This study investigated the effects of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) on pain, function, and quality of life in people with early-stage symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) compared to a sham procedure. A total of 59 participants with symptomatic Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 knee OA were randomly allocated to TAE or a sham procedure. The intervention group underwent TAE of one or more genicular arteries. The control group received a blinded sham procedure. The primary outcome was knee pain at 12 months according to the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) pain scale. Secondary outcomes included self-reported function and quality of life (KOOS, EuroQol five-dimension five-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L)), self-reported Global Change, six-minute walk test, 30-second chair stand test, and adverse events. Subgroup analyses compared participants who received complete embolization of all genicular arteries (as distinct from embolization of some arteries) (n = 17) with the control group (n = 29) for KOOS and Global Change scores at 12 months. Continuous variables were analyzed with quantile regression, adjusting for baseline scores. Dichotomized variables were analyzed with chi-squared tests.Aims
Methods
We scanned 25 left knees in healthy human subjects
using MRI. Multiplanar reconstruction software was used to take
measurements of the inferior and posterior facets of the femoral
condyles and the trochlea. A ‘basic circle’ can be defined which, in the sagittal plane,
fits the posterior and inferior facets of the lateral condyle, the
posterior facet of the medial condyle and the floor of the groove
of the trochlea. It also approximately fits both condyles in the
coronal plane (inferior facets) and the axial plane (posterior facets).
The circle fitting the inferior facet of the medial condyle in the
sagittal plane was consistently 35% larger than the other circles
and was termed the ‘medial inferior circle’. There were strong correlations
between the radii of the circles, the relative positions of the
centres of the condyles, the width of the condyles, the total knee
width and skeletal measurements including height. There was poor
correlation between the radii of the circles and the position of
the trochlea relative to the condyles. In summary, the condyles are approximately spherical except for
the inferior facet medially, which has a larger radius in the sagittal
plane. The size and position of the condyles are consistent and
change with the size of the person. However, the position of the
trochlea is variable even though its radius is similar to that of
the condyles. This information has implications for understanding
anterior knee pain and for the design of knee replacements. Cite this article:
