Acute Common Peroneal Nerve Decompression After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Common peroneal nerve palsy (CPNP) after total knee arthroplasty has a reported incidence of 0.3% to 4% and can lead to foot drop, equinovarus deformity, and marked disability if not resolved. Patients typically present in the early postoperative period with weakness or inability to dorsiflex the ankle and decreased sensation of the dorsum of the foot. The authors report their experience, technique, and outcomes of acute peroneal decompression within the first 90 days postoperatively for 5 patients with this unique complication. Preoperatively, all patients had valgus deformity with intact dorsiflexion and sensation of the foot. The diagnosis of CPNP was made on postoperative day 0 or 1 in all cases. After diagnosis, patients were offered acute peroneal decompression and returned to the operating room electively. The surgical technique for dissection, release, and decompression of the nerve is described. At an average follow-up of 12 weeks (range, 6-16 weeks), all patients showed return of motor and sensory function, as tested by ankle dorsiflexion and dorsal foot sensation, with average motor strength of 4.6 of 5.3. Acute decompression of acute CPNP after total knee arthroplasty is a prudent treatment option that provides good functional results and rapid recovery. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(4):e556-e562.].

Mid-Term Results of Modular Tapered Femoral Stems in Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: In revision total hip arthroplasty (THA), modular femoral components aid the surgeon in reconstructing joints compromised by loss of bone and soft-tissue integrity, providing customization to address bony deficits, deformity, limb length, and offset challenges. The purpose of this study was to review the survival and outcomes at minimum five-year follow up of patients who underwent revision THA at our center with a single modular femoral revision hip system offering a wide range of proximal body and distal stem geometries and sizing options. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A query of our practice arthroplasty registry revealed 66 consented patients (69 hips) who underwent revision THA using a modular femoral stem between December 2009 and July 2013 with minimum five-year follow up. There were 35 men (53%) and 31 women (47%). Mean age was 65.2 years (range, 36-87). Etiology for index revision was 32 aseptic loosening, 20 infection, nine periprosthetic fracture, three nonunion of internal fixation, three instability, one stem breakage, and one metal complication. RESULTS: Mean follow up was 6.3 years (range, 5-9). Harris Hip Scores improved from a mean of 45.4 preoperatively to 72.0 at most recent evaluations. There have been four re-revisions of the femoral stem: one infection, two periprosthetic femoral fracture, and one (proximal segment only) for instability. Radiographic assessment revealed satisfactory position, fixation, and alignment in all hips. Radiographic subsidence of 6-10mm occurred in four (none revised), and none had subsidence > 10mm. There were no modular junction failures. Kaplan-Meier survival to endpoint of femoral revision was 93.3% (95% CI ±3.3%) at 8.7 years. CONCLUSIONS: The minimum five-year results of this modular THA revision system are promising, with low rates of aseptic failure, minimal subsidence, and no modular junction failures. While there may be roles for the use of non-modular revision stems, the mid-term clinical results in this cohort of patients was found to be acceptable.

Amount of Minutes Played Does Not Contribute to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in National Basketball Association Athletes.

There is limited information on the potential risk factors for sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in National Basketball Association (NBA) athletes. This study evaluated 83 NBA players who sustained an ACL injury between 1984 and 2015 to determine the influence of minutes played on injury risk. Minutes played in the injury game, during the season, and over their career were assessed, along with the ability to return to play, player efficiency rating, and playing time after return. Athletes in the NBA played significantly fewer minutes before sustaining an ACL injury (17.1 minutes) than their average minutes per game that season (23.5 minutes; P<.01) or over their career (24.0 minutes; P<.01). One-third of all injuries occurred during the first quarter of the season (preseason to November). There was a 95% rate of return (78 players) to NBA competition the season following ACL injury. Players who were drafted as lottery picks (draft pick 1 to 15) or those who were starters played significantly more minutes the season following injury than those who were not (both P<.01). Players who returned to play had decreased player efficiency ratings when compared with matched controls. This study found that minutes played in a single NBA game did not contribute to the risk of sustaining an ACL injury. Although there was a high rate of return to NBA competition the season following injury, those who were elite athletes played more minutes per game than those who were not. Athletes who returned to play sustained a decrease in player efficiency ratings compared with similar athletes without ACL injury. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(4):e658-e662.].

Alternative for carpal tunnel injection: palmar injection site (Rankin's zone).

This study investigates an alternative approach for steroid injection into the carpal canal through a palmar site and its exposure of vital wrist structures to potential injury. The Rankin's zone entry site is more distally located than conventional sites. This cadaveric study investigated 28 wrists from 26 cadavers. Red latex dye was injected as a localizing aid. Layered dissections were performed to localize the needle tip with respect to vital wrist structures. Calipers measured the distance from the needle to nerves. Twenty-three of the 28 injections using this approach demonstrated dye solely within the carpal tunnel. One median nerve was punctured. The mean distance from the median nerve was 5.76 ± 2.9 mm and 18.27 ± 5.27 mm from the palmar cutaneous branch. This study suggests that the Rankin's zone approach might be utilized with diminished frequency of neural puncture.