Inter- and Intra-Observer Variability of the AMADEUS Tool for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus.

BACKGROUND: Managing osteochondral cartilage defects (OCDs) of the talus is a common daily challenge in orthopaedics as they predispose patients to further cartilage damage and progression to osteoarthritis. Therefore, the implementation of a reliable tool to quantify the amount of cartilage damage that is present is of the essence. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 15 adult patients diagnosed with uncontained OCDs of the talus measuring <150 mm2, which were treated arthroscopically with bone marrow stimulation. Five independent assessors evaluated the pre-operative MRI scans with the AMADEUS scoring system (i.e., MR-based pre-operative assessment system) and the intra-/inter-observer variability was then calculated by means of the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Kappa (κ) statistics, respectively. In addition, the correlation between the mean AMADEUS scores and pre-operative self-reported outcomes as measured by the Manchester-Oxford foot questionnaire (MOxFQ) was assessed. RESULTS: The mean ICC and the κ statistic were 0.82 (95% CI [0.71, 0.94]) and 0.42 (95% CI [0.25, 0.59]). The Pearson correlation coefficient was found to be r = -0.618 (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The AMADEUS tool, which was originally designed to quantify knee osteochondral defect severity prior to cartilage repair surgery, demonstrated good reliability and moderate inter-observer variability for small OCDs of the talar shoulder. Given the strong negative correlation between the AMADEUS tool and pre-operative clinical scores, this tool could be implemented in clinical practise to reliably quantify the extent of the osteochondral defects of the talus.

Independent Locking Screws for Articular Fragment Fixation in the Elbow.

Articular fractures of the elbow require direct reduction and interfragmentary fixation to restore anatomic stability. The fragments are often small, with limited bone stock, hence implants are often placed through the articular surface to gain maximal purchase. Traditional techniques involve the use of countersunk cortical screws or cannulated headless compression screws. We describe a technique in which small locking screws are used independently from a plate as a substitute for headless or other traditional screws. This method of fixation negates the need for countersinking the screw head, or over drilling a guide wire, and enables the use of smaller diameter screws which provide excellent purchase in very small fragments. Independent locking screws can be considered for any fracture that previously would have been amenable to cortical or headless compression screw fixation. Locking screws from several manufacturers have been used with equal success. Screws can be used in a unicortical manner if necessary, as the grip comes from engaging the subchondral bone with the locking thread. This technique has been used on 35 consecutive articular elbow fractures with a minimum 6-month follow-up. All fractures have achieved bony union within this period, and there have been no loss of fixations or requirement for further surgeries to remove prominent metalwork.