William G. Blakeney

Computer-assisted techniques versus conventional guides for component alignment in total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Optimal alignment of the prosthesis in total knee arthroplasty results in improved patient outcomes. The goal of this study was to determine the most accurate technique for component alignment in total knee arthroplasty by comparing computer-assisted surgery with two conventional techniques involving use of an intramedullary guide for the femur and either an intramedullary or an extramedullary guide for the tibia. METHODS One hundred and seven patients were randomized prior to surgery to one of three arms: computer-assisted surgery for both the femur and the tibia (the computer-assisted surgery group), intramedullary guides for both the femur and the tibia (the intramedullary guide group), and an intramedullary guide for the femur and an extramedullary guide for the tibia (the extramedullary guide group). Measurements of alignment on hip-to-ankle radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans made three months after surgery were evaluated. The operative times and complications were compared among the three groups. RESULTS The coronal tibiofemoral angle demonstrated, on average, less malalignment in the computer-assisted surgery group (1.91°) than in the extramedullary (3.22°) and intramedullary (2.59°) groups (p = 0.007). The coronal tibiofemoral angle was >3° of varus or valgus deviation in 19% (seven) of the thirty-six patients treated with computer-assisted surgery compared with 38% (thirteen) of the thirty-four in the extramedullary guide group and 36% (thirteen) of the thirty-six in the intramedullary guide group (p = 0.022). The increase in accuracy with computer-assisted surgery came at a cost of increased operative time. The operative time for the computer-assisted surgery group averaged 107 minutes compared with eighty-three and eighty minutes, respectively, for the surgery with the extramedullary and intramedullary guides (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in any of the outcomes between the intramedullary and extramedullary guide groups. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that the implant alignment with computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty, as measured with radiography and computed tomography, is significantly improved compared with that associated with conventional surgery with intramedullary or extramedullary guides. This finding adds to the body of evidence showing an improved radiographic outcome with computer-assisted surgery compared with that following conventional total knee arthroplasty.

Functional outcomes following total knee arthroplasty: A randomised trial comparing computer-assisted surgery with conventional techniques

BACKGROUND A number of trials have shown improved radiological alignment following total knee arthroplasty using computer-assisted surgery (CAS) compared with conventional surgery. Few studies, however, have looked at functional outcomes. METHODS We prospectively studied a cohort of 107 patients that underwent TKA by a single surgeon. Patients were randomised into 3 groups: computer-assisted surgery for both the femur and the tibia, intramedullary guides for both the femur and the tibia, and an intramedullary guide for the femur and an extramedullary guide for the tibia. Patients were followed-up post-operatively with the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) and Oxford Knee Score (OKS) questionnaires. RESULTS At a median follow-up of 46 months (range 30-69 months), there was a trend towards higher OKS results in the CAS group, with a mean score of 40.6 in the CAS group compared to 37.6 in the extramedullary group and 36.8 in the intramedullary group. The difference seen in the OKS between CAS and the conventional groups had a significant unadjusted p-value (0.024), and approached significance when adjusted for age and sex (0.054). There was a significant improvement in the OKS when the mechanical axis was within ±3° of neutral, versus those outside this range (median of 41.0 compared to 38.3, p=0.045). DISCUSSION This study shows that clinically significant differences are being seen in functional scores of patients treated with CAS versus conventional guides, at medium-term follow up. Our findings reinforce the tenet that a coronal mechanical axis of within 3° of neutral equates to significantly better functional outcomes.

A prospective evaluation of proximal hamstring tendon avulsions: improved functional outcomes following surgical repair

