Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Clinical Results of Outside-in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Comparison of Fixed- and Adjustable-Length Loop Cortical Fixation

BACKGROUND: Cortical suspensory femoral fixation is commonly performed for graft fixation to the femur in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using hamstring tendons. The purpose of this study was to compare graft healing in the femoral tunnel, implant-related failure, and clinical results between fixed- and adjustable-length loop devices in outside-in ACL reconstruction. METHODS: A total of 109 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using the outside-in technique from December 2010 to July 2014 were included. For femoral graft fixation, a fixed-length loop device was used in 48 patients (fixed-loop group) and an adjustable-length loop device was used in 61 patients (adjustable-loop group). For evaluation of graft healing in the femoral tunnel, magnetic resonance imaging was performed at postoperative 6 months and the signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of the tendon graft and tendon-bone interface in the femoral bone tunnel were evaluated. The presence of synovial fluid was evaluated to determine loop lengthening at the femoral tunnel exit. Clinical results assessed using International Knee Documentation Committee score, Tegner-Lysholm Knee Scoring scale, and knee instability tests were compared between groups. RESULTS: The SNRs of the tendon graft and tendon-bone interface were not statistically different between groups. The presence of synovial fluid at the femoral exit showed no statistical difference between groups. Clinical results were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The adjustable-length loop device provided comparable graft healing, implant-related failure, and clinical results with the fixed-length loop device, allowing adaptation of the graft to the different tunnel lengths. Therefore, it could be effectively used with an adjustment according to the femoral tunnel length.

Simultaneous Bilateral Fracture of Femoral Neck in Korea: A Case Report / 대한고관절학회지

Unilateral femoral neck factures are common and their incidence is increasing. However, simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fractures are rare. Although cases of simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fractures have been reported, most were caused by strong muscle contractions during electroconvulsive therapy. Simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fractures caused by a simple fall are an extremely rare injury; therefore, limited literature is available, and no case has been reported in Korea. We report herein a case of simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fractures caused by a simple fall. An 83-year-old woman visited the emergency department with bilateral hip joint pain and gait disturbance, which developed 1 day after a fall. Tenderness and severe limitation in left hip joint range of motion and mild limitation in right hip joint range of motion were observed on a physical examination. A Garden type IV femoral neck fracture in the left hip joint and a Garden type I femoral neck fracture in the right hip joint were observed on plain radiography. She underwent right screw fixation and left bipolar hemiarthroplasty 2 days after admission. The patient could walk using a walker 4 weeks postoperatively. Bone union in the right femoral neck was observed at the 3 month follow-up. No specific findings were observed at the left hip hemiarthroplasty site.

Perioperative Blood Loss in Intramedullary Hip Screw for Intertrochanteric Fracture: Analysis of Risk Factors

PURPOSE: We compared visible blood loss and calculated blood loss after intramedullary fixation in intertrochanteric fracture, and evaluated correlation between blood loss and its risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 256 patients who underwent closed reduction and intramedullary fixation in femoral intertrochanteric fracture between 2004 and 2013 were enrolled in this study. The total blood loss was calculated using the formula reported by Mercuiali and Brecher. We analyzed several factors, including fracture pattern (according to Evans classification), gender, age, body mass index (BMI), anesthesia method, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, preoperative anemia, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and use of antithrombotic agents. RESULTS: Total calculated blood loss (2,100+/-1,632 ml) differed significantly from visible blood loss (564+/-319 ml). In addition, the blood loss of unstable fracture patient was 2,496+/-1,395 ml and multivariate analysis showed a significant relationship between blood loss and fracture pattern (p<0.01). However, other factors showed no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: Total calculated blood loss was much greater than visible blood loss. Patients with unstable intertrochanteric fracture should be treated with care in order to reduce blood loss.

