Background. Intraoperative blood loss is a known potential complication of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to reduce intraoperative blood loss and postoperative transfusion in patients undergoing TKA. While there are numerous studies demonstrating the efficacy of intravenous and topical TXA in patients undergoing TKA, there are comparatively few demonstrating the effectiveness and appropriate dosing recommendations of oral formulations. Methods. A retrospective cohort study of 2230 TKA procedures at a single institution identified 3 treatment cohorts: patients undergoing TKA without the use of TXA (no-OTA, n=968), patients undergoing TKA with administration of a single-dose of oral TXA (single-dose OTA, n=164), and patients undergoing TKR with administration of preoperative and postoperative oral TXA (two-dose OTA, n=1098). The primary outcome was transfusion rate. Secondary outcomes included maximum postoperative decline in hemoglobin, number of blood units transfused, length of hospital stay, total drain output, cell salvage volume, and operating room time. Results. Transfusion rates decreased from 24.1% in the no-OTA group to 13.6% in the single-dose OTA group (p<0.001) and 11.1% in the two-dose OTA group (p<0.001), with no significant difference in transfusion rates between single- and two-dose OTA groups (p=0.357). Operating room time was reduced from 154 minutes in the no-OTA group to 144 minutes in the one-dose OTA group and 144 minutes in the two-dose OTA group (p<0.01). Additionally, maximum postoperative decline in hemoglobin was reduced from 4.3 g/dL in the no-OTA group to 3.5 g/dL in the single-dose OTA group (p<0.01) and 3.4 g/dL in the two-dose OTA group (p<0.01), without a significant difference between the single- and two-dose regimens (p=0.233). Conclusions. OTA reduces transfusions and operating room time, with the potential advantages of greater ease of administration and improved cost effectiveness relative to other routes of administration. Further study such as a randomized clinical trial is needed to verify the effectiveness of OTA and further optimize dosing regimens in the TKA setting. Level of Evidence. Therapeutic Level III

Aims. Despite the increase in the surgical repair of proximal hamstring tears, there exists a lack of consensus in the optimal timing for surgery. There is also disagreement on how partial tears managed surgically compare with complete tears repaired surgically. This study aims to compare the mid-term functional outcomes in, and operating time required for, complete and partial proximal hamstring avulsions, that are repaired both acutely and chronically. Methods. This is a prospective series of 156 proximal hamstring surgical repairs, with a mean age of 48.9 years (21.5 to 78). Functional outcomes were assessed preinjury, preoperatively, and postoperatively (six months and minimum three years) using the Sydney Hamstring Origin Rupture Evaluation (SHORE) score. Operating time was recorded for every patient. Results. Overall, significant improvements in SHORE scores were seen at both six months and mid-term follow-up. Preoperatively, acute patients (median score 27.1 (interquartile range (IQR) 22.9)) reported significantly poorer SHORE scores than chronic patients (median score 42.9 (IQR 22.1); p < 0.001). However, this difference was not maintained postoperatively. For partial tears, acutely repaired patients reported significantly lower preoperative SHORE scores compared to chronically reapired partial tears (median score 24.3 (IQR 15.7) vs median score 40.0 (IQR 25.0); p < 0.001) but also significantly higher SHORE scores at six-month follow-up compared to chronically repaired partial tears (median score 92.9 (IQR 10.7) vs. median score 82.9 (IQR 14.3); p < 0.001). For complete tears, there was only a difference in preoperative SHORE scores between acute and chronic groups. Overall, acute repairs had a significantly shorter operating time (mean 64.67 minutes (standard deviation (SD) 12.99)) compared to chronic repairs (mean 74.71 minutes (SD = 12.0); t = 5.12, p < 0.001). Conclusion. Surgical repair of proximal hamstring avulsions successfully improves patient reported functional outcomes in the majority of patients, irrespective of the timing of their surgery or injury classification. However, reducing the time from injury to surgery is associated with greater improvement in patient outcomes and an increased likelihood of returning to preinjury functional status. Acute repair appears to be a technically less complex procedure, as indicated by reduced operating times, postoperative neurological symptoms and number of patients requiring bracing. Acute repair is therefore a preference among many surgeons. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(10):1419–1427

