Navigated versus Conventional Technique in High Tibial Osteotomy: A Meta-Analysis Focusing on Weight Bearing Effect

PURPOSE: We aimed to determine whether navigated opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) is superior to the conventional technique in terms of accuracy of the coronal and sagittal alignment correction, functional outcome, and operative time. METHODS: Studies comparing navigated and conventional HTO were included in this meta-analysis. We compared the incidence of radiological outliers in coronal alignment and tibial slope maintenance, mean differences in functional outcome scales, and operative time. Subgroup analyses were performed on coronal alignment accuracy based on the intraoperative method of alignment confirmation: fluoroscopy vs. gap measurement method. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included: there were 434 knees in the navigated HTO studies and 405 knees in the conventional HTO studies. The risk of outlier was lower in navigated HTO than in conventional HTO; however, the difference was not significant when navigated HTO was compared with conventional HTO performed using the gap measurement method. Tibial slope maintenance was comparable or better in navigated HTO. No difference was found in the American Knee Society function and Lysholm scores. Navigated HTO necessitated a longer operative time of approximately 10 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of navigation in HTO can improve accuracy in both coronal and sagittal alignments, but its clinical benefit is unclear.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Popliteal Cysts with and without Cystectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes of the arthroscopic treatments for popliteal cysts with and without cystectomy. METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, KoreaMed, and Cochrane Library were searched from the earliest available date of indexing through August 2016. The methodological quality of all articles was assessed according to the Coleman methodology score (CMS). Studies were grouped according to the surgical method, and a meta-analysis was conducted to identify the unsuccessful clinical outcome and complication rates. RESULTS: Nine studies were included; the mean CMS was 67.33 (standard deviation, 8.75 points). Cystectomy was reported in five studies; cystectomy was not performed in four studies. The odds ratio of unsuccessful clinical outcomes evaluated by Rauschning and Lindgren score was 122.05 (p<0.001) with cystectomy and 58.12 (p<0.001) without cystectomy. The effect size of complications was 0.16 (p<0.001) with cystectomy and 0.03 (p<0.001) without cystectomy. The recurrence rate was 0% with cystectomy and 6.4% without cystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: All the currently available studies showed satisfactory outcomes in both with and without cystectomy groups. However, arthroscopic cystectomy concurrently performed with management of intra-articular lesions was associated with a relatively low recurrence rate and a relatively high incidence of complications.

Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction using an autograft or allograft for patellar dislocation: a systematic review

PURPOSE@#The purpose of this study is to review the use of an allograft or autograft in medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#Various electronic databases were searched for relevant articles published from January 2000 to September 2017 that evaluated clinical outcomes of MPFL reconstruction using an autograft or allograft. Data search, extraction, analysis, and quality assessments were performed based on Cochrane Collaboration guidelines.@*RESULTS@#The study of 21 autografts and one allograft was included in this review. Although direct comparative studies were unavailable, the Kujala score and subjective results were reported in the majority of these studies. While the use of an autograft for MPFL reconstruction yielded satisfactory clinical outcomes with few perioperative complications, no new outcome has been drawn from the use of allografts.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Although many studies have shown favorable clinical results for MPFL reconstruction using an autograft, the clinical results of MPFL reconstruction using an allograft have not yet been sufficient to achieve meaningful clinical results due to low levels of evidence. Direct comparisons were not conducted because there were very few studies on allografts; thus, further research in this area should be performed in the future.

Opening Wedge High Tibia Osteotomy / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Proximal tibial osteotomy is the preferred method for treating medial compartment knee arthritis with varus deformity. The purpose of this treatment is to reduce the weight burden of the lesion by correcting the mechanical axis of the patient with degenerative arthritis of medial tibiofemoral joint and abnormal alignment. In general, the proximal tibial osteotomy provides satisfactory clinical results when suitable patient are selected by considering the extent of cartilaginous injury and the age of the patient and the correct technique is performed. In tibial osteotomy, medial open wedge osteotomy is used widely because of its short operation time and relatively simple technique. This review describes the current knowledge of patient selection, preoperative evaluation and planning, treatment principles, surgical techniques, rehabilitation procedures and complications in open wedge high tibial osteotomy.

