Articular Cartilage Repair Using Marrow Stimulation Augmented with a Viable Chondral Allograft: 9-Month Postoperative Histological Evaluation

Marrow stimulation is frequently employed to treat focal chondral defects of the knee. However, marrow stimulation typically results in fibrocartilage repair tissue rather than healthy hyaline cartilage, which, over time, predisposes the repair to failure. Recently, a cryopreserved viable chondral allograft was developed to augment marrow stimulation. The chondral allograft is comprised of native viable chondrocytes, chondrogenic growth factors, and extracellular matrix proteins within the superficial, transitional, and radial zones of hyaline cartilage. Therefore, host mesenchymal stem cells that infiltrate the graft from the underlying bone marrow following marrow stimulation are provided with the optimal microenvironment to undergo chondrogenesis. The present report describes treatment of a trochlear defect with marrow stimulation augmented with this novel chondral allograft, along with nine month postoperative histological results. At nine months, the patient demonstrated complete resolution of pain and improvement in function, and the repair tissue consisted of 85% hyaline cartilage. For comparison, a biopsy obtained from a patient 8.2 months after treatment with marrow stimulation alone contained only 5% hyaline cartilage. These outcomes suggest that augmenting marrow stimulation with the viable chondral allograft can eliminate pain and improve outcomes, compared with marrow stimulation alone

Complex Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

Total ankle arthroplasty is a viable surgical technique for the treatment of end-stage degenerative joint disease. With continued advancement in prosthetic design, refined surgical techniques, and improved outcomes, the indications for total ankle replacement have expanded to include cases of increasing complexity. With meticulous preoperative planning and exacting execution, many frontal plane deformities and cases of avascular necrosis can now be successfully addressed at the time of prosthesis implantation or in a staged procedure

The Use of Decellularized Human Placenta in Full-Thickness Wound Repair and Periarticular Soft Tissue Reconstruction: An Update on Regenerative Healing.

Prolonged or incomplete healing of the foot and ankle can pose significant challenges. Therefore, investigators have begun searching for alternative treatment strategies. With advances in tissue engineering, decellularized human placental connective tissue matrix has been suggested as a means to achieve more rapid and complete healing for various soft tissue and bone procedures. Basic science and clinical studies have shown that decellularized human placental connective tissue matrix can support regenerative healing through cellular migration, accelerated tissue remodeling, and the establishment of functional tissue. Additional research is needed to fully explore and evaluate clinical applications within the foot and ankle

Autologous bone plugs in unilateral total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare blood loss, declines in hemoglobin (HgB) and hematocrit (HcT) levels, and required homologous transfusions for patients who either had the femoral intramedullary defect left open or filled with an autologous bone plug during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We hereby present our results of autologous bone plugs in unilateral TKA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 55 patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) who had undergone unilateral TKA. Twenty six patients had the femoral defect filled with an autologous bone plug and 29 did not. Lateral releases and patella replacements were not performed. Drained blood was reinfused when appropriate. RESULTS: MEAN BLOOD LOSS AND MEAN BLOOD REINFUSED WERE SIMILAR FOR THE PLUGGED (LOSS: 960.8 ± 417.3 ml; reinfused: 466.7 ± 435.9 mL) and unplugged groups (loss: 1065.9 ± 633.5 ml, P = 0.38; reinfused: 528.4 ± 464.8 ml, P = 0.61). Preoperative HgB (14.3 ± 1.4 g/dL, P = 0.93) and HcT levels (42.2 ± 4.6%, P = 0.85) were similar across plug conditions. HgB and HcT levels declined similarly for the plugged (2.7 ± 1.2 g/dl and 7.9 ± 4.0%) and unplugged groups (3.0 ± 0.9 g/dl, P = 0.16 and 9.0 ± 2.6%, P = 0.16), respectively. Of patients, one in the plugged group and none in the unplugged group required homologous transfusions (P = 0.5). CONCLUSION: The autologous bone plug does not appear to reduce the need for homologous blood transfusions following unilateral TKA

Evaluating Component Migration: Comparing Two Generations of the INBONE(®) Total Ankle Replacement.

Although total ankle replacement (TAR) designs have radically evolved, the compressive forces at the ankle can cause aseptic loosening, talar subsidence, and implant failure. The purpose of the present report was to compare the implant migration associated with the INBONE(®) I, a TAR system with a stemmed talar component, and the newer generation INBONE(®) II, a TAR system without a stemmed talar component (Wright Medical Technology, Inc., Arlington, TN). Because core decompression could weaken the integrity of the talus, we hypothesized that the stemmed component would result in greater implant migration. A total of 35 consecutive patients (age 58.2 ± 12.1 years; 23 men) were included. Of these 35 patients, 20 (57.1%) had been treated with the INBONE(®) I and 15 (42.9%) with the INBONE(®) II. To assess implant migration, using anteroposterior radiographs, the distance from the apex of the tibial component to the most distal aspect of the talar stem or to the mid-saddle of the nonstemmed component was measured. The measurements were recorded from the immediate postoperative radiographs and the 12-month postoperative radiographs. Implant migration was quantified as the difference between the 12-month and the immediate postoperative measurements. Despite our hypothesis, no significant difference was found in implant migration between the INBONE(®) I (0.7 ± 1.2 mm) and INBONE(®) II (0.6 ± 1.3 mm, p = .981). However, previously published data have suggested that implant migration can continue for ≥2 years after surgery. Therefore, additional investigations with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to draw definitive conclusions

