Longitudinal Plantar Approach for Excision of Morton's Neuroma: Long-Term Results.

Longitudinal plantar approaches are generally considered at risk for wound healing problems. Thus, we wanted to investigate long-term outcomes after a primary Morton's neuroma excision through a longitudinal plantar approach. A retrospective study of patients with primary neuroma excision was conducted. Twenty-four patients (28 feet) were evaluated at a mean 9-year follow-up (range, 6-14) by a single trained examiner using a specific postoperative evaluation protocol, including AOFAS Forefoot subjective and objective scores. Good-to-excellent outcomes were reported in 25 (89.3%) cases. A hypertrophic scar formation and keratosis occurred in only 2 cases (7.1%). All the patients, with a single exception, achieved full weightbearing with a postoperative shoe from the first day after the operation. A longitudinal plantar approach can lead to long-term, good-to-excellent outcomes with no case of recurrence or reoperation. Accurate wound closure and immediate weightbearing with a postoperative shoe can minimize the rate of complications. This approach should be considered for primary resection of Morton's neuromas.

Hamstring tendon autografts do not show complete graft maturity 6 months postoperatively after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: In this prospective, double-center cohort study, we aim to assess how the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) signal intensity on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) potentially varies between a group of patients with anatomic ACL reconstruction using autogenous hamstring grafts 6 months postoperatively and a healthy ACL control group, and how MRI-based graft signal intensity is related to knee laxity. METHODS: Sixty-two consecutive patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using quadrupled hamstring tendon autograft were prospectively invited to participate in this study, and they were evaluated with MRI after 6 months of follow-up. 50 patients with an MRI of their healthy ACL (Clinica Luganese, Lugano, Switzerland) and 12 patients of their contralateral healthy knee (Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria) served as the control group. To evaluate graft maturity, the signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) was measured in three regions of interest (ROIs) of the proximal, mid-substance and distal ACL graft and the healthy ACL. KT-1000 findings were obtained 6 months postoperatively in the ACL reconstruction group. Statistical analysis was independently performed to outline the differences in the two groups regarding ACL intensity and the correlation between SNQ and KT-1000 values. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the mean SNQ between the reconstructed ACL grafts and the healthy ACLs in the proximal and mid-substance regions (p = 0.001 and p = 0.004). The distal region of the reconstructed ACL showed a mean SNQ similar to the native ACL (n.s). Patients with a KT-1000 between 0 and 1 mm showed a mean SNQ of 0.1; however, a poor correlation was found between the mean SNQ and KT-1000 findings, probably due to the small sample size of patients with higher laxity. CONCLUSION: After 6 months of follow-up, hamstring tendon autografts for anatomic ACL reconstruction do not show equal MRI signal intensity compared to a healthy ACL and should therefore be considered immature or at least not completely healed even if clinical laxity measurement provides good results. However, in the case of a competitive athlete, who is clinically stable and wants to return to sports at 6 months, performing an MRI to confirm the stage of graft healing might be an option. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective, comparative study II.

Arthroscopic treatment of tibial eminence fracture: a systematic review of different fixation methods.

INTRODUCTION: Arthroscopy procedures are the gold standard for the management of tibial spine avulsion. This review evaluates and compares different arthroscopic treatment options for tibial spine fractures. SOURCE OF DATA: PubMed, Medline, Ovid, Google Scholar and Embase databases were systematically searched with no limit regarding the year of publication. AREAS OF AGREEMENT: An arthroscopic approach compared with arthrotomy reduces complications such as soft-tissue lesions, post-operative pain and length of hospitalization. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY: The use of suture techniques, compared to cannulated screw technique, avoids a second surgery for removal of the screws, but requires longer immobilization and partial weight bearing. GROWING POINTS: Clinical outcomes and radiographic results do not seem to differ in relation to the chosen method of fixation. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH: Further studies are needed to produce clear guidelines to define the best choice in terms of clinical outcomes, function and complications.

Conventional versus Smart Wireless Navigation in Total Knee Replacement: Similar Outcomes in a Randomized Prospective Study.

Purpose The development of new computer-assisted navigation technologies in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has attracted great interest; however, the debate remains open as to the real reliability of these systems. We compared conventional TKA with last generation computer-navigated TKA to find out if navigation can reach better radiographic and clinical outcomes. Methods Twenty patients with tricompartmental knee osteoarthritis were prospectively selected for conventional TKA ( n = 10) or last generation computer-navigated TKA ( n = 10). Data regarding age, gender, operated side, and previous surgery were collected. All 20 patients received the same cemented posterior-stabilized TKA. The same surgical instrumentation, including alignment and cutting guides, was used for both the techniques. A single radiologist assessed mechanical alignment and tibial slope before and after surgery. A single orthopaedic surgeon performed clinical evaluation at 1 year after the surgery. Wilcoxon's test was used to compare the outcomes of the two groups. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results No significant differences in mechanical axis or tibial slope was found between the two groups. The clinical outcome was equally good with both techniques. At a mean follow-up of 15.5 months (range, 13-25 months), all patients from both groups were generally satisfied with a full return to daily activities and without a significance difference between them. Conclusion Our data showed that clinical and radiological outcomes of TKA were not improved by the use of computer-assisted instruments, and that the elevated costs of the system are not warranted. Level of Evidence This is a Level II, randomized clinical trial.

