F. Dubrana

Osteoarthritis in patients with anterior cruciate ligament rupture: A review of risk factors

The risk factors for the development of osteoarthritis (OA) in patients who have had an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture are reviewed. Although the principle arthrogenic factor is the increased anterior tibial displacement that is associated with the rupture, other direct and indirect factors contribute. Meniscal and chondral injuries can be present before, during, and develop after the index injury, making assessment of the relative importance of each difficult. Most studies concentrate on the radiological changes following ACL rupture and reconstruction. However the rate of significant symptomatic OA needing major surgical intervention is lower. This needs to be considered when advising patients on the management of their ruptured ACL. The long-term outcome in patients who are symptomatically stable following an ACL rupture is uncertain, although in a small cohort of elite athletes all had degenerative changes by 35 years and eight out of 19 (42%) had undergone total knee replacement. At 20 years follow-up the reported risk of developing osteoarthritis is lower after ACL reconstruction (14%-26% with a normal medial meniscus, 37% with meniscectomy) to untreated ruptures (60%-100%).

Autologous chondrocyte implantation in a novel alginate-agarose hydrogel: OUTCOME AT TWO YEARS

Autologous chondrocyte implantation is an established method of treatment for symptomatic articular defects of cartilage. CARTIPATCH is a monolayer-expanded cartilage cell product which is combined with a novel hydrogel to improve cell phenotypic stability and ease of surgical handling. Our aim in this prospective, multicentre study on 17 patients was to investigate the clinical, radiological, arthroscopic and histological outcome at a minimum follow-up of two years after the implantation of autologous chondrocytes embedded in a three-dimensional alginate-agarose hydrogel for the treatment of chondral and osteochondral defects. Clinically, all the patients improved significantly. Patients with lesions larger than 3 cm(2) improved significantly more than those with smaller lesions. There was no correlation between the clinical outcome and the body mass index, age, duration of symptoms and location of the defects. The mean arthroscopic International Cartilage Repair Society score was 10 (5 to 12) of a maximum of 12. Predominantly hyaline cartilage was seen in eight of the 13 patients (62%) who had follow-up biopsies. Our findings suggest that autologous chondrocyte implantation in combination with a novel hydrogel results in a significant clinical improvement at follow-up at two years, more so for larger and deeper lesions. The surgical procedure is uncomplicated, and predominantly hyaline cartilage-like repair tissue was observed in eight patients.

Usefulness of Ultrasonographic Detection of Talocrural Effusion in Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprain severity is difficult to assess initially in the emergency department, yet it governs treatment decisions. Ultrasonography readily shows fluid present in the talocrural joint, which is difficult to assess by physical examination. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of ultrasonographic talocrural joint effusion in moderate and severe ankle sprains and to determine the cause of effusions by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Detection of the center of the hip joint in computer-assisted surgery: An evaluation study of the Surgetics algorithm

Objective: The aim of this paper is to assess the accuracy of an algorithm implemented by PRAXIM™ in the SURGETICS™ navigation station for detection of the hip center. This study will assess the robustness and accuracy of the algorithm in various clinical situations such as those involving non-sphericity of the femoral head, motion of the pelvis during hip center detection, and restricted range of motion. Materials and Methods: The localization of the hip center, based on kinematics, relies on the recording of n successive positions of the femoral rigid body in the localizer reference system during a passive circumduction motion of the hip joint. Therefore, the shape of the clouds of points acquired may vary from one acquisition to the next. To allow a comprehensive study of the consequences of these variations for hip center detection, we developed a simulator to generate numerous clouds of points. Results given subsequently for each test are the values of the difference between the femoral mechanical axis computed with Cc, the computed hip center, and the same axis computed with Co, the reference hip center. Results: Test 1: Sensitivity to noise. The errors ranged from 3.33 E − 12 (SD 3.29E − 12) for a noise of 0 mm to 8.18E − 1 (SD − 7.05E − 1) for a noise of 15 mm. Test 2: Sensitivity to the shape of the acquisition motion. All trajectories gave an error < 1°. Test 3: Sensitivity to restricted range of motion. No value > 1° was found during this test. Test 4: Sensitivity to the distance between two points of the cloud. No value > 0.5° was found during this test. Test 5: Sensitivity to the number of points included in the cloud. No value > 1° was found during this test. Conclusions: The Surgetics algorithm is robust to noise, can compensate for pelvic motion, and can be used even in the case of restricted range of motion.

Diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament rupture in an emergency department.

BACKGROUND Although an early diagnosis is crucial to optimize outcomes after injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), little is known about the performance of emergency room physicians in diagnosing this injury. HYPOTHESIS We hypothesized that emergency room physicians would miss a substantial proportion of ACL ruptures. STUDY : Prospective comparative study. METHODS From April 2004 through October 2004, all patients aged 15 to 55 years and presenting at the emergency department of a teaching hospital for acute knee injury without fracture or multiple injuries were included. The results of a standardized examination conducted by the emergency physicians were compared with the findings by a sports medicine specialist 5 +/- 2 days later. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed when the specialist found a positive Lachmans test and was used as the reference standard for diagnosing ACL rupture. Cohens kappa test was used to evaluate agreement between emergency physicians and the specialist. RESULTS Of the 79 included patients, 27 (34.2%) had a diagnosis of ACL rupture established by the specialist and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Agreement was poor between emergency physicians and the sports medicine specialist regarding popping sound, instability, joint effusion, a positive Lachmans test, and a diagnosis of ACL rupture. Emergency physicians diagnosed only 7 of the 27 ACL ruptures. CONCLUSION Emergency physicians missed a substantial proportion of acute ACL ruptures. Efforts are needed to improve their skills in diagnosing ACL rupture.

Tumeur à cellules géantes de la gaine du tendon du long fléchisseur du pouce chez une enfant de 7 ans

The authors report the case of a giant cell tumour of the flexor pollicis longus tendon sheath in a child. This benign tumour, usually observed in women between the ages of 30 to 50 years, has a highly controversial aetiopathogenesis; the existence of initial trauma is found in 50% of cases. The present case concerns a 7-year-old girl with swelling of the right thumb for two years. Surgical resection established the definitive diagnosis by histological examination of the specimen. The follow-up is currently two years, with no local recurrence.

Radiographic outcomes in the coronal plane with iASSIST™ versus optical navigation for total knee arthroplasty: A preliminary case-control study.

BACKGROUND The new navigation system iASSIST™ for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) relies on accelerometers and gyroscopes. The objective of this prospective study was to compare the accuracy of iASSIST™ to that of the conventional optical navigation system Navitrack™ by determining the rate of mechanical axis restoration (±3°), postoperative mean mechanical alignment, rate of adequate femoral and tibial component positioning, mean operative time, and occurrence of navigation-related adverse events. HYPOTHESIS The rate of mechanical axis restoration (±3°) is not lower with iASSIST™ than with the conventional navigation system Navitrack™. MATERIAL AND METHODS Of 40 patients who underwent primary TKA between October 2013 and March 2014, 20 had navigation using iASSIST™ and 20 using Navitrack™. Six months after TKA, an independent observer measured three parameters on coronal radiographs: the hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), the mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), and the mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA). RESULTS The two groups showed no significant differences for the rates of HKA restoration (P=0.3), adequate coronal positioning of the femoral component (P=0.12) and tibial component (P=0.12), or optimal success (P=0.09). Significant differences in favour of iASSIST™ were demonstrated for the values and angular deviations of the HKA (P=0.02) and mMPTA (P=0.01), whereas no significant difference was found for mLDFA. There were no significant differences regarding the mean operative time (P=0.06) or the occurrence of navigation-related adverse events (P=0.18). DISCUSSION The iASSIST™ system provides a neutral mechanical axis and optimal component position in the coronal plane in 95% of cases, indicating that it is as accurate as the optical navigation system Navitrack™. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III, prospective case-control study.

Mobile-bearing versus fixed-bearing total knee implants. Results of a series of 100 randomised cases after 9 years follow-up.

