[Muscle, tendon and joint injections : What is the evidence?]. / Injektionen an Muskeln, Sehnen und Gelenken : Was ist die Evidenz?

Injections at tendon insertions, in muscles and in joints are an important instrument in the conservative treatment of musculoskeletal diseases, for acute injuries as well as for chronic degenerative diseases. Local anesthetic agents and glucocorticoids are well-established medications; however, severe side effects, such as chondrolysis have sometimes been reported, particularly for local anesthetic agents. In addition platelet rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid are also widely used; however, the clinical effectiveness has not always been proven. This article gives an overview on the most commonly used medications for injections and the mechanisms of action. The indications for treatment and the evidence for the clinical adminstration of muscle, tendon and joint injections are described based on the currently available literature.

Influence of the initial rupture size and tendon subregion on three-dimensional biomechanical properties of single-row and double-row rotator cuff reconstructions.

PURPOSE: Influence of the initial rotator cuff tear size and of different subregions of the SSP tendon on the cyclic loading behavior of a modified single-row reconstruction compared to a suture-bridging double-row repair. METHODS: Artificial tears (25 and 35 mm) were created in the rotator cuff of 24 human cadaver shoulders. The reconstructions were performed as a single-row repair (SR) using a modified suture configuration or a suture-bridge double-row repair (DR). Radiostereometric analysis was used under cyclic loading (50 cycles, 10­180 N, 10­250 N) to calculate cyclic displacement in three different planes (anteroposterior (x), craniocaudal (y) and mediolateral (z) level). Cyclic displacement was recorded, and differences in cyclic displacement of the anterior compared to the posterior subregions of the tendon were calculated. RESULTS: In small-to-medium tears (25 mm) and medium-to-large tears (35 mm), significant lower cyclic displacement was seen for the SR-reconstruction compared to the DR-repair at 180 N (p ≤ 0.0001; p = 0.001) and 250 N (p = 0.001; p = 0.007) in the x-level. These results were confirmed in the y-level at 180 N (p = 0.001; p = 0.0022) and 250 N (p = 0.005; p = 0.0018). Comparison of the initial tear sizes demonstrated significant differences in cyclic displacement for the DR technique in the x-level at 180 N (p = 0.002) and 250 N (p = 0.004). Comparison of the anterior versus the posterior subregion of the tendon revealed significant lower gap formation in the posterior compared to the anterior subregions in the x-level for both tested rotator cuff repairs (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The tested single-row repair using a modified suture configuration achieved superior results in three-dimensional measurements of cyclic displacement compared to the tested double-row suture-bridge repair. The results were dependent on the initial rupture size of the rotator cuff tear. Furthermore, significant differences were found between tendon subregions of the rotator cuff with significantly higher gap formation for the anterior compared to the posterior subregions.

Static rotational and sagittal knee laxity measurements after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.

PURPOSE: The goal of the present study was to evaluate static anteroposterior and rotational knee laxity after ACL reconstructions with two noninvasive measurement devices by comparing the measured results of the operated with the contralateral healthy knees of the patients. METHODS: Fifty-two consecutive patients were reviewed after isolated single-bundle transtibial ACL reconstruction using a BPTB graft. At a mean follow-up of 27 months, sagittal AP laxity was tested using a noninvasive knee measurement system (Genourob) with an applied pressure of 67 N, 89 N and 134 N. Rotational laxity was measured using a noninvasive rotational knee laxity device (Rotameter) with an applied torque of 5, 8 and 10 Nm. The results were compared with the measurements of the patients' healthy contralateral knees. Tegner, Lysholm and IKDC score were used in order to evaluate the clinical outcome. RESULTS: Pivot shift was negative (33) or glide (16) in 49 patients with 12 of 16 (75%) patients having also a pivot glide on the healthy contralateral side; Lachman tests were negative in 50 cases. Subjective assessment of the IKDC score was classified according to category A in 44 patients, B in 5 patients and C in 3 patients. Mean Lysholm score was 94.5 ± 9.5, median Tegner score was 7 (3-9) preoperative and 6 (3-9) at follow-up (n.s.). Anteroposterior knee laxity measurements revealed mean side-to-side differences of 0.6-1.3 mm (P < 0.0001). Rotational laxity measurements revealed no statistical significant differences between the operated and the contralateral knee (n.s.). The measured differences in the entire rotational range varied from 0.2° to 1° depending on the applied torque. In those 3 patients with a positive pivot shift, differences in the entire rotational range of 4.5° at 5 N, 4.6° at 8 N and 4.1° at 10 N were found. CONCLUSION: Static knee laxity was quantified after ACL surgery using the introduced noninvasive measurement systems by comparing the measured results of the operated with the contralateral healthy knees. Significant differences were found in AP laxity although they were defined as clinically successful according to the IKDC classification. No significant differences were found in rotational knee laxity measurements. Therefore, the used noninvasive masurement devices might offer a high potential for objective quality control in knee ligament injuries and their treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective case series, Level IV.

