Pre-Arthritic/Kinematic Alignment in Fixed-Bearing Medial Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty Results in Return to Activity at Mean 10-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The optimal alignment strategy in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is debated. Recent studies have suggested that kinematic alignment may lead to improved biomechanics and outcomes. The aim of the present study was to determine if pre-arthritic/kinematic alignment of knees would result in sustained long-term restoration of function, without conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA), following non-robotically assisted, fixed-bearing medial UKA. METHODS: A total of 236 UKAs were performed from 2000 to 2015. Of these, a total of 150 medial UKAs met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. There were 76 UKAs performed in female patients. The mean age was 65 ± 10 years and the mean body mass index was 28.6 ± 5 kg/m2. Patients with ≥15° of varus alignment preoperatively were excluded. Varus deformity was evaluated with use of the hip-knee-ankle angle (HKAA). Pre-arthritic/kinematic alignment was estimated with use of an arithmetic HKAA (aHKA, calculated as the medial proximal tibial angle minus the lateral distal femoral angle). We defined pre-arthritic/kinematic alignment as a postoperative HKAA within 3° of the aHKA. The primary outcome measures were the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) Activities of Daily Living and Sport subscales, including the percentage of patients who met the patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) for these measures. Failure was defined as conversion to TKA. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 10 years (range, 4 to 20 years), with a mean survival time estimate of 18.3 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.8 to 18.8). The rate of conversion to TKA was 3% (5 of 150 UKAs). Postoperatively, 127 (85%) of 150 knees were pre-arthritic/kinematically aligned, and 23 knees (15%) were not. Patients with compared to those without pre-arthritic/kinematically aligned knees had significantly longer mean survival (18.6 years; 95% CI, 18.2 to 19) compared with 15.4 years; 95% CI, 13.4 to 17.5, respectively; p = 0.008) and higher KOOS Activities of Daily Living (92 compared with 74; p < 0.001) and Sport subscale scores (74 compared with 36; p < 0.001). A greater proportion of knees in the pre-arthritic/kinematically aligned cohort met the PASS for the KOOS Activities of Daily Living (85%, 106 of 125 knees) and Sport subscales (109 of 125, 87%) compared with the non-pre-arthritic/kinematically aligned cohort (28% and 57%, respectively; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-arthritic/kinematically aligned knees in this non-robotically assisted fixed-bearing medial UKA cohort had superior outcomes, including the KOOS Activities of Daily Living and Sport subscales and achievement of the PASS for these measures, compared with non-pre-arthritic/kinematically aligned at an average of 10 years after UKA. Knees that fell within 3° of a simple aHKA measurement on a 3-foot (1-m)-long standing radiograph had greater longevity and return to activities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

An algorithm for successfully managing anterior shoulder instability.

ABSTRACT: The most common form of shoulder instability involves the anterior glenohumeral joint. Often it is associated with labral and bony injuries with subsequent recurrent instability. To determine optimal management, clinicians should perform a detailed history and physical examination, including appropriate diagnostic imaging to assess for concomitant humeral and glenoid bony deficiencies and other soft-tissue pathologies. Early surgical intervention may reduce risk of recurrence, particularly in young, active athletes. This article highlights the relevant anatomy, pathoanatomy, diagnostic examination including radiologic imaging, management, and prevention of complications for anterior shoulder instability. Minimizing recurrence is key to restoring function for patients to safely return to recreational and sporting activities, and to perform activities of daily living.

The Lawrence D. Dorr Surgical Techniques & Technologies Award: Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) in Medial and Lateral Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: Does the Status of the ACL Impact Outcomes?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to determine if there is a difference in the percentage of patients who reach Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) when comparing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient and ACL-intact knees following fixed-bearing medial and lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). METHODS: A consecutive series of 215 knees that underwent UKA (medial = 158, lateral = 57) were included in the study. The Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score functional score [KOOS activities of daily living (ADL)] and KOOS Sport were used as the primary outcome variables. A KOOS ADL PASS of 87.5 and KOOS Sport PASS of 43.8 were previously described for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Failure was defined as conversion to TKA. RESULTS: There were 157 in the ACL-intact group and 58 in the ACL-deficient group. Conversion to TKA was 3.7%. The failure rate in the ACL-deficient group was 5% (3/58) and 3% (5/157) in the ACL-intact group (P = .447). The mean survival for the entire group was 18.1 years (95% confidence interval 17.6-18.6). At 10 years, the survival was 94.3% (standard error = 0.028) in the ACL-deficient group and 97.6% (standard error = 0.014) in the ACL-intact group. At a mean 10 ± 3.5 years, with 93% follow-up, 83% in the ACL-deficient group and 80% in the ACL-intact group reached PASS for KOOS ADL (P = .218). For KOOS Sport, 85% of the ACL-deficient group compared to 81% in the ACL-intact group (P = .374) reached PASS. CONCLUSION: The ACL-deficient cohort results were not significantly different compared to ACL-intact knees in both medial and lateral compartment UKA. Fixed-bearing medial and lateral UKA resulted in low failure rate and excellent long-term outcomes.

