Patellar bone defect grafting does not reduce anterior knee pain after bone-patellar tendon-bone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Donor site morbidity is the main drawback to using bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) as a graft in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The objective of the study was to determine whether refilling the patellar bone defect after BPTB harvesting with autograft bone decreased kneeling pain to a greater degree when compared with a group in which bone defect is left unaddressed. METHODS: This is a randomised single-blinded controlled study. Forty patients were randomised into two groups; group 1: Patellar bone defect filled with autologous bone; group 2: Bone defect left undressed. Pain was measured by means of pressure algometry (PA). Functional outcomes were measured with the Kujala and Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) score. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done to measure bone buildup between groups at the 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: No differences were observed in the different algometry measurements and the scores were assessed at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The ratio of void filled remained consistently higher (p = 0.003) in group 1 when compared to group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Although refilling the lower pole of the patella with autologous bone from the harvested BPTB autograft loads the bone defect, it does not reduce pain at the donor site 1 year after surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study level 1.

Comparable bone penetration between antibiotic-loaded and plain bone cement in total knee arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: One of the main concerns around the use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) is the potential reduction in the mechanical properties of the cement when antibiotics are admixed. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a difference between plain cement and ALBC in terms of radiological intrusion into the bone in total knee arthroplasties (TKAs). METHODS: Prospective randomized study of 80 consecutive patients who underwent TKA. Depending on the cement used, patients were divided into two groups by a computer-generated randomization programme: the cement without antibiotic (Group 1) or the ALBC (Group 2). Cement intrusion was measured in postoperative radiographs in eight different regions in the tibial component and six regions in the femoral component. RESULTS: The average cement intrusion was similar in both groups (p = nonsignificance [n.s.]). Group 1 (plain cement) had an average cement intrusion in the femur of 1.4 mm (±0.4) and 2.4 mm (±0.4) in the tibia. In Group 2 (ALBC), the average cement intrusion in the femur came to 1.6 (±0.5) and 2.4 mm (±0.5) in the tibia. In 80% of the patients, the cement intrusion in the tibia averaged a minimum of 2 mm, being similar in both groups (p = n.s.). CONCLUSION: There are no differences in bone intrusion when comparing plain cement to ALBC. Therefore, the use of ALBC in primary TKA may be indicated, achieving optimal bone penetration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I.

How effective is proximal fibular osteotomy in redistributing joint pressures? Insights from an HTO comparative in-silico study.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) represents a widespread degenerative condition among adults that significantly affects quality of life. This study aims to elucidate the biomechanical implications of proximal fibular osteotomy (PFO), a proposed cost-effective and straightforward intervention for KOA, comparing its effects against traditional high tibial osteotomy (HTO) through in-silico analysis. METHODS: Using medical imaging and finite element analysis (FEA), this research quantitatively evaluates the biomechanical outcomes of a simulated PFO procedure in patients with severe medial compartment genu-varum, who have undergone surgical correction with HTO. The study focused on evaluating changes in knee joint contact pressures, stress distribution, and anatomical positioning of the center of pressure (CoP). Three models are generated for each of the five patients investigated in this study, a preoperative original condition model, an in-silico PFO based on the same original condition data, and a reversed-engineered HTO in-silico model. RESULTS: The novel contribution of this investigation is the quantitative analysis of the impact of PFO on the biomechanics of the knee joint. The results provide mechanical evidence that PFO can effectively redistribute and homogenize joint stresses, while also repositioning the CoP towards the center of the knee, similar to what is observed post HTO. The findings propose PFO as a potentially viable and simpler alternative to conventional surgical methods for managing severe KOA, specifically in patients with medial compartment genu-varum. CONCLUSION: This research also marks the first application of FEA that may support one of the underlying biomechanical theories of PFO, providing a foundation for future clinical and in-silico studies.

