Patellar Instability: Imaging Findings.

Patellofemoral instability results from impaired engagement of the patella in the trochlear groove at the start of flexion and may lead to pain and lateral patellar dislocation. It occurs most frequently in adolescents and young adults during sporting activities. Trochlear dysplasia, patella alta, and excessive lateralization of the tibial tuberosity are the most common risk factors for patellar instability. The main role of imaging is to depict and assess these anatomical factors and highlight features indicating previous lateral dislocation of the patella.

Long-term results (after a mean 11.3years, and up to 22years, of follow-up) of the Legacy Constrained Condylar Knee (LCCK™) in primary total knee arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: The use of a sliding prosthesis in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with increased stress is an intermediate solution in primary surgery, between posteriorly stabilized prostheses and hinged prostheses, in cases of ligamentous laxity and/or loss of bone substance. Favorable results have been reported in the medium term but to our knowledge, this type of prosthesis has not been evaluated in Europe beyond 10 years of follow-up. We therefore conducted a retrospective study in order to carry out: 1) the study of the survival of the Legacy Constrained Condylar Knee (LCCK™) prosthesis in primary surgery, 2) the analysis of complications, functional scores and radiographic data, 3) the analysis of the link between the diaphyseal filling rate and prosthetic loosening. HYPOTHESIS: The LCCK™ sliding prosthesis with increased constraint has equivalent long-term survival and clinical results to standard posteriorly stabilized TKA and superior to hinged TKA. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective series of 141 LCCK™ implanted in 134 patients between 1997 and 2010 was analyzed. Survival was assessed with censoring through an evaluation of partial or total revision of the implants. The functional results were evaluated using the IKS and Oxford 12 scores. Data regarding the Canal Fill Ratio (CFR) and the presence of pathological periprosthetic lines were also collected. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 11.3±5.3years with a maximum follow-up of 22.7years. Survival at 20years was 90.8% [95% CI: 83.7-95.7]. The rate of early complications was 13.5% (19/141), predominantly comprised of venous thrombosis (6/141), hematomas (3/141 including two requiring surgical drainage), stiffness (3/141) and early infections (3/141). The rate of late complications was 17% (24/141), led by stiffness (4.4%; 6/141), infections (2.9%; 4/141) and hardware failure (2. 2%; 3/141). Ten of the 141 patients (7.1%) had LCCK failure, including 3 (2.1%) for stiffness, 3 (2.1%) for hardware failure, 2 (1.4%) for infection, 1 (0.7%) for laxity and 1 (0.7%) for a periprosthetic fracture. No aseptic loosening was found. The total IKS score went from 65 [0-116] to 143 [79-200] at follow-up, the IKS knee score went from 30 [0-66] to 85 [44-100], and the IKS function score went from 35 [0-70] to 57 [0-100]. The Oxford score went from 14 [2-25] to 34 [15-48] at follow-up. Only two patients (1.4%) presented with a partial periprosthetic line. The tibial CFR was 0.81 and the femoral CFR was 0.76. The influence of the CFR could not be analyzed due to the absence of loosening. DISCUSSION: The LCCK™ prosthesis in primary surgery has good medium-term survival, a significant improvement in functional scores and a complication rate comparable to posteriorly stabilized prostheses. The complication rate is lower than that of hinged prostheses. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; single-center retrospective study.

Bibliometric evaluation of negative publications from orthopedics and traumatology from the ten most influential journals of 2009-2010 and 2019-2020: A comparative study with the "Orthopedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research" journal, using the same analysis of submitted and accepted articles.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data in the literature regarding negative articles concerning surgery in orthopedics and trauma. Knowledge pertaining to treatments or techniques which confer a beneficial effect remains important, as does knowledge regarding those which have a null or pejorative effect. Thus, this study was carried out on negative articles in order to: (1) determine their proportion in the ten predominant journals concerning orthopedic and trauma surgery; (2) assess variability in their publication rate depending on the journal and the year, and compare their citation rate to that of positive articles; (3) specify whether a positive article was more likely to be cited compared to a negative article; (4) carry out the same bibliometric analysis with the "Orthopedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research (OTSR)" journal, and detect possible selection bias for negative articles during the review. HYPOTHESIS: There are fewer negative articles than positive articles in the literature relating to orthopedic and trauma surgery. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was carried out using the ten orthopedic and trauma surgery journals with the highest impact factors for the year 2021. Two periods were compared, 2009-2010 and 2019-2020. Among the 17,812 publications obtained, 11,962 publications were retained to carry out the analysis (technical notes, meta-analyses, editorials and letters to the editor were all excluded). An analysis using the same method was carried out on the 3,727 articles submitted to OTSR from 2015 to 2021, which made it possible to compare the rejected articles to the accepted articles. RESULTS: Negative articles represented 11% (1,342/12,023) of the literature relating to orthopedic and trauma surgery. There were differences in the rate of publication of negative articles depending on the journals (from 4.04% to 17.14%) (p<0.0001). The negative article publication rate did not change between the two periods studied: 534/4963 articles (10.76%) in 2009-2010 versus 802/6999 (11.46%) in 2019-2020 (p=0.23). Positive articles were not cited more often than negative ones: no significant difference between the Category Normalized Citation Impact (CNCI) classes (respectively for classes 0;1[/[1;2[/≥ 2 with 45.66% 28.22% and 26.12% for negative articles versus 44.90% 27.46% and 27.64% for positive articles [p=0.4]) and the Top10% (with 18.86% for negative articles versus 20.10% for positive ones [p=0.28]). The OTSR journal had a rate of negative articles of 9.46% which was within the average range of the journals studied. A selection bias (p<0.02) for negative articles during the review of the OTSR journal was identified with fewer negative articles accepted (115/1216 [9.46%]) than positive articles (164/1330 [12.33%]). DISCUSSION: The publication of negative articles varies according to the journals and although it is modest, at only 11%, it is essential because it allows us not to repeat errors but also not to bias the carrying out of meta-analyses, and among other things to avoid useless studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; case control study from the literature.

