A Comparison of Outcomes after Acute and Chronic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes of a reconstruction with an autogenous hamstring tendon for an acute and chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 71 patients who had undergone an ACL reconstruction with an autogenous hamstring tendon from December 2003 to June 2006. The patients were divided into two groups, reconstruction for an acute injury with 34 knees and reconstruction for a chronic injury with 37 knees. The clinical results were evaluated using the Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lachman test, Pivot shift test, KT-1000 arthrometer, and a Cybex isokinetic test for the strength of the knee flexor and extensor. The presence of associated intra-articular lesions was also investigated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the stability evaluated by the Lachman test, pivot shift test and KT-1000 arthrometer at the final follow-up (p=0.732, 0.479, 0.078). However, the acute group scored significantly higher with respect to the clinical outcome measured by the Lysholm scores and IKDC rating system at the final follow-up (P=0.042, 0.012). There was a significantly higher incidence of associated intra-articular lesions in the chronic group than those in the acute group (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: A reconstruction for acute ACL injuries showed more satisfactory clinical results and less associated intraarticular lesions than a reconstruction for chronic ACL injuries.

Treatment of Unstable Intertrochanteric Fracture in Elderly Patients : Comparison between the Results of Internal Fixation Using Compression Hip Screw and Cemented Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty

PURPOSE: To perform comparative analysis between the results of internal fixation using compression hip screw and cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty in unstable intertrochanteric fracture in elderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2001 to October 2006, we reviewd 73 patients, who were treated surgically for unstable intertrochanteric fractures, with a minimum of 2 years follow up. The patient's age was older than 60 year old. The patients were divided into two groups and evaluated, retrospectively. One group was treated with cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty (Group A, 34 cases), and the other group was treated with compression hip screw (Group B, 39 cases). We evaluated the amount of intraoperative bleeding, operative time, clinical results and complications between the two groups. RESULTS: The amount of intraoperative bleeding and operative time were no statistically significant between the two groups. Group A showed a better result than Group B for clinical outcome using Johnson Daily Activity of Life. Complications in the group A were comprised of dislocation (1 case), nonunion of greater trochanter (1 case), infection (1 case) and loosening (1 case), and those in the group B were comprised of loss of fixation (8 cases) and infection (1 case). CONCLUSION: We found that short-term outcomes of cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty for unstable intertrochanteric fractures were satisfactory. However, a longer-follow up period is necessary to clarify the efficacy of cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty.

The Long Term Results of Femoral Varus Osteotomy in Patients with Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long term results of performing femoral varus osteotomy (FVO) for the treatment of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected 35 LCPD patients who received FVO and they were followed up to the time their skeletons' matured. The inclusion criteria were patients in a fragmentation stage, the patients were in Catterall group III or IV, and the patients underwent a teleoroentgenographic examination at the time of full skeletal maturity. RESULTS: The radiological outcome at the time of skeletal maturity was assessed using Stulberg's classification. The final results were 4 hips in class I, 17 hips in class II, 13 hips in class III, one hip in class IV and none in class V. The satisfactory results (good+fair hips) were 34 hips (97%). Significant shortening (>10 mm) was observed in 12 hips (34%). In 35 patients, 5 (14%) had same leg length (less than 2 mm difference), 27 (77%) had shortening of 2 mm or more, and 3 had lengthening of 2 mm or more in the operated limb. Of these 12 patients with significant shortening, only 3 patients (9%) showed shortening of 21 mm or more. CONCLUSION: FVO is a reliable method for managing LCPD in patients who are in Catterall group III or IV and who are in the fragmentation stage of disease.