Endoscopic debridement for non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy with and without platelet-rich plasma

Background:When non-operative management fails to improve symptoms in patients with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy,surgery may be required.Various open and endoscopic techniques have been proposed,and platelet-rich plasma(PRP)injections have been proposed as an adjunct to aid tendon healing.Methods:Thirty-six patients with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy were randomized to undergo endoscopic debridement alone(n=19)or in combination with intraoperative PRP application(n=17).Clinical outcome measures included the Visual Analogue Scale for pain,function,and satisfaction and the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles(VISA-A)questionnaire.Patients were followed-up at 6 weeks,3months,6 months,and 12 months after surgery.An MRI examination at 3 and 12 months was used to assess signal alterations within the tendon.Results:Both groups showed significant clinical improvement(p<0.05)after surgery,with no difference between the 2 groups.Tendon diameter increased at 3 months and decreased at 12 months.The tendinopathy area increased at 3 months and decreased at 12 months below baseline level in both groups.There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the MRI parameters.Nodular thickening and MRIdetected signal alteration persisted after surgery,with no association between imaging and clinical outcome.Five minor complications were reported:2 in the PRP group and 3 in the control group.Conclusion:Endoscopic debridement of the Achilles tendon improved clinical outcomes in patients with mid-portion tendinopathy.The addition of PRP did not improve outcomes compared to debridement alone.MRI parameters showed no association with clinical outcomes.

The management of the long head of the biceps in rotator cuff repair:A comparative study of high vs.subpectoral tenodesis

Background:Tenodesis of the long head of the biceps(LHB)is commonly undertaken during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.We assessed the clinical and structural outcomes after high arthroscopic tenodesis(HAT)or mini-open subpectoral tenodesis(ST).We hypothesized that the clinical and structural results after HAT and ST are similar.Methods:We included 40 patients with rotator cuff tear and LHB tendinopathy.Twenty patients(7 women and 13 men;mean age:57.9 years;range:56-63 years)were treated using HAT,and 20 patients(8 women and 12 men;mean age:58.5 years;range:55-64 years)were treated using ST.Functional evaluation was performed preoperatively and at 6 weeks,6 months,and 1 year after surgery,using the Constant Murley Score and Simple Shoulder Test scores;the LHB was evaluated using the LHB score.A Visual Analogue Scale was administered to all patients preoperatively and 2 days after surgery.Results:The postoperative total and pain subscale’s Constant scores were significantly higher in the ST group.Moreover,2 LHB score values were significantly different between the groups.The postoperative LHB total score in the ST and HAT groups averaged 86.9±4.1(mean±SD)points and 73.3±6.4 points,respectively.The Pain/Cramps subscale in the ST and HAT groups averaged 47.1±5.9 and 33.2±4.6 points,respectively.The 2 groups showed no difference in Visual Analogue Scale values(5.5 in the HAT group;5.8 in the ST group)postoperatively.One patient in the HAT group reported a secondary onset of Popeye deformity.Conclusion:Both high arthroscopic and mini-open ST of the LHB tendon produced reliably good functional results,but the ST group was associated with better postoperative clinical outcomes.

Interference screws vs.suture anchors for isolated medial patellofemoral ligament femoral fixation:A systematic review

Purpose:The present study aimed to systematically review and compare 2 femoral autograft fixation techniques,namely,interference screws and suture anchors,for isolated medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction in patients with recurrent patellofemoral instability at mid-to long-term follow-up.Methods:A literature search was performed in September 2020.All studies reporting the outcomes of primary isolated medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction for recurrent patellofemoral instability were considered for inclusion.Only studies reporting the type of femoral autograft fixation under examination were considered.Studies reporting data from patients with elevated tibial tuberosity-tibial groove,patella alta,and/or Dejour’s trochlear dysplasia types C and D,were not included.Only articles reporting data with a minimum follow-up period of 18 months were considered.Results:Data from 19 studies(615 patients)were retrieved.The overall age was 24.4±6.7 years(mean±SD).The mean follow-up was 46.5±20.9 months.There were 76 patients in the anchor group and 539 in the screw group.Comparability was found with regard to age and follow-up duration between the 2 study groups.There was comparability between the Kujala,Lysholm,and Tegner scores at baseline.At the last follow-up,no worthy differences were found in terms of mean Kujala(+2.1%;p=0.04),Lysholm(+1.7%;p=0.05),and Tegner(+15.8%;p=0.05)scores.Although complications occurred almost exclusively in the screw cohort,no statistically significant difference was found.Conclusion:Femoral autograft fixation through interference screws or suture anchors report similar clinical scores and rate of apprehension test,persistent joint instability,re-dislocations,and revisions.These results must be interpreted within the limitations of the present study.

Acupuncture for the management of dry eye disease

The effectiveness of using acupuncture for dry eye disease(DED)is controversial.Thus,this systematic review investigated the effectiveness and feasibility of using acupuncture for DED in accordance with the 2020 PRISMA statement.The outcomes of interests were(1)to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in improving the ocular surface disease index(OSDI),Schirmer I test score,and tear breakup time from baseline to the last follow-up;(2)to determine possible complications of using acupuncture;and(3)to investigate the superiority of acupuncture over other commonly used treatments for DED.Data from 394 patients were collected.Results showed that acupuncture significantly prolonged the tear breakup time(P<0.0001),significantly increased the Schirmer I test score(P<0.0001),and significantly reduced the OSDI(P<0.0001)from baseline to the last follow-up.Compared with the control group,the acupuncture group had significantly greater Schirmer I test score(P<0.0001),significantly longer tear breakup time(P=0.0004),and significantly lower OSDI(P=0.002).These results suggest that acupuncture is effective and feasible in improving symptoms and signs of DED.No severe adverse effects of acupuncture were observed.