Assessing Risk of Iatrogenic Peroneal Nerve Injury in All-Inside Lateral Meniscal Repair Between Standard Vs. Arthroscopic MRI.

BACKGROUND: Various studies have examined the risk of peroneal nerve injury with use of standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee. However, the position of the knee during standard MRI is different from that during an actual arthroscopic lateral meniscal repair. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare the risk of peroneal nerve injury during simulated all-inside lateral meniscal repairs on the basis of MRI scans made with the knee in both positions. METHODS: With use of axial MRI scans made with the knee in the standard position (i.e., in 30° of flexion) and in the actual position used during arthroscopic lateral meniscal repair (i.e., in a figure-of-4 position), direct lines were drawn to simulate the passage of a straight all-inside meniscal repair device from the anteromedial and anterolateral portals to the medial and lateral borders of the popliteus tendon. The distance from the closest passage of each line to the peroneal nerve was measured. If a line touched or passed through the peroneal nerve, a risk of iatrogenic injury was noted and a new line was drawn from the same portal to the outer border of the peroneal nerve. The danger area was measured from the first line to the new line along the joint capsule. RESULTS: In 28 Thai patients, the shortest distances from each line to the peroneal nerve were significantly shorter on the MRI scans made with the knee in the standard position than on those made with the knee in the arthroscopic position (p < 0.05 for all). All danger areas on the MRI scans that were made with the knee in the arthroscopic position were included within the danger areas on the scans that were made with the knee in the standard position. CONCLUSIONS: Standard MRI scans of the knee can be used to determine the risk of peroneal nerve injury at the time of arthroscopic lateral meniscal repair, although the risks are slightly overestimated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The Risk of Iatrogenic Posterior Neurovascular Injuries in Lateral Meniscal Repair Based on the Standard Arthroscopic Knee Position: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Background: Repair of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus using an all-inside meniscal repair device involves the risk of iatrogenic posterior neurovascular injuries. Previous studies that have evaluated this risk were based on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the knee in 30° of flexion and used landmarks that are impractical in the actual operative situation. Purpose: To use an MRI model simulating actual knee arthroscopic conditions to (1) compare the potential risk of injuries related to the lateral border of the posterior lateral meniscus root (LMR) through the anterolateral versus anteromedial portal and (2) establish "safe" and "danger" zones to reduce the possibility of injuries to posterior neurovascular structures when performing lateral meniscal repair in relation to the lateral border of the posterior LMR. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Using 29 axial MRI scans of knees in the figure-of-4 position with joint fluid dilatation at the level of the lateral meniscus, direct lines were drawn to simulate a straight all-inside meniscal repair device deployed from the anterolateral and anteromedial portals to the lateral border of the posterior LMR, extending 14 mm beyond the joint capsule. If the line passed through or touched a posterior neurovascular structure, a risk of iatrogenic injuries was noted, and measurements were made to determine the safe zone in relation to the lateral border of the posterior LMR. Results: Repairing the lateral meniscus through the anterolateral portal in relation to the lateral border of the posterior LMR resulted in a significantly greater risk of posterior neurovascular injuries compared with repairing through the anteromedial portal, with injury incidences of 68.97% and 10.35%, respectively (P = .001). The safe zones of lateral meniscal repair through the anterolateral and anteromedial portals were 4.15 ± 1.87 and 6.57 ± 0.98 mm, respectively, beyond the lateral border of the posterior LMR. Conclusion: The risk of posterior neurovascular injuries when repairing posterior lateral meniscal tissue was found to be significantly greater through the anterolateral portal compared with the anteromedial portal. Clinical Relevance: Surgeons can use the safe zones as defined in this study to decrease the risk of iatrogenic posterior neurovascular injuries during arthroscopic lateral meniscal repair.

Osteophyte-related medial collateral ligament injury in asymptomatic osteoarthritis following minor trauma: a case report.

