Background: Reports have concluded that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an effective and safe biological approach in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, no consensus has been established regarding the number of injections required to observe a therapeutic effect. Purpose: To compare the clinical effectiveness reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of single versus multiple PRP injections in the treatment of knee OA. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted for RCTs published between 1970 and 2019 that compared the effect of single versus multiple PRP injections on pain and functionality in patients with knee OA. Searched databases included MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. A data extraction form was designed to obtain bibliographic information of the study as well as patient, intervention, comparison, and outcomes of interest data. A random-effects model was used to pool quantitative data from the primary outcomes. Results: We included 5 clinical trials with a low-moderate risk of bias that reported data for 301 patients. Meta-analysis showed that, at 6 months after the intervention, single and multiple (double or triple) injections had similar pain improvement, with no significant differences (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.61 [95% CI, −1.09 to 2.31]; I 2 = 97%; P = .48). A significant improvement in knee functionality was observed in favor of multiple injections (SMD, 2.29 [95% CI, 0.45-4.12]; I 2 = 97%; P = .01). Subanalysis showed that the significant improvement was only evident for the results of single versus triple injections (SMD, 3.12 [95% CI, 0.64-5.60]; I 2 = 97%; P = .01). Conclusion: According to our results, a single injection was as effective as multiple PRP injections in pain improvement; however, multiple injections seemed more effective in joint functionality than a single injection at 6 months. We consider that the available evidence is still insufficient, and future research on this specific topic is needed to confirm our results.
Background: Elbow capitellum fractures are rare and represent an incidence of 1.5 per 100,000 distal humerus fractures.The objective of this workis to a functional evaluation of patients treated with open reduction and internal fixation of isolated capitellum fractures.Material and Methods: Retrospective study of four patients with capitellum fractures, with one year of follow-up.The patients were evaluated with functional scales: the Mayo Elbow Score and the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand scale, and measured the range of motion of the elbow in flexion, extension, pronation and supination. Results:The range of age was 14 to 71 years old.In the Mayo Elbow Score, at the end of follow-up, all the patients obtained a result of 100 points; and in the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand scale, the result was 0. The mobility of the elbow was 130º of flexion, -5º of extension, pronation and supination of 80º. Conclusion:The functional results of isolated capitellum fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation was excellent in this case series.We need to know and recognize this fracture to make and adequate treatment and obtain a good clinical result.
Background: Brachymetatarsia is a rare foot deformity caused by the premature closure of the metatarsal physis. It may result in functional as well as cosmetic alterations, which may require operative management. Methods: A prospective study examining outcomes of 48 cases of brachymetatarsia with gradual bone lengthening at a rate of 1 mm/d using an external fixator and metatarsophalangeal joint fixation was performed. The difference between the length before treatment and after external fixator removal was measured. The patients were assessed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks postoperatively; at the end of the period of distraction; and 1 year after surgery. The total number of patients was 26, and surgery was performed in 48 metatarsals. The mean age was 17.0 ± 4.1 (range, 11-24) years, and all were female. Results: The fourth metatarsal was the most frequently affected, representing 98% of the cases; the third metatarsal represented the other 2%. The average length gained was 18.6 ± 6.7 mm, and the average length gained as a proportion of the original metatarsal length was 38.2% ± 3.1% (range, 13%-24%). The mean healing time was 71.0 (range, 64-104) days, and the mean healing index (healing time divided by centimeters of length gained [d/cm]) was 38.4 (range, 38.2-50.1) d/cm. Conclusion: Gradual bone lengthening at a rate of 1 mm/d using an external fixator and intramedullary nailing was a safe and efficient method, representing a minimally invasive procedure with a low incidence of complications and satisfactory results for the patient. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
ResumenLos problemas osteocondrales en la rodilla pueden ocasionar discapacidad y restringir las actividades cotidianas.La elección terapéutica varía de acuerdo con las particularidades del paciente y cualidades del defecto.Las alternativas biológicas se han establecido como la elección de preferencia debido a los resultados satisfactorios en personas jóvenes en relación con la supervivencia y la funcionalidad.El aloinjerto fresco osteocondral o FOCA (fresh osteochondral allograft), consiste en la transferencia de cartílago hialino maduro y hueso subcondral de la rodilla de un donante de la misma especie, pero no genéticamente idéntico; es una opción ventajosa para las lesiones de gran espesor en jóvenes, permite una carga de peso temprana y una rehabilitación más rápida.Uno de sus principales objetivos es posponer o idealmente descartar la necesidad de una artroplastia.El conocimiento continúa creciendo con altas tasas de supervivencia a largo plazo; sin embargo, debido a las limitaciones en la disponibilidad y estandarización de métodos de conservación y procesamiento, los esfuerzos deben centrarse en identificar factores de riesgo del paciente para incrementar la supervivencia del injerto.El propósito de esta revisión es describir las propiedades, la técnica quirúrgica y los factores pronósticos del FOCA para lesiones condrales de rodilla.
