Corrección de la altura patelar en inestabilidad rotuliana / Correction of patellar height in patellofemoral instability

El manejo de la inestabilidad patelofemoral se basa en una adecuada evaluación de alteraciones anatómicas predisponentes. Patela alta es una de las causas más importantes de inestabilidad objetiva. La alteración biomecánica que ésta produce puede conducir a luxación patelar recurrente, dolor y cambios degenerativos focales. El examen físico es fundamental en la toma de decisiones. La evaluación imagenológica ha evolucionado desde métodos basados en radiografía hacia mediciones en resonancia magnética, que permiten una orientación más acabada de la relación existente entre la rótula y la tróclea femoral. El tratamiento se fundamenta en la corrección selectiva de los factores causales, donde la osteotomía de descenso de la tuberosidad anterior de la tibia y la reconstrucción del ligamento patelofemoral medial son herramientas que deben considerarse racionalmente. Este artículo realiza una revisión de la literatura, otorgando los fundamentos quirúrgicos que explican la importancia del tratamiento específico de patela alta en inestabilidad rotuliana.

Patellofemoral instability management is based on a thorough evaluation of predisposing anatomical factors. Patella alta is one of the utmost causes of objective instability. As a result, biomechanical disturbance can lead to recurrent patellar instability, pain, and focal degenerative changes. Physical examination is paramount in decision making. Imaging evaluation has evolved from X-rays based methods to magnetic resonance measurements, which allows a more accurate assessment of the patellotrochlear relationship. Treatment is based on a selective risk factors correction, where tibial tubercle distalization osteotomy and medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction must be considered altogether. This article reviews the surgical rationale of patella alta treatment in patellofemoral instability.

Tratamiento de la inestabilidad femoropatelar objetiva / Treatment of objective patellofemoral instability

Introducción: El objetivo de este estudio es presentar los diferentes procedimientos quirúrgicos en el tratamiento de las inestabilidades femoropatelares objetivas, como la osteotomía de la tuberosidad tibial anterior y la trocleoplastia femoral. Materiales y Métodos: Se analizó el Índice de Caton-Deschamps para evaluar la altura rotuliana, la distancia desde la tuberosidad tibial anterior hasta la tróclea femoral en la tomografía computarizada, en el plano axial, y los morfotipos troclear y rotuliano. Se incluyeron 11 pacientes (11 rodillas) tratados por inestabilidad femoropatelar objetiva y documentada. Resultados: Los resultados fueron satisfactorios tanto con la transferencia de la tuberosidad tibial anterior como con la trocleoplastia. En ambos procedimientos, se realizó una reconstrucción del ligamento femoropatelar medial. La recurrencia de la inestabilidad es muy rara después de estos procedimientos y es más probable que sea secundaria a anomalías asociadas no diagnosticadas. Conclusión: Se requiere una planificación preoperatoria precisa para determinar la altura rotuliana, la ubicación de la tuberosidad tibial anterior, y los morfotipos troclear y rotuliano para lograr resultados satisfactorios. De todas formas y, como cualquier procedimiento quirúrgico, tanto las osteotomías de la tuberosidad tibial anterior, como la trocleoplastia pueden causar complicaciones.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to show the different surgical procedures for treating the objective patellar instability, including the different tibial tubercle osteotomies and the sulcus deepening trochleoplasty. Methods: This study analyzed the Caton-Deschamps index used for assessment of patellar height, the distance from the tibial tubercle to the troclear groove on CT scan in the axial view, and the different trochlear and patellar morphotypes. We included 11 knees (11 patients) treated due to an objective and documented patellofemoral instability. Results: We obtained good results with both the transfer of the tibial tuberosity and the trochleoplasty. A reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament was performed in both procedures.Recurrence of instability is very rare after these procedures and this is more likely to result from missed associated abnormalities. Conclusion: Accurate preoperative planning of the patellar height and determining the location of the tibial tubercle and the trochlear and patellar morphotypes for satisfactory results are required. How ever, as with any surgical procedure, both tibial tubercle osteotomy and the sulcus deepening trochleoplasty are susceptible of complications.

