Pull-out strength of four tibial fixation devices used in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: In reconstructions of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), tibial fixation can be the weak point in the assembly during the early postoperative period. The present study sought to compare pull-out strength between four tibial fixation systems used in ACL reconstruction. HYPOTHESIS: The study hypothesis was that all four devices show ≥450N pull-out strength with comparable biomechanical breakage characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An experimental study used a mechanical model to perform axial traction on a synthetic ligament (polypropylene cord folded in four) implanted in an artificial tibia (Sawbones Proximal Tibia # 1116-2: model: normal anatomy; solid foam; size: medium) using four tibial fixation systems: Ligafix® interference screw (SBM™); Bio-Intrafix® (Mitek™); Translig® (SBM™); RIGIDfix® (SBM™). For each system, four models were tested using an Instron 5566® traction machine, allowing 100mm/min stretching up to breakage. Study parameters comprised: pull-out strength, maximal whole assembly slippage, stiffness at breaking point, and type of break. RESULTS: Mean pull-out strength was 450±24N (range, 421-488N) for Ligafix®, 415±60N (327-454N) for Bio-Intrafix®, 539±66N (449-636N) for RigidFix and 1067±211N (736-1301N) for Translig®, and was significantly greater for Translig® than for the other devices (p=0.02), which did not significantly differ from one another. The expected maximal load of 450N was reached in 100% of cases with Translig® and RIGIDfix® and in 50% of cases with Bio-Intrafix® and Ligafix®. There were no significant differences regarding stiffness. Ligafix® showed significantly less slippage than the others (p=0.006), with breakage caused by the ligament sliding between bone and implant. DISCUSSION: In this in-vitro study, the Translig® fixation device showed better pull-out strength than the other three devices tested. TYPE OF STUDY AND LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Comparative laboratory study. Level II.

Current concept for the use of PRP in arthroscopic surgery.

PRP is commonly used in sports medicine and because it is supposed to increase healing capacities of damaged tissues, it is expected to be increase efficiency or god clinical outcomes when added to arthroscopic surgical procedure. The current review of literature explores the evidence-based medicine supporting the use of PRP in three arthroscopic related disorders. Regarding cartilage lesions of the knee, many studies are exploring several aspect of cartilage lesion treatment. It appears that PRP, in some protocols with specific concentration, should be more efficient than current therapies in the treatment of early stages of knee OA, but only in the field of rheumatology or sport medicine, not when used during surgery. PRP have been used in ACL reconstruction, no benefit has been reported in any study regarding clinical or radiological outcomes. In shoulder cuff disorder, to date, no clinical benefit nor increased healing rate have been clearly reported. Thus, in 2013, it is clear that there is no evidence base medicine data supporting the use of PRP in arthroscopic surgery.

[Arthroscopic Management of the Stiff Elbow.] / Traitement arthroscopique des raideurs du coude.

Elbow stifness has diverse etiologies, the most common being post-trauma. It appears that both arthroscopic and open techniques can achieve satisfactory results when employed properly. Their use is dictated both by the surgeon's level of expertise and an accurate preoperative assessment. When the release is done arthroscopically, collateral ligament stability is not compromised and morbidity from surgical dissection is minimized. The technique of arthroscopic release is described with all steps and difficulties. Arthroscopic capsular release is a technically demanding procedure that requires meticulous attention to detail and should only be attempted by surgeons with extensive experience in elbow arthroscopy.

[Setting, portals and normal exploration]. / Installations, voies d'abord et exploration normale.

Elbow arthroscopy was known as a risky procedure regarding the literature. A symposium of the French Arthroscopic Society in 2005 focused on up to date technics and indications. An overall joint exploration can performed through five precise portals.

[Arthroscopic management of the stiff elbow]. / Traitement arthroscopique des raideurs du coude.

Elbow stifness has diverse etiologies, the most common being post-trauma. It appears that both arthroscopic and open techniques can achieve satisfactory results when employed properly. Their use is dictated both by the surgeon's level of expertise and an accurate preoperative assessment. When the release is done arthroscopically, collateral ligament stability is not compromised and morbidity from surgical dissection is minimized. The technique of arthroscopic release is described with all steps and difficulties. Arthroscopic capsular release is a technically demanding procedure that requires meticulous attention to detail and should only be attempted by surgeons with extensive experience in elbow arthroscopy.

[Elbow arthroscopy]. / L'arthroscopie du coude.

