Optimised fast-track protocols in total knee arthroplasty determine shorter hospitalisation time and lower perioperative/postoperative complications.

PURPOSE: This literature review aims to present evidence-based clinical recommendations for the eight most debated topics related to perioperative management in total knee arthroplasty: counselling, prehabilitation, transfusion risk, tranexamic acid, drainage, analgesia, urinary catheter and compression stockings. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team conducted a systematic review on these topics. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for the literature review and result presentation. The research encompassed articles from 1 January 2009 to 28 February 2023, retrieved through the MEDLINE database via PubMed, Embase database and Cochrane Library. RESULTS: Forty-five articles were selected. Preoperative counselling has limited evidence for its impact on postoperative outcomes; yet, it can help alleviate surgery-related anxiety and manage postoperative symptoms. Prehabilitation can also prepare patients for surgery, reducing hospital stays and improving postsurgery functionality. Numerous studies suggest that preoperative Hb levels are independently linked to transfusion risk, with a recommended level of 13 g/dL. Combining intravenous and local tranexamic acid administration is strongly advised to reduce perioperative blood loss, while drainage after primary total knee arthroplasty offers no functional advantages. Employing a multimodal analgesia approach yields better results with reduced opioid usage. Indwelling urinary catheters provide no benefit and avoiding them can lower the risk of urinary tract infections. As for compression stockings, there is insufficient evidence in the literature to support their efficacy in preventing venous thromboembolism. CONCLUSION: The best-track protocol has demonstrated its efficacy in reducing hospitalisation time and perioperative/postoperative complications. It is success relies on a collaborative, resource-adaptive approach led by a multidisciplinary team. Both patients and hospitals benefit from this approach, as it enhances care quality and lowers costs. Several studies have highlighted the significance of a patient-centred approach in achieving high-quality care. Creating a novel treatment protocol could be a prospective goal in the near future. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Rehabilitation and return to sports after isolated meniscal repairs: a new evidence-based protocol.

PURPOSE: Despite many protocols that have been proposed, there's no consensus in the literature regarding the optimal rehabilitation program and return to sports (RTS) protocol following isolated meniscal repair. The aim of this current concept review is to look at the evidence of rehabilitation and RTS program after isolated meniscal repair, focusing on general and specific protocols per type of injury trying to give some guidelines based on the current state of knowledge. METHODS: A narrative literature review was performed searching PubMed database to identify relevant articles from January 1985 to October 2021 on rehabilitation and RTS after isolated meniscal repair. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective and retrospective cohort studies, case series, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, cadaveric studies and basic science studies were included. RESULTS: When the hoop tensile stress effect is preserved, an accelerated rehabilitation program may be suggested. Hence, partial weight bearing (20 kg) in association with ROM limited to 90° is allowed for the first four weeks, followed by weight bearing as tolerated. In contrast, when circumferential hoop fibers are disrupted, a restricted rehabilitation protocol may be recommended. In this scenario no weight bearing is allowed for the first six weeks after the surgery and range of motion (ROM) is limited to 90°. CONCLUSION: Biomechanical evidence suggests that tailoring an individualized protocol based upon the type of lesion and meniscus stability is reasonable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V.

Good patient satisfaction with low complications rate after trochleoplasty in patellofemoral instability.

PURPOSE: Trochlear dysplasia has been recognized as the most common factor in patients with patellofemoral dislocation. Trochleoplasty is a surgical procedure whose primary goal is to modify the femoral trochlea's abnormal shape in patients suffering from patellar instability, requiring good surgical skills, correct indication, and accurate patient information. METHODS: The review aims to describe preoperative planning, patient selection, most common surgical techniques, and clinical results of trochleoplasty in patellar instability in a reproducible manner. RESULTS: Trochleoplasty can be considered a general term to describe a group of different procedures that reduce trochlear dysplasia's impact on patellar instability, aiming to restore patella-trochlear congruency, remove the supratrochlear bump, allowed a new groove positioning and are generally associated with other procedures. Recent studies showed satisfactory long-term results with the restoration of patellar stability, improving radiological findings of patellofemoral instability. CONCLUSION: Trochleoplasty is a technically demanding technique, requiring careful patient selection, detailed knowledge, and surgical skills to avoid severe complications. Good patient satisfaction with a low risk of significant complications such as patellofemoral arthritis has been revealed. In conclusion, trochleoplasty should be systematically included in the treatment of patellar dislocation, if indicated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

Hip arthroscopy for the treatment of osteoid osteoma of the acetabulum: a case report study.

