The knee prosthesis constraint dilemma: Biomechanical comparison between varus-valgus constrained implants and rotating hinge prosthesis. A cadaver study.

The real degree of constriction of rotating hinge knee (RHK) and condylar constrained prostheses (CCK) is a matter of discussion in revision knee arthroplasty. The objectives of this study are to compare the tibial rotation of both implants and validate the use of inertial sensors with optical tracking system as movement measurement tools. A total of 16 cadaver knees were used. Eight knees were replaced using a RHK (Endomodel LINK), and the remaining eight received a CCK prosthesis (LCCK, Zimmer). Tibial rotation range of motion was measured in full extension and at 30°, 60°, and 90° of flexion, with four continuous waveforms for each measurement. Measurements were made using two inertial sensors with specific software and compared with measurements obtained using the gold standard technique - the motion capture camera. The comparison of the accuracy of both measurement methods showed no statistically significant differences between inertial sensors and motion capture cameras, with p > .1; the mean error for tibial rotation was 0.21°. Tibial rotation in the RHK was significantly greater than in the CCK (5.25° vs. 2.28°, respectively), p < .05. We have shown that RHK permit greater tibial rotation, being closer to physiological values than CCKs. Inertial sensors have been validated as an effective and accurate method of measuring knee movement. The clinical significance: RHK appears to represent a lower constriction degree than CCK systems.

Nuevo método de liberación de antibióticos del cemento óseo (polimetilmetacrilato): redefiniendo los límites / New method for antibiotic release from bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate): redefining boundaries

Introducción. La creciente resistencia a antimicrobianos está impulsando la adición de antibióticos con elevada actividad antiestafilocócica al polimetilmetacrilato (PMMA), para su uso en los espaciadores de cemento en la infección periprotésica. El linezolid o el levofloxacino ya han sido utilizados en estudios in vitro; sin embargo, la rifampicina ha demostrado un efecto deletéreo sobre las propiedades mecánicas del PMMA, inhibiendo su polimerización. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue aislar la rifampicina durante el proceso de polimerización mediante técnicas de microencapsulación, con el fin de obtener un PMMA apto para la fabricación de espaciadores articulares. Material y método. Se sintetizaron microcápsulas de rifampicina con alginato y PHBV, utilizando Rifaldin®. Se estudió la concentración de rifampicina mediante espectrofotometría UV-visible. Se realizaron ensayos de compresión, dureza y tiempo de fraguado con probetas de cemento CMW®1 solo, con rifampicina y microcápsulas de PHBV y alginato. Resultados. El rendimiento de producción, la eficiencia y el rendimiento de microencapsulación fueron mayores con alginato (p=0,0001). El cemento con microcápsulas mostró mayor resistencia a la compresión que el cemento con rifampicina (91,26±5,13, 91,35±6,29 y 74,04±3,57MPa en alginato, PHBV y rifampicina, respectivamente) (p=0,0001). El tiempo de fraguado disminuyó, siendo la curva de dureza del cemento con microcápsulas de alginato similar a la de control. Discusión y conclusiones. La microencapsulación con alginato es una técnica adecuada para introducir rifampicina en el PMMA preservando las propiedades de compresión y el tiempo de fraguado. Su obtención permitiría fabricar espaciadores que liberasen localmente rifampicina para el tratamiento de la infección periprotésica (AU)

Introduction. The increasing antimicrobial resistance is promoting the addition of antibiotics with high antistaphylococcal activity to polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), for use in cement spacers in periprosthetic joint infection. Linezolid and levofloxacin have already been used in in-vitro studies, however, rifampicin has been shown to have a deleterious effect on the mechanical properties of PMMA, because it inhibits PMMA polymerization. The objective of our study was to isolate the rifampicin during the polymerization process using microencapsulation techniques, in order to obtain a PMMA suitable for manufacturing bone cement spacers. Material and method. Microcapsules of rifampicin were synthesized with alginate and PHBV, using Rifaldin®. The concentration levels of rifampicin were studied by UV-visible spectrophotometry. Compression, hardness and setting time tests were performed with CMW®1 cement samples alone, with non-encapsulated rifampicin and with alginate or PHBV microcapsules. Results. The production yield, efficiency and microencapsulation yield were greater with alginate (P = .0001). The cement with microcapsules demonstrated greater resistance to compression than the cement with rifampicin (91.26±5.13, 91.35±6.29 and 74.04±3.57 MPa in alginate, PHBV and rifampicin, respectively) (P = .0001). The setting time reduced, and the hardness curve of the cement with alginate microcapsules was similar to that of the control. Discussion and conclusions. Microencapsulation with alginate is an appropriate technique for introducing rifampicin into PMMA, preserving compression properties and setting time. This could allow intraoperative manufacturing of bone cement spacers that release rifampicin for the treatment of periprosthetic joint infection (AU)

New method for antibiotic release from bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate): Redefining boundaries. / Nuevo método de liberación de antibióticos del cemento óseo (polimetilmetacrilato): redefiniendo los límites.