A proximal deep medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury usually occurs in high-impact sports such as football or hockey. This injury is not common in low-energy trauma but the predisposing factor, in this case, was an osteophyte located next to the deep MCL ligament, which had likely caused degenerative changes to the ligament from chronic irritation, resulting in reduced strength of the ligament. Case presentation: A 78-year-old Thai female presented with left knee pain 1 h after a low-energy trauma caused by a fall. The MRI showed deep MCL and medial meniscal root injuries, a nondisplaced lateral femoral condyle, and also revealed a large osteophyte near the midpart of the MCL, with a blunt persistent projection from the osteophyte pushing against the MCL where the injury was located. She was treated with a knee brace, a gait aid for walking, and analgesic pain control. Her symptoms gradually improved over the next few weeks. Clinical discussion: If an osteophyte touches a ligament, it can cause degenerative changes to the ligament from chronic irritation, resulting in reducing the strength of the ligament and may be causing some degree of degenerative changes and tightening of the MCL in its at-rest state, resulting in an increased chance of injury when it is required to resist a sudden external force, even from a minor trauma. Conclusion: When there is an osteophyte pushing against a ligament, there is an increased chance of ligament injury when even a minor trauma stresses that ligament.

Screening for or diagnosing medial meniscal root injury using peripheral medial joint space width ratio in plain radiographs.

To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity for screening and diagnosis of medial meniscal root injury using the distance ratio of medial joint space width between affected and unaffected knees in patients with potential medial meniscal root injury (MMRI) using plain radiographs, the study enrolled 49 patients with suspected MMRI who were then evaluated for MMRI using plain radiographs of both knees in the anteroposterior view and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. The ratios of peripheral medial joint space width between the affected and unaffected sides were calculated. The cut point value, sensitivity and specificity were calculated according to a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. In the study, 18 and 31 patients were diagnosed with and without MMRI, respectively. The mean peripheral medial joint space width ratios comparing the affected side to the unaffected side in the standing position of the anteroposterior view of both knees in the MMRI and non-MMRI groups were 0.83 ± 0.11 and 1.04 ± 0.16, respectively, which was a significant difference (p-value < 0.001). The cut point value of the peripheral medial joint space width ratio between the affected and unaffected sides for suspected MMRI was 0.985, with sensitivity and specificity of 0.83 and 0.81, respectively, and for diagnosis was 0.78, with sensitivity and specificity of 0.39 and 1.00, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.881. Patients with a possible MMRI had peripheral medial joint space width ratios less than patients with non-MMRI. This test can be used for reliably screening for or diagnosing medial meniscal root injury in primary or secondary care settings.

No risk of iatrogenic peroneal nerve injury in all-inside lateral meniscal repair with either 14- or 18-mm needles through the popliteus tendon in the standard arthroscopic knee conditions.

PURPOSE: The objectives of this prospective study were to evaluate the risk of peroneal nerve (PN) injury in simulated all-inside lateral meniscal repair with sutures placed through the popliteus tendon (PT) and to determine the optimal needle length. METHODS: Twenty-nine axial magnetic resonance images (MRI) of postoperative knees with infused intra-articular fluid and in a figure-of-four position were used. The cross-sectional length of the PT was divided into four equal parts with measurements performed at the 25%, 50% and 75% points according to their anteroposterior arrangement. Simulated repairs were performed with 14-mm and 18-mm straight needles via the anteromedial (AM) and anterolateral (AL) portals. Distances from the needle tip following full insertion through the PT to the PN and from the anterior PT border to the posterior knee capsule were measured to determine PN injury risk and ideal needle insertion depths at the different landmarks. RESULTS: Simulated repairs on the 29 knee MRI images resulted in no incidences of PN injury. The average distances from the needle tip to the PN of the 14-mm needle were significantly greater than the 18-mm needle in all the simulated repairs (P < 0.02), except at the 25% point in the AM approach. When using the 14-mm needle, capsule underpenetration was found in three knees (10.3%) at the 25% point during the AM approach, in one knee (3.4%) at the 50% and 75% points in the AM approach, and in all repairs from the AL portal. The average distances from the anterior PT border to the capsule at the 25%, 50%, and 75% division points on the PT in the AM approach were 7.7 ± 2.7 mm, 7.9 ± 2.5 mm and 7.6 ± 2.8 mm, respectively, whilst in the AL approach were 8.4 ± 2.9 mm, 8.1 ± 2.8 mm and 7.6 ± 2.7 mm. CONCLUSION: Simulated all-inside lateral meniscal repair with suture placement through the PT with 14-mm and 18-mm needles was safe. The measurements in this study can be used to determine potential PN injury risk in relation to the PT and the appropriate needle length for safe lateral meniscal repairs.

