Chondrogenic predifferentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in collagen type I hydrogels under the influence of TGF-ß1

Der hyaline Gelenkknorpel ist auf Grund seines sehr eingeschränkten Selbstheilungspotentiales nicht in der Lage, auf Verletzungen mit adäquaten Regenerationsmechanismen zu reagieren. So hat sich in der Orthopädischen Klinik König-Ludwig-Haus zur Behandlung von fokalen Gelenkknorpelläsionen die matrixgekoppelte autologe Chondrozytentransplantation unter Verwendung eines Kollagen Typ I Hydrogel (CaReS®, Arthro Kinetics, Esslingen) etabliert. In der Zukunft könnten möglicherweise humane mesenchymale Stammzellen (hMSZ) eine alternative Zellquelle darstellen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde in Anlehnung an die im klinischen Alltag befindliche matrixgekoppelte ACT der Frage nachgegangen, ob eine ex vivo Prädifferenzierung von hMSZ mit TGF-ß1 für 10 Tage zu einer chondrogenen Differenzierung führt. Durch den Nachweis chondrogener Markergene wie Kollagen II und Aggrekan konnte gezeigt werden, dass eine chondrogene Differenzierung von hMSZ unter Zugabe von TGF-ß1 über 10 Tage induziert werden kann. Ob diese 10-tägige Prädifferenzierung zu einem ausreichend stabilen Gelenkknorpelregenerat führen kann, muss letztendlich im Tierversuch überprüft werden.Due to the very restricted self-healing potential articular cartilage is not able to react to injuries with adequate regeneration mechanisms. Concerning this problem the matrix-based autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT) using a collagen type I hydrogel as a three-dimensional scaffold (CaReS®, Arthro Kinetics, Esslingen) is currently established in the Orthopaedic Institute, König-Ludwig-Haus to treat focal cartilage defects. In the future human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) can form an alternative cell source for tissue engineering. With reference to the matrix-based ACT, the objective of this study was to determine whether an ex vivo predifferentiation with TGF-ß1 over 10 days leads to a chondrogenic differentiation of MSC. The proof of the decisive chondrogenic marker genes, like collagen type II and aggrecan, demonstrated that a chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells can be induced under the influence TGF-ß1 over a period of 10 days. Further animal experiments will reveal whether this 10-day ex vivo predifferentiation can lead to a sufficiently stable articular cartilage

Conventional rotator cuff versus all-suture anchors — a biomechanical study focusing on the insertion angle in an unlimited cyclic model

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical properties of an all-suture anchor to a conventional anchor used commonly in rotator cuff repairs. Furthermore, the biomechanical influence of various implantation angles was evaluated in both anchor types in a human cadaveric model. Methods 30 humeri were allocated into three groups with a similar bone density. The two different anchor types were inserted at a predefined angle of 45o, 90o or 110o. Biomechanical testing included an initial preload of 20N followed by a cyclic protocol with a stepwise increasing force of 0,05N for each cycle at a rate of 1Hz until system failure. Number of cycles, maximum load to failure, stiffness, displacement and failure mode were determined. Results 27 anchors failed by pullout. There was no significant difference between the conventional and the all-suture anchor regarding mean pullout strength. No considerable discrepancy in stiffness or displacement could be perceived. Comparing the three implantation angles no significant difference could be observed for the all-suture or the conventional anchor. Conclusion All-suture anchors show similar biomechanical properties to conventional screw shaped anchors in an unlimited cyclic model. The exact insertion angle is not a significant predictor of failure

The influence of bone quality on radiological outcome in 50 consecutive acetabular fractures treated with a pre-contoured anatomic suprapectineal plate

Purpose!#!To investigate the range of indications of an anatomical-preshaped three-dimensional suprapectineal plate and to assess the impact of the bone mass density on radiologic outcomes in different types of acetabular fractures.!##!Patients and methods!#!A consecutive case series of 50 acetabular fractures (patient age 69 ± 23 years) treated with suprapectineal anatomic plates were analyzed in a retrospective study. The analysis included: Mechanism of injury, fracture pattern, surgical approach, need for additional total hip arthroplasty, intra- or postoperative complications, as well as bone mass density and radiological outcome on postoperative computed tomography.!##!Results!#!Most frequently, anterior column fracture patterns with and without hemitransverse components as well as associated two column fractures were encountered. The anterior intrapelvic approach (AIP) was used in 98% (49/50) of the cases as primary approach with additional utilization of the first window of the ilioinguinal approach in 13/50 cases (26%). Determination of bone density revealed impaired bone quality in 70% (31/44). Postoperative steps and gaps were significantly greater in this subgroup (p < 0.05). Fracture reduction quality for postoperative steps revealed anatomic results in 92% if the bone quality was normal and in 46% if impaired (p < 0.05). In seven cases (14%), the plate was utilized in combination with acute primary arthroplasty.!##!Conclusion!#!A preshaped suprapectineal plate provides good radiological outcomes in a variety of indications in a predominantly geriatric cohort. Impaired bone quality has a significantly higher risk of poor reduction results. In cases with extensive joint destruction, the combination with total hip arthroplasty was a valuable option