INTRODUCTION. The efficacy and safety of the tourniquet are discussed, in particular with regard to the blood saving and tissue damage induced by ischemia. The quality of exsanguination and tissue necrosis in the compression zone are significant prognostic factors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new tourniquet system combining efficient and controlled exsanguination (figure 1) and ischemia maintained by pressure on a minimal surface (figure 2). The hypothesis tested was that the new system allowed tourniquet to reduce blood loss compared to conventional withers without increasing the risk of complications. MATERIAL. Two groups of 30 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were compared. There were 39 women and 21 men with a mean age of 67 years and a mean BMI of 34. The study group was operated with the innovative tourniquet and followed prospectively. The control group was operated with the traditional tourniquet and analyzed retrospectively. METHODS. Operating time was measured between skin incision and dressing application. Blood loss was calculated with the Gross formula. Blood transfusion requirements were collected. Rehabilitation course was appreciated by the time to discharge. Complications, whether related or not to the tourniquet used, were recorded. Data were compared in both groups with the appropriate statistical tests at a 0.05 level of significance. The sample size was calculated to allow detecting a 300 ml decrease in mean blood loss with a power of 0.80. RESULTS. Both groups were comparable for all pre-operative data (age, gender, BMI, severity of the pre-operative deformation, pre-operative hematocrit level). Calculated blood loss was not significant different in the two groups (968 ml in the study group versus 1,022 ml in the control group, p<0.05). Operating time was not significantly decreased in the study group. Blood transfusion requirements were not significant different in the two groups (4 units versus 6 units). The complication rate was significantly decreased in the study group (no case versus 4 cases), especially for skin complications (3 cases of persistent bleeding or skin ischemia in the study group). The mean discharge time was significantly shorter in the study group (3rd post-operative day versus 5th post-operative day, p<0.05). DISCUSSION. The tested hypothesis was not confirmed. This preliminary study did not show any advantage of the new technology of tourniquet when analyzing blood loss. However, the decreased rate of local skin complications may be in relationship with a decreased intra-operative skin ischemia. This might lead to an earlier discharge. CONCLUSION. A prospective, randomized study is necessary to confirm these preliminary results

The common practice for insertion of distal locking screws of intramedullary (IM) nails is a freehand technique under fluoroscopic control. The process is technically demanding, time-consuming and afflicted to considerable radiation exposure to patient and surgical personnel. A new technique is introduced which guides the surgeon by landmarks on the X-ray projection. 18 fresh frozen human below-knee specimens (incl. soft tissue) were used. Each specimen was instrumented with an Expert Tibial Nail (Synthes GmbH, Switzerland) and was mounted on an OR-table. Two distal interlocking techniques were performed in random order using a Siemens ARCADIS C-arm system (Siemens AG, Munich, Germany). The newly developed guided technique, guides the surgeon by visible landmarks projected onto the fluoroscopy image. A computer program plans the drilling trajectory by 2D-3D conversion and provides said guiding landmarks for drilling in real-time. No additional tracking or navigation equipment is needed. All four distal screws (2 mediolateral, 2 anteroposterior) were placed in each procedure. Operating time, number of taken X-rays and radiation time were recorded per procedure and for each single screw. 8 procedures were performed with the freehand technique and 10 with the guided technique. A 58% reduction in number of fluoroscopy shots per screw was found for the guided technique (7.4±3.4 vs. 17.6±10.3; p < 0.001). Total radiation time was 55% lower for the guided technique (17.1 ± 3.7s vs. 37.9 ± 9.1s) (p = 0.001). Operating time was shorter by 22% in the guided technique (3.2±1.2 min vs. 4.1±2.1 min p = 0.018). In an experimental setting, the newly developed guided freehand technique has proven to markedly reduce radiation exposure when compared to the conventional freehand technique. The method enhances established clinical workflows and does not require cost intensive add-on devices or extensive training. A newly developed simple navigated technique has proven to markedly reduce radiation exposure and time for distal locking of intramedullary nails

