Posterolateral Corner Reconstruction: Modification of the LaPrade Technique Using Autologous Hamstring Tendon Grafts: "The Popliteofibular Loop".

Posterolateral corner (PLC) injury is a significant cause of knee instability. In recent years, a better understanding of the anatomy and biomechanics of the PLC structures has led to significant advancements in the surgical treatment of this injury. Anatomical reconstruction techniques, particularly the LaPrade technique, have shown promising results. However, in some settings, the reliance on allografts limits the feasibility of this technique, prompting surgeons to seek reproducible alternatives that use autologous grafts, eliminating the need for tissue banks. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe a modification of the LaPrade technique for PLC reconstruction using autologous hamstring tendon grafts. The surgical technique is described to ensure reproducibility, with particular emphasis on the proposed modifications: the use of autologous grafts (gracilis and semitendinosus tendons); the configuration in which they are used to increase the thickness of the reconstructed structures; and the exclusive fixation with widely available interference screws.

The proximal posterior cartilage of the lateral femoral condyle can be used as a reference for positioning the femoral tunnel in ACL reconstruction.

PURPOSE: To describe the femoral insertion of the ACL using the posterior proximal cartilage of the lateral femoral condyle as the anatomical reference. METHODS: Twenty knees were dissected. The X-axis (deep-shallow) and Y-axis (high-low) were determined using the femoral diaphysis and the proximal cartilage of the lateral femoral condyle (point C) as a reference, which were easily identified by direct visualization through the anteromedial portal. The distances to the center of the anteromedial and posterolateral bands and to the center of the ACL were measured. RESULTS: The mean distances were 7.2 mm (SD: 0.7) between the center of the anteromedial bundle and the Y-axis (AM-Y), 9 mm (SD: 1.1) between the center of the ACL and the Y-axis (M-Y), and 12.7 mm (SD: 0.9) between the center of the posterolateral bundle and the Y-axis (PL-Y). Regarding the distance (from point C to the distal cartilage along the X-axis), the center of the anteromedial bundle (AM) was 35% (SD: 4.9%), the center of the posterolateral bundle was 62% (SD: 3.7%), and the center of the ACL (M) was 44% (SD: 7%) of the CD distance on average. CONCLUSION: Given the similarity among the specimens in terms of the height of the ACL on the Y-axis in relation to the proximal posterior cartilage of the femoral lateral condyle (point C), this point can be used as an arthroscopic intraoperative parameter to define the position of the femoral tunnel in ACL reconstruction for single- or double-bundle techniques.

Late postoperative analysis of the tip-apex distance (TAD) in pertrochanteric fractures: is there an accommodation of the implant within the bone?

INTRODUCTION: This study measured the tip-apex distance (TAD) values in the immediate postoperative period and following weight-bearing and fracture impaction in patients undergoing osteosynthesis with dynamic hip screw and cephalomedullary nail. OBJECTIVE: To correlate the Baumgaertner index in the immediate postoperative period with values obtained after impaction of the fracture with the accommodation of the cephalic implant in the femoral head. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Radiographic TAD measurements were taken with AGFA-VIEW® of 82 patients with a mean age of 72 years with pertrochanteric fractures who were operated on and the fracture fixed with DHS- Synthes®, TFN-Synthes®, or Gamma Nail III-Stryker® in the immediate postoperative period, and following weight-bearing and fracture impaction (mean 3-8 weeks after surgery). RESULTS: The overall average TAD decreased from 20.3mm to 18.2mm. Regardless of the instability of the fracture, the age of the patient or the implant used, TAD decreased between the immediate postoperative period and following fracture impaction. CONCLUSION: The osteosynthesis of pertrochanteric fractures was associated with important accommodation of the cephalic implant in the femoral head with decreased TAD values after weight-bearing.

Cadaveric study of the secondary medial patellar restraints: patellotibial and patellomeniscal ligaments.

PURPOSE: To detail the anatomy of the medial patella stabilizers, medial patellotibial (MPTL), and medial patellomeniscal ligaments (MPML), focusing on the points of origin and insertion, length, thickness, width, and fibres orientation to study the frequency of anatomical variations and the anatomy of these ligaments, thereby improving surgical techniques. METHODS: Thirty dissected knees were analysed. A digital caliper was used to measure the length, thickness, and width, as well as the mid-point of the ligaments insertion and the distance from the MPTL insertion to the articular surface of the tibia. The angle of inclination of the ligaments was calculated in the coronal plane. The collected data were tabulated and statistically analysed. RESULTS: MPTL was present in 90 % as a visible thickening of the deep medial retinaculum and exhibiting only one anatomical variation. The MPML was absent in one of the dissected knees, and one anatomical variation was found. The tilt angle of the ligaments was very similar, with an average of 22.2° ± 7.6° for the MPTL and 24.2° ± 6.6° for the MPML. CONCLUSION: The MPTL is a long visible structure of the deep layer of the medial retinaculum, but with a distinct origin and insertion. The MPML is thicker with an angular direction similar to MPTL. The presence of these ligaments in most of the specimens studied suggests that the real anatomical and biomechanical importance of these ligaments should be further investigated because they play a role in the patellar stability.

