Harry E. Figgie

The influence of tibial-patellofemoral location on function of the knee in patients with the posterior stabilized condylar knee prosthesis.

Function of the knee and patellofemoral symptoms were correlated with the position of the implant in 101 consecutive patients with 116 posterior stabilized condylar knee prostheses. All of the patients were followed for a minimum of two and a half years with sequential physical examinations, radiographs, and functional evaluation of the knee. In sixteen knees (14 per cent), clicking or catching of the patella in terminal extension or painless crepitation throughout the arc of flexion developed without lowering the functional knee-evaluation score. Pain or mechanical problems, or both, that lowered the functional knee-evaluation score occurred in another fourteen knees (12 per cent), within the first postoperative year. Of these fourteen, eight required revision solely for patellofemoral complaints. Critical analysis of the tibial-patellofemoral mechanical axis identified three surgical variables that were found to markedly affect the functional result of the prosthesis: the distance from the center line of the tibial prosthesis to the center line of the tibial plateau, a change in the position of the joint line of the prosthesis relative to the hip and ankle, and the patellar height, measured as the perpendicular distance from the inferior pole of the patellar implant to the joint line of the prosthesis. Functional knee scores, range of motion, patellofemoral pain or mechanical symptoms, the need for revision, and the necessity of manipulation could all be statistically significantly correlated with the three independent variables. In addition, a range of neutral alignment was developed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effect of alignment of the implant on fractures of the patella after condylar total knee arthroplasty.

The results in thirty-six knees that had a fracture of the patella after a total condylar arthroplasty were reviewed, and were analyzed according to the type of fracture and the alignment of the implant and the limb. Most of the fractures occurred two years or less after the initial operation. Fourteen knees were rated fair or poor and twenty-two, good or excellent. None of the thirty-six implants had been aligned in the neutral range. In sixteen knees, the alignment had a minor variation from the neutral range--that is, the knees were in minor malalignment. In general, these knees had the least severe fractures and the best over-all results. All had a good or excellent result except one, which was revised because of a loose patellar component. That knee was rated as fair at the latest follow-up. There was a major discrepancy in the alignment of twenty implants. These knees had more severe fractures and less satisfactory results than those in the other group. In two of these knees, the fracture was treated non-operatively; one had a good and the other, a poor result. Twelve of the remaining knees, which were treated surgically, were rated as fair or worse. Two knees that had revision of three components and restoration of alignment to the neutral range had an excellent result. The results of this study indicate that the alignment and fit of a component are important in determining the severity of a fracture of the patella after condylar total knee replacement and the long-term results after treatment of the fracture.

The results of revision total knee arthroplasty

The results of 65 consecutive revision total knee arthroplasties performed for mechanical failure were reviewed. Fifty-nine of the knees were followed for an average of five years (range, 2-10 years). The types of implants used included: total condylar, posterior stabilized, total condylar III, and the kinematic rotating hinge prostheses. Only 46% of the knees were considered excellent or good; 42% either had poor results or failed. The infection rate was 4.5%. Poor results were generally caused by patellofemoral problems and kinematic abnormalities. Revision total knee arthroplasty is a technically demanding procedure that can improve function when anatomic relationships of the knee are restored.

Use of a total condylar knee prosthesis for treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Long-term results.

Between May 1975 and December 1979, 113 patients had 153 arthroplasties using a total condylar knee prosthesis. Thirty patients (forty-two knees) died, and one (two knees) was lost to follow-up. Thirty-eight of these forty-four knees had been followed for more than two years, and none had had a revision. The remaining eighty-two patients (109 knees) were followed for an average of nine years (range, seven to 11.5 years). At the time of the latest examination, ten had had a revision for various reasons. For the ninety-nine knees that had the original prosthesis, the findings were compared with those of an evaluation that had been done four years postoperatively. The average over-all knee score was found to have decreased between the four-year and the latest follow-up evaluation, primarily because of a 7-point decrease in the score for function. The rate of infection was 0.6 per cent. The knees that had had patellar resurfacing had better over-all scores and better scores for pain than those that had not. This was particularly true in the patients who had osteoarthritis. The results of arthroplasty using a total condylar prosthesis appeared to be consistent and durable. Although there was a decrease in the quality of the functional result with increasing age, the patients reported consistent relief of pain.

An analysis of factors affecting the long-term results of total shoulder arthroplasty in inflammatory arthritis

The authors studied 36 patients undergoing 50 total shoulder arthroplasties for inflammatory arthritis with an average follow-up period of 5 years (range, 2-9 years). There were 7 men and 29 women. Twenty-nine patients (38 shoulders) had rheumatoid arthritis, 6 patients (11 shoulders) had systemic lupus erythematosus, and 1 patient (1 shoulder) had psoriatic arthritis. Twenty-four of the procedures were performed on the dominant hand. Twenty-one patients (32 shoulders) were receiving steroids, chemotherapeutic agents, or Gold therapy at the time of arthroplasty. Using the Hospital for Special Surgery scoring system, 22 shoulders had excellent, 18 good, 1 fair, and 9 poor results. Forty-eight of 50 shoulders had satisfactory pain relief. The average shoulder score was 85 points (range, 50-100 points). There were no reoperations, infections, or persistent nerve palsies and no symptomatically loose prostheses, although there were three cases of glenoid component shift. Eighteen glenoid components and 4 humeral components had radiolucent lines and in two cases metaphyseal bone atrophy was noted about the proximal humerus with firm cement fixation and bone hypertrophy about the stem tip. Total shoulder arthroplasty provides a predictable reconstructive alternative for patients with inflammatory arthritis. Overall functional results are related to the biologic condition and motivation of the patient, the status of the rotator cuff, and prosthesis alignment.

