Percutaneous Achilles tendon tenotomy in clubfoot with a blade or a needle: a single-centre randomized controlled noninferiority trial.

Aims: The gold standard for percutaneous Achilles tendon tenotomy during the Ponseti treatment for idiopathic clubfoot is a tenotomy with a No. 15 blade. This trial aims to establish the technique where the tenotomy is performed with a large-bore needle as noninferior to the gold standard. Methods: We randomized feet from children aged below 36 months with idiopathic clubfoot on a 1:1 basis in either the blade or needle group. Follow-up was conducted at three weeks and three months postoperatively, where dorsiflexion range, Pirani scores, and complications were recorded. The noninferiority margin was set at 4° difference in dorsiflexion range at three months postoperatively. Results: The blade group had more dorsiflexion at both follow-up consultations: 18.36° versus 18.03° (p = 0.115) at three weeks and 18.96° versus 18.26° (p = 0.001) at three months. The difference of the mean at three months 0.7° is well below the noninferiority margin of 4°. There was no significant difference in Pirani scores. The blade group had more extensive scar marks at three months than the needle group (8 vs 2). No major complications were recorded. Conclusion: The needle tenotomy is noninferior to the blade tenotomy for usage in Ponseti treatment for idiopathic clubfoot in children aged below 36 months.

[Ultrasound-guided percutaneous tenotomy in chronic wrist extensor enthesopathy]. / Tenotomía percutánea ecoguiada en entesopatía crónica de extensores de muñeca.

Epicondylitis causes disability and tends to become chronic. Histologically, degenerative lesions are found in the common extensor tendon, which are visible on ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. Several conservative therapeutic measures are available, including corticosteroid infiltration by anatomical landmark. However, these measures sometimes fail, in which case patients are proposed for surgery. Ultrasound is a therapeutic tool that allows procedures on tendons to be performed without skin incisions. The technique of ultrasound-guided percutaneous tenotomy for the treatment of chronic epicondylitis was first reported in 2006. This procedure, demonstrated to date by surgeons and radiologists, attempts to transform a chronic degenerative process with failure to repair into an acute inflammatory process with self-regeneration. The aim of this study was to describe 5 cases of epicondylitis that failed to respond to routine therapeutic measures, in which we used ultrasound-guided percutaneous tenotomy with favourable results.

A simple approach for determining tendon limb length in open Achilles lengthening: technical note.

Estimating the appropriate tendon length and associated skin incision needed to achieve a plantigrade foot without compromising function are essential steps in open Achilles tendon lengthening. Here we describe a technique using basic surgical instruments referencing anatomic landmarks without the need for radiographs. The center of ankle rotation in the sagittal plane is found referencing the tip of the medial malleolus. This point is translated to the plantar surface of the foot, and a straight instrument in line with the foot is used to make a mark at the posterior calcaneal fat pad. The straight instrument is then rotated (representing the plantar surface of the foot) as if dorsiflexing the ankle along the axis of the transposed tibiotalar joint from a plantar-flexed position to the desired final position and a second mark is made at the posterior heel. The distance between the marks is measured, representing the amount of Achilles lengthening required. The skin incision and tendon limb lengths area a sum of the operative correction and the amount of desired tendon overlap, typically 2 cm of tendon overlap is optimal to allow for suture fixation, ensure tendon healing, and maintain the integrity of the repair. A Z-type lengthening is then performed using this tendon limb length. This technique allows an accurate and simple approach to lengthening the Achilles tendon. In this way the ideal tendon limb length is selected to optimize function while minimizing incision length, associated wound complications, inadequate lengthening, and overlengthening. Level of evidence: Technical note, Level V.

Novel implant-free loop Tenodesis vs. simple Tenotomy of the long biceps tendon - a biomechanical investigation.

BACKGROUND: Simple tenotomy and anchor tenodesis are commonly used in treatment of long biceps tendon (LHB) pathologies. The tenotomy can result in biceps distalization or cosmetic deformities. A novel loop Tenodesis Technique (LTD) could prevent a distalization of the biceps muscle without the risk of implant associated complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical aspects of the novel LTD compared to a standard tenotomy of the LHB. It has been hypothesized that the novel technique will show biomechanical superiority in terms of resistance and distalization. METHODS: Seven paired adult human cadaveric shoulder joints were assigned to one of the two study groups: Loop tenodesis (LTD); simple tenotomy (STT). In both groups load-to-failure testing was performed. The load-displacement curve was used to determine the maximum load (N), the degree of distalization of the LHB (mm) and the stiffness (N/mm). Additionally, the mode of failure was registered. RESULTS: The LTD group achieved a significantly higher ultimate load to failure (LTD: 50.5 ± 12.5 N vs. STT: 6.6 ± 3.9 N; p = 0.001). Significantly less distalization of the tendon could be detected for the LTD group (LTD: 8 ± 2.3 mm vs. STT: 22.4 ± 2.4 mm; p = 0.001). Stiffness was 7.4 ± 3.9 N/mm for the LTD group and 0.23 ± 0.16 N/mm for the STT group (p = 0.001). In all specimens of the LTD group a tendon rupture was found as mode of failure, while the STT group failed because of pulling out the LHB through the bicipital groove. CONCLUSION: The novel loop Tenodesis Technique shows biomechanically higher stability as well as less distalization compared to a simple tenotomy of the long biceps tendon.

