A consensus-based process identifying physical therapy and exercise treatments for patients with degenerative meniscal tears and knee OA: the TeMPO physical therapy interventions and home exercise program

Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma Combined with Physical Therapy on IL-1β, TGF-β1, and MMP-3 in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

The occurrence of osteoarthritis in the knee joint is regulated by a complex network, and there is currently no specific therapeutic drug available. Functional exercises and treatments targeting inflammatory factors have shown the potential to alleviate knee osteoarthritis to some extent. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the intra-articular injection (IAI) of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with physical therapy (PT) in treating knee osteoarthritis. A total of 128 patients with knee osteoarthritis were included in the study, including 64 males and 64 females. A total of 128 patients were divided into sodium hyaluronate group (HA group), PRP group, PRP + PT group, and PT group, with 32 cases in each group. Visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) were employed to evaluate the recovery of patients from pain and osteoarthritis. Color Doppler ultrasound imaging technology was utilized to assess joint effusion, synovial membrane thickness, and articular cartilage thickness in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and matrix metallopeptidase 3 (MMP-3) in the synovial fluid. Compared to the HA group, the PT group, PRP group, and PRP combined with PT (PRP + PT) group all showed reduced VAS and WOMAC scores, increased JOA scores, decreased joint effusion, synovial membrane thickness, and articular cartilage thickness in the knee joint. Additionally, levels of IL-1β and MMP-3 in the synovial fluid decreased, while TGF-β1 levels increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the PT group, the VAS and WOMAC scores of the knee joint in the PRP group decreased, JOA scores increased, joint effusion, synovial thickness, and articular cartilage thickness decreased, but there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05), and the PRP + PT group showed decreased VAS and WOMAC scores, increased JOA scores, reduced joint effusion, synovial membrane thickness, and articular cartilage thickness in the knee joint. Moreover, levels of IL-1β and MMP-3 in the synovial fluid decreased, while TGF-β1 levels increased (P < 0.05). No severe adverse reactions were observed in any of the four groups, but the pain rate in the PRP + TP group was significantly lower than PT group, PRP group, and PRP + PT group (P < 0.05). The efficacy of intra-articular injection of PRP combined with exercise therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis is superior to that of single interventions such as simple interventions of HA, PRP injection, and PT. Furthermore, intra-articular injection of PRP combined with exercise therapy demonstrates enhanced effectiveness in improving the inflammatory levels associated with knee osteoarthritis and facilitating the rehabilitation process.

Home-based vs center-based exercise on patient-reported and performance-based outcomes for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Background

Home-based exercise (HBE) represents an alternative to increase the accessibility of rehabilitation programs and relieve the burden on the health care system for people with knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives

To summarize for the first time the effectiveness of HBE as compared to center-based exercise (CBE), both with and without HBE, on patient-reported and performance-based outcomes in people with KOA.

Methods

Searches were conducted on PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus until March 10, 2023, without date or language restrictions. Randomized controlled trials investigating HBE versus CBE or HBE combined with CBE for people with KOA were eligible. The primary outcomes were patient-reported: pain, physical disability, and quality of life. The secondary outcomes were performance-based: walking ability, lower limb muscle strength, and balance function. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and quality of evidence according to the GRADE.

Results

Eleven trials involving 956 participants were included. There was no difference in short-term pain (SMD, 0.22 [95% CI, -0.04 to 0.47], p = 0.09; I2 = 0%), physical disability (SMD, 0.17 [95% CI, -0.19 to 0.54], p = 0.35; I2 = 0%), walking ability (SMD, -0.21 [95% CI, -0.64 to 0.22], p = 0.33; I2 = 35%) and lower limb muscle strength (SMD, -0.24 [95% CI, -0.88 to 0.41], p = 0.47; I2 = 69%) between HBE and CBE. HBE combined with CBE has better benefits compared with HBE alone in short-term pain (SMD, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.60 to 1.17], p < 0.001; I2 = 11%) and physical disability (SMD, 0.25 [95% CI, 0.00 to 0.50], p = 0.05; I2 = 0%).

Conclusion

Based on limited evidence, HBE is as effective as CBE on short-term pain, physical disability, walking ability, and lower limb muscle strength in people with knee osteoarthritis. Furthermore, combining HBE with CBE may enhance the overall efficacy of the intervention.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO, CRD42023416548.

Integrating a focus on health equity in implementation science: Case examples from the national cancer institute's implementation science in cancer control centers (ISC3) network

Background

A Health Equity Task Force (HETF) of members from seven Centers funded by the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Implementation Science in Cancer Control Centers (ISC3) network sought to identify case examples of how Centers were applying a focus on health equity in implementation science to inform future research and capacity-building efforts.

