Post-traumatic total wrist arthrodesis: Satisfaction study of 42 cases at a mean 97months' follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Total wrist arthrodesis is effective in reducing pain in osteoarthritic wrist, but at the cost of range of motion. The aim of the present study was to assess patient satisfaction after post-traumatic total wrist arthrodesis, complications and risk factors. HYPOTHESIS: Post-traumatic total wrist arthrodesis provides a high rate of satisfaction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective observational satisfaction survey was carried out for the period 2005-2020 by telephone interview. RESULTS: Forty-two post-traumatic dorsal plate total wrist arthrodeses were included. Mean follow-up was 97 months. Total arthrodesis achieved a mean 75% reduction in pain, with good functional results (QuickDASH: 23±9.1 [11-42]) and satisfaction (83% of patients very satisfied or satisfied). Seventy-two percent of patients continued in their previous work. The complications rate was 48%. Twenty patients had complications, including 14 (33%) requiring surgical revision. Thirteen patients (31%) had hardware removed due to plaque discomfort and 1 due to bone and joint infection. Seven patients showed CRPS. CONCLUSION: Total wrist arthrodesis provided good results in terms of pain relief and satisfaction, at the cost of loss of motion. It is a reliable surgical technique, with an essential place in the therapeutic algorithm for post-traumatic osteoarthritic wrist, particularly in manual workers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, single-center retrospective observational study.

Positioning of the Tibial Tunnel After Single-Bundle ACL Primary Reconstruction on 3D CT scans: A New Method.

PURPOSE: To assess intra-articular tunnel aperture positioning after primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with either the reference standard method or the intercondylar area method in a single center using 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) scans and to evaluate the intra-articular position of the tibial tunnel relative to the ACL footprint. METHODS: 3D CT scans were performed after 120 single-bundle primary ACL reconstruction cases. The center of the tibial tunnel aperture and the center of the ACL footprint were referenced on axial views of the tibial plateau in the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) planes according to a centimetric grid system including the whole plateau (reference standard). This was compared with a grid system based on intercondylar area bony anatomy. The posterior aspect of intertubercular fossa, anterior aspect of the tibial plateau, medial intercondylar ridge, and crossing point between lateral intercondylar ridge and posterior margin were used as landmarks to define the grid. RESULTS: According to the reference standard method, the center of the tibial tunnel aperture was positioned 0.57 ± 2.62 mm more posterior and 0.67 ± 1.55 mm more medial than the center of the footprint. According to the intercondylar area method, the center of the tibial tunnel aperture was positioned 1.32 ± 2.74 mm more posterior and 0.66 ± 1.56 mm more medial than the center of the footprint. The position difference between the center of the tunnel aperture and the center of the footprint were statistically correlated for both grids, with r = -0.887, P < .001 for AP positioning and r = 0.615, P < .001 for ML positioning. CONCLUSION: This intercondylar area method using arthroscopic landmarks can be used to assess tunnel placement on 3D CT scans after ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective comparative study.

Posteromedial meniscal tears may be missed during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the benefit of using an arthroscopic intercondylar view and a posterior medial viewing portal during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in the diagnosis of posterior horn of the medial meniscus (PHMM) tears. A secondary objective was to determine clinical and radiological risk factors for the PHMM. METHODS: Forty-one patients undergoing isolated ACL reconstruction were prospectively evaluated. At ACL reconstruction, the PHMM was assessed using a standard 30° arthroscope in 3 sequential stages: a "classic" anterolateral portal view, an intercondylar view, and a view through a posteromedial portal. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included (12 female patients and 27 male patients). A posteromedial tear of the medial meniscus was found in 17 patients using the anterolateral portal view. The intercondylar view identified 4 new additional lesions and extensions of 3 previously identified lesions. The posteromedial portal view identified 6 new lesions and 5 extensions of known lesions compared with the anterolateral portal view. Two lesions seen through the posteromedial portal were not identified by either the anterolateral portal view or the intercondylar view. CONCLUSIONS: Tears of the PHMM may be underdiagnosed by intraoperative assessment using only an anterolateral portal view during ACL reconstruction. The intercondylar view combined with a posteromedial portal aids in the diagnosis of PHMM tears and should be considered in routine ACL reconstruction to assess meniscal status, particularly when the interval from injury to surgery is prolonged. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Traumax screw plate vs. Gamma nail. Blood loss in pertrochanteric fractures treated by minimally invasive osteosynthesis.

