Comparing shoulder maneuvers to magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopic findings in patients with supraspinatus tears.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder maneuvers and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are performed to diagnose supraspinatus tendon tears regardless of arthroscopy exam. Although there are many studies on this subject, there is a lack of studies comparing the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of shoulder maneuvers and MRI to arthroscopic findings (intact, partial, or full thickness supraspinatus tendon tear). AIM: To compare the diagnostic values of shoulder maneuvers with MRI for supraspinatus tendon tears in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy. METHODS: A total of 199 consecutive patients from four orthopedic centers met the eligibility criteria of shoulder pain persisting for at least four weeks. They were prospectively enrolled in this study from April 2017 to April 2019. Seven clinical tests (full can, empty can, drop arm, Hawkins', painful arc, Neer's sign and resisted external rotation) and MRI were performed, and all were compared with surgical findings. Full can, empty can and resisted external rotation tests were interpreted as positive in the case of pain and/or weakness. We assessed the Se, Sp, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV), positive and negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio for overall, partial and full-thickness supraspinatus tears. RESULTS: MRI had the highest Se for overall (0.97), partial (0.91) and full-thickness (0.99) tears; moreover, MRI had the highest NPV: 0.90, 0.88 and 0.98 for overall, partial and full-thickness tears, respectively. For overall supraspinatus tears, the Se and PPV were: Painful arc (Se = 0.85/PPV = 0.91), empty can (pain) (Se = 0.80/PPV = 0.89), full can (pain) (Se = 0.78/PPV = 0.90), resisted external rotation (pain) (Se = 0.48/PPV = 0.87), drop arm (Se = 0.19/PPV = 0.97), Neer's sign (Se = 0.78/PPV = 0.93) and Hawkins' (Se = 0.80/PPV = 0.88). MRI had the highest PPV (0.99). The Hawkin's test had the highest false positive rate in patients with intact tendons (0.36). The Sp of the empty can and full can (both tests positive for pain and weakness), drop arm and MRI were: 0.93, 0.91, 0.98 and 0.96, respectively. For partial and full-thickness tears, the empty can test (positive for pain and weakness) had a Sp of 0.93, and the drop arm and MRI had the same Sp (0.98). CONCLUSION: Physical examination demonstrated good diagnostic value, the drop arm test had a Sp as good as MRI for supraspinatus tears; however, MRI was more accurate in ruling out tears. The Hawkins' test had high false-positive findings in patients with intact tendons.

Supraspinatus tears: predictability of magnetic resonance imaging findings based on clinical examination.

BACKGROUND: The shoulder physical examination is frequently performed to diagnose rotator cuff tears in clinical practice; however, there is insufficient evidence on which physical tests are efficient for shoulder impingements in primary care settings. The purposes of this study were (1) to analyze the accuracy of 8 clinical tests to diagnose supraspinatus tendon lesions and investigate whether the combination of these tests can improve the diagnostic values; (2) to assess which are the best positivity criteria for shoulder maneuvers-pain and/or weakness; and (3) to investigate the ability of these tests to distinguish between partial- and full-thickness tears. METHODS: A total of 733 consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated by 4 shoulder surgeons in this multicenter diagnostic study from May 2017 to December 2018, and 8 clinical tests (empty-can, full-can test, drop arm, painful arc, Neer sign, Hawkins test, Patte test, and resisted external rotation) were compared with magnetic resonance imaging performed by blinded radiologists. We assessed the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) for all tests. RESULTS: For overall supraspinatus tears, the empty-can test showed the highest sensitivity (0.81), the Patte test (positive for pain and weakness) and the drop-arm test showed the highest specificity (0.99 and 0.98, respectively), and the best combination was the Neer sign and the drop-arm test (DOR, 12.92). The positivity criteria for pain associated with weakness showed the highest performance, with DORs of 16.94 for the Patte test and 10.45 for the empty-can test. The Patte test and resisted external rotation, positive for pain and weakness, showed the highest ability to distinguish between full- and partial-thickness tears (DOR, 5.69 and 5.35, respectively). The shoulder maneuvers showed low negative predictive values; the highest value (0.58) was found with the empty-can test. CONCLUSIONS: (1) The clinical tests demonstrated excellent diagnostic values; the empty-can test had the highest sensitivity, whereas the drop-arm test and the Patte test had the highest specificity; and the best combination for detecting supraspinatus tears was the Neer sign and the drop-arm test. On the other hand, the physical examination findings showed limited values to rule out tears. (2) The best positivity criterion for shoulder maneuvers was pain associated with weakness. (3) The Patte test and resisted external rotation showed the highest ability to distinguish between full- and partial-thickness tears.

