Distal Femur Fractures Treated with Distal Femoral Locking Plate Fixation:A Retrospective Study of One Year Mortality and Risk Factors

Purpose@#This study examined the one-year mortality after locking plate fixation for distal femur fractures and the risk factors related to death. @*Materials and Methods@#From July 2011 to June 2020, 128 patients who underwent locking plate fixation for distal femur fractures were analyzed retrospectively. Epidemiologic information of the patients, characteristics related to fracture and surgery, and death were investigated. The risk factors related to death were investigated using Cox analysis, and a subgroup analysis was also performed based on the age of 65 years. @*Results@#The one-year mortality rate after locking plate fixation for distal femur fractures was 3.9%, and the mortality rates in patients younger than 65 years and older than 65 years were 0% and 6.7%, respectively. There were no significant risk factors related to death in the total population. On the other hand, in patients aged 65 years or older, however, high-energy fracture and high comorbidity index increased the risk of death after surgery by 6.9-fold and 1.9-fold, respectively. @*Conclusion@#The one-year mortality rate for the total patients was 3.9%, but the mortality rate for patients over 65 years of age increased to 6.7%. High-energy fractures and high comorbidity index were risk factors related to death after surgery for distal femur fractures in patients aged 65 years or older.

Preoperative vitamin D level does not affect the short-term functional outcome after total knee arthroplasty in elderly women

Background@#We aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D levels on the functional outcome of elderly women who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA). @*Methods@#Seven hundred and four patients (1013 knees) who underwent primary TKA were included in our retrospective study. Preoperative vitamin D levels were measured and the relationship analyzed between these and age, weight, height, body mass index, and bone mineral density. Two hundred and twenty patients (220 knees) who received unilateral TKA and were followed up for more than 1 year after operation were divided into two groups: Group 1, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) level < 20 ng/ml; and Group 2, 25(OH)D3 level ≥ 20 ng/ ml. Both groups were evaluated for the relationship between vitamin D levels and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS), Knee Society Function Score (KSFS), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) score. @*Results@#The number of vitamin D-deficient patients (< 20 ng/ml of serum 25(OH)D3 level) was 556 (79.0%). In the correlation analysis, the vitamin D level was negatively correlated with weight only (p

Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Analysis of the Causes of Failure, Associated Injuries and Clinical Results / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the causes of failure after a primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), associated injuries, and the clinical results of revision ACLR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study evaluated 46 patients (46 knees), who were followed at least two years after revision ACLR. The evaluations included the causes of failure after primary ACLR, associated injuries, 2000 International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee scores, Lachman test, Pivot shift test, and KT-1000 arthrometer measurement. RESULTS: The most common cause of failure was trauma (27 patients, 58.7%) and 19 failures (19 patients, 41.3%) were caused using an inappropriate surgical technique. The associated injuries were meniscus tears in 29 cases (63.0%) and articular cartilage injuries of Outerbridge grade II to IV in 19 cases (41.3%). The IKDC scores, Lachman test, Pivot shift test, and KT-1000 arthrometer measurements were improved significantly at the final follow-up. CONCLUSION: The most common cause of failure after primary ACLR was trauma. One stage revision ACLR resulted in relatively satisfactory stability but less satisfactory clinical function than the primary reconstruction, as reported previously, which is believed to be due to the more associated injuries.

Bilateral Hypoplasia of the Medial and Lateral Menisci

Hypoplasia of the meniscus is a very rare congenital abnormality, with only a few cases reported to date. A 9-year-old girl visited our hospital due to lateral knee pain following a hyperextension injury to the left knee. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hypoplasia of the medial and lateral menisci, as well as a posterior horn tear of the lateral meniscus, in both knee joints. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with hypoplasia of the medial and lateral menisci in both knee joints.

Patterns and Influencing Factors of Medial Meniscus Tears in Varus Knee Osteoarthritis

PURPOSE: To investigate the patterns of medial meniscus (MM) tears in patients with varus knee osteoarthritis who underwent total knee arthroplasty and analyze the factors that could affect MM tears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients (365 knees, 268 patients) were classified into three groups; group I with MM posterior horn (PH) tear only; group II with MM root tear only; and group III with MMPH plus root tear. The following factors were evaluated: age, gender, body mass index, varus deviation of the mechanical axis, medial proximal tibial angle, posterior tibial slope (PTS), and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) integrity (normal, degeneration, and tear or absence). RESULTS: MM tears were identified in all knees. The patterns of the combined MMPH tears in group III were less complex than those in group I. Varus deviation and PTS were significantly greater in group III than groups I and II. In group III, there were significantly more cases of ACL tear or absence than groups I and II. The others showed no differences among three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Severe varus knee osteoarthritis was always accompanied by MM tears. Risk factors for MMPH plus root tears were severe varus deformity, great PTS, and ACL tear or absence.

