Zongke Zhou

Are the results of multiple drilling and alendronate for osteonecrosis of the femoral head better than those of multiple drilling? A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES The treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) remains controversial. A recently proposed treatment is multiple drilling core decompression combined with systemic alendronate as a femoral head-preserving procedure for ONFH. However, it is not known whether alendronate enhances the risk of collapse. We wondered whether the combined procedure could delay or prevent progression of ONFH compared to multiple drilling alone. METHODS Patients with early-stage ONFH were randomly assigned to be treated with either multiple drilling combined with alendronate (47 patients, 67 hips) or multiple drilling alone (46 patients, 60 hips). We defined failure as the need for THA or a Harris score less than 70. The minimum follow-up was 48 months for the 77 patients completing the protocol. RESULTS After a minimum 4-year follow-up, 91% (40/44) of patients with Stage II disease and 62% (8/13) of patients with Stage III disease had not required THA in alendronate group, compared to 79% (31/39) of patients with Stage II disease and 46% (6/13) of patients with Stage III disease had not required THA in control group (P=0.12, P=0.047, respectively). Small or medium and central lesions had a better successful rate in both groups. Risk factors did not seem to affect the clinical successful rate of this procedure. CONCLUSIONS Multiple small-diameter drilling core decompression combined with systemic alendronate administration can reduce pain and delay progression of early-stage ONFH. Even in Ficat IIA and III hips, some benefit was obtained from this approach at least delay in the need for THA.

Changes in Cobalt and Chromium Levels After Metal-on-Metal Hip Resurfacing in Young, Active Chinese Patients

Metal-on-metal resurfacing arthroplasty is increasingly being performed in young, active patients. Serum and urine metal ion levels are monitored in these patients to assess the physiologic effects of metal-on-metal wear on them. The aim of our prospective study was to evaluate the serum and urine levels of cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) in young (age, ≤50 years), active Chinese patients who had undergone metal-on-metal hybrid resurfacing arthroplasties. Levels were measured preoperatively using atomic absorption spectrometry and then sequentially at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months after surgery. For both serum and urine Co and Cr, there was an initial increase to a peak at 6 months, followed by a gradual decline after 6 months, whereas renal function was normal during the study the 2-year study period. There was no radiographic evidence of component loosening. All implants were functioning well. Further long-term studies are needed to observe clinical outcomes and to determine the physiologic effects of the wearing process.

Meta-analysis of Temporary Versus No Clamping in TKA

Use of closed drainage systems after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a routine practice. Currently, a debate exists regarding whether temporary or no clamping is optimal. A systematic review of the English literature was conducted, and randomized controlled trials comparing all forms of temporary or no clamping drainage were included. Two authors independently extracted articles and predefined data. Data were pooled using a fixed-effects model to perform the meta-analysis. Nine randomized controlled trials totaling 850 patients were retrieved. The results indicate that temporary clamping could significantly reduce the drainage volume, including total drainage volume, drainage volume within 24 hours postoperatively, and drainage volume within 48 hours postoperatively. Furthermore, patients treated with temporary drainage clamping for 4 hours or more had a higher hemoglobin level 24 hours postoperatively than the patients treated with no clamping, and the number of blood transfusions per patient decreased significantly. No significant difference was identified between the 2 practices regarding postoperative range of motion, wound-related complications, and deep vein thrombosis. More randomized controlled trials are needed to provide robust evidence and to definitively determine which practice is most effective in reducing postoperative blood loss.

Mini-midvastus Versus Medial Parapatellar Approach in TKA: Muscle Damage and Inflammation Markers

The purpose of this prospective study was to analyze the biochemical markers of muscle damage and inflammation in patients treated with the mini-midvastus approach or the medial parapatellar approach for total knee arthroplasty. Of 60 patients who underwent unilateral total knee arthroplasty, 30 were treated with the mini-midvastus approach (MMV group) and 30 were treated with the medial parapatellar approach (MPP group). Serum creatine kinase, myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β levels were measured preoperatively, immediately postoperatively (except for C-reactive protein level), and on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3. Students t test, Pearsons chi-square test, and Fishers exact test were used to compare the outcomes between the 2 groups. Compared with the MPP group, a significant increase in serum creatine kinase level existed in the MMV group on postoperative days 2 (P=.08) and 3 (P=.09) and cumulatively (P=.02). However, significantly elevated C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels existed in the MPP group.According to the serum creatine kinase levels, the mini-midvastus approach has no superiority over the medial parapatellar approach in terms of sparing muscle and may cause more muscle damage. Further study is warranted to determine the correlation between biochemical markers and functional deficits.

Midterm Results of Uncemented Acetabular Reconstruction for Posttraumatic Arthritis Secondary to Acetabular Fracture

At an average of 6.3 years after surgery, we evaluated midterm results of uncemented acetabular reconstruction in 31 hips with posttraumatic arthritis that developed after acetabular fracture. Patients were categorized by previous fracture treatments (open-reduction group and conservative-treatment group) and fracture patterns (simple group and complex group). Surgery duration and blood loss were greater in the open-reduction and complex groups than in the conservative-treatment and simple groups (P < .05). The mean Harris Hip Score increased from 49 before surgery to 89 after surgery. Survival with revision or radiographic acetabular loosening as an end point was 100%. Fracture treatments and patterns were associated with increased surgery duration and increased blood loss. Open reduction and internal fixation of a fracture favor anatomical restoration of the hips rotational center.

