Double level osteotomy (DLO) for severe genu varum is not a common technique. We performed our first computer-assisted double level osteotomy (CADLO) in March 2001 and we published our preliminary results in 2005 and 2007. The rationale to perform this procedure is to avoid oblique joint line in order to have less difficulty in case of revision to a total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The goal of this paper is to present the results of 37 cases operated on between August 2001 and January 2010. The series was composed of 35 patients (two bilateral), nine females and 26 males, aged from 39 to 64 years old (mean age: 50.5 +/− 7.5). We operated on 20 right knees and 17 left ones. The mean BMI was 29.3 +/− 4.3 for a mean height of 1.71 m and a mean weight of 85.8 kg. The functional status was evaluated according to the LYSHÖLM and TEGNER score. The mean score was of 42.4 +/− 8.9 points (22–69). According to modified AHLBÄCK criteria we operated on seven stage 2, 22 stage 3, five stage 4 and two stage 5. We measured HKA (Hip-Knee-Ankle) angle using RAMADIER's protocol and we also measured the femoral mechanical axis (FMA) and the tibial mechanical axis (TMA) to pose the right indication. These measures were respectively: 168° +/− 3.4° (159°–172°), 87.5° +/− 2.1 (83°–91°) for the FMA and 83.7° +/− 2.6° (78°–88°) for the TMA. The inclusion criteria were a patient younger than 65 years old with a severe varus deformity (more than 8° − HKA angle ≤ to 172°) and a FMA at 91° or less. All the osteotomies were navigated using the ORTHOPILOT® device (B-BRAUN-AESCULAP, TUTTLINGEN, GERMANY). The procedure was performed as follows: after inserting the rigid-bodies and calibrating the lower leg, we did first the femoral closing wedge osteotomy (from 4 to 7 mm) which was fixed by a an AO T-Plate, and secondly, after checking the residual varus, the high tibial opening wedge osteotomy using a BIOSORB® wedge (Tricalcium phosphate) and a plate (AO T-plate or C-plate). The goals of the osteotomy were to achieve an HKA angle of 182° +/− 2° and a TMA angle of 90° +/− 2°. The functional results were evaluated using the LYSHÖLM-TEGNER score and the KOOS score. The patients answered the questionnaire at revision or by phone, and the radiological results were assessed by plain radiographs and standing long leg X-Rays between three and six months postoperatively. We had no complication in this series but one case of recurrence of the deformity related to an impaction of the femoral osteotomy on the medial side. Two patients were lost to follow-up after removing of the plates (24 months) but were included in the results because the file was complete at that date. All the patients were assessed at a mean follow-up of 43 +/− 27 months (12–108). The mean LYSHÖLM-TEGNER score was 78.7 +/− 7.5 points (59–91) and the mean KOOS score was 94.9 +/− 3.3 points (89–100). Thirty-five patients were satisfied (18) or very satisfied (17) of the result. Only two were poorly satisfied. Regarding the radiological results, if we exclude the patient who had a loss of correction, the goals were reached in 32 cases (89%) for the HKA angle and in 31 cases (86%) for the TMA with only one case at 93°. The mean angles were: 181.97° +/− 1,89° (177°–185°) for HKA, 89.86° +/− 1,85° (85°–93°) for TMA and 93.05° +/− 2.3° (89°–99°) for FMA. At that mid-term follow-up no patient had revision to a total knee arthroplasty. DLO is a very demanding technique. Navigation can improve the accuracy of the correction compared to non computer-assisted osteotomies. The functional results are satisfying and the satisfaction of the patients is very high. Despite the difficulty of the procedure, complications are, in our hands, very rare. We recommend DLO for severe genu
It is still difficult to determine an appropriate hinge position to prevent fracture in the lateral cortex of tibia in the process of making an open wedge during biplane open wedge high tibial osteotomy. The objective of this study was to present a biomechanical basis for determining the hinge position as varus deformity. T Three-dimensional lower extremity models were constructed using Mimics. The tibial wedge started at 40 mm distal to the medial tibial plateau, and osteotomy for three hinge positions was performed toward the head of the fibula, 5 mm proximal from the head of the fibula, and 5 mm distal from the head of the fibula. The three tibial models were made with varus deformity of 5, 10, 15 degrees with heterogeneous material properties. These properties were set to heterogeneous material properties which converted from Hounsfield's unit