Short- to mid-term outcomes of anatomic MCL reconstruction with Achilles tendon allograft after multiligament knee injury.

PURPOSE: Multiple techniques have been described in the literature for reconstruction of the medial collateral ligament. The purpose of this study is to describe functional outcome, range of motion, and knee stability following anatomic MCL reconstruction utilizing an Achilles tendon bone allograft after multiligament knee injury. METHODS: A comprehensive search of a single-hospital multiligament knee injury (MLKI) procedural database was conducted to identify all patients that underwent reconstruction of the MCL utilizing an Achilles tendon bone allograft and with 2-year clinical follow-up. Medical charts were retrospectively reviewed to determine each patient's knee dislocation (KD) grade, final range of motion, stability on clinical examination, and the incidence of complications and reoperations. KOOS, IKDC, and Marx scores were also collected. RESULTS: Thirty-two knees in 32 patients (21 males and 11 females) with a mean age of 30 years (range 15-51) were followed for an average of 40 months (range 28-87 months) following MCL reconstruction with Achilles tendon bone allograft. For patients with multiligament knee injuries, there were 14 KD-I (11 ACL/MCL; 3 MCL/PCL; 1 MCL/ACL/LCL; 1 MCL/PCL/LCL), 12 KD 3-M, and 3 KD-IV. One patient underwent isolated revision MCL reconstruction. At final follow-up, clinically significant valgus laxity was observed in only 1 patient (3%). All patients were able to achieve full extension of the knee and the average flexion was 121.1 ± 19.6. The average IKDC score was 67.6 ± 19.9 (range 27.7-98.9), the average KOOS score 77.1 ± 16.8 (range 31-100). The average Marx score was 4.9 (range 0-16, SD 5.2). Thirty-one of 32 (96%) patients reported being satisfied with results of the surgery. Knee dislocation grades were significantly correlated with post-operative outcome measures. CONCLUSION: In a series utilizing a modified Marx Achilles tendon, MCL reconstruction in the setting of MLKI demonstrated satisfactory clinical and functional outcomes, as well as patient satisfaction at short- to mid-term follow-up. Furthermore, knee dislocation grades were demonstrated to correlate with post-operative IKDC, KOOS, and Marx scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Type IV.

Soft Tissue Neoplasms Causing Apparent Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Venous thoracic outlet syndrome (vTOS) usually results from compression of the subclavian vein classically as a result of narrowing of the costoclavicular space. We report 2 rare cases of soft tissue neoplasms resulting in apparent vTOS. The first case is a 46-year-old female with a 2-year history of intermittent unilateral shoulder pain, who was initially diagnosed with intervertebral disk herniation. Cervical fusion was performed; however, her symptoms progressed and she additionally developed paresthesias and venous congestion. Computed tomography (CT) angiogram demonstrated a 13-cm-encapsulated mass within the subscapularis muscle compressing the axillary vein. Radiological findings suggested lipoma. She subsequently underwent complete resection via a transaxillary approach with extension along the lateral border of the latissimus. Final pathology confirmed an intramuscular lipoma. The second case is a 21-year-old female who presented with acute onset of unilateral chest wall pain, palpable nodularity, and venous congestion. CT chest showed pulmonary embolism and an anterior chest wall mass. An initial attempt at resection was aborted due to proximity of the mass to the subclavian vein. The mass enlarged on serial imaging, measuring 3.8 cm in greatest dimension. Additionally, tumor thrombus was seen, and a subsequent ultrasound-guided biopsy was positive for high-grade synovial sarcoma. Positron emission tomography scan showed a pulmonary nodule that was resected thoracoscopically with pathology confirming metastatic synovial sarcoma. Subsequently, she underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by successful resection of the chest wall mass. An extended infraclavicular approach with a secondary transaxillary incision was utilized to achieve adequate exposure and margins. Final pathology was consistent with preoperative biopsy. Venous reconstruction was not needed. Although rare, an extrinsic mass as a cause of apparent TOS should be in the differential diagnosis. Surgical approach is based on tumor type, location, and proximity to the neurovascular bundle.

Incidence and long-term follow-up of isolated posterior cruciate ligament tears.

