The use of platelet-rich plasma to augment conservative and surgical treatment of hip and pelvic disorders

Are palpation-guided interventional procedures on the adductor longus muscle safe? A cadaveric and sonographic investigation

PURPOSE

The main objective was to study the anatomy of the adductor longus by ultrasound and cadaveric dissection, correlate the findings with the different approaches described, and evaluate the feasibility of defining a "safe window" for interventional musculoskeletal procedures.

METHODS

The anatomical study was performed on six cadaveric pieces, while ultrasound evaluations were performed on both lower limbs of 26 subjects (n = 52). Ultrasound variables included the number of saphenous veins, the location of the saphenous vein in relation to the proximal myotendinous junction, the number of vessels within or superficial to the adductor longus, and the distance between the dermis and the inferior border of the adductor longus to the anterior branch of the obturator nerve.

RESULTS

Key anatomic risk factors identified in cadavers included the great saphenous vein, the anterior branch of the obturator nerve, and the vascular network traversing the adductor longus. Ultrasound findings revealed that 91.4% of cases had at least one vessel at the proximal myotendinous junction in the cross-sectional area, almost 60% showed two to five vessels within the thickness of the muscle, and the anterior branch of the obturator nerve was located at a mean depth of 3.63-3.93 cm.

CONCLUSIONS

It was not possible to define a "safe" approach area without the risk of damaging any neurovascular bundle due to the high anatomical variability both in number and in the route of these along the adductor longus. Therefore, the use of ultrasound to guide any interventional musculoskeletal procedure is highly recommended.

MR imaging spectrum of adolescent pubic symphyseal injuries/athletic pubalgia

BACKGROUND

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings associated with athletic pubalgia are well documented in the adult literature.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the spectrum of MRI findings in adolescents with pubic symphyseal injuries/athletic pubalgia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is an institutional review board approved, retrospective study of all patients < 18 years who were referred for MRI, over the last 10 years. Two pediatric musculoskeletal radiologists evaluated the MRI in consensus for the following findings: Chronic Salter-Harris (SH)-I equivalent fracture or asymmetric parasymphyseal ossific fraying, non-retractile muscular tear or retraction, and edema of the aponeurosis and arcuate ligament. Radiographs were also reviewed for Risser stage.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients were identified (100% male, median age 17 years, IQR 16-17.6). Most patients (14/15, 93%) had either asymmetric parasymphyseal ossific fraying (4/15, 27%) or chronic SH-1 equivalent fracture (10/15, 67%) of the pubic symphysis, and all patients (15/15, 100%) had aponeurotic and arcuate ligament edema. Few patients had rectus abdominis muscular retraction (2/15, 13%), non-retractile muscular tear of the rectus abdominis (2/15, 13%), and/or adductor muscle (4/15, 27%). Risser stage was as follows: stages 0 (13%), 3 (7%), 4 (47%), and 5 (33%). The injuries in our limited data set were independent of skeletal maturity with no statistically significant association between any of the MRI findings and Risser stage.

CONCLUSION

The MR imaging spectrum of adolescent athletic pubalgia differs from the described findings in adults due to skeletal immaturity. The cleft sign described in adults manifests in adolescents as asymmetric parasymphyseal ossific fraying and chronic SH-1 equivalent fractures.

Safety and feasibility of locoregional platelet-rich plasma injection for iliopsoas impingement after total hip arthroplasty: A phase 1 prospective observational study

INTRODUCTION

Although numerous studies have reported outcomes with various conservative approaches for the iliopsoas impingement after total hip arthroplasty (THA), reports on the use of locoregional autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections for the iliopsoas impingement after THA are lacking. This phase 1 study therefore aimed to investigate the safety and feasibility of locoregional PRP injection for iliopsoas impingement after THA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients diagnosed with iliopsoas impingement after THA who met the criteria for participation (symptoms persisting for more than 3 months, aged 20 years or older, and unable to receive non-steroidal analgesic or anti-inflammatory drugs) were eligible to participate in this clinical study. The primary endpoint was observed adverse events including procedure-related pain, and the secondary endpoints included pain and functionality of the hip joint, that were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, Japanese Hip Disease Evaluation Questionnaire, and Forgotten Joint Score-12.

