Previous anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction influences the complication rate of total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction are still under-investigated. The purpose of this research is to investigate the differences between TKA after ACL reconstruction and TKA for primary osteoarthritis through a review and meta-analysis of the literature. Methods: Case-control and cohort studies reporting outcomes of TKA following ACL reconstruction were considered eligible for inclusion. The primary endpoint was to systematically review and meta-analyze the reported complications of TKA following ACL reconstruction. The outcomes have been compared with a group of patients who underwent TKA for primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) with any previous ACL surgery. Secondary endpoints were to assess and compare technical difficulties and results including the operative time, the use of revision components, the request for intraoperative release or additional procedures, the revision rate, and the clinical outcomes. Results: Seven studies were included involving 1645 participants, 619 of whom underwent TKA in previous ACL reconstruction and 1026 TKA for primary OA with no previous ACL reconstruction. Meta-analysis showed that TKA in previous ACL reconstruction had a significantly higher complication rate (OR = 2.15, P < 0.001), longer operative times (mean differences (MD): 11.19 min; P < 0.001) and increased use of revision components (OR = 2.16; P < 0.001) when compared to the control group without differences of infection, and revision rate. Conclusions: TKA in a previous ACL reconstruction has a significantly higher complication rate, longer operative times, and a higher need for revision components and intraoperative soft tissue releases in comparison to TKA for primary OA without previous ACL reconstruction.

Foot Macrodactyly Associated with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome.

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome is a rare congenital malformation which may be associated with macrodactyly. The main problem is the need for custom-made shoes. We describe the case of a female newborn affected by Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, with a larger and longer right foot; the difference increased progressively and, at 5 years of age, the right foot was 50% larger and 38% longer than the left one. Due to the progression of the deformity, reduction surgery was advised to reduce the foot's width. Resection of the second ray and 2nd cuneiform was performed. The result was excellent and there were no complications during a 10-year follow-up period with a decrease of width and length difference to 10% and 4%, respectively, in comparison to the contralateral foot. There were no gait anomalies. Abnormal foot width and length represented the main problems and guided the surgical strategy. Second ray resection was effective, without complications and with a good long-term functional outcome. Possibility of wearing fashionable conventional shoes without insoles was achieved to the patient's satisfaction.

Subtalar Arthroereisis for Surgical Treatment of Flexible Flatfoot.

Various surgical techniques are known for the treatment of flexible flatfoot in children after failure of nonsurgical attempts. Data collected in a review of the last 10-year period (2010-2020) show that among the 691 feet undergoing subtalar arthroereisis with endorthesis, average age at surgery was 11.40 years and in the 1856 feet that underwent subtalar arthroereisis with calcaneo-stop 11.69 years, while the complications rate was 9.00% and 6.38%, respectively. These data confirm that subtalar arthroereisis with calcaneo-stop may have an advantage over subtalar arthroereisis with endorthesis as the screw is not placed across the subtalar joint but instead into the calcaneus.

Surgical Treatment of Calcaneonavicular and Talocalcaneal Coalitions.

Tarsal coalition is determined by an absence of segmentation between one or more foot bones. The main symptom is activity-related foot pain, usually dorsolateral for calcaneonavicular coalitions and medial for talocalcaneal ones. At presentation, a symptomatic tarsal coalition must be treated conservatively for at least 6 months. If the conservative treatment fails and the foot is still painful, resection is the treatment of choice. Advantage of surgery is to restore mobility and reduce the risk of subsequent degenerative arthritis. Common pitfalls of surgery include failure to recognize associated coalitions, inadequate or extensive resection, and injury of adjoining bones.

Articular Femoral Head Fracture Management: A Meta-analysis of Literature.

