Long-term results of total knee arthroplasty for valgus knees: soft-tissue release technique and implant selection.

PURPOSE: To report long-term results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for valgus knees. METHODS: 34 women and 19 men aged 39 to 84 (mean, 74) years with valgus knees underwent primary TKA by a senior surgeon. Of the 78 knees, 43, 29, and 6 had type-I, type-II, and type-III valgus deformities, respectively. A preliminary lateral soft-tissue release was performed, and the tibia and femur were prepared. The tight lateral structures were released using the pie-crusting technique. In 92% of the knees, cruciate-retaining implants were used. In knees with severe deformity and medial collateral ligament insufficiency, the posterior cruciate ligament was sacrificed and constrained implants were used. The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score was assessed, as were tibiofemoral alignment, range of motion, stability, and evidence of loosening or osteolysis. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for 8 to 14 (mean, 10) years. All knees had a good patellar position and were clinically stable in both mediolateral and anteroposterior planes. No radiolucency was noted. The mean HSS knee score improved from 48 to 91 (p<0.001). The mean tibiofemoral alignment improved from valgus 20 to 5 degrees (p<0.001). The mean range of motion improved from 65 to 110 degrees (p<0.001). One patient developed a deep infection at year 4, and 2 had periprosthetic fractures at years 6 and 8. CONCLUSION: Adequate lateral soft-tissue release is the key to successful TKAs in valgus knees. The choice of implant depends on the severity of the valgus deformity and the extent of soft-tissue release needed to obtain a stable, balanced flexion and extension gap, in order to achieve minimal constraint with maximum stability.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the shoulder in elite wheelchair tennis players.

CONTEXT: Wheelchair tennis has been identified as a high-risk sport for shoulder injury, so understanding shoulder pathology in these athletes is important. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the incidence and pattern of shoulder injuries in wheelchair tennis players using high-resolution ultrasonography. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: International Wheelchair Tennis Open. PARTICIPANTS: 33 elite-level wheelchair tennis players. OUTCOME MEASURES: Wheelchair tennis players completed a self-administered questionnaire, and shoulders of each athlete were investigated using high-resolution ultrasonography (linear probe 7.5 MHz). RESULTS: The most common pathology in the dominant shoulder was acromioclavicular pathology, in 21 players (63.6%). Full-thickness rotator-cuff tears involving the supraspinatus were found in 8 dominant shoulders and 6 nondominant shoulders. There were no correlations between identified shoulder pathology and the different variables studied, such as age, training time per day, length of wheelchair use, and length of career as a wheelchair tennis player. CONCLUSION: High prevalence of rotator-cuff and acromioclavicular pathology was found by ultrasonographic examination in the elite wheelchair tennis players in both dominant and nondominant shoulders. A high index of suspicion of these pathologies in wheelchair athletes is required.

Clinical result of operative treatment for scaphoid non-union in the skeletally immature: percutaneous versus open procedure.

This article is a retrospective study of 13 cases of scaphoid non-union in skeletally immature patients. For the fracture fixation, three cases of stable fibrous union with minimal sclerosis, without deformity or cystic changes were considered for the percutaneous Herbert screw fixation. Ten cases were managed with the open reduction and internal fixation with or without bone grafting. The average union time was 10.5 weeks post-operatively. The average union time was lesser in percutaneous Herbert screw fixation group (nine weeks) than open procedure group (11.5 weeks). All cases achieved union without any supplemental procedures. According to Cooney's clinical scoring, 12 cases were rated excellent result and one good result. The percutaneous Herbert screw fixation for scaphoid non-union in skeletally immature patients can be a good treatment option when it is fibrous union with no deformity.

Percutaneous screw fixation for scaphoid nonunion in skeletally immature patients: a report of two cases.

Nonunion of the scaphoid waist in skeletally immature patients is rarely diagnosed. We report 2 cases of scaphoid nonunion in skeletally immature patients who underwent percutaneous screw fixation without bone graft. In stable nonunions with minimal sclerosis, percutaneous screw fixation without bone graft can be an alternative to the conventional open procedure in skeletally immature patients, with successful union and clinical outcome.