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common procedure with good success rates. The literature shows resection accuracy plays a crucial role in device longevity. 1. Computer guidance is used by some surgeons to enhance accuracy. This study reports on a continuous series of Optetrak knee prostheses (Exactech Inc., FL, USA) implanted by three senior surgeons between October 2010 and December 2013. 324 TKA were implanted at the Joseph Ducuing Hospital, Toulouse, France (Site 1), the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA (Site 2) and the Riverview Hospital, Noblesville, IN, USA (Site 3) using Exactech GPS (Blue-Ortho, Grenoble, FR), a new computer-assisted guidance system. Each centre in this study used different surgical profiles defined specifically for their surgeical preferences. Planned tibial and femoral cuts were compared to actual cuts digitised using GPS. Operating time was analyzed and post-operative leg alignment was compared to pre-operative. The mean error between planned and digitised proximal tibial cuts was 0.06°±0.89 of valgus and 0.53°±0.90 of anterior slope for Site 1, 0.18°±0.85 of varus and 0.25°±1.18 of posterior slope for Site 2, and 0.02°±0.51 of valgus and 0.60°±1.15 of anterior slope for Site 3. The mean error between planned and digitised femoral distal cuts was 0.14°±0.85 of valgus and 0.49°±0.93 of flexion for Site 1, 0.15°±0.96 of varus and 0.04°±1.54 of extension for Site 2, and 0.09°±0.54 of varus and 0.48°±1.21 of extension for Site 3. Average operating time was 29 minutes for Site 1, 39 minutes for Site 2, and 33 minutes for Site 3. Post-operative Hip-Knee-Ankle angle (HKA) varied between 172° and 184° with an average of 179° for Site 1, 177° to 183° with an average of 179° for Site 2, and 177° to 185° with an average of 180° for Site 3. Pre-operative HKA ranged from 162 to 189°. Site 1 was already reporting in the series presented at ISTA 2013. 2. Sites 2 and 3 were added later and could therefore benefit from the early feedback the analysis of site 1 cases provided. The use of the computer guidance at the new sites was associated with promising results and it did not take long to the surgeons to reach a reproducibility equivalent to the one of site 1. Average surgical time was similar in all three sites. GPS guidance added an average of 10 minutes to standard surgical times. All surgeons agreed the increased accuracy justified the additional time. Average post-operative HKA was 179°. HKA scores were within 3° of perfect alignment in 96% of the cases of Site 1, 99% of Site 2 and 97% of Site 3. According to the literature. 1. , HKA between 177° and 183° is linked with high implant survival. Participating surgeons still associated Exactech GPS with satisfactory immediate post-operative results

The Fixion expandable nailing system provides an intramedullary fracture fixation solution without the need for locking screws. Proponents of this system have demonstrated shorter surgery times with rapid fracture healing, but several centres have reported suboptimal results with loss of fixation. This is the largest comparative series to be reported to date. We compared outcomes between 50 consecutive diaphyseal tibial fractures treated with a Fixion device at our institution to an age, sex and fracture configuration matched series of 57 fractures at a neighbouring hospital treated with a conventional interlocked intramedullary nail. Minimum follow up time was 2 years. Operating time was significantly reduced in the Fixion group (mean 61 minutes, range 20–99) compared to the interlocked group (88 minutes, 52–93), p< 0.00001. The union rate was no different between the Fixion group (93.9%) and the interlocked group (96.5%), p=0.527. Time to clinical and radiological union was significantly faster in the Fixion group (median 85 days, range 42–243) compared to the interlocked group (119, 70–362), p< 0.0001. The overall reoperation rate was lower in the Fixion series (24.5% vs 38.6%, p=0.121), although the majority of reoperations in the interlocked group were more minor, for screw removal. 3 Fixion nails were revised for fixation failure and 2 manipulations were required for rotational deformities after falls; all of these patients were non-compliant with post-operative instructions. There were no fixation failures in the interlocked group. 3 fractures were noted to propagate during inflation of Fixion nails. The Fixion nail is faster to implant and allows more physiological loading of the fracture, with a faster union time. However, these advantages are offset by a reduction in construct stability. Our results have demonstrated a learning curve with a reduction in complications as our indications were narrowed, avoiding osteoporotic, multifragmentary, unstable fractures and non-compliant patients

