Treatment of Chondral Lesions in the Knee / Tratamento das lesões condrais no joelho

Abstract Articular cartilage injuries are common and lead to early joint deterioration and osteoarthritis. Articular cartilage repair techniques aim at forming a cartilaginous neo-tissue to support the articular load and prevent progressive degeneration. Several techniques are available for this purpose, such as microfracture and chondrocyte transplantation. However, the procedural outcome is often fibrocartilage, which does not have the same mechanical resistance as cartilaginous tissue. Procedures with autologous osteochondral graft have a morbidity risk, and tissue availability limits their use. As such, larger lesions undergo osteochondral transplantation using fresh or frozen grafts. New techniques using minced or particulate cartilage fragments or mesenchymal stem cells are promising. This paper aims to update the procedures for treating chondral lesions of the knee.

Resumo As lesões da cartilagem articular são comuns e levam à deterioração precoce da articulação e ao desenvolvimento da osteoartrite. As técnicas de reparo da cartilagem articular visam a formação de um neo-tecido cartilaginoso capaz de suportar carga articular e evitar a progressão da degeneração. Há várias técnicas disponíveis para esse fim, como a microfratura e o transplante de condrócitos. Entretanto muitas vezes o desfecho do procedimento é a formação de fibrocartilagem, que não possui a mesma resistência mecânica do tecido cartilaginoso. Em outros procedimentos, nos quais é realizado enxerto osteocondral autólogo, há risco de morbidade associada ao procedimento, além da disponibilidade limitada de tecido. Por esse motivo, o transplante osteocondral, utilizando enxertos a fresco ou congelados tem sido utilizado para lesões de maior volume. Por fim, novas técnicas utilizando fragmentos de cartilagem picada ou particulada, assim como o uso de células tronco mesenquimais se apresentam como promissores. O objetivo desse artigo é realizar uma atualização dos procedimentos para tratamento das lesões condrais do joelho.

Evaluation of knee cartilage based on MRI artificial intelligence reconstruction model of knee joint / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To explore the feasibility of the AI intelligent reconstruction model based on knee joint magnetic resonance data developed by Nuctech Company Limited for evaluating knee cartilage injury.Methods:Thirty-three patients (a total of forty-one knees) who were hospitalized with severe knee osteoarthritis in Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital from May 2021 to April 2022 were selected. All of them were planned to be performed total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Fifteen males with an average age of 71±5 years old and twenty six females with an average age of 71±9 years old were included in this study. There were 19 cases of left knee and 22 cases of right knee. Thin layer MRI examination on the patients' knee joints was performed before the surgery, and artificial intelligence model based on the thin layer MRI data of the knee joint was reconstructed. The cartilage part of the model was selected and corrected by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in order to realize model straightening. The tibial plateau cartilage of knee joint which intercepted during operation was classified according to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS). Finally the results were compared with the ICRS classification results of knee artificial intelligence reconstruction model and artificial recognition of knee joint MRI images.Results:Compared with the grade of cartilage injury intercepted during our operation which was according to the ICRS classification, the sensitivity of artificial intelligence reconstruction model for the diagnosis of cartilage injury with ICRS classification grade four was 93.1%. The specificity of artificial intelligence reconstruction model was 91.4%. The positive predictive value (PPV) of artificial intelligence reconstruction model was 92.2%. And the negative predictive value (NPV) of artificial intelligence reconstruction model was 80.3%. The area under ROC curve (AUC) was 0.92. The ICRS classification consistency between artificial intelligence model and physical inspection results was good with kappa value 0.81 ( P<0.001) . In the aspect of artificial recognition of cartilage injury grading in MRI images, the sensitivity of artificial recognition was 92.10% compared with the manual identification of cartilage injury classification in MRI images. The specificity of artificial recognition was 91.60%. The positive predictive value (PPV) of artificial recognition was 97.20% and the negative predictive value (NPV) of artificial recognition was 78.8%. The kappa value of the cartilage injury classification in MRI images consistency between artificial recognition and manual identification was 0.79 ( P<0.001). Conclusion:Based on the evaluation of cartilage injury by AI reconstruction model of knee joint, the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of ICRS grade IV cartilage injury can be acceptable, but still needs to be improved.

Recent advances of acellular cartilage matrix in cartilage regeneration / 中华骨科杂志

Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disease, and cartilage damage is often considered an early factor in irreversible joint degeneration. Repairing damaged cartilage remains a medical challenge due to its limited ability to self-repair and regenerate. In recent years, the application of tissue engineering strategies to treat cartilage defects has been recognized as an emerging therapeutic avenue. Acellular cartilage matrix (ACM) is an ideal material for cartilage repair and regeneration as it retains the extracellular matrix structure and bioactive components of natural cartilage, mimicking the extracellular environment of natural cartilage to the greatest extent. Type II collagen is the main type of hyaline cartilage and plays an important role in regulating the mechanical properties of cartilage tissue. It has been shown that type II collagen, growth factors and the hypoxic microenvironment play important roles in promoting cartilage regeneration. Type II collagen induces cell aggregation and chondrogenic differentiation in a specific way; Various growth factors contained in the ACM induce Sox9 expression and promote chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells; The hypoxic microenvironment upregulates the expression of type II collagen (COL2A1), Sox9 and maintains chondrocyte phenotype. In addition, ACM has been widely used in cartilage regeneration studies, either as a decellularized scaffold, hydrogel or 3D bioprinting technique for the repair of defective cartilage. Although the ACM-derived biomaterials discussed in this paper have many advantages, there are still some difficulties in their practical applications, such as loss of ACM components and reduced scaffold performance, which are still worth exploring in depth.