A simple way to deal with an inadvertently cut suture while inserting the screw in the tibial tunnel during ACL reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: There are many complications that can occur during or after ACL reconstruction, including a suture inadvertently cut by the screw threads while inserting the interference screw in the tibial tunnel. No fixes for this small but annoying problem have been proposed to date in the literature, and herein we propose a simple way to deal with this situation by bringing the tibial side of the ACL graft through the anterolateral portal and re-suturing with a stronger suture material. CASE PRESENTATION: A 48-year-old Thai female was undergoing an ACL reconstruction with a hamstring graft following a standard technique when the holding suture and distal part of the ACL graft were accidentally cut by the screw. Rather than redoing the graft from the beginning, we did a workaround by bringing the tibial end of the graft through the AL portal and re-suturing. DISCUSSION: In ACL graft fixation, when inserting the interference screw into the tibial tunnel there is a risk of cutting the holding suture with the screw. When this happened in our situation, we decided to attempt to redo the suture by first taking the graft out through the AL portal and then re-suturing with a stronger suture material. CONCLUSION: If inadvertently cutting the holding suture while inserting the screw in the tibial tunnel during ACL reconstruction occurs, the surgeon can use the simple solution we applied in this case to solve this problem or to avoid having to redo the entire procedure.

The Risk of Iatrogenic Peroneal Nerve Injury in Lateral Meniscal Repair and Safe Zone to Minimize the Risk Based on Actual Arthroscopic Position: An MRI Study.

BACKGROUND: Lateral meniscal repair using an all-inside meniscal repair device involves a risk of iatrogenic peroneal nerve injury. To our knowledge, there have been no previous studies evaluating the risk of injury with the knee in the standard operational figure-of-4 position with joint dilatation in arthroscopic lateral meniscal repair. PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the risk of peroneal nerve injury and establish the safe and danger zones in repairing the lateral meniscus through the anteromedial, anterolateral, or transpatellar portal in relation to the medial and lateral borders of the popliteal tendon (PT). STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Using axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of knees in the figure-of-4 position with joint fluid dilatation at the level of the lateral meniscus, we drew direct lines to simulate a straight all-inside meniscal repair device deployed from the anteromedial, anterolateral, and transpatellar portals to the medial and lateral borders of the PT. If the line passed through or touched the peroneal nerve, a risk of iatrogenic peroneal nerve injury was noted, and measurements were made to determine the safe and danger zones for peroneal nerve injury in relation to the medial or lateral border of the PT. RESULTS: Axial MRI images of 29 adult patients were reviewed. Repairing the lateral meniscus through the anteromedial portal in relation to the lateral border of the PT and through the anterolateral portal in relation to the medial border of the PT had a 0% risk of peroneal nerve injury. The "safe zone" in relation to the medial border of the PT through the anterolateral portal was between the medial border of the PT and 9.62 ± 4.60 mm medially from the same border. CONCLUSION: It is safe to repair the body of the lateral meniscus through the anteromedial portal in the area lateral to the lateral border of the PT or through the anterolateral portal in the area medial to the medial border of the PT. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There is a risk of iatrogenic peroneal nerve injury during lateral meniscal repair. Thus, we recommend repairing the lateral meniscal tissue through the anteromedial portal in the area lateral to the lateral border of the PT and using the anterolateral portal in the area medial to the medial border of the PT, as neither of these approaches resulted in peroneal nerve injury. Additionally, the surgeon can decrease this risk by repairing the meniscal tissue using the all-inside meniscal device in the safe zone area.

The risk of iatrogenic radial nerve and/or profunda brachii artery injury in anterolateral humeral plating using a 4.5 mm narrow DCP: A cadaveric study.

