Exercise as a tool to improve the quality of life of patients after breast cancer treatment.

BACKGROUND: The increasing quality of cancer treatment and early detection of tumors have an impact on the number of patients who survive cancer treatment. Therefore, the attention of physicians as well as scientists is increasingly focused on the consequences of the treatment than just on the treatment itself. One of the ways to positively influence the side effects of oncological treatment seems to be physical activity. METHODS: In our research, there were involved 18 women after breast cancer treatment, 17 completed the research (average values of the tested group: 55.9 years, 165.1cm, 76.9kg, body mass index (BMI) 28.3). The patients who signed informed consent were divided into 3 groups (SAPA = supervised exercises 3times a week, HAPA = home exercises 3times a week, and a control group without exercises). The whole intervention lasted 12 weeks and the exercise unit itself contained an aerobic-resistant component and a yoga component. During the exercise, the patients heart rate was monitored using a chest belt and sports testers. We used spiroergometry (peak oxygen uptake - VO2peak), bio-electric impedance, and spectral analysis of the heart rate variability to evaluate changes in the quality of life. RESULTS: VO2peak increased in training groups by an average of 5ml/min/kg (P = 0.082). A similar tendency was evident in some body composition values (skeletal muscle: P = 0.005; fat free mass: P = 0.006). Statistical significance did not reach the values of BMI (P = 0.131) and autonomic nervous system (P = 0.513; P = 0.585). CONCLUSION: Although our results suggest a positive trend in affecting the quality of life of patients after breast cancer treatment by exercises, similar research needs to be repeated in a larger study to confirm our results.

[Rotational Stability of the Knee Joint 2 Years after the Anterolateral Ligament and ACL Reconstruction: Biomechanical Study]. / Rotacní stabilita kolenního kloubu 2 roky po rekonstrukci anterolaterálního ligamenta spolecne s rekonstrukcí LCA: biomechanická studie.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Knee injuries accompanied by anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears can also result in rotational instability of the joint. Subsequent insufficient rotational stability after the ACL reconstruction can be a direct consequence also of injuries to lateral knee structures, specifically the anterolateral ligament (ALL). This residual postoperative rotational instability may be prevented by multiple surgical techniques. The purpose of this study was (1) to evaluate the knee stability in internal rotation after the "anatomical" single-bundle (SB) anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction together with ALL reconstruction compared to the double-bundle (DB) ACL reconstruction two years after surgery; (2) to compare the knee joint stability after the ACL and ALL reconstruction with the healthy contralateral knee joint. MATERIAL AND METHODS All the measurements were conducted by the computer navigation system. The study included 20 patients after the single-bundle ACL and ALL reconstruction and 20 patients after the double-bundle ACL reconstruction. The follow-up examination was carried out at 25 months after surgery on average (24 months at least). All measurements were performed in both the healthy and operated knee. Once the data necessary for navigation were determined, the patient remained in standing position with both feet firmly placed on the mat with intermalleolar distance of 20 cm. Then, at 30-degree flexion of the knee joints, the patient first performed the joint internal rotation by trunk torsion, followed by external rotation. Each measurement was repeated 3 times. A non-parametric t-test was used for statistical processing. RESULTS The mean internal rotation in the injured knee joint was 19.1 degrees preoperatively and 8.1 degrees postoperatively, while in the healthy knee it was 8.4 degrees. External rotation was not assessed. The reported internal rotation in the knees after DB ACL reconstruction was 9.2 degrees (p ≥ 0.05). DISCUSSION The double-bundle ACL reconstruction is a complex technique that can lead to many intraoperative and postoperative complications. Grafts harvested from both hamstrings can have an effect on the rotational stability of the joint. In order to restore the knee rotational stability with fewer potential complications, the method of choice can be the ACL reconstruction using the quadriceps femoris muscle graft and the ALL reconstruction using the gracilis muscle graft, leaving the semitendinosus tendon intact. CONCLUSIONS The obtained values reveal that the single-bundle ACL reconstruction in combination with ALL reconstruction results in the same internal rotational stability in the knee joint as the double-bundle ACL reconstruction. Similar joint rotational stability is observed in all the knee joints reconstructed with the use of these techniques and in the contralateral healthy knee joint. Key words: anterolateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament, internal rotational stability, objective measurement.