Metallic versus biodegradable suture anchors for rotator cuff repair: a case control study.

BACKGROUNDS: Repair of full-thickness rotator cuff (RC) tears is routinely performed using suture anchors, which produce secure and effective soft tissue fixation to bone. The aim of this prospective study is to compare the long-term outcomes of single row arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) performed using metal or biodegradable suture anchors. The null hypothesis is that there is no difference in shoulder function using metal or biodegradable suture anchors as evaluated by UCLA shoulder score, Wolfgang criteria, and Oxford shoulder score. METHODS: Arthroscopic RCR was performed in 110 patients included in this case control study. They were divided into 2 groups of 51 and 59 patients respectively. Metal suture anchors were used in group 1, and biodegradable suture anchors in group 2. Results were obtained at a mean follow up of 4.05 + 2 years. Clinical outcomes and functional outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean modified UCLA shoulder score was 26.9 + 7.1 in group 1, and 27.7 + 6.5 in group 2 (P = 0.5); the mean Wolfgang score was 13.3 + 3.3 in group 1, and 14 + 2.6 in group 2 (P = 0.3); the mean OSS was 23.7 + 11.4 in group 1, and 20.7 + 9.2 points in group 2 (P = 0.1). The mean active anterior elevation was 163.5° + 28.2° in group 1 and 163.6° + 26.9 in group 2 (P = 0.9); the mean active external rotation was 46° + 19.7° in group 1 and 44.6° + 16.3° in group 2 (P = 0.7). The mean strength in anterior elevation was 4.8.02 + 23.52 N in group 1, and 43.12 + 17.64 N in group 2 (P = 0.2); the mean strength in external rotation was 48.02 + 22.54 N in group 1 and 46.06 + 17.64 N in group 2 (P = 0.6); the mean strength in internal rotation was 67.62 + 29.4 N in group 1, and 68.6 + 25.48 N in group 2 (P = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: There are no statistically significant differences at a mean follow-up of 4.05 + 2 years in clinical and functional outcomes of single row arthroscopic RCR using metallic or biodegradable suture anchors for RC < 5 cm.

Efficacy and Safety of a Percutaneous Tenotomy System for Debridement of Tendinopathic Tissues.

During acute inflammatory phases of tendinopathy, a combination of physical therapy and corticosteroid injections is considered to be moderately effective for acute inflammation. However, surgical debridement of tendinopathic tissues is often required for chronic cases. The TenJet system created by HydroCision, Inc. is a percutaneous device that uses high-pressure saline to debride pathologic tissues during tenotomy. Here, we use a collagenase-induced tendinopathy model on explants from bovine ankle extensor tendons. We use the volume of defect debrided as a metric to determine the efficacy of using high-velocity fluid flow as a debridement tool as well as the effect of velocity magnitude on efficacy. Furthermore, we highlight the negligible disruption of healthy tissue surrounding pathologic tissue.

Knee Extensor Mechanism Repairs: Standard Suture Repair and Novel Augmentation Technique.

Patellar and quadriceps tendon ruptures are relatively common injuries. Rupture of the knee extensor mechanism may occur because of a forceful eccentric contraction of the quadriceps against a resisted flexed knee, though atraumatic cases have also been described. Patients at higher than normal risk for knee extensor mechanism rupture include those with systemic co-morbidities, fluoroquinolone use, and chronic tendinopathy. Early operative treatment and mobilization of acute extensor mechanism ruptures has proven effective, and numerous techniques have been described. A 46-year-old male on anastrozole therapy simultaneously ruptured his left patellar and right quadriceps tendons during a deadlift attempt. Diagnosis was by history and physical examination. Repair of both injuries was performed 5 days after injury. Described within and shown in the accompanying video is a standard technique for primary repair using Krackow stitches through the ruptured tendon that are passed through patellar bone tunnels and tied over a bone bridge. The finer points of this technique are emphasized. Also included is a technique to augment the standard repair with a figure-of-8 stitch passed through additional oblique patellar bone tunnels. The mechanical advantage of the adjuvant figure-of-8 stitch provides additional compression, which nicely reapproximates the tendon edges.