INTRODUCTION: Fixation of humeral shaft fractures with a plate and screws can endanger the neurovascular structure if proper care is not taken. No studies to our knowledge have studied the risk of iatrogenic radial nerve and/or profunda brachii artery (RNPBA) injury from each screw hole of a 4.5 mm narrow dynamic compression plate (narrow DCP). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risk of RNPBA injury in anterolateral humeral plating with a 4.5 mm narrow DCP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 18 humeri of 9 fresh-frozen cadavers in the supine position were exposed via the anterolateral approach with 45 degrees of arm abduction. A hypothetical fracture line was marked at the midpoint of each humerus. A precontoured ten-hole 4.5mm narrow DCP was applied to the anterolateral surface of the humerus using the fracture line to position the center of the plate. All screw holes were drilled and screws inserted. The cadaver was then turned over to the prone position with 45 degrees of arm abduction, and the RNPBA exposed. The holes through in which 100% of the screw had contact with or penetrated the RNPBA were identified as dangerous screw holes, while lesser percentages of contact were defined as risky. RESULTS: The relative distance ratios of the entire humeral length from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus to the 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st proximal holes were 0.64, 0.60, 0.56 and 0.52, respectively. The most dangerous screw hole was the 2nd proximal, in which all 18 screws had contacted or penetrated the nerve, followed by the risky 1st (12/18), 3rd (8/18) and 4th (2/18) holes. CONCLUSION: In humeral shaft plating with the 4.5mm narrow DCP using the anterolateral approach, the 2nd proximal screw hole carries the highest risk of iatrogenic radial nerve and/or profunda brachii artery injury.

Comparing the Efficacy of Postoperative Pain Control Between Intravenous Parecoxib and Oral Diclofenac in ACL Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as oral diclofenac is normally used to relieve postoperative pain after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), but most patients continue to have moderate-to-severe pain that disturbs their rehabilitation. Some orthopaedists prefer to use intravenous (IV) parecoxib for postoperative pain control. PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of IV parecoxib and oral diclofenac for postoperative pain control in ACLR. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: We retrospectively collected and analyzed postoperative pain in patients who underwent both single- and double-bundle ACLR; pain was reported on a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS; 10 = worst pain). After the operation, each patient was given either IV parecoxib twice a day or oral diclofenac 3 times a day, and all patients received paracetamol 6 times per day for 24 hours postoperatively. If the patient complained of moderate or severe pain (VAS >3) after surgery, 3 mg of morphine would be given intravenously every 3 hours and 1 mg of morphine as a rescue analgesic every 1 hour for 24 hours postoperatively. Postoperative VAS and morphine consumption were recorded every 4 hours for 24 hours. Data were analyzed using paired t test, analysis of variance, and chi-square test. RESULTS: Overall, 161 patients were included in this study, of whom 47 received IV parecoxib and 114 received oral diclofenac. The mean VAS scores at 4 and 8 hours postoperatively were 3.5 and 3.4, respectively, in the parecoxib group, and 4.4 and 4.7, respectively, in the diclofenac group. The parecoxib group had significantly lower mean VAS than the diclofenac group at 4 hours (P = .047) and 8 hours (P = .005), and the mean cumulative morphine consumption in the parecoxib group was significantly lower than in the diclofenac group at all time points (P < .05) except 4 hours postoperatively. CONCLUSION: This study found that IV parecoxib was more effective than oral diclofenac in controlling postoperative pain and resulted in lower postoperative morphine consumption within the first 24 hours after ACLR.

The Danger Zone for Iatrogenic Neurovascular Injury in All-Inside Lateral Meniscal Repair in Relation to the Popliteal Tendon: An MRI Study.

BACKGROUND: Lateral meniscal repair can endanger the nearby neurovascular structure (peroneal nerve or popliteal artery). To our knowledge, there have been no studies to evaluate the danger zone of all-inside meniscal repair through the anteromedial (AM) and anterolateral (AL) portals in relation to the medial and lateral edges of the popliteal tendon (PT). PURPOSE: To establish the risk of neurovascular injury and the danger zone in repairing the lateral meniscus in relation to the medial and lateral edges of the PT. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Using axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies at the level of the lateral meniscus, lines were drawn to simulate a straight, all-inside meniscal repair device, drawn from the AM and AL portals to both the medial and lateral edges of the PT. In cases in which the line passed through the neurovascular structure, a risk of iatrogenic neurovascular injury was deemed, and measurements were made to determine the danger zones of neurovascular injury in relation to the medial or lateral edges of the PT. RESULTS: Axial MRI images of 240 adult patients were reviewed retrospectively. Repairing the body of the lateral meniscus through the AM portal had a greater risk of neurovascular injury than repairs made through the AL portal in relation to the medial edge of the PT (P = .006). The danger zone in repairing the lateral meniscus through the AM portal extended 1.82 ± 1.68 mm laterally from the lateral edge of the PT and 3.13 ± 2.45 mm medially from the medial edge of the PT. Through the AL portal, the danger zone extended 2.81 ± 1.94 mm laterally from the lateral edge of the PT and 1.39 ± 1.53 mm medially from the medial edge of the PT. CONCLUSION: Repairing the lateral meniscus through either the AM or the AL portals in relation to the PT can endanger the peroneal nerve or popliteal artery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The surgeon can minimize the risk of iatrogenic neurovascular injury in lateral meniscal repair by avoiding using the all-inside meniscal device in the danger zone area as described in this study.

