No common peroneal nerve palsies found after a peroneal nerve release prior to TKA in fixed valgus deformities (a retrospective cohort study).

PURPOSE: The main purpose of this study was to analyse the incidence of Common Peroneal Nerve Palsy (CPNP) after Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) for all alignments. Secondarily, the efficiency and safety of a Peroneal Nerve Release (PNR) prior to TKA in preoperative severe fixed valgus deformities were evaluated to prevent a CPNP. METHODS: Overall, 7612 TKAs were performed in the institution from 2009 to 2021. 1913 TKAs were performed by three surgeons, who consistently performed a PNR in case of a fixed valgus deformity of (1) more than 15°, or (2) more than 10° but in combination with a flexion contracture of more than 15°. Patients with fixed valgus deformities of more than 10° were identified (81 knees) and a comparison was made between the patients who received a PNR (26 knees) and those who did not receive a PNR (55 knees). Data for the analysis were collected from patient medical files and were compared with the Chi2-test or Fisher Exact test. RESULTS: A CPNP incidence of 0.2% (16/7612) was found after TKA for all alignments together. No CPNP cases (0%) were developed in the PNR-group, compared to five (9%) in the non-PNR group (p = NS). A larger preoperative valgus angle (17° vs 13°, p < 0.001) and flexion contracture (10° vs 3°, p < 0.001) was present in the PNR group compared with the non-PNR group. No PNR-related complications were reported. CONCLUSION: The CPNP incidence in this study is consistent with the previous literature. Furthermore, although not significant, the group that received a PNR procedure developed fewer CPNPs compared to the group without PNR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective cohort study, III.

Eighteen-Year Outcome of an Uncemented "Meniscal Bearing", Cruciate-Retaining Total Knee System.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the survival, radiographic, and functional outcomes of the uncemented "meniscal bearing" cruciate-retaining Low Contact Stress (LCS) (DePuy Synthes, Warsaw, IN, USA) total knee system after a long-term follow-up period. METHODS: A total of 56 patients (67 knees) who received an uncemented "meniscal bearing" cruciate-retaining LCS total knee system between 2000 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were 64 ± 7 years old with osteoarthritis as the indication for arthroplasty. The survivorship, radiographs, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were analyzed. RESULTS: The all-cause survival after 5, 10, 15, and 18 years was 97.0%, 93.8%, 92.0%, and 92.0%, respectively. Survival with revision for aseptic loosening as an end point was 98.4% at 5 years and 96.7% at 10, 15, and 18 years. Reasons of revisions and their interventions consisted of anterior knee pain requiring secondary patellar resurfacing (n = 3, 60%), polyethylene wear requiring an insert exchange (n = 2, 40%), and bearing spin-out requiring an insert exchange (n = 1, 20%). Two of the 5 revision cases developed aseptic loosening of the tibial component later on during the study period. A radiographic analysis demonstrated radiolucent lines in 14/47 implants (30%) after 12.0 ± 3.8 years, but were not revised, respectively. After a mean follow-up of 18.5 years, PROMs (n = 20) were found comparable with the 1-year postoperative PROMs of all implants reported by the LROI (Dutch Arthroplasty Register). CONCLUSION: This present study demonstrates good results of the uncemented "meniscal bearing" cruciate-retaining LCS total knee system toward survival and functional outcomes after a long-term median follow-up of 17.5 years. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic retrospective cohort study, LEVEL III.

Long-Term Clinical Performance of an Uncemented, Mobile Bearing, Anterior Stabilized Knee System and the Impact of Previous Knee Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to report long-term survival and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of the uncemented low contact stress total knee system and explore the potential association between prior knee surgery and outcomes. METHODS: A total of 1,289 procedures in 1,068 patients performed between 2000 and 2010 (mean follow-up 11.1 years) were retrospectively identified. All patients received an uncemented, mobile bearing, anterior stabilized (cruciate sacrificing) knee implant with a porous coating on the bone-prosthesis surface. Implant survival was calculated using competing risk analyses at 5, 10, and 15 years. PROMs include the Oxford Knee Score, Knee Society Score (domain function), EuroQol 5D-3L, and Numeric Rating Scale for pain during rest and activity, and for overall satisfaction. The association between previous surgery (no surgery versus meniscectomy versus arthroscopy versus corrective osteotomies) and implant survival was assessed with multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis; the association with PROMs was assessed with multivariable linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Survival after 5, 10, and 15 years was 97.0% (95% CI 96.0-98.0), 96.3% (95% CI 95.3-97.3), and 96.0% (95% CI 94.8-97.2), respectively. The most common reason for revision was aseptic loosening of the tibial tray (23/49 revisions, 47%). All PROMs were comparable with the reference values of the Dutch Arthroplasty Register. History of knee surgery prior to TKA was not associated with survival or PROMs. CONCLUSION: The low contact stress uncemented mobile bearing knee implant provides excellent survival and patient satisfaction in our cohort. Previous surgery does not seem to compromise results in our population.

