Clinical outcomes after multiligament injured knees: medial versus lateral reconstructions.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyse the clinical outcomes of multiligament injured knees with respect to the medial collateral ligament and posteromedial corner (PMC) repair or reconstruction versus the posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstruction in patients operated according to a codified surgical protocol. METHODS: Patients were divided into two groups depending on whether PMC or PLC was injured. Cruciate ligaments as well as PMC or PLC were reconstructed/repaired in a one-stage procedure. At minimum of 1-year follow-up, objective and subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) forms, Lysholm score and sports activity level were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients with a median follow-up time of 57 months (range 12-129) were reviewed. No significant difference was found for functional scores between acute PMC and PLC subgroups. In Group PLC, subjective outcomes tend to be better in the acute than in chronic reconstruction subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: A one-stage protocol with early surgery rather than delayed reconstruction produced better clinical outcomes whatever the injured collateral ligament, medial or lateral. In the future, early and chronic reconstructions as well as each injury pattern should be considered as separate entities in studies on multiple ligament injured knees to reach a better level of evidence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Microinstability of the hip: A review.

With the development of conservative hip surgery techniques, new entities such as microinstability have been identified. Microinstability is a painful supra-physiological mobility of the hip. It results from the association of architectural and functional abnormalities impairing joint stability. These risk factors concern hip joint bone architecture or peri-articular soft tissues. Bone abnormalities are identified on hip assessment parameters. Soft tissues also play a key role in the static and dynamic stability of the hip: the joint capsule, labrum, ligamentum teres and adjacent myotendinous structures affect joint coaptation; any abnormality or iatrogenic lesion concerning these structures may constitute a risk factor for microinstability. Diagnosis is based on interview, clinical examination and imaging. Findings of labral lesions or femoro-acetabular impingement do not rule out microinstability; they may be associated. Treatment is based first on physiotherapy for muscle reinforcement to improve joint coaptation. In case of failure, arthroscopic surgery is indicated for femoro-acetabular impingement and capsular plicature which is being evaluated. Periacetabular osteotomy or shelf acetabuloplasty may be indicated, according to the severity of joint bone architecture abnormality. Microinstability is a multifactorial entity. Lesions induced by microinstability may in turn become risk factors for aggravation. Diagnosis and indications for surgery are thus difficult to establish. Only full clinical examination and exhaustive imaging assessment allow microinstability and associated lesions to be identified.

Small diameter metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty at 13 years - a follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION: Theoretically, the properties of second-generation metal-on-metal (MoM) bearings are better for wear, osteolysis and longevity. However, follow-up studies of more than 10 years are rare, in particular with hybrid fixation (cemented stainless steel stems and cementless cup), therefore we evaluated the results of this combination after a mean follow-up of 12.8 years: (1) to analyze the survival rate, (2) to compare it with the survival rate in the same series after 6.4 years (95.8% cup, 94.8% stem), (3) to evaluate clinical and radiographic outcome and (4) to analyze these failures. HYPOTHESIS: The number of revisions would increase after 10 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 106 total hip arthroplasties (THA) (Cedior™ press-fit cup with cemented Acora™ (n=50) and Exafit™ (n=56) stems and 28mm Metasul™ bearings performed between January 1999 and December 2002. The survival rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The clinical assessment included the Postel Merle d'Aubigné (PMA) and Oxford scores. The radiographic assessment evaluated radiolucencies and osteolysis on standard X-rays. A histological analysis was only performed during revision THA. RESULTS: After a mean 12.8 years of follow-up (10-16), 53 THA were reviewed in 48 patients. Thirteen THA revisions (14%) were performed including 11 aseptic revisions (5 stem fractures, 2 cases of impingement and 3 loosenings [1 bipolar and 3 cups] and one case of osteolysis). Overall survival, taking into account revision for aseptic loosening, was 87.6% (CI 95%=77.3 to 99.3%). The mean PMA and Oxford scores at the final follow-up were 17.6±0.8 points (16-18) and 16.5±5.2 points (12-38) respectively. The radiological follow-up mainly identified radiolucencies around the stem in Gruen zones 1 and 7 (17 and 21% respectively). DISCUSSION: The survival rate of hybrid MoM THA in this series decreased after 10 years and is lower than studies evaluating cementless THA with the 28-mm Metasul™ bearings (90.9 to 100% survival). Although the clinical results are satisfactory, survival is lower. However, the role of MoM bearings is relative in these failures, in particular because trunnionoses (stainless steel stem with 28-mm head), impingement and especially 5-stem fractures were the main causes of failure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV: retrospective study.

Knee extensor mechanism allograft reconstruction following chronic disruption.

The management of chronic extensor mechanism disruption can be complex. One of the options is allograft reconstruction. The goal of this study was to present the surgical procedure and provide preliminary results with this technique. The allograft uses the whole extensor mechanism (anterior tibial tubercle, patellar ligament, patella, quadriceps tendon). The native patella can be completely removed if the quality of the bone is poor, otherwise a bone groovecan be created to receive the allograft. The allograft is tightly tensioned with the knee in full extension. This surgical technique was performed 5 times with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Active extension was recovered in all cases. The mean postoperative KOOS was 55.5 the IKS function score was 68.5 and the IKS knee score was 83.