Does posterior tibial slope affect the results of conservative treatment for anterior cruciate ligament tears?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between posterior tibial slope (PTS) and the short-term results of conservative treatment for the patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients (37 knees: male 33, female 4) who were managed with the same treatment protocols for ACL tears were included. All patients applied ACL brace and underwent standardized rehabilitation protocol. Group A consisted of 14 patients with successful results after conservative management and group B consisted of 23 patients who received operative treatments due to failed conservative management. For each group, a plain radiograph was used to measure the PTS. The demographic data of patients and differences of PTS between each group were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 33.2 years in group A and 29.7 years in group B, respectively (p = 0.8). There was no significant difference between each group in terms of gender, body mass index, and injury mechanism. There was no significant difference between each group in the classification according to the isolated or combined injury (p = 0.83). The mean PTS was 8.3° in group A and 10.2° in group B. The mean PTS in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The patients with successful results after conservative management had a lower mean PTS than those with failed conservative treatment (8.3° vs. 10.2°, p = 0.03). The failure of conservative treatment after ACL tear was found to be associated with increased PTS.

Iatrogenic Medial Collateral Ligament Injury by Valgus Stress During Arthroscopic Surgery of the Knee.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiographic and clinical follow-up results of iatrogenic medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries caused by valgus stress during arthroscopic surgery of the knee. METHODS: This study retrospectively evaluated 15 knees in 15 patients (8 female and 7 male patients), with a mean age of 58 years (range, 45-66 years), with iatrogenic MCL injuries caused by valgus stress during arthroscopic surgery of the knee. All patients were treated conservatively without an immobilizer or brace. The mean follow-up period was 24 months (range, 18-51 months). Evaluations included magnetic resonance imaging immediately postoperatively, as well as physical examinations and valgus stress radiographs (at 0° and 30° of knee flexion) 6 weeks after surgery and at final follow-up. RESULTS: Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging in all patients showed increased signal intensity, swelling, and partial loss of continuity at the meniscofemoral portion of the MCL. Physical examination showed mild tenderness in only 1 patient after 6 weeks and none at final follow-up. Valgus stress tests and valgus stress radiographs showed no significant differences between the injured and uninjured knees at 6 weeks postoperatively and at final follow-up (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Iatrogenic MCL injuries during arthroscopic knee surgery could be treated successfully without a splint or brace. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prognostic case series.

Does Posterior Tibial Slope Affect Graft Rupture Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between posterior tibial slope (PTS) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft rupture in patients who have undergone ACL reconstruction by comparing results in patients who experienced graft rupture and a matched control group. METHODS: The study included 64 knees of 64 patients (58 men and 6 women), of mean age 31 years (range, 18-60 years) who underwent revision ACL reconstruction for ACL graft rupture, as well as a control group without ACL graft rupture matched for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and left or right side. The mean time to failure in study group was 48.5 months, and after revision surgeries, the mean follow-up period was 37.7 months. The graft used for the primary surgery was autograft in 3 patients (4.7%) and allograft in 49 patients (76.6%). The type of graft could not be confirmed in the remaining 12 patients (18.7%). PTS was measured on plain radiographs and compared in the 2 groups. RESULTS: Mean PTS was significantly higher in patients with (13.2° ± 2.5°; range, 8.5°-18.2°) than without (10.9° ± 3.1°; range, 4.9°-13.6°) rerupture (P < .01). When mean PTS was compared in the 37 patients who underwent primary surgery by the same surgeon, it was significantly higher in patients with (13.5° ± 2.5°; range, 8.5°-18.2°) than without (11.1° ± 2.9°; range, 5.1°-13.6°) rerupture (P < .01). PTS in patients with rerupture was not significantly associated with age, gender, BMI, and right or left side. The odds ratio of ACL graft rupture in knees with PTS ≥12° was 4.52 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that mean PTS was significantly greater in patients with than without noncontact ACL graft rerupture (13.2° vs 10.9°, P < .01). The failure of ACL reconstruction appears to be associated with increased PTS, with PTS ≥12° a risk factor for the failure of ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Comparison of Midterm Clinical and Radiographic Results Between Total Knee Arthroplasties Using Medial Pivot and Posterior-Stabilized Prosthesis-A Matched Pair Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the theoretical advantage of a knee design that can more reliably replicate the medial pivot (MP) of the natural knee, only a few clinical studies have compared the clinical results between the MP prosthesis and another design of prosthesis. We compared the midterm results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using an MP prosthesis vs a posterior-stabilized prosthesis via a matched-pair analysis; we included results related to patellofemoral joint symptoms. METHODS: The midterm clinical and radiographic results of 125 consecutive patients (150 knees) who underwent a TKA with the ADVANCE MP prosthesis were compared with those of a control group who had undergone a primary TKA with a posterior-stabilized prosthesis. RESULTS: Values of the Knee Society's Knee Scoring System, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and Kujala and Feller scoring systems, as well as the range of motion after TKA, did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. No differences in femorotibial angle and component position, including the patella component, were observed between the 2 groups. No significant differences in the change of patella tilt angle and the postoperative patellar translation were observed between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with the MP prosthesis experienced satisfactory pain relief and a functional recovery, providing results similar to those of the posterior-stabilized prosthesis, including the resolution of patellofemoral joint symptoms.

