Comparison of Complete Distal Release of the Medial Collateral Ligament and Medial Epicondylar Osteotomy during Ligament Balancing in Varus Knee Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: During ligament balancing for severe medial contracture in varus knee total knee arthroplasty (TKA), complete distal release of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) or a medial epicondylar osteotomy can be necessary if a large amount of correction is needed. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed 9 cases of complete distal release of the MCL and 11 cases of medial epicondylar osteotomy which were used to correct severe medial contracture. The mean follow-up periods were 46.5 months (range, 36 to 78 months) and 39.8 months (range, 32 to 65 months), respectively. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the clinical results between the two groups. However, the valgus stress radiograph revealed significant differences in medial instability. In complete distal release of the MCL, some stability was obtained by repair and bracing but the medial instability could not be removed completely. CONCLUSIONS: Medial epicondylar osteotomy for a varus deformity in TKA could provide constant medial stability and be a useful ligament balancing technique.

Short-term Follow-up of Double Bundle ACL Reconstruction using Autogenous Hamstring Tendons Fixed with Ligament Plate(R) / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the clinical outcomes at a minimum 1-year following anatomic double bundle ACL reconstruction with using autogenous hamstring tendons fixed with Ligament Plate(R). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated a total of 50 patients. Semitendinosus tendon was used for the reconstruction of the anteromedial bundle and the gracilis tendon was used for the reconstruction of the posterolateral bundle. For femoral fixation, we used an anteromedial bundle that was suspended in Ligament Plate(R) and a posterolateral bundle linked with Mersilene tape(R). For tibial fixation, we used double post-tie. The average follow-up period was 16.5 months. We analyzed the clinical and radiographic results. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, the Lysholm score was 92.4+/-6.8 points. For the IKDC score, there were 35 cases of grade A, 14 cases of grade B and 1 case of grade C. The Lachman test was negative for 40 cases, it was grade 1 for 9 cases and it was grade 2 for 1 case and the pivot shift test was negative for 45 cases and it was grade 1 for 5 cases. The side-to-side differences with the KT-2000 and the anterior drawer radiogram were 1.3+/-1.6 mm and 1.3+/-1.3 mm, respectively. The femoral tunnel enlarged to 1.7+/-0.6 mm in the anteromedial aspect and 1.6+/-0.7 mm in the posterolateral aspect, and the tibial tunnel enlarged to 1.2+/-0.4 mm in the anteromedial aspect and 1.4+/-0.5 mm in the posterolateral aspect. CONCLUSION: Anatomic ACL reconstruction using autogenous hamstring tendons that are fixed with Ligament Plate(R) showed good clinical results due to the strong strength of early fixation and the anatomic restoration of the ACL.

Nerve Palsy and Delayed Arterial Occlusion after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report

Nerve palsy after total knee arthroplasty is a rare complication and this is usually associated with local nerve compression or severe deformity of the knee. In many cases, the cause of nerve palsy was unknown and this is rarely associated with vascular complication. We report here on a case of the patient who had nerve palsy and delayed arterial occlusion after total knee arthroplasty.

Short-term Follow-up Results of Medial Epicondylar Osteotomy for the Varus Knee in TKA

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the results of medial epicondylar osteotomy for the varus knee when performing total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 32 cases of medial epicondylar osteotomy for treating varus deformity, and these cases underwent operation from December 2004 to December 2007. The average age of the patients was 71.0-years-old and the average follow-up period was 23.5 months. The clinical outcomes were measured, including the Knee Society score (KSS), the function score (FS) and the range of the motion (ROM). The radiological outcomes were measured by anteroposterior simple radiographs for assessing the union state of the osteotomy site, and the valgus stress radiographs and the whole extremity radiographs were used for assessing the femorotibial angle, the mechanical axis angle and the alignment. RESULTS: The KSS improved from 46.5+/-7.6 to 89.1+/-5.9 points (p<0.001) and the FS increased from 39.5+/-9.2 to 84.2+/-8.5 points (p<0.001). The range of motion increased from 101.5+/-28.2degrees to 116.0+/-10.8degrees (p=0.006). Bony union occurred in 22 knees and fibrous union occurred in 10 knees. The femorotibial angle was corrected from varus 8.2+/-5.0degrees to valgus 5.6+/-1.5degrees (p<0.001) and the mechanical axis angle was revised from varus 13.9+/-4.5degrees to varus 0.7+/-1.6degrees (p<0.001). There were 27 neutral, 4 varus and 1 valgus alignment. On the valgus stress radiographs, the difference compared with the opposite side was 1.0+/-0.6degrees and there was no significant difference between the bony union group and the fibrous union group (p=0.175). CONCLUSION: Medial epicondylar osteotomy for the varus knee when performing total knee arthroplasty could be a useful ligament balancing technique for achieving medial stability of the knee.

