Discoid meniscus: Treatment considerations and updates.

A discoid meniscus is a morphological abnormality wherein the meniscus loses its normal 'C' shape. Although most patients are asymptomatic, patients might still present with symptoms such as locking, pain, swelling, or giving way. Magnetic resonance imaging is usually needed for confirmation of diagnosis. Based on a constellation of factors, including clinical and radiological, different approaches are chosen for the management of discoid meniscus. The purpose of this review is to outline the treatment of discoid meniscus, starting from conservative approach, to the different surgical options for this condition. The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were used for this review. Studies discussing the treatment of discoid meniscus from 2018 to 2023 were searched. Initially there were 369 studies retrieved, and after removal of studies using the exclusion criteria, 26 studies were included in this review. Factors such as stability, presence of tear, and morphology can help with surgical planning. Many approaches have been used to treat discoid meniscus, where the choice is tailored for each patient individually. Postoperatively, factors that may positively impact patient outcomes include male sex, body mass index < 18.5, age at symptom onset < 25 years, and duration of symptoms < 24 months. The conventional approach is partial meniscectomy with or without repair; however, recently, there has been an increased emphasis on discoid-preserving techniques such as meniscoplasty, meniscopexy, and meniscal allograft transplantation.

Does Freehand, Patient-specific Instrumentation or Surgical Navigation Perform Better for Allograft Reconstruction After Tumor Resection? A Preclinical Synthetic Bone Study.

BACKGROUND: Joint-sparing resection of periarticular bone tumors can be challenging because of complex geometry. Successful reconstruction of periarticular bone defects after tumor resection is often performed with structural allografts to allow for joint preservation. However, achieving a size-matched allograft to fill the defect can be challenging because allograft sizes vary, they do not always match a patient's anatomy, and cutting the allograft to perfectly fit the defect is demanding. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) Is there a difference in mental workload among the freehand, patient-specific instrumentation, and surgical navigation approaches? (2) Is there a difference in conformance (quantitative measure of deviation from the ideal bone graft), elapsed time during reconstruction, and qualitative assessment of goodness-of-fit of the allograft reconstruction among the approaches? METHODS: Seven surgeons used three modalities in the same order (freehand, patient-specific instrumentation, and surgical navigation) to fashion synthetic bone to reconstruct a standardized bone defect. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) mental task load index questionnaires and procedure time were captured. Cone-beam CT images of the shaped allografts were used to measure conformance (quantitative measure of deviation from the ideal bone graft) to a computer-generated ideal bone graft model. Six additional (senior) surgeons blinded to modality scored the quality of fit of the allografts into the standardized tumor defect using a 10-point Likert scale. We measured conformance using the root-mean-square metric in mm and used ANOVA for multipaired comparisons (p < 0.05 was significant). RESULTS: There was no difference in mental NASA total task load scores among the freehand, patient-specific instrumentation, and surgical navigation techniques. We found no difference in conformance root-mean-square values (mean ± SD) between surgical navigation (2 ± 0 mm; mean values have been rounded to whole numbers) and patient-specific instrumentation (2 ± 1 mm), but both showed a small improvement compared with the freehand approach (3 ± 1 mm). For freehand versus surgical navigation, the mean difference was 1 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5 to 1.1; p = 0.01). For freehand versus patient-specific instrumentation, the mean difference was 1 mm (95% CI -0.1 to 0.9; p = 0.02). For patient-specific instrumentation versus surgical navigation, the mean difference was 0 mm (95% CI -0.5 to 0.2; p = 0.82). In evaluating the goodness of fit of the shaped grafts, we found no clinically important difference between surgical navigation (median [IQR] 7 [6 to 8]) and patient-specific instrumentation (median 6 [5 to 7.8]), although both techniques had higher scores than the freehand technique did (median 3 [2 to 4]). For freehand versus surgical navigation, the difference of medians was 4 (p < 0.001). For freehand versus patient-specific instrumentation, the difference of medians was 3 (p < 0.001). For patient-specific instrumentation versus surgical navigation, the difference of medians was 1 (p = 0.03). The mean ± procedural times for freehand was 16 ± 10 minutes, patient-specific instrumentation was 14 ± 9 minutes, and surgical navigation techniques was 24 ± 8 minutes. We found no differences in procedures times across three shaping modalities (freehand versus patient-specific instrumentation: mean difference 2 minutes [95% CI 0 to 7]; p = 0.92; freehand versus surgical navigation: mean difference 8 minutes [95% CI 0 to 20]; p = 0.23; patient-specific instrumentation versus surgical navigation: mean difference 10 minutes [95% CI 1 to 19]; p = 0.12). CONCLUSION: Based on surgical simulation to reconstruct a standardized periarticular bone defect after tumor resection, we found a possible small advantage to surgical navigation over patient-specific instrumentation based on qualitative fit, but both techniques provided slightly better conformance of the shaped graft for fit into the standardized post-tumor resection bone defect than the freehand technique did. To determine whether these differences are clinically meaningful requires further study. The surgical navigation system presented here is a product of laboratory research development, and although not ready to be widely deployed for clinical practice, it is currently being used in a research operating room setting for patient care. This new technology is associated with a learning curve, capital costs, and potential risk. The reported preliminary results are based on a preclinical synthetic bone tumor study, which is not as realistic as actual surgical scenarios. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Surgical navigation systems are an emerging technology in orthopaedic and reconstruction surgery, and understanding their capabilities and limitations is paramount for clinical practice. Given our preliminary findings in a small cohort study with one scenario of standardized synthetic periarticular bone tumor defects, future investigations should include different surgical scenarios using allograft and cadaveric specimens in a more realistic surgical setting.