Magnetic resonance imaging reproducibility for rotator cuff partial tears in patients up to 60 years.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard in diagnosing rotator cuff pathology; however, there is a lack of studies investigating the reliability agreement for supraspinatus partial-thickness tears among orthopaedic surgeons and musculoskeletal (MSK) radiologists. METHODS: Sixty digital MRI scans (1.5 Tesla) were reviewed by two orthopaedic shoulder surgeons, two MSK radiologists, two fellowship-trained shoulder surgeons, and two fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons at two distinct times. Thirty-two scans of partial-thickness tears and twenty-eight scans of the supraspinatus tendon with no tears were included. Supraspinatus tendonosis and tears, long head of the biceps pathology, acromial morphology, acromioclavicular joint pathology and muscle fatty infiltration were assessed and interpreted according to the Goutallier system. After a four-week interval, the evaluators were asked to review the same scans in a different random order. The statistical analyses for the intra- and interobserver agreement results were calculated using the kappa value and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The intraobserver agreement for supraspinatus tears was moderate among the MSK radiologists (k = 0.589; 95% CI, 0.446-0.732) and the orthopaedic shoulder surgeons (k = 0.509; 95% CI, 0.324-0.694) and was fair among the fellowship-trained shoulder surgeons (k = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.048-0.492) and the fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons (k = 0.372; 95% CI, 0.152-0.592). The overall intraobserver agreement was good (k = 0.627; 95% CI, 0.576-0.678). The intraobserver agreement was moderate for biceps tendonosis (k = 0.491), acromial morphology (k = 0.526), acromioclavicular joint arthrosis (k = 0.491) and muscle fatty infiltration (k = 0.505). The interobserver agreement results for supraspinatus tears were fair and poor among the evaluators: the MSK radiologists and the orthopaedic shoulder surgeons had the highest agreement (k = 0.245; 95% CI, 0.055-0.435). CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of digital MRI scans, there was an overall good intraobserver agreement for supraspinatus partial tears; however, there were also poor and fair interobserver agreement results. The evaluators with higher levels of experience (the orthopaedic shoulder surgeons and the MSK radiologists) demonstrated better results than evaluators with lower levels of experience.

Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in diagnosing supraspinatus lesions: a prospective accuracy diagnostic study.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to define the accuracy of shoulder ultrasonography for diagnosing supraspinatus tendon tears. This examination is routinely used by orthopedists and may do away with the need for other examinations for diagnosing these tendon injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of shoulder ultrasonography for diagnosing supraspinatus tendon injuries, using magnetic resonance imaging as the reference. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective accuracy study at a single center: the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Clinic of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology. METHODS: Shoulder ultrasonography was performed on 80 patients of both genders, over 18 years of age, with complaints of shoulder pain and clinically suspected supraspinatus tendon lesions. Jobe's test and a full can test were performed. In addition, they underwent magnetic resonance imaging in a 3.0-tesla machine, as the reference standard. The examinations were performed and interpreted by radiologists. RESULTS: Ultrasonography showed sensitivity of 36.3% and specificity of 91.7% for supraspinatus tears overall: sensitivity of 25.8% and specificity of 91.8% for partial tears and sensitivity of 46.2% and specificity of 100% for full-thickness tears. Ultrasonography showed high accuracy for diagnosing full-thickness tears: 91.3%. The p-values were 0.003 for tears overall, 0.031 for partial tears and < 0.001 for full-thickness tears. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography showed low sensitivity for detecting supraspinatus tears, but high specificity for both partial and full-thickness tears.

Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in diagnosing supraspinatus lesions: a prospective accuracy diagnostic study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: This study was designed to define the accuracy of shoulder ultrasonography for diagnosing supraspinatus tendon tears. This examination is routinely used by orthopedists and may do away with the need for other examinations for diagnosing these tendon injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of shoulder ultrasonography for diagnosing supraspinatus tendon injuries, using magnetic resonance imaging as the reference. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective accuracy study at a single center: the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Clinic of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology. METHODS: Shoulder ultrasonography was performed on 80 patients of both genders, over 18 years of age, with complaints of shoulder pain and clinically suspected supraspinatus tendon lesions. Jobe's test and a full can test were performed. In addition, they underwent magnetic resonance imaging in a 3.0-tesla machine, as the reference standard. The examinations were performed and interpreted by radiologists. RESULTS: Ultrasonography showed sensitivity of 36.3% and specificity of 91.7% for supraspinatus tears overall: sensitivity of 25.8% and specificity of 91.8% for partial tears and sensitivity of 46.2% and specificity of 100% for full-thickness tears. Ultrasonography showed high accuracy for diagnosing full-thickness tears: 91.3%. The p-values were 0.003 for tears overall, 0.031 for partial tears and < 0.001 for full-thickness tears. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography showed low sensitivity for detecting supraspinatus tears, but high specificity for both partial and full-thickness tears.

Quantification of platelets obtained by different centrifugation protocols in SHR rats / Quantificação do número de plaquetas a partir de diferentes métodos de centrifugação em ratos da linhagem SHR

To quantify the platelet concentration in the blood of SHR rats, by means of different centrifugation protocols, and to evaluate what the most effective method for obtaining platelets is. METHODS: We used 40 male rats of the isogenic SHR lineage. The animals were divided into three groups: control, using whole blood without centrifugation; single centrifugation, using whole blood subjected to a single centrifugation at 200 × gand 400 × g; and double centrifugation, using whole blood subjected one centrifugation at different rotations, followed by collection of whole plasma subjected to another centrifugation at different rotations: 200 × g+ 200 ×g; 200 × g+ 400 × g; 200 × g+ 800 × g; 400 ×g+ 400 × g; 400 × g+ 800 × g. Samples of 3 ml of blood were drawn from each animal by means of cardiac puncture. The blood was stored in Vacutainer collection tubes containing 3.2% sodium citrate. The blood from the control group animals was analyzed without being subjected to centrifugation. After the blood from the other groups of animals had been subjected to centrifugation, the whole plasma was collected and subjected to platelet counting in the lower third of the sample. RESULTS: We obtained greatest platelet enrichment in the subgroup with two centrifugations comprising 400 × gfor 10 min + 400 ×gfor 10 min, in which the mean platelet concentration was 11.30 times higher than that of the control group. CONCLUSION: It was possible to obtain a high platelet concentration using viable simple techniques, by means of centrifugation of whole blood and use of commonly used materials. The most effective method for obtaining platelet concentrate was found in samples subjected to two centrifugations.

Quantificar a concentração de plaquetas do sangue de ratos SHR, por meio de diferentes protocolos de centrifugação, e avaliar qual o método mais eficaz de obtenção de plaquetas. MÉTODOS: Usamos 40 ratos machos da linhagem isogênica SHR. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos: Controle (GCT) - sangue total sem centrifugação; Única Centrifugação (GUC) - sangue total submetido a uma única centrifugação: 200 g e 400 g; Dupla Centrifugação (GDC) - sangue total submetido a uma centrifugação, seguido de coleta do plasma total, e realizado uma centrifugação, em diferentes rotações: 200 g + 200 g; 200 g + 400 g; 200 g + 800 g; 400 g + 400 g; 400 g + 800 g. Foram retirados 3 ml de sangue de cada animal por meio de punção cardíaca. O sangue foi acondicionado em tubo de coleta vacutainer com citrato de sódio 3,2%. O sangue dos animais do grupo controle não foi submetido à centrifugação e foi analisado. Após a centrifugação do sangue dos animais, submetido à centrifugação, o plasma total foi coletado e submetido à contagem de plaquetas no terço inferior da amostra. RESULTADOS: Obtivemos maior enriquecimento de plaquetas no subgrupo de duas centrifugações (400 g por 10 minutos + 400 g por 10 minutos), no qual ocorreu uma concentração média de plaquetas 11,30 vezes superior em relação ao grupo controle. CONCLUSÃO: Foi possível obter uma alta concentração plaquetária, com técnica simples e viável, por meio de centrifugação do sangue total e uso de materiais de uso corriqueiro; e método mais eficaz de obtenção de concentrado de plaquetas ocorreu nas amostras submetidas a duas centrifugações.