RESULTS

Three patients were screened for eligibility, and 3 patients were finally included in this study. Two participants (patients 1 and 2; aged 66 and 65 years, respectively) were female. The third participant (patient 3; age 73 years) was male. All patients experienced adverse events; however, none were found to be serious. None of the patients experienced any infections, or intra- or post-operative symptoms of nerve damage, or subcutaneous haemorrhage owing to the administration of locoregional PRP. Although patient 2 showed almost complete resolution of the symptom, patient 1 and 3 demonstrated persistent groin pain after the injection.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated the results of preliminary phase 1 prospective observational clinical study that administration of locoregional PRP injections for iliopsoas impingement following THA is both, safe and feasible.

Peri-operative platelet-rich plasma in arthroscopic femoroacetabular impingement surgery: a randomized controlled trial

This study aimed to determine whether the addition of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) during hip arthroscopy improves functional outcomes in femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) surgery. This was a prospective randomized single-blinded trial of arthroscopic hip patients aged between 16 and 50 years with a diagnosis of FAI conducted at a single centre. Patients with any previous hip surgery and significant osteoarthritic changes (Tonnis grade > 2) were excluded. Before surgery, patients were randomly assigned to receive either a PRP injection or a saline placebo. Efficacy was evaluated at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years post-surgery using patient-reported outcomes. The short version International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT12) was the primary outcome. Recruited patients (n = 113) were aged 36.0 ± 10.5 (mean ± standard deviation) years and 56% male. At baseline, iHOT12 scores of the PRP (mean 43.8 ± 22.4) and placebo groups (mean 45.2 ± 21.5) were similar. At a minimum follow-up of 2 years, both groups had improved iHOT12 scores (PRP: mean 83.6 ± 13.4, control: mean 77.1 ± 23.3), with no significant difference in change between the two groups (P = 0.19). There were no significant group differences for the change in Non-Arthritic Hip and Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score—Shortform scores between the two groups (P = 0.22 and 0.46, respectively). The present study does not support the peri-operative use of PRP in arthroscopic surgery for FAI for mid-term improvement. There were no significant differences in outcome between PRP and placebo groups at 2-year minimum follow-up after surgery.

Current hip cartilage regeneration/repair modalities: a scoping review of biologics and surgery

PURPOSE

The rapidly growing and emerging nature of biologics have made indications for regenerative and reparative hip therapies ever changing, with at times only early-stage evidence for their use. The purpose of this study was to review and summarize the currently available data on the management of hip cartilage injuries and osteoarthritis.

METHODS

A scoping review of the available scientific literature for hip biologics was performed, with available evidence for hyaluronic acid (HA), platelet rich plasma (PRP), stem/stromal cells, microfracture, mosaicplasty, osteochondral allograft, and cell-based therapies investigated.

RESULTS

To date, there exist better guidelines and further consensus concerning knee joint biologic treatments than the hip due to a greater number of studies as well as the more recent emergence of hip preservation approaches. However, increasing evidence is available for the selective implementation of biologics on an individualized basis with attention to lesion size and location.

CONCLUSION

Orthopedic surgeons are at an exciting crossroads in medicine, where hip biologic therapies are evolving and increasingly available. Timetested interventions such as arthroplasty have shown good results and still have a major role to play but newer, regenerative approaches have the potential to effectively delay or reduce the requirement for such invasive procedures.

Radiographic Factors Associated With Failure of Revision Hip Arthroscopy

Purpose

To identify clinical and radiographic factors associated with failure of revision hip arthroscopy (RHA).

Methods

A database was used to identify patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy and revision hip arthroscopy (RHA) from January 2007 to December 2017 for the indication of femoroacetabular impingement and failure of the index procedure, respectively. The primary outcome was defined as the change, or difference, in the preoperative to postoperative alpha angle between patients with successful RHA and those with failed RHA. Failure was defined as reoperation on the operative hip for any indication or a modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) of less than 70 at the 1-year postoperative time point. All patients had a minimum of 2 years’ follow-up from the date of revision hip surgery. Patients with a history of revision were divided into those with failed revisions and those with successful revisions. The inclusion criteria for failed revision included a history of subsequent revision surgery (or arthroplasty) or an mHHS of less than 70 at final follow-up.

