Evaluation of Clinical and Radiological Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Fixation of Osteochondral Fragments With Reasorbable Screws in the Knee Joint

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Fixation of osteochdral fragments with reabsorbable screws: Arthroscopic or mini-open fixation of free-intrarticular or unstable osteochondral fragments due to osteochondritis dissecans or osteochondral fractures with reabsorbable screws

Study summary

Various techniques for the fixation of unstable osteochondral fragments have been used over the years, each with associated advantages and disadvantages, and differing clinical outcomes. However, the literature on the treatment of this type of injury in the adolescent and young adult population is scarce and involves small case series. Failure to treat these injuries can lead to serious consequences such as chronic pain, residual joint stiffness, and the development of early osteoarthritis, necessitating more invasive and burdensome interventions for the national health system, such as prosthetic replacements or osteotomies.

Due to the lack of real consensus within the scientific community regarding the ideal treatment for these patients and the insufficient medium/long-term follow-up data on the effects of these injuries on articular cartilage in young patients, this study aims to evaluate the clinical and radiological conditions of patients undergoing osteochondral fragment fixation using the same surgical technique (fixation with resorbable screws performed arthroscopically or via open surgery depending on the lesion's location) in order to clarify preventive measures against cartilage degeneration following these injuries, which are very common in adolescence.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• KOOS (Knee Injury and Ostearthritis Outcome Score) score — At least 24 months after surgery
  It represents a subjective score composed of 42 questions divided into 5 main domains. These domains investigate various aspects of symptoms and daily activities as well as the quality of life related to the knee and are divided as follows: * Symptoms, composed of 7 questions, 2 of which pertain to stiffness; * Pain, composed of 9 questions; * Functions and daily activities, composed of 17 questions; * Sports and recreational activities, composed of 5 questions; * Quality of life in relation to the knee, composed of 4 questions. All questions use the same response format, utilizing a quantitative scale ranging from 0 (no issues) to 4 (severe difficulty). Scores are calculated separately for each domain and converted into a percentage score, where 100 represents excellent physical condition with no symptoms and 0 represents severe disability with limitations in daily activities and constant symptoms even at rest.

Trial sites (1)

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