Outside-in Continuous Meniscal Suture Technique of the Knee.

The meniscus is largely responsible for the health and longevity of the knee. It has diverse functions, being fundamental in load absorption and distribution and even in joint stability. To preserve meniscal functions and prevent the occurrence of osteoarthritis after meniscectomy, several meniscal repair techniques have been developed. To perform meniscal repair in anterior horn, the outside-in technique is the most used. There are few devices for performing them, with most of the surgical techniques described using needles. Our group uses a device capable of performing meniscal repair in different ways. Our objective is to describe a continuous outside-in meniscal repair technique, especially indicated for anterior horn and meniscus body tears, with the "Meniscus 4-All suture device." The continuous outside-in meniscal suture technique using this device is easy to perform, inexpensive, fast, and reproducible, minimizing the risk of soft-tissue entrapment. In addition, it allows the surgeon to perform meniscal repair in the posterior horn in extensive injuries with the same repair device, just switching to inside-out technique.

Vertical Continuous Meniscal Suture Technique.

Meniscal injuries are common in the population, representing the major cause of functional impairment in the knee. Vertical longitudinal injuries of the meniscus can be stable or unstable. When extensive, they are commonly unstable and can lead to clinical signs of significant functional disability. Vertical longitudinal injuries have the best prognosis for repair, especially when occurring in the meniscal periphery, called the red-red zone. A recently developed type of meniscal suture device called Meniscus 4 A-II enables the surgeon to perform a meniscal suture from the inside-out continuously, reducing surgical time. Because it allows the surgeon to use a single and inexpensive device to repair the entire injury, costs are significantly reduced. Here, an approach to carry out continuous meniscal repair with vertical sutures is described. This technique warrants excellent stability to the meniscal repair, increasing the chances of a successful outcome. We believe that the popularization of the repair technique from the inside out using the Meniscus 4-All device will help many surgeons around the world save menisci that otherwise would have a great chance of being excised, since it is a cheap, reproducible, and easy-to-handle device.

Posterior Meniscal Root Repair Using a Meniscal Suture Device.

A greater understanding of the deleterious consequences that a meniscal root tear brings to the knee joint and how its surgical repair can be advantageous over the previously used treatment strategies brings the need for the development of surgical techniques that make the procedure less complex and more reproducible. When meniscal root rupture occurs, a mechanical overload occurs in the affected compartment similar to a total meniscectomy. Several authors have concluded that meniscal root reinsertion significantly improves postoperative outcomes and patient satisfaction, regardless of age or laterality of the meniscal injury. The Meniscus 4 A-II device (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) allows stitching at the root of the medial and lateral menisci. In this article, we describe the surgical repair technique for posterior-medial and -lateral meniscal root tears using this meniscal suture device. This technique is fast and effective.

Continuous Meniscal Suture Technique of the Knee.

The menisci are fibroelastic structures interposed between the articular surfaces of the femur and tibia. They absorb impact and transmit load. Meniscal injury may compromise function and cause rapid joint degeneration, leading to the development of secondary osteoarthritis. Surgical treatment of meniscal injury is usually performed by arthroscopy, and meniscectomy or meniscal suture may be associated with such treatment. Meniscal suture should be considered when the injury compromises the proper functioning of the meniscus to recover its anatomy and function. Different meniscal suture techniques exist; the most widely used are the inside-out, outside-in, and all-inside techniques. The gold-standard repair technique is the inside-out technique. A drawback of this technique is the need to alternate between intra- and extra-articular structures for every stitch, which makes it even more laborious. We describe the continuous meniscal suture technique, also called "meniscal stitching," for a medial meniscal bucket-handle injury. This technique is performed from the inside out and allows the surgeon to perform multiple stitches with the same thread quickly and effectively. This surgical technique is performed using a single meniscal suture device that was developed by our group, called the "Meniscus 4 A-II" device.