Results

The study included 26 patients, comprising 8 (31%) with failed RHA and 18 (69%) with successful revision. The failure group showed a significantly smaller decrease in the alpha angle with surgery, measured on the Dunn view, compared with the success group. When the preoperative alpha angle was held constant, each 1° increase in the difference between the preoperative and postoperative alpha angles achieved during surgery was associated with a 17% decrease in the odds of failure. Patients included in the success group had both a higher preoperative mHHS (44.2 ± 8.6 vs 34.7 ± 9.6) and a higher postoperative mHHS (83.2 ± 8.3 vs 62.3 ± 14.2) than patients with failed RHA. There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency of patients who achieved the patient acceptable symptomatic state of +74.0 between the failure (25%) and success (83%) groups; 88% of patients in the failure group met the minimal clinically important difference, whereas 100% of patients in the success group (n = 18) met it.

Conclusions

Complete resection of cam lesions as determined by changes in the alpha angle, anterior offset, and head-neck ratio when measured on the Dunn 45° view correlates with positive clinical outcomes after RHA.

Level of Evidence

III, Retrospective Comparative Study.

The management of proximal rectus femoris avulsion injuries

Injuries to the quadriceps muscle group are commonly seen in sporting activities that involve repetitive kicking and high-speed sprinting, including football (soccer), rugby and athletics.

The proximal rectus femoris is prone to avulsion injuries as rapid eccentric muscle contraction leads to asynchronous muscle activation and different force vectors through the straight and reflected heads.

Risk factors for injury include previous rectus femoris muscle or hamstring injury, reduced flexibility of the quadriceps complex, injury to the dominant leg, and dry field playing conditions.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred imaging modality as it enables the site of injury to be accurately located, concurrent injuries to be identified, preoperative grading of the injury, and aids surgical planning.

Non-operative management is associated with highly variable periods of convalescence, poor return to preinjury level of function and high risk of injury recurrence.

Operative treatment of proximal rectus femoris avulsion injuries with surgical repair or surgical tenodesis enables return to preinjury level of sporting activity and high functional outcomes.

Surgical tenodesis of proximal rectus femoris avulsion injuries may offer an avenue for further reducing recurrence rates compared to direct suture anchor repair of these injuries.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:828-834. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.200055

The conservative treatment of longstanding adductor-related groin pain syndrome: a critical and systematic review

Longstanding (chronic) adductor-related groin pain syndrome is a widely common problem for athletes in many sports activities which often drastically reduces player activity and performance. The first choice in therapeutic treatment is conservative therapy. The objective of this study is to provide a systematic review regarding conservative treatment for longstanding adductor-related groin pain syndrome present in literature today. Furthermore, this study aims to give a critical vision of the current state of the art of the considered topic. After screening 234 articles, 19 studies following the inclusion criteria were included and summarized in this current systematic review and seven different types of therapeutic interventions were described. Compression clothing therapy, manual therapy together with strengthening exercise and prolotherapy were the therapeutic interventions which showed both the greatest level of strength of evidence (Moderate) and grade of recommendation (D). The remaining four types of therapeutic interventions i.e.: corticoid injection, platelet rich plasma therapy, intra-tissue percutaneous electrolysis and pulse-dose radiofrequency, showed both lower levels of strength of evidence (Conflicting) and grade of recommendation (C). In conclusion the literature available on the conservative treatment for longstanding adductor-related groin pain syndrome is limited and characterized by a low level of evidence. Therefore, our recommendation is to refer only to the few studies with higher level of evidence and at the same time to encourage further research in this area. The intervention showing the greater level of strength of evidence, and the greater grade of recommendation are compression clothing therapy, manual therapy and strengthening exercise, and prolotherapy. Other therapeutic interventions such as intra-tissue percutaneous electrolysis and pulse-dose radiofrequency seem promising but require further studies to confirm their efficacy.

Does Platelet-rich Plasma Augmentation Following Hip Arthroscopy Improve Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has gathered widespread acceptance among orthopaedic surgeons because of its multimodal effects on tissue healing. Varying results have been reported when PRP injections are combined with hip arthroscopic surgery. To evaluate the influence of PRP on clinical outcomes following hip arthroscopy. We hypothesized that patients treated with PRP would have improved postoperative outcome scores. A search of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) healthcare database advanced search (HDAS) via Athens (PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and AMED databases) was conducted from their years of inception to May 2018 with the keywords: "Hip Arthroscopy" and "Platelet-Rich Plasma". A quality assessment was performed based on the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Three studies were included for analysis; two of which had low risk of bias. The studies included 363 hips, of which 141 were randomised for PRP treatment. The mean age of all patients was 35 years and the follow-up ranged from 18.5 to 36 months. Authors used different PRP systems and preparations. Modified Harris hip score was reported in all three studies with two studies favouring the use of PRP. The use of PRP following hip arthroscopy did not lead to significantly improved postoperative pain or functional outcomes when compared to control groups in the studies included in this review.

