Kellgren-Lawrence Classification Research Articles

Knee osteoarthritis automatic detection using U-Net

Knee osteoarthritis or OA is one of the most common diseases that can affect the elderly and overweight people. OA is occur as the result of wear and tear and progressive loss of articular cartilage. Kellgren-Lawrence system is a common method of classifying the severity of osteoarthritis depends on knee joint width. According to Kellgren-Lawrence, knee osteoarthritis is divided into five classes; one class represents a normal knee and the others represent four levels of knee osteoarthritis. In this work, we aim to automatically detect knee OA according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification. The proposed system uses the U-Net architecture. The overall system yielded an accuracy of 96.3% during training.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy as Regenerative Medicine in Knee Osteoarthritis: Pre-Experiment for Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 Evaluation.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is currently treated by regenerative therapies that aim to inhibit arthritic degeneration. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is one of the physical regenerative approaches used for KOA management. However, little is known regarding the impact of shock wave treatment on matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), which is one of the enzymes mediating cartilage degradation. To evaluate the effect of ESWT on MMP-3 levels and pain intensity in patients with KOA. Fourteen patients diagnosed with Kellgren Lawrence, grades 2 and 3 KOA were recruited for the study. ESWT piezo shockwave was applied once a week for six weeks. MMP-3 levels in the blood were measured pre-test, mid-test (three weeks after therapy) and post-test (one week after the last session) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The perceived pain was recorded at each session by the Wong Becker Face Scale. The median pre-test, mid-test and post-test MMP-3 levels were 19.92 ng/mL, 15.89 ng/mL and 18.82 ng/mL, respectively, and there were significant differences between the pre-test and mid-test, and the pre-test and post-test values (p < 0.05). The pain scores also decreased significantly over the period of intervention. MMP-3 levels decreased significantly in KOA patients after ESWT, and the decline was most obvious after 3 weeks of therapy. Therefore, EWST should be considered as a suitable treatment option for KOA.

INVESTIGATION OF CLINICAL FACTORS AFFECTING PERCEIVED PAIN INTENSITY IN FEMALE PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Objective: The present study aimed to identify the clinical variables influencing perceived pain intensity at rest, during activity, and at night in female patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Method: One hundred-six female patients with knee OA (mean age, 58.50±9.48 years; mean BMI, 30.73±5.53 kg/m2) were included. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), active range of motion (AROM), strength of the iliopsoas, gluteus medius, quadriceps femoris, and hamstring muscles, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Short Form-12 (SF-12) were outcome measures. A multivariate or univariate regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between the VAS ratings and AROM, muscle strength, WOMAC, SF-12, and Kellgren-Lawrence classification. Results: The mean values for VAS-rest, VAS-activity, and VAS-night were 3.02±2.32, 6.62±1.96, and 3.89±2.72, respectively. A significant correlation was found between VAS-rest and quadriceps femoris muscle strength, as well as the WOMAC score. Similarly, VAS-activity showed a significant association with hip flexion and knee extension AROM, quadriceps femoris muscle strength, Grade 3 or Grade 4 OA, physical component score of SF-12, and WOMAC score (p

Hip Osteoarthritis in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Severe Adult Spinal Deformity