Surgical Treatment of Chronic Rupture of the Quadriceps Using a Modified Pulvertaft Weave Technique.

The extensor mechanism provides active knee joint extension and stability of the patellofemoral joint. Rupture of the quadriceps tendon, although uncommon, is therefore associated with impairment in knee joint stability and, thus, requires surgical repair. Although various techniques provide excellent clinical outcomes for acute rupture, treatment of chronic rupture remains clinically challenging. We describe our modified technique for quadriceps tendon repair using a semitendinosus tendon autograft, with suturing of the quadriceps tendon stump to the patella via transosseous sutures, wherein the use of allograft and anchors is avoided. Our modified Pulvertaft weave technique is simple and reproducible.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 Polymorphisms Have Protective Effect against the Development of Tendinopathy in Volleyball Athletes.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether genetic variants in VEGF and KDR genes can be correlated with susceptibility of tendinopathy in volleyball athletes. This study was conducted at the Brazilian Volleyball Federation, and comprised 179 volleyball athletes: 88 had a confirmed diagnosis of tendinopathy (cases), whereas 91 had no evidence of the disease (controls). The VEGF (-2578C>A, -460T>C and +936C>T) and KDR (-604C>T, 1192G>A and 1719T>A) polymorphisms were determined by TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction. The odds ratio (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using an unconditional logistic regression model. The evaluation of demographic and clinical characteristics revealed the athlete age (P < 0.001), years of practice in volleyball (P < 0.001) and presence of pain (P = 0.001) were risk factors for tendinopathy. KDR 1192 GA and GA + AA genotypes were associated with lower risk of tendinopathy (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.19-0.88 and OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.23-0.98, respectively). The KDR (-604C>T, 1192G>A and 1719T>A) haplotypes CGA and CAT were associated with decreased tendinopathy risk (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.21-0.99 and OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.07-0.76, respectively). With regards to pain, traumatic lesion and away from training due to injury, VEGF and KDR polymorphisms were not associated with clinical symptoms complaints. The present results provide evidence that the KDR polymorphisms were associated with development of tendinopathy, and can contribute to identify new therapeutic targets or personalized training programs to avoid tendinopathy development in athletes.

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head following trochanteric fractures in adults: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) following trochanteric fractures (TFx) is infrequent. The causal relationship between ANFH and TFx remains controversial. Although several major risk factors for ANFH have been proposed, most of them remain under discussion. In this study we undertook a systematic review of the literature to investigate the incidence of AVN, risk factors and outcomes following Tfx fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken using the PRISMA guidelines with no language restriction. Case reports of ANFH and series of TFx with or without cases of ANFH published between inception of journals to December 2013 were eligible for inclusion. Relevant information was divided in two sections. Part I: included the analysis of detailed case reports of ANFH, either published isolated or included in series of TFx, with the objective of establishing potential risk factors, clinical and radiological presentation, time to development, treatment and outcome of this complication. Part II: analyzed series of TFx, which included cases of ANFH with or without details of aetiology, treatment modalities and outcomes, with the objective of assessing the incidence of ANFH in TFx. RESULTS: Overall 80 articles with 192 cases of ANFH after TFx met the inclusion criteria. The most probable developmental pathway appears to be a disruption of the extra osseous arterial blood supply to the femoral head. Suggested risk factors included high-energy trauma with fracture comminution and displacement, and an atypical course of the fracture line, more proximal, at the base of the neck. Most cases were diagnosed within the first two years after fracture. The clinical and radiological features appear to be similar to those of idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The incidence of AVFH with a minimum of 1-year follow-up was calculated 0.95%, and with a minimum 2-year follow-up it was 1.37%. Total hip replacement was the mainstay of treatment. CONCLUSION: The incidence of AVFH after Tfx fixation is small 1.37% within the first 2 years of injury. Risk factors for the development of this complication are related to the severity of trauma, fragment geometry and fracture displacement. Optimum surgery of these fractures cannot guarantee prevention of ANFH.