Short-term MRI texture features of medial femoral cartilage after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction / 中华创伤杂志

Objective:To investigate MRI texture features reflecting short-term medial femoral cartilage variations after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.Methods:A retrospective case series analysis was conducted referring to the data of 20 patients who received ACL reconstruction at First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2017 to January 2020 including 17 males and 3 females, aged 23-43 years [(32.1±5.4)years]. The patients were evaluated before operation and at 1, 4, 12, 24, 48 weeks after operation: (1) the region of interest (ROI) in medial femoral cartilage was divided into ROI1 (meniscus anterior horn cartilage), ROI2 (meniscus body cartilage) and ROI3 (meniscus posterior horn cartilage) according to MRI image acquisition of the affected knee. The texture feature parameters were extracted for screening and analyzing to obtain the parameters reflecting sensitivity to cartilage variations; (2) the level of urinary C-telopeptide of type II collagen (uCTX-II) was measured by ELISA. At different time points, differences in texture feature parameters were compared to screen the parameters most sensitive to cartilage variations, and uCTX-II level were compared as well. Then, Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between texture feature parameters most sensitive to cartilage variations and uCTX-II level.Results:After screening and analyzing, the horizontal direction of gray level non-uniformity (Horzl_GlevNonU) and Skewness of histogram (Skewness) of ROI3 were selected as sensitive texture feature parameters reflecting sensitivity to cartilage variations. There were significant difference in the Horzl_GlevNonU and Skewness of ROI3 before operation and at 1, 4, 12, 24, 48 weeks after operation (all P<0.05). Meanwhile, the Horzl_GlevNonU and Skewness of ROI3 were gradually increased over time, with a more significant tendency in the Horzl_GlevNonU. The Horzl_GlevNonU of ROI3 was similar at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after operation ( P>0.05), with significant differences at other time points (all P<0.05). The Skewness of ROI3 was significantly different at 1 week and 48 weeks after operation ( P<0.05), with insignificant differences at other time points (all P>0.05). The Horzl_GlevNonU of ROI3 was selected as the most sensitive texture feature parameter reflecting cartilage variations. Significant difference was reported in uCTX-II level before operation and at 1, 4, 12, 24, 48 weeks after operation (all P<0.05). After Pearson correlation analysis, the Horzl_GlevNonU of ROI3 was positively correlated with uCTX-II level before operation and at 1, 4, 12, 24, 48 weeks after operation ( r=0.554, 0.596, 0.550, 0.632, 0.756, 0.514, P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusion:The Horzl_GlevNonU of ROI3 is the most sensitive texture feature parameter that reflects the early variations of medial femoral cartilage after ACL reconstruction and is positively correlated with uCTX-II level.

Progress on knee cartilage repair by knee joint distraction / 中国骨伤

Knee joint distraction is a new technology for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in recent years. It could reduce knee pain and improve knee function, which is inseparable from the role of cartilage repair. The mechanism and influencing factors of knee joint distraction in repairing cartilage are the focus of current research. In this paper, the author reviewed literature and found that knee joint distraction could reduce knee joint load and provide a appropriate mechanical environment for cartilage repair, and it is resulting hydrostatic pressure fluctuation in the knee joint not only helps cartilage to absorb nutrients, but also promotes cartilage formation genes and inhibits cartilage matrix degrading enzyme gene expression. In addition, knee joint distraction creates conditions for synovial mesenchymal stem cells to be collected to cartilage injury, and improves ability of synovial mesenchymal stem cells to proliferate and differentiate into a chondrogenic lineage. Knee joint distraction could reduce inflammatory reaction and cartilage injury of knee joint by reducing content of inflammatory factors and inhibiting expression of inflammatory genes. At present, it is known that the factors affect repair of cartilage by knee joint distraction include, increasing weight-bearing activity and height and time of distraction is helpful for cartilage repair, male patients and patients with higher severity of knee osteoarthritis have better cartilage repair effect after knee joint distraction.The better efficacy of cartilage repair on the first year after knee joint distraction predicts a higher long-term survival rate of knee joint distraction with knee preservation. However, the research on the above hot spots is only at the initial stage and further exploration is still needed, in order to better guide clinical application of knee joint distraction.

