A modified Patte classification system for rotator cuff tendon retraction to predict reparability and tendon healing in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to propose a modified Patte classification system for tendon retraction, including the cut-off points for predicting reparability and rotator cuff healing after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) and assess its prediction accuracy and measurement reliability. METHODS: This retrospective study included 463 consecutive patients scheduled to undergo ARCR for full-thickness supraspinatus tears. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the cut-off points for predicting reparability and tendon healing. The modified Patte classification system, in which these cut-off points were combined with the original Patte classification, classified the tendon retraction as stages I-V. The prediction accuracy of reparability and tendon healing was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC). Measurement reliability was determined using Cohen's κ statistics. RESULTS: Of the 402 included patients, 32 rotator cuff tears were irreparable and 71 of the remaining 370 were diagnosed with healing failure. ROC analysis determined the cut-off point of reparability at the medial one-fifth and that of tendon healing at the medial one-third of the humeral head. The AUC of the modified Patte classification for predicting reparability and tendon healing was 0.897 (excellent) and 0.768 (acceptable), respectively. Intra-rater reliability was almost perfect (mean κ value: 0.875), and inter-rater reliability was substantial (0.797). CONCLUSION: Diagnostic performance of the modified Patte classification system was excellent for reparability and acceptable for rotator cuff healing, with high measurement reliability. The modified Patte classification system can be easily implemented in clinical practice for planning surgical procedures and counselling patients in the day-by-day clinical work. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Repair Tension During Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair is Correlated With Preoperative Tendon Retraction and Postoperative Rotator Cuff Integrity.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the correlation of repair tension during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) with preoperative factors and to evaluate whether measuring tension during ARCR is effective for predicting rotator cuff integrity after ARCR. METHODS: Patients who underwent ARCR from May 2014 to June 2017 were enrolled in this study. Inclusion criteria were patients with medium or larger-sized tears and with a minimum of 6 months' follow-up. Patients with a partial repair were excluded. Intraoperative repair tension was measured according to Davidson's method. Correlation of repair tension with preoperative factors was evaluated with Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient tests. Logistic regression analysis was performed on intraoperative factors, including repair tension, to identify independent predictors of retear after ARCR. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the cutoff value of repair tension for retear. RESULTS: One-hundred twenty patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean repair tension was 26.6 ± 12.6 N, and retear was found in 29 shoulders (24.2%). Among the preoperative factors, tear size in the mediolateral (P < .001) and anteroposterior (P < .001) directions, DeOrio and Cofield's classification (P <0.001), geometric classification (P <.001), and fatty infiltration of supraspinatus (P = .006) and infraspinatus (P = .003) were significantly correlated with repair tension. However, multivariable logistic regression analysis identified only tear size in the mediolateral direction as an independent predictor of repair tension (P = .036). Logistic regression analysis showed that repair tension (P = .02) and geometric classification (P < .001) are significant factors affecting rotator cuff integrity after ARCR. ROC curve analysis showed the cutoff value of repair tension of large to massive tears for retear to be 35.6 N. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that intraoperative repair tension is strongly correlated with tear size in the mediolateral direction based on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and that measuring tension during ARCR is effective for predicting rotator cuff integrity after ARCR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prognostic study.