PurposeAvulsion of the proximal hamstring tendons is an uncommon injury. To date, few studies have prospectively evaluated outcomes of surgical repair. The aim of the present study is to review the functional outcomes of surgical repair of proximal hamstring tendon avulsions.MethodsThis is a prospective series of 96 consecutive proximal hamstring surgical repairs in 94 patients, with a median age of 50 years and median follow-up of 33 months (range 12–58). Functional outcomes were assessed using the Perth Hamstring Assessment Tool (PHAT)—a validated scoring system for proximal hamstring injuries.ResultsSignificant improvements in functional outcomes were seen across all patients at 1-year follow-up. There was a mean PHAT score improvement of 34.7 points at the 1-year follow-up (p < 0.001, 95% CI 29.9–39.5). The SF-12 PCS scores showed a significant improvement at 1-year follow-up of 13.8 points (p < 0.001, 95% CI 10.7–16.9). These were maintained at final follow-up. Acute repairs had significantly higher improvement in PHAT score with acute patients improving a mean of 38.6 points (p < 0.001, 95% CI 32.0–44.3) and chronic patients only improving by a mean of 25.3 points (p < 0.001, 95% CI 18.2–33.3) at final follow-up.ConclusionThis study establishes that surgical repair of proximal hamstring tendon ruptures leads to improved patient outcomes, in both acute and chronic repairs. Early surgical repair, however, achieves superior outcomes to late repair. These results suggest that surgeons should be operating on proximal hamstring avulsions, and preferably in the acute stage.Level of evidenceII.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Preserved vs Divided and Repaired Piriformis During Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study was to compare the muscle grade and bulk of the divided and repaired piriformis tendon by the standard posterior approach with the preserved tendon by a piriformis-sparing (PS) approach, in total hip arthroplasty. Twenty-two patients were randomized to either approach. Patients received preoperative and 3 months and 2 years postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans. Patients and evaluators were blinded to allocation. There was significantly less deterioration in piriformis muscle grade (P = .029) and bulk (P = .015) in the PS group at 3 months. At 2 years, only the difference in grade remained significant (P = .001). There was no difference in Oxford hip scores. In conclusion, a PS approach avoids the marked wasting and deterioration in muscle grade that occurs postoperatively in the standard posterior approach.

Cluster hole versus solid cup in total hip arthroplasty: A randomized control trial

Acetabular osteolysis has been linked to polyethylene debris that is generated in the hip migrating through screw holes in the acetabular component. Solid-backed acetabular components were designed to decrease this osteolysis. This prospective trial randomized 100 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty to either a solid-backed or a cluster-hole acetabular component-all without screws. At 5years post-surgery, 34.4% of all patients had osteolytic lesions that were visible on CT. There was no significant difference in either presence or volume of the osteolytic lesions, cup migration or functional outcomes (OHS) between the groups. There may no longer be a detriment to using cluster-hole cups instead of solid cups in all hips. This would then give the surgeon the option to use screws for stability as required.

Emergency department management of Colles‐type fractures: A prospective cohort study

Objective:  To assess radiographic outcomes from ED reduction of Colles‐type fractures.

Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction Protects the Repaired Medial Meniscus: A Comparative Study of 383 Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructions From the SANTI Study Group With a Minimum Follow-up of 2 Years:

Background: The prevalence of osteoarthritis after successful meniscal repair is significantly less than that after failed meniscal repair. Purpose: To determine whether the addition of anterolateral ligament reconstruction (ALLR) confers a protective effect on medial meniscal repair performed at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed to include all patients who had undergone primary ACLR with concomitant posterior horn medial meniscal repair through a posteromedial portal between January 2013 and August 2015. ACLR autograft choice was bone–patellar tendon–bone, hamstring tendons (or quadrupled hamstring tendons), or quadrupled semitendinosus tendon graft with or without ALLR. At the end of the study period, all patients were contacted to determine if they had undergone reoperation. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve was plotted, and a Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to perform multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 383 patients (mean ± SD age, 27.4 ± 9.2 years) were included with a mean follow-up of 37.4 months (range, 24-54.9 months): 194 patients underwent an isolated ACLR, and 189 underwent a combined ACLR + ALLR. At final follow-up, there was no significant difference between groups in postoperative side-to-side laxity (isolated ACLR group, 0.9 ± 0.9 mm [min to max, –1 to 3]; ACLR + ALLR group, 0.8 ± 1.0 mm [min to max, –2 to 3]; P = .2120) or Lysholm score (isolated ACLR group, 93.0 [95% CI, 91.3-94.7]; ACLR + ALLR group, 93.7 [95% CI, 92.3-95.1]; P = .556). Forty-three patients (11.2%) underwent reoperation for failure of the medial meniscal repair or a new tear. The survival rates of meniscal repair at 36 months were 91.2% (95% CI, 85.4%-94.8) in the ACLR + ALLR group and 83.8% (95% CI, 77.1%-88.7%; P = .033) in the ACLR group. The probability of failure of medial meniscal repair was >2 times lower in patients with ACLR + ALLR as compared with patients with isolated ACLR (hazard ratio, 0.443; 95% CI, 0.218-0.866). No other prognosticators of meniscal repair failure were identified. Conclusion: Combined ACLR and ALLR is associated with a significantly lower rate of failure of medial meniscal repairs when compared with those performed at the time of isolated ACLR.