Application value of magnetic resonance T2mapping in the diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the application value of magnetic resonance T2mapping in the diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods:The MRI data of the knees of 148 patients with KOA who underwent diagnosis and treatment between January 2017 and December 2020 in Benxi Central Hospital (KOA group) and 30 healthy volunteers (control group) were retrospectively analyzed. T2 values of cartilage in each sub-region of the knee were measured, grouped, and statistically analyzed.Results:There was no significant difference in the T2 value of cartilage in each sub-region of the knee between male and female patients in mild and severe KOA groups (all P > 0.05). T2 values in the medial anterior, middle, and posterior areas of the tibia, lateral anterior, middle and posterior areas of the tibia, medial middle, posterior and lateral areas of the femur, and lateral posterior area of the femur were (44.47 ± 2.35) ms, (46.52 ± 3.12) ms, (45.47 ± 2.40) ms, (43.68 ± 2.12) ms, (46.33 ± 3.36) ms, (43.92 ± 3.42) ms, (43.58 ± 2.40) ms, (45.53 ± 3.91) ms, (44.36 ± 3.15) ms, (46.41 ± 3.04) ms, respectively in the control group. They were (49.56 ± 2.05) ms, (51.67 ± 2.38) ms, (50.47 ± 2.53) ms, (48.68 ± 3.05) ms, (51.33 ± 4.62) ms, (48.92 ± 2.53) ms, (48.58 ± 3.15) ms, (50.53 ± 3.72) ms, (48.36 ± 2.41) ms, and (51.41 ± 3.64) ms, respectively in the mild KOA group, and (53.47 ± 2.46) ms, (56.52 ± 3.57) ms, (54.85 ± 2.89) ms, (52.68 ± 3.57) ms, (56.33 ± 3.91) ms, (52.92 ± 3.04) ms, (53.58 ± 3.36) ms, (55.53 ± 3.42) ms, (52.36 ± 4.13) ms, and (56.41 ± 3.56) ms, respectively in the severe KOA group. There were significant differences in abovementioned indices among the three groups ( F = 38.768, 39.412, 38.981, 40.432, 38.416, 38.635, 38.347, 40.712, 38.158, 39.418, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:The T2 value of knee cartilage in patients with KOA is unrelated to gender and related to the severity of the disease. Magnetic resonance T2 mapping can help diagnose KOA, and provide information about the changes in cartilage components of patients with early KOA.

Which clinical outcome scores are more frequently used in the literature on osteochondral lesions of the talus? a systematic review / Quais escores de desfechos clínicos são usados com mais frequência na literatura lesões osteocondrais do tálus? uma revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to identify the most used scales in the assessment of the clinical outcomes for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus. Methods: We performed a systematic review of the PubMed/MEDLINE databases from September 1999 to September 2019, based on the guidelines established by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The research strategy was: osteochondral [All Fields], AND ("talus" [MeSH Terms] OR "talus" [All Fields]) AND lesion [All Fields]. Of the 364 articles found in the literature, 166 (45%) were included in the study and 198 (55%) excluded. In total, 23 clinical assessment tools were used in the studies. Results: We found 49.4% of the studies to use the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale) and 29.5% the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Conclusion: The use of AOFAS increased in relation to VAS in the last 6 years (p = 0.046), and these two scales, either alone or combined, were the most used for studying osteochondral lesions of the talus. Level of Evidence III, Systematic Review of Level II studies.

RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo propõe revisar sistematicamente a literatura para identificar as escalas mais utilizadas da avaliação clínica de resultados do tratamento das LOTs. Métodos: Foi realizada revisão sistemática das bases de dados do PubMed/MEDLINE, desde setembro de 1999 a setembro 2019 baseado nas diretrizes PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses). A estratégia de pesquisa foi: osteochondral [All Fields], AND ("talus" [MeSH Terms] OR "talus" [All Fields]) AND lesion [All Fields]. De 364 artigos, foram incluídos no estudo 166 (45%) e excluídos 198 (55%). Foram observadas 23 escalas de avaliação clínica utilizadas. Resultados: A escala AOFAS e EVA de dor foram as mais utilizadas, ocorrendo em 49,4% e 29,5% dos artigos, respectivamente. Foi observado aumento de uso de AOFAS e diminuição EVA nos últimos 6 anos (p = 0,046). Conclusão: As ferramentas Escala AOFAS e EVA para dor demonstraram ser as mais usadas na literatura para avaliação de resultados do tratamento da lesão osteocondral de tálus, tanto isoladamente, quanto combinadas. Nível de Evidência III, Revisão Sistemática de Estudos de Nível II.

Cell metabolism under different intensity exercises in sports medicine / O metabolismo celular sob exercícios de diferentes intensidades na medicina do esporte / El metabolismo celular bajo ejercicios de diferentes intensidades en la medicina del deporte

ABSTRACT Introduction: Articular cartilage is an essential structure for joint weight-bearing and movement. If it is always under a specific mechanical stimulation, it will cause osteoarthritis (OA) and even involve the articular cartilage. Sports can affect articular cartilage thickness, cartilage surface morphology, and cartilage cell metabolism. Objective: This thesis studies the cell metabolism of knee cartilage tissue with exercises of different intensities. Methods: We divided 40 rats into four groups according to exercise intensity. The control group exercised freely, while the experimental group exercised with different intensities. After eight weeks of exercise, we extracted the knee joint cartilage to observe its cell metabolism. Results: We found that the cartilage surface of the rats was complete after exercise, and the thickness of the cartilage layer was significantly greater than that of rats without exercise. Conclusion: Exercises of different intensities have different effects on the metabolism of cartilage cells in the knee joint of rats. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMO Introdução: A cartilagem articular é uma estrutura essencial para o suporte de peso e movimento de juntas. Quando a articulação está constantemente sob estímulos mecânicos específicos, a osteoartrite (OA) pode resultar, envolvendo inclusive a cartilagem articular. O esporte pode afetar a espessura da cartilagem articular, a morfologia da superfície da cartilagem e o metabolismo celular da cartilagem. Objetivo: Este estudo analisa o metabolismo celular do tecido cartilaginoso do joelho com exercícios de diferentes intensidades. Métodos: Dividimos 40 ratos em quatro grupos de acordo com a intensidade do exercício. O grupo de controle praticou exercícios livremente, enquanto o grupo experimental exercitou com diferentes intensidades. Após oito semanas de exercícios, extraímos a cartilagem da junta do joelho para observar seu metabolismo celular. Resultados: Descobrimos que a superfície cartilaginosa dos ratos se desenvolveu após o exercício, e que a espessura da camada de cartilagem aumentou muito mais do que aquela dos ratos sem exercício. Conclusão: Exercícios de diferentes intensidades tem diferentes efeitos no metabolismo de células cartilaginosas nas juntas de joelhos de ratos. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação de resultados de tratamento.

