The influence of the irrigating solution on articular cartilage in arthroscopic surgery: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: Arthroscopic surgery has become an important and popular orthopedic procedure for numerous joint disorders. Continuous irrigation is performed to replace synovial fluid for optimal joint distension and clear visualization of the synovial cavity. Irrigation solutions may, however, negatively impact articular cartilage and chondrocyte viability. This systematic review aims to compare different irrigating solutions and their properties to determine whether one is superior in its effects on articular cartilage and chondrocytes. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted. The online databases: Embase, Medline, HealthStar, Emcare and PubMed were searched from 1946 to August 2018. Methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) was used to assess methodological quality of the included studies. RESULTS: Sixteen studies met the inclusion/exclusion criteria and were included in this review. Although the studies used different criteria to define superiority, solution superiority was based on results that focused on articular cartilage and chondrocyte viability. Seven of the sixteen included studies compared Ringer's/lactate solution or Ringer's lactate to normal saline. Three found Ringer's solution or Ringer's lactate to be superior to saline, whereas, three studies found no significant differences and one study found Ringer's lactate to be inferior to saline only when their osmolarities differed. Four studies compared ionic to non-ionic solutions. Two of the four studies demonstrated non-ionic solutions to be superior, one had demonstrated no significant differences between solutions, while one had mixed results. Six of the sixteen included studies compared differing osmolarities. One found no statistically significant differences between solutions of differing osmolarities, whereas, the remaining five studies found superiority with hyperosmolarity. Two of the sixteen included studies examined the effects of different temperatures. Both studies concluded that the use of a warmer (more physiological) temperature is more ideal. Two of the sixteen studies included in this review compared solutions with differing pH levels. Both studies concluded on the importance of utilizing the more physiological solutions for arthroscopic procedures. CONCLUSION: Ringer's Lactate and Ringer's Solution as well as non-ionic solutions may have merit over the use of the normal saline for irrigation. Hyperosmolarity, warmer solutions and ones with more physiological pH values may be beneficial when considering potential effects on articular cartilage and chondrocytes. The current review demonstrated trends found in the current literature, which require human studies - preferably high quality RCTs -to make recommendations that aid surgeons in making the best decision regarding the ideal irrigation solution to use on their patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Systematic review of Level IV studies.

Short-term functional outcomes of computer assisted navigated high tibial osteotomy.

PURPOSE: High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a surgical procedure performed on patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Computer assisted navigated high tibial osteotomy (CAN-HTO) may result in improved outcomes for patients undergoing this procedure. METHODS: Retrospective study involving patients undergoing CAN-HTO. RESULTS: Surveyed thirty-three patients. Average follow-up: 2.3 years. 97% patients reported they would have this procedure performed again, if indicated. Re-operation rate: 6.1% and complication rate: 12.1%. Patients had decreased KOOS for symptoms when compared to non-navigation based HTO (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: There may be merit with the use of CAN-HTO, with demonstrated patient-reported benefits at 2-year follow-up.

Adductor Canal Block or Local Infiltrate Analgesia for Pain Control After Total Knee Arthroplasty? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty is a treatment option for debilitating arthritis. In the postoperative period, patients experience moderate to severe pain affecting the rehabilitation, hospital stay, and patient satisfaction. This study aims at utilizing current best evidence to determine whether adductor canal block (ACB) or periarticular injection (PAI) is a better modality for managing short-term postoperative pain and opioid consumption. METHODS: Embase, MEDLINE, HealthStar, Emcare, and PubMed were searched for randomized controlled trials from 1946 to August 2018, for literature addressing the comparison of ACB and PAI for pain management in the setting of total knee arthroplasty. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. RESULTS: Six studies were included in our meta-analysis. When examining the combined visual analog scale (VAS) pain values for each group, analysis demonstrated greater reduction in scores for the PAI group, and the difference was statistically significant (P = .001). When comparing the VAS scores of subgroups analyzed at specific periods in time, there was a trend toward lower VAS scores in subgroups analyzed at 24 hours and 48 hours postoperatively (at rest and at movement) in the PAI group. Overall opioid consumption was lower in the PAI group, with demonstrated statistical significance (P = .03). When comparing the postoperative subgroups, there was a trend toward decreased opioid use in the PAI group, with 13.25% less opioid use at 48 hours and 9.5% less opioid use at 24 hours. CONCLUSION: PAI could significantly improve postoperative pain and opioid consumption when compared with ACB. Additional, high-quality studies are required to further address this topic.

Are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug injections an alternative to steroid injections for musculoskeletal pain?: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Given the potential side effect profile of steroids, the need for an alternative injectable anti-inflammatory is needed. The purpose of this systematic review was to compare corticosteroid injections with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) injections for musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: Reviewers with methodological and content expertise searched three databases: PUBMED, Medline and EMBASE. Two blinded reviewers searched, screened, and evaluated the data quality. Data was abstracted in duplicate. Agreement and descriptive statistics are presented. RESULTS: Four studies were included. All four studies found no statistically significant differences in improvements on the visual analog scale. The follow-up period within the four studies ranged between 2 weeks and 3 months. No statistically significant differences were demonstrated between the two groups with regards to functional outcomes. INTERPRETATION: The studies reviewed, while limited in quantity, show that compared with corticosteroids, NSAIDs provide equivalent, if not better, pain relief from the musculoskeletal ailments assessed. Further, there is weak evidence supporting a lower recurrence rate of symptoms with NSAIDs when compared to corticosteroids. There is a need for more long-term high-quality studies on this topic. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II (Systematic review of Level II and III studies).

Safety and efficacy of topical ketoprofen in transfersome gel in knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: Topical ketoprofen in Transfersome gel has been used for the alleviation of symptoms in osteoarthritis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with various side effects. Topical NSAIDs are known to have a lower side-effect profile when compared with systemic administration. The present systematic review aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of topical ketoprofen in Transfersome gel in knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed. The electronic databases EMBASE, MEDLINE, HealthStar and PubMed were searched from 1946 to June 2016. A screen of the reference sections of the included studies was also performed. Two blinded reviewers searched, screened, abstracted and evaluated the data quality using the Jadad scale. Studies were included if they contained: at least 50% of participants with knee OA, topical ketoprofen, human subjects and participants from North America or Europe. Study outcomes had to include patient-reported functional outcome scores. RESULTS: Five studies were included, with a total of 3619 participants, and a mean Jadad score of 3.4/5. Western Ontario McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index was the only outcome measure consistent across all of the randomized controlled trials included in the present review (four of the five included studies). All topical ketoprofen in Transfersome gel groups (25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg) had improvements in pain that were superior to all other treatment arms, and the 50 mg topical ketoprofen in Transfersome gel group had functional gains that were superior to all other treatment arms. The majority of the adverse events were non-serious and related to skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders, with erythema being the most common. The average of all adverse events and gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events was highest in the oral celecoxib group (47.1% and 15.1%, respectively). The average frequency of GI adverse events in the topical ketoprofen groups was comparable with that in the topical placebo treatment arm. A meta-analysis was not feasible due to the heterogeneity among the studies. CONCLUSIONS: Topical ketoprofen in Transfersome gel is an effective means of treating symptoms of knee OA, and is superior to oral celecoxib, oral placebo and topical placebo. The most commonly reported adverse events associated with the use of topical ketoprofen in Transfersome gel were non-severe skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders. Furthermore, as topical ketoprofen in Transfersome gel was associated with fewer adverse events when compared with oral celecoxib, and had rates of GI adverse events comparable with those of topical placebo, it may be ideal for those who are unable to take oral NSAIDs.