We hypothesised that an independent Notch Trial is essential on the same lines as other Component Trials-Femoral, Tibial and Patellar - in posterior stabilised total knee arthroplasty. Therefore we evolved Notch Trial to visually ascertain the adequacy of intercondylar resection and eliminate the possibility of femoral intercondylar fractures. We undertook a retrospective study to evaluate Notch Trial by the frequency of the need to remove osteophytes or file uneven surfaces in intercondylar resection by using the detachable box part of the trial femoral component, assess occurrence of distal femoral intercondylar fractures and demonstrate Notch Trial in posterior stabilised total knee replacement. We studied 206 patients, 113 females and 93 males, who underwent consecutive primary posterior stabilised total knee replacements applying Notch Trial between 2000 and 2008 in a District General Hospital under our team. Outcome Measurements were 1) frequency of the need to remove osteophytes or file uneven surfaces in intercondylar resection and 2) occurrence of distal femoral intercondylar fractures intraoperatively or on postoperative radiographs. We had to remove the osteophytes and file the cut surfaces in 183 (88.88%) of patients after Notch Trial. We had no distal femoral intercondylar fractures intraoperatively or on postoperative radiographs. Notch Trial allows the surgeon to directly visualise and ascertain the adequacy and precise fit of femoral notch cut with cam part of femoral component to ensure a press fit femoral component in condylar posterior cruciate substituting total knee replacement. Notch Trial prior to Femoral Component Trial effectively pre-empts intraoperative distal femoral intercondylar fractures. We recommend that Notch Trial should become part of the protocol for cruciate substituting total knee replacement and implants of all companies should have the option of a detachable box component for Notch Trial

Introduction. When introducing new joint replacement designs, it is difficult to predict with any certainty the clinical performance of the new designs. Using roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (RSA) to evaluate the first two years of follow-up can serve as a predictor of late mechanical loosening for hip and knee prostheses. This prospectively randomized study was designed to evaluate the clinical performance of the Triathlon total knee system and compare the results between the two versions; posterior stabilized (PS) and cruciate retaining (CR). Methods. Sixty patients were consecutively randomized (two patients left the study prior to surgery) to receive either the Triathlon total knee PS (30 patients) or the Triathlon total knee CR (28 patients). All components were cemented. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee for Lund University. All patients met the inclusion criteria. There were no statistically significant differences between the demographics for PS and CR. RSA was set to be the principal evaluation parameter. Patient outcome was assessed by the KSS and KOOS questionnaires. Results. There were no statistically significant differences in rotation or translation around or along the three coordinal axes. Neither were there any differences in the maximal total point motion (MTPM) during the 2-year follow-up (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the clinical results of both groups when using the KSS and the KOOS scoring system (p<0.05). Discussion. There were no clinically significant differences in the RSA 2-year follow-up data, nor in the clinical scores of KSS and KOOS. The results of this study suggest that there is no major differences between the posterior stabilized system and the cruciate retaining system for the Triathlon total knee neither in clinical nor in predictable long term mechanical performance

We have reviewed our experience in managing 11 patients who sustained an indirect sternal fracture in combination with an upper thoracic spinal injury between 2003 and 2006. These fractures have previously been described as ‘associated’ fractures, but since the upper thorax is an anatomical entity composed of the upper thoracic spine, ribs and sternum joined together, we feel that the term ‘fractures of the upper transthoracic cage’ is a better description. These injuries are a challenge because they are unusual and easily overlooked. They require a systematic clinical and radiological examination to identify both lesions. This high-energy trauma gives severe devastating concomitant injuries and CT with contrast and reconstruction is essential after resuscitation to confirm the presence of all the lesions. The injury level occurs principally at T4–T5 and at the manubriosternal joint. These unstable fractures need early posterior stabilisation and fusion or, if treated conservatively, a very close follow-up