Methods

HETF members at each ISC3 collected information on how health equity was conceptualized, operationalized, and addressed in initial research and capacity-building efforts across the seven ISC3 Centers funded in 2019-2020. Each Center completed a questionnaire assessing five health equity domains central to implementation science (e.g., community engagement; implementation science theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs); and engaging underrepresented scholars). Data generated illustrative examples from these five domains.

Results

Centers reported a range of approaches focusing on health equity in implementation research and capacity-building efforts, including (1) engaging diverse community partners/settings in making decisions about research priorities and projects; (2) applying health equity within a single TMF applied across projects or various TMFs used in specific projects; (3) evaluating health equity in operationalizing and measuring health and implementation outcomes; (4) building capacity for health equity-focused implementation science among trainees, early career scholars, and partnering organizations; and (5) leveraging varying levels of institutional resources and efforts to engage, include, and support underrepresented scholars.

Conclusions

Examples of approaches to integrating health equity across the ISC3 network can inform other investigators and centers' efforts to build capacity and infrastructure to support growth and expansion of health equity-focused implementation science.

Comparison of Quality of Life in Patients Operated for Knee Surgery via Conventional Method and Arthroscopy: An Original Research

Introduction

To assess physical activity and knee function, the two methods of conventional supervised exercise and the arthroscopic partial meniscectomy trailed by exercise were evaluated after a nontraumatic meniscal (medial) tear that was confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials and Methods

One hundred adult subjects were assessed for the current prospective research. The pain in the knee was assessed using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (LKSS), Tegner Activity Scale (TAS), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). All the parameters were compared at the start of the study and 2 and 6 months after the intervention. All the data were compared using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) with P < 0.05 considered as significant.

Results

According to the outcome scores, exercising by itself did not result in a larger improvement than an arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy. There was a significant reduction in discomfort, improved function, and satisfaction for subjects in the two groups (P < 0.0001). After six months, 40% of the subjects reported that the activity levels were similar to the incidence of the injury.

Conclusion

The quality of life was reported to be comparable in the arthroscopy subjects and the conventional group subjects. Hence, arthroscopy can be delayed for the meniscal tear in the adult subjects who are best managed by the conservatively managed.

IMBA-ICF linking by integrating consensus methods: How group consensus of experts can contribute to in-depth linking of instruments to the ICF

BACKGROUND

A frame of reference is needed to increase the comparability of vocational rehabilitation assessment instruments and the interpretation of their results. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a relevant framework, and when linking rules are used, items from existing assessment instruments can be linked to the appropriate categories as described in the ICF.

OBJECTIVE

To develop an adapted linking methodology in which experts are involved by means of the application of consensus methods and to transfer this result in a step-by-step set of guidelines, supporting researchers and professionals, linking complex instruments to the ICF.

METHODS

The main researcher developed the initial linking of the Integration von Menschen mit Behinderungen in die Arbeitswelt (IMBA) to the ICF by rigorously applying the refined ICF linking rules. To validate this linking, the Delphi and nominal group technique was integrated through different steps, and experts were involved in the process. The method section describes the linking process chronologically with focuses on the used approach, the involvement of experts, and the processing of the output.

RESULTS

The results are presented in a 7-step set of guidelines describing the chronological process from the initial to the validated linking. These guidelines describe the core elements in the application of the linking rules and consensus methods in a manual for researchers who are interested in linking complex instruments to the ICF by involving experts.

CONCLUSIONS

The Delphi and nominal group technique can be successfully integrated in the linking process, making it possible to involve experts in linking complex instruments to the ICF. A homogeneous composition of the expert panel in terms of knowledge, a heterogeneous composition in terms of setting, a rigorous and repeated application of the linking rules, and structured processing of the output are essential to achieve a valid linking.

Arthroscopic surgery or exercise therapy for degenerative meniscal lesions: a systematic review of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) is widely applied for the treatment of degenerative meniscal lesions in middle-aged patients; however, such injury is often associated with mild or moderate osteoarthritis and has been reported by MRI in asymptomatic knees. Previous studies suggested, in most patients, a lack of benefit of surgical approach over conservative treatment, yet many controversies remain in clinical practice. Our aims were to assess the functional and pain scores between exercise therapy and arthroscopic surgery for degenerative meniscal lesions and to evaluate the methodological quality of the most recent systematic reviews (SRs).

METHODS

Two authors independently searched PubMed and Google Scholar for SRs comparing the outcome (in knee pain and functionality) of arthroscopic treatment and exercise therapy or placebo for degenerative meniscal lesions. The timeframe set was from 2009 to 2019 included.

