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Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the evidence about the efficacy of the several synovial fluid (SF) biomarkers proposed for knee osteoarthritis (OA), categorizing them by both molecular characteristics and clinical use according to the BIPEDs criteria, to provide a comprehensive and structured overview of the current literature., Design: A systematic review was performed in May 2020 on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases about SF biomarkers in patients with knee OA. The search was limited to articles in the last 20 years on human studies, involving patients with knee OA, reporting SF biomarkers. The evidence for each selected SF biomarker was quantified according to the 6 categories of BIPEDs classification., Results: A total of 159 articles were included in the qualitative data synthesis and 201 different SF biomarkers were identified. Among these, several were investigated multiple times in different articles, for a total of 373 analyses. The studies included 13,557 patients with knee OA. The most promising SF biomarkers were C4S, IL-6, IL-8, Leptin, MMP-1/3, TIMP-1, TNF-α, and VEGF. The "burden of disease" and "diagnostic" categories were the most represented with 132 and 106 different biomarkers, respectively., Conclusions: The systematic review identified numerous SF biomarkers. However, despite the high number of studies on the plethora of identified molecules, the evidence about the efficacy of each biomarker is supported by limited and often conflicting findings. Further research efforts are needed to improve the understanding of SF biomarkers for a better management of patients with knee OA.

Background: Little is known about long-term sporting activity after periosteal autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI-P) and its correlation to clinical, morphological, and ultrastructural cartilage characteristics on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)., Purpose: To evaluate long-term sporting activity after ACI-P and to correlate with clinical and MRI findings., Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4., Methods: Patients who underwent ACI-P for isolated cartilage defects of the knee joint between 1997 and 2001 were analyzed for sporting ability for 3 different time points: lifetime until the onset of pain, the year before ACI-P, and 11 years (range, 9.0-13.4 years) postoperatively. Sporting activity was assessed and patients' level of activity scaled using standardized questionnaires. MRI scans of the affected knee joint at follow-up were analyzed using the MOCART (magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue) score and T2 mapping., Results: Seventy of 86 patients (81% follow-up rate) consisting of 25 female and 45 male patients, with a mean age of 33.3 ± 10.2 years at the time of surgery, mean defect size of 6.5 ± 4.0 cm 2 , and 1.17 treated defects per patient, agreed to participate in the study at a mean 10.9 ± 1.1 years after ACI-P. Fifty-nine patients (69% of total; 84% of follow-up) agreed to MRI, allowing the complete evaluation of 71 transplant sites. Before the onset of symptoms (lifetime), 95.7% of patients played a mean 6.0 sporting activities at a competitive level. In the year before ACI-P, 81.4% of patients played a mean 3.4 sporting activities in 2.4 sessions during 5.4 hours per week at a recreational level. At follow-up, 82.9% of the patients played a mean 3.0 sporting activities in 1.8 sessions during 3.0 hours per week at a recreational level. In contrast to objective factors, 65.6% of the patients felt that their subjective sporting ability had improved or strongly improved after ACI-P, whereas 12.9% felt that their situation had declined or strongly declined, and 21.4% stated that their sporting ability had undergone no change because of surgery. Factors of sporting activity correlated significantly with clinical long-term outcomes. MRI analysis with a mean repair tissue T2 relaxation time of 35.2 milliseconds and mean MOCART score of 44.9 showed no conclusive significant correlation to sporting activity. Level of performance was the only sporting activity factor to show a weak correlation with subgroups of the MOCART score., Conclusion: The premorbid level of sporting and recreational activities cannot be achieved 11 years after ACI-P. The MRI results determined at this time point did not conclusively correlate with long-term sporting activity.

