The Impact of Patellar Position on Mediolateral Joint Gap in Cruciate-Retaining and Posterior-Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: This prospective study aimed to investigate the influence of patellar position (ie, eversion, lateralization, and reduction) on medial and lateral gap measurements during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in both cruciate-retaining (CR) and posterior-stabilized (PS) TKA designs. METHODS: The present work analyzed 50 knees with primary osteoarthritis that underwent TKA between July and November 2019. Medial and lateral gaps were measured at different knee flexion angles (0°, 45°, 90°, and 120°) in 3 patellar positions after sequentially inserting CR type and PS type trial component in the same knee. RESULTS: In CR TKA, medial gaps in patellar reduction showed significantly smaller gaps at 90° and 120° of knee flexion compared to those in eversion and lateralization (P < .001). Lateral gaps in patellar reduction were also significantly larger than those in eversion and lateralization (P < .001). The mediolateral gap difference in patellar reduction was significantly greater at all flexion angles compared to those in eversion and lateralization (P < .001). In PS TKA, similar patterns were observed for medial gaps, lateral gaps, and mediolateral gap differences (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The ligament balancing with the patella everted or subluxed may lead to an overly tight medial gap and/or loose lateral gap in the knee with a closed arthrotomy, which has potential consequences for knee function in both CR and PS TKA designs. The results of this study highlight the importance of considering patellar position to ensure optimal soft-tissue balance and joint stability in TKA.

Arthroscopic repair of horizontal meniscal cleavage tears with marrow-stimulating technique.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients after arthroscopic repair of meniscal horizontal tears with a marrow-stimulating technique through clinical signs and second-look arthroscopy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of 32 meniscal repairs with horizontal cleavage tears and evaluated them through clinical assessment and second-look arthroscopic examinations. Arthroscopic meniscal repair and a marrow-stimulating technique were performed. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, Lysholm knee scoring scale, and Tegner activity scale. Assessment of meniscal healing was evaluated clinically by the presence of meniscal signs; second-look arthroscopy was performed in 11 patients. Correlation between chronicity of a meniscal lesion (time from initial symptom [TFIS]) and meniscal healing was evaluated. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 45.6 ± 13.9 months. Improvements in mean VAS scores from 6.7 to 1.9 (P < .001) were observed. The Lysholm score increased from 48.0 ± 14.4 to 92.0 ± 6.3 (P < .001). The Tegner activity score increased from 3.3 ± 1.1 to 6.8 ± 0.8 (P < .001). At the last follow-up, 29 of 32 patients (91%) were evaluated as healing in the clinical assessment. Of the 11 patients who underwent second-look arthroscopy, 8 (73%) showed complete healing, 2 (18%) had incomplete healing, and 1 (9%) failed to heal. Correlation between TFIS and meniscal healing was clinically significant (P = .001) but arthroscopically insignificant (P = .085) on second-look arthroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The meniscal repair procedure for horizontal cleavage tears in the present study suggests an alternative treatment option to approach the treatment of meniscal tears extending into the avascular zone and degenerative tissue. The marrow-stimulating technique using a cannulated reamer can be considered as an alternative method for the augmentation of meniscal healing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging evaluation for meniscal tear in acute anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnostic rates of meniscal injuries combined with acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, as well as traumatic meniscal injuries without ACL injuries. METHODS: From January 2005 through April 2013, 208 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction and 1,334 patients with traumatic meniscal tear injuries were examined by MRI and arthroscopy. Patients with chronic ACL injuries, revisions, fracture histories, or multiple-ligament injuries and patients with Outerbridge degenerative changes of grade 3 or greater were excluded, yielding 159 patients and 621 patients in the 2 groups, respectively. The medial meniscus (MM) and lateral meniscus (LM) examined by MRI and arthroscopy for findings of tears were compared in each group. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for MM and LM tears by MRI were compared and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The diagnostic sensitivity of MRI in the group with ACL injury was significantly lower than that in the ACL-intact group for the MM (P < .001) and LM (P = .040). The negative predictive value was also lower in the group with ACL injury for both the MM (P = .008) and LM (P < .001). There was no statistical difference in specificity and positive predictive value between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that if a patient had an acute ACL tear, the sensitivity and negative predictive value of MRI for a meniscal tear were less than if there was no ACL tear, which led to the low diagnostic accuracy of MRI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective case-control study.

