Does AMIC® provide improvements at least two years after surgery for knee osteochondral lesions? A multicentre retrospective study of 101 patients.

BACKGROUND: Osteochondral defects of the knee due to trauma or osteochondritis are associated with osteoarthritis in the medium term. Defects 2 to 8cm2 in size can be managed by autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC®), in which sub-chondral micro-fractures are created within the lesion and the defect is then covered by a matrix of type I and type III collagen to induce de novo cartilage formation. Although promising outcomes have been observed in small single-centre cohorts, the medium-term clinical and radiological effectiveness of AMIC® remains to be demonstrated in larger populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes of patients at least 2 years after AMIC® for knee osteochondral defects. HYPOTHESIS: AMIC® is associated with clinical and radiological improvements after at least 2 years. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This multicentre (16 centres), multisurgeon (18 senior orthopaedic surgeons), retrospective study included consecutive patients who underwent AMIC® with Chondro-Gide® membrane implantation between September 2011 and January 2020. The 36-item Short Form quality-of-life (SF-36) score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score were determined before the procedure and during follow-up. The Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging 2 years after the procedure. RESULTS: In total, 101 patients aged 12 to 60 years were included. Mean follow-up was 30 months. Mean defect size was 3.44cm2 (range, 2-8cm2). Significant improvements were documented in the SF-36 score, KOOS, and IKDC score. The mean MOCART score at 2 years was 75% (range, 20-100). DISCUSSION: The AMIC® procedure was associated with significant improvements at 2.5 years in patients treated for knee osteochondral defects measuring 2 to 8cm2. This method seems to provide similar outcomes to those of other available methods with the advantages of single-step surgery and elimination of osteochondral graft donor-site complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective observational cohort study.

Radiocarpal fracture-dislocation: Review of the literature, new classification and decision algorithm.

BACKGROUND: Radiocarpal fractures and dislocations are rarely described in the literature. However, the consequences at the functional level are severe, with the loss of almost half of the articular amplitude. The most widespread classification is that of Dumontier, which divides the injury into two categories according to the presence or absence of a fracture. Currently, no classification considers fracture-dislocations in a global and multi-tissue manner; therefore, no therapeutic strategy has been reported. METHODS: We conducted an exhaustive bibliographic search for cohort or case report articles concerning radiocarpal fracture-dislocations published between 1990 and the present. Only descriptions of the injury were identified (noting the type of fracture, direction of displacement and carpal injuries). RESULTS: In all, data were collected from 14 retrospective series and 16 case reports involving 218 patients. Thirty-five and 183 cases involved anterior and posterior displacement, respectively. A fracture of the distal radius was found in 183 cases and 35 cases had a dislocation only, with no significant fracture. Among the posterior displacements, 44 isolated styloid fractures, 62 styloid and posterior marginal fractures, 29 bimarginal fractures (large anterior fragment and small posterior fragment) and 31 fractures of all the fragments described by Medoff with impaction of the central pavement were found. Anterior displacement fractures were found in 17 cases (styloid and/or anterior marginal fracture). We were able to group the different traumatic clinical forms according to a six-category classification. DISCUSSION: A review of the literature highlighted three major components in the management of radiocarpal fracture-dislocations: the bone component, the ligament component and the associated intracarpal lesions. These three components were included in our classification and allowed us to accurately describe all types of radiocarpal fracture-dislocations published in the literature. Authors currently agree on management of the bone component but disagree on that of the ligament component. Particular attention should be paid to intracarpal lesions, which lead to poor outcomes if ignored. Based on our biographical research, we propose a management plan for these complex injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: VI.

Arthroscopic Scaphocapitate Fusion: Surgical Technique.

Scapholunate fusion appears to be an interesting surgical solution for carpal pathologies, which are sometimes difficult to manage as Kienbock's disease or chronic scapholunate instability. Open intracarpal fusion is notorious for decreasing joint range of motion due to the fusion of several carpal bones and because of the capsulotomy sectioning important ligamentous elements in carpal biomechanics. Wrist arthroscopy has already demonstrated its effectiveness in preserving joint mobility compared with open procedures. In this work, we present a detailed procedure for performing a scaphocapitate fusion under arthroscopy by specifying the key points of this procedure in our experience.

Does the choice of the optic portal influence the radiographic and early functional results in acute acromioclavicular disjunctions?

Exposure of the coracoid process during arthroscopic stabilization of acute acromioclavicular disjunctions (ACDs) can be achieved either by passing an extra- articular optical portal through the subacromial space or by an intra-articular optical route through the glenohumeral joint with opening of the rotator interval. The objective of our study was to compare the impact on the functional results of these two optical routes. This was a retrospective, multicentre study that included patients operated on for an acute acromioclavicular disjunction arthroscopically. The treatment consisted of surgical stabilization under arthroscopy. The surgical indication was retained for an acromioclavicular disjunction of grade 3, 4 or 5, according to the Rockwood classification. Group 1, which consisted of 10 patients, was operated on with an extra-articular subacromial optical route, and group 2, which consisted of 12 patients, was operated on with an intra-articular optical route with opening of the rotator interval according to the habits of the surgeon. A follow-up of 3 months was performed. The functional results were evaluated for each patient using the Constant score, Quick DASH, and SSV. The delays in returning to professional and sports activities were also noted. A precise postoperative radiological analysis made it possible to analyse the quality of the radiological reduction. No significant difference between the two groups was found between the Constant score (88 vs. 90; p = 0.56), Quick DASH (7 vs. 7; p = 0.58), or SSV (88 vs. 93; p = 0.36). The times to return to work (6.8 weeks vs. 7.0 weeks; p = 0.54) and sports activities (15.6 weeks vs. 19.5 weeks; p = 0.53) were also comparable. The quality of the radiological reduction was satisfactory in the two groups and did not depend on the approach. No clinically or radiologically significant differences between the extra-articular and intra-articular optical portals in the surgical treatment of acute ACDs were found. The optical route can be chosen according to the habits of the surgeon.