Level of evidence of knee surgery in national journal.

Select the studies related to knee surgery in the orthopedic literature published by Acta Ortopédica Brasileira (AOB) and the Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia (RBO) and classify them according to the levels of evidence. We selected all studies published from 2000 to 2011 related to knee surgery in AOB and RBO. The following categorization was adopted: level 1: systematic review; level 2: clinical trial; level 3: cohort studies and case-control; level 4: number of cases; level 5: narrative review and others. We found in the national literature selected 255 studies related to knee surgery. In the Southeast were developed 212 articles (83.1%), 30 publications in the South (11.7%), Northeast 5 (2%), North and Central West 2 jobs each (0.8%). Four work performed in other country (1.6%). The most common issue was the anterior cruciate ligament in 58 studies (22.7%) and arthroplasty in 55 studies (21.5%). Most studies presented evidence level IV (27.8%) and V (50.2%). The national scientific production related to knee surgery presents itself expanding with predominant expression in the Southeast. Most studies related to knee surgery published in national journals have low level evidence and focuses on the approach of the anterior cruciate ligament and arthroplasty.

Selecionar os estudos relacionados à cirurgia do joelho publicados na literatura ortopédica nacional por meio da Acta Ortopédica Brasileira (AOB) e da Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia (RBO) e classificá-los de acordo com os níveis de evidência. Foram selecionados todos os estudos publicados de 2000 a 2011. A seguinte categorização foi adotada: nível 1 - revisão sistemática; nível 2 - ensaio clínico; nível 3 - estudos de coorte e caso-controle; nível 4 - série de casos; nível 5 - revisão narrativa e outros. Foram encontrados 255. Na região Sudeste foram 212 artigos (83,1%), na Sul 30 (11,7%), na Nordeste cinco (2%), na Norte e na Centro-Oeste dois cada (0,8%). Quatro trabalhos foram desenvolvidos no exterior (1,6%). O tema mais comum foi ligamento cruzado anterior, em 58 estudos (22,7%), e artroplastias, em 55 estudos (21,5%). A maior parte dos estudos apresentou nível de evidência IV (27,8%) e V (50,2%). A produção científica nacional relacionada à cirurgia do joelho apresenta-se em expansão, com predomínio de expressão na região Sudeste. A maioria dos estudos tem baixo nível de evidência e concentra-se na abordagem do ligamento cruzado anterior e das artroplastias.

Meniscal repair by all-inside technique with Fast-Fix device.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the results and effectiveness of the technique of meniscal repair type all-inside using Fast-Fix device. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study evaluating 22 patients with meniscal surgery between January 2004 and December 2010 underwent meniscal repair technique for all-inside with the Fast-Fix device with or without ACL reconstruction. Function and quality of life outcomes were chosen by the IKDC and Lysholm score, before and postoperatively, and reoperation rates, relying to the time of final follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t test. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 59 months (16-84). The Lysholm score showed 72% (16 patients) of excellent and good results (84-100 points), 27% (6 patients) fair (65-83 points) and no cases classified as poor (<64 points). According to the IKDC: 81% (18 patients) of excellent and good results (75-100 points), 18% of cases regular (50-75 points) and no patient had poor results (<50 points). There were no failures or complications. CONCLUSION: The technique of meniscal repair type all-inside using the Fast-Fix device is safe and effective for the treatment of meniscal lesions in the red zone or red-white with or without simultaneous ACL reconstruction, with good and excellent results in most patients Level 4 Study.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados e a eficácia da técnica de reparo meniscal tipo all-inside com o uso do dispositivo FasT-Fix. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo com avaliação de 22 pacientes com lesão meniscal operados entre janeiro de 2004 e dezembro de 2010, submetidos ao reparo meniscal pela técnica all-inside com o dispositivo FasT-Fix e associados ou não à reconstrução do LCA. Função e qualidade de vida foram os desfechos escolhidos por meio dos questionários de Lysholm e IKDC, pré e pós-operatoriamente, além das taxas de reoperação, relevando-se o tempo de seguimento final. A análise estatística foi feita com o uso do teste t de Student. RESULTADOS: O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 59 meses (16­84). O escore de Lysholm apresentou 73% (16 pacientes) de excelentes e bons resultados (84­100 pontos), 27% (seis pacientes) regulares (65­83 pontos) e nenhum caso classificado como ruim (<64 pontos). Segundo o IKDC: 82% (18 pacientes) de excelentes e bons resultados (75­100 pontos); 18% de casos regulares (50­75 pontos) e nenhum paciente obteve resultados ruins (<50 pontos). Não ocorreram falhas ou complicações. CONCLUSÃO: A técnica de reparo meniscal tipo all-inside com o uso do dispositivo FasT-Fix, nos pacientes avaliados, se mostrou eficaz e segura para o tratamento das lesões de menisco na zona vermelha ou zona vermelho-branca associada ou não à reconstrução simultânea do LCA e apresentou resultados bons e excelentes na maioria dos pacientes.