PURPOSE: Isolated posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears are an uncommon injury. The goals of this study are to (1) determine the population-based incidence of isolated PCL tears, (2) compare the occurrence of secondary meniscal tears or arthritis in patients with PCL deficiency to patients without PCL tears, and (3) evaluate factors associated with long-term sequelae among patients with PCL deficiency. METHODS: This retrospective study included a population-based incidence cohort of 48 patients with new-onset, isolated PCL tears between 1990 and 2010, as well as an age and sex-matched cohort of individuals without PCL tears. A chart review was performed to collect information related to the initial injury, treatment, and outcomes. Subjects were retrospectively followed to determine the development of subsequent meniscal tears, arthritis, or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). RESULTS: The age- and sex-adjusted annual incidence of isolated, complete PCL tears was 1.8 (95 % CI 1.3, 2.3) per 100,000. During a mean 12.2-year follow-up, patients with isolated PCL tears had a significantly higher likelihood (HR 6.2, 95 % CI 1.8, 21.2) of symptomatic arthritis compared to individuals without PCL tears. The likelihood of subsequent meniscal tears (HR 2.1, 95 % CI 0.4, 10.7) and TKA (HR 3.2, 95 % CI 0.5, 19.6) was more frequent among patients with PCL tears compared to subjects without PCL tears. Older age at injury was significantly associated with future arthritis (P = 0.003) and TKA (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Isolated PCL tears remain a rare injury with an estimated annual incidence of 2 per 100,000 persons. Patients with isolated PCL tears have a significantly higher risk of symptomatic arthritis than patients without PCL tears. Older age at injury is associated with a higher risk of arthritis and the need for TKA. The results of this study can be used to educate patients about the natural history of isolated PCL tears and provide a baseline of expectations for the future development of arthritis and subsequent meniscal injury following isolated PCL injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective comparative study, Level III.

Preoperative Radiographic Evaluation of Patients With Pelvic Discontinuity.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic discontinuity (PD) is a rare but devastating mechanism of failure in total hip arthroplasty. Radiographic findings have been described for the identification of PD. However, no study has specifically examined radiographic parameters and the utility of specific views in the preoperative identification of PD. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 133 patients who underwent acetabular revision for PD. Preoperative radiographic studies were reviewed including anteroposterior pelvis (AP; n = 133), true lateral hip (n = 132), Judet (n = 47), false profile (n = 4), and computed tomography scans (n = 14). Radiographs were read by the senior authors to identify the following parameters suggestive of PD: visible fracture line, medial migration of the inferior hemipelvis, and obturator ring asymmetry. RESULTS: Using only the AP view, the fracture line was visible in 116 (87%), medial migration of the inferior hemipelvis in 126 (95%), and obturator ring asymmetry in 114 (86%). A fracture line was visualized in 65 of 132 hips (49%) evaluated with laterals, 36 of 47 hips (77%) evaluated with Judet views, 3 of 4 (75%) evaluated with a false profile view, and 10 of 14 (71%) evaluated with computed tomography. CONCLUSION: Preoperative evaluation with a combination of an AP pelvis radiograph, plus a true lateral radiograph of the hip, plus Judet films in combination with the criteria for discontinuity defined in this article, allowed for identification of PD in a 100% of patients.

The shape of the proximal femur influences acetabular wear patterns over time.

BACKGROUND: Femoroacetabular impingement has been proposed as a cause of early osteoarthritis, but it is not known how this develops over time or whether the shape of the proximal femur influences this risk. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) Which areas of the acetabulum are worn more frequently by individuals with a cam deformity of the proximal femur? (2) Do observed acetabular wear patterns differ based on the etiology of the cam deformity? (3) Do wear patterns of individuals with a cam deformity differ based on an individual's age? METHODS: We examined 645 corresponding femora and acetabuli from the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection and determined the offset and alpha angle using photographs; 370 specimens met inclusion criteria and were examined for signs of wear and the locations of wear were recorded. Specimens were separated into eight subgroups based on age either younger than 40 years or older than 60 years, alpha angle greater or less than 55°, and degree of anterior head-neck offset. We compared the prevalence of wear between groups in each location. RESULTS: Individuals with abnormal geometry of the proximal femur demonstrated different wear patterns from individuals with normal geometry. There were few differences in wear patterns identified based on the etiology of the femoral deformity. Abnormal femoral geometry was associated with more frequent wear primarily at the anterosuperior acetabulum for individuals younger than 40 years of age and globally for individuals older than 60 years of age. CONCLUSION: Femoral geometry appears to influence the pattern of acetabular wear occurring over time.