HYPOTHESIS Mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) implants were developed as an alternative to fixed-bearing implants because of their theoretical advantages related to wear and range of motion. For all that, none of the short-term and medium-term studies published so far have reported a significant clinical improvement related to these mobile bearings. The goal of this study was to compare the outcomes of fixed and mobile bearings in the same type of TKA model after a longer follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS This series initially comprised 100 patients with a mean age of 73 years who were operated by a single surgeon. The patients were randomised to receive either a fixed bearing TKA implant or a mobile one; their outcomes evaluated after a mean of 9 years (7.2-12.2) follow-up. Twenty-two patients died before the final review, 15 were lost to follow-up and 2 were excluded. This resulted in 30 patients with a mobile-bearing knee and 31 with a fixed-bearing knee being available for analysis. RESULTS There were no significant clinical differences between the groups receiving a fixed or mobile bearing in terms of the range of motion, subjective outcomes or validated outcomes measured, such as the self-reported Oxford or the IKS. Conversely, there was a significantly higher rate of osteolysis in the fixed-bearing group, but it was not clinically relevant. CONCLUSION This study, which has the longest published follow-up, confirms the results found in the seven randomised studies published up to now: there are no significant differences in the clinical outcomes between fixed-bearing and mobile-bearing inserts of the same TKA model. Although the mobile bearing knees had a better radiographic appearance, this did not translate to better clinical outcomes. In practice, the superiority of mobile bearings is solely theoretical. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II Prospective randomised study.

Pedicle island flaps of latissimus dorsi. Applications in surgical repair of ruptures of the rotator cuff.

Abstract There are considerable problems in repair of major ruptures of the rotator cuff tendons particularly those of the supra and infraspinatus mm. The Gerber technique only transfers the tendinous insertion of the latissimus dorsi onto the greater tuberosity in massive cuff ruptures. We have extended this approach. In 12 shoulders, we studied the feasibility of a latissimus dorsi transfer harvested to fit and bearing muscle and tendon detached at its two extremities and transposed as a neurovascular island. The muscular part is transferred to the infra or supraspinous fossae and the tendon to the greater tuberosity with the aim of reactivating the infra and supraspinatus muscles. The lateral bundle of the latissimus dorsi is always transferable on its neurovascular pedicle into the infraspinous fossa, even into the supraspinous fossa, or into both if transfer is used as a bilobed flap. This anatomical work allowed a parallel study of the different possibilities of transposing the neurovascular pedicle, which might limit the technique, and also to determine the most appropriate surgical approach.

Midterm Survivorship of the Lefèvre Constrained Liner: A Consecutive Multisurgeon Series of 166 Cases

BACKGROUND Constrained liners are used as part of a salvage procedure to provide stability for patients at high risk for dislocation after a total hip arthroplasty. However, no recent studies exist highlighting their effectiveness and/or limitations. METHOD This prospective review included 166 consecutive hip arthroplasties, either primary (27%) or revision (73%), with a unique design of a constrained liner: Lefèvre retentive cup. There were 113 females (69%), and the average age at index surgery was 75.9 years (range, 35-94). The mean follow-up was 6.2 years (range, 0.3-11). RESULTS Twenty patients had a reoperation; 10 for infection (4 acute and 6 chronic joint infection) and 10 for cup failure (5 fixation failure, 3 aseptic loosening, and 2 dislocation). Ten-year survivals for cup revision were 89% (CI, 83-94) and 92% (CI, 89-97) for all revision and revision for noninfectious reasons, respectively. When solely evaluating for dislocation, the survival at 10 years was 99% (CI, 97-100). Considering primary and revision cases, 10-year survivals cup revision for aseptic reasons were 92.4% (CI, 84-100) and 92.5% (CI, 87-98), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The Lefèvre retentive cup demonstrated excellent 10-years survivorship. With the rate of aseptic loosening around 2% and a dislocation rate around 1%, the cup is as effective as other available devices and is therefore a cost-effective tool to reduce the risk of dislocation in at-risk patients undergoing hip arthroplasty.