[Hinged Elbow External Fixation for Severe Elbow Stiffness]. / Uzití zevní fixace loketního kloubu pri uvolnení ztuhlosti loketního kloubu.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The elbow is a highly constrained synovial hinge joint that frequently becomes stiff after injury. Grade 4 elbow stiffness (ankylosis) is a strongly limiting factor in the patient s daily activities and is difficult to treat. Hinged external fixation of the elbow provides the advantages of static fixation with the benefits of continued motion of the joint. The goal of our study was to assess the improvement in the range of motion of the elbow after surgical arthrolysis using a posterior extensile approach to the joint with or without using external fixation. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixteen patients aged between 19 and 46 years with grade 4 elbow stiffness were operated on. The stiffness was caused by the following pathologies: 7 elbow dislocations, 3 radial head fractures, 4 distal humeral fractures, 2 fracture-dislocations. The average range of motion before surgery was 14° (range 0°-20°). The average interval between primary injury and arthrolysis was 24 months (9-60 months). The clinical assessment before and after the surgery was based on the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). The average follow-up was 30 months (18-50 months). Arthrolysis was completed by application of an external fixator in eight patients. RESULTS A few common complications were observed, including the injury to adjacent neurovascular structures (two cases of temporary irritation of the ulnar nerve, one case of temporary irritation of the radial nerve) and three cases of pin-track infections. None of the patients showed elbow instability. In Group I, in which external fixation was used, the average MEP score increased from 51 points (range, 30 to 70) to 78 points (range, 55 to 90). The average range of motion at the final follow-up was 93° (range, 75°-135°). In Group II, in which no external fixation was used, the average MEP score increased from 53 points (range, 35 to 70) to 76 points (range, 55 to 85). The gain in flexion-extension was 88° (range, 65°-135°). The final improvement in the range of motion depended mostly on the severity of preoperative stiffness and subsequent surgery. DISCUSSION The surgical arthrolysis of the ankylosed elbow is not a procedure commonly performed by majority of hospitals. A precise surgical technique is a prerequisite for success of the procedure. The type of injury did not seem to influence the final result. Articular external fixation potentially provides stability while permitting the movement. CONCLUSIONS Open arthrolysis of a severe elbow contracture results in a substantial gain in motion (with or without using elbow external fixation) and gives reliable long-lasting results. The minimal improvement in motion provided by the hinge fixator does not justify the associated increase in the risk of complications. Key words:stiffed elbow, arthrolysis, external fixation.

[Rotational Knee Joint Kinematics before and after Unicompartmental Medial Arthroplasty, Comparison with a Healthy Knee Joint]. / Rotacní kinematika kolenního kloubu pred a po implantaci unikompartmentální mediální náhrady, srovnání se zdravým kolenním kloubem.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The authors in their study compare the knee joint kinematics in patients before and after medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and in the group of healthy volunteers. This study aims to confirm or reject the hypothesis that UKA preserves the physiological knee joint kinematics. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the course of 2015 and 2016 a total of 20 patients with grade III-IV medial knee joint osteoarthritis and 20 healthy volunteers were included in the study. In the first group of patients the standard Oxford™ unicompartmental knee prosthesis was implanted using kinematic navigation and the reference data were collected before and after the knee joint replacement. In the group of healthy volunteers an arthroscopic examination and subsequent data collection were performed in order to conduct a kinematic analysis. Subsequently, a statistical analysis of data was carried out and the groups were compared. RESULTS In our study two parameters were compared. The first was the maximum rotational movement of the tibia relative to the femur (rotational stability) in each of the degrees of flexion (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120°). In this case, the knee joints prior to UKA showed laxity at all examined degrees. At 0° flexion the preoperative range was -14.3° to 8.2° and it improved to -3.4° to 7.3° postoperatively, at 30° it was -15.3° to 15.8° preoperatively and -13.3° to 8.2° postoperatively. At 90° flexion the rotation of the knee joint before the UKA was -24.2° to 13.2°, while after the implantation the rotation improved to -19.3° to 11.7°. The second monitored parameter was the position of tibia with respect to the femur during the passive flexion test. The position in full extension before the implantation is 5.6° internal rotation compared to 2.7° external rotation after the implantation. The knee joint before the implantation shows minimum flexion/internal rotation throughout the entire flexion range. The postimplant values of flexion get close to the values obtained in a healthy knee joint. The data collected from the healthy knee joints were used as reference data. DISCUSSION The outcomes of our study correspond with the conclusions arrived at by other authors. The arthrotic process affects the knee joint kinematics by causing joint laxity and relative ACL insufficiency. This results in further progression of joint damage, the loss of the screw-home mechanism. In our study we benefit from the use of navigation in the intraosseous fixation, which compared to the other techniques enables more accurate data collection. CONCLUSIONS The arthritic process affecting the knee joint results in altered kinematics and biomechanics of the affected knee joint. This is manifested at both the axial and sagittal plane, when the kinematics fails to equal that of the healthy joint. The implantation of the medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty improves the kinematics of the knee joint and helps achieve the requested values and stabilises the knee joint. Key words:medial gonarthrosis, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, knee joint kinematics.