PURPOSE: This study is aimed to determine whether the Traumax dynamic hip screw reduces perioperative blood loss and transfusion rate compared to the Gamma nail in the treatment of pertrochanteric fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of 331 patients were followed prospectively in a cohort study between February 2008 and October 2011 after a pertrochanteric fracture. Two types of fixation were used, 163 patients were treated with a Gamma nail and 168 patients with a minimally invasive screw plate Traumax. Perioperative blood loss, evaluated by the Mercuriali formula based on pre- and postoperative haemoglobin and transfusion rates were compared in order to assess risk factors. RESULTS: Increased perioperative blood loss was significantly linked with patient-related parameters (age, anticoagulant and platelet aggregation inhibitor treatment). Type of osteosynthesis and type of fracture were also risk factors for blood loss and transfusion. The Traumax group had significantly lower blood loss (347 ml vs. 577 ml) and transfusion rate (33.9% vs. 63.8%) than the Gamma group. Involvement of the greater trochanter increased the risk of blood loss only in the Gamma group. Functional results and bone healing were comparable at six months follow-up. CONCLUSION: Screw plate Traumax significantly reduces perioperative bleeding after pertrochanteric fractures. It avoids fracture gaps that tend to maintain bleeding. Given the morbidity and complications related to acute anaemia and blood transfusion, the surgical management of these elderly patients is aided by this choice of fixation.

Reproducibility of radiographic assessment of femoral implant position after hip resurfacing arthroplasty: a pilot study.

To determine whether femoral implant position can be reproducibly measured on plain digital radiographs, we prospectively studied 40 patients after hip resurfacing arthroplasty. Three observers performed double blinded randomized analysis of calibrated digital radiographs meeting strict quality criteria. The implant stem-shaft angle and femoral anteversion angle were measured by the trapezoid method of axis determination using OsiriX software. The upper and lower offset and the anterior and posterior offset were measured. The statistical analysis was performed using Pearson correlation tests (intra-observer reproducibility) and Fisher F tests (inter-observer reproducibility). Intra-observer reproducibility was very good for all parameters and all observers. Inter-observer reproducibility was excellent except for superior offset measurement. Thus, this study validates a radiographic method for assessing the femoral implant position in hip resurfacing. We believe this could be useful for future studies on hip resurfacing devices.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children with a quadrupled semitendinosus graft: preliminary results with minimum 2 years of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in growing patients must balance activity modification with the risk of secondary (meniscal and cartilaginous) lesions, and surgical intervention, which could adversely affect skeletal growth. Many ACL reconstruction techniques have been developed or modified to decrease the risk of growth disturbance. We have not found any description of ACL reconstruction using a single hamstring, short graft implanted into intraepiphyseal, retroreamed sockets. Our hypothesis was that the technique that we used restored the knee stability and did not cause any growth disturbances. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 28 patients (20 boys, 8 girls) who presented with a unilateral ACL tear and open growth plates. We performed short graft ligament reconstruction with the semitendinosus folded into 4 strands around 2 polyethylene terephthalate tapes. The graft was implanted into sockets that were retroreamed in the femoral and tibial epiphysis and the tapes were fixed remotely by interference screws. After a minimum period of 2 years, we evaluated the comparative knee laxity, the radiographic limb morphology, the appearance of secondary lesions, and the functional outcomes using the Lysholm and Tegner scores. Comparative analyses were performed using the Student t test with subgroups depending on the type of fixation used. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 13 years (range, 9 to 15 y). The mean follow-up was 2.8 years (range, 2 to 5 y). The mean difference in laxity at 134 N was 0.3 mm, as determined using a GNRB arthrometer. No patients reported meniscal symptoms or degenerative changes. We found no angular deformity or leg length inequality. Two patients suffered a recurrent ACL tear. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results from this series are consistent with prior studies demonstrating that intraepiphyseal ACL reconstruction is a safe reliable alternative for the pediatric population. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; level of evidence 4.

Radiological validation of a fluoroscopic guided technique for femoral implant positioning during hip resurfacing.

PURPOSE: The positioning of the femoral cup in hip resurfacing is essential for the survival of the implant. We described a technique in 2005 to position the femoral cup guided by fluoroscopy independent of the approach performed. The main objectives were to study the positioning of the femoral components of the implant and the accuracy of the technique. METHODS: Between 2003 and 2011 we conducted a prospective study of 160 consecutive hip resurfacings all operated with this fluoroscopic-guided technique. Three independent observers performed a radiographic analysis at the pre-operative planning stage and on postoperative radiographs using OsiriX software. The statistical analysis was based on comparison of two groups by Student's t test. RESULTS: The entire implant was positioned in valgus, with an average of 7.816° valgus (p <0.001). All implants were positioned in neutral or anteverted with a mean of 1.98° (p <0.001). The risk of malpositioning on the antero-posterior plane was less than 1.41° with p <0.019. The risk of profile positioning error was lower than 0.80° with p <0.047. CONCLUSION: This study validates a technique of femoral implant positioning for resurfacing. It is simple, precise and independent of the approach performed.