The efficacy of hemiepiphysiodesis for idiopathic knee coronal angular deformity by reconstruction plate and screw: A pilot study.

Background: Angular deformities of the lower extremities are among the most common findings in pediatric orthopedics. Alteration of the mechanical axis in the lower extremity affects the cosmetic appearance and may lead to gait disturbances, knee discomfort, patellar maltracking with or without pain, and early joint osteoarthritis. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of 3-hole 3.5 mm reconstruction plates in tension-band temporary hemiepiphysiodesis for correcting idiopathic knee coronal angular deformities. Methods: The surgical procedure was performed using an extraperiosteal tension band plate (a 3-hole reconstruction plate) and two 3.5 mm cortical screws to treat idiopathic knee coronal angular deformity in children. The location of the hemiepiphysiodesis was determined based on the type of angular deformity present. Postoperative follow-ups were conducted through x-rays to measure the medial proximal tibial angle and lateral distal femoral angle of the limbs. Statistical analysis was then performed to evaluate the efficacy of the surgical treatment based on the rate of alignment change exhibited. Results: The study included 14 patients (25 limbs) with genu valgum deformity who underwent temporary hemiepiphysiodesis on both the distal femur and proximal tibia, with 16 proximal tibias and 15 distal femurs being corrected. The correction rate for genu valgum was found to be 0.59° per month for both proximal tibial and distal femoral hemiepiphysiodesis. Six patients (12 limbs) were also identified with genu varum deformity, and the correction rates for proximal tibial lateral hemiepiphysiodesis and distal femoral lateral hemiepiphysiodesis were 0.85° and 0.15° per month, respectively. During a mean follow-up duration of 11 ± 5.7 months, only one case of physeal plate closure was observed, and there were no other significant complications. Conclusion: Temporary hemiepiphysiodesis with a 3-hole R-plate and two cortical screws takes advantage of physiological physeal growth to successfully treat idiopathic angular deformities with low complication rates.

Peroneus Longus Tendon Autograft versus Hamstring Tendon Autograft in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Comparative Study with a Mean Follow-up of Two Years.

Background: Peroneus longus tendon can be a suitable alternative autograft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The present study aimed to compare the clinical outcome and donor site morbidity in ACLR using peroneus longus tendon autograft versus hamstring tendon autograft. Methods: In a comparative cross-sectional study, ACLR was performed with quadrupled hamstring tendon autograft in 65 patients between 2017 and 2018, and in another group, peroneus longus tendon autograft was used for ACLR in 65 patients between 2018 and 2019. The same surgical technique, fixation method, and postoperative protocol were used in both groups. The knee functional outcomes were assessed according to the Lysholm score and the International Knee Documentation Committee scale at preoperative and at the end of at least 2 years after the procedure. Moreover, graft diameter was measured intraoperatively. Thigh circumference, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS), The Foot & Ankle Disability Index (FADI), and ankle range of motion (ROM) were used to evaluate ankle donor site morbidities. Results: A total of 130 patients (65 patients in each group) were evaluated with a minimum follow-up of 2 years (range 24-31 months). Both groups showed no significant differences in clinical outcomes and knee stability. The peroneus longus graft diameter was significantly larger than the hamstring diameter (P<0.001). Assessment of AOFAS, FADI, and ankle ROM showed no apparent ankle joint dysfunction in the peroneus longus tendon group. Conclusion: Faster knee extensions, less anteromedial knee pain, and thigh hypotrophy were observed in peroneus longus tendon patients. Peroneus longus tendon autograft can be an appropriate autograft for ACLR due to its strength, larger graft diameter, and avoiding potential complications of hamstring autograft obtained from the knee region.

Involvement of NF-κB/NLRP3 axis in the progression of aseptic loosening of total joint arthroplasties: a review of molecular mechanisms.

Particulate wear debris can trigger pro-inflammatory bone resorption and result in aseptic loosening. This complication remains major postoperative discomforts and complications for patients who underwent total joint arthroplasty. Recent studies have indicated that wear debris-induced aseptic loosening is associated with the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The activation of osteoclasts as a result of inflammatory responses is associated with osteolysis. Moreover, stimulation of inflammatory signaling pathways such as the NF-κB/NLRP3 axis results in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this review, we first summarized the potential inflammatory mechanisms of wear particle-induced peri-implant osteolysis. Then, the therapeutic approaches, e.g., biological inhibitors, herbal products, and stem cells or their derivatives, with the ability to suppress the inflammatory responses, mainly NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathways, were discussed. Based on the results, activation of macrophages following inflammatory stimuli, overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and subsequent differentiation of osteoclasts in the presence of wear particles lead to bone resorption. The activation of NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathways within the macrophages stimulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g., IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α. According to in vitro and in vivo studies, novel therapeutics significantly promoted osteogenesis, suppressed osteoclastogenesis, and diminished particle-mediated bone resorption. Conclusively, these findings offer that suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines by regulating both NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome represents a novel approach to attenuate wear-particle-related osteolytic diseases.

Comparison of Clinical, Functional, and Radiological Outcomes of Total Knee Arthroplasty Using Conventional and Patient-Specific Instrumentation.