Three-Dimensional Morphometric Analysis of Penetrative Depth and Size of Nonarthritic and Degenerative Arthritic Glenoids: Implications for Glenoid Replacement in Shoulder Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder arthroplasty is technically demanding and relies heavily on the precision of surgical techniques. Proper glenoid component sizing plays a crucial role in successful shoulder arthroplasty. We measured the size and penetrative depth of the glenoid for peg or screw fixation in nonarthritic and degenerative arthritic shoulders by using three-dimensional computed tomography to determine the reference dimensions of the glenoid in nonarthritic and degenerative arthritic shoulders. METHODS: From January 2010 to January 2011, data on two groups of patients were collected and reviewed. Group 1 comprised 38 patients who underwent surgical treatment due to fracture of the proximal humerus and who had no evidence of a pathological glenoid. Group 2 comprised 14 patients who underwent surgical treatment due to osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint. The height (maximal superoinferior diameter) of the glenoid was measured, and the width (anteroposterior [AP] diameter) of the glenoid was measured at five different levels (H1-H5). Axial images were taken at H1-H5 levels, the AP glenoid diameter of each was divided into eight areas, and division points were labeled as W1-W7. The penetrative depths between the near cortex and far cortex of the glenoid (thickness) at each point (W1-W7) were measured. RESULTS: The overall mean glenoid height was 37.67 ± 4.09 mm in nonarthritic glenoids and 39.42 ± 3.54 mm in degenerative arthritic glenoids. The nonarthritic glenoid was significantly thicker than the degenerative arthritic glenoid at the H1W3, H1W4, H1W5, H2W7, H3W1, H3W6, H3W7, H4W5, H4W6, H4W7, H5W4, H5W5, H5W6, and H5W7 points. The posteroinferior quadrant had the smallest penetrative depth in both nonarthritic and degenerative arthritic glenoids. Also, the degenerative arthritic glenoids were significantly thinner than the nonarthritic glenoids along the posterior and inferior parts of the glenoid. CONCLUSIONS: The posterior and inferior parts of the degenerative arthritic glenoid appears thinner than the nonarthritic glenoid. Thus, caution has to be taken when drilling the screw hole or inserting screws into the posteroinferior parts, where the glenoid is thinner than 15 mm on average, to avoid penetration of the far cortex.

Surgical outcome of 2-stage management of multiple knee ligament injuries after knee dislocation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a new 2-stage surgical treatment for acute traumatic knee dislocation. METHODS: The study involved 15 knees in 14 patients treated between October 1997 and November 2001. The mean follow-up was 88.9 months (range, 35 to 110 months). In the first surgical stage, medial or lateral ligament complexes were repaired or reconstructed within 2 weeks of injury. In the second surgical stage, once full range of motion was obtained 3 to 6 months later, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was reconstructed if significant laxity was present. The final outcomes were assessed based on stress radiographs, range of motion, Lysholm score, Tegner activity stage, and International Knee Documentation Committee rating. RESULTS: There were 10 cases of medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear and 8 cases of lateral collateral ligament (LCL) tear. All MCL and LCL injuries were either repaired or reconstructed. All cases had both ACL and PCL tears. After the first stage of MCL/LCL complex surgery, the second-stage surgery involving ACL and PCL reconstruction was deemed necessary in 3 and 7 cases, respectively. Five cases did not require ACL or PCL reconstruction. On stress radiography at the last follow-up, MCL, LCL, ACL, and PCL instability was graded as 0 to 1 in 15, 14, 15, and 11 cases, respectively. PCL instability was graded as 2 in 4 cases. The mean postoperative Lysholm score was 87.6 points. CONCLUSIONS: The 2-stage surgical approach described resulted in good outcomes for acute knee dislocation patients in terms of range of motion and stability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

ACL Reconstruction with Autologous Hamstring Tendon: Comparison of Short Term Clinical Results between Rigid-fix and PINN-ACL Cross Pin.