Osteochondrolipoma of the foot treated by surgical excision: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Osteochondromas, classified as a new benign subtype of lipomas and characterised by chondroid and osseous differentiation, are rare lesions that have been infrequently reported in previous literature. The maxillofacial region was reported as the most frequent localization, with infrequent occurrence in the lower limb. This paper represents the first documented case report of osteochondrolipoma in the foot. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old male patient presented with a chief complaint of right foot pain at the plantar aspect, accompanied by the observation of swelling between the first and the second metatarsal shafts. His complaint of pain and swelling started 10 and 4 years prior, respectively. Since their onset, both symptoms have progressed in nature. Imaging revealved a large mass exhibiting a nonhomogenous composition of fibrous tissue and bony structures. Surgical intervention through total excision was indicated. CONCLUSION: Osteochodrolipoma is a benign lesion that can affect the foot leading to decreased functionality of the foot due to the pain and swelling. Surgical excision is the recommended approach for this lesion, providing both symptomatic relief and confirmation of the diagnosis through histopathological examination.

Unilateral laminotomy with bilateral spinal canal decompression: systematic review of outcomes and complications.

BACKGROUND: Unilateral laminotomy with bilateral spinal canal decompression has gained popularity recently. AIM: To systematically review the literature of unilateral laminotomy with bilateral spinal canal decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) aiming to assess outcomes and complications of the different techniques described in literature. METHODS: On August 7, 2022, Pubmed and EMBASE were searched by 2 reviewers independently, and all the relevant studies published up to date were considered based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subject headings "unilateral laminotomy", "bilateral decompression" and their related key terms were used. The Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement was used to screen the articles. RESULTS: A total of seven studies including 371 patients were included. The mean age of the patients was 69.0 years (range: 55-83 years). The follow up duration ranged from 1 to 3 years. Rate of postoperative pain and functional improvement was favorable based on VAS, JOA, JOABPEQ, RMDW, ODI and SF-36, for example improved from a range of 4.2-7.5 preoperatively on the VAS score to a range of 1.4-3.0 postoperatively at the final follow up. Insufficient decompression was noted in 3% of the reported cases. The overall complication rate was reported at 18-20%, with dural tear at 3.6-9% and hematoma at 0-4%. CONCLUSION: Unilateral laminotomy with bilateral decompression has favorable short- and mid-term pain and functional outcomes with low recurrence and complication rates. This, however, needs to be further confirmed in larger, long-term follow-up, prospective, comparative studies between open, and minimally invasive techniques.

