Chondral resurfacing and high tibial osteotomy in the varus knee: survivorship analysis.

BACKGROUND: Active patients with arthritic malalignment of the knee are difficult to manage. Arthroplasty, unicompartmental or total knee replacement, may not be appropriate in patients who desire to remain highly active. High tibial osteotomy has been recommended for the treatment of varus osteoarthritis to decrease pressure on the damaged medial compartment. PURPOSE: To determine the length of time patients with varus gonarthrosis can avoid knee arthroplasty with chondral resurfacing (microfracture) and medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO). STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: From 1995 to 2001, the senior authors performed a medial opening wedge HTO/microfracture in 106 knees (mean age, 52 years; range, 30-71 years). Survivorship was defined as not requiring knee arthroplasty after microfracture and HTO. RESULTS: At 5 years, survivorship was 97%. At 7 years, survivorship was 91%. Twelve patients proceeded to arthroplasty at a mean of 81 months (range, 19-116 months). Follow-up was obtained for 90% of patients. At most recent follow-up, the mean Lysholm score was 71 (range, 5-100). At 3 years, the mean Lysholm score was 73, Tegner score was 2.8, and patient satisfaction was 7.9. At 5 years, the mean Lysholm score was 73, Tegner score was 3.8, and patient satisfaction was 7.5. At 9 years, the mean Lysholm score was 67, Tegner score was 3.1, and patient satisfaction was 7.5. Patients with medial meniscus injury at surgery were 9.2 times more likely to undergo arthroplasty than patients without (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-13.5; P = .015). CONCLUSION: With 91% survivorship at 7 years, microfracture/HTO seems to contribute to a delay of knee replacement in active patients with varus gonarthrosis. Patients who proceeded to knee arthroplasty after combined HTO/microfracture had a mean delay of 81.3 months.

Variability of single-leg versus double-leg stance radiographs in the varus knee.

We evaluated measured radiographic parameter variability between single-leg stance (SLS) and double-leg stance (DLS) radiographs in patients with varus knee malalignment, indicated for high tibial osteotomy. Fifty-three consecutive knees (mean, 49 years; range, 18-79 years) were evaluated for varus thrust. SLS and DLS radiographs were obtained. A single blinded observer measured mechanical axis angles and weight-bearing line (WBL) deviation using a goniometer. Mechanical axis angles averaged 9.1 degrees (DLS) and 11.3 degrees (SLS). SLS radiographs averaged 9% greater WBL medialization than did DLS. Medial opening averaged 16.4 mm (DLS) and 18.8 mm (SLS). DLS and SLS radiographs showed no significant differences in patients without varus thrust. Patients with varus thrust demonstrated differences in mechanical axis angles (DLS, 9.4 degrees; SLS, 12.2 degrees), WBL deviation (12.1% less), medialization (DLS), and medial opening necessary for correction (DLS, 16.6 mm; SLS, 20.3 mm). In varus thrust, SLS radiographs more closely replicate dynamic knee malalignment, possibly providing more accurate measurements of angular deformity.

Posterior tibial slope after medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy of the varus degenerative knee.

This study examined whether medial opening wedge osteotomy inadvertently changes posterior tibial slope and whether this change affects range of motion and functional outcomes. Lateral radiographs of 82 knees with varus arthrosis were reviewed to measure posterior tibial slope before and after medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy. Anterior or posterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees were excluded. Twenty-one osteotomies were performed using distraction osteogenesis/medial external fixator, 26 using acute distraction/Arthrex plate fixation, and 35 using acute distraction/EBI plate fixation. Preoperative and postoperative Lysholm scores and range of motion were recorded. Posterior slope increased from a mean of 12.5 degrees preoperatively to 16.5 degrees postoperatively (P<.01). Fixation types revealed no difference in posterior slope change. Large slope changes had less preoperative knee flexion than did small changes (123 versus 131; P=.012). No significant correlation existed between posterior slope change and postoperative Lysholm scores (r=0.047, P>.05). We found that medial opening wedge osteotomy may alter sagittal alignment by increasing posterior tibial slope.

Patient satisfaction after medial opening high tibial osteotomy and microfracture.

