BackgroundIn addition to Bankart repair engaging Hill-Sachs defects in glenohumeral instability have been treated successfully with remplissage procedure. The purpose of this study was to compare three remplissage techniques regarding (I) ability of preventing Hill-Sachs defect from engaging, (II) influence on glenohumeral rotational torque, and (III) resulting tendon coverage over the Hill-Sachs defect.MethodsStandardized engaging Hill-Sachs defects and Bankart lesions were created in n = 7 fresh frozen human shoulder specimens. Besides Bankart repair three remplissage techniques (T) with double anchor position in the valley of the defect zone were studied: T1, knots tied over anchors; T2, knots tied between anchors (double-pulley); T3, knotless anchors with a suture tape.A parallel position-orientation and force-moment controlled navigated roboticsystem was used to compare prevention of Hill-Sachs defect engagement and torque [Nm]. Pressure sensitive film was used to study area of infraspinatus tendon coverage over Hill-Sachs defect [%].ResultsAll remplissage techniques prevented engagement of the Hill-Sachs defect without showing any construct failures. Regarding humeral torque there were significant impairments observed between intact conditions and the three investigated repair techniques in 60° abduction and ≥30° external rotation (p < .04). There was no significant difference in torque between intervention groups (n.s.). With a mean coverage of 26.8 % over the defect zone the knotless suture tape technique (T3) significantly improved area of soft tissue coverage compared to the other techniques (p = .03).ConclusionAll remplissage techniques prevented engagement of the Hill Sachs defect. With high abduction and external rotation ≥30° all techniques showed significant higher humeral torque compared to the intact specimens, while there was not one technique superior over the others. The suture tape technique conferred the largest and most effective area of tendon coverage over the Hill-Sachs defect zone. Long-term success of the remplissage procedure can possibly be enhanced by increasing the interface area of tendon coverage over the Hill-Sachs defect. Clinical studies will be necessary to proof potential benefits for clinical outcome.

A lateral meniscus root repair can reduce internal tibial rotation in the ACL-deficient knee. To check the condition of the lateral posterior meniscus root attachment is clinical relevant as a lateral meniscus root repair might improve rotational stability.

Interfaces between tendon/ligament and bone (“entheses”) are highly specialized tissues that allow for stress transfer between mechanically dissimilar materials. Entheses show very low regenerative capacity resulting in high incidences of failure after surgical repair. Tissue engineering is a promising approach to recover functionality of entheses. Here, we established a protocol to decellularize porcine entheses as scaffolds for enthesis tissue engineering. Chemical detergents as well as physical treatments were investigated with regard to their efficiency to decellularize 2 mm thick porcine Achilles tendon entheses. A two-phase approach was employed: study 1 investigated the effect of various concentrations of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and t-octylphenoxypolyethoxy-ethanol (Triton X-100) as decellularization agents. The most efficient combination of SDS and Triton was then carried forward into study 2, where different physical methods, including freeze-thaw cycles, ultrasound, perfusion, and hydrostatic washing were used to enhance the decellularization effect. Cell counts, DNA quantification, and histology showed that washing with 0.5% SDS + 1% Triton X-100 for 72 h at room temperature could remove ~ 98% cells from the interface. Further investigation of physical methods proved that washing under 200 mmHg hydrostatic pressure shortened the detergent exposing time from 72 h to 48 h. Biomechanical tensile testing showed that the biomechanical features of treated samples were preserved. Washing under 200 mmHg hydrostatic pressure with 0.5% SDS + 1% Triton X-100 for 48 h efficiently decellularized entheses with preservation of matrix structure and biomechanical features. This protocol can be used to efficiently decellularize entheses as scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Purpose Assessment of medial meniscus extrusion (MME) has become increasingly popular in clinical practice to evaluate the dynamic meniscus function and diagnose meniscus pathologies. The purpose of this biomechanical study was to investigate the correlation between MME and the changes in joint contact pressure in varus and valgus alignment. It was hypothesized that varus alignment would result in significantly higher MME along with a higher joint contact pressure in the medial compartment. Methods Eight fresh‐frozen human cadaveric knees were axially loaded, with a 750 N compressive load, in full extension with the mechanical axis shifted to intersect the tibial plateau at 30% and 40% (varus), 50% (neutral), 60% and 70% (valgus) of its width (TPW). Tibiofemoral peak contact pressure (PCP), mean contact pressure (MCP) and contact area (CA) were determined using pressure‐sensitive films. MME was obtained via ultrasound at maximum load. Results MME was significantly increased from valgus (1.32 ± 0.22 mm) to varus alignment (3.16 ± 0.24 mm; p < 0.001). Peak contact pressure at 30% TPW varus alignment was significantly higher compared to 60% TPW valgus (p = 0.018) and 70% TPW valgus (p < 0.01). MME significantly correlated with PCP (r = 0.56; p < 0.001) and MCP (r = 0.47, p < 0.01) but not with CA (r = 0.23; n.s.). Conclusion MME was significantly increased in varus alignment, compared to neutral or valgus alignment, with an intact medial meniscus. It was also significantly correlated with PCP and MCP within the medial compartment. However, valgus malalignment and neutral axis resulted in reduced MME and contact pressure. Lower limb alignment must be taken into account while assessing MME in clinical practice. Level of evidence Controlled laboratory study.

