Purpose: The collagen meniscus implant (CMI, Sulzer) is a meniscal substitute with a collagen matrix serving as a tutor for autologous regeneration of meniscal tissue. The goal is to prevent mid-term degradation after meniscectomy. The CMI is inserted arthroscopically. The purpose of this multicentric European study was to verify the safety, technical feasibility, and short-term clinical efficacy of the CMI in a population of patients undergoing medial meniscectomy. The long-term results should be obtained within a delay of five years at least.

Material and results: The series included patients with medial meniscus lesions alone, with or without lesions of the anterior cruciate ligament (present in 44% of the patients and repaired at the same time). Patient consent was obtained in all cases (in France in accordance with the Huriet law). Patients with lesions of the lateral ligament, associated trade IV cartilage lesions, or lesions of the posterior cruciate ligament were excluded. The study included 98 patients, mean age 33 years. Four patients were excluded from the analysis due to complications. Currently, 66 patients are available for evaluation one year after insertion of the CMI. Subjective outcome, the Lysholm score, and x-ray and MRI findings were recorded. Evaluation up to five years follow-up is scheduled.

Results: Complications: There were four early complications: infectious arthritis (n=1), puriform arthritis without germ (n=2), implant rupture (n=1). There were no implant-related postop complications.

Clinical results: At one year follow-up, the Lysholm score was 97. Pain was mild (1 on the visual analogue scale) and was only observed in one out of six patients: 87% of the patients had a normal or nearly normal knee.

Radiological results: There were no radiological signs of early degeneration. It was difficult to interpret the MRI results which visualised a structure with an intermediary signal in the form of a meniscal triangle. MRI did on show any sign of deleterious effect on the neighbouring cartilage.

Discussion: This technique for replacing the meniscus is an alternative to allogenic grafting. These preliminary results must of course be interpreted with caution. They show that arthroscoic implantation of the CMI is feasible but difficult. There was no evidence of an immunological reaction. Complications were related to the operative difficulty. Clinical results were satisfactory at one year, particularly in terms of pain. On the other hand, the biomechanical value of the implant cannot be assessed until longer follow-up data becomes available.

Conclusion: In light of the operative difficulty, the long postoperative recovery due to the rehabilitation protocol, the CMI should be used for symptomatic knees after meniscectomy, particularly in case of anterior laxity.

Purpose: Since 1996, our multidisciplinary medicosurgical team has decided to propose orthopaedic treatment for diabetic perforating ulcers with osteitis, cellulitis, or necrosis (“cooling down” the acute infected ulcers before programmed surgery) rather than conservative treatment with prolonged antibiotic therapy. We present here a prospective study of 44 cases of diabetic perforating ulcers.

Material and methods: Thirty-two diabetic patients underwent surgery: 77% males, mean age 65.2±8.6 year (range 43–86 years), 87% type 2 diabetes, 52% with a history of perforating ulcers, 45% with minor amputations, and 14% with history of vascular surgery. The lesions—perforating ulcer with osteitis (n=34), vascular necrosis of the toes (n=2), “acute feet” with cellulitis (n=8)—had progressed over 13.2±15.1 weeks. The preoperative work-up included: bacteriology samples 89%; standard x-rays of the foot 100% (osteitis 84%); duplex Doppler of the lower limb arteries 77% (tibial arteriopathy 87%); double bone scintigraphy 34% (osteitis 93%); TcPO2 (40±14mmHg); arteriography 27%; vascular surgery consultation 18%. Before surgery, 77% of the patients were hospitalised in an endocrinology unit (13±3 days) and 88% were on an antibiotic regimen for 26±18 days (50% i.v.).

Orthopaedic surgery (without tourniquet, anaesthesia block, mean duration 53±24 min) involved: partial resection of a toe 23%; amputation of a ray 36% (first ray one, second ray five, third ray one, fourth ray two, fifth ray six); transmetatarsal amputation 32%; resection of the metatarsal heads 4%; calcanectomy (n=1); below knee amputation (n=1); and systematic and multiple samples for bacteriology (deep soft tissue and bone tissue) and for pathology.