Comparable clinical and structural outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcome and rotator cuff integrity after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) in patients with and without diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 264 consecutive patients who underwent ARCR from 2012 to 2015. Inclusion criteria were a medium or large-sized tear and a minimum of 1-year follow-up. Clinical outcome measures included range of motion (ROM) and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) scores preoperatively and at final follow-up. Rotator cuff retear was evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging at 3 months post-surgery and final follow-up. Diabetic patients with poor control were pre-operatively hospitalized for intensive diabetic control. RESULTS: Our inclusion criteria were met by 30 diabetic patients and 126 non-diabetic patients. Demographic data were not significantly different between the groups, except body mass index (p = 0.021). Preoperative JOA and UCLA scores of the diabetic patients were significantly lower than those of the non-diabetic patients (p < 0.001, and p = 0.006, respectively); however, the scores at final follow-up were not different. ROM was significantly restricted in the diabetic patients before surgery (forward flexion, abduction, internal rotation: p < 0.001, external rotation: p = 0.035), but at the final follow-up, there was no significant difference except for internal rotation (p = 0.005). The retear rate in diabetic patients (23.3%) was not significantly different from that in non-diabetic patients (15.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic patients who had good perioperative glycemic control showed clinical and structural outcomes comparable to non-diabetic patients after ARCR. Intensive perioperative glycemic control and patient education are recommended for preoperative uncontrolled diabetic patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Diagnostic Value of the Supine Napoleon Test for Subscapularis Tendon Lesions.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of the supine Napoleon test (a variation of the belly-press test that reduces compensatory motion) with other clinical tests for subscapularis tendon (SSC) tears. METHODS: One hundred thirty consecutive patients who were scheduled for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were evaluated preoperatively with the lift-off test, Napoleon test, bear-hug test, and supine Napoleon test. The supine Napoleon test was performed by placing the patient's hand on their belly while they lay supine with an examiner holding their hand and shoulder to prevent compensatory motion. The patient was asked to move their elbow upward and the test was considered positive if they were unable to do so. During surgery, SSC lesions were classified with the Lafosse classification system. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+, LR-) were calculated for each test. The ability to detect partial SSC tears was compared among the clinical tests. RESULTS: Fifty-two of 130 patients (40%) had SSC tears confirmed arthroscopically. For diagnosis of these tears, the supine Napoleon test was the most sensitive (84%), followed by the bear-hug test (74%), and the bear-hug test was the most specific (97%), followed by the supine Napoleon test (96%). The LR+ was greatest for the bear-hug test (28.4) and next greatest for the supine Napoleon test (21.9). The LR- was lowest for the supine Napoleon test (0.16) and the bear-hug test was second (0.27). The sensitivity of the supine Napoleon test (65%) was highest for detecting partial tears. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with other clinical tests for SSC tears, the supine Napoleon test had the greatest diagnostic value for full-thickness SSC tears and was most able to detect partial tears. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, diagnostic nonrandomized study.

Arthroscopic Removal of a Wire Fragment from the Posterior Septum of the Knee following Tension Band Wiring of a Patellar Fracture.

Tension band wiring with cerclage wiring is most widely used for treating displaced patellar fractures. Although wire breakage is not uncommon, migration of a fragment of the broken wire is rare, especially migration into the knee joint. We describe here a rare case of migration of a wire fragment into the posterior septum of the knee joint after fixation of a displaced patellar fracture with tension band wiring and cerclage wiring. Although it was difficult to determine whether the wire fragment was located within or outside the knee joint from the preoperative plain radiographs or three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT), we found it arthroscopically through the posterior transseptal portal with assistance of intraoperative fluoroscopy. Surgeons who treat such cases should bear in mind the possibility that wire could be embedded in the posterior septum of the knee joint.

Safety screw fixation technique in a case of coracoid base fracture with acromioclavicular dislocation and coracoid base cross-sectional size data from a computed axial tomography study.

Coracoid base fracture accompanied by acromioclavicular joint dislocation with intact coracoclavicular ligaments is a rare injury. Generally, an open reduction with screw fixation is the first treatment choice, as it protects the important structures around the coracoid process. This report presents a new technique of screw fixation for coracoid base fracture and provides anatomic information on cross-sectional size of the coracoid base obtained by computed tomography (CT). An axial image of the coracoid base was visualized over the neck of the scapula, and a guidewire was inserted into this circle under fluoroscopic guidance. The wire was inserted easily into the neck of scapula across the coracoid base fracture with imaging in only 1 plane. In addition, 25 measurements of the coracoid base were made in 25 subjects on axial CT images. Average length of the long and short axes at the thinnest part of the coracoid base was 13.9 ± 2.0 mm (range 10.6-17.0) and 10.5 ± 2.2 mm (6.6-15.1), respectively. This new screw fixation technique and measurement data on the coracoid base may be beneficial for safety screw fixation of coracoid base fracture.