Beyond the patella: Treatment of cam femoroacetabular impingement syndrome improves anterior knee pain.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate if there is a relationship between cam femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (cam-FAIS) and chronic anterior knee pain (AKP). METHODS: This is a pilot retrospective review of 12 AKP patients with no structural anomalies in the patellofemoral joint and no skeletal malalignment in the lower limbs. All the patients were resistant to proper conservative treatment for AKP (AKP-R). Subsequently, these patients developed pain in the ipsilateral hip several months later, and upon evaluation, were diagnosed with cam-FAIS. Arthroscopic femoral osteoplasty and labral repair were performed and clinical follow-up of hip and knee pain and function (Kujala Score and Non-arthritic Hip Score -NAHS-) was carried out. RESULTS: All the patients showed improvement in the knee and hip pain scores with a statistically significant clinical difference in all of them at 69 months follow up (range: 18 to 115) except one patient without improvement in the groin VAS score post-operatively. Visual analogical scale (VAS) of knee pain improved from 6.3 (range: 5 to 8) to a postoperative 0.5 (range: 0 to 3.5), (p â€‹< â€‹0.001). The VAS of groin pain improved from 4.4 (range: 2 to 8) to a postoperative 0.9 (range: 0 to 3), (p â€‹< â€‹0.001). NAHS improved from a preoperative 67.9 (range: 28.7 to 100) to a postoperative 88 (range: 70 to 100), (p â€‹< â€‹0.015) and knee Kujala's score improved from a preoperative 48.7 (range: 22 to 71) to a postoperative 96 (range: 91 to 100), (p â€‹< â€‹0.001). CONCLUSION: This study's principal finding suggests an association between cam-FAIS and AKP-R in young patients who exhibit normal knee imaging and lower limbs skeletal alignment. Addressing cam-FAIS in these cases leads to resolution of both groin and knee pain, resulting in improved functional outcomes for both joints. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort series with a single contemporaneous long-term follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Anterior knee pain patients without structural knee abnormalities and normal lower limb skeletal alignment have a higher prevalence of cam-femoroacetabular impingement syndrome than the general population.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of cam femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (cam-FAIS) in anterior knee pain (AKP) patients devoid of both structural patellofemoral joint abnormalities and lower limb skeletal malalignment. A secondary objective was to examine pain and disability differences between AKP patients with and without cam-FAIS. METHODS: A total of 209 AKP patients were screened for eligibility. Inclusion criteria were normal imaging studies and normal lower limb alignment, and exclusion criteria were previous knee surgery and knee and/or hip osteoarthritis. Of those, 49 (23.4%) were eligible and this number matched a previous power analysis to detect statistically significant differences in prevalence of cam-FAIS in a population of AKP patients. The first step in the study sequence was to ask the patient whether they had groin pain. If so, the impingement test was done. Then, the femoral cam morphology defined by an alpha angle greater than or equal to 55° in a 45° Dunn axial view of the hip was ruled out. Additionally, patients completed Kujala and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) functional knee scores for disability assessment. General population control group was obtained from literature. RESULTS: The study included 9 males and 40 females, with an average age of 36 (20-50, ±SD 8.03) years. Groin pain and positive impingement test were found in 26/49 patients (53%). An alpha angle ≥55° was observed in 35/49 patients (71%). A combination of groin pain, positive impingement test and an alpha angle ≥55° was seen in 18/49 patients (37%). The AKP patients with groin pain, a positive impingement test and an alpha angle ≥55° exhibited statistically similar pain and disability levels as AKP patients without cam-FAIS. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that AKP patients without structural abnormalities in the patellofemoral joint and without lower limbs malalignment have a statistically significantly higher prevalence of cam-FAIS than the general population. Moreover, AKP patients with cam-FAIS have a statistically similar degree of pain and disability than AKP patients without it. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Clinical Outcomes After Polyurethane Meniscal Scaffolds Implantation Remain Stable Despite a Joint Space Narrowing at 10-Year Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical outcomes, radiologic evolution, and survivorship of a series of patients affected by the postmeniscectomy syndrome and treated with a polyurethane scaffold at a minimum 10-year follow-up. In addition, the radiologic evolution of these patients was also assessed. METHODS: All the patients operated on with a polyurethane meniscal scaffold implantation to treat postmeniscectomy syndrome from 2008 to 2011 were prospectively followed. Clinical evaluations and radiologic studies were assessed at the preoperative period, at 5-year follow-up, and at minimum 10-year follow-up. Clinical outcomes were based on patient-reported outcomes (e.g., the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, International Knee Documentation Committee, Lysholm, and Tegner). Radiographical evaluation of the joint-space narrowing was done in the Rosenberg view. Failure was defined as patients who required surgery to remove the scaffold or those patients who needed surgery for a total or partial knee replacement. RESULTS: Twenty-one of 27 patients, with a mean age of 56 ± 9.8 years, were available for the final follow-up. The mean follow-up was 11.8 (range, 10-12.7) years. Six patients were lost to follow-up. All functional scores showed a significant improvement (P < .001) at the 5- and 10-year follow-up. The exception was the Tegner score, which remained stable. The joint-space width was maintained from the preoperative period (1.9 ± 1.2 mm) up to the 5-year follow-up (1.3 ± 1.5 mm, P = .3) and decreased by the last evaluation (0.6 ± 1.2 mm, P = .001) at the last follow-up. Two (9.5%) of 21 patients were converted to a total knee replacement during the study period. None of the other patients needed revision surgery during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The polyurethane meniscal scaffold provides significant and stable pain relief over time and improved functional outcomes at a minimum of 10 years after surgery. However, degenerative changes progressed in the treated compartment, with a joint-space narrowing over the 10-year period. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Mid-Term Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Lateral Meniscal Allograft Transplantation with Suture-Only Fixation Plus Capsulodesis.

Meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) is an effective reconstructive procedure for treating a symptomatic postmeniscectomy syndrome. It consists of replacing the lost meniscal tissue aiming to improve the clinical outcomes and prevent progressive deterioration of the joint. The aim of this study was to evaluate meniscal graft survivorship and report on the radiographic (in terms of graft extrusion and joint space width and alignment) and the functional results through a midterm follow-up of lateral MAT performed with a soft tissue fixation technique after capsulodesis. In total, 23 patients who underwent lateral MAT as a single procedure were included. The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Lysholm, Tegner, and visual analog scale scales were used for patient assessment. Magnetic resonance imaging and a complete radiographic protocol were conducted to determine the degree of meniscal extrusion and the changes in the degree of osteoarthritis and coronal alignment. Assessments were performed after 2 and 7 years of follow-up. A significant improvement in all the scores, relative to preoperative values, was found after 7 years of follow-up. This improvement remained consistent throughout the first and second follow-up periods. A mean absolute extrusion of 2.2 mm ± 1.6 and an extrusion percentage of 28.0% ± 11.43 were found, with no significant differences throughout the follow-up periods. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of the frontal mechanical axis and joint space narrowing between the preoperative value and at the first and second follow-up periods. A survival rate of 85.7% was found after 7 years of follow-up. Capsulodesis results in a low degree of meniscal extrusion in isolated lateral MAT fixed with a suture-only technique, which is maintained after 7 years of follow-up, with a high graft survival index (>85%) and satisfactory results on the functional scales.

Systematic lateral retinacular release does not reduce anterior knee pain after total knee arthroplasty with patellar resurfacing.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of systematic lateral retinacular release (LRR) on anterior knee pain (AKP), as well as its impact on the functional and radiological outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with patellar resurfacing. METHODS: A prospective randomized study was designed. It included patients scheduled for a TKA procedure with patellar resurfacing, who were recruited and randomized into either the LRR group or the non-release group. 198 patients were included in the final analysis. The pressure pain threshold (PPT) assessed by pressure algometry (PA), the visual analogue scale (VAS), Feller's patellar score, the Knee Society Score (KSS), patellar height, and patellar tilt were recorded both preoperatively and at the 1-year follow-up. The Mann-Whitney U test was performed to determine comparisons between both groups as well as to determine differences' intragroup. RESULTS: Relative to the clinical variables and scores, no difference was detected between the two groups at the 1-year follow-up (p = n.s.). However, there was a slight difference in patellar tilt (0.1º vs. 1.4º, p = 0.044), with higher tilt values in the non-release group. There was no difference in terms of improvement in the clinical and radiological scores and variables recorded between the two groups (p = n.s.). CONCLUSION: LRR in primary TKA with patellar resurfacing does not show an improvement in AKP and functional outcomes over patellar resurfacing without release. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

