Implant Overhang after Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: Oxford Prosthesis versus Miller-Galante II Prosthesis

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study is to compare the prevalence of implant overhang between the Oxford and the Miller-Galante II (M-G II) unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) prostheses and determine whether overhang is associated with postoperative clinical results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed one hundred and seven UKAs which consisted of 37 Oxford UKAs and 70 M-G II. Overhang was considered present if > or =3 mm overhang was observed in any zone. The range of motion, the Knee Society scores and the Western Ontario and McMaster scores were compared after a mean follow-up duration of 48 months. RESULTS: Thirty three of 107 knees (30.8%) had overhang in at least one zone of the femoral or tibial component. In the tibial side, there were no significant differences between the groups in component overhang in each zone. In the femoral side, the Oxford UKA group showed a significantly higher prevalence of the posterior overhang of the femoral component (19/37, 51.4%) than did the M-G II UKA group (3/70, 4.3%; p<0.001). However, no significant differences in clinical results were observed between the two groups. There were also no significant differences in clinical results between the overhang and the non-overhang groups. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior overhang of the femoral component was highly prevalent in Oxford UKA patients. However, posterior overhang of the femoral component had no significant relationship with postoperative clinical results in both Oxford and M-G II UKAs at a mean of 48 months follow-up.

The Efficacy of Unilateral Use of a Blood Reinfusion Device in One-Stage Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of unilateral use of a blood reinfusion device in one-stage bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective cohort study on 100 patients having one-stage bilateral TKA. In 50 of these patients (study group), a blood reinfusion device was applied on one knee and a standard suction drain on the other, and they were compared with 50 matched controls who received bilateral suction drains (control group). The hemoglobin (Hb) level, the hematocrit (Hct) and the platelet count were checked preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and the third and seventh days postoperatively. The total drain output and the amount of allogeneic blood transfusion were also compared. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the total drain output and required amount of allogeneic blood transfusions between groups (p>0.05). However, the study group had significantly lower Hb and Hct values by the first day postoperatively and significantly lower platelet count values by the third day postoperatively than the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with use of bilateral suction drains, unilateral use of reinfusion device was not advantageous in reducing allogeneic transfusion in one-stage bilateral TKA.

Cross Pins versus Endobutton Femoral Fixation in Hamstring Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Minimum 4-Year Follow-Up

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare cross-pin fixation and Endobutton femoral fixation for hamstring anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with respect to clinical and radiographic results, including tunnel widening and the progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 2002 and August 2005, 126 autogenous hamstring ACL reconstructions were performed using either cross pins or Endobutton for femoral fixation. Fifty-six of 75 patients in the cross-pin group and 35 of 51 patients in the Endobutton group were followed up for a minimum of 4 years. We compared the clinical and radiological results between the groups using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) evaluation form, the KT-2000 arthrometer side to side difference, the amount of tunnel widening and the advancement of OA on radiographs. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the IKDC grades between the groups at the 4 year follow-up. There was no significant difference in the side to side difference according to KT-2000 arthrometer testing. Also, there were no significant differences in terms of tunnel widening or advancement of OA on radiographs. CONCLUSIONS: Endobutton femoral fixation showed good results that were comparable to those of cross pins fixation in hamstring ACL reconstruction.