Polymorphisms in BMP4 and FGFR1 genes are associated with fracture non-union.

Fracture healing is a complex process influenced by a multitude of factors and expression of several thousand genes. Polymorphisms in these genes can lead to an extended healing process and explain why certain patients are more susceptible to develop non-union. A total of 16 SNPs within five genes involved in bone repair pathogenesis (FAM5C, BMP4, FGF3, FGF10, and FGFR1) were investigated in 167 patients with long bone fractures, 101 with uneventful healing, and 66 presenting aseptic non-unions. Exclusion criteria were patients presenting pathological fractures, osteoporosis, hypertrophic and infected non-unions, pregnancy, and children. All genetic markers were genotyped using TaqMan real-time PCR. Chi-square test was used to compare genotypes, allele frequencies, and haplotype differences between groups. Binary logistic regression analyzed the significance of many covariates and the incidence of non-union. Statistical analysis revealed open fracture to be a risk factor for non-union development (p < 0.001, OR 3.6 [1.70-7.67]). A significant association of haplotype GTAA in BMP4 (p = 0.01) and FGFR1 rs13317 (p = 0.005) with NU could be observed. Also, uneventful healing showed association with FAM5C rs1342913 (p = 0.04). Our work supported the role of BMP4 and FGFR1 in NU fracture independently of the presence of previously described risk factors.

Como o especialista em ortopedia e traumatologia avalia o atendimento ao trauma ortopédico no Brasil / How do orthopedic surgeons rate the orthopedic trauma care in Brazil

OBJETIVO: Apresentar os resultados de pesquisa Datafolha, realizada no período de 23 de setembro a 18 de outubro de 2010, sobre as condições existentes para o exercício profissional na área do trauma ortopédico no Brasil. MÉTODOS: pesquisa quantitativa, com abordagem telefônica dos entrevistados, por meio de sorteio aleatório de membros da Sociedade Brasileira de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, em cadastro contendo mais de 7.000 nomes. As entrevistas foram realizadas mediante aplicação de questionário estruturado, com aproximadamente 25 minutos de duração. RESULTADOS: 97 por cento dos entrevistados dedica parte do seu tempo ao trauma ortopédico. 87 por cento dos entrevistados exercem outra sub-especialidade, que não o trauma ortopédico. Na média dos atendimentos no país, 43 por cento dos pacientes pertencem à rede pública de saúde e 41 por cento pertencem à rede de convênios. O uso de implantes importados ocorre na minoria das situações (36 por cento) e 83 por cento dos médicos que utilizam ambos os tipos de implantes julga que os nacionais apresentam qualidade inferior. 61 por cento dos entrevistados julga a qualidade do atendimento em serviços públicos regular, ruim ou péssima. Metade dos entrevistados declara ter problemas para a liberação de suas solicitações de procedimentos junto aos planos de saúde em pelo menos 25 por cento das vezes em que encaminham tais pedidos. CONCLUSÃO: O trauma ortopédico é uma especialidade exercida pela grande maioria dos ortopedistas brasileiros. A estrutura dos serviços públicos é considerada insatisfatória pela maioria dos ortopedistas entrevistados. A maioria dos ortopedista deseja uma reformulação nos honorários médicos e na infra-estrutura de serviços.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this article is to present the data collected by Datafolha institute, from September 23rd. through October 18th. 2010 about orthopedic trauma care in Brazil. METHOD: A quantitative analysis based on telephonic interviews has been performed. From Brazilian Orthopedic Society database containing more than 7000 records. A structured query has been applied and the interview lasted around 25 minutes. RESULTS: 97 percent of interviewees dedicate part of his/her time to orthopedic trauma. 87 percent of all interviewees dedicate his/her time to more than one sub-specialty. The majority of orthopedic trauma patients comes from government insurance system (43 percent), while 41 percent of patients come from private insurance. 61 percent of all interviewees think that the quality of public health system could be rated as unsatisfactory. Northeast of Brazil is the place where the majority of patients are from public health system and where we have highest rates of dissatisfaction (85 percent) related to available infrastructure for orthopedic trauma care. Half of all interviewed individuals have problems for getting private insurance authorization previously to a surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Orthopedic trauma is a specialty practiced by the vast majority of orthopedic surgeons in our country. Neither the infrastructure nor the salaries satisfy the majority or orthopedic surgeons dedicated to trauma care.