Osteoid osteoma (OO) of the acetabulum is a quite rare pathology, with an overall incidence of 0,5%. Frequently the diagnosis of OO may not be simple to obtain, because the clinical presentation can mimic other common hip pathologies. We present a case report of OO of the anterior/superior edge of the acetabular fossa associated with a degenerative lesion of the acetabular labrum and with a concomitant femoral neck cam. The patient was refractory to prior pharmacological therapy with NSAIDs so arthroscopic treatment was performed. As a rational strategy, we trimmed the region of the tumor and we finally excised the nidus of the OO. Finally a femoroplasty and a partial labrectomy were performed. At the last follow-up the patient was symptom-free and able to walk with full weight bearing. The nocturnal pain was gone and his ROM improved fully without pain. The arthroscopic procedure, being less invasive, represents a valid option in the treatment of OO, allowing to treat radically the tumor and concurrently diagnose and repair any chondral or soft tissue injuries.

[Classification and treatment of modern traumatic meniscal tears]. / Classification et traitement modernes des déchirures méniscales traumatiques.

The menisci have several important biomechanical functions. Traumatic meniscal injuries present a wide spectrum of presentation and several types of lesions. They can concern the body of the meniscus and its fixation. An easy and clear classification of traumatic meniscus tears is essential for helping the physicians to achieve the correct surgical indication and the accurate postoperative rehabilitation protocol. The aim of this current concept review is to clearly describe some classical as well new type of meniscal and menisco-synovial lesions such as ramp lesions, root tears and instability of the lateral meniscus associated to rotational laxity. The goal is to focus on the definition, diagnosis, classification, giving some guidelines and discussing the different rehabilitation protocols.

Les ménisques sont essentiels au fonctionnement biomécanique du genou. Les lésions méniscales traumatiques peuvent se manifester par des tableaux cliniques très variés et concerner le corps du ménisque, ses attaches à l'os ou à la capsule articulaire. Une classification simple et claire des déchirures méniscales traumatiques est indispensable. Cette revue de la littérature contemporaine fait un tableau précis des lésions méniscales traumatiques classiques et « nouvelles ¼ telles que celles de la rampe, les avulsions de la racine méniscale et l'instabilité du ménisque externe associée à une laxité rotatoire du genou, en se focalisant sur la définition de chacune de ces déchirures, leur diagnostic, leur classification, afin de proposer des directives de traitement et de rééducation.

Arthroscopic-assisted reduction and fixation of proximal tibial fractures: personal surgical technique.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe the authors' arthroscopic-assisted reduction and fixation (ARIF) technique in the treatment of type Schatzker I-III tibial plateau fractures, with the use of instruments commonly used in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, evaluating clinical and radiological outcomes on four patients at short-term follow-up.   Methods A retrospective analysis was performed in our Institution considering 4 patients who underwent ARIF procedure between 2018 and 2020 at minimum 3 months of follow-up. All patients were evaluated clinically (Rasmussen Score, VAS and Crosby-Insall Grading) and radiographically (after surgery and at 6 weeks).   Results Mean follow-up was 9 months (range 6-12 months). Rasmussen score and VAS were respectively 26 (Excellent) and 1 at the last follow-up. According to the Crosby-Insall Grading System, all patients reported excellent results. At final control the mean ROM in the injured knee was 125°(range 100°-140°). Mean hospitalization was 2 days (range 1-4 days). No adverse events were reported.   Conclusions ARIF  is a reliable technique for tibial plateau fracture (Schatzker I-III). The technique described is very cheap and reproducible in any hospital . This procedure allows to well understand the pattern of fracture and to obtain an anatomical reduction with a great tissue sparing and a faster recovery of knee function.   Level of Evidence: Level IV   Keywords: tibial plateau fractures, treatment, arthroscopy, surgery, artrhoscopic-assisted.

Debridement, antibiotic pearls, and retention of the implant (DAPRI): A modified technique for implant retention in total knee arthroplasty PJI treatment.

We describe a modified surgical technique developed to enhance the classical irrigation and debridement procedure to improve the possibilities of retaining an infected total knee arthroplasty. This technique, debridement antibiotic pearls and retention of the implant (DAPRI), aims to remove the intra-articular biofilm allowing a higher and prolonged local antibiotic concentration using calcium sulfate beads. The combination of three different surgical techniques (methylene blue staining, argon beam electrical stimulation, and chlorhexidine gluconate brushing) might enhance the identification, disruption, and finally removal of the bacterial biofilm, which is the main responsible of antibiotics and antibodies resistance. The DAPRI technique might represent a safe and more conservative treatment for acute and early hematogenous periprosthetic joint infection.

Italian consensus conference on guidelines for conservative treatment on lower limb muscle injuries in athlete.