Relationship between Mucoid Degeneration of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Posterior Tibial Slope in Patients with Total Knee Arthroplasty

PURPOSE: The purpose was to analyze the relationship between posterior tibial slope (PTS) and mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in patients with total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred and twenty-four patients (24 males and 400 females; 636 knees) who received total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis were included. Their mean age was 68.9 years (range, 48 to 88 years). The patients were classified into three groups according to the status of ACL; normal ACL group (group I), mucoid degeneration of ACL group (group II) and ruptured or absent ACL group (group III). Plain lateral radiographs were used to measure the PTS and the values were compared among groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences with regard to gender, age and left-to-right side ratio among groups (p>0.05). The mean PTS was 9.9degrees (range, 0.6degrees to 20.1degrees) in group I (161 knees), 10.8degrees (range, 0.2degrees to 21.8degrees) in group II (342 knees) and 12.3degrees (range, 2degrees to 22.2degrees) in group III (133 knees), which showed significant differences (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The patients with mucoid degeneration of the ACL and those with ruptured or absent ACL had greater PTS than those with normal ACL. These findings suggest that an increased PTS may be one of the causative factors for mucoid degeneration of the ACL.

Morphometric Differences of Distal Femoral Cut Surface between Korean Male and Female in Total Knee Arthroplasty / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the morphometric differences of distal femoral cut surface between Korean males and females in total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 696 patients (1,008 knees: male 92, female 916) who underwent TKA using NexGen® legacy posteriorstabilized (LPS) (605 knees: male 41, female 564) and PS ADVANCE® medical pivot knee (MPK) (403 knees: male 51, female 352) implants were analyzed prospectively. After distal femoral resection, the mediolateral width (ML) was measured at four points (anterior [Ant], distal anterior [DA], distal posterior [DP], and posterior [Post]) and compared with the ML width of the implant respectively. The aspect ratio (AR=ML/anteroposterior width) and width ratio (WR=Ant ML/DP ML) were calculated. Differences in AR, WR, and fitness between male and female were analyzed. RESULTS: The AR of males was larger than that of females for both LPS and MPK; however, no differences in the WR were observed between males and females. The WR in MPK was larger than that in LPS. For both LPS and MPK, females showed greater anatomical fitness than males, and males had relatively greater incidence of undersize than females. For MPK, there were relatively more cases of overhang in Ant and DA cut surface. These results were consistent with the fact that the WR of implant in MPK was larger than that in LPS. CONCLUSION: Korean males tend to have larger AR and less anatomical fitness of the femoral component than females because of undersize. No difference in WR was observed between Korean males and females. However, the cut surfaces as well as femoral implant of MPK had larger WR than those of LPS. MPK has more overhang on the anterior cut surface than LPS, due to a wider Ant flange (larger WR) of the implant.

Total Knee Arthroplasty Using a Posterior Cruciate Ligament Sacrificing Medial Pivot Knee: Minimum 5-year Follow-up Results

PURPOSE: To evaluate minimum 5-year follow-up clinical and radiological results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using a posterior cruciate ligament sacrificing (PS), non-substituting Advance Medial Pivot Knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty knees in 80 patients who could be followed up for more than 5 years after TKA using the PS Advance Medial Pivot Knee were evaluated retrospectively. The evaluations included the preoperative and postoperative range of motion (ROM), tibiofemoral angle, Knee Society (KS) knee and function scores, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) score. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. RESULTS: The ROM increased from a preoperative mean flexion contracture of 7.6degrees and further flexion of 115.1degrees to a postoperative mean flexion contracture of 1.5degrees and further flexion of 120.5degrees. The tibiofemoral angle was changed from 4.6degrees varus preoperatively to 5.8degrees valgus postoperatively. The KS knee and function scores as well as WOMAC score significantly improved after surgery (p<0.05). Complications developed in 4 cases (3.3%): 2 cases of periprosthetic patellar fracture (1.7%) and 2 cases of aseptic loosening (1.7%). The seven-year survival rate was 98.1% in the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The minimum 5-year follow-up results of TKA using the PS Medial Pivot Knee were satisfactory.

