A new and simple method for patellar height measurement: Fibula-condyle-patella angle.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the inter-observer reliability of fibula-condyle-patella angle measurements and to compare it with other measurement techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 01, 2023 and January 31, 2023, a total of 108 patients (20 males, 88 females; mean age: 47.5±12.0 years; range, 18 to 72 years) who underwent X-rays using the fibula-condyle-patella angle, Insall-Salvati, Caton-Deschamps, Blackburne-Pell, and plateau-patella angle (PPA) methods were retrospectively analyzed. Knee lateral radiographs taken in at least 30 degrees of flexion and appropriate rotation were scanned. All measurements were made by two orthopedic surgeons who were blinded to measurement methods. RESULTS: Right knee patellar height measurements were conducted in 56 patients, while left knee patellar heights were assessed in 52 patients. The highest inter-observer concordance was found in the fibula-condyle-patella angle. The second highest concordance was found in the Insall-Salvati. The highest concordance correlation was found with PPA in the measurements of both researchers. CONCLUSION: The fibula-condyle-patella angle is a reliable technique with a good inter-observer reliability for measuring patellar height. We believe that this study will inspire future research to establish comprehensive reference values for clinical applications.

Comparison of medium-term revision rates after autograft and allograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

AIM: The present study investigates time until revision and revision rates, and their relationship with gender and age, among 267 patients with anterior cruciate ligament tears treated with autograft and allograft reconstructions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was carried out based on data collected on 269 knees (bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft in 25, gracilis-semitendinosus autograft in 136, quadriceps autograft in two, allograft in 106) belonging to 267 patients who underwent an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction between 2009 and 2018. RESULTS: Of the 269 knees of the 267 patients (22 women and 247 men) operated on for an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, an autograft was used in 163, and nine of those required revision, while an allograft was used in 106 knees, and seven required revision. Revision surgery was necessary for six out of the 22 female patients and for only 10 out of the 247 male patients (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Each type of graft used for treatment is associated with certain advantages and disadvantages. Hamstring autografts and allografts were the most commonly used grafts during the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgeries carried out at our clinics. The rate of re-rupture was quite low with use of both graft types, leading us to believe that the type of graft preferred for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery should be based on a common decision of the surgeon and patient. KEY WORDS: Allograft, Anterior cruciate ligament, Autograft, Loosening, Revision.