Background: Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is common in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). Limited data exist on the prevalence of hip OA in patients with ASD, or on its impact on baseline and postoperative alignment and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Therefore, this paper will assess the prevalence and impact of hip OA on alignment and PROMs. Methods: Patients with ASD who underwent L1-pelvis or longer fusions were included. Two independent reviewers graded hip OA with the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classification and stratified it by severity into non-severe (KL grade 1 or 2) and severe (KL grade 3 or 4). Radiographic parameters and PROMs were compared among 3 patient groups: Hip-Spine (hip KL grade 3 or 4 bilaterally), Unilateral (UL)-Hip (hip KL grade 3 or 4 unilaterally), or Spine (hip KL grade 1 or 2 bilaterally). Results: Of 520 patients with ASD who met inclusion criteria for an OA prevalence analysis, 34% (177 of 520) had severe bilateral hip OA and unilateral or bilateral hip arthroplasty had been performed in 8.7% (45 of 520). A subset of 165 patients had all data components and were examined: 68 Hip-Spine, 32 UL-Hip, and 65 Spine. Hip-Spine patients were older (67.9 ± 9.5 years, versus 59.6 ± 10.1 years for Spine and 65.8 ± 7.5 years for UL-Hip; p &lt; 0.001) and had a higher frailty index (4.3 ± 2.6, versus 2.7 ± 2.0 for UL-Hip and 2.9 ± 2.0 for Spine; p &lt; 0.001). At 1 year, the groups had similar lumbar lordosis, yet the Hip-Spine patients had a worse sagittal vertebral axis (SVA) measurement (45.9 ± 45.5 mm, versus 25.1 ± 37.1 mm for UL-Hip and 19.0 ± 39.3 mm for Spine; p = 0.001). Hip-Spine patients also had worse Veterans RAND-12 Physical Component Summary scores at baseline (25.7 ± 9.3, versus 28.7 ± 9.8 for UL-Hip and 31.3 ± 10.5 for Spine; p = 0.005) and 1 year postoperatively (34.5 ± 11.4, versus 40.3 ± 10.4 for UL-Hip and 40.1 ± 10.9 for Spine; p = 0.006). Conclusions: This study of operatively treated ASD revealed that 1 in 3 patients had severe hip OA bilaterally. Such patients with severe bilateral hip OA had worse baseline SVA and PROMs that persisted 1 year following ASD surgery, despite correction of lordosis. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Prognostic Factors in Intra-articular Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Comparative Analysis of Responders and Nonresponders.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic joint disease affecting activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life due to pain and limited range of motion, afflicting a large number of patients worldwide. However, it is difficult to prevent the progression of the disease. Therapeutic strategies for KOA aim to maintain ADL and QOL by alleviating pain or managing locomotive function. Recently, intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been gaining attention. In this study, the clinical results of PRP treatment in our institution were reported and compared between responders and non-responders using patient characteristics and imaging data assessed from plain X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Participants in the study were KOA patients with varus deformity assessed as grade 2 or higher in the Kellgren-Lawrence classification who received PRP treatment from January 2022 to November 2023 and were followed up for at least three months. PRP was prepared with 27 mL of blood collected from the patient, and 2.7 mL of PRP was prepared using the PEAK©︎PRP System from DePuy Synthes (Raynham, MA). Intra-articular injections of PRP were performed under echo-guided procedures, and responders or non-responders were determined using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Standing Committee for Clinical Trials Response Criteria Initiative (OMERACT-OARSI) criteria evaluated by the Japanese Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (J-KOOS) at three months after PRP injection. The clinical efficacy of PRP treatment for KOA was assessed in this study, and a dichotomous analysis was performed comparing the responder group and the non-responder group using patient characteristics and assessed data from plain X-ray images and MRI to determine prognostic factors for PRP treatment. The study population included 36 knees with a mean age of 70.6. ± 9.2 years, comprising six knees in men and 30 knees in women. The responder group consisted of16 knees (44.4%), and the non-responder group consisted of 20 knees (55.6%).J-KOOS subscores at pre-treatment elicited that each subscale in the R group was significantly lower than that in the NR group at pretreatment. A dichotomous analysis for the two groups revealed the distribution of sex and past medical history of hyperlipidemia to be significantly different between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the coexistence of hyperlipidemia was the main prognostic factor for the efficacy of PRP therapy. In this study, comparisons were conducted between responders and non-responders to estimate prognostic factors for the efficacy of PRP therapy. Surprisingly, responders to the treatment tended to show lower J-KOOS scores and to have hyperlipidemia. A literature review revealed conflicting reports on prognostic factors for PRP therapy in KOA, highlighting the need for further research.

Asymmetric Implant Design for Posterolateral Overhang of the Femoral Component in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Computed Tomography-Based Study.