PURPOSE: Articular fractures of the proximal femur are seldom encountered and there are few studies in literature regarding this topic. To date, only a few large series have adequate follow-up and exhaustive description of treatment and outcome, which, however, often result incomplete and do not allow a comparison. Since there are still uncertainties and debates on which the treatment gold standard should be, the goal of the present study is to carry out a meta-analysis on type I and II Pipkin fracture management to establish the best treatment according to EBM. METHODS: Studies regarding acetabular fractures of the femur head were identified from Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Medline, ScienceDirect and PubMed; gray studies were searched from the included references' literature, and using general search engines and Social media; the query to be temporally extended from 1996 to 2020. Only comparative studies were included; we ruled out case-reports, case series, author's opinion, register databases. RESULTS: Comparing conservative and surgical treatment, we found evidence of a better outcome choosing surgical treatment. We found a significant better outcome with open reduction internal fixation, instead of fragment excision. Comparing failure rate of surgical approaches, we found no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: Our study proves that there is evidence in favor of operative treatment rather than conservative in complete or displaced Pipkin fracture Type I + II; open reduction internal fixation should be preferred rather than fragment excision, whenever possible. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III. Therapeutic.

Double Diapering Ineffectiveness in Avoiding Adduction and Extension in Newborns Hips.

Hip flexion and abduction is fundamental for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) treatment. At present, double diaper treatment has been inappropriately adopted when DDH is suspected. The aim of this study was to verify whether double diapers influence a newborn's hip position. Here, we studied 50 children (23 female; 27 male; average age 62.33 ± 20.50 days; average birth weight 3230 ± 447 g) with type I hips according to Graf. At the same time of the ultrasound (US) examination, the following hip positions were measured using a manual protractor: (1) spontaneous position, supine on the outpatient bed without a diaper; (2) spontaneous position, with a double diaper; and (3) squatting position on the caretakers' side. Statistical analysis was performed with a t-test to compare between (1) the spontaneous position without a diaper and with double diapers; (2) the spontaneous position with double diapers as well as the squatting position on the caretakers' side with a diaper. The comparison between the hip position without diaper and with double diapers was statistically not significant for all measurements, i.e., right hip flexion (p < 0.33), left hip flexion (p < 0.34), and right and left hip abduction (p < 0.87). The comparison between the hip position with double diapers and on the caretakers' side was statistically significant for all measurements, i.e., right hip flexion (p < 0.001), left hip flexion (p < 0.001) and right and left hip abduction (p < 0.001). We found that the use of double diapers did not affect hip position, while the position formed on the caretaker's side shows favorable influence.

The role of the labrum in early treatment of unstable developmental dysplasia of the hip.

The objective of the paper is to analyse the role of the labrum with particular attention to its morphological changes in unstable dysplastic hips during treatment.Between January 2013 and December 2015, data were collected on 86 unstable, dysplastic hips, which were divided into type D (n = 13), type III (n = 49) and type IV (n = 24). The labrum was evaluated with ultrasound examination (US) for echogenicity and dimensions with inter-/intra-observer tests comparing the US images at diagnosis and at the end of treatment. Statistical analysis was performed.At the end of treatment of unstable, dysplastic hips, the labrum was more echogenic with a frequency of 97% and was larger with a frequency of 96%.The labrum has an active stabilizing role in unstable dysplastic hips and it undergoes a statistically significant increase of echogenicity and dimensions after treatment. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2019;4 DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.4.180053.

Risk of ulnar nerve injury during cross-pinning in supine and prone position for supracondylar humeral fractures in children: a recent literature review.

Aim of this review article is to evaluate the percentage of ulnar nerve lesion during cross-pinning considering the patient's position (supine or prone) on the surgical bed. Comprehensive research was performed by searching in PUBMED, Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Science, SCOPUS and Clinicaltrials.gov from 2005. Children with extension type supracondylar humeral fractures without clinical signs of ulnar nerve lesion at presentation were included. A total of 28 papers were examined including 2147 patients; 1541 underwent a closed reduction and cross-pinning in supine position and 606 in prone position. Among 1541 patients in supine position, 69 (4.5%) suffered from a ulnar nerve injury while among the 606 patients treated in prone position none ulnar nerve lesions were reported. Despite the apparent safety of prone position, further larger studies, comparing the patient's position on the surgical bed, need to be carried out in order to confirm this likelihood.

