A Multicenter Study of Early Anti-inflammatory Treatment in Patients with Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear

Christian Lattermann, Cale A. Jacobs, Mary Proffitt Bunnell, Laura J. Huston, Lee G. Gammon, Darren L. Johnson, Emily K. Reinke, Janet L. Huebner, Virginia B. Kraus, Kurt P. Spindler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

90 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: It is increasingly recognized that biochemical abnormalities of the joint precede radiographic abnormalities of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) by as much as decades. A growing body of evidence strongly suggests that the progression from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to PTOA is multifactorial, involving the interplay between biomechanical disturbances and biochemical homeostasis of articular cartilage. Purpose: The purposes of this randomized study using an acute ACL injury model were to (1) evaluate the natural progression of inflammatory and chondrodegenerative biomarkers, (2) evaluate the relationship between subjective reports of pain and inflammatory and chondrodegenerative biomarkers, and (3) determine if postinjury arthrocentesis and corticosteroid injection offer the ability to alter this biochemical cascade. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 49 patients were randomized to 4 groups: group 1 (corticosteroid at 4 days after ACL injury, placebo injection of saline at 2 weeks), group 2 (placebo at 4 days after ACL injury, corticosteroid at 2 weeks), group 3 (corticosteroid at both time intervals), or a placebo group (saline injections at both time intervals). Patient-reported outcome measures and synovial biomarkers were collected at approximately 4 days, 11 days, and 5 weeks after injury. The change between the time points was assessed for all variables using Wilcoxon tests, and the relationship between changes in outcome scores and biomarkers were assessed by calculating Spearman p. Outcomes and biomarkers were also compared between the 4 groups using Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: No adverse events or infections were observed in any study patients. With the exception of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) and tumor necrosis factor-inducible gene 6 (TSG-6), chondrodegenerative markers worsened over the first 5 weeks while all patient-reported outcomes improved during this time, regardless of treatment group. Patient-reported outcomes did not differ between patients receiving corticosteroid injections and the placebo group. However, increases in C-telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II), associated with collagen type II breakdown, were significantly greater in the placebo group (1.32 ± 1.10 ng/mL) than in either of the groups that received the corticosteroid injection within the first several days after injury (group 1: 0.23 ± 0.27 ng/mL [P =.01]; group 3: 0.19 ± 0.34 ng/mL [P =.01]). Conclusion: PTOA begins at the time of injury and results early on in dramatic matrix changes in the knee. However, it is encouraging that early intervention with an anti-inflammatory agent was able to affect biomarkers of chondral degeneration. Should early intervention lead to meaningful changes in either the onset or severity of symptomatic PTOA, the current treatment paradigm for patients with ACL injury may have to be restructured to include early aspiration and intra-articular intervention. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01692756.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)325-333
Number of pages9
JournalAmerican Journal of Sports Medicine
Volume45
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.

Funding

This study received funding from The Arthritis Foundation of America. Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award No. 5K23AR060275. Data collection and study administration were supported by the University of Kentucky CTSA award (UL1TR000117). C.L. is a paid consultant for Cartiheal and Vericel and receives research support from Smith & Nephew. C.A.J. receives research support from Biomet, Stryker, and Zimmer. D.L.J. receives research support from DJ Orthopaedics and Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, receives IP royalties from Smith & Nephew, and is a paid consultant for Smith & Nephew. V.B.K. receives research support from Bioiberica, Endocyte, and Unity Biotechnology and is a paid consultant for AbbVie, Chugai, EMD Serono, Flexion Therapeutics, and Parexel. K.P.S. is a paid consultant for Cytori and Mitek.

FundersFunder number
Arthritis Foundation of America
Smith & Nephew
Unity Biotechnology Incorporated
National Institutes of Health (NIH)5K23AR060275
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
University of KentuckyUL1TR000117

    Keywords

    • anterior cruciate ligament
    • biomarkers
    • cartilage
    • injury
    • knee
    • posttraumatic osteoarthritis

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
    • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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