Preemptive Femoral Nerve Block Could Reduce the Rebound Pain After Periarticular Injection in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the effectiveness of postoperative pain management using intraoperative periarticular injection (PAI) and/or electromyography-guided preoperative femoral nerve block (FNB) in knees undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: This study included 90 patients (90 knees) who underwent primary TKA. Thirty patients received a single injection of electromyography-guided FNB, 30 received intraoperative PAI, and 30 received both. Pain at rest and while moving was evaluated by a visual analog scale (VAS) at 0, 4, 8, 24, and 48 hours. Postoperative range of motion, time to walking, amount of opioid consumption, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: VAS immediately after surgery was significantly higher in the FNB group than in the PAI and combined groups, but did not differ significantly in the latter 2 groups. VAS after 4 and 8 hours showed similar results. VAS after 24 hours was significantly higher in the PAI than in the FNB and combined groups. After 48 hours, there were no differences among the 3 groups. Total opioid consumption was lower in the combined than in the FNB and PAI groups. Postoperative range of motion and time to walking were similar in the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: PAI was more effective than FNB during the early (0-8 hours) postoperative period after TKA. Patients treated with PAI, however, experienced rebound pain at 24 hours. The combination of PAI and FNB may provide greater postoperative pain management than either alone for the first 24 hours after TKA.

The In vitro Effects of Nano-encapsulated Conjugated Linoleic Acid on Stability of Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Fermentation Profiles in the Rumen.

This study was aimed to evaluate the stability of conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) by nano-encapsulation against in vitro ruminal biohydrogenation by microbial enzymatic conversion. CLAs (free fatty acid form of CLA [CLA-FFA], nano-encapsulated CLA-FFA, triglyceride form of CLA [CLA-TG], and nano-encapsulated CLA-TG) were used in the in vitro fermentation experiments. When Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens (B. fibrisolvens) was incubated with CLA-FFAs, the concentrations of cis-9, trans-11 CLA and vaccenic acid (VA) slightly was decreased and increased by nano-encapsulation, respectively. When B. fibrisolvens was incubated with CLA-TG, the concentrations of cis-9, trans-11 CLA and VA decreased, but these were increased when B. fibrisolvens was incubated with nano-encapsulated CLA-TG. The nano-encapsulation was more effective against the in vitro biohydrogenation activity of B.fibrisolvens incubated with CLA-FFA than with CLA-TG. In the in vitro ruminal incubation test, the total gas production and concentration of total volatile fatty acids incubated with nano-encapsulated CLA-FFA and CLA-TG were increased significantly after 24 h incubation (p<0.05). Nano-encapsulated CLA-FFA might, thus, improve the ruminal fermentation characteristics without adverse effects on the incubation process. In addition, nano-encapsulated CLA-FFA increased the population of Fibrobacter succinogenes and decreased the population of B. fibrisolvens population. These results indicate that nano-encapsulation could be applied to enhance CLA levels in ruminants by increasing the stability of CLA without causing adverse effects on ruminal fermentation.