Validation of the French version of the Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS) in 113 hip arthroscopy procedures.

BACKGROUND: The Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS) used to evaluate the hip in younger patients is a self-administered questionnaire with 20 items in four sections: pain, symptoms, function, and activities. Although used in France, no transcultural version had been validated. The objective of this study was to translate the NAHS into French then assess the validity, reliability, and sensitivity to change of the French-language version (NAHS-Fr) in younger patients with hip conditions other than osteoarthritis. HYPOTHESIS: The NAHS-Fr demonstrates good validity and reliability when used in younger French-speaking patients with hip pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study in 105 patients (62 males and 43 females) scheduled for surgery on one or both hips (113 hips in total) to treat cam-type femoro-acetabular impingement or labral lesions. Before and 6 months after surgery, each patient completed the NAHS-Fr and Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Statistical tests were done to evaluate validity, reliability, and sensitivity to change, as recommended by the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN). RESULTS: The response rate was 100%, confirming that the NAHS-Fr was easy to use. The NAHS-Fr was both valid and reliable. No ceiling or floor effect was detected for the total NAHS-Fr score. All items had Cronbach alpha coefficients greater than 0.8, indicating good internal consistency. External consistency between the NAHS-Fr and WOMAC was negative (-0.676) due to inversely proportional score indexing. Before surgery, the NAHS-Fr and WOMAC scores were strongly and significantly correlated (p<0.0001). The effect size was greater than 0.8, indicating good sensitivity to the change induced by surgery. DISCUSSION: These results confirm the study hypothesis: the NAHS-Fr has the same good psychometric characteristics as does the original version and versions in other languages. The NAHS-Fr is useful for evaluating younger patients with non-osteoarthritic hip pain and can be used by French-speaking surgeons in everyday clinical practice. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, prospective observational non-comparative cohort study.

Management of medial femorotibial osteoarthritis: Epidemiology, and survival of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty versus valgus high tibial osteotomy in France. Study of 108,007 cases from the French National Hospitals Database.

INTRODUCTION: Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and valgus high tibial osteotomy (HTO) are two options for isolated medial femorotibial osteoarthritis in genu varum. In the absence of registries for osteotomies and for arthroplasty in the knee, epidemiological data are hard to obtain in France. We therefore performed a retrospective study, with the aims of: 1) estimating UKA and HTO survival without revision by total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and 2) assessing risk factors for revision according to treatment group. HYPOTHESIS: Medium-term survival is better with HTO than UKA in under-70-year-olds. MATERIALS AND METHOD: All elderly patients undergoing HTO or UKA in the French National Hospitals Database for the period 2011-2020 were included: i.e., 108,007 patients; 43,537 HTO (29,330 male, 14,207 female; mean age 49.7 years, 95% CI 49.6-49.8) and 64,470 UKA (31,181 male, 33,289 female; mean age 60.5 years, 95% CI 60.5-60.6). RESULTS: Survival free of revision by TKA was 75.8% (95% CI=75.2-76.4) for UKA and 80.6% (95% CI=80.0-81.3) for HTO (p<0.00001). In UKA, revision risk factors comprised: low annual center volume (<17 UKAs per year) (HR=1.50; 95% CI=1.41-1.59), obesity (HR=1.25; 95% CI=1.18-1.32), and age <60years, with maximum risk for 50-59years (HR=2.41; 95% CI=1.83-3.16 in 50-59 year-olds). In HTO, revision risk factors comprised: obesity (HR=1.42; 95% CI=1.31-1.53), rheumatoid arthritis (HR=2.75; 95% CI=1.37-5.51), joint chondrocalcinosis (HR=2.01; 95% CI=1.18-3.39), and age >60years (HR=8.81; 95% CI=7.23-19.73 in 60-69-year-olds). Male gender was a protective factor against revision in both groups: UKA, HR=0.75 (95% CI=0.72-0.79); HTO, HR=0.73 (95% CI=0.69-0.77). The number of UKAs increased over the years, matching the increase in arthroplasty in France, with a decrease in HTOs until 2019. CONCLUSION: HTO showed better medium-term survival than UKA in under-70-year-olds in France. Even so, indications decreased in favor of UKA, although the respective risk factors differ. These findings suggest that conservative surgery still has a role, depending on osteoarthritis stage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; retrospective comparative study.

