Historical perspective on the "discovery" of the anterolateral ligament of the knee.

There is a lively debate about the existence, origins and discoverer of the anterolateral ligament of the knee. The complex anatomy of the lateral aspect of the knee has made it difficult to differentiate between various structures such as the iliotibial band, capsulo-osseous layer, Kaplan's fibres and the anterolateral capsule. The "discovery" of a new anterolateral structure in 2013 was the culmination of many historical studies. In 1879, Paul Ferdinand Segond described a tibial plateau fracture in which he noted a pearly band reinforcing the joint capsule. Other anatomists had their suspicions about this ligament; it was described by Vallois in 1914 in his thesis and extensively studied by Jost in 1921. References to it can be found in comparative anatomy studies. This historical review serves as a reminder that understanding and treating knee sprains is not something new. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

The anconeus, an active lateral ligament of the elbow: new anatomical arguments.

PURPOSE: As there are a few detailed anatomical studies of the active function of anconeus muscle in stabilizing the elbow, we aimed to look for anatomical features confirming its role as an active stabilizer of the humero-ulnar joint. METHODS: Thirty fresh unembalmed elbows from 15 cadavers were dissected. We examined the anatomy, insertions, relationships and orientation of the muscle fibres of the anconeus. RESULTS: The anconeus lies in a separate compartment from the other forearm muscles, but in continuity with the extensor (triceps) compartment of the arm. In all the cases, at its proximal extremity we observed continuity of muscle and tendon with the vastus lateralis of the triceps brachii. The muscle fibres run downward and backward, parallel to the fibres of vastus lateralis of the triceps, when the elbow is in extension. Its deep aspect adheres closely to the lateral joint capsule of the humero-ulnar joint. CONCLUSION: The new anatomical characteristics of the anconeus revealed in this study make this muscle a digastric head of triceps brachii that coapts the ulna to the humerus and so reduces varus instability. The close relationships between triceps brachii and the anconeus on one hand and between the joint capsule and the anconeus on the other make the latter muscle an active lateral stabilizer of the elbow.

Contribution of the 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography to the diagnosis of primary osseous Hodgkin lymphoma.

Hodgkin lymphoma typically presents as a nodal lesion and infrequently involves extra nodal sites. Although cases of primary extra-nodal Hodgkin lymphoma have been reported previously, the reality of the primitive nature of the disease was difficult to authenticate with traditional high resolution imaging techniques, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, because they cannot evaluate the spread of the disease throughout the whole body. We report here a case of primary osseous Hodgkin lymphoma, regarded as stage I extranodal IE thanks to the important contribution of a new imaging technique, the 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT). PET enables systemic Hodgkin lymphoma with secondary bone invasion to be distinguished from primitive osseous Hodgkin lymphoma. This technique is highly specific in demonstrating the isolated osseous localisation of the tumour and should be recommended in all patients with putative osseous lymphoma.

Sexual function before and after primary total hip arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic hip pain can have an impact on the sexual activity of patients, all the more so if they are young. METHODS: Our department undertook a retrospective study using a questionnaire mailed out to 135 patients (58 women and 77 men) under 65 years of age who had undergone a total hip replacement (THA) with primary implant more than 6 months previously. The mean age of the patients was 51.8 years (22-65 years). RESULTS: The age at which sexual difficulties first occurred was on average 45 years (21-63 years), or a mean of 2.5 years after the appearance of hip pain. Nineteen percent of patients considered their sexual difficulties to be severe to extreme. This caused tension or unhappiness in their relationship for 7% of patients. The cause for the difficulty was generally pain followed by stiffness. The patients with the most marked and earliest disorders were young women with hip dislocating anomalies. Multiarticular damage (Charnley C) is a factor which is conducive to difficulties. For patients, total hip replacement is associated with an improvement in sexual relations. The frequency of relations is increased in significantly more women than men, where this is associated with a change in positions practised. Only 17% of patients benefited from information concerning sexual activity after THA (time to resumption and/or at-risk positions). CONCLUSIONS: Sexual difficulties should therefore be taken into account by medical staff, and in particular by the surgeon. He should supply clear information. The subject should not be marginalized and, on the contrary, should be taken into account in the pre- and postoperative assessment.

Cementless modular hip arthroplasty as a salvage operation for failed internal fixation of trochanteric fractures in elderly patients.