This symposium of the French Arthroscopic Society is the 2005 state of the art of elbow arthrosocpy in France. A survey reports 499 cases during 2 years with a rate of complication higher than the arthroscopies of other joints (6% of minor and 1% of major complications). The main indication is the removal of loose bodies. They can come from arthritis, chondromatosis, osteochondritis or fracture. The most accurate radiologic examination is an arthroCTscan. The main pronostic factor is the cartilage status. Arthrolysis is the second indication. We performed a retrospective and a prospective studies to compare open and arthroscopic surgery. Results are almost similar with a significant higher improvement in flexion (7 degrees ) in the open group. Open surgery seems more efficient but with a franck loss of motion in the postoperative course. However, in this group elbows were preoperatively stiffer in relation with a trauma event instead of sport related microtrauma in the arthroscopically treated group. Removal of necrotic fragment combined with abrasion in osteochondritis of the capitulum yields to good results with 82% of patients resuming to sports. Long term prognosis is unknown as the joint line is narrowed at a 3 years follow up. Arthroscopy is usefull in synovial diseases as resection of synovial folds or removal of tumors like villonodular synovitis. In the treatment of epicondylitis, the results of our retrospective study are not so good as those reported in the literature. But in our comparative study the results are similar to the open surgery group. The numerous procedures and the different follow up in these two groups did not allow to give statistical analysis. Elbow arthroscopy is a hyper specialty with more and more advanced procedures.

Arthroscopic assessment of full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

SUMMARY: To evaluate the reliability of the arthroscopic assessment of full-thickness rotator cuff tears, 117 cases were prospectively investigated by imaging, arthroscopy, and open surgery. The confidence of the surgeon, his accuracy, and the surgeon-dependent character of arthroscopic assessment were evaluated in terms of the description of the main anatomic parameters. The surgeons were confident and accurate in diagnosing a full-thickness tear of the supraspinatus, but they underestimated its coronal and sagittal extent and its reducibility to the greater tuberosity. Conversely, the technique appeared very accurate in describing the rotator interval. Endoscopic assessment was particularly operator-dependent in the anteroposterior analysis of the tear. This study shows the limits of endoscopic assessment of full-thickness rotator cuff tears. It illustrates the need for an adequate arthroscopic technique with a thorough knowledge of normal and pathological anatomy of the rotator cuff.

Arthroscopic release of the glenohumeral joint in shoulder stiffness: a review of 26 cases. French Society for Arthroscopy.

The purpose of this multicenter retrospective study of arthroscopic release of the glenohumeral joint was to evaluate the technical feasibility, the results, and the potential correlations between results and cause of the stiffness. Twenty-six shoulders in 25 patients (19 women and six men) were re-evaluated 3 to 72 months (mean, 21 months) after arthroscopic release of the glenohumeral joint. Diagnoses were primary frozen shoulder in 13 cases, bipolar stiffness (rotator cuff tear plus capsular contraction) in 3 cases, and postinjury or postsurgery stiffness in 10 cases. Results were evaluated on passive range of motion, Constant's score, and subjective assessment. Anterior or anterior inferior capsular release was done at the anterior rim of the glenoid fossa. Posterior capsule release was not performed in this series. There were no intraoperative complications. Mean range of motion gains were 86 degrees for forward elevation, 72 degrees for abduction, 34 degrees for external rotation, and 6 spinal processes for internal rotation. Constant's range of motion score increased from 12.9 out of 40 to 32 out of 40 points. Thirteen patients were very satisfied, 5 satisfied, 5 improved, and 3 unchanged. Range of motion gains were independent from the cause of shoulder stiffness, but global results were better in the primary frozen shoulder group in terms of pain and strength. Arthroscopic release of the glenohumeral joint is feasible and safe. For primary frozen shoulders, in case of failure of the functional treatment, arthroscopic release is a less traumatic alternative to manipulation under general anesthesia. For bipolar stiffness, arthroscopy provides the opportunity for treating concomitant lesions. For postsurgical stiffness, arthroscopic release improves range of motion, but the shoulder often remains painful.

Arthroscopic treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talar dome: a retrospective study of 48 cases.

We treated 48 symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the talar dome arthroscopically. Of these, 18 patients had an osteochondral fracture with a loose fragment located in every case on the anteriolateral side of the talus. Treatment consisted of removal (16 cases) or fixation (2 cases) of the bone fragment. Thirty patients had chronic lesions (27 subchondral necrosis with a sequestrum and 3 extensive cysts). The lesion was posteromedial in 27 cases and the treatment consisted of removal of the sequestrum with curettage of the subchondral bone necrosis (27 cases) or transchondral drilling if the cartilage surface was intact (3 cases). All the patients were clinically and radiogically reviewed with a mean follow-up of 5 years (7 months to 11 years). Patients treated for an osteochondral fracture obtained significant better results (16 excellent or good results out of 18 cases) than those treated for chronic lesions (20 excellent or good results out of 30 cases). On radiographic examination, we noticed that, even at the longest follow-up, the bone healing was usually incomplete and the bone defect persisted indefinitely in case of extensive subchondral bone necrosis. The articular surface could be seen in 11 cases (8 computed arthrotomographies, 1 magnetic resonance imaging, and 2 second-look arthroscopies). The fibrous cartilaginous surface was apparently regular in 6 cases without any clear correlation with our clinical results. This study suggests that we must make a distinction between osteochondral fractures (recent or not healed) located in the anterolateral part of the talar dome, which carry a good prognosis, and necrotic lesions located medially, which are less likely to have a favorable outcome.

