Minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty: surgical implications for recovery.

BACKGROUND: Despite growing interest in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques for total knee arthroplasty (TKA), few randomized controlled trials have compared MIS and conventional TKA using a combination of functional performance, knee pain, knee range of motion (ROM), and surgical and radiographic outcomes. METHODS: A prospective, randomized investigation comparing early outcomes of TKA using conventional or MIS approaches (n = 44). Patients were assessed preoperatively, 48 hours, 4 and 12 weeks postoperatively by blinded evaluators. Outcome measures included timed-up-and-go, 100-ft walk, knee pain, passive knee ROM, Knee Society Score, blood loss, tourniquet time, hospital length of stay, surgical complications, and radiographic outcomes. RESULTS: No significant differences in functional performance, knee pain, knee ROM, surgical, or radiographic outcomes were observed between groups at 48 hours, 4 or 12 weeks postoperatively. CONCLUSION: While surgical and radiographic outcomes were not compromised with MIS surgery, there were also no improvements in pain, ROM, or functional performance with MIS TKA.

Bilateral posterior sternoclavicular dislocation.

Posterior sternoclavicular dislocations are a rare injury, representing <5% of all sternoclavicular dislocations and 1 in 1600 shoulder girdle injuries. Proper imaging with computed tomography and prompt diagnosis are essential steps in preventing potentially lethal complications observed in approximately 3% of all posterior sternoclavicular dislocations. Surgical treatment is necessary if closed reduction fails. With the medial clavicular epiphysis being the last to close (between ages 22 and 25), children and adolescents typically present with epiphyseal fractures rather than joint dislocations. If closed reduction fails, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) should be considered in fractures, whereas complex reconstructions with tendon graft procedures have been recommended for joint dislocations. This article presents a case of a traumatic bilateral posterior sternoclavicular dislocation due to an epiphyseal fracture in a 15-year-old boy. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a bilateral posterior sternoclavicular dislocation. Attempted closed reduction failed with redislocation after 2 days. The patient subsequently required ORIF. This article describes our technique with anterior retraction of the medial clavicle, closure of the posterior periosteum, and ORIF using nonabsorbable sutures. Postoperative shoulder mobilization was started on day 1. At final follow-up, the patient was completely asymptomatic.