Navigation-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty for Osteoarthritis with Extra-Articular Femoral Deformity and/or Retained Hardware.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for osteoarthritis (OA) patients with extra-articular deformity is still challenging because angular deformity, canal sclerosis, or the retained hardware that precludes the use of the traditional intramedullary guide. In addition, atypical bone cut for intra-articular correction leads to imbalanced soft tissue gap. Furthermore, corrective osteotomy should be considered for severe deformity or para-articular deformity cases. Recently, navigation-assisted TKA has been reported to increase the accuracy of prosthetic positioning and limb alignment. This system can calculate mechanical axis regardless of extra-articular deformity, canal sclerosis, or retained hardware. Accordingly, navigation surgery has been considered to be a powerful option especially in TKAs with extra-articular deformity cases. Here, we report 3 successful navigation-assisted TKAs for osteoarthritis with extra-articular deformities and/or retained hardware. Navigation-assisted TKA is an effective and reliable alternative for patients with extra-articular deformities.

Subchondral cysts in dysplastic osteoarthritic hips communicate with the joint space: analysis using three-dimensional computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION: Bone cyst formation in hips increases as osteoarthritis worsens. Although bone cysts in hips have been described in many studies, their etiology remains unclear and under debate. The purpose of this study was to investigate the communication between a bone cyst and the joint space, as well as the relationship between the severity of osteoarthritis and the formation of subchondral bone cysts in dysplastic hips. METHOD: We studied bone cysts from 150 dysplastic hips in 97 patients by computed tomography (CT) and plain radiography. We investigated the distribution of the bone cysts and the presence or absence of a communication path between the cysts and the joint space by three-dimensional (3D) CT. RESULT: Of the 150 hips, 94 acetabula and 55 femoral heads were found to contain cysts. Of the 94 hips containing acetabular cysts, 89 and 5 hips showed black lines and gray lines connecting the cyst and the joint space, respectively, on 3D-CT. The rate of cyst presentation in the hip increased as the joint space became narrower. The number of hips that possessed cysts in the anterior and/or middle portion was significantly higher than that in the posterior portions. CONCLUSION: Bone cysts in dysplastic osteoarthritic hips were found to communicate with the joint space in all cases. This suggests that the formation and enlargement of the cysts in dysplastic hips may be greatly influenced by the joint fluid. Cyst formation was initially observed in the anterior acetabulum, gradually progressing to involve the entire joint, including the posterior acetabulum and the femoral head, with worsening of the osteoarthritis.

Location of intrapelvic vessels around the acetabulum assessed by three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography: prevention of vascular-related complications in total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: During total hip arthroplasty (THA), the external iliac, femoral, and obturator vessels are at risk of vascular injury when penetrating the inner cortex of the pelvis. The purpose of this study was to clarify the location of these vessels using three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (3DCT-A). METHODS: We enrolled 100 subjects (200 hips) without hip disease and performed examinations on the following. (1) External iliac-femoral vessels: we measured the shortest distance from these vessels to the pelvis on axial CT images and investigated the factors affecting distance. The anatomical course of the iliac artery was classified as straight, curved, or tortuous, and the correlation between course and age was established. (2) Obturator vessels: we measured the shortest distance from the obturator vessels to the quadrilateral surface on axial CT images. (3) Visualization of pelvic vessels was through the pelvis by dual-phase 3DCT-A. RESULTS: (1) The external iliac vein was located significantly closer to the pelvis than the artery, especially on the left side and in aged and female subjects. The single-curved and tortuous double-curved vessel types were found in aged subjects, and external iliac vessels of these types were closer to the pelvis than vessels of the straight type. In 36 subjects, the external iliac veins lay directly on the osseous surface of the pelvis (right 16, left 36). Of these 36 subjects, only one had straight-type vessels. (2) Obturator vessels were located just behind the acetabulum near the obturator foramen. (3) Reconstructed 3DCT images enabled us to visualize the pelvic vessels and demonstrated the danger area for penetrating the inner cortex of the pelvis. CONCLUSION: Understanding the anatomical orientation of the pelvic vessels around the acetabulum using 3DCT-A could be helpful for preventing vascular injury during THA.

