Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is increasingly prevalent in North American society. The significant societal burden it represents makes it essential to promote and target new treatments in earlier phases of the disease. Among others, subchondroplasty is a newly documented technique using calcium phosphate injection targeting the osteochondral lesions preceding KOA, also known as Bone Marrow Lesions (BMLs). This article aimed to review the existing literature on clinical and radiological outcomes of subchondroplasty in the treatment of BMLs in KOA.
Method: A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Embase, Medline and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Studies on calcium phosphate injections into BMLs for KOA and its clinical and radiological outcomes were screened and reviewed by independent evaluators.
Results: After screening, ten articles were included, totaling 540 patients. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 7 years. Overall, the procedure showed significant functional and quality of life improvement, as well as pain relief, as shown by Patients-Reported Outcomes Measures (PROMs). There were very few complications reported, the most important being leakage of calcium phosphate outside the targeted site. Conversion rate to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) ranged from 14 % to 30 % at 2 years post-procedure. Long term radiological outcomes have been poorly documented.
Conclusions: Subchondroplasty is a promising avenue for the treatment of KOA. However, quality evidence is still required before any real conclusions and practical management guidelines can be drawn. Prospective, randomized studies with a control group and a rigorous assessment of long-term clinical and radiological outcomes are recommended.
Keywords: Bone marrow lesion; Knee; Osteoarthritis; Subchondroplasty.
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