Relationship between the Synovialization and the Clinical Results after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Tibialis Tendon Allograft / 대한스포츠의학회지

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the second-look arthroscopic findings of synovialization and the clinical results after the arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with the fresh-frozen tibialis tendon allograft. Fifty-seven patients could be examined with the second-look arthroscopy after the ACL reconstruction with tibialis tendon allograft. The average duration from reconstruction to second-look arthroscopy was 18.4 months (range, 4-48 months). The patients were classified, according to the extent of synovialization, into 3 groups; 37 cases (64.9%) in group A (good), 15 cases (26.3%) in group B (partial), and 5 cases (8.8%) in group C (poor). The clinical results were compared in each group. The 2000 International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee score was 80 or more in 31 cases (83.8%) in group A, 9 (60%) in group B, and 1 (20%) in group C respectively. All thirty seven cases (100%) in group A had negative or 1+firm end-point Lachman test and negative pivot shift test, however, only 2 cases (40%) in group C. KT-1000 arthrometer measurement was less than 5 mm in 37 (100%) in group A, 14 (93.3%) in group B, and 2 (40%) in group C. According to the 2000 IKDC knee examination form, 37 (100%) in group A, 14 (93.3%) in group B, and 2 (40%) in group C respectively were normal or nearly normal. The synovialization of the graft had positive correlation with the clinical results after the ACL reconstruction with fresh-frozen allograft.

Mucoid Degeneration of Both ACL and PCL

Unlike meniscal tears and chondral defects, the mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a rare cause of knee pain and there have been no case reports of mucoid degeneration of both the ACL and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). A 48-year-old-male patient presented with knee pain and limitation of motion. The patient's magnetic resonance imaging, arthroscopic findings, and pathologic diagnosis confirmed a clinical diagnosis of mucoid degeneration of both the ACL and the PCL. The symptoms disappeared after arthroscopic partial excision of the ACL and PCL.

Can We Use the Posterior Condylar Off set as a Predictive Factor for Overhang of the Implant in Total Knee Arthroplasty?

PURPOSE: We tried to demonstrate whether the posterior condylar offset (PCO, the distance from the femoral diaphysis posterior cortex to the posterior condylar margin) and ratio (PCOR, dividing PCO by the maximum antero-posterior diameter of the distal femur) could be used as predictive factors for overhang of the implants or using gender implants in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and one women who underwent TKA using NexGen(R) (LPS) implants, were analyzed prospectively. After distal femoral resection, the mediolateral (ML) width was measured at four points (anterior, distal anterior, distal posterior and posterior) and compared with the ML width of the implant. The aspect ratio (AR, ML/AP ratio) and anterior/distal posterior ML width (Ant/DP) were calculated. Preoperative radiographic PCO and PCOR were measured. Differences of PCO, PCOR, AR and Ant/DP according to the size were analyzed and correlations between PCO, PCOR and AR were also analyzed. The patients were classified into two groups according to the presence of overhang, and differences of each parameter were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The size of the implant was positively correlated PCO, not significantly correlated with PCOR, and negatively correlated with AR and Ant/DP. PCO and PCOR and AR showed no correlation with each other. PCO and PCOR were not significantly different between the two groups. However, AR and Ant/DP were statistically low in the group with overhang. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative radiographic PCO or PCOR could not be used as a predictive factor for overhang of the implants or using gender implants in TKA.

A Comparison of the Short-term Results between the PCL Sacrificing Medial Pivot Knee and Nexgen(R) LPS Total Knee Arthroplasty

