An anatomical study of the meniscal roots of the knee: landmarks for its surgical reconstruction and implications for knee surgeons.

PURPOSE: The aim of this anatomical study was to describe the anatomy of the meniscal roots and their relationships with respect to the main adjacent structures in order to improve their surgical reconstruction. METHODS: Fourteen knees were included. The mean age of the donors was 92 years (range 89-96). We studied the general characteristics of the anterior and posterior roots of the medial meniscus and lateral meniscus by measuring their widths at their base and area. We investigated the relations between anterior and posterior roots of the medial and lateral menisci with respect to the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL and PCL). RESULTS: The mean width of the anterior root of the lateral meniscus was 10.5 ± 1.4 mm. The mean width of the anterior root of the medial meniscus was 10 ± 1.5 mm. The mean width of the posterior root of lateral meniscus was 11.4 ± 1.4 mm. The mean width of the posterior root of medial meniscus was 10.5 ± 1.0 mm. The mean distance between the anterior cruciate ligament and the anterior root of lateral meniscus was 9.8 ± 2.9 mm, for the medial meniscus it was 15.9 ± 3.4 mm. The mean distance between the posterior cruciate ligament and the posterior root of the lateral meniscus was 11.5 ± 2.7 mm, for the medial meniscus, it was 11 ± 2.6 mm. CONCLUSION: The anterior and posterior meniscal roots have precise landmarks, and this article contributes to define the location of the meniscal roots with respect to their adjacent anatomical structures: ACL, PCL and intercondylar tubercle. Having precise measures of the distances between the meniscus roots and these structures allows knee surgeons to perform ACL reconstruction, meniscal root repair and meniscal allograft transplantation.

Relationships of the superficial fibular nerve and sural nerve with respect to the lateral malleolus: implications for ankle surgeons.

PURPOSE: Superficial fibular nerve (SFN) and sural nerve are at risk during osteosynthesis of the lateral malleolus. The aim of this anatomical study was to describe the relationships of the superficial fibular and sural nerves with respect to the lateral malleolus. METHODS: Nine corpses (18 ankles) were dissected, using a direct lateral approach. Measurements were recorded between the fibula and the nerves, and the pattern variations of the SFN were recorded for both right and left side to assess intra-individual variability. RESULTS: Distance between the tip of the lateral malleolus and the piercing of fascia cruris was 111 ± 26 mm for type 1 pattern, and range was 46-161 mm all types included. 78% (14 SFN) were type 1 pattern, 17% (3 SFN) were type 2 pattern, and 5% (1 SFN) were type 3 pattern. 44% (4 specimen) had a type 1 pattern SFN on one ankle and another pattern on the other ankle. The sural nerve was always observed just posterior to the lateral malleolus. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a great inter-individual variability especially for the SFN, but also an intra-individual variability with frequent different patterns between right and left leg. It is important to know the anatomical variations of the SFN and sural nerve to decrease the risk of intra operative nerve injury during direct lateral approach of lateral malleolus.

Cementless hydroxyapatite-coated stem with dual mobility and posterior approach in over-80 year-old patients with osteoarthritis: Rates of dislocation and periprosthetic fracture at a mean 8 years' follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Straight cementless stems are common in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the elderly, but controversial due to higher risk of loosening and periprosthetic fracture (PPF). Apart from registries, results for the Corail implant and dual mobility (DM) in over-80 years-old are not known, notably in case of systematic association to a DM cup. We therefore performed a retrospective analysis of Corail implants in patients aged≥80years at implantation for osteoarthritis of the hip, assessing 1) PPF rate and survival for cementless straight stems associated to DM cups, 2) complications, and dislocation in particular, and 3) clinical scores. HYPOTHESIS: PPF and dislocation rates are low in THA with cementless straight stem associated to DM cup in patients aged≥80years. PATIENTS METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in our department for the period July 2007 to December 2012. Inclusion criteria were age≥80years, with primary THA for osteoarthritis. Exclusion criteria were revision procedure and femoral neck fracture. One hundred and twenty-eight consecutive THAs were included, in 120 patients, with a minimum 5years' follow-up. Clinical results were assessed on Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Oxford Hip Score (OHS). Data were collected for PPF or dislocation and other complications. RESULTS: At a mean 8±1 years' follow-up (range, 5-10 years), 66 patients (55%, for 68 hips) were alive, 48 (40%, for 54 hips) had died, and 6 (5%, for 6 hips) were lost to follow-up. Median age at surgery was 83years (range, 80-93years). Mean OHS at last follow-up was 41±6 (range, 21-48) and HHS 83±14 (range, 23-100) with mean gain of 32 points (95% CI, [28-36]; p<0.001)). There were 2 cases (1.6%) of PPF, at 2 and 65months, and no dislocations or cases of aseptic loosening. There were 2 cases (1.6%) of intraoperative calcar fracture, treated by wire cerclage with immediate complete weight-bearing, without further complications. With death as a competing risk, cumulative 10-year incidence of femoral stem revision was 1.6% [95% CI: 0.4-6.5], and cumulative incidence of all-cause revision was 4.1% [95% CI: 1.7-9.7]. DISCUSSION: In an over-80 year-old population, primary THA with straight cementless stem and 2nd generation dual mobility cup was an effective option with low risk of PPF or dislocation after a minimum 5-year of follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective study.

