Lower anxiety level to perform movements after revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with lateral extra-articular tenodesis compared to without lateral extra-articular tenodesis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the anxiety level to perform movements in patients after revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) combined with lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) compared to patients after revision ACLR without LET. METHODS: Ninety patients who underwent revision ACLR with ipsilateral bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft and with a minimum of 12 months follow-up were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: patients who received revision ACLR in combination with LET (revision ACLR_LET group; mean follow-up: 29.4 months, range: 12-80 months), and patients who received revision ACLR without LET (revision ACLR group; mean follow-up: 61.1 months, range: 22-192 months). All patients filled in a questionnaire about anxiety level related to physical activity and sports, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the International Knee Documentation Committee subjective form (IKDCsubjective), and the Tegner Activity Score. RESULTS: Patients in the revision ACLR_LET group had a significantly lower anxiety level to perform movements than patients in the revision ACLR group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in KOOS, IKDCsubjective, and Tegner Activity Scores. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who received LET in addition to revision ACLR have a lower anxiety level to perform movements than patients with revision ACLR alone, despite non-different subjective functional outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study, Level of evidence: III.

The role of computer-assisted cryotherapy in the postoperative treatment after total knee arthroplasty: positive effects on pain and opioid consumption.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether computer-assisted cryotherapy is effective in reducing postoperative pain and analgesics consumption, next to improving functional outcome and patient satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The hypothesis is that computer-assisted cryotherapy has positive effects on postoperative pain after TKA. METHODS: A single-centre non-blinded randomised controlled trial was designed to study the early (first postoperative week) and late (2 and 6 weeks postoperatively) additive effect of computer-assisted cooling after TKA. Participants scheduled for a TKA were randomly allocated to a cold (cryotherapy) C-group or a regular (control) R-group. Next to usual postoperative care for both groups, the C-group received computer-assisted cryotherapy during the first seven postoperative days. Primary outcome was pain, monitored with the numerical rating scale for pain and use of opioid escape medication. Secondary outcomes were function and swelling, monitored by active range of motion, timed up and go test and circumference measurements; patient-reported outcome measurements (KOOS and WORQ questionnaires); and patient satisfaction, monitored by the numerical rating scale for satisfaction. RESULTS: 102 patients participated in this study, both groups contained 51 patients. On most days during the first week, patients in the C-group scored significantly lower NRS pain scores and registered significantly less use of opioid escape medication. In a sub-analysis of 57 patients using the same standard pain protocol, patients in the C-group (n = 28) used less oxycodone during the first postoperative week. There were no significant differences between both groups in active range of motion, timed up and go, or circumference measurements. For the WORQ questionnaire, there was a significant difference between the two groups 6 weeks postoperatively in favour of the C-group. This could be however due to a reduced validity of this questionnaire shortly after TKA. The satisfaction score was not significantly different between both groups. CONCLUSION: Computer-assisted cryotherapy following TKA can be beneficial during the first postoperative week in terms of pain reduction and diminished opioid consumption. No clear differences in knee function or swelling were seen. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study with level of evidence I.