Isolated lateral extra-articular tenodesis in ACL-deficient knees: in vivo knee kinematics and clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: To carry out an in vivo kinematic analysis of isolated modified Lemaire lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) to explore its ability to modify the stability of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient knees. The secondary aim was to look at the clinical outcomes of the isolated LET to analyze whether biomechanical changes have an influence on clinical improvement or not. METHODS: A total of 52 patients who underwent an isolated modified Lemaire LET were prospectively studied. Twenty-two were over 55-year-old patients with ACL rupture and subjective instability (group 1). They were followed up for 2 years postoperatively. Thirty were patients underwent a two-stage ACL revision (group 2). They were followed up for 4 months postoperatively (up to the second stage of the ACL revision). Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative kinematic analyses were carried out using the KiRA accelerometer and KT1000 arthrometer to look for residual anterolateral rotational instability and residual anteroposterior instability. Functional outcomes were measured with the single-leg vertical jump test (SLVJT) and the single-leg hop test (SLHT). Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the IKDC 2000, Lysholm, and Tegner scores. RESULTS: A significant reduction of both rotational and anteroposterior instability was detected. It was present both with the patient under anesthesia (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007 respectively) as well as with the patient awake (p = 0.008 and p = 0.018 respectively). Postoperative analysis of knee laxity did not show any significant variation from the first to the last follow-up. Both the SLVJT and SLHT improved significantly at the last follow-up (p < 0.001 and p = 0.011 respectively). The mean values of both the IKDC and Lysholm and Tegner scores showed an improvement (p = 0.008; p = 0.012; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The modified Lemaire LET improves the kinematics of ACL-deficient knees. The improvement in the kinematics leads to an improvement in subjective stability as well as in the function of the knee and in the clinical outcomes. At the 2-year follow-up, these improvements were maintained in a cohort of patients over 55 years. Following our findings, to reduce knee instability, an isolated LET in ACL-deficient knees may be used when ACL reconstruction in patients over 55 years is not indicated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Good clinical outcomes can be expected after meniscal allograft transplantation at 15 years of follow-up.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate graft survivorship and report the functional and radiographic results of Meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) throughout a minimum 15-year follow-up period. METHODS: Fifty-one patients that had undergone an isolated MAT procedure during the period studied were included. The results were assessed with the Lysholm and Tegner scores as well as the Visual Analog Scale. Magnetic resonance imaging and a complete radiographic series were carried out to determine the degree of meniscal extrusion and joint space narrowing. A comparison was made between the radiological findings of the last follow-up, the 5-year mid-term follow-up and those from the preoperative period. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were available for the final follow-up. The mean follow-up was 17.4 years. There were 23 (60.5%) medial menisci and 15 lateral menisci (39.4%). Meniscal extrusion increased from the 29.7% ± 14.9 obtained at the 5-year follow-up to the 72.5% ± 22.5 seen at the end of the follow-up (p = 0.0001). The joint space distance was almost unchanged from the initial evaluation (3.3 ± 1.5 mm) to the 5-year follow-up measurement (3.1 ± 1.7 mm, n.s.). However, it did decrease at the last follow-up (1.9 ± 1.5 mm, p < 0.05). The functional outcomes improved from the preoperative period to the mid-term follow-up and later worsened at the final follow-up. The mean preoperative Lysholm score at the initial follow-up was 61.5 ± 9.6, 86.9 ± 10.9 for the 5-year evaluation and stood at 77.4 ± 11.5 (p = 0.0001) at the final follow-up. Regarding the Tegner score, those pre-operative scores were compared to the ones at the last follow-up (median: 3; range 0-6 vs. 5.5; 3-6, respectively; p = 0.0001). The VAS went down from 6.6 ± 1.7 at the initial evaluation to 2.5 ± 1.9 at the final follow-up (p = 0.0001). The joint-space width remained unchanged from the initial evaluation (3.35 ± 1.5 mm) up to the 5-year follow-up measurement (3.1 ± 1.7 mm, n.s.). However, this joint-space distance had decreased by the last evaluation in the long-term follow-up (1.9 ± 1.4 mm, p < 0.05). Five patients (13.1%) presented with a MAT failure at 5 years, which was followed by extirpation of the meniscal graft. At the final follow-up, a total of 16 patients (42.1%) presented with a failure. At that time, there were 4 more MAT removals and seven patients that required a total knee replacement. The mean time to failure of the meniscal graft was 206.2 months ± 13.4 (18.0 years). CONCLUSIONS: Meniscal allograft transplantation produces good functional results at a minimum 15-year follow-up. However, degenerative arthritis in the affected compartment progressed during that period. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Patients lose weight after a total knee arthroplasty: myth or reality?

