ACL surgical trends evolve in the last five years for young European surgeons: results of the survey among the U45 ESSKA members.

PURPOSE: Although the outcomes of ACL reconstruction are generally satisfying, there are several patients who do not regain their pre-injury sporting level and suffer persistent symptoms. Orthopaedic practice has evolved significantly over the last five years to address these drawbacks. The aim of the present survey was to analyze the changes in the approach to ACL reconstruction among a population of young ESSKA surgeons dedicated to ACL surgery. METHODS: The survey was uploaded on the ESSKA website and was accessible to members under the age of 45. The ESSKA society has 1035 U45 members involved in multiple aspects of Orthopaedic practice. One hundred and forty questionnaires were returned. Several aspects of ACL surgery were investigated at baseline and 5 years prior. They included general details such as the volume of ACL reconstructions per surgeon per year, the graft choice in cases of low and high demanding patients, the technique for femoral tunnel drilling and the preferred device for femoral fixation. The approach to the management of damage to peripheral structures, as well as meniscal ramp and root tears were also investigated. RESULTS: Hamstrings and quadrupled semitendinosus were the preferred graft choice in low-demanding patients (92.9%) while quadriceps tendon is gaining popularity in contact sport practitioners (from 4.3 to 10.7%). The percentage of surgeons using femoral screws had decreased from 37.9 to 29.3 while the percentage of those who used buttons increased from 52.9 to 69.3%. Extra-articular procedures (antero-lateral ligament (ALL) or lateral tenodesis have become popular. The percentage of surgeons who perform an additional peripheral reconstruction rose from 28.5 to 71.5%. Of those who perform the meniscal repair more than 50% of patients rose from 14.3 to 27.9%. Similarly, the percentage of surgeons who performed a medial meniscus ramp lesion repair rose from 29.4 to 54.7%. While the percentage of those who choose to perform a transtibial pull-out repair of lateral meniscus root tears significantly rose from 17.9 to 59.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The present survey among under 45 years old ESSKA surgeons yields some notable findings. The new evidence on the impact of injuries on peripheral structures and menisci is stimulating surgeons towards a more anatomic approach if identified at the time of ACL reconstruction. This evidence will probably influence future research and decision-making. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Paediatric physeal sparing posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction with parental donation allograft: Rationale and operative approach.

BACKGROUND: Paediatric PCL injuries are rare but constitute a significant management challenge. We describe a novel approach to the surgical management of an 11-year-old boy who presented with persisting symptomatic instability following 18months of failed conservative therapy. METHODS: PCL reconstruction was performed using a physeal sparing, all-inside technique under fluoroscopic control. This avoids the potential for iatrogenic growth injury. A parentally donated hamstrings allograft was used to ensure adequate graft size, and reinforced using a non-elastic two millimetre braided suture. Graft reinforcement safeguards against stretching during the early healing phase, but must be removed thereafter to avoid creating a physeal tether. RESULTS: At three months, clinical examination under anaesthesia showed equivalent PCL laxity in the operated knee compared to the normal contralateral knee. The graft reinforcement tape was incised as planned with no change in laxity assessment. Arthroscopic evaluation demonstrated a quiet joint with a well healed graft and no synovitis. Postoperative long leg radiographs showed no growth deformity against preoperative status. CONCLUSION: In paediatric patients with persisting symptomatic instability despite appropriate conservative management, surgical reconstruction of the PCL should be considered. Standard treatment has higher complication rates and poorer graft survival than in an adult cohort. Specific problems include iatrogenic growth plate injury causing growth arrest or angular deformity, inadequate graft size if using hamstrings autograft, and the additional technical challenge of small patient size. Early results from extra-physeal, all-inside PCL reconstruction using a parentally donated allograft are promising and may provide an alternative solution to traditional surgical management.

Acute surgical management of traumatic knee dislocations--Average follow-up of 10 years.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic knee dislocations have been managed historically by means of either delayed reconstruction or non-operative methods. More recently, there has been a trend towards early reconstruction. There is no clear consensus in the literature as to how such patients should be managed and in what time frame. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish the long-term outcome of patients who underwent acute surgical management of their traumatic knee dislocation. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with traumatic knee dislocations were treated by multi-ligament reconstruction. All surgical interventions occurred within 21 days of presentation. The collateral ligament complexes were primarily repaired where possible and reconstructions were performed with either autograft, allograft or the ligament augmentation and reconstruction system (LARS) synthetic graft. RESULTS: The mean time to surgery was 12 days (1 to 21) with a mean follow-up of 10.1 years (7 to 19). The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) assessment demonstrates that 56% of patients went on to have "nearly normal" knee function and the average Tegner-Lysholm score of 80 (57 to 91), is consistent with good function. The Knee Outcome score (KOS) was 84% for Activities of Daily Living and 74% for Sports. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a high level of overall knee function following the acute surgical reconstruction of traumatic knee dislocations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2B: Cohort Study with Outcome Measures.