The importance of continuous remnant preservation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Selective anteromedial or posterolateral bundle reconstruction is recognized as a treatment modality in partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) with a biomechanically sufficient ACL remnant. However, there is paucity in literature investigating clinical outcomes of standard ACLR with preservation of residual continuous but biomechanically insufficient ACL tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of preservation of residual continuous but biomechanical insufficient ACL tissue in standard ACLR on complication and repeat surgery rate, and patient reported and clinical outcome. METHODS: The retrospective cohort comprised 134 patients (age 23 ± 7 years; Tegner 6 ± 3) with an isolated acute ACL tear. In 67 patients, residual continuous but biomechanically insufficient ACL tissue was present and preserved based on visual inspection, probing of the ACL tissue and Lachman test under arthroscopic view (standard reconstruction with tissue preservation; SRTP). These patients were matched to 67 patients that underwent ACLR where no residual ACL tissue could be preserved (standard reconstruction; SR) based on gender, age and chondral and/or meniscal status. Clinical failure (recurrent instability, pathological ACL graft laxity and/or ACL graft discontinuity), other complication and repeat-surgery rate within index surgery and 1-year and within index surgery and 2-year follow-up, and patient reported and clinical outcomes at 1-year and at 2-year follow-up were compared. RESULTS: A statistically significant lower clinical failure rate within index surgery and 1-year (SRTP, 3%; SR, 13%; P = 0.028) and within index surgery and 2-year follow-up (SRTP, 3%; SR, 23%; P = 0.001), and revision ACL surgery rate within index surgery and 1-year (SRTP, 2%; ST, 10%; P = 0.029) and within index surgery and 2-year follow-up (SRTP, 2%; SR, 18%; P = 0.001) was found in the SRTP group. No statistically significant differences were found for other investigated outcomes in patients that were without clinical failure. CONCLUSION: This study shows that in ACLR surgery, preservation of residual continuous but biomechanical insufficient ACL tissue might lead to lower clinical failure rate and ACL revision surgery rate within index surgery and 1-year, and within index surgery and 2-year follow-up compared to standard ACLR where no residual continuous ACL tissue could be preserved. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Recovery Courses of Patients Who Return to Work by 3, 6 or 12 Months After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Purpose This study compared the preoperative levels and postoperative recovery courses of physical and mental impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions of working-age patients who return to work (RTW) by 3, 6 or 12 months after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods A prospective survey study including TKA patients (aged < 65) (n = 146) who returned to work (RdTW) in the first postoperative year. Three groups were compared: those who returned by 3 (n = 35), 6 (n = 40) or 12 (n = 29) months. Surveys were completed preoperatively and at 6 weeks and 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Outcomes represented domains of the International Classification of Functioning, i.e. physical impairments (pain, stiffness, vitality), mental impairments (mental health and depressive symptoms), activity limitations (physical functioning) and participation restrictions (social and work functioning). Results Preoperative knee-specific pain and physical functioning levels were better among patients who RdTW by 3 months, compared to those who returned by 12 months. Patients who RdTW by 3 months experienced significantly better recovery from physical impairments than those who returned by 6 months (on general pain) or 12 months (on general and knee-specific pain and on stiffness). Patients returning by 3 months experienced significantly better recovery from activity limitations (on knee-specific physical functioning). Conclusions To optimize return to work outcome after TKA surgery, the focus should lie on physical impairments (general and knee-specific pain, stiffness) and activity limitations (knee-specific physical functioning) during recovery.

Progression of ductal carcinoma in situ to invasive breast cancer: comparative genomic sequencing.

Several models have been described as potential mechanisms for the progression of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive breast cancer (IBC). The aim of our study was to increase our understanding of DCIS progression by using massive parallel sequencing of synchronous DCIS and IBC. We included patients with synchronous DCIS and IBC (n = 4). Initially, IBC and normal tissue were subjected to whole exome sequencing. Subsequently, targeted sequencing was performed to validate those tumor-specific variants identified by whole exome sequencing. Finally, we analyzed whether those specific variants of the invasive component were also present in the DCIS component. There was a high genomic concordance between synchronous DCIS and IBC (52 out of 92 mutations were present in both components). However, the remaining mutations (40 out of 92) were restricted to the invasive component. The proportion of tumor cells with these mutations was higher in the invasive component compared to the DCIS component in a subset of patients. Our findings support the theory that the progression from DCIS to IBC could be driven by the selection of subclones with specific genetic aberrations. This knowledge improves our understanding of DCIS progression, which may lead to the identification of potential markers of progression and novel therapeutic targets in order to develop a more personalized treatment of patients with DCIS.

Progression of medial compartmental osteoarthritis 2-8 years after lateral closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy.

PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the progression of medial osteoarthritis (OA) following lateral closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO). Secondary outcomes included functional and pain scores. METHODS: This prospective cohort study analysed 298 patients treated with lateral closing-wedge HTO surgery for medial compartmental OA. OA progression was measured by comparing the minimum joint space width (mJSW) and Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) score on radiographs preoperatively and postoperatively. The WOMAC score and NRS score for pain were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively to assess secondary outcomes. Failure was defined as revision surgery; survival was estimated. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 5.2 ± 1.8 years (range 2-8.5). Mean preoperative mJSW was 3.4 ± 1.6 mm, which changed nonsignificantly (p = 0.51) to 3.4 ± 1.7 mm postoperatively. Mean annual joint space narrowing was 0.02 ± 0.34 mm/year. Progression to 1 KL grade or more was seen in 132 (44 %) patients, and annual risk of KL progression was 8.6 %. No KL progression was seen in 56 % of patients. Mean NRS decreased from 7.3 ± 1.5 to 3.5 ± 2.5 (p < 0.001). WOMAC scores decreased from 48.0 ± 17.2 to 23.6 ± 19.7 (p < 0.001). Failure was seen in 21 patients. CONCLUSION: Compared to demographic data in the literature, valgus high tibial osteotomy seems to reduce the progression of OA, reduces pain and improves knee function in patients with medial compartment OA and a varus alignment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Comparison of closing-wedge and opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy for medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial with a six-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Varus deformity increases the risk of progression of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiographic mid-term results of closing-wedge and opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy when used to treat this condition. METHODS: From January 2001 to April 2004, ninety-two patients were randomized to receive either a closing-wedge or an opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy. The clinical outcome and radiographic results were examined preoperatively; at one year; and, for the present study, at six years postoperatively. The outcomes that we reviewed included maintenance of the achieved correction, progression of osteoarthritis (based on the Kellgren and Lawrence classification), severity of pain (as assessed on a visual analog scale [VAS]), knee function (as measured with the Hospital for Special Surgery [HSS] score and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS]), walking distance, complications, and survival with conversion to a total knee arthroplasty as the end point. The results were analyzed on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: Six years postoperatively, the mean hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle (and standard deviation) was 3.2° ± 4.1° of valgus after a closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy and 1.3° ± 5.0° of valgus after an opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (p = 0.343). In both groups, the six-year postoperative HKA angles did not differ from the respective one-year postoperative angles. No difference in the severity of pain or in knee function was found between the two groups. Four complications (9%) occurred in the closing-wedge group and seventeen (38%), in the opening-wedge group. Ten (22%) of the patients in the closing-wedge group and three (8%) in the opening-wedge group needed conversion to a total knee arthroplasty within the six-year period (p = 0.05). The difference in the percentage of cases with conversion to total knee arthroplasty was 14% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 21.7 to 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: In the group of patients without conversion to a total knee arthroplasty, there was no difference between the high tibial closing-wedge and opening-wedge osteotomies in terms of clinical outcomes or radiographic alignment at six years postoperatively. Opening-wedge osteotomy was associated with more complications, but closing-wedge osteotomy was associated with more early conversions to total knee arthroplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Femoral revision surgery with impaction bone grafting: 31 hips followed prospectively for ten to 15 years.

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of revision of the femoral component of a total hip replacement using impaction bone grafting. Femoral revision with an impacted allograft was performed on 29 patients (31 hips). In all, 21 hips (68%) had grade III or IV femoral defects according to the Endo-Klinik classification. A total of 11 patients (12 hips) died before the ten-year follow-up period. Of the remaining patients, 18 patients (19 hips) were followed for 10 to 15 years; three further patients died during this time. None of the 31 stems underwent further revision of their stem. However, four stems showed extensive subsidence (> 15 mm). One of these patients had a femoral fracture that required fixation. Three other patients had a femoral fracture, two of which required fixation and the other was treated conservatively. Patients with a femoral fracture and/or severe subsidence had significantly more grade IV defects (six of seven hips; p = 0.004). One patient needed a closed reduction for dislocation. Impaction allografting in revision hip surgery gives good long-term results for femora with grades I, II and III Endo-Klinik-classified defects. Extensive subsidence and femoral fractures were seen mainly in patients with grade IV damaged femora.

Pitfalls in determining knee alignment: a radiographic cadaver study.