High tibial osteotomy has become an accepted treatment for patients with varus degenerative arthritis of the knee. We sought to determine factors associated with patient satisfaction and functional outcome following medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy for the degenerative varus knee. Sixty-one patients (14 women and 47 men) undergoing medial opening wedge osteotomy and chondral resurfacing procedure (microfracture) for medial knee pain, with minimum 2-year follow-up, were identified through our clinical database. Mean patient age was 52.2 years (range: 35-65 years). Thirty patients were treated with plate fixation, and 31 with distraction osteogenesis and external fixation. Nineteen patients had Outerbridge grade III or IV patellofemoral lesions at initial surgery. The mean preoperative Lysholm score of 49.9 improved postoperatively to 75.4 (P < .001). Mean satisfaction score was 7.6 (1 = not satisfied, 10 = very satisfied). Women showed a significantly higher improvement in Lysholm and satisfaction scores than men (P = .029, P = .034). A positive correlation was observed between satisfaction and postoperative Lysholm score (P < .001). The independent multivariate predictor of patient satisfaction was the postoperative Lysholm score. Medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy is an efficacious surgical option for the treatment of the degenerative varus knee, as demonstrated by both patient satisfaction and functional outcome scores.

A clinical composite score accurately detects meniscal pathology.

PURPOSE: Five common tests were used to diagnose meniscal tears when used as a composite score. We evaluated how effectively the composite examination, when performed in the presence of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury or degenerative joint disease (DJD), determined the presence of meniscal tears. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively on all patients at our clinic with a primary knee complaint. Independent variables included the presence or absence of the following: (1) a history of "catching" or "locking" as reported by the patient, (2) pain with forced hyperextension, (3) pain with maximum flexion, (4) pain or an audible click with McMurray's maneuver, and (5) joint line tenderness to palpation. Comprehensive patient demographic data were collected including ligamentous examinations and other intra-articular pathologies found at arthroscopy. Composite examination findings were correlated with the presence or absence of meniscal pathology. RESULTS: We evaluated 635 knees in 576 patients for historical and physical findings. Of the knees, 209 underwent arthroscopic surgery and 426 did not. Chi(2) Analysis showed a significant relation between the number of positive diagnostic tests and the presence of meniscal tears (P = .001). Five positive findings on composite examination yielded a positive predictive value of 92.3%. Positive predictive values remained greater than 75% with composite scores of at least 3 in the absence of ACL and DJD pathologies. The presence of an ACL injury decreased the positive predictive value of 5 composite findings to 67%, whereas the presence of DJD increased predictability to 100%. CONCLUSIONS: When all 5 symptoms and signs were positive, there was a 92.3% positive predictive value of finding a meniscal tear. Although positive predictive values decreased with a concomitant ACL injury and increased with DJD, there was a higher rate of false-positive findings (ACL) and false-negative findings (DJD). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, development of diagnostic criteria with consecutive patients and gold standard.

Comparison of tibial rotation strength in patients' status after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring versus patellar tendon autografts.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there are tibial rotational strength deficits in individuals treated with a semitendinosus/gracilis or bone-patella tendon-bone (BTB) autografts for ACL reconstruction. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Clinical practice and nonprofit research site. PATIENTS: 102 subjects--34 treated with BTB autograft, 34 treated with a hamstring autograft, and 34 matched controls--were evaluated at an average of 53.1 +/- 36.0 months postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Isokinetic examination at 60, 120, and 180 degrees/s to assess internal (IT) and external tibial (ET) rotation peak torque of the operated knee and contralateral knee. Internal and external tibial rotation peak torque values were evaluated for differences between gender and surgery type (2 x 3 ANOVA). RESULTS: Contrasts of IT torque across groups revealed that surgery type exhibited a significant main effect (P < 0.0001), but gender did not (P = 0.07), and there was no interaction of surgery and gender (P = 0.64). The hamstring group was weaker in IT rotation compared with the BTB and control groups (P < 0.05). No difference was noted in IT rotation torque between BTB and control groups at all test velocities. Contrasts of ET rotation torque across groups revealed that surgery type exhibited a significant main effect (P < 0.0001), but gender did not (P = 0.48). There was no interaction of surgery and gender (P = 0.98). The BTB group was significantly weaker compared with the hamstring group (P < 0.001) and the control group (P < 0.001) in ET at all test velocities. CONCLUSIONS: Residual strength deficits in IT and ET rotation following hamstring graft and BTB graft ACL reconstruction are apparent.

Reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Lysholm knee scale for various chondral disorders of the knee.

BACKGROUND: The Lysholm knee scale is a condition-specific outcome measure that was originally designed to assess ligament injuries of the knee. The purpose of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Lysholm knee scale for various chondral disorders of the knee. METHODS: Test-retest reliability, internal consistency, content validity, criterion validity, construct validity, and responsiveness to change were determined for the Lysholm knee scale within subsets of an overall study population of 1657 patients with chondral disorders of the knee. The study population was a heterogeneous group of patients with various types of traumatic and degenerative chondral lesions, including isolated lesions and those associated with meniscal and ligament injuries. RESULTS: The overall Lysholm knee scale and six of the eight domains had acceptable test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.91) and internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.65). The overall Lysholm knee scale demonstrated acceptable floor (0%) and ceiling (0.7%) effects; however, the floor effects for the domain of squatting and the ceiling effects for the domains of limp, instability, support, and locking were unacceptable (>30%). There was acceptable criterion validity with significant (p < 0.05) correlations between the overall Lysholm knee scale and the physical functioning, role-physical, and bodily pain domains of the Short Form-12 scale; the pain, stiffness, and function domains of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index; and the Tegner activity scale. The overall Lysholm knee scale had acceptable construct validity, with all nine hypotheses demonstrating significance (p < 0.05), and it had acceptable responsiveness to change (effect size, 1.16; standardized response mean, 1.10), with large effects (> or = 0.80) for the domains of pain, limping, swelling, and squatting and a small effect (> or = 0.20) for the domain of instability. CONCLUSIONS: The Lysholm knee scale demonstrated overall acceptable psychometric performance for outcomes assessment of various chondral disorders of the knee, although some domains demonstrated suboptimal performance. Psychometric testing of other condition-specific knee instruments in patients with chondral disorders of the knee would be helpful to allow for comparison of psychometric properties.

Early ACL reconstruction in combined ACL-MCL injuries.

This study reports 18 patients with 19 combined ligament injuries with complete anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and a minimum grade II medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear who underwent early reconstruction of the ACL and nonoperative treatment of the MCL. Inclusion criteria included ACL reconstruction performed within 3 weeks of initial injury, no history of antecedent injury to the ipsilateral knee, and 2-year follow-up data. Associated injuries were noted in 11 patients including 6 isolated lateral meniscal tears, 1 isolated medial meniscal tear, 5 combined meniscal tears, 1 chondral injury, and 1 patellar fracture. Subjective minimum 2-year follow-up yielded a mean Lysholm score of 94.5 and a mean Tegner activity score of 8.4. Serial clinical examinations demonstrated good functional outcomes, range of motion, and strength. No patient experienced ACL graft failure or valgus instability or required subsequent surgery for chondral or meniscal damage. One patient required a second surgery for arthrofibrosis. Clinical and functional outcomes in this study were good with low motion complication rates. Based on our data, early surgical reconstruction of the ACL and nonoperative treatment of the MCL in combined injuries is acceptable and results in excellent clinical and functional outcomes.

Effects of braiding on tensile properties of four-strand human hamstring tendon grafts.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is commonly performed with autogenous hamstring tendon grafts. PURPOSE: To ascertain the effects of braiding on ultimate tensile strength and stiffness of hamstring tendon graft. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Sixteen fresh-frozen semitendinosus and gracilis tendons were harvested from eight matched (right and left) human cadaveric specimens. Both sets of hamstring tendons from each matched pair were doubled, creating a four-strand graft. Grafts were then randomized so that one graft from each matched pair was braided and the other remained unbraided. The diameter of each graft construct was recorded. Grafts were tested to failure on a materials testing machine. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in cross-sectional area before or after braiding. Fifteen of 16 tendons failed midsubstance; 1 failed at the lower clamp. Braiding reduced the initial tensile strength and stiffness of human hamstring tendon grafts in this study by 35.0% and 45.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Braiding may place the collagen fibers in a suboptimal orientation for loading that results in a weaker graft. We do not recommend the use of braiding if the strongest, stiffest initial graft is desired.

