Preoperative Meniscal Extrusion Predicts Unsatisfactory Clinical Outcomes and Progression of Osteoarthritis after Isolated Partial Medial Meniscectomy: A 5-Year Follow-Up Study.

The objective of this study was to examine the association between preoperative meniscal extrusion of patients undergoing partial medial meniscectomy with clinical outcomes and progression of osteoarthritis and to determine the extent of meniscal extrusion associated with unsatisfactory clinical outcomes and progression of osteoarthritis. Ninety-five patients who underwent partial medial meniscectomy with a minimum follow-up of 5 years were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative meniscal extrusion was evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively with Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective scores for clinical outcomes and with IKDC radiographic scale for osteoarthritis. An ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) was used to analyze the variations in meniscal extrusion and the clinical and radiological outcomes. A regression analysis was performed to identify factors that affect preoperative medial meniscus extrusion and that influence results after partial meniscectomy. An optimal cutoff value for meniscal extrusion associated with unsatisfactory clinical outcomes and progression of osteoarthritis was established. Significance was set at p < 0.05. The mean ± SD preoperative and postoperative Lysholm scores were 59.6 ± 15.5 versus 83.8 ± 13.1 (p < 0.001) and the mean preoperative and postoperative IKDC subjective scores were 59.4 ± 16.8 versus 82.0 ± 15.8 (p < 0.001). Meniscal extrusion greater than 2.2 mm (sensitivity, 84%; specificity, 81%) and 2.8 mm (sensitivity, 73%; specificity, 85%) was associated with unsatisfactory (poor/fair) Lysholm and IKDC subjective scores, respectively. The progression of osteoarthritis, characterized as a change of at least one category on the IKDC radiographic scale, occurred when meniscal extrusion was greater than 2.2 mm (sensitivity, 63%; specificity, 75%). Patients with higher body mass index (BMI) had significantly greater meniscal extrusion that patients with normal BMI (p < 0.001). The medial meniscus was more extruded in patients with horizontal and root tears. In conclusion, patients with preoperative meniscal extrusion of 2.2 mm or greater had unsatisfactory clinical outcomes and progression of osteoarthritis after partial medial meniscectomy at a minimum of 5 years follow-up. Higher BMI and horizontal and root tears were associated with greater preoperative meniscal extrusion.

WITHDRAWN: Interventions for treating posterior cruciate ligament injuries of the knee in adults.

BACKGROUND: Injuries of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) of the knee frequently occur in automobile accidents and sports injuries, although they are less frequent overall than injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Some patients show significant symptoms and subsequent articular deterioration, while others are essentially asymptomatic, maintaining habitual function. Management of PCL injuries remains controversial and prognosis can vary widely. Interventions extend from non-operative (conservative) procedures to reconstruction of the PCL, in the hope that the surgical procedure may have a positive effect in the reduction/prevention of future osteoarthritic changes in the knee. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness and safety of surgical and conservative interventions for PCL injuries in adults. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialised Register (April 2004), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 1, 2004), MEDLINE via PubMed (1966 to April 2004), EMBASE (1966 to April 2004), CINAHL (1982 to April 2004), LILACS (1982 to April 2004), SportsDiscus (1975 to April 2004), and reference lists of articles. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized or quasi-randomized clinical trials comparing various methods of operative and conservative interventions, and comparisons with each other for the treatment of PCL injuries. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: References found with the search strategy were evaluated independently by two review authors. MAIN RESULTS: No randomized or quasi-randomized controlled studies meeting the selection criteria were identified. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Future research should include randomized controlled trials of acute isolated PCL injuries, or PCL injuries when combined with other ligament injuries of the knee, treated operatively and conservatively. Adequate numbers of patients and an objective methodology for patient evaluation must be used in future studies of these interventions to determine the long-term results.

Transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in patients with open physes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in patients with open physes. METHODS: Transphyseal ACL reconstruction was performed in 26 patients with open tibial and femoral physes (physis >2 mm) by use of autogenous quadrupled hamstrings as grafts. Meniscal tearing was found in 65.3% of the patients. Partial chondral defect injury on the medial femoral condyle was found 6 months after injury in only 2 patients (7.69% of all patients). The mean follow-up period was 45 +/- 18.3 months. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by use of the International Knee Documentation Committee score and Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and the anteroposterior stability was objectively measured by use of KT-1000 arthrometer (MEDmetric, San Diego, CA). Possible length and angular discrepancies were observed by conventional radiography in a long film and scanograms of the lower limbs. RESULTS: The mean length discrepancy between the operated lower limb and the contralateral limb was 1.2 +/- 3.2 mm (range, -7 to 7 mm). The mean angular deviation difference between the lower limbs was 0.46 degrees +/- 1.1 degrees . New traumatic injuries developed in 3 patients, in whom surgical revision was performed; 1 patient underwent a late meniscectomy. The mean difference in KT-1000 measurement was 2.0 +/- 1.0 mm. The mean subjective International Knee Documentation Committee score was 91.5 +/- 5.7, and the mean score on the modified Lysholm scale was 93.5 +/- 4. Of the patients, 3 (11.2% of all patients) could not return to the same level of physical activity as before injury. CONCLUSIONS: ACL reconstruction by use of the transphyseal technique in an immature skeleton with a hamstring autograft, with careful attention being paid to the technique, resulted in good clinical outcomes and no growth abnormalities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Tratamento da instabilidade femoropatelar crônica pela reconstrução do ligamento femoropatelar medial / Treatment of the chronic patellofemoral instability with the medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction

Hipótese: Reconstrução do ligamento patelofemoral medial restaura a estabilidade, promove retorno funcional e alívio da dor em pacientes com instabilidade patelar lateral crônica. Design do estudo: Série de casos nível 4 de evidência. Métodos: Vinte e um pacientes com instabilidade lateral crônica foram tratados com reconstrução do ligamento patelofemoral medial usando enxerto do semitendíneo. Todos os pacientes foram avaliados pré-operatoriamente e pós-operatoriamente com questionários de Kujala, Fulkerson, Lysholm, nível de atividade de Tegner e através da Escala Analógica de Dor por um período mínimo de 24 meses. Resultados: Vinte e um pacientes foram avaliados por um período médio de 66,5 meses (variando de 24-130 meses) após a cirurgia. O questionário de Kujala mudou de 55,7 para 82,3, o de Fulkerson mudou de 60,6 para 91,2, o de Lysholm variou de 53,5 para 85,6, a escala de atividade de Tegner variou de 3,5 para 7,1 e a Escala Analógica Visual de Dor variou de 7,4 no pré-operatório para 3,0 na última avaliação. Todos mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significantes (P <.001). Nenhuma diferença estatisticamente significante foi encontrada nas avaliações pós-operatoria dos questionários de Kujala, Lysholm, Fulkerson, Tegner e Escala Analógica Visual de Dor. Existiram 66,59%, 71,42% e 71,41% de bons e excelentes resultados baseados nos questionários de Kujala, Lysholm e Fulkerson, respectivamente. Nenhuma luxação recorrente ocorreu e todos os 21 pacientes estavam satisfeitos com o tratamento cirúrgico. Conclusão: A reconstrução do ligamento patelofemoral medial prove excelente alívio da dor e retorno funcional em pacientes com instabilidade patelar crônica.

Lesöes ortopédicas no futebol / Orthopedic lesions in soccer

Os autores estudaram 124 atletas de futebol profissional em oito equipes do futebol brasileiro, num período superior a dois anos. Os atletas eram todos do sexo masculino, com idade média de 22,4 anos. Analisaram apenas as lesöes ocorridas durante os jogos oficiais e amistosos com o objetivo de demonstrar de forma representativa a freqüência de lesöes no futebol profissional do Brasil. Concluíram que a maior incidência de lesöes ocorre em jogadores de meio-campo e ataque, em membros inferiores e em traumas sem contato físico. Também concluíram que as lesöes musculares säo as mais freqüentes. E que, na maioria das vezes, as lesöes orotopédicas no futebol säo leves, com retorno em grande parte até uma semana de tratamento.

Estudo comparativo no tratamento das lesöes do ligamento cruzado anterior no esporte / Comparative study of the treatment ofanterior cruciate ligament lesions in sports

Os autores realizaram estudo comparativo do nível de retorno às atividades esportivas de 100 atletas recreativos com lesäo do ligamento cruzado anterior, confirmada por artroscopia, divididos em dois grupos de 50, após seguimento mínimo de quatro anos. No grupo I, os pacientes foram tratados incruentamente por meio de fisioterapia e, no grupo II, por meio de reconstruçäo ligamentar com o terço médio do tendäo patelar, seguida de programa de reabilitaçäo. Todos os pacientes apresentavam positividade das manobras de Lachman e pivot-shift sob anestesia. A avaliaçäo dos resultados foi realizada segundo os critérios do International Knee Documentation Committee, baseada em sete variáveis. A melhora subjetiva para a volta ao esporte foi mais freqüente no grupo operado. A presença de dor, inchaço e falseio esteve relacionada aos níveis de menor atividade esportiva, em ambos os grupos. Igualmente, nÒo se encontrou relaçäo entre as lesöes meniscais e o nível de volta ao esporte. Finalmente, concluiu-se que o tratamento cirúrgico foi fator determinante para a obtençäo dos melhores resultados na avaliaçäo final, embora o tratamento clínico das lesöes do ligamento cruzado anterior possa ser boa indicaçäo aos pacientes de menor atividade esportiva.

Analgesia pós-operatória controlada pelo paciente por bomba de infusäo, na reconstruçäo ligamentar do joelho / Patient controlled postoperatory analgesia by infusion pump in ACL reconstruction

Foram analisados 37 pacientes submetidos à reconstruçao do ligamento cruzado anterior por via artroscópica e que usaram, no pós-operatório, bomba de infusao contínua controlada pelo paciente (PCA). Aprovaram a bomba 86,4 por cento (32) dos pacientes e em 37,8 por cento (14 pacientes) houve necessidade de complementaçao analgésica por opióides. Reduzido número de pacientes apresentou retençao urinária (3), lombalgia (4), desconforto da sensaçao de anestesia e hipotensao. Este é método novo em nosso meio, que traz alívio para o paciente e para o menisco, no pós-operatório.

Ressecçäo artroscópica de tumor na articulaçäo coxofemoral: relato de um caso / Arthroscopic resection of tumor in the coxofemoral joint: report of a case

Os autores apresentam uma indicaçäo para artroscopia do quadril com diagnóstico de condroma, confirmado por exame anatomopatológico. A indicaçäo do procedimento artroscópico se deu após realizaçäo de diversos exames e constataçäo, à ressonância magnética, de imagem anormal intra-articular na regiäo da fóvea. O objetivo era a biópsia e, se possível, ressecçäo artroscópica, para evitar-se, assim, artrotomia ampla e possibilitar reabilitaçäo mais rápida e menos traumática. Após seguimento aproximado de um ano, o paciente encontra-se assintomático