to Young's modulus by applying empirical equation in existing studies. For a loading condition, displacement at the posterior cut plane was applied referring to Hernigou's table considering varus deformity angle. All computational analyses were performed to calculate von-mises stresses on the tibial wedges. The maximum stress increased to an average of 213±9% when the varus angle was 10 degrees compared to 5 degrees and increased to an average of 154±8.9% when the varus angle was 15 degrees compared to 10 degrees. In addition, the maximum stress of the distal position was 19 times higher than that of the mid position and 5 times higher than that of the proximal position on average. For varus deformity angles, the maximum stress of the tibial wedge tended to increase as the varus deformity angle increased. For hinge position of tibial wedge, maximum stress was the lowest in the mid position, while the highest in the distal position. *This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (NRF-2022R1A2C1009995)Conclusion:
Robotics have been applied to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to improve surgical precision in components’ placement, providing a physiologic ligament tensioning throughout knee range of motion. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate femoral and tibial components’ positioning in robotic-assisted TKA after fine-tuning according to soft tissue tensioning, aiming symmetric and balanced medial and lateral gaps in flexion/extension. Forty-three consecutive patients undergoing robotic-assisted TKA between November 2017 and November 2018 were included. Pre-operative radiographs were performed and measured according to Paley's. The tibial and femoral cuts were performed based on the individual intra-operative fine-tuning, checking for components’ size and placement, aiming symmetric medial and lateral gaps in flexion/extension. Cuts were adapted to radiographic epiphyseal anatomy and respecting ±2° boundaries from neutral coronal alignment. Robotic data were recorded, collecting information relative to medial and lateral gaps in flexion and extension.Introduction
Materials and Methods
In order to restore the neutral limb alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), surgical procedure usually starts with removing osteophytes in varus osteoarthritic knees. However, there are no reports in the literature regarding the exact influence of osteophyte removal on alignment correction. The purpose of this study was to define the influence of osteophyte removal alone on limb alignment correction in the coronal plane in TKA for varus knee. Twenty-eight medial osteoarthritic knees with varus malalignment scheduled for TKA were included in this study. After registration of a navigation system, each knee was tested at maximum extension, and at 30, 40 and 60 degrees of flexion before and after osteophyte removal. External loads of 10 N-m valgus torque at each angle and in both states were applied. Subsequently, the widths of the resected osteophytes were measured.Background
Methods
To systematically review the efficacy of split tendon transfer surgery on gait-related outcomes for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and spastic equinovarus foot deformity. Five databases (CENTRAL, CINAHL, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science) were systematically screened for studies investigating split tibialis anterior or split tibialis posterior tendon transfer for spastic equinovarus foot deformity, with gait-related outcomes (published pre-September 2022). Study quality and evidence were assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies, the Risk of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.Aims
Methods
Adequate soft tissue balance at the time of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) prevents early failure. In cases of varus deformity, once the medial osteophytes have been resected, a progressive release of the medial soft tissue sleeve (MSS) from the proximal medial tibia is needed to achieve balance. The “classic” medial soft tissue release technique, popularised by John Insall et al., consists of a sharp subperiosteal dissection from the proximal medial tibia that includes superficial and deep medial collateral ligament (MCL), semimembranosus tendon, posteromedial capsule, along with the pes anserinus tendons, if needed. However, this technique allows for little control over releases that selectively affect the flexion and extension gaps. When severe deformity is present, an extensive MSS release can cause iatrogenic medial instability and the need