Results: Mean hospital stay in the surgery unit was 4±1 days, followed by 18±10 days in the endocrinology unit with antibiotics (oral for 88%) for 34±22 days, 91% of the lesions healed within 33±18 days; four required repeated procedures (two transmetatarsal amputations, one amputation of the first ray, one lower limb amputation); three lesions relapsed.

The peroperative bacteriology samples of the deep soft tissue and bone tissue demonstrated, in comparison with the preoperative samples, that antibiotics had sterilised only 14% of the lesions; with discordant comparison in 40%, partial concordance in 24%, and total concordance in 24%. For the diagnosis of osteitis (confirmed by histology of peroperative bone samples), the x-ray interpretations were largely confirmed (79% exact diagnosis, 87% sensitivity, false positives 12%), as were the bone scintigrams with labelled polymorphonuclears (exact diagnosis 93%, sensitivity 93%, false positives 7%).

Conclusion: This prospective study demonstrated the advantages of programmed surgery over emergency surgery, including for “acute feet”: limited resection, primary suture, rapid wound healing, short antibiotic treatment. It raises some questions concerning the validity of non-surgical bacteriological samples for perforating ulcers, even when performed under rigorous conditions (unique strain isolated from 76% of the samples) and on the possibility of antibiotic pressure on bacterial selection.

Purpose: We analysed knee prostheses preserving the posterior cruciate ligament (or both cruciates) performed after tibial osteotomy. We determined outcome as a function of any tibial callus deformation created by the tibial osteotomy.

Material and methods: This retrospective study included a consecutive series of 56 knee prostheses with preservation of the posterior cruciate ligament (n=43) or both cruciate ligaments (n=13). The patients had undergone prior tibial osteotomy for valgisation (n=47) or varisation (n=9). Seven groups were defined as a function of the preoperative tibial angle prior to TKA. The angle were measured with telegonometry. Minimum follow-up was one year, mean follow-up 4.1±2.8 years.

Results: The tibial tuberosity was raised in 15 cases. If there was major valgus or rotation deformation, tibial osteotomy was associated with the prothesis (n=9). At last follow-up, the mean IKSg, IKSf and HSS scores were 81.5, 77.6, and 82.3 respectively. The mean femorotibial angle was 177.4±4.2°. The mean tibial angle was 87.8±3° and the mean femoral angle was 89.8±2°. Preoperative tibial deformation was not influenced by clinical results. In case of preoperative tibial deformation situated between 5° valgus and 5° varus, operation time, blood loss, and femoraotibial axis at last follow-up were not significantly different. To correct for tibial valgus greater than 7°, tibial osteotomy was associated with prosthesis implantation during the same operative time in six out of thirteen cases. For preoperative tibial varus greater than 5°, the femorotibial axis was less well corrected.

Discussion: These clinical results were comparable to those reported in other series with preservation or not of the posterior cruciate ligament. Correction of the femorotibial angle was less satisfactory than in certain series, but the deformation and the surgical history were among the most marked in the literature. Preservation of the posterior cruciate ligament (or both cruciates) appears to have increased the technical difficulties for upper tibia exposure and position of the tibia implant. For tibial callus with valgus greater than 7°, the prostheses cannot be expected to provide a solution alone and osteotomy should be associated. For tibial callus with 5° or more varus, the indication for associated tibial osteotomy merits discussion.

Purpose: We reviewed retrospectively 40 ligamentoplasties of the anterior cruciate ligament in patients who had undergone several prior reconstructions (1 to 6). The initial operation had used a synthetic ligament in 13 cases, patellar tendon in 23 and divers implants in four.