Failure of internal fixation of trochanteric fractures requires repeat surgery in order to avoid the risks of complications affecting bedridden patients. This study was conducted to assess the results of hemi- or total hip arthroplasty with a cementless modular femoral stem, as a salvage operation following early mechanical failure of internal fixation. Twenty nine patients with a mean age of 81.1 years (70-91) were included in the study. Fractures extending into the diaphysis and pathological fractures were excluded, as well as patients who presented late complications. A cementless modular stem designed for metaphyso-diaphyseal anchorage was used in all cases. Twenty-two patients underwent hemiarthroplasty and seven total hip arthroplasty. Four patients died within one year and two were lost to follow-up. The remaining 23 patients were followed for a mean of 20 months (range: 6-89). At the time of last follow-up, 20 were ambulatory with (11 cases) or without support (9 cases) and three were bedridden. There were no intra- or postoperative femoral fractures. Two patients presented an early dislocation after bipolar hemiarthroplasty. One was successfully treated by closed reduction; the other underwent revision with a dual mobility acetabular component because of recurrent dislocation. All the patients reported significant pain relief and functional improvement. Subsidence of the stem greater than 5 mm was noted in three cases, without clinical consequences. The cementless modular femoral stem used in this study appeared as a reliable implant. Primary arthroplasty with such an implant could be considered in selected cases such as markedly unstable fractures and in osteoporotic elderly patients.

Osteoid osteoma of the carpal bones. Two case reports.

Osteoid osteoma rarely develops in the wrist. The symptoms resemble atypical tenosynovitis, with variations according to the location of the tumor. As a result, diagnostic wanderings are common. In addition, the pain may seem related to an injury, as illustrated by two cases reported herein. Conventional investigations often fail to contribute to the diagnosis. The most specific investigation is thin-slice computed tomography (CT), which can be coupled to magnetic resonance imaging. CT typically visualizes a round lucency surrounded by a rim of sclerosis; in addition, CT shows the exact location of the tumor, particularly relative to neighboring joints. Complete excision of the nidus must be achieved to ensure a permanent cure. Same-stage carpal bone fusion may be required in patients with extensive joint involvement.

Learning curve for a modified Watson-Jones minimally invasive approach in primary total hip replacement: analysis of complications and early results versus the standard-incision posterior approach.

We analysed the learning curve of an anterolateral minimally invasive (ALMI) approach for primary total hip replacement (THR). The first 42 THR's with large-diameter heads implanted through this approach (group 1) were compared to a cohort of 58 THR's with a 28-mm head performed through a standard-incision posterior approach (group 2). No selection was made and the groups were comparable. Implant positioning as well as early clinical results were satisfactory and were comparable in the two groups. In group 1, the rate of intraoperative complications was significantly higher (greater trochanter fracture in 4 cases, cortical perforation in 3 cases, calcar fracture in one case, nerve palsy in one case, secondary tilting of the metal back in 2 cases) than in group 2 (one nerve palsy and one calcar crack). At 6 months, one revision of the acetabular cup was performed in group 1 for persistent pain, whereas in group 2, we noted 3 dislocations (2 were revised) and 2 periprosthetic femoral fractures. Our study showed a high rate of intra- and perioperative complications during the learning curve for an ALMI approach. These are more likely to occur in obese or osteoporotic patients, and in those with bulky muscles or very stiff hips. Postoperative complications were rare. The early clinical results are excellent and we may expect to achieve better results with a more standardised procedure. During the initial period of the learning curve, it would be preferable to select patients with an appropriate morphology.

High prevalence of erectile dysfunction in young male patients after intramedullary femoral nailing.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, given the central role of the pudendal nerves in erection, the impact of potential infraclinical lesions on male sexual function. After intramedullary femoral fixation, countertraction on the fracture table has sporadically been involved in pudendal neurapraxia. Patients with tibial fractures served as controls. METHODS: A total of 168 patients treated for femoral or tibial shaft fractures by intramedullary nailing were mailed the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire, which addresses all aspects of male sexual function and permits grading of the severity of erectile dysfunction (ED). Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to test for factors associated with ED. RESULTS: Of the 168 patients, 101 (60.1%) returned the questionnaire. A greater proportion of ED was observed in sexually active patients after femoral fracture than after tibial fracture (40.5% versus 12.5%, P <0.01). The differential prevalence of ED in both groups subjected to comparable high-energy trauma suggested that post-traumatic stress disorder was of marginal importance in ED occurring after femoral nailing. Greater intraoperative doses of curare were associated with better sexual functioning in sexually active patients after femoral fracture (10.6 versus 7.5 mg in patients without and with ED, respectively, P = 0.02), suggesting that postoperative ED could be partially prevented by optimal muscle relaxation during fracture reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Erectile dysfunction was shown to be highly prevalent after intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fractures. Greater intraoperative curare doses, resulting in optimal relaxation and reduced pressure on the pudendal nerves by the perineal post, were associated with better sexual functioning.

Bilateral aseptic necrosis of the outer end of the clavicle.

We describe a 46-year-old woman who presented at intervals of seven years with osteonecrosis of the outer end of both clavicles. The clinical, radiological features and the appearances of the bone scans are described. Although the condition may be confused with osteolysis there is a dear histological distinction between the two conditions. If the symptoms fail to respond to conservative treatment, excision of the outer end of the clavicle is recommended.