Avaliação do ombro doloroso no jogador de beisebol / Evaluation of painful shoulder in baseball players

OBJETIVO: Avaliar em jogadores de beisebol a relação entre mobilidade e força do ombro e a presença de dor. MÉTODOS: Entre abril e julho de 2009 foram avaliados 55 jogadores de beisebol pelo Grupo de Ombro e Cotovelo da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo. Todos do sexo masculino, com idade entre 15 e 33 anos (média de 21), média de três treinos por semana e tempo médio de prática da modalidade de 10 anos. RESULTADOS: 14 dos 55 atletas avaliados eram arremessadores, 20 referiram dor no arremesso. As médias de rotação lateral, medial e amplitude de movimento (ADM) do ombro dominante foram de 110º, 61º e 171º, respectivamente, com diferença estatisticamente significante em relação ao membro não dominante. Arremessadores tiveram maior ganho de rotação lateral e déficit de rotação medial que os não arremessadores. Dor teve correlação estaticamente significante com ADM diminuída, maior tempo de prática da modalidade e situação de "ombro em risco". CONCLUSÃO: Foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes na mobilidade do ombro dominante com aumento da rotação lateral, diminuição da rotação medial e menor amplitude de movimento, em relação ao membro contralateral. Foram encontradas relações estatisticamente significantes entre maior ganho de rotação lateral e diminuição da rotação medial e a posição de arremessador. Houve correlação estatisticamente significante entre dor e ADM diminuída, maior tempo de prática da modalidade e situação de "ombro em risco". Existe uma tendência estatística sugerindo que os atletas com rotação medial do ombro dominante diminuída tenham relação com dor.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between shoulder mobility and strength and the presence of pain among baseball players. METHODS: Between April and July 2009, 55 baseball players were assessed by the Shoulder and Elbow Group of the School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de Misericórdia, São Paulo. They were all males, aged between 15 and 33 years (mean of 21); they attended an average of three training sessions per week and had been doing this sport for a mean of 10 years. RESULTS: 14 of the 55 players evaluated were pitchers, and 20 reported pain during the throwing motion. The mean values for lateral and medial rotation and range of motion (ROM) in the dominant shoulder were, respectively, 110º, 61º and 171º, with a statistically significant difference in relation to the non-dominant limb. Pitchers had greater gains in lateral rotation and deficits in medial rotation than did non-pitchers. Pain presented a statistically significant correlation with diminished ROM, greater length of time plating the sport and situations of "shoulder at risk". CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant differences in dominant shoulder mobility were found, with increased lateral rotation, diminished medial rotation and smaller ROM, in relation to the contralateral limb. There was a statistically significant relationship between the pitcher's position and greater gain in lateral rotation and diminished medial rotation. There were statistically significant correlations between pain and diminished ROM, greater length of time playing the sport and situations of "shoulder at risk". There was a statistical tendency suggesting that players with diminished medial rotation of the dominant shoulder presented a relationship with pain.

EVALUATION OF PAINFUL SHOULDER IN BASEBALL PLAYERS.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between shoulder mobility and strength and the presence of pain among baseball players. METHODS: Between April and July 2009, 55 baseball players were assessed by the Shoulder and Elbow Group of the School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de Misericórdia, São Paulo. They were all males, aged between 15 and 33 years (mean of 21); they attended an average of three training sessions per week and had been doing this sport for a mean of 10 years. RESULTS: 14 of the 55 players evaluated were pitchers, and 20 reported pain during the pitching motion. The mean values for lateral and medial rotation and range of motion (ROM) in the dominant shoulder were, respectively, 110 °, 61 ° and 171 °, with a statistically significant difference in relation to the non-dominant limb. Pitchers had greater gains in lateral rotation and deficits in medial rotation than did non-pitchers. Pain presented a statistically significant correlation with diminished ROM, greater length of time playing the sport and situations of "shoulder at risk". CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant differences in dominant shoulder mobility were found, with increased lateral rotation, diminished medial rotation and smaller ROM, in relation to the contralateral limb. There was a statistically significant relationship between the pitcher's position and greater gain in lateral rotation and diminished medial rotation. There were statistically significant correlations between pain and diminished ROM, greater length of time playing the sport and situations of "shoulder at risk". There was a statistical tendency suggesting that players with diminished medial rotation of the dominant shoulder presented a relationship with pain.