Objective To conclude the research progress of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in the treatment of elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods The literature on UKA at home and abroad in recent years was reviewed to summarize the clinical characteristics of elderly patients with KOA, perioperative management (including evaluating indications preoperatively, intraoperative prosthesis selection, postoperative complication management, etc). Results Through reasonable preoperative evaluation, prosthesis selection, and advanced perioperative management, for elderly patients with KOA who meet the indications, UKA can be considered. Compared with total knee arthroplasty, the incidence of postoperative complications in elderly patients undergoing UKA is lower, joint awareness is reduced, functional improvement and satisfaction are higher. Meanwhile, choosing appropriate prostheses and fixation methods can lead to a good survival rate. ConclusionUKA can provide a safe and effective treatment option for elderly patients with KOA within a certain range of indications.
Objective To compare the performance of ChatGPT-4.5 and DeepSeek-V3 across five key domains of physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis (KOA), evaluating the accuracy, completeness, reliability, and readability of their responses and exploring their clinical application potential. Methods Twenty-one core questions were extracted from 10 authoritative KOA rehabilitation guidelines published between September 2011 and January 2024, covering five task categories: rehabilitation assessment, physical agent modalities, exercise therapy, assistive device use, and patient education. Responses were generated using both the ChatGPT-4.5 and DeepSeek-V3 models and evaluated by four physical therapists with over five years of clinical experience using Likert scales (accuracy and completeness: 5 points; reliability: 7 points). The scale scores were compared between the two large language models. Additional assessment included language style clustering. Results Most of the scale scores did not follow a normal distribution, and were presented as median (lower quartile, upper quartile). ChatGPT-4.5 outperformed DeepSeek-V3 with higher scores in accuracy [4.75 (4.75, 4.75) vs. 4.75 (4.50, 5.00), P=0.018], completeness [4.75 (4.50, 5.00) vs. 4.25 (4.00, 4.50), P=0.006], and reliability [5.75 (5.50, 6.00) vs. 5.50 (5.50, 5.50), P=0.015]. Clustering analysis of language styles revealed that ChatGPT-4.5 demonstrated a more diverse linguistic style, whereas DeepSeek-V3 responses were more standardized. ChatGPT-4.5 achieved higher scores than DeepSeek-V3 in lexical richness [4.792 (4.720, 4.912) vs. 4.564 (4.409, 4.653), P<0.001], but lower than DeepSeek-V3 in syntactic richness [2.133 (2.072, 2.154) vs. 2.187 (2.154, 2.206), P=0.003]. Conclusions ChatGPT-4.5 demonstrates superior performance in accuracy, completeness, and reliability, indicating a stronger capacity for task execution. It uses more diverse words and has stronger flexibility in language generation. DeepSeek-V3 exhibited greater syntactic richness and is more normative in language. ChatGPT-4.5 is better suited for content-rich tasks that require detailed explanation, while DeepSeek-V3 is more appropriate for standardized question-answering applications.
Objective To evaluate the early effectiveness of navigation-free robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) compared to traditional TKA in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis combined with extra-articular deformities. Methods The clinical data of 30 patients with knee osteoarthritis combined with extra-articular deformities who met the selection criteria between June 2019 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Fifteen patients underwent CORI navigation-free robot-assisted TKA and intra-articular osteotomy (robot group) and 15 patients underwent traditional TKA and intra-articular osteotomy (traditional group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, affected knee side, extra-articular deformity angle, deformity position, deformity type, and preoperative knee range of motion, American Knee Society (KSS) knee score and KSS function score, and lower limb alignment deviation between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications of the two groups were recorded and compared. The knee range of motion and lower limb alignment deviation were recorded before operation and at 6 months after operation, and the knee joint function was evaluated by KSS knee score and function score. Results There was no significant difference in operation time between the two groups (P>0.05); the intraoperative blood loss in the robot group was significantly less than that in the traditional group (P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 6-12 months, with an average of 8.7 months. The incisions of all patients healed well, and there was no postoperative complication such as thrombosis or infection. At 6 months after operation, X-ray examination showed that the position of the prosthesis was good in both groups, and there was no loosening or dislocation of the prosthesis. The knee joint range of motion, the lower limb alignment deviation, and the KSS knee score and KSS function score significantly improved in both groups (P<0.05) compared to preoperative ones. The changes of lower limb alignment deviation and KSS function score between pre- and post-operation in the robot group were significantly better than those in the traditional group (P<0.05), while the changes of other indicators between pre- and post-operation in the two groups were not significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared to traditional TKA, navigation-free robot-assisted TKA for knee osteoarthritis with extra-articular deformities results in less intraoperative blood loss, more precise reconstruction of lower limb alignment, and better early effectiveness. However, long-term effectiveness require further investigation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of digital three-dimensional (3D) printing osteotomy guide plate assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients with femoral internal implants. Methods The clinical data of 55 KOA patients who met the selection criteria between July 2021 and October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 26 cases combined with femoral implants were treated with digital 3D printing osteotomy guide plate assisted TKA (guide plate group), and 29 cases were treated with conventional TKA (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, side, Kellgren-Lawrence classification, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score, knee range of motion, and other baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, postoperative first ambulation time, surgical complications; VAS score, knee HSS score, knee range of motion before operation, at 1 week and 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up; distal femoral lateral angle, proximal tibial medial angle, hip-knee-ankle angle and other imaging indicators at last follow-up were recorded and compared between the two groups. ResultsThe operation time, incision length, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative first ambulation time in the guide plate group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). In the control group, there were 1 case of incision rupture and bleeding and 1 case of lower limb intermuscular venous thrombosis, which was cured after symptomatic treatment. There was no complication such as neurovascular injury, incision infection, or knee prosthesis loosening in both groups. Patients in both groups were followed up 12-26 months, with an average of 16.25 months. The VAS score, HSS score, and knee range of motion improved at each time point after operation in both groups, and further improved with time after operation, the differences were significant (P<0.05). The above indicators in the guide plate group were significantly better than those in the control group at 1 week and 3 months after operation (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups at last follow-up (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the distal femoral lateral angle, the proximal tibial medial angle, and the hip-knee-ankle angle in the guide plate group were significantly better than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The application of digital 3D printing osteotomy guide plate assisted TKA in the treatment of KOA patients with femoral implants can simplify the surgical procedures, overcome limitations of conventional osteotomy guides, reduce surgical trauma, achieve individualized and precise osteotomy, and effectively restore lower limb alignment and knee joint function.
Objective To investigate the accuracy of split three-dimensional (3D) printing patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) in medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) and its effectiveness in treating medial knee osteoarthritis.MethodsClinical data of 14 patients with medial knee osteoarthritis and treated with split 3D printing PSI-assisted MOWHTO between August 2019 and August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 5 males and 9 females with an average age of 61 years (range, 43-68 years). The disease duration ranged from 1 to 16 years, with an average of 4.7 years. Preoperative Kellgren-Lawrence grading of knee osteoarthritis included grade Ⅰ in 2 cases, grade Ⅱ in 6 cases, and grade Ⅲ in 6 cases. The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score was 59.1±4.9. The weight bearing line ratio (WBL), hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), posterior tibial slope angle (PTSA), and actual correction angle of the lower limbs were measured on postoperative imaging data, and compared with the preoperative measurements and the designed target values to evaluate the accuracy of the PSI-assisted surgery. The patients’ knee function were evaluated with the HSS score at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, and at last follow-up.ResultsOne patient suffered from an incision exudation at 2 weeks postoperatively, and the incision healed after symptomatic treatment. The incisions of other patients healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 7-19 months (mean, 14.8 months). There was no neural injuries, hinge fracture, plate or screw fractures, loosening, or other complications. The WBL was maintained at the postoperative level according to the X-ray examination during the follow-up period. The WBL, HKA, MPTA, and PTSA were all within a satisfactory range after operation. The WBL, HKA, and MPTA were significantly improved when compared with the preoperative measurements (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative PTSA (P>0.05). The differences in postoperative WBL, HKA, MPTA, and correction angle compared with the preoperative designed target values were not significant (P>0.05). The HSS scores were 69.2±4.7, 77.7±4.3, and 88.1±5.4 at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, and last follow-up, respectively. The differences between time points were significant (P<0.05).ConclusionFor patients with medial knee osteoarthritis, the split 3D printing PSI can assist the surgeon in MOWHTO with accurate osteotomy orthopedics and achieve favorable effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo explore the safety and effectiveness of Taylor spatial frame (TSF) in the treatment of medial compartmental osteoarthritis (MCOA) of the knee and the adjustment of the lower extremity force line at the same time.MethodsThe clinical data of 30 patients with MCOA who underwent high tibial osteotomy (HTO) between October 2016 and April 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different fixation methods, they were divided into external fixation group (TSF external fixation, 16 cases) and internal fixation group (locking steel plate internal fixation, 14 cases). There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender, age, side, disease duration, mechanical femur tibia angle (MFTA), and other general data (P>0.05). The operation time and intraoperative blood loss of the two groups were recorded and compared; MFTA was used to evaluate the recovery of the lower extremity force line at last follow-up; Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score