We undertook a retrospective analysis of 306
procedures on 233 patients, with a mean age of 12 years (1 to 21),
in order to evaluate the use of somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP)
monitoring for the early detection of nerve compromise during external
fixation procedures for limb lengthening and correction of deformity.
Significant SSEP changes were identified during 58 procedures (19%).
In 32 instances (10.5%) the changes were transient, and resolved
once the surgical cause had been removed. The remaining 26 (8.5%)
were analysed in two groups, depending on whether or not corrective
action had been performed in response to critical changes in the
SSEP recordings. In 16 cases in which no corrective action was taken,
13 (81.2%, 4.2% overall) developed a post-operative neurological
deficit, six of which were permanent and seven temporary, persisting
for five to 18 months. In the ten procedures in which corrective
action was taken, four patients (40%, 1.3% overall) had a temporary
(one to eight months) post-operative neuropathy and six had no deficit. After appropriate intervention in response to SSEP changes, the
incidence and severity of neurological deficits were significantly
reduced, with no cases of permanent neuropathy. SSEP monitoring
showed 100% sensitivity and 91% specificity for the detection of
nerve injury during external fixation. It is an excellent diagnostic
technique for identifying nerve lesions when they are still highly
reversible.
We present the results of 17 children of Tanner stage 1 or 2 who underwent reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament between 1999 and 2006 using a transphyseal procedure, employing an ipsilateral four-strand hamstring graft. The mean age of the children was 12.1 years (9.5 to 14). The mean follow-up was 44 months (25 to 100). Survival of the graft, the functional outcome and complications were recorded. There was one re-rupture following another injury. Of the remaining patients, all had good or excellent results and a normal International Knee Documentation Committee score. The mean post-operative Lysholm score was 97.5 ( In this small series, transphyseal reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament appeared to be safe in these young children.
The April 2012 Knee Roundup360 looks at the torn ACL, ACL reconstruction, the risk of ACL rupture, the benefit of warm-ups before exercise, glucosamine and tibiofemoral osteoarthritis, sensitisation and sporting tendinopathy, pain relief after TKR, the long-term results of the Genesis I, the gender specific recovery times after TKR, and the accuracy of the orthopaedic eyeball
The August 2012 Knee Roundup360 looks at: meniscal defects and a polyurethane scaffold; which is best between a single or double bundle; OA of the knee; how to resolve anterior knee pain; whether yoga can be bad for your menisci; metal ions in the serum; whether ACI is any good; the ACL; whether hyaluronic acid delays collagen degradation; and hyaluronan and patellar tendinopathy.
Spinal stenosis and disc herniation are the two
most frequent causes of lumbosacral nerve root compression. This
can result in muscle weakness and present with or without pain. The
difficulty when managing patients with these conditions is knowing
when surgery is better than non-operative treatment: the evidence
is controversial. Younger patients with a lesser degree of weakness
for a shorter period of time have been shown to respond better to surgical
treatment than older patients with greater weakness for longer.
However, they also constitute a group that fares better without
surgery. The main indication for surgical treatment in the management
of patients with lumbosacral nerve root compression should be pain
rather than weakness.
The aetiology of hallux valgus is almost certainly multifactoral.
The biomechanics of the first ray is a common factor to most. There
is very little literature examining the anatomy of the proximal
metatarsal articular surface and its relationship to hallux valgus
deformity. We examined 42 feet from 23 specimens in this anatomical dissection
study.Introduction
Methods
Using general practitioner records and hospital
notes and through direct telephone conversation with patients, we investigated
the accuracy of nine patient-reported complications gathered from
a self-completed questionnaire after elective joint replacement
surgery of the hip and knee. A total of 402 post-discharge complications
were reported after 8546 elective operations that were undertaken
within a three-year period. These were reported by 136 men and 240
women with a mean age of 71.8 years (34 to 93). A total of 319 reported
complications (79.4%; 95% confidence interval 75.4 to 83.3) were
confirmed to be correct. High rates of correct reporting were demonstrated
for infection (94.5%) and the need for further surgery (100%), whereas
the rates of reporting deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism,
myocardial infarction and stroke were lower (75% to 84.2%). Dislocation,
peri-prosthetic fractures and nerve palsy had modest rates of correct
reporting (36% to 57.1%). More patients who had knee surgery delivered
incorrect reports of dislocation (p = 0.001) and DVT (p = 0.013). Despite these variations, it appears that post-operative complications
may form part of a larger patient-reported outcome programme after
elective joint replacement surgery.