Reconstruction of Concomitant Ruptures of Peroneus Longus and Brevis Tendons: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Peroneal tendon ruptures are caused by inversion trauma of the ankle and are often mistaken for simple ankle sprains. As a result, peroneal tendon ruptures are underdiagnosed; especially a concomitant rupture of both the brevis and longus tendons is extremely rare. We describe the case of concomitant rupture of both peroneal tendons in a 50-year-old male, diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging and treated with a flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer. The flexor digitorum longus tendon was mobilized, transferred laterally, and anchored to the distal and proximal stubs of the peroneal tendons, acting like a bridge. At final follow-up (19 months after index surgery), the patient was relieved from his symptoms and had full range of motion. Imaging demonstrated a durable reconstruction. Evidence for the preferred surgical treatment is lacking in the current literature and is limited to small case series and case reports. Randomized prospective studies should be conducted to determine the optimal treatment. Based on current available data, surgical technique should be based on clinical observation (e.g., tendon quality) and imaging findings.

Validity and Reliability of the Achillometer(®): An Ankle Dorsiflexion Measurement Device.

Limited ankle dorsiflexion is closely related to important foot and ankle pathologies. Various measurement devices and methods have been examined, but these have demonstrated limited validity and reliability. The purpose of the present study was to assess the validity and intra- and interobserver reliability of the Achillometer(®). A total of 22 consecutive subjects with ankle or foot pathologies and 39 healthy participants were included. All participants were measured using the goniometer and the Achillometer(®), a portable device used to assess ankle dorsiflexion in the weightbearing position with knee in extension. The intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of the mean, and minimal detectable change were determined. The goniometer and Achillometer(®) revealed high intraobserver reliability coefficients with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.88 (standard error of the mean 1.49, minimal detectable change 4.12) and 0.85 (standard error of the mean 1.57, minimal detectable change 4.34), respectively. The interobserver reliability of both measurement techniques ranged from 0.63 to 0.67. The Achillometer(®) showed a strong correlation with the goniometer for both observers. In conclusion, the Achillometer(®) is a valid measurement device to assess ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in the weightbearing position with an extended knee in a heterogeneous population. The device has good intraobserver and moderate interobserver reliability and measurement properties comparable to those of the goniometer.

Prosthetic joint-associated infections treated with DAIR (debridement, antibiotics, irrigation, and retention): analysis of risk factors and local antibiotic carriers in 91 patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: For prosthetic joint-associated infection (PJI), a regimen of debridement, antibiotics, irrigation, and retention of the prosthesis (DAIR) is generally accepted for acute infections. Various risk factors associated with treatment success have been described. The use of local antibiotic carriers (beads and sponges) is relatively unknown. We retrospectively analyzed risk factors in a cohort of patients from 3 hospitals, treated with DAIR for PJI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 91 patients treated with DAIR for hip or knee PJI in 3 Dutch centers between 2004 and 2009 were retrospectively evaluated. The mean follow-up was 3 years. Treatment success was defined as absence of infection after 2 years, with retention of the prosthesis and without the use of suppressive antibiotics. RESULTS: 60 patients (66%) were free of infection at follow-up. Factors associated with treatment failure were: a history of rheumatoid arthritis, late infection (> 2 years after arthroplasty), ESR at presentation above 60 mm/h, and infection caused by coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Symptom duration of less than 1 week was associated with treatment success. The use of gentamicin sponges was statistically significantly higher in the success group, and the use of beads was higher in the failure group in the univariate analysis, but these differences did not reach significance in the logistic regression analysis. Less surgical procedures were performed in the group treated with sponges than in the group treated with beads. INTERPRETATION: In the presence of rheumatoid arthritis, duration of symptoms of more than 1 week, ESR above 60 mm/h, late infection (> 2 years after arthroplasty), and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus PJI, the chances of successful DAIR treatment decrease, and other treatment methods should be considered.

Preliminary results of 97 percutaneous gastrocnemius muscular lengthening operations in neurologically healthy children with an equinus contracture.