Osteochondritis dissecans in bilateral lateral femoral condyle in knees.

The osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a disease of unknown cause that classically affects the knee lateral border of the medial femoral condyle. We present a rare case of OCD in bilateral lateral femoral condyle.

A osteocondrite dissecante (OCD) é uma patologia de causa desconhecida, que classicamente acomete no joelho a borda lateral do côndilo femural medial. Apresentamos um raro caso de OCD no côndilo femural lateral bilateral.

ASSESSMENT OF PATELLAR HEIGHT MEASUREMENT METHODS FROM DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the most common methods for measuring patellar height and the impact of observer experience in correlations with the other observers using digital radiography. METHODS: Sixty digital radiographs of the knee in lateral view were analyzed by four observers: a physician in the second year of medical residence in orthopedics (R2); a physician in the third year of medical residence in orthopedics (R3); an orthopedic surgeon who was a specialist in knee surgery (SK); and a radiologist who was a specialist in musculoskeletal radiology (SR). The indices used were: Insall-Salvati (IS), Blackburne-Peel (BP), Caton-Deschamps (CD) and modified Insall-Salvati (ISM). The interobserver agreement was calculated using the kappa coefficient (κ). RESULTS: The highest correlation coefficients were found when using the IS method followed by the CD method. The worst correlation was observed in the ISM method. The highest interobserver agreement was found between the orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee surgery and the radiologist specializing in musculoskeletal radiology, for the four measurement methods used. CONCLUSION: Using digital radiography, the Insall-Salvati and Caton-Deschamps indexes presented the highest interobserver agreement, and this was also positively influenced by the observer's level of experience.

RANDOMIZED PROSPECTIVE STUDY COMPARING TRANSVERSE AND EXTRACORTICAL FIXATION IN ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION.

OBJECTIVE: This study had the objective of prospectively comparing transverse fixation (Cross-Pin™) with extracortical fixation (EZLoc™) for the femur, in surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament, from a clinical, biomechanical and functional point of view. METHODS: Between April 2007 and November 2009, 50 patients with acute or chronic anterior cruciate ligament injuries underwent arthroscopic reconstruction using the homologous flexor tendons (gracilis and semitendinosus). Randomization of the femoral fixation method was done by means of a draw at the time of the procedure. Patients were excluded if they presented multiple ligament lesions, fractures, previous surgery, autoimmune disease and impairment of the contralateral knee. The Lysholm scale, SF36 quality-of-life questionnaire and KT1000™ arthrometer were used. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 18.1 months, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding the Lysholm scale and KT1000™ measurements. However, the SF36 questionnaire showed a statistical difference such that transverse fixation was superior regarding pain and vitality. CONCLUSION: Both techniques were shown to be efficient for transfemoral fixation, but with almost no statistically significant difference between them. We believe that new studies will be necessary for better understanding of these differences.

ANATOMICAL ACL RECONSTRUCTION WITH DOUBLE BUNDLE: FIRST 40 CASES.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the technique of anatomical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) with a double bundle, the learning curve and the preliminary results. METHODS: Forty patients with ACL injury underwent reconstruction with an anatomical double bundle, using the semitendinosus tendon to remake the anteromedial (AM) band and the gracilis to remake the posterolateral (PL) band of the knee. RESULTS: We had two cases of limitation of extension, and in one of them, arthroscopic arthrolysis had to be performed; and there was one case of deep vein thrombosis. CONCLUSION: ACL reconstruction with double bundle proved feasible, despite having a longer learning curve, and the advantages of the proposed technique still must be proven compared to the single-bundle technique.