Introduction. Oxidized zirconium (OxZr) is used as a ceramic surface for femoral components in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The aim of this study was to investigate its performance by examining retrieved femoral components and their corresponding PE inserts in matched comparison with conventional chrome/cobalt/molybdenum alloy (CrCoMo). Methods. 11 retrieved posterior stabilized (PS) TKA with an OxZr femoral component were included. From a cohort of 56 retrieved TKA with CrCoMo femoral components, pairs were matched according to duration of implantation, patient age, reason for revision, and BMI. The retrieved tibial polyethylene (PE) inserts were analyzed for wear using the Hood classification. Femoral components were optically viewed at 8–32x magnification and screened for scratching, pitting, delamination, and striation. Profilometry was performed to measure surface roughness of the OxZr components using a non-contact white light profiler. Results. The prostheses were in situ for a mean of 18.5±10.6 (OxZr) and 19.5±14.3 (CrCoMo) months (p=0.41). None of these cases were revised for problems directly related to the use of OxZr. There was one reaction to the implant in the CrCoMo group. The average wear of the tibial PE inserts was significantly lower with OxZr components (41.5±16.8 vs. 60.1±22.0, p=0.01). The average wear score in the visual analysis of the femoral components was significantly lower for the OxZr (1.6±1.3 vs. 9.5±0.6, p=0.005). Discussion and Conclusion. Femoral components made of OxZr are less sensitive to in vivo wear damage than those of CrCoMo. PE inlays show significantly less in vivo wear damage in combination with an OxZr femoral component

Aims

Minimally invasive fixation of pelvic fragility fractures is recommended to reduce pain and allow early mobilization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of two different stabilization techniques in bilateral fragility fractures of the sacrum (BFFS).

Summary. UC TKA showed similar anteroposterior translation and more femoral external rotation of earlier onset when compared to PS TKA. Introduction. Recently highly conforming ultracongruent TKA has been reintroduced with improved wear characteristics and lower complications. The purpose of the study was to assess kinematics and clinical outcome of posterior stabilized and ultracongruent rotating-platform mobile bearing TKA. Methods. Ninety patients with primary osteoarthritis of the knee were randomized to undergo computer assisted TKA with PS(n = 45) or UC(n = 45) prostheses and were followed up for a minimum 2 years. The passive kinematic evaluation was performed before and after implantation with a navigation system. Three parameters of tibiofemoral relationship (anterior/posterior translation, varus/valgus alignment and rotation) were recorded from 0° to 120° of flexion. The patients were clinically and radiographically evaluated at final follow-up. Results. Paradoxical anterior translation of the femur was observed from 0° to 70° of flexion in PS(8.7mm) and 0° to 85° in UC knees(10.4mm, p = 0.064). The distance of femoral roll-back was 6.7mm and 5.5mm, but never reached the starting point. Paradoxical internal rotation of the femur was found from 0° to 62° of flexion in PS(9.9°) and 0° to 47° in UC knees(5.6°, p = 0.002). UC knees showed more external rotation of the femur during flexion from 0° to 120°(5.7:11.0, p = 0.048). There was no significant difference in the maximal flexion(123.3°:125.5°, p = 0.366), AKS knee scores(95.9:92.0, p = 0.101), AKS function scores(86.2:82.9, p = 0.435) and WOMAC index scores(13.4:15.9, p = 0.268). There was no progressive radiolucent line or loosening in all knees. Discussion and Conclusion. UC TKA showed similar anteroposterior translation and more femoral external rotation of earlier onset when compared to PS TKA. There was no difference in clinical outcome between two designs. UC TKA showed comparable kinematic and clinical results to PS TKA