[Treatment of the Shoulder Impingement Syndrome with PRP Injection]. / Lécba impingement syndromu ramena pomocí injekce PRP.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY This study aimed to explore the effects of new therapeutic procedures in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. The primary goal of the study was to confirm the hypothesis that the application of the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome will have a positive effect on both the subjective and objective evaluation of their condition. The clinical condition before and after the treatment was evaluated. The secondary goal was to compare the effect achieved by a series of 3 PRP injections and that achieved by treating the impingement syndrome with a standard single depot corticosteroid injection. MATERIAL AND METHODS The randomized prospective blinded study carried out in the period 2013-2015 included 25 patients (Group I), to whom 3 PRP injections were applied in the subacromial (SA) space at a 1-week interval at the outpatient department. The control group of 25 patients (Group II) was treated by a standard single depot corticosteroid injection applied in the SA space. The subjective and objective conditions were evaluated immediately before the treatment, at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after the administration of the injection. The evaluation comprised a physical examination, an evaluation using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ASES (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form) and the Constant score. A part of the study was the statistical processing of the results. RESULTS Both the groups were comparable when assessing the mean age of patients as well as the share of both sexes in the groups; Group I with the mean age of 48.7 years (15 men and 10 women), Group II with the mean age of 50.1 years (16 men and 9 women), but also when assessing the baseline mean VAS score, Constant score and ASES score. In Group I, the baseline mean VAS score improved from 2.96 (range: 1-5; median: 3.0; SD: 0.77) to 2.0 (range: 1-3; median: 2.0; SD: 0.49) at 3 months after the administration and to the mean value of 1.16 (range: 0-2; median: 1.0; SO: 0.67) at 6 months after the last PRP injection. In Group II, the baseline mean VAS score improved from 3.12 (range: 2-5; median: 3.0; SD: 0.82) to the mean value of 2.16 (range: 1-4; median: 2.0; SD: 0.73) at 3 months after the administration of the depot corticosteroid injection and to 1.8 (range: 1-3; median: 2.0; SD: 0.57) at 6 months after the administration. In both the groups of patients, the p-value obtained by the Student s t-test was statistically significant (p < 0.05) when comparing the results of all the three scoring systems before the treatment and 6 months after the treatment. DISCUSSION Although the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders with the concentrate of a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a frequently used method, particularly in private medical practice, the scientific literature can offer just a very few studies studying in depth the use of this method of treatment in humane medicine. CONCLUSIONS Based on the results of our study, the hypothesis can be accepted that the concentrate of platelet-rich plasma administered through a series of 3 injections applied in the subacromial space in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome has positive effects on the daily activities of patients as well as on the objective evaluation via the selected scoring systems. Key words:platelet-rich plasma, shoulder impingement syndrome.

[Surgical Treatment of the Achilles Insertional Tendinopathy Using the Augmentation with the BT Graft from M. Quadriceps Femoris]. / Augmentace BT stepem z m. quadriceps femoris pri resení úponové tendinopatie Achillovy slachy.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The aim of the prospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Achilles insertion tendinopathy treatment, focusing on the evaluation of results in patients treated for retrocalcaneal pain, and to review the outcomes following the surgical treatment by means of Achilles tendon reinforcement with the bone-tendon autograft (BT). MATERIAL AND METHODS The group comprised 18 patients, 10 men and 8 women, who were surgically treated with in line with the described surgical protocol. The group was treated at the author s department in the period 2013-2016. The patients were evaluated using the FAOS, VAS, and Kitaoka scores. The diagnosis of the Achilles insertion tendinopathy was confirmed by the MRI examination (changes at the Achilles tendon attachment to the calcaneus). The patients underwent surgery if the pain persisted after the conservative therapy lasting more than half a year. The mean follow-up was 12 months after the surgery. RESULTS The mean FAOS score improved from 4 preoperatively to 1 at the 12-month postoperative follow-up. The mean VAS and Kitaoka score improved from high level of pain preoperatively to low pain level. DISCUSSION Our study evaluated the results of surgical treatment of the diagnosis that may be difficult to treat effectively solely by non-surgical procedures. There are not many studies published in the literature regarding this issue. CONCLUSIONS The method of surgical treatment of the Achilles insertional tendinopathy using the augmentation with the BT graft was found to be an effective procedure with a low risk of complications and reliable results. Key words:Achilles tendon; insertional tendinopathy.