[Recurrent osteitis and Coxiella burnetii: the relation to chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis]. / Ostéites récidivantes et Coxiella burnetti: relation avec l'ostéomyélite chronique récurrente multifocale.

UNLABELLED: Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a disorder of suspected--but unproved-infectious etiology. OBSERVATION: A girl presented with a typical CRMO involving successively the left fibula, radius, humerus and the right carpus. A Coxiella burnetii infection was indicated during the first attack. Two recurrences occurred in spite of suitable antibiotic treatment and with negative infectious investigation. Two months after stopping antibiotic treatment, a new recurrence associated with antibodies increase and positive bone culture occurred. CONCLUSION: Coxiella burnetii can initiate a CRMO. The mechanism involved is probably a delayed hypersensitivity. CRMO would therefore be the first type of reactive osteitis.

[Gleno-humeral arthroscopic arthrolysis for shoulder stiffness. Apropos of 26 cases. Société Française d'Arthroscopie]. / Arthrolyse arthroscopique gléno-humérale pour raideur de l'épaule. A propos de 26 cas. Société Française d'Arthroscopie.

UNLABELLED: Shoulder stiffness is a problem which covers many different conditions. In fact there is still a semantic and pathogenetic confusion. The words: capsulite retractile, frozen shoulder, adhesive capsulitis, stiff shoulder contracture have been successively used and this ambiguity renders the literature difficult to interpret. Moreover the cause of the stiffness which depends on the aetiology, is not always clearly known: capsular contraction, capsular adhesion, capsular scarring following trauma or surgery, extra capsular phenomenons in the subacromial bursa, muscles or tendons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 26 shoulders (25 patients) were reviewed with a follow up of 21 months using the Constant's scoring system. Patients had an average duration of symptoms for 13 months (1 to 27). Pre op passive motion was: abduction: 74 degrees, external rotation: 6 degrees, forward flexion: 84 degrees. The average motion core was 12.9/40. We distinguished three groups: primary frozen shoulder (13 cases) ; bipolar stiffness (3 cases) due to rotator cuff disease ; acquired "surgical" stiffness, (10 cases). The capsular release was performed, at the anterior rim of the glenoid fossa, purely anterior or anterior and inferior, followed by gentle manipulation. If external rotation was not improved the coraco-humeral ligament was detached from its coracoid attachment. Additional procedures were performed:acromioplasty (5 cases), bursectomy (3 cases), SLAP lesion debridement (1 case). Only 2 out 13 primary shoulders required an additional procedure. RESULTS: 1-There were no intra-operative complications (vascular or neural). 2-Range of Motion: the average gain under anesthesia was: abduction: 72 degrees, external rotation: 34 degrees, forward flexion: 86 degrees. Final result was obtained with a mean duration of seven months. There was no difference according to the aetiology. Gain was more important in the primary group (9.69 to 34.9 vs 15.8 to 30.6). 3-Subjective results were better in the primary group. 4-Objective results demonstrated an absolute Constant's score of 70.3, that is to say 83.4 per cent of the contralateral supposed healthy shoulder. There were 3 excellent, 5 very good, 7 good, but 11 fair or poor results. The relative Constant's score was 91 per cent in the primary group and only 76 per cent in the acquired group. The difference was due to the pain and strength which were greatly improved in the primary group. DISCUSSION: Arthroscopic release of shoulder contracture is feasible, safe and effective. For primary frozen shoulder, there is usually spontaneous recovery. Indications for surgery are very few. There is no evidence that arthroscopic release shortens spontaneous evolution. Therefore, we propose it in very selected cases of dramatically limited motion. One year of evolution is an acceptable time. For bipolar stiffnesses, arthroscopy allows one to recognize the exact cause of the stiffness and to treat it, especially the subacromial pathology. In this occurrence, buroscopy must be performed and cuff pathology treated. For acquired surgical stiffnesses, gain of motion is significant. Subjective and objective results are less satisfactory than those of primary frozen shoulder, due to persistance of pain and lack of strength. The alternative is open release, but arthroscopic release has less morbidity. It can be proposed early as soon as capsular tissue has healed (for instance 6 months).