The frequency of medial meniscal repairs in stable knees during one year of arthroscopic activity (2021-2022) - comparison with a retrospective study (prior to 2017).

INTRODUCTION: There has been a significant increase in the use of conservative treatment for meniscal lesions due to raised awareness around the need for meniscal preservation. However, sutures of the medial meniscus (MM) in stable knees remain less frequently used. The objective of this study was to, firstly, identify the MM suture rate over one year of activity; secondly, to identify and compare the distribution of MM sutures in stable, and stabilized, knees on this prospective series; and thirdly, to compare the evolution of practices with a retrospective series of more than 5 years follow-up. HYPOTHESIS: The number of MM sutures in stable knees represents a small percentage of annual arthroscopic activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This multicenter study was carried out in 10 reference centers participating in the 2022 symposium of the Francophone Society of Arthroscopy (Bordeaux, Caen, Lille, Lille Louvière, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Saint-Étienne, Strasbourg, Versailles). This study included a prospective series on interventions performed under arthroscopy during one year of activity. The inclusion criteria were patients operated on via an arthroscopic technique and aged over 18 at the time of the operation. Demographic data, as well as the circumstances leading to the injury, were collected. A register of the lesions found was established in order to list the lesions of the MM, the lateral meniscus (LM), the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the associated chondral lesions; as well as the treatment performed: meniscal suture of the MM and/or LM, meniscectomy of the MM and/or LM and ligamentoplasty of the ACL. This study also included a retrospective series comprised of only MM sutures in stable knees at more than 5 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 4154 patients included, 1919 patients (46.2%) underwent surgery for ACL reconstruction and 2235 for arthroscopy without associated ligament surgery. MM sutures (in stable knees and in knees with ACL reconstruction) represented 14% of the overall arthroscopic activity (583 MM sutures) versus 8.6% for LM (360 sutures). In cases of ACL surgery, there were 895 associated meniscal lesions (337 LM and 558 MM) and 66% of MM tears (371 MM sutures) were sutured. In stable knees, MM tears were weaker (212 MM sutures out of 1359 lesions, i.e. 15%). Of all the arthroscopic procedures performed over the course of a year, MM suturing in stable knees represented 5.1% of the activity. Compared to the retrospective series (n=367), the patients were older (37 years versus 28 years) and the management of ramp lesions or root tears was noted. In both series, these tears were related to sports trauma in more than 70% of cases. CONCLUSION: MM suturing in stable knees represents a small part of annual arthroscopic activity and it occurs less frequently than during ACL reconstruction surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Medial meniscal repair in stable knees: Survival rate and risk factors for failure at a minimum of 5 years.

INTRODUCTION: The menisci play a major role in the protection of the knee against osteoarthritis. A medial meniscus (MM) tear occurring in a stable knee is more at risk of repair failure than a suture concomitant with reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. HYPOTHESIS: The survival of MM sutures in stable knees depends on the type of lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was carried out as part of the 2022 Francophone Arthroscopy Society's symposium, across 10 centers (Bordeaux-Mérignac, Caen, Lille, Lille Louvière, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Saint-Étienne, Strasbourg and Versailles) including medial meniscus sutures in stable knees performed before the end of 2017 (minimum 5 years of follow-up) with a collection of demographic, imaging, suture and postoperative protocol data, and a functional evaluation using the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome score (KOOS). The aim of this study was to analyze the medial meniscus sutures in stable knees and to evaluate their survival and their risk factors for failure according to the type of lesion; failure being defined by the use of a meniscectomy. RESULTS: Three-hundred and sixty-seven MM sutures, including 122 bucket-handle tears, were included. The KOOS score was improved by the meniscal suture by an average of 22.2 points for each sub-score (p<0.05), with an improvement, which was more marked for the bucket-handle tears. The failure rate, defined by revision surgery by meniscectomy, was 33% on average (42% for bucket-handles tears, 26% for others). The probability of survival was reduced for bucket-handle tears (62% at 5 years versus 77% for the other types). For all lesions, the main risk factor identified for failure was immediate weight-bearing [OR=3.6 (1.62; 7.98), p=0.0016]. Smoking was a failure risk factor for bucket-handle tears [OR=5.76 (1.81; 18.35), p=0.003]. CONCLUSION: MM sutures in stable knees improve knee function but present a different risk of failure depending on the type of lesion treated with a higher risk of failure for bucket-handle tears with the need for caution to be applied with regards to weight-bearing and smoking. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective series.