Cross-cultural adaptation, validity and reliability of the Arabic version of the Forgotten Joint Score for knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Arabic version of this questionnaire in Arabic patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: The Arabic version of the English FJS (Ar-FJS) was modified according to cross-cultural adaptation best practices. The study included 111 patients who underwent TKA 1-5 years ago and completed the Ar-FJS. The reduced Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (rWOMAC) and 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) were used to assess the construct validity of the study. Fifty-two individuals took the Ar-FJS test twice to evaluate the test-retest reliability. RESULTS: The reliability of the Ar-FJS demonstrated a Cronbach's α value of 0.940 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.951. The ceiling effect of the Ar-FJS was 5.4% (n = 6), whereas the floor effect was 1.8% (n = 2). Additionally, the Ar-FJS showed correlation coefficients of 0.753 and 0.992 for the rWOMAC and SF-36, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Ar-FJS-12 demonstrated excellent internal consistency, repeatability, construct validity, and content validity and can be recommended for patients in Arabic-speaking communities who have undergone knee arthroplasty.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Arabic Version of the Harris Hip Score.

Background: The Harris Hip Score (HHS) questionnaire has been translated and validated into many languages including Italian, Portuguese, and Turkish but not Arabic. The goal of this study was to translate HHS into the Arabic language with cross-cultural adaptation to include and benefit Arabic speaking communities as it is the most widely used instrument for disease-specific hip joint evaluation and measurement of total hip arthroplasty outcome. Methods: This questionnaire was translated following a clear and user-friendly guideline protocol. The Cronbach's alpha was used to assess the reliability and internal consistency of the items of HHS. Additionally, the constructive validity of HHS was evaluated against the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). Results: A total of 100 participants were included in this study, of which 30 participants were re-evaluated for reliability testing. Cronbach's alpha of the total score of Arabic HHS is 0.528, and after the standardization, it changed to 0.742 which is within the recommended range (0.7-0.9). Lastly, the correlation between HHS and SF-36 was r = 0.71 (P < .001) which represents a strong correlation between the Arabic HHS and SF-36. Conclusions: Based on the results, we believe that the Arabic HHS can be used by clinicians, researchers, and patients to evaluate and report hip pathologies and total hip arthroplasty treatment efficacy.

Outcome After Surgical Treatment of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP): Does it Require Extensive Follow-up and What is an Adequate Resection Margin?

INTRODUCTION: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare cutaneous tumour of indeterminate malignant potential. The mainstay treatment for DFSP is surgical resection. Given the reported high local recurrence rate, the ideal resection margin for DFSP is unclear. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the local recurrence and metastatic rate of DFSP and DFSP with fibrosarcomatous degeneration (FS-DFSP), with specific attention to margin status in an attempt to address the issue of margin adequacy. METHODS: Patients treated for DFSP at a single sarcoma centre were identified from a prospective database. DFSP and FS-DFSP patients with and without prior surgery were included. Patients were followed after surgery to monitor complications, local recurrence and metastasis. RESULTS: The study included 200 patients: 166 patients with DFSP and 34 patients with FS-DFSP. In the DFSP group, nine patients (5.4%) had positive margins, one case (0.6%) developed local recurrence (LR) and no patients developed distant metastases. In the FS-DFSP group, seven patients (20.6%) had positive margins, six patients (17.6%) developed local recurrence (LR) and eight patients (23.5%) developed distant metastases, of which three (37.5%) were in the lungs, one (12.5%) in bone and four (50%) in other soft tissue sites. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Local recurrence and metastases are extremely rare in patients with DFSP. Achieving a negative as opposed to a wide surgical margin may be sufficient to avoid local recurrence of most DFSP. We suggest that no ongoing surveillance for local or systemic relapse is required for DFSP patients after negative margin resection. For FS-DFSP, we recommend the same surveillance schedule, based on tumour grade, as other soft tissue sarcoma.

Extraarticular Pretibial Synovial Cyst After Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Case Report.

Arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament has been modernized through new materials and novel surgical techniques. The usage of bioabsorbable screws for tibial fixation may potentially lead to complications, such as formation of a tibial tunnel or pretibial cysts. This is a relatively rare complication, but it has been described in the literature. The pathomechanism of cyst formation, however, still remains poorly understood. In this case report, we present a case of a healthy 23-year-old gentleman who had left tibia vara, which was treated surgically with proximal tibia corrective osteotomy with plate and screw fixation and subsequent hardware removal. Later in his life, he injured his anterior cruciate ligament, which required arthroscopic reconstruction. Years after, he developed a pretibial synovial cyst, which was visualized on magnetic resonance imaging. We reviewed previously published cases with similar presentations to help describe the possible etiology of intraosseous (tibial tunnel) cysts.

Irregular porous titanium enhances implant stability and bone ingrowth in an intra-articular ovine model.

Two commercially available porous coatings, Gription and Porocoat, were compared for the first time in a challenging intra-articular, weight-bearing, ovine model. Gription has evolved from Porocoat and has higher porosity, coefficient of friction, and microtextured topography, which are expected to enhance bone ingrowth. Cylindrical implants were press-fit into the weight-bearing regions of ovine femoral condyles and bone ingrowth and fixation strength evaluated 4, 8, and 16 weeks postoperatively. Biomechanical push-out tests were performed on lateral femoral condyles (LFCs) to evaluate the strength of the bone-implant interface. Bone ingrowth was assessed in medial femoral condyles (MFCs) as well as implants retrieved from LFCs following biomechanical testing using backscattered electron microscopy and histology. By 16 weeks, Gription-coated implants exhibited higher force (2455 ± 1362 vs. 1002 ± 1466 N; p = 0.046) and stress (12.60 ± 6.99 vs. 5.14 ± 7.53 MPa; p = 0.046) at failure, and trended towards higher stiffness (11,510 ± 7645 vs. 5010 ± 8374 N/mm; p = 0.061) and modulus of elasticity (591 ± 392 vs. 256 ± 431 MPa; p = 0.061). A strong, positive correlation was detected between bone ingrowth in LFC implants and failure force (r = 0.93, p < 10-13 ). By 16 weeks, bone ingrowth in Gription-coated implants in MFCs was 10.50 ± 6.31% compared to 5.88 ± 2.77% in Porocoat (p = 0.095). Observations of the bone-implant interface, made following push-out testing, showed more bony material consistently adhered to Gription compared to Porocoat at all three time points. Gription provided superior fixation strength and bone ingrowth by 16 weeks.

Total Knee Arthroplasty With Megaprosthesis for Idiopathic Charcot Knee.

Charcot knee is a rare condition with few reported cases in the literature. Although the clinical presentation is highly variable, Charcot knee classically presents with painful arthropathy in addition to instability and decreased range of motion. Herein, we describe the case of a 72-year-old man with idiopathic Charcot knee. The diagnosis was established on the basis of history of neuropathic arthropathy of the knee, supported by knee radiographs and the exclusion of all known etiologies of Charcot knee. Because of a highly destructed knee joint, the patient underwent a total knee arthroplasty using the Global Modular Replacement System proximal tibial prosthesis. The surgery was done without any major complications, resulting in symptomatic and functional improvements.