In vivo knee rotational stability 2 years after double-bundle and anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate knee rotational stability at least 2 years after anatomic single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (SB) and double-bundle ACL reconstruction (DB) in comparison with the contralateral healthy knee joint. The Cincinnati, Lysholm and IKDC scores were analysed too. METHODS: There were 40 patients in both groups, the mean follow-up was 27 months. For all measurements, the navigation system OrthoPilot was used. Measurement started with the patient in the standing position in neutral rotation. Then, the patient achieved in 30° knee flexion under weight-bearing maximal external trunk rotation and returned to the neutral position. The same measurement was done for the internal trunk rotation. For the anterior-posterior stability, KT-1000 arthrometer was used. All measurements were repeated three times for each knee joint. RESULTS: After the DB reconstruction, the mean external rotation of the tibia (ER) was 8.2° and the internal rotation (IR) was 10.2°. In the contralateral healthy knee joint, ER was 8.5° (p = 0.597) and IR was 12.1° (p = 0.064). After the SB reconstruction, ER was 9.4° and IR was 13.1°. In the contralateral healthy knee joint, ER was 7.7° (p = 0.066) and IR was 9.8° (p = 0.005). Anterior-posterior translation was to the same extent for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The DB reconstruction of the ACL restores the rotational stability of the knee joint without any significant difference in comparison to the contralateral healthy knee (p > 0.05). The main finding of this study is that the internal rotational stability of the knee joint after the anatomic SB technique is not sufficient.

[The effect of platelet-rich plasma on graft healing in reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint: prospective study]. / Vliv plazmy bohaté na trombocyty (PRP) na hojení stepu pri rekonstrukci LCA kolenního kloubu - prospektivní studie.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Growth factors produced by platelets enhance tissue healing. The aim of this study was to confirm or disprove the hypothesis that, in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, the application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into the tibial and femoral tunnels and in the graft enhances graft maturation and graft-bone interface healing and thus improves knee function at 3 and 12 months post-operatively in comparison with the control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 40 patient had the surgery; 20 underwent single-bundle hamstring reconstruction with PRP application (PRP group) and 20 had the same surgery without PRP addition (control group). A 5 ml amount of PRP was obtained from the patient's peripheral blood. A graft inserted in the bone tunnels was fixed with interference screws and, after intra-articular fluid aspiration, 1 ml of PRP was injected into each tunnel and 3 ml were evenly applied to the intra-articular portion of the graft. The patients were examined by MRI at 3 and 12 months after surgery. The subsidence of swelling in the tunnelsurrounding tissues was taken as a sign of graft-bone interface healing, and increased signal intensity of the graft was considered as a result of its ligamentisation. The knee functional status was evaluated at 3 and 12 post-operative months, using the scoring systems (Cincinnati score, IKDC score). RESULTS Bone swelling was found at 3 post-operative months in 18 of 20 patients in both the PRP and the control group. Graft signal intensity was increased in most patients (19 of the PRP group; 18 control patients; p = 0.949). The Cincinnati score at 3 months had an average value of 72.7 (34-100; SO, 18.7) in the PRP group and 73.4 (42-99; SO, 16.3) in the control group (p = 0.793). The functional score after 12 months improved to 97.5 (75-100; SO, 12.8) in the PRP group and to 95.1 (66-100; SO, 13.1) in the control group; there was no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.885) at either 3 or 12 months. The IKDC score showed similar results. At 12 months bone swelling was recorded in seven out of 20 patients in the PRP group and in nine patients in the control group (p = 0.751). Graft signal intensity was increased in three and four patients of the PRP and control groups, respectively (p = 0.681). There was a statistical difference between the findings at 3 and 12 months within each group, but no difference between the groups. DISCUSSION In ACL reconstruction, the process of tendon graft-to-bone healing has several stages involving inflammation, cell proliferation and graft ligamentisation. At each stage, an important role is played by growth factors produced by thrombocytes, and therefore their potential use in the treatment of injuries to ligaments and tendons has recently come into focus. A number of experimental studies dealing with the effect of platelet-rich plasma on soft tissue healing has been published. Therefore, the method of using PRP to enhance graft healing in ACL reconstruction in humans is still being studied. CONSLUSIONS The use of PRP in ACL reconstruction does not accelerate graft remodelling and bone ingrowth into the tendon. The function scoring results showed a statistically significant improvement in knee function between 3 and 12 months of followup within each group studied but revealed no difference between the groups. The hypothesis postulated above was disproved. Key words: anterior cruciate ligament, platelet-rich plasma, anatomic single-bundle reconstruction.

