J Murray

Does Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Lead to Degenerative Disease? Thirteen-Year Results After Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Autograft

Background: Reporting of long-term outcome of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with the patellar tendon (bone–patellar tendon–bone [BTB]) autograft is limited. There are concerns that degenerative joint disease is common in the long term, which may be associated with the procedure itself. Hypotheses: (1) ACL reconstruction with BTB provides good long-term outcome. (2) There are additional factors to surgical reconstruction that can be associated with the development of degenerative disease. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Of 161 patients, 114 were eligible. Patient-centered outcome was by Lysholm and subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score; objective outcome measures were clinical examination and IKDC radiological grade. Results: Mean average follow-up was 13 years. The IKDC radiological grades in the worst compartment were A = 15%, B = 51%, C = 19%, and D = 14% (n = 83). There was a significant difference between the injured versus contralateral uninjured knee (n = 42, P = .003). In a subgroup with no meniscal or chondral injury the IKDC grades were A = 38%, B = 55%, C = 7%, and D = 0% (n = 29). The mean subjective scores were 89 ± 11 (Lysholm) and 83 ± 15 (IKDC) (n = 114). Poor IKDC subjective outcome was associated with chondral injury (P = .001), previous surgery (P = .022), return to sport (P = .013), and poor radiological grade in the ipsilateral medial compartment (P = .004). A poor IKDC radiological grade was associated with chondral injury (P = .002), meniscal injury (P = .010) and meniscectomy (P = .012), an IKDC subjective score of <85 (P = .01), and poor radiological grade in the contralateral medial compartment (P = .041). Conclusion: At 13 years, BTB ACL reconstruction provides a good outcome. Chondral and meniscal damage at surgery were associated with a poor radiological outcome, indicating that injuries sustained during ACL rupture may be the main predictors of degenerative bone disease.

Do long leg supine CT scanograms correlate with weight-bearing full-length radiographs to measure lower limb coronal alignment?

INTRODUCTION The gold standard for measuring knee alignment is the lower limb mechanical axis (MA) using weight-bearing lower limb full-length x-ray (FLX). However, CT scanograms (CTS) are becoming increasingly popular in view of lower radiation exposure, speed of data acquisition and supine positioning. We compared the correlation and degree of agreement of knee joint coronal alignment using these two imaging modalities. METHOD From our series of complex primary and revision knee arthroplasty patients, we selected those with both FLX and CTS recorded onto digital PACS. The coronal alignments were assessed in 24 knees and the valgus/varus angles relative to the MA were measured. Results were analysed statistically using the paired samples t-test, Pearsons correlation coefficient, intra-class correlation coefficient, Cohens kappa and Passing and Bablok regression to assess potential equality of methods. RESULTS The mean MA was 180.5° (165°-200°) for the CTS and 181° (164°-202°) for the FLX. The CTS MA angle data between the assessors were highly correlated (r=0.971, p <0.001) as were FLX MA angle measurements (r=0.988, p <0.001). 41.7% of the CTS and 37.5% of the FLX were in varus alignment, while 50% of the CTS and 43.8% of the FLX were in valgus alignment. Malalignment >5° was revealed by 18.8% of the CTS and 35.4% of the FLX. CONCLUSION Overall, good agreement was observed in MA angle data between the two imaging modalities, but reproducibility may be problematic. In the malaligned limb, weight-bearing FLX still remains a vital imaging modality. CTS should be used with caution in view of the under-detection of malalignment.

