positive results in our series can be explained by the hypothesis that MR imaging can possibly detect very early lesions, which appear as abnormalities in the deep cartilage layers.

Biodegradable rods versus Kirschner wire fixation of wrist fractures. A randomised trial

In a prospective trial, biodegradable polyglycolic acid rods were compared with Kirschner wires for fixation of wrist fractures (Frykman types I, II, V and VI). Fifteen patients were randomly assigned to each treatment group. There was no significant difference between the groups with regard to age, sex ratio and fracture type. Kapandjis pinning technique was used in all cases. There were no significant differences in the results obtained in both groups at final follow-up. At three months and six months the functional results of the Kirschner-wire group were, however, significantly better (p < 0.05), due to numerous transient complications from foreign-body reactions to the polyglycolic acid rods. The use of polyglycolic acid rods is therefore not recommended for the fixation of distal radial fractures.

Medium-term results of percutaneous, arthroscopically-assisted osteosynthesis of fractures of the tibial plateau

We carried out percutaneous, arthroscopically- and fluoroscopically-assisted osteosynthesis of fractures of the tibial plateau in 52 patients, of whom 38 were assessed using the HSS knee score and standing radiographs. We reviewed 31 AO type-B fractures and seven type-C fractures after a mean follow-up of five years (1 to 14). Fixation was achieved using percutaneous screws and/or an external frame; 33 associated intra-articular injuries, diagnosed in 21 out of the 38 patients, were treated arthroscopically. Subjectively, 94.7% of the patients reviewed were satisfied. According to the HSS knee score 78.9% of the results were excellent, 13.2% good, 7.9% fair and none was poor. Narrowing of the joint space was found in 28.9% of the injured and 5.3% of the unaffected knees and axial deviation of 5 degrees to 10 degrees in 15.8% of the injured and 10.5% of the unaffected knees. Of the 52 fractures, reduction was incomplete in one, and in two secondary displacement occurred, of which one required corrective osteotomy. Deep-venous thrombosis occurred in four cases. The technique has proved to be safe but demanding. It facilitates diagnosis and appropriate treatment of associated intra-articular lesions.

Comparative radiologic study of the influence of ankle joint bandages on ankle stability

A comparative radiologic study was carried out to test the stabilizing value of ankle strapping and taping on unstable tibiotalar joints. Unstable ankle joints of 51 athletes were examined without bandages, with strap ping, and with taping before and after an activity pro gram. The use of taping proved to give the greatest decrease of the talar tilt (TT) angle. This improvement was greater, even after activity, than the stabilization obtained by strapping before any activity.

Traumatic haemarthrosis of the knee

We have investigated a prospective series of 100 acute traumatic haemarthroses of the knee in a general non-athletic population. All the patients had normal radiographs and an aspiration which confirmed the haemarthrosis, before undergoing ligament testing and an arthroscopic examination under anaesthesia. Only one patient had no serious pathology; in the other 99 a total of 193 lesions were recorded. Thirty knees had only one isolated lesion, 69 had combined lesions. This study confirms the serious nature of an acute traumatic haemarthrosis of the knee, even in non-athletic patients.

Distraction for ankle arthroscopy

Distraction has proven to be usefull for arthroscopic visualisation and instrumental access to some ankle pathology. A distraction technique using a single calcaneal pin combined with the installation of the patient on a fracture table is described. The method has already been used by the authors in more than 100 ankle arthroscopy procedures without distraction-related complications.

Imaging in sportsmedicine—knee

Abstract Since the last decade, the introduction of Magnetic Resonance Imaging has provided a powerful new tool for the clinician to diagnose sports-related knee injuries. The main objective of this paper is to familiarise the relevant specialists with the proven clinical indications and semiology of MRI of the knee. At the present time, the knee joint is the area in which the advantages of MRI are most spectacularly apparent. The MR appearances of meniscal tears in particular, are first discussed in detail, referring to recent literature and personal experience based on more than then thousands MR examinations of traumatic knees. Also the mechanisms of injuries and the most commonly involved sports are described. The precise types of meniscal lesions, as visualised at arthroscopy, are abundantly illustrated on MR images: e.g., bucket-handle, radial and horizontal cleavage tears, meniscocapsular separations, discoid menisci and meniscal cysts. We discuss the numerous pitfalls due to neighbouring anatomical structures as well as non clinically or surgically significant intrameniscal hypersignals in athletes. Towards other imaging techniques, MRI is particularly suited for the diagnosis of ligamentous injuries, especially the cruciate ligaments. We develop the currently used direct and indirect signs of rupture, the diagnostic difficulties related to the age of trauma and the detection of associated lesions. Sport-induced tendinous and bursal pathology is another interesting indication of MRI, not only lesions of the more superficial extensor tendons but also the pes anserinus or hamstring tendons. We finally treat the recent developements of MRI in assessement of cartilage, subchondral and medullary bone disorders of traumatic or microtraumatic origin.

Treatment of isolated distal ulnar shaft fractures with below-elbow plaster cast

In a prospective study 52 patients with an isolated fracture of the distal ulna were treated with a below-elbow plaster cast. The histories of 46 patients were reviewed after a mean follow-up of 3.5 years (ranging from 10 months to 7 years). Forty-three fractures united. There were two non-unions. One fracture displaced while in the plaster, so that there was no longer any bone contact between the fragments. The fracture was consequently treated by open reduction and internal fixation. The type of fracture, the initial displacement (all fractures had bone contact) or the initial angulation (maximum 10 deg) was not found to influence the final clinical results. Below-elbow plaster cast appeared to produce satisfactory results in 89% of the patients.