Acute chondrocyte response to controlling joint instability in an osteoarthritis rat model

The effect of orthosis management on joint instability in knee joint disease: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Joint instability is a common finding of clinical importance in patients with knee disease. This literature review aimed to examine the evidence regarding the effect of orthosis management on joint instability in knee joint disease.

METHODS

The detailed protocol for this study was published in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews in the field of health and social welfare (CRD 42022335360). A literature search was conducted on May 2023, using the following databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Xplore. A secondary search was manually conducted using Google Scholar to address publication bias. Each database search strategy was described, and the search was conducted by independent reviewers.

RESULTS

A total of 281 studies were retrieved, 11 articles were included in the systematic review. Of the 11 articles selected, the number of included diseases was 2 for osteoarthritis, 7 for anterior cruciate ligament injuries, and 3 for posterior cruciate ligament injuries. In result, orthosis management may improve self-reported instability and functional assessment in patients with osteoarthritis, anterior cruciate ligament injury, and posterior cruciate ligament injury. However, an objective evaluation of anatomical instability did not indicate an improvement in joint instability.

CONCLUSION

The effects of orthosis management on knee instability might improve physical function and self-reported instability.

Controlling joint instability after anterior cruciate ligament transection inhibits transforming growth factor-beta-mediated osteophyte formation

OBJECTIVE

Abnormal joint instability contributes to cartilage damage and osteophyte formation. We investigated whether controlling joint instability inhibited chronic synovial membrane inflammation and delayed osteophyte formation and examined the role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling in the associated mechanism.

DESIGN

Rats (n = 94) underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) transection. Anterior tibial instability was either controlled (CAM group) or allowed to continue (SHAM group). At 2, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery, radiologic, histopathologic, immunohistochemical, immunofluorescent, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay examinations were performed to evaluate osteophyte formation and TGF-β signaling.

RESULTS

Joint instability increased cartilage degeneration score and osteophyte formation, and cell hyperplasia and proliferation and synovial thickening were observed in the synovial membrane. Major findings were increased TGF-β expression and Smad2/3 following TGF-β phosphorylation in synovial membarene, articular cartilage, and the posterior tibial growth plate (TGF-β expression using ELISA: 4 weeks; P = 0.009, 95% CI [260.1-1340.0]) (p-Smad2/3 expression density: 4 weeks; P = 0.024, 95% CI [1.67-18.27], 8 weeks; P = 0.034, 95% CI [1.25-25.34]). However, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 and Smad1/5/8 levels were not difference between the SHAM model and the CAM model.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that the difference between anterior tibial instability caused a change in the expression level of TGF in the posterior tibia and synovial membrane, and the reaction might be consequently involved in osteophyte formation.

Controlling Abnormal Joint Movement Inhibits Response of Osteophyte Formation

Objective Osteoarthritis (OA) is induced by accumulated mechanical stress to joints; however, little has been reported regarding the cause among detailed mechanical stress on cartilage degeneration. This study investigated the influence of the control of abnormal joint movement induced by anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the articular cartilage. Design The animals were divided into 3 experimental groups: CAJM group ( n = 22: controlling abnormal joint movement), ACL-T group ( n = 22: ACL transection or knee anterior instability increased), and INTACT group ( n = 12: no surgery). After 2 and 4 weeks, the knees were harvested for digital microscopic observation, soft X-ray analysis, histological analysis, and synovial membrane molecular evaluation. Results The 4-week OARSI scores showed that cartilage degeneration was significantly inhibited in the CAJM group as compared with the ACL-T group ( P < 0.001). At 4 weeks, the osteophyte formation had also significantly increased in the ACL-T group ( P < 0.001). These results reflected the microscopic scoring and soft X-ray analysis findings at 4 weeks. Real-time synovial membrane polymerase chain reaction analysis for evaluation of the osteophyte formation-associated factors showed that the mRNA expression of BMP-2 and VEGF in the ACL-T group had significantly increased after 2 weeks. Conclusions Typically, abnormal mechanical stress induces osteophyte formation; however, our results demonstrated that CAJM group inhibited osteophyte formation. Therefore, controlling abnormal joint movement may be a beneficial precautionary measure for OA progression in the future.