Byung June Chung

Oblique Femoral Tunnel Placement Can Increase Risks of Short Femoral Tunnel and Cross-Pin Protrusion in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: A more horizontal femoral tunnel has been emphasized for contemporary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, lowering the femoral tunnel may result in a shorter tunnel. In addition, a more horizontally placed femoral tunnel may have inadequate bone stock at the posterior portion of the tunnel, which can lead to protrusion of the cross-pin (Rigidfix) system for femoral fixation. Hypothesis: A more horizontal femoral tunnel position, particularly via the anteromedial (AM) portal technique, will reduce femoral tunnel length, and a more horizontal femoral tunnel position and anterior-to-posterior pin insertion will increase the risk of Rigidfix pin protrusion. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: In 10 cadaveric knees, we measured maximum lengths of the femoral tunnels at the positions of 11:30, 10:30, and 9:30 o’clock using the transtibial technique and at the 10:30 and 9:30 o’clock using the AM portal technique. Then, for each femoral tunnel via the transtibial technique at 11:30, 10:30, and 9:30 o’clock positions, tests were performed for 3 directions of Rigidfix pin insertion using the lateral epicondyle as an anatomical landmark, namely, 15° anterior to posterior (A-P), neutral, and 15° posterior to anterior (P-A). It was then determined whether pins protruded from the posterior cortex. Results: The lengths of femoral tunnels produced using the transtibial technique became shorter as the femoral starting position became more horizontal (51.1 mm, 40.0 mm, and 34.2 mm on average at the 11:30, 10:30, and 9:30 o’clock position, respectively). Tunnels made using the AM portal technique were significantly shorter than those made using the transtibial technique: by 7.6 mm at the 10:30 o’clock and 4.5 mm at the 9:30 o’clock positions on average (P < .001). In addition, increasing obliquity increased the likelihood of Rigidfix pin protrusion, especially when pins were inserted in the A-P direction. Conclusion: The current effort to lower the femoral tunnel position in ACL reconstruction can shorten the tunnel length and compromise the graft fixation at the femur using the Rigidfix system. Clinical Relevance: When an intended femoral tunnel position is more horizontal than the 10:30 o’clock position for ACL reconstruction, a surgeon needs to be cautious regarding a short femoral tunnel, particularly when using the AM portal technique, and possible protrusion of the cross-pin (Rigidfix) fixator.

Differences between Sagittal Femoral Mechanical and Distal Reference Axes Should Be Considered in Navigated TKA

In computer-assisted TKA, surgeons determine positioning of the femoral component in the sagittal plane based on the sagittal mechanical axis identified by the navigation system. We hypothesized mechanical and distal femoral axes may differ on lateral views and these variations are influenced by anteroposterior bowing and length of the femur. We measured angles between the mechanical axis and distal femoral axis on 200 true lateral radiographs of the whole femur from 100 adults. We used multivariate linear regression to identify predictors of differences between the axes. Depending on the method used to define the two axes, the mean angular difference between the axes was as much as 3.8° and as little as 0.0°, with standard differences ranging from 1.7° to 1.9°. Variation between the two axes increased with increased femoral bowing and increased femoral length. Surgeons should consider differences between the mechanical axes and distal femoral axes when they set the sagittal plane position of a femoral component in navigated cases. Our findings also may be relevant when measuring rotation of the femoral component in the sagittal plane from postoperative radiographs or when interpreting femoral component sagittal rotation results reported in other studies.Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Execution accuracy of bone resection and implant fixation in computer assisted minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty

While computer assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been documented to increase the surgical accuracy in the planning process, there is little information about the accuracy in execution processes. We aimed to determine the accuracy of execution processes for bone resections and implant fixation in TKAs performed with the techniques of computer assisted navigation and minimally invasive surgery. Execution deviations, defined as the differences between planned targets and executed results, were evaluated for bone resections and implant fixation in 107 TKAs. In tibia resection, the mean resection thickness, coronal alignment, and sagittal alignment were 0.2mm smaller, 0.3 degrees more valgus, 0.3 degrees less posterior slope than the planned, respectively. In femur resection, the mean resection thicknesses in the medial and lateral femoral condyles, coronal alignment, and sagittal alignment were 0.6mm smaller, 0.8mm smaller, 0.1 degrees more varus, and 0.7 degrees less posterior slope than the planned, respectively. In implant fixation, the mean coronal alignment and degree of extension was 0.7 degrees more valgus and 1.6 degrees decrease than the planned, respectively. Only the occurrence of unacceptable executions in implant fixation had significant effects on the final coronal alignment. The density of a bone and the quality of saw blade had significant effect on the accuracy of bone resections. Execution deviations from planned alignment commonly occur in computer-assisted minimally invasive TKA, resulting typically from the techniques of bone resections and implant fixation, and this information should be considered to improve the surgical accuracy of navigated TKAs.

Clinical Implications of Femoral Anthropometrical Features for Total Knee Arthroplasty in Koreans.