Four-Strand Core Suture Improves Flexor Tendon Repair Compared to Two-Strand Technique in a Rabbit Model.

Introduction. This study was designed to investigate the influence of the amount of suture material on the formation of peritendinous adhesions of intrasynovial flexor tendon repairs. Materials and Methods. In 14 rabbits, the flexor tendons of the third and the fourth digit of the right hind leg were cut and repaired using a 2- or 4-strand core suture technique. The repaired tendons were harvested after three and eight weeks. The range of motion of the affected toes was measured and the tendons were processed histologically. The distance between the transected tendon ends, the changes in the peritendinous space, and cellular and extracellular inflammatory reaction were quantified by different staining. Results. A 4-strand core suture resulted in significantly less gap formation. The 2-strand core suture showed a tendency to less adhesion formation. Doubling of the intratendinous suture material was accompanied by an initial increase in leukocyte infiltration and showed a greater amount of formation of myofibroblasts. From the third to the eighth week after flexor tendon repair, both the cellular and the extracellular inflammation decreased significantly. Conclusion. A 4-strand core suture repair leads to a significantly better tendon healing process with less diastasis between the sutured tendon ends despite initially pronounced inflammatory response.

[Tendoscopy of the Achilles tendon. Indications, technique and results]. / Tendoskopie der Achillessehne. Indikation, Technik und Ergebnisse.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic surgical techniques are nowadays standard procedures in medicine. The advantages of these minimally invasive techniques compared to open techniques are a smaller access route with reduced tissue damage, reduced scarring and often faster postoperative mobilization. Tendoscopy can be used to treat pathologies of tendons as well as of the surrounding tissues. OBJECTIVES: This article presents the advantages of endoscopic treatment of the Achilles tendon compared to open procedures as well as the chances and limitations of tendoscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Surgical instructions for endoscopy of the Achilles tendon are presented and a review of the literature is given. RESULTS: The literature review showed excellent results for pathologies of the paratenon and Achilles tendinitis. Compared to open surgery there was a significantly lower rate of wound healing problems. All articles reported a high reduction of pain level with an early return to sports activities. Limitations of the procedure are extensive intratendinous pathologies and alterations of tendon insertion sites. CONCLUSION: Tendoscopy of the Achilles tendon is a safe but sometimes challenging minimally invasive technique for the treatment of paratendinopathy.

[Current concepts for treatment of massive rotator cuff tears]. / Aktuelle Behandlungskonzepte für Massenrupturen der Rotatorenmanschette.

The ideal treatment for massive rotator cuff tears is influenced by the morphology and chronicity of the tear, tissue quality, the degree of concomitant osteoarthritis, and patient-specific factors. Traditionally, massive rotator cuff tears have wrongly been equated with irreparable tears. A variety of improvements in surgical technique and materials now permit successful arthroscopic management of many massive rotator cuff tears when non-operative management has failed. This study provides an overview of the current treatment options for large and massive rotator cuff tears, including their expected outcomes. Finally, a possible treatment algorithm is suggested.

Effectiveness and Complications of Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy with a Large Needle for Muscle Contractures: A Cadaver Study.

BACKGROUND: Twenty-two percent of institutionalised elderly persons have muscle contractures. Contractures have important functional consequences, rendering hygiene and positioning in bed or in a chair difficult. Medical treatment (such as botulinum toxin injections, physiotherapy or positioning) is not very effective and surgery may be required. Surgery is carried out in the operating theatre, under local or general anaesthesia but is often not possible in fragile patients. Mini-invasive tenotomy could be a useful alternative as it can be carried out in ambulatory care, under local anaesthesia. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous needle tenotomy and the risks of damage to adjacent structures in cadavers. METHOD: Thirty two doctors who had never practiced the technique (physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, geriatricians and orthopaedic surgeons) carried out 401 tenotomies on the upper and lower limbs of 8 fresh cadavers. A 16G needle was used percutaneous following location of the tendons. After each tenotomy, a neuro-orthopaedic surgeon and an anatomist dissected the area in order to evaluate the success of the tenotomy and any adjacent lesions which had occurred. RESULTS: Of the 401 tenotomies, 72% were complete, 24.9% partial and 2.7% failed. Eight adjacent lesions occurred (2%): 4 (1%) in tendons or muscles, 3 (0.7%) in nerves and 1 (0.2%) in a vessel. CONCLUSION: This percutaneous needle technique effectively ruptured the desired tendons, with few injuries to adjacent structures. Although this study was carried out on cadavers, the results suggest it is safe to carry out on patients.

