Keinosuke Ryu

The prevalence of and factors related to calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition in the knee joint.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to reveal the accurate prevalence and related factors to the presence of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition in cadaveric knee joints. DESIGN Controlled laboratory study. METHODS Six hundred and eight knees from 304 cadavers (332 male knees and 276 female knees, formalin fixed, Japanese anatomical specimens) were included in this study. The average age of the cadavers was 78.3 ± 10.7 years. Knees were macroscopically evaluated for the existence of CPPD, and the depth of cartilage degeneration of the femoro-tibial joint following the Outerbridges classification. CPPD crystal was confirmed under Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis using light microscopy. Statistical analysis was performed to reveal the correlation between the occurrence of CPPD deposition in the knee joint and gender, age, and the depth of cartilage degeneration of the femoro-tibial joint. RESULTS The prevalence of grossly visible CPPD crystal was 13% (79 knees). In all of these knees, CPPD crystal was confirmed under FTIR analysis. Statistical analysis showed significant correlation between the occurrence of CPPD deposition and gender (P < 0.001), and depth of cartilage degeneration in the femoro-tibial joint (P < 0.001). In the cartilage degeneration positive knees (Over grade 3 in Outerbridges classification), average age of CPPD deposition knee was significantly higher than CPPD negative knees. CONCLUSIONS In this study, the prevalence of CPPD deposition disease was evaluated in a relatively large sample size of cadaveric knees. The prevalence of CPPD deposition disease was 13%, and was significantly correlated with the subjects age, gender, and severity of cartilage degeneration in the femoro-tibial joint.

Bilateral fatigue fracture of the femoral components in a cruciate-retaining cementless total knee prosthesis.

This article reports a case of bilateral fatigue fracture of the femoral components in a cruciate-retaining uncemented total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A 75-year-old woman (height, 158 cm; weight, 72 kg; body mass index, 29.2) had undergone one-stage bilateral TKA for osteoarthritis 11 years previously at the authors institution. Surgery was performed using an uncemented Flexible Nichidai Knee. Equal tension of the collateral ligaments and normal mechanical axis were achieved during the primary procedure. The patient was an ardent lover of the game of badminton and had higher activity levels with daily playing. At 8 years postoperatively, she started complaining of mild pain in both knees. The pain gradually increased, and at 11 years postoperatively, she had difficulty walking. Anteroposterior radiographs showed narrowing of the medial joint space, indicating wear of the polyethylene insert. Lateral radiographs showed signs of broken implants in both knees. There were no signs of gross implant loosening or osteolysis. One-stage revision surgery was performed, and the knees were converted to cemented posterior-stabilized TKAs. At revision, the bilateral femoral components were found to be fractured at the junction between the trochlear flange and the medial condyle, anteriorly to the medial peg. The polyethylene insert showed mild wear at the medial middle portion. In the majority of case reports, stress fractures of the femoral component have predominantly affected the medial condyle, following uncemented implantation of fixed-bearing knees. In this case, failure of bone ingrowth in uncemented components, higher body mass index, and a higher athletic activity led to fatigue fracture of the femoral components.

Safety of Fondaparinux Versus Enoxaparin After TKA in Japanese Patients

Fondaparinux and enoxaparin are useful for preventing venous thromboembolism after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), but both drugs have associated complications. The purpose of this study was to clarify the risks associated with use of these drugs in Japanese patients who underwent TKA.A total of 575 patients (935 knees) underwent TKA and were retrospectively reviewed; 277 patients (454 knees) were treated with fondaparinux and 298 patients (481 knees) were treated with enoxaparin. The authors investigated the incidences of deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs and pulmonary embolism to evaluate venous thromboembolism, knee enlargement compared with the preoperative size, incidence of subcutaneous knee hematoma, and other complications. No significant differences were observed between the 2 drugs regarding the incidences of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. However, fondaparinux use resulted in knee enlargement (P<.0005) and subcutaneous hematoma of the knee (P=.035) significantly more often than enoxaparin use. Conversely, enoxaparin use significantly caused the elevation of alanine aminotransferase (one of the liver enzymes) at a higher rate than fondaparinux (30.1% vs 8.3%, respectively; P<.0001). However, the increased alanine aminotransferase levels were transient, and no patient exhibited symptoms of abnormal liver function, such as jaundice or cutaneous pruritus.Fondaparinux and enoxaparin were both effective in preventing venous thromboembolism in Japanese patients undergoing elective TKA. However, both drugs had some adverse effects. It is important to be aware of these potential risks when prescribing these drugs.