Parafusos iliosacrais são realmente seguros? / Are iliosacral screws really safe?

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a segurança do uso de fixação iliosacral com parafusos em pacientes com lesão do anel pélvico. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um trabalho restrospectivo analisando por tomografia computadorizada a topografia de 60 parafusos inseridos em 46 pacientes portadores de lesões do anel pélvico e operados no INTO-RJ, no período de 2006 e 2010. RESULTADOS: Em 21,7 por cento dos casos o parafuso encontrava-se fora do corredor de segurança descrito em literatura. Destes, 77 por cento estavam associados a uma redução insatisfatória do anel pélvico. Não houve casos de lesão neurovascular em nossa série. CONCLUSÃO: O uso de parafusos ílio-sacrais é uma técnica segura, pois mesmo em casos onde o parafuso não respeitou uma topografia ideal, não houve complicações significativas associadas a este método. A má redução do anel pélvico é um fator muito importante associado ao mau posicionamento dos parafusos.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of iliosacral screw fixation in pelvic injuries. METHODS: A retrospective study based on computer tomography evaluation of screw topography and its relationship with the so called pelvic safe corridor. RESULTS: We evaluated the topography of 60 screws inserted in 46 patients sustaining pelvic injuries which were operated in the INTO from 2006 to 2010. In 21.7 percent of cases the screw was located outside the safe corridor. 77 percent of these misplaced screws were associated with an unsatisfactory reduction of the pelvic injury. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, a significant rate of misplaced screws in relationship with the safe corridor has been pointed out and in most of these cases an insufficient reduction of the pelvis was also identified. We conclude that iliosacral fixation is a safe adjuvant method for pelvic fixation since in our series even with a relative high incidence of misplacements, no neurovascular injuries have been recorded in association with this technique.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ACETABULUM FRACTURES TREATED AT THE INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE TRAUMATOLOGIA E ORTOPEDIA (INTO).

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to review the epidemiological aspects of displacement fractures of the acetabulum that had been treated surgically at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (INTO). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 126 acetabulum fractures that had been treated surgically at INTO between March 2006 and November 2008. The following factors were taken into account: age, sex, trauma mechanism, injury classification, time elapsed between trauma and surgery, affected side and associated bone injuries. RESULTS: 76.8% were male; the mean age was 39.6 years. The trauma mechanism was traffic accidents in 59%; the time that elapsed between injury and surgery was on average 16.4 days; 55% of the cases were on the right side; 30% of the patients presented associated fractures. CONCLUSION: Most of the patients were male, in an economically active age group, and were victims of traffic accidents. Edge and/or posterior column fractures were the most frequent types. Associated injuries were common and most of the fractures operated in our service came to us late.

Epidemiologia das fraturas de acetábulo tratadas no instituto nacional de traumatologia e ortopedia (Into) / Epidemiology of acetabulum fractures treated at the instituto nacional de traumatologia e ortopedia (Into)