BACKGROUND: Obesity is one of most discussed factors when assessing prosthetic knee surgery outcomes. Prior to the procedure, most patients perceive that their excessive weight is secondary to the low level of activity due to limiting knee pain. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to assess whether patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) lose weight after the procedure. The secondary objective was to correlate weight loss with post-operative knee function. METHODS: A prospective observational study was designed including 247 patients who undergone TKA from January 2018 to January 2019. A significant change in weight was considered anything above or below 5% of the pre-operative weight. Three groups were established based on a change in weight: loss of more than 5%, those who did not pass above or below 5% of their initial weight and increase of more than 5%. Follow-up was carried out at 12 months after the intervention assessing patient's BMI (kg/m2), functional level (KSS), weight loss expectations, and range of motion. RESULTS: Among the total population, 17 (6.9%) lost weight, 168 (68%) did not have a change, and 62 (25.1%) increased weight at one year follow-up. The mean pre-operative BMI was 31.5 kg/m2, and mean postoperative BMI was 31.98 kg/m2. Furthermore, obese patients were more likely to present weight reduction than non-obese (p = 0.01). When comparing functional results between groups, no differences were observed in terms of KSS-K and KSS-F. CONCLUSION: Patients who undergo TKA do not lose weight one year after surgery. When correlating weight loss with post-operative outcomes, no differences were observed between groups.

Preoperative muscle thickness influences muscle activation after arthroscopic knee surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the correlation between preoperative quadriceps femoris muscle thickness and postoperative neuromuscular activation and quadriceps femoris strength in patients with and without patellofemoral pain after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. METHODS: A series of 120 patients were prospectively analysed in a longitudinal cohort study of patients scheduled for arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. The patellofemoral pain group included patients who developed anterior knee pain after surgery while the control group included those who had not done so. Patients with preoperative patellofemoral pain, previous knee surgeries as well as those on whom additional surgical procedures had been performed were excluded. Of the 120 initially included in the study, 90 patients were analysed after the exclusions. RESULTS: There is a direct correlation between preoperative quadriceps femoris muscle thickness and the neuromuscular activity values and the strength of the muscle at 6 weeks after surgery. These results were seen exclusively in the group of patients who do not develop patellofemoral pain (0.543, p = 0.008). The group of patients who developed anterior knee pain in the postoperative period did not show this correlation (n.s.). CONCLUSION: In patients without patellofemoral pain after meniscectomy, the greater the preoperative thickness of the quadriceps femoris, the more postoperative neuromuscular activation and strength they had. This correlation did not occur in those patients who develop patellofemoral pain after meniscal surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

MRI evaluation of the peripheral attachments of the lateral meniscal body: the menisco-tibio-popliteus-fibular complex.

PURPOSE: To determine, identify and measure the structures of the menisco-tibio-popliteus-fibular complex (MTPFC) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in knees without structural abnormalities or a history of knee surgery. METHODS: One-hundred-and-five knees without prior injury or antecedent surgery were analyzed by means of MRI. The average age was 50.1 years ± 14.8. All the measurements were performed by three observers. The peripherical structures of the lateral meniscus body were identified to determine the location, size, and thickness of the entire MTPFC. The distance to other "key areas" in the lateral compartment was also studied and compared by gender and age. RESULTS: The lateral meniscotibial ligament (LMTL) was found in 97.1% of the MRIs, the popliteofibular ligament (PFL) in 93.3%, the popliteomeniscal ligaments (PML) in 90.4% and the meniscofibular ligament (MFL) in 39%. The anteroposterior distance of the LMTL in an axial view was 20.7 mm ± 3.9, the anterior thickness of the LMTL was 1.1 mm ± 0.3, and the posterior thickness of the LMTL 1.2 mm ± 0.1 and the height in a coronal view was 10.8 mm ± 1.9. The length of the PFL in a coronal view was 8.7 mm ± 2.5, the thickness was 1.4 mm ± 0.4 and the width in an axial view was 7.8 mm ± 2.2. CONCLUSIONS: The MTPFC has a constant morphological and anatomical pattern for three of its main ligaments and can be easily identified and measured in an MRI; the MFL has a lower prevalence, considering a structure difficult to identify by 1.5 T MRI.