The aims of this piece of work were to: 1) record the background
concentrations of blood chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co) concentrations
in a large group of subjects; 2) to compare blood/serum Cr and Co
concentrations with retrieved metal-on-metal (MoM) hip resurfacings;
3) to examine the distribution of Co and Cr in the serum and whole
blood of patients with MoM hip arthroplasties; and 4) to further
understand the partitioning of metal ions between the serum and
whole blood fractions. A total of 3042 blood samples donated to the local transfusion
centre were analysed to record Co and Cr concentrations. Also, 91
hip resurfacing devices from patients who had given pre-revision
blood/serum samples for metal ion analysis underwent volumetric
wear assessment using a coordinate measuring machine. Linear regression analysis
was carried out and receiver operating characteristic curves were
constructed to assess the reliability of metal ions to identify
abnormally wearing implants. The relationship between serum and
whole blood concentrations of Cr and Co in 1048 patients was analysed
using Bland-Altman charts. This relationship was further investigated
in an Objectives
Methods
We report a retrospective analysis of the results of combined arthroscopically-assisted posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and open reconstruction of the posterolateral corner in 19 patients with chronic (three or more months) symptomatic instability and pain in the knee. All the operations were performed between 1996 and 2003 and all the patients were assessed pre- and post-operatively by physical examination and by applying three different ligament rating scores. All also had weight-bearing radiographs, MR scans and an examination under anaesthesia and arthroscopy pre-operatively. The posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed using an arthroscopically-assisted single anterolateral bundle technique and the posterolateral corner structures were reconstructed using an open Larson type of tenodesis. The mean follow up was 66.8 months (24 to 110). Pre-operatively, all the patients had a grade III posterior sag according to Clancy and demonstrated more than 20° of external rotation compared with the opposite normal knee on the Dial test. Post-operatively, seven patients (37%) had no residual posterior sag, 11 (58%) had a grade I posterior sag and one (5%) had a grade II posterior sag. In five patients (26%) there was persistent minimal posterolateral laxity. The Lysholm score improved from a mean of 41.2 (28 to 53) to 76.5 (57 to 100) (p = 0.0001) and the Tegner score from a mean of 2.6 (1 to 4) to 6.4 (4 to 9) (p = 0.0001). We conclude that while a combined reconstruction of chronic posterior cruciate ligament and posterolateral corner instability improves the function of the knee, it does not restore complete stability.
There has been a substantial increase in the
number of hip and knee prostheses implanted in recent years, with
a consequent increase in the number of revisions required. Total
femur replacement (TFR) following destruction of the entire femur,
usually after several previous revision operations, is a rare procedure
but is the only way of avoiding amputation. Intramedullary femur
replacement (IFR) with preservation of the femoral diaphysis is
a modification of TFR. Between 1999 and 2010, 27 patients with non-oncological
conditions underwent surgery in our department with either IFR (n
= 15) or TFR (n = 12) and were included in this study retrospectively.
The aim of the study was to assess the indications, complications
and outcomes of IFR and TFR in revision cases. The mean follow-up
period was 31.3 months (6 to 90). Complications developed in 37%
of cases, 33% in the IFR group and 4% in the TFR group. Despite
a trend towards a slightly better functional outcome compared with
TFR, the indication for intramedullary femur replacement should
be established on a very strict basis in view of the procedure’s
much higher complication rate.
The Morscher-Spotorno (MS-30) femoral stem is a stainless-steel, straight, three-dimensionally tapered, collarless implant for cemented fixation in total hip replacement. We report the results at ten years of a consecutive series of 124 total hip replacements in 121 patients with the matt-surfaced MS-30 stem and an alumina ceramic head of 28-mm diameter. All the stems were fixed with Palacos bone cement with gentamicin using a modern cementing technique. They were combined with an uncemented, press-fit cup. The mean period of observation was 10.2 years (8.3 to 12.1) and no patient was lost to follow-up. Twenty-seven patients (22%) died with the implant None of the stems or cups had been revised. The Harris hip score was excellent or good in 97% (85 hips) and moderate in 3% (three hips). Radiologically, six hips (6.8%) had osteolysis adjacent to the stem, mostly in Gruen zone 7. Twenty (22.7%) showed one or more radiolucent lines. Twenty-two stems (25%) had subsided by 2 mm to 5 mm. In these cases two showed osteolysis (9.1%) with subsidence and four without (6.1%). Radiolucent lines were seen in seven with migration (31.8%) and in 13 without (19.7%). No infections and no acetabular osteolysis were observed. The clinical results were excellent with survivorship after ten years of 100% and only a slightly statistically non-significant higher rate of osteolysis and radiolucency in cases of subsidence.