[The effect of central anatomical single-bundle versus anatomical double-bundle reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament on knee stability. a clinical study]. / Vliv centrální anatomické jednosvazkové a anatomické dvojsvazkové rekonstrukce predního zkrízeného vazu na stabilitu kolenního kloubu. Klinická studie.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY A comparison of the efficacy of central anatomical single-bundle (CASB) reconstruction with that of double-bundle (DB) repair of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in relation to knee stability in anteroposterior translation (APT), internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) of the joint. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 40 patients were evaluated; 20 had ACL reconstruction by the CASB technique using hamstrings and 20 underwent DB repair surgery. The average age was 31.3 years, and the group included 22 men and 18 women with 19 right and 21 left knees. The KT-1000 test was used to assess the amount of APT in the knee and rotational deviations were measured by the Rolimeter. In the DB patients, measurements were performed before surgery (on joints with ACL injury), then after reconstruction of the anteromedial (AM) or the posterolateral (PL) bundle and subsequently after repair of both ACL bundles. The CASB patients were assessed before and after graft insertion. RESULTS The average APT value was 18.5 mm for the pre-operative knees and it fell to 8.9 mm after AM bundle reconstruction. However, when the PL bundle was inserted in the first place, the average APT value was 13.1 mm only. The average values recorded after the DB and CASB reconstructions were 6.1 mm and 9.1 mm, respectively. The average IR range of motion in the pre-operative joints was 18.6 degrees. After AM bundle reconstruction it was 13.9 degrees and after PL bundle repair it was 15.3 degrees. In DB reconstruction the average IR value achieved 10.4 degrees, and in CASB repair surgery it was 13.7 degrees. The average ER range of motion in the pre-operative joints was 17.8 degrees. After AM bundle reconstruction it was 14.5 degrees and after PL bundle repair it was 14.9 degrees. In DB reconstruction the average ER value achieved 11.4 degrees, and in CASB repair surgery it was 14.5 degrees. DISCUSSION Rotational stability of the knee after ACL reconstruction is one of the most important factors in restoring physiological kinematics of the joint after ACL injury. Since there are not many studies comparing knee rotational stability after CASB with that after DB reconstructions, the results presented here may contribute to selecting the optimal method of ACL reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS The results show that, in ACL reconstruction, the DB technique provides better stability to the knee, in both APT and rotation, than the CASB method. The latter has the same effect on knee stability as the presence of the AM bundle alone. When the PL bundle is added, knee stability, in both APT and internal/external rotation, is increased in comparison with central single-bundle ACL repair. Key words:anterior cruciate ligament, navigation, central anatomical single-bundle reconstruction, double-bundle reconstruction.

[Computer-assisted kinematic 2D and 3D navigation in medial opening-wedge high-tibial valgus osteotomy]. / Prínos kinematické pocítacové 2D a 3D navigace k presnosti provedení valgizacní osteotomie proximální tibie s klínem otevreným mediálne.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of axis deformity correction achieved by high-tibial valgus osteotomy either without or with a computer-assisted kinematic navigation system, on the basis of comparing the planned and the achieved frontal axis of the leg. Comparisons of mechanical axis deviation were made using both pre- and post-operative measurements with the planning software and intra-operative measurements with the navigation system before and after osteotomy. In addition, the aim was to test the hypothesis that the use of 3D navigation, as compared with 2D navigation, would help reduce changes in the tibial plateau slope MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period 2008-2011, high-tibial osteotomy was performed in 68 patients. Twenty-one patients (group 1) underwent osteotomy without the use of navigation and 47 patients (group 2) had osteotomy with a computer-assisted navigation system (32 with 2D navigation and 15 with 3D navigation). Using the planning software, the mechanical leg axis before and after surgery and the anatomical dorsal proximal tibial angle in the sagittal plane were assessed. Medial openingwedge high-tibial valgus osteotomy was carried out in all patients. When using 2D navigation, the mechanical leg axis was measured intra-operatively before osteotomy and then after osteosynthesis which included a simulated axial load of the heel. When using 3D navigation, the procedure was identical and furthermore involved a measurement of the tibial plateau slope obtained with an additional probe in the proximal fragment. The results were characterised using descriptive statistics and their significance was evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon's test, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: In group 1, osteotomy resulted in good correction of the mechanical axis in nine patients (43%), inadequate correction in nine (43%) and overcorrection and three (14%) patients. In group 2 with the use of navigation, accurate correction of the mechanical leg axis was achieved in 24 patients (51%), undercorrection was recorded in 21 (45%) and overcorrection in two (4%) patients. The difference in outcomes between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.73). The average correction of the mechanical axis based on comparing measurements on pre- and post-operative radiographs was 9.1 degrees (range, 5-27 degrees); the average correction of the axis visualised intra-operatively was 8.7 degrees (range, 4-27 degrees). The difference was not significant (p = 0.1615) and confirmed our hypothesis that the accuracy of measuring the mechanical axis was not influenced by the method used. The average change in the dorsal slope of the tibial plateau following osteotomy without navigation was 0.9 degrees (range, -8.9 to 9.0 degrees) and that after osteotomy with intra-operative visualisation of the proximal tibial slope was 0.3 degrees (range, -4 to 4 degrees). This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.813). DISCUSSION: A good clinical outcome of high-tibial valgus osteotomy depends on achieving accurate correction of the mechanical leg axis with partial load transfer to the lateral compartment of the knee. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of cases with good correction was slightly higher in the patients undergoing osteotomy with navigation, the difference was not significant. Intra-operative visualisation of the mechanical axis proved sufficiently accurate on comparison with the pre-operative planning based on weight-bearing radiography of the leg. A simulated axial load of the heel included in the kinematic navigation system does not sufficiently correspond to normal weight-bearing and therefore an undercorrection of the deformity might occur. Using 3D navigation had no marked effect on a change in the slope of the tibial plateau.

