Evolución clínica y análisis del estado del cartílago articular por mapeo-T2 y segunda vista artroscópica a veinticuatro meses del trasplante de menisco medial / Meniscal transplantation. Clinical evolution of articular cartilage for T2-mapping and second-look arthroscopic at twenty-four months

Introducción: El objetivo de nuestro trabajo es evaluar la evolución clínica, la condroprotección y la reacción inmunológica del trasplante de menisco (TM) con aloinjerto gama irradiado (GI) versus fresco congelado (FC) a veinticuatro meses. Materiales y métodos: veinte TM mediales en veinte pacientes, se evaluaron escalas de rodilla, Mapeo-T2 y segunda vista artroscópica, así como identificación de reacciones inmunológicas con la medición de citocinas inflamatorias por PCR en sangre y líquido sinovial. Trece trasplantes con injerto FC y siete GI, edad promedio de treinta y dos años. Resultados: mejoría significativa en escalas a veinticuatro meses: KOOS (dolor 67.80/79.30; síntomas 60.80/82.10; AVD 8.05/92.40; deportes 37/63.35; CV 28.90/71.30), Lysholm (62.20/85.80), IKDCs (50.17/72.12), EVA (3.35/0.4). El cartílago del compartimento trasplantado se mantuvo dentro de valores normales, sin diferencia a los veinticuatro meses (fémur: 33.43 versus 33.50 ms, p = 0.16) (tibia: 33.57 versus 34.35 ms, p = 0.21). Todos los pacientes mostraron integridad del injerto a los doce meses en la segunda vista artroscópica. Solo se observó aumento en las citoquinas plasmáticas IL-6 e IL-17 en un paciente del grupo GI, sin repercusión clínica. Conclusiones: mejoría clínica, adecuada integración y condroprotección significativa a veinticuatro meses en ambos tipos de injertos

Introduction: Our objective is to evaluate the clinical course, chondroprotection and immunological reaction of meniscus transplantation (TM) with gamma irradiated (GI) versus fresh frozen (FC) allograft at twenty-four months. Materials and methods: twenty medial TMs in twenty patients, knee scales, T2-mapping and second arthroscopic view were evaluated, as well as identification of immunological reactions with the measurement of inflammatory cytokines by PCR in blood and synovial fluid. Thirteen transplants with FC graft and seven GI grafts, average age of thirty-two years. Results: significant improvement on scales at twenty-four months: KOOS (pain 67.80 / 79.30; symptoms 60.80 / 82.10; AVD 8.05 / 92.40; sports 37 / 63.35; CV 28.90 / 71.30), Lysholm (62.20 / 85.80), IKDCs (50.17 / 72.12), EVA (3.35 / 0.4). The cartilage of the transplanted compartment remained within normal values, with no difference at twenty-four months (femur: 33.43 versus 33.50 ms, p = 0.16) (tibia: 33.57 versus 34.35 ms, p = 0.21). Conclusions: all patients showed integrity of the graft at twelve months in the second arthroscopic view. An increase in plasma cytokines IL-6 and IL-17 was only observed in one patient in the GI group, without clinical repercussion. Clinical improvement, adequate integration and significant chondroprotection at twenty-four months in both types of grafts

Radiographic displacement of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocations fixed with AC TightRope.

BACKGROUND: The arthroscopic approach to acromioclavicular (AC) dislocation with methods such as AC TightRope fixation has reported radiographic failure rates between 18% and 50% with functional results graded as good or excellent. Our objective was to review the outcomes after arthroscopic fixation for acute AC joint dislocation using the TightRope device. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 52 patients, with a mean age of 31 years, who underwent arthroscopic fixation with the TightRope device for acute AC joint dislocation. Outcomes were evaluated using the Constant and University of California, Los Angeles scores. The coracoclavicular (CC) distance before and after surgery was compared by radiography. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 36.7 months (range, 6-65 months). Postoperatively, the mean Constant score was 97.13 and the mean University of California, Los Angeles score was 33.2. The CC distance was maintained in 73% of the patients, whereas partial loss of reduction occurred in 19.2% and failure of reduction occurred in 7.7%. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic fixation using the TightRope device for acute AC joint dislocation achieves satisfactory clinical outcomes. However, CC reconstruction appears to result in subluxation in cases with AC dislocation for a period of more than 10 days.