Low incidence of complications in computer assisted total knee arthroplasty--A retrospective review of 1596 cases.

BACKGROUND: Computer assisted total knee arthroplasty (CATKA) has its own unique complications. The aim of this study was to present our experience of early complications in a large consecutive series of CATKA. METHOD: We investigated retrospective data on the complications specific to computer navigation that were encountered with a consecutive series of 1596 CATKA. RESULTS: Intraoperatively, eight episodes of software failure occurred, two requiring conversion to conventional jig based TKA. There were four broken drill bits when positioning the pins for data entry. Repeat cuts of bone due to malalignment were required on two occasions. There were 17 episodes of superficial pin site infections at the tibial pin-site managed conservatively with antibiotics. One tibial fracture occurred through an old tibial tracker pin site hole. CONCLUSION: This large study shows a low complication rate related to CATKA which is reassuring to the orthopaedic community. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Level of evidence: III.

Corrective osteotomy for malunited metacarpal fractures: long-term results of a novel technique.

Symptomatic malunited metacarpal fractures can significantly affect hand function. We retrospectively reviewed the results of our technique of corrective osteotomy in 14 malunited metacarpal fractures (12 patients) with an average age of 30 years (range 18-49) from January 2005 to December 2011. The dominant hand was involved in nine patients and all except one were male. The malunited metacarpals demonstrated mean dorsal apex angulation of 43° (range 33°-72°) with apparent metacarpal shortening. All except three cases had rotational deformity. All patients underwent surgical correction of the deformity using our described technique of closing wedge osteotomy using temporary intramedullary K-wire and plate fixation. At a mean follow-up of 46 months (range 12-78), the DASH scores improved significantly (p < 0.001). All our patients scored 'excellent' according to the Büchler criteria and at final follow-up had returned to pre-injury work and sports activities. Our technique is safe, easily performed and can be adapted to correct a range of deformities. Level of evidence: Level IV.

Five-year follow-up of minimally invasive computer assisted total knee arthroplasty (MICATKA) versus conventional computer assisted total knee arthroplasty (CATKA) - A population matched study.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has perceived advantages in the early post-operative stage such as reduced blood loss, decreased pain, earlier return to function and earlier discharge. The aim of our study was to confirm that longer term clinical outcome of TKA is not compromised when MIS is combined with computer assisted surgery. METHODS: Eighty patients matched for age, gender, pre-operative Knee Society Score (KSS) and mechanical axis were prospectively studied. Forty patients underwent minimally invasive computer assisted total knee arthroplasty (MICATKA) and 40 patients underwent conventional computer assisted TKA (CATKA). Functional scores were determined at 6 weeks, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months and 5 years post-surgery. Long-leg alignment views were obtained 3 months post-operatively. RESULTS: KSSs in the short term were significantly better in the MICATKA group than in the CATKA group (p<000.1). Tourniquet-time was 58 min in the MICTKA group and 60 min in the CATKA group (p=0.3). Straight leg raise was achieved by day one in 93% of the MICATKA group compared to 30% of the CATKA group (p<0.001). Length of stay for the MICATKA group has a mean of 3.25 days and a mean of 6 days for the CATKA group (p<0.001). KSSs up to 2-years were significantly better in the MICTKA group (p<0.001). At 5-years there was no significant difference in KSSs (p=0.46) in the MICATKA and CATKA groups. CONCLUSION: We confirm that the use of navigation in minimally invasive TKA permits a number of early post-operative advantages and that longer-term functional outcome is not compromised with its usage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

27 year survival of Maney Watt unicondylar hemi knee replacement for fixation of a lateral tibial plateau fracture--a case report.

We report the case of a 62-year-old gentleman who underwent a novel treatment for a lateral tibial plateau fracture 27 years ago. The patient presented to an elective knee outpatient clinic with new onset knee pain. Further investigation revealed that this was a Maney Watt prosthesis (Zimmer UK) for use in the management of unicompartmental osteoarthritis. This mode of fixation gave this patient over 20 years of good functional outcome. Following revision, the patient was followed up at 5 years, reporting a satisfactory outcome.

Embolisation of Angio-Seal™ device: an unusual case of post-cardiac catheterisation limb ischaemia.

We present the case of a 67-year-old male presenting with critical limb ischaemia following cardiac catheterisation. Immediately after deployment of an arterial closure device, the patient reported severe lower limb pain with impalpable pulses. Magnetic resonance angiography revealed an abrupt disruption of flow in the tibioperoneal trunk. Subsequent surgery revealed embolisation of the arterial closure device. The patient went on to make an unremarkable recovery.