Factors Predictive of Outcome 5 Years After Matrix-Induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation in the Tibiofemoral Joint.

Factors Predictive of Outcome 5 Years After Matrix-Induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation in the Tibiofemoral Joint.

Am J Sports Med. 2013 Apr 25;
Ebert JR, Smith A, Edwards PK, Hambly K, Wood DJ, Ackland TR

BACKGROUND:Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) has become an established technique for the repair of full-thickness chondral defects in the knee. However, little is known about what variables most contribute to postoperative clinical and graft outcomes as well as overall patient satisfaction with the surgery. PURPOSE:To estimate the improvement in clinical and radiological outcomes and investigate the independent contribution of pertinent preoperative and postoperative patient, chondral defect, injury/surgery history, and rehabilitation factors to clinical and radiological outcomes, as well as patient satisfaction, 5 years after MACI. STUDY DESIGN:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS:This study was undertaken in 104 patients of an eligible 115 patients who were recruited with complete clinical and radiological follow-up at 5 years after MACI to the femoral or tibial condyles. After a review of the literature, a range of preoperative and postoperative variables that had demonstrated an association with postoperative clinical and graft outcomes was selected for investigation. These included age, sex, and body mass index; preoperative 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) mental component score (MCS) and physical component score (PCS); chondral defect size and location; duration of symptoms and prior surgeries; and postoperative time to full weightbearing gait. The sport and recreation (sport/rec) and knee-related quality of life (QOL) subscales of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were used as the patient-reported clinical evaluation tools at 5 years, while high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate graft assessment. An MRI composite score was calculated based on the magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue score. A patient satisfaction questionnaire was completed by all patients at 5 years. Regression analysis was used to investigate the contribution of these pertinent variables to 5-year postoperative clinical, radiological, and patient satisfaction outcomes. RESULTS:Preoperative MCS and PCS and duration of symptoms contributed significantly to the KOOS sport/rec score at 5 years, while no variables, apart from the baseline KOOS QOL score, contributed significantly to the KOOS QOL score at 5 years. Preoperative MCS, duration of symptoms, and graft size were statistically significant predictors of the MRI score at 5 years after surgery. An 8-week postoperative return to full weightbearing (vs 12 weeks) was the only variable significantly associated with an improved level of patient satisfaction at 5 years. CONCLUSION:This study outlined factors such as preoperative SF-36 scores, duration of knee symptoms, graft size, and postoperative course of weightbearing rehabilitation as pertinent variables involved in 5-year clinical and radiological outcomes and overall satisfaction. This information may allow orthopaedic surgeons to better screen their patients as good candidates for MACI, while allowing treating therapists to better individualize their preoperative preparatory and postoperative rehabilitation regimens for a best possible outcome. HubMed – rehab

Mental health status of ontario injured workers with permanent impairments.

Can J Public Health. 2012 Jul-Aug; 103(4): e303-8
O’Hagan FT, Ballantyne PJ, Vienneau P

Each year, approximately 31,000 Canadian injured worker claimants are certified to have permanent impairments associated with the initial workplace incident. Permanent impairments are characterized by ongoing pain, and limitations in physical function and activity participation – all predisposing factors to mental health problems. Here we examine the post-accident mental health status of a sample of Ontario injured workers with permanent impairments.We analyze data from a cross-sectional telephone survey of 494 injured workers. Mental health status is examined using nine dichotomous diagnostic, symptomatic and functional mental health indicators identified by survey respondents as non-present, or having pre- or post-injury onset, and the CES-D. We describe the relationship of these indicators and work injury, demographic and socio-economic factors.Post-injury onset mental health problems are elevated compared to pre-injury onset in seven of nine indicators. Diagnosed depression, medication abuse, inability to concentrate, and sleep problems are elevated compared to general Canadian population prevalence. Diagnosed depression is elevated compared to populations with pain and chronic health conditions. Higher education and pre-injury income are associated with lower depressive symptoms. Men and older individuals are less likely to report a diagnosis of depression. Older individuals are less likely to report concentration problems.These data paint a troubling mental health picture among injured workers with permanent impairments. Implications for return-to-work and income recovery, health service access and rehabilitation within and outside the compensation system are discussed. HubMed – rehab

Carotid artery free-floating thrombus caused by paradoxical embolization from greater saphenous vein ascending thrombophlebitis.

Ann Vasc Surg. 2013 May; 27(4): 499.e13-7
Irace L, Gabrielli R, Rosati MS, Giannoni MF, Castiglione A, Laurito A, Gossetti B

Stroke of unknown origin in young patients is seen to be closely correlated with patent foramen ovale (PFO) than stroke in patients with established stroke mechanisms. We report a case of a young woman without cardiovascular risk factors who was admitted to our emergency department with listlessness and altered mental status. The clinical examination revealed right lower limb swelling. Magnetic resonance imaging and contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scans revealed a free floating thrombus of the left internal carotid artery (ICA) with a large bilateral frontal ischemic lesion. The diagnosis of a medium-sized PFO with moderate right-to-left contrast shunting was made after transesophageal echocardiography. No other cardiac sources for embolization were detected, while an ascending thrombophlebitis of the right greater saphenous vein was detected by venous Doppler ultrasonography. These findings support the diagnosis of ICA free-floating thrombus caused by paradoxical embolization (via the PFO) of clot from the greater saphenous vein. The patient underwent emergency saphenofemoral disconnection with femoral vein thrombectomy and subsequently carotid artery thrombectomy under general anesthesia. No carotid atheromatous wall lesions were detected at surgical exploration; no immunologic pathology, hypercoagulable status, or malignancy were recorded. No hemorrhagic cerebral complications were observed in the postoperative period, and the patient had an improvement of her neurologic status (a reduction of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score from 7 to 3). Her recovery was uneventful. The patient was transferred for rehabilitation on postoperative day 5 with oral anticoagulation. Six-month ultrasound follow-up revealed deep and superficial venous system and carotid artery patency. The patient was asymptomatic and anticoagulation was discontinued. Paradoxical cerebral embolization through a PFO is a rare phenomenon that, in our patient, appeared to have resulted in stroke caused by a free-floating thrombus in the ICA. Accurate evaluation of carotid and lower limb veins by duplex scan is mandatory in cases of stroke of unknown origin, and urgent surgical repair can be useful in order to improve the clinical outcome. HubMed – rehab