Prospective assessment of aneurysmal rupture risk scores in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage: a multicentric cohort.

PURPOSE: The natural evolution of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) is indeed difficult to predict at the individual level. OBJECTIVE: In a large prospective multicentric European cohort, we aimed to evaluate whether the PHASES, UCAS, and ELPASS scores in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage would have predicted a high risk of aneurysmal rupture or growth. METHODS: Academic centers treating patients with intracranial aneurysms were invited to prospectively collect de-identified data from all patients admitted at their institution for a subarachnoid hemorrhage-related to intracranial aneurysmal rupture between January 1 and March 31, 2021 through a trainee-led research collaborative network. Each responding center was provided with an electronic case record form (CRF) which collected all the elements of the PHASES, ELAPSS, and UCAS scores. RESULTS: A total of 319 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were included at 17 centers during a 3-month period. One hundred eighty-three aneurysms (57%) were less than 7 mm. The majority of aneurysms were located on the anterior communicating artery (n = 131, 41%). One hundred eighty-four patients (57%), 103 patients (32%), and 58 (18%) were classified as having a low risk of rupture or growth, according to the PHASES, UCAS, and ELAPSS scores, respectively. CONCLUSION: In a prospective study of European patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, we showed that 3 common risk-assessment tools designed for patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms would have not identified most patients to be at high or intermediate risk for rupture, questioning their use for decision-making in the setting of unruptured aneurysms.

Prognosis and risk factors associated with asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after endovascular treatment of large vessel occlusion stroke: a prospective multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (aICH) is a common occurrence after endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The aims of this study were to address its impact on 3-month functional outcome and to identify risk factors for aICH after EVT. METHODS: Patients with AIS attributable to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who underwent EVT were enrolled in a multicenter prospective registry. Based on imaging performed 22-36 h post-EVT, we included patients with no intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) or aICH. Poor outcome defined as a 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 4-6 and overall 3-month mRS score distribution were compared according to presence/absence of aICH, and aICH subtype using logistic regression. We assessed the risk factors of aICH using a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: Of the 1526 patients included in the study, 653 (42.7%) had aICH. Patients with aICH had a higher rate of poor outcome: odds ratio (OR) 1.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.44-2.44). Shift analysis of mRS score found a fully adjusted OR of 1.79 (95% CI 1.47-2.18). Hemorrhagic infarction (OR 1.63 [95% CI 1.22-2.18]) and parenchymal hematoma (OR 2.99 [95% CI 1.77-5.02]) were associated with higher risk of poor outcome. Male sex, diabetes, coronary artery disease, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score, number of passes and onset to groin puncture time were independently associated with aICH. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with aICH, irrespective of the radiological pattern, have a worse functional outcome at 3 months compared with those without ICH after EVT for AIS. The number of EVT passes and the time from onset to groin puncture are factors that could be modified to reduce deleterious ICH.

[An hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia of late revealed by a cerebral venous thrombosis: A case report]. / Une télangiectasie hémorragique héréditaire révélée tardivement par une thrombose veineuse cérébrale : à propos d'un cas.

INTRODUCTION: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by the triad of nose bleeding, telangiectasia and familial heredity. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a patient who had idiopathic venous cerebral thrombosis complicated by a cerebral infarction treated with warfarin. In the context of a psoas hematoma by warfarine overdose and immobilization, the patient had deep vein thrombosis of the left lower limb with pulmonary embolism revealing a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. After a reexamination, the patient clinical phenotype of HHT was confirmed genetically. The patient was treated with rivaroxaban allowing clinical improvement and partial recanalization of all thrombosis after six months. Thrombotic overisk has already been studied in HHT patients but the use of anticoagulants is at higher risk in these patients. However this patient experienced no adverse event with rivaroxaban. CONCLUSION: This is the first case described of cerebral venous thrombosis treated with rivaroxaban revealing an HHT.

Neither significant osteoarthritic changes nor deteriorating subjective outcomes occur after hybrid fixation of osteochondritis dissecans in the young adult.

