Assessment of arthroscopic management of femoroacetabular impingement. A prospective multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical treatment of femoroacetabular impingement can be performed under arthroscopic control, to limit associated morbidity. Encouraged by recent good reports, arthroscopy is replacing alternative techniques for this indication. HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopy enables femoroacetabular impingement to be corrected with a low rate of associated morbidity. AIM OF STUDY: To assess the indications for and quality of the technique and its impact on preliminary results and complications. To investigate preoperative prognostic factors. PATIENT AND METHODS: One hundred and eleven hips in 110 patients (78 male, 32 female; mean age, 31 years) were operated on under arthroscopic control for femoroacetabular impingement, by six senior surgeons. Sixty-five patients showed no radiographic sign of osteoarthritis, and 36 showed grade-1 early osteoarthritis on the Tönnis scale. RESULTS: Mean WOMAC score rose from 60.3 preoperatively to 83 (p<0.001) at a mean 10 months' FU (range, 6-18 mo). Seventy-seven percent of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their result. Patients with early osteoarthritis had significantly lower WOMAC and satisfaction scores than those free of osteoarthritis. Operative crossover to open surgery occurred in only one case. Five patients (4%) had revision: total hip replacement or resurfacing. There were seven complications (6%): three cases of heterotopic ossification, one of crural palsy, one of pudendal palsy, one of labium majus necrosis, and one non-displacement stress fracture of the femoral head/neck junction (managed by non-weight-bearing). There was no palsy of the territory of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh. DISCUSSION: Results confirmed the efficacy and low associated morbidity of arthroscopy in the management of femoroacetabular impingement. Short-term functional results matched those of the literature. Planning and assessment seem not yet to be fully standardized. Preoperative osteoarthritis on X-ray was associated with poorer functional results. This attitude does not seem to be indicated for hips showing evolved osteoarthritis (>grade 1).

Imaging data in a prospective series of adult hip pain in under-50 year-olds.

Two hundred and ninety-two patients under the age of 50 years, presenting with mechanical hip pain, were included in a prospective multicenter study. In 241 cases, imaging assessment included AP standing pelvic X-ray and Lequesne's false profile (LFP) and/or lateral neck (Ducroquet, Dunn or variant) hip X-ray. Cross-sectional arthroscan and/or arthro-MRI images were available in 81 cases. Exploration looked for acetabular and femoral head/neck dysplasia liable to induce cam or pincer anterior femoroacetabular impingement (AFAI), respectively. Labral and chondral lesions arise secondarily to hip osteoarthritis (HOA) and/or AFAI. Two-thirds of patients showed HOA. Only 6% showed a strictly normal aspect on imaging. More than half (52%) of cases had cam AFAI, half of these involving an osteophytic neck, associated in more than 90% of cases with large multifocal bone spurs of the head, neck and acetabula. These cases were considered ambiguous, due to the uncertainty as to the congenital nature of the cervico-cephalic dysmorphy; if they are excluded, only 23% of the series involved cam AFAI. Crossover sign on AP standing pelvic X-ray is the best assessment criterion for acetabular retroversion, the most frequent form of acetabular dysplasia underlying pincer AFAI, and should be explored for. Secondary neck lesions were visible only on lateral neck view in 42% of cases: this view should be included in standard radiologic work-up in under-50 year-olds. The alpha angle can be measured on this type of lateral view and on axial arthroscan and arthro-MR images; more than half of the cases in which it was pathological involved an osteophytic neck and thus a pseudo-cam effect.

