Experience Influences the Agreement and Reliability of Tibial Component Positioning in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Poor rotation of the tibial component is associated with unfavorable total knee arthroplasty outcomes. Some surgeons utilize the tibial tubercle (TT method), while others utilize the femoral cam (Box method) as a rotational landmark during total knee arthroplasty. Our purpose is to determine the reproducibility of 2 methods for establishing intra-operative tibial component rotation, while also comparing the effect of level of training. METHODS: Twelve surgeons positioned and sized a symmetric tibial component on 7 cadaver knees. Surgeons were allowed to utilize their preferred method for establishing tibial component rotation. Seven surgeons selected the TT method, 4 utilized the Box method, and 1 used both methods depending on the specimen. Repeat measurements were completed by each surgeon after a rest period. The differences between tibial tray positions were assessed using computer-assisted optoelectronic measurements. Intra-class correlation coefficients were calculated to determine inter-observer agreement (IOA) and intra-rater reliability (IRR). RESULTS: Overall, both the Box method and the TT method demonstrated high IRR for tibial component rotation. Experienced surgeons were more consistent at establishing component rotation regardless of technique. Trainees were more consistent when utilizing the Box method (IRR 0.96, IOA 0.94) than the TT method (IRR 0.71, IOA 0.72). CONCLUSION: Surgeon experience influences the agreement and reliability of tibial component position. For less experienced surgeons, the Box method was more effective than the TT method for consistently reproducing tibial component rotation.

Reproducibility and Precision of CT Scans to Evaluate Tibial Component Rotation.

BACKGROUND: Component rotation likely plays a greater role on the survivorship and outcomes of total knee arthroplasties than is currently known. Our goal was to evaluate the precision, interobserver reliability, and intrarater reliability of tibial component rotation as measured by computed tomography (CT) scan, regardless of measurement technique. METHODS: Three fellowship-trained, academic arthroplasty surgeons independently measured tibial component rotation on CT scans of 62 total knee arthroplasties using their methods of choice. Measurements were repeated at least 2 weeks after the initial measurement. The precision of the measurements was assessed using a formal 8-step protocol as the gold standard. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to evaluate precision, interobserver agreement, and intrarater reliability RESULTS: The interobserver agreement between the 3 surgeons for tibial component rotation was also moderate (ICC = 0.52). The intrarater reliability of tibial rotation was excellent (ICC = 0.81). Comparison of surgeons' measurement to a validated gold standard revealed only moderate precision for tibial component rotation (ICC = 0.64). CONCLUSION: Practicing surgeons measuring tibial rotation were internally consistent, but failed to demonstrate satisfactory precision and interobserver agreement. We support the adoption of standardized criteria for the measurement of tibial component rotation on CT scans.

The Influence of Tibial Tubercle-Sparing Slope-Reducing Osteotomy on Patellar Height in Patients Undergoing Revision ACL Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: A posterior tibial slope (PTS) >12° is an independent risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft rupture, and a high tibial osteotomy (HTO) for slope correction can help avoid it. Management of patellar height is of major concern when performing HTO. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of tibial tubercle-sparing anterior closing-wedge osteotomy on patellar height in revision ACL reconstruction (ACLR). STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Patients who underwent arthroscopic revision ACLR combined with retro-tibial tubercle anterior closing-wedge HTO (ACW-HTO) between January 1, 2016, and March 31, 2021, were assessed for eligibility. Patellar height was measured on full weightbearing lateral radiographs according to the Insall-Salvati index (ISI) and Caton-Deschamps index (CDI) or frontal radiographs using the femoral patellar height index. The PTS was evaluated using the proximal anatomic axis of the tibia on standard short lateral radiographs. The delta (postoperative - preoperative) and the ratio (preoperative/postoperative) of the 3 patellar height indices and PTS were calculated. Preoperative and postoperative patellar heights were compared using independent t tests for each index. Also investigated was whether patients changed patellar height category (baja, normal, or alta) after slope osteotomy. RESULTS: Among 475 revision ACLRs, 47 tibial tubercle-sparing ACW-HTOs were retained for analysis. No significant difference in patellar height was found between pre- and postoperative radiographs regardless of the index (preoperative - postoperative) (ISI: 1.0 ± 0.2 - 0.9 ± 0.2, P = .1729; CDI: 1.0 ± 0.2 - 1.0 ± 0.2, P = .4034; femoral patellar height index: 1.5 ± 0.2 - 1.5 ± 0.2; P = .5130). Fifteen patients (31.9%) exhibited a postoperative change in their patellar height category when measured by the ISI (6 moved up a category, 9 moved down one), and 18 patients (38.3%) changed category according to the CDI (10 moved up a category, 8 moved down one). No significant difference was found between pre- and postoperative patellar height among these patients (ISI: P = .2418; CDI: P = .3005). CONCLUSION: Changes in patellar height ratio are common after tibial tubercle-sparing ACW-HTO in patients undergoing revision ACLR. The clinical effect of these changes is unknown, and further study is needed to investigate whether they may result in patellofemoral symptoms.

Comparison of Acetabular Labral Reconstruction With 7-mm Tibialis Anterior Allograft and 5-mm Iliotibial Band Autograft at Minimum 2-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Labral reconstruction has been described as a treatment option for irreparable labral tear. Labral graft size ranges from 5 to 7 mm2 for reconstruction. A thicker labral graft could support mechanical stability and protect cartilage better. No study has compared the effect of graft thickness on clinical outcomes. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to compare patient-reported outcomes between hips reconstructed with an autologous iliotibial band (AUITB; 5 mm2) graft and with an allogenic tibialis anterior (ALTA; 7 mm2) tendon graft. Our hypothesis was that hips reconstructed with a thicker allograft (7 mm2) would have better clinical outcomes than those with a smaller autograft (5 mm2). STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: A total of 42 patients (aged 21 to 54 years) underwent arthroscopic hip segmental labral reconstruction during the study period of January 2016 to November 2018. Twenty patients had reconstruction with AUITB grafts (5 mm2) and 22 with ALTA grafts (7 mm2). Both groups had minimum 2 year follow-up. Patients were evaluated with patient-related outcome scores: modified Harris Hip Score, Nonarthritic Hip Score, and Hip Outcome Score-Sports Specific. Pain evaluation was performed using a visual analog scale. RESULTS: There were significant differences in all studied variables when comparing pre- and postoperative scores. Yet, there were no differences in terms of patient-related outcome scores between the groups postoperatively. Postoperative visual analog scale scores averaged 2.1 for the AUITB group vs 1.9 for the ALTA group (P = .89); modified Harris Hip Score, 82.7 vs 83.3 (P = .77); Nonarthritic Hip Score, 81.1 vs 82.2 (P = .81); and Hip Outcome Score-Sports Specific, 81.6 vs 82.5 (P = .67). CONCLUSION: No differences were found in terms of clinical outcomes between the 7-mm2 ALTA graft and the 5-mm2 AUITB graft. Both graft types and thicknesses might be considered comparable choices for primary reconstruction. Although a thicker-graft labral reconstruction seemed to have more ability to cover joint surface, clinical results did not show any superiority of a thicker graft whether it is autologous or allogenic.