Rehabilitation protocol after suturing the medial meniscus of a stable knee, a retrospective series of the Francophone Arthroscopy Society.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical meniscal lesions are common and 80% of cases involve the medial meniscus of a stable knee. There is a lack of consensus regarding postoperative rehabilitation protocols and a wide variation between restrictive and accelerated rehabilitation protocols exists. The main objective of this study was to report the functional results and the failure rate of the various rehabilitation protocols of the retrospective series of the French Society of Arthroscopy (SFA) after suturing the medial meniscus of a stable knee, considering whether the tear is stable or unstable. HYPOTHESIS: Our hypothesis was that accelerated rehabilitation was not associated with an increased risk of failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter study was conducted across 10 centers (6 private hospitals and 4 public hospitals) including all patients tested for a medial meniscus suture in a stable knee between January 1, 2005 and November 31, 2017 for a minimum follow-up of 5years. Demographic, imaging, suturing, rehabilitation protocol, and functional TEGNER and KOOS scores were collected. Failure was defined as performing a secondary meniscectomy. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty-seven patients were analyzed with an average follow-up of 82months. Immediate weight bearing was allowed in 85% of cases, the wearing of a brace was present in almost 74% of cases and flexion was limited in 97% of cases. Inter-group comparisons found a higher suture failure rate in the group with immediate weight bearing (35.6% vs. 20%, p=0.011) and in the group with a brace (36.9% vs. 22.4%, p<0.001). There was no difference in the 90° flexion group. The TEGNER score was higher in the non-weight bearing group (6.5 vs. 5.4, p=0.028) and the KOOS QOL score was higher in the group without a brace (82.2 vs. 66.8, p=0.025). According to a multivariate analysis, immediate weight bearing (OR=3.6, [1.62; 7.98], p=0.0016) and wearing a brace (OR=2.83, [1.54; 5.02], p<0.001) were associated with a higher failure rate. In the group of stable lesions, the use of a brace (OR=3.73, [1.62; 8.56], p=0.0019) was associated with a higher failure rate. CONCLUSION: No consensus regarding rehabilitation protocols has been established to date and the results of this retrospective series of the SFA affirm the great variability of practices at a national level. Although accelerated rehabilitation protocols are presently favored, the resumption of immediate full weight bearing should be considered with caution, being associated with a higher risk of failure in this series. Deferring weight bearing for 1 month can be considered in the event of a large tear or in the event of damage to the circumferential fibers. Wearing a brace does not seem to have any influence, while limited flexion achieved a consensus. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study.

Should microbiological samples be taken routinely when performing revision surgery for post-surgical hematoma after hip or knee replacement? Retrospective study of 78 cases of surgically drained hematoma with a minimum follow-up of 2 years.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between the occurrence of a periprosthetic hip or knee joint infection, a post-surgical hematoma and the time to surgical revision, along with the need to take samples for microbiology analysis has not been clearly defined. This led us to perform a retrospective study to: 1) define the rate of infected hematoma and subsequent infection after surgical revision for hematoma and 2) analyze in which time frame the hematoma was likely to be infected. HYPOTHESIS: The more time elapsed before the postoperative hematoma is drained surgically after hip or knee replacement, the higher the hematoma infection rate and the late infection rate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2013 and 2021, 78 patients (48 hip and 30 knee replacements) who had a postoperative hematoma without signs of infection upon draining were included in the study. Surgeons decided whether samples for microbiology were collected (33/78 patients (42%)). The data compiled consisted of the patient's demographics, the risk factors for infection, number of infected hematomas, number of subsequent infections at a minimum follow-up of 2 years, and the time to revision surgery (lavage). RESULTS: Of the 27 samples collected from the hematoma during the first lavage, 12/27 (44%) were infected. Of the 51 that did not have samples collected initially, 6/51 (12%) had them collected during the second lavage; 5 were infected and 1 was sterile. Overall, 17/78 (22%) of the hematomas were infected. Conversely, there were no late infections at a mean follow-up of 3.8 years (min 2, max 8) after the hematoma was drained in any of the 78 patients. The median time to revision was 4 days (Q1=2, Q3=14) for non-infected hematomas that were drained surgically versus 15 days (Q1=9, Q3=20) for hematomas that were found to be infected (p=0.005). No hematoma was infected when it was drained surgically within 72hours post-arthroplasty (0/19 (0%)). The infection rate went up to 2/16 (12.5%) when it was drained 3 to 5 days later and 15/43 (35%) when it was drained after more than 5 days (p=0.005). We believe this justifies collecting microbiology samples immediately when the hematoma is drained more than 72hours after the joint replacement procedure. Diabetes was more prevalent in patients who had an infected hematoma (8/17 [47%] versus 7/61 [11.5%], p=0.005). The infection was due to a single bacterium in 65% of cases (11/17); S. epidermidis was found in 59% (10/17) of infections. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of a hematoma after hip or knee replacement that requires surgical revision is associated with increased risk of infection, since the hematoma infection rate was 22%. Since hematomas drained within 72hours are less likely to be infected, samples do not need to be collected for microbiology at that time. Conversely, any hematomas being drained surgically beyond this time point should be considered as infected, thus microbiology samples should be collected, and empirical postoperative antibiotic therapy initiated. Early revision may prevent the occurrence of late infections. The standard treatment of infected hematomas appears to resolve the infection at a minimum follow-up of 2 years. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV Retrospective study.