[Retrospective analysis of 78 surgically repaired fractures of the radial head]. / Analyse rétrospective d'une série de 78 fractures de la tête radiale opérées.

The authors present a analysis of 78 cases of radial head fracture operated in the same department. 16 cases were added to the first study of 62 cases operated between 1967 and 1988 and published in 1991. According to the Mason classification modified by Morrey, there were 22 type II, 24 type III and 32 type IV. Surgical treatment consisted in an osteosynthesis in 35 cases, a fracture fragment excision in 9 cases, a resection of the head in 24 cases, a silastic prosthesis in 10 cases. The results have been studied on a functional and radiological basis with follow-up from 2 to 23 years (mean 5 years). The authors noted the good results of the type II fractures which had an osteosynthesis, the satisfactory results in more than 50% of the cases with resection of the radial head. The comparison of both series established the absence of prosthesis in the recent one. The poor results of the comminutive fractures with elbow dislocation lead the authors to consider the prothesis in these fractures, as a possible indication.

Osteoarticular infection due to Coxiella burnetii in children.

We report three cases of chronic osteoarticular infections associated with Q fever in children. In two of them, serologic diagnosis was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence of Coxiella burnetii in the synovial and bone biopsy specimen. We suspect that bone infections due to Coxiella burnetii could be underdiagnosed because this etiology is not frequently seen.

[Arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint]. / L'arthrodèse de la première articulation métatarso-phalangienne.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to evaluate the place of arthrodesis of the first metatarso-phalangeal joint in surgery of the fore foot. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors studied 225 arthrodesis of the first metatarso-phalangeal joint. 195 had a follow up of from two to fifteen years. The indications were: hallux valgus 52.5 per cent, hallux rigidus 20 p. 100, rheumatoid arthritis 12.5 per cent. The procedure used a stable axial fixation with an antero-posterior screw. The preparation of the joint surfaces allowed equalization of the length of the first two toes. RESULTS: The study found a patient subjective satisfaction rate of 89.6 per cent. There was no pain for 90 per cent of them. Activities returned to normal 80 per cent of patients. There was radiographic evidence of lack of fusion in 25 cases (13 per cent). Only two cases were painful and justified a revision. In 15 per cent of the cases slight pain at the inter phalangeal joint was noted due to excessive joint function. DISCUSSION: The best results were obtained with a dorsal flexion angle between twenty and thirty degrees. Restricted dorsal flexion concerning ankle or inter phalangeal joint is a contra-indication of the procedure. Stable fixation is essential but weight bearing on the fore-foot is not allowed for six weeks. CONCLUSION: Arthrodesis of the first metatarso-phalangeal joint restores painless satisfying function and normal use of shoes.

[Surgical treatment of ruptures of the achilles tendon in athletes. 31 cases operated on with an average follow up of 4 years]. / Traitement chirurgical des ruptures du tendon d'Achille chez le sportif. 31 cas opérés avec un recul moyen de 4 ans.

The authors analyze a series of 31 tendo achillis ruptures occurring after sport accident. All were treated surgically. The actual follow up being of 4 years (1 to 12 years). In nearly one third of the cases, either a change in the training methods or intensive activity was noted. 80% of cases showed an causal violent trauma. Tendinopathy preceded the rupture in 20% of the cases, without being an important prognosis factor. In 70% of cases, diagnosis was made within the 24 following hours, and later (more than 8 days after) in one patient out of ten. Type of the surgical procedure does not seem to make any change in the long term prognosis. Each time a severe post op. complication occurred, the final result was bad. In one third of cases pre op. and post op. tendon lengths were not identical, this detail not seeming to bother the patients. In 60% of cases, same sport level was reached. In 80% of cases the final results were good or excellent.

[Fractures of the radial head. Analysis of a series of 62 surgically treated cases]. / Fractures de la tête radiale. Analyse d'une série de 62 cas traités chirurgicalement.

The authors present a retrospective analysis of 62 cases of radial head fracture operated between 1967 and 1989. According to the Mason classification modified by Morrey, there were 11 Type II fractures, 22 Type III fractures and 129 Type IV fractures. Surgical treatment consisted of one of the following: osteosynthesis, fracture fragment excision, or ablation of the head with or without silastic prosthesis. The results have been studied on a functional and radiological basis with follow-up from 2 to 23 years (mean: 5 years). Finally, the authors report the following indications: internal fixation for large two or three-part fractures, resection of the head in cases of comminution, and the lesions they judge to have a poor prognosis (Type IV).