Purpose We assessed erythrocyte sedimentation rate and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration in knee osteoarthritis and non-knee osteoarthritis. In addition, we investigated potential relationship between the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein with clinical findings and radiographic severity. Methods We compared erythrocyte sedimentation rate and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration between 104 patients with knee osteoarthritis (knee osteoarthritis group; 25 males, 79 females; mean age, 73 y) and 50 patients without knee osteoarthritis (non-knee osteoarthritis group; 16 males, 34 females; mean age, 64 y) excluding any patients with comorbid joint osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, malignant tumours or inflammatory diseases. In the knee osteoarthritis group, we assessed whether erythrocyte sedimentation rate and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration differed in clinical features and Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grades. Results Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were significantly higher in the knee osteoarthritis group than in the non-knee osteoarthritis group (P = 0.0013 and 0.00010, respectively). In the knee osteoarthritis group, erythrocyte sedimentation rate was significantly elevated in patients with tenderness and patellar ballottement (P = 0.032 and 0.038, respectively), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration was significantly elevated in patients with tenderness, swelling and patellar ballottement (P = 0.0042, 0.00030 and 0.019, respectively). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate in KL-I was lower than erythrocyte sedimentation rate in KL-III and -IV (P = 0.012 and 0.037, respectively). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate in KL-II did not significantly differ from erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the other groups. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration was lower in grade I than in KL-II, -III and -IV (P = 0.044, 0.0085 and 0.049, respectively). Conclusions Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration were higher in patients with knee osteoarthritis and were related to clinical features. In knee osteoarthritis, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration may increase in early-stage KL-II.

Peer reviewed article authored by (Hanada M, Koyama H, Takahashi M, Matsuyama Y). Read article or submit your manuscript for publishing.

The rate of re-rupture of Achilles tendon after surgical treatment were reported to 1.7-5.6% previously. Re-rupture of Achilles tendon generally occurs subcutaneously. We experienced two rare cases of the open re-ruptures of Achilles tendon with a transverse wound perpendicular to the primary surgical incision. Re-rupture occurred 4 and 13 weeks after surgical treatment. We suggest that open re-rupture correlates more closely with skin scaring and shortening. Another factor may be adhesion between the subcutaneous scar and the suture of the paratenon and Achilles tendon with post-operative immobilization.