Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research最新文献

Objective: To investigate the effect of the flexion angle of a femoral prosthesis on the postoperative clinical outcome of patients with knee osteoarthritis who are undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

Methods: Patients were divided into three groups according to the flexion angle of the femoral prosthesis following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Group A comprised patients with a flexion angle of the femur prosthesis of less than 5°, Group B included those with a flexion angle of 5° to 10°, and Group C consisted of patients with a flexion angle of the femur prosthesis greater than 10°. The basic clinical data, visual analog scale (VAS) score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score and knee range of motion (ROM) were subjected to statistical analysis and comparison between the groups.

Results: No significant differences were observed in the basic data of the patients in each group. The ROM and VAS scores for the knee in the first month following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in groups B and C were significantly greater than those in group A. The HSS scores for the knee joint in Group B indicated superior outcomes in the initial postoperative month and the third postoperative month, as evidenced by the WOMAC scores, which demonstrated a statistically significant difference between Group B and the other two groups within the six-month postoperative period.

Conclusion: The short-term recovery of patients in Group B was the fastest. These results provide a new reference for the installation of femoral prostheses in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

Osteomyelitis (OM) is an inflammatory disease of bone infection and destruction characterized by dysregulation of bone homeostasis. Staphylococcus aureus (SA) has been reported to be the most common pathogen causing infectious OM. Recent studies have demonstrated that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators are associated with the development of OM. However, the molecular mechanism of m6A modifications in OM remains unclear. Here, we investigated the function of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3)-mediated m6A modification in OM development. In this study, human bone mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) were treated with staphylococcal protein A (SpA), a vital virulence factor of SA, to construct cell models of OM. Firstly, we found that METTL3 was upregulated in OM patients and SpA-induced hBMSCs, and SpA treatment suppressed osteogenic differentiation and induced oxidative stress and inflammatory injury in hBMSCs. Functional experiments showed that METTL3 knockdown alleviated the inhibition of osteogenic differentiation and the promotion of oxidative stress and inflammation in SpA-treated hBMSCs. Furthermore, METTL3-mediated m6A modification upregulated miR-320a expression by promoting pri-miR-320a maturation, and the mitigating effects of METTL3 knockdown on SpA-mediated osteogenic differentiation, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses can be reversed by miR-320 mimic. In addition, we demonstrated that phosphatidylinositol-4, 5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) was a downstream target of miR-320a, upregulation of PIK3CA alleviated miR-320a-induced inhibition of osteogenic differentiation, and upregulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses during SpA infection. Finally, we found that silencing METTL3 alleviated OM development by regulating the miR-320a/PIK3CA axis. Taken together, our data demonstrated that the METTL3/m6A/miR-320a/PIK3CA axis regulated SpA-mediated osteogenic differentiation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses in OM, which may provide a new therapeutic strategy for OM patients.

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) was the most common cause of low back pain. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) has the potential to repair IDD, however, there is still no conclusion on whether Leukocyte-poor platelet rich plasma (Lp-PRP) or Leukocyte-rich platelet rich plasma (Lr-PRP) is better for the treatment of IDD.

Methods: First, we conducted an in vitro study to compare the effects of autologous Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP on human degenerated nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Then we verified the in vivo effects of autologous Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP in treating disc degeneration through a rabbit IDD model.

Results: The in vitro study showed both autologous Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP can promote the cell proliferation, the synthesis of COL II and Aggrecan of human degenerated NP cells, while Lp-PRP are better than Lr-PRP (P<0.05). In addition, only Lp-PRP can inhibit the apoptosis of human degenerated NP cells (P<0.05), whereas Lr-PRP activates the catabolism on the contrary (P<0.05). Further, the in vivo study through the rabbit IDD model verified that autologous Lp-PRP has better effects than autologous Lr-PRP in repairing IDD according to X-ray, MRI, histological, and immunohistochemical assessment (P<0.05, respectively). And the caspase-3 IHC results also showed that only autologous Lp-PRP treatment could inhibit apoptosis of NP cells in the rabbit IDD model (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Combining in vivo and in vitro studies, the present study confirmed that autologous Lp-PRP has a better effect than autologous Lr-PRP in repairing IDD, which may be due to the inflammatory factors (TNFα, IL-1β, etc.) in Lr-PRP antagonizing part of the repair effects and promoting the catabolism additionally. Therefore, our findings suggest that Lp-PRP may provide better results than Lr-PRP for treating IDD. Further randomized clinical trials will provide evidence to guide practice.