[Treatment of FAI via a minimally invasive ventral approach with arthroscopic assistance. Technique and midterm results]. / Behandlung des FAI durch einen minimal-invasiven ventralen Zugang mit arthroskopischer Unterstützung. Technik und mittelfristige Ergebnisse.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) may be considered as an important cause of hip pain among young patients. A new surgical technique using a mini open anterior Hueter approach with arthroscopic assistance was developed in our department in 1999. The goal of our study was to evaluate the midterm clinical results and the quality of life after cam resection, rim trimming, and labrum refixation using this technique. The first 100 hips operated on using this technique were evaluated with the Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS) at a mean follow-up of 54 months. The mean age of the patients was 33.4 years, with 50 men and 47 women. At the last follow-up, the mean NAHS score increased significantly from 54.5+/-12 by 29.6 points to 84.3+/-16 (p<0.001). The clinical result was very good in 40 cases, good in 38 cases, fair in 8 cases, and poor in 14 patients. Eleven hips developed osteoarthrosis and finally had a total hip replacement. One patient had a femoral neck fracture at 3 weeks postoperatively. The best results were obtained in patients under 40 years of age (53 patients) and with a Tönnis osteoarthrosis grade of 0, 90% of whom had a very good or good result at a mean follow-up of 55 months. Refixation of the labrum was not significantly correlated with a higher NAHS (87+/-11 versus 82+/-19, p=0.13) at the last follow-up. Resection of cam FAI of the femoral head-neck junction using a mini anterior Hueter approach with arthroscopic assistance is a safe and effective technique in treating young adults with femoroacetabular impingement. This technique offers direct visualization of the anterior femoral head-neck junction and is less invasive than the surgical dislocation approach.

Transcondylar traction as a closed reduction technique in vertically unstable pelvic ring disruption.

Little information is provided in the literature describing an efficient reduction technique for pelvic ring disruption. The aim of this study is to assess the use of the transcondylar traction as a closed reduction technique for vertically unstable fracture-dislocations of the sacro-iliac joint. Twenty-four pelvic ring disruptions were treated with attempted closed reduction followed by percutaneous screw fixation. Transcondylar traction was used as a closed reduction technique. Closed reduction to within 1 cm of residual displacement was obtained in all cases. No incidence of infection, digestive, cutaneous, or vascular complications occurred. We observed secondary displacement in three patients. Correction of the vertical displacement is better achieved when performed within 8 days after the trauma. Two posterior screws and a complementary anterior fixation is typically required to avoid further displacement in case of sacral fractures. However, an open approach should be preferred in both cases of crescent iliac fracture-sacroiliac dislocation and transforaminal fracture associated with peripheral neurological deficit. A vertical sacral fracture should make the surgeon more wary of fixation failure and loss of reduction.

[Magnetic resonance imaging of medial meniscus tears with displaced fragment in the meniscal recesses]. / Diagnostic IRM des lambeaux méniscaux médiaux déplacés le long du ligament tibial collatéral.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Displaced meniscus tears generally result from bucket handle tears with subsequent migration of the meniscal fragment into the intercondylar notch. More rarely, the fragment may move into the meniscal recesses. In this situation, the displaced fragment may be difficult to individualize arthroscopically, so preoperative imaging is crucial. Several studies have demonstrated the reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of meniscus injury with fragment displacement in the intercondylar notch. There have been few studies devoted to fragment displacement into the collateral capsuloligamentary structures. The purpose of this study was to describe MRI findings of medial meniscus tears with displaced fragment in the meniscal recesses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted over a 22-month period (May 2003 - February 2005). During this period, we selected 39 patients whose knee MRI displayed a meniscal fragment within the medial collateral recesses. These 39 patients accounted for 15% of knees with MRI-diagnosed meniscal tears (n=272) and 2% of the knee MRI examinations performed during the study period (n=2239). One the MRI series, we studied fragment migration and morphological anomalies of the injured meniscus. For 16 knees, MRI findings could be compared with arthroscopy findings. RESULTS: For 25 knees (65%), the meniscal fragment had migrated downward along the medial tibial plateau and generally (64%) medially to the collateral tibial ligament. For 14 knees (35%) the meniscal fragment had migrated upward, along the medial femoral condyle in 93%, anteriorly to the medial collateral tibial ligament. For 95%, the MRI demonstrated rupture along the free border of the posterior segment and/or the mid segment of the medial meniscus or a decreased height of the posterior segment of the medial meniscus. For 14 of 16 cases, arthroscopy confirmed the meniscal tear and the localization of the displaced fragment. For two knees, arthroscopy confirmed the presence of the meniscal tear but could not identify the displaced meniscal fragment. DISCUSSION: Meniscal tears with fragment displacement into the meniscal recesses has been associated with displacement of a horizontal fissuration which flap tears described arthroscopically by DJ Dandy. Other authors consider these tear flaps as oblique fissurations. In our study, it was sometimes difficult to determine the exact site and orientation of the initial meniscal tear so it is quite likely that meniscal tears with a displaced fragment in the meniscal recesses could correspond to complex predominantly horizontal or oblique meniscal fissurations. The common feature is the presence of an unstable meniscal flap susceptible to migrate. Our findings are in agreement with the literature. Regarding the two cases where the MRI findings could not be confirmed arthroscopically, the MRI visualized a characteristic image of a meniscal fragment displaced downwardly, lying between the medial tibial plateau and the collateral tibial ligament. Arthroscopy visualized the meniscal tear but failed to visualize the displaced fragment. This might be because mobile meniscal fragments return into the joint interspace when the meniscus is manipulated arthroscopically. Small meniscal fragments might also be inaccessible arthroscopically.