Introduction During total knee arthroplasty (TKA), also referred to as total knee replacement (TKR), patients may experience pain in the posterolateral knee. One possible cause is the impingement between the popliteus tendon and the femoral components. The purpose of this study was to analyze the posterolateral overhang of the femoral component using 3D template software. Methods Preoperative CT scan images of 50 knees (11 males and 39 females) with osteoarthritis of grade 2 or lower according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification were analyzed. The mean age of the subjects was 73.8±7.6 years (range 52-84 years). The Athena (Soft Cube Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan) knee 3D image-matching software was used for the analysis. The positions of the two femoral components (symmetrical and asymmetrical) were simulated. In the coronal plane, the component overhang was measured between the resected lateral part of the posterior femur and its corresponding component size, and the two designs were compared in three zones (proximal, central, and distal). Results In the simulated femoral component, the asymmetric design had a significantly lower component overhang than the symmetric design in the proximal zone of the lateral posterior condyle (0.2±1.9 mm vs. 3.5±1.6 mm, p<0.01). In the proximal zone, significant overhang (>3 mm) was observed in 30 knees (60.0%) with the symmetric design, but only three knees (6.0%) had asymmetric designs (p<0.01). Conclusions The posterolateral overhang of the lateral posterior condyle occurs when a symmetrical prosthesis is used. The use of an asymmetric implant with a small, rounded proximal portion of the lateral posterior condyle improves this overhang and is expected to decrease problems such as impingement of the popliteus tendon and improve patient satisfaction.

Comparative analysis of knee radiographs between weight bearing AP and Rosenberg PA flexion view for knee osteoarthrosis

: Osteoarthritis of the knee is highly prevalent in our country and a significant cause of morbidity. An early diagnosis is of paramount importance to provide treatment and delay it’s progression.: To evaluate the role of Rosenberg PA flexion view for early diagnosis of osteoarthritis, the degree of articular degeneration and the advantages of these views using Kellgren-Lawrence classification (KL), Ahlback grading (AB) and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC). Rosenberg PA flexion view significantly increased the detection of medial and lateral joint space narrowing (p&amp;#60;0.001) as compared to the standard weight bearing AP view alone. The severity of KL, Ahlback &amp; IKDC scores increased significantly on Rosenberg view. The Rosenberg view increases the sensitivity of detection of JSN &amp; the knee scores significantly &amp; is an important tool for early diagnosis of OA.

The effect of intra-articular ozone injection combined with home-based exercise on pain and function in daily living activities of patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, a randomized double-blinded controlled clinical trial

BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis is the most common arthritis. Various treatments such as analgesics, exercise therapy, and surgery in high-grade OA have been shown to reduce pain and improve patients' function; however, determining the optimal treatment remains a challenge. Ozone therapy is one of the injection techniques used for symptom relief in these patients. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of ozone injection in mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. MethodsThirty-three patients with grade II-III knee osteoarthritis based on the Kellgren-Lawrence classification were involved in the study, by block randomisation. Totally 42 knees were included. All patients received exercise therapy, 500 mg of acetaminophen tablets (up to 2 g per day as needed), and healthy nutrition. In a double-blinded method, the intervention group received Ozone injections, but the control group received placebo injections. Functional tests, including timed-up-and-go and 6-min walk tests, were assessed at baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention. In addition, the pain was measured by VAS score, and stiffness and activity of daily living (ADL) were evaluated by KOOS questionnaire before and after a 6-week intervention and then one and six months afterwards. FindingsImprovements in pain and KOOS scores were seen in both groups in the 6th week of injections (p < 0.05), with significant differences between groups. However, the effects on pain and KOOS scores disappeared in the 1st and 6th months of follow-ups in the control group. Nevertheless, the effects persisted in the intervention group compared to the baseline and control group, which means that in the mentioned time points intervention group showed significant improvement compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, functional tests showed significant differences between the two groups in the 6th week of injections (p < 0.001). InterpretationOzone injection is a non-surgical treatment for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis that could decrease pain and improve function and ADL of patients in the short to mid-term (3–6 months), so it seems that adding Ozone injection to the routine exercise therapy in management of patients with knee OA could improve outcomes.

Alternative Treatment of Gonarthrosis: Proximal Fibular Osteotomy.