A Novel Technique for Proximal Hamstring Tendon Repair: High Reoperation Rate in a Series of 56 Patients

This investigation looked at functional outcomes, following a novel technique of surgical repair using table staples. Patients underwent surgery for proximal hamstring rupture with table staples used to hold the tendon reapproximated to the ischial tuberosity. Functional outcomes following surgery were assessed. We also used a combined outcome assessment measure: the Perth Hamstring Assessment Tool (PHAT). A total of 56 patients with a mean age of 51 (range 15–71) underwent surgery. The mean follow-up duration was 26 months (range 8–59 months). A large proportion of patients (21/56, 37.5%) required reoperation for removal of the staple. Patients that did not require removal of the table staple did well postoperatively, with low pain scores (0.8–2 out of 10) and good levels of return to sport or running (75.8%). Those that required removal of the staple had a significantly lower PHAT score prior to removal, 47.8, but this improved markedly once the staple was removed, with a mean of 77.2 (). Although our patients achieved similar outcomes in terms of pain and function, we thought the reoperation rate was unacceptably high. We would not recommend proximal hamstring tendon repair using this technique.

Validation of a Composite Test for Assessment of Readiness for Return to Sports After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: The K-STARTS Test

Background: There is limited information on the appropriate timing of return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. A composite test was developed to assess the athlete’s ability to return to sports after ACL reconstruction: the Knee Santy Athletic Return To Sport (K-STARTS) test. Hypothesis: The K-STARTS test meets validation criteria for an outcome score assessing readiness for return to sports after ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Diagnostic study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: A prospective comparative study identified 410 participants: 371 participants who had undergone ACL reconstruction and a control group of 39 healthy participants. The K-STARTS score is calculated as the sum of 7 tests (8 components), for a maximal value of 21 points. Construct validity, internal consistency, discriminant validity, and sensitivity to change were used to validate this new test. Results: The K-STARTS assessment showed a high completion rate (100%), high reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.87; coefficient of variation, 7.8%), and high sensitivity to change. There was moderate correlation with the ACL Return to Sports after Injury scale (ACL-RSI) and hop tests. There were no ceiling or floor effects. There was a significant difference between K-STARTS scores assessed at 6 and 8 months postoperatively (11.2 ± 2.7 vs 17.1 ± 3.2; P < 0.001). The K-STARTS score in the control group was significantly higher than that in the ACL reconstruction group (17.3 ± 2.1 and 13.7 ± 3.8, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusion: The K-STARTS test is an objective outcome measure for functional improvement after ACL reconstruction. Clinical Relevance: It is important for the clinician to determine when return to sports is optimal after ACL reconstruction to reduce the current high risk of reinjury.

Kinematic alignment in total knee arthroplasty better reproduces normal gait than mechanical alignment

PurposeKinematic alignment technique for TKA aims to restore the individual knee anatomy and ligament tension, to restore native knee kinematics. The aim of this study was to compare parameters of kinematics during gait (knee flexion–extension, adduction–abduction, internal–external tibial rotation and walking speed) of TKA patients operated by either kinematic alignment or mechanical alignment technique with a group of healthy controls. The hypothesis was that the kinematic parameters of kinematically aligned TKAs would more closely resemble that of healthy controls than mechanically aligned TKAs.MethodsThis was a retrospective case–control study. Eighteen kinematically aligned TKAs were matched by gender, age, operating surgeon and prosthesis to 18 mechanically aligned TKAs. Post-operative 3D knee kinematics analysis, performed with an optoelectronic knee assessment device (KneeKG®), was compared between mechanical alignment TKA patients, kinematic alignment TKA patients and healthy controls. Radiographic measures and clinical scores were also compared between the two TKA groups.ResultsThe kinematic alignment group showed no significant knee kinematic differences compared to healthy knees in sagittal plane range of motion, maximum flexion, abduction–adduction curves or knee external tibial rotation. Conversely, the mechanical alignment group displayed several significant knee kinematic differences to the healthy group: less sagittal plane range of motion (49.1° vs. 54.0°, p = 0.020), decreased maximum flexion (52.3° vs. 57.5°, p = 0.002), increased adduction angle (2.0–7.5° vs. − 2.8–3.0°, p < 0.05), and increased external tibial rotation (by a mean of 2.3 ± 0.7°, p < 0.001). The post-operative KOOS score was significantly higher in the kinematic alignment group compared to the mechanical alignment group (74.2 vs. 60.7, p = 0.034).ConclusionsThe knee kinematics of patients with kinematically aligned TKAs more closely resembled that of normal healthy controls than that of patients with mechanically aligned TKAs. This may be the result of a better restoration of the individual’s knee anatomy and ligament tension. A return to normal gait parameters post-TKA will lead to improved clinical outcomes and greater patient satisfaction.Level of evidenceIII.