Purpose Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy of medial meniscus tears and varus alignment are considered independent risk factors for increased medial compartment load, thus contributing to the development of medial osteoarthritis. The purpose of this biomechanical study was to investigate the effect of lower limb alignment on contact pressure and contact area in the knee joint following sequential medial meniscus resection. It was hypothesized that a meniscal resection of 50% would lead to a significant overload of the medial compartment in varus alignment. Methods Eight fresh‐frozen human cadaveric knees were axially loaded with a 750 N compressive force in full extension with the mechanical axis rotated to intersect the tibia plateau at 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 70% of its width. Tibiofemoral mean contact pressure (MCP), peak contact pressure (PCP), and contact area (CA) of the medial and lateral compartment were measured separately using pressure‐sensitive films (K‐Scan 4000, Tekscan) in four different meniscal conditions, respectively, intact, 50% resection, 75% resection, and total meniscectomy. Results Medial MCP was significantly increased when comparing the intact meniscus to each meniscal resection in all tested alignments (p < 0.05). Following meniscal resection of 50%, MCP was significantly higher with greater varus alignment compared to valgus alignment (p < 0.05). Similarly, medial PCP was higher at varus alignment compared to valgus alignment (p < 0.05). Further resection to 75% and 100% of the meniscus resulted in a significantly higher medial PCP at 30% of tibia plateau width compared to all other alignments (p < 0.05). Medial CA of the intact meniscus decreased significantly after 50%, 75% and 100% meniscal resection in all alignments (p < 0.05). Lateral joint pressure was not significantly increased by greater valgus alignment. Conclusion Lower limb alignment and the extent of medial meniscal resection significantly affect tibiofemoral contact pressure. Combined varus alignment and medial meniscal resection increased MCP and PCP within the medial compartment, whereas valgus alignment prevented medial overload. As a clinical consequence, lower limb alignment should be considered in the treatment of patients undergoing arthroscopic partial meniscectomy with concomitant varus alignment. In patients presenting with ongoing medial joint tenderness and effusion, realignment osteotomy can be a surgical technique to unload the medial compartment.

