Aims

The aims of this study were to compare clinically relevant measurements of hip dysplasia on radiographs taken in the supine and standing position, and to compare Hip2Norm software and Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)-derived digital radiological measurements.

Aims

Robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) promises accurate implant placement with the potential of improved survival and functional outcomes. The aim of this study was to present the current evidence for robotic-assisted UKA and describe the outcome in terms of implant positioning, range of movement (ROM), function and survival, and the types of robot and implants that are currently used.

Aims

Double-level lengthening, bone transport, and bifocal compression-distraction are commonly undertaken using Ilizarov or other fixators. We performed double-level fixator-assisted nailing, mainly for the correction of deformity and lengthening in the same segment, using a straight intramedullary nail to reduce the time in a fixator.

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The aim of this study was to report the outcome of femoral condylar fresh osteochondral allografts (FOCA) with concomitant realignment osteotomy with a focus on graft survivorship, complications, reoperation, and function.

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The aim of this prospective randomised study was to compare the time course of clinical improvement during the first two years following a closing or opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO). It was hypothesised that there would be no differences in clinical outcome between the two techniques.

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The aim of this study was to compare the post-operative radiographic and clinical outcomes between kinematically and mechanically aligned total knee arthroplasties (TKAs).

Aims

In patients undergoing medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO), soft tissue opening on the medial side of the knee is difficult to predict. When the load bearing axis is corrected beyond a certain point, the knee joint tilts open on the medial side. We therefore hypothesised that there is a tipping point and defined this as the coronal hypomochlion.

In arthritis of the varus knee, a high tibial osteotomy (HTO) redistributes load from the diseased medial compartment to the unaffected lateral compartment.

We report the outcome of 36 patients (33 men and three women) with 42 varus, arthritic knees who underwent HTO and dynamic correction using a Garches external fixator until they felt that normal alignment had been restored. The mean age of the patients was 54.11 years (34 to 68). Normal alignment was achieved at a mean 5.5 weeks (3 to 10) post-operatively. Radiographs, gait analysis and visual analogue scores for pain were measured pre- and post-operatively, at one year and at medium-term follow-up (mean six years; 2 to 10). Failure was defined as conversion to knee arthroplasty.

Pre-operative gait analysis divided the 42 knees into two equal groups with high (17 patients) or low (19 patients) adductor moments. After correction, a statistically significant (p < 0.001, t-test,) change in adductor moment was achieved and maintained in both groups, with a rate of failure of three knees (7.1%), and 89% (95% confidence interval (CI) 84.9 to 94.7) survivorship at medium-term follow-up.

At final follow-up, after a mean of 15.9 years (12 to 20), there was a survivorship of 59% (95% CI 59.6 to 68.9) irrespective of adductor moment group, with a mean time to conversion to knee arthroplasty of 9.5 years (3 to 18; 95% confidence interval ± 2.5).

HTO remains a useful option in the medium-term for the treatment of medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee but does not last in the long-term.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:601–7.

Aims

To compare radiographic failure and re-operation rates of anatomical coracoclavicular (CC) ligament reconstructional techniques with non-anatomical techniques after chronic high grade acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries.

Primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a reliable procedure with reproducible long-term results. Nevertheless, there are conditions related to the type of patient or local conditions of the knee that can make it a difficult procedure. The most common scenarios that make it difficult are discussed in this review. These include patients with many previous operations and incisions, and those with severe coronal deformities, genu recurvatum, a stiff knee, extra-articular deformities and those who have previously undergone osteotomy around the knee and those with chronic dislocation of the patella.

Each condition is analysed according to the characteristics of the patient, the pre-operative planning and the reported outcomes.

When approaching the difficult primary TKA surgeons should use a systematic approach, which begins with the review of the existing literature for each specific clinical situation.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B(10 Suppl A):30–9.

Progressive degenerative changes in the medial compartment of the knee following lateral unicompartmental arthroplasty (UKA) remains a leading indication for revision surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate changes in the congruence and joint space width (JSW) of the medial compartment following lateral UKA. The congruence of the medial compartment of 53 knees (24 men, 23 women, mean age 13.1 years; sd 62.1) following lateral UKA was evaluated pre-operatively and six weeks post-operatively, and compared with 41 normal knees (26 men, 15 women, mean age 33.7 years; sd 6.4), using an Interactive closest point algorithm which calculated the congruence index (CI) by performing a rigid transformation that best aligns the digitised tibial and femoral surfaces. Inner, middle and outer JSWs were measured by sub-dividing the medial compartment into four quarters on pre- and post-operative, weight bearing tunnel view radiographs. The mean CI of knees following lateral UKA significantly improved from 0.92 (sd 0.06) pre-operatively to 0.96 (sd 0.02) (p < 0.001) six weeks post-operatively. The mean CI of the healthy control group was 0.99 sd 0.01. Post-operatively, the mean inner JSW increased (p = 0.006) and the outer decreased (p = 0.002). The JSW was restored post-operatively as no significant differences were noted in all three locations compared with the control group (inner JSW p = 0.43; middle JSW p = 0.019, outer JSW p = 0.51).

