Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy Combined With Eccentric Exercise in Treating Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Achilles tendinopathy is a common overuse tendon injury, affecting athletes in running and similar sports. Repetitive overload of the Achilles tendon is the primary cause of inflammation, collagen degeneration, and tendon thickening. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of combining low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with eccentric exercises in treating midportion Achilles tendinopathy. Methods This prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Sports Injury Centre, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, from 2019 to 2022. Sixty clinically diagnosed patients with midportion Achilles tendinopathy, aged 18 to 60, were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A received eccentric exercises with LLLT, and Group B received eccentric exercises with placebo LLLT. The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) score and the visual analog scale (VAS) score were used to measure treatment effectiveness at baseline and three, six, 12, and 24 weeks. Results The study included 60 participants, with no dropouts observed. The mean age was 33.9 ± 8.3 years in Group A and 33.40 ± 8.64 years in Group B, with no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.821). Both groups showed significant improvement in VISA-A and VAS scores over time (p < 0.001), but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups at any time point (p > 0.05). Conclusion Adding LLLT to eccentric exercises did not provide significant additional benefits compared to eccentric exercises alone in treating midportion Achilles tendinopathy. Practitioners should prioritize evidence-based interventions, such as eccentric exercises, as the primary treatment modality while considering alternative therapies for adjunctive purposes. Further research is needed to explore additional modalities or combination therapies that may enhance outcomes for patients with Achilles tendinopathy.

Decreased motion with normal strength after Latarjet procedure has minimal impact on return to activity.

PURPOSE: The Latarjet procedure can affect the range of motion (ROM) and strength of the shoulder, which determine the time to return to the preinjury level of activity. This study prospectively assessed whether the Latarjet procedure leads to a decrease in range of motion and muscle strength, affecting the time to return to the previous level of activity. METHODS: Fifty-one consecutive patients who underwent the Latarjet procedure for recurrent dislocation of the shoulder were included prospectively. The ROM, strength, Walch-Duplay score, and Rowe score were measured every 3 months for 1 year and then every 6 months for 2 years. Radiological assessments were performed to confirm the graft location, union, and the humeral head position in abduction and external rotation (ER). RESULTS: Out of 51 patients, 49 completed all follow-ups. The median age was 27 years (17-45 years), and the dominant side was involved in 36 patients. The median number of dislocations was 11 (5-50). Twelve patients were sleep dislocators. There was a significant loss (p < 0.0001) of abduction, forward flexion (FF), ER, and internal rotation (IR) in the affected shoulder compared to the contralateral shoulder. Recovery plateaued at 12 months. There was near complete recovery of muscle strength after the Latarjet procedure, and the difference between the affected and contralateral shoulders was not significant (n.s.). The modified Rowe score was excellent in 44 (90%) patients, and the Walch-Duplay score was excellent in 43 patients (88%) at 24 months. Suboptimal results were associated with non-compliance with rehabilitation in two (4%) patients and neglected unreduced dislocation in one (2%) patient. The coracoid graft position was below the equator in 44 patients (90%). Forty-six patients (94%) could return to the previous level of activity. CONCLUSION: The Latarjet procedure results in a restricted ROM of the shoulder, but there is no loss of muscle strength. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Tibial Attachment Preserving Hamstring Graft without Implant on Tibial Side.

BACKGROUND: Tibial attachment preserving hamstring graft could prevent potential problems of free graft in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction such as pull out before graft-tunnel healing or rupture before ligamentization. Different implants have been reportedly used for tibial side fixation with this technique. We investigated short-term outcome of ACL reconstruction (ACLR) with tibial attachment sparing hamstring graft without implant on the tibial side by outside in technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy nine consecutive cases of ACL tear having age of 25.7 ± 6.8 years were included after Institutional Board Approval. All subjects were male. The mean time interval from injury to surgery was of 7.5 ± 6.4 months. Hamstring tendons were harvested with open tendon stripper leaving the tibial insertion intact. The free ends of the tendons were whip stitched, quadrupled, and whip stitched again over the insertion site of hamstring with fiber wire (Arthrex). Single bundle ACLR was done by outside in technique and the femoral tunnel was created with cannulated reamer. The graft was pulled up to the external aperture of femoral tunnel and fixed with interference screw (Arthrex). The scoring was done by Lysholm, Tegner, and KT 1000 by independent observers. All cases were followed up for 2 years. RESULTS: The mean length of quadrupled graft attached to tibia was 127.65 ± 7.5 mm, and the mean width was 7.52 ± 0.78 mm. The mean preoperative Lysholm score of 47.15 ± 9.6, improved to 96.8 ± 2.4 at 1 year. All cases except two returned to the previous level of activity after ACLR. There was no significant difference statistically between preinjury (5.89 ± 0.68) and postoperative (5.87 ± 0.67) Tegner score. The anterior tibial translation (ATT) (KT 1000) improved from 11.44 ± 1.93 mm to 3.59 ± 0.89 mm. The ATT of operated knee returned to nearly the similar value as of the opposite knee (3.47 ± 1.16 mm). The Pivot shift test was negative in all cases. None had a failure of graft till final followup. CONCLUSION: Attachment sparing hamstring graft without a tibial implant is a simple, cost-effective technique that provides a consistently satisfactory outcome.