Comparison of Muscle Recovery Following Bi-cruciate Substituting versus Posterior Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty in the Asian Population

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare muscle recovery in the lower extremities following the newly developed bi‐cruciate substituting (BCS) to posterior stabilized (PS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the Asian population. Forty‐one knees in 41 patients undergoing BCS‐TKA (41 female, average age: 71 ± 8.8) and 34 knees in 34 patients undergoing PS‐TKA (33 female, average age: 73 ± 7.2) were included in this study. The maximum isometric power of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles was measured preoperatively, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery using a handheld dynamometer. Postoperative muscle recovery was calculated regarding preoperative muscle power as 100%. Pre‐ and postoperative range of knee motion, femorotibial angle, and clinical scores (Knee Society score and function score) were also compared. No significant difference in sex, age, preoperative quadriceps, or preoperative hamstring power was observed between the BCS and PS‐TKA groups. When regarding the preoperative muscle power as 100%, quadriceps power at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following BCS‐TKA was 61.2 ± 22%, 86.3 ± 28.3%, 97 ± 27.4%, and 112.4 ± 30.8%, respectively. Quadriceps power at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following PS‐TKA was 72.4 ± 20.8%, 84 ± 16.9%, 95 ± 20.7%, and 110.8 ± 27%, respectively. Hamstring power at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following BCS‐TKA was 96.3 ± 30%, 111.4 ± 35%, 120 ± 37%, and 125 ± 31%, respectively. Hamstring power at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following PS‐TKA was 95 ± 25%, 112.4 ± 27%, 117 ± 38.5%, and 120.4 ± 18.5%, respectively. No significant difference in muscle power recovery was observed at 3 (p = 0.995), 6 (p = 0.944), and 12 (p = 0.917) months after surgery between the two groups. No significant difference of the clinical score was observed between the groups (Knee Society score: p = 0.479, function score: p = 0.342). No significant difference in muscle recovery and clinical score were observed between the BCS and PS‐TKA groups. Longer follow‐up is needed for the evaluation of efficacy of BCS‐TKA in the Asian populations.

A Comparison of Rollback Ratio between Bicruciate Substituting Total Knee Arthroplasty and Oxford Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the rollback ratio in bicruciate substituting (BCS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and bicruciate‐retaining Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). In this study, 64 subjects (64 knees) undergoing BCS‐TKA (Journey II: Smith and Nephew) and 50 subjects (50 knees) undergoing Oxford UKA (Zimmer‐Biomet holdings, Inc., IN) were included. Approximately 6 months after surgery, and when the subjects had recovered their knee range of motion, following the Laidlows method, lateral radiographic imaging of the knee was performed with active full knee flexion. The most posterior tibiofemoral contact point was measured for the evaluation of femoral rollback (rollback ratio). Flexion angle was also measured using the same radiograph and the correlation of rollback and flexion angle was analyzed. As a control, radiographs of the asymptomatic contralateral knees of subjects undergoing Oxford UKA were evaluated (50 knees). The rollback ratios of the BCS‐TKA, Oxford UKA, and control knees were 37.9 ± 4.9, 35.7 ± 4.2, and 35.3 ± 4.8% respectively. No significant difference in rollback ratio was observed among the three groups. The flexion angles of the BCS‐TKA, Oxford UKA, and control knees were 123.8 ± 8.4, 125.4 ± 7.5, and 127 ± 10.3 degrees, respectively. No significant difference in knee flexion angle was observed among the three groups. Significant correlation between rollback ratio and knee flexion angle was observed (p = 0.002; Pearsons correlation coefficient = − 0.384). BCS‐TKA showed no significant difference in rollback ratio when compared with control knees and Oxford UKA knees. The BCS‐TKA design is likely to reproduce native anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament function, and native knee rollback.