Curability of patients with lymph node metastases from extremity soft-tissue sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Lymph node metastases (LNM) rarely occur in adult extremity soft-tissue sarcoma (STS), affecting approximately 5% of patients. To the authors' knowledge, few studies to date have evaluated the prognosis and survival of patients with LNM. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of a single-center, prospectively collected STS database. Demographic, treatment, and oncologic data for patients with STS of the extremity with LNM were obtained from clinical and radiographic records. RESULTS: Of 2689 patients with extremity STS, a total of 120 patients (4.5%) were diagnosed with LNM. LNM occurred most frequently among patients diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma (27.6%), epithelioid sarcoma (21.9%), rhabdomyosarcoma (17.3%), angiosarcoma (14.0%), and extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (9.3%). A total of 98 patients (81.7%) underwent LNM surgical resection. Patients with isolated LNM had a greater 5-year overall survival (57.3%) compared with patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) eighth edition stage IV STS with only systemic metastases (14.6%) or both LNM and systemic disease (0%; P < .0001). Patients with isolated LNM had an overall survival rate (52.9%) similar to that of patients with localized AJCC stage III tumors (ie, large, high-grade tumors) (49.3%) (P = .8). Patients with late, isolated, metachronous LNM had a 5-year overall survival rate (61.2%) that was similar to that of patients with isolated synchronous LNM at the time of presentation (53.6%) (P = .4). CONCLUSIONS: Many different types of STS develop LNM. Patients with extremity STS with isolated LNM should not be considered as having stage IV disease as they are according to the current AJCC eighth edition classification because they have significantly better survival than those with systemic metastases. Patients with isolated, late, metachronous LNM have a survival similar to that of patients with isolated synchronous LNM at the time of presentation. LAY SUMMARY: The results of the current study demonstrated that patients diagnosed with isolated lymph node metastases have a prognosis similar to that of patients diagnosed with localized American Joint Committee on Cancer stage III soft-tissue sarcomas, which also equates to a significantly better overall survival compared with patients with systemic metastases. Therefore, the authors recommend modifications to the most recent eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system to clearly distinguish patients with isolated lymph node metastases to acknowledge their better prognosis compared with those with systemic metastases.

Fixed-hinge cemented modular implants: An effective reconstruction technique following primary distal femoral bone tumor resection. A 136-case multicenter series.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction by endoprosthesis is widespread after bone tumor resection. The design and type of fixation and of hinge remain a matter of debate. The aim of the present study was to assess survival, complications and functional results in a homogeneous series of adult patients undergoing bone defect reconstruction following distal femoral tumor resection, using a single model of fixed-hinge cemented endoprosthesis, at a minimum 5 years' follow-up. HYPOTHESIS: The study hypotheses were that loosening and infection are the main causes of failure, and that this type of reconstruction is reliable following distal femoral resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients aged over 17 years undergoing reconstruction using the Stanmore Mets® fixed-hinge cemented modular endoprosthesis following distal femoral resection for primary bone tumor in 4 French reference centers between 2004 and 2013 were included. Epidemiological data, MSTS functional score, clinical and radiological examination results, complications and survival with types of failure according to the Henderson classification were assessed. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-six patients (68 male, 68 female; mean age, 41.2 years [range, 17-77 years]) were included. Mean follow-up was 81 months [range, 61-134 months]. Thirty-two patients (38%) experienced a total 67 complications requiring surgical revision: mainly infection (n=28) or mechanical failure (n=26). Overall implant survival was 78% at 5 years. There were 30 implant failures on the Henderson classification. Mean MSTS score was 82%. DISCUSSION: The present results are comparable to those of the literature and for other types of reconstruction. Recent meta-analyses suggest that type of hinge and of stem fixation have little effect on implant survival. International comparative studies are needed to determine the exact role of each type of reconstruction according to the patient profile. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, multicenter retrospective series.

The effect of patient institutional transfer during the interstage period of two-stage treatment for prosthetic knee infection.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of transferring patients to a specialized arthroplasty centre between the first and second stages (interstage) of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) of the knee. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A search of our institutional database was performed to identify patients having undergone two-stage revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for PJI. Two cohorts were created: continuous care (CC) and transferred care (TC). Baseline characteristics and outcomes were collected and compared between cohorts. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients were identified: 105 in the CC cohort (56 men, 49 women; mean age 67.9) and 32 in the TC cohort (17 men, 15 women; mean age 67.8 years). PJI organism virulence was greater in the CC cohort (36.2% vs 15.6%; p = 0.030). TC patients had a higher rate of persisting or recurrent infection (53.6% vs 13.4%; p < 0.001), soft-tissue complications (31.3 vs 14.3%; p = 0.030), and reduced requirement for porous metal augments (78.1% vs 94.3%; p = 0.006). Repeat first stage debridement after transfer led to greater need for plastic surgical procedures (58.3% vs 0.0%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patient transfer during the interstage of treatment for infected TKA leads to poorer outcomes compared with patients receiving all their treatment at a specialized arthroplasty centre. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:1087-1092.