OBJETIVOS: O propósito do presente estudo é revisar aspectos epidemiológicos das fraturas desviadas do acetábulo tratadas cirurgicamente no Instituto Nacional de Ortopedia e Traumatologia (INTO). MÉTODOS: Analisamos, retrospectivamente, 126 fraturas de acetábulo tratadas cirurgicamente no INTO, no período de março de 2006 a novembro de 2008. Levamos em consideração: idade; sexo; mecanismo de trauma; classificação da lesão; tempo decorrido entre o trauma e o tratamento cirúrgico; lado acometido; lesões ósseas associadas. RESULTADOS: 76,8 por cento são do sexo masculino, a média da idade foi de 39,6 anos; quanto ao mecanismo de trauma, 59 por cento foram por acidente automobilístico; o tempo decorrido entre a lesão e o tratamento cirúrgico foi em média 16,4 dias; 55 por cento casos foram do lado direito; 30 por cento pacientes apresentavam fraturas associadas. CONCLUSÃO: A maior parte dos pacientes é do sexo masculino, na faixa etária economicamente ativa, e vítima de acidente de trânsito, sendo as fraturas da reborda e/ou coluna posterior as mais frequentes. Lesões associadas são comuns e a maior parte das fraturas operadas em nosso serviço é envelhecida.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to review epidemiological aspects of displacement fractures of the acetabulum treated surgically at the Instituto Nacional de Traumatologia e Ortopoedia (INTO). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 126 acetabulum fractures treated surgically at the INTO in the period from March 2006 to November 2008. The following elements were taken in account: age, sex, mechanism of injury, classification, time elapsed between trauma and surgery, affected side, associated bone injuries. RESULTS: 76.8 percent were male, the mean age was 39.6 years. 59 percent of the traumas were due to traffic accidents; time between injury and surgery was on average 16.4 days; 55 percent of cases were on the right side; 30 percent of patients had associated fractures. CONCLUSION: Most patients are male, in an economically active age group, and are victims of traffic accidents. Fractures of edge and/or posterior column are the most frequent. Associated injuries are common and most of the fractures operated in our service are delayed.

Associação entre Fratura Diafisária de Fêmur e Disjunção Sacroilíaca em Crianças

O presente artigo tem por finalidade apresentar um caso que foi atendido no Instituto Nacional de Traumatologia e Ortopedia (INTO) em maio de 2007, no qual se pode observar a concomitância das duas entidades

Fixação percutânea com parafuso iliossacral na lesão traumática do anel pélvico / Percutaneous fixation with iliosacral screw for traumatic injury of the pelvic ring

Os autores apresentam os resultados de 12 pacientes tratados com a técnica de fixação percutânea com parafuso iliosacral nas lesÒes posteriores do anel pélvico. Foram tratados por essa técnica, com o paciente em decúbito dorsal e após redução fechada da lesão, sob visualização do intensificador de imagem, nove casos de luxação sacroilíaca e três de fratura do sacro. Dois pacientes evoluíram com dor na região sacroilíaca. Não ocorreram complicaçÒes neurovasculares ou infecciosas relacionadas com a técnica de fixação percutânea empregada nas lesÒes posteriores do anel pélvico. Houve um caso de infecção relacionada com a osteossíntese de sínfise pubiana. A fixação percutânea com parafuso iliossacral é alternativa de tratamento para as lesÒes verticalmente instáveis da pelve, desde que haja conhecimento pleno da anatomia e condiçÒes de interpretação correta das incidências radiográficas específicas, reduzindo assim os riscos inerentes ao método

Avaliação radiológica de artrose de joelho após osteossíntese de fraturas do platô tibial