was used to evaluate the clinical effecacy before operation and at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after operation.ResultsThe operation time and intraoperative blood loss of external fixation group were significantly less than those of internal fixation group (P<0.05). All patients were followed up 9-16 months, with an average of 12 months. There were 2 cases of delayed healing in the internal fixation group and 1 case of delayed healing in the external fixation group, and all healed after symptomatic treatment. All patients in the two groups had no complication such as needle infection, nonunion at osteotomy, osteomyelitis, and so on. At last follow-up, MFTA standard was used to evaluate the recovery of force line. The results of external fixation group were all excellent, while the results of internal fixation group were excellent in 10 cases and good in 4 cases. The difference between the two groups was significant (Z=–2.258, P=0.024). The HSS scores in the two groups were significantly improved at each time point after operation, and gradually improved with time after operation (P<0.05). The HSS score of the external fixation group was significantly higher than that of the internal fixation group (t=2.425, P=0.022) at 3 months after operation; and there was no significant difference between the two groups at other time points (P>0.05).ConclusionTSF has unique advantages in HTO treatment of MCOA patients and correction of lower extremity force line, such as shorter operation time, less bleeding, firm fixation, and less complications. It can accurately adjust the lower extremity force line after operation and has good effectiveness. It is an effective and safe fixation method.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) integrity on the short- and mid-term effectiveness of mobile-bearing medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). MethodsThe clinical data of 128 patients with anteromedial osteoarthritis who underwent mobile-bearing medial UKA between June 2019 and June 2021 was retrospectively analyzed. According to the integrity of ACL structure under direct vision during operation, the patients were divided into normal group (30 cases), synovial defect group (53 cases), and longitudinal split group (45 cases). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, preoperative knee range of motion (ROM), hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), Knee Society Score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and other baseline data among the 3 groups (P>0.05). The knee ROM, KSS score (including clinical and functional scores), WOMAC score (including pain, stiffness, and function scores) before operation and at last follow-up, the Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, and Forgetting Joint Score (FJS-12) at last follow-up were recorded and compared among the 3 groups. Imaging examination was performed to evaluate the wear of cartilage in the lateral tibiofemoral compartment and patellofemoral compartment of the knee joint. HKA and posterior tibial slope (PTS) were measured at last follow-up. ResultsAll the patients of 3 groups were followed up 22-56 months (mean, 40.4 months). There was no significant difference in follow-up time among the 3 groups (P>0.05). At last follow-up, imaging examination showed no obvious cartilage wear progression of the lateral tibiofemoral compartment and patellofemoral compartment, and no adverse events such as aseptic loosening of the prosthesis, dislocation of the removable pad, or infection occurred during the follow-up. At last follow-up, knee ROM, HKA, KSS scores, and WOMAC scores of the 3 groups significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the changes of the above indicators before and after operation, and also the Lysholm score, IKDC score, FJS-12 score, and PTS among the 3 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe integrity of ACL has no significant effect on the short- and mid-term effectiveness of mobile-bearing medial UKA.
【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the mid-term effectiveness of Oxford Unicompartmental Knee system Phase III for medial unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods Between December 2008 and August 2010, 26 patients (32 knees) with medial unicompartmental knee OA were treated. Of 26 patients, 11 were followed up more than 2 years, including 7 males and 4 females (14 knees, 6 left and 8 right knees) with an average age of 62.4 years (range, 50-74 years). All patients had load suffering and tenderness of medial unicompartmental knee, and complicated by varus deformity without limitation of flexion and extension; the disease duration ranged 5-23 years (mean, 11.6 years). According to Ahlback staging, 4 knees were at stage II and 10 knees at stage III. Cemented unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (Oxford Unicompartmental Knee system Phase III) was performed by minimally invasive technique. Results All the incisions were primary healing after operation. Five cases suffered from local ache in the pes anserinus during the first 3 months after operation, which was cured after conservative therapy. Of them, 11 patients were followed up 27.5 months on average (range, 24-30 months). During follow-up, no complication of prosthesis loosening, displacement, arthropathy in the opposite department, or the patellofemoral joint occurred. The range of motion was significantly improved from (109.2 ± 8.7)° preoperatively to (123.5 ± 6.7)° at last follow-up (P lt; 0.05); knee society score (KSS) and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were all significantly improved (P lt; 0.05). At last follow-up, the femoro-tibial angle was significantly improved (P lt; 0.05); tibial plateau and the tibial anatomical axis increased, showing no significant difference (P gt; 0.05); and posterior tibial slope was significantly decreased (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Oxford Unicompartmental Knee system Phase III has satisfactory mid-term effectiveness in treating medial unicompartmental knee OA with the advantages of little trauma and rapid recovery, but long-term effectiveness is expected for further follow-up.