Electric Scooter-Related Injuries: A New Epidemic in Orthopedics.

BACKGROUND: The use of electric scooters has increased considerably as they are an accessible means of transportation. The number of injuries from falls and collisions has risen significantly. Therefore, the aim of the study was to describe demographics injury patterns of electric scooter accidents produced over one year. METHODS: A prospective observational study of electric scooter- related injuries presented in the emergency room from May 2019 until May 2020. The inclusion criteria was based on the direct cause of injury produced while an electric scooter was in use. Demographic data, the use of a helmet or the lack thereof, accident mechanism, injury time, type of injury produced, and the treatment applied were collected. RESULTS: Over the study period, 397 patients were identified with a total of 422 injuries. The mean age was 30.8 years, with 12.6% of patients being minors. The patients mainly presented in evening hours and in summertime at the emergency department. Of the total injuries seen, 46.9% were fractures. Some 25% of the total cases required surgery. Only 19% of the riders wore a helmet at the time of the accident. Most of the fractures were to the upper limbs (62.6%). There was a greater incidence of radius fractures. CONCLUSION: Injuries incurred while using electric scooters are an emerging phenomenon, despite existing regulations. In this study, most injuries occurred in young men and were due to falls from the vehicle. Nearly half of those injuries were fractures to the upper limbs. Surprisingly, 50% of the fractures required surgery.

Proximal Tibiofibular Dislocation in Closing-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy Increases the Risk of Medium and Long-Term Total Knee Replacement.

Proximal tibiofibular dislocation in closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy increases the risk of medium and long-term total knee replacement. Background: High tibial osteotomy is an effective treatment for medial osteoarthritis in young patients with varus knee. The lateral closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy (CWHTO) may be managed with tibiofibular dislocation (TFJD) or a fibular head osteotomy (FHO). TFJD may lead to lateral knee instability and thereby affect mid- and long-term outcomes. It also brings the osteotomy survival rate down. Objective: To compare the CWHTO survival rate in function of tibiofibular joint management with TFJD or FHO, and to determine whether medium and long-term clinical outcomes are different between the two procedures. Material & Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out that included CWHTO performed between January 2005 to December 2018. Those patients were placed in either group 1 (FHO) or Group 2 (TFJD). Full-leg weight-bearing radiographs were studied preoperatively, one year after surgery and at final follow-up to assess the femorotibial angle (FTA). The Rosenberg view was used to assess the Ahlbäck grade. The Knee Society Score (KSS) was used to assess clinical outcomes and a Likert scale for patient satisfaction. The total knee replacement (TKR) was considered the end of the follow-up and the point was to analyze the CWHTO survival rate. A sub-analysis of both cohorts was performed in patients who had not been FTA overcorrected after surgery (postoperative FTA ≤ 180°, continuous loading in varus). Results: A total of 230 knees were analyzed. The follow-up period ranged from 24-180 months. Group 1 (FHO) consisted of 105 knees and group 2 (TFJD) had 125. No preoperative differences were observed in terms of age, gender, the KSS, FTA or the Ahlbäck scale; neither were there any differences relative to postop complications. The final follow-up FTA was 178.7° (SD 4.9) in group 1 and 179.5° (SD 4.2) in group 2 (p = 0.11). The Ahlbäck was 2.21 (SD 0.5) in group 1 and 2.55 (SD 0.5) in group 2 (p = 0.02) at the final follow-up. The final KSS knee values were similar for group 1 (86.5 ± 15.9) and group 2 (84.3 ± 15.8). Although a non-significant trend of decreased HTO survival in the TFJD group was found (p = 0.06) in the sub-analysis of non-overcorrected knees, which consisted of 52 patients from group 1 (FHO) and 58 from group 2 (TFJD), 12.8% of the patients required TKR with a mean of 88.8 months in group 1 compared to 26.8% with a mean of 54.9 months in the case of group 2 (p = 0.005). However, there were no differences in clinical and radiological outcomes. Conclusion: TFJD associated with CWHTO shows an increase in the conversion to TKR at medium and long-term follow-up with lower osteotomy survival than the CWHTO associated with FHO, especially in patients with a postoperative FTA ≤ 180° (non-overcorrected). There were no differences in clinical, radiological or satisfaction results in patients who did not require TKR. Level of evidence III. Retrospective cohort study.