Can TAD and CalTAD predict cut-out after extra-medullary fixation with new generation devices of proximal femoral fractures? A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Intramedullary and extramedullary strategies of pertrochanteric fracture fixation are still controversial, but new percutaneous devices may give advantages regarding operative time, blood loss and rate of cardiovascular complications. We retrospectively analyze our cases regarding Anteversa® plate (Intrauma, Turin, Italy) fixation of pertrochanteric femoral fractures, focusing on the correlation between two radiographical parameters (tip-apex distance "TAD" and calcar referenced tip-apex distance "CalTAD") and the occurrence of cut-out. The purpose of this study was to determine if these predicting factors of cut-out are reliable in the treatment of proximal femoral fractures with the Anteversa plate. METHODS: A series of 77 patients with 53 31-A1 fracture types and 24-A2 fractures completed a 12-month-follow-up. Clinical outcomes were evaluated according to Parker-Palmer Mobility Score at the final follow-up. TAD and CalTAD were considered to determine their correlation with cut-out events. RESULTS: The mean Parker-Palmer Score was 6.94 in A1 group and 7.41 in A2 group (p = 0.47). Mean value of TAD index was 29.58, 29.81 in the A1 group and 29.08 in the A2 group, and mean value of CalTAD index was 30.87, 31.03 in the A1 group and 30.50 in the A2 group. We observed 3 cases of implant cut-out. We shared our sample in two groups, one group with TAD and CalTAD indices lower than 25 mm and another group higher than 25 mm to evaluate how the Palmer Parker score changed and no statistical differences were found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Taking into consideration that good clinical results were obtained for TAD and CalTAD values superior to 25 mm, the prognostic value of 25 mm of TAD and CalTAD indices might not be appropriate to this new percutaneous plate.

Unexpected tibial non-union after minimally invasive bridge plating: a case report.

A fit 42-year-old woman presented to our department with a closed isolated distal tibial and fibular shaft fracture (AO 42-B1.3), which was addressed with a minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) with a bridging technique for both the tibia and the fibula. No risk factors for healing issues were known at the time of surgery. At the 6-month follow-up, the leg was still painful during walking and the fracture site was still evident on the radiographs. Bone and CT-scans confirmed the diagnosis of oligotrophic non-union. A revision surgery was then successfully performed with a reamed IM tibial nail and a fibular osteotomy taking into consideration both biological and mechanical factors. Surgeons must treat tibial shaft fractures avoiding unnecessary damage to soft tissue, restoring an appropriate reduction of the bony segment and providing an adequate fixation; however, other factors may play a role in the development of "unexpected non-union".

Subcoracoid impingement and subscapularis tendon: is there any truth?

Subcoracoid impingement and stenosis have been described related to anterior shoulder pain and subscapularis tendon tears, but the pathogenesis and related treatment of this condition has still not been explained properly. Variability of coracoid morphology has been described and both traumatic and iatrogenic factors can modify it. Some authors referred this to a primary narrow coracohumeral distance with different threshold values defined as increased risk factor for subscapularis and antero-superior RC tear; opposite theories stated that the stenosis is secondary to an anterosuperior translation of the humeral head toward the coracoid due to degenerative changes of the rotator cuff tendons. Limited coracoplasty can be performed when related risk factors are identified; however no clear consensus arises from specific literature review and extensive clinical and instrumental examination of the patient should be performed in order to identify specific risk factors for subscapularis tendon pathology and, subsequently, tailor the proper approach.

Arthroscopic repair of the subscapularis tendon: indications, limits and technical features.

The rationale to anatomically repair this tendon is to restore the functional biomechanics of the shoulder. Clinical and imaging assessment are required before undertaking arthroscopy. In this way, associated pathologies of the biceps and labrum may be successfully addressed. The arthroscopic repair of the tendon implies to use suture anchors and reinsert the tendon itself over the footprint. Results after arthroscopy are comparable to those observed after open procedures.

Biceps instability and Slap type II tear in overhead athletes.

Type II lesions are common lesions encountered in overhead athletes with controversies arising in term of timing for treatment, surgical approach, rehabilitation and functional results. The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcomes of arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP tears in overhead athletes, focusing on the time elapsed from diagnosis and treatment, time needed to return to sport, rate of return to sport and to previous level of performance, providing an overview concerning evidence for the effectiveness of different surgical approaches to type II SLAP tears in overhead athletes. A internet search on peer reviewed Journal from 1990, first descriprion of this pathology, to 2012, have been conducted evaluating the outcomes for both isolated Slap II tear overhead athletes and those who presented associated lesions treated. The results have been analyzed according to the scale reported focusing on return to sport and level of activity. Apart from a single study, non prospective level I and II studies were detected. Return to play at the same level ranged form 22% to 94% with different range of technique utilized with the majority of the authors recommending the fixation of these lesions but biceps tenodesis can lead to higher satisfaction racte when directly compated to the anchor fixation. Associated pathologies such as partial or full tickness rotator cuff tear did not clearly affect the outcomes and complications rate. There is no consensus regarding timing and treatment for type II SLAP, especially in overhead athletes who need to regain a high level of performance.