ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical significance of Q-angle measuring under different conditions in female recurrent patellar dislocation female patients. MethodsBetween August 2012 and March 2013, 10 female patients (11 knees) with recurrent patellar dislocation were collected as trial group; 20 female patients (20 knees) with simple meniscus injury were collected as control group at the same time. Q-angle was measured in extension, 30° flexion, 30° flexion with manual correction, and surgical correction in the trial group, and only in extension and 30° flexion in the control group. Then the difference value of Q-angle between extension and 30° flexion (Q-angle in extension subtracts Q-angle in 30 flexion) were calculated. Independent sample t-test was used to analyze Q-angle degrees in extension, 30° flexion, and the changed degrees of 2 groups. The Q-angle between manual correction and surgical correction of the trial group was analyzed by paired t-test. ResultsThe Q-angle in extension, Q-angle in 30° flexion, and difference value of Q-angle between extension and 30° flexion were (17.2±3.6), (14.3±3.0), and (2.9±1.9)° in the trial group and were (15.2±3.4), (14.4±3.5), and (0.8±1.7)° in the control group. No significant difference was found in Q-angle of extension or Q-angle of 30° flexion between 2 groups (P>0.05), but the difference value of Q-angle between extension and 30° flexion in the trial group was significantly larger than that in the control group (t=3.253, P=0.003). The Q-angle in 30° flexion with manual correction and surgical correction in the trial group was (19.8±3.4)° and (18.9±3.8)° respectively, showing no significant difference (t=2.193, P=0.053). ConclusionWhen a female patient's Q-angle in 30° flexion knee changes obviously compared with Q-angle in extension position, recurrent patellar dislocation should be considered. For female patients with recurrent patellar dislocation, the preoperative Q-angle in 30° flexion with manual correction should be measured, which can help increasing the accuracy of evaluation whether rearrangement should be performed.
ObjectiveTo investigate the expressions of cartilage degenerative related genes in meniscus, and to evaluate the potential effect of meniscal damage on cartilage degeneration, and to analyze the relationship between microRNAs (miRNAs) expression and cartilage degeneration. MethodsMeniscal tissue was collected from 5 patients undergoing partial meniscectomy between September 2012 and October 2013 (experimental group), and normally meniscal tissue without tearing from amputees was used as controls (control group). Pathological changes of menisci were observed; and real-time fluorescent quatitative PCR was performed to examine the relative expression levels of cartilage degenerative related genes and miRNAs:Aggrecan (ACAN), type X collagen (COL10A1), matrix metalloproteinases 13 (MMP-13), CCAAT enhancer binding protein β (CEBP-β), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondinmotif 5 (ADAMTS-5), miR-193b, miR-92a, and miR-455-3p in meniscus. ResultsThere were varying degrees of degenerative pathological changes in torn meniscus of experimental group. Compared with normal meniscus of control group, the expression of ACAN was decreased, while the expressions of COL10A1, CEBP-β, ADAMTS-5, and MMP-13 were increased in torn meniscus of experimental group; and significant difference was found (P<0.05) except ACAN and MMP-13 (P>0.05). The expressions of miR-92a, miR-455-3p, and miR-193b in torn meniscus of experimental group were significantly higher than those in normal meniscus of control group (P<0.05). ConclusionMeniscal tissue has the intrinsic tendency of degeration after meniscus tear. The torn meniscus has greater stimulative impact on cartilage degeneration than normally morphological meniscus without tearing. The cartilage degenerative related miRNAs, including miR-193b, miR-92a, and miR-455-3p may contribute to the up-regulation of osteoarthritis.