RESULTS

A total of 13 SRs were selected. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of each paper using the AMSTAR 2 tool: seven scored as "moderate," four obtained a "low" grade while the remaining two were evaluated as "critically low." SRs agreed that in middle-aged patients with degenerative meniscal lesions arthroscopic surgery appears to grant no long-term improvement in pain and function over exercise therapy or placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Conservative treatment based on physical therapy should be the first-line management. However, most SRs revealed subgroups of patients that fail to improve after conservative treatment and find relief when undergoing surgery. In the future, randomized controlled trials, evidence should be looked for that APM can be successful in case of the unsatisfactory results after physical therapy.

Pain-Related Risk Factors Among Radiologic Stages of Knee Osteoarthritis: Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether risk factors related to pain vary at different stages of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Individuals from the Osteoarthritis Initiative with available Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) grade and numerical rating scale (NRS) data at baseline were included in this study. Pain severity was classified into 3 categories based on NRS scores: no pain, mild pain, and moderate/severe pain. Knee OA severity was stratified into 4 categories according to the K/L system. Pain risk factors were evaluated using generalized ordinal logistic regression analysis, and a heatmap was created to compare differences in standardized regression coefficients between subgroups of patients with different knee OA severities.

RESULTS

A total of 4,446 subjects were included in this study: 1,574 individuals without pain (35.4%), 1,138 individuals with mild pain (25.6%), and 1,734 individuals with moderate/severe pain (39.0%). For the entire population and subjects in the premorbid-stage subgroup, knee injury history, diabetes mellitus, depression, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and valgus malaligned knees were associated with more severe pain. Older age and stronger quadriceps muscles were associated with milder pain. As the disease progressed, the number of significant risk factors decreased. Only age and quadriceps muscle force remained significant in end-stage disease.

CONCLUSION

Multiple factors are associated with pain in patients with knee OA. As the disease progresses, the number of significant risk factors gradually reduces. These findings suggest that strategies for managing pain related to knee OA should vary depending on radiographic grades.

Comparison of physical therapy and arthroscopic partial meniscectomy treatments in degenerative meniscus tears and the effect of combined hyaluronic acid injection with these treatments: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Symptomatic degenerative meniscus tears are common in middle and old age. Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM), physical therapy (PT) and hyaluronic acid injection (HAI) are the most commonly used treatment options.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our study is to compare the effectiveness of APM and PT in degenerative meniscus tears and to investigate the effect of HAI with a prospective, randomized, single-blind study.

METHODS

The study included 192 patients with symptomatic degenerative meniscus tears. The patients were randomly divided into the four groups. The first group consisted of patients who underwent APM, the second group received HAI with APM, the third group received PT, and the fourth group received HAI with PT. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, and range of motion (ROM) values were used for evaluation.

RESULTS

There was no difference between four groups according to age, gender, BMI, affected side, grade of osteoarthritis. In the 4 groups, WOMAC and VAS results at the 2nd and 6th months were better than pre-treatment. There was no difference between the groups in terms of WOMAC and VAS. In terms of ROM, the results were found better in PT group (Group 3, Group 4) at the 2nd and 6th months. However, the results were found worse in APM group (Group 1, Group 2). In addition, it was found that HAI applied with APM and PT had no effect on VAS, WOMAC, and ROM. It was determined that the increase of knee osteoarthritis negatively affected both the results of APM treatment and PT. VAS, WOMAC, and ROM results were found worse in patients with stage 3 osteoarthritis than grade 1 and 2, but there was no difference between grade 1 and 2.

CONCLUSIONS

APM and PT give good results in terms of pain and functional results. However, ROM limitation develops after APM. Conversely, there is an increase in ROM after PT. Administration of HAI with these treatments has no effect on the results. PT is an easily applicable noninvasive method. Adding HAI to the treatment has no effect on the results and increases the cost.

"You'd be better off to do the keyhole and make a good job of it" a qualitative study of the beliefs and treatment expectations of patients attending secondary care with degenerative meniscal tears

BACKGROUND

Current clinical practice guidelines for degenerative meniscal tears recommend conservative management yet patients are frequently referred to the consultant orthopaedic surgeon despite a lack of evidence for the use of arthroscopy.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the beliefs about their condition and treatment expectations of patients referred to a secondary care orthopaedic clinic with a degenerative meniscal tear.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Design and MethodsThis qualitative study involved ten patients who participated in semi-structured telephone interviews. Data were subjected to thematic analysis and findings were reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies.