Material and methods: Forty patients, 12 women and 28 men, with recurrent ligament tears where reoperated by the same surgeon. Mean age was 28.5 years (16–51). Mean follow-up after the last operation was 27 months. All patients were reviewed (history, physical examinatin and KT 1000); 20 of them responded to a self-administered questionnaire using the IKDC chart later after the clinical review, and 23 of the 40 had radiographs to measure laxity. Arthroscopic reconstruction was used in 33 cases. A surgical procedure was necessary on a peripheral ligament in six cases and osteotomy for tibial valgisation in one. Reconstruction was achieved with the quadriceps tendon in 11 cases, the patellar tendon in 18, the hamstrings in eight and Mac in Jones in three. The IKDC score was used for clinical assessment with manual arthrometric measurement of laxity. Radiographs were obtained to measure the anterior drawer of the medial and lateral compartments of both knees for right-left and pre-postoperative comparisons.

Results: The initial handicap was marked (IKDC: 18 D, 21 C, 1 B). Reconstruction was good or very good in 72.5% of the knees (IKCD: 2 A, 27 B, 10 C, 1 D). Self-evaluation revealed 25% painful knees for intense activities. Laxity was improved with a mean differential gain of 5.35 mm of the maximal pre- and postoperative KT 100 (7.24 versus 1.89). Among the 24 knees with radiographic assessment, the mean differential preoperative was 9.14 mm preoperatively and 4.69 mm at last follow-up giving a gain of 4.45 mm. One athlete was able to resume sports activities at the same or higher level and others at a lower level.

Discussion, conclusion: This study confirms that the results obtained after revision repair are less satisfactory than after primary repair. This homogeneous (one operator) and large series with a sufficient follow-up can be compared with the rare published series. Each ligament reconstruction is specific and warrants a specific surgical approach adapted to each individual case.

Purpose: There are three main causes of failure after valgisation osteotomy of the tibia requiring repeated osteotomies: insufficient valgus, excessive valgus, or loss of the valisation correction after a variable delay. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcome after repeated oseotomies performed in relatively young patients or too active to propose arthroplasty. The technical problems were different for each aetiology.

Material and methods: The series included 47 knees operated on between 1974 and 1998 after a first osteotomy performed at a mean age of 46 years. Mean delay between the two operations was five years (1 to 12). A medial closure osteotomy had been performed at the first operation in 34 cases and a lateral opening osteotomy in 13. For the 19 knees with valgus, the second osteotomy was a medial closure in 14 and a lateral opening in five. A repeat valgisation was performed in 28 cases, 18 by lateral closure, one by medial opening and nine by curviplanar osteotomy. The IKS score was determined to assess function. The femoraotibial axes (HKA angle) were determined on full stance views. The Ahl-back osteoarthritis grading was used. For 17 patients who had undergone operations in other institutions, exact measurements were not always available concerning the preoperative status and the initial correction.

Results: The overall IKS score for function improved in 87% of the cases with a mean follow-up of five years. The IKS knee score improved from 73 to 89 points and the IKS function score from 65 to 81 points. For the 19 over-corrections, the mean HKA angle was changed from 190° to 184°. For the 28 under-corrections, the mean HKA angle was changed from 173° to 182°. The tibial tilt remained unchanged at 7° as did lateral gapping at 3°. Delay to consolidation was a mean 96 days.

Discussion: Revision osteotomies performed for correction defects should be distinguished. For these procedures, it would be logical to expect a good result if a 3 to 5 degree valgus is achieved. Revisions after a long period (33 cases) are different; required for wear, these cases correspond to progressive loss of the initial osteotomy effect. These patients are often candidates for prosthesis if seen after 70 years. Good results can however be obtained with a second osteotomy irrespective of the initial technique. We prefer reoperating with medial opening after initial lateral closure.

Purpose: Several techniques have been described for the treatment of unstable fractures of the upper humerus. None appear to be appropriate for subtuberosity fractures, associated or not with a fracture of the trochiter or impacted valgus cephalotuberosity fractures, allowing a stable fixation with anatomic reduction while preserving blood supply to the bone fragments. For the last year, we have studied prospectively a percutaneous minimally invasive technique for this type of fracture. Our preliminary results are analysed here.