Quantification of platelets obtained by different centrifugation protocols in SHR rats.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the platelet concentration in the blood of SHR rats, by means of different centrifugation protocols, and to evaluate what the most effective method for obtaining platelets is. METHODS: We used 40 male rats of the isogenic SHR lineage. The animals were divided into three groups: control, using whole blood without centrifugation; single centrifugation, using whole blood subjected to a single centrifugation at 200 × g and 400 × g; and double centrifugation, using whole blood subjected one centrifugation at different rotations, followed by collection of whole plasma subjected to another centrifugation at different rotations: 200 × g + 200 × g; 200 × g + 400 × g; 200 × g + 800 × g; 400 × g + 400 × g; 400 × g + 800 × g. Samples of 3 ml of blood were drawn from each animal by means of cardiac puncture. The blood was stored in Vacutainer collection tubes containing 3.2% sodium citrate. The blood from the control group animals was analyzed without being subjected to centrifugation. After the blood from the other groups of animals had been subjected to centrifugation, the whole plasma was collected and subjected to platelet counting in the lower third of the sample. RESULTS: We obtained greatest platelet enrichment in the subgroup with two centrifugations comprising 400 × g for 10 min + 400 × g for 10 min, in which the mean platelet concentration was 11.30 times higher than that of the control group. CONCLUSION: It was possible to obtain a high platelet concentration using viable simple techniques, by means of centrifugation of whole blood and use of commonly used materials. The most effective method for obtaining platelet concentrate was found in samples subjected to two centrifugations.

OBJETIVO: Quantificar a concentração de plaquetas do sangue de ratos SHR, por meio de diferentes protocolos de centrifugação, e avaliar qual o método mais eficaz de obtenção de plaquetas. MÉTODOS: Usamos 40 ratos machos da linhagem isogênica SHR. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos: Controle (GCT) - sangue total sem centrifugação; Única Centrifugação (GUC) - sangue total submetido a uma única centrifugação: 200 g e 400 g; Dupla Centrifugação (GDC) - sangue total submetido a uma centrifugação, seguido de coleta do plasma total, e realizado uma centrifugação, em diferentes rotações: 200 g + 200 g; 200 g + 400 g; 200 g + 800 g; 400 g + 400 g; 400 g + 800 g. Foram retirados 3 ml de sangue de cada animal por meio de punção cardíaca. O sangue foi acondicionado em tubo de coleta vacutainer com citrato de sódio 3,2%. O sangue dos animais do grupo controle não foi submetido à centrifugação e foi analisado. Após a centrifugação do sangue dos animais, submetido à centrifugação, o plasma total foi coletado e submetido à contagem de plaquetas no terço inferior da amostra. RESULTADOS: Obtivemos maior enriquecimento de plaquetas no subgrupo de duas centrifugações (400 g por 10 minutos + 400 g por 10 minutos), no qual ocorreu uma concentração média de plaquetas 11,30 vezes superior em relação ao grupo controle. CONCLUSÃO: Foi possível obter uma alta concentração plaquetária, com técnica simples e viável, por meio de centrifugação do sangue total e uso de materiais de uso corriqueiro; e método mais eficaz de obtenção de concentrado de plaquetas ocorreu nas amostras submetidas a duas centrifugações.

Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament in cases of acute traumatic dislocation of the patella: current perspectives and trends in Brazil / Reconstrução do ligamento patelofemoral medial na luxação traumática aguda da patela: perspectivas e tendências atuais no Brasil

Objective: To evaluate the approaches and procedures used by knee surgeons in Brazil for treating medial patellofemoral lesions (MPFL) of the knee in cases of acute traumatic dislocation of the patella. Materials and methods: A questionnaire comprising 15 closed questions on topics relating to treating MPFL of the knee following acute dislocation of the patella was used. It was applied to Brazilian knee surgeons during the three days of the 44th Brazilian Congress of Orthopedics and Traumatology, in 2012. Results: 106 knee surgeons completely filled out the questionnaire and formed part of the sample analyzed. Most of them were from the southeastern region of Brazil. The majority (57%) reported that they perform fewer than five MPFL reconstruction procedures per year. Indication of non-surgical treatment after a first episode of acute dislocation of the patella was preferred and done by 93.4% of the sample. Only 9.1% of the participants reported that they had never observed postoperative complications. Intraoperative radioscopy was used routinely by 48%. The professionals who did not use this tool to determine the point of ligament fixation in the femur did not have a statistically greater number of postoperative complications than those who used it (p > 0.05). Conclusions: There are clear evolutionary trends in treatments and rehabilitation for acute dislocation of the patella due to MPFL, in Brazil. However, further prospective controlled studies are needed in order to evaluate the clinical and scientific benefit of these trends...

Objetivo: Avaliar as condutas e os procedimentos feitos pelos cirurgiões de joelho do Brasil no tratamento das lesões do ligamento patelofemoral medial (LPFM) do joelho na luxação aguda traumática da patela. Materiais e métodos: Questionário de 15 questões fechadas que abordava tópicos relacionados ao tratamento das lesões do LPFM do joelho após luxação aguda da patela. Foi aplicado a cirurgiões brasileiros de joelho durante os três dias do 44° Congresso Brasileiro de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, em 2012. Resultados: Preencheram completamente o questionário e fizeram parte da amostra analisada 106 cirurgiões de joelho. A maior parte era proveniente da Região Sudeste. A maioria (57%) relatou fazer menos de cinco procedimentos de reconstrução do LPFM/ano. A indicação do tratamento não cirúrgico após primeiro episódio de luxação aguda da patela é a preferida e feita por 93,4% da amostra. Somente 9,1% dos participantes relataram nunca ter observado complicações no pós-operatório. A radioscopia intraoperatória é adotada rotineiramente por 48%. Os profissionais que não a usam para determinação do ponto de fixação do ligamento no fêmur não observam estatisticamente mais complicações pós-operatórias comparados com os que usam essa ferramenta (p > 0,05). Conclusões: Existem claras tendências de evolução no tratamento e na reabilitação da luxação aguda da patela com lesão do LPFM no Brasil. No entanto, mais estudos prospectivos controlados são necessários para avaliar o benefício clínico e científico dessas tendências...

Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament in cases of acute traumatic dislocation of the patella: current perspectives and trends in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the approaches and procedures used by knee surgeons in Brazil for treating medial patellofemoral lesions (MPFL) of the knee in cases of acute traumatic dislocation of the patella. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire comprising 15 closed questions on topics relating to treating MPFL of the knee following acute dislocation of the patella was used. It was applied to Brazilian knee surgeons during the three days of the 44th Brazilian Congress of Orthopedics and Traumatology, in 2012. RESULTS: 106 knee surgeons completely filled out the questionnaire and formed part of the sample analyzed. Most of them were from the southeastern region of Brazil. The majority (57%) reported that they perform fewer than five MPFL reconstruction procedures per year. Indication of non-surgical treatment after a first episode of acute dislocation of the patella was preferred and done by 93.4% of the sample. Only 9.1% of the participants reported that they had never observed postoperative complications. Intraoperative radioscopy was used routinely by 48%. The professionals who did not use this tool to determine the point of ligament fixation in the femur did not have a statistically greater number of postoperative complications than those who used it (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There are clear evolutionary trends in treatments and rehabilitation for acute dislocation of the patella due to MPFL, in Brazil. However, further prospective controlled studies are needed in order to evaluate the clinical and scientific benefit of these trends.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as condutas e os procedimentos feitos pelos cirurgiões de joelho do Brasil no tratamento das lesões do ligamento patelofemoral medial (LPFM) do joelho na luxação aguda traumática da patela. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Questionário de 15 questões fechadas que abordava tópicos relacionados ao tratamento das lesões do LPFM do joelho após luxação aguda da patela. Foi aplicado a cirurgiões brasileiros de joelho durante os três dias do 44° Congresso Brasileiro de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, em 2012. RESULTADOS: Preencheram completamente o questionário e fizeram parte da amostra analisada 106 cirurgiões de joelho. A maior parte era proveniente da Região Sudeste. A maioria (57%) relatou fazer menos de cinco procedimentos de reconstrução do LPFM/ano. A indicação do tratamento não cirúrgico após primeiro episódio de luxação aguda da patela é a preferida e feita por 93,4% da amostra. Somente 9,1% dos participantes relataram nunca ter observado complicações no pós-operatório. A radioscopia intraoperatória é adotada rotineiramente por 48%. Os profissionais que não a usam para determinação do ponto de fixação do ligamento no fêmur não observam estatisticamente mais complicações pós-operatórias comparados com os que usam essa ferramenta (p > 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Existem claras tendências de evolução no tratamento e na reabilitação da luxação aguda da patela com lesão do LPFM no Brasil. No entanto, mais estudos prospectivos controlados são necessários para avaliar o benefício clínico e científico dessas tendências.