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using a single-row of triple-loaded suture anchors with a modified suture configuration.

Achieving an adequate restoration of the muscle-tendon-bone unit and the anatomical footprint is essential for a successful outcome in open and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The described suture grasping technique using triple-loaded suture anchors might combine high initial fixation strength with good footprint coverage. It describes two mattress' stitches medial at the articular margin of the tendon. Additionally, a third mattress stitch is performed laterally to increase footprint contact and avoid dog-ear deformity. The triple-mattress repair is easy to perform and might be a good alternative in either arthroscopic or open rotator cuff repair.

[Muscle injuries: diagnostics and treatments]. / Muskelverletzungen: Diagnostik und Behandlungen.

Muscle injuries are common in sports. They are usually caused by either acute (mostly eccentric mechanisms) or chronic overloading with a lack of muscle coordination. They present in clinical practice as bruises and muscle sprains. Due to the rigours of a modern society and the high economic cost of time off work, an effective treatment needs to be employed. The key to an optimised therapy rests in the appropriate timing between immobilisation and mobilisation. The interval to muscle repair might be shortened by certain adjuvant therapies. In doing so, it is important that no physiological phases of wound healing are overlooked. Muscle healing can be accelerated by externally induced higher metabolic turnover. Surgical therapy is sometimes necessary in selected cases and in serious injuries.

[Proximal and distal rupture of the m. biceps brachii]. / Proximale und distale Ruptur des M. biceps brachii.

Ruptures of the biceps tendon account for a high percentage of tendon ruptures. The aetiology of proximal ruptures of the long head of the biceps tendon is often degenerative and they are frequently associated with lesions of the rotator cuff. The clinical findings are often not specific and long lasting. Distal ruptures of the biceps tendon mostly occur during eccentric contraction of the biceps muscle.Clinical tests, the associated haematoma and a distalisation or proximalisation of the muscle belly in combination with ultrasound or MRI to rule out combined diseases lead to the diagnosis. The possible options include conservative and operative treatment. Tenotomy and tenodesis lead to comparable results in the literature. Therefore, conservative treatment is mostly recommended in proximal ruptures. Operative treatment is preferred in distal ruptures of the biceps tendon in order to achieve an anatomical reconstruction of the muscle function. Chronic ruptures of the distal biceps tendon can be successfully treated with free autografts or allografts.

[Osteoporotic fractures of the proximal femur. What's new?]. / Osteoporotische Frakturen des proximalen Femurs. Was gibt es Neues?

Proximal femoral fractures in the elderly are still increasing and are almost always associated with osteoporosis. Especially the over 80-year-olds are increasing and at risk in this respect. In the treatment of these patients new knowledge has been achieved over the last years. An interdisciplinary, multimodal approach with early involvement of internists, geriatricians, anesthetists, osteologists, social workers, care facilities and outpatient trauma and orthopedic surgeons seems to generate a better outcome with fewer complications. In cases of suspected proximal femoral fracture diagnostic imaging should include a computed tomography scan of the posterior pelvic ring to detect commonly occurring fragility fractures of the lateral mass of the sacrum. Early surgery within the first 48 h has a significant positive effect with respect to general and local complications and early mortality. Medical and organizational barriers to an early operation, such as anticoagulant medication, limited capability of communication due to mental dysfunction and lack of operation capacity are continuously declining and subsequently complication rates are decreasing annually in Germany. Endoprosthetics are still associated with higher perioperative mortality than osteosynthesis (4.4 % versus 5.8 %). The innovations in the field of implants and surgical technique also contribute to these lower complication rates. While endoprosthetic treatment is still the gold standard for severely dislocated femoral neck fractures, non-dislocated or slightly dislocated fractures should be fixed with a stable extramedullary implant. For pertrochanteric fractures extramedullary stabilization can only be recommended for stable types of fractures. Every instable trochanteric fracture should be fixed with an intramedullary implant. The use of third generation nails has implicated a significant reduction of complication rates regarding cut-out and reoperations. Rotational fixing of the head-neck fragment with angular stable blade systems and the option of polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) cement augmentation are promising advantages that still remain to be clinically tested. Endoprosthetic treatment of pertrochanteric femoral fractures still has 3 times higher complication rate and is implemented only in exceptional situations.