BACKGROUND: Recently, patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) systems have been developed in order to increase the accuracy of component positioning during total knee arthroplasty (TKA); however, the findings of previous studies are controversial in this regard. In the current randomized clinical study, the outcomes of computer tomography (CT)-based PS (patient specific)-guided TKA were compared to the results of conventional instrumentation (CVI) TKA. The guides were designed on the basis of distal femoral and proximal tibial pin orientation of the conventional related guides. METHODS: The present study was carried out on 24 TKA candidates randomly assigned to two PSI (n=12) and CVI (n=12) groups. The patients were postoperatively followed for 2 years. Then, the hip-knee-ankle angle (HKAA), femoral component flexion, and orientation of components in the coronal plane were measured. In addition, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index and Knee Society Score (KSS) questionnaire were completed for all the patients. RESULTS: The rate of the outliers of the HKAA was higher in the CVI group (41.7% and 8.3%; P=0.077); nevertheless, the difference was not significant in this regard. The rate of the outliers of other radiographic measurements and operational time were similar in both groups. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the WOMAC and KSS. CONCLUSION: The CT-based PS-guided TKA may result in the improved postoperative mechanical alignment of the limb and should be considered in complicated TKAs. However, future studies should investigate whether the results of PSI TKA support the considerably higher costs of this technique.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of Hip Abductor after Total Hip Arthroplasty Using a Direct Lateral Approach.

BACKGROUND: Surgical techniques and rehabilitations after total hip arthroplasty (THA) play a significant role in the improvement of pain and limping. This study aimed to assess hip abductor muscle's diameter and its strength after 6 months postoperative THA performed by Hardinge approach. METHODS: After obtaining the patients' demographic characteristics, the preoperative values of patients' hip abductor muscle diameter were measured using magnetic resonance imaging, and were compared with postoperative values 6 months later. Moreover, the hip abductor muscle's strength was assessed using the Trendelenburg test. RESULTS: A total of 88 patients participated in this study with a mean age of 47.3±1.574 years. It should be noted that 55.7% of the participants were male. Muscle diameter decreased from a mean value of 27.07±7.485 preoperative to mean value of 25.64±7.353 mm postoperative (P<0.001). Moreover, the degrees of Trendelenburg test (i.e., mild or severe) decreased after surgery (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the frequencies of different grades of limping according to the studied variables. CONCLUSION: A decrease was observed in gluteus medius muscle diameter, and the Trendelenburg test results were improved in this study. Moreover, the difference between pre- and postoperative gluteus medius muscle diameters were measured using MRI. It can be concluded that MRI is not an appropriate diagnostic tool for the assessment of abductor strength after THA in the 6-month postoperative visit. Accordingly, it is suggested to evaluate muscle strength before and after each surgery to schedule the following treatment protocol required for each patient.

Sterile Parts of Operating Gown during Lower Limb Joint Replacement Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The prevention of surgical site infection is one of the most concerning issues in operating rooms. Surgical gowns are worn as one of the intraoperative strategies for infection prevention. The present study investigated whether the gowns remained sterile during the surgical procedure. Furthermore, this study examined which parts of the surgical gown were more prone to contamination. METHODS: The sterility of the gowns was investigated during eight total joint arthroplasties all of which were performed by four surgeons. The samples were taken from the arms and frontal part of the sterile gowns pre- and postoperatively. In the anterior surface of the gown, the sampling was initiated at a strip with 50 cm height from the ground followed by the strips with 15 cm distances from caudal to cephalad. Furthermore, the frontal part of the gown was divided into three parts in relation to the operating room table. Finally, the contamination rate was evaluated in each part. A semiquantitative method was used for the analysis of bacterial culture. RESULTS: Before the operation, there were four samples tested positive for bacterial culture (1.06%). All of these samples were taken from the most proximal strip near the neckline. After the surgery, the rate of contamination in the strips on the frontal part of the gown was reported as 3.1% to 53%. Based on the operating table, the contamination rate was 35.9%, 8.9%, and 47.3% in the distal, middle, and proximal parts of the gown, respectively. The contamination rate at the elbow crease was 23%, and at 5 and 10 cm above the creases were 24% and 36%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The high rate of gown contamination during the operation is concerning. However, part of the gown that was in contact with the operating room table remained clean most of the time. More safe strategies should be used for infection prevention in operating rooms.

Evaluation of Changes in the Tibiotalar joint after High Tibial Osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: There are limited studies regarding the effects of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) on other areas of lower extremity. In current study, we investigated the changes of tibiotalar joint following HTO. METHODS: A total of 39 patients with genu varum requiring HTO were enrolled in this before and after study. The genu varus, joint diversion (JDA), lateral distal tibial (LDTA) and lateral distal tibial-ground surface (LDT-GSA) angles were measured before the operation and compared with 6 months after the surgery. RESULTS: Twenty threeout of39 patients (59%) were females. The genu varus angle decreased significantly (13°±1.7° versus 0.6°±1°). No significant changes were seen in JDA (P=0.45) and LDTA (P=0.071). LDT-GSA changed significantly (P=0.011) from 8.1°±1° in varus to -0.3°±0.5° in valgus. CONCLUSION: Although HTO did not change the JDA and LDTA, however, significant change in LDT-GSAindicates that HTO can significantly decrease the shearing forces exerted on the ankle joint.