Antonio Vadalà

Reparable rotator cuff tears with concomitant long-head biceps lesions: tenotomy or tenotomy/tenodesis?

PurposeThe aim of the study was to determine clinical, functional, and radiological results of two groups of patients affected by rotator cuff tear with concomitant degeneration of the long head of the biceps tendon treated with tenotomy/tenodesis or tenotomy.MethodsSixty-five patients were randomly assigned to group A (35 patients, tenotomy/tenodesis) and group B (30 patients, tenotomy). All patients underwent physical examination and simple shoulder test and Constant score scales. Moreover, they underwent dynamometric tests and power Doppler ultrasonography in order to evaluate the exact location of the long-head biceps and the vascularization of the repaired rotator cuff and of the long-head biceps.ResultsPhysical examination and clinical evaluation scales showed satisfactory results in both groups, with no significant differences (n.s.). Popeye sign was detected in 5 patients (17%) of group B and in no one patient of group A. Ultrasound examination showed the LHB within the bicipital groove in 80% of group A and group B. Power Doppler ultrasonography showed signs of vascularization of the LHB in 20% of patients of group A and in 40% of group B and signs of vascularization of the repaired rotator cuff in 28% of group A and 40% of group B.ConclusionsLong head of the biceps tenotomy combined with tenodesis does not provide any significant clinical or functional improvement than isolated tenotomy. However, the incidence of the Popeye sign is significantly higher, even though not associated with any functional disfunction.Level of evidenceTherapeutic study, Level II.

Effect of Cyclic Loading on New Polyblend Suture Coupled With Different Anchors

Background Secure tendon-to-bone fixation is essential for successful rotator cuff repair. Biomechanical properties of devices used in rotator cuff repair should be better understood. Purpose To evaluate the response to incremental cyclic loading of 6 different anchor-suture complexes commonly used in rotator cuff repair. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Two absorbable anchors 5 mm and 6.5 mm in diameter and 1 metallic anchor, coupled with Ethibond or FiberWire, were tested on 5 pairs of fresh-frozen human cadaveric shoulders. An incremental cyclic load was applied until failure using a Zwich-Roell Z010 electromechanical testing machine. The ultimate failure load and mode of failure were recorded. An analysis of variance model was used for statistical analysis. Results The FiberWire suture coupled with both absorbable and metallic anchors provided statistically significantly stronger fixation. However, although the metallic anchors in most cases failed because of slippage of the anchor, absorbable anchors failed because of rupture of the eyelet. Conclusions The FiberWire seems to increase the strength of fixation devices under cyclic load using both absorbable and metallic anchors, with relevant differences in failure mode (slippage of the metallic anchor and eyelet failure in the absorbable anchor). Clinical Relevance Use of the FiberWire suture might change the mode of failure of the suture-anchor complexes.

Clinical and radiological outcomes of postoperative septic arthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

BackgroundSeptic arthritis after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a rare complication. In the literature, several treatments have been proposed. The aim of the study was to report our results using ambulatory irrigation of the knee and parenteral and oral antibiotics.MethodsFrom January 2001 to December 2008, a total of 12 patients were treated for postoperative septic arthritis of the knee after ACL reconstruction in our hospital. The average age at trauma was 24 years (range 16–43 years). The treatment protocol included irrigation of the knee (for 2 days) and parenteral antibiotics and oral antibiotics subsequently. Repetitive irrigation was performed if necessary. The average duration of follow-up for our series was 38 months (range 6–54 months). Follow-up included International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) forms, radiography, Tegner and Lysholm scores, and KT-1000 arthrometric evaluation.ResultsIn all cases treatment of infection was successful. Neither graft nor hardware removal was needed in any of the cases. At final examination, the pivot shift was negative in 10 of 12 patients, and it was 1+ in the other 2 patients; the Lachman was negative in all cases. The mean postoperative Tegner score was 7.2, and the mean Lysholm score was 98.3. In all, 10 of the 12 patients were graded as group A and the other 2 as group B using the IKDC form. The mean postoperative manual maximum KT-1000 side-to-side difference was 2.3. No significant bone tunnel enlargement was found at radiographic evaluation.ConclusionsThe described treatment regimen gives reliable results for this complication. There were no recurrences of septic arthritis or bone infection. No further surgeries were required, and the graft was retained during the treatment of septic arthritis.