PURPOSE: To compare the short term clinical results of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with autologous hamstring tendon between Rigid-fix and PINN-ACL Cross Pin for femoral side fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 127 patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using autologous hamstring tendon and had been followedup for over than one year were enrolled for the present study. Rigid-fix was used in 71 cases (group 1), and PINN-ACL Cross Pin was used in 56 cases (group 2). Clinical and radiological results, operation time, and perioperative complications were compared amongst the two groups. RESULTS: The International Knee Documentation Committee subjective score and Lysholm score were 94 and 95 in group 1 and 87 and 91 in group 2, with no statistical difference (p=0.892, p=0.833), respectively. However, significant difference was observed in one-leg hop test between the two groups (p=0.032). Five cases in group 1 and 40 cases in group 2 were found to be associated with perioperative complications with statistical difference (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: There was no resultant difference between the employment of PINN-ACL Cross Pin and Rigid-fix as femoral graft fixation for ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon. However, PINN-ACL Cross Pin led to complications with extensive operation times. Hence, it needs further improvement of tools for minimization of complications.

Delayed diagnosed stage 1, 2 distractive flexion injury of the cervical spine.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: To examine the clinical and radiologic characteristics of patients with stage 1 and 2 distractive flexion injury according to Allen's classification and who were not diagnosed immediately after injury, and to analyze the outcomes of surgical treatments. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: For the diagnosis of stage 1 and 2 distractive flexion injury in the lower cervical spine, attention should be paid when performing radiographs as well as when interpreting the radiographs. METHODS: The study was conducted on 10 patients (group 1) with stage 1 or 2 distractive flexion injury and who were not diagnosed immediately after injury from January 2003 to January 2009. The control group (group 2), 16 distractive flexion injury patients who were diagnosed immediately were selected. The simple radiographs, the degree of soft tissue swelling and the magnetic resonance imaging findings of the two groups were compared, and the clinical and radiologic results were examined. RESULTS: The degree of the prevertebral soft tissue swelling of group 1 was lower in group 1, and it was statistically significant (p = 0.046). The fusion was achieved in all cases (100%) in group 1, however, re-displacement as well as the loss of reduction occurred in one case, despite of delayed fusion and good clinical result. In group 2, bone fusion was achieved in 15 cases of 16 cases (94%). CONCLUSIONS: For the diagnosis of stage 1 and 2 distractive flexion injury in the lower cervical spine, it is desirable to perform computed tomography if diagnosis is not clear. Even if the diagnosis is delayed, stage 1 and 2 distractive flexion injury could be readily reduced by traction, and the treatment outcomes are considered to be comparable to those of the patients diagnosed immediately after injury.

Early results of high-flex total knee arthroplasty: comparison study at 1 year after surgery.

We compared clinical [including maximal flexion and range of motion (ROM)] and radiographical outcomes of high-flex versus conventional implants for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) after 1 year. We also analyzed the factors affecting postoperative ROM in high-flex implants. The high-flex group (n=90) had an average maximal flexion of 129.8 degrees (standard deviation (SD), 5.2 degrees ) significantly higher than the 124.3 degrees (SD, 9.2 degrees ) of the conventional group (n=90), especially for patients with less than 90 degrees of knee flexion (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in hospital for special surgery (HSS) score between the two groups. No knee developed osteolysis, aseptic loosening, or other complications. We found that, for high-flex implants, preoperative ROM had a significant effect on postoperative ROM.