PURPOSE: The goal of the fixation of painful osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral condyles in adults is to integrate the osteochondral fragment and thus achieve a normal hyaline cartilaginous coverage. The addition of a biological process to primary fixation may result in improved fragment integration (hybrid fixation). Osteochondral plugs may fulfil this role. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term clinical and radiological results after hybrid fixation of unstable osteochondritis dissecans. The hypothesis was that the rate of secondary osteoarthritis would be low. METHODS: Nine patients treated by hybrid fixation were retrospectively reviewed at a median follow-up of 10.1 years (range 7-14). The median age at surgery was 21 (range 17-28). Six of them were evaluated as ICRS grade II and three, as ICRS grade III. The mean surface of the lesion was 4.5 cm2. All patients were followed up clinically (IKDC, KOOS, Lysholm) and radiologically [Kellgren-Lawrence score (KL)]. RESULTS: During arthroscopic assessment at the time of screw removal (3 months after surgery), the fragments were stable, and autograft plugs were all well integrated. At the most recent follow-up visit, the median IKDC score was 85.8 (range 51.72-100), the KOOS score was 87.7 (52.4-100), and the Lysholm scale score was 89.8 (77-100). In 7 out of 9 patients, radiographs showed a joint space KL grade of 0 or 1. CONCLUSION: Hybrid fixation for treating osteochondritis dissecans lesions of the femoral condyles using mechanical and biological fixation provides healing of the osteochondral fragments with good long-term outcomes. No significant osteoarthritic change was seen with this technique at a mid-term follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV-case series.

Is distal femoral torsion the same in both of a patient's legs? Morphometric CT study.

INTRODUCTION: The rotational position of the femoral component is a primary driver of success in total knee arthroplasty. However, distal femoral torsion (DFT) varies greatly between individuals. Measuring DFT preoperatively by CT in combination with computer-assisted surgery can significantly improve the rotational positioning of the femoral component. However, a preoperative CT scan is costly and exposes the patient to radiation. These are doubled when the patient is undergoing bilateral arthroplasty. The aim of this study was to determine the DFT in both knees of a patient undergoing bilateral arthroplasty. We hypothesized that DFT was symmetric between a patient's two knees and was independent of frontal alignment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study of TKA cases performed between December 2008 and March 2015, 82 patients (mean age 73years) who underwent two-stage bilateral TKA (164 knees) were included. A preoperative CT scan of each knee was performed to measure the DFT using the surgical posterior condylar angle (PCA) described by Yoshioka. Two observers performed the measurements twice each, to allow calculation of the intraclass and interclass correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The mean PCA was 5.4° (±1.48) in the right knee and 5.4° (±1.45) in the left knee, with a left/right difference ranging from 0 to 2.2° (p=0.8). In the entire cohort, 84.6% of patients had a left/right difference of less than 1°. We found no significant differences in DFT in knees with large or small frontal deformity (deformity<10°, p=0.7; deformity>10°, p=0.5) or the presence of varus or valgus (p=0.9). The intraclass correlation coefficient was excellent (94%) and the interclass correlation coefficient was moderate to good (60% for left knees, 53% for right knees). DISCUSSION: Based on CT scan measurements, the DFT in both knees of an arthritic patient is comparable and this measurement is reproducible. This means that a single, unilateral preoperative CT scan is sufficient for planning purposes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV (retrospective cohort study).

Complications and cost of single-stage vs. two-stage bilateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Single-stage bilateral knee arthroplasty, even when unicompartmental, remains controversial, chiefly due to the risk of peri-operative complications. The primary objective of this study was to compare the short-term complication rate and cost of single- vs. two-stage bilateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UCA). The secondary objective was to compare total hospital stay lengths and motion-range recovery. HYPOTHESIS: Single-stage bilateral UCA is a cost-saving alternative that is not associated with higher complication rates compared to two-stage bilateral UCA. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This single-centre retrospective comparative study included 70 patients of any age managed between 2010 and 2016. Among them, 44 (88 UKAs) had single-stage surgery (1S group) and 26 (52 UCAs) two-stage surgery (2S group). The two groups were comparable for age, body mass index, gender distribution, compartment replaced, ASA score, and Charlson comorbidity index. The following were evaluated: operative time, haemoglobin level before and after surgery, major and minor complication rates, motion-range recovery, and the radiographic hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle. Costs were estimated based on the standard codes assigned to the procedures by the national statutory health insurance system (GHM 08C24 for knee arthroplasty to treat knee osteoarthritis and NFKA006 for unicompartmental tibio-femoral or femoro-patellar arthroplasty), modulated according to the concomitant diagnoses. RESULTS: No differences were found for the haemoglobin level change, time to motion-range recovery, or HKA angle. The complication rates per patient were not significantly different between the groups: major complications, 9.1% (n=4) in the 1S group and 15.4% (n=4) in the 2S group (p=1.00); minor complications, 4.5% (n=2) in the 1S group and 3.8% (n=1) in the 2S group (p=1.00). Cost of the total hospital stay was significantly higher in the 2S group than in the 1S group (11,766.7€) and 5626.4€, respectively; p<0.001). Mean total hospital stay duration per patient was 6.7 days with single-stage surgery and 13.4 days with two-stage surgery. DISCUSSION: Single-stage bilateral UCA is not associated with a higher rate of peri-operative complications compared to the two-stage alternative and is substantially less costly. Financial incentives from the healthcare authorities are warranted to increase the use of the single-stage procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, case-control study.

Opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy without bone grafting in severe varus osteoarthritic knee. Rate and risk factors of non-union in 41 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Using locking plates in opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) via a medial opening theoretically allows early weight-bearing without need for bone or bone-substitute grafting. It incurs a risk of non-consolidation in case of large correction (>10°), although rates and risk factors of non-union are not known. The present retrospective study compared OWHTO with correction <10° versus >10°, with a view to determining: (1) complications rates (non-union) according to degree of correction, and (2) risk factors for such complications. HYPOTHESIS: OWHTO with correction greater than 10° without graft shows normal consolidation and allows early weight-bearing. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty-one patients treated by OWHTO for medial osteoarthritis of the knee between January 2101 and November 2015 were included in a retrospective study. HKA angle was assessed by long-leg axis radiographs, preoperatively and at 3 months. Clinical and radiological follow-up at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months assessed consolidation in terms of >40% filling of the osteotomy site. Partial (contact) weight-bearing was allowed from the first postoperative day, with full weight-bearing at 6 weeks. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 59±5 years. Mean body-mass index (BMI) was 30.3±5.2; 17 patients (41.5%) had BMI >30. Mean initial HKA angle was 173.5°±3° (range, 167-178°) and mean correction was 10.7°±2.7° (range, 5-15°). There were 27 corrections of 10° or more, and 14 less than 10°. At 3 months, mean HKA was 182.9°±2.5° (range, 178-187°). Twelve cases showed lateral tibial cortex fracture after opening. Thirty-six patients (87.8%) showed consolidation, at a mean 5±3 months. Five patients showed osteotomy site non-union; in all these cases, the lateral cortex was broken initially (P=0.003); all had BMI >30 (mean, 37.2±3.8; P<0.03); none were smokers. On univariate analysis, lateral tibial cortex fracture (OR=10; 95% CI, (1.59-196.30)), BMI >30 (OR=1.18; 95% CI, (1.03-1.41)) and correction ≥10° (OR=10.50; 95% CI, (2.49-53.86)) were associated with delayed consolidation. On multivariate analysis, only degree of osteotomy was significantly associated with delayed consolidation (OR=11.51; 95% CI, (2.13-95.74)). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Obesity and initial lateral cortex fracture appeared as risk factors for non-consolidation of OWHTO with large correction. Systematic bone or bone-substitute grafting may therefore be considered in this population in case of >10° correction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, prospective cohort study.

Anterior tibial laxity using the GNRB® device in healthy knees.

BACKGROUND: GRNB® is a non-radiating power tool that allows the evaluation of the anterior tibial translation. HYPOTHESIS: The pressure exerted by the system against the patella and the body mass index (BMI) could affect the anterior tibial translation when we repeat the measurements in healthy knees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the measurements of anterior knee laxity in healthy knees carried out by the GNRB® in 69 consecutive patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair in the contralateral knee. Two measurements were carried out, the initial measurements (M1), and then repeated at a mean of seven months (M2) (4.9 to 13months). RESULTS: There were 38 women and 31 men with an average age of 31years. In healthy knees, the Mean average anterior translation was 5.4±4mm with an average patellar force of 35.8 at time M1. The average anterior translation was 4.9±4mm with an average patellar force of 47 at time M2. There was a significant difference between the measurements M1 and M2 (P<0.03). The tightening force was significantly different between the two sets of measurements (P<10-7). There was a negative correlation between the pressure applied on the patella and anterior knee laxity (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The pressure force exerted on the patella during GNRB® affects the measurement of anterior laxity in healthy knees. This raises the problem of the reproducibility of the measurements during repeated examinations at different times.

Meniscal repair: Technique.

Meniscal repair aims to achieve meniscal healing, avoiding the adverse effects of meniscectomy. Longitudinal vertical tears in a vascularized area are the reference indication. The technique generally uses hybrid all-inside implants. The outside-in technique has other indications in more anterior tears. Healing has been demonstrated on CT-arthrography and arthroscopy. Specific techniques have been developed for other pathological situations. Posterior meniscosynovial lesions in a context of chronic anterior laxity are identified by exploration of the posterior compartment, and fixed by all-inside hook suture. Horizontal lesions in young athletes can be treated by open meniscal suture. Radial tears, when deep, can be repaired. Root tears, when traumatic, can be treated by transosseous pullout reinsertion.

Hybrid fixation in adult osteochondritis dissecans of the knee.

Osteochondritis dissecans progresses to osteoarthritis if integration of the fragment is not obtained. The prognosis of osteochondritis dissecans is more severe in adults, as spontaneous integration due to physeal closure does not occur. Hybrid fixation consists in combining screw fixation of the fragment with mosaicplasty through the fragment to promote integration into the native condyle. We describe this technique with reference to 17 patients.

Surgical Management of Degenerative Meniscus Lesions: The 2016 ESSKA Meniscus Consensus.

Purpose A degenerative meniscus lesion is a slowly developing process typically involving a horizontal cleavage in a middle-aged or older person. When the knee is symptomatic, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy has been practised for a long time with many case series reporting improved patient outcomes. Since 2002, several randomised clinical trials demonstrated no additional benefit of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy compared to non-operative treatment, sham surgery or sham arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. These results introduced controversy in the medical community and made clinical decision-making challenging in the daily clinical practice. To facilitate the clinical decision-making process, a consensus was developed. This initiative was endorsed by ESSKA. Methods A degenerative meniscus lesion was defined as a lesion occurring without any history of significant acute trauma in a patient older than 35 years. Congenital lesions, traumatic meniscus tears and degenerative lesions occurring in young patients, especially in athletes, were excluded. The project followed the so-called formal consensus process, involving a steering group, a rating group and a peer-review group. A total of 84 surgeons and scientists from 22 European countries were included in the process. Twenty questions, their associated answers and an algorithm based on extensive literature review and clinical expertise, were proposed. Each question and answer set was graded according to the scientific level of the corresponding literature. Results The main finding was that arthroscopic partial meniscectomy should not be proposed as a first line of treatment for degenerative meniscus lesions. Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy should only be considered after a proper standardised clinical and radiological evaluation and when the response to non-operative management has not been satisfactory. Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee is typically not indicated in the first-line work-up, but knee radiography should be used as an imaging tool to support a diagnosis of osteoarthritis or to detect certain rare pathologies, such as tumours or fractures of the knee. Discussion The present work offers a clear framework for the management of degenerative meniscus lesions, with the aim to balance information extracted from the scientific evidence and clinical expertise. Because of biases and weaknesses of the current literature and lack of definition of important criteria such as mechanical symptoms, it cannot be considered as an exact treatment algorithm. It summarises the results of the "ESSKA Meniscus Consensus Project" ( http://www.esska.org/education/projects ) and is the first official European consensus on this topic. The consensus may be updated and refined as more high-quality evidence emerges. Level of Evidence I.

Management of traumatic meniscal tear and degenerative meniscal lesions. Save the meniscus.

Meniscectomy remains one of the most frequent orthopedic procedures, despite meniscal sparing having been advocated for several decades now. Incidence is excessive in the light of scientifically robust studies demonstrating the interest of meniscal repair or of nonoperative treatment for traumatic tear and of nonoperative treatment for degenerative meniscal lesions. It is high time that the paradigm shifted, in favor of meniscal preservation. In traumatic tear, and most particularly longitudinal vertical tear in vascularized zones, repair shows a high success rates in terms of recovery time, functional outcome and cartilage protection. Leaving the meniscus alone may be an option in asymptomatic lesions of the lateral meniscus during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Posterior ramp lesions (in associated ACL tear), traumatic root tears and radial lesions are also excellent indications for repair, although it has to be borne in mind that the natural history of these lesions is not completely understood and nonoperative treatment also may be considered. Degenerative meniscal lesions are frequently revealed by MRI in middle-aged or elderly subjects. They are closely related to tissue aging and thus probably to osteoarthritic processes. Meniscectomy was long considered the treatment of choice. All but 1 of the 8 recent randomized studies reported non-superiority of arthroscopy over nonoperative treatment, which should thus be the first-line choice, with arthroscopic meniscectomy reserved for cases of failure, or earlier in case of "considerable" mechanical symptoms. Horizontal cleavage in young athletes is a particular case, requiring meniscal repair, to avoid a meniscectomy, which would inevitably be extensive in a young active patient. More than ever, the take-home message is: save the meniscus!