Anthropometric features of Asians femora and their clinical relevance with regard to TKA are not rigorously investigated. We attempted to determine how well current prostheses accommodate femoral anthropometric features of Koreans and whether the presence of condylar or trochlear overhang or underhang adversely affects functional outcomes. We hypothesized that current prostheses do not accommodate Korean female femora well, and that overhang or underhang would adversely affect outcomes. Condylar and trochlear mediolateral (ML) widths and condylar anteroposterior (AP) heights were measured, and ML/AP ratios were calculated in 1025 osteoarthritic knees that underwent TKA. Besides gender difference, wide individual variation exists in condylar and trochlear widths and ML/AP aspect ratios for given AP heights. Size options of current prostheses could not cover the wide ranges of ML widths for given AP heights. The knees with condylar overhang more than 4mm showed lower maximum flexion angle postoperatively (P=0.005).

Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis After TKA Associated With Tibial Component Loosening

There is no known causal link between total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS). There also is no known relationship between PVNS and implant loosening after TKA in the literature. This article presents a case of PVNS in a patient undergoing revision TKA for tibial component loosening. A 74-year-old woman who had undergone cemented bilateral TKA 5 years earlier presented with painful swelling in her right knee. At the time of the primary TKA, no abnormal signs were found in the synovial membrane. Routine follow-up radiographs did not indicate implant loosening. At the patients final follow-up examination before revision surgery, a radiolucent lesion was found below the tibial component. During revision surgery, there was focal proliferation of the synovial tissue with heavy pigmentation around the anteromedial part of the tibial component. The abnormal tissue was removed, and the tibial component was exchanged. The articular surface of the polyethylene was not damaged, and backside wear was not found. For the revision surgery, 5-mm thick medial metal block and extension stem were used. Histological analysis of the resected tissue revealed the typical appearance of PVNS. We present a typical case of PVNS found during revision TKA 5 years after primary TKA. It is hoped this report will encourage surgeons to consider PVNS in the differential diagnosis of patients who present with painful swelling of the knee and to consider PVNS as one of the causes of implant loosening after TKA. Further research about causal factors between PVNS and implant loosening are needed.

Novel Approach to Reducing Discrepancies in Radiographic and Navigational Limb Alignments in Computer-Assisted TKA

This study was conducted (1) to document discrepancies between preoperative and postoperative radiographic measurements and postregistration and postimplantation intraoperative navigational measurements of coronal limb alignments, and (2) to identify predictors of discrepancies between radiographic and navigational measures. In addition, we propose the use of a novel radiographic measuring method, and we demonstrate that this method reduces discrepancies. For 107 total knee arthroplasties performed using a navigation system, coronal alignment were assessed using preoperative and postoperative whole limb radiographs using the standard and novel radiographic methods. During surgery, coronal limb alignment was measured using the navigation system postregistration and postprosthesis implantation. Strengths of correlations and discrepancies between radiographic and navigational assessments were compared between the standard and novel methods. Multivariate regression was performed to identify predictors of discrepancies. Differences between radiographic and navigational measurements were observed for both preoperative and postoperative assessments, but discrepancies were greater for preoperative assessments, despite their stronger correlations. Extent of preoperative varus deformity was identified as the strongest predictor of discrepancy in preoperative radiographic and navigational measurements, and varus malalignment was identified as the strongest predictor of discrepancy in postoperative measurements. Strengths of correlations between radiographic and navigational measurements were similar for the standard and novel radiographic methods, but discrepancies between the 2 were significantly smaller for the novel method for both preoperative and postoperative assessments. The authors propose the use of the described novel radiographic method that reduces discrepancies between radiographic and navigational measurements.

Why Patients Do Not Participate in Sports Activities After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background It is important to identify the reasons or factors preventing patients from participating in sports activities after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to improve patient satisfaction and general health that can be gained from regular sports activities. Purpose To determine the reasons for lack of participation in regular sports activities after TKA as perceived by patients and to identify specific factors involved. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods A total of 369 patients with a follow-up longer than 1 year after TKA were included in this retrospective study. A postal survey regarding sports activities was conducted using a questionnaire gathering information such as sociodemographic data, activity levels, and sports activities after TKA. The reasons perceived by patients for not participating in sports activities were determined. Patients unable to participate in sports activities were compared with patients able to do so in terms of sociodemographic data and pre- and postoperative outcomes. Results Of the 369 patients, 88 (24%) replied that they could not participate in a sports activity. Among the perceived reasons, reasons not related to the replaced knee were more frequent than those related to the replaced knee (76% vs 24%). Symptoms related to the spine or other joints composed 25% of the total perceived reasons. The presence of medical comorbidities accounted for 16%, while symptoms in the nonreplaced knee represented 8% of the reasons. In terms of patient factors, multivariate logistic regression revealed that male sex, a floor-based (ie, non-Western) lifestyle with greater demands on knee flexion, and worse postoperative University of California at Los Angeles activity scale were associated with nonregular sports activity levels. Conclusion The perceived reasons and patient factors hindering regular sports activities after TKA were not restricted to problems with the replaced knee. Nonetheless, orthopaedic surgeons may have a substantial role in encouraging patients to participate in sports by resolving joint-related problems. Furthermore, this study supports the notion that a multidisciplinary approach is needed to improve sports participation after surgery.