Reparación meniscal con técnica dentro-fuera / Inside-out meniscal repair technique

Sabemos que la meniscectomía lleva al desarrollo temprano de osteoartritis, es por ello que en la actualidad se tiende a reparar más que a resecar meniscos. La reparación meniscal Dentro-Fuera es una técnica que ha probado ser efectiva tanto así que sigue siendo el estándar de oro. Aunque la técnica todo dentro ha sido mejorada, la técnica Dentro-Fuera ofrece ventajas como el poder reparar diferentes tipos de patrones de lesiones así como utilizar diferentes tipos de puntos y suturas. La desventaja es que requiere de una incisión extra y una adecuada disección de los tejidos blandos para evitar complicaciones iatrogénicas y anudar los puntos directamente sobre la cápsula. En el artículo describimos la técnica que utilizamos

It is well known that meniscectomy leads to the early development of knee arthritis, that is the reason that nowadays we favour meniscal repair rather than meniscectomy. The Inside-out meniscal repair technique has proven to be effective, has passed the test of time and has withstanded as the gold standard of meniscal repair techniques. Even when the All-inside technique has improved the inside-out offers advantages like the possibility of repairing all tear patterns and the chance of using several stitch configurations and different kinds of sutures. The main disadvantage is that it requires an extra incision and some deep dissection to tie the knots against the capsule. We describe the technique we currently use

Estudio comparativo de la osteointegración de dos tornillos biocompuestos en el tunel tibial mediante tomografía axial computada en pacientes operados de reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior / Osseointegration process of bioabsorbable screws with CT scan in ACL reconstruction

Introducción: La reconstrucción del LCA es uno de los procedimientos ortopédicos más comunes. Los tornillos por interferencia biocompuestos están integrados por un polímero y algún material osteoconductor, cuya función es promover el crecimiento óseo en el sitio del implante al mismo tiempo que éste se reabsorbe. Material y método: se incluyeron un total de 28 pacientes, operados de reconstrucción artroscópica de LCA fijados con tornillo Milagro y tornillo bio-intrafix. Todos los pacientes fueron valorados con TAC, se realizaron mediciones del diámetro del túnel tibial en el segmento proximal, medio y distal, con trazo libre utilizando por lo menos 10 puntos de referencia para cada trazo. Así como una valoración subjetiva en relación a la presencia o ausencia de esclerosis adyacente al tornillo. Resultados: del total de la muestra, 12 pacientes no presentaron datos de osteointegración y 16 pacientes sí, encontrándose una asociación significativa entre osteointegración y el tornillo Milagro (p=0.006). En cuanto a degradación, no se observó ningún paciente sin datos de degradación. 53 por ciento se catalogaron como degradación parcial y 47 por ciento como total, de éstos el 76.9 por ciento pertenecían al grupo con tornillo Milagro encontrándose así una asociación entre el tornillo Milagro y degradación (p=0.006). Discusión y conclusiones: el tornillo Milagro fue el que se asoció con osteointegración. El área total en el túnel tibial incrementó, siendo éste porcentaje mayor para el tornillo bio-intrafix. Sin embargo, no se encontró una relación lineal entre el tiempo transcurrido desde la cirugía y el cambio en el área del túnel tibial; sugerente de que existen otros factores que influyen en este proceso. A pesar de los resultados clínicos satisfactorios, la adición de una cerámica osteoconductora no resultó en osteointegración completa de ninguno de los tornillos. Nivel de evidencia: III. Tipo de estudio: Cuasiexperimental, transversal, ambilectivo.

