Objective To investigate the surgical planning and the mid-term effectiveness of four major lower extremity arthroplasties (4JA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods A clinical data of 25 patients with RA, who received 4JA and were followed up more than 3 years between June 2012 and September 2018, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 3 males and 22 females, with an average age of 48.6 years (range, 27-80 years). The body mass index ranged from 16.0 to 28.4 kg/m2, with an average of 20.48 kg/m2. The duration of RA ranged from 2 to 35 years (median, 21 years). There were 8 cases (12 sides) of knee valgus, 6 cases (12 side) of acetabular retraction, and 5 cases (10 sides) of hip stiffness. Among them, 20 patients underwent hip surgery first, and 5 patients underwent knee surgery first. Hip joint function was evaluated by Harris score, Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), hip range of motion, and Trendelenburg sign; knee joint function was evaluated by American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, knee range of motion and muscle strength, and a timed up and go (TUG) test was performed at last follow-up. X-ray films were used to observe whether the prosthesis was loose or displaced. Results All 25 patients completed 4JA. Only 1 patient (1 side) had incision infection after operation, 3 patients (3 sides) had proximal femur fractures during operation. All patients were followed up 3.0-8.8 years, with an average of 5.8 years. At last follow-up, the Harris score, HOOS score, and range of motion of flexion, extension, and abduction of the hip joint significantly improved when compared with those before operation, and the patients with positive Trendelenburg sign decreased. The HSS score and range of motion of flexion and extension of the knee joint also significantly improved when compared with those before operation. There were significant differences in all indexes between pre- and post-operation (P<0.05). The muscle strength was grade V. The TUG test ranged from 7.8 to 15.34 seconds (mean,10.79 seconds). X-ray films showed the prosthesis was not loose or displaced. Conclusion When RA patients receive 4JA, adequate preoperative evaluation, rational selection of the timing and sequence of surgery, and maximal restoration of lower limb alignment can achieve good mid-term effectiveness.
Objective To investigate the relationship between trace elements in synovial fluid and cartilage and severity of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MethodsPatients with KOA who underwent knee arthrocentesis or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were recruited based on inclusion criteria between June 2021 and December 2021. Synovial fluid samples were obtained during knee arthrocentesis and TKA, and participants were divided into the mild group (grading Ⅰ/Ⅱ) and the severe group (grading Ⅲ/Ⅳ) according to the Kellgren-Lawrence grading (K-L grading). Cartilage samples with different degrees of wear were collected during the TKA from the same patient and were divided into mild wear (0-1 point) and severe wear (2-4 points) groups based on the Pelletier score. The contents of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) in synovial fluid and cartilage were evaluated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the differences between groups were compared. ResultsA total of 33 synovial fluid samples were collected, including 19 specimens from 14 patients who underwent knee arthrocentesis of mild group, with 5 bilateral sides knee arthrocentesis in them, and 14 specimens from 14 TKA patients of severe group. The patients were significantly younger in the mild group than in the severe group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in gender or body mass index between the two groups (P>0.05). Nineteen pairs of cartilage samples with mild and severe wear were collected from severe KOA patients (K-L grading Ⅲ and Ⅳ), including 9 males and 10 females, with an average age of 70.4 years (range, 58-80 years). The body mass index ranged from 21.2 to 30.7 kg/m2, with an average of 25.6 kg/m2. The content of Zn in synovial fluid and cartilage from KOA patients was the highest, followed by Cu, and Mn was the lowest. The Cu content in synovial fluid was significantly higher in the severe group than in the mild group (P<0.05), and in the severe wear group than in the mild wear group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in Zn and Mn content between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion The Cu content increases with the severity of cartilage wear in patients with KOA.