ACL surgical trends evolve in the last five years for young European surgeons: results of the survey among the U45 ESSKA members.

PURPOSE: Although the outcomes of ACL reconstruction are generally satisfying, there are several patients who do not regain their pre-injury sporting level and suffer persistent symptoms. Orthopaedic practice has evolved significantly over the last five years to address these drawbacks. The aim of the present survey was to analyze the changes in the approach to ACL reconstruction among a population of young ESSKA surgeons dedicated to ACL surgery. METHODS: The survey was uploaded on the ESSKA website and was accessible to members under the age of 45. The ESSKA society has 1035 U45 members involved in multiple aspects of Orthopaedic practice. One hundred and forty questionnaires were returned. Several aspects of ACL surgery were investigated at baseline and 5 years prior. They included general details such as the volume of ACL reconstructions per surgeon per year, the graft choice in cases of low and high demanding patients, the technique for femoral tunnel drilling and the preferred device for femoral fixation. The approach to the management of damage to peripheral structures, as well as meniscal ramp and root tears were also investigated. RESULTS: Hamstrings and quadrupled semitendinosus were the preferred graft choice in low-demanding patients (92.9%) while quadriceps tendon is gaining popularity in contact sport practitioners (from 4.3 to 10.7%). The percentage of surgeons using femoral screws had decreased from 37.9 to 29.3 while the percentage of those who used buttons increased from 52.9 to 69.3%. Extra-articular procedures (antero-lateral ligament (ALL) or lateral tenodesis have become popular. The percentage of surgeons who perform an additional peripheral reconstruction rose from 28.5 to 71.5%. Of those who perform the meniscal repair more than 50% of patients rose from 14.3 to 27.9%. Similarly, the percentage of surgeons who performed a medial meniscus ramp lesion repair rose from 29.4 to 54.7%. While the percentage of those who choose to perform a transtibial pull-out repair of lateral meniscus root tears significantly rose from 17.9 to 59.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The present survey among under 45 years old ESSKA surgeons yields some notable findings. The new evidence on the impact of injuries on peripheral structures and menisci is stimulating surgeons towards a more anatomic approach if identified at the time of ACL reconstruction. This evidence will probably influence future research and decision-making. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

CAS and PSI increase coronal alignment accuracy and reduce outliers when compared to traditional technique of medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) is an accepted option in the treatment of medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee in young and active patients. Functional results are closely correlated to the correction of the mechanical axis of the lower limb. Although several angular and geometrical methods and values have been proposed in the past, the ideal target is still debated. In addition, it is important to have a deep correlation between the planned correction and the achieved correction after surgery. The aim of the present systematic review was to identify the ideal coronal correction after MOWHTO and the most accurate method to achieve it. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was completed on July 3rd 2020 in the Pubmed, Medline, Cochrane Reviews, and Google Scholar databases using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms: "high tibial osteotomy" AND "accuracy" OR "planning". RESULTS: 28 studies were included; 18 were focused on computer-assisted surgery (CAS) and 10 on patient-specific instrumentation (PSI). There were 598 patients in the CAS group and 501 in the control group; the rate of outliers was 16% and 38.2% respectively (P = 0.04), while there was no significant difference between the two groups (SMD = - 0.10; 95% CI 1.31 to 1.12; P = n.s.) in terms of coronal accuracy. Likewise, there were 318 patients in the PSI group and 40 in the control group; the rate of outliers was 15% and 40% respectively (P = 0.98), while there was no significant difference between the two groups (SMD = 0.01; 95% CI 0.58 to 0.59; P = 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: A statistically significant reduced outlier rate and a non-significant increased accuracy emerged with the use of CAS when compared to the traditional surgical technique, whereas the results of PSI were still inconclusive. In addition, it emerged clearly that no consensus still exists on the ideal correction target to be achieved after surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Healthy middle-aged Asian and Caucasian populations present with large intra- and inter-individual variations of lower limb torsion.