Trajectory of chronic and neuropathic pain, anxiety and depressive symptoms and pain catastrophizing after total knee replacement. Results of a prospective, single-center study at a mean follow-up of 7.5 years.

INTRODUCTION: A considerable number of patients are not satisfied after total knee replacement (TKR) because of persistent pain. This pain can also be neuropathic in origin. Both types of pain have a large impact on function and quality of life. Furthermore, the trajectory of anxiety and depressive symptoms and pain catastrophizing has rarely been studied after TKR surgery. The primary objective of this study was to define the trajectory of knee pain after primary TKR. The secondary objectives were to evaluate how neuropathic pain, anxiety and depressive symptoms and pain catastrophizing change over time. METHODS: This prospective, single-center study included patients who underwent primary TKR for primary osteoarthritis between July 2011 and December 2012. Personal data (age, sex, body mass index, knee history, operated side, surgical approach, type of implant, operative time, and rehabilitation course) and the responses to seven questionnaires (Numerical pain rating scale, DN4-interview for neuropathic pain, Oxford Knee Scale, Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Patient Catastrophizing Scale and Brief Pain Inventory) were determined preoperatively, at 6 months postoperative and at a mean follow-up of 7.5 years. RESULTS: Preoperatively, 129 patients (35 men, 94 women) filled out all the questionnaires. Subsequently, 32 patients were excluded because of incomplete responses at 6 months postoperative, 6 were excluded because they had undergone revision surgery, 11 patients were lost to follow-up and 5 patients had died. In the end, 65 patients were available for analysis (50% of the initial cohort) who were 74 years old on average at inclusion. Between the preoperative period and 6 months postoperative, pain (p<0.001), function (p<0.001), anxiety symptoms (p<0.001) and catastrophizing (p<0.001) had improved. Depressive symptoms did not change (p=0.63). Between 6 months postoperative and the latest follow-up, none of the parameters changed further (p>0.05). Of the 65 patients analyzed, 21% had chronic pain of undefined origin at 6 months postoperative and 26% had chronic pain at the end of follow-up, with 50% also having neuropathic pain. Preoperatively, 40% of the 65 patients had neuropathic pain, 30% at 6 months (p=0.27) and 18% at 7.5 years after TKR (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: The number of patients who have chronic pain after TKR is considerable, especially since knee pain stabilized at 6 months postoperative. Early detection is vital to prevent the pain from becoming chronic, which makes it more difficult to treat. Half the patients with persistent pain also had neuropathic pain, which should be detected before surgery so the patients can be referred to a specialized pain management center. The presence of anxiety and depressive symptoms and pain catastrophizing is not a contraindication to TKR, but these patients should be referred to specialists for treatment before surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, prospective cohort study.

Variation in knee balance as a function of hip-knee-ankle angle and joint line obliquity in robotic assisted total knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: To describe the mediolateral (ML) gap balance in pre-resection arthritic knees undergoing robot-assisted (RA) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) within the nine phenotypes of the Coronal Plane Alignment of the Knee (CPAK) classification. METHODS: A total of 1124 RA TKA cases were retrospectively reviewed. ML balance was calculated using a digital ligament tensioning device following tibial resection and prior to any femoral resection throughout flexion (10°, 40°, and 90°). Lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) were landmarked intra-operatively and adjusted for wear based on hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA). Knees were then subdivided into CPAK categories based on the arithmetic HKA (aHKA) and joint line obliquity (JLO). Differences in balance between CPAK phenotypes were compared. RESULTS: For aHKA, a greater medial gap was observed in varus compared to neutral or valgus knees at 10° (5.2 ± 3.0 mm vs 3.3 ± 3.2 mm vs - 0.4 ± 5.0 mm respectively; p < 0.0001). A similar trend was observed for JLO in distal apex compared to neutral and proximal apex knees at 10° (3.4 ± 3.6 vs 1.1 ± 5.0 vs - 2.4 ± 6.3 respectively; p < 0.0001). The greatest ML balance differences were found when combining JLO and aHKA at 10° (type I vs type VI: ∆6.6 mm; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: There is a high degree of variability in arthritic ML balance within and between each CPAK phenotype. A single alignment philosophy based on bony landmarks alone may not be sufficient to balance all knees. Utilisation of robotics and digital ligament tensioning devices serves as important adjuncts to characterize the patient-specific soft tissue profile.