We investigated the regulation of histone deacetylases (HDACs) by miR-2861 in the osteoblastic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and miR-2861 binding site by CRISPR activation (CRISPRa). Transfection of miR-2861 into human MSCs was performed and the effect on osteoblast differentiation was analyzed. Using catalytically inactive Cas12a, the CRISPRa system induced targeted overexpression of endogenous miRNA and repressed the luciferase activities of reporters that contained functional miRNA target sites. The delivery of miR-2861 into MSCs enhanced osteoblast differentiation by decreased expressions of the HDAC1, 4 and 5 genes. The mechanism of HDAC5 repression by miR-2861 in humans has not been fully elucidated. To this end, the HDAC5 mRNA sequence was analyzed and a putative primate-specific miR-2861 binding site was identified in the 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR). CRISPRa was applied to validate the putative binding site and an increase in endogenous miR-2861 was found to repress the expression of a reporter that contained the novel miR-2861 binding site. The delivery of miR-2861 to human MSCs enhanced osteoblast differentiation. In the 3'-UTR, the HDAC5 repression was mediated by the miR-2861 binding site, and miR-2861 promoted osteoblast differentiation via the inhibition of HDAC5 through a primate-specific miRNA binding site. Therefore, miRNAmiR-2861 with the CRISPRa methods might be a good biomaterial for osteogenesis augmentation.

Background: The management of docking site healing in bone transport remains a significant challenge in orthopedic surgery. Traditional assessment methods rely heavily on qualitative radiographic evaluations. This study investigates the utility of pixel value ratio (PVR), an objective quantitative measure, in assessing bone healing at the docking site during bone transport.

Methods: This retrospective study included 47 patients who underwent bone transport for lower limb reconstruction between January 2015 and January 2020. Patients were categorized into bone union (n = 35) and nonunion (n = 12) groups based on docking site outcomes. PVR was calculated using two methods (PVR1 and PVR2) at six time points over 24 months post-docking. Subgroup analyses were performed based on gender, age, and surgical site.

Results: Of 47 patients, 35 achieved bone union and 12 experienced nonunion. Both PVR1 and PVR2 were consistently lower in the union group compared to the nonunion group at all time points (p < 0.001). In the union group, PVR1 ranged from 1.064 ± 0.050 to 1.108 ± 0.062, while PVR2 ranged from 0.926 ± 0.079 to 0.946 ± 0.062. In the nonunion group, PVR1 ranged from 1.204 ± 0.057 to 1.273 ± 0.020, and PVR2 from 1.039 ± 0.060 to 1.148 ± 0.022. Subgroup analyses revealed that males had significantly lower PVR values compared to females, and tibial cases had lower PVR values compared to femoral cases in both union and nonunion groups (p < 0.05). All juvenile patients achieved union, compared to 71.4% of adults (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: PVR demonstrates significant potential as an objective tool for assessing docking site healing in bone transport procedures. The distinct patterns observed between union and nonunion cases provide a foundation for developing clinical guidelines to monitor and predict healing outcomes. Integration of PVR assessment into clinical practice could improve decision-making and optimize treatment protocols in bone transport procedures.

Background: Complex fractures of the trochanteric region, as well as fractures located in the directly subtrochanteric region, are controversially discussed around the world regarding the nail type to be used. A long nail is recommended by manufacturers but requires longer surgical and fluoroscopy times. A possible solution could be a nail with an appropriate length which can be locked in a minimally invasive manner by the main aiming device. We aimed to determine if such a nail model (DCN SL nail, SWEMAC, Linköping, Sweden) offers similar structural stability on biomechanical testing on artificial bone as a standard long nail when used to treat complex trochanteric fractures and compared it to long nails usually used in this setting.

Methods: An osteoporotic bone model was chosen. The Swemac Hansson DCN Nail System was used as osteosynthesis material. Two types of nails were chosen: a superior lock nail which can be implanted with a singular targeting device, and a long nail with distal locking using free-hand technique. AO31A2.2 fractures were simulated in a standardised manner. Axial height of the construct, varus collapse, and rotational deformity directly after nail insertion were simulated. A Universal Testing Machine was used. Measurements were made with a stereo-optic tracking system.

Findings: There was a detectable difference in the axial fracture movement resulting in narrowing of the fracture gap. There was no difference in varus collapse or rotational deformity between the nail variants CONCLUSION: We conclude that there are small differences which are clinically insignificant and that a superior locking nail can safely be used to manage complex trochanteric fractures.

Background: Tourniquets are widely used in limb fracture surgeries. Controversies still exist about the pressure inflated, including unified tourniquet inflation pressure (UTIP) and personalized tourniquet inflation pressure (PTIP). This study evaluated the hemostatic effect between UTIP and PTIP based on systolic blood pressure (SBP) in extremity fracture patients.

Materials and methods: Patients with fresh extremity fractures requiring tourniquets during surgeries were prospectively enrolled and randomly assigned to the UTIP and PTIP groups. The inflation pressure was set to 250 mmHg for the upper extremities and 300 mmHg for the lower extremities in the UTIP group and SBP plus 50 mmHg for the upper extremities and SBP plus 100 mmHg for the lower extremities in the PTIP group. The primary outcome was a hemostatic effect evaluated by the surgeon (satisfied or dissatisfied). Other secondary outcomes included postoperative changes in limb swelling and tourniquet-related complications.