Does the posterolateral bundle influence rotational movement more than the anteromedial bundle in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction?: a clinical study.

The biomechanical function of the anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) remains controversial. Some studies report that the AM bundle stabilises the knee joint in anteroposterior (AP) translation and rotational movement (both internal and external) to the same extent as the PL bundle. Others conclude that the PL bundle is more important than the AM in controlling rotational movement. The objective of this randomised cohort study involving 60 patients (39 men and 21 women) with a mean age of 32.9 years (18 to 53) was to evaluate the function of the AM and the PL bundles of the ACL in both AP and rotational movements of the knee joint after single-bundle and double-bundle ACL reconstruction using a computer navigation system. In the double-bundle group the patients were also randomised to have the AM or the PL bundle tensioned first, with knee laxity measured after each stage of reconstruction. All patients had isolated complete ACL tears, and the presence of a meniscal injury was the only supplementary pathology permitted for inclusion in the trial. The KT-1000 arthrometer was used to apply a constant load to evaluate the AP translation and the rolimeter was used to apply a constant rotational force. For the single-bundle group deviation was measured before and after ACL reconstruction. In the double-bundle group deviation was measured for the ACL-deficient, AM- or PL-reconstructed first conditions and for the total reconstruction. We found that the AM bundle in the double-bundle group controlled rotation as much as the single-bundle technique, and to a greater extent than the PL bundle in the double-bundle technique. The double-bundle technique increases AP translation and rotational stability in internal rotation more than the single-bundle technique.

[The effect of releasing the medial stabilisers of the knee on the magnitude of correction in opening-wedge high-tibial valgus osteotomy. Anatomy study on cadavers]. / Vliv uvolnení mediálních stabilizátoru kolena na velikost korekce u vysoké valgizacní opening-wedge osteotomie tibie; anatomická studie na kadaverech.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: When a larger opening of high-tibial osteotomy is necessary to achieve good correction of the lower extremity axis, partial release of the attachments of the medial stabilisers of the knee may be required. The aim of the study was to ascertain, in cadaver specimens, the effect of loosening the medial knee stabilisers on the magnitude of correction in medial opening-wedge high-tibial valgus osteotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-eight knees obtained from cadavers of Caucasian race were dissected. Medial opening-wedge high-tibial valgus osteotomy was performed using a dynamic distractor, constructed by us, with a dynamometer to ensure constant force action. Using a kinematic navigation system, the lower leg axis was studied at opening-wedge osteotomy under constant forces of 100 N and 150 N. The change in its angulation was recorded after each step in releasing the medial stabilisers whose structures were gradually made loose, under constant action of the given force, in the following order: superficial portion of the medial collateral ligament, tendons of the gracilis, semitendinosus and sartorius muscles. RESULTS: The results were statistically analysed using descriptive statistical methods and the two-sample paired t-test with the level of statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Loosening of the medial stabilisers one by one under a constant load led to a statistically significant change in alignment. The most significant change in angulation, both in clinical and statistical terms, was that of 3.4° occurring after the superficial portion of the medial collateral ligament was made loose under a constant force of 100 N applied to osteotomy. Thus, this loosening contributed by 62% to an overall change of 5.5° in the lower extremity mechanical axis, as compared with the condition not allowing for loosening of the stabilisers. Under a load of 150 N applied to osteotomy, loosening of the medial collateral ligament resulted in a change by 4.1°, which accounted for 56% of an overall change of 7.3° that occurred after all stabilisers were released. On distraction of the osteotomy using a higher force, an increase in a stabilising effect of the pes anserinus was apparent. DISCUSSION: The evolution of angle-stable implants has advanced options for reliable fixation of high-tibial corrective osteotomy which involves cutting out a wedge and forcing it open on the medial side. These implants provide stable fixation even when a large correction of the limb mechanical axis is required, and allow for rehabilitation with early weight-bearing. As with a large correction the force needed to make the wedge open is increasing, it is necessary to consider loosening of the medial stabilisers of the knee. According to our knowledge, no study on the effect of individual medial stabilising structures of the knee on the force required to open high-tibial osteotomy with the wedge opened medially has been published. CONCLUSIONS: The process of correcting lower extremity alignment by high-tibial opening-wedge valgus osteotomy brings about an increase in tension of the stabilisers on the concave side of the deformity. Our results show an important role of releasing the superficial portion of the medial collateral ligament in the reduction of forces necessary to correct a deformity.