Comparing post-operative pain between single bundle and double bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: In anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, the clinical outcome and level of post-operative pain are important factors. To date there have been no studies evaluating differences in post-operative pain between single bundle and double bundle ACL reconstruction with a hamstring graft. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: We hypothesized that post-operative pain in single bundle ACL reconstruction would be less than in double bundle ACL reconstruction. This study was to compare post-operative pain between patients undergoing single bundle versus double bundle ACL reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: This was a retrospective study comparing post-operative pain scores between single bundle and double bundle ACL reconstruction. Each patient was given our standard regimen of oral diclofenac (25 mg/tab) three times per day and paracetamol (500 mg/tab) six times per day for 1 day post-operatively. If the patient complained of moderate to severe pain (pain numeric rating scale (PNRS) > 3), 3 mg of morphine was injected intravenously every 3 h for 24 h and 1 mg of morphine as a rescue medication every 1 h for 24 h. PNRS and morphine consumption were recorded at 4-h intervals for 24 h. RESULTS: 209 patients were included in this study of whom 102 and 107 patients received single bundle and double bundle ACL reconstruction, respectively. The average post-operative pain scores of the single bundle group were lower at all time points. Linear mixed effect regression analyses showed that the single bungle group had lower post-operative pain than the double bundle group after adjusting for confounders (beta = - 0.45; 95% CI = - 0.838, - 0.062) but there was no statistically significant difference between numbers of bundle ACL reconstruction with regard to morphine consumption. CONCLUSION: Single bundle ACL reconstruction had significantly lower post-operative pain scores than double bundle ACL reconstruction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Double bundle ACL reconstruction results in higher post-operative pain, which may slow the start of rehabilitation and reduce patient satisfaction. In middle-aged adult patients with low-demand activities, we suggest performing a single bundle ACL reconstruction.

Kirschner Wire Reference Technique in Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy.

Open-wedge high tibial osteotomy is a common procedure to treat young adult and adult patients with symptomatic varus malalignment. The purpose of the high tibial osteotomy is to shift the mechanical load from the medial compartment to the lateral compartment. There are several methods to determine the correct alignment, such as the cable method, the gap measurement method, the navigator system, or the patient-specific cutting guide method. The cable and gap measurement techniques are easy to use, but the results of these techniques are unpredictable. The navigator and patient-specific cutting guide methods have high accuracy in attaining the desired correction alignment, but they are quite costly. We propose a technique we call the Kirschner wire reference method, which is easy to use to achieve the desired alignment correction, without requiring specialized or expensive equipment.

Deep vein thrombosis following arthroscopic meniscal root repair: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following arthroscopic surgery is a rare condition, especially arthroscopic meniscal surgery. There have been three reported cases of DVT after arthroscopic meniscal procedure, all related to arthroscopic meniscectomy. In this study, we reported the first case of symptomatic DVT at the level of the femoral vein to the popliteal vein following arthroscopic meniscal root repair. CASE PRESENTATION: The case was a 55-year-old Thai female who presented with left knee pain for 2 months after a fall. She was diagnosed as left medial meniscal root injury and had had an arthroscopic meniscal root repair. At 6 weeks post-operatively, she developed left leg swelling without pain. She was diagnosed as DVT and was initially treated with enoxaparin for three days then warfarin for three months. CONCLUSION: We report a case of symptomatic DVT that extended from the femoral vein to the popliteal vein after arthroscopic meniscal root repair. The risks of DVT following arthroscopic surgery are aged more than 40 years old and tourniquet time more than 60 min.