Resumen Introducción: El cartílago articular es una estructura esencial para el soporte de peso y movimientos de articulaciones. Cuando la articulación está constantemente bajo estímulos mecánicos específicos, puede causar la osteoartritis (OA) e incluso involucrar el cartílago articular. El deporte puede afectar el espesor del cartílago articular, la morfología de la superficie del cartílago y el metabolismo celular del cartílago. Objetivo: Este estudio analiza el metabolismo celular del tejido cartilaginoso de la rodilla con ejercicios de diferentes intensidades. Métodos: Dividimos 40 ratones en cuatro grupos de acuerdo a la intensidad del ejercicio. El grupo de control practicó ejercicios libremente, mientras el grupo experimental ejercitó con diferentes intensidades. Tras ocho semanas de ejercicios, extraemos el cartílago de la articulación de la rodilla para observar su metabolismo celular. Resultados: Descubrimos que la superficie cartilaginosa de los ratones se desarrolló tras el ejercicio, y que el espesor de la camada de cartílago aumentó mucho más que aquella de los ratones sin ejercicio. Conclusiones: Ejercicios de distintas intensidades tienen diferentes efectos en el metabolismo de células cartilaginosas en las articulaciones de rodillas de ratones. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de resultados de tratamiento.

Effect of intra-articular injection of different concentrations of ozonated water on articular cartilage of rabbits with osteoarthritis / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of intra-articular injection of different concentrations of ozonated water on articular cartilage of rabbits with osteoarthritis (OA).Methods:Twenty-four clean-grade New Zealand white rabbits of both sexes, weighing 2.0-3.0 kg, aged 6 months, were divided into 4 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), OA group, low concentration ozonated water group (L group) and high concentration ozonated water group (H group). The OA model was established by intra-articular injection of papain.At 2 weeks after the model was successfully established, 10.0 and 20.0 μg/ml ozonated water 1.0 ml was injected into the knee joint of rabbits in L and H groups, respectively, and 0.9% sodium chloride solution 1.0 ml was injected once a week, 3 times in total in OA group.At 1 week after the last injection, the cartilage tissue of the knee joint was removed and stained with toluidine blue for evaluation of Mankin score (under light microscope). The activity of caspase-3 in chondrocyte was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:Compared with group C, the Mankin score and caspase-3 activity were significantly increased in the other 3 groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group OA, the Mankin score and caspase-3 activity were significantly decreased in group L and group H ( P<0.05). Compared with group L, the Mankin score was significantly increased, and the activity of caspase-3 was decreased in group H ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Injecting ozonated water 10.0 μg/ml and 20.0 μg/ml into the knee joint cavity both can inhibit the apoptosis in chondrocytes and reduce the damage to articular cartilage, however, high concentration of ozonated water can cause the denaturation of the articular cartilage matrix in rabbits with OA.

The effect of ozone water on repairing articular cartilage of knee osteoarthritis and its influence on NF-κB signaling pathway / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To observe the repairing effect of ozone water injection in the articular cavity for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) on articular cartilage and to explore its repair mechanism.Methods:48 rats were randomly divided into fourgroups, the normal, model, normal saline and ozone water group, each group had 12 rats. The rats were injectied into the joint cavity with papain to establish a KOA model other than the normal group. After confirming the success of the model, the ozone water group and normal saline group was treated with ozone water and normal saline injection into the joint cavity once a week for a total of 3 treatments, the normal group and the model group are all raised routinely. Before and after the treatment, the ratknee joint behavioral score MG score was conducted; after the treatment articular cartilage surface gross score, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and modified Mankin score of articular cartilage pathological changes was measured, and Western blot and Rt-PCR to measure the level of protein and mRNA expression of NF-κB p65, IKKβ and IκBα in articular cartilage tissues.Results:Compared with before the treatment, the rat knee joint behavioral score of the ozone water group was significantly lower (all P<0.05); after the treatment, the gross articular cartilage surface score and the modified Mankin score of the ozone water group were significantly reduced compared with the model and normal saline group (all P<0.05); Compared with the model and normal saline group, the protein and mRNA expression levels of NF-κB p65 and IKKβ in the ozone water group are significantly lower (all P<0.05), and the levels of IκBα are significantly higher (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Ozone water injection in the articular cavity can effectively repair damaged articular cartilage. The repair mechanism may be achieved by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Electrospun gelatin polycaprolactone nanofiber aerogel combined with cartilage extracellular matrix for repair of cartilage injury in rabbits / 中华创伤杂志