[Reduction of radiation exposure by the use of fluoroscopic guidance in transpedicular instrumentation]. / Redukce radiacní záteze uzitím fluoroskopické navigace pri transpedikulární instrumentaci.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The variability in width, height, and orientation of spinal pedicles makes pedicle screw insertion a delicate operation. Fluoroscopic guidance often exposes the patient and especially surgeons to relatively high doses of ionising radiation. The use of pulsed fluoroscopy is safer, as compared to continuous fluoroscopy, because of reduced radiation exposure. There are increasing numbers of literature reports regarding the high doses of radiation to which orthopaedic and spine surgeons are exposed during surgical procedures. Spine surgery can be associated with significant radiation exposure to the surgical staff. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare a computer-assisted navigation with a conventional procedure in order to assess if it is possible to reduce radiation exposure while preserving the accuracy of screw placement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The first "conventional" group consisted of 30 patients, with an average of 1.9 segments of the lumbar spine stabilised. Screws were inserted transpedicularly under image intensifier guidance. In the second "navigated" group of 30 patients, stabilisation of 1,8 segments was performed on average. A CT-free fluoroscopic 2D spinal navigation system (VectorVision, Brain LAB, Germany) was used intra-operatively. It combines image-guided surgery with C-arm fluoroscopy. For each surgery (navigated or not), the duration of irradiation was recorded. The irradiation duration was collected from the X-ray image intensifier. In both groups the screw positioning accuracy was controlled intra-operatively according to Learch's, Acikbas's, and Whitecloud's methods from AP and lateral images and by meticulous pedicle palpation. RESULTS: The irradiation duration calculated to one vertebra (two screws) was significantly shorter in the second (navigated) group (3.4 s) than in the first (conventional) group (14.4 s). The mean duration of data registration was 6.0 minutes (range, 3 to 11 minutes). The mean ratio according to Acikbas's calculation method was 43.2 % (range, 32 % to 74 %) in the first (conventional) group and 44.1 % (range, 35 % to 76 %) in the second (navigated) group. DISCUSSION: During a conventional surgical procedure many X-ray images are made to control the accuracy of screw insertion. If the trajectory is not satisfying, it must be corrected or the pedicle is drilled again, always with a new fluoroscopic control. The process is repeated until satisfactory orientation is achieved. This is the explanation for a much longer duration of irradiation in conventional procedures. Navigation facilitates the surgical act, enabling us to acquire the right position of all screws, with only an AP image and a lateral image at the beginning of instrumentation for data registration; prolongation of the operative time is irrelevant. CONCLUSIONS: Navigation allows us to keep the same accuracy of pedicle screw placement while reducing radiation exposure of the surgeons and operating room staff by about one quarter. In multiple-level vertebral instrumentations this reduction is more pronounced. In centres where many procedures involving spine instrumentation are done every day, the "saved" exposure time can amount to hours.