Material and methods: We used this technique for 12 patients aged 30 to 87 years with five displaced subtuberosity fractures, six subtuberosity fractures with a trochiter fracture and one impacted valgus cephalotuberosity fracture. Excepting the cephalotuberosity fracture, the joint fragment of the head was reduced by external manipulation under image amplifier guidance. Fixation was achieved with two 25/10 threaded pins inserted percutaneously in retrograde fashio from the anterolateral cortical to the humeral shaft. For eight cases, a third pin was inserted percutaneously from the trochiter to the medial cortical of the humerus. When percutaneous reduction of the trochiter was impossible (three cases) and for the cephalotuberosity fracture, we used a minimal transdeltoid lateral incision to reduce the trochiter and achieve reduction.

Results: Reduction was very satisfactory in all cases. There was one superficial infection that required pin withdrawal at three weeks leading to the only secondary displacement that was minimal and tolerable. We removed the pins after a mean two months. There were no nonunions. Seven patients have a follow-up greater than six months and exhibited a Constant score of 87% (71% to 100%).

Discussion: This techniques has provided very satisfactory results for rapid and stable fixation of the cephalic fragment without loss of blood supply and with a material easy to remove.

Conclusion: These early results are very encouraging and incite us to pursue this technique and analyse long-term results.

Purpose: Plantar pressure sores can lead to metatarsalgia depending on the patient’s activity level and age and on the status of the muscle-tendon system and the morphology of the forefoot. In 1995, Tanaka and Maestro attempted to quantify the relative lengths of the metatarsals. The purpose of this work was to check the results reported by Maestro and to try to define a morphotype classification of the metatarsals.

Material and methods: We analysed two series of normal feet: no apparent deformation, no callosity, no pain, no history of trauma or surgery. Fifty “normal” feet were selected among the personnel of the orthopaedics unit. Mean age of the 25 subjects was 30.3 ± 9.6 years, 44% were women. This series was compared with 34 “normal” feet reported by Maestro (age 55.2 ± 17.2 years, 62% women) used to define criteria for geometric progression (1995). A standing dorso-plantar radiograph was obtained with the same protocol for all patients. All radiographs were digitalized with a Vidar VXR-12 plus, then analysed by two observers with the semi-automatic FootLog measurements. The following measurements were recorded: SM4-M4 (distance between the line passing through the centre of the lateral sesmoid and perpendicular to the foot axis and the centre of the M4 head), M1 = d1 – d2 (length of the M1/SM4 head – length of the M2/SM4 head), Maestro criteria 1 = d2 – d3, Maestro 2 = d3 – d4, and Maestro 3 = d4 – d5.

Results: An SM4 line passing through the mid third of the M4 head (+2mm proximally / centre M4 head / −4 mm distally) as normal. The notion of row 2 geometric progression was conserved by tolerating 20% variation (Maestro 1 ± 1 mm, Maestro 2 ± 1mm, Maestro 3 ± 2 mm). Feet were classed in four metatarsal morphology types with subgroups: normal feet (line SM4 passing through the mid third of the M4 head – geometric progression) – long M23 (SM4 line centred on the mid third of M4 – but alteration of the geometric progression) with four subgroups (long M2, long M3, long M2-3, long M23 long 2) – M4M5 hypoplasia (distal SM4 line / at mid third of M4) with four subgroups (by geometric progression: long M2, long M23, long M23 long M2) – others (long M1: M1 > 3.3 mm causing distalization of SM4).

Discussion, conclusion: FootLog enables rapid radiographic measurements with excellent precision and intraobserver (variations from 0.1 to 0.2 mm and 0.1 to 0.5°) and interobserver (variations from 0.1 to 0.5 mm and 0.1 to 1°) reproducibility. In the two series of clinically “normal” feet, the measured parameters were strictly comparable. Radiologically, 31% were “normal”, and the others (30% long M23 – 37% M4M5 hypoplasia – 2% others) could be considered as predisposed to potential forefoot disorders. Finally only 48% of the subjects had the same morphotype for both feet. This study adds further precision to earlier qualitative evaluations of the forefoot architecture.