Full-length anteroposterior (AP) radiographs provide the basis for evaluating leg alignment. A cadaver study was performed to determine the effect of knee flexion and hip rotation on projected angles on full-length AP radiographs. The outcomes were verified mathematically. The results of the cadaver study were similar to the mathematical results. Flexion of the knee without rotation of the lower extremity has little effect on angles as projected on full-length AP radiographs. Rotation of the lower extremity without flexion of the knee also has little effect. Simultaneous flexion of the knee and rotation of the leg, however, cause large changes in projected angles. Full-length radiographs can be taken without fluoroscopic control as long as the knee can be fully extended. In flexion contracture, a full-length AP radiograph taken under lateral fluoroscopic control is necessary to obtain accurate determination of the mechanical axis.

Osteotomy for treating knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee can be treated with a correction osteotomy. The goal of the correction osteotomy is to transfer the load bearing from the pathologic to the normal compartment of the knee. A successful outcome of the osteotomy relies on proper patient selection, stage of osteoarthritis, achievement and maintenance of adequate operative correction. This is an update of the original review published in Issue 1, 2005. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of an osteotomy for treating osteoarthritis of the knee. SEARCH STRATEGY: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE (Current contents, Health STAR) up to October 2002 in the original review and in the update until May 2007. Reference lists of identified trials were screened. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and controlled clinical trials comparing a high tibial osteotomy or a distal femoral osteotomy in patients with unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the medial or lateral compartment of the knee. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently selected trials, extracted data and assessed trial quality. Due to heterogeneity of the studies, pooling of outcome measures was not possible. MAIN RESULTS: Thirteen studies involving over 693 people were included; 11 studies were included in the first version and two studies and one longer follow-up study were included in this update. All studies concerned a valgus high tibial osteotomy (HTO) for medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee. Six studies, in which two studies were included in this update, compared two techniques of HTO. One study compared HTO alone versus HTO with additional treatment. Four studies compared within the same type of HTO, different peri-operative conditions (two studies) or two different types of post-operative treatment (two studies). Two studies, including the longer follow up, compared HTO with unicompartmental joint replacement. No study compared an osteotomy with conservative treatment. Most studies showed improvement of the patient (less pain and improvement of function scores) after osteotomy surgery, but in the majority of the studies there was no significant difference with other operative treatment (other technique of HTO/ unicompartmental joint replacement). Overall, the methodological quality was low. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Based on 13 studies, we conclude that there is 'silver' level evidence (www.cochranemsk.org) that valgus HTO improves knee function and reduces pain. There is no evidence whether an osteotomy is more effective than conservative treatment and the results so far do not justify a conclusion about effectiveness of specific surgical techniques.

Osteotomy for medial compartment arthritis of the knee using a closing wedge or an opening wedge controlled by a Puddu plate. A one-year randomised, controlled study.

A prospective, randomised, controlled trial compared two different techniques of high tibial osteotomy with a lateral closing wedge or a medial opening wedge, stabilised by a Puddu plate. The clinical outcome and radiological results were examined at one year. The primary outcome measure was the achievement of an overcorrection of valgus of 4 degrees . Secondary outcome measures were the severity of pain (visual analogue scale), knee function (Hospital for Special Surgery score), and walking distance. Between January 2001 and April 2004, 92 patients were randomised to one or other of the techniques. At follow-up at one year the post-operative hip-knee-ankle angle was 3.4 degrees (+/- 3.6 degrees SD) valgus after a closing wedge and 1.3 degrees (+/- 4.7 degrees SD) of valgus after an opening wedge. The adjusted mean difference of 2.1 degrees was significant (p = 0.02). The deviation from 4 degrees of valgus alignment was 2.7 degrees (+/- 2.4 degrees SD) in the closing wedge and 4.0 degrees (+/- 3.6 degrees sd) in the opening-wedge groups. The adjusted mean difference of 1.67 degrees was also significant (p = 0.01). The severity of pain, knee score and walking ability improved in both groups, but the difference was not significant. Because of pain, the staples required removal in 11 (23%) patients in the closing-wedge group and a Puddu plate was removed in 27 (60%) patients in the opening-wedge group. This difference was significant (p < 0.001). We conclude that closing-wedge osteotomy achieves a more accurate correction with less morbidity, although both techniques had improved the function of the knee at one year after the procedure.

Patellar height and the inclination of the tibial plateau after high tibial osteotomy. The open versus the closed-wedge technique.