Effects of an anticoagulant and a lipid-lowering agent on the prevention of steroid-induced osteonecrosis in rabbits

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of the combined treatment with an anti‐coagulant (enoxaparin) agent and a lipid‐lowering agent (lovastatin) on prevention or decrease in the occurrence of steroid‐induced osteonecrosis in rabbits. A total of 112 rabbits, which were injected intramuscularly with 20 mg/kg of methylprednisolone acetate were divided into four groups and treated as follows: one group received enoxaparin combined with lovastatin (EL; n = 30), another received enoxaparin alone (EA; n = 28), another received lovastatin alone (LA; n = 28) and the last received no treatment (non‐prophylactic; NP, n = 26). Haematological examination for serum lipid levels and prothrombin time was carried out and both femora and humeri were examined histopathologically for the presence of osteonecrosis (ON) before injection and at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after the injection. The incidence of ON in the EL group (15%) was significantly lower than that observed in the NP group (68%). The incidence in the EA and LA groups was also significantly lower than that in the NP group (31%, 35%vs. 68%). The fat cell sizes of the bone marrow in both EL (46.49 ± 1.27 μm) and LA (50.8 ± 2.31 μm) groups were lower than in the NP group (59.89 ± 6.33 μm). The prothrombin time was prolonged and plasma lipid levels were reduced in the EL group during the study. Combination treatment with an anti‐coagulant agent and a lipid‐lowering agent can reduce the incidence of steroid‐induced ON in rabbits. Future evaluation in clinical practice is necessary.

Study on the effect of T-2 toxin combined with low nutrition diet on rat epiphyseal plate growth and development

The purpose of this study was to observe early lesions of rat epiphyseal plates and metaphysis caused by T-2 toxin and T-2 toxin combined with a low nutrition diet to determine possible pathogenic factors of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD). Ninety Wistar rats were divided into three groups. Group A was fed with a normal diet as control; group B was fed with a normal diet and T-2 toxin; and group C was fed with a low nutrition diet and T-2 toxin. The left knee specimens were collected, fixed in formaldehyde solution, stained by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson. After two weeks, the epiphyseal plate showed necrosis of chondrocytes in groups B and C. After four weeks, more obvious chondrocyte necrosis appeared. The positive rate of Lamellar necrosis in group C was significantly higher than that in groups B and A (P < 0.01). Metaphyseal trabecular bone showed sparse disorder and disruption in group C. T-2 toxin combined with a low nutrition diet could lead to more serious chondrocyte necrosis in the epiphyseal plate and disturb metaphyseal trabecular bone formation.

The effect of Kashin-Beck disease-affected feed and T-2 toxin on the bone development of Wistar rats.

Objective:  To investigate the effect of Kashin‐Beck disease (KBD)‐affected feed and T‐2 toxin on the bone development of Wistar rats.

Adductor canal block versus femoral nerve block for total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Femoral nerve blocks (FNB) can provide effective pain relief but result in quadriceps weakness with increased risk of falls following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Adductor canal block (ACB) is a relatively new alternative providing pure sensory blockade with minimal effect on quadriceps strength. The meta-analysis was designed to evaluate whether ACB exhibited better outcomes with respect to quadriceps strength, pain control, ambulation ability, and complications. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Wan Fang, China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) and the Cochrane Database were searched for RCTs comparing ACB with FNB after TKAs. Of 309 citations identified by our search strategy, 12 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Compared to FNB, quadriceps maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) was significantly higher for ACB, which was consistent with the results regarding quadriceps strength assessed with manual muscle strength scale. Moreover, ACB had significantly higher risk of falling versus FNB. At any follow-up time, ACB was not inferior to FNB regarding pain control or opioid consumption, and showed better range of motion in comparison with FNB. ACB is superior to the FNB regarding sparing of quadriceps strength and faster knee function recovery. It provides pain relief and opioid consumption comparable to FNB and is associated with decreased risk of falls.

A meta-analysis of minimally invasive and conventional medial parapatella approaches for primary total knee arthroplasty

PurposeMinimally invasive surgical (MIS) approaches for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have become increasingly popular for doctors and patients. They have argued that it decreases post-operative pain, accelerates functional recovery and increases patient satisfaction due to less injury. However, critics are concerned about TKA’s possible effects on component position and with complications, considering the procedure’s limited exposure. The purpose of this study was to summarise the best evidence in comparing the clinical and radiological outcomes between MIS and a conventional approach in TKA.MethodsElectronic databases were systematically searched to identify relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Our search strategy followed the requirements of the Cochrane Library Handbook. Methodological quality was assessed, and data were extracted independently by two authors.ResultsThirty studies, including 2,536 TKAs, were reviewed: 1,259 minimally invasive and 1,277 conventional exposure TKAs. The results showed that while the MIS group had longer operation times and tourniquet times, it had superior outcomes in KSS (objective and total), range of motion, flexion range of motion, flexion 90° day, straight leg-raising day, total blood loss and decrease in haemoglobin. However, wound-healing problems occurred more frequently in the MIS group. There were no statistically significant differences in other clinical or radiological outcomes between the MIS and conventional groups in TKA.ConclusionThe preliminary results indicate that the MIS approach provides an alternative to the conventional approach, with earlier rehabilitation but no malpositioning or severe complications. Wound-healing problems can be treated easily and effectively, and the risk also decreases as surgeons become more experienced, and more user-friendly instruments are invented. Potential benefits in medium- and long-term outcomes require larger, multicentre and well-conducted RCTs to confirm.Level of evidenceTherapeutic study, Level II.