to use a constrained implant. It has been suggested that the MSS can be elongated by performing selective releases. This algorithmic approach includes the resection of the posterior osteophytes as the initial balancing gesture. If additional MSS release is necessary in extension, a subperiosteal release of the posterior aspect of the MSS is performed with electrocautery, detaching the posterior aspect of the deep MCL, posteromedial capsule and semimembranosus tendon for the proximal and medial tibia. Dissection is rarely extended more than 1.5 cm distal to the joint line. If additional release is necessary in extension, the medial compartment is tensioned with a laminar spreader and multiple needle punctures (generally less than 8) are performed in the taut portion of the MSS using an 18G or 16G needle. If additional release is necessary to balance the flexion gap, multiple needle punctures in the anterior aspect of the MSS are performed. This stepwise approach to releasing the MSS in a patient with a varus deformity allows the surgeon to target areas that selectively affect the flexion and extension gaps. Its use has resulted in diminished use of constrained TKA constructs and subsequent cost savings. We have not seen an increase in post-operative instability developing within the first post-operative year. We recommend caution when implementing this technique. Unlike the traditional release method, pie-crusting is likely technique-dependent and failure can occur within the MCL itself. Due to the critical importance of the MCL in knee stability, further research and continuous follow up of patients undergoing TKA with this technique are warranted. Intra-operative sensing technology may be useful to quantitate the effect of pie-crusting on the compartmental loads and overall knee balance.
Soft-tissue release plays an integral part in primary total knee arthroplasty by ‘balancing’ the knee. Asian patients often present late and consequently may have large deformities due to significant bone loss and contractures medially, and stretching of the lateral collateral ligament. Extra-articular deformities may aggravate the situation further and make correction of these deformities more arduous. Several techniques have been described for correction of deformity by soft-tissue releases. However, releasing the collateral ligament during TKA has unintended consequences such as the creation of significant mediolateral instability and a flexion gap which exceeds the extension gap; both of these may require a constrained prosthesis to achieve stability. We will show that soft-tissue balance can be achieved even in cases of severe varus deformity without performing a superficial medial collateral ligament release. The steps are: Determining pre-operatively whether deformity is predominantly intra-articular or extra-articular; Individualizing the valgus resection angle and bony resection depth; Reduction osteotomy, posteromedial capsule resection, sliding medial condylar osteotomy, extra-articular corrective osteotomy; Compensating for bone loss; Only rarely deploying a more constrained device. Case examples will be presented to illustrate the entire spectrum of varus deformities.
Soft-tissue release plays an integral part in primary total knee arthroplasty by ‘balancing’ the knee. Asian patients often present late and consequently may have large deformities due to significant bone loss and contractures medially, and stretching of the lateral collateral ligament. Extra-articular deformities may aggravate the situation further and make correction of these deformities more arduous. Several techniques have been described for correction of deformity by soft-tissue releases. However, releasing the collateral ligament during TKA has unintended consequences such as the creation of significant mediolateral instability and a flexion gap which exceeds the extension gap; both of these may require a constrained prosthesis to achieve stability. We will show that soft-tissue balance can be achieved even in cases of severe varus deformity without performing a superficial medial collateral ligament release. The steps are: 1. Determining preoperatively whether deformity is predominantly intra-articular or extra-articular; 2. Individualizing the valgus resection angle and bony resection depth; 3. Reduction osteotomy, posteromedial capsule resection, sliding medial condylar osteotomy, extra-articular corrective osteotomy; 4. Compensating for bone loss; 5. Only rarely deploying a more constrained device. Case examples will be presented to illustrate the entire spectrum of varus deformities.