Our data suggest that a well conducted lateral UKA may improve the congruence and normalise the JSW of the medial compartment, potentially preventing progression of degenerative change.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:50–5.

Our goal was to evaluate the use of Ponseti’s method, with minor adaptations, in the treatment of idiopathic clubfeet presenting in children between five and ten years of age. A retrospective review was performed in 36 children (55 feet) with a mean age of 7.4 years (5 to 10), supplemented by digital images and video recordings of gait. There were 19 males and 17 females. The mean follow-up was 31.5 months (24 to 40). The mean number of casts was 9.5 (6 to 11), and all children required surgery, including a percutaneous tenotomy or open tendo Achillis lengthening (49%), posterior release (34.5%), posterior medial soft-tissue release (14.5%), or soft-tissue release combined with an osteotomy (2%). The mean dorsiflexion of the ankle was 9° (0° to 15°). Forefoot alignment was neutral in 28 feet (51%) or adducted (< 10°) in 20 feet (36%), > 10° in seven feet (13%). Hindfoot alignment was neutral or mild valgus in 26 feet (47%), mild varus (< 10°) in 19 feet (35%), and varus (> 10°) in ten feet (18%). Heel–toe gait was present in 38 feet (86%), and 12 (28%) exhibited weight-bearing on the lateral border (out of a total of 44 feet with gait videos available for analysis). Overt relapse was identified in nine feet (16%, six children). The parents of 27 children (75%) were completely satisfied.

A plantigrade foot was achieved in 46 feet (84%) without an extensive soft-tissue release or bony procedure, although under-correction was common, and longer-term follow-up will be required to assess the outcome.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1721–5.

Radiological assessment of total and unicompartmental knee replacement remains an essential part of routine care and follow-up. Appreciation of the various measurements that can be identified radiologically is important. It is likely that routine plain radiographs will continue to be used, although there has been a trend towards using newer technologies such as CT, especially in a failing knee, where it provides more detailed information, albeit with a higher radiation exposure.

The purpose of this paper is to outline the radiological parameters used to evaluate knee replacements, describe how these are measured or classified, and review the current literature to determine their efficacy where possible.

Medium-term survivorship of the Oxford phase 3 unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) has not yet been established in an Asian population. We prospectively evaluated the outcome of 400 phase 3 Oxford UKRs in 320 Korean patients with a mean age at the time of operation of 69 years (48 to 82). The mean follow-up was 5.2 years (1 to 10). Clinical and radiological assessment was carried out pre- and post-operatively. At five years, the mean Knee Society knee and functional scores had increased significantly from 56.2 (30 to 91) pre-operatively to 87.2 (59 to 98) (p = 0.034) and from 59.2 (30 to 93) to 88.3 (50 to 100) (p = 0.021), respectively. The Oxford knee score increased from a mean of 25.8 (12 to 39) pre-operatively to 39.8 (25 to 58) at five years (p = 0.038). The ten-year survival rate was 94% (95% confidence interval 90.1 to 98.0). A total of 14 UKRs (3.5%) required revision. The most common reason for revision was dislocation of the bearing in 12 (3%). Conversion to a total knee replacement was required in two patients who developed osteoarthritis of the lateral compartment.

This is the largest published series of UKR in Korean patients. It shows that the mid-term results after a minimally invasive Oxford phase 3 UKR can yield satisfactory clinical and functional results in this group of patients.

We undertook a prospective study to analyse the outcome of 48 malunited pronation-external rotation fractures of the ankle in 48 patients (25 females and 23 males) with a mean age of 45 years (21 to 69), treated by realignment osteotomies. The interval between the injury and reconstruction was a mean of 20.2 months (3 to 98).

In all patients, valgus malalignment of the distal tibia and malunion of the fibula were corrected. In some patients, additional osteotomies were performed. Patients were reviewed regularly, and the mean follow-up was 7.1 years (2 to 15).

Good or excellent results were obtained in 42 patients (87.5%) with the benefit being maintained over time. Congruent ankles without a tilted talus (Takakura stage 0 and 1) were obtained in all but five cases. One patient required total ankle replacement.