[Suture techniques for flexor tendons of the hand]. / Nahttechniken für Beugesehnen der Hand.

BACKGROUND: The success of the flexor tendon suture depends on many factors. An important factor is that the tendon suture technique that must be carried out for flexor tendons is considerably more complex and more precise than for all other tendons of the body. OBJECTIVES: To discover important technical points that need to be considered during flexor tendon suturing. METHOD: We compiled the most important technical details in flexor tendon suturing from the literature and from personal experience. RESULTS: Details on core suture, peripheral suture, the tensile strength, gapping, the circulation of sutured tendons, gliding resistance and excisions are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Flexor tendon suturing must be performed taking great care to conserve tissue.

[Pulley reconstruction in the hand]. / Ringbandrekonstruktion an der Hand.

BACKGROUND: To ensure proper function of the flexor tendons, pulleys are extremely important. Pulleys can be impaired by injury, infection, but also sometimes iatrogenically. The consequences of this failure are often poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: What is the impact of pulley insufficiency, what are the clinical signs, and what are the reconstruction options? METHODS: The experiences of 64 patients with different forms of pulley insufficiency are presented. RESULTS: All patients benefit from a ring ligament reconstruction. A phalanx fracture can be one complication. CONCLUSIONS: Pulley reconstructions are very beneficial operations.

Two emerging technologies for Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciopathy.

Some common overuse injuries, such as Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis (or fasciopathy), can be refractory to treatment. When standard treatment options fail, operative intervention often becomes the treatment of last resort. Recently, newer technologies have been developed and refined, and can provide potential benefits for these conditions using noninvasive and minimally invasive approaches. Two technologies, extracorporeal shock wave therapy and ultrasound-guided percutaneous tenotomy/fasciotomy are discussed.

[Surgical treatment of tibialis anterior tendon rupture]. / Operative Therapie der Tibialis-anterior-Sehnenruptur.

INTRODUCTION: Tibialis anterior tendon rupture is rare, with only a few cases and small series having been reported in the literature. In this article, cases reported in the literature from 1997-2012 are reviewed and patients treated by the author are presented. MATERIALS: Cases published from 1997-2012 needing surgical treatment for tibialis anterior tendon rupture were retrospectively reviewed. In all, 32 articles with a total of 44 reported cases and 5 patients from our own practice were included. Patient-specific data (e.g., age, trauma, secondary diagnosis, and time to surgery), surgical technique, operative result, and documented complications were also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age (MA) of the patients (30 men and 19 women) undergoing treatment was 58 years. A total of 17 patients presented as a result of adequate trauma (MA 52) and 32 patients without or minor trauma (MA 62). In 16 patients (33 %), a primary tendon suture was selected, while in 11 patients (22 %) osseous refixation techniques were performed. In 21 patients (43 %), plastic reconstruction was necessary. Total recovery was observed in 69 % of patients (n = 34); 26 % (n = 13) had moderate limitations. Complications were reported in 12 % of cases (n = 6), thereof one re-rupture. CONCLUSION: Good to excellent results were observed in tibialis anterior tendon ruptures reconstruction. No associations between surgical treatment and outcome were observed. The selection of the surgical technique depended on rupture mechanism, location, size, tendon constitution, rupture age, and surgeon's experience.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous tenotomy for the treatment of iliopsoas impingement: a description of technique and case study.

Iliopsoas impingement is a commonly recognised source of groin pain following total hip replacement. When conservative measures fail, open or arthroscopic iliopsoas tendon release can reliably alleviate pain and improve function. This article describes an alternative ultrasound-guided percutaneous technique, achieving iliopsoas tenotomy utilising a modified 18G coaxial needle and thus minimising the morbidity and cost associated with an open or arthroscopic procedure. This method proved successful with resultant complete resolution of patient symptoms. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first case of ultrasound-guided percutaneous iliopsoas tenotomy for iliopsoas impingement post total hip replacement.

[Medial rectus tendon elongation with bovine pericardium for type 1 Duane's retraction syndrome]. / M.-rectus-internus-Sehnenverlängerung mit bovinem Perikard bei Duane-Retraktionssyndrom Typ 1.