Anatomical knee postero-lateral corner reconstruction: The "Versailles" technique.

Postero-lateral knee instability raises surgical challenges. Of the many available reconstruction techniques, few ensure anatomical reconstruction of the postero-lateral corner (PLC). The "Versailles" technique ensures the anatomical reconstruction of the three main PLC stabilisers (lateral collateral ligament, popliteus tendon, and popliteo-fibular ligament) by using either a hamstring autograft or a tendon allograft.

High failure rate of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with bimeniscal repair: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Bimeniscal lesions are common in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. However, bimeniscal repair is rarely performed during ACL reconstruction. OBJECTIVE: To assess outcomes after ACL reconstruction with bimeniscal repair. HYPOTHESIS: Bimeniscal lesions, even when repaired, are associated with poorer outcomes of ACL reconstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective case-control design was used. The cases were 15 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction, without procedures on any other ligaments, combined with bimeniscal repair, between May 2009 and May 2013 (3.2% of all ACL reconstructions during the study period). This group (2-Mc group) was matched on age, gender, body mass index, and time to surgery to 30 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction and had no meniscal lesions (0-Mc group) and to 30 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction and repair of the medial meniscus (1-Mc group). After a mean follow-up of 3.6 years, clinical outcomes were assessed based on the KOOS, Lysholm, and IKDC scores and knee laxity based on TELOS and GNRB measurements. The primary outcome measure was the rate of ACL re-rupture. Secondary outcome measures were functional outcomes and rate of delayed meniscectomy. RESULTS: The ACL re-rupture rate was significantly higher in the 2-Mc group than in the 0-Mc and 1-Mc groups pooled (20%, vs. 1.7%; P=0.02). The functional scores showed no significant differences across groups. Post-operative differential laxity was significantly greater in the 2-Mc group (3.3mm by TELOS, P=0.02; and 2.5mm by GNRB, P=0.03) than in the 0-Mc and 1-Mc groups pooled. Delayed meniscectomy was performed in none of the 2-Mc group patients and in 2 of the 1-Mc group patients. CONCLUSION: ACL reconstruction combined with bimeniscal repair is a rarely performed procedure. It is associated with a high ACL re-rupture rate and greater differential laxity. Meniscal outcomes of bimeniscal repair, in contrast, are good. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, matched case-control study.

Actifit® polyurethane meniscal scaffold: MRI and functional outcomes after a minimum follow-up of 5 years.

BACKGROUND: Implantation of the Actifit® polyurethane meniscal scaffold in patients who have pain after partial meniscectomy provides short-term pain relief and better function. But there is a lack of information about medium-term outcomes. The objective of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the MRI and functional outcomes after a minimum follow-up of 5 years. It was hypothesized that the results are stable over time. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen consecutive patients (8 men, 7 women; mean age 30 years, range 19-47, mean BMI 25) were enrolled in the study between February 2008 and January 2011. Five patients also underwent ACL reconstruction and one underwent mosaicplasty. Nine lateral and six medial Actifit® implants were evaluated prospectively before the surgery and at a minimum of 12, 24 and 60 months' follow-up using a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the objective and subjective IKDC scores, radiological and MRI analysis with measurement of the ICRS score, Genovese score and extrusion. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 6 years (range 5-8.1). Two patients were lost to follow-up. Three patients were re-operated at 7, 19 and 30 months because they had not improved functionally and the implant appeared damaged on MRI. Partial removal of the implant did not improve the functional outcomes (mean subjective IKDC pre- and post-revision: 37.0 vs. 34.9). Two patients were lost to follow-up. In intention to treat (13 cases), the pain (VAS) and subjective IKDC score were improved between the preoperative period and the last follow-up (5.46 vs. 2.92, P=0.007 and 51.2 vs. 66.1, P=0.05). In per protocol (10 cases, failures excluded), the pain (VAS) and subjective IKDC score were improved (5.3 vs. 1.9, P=0.0009; 49.6 vs. 75.4, P=0.002) along with the pain, daily activities and quality of life components of the KOOS (60.6 vs. 86.0, P=0.0008; 70.3 vs. 90.2, P=0.001; 42.7 vs. 71.0, P=0.0058). The functional scores were stable between months 12, 24 and 60. ICRS cartilage score and mean meniscal extrusion were unchanged at the last follow-up (1.6 vs. 1.6 and 2.41 vs. 2.79). In all patients, the meniscal implant had an intermediate signal and reduced size on MRI. DISCUSSION: Despite an abnormal MRI appearance suggesting the meniscal scaffold is not fully mature after 5 years, the functional scores and cartilage status are stable at this time point. However, the failure rate is still high and removing the implant in patients with poor function does not improve the outcome. TYPE OF STUDY: Prospective cohort study Level IV.