We reported the first single surgeon series comparing outcome of microscopic and open primary single level unilateral lumbar decompression or discectomy. We aimed to determine any difference in outcomes between the two techniques. Forty-six decompressions were performed with use of an operating microscope (microscopic), and forty without (open) at two different hospitals. All procedures were performed by the senior author. Information was obtained by analysis of the patients' notes. The average age of the patients in both groups was comparable. Operating time was shorter in the microscopic group (68min, range 30-130) compared to the open group (83 mins, range 30-180). Dural tear rate was 4.3% with use of a microscope (0% symptomatic dural tear rate) and 7.5% without (2.5% symptomatic dural tear rate). Nerve damage incidence was 0% with use of a microscope and 5% (two patients) without. One of these was a neurapraxia and the patient made a full recovery. Wound infection rates, diagnosed on grounds of clinical suspicion, were 4.3% and 2.5% for microscopic and open respectively. There were no incidences of deep infection or post-operative discitis. Average inpatient stay was under 48 hours in both groups. Using the modified Macnab criteria, results using the microscope were 0% poor, 14% fair, 32% good, and 55% excellent. The results for the open group were 0% poor, 10% fair, 37% good and 53% excellent. Average follow-up was six months (1-19) for the microscope group, and seven months (2-16) for the open group. We conclude that primary single level unilateral lumbar decompressive surgery, performed without the use of a microscope, has a higher dural tear rate than the same surgery performed with the benefit of an operating microscope. Surgical time and incidence of nerve damage are also reduced by use of the microscope

The last decade has seen a rise in the use of the gamma nail for managing inter-trochanteric and subtrochanteric hip fractures. Patients with multiple co-morbidities are under high anaesthetic risk of mortality and are usually not suitable for general or regional anaesthesia. However, there can be a strong case for fixing these fractures despite these risks. Apart from aiming to return patients to their pre-morbid mobility, other advantages include pain relief and reducing the complications of being bed bound (e.g. pressure ulcers, psychosocial factors). While operative use of local anaesthesia and sedation has been documented for insertion of extra-medullary femoral implants such as the sliding hip screw, currently no literature is present for the insertion of the gamma nail. We studied intra-operative and post-operative outcomes of three patients aged between 64 and 83 with right inter-trochanteric hip fractures and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores of 4 or more. Consent for each case was obtained after discussion with the patient and family, or conducted with the patient's best interests in mind. All patients received a short unlocked gamma nail, and were operated on within 24 hours of admission. Each patient underwent local injections of Bupivacaine or Lignocaine or both, with Epinephrine, and with one patient receiving nerve block of the fascia iliaca. Each patient received a combination of sedatives under the discretion of the anaesthetist including Midazolam, Ketamine, Propofol, Fentanyl, and/or Haloperidol. Operating time ranged from 30–90 minutes. Patients were managed post-operatively with analgesia based on the WHO pain ladder and physiotherapy. Our results showed no intra-operative complications in any of the cases. All patients noted improvement in their pain and comfort post-operatively without complications of the operation site. Two patients achieved their pre-morbid level of mobility after undergoing physiotherapy and were subsequently discharged from the orthopaedic team. One patient with ongoing pre-operative medical complications died 5 days after the operation. This study provides a glimpse into the use of local anaesthetic and sedation on high operative risk patients, and this may be a viable alternative to extra-medullary implants or non-operation. Further research is needed to quantify the risks and benefits of operating within this patient group

Introduction. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) using the direct anterior approach (DAA) in a supine position is a minimally invasive surgery that reduces postoperative dislocation. Excellent exposure of both the acetabulum and proximal femoral part is important to reduce intraoperative complications. Generally, two surgical assistants need to hold four retractors to maintain excellent exposure of the acetabulum. We examined intra- and postoperative complications as indicators of the efficiency of using the “Magic Tower” (MT) device compared with a non-MT group. Material and Method. Twenty consecutive DAA THAs using MT were analyzed, and 20 DAA THAs not using MT were also analyzed. MT is a retractor-holding device, and has an arm structure that can be moved in a wide variety of directions. This device holds a retractor stably, and each movement of the arm can be locked by one click. Operating time, blood loss, length of skin incision, intraoperative complications, and number of assistants were recorded. Postoperative radiographs were obtained to evaluate implant position. Results. Mean operating time was 105 min in the MT group and 118 min in the non-MT group. Mean blood loss was 232 g in the MT group and 233 g in the non-MT group. Mean length of skin incision was 80 mm in the MT group and 85 mm in the non-MT group. Mean cup inclination was 45.8° in the MT group and 47.3° in the non-MT group. Postoperative implant position was also excellent in both groups. In all comparisons, no significant differences were seen between groups. No intraoperative complications were encountered. Two assistants were required in the non-MT group, and one in the MT group. Discussion. A majority of the complications reported with THA can be attributed to access issues, i.e., difficulties in exposure and accurate component implantation. To achieve excellent exposure at the acetabulum, four retractors (anterior, posterior, cranial, and caudal) are desirable. In such procedures, two surgical assistants are needed to hold retractors. One of these assistants needs to hold the anterior retractor and cranial/caudal retractor from the opposite side of the surgery beyond the abdomen of the patient. However, the assistant on the opposite side cannot achieve good exposure, as strong retraction of the anterior part of the acetabulum may cause complications of femoral nerve palsy. The MT is able to hold a retractor firmly by applying pressure toward the acetabulum instead of traction, and also reduces the number of surgical assistants required. While preparing the femur, exposure of the femoral canal was also better than in the non-MT group. Conclusion. In primary DAA THA, no significant differences between groups were identified. However, the MT is clearly a useful device that allows maintenance of excellent exposure, reducing the number of surgical assistants required