Utility of Preoperative Distractive Stress Radiograph for Beginners to Extent of Medial Release in Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the preoperative distractive stress radiographs in order to quantify and predict the extent of medial release according to the degree of varus deformity in primary total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: We evaluated 120 varus, osteoarthritic knee joints (75 patients). The association of the angle on the distractive stress radiograph with extent of medial release was analyzed. The extent of medial release was classified into the following 4 groups according to the stage: release of the deep medial collateral ligament (group 1), release of the posterior oblique ligament and/or semimembranous tendon (group 2), release of the posterior capsule (group 3) and release of the superficial medial collateral ligament (group 4). RESULTS: The mean femorotibial angle on the preoperative distractive stress radiograph was valgus 2.4degrees (group 1), valgus 0.8degrees (group 2), varus 2.1degrees (group 3) and varus 2.7degrees (group 4). The extent of medial release increased with increasing degree of varus deformity seen on the preoperative distractive stress radiograph. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative distractive stress radiograph was useful for predicting the extent of medial release when performing primary total knee arthroplaty.

The Clinical Relationship between MCL Complete Detachment and Mechanical Alignment in TKA

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical relationship between medial collateral ligament(MCL) complete detachment and mechanical alignment in total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2001 to December 2006, we performed 290 TKAs. 9 TKAs(0.03%) happened MCL complete detachment. 1 TKA was excluded for paraplegia. All cases were women. The mean age was 71.1 years old. The mean follow-up period was 41.1 months. There were 7 degenerative osteoarthritis and 1 rheumatoid arthritis. The clinical evaluation included Knee Society Score(KSS), function score and range of motion(ROM) at preoperative, postoperative 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and final follow-up. We measured the femoro-tibial angle and the mecha- nical axis by anterior-posterior and whole lower extremity radiograph. The medial instability obtained serial valgus stress radiograph. RESULTS: There were 4 neutral and 4 varus alignment. KSS, function score, ROM was significantly improved in both group, and there were no significant differences in both group. On serial valgus stress radiograph, the difference compared with normal side decreased from 5.2 degree(postoperative 3 months) to 3.4 degree(final follow-up) in neutral alignment group, from 2.9 degree to 0.9 degree in varus alignment group. In final follow-up, it revealed that the medial instability of varus alignment group was less than that of neutral alignment group. CONCLUSION: In MCL complete detachment, some stability obtained by repair of medial collateral ligament and bracing. Whole instability was not gone. Therefore, we should make the varus alignment of prosthesis in mechanical axis line position of 34 to 67% on the medial tibial plateau.

Pseudoaneurysm of the Anterior Tibial Artery: A Case Report / 대한족부족관절학회지

Pseudoaneurysm of the anterior tibial artery is a rare cause of pain and swelling of the lower leg and the foot following minor sports injuries. When there is no definite musculoskeletal cause of pain, it is important to consider pseudoaneurysm. Early diagnosis and management are essential for the successful outcome. MRI and angiogram are useful for early diagnosis. We report a case of pseudoaneurysm of the anterior tibial artery following minor sports injury. The patient experienced complete relief of the symptoms after resection of the pseudoaneurysm.

Comparison of Unipedicular versus Bipedicular Kyphoplasty for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study OBJECTIVES: To compare the radiological and clinical results of the unipedicular and bipedicular approach of kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: A unipedicular rather than a bipedicular technique has been suggested to decrease the risks associated with surgical procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2005 and May 2006, 136 vertebrae of 97 patients, who underwent kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, were analyzed. Group 1, with the bipedicular approach, consisted of 86 vertebrae of 67 patients with a mean age of 72.2 years. Group 2, with unipedicular approach, consisted of 50 vertebrae of 30 patients with mean age of 73.4 years. The plain radiographs, MRI and surgical records were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean operation time of the single vertebral body in group 2 was statistically lower than in group 1(p0.05). CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in clinical satisfaction and radiological results between the unipedicular and bipedicular kyphoplasty. The advantage of a unipedicular approach is the shorter procedure time than the bipedicular approach. This is particularly useful in multi-level compression fractures. The rate of the unipedicular approach in upper and mid thoracic spine is higher because of the higher convergence of the pedicle and the lower volume of vertebral body despite the disadvantages of instrument insertion through the medial pedicle wall.

Analysis of the Calcaneocuboid Joint Involvement in Intraarticular Calcaneal Fractures / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: This study was performed to analyze the characteristics of calcaneocuboid joint involvement in intraarticular calcaneal fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total number of 92 patients (111 cases) who underwent operation for intraarticular calcaneal fractures between Jan. 2000 and Oct. 2005 were included in this study. The preoperative computed tomographs of the subjects were retrospectively reviewed to analyze calcaneocuboid joint involvement. RESULTS: It was revealed that 63 cases (56.8%) involved calcaneocuboid joint; 29cases (46.0%) showed type 1 (undisplaced or minimally displaced type, articular gap or =2 mm), 7 cases (11.1%) were included in type 3 (comminuted type) and 11 cases (17.5%) belonged to type 4 (fracture and dislocation). 48 out of 63 cases belonged to Sanders classification II and III that involved calcaneocuboid joint and included 25 cases (52.1%) of type 1 and 14 cases (29.2%) of type 2. Among 15 out of 63 cases included in Sanders classification IV, 4 (26.7%) showed type 1 and 6 (40.0%) belonged to type 4. According to our results, Sanders classification allowed to predict pattern of the involvement of calcaneocuboid joint (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Calcaneocuboid joint involvement in intraarticular calcaneal fractures was common and more than half showed severe injuries. We concluded that further studies on the involvement of calcaneocuboid joint should be performed prior to surgical treatment of intraarticular calcaneal fractures.