Exposure in complicated total knee arthroplasty using tibial tubercle osteotomy / 中国矫形外科杂志

[Objective]To explore the efficacy and results of tibial tubercle osteotomy used in exposure in complicated total knee arthroplasty.[Methods]During the period from Apr.2005 to Apr.2007,the tibial tubercle osteotomy were used in 16 cases of complicated total knee arthroplasty.The mean follow-up time were 20 months(6～26 months).Knee society score(KSS) and radiography were used to evaluate the clinical results.[Results]The mean KSS improved from 46 points preoperatively to 91 points postoperatively.The mean ROM improved to from 53?preoperatively 105?postoperatively.At 3 months after surgery the radiography examines showed all 16 cases had achieved satisfactory healing.The tubercle fragment slided toward proximal 0.7 cm occurred in one case,and finally healed at that position.[Conclusion]Exposure of the knee may be difficult in the total knee arthroplasty,but tibial tubercle osteotomy is a safe and reliable procedure which affords excellent exposure.

Clinical Outcomes of Infective and Non-infective groups in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcomes of infective and non-infective groups in revision total knee arthroplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From December 1993 to December 2001, 29 cases of revision total knee arthroplasty were performed in 27 patients. The mean age at the time of surgery was 64.2 years (48~74). The average follow-up was 45.4 months (24~90). All cases were divided into two groups (fourteen noninfective and fifteen infective groups). The clinical results were evaluated according to range of motion, Hospital of Special Surgery score, Knee Society score and tibiofemoral angle. The causes of revision in noninfective group were aseptic loosening in eleven, instability in two, and femoral periprosthetic fracture in one. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement of range of motion, Hospital for Special Surgery Knee score and Knee Society score at the final follow-up compared with the pre-operative status. The above three evaluation criteria showed no significant difference between the two groups except higher further flexion in non-infective than infective group. Preoperative average tibiofemoral angle was varus 1.4degrees in non-infective group and valgus 2.6degrees in infective group (P0.05). There were three complications in infective group, which were two reinfections, and one avulsion of osteotomized tibial tubercle. CONCLUSION: Preoperative planning, choice of proper implants, meticulous management of bony defect and soft tissue enabled successful results in infective group as well as non-infective group except less further flexion in infective group.

Wire Fixation Technique for the Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy in Total Knee Arthroplasty / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical results of wire fixation technique for tibial tubercle osteotomy in total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three cases who underwent TKA with tibial tubercle osteotomy and wire fixation technique for the extensile exposure between January, 1982 and April, 2001, were reviewed. Seventeen cases were male and six cases female. The averageperiod of follow-up was 58 months. The average age was 62.3 years (minimal: 38, maximal: 74). Five cases underwent tibial tubercleosteotomy for primary TKA and the preoperative diagnoses were degenerative osteoarthritis in 2 cases, posttraumatic osteoarthritis in 1case and rheumatoid arthritis in 2 cases. Eighteen cases underwent tibial tubercle osteotomy for revision TKA due to the infected TKAin 10 cases and aseptic loosening in 8 cases. Osteotomized tibial tubercle in size of 2x10 cm was achieved by using oscillating saw and curved osteotome from the point of 2 cm distal to the articular surface of proximal tibia to 8 cm below the tibial tubercle. Six holes were drilled with 1 cm distance for 3 wires passage. The tubercle fragment was fixed with 3 wires and the wires were bent around the tibial stemin the medullary canal for passage through tubercle fragment. The passive range of motion was started within one week after the operation. We evaluated the preoperative and postoperative range of motion and the radiologic bony union was assessed by lateral radiograph. The clinical results were assessed by Knee Society Knee Score. RESULTS: The bony union was achieved in twenty-two cases about 13 moths after the operation, and fixation loss was observed in one case. The average range of motion were 70 degrees (5-90 degrees) preoperatively and 80.8 degrees (25-110 degrees) postoperatively. The average clinical knee scores of painand function were 51 (40-57) point, 58 (45-70) point preoperatively and 54 (50-65) point, 65 (54-78) point postoperatively. Two complications were noted with one case of infection and fixation loss due to injury in each. CONCLUSION: Wire fixation for tibial tubercle osteotomy in total knee arthroplasty results in firm fixation of tubercle fragment, therefore it seems to be an useful technique in exposure for total knee arthroplasty.