Early Outcome of a Single Peri-Tendinous Hyaluronic Acid Injection for Mid-Portion Non-Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy - A Pilot Study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single, peri-tendinous injection of hyaluronic acid for mid-portion, non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, open labelled, single center, pilot study was conducted. All patients enrolled received a single peri-tendinous injection of Ostenil Tendon™ (40 mg/2 ml 2% HA with 0.5% mannitol). Outcome measures were Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score and Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOxFQ) scores at 2 weeks and at final follow at 12 weeks. Any major and minor adverse effects were recorded. To assess change in VAS and MOxFQ scores, t test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were employed. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were enrolled in this study with a mean follow-up of 12 weeks. Mean pre-injection VAS score was 9.38 cm (9-9.8), which significantly reduced post-injection to a mean score of 4.09 cm (2-8) at week-2 stage, and further improved to 3.01 cm (2-3.9) at the final follow-up (p < 0.0001). MOxFQ score showed a significant improvement from pre-injection value of 67.77 (63.03-72.55) to 31.18 (13-60) at week-2 stage, and further improved to 24.20 (15.73-32.67) at the final follow-up (p < 0.0001). The mean improvement from pre-injection to the final follow up was 43.57 (34.25-52.90). No adverse effects for injections were recorded. CONCLUSION: This small series suggests an encouraging response of a single injection of HA as an effective and safe option for non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

Topical (intra-articular) tranexamic acid reduces blood loss and transfusion rates following total knee replacement: a randomized controlled trial (TRANX-K).

BACKGROUND: Approximately one-third of patients undergoing total knee replacement require one to three units of blood postoperatively. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a synthetic antifibrinolytic agent that has been successfully used intravenously to stop bleeding after total knee replacement. A topical application is easy to administer, provides a maximum concentration of tranexamic acid at the bleeding site, and is associated with little or no systemic absorption of the tranexamic acid. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial of 157 patients undergoing unilateral primary cemented total knee replacement investigated the effect of topical (intra-articular) application of tranexamic acid on blood loss. The primary outcome was the blood transfusion rate. Secondary outcomes included the drain blood loss, hemoglobin concentration drop, generic quality of life (EuroQol), Oxford Knee Score, length of stay, a cost analysis, and complications as per the protocol definitions. RESULTS: Tranexamic acid reduced the absolute risk of blood transfusion by 15.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.5% to 25.4%; p = 0.001), from 16.7% to 1.3%, and reduced blood loss by 168 mL (95% CI, 80 to 256 mL; p = 0.0003), the length of stay by 1.2 days (95% CI, 0.05 to 2.43 days; p = 0.041), and the cost per episode by £333 (95% CI, £37 to £630; p = 0.028). (In 2008, £1 = 1.6 U.S. dollars.) Oxford Knee Scores and EuroQol EQ-5D scores were similar at three months. CONCLUSIONS: Topically applied tranexamic acid was effective in reducing the need for blood transfusion following total knee replacement without important additional adverse effects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Topical (intra-articular) tranexamic acid reduces blood loss and transfusion rates following total hip replacement: a randomized controlled trial (TRANX-H).

BACKGROUND: Approximately one-third of patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery require one to three units of blood postoperatively. Tranexamic acid is a synthetic antifibrinolytic agent that has been successfully used intravenously to control bleeding after total hip replacement. A topical application is easy to administer, provides a maximum concentration of tranexamic acid at the bleeding site, and is associated with little or no systemic absorption of the tranexamic acid. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial of 161 patients undergoing unilateral primary total hip replacement investigated the effect of topical (intra-articular) application of tranexamic acid on blood loss. The primary outcome was the blood transfusion rate. Secondary outcomes included the drain blood loss, hemoglobin concentration drop, generic quality of life (EuroQol), Oxford Hip Score, length of stay, a cost analysis, and complications. RESULTS: Tranexamic acid reduced the absolute risk of blood transfusion by 19.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.9% to 32.1%; p = 0.004), from 32.1% to 12.5%, and reduced blood loss by 129 mL (95% CI, 47 to 211 mL; p = 0.002), the hemoglobin concentration drop by 0.84 g/dL (95% CI, 0.41 to 1.27; p < 0.0001), the length of stay by 1.0 days (95% CI, -0.2 to 2.3 days; p = 0.109), and the cost per episode by £305 (95% CI, £0 to £610; p = 0.05). (In 2010, £1 = 1.5 U.S. dollars.) Oxford Hip Scores and EuroQol scores were similar at three months. CONCLUSIONS: Topically applied tranexamic acid was effective in reducing blood loss and the need for blood transfusion following total hip replacement, avoiding the potential complications of intravenous tranexamic acid administration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.