Our aim was to compare the degree of patellar descent and alteration in angle of the inclination of the tibial plateau in lateral closing-wedge and medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in 51 consecutive patients with osteoarthritis of the medial compartment and varus malalignment. Patellar height was measured by the Insall-Salvati (IS) and the Blackburne-Peel (BP) ratios. The tibial inclination was determined by the Moore-Harvey (MH) method. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to determine the influence of the type of HTO (closing vs opening wedge) on the post-operative patellar height or tibial inclination. The intra- and interobserver variability of these methods was determined before operation and at follow-up at one year. After an opening-wedge HTO the patellar height was significantly more decreased (mean post-operative difference: IS = 0.15; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06 to 0.23; BP = 0.11; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.18) compared with a closing-wedge HTO. The angle of tibial inclination differed significantly (mean post-operative difference MH = -6.40 degrees; 95% CI -8.74 to -4.02) between the two HTO techniques, increasing after opening-wedge HTO and decreasing after closing-wedge HTO. There was no clinically-relevant difference in the intra- and interobserver variability of measurements of patellar height either before or after HTO.

Osteotomy for treating knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee can be treated with a correction osteotomy. The goal of the correction osteotomy is to transfer the load bearing from the pathologic to the normal compartment of the knee. A successful outcome of the osteotomy relies on proper patient selection, stage of osteoarthritis, achievement and maintenance of adequate operative correction. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of an osteotomy for treating osteoarthritis of the knee. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE (Current contents, Health STAR) were searched up until October 2002 for controlled clinical trials. The reference lists of publications in the identified trials were also screened. SELECTION CRITERIA: Extracted studies were included in the final analysis if they met the pre-defined inclusion criteria: 1) a randomised controlled clinical trial or a controlled clinical trial 2) all patients had unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the medial or lateral compartment of the knee 3) the intervention in one of the studied groups was a high tibial osteotomy or a distal femoral osteotomy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently selected the trials, assessed the methodological quality using a validated tool and extracted the data. The planned analysis was to pool the results where appropriate, however, due the heterogeneity of the studies, pooling of the outcome measures was not possible. Results are described for each study and presented as a best evidence synthesis. MAIN RESULTS: Following the search strategy and applications of selection criteria, eleven studies were included in this review. All the studies concerned a valgus high tibial osteotomy (HTO) for medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee. Four studies compared two techniques of HTO. One study compared HTO alone versus HTO with additional treatment. Four studies compared within the same type of HTO, different per-operative conditions (two studies) or two different types of post-operative treatment (two studies). Two studies compared HTO with unicompartmental joint replacement. No study compared an osteotomy with conservative treatment. Most studies showed improvement of the patient (less pain and improvement of function scores) after osteotomy surgery, but in the majority of the studies there was no significant difference with other operative treatment (other technique of HTO/ unicompartmental joint replacement). Overall, the methodological quality was low. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Based on 11 studies, of which 6 were high quality, we conclude that there is silver level evidence that valgus HTO improves knee function and reduces pain. There is no evidence whether an osteotomy is more effective than conservative treatment and the results so far do not justify a conclusion about effectiveness of specific surgical techniques.

[Free air below the diaphragm: not always an acute surgical problem]. / Vrije lucht onder het diafragma: niet altijd een acuut chirurgisch probleem.

In three patients, two males aged 66 and 67 years with among other disorders chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and one woman aged 24 years with a history of intestinal surgery and current abdominal pain, the chest X-ray showed free air below the diaphragm. The two males had no major abdominal symptoms, but they did have pneumonia. All were treated conservatively. Of the males, one died from pneumonia, the other recovered. The woman presented recurrent symptoms and was subjected to extensive diagnostic examinations. This revealed a marked sigmoid perforation which was repaired, after which the symptoms did not recur. Pneumoperitoneum indicates rupture or perforation of a hollow viscus in up to 90%. In these cases, prompt surgical management is the therapy of choice. In at least 10% free air under the diaphragm is due to causes which do not require surgical treatment. These causes can be divided into intra-abdominal, intrathoracic, gynaecological and iatrogenic diseases. Conservative management should only be considered if followed by frequent and intensive evaluation of the patient's condition.