Evaluation of different surgical methods in treating recurrent patella dislocation after three-dimensional reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Recurrent patella dislocation (RPD) is the most common complication of patellar instability. The effects of different surgical techniques on the outcome of RPD treatments remain unclear. This study was conducted to compare the effects of three surgical techniques in treating RPD by three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction from computed tomography (CT) scans. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with RPD and no previous surgical treatments who attended our hospital between October 2010 and 2013 were enrolled and randomly assigned into three groups: (1) medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction and medial patellar retinaculum (MPR) plication group; (2) lateral patellar retinaculum (LPR) release and MPR plication group; and (3) MPFL reconstruction and LPR release group. Knee joints with flexion of 20° were scanned by a 64-row CT scanner and 3D reconstructed. Congruence angle (CA), patellar tilt angle (PTA), lateral patellofemoral angle (LPFA), and congruence of the lateral patellofemoral articular surface were measured. Knee joint function was evaluated by the Lysholm knee scoring scale, Kujala patellofemoral score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. RESULTS: Pre-operative clinical characteristics were similar across groups. After treatment, the CA, PTA, and LPFA were reverted to normal post-operatively without statistically significant between-group differences. The MPFL reconstruction and LPR release group had the highest congruence of the lateral patellofemoral articular surface; while the (LPR) release and (MPR) plication group had the lowest Lysholm knee scoring scale, Kujala patellofemoral score, and IKDC score after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The MPFL reconstruction and LPR release group had the best clinical outcomes among the three surgical methods, as indicated by better joint congruence after 3D joint reconstruction and higher knee function scores.

Use of patient-specific templates in hip resurfacing arthroplasty: experience from sixteen cases.

PURPOSE: Hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) is a technically demanding operation, requiring both accuracy and precision in placement of the acetabular and femoral components. Malalignment of the component can lead to notching and possible femoral neck fractures. We used specific templates created using a rapid prototyping machine based on the patients' anatomy, to aid in accurate intraoperative pin placement. METHODS: A 3D model of the hip was reconstructed using spiral computed tomography (CT) data by Amira 3.1 software in 16 patients in whom HRA was planned for hip osteoarthritis (OA). All of the patients in the study had normal contralateral hips. The rotational centre of femoral head on the normal side was superimposed using Imageware12.0 software to determine the centre of the femoral head on the contralateral side. The data was then used to produce patient-specific templates using a rapid prototyping technique. These templates were designed according to the anatomical features of femoral head surface, the rotation centre and the planned prosthesis shaft angle. The orientation of the prosthesis was determined by matching the model to the femoral head surface during the operation. In addition, a control group of 18 patients with OA was operated upon by the conventional method. RESULTS: The mean prosthesis stem shaft angle (SSA), as determined from postoperative imaging, was 138.68 ± 8.85° for the locating template group, and (118.9 ± 12.8) for the conventional group. CONCLUSIONS: The locating template designed and constructed preoperatively can provide precise and dependable location for hip resurfacing femoral components during arthroplasty and ensure the valgus stem placement necessary for optimal outcomes.

[Treatment of medial malleolus fractures with closed reduction and percutaneous internal fixation].

OBJECTIVE: To study clinical effects of minimally invasive, effective and economic operational method for the treatment of medial malleolus fractures. METHODS: From March 2008 to August 2010, 19 patients (12 males and 7 females, ranging in age from 17 to 42 years, averaged 31.7 years) with medial malleolus fractures were reviewed. Closed reduction and percutaneous internal fixation were applied, with a hollow compression screw inserted at the centre and perpendicularly to the fracture surface. A Kirschner wire was inserted through the cortical bone of opposite side and in accordance with the axis of inner malleolus. Postoperative therapeutic effect was evaluated by Kaikkonen sprained ankle scoring system and imageology examination. RESULTS: All the patients got primary healing of incisions and were followed up, the duration ranged from 6 to 30 months, with an average of 18.7 months. All the patients obtained bone union. Clinical healing time ranged from 2.6 to 3.8 months, averaged 3.2 months. According to Kaikkonen scoring system, the results were rated as excellent in 5 cases, good in 10 cases, moderate in 3 cases, and poor in 1 case. CONCLUSION: It is a minimally invasive, effective and economic method to treat medial malleolus fractures by closed reduction and percutaneous internal fixation with hollow compression screw and Kirschner wire.