Biologic Augmentation of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament in the Elbow of a Professional Baseball Pitcher

Tears of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow are common injuries in overhead athletes. Although surgical reconstruction of the UCL has improved outcomes, not all athletes return to their previous level of competition and when this goal is achieved, the time required averages one to two years. Therefore, additional techniques are needed to further improve return to play and the rate of return to play in overhead athletes. A construct comprising a dermal allograft, platelet rich plasma (PRP), and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to successfully improve healing in the rotator cuff. Given the promising provisional findings, we postulated that this construct could also improve healing if applied to the UCL. Therefore, the purpose of the present report was to examine the feasibility of utilizing a dermal allograft, PRP, and MSC construct to augment UCL reconstruction in a professional baseball pitcher. No complications were encountered. Although limited to minimal follow-up, the patient has demonstrated excellent progress and has returned to activity

Articular Cartilage Repair Using Marrow Stimulation Augmented with a Viable Chondral Allograft: 9-Month Postoperative Histological Evaluation

Marrow stimulation is frequently employed to treat focal chondral defects of the knee. However, marrow stimulation typically results in fibrocartilage repair tissue rather than healthy hyaline cartilage, which, over time, predisposes the repair to failure. Recently, a cryopreserved viable chondral allograft was developed to augment marrow stimulation. The chondral allograft is comprised of native viable chondrocytes, chondrogenic growth factors, and extracellular matrix proteins within the superficial, transitional, and radial zones of hyaline cartilage. Therefore, host mesenchymal stem cells that infiltrate the graft from the underlying bone marrow following marrow stimulation are provided with the optimal microenvironment to undergo chondrogenesis. The present report describes treatment of a trochlear defect with marrow stimulation augmented with this novel chondral allograft, along with nine month postoperative histological results. At nine months, the patient demonstrated complete resolution of pain and improvement in function, and the repair tissue consisted of 85% hyaline cartilage. For comparison, a biopsy obtained from a patient 8.2 months after treatment with marrow stimulation alone contained only 5% hyaline cartilage. These outcomes suggest that augmenting marrow stimulation with the viable chondral allograft can eliminate pain and improve outcomes, compared with marrow stimulation alone

Recent Advances in Acellular Regenerative Tissue Scaffolds.

The management of chronic wounds is a considerable challenge for foot and ankle surgeons. The well-established tenets of adequate vascular supply, debridement with eradication of infection, and offloading must be employed in the management of all extremity wounds. Regenerative scaffolds are a viable means of reestablishing a favorable wound environment. The matrix facilitates cell migration, chemoattraction, angiogenesis, wound bed granulation, and expedited wound closure. Although studies have demonstrated success with acellular matrices, a multimodal approach should always be employed to improve healing success. Negative pressure wound therapy, compression, offloading, and antibiotics are advocated to improve outcomes. Acellular graft selection requires a multifactorial analysis, taking into consideration the specific patient and wound characteristics as well as the differences between acellular matrices. Patient age, comorbidities, activity level, and ability to comply with protocol as well as wound etiology, duration, depth, surface area, exudate, bacterial burden, location, vascular status, ischemic status, and presentation are all critical components. To effectively choose a matrix, the clinician must have a comprehensive understanding of the products available and the data validating their use. The mechanisms by which the acellular matrix accelerates wound healing and increases the likelihood of wound healing continue to be investigated. However, it is clear that these acellular biologic tissue scaffolds are incorporating into the host tissue, with resultant revascularization and cellular repopulation. Moving forward, additional investigations examining the effectiveness of acellular biologic tissue scaffolds to improve healing in complex, nondiabetic wounds are warranted

Thoracic Spinal Subdural Hematoma Complicating Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: Case Report.

A spinal subdural hematoma is a rare clinical entity with considerable consequences without prompt diagnosis and treatment. Throughout the literature, there are limited accounts of spinal subdural hematoma formation following spinal surgery. This report is the first to describe the formation of a spinal subdural hematoma in the thoracic spine following surgery at the cervical level. A 53-year-old woman developed significant paraparesis several hours after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion of C5-6. Expeditious return to operating room for anterior cervical revision decompression was performed, and the epidural hematoma was evacuated without difficulty. Postoperative imaging demonstrated a subdural hematoma confined to the thoracic level, and the patient was returned to the operating room for a third surgical procedure. Decompression of T1-3, with evacuation of the subdural hematoma was performed. Postprocedure, the patient\u27s sensory and motor deficits were restored, and, with rehabilitation, the patient gained functional mobility. Spinal subdural hematomas should be considered as a rare but potential complication of cervical discectomy and fusion. With early diagnosis and treatment, favorable outcomes may be achieved