Objective:To investigate the repair effect of electrospun gelatin polycaprolactone (GT/PCL) nanofiber aerogels (NFA) combined with cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) for treatment of cartilage injuries in rabbits.Methods:Firstly, the GT/PCL electrospun membrane was prepared by electrospinning and was ground into the short fiber at high speed. ECM was extracted and separated from fresh bovine articular cartilage, which mixed with the short fiber solution (10 ∶1). Subsequently, it was used to prepared GT/PCL/ECM (NFA) three-dimensional scaffold. Finally, the physical characteristics of the three different scaffolds (GT/PCL, ECM and GT/PCL/ECM) were detected by scanning electron microscope and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, including the composition, microstructure, swelling rate, porosity, compressive strength and degradation rates. And the biocompatibility research was getting on by co-culturing the scaffold with chondrocytes. Fifteen male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into blank control group (Group A, n=5), ECM group (group B, n=5) and composite scaffold(GT/PCL/ECM)group (Group C, n=5) according to the random number table. An injury model was established and three types of bio-scaffold materials were implanted into different groups. At 3 weeks, the cartilage repair was evaluated among groups by semi quantitative global MRI scoring system (WORMS). After the animals were killed, the knee joints of each group were scored by the international society for cartilage repair histological score (ICRs); the ICRs histological score was performedby HE staining and safranine green staining. Results:Three scaffolds showed a porous three-dimensional structure under the scanning electron microscope. FIRT showed that GT and PCL were introduced into the scaffolds successfully. The GT/PCL NAF was loose and unable to be characterized by materials science. The swelling rate of GT/PCL/ECM scaffold [(1, 092.0±32.2)%] was higher than that of ECM scaffold [(933.6±16.3)%] ( P<0.01). The porosity of GT/PCL/ECM scaffold [(92.3±2.3)%] was higher than that of ECM scaffold [(85.9±2.2)%] ( P<0.05). The compressive strength of ECM scaffold [(2.7±0.1)kPa] and of GT/PCL/ECM scaffold [(2.4±0.1)kPa] showed no statistical difference ( P>0.05). The degradation rate of ECM scaffold was higher than that of GT/PCL/ECM scaffold, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The cytotoxicity rating of GT/PCL/ECM scaffold was grade I, indicating that its biocompatibility was better. At 3 weeks, the MRI WORMS score in Group C [(49.0±11.4)points] was significantly higher than that in Group B [(40.0±6.7)points] and that in Group A [(24.0±6.5) points] ( P<0.05 or 0.01); the general ICRS score of group C was [(7.4±1.1) points], which was significantly higher than that of group B [(4.6±1.1)points] and group A [(3.0±1.2)points] ( P<0.01); The ICRS histological scores of group C and group B were [(6.8±0.8)points] and [(4.2±0.8)points] respectively compared with group A [(2.8±0.8)points] were significantly higher ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusion:GT/PCL/ECM (NFA) scaffold has similar tissue structure to natural cartilage and is superior to traditional ECM scaffold in physical properties and biocompatibility, which provides a stable environment for chondrocyte adhesion and growth, promotes collagen regeneration, and thus accelerates the repair of cartilage injury.

Protocol for Harvest, Transport and Storage of Human Osteochondral Tissue / Protocolo para captação, transporte e preservação de tecido osteocondral humano

Abstract Objective To elaborate a protocol for the harvest, transport, and preservation of human osteochondral tissue for use in tissue banks (TBs). Methods Osteochondral fragments measuring 2 cm3 of 5 corpse donors aged between 15 and 45 years old were analyzed. The samples were stored in cell preservation medium containing: human albumin, Iscove's and vancomycin preserved at 4ºC. The concentration of proteoglycans in the extracellular medium was quantified by the use of Safranin-O, while tissue structural analysis was assessed by histological study with hematoxylin-eosin stained slides. The images obtained were analyzed according to the histological scores of Mankin and the score proposed by the OsteoArthritis Research Society International. The samples were analyzed with 0, 15, 30 and 45 days of preservation. Results The osteochondral fragments studied showed a progressive decrease in proteoglycan concentration with increased preservation time. After 30 days of preservation, structural changes were identified with discontinuity of the cartilage surface layer. According to the results obtained by the Mankin score, there was a statistically significant difference between 15 and 30 days of tissue preservation. Conclusion The protocol described defined knee transport immersed in Lactated Ringer at a controlled temperature of 10º C until its arrival at the TB. After processing, the preservation solution was composed of Iscove's serum-free cell culture medium supplemented with 10% human albumin and 100 µg/ml vancomycin. The tissue was preserved at a temperature of 4ºC until the moment of transplantation characterizing the fresh preservation.