Patellofemoral Pain After Arthroscopy: Muscle Atrophy Is Not Everything.

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear as to why patellofemoral pain (PFP) appears in some patients after knee arthroscopy and what influence the quadriceps muscle has on its onset. PURPOSE: To compare muscle thickness, neuromuscular contractility, and quadriceps femoris muscle strength between patients who develop PFP after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and a control group and to compare functional outcomes between these entities. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal cohort study was carried out on patients scheduled for arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Patients were excluded if they had preoperative PFP, previous knee surgery, or additional surgical procedures (eg, meniscal repair or microfracture). The following were performed preoperatively: magnetic resonance imaging to quantify muscle thickness, surface electromyography to analyze electrical contractility, and an isokinetic study to assess the strength of the quadriceps femoris muscle. Patients also completed a Lysholm functional questionnaire. Six weeks after the index procedure, patients were questioned about the presence of PFP, and the same tests were repeated. The PFP group included patients who developed anterior knee pain postoperatively, while the control group included those who did not develop pain. RESULTS: Of 90 initial study patients, 20 were included in the PFP group (23.8%) and 64 in the control group (76.2%); 6 patients were lost to follow-up. Both study groups were comparable on all of the analyzed preoperative variables. Patients in the PFP group had worse results in terms of muscle thickness (9.67 vs 16.55 cm2), electrical contractility (1226.30 vs 1946.11 µV), and quadriceps strength (12.27 vs 20.02 kg; all P < .001). They also presented worse functional results on the Lysholm score (63.05 vs 74.45; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Patients who developed PFP after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy had more quadriceps femoris muscle atrophy as well as a greater decrease in electrical contractility and muscle strength at 6 weeks postsurgically as compared with a control group. The PFP group also had worse postoperative functional results.

Fellows and Observers Are Not a Problem for Infection in the Operating Rooms of Teaching Centers.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to determine whether the risk of complications increases with the number of people in the operating room (OR). Several studies have stated that an increased number of people in the OR increases not only the risk of infection but also the risk of intraoperative complications due to distractions during the surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included all patients who had surgery between January 2017 and January 2018 in an OR with the usual surgical team and three or more observers. Patient demographic data, surgical details (duration of the surgery, the surgery being open or arthroscopic, and whether a graft was used), and intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 165 surgeries were recorded, with a mean operating time of 70 min (40% open surgeries, 37% arthroscopic surgeries, and 23% combined open and arthroscopic procedures). The main intraoperative complications were vessel damage, nerve damage, premature cement setting, and leg-length discrepancy, with 1 case each. The main postoperative complications were rigidity (8 cases), unexplained pain (11 cases), failed meniscal suturing (3 cases), a postoperative stress fracture (1 case), correction loss in osteotomy (1 case), and wound problems not related to infection (1 case). There were no cases of infection. DISCUSSION: The present study shows that the complication rate when having observers in the OR is comparable to the reported data. The key to avoiding complications is for everyone to comply with basic OR behavior.

Anatomic landmarks for a safe arthroscopic approach to the deep gluteal space: a cadaveric study / Hitos anatómicos para un abordaje artroscópico seguro del espacio glúteo profundo: un estudio cadavérico

