Meric Cirpar

Simultaneous bucket handle tear of both medial and lateral menisci of a knee with chronic anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.

Bucket handle meniscus tears constitute about 10% of all meniscal tears. Bucket handle tears of medial meniscus is three times more than lateral meniscus. Most of these tears are associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency. Lateral meniscus lesions are more common with acute ACL deficiency, where medial meniscus lesions are more associated with chronic ACL deficiency. We identified bucket handle tears of each meniscus of a 30-year-old male patient while performing diagnostic arthroscopy during ACL reconstruction procedure. We present an ACL deficient knee with bucket handle tears of medial and lateral meniscus of the same knee and discuss the treatment.

Rotational deformity affects radiographic measurements in distal radius malunion

Malunited distal radius fractures are 3D deformities. The preoperative evaluation of the deformity and surgical planning are usually depended on plain radiographic measurements for corrective osteotomies. In most of the cases, the rotational deformity is disregarded in preoperative planning. We aimed to clarify the effect of rotational deformity on radial inclination and dorsal or volar tilt measurements, which are commonly used as radiologic parameters. This study was performed on standard left radius saw bone models. The malunion models were prepared according to AO distal radius fracture classification system in four main and seventeen subgroups. The differences between the mean radial inclination, volar or dorsal tilt measurements performed on plain radiographies and gold standard values were statistically analyzed. Results showed that rotational deformity causes faulty measurements of radial inclination and dorsal tilt on plain radiographies which may be a contributing factor for unsatisfactory clinical results of corrective osteotomy. We suggest 3D preoperative evaluation of the deformity if possible.

Computerized tomography scout view for determining distal femoral resection angle in intramedullary instrumentation of total knee arthroplasty

This study aims to investigate the results of distal femoral resection by determining the difference between mechanical and anatomical axes of femur using computerized tomography (CT) scout views in pre-operative planning of total knee arthroplasty. CT scout view of the lower extremities was taken before and after the operation in 16 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Distal femoral resection was performed according to the previously determined ideal resection angle (IRA) using intramedullary instrumentation. At post-operative scanogram, femoral component deviation (FCD) was measured. The results were statistically analyzed. The average IRA was 6.95 (5–9) degrees. At post-operative measurements, the average FCD was 0.63 (0–3) degrees. CT scout films improve the accuracy in distal femoral resection and femoral component alignment.

Over-the-top knot placement technique enhances tensile stability of tendon repairs.

Background: Currently a major concern for the surgical treatment of Achilles tendon rupture repairs is the creation of stable enough fixation to allow early range of motion. It was documented that the weakest point in a suture loop is the knot. Thus, we hypothesized that moving the knot away from the repair junction (over-the-top Krackow technique) would increase the strength of the repair. Materials and Methods: Transected bovine tendons were repaired by the traditional Krackow and over-the-top Krackow techniques using four suture materials (Fiberwire Nos. 5 and 2, Ethibond Nos. 5 and 2). Tendons were cyclically tested at incremental loads beginning from 50 N until 5-mm gap formation. Then all tendons were loaded to failure. The number of cycles to 5-mm gapping, ultimate failure loads and knot slip were compared using t-test and Mann-Whitney tests (with Tukey corrections for multiple comparisons). Results: Mean number of cycles to 5-mm gapping did not reveal significant differences (p = 0.113) between repair groups. Mean failure load of tendons repaired by over-the-top Krackow technique were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) for all four paired groups than tendons repaired by traditional Krackow technique. Ethibond No. 5, No. 2, and Fiberwire No. 2 suture repairs with over-the-top configuration did not reveal any knot slip. Conclusion: Over-the-top Krackow technique increases the ultimate failure load of repaired tendons. But 5-mm gapping resistivity was not enhanced either by the technique or the suture material. Clinical Relevance: The knot itself is a stress-riser in the suture loop so we suggest that freeing it from tension by our modificiation may achieve more durable repairs.