Artroplastia unicompartimental do joelho: perspectivas e tendências atuais no Brasil / Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: current perspectives and trends in Brazil

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar as condutas e procedimentos realizados pelos cirurgiões de joelho do Brasil no tratamento da osteoartrose com artroplastia unicompartimental e osteotomia tibial alta do joelho. MÉTODOS: Um questionário de 14 questões fechadas foi elaborado e aplicado a cirurgiões brasileiros de joelho durante os três dias do 43º Congresso Brasileiro de Ortopedia e Traumatologia. RESULTADOS: Um total de 113 cirurgiões de joelho preencheram completamente o questionário e fizeram parte da amostra analisada. Neste estudo, a maioria dos cirurgiões realizava menos de cinco artroplastias unicompartimentais do joelho/ano (61,1%) e entre cinco e 15 osteotomias tibiais altas/ano (37,2%). A utilização de navegação computadorizada no intraoperatório é ainda infrequente em nosso meio, sendo realizada por apenas 0,9% dos especialistas. A opção pelo uso da artroplastia total do joelho em detrimento da parcial devido à falta de familiaridade com a técnica cirúrgica foi relatada por 65,5% dos cirurgiões. Quando arguidos sobre a possibilidade de crescimento no número de próteses unicompartimentais no Brasil com o aumento da familiaridade com a técnica pelos cirurgiões do País, 80,5% dos entrevistados responderam que acreditam nesta hipótese. Nesta amostra, constatamos que quanto maior a experiência do cirurgião maior o número de próteses unicompartimentais e osteotomias tibiais realizadas anualmente (r = 0,550 e r = 0,465, respectivamente, e p < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Existem claras tendências em evolução no tratamento da osteoartrose unicompartimental com artroplastia parcial do joelho no Brasil. No entanto, mais estudos prospectivos controlados são necessários para avaliar o benefício clínico e científico destas tendências.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the approaches and procedures used by Brazilian orthopedic surgeons for treating osteoarthrosis by means of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and high tibial osteotomy of the knee. METHODS: A questionnaire with 14 closed questions was developed and applied to Brazilian knee surgeons during the three days of the 43rd Brazilian Congress of Orthopedics and Traumatology. RESULTS: A total of 113 surgeons filled out the questionnaire completely and became part of the sample analyzed. In this study, the majority of the surgeons performed fewer than five unicompartmental knee arthroplasty procedures/year (61.1%) and between 5 and 15 high tibial osteotomy procedures/year (37.2%). Use of computerized navigation systems during surgery remains uncommon in our environment, since only 0.9% of the specialists were using it. 65.5% of the surgeons reported that they had chosen to use total knee arthroplasty rather than partial arthroplasty due to lack of familiarity with the surgical technique. When asked about the possibility that the number of unicompartmental prostheses used in Brazil would grow as surgeons in this country become increasingly familiar with the technique, 80.5% of the respondents believed in this hypothesis. In this sample, we found that the greater the surgeon's experience was, the greater the numbers of unicompartmental prostheses and tibial osteotomies performed annually were (r = 0.550 and r = 0.465, respectively; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a clear evolutional trend towards treatment of unicompartmental osteoarthritis using partial knee arthroplasty in Brazil. However, further prospective controlled studies are needed in order to evaluate the clinical and scientific benefits of these trends.