Jong Hun Baek

Distal femoral cortical hypertrophy after hip arthroplasty using a cementless doubletapered femoral stem

Purpose To review 437 hips in 404 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) or hemiarthroplasty using the Accolade TMZF stem to determine the incidence and risk factors of distal femoral cortical hypertrophy (DFCH). Methods Records of 437 hips in 169 men and 235 women aged 26 to 100 (mean, 65.7) years who underwent THA (n=293) or hemiarthroplasty (n=144) using the Accolade TMZF femoral stem by 2 senior surgeons and were followed up for a mean of 54.7 months were reviewed. Clinical outcome was assessed using the modified Harris Hip Score and visual analogue score for pain. Proximal femoral geometry and canal flare index were assessed on preoperative radiographs, and DFCH, stem position, subsidence, loosening, and stress shielding were assessed on postoperative radiographs according to the Gruen zone. Results Of 437 hips, 27 (6.2%) developed DFCH and 410 did not. Hips with DFCH had a higher incidence of thigh pain (18.5% vs. 2.2%, p<0.001) and earlier onset of thigh pain (12.3 vs. 20.8 months, p=0.015), compared with those without. Nonetheless, all femoral stems were well-fixed, and no osteolysis or loosening was detected. The 2 groups achieved comparable clinical outcome in terms of Harris Hip Score and pain. The mean canal flare index was higher in hips with than without DFCH (3.706 vs. 3.294, p=0.002). The mean vertical subsidence of the femoral stem was lower in hips with than without DFCH (1.5 vs. 3.4 mm p<0.001). Subsidence negatively correlated with the canal flare index (correlation coefficient= −0.110, p=0.022). The incidence of the DFCH increased with each unit of increment in canal flare index (odds ratio [OR]=1.828, p=0.043) and each year younger in age (OR=0.968, p=0.015). Conclusion The incidence of DFCH in hips with the Accolade TMZF stem was 6.2%. Patients with a higher canal flare index and younger age had a higher incidence of DFCH. Nonetheless, DFCH did not affect clinical outcome or femoral stem stability.

Onlay vascularized fibular grafting as a salvage procedure for the management of nonunion after reconstruction of the femur following tumor resection

Purpose: The femur is prone to nonunion after biologic reconstruction following tumor resection, due to high bending forces. Nonunion at the host–graft junction is difficult to treat since the graft is in an avascular state. We aimed to investigate the clinical and radiographic results of an onlay free vascularized fibular grafting (VFG) as a salvage procedure for nonunion management after biologic reconstruction of the femur following bone tumor resection. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 10 patients (8 men and 2 women, median age: 15.5 years, range: 10–47) who underwent an onlay VFG for nonunion after intercalary reconstruction of the femur using an allograft (n = 7) or pasteurized autograft (n = 3), following tumor resection. The median follow-up period after VFG was 85.7 (24.6–163.5) months. Results: The median time to union between the host bone and the VFG osteotomy sites was 3.5 (2.8–4.5) months. The median time to union at the host–graft junctions was 10.6 (6.6–12.7) months. Two postoperative complications requiring revision surgery occurred in two patients: one graft fracture and one deep infection with synchronous graft fracture. Internal fixation was required in the patient with graft fracture. The patient with the infection and synchronous graft fracture was treated using debridement, antibiotics, and an external fixator. The median Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional score was 88% (60–97%) at the final follow-up. Conclusion: Onlay VFG as a salvage procedure for nonunion of a biologic intercalary reconstruction of the femur after tumor resection is a useful treatment option.

Factors affecting surgical outcomes of digital glomus tumour: a multicentre study

This was a retrospective, multicentre study using data from four medical institutions of 72 patients of histologically confirmed digital glomus tumour removed by surgical excision. Mean follow-up period was 5.4 years. We investigated clinical outcomes and analysed the relationship between primary glomus tumour size, radiographic bony erosion, anatomic location, surgical approach, and surgical method as risk factors for recurrence. Complications and recurrence rate according to surgical approach and surgical method were compared. At final follow-up, recurrence was observed in five (6.9%) patients. Postoperative complications were observed in nine (12.5%), with two patients having numbness of fingertips, and seven having nail deformities. In a group with pulp lesions for which a direct approach was used and in a surgical loupe group, recurrence rates were high, however, this was not statistically significant. A nail-sparing approach and microscopic excision did not lower the incidence of nail deformities. No risk factors that significantly predicted recurrence were found. Level of evidence: IV

Factors Causing Prolonged Postoperative Symptoms Despite Absence of Complications After A1 Pulley Release for Trigger Finger

PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the incidence and prognostic factors for prolonged postoperative symptoms after open A1 pulley release in patients with trigger finger, despite absence of any complications. METHODS We reviewed 109 patients (78 single-finger involvement, 31 multiple-finger involvement) who underwent open A1 pulley release for trigger finger from 2010 to 2016, with 8 weeks or longer postsurgical follow-up and without postoperative complications. The group had 16 men and 93 women, with mean age of 56 years (range, 21-81 years), and average follow-up period of 24.8 weeks (range, 8.0-127.4 weeks). Prolonged postoperative symptoms were defined as symptoms persisting for longer than 8 weeks after surgery. Factors analyzed for delay in recovery included duration of preoperative symptoms; number of preoperative local corticosteroid injections; preoperative flexion contracture of proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint; multiplicity of trigger finger lesions; occupation; presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, other hand disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome, de Quervain disease, or Dupuytren contracture; and fraying or partial tear of the flexor tendon. RESULTS Twenty-six fingers (19.3%) showed prolonged postoperative symptoms, with mean time until complete relief being 14.0 ± 6.4 weeks (range, 9-34 weeks). Risk factors associated with prolonged postoperative symptoms included duration of preoperative symptoms, preoperative flexion contracture of the PIP joint, and fraying or partial tear of the flexor tendon. CONCLUSIONS Physicians should consider the duration of preoperative symptoms and preoperative flexion contracture of the PIP joint when deciding timing of surgery for trigger finger patients. In addition, they should explain to patients with a positive history of these factors and in whom flexor tendon injury is found during surgery about the possibility of prolonged postoperative symptoms. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic IV.

Z-plasty of the flexor hallucis longus tendon at tarsal tunnel for checkrein deformity

Purposes To review the outcome of Z-plasty of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon at the tarsal tunnel for checkrein deformity in 8 patients. Methods Records of 6 males and 2 females aged 14 to 67 (mean, 39.5) years who underwent Z-plasty (lengthening) of the FHL tendon at the tarsal tunnel for checkrein deformity in the first and second toes by a single surgeon were reviewed. All patients had undergone 3 months of conservative treatment. The mean time from injury to surgical treatment was 8.4 (range, 5–12) months. All patients had associated injuries including distal tibiofibular fracture (n=6), distal fibular fracture (n=1), and crush injury around the ankle (n=1); they were treated with intramedullary nailing (n=6), long leg splinting (n=1), and short leg splinting (n=1). Results After a mean follow-up of 3.4 (range, 1–7) years, the FHL tendon was lengthened by a mean of 1.7 (range, 1.6–1.8) cm, and the mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society hallux score increased from 59 (range, 52–67) to 89 (range, 80–90). No patient had recurrence, nerve injury, or tarsal tunnel syndrome, although one patient had sensory disturbance of the posterior tibial nerve in the forefoot, which resolved spontaneously at week 2. Conclusion Z-plasty of the FHL tendon at the tarsal tunnel is a viable option for correction of checkrein deformity.