The role of suction drainage in the management of peri-operative bleeding in Total and Unicomcompartmental knee arthroplasty: a retrospective comparative study.

Background: Suction drainage is commonly applied after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) to reduce hematoma, swelling and to favor surgical wound healing. However, its efficacy remains controversial; thus, the purpose of this study is to evaluate drainage efficiency in the management of postoperative bleeding in TKA and UKA.

Methods: The cohort comprised 134 clinical records of patients affected by knee osteoarthritis (OA) who underwent either TKA or UKA.

Can the Leukocyte Esterase Strip Test Predict Persistence of Periprosthetic Joint Infection at Second-Stage Reimplantation?

Background: We evaluated the reliability of intraoperative assessment of leukocyte esterase (LE) in synovial fluid samples from patients undergoing reimplantation following implant removal and spacer insertion for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Our hypothesis was that a positive intraoperative LE test would be a better predictor of persistent infection than either serum C-reactive protein (CRP) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or the combination of serum CRP and ESR.

Methods: The records of 76 patients who received a 2-stage exchange for PJI were retrospectively reviewed.

Knee Pathology before and after SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An Analysis of 1139 Patients.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic drastically changed daily life activities and medical practice, leading to a reorganization of healthcare activities. People spent two months in home-isolation, changing their daily habits and undertaking a more sedentary lifestyle. Change in lifestyle is related to important consequences in knee pathologies.

Remote Management of Patients after Total Joint Arthroplasty via a Web-Based Registry during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: In 2020, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic, patients who underwent total joint arthroplasty were not able to undergo the proper postoperative surgical and rehabilitative care. This study aims to evaluate the potential of a web-cloud-based database on patients' follow-up in extraordinary situations, when a traditional in-person follow-up cannot be warranted.

Methods: Patients who underwent joint arthroplasty at our Institute between 21 February and 16 March 2020 were included in the study group and were matched to a similar population undergoing joint arthroplasty in February/March 2019.

Is the newest fibrin sealant an effective strategy to reduce blood loss after total knee arthroplasty? A randomized controlled study.

An RCT was conducted to ascertain whether, compared to control management, topical application of a novel fibrin sealant (Evicel, J&J) in patients undergoing primary TKA reduces peri-operative blood loss. Sixty-two patients were randomized to receive topical application of Evicel (N = 31) or not (N = 31). The mean total blood loss was 1.

Posterior cruciate ligament-retaining and posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty: differences in surgical technique.

The debate over the relative merits of substituting or retaining the posterior cruciate ligament in total knee arthroplasty is still ongoing. This article discusses the differences between the two procedures, considering the biomechanics and the surgical techniques involved.

Value of digital telethermography for the diagnosis of septic knee prosthesis: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Diagnosis of peri-prosthetic infection remains challenging, often requiring a combination of different tests.

Methods: In this prospective, case-control study, the diagnostic accuracy of telethermography was evaluated in a group of seventy patients who had had a total knee replacement and were undergoing a reoperation because of infection or another implant-related problem, after a minimum of one year from implant.

Results: An average differential temperature of the affected versus not affected knee of 1.

Comparative chondrogenesis of human cells in a 3D integrated experimental-computational mechanobiology model.

We present an integrated experimental-computational mechanobiology model of chondrogenesis. The response of human articular chondrocytes to culture medium perfusion, versus perfusion associated with cyclic pressurisation, versus non-perfused culture, was compared in a pellet culture model, and multiphysic computation was used to quantify oxygen transport and flow dynamics in the various culture conditions. At 2 weeks of culture, the measured cell metabolic activity and the matrix content in collagen type II and aggrecan were greatest in the perfused+pressurised pellets.

Comfrey extract ointment in comparison to diclofenac gel in the treatment of acute unilateral ankle sprains (distortions).

A previously published study comparing the efficacy of comfrey extract to a commercial diclofenac (CAS 78213-16-8) preparation in the treatment of unilateral ankle sprains is critically re-evaluated. The study was designed to show non-inferiority of the comfrey extract. The data were re-evaluated for superiority according to CPMP guidelines.