Mid-term outcomes of posterior capsular release for fixed flexed deformity after total knee arthroplasty.

Fixed flexion deformity also called flexion contracture is relatively rare, but a very demanding functional limitation that both surgeons and patients may have to deal with. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the functional outcomes after posteromedial capsular release in case of fixed flexed deformity > 15 o . Between June 2011 and November 2018, 15 patients (6 males and 9 females) were treated with open posterior capsular release through medial approach for fixed flexion deformity of the knee > 15 o and prospectively followed with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Primary outcome was knee extension measured with a manual goniometer and secondary outcome treatment related complications. All patients reported inability to walk and clinical semiology of pain and swelling. The mean age of the study population at surgery was 61.7 years with a mean BMI of 30.9 kg/m2. Complete data were recorded for all patients. Statistically significant improvement was found in clinical and functional assessment tools analyzed from baseline to the latest follow-up (p<0.05). More precisely, the mean postoperative fixed flexion deformity was decreased from 23.57 o to 2.86 o . No adverse effect or major complications were recorded during follow-up. Posterior open release via posteromedial was shown to be an efficient and safe salvage procedure to deal with persistent fixed flexion deformity of more than 15 o following TKA at two years follow-up. However, future studies with a higher number of participants and longer follow-up should be conducted to validate our data.

Anterior elbow release for post-traumatic flexion contractures in patients 21 years or younger.

HYPOTHESIS AND BACKGROUND: An elbow contracture in a young person can be a devastating problem. Significant contractures will lead to functional loss of the extremity. Appropriately performed contracture release can have profound implications on the overall well-being of the patient. The purpose of this study was to report improvements in sagittal-plane range of motion and the complication rate following an anterior elbow release for flexion contractures in patients 21 years or younger. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 27 patients with a median age of 16.8 years who were treated surgically for elbow flexion contracture with an anterior approach. Follow-up was possible in 18 of these patients at an average of 31 months. An anterior approach was performed in all 18 patients, with 4 patients undergoing an additional posterior incision to address posterior structures limiting extension. RESULTS: Elbow extension improved by an average of 35°, from -54° to -19°. The mean total arc of elbow motion improved by 37°, from 65° to 102°. Two complications occurred: traction-related neurapraxia of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve and transient neurapraxia of the posterior interosseous nerve. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Elbow contracture release through an anterior approach is an acceptable surgical option. Significant improvement is obtained with a low risk of complications.

The impact of capsular repair on the risk for dislocation after revision total hip arthroplasty - a retrospective cohort-study of 259 cases.

BACKGROUND: Dislocation following total hip arthroplasty has to date not been resolved satisfactorily. Previous work has shown that using a less-invasive adaption of Bauer's lateral transgluteal approach with capsular repair significantly reduces dislocation rates in primary total hip arthroplasty. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess whether this approach also helps to reduce the dislocation rate in revision total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: We analyzed revision total hip arthroplasty cases performed between 10/2005 and 12/2013 in our department, classifying capsular repair cases as study group and capsular resection cases as control group. The WOMAC score, the dislocations and the revisions were observed. RESULTS: A total of 259 cases were included, 100 in the study group and 159 in the control group. In the 12-month follow-up, dislocation rates were significantly lower in the study group (3%, n = 3) compared to the control group (21.4%, n = 34; p = 0.001). Overall follow-up periods were 49 and 79 months, revision frequencies were 10 and 29%, pain improvements were 5.5 compared to 4.4 and the WOMAC global scores averaged 2.0 ± 2.1 and 2.9 ± 2.6 for the study group and the control group, respectively. CONCLUSION: The modified, less-invasive, lateral transgluteal approach with capsular repair was accompanied by an 86% reduction in dislocation rates when compared to the conventional technique with capsular resection via the anterolateral Watson-Jones-approach. Capsular repair is possible in about 60% of the revision total hip arthroplasty cases, may be considered as beneficial to avoid dislocation and can therefore be recommended.

Arthroscopic Release of Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder Complicated With Shoulder Dislocation and Brachial Plexus Injury.

The incidence of brachial plexus injury after shoulder dislocation or arthroscopic shoulder surgery is low. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an uncommon but painful condition that can develop after nerve injury. Historically, CRPS has been difficult to treat and therapeutic efforts are sometimes limited to ameliorating symptoms. However, if a dystrophic focus can be identified, the condition can be addressed with surgical exploration for potential neurolysis or nerve repair. The present article reports on a case of type II CRPS that developed in the postoperative setting of arthroscopic shoulder surgery complicated with simple shoulder dislocation.

Open arthrolysis with pie-crusting release of the triceps tendon for treating post-traumatic contracture of the elbow.