As fraturas do platô tibial são lesões que envolvem a superfície articular da tíbia proximal, impondo importante ameaça à estrutura e à função da articulação do joelho, podendo evoluir com deformidade angular, rigidez articular, instabilidade e incongruência articular.A literatura específica dessas lesões sugere que todos esses fatores, isoladamente ou em conjunto, podem levar a artrose pós-traumática, mesmo com a forma mais bemsucedida de tratamento(1). Além disso, fatores intrínsecos da lesão, como a fragmentação articular e o dano à cartilagem, influenciam na evolução desses joelhos para artrose secundária. Alguns autores relatam o surgimento dos primeiros sinais de artrite degenerativa cinco a sete anos após o trauma(2-4).Outras referências, através de estudos de segmento dessas lesões, sugerem que a evolução de pacientes com osteoartrite pós-traumática associa-se somente com instabilidade residual ou desalinhamento residual, e não com o grau de depressão articular(5).O tratamento das fraturas do platô tibial segue os princípios de qualquer fratura articular, com preservação de mobilidade articular, estabilidade, congruência articular, alinhamento axial, isenção da dor e, conseqüentemente, prevenção de artrose pós-traumática(1).Degrau articular maior que 3mm e cisalhamento condilar maior que 5mm indicam o tratamento cirúrgico. Lesão do côndilo medial sempre deve ser fixada, assim como lesões laterais com desvio maior que 5°(2).Dessa forma, nosso estudo propõe-se a avaliar a evolução dos pacientes tratados cirurgicamente de fraturas do platô tibial pelo grupo de trauma do Instituto Nacional de Tráumato-Ortopedia (INTO), com sinais radiológicos de artrose de joelho, utilizando a classificação de Ahlback (1968), modificada por Keyes e Goodfellow (1992) (tabela)(6), através de uma avaliação dos pacientes cinco a dez anos após a lesão, a fim de procurar determinar a eficácia do tratamento cirúrgico das fraturas do platô tibial na prevenção da artrose pós-traumática.

Haste proximal de fêmur: como evitar a deformidade do fragmento proximal

A haste intramedular bloqueada com fixação cefálica tornou-se a opção de escolha para o tratamento da fratura trocantérica com traço oblíquo reverso classificada como Tronzo tipo V ou 31-A3, pela classificação AO, pois essa fratura apresenta características biomecânicas semelhantes à fratura subtrocantérica, para a qual a fixação intramedular também apresenta respaldo na literatura como a melhor forma de tratamento dessa instável lesão óssea(1, 2). A sobrecarga mecânica que existe, decorrente de a força de compressão medial ser maior que a de tensão lateral no fêmur proximal, acarreta um esforço muito maior em um implante extramedular, que funciona principalmente como um tirante na cortical lateral(3), do que sobre o implante dentro do canal medular, pois este atua como um tutor intramedular, propiciando uma carga mais precoce, através de uma cirurgia minimamente invasiva e com alta taxa de consolidação óssea.

Fixação Percutânea da Coluna Anterior Utilizando Parafusos Não-Canulados Guiado por Intensificador de Imagens: Descrição da Técnica / Percutaneous Fixation of Anterior Acetabular Column Using Non-Cannulated Screws with fluoroscopic Guidance. Description of the Technique

Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo descritivo onde os autores apresentam a técnica de fixação da coluna anterior do acetábulo utilizada em 12 pacientes portadores de fraturas acetabulares transversas com parafuso percutâneo anterógrado não canulado. Nesta técnica, o paciente é colocado em decúbito lateral, e após a redução aberta utilizando o acesso de Kocher-Laungenback para redução da fratura e fixação do componente posterior, é inserido parafuso percutâneo não canulado de 3,5 ou 4,5mm, de forma anterógrada (cefálico/caudal), para fixação da coluna anterior sob auxílio fluoroscópico

Fratura intracapsular do fêmur Pauwels tipo III: novo conceito de fixação com parafusos canulados

A técnica descrita visa associar um método minimamente invasivo a uma construção estável o suficiente para neutralizar as forças de cisalhamento que ocorre nas fraturas tipo III de Pauwels

Tratamento da Infecção Após o Uso de Haste Intramedular nos Ossos Longos / The Infection's Treatment After Intramedullary Nailing In

Os autores apresentam a técnica e os resultados preliminares do tratamento da infecção óssea intramedular com o emprego de haste intramedular de cimento com antibiótico, como medida coadjuvante ao tratamento clássico da osteomielite por remoção do implante, fresagem do canal medular e antibiótico venoso adequado pela identificação do germe