Patient-acceptable symptom state for reporting outcomes following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty : a matched pair analysis comparing UKA in ACL-deficient versus ACL-intact knees.

AIMS: The patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) is a level of wellbeing, which is measured by the patient. The aim of this study was to determine if the proportion of patients who achieved an acceptable level of function (PASS) after medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) was different based on the status of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at the time of surgery. METHODS: A total of 114 patients who underwent UKA for isolated medial osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee were included in the study. Their mean age was 65 years (SD 10). No patient underwent a bilateral procedure. Those who had undergone ACL reconstruction during the previous five years were excluded. The Knee injury Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Activities of Daily Living (KOOS ADL) function score was used as the primary outcome measure with a PASS of 87.5, as described for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patients completed all other KOOS subscales, Lysholm score, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and the Veterans Rand 12-item health survey score. Failure was defined as conversion to TKA. RESULTS: Survivorship at ten years was 97% in both the ACL-deficient and ACL-intact groups. The mean survival was 16.1 years (95% confidence interval (CI) 15.3 to 16.8) for the ACL-deficient group and 15.6 years (95% CI 14.8 to 16.361) for the ACL-intact group (p = 0.878). At a mean of nine years (SD 3.5) in the ACL-deficient group, 32 patients (87%) reached the PASS for the KOOS ADL. In the ACL-intact group, at a mean of 8.6 years (SD 3) follow-up, 63 patients (85%) reached PASS for the KOOS ADL. There was no significant difference in the percentage of patients who reached PASS for all KOOS subscales and Lysholm between the two groups. CONCLUSION: PASS was achieved in 85% of all UKAs for KOOS ADL, similar to reports for TKA. Fixed-bearing, medial, non-robotically-assisted UKA resulted in 97% survival at ten years in both the ACL-deficient and ACL-intact groups. There was no significant difference in all outcomes between the two groups. Understanding PASS will allow better communication between surgeons and patients to improve the surgical management of patients with single compartment OA of the knee. This study provides mid- to long-term data supporting the use of PASS to document outcomes following UKA. PASS was met in more than 85% of patients with no differences between ACL-deficient and ACL-intact knees at a mean follow-up of nine years. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(8):1367-1372.

Relevance of the Tibial Slope on Functional Outcomes in ACL-Deficient and ACL Intact Fixed-Bearing Medial Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Excessive posterior tibial slope in medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has been implicated in early failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between preoperative posterior tibial slope and postoperative slope of the implant (PSI) on outcomes in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) intact and ACL-deficient knees after fixed-bearing medial UKA. METHODS: Patients who underwent a medial UKA between 2002 and 2017 with a minimum 3-year follow-up were included. Preoperative posterior tibial slope and postoperative PSI were measured. Outcomes measures included Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS) subscales, Lysholm, and VR-12. Failure was defined as conversion to total knee arthroplasty. RESULTS: Of 241 knees undergoing UKA, 131 patients (70 women, 61 men; average age of 65 ± 10 years (average BMI of 27.9 ± 4) were included. For all patients, survivorship was 98% at 5 years and 96% at 10 years with a mean survival time for UKA was 15.2 years [95% CI: 14.6-15.7]. No failure had a PSI >7°. There were no superficial or deep infections. There were no significant differences in outcome scores between the ACL intact and the ACL-deficient group; therefore, the data were combined for analysis. At mean 8-year follow-up, KOOS pain scores were better in patients with PSI ≤7° (87 ± 16) than those with PSI >7° (81 ± 15). 76% of patients with PSI ≤7° reached the Patient Acceptable Symptom State for KOOS pain; whereas, 59% of patients with PSI >7° reached PASS for KOOS pain (P = .015). CONCLUSION: Patients with postoperative posterior slope of the tibial implant >7° had significantly worse postoperative pain, without conversion to TKA, and with maintenance of high function. In ACL deficient and intact knees, nonrobotically-assisted, fixed-bearing medial UKA had a 96% survivorship at 10 years.

Endoscopic/arthroscopic decompression of the suprascapular nerve at the spinoglenoid notch: indications and surgical technique.

Suprascapular nerve compression at the spinoglenoid notch can lead to posterior shoulder pain, muscle weakness, and longstanding muscle atrophy of the infraspinatus. Although rare, it is most commonly seen in overhead athletes and laborers who perform repetitive overhead activities. Early diagnosis requires a thorough history and physical examination including imaging, diagnostic injections, and electromyography to avoid a missed diagnosis. While a course of nonoperative treatment is most often prescribed, early surgical intervention may be prudent to avoid irreversible damage especially if a space occupying lesion is present. This article will describe the history, physical examination findings, diagnostic workup, and our surgical technique for arthroscopic decompression of the suprascapular nerve at the spinoglenoid notch through a simple posterior approach avoiding the subacromial space.