Resumo Objetivo Elaborar um protocolo para a captação, transporte e preservação de tecido osteocondral humano para utilização em banco de tecidos (BT). Métodos Foram analisados fragmentos osteocondrais com dimensão de 2 cm3 de 5 doadores cadáveres com idades entre 15 e 45 anos. As amostras foram armazenadas em meio de preservação celular contendo: albumina humana, Iscove's e vancomicina preservados à temperatura de 4ºC. A concentração de proteoglicanos no meio extracelular foi quantificada pelo uso de Safranina-O, enquanto a análise estrutural do tecido foi avaliada através de estudo histológico com lâminas coradas em hematoxilina-eosina. As imagens obtidas foram analisadas segundo os escore histológicos de Mankin e o escore proposto pela OsteoArthritis Research Society International. As amostras foram analisadas com 0, 15, 30 e 45 dias de preservação. Resultados Os fragmentos osteocondrais estudados apresentaram diminuição progressiva na concentração de proteoglicanos com o aumento do tempo de preservação. Após 30 dias de preservação, foram identificadas alterações estruturais com descontinuidade da camada superficial da cartilagem. Segundo os resultados obtidos pelo escore de Mankin, houve diferença com significância estatística entre 15 e 30 dias de preservação do tecido. Conclusão O protocolo descrito definiu o transporte de joelho em bloco imerso em Ringer Lactato em temperatura controlada a 10ºC até sua chegada ao BT. Após o processamento, a solução de preservação foi composta por meio de cultura celular sem soro Iscove's suplementado com albumina humana a 10% e vancomicina 100 µg/mL. O tecido foi preservado à temperatura de 4ºC até o momento do transplante caracterizando a preservação a fresco.

Evaluation on the differences of wrist triangular fibrocartilage complex with T2 mapping in healthy adults / 中国医学影像技术

Objective: To explore the feasibility of evaluation on the differences of wrist triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) with T2 mapping in healthy adults. Methods: Totally 81 healthy volunteers underwent T2 mapping of wrist joint. Among them 30 subjects underwent bilateral wrist scanning, and the images were divided into handedness group and non-handedness group according to the handedness questionnaire. All images were postprocessed to obtain T2 mapping pseudo-color images. T2 values of radial cartilage, triangular fibrocartilage disc proper (TFC), fibrous vascular tissue, meniscus and TFC's ulnar attachment were measured. The differences of T2 values in different areas of wrist cartilage were compared between different genders and handedness group and non-handedness group. Results: There were statistically differences of T2 values in different regions of wrist cartilage (F=32.235, P0.05), while there were statistically differences of T2 values of the remaining areas of carpal cartilage (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference of T2 values of wrist TFCC between different genders nor handedness group and non-handedness group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: T2 mapping can visually display the morphology of wrist TFCC and quantitatively evaluate changes of T2 values in different regions of TFCC, which are not affected by gender and handedness.

Cartílago y gonartrosis / Cartilage and knee osteoarthritis

RESUMEN Fundamento: el cartílago articular es un tejido avascular, aneural y alinfático que desempeña un importante papel en la articulación, su afección más frecuente es la de tipo degenerativa. Objetivo: actualizar los conocimientos sobre el cartílago articular normal, envejecido y con cambios degenerativos. Métodos: la búsqueda y análisis de la información se realizó en un periodo de tres meses (primero de octubre al 31 de diciembre de 2018) y se emplearon las siguientes palabras: cartilage AND osteoarthritis, cartilage AND knee osteoarthritis, cartilage a partir de la información obtenida se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de un total de 164 artículos publicados en las bases de datos PubMed, Hinari, SciELO y Medline mediante el gestor de búsqueda y administrador de referencias EndNote, de ellos se utilizaron 50 citas seleccionadas para realizar la revisión, de ellas 48 de los últimos cinco años. Resultados: se mencionan los aspectos macro y microscópicos del tejido, así como su organización por zonas y áreas. Se describen los cambios que ocurren en el proceso degenerativo a diferentes niveles y en el envejecimiento. Conclusiones: el cartílago articular es la estructura anatómica más afectada en la articulación por el proceso degenerativo. Se encuentra organizado por zonas y áreas, las que se afectan a medida que avanza la enfermedad. El origen de la destrucción del cartílago es enzimático y repercute en las demás estructuras como el tejido sinovial y hueso subcondral. Es importante conocer las diferencias entre el envejecimiento y la afección degenerativa de este tejido.

ABSTRACT Background: articular cartilage is an important avascular, alinphatic and aneural tissue in joints, it is mainly affected by degenerative disease. Objective: to update knowledge about normal, aging and degenerative articular cartilage. Methods: a three months research and analysis were conducted from October 1st, 2018 to December 31th, 2018. Our review included 164 articles published in PubMed, Hinari, SciELO and Medline databases by using EndNote. The words used were cartilage AND osteoarthritis, cartilage AND knee osteoarthritis, cartilage. Fifty citations were selected, 48 of all them within the last five years, were used to write the present paper. Results: macro and microscopic features of articular cartilage were mentioned as well as its organization in zones and areas. Degenerative process was described at different levels, and in aging. Conclusions: articular cartilage is the most affected tissue in osteoarthritis. Cartilage is organized by zones and areas which are affected as degenerative disease progresses. The start point of osteoarthritis is enzymatic and gradually affects synovial tissue and sub-chondral bone. It is important to know the main differences between aging and degenerative cartilages.