PURPOSE: We wanted to compare the clinical and radiological results after performing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with the PCL sacrificing (PS) Medial Pivot Knee (MPK) and the Nexgen(R) LPS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy knees in 48 patients after TKA with the PS ADVANCE(R) MPK (group I) and 67 knees in 45 patients with the Nexgen(R) LPS (group II) were retrospectively evaluated. All the patients were followed up for more than 2 years. The evaluations included the preoperative and postoperative range of motion (ROM), the Knee Society (KS) scores, the tibiofemoral angle and the postoperative complications. RESULTS: For group I, the ROM increased from a mean flexion contracture of 6.3degrees and further flexion of 116.4degrees to 1.9degrees and 120.5degrees, respectively, and for group II, from 12.6degrees and 117.6degrees to 0.9degrees and 123.0degrees, respectively. For group I, the KS knee and function scores increased from 46 and 37 to 87 and 83, respectively, and for group II, from 50 and 48 to 87 and 83, respectively. For group I, the tibiofemoral angle changed from varus 4.0degrees to valgus 5.5degrees, respectively, and for group II, from varus 4.1degrees to valgus 5.3degrees, respectively. The complications were 2 knees (2.8%) with periprosthetic patellar fractures and 1 knee (1.4%) with a tibial component failure in group I, and 1 knee (1.5%) with early femoral component failure and 1 knee with arthrofibrosis (1.5%) in group II. CONCLUSION: The minimum 2-year follow-up results of PS MPK TKA were comparable to those of Nexgen(R) LPS TKA. However, we think that the MPK system has the advantage of more bony preservation at the femoral intercondylar notch area.

Discal Cyst of Lumbar Spine: A Case Report

STUDY DESIGN: This is a case report. OBJECTIVE: We present here a patient who had a discal cyst of the lumbar spine along with neurological symptoms. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: Discal cysts are intraspinal cysts that communicate with an adjacent intervertebral disc, and these are rare lesions that can cause lumbar radiculopathy. Because they are very rare, their natural history and the details of the therapeutic guidelines for the treatment of these cysts are still unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patient complained of moderate lumbar pain and right lower extremity radiculopathy and he was administered conservative treatment for 5 months. But the radiculopathy became aggravated and he then underwent a hemilaminectomy, cyst decompression and discectomy. RESULTS: The radiculopathy disappeared and any signs of recurrence were not found on the follow up performed at 1 year. CONCLUSION: Discal cyst is rare, but it can be treated successfully.

Fracture of the Fifth Proximal Metatarsal Bone in Soccer Players / 대한스포츠의학회지

The purpose of this study was to evaluate correlation between lower limb varus and fracture of proximal 5th metatarsal bone occurred to soccer players and clinical results of treatment. Twenty soccer players (21 cases) were included and the average age of patients is 20.7 years. The average of follow up is 25 months. Fifteen cases were treated with intramedullary screw and 6 cases by conservative method. Union time, time of returning to exercise, lower extremity varus and complications were evaluated. In surgically treated group, the 14 cases gained radiological union in 7 weeks and the average time of returning to exercise was 3.4 months. In conservatively treated group, the 4 cases gained radiological union in 11 weeks and the average time of returning to exercise was 4.5 months. Radiological lower limb varus was observed in 17 cases. Lower limb varus may be one of predisposing factors to developing the fracture of proximal 5th metatarsal bone. And the surgical treatment was recommended than conservative treatment for better clinical outcomes.

Apoptosis in the Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head

BACKGROUND: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is classified into idiopathic and secondary forms. A number of etiological factors in the development of osteonecrosis have been suggested but the biological mechanisms are still unclear. Recently, some reports suggested that the apoptosis is closely related to osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Therefore, this study examined the expression of apoptosis in osteonecrosis of the femoral head. METHODS: Of the patients diagnosed preoperatively with osteonecrosis and underwent total hip replacement arthroplasty between August 2004 and July 2005, 58 patients (58 hips) were available for this study. Their diagnoses were confirmed by the postoperative pathology findings. Tissue samples of the femoral head sections were terminal deoxynucleotydyl transferase mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) stained using an in situ cell death detection POD kit. The number of total and TUNEL-positive osteocytes, and the average ratio of TUNEL-positive cells were calculated and analyzed according to the cause. RESULTS: Osteonecrosis was steroid-induced in 8 cases (13.8%), alcohol-induced in 29 cases (50%), post-traumatic in 6 cases (10.3%) and idiopathic in 15 cases (25.9%). The percentage of TUNEL-positive osteocytes was high in patients with steroid- and alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head but low in patients with post-traumatic and idiopathic osteonecrosis. The difference in the percentage of TUNEL-positive osteocytes between these groups was significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Apoptosis might play an important role in the pathogenesis of osteonecrosis of the femoral head induced by steroid and alcohol. These findings highlight a need for further research into the role of apoptosis in the development of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Clinical Value of "The Single Stitch Method" in Intraoperative Assessment of Patellar Tracking in Total Knee Arthroplasty / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: We evaluated the lateral release rate and the clinical results according to the intraoperative assessment of patellar tracking in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 365 primary total knee arthroplasties in 278 patients. The knees showing good patellar tracking without tourniquet deflation were classified into group 1, those showing improved patellar tracking after tourniquet deflation were classified into group 2, those showing improved patellar tracking after the single stitch method were classified into group 3 and those showing persistent patellar maltracking, that resulted in lateral retinacular release, were classified into group 4. The postoperative patellar tilting angle was measured and the clinical results were evaluated for all the groups. RESULTS: We classified 176, 127, 57 and 5 knees into groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Only 5 knees (1.4%) showed poor patellar tracking with the single stitch method after tourniquet deflation and this resulted in lateral retinacular release. The postoperative mean patellar tilting angle was 4.1degrees, 3.4degrees, 5.1degrees and 4.3degrees in each group, respectively, and no statistical differences were shown between the groups (p>0.05). Nine knees complained of anterior knee pain and there was no difference between groups. CONCLUSION: Lateral retinacular release in TKA may not be necessary if the patellar tracking is improved with the single stitch method after tourniquet deflation.

