Lunate Excision and Tendon Ball Implantation in Lichtman Stage IIIB Kienbock's Disease in Middle-Aged Patients

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to assess the results of lunate excision and tendon ball implantation with temporary scaphocapitate fixation for Lichtman stage IIIB Kienbockos disease in middle-aged patients. METHODS: Ten patients with Lichtman stage IIIB Kienbock's disease who underwent lunate excision and tendon ball implantation and followed up at least 24 months were analyzed. There were 4 males and 6 females. The mean age at the time of surgery was 55.4 years (range, 48-67 years), and follow-up period ranged from 24 to 68 months (mean, 46 months). Radiocarpal joint pain, grip strength, return to daily living activity, range of motion were evaluated and radiologic findings of preoperative, postoperative and last follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: All patients returned to daily living activity after 6 months of surgery. At the last follow up, 8 patients had no pain and 2 patients experienced mild pain occasionally. The mean improvement of extension arc was 14.5degrees, and the mean flexion arc improved 8.5degrees. The mean grip strength was 88% of unaffected side. The mean carpal height ratio was 0.49 preoperatively, 0.47 at final follow-up. No patients showed osteoarthritis change at the last follow-up. The mean Cooney's wrist function were 83, 4 patients had excellent, 4 had good, and 2 had fair. CONCLUSION: Lunate excision and tendon ball implantation with temporary scaphocapitate fixation for Lichtman stage IIIB Kienbock's disease in middle-aged patients showed satisfactory clinical, functional and radiological results. So this can be a reasonable treatment option.

Comparison of Precision between Optical and Electromagnetic Navigation Systems in Total Knee Arthroplasty

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze the precision of optical and electromagnetic navigation systems in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 60 patients who underwent TKA using an optical navigation system and 60 patients who underwent TKA using an electromagnetic navigation system from June 2010 to March 2012. The mechanical axis that was measured on preoperative radiographs and by the intraoperative navigation systems were compared between the groups. The postoperative positions of the femoral and tibial components in the sagittal and coronal plane were assessed. RESULTS: The difference of the mechanical axis measured on the preoperative radiograph and by the intraoperative navigation systems was 0.6 degrees more varus in the electromagnetic navigation system group than in the optical navigation system group, but showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). The positions of the femoral and tibial components in the sagittal and coronal planes on the postoperative radiographs also showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In TKA, both optical and electromagnetic navigation systems showed high accuracy and reproducibility, and the measurements from the postoperative radiographs showed no significant difference between the two groups.

Total Knee Arthroplasty in a Patient with an Ankylosing Knee after Previous Patellectomy

Patellectomized patients may have less satisfactory clinical outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) due to a decreased extensor mechanism efficiency and potential instability. Furthermore, the existing literature does not provide concrete guidance on the expected results of TKA or the type of implant that should be used in patellectomized patients. We present a case of a patient with an ankylosing knee who had undergone patellectomy due to gunshot injury 45 years ago and was treated with primary TKA using a posterior stabilized prosthesis at our institution. TKA using this prosthesis in the ankylosed knee with a previous history of patellectomy yielded good results in terms of postoperative clinical scores, range of motion and joint stability.

Comparison of Mobile-Bearing and Fixed-Bearing Designs in High Flexion Total Knee Arthroplasty: Using a Navigation System

PURPOSE: We compared and analyzed the short term results of high flexion total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with mobile-bearing and fixed bearing designs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 32 patients that had undergone TKA with LPS-Flex Mobile and 34 patients with LPS-Flex Fixed using an electromagnetic navigation system between January 2010 and June 2010, and were followed up for at least 1 year. RESULTS: Knee Society Functional Score (KSFS) and Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS) of the mobile-bearing group were 94.5 and 93.8 points, respectively, and were 48.2 and 45.3 points preoperatively, whereas those of the fixed-bearing group were 95.1 and 94.2 points, respectively, and were 49.5 and 46.9 points preoperatively. Postoperative mechanical axis deviation and implant position of the femoral and tibial component both on the coronal and sigittal planes showed no significant differences between the two groups. Range of motion (ROM) and maximal flexion angle (MFA) of the knee joint also showed no significant differences between the two groups. The possibility of crossed-legged sitting and kneeling position also showed no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and radiologic parameters, ROM and MFA of knee joints showed no significant differences in both the groups, but long term follow-up results may be necessary, including survival rate.