Introduction: The ACL reconstruction is one of the most common procedures in orthopedics. The bio-interference screws are made of a polymer plus an osteoconductive ceramic which function is to promote bone formation at the site of the implant while it reabsorbs. Methods: 28 patient were included, all were submitted to an arthroscopic ACL reconstruction procedure. CT scans were made in all of them, the diameter of the tibial tunnel was measured at the proximal, medial, and distal segments by a 10 point reference free hand line. Also a subjective evaluation was made in relation to the presence of adjacent sclerosis at the screw. Results: from the total sample, 12 patients did not show signs of osseointegration, 16 did, finding a significant association between osseointegration and the Milagro screw (p=0.006). None of the patients had absence of degradation. 53% were classified as partial degradation and 47% as total, from these the 76.9% belong to the Milagro screw group resulting in an association between the Milagro screw and total degradation (p=0.006). Discussion and conclusions: the Milagro screw was associated with osseointegration. The total area of the tibial tunnel increased, being this percentage major for the bio-intrafix screw. Hence, a linear relation was not found between the time from intervention and the change at the area of the tibial tunnel though, suggesting there are other factors that influence this process. Beside the satisfactory clinical results, the addition of an osseoconductive ceramic did not result in a complete osseointegration of neither screw. Level of evidence: III. Type of study: Cuasi experimental, transversal, ambilective.

Técnica para realizar el tunel femoral a través del portal anteromedial en la reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior / Using the anteromedial portal for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

La perforación del túnel femoral a través del portal anteromedial permite la colocación anatómica del túnel femoral, es indispensable en la reconstrucción con doble banda y en la técnica todo adentro. Existen varios retos y complicaciones cuando se toma la decisión de realizar esta técnica, los cuales deben ser conocidos por el cirujano antes de llevar a cabo este procedimiento. El propósito de esta revisión es describir los pasos a seguir para los cirujanos que contemplan realizar el túnel femoral a través del portal anteromedial para la reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior.

[Clinical-ultrasonographic assessment in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair after 1-year follow-up]. / Evaluación clínico-ultrasonográfica en la reparación artroscópica del mango rotador a 1 año de seguimiento postoperatorio.

INTRODUCTION: Arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff have shown have shown encouraging clinical results. However, few authors have assessed integrity of repair with ultrasound. The presence of re-rupture by ultrasonography in a rotator cuff repair may not relate to the patient's functional status. OBJECTIVE: We used ultrasonography to assess the prevalence of re-rupture in rotator cuff repairs and its clinical relevance with minimum 1 year postoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Evidence level IV (Case series). We evaluated 27 shoulders that underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Clinical evaluation was performed using UCLA functional scale, visual analogue scale (UCLA, VAS). Post-operative ultrasound was performed at least 1 year postoperatively. Statistical analysis was done with the SPSS 11.0 software. RESULTS: We examined 27 shoulders, mean age 56.4 (41-78), mean postoperative follow-up 19.6 (12 m-88 m). Clinical assessment with UCLA functional scale results were: good-excellent (77.4%); fair (22.2%). VAS results showed that 44.4% reported VAS of 0; in the range of 1-3 VAS was 55.5% of the patients. Ultrasound evaluation showed no injury in 37%; partial lesion 51.9%, and a total lesion 11.1%. Thirty-three % of the patients with VAS of 0 showed no injury when evaluated by ultrasonography, injury by ultrasound 33.3% with VAS (1-3) 22.2%. UCLA (good-excellent) without injury by ultrasound 33.3% with a 44.4% degree of injury, UCLA (Fair) without injury 3.7%, with some degree of lesion 18.5%. Results no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our series, we find that integrity of rotator cuff postoperative ultrasound, it has no effect on the functional status of patients with postoperative follow-up of at least 1 year, with UCLA and VAS.

[Results of arthroscopic debridement and lavage in patients with knee osteoarthritis]. / Resultados obtenidos con la limpieza articular artroscópica de rodilla en pacientes con osteoartritis.

INTRODUCTION: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative process that affects people over 50 years old and is an important cause of disability. Treatment options include non-operative and operative modalities. Arthroscopic lavage and debridement may be the first choice to consider in patients between 45 and 65 years with early OA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a self-controlled clinical trial with deliberate maneuver assignment. Thirty nine patients between 38 and 68 year of age with clinical and radiographic knee OA were included. Patients underwent arthroscopic lavage and debridement between January of 2001 and December 2003. Preoperative and postoperative evaluation was performed using the HSS knee score as well as questions that evaluated patient satisfaction and subjective function. Statistical analysis using one tailed Student's t-test was performed. Significance was considered with ap value of < 0.0001. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients completed the evaluation. Six patients were lost to follow-up. Mean age of patients was 53 (38 to 68). Mean preoperative HSS score was 54.9 and average postoperative score was 74.8. Thirty-one out of 33 patients (93%) were satisfied and reported good subjective function after the operation. Twenty five of these patients presented Outerbridge grade II-III cartilage defects and 6 patients presented grade IV lesions. Twenty nine of the 33 patients (87.8%) referred improvement to perform their daily-living activities and 4 patients did not improve. Thirty two out of 33 patients would recommend the operation. DISCUSSION: Arthroscopic debridement and lavage improves function and satisfaction in patients with grade II and III of OA. Patients with severe chondral lesions (grade IV) also improved to a lesser extent. Thus, arthroscopic debridement and lavage is a good treatment alternative in young patients with early OA.