PURPOSE: There is a lack of standardization in the measurement of lower limb torsional alignment. Normal values published in the literature are inconsistent. A 3D-CT-scan-based method was used in a healthy population to define the femoral neck version (FNV) and the tibial torsion (TT) and their relationship with demographic parameters. The study objectives were (1) to define normal values of lower limb torsional alignment, (2) to estimate inter- and intra-individual variations of torsional deformity of healthy individuals' lower limbs. The hypothesis was that FNV and TT values would be influenced by patient characteristics such as gender, age, and ethnicity, and would have low side-to-side asymmetry. METHODS: Torsional landmarks of the lower limbs from 191 healthy subjects were automatically calculated with a 3D CT-scan-based program. The FNV was defined by the angle between the femoral neck axis and the femoral posterior condylar line. The TT angle was considered between the tibial plateau axis and the axis of the ankle. For the former, two alternatives were considered: the line connecting the more medial and lateral point of the medial and lateral plateau, respectively (method 1; TT1), or the line connecting the two more posterior points of the medial et lateral plateau (method 2; TT2). The ankle axis was defined as the line connecting the medial and lateral malleoli. These reference lines were automatically calculated. Age, gender, ethnic group, and BMI were recorded for every subject. A p value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Overall, the mean FNV was 15.3 ± 9.5° and the mean TT was 31.6 ± 6.3°. Female hips were more anteverted than male hips. Caucasians had less anteverted hips than Asians, but more externally rotated tibias. Age and BMI were not correlated with any anatomical parameter. A substantial side-to-side asymmetry was found for FNV [absolute difference (AD) = 6.3°; percentage of asymmetry (%As) = 47%], TT1 (AD = 3°; %As = 12%), and TT2 (AD = 4.9°; %As = 9%) (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: The findings showed that lower limb torsional parameters were highly variable from patient to patient and from one leg to the other for the same patient. The understanding of normal values concerning femoral version and external tibial torsion in the present healthy population will help surgeons to define pathological values of FNV and TT, as well as corrections to perform in case of torsional deformities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Voluntary femoro-tibial subluxations: a benign differential diagnosis in the snapping knee of a child.

PURPOSE: Voluntary femoro-tibial subluxation is a rare entity predominantly found in pretoddlers. It presents as a dynamic phenomenon with uni- or bilateral audible snapping of the knee, often in a context of fatigue or irritation at the end of the day. The aim of the study was to observe the evolution and recovery in these patients. METHODS: Ten children were included. Other causes of dislocating joints and pathologies with snapping of the lateral meniscus were excluded from this study. Six-week immobilisation with a splint at 70° of knee flexion was primarily recommended to all patients. RESULTS: The mean age at onset of symptoms was 10 months. Forty percent of the patients presented with bilateral symptoms. Clinically, four patients were hyperlax. In all patients, subluxations could be reproduced passively by rotating the foot externally and advancing the internal tibial plateau anteriorly. Three of the patients were treated with a dorsal splint and experienced significantly less or cessation of symptoms. Two patients underwent surgery, one for a concomitant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and meniscus tear that worsened the symptoms, another for concomitant patella dislocation and a meniscus tear. One patient's parents refused treatment and four patients experienced less symptoms at the time of consultation and were not immobilized. Except for the two patients undergoing surgeries, no sequelae were observed. In general, the symptoms got less frequent when the patient began to walk. CONCLUSION: Voluntary femoro-tibial subluxation in children is a rare and benign condition that often resolves spontaneously without sequelae. The risk of meniscus tear should, however, be considered if subluxations do not cease. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) is properly perceived but its application is still limited in the orthopedic clinical practice: an online survey among the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA) members.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the knowledge and awareness of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) among members of the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA). METHODS: A questionnaire was developed that explored the following areas: (i) respondents' attitudes to EBM; (ii) their motivation to implement EBM in daily practice; (iii) their educational background, knowledge and skills related to accessing and interpreting information; (iv) their level of attention to, and use of, scientific literature; (v) access to and availability of evidence; (vi) perceived barriers in using EBM in clinical practice. The resulting data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the correlation between age, educational background and country was further investigated. RESULTS: Two-hundred and eighty-eight ESSKA members (11% of the total population) compiled the questionnaire. The participants covered all the five continents and an expected prevalence of European professionals (77%) was observed. The vast majority of participants were medical doctors (91%), mainly specialized in knee surgery with minimal involvement in research. 97% of the participants declared having some knowledge of EBM, acquired mainly during their professional education, with some geographical differences. The youngest clinicians and those from Eastern Europe reported the greatest difficulty in using EBM in daily practice. The application of EBM in clinical practice is positively affected by the time dedicated to research and negatively correlates with the time dedicated to patient care. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey highlight the need for further investigation into the main reasons behind the limited diffusion of the EBM approach, despite the medical community's knowledge and interest in the concept. A wider application of EMB would upgrade clinical practice, linking medical knowledge and scientific evidence to patients' needs which would result of benefit to patients, but also more in general to the health system.