Preservation of the Acetabular Cup During Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty Using a Novel Mini-navigation Tool: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: While intraoperative navigation systems have been shown to improve outcomes in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), their use in the context of revision has been largely overlooked. This case report presents the first documented use of an imageless navigation tool in the context of revision THA, and an unexpected benefit to the surgical procedure as a result. CASE REPORT: An 84-year-old female patient presented following five episodes of dislocation of the left hip and with pain in the left buttock, groin, and posterior aspect of her hip. Relevant surgical history included primary hip arthroplasty in 1999 and the first revision in 2014. Preoperative analysis revealed a constrained liner that had become disengaged and migrated inferiorly, lodging at the distal aspect of the femoral neck. Acetabular protrusion was also noted. The pre-operative plan included the replacement of the fragmented liner and likely of the acetabular cup due to hardware failure. Intraoperative assessment, however, revealed that the cup was in good condition and would be difficult to remove due to substantial bony ingrowth. With the assistance of imageless navigation, the orientation of the acetabular cup was determined and a new constrained liner was cemented into the preexisting acetabular component at an altered orientation, correcting anteversion by 7°. CONCLUSIONS: In revision hip arthroplasty cases, image-based navigation is limited by the presence of existing implants and corresponding metal artefact. This case demonstrates the successful use of an imageless navigation tool for revision surgery. Use of navigation led to the unexpected intraoperative discovery that the acetabular cup was in an acceptable state, and allowed the surgical team to correct the position of the cup using a constrained liner, thus preserving the cup. This significantly benefitted patient outcome, due to the risks associated with the removal of a firmly fixated acetabular cup. While more extensive research is required, this case demonstrates that imageless navigation may be an indispensable tool for revision surgery.

Fresh Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation for Treatment of Large Cartilage Defects of the Femoral Head: A Minimum Two-Year Follow-Up Study of Twenty-Two Patients.

BACKGROUND: Controversy remains over the surgical management of large osteochondral lesions of the femoral head in young, active patients. The purpose of this study is to assess midterm clinical and radiographic outcomes after fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation (OAT) for large femoral head lesions at minimum 2-year follow-up. METHODS: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed for 22 patients under the age of 50 years with defined femoral head osteochondral lesions who underwent fresh OAT between 2008 and 2015. Patients were assessed clinically using the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) preoperatively and at each follow-up visit. Postoperative radiographs were evaluated for graft integrity and Kellgren & Lawrence Grade for osteoarthritis severity. Complications and reoperation were assessed by chart review. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analyses with 95% confidence intervals were performed for the end point of conversion to total hip arthroplasty. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 68.8 months (26-113), the mean mHHS improved significantly (P < .001) from 48.9 (19-84) to 77.4 (35-98). Sixteen of 22 patients (72.7%) had an mHHS ≥70 at the latest follow-up. Arthritic progression, as indicated by an increase in the Kellgren & Lawrence Grade, occurred in 4 of 22 hips (18.2%). Five patients (22.7%) underwent conversion to total hip arthroplasty. Graft survivorship was 86.4 ± 7.3% at 2 years, 78.5 ± 10.0% at 5 years, and 67.3 ± 13.5% at 9 years. CONCLUSION: Fresh OAT may be a viable treatment option for osteochondral defects of the femoral head in young, active patients with minimal preexisting joint deformity.

Randomized clinical trial of continuous femoral nerve block combined with sciatic nerve block versus epidural analgesia for unilateral total knee arthroplasty.

Pain control following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is crucial to hasten rehabilitation and decrease morbidity. We evaluated whether there is a difference between epidural infusion and continuous femoral nerve block with respect to postoperative pain control and rehabilitation course. Fifty patients completed the study. There was no statistically significant difference in the pain scores (P=0.33), morphine consumption (P=0.09) mean blood pressure or heart rate (P=0.957, and P=0.716) between groups. The postoperative daily mobilization (P=0.80), knee joint range of motion (P=0.83), and straight leg test (P=0.99) were also similar between both groups. Patients were highly satisfied with their pain management in both groups without statistically significant difference (P=0.98).