Are CPR (Contact Patch to Rim) distance anomalies associated with the occurrence of abnormal noises from ceramic-on-ceramic THA?

INTRODUCTION: The ceramic-on-ceramic couple in total hip arthroplasties (THA) has the advantage of excellent wear resistance and the bioinert nature of its debris. Noise occurring from this friction torque is a common complication, the contributing factors of which are debated. The noise is caused by a lack of lubrication, due in most part to the positioning of the acetabular cup. The study of metal-on-metal couples identified that the calculation of the Contact Patch to Rim (CPR) distance provides information on lubrication defects and also that it is correlated with the wear of metal-on-metal implants. This CPR distance is not recognized to be correlated with the occurrence of noise for the ceramic-on-ceramic couple at a caliber ≤ 36mm. We therefore conducted a retrospective case-control study to assess: 1) The influence of the CPR distance on noise occurrence; 2) Whether other factors associated to noise occurrence exist? HYPOTHESIS: Our hypothesis was that a low CPR distance was correlated with noise occurrence. METHOD: This was a case-control study with 3 controls for each case, analyzing 21 THAs (21 patients) with noise compared to 63 THAs without noise (63 patients) matched for age, sex and body mass index. These patients were taken from a continuous retrospective series of 96 patients for 104 total hip arthroplasties (THA) with a single operator and 4th generation Biolox Delta ceramic-on-ceramic single implant, performed between 2007 and 2012. The calculation of the CPR distance was then performed for both groups using measurements of inclination angles, anteversion angles, and implant data regarding the head/insert contact angle, head/insert diameter and clearance. RESULTS: At the mean follow-up of 7.1 years±1.2 [5 to 9.6], the mean CPR distance was lower in the noise group 10mm±3.3 [3.8 to 16.4] than in the control group 14.8mm±4.3 [7.3 to 24.4] (p=0.0007). The mean inclination angle was higher in the noise group 45.1°±7.8 [31 to 62] than in the control group 41.2°±7.2 [26 to 56] (p=0.04). The occurrence of noise was independent of anteversion, head caliber, cup diameter, neck length and stem size, and stem type (standard or lateralized). CONCLUSION: A low CPR distance was correlated with the occurrence of noises, similarly a steep inclination was correlated with the occurrence of noises. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; Retrospective case-control study.

Cementless metal-on-metal versus ceramic-on-polyethylene hip arthroplasty in under-50 year-olds with 20 to 22 years' follow-up: Was it a good idea to abandon the small-diameter metal-on-metal bearing?

In 2005 and 2011, we reported results for a comparative study of two types of 28-mm bearing (metal-on-metal (MoM) and ceramic-on-polyethylene (CoP) in active patients with respectively 5 and 12 years' follow-up. The present report is an update at a mean 20 years' follow-up, addressing 2 issues: (1) implant survival at a mean 20 years; and (2) long-term complications with the metal-on-metal bearing. Twenty-eight millimeters MoM bearings show good survival at 20 years in young active subjects. Two groups of cementless hip prostheses were compared: Metasul™ 28mm MoM versus 28mm CoP. The MoM group comprised 30 patients (39 hips), with a mean age of 40±6.7 years [range, 22.6-49 years], and the CoP group comprised 32 patients (39 hips), with a mean age of 40.5±8.7 years [range, 15-50 years]. The groups were matched in 2005 for age, activity level and preoperative Harris score. At a mean 20±5.3 years' follow-up [range, 5-23 years], in the MoM group 2 hips (5%) showed limited non-progressive acetabular osteolysis, not requiring revision surgery; in the CoP group, there were 21 revision procedures (54%), including 15 for polyethylene wear. In the MoM group, the median total blood cobalt concentration was 1.03g/L [range, 0.3-3.5] and the median chromium concentration was 1.07g/L [range, 0.3-3.2]. Twenty-year all-cause survival was 100% in the MoM group, and 46% (95% CI, 37-59%) in the CoP group (p<0.0001). At long-term follow-up, MoM implants showed better survival than CoP implants in a young active population. Level of evidence: III, matched case series.