Rotatory instability of the knee after ACL tear and reconstruction.

Although ACL reconstructions provide satisfactory clinical results nowadays, regardless of the type of graft or the surgical technique used (out-in vs in-out or single- vs double-bundle), the residual rotatory instability which is often detected at clinical follow-ups is still a matter of concern among surgeons. In this paper we try to analyze all the aspects which might contribute to this phenomenon by summarizing the biomechanical functions of the two bundles of the ACL, and by evaluating all the other factors strictly related to the rotatory instability of a reconstructed knee, such as the anatomical positioning of the single- or double-bundle new ACL, or the importance of a valid lateral compartment (LCL, ALTFL). Clinical, biomechanical and cadaver studies are discussed in order to contribute to better understanding of the origin of post-operative residual rotatory instability.

Computer-Assisted High Tibial Osteotomy: Preliminary Results

Open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) is an established technique for the treatment of symptomatic varus malaligned knees. In this study, we prospectively followed up 13 patients (14 knees) who underwent navigation system-supported HTO for varus knee deformity. Preoperatively all patients underwent a physical examination, and anteroposterior and laterolateral lower limb weight-bearing digital radiographs were obtained. The following parameters were examined: (1) Insall-Salvati index; (2) posterior tibial slope angle; (3) mechanical femorotibial angle; (4) inferior limb length. At a mean follow-up of 12.6 months, clinical examination showed satisfactory results in all patients. The mean Modified Cincinnati Rating System Questionnaire rating increased significantly from 46.5 ± 7.2 to 84.6 ± 8, while the mean Knee Society Score increased significantly from 51.4 ± 9.9 to 85.1 ± 7.3. The mean Insall-Salvati index changed from 1.11 preoperatively to 1.10 postoperatively (P=.742). According to the navigation system data, the femorotibial mechanical axis was corrected from a varus of 6.3° ± 1.9° to a valgus of 2.1° ± 1.6°. These data matched postoperative radiographic lower limb weight-bearing data. In the group of patients in whom we evaluated the posterior tibial slope with the navigation system, we detected an increase of 0.3° ± 0.4° compared with the preoperative radiographic examination evaluations; the comparison between the postoperative and the preoperative radiograhic examination results showed an increase of 0.5° ± 0.7° (P=.87). The results of our study seem to show greater accuracy of mechanical axis correction and smaller increase in tibial slope when a navigation system is used in open-wedge HTO.

Tibial stress fracture after computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty.

A correct alignment of the tibial and femoral component is one of the most important factors determining favourable long-term results of a total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The accuracy provided by the use of the computer navigation systems has been widely described in the literature so that their use has become increasingly popular in recent years; however, unpredictable complications, such as displaced or stress femoral or tibial fractures, have been reported to occur a few weeks after the operation. We present a case of a stress tibial fracture that occurred after a TKA performed with the use of a computer navigation system. The stress fracture, which eventually healed without further complications, occurred at one of the pinhole sites used for the placement of the tibial trackers.

Modified Watson-Jones technique for chronic lateral ankle instability in athletes: clinical and radiological mid- to long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND We clinically and radiologically assessed mid- to long-term follow-up of a group of patients treated with a modified Watson-Jones technique for chronic ankle instability. METHODS Fourteen athletes were retrospectively evaluated with physical examination, and Tegner, Good and AOFAS scales; moreover, a 2-view stress, side-to-side X-ray, was performed. RESULTS All patients were followed-up at a mean of 10.8 years. No one reported further ankle sprains. Mean Good scale value decreased from 3.7 to 1.6, while the Tegner scale decreased from 6.8 to 5.1; the mean AOFAS score was 92.2. Mean sagittal-plane ROM was 62.3° (4.9° S/S difference), while mean coronal-plane ROM was 25.5° (3.8° S/S difference). Mean X-ray talar tilt angle was 4.5° (0.1° S/S difference), while mean anterior drawer test angle was 5.4 mm (0.5 mm S/S difference). CONCLUSIONS The modified Watson-Jones procedure seems to be a reliable technique in providing satisfactory mid- to long-term clinical and radiological results.