What is the frequency of nerve injuries associated with acetabular fractures?

BACKGROUND Acetabular fractures and surgical interventions used to treat them can result in nerve injuries. To date, only small case studies have tried to explore the frequency of nerve injuries and their association with patient and treatment characteristics. High-quality data on the risk of traumatic and iatrogenic nerve lesions and their epidemiology in relation to different fracture types and surgical approaches are lacking. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES The purpose of this study was to determine (1) the proportion of patients who develop nerve injuries after acetabular fracture; (2) which fracture type(s) are associated with increased nerve injury risk; and (3) which surgical approach was associated with the highest proportion of patients developing nerve injuries using data from the German Pelvic Trauma Registry. Two secondary aims were (4) to assess hospital volume-nerve-injury relationship; and (5) internal data validity. METHODS Between March 2001 and June 2012, 2236 patients with acetabular fractures were entered into a prospectively maintained registry from 29 hospitals; of those, 2073 (92.7%) had complete records on the endpoints of interest in this retrospective study and were analyzed. The neurological status in these patients was captured at their admission and at the discharge. A total of 1395 of 2073 (67%) patients underwent surgery, and the proportions of intervention-related and other hospital-acquired nerve injuries were obtained. Overall proportions of patients developing nerve injuries, risk based on fracture type, and risk of surgical approach type were analyzed. RESULTS The proportion of patients being diagnosed with nerve injuries at hospital admission was 4% (76 of 2073) and at discharge 7% (134 or 2073). Patients with fractures of the "posterior wall" (relative risk [RR], 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-2.8; p=0.001), "posterior column and posterior wall" (RR, 2.9; CI, 1.6-5.0; p=0.002), and "transverse+posterior wall" fracture (RR, 2.1; CI, 1.3-3.5; p=0.010) were more likely to have nerve injuries at hospital discharge. The proportion of patients with intervention-related nerve injuries and that of patients with other hospital-acquired nerve injuries was 2% (24 of 1395 and 46 of 2073, respectively). They both were associated with the Kocher-Langenbeck approach (RR, 3.0; CI, 1.4-6.2; p=0.006; and RR, 2.4; CI, 1.4-4.3; p=0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Acetabular fractures with the involvement of posterior wall were most commonly accompanied with nerve injuries. The data suggest also that Kocher-Langenbeck approach to the pelvic ring is associated with a higher risk of perioperative nerve injuries. Trauma surgeons should be aware of common nerve injuries, particularly in posterior wall fractures. The results of the study should help provide patients with more exact information on the risk of perioperative nerve injuries in acetabular fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence

Fungal periprosthetic joint infection in total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review

Fungal periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a rare but devastating complication following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A standardized procedure regarding an accurate treatment of this serious complication of knee arthroplasty is lacking. In this systematic review, we collected data from 36 studies with a total of 45 reported cases of a TKA complicated by a fungal PJI. Subsequently, an analysis focusing on diagnostic, medicaments and surgical procedures in the pre-, intra- and postoperative period was performed. <em>Candida</em> spp. accounts for about 80% (36 out of 45 cases) of fungal PJIs and is therefore the most frequently reported pathogen. A systemic antifungal therapy was administered in all but one patient whereas a local antifungal therapy, <em>e.g</em>. the use of an impregnated spacer, is of inferior relevance. Resection arthroplasty with delayed re-implantation (two-stage revision) was the surgical treatment of choice. However, in 50% of all reported cases the surgical therapy was heterogeneous. The outcome under a combined therapy was moderate with recurrent fungal PJI in 11 patients and subsequent bacterial PJI as a main complication in 5 patients. In summary, this systematic review integrates data from up to date 45 reported cases of a fungal PJI of a TKA. On the basis of the current literature strategies for the treatment of this devastating complication after TKA are discusse