Surgical Technique for Distal Femur Varization Osteotomy / 대한정형외과학회잡지

A closing wedge distal femoral osteotomy is a procedure to reduce pain and delay the progression of degenerative arthritis of knee by moving the weight bearing line from the lateral compartment to the medial side while preserving the knee joint. Age, weight bearing line, and the degree of arthritis are the essential factors to be considered at the time of surgery. The indications for distal femoral osteotomy are as follows. All patients are aged less than 65 years old, normal medial compartment of the knee with normal patello femoral joint, valgus deformity with lateral degenerative arthritis, younger patients with lateral osteochondritis, congenital osteochondrosis, and recurrent patellar dislocation with genu valgum. The distal femoral osteotomy provides the advantages of rapid pain reduction and short rehabilitation in young and active patients and patients who are subjected to heavy loads on the knee.

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.

Distal Femoral Varus Osteotomy for Valgus Arthritis of the Knees: Systematic Review of Open versus Closed Wedge Osteotomy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this review is to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes between open and closed wedge distal femoral varus osteotomy (DFO). METHODS: A literature search of online databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library database) was made in addition to manual search of major orthopedic journals. Data were searched from the time period of January 1990 to October 2016. A modified Coleman Methodology Score system was used to assess the methodologic quality of the included studies. A total of 20 studies were included in the review. All studies were level IV evidence. RESULTS: Comparative analysis of open and closed wedge DFO did not demonstrate clinical and radiological differences. The survival rates were also similar. Five studies (56%) on open wedge DFO mentioned the need for either bone grafting or substitute for osteotomy gap filling and reported higher incidences of reoperation for plate removal than the closed wedge DFO studies. CONCLUSIONS: The present systematic review showed similar performance between open and closed wedge DFO. Outcomes including survival rates were not statistically significantly different. However, additional bone grafting or substitutes were often needed to prevent delayed union or nonunion for open wedge techniques. Additional operations for plate removal were commonly required due to plate irritation in both techniques.

A Combined Closing Wedge Distal Femoral Osteotomy and Medial Reefing Procedure for Recurrent Patellar Dislocation with Genu Valgum

PURPOSE: Recurrent patellar dislocation is often associated with genu valgum. The purpose of this study was to analyze the short-term results of single-incision, closing-wedge distal femoral osteotomy (CWDFO) combined with medial reefing and lateral release for recurrent patellar instability with genu valgum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Combined CWDFO/medial reefing/lateral release was performed on 10 knees. Clinical evaluation was based on pre- and postoperative Knee Society Score (KSS) and Kujala patellofemoral score. Radiographic evaluation was performed with reference to the weight-bearing line (WBL), the femorotibial angle (FTA), and the mechanical lateral distal femoral angles in the knee-standing view. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 20±11.7 months (range, 12–42 months), KSS scores improved significantly, from 46.7±5.2 preoperatively to 87±4.4 postoperatively (p<0.001), as did the Kujala score, from 44±8 preoperatively to 86.6±6.8 postoperatively (p<0.001). The WBL decreased significantly, from 76±7% preoperatively to 41±11% postoperatively (p<0.001). The FTA was improved significantly, from 12.7±1.7° preoperatively to 4±4° postoperatively (p<0.001), as was the mLDFA, from 83±4° preoperatively to 91±1.3° postoperatively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Use of single-incision CWDFO combined with medial reefing and lateral release prevents patellar dislocation, corrects deformity, and improves clinical outcomes.

The Effect of Different Sagittal Angles of the Tibial Guide on Aperture Widening of the Tibial Tunnel during Modified Transtibial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Randomized In Vivo Study

PURPOSE: The effect of sagittal plane angle of the tibial tunnel on the severity of tibial intra-articular aperture expansion caused by iatrogenic re-reaming in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using a modified transtibial technique is unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the severity of intra-articular aperture widening at different angles (40°, 45°, and 50°) of the tibial guide (TG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-seven patients who underwent modified transtibial ACL reconstruction were randomly allocated to TG 40°, 45°, and 50° groups. Intra-articular tibial aperture width (TW) and tibial tunnel length (TTL) were measured intraoperatively using an arthroscopic ruler and a depth gauge. RESULTS: The TG 50° group had significantly greater tibial aperture widening than the TG 40° group. There was a significant difference among TG 40°, 45°, and 50° groups and the percentage of knees with TTL <35 mm was 8%, 9% and 3%, respectively. There were 2 females with TTL <35 mm in TG 40° and 45° groups each. The average mediolateral length of the tibial plateau was 75 mm. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the TG angle of 40° would reduce the severity of intra-articular aperture widening of the tibial tunnel compared to 45° or 50° in modified transtibial ACL reconstruction.