Gonarthrosis is arthrosis of the knee joint, a chronic non-inflammatory disease manifested by progressive destruction of the intra-articular cartilage, accompanied by abnormal formation of the bones form the joint, changes in the synovial membrane and synovial fluid. Gonarthrosis is the most common type of arthrosis. Gonarthrosis can be treated conservatively and operatively. Among well-established surgical options for the treatment of medial gonarthrosis are high tibial osteotomy (HTO), unicompart-mental knee arthroplasty (UKA), and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Proximal fibular osteotomy (PFO) or superior partial fibulectomy is a relatively recent procedure proposed to reduce knee pain in patients with medial compartment. Our study aims to demonstrate an alternative treatment for gonarthrosis with proximal fibular osteotomy and reduced knee pain in patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee. At the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at J.Z.U "Borka Taleski" Prilep in the period from 2018 to 2021, 14 cases were treated, of which 11 were female and 3 were male. All patients were aged between 62 and 82 years with a mean age of 71.3 years. Patients had a severe degree of gonarthrosis (III/IV) according to Kellgren-Lawrence classification. Arthroscopy was performed in 2 patients. The fibula osteotomy was 7 cm away from the fibular head, with 1 cm resected bone fragment from the fibula. The average duration of the surgery was 30 minutes. Patients were followed up on the 7th day, first month, 3 months and 6 months after surgery. The final evaluation of function was done after 6 months by examining the active and passive movements of the knee joint. In all 14 patients we have excellent results with pain reduction, improvement of movement and quality of life. Proximal fibular osteotomy is an option for medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee. Current literature is limited to small case series which report good outcomes in pain reduction, including the correction of varus deformity in medial gonarthrosis. Further studies are needed to determine the place of the PFO in the medial gonarthrosis management algorithm before it can be recommended for routine clinical use.

Measuring Parallelism to the Ground in Bipedal Stance Phase: Mechanical Versus Kinematic Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Introduction The goal of total knee arthroplasty is to replace diseased cartilage and bone with an artificial implant to improve the patient's quality of life. The knee has historically been reconstructed to the patient's mechanical axis (MA). However, kinematically aligned techniques have been increasingly used. Kinematic alignment requires less soft-tissue resection and aligns the knee with what is anatomically natural to the patient, while there is concern that kinematically aligned knees will lead to earlier failure due to potential unequal weight distribution on the implant. The purpose of this study is to compare the parallelism from the floor of the joint-line cuts using kinematic and mechanical alignment and understand if the MA is a proper estimation of the tibial-ankle axis (TA). Methods A retrospective study was conducted by recruiting all high tibial osteotomy and distal femoral osteotomy recipients operated on by two surgeons in two MedStar Health hospitals from 01/2013 to 07/2020 with full-length films in preparation for restorative procedures. Baseline osteoarthritis was graded using the Kellgren-Lawrence classification system with all patients presenting as Grade 0. The TAand the joint-line orientations of the MAand kinematic axis (KA) were measured on 66 legs. The average distance from parallelism to the ground was compared between the MA and the KA and between the MA and the TA using a paired t-test. Results KA joint-line orientation (1.705° deviation) was more parallel to the floor in the bipedal stance phase than the MA (2.316° deviation, p=0.0156). The MA (2.316° deviation) was not a proper estimation of the TA (4.278° deviation, p=0.0001). Conclusion By utilizing the KA technique, the restoration of the natural joint line, as well as a joint that is more parallel to the floor in the stance phase compared to the MA, is achieved.The parallelism to the ground of the KAduring the bipedal stance phase suggests an even load distribution across the knee.In addition, due to its similarity to the KA and anatomical significance in weight-bearing distribution, further investigation into the hip-to-calcaneal axis as an approximation of the joint line is warranted.

Usefulness of platelet-rich fibrin as a scaffold for meniscal repair: A non-randomized controlled cohort/follow-up study

BackgroundAlthough regenerative medicine treatment is still in its infancy in Japan, legislation within the past decade has provided opportunities to explore new treatment methods using regenerative medicine. We conducted a 2-year prospective follow-up study to statistically analyze treatment outcomes using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as effective scaffolds in meniscal repair.Questions/Purposes.1. Does the use of PRF and PRP for meniscal repair surgery regenerate the meniscus?2. Does augmentation of meniscal repair with PRF effectively improve knee function outcomes? MethodsThirty-five patients underwent arthroscopic meniscal repair with PRP and PRF using new devices with all-inside techniques. Among these, 31 patients were evaluated for clinical outcomes postoperatively, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were evaluated. The variables were coded appropriately by creating a new column based on the Kellgren–Lawrence classification over time. Log transformation of different time points (pre, post 6, 12, or 24 months) in relation to Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA), and Tegner scores were performed. Follow-up arthroscopy using a needle scope was performed in some cases 2 years later. The PRP and PRF used were characterized using the Minimum Information for Studies Evaluating Biologics in Orthopaedics classification. ResultsOverall, 31 patients were evaluated (mean age = 39.1 ± 15.7 years; preoperative rehabilitation period = 9.5 ± 7.7 weeks). The PRP had mean platelet and white blood cell concentrations of approximately 5.5- and 3.6-fold, respectively. A significant association existed between sex and deformity deterioration but not in age between the two groups classified by deformity deterioration. Surgical intervention significantly and positively impacted knee function, although no significant changes were found in the activity of the participants over time. MRI findings showed no regeneration of the repaired meniscus; nevertheless, none of them worsened. Furthermore, a case where the traumatic cartilage defect was covered with fibrocartilage-like tissue as a secondary finding was observed. ConclusionsMeniscal repair surgery using PRP/PRF is an effective treatment option for improving knee function in patients with knee deformity. Level of evidenceLevel III, Non-randomized controlled cohort/follow-up study.