BACKGROUND: Some patients with esotropic Duane's retraction syndrome (type 1) adopt a head turn to gain binocular vision. For some patients recession of the ipsilateral medial rectus muscle is not sufficient to eliminate head turn and squint angle. Surgery with tendon elongation allows the correction of larger angles and maintains a sufficient arc of contact. We report our results and experience. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 10 patients with unilateral, esotropic Duane syndrome type 1 who had tendon elongation with bovine pericardium to correct a head turn or squint angle. Two patients had primary surgery with tendon elongation due to preoperative excessive angles, eight patients had tendon elongations as secondary procedures. Nine of the patients had their follow-up examination at least six weeks after surgery. RESULTS: The median preoperative angle of squint in primary position was + 27.5 pdpt, the median postoperative angle + 0 pdpt. The median dose effect relation for secondary interventions was 2.4 pdpt reduction of squint angle/mm surgery, for one patient with primary surgery and long-term follow-up 2.75 pdpt/mm. The median, preoperative head turn of seven patients with preoperative binocular functions was 20°. Postoperatively, six patients with long-term follow-up showed a median head turn of 0°. The median dose-effect relation was 3.3° reduction of head turn/mm surgery. All nine patients with long-term follow-up had a maximal head turn of 10°, six of the patients had no persisting head turn. Binocular functions were stable or better than preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with retraction syndrome type 1, tendon elongation of the medial rectus muscle using Tutopatch® is a good option for secondary interventions or excessive preoperative squint angle or head turn.

Ipsilateral free semitendinosus tendon graft with interference screw fixation for minimally invasive reconstruction of chronic tears of the Achilles tendon.

OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive ipsilateral semitendinosus reconstruction of large chronic tears aims to be advantageous for the patient in terms of plantar flexion recovery, anthropometric measures, fast return to daily and sport activity, is safe, with low donor site co-morbidities, low risks of wound complications and neurovascular injuries. INDICATIONS: Tendon gaps greater than 6 cm and in cases of revision surgery (rerupture). CONTRAINDICATIONS: Diabetes, vascular diseases, previous anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using ipsilateral semitendinosus tendon graft. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: The semitendinosus tendon is harvested through an incision in the medial aspect of the popliteal fossa, and the proximal stump is exposed and mobilized through an incision performed 2 cm proximal and medial to the palpable tendon gap. We repeat the same steps distally, approaching the distal stump of the tendon through a 2.5 cm longitudinal incision made 2 cm distal and just anterior to the lateral margin of the distal stump. Through the distal incision, we expose the Kager's space and the postero-superior corner of the osteotomized calcaneum. We drill a bone tunnel into the calcaneum from dorsal to plantar using a cannulated headed reamer. The semitendinosus tendon graft is passed into the proximal stump through a medial-to-lateral small incision, its two ends are moved distally, and finally it is pulled down and shuttled through the bone tunnel. The construct is fixed to the calcaneum using an interference screw. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Immobilization in a below the knee plaster cast with the foot in plantar flexion for 2 weeks, weight bearing on the metatarsal heads as tolerated, use elbow crutches, and keep the knee flexed. At 2 weeks, plaster removed, and rehabilitative exercises started, walker cast allowed. RESULTS: Between 2008 and 2010, the procedure was performed on 28 consecutive patients (21 men and 7 women, median age 46 years). At the 2-year follow-up, average ATRS scores significantly improved (p < 0.0001) compared to average preoperative scores with good to excellent outcomes for 26 out of 28 patients (93 %); the maximum calf circumference also improved considerably whereby no clinical or functional relevance compared to the contralateral side observed. Of the 28 patients 16 (57 %) could practice sport at the same preinjury level, whereby 1 patient experienced persistent pain over the distal wound, which ameliorated after desensitization therapy.

Percutaneous release of the A1 pulley using a modified Kirschner wire: a cadaveric study.

PURPOSE. To evaluate the outcome of percutaneous release of the A1 pulley in 40 cadaveric fingers using a modified Kirschner wire. METHODS. A 2.5-mm-diameter Kirschner wire measuring >12 cm in length was used. One end of the wire was sharpened into a 'J' shape using a grinder. The J-shaped tip featured a blunt, elongated lower tip, a sharp J-shaped curve, and a blunt upper tip. Completeness of A1 pulley release and injuries to the A2 pulley, flexor tendon, and neurovascular structures were evaluated in 40 cadaveric fingers. RESULTS. Complete release of the A1 pulley was achieved in 8 index, 7 middle, 8 ring, and 8 little fingers, whereas incomplete release of the distal part was noted in 2 index, 2 middle, 2 ring, and one little fingers; release was missed in one middle and one little fingers. Injury to the A2 pulley was noted in 2 index fingers; the injury was minimal and limited to the proximal 2 mm of the A2 pulley. There was no flexor tendon or digital nerve injury in any finger. CONCLUSION. Percutaneous release of the A1 pulley using a modified Kirschner wire achieved complete release in 78% of cadaveric fingers, which is comparable to that using a specially manufactured push knife.