Premature hamstring graft amputation during harvesting in ACL reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: There are some possible complications during or after hamstring graft harvesting such as premature graft amputation, medial collateral ligament injury and infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve injury. Premature graft amputation can occur by inadequate removal of the accessory branches of the hamstring tendons, poor surgical technique and/or too sharp tendon stripper. In this study, we report a case of premature hamstring graft amputation due to degeneration caused by osteochondroma at the posteromedial aspect of the proximal tibia. CASE PRESENTATION: We reported the case of a 28-year-old Thai male who had an ACL injury was scheduled for ACL reconstruction. In this case, we had planned to use a hamstring graft for double-bundle ACL reconstruction. During the gracilis tendon harvesting, the graft was prematurely amputated by a tendon stripper at the level of the osteochondroma. The premature graft amputation was sent for pathology, which showed degenerated tissue. CONCLUSION: In cases of osteochondroma at the posteromedial aspect of the proximal tibia, it is a chance of premature hamstring graft amputation. We suggest removing the osteochondroma before harvesting the tendon grafts to avoid the risk of premature graft transection.

The Transportal Graft Passage in Transtibial Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With a Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Graft.

Posterior cruciate ligament injury is one of the most common problems in sports medicine. The treatment of choice for this injury is posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, which improves the biomechanical and clinical stabilities of the knee. There are many graft choices, of which the bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) graft is a popular option. In applying the BPTB graft, most surgeons use the transtibial technique by passing the graft from the tibial tunnel to the femoral tunnel, which is normally performed without problems, but there is a chance of patellar tendon fiber damage because of the sharp turn required from the tibial tunnel to the femoral tunnel. To minimize this risk, herein we propose a transportal graft passage technique with which it is easy to pass the BPTB graft and reduce the risk of graft damage.

Coronal Alignment Correction and Maintenance of Tibial Slope in Opening-Wedge Valgus High Tibial Osteotomy Using a 4-Reference Kirschner Wire Technique: A Cadaveric Study.

BACKGROUND: Opening-wedge valgus high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) is a common surgical procedure used to treat symptomatic varus femorotibial malalignment in adults. Several intraoperative methods are available to determine the correct correction alignment, but achieving the desired alignment correction is difficult. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to assess a 4-reference K-wire technique that is relatively easy to apply and can reliably assess actual alignment correction during surgery after determination of the desired corrective angle. We hypothesized that this technique would accurately determine the coronal correction and properly maintain the tibial slope intraoperatively during OWHTO. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: This study was conducted using 12 fresh-frozen cadavers; 12 randomly chosen knees were corrected 5° and 12 knees were corrected 10° by use of 2 coronal and 2 sagittal K-wires. The first and second coronal K-wires were drilled at 4 cm and 1 to 2 cm below the medial joint line toward the tibiofibular joint, respectively. The angles of these 2 coronal K-wires were measured before and after the gap was opened via a modified goniometer. The difference in the angle formed by these 2 coronal K-wires from before to after opening of the gap was the alignment correction angle. In addition, 2 sagittal K-wires were drilled parallel to each other before the gap opening above and below the osteotomy site. Ensuring that these 2 sagittal K-wires remained parallel after the gap opening confirmed that the tibial slope had been maintained. The paired t test was used to compare the desired alignment corrections and the different angles measured between the pre- and postoperative radiographic alignments. RESULTS: The mean ± SD differences in angles between the pre- and postoperative alignments of the 5° and 10° corrections were 5.04° ± 0.68° and 10.03° ± 0.68°, respectively, indicating no statistically significant differences between pre- and postoperative alignment in both groups. As well, no significant difference was noted between the pre- and postoperative medial tibial slope (P = .54). CONCLUSION: The coronal alignment correction and maintenance of the tibial slope using the 4-reference K-wire technique was found to be highly accurate and reliable. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Achieving the correct angle in OWHTO is difficult, and the 4-reference K-wire technique provides an easier and more reliable way to obtain the correct angle. This technique can be used in most hospital settings, with no need for expensive equipment.

Tension band suture in isolated tibial tubercle avulsion: A case report and review literatures.

