Platelet-leukocyte gel, applied locally, can improve knee stability in surgery for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.

The aim of the study was to evaluate differences in knee injuries and osteoarthritis between the dominant and non-dominant legs of former professional football players. The study cohort comprised 40 retired professional players with an average age of 49.2 years. Participants completed a questionnaire about their sports and personal history with special emphasis on knee injuries/operations of the dominant and non-dominant leg. Bilateral standing knee radiographs were taken. Overall, 29 footballers (73%) had experienced at least one moderate or severe knee injury and 18 (40%) had undergone at least one knee operation during their career. Among those injured, 14 (35%) players had suffered a dominant knee injury and 22 (55%) a non-dominant knee injury. Evidence of osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence scale > or = 2) was found in 17 (43%) dominant and 23 (58%) non-dominant knees. Professional football players have a significant risk of knee injuries and early osteoarthritis with preponderance in the non-dominant leg.

The method significantly lowers the incidence of cortex perforation and is therefore potentially applicable in clinical practice, especially in some selected cases. The applied method, however, carries a potential for errors during manufacturing and practical usage and therefore still requires further improvements.

Porous tantalum is an open-cell metal structure that approximates the appearance of human cancellous bone. It has a low modulus of elasticity, close to that of subchondral and cancellous bones, leading to better load transfer and minimizing the stress-shielding phenomenon. Its coefficient of friction is one of the highest among biomaterials, allowing for sufficient primary stabilization of implants, possibly even without screw fixation. Different fusion rates have been achieved in anterior cervical fusion, which lead to contradictory views among spine surgeons. However, in the lumbar spine, trabecular metal has been demonstrated to be effective in obtaining fusion and improving patient outcomes after anterior as well as posterior lumbar interbody fusion.

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