We studied the prevalence of severe crouch gait
over a 15-year period in a defined population of children with spastic
diplegia and Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II
and III, to determine if there had been a decrease following changes
to the management of equinus gait. These changes were replacing
observational with three-dimensional gait analysis, replacing single
level with multilevel surgery, and replacing gastrocsoleus lengthening
with gastrocnemius recession. Of 464 children and adolescents with
spastic diplegia who underwent three-dimensional gait analysis,
27 had severe crouch gait. Seventeen of these had been managed by
isolated lengthening of the gastrocsoleus. Following changes in
the management of equinus gait, the prevalence of severe crouch
gait decreased from 25% and stabilised at a significantly lower
rate, fluctuating between 0% and 4% annually (p <
0.001). We conclude that severe crouch gait in this population was precipitated
by isolated lengthening of the gastrocsoleus. These findings may
be relevant to other surgical populations, as severe crouch gait
may be a useful way to monitor the quality of the surgical management
of abnormal gait in children with cerebral palsy and spastic diplegia.
The purpose of this study was to report the outcome
of ‘isolated’ anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures treated with
anatomical endoscopic reconstruction using hamstring tendon autograft
at a mean of 15 years (14.25 to 16.9). A total of 100 consecutive
men and 100 consecutive women with ‘isolated’ ACL rupture underwent
four-strand hamstring tendon reconstruction with anteromedial portal
femoral tunnel drilling and interference screw fixation by a single
surgeon. Details were recorded pre-operatively and at one, two,
seven and 15 years post-operatively. Outcomes included clinical
examination, subjective and objective scoring systems, and radiological
assessment. At 15 years only eight of 118 patients (7%) had moderate
or severe osteo-arthritic changes (International Knee Documentation
Committee Grades C and D), and 79 of 152 patients (52%) still performed
very strenuous activities. Overall graft survival at 15 years was
83% (1.1% failure per year). Patients aged <
18 years at the
time of surgery and patients with >
2 mm of laxity at one year had
a threefold increase in the risk of suffering a rupture of the graft
(p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively). There was no increase in
laxity of the graft over time. ACL reconstructive surgery in patients with an ‘isolated’ rupture
using this technique shows good results 15 years post-operatively
with respect to ligamentous stability, objective and subjective
outcomes, and does not appear to cause osteoarthritis.
We reviewed 183 patients who had undergone reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. The incidence of meniscal tears and degenerative change was assessed and related to the timing from injury to surgery. Degenerative change was scored using the French Society of Arthroscopy system. The patients were divided into an early (surgery within 12 months of injury) and a late group (surgery more than 12 months from injury). The late group was also subdivided into four groups of 12-month periods ranging from one year to more than four years after injury. There was a significantly higher incidence of meniscal tears in patients undergoing reconstruction after 12 months compared with those in the early group (71.2%
Primary uncemented femoral stems reported to the Norwegian arthroplasty register between 1987 and 2005 were included in this prospective observational study. There were 11 516 hips (9679 patients) and 14 different designs of stem. Kaplan-Meier survival probabilities and Cox regression were used to analyse the data. With aseptic loosening as the end-point, all currently used designs performed excellently with survival of 96% to 100% at ten years. With the end-point as stem revision for any cause, the long-term results of the different designs varied from poor to excellent, with survival at 15 years ranging between 29% and 97%. Follow-up for longer than seven years was needed to identify some of the poorly-performing designs. There were differences between the stems; the Corail, used in 5456 hips, was the most frequently used stem with a survival of 97% at 15 years. Male gender was associated with an increased risk of revision of × 1.3 (95% confidence interval 1.05 to 1.52), but age and diagnosis had no influence on the results. Overall, modern uncemented femoral stems performed well. Moderate differences in survival between well-performing stems should be interpreted with caution since the differences may be caused by factors other than the stem itself.