Background: The pattern of lateral meniscus tears observed in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-injured subjects varies greatly and determines subsequent management. Certain tear patterns with major biomechanical consequences should be repaired in a timely manner. Knowledge about risk factors for such tears may help to identify patients in the early posttraumatic phase and subsequently may improve clinical results., Methods: A database of 268 patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction was used to identify all patients with isolated ACL tears and patients with an associated tear of the lateral meniscus. Patients who underwent surgery >6 months after the injury were excluded. Based on the arthroscopic appearance of the lateral meniscus, patients were assorted to one of three groups: 'no tear,' 'minor tear,' and 'major tear.' Tear patterns defined as major included root tears, complete radial tears, and unstable longitudinal tears including bucket-handle tears. Univariate analysis was performed by comparing the three groups with regard to gender, age, height, weight, BMI, type of injury (high-impact sport, low-impact sport, and not sports related), and mechanism of injury (non-contact vs. contact). Multivariate logistic regression was carried out to identify independent risk factors for minor and major meniscal tears and to calculate odds ratios (OR)., Results: Two hundred fifteen patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of those, 56% had isolated ACL tears, 27% had associated minor tears, and 17% had associated major tears of the lateral meniscus. Univariate analysis revealed significant differences between the three groups for gender (p = 0.002), age groups (p = 0.026), and mechanism of injury (p < 0.001). A contact injury mechanism was a risk factor for minor tears (OR: 4.28) and major tears (OR: 18.49). Additional risk factors for major tears were male gender (OR: 7.38) and age <30 years (OR: 5.85)., Conclusion: Male patients, patients <30 years, and particularly patients who sustained a contact injury have a high risk for an associated major lateral meniscus tear. Special attention is therefore necessary in those patients and early referral to magnetic resonance imaging and/or arthroscopy is recommended to allow meniscus repair in a timely manner.

Purpose: To summarize and discuss the current knowledge on posterior lateral meniscus root tears., Methods: A comprehensive review of the MEDLINE database was carried out to identify relevant articles using different keywords (e.g. "meniscus root", "root tear", "meniscus avulsion", "radial tear" and "lateral meniscus"). The reference lists of the reviewed articles were searched for additional relevant articles., Results: Posterior lateral meniscus root tears are found in 7-12% of patients with a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Biomechanical studies have found an increase in lateral compartment contact pressure of approximately 50% after creation of a posterior lateral meniscus root tear. There is some evidence that the biomechanical consequences of these injuries are significantly influenced by the presence and integrity of the meniscofemoral ligaments. Clinical studies have found encouraging results after repair of posterior lateral meniscus root tears. Whether root repair can prevent the development of osteoarthritis is currently unknown., Conclusion: A posterior lateral meniscus root tear is a clinical relevant but most likely underrecognized concomitant injury in patients with a tear of the ACL. This article may support clinicians in diagnosing and treating this unique type of meniscus tear., Level of Evidence: V.

Injuries of the meniscus roots are increasingly recognized as a serious knee joint pathology. An avulsion fracture of the meniscus root is a rare variant of this injury pattern. In this article, a case of a traumatic simultaneous avulsion fracture of both the posterior medial and posterior lateral meniscus root associated with a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament is presented. Both avulsion fractures were treated by indirect arthroscopic transtibial pullout fixation of the bony fragment. Based on the findings of our literature review, root avulsion fractures seem to be more common in young male patients after an acute trauma to the knee joint.

Background: Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a well-established treatment option for isolated cartilage defects of the knee joint, providing satisfying outcome. However, cases of treatment failure with the need for surgical reintervention are reported; typical patient's individual and environmental risk factors have previously not been described., Hypothesis: The need for reintervention after ACI is associated with specific preoperative detectable individual risk factors., Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3., Methods: A total of 413 patients following ACI (first, second, and third generation) were filtered for those who required revision surgery during their follow-up time (2-11.8 years). Factors were analyzed that might have significant effects on increased revision rate. Using preoperatively collected data, all patients were grouped according to 12 standard prognostic factors. Apart from odds ratio and Pearson χ(2) test, statistical analysis of risk factors was performed with multivariate binary logistic regression models and Cox regression, the method of choice for survival time data., Results: After a follow-up of 4.4 ± 0.9 years (limited to 5 years), a total of 88 patients (21.3%) had undergone surgical revision. The time to revision surgery was 1.8 ± 1.1 years. Four prognostic factors associated with a significantly higher risk for reintervention were detected: (1) female gender (Cox survival fit: P = .033), (2) previous surgeries of the affected joint (P = .002), (3) previous bone marrow stimulation (P = .041), and (4) periosteum patch-covered ACI (P = .028). An influence of patient age, body mass index (BMI), defect number, defect size, lesion origin, lesion location, parallel treatment, or smoking on the risk for reintervention could not be observed., Conclusion: The study identifies clear facts that significantly increase the risk of revision surgery. These facts can be easily obtained preoperatively and may be taken into consideration when indicating ACI.