[Injection of anaesthetic-corticosteroid to relieve sacroiliac joint pain after lumbar stabilisation]. / Injekce anestetika s kortikoidem pri resení bolestí sakroilických kloubu po lumbálních stabilizacích.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Both the range of motion and load transfer of the sacroiliac (SI) joint improve considerably after lumbar spine surgery. When, following surgery, SI joint pain develops in spite of appropriate physical therapy, injection of an anaesthetic with added corticosteroid into the SI joint is a first choice treatment. The aim of this presentation is to provide information on our experience with this therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients after lumbar spine fusion reported lumbalgia different form pain before surgery. In 14 (41%) of them, pain in one of the SI joints was diagnosed as the cause. This group included 12 women and two men at an average age of 56 (range, 47 to 68) years. Ten patients underwent lumbosacral fixation and four had segmental ("floating") lumbar spine fusion. All patients experienced lumbalgia at more than 3 months following surgery, at 8 months on the average (range, 4 to 12 months). None of them had SI joint pain before surgery. The diagnosis was based on specific manoeuvres on physical examination of the joint. Each patient was given an injection of 20 mg (0.5 ml) Methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol®, Pfizer, Puurs, Belgium) and 4.5 ml 1% Mesocain (Zentiva, Praha, CR).They were inquired as to pain relief 24 h later and then at 1, 3 and 6 months after injection. Subjective feelings were assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS). The results were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: All patients reported pain relief within 24 h of injection, but not its complete resolution. The average VAS score before and after the blockage of the SI joint was 9.1 points (8-10) and 4.8 points (2-7), respectively; this implies improvement by an average of 4.3 points (1-6), i.e., approximately by 47.3% (12.5-62.5). The duration of effects varied greatly from patient to patient. The average interval between injection and pain recurrence lasted for 5 weeks (1-28). Most frequently, relief was experienced for 2 weeks, or for 6.8 weeks with the standard deviation included. DISCUSSION Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a very frequent cause of lumbalgia, particularly after lumbar spine surgery. Physical therapy may not always be effective. SI joint arthrodesis is indicated only in rare cases. One of the few possibilities of pain relief involves intra-articular injection of an anaesthetic with corticosteroid for booster effect. The treatment of SI joint blockage after spinal fusion has recently been dealt with in three reports in the international literature; their conclusions are in accordance with the results of this study. CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar spine stabilisation surgery may result in overloading the SI joints as the "adjacent segments". An intra-articular injection of anaesthetic can be considered a reliable method for ascertaining the SI joint as the source of a patient's problems. However, even with corticosteroid added, pain relief is not usually long-lasting.

[Transhumeral head plasty and massive osteocartilaginous allograft transplantation for the management of large hill-sachs lesions]. / Transoseální plastika hlavice humeru a masivní osteokartilaginózní alostep pri resení rozsáhlého Hill-Sachsova defektu.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this presentation is to inform the medical community about causal therapy (transhumeral head plasty or massive osteochondral allograft transplantation) for large Hill-Sachs lesions which frequently cause failure of anterior stabilisation following ventral shoulder dislocations. MATERIAL: Seven men with an average age of 26 years (19 to 33 years) undergoing surgery in 2006 and 2007 were evaluated. The minimum follow-up was 18 months (41 to 18 months). Impressions on more than 30 % of the articular surface, or those whose critical size was larger than one-eighth of the humeral diameter (on CT scan) were taken as indications for surgery. Four patients had had previous surgery for anterior instability and three had a primary procedure. Four men underwent acute surgery and three had elective operations.Trans- humeral head plasty was used in five and massive osteochondral allograft in two patients. METHODS: In the patients with large lesions in the anterior aspect of the shoulder joint, transhumeral head plasty involving repair of the ventral structures from the anterior approach was indicatedúúú in those with an isolated posterior bony defect, a massive osteochondral allograft was transplanted through the posterior approach. The Constant-Murley score was used to assess clinical status before (not in acute conditions) and after surgery. RESULTS: All patients reported improved clinical status. The average Constant-Murley score at final follow-up was 95.9 points (83-100 points). In the patients not having an acute procedure in whom pre-operative Constant-Murley scores were obtained, the average improvement was by 22.7 points (8 - 37 points). No general surgical complications were recorded. All patients reported subjective satisfaction and willingness to undergo surgery under the same conditions again. DISCUSSION: A Hill-Sachs lesion is a frequent injury to the humeral head resulting from anterior shoulder dislocation. To distinguish between major and minor defects in terms of clinical significance is essential for the choice of appropriate shoulder treatment. Up to now large lesions have mostly been managed by non-causal techniques affecting shoulder biomechanics. Transhumeral head plasty or transplantation of a massive osteochondral allograft, on the other hand, offers a causal treatment. However, these two methods have rarely been mentioned in the international literature, and usually only as case reports. CONCLUSIONS: Transhumeral head plasty and transplantation of a massive osteochondral allograft offer a causal therapy for the management of Hill-Sachs lesions that does not alter shoulder biomechanics. They are not associated with a higher percentage of post-operative complications. Neither technique is more demanding than non-causal procedures. Operations carried out as primary and not as "salvage" procedures restored the function of the shoulder joint to normal. After secondary surgery, occasional shoulder pain may persist as well as its restricted range of motion.