Effect of Partial, Distal Epicondylectomy on Reduction of Ulnar Nerve Strain: A Cadaver Study

PURPOSE To compare the decrease in ulnar nerve strains using a modification of medial epicondylectomy by removing the distal half of the medial epicondyle with in situ decompression and partial medial epicondylectomy. METHODS Using 20 elbows of 10 fresh human cadavers, we measured the strain on the ulnar nerve using a microstrain gauge before and after in situ decompression. Then, we repeated the measurements after partial medial epicondylectomy on left elbows, and after distal medial epicondylectomy on right elbows. We compared the mean strain values with 2-way analysis of variance. RESULTS The decrease in mean ulnar nerve strain with in situ decompression from 5.4% to 5.2% on the right side and 5.4% to 5.0% on the left was not statistically significant. The decrease to 2.9% on the left elbows after partial and to 1.9% on the right elbows after distal medial epicondylectomy was statistically significant. In addition, the remaining ulnar nerve strain after distal medial epicondylectomy was significantly less compared with that after partial medial epicondylectomy. We observed nerve subluxation only with partial medial epicondylectomy. CONCLUSIONS In situ decompression alone does not change ulnar nerve strains. The significant change in ulnar nerve strain with partial or distal medial epicondylectomy underlines the role of medial epicondyle on stretching of the ulnar nerve. Excision of the distal half of the medial epicondyle sets the contact point of the nerve with the bone proximally and decreases the strain on ulnar nerve more effectively than partial epicondylectomy. However, its efficacy and complications need to be studied clinically. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The results of the present cadaveric study suggest that excision of the distal half of the medial epicondyle in cubital tunnel syndrome may decrease ulnar nerve strain effectively. The clinical effect of decrease in nerve strain and the indications for the procedure need to be investigated.

Congenital extensor tendon dislocation causing pseudotriggering of the little finger

The main complaints in extensor tendon dislocations are pain, swelling, sense of discomfort, snapping and difficulty in writing and forceful flexion. However, congenital extensor tendon subluxations may present with triggering of the fingers due to tendon dislocations. Unnecessary A1 pulley release may be performed for pseudotriggerring with unsuccessful results. Here, we report an unusual case of congenital extensor tendon subluxation of multiple digits with triggering of the left little finger and aim to attract notice to pseudotriggering of the digits due to tendon dislocations. An extensor hood reconstruction performed by an extensor digitorum communis tendon slip which is passed beneath the deep intermetacarpal ligament is a successful choice of treatment for these patients.

PYCNODYSOSTOSIS: SURGICAL CHALLENGES OF INTRAMEDULLARY NAILING FOR LONG BONE FRACTURES: A CASE REPORT

Pycnodysostosis, known as osteopetrosis acro-osteolytica, is a rare sclerotic bone disease with an autosomal recessive heritage pattern. Characteristic features of the disease are short stature, delayed closure of cranial sutures, partial or total dysplasia of the phalanges, obtuse mandibular angle, skeletal abnormalities and increased bone density. Type I collagen catabolism and bone resorption are defective in these patient due to lysosomal cysteine protease and cathepsin K enzyme defects resulting in dense and more brittle bones. Herein, we report a 45-year-old pycnodysostozis patient with a subtrochanteric transverse fracture of the left femur. We aim to reveal the difficulties encountered during intramedullary nailing of long bone fractures of patients with pycnodysostosis.

Migration of broken K-wires into the achilles tendon from a ostheosynthesed medial malleolar fracture

Kirschner (K-) wires are often used for osteosynthesis of many types of fractures. Dislocation and migration through the tissues, especially when used for shoulder girdle fractures, have been reported previously. K-wire migration after surgery of pelvis and knee was reported before. To the authors’ knowledge, broken and migrated K-wires after ankle fractures were not reported before. Here, we report a case with broken and migrated K-wires after open reduction and internal fixation of a medial malleolar fracture.