Introduction: To describe indication, approach and treatment modalities for the management of knee cartilage lesions among a selected European population., Methods: An electronic questionnaire covering general and specific items concerning cartilage repair at the knee joint was designed and disposed to survey cartilage treatment characteristics among a defined population of trained and accredited musculoskeletal surgeons., Results: A total of 242 (80.13%) interviewees returned the questionnaire. Two-thirds of the respondents considered patient age to not limit (33.1%) or considered the age of 50 as the upper limit (32.2%) for interventional cartilage surgery. There was no consensus on when to correct mechanical axis deformation. Irrespective of lesion size, surgical debridement and microfracture are the techniques most frequently used. Surgical approach to full-thickness cartilage defects is commenced when the lesion size exceeds 1 cm(2) in 75.6% of respondents; mainly utilizing microfracture or debridement for defects smaller than 1, 2 and 3 cm(2). Controversy exists for treatment of lesions exceeding 3 cm(2), where autologous chondrocyte transplantation is utilized in the majority of cases (33.5%), while as well microfracture (19.0%) and with lesser frequency osteochondral plug (9.5%) transplantation are recommended. Debridement was indicated to be used in combination with other techniques, while microfracture, chondrocyte or osteochondral plug transplantation are applied as individual techniques., Conclusions: Microfracture with debridement are the two most frequently used operations in lesions up to 3 cm(2). There remains disagreement when indicating cartilage repair when age, mechanical axis deviation or treatment of lesions over 3 cm(2) are concerned.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to compare arthroscopic versus open measurement of cartilage defects and determination of defect grade according to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) classification., Methods: Arthroscopic determination of defect size and grade according to the ICRS classification of 450 focal cartilage defects in 407 patients who underwent autologous chondrocyte implantation was compared with definite findings at the time of open knee surgery. Results were analyzed based on defect location, defect size, and experience of the treating surgeon., Results: Open evaluation of all cartilage defects showed a mean size of 4.54 ± 2.11 cm², whereas arthroscopic determination resulted in a significantly larger mean defect size of 5.69 ± 1.81 cm² (P < .001, r = 0.757). This observation was found in all subgroups concerning defect location and experience of the treating surgeon (P < .001). Overestimation was pronounced among inexperienced surgeons (all P < .01) and in smaller defects (P < .01). Concerning grading of the defect according to the ICRS classification, there was a consensus in 80.9% of the cases when arthroscopic grading was compared with open grading. No differences were found based on defect location or experience of the treating surgeon (P > .05)., Conclusions: Although a high correlation was found between arthroscopic and open evaluation of the cartilage defect size, there is a significant overestimation of the cartilage defect size during arthroscopy. This observation is independent of defect location. Smaller defects and inexperienced surgeons are factors that make an overestimation of defect size more likely. Arthroscopic detection and estimation of the full-thickness cartilage defects according to the ICRS classification seem reliable., Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series., (Copyright © 2011 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We present a technique for double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in a 14-year-old female athlete. The patient presented with anterolateral knee rotatory instability following a traumatic injury suffered while practicing judo. The clinical examination revealed positive Lachman and pivot shift tests with no accompanying meniscal pathology. Roentgenograms revealed open physes, and magnetic resonance imaging scans confirmed an isolated midsubstance ACL tear without cartilaginous injury. The decision was made to anatomically reconstruct the ACL because the athlete wished to continue competitive judo. Autologous hamstring tendons were harvested for double-bundle ACL repair. Following arthroscopic retrograde femoral and antegrade tibial tunnel placement, the ligaments were secured using interference screws within the femoral and tibial epiphysis. Postoperative Lachman and pivot shift tests were negative.