Reconstrução anatômica do LCA com duplo feixe: primeiros 40 casos / Anatomical ACL reconstruction with double bundle: first 40 cases

OBJETIVO: Discutir a técnica de reconstrução anatômica do ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) com duplo feixe, a curva de aprendizado e os resultados preliminares. MÉTODOS: Quarenta pacientes com lesão do LCA foram submetidos à reconstrução anatômica com duplo feixe, utilizando-se do tendão semitendinoso para refazer a banda anteromedial (AM) e gracilis para refazer a banda posterolateral (PL) do joelho. RESULTADOS: Tivemos dois casos de limitação de extensão, sendo que em um deles foi necessária a realização de artrólise artroscópica, e um caso de trombose venosa profunda. CONCLUSÃO: A reconstrução do LCA com duplo feixe se mostrou factível, apesar de apresentar uma maior curva de aprendizado; e as vantagens da técnica proposta ainda deverão ser comprovadas se comparada com a técnica de feixe único.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the technique of anatomical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) with double beam, the learning curve and preliminary results. METHODS: Forty patients with ACL injury underwent reconstruction with anatomical double-bundle, using the semitendinosus tendon to remake the band anterior medial (AM) and gracile to remake the band posterior lateral (PL) of the knee. RESULTS: We had two cases of limitation of extension, and in one of them were necessary to perform arthroscopic artrolise, and one case of deep vein thrombosis. CONCLUSION: ACL reconstruction with double bundle proved feasible, despite having a higher learning curve, and the advantages of the proposed technique still must be proven compared to the single-beam technique.

SURGICAL TREATMENT OF OSTEOCHONDRAL LESIONS OF THE KNEE BY MEANS OF MOSAICPLASTY.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional results from the technique of mosaicplasty, in the knees of patients with osteochondral lesions. METHODS: Between August 1999 and March 2005, 27 patients underwent mosaicplasty on their knees. Twenty-one were male and six were female. The patients' ages ranged from 16 to 64 years (mean of 38.1 years). Seventeen lesions were located on the right knee and ten on the left knee. The lesion was located on the lateral femoral condyle in four patients (15%), on the medial femoral condyle in 18 patients (66.5%) and on the patella in five patients (18.5%). The lesion sizes ranged from 1 to 8 cm(2) (mean of 2.7 cm(2)). The patients were evaluated before and after the operation using Lysholm's functional scale, with a mean follow-up of 2.5 years. RESULTS: Before the operation, the mean was 62.7 points, and after the operation, the mean was 95.4 points. The patients who underwent mosaicplasty on the lateral femoral condyle presented a mean of 51.5 points before the operation, and a mean of 100 points after the operation. In relation to the medial femoral condyle, the mean before the operation was 64.1 points, and it was 95.4 points after the operation. In relation to the patella, the mean before the operation was 66.4 points, and it was 92 points after the operation. CONCLUSION: Mosaicplasty proved to be a good alternative for treating osteochondral lesions of the knee. It presented better evolution in relation to lesions of the femoral condyles than in relation to lesions located on the patella.

The arthroscopic treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the knee with autologous bone sticks.

PURPOSE: To present a new surgical technique for the fixation of partial dislocated osteochondral fragments in athletes with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Autologous bone sticks were taken from the ipsilateral tibial metaphysis and used in the arthroscopic fixation of unilateral osteochondritis dissecans of the knee in 11 patients (5 female and 6 male). Patient age ranged from 11 to 20 years (mean, 16 years). Fixation of the partially dislocated fragments of the OCD of the knee was performed following a modified arthroscopic procedure and autologous bone graft. RESULTS: Follow-up ranged from 15 to 108 months (mean, 48 months). Based on modified criteria of Hughston et al., results were satisfactory in 90.9% and unsatisfactory in 9.1% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic fixation of OCD of the knee with autologous bone sticks is technically simple and nonaggressive and provides satisfactory results in most cases.