Efficacy of Intra-articular Concentrated Growth Factor, Platelet-Rich Plasma, and Hyaluronic Acid in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Comparative Analysis

Objective: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent chronic joint condition causing substantial pain and disability. In recent years, intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), concentrated growth factor (CGF), and hyaluronic acid (HA) have emerged as promising KOA therapies. We aimed to compare the effects of intra-articular CGF, PRP, and HA in KOA patients. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with KOA and who were grade 2-3 according to the Kellgreen-Lawrence classification in radiological imaging were included in the study. Patients were randomized into three groups receiving a single injection of either HA, PRP, or CGF. Patients were evaluated for pain scores using the visual analog scale (VAS) and for pain, stiffness, and physical function using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) before and 1 and 6 months after the procedure. Results: Of 60 patients, 41 were female and 19 were male. According to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification, 27 patients had grade II and 33 patients had grade III KOA, with a similar distribution among the three groups. The VAS scores showed a statistically significant decrease in all groups at 1-month and 6-month follow-up compared to pre-procedural scores. However, there was no significant difference among the groups in terms of VAS scores. The WOMAC-pain, -stiffness, -physical function scores also showed a significant decrease in all groups at 1-month and 6-month follow-up compared to pre-procedural scores. The CGF group had the lowest WOMAC scores at both time points, with a statistically significant difference compared to the PRP group (p&lt;0.05). Patient satisfaction rates were high in all groups, while the satisfaction rate was highest in the CGF group. Conclusion: CGF demonstrated superior pain alleviation and functional improvement compared to PRP and HA. Although the results of this study demonstrate the potential of regenerative treatments for KOA, more research with larger samples and longer follow-up is needed for robust validation. Additionally, the standardization of treatment protocols is important.

Сlinical experience with the modified rehabilitation protocol after trapeziometa- carpal joint resection suspension interposition autotendoplasty.

Aim. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a modified postoperative rehabilitation protocol in patients who underwent their first carpometacarpal joint resection suspension interposition autotendoplasty.Materials and Methods. The study included 52 patients treated for trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis stage II—IV according to the Eaton-Littler and Kellgren-Lawrence classification in the Upper Limbs Surgery Department of the Bauman City Clinical Hospital from 2017 to 2022. All patients underwent trapeziometacarpal joint resection suspension interposition autotendoplasty and a course of rehabilitation. The evaluation of surgical treatment and rehabilitation results was carried out based on indicators on the VAS, DASH, and hand grip strength scales 12 months after surgery.Results. The complex treatment resulted in the complete restoration of hand function. Twelve months after surgery, there was a significant improvement in hand functional parameters. According to the DASH scale, the improvement was 80 % compared to the preoperative level (p = 0.000). The pain syndrome, according to the VAS scale, decreased by 84 % from the baseline (p = 0.000). Affected hand grip strength reached its maximum value of 26.2 kg, exceeding the preoperative level by 67 % (p = 0.006).Conclusion. The modified rehabilitation protocol used after performing trapeziometacarpal joint resection suspension interposition autotendoplasty in clinical practice enabled the full restoration of affected hand function.

