Effect of nonoperative concomitant intraarticular pathologies on the outcome of arthroscopic capsular release for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether coexistent intraarticular lesions are negative prognostic factors for the results of arthroscopic capsular release in frozen shoulder patients. Methods: Seventy-two patients who met inclusion criteria and underwent arthroscopic capsular release between March 2011 and August 2015 for the frozen shoulder were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups according to existence of concomitant intraarticular pathologies detected during arthroscopy. Preoperative and postoperative functional results were assessed with Constant score and shoulder ranges of motion; and the amount of pain was evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS). Results: Group I consisted of 46 patients (mean age 47.2 years and mean follow-up 26 months) without concomitant shoulder pathologies and group II consisted of 26 patients (mean age 48.6 years and mean follow-up 15 months) with coexistent lesions (SLAP lesions, n ¼ 8; SLAP and partial rupture of the RC, n ¼ 4; SLAP, partial rupture of RC and impingement, n ¼ 10; SLAP and impingement, n ¼ 2; and AC arthritis and impingement, n ¼ 2). Preoperatively, the mean ranges of forward flexion (p ¼ 0.221), abduction (p ¼ 0.065), internal rotation (p ¼ 0.564), Constant (p ¼ 0.148) and VAS (p ¼ 0.365) scores were similar between the groups. After a minimum 12 months of follow-up, all patients significantly improved but no statistically significant difference was detected in the mean ranges of forward flexion (152 vs 150; p ¼ 0.902), abduction (137 vs 129; p ¼ 0.095), external rotation (45 vs 40; p ¼ 0.866), internal rotation (5 vs 5 point; p ¼ 0.474), Constant (82 vs 82.3; p ¼ 0.685) and VAS (1.2 vs 1.2; p ¼ 0.634) scores between the groups. Conclusion: The presence of concomitant shoulder pathologies does not appear to affect the clinical outcomes in patients undergoing arthroscopic capsular release for frozen shoulder

Comparison of 3 cell-free matrix scaffolds used to treat osteochondral lesions in a rabbit model

Background: Various cell-free scaffolds are already in use for the treatment of osteochondral defects (OCDs); however, a gold standard material has not yet been defined. Purpose: This study compared the macroscopic, histological, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characteristics of Chondro-Gide (CG), MaioRegen (MA), and poly-d,l-lactide-co-caprolactone (PLCL) cell-free scaffolds enhanced with small-diameter microfractures (SDMs) for OCDs in a rabbit model. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: In total, 54 knees from 27 rabbits were used in this study. Three rabbits were sacrificed at the beginning of the study to form an intact cartilage control group (group IC). An OCD model was created at the center of the trochlea, and SDMs were generated in 24 rabbits. Rabbits with OCDs were divided into 4 groups (n = 12 knees per group) according to the cell-free scaffold applied: CG (group CG), MA (group MA), PLCL (group PLCL), and a control group (group SDM). Half of the rabbits were sacrificed at 1 month after treatment, while the other half were sacrificed at 3 months after treatment. Healed cartilage was evaluated macroscopically (using International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society [ICRS] classification criteria) and histopathologically (using modified O’Driscoll scores and collagen staining). Additionally, cell-free scaffold morphologies were compared using SEM analysis. Results: ICRS and modified O’Driscoll classification and staining with collagen type 1 and type 2 demonstrated significant differences among groups at both 1 and 3 months after treatment (P group MA (26.6 ± 1.2) > group CG (23.3 ± 2.3) > group SDM (18.9 ± 0.9). Conclusion: OCDs treated with enhanced SDM using cell-free PLCL scaffolds had superior histopathological and microenvironmental properties, more hyaline cartilage, and more type 2 collagen compared with those treated using CG or MA scaffolds. Clinical Relevance: OCDs treated with PLCL cell-free scaffolds may have superior histopathological properties and contain more type 2 collagen than do OCDs treated with CG or MA cell-free scaffolds