BACKGROUND: Extensive loss of elbow flexion compromises the performance of daily activities. We examined the clinical outcomes of patients with post-traumatic extension contracture of the elbow treated with open arthrolysis and pie-crusting release of the triceps tendon. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 7 patients (5 men and 2 women; mean age, 35 years) who underwent open arthrolysis via a combined lateral and medial approach with pie-crusting release of the triceps tendon for the treatment of post-traumatic elbow stiffness. All the patients had heterotopic ossification that restricted elbow motion and underwent removal of the ossified tissue and capsular release. The triceps tendon was gradually stretched by making multiple stab incisions on the tendon by using a No. 11 surgical blade. The range of motion of the elbow was recorded both preoperatively and at the final postoperative follow-up. Elbow function was assessed with the Mayo Elbow Performance Score. RESULTS: The patients were followed up for a mean of 24 months. After treatment, significant improvement was noted in the total arc of motion (from 44° to 116°, P <.001), mean flexion (from 80° to 124°, P < .001), and mean extension (from 31° to 8°, P = .004). The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score improved significantly from 59 points preoperatively to 92 points at the final evaluation. No major postoperative complications developed in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that open arthrolysis with pie-crusting release of the triceps tendon is an effective and safe treatment approach for post-traumatic extension contracture of the elbow.

Postoperative oxycodone toxicity in a patient with chronic pain and end-stage renal disease.

We present this case to review the metabolism of oxycodone and the effects of end-stage renal disease on the elimination of oxycodone and its metabolites. A 42-year-old female with end-stage renal disease who was dependent on hemodialysis presented for left hamstring posterior capsule release. She had been receiving methadone for 2 years for chronic leg pain. On postoperative day 1, the patient's medication was changed from IV hydromorphone to oral oxycodone to treat breakthrough pain. By the next day, the patient was unarousable with notable respiratory depression. She did not fully recover after urgent hemodialysis but did have full recovery after receiving an IV naloxone infusion for 22 hours. Further study of the safety of oxycodone in hemodialysis patients is warranted.

Stability of severely stiff elbows after complete open release: treatment by ligament repair with suture anchors and hinged external fixator.

BACKGROUND: Instability is a crucial issue in severe post-traumatic elbow stiffness during complete-release surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ligament repair using a suture anchor in the operative treatment of severely stiff elbows for which a hinged external fixator was indicated. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 46 cases of severely stiff elbows (flexion arc <60°) undergoing open release. During the operation, all 46 elbows were noted to have instability. Suture anchors were applied to restore the ligament if it was impossible to repair the ligament directly, and a hinged external fixator was simultaneously applied to protect the vulnerable ligament and facilitate rehabilitation. No allograft or autograft was used in any of our cases. The stability, arc of motion, Mayo Elbow Performance Score, ulnar nerve symptoms, and radiographs were evaluated. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 24.3 months, the postoperative Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 91 points, as compared with 63 points preoperatively. The mean flexion arc improved from 25° to 126°. Three patients presented with moderate elbow instability when the hinged external fixator was removed; however, all of them regained stability by the last follow-up. Furthermore, 7 cases of new-onset nerve palsy were noted; however, all of them resolved with conservative management. None of the patients required secondary surgery for any reason. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of an avulsed collateral ligament with suture anchors and hinged external fixation was effective in restoring functional mobility in patients with severe post-traumatic elbow stiffness after complete release. This could be an option for treating ankylosed, severely or very severely stiff elbows.

Prevention of nerve injury during arthroscopic capsulectomy of the elbow utilizing a safety-driven strategy.

BACKGROUND: A major factor limiting the use of elbow arthroscopy for contracture release is concern regarding nerve injury. The purpose of this report is to document the risk of nerve injury in a large series of arthroscopic contracture releases utilizing a safety-driven strategy. METHODS: A series of 502 arthroscopic elbow contracture releases (including 388 osteocapsular arthroplasties) performed in 464 patients by one surgeon was reviewed retrospectively. The safety-driven step-wise strategy had been carried out in a standardized sequence: (1) Get In and Establish a View, (2) Create a Space in Which to Work, (3) Bone Removal, and (4) Capsulectomy. Neurologic complications were assessed and were followed until resolution. RESULTS: No patient had a permanent nerve injury. Twenty-four patients (5%) had a transient nerve injury, associated with prolonged tourniquet time, cutaneous dysesthesia attributed to open incisions, simultaneous ulnar nerve transposition, or retractor use. All nerve deficits resolved after one day to twenty-four months, with one patient lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing the technique described, arthroscopic contracture release and debridement of the elbow was performed with a low risk of nerve injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic level III. See instructions for authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Total dislocation of the hip joint after arthroscopy and ileopsoas tenotomy.

The hip is a highly stable joint. Non-traumatic dislocation of the hip is extremely uncommon. In this article, we report two cases of non-traumatic hip dislocations following hip arthroscopy. In both cases, capsulotomy and ileopsoas tenotomy had been performed. These cases raise questions about the importance of the natural stabilisers of the hip. Level of evidence V.