Ultrasound-Guided Cutting Wire Release of the Proximal Adductor Longus Tendon: A Feasibility Study

Background:

Adductor longus tendinopathy is a well-known etiology of chronic groin pain in elite athletes. Surgery is indicated for those who fail conservative treatment. No studies to date have evaluated the feasibility of an ultrasound-guided release of the proximal adductor longus tendon.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The primary aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of an ultrasound-guided selective adductor longus release with a cutting wire. A secondary aim was to determine safety by avoiding injury to adjacent structures. We hypothesized that the proximal adductor longus tendon can be released under ultrasound guidance with a cutting wire without injury to adjacent neurovascular or genitourinary structures.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

Ten adductor longus tendons (5 cadaveric specimens) from 4 males and 1 female between 76 and 89 years of age with a mean body mass index of 21.9 kg/m² (range, 16.8-29.6 kg/m²) were used during this study. A single experienced physician sonographer performed ultrasound-guided proximal adductor longus tendon releases on all cadaveric specimens using a cutting wire. Dissection was performed by a second physician to determine the completeness of the tendon transections and to detect injury to adjacent neurovascular or genitourinary structures.

Results:

All 10 adductor longus tendons were transected. Eight of 10 transections were complete, whereas in 2 transections, >99% of the tendon was transected. There were no injuries to adjacent genitourinary or neurovascular structures.

Conclusion:

Ultrasound-guided adductor tendon release is feasible and safe in a cadaveric model. Further translational research should be performed to determine whether these results can be replicated in the clinical setting.

Clinical Relevance:

Adductor longus tendinopathy frequently requires surgical intervention and prolonged time away from sport. The present study suggests that a selective adductor longus tendon release can be performed with ultrasound guidance. This procedure warrants further translational research to explore its use in clinical practice.

Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis With Autologous Blood, Platelet-Rich Plasma, or Corticosteroid Injections: A Systematic Review of Overlapping Meta-analyses

Background:

Previous meta-analyses have been conducted to compare outcomes of various treatment injections for lateral epicondylitis (LE), including corticosteroid injection (CSI) and autologous blood products such as autologous blood (AB) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Purpose:

To conduct a systematic review of overlapping meta-analyses comparing different injection treatments (CSI, AB, PRP) for LE to determine which meta-analyses provide the best available evidence.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to locate meta-analyses that compared clinical outcomes of CSI, AB, and PRP for the treatment of LE. Search terms included “injection,” “corticosteroid,” “platelet-rich plasma,” “autologous blood,” “tennis elbow,” “lateral epicondylitis,” and “meta-analysis.” Results were reviewed to determine study eligibility. Patient outcomes were extracted from these meta-analyses. Meta-analysis quality was assessed with the Oxman-Guyatt and Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses (QUOROM) systems. The Jadad decision algorithm was then used to determine which meta-analyses provided the best level of evidence.

Results:

Nine meta-analyses (two level 1 studies, seven level 2 studies) containing 8656 patients met the eligibility criteria. Seven meta-analyses found that autologous blood products such as AB and PRP significantly improved pain and elbow function in the intermediate term (12-26 weeks), while 4 studies found that CSI effectively relieved pain and improved elbow function in the short term (<12 weeks). The study by Arirachakaran et al in 2016 received the highest QUOROM and Oxman-Guyatt scores; therefore, this meta-analysis appears to have the highest level of evidence. In addition, this study was rated the highest-quality study in this systematic review according to the Jadad decision algorithm. Lower-quality meta-analyses indicated that dosage, number of injections, and differences in therapeutic duration between CSI and autologous blood products may be essential factors in determining the appropriate treatment injection protocol for LE.

Conclusion:

The current best available evidence suggests that CSI improves functional outcomes and pain relief in the short term, while AB and PRP are the most effective treatments in the intermediate term.