A Comparative Study With In Vitro Ultrasonographic and Histologic Grading of Metatarsal Head Cartilage in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography is among the valid methods to assess articular cartilage in the foot. This study aimed to evaluate the validity of ultrasonographic grading to assess metatarsal head articular cartilage for rheumatoid forefoot deformity in vivo and to compare the findings with in vitro ultrasonographic and histologic gradings. METHODS: Participants were 15 patients scheduled to undergo resection arthroplasty of the metatarsal heads of the lesser toes because of rheumatoid arthritis of the metatarsophalangeal joints. Ultrasonographic examination was performed in vivo the day before surgery. Specimens of the second to fifth metatarsal heads taken intraoperatively were graded from in vitro ultrasonographic and histologic evaluations. Correlations among in vivo ultrasonographic, in vitro ultrasonographic, and histologic gradings were analyzed. RESULTS: In 46 metatarsal heads, the distribution of grading ranged from grade 1 to 6 for in vivo ultrasonographic examinations and from grade 1 to 4 for histologic examinations. In vivo ultrasonographic grading showed significant correlation to both in vitro ultrasonographic grading (P < .001, R = 0.74) and histologic grading (P < .001, R = 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: The significant correlations between in vivo ultrasonographic and histologic gradings suggest that a semiquantitative in vivo ultrasonographic assessment of forefoot deformity in rheumatoid arthritis may be possible. Ultrasonographic grading may prove useful for pre- and postoperative evaluation of remaining joint function in rheumatoid forefoot deformity. An ultrasonographic grading system for remaining joint surfaces might be helpful in selecting surgical procedures such as joint-sparing osteotomy and metatarsal head resection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Celecoxib does not affect the release of hyaluronic acid in end stage osteoarthritic joints.

OBJECTIVES: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs play a major role in the management of osteoarthritis (OA). However, it remains unknown whether these drugs affect cartilage and synovial metabolism in osteoarthritic joints. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, on synovial fluids and tissues in severely osteoarthritic knees. METHODS: Patients were randomized into three groups and medicated two weeks prior to total knee arthroplasty with celecoxib, diclofenac sodium, or no medication (control). We checked for the presence of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and hyaluronic acid (HA) in the synovial fluids of all three groups. RESULTS: MMP-3 significantly decreased in the celecoxib-treated patients (p = 0.0031). On the other hand, there were no significant differences among the three groups in their TNF-α and IL-1ß levels. HA in the joint fluid was significantly increased in the diclofenac-treated group, while HA was not changed in the celecoxib-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that celecoxib did not affect the level of HA in the joint fluid in the knee in severe OA, in contrast to the effect of the dual COX inhibitor.