Improved single-limb balance after total knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: Unsteady ambulation shortly after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may cause falling. Postural sway may predict the risk of falling. This prospective single-blinded observational study therefore evaluated the effects of TKA on single-limb standing balance (SLSB) and factors related to change in SLSB. METHODS: Patients with varus deformity and medial compartment degeneration were evaluated between September and December 2010. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and Kellgren/Lawrence scale were assessed, as were varus angle, number of painful knees, isometric peak torque of the quadriceps femoris, balance index of double limbs, and postural sway of single limbs. RESULTS: Twelve patients were enrolled and 11 were analysed. The mean ± SD postural sway of single limbs (i.e., SLSB) was reduced significantly after TKA, from 30.3 ± 20.8 cm to 18.5 ± 9.3 cm (p = 0.02). Amelioration was in proportion to pre-operative postural sway (ß = 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: SLSB in patients with varus knees with osteoarthritis was improved significantly 11 days after TKA. Poorer pre-operative SLSB was associated with better post-operative SLSB. TKA may be useful for the immediate reduction of falling in patients with osteoarthritis.

Symptomatic mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament.

PURPOSE: Mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a little-known entity. The aim of this study was to detail the clinical, radiological, arthroscopic and pathological findings of this condition and to report clinical outcomes following arthroscopic partial excision of the ACL. METHODS: Between 1999 and 2009, 80 knees in 78 patients were diagnosed as having mucoid degeneration of the ACL based on MRI and clinical findings, and subsequently underwent arthroscopic treatment. Of these, 68 knees in 66 patients, with a median age of 51 years (range, 35-75 years), were followed-up for at least one year. RESULTS: All patients had insidious onset of knee pain, while 56 knees (82 %) had associated extension deficits and 36 knees (53 %) had restricted flexion. MRI findings typically showed diffuse thickening and increased signal intensity of the ACL. Arthroscopic examination revealed notch impingement and bulging of hypertrophied ACL into lateral compartments. Associated lesions included meniscal tears in 33 knees and chondral lesions of at least Outerbridge grade 2 in 56 knees. All knees underwent arthroscopic partial excision of the hypertrophied ACL, with three undergoing preoperative and 30 undergoing concomitant meniscectomies. Pain relief was achieved in 58 of 62 knees (94 %) following partial excision of the ACL. Extension deficits were normalized in 49 of 56 knees (88 %), and restricted flexion was normalized in 33 of 36 affected knees (92 %). Four knees of four patients had postoperative symptoms of anterior instability. CONCLUSIONS: Pain and limitation of motion due to mucoid degeneration of the ACL can be improved by arthroscopic partial excision of the ACL with or without notchplasty. However, one potential complication is the development of postoperative symptoms of anterior instability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective study, Level IV.

Relation between mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior tibial slope.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to analyze the association between posterior tibial slope (PTS) and mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). METHODS: From October 1999 to May 2010, 84 arthroscopies were performed in 82 patients (18 men and 64 women) with mucoid degeneration of the ACL. The mean patient age was 53 years (range, 25 to 75 years). In addition to this patient group (group I), the study included a control group without mucoid degeneration of the ACL that was randomly matched for age, sex, body mass index, left or right side, and associated lesions (group II). For each group, the diagnosis was made by use of magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopy, and a plain lateral radiograph was used to measure the PTS. RESULTS: The mean PTS was 13.5° ± 2.6° (range, 8.2° to 19.5°) in group I and 9.4° ± 2.5° (range, 4.8° to 15.5°) in group II. The mean PTS in group I was significantly greater than that in group II (P < .001). For group I, the mean PTS of the involved knee was significantly greater than that of the uninvolved contralateral knee (P = .044). There were no differences according to age, sex, left or right side, body weight, and body mass index (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Mucoid degeneration of the ACL was found to be associated with an increased PTS. The patients with mucoid degeneration of the ACL had a greater mean PTS than matched control patients (13.5° v. 9.4°, P < .001). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, diagnostic study of nonconsecutive patients without consistently applied gold standard.

The Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

PURPOSE: We investigated and compared the serum 25-OH vitamin D [25(OH)D] level and prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) between patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and healthy participants through a matched analysis. METHODS: The unmatched case group consisted of 824 patients who underwent TKA and the unmatched control group 2,794 healthy participants examined at our institution. The control group was matched on the various characteristics-sex, age, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood chemistry, and season of sampling-through propensity score matching (PSM). After PSM, 501 and 721 patients were matched in the case and control group, respectively. Levels of blood chemistry including 25(OH)D were examined and VDD was defined as < 20 ng/mL. RESULTS: The average serum 25(OH)D level was significantly lower in the OA group (15.3 ng/mL) than that in the control group (19.9 ng/mL, p < 0.001). When categorized using a 20 ng/mL cutoff, the VDD prevalence was 75.0% in the OA group and 59.4% in the control group. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was 18.4% in the OA group and 24.5% in the control group. The prevalence of vitamin D sufficiency was 6.8% in the OA group and 15.9% in the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The patients who underwent TKA had lower serum 25(OH)D level and higher VDD prevalence compared to the healthy participants who matched using PSM. There were no differences in VDD rates by sex or obesity and the VDD prevalence was more than 70% during all season. Therefore, in patients undergoing TKA, general attention to VDD is required regardless of sex, obesity, and season. Serum 25-OH vitamin D [25(OH)D] level and vitamin D deficiency (VDD) prevalence were compared between patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and healthy individuals. The differences in serum 25(OH)D level and VDD prevalence were significant between the two groups after propensity score matching.

Three- to six-year follow-up results after high-flexion total knee arthroplasty: can we allow passive deep knee bending?

PURPOSE: We evaluated 3- to 6-year clinical and radiological follow-up results after NexGen® LPS-flex total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was undertaken of 218 knees in 166 patients (22 males, 144 females) who were followed up for more than 3 years after TKA. Evaluations included preoperative and postoperative range of motion (ROM) measurement, Knee Society (KS) Score, tibiofemoral angle and assessment of postoperative complications. RESULTS: TKA resulted in a significant ROM increase from a mean flexion contracture of 9° (range 0°-20°) and further flexion of 117° (range 80°-155°) to a mean flexion contracture of 2° (range 0°-10°) and a further flexion of 131° (range 95°-155°). KS knee and function scores significantly improved from 52 and 38 before surgery to 87 and 82 after surgery, respectively. The tibiofemoral angle significantly improved from varus 5.7° to valgus 5.4°. Progressive radiolucent lines around the femoral component on radiographs were observed in 30 knees (13.8%, 27 patients), and more of those knees, could squat than non-radiolucent knees (76.7 vs. 20.2%; P<0.05). Seven knees (3.2%, 6 patients) were revised at a mean 49 months after the index operation. CONCLUSIONS: While NexGen® LPS-flex TKA satisfactorily improved ROM, it was associated with a relatively high incidence of early loosening of the femoral components. This might be associated with passive-maximal flexion activity, such as squatting or kneeling. The clinical relevance of this study is that squatting or kneeling, common activity in Asian, may not be allowed after NexGen® LPS-flex TKA.

Clinical outcome of total knee arthroplasty with medial pivot prosthesis a comparative study between the cruciate retaining and sacrificing.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate results after total knee arthroplasty using a medial pivot prosthesis with the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)-retaining and PCL-sacrificing techniques. The PCL was retained in 67 knees and sacrificed in 70 knees. The mean Knee Society knee score increased from 59.6 before surgery to 91.5 at the last follow-up, and the mean function score increased from 53.6 to 85.4. The mean preoperative femorotibial angle was varus 4.1°, which corrected to valgus 5.8° after surgery. The increased knee and function score did not vary significantly between the cruciate-retaining and cruciate-sacrificing groups (P > .108), nor did the mean preoperative and postoperative femorotibial angle (P > .140). The clinical results of total knee arthroplasty with a medial pivot prosthesis were satisfactory, whether the PCL was retained or sacrificed.

Preoperative vitamin D level does not affect the short-term functional outcome after total knee arthroplasty in elderly women.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D levels on the functional outcome of elderly women who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Seven hundred and four patients (1013 knees) who underwent primary TKA were included in our retrospective study. Preoperative vitamin D levels were measured and the relationship analyzed between these and age, weight, height, body mass index, and bone mineral density. Two hundred and twenty patients (220 knees) who received unilateral TKA and were followed up for more than 1 year after operation were divided into two groups: Group 1, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) level < 20 ng/ml; and Group 2, 25(OH)D3 level ≥ 20 ng/ml. Both groups were evaluated for the relationship between vitamin D levels and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS), Knee Society Function Score (KSFS), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) score. RESULTS: The number of vitamin D-deficient patients (< 20 ng/ml of serum 25(OH)D3 level) was 556 (79.0%). In the correlation analysis, the vitamin D level was negatively correlated with weight only (p = 0.033). No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of postoperative VAS score, KSKS, KSFS, and WOMAC score. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent in patients who underwent TKA. Vitamin D levels negatively correlated with weight. Low vitamin D level was not a risk factor for unsatisfactory TKA outcome in elderly women.