INTRODUCTION: Isolated tibial tubercle avulsion in adults are extremely rare, with only a few cases having been reported. The common treatment is screw fixation, followed by immobilization. We report a rare case of an isolated tibial tubercle avulsion in an adult and demonstrate the results of a tension band suture without post-operative immobilization for treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64 year-old woman presented with an isolated tibial tubercle avulsion, and loss of her extensor mechanism. Treatment with tension band suture could provide early motion, and her return to full ambulation in 2 months. CONCLUSION: An isolated tibial tubercle avulsion, there are many surgical techniques to secure the fixation. The tension band suture is one technique that the patient can acheive a good fixation without post-operative immobilization and rapidly return to normal activity.

Coracoclavicular Stabilization With Two Loops of Equal Tension Using a Double O Loops Technique in the Distal Clavicle Fracture.

The distal clavicle fracture is one of the most common injuries around the shoulder joint. There is no consensus regarding a gold standard treatment. Each technique has advantages and disadvantages. Currently, coracoclavicular (CC) stabilization is one of the most popular techniques because this operative procedure provides good stability of the fracture and has few complications. The CC stabilization is a suspensory fixation that consists of many two-CC-loop arrangements. It is, however, difficult to gain equal tension in both CC loops because one loop is always tighter and has greater action in maintaining bone alignment than the other loop. To solve this problem, we propose a double O loops technique to achieve two equal tension loops.

Patient Position Is Related to the Risk of Neurovascular Injury in Clavicular Plating: A Cadaveric Study.

BACKGROUND: Fixation of clavicle shaft fractures with a plate and screws can endanger the neurovascular structures if proper care is not taken. Although prior studies have looked at the risk of clavicular plates and screws (for example, length and positions) to vulnerable neurovascular structures (such as the subclavian vein, subclavian artery, and brachial plexus) in the supine position, no studies to our knowledge have compared these distances in the beach chair position. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) In superior and anteroinferior plating of midclavicle fractures, which screw tips in a typical clavicular plating approach place the neurovascular structures at risk of injury? (2) How does patient positioning (supine or beach chair) affect the distance between the screws and the neurovascular structures? METHODS: The clavicles of 15 fresh-frozen cadavers were dissected. A hypothetical fracture line was marked at the midpoint of each clavicle. A precontoured six-hole 3.5-mm reconstruction locking compression plate was applied to the superior surface of the clavicle by using the fracture line to position the center of the plate. The direction of the drill bits and screws through screw holes that offer the greater risk of injury to the neurovascular structures were identified, and were defined as the risky screw holes, and the distances from the screw tips to the neurovascular structures were measured according to a standard protocol with a Vernier caliper in both supine and beach chair positions. Anteroinferior plating was also assessed following the same steps. The different distances from the screw tips to the neurovascular structures in the supine position were compared with the distances in the beach chair position using an unpaired t-test. RESULTS: The risky screw holes were the first medial and second medial screw holes. The relative distance ratios compared with the entire clavicular length for the distances from the sternoclavicular joint to the first medial and second medial screw holes were 0.46 and 0.36 in superior plating and 0.47 and 0.37 in anteroinferior plating, respectively. The riskiest screw hole for both superior and anteroinferior plates was the second medial screw hole in both the supine and beach chair positions (supine superior plating: 8.2 mm ± 3.1 mm [minimum: 1.1 mm]; beach chair anteroinferior plating: 7.6 mm ± 4.2 mm [minimum: 1.1 mm]). Patient positioning affected the distances between the riskiest screw tip and the nearest neurovascular structures, whereas in superior plating, changing from the supine position to the beach chair position increased this distance by 1.4 mm (95% CI -2.8 to -0.1; supine 8.2 ± 3.1 mm, beach chair 9.6 ± 2.1 mm; p = 0.037); by contrast, in anteroinferior plating, changing from the beach chair position to the supine position increased this distance by 5.4 mm (95% CI 3.6 to 7.4; beach chair 7.6 ± 4.2 mm, supine 13.0 ± 3.2 mm; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The second medial screw hole places the neurovascular structures at the most risk, particularly with superior plating in the supine position and anteroinferior plating in the beach chair position. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The surgeon should be careful while making the first medial and second medial screw holes. Superior plating is safer to perform in the beach chair position, while anteroinferior plating is more safely performed in the supine position.