Early ambulation after total knee arthroplasty prevents patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis from developing postoperative higher levels of D-dimer.

This study aimed to clarify the therapeutic effects of postoperative ambulation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after TKA. Subjects of this study were thirty-seven inpatients (21 inpatients: OA, 16 inpatients: RA) undergoing TKA (32 female and 5 male). Subjects were divided into two groups, deep venous thrombosis (DVT) group (n=25) and non-DVT group (N group, n=12). The cutoff value was 10.0 microg/ml plasma D-dimer level measured on 7(th) postoperative day. The N group was below the cutoff value. Another cutoff value divided into two groups, ambulatory group (n=26) and non-ambulatory group (n=11). Ambulatory group was the date of ambulation beginning below 7(th) day. Statistical analysis confirmed that all subjects showed a significant correlation to the date of ambulation. Postoperative ambulation beginning had strong association with the level of D-dimer (r=0.71). Group comparison showed that the non-ambulatory group had significant higher values of D-dimer than ambulatory group (P=0.022). Typical case supported these results. Postoperative early ambulation within a week after TKA kept patients with OA and RA after TKA lower level of D-dimer.

Percutaneous opening wedge varus osteotomy with a multidrilling guide in Perthes' disease: a technical note on two cases.

We report a technique of percutaneous opening wedge intertrochanteric femoral osteotomy using a multidrilling guide with application of an Ilizarov external fixator in the management of Perthes' disease, and describe the early results obtained in two children. The average operative time was 96.5 min and the duration of external fixation was 51.5 days. Intraoperative blood loss was less than 20 ml. There were no significant complications. This percutaneous technique offers several advantages over currently available methods for surgical containment of Perthes' disease. These include a small incision, soft tissue preservation, sufficient stability, easy procedure, and short time in fixator.

Arthroplasty using a custom-made cemented total hip prosthesis for an extensive giant cell tumor of the proximal femur: report of a patient followed up for over 30 years.

We report the case of a 26-year-old man who had a pathologic transtrochanteric fracture of the left femur due to a grade II giant cell tumor affecting the neck and the trochanteric area. This patient underwent complete resection of the tumor and arthroplasty using a custom-made cemented total hip prosthesis. The good radiologic and functional results of the surgery have been maintained for over 30 years without local recurrence or lung metastasis. Moreover, new bone formation was observed at the reattachment sites of abductors, iliopsoas tendons and vastus lateralis to the femoral component of the prosthesis although local bone resorption was detected at the upper lateral part of the femoral stem and zone I of the cup side.

Treatment of dysplastic osteoarthritis with labral tear by Chiari pelvic osteotomy: outcomes after more than 10 years follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of a damaged labrum is one of many factors influencing the outcomes of Chiari pelvic osteotomy. However, there are few previous papers describing the long-term outcomes of Chiari pelvic osteotomy with labrectomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of Chiari pelvic osteotomy for dysplastic hips with labral tears. We compared outcomes between labrectomy (+) and labrectomy (-) groups. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Chiari pelvic osteotomies were performed by one surgeon on 34 dysplastic hips with labral tears between 1983 and 1996, in which labrectomy was performed on 23 hips but not on 11 hips. Three patients undergoing labrectomy were lost to follow-up evaluation within 5 years after surgery. The average age of the remaining 31 patients was 35.5 years (range, 16-54 years). The clinical and radiographic surveillance averaged 16.0 years (range, 10-23.3 years). RESULTS: In all patients, pain disappeared after the operation. At the end of the study, 8 of the 31 patients displayed clinical deterioration. Progression of osteoarthritis (OA) was observed in 11 hips. Patients with poor results have not opted for revision surgery except for one patient. In the labrectomy (+) group, 10 of the 20 hips showed progression of OA and the clinical outcomes of 6 patients deteriorated. In the labrectomy (-) group, 1 of the 11 hips showed progression of OA and 2 patients deteriorated clinically. Radiological outcomes differed significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Labrectomy accompanying Chiari pelvic osteotomy is an acceptable procedure for relieving pain caused by the damaged labrum, but the outcomes have a tendency to deteriorate after 10 or more years postoperatively.