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common procedure with good success rates. The literature shows resection accuracy plays a crucial role in device longevity. 1. Computer guidance is used by some surgeons to enhance accuracy. This study reports on a continuous series of Optetrak knee prostheses (Exactech Inc., FL, USA) implanted by three senior surgeons between July 2010 and April 2013. 259 TKA were implanted at the Haguenau Hospital, Haguenau, France (Site 1), Joseph Ducuing Hospital, Toulouse, France (Site 2) and Saint Michaels Medical Center, Newark, NJ, USA (Site 3) using Exactech GPS (Blue-Ortho, Grenoble, FR), a new computer-assisted guidance system. Surgeons can use the unique Exactech GPS profiler to define steps to be computer-assisted during surgery. Each centre in this study used different surgical profiles. Planned tibial and femoral cuts were compared to actual cuts digitised using GPS. Operating time and external femoral rotation were analyzed and post-operative leg alignment was compared to pre-operative. The mean error between planned and digitised proximal tibial cuts was 0.26° ± 1.11 of valgus and 0.06° ± 0.99 of posterior slope for Site 1, 0.07° ± 0.89 of varus and 0.53° ± 0.90 of anterior slope for Site 2, and 0.19° ± 0.73 of varus and 0.10° ± 1.17 of posterior slope for Site 3 (see Fig. 1). The mean error between planned and digitised femoral distal cuts was 0.03° ± 0.99 of varus and 0.67° ± 1.36 of extension for Site 1, 0.14° ± 0.85 of varus and 0.49° ± 0.94 of extension for Site 2, and 0.26° ± 0.86 of varus and 0.09° ± 1.22 of flexion for Site 3. Average operating time was 38 minutes for Site 1, 29 minutes for Site 2, and 34 minutes for Site 3. External femoral component rotation ranged from 0° to 18° with an average of 3.7° degrees for Site 1 and from −3° to 8° with an average of 3.0° for Site 2. External rotation was fixed at 3° for Site 3. Post-operative Hip-Knee-Ankle angle (HKA) varied between 177° and 182° with an average of 179° for Site 1, 172° to 184° with an average of 179° for Site 2, and 178° to 185° with an average of 180° for Site 3. Pre-operative HKA ranged from 162 to 191°. Despite different techniques and teams, all surgeons experienced similar results. Cuts were aligned in the frontal plane, while guidance was harder to follow in the sagittal plane, possibly due to saw blade bending during resection. Average surgical time was similar. GPS guidance added an average of 10 minutes to standard surgical times. All surgeons agreed the increased accuracy justified the additional time. Regardless the site, all average femoral rotations were close to the accepted 3° standard. Average post-operative HKA was 179°. HKA scores were within 3° of perfect alignment in all Site 1 cases and 96% of Site 2 and Site 3 cases. According to the literature. 1. , HKA between 177° and 183° is linked with high implant survival. Participating surgeons associated Exactech GPS with satisfactory immediate post-operative results

