[Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee].

BACKGROUND/AIM: Numerous papers on reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee (ACL) contribute to the significance of this method. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of the use of this surgical treatment method regardless the type of surgical intervention, graft, and the choice of the material for fixing. METHODS: The study included 324 patients treated within the period from April 1997 to April 2004. Arthroscopically assisted ACL reconstruction was typically performed using the central one-third of the patellar ligament, as a graft, with bone blocks. Fixing was performed using screws (spongy or interferential, Mitek type). In the cases who required revision of the surgery, we used a graft m. semitendinosus and m. gracilise (STG) or a graft of the patellar ligament (B-Pt-B). Fixation in these cases was performed using absorptive wedges according to the Rigidfix technique or metallic implants. RESULTS: The analysis included the results of the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee (B-Pt-B or STG graft) in 139 of the knees. Chronic injuries were revealed in 132 (94.9%) of the knees. According to the anamnesis and clinical findings, the feeling of instability prevailed in 132 (94.9%) of the knees, pain in 72 (51.7%), effluents in 24 (17.2%), and blockages in 13 (9.3%). Early and late postoperative complications were noticeable in 3.5% each. Hypotrophy of the upper knee musculature up to 2 cm was present in 53.9% of the operated knees, while minor contractions in 13.6% of them. The final result of the reconstruction graded begusing the Lysholm Scale was 85.2, simultaneous reconstructions of other ligaments 75.3, and revision surgery 68.0. First-grade degenerative postoperative changes according to the K/L Scale were found in 55.0% of the surgically treated knees, while the worst, four-grade one in 2.5%. CONCLUSION: On the basis of these findings, we can conclude that this method is the method of choice in preventing further "worsening" of the chronically instable knee. The surgical technique of choice is arthroscopically assisted reconstruction using a B-Pt-B or STG graft.

[Early results of cementless hip arthroplasty in the treatment of femoral head posttraumatic and atraumatic osteonecrosis].

AIM: To evaluate the value of cementless hip arthroplasty in the treatment of posttraumatic and atraumatic osteonecrosis (ON) of the femoral head. METHODS: The study was conducted at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Military Medical Academy, between January 1st, 1999 and December 31st, 2003. Twenty-five patients with 27 implanted endoprostheses, and the diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, and radiographically confirmed Arlet-Ficat stage III and IV were evaluated retrospectively. The results were evaluated according to Harris Hip Score (HHS). The research included 10 patients with traumatically induced osteonecrosis and 15 patients (17 endoprothesis) with osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The mean age of the patients in the group with posttraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head was 41 (19-62) years, and in the group of the patients with atraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head it was 40.2 (21-53) years. Complications included one case with postoperative luxation, and one case with iatrogenic sciatic nerve palsy. RESULTS: The average Harris Hip Scores in the group of posttraumatic osteonecrosis were 31 points preoperatively and 86 points postoperatively. In the group of osteonecrosis of atraumatic etiology, the average Harris Hip Score was 28 points preoperatively, and 77 points postoperatively. Postoperative Harris Hip Scores were compared with the Student's t-test and the results showed no statistically significant difference (p = 0,125). CONCLUSIONS: Our study did not find any significant difference between the results of posttraumatic and atraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head treated with cementless endoprosthesis.