Methodology of Examination of Patients with Osteoarthritis and Aseptic Necrosis of Hip and Knee Joints when Using Regenerative Interventional Technologies

Background. Diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee joints, as of today, would seem to be a well-studied issue. Radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography - each of these methods makes it possible to make a diagnosis. At the same time, the use of new methods of treatment of osteoarthritis requires new approaches to its diagnosis.&#x0D; Objective: to develop a methodology for examining patients with osteoarthritis and aseptic necrosis of the hip and knee joints during treatment with regenerative technologies.&#x0D; Material and Methods. The material for the study was case histories of 233 patients with osteoarthritis and 58 patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee joints. Clinical, laboratory, and instrumental research methods were used.&#x0D; Results. The methodology of clinical examination of patients when using regenerative technologies is based on filling out quality of life questionnaires. A feature of the methodology of laboratory examination of patients with osteoarthritis and aseptic necrosis of the hip and knee joints when using regenerative technologies is oncological screening in the case of the use of biotechnological products containing MSCs, with the determination of epigenetic markers of the risk of oncogenesis in the form of miRNA.&#x0D; Conclusions. The methodology of the instrumental examination of patients with osteoarthritis is as follows: the key is an X-ray examination with the establishment of the stage of osteoarthritis according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification and the subsequent ultrasound and MRI examination in order to assess the extent of damage to the soft tissues of the hip and knee joints, subchondral bone and paraarticular structures. In patients with aseptic necrosis of the hip and knee joints, when using regenerative technologies, the key is an MRI study followed by X-ray and ultrasound examination.

MODERN CHONDROPROTECTORS IN THE THERAPY OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

Introduction. Osteoarthritis is a chronic progressive degenerative disease of the entire joint that affects the articular cartilage, subchondral bone, ligaments, capsule and synovial membrane. Osteoarthritis was previously considered as a mechanical wear-and-tear disease causing degeneration of cartilage, but at present it is clear that the relationship between various joint structures and local inflammation is a central aspect of the underlying pathophysiology. Over the past 20 years, significant progress has been made in osteoarthritis research; however, many questions remain unanswered due to the complexity of the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a condition characterized by a high level of comorbidity, primarily due to advanced age being the most influential factor among all the risk factors associated with its development. Additionally, research indicates that individuals with osteoarthritis face a significantly elevated risk of developing comorbid conditions compared to those without this disease.&#x0D; Objectives. This study aims at summarizing the most promising therapeutic approaches using chondroprotectors (chondroitin sulfate, Alflutop) in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis and comorbid pathologies based on the latest pharmacological achievements in the therapy of osteoarthritis.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The study was conducted at the Rheumatology Center of M.V. Sklifosovsky Poltava Regional Hospital. 150 patients with osteoarthritis in the period of exacerbation aged 41-73 were examined and received therapy. Among them there were 97 (64.67%) women and 53 (35.33%) men having comorbid diseases (arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, diseases of the digestive, respiratory, endocrine, genitourinary systems). Radiologically, all patients showed II-III stages of joint lesions according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification. The history of osteoarthritis lasted 5-19 years. Verification of the clinical diagnosis of osteoarthritis was carried out according to the recommendations of EULAR (2018) based on the findings of clinical, laboratory and instrumental studies. Clinical diagnoses of comorbid conditions were established in accordance with the relevant orders of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and confirmed by specialists. The patients received standard therapy: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectors (chondroitin sulfate or Alflutop), gastroprotectors, local treatment according to the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 676 dated 12.10.2006, Specialty "Rheumatology". If necessary, additional medications for the treatment of comorbid pathologies (hypotensive, anti-ischemic, anti-diabetic, hypolipidemic) were prescribed according to the recommendations of specialists.&#x0D; Prior to beginning the treatment course and following the examination of patients to establish a clinical diagnosis of osteoarthritis, we conducted a thorough assessment to rule out thrombophlebitis. This involved a coagulogram, an ultrasound examination of the lower extremity vessels, and consultation with a vascular surgeon when necessary. In cases where thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities was clinically diagnosed, patients were prescribed Alflutop in a dose of 1.0 ml intramuscularly once a day for 20 days as a chondroprotective agent. For patients without signs of lower extremity thrombophlebitis, chondroitin sulfate was administered in a dose of 2.0 ml intramuscularly once a day for 20 days. The administration of these chondroprotective agents followed a schedule of once every 6 months for the patients.&#x0D; Results. The literature regarding the complete understanding of the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis with comorbid pathology enabled us to elaborate a targeted effective therapy taking into account the appointment of the appropriate chondroprotector based on the anamnesis of the disease and the comorbid condition. This therapeutic approach contributed to prolonging the remission of the underlying disease and comorbid pathology, reducing the frequency of hospitalization and shortening the inpatient treatment by 2-3 days.&#x0D; Conclusions. The proposed approach in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis and comorbid pathology, features of the appointment of chondroprotectors with a high prognostic value in prolonging the remission of osteoarthritis and related diseases will improve their practical application.

