Comparison of Closing-Wedge and Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomies / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare the clinical results and radiologic changes of closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy (CW HTO) and opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OW HTO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy five knees were treated with a CW HTO and 41 with an OW HTO. For each patient the hip-knee-ankle (H-K-A) axis was evaluated and the degree of the medial compartmental arthrosis was measured by Ahlback-type radiological classification. The function of the knee was evaluated by the Tegner activity score, the Lysholm knee scoring scale and the Western Ontario and McMaster University index. Lateral radiographs were taken to assess the patellar height and the posterior tibial inclination. RESULTS: In both groups significant improvement of the visual analogue scale and range of motion was achieved. The frontal plane H-K-A axis was corrected significantly from varus to the range of physiological valgus and the arthrosis of the medial compartment of the knee progressed gradually. The body mass index was significantly influential to the progression of arthrosis. The functions of the knee were improved significantly in all cases. In the closing-wedge group, the patella height was increased at the postoperative period, while it was decreased in the opening-wedge group. There was a tendency of a decrease of the tibial inclination in the CW HTO group and a statistically significant increase of the tibial inclination in the OW HTO group. Recurrence of varus occurred in sixteen cases. CONCLUSION: In both groups, improvement of the function of the knee was achieved, but there was no statistical difference. However, the opposite result was found in the patella height and the tibial inclination.

Spontaneously Regressed Bilateral Scapulothoracic Bursitis / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Scapulothoracic bursitis causes snapping scapular syndrome, which is characterized by shoulder pain accompanying bony crepitation during shoulder motion, or as an isolated entity causing shoulder discomfort. The pathogenesis of scapulothoracic bursa formation is thought to be related to chronic repetitive mechanical stress on the periscapular tissue, usually from the result of a bone abnormality (a protrusion of the scapula or rib cage). Scapulothracic bursitis is treated with conservative management and the result can be successful. Accurate diagnosis is important because surgery is not necessary except for cases with pain, excessive friction, or dysfunction. We report a patient with rapidly developed bilateral scapulothoracic bursitis without pain and snapping, which can be confused with a soft tissue sarcoma. In this case, conservative management was used to treat the patient.

A Case of Recurrent Dislocation of the Posterior-Stabilized Total Knee Prosthesis

Dislocation of fixed bearing posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty is very rare. There are several causes of postoperative dislocation such as malposition of the prosthesis, preoperative valgus deformity, a defect of the extensor mechanism and overwidening of the flexion gap. All of the three posterior dislocations of total knee arthroplasty occurred for the same design, which was the fixed bearing posterior stabilized type (TC-PLUS(R), Plus Orthopedics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland). The dislocations happened during full flexion with muscle relaxation and they could be manually reduced with the patient being given muscle relaxant. Each case showed two episodes of dislocation and there was no more dislocation in each case after quadriceps strengthening and walking exercise. In conclusion, this model requires modification of the design, including remodeling of the polyethylene spacer by heightening of the post.

Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome: A Case Report

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome is an infrequent disease that usually occurs in relatively young patients. The authors encountered a case of unilateral popliteal artery occlusion caused by anomalous slippage of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle. Complete resection of the occluded segment and myotomy of the anomalous slip were performed, and end-to-end re-anastomosis was completed using a saphenous vein graft. At 18 months after the procedure, there was no evidence of recurrence.

The Short Term Clinical Results of Hemiarthroplasty to Treat Humeral Head Osteonecrosis

INTRODUCTION: While uncommon, humeral head osteonecrosis is an indication for arthroplasty when the humeral head collapse is advanced. The current authors report the short-term clinical results of 7 hemiarthroplasties to treat humeral head osteonecrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study focused on 7 reconstructed shoulders of 5 patients whose humeral head osteonecrosis was treated with hemiarthroplasty. The postulated causes were alcohol-induced (4 cases) and steroidinduced (3 cases). The minimum follow-up was 12 months. This study compared the preoperative and postoperative shoulder pain, range of motion, and ASES scores. The postoperative patient satisfaction was assessed. RESULTS: The level of pain during exercise was reduced from a preoperative average of 7.6 to a postoperative average of 1.9. The range of motion, in terms of forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation, improved from preoperative averages of 105.7degrees, 80degrees, and 22.1degrees to postoperative averages of 146.6degrees, 139.3degrees, and 44.3degrees, respectively. The ASES scores increased from a preoperative mean of 39.0 to a postoperative mean of 84.1. The patients' ratings of the outcomes were excellent (5 cases) and good (2 cases). CONCLUSIONS: These short-term results indicate that hemiarthroplasty is a reliable treatment method for humeral head osteonecrosis improving shoulder pain, range of motion, and patient satisfaction.