Regional Bone Loss as a Risk Factor for Distal Radius Fracture in Women under 60 Years Old / 대한골다공증학회지

OBJECTIVES: Some studies have suggested that lumbar spine and hip bone mineral density (BMD) are not associated with distal radius fractures (DRF), and a few studies have investigated regional BMDs at the fracture site, not just the lumbar or hip. We correlated distal radius BMD with DRF in postmenopausal women or =50 years old with DRF were enrolled in the fracture group, and 72 women without fractures were included as a control group. We measured distal radius BMD in the distal radius contralateral to the fractured bone in the fracture group and that of the lumbar body 5 days after the trauma. BMDs at the distal radius of each group were compared in three age groups (50~59, 60~69, and > or =70 years). Age- and site-specific BMDs were analyzed in each group. RESULTS: No significant differences in the rate of osteoporosis at the distal radius or lumbar spine were observed in patients > or =60 years old. However, BMD and T-score values of the distal radius in female patients were lower than those in controls <60 years old. BMD and T-score values of the distal radius were lower than those of the lumbar spine in the fracture group <60 years old. BMD of the distal radius also carried a higher relative risk. CONCLUSIONS: Low BMD of the distal radius was an indicator of regional BMD and could be a sensitive risk factor for DRF in women <60 years.

Association between BMI (Body Mass Index) and Proximal Femur Fractures Type in Korean People / 대한골다공증학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this analysis is to study whether the factors including bone mineral density (BMD) and age which influence fracture occurrence is involved in proximal femur fracture type. Any correlation of body mass index (BMI) and obesity to fractures of the proximal femur was investigated in particular. METHODS: Two hundred fifty two patients hospitalized for femur neck fracture and intertrochanteric fracture over 60 under 90 years old were examined. Only simple fall down trauma for excluding pathologic fractures was included. About 225 patients, past medical, drug and social history were investigated and BMD and BMI (body mass index) were measured. Patients were classified into two groups (femoral neck fracture and intertrochanteric fracture). Significant differences in BMD and BMI between these two groups were investigated. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between two proximal femur fracture type with regard to age, sex and BMD. But two groups seem to have statistically significant different with BMI. Most patients had normal weight, thus no significant differences were found in degree of obesity between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the higher the patients have BMI, the more frequently intertrochanteric fracture is occurred. But, owing to normal obesity levels seen in most patients in this study, any definitive correlation between obesity and each type of proximal femur fracture could not be found.

The Effect of Body Mass Index on Clinical Result and Life Quality after Total Hip Arthroplasty of Patients Who Were Femur Head Avascular Necrosis / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: This study examined the association between the pre-operative body mass index (BMI) and the post total hip replacement arthroplasty result, as well as postoperative change in the life quality of patients diagnosed with femur head avascular necrosis (AVN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with femur head AVN undergoing total hiparthroplasty (THA) with a ceramic-ceramic articular surface from March 2005 to May 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. The Harris hip score (HHS), 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) score, radiological examination, and complications at two years or longer after THA in the 4 groups were analyzed in terms of the BMI (underweight group, normal weight group, overweight group, and obesity group). RESULTS: The normal body weight group showed the best result(94.36+/-7.51) in all scores but the difference was not significant. In the SF-36 physical scores, obese group showed the greatest improvement. Complications occurred frequently in the underweight(50%) and obese groups(19.5%). In particular, periprosthetic fractures (P=0.002) and pneumonia (P=0.005) occurred frequently in the underweight group. CONCLUSION: The impacts of obesity and underweight on the clinical outcome after surgery are insignificant but patients with an abnormal BMI can expect a high quality of life after surgery.

Three-Dimensional Reconstruction Computed Tomography Evaluation of Tunnel Location during Single-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Comparison of Transtibial and 2-Incision Tibial Tunnel-Independent Techniques

