The intra-articular use of an hemostatic and non-adherent bicomponent for pain control, hemarthrosis, and knee range of motion after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Introduction: Complications in the recent postoperative period of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction are common. Among them, pain, hemarthrosis, and difficulty of complete range of motion. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of the intra-articular carboxymethylcellulose ­ polysaccharide B bicomponent shortly after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and to compare the results obtained for pain control, hemarthrosis, and knee range of motion with a control group. Materials and methods: randomized, and prospective clinical trial of thirty-two patients divided into two groups: reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with an intra-articular injection of a bicomponent carboxymethylcellulose-polysaccharide B (n = 16) and without the bicomponent (n = 16). Pain, hemarthrosis and knee range of motion were evaluated in the first postoperative week. Results: the group with bicomponent presented less pain on the third (p = 0.017) and fifth (p = 0.029) postoperative day when compared to the control group. Hemarthrosis was significantly lower on the first postoperative day (p = 0.001), and there was a significant improvement in the range of motion on the seventh day of surgery (p = 0.008) in this same group. Conclusions: the use of intra-articular carboxymethylcellulose-polysaccharide B showed superior results for pain control, hemarthrosis, and gain in the knee range of motion in the recent postoperative period (up to seven days) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, when compared to patients from the control group

Arthroscopic assessment of meniscal injuries using an anatomical zone classification system

The present study aimed to evaluate the inter- and intra-observer reproducibility of the arthroscopic meniscus tear classification system in patients treated with meniscal suture, as well as to correlate these anatomical zones, according to the injury characteristics and the suture technique employed.Forty-six knee arthroscopies were analyzed for meniscal sutures. The evaluators recorded data of the zones described by Smigielski, types of injuries, meniscal vascularity, suture techniques, and types of suture knots applied to sutures. Data were analyzed with respect to inter and intra-observer agreement. All clinical and anatomical outcomes as well as the characterization of the injury and meniscal treatment were correlated.The intra- and inter-observer reproducibility (Kappa coefficient) for the arthroscopic classification system of meniscus injury proposed by Smigielski ranged from slight to moderate.The zone classification defines the menisci and their relationship with the surrounding anatomic landmarks of the knee; however, it has limited arthroscopic application. The practical knowledge of the classification system described in this study can help specifically guide treatment for various types of meniscal injury

El propósito del presente estudio es evaluar la reproducibilidad inter e intraobservador de la clasificación artroscópica de lesiones meniscales propuesta por Smigielski en pacientes tratados con suturas meniscales, así como correlacionar las zonas anatómicas con las características lesionales y el tipo de técnica de sutura empleada.Se analizaron cuarenta y seis artroscopías de rodilla con sutura meniscal de la lesión. Se examinó la zona descripta según Smigielski, el tipo de lesión meniscal, la vascularidad, la técnica de sutura meniscal y el tipo de nudo empleados. Los datos fueron evaluados para considerar la reproducibilidad intra e interobservador. Todos los resultados clínicos, anatómicos, características de la lesión, así como el tratamiento meniscal utilizado, se correlacionaron.La correlación intra e interobservador (coeficiente Kappa) para la clasificación artroscópica de lesiones meniscales propuesta por Smigielski fue leve o moderada. La clasificación por zonas que define la lesión meniscal y su relación con las estructuras anatómicas de la rodilla tiene aplicación limitada en la cirugía artroscópica. El conocimiento práctico de la clasificación podría servir como guía para la toma de conducta ante las lesiones meniscales reparables