Platelet-Rich Plasma in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Quadriceps Tendon Bone Reconstruction—Impact of PRP Administration on Pain, Range of Motion Restoration, Knee Stability, Tibial Tunnel Widening and Functional Results

Background: Using Platetet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has been suggested to improve patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of PRP administration on pain, range of motion (ROM) restoration and the functional results of ACLR performed with quadriceps tendon bone (QTB) autografts. Methods: A total of 106 patients were included in this multicenter study. Fifty-two patients underwent single-bundle QTB ACLR and 54 patients underwent the same procedure with additional PRP administration. Results: Mean time of need for on-demand analgesia was 8 days in the PRP group and 11 days in no-PRP group. Symmetric full extension was restored in a mean of 40 days in the PRP group and 53 days in the no-PRP group. Ninety degrees of flexion was restored at a mean of 21 days in the PRP group and 25 days in the no-PRP group. At 18 months postoperatively, the mean side-to-side difference in anterior tibial translation with the use of an arthrometer (Rolimeter, Aircast Europa) was 1.3 mm in the PRP group vs. 2.7 mm in the no-PRP group. Mean tibial tunnel widening was 1.4 mm in the PRP group vs. 2.1 mm in the no-PRP group. The mean score in the pain section of the KOOS scale was 93 in the PRP group vs. 89 in the no-PRP group. For the IKDC scale, 53 patients in the PRP group graded A or B and 1 patient graded C. In the no-PRP group, 48 patients graded A or B and 4 patients graded C or D. Conclusions: The use of PRP in QTB ACLR may decrease the need for on-demand analgesia and accelerate ROM restoration as well as improve knee stability, lessen the extent of tibial tunnel widening and potentially diminish pain at 18 months postoperatively. Further studies will be needed to confirm all authors’ conclusions

Maturation of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft—Possibilities of Surgical Enhancement: What Do We Know So Far?

The purpose of this study is to review the surgical methods of enhancing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft maturation. Several methods of ACL maturation enhancement were identified through research of the literature available in the PubMed database. ACL remnant preservation was the most extensively investigated technique. ACL reconstruction with a pedunculated hamstring graft provides superior revascularization of the graft along with higher mechanical strength. The usage of a graft enveloped with a periosteum was proposed to enhance the tendon-bone unit formation, and consequently, to prevent the bone tunnel widening. The muscle tissue on the graft is a potential source of stem cells. However, an excessive amount may weaken whole graft strength despite its enhanced remodeling. Similarly, amniotic tissue may augment the ACL reconstruction with stem cells and growth factors. Despite the existence of several surgical techniques that utilize amnion, the outcomes of these augmentation methods are lacking. Lastly, the intra-articular transplantation of the synovium on the surface of an ACL was proposed to augment the graft with synovial tissue and blood vessels. In conclusion, diverse approaches are being developed in order to enhance the maturation of an ACL reconstruction graft. Although these approaches have their foundation in on well-established scientific research, their outcomes are still equivocal. Clinical trials of high quality are needed to evaluate their utility in clinical practice

The health risk due to exposure to bioaerosol occurring in health care institutions

Health care workers employed in health care institutions are a population particularly exposed to a number of dangerous and burdensome factors, and the main risk factors are biological factors. Infections at the workplace can be transferred by blood but the use of mechanical barriers could potentially reduce the risk. When microorganisms are present in the air and create a bioaerosol, prevention methods are more difficult, and the problem relates to a larger number of employees and other people using health care facilities. Bioaerosol enters the human body through the respiratory system and includes mainly bacteria, fungi, viruses and other organic substances which can cause negative health outcomes.Osoby pracujące w placówkach ochrony zdrowia stanowią grupę szczególnie narażoną na szereg czynników niebezpiecznych i uciążliwych, a głównymi czynnikami ryzyka są czynniki biologiczne. Do zakażenia może dojść drogą krwiopochodną, jednak ograniczenie ryzyka jest tutaj możliwe poprzez zastosowanie barier mechanicznych. W przypadku przedostawania się drobnoustrojów do powietrza i tworzeniu się bioaerozolu metody prewencji są nieco bardziej utrudnione, a problem dotyczy większej liczby pracowników oraz pozostałych osób korzystających z placówek ochrony zdrowia. Bioaerozol wnika do organizmu człowieka przez układ oddechowy, a w jego skład wchodzą głównie bakterie, grzyby, wirusy oraz inne substancje organiczne, które mogą powodować szereg niekorzystnych zjawisk zdrowotnych

The PCL Envelope Lack Sign (PELS) Is a Direct Arthroscopic Sign of Chronic Posterior Cruciate Ligament Insufficiency

Purpose: To present the arthroscopic “PCL envelope lack sign” (PELS) and to calculate its diagnostic characteristics in chronic PCL insufficiency. Methods: Recordings of knee arthroscopies performed in a single clinic between April 2015 to March 2020 were retrospectively evaluated, searching for the “PCL envelope”. It was defined as a “soft tissue cuff coursing around the PCL tibial attachment, visible with the arthroscope positioned between the PCL, medial femoral condyle and posterior horn of the medial meniscus at the level of its shiny white fibers”. PELS was defined as “the PCL adhering to the proximal tibia adjacent to the medial meniscal posterior root attachment, inability to observe the normal space between the PCL and posterior tibia and no soft tissue cuff around the PCL tibial attachment”. Inclusion criteria were possibility to evaluate the PELS presence on recordings. Patients who underwent PCL reconstruction were assigned to the study group. The rest of the patients were controls. Criteria to operate on symptomatic PCL patients were at least 5 mm of posterior instability in physical examination and at least 6 months post-injury. Results: Out of 614 available recordings, 592 patients (205 females, 387 males; mean age 45.2 years, SD = 14.36, range 14–81) were included: 38 in the study group and 554 in the control group. In the study group, PELS was positive in 36 of 38 cases (94.7%). In the control group, PELS was negative in 554 PCL-efficient patients (100%). Calculated PELS sensitivity was 94.7%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 99.6%. The PELS was present significantly more often in PCL-insufficient patients, p < 0.001. Conclusions: The PCL envelope lack sign was found to be a highly effective tool to arthroscopically confirm chronic PCL insufficiency, and should be considered a direct sign of chronic posterior knee instability