Mosaicplasty Technique in the Treatment of Isolated Knee Femoral Condyle Osteochondral Lesions - a Retrospective Study / Técnica de mosaicoplastia no tratamento de lesões osteocondrais isoladas do côndilo femoral do joelho - estudo retrospectivo

Abstract Objective Focal osteochondral lesions of the knee are found in two thirds of patients undergoing arthroscopy; their treatment, when isolated and especially in young individuals, remains a debating topic. The present study analyzes the results obtained by the application of the mosaicplasty technique on the treatment of isolated knee femoral condyle osteochondral lesions. Methods Retrospective study of patients submitted tomosaicplasty and to subjective analyseswith pre- and postsurgery International KneeDocumentation Committee (IKDC) scores. Results A total of 13 cases with an average age of 34 years old, with male patients (n = 4; 31%) with an average age of 23 years old (range: 17-31 years old), and female patients (n = 9; 69%) with an average age of 39 years old (range: 16-56 years old); medial versus lateral femoral (n = 11; 85% versus n = 2; 15%); the average size of the lesion was 1.8 cm2 (range: 0.6-4 cm2); average follow-up time: 5.045 ± 3.47 years (range: 1.15-11.01 years). The average preoperative IKDC score was of 31.63 points (± 20.24), the average postoperative IKDC score was of 74.18 points (± 20.26). The difference between the post- and preoperative IKDC scores was of 42.55 (± 21.05) points, being theminimal score increase of 8.1 points andthemaximumscore increaseof82.8 points.Astatistically significant difference (p < 0.001) was found between the IKDC scores before and after the surgery. A statistically significant relation (p = 0.038) was found between the IKDC score increase (the difference between the postoperative and the preoperative scores) and the dimension of the lesion. Conclusions Mosaicplasty with osteochondral autograft transfer, when adequately used, can produce excellent results with great durability and functional impact, low morbidity rates and costs. Expansion of the indication criteria shows promising midterm and long-term results.

Resumo Objetivo Lesões osteocondrais focais do joelho são encontradas em dois terços dos pacientes submetidos a artroscopia; seu tratamento, quando isoladas e, principalmente, em indivíduos jovens, ainda é debatido. O presente estudo analisa os resultados obtidos com a aplicação da técnica de mosaicoplastia no tratamento de lesões osteocondrais isoladas do côndilo femoral do joelho. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo de pacientes submetidos à mosaicoplastia e análise subjetiva com pontuações do International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC, na sigla em inglês) antes e após a cirurgia. Resultados Um total de 13 casos, com média de idade de 34 anos; pacientes do sexo masculino (n = 4; 31%) apresentaram média de idade de 23 anos (17-31 anos), e pacientes do sexo feminino (n = 9; 69%) apresentaram média de 39 anos; (16-56 anos); femoral medial ou lateral (n = 11, 85% versus n = 2, 15%, respectivamente); o tamanho médio da lesão foi de 1,8 cm2 (0,6-4 cm); o tempo médio de acompanhamento foi de 5,045 ± 3,47 anos (1,15-11,01 anos). A pontuação IKDC média préoperatória foi 31,63 pontos ( ± 20,24), e a pós-operatória foi 74,18 pontos ( ± 20,26). A diferença entre as pontuações IKDC obtidas depois e antes da cirurgia foi de 42,55 ( ± 21,05) pontos, com o aumento mínimo de 8,1 pontos e o aumento máximo de 82,8 pontos. Uma diferença estatística significativa (p < 0,001) foi encontrada entre a pontuação IKDC antes e após a cirurgia. Uma relação estatisticamente significativa (p = 0,038) foi observada entre o aumento da pontuação IKDC (a diferença entre a pontuação pré- e pós-operatória) e as dimensões da lesão. Conclusões A mosaicoplastia com transferência de autoenxerto osteocondral, quando adequadamente usada, pode produzir resultados excelentes com grande durabilidade e impacto funcional, baixas taxas de morbidade e baixos custos. A expansão dos critérios de indicação mostra resultados promissores no médio e longo prazo.

Experimental research on the change of subchondral bone microstructure in early stage of mouse osteoarthritis / 中华骨科杂志

Objective@#To establish a mouse model of osteoarthritis (OA) and study the bone microarchitecture and bone metabolism of tibial subchondral bone in early stage of OA.@*Methods@#The mouse model of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) with anterior cruciate ligament (ACLT) was established by using c57 mice. The Sham operation group served as the control group. All mice were fed with conventional diet. All mice were sacrificed after 4 weeks. The degeneration of knee joint was observed by HE staining and Safranin O-Fast Green staining. The number of osteoclasts was counted by TRAP staining. Micro CT was used to analyze the quantitative parameters of the microstructure of tibia subchondral bone in mice. Serum levels of bone resorption biomarker CTX I and cartilage degeneration marker CTX II were determined.@*Results@#After ACLT 4 weeks, the average score of OARSI in ACLT group was 3.2, which was higher than that in Sham group, and the joint degeneration occurred in mice, presenting the pathological characteristics of early OA. Compared with the sham operation phase, the total subchondral bone volume (TV) of ACLT group was 4.72 mm3, increased by 13.6%; the bone trabecular resolution (Tb.Sp) was 0.130 and 0.154 mm, respectively, and the ACLT group also increased by 18.8%; the bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) was 0.470 and 0.294, respectively, and the ACLT group decreased by 48.9%; the bone trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) was 0.162 and 0.083 mm groups, ACLT decreased by 37.5%. Trap staining showed that the number of osteoclasts per unit volume in ACLT group was 72, which was significantly higher than that in sham operation group. The CTX I of mice in the sham operated ACLT group and sham operated group were 20.9 ng/ml and 18.29 ng/ml, with an increase of 48.9% in the ACLT group; the CTX II of mice in the ACLT group and sham operated group were 35.5 ng/ml and 28.6 ng/ml, with an increase of 24.1% in the ACLT group.@*Conclusion@#ACLT Mouse model can successfully construct early OA, which confirms the early loss of osteochondral bone and the pathological changes of osteoclast activation in OA, and provides a new specific target for the treatment of OA.