The distal radius fracture represent until 15% of all bone injuries in adults. The key in the recovery of mobility and functional outcomes are rehabilitation. The intra-articular application of magnesium sulphate has been used for postoperative pain. The objective was to determinate the improvement in pain and functional outcome of patients with distal radius fracture using intra-articular magnesium sulphate.Patients with distal radius fracture treated with percutaneous pinning and cast immobilization was included and randomized into two groups. The group 1 was applied 1.0 ml of magnesium sulphate and 1.5 ml of injectable water; meanwhile the group 2, the water was replaced with 1 ml of bupivacaine (5 mg/ml). The intra-articular infiltration was applied at the end of immobilization. Pain, functionality and movement of the wrist was evaluated for two weeks.Twenty patients, 8 male and twelve females, with a mean age of 53 years (± 17 SD) was evaluated. A significative reduction of pain during the first minute and at three minutes after intra-articular infiltration in group 2 (p 0.05). Both groups presented better articular outcomes at the two weeks (p 0.05), and a better articular movement at same point (p 0.05).The intra-articular infiltration of magnesium sulphate plus bupivacaine help to reduces the pain.Las fracturas de radio distal constituyen hasta 15% de todas las lesiones óseas en los adultos. La rehabilitación es clave en la recuperación de la movilidad y la capacidad funcional. El sulfato de magnesio intraarticular ha sido utilizado para control postoperatorio del dolor; el objetivo fue determinar la mejoría del dolor y la capacidad funcional de los pacientes con fractura de radio distal usando sulfato de magnesio intraarticular.Pacientes con fractura de radio distal tratados con clavos percutáneos e inmovilización fueron incluidos al azar en dos grupos. Grupo 1 infiltrado con 1.0 ml de sulfato de magnesio y 1.5 ml de agua estéril; en el grupo 2 esta última fue sustituida por 1 ml de bupivacaína (5 mg/ml). La infiltración se realizó al retiro de la inmovilización. El dolor, funcionalidad y rangos de movimiento fueron evaluados.20 pacientes, ocho masculinos y 12 femeninos con edad promedio de 53 años (± 17 DE) fueron evaluados. Se encontró disminución significativa en el dolor al primer minuto y a los tres minutos después de la infiltración en el grupo 2 (p 0.05). Ambos grupos presentaron una mejoría significativa en la funcionalidad articular a las dos semanas (p 0.05), así como una mejoría gradual en la movilidad articular en ese mismo período (p 0.05).La infiltración de sulfato de magnesio en combinación con bupivacaína ayuda a disminuir el dolor.
Previous clinical studies have reported the clinical effectiveness of non‑animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) and adipose‑derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Unlike MSC secreted mediators, in vitro anti‑inflammatory effects of NASHA have not been evaluated. We aimed to evaluate and compare the anti‑inflammatory effect of NASHA and MSC conditioned medium (stem cell‑conditioned medium; SC‑CM), in an explant‑based coculture model of OA. Cartilage and synovial membrane from seven patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty were used to create a coculture system. Recombinant IL‑1β was added to the cocultures to induce inflammation. Four experimental groups were generated: i) Basal; ii) IL‑1β; iii) NASHA (NASHA + IL‑1β); and iv) SC‑CM (SC‑CM + IL‑1β). Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) released in the culture medium and of nitric oxide (NO) production were quantified. Gene expression in cartilage and synovium of IL‑1β, matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP13), ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 5 (ADAMTS5) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP1) was measured by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR. Media GAG concentration was decreased in cocultures with NASHA and SC‑CM (48 h, P<0.05; 72 h, P<0.01) compared with IL‑1β. Production of NO was significantly lower only in SC‑CM after 72 h (P<0.01). In cartilage, SC‑CM inhibited the expression of IL‑1β, MMP13 and ADAMTS5, while NASHA had this effect only in MMP13 and ADAMTS5. In synovium, SC‑CM decreased the expression level of MMP13 and ADAMTS5, while NASHA only decreased ADAMTS5 expression. Both NASHA and SC‑CM increased TIMP1 expression in cartilage and synovium. Treatments with NASHA and SC‑CM were shown to be a therapeutic option that may help counteract the catabolism produced by the inflammatory state in knee OA. The anti‑inflammatory mediators produced by MSC promote a lower expression of inflammatory targets in our study model.
The global rise in vehicle ownership has led to a significant accumulation of waste tires, with many ending up in landfills or incinerated, resulting in considerable environmental impacts. Several end-of-life solutions have been developed to repurpose these tires, and one promising approach is converting them into crumb rubber for use in road infrastructure. Crumb rubber has been incorporated as a stabilizing agent in asphalt mixtures, Portland cement concrete, base and sub-base granular layers, and subgrades. This application not only mitigates environmental harm but also often enhances the mechanical performance of these materials. Additionally, crumb rubber (CR) serves as a low-carbon material, offering environmental benefits such as reduced carbon footprint. This study provides a comprehensive literature review on the use of crumb rubber in road infrastructure materials, examining aspects such as treatment methods, mix design, mechanical properties, durability, and environmental impacts. It also highlights knowledge gaps and potential research directions to advance the application of crumb rubber in the road infrastructure industry. The findings suggest that, at appropriate dosages (in asphalt mixtures, for example, it is between 15–20% by weight of asphalt binder), crumb rubber can shift from being an environmental burden to a valuable resource across numerous road infrastructure applications. This review aims to guide agencies, designers, engineers, and other stakeholders in informed decision-making.