Modified Iliac Crest Reconstruction with Bone Cement for Reduction of Donor Site Pain and Morbidity after Open Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy: A Prospective Study

PURPOSE: This study was to determine the efficacy of iliac crest reconstruction using bone cement in reducing pain and morbidity at the donor site in patients undergoing open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) with tricortical iliac crest autologous graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients who underwent iliac crest reconstruction using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement (group A) and thirty patients who had no iliac crest reconstruction (group B) were enrolled in this study. All patients were evaluated for pain and functional disability related to graft harvesting using the pain and functional visual analogue scale (VAS) score during hospital stay and at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: There was significant difference between the two groups in terms of pain and function. The pain VAS score was significantly lower in group A than group B during the first 2 weeks postoperatively (p=0.04) and the functional VAS score was also significantly lower in group A during the first 2 weeks postoperatively (p<0.001) in terms of breathing, sitting up from the supine position, and standing up with crutches from the sitting position. CONCLUSIONS: Iliac crest donor site reconstruction using PMMA bone cement in patients undergoing OWHTO significantly decreased pain and improved function during the first 2 weeks postoperatively when compared to patients who underwent OWHTO without iliac crest reconstruction.

In vivo Kinematics of the Knee after a Posterior Cruciate-Substituting Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Comparison between Caucasian and South Korean Patients

PURPOSE: This study compared in vivo kinematic differences between Caucasian and South Korean patients after a posterior-substituting total knee arthroplasty (PS-TKA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo motions of 9 Caucasian and 13 South Korean knees with a PS-TKA during weight bearing single leg lunge were determined using a dual fluoroscopic imaging technique. Normalized tibiofemoral condylar motions and articular contact locations were analyzed. RESULTS: Femoral condylar motions of the two groups showed a similar trend in anteroposterior translation, but the South Korean patients were more anteriorly positioned than the Caucasian patients at low flexion and maximal flexion angles in both medial and lateral compartments (p<0.05). Mediolateral femoral condyle translations were similar between the two groups. For tibiofemoral articular contact kinematics, the South Korean patients had significantly more anterior contact locations at the medial compartment at low flexion angles, and more lateral contact locations at the lateral compartment at 0° and 90° flexion compared to the Caucasian patients (p<0.05). The South Korean patients had significantly larger distances between the medial and lateral contact locations at 60° and 90° flexion compared to the Caucasian patients (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that while the Caucasian and South Korean knees had similar femoral condylar motions, after PS-TKA the South Korean patients showed different articular contact point kinematics compared to the Caucasian patients.

High Tibia Osteotomy for a Posterior Root Tear of the Medial Meniscus / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Posterior root tear of the medial meniscus which is frequently unrecognized is a common injury of meniscus that often results in serious consequences in a knee joint. After medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPR), there is a significant increase in tibio-femoral contact pressure concomitant with altered knee joint kinematics. This injury frequently leads to meniscal extrusion, and thus the transmission of circumferential hoop stresses would be impaired, which condition is biomechanically similar to that of total meniscectomy. For these reasons, several methods (conservative treatment, meniscectomy, repair, or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty) have been developed for treatment of MMPR, many of which have shown good clinical results. However, the methods of MMPR treatment are still debatable. This article presents a review of the current strategies for treatment of common injuries to these MMPR and clinical results of high tibia osteotomy for MMPR after failed conservative treatment.

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.

Artificial Fusion of Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty Using a Flexible Intramedullary Rod Bundle and an Antibiotic-Loaded Cement Spacer / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Multiple total knee arthroplasty (TKA) failure resulting from a recurrent infection is a challenging problem. Knee arthrodesis is one treatment option that normally involves the application of an external fixator, plate fixation, and intramedullary nailing. However, these approaches are not always successful, and a reinfection is a risk, particularly in older, medically compromised patients. This paper reports a new arthrodesis technique that uses a bundle of flexible intramedullary rods and an antibiotic-loaded cement spacer. This technique was used in two cases of multiple TKA failure that resulted from a recurrent infection. The procedure was successful in both cases with no evidence of rod or cement failure. Two advantages of this procedure are infection eradication and mechanical strength. However, this procedure should only be used for medically compromised elderly patients at high risk of rerevision TKA failure resulting from persistent periprosthetic infection because rod fracture or loosening can occur with time.