[Cost analysis and economic impact of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction]. / Análisis de costo e impacto económico de la reconstrucción de ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA).

INTRODUCTION: Health economics studies play an important role in all healthcare systems. The purpose of the latter is to offer effective and low-cost treatments. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the costs and the economic impact of the comprehensive ACL treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An average cost study was done of primary ACL reconstruction. We studied 104 patients during 2005, 79 males and 25 females, with mean age 31.5 years. The assessment of the preoperative, operative and postoperative costs was related to each patient's socioeconomic stratum (SES). RESULTS: The hamstrings were the most frequently used graft (71%) versus the bone-patellar tendon-bone graft (BTB) (29%). Socioeconomic strata 2 and 3 were predominant. The following were the most frequent hamstrings implants used: Rigidfix/Intrafix and Endobutton/Xtralok, while the most frequent BTB grafts used were the metallic interference screws. No difference was found between the types of grafts and the SES in the preoperative and postoperative costs, including imaging studies, hospital say and rehabilitation. However, differences were found among the different groups in the cost of surgery, resulting from the type of implant used. The mean cost for SES 1 and 2 was $6475.20, for SES 3 and 4, $8057.51, and for SES 5 and 6, $16,242.5. The vulnerable population (SES 1) needs 7.34-fold its monthly income to pay for the comprehensive treatment, while the middle stratum (SES 3) needs 3.27-fold its monthly income. CONCLUSIONS: The comprehensive cost of treatment is proportionally higher than the patients' income. It is important to point out that the systems using state-of-the-art technology, which in another setting would be inaccessible, have significant advantages when compared with the less expensive systems. Thus the economically vulnerable SES benefit from the subsidy granted by the National Institutes of Health.

[Meniscal repair in patients with chronic lesions]. / Reparación meniscal en pacientes con lesiones crónicas.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the subjective and objective outcome of arthroscopic meniscal repair in patients with chronic meniscal lesions. METHODS: A group of patients that underwent arthroscopic meniscal repair of chronic tears with a minimum follow-up of six months was retrospectively evaluated. Physical examination oriented at finding persistent meniscal lesions was performed. IKDC, Lysholm and Tegner scores were applied, and a control magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. RESULTS: Twenty seven menisci in 25 patients were repaired. There were 21 male and 4 female patients with a mean age of 29.6 +/- 8.2 years (20-45). Mean time from lesion to surgery was 25.24 +/- 26 months (6-120). 27. There was significant improvement in all parameters evaluated in 21 patients. Four patients were found to have signs and symptoms of persistent meniscal tears. Abnormal increased signal intensity in the repaired menisci was observed by MRI in all patients, not correlating with clinical findings. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term success rate of 85% was obtained with arthroscopic repair of chronic meniscal lesions in this study, which supports the fact that a long period of time before surgery does not necessarily lead to failure. It is valid to perform a meniscal repair in patients with chronic tears as long as the proper surgical technique and an adequate rehabilitation protocol are used.

[Endoscopic technique with two posterior portals for treatment of the posterior pathology of the ankle. Technique description and case report]. / Técnica endoscópica con dos portales posteriores para el tratamiento de la patología posterior del tobillo. Descripci6n de la técnica y presentación de un caso.

UNLABELLED: Symptomatic Os trigonum requires an initial conservative treatment, if clinical improvement cannot be obtained, then surgical treatment is performed with a traditional open approach. We describe an endoscopic technique: with the patient on prone position two portals are made, the first is posterolateral just at the tip of the fibula just lateral to the Achilles tendon; the second portal is posteromedial and at the same level to the first one but medial to the Achilles tendon. With the use of this technique, a wide and safe working field is obtained for the resection of the Os trigonum. We present the case of a 17 year-old classical ballet dancer with a symptomatic Os trigonum to whom an endoscopic resection of Os trigonum was done with the described technique, her clinical evolution was excellent and she could rein-corporate to her artistic activity at four weeks follow-up. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic technique described is a therapeutic option that allows the effective and safe treatment of the posterior compartment of the ankle with good functional results.

