ABSTRACT
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
Subject(s)
Adult , Hemostatic Techniques , Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction , Hemarthrosis , Knee JointABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with remnant preservation has been described and related to potential advantages. Literature is lacking regarding gene expression of potential factors related to ligament healing in the ACL remnant and its relation to time from injury. HYPOTHESIS: The mRNA expression of ligament healing factors in the ACL remnant would be higher in acute tears (<3 months from injury) than in intermediate (3-12 months) and chronic (>12 months) injuries. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Gene expression of 21 genes related to ligament healing factors was analyzed in 46 ACL remnants biopsied during surgical reconstruction with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. Specimens were divided into 3 groups according to time from injury: acute (<3 months from injury; n = 19), intermediate (3-12 months; n = 12), and chronic (>12 months; n = 15). Histological and immunohistochemical evaluation was performed by analysis of hematoxylin and eosin, CD-34, and S-100 staining. RESULTS: Expression of COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1, COL5A1, COL5A2, COL12A1, LOX, PLOD1, and TNC genes in ACL remnant was greater in acute compared with chronic injuries. COL1A1, COL5A1, COL12A1, and TNC genes were also expressed more in the acute group compared with the intermediate group. Furthermore, expression of the genes COL1A1 and COL5A2 was significantly higher in female than in male patients. No difference in the number of blood vessels and mechanoreceptors among groups was observed in the microscopic evaluation. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that expression of COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1, COL5A1, COL5A2, COL12A1, LOX, PLOD1, and TNC genes in ACL remnant is greater in acute (<3 months from injury) compared with chronic (>12 months) injuries. Furthermore, COL1A1, COL5A1, COL12A1, and TNC genes were expressed more in the acute group compared with the intermediate group (3-12 months from injury). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: ACL reconstructions with remnant preservation should be performed in patients with acute injuries, as in these cases the ACL remnant may present the greatest healing potential.