RESULTS

Analysis identified five themes. Participants described beliefs, strongly influenced by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results, that damaged structures were causing their knee problems ("The meniscus is busted"), and expected their knee problems to inevitably worsen over time ("It's only going to get worse"). Participants were hopeful the orthopaedic consultation would clarify their problem and lead to a subsequent definitive intervention ("Hopefully they will give me answers"). Most participants viewed surgery as "the quick and straightforward solution" necessary to repair faulty cartilage. Exercise was not seen as compatible with the recovery process by most ("Would I make it worse?").

CONCLUSIONS

How participants understand their knee problem contributes to surgical expectations and perceptions that it is not amenable to conservative management. Findings suggest a need to educate both patients and primary care clinicians about the safety and efficacy of exercise as first-line therapy for degenerative meniscal tears. The negative role of MRI in promoting surgical expectations needs further consideration.

Prevalence of Undiagnosed Subchondral Insufficiency Fractures of the Knee in Middle Age Adults with Knee Pain and Suspected Meniscal Tear

Objective

Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and meniscal tear are often treated with weight-bearing exercises and without ordering advanced imaging (e.g. MRI). This may lead to missed diagnoses of subchondral insufficiency fracture of the knee (SIFK). Failure to diagnose SIFK has treatment implications, as patients with SIFK are typically managed with a period of reduced weight-bearing. The primary objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed SIFK among persons treated non-operatively for knee pain and suspected meniscal tear(s).

Methods

The randomized controlled trial, TeMPO (Treatment of Meniscal Problems and Osteoarthritis), enrolls subjects whose clinicians suspect concomitant meniscal tear and knee OA. TeMPO participants undergo MRI ordered by the study to confirm meniscal tear. All study-ordered MRIs revealing a fracture were reviewed by two study radiologists who noted features of the fracture and joint. We report prevalence of SIFK and clinical and imaging features on these subjects with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Ten of the 340 study-ordered MRIs had SIFK, resulting in an estimated prevalence of 2.94% (95% CI: 1.15%, 4.71%). Eight of the ten participants with SIFK had fractures located medially. The femur was involved in five of these participants, tibia in four, and both in one. Five of the ten participants did not have meniscal tears.

Conclusions

This is the only reported estimate of undiagnosed SIFK in adults with knee pain, to our knowledge. Approximately 3% of patients managed with weight-bearing exercise for suspected meniscal tear may have SIFK, a diagnosis typically treated with reduced weight-bearing approaches.

Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy combined with medical exercise therapy versus isolated medical exercise therapy for degenerative meniscal tear: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Degenerative meniscal tear is a chronic disorder which presents with knee pain, swelling and loss of motion. It is currently unknown whether arthroscopic partial meniscectomy combined with medical exercise therapy is superior to isolated medical exercise therapy for degenerative meniscal tear.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if medical exercise therapy alone is as effective as arthroscopic partial meniscectomy combined with medical exercise therapy in treating degenerative meniscal tear.

METHOD

Electronic searches were performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library Databases for all randomized studies. Two reviewers independently completed the literature screening, data extraction, and risk evaluation of bias. The outcome measures were visual analogue scale (VAS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), range of motion, the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (LKSS), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and postoperative complications. STATA 13.0 software was applied for meta-analysis.

RESULT

Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted, with 900 patients included. The present study revealed that there were significant differences between the two groups regarding the VAS at two months, as well as, WOMAC and range of motion. No significant differences were found in terms of LKSS, KOOS or postoperative complications.

LIMITATIONS

(1) Only 6 RCTs were included in our meta-analysis and the sample sizes were small; (2) The follow-up period was too short in some included studies. Long-term follow-up studies should be conducted in the future; (3) Heterogeneity among the included studies was unavoidable due to different grade of degenerative meniscal tear and program of exercise. Heterogeneity was also caused by a variety of other factors. (4) Publication bias that came from the process of literature searching was unavoidable and was hard to overcome. (5) There are many other words which could yielded more studies (Ex. physiotherapy, physical therapy modalities, exercise therapy, rehabilitation, knee, placebo, groups, tibial meniscus, meniscus, arthroscopy, meniscectomy, partial meniscectomy, randomized controlled trial, controlled clinical trial, randomized, systematic review, and meta-analysis). Implications of key findings: This meta-analysis suggests that doctors can choose arthroscopic partial meniscectomy combined with medical exercise therapy for the treatment of degenerative meniscal tear.

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy combined with medical exercise therapy is effective in reducing pain and improving range of motion in the early postoperative period. Therefore, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy combined with medical exercise therapy may be recommended for the treatment of degenerative meniscal tear. Further research is necessary to determine the type, frequency, and duration of the best exercise program. Systematic review registration number: Reviewregistry884.