Effect of functional bracing on subsequent knee injury in ACL-deficient professional skiers.

The effect of functional bracing on subsequent knee injury in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient professional skiers was evaluated. A cohort of 180 ACL-deficient skiers was identified from a knee screening of 9410 professional skiers from 1991-1997. An ACL-deficient knee was defined by an abnormal examination (Lachman or pivot-shift) and a > or = 5-mm KT-1000 manual maximum difference. The dependent variable was subsequent knee injury, which occurred in 12 knees. A significantly higher proportion of injuries occurred in nonbraced skiers compared with braced skiers (P = .005). The risk ratio for subsequent knee injury comparing nonbraced with braced skiers was 6.4 (13% and 2%, respectively). Univariate analysis revealed no significant effects of the other covariates. Logistic regression identified bracing status (P < .01; odds ratio = 8) and KT-1000 manual maximum difference (P = .02; odds ratio = 1.3) as significant multivariate risk factors for subsequent knee injury, controlling for covariates.

Decreased range of motion following acute versus chronic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Eighty patients with acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction were compared to 80 patients with chronic ACL reconstruction. Before reconstruction, all patients had 0 degrees-120 degrees active motion, performed a straight leg raise without loss of extension, and demonstrated good quadriceps control. At 3 months, 4 acute patients had decreased range of motion (<10 degrees-120 degrees), but none at 6 or 12 months, and did not require repeat surgery. One chronic patient had decreased range of motion at 3 and 6 months and 1 patient had decreased range of motion at 1 year; both patients required operative intervention. Using these specific preoperative criteria, no increased incidence of decreased range of motion was found when an ACL reconstruction was performed within 3 weeks of injury.

Determinants of patient satisfaction with outcome after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify the determinants of patient satisfaction with the outcome after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. METHODS: A cohort of 201 patients undergoing primary reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament was studied prospectively. All patients were followed for a minimum of two years (mean, 35.9 months). The dependent variable was patient satisfaction with the outcome, graded ordinally on a scale of 1 to 10. Nonparametric univariate analysis and multivariable modeling were performed to identify determinants of satisfaction. RESULTS: The demographic variables were not found to have a significant association (p > 0.05) with patient satisfaction. The variables at surgery demonstrated a significant association (p < 0.05) with patient satisfaction only with respect to the status of the lateral meniscus, the presence of osteophytes, and concurrent plica excision. The objective variables at follow-up revealed that patients were significantly less satisfied (p < 0.05) if they had a flexion contracture, increased laxity of the involved leg on the manual maximum test as measured on a KT-1000 device, an abnormal result on the pivot-shift examination, effusion, or tenderness at the medial joint line or patella. With regard to the subjective symptoms at follow-up, patients were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) less satisfied with the outcome if they had symptoms of pain, swelling, partial giving-way, full giving-way, locking, noise, stiffness, or a limp. Analysis of the subjective function at follow-up demonstrated that patients were significantly less satisfied (p < 0.05) with the outcome if they had a lower level of activity, sports activity, strenuous work, activities of daily living, overall knee function, sports participation, or symptom-free activity; if they were unemployed; or if they had difficulty with walking, squatting, ascending or descending stairs, running, jumping, cutting, or twisting. Patient satisfaction was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the Lysholm knee score, overall International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) knee score, IKDC subjective subscore, IKDC symptoms subscore, and IKDC range-of-motion subscore. The seven independent multivariate determinants (adjusted R (2) = 0.83, p < 0.001) of patient satisfaction included the Lysholm score, overall subjective knee function, IKDC range-of-motion subscale, patellar tenderness, full giving-way, flexion contracture, and swelling. CONCLUSIONS: Univariate and multivariate determinants of patient satisfaction with the outcome after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament were established. Although some specific surgical and objective variables were important, subjective variables of symptoms and function had the most robust associations with patient satisfaction. In assessing the outcome of reconstruction from the perspective of patient satisfaction with the outcome, we should emphasize patient-derived subjective assessment of symptoms and function, particularly those involving issues of stiffness, giving-way, swelling, and patellofemoral symptoms.