Enhanced Reality Showing Long-Lasting Analgesia after Total Knee Arthroplasty: Prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial.

To overcome the limitation of short-term efficacy of virtual reality (VR), an enhanced reality (ER) analgesia, (combination of the VR, real-time motion capture, mirror therapy [MT]) involving a high degree of patients' presence or embodiment was explored. Patients, who underwent unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA), received ER analgesia. The duration was 5 times a week, for 2 weeks for one group and 5 times a week, for 1 week in the other. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at rest and during movement, active knee range of motion (ROM) for flexion and extension were measured repeatedly. After screening 157 patients, 60 were included. Pre-interventional evaluation was performed at 6.7 days and ER was initiated at 12.4 days after surgery. Evaluation was performed at 5, 12, 33 days after the initiation of ER. Analgesia in the 2 week therapy group was effective until the third evaluation (p = 0.000), whereas in the other group, it was effective only until the second evaluation (p = 0.010). Improvement in ROM in the 2 week group was also maintained until the third evaluation (p = 0.037, p = 0.009). It could lay the foundations for the development of safe and long-lasting analgesic tools.

Synovial fluid levels of TWEAK and matrix metalloproteinase 1 in patients with osteoarthritis, and associations with disease severity.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) in the synovial fluid from osteoarthritic knees to determine their role as well as the relationship between these levels and the severity of osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Synovial fluid was obtained from 44 knees of 40 patients. The Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade was measured using radiograph. The concentration of TWEAK and MMP-1 in the synovial fluid was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The underlying inflammatory factors (erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein) were also measured. We analyzed the correlation between the factors measured. In addition, the samples were subdivided into three groups according to OA severity using the KL grade, and the differences in TWEAK and MMP-1 levels between groups were analyzed. RESULTS: The TWEAK and MMP-1 levels in the synovial fluid showed a positive correlation with each other. The TWEAK and MMP-1 levels were compared between the three groups according to the KL grade, and the levels showed a significant difference. A post hoc test demonstrated that the group with advanced OA showed a lower concentration of both factors when compared to groups with early OA. CONCLUSION: The concentration of TWEAK and MMP-1 in the synovial fluid were relatively high in the early stage of OA, and the levels decreased as the OA progressed.

A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Phase III Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of a Cell and Gene Therapy in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients.

The aim of this study was to test the clinical efficacy of TissueGene-C (TG-C), a cell and gene therapeutic for osteoarthritis consisting of non-transformed and transduced chondrocytes (3:1) retrovirally transduced to overexpress transforming growth factor-ß1. A total of 163 Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to receive intra-articular TG-C or placebo. Primary efficacy measures included criteria for subjective assessment by International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and pain severity by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for 52 weeks. Secondary efficacy measures included IKDC and VAS at 26 and 39 weeks; pain, stiffness, and physical function by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC); and pain, symptoms, daily activities, function in sports and recreation, and quality of life by the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, and soluble urine and blood biomarkers. TG-C was associated with statistically significant improvement over placebo in the total IKDC score and individual categories, and in the VAS score at 26, 39, and 52 weeks. WOMAC and KOOS scores also improved with TG-C over placebo. Patients treated with TG-C showed trends directed toward thicker cartilage and slower growing rates of subchondral bone surface area in the medial tibia, lateral tibia, lateral patella, and lateral patella femoral regions, although these were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I) and urine CTX-II levels were lower over 1 year in TG-C than placebo-treated patients, with CTX-I level reaching statistical significance. These tendencies supported TG-C as holding great potential as a disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug. The most frequent adverse events in the TG-C group were peripheral edema (9%), arthralgia (8%), joint swelling (6%), and injection site pain (5%). TG-C was associated with statistically significant improvements in function and pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The unexpected adverse events were not observed.