BACKGROUND: We report a gastrocnemius lengthening in neurologically healthy children, whose gastrocnemius equinus could not be corrected non-operatively. METHODS: Fifty-five children with an equinus contracture were included in this study. Ninety-seven operations were performed in these patients. The mean age was 11.5 years [6-16] and sixty percent of the patients were male. After 12 weeks we measured dorsiflexion post-surgery and after one year all parents of patients were telephoned and asked about their satisfaction with the result of the surgical treatment. Persistence of pre-operative complaints and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Ankle dorsiflexion significantly improved by more than 11° post-surgery compared with preoperative (p=0.01). The mean satisfaction was 8.0 [4-10] on a 10-point VAS scale. Except one complication of ankle fracture during surgery, no other clinically relevant complications were observed. At follow up 50% of the patients have no complaints, 47% reported an improvement but some persisting complaints and 3% of the patients report no improvement. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous muscular gastrocnemius lengthening can be used to correct gastrocnemius equinus in otherwise healthy children, who have not benefited from prior nonsurgical treatment.

Early outcomes and predictors of patient satisfaction after TKA: a prospective study of 200 cases with a contemporary cemented rotating platform implant design.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to identify the earliest time point where subjects realized the greatest clinical improvement after TKA, and the time when post-operative scores became superior to pre-operative scores. Post-hoc exploratory analyses were conducted to investigate predictors of early post-operative outcomes and patient satisfaction. METHODS: Six investigators across 4 sites in the Netherlands prospectively implanted 200 subjects with a contemporary cemented rotating platform device. Patient Reported Outcome Measurements (PROMs) KOOS-PS, PKIP, and EQ-5D were collected pre-operatively and post-operatively through 2-years. PROMs change from pre-operative baseline were summarized, along with radiographic outcomes and adverse events (AEs). Pre-operative patient characteristics were explored for correlation with patient outcomes, and patient satisfaction for correlation with KOOS-PS. RESULTS: Follow-up compliance was 99% at 6-months, and 95.5% at 2-years. The percentage with higher KOOS-PS compared to baseline was 81.3% at 6-months. KOOS-PS, PKIP, and PKIP subscore means were all better at 6-weeks versus baseline. Gender, BMI, hypertension, and pre-operative KOOS-PS were weakly correlated with 6-week KOOS-PS (multivariate R-squared = 14.1%), but only pre-operative KOOS-PS demonstrated correlation with post-operative KOOS-PS at 6-months or later (R-squared < 5% at 6-months and 2 years). Satisfaction was moderately correlated with concurrent KOOS-PS at each post-operative time point, with (R-squared = 35.3% at 6-months, and 37.5% at 2 years). CONCLUSION: The greatest mean clinical improvement occurred within the first 6-weeks. Although some pre-operative factors were correlated with higher early post-operative KOOS-PS outcomes, these advantages disappeared by 6-months aside from weak correlation with pre-operative KOOS-PS. Post-operative KOOS-PS was moderately correlated with concurrent post-operative satisfaction. These results may be used for pre-operative counseling and management of patient's postoperative expectations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02339610 . Registered 15 January 2015.

Long-term clinical results of the Metasul metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty: 12.6 years follow-up of 128 primary total hip replacements.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the present study is to report the long-term clinical results of an uncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a Metasul metal-on-metal (MoM) 28-mm bearing and to evaluate the long-term serum cobalt levels. METHODS: At an average of 12.6 years following primary THA, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical results of the first 116 consecutive patients (128 THAs) in our institution who underwent 28-mm Metasul MoM THA. Of the 78 patients who were able to visit our outpatient clinic, serum cobalt levels were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall survival rate of the cohort was 96.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 93.2-99.6), 12.6 years (95% CI, 12.3-12.7 years) following surgery. 3 patients had undergone revision due to aseptic loosening of the stem and 2 patients sustained a periprosthetic fracture. The average modified Harris Hip Score was 90 (72-97) and the average Oxford Hip Score was 56 (48-60), representing both excellent outcome scores. The average serum cobalt of the entire cohort was 20.1 nmol/L (range 8.5-227.7 nmol/L). Serum cobalt levels of patients with a bilateral MoM THA were significantly higher (35.0 nmol/l, p<0.01). No relation between serum cobalt levels, subjective outcome, radiolucent lines on radiographs and survivorship of the implant was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term results of the metasul MoM bearing articulation in THA seem to be excellent, although cobalt serum levels should be monitored closely.

Diagnosing perforated appendicitis in pediatric patients: a new model.