Patellar fracture type and prognosis in condylar total knee arthroplasty.

Fractures of the patella occurred following implantation of 36 condylar total knee arthroplasties in 35 patients. The end results were evaluated in relation to fracture type after an average 4.5-year follow-up period. The follow-up observations included a physical examination, quantitative knee score, and roentgenographic evaluations of extremity alignment and implant position. Twenty-two of the 36 knees had a good or excellent knee score and 14 had a fair or worse score at the time of the latest follow-up evaluation. The satisfactory knees had an average arc of motion of 100 degrees, while the unsatisfactory knees had an average arc of motion of 80 degrees. Fourteen fractures through the mid-body or superior pole of the patella not involving the implant, cement, or quadriceps mechanism (Type I) and two nondisplaced fractures through the inferior pole of the patella (Type IIIB) were managed nonoperatively, with all knees rating either a good or excellent score. Fractures of the patella disrupting the quadriceps mechanism or implant/bone/cement composite (Type II) were managed operatively in the six knees. Fractures of the inferior pole of the patella with disruption of the patellar ligament (Type IIIA) were managed operatively in seven of eight knees (one patient refused surgery). Lateral fracture-dislocations were managed operatively in all six knees. Six of the knees operated upon had a good or better score, and nine knees were rated as poor or failed. Those fractures alignment and implant position were seen had the more severe patellar fractures and poorest outcomes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Total Ankle Arthroplasty in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Long-term Follow-up Study

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had undergone total ankle arthroplasty and had a minimum of 2 yr follow-up were studied. Of the original 21 patients 17 were available for review. Twenty-three ankle replacements with an average follow-up of 5.6 yr were studied. On follow-up 2 ankles were rated excellent, 13 were rated good, 4 were rated fair, and 4 were rated poor. Thus, 83% were satisfactory on follow-up. Radiographic analysis revealed migration and settling of the talar component in 14 of 15 cases. Bone cement radiolucencies were found in 14 of 15 cases. Bone cement radiolucencies were found in 14 of 15 tibial components with tilting in 12 of these components. The postoperative position of the implant did not correlate with the development of radiolucencies or migration of the implant.

Trispherical total wrist arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis

Thirty-four patients, with 35 trispherical total wrist arthroplasties for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, were evaluated at an average follow-up of 9 years (range, 5 to 11 years). The average preoperative score was 25 points inasmuch as all patients had severe pain and loss of function. The average postoperative score improved to 87 points since 30 wrists were free of pain. Twenty-eight wrists rated as a good-to-excellent result. The average arc of flexion and extension improved from 35 to 50 degrees. There were no deep infections or dislocations. Two wrists required revision, one for loosening and one for persistent pain, both requiring removal of the implant and arthrodesis. Postoperative tendon attrition occurred in six wrists, all of which had preoperative tendon ruptures necessitating tendon transfer. Radiographs showed radiolucencies in seven wrists, including seven around the metacarpal stem and one around the radial stem. The optimum results were achieved in those patients with intact extensor tendons before operation.

Results of total elbow arthroplasty as a salvage procedure for failed elbow reconstructive operations.

Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) was used as a salvage procedure following failed open reduction and internation fixation, failed triaxial arthroplasties, and septic and asceptic loosening of implant arthroplasty. A minimally constrained bicondylar implant with a block to disarticulation was substituted for the reconstruction of 20 revision TEAs. Custom-designed implant TEA was substituted in cases with substantial bony or soft tissue loss. Revision of the polyethelene-bearing component, coupled with the addition of a yolk-type locking mechanism, was implanted when only the bearing system of a well-fixed implant had failed. TEA can be performed successfully with satisfactory durability as a revision procedure. Revision of failed open reduction internal fixation or a failed bearing system was highly successful. Revision of previously infected elbows in a single-stage procedure was unsuccessful in two of three cases and has been abandoned in favor of a staged procedure. A revision of loose TEA was successful in only three of five cases. Further investigations are necessary to improve the function durability of TEA.

The effects of tibial-femoral angle on the failure mechanics of the canine anterior cruciate ligament

A series of canine femur-ACL-tibia complexes were subjected to tensile tests with axial tibial orientation and 0 degree, 45 degrees or 90 degrees femoral orientation with respect to load direction. A deflection rate of 51.0 cm min-1 was used in all tests. Marked differences occurred in ultimate loads, deflection and energy absorbed as a consequence of differences in femoral-tibial orientation. The mode of structural failure, as determined by post-test examination, also varied markedly as a function of femoral-tibial orientation. It is concluded that differences both in measured mechanical properties and observed failure details are a consequence of varying the loading pattern of the fiber bundles across the finite breadth of the ligament.