Intra-tunnel fixation versus extra-tunnel fixation of hamstring anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a meta-analysis.

Hamstring anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions fixed inside both bone tunnels have a shorter initial working length, and thus should be stiffer than those fixed outside both bone tunnels. We used meta-analysis to compare 4-stranded hamstring ACL reconstructions using the 2 fixation methods with reconstructions using patellar tendon autografts. A Medline database search of English-language articles published through June 2004 yielded 36 studies that met the inclusion criteria: 5 intratunnel fixation studies (569 patients), 10 extra-tunnel fixation studies (604 patients), and 24 patellar tendon studies (1592 patients). Three studies included both patellar tendon and hamstring reconstructions. Demographically, all 3 groups were similar. There was no significant difference in the percentage of knees restored to normal instrumented laxity measurements between the 3 groups, nor was there a difference in graft failure rate. Patient satisfaction and return to preinjury activity rates were similar between the intratunnel fixation and patellar tendon groups and were significantly lower for the extra-tunnel fixation group. Good International Knee Documentation Committee scores did not correlate with good patient satisfaction or return to preinjury activity.

Security of knots tied with ethibond, fiberwire, orthocord, or ultrabraid.

BACKGROUND: The security of several popular arthroscopic knots to prolonged, incremental, cyclic loads is unknown, as is the security of knots tied with newer, superstrong sutures. HYPOTHESIS: Some arthroscopic knots are as secure as openly tied square knots, and knots tied with superstrong sutures are more secure than those tied with braided polyester. Some arthroscopic knots are significantly bulkier than openly tied square knots. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Five types of openly tied knots (3-throw square, 4-throw square, 5-throw square, 5-throw slip, open SAK [simple arthroscopic knot]), 6 complex arthroscopic knots backed with 3 reversed half-hitches with alternating posts (RHAPs) (SMC, Weston, taut-line hitch, Tennessee slider, Roeder, Duncan loop), and 2 stacked half-hitch (SHH) arthroscopic knots (surgeon's [S=S=S//xS//xS//xS], SAK [S=S//xSxS//xS]) were tied using No. 2 Ethibond around 2 aluminum rods, which were pulled apart with stepwise, incremental, cyclic loads to a maximum force of 120 N (2250 total cycles). Then, 5-throw square knots openly tied with No. 2 Fiberwire, Orthocord, or Ultrabraid were subjected to the stepwise, incremental, cyclic loading protocol extended to a 260-N load level. Before mechanical testing, the height (maximum diameter) of each knot was measured with digital calipers. RESULTS: For Ethibond, the openly tied 3-throw square knots (56.2 +/- 21.4 N) and 5-throw slip knots (49.9 +/- 26.9 N) reached clinical failure (3 mm of laxity) at significantly lower loads (P < .05) than openly tied 5-throw square knots (90.8 +/- 6.5 N), whereas the openly tied SAK (82.3 +/- 9.4 N) and 4-throw square (84.3 +/- 11.6 N) and all arthroscopically tied knots reached 3 mm of laxity at statistically similar loads. Five-throw square knots openly tied with Fiberwire or Orthocord reached 3 mm of laxity at much higher loads (194.9 +/- 28.4 N and 168.4 +/- 8.6 N, respectively) than those tied using Ethibond (P < .001 for each comparison), but there was no significant difference in performance between Fiberwire knots and Orthocord knots. Although Ultrabraid square knots also were stronger than those tied with Ethibond (137.9 +/- 15.9 N, P < .005), they were not as secure as those tied with Orthocord or Fiberwire (P < .05). Compared with the 5-throw square knots, all arthroscopic knots were significantly bulkier. Especially bulky knots were the Duncan loop and the taut-line hitch. Orthocord square knots demonstrated bulkiness similar to Ethibond square knots, whereas Fiberwire and Ultrabraid square knots were significantly bulkier. CONCLUSIONS: For braided suture, 5-throw knots optimize square knot security. Open or arthroscopic slip knots can achieve similar security with post switching and loop reversal. Fiberwire, Orthocord, or Ultrabraid openly tied square knots offer greater security than those tied with Ethibond. Arthroscopic knots vary in their bulkiness, but all are significantly bulkier than 5-throw openly tied square knots. Square knots openly tied with Fiberwire or Ultrabraid tend to be bulkier than if tied with Ethibond or Orthocord, which are similar to each other. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The 5-throw openly tied square knot remains the gold standard, although the openly tied SAK offers similar security when tying in a hole. Arthroscopic knots, whether complex knots backed up by 3 RHAPs, the 6-throw surgeon's knot, or the 5-throw SAK, give security similar to the standard. Square knots tied with the newer sutures in open fashion are more secure than if tied with braided polyester. Using lower profile knots may be especially important when employing Fiberwire or Ultrabraid, as these sutures tend to result in bulkier knots than those tied with Ethibond or Orthocord.