Background. Performing total knee replacement needs both bony & soft tissue consideration. Late John Insall advocating spacer blocks with concept of balanced & equal flexion – extension Gap. Although we usually excise both ACL & PCL, still it is possible to retain more soft tissue. Both PCL retaining & sacrificing Require intact collaterals for stability. Superficial MCL & LCL should be preserved, if possible. After PCL removal the following advantages could obtain: More correction of fixed varus or valgus deformity, More surgical exposure. but there are no proved disadvantages like; increasing in stress & loosening of bone-cement-prosthesis interface, specific clinical difference in ROM, forward lean during stepping up, proprioception inferiority. In other hand over tight PCL cause excessive rollback of tibia & knee hinges open, preventing flexion (booking), and Severe posteromedial poly wear in poor balance PCL might be happened. Mid range laxity when Post. Capsule is tight, even with correct tensioning in full extension & 90 degree flexion, may occur (and secondary collateral ligaments imbalance throughout ROM). There is a major effect of capsular contracture in coronal mal alignment with flexion contracture. Full MCL releases not only correct fixed varus but also open the medial space in flexion. MCL & post. Capsule has combined valgus resistant effect in extension. PCL release increase flexion gap more, May be necessary to release something that affect extension gap as compensated balancing (Post.medial capsule). Any flexion contracture need to posterior capsulotomy & post. Condyle osteophyte removal before femoral recut. So it is possible to perform posteromedial capsulotomy prior to superficial MCL release. Method. From May 2009 to June 2013, 219 TKA (165 patient) (bilateral in 54 patients, simultaneous bilateral in 5 patients) with primary DJD and varus deformity of knees were operated by myself with joint replacement. Most patients had some degree of varus correction in flexion, passively. The varus angle was less than 25*, means mild to severe but not decompensate. 46 patients had some degree of patella baja. For soft tissue balancing during Total knee arthroplasty I consider the following steps; Medial capsule & deep MCL release, PCL release, Posteromedial capsulotomy, semimembranous release, Superficial MCL release, Pes anserinous release. Post.medial capsulotomy was done in all cases. The Average Age was 65.47 years, 131 patients (177 knees) were female (79.3%) and five of them had bilateral TKA simultaneously. Lt Knee was operated in 94 cases (42.9% of 219). Spinal anesthesia was applied in 54.3% (119 patients) & epidural anesthesisa in 5 % (13 cases). 14 knees were operated with MIS technique and 205 knees with Standard medial parapatellar incision. Semi membranous release was necessary in 72 knees (33 pure=15%, without S.MCL release). S.MCL release was mandatory in 39 (17.8 %) knees for checking balanced medial and lateral subtle laxity (playing), I have used simple blade with 1 & 2 mm thickness in each ends for younger patients, and the other one with 3&4 mm thickness in elder cases. Results. Average follow up period is 2.07 years. Average Operating time was 1: 38 (h: m). Average Transfusion = 1.29 unit packed cell. Average varus malalignment=14.76*(2–25*) / Av. Valgus angle= 7.11* (5–10 *) / Av. DLFA= 91.15* (85–102*) / Av. PMTA = 82.04* (68.5–90*) / Av. Ext. rotation cut = 5.7* (0–9). Stage l + PCL + Post. Med. Capsular release was performed in all. pure stage l + P.M.capsular release in147 cases(67.2%), plus semimembrnous release in33 cases(15%), S.MCL release in 39cases(17.8%)/ Av. Post op alignment:1.01 * varus(0 −6 *) (worse in medial pivot knee). so S.MCL release was preventedin 82.1% of cases. Av. Polyethylen size: 12.26 (9 in oxynium −19 in plus) / Semi membranous release was necessary in 72(32.8%) cases (preop varus 17.57*). / S.MCL release was mandatory in 39(17.8 %) cases (preop varus 17.6 * & No Flexibility in 30* flexion). pre operation knee society score: stage I = 26.6, stage II = 38.7 increase to stage I = 86.45, stage II = 77.63. Conclusion. In society with more kneeling habitués, during performing total knee arthroplasty with less than 25* degree varus malalignment plus some degree flexibility of the deformity in flexion, it is wise to consider posteromedial capsular release prior to semi membranous & S.MCL release to obtain full correction of alignment. But the most important thing is reaching to more align limb without instability, regardless of various technique

