Clinical Research Directory

Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Genicular Nerve Block in Patients With Gonarthrosis: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study

This study planned to enroll a minimum of 30 patients aged 50 years and older, with a diagnosis of gonarthrosis classified as stage 2 or higher according to the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system, and who report complaints of knee pain and walking difficulties. Patients will be randomized into two groups, and they will be blinded to the group to which they are assigned. In the first group, ultrasound-guided genicular nerve block will be performed using a combination of lidocaine and triamcinolone hexacetonide injection (4 mL Priloc 2% + 1 mL Artropan 20 mg). In the second group, a placebo injection (5 mL saline solution) will be administered. Both groups will be instructed to follow an appropriate exercise program after the treatment. Patients will undergo a detailed physical examination, 6-minute walk test, VAS pain score, WOMAC questionnaire, and 3D kinematic gait analysis with pressure parameters evaluated by a blinded researcher. Evaluations will take place before treatment, 1 hour after treatment, and 1 month post-treatment. The collected data will be analyzed for differences between the two groups and changes over time. The potential positive effects of the treatment will be measured and compared with the placebo group to assess the therapeutic efficacy.

Oral vs Intravenous Dexamethasone in Total Knee Arthroplasty

This prospective observational cohort study aims to evaluate the association between perioperative dexamethasone administration and early postoperative recovery following primary total knee arthroplasty. In routine clinical practice, dexamethasone may be administered orally, intravenously, or not administered, depending on the surgeon's established perioperative protocol. The primary objective is to assess early postoperative recovery in terms of pain intensity, functional mobility, and knee joint range of motion. Secondary objectives include evaluation of inflammatory response, postoperative metabolic changes, opioid requirement, and the severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Group allocation is non-randomized and determined solely by the standard perioperative management approach routinely applied by the surgeon selected by the patient. No additional interventions are introduced for research purposes. All outcomes are assessed prospectively during the early postoperative period.

Intra-articular Infiltration of Platelet-Rich Fibrin vs Corticosteroid in Mild to Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis

Methodology: Randomized double-blind clinical trial comparing intra-articular injection of Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) versus intra-articular injection of corticosteroids in mild to moderate arthrosis of the knee. Inclusion criteria: Age 50 years or older, who have not improved with non-surgical treatment for at least 3 months, ability to sign informed consent, mean visual analogue scale \> 40/100 (over at least 7 days during the month anterior), mild or moderate knee arthrosis diagnosed by grade 2 or 3 radiographic imaging according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification. Inclusion criteria: angular deviation \>10º of varus or valgus in relation to the anatomical neutral axis in the coronal plane clinically evaluated with a goniometer (femur anatomical axis x tibial anatomical axis \> 4th varus or \> 16th valgus), BMI \>35 or \<18, smoking , autoimmune inflammatory disease - rheumatologic, diabetes - with glycated Hb \> 7, chronic kidney disease, coagulopathies, severe cardiovascular diseases, infections or immunodeficiencies, malignant neoplasm in activity or under treatment, use of NSAIDs in the last month, use of corticosteroids in the last 3 months, platelets \< 150,000, recent intra-articular corticosteroid infiltration or recent Hyaluronic acid infiltration (within the last 6 months), pregnancy or suspected pregnancy, psychiatric disorders. Exclusion criteria: when one of the investigators considers that the participant may be simulating a worse health state than the real one in order to receive financial assistance with the absence from work, he will be excluded from the work. Primary outcome: WOMAC. Secondary outcomes: Visual Analogue Pain Scale. Evaluation moments: inclusion and after the procedure at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Sample calculation: 90 patients, 45 patients in each group, considering 15% loss to follow-up and aiming to reach a power of 0.8 and an alpha value of 0.5.

Kinematic Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty - a Double-blind Randomised Controlled Trial Between Robotic and Caliper-based Techniques

Knee replacement surgery is a surgery designed to treat severe arthritis of the knee. However, as many as 20% of patients are not satisfied with the results of their surgery. To place the knee replacement in correct position, the kinematic alignment method, which tries to reproduce the patient normal anatomy, has shown promise in improving the satisfaction after knee replacement surgery. It is not known if using a robotic arm to assist in surgery is better than the traditional method when trying to recreate kinematic alignment. The goal of this study is to learn if robotic assisted surgery is better than traditional method for knee replacement done using kinematic alignment. The main questions the study tries to answer are: 1. Do the radiographs of kinematic knee replacement surgeries done with robotic assistance show better alignment than radiographs of kinematic knee replacements done with the traditional method? 2. Does robotic assisted kinematic knee replacement give better function to patients than traditional knee replacement done with kinematic alignment? 3. Does robotic assisted kinematic knee replacement decrease pain, improve knee movement and improve knee stability better than traditional knee replacement done with kinematic alignment? 4. Are there more complications with robotic assisted kinematic knee replacement in comparison to traditional kinematic knee replacement? 5. How long long does it take a surgeon to become good a performing a kinematic knee replacement using robotic assistance? Researchers will compare knee replacements done using a robotic to make the bone cuts, and compare it to the usual method using guides and manual instruments. All the knee replacements will be done using the kinematic alignment and with the same type of knee replacement prothesis. Participants will: * Have a knee replacement done with the kinematic alignment technique by an experienced surgeon, with or without robotic assistance during the surgery. * Visit the clinic before surgery, six weeks after surgery, three months, six months, twelve months and twenty-four months after the surgery. * Fill questionnaire, have their knee examined and have radiographs of their knee done at each visit.