Scapulothoracic arthrodesis in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Forty-nine scapulothoracic arthrodeses were done in 33 patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy to improve upper limb performance during activities of daily living. Mean followup was 102 months (range, 12-257 months). An initial average increase in shoulder abduction of 25 degrees and forward elevation of 29 degrees was seen. Complications included pleural effusion in four patients, atelectasis in one patient, stress fractures in both scapulas in one patient, asymptomatic fractures of the two lower wired ribs in one patient, and spontaneously reversible neurologic complications in two patients. No effect on respiratory function was seen.

[Dislocation of the femoral component of an unicondylar knee prosthesis. Apropos of a case]. / Déchaussement de la pièce fémorale d'une prothèse unicompartimentaire de genou. A propos d'un cas.

INTRODUCTION: Femoral component dislocation in unicondylar knee arthroplasty is rare. One case is reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 59 years old man required revision of his unicondylar knee arthroplasty for loosening and dislocation of the femoral component 3 years after its insertion. Revision was performed and we found a technical error: distal and posterior femoral cut was too thin, and with components in place, there was a tendancy for the components to "rock" as the knee was flexed. The implants were too tight in flexion. A new unicondylar knee arthroplasty was performed. DISCUSSION: The posterior condylar bone resection should reach at least the thickness of the metal implant. It is better to resect slightly too much of the posterior condyle than too little in order to avoid tightening of the knee in flexion. The femoral component must accurately reproduces the anterior-posterior dimension of the femoral condyle. CONCLUSION: With better selection of patients and surgeons who are more familiar to this type of procedure loosening and dislocation of an unicondylar knee arthroplasty should be avoided.

[Evaluation of the direct cost of trochanteric fractures in the elderly]. / Evaluation du coût direct des fractures pertrochantériennes du sujet âgé.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The cost effectiveness of trochanteric hip fractures in 1995 at Pitié-Salpétrière Hospital in Paris has been thoroughly analysed. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify the factors responsible for the variation in the treatment cost of those fractures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cost, Hospital stay, functional status, ASA score, mental status and surgical treatment were analysed in 74 patients aged over 60 years old. RESULTS: The mean cost per patient was 23,901 FF divided as follows: 8.5 per cent for preoperative care, 40.5 per cent for surgical procedures, 51 per cent for post-operative care. The mean hospital stay was 18 days. The cost of hospital personnel (44 per cent) and medical materiel (26 per cent) were the two main sources of hospital expenses beside medical investigations (11 per cent), hostelry (8 per cent), blood transfusion (6 per cent) and drugs (5 per cent). DISCUSSION: The duration of hospital stay was the only factor that affected statistically the mean cost per patient. Furthermore, factors related to the patient as age, sex, place of residence prior to admission, functional status, ASA score, mental status, had no influence on cost variation. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the best way to reduce the cost of trochanteric fractures treatment is to develop convalescence structures to avoid a lengthy and costly hospital stay and to minimize the abuse utilization of medical materials.

The anatomy of intersexuality.

A description of anatomical lesions in the intersexual states has been made based on clinical and anatomical observations. This study provides the anatomical basis which is necessary before surgical genital reconstruction can be carried out.