Surgical meniscal lesions in stable knee: Topographic description in a prospective series of 1424 cases.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of meniscal lesions in stable knee has been a focus of study, but exact topography is not clearly known. Tear patterns are thought to differ between pathologies and the difference between a traumatic and a degenerative pattern is not always easy to draw. In 2010, ISAKOS designed a questionnaire to standardize assessment. The main objective of present study was to detail the precise topography and type of surgical meniscal patterns (i.e., that were operated on) in stable knee. Secondary objectives were to assess the relationship of tear pattern and cartilage lesions in the tibiofemoral compartment, and to analyze age at onset. HYPOTHESES: The study hypotheses were that tear pattern correlates with cartilage lesions, and that mean age differs according to tear pattern, with younger onset of vertical tears, in surgery@ patients. PATIENTS & METHODS: Data collection for this descriptive epidemiological study was prospective, on systematic ISAKOS questionnaire. 1424 isolated meniscal tears in stable knee, operated on between 2010 and 2017, were included: 253 lateral meniscus (LM), and 1171 medial meniscus (MM). Mean age at surgery was respectively 36 and 47 years. RESULTS: The most frequent tear pattern was vertical (39% in LM, 38% in MM). The more frequent locations were posterior+midpart and midpart (22% each) in LM, and posterior in MM (56%). Tears were mainly peripheral (zone 1) in LM (46%), and zone 2 in MM (46%). Mean age in medial vertical tears was 43±14 years, significantly lower (p<0.001) than in other types. Meniscal tear pattern correlated significantly with medial tibiofemoral cartilage lesion (p<0.001). DISCUSSION: The present study described the precise topography of isolated meniscal tears in stable knee in a large sample, using the ISAKOS questionnaire. The study hypotheses were confirmed for the medial but not the lateral meniscus. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; well-conducted non-randomized prospective comparative study.

Anemia before reimplantation surgery - An overlooked modifiable risk factor of septic revision knee arthroplasty failure.

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative anemia in patients undergoing a two-stage septic revision arthroplasty may be a factor of reinfection, even in the presence of aggressive antimicrobial therapy. Patient Blood Management (PBM) in such patients is challenging. We evaluate the impact of anemia existing before re-implantation on a failure rate after two-stage septic total knee arthroplasty (rTKA), and explore feasibility of a PBM strategy implementation in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of patients from January 2010 to January 2015 in a French regional referral center was performed. Patients undergoing a two-stage rTKA for infection after successful primary TKA were identified and followed up to 31.12.2018. The primary outcome (failure) was defined as surgical site infection after re-implantation requiring new surgery. The secondary outcomes were time to failure, the time between explantation/reimplantation, transfusion rate during the second stage. Preoperative anemia was defined as Hb level < 12 g/L before the re-implantation. RESULTS: 69 patients were identified; 17 (24%) developed reinfection of rTKA in 105 [11.4-156] days. In these patients pre-implantation anemia was more frequent (n = 13(76.5%) in failed vs. n = 21(40%) in non-failed, p = 0.0110). During the explantation stage, there were no significant group differences in age, sex, comorbidity, type of spacer and antimicrobial therapy, iron supplementation, or transfusion rate. The median time between explantation/reimplantation surgery was 51 [43-71.5] days, indifferent between the two groups. Intraoperative transfusion during reimplantation was required in 12 (17%) patients, more frequent in failed patients. None of the patients had contraindications for the PBM strategy except the cell-saver use. CONCLUSION: In two-stage septic rTKA preoperative anemia was almost two times more frequent and associated with an elevated rate of septic failure. The time-frame between explantation and-re-implantation is sufficient to implement a PBM strategy for all anemic patients. Before-after studies would be of interest to determine the best PBM strategy to prevent anemia-associated septic failure in such a condition.

Reverse versus anatomical shoulder arthroplasty in patients with intact rotator cuff.

PURPOSE: The study objective was to compare the clinical results of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) and anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) in patients with osteoarthritis and intact rotator cuff. We hypothesised that the clinical results using rTSA would be comparable with those obtained with aTSA in this group of patients. METHODS: The study included 51 patients with shoulder osteoarthritis and intact rotator cuff who underwent rTSA or aTSA. The range of motion, Constant-Murley score and strength in external rotation were recorded pre-operatively and at the two year follow-up. Subjective post-operative results were measured using the subjective shoulder value (SSV) score and a satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS: The post-operative improvement was significant in both groups, subjectively and concerning all parameters of the Constant-Murley score. Post-operatively, no significant difference was noted between the two groups for active anterior elevation (AAE), active external rotation (ER), internal rotation (IR) or Constant-Murley score (67 ± 12 in the rTSA group vs 71 ± 11 in the aTSA group). An exception was the Constant-Murley range of motion sub-score, which was better in the aTSA group (p = 0.028). No significant complications necessitating revision surgery were encountered. DISCUSSION: Our findings are consistent with previous studies showing good results of rTSA with shoulder osteoarthritis and intact rotator cuff with a good restoration of the IR, similar to that obtained with aTSA. CONCLUSION: The rTSA is a valid option for shoulder osteoarthritis and intact rotator cuff in older adult patients.