Background. In the literature are different data about the allogenic blood transfusion rate after total knee replacement. The common intention in orthopedic surgery is to reduce the requirement for allogenic blood transfusions by optimizing the blood management. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of the mechanical autotransfusion system OrthoPAT® to reduce the postoperative allogenic blood transfusion (ABT) rate. Method. According to the preliminary performed power analysis we did a prospective controlled study including 151 patients which were randomized in a group A (OrthoPAT® for intra- and postoperative blood salvage and retransfusion, n=76 patients) and a control group B (no retransfusion system was used, n=75 patients). All patients had a primary osteoarthritis of the knee and were operated on without use of a tourniquet. We implanted in all patients a cemented posterior stabilized total knee prosthesis design. In group A the autotransfusion system was used for 6 hours (intra- and postoperatively) and the collected blood was retransfused. The retransfused blood was anticoagulated, filtered and centrifuged to separate waste products. Red cells were washed with saline and reconcentrated to a high hematocrit. The preoperative data for cardiopathy, angiopathy, preoperative anemia or anticoagulant treatment showed no significant differences for group A and B. Because of missing data we finally were able to use the results of 140 patients: 70 group A and 70 in group B. The indications for a blood transfusion were influenced by the clinical symptoms of anemia, the hemoglobin value (hemoglobin < 8.0 g/dl) and the anamnesis of cardiovascular diseases. Evaluation was done with the medical history and the pre-/postoperative hemoglobin values and postoperative need of allogenic blood transfusion. Results. The two groups showed no significant differences relating to the demographic data or the medical history. 23 patients (33 %) of the retransfusion group who in mean received 281 ml of salvaged blood needed allogenic blood transfusion compared with 23 patients (33 %) of the control group B (p=0,999). The hemoglobin values of group A versus the control group showed after the donation of the salvaged blood a tendency to a higher hemoglobin value (p=0,062) but no longer at the third and fifth day postoperative. Conclusions. In this clinical observation the use of the autotransfusion system does not reduce the postoperative allogenic blood transfusion rate. At the third and fifth day postoperatively no significant differences of the hemoglobin values could be stated comparing group A with group B

Summary. Revision TKA using CCK prosthesis showed comparable outcome to PS prosthesis in clinical and radiological results. Introduction. In revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the goal should be to obtain good motion, function and most importantly stability. The stability depends on remaining soft tissue and implant design. The more the ligaments retain function, the less the implant constraint is needed to achieve stability. With increased constraint, the transfer of joint reaction forces to implant-bone interface may lead to mechanical loosening of the implant. Constrained condylar knee (CCK) prosthesis provides more constraint compared with posterior stabilized (PS) prosthesis. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical, radiological outcome and survivorship of CCK and PS prosthesis in revision TKA. Materials and Methods. One hundred and twenty-one consecutive revision TKAs using CCK (79 knees) and PS (42 knees) were included. The mean follow-up period was 63.2 months for CCK and 64.8 months for PS. The mean age was 69.5 years and 70.6 years in CCK and PS, respectively. Range of motion (ROM), American Knee Society (AKS) score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, complications and failure rate were assessed. Radiographic measurements included tibiofemoral angle and radiolucent lines. The Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis was performed with an end point of re-revision surgery for any reason and compared between CCK and PS using the Log-rank test. Results. The mean range of motion improved from 97.5° to 115.9° in PS, from 89.5° to 110.1° in CCK. The mean Knee Society knee and functional scores improved from 47.6 and 36.4 to 89.7 and 66.1 with PS, from 53.5 and 41.7 to 79.2 and 66.8 with CCK. The mean Hospital for Special Surgery knee score also improved from 57 to 76.9 and 59.7 to 77.6, respectively. The complication rate was 7.5% (4 cases; 3 recurred infections, 1 instability) in PS and 10.3% (7 cases; 4 recurred infections, 1 periprosthetic fracture, 2 stem tip pains) in CCK. The Kaplan–Meier survivorship analysis revealed that ten year survival of the components was 85.4% for PS and 80.0% for CCK. In all aspects, there were no statistical difference (a p-value of more than 0.05) between PS and CCK. Conclusion. Revision TKA using CCK prosthesis showed comparable outcome to PS prosthesis in clinical and radiological results. CCK prosthesis is a reliable and successful option for prosthesis selection in revision TKA when PS prosthesis is not enough for management of instability

Aims

The best method of treating unstable pelvic fractures that involve the obturator ring is still a matter for debate. This study compared three methods of treatment: nonoperative, isolated posterior fixation and combined anteroposterior stabilization.