Localized Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis of the Proximal Tibiofibular Joint

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare disease. It is a benign neoplastic process typically affecting young to middle-aged adults and most commonly involving the knee, hip, and shoulder joints. The symptoms include diffuse pain and swelling with discomfort. We report a rare case of localized PVNS originating at the proximal tibiofibular joint in a 39-year-old female patient with radiologic changes for short duration of time. The clinical history, plain radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, and pathologic findings of the reported patient were reviewed. Complete surgical excision was performed and there was no evidence of recurrence after one-year follow-up.

Biomechanical Properties of a New Anatomical Locking Metal Block Plate for Opening Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy: Uniplane Osteotomy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical properties of a new anatomical locking metal block plate by comparing the initial biomechanical stability of three different fixation constructs for open wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sawbones composite tibiae were used to make a 10-mm opening osteotomy model with uniplane technique. The osteotomy was secured with three different types of plates: Group I, new osteotomy plate without a metal block (n=5); Group II, new osteotomy plate with a 10-mm metal block (n=5); and Group III, two short metal block plates (n=5). Single load to failure test and staircase load-controlled cyclical failure test were performed. In the single load to failure test, the yield load, maximum failure load, and the displacement of the osteotomy gap were measured. In the staircase cyclical load to failure test, the total number of cycles to failure was recorded. Failure modes were observed during both single and cyclic load tests. RESULTS: Group II showed the highest yield and ultimate loads (1829+/-319 N, 3493+/-1250 N) compared to Group I (1512+/-157 N, 2422+/-769 N) and Group III (1369+/-378 N, 2157+/-210 N, p<0.05). The displacement of the opening gap in Group II (0.34+/-0.35 mm) was significantly lesser than the other groups (p<0.05). In the staircase cyclical load to failure test, the total number of cycles to failure was 12,860 at 950 N in Group III, 20,280 at 1,140 N in Group I, and 42,816 at 1,330 N in Group II (p<0.05). All the specimens showed complete fracture of the intact lateral sawbones area and slight displacement of the distal fragment of the specimens in the single load to test. None of the specimens showed deformed or broken screws and plates during the single load to test. During the fatigue test with staircase cyclic loading, no fracture of the lateral sawbones area was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the new anatomical locking metal block plate could provide sufficient primary stability for open wedge HTO. The addition of a metal block to this new plate can increase the stability of the osteotomy compared to the one without a metal block.

Arthroscopic Excision of Solitary Intra-articular Osteochondroma of the Knee

Osteochondroma is the most common benign tumor of the growing bone commonly involving the knee joint region. It often involves the metaphysis of the long bone, occurring extra-articularly. In spite of this, solitary intra-articular osteochondroma has rarely been reported in the literature. A 41-year-old man presented with diffuse pain and discomfort of the left knee for over 2 months. Clinical examination revealed a bony prominence involving the superolateral aspect of the left distal femur. Diagnostic evaluation involved radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and a diagnostic arthroscopy, which showed features of an intra-articular osteochondroma in the left distal femur. Arthroscopic excision of the solitary intra-articular osteochondroma resulted in a complete relief of symptoms and return to full competitive activities. No recurrence of symptoms occurred during the one year of follow-up. Solitary intra-articular osteochondroma of the knee is an unusual case, which can be successfully managed with arthroscopy.

A Case of Delayed Recurrent Hemarthrosis after Percutaneous Pin Fixation of the Patellar Fracture

A 24-year-old man underwent percutaneous fixation with pins for an undisplaced patellar fracture. At 7 months follow-up postoperatively, he presented with recurrent, painful swelling of the operated knee following trivial activities of daily life. Aspiration had been performed two times before he presented to us with symptoms. An x-ray showed that one of the pins was suspected to be protruding at the inferior pole of the patella. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed effusion in the joint. Arthroscopy revealed that the pin was prominent intraarticularly, and the adjacent infrapatellar fat pad with surrounding synovial tissue seemed to be abraded. The pins were removed under arthroscopic guidance and any pain or hemarthrosis disappeared thereafter.