Surgical management of degenerative meniscus lesions: the 2016 ESSKA meniscus consensus.

PURPOSE: A degenerative meniscus lesion is a slowly developing process typically involving a horizontal cleavage in a middle-aged or older person. When the knee is symptomatic, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy has been practised for a long time with many case series reporting improved patient outcomes. Since 2002, several randomised clinical trials demonstrated no additional benefit of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy compared to non-operative treatment, sham surgery or sham arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. These results introduced controversy in the medical community and made clinical decision-making challenging in the daily clinical practice. To facilitate the clinical decision-making process, a consensus was developed. This initiative was endorsed by ESSKA. METHODS: A degenerative meniscus lesion was defined as a lesion occurring without any history of significant acute trauma in a patient older than 35 years. Congenital lesions, traumatic meniscus tears and degenerative lesions occurring in young patients, especially in athletes, were excluded. The project followed the so-called formal consensus process, involving a steering group, a rating group and a peer-review group. A total of 84 surgeons and scientists from 22 European countries were included in the process. Twenty questions, their associated answers and an algorithm based on extensive literature review and clinical expertise, were proposed. Each question and answer set was graded according to the scientific level of the corresponding literature. RESULTS: The main finding was that arthroscopic partial meniscectomy should not be proposed as a first line of treatment for degenerative meniscus lesions. Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy should only be considered after a proper standardised clinical and radiological evaluation and when the response to non-operative management has not been satisfactory. Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee is typically not indicated in the first-line work-up, but knee radiography should be used as an imaging tool to support a diagnosis of osteoarthritis or to detect certain rare pathologies, such as tumours or fractures of the knee. DISCUSSION: The present work offers a clear framework for the management of degenerative meniscus lesions, with the aim to balance information extracted from the scientific evidence and clinical expertise. Because of biases and weaknesses of the current literature and lack of definition of important criteria such as mechanical symptoms, it cannot be considered as an exact treatment algorithm. It summarises the results of the "ESSKA Meniscus Consensus Project" ( http://www.esska.org/education/projects ) and is the first official European consensus on this topic. The consensus may be updated and refined as more high-quality evidence emerges. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

[Ramp lesions : Tips and tricks in diagnostics and therapy]. / Rampenläsionen : Tipps und Tricks in Diagnostik und Therapie.

There is an increasing biomechanical and anatomical understanding of the different types of meniscal lesions. Lesions of the posterior part of the medial meniscus in the meniscosynovial area have recently received increased attention. They generally occur in association with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. They are often missed ("hidden lesions") due to the fact that they cannot be seen by routine anterior arthroscopic inspection. Furthermore, meniscosynovial lesions play a role in anteroposterior knee laxity and, as such, they may be a cause of failure of ACL reconstruction or of postoperative persistent laxity. Little information is available regarding their cause with respect to injury mechanism, natural history, biomechanical implications, healing potential and treatment options. This article presents an overview of the currently available knowledge of these ramp lesions, their possible pathomechanism, classification, biomechanical relevance as well as repair techniques.

