Correlation between Femoral Tunnel Location in Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography and Femoral Tunnel Angle in Plain Radiographs after Single-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Reconstruction / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine correlation between femoral tunnel angle in the coronal plane on a simple radiograph and femoral tunnel location in the sagittal plane on three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects included 42 patients who underwent 3D-CT after the operation out of 70 cases of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using quadriceps tendon-patelllar bone autograft from April, 2009 to June, 2011. Measurement of the femoral tunnel angle was based on the anatomical axis of the femur in antero-posterior (AP) and Rosenberg views; femoral tunnel location was described as a proportional percentage on the medial surface of the lateral femoral condyle in the 3D-CT image; then the correlation between femoral tunnel angle and femoral tunnel location was analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Femoral tunnel angle was 41.5degrees+/-6.8degrees (range: 29.7degrees-53.9degrees) on AP radiographs, and 34.9degrees+/-6.9degrees (range: 23.8degrees-46.5degrees) on Rosenberg views. The femoral tunnel was located 36.9%+/-11.3% from posterior, and 38.1%+/-6.5% from proximal on the 3D-CT image. On plain AP radiographs, femoral tunnel angle and femoral tunnel location showed negative correlation (p<0.001, rho=-0.498), and, in comparison with Rosenberg view, they showed negative correlation (p=0.006, rho=-0.416). Twenty three patients (53.5%) had femoral tunnel in the anatomical location. Their femoral tunnel angle on AP radiographs was 43.3degrees+/-6.1degrees, while the femoral tunnel angle of patients who had femoral tunnel in non-anatomical locations was 38.4degrees+/-6.4degrees (p=0.004). In the Rosenberg picture, similar difference was observed between the two groups (p=0.012). CONCLUSION: On AP radiographs and Rosenberg views, femoral tunnel angle showed significant correlation with the femoral tunnel location on the 3D-CT image, and the group who had femoral tunnel location in the anatomical range showed a relatively higher femoral tunnel angle.

Complications and Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Plating for Proximal Humeral Fractures

BACKGROUND: The minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique using periarticular locking plates may be a good option for the repair of displaced proximal humeral fractures. However, axillary nerve complications related to this technique may be underestimated. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of the minimally invasive plating, focusing on the complications. METHODS: The records of 21 consecutive patients treated for proximal humerus fractures using the MIPO technique with locking plates were retrospectively reviewed. These patients were treated between March 2009 and March 2011 with a minimum one-year follow-up. The clinical function, complications, and radiological bony union were evaluated. RESULTS: All of the patients, with one exception, showed at least 90 degrees of flexion and abduction at the shoulder joint six months postoperatively. The average Constant scores at three months, six months, and one year follow-ups were 74.0 (range, 62 to 90), 79.4 (range, 64 to 91), and 82.7 (range, 66 to 92), respectively. All of the patients achieved bony union within the average of 3.2 months (range, 2 to 6 months). There was one case of delayed union, one case of intra-articular screw penetration, and one case of axillary nerve paresis (incomplete injury), which did not completely recover during the one year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The MIPO technique using periarticular locking plates is a useful option for the treatment of selected cases of displaced proximal humeral fractures. However, nerve complications such as axillary nerve paresis should be considered along with implant-related complications when choosing patients for minimally invasive plating.