The treatment of long bones nonunions of upper limb with microsurgical cortico-periosteal free flap

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Medial condyle corticoperiosteal flap is an emerging option for the treatment of upper limb non-infected nonunions. The hypothesis of our study is that corticoperiosteal flap could be an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of upper limb non-infected nonunions, evaluating radiographic and clinical outcome. METHODS We enrolled 14 patients who underwent vascularized medial femoral condyle corticoperiosteal free flaps from January 2011 to December 2014. All patients were clinically evaluated (VAS, DASH) before surgery and at 6 and 12 months post surgery. The radiographic evaluation was performed every 30 days until the complete healing and at 12-month follow-up. We also recorded the range of motion pre and post surgery at the donor site. RESULTS All nonunion sites healed primarily at an average time period of 5.2 months ±1. Preoperative DASH score was 70 ± 15.6; at 6 month follow-up was 21.51 ± 10.63; at 12 month follow-up 18.0 ± 9.9. Preoperative VAS was 7.05 ± 2; at 6-month follow-up was 2.1 ± 2; at 12-month follow-up was 1.8 ± 1.16. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference (p <0.001) about the preoperative and the postoperative VAS and DASH evaluation both at 6 and 12-month follow-up, but we did not record any statistical difference between the 6-month and 12-month follow-up. At the donor site, the mean VAS score was 2 ± 2.1 at seven days post operatively. All patients restore the full ROM at 7 days post surgery. CONCLUSIONS Vascularized medial condyle corticoperiosteal free flap represents an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of upper limb nonunions.

Nanohydroxyapatite-based bone graft substitute in tunnel enlargement after ACL surgery: RMN study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM A successful anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL) requires solid healing of the tendon graft in the bone tunnel. New biological strategies have already been proposed with the aim of improving ACL graft healing and therefore allowing a faster rehabilitative program. The aim of this prospective study was to clinically and radiologically evaluate the efficacy of nanohydroxyapatite bone-base grafts in facilitating bone-tendon incorporation after ACL reconstruction with hamstrings (HS). As far as we know, this is the first study that has tried to asses the efficacy of such a type of bone substitute on human beings. MATERIALS AND METHODS 40 male patients with chronic ACL rupture who underwent surgical reconstruction with 4-strand semitendinosus and gracilis tendon autograft via a single-bundle technique. Patients were randomly assigned to enter group A (20 patients, nanohydroxyapatite group) or group B (20 patients, control group). Preoperative and postoperative clinical evaluation was always performed, in a blinded way, assessing the Lachman and Pivot-shift tests and range of motion (ROM) of the affected knee. The Lysholm knee score, Tegner activity level, subjective and objective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) forms, and 30 lb KT-1000 arthrometer evaluations. Patients underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam at 30, 90 and 180 days after surgery by the same musculoskeletal radiologist in a blinded way. RESULTS As for the clinical evaluation, Lysholm, Tegner, IKDC scales, and KT-1000 arthrometer results did not show any significant difference between the two groups. Radiological data show a tendency toward better results in regard to the graft strength signal, the graftbone interface, and bone edema remodeling process, these parameters show significant differences between the two groups only at the short or mid-term follow-ups, while they are never significant at the mid-to long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion the use of nanohydroxyapatite bone substitute does not provide significant clinical improvements in terms of better knee stability or patient satisfaction.

Patellar and Quadriceps Tendinopathy

Quadriceps and patellar tendinopathies are known as “jumper’s knee,” similarly following a tradition of reference to the etiology of a pathology, such as “tennis elbow” or “thrower’s shoulder.”