We report the outcome of 32 patients (37 knees) who underwent hemicallostasis with a dynamic external fixator for osteoarthritis of the medial compartment of the knee. There were 16 men (19 knees) and 16 women (18 knees) with a mean age at operation of 54.6 years (27 to 72). The aim was to achieve a valgus overcorrection of 2° to 8° or mechanical axis at 62.5% (± 12.5%). At a mean follow-up of 62.8 months (51 to 81) there was no change in the mean range of movement, and no statistically significant difference in the Insall-Salvati index or tibial slope (p = 0.11 and p = 0.15, respectively). The mean hip-knee-ankle angle changed from 190.6 (183° to 197°) to 176.0° (171° to 181°), with a mean final position of the mechanical axis of 58.5% (35.1% to 71.2%).

The desired alignment was attained in 31 of 37 (84%) knees. There were 21 excellent, 13 good, two fair and one poor result according to the Oxford knee score with no correlation between age and final score. This score was at its best at one year with a statistically significant deterioration at two years (p = 0.001) followed by a small but not statistically significant deterioration until the final follow-up (p = 0.17). All the knees with Ahlback grade 1 osteoarthritis had excellent or good results. Complications included pin tract infections involving 16.4% of all pins used, delayed union in two, knee stiffness in four, fracture of the lateral cortex in one and ring sequestrum in one.

In conclusion, hemicallostasis provides precision in attaining the desired alignment without interfering with tibial slope or patellar height, and is relatively free of serious complications.

Valgus high tibial osteotomy for osteoarthritis of the medial compartment of the knee can be performed using medial opening- and lateral closing-wedge techniques. The latter have been thought to offer greater initial stability.

We measured and compared the stability of opening- and closing-wedge osteotomies fixed by TomoFix plates using radiostereometry in a series of 42 patients in a prospective, randomised clinical trial.

There were no differences between the opening- and closing-wedge groups in the time to regain knee function and full weight-bearing. Pain and knee function were significantly improved in both groups without any differences between them. All the osteotomies united within one year. Radiostereometry showed no clinically relevant movement of bone or differences between either group.

Medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy secured by a TomoFix plate offers equal stability to a lateral closing-wedge technique. Both give excellent initial stability and provide significantly improved knee function and reduction in pain, although the opening-wedge technique was more likely to produce the intended correction.

Varus malalignment after total knee replacement is associated with a poor outcome. Our aim was to determine whether the same was true for medial unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR). The anatomical leg alignment was measured prospectively using a long-arm goniometer in 160 knees with an Oxford UKR. Patients were then grouped according to their mechanical leg alignment as neutral (5° to 10° of valgus), mild varus (0° to 4° of valgus) and marked varus (> 0° of varus). The groups were compared at five years in terms of absolute and change in the Oxford Knee score, American Knee Society score and the incidence of radiolucent lines.

Post-operatively, 29 (18%) patients had mild varus and 13 (8%) had marked varus. The mean American Knee Society score worsened significantly (p < 0.001) with increasing varus. This difference disappeared if a three-point deduction for each degree of malalignment was removed. No other score deteriorated with increasing varus, and the frequency of occurrence of radiolucent lines was the same in each group.

We therefore conclude that after Oxford UKR, about 25% of patients have varus alignment, but that this does not compromise their clinical or radiological outcome. Following UKR the deductions for malalignment in the American Knee Society score are not justified.

Our aim in this retrospective study of 52 children with spastic hemiplegia was to determine the factors which affected the amount of residual pelvic rotation after single-event multilevel surgery.

The patients were divided into two groups, those who had undergone femoral derotation osteotomy and those who had not. Pelvic rotation improved significantly after surgery in the femoral osteotomy group (p < 0.001) but not in the non-femoral osteotomy group. Multiple regressions identified the following three independent variables, which significantly affected residual pelvic rotation: the performance of femoral derotation osteotomy (p = 0.049), the pre-operative pelvic rotation (p = 0.003) and the post-operative internal rotation of the hip (p = 0.001).

We concluded that there is a decrease in the amount of pelvic rotation after single-event multilevel surgery with femoral derotation osteotomy. However, some residual rotation may persist when patients have severe rotation before surgery.

We reviewed the outcome in 24 children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy aged seven years or younger for whom surgery was recommended between 1999 and 2005 following gait analysis. A total of 13 children (operative group) had surgery and the remaining 11 (control group) did not, for family or administrative reasons. The operative group had at least two post-operative gait analyses at yearly intervals, with eight children having a third and six children a fourth. The control group had a second analysis after a mean interval of 1.5 years (95% confidence interval 1.1 to 1.9). In the operative group, the Gillette gait index, the ranges of movement in the lower limb joint and knee extension in stance improved following surgery, and this was maintained overall at the second post-operative analysis. The minimum knee flexion in stance in the control group increased between analyses.

These results suggest that surgical intervention in selected children can result in improvements in gait and function in the short to medium term compared with non-operative management.