Ultrasonographic changes of labrum morphology in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip: a preliminary report on 74 dysplastic and unstable hips.

The aim of the study was to verify the labrum's morphological changes in unstable and dysplastic hips during treatment. Between January 2013 and April 2015, 74 dysplastic hips were divided into type D (n=12), type III (n=40), and type IV (n=22). The labrum was evaluated on ultrasonography (US) for echogenicity and dimensions with interobserver/intraobserver tests: test 1 (US at diagnosis and control group), test 2 (US at diagnosis and 6 weeks post-treatment), and test 3 (US at diagnosis and at end of treatment). Statistical analysis was performed. The labrum was less echogenic in test 1 and more echogenic in test 3, and the labrum was smaller in test 1 and larger in test 3. The labrum undergoes statistically significant increase of echogenicity and dimensions after treatment, suggesting a stabilizing role. Level of Evidence: Level II, Oxford Center for Evidence-based Medicine.

Advantages and disadvantages of the prone position in the surgical treatment of supracondylar humerus fractures in children. A literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Supracondylar humerus fractures are the most common elbow injuries in children. The widely adopted approach for Gartland III extension type consists of closed reduction and percutaneous pinning; the pin configuration can be lateral or crossed in relationship with the habit of the surgeons. Iatrogenic injury of the ulnar nerve is the most common risk during the insertion of the medial pin. The aim of this study was to analyze advantages and disadvantages of percutaneous pinning with the patient in prone position. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review of the period 2005-2017 was carried out; four medical search engine (Pubmed, Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Science and Scopus) were consulted using the review's filter and the key words "Ulnar nerve AND supracondylar humerus fractures". The total number of patients were analyzed for: ulnar nerve injuries, anesthesiologic management, time of surgery. RESULTS: Twenty-nine papers were read, 23 regarding cross pinning in supine position and 6 in prone position. On one hand, 1529 children were treated with closed reduction and cross pinning in supine position; 69 of these patients (4.5%) suffered from iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury. On the other hand, 579 patients underwent the same treatment in prone position; no ulnar nerve lesions were reported in this group. Only one article compared both groups of children in supine and prone position regarding time of anesthesia which is slightly higher in the prone group. There were no differences between supine and prone positions regarding x-ray exposition, time of surgery, closed reduction manoeuvers, pin positioning, x-ray results, clinical and functional results. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The ulnar nerve in children is hypermobile in the cubital tunnel and tends to dislocate anteriorly over the medial epicondyle, especially when the elbow is in hyperflexion. This may be the reason of the increased risk of nerve injury during the insertion of the medial pin in supine position and, instead, an advantage of the prone position. The insertion of both pins from the lateral side could reduce this complication. Larger studies need to be carried out regarding the reported higher duration of anesthesia in prone position.

Subtalar extra-articular screw arthroereisis (SESA) for the treatment of flexible flatfoot in children.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe a subtalar extra-articular screw arthroereisis (SESA) technique for the correction of flexible flatfoot (FFF) in children and report the outcome. METHODS: From 1990 to 2012, data were collected on 485 patients who underwent SESA at the San Raffaele Hospital. The average age of the patient cohort was 11.5 ± 1.81 years (range 5.0-17.9 years; median 11.5 years). Inclusion criteria were FFF and marked flexible hindfoot valgus, and the exclusion criterion was rigid flatfoot. SESA was performed in 732 cases of FFF-bilaterally in 247 patients and monolaterally in 238 patients. RESULTS: The values of the pre- and post-SESA weight-bearing X-ray angles were 146° ± 7° and 129° ± 5°, respectively, for the Costa-Bartani angle, 43° ± 8° and 25° ± 6°, respectively, for the talar inclination angle and 11° ± 6° and 14° ± 5°, respectively, for calcaneal pitch (p <0.001). All data were analysed statistically with Student's t test. Data on 398 patients were ultimately available for analysis. In 93.7 % of cases the results were good in terms of improved clinical aspects and X-ray measurement, absence of complications, normal foot function 3 months post-SESA and no requirement for further surgery. The complication rate was 6.3 % and included ankle joint effusion, painful contracture of peroneal muscles and fourth metatarsal bone stress fractures. A sample of 76 patients (121 feet) were evaluated after screw removal, which occurred on average 2.9 years after SESA. The angle measurements of this sample showed no statistically significant modification. CONCLUSION: Based on our >20 years of experience, we believe that SESA is an optimal technique for the correction of FFF as it is simple and can be performed rapidly, and the corrective effect results from the screw's mechanical and proprioceptive effect. The indication for surgery must be accurate. We suggest that the patient be at least 10 years of age in order that all of the foot's growth potential can be utilized and to allow for spontaneous resolution and thereby avoid the possibility of over-treatment.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip in twins: the importance of mechanical factors in the etiology of DDH.