For correction of cubitus varus deformity many types of osteotomies and fixation methods have been described, but besides technical difficulties, they have limitations such as non-union, stiffness of the elbow joint and neurovascular injury. The prominence of the lateral condyle can also give rise to a poor cosmetic result. To overcome these problems, we reviewed the results of simple dome osteotomy with fixation by cross pins. From 2003 to 2007, eleven children with cubitus varus deformity having full range of movements and good elbow function had surgery. The average age was 9.2 years (range, 7 to 13) and M:F ratio was 4:1. Through a posterior triceps splitting approach a dome-shaped osteotomy is fashioned, the distal part of humerus is aligned as planned and then fixation by cross pinning is achieved. Patients were followed for two years. Pre-operative and post-operative humeral-elbow angles, ranges of motion and lateral prominence indices were compared. The results were evaluated according to the modified criteria of Oppenheim et al.Background
Methods
For restoration of neutral limb alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), we usually start by removing osteophytes in varus osteoarthritic knees. However, we have found no reports in the literature regarding research on the exact influence of osteophyte removal on angle correction. The purpose of this study was to define the influence of osteophyte removal on limb alignment correction in the coronal plane in TKA. Nine patients with varus malalignment that were scheduled for TKA were included in this study. Only patients with degenerative osteoarthritis were considered. After registration of a navigation system, each knee was tested at maximum extension, and 30 and 60 degrees of flexion before and after osteophyte removal. The same examiner applied all external loads of 10 N-m valgus torque at each angle and in both states. Subsequently, the widths of the osteophytes were measured. All data were analyzed statistically using paired t-test and correlation coefficient. A significant difference was determined to be present for P < .05.Introduction
Materials and Methods
Total knee arthroplasty(TKA) for patients with severe varus deformity has become common operation in Japan because of the rapid aging of the population. Treatment of severe malalignment, instability and bone defects is important. Here we report the clinical results of total knee arthroplasty for 23 knees with severe varus deformity. We defined a severe varus knee femorotibial angle(FTA) as one exceeding 195 degrees. The average observation period was 64 months. Autologous bone graft was performed for 3 knees and augmentation and long tibia stem was used for 3 knees. We used SF-36 for clinical evaluation. Image assessment was based on the standing HKA(Hip-Knee-Ankle)angle, and the Knee Society TKA roentgenographic evaluation and scoring system. The mean SF-36 score improved from 47.6 points to 63.7 points after TKA. The standing mean HKA angle was 204°(range 197° to 215°) before surgery and was corrected to 185°(range 176° to 195°). The post-operative standing HKA angle was classified as HKA>184°, 184°>HKA>177°, HKA<176°. A clear zone appeared in zone1 on tibia APX-ray in 4 knees belonging to the HKA>184° group. Our 23 knees achieved good results, and careful postoperative observation is still necessary especially in the vgarus group.
Hallux varus is a rare cause of pain in the foot mostly occurring after failed hallux valgus surgery. We reviewed 12 patients with unilateral hallux varus treated with soft tissue techniques (4x), arthrodesis of the first metatarso-phalangeal joint (3x) or with a distal chevron osteotomy (5x) with medial transposition of the first metatarsal head and reconstruction of the soft tissues on the lateral side of the metatarsophalangeal joint. 10 patients had previous hallux valgus surgery, in 2 cases the deformities were of unknown origin. 1 male and 11 female patients were followed up on average 26.4 months postoperatively. AOFAS hallux score improved from 46 (range 10–75) to 86 (range 72–95) points. The metatarsophalangeal angle measured with the center-head to center-base method was reduced from −16.1° (range −35° to −8°) to 5.1° (range −15° to 21°). The intermetatarsal angle increased from 5.8° (0–11°) t o 10.5° (0–19°). All patients were subjectively satisfied with the procedure. Our results indicate that joint preserving operation techniques are viable methods in the correction of mild and moderate symptomatic hallux varus deformities. Mild remaining varus deformities are well tolerated. In case of severe varus deformity or major signs of osteoarthritis in the first metatarsophalangeal joint MTP arthrodesis provides good results.