OBJECTIVE: Studies have investigated sensitivity and specificity of symptoms and tests for diagnosing appendicitis in children. Less is known with regard to the predictive value of these symptoms and tests with respect to the severity of appendicitis. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of patient's characteristics and tests for discriminating between perforated and nonperforated appendicitis in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pediatric patients who underwent an appendectomy at Spaarne Hospital Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013, were included. Baseline patient's characteristics, history, physical examination, laboratory data and results of ultrasounds were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine predictors of perforation. RESULTS: In total, 375 patients were included in this study of which 97 children (25.9%) had significant signs of perforation. Univariate analysis showed that age, duration of complaints, temperature, vomiting, CRP, WBC, different findings on ultrasound and the diameter of the appendix were good predictors of a perforated appendicitis. The final multivariate prediction model included temperature, CRP, clearly visible appendix and free fluids on ultrasound and diameter of the appendix and resulted in an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91 showing sensitivity and specificity of respectively 85.2% and 81.2%. CONCLUSION: This prediction model can be used for identification of 'high-risk' children for a perforated appendicitis and might be helpful to prevent complications and longer hospitalization by bringing these children to theater earlier.

Implantation of resorbable gentamicin sponges in addition to irrigation and debridement in 34 patients with infection complicating total hip arthroplasty.

We evaluated a prosthesis-retaining treatment protocol for prosthetic joint infection in patients presenting at a mean of 116 days (range 10-1216 days) after primary arthroplasty. Our regime involved irrigation and debridement followed by implantation of biodegradable gentamicin loaded sponges which do not require removal after implantation. Of 34 patients with a deep infection after total hip arthroplasty, Twenty-five were treated successfully, with a mean follow-up of 35 months. There were no permanent complications. This success rate is comparable to earlier studies. Early initiation of treatment demonstrated a tendency for better results, and late chronic infections had a worse outcome. Because the sponges are degradable, a number of further surgical procedures were avoided.

Isolated syndesmosis ankle injury.

Isolated syndesmosis injuries often go unrecognized and are diagnosed as lateral ankle sprains; however, they are more disabling than lateral ankle sprains. The reported incidence of isolated syndesmosis injuries in acute ankle sprains ranges between 1% and 16%. When ankle disability lasts for more than 2 months after an ankle sprain, the incidence increases to 23.6%. Diagnostic workup may include stress radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, or diagnostic arthroscopy. A simple stress test radiograph may reveal an unstable grade III syndesmosis sprain that may go unrecognized on plain anteroposterior and mortise or lateral radiographs of the ankle. The duration of symptoms in isolated syndesmosis injury is longer and more severe, often leading to chronic symptoms or ankle instability requiring operative stabilization.This article describes the clinical presentation, injury classification, and operative stabilization techniques of isolated syndesmosis injuries. The authors performed their preferred operative stabilization technique for isolated syndesmosis injury-arthroscopic debridement of the ankle with syndesmotic stabilization with a syndesmotic screw-in 4 patients. All patients were evaluated 1 year postoperatively with subjective and objective assessment scales. Three of 4 patients showed good improvement of general subjective ankle symptoms and subjective ankle instability rating and a high Sports Ankle Rating System score after 1 year.

Nonoperative treatment of thoracic and lumbar spine fractures: a prospective randomized study of different treatment options.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare nonoperative treatment methods for traumatic thoracic and lumbar compression fractures and burst fractures. DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled trial with long-term follow-up. SETTING: Two general hospitals in the Netherlands. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Patients with a traumatic thoracic or lumbar spine fracture, without neurologic damage, with less than 50% loss of height of the anterior column and less than 30% reduction of the spinal canal were included. INTERVENTION: Patients in the compression group were randomized to physical therapy and postural instructions, a brace for 6 weeks, or a Plaster of Paris cast for 6 or 12 weeks. Patients in the burst group received a brace or a Plaster of Paris cast, both for 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Follow-up examinations included radiographs, Visual Analogue Scores for toleration of treatment and persistent pain, and an Oswestry Disability Index at long-term follow-up. RESULTS: There were 133 patients: 108 in the compression group and 25 in the burst group. For compression fractures, physical therapy and brace were considered the most tolerable. Brace therapy scored significantly better on the Visual Analogue Scores for residual pain and on the Oswestry Disability Index. None of the treatments had any significant effect on the residual deformity measurements. For burst fractures, no significant differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: Brace treatment with supplementary physical therapy is the treatment of choice for patients with compression fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine. Furthermore, more than 20% of all patients had moderate or severe back pain at long-term follow-up.