BackgroundSurgical sutures can promote migration of bacteria and thus start infections. Antiseptic coating of sutures may inhibit proliferation of adhered bacteria and avoid such complications.ObjectivesThis study investigated the inhibition of viable adhering bacteria on novel antimicrobially coated surgical sutures using chlorhexidine or octenidine, a critical factor for proliferation at the onset of local infections. The medical need, a rapid eradication of bacteria in wounds, can be fulfilled by a high antimicrobial efficacy during the first days after wound closure.MethodsAs a pretesting on antibacterial efficacy against relevant bacterial pathogens a zone of inhibition assay was conducted with middle ranged concentrated suture coatings (22 μg/cm). For further investigation of adhering bacteria in detail the most clinically relevant Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC®49230™) was used. Absorbable braided sutures were coated with chlorhexidine-laurate, chlorhexidine-palmitate, octenidine-laurate, and octenidine-palmitate. Each coating type resulted in 11, 22, or 33 μg/cm drug content on sutures. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed once to inspect the coating quality and twice to investigate if bacteria have colonized on sutures. Adhesion experiments were assessed by exposing coated sutures to S. aureus suspensions for 3 h at 37°C. Subsequently, sutures were sonicated and the number of viable bacteria released from the suture surface was determined. Furthermore, the number of viable planktonic bacteria was measured in suspensions containing antimicrobial sutures. Commercially available sutures without drugs (Vicryl®, PGA Resorba®, and Gunze PGA), as well as triclosan-containing Vicryl® Plus were used as control groups.ResultsZone of inhibition assay documented a multispecies efficacy of novel coated sutures against tested bacterial strains, comparable to most relevant S. aureus over 48 hours. SEM pictures demonstrated uniform layers on coated sutures with higher roughness for palmitate coatings and sustaining integrity of coated sutures. Adherent S. aureus were found via SEM on all types of investigated sutures. The novel antimicrobial sutures showed significantly less viable adhered S. aureus bacteria (up to 6.1 log) compared to Vicryl® Plus (0.5 log). Within 11 μg/cm drug-containing sutures, octenidine-palmitate (OL11) showed the highest number of viable adhered S. aureus (0.5 log), similar to Vicryl® Plus. Chlorhexidine-laurate (CL11) showed the lowest number of S. aureus on sutures (1.7 log), a 1.2 log greater reduction. In addition, planktonic S. aureus in suspensions were highly inhibited by CL11 (0.9 log) represents a 0.6 log greater reduction compared to Vicryl® Plus (0.3 log).ConclusionsNovel antimicrobial sutures can potentially limit surgical site infections caused by multiple pathogenic bacterial species. Therefore, a potential inhibition of multispecies biofilm formation is assumed. In detail tested with S. aureus, the chlorhexidine-laurate coating (CL11) best meets the medical requirements f...

Purpose Torsional osteotomy of the distal femur allows anatomic treatment of patellofemoral instability and patellofemoral pain syndrome in cases of increased femoral antetorsion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of distal femoral torsional osteotomy on pressure distribution of the medial and lateral patellar facet. Methods Nine fresh frozen human knee specimens were embedded in custom‐made 3D‐printed casts and tested with a robotic arm. Torsional osteotomy could be simulated ranging from increased femoral antetorsion of 25° with a corresponding lateralization of the patella to an overcorrected value of 5° of femoral antetorsion. The peak and mean lateral and medial compartment pressure was measured in 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90° flexion beginning with neutral anatomic muscle rotation. Results The medial aspect of the patella showed a significant influence of femoral torsion with an increase of mean and peak pressure in all flexion angles with progressive derotation from 15° external rotation to 5° internal rotation (p = 0.004). The overall pressure difference was highest in near extension and stayed on a constant level with further flexion. On the lateral facet, the derotation resulted in decrease of pressure in near extension; however, it had no significant influence on the mean and peak pressure through the different torsion angles (n.s.). Unlike on the medial facet, a significant consistent increase of peak pressure from 0° to 90° flexion could be shown (p = 0.022) on the lateral patella aspect. Conclusion Distal femoral torsional osteotomy to correct pathological femoral antetorsion leads to a redistribution of retropatellar pressure. External derotation leads to an increased peak pressure on the medial patellar facet and can impair simultaneous cartilage repair. However, as the lateral patellofemoral load decreases, it has a potential in preventing patellofemoral osteoarthritis.

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