Total Knee Arthroplasty with PCL Substituting Medial Pivot Knee: Short-term Follow-up Results

PURPOSE: To evaluate minimum 2-year follow-up clinical and radiological results after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) substituting (PS) Medial Pivot Knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy knees in 48 patients, who could be followed up more than 2 years after TKA with PS Advance(R) Medial Pivot Knee from October 2004 to February 2006, were evaluated retrospectively. The evaluations included the preoperative and postoperative range of motion (ROM), tibiofemoral angle, Knee Society (KS) knee and function score and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The ROM increased from preoperative mean flexion contracture of 6.3degrees and further flexion of 116.4degrees to a postoperative mean flexion contracture of 1.9degrees and further flexion of 120.5degrees. The tibiofemoral angle changed from preoperative varus 4degrees to postoperative valgus 5.5degrees. The KS knee and function score improved from 46 and 37 before surgery to 87 and 83 after surgery, respectively (p<0.05). The complications were 2 cases of periprosthetic patellar fracture and 1 case of early failure of the tibial component. CONCLUSION: The minimum 2 year follow-up results after TKA with PS Medial Pivot Knee were satisfactory.

Ultrasonographic Findings of Aspergillus Bursitis in a Patient with a Renal Transplantation: A Case Report

Aspergillus bursitis is an uncommon condition demonstrated as a nonspecific soft tissue mass. To our knowledge, the ultrasonographic findings of aspergillus bursitis in immunocompromised patients have not been previously reported. Here, we report a case of aspergillus bursitis in a renal transplant recipient, accompanied by the associated ultrasonographic findings.

The Crowned Dens Syndrome: A Case Report / 대한척추외과학회지

Patients with Crowned dens syndrome typically present with severe neck pain and have calcification around the axial odontoid process on radiographs. To our knowledge, Crowned dens syndrome is unreported in the Korean literature and the clinical features remain unclear. We present Crowned dens syndrome as a cause of acute cervical pain and review the literature.

All Arthroscopic Repairs with Massive Cuff Stitch in Medium-sized Full Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the usefulness of arthroscopic repair using the modified Mason-Allen Massive Cuff Stitch for medium sized full thickness rotator cuff tear. We verified the clinical results and evaluated the repair integrity after short term follow up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three cases of arthroscopically repaired full thickness tear of the rotator cuff of an estimated medium size were evaluated between December 2004 to May 2005. The average patient age was 54 years old (range: 43-69 years old), and the mean follow-up was 14 months (range: 12-17 months). We analyzed the results by paired t-test. The follow up MRIs were checked in 11 cases. RESULTS: The VAS pain score was improved from a preoperative average of 7.0 to a postoperative average of 0.9, the ADL was improved from 11.1 to 26.0 and the UCLA score was improved from 13.6 to 32.5 (all p<0.05). 91.3% showed an excellent or good result at the final follow-up. The satisfied rate was 95.7% (22 cases). There was re-rupture of the repaired rotator cuff in one out of 11 cases (9.1%). CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic repairs using a modified Mason-Allen Massive Cuff Stitch for full thickness rotator cuff tear of an estimated medium size showed good clinical outcomes.