Bilateral Hypoplasia of the Medial and Lateral Menisci.

Hypoplasia of the meniscus is a very rare congenital abnormality, with only a few cases reported to date. A 9-year-old girl visited our hospital due to lateral knee pain following a hyperextension injury to the left knee. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hypoplasia of the medial and lateral menisci, as well as a posterior horn tear of the lateral meniscus, in both knee joints. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with hypoplasia of the medial and lateral menisci in both knee joints.

Comparison of Arthroscopically Guided Suprascapular Nerve Block and Blinded Axillary Nerve Block vs. Blinded Suprascapular Nerve Block in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the results of arthroscopically guided suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) and blinded axillary nerve block with those of blinded SSNB in terms of postoperative pain and satisfaction within the first 48 hours after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. METHODS: Forty patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for medium-sized full thickness rotator cuff tears were included in this study. Among them, 20 patients were randomly assigned to group 1 and preemptively underwent blinded SSNB and axillary nerve block of 10 mL 0.25% ropivacaine and received arthroscopically guided SSNB with 10 mL of 0.25% ropivacaine. The other 20 patients were assigned to group 2 and received blinded SSNB with 10 mL of 0.25% ropivacaine. Visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain and patient satisfaction score were assessed 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean VAS score for pain was significantly lower 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours postoperatively in group 1 (group 1 vs. group 2; 5.2 vs. 7.4, 4.1 vs. 6.1, 3.0 vs. 5.1, 2.1 vs. 4.2, 0.9 vs. 3.9, and 1.3 vs. 3.3, respectively). The mean patient satisfaction score was significantly higher at postoperative 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours in group 1 (group 1 vs. group 2; 6.7 vs. 3.9, 7.4 vs. 5.1, 8.8 vs. 5.9, 9.2 vs. 6.7, 9.5 vs. 6.9, and 9.0 vs. 7.2, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopically guided SSNB and blinded axillary nerve block in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for medium-sized rotator cuff tears provided more improvement in VAS for pain and greater patient satisfaction in the first 48 postoperative hours than blinded SSNB.

Relationship between Mucoid Degeneration of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Posterior Tibial Slope in Patients with Total Knee Arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to analyze the relationship between posterior tibial slope (PTS) and mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in patients with total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred and twenty-four patients (24 males and 400 females; 636 knees) who received total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis were included. Their mean age was 68.9 years (range, 48 to 88 years). The patients were classified into three groups according to the status of ACL; normal ACL group (group I), mucoid degeneration of ACL group (group II) and ruptured or absent ACL group (group III). Plain lateral radiographs were used to measure the PTS and the values were compared among groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences with regard to gender, age and left-to-right side ratio among groups (p>0.05). The mean PTS was 9.9° (range, 0.6° to 20.1°) in group I (161 knees), 10.8° (range, 0.2° to 21.8°) in group II (342 knees) and 12.3° (range, 2° to 22.2°) in group III (133 knees), which showed significant differences (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The patients with mucoid degeneration of the ACL and those with ruptured or absent ACL had greater PTS than those with normal ACL. These findings suggest that an increased PTS may be one of the causative factors for mucoid degeneration of the ACL.

Patterns and Influencing Factors of Medial Meniscus Tears in Varus Knee Osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the patterns of medial meniscus (MM) tears in patients with varus knee osteoarthritis who underwent total knee arthroplasty and analyze the factors that could affect MM tears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients (365 knees, 268 patients) were classified into three groups; group I with MM posterior horn (PH) tear only; group II with MM root tear only; and group III with MMPH plus root tear. The following factors were evaluated: age, gender, body mass index, varus deviation of the mechanical axis, medial proximal tibial angle, posterior tibial slope (PTS), and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) integrity (normal, degeneration, and tear or absence). RESULTS: MM tears were identified in all knees. The patterns of the combined MMPH tears in group III were less complex than those in group I. Varus deviation and PTS were significantly greater in group III than groups I and II. In group III, there were significantly more cases of ACL tear or absence than groups I and II. The others showed no differences among three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Severe varus knee osteoarthritis was always accompanied by MM tears. Risk factors for MMPH plus root tears were severe varus deformity, great PTS, and ACL tear or absence.