Hip resurfacing for small-sized osteonecrosis: 73 cases at a median 8years' follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Total hip resurfacing arthroplasty (THRA) is an alternative to conventional total hip replacement (THR) in young patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Series have been small, without criteria regarding extent of necrosis, thus vitiating results. We therefore conducted a retrospective assessment of THRA for small necrosis, to determine (1) implant survival, (2) functional scores, and (3) systemic chromium, cobalt and titanium ion concentrations. HYPOTHESIS: The study hypothesis was that the revision rate is low, meeting the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) criterion of<0.5% revision per year. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A single-center single-surgeon retrospective study included 62 patients, for 73 RTHAs, with a mean age of 45.6years (range: 23-68years) presenting Ficat stage 3 or 4 osteonecrosis of the femoral head with<330° total Kerboul angle (frontal+lateral angles) on simple preoperative X-ray. Study data comprised implant survival and preoperative and last follow-up functional scores (Postel-Merle-d'Aubigné, Oxford-12, Harris, and Devane) and titanium, chromium and cobalt blood concentrations. Necrosis size was assessed on preoperative Kerboul angle. RESULTS: At a median 8years' follow-up (IQR: 5.9-9.3years), implant survival was 98.6% (95% CI: 97.22-99.98%). Only 1 implant was exchanged, for femoral loosening. Three other patients underwent revision surgery: 2 cases of lavage for infection, and 1 muscle hernia repair. Postel-Merle-d'Aubigné, Oxford-12 and Harris functional scores and Devane activity scores were significantly improved at follow-up, by a median +5 (IQR: 5 to 7), -26 (IQR: -29 to -23), +55 (IQR: 49 to 61) and +1 (IQR: 1 to 2), respectively (all p<0.001). Ion concentrations at last follow-up for titanium, chromium and cobalt were respectively 4.0µg/L (range: 3.6-4.1), 1.1µg/L (range: 0.8-1.9) and 1.1µg/L (range: 0.6-1.8). CONCLUSION: THRA is a useful option in the long-term for young patients with osteonecrosis with Kerboul angle<330°. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study.

Influence of shelf acetabuloplasty on the outcomes of total hip arthroplasty in hips with dysplasia: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) in young adults, especially in those with hip dysplasia, is affected by wear and acetabular fixation problems. Shelf acetabuloplasty is performed to delay THA in patients with acetabular dysplasia. Thus, we conducted a retrospective, continuous case-control study at a single healthcare facility to analyze (1) the influence of prior shelf acetabuloplasty on the survival of a subsequent THA and (2) the functional outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 105 patients (124 THA) who underwent THA due to hip dysplasia: 54 patients (61 THA) were included in the THA post-shelf acetabuloplasty group (case group) and 51 patients (63 THA) in the THA for dysplasia group (control group). RESULTS: At 15 years' follow-up, 89% of patients (95% CI: 84-91%) in the shelf group and 83% (95% CI: 81-90%) in the dysplasia group had not undergone surgical revision. This difference between groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.566). The functional outcomes were satisfactory in both groups; however, they were significantly better in the dysplasia group than in the shelf group based on the Merle d'Aubigne and Postel score (16.9 vs 16.0 min-max: 14-18 vs 3-18) (p = 0.01), Harris Hip score (90.0 vs 84.7, min-max: 62-100 vs 22-100) (p = 0.017), and the Oxford-12 (18/60 vs 21/60, min-max: 45-12 vs 51-12) (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Shelf acetabuloplasty before THA does not negatively affect THA survivorship. The functional outcomes appear to be better in the hips that did not undergo shelf acetabuloplasty, although the results were good in both groups.

Knee Ligament Sprains: Diagnosing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries by Patient Interview. Development and Evaluation of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Score (ACLIS).

BACKGROUND: Knee ligament sprains are a common reason for emergency-room visits. Initially, the often difficult physical examination provides limited information, creating a risk of missing cruciate-ligament injuries, which can result in substantial functional impairments. No simple tool is available to emergency and primary-care physicians for decisions regarding specialist referral of patients with knee ligament sprains. An easy to use clinical score for the emergency setting would help identify patients at high risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears after knee ligament sprains. The primary objective of this study, in two separate cohorts with acute knee injuries, was to develop, then validate a score for assessing the probability of ACL tear and, therefore, the need for specialist referral. HYPOTHESIS: A score based on patient-interview information with a cut-off associated to good sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) for ACL tears can be developed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature review identified seven items to be used in the score: pivoting and contact activity at the time of injury, perceived cracking sound, sensation of dislocation, joint effusion, suggestive mechanism, inability to resume the activity, and immediate sensation of instability upon walking. To select the most relevant items, we recruited a development cohort of 228 patients (127 males and 101 females) with a mean age of 32±9 years who were seen for knee injuries between November 2017 and November 2018 at three healthcare institutions; 183 (80%) had ACL tears. The score was then tested in a validation cohort of 121 patients (79 males and 42 females) with a mean age of 28±2.5 years seen at two healthcare institutions between November 2019 and November 2020; 81 (67%) had ACL tears. In all patients, the diagnosis of ACL tear was confirmed by a specialist examination and magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Four items proved both sensitive and specific for ACL injury and were combined into the score: an immediate sensation of knee instability, an inability to resume the sports activity, a sensation of dislocation, and injury during a pivoting-contact activity. Patient report of two or more of these four criteria had 96% sensitivity and 66% specificity for ACL tear, with a PPV of 91% and an NPV of 83%. Results were similar in the validation cohort, confirming that a cut-off of at least two of the four items strongly suggested an ACL tear, with 94% sensitivity, 56% specificity, a PPV of 82% and an NPV of 82%. CONCLUSION: The ACLIS score performs well for the emergency-room diagnosis of ACL tear, with 95% sensitivity, 62% specificity, an 88% PPV, and an 82% NPV. Patients with ACLIS scores of 2 or more probably require specialist referral with or without magnetic resonance imaging. The ACLIS score could be used routinely in emergency departments to decrease the proportion of patients with undiagnosed ACL tears. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, prospective case-control study of a diagnostic score.

