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The purpose of this study was to create a kinematic model of the knee joint with six degrees of freedom (DOF) and evaluate the effect of medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) rupture on cartilage contact point distribution on the tibia during flexion. We hypothesized that collateral ligament contributions vary over six DOF of knee joint articulation and affect the cartilage contact point distribution during joint articulation. The ligament contributions and distribution of joint cartilage contact points cannot be fully assessed with simplified joint models or invasive experiments. Therefore, we developed a new model in which the tibia and femur centers of mass were determined from their surface geometry, and the displacement of the moving tibia was determined from the displacements of the attached ligaments. Compared to the intact knee, the tibia with the LCL removed had higher medial translation and lower valgus rotation. The tibia with the MCL removed had higher lateral translation and higher valgus rotation than the intact knee. At 0${}^{\circ }$, 30${}^{\circ }$, and 60${}^{\circ }$, the tibia with the LCL removed had more internal rotation than the intact knee. Understanding six DOF knee joint kinematics with integration of ligament contributions and cartilage contact positions is useful for the diagnosis of ligament injuries and the design of articulating surfaces for total arthroplasty.

Background: Combining arthroscopic microfractures (MF) with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) complexes is a potential approach for treating knee cartilage injuries. However, effective treatment of cartilage injuries in the knee joint remains a challenge. Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of a platelet-rich complex based on MF surgery for treating knee cartilage injuries. Methods: We selected 120 patients with knee cartilage injury and divided them into observation and experimental groups according to the use of a platelet-rich complex. Preoperative and postoperative follow-up visit data were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results: Preoperative visual acuity scores between the two groups were comparable ($P>0.05$). At 3 and 6 months postoperatively, the scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group ($P<0.05$). The preoperative Lysholm knee scores and Tegner activity were similar ($P>0.05$) but greater in the experimental group at 3 and 6 months postoperatively ($P<0.05$). Postoperative complications were similar between the two groups according to Fisher’s exact test ($P=1.00$). Conclusion: The platelet-rich complex based on MF surgery treatment of knee cartilage injuries exhibited a better clinical effect and is an easy-to-operate and effective method worthy of clinical consideration.

Background: Improvements for knee osteoarthritis (OA) care models are carried out widely. Yet, patient attendance behaviours in present care models are not fully understood, without the readily available localised evidence.

Objective: Hence, we examined the relationships of patient-specific factors with the physiotherapy attendance for patients with knee OA.

Methods: A retrospective, cohort study was conducted. Primary data from a randomised controlled trial of a community-based, individualised, multidisciplinary programme for patients with knee OA was analysed. Patient-specific factors like demographics, medical factors, self-reported knee function, physical function testing, activity levels and psychological factors were considered. We ran multiple ordered logistic models to examine the relationships between these factors and patients’ physiotherapy attendance.

Results: We found that factors like gender, BMI, pain during physical function, previous knee injections and psychological symptoms were associated with the physiotherapy attendances of patients with knee OA.

Conclusion: There’s evidence to suggest that patient-specific factors are associated with different levels of physiotherapy attendance among the patients with knee OA. Our results further the understanding of physiotherapy attendance patterns of patients with knee OA, and reinforces the need to consider these factors when developing informed treatment strategies that optimises the physiotherapy attendance of these patients.