How does electromagnetic navigation stack up against infrared navigation in minimally invasive total knee arthroplasties?

Forty-six primary total knee arthroplasties were performed using either an electromagnetic (EM) or infrared (IR) navigation system. In this IRB-approved study, patients were evaluated clinically and for accuracy using spiral computed tomographic imaging and 36-in standing radiographs. Although EM navigation was subject to metal interference, it was not as drastic as line-of-sight interference with IR navigation. Mechanical alignment was ideal in 92.9% of EM and 90.0% of IR cases based on spiral computed tomographic imaging and 100% of EM and 95% of IR cases based on x-ray. Individual measurements of component varus/valgus and sagittal measurements showed EM to be equivalent to IR, with both systems producing subdegree accuracy in 95% of the readings.

Arthroscopic findings in knees undergoing proximal tibial osteotomy.

This study determines the occurrence of significant, arthroscopically correctable intraarticular pathology at the time of valgus-producing high tibial osteotomy for symptomatic medial compartment arthrosis with varus malalignment. Thirty consecutive patients (32 knees) scheduled for the procedure underwent concomitant knee arthroscopy. In the lateral compartment, meniscal tears occurred in 16 knees (50%), unstable chondral flaps in 4 knees (13%), and loose bodies in 3 knees (9%). In the anterior compartment, unstable chondral flaps occurred in 10 knees (31%). In the medial compartment, meniscal tears occurred in 29 knees (91%). The 5 knees with mechanical symptoms did not demonstrate a higher occurrence of loose bodies, chondral flaps, or meniscal tears compared with knees without mechanical symptoms. There was a significant occurrence of correctable pathology in all three compartments in knees undergoing valgus-producing high tibial osteotomy for the treatment of symptomatic medial osteoarthritis with varus malalignment. Prior studies have not systematically documented these findings.

Classification of anterosuperior glenoid labrum variants and their association with shoulder pathology.

UNLABELLED: This prospective study of 367 consecutive shoulder arthroscopies assessed variants of the anterosuperior glenoid labrum and associated shoulder pathology. Thirty-three shoulders were excluded because of prior surgery, septic arthritis, or adhesive capsulitis. Anterosuperior glenoid variants were classified as: type I, cordlike middle glenohumeral ligament without sublabral foramen; type II, sublabral foramen without a cordlike middle glenohumeral ligament; type III, sublabral foramen with a cordlike middle glenohumeral ligament; and type IV, absent anterosuperior labrum with the anterior aspect of the superior labrum continuous with a cordlike middle glenohumeral ligament. The presence of these variants was correlated with the incidence of shoulder pathology found on arthroscopic inspection. Of 334 shoulders, 118 (35.3%) had variants of the anterosuperior glenoid labrum. Of these, 32 (27.1%) were type I, 27 (22.9%) were type II, 34 (28.8%) were type III, and 25 (21.2%) were type IV. The incidence of advanced superior labrum anterior-posterior lesions in the 86 shoulders displaying a type II, III, or IV variant was significantly higher than in shoulders with no anterosuperior variant (48.8% versus 23.6%, P<.001). Other pathologic findings were not significantly increased in shoulders with variants compared to those without. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1.

Are critical pathways and implant standardization programs effective in reducing costs in total knee replacement operations?

BACKGROUND: Total knee replacement (TKR) operation is one of the most effective procedures, both clinically and in terms of cost. Because of increased volume and cost for this procedure during the past 3 decades, TKRs are often targeted for cost reduction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two cost reducing methodologies, establishment of critical clinical pathways, and standardization of implant costs. STUDY DESIGN: Ninety patients (90 knees) were randomly selected from a population undergoing primary TKR during a 2-year period at a tertiary teaching hospital. Patients were assigned to three groups that corresponded to different strategies implemented during the evolution of the joint-replacement program. Medical records were reviewed for type of anesthesia, operative time, length of stay, and any perioperative complications. Financial information for each patient was compared among the three groups. RESULTS: Data analysis demonstrated that the institution of a critical pathway significantly shortened length of hospital stay and was effective in reducing the hospital costs by 18% (p < 0.05). In addition, standardization of surgical techniques under the care of a single surgeon substantially reduced the operative time. Selection of implants from a single vendor did not have any substantial effect in additionally reducing the costs. CONCLUSIONS: Standardized postoperative management protocols and critical clinical pathways can reduce costs and operative time. Future efforts must focus on lowering the costs of the prostheses, particularly with competitive bidding or capitation of prostheses costs. Although a single-vendor approach was not effective in this study, it is possible that a cost reduction could have been realized if more TKRs were performed, because the pricing contract was based on projected volume of TKRs to be done by the hospital.