[Effect of abrasion on three types of sutures in a metallic anchor]. / Efecto de la abrasión en tres tipos de suturas en un ancla metáilica.

It is necessary to slide the suture into the articulation in the arthroscopic techniques, this produce friction and abrasion of the suture, this is the principal cause of failure in the union of anchor-suture. We used a Fastak 2.4 anchor, Sawbones, No 2 Ethibond, No 2 Fiberwire and No 2 Herculine. Each suture was introduce to the anchor eyelet and was cycled in four times with 40N. The angles of traction were 0 degrees and 45 degrees at the same direction of the anchor eyelet and 45 degrees with different direction of the anchor eyelet. Five sutures were used in every test. We performed the Kolmogorov-Smirnof and "t" Student tests. In all the tests there were a significant differences. The strength of the suture is affected by the abrasion in the anchor eyelet.

Minimally invasive quadriceps tendon harvest.

Quadriceps tendon (QT) is becoming a popular graft for primary and revision ligament surgery. A subcutaneous technique for graft harvesting a QT is presented. Special closed tendon strippers were designed; these devices have 10- and 11-mm inner diameters and are stronger and sharper than regular hamstrings strippers. In the mid-line of the patellar upper pole, a 2-cm longitudinal incision is made, a 20- x 10-mm bone plug is created with an oscillating saw, and the tendon stripper is positioned and advanced into the thigh, dissecting the QT until the desired length, usually 10 cm, is obtained. The graft can be released by making a stab incision at the device's tip or by ventrally pointing and turning the tendon stripper to amputate the graft's end. The QT graft can be prepared in several fashions for 1- or 2-bundle ligament reconstructions. The technique was tested and refined in 3 cadaver specimens and has been used at our institution since 2003 in 18 primary posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions with no problems. This minimally invasive technique is safe, provides a consistently good-quality graft with excellent cosmetic results, and is simple and easily reproducible.

Investigación experimental de la regeneración ósea en fémures de rata después de la aplicación de colágena 1 polimerizada: estudio radiológico, histológico e histoquímico / Experimental research of the bone regeneration in femur of rats following polimerized collagen 1 application: Radiological, histological and histochemical study

En este trabajo estudiamos el efecto de colágena 1 polimerizada sobre la reparación de fracturas femorales en ratas por métodos radiográficos, histológicos e histoquímicos. Se realizaron fracturas diafisarias femorales en ratas. Se les inyectó intralesionalmente colágena 1 polimerizada durante los primeros tres días. Se les tomaron radiografías los días 3, 10, 16, 23, y 30 después de la última inyección (DUI) y después de los estudios radiográficos se fijaron los fémures para procedimiento histológico. Los tejidos fueron cortados a 5 micras y teñidos con hematoxilina/eosina, tricrómicina de masson y citoquímicos para la determinación de osteopontina, fibronectica, osteonectina y colágena 1. nuestros resultados mostraron signos radiológicos de consolidación a los 16 días DUI en 12.5 por ciento con incremento a 20 por ciento hasta el término del estudio en controles. En el grupo experimental la consolidación se observó a los 23 días DUI en el 25 por ciento con incremento de 67 por ciento antes del término del estudio. El análisis histológico del grupo experimental mostró un recambio temprano de las células mesenquimatosas, por tejido cartilaginoso. El reemplazo por osteoblastos y hueso trabecular ocurrió entre los 16 y 23 días DUI. Mediante la identificación de osteopontina y osteonectina en animales tratados con colágena 1 polimerizada observamos mayor abundancia de éstos durante todo el proceso de reparación, mientras la fibronectina y colágena 1 es similar en ambos casos. Estos resultados sugieren que colágena 1 polimerizada modula factores de crecimiento en células mesenquimatosas evocando una señal sobre la migración, proliferación y diferenciación de células condrogénicas y osteoblásticas, acelerando la consolidación ósea