Given the growing prevalence of obesity around
the world and its association with osteoarthritis of the knee, orthopaedic
surgeons need to be familiar with the management of the obese patient
with degenerative knee pain. The precise mechanism by which obesity
leads to osteoarthritis remains unknown, but is likely to be due
to a combination of mechanical, humoral and genetic factors. Weight loss has clear medical benefits for the obese patient
and seems to be a logical way of relieving joint pain associated
with degenerative arthritis. There are a variety of ways in which
this may be done including diet and exercise, and treatment with
drugs and bariatric surgery. Whether substantial weight loss can
delay or even reverse the symptoms associated with osteoarthritis
remains to be seen. Surgery for osteoarthritis in the obese patient can be technically
more challenging and carries a risk of additional complications.
Substantial weight loss before undertaking total knee replacement
is advisable. More prospective studies that evaluate the effect
of significant weight loss on the evolution of symptomatic osteoarthritis
of the knee are needed so that orthopaedic surgeons can treat this
patient group appropriately.
Pathological fractures of the humerus are associated with pain, morbidity, loss of function and a diminished quality of life. We report our experience of stabilising these fractures using polymethylmethacrylate and non-locking plates. We undertook a retrospective review over 20 years of patients treated at a tertiary musculoskeletal oncology centre. Those who had undergone surgery for an impending or completed pathological humeral fracture with a diagnosis of metastatic disease or myeloma were identified from our database. There were 63 patients (43 men, 20 women) in the series with a mean age of 63 years (39 to 87). All had undergone intralesional curettage of the tumour followed by fixation with intramedullary polymethylmethacrylate and plating. Complications occurred in 14 patients (22.2%) and seven (11.1%) required re-operation. At the latest follow-up, 47 patients (74.6%) were deceased and 16 (25.4%) were living with a mean follow-up of 75 months (1 to 184). A total of 54 (86%) patients had no or mild pain and 50 (80%) required no or minimal assistance with activities of daily living. Of the 16 living patients none had pain and all could perform activities of daily living without assistance. Intralesional resection of the tumour, filling of the cavity with cement, and plate stabilisation of the pathological fracture gives immediate rigidity and allows an early return of function without the need for bony union. The patient’s local disease burden is reduced, which may alleviate tumour-related pain and slow the progression of the disease. The cemented-plate technique provides a reliable option for the treatment of pathological fractures of the humerus.
The Canadian Orthopaedic Trauma Society was started in an endeavour to answer the difficult problem of obtaining enough patients to perform top-quality research into fractures. By maintaining a high standard, including randomised study design, inclusivity, open discussion among surgeons and excellent long-term follow-up, this group has become a leader in the orthopaedic research community. This annotation describes the short history, important components and spirit necessary to build a research community or team which will function well despite the difficult research environment facing individual surgeons.
We used three-dimensional movement analysis by computer modelling of knee flexion from 0° to 50° in 14 knees in 12 patients with recurrent patellar dislocation and in 15 knees in ten normal control subjects to compare the The patients had greater values of spin from 20° to 50°, while there were no statistically significant differences in flexion and tilt. The patients also had greater percentage patellar shift from 0° to 50°, percentage tubercle shift at 0° and 10° and patellar inclination from 0° to 50° with a smaller oval-shaped contact area from 20° to 50° moving downwards on the lateral facet. Patellar movement analysis using a three-dimensional computer model is useful to clearly demonstrate differences between patients with recurrent dislocation of the patella and normal control subjects.
This annotation considers the place of extra-articular
reconstruction in the treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
deficiency. Extra-articular reconstruction has been employed over
the last century to address ACL deficiency. However, the technique
has not gained favour, primarily due to residual instability and
the subsequent development of degenerative changes in the lateral
compartment of the knee. Thus intra-articular reconstruction has
become the technique of choice. However, intra-articular reconstruction
does not restore normal knee kinematics. Some authors have recommended
extra-articular reconstruction in conjunction with an intra-articular
technique. The anatomy and biomechanics of the anterolateral structures
of the knee remain largely undetermined. Further studies to establish
the structure and function of the anterolateral structures may lead
to more anatomical extra-articular reconstruction techniques that
supplement intra-articular reconstruction. This might reduce residual
pivot shift after an intra-articular reconstruction and thus improve
the post-operative kinematics of the knee.