BACKGROUND: Anatomic tunnel positioning is important in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery. Recent studies have suggested the limitations of a traditional transtibial technique to place the ACL graft within the anatomic tunnel position of the ACL on the femur. The purpose of this study is to determine if the 2-incision tibial tunnel-independent technique can place femoral tunnel to native ACL center when compared with the transtibial technique, as the placement with the tibial tunnel-independent technique is unconstrained by tibial tunnel. METHODS: In sixty-nine patients, single-bundle ACL reconstruction with preservation of remnant bundle using hamstring tendon autograft was performed. Femoral tunnel locations were measured with quadrant methods on the medial to lateral view of the lateral femoral condyle. Tibial tunnel locations were measured in the anatomical coordinates axis on the top view of the proximal tibia. These measurements were compared with reference data on anatomical tunnel position. RESULTS: With the quadrant method, the femoral tunnel centers of the transtibial technique and tibial tunnel-independent technique were located. The mean (+/- standard deviation) was 36.49% +/- 7.65% and 24.71% +/- 4.90%, respectively, from the over-the-top, along the notch roof (parallel to the Blumensaat line); and at 7.71% +/- 7.25% and 27.08% +/- 7.05%, from the notch roof (perpendicular to the Blumensaat line). The tibial tunnel centers of the transtibial technique and tibial tunnel-independent technique were located at 39.83% +/- 8.20% and 36.32% +/- 8.10%, respectively, of the anterior to posterior tibial plateau depth; and at 49.13% +/- 4.02% and 47.75% +/- 4.04%, of the medial to lateral tibial plateau width. There was no statistical difference between the two techniques in tibial tunnel position. The tibial tunnel-independent technique used in this study placed femoral tunnel closer to the anatomical ACL anteromedial bundle center. In contrast, the transtibial technique placed the femoral tunnel more shallow and higher from the anatomical position, resulting in more vertical grafts. CONCLUSIONS: After single-bundle ACL reconstruction, three-dimensional computed tomography showed that the tibial tunnel-independent technique allows for the placement of the graft closer to the anatomical femoral tunnel position when compared with the traditional transtibial technique.

Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty Using a Fully Porous-Coated Long Stem: a Minimum 5 Years Follow up

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the mid-term results of revision total hip arthroplasty using a fully porous-coated long stem. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective series of 20 hips in 19 patients who underwent stem revision with a fully porous-coated long stem were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 64.6 months. The causes of revision were aseptic loosening, periprosthetic fracture and infected arthroplasty. Four kinds of implants had previously been used and an additional bone graft procedure had been done in 17 cases. The Harris hip scores, thigh pain, limping and ROM were reported. Radiological changes of the radiolucent signs, subsidence, loosening and the stress shielding signs were evaluated. RESULTS: The Harris hip score improved from an average of 56.5 to 91.9 and the ROMs were satisfactory. The only case with persistent thigh pain showed stable bony ingrowth. No signs of subsidence or loosening of the stem was found in all the cases. There were 2 cases of periprosthetic fracture. None of the patients experienced re-revision surgery. CONCLUSION: The mid-term results of revision hip arthroplasty using a fully porous coated long stem have demonstrated that it provides a reliable initial fixation with a propensity for stable longevity. It is relatively easy for the techniques, and there is the opportunity to restore the bone stock by bone-grafting procedures with diaphyseal fixation and bypassing a bone defect. Yet alternative techniques may be required for the femur with extensive diaphyseal bone loss. There are some concerns about the technique and the possibility of making a crack in the femur during the operation, which will cause thigh pain at the follow-up. So, only by employing great caution when performing this technique can successful results be guaranteed.

Reconstruction of Tibia Defect with Free Flap Followed by Ipsilateral Vascularized Fibular Transposition

Segmental defects of the tibia after open fractures, sepsis and a tumor surgery are among the most difficult and challenging clinical problems. Tibia defects in these situations are complicated with infection and are resistant to conventional bone grafting techniques. The aim of this study is to report the results and discuss the role of free flap followed by ipsilateral vascularized fibular transposition (IVFT) for reconstruction of tibia defects. Ten patients had free flap followed by IVFT in the period 1989~2007. Mean age was 25.3 years. The patients were followed for an average of 3.4 years. All flaps were survived including 1 case with venous thrombosis requiring additional surgery. The average time to union of proximal and distal end was 5.2 months, 8.2 months, each other. All transposed fibula were viable at last follow-up. IVFT offers the advantages of a vascularized graft. In patients with large bone and soft tissue defects combined with infection, free flap followed by IVFT is an useful and reliable method without microvascular anastomosis.