INTRODUCTION: The increasing antimicrobial resistance is promoting the addition of antibiotics with high antistaphylococcal activity to polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), for use in cement spacers in periprosthetic joint infection. Linezolid and levofloxacin have already been used in in-vitro studies, however, rifampicin has been shown to have a deleterious effect on the mechanical properties of PMMA, because it inhibits PMMA polymerization. The objective of our study was to isolate the rifampicin during the polymerization process using microencapsulation techniques, in order to obtain a PMMA suitable for manufacturing bone cement spacers. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Microcapsules of rifampicin were synthesized with alginate and PHBV, using Rifaldin®. The concentration levels of rifampicin were studied by UV-visible spectrophotometry. Compression, hardness and setting time tests were performed with CMW®1 cement samples alone, with non-encapsulated rifampicin and with alginate or PHBV microcapsules. RESULTS: The production yield, efficiency and microencapsulation yield were greater with alginate (P = .0001). The cement with microcapsules demonstrated greater resistance to compression than the cement with rifampicin (91.26±5.13, 91.35±6.29 and 74.04±3.57 MPa in alginate, PHBV and rifampicin, respectively) (P = .0001). The setting time reduced, and the hardness curve of the cement with alginate microcapsules was similar to that of the control. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Microencapsulation with alginate is an appropriate technique for introducing rifampicin into PMMA, preserving compression properties and setting time. This could allow intraoperative manufacturing of bone cement spacers that release rifampicin for the treatment of periprosthetic joint infection.

Influencia de la causa de revisión en el resultado tras revisión protésica de rodilla con implante varo-valgo constreñido / Influence of the cause of the revision on the outcome after revision knee arthroplasty with condylar constrained implant

Introducción. La artroplastia de revisión de rodilla es un procedimiento frecuente con resultados variables en función de la causa. Nuestro objetivo fue comparar los resultados clínicos y radiológicos en pacientes sometidos a revisión protésica tras infección frente aquellos con revisión por causa aséptica. Material y métodos. Se incluyeron 41 casos de revisión con el mismo implante constreñido varo-valgo. En todos los casos se realizó una valoración clínica (dolor, rango de movilidad, función mediante la escala KSS) y de complicaciones, así como un estudio radiológico. Se realizó un análisis comparativo de los resultados pre y postoperatorios y entre los grupos de causa séptica y aséptica. El seguimiento final medio fue de 6 años. Resultados. La movilidad al final del seguimiento mejoró una media de 17° de balance articular (p < 0,01). El KSS y el KSS funcional mejoraron significativamente respecto al preoperatorio. Radiológicamente, se restauró la interlínea articular y se corrigió el eje del miembro en todos los casos. Se encontraron radiolucencias en el 36,5% de los casos sin relación con la aparición de aflojamiento del implante. Se produjeron complicaciones en el 29,2% de los casos, siendo la mayoría relacionadas con la herida quirúrgica. La movilidad, el KSS, el KSS funcional y satisfacción al final del seguimiento fueron mejores en el grupo de pacientes de causa séptica. La supervivencia del implante fue del 95% al final del seguimiento. Conclusión. La artroplastia de revisión con implante constreñido varo-valgo es un procedimiento seguro y con buenos resultados a medio plazo independientemente de la causa del recambio (AU)

Introduction. Revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common procedure with varying results depending on the cause. Our objective was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes in patients undergoing aseptic revision versus revision due to prosthetic infection. Material and methods. The study included 41 patients who underwent TKA revision with the same varus-valgus constrained implant. In all cases a clinical evaluation was performed including pain, range of motion (ROM), Knee Society Score (KSS), complications, as well as radiological study. A comparative analysis was performed on the pre- and postoperative results between septic and aseptic groups. The mean follow-up was 6 years. Results. ROM had a mean increase of 17 degrees (p<.01). KSS and functional KSS improved significantly postoperatively. In the radiological study, joint interline and limb alignment were restored in all cases. Radiolucencies were found in 36.5% of cases; however they were unrelated to the appearance of loosening of the implant. There were complications in 29.2% of cases, mostly related to the surgical wound. Mobility, KSS, KSS functional and satisfaction at follow-up were better in the septic group. Implant survival was 95% at follow-up. Conclusion. Revision arthroplasty with constrained varus-valgus implant is safe, and has successful mid-term results despite the cause of the replacement procedure (AU)

Influence of the cause of the revision on the outcome after revision knee arthroplasty with condylar constrained implant. / Influencia de la causa de revisión en el resultado tras revisión protésica de rodilla con implante varo-valgo constreñido.

INTRODUCTION: Revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common procedure with varying results depending on the cause. Our objective was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes in patients undergoing aseptic revision versus revision due to prosthetic infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 41 patients who underwent TKA revision with the same varus-valgus constrained implant. In all cases a clinical evaluation was performed including pain, range of motion (ROM), Knee Society Score (KSS), complications, as well as radiological study. A comparative analysis was performed on the pre- and postoperative results between septic and aseptic groups. The mean follow-up was 6 years. RESULTS: ROM had a mean increase of 17 degrees (p<.01). KSS and functional KSS improved significantly postoperatively. In the radiological study, joint interline and limb alignment were restored in all cases. Radiolucencies were found in 36.5% of cases; however they were unrelated to the appearance of loosening of the implant. There were complications in 29.2% of cases, mostly related to the surgical wound. Mobility, KSS, KSS functional and satisfaction at follow-up were better in the septic group. Implant survival was 95% at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Revision arthroplasty with constrained varus-valgus implant is safe, and has successful mid-term results despite the cause of the replacement procedure.