The benefits of systematic intraoperative sampling during lower limb arthroplasties due to sequelae from prior osteoarticular infections: A retrospective study of 92 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoarticular infections (OAIs) of native joints lead to cartilage damage which may require subsequent arthroplasty. There is no consensus on systematic intraoperative microbiological sampling when performing an arthroplasty on a native joint with a history of OAI. We carried out a retrospective study to: (1) identify the frequency of the persistence of the microorganism(s) involved during the initial, presumed cured OAI, when performing an arthroplasty for sequelae of osteoarthritis, (2) to find an association between the length of time between the OAI and arthroplasty, and the recurrence of bacterial infection, (3) to assess the influence of the presence of hardware on the risk of infectious recurrence. HYPOTHESIS: Systematic sampling is justified during a subsequent arthroplasty after an OAI, even after a prolonged period. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This single-center, retrospective descriptive study included all patients whose indication for arthroplasty resulted from osteoarthritis, osteitis or bacterial osteomyelitis of a native joint, or in the aftermath of an infection post osteosynthesis. All patients were considered to have recovered from the initial infection at the time of the arthroplasty. Between 2008 and 2019, 92 patients were included in the study, with an average age of 56.5years (range: 21-97years). OAI occurred at a mean age of 35years (range: 1-84years). The average time from OAI to implantation was 15years (range: 1-65years). The bacteria most frequently found in the initial OAI was Staphylococcus aureus, involved in 35.8% of cases (n=33/92). RESULTS: The intraoperative samples came back positive in 17% of cases (n=16/92), including 9 positive for the same bacteria as the OAI (56%, n=9/16). For these 16 cases, the time between the OAI and the arthroplasty was 1year for 5 patients, between 1 and 15years for 5 patients and greater than 15years for 6 patients. For 3 positive patients, the information on the initial microorganism was not known and 4 patients were positive for a bacterium different from the initial one. The time from the initial OAI to the arthroplasty was not associated with positive results (p=0.38). There was no significant difference between a positive culture at the time of arthroplasty and the initial type of OAI [native joint versus presence of hardware and/or open fracture (p=0.41)]. CONCLUSION: The results of this work suggest there is value in microbiological sampling when performing an arthroplasty on a previously infected joint, regardless of the duration of the infection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective study.

Fully oral targeted antibiotic therapy for Gram-positive cocci-related periprosthetic joint infections: a real-life before and after study.

BACKGROUND: The optimal length of the intravenous antibiotic treatment of periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) generally ranges from one to six weeks and is a matter of debate. Most antibiotics active against Gram-positive cocci (GPC) exhibit both high oral bioavailability and bone diffusion. Thus, early oral therapy may be a reasonable option in GPC-related PJIs. METHODS: A 2 year before and after monocentric study that aimed to compare two antibiotic strategies. Empirical intravenous postoperative antibiotic treatment was followed by 7 to 10 days of intravenous targeted therapy ('before' group) or by full orally targeted antibiotic treatment ('after' group). The primary outcome was a treatment failure during follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 93 patients were analysed, 43 and 50 in the before and the after groups, respectively. Both groups were comparable in terms of surgical procedures, comorbidities, microbiological documentation and infection site. Antibiotics prescribed to our patients had high oral bioavailability and bone diffusion with rifampicin/fluoroquinolone combinations being the most frequent antibiotic regimens. Both hospital stay and intravenous antibiotic treatment mean durations were shorter in the before group than in the after group [15.0 versus 11.0 days; (P < 0.01) and 13.0 versus 7.0 days; P < 0.001, respectively]. The remission rate assessed after at least a year of follow-up was comparable in the before and the after groups (hazard ratio = 0.70; 95% CI 0.30-1.58). CONCLUSIONS: Full oral targeted antibiotic therapy using a drug regimen with high oral bioavailability and good bone diffusion is an option for the treatment of patients with GPC-related PJIs.