The evaluation of degeneration of posterior cruciate ligament using CT Hounsfield unit in knee osteoarthritis

The promotive effect of grafts with the double-stranded peroneus longus tendon and with the four-stranded hamstring tendon on reconstruction of the posterior cruciate ligament injury

INTRODUCTION

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury hampers the rotational stability and stability front to back of the knee joint, seriously affecting the quality of life of patients. Some studies have reported that the peroneus longus tendon (PLT) has sufficient length and strength.

HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesized that the PLT can be used as a novel appropriate material for PCL reconstruction therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Herein, we systematically analysed the clinical effect of the double-stranded PLT and the four-stranded hamstring tendon in the reconstruction of the PCL and compared the effectiveness and safety of these two surgical approaches in the reconstruction of PCL injury. A total of 48 patients with complete rupture of the PCL were divided into Group A (reconstructed with the double-stranded PLT, 25 cases) and Group B (reconstructed with the four-stranded hamstring tendon, 23 cases).

RESULTS

The patients were followed up for more than 1 year. The intraoperative time for tendon extraction was significantly shorter in Group A than Group B. Twenty-four months after operation, patients in the two groups showed the alleviated tibial posterior displacement and the increased IKDC score, Lysholm score and Tegner score. Nevertheless, these scores showed no significant differences between the two groups. Additionally, compared with the therapy using the four-stranded hamstring tendon, therapy using the double-stranded PLT is simpler and safer.

DISCUSSION

Both surgical methods are effective in the treatment of PCL injury. The PLT could be a good choice for PCL injury reconstruction material, especially when the four-stranded hamstring tendon is accidentally damaged or ineffective. Our study may provide guidance for the clinical treatment of PCL injury.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, retrospective study.

Deep Learning-Based CT Imaging to Evaluate the Therapeutic Effects of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy on Knee Osteoarthritis

The study was aimed at analyzing the application value of deep learning-based computed tomography (CT) in evaluating the effect of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Specifically, 124 patients with KOA were selected in the test group (warm acupuncture and moxibustion) and the control group (simple acupuncture), with 62 cases in each group. Deep learning-based CT scanning was performed before and after treatment to compare the Lequesne-Mery, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC), Hospital Special Surgery (HSS), and Knee Society Score (KSS) scores as well as the overall effective rate. The results showed that the trabecular thickness, quantity, bone mineral density (BMD), connection density, structural model index, and articular cartilage thickness were different significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05). After treatment, the Lequesne-Mery was 4.78, the VAS was 0.87, and the WOMAC score was 14.89 of the test group, which were reduced (P < 0.05). The KSS and HSS scores of the test group were improved significantly after treatment (P < 0.05). The total effective rate of the test group was 85.48%, and that of the control group was 51.61%; the former was significantly higher than the latter (P < 0.05). In conclusion, acupuncture could improve the clinical effect on KOA patients, and CT scanning under deep learning algorithm could evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture for KOA.