Comparison of curative effect between osteochondral mosaic transplantation and micro-fracture in the treatment of knee joint articular cartilage injury / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical outcomes of microfracture and autogenous osteochondral mosaic transplantation in the treatment of knee joint cartilage injury.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis of 71 patients with articular cartilage defects on the femoral condyles who were by autogenous osteochondral mosaic transplantation or microfracture from February 2011 to February 2016, and these patients were followed up for at least 2 years. According to the sugical procedures, the patients were divided into two groups. In the microfracture group, there were 33 patients, 20 males and 13 females, with a mean age of(28.1±4.2) years old; in the mosaicplasty group, there were 38 patients, 26 males and 12 females, with a mean age of(27.8±3.5) years old. The Lysholm knee score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and the Ahlbäck classification grade were recorded to evaluate the clinical efficacy. Complications were also recorded.@*RESULTS@#The mean Lysholm scores of the microfracture group and the mosaicplasty group improved from 62.9±6.8 and 60.3±7.5 preoperatively to 77.0±5.4 and 85.8±5.6 post-operatively, respectively(<0.05). Mean HSS scores of the microfracture group and the mosaicplasty group improved from 81.5±7.6 and 79.6±8.6 preoperatively to 88.0±4.7 and 91.9±4.7 post-operatively, respectively(<0.05). The mean Lysholm score and HSS score were significantly higher in the mosaicplasty group than those in the microfracture group at the latest follow-up. One patient in the mosaicplasty group suffered superficial wound infection. During the follow-up, no knee osteoarthritis was observed in two groups.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Autogenous osteochondral mosaicplasty and microfracture are proved to be safe and effective procedures for knee articular cartilage defects. However, the mosaicplasty has better clinical outcome than the microfracture.

Osteochondritis dissecans of the trochlea: case report / Osteocondrite dissecante da tróclea: relato de caso

ABSTRACT The authors report a rare case of osteochondritis dissecans of the trochlea. The treatment of these lesions, in which the osteochondral fragment is not viable, is difficult and often limited in Brazil. A clinical case is presented with functional and radiological outcomes after treatment with microfracture technique, bone graft, and collagen membrane coverage.

RESUMO Os autores relatam um caso raro de osteocondrite dissecante de tróclea. O tratamento dessas lesões com inviabilidade do fragmento osteocondral é difícil e muitas vezes limitado no nosso meio. Os autores apresentam resultados clínicos e radiológicos após o tratamento com a técnica de microfratura, enxertia óssea e cobertura com membrana de colágeno.

Research progress in early diagnosis of articular cartilage injury / 中华创伤杂志

Articular cartilage is hyaline cartilage and has weak self-healing ability.Articular cartilage injury is difficult to heal due to lack of blood supply and nerve tissue nutrition.The early pathological changes of many kinds of motor disorder diseases are accompanied by articular cartilage injury.It will inevitably cause more serious damage and accelerate joint degeneration if the articular cartilage injury cannot be treated timely.Therefore,early diagnosis of cartilage injury is key to preventing and delaying joint degeneration.This article reviews the early diagnosis of cartilage injury from three aspects of imaging examination,biomarker detection and arthroscopy so as to provide reference for the clinical treatment of early cartilage injury.

Effect of Jiangu granule on the expression of AQP3 in articular cartilage of rats with knee osteoarthritis / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the effect and significance of Jiangu granule on the expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) in articular cartilage of knee osteoarthritis (OA) rats.Methods Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, and Jiangu granule treatment group.The treatment group was divided into Jiangu granule high dose, medium dose, and low dose groups, with 12 rats in each group.The osteoarthritis model was made by injecting 4％ papain and 0.03 mol/L Lcysteine mixture into the knee joint.Sham-operated group and model group received normal feeding every day.Treatment group (high, medium, and low dose groups), the next day after the completion of the mod el, were given different dose Jiangu granule by gavage twice a day for 4 weeks.After treatment, the ratswere executed uniformly, using general optical microscope and the pathological section of histology to observe the articular cartilage damage.The expression of AQP3 in articular cartilage of rats was detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot.Results The articular cartilage destruction of Jiangu granule treatment group was significantly less than that of the model group (P ＜ 0.05).The mRNA and protein expression levels of AQP3 in model group was significantly higher than that in the sham operation group (P ＜ 0.05).OA rats with Jiangu granule after 4 weeks treatment, the mRNA and protein expression levels of AQP3 in articular cartilage were decreased significantly.Jiangu granule in each sub group relative to the model group had statistical significance (P ＜ 0.05), and the high dose group was decreased significantly.Conclusions Jiangu granule can reduce the expressions of AQP3 in OA articular cartilage of rats and alleviate the swelling of joints, which may have protective effects on articular cartilage.