Fixed bearing lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty—Short to midterm survivorship and knee scores for 101 prostheses

BACKGROUND Isolated unicompartmental knee arthritis is less common laterally than medially. Lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) constitutes only 1% of all knee arthroplasty performed. Use of medial UKA is supported by several published series showing good long-term survivorship and patient satisfaction, in large patient cohorts. Results of lateral UKA however have been mixed. We present the short and mid-term survivorship and 5-year clinical outcome of 101 lateral UKAs using a single prosthesis. METHODS Over a 9 year period, 100 patients who satisfied inclusion criteria underwent a lateral fixed-bearing unicompartmental arthroplasty. American Knee Society (AKSS), Oxford Knee (OKS) and modified Western Ontario McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were completed preoperatively and at 1, 2 and 5 years postoperatively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to determine the 2-year and 5-year survivorship, using revision for any cause as end point. RESULTS Survivorship was 98.7% and 95.5% at 2 and 5 years respectively. 1 knee was revised for subsidence of the tibial component and 1 knee for progression of medial compartment osteoarthritis. Of a possible 35 knees in situ at 5 year follow-up, 33 knees were fully scored. Median AKSS, OKS and modified WOMAC scores were 182, 41, and 16 respectively. CONCLUSIONS The mid-term survivorship and outcome scores at 5-years suggest that lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty provides a valuable alternative to total joint replacement in selected patients with isolated lateral tibio-femoral arthritis at mid-term follow-up. Level II evidence.

Primary tuberculosis of the thyroid gland: an unexpected cause of thyrotoxicosis.

We describe a 38-year-old Indian man who presented with a 2-week history of fever, night sweats and neck swelling who was found to be clinically thyrotoxic with a nodular goitre, tachycardia and high fever. Biochemical investigation revealed hyperthyroidism in association with deranged liver function tests and raised inflammatory markers. Ultrasound and CT scans of the neck revealed multinodular thyroid enlargement. He was considered most likely to have an acute infectious thyroiditis with a differential diagnosis of a toxic multinodular goitre and was started on carbimazole and antibiotics. He underwent fine needle aspiration of the thyroid which revealed necrotic cells and acid-fast bacilli, confirming a diagnosis of primary tuberculosis (TB) of the thyroid gland with no evidence of any other organ involvement on systemic imaging. He was started on TB therapy for 6 months and discharged with outpatient follow-up. Symptoms and biochemical markers subsequently resolved.

Patient Reported Kneeling Ability in Fixed and Mobile Bearing Knee Arthroplasty

Kneeling is an important function of the knee joint required for many daily activities. Bearing type is thought to influence functional outcome following UKA and TKA. Self-reported kneeling ability was recorded in 471 UKA and 206 TKA patients with fixed or mobile bearing implants. Kneeling ability was recorded from the Oxford Knee Score question 7. The self-reported ability to kneel was similar in patients with fixed and mobile bearing UKA implants following surgery. In TKA, greater proportions of patients were able to kneel in the fixed compared to the mobile bearing groups up to two years after surgery indicating that self-reported kneeling ability is enhanced in fixed compared to mobile bearing TKA.

The Journey patellofemoral joint arthroplasty: A minimum 5 year follow-up study

BACKGROUND The Journey patellofemoral joint arthroplasty (PFA) was designed to improve patient outcomes following surgical management of patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis. It is based on the asymmetric trochlear geometry of the Genesis II total knee arthroplasty, with Oxinium components, to provide a reliable treatment option in an often young, high demand group of patients. METHODS We report the minimum five year functional outcome and survivorship of the Journey PFA performed at our institution between October 2005 and September 2009. RESULTS A total of 101 Journey PFAs were implanted in 83 patients, and we have complete outcomes for 90 implants (89%). There were 80 implants in female patients, and the mean age at time of surgery was 60years (26 to 86). The median Oxford Knee Score (0 to 48) improved from 18 to 30, and median Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Short Form Index (0 to 60) improved from 22 to 35. There were a total of 12 revisions, with mean time to revision 50months (10 to 99). CONCLUSIONS The Journey PFA gives a good medium-term functional outcome with 88% survivorship at a mean of seven years. This is the largest study of Journey PFA in the literature, and it provides a reliable option for patients with isolated patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis when arthroplasty is considered.

