Biointegrative Nail Raftering Improves Pain and Function in Patients With Subchondral Insufficiency of the Knee

Purpose: To evaluate the utility of implanting biointegrative cannulated nails in a rafter arrangement within the tibial plateau or femoral condyle for treatment of subchondral insufficiency of the knee. Methods: Patients were followed for 12 months after surgical intervention for subchondral insuff...

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Main Authors: Alexander C. Weissman, M.S., Allen A. Yazdi, B.S., Jared P. Sachs, M.S., Sarah A. Muth, B.A., Andrew S. Bi, M.D., Ron Gilat, M.D., Brian J. Cole, M.D., M.B.A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666061X25000318
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author Alexander C. Weissman, M.S.
Allen A. Yazdi, B.S.
Jared P. Sachs, M.S.
Sarah A. Muth, B.A.
Andrew S. Bi, M.D.
Ron Gilat, M.D.
Brian J. Cole, M.D., M.B.A.
author_facet Alexander C. Weissman, M.S.
Allen A. Yazdi, B.S.
Jared P. Sachs, M.S.
Sarah A. Muth, B.A.
Andrew S. Bi, M.D.
Ron Gilat, M.D.
Brian J. Cole, M.D., M.B.A.
author_sort Alexander C. Weissman, M.S.
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: To evaluate the utility of implanting biointegrative cannulated nails in a rafter arrangement within the tibial plateau or femoral condyle for treatment of subchondral insufficiency of the knee. Methods: Patients were followed for 12 months after surgical intervention for subchondral insufficiency using biointegrative, fiber-reinforced fixation nails. Patients (ages 18-75 years) had moderate knee pain for at least 6 months, unicompartmental Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2-3 and bone marrow lesions confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Comparison of baseline and postoperative Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) was the primary outcome measure. Other patient-reported outcome measures included International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Minimal clinically important difference was calculated for each PRO. Calculated bone marrow lesion volumes measured on MRI were compared from baseline to 12 months postoperative. Results: Nine patients were included, with follow-up of 12 ± 1 months. Significant improvements were seen in KOOS, IKDC, PROMIS, and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12). The average change in patient-reported outcome measures at 12 months were KOOS (19.68, P = .008), IKDC (28.99, P = .004), PROMIS Pain Interference (10.35, P = .008), PROMIS Physical Function (11.06, P = .008), and VR-12 Physical (16.14, P = .008). Minimal clinically important difference was achieved in 89% of patients for KOOS, 100% for IKDC, 87.5% for PROMIS Pain Interference and Physical Function, and 62.5% for VR-12 Physical. The average decrease in subchondral lesion size measured on MRI did not reach statistical significance (P = .064). All patients reported successful return to sport, with no reoperations or implant failures. Conclusions: Biointegrative fixation nail raftering for treatment of subchondral insufficiency of the knee resulted in improved patient-reported pain and functionality at 12-month follow-up in the setting of early-to-moderate osteoarthritis. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.
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spelling doaj-art-e8fb22f0142b413a8bf7ff4ff9dacc9c2025-08-20T03:24:08ZengElsevierArthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation2666-061X2025-06-017310110510.1016/j.asmr.2025.101105Biointegrative Nail Raftering Improves Pain and Function in Patients With Subchondral Insufficiency of the KneeAlexander C. Weissman, M.S.0Allen A. Yazdi, B.S.1Jared P. Sachs, M.S.2Sarah A. Muth, B.A.3Andrew S. Bi, M.D.4Ron Gilat, M.D.5Brian J. Cole, M.D., M.B.A.6Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.Address correspondence to Brian J. Cole, M.D., M.B.A., Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison St., Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60612, U.S.A.; Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.Purpose: To evaluate the utility of implanting biointegrative cannulated nails in a rafter arrangement within the tibial plateau or femoral condyle for treatment of subchondral insufficiency of the knee. Methods: Patients were followed for 12 months after surgical intervention for subchondral insufficiency using biointegrative, fiber-reinforced fixation nails. Patients (ages 18-75 years) had moderate knee pain for at least 6 months, unicompartmental Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2-3 and bone marrow lesions confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Comparison of baseline and postoperative Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) was the primary outcome measure. Other patient-reported outcome measures included International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Minimal clinically important difference was calculated for each PRO. Calculated bone marrow lesion volumes measured on MRI were compared from baseline to 12 months postoperative. Results: Nine patients were included, with follow-up of 12 ± 1 months. Significant improvements were seen in KOOS, IKDC, PROMIS, and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12). The average change in patient-reported outcome measures at 12 months were KOOS (19.68, P = .008), IKDC (28.99, P = .004), PROMIS Pain Interference (10.35, P = .008), PROMIS Physical Function (11.06, P = .008), and VR-12 Physical (16.14, P = .008). Minimal clinically important difference was achieved in 89% of patients for KOOS, 100% for IKDC, 87.5% for PROMIS Pain Interference and Physical Function, and 62.5% for VR-12 Physical. The average decrease in subchondral lesion size measured on MRI did not reach statistical significance (P = .064). All patients reported successful return to sport, with no reoperations or implant failures. Conclusions: Biointegrative fixation nail raftering for treatment of subchondral insufficiency of the knee resulted in improved patient-reported pain and functionality at 12-month follow-up in the setting of early-to-moderate osteoarthritis. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666061X25000318
spellingShingle Alexander C. Weissman, M.S.
Allen A. Yazdi, B.S.
Jared P. Sachs, M.S.
Sarah A. Muth, B.A.
Andrew S. Bi, M.D.
Ron Gilat, M.D.
Brian J. Cole, M.D., M.B.A.
Biointegrative Nail Raftering Improves Pain and Function in Patients With Subchondral Insufficiency of the Knee
Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation
title Biointegrative Nail Raftering Improves Pain and Function in Patients With Subchondral Insufficiency of the Knee
title_full Biointegrative Nail Raftering Improves Pain and Function in Patients With Subchondral Insufficiency of the Knee
title_fullStr Biointegrative Nail Raftering Improves Pain and Function in Patients With Subchondral Insufficiency of the Knee
title_full_unstemmed Biointegrative Nail Raftering Improves Pain and Function in Patients With Subchondral Insufficiency of the Knee
title_short Biointegrative Nail Raftering Improves Pain and Function in Patients With Subchondral Insufficiency of the Knee
title_sort biointegrative nail raftering improves pain and function in patients with subchondral insufficiency of the knee
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666061X25000318
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