Sport and early osteoarthritis: the role of sport in aetiology, progression and treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Sports activities are considered favourable for general health; nevertheless, a possible influence of sports practice on the development of early osteoarthritis (OA) is a cause for concern. A higher incidence of OA in knees and ankles of former high-impact sports players than in those of the normal population has been shown and it is still debatable whether the cause is either to be recognized generically in the higher number of injuries or in a joint overload. The possibility to address knee OA in its early phases may be strictly connected to the modification of specific extrinsic or intrinsic factors, related to the patient in order to save the joint from further disease progression; these include sport practice, equipment and load. Non-surgical therapies such as continuative muscles reinforce and training play a strong role in the care of athletes with early OA, particularly if professional. There is an overall agreement on the need of an early restoring of a proper meniscal, ligament and cartilage integrity in order to protect the knee and resume sports safely, whereas alignment is a point still strongly debatable especially for professional athletes. Remaining questions still to be answered are the risks of different sports in relation to one another, although an actual protective effect of low-impact sports, such as walking, swimming or cycling, has been recognized on the appearance or worsening of OA, the effect of continuing or ceasing to practice a sport on the natural history of early OA, and even following appropriate treatment is still unknown.

Promotion of physical activity in patients with non-communicable diseases in Luxembourg: a follow-up of the Sport-Sante inventory from 2014.

Regular practice of physical activity (PA) has many health benefits in both healthy individuals and in people with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In order to disseminate this evidence and to strengthen the promotion of PA in people with NCDs, the Sport-Santé project was created in Luxembourg and officially launched in April 2015. In 2014, a stocktaking of the different organizations offering PA for people with NCDs was realized in order to develop the Sport-Santé project. Different communication tools were used to promote Sport-Santé as well as the aforementioned organizations. The present study aimed to re-evaluate the offers of PA for people with NCDs in Luxembourg one year after the launch of the project. The organizations offering PA for people with NCDs (orthopaedics, obesity and overweight, neurology and rare diseases, oncology and cardiology) were screened in 2014 and in 2016. The number of weekly offered hours of PA for people with NCDs were collected and the participation rate was observed. Participants (192 in 2014 and 196 in 2016) volunteered to answer a survey, which contained questions regarding their age, sex, time since enrolment, travel distance, former and current PA participation, and type of recruitment. Additional items regarding prescription and refund were explored only in 2016. In 2016, more than 55 hours per week of PA were offered for people with NCDs in Luxembourg (≈44 hours per week were identified in 2014). However, this increase was not statistically significant. No difference was observed between 2014 and 2016 regarding the participation rate (2014: 8.9 ± 5.1 participants per hour; 2016: 8.4 ± 5.7 participants per hour). Participants were younger in 2016 than in 2014. The time since enrolment was shorter in 2016 than in 2014. No difference between 2014 and 2016 was observed for travel distance, sex distribution, former and current PA participation, and type of recruitment. Participants were mainly recruited by the healthcare professionals. More than 69 % of the participants would like to receive a medical prescription for the PA. Fifty-two percent of the participants would appreciate a refund of the participation fees by their health insurance. The increasing efforts of Sport-Santé and the organizations offering PA for people with NCDs lead to increase the offer. However, the participation rate remains unchanged. The decrease in age and in time since enrolment observed in 2016 could be explained by the creation of new activities, a larger participant's turnover or high number of withdrawals among long-term participants. Even if participants are mainly recruited by healthcare professionals, this type of recruitment can be attributed to very few idealists. All healthcare professionals should be aware of the offers of Sport-Santé and advise their patients to participate in a PA program. It is now time to advance the idea of prescription of PA as a privileged treatment option and to convince the policymakers to take action against sedentary behaviours in Luxembourg. Nevertheless, this type of promotion is not enough to increase the number of participants and additional strategies must be explored and developed. The best sustainable strategies are always those that approach the problem from different viewpoints.

Can parallel use of different running shoes decrease running-related injury risk?

The aim of this study was to determine if runners who use concomitantly different pairs of running shoes are at a lower risk of running-related injury (RRI). Recreational runners (n = 264) participated in this 22-week prospective follow-up and reported all information about their running session characteristics, other sport participation and injuries on a dedicated Internet platform. A RRI was defined as a physical pain or complaint located at the lower limbs or lower back region, sustained during or as a result of running practice and impeding planned running activity for at least 1 day. One-third of the participants (n = 87) experienced at least one RRI during the observation period. The adjusted Cox regression analysis revealed that the parallel use of more than one pair of running shoes was a protective factor [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.614; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.389-0.969], while previous injury was a risk factor (HR = 1.722; 95%CI = 1.114-2.661). Additionally, increased mean session distance (km; HR = 0.795; 95%CI = 0.725-0.872) and increased weekly volume of other sports (h/week; HR = 0.848; 95%CI = 0.732-0.982) were associated with lower RRI risk. Multiple shoe use and participation in other sports are strategies potentially leading to a variation of the load applied to the musculoskeletal system. They could be advised to recreational runners to prevent RRI.

Combined anterior and rotational knee laxity measurements improve the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

PURPOSE: This study analysed whether associating the side-to-side difference in displacement and the slope of the load-displacement curve of anterior and rotational knee laxity measurements would improve the instrumental diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures and help to detect different types of ACL tears. METHODS: Anterior and rotational knee laxity was measured in 128 patients with an arthroscopically confirmed ACL injury and 104 healthy controls. Side-to-side differences were determined for three variables in anterior laxity: anterior displacement at 200 N (ATD200), primary compliance from 30 to 50 N (PCA) and secondary compliance from 100 to 200 N (SCA). Furthermore, four variables in rotational laxity were considered: internal and external rotation at 5 N m (IR5/ER5) and compliance from 2 to 5 N m (C IR/C ER). Receiver operating characteristic curves allowed to determine thresholds, specificities and sensitivities to detect ACL lesions, based on single variables considered and combinations thereof. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity reached, respectively, 75 and 95 % for ATD200 (threshold: 1.2 mm) and 38 and 95 % for IR5 (threshold: 3.2°). If either two out of the three variables were positive for anterior laxity or both IR5 and C IR were positive, 81 % of patients were identified without a false positive. All patients for whom ATD200 was >3.7 mm, PCA > 48 µm/N or SCA > 17.5 µm/N had ACL remnants that were either totally resorbed or healed on the posterior cruciate ligament. CONCLUSION: Combined instrumented anterior and rotational knee laxity measurements have excellent diagnostic value for ACL injury, provided that several measurements be considered concomitantly. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study, Level III.

[Open wedge osteotomy of the tibial head. Management of vascular complications]. / Aufklappende Osteotomie des Tibiakopfes. Management von vaskulären Komplikationen.

BACKGROUND: Lesions of the popliteal artery during high tibial osteotomy are rare complications, consequently the majority of publications are case related. The interval between surgery and diagnosis is reported to be as long 3 years; therefore, the current literature probably does not reflect the true incidence of vascular injuries. OBJECTIVE: The case reports published in the literature were further evaluated. The focus was on the normal vascular anatomy of the popliteal region and anatomical deviations that predispose to vascular injury. As the flexion angle of the knee joint is considered to be decisive for vascular injury, this aspect was also an additional focus. For the unlikely event of a vascular injury, recommendations are presented which indicate diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. METHODS: We analyzed the available literature and present own magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigations of the popliteal artery with different angles of flexion in six healthy volunteers. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A variation of the origin of the anterior tibial artery with a course between the posterior tibial cortex and the popliteal muscle was found in 6% of all patients and predisposes to an accidental injury during osteotomy. The results in the literature and our own MRI findings suggest that a flexion angle of 90° facilitates anatomical dissection and osteotomy but cannot be regarded as a reliable protection against vascular injury.

[Osteotomy techniques close to the knee. Effect on wedge volume and bony contact surface]. / Kniegelenknahe Osteotomietechniken. Effekt auf Keilvolumina und knöcherne Kontaktflächen.

BACKGROUND: Bone geometry following osteotomy around the knee suggests that biplanar rather than uniplanar open wedge techniques simultaneously create smaller wedge volumes and larger bone surface areas. However, precise data on the bone surface area and wedge volume resulting from both open and closed wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) and distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) techniques remain unknown. OBJECTIVES: It was hypothesized that biplanar rather than uniplanar osteotomy techniques better reflect the ideal geometrical requirements for bone healing, representing a large cancellous bone surface combined with a small wedge volume. METHODS: Tibial and femoral artificial bones were assigned to four different groups of valgisation and varisation osteotomy consisting of open wedge and closed wedge techniques in a uniplanar and biplanar fashion. Bone surface areas of all osteotomy planes were quantified. Wedge volumes were determined using a prism-based algorithm and applying standardized wedge heights of 5 mm, 10 mm and 15 mm. RESULTS: Both femoral and tibial biplanar osteotomy techniques created larger contact areas and smaller wedge volumes compared to the uniplanar open wedge techniques. CONCLUSION: Although this idealized geometrical view of bony geometry excludes all biological factors that might influence bone healing, the current data suggest a general rule for the standard osteotomy techniques applied and all surgical modifications: reducing the amount of slow gap healing and simultaneously increasing the area of faster contact healing may be beneficial for osteotomy healing. Thus, biplanar rather than uniplanar osteotomy should be performed for osteotomy around the knee.

Iliopubic subcutaneous plate osteosynthesis for osteoporotic fractures of the anterior pelvic ring. An alternative to the supra-acetabular external fixator.

The majority of fractures of the anterior pelvic ring is treated non-operatively. However, a number of patients do not get pain free and cannot be mobilized. Since the supra-acetabular external fixator is associated with significant complications we developed an alternative technique based on recent anatomical studies. This article is a clinical feasibility study to evaluate a novel stabilization technique for fractures of the anterior pelvic ring in the elderly patient. This technique obtains rapid pain reduction and early ambulation in this group of patients.

[Promotion of physical activity for secondary prevention in patients with chronic diseases: the situation in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg]. / Promotion de l'activité physique comme moyen de prévention secondaire chez des patients atteints de maladies chroniques: état des lieux au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg.

The regular practice of physical activities has health benefits in healthy subjects (primary prevention) and in patients with non-communicable diseases (secondary prevention). This study aimed to perform a stocktaking of the physical activities programs for patients or individuals at risk in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. The organizations offering therapeutic physical activities (TPA) have been investigated. Eleven groups offering TPA adapted to different non-communicable diseases were characterized by their costs, instructors, participants and potential participants. These groups were divided into five main categories: cardiology, neurology, obesity, oncology, and orthopedics. During on-site meetings, 41 professionals, 192 participants and 34 potential participants have been interviewed during the period September 2013 to April 2014. The results show that about 40 hours of TPA, 17 hours of which in cardiology, are currently proposed every week, except during school holidays. The main TPA are gymnastics, aerobics, swimming, Nordic walking, cycling, and resistance training. The national coverage is quite low, especially for obesity, neurology and orthopedics. The costs is mainly related to the human resources, the gym being often borrowed but rarely available during school holidays. Between 200 and 400 individuals participate in the TPA. The average number of participants per hour is 8.9 (± 5.1), which represents only 50% of the maximal capacity estimated by the instructors (18.0 ± 8.2 participants per hour). The recruitment process is different according to the groups but the medical doctors and the physiotherapists are mainly involved in this process. However, the majority of the potential participants were not aware of the existence of the groups. The existence of these groups is a positive point, since it contributes to compensate for the current lack of concrete action of the public and private authorities. However, the current TPA offer is clearly insufficient. The groups are frail, on the one hand because their future relies exclusively upon the idealism of a few key actors, and on the other hand because the participation rate is low. This low rate is related to a lack of information and to organizational constraints. However, the public health action initiated by these groups should be perpetuated and strengthened with a better structuration and professionalization. Finally, the increase of the number of participants remains the main objective.

Differences in fixation stability between spacer plate and plate fixator following high tibial osteotomy.

PURPOSE: Since in vivo stability following high tibial osteotomy is unknown, surgeons customize the postoperative rehabilitation to the assumed implant stability, leaving us with numerous rehabilitation protocols. The purpose of the study is to quantify the fixation stability of different open-wedge high tibial osteotomy implants. It is hypothesized that the higher fixation stability of a plate fixator justifies early weight bearing. METHODS: In this prospective 30-subject clinical trial, fixation stability was determined over a 2-year period using radiostereometric analysis (RSA). Patients were assigned to two angle-stable osteotomy plates: a spacer plate with 6 postoperative weeks of feather-touch weight bearing versus a plate fixator with 2 postoperative weeks of feather-touch weight bearing. RESULTS: Postoperative RSA data showed a significant higher lateral translation of the distal tibia and a significantly increased subsidence, varus and internal rotation of the tibial head in the spacer plate compared to the plate fixator group. Weight bearing following spacer plate fixation induced significant micromotion 6 weeks after surgery. Three months after surgery, bone healing was achieved regardless of the used implant. CONCLUSIONS: Early weight bearing is appropriate for plate fixator fixation. The 6-week period of delayed weight bearing following spacer plate fixation is inadequate and should be prolonged presumably up to 8-10 weeks to avoid pseudarthrosis and/or recurrence of varus angulation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, diagnostic study--investigating a diagnostic test.

Static rotational and sagittal knee laxity measurements after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.

PURPOSE: The goal of the present study was to evaluate static anteroposterior and rotational knee laxity after ACL reconstructions with two noninvasive measurement devices by comparing the measured results of the operated with the contralateral healthy knees of the patients. METHODS: Fifty-two consecutive patients were reviewed after isolated single-bundle transtibial ACL reconstruction using a BPTB graft. At a mean follow-up of 27 months, sagittal AP laxity was tested using a noninvasive knee measurement system (Genourob) with an applied pressure of 67 N, 89 N and 134 N. Rotational laxity was measured using a noninvasive rotational knee laxity device (Rotameter) with an applied torque of 5, 8 and 10 Nm. The results were compared with the measurements of the patients' healthy contralateral knees. Tegner, Lysholm and IKDC score were used in order to evaluate the clinical outcome. RESULTS: Pivot shift was negative (33) or glide (16) in 49 patients with 12 of 16 (75%) patients having also a pivot glide on the healthy contralateral side; Lachman tests were negative in 50 cases. Subjective assessment of the IKDC score was classified according to category A in 44 patients, B in 5 patients and C in 3 patients. Mean Lysholm score was 94.5 ± 9.5, median Tegner score was 7 (3-9) preoperative and 6 (3-9) at follow-up (n.s.). Anteroposterior knee laxity measurements revealed mean side-to-side differences of 0.6-1.3 mm (P < 0.0001). Rotational laxity measurements revealed no statistical significant differences between the operated and the contralateral knee (n.s.). The measured differences in the entire rotational range varied from 0.2° to 1° depending on the applied torque. In those 3 patients with a positive pivot shift, differences in the entire rotational range of 4.5° at 5 N, 4.6° at 8 N and 4.1° at 10 N were found. CONCLUSION: Static knee laxity was quantified after ACL surgery using the introduced noninvasive measurement systems by comparing the measured results of the operated with the contralateral healthy knees. Significant differences were found in AP laxity although they were defined as clinically successful according to the IKDC classification. No significant differences were found in rotational knee laxity measurements. Therefore, the used noninvasive masurement devices might offer a high potential for objective quality control in knee ligament injuries and their treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective case series, Level IV.