Oral sodium hyaluronate relieves knee discomfort: A 12‑week double‑blinded, placebo‑controlled study.

Sodium hyaluronate (SH) is a high molecular-weight polysaccharide composed of repeating polymeric disaccharides of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. SH is present in every connective tissue and organ, with synovial fluid having the highest concentration of SH in the body. The effectiveness of oral SH on gonarthrosis is known; although, its influence on the knees of healthy individuals is not. However, as severe diseases may require surgery, it is better to take care of healthy knees before the onset of gonarthrosis. Therefore, the present study investigated the functionality of SH on the knee of healthy individuals. The present study was a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which healthy adults (mean age: Placebo group, 61.50±1.59; SH group, 58.50±1.81), rated as grade ≤1 based on the Kellgren-Lawrence classification, were administered 111 mg/day SH for 12 weeks. The evaluation of visual analog scales were performed to assess the discomfort in the knees of the participants and were conducted at baseline, and then 6 and 12 weeks after the start of SH ingestion. Additionally, a locomotive syndrome risk test quantifying the mobility of the participants, a one-leg standing time with eyes open test evaluating the strength of the leg muscle as well as the ability to balance by measuring the time to stand on one leg and a blood test (interleukin-10, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, γ-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and C-reactive protein) were performed at baseline and then 12 weeks after the start of SH ingestion. A significant suppression of knee symptoms were demonstrated in the SH group compared with the placebo group in terms of the total visual analog scale scores for pain, stiffness and discomfort for the 31 healthy adult subjects. Significant suppression of symptoms was also demonstrated in the placebo group in terms of discomfort in the knees when descending stairs and pain in the knees after walking for a longer distance or duration than normal. No significant differences between the two groups were demonstrated in the locomotive syndrome risk test, one-leg standing time with eyes open test and the blood test. The results of the present study suggest the possibility that oral SH may help to maintain a healthy condition of the knees. The study protocol was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry in advance (registration no. UMIN000045980, November 4, 2021).

Severity grade of complaints from X-ray imaging on the elderlies with knee osteoarthritis

Background: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between severity of osteoarthritis with disorder or problem experienced by elder osteoarthritis patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the period of October until December 2022 in one of the regions in the capital of Indonesia. Data was collected through knee X-ray examination according to Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classification and direct interview on the elderlies with knee arthritis by using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire. Data analysis was performed with Spearman rank. Results: From a total of 102 elderly participants who were diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, it was found out that on average, as the osteoarthritis grade increased, the pain also increased. The stiffness and functional ability experienced by the participants were not according to the grade of the osteoarthritis. There was a weak correlation between severity with disorder or problem in the elderlies with osteoarthritis (p=0.030, R=0.214). Differences are only found in the severity of pain between grade 2 and grade 4, and in the severity of functional disorder between grade 1 and grade 3. Conclusions: Complaints of osteoarthritis in the elderlies are not specific for each severity grade.

Plasma-derived extracellular vesicle surface markers CD45, CD326 and CD56 correlate with the stage of osteoarthritis: a primary study of a novel and promising diagnostic tool of the disease

Recently, there is a growing interest in the research based on extracellular vesicles (EVs) which represent paracrine factors secreted by almost all cell types. Both, normal and pathological cells are able to release various types of EVs with different physiological properties, functions and compositions. EVs play an important role in intercellular communication, mechanism and tissue repair. Moreover, EVs could help not only in the treatment of diseases but also in their diagnostics. This work focused on the evaluation of the potential of EVs being used as biomarkers for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA) based on a comparison of the composition of EVs separated from platelet-poor plasma (PPP) of healthy donors and OA patients at different stages of OA. OA is established as a complex syndrome with extensive impact on multiple tissues within the synovial joint. It is a chronic disease of musculoskeletal system that mainly affects the elderly. Depending on the use of the Kellgren–Lawrence classification system, there are four grades of OA which have a negative impact on patients' quality of life. It is very difficult to detect OA in its early stages, so it is necessary to find a new diagnostic method for its timely detection. PPP samples were prepared from whole blood. PPP-EVs were separated from 3 groups of donors—healthy control, early stage OA, end-stage OA, and their content was compared and correlated. EVs from PPP were separated by size exclusion chromatography and characterized in terms of their size, yield and purity by NTA, western blotting, ELISA and flow cytometry. Detection of surface markers expression in EVs was performed using MACSPlex approach. Inflammatory and growth factors in EVs were analysed using MAGPix technology. Our study confirmed significant differences between EVs surface markers of patients and healthy controls correlating with the age of donor (CD63, CD31 and ROR1) and stage of OA (CD45, CD326 and CD56), respectively. Circulating EVs have been under extensive investigation for their capability to predict OA pathology diagnosis as potential targets for biomarker discovery. Taken together, obtained results indicated that PPP-EVs surface markers could be used as potential biomarkers in the early diagnosis of OA.