BACKGROUND: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a disease of multifactorial etiology. Genetic and intrauterine mechanical factors influence the development of the hip joint and the incidence of DDH. Breech position is a risk factor for DDH. The aim of this study is to analyze whether in twins, the intrauterine mechanical factors, such as a breech position, limitation of fetal mobility, limitation of hip abduction, and increase the incidence of DDH may, therefore, be considered as risk factors. METHODS: A pair of twins with either breech or cephalic presentation, and no family history of DDH or any other sicknesses were included in this study. During a 6-year period between 2002 and 2007, data were collected on 105 consecutively born twins (210 children with 420 hips) of whom 48 were a cephalic breech, 35 were a cephalic-cephalic, and 22 were a breech-breech presentation. The presentation was defined by regular prenatal ultrasounds and the obstetric records at birth. The average gestational age was 36.7 weeks and average weight at birth was 2290 g. Control group 1 consisted of 274 single gestation children, with a cephalic presentation at birth. The average gestational age was 39.1 weeks and average weight at birth was 3200 g. Control group 2 consisted of 48 single gestation children, with a breech presentation at birth. The average gestational age was 36.8 weeks and average weight at birth was 2870 g. Ultrasonography of the hips was done according to the Graf technique. Statistical analysis was done using a χ² test. RESULTS: The χ² test was used and it showed no significant association between the presence or absence of pathologic hip types in the twins group and in the 2 control groups. A higher incidence of DDH (3.4%) was present in groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: This comparison of a large series of twins with matched controls shows that there is no increased incidence of DDH in twins when compared with single birth infants with no family history of DDH. This study supports the idea that breech presentation in twins is not a risk factor, when knees are flexed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective study. Level 2 study.

Ultrasound hip evaluation in achondroplasia.

BACKGROUND: During the period from 1985 to 2006, 22 children (44 hips) affected by achondroplasia were ultrasonographically evaluated. METHODS: The patients' age at examination ranged from 7 days to 29 months. The hip ultrasound (US) examination was performed, according to Graf's method, using a Siemens Sonoline sonogram with linear 5.0- and 7.5-MHz probes. In all the hips, the alpha angle was impossible to be measured because the medial margin of the ilium was not ultrasonographically detectable. The ultrasonographic findings included the following: configuration of the acetabular bony rim, configuration of the acetabular roof, echogenicity of the head and acetabular cartilage, bony coverage percentage of the femoral head according to Morin et al, beta angle according to Graf, dynamic hip instability, and presence of the proximal femoral ossific nucleus. RESULTS: All hips had a sharp acetabular bony rim, a horizontal acetabular roof, thickened acetabular cartilage, and normal echogenicity. The femoral head was well centered and deeply contained in the acetabular fossa. The mean coverage was 86.7% (range: 78%-90%) and showed progressively larger values with increasing age. The mean value of the beta angle was 20 degrees (range: 8 degrees-38 degrees). The value of the beta angle tended to decrease as age increased. No difference was observed between the right and the left hip in both measurements. All hips were stable. The ossific nucleus was present in 5 children. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristic findings in hip ultrasonography in children with achondroplasia can aid in its early diagnosis because ultrasound can anatomically detect the altered development of the achondroplastic acetabulum.