Results: A total of 144 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to the UTIP group or the PTIP group, and each group has 72 patients (36 upper limb and 36 lower limb). Totally, the hemostasis effect of the PTIP group was worse than that of the UTIP group by non-inferiority test. The hemostatic effect of upper limb fractures with SBP plus 50 mmHg for tourniquet inflation pressure was also worse than that with 250mmHg; however, there was no statistically significant difference between 300mmHg and SBP plus 100 mmHg in the lower limb group hemostasis effect due to a lack of power. Also, no difference was observed in the incidence of complications (p = 1.000) and postoperative changes in limb swelling during 2 days after surgery (upper limb: P1 = 0.546, P2 = 0.545; lower limb: P1 = 0.408, P2 = 0.857) between the PTIP and UTIP group.

Conclusion: In the surgery of limb fractures, setting SBP + 50mmHg as tourniquet pressure may not be sufficient for upper limbs. Also, we found no difference between the SBP + 100mmHg and the unified 300mmHg for lower limb surgeries.

Background: The persistently rising complication, pseudotumor, after hip arthroplasty required surgeons' vigilance. Although the remaining controversial relationship between metal ions and pseudotumor, metal ion detection had been widely employed in clinic. The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between metal ions and pseudotumor, as well as the effectiveness of metal ion analysis in the screening and diagnosis of pseudotumor through systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: The Medline and Embase databases were searched for studies evaluating metal ions and patients with pseudotumors after hip arthroplasty. A systematic review of risk ratio and diagnostic performance for metal ions was conducted.

Results: Seven studies were included in the systematic review. The mean Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) score of the included studies was 19 (range, 14 to 22). Pooled risk ratio (RR) value was 2.01(95% CI: 1.25-3.24; P = 0.004) for cobalt ions level and 1.44 (95% CI: 1.10-1.88; P = 0.008) for chromium ions level. The pooled sensitivity, specificity and the area under the curve (AUC) for cobalt and chromium ions were determined to be 0.59, 0.82, 0.73 and 0.34, 0.82, 0.56, respectively.

Conclusions: The metal ions level has a low diagnostic value. It is of certain value for confirmation, but should not be used as a routine screening indicator. The diagnostic value of cobalt ions is higher than that of chromium.

Level of evidence: Diagnostic Level IV.

Objective: To explore whether anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is necessary in patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness.

Method: This was a retrospective study of 177 patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness treated at Shandong Provincial Hospital from 1 January 2012 to 31 October 2022. Sixty-one patients presented with ulnar nerve symptoms, and 116 patients had no nerve symptoms. Outcomes between patients with and without symptoms were compared using a range of clinical measures, namely range of motion (ROM), ulnar nerve symptoms, and various standardized scoring systems, namely, the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), visual analog scale (VAS), improved Broberg and Morrey Score (BMS), Quick disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, Oxford Elbow Score (OES), and Amadio score.

Results: Open elbow release surgery significantly improved elbow joint function in patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness, regardless of the presence of ulnar nerve symptoms. Patients with ulnar nerve symptoms showed significant improvement after anterior transposition compared with in situ release. For patients without ulnar nerve symptoms, there was no significant difference in outcomes between the two types of ulnar nerve surgery.

Conclusion: Anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is preferable for patients with ulnar nerve symptoms, while the choice between anterior transposition and in situ release can be individualized for patients without symptoms, based on intraoperative findings.

Background: This study seeks to elucidate the expressions of lncRNA TSIX in Osteoarthritis (OA) and to explore its mechanisms in regulating OA progression.

Methods: RT-qPCR was employed to analyze the expression of TSIX in OA patients classified by Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grades. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic value of TSIX. Correlation between TSIX levels and clinical scores such as Lysholm and visual analogue scale (VAS) score was evaluated using Pearson method. IL-1β-induced SW1353 cells served as an in vitro model. The cell function were assessed by flow cytometry and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The relationship between TSIX and miR-320a was verified by luciferase reporting system, while bioinformatics approaches were utilized to predict the downstream target genes of miR-320a.

Results: The findings revealed that TSIX level in OA patients was elevated compared to that of the control group, with a notable progressive increase in TSIX expression correlated with higher K-L grades. In OA patients, the Lysholm score showed a negative correlation with TSIX expression, while the VAS score displayed a positive correlation with TSIX levels. Cell studies demonstrated that inhibition of TSIX enhanced cell viability and mitigated IL-1β-induced apoptosis by targeting miR-320a, in addition to promoting Aggrecan and Collagen II secretion. Luciferase reporter assay further validated the targeting interaction among TSIX, miR-320a, and PTEN.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated an increased expression of TSIX in OA patients. It suggests that TSIX may play a role in chondrocyte dysfunction during OA by modulating the miR-320a/PTEN axis.