Aiming at comparing the pre-operative and post-operative gait characteristics and therefore establishing post-operative rehabilitation guidance for patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis (KOA) merged with varus deformity, this study captured the level walking and sit-to-stand trials of 9 patients with 3-dimensional motion analysis system and after which musculoskeletal multi-body dynamic analysis was conducted. The study indicated that the average range of motion (ROM) of the proposed-surgical knee was 24.4°–57.6° and that of the non-surgical knee was 22.5°–71.5°. The knee ROM of control group during level walking was 7.2°–62.4°. When the unilateral KOA patients stood up from chair to complete the sit-to-stand movement, the ground reaction forces (GRFs) symmetry was 0.72–0.85, which means that the non-surgical limb bear the majority of body weight. The GRFs of the bilateral KOA patients were smallest during the sit-to-stand movement. The strategy that the non-surgical limb dominates in loading bearing taken by the unilateral KOA patients to cover most post-operative daily activities could increase the risk of KOA among non-surgical side joints as a result of long-term excessive loading-bearing. The study, on kinematics and biomechanical characteristics of patients with KOA merged with varus deformity, could help to understand the pathogenesis of KOA merged with varus deformity from the perspective of biomechanics and to provide strong clinic guidance for the pre-operative evaluation, prevention and post-operative recovery for patients.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) combined with arthroscopic surgery to treat medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and secondary arthroscopic exploration to evaluate the outcome of cartilage and meniscus.Methods A clinical data of 57 patients with medial compartment KOA with varus deformity of lower extremities admitted between August 2014 and October 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 23 males and 34 females with an average age of 51.2 years (range, 41-63 years). The disease duration ranged from 2 to 8 years, with an average of 4.7 years. The preoperative femorotibial angle was (179.86±4.69)°, the relative position of the lower limb mechanical axis passing through the tibial plateau was 24.21%±6.98%, and the posterior slope of the tibial plateau was (5.23±1.45)°. The Kellgren-Lawrence grade of knee joint was grade Ⅱ in 22 cases and grade Ⅲ in 35 cases. The preoperative Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, Lysholm score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were 59.1±7.3, 48.8±7.6, and 6.2±1.1, respectively. Arthroscopic exploration was performed during the operation to record the articular cartilage degeneration in the weight-bearing area of the medial compartment (Outerbridge grade Ⅰ in 18 cases, grade Ⅱ in 30 cases, and grade Ⅲ in 9 cases) and the condition of the medial meniscus injury, and the corresponding treatment was performed. The coronal force line was adjusted according to the preoperative Kellgren-Lawrence grade of the knee joint during the operation. After operation, the relative position of the lower limb mechanical axis passing through the tibial plateau, the femorotibial angle, and the posterior slope of the tibial plateau were measured; the Kellgren-Lawrence grade of the knee joint was recorded; the Outerbridge grade of articular cartilage degeneration and the meniscus outcome were evaluated by combining with the MRI of the knee joint at 1 year after operation and the second arthroscopic exploration when the internal fixator was removed. The function and pain of the knee were evaluated by Lysholm score, HSS score, and VAS score. ResultsAll the 57 patients were followed up 36-58 months with an average of 42.1 months. Incisions healed by first intention, and no neurovascular injury, intraarticular or hinge fractures occurred during operation, and no postoperative complications such as deep vein thrombosis of lower limbs and internal fixation failure occurred. All the osteotomy sites healed at 3 months after operation. At 1 year after operation, the internal fixator was removed, and the second arthroscopic exploration showed that there were 15 cases of Outerbridge grade Ⅰ, 31 cases of grade Ⅱ, and 11 cases of grade Ⅲ in the weight-bearing area of the medial compartment, and there was no significant difference when compared with preoperative grade (Z=31.992, P=0.997); there was no cartilage degeneration in other compartments. Meniscus healing was seen in the injured meniscus, and no injury was seen in the normal meniscus. At last follow-up, there were 19 cases of Kellgren-Lawrence grade Ⅱ and 38 cases of grade Ⅲ, and there was no significant difference when compared with preoperative grade (Z=49.049, P=0.764). The relative position of the lower limb mechanical axis passing through the tibial plateau was 59.16%±2.87%, and the femorotibial angle was (171.54±3.39)°, which significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.001). The posterior slope of the tibial plateau was (5.65±1.22)°, which was not significantly different from that before operation (t=−1.673, P=0.096). The HSS score, Lysholm score, and VAS score were 82.3±7.7, 83.4±6.4, and 1.6±1.1 respectively, which were significantly different from those before operation (P<0.001). Conclusion HTO combined with arthroscopic surgery for medial compartment KOA with varus deformity of lower extremities can effectively improve the force line of lower extremities, relieve pain symptoms, and improve joint function, with satisfactory short-term effectiveness, and without significant progress in articular cartilage or meniscus injury after operation.