The relevance of knee arthroscopy photographs in medicolegal proceedings.

PURPOSE: Whether photographs included in the operative report of knee arthroscopies can make the surgeon liable in the event of a legal investigation remains unknown. The main objective of this study was to establish inter-observer reliability in determining the presence or absence of lesions of the cartilage, meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Secondary objective was to assess the inter-observer reliability in classifying lesions. METHOD: A retrospective observational study was conducted in a continuous serie of 60 patients who underwent knee arthroscopy from the same operator. The photographs of each patient's operative report were presented separately to three experts, blinded to each other. Each expert had to decide on the presence or absence of injuries to the following structures: meniscal, cartilage and ACL and then, classify it. Primary and secondary endpoints were evaluated using the Fleiss' kappa index. RESULTS: Inter-observer reliability for lesion detection was between 0.4 and 0.61 for all structures with three exceptions: for cartilage, it was low (0.15) at the lateral tibial plateau and poor (-0.01) at the external condyle. On the contrary, the concordance was almost perfect (0.8) for the ACL. For classifying cartilaginous and meniscal lesions, inter-observer reliability was poor (from 0.03 to 0.14), except for at the lateral meniscus (0.65). CONCLUSION: Inter-observer reliability of arthroscopic knee diagnoses is poor when photographs alone are used. In the event of a legal investigation following knee arthroscopy, the photographs included in the operative report should not be used alone to hold the surgeon liable.

Functional and MRI results after a 7.5 year follow-up of 35 single-stage ACL and PCL reconstructions using gracilis and semitendinosus tendon grafts and LARS artificial ligaments.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term functional and MRI results of 35 patients who underwent bicruciate ligament reconstruction combining an ACL autograft using the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons and double-bundle PCL reconstruction using the LARS artificial ligament. METHODS: The outcomes were measured using the Lysholm score, the Tegner activity level scale and the International Knee Documentation Committee form (IKDC 2000). KT-1000 was used to assess the clinical anterior knee laxity. Radiographs and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate osteoarthritis, the continuity and integrity of ACL autograft and LARS. RESULTS: This retrospective study examined 35 patients who underwent single-stage bicruciate ligament reconstruction between May 2005 and January 2017 with a follow-up period ranging from 3 to 15 years (a mean of 7.5 years). The mean Lysholm score was 74, mean IKDC 2000 was 71. There was a statistically significant difference with a higher Lysholm score (78.9) in early versus delayed surgical intervention (p = 0.023). Using the Kellgren Lawrence osteoarthritis classification system, radiographic findings showed stage II or III in 83% of the sample population. The MRI results revealed a rupture rate of 22% of the anterior autografted ligament and 28% of the posterior LARS artificial ligament. However, there were no long-term artificial ligament-induced complications. There was no correlation between artificial ligament rupture and poor functional results (Lysholm < 65). CONCLUSION: The results of this study with a mean follow-up of 7.5 years show satisfactory functional scores considering the initial trauma. It seems reasonable to propose early surgical treatment with double reconstruction of the cruciate ligaments within the first 21 days of the trauma. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis is inevitable in multi-ligament knee injuries despite anatomical reconstruction. The use of a LARS artificial ligament appears to be a valid alternative for PCL reconstruction in the context of multi-ligament injury and in the absence of sufficient autologous transplants.

MRI sequences at different degrees of flexion to investigate knee popping: an unusual way to diagnose an isolated pigmented villonodular synovitis lesion.

Knee popping is a frequent symptom among knee disorders which requires further investigation in case of a recent evolution of the symptom or pathological associated ones. This article reports a rare presentation of pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS), identified as the cause of knee popping symptoms, by performing MRI sequences at various degrees of knee flexion for a patient complaining from a gradual onset of knee popping, occurring when bending the knee over 120° of flexion. MRI sequences were performed just before the popping occurs (flexion 90°) and right after it had occurred (flexion 120°). The latter confirmed the origin of the symptom as the lesion moved forward, passing brutally through the interstice between the PCL and the ACL at 120° of flexion, explaining the popping. Treatment decision was to perform an arthroscopic resection of the lesion. Diagnosis of isolated PVNS was confirmed after anatomopathological analysis.

Posterior tibial slope (PTS) ≥ 10 degrees is a risk factor for further anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury; BMI is not.

PURPOSE: This case-control study aimed to assess the influence of BMI and PTS on subsequent ACL injury affecting either ACL graft or the native ACL of the contralateral knee after primary ACL reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was performed using a cohort of patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction between 2010 and 2020 using the same surgical procedure: Hamstring tendon autograft. The study group (group I) included all the patients (n = 94) during this period who sustained a subsequent ACL injury. The control group (group II) consisted of 94 patients randomly selected (matched Group I in terms of sex, age, and ACL graft) who did not sustain any further ACL injury. PTS was measured by two blinded surgeons on lateral knee view radiographs of the operated knee after primary ACL. BMI in kg/m2 was measured during the preoperative anesthesia consultation. Exclusion criteria were: non-true or rotated lateral knee radiographs of the operated knee post-ACLR, associated knee ligament injury requiring surgical management, iterative knee surgeries, open growth plate, and related fracture. RESULTS: The mean posterior tibial slope in group I was 7.5° ± 2.9, and 7.2° ± 2.0 in group II. A PTS angle cutoff was set at 10 degrees. The rate of patients showing a PTS ≥ 10° was significantly higher in group I compared to group II (p < 0.01). Patients with PTS ≥ 10° were 5.7 times more likely to sustain a subsequent ACL injury, (OR: 5.7 95% CI[1.858-17.486]). The Average BMI in group I was 24.5 ± 3.7 kg.m-2 compared to group II which was 23.3 ± 3.0 kg.m-2. There were no significant differences in any of the four BMI categories between both groups (p value 0.289). A series of BMI cut-offs were also analyzed at 23 to30 kg/m2, and there was no significant difference between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: A posterior tibial slope equal to or above 10 degrees measured on lateral knee radiographs was associated with 5.7 times higher risk of ACL graft rupture or contralateral native ACL injury; however, BMI was not.

Clinical and radiological outcomes in thoracolumbar fractures using the SpineJack device. A prospective study of seventy-four patients with a two point three year mean of follow-up.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess clinical and radiological results of SpineJack on the treatment of vertebral body fractures in a continuous prospective series of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between May 2012 and April 2015, all patients operated using the SpineJack device were prospectively included in this monocentric study. Demographic data, clinical, and radiological results were recorded. Complications and surgical managements were recorded. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 2.3 years, 74 patients with 77 fractured vertebrae were included. The stand-alone SpineJack group comprised 60 patients with 63 fractured vertebrae (group 1) and the group with additional posterior fixation 14 patients with 14 fractured vertebrae (group 2). The average initial vertebral wedge angle was 13.3 ± 6.1 degrees for group 1 and 15.3 ± 5.7 degrees for group 2 (p = 0.25). Post-operative values were 6.5 ± 4.6 degrees for group 1 and 5.1 ± 3.9 degrees for group 2 (p = 0.31). The differences within the same group were highly significant (p < 0.0005). The loss of reduction at last follow-up was 0.8 ± 1.6 degrees in group 1 and 0.6 ± 2.0 degrees in group 2 (p = 0.77). Subjective results were considered as very good or good for 57 patients (95%) in group 1 and for 11 patients (79%) in group 2, p = 0.07. CONCLUSION: The SpineJack seems to be a promising tool in the treatment of traumatic vertebral fractures with a correction in the sagittal plane comparable with what can be found in the literature.