The paediatric population is at particularly high risk for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries due to high rates of sports participation. Other risk factors for ACL injuries in children include but are not limited to being female, generalised ligamentous laxity, a high body mass index (BMI), and poor neuromuscular control. ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is commonly done to treat ACL injuries and allow for return to sports and daily activities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJoint laxity is a multifactorial phenotype with a heritable component. Mutations or common polymorphisms within the α1(V) () α1(XI) () and α2(XI) () collagen genes have been reported or proposed to associate with joint hypermobility, range of motion and/or genu recurvatum. The aim of this study was to investigate whether polymorphisms within these collagen-encoding genes are associated with measurements of knee joint laxity and computed ligament length changes within the non-dominant leg.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Joint laxity is a multifactorial phenotype with a heritable component. Type I collagen gene (COL1A1) mutations cause connective tissue disorders with joint hypermobility as a clinical feature, while variants within COL1A1 and type III collagen gene (COL3A1) are associated with musculoskeletal injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate whether COL1A1 and COL3A1 variants are associated with measurements of non-dominant knee joint laxity and computed ligament length changes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSubchondral insufficiency fractures of the knee (SIFK) can result in high rates of osteoarthritis and arthroplasty. The implantable shock absorber (ISA) implant is a titanium and polycarbonate urethane device which reduces the load on the medial compartment of the knee by acting as an extra-articular load absorber while preserving the joint itself. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether partially unloading the knee with the ISA altered the likelihood of progression to arthroplasty utilizing a validated predictive risk model (SIFK score).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAutosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the fifth most common cause of end stage kidney disease (ESKD) in Aotearoa New Zealand. Identification of two genes, PCKD1 and PCKD2, which cause the majority of this disease, has played a key role in the development of DNA-sequence molecular diagnostics. ADPKD is characterised by the formation and growth of multiple cysts within the kidney, with some but not all patients progressing to ESKD.
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