Background: Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is often associated with significant blood loss, leading to complications such as acute anemia and increased risk of infection and mortality. Tranexamic acid (TXA), an antifibrinolytic agent, has been recognized for effectively reducing blood loss during TJA. This systematic review and network meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral TXA compared with other administration routes in TJA. Methods: Adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science, focusing on randomized clinical trials involving oral TXA in TJA. The studies were assessed for quality using the Cochrane risk assessment scale. Data synthesis involved network meta-analyses, comparing outcomes including hemoglobin drop, estimated blood loss (EBL), transfusion rate, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) rate. Results: Our comprehensive literature search incorporated 39 studies with 7,538 participants, focusing on 8 TXA administration methods in TJA. The combination of oral and intra-articular (oral + IA) TXA markedly reduced hemoglobin drop more effectively than oral, intravenous (IV), and IA alone, but the difference was not significant. Oral + IA TXA significantly reduced EBL more effectively than oral + IV, IA + IV, and oral, IV, and IA alone. Perioperative transfusion rates with oral + IA TXA was significantly lower than that of oral, IA, and IV alone. The DVT rate with oral + IA was significantly lower than that with all other routes, including oral + IV, IA + IV, and oral, IA, and IV alone. Conclusion: Oral TXA, particularly in combination with IA administration, demonstrates significantly higher efficacy in reducing blood loss and transfusion rates in TJA, with a safety profile comparable with that of other administration routes. The oral route, offering lower costs and simpler administration, emerges as a viable and preferable option in TJA procedures. Level of Evidence: Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

This review highlights the pivotal role of Kaplan fibers (KFs) in knee stability, particularly in the anterolateral aspect. Studies reveal their complex anatomy with varying attachments to the distal femur, demonstrating a significant impact on knee joint mechanics across different populations. Investigations into the biomechanics of KFs show their crucial role in maintaining rotational stability of the knee, especially during rotational movements. Their synergistic function with other knee structures, like the anterolateral ligament, is emphasized, underscoring their importance in knee integrity and function. MRI emerges as a key tool in detecting KFs, with varying visibility and prevalence of injuries. The review discusses the development of MRI criteria for accurate diagnosis, highlighting the need for further research to refine these criteria and understand the interplay between KF injuries, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures, and associated knee pathologies. The review covers various lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) techniques used to address residual laxity and instability following ACL reconstruction. Among them, the modified Lemaire technique, which resembles the anatomical and functional characteristics of distal KFs, shows effectiveness in reducing internal rotation and residual laxity. The review emphasizes the need for further research to understand the healing dynamics of KF injuries and the efficacy of different LET techniques. It suggests that a comprehensive approach, considering both biomechanical and clinical aspects, is crucial for advancing knee joint health and rehabilitation.

Background: The field of sports medicine presents a varied landscape of research on hamstring injuries in athletes, characterized by inconclusive and sometimes conflicting findings on effective treatment and rehabilitation strategies. This discordance prompted the current systematic investigation. Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed for conducting the systematic review. Multiple international bibliometric databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase) were searched to identify studies evaluating any treatment option for the management of hamstring injuries in athletes. Eligible studies were appraised for quality using Joanna Briggs Institute and Risk of Bias 2 tools. Results: A total of 30 studies with 1,195 participants were included. Of the reviewed studies, treatments varied from aggressive rehabilitation, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, manual techniques, various exercise protocols to modalities like high-power laser and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Evidence suggested benefits from treatments like extensive muscle lengthening during eccentric actions, progressive agility, and trunk stabilization. PRP injections produced mixed results regarding return to sport and reinjury rates. Stretching exercises, sometimes combined with cryotherapy, showed benefits. Conclusion: Treatments for hamstring injuries exhibit varied efficacy. Although rest, ice, compression, and elevation remains essential for acute management, rehabilitation focusing on muscle strengthening and flexibility is crucial. The potential benefits of PRP injections, especially for chronic cases, require more conclusive research. A comprehensive approach, combining evidence-based practices and patient-centric factors, is vital for effective management and recovery. Level of Evidence: Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

» Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a promising treatment option for patients with knee osteoarthritis who are unresponsive to nonsurgical treatments and not yet candidates for surgery. » Current evidence supports the effectiveness of GAE in reducing pain and synovitis, with few reported major adverse events. » The cost-effectiveness and long-term results of GAE compared with other treatment options require further investigation. » Limitations of existing studies include small sample sizes, single-center trials, and lack of comparison between embolic agents and other treatments. » Future research should focus on larger, multicenter trials with longer follow-up periods and head-to-head comparisons with alternative treatment modalities to establish the role of GAE in the management of knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) preserves healthy cartilage and may provide a more “natural-feeling” joint compared with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) is increasingly used to assess joint awareness. We aimed to systematically compare FJS outcomes in patients undergoing UKA versus TKA. Methods: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, we searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. We included studies reporting FJS in UKA vs. TKA, assessed risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and Cochrane RoB-2, and conducted random-effects meta-analyses to calculate pooled mean differences (MD), and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the findings. Results: Ninteen studies (16 cohort, 3 randomized clinical trials; 4,500 knees) were included. Overall, the pooled MD in FJS favored UKA by 8.45 points (95% CI: 6.03-10.88; p < 0.001), indicating lower joint awareness. However, heterogeneity was high (I² = 96.24%) and publication bias was detected. Sensitivity analyses, including a leave-one-out analysis and an analysis restricted to randomized controlled trials, confirmed the consistency of the results, with no single study disproportionately influencing the findings. Conclusion: Despite substantial heterogeneity, these findings suggest that UKA may offer superior joint awareness compared with TKA. Level of Evidence: Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.