To evaluate the outcome of the Modified French osteotomy for the correction of cubitus varus resulting from a supracondylar distal humerus fracture in children. A retrospective review of 90 children, aged 3 to 14, who underwent a modified French osteotomy between 1986 and 2012 for the correction of cubitus varus as a result of a supracondylar distal humerus fracture. Case notes and radiographs were reviewed. The carrying angle was measured clinically and radiologically pre-operatively, post-operatively and at latest follow up. Comparison was made with the unaffected side. The outcome was graded as good if the correction of the carrying angle was within 5 degrees of the unaffected side, satisfactory if the correction was more than 5 degrees of the unaffected side but cubitus valgus was restored and poor if there was persistence of cubitus varus post correction. Any intra-operative and post-operative complications were documented.Purpose of the study
Description of methods
Standard implants (PCL retaining or posterior stabilized types) can be used if soft tissue balancing techniques allow the implant to tension and stabilize the joint in flexion and extension. In severe varus, Greater constraint implant may be used. The indications for the use of these components were inability to balance the knee in both flexion and extension because of severe deformities or intraoperative incompetence of the medial collateral ligament after aggressive release. Fourteen patients with twenty knees had severe varus deformity with average preoperative tibio-femoral angle 25°. The average age was 56 years (from 48 to 64). There was nine males and five females. The pre-operative diagnosis was primary osteoarthritis in 90% of patients and rheumatoid arthritis in 10% (two knees out of twenty). The average follow up was 39 month (from 27 to 57 month). Legacy Constrained Condylar Prosthesis (modular constrained knee of Zimmer) was used in all cases with stemmed both tibial and femoral components.Background
Material and methods
We compared patients, (group A) who had severe varus deformity with posterolateral varus thrust, with patients,(group B) who didn't have varus thrust for results of total knee arthroplasty. The average follow-up period was 33 months in group A (25 cases out of 23 patients) and 67 months in group B (50 cases out of 50 patients). We evaluated which kind of implant the patient had, the thickness of the polyethylene and changes of joint levels. Also we measured preoperative and postoperative mechanical axis deviation, tibio-femoral angle, and implant positions. Clinical results included preoperative and postoperative HSS, KSS, range of motion, and remained posterolateral instability on final follow-ups (Fig 1, Fig 2).Purpose:
Materials and Methods:
The aims of this prospective study were to determine the effect of osteophyte excision on deformity correction and soft-tissue gap balance in varus knees undergoing computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Four-hundred twenty-five consecutive, cemented, cruciate-substituting TKAs were analysed. Pre-operative varus was calculated on long leg weight-bearing HKA film. Limb deformity in coronal (varus) and sagittal (flexion) planes, medial and lateral gap distances in maximum knee extension and 90° knee flexion and maximum knee flexion were recorded before and after excision of medial femoral and tibial osteophytes using computer navigation. Data was extracted and analysed to assess the effect of removal of osteophytes on the correction of deformity and soft tissue balance.Aims
Patients and Methods
Hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) in patients with a varus deformity of the femoral neck-shaft angle (NSA) is associated with poorer outcomes. Our experience has not reflected this. We examined the Oxford Hip Scores (OHS), Harris Hip Scores (HHS) and outcomes of patients with varus hips against a normal cohort to ascertain any significant difference. We identified 179 patients. Measurement of the femoral neck-shaft angle was undertaken from antero-posterior radiographs pre-operatively. The mean NSA was 128.5 degrees (SD 6.3). Patients with a NSA of less than 122.2 were deemed varus and those above 134.8 valgus. These parameters were consistent with published anatomical studies. The varus cohort consisted of 23 patients, mean NSA 118.7 (range 113.6-121.5), mean follow-up 49 months (range 13-74). Mean OHS and HHS were 16 and 93.5 respectively. Complications included 2 cases of trochanteric non-union; no femoral neck fractures, early failures or revisions. Normal cohort consisted of 125 patients, mean NSA 128 degrees, mean follow-up 41 months (range 6-76). The OHS and HSS were 18.8, 88.9 respectively. Complications included 5 trochanteric non-unions and 1 revision due to an acetabular fracture following a fall. Statistical analysis demonstrated no statistical difference between the cohorts OHS (p=0.583) or HHS (p=0.139). Our experience in patients with a varus femoral neck has been positive. Our analysis has demonstrated no statistical difference in hip scores between the cohorts. We have not yet experienced any femoral neck fractures, which we believe is due to the use of the Ganz trochanteric flip and preservation of blood supply.