Arthroscopic Fixation of Tibial Spine Avulsion in Skeletally Immature: The Technique.

INTRODUCTION: Tibial spine avulsion fracture is more frequent in children than adults. Various methods of fixation have been mentioned, but concern remains about crossing the tibial physis. We present a technique of arthroscopic fixation with non-absorbable suture. CASE REPORT: A total of 10 skeletally immature patients with tibial spine avulsion of Meyers and McKeever Type 2 and 3 were included in the study. The knee was arthroscopically cleared of hematoma. The avulsed tibial insertion of anterior cruciate ligament was reduced and held in place with tibial guide. By drilling guide wire through the tibia, reduced fragment, a fiber wire was passed. The avulsed fragment was tied on a suture post on tibia. Outcome was evaluated radiologically and clinically (Lysholm score, pivot shift, and KT 1000) at 12 months after surgery. All cases attained full range of motion, stable knee and could return to previous level of activity. The mean pre-operative Lysholm score of 50.8 ± 1.4 (35-59) improved to 96.3 ± 2.9 (92-100). The mean pre-operative anterior translation of tibia (measured by KT 1000) of 7.6 ± 1.26 improved significantly to mean of 3.3 ± 0.82 mm after surgery. CONCLUSION: The presented technique of arthroscopic fixation of avulsed tibial spine is a simple technique that provides reproducible results. It also offers cost-effective secure fixation.

Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma of Tibia and Talus: A Case Report.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) of the bone is extremely uncommon and consists of less than 1% of primary bone tumors. It is characterized by epithelioid endothelial cells and has variable biological behavior. EHE is more likely to occur between 20 and 30 years of age. Approximately half of EHE present with multifocal disease. Since the behavior of these tumors is intermediate, it is important to not misdiagnose EHE as an angiosarcoma. Here we describe the case of a 43-year-old male who presented with pain and swelling of the leg and ankle to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, India. Radiography and computed tomography of the ankle and leg were performed and suggested an expansile lytic lesion involving the distal tibia and talus bone. The lesion was excised and ankle arthrodesis performed. Histological evaluation of the lesion demonstrated the presence of EHE of the tibia and talus.

Creation of femoral tunnel by outside-in technique for ACL reconstruction: an analysis.

PURPOSE: To study the outcome of ACL reconstruction by retrograde outside-in (OI) creation of femoral tunnel. METHODS: ACL reconstruction was done in 41 cases by OI technique. The tip of 115° femoral guide was placed at posterior aspect of femoral foot print of ACL. Reaming was done from outside-in over guide pin. The length of femoral tunnel was obtained by measuring guide pin. The location of intra-articular femoral tunnel aperture and graft was recorded. Tibial tunnel was created with 50° guide placed at tibial foot print of ACL. Post-operative digital radiograph was taken. Antero-posterior view was used to calculate coronal inclination of femoral tunnel. On lateral view femoral tunnel location was marked in relation to the intersection of Blumensaat line and posterior femoral cortical line. Lysholm scoring and pivot shift test were performed at follow-up. Objective measurement of anterior tibial translation was done by rolimeter (aircast) at 1 year. RESULTS: The mean femoral tunnel length recorded was 39.5 mm (±3.4). There was no incidence of femoral tunnel blow out or graft impingement. All cases had femoral tunnel aperture location posterior to posterior femoral cortical line and inferior to Blumensaat line. The mean coronal angle of femoral tunnel was 30.39° (±4.6). The mean preoperative Lysholm score of 53.5 (±13) increased to 95.2 (±3.5) 1 year after surgery. All the patients had full range of motion. The pivot shift test was negative and instrumented measurement of anterior translation of tibia was near normal in all cases. CONCLUSION: OI technique of ACL reconstruction is a simple reproducible technique. The unconstrained placement and angling of femoral guide result in a femoral tunnel which is through footprint of ACL. The graft is placed very low, oblique and as posterior as possible on femoral side mimicking the native ACL. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Ipsilateral Traumatic Posterior Hip Dislocation, Posterior Wall and Transverse Acetabular Fracture with Trochanteric Fracture in an adult: Report of First Case.

INTRODUCTION: Posterior dislocation of the hip joint with associated acetabular and intertrochanteric fracture is a complex injury. Early recognition, prompt and stable reduction is needed of successful outcome. CASE REPORT: 45 year old male patient presented with posterior dislocation of the hip with transverse fracture with posterior wall fracture of acetabulam and intertrochanteric fracture on the ipsilateral side. The complex fracture geometry was confirmed by CT scan. The patient was successfully managed by open reduction and internal fixation of intertrochanteric fracture was achieved with dynamic hip screw (DHS) plate fixation followed by fixation of acetabular fracture with reconstruction plate. CONCLUSION: Hip dislocation combined with acetabular fracture is an uncommon injury; this article presents a unique case of posterior wall and transverse fractures of ipsilateral acetabulum with intertrochanteric fracture in a patient who sustained traumatic posterior hip dislocation. Early surgical intervention is important for satisfactory outcomes of such complex fracture-dislocation injuries.