Background. Performing total knee replacement needs both bony & soft tissue consideration. Late John Insall advocating spacer blocks with concept of balanced & equal flexion – extension Gap. Although we usually excise both ACL & PCL, still it is possible to retain more soft tissue. Both PCL retaining & sacrificing Require intact collaterals for stability. Superficial MCL & LCL should be preserved, if possible. after PCL removal the following advantages could obtain: More correction of fixed varus or valgus deformity, More surgical exposure. but there are no proved disadvantages like; increasing in stress & loosening of bone-cement-prosthesis interface, specific clinical difference in ROM, forward lean during stepping up, proprioception inferiority. in other hand Over tight PCL cause excessive rollback of tibia & knee hinges open, preventing flexion (booking), and Severe posteromedial poly wear in poor balance PCL might be happened. Mid range laxity when Post. Capsule is tight, even with correct tensioning in full extension & 90 degree flexion, may occur (and secondary collateral ligaments imbalance throughout ROM). There is a major effect of capsular contracture in coronal mal alignment with flexion contracture. Full MCL releases not only correct fixed varus but also open the medial space in flexion. MCL & post. Capsule has combined valgus resistant effect in extension. PCL release increase flexion gap more, May be necessary to release something that affect extension gap as compensated balancing (Post.medial capsule). Any flexion contracture need to posterior capsulotomy & post. Condyle osteophyte removal before femoral recut. So it is possible to perform posteromedial capsulotomy prior to superficial MCL release. Method. From May to Dec. 2009, 22 patients (23 knees) with primary DJD and varus deformity of knees were operated by myself with joint replacement. most patients had some degree of varus correction in flexion, passively. the varus angle was less than 25∗, means mild to severe but not decompensated. For soft tissue balancing during Total knee arthroplasty I consider the following steps;. Medial capsule & deep MCL release, PCL release, Posteromedial capsulotomy, semimembranous release, Superficial MCL release, Pes anserinous release. Post. medial capsulotomy was done in all cases. The Average Age was 64.74 years, 19 patients were female (83%) and one of them had bilateral TKA simultaneously. Lt Knee was operated in 14 cases (70% of 24). Spinal anesthesia was applied in 82%. 10 patients were operated with MIS technique and 13 patients with Standard medial parapatellar incision. Semi membranous release was necessary in 4 cases (preop varus 17,20,24,25∗). MCL release was mandatory in 2 cases (preop varus 17, 24 ∗ & No Flexibility in 30∗ flexion).for checking balanced medial and lateral subtle laxity (playing), I have used simple blade with 1 & 2 mm thickness in each ends for younger patients, and the other one with 3&4 mm thickness in elder cases. Results. Average follow up period is 234.45 days. Average Operating time was 1: 32 (h:m). Average Transfusion = 1.22 unit packed cell. No Flexibility in 30∗ flexion was seen in 3 patients. Average varus malalignment =15.29∗ (2-25∗)/Av. Valgus angle = 7.19∗ (5-10 ∗)/Av. DLFA = 90.47∗ (87-93∗)/Av. PMTA = 83.41∗ (77-88.5∗)/Av. Ext. rotation cut = 3.11∗. Stage l + PCL + Post. Med. Capsular release was performed in 82.61%./Av. Post op alignment: 1.8 ∗ varus (0 -6 ∗) (worse in medial pivot knee). Av. Polyethylen size: 12.4 (9 in oxynium -19 in plus)/Semi membranous release was necessary in 4 cases (preop varus 17,20,24,25∗) (Post. Op varus 1,6,4,2)./S.MCL release was mandatory in 2 cases (preop varus 17, 24 ∗ & No Flexibility in 30∗ flexion) (Post. Op varus: 1, 4 ∗). pre operation knee society score: stage I = 27.8, stage II = 37.9 increase to stage I = 85.47, stage II = 75.65. Conclusion. In society with more kneeling habitués, during performing total knee arthroplasty with less than 25∗ degree varus malalignment plus some degree flexibility of the deformity in flexion, it is wise to consider posteromedial capsular release prior to semi membranous & S.MCL release to obtain full correction of alignment. But the most important things is reaching to full align limb regardless of which chosen technique

Aims

Elective orthopaedic services have had to adapt to significant system-wide pressures since the emergence of COVID-19 in December 2019. Length of stay is often recognized as a key marker of quality of care in patients undergoing arthroplasty. Expeditious discharge is key in establishing early rehabilitation and in reducing infection risk, both procedure-related and from COVID-19. The primary aim was to determine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic length of stay following hip and knee arthroplasty at a high-volume, elective orthopaedic centre.

Limb lengthening by callus distraction and external fixation has a high rate of complications. We describe our experience using an intramedullary nail (Fitbone) which contains a motorised and programmable sliding mechanism for limb lengthening and bone transport. Between 2001 and 2004 we lengthened 13 femora and 11 tibiae in ten patients (seven men and three women) with a mean age of 32 years (21 to 47) using this nail. The indications for operation were short stature in six patients and developmental or acquired disorders in the rest.

The mean lengthening achieved was 40 mm (27 to 60). The mean length of stay in hospital was seven days (5 to 9). The mean healing index was 35 days/cm (18.8 to 70.9). There were no cases of implant-related infection or malunion.