Long-term assessment of meniscal extrusion after meniscal repair.

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic meniscal repair limits the medium-term risk of radiological osteoarthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cannot provide an accurate assessment of meniscal healing but may show harbingers of osteoarthritis such as meniscal extrusion. The objective of this study was to assess long-term meniscal extrusion after meniscal repair. HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopic meniscal suture is not followed by meniscal extrusion and can, therefore, provide good knee function in the long-term. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic meniscal suture on a stable or stabilised knee were included retrospectively. MRI was performed to measure absolute meniscal extrusion (AME), relative meniscal extrusion (RME), anterior sagittal extrusion (ASE), posterior sagittal extrusion (PSE), coronal cartilage coverage index (cCCI), and sagittal cartilage coverage index (sCCI). RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 8.8±0.87 years, there was no evidence of meniscal extrusion in these patients with stable or stabilised knees: AME, 1.7±1.03 and 2.3±0.93mm, RME, 17±0.10% and 28±0.12%, ASE, 2.52±1.43 and 1.71±2.42mm, PSE, 0.29±3.49 and 0.22±2.35mm, cCCI, 23±0.08% and 20±0.09%, and sCCI, 49±0,10% and 53±0.09%. CONCLUSION: In the long-term after meniscal repair, osteoarthritis is limited and meniscal function seems preserved. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study.

Surgical repair of massive rotator cuff tendon tears: Autologous quadriceps tendon graft versus arthroscopic repair.

INTRODUCTION: Massive rotator cuff tear repair results are variable. The main purpose of this study was to compare functional outcome between two procedures: open repair by autologous quadriceps-patella tendon patch, and arthroscopic suture. The study hypothesis was that there is no significant difference in results between the two techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study included all patients younger than 70 years operated on from 1995 to 2013 for massive rotator cuff tear. Exclusion criteria comprised history of dislocation, fracture or surgery or osteoarthritis in the affected shoulder, and infra- and supra-spinatus fatty degeneration equal to or greater than stage 3. Two consecutive groups were distinguished: group 1, from 1995 to 2003, comprised 23 patients (24 shoulders; mean age, 55.8 years) treated by open repair using quadriceps tendon autograft; group 2, from 2003 to 2013, comprised 27 patients (29 shoulders: mean age, 60.3 years) treated by arthroscopic repair. RESULTS: Preoperatively, mean Constant score was 42.9 in group 1 and 45.7 in group 2 (P=0.36), pain score 5.5/15 and 7.6/15 (P=0.08), strength 3.0kg and 2.4kg (P=0.30), and subacromial space 6.3 and 6.7mm (P=0.05), respectively. At respectively 58 and 55 months' mean follow-up, Constant score was 71.1 in group 1 and 71.8 in group 2 (P=0.086), pain 11.9/15 and 12.7/15 (P=0.76), gain in strength 1.4kg and 2.3kg (P=0.0006), and subacromial space 7.1mm and 6.3mm (P=0.29), respectively. The complications rate was 70% in group 1 and there were no specific complications in group 2. CONCLUSION: Functional improvement was significant and comparable between the 2 groups. Quadriceps tendon harvesting was associated with high morbidity, but the technique increased subacromial space. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective, single-center.