Open Posterior Approach versus Arthroscopic Suture Fixation for Displaced Posterior Cruciate Ligament Avulsion Fractures: Systematic Review

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes between the open posterior approach and arthroscopic suture fixation for displaced posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion fractures. METHODS: A literature search was performed on MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases. The inclusion criteria were as follows: papers written in English on displaced PCL avulsion fractures, clinical trial(s) with clear description of surgical technique, adult subjects, a follow-up longer than 12 months and modified Coleman methodology score (CMS) more than 60 points. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included with a mean CMS value of 72.4 (standard deviation, 7.6). Overall, 134 patients underwent the open posterior approach with a minimum 12-month follow-up, and 174 patients underwent arthroscopic suture fixation. At final follow-up, the range of Lysholm score was 85–100 for the open approach and 80–100 for the arthroscopic approach. Patients who were rated as normal or nearly normal in the International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee assessment were 92%–100% for the open approach and 90%–100% for the arthroscopic approach. The range of side-to-side difference was 0–5 mm for both approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Both arthroscopic and open methods for the treatment of PCL tibial-side avulsion injuries resulted in comparably good clinical outcomes, radiological healing, and stable knees.

Is Bone Grafting Necessary in Opening Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy? A Meta-Analysis of Radiological Outcomes

PURPOSE: Bone grafting in opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) is still controversial. The purpose of this study is to compare the radiological outcomes of OWHTO with bone graft (autogenous, allogenous, and synthetic bone graft) and those without bone graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Register of Studies databases were searched using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria for radiological studies involving OWHTO with bone graft and without bone graft groups. All reported delayed union, nonunion and correction loss were analyzed. Data were searched from the time period of January 2000 through July 2014. In addition, a modified Coleman methodology score (CMS) system was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies with a mean CMS value of 77 (range, 61 to 85 score) were included. In total, 1,841 patients underwent OWHTO using 4 different procedures for bone graft: autobone graft (n=352), allobone graft (n=547), synthetic bone graft (n=541) and no bone graft (n=401). There was a similar tendency for delayed union, nonunion and correction loss rate among the osteotomy space filling methods. CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis showed there was a similar tendency for radiological union and correction maintenance among patients undergoing OWHTO regardless of the type of bone in all of the studies. However, the currently available evidence is not sufficient to strongly support the superiority of OWHTO with bone graft to OWHTO without bone graft.

Anatomical Single-bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using a Freehand Transtibial Technique

PURPOSE: In anatomical single-bundle (SB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, the traditional transtibial approach can limit anatomical placement of the femoral tunnel. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: We present a novel three-point freehand technique that allows for anatomic SB ACL reconstruction with the transtibial technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2012 and December 2012, 55 ACL reconstructions were performed using the three-point freehand technique. All the patients were followed for a minimum of 12 months post-operatively. Clinical evaluation was done using the Lysholm score and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) grade. All patients were analyzed by 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) at 1 week after surgery. RESULTS: The mean Lysholm score improved from 68.2+/-12.7 points preoperatively to 89.2+/-8.2 points at final follow-up. At final follow-up, the IKDC grade was normal in 42 patients and nearly normal in 13 patients. None of the patients had a positive pivot shift test, anterior drawer test and Lachman test at final follow-up. The anatomical position of the femoral tunnel was confirmed on 3D CT scans. CONCLUSIONS: The three-point freehand technique for SB transtibial ACL reconstruction is a simple, anatomic technique showing good clinical results.

Spontaneous Healing of a Displaced Bucket-Handle Tear of the Lateral Meniscus in a Child

Bucket-handle tears less frequently occur in the lateral meniscus than in the medial meniscus. An 11-year-old male patient complained of painful swelling and locking due to a displaced bucket-handle tear of the lateral meniscus. We recommended an arthroscopic surgery; however, the patient left the hospital without surgical treatment. Six weeks afterwards, he returned without any complain of pain and he regained full range of motion. The final follow-up magnetic resonance imaging showed reduction of the torn meniscal fragment without any signal changes suggestive of a meniscal tear. We report a rare case of an isolated displaced bucket-handle tear of the lateral meniscus in an 11-year-old patient that healed spontaneously without surgical intervention.