Percutaneous drainage and continuous irrigation in patients with severe pyogenic spondylitis, abscess formation, and marked bone destruction.

OBJECT: The use of percutaneous suction aspiration has recently become viewed as an effective management strategy for pyogenic spondylitis unresponsive to conservative treatment. What remains unclear is whether it can be effective for severe pyogenic spondylitis in which abscess formation or marked bone destruction is present. The authors undertook a study to clarify answers to this question. METHODS: The authors evaluated clinical and radiographic/neuroimaging data obtained in five patients with severe pyogenic spondylitis, extensive abscesses, and marked bone destruction. These patients had undergone percutaneous drainage and continuous irrigation because open surgery was considered contraindicated in light of their poor general health. The mean period during which continuous irrigation was applied was 9 days (range 7-11 days), and the mean period during which the drainage tube was in place was 19 days (range 13-38 days). All patients suffered from back pain, which was relieved by the percutaneous technique in four patients after a mean of 8 days. The abscesses and inflammation resolved in all patients. Progressive osseous destruction was not observed, and open surgery was performed in only one patient in whom back pain persisted as a result of spinal instability. CONCLUSIONS: After an unsuccessful course of conservative treatment, severe pyogenic spondylitis with abscess formation or marked bone destruction was successfully treated using percutaneous drainage and continuous irrigation. Based on their results, the authors believe that this procedure can be used in patients with severe pyogenic spondylitis that was unresponsive to conservative treatment, particularly in those whose general health is poor.

Lumbar spinal disorders in patients with athetoid cerebral palsy: a clinical and biomechanical study.

STUDY DESIGN: Radiologic study for patients with athetoid cerebral palsy (CP), and a biomechanical study using the finite-element model (FEM). OBJECTIVES: To understand the lumbar disorders of athetoid CP patients and the etiology based on the results from the FEM study. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is a well-identified spinal disorder associated with cerebral palsy, especially in athetoid type. One can rationalize that the athetoid involuntary trunk movement may induce stress-related lumbar disorders. Until now, very few investigations have been conducted on lumbar disorders that could occur in patients with CP. METHODS: Sixty-one cases with athetoid cerebral palsy were clinically reviewed. Radiographs of the lumbar spine in 30 cases with low back pain were taken. From these radiographs, the incidence of lumbar spondylolysis and endplate lesion was analyzed. The biomechanical study was conducted using a three-dimensional FEM of the ligamentous lumbar spine. Axial compression of 400 N was applied to simulate preload on the spine during the standing position followed with 10.6 Nm moment to simulate extension and axial rotation. The combined motion of extension and axial rotation was also simulated. During supine position, pure extension and rotation were simulated, and no preload was applied. The von Mises stresses were computed at the pars interarticularis at the each level and compared for different motions. RESULTS: Among the 61 patients, 41 complained of symptoms such as low back and leg pain. Thirty of these 41 patients gave their consents to undergo radiographic evaluation. Twenty-eight of the 30 patients (93.3%) showed stress-related disorders such as the spondylolysis and/or vertebral endplate lesions. Spondylolysis was found in 18 of the 30 patients (60.0%). Spondylolysis was observed at the multiple levels in 4 patients involving two levels in 2 cases and three levels in the other 2 cases. Vertebral endplate lesions (deformity) were seen in 26 (86.7%) of the 30 patients. Overall, the lesions (deformity) were found in 109 of 330 endplates (33.0%) out of all lumbar endplates in the 30 patients. The FEM based results showed that stresses at pars interarticularis of L5 were the highest of all levels in all loading modes, with or without preload. However, compared with the extension or axial rotation alone modes, the combined motion of extension and rotation showed higher stresses at the pars interarticularis. CONCLUSIONS: The athetoid involuntary movements in CP patients may cause stress-related lumbar disorders. Especially, combined extension and rotation due to the involuntary trunk motion may contribute to the high incidence of spondylolysis.