SAT0572 Initial structural response predicts long-term survival of knee joint distraction as a treatment for knee osteoarthritis
Authors: M. Jansen, G. Van der Weiden, R. Custers, S. Mastbergen, F. Lafeber
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2018)

<h3>Background</h3> In relatively young patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA) comes with the risk of revision surgery<sup>1</sup>. Knee joint distraction (KJD) is a joint preserving surgery technique, which has been shown to provide clinical and structural improvement for at least five years<sup>2</sup> and postpones the need for TKA. <h3>Objectives</h3> To evaluate long-term clinical and structural results and identify characteristics predicting survival of the native knee joint after KJD. <h3>Methods</h3> End-stage tibiofemoral OA patients (n=20; age &lt;60 years) indicated for TKA were treated with KJD. WOMAC questionnaires (100 best) and VAS pain scores (0 best) were used for clinical evaluation at baseline and every year after treatment, up to 9 years. Minimum and mean joint space width (JSW) and mean bone density of the most affected compartment (MAC) were measured using KIDA software on standardised radiographs (baseline and 1, 2, 5 and 7 years after treatment). The mean cartilage thickness of the MAC was measured on MRI scans (baseline and 1, 2 and 5 years after treatment). Survival after treatment was analysed (failure defined by TKA). Prediction of KJD survival was studied by logistic regression analyses. <h3>Results</h3> Three patients withdrew consent. Survival 9 years after treatment was 48%. Survival percentages differed significantly for gender (women 14%, men 70%; p=0.035; figure 1A) and for increase in minimum JSW in the 1 st year (&lt;0.5 mm increase 0%,&gt;0.5 mm increase 72%; p=0.002; figure 1B). Survivors reported clinical improvement compared to baseline: ΔWOMAC+29.9 points (95% CI +16.9 to+42.9; p=0.001; figure 1C), ΔVAS −46.8 mm (95% CI −31.6 to −61.9; p&lt;0.001). In addition, a significant increase of the minimum JSW (+0.62 mm; 95% CI +0.13 to+1.11; p=0.020; figure 1D) was found after 7 years. No significant changes were found for the mean JSW (+0.36 mm; 95% CI −0.85 to +1.57; p=0.505). In patients whose treatment failed over time, last reported clinical scores were still improved compared to baseline: ΔWOMAC+20.5 points (95% CI −1.8 to +42.8; p=0.067; figure 1C), ΔVAS −25.4 mm (95% CI −3.2 to −47.7; p=0.030). In contrast, the minimum JSW (+0.22 mm; 95% CI −0.15 to 0.58; p=0.205) and mean JSW (+0.21 mm; 95% CI −1.08 to 1.51; p=0.712) at the last reported time points were no longer increased. Gender and minimum JSW increase after 1 year predict survival of the native knee joint after 9 years (OR of 14 and 0.02; both p&lt;0.046). The 1 year bone density decrease and mean cartilage thickness increase had a tendency to be predictive (OR of 1.38 and 0.01; both p&lt;0.090). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Joint distraction for end-stage knee OA shows long-lasting clinical and structural improvement with a survival of 48% at 9 years. Clinical scores in patients failing treatment were still improved compared to baseline and cannot fully explain the subsequent TKA surgery. Positive predicting factors for survival of the native knee are male gender and a larger initial increase in minimum JSW (both, 70% survival at 9 years). Potentially, an initial decrease in bone density and an increase in mean cartilage thickness are predictive as well. Overall, the initial structural response after KJD appears to be important for long-term success of the treatment. <h3>References</h3> [1] Kurtz SM, et al. Clin Orthop Relat Res2009;467(10):2606–12. [2] J-TAD van der Woude, et al. Cartilage2017;8(3):263–271. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared