Matthias Wolf

Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on the Biologic Activity of the Human Rotator-Cuff Fibroblasts: A Controlled In Vitro Study

To assess the in vitro effect of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) on biological activity of the human rotator cuff fibroblasts and to describe the optimal dose‐response to maximize cellular stimulation while reducing potential risk. Rotator cuff (RC) fibroblasts of n = 6 patients (mean age of 65.2 years) undergoing arthroscopic cuff tear reconstruction were cultured in vitro for 21 days and stimulated with PRP in three different concentrations (1‐, 5‐, and 10‐fold). Samples were obtained for DNA and GAG measurement at 1, 7, 14, and 21 days. The biological outcomes were regressed on the PRP concentration. The application of PRP significantly influenced the fibroblast proliferation and activity of the human rotator cuff with elevated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and DNA levels. The dosage of PRP had the significantly highest impact on this proliferation using a onefold or fivefold application. PRP has a significant effect on fibroblast proliferation of the human rotator cuff in vitro with an optimal benefit using a onefold or fivefold PRP concentration. This study justifies further in vivo investigations using PRP at the human rotator cuff.

Quality of life after volar locked plating: a 10-year follow-up study of patients with intra-articular distal radius fractures.

BackgroundThis study aimed to present functional results and patient’s health related quality of life (HRQOL) data ten years after volar locked plate fixation (VPF) of unstable intra-articular distal radial fractures (DRF).MethodsThirty-nine patients with a mean age of sixty-one years were operatively treated with VPF after intra-articular distal radial fractures. They were evaluated two, six, and ten years postoperatively according to the Gartland and Werley score. For subjective evaluation the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaires were adopted.ResultsOverall, wrist function did not differ significantly two, six and ten years after the operation. Over 90% patients achieved “good” or “excellent” results ten years after surgery according to the Gartland and Werley score. Ten years postoperatively the results of the SF 36 did not differ significantly from the two- and six-year follow-up. Overall findings from the SF-36 did not differ significantly from the data of Austrian and American norm populations. Only in the subscale of mental health (MH) the ten-year follow-up did show significantly poorer results (p = 0.045) compared to the Austrian norm population. The median DASH scores did not show significant differences during the ten-year follow-up period.ConclusionThe ten-year results of this single-center study suggest that operative treatment of intra-articular DRF with volar locked plates is a useful and satisfactory therapy option, both in terms of function and HRQOL.

Serum Metal Ion Concentrations in Paediatric Patients following Total Knee Arthroplasty Using Megaprostheses

The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of cobalt, chromium, and molybdenum in the serum of paediatric tumour patients after fixed hinge total knee arthroplasty. Further, these metal ion levels were compared with serum metal ion levels of patients with other orthopaedic devices such as hip and knee prostheses with metal-on-metal or metal-on-polyethylene articulation to find differences between anatomical locations, abrasion characteristics, and bearing surfaces. After an average follow-up of 108 months (range: 67 to 163) of 11 paediatric patients with fixed hinge total knee arthroplasty, the mean concentrations for Co and Cr were significantly increased while Mo was within the limits compared to the upper values from the reference laboratory. Furthermore, these serum concentrations were significantly higher compared to patients with a standard rotating hinge device (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001) and preoperative controls (P < 0.001). On the other hand, the serum levels of patients following MoM THA or rotating hinge arthroplasty using megaprostheses were higher. Therefore, periodic long-term follow-ups are recommended due to the rising concerns about systemic metal ion exposure in the literature. Upon the occurrence of adverse reactions to metal debris the revision of the fixed hinge implant should be considered.