Provide the state of the art concerning (1) biology and aetiology, (2) classification, (3) clinical assessment and (4) conservative treatment of lower limb muscle injuries (MI) in athletes. Seventy international experts with different medical backgrounds participated in the consensus conference. They discussed and approved a consensus composed of four sections which are presented in these documents. This paper represents a synthesis of the consensus conference, the following four sections are discussed: (i) The biology and aetiology of MIs. A definition of MI was formulated and some key points concerning physiology and pathogenesis of MIs were discussed. (ii) The MI classification. A classification of MIs was proposed. (iii) The MI clinical assessment, in which were discussed anamnesis, inspection and clinical examination and are provided the relative guidelines. (iv) The MI conservative treatment, in which are provided the guidelines for conservative treatment based on the severity of the lesion. Furthermore, instrumental therapy and pharmacological treatment were discussed. Knowledge of the aetiology and biology of MIs is an essential prerequisite in order to plan and conduct a rehabilitation plan. Another important aspect is the use of a rational MI classification on prognostic values. We propose a classification based on radiological investigations performed by ultrasonography and MRI strongly linked to prognostic factors. Furthermore, the consensus conference results will able to provide fundamental guidelines for diagnostic and rehabilitation practice, also considering instrumental therapy and pharmacological treatment of MI. Expert opinion, level IV.

Is there still a role for threaded acetabular cups?

INTRODUCTION:: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is 1 of the most common procedures in orthopaedic surgery. Different options and implants are currently available. Uncemented hip cups need primary stability for bone ingrowth, the use of screws is required when the desired stability is not achieved. Another option is the use of a hemispherical threaded cup with enhanced primary stability. The purpose of our study was to compare the results of a 3rd-generation threaded cup versus a press-fit cup with a long track record. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: A consecutive series of 300 THAs performed by 2 surgeons was retrospectively reviewed, 150 press-fit cups and 150 screwed cups. Minimum follow-up 27 months; maximum 78 months (mean 52.5 months). The primary endpoint was a stable and painless THA, secondary endpoints included Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Junior and radiographic evaluation. RESULTS:: Preliminary results showed no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups for all the evaluated parameters, the number of early mechanical loosening was higher for press-fit cups, but this value was not statistically significant. At a mean follow-up of 52.5 months 1 cup revision (0.3%) was seen in the screwed cup group and 2 (0.6%) in the press-fit cup; these results were not statistically significant. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:: The main concern for screwed cups is the greater bone loss and possible removal difficulties during revision surgery. This study has some limitations, in particular regarding follow-up, but is still ongoing. Our results showed no difference between the 2 systems.

Medial patello-femoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction using suture anchors fixation: preliminary results.

PURPOSE: several surgical techniques have been described for the MPFL reconstruction, using many femoral and patellar fixation techniques and different grafts (autograft, allograft, synthetic). The goal of our study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MPFL reconstruction using Juggerknot™ (BIOMET, Warsaw, Indiana) suture anchors fixation with a clinical evaluation pre/post surgery of our patients with objective patellofemoral (PF) instability. METHODS: from January 2013 to March 2015, 19 patients underwent isolated MPFL reconstruction using Juggerknot™ (BIOMET, Warsaw, Indiana) suture anchors fixation. All patients were operated by the same surgeon using the same technique. Patients were evaluated by the same operator during pre surgery phase and at least at 6 months of follow up, using clinical evaluation (apprehension sign, patellar glide test, ROM) and 4 different scores (Tegner, Vas, Lysholm, Kujala). The possible complications and dislocation following surgery were investigated. RESULTS: no patellar dislocation and complications were found at follow up. A clinical evaluation improvement was recorded at follow up: all patients achieved a full range of knee motion; apprehension sign from 89% positivity (17 cases) decreased up to 11% (2 cases); glide test from 100% (19 cases) positivity decreased up to 0% (0 cases). Median VAS score decreased significantly (p<0.05) from a median pre-operative value of 8 (min:5 max:10) to 2 (min:0 max:7). Mean Kujala score improved significantly (p<0.05) from 65.23 ± 18.64 pre-operatively to 94.69 ± 6.40. Mean Lysholm score improved significantly (p<0.05) from 64.30 ± 19.29 pre-operatively to 94.72 ± 4.02. Mean Tegner score decreased from 6.15 ± 1.06 pre-operatively to 5.69 ± 0.85. CONCLUSIONS: in this preliminary study, a clinical assessment of patients undergoing surgery with the Juggerknot ™ (BIOMET, Warsaw, Indiana) suture anchor fixation in MPFL reconstruction, has shown promising results, revealing easy to apply, effective and safe for patients.