SUMMARY: To determine the morphometric landmarks and anatomical variants relevant to the arthroscopic approach to the deep gluteal space. Twenty deep gluteal spaces from cadaveric specimens were dissected. The anatomical variants of the sciatic nerve (SN) were determined according to the Beaton and Anson classification. A morphometric study of the distances in the subgluteal space was carried out to define the anatomical references to achieve a safe arthroscopic approach for piriformis syndrome [GT-SN=Distance from greater trochanter (GT) to SN emergence; GT-IT=Distance from GT to ischial tuberosity (IT); GT-IGA=distance from GT to inferior gluteal artery (IGA) emergence; IT-SN=distance from IT to SN emergence; IT-IGA=distance from IT to IGA]. The SN showed the most frequent anatomical pattern with an undivided nerve coming out of the pelvis below the piriformis muscle (Beaton type A) in 16 specimens (80 %). The common peroneal nerve emergence in the subgluteal space through the piriformis muscle (PM) with the tibial nerve being located at the lower margin of the piriformis muscle (Beaton type B) was observed in 4 specimens (20 %). The morphometric measurements of the surgical area of study were: GT-SN=7.23 cm (±8.3); GT-IT=8.56 cm (±0.1); GT-IGA=8.46 cm (±0.97); IT-SN=5.28 cm (±0.73), IT- IGA=5.47 cm (±0.74). When planning surgery for the deep gluteal syndrome in adult patients, the fact that the emergence of the SN in the subgluteal space is approximately 7 cm from the greater trochanter and 5 cm from the ischial tuberosity must be considered.

RESUMEN: El objetivo del estudio fue determinar referentes morfométricos y variantes anatómicas relevantes en el abordaje artroscópico del espació subglúteo. Se disecaron veinte regiones glúteas procedentes de cadáver. Las variaciones anatómicas del nervio ciático (SN) se determinaron de acuerdo con la clasificación de Beaton y Anson. Se llevó a cabo un estudio morfométrico de distancias en el espacio subglúteo, con objeto de determinar referencias que permitan un abordaje artroscópico seguro del sindrome piriforme [GT-SN= distancia trocánter mayor (GT) a la emergencia del nervio ciático (SN); GT-IT= distancia GT a la tuberosidad isquiática (IT); GT-IGA= distancia GT a la emergen- cia de la arteria glútea inferior (IGA); IT-SN= distancia IT a la emergencia del SN; IT-IGA= distancia IT a la IGA]. El patrón más frecuente del SN fue su emergencia no dividida por el margen inferior del músculo piriforme (tipo A Beaton) en 16 especímenes (80 %). La salida del nervio fibular común a través del músculo piriforme (PM) con el nervio tibial localizado en el margen inferior del PM (tipo B Beaton) se observó en 4 especímenes (20 %). Las medidas en el área quirúrgica de estudio fueron: GT-SN= 7,23 cm ± 8,3; GT-IT= 8,56 cm ± 0,1; GT-IGA= 8,46 cm ± 0,97; IT-SN= 5,28 cm ± 0,73 IT-IGA= 5,47 cm ± 0,74. En la cirugía del síndrome glúteo profundo en adultos, debe considerarse que la sa- lida del SN hacia el espacio subglúteo tiene lugar aproximadamente a 7 cm del GT y a 5 cm de la IT.

Promising radiological outcome after repair of acetabular chondral defects by microfracture augmented with chitosan-based scaffold: mid-term T2 mapping evaluation.

PURPOSE: Radiological evaluation of the repair tissue produced after arthroscopic treatment of acetabular chondral lesions associated with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) by the chitosan-based scaffold. METHODS: Patients of age 18-55 years with clinical and radiological features of FAI and non-arthritic non-dysplastic hips were selected for arthroscopic treatment. Full-thickness acetabular chondral defects were filled with chitosan-based scaffold material after microfracture. T2 mapping was carried out for all patients after 24 months using a 1.5-T machine. Nine regions of interest (ROIs) were localized from three consecutive sagittal slices including the area of repair. T2 relaxation times of ROIs in the repair area were compared with the corresponding posterior cartilage. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients, 17 men and 4 women, underwent arthroscopic treatment of full-thickness acetabular chondral defects with mean size of 3.6 ± 1 cm2 (range 2-6 cm2). Zone 2 was affected in all cases while zone 3 was involved in 13 cases. T2 relaxation values were collected from 189 ROIs for quantitative analysis. Within the peripheral repair area, the mean T2 value was 49.1 ± 7.2 ms (ms), while ROIs of the central repair area had mean T2 values of 50.2 ± 7.1 ms. Posterior cartilage showed mean T2 value of 46.2 ± 7.6 ms CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic microfracture of large full-thickness acetabular chondral defects with chitosan-based scaffold produced a homogenous repair tissue similar to the corresponding native cartilage of the same joint on quantitative T2 mapping at mid-term follow-up. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: augmentation of the microfracture by chitosan-based scaffold is a promising modality for treatment of large full-thickness acetabular defects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.