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for total knee replacement; medium term results with minimum five year follow-up

BACKGROUND MIS TKA has been shown to offer a reduced in-patient stay, but no clinical difference at two years. Whilst there may be a benefit from earlier discharge, we need to ensure that there are no detrimental effects in the medium and long-term following MIS-TKA. To report the mid-term result from a prospective randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing MIS-TKA with standard approach for TKA. METHODS Using knee score questionnaires, we collected patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) regarding pain and function. Sixty-six patients (from an eligible cohort of 83 patients) completed the mid-term postal follow-up. RESULTS There was no significant difference between groups for change in score from pre-operative to final follow-up in all three PROMs. Mean MIS and standard group improvement was: AKSS 53 and 51 (p=0.7644), OKS 15 and 16 (p=0.2341) or WOMAC 15 and 15 (p=0.9900) respectively. Both groups showed improvement in pain and function with no significant difference between groups. There was no difference between groups for revision due to malalignment at a mean six year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS In addition to the early benefits regarding hospital stay and complications, we have found that at a mean of six years there was no increase in malalignment, pain or function with MIS techniques.

Mature teratoma of the thymus

A 55-year-old man presented with a 7-month history of an intermittent dry cough after returning from Turkey. A chest radiograph revealed a large mass-like opacity in the right lung field and CT demonstrated a 13 cm round, cystic lesion in the anterior mediastinum. The patient was referred to the cardiothoracic surgical team for rigid bronchoscopy, thoracotomy and resection. Surgery was uncomplicated with a rapid uneventful recovery. Histology concluded a diagnosis of a mature teratoma of the thymus.

Large tibial geode, which developed several years after a left medial Oxford unicondylar knee arthroplasty, treated with curettage and bone grafting

BACKGROUND Tibial geodes are rare, and usually reported in association with rheumatoid arthritis. This case study reported the rare occurrence of a tibial geode in association with a left unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA). The patient, a 55-year-old male, was initially pleased with his UKA, which was performed at another institution. However, just over one year after the operation he began experiencing pain and discomfort. He did not present to the current institution until he was six years after UKA. This pain was movement and weight bearing related, although he still managed to maintain an active lifestyle working as a builder. After several years of follow-up, a computed tomography (CT) scan showed a significant increase in size of the geode. METHODS The patient initially did not want to undergo further surgery, as he was self-employed, but it was decided, in conjunction with the patient, that it was time to operate because the stability of the prothesis was in question. Transcortical and retrograde curettage of the geode was performed and one and a half femoral head allografts were used to fill the geode. RESULTS Follow-up since the operation showed good infilling of the geode and bone remodelling, with resolution of symptoms at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS This case report was the first to report a symptomatic tibial geode in close association with UKA, which did not lead to revision surgery to total knee arthroplasty (TKA), but instead was successfully treated with currettage and bone grafting.

Medial subvastus versus the medial parapatellar approach for total knee replacement

Twenty randomized controlled trials comprising 1893 primary total knee replacements were included in this review. The subvastus approach conferred superior results for mean difference (MD) in time to regain an active straight leg raise (1.7 days, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0 to 2.3), visual analogue score for pain on day one (0.8 points on a scale out of 10, 95% CI 0.2 to 1.4) and total range of knee movement at one week (7°, 95% CI 3.2 to 10.7). The subvastus approach also resulted in fewer lateral releases (odds ratio 0.4, 95% CI 0.2 to 0.7) and less peri-operative blood loss (MD 57 mL, 95% CI 10.5 to 106.4) but prolonged surgical times (MD 9.7 min, 95% CI 3.9 to 15.6). There was no difference in Knee Society Score at six weeks or one year, or the rate of adverse events including superficial or deep infection, deep vein thrombosis or knee stiffness requiring manipulation under anaesthesia. This review demonstrates evidence of early post-operative benefits following the subvastus approach with equivalence between approaches thereafter. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3:78-84. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.170030.