Is higher body mass index associated with secondary osteoarthritis in patients treated with bone cement for benign aggressive bone tumors? Long-term evaluation of 43 patients

BackgroundThis study was designed to investigate the secondary osteoarthritis rate in patients with benign aggressive bone tumors treated with curettage and cementing at long-term follow up. MethodsPatients diagnosed with benign aggressive bone tumor (giant cell or aneurysmal bone cyst), treated with extended curettage and cementation with polymethylmethacrylate, who had a minimum of 60 months of follow up after surgery were included in this study. After definitive diagnoses were confirmed by a histopathologist, we decided to perform standard surgical management. Osteoarthritis was staged radiologically using the Kellgren–Lawrence scoring system, and the contralateral knees of the patients were used as the control group. Based on the Kellgren–Lawrence classification system, stages 3 and 4 were accepted as the existence of osteoarthritis. Body mass index, the distance to the subchondral joint line, tumor mass volume, the location of the tumor (i.e., femur, tibia, medial condyle, or lateral condyle), age, and sex were also investigated, all of which are factors that can affect the occurrence of osteoarthritis. ResultsForty-three patients, 24 male (56%) and 19 female (44%), were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 29.5 ± 10 years, and mean follow up duration was 128.7 months. Tumor localization was the distal femur in 20 patients (46.5%) and the proximal tibia in 23 patients (53.5%). The mean tumor mass volume was 77.84 cm3 and the distance to the knee joint subchondral line was 3.2 ± 2 mm. According to this scoring system, 14 patients were at stage 0, 10 patients were at stage 1, 10 patients were at stage 2, four patients were at stage 3, and five patients were at stage 4. When we compared osteoarthritis development, the affected knee had a significantly higher rate of osteoarthritis development than the contralateral knee. A univariate analysis demonstrated that age (P = 0.002) and body mass index (P = 0.045) were associated with secondary osteoarthritis. Moreover, multivariate analysis demonstrated that none of the variables were independently associated with secondary osteoarthritis. ConclusionPatients with contralateral osteoarthritis had bilateral knee osteoarthritis, indicating that primary osteoarthritis progressed in both knees. Seven of the 43 patients (16.2%) showed secondary osteoarthritis. Although age and body mass index were associated with secondary osteoarthritis in univariate analysis, none of the variables were independently associated with secondary osteoarthritis in the multivariate analysis.

Initial Learning Curve for Robot-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty in a Dedicated Orthopedics Center.

Background and objectives: Our study aimed to assess the learning curve for robot-assisted (RA) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in our hospital, compare operative times between RA-TKAs and manual TKAs, and assess the early complications rate between the two approaches. Methods: We included 39 patients who underwent RA-TKA and 45 control patients subjected to manual TKA in the same period and operated on by the same surgical staff. We collected demographic and patient-related data to assess potential differences between the two groups. Results: No statistical differences were recorded in regard to age, BMI, sex, Kellgren-Lawrence classification, or limb alignment between patients undergoing RA-TKA and manual TKA, respectively. Three surgeons transitioned from the learning to the proficiency phase in our study after a number of 6, 4, and 3 cases, respectively. The overall operative time for the learning phase was 111.54 ± 20.45 min, significantly longer compared to the average of 86.43 ± 19.09 min in the proficiency phase (p = 0.0154) and 80.56 ± 17.03 min for manual TKAs (p < 0.0001). No statistically significant difference was recorded between the global operative time for the proficiency phase TKAs versus the controls. No major complications were recorded in either RA-TKA or manual TKA groups. Conclusions: Our results suggest that experienced surgeons may adopt RA-TKA using this platform and quickly adapt without significant complications.