Second-Look Arthroscopic Assessment and Clinical Results of Modified Pull-Out Suture for Posterior Root Tear of the Medial Meniscus

PURPOSE: To identify the structural integrity of the healing site after arthroscopic repair of a posterior root tear of the medial meniscus by second-look arthroscopy and to determine the clinical relevance of the findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2005 to December 2010, 20 consecutive patients underwent arthroscopic modified pull-out suture repair for a posterior root tear of the medial meniscus. Thirteen patients were available for second-look arthroscopic evaluation. The healing status of the medial meniscus was classified as complete healing, lax healing, scar tissue healing, and failed healing. We evaluated the correlation between the clinical symptoms and second-look arthroscopic findings. Clinical evaluation was based on the Lysholm knee scores and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores. RESULTS: There were 4 cases of complete healing, 4 lax healing, 4 scar tissue healing, and 1 failed healing. The healing status of the repaired meniscus appeared to be related to the clinical symptoms. Patients who achieved complete tissue healing had no complaint. The healing status exhibited no relationship with age, mechanical axis, degree of subluxation, and symptom duration. The mean Lysholm score improved from 34.7 preoperatively to 75.6 at follow-up and the mean HSS score also significantly increased from 33.5 to 82.2. CONCLUSIONS: We achieved 4 complete and 8 partial healing (lax or scar) of the medial meniscus in this retrospective case series of posterior horn meniscus root repairs performed by 1 surgeon. Further research is needed to clarify why all patients showed clinical improvement despite findings of partial healing on second-look arthroscopy.

The Clinical Study of Ankle Fracture and Dislocation / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: We evaluate clinical manifestations and radiologic features of ankle fracture & dislocation, as well as the usefulness of computed tomography on posterior ankle fracture & dislocation to study factors contributing to ankle fracture & dislocation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ankle dislocation was defined as the center of talar body being translated over the cortex of tibia on AP or lateral view on simple X-ray. Surgical treatments of 30 patients from January 2007 to March 2012 were categorized according to the injury mechanism, the direction of dislocation and fracture site. Joint involvement of posterior malleoalr fracture was evaluated through simple x-ray and computed tomography. We treated surgically if posterior malleolus fracture involves more than 25% of dital tibial articular surface. Thereafter, clinical outcomes were identified through radiographs and by using the AOFAS score. RESULTS: The mean age was 42(13-78) years old, and slip down was the most common injury mechanism (13 cases). Car accident (6 cases) and fall accident (4 cases) were the next frequently found injury mechanisms. As for the types of ankle fracture, posterior fracture and dislocation (21 cases, 43.3%) was most commonly found. Out of these 21 cases, 15 cases involved trimalleolar fracture, and 19 cases were associated with posterior malleolar fracture. Danis-weber type B and C patients were 11 cases and 10 cases respectively. Articular involvement of posterior malleolar fracture turned out to be average 27.9%(5.1%~49.1%) on simple x-ray. The rate was evaluated as average 31.7%(12.6%~55.3%) on computed tomography which was conducted 15 times, and led us to more meaningful data. CONCLUSION: Anterolateral fracture and dislocation often accompanied open dislocation. Posterior fracture dislocation was most commonly found. Posterior malleolus was an important factor that ensures posterior stability of the ankle joint. Computed tomograph is useful to evaluate the articular involvement of posterior malleolar fracture.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Occurred in Psoas Muscle / 대한정형외과학회잡지

One fourth of cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma were reported as extranodal type and skeletal muscle involvement rarely seen as a primary event and local dissemination. The psoas involved lesion with spine mimicking pain is caused mainly by infection rather than non-infected conditions such as tumor. We report on a rare case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma occurring in psoas muscle, which required differentiation from a psoas abscess.

Anterior Knee Pain after Intramedullary Nailing for Tibial Shaft Fractures

PURPOSE: To analyze the possible causes and incidence of the chronic anterior knee pain follow after closed intramedullary nailing for the tibial shaft fractures, in a retrospective aspect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 52 patients who treated with intramedullary nailing for the tibial shaft fractures from January 2001 to October 2008 were reviewed. We analyzed the relationship between knee pain and the variables (sex, age, types of fracture, protrusion extent of intramedullary nailing on proximal tibia). The aspects of pain, its onset and relieving time, and how much it influences on daily living were analyzed retrospectively. For categorical variables, group variences were estimated using Chi-square test. RESULTS: 34 patients of 52 (65%) complaint of anterior knee pain followed after intramedullary nailing, and there were no statistical differences between pain and sex/age (p>0.05). Incidence of anterior knee pain becomes higher as the severity of fracture increases, but there was no statistical difference between pain and intramedullary nailing protrusion. Pain severity was mostly not influencing on daily living, and it mostly responded to conservative treatment. CONCLUSION: The incidence of anterior knee pain followed after intramedullary nailing was 65%, and its severity was mostly not influencing on daily living. There were no significant differences between pain and sex, age, protrusion extent of intramedullary nailing on proximal tibia, but as the severity of frature increases, the incidence of anterior knee pain became higher.