Trans-medial gastrocnemius approach (Badet approach) for displaced posterior cruciate ligament tibial avulsion.

Avulsions of the retrospinal surface are rare injuries resulting from high-energy trauma. Displacement of this fracture frequently indicates a surgical treatment to restore posterior cruciate ligament function. Several approaches have been proposed in the literature, either open or arthroscopic, which can be tricky due to the fracture's proximity to the popliteal vascular-nervous elements. Badet's open approach is a medial trans-gastrocnemius approach, providing a direct access to the retro-spinal surface for osteosynthesis. In this technique, an L-shaped incision is made along precise skin lines, followed by discision of the muscle fibers. The capsule is then approached, allowing a view of the retro-spinal surface protected from the popliteal vasculo-nervous elements by the muscular lateral lip of the gastrocnemius. A reduction followed by screw osteosynthesis is usually performed, allowing early mobilization of the patient. In this technical note, we describe the Badet approach supporting by video and case series. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Prevention of knee stiffness following ligament reconstruction: Understanding the role of Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition (AMI).

The knee is a joint that is often injured in sport, with a large and increasing number of ligament tears and repairs; postoperative complications can lead to poor outcome, such as stiffness. Beyond the well-known and well-described intra- and extra-articular causes of postoperative stiffness, the present study introduces the concept of a central reflex motor inhibition mechanism called arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI). AMI occurs after trauma and can be defined as active knee extension deficit due to central impairment of Vastus Medialis Obliquus (VMO) contraction, often associated with spinal reflex hamstring contracture. This explains the post-traumatic flexion contracture that is so common after knee sprain. The clinical presentation of AMI is easy to detect in consultation, in 4 grades from simple VMO inhibition to fixed flexion contracture by posterior capsule retraction in chronic cases. After recent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, more than 55% of patients show AMI, reducible in 80% of cases by simple targeted exercises initiated in consultation. Practically, in patients who have sustained knee sprain, it is essential to screen for this reflex mechanism and assess reducibility, as AMI greatly aggravates the risk of postoperative stiffness. In case of hemarthrosis, we recommend joint aspiration, which provides immediate benefit in terms of pain and motor inhibition. In case of persistent AMI, classical electrostimulation and "cushion crush", as used by all physiotherapists, are ineffective. To reduce the risk of postoperative stiffness, no surgery should be considered until AMI has resolved. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: expert opinion.

Lateral femoral chondral lesions are more frequent when an anterior cruciate ligament tear is concomitant with a lateral femoral notch sign, but do not progress over time.

BACKGROUND: The lateral femoral notch sign (LFNS) is caused by an impact to the lateral femoral condyle during a pivot shift injury and affects 25% to 33% of patients with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. The primary aim of this study was to compare the incidence of chondral lesions 1year after ACL reconstruction, while taking into consideration preoperative chondral damage, in patients with and without a preoperative LFNS. The primary outcome measure was the presence of chondral lesions involving the lateral femoral condyle, confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the Outerbridge classification, at 1year postoperative. The secondary outcome measures were bone bruise of the lateral femoral condyle confirmed on MRI, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm and Tegner functional scores taken 1year after surgery. METHODS: Sixty patients were included-30 with preoperative LFNS and 30 without-in a retrospective, comparative study of prospectively collected data on patients operated between August 2018 and December 2020. RESULTS: A lateral femoral chondral lesion 1year after surgery was significantly more common in the group with a preoperative LFNS (37% [n=11] versus 13% [n=4] in the group without a preoperative LFNS, p=0.036). Adjusting the statistical analysis for preoperative body mass index (BMI) did not impact these results (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=3.83 [95%CI: 1.03-14.24]; p=0.045). Adjusting for a preoperative lateral femoral chondral lesion had an impact on these results (adjusted OR=0.78 [95%CI: 0.12-5.08]; p=0.793). This indicates that a preoperative LFNS is not significantly and independently associated with a lateral femoral chondral lesion at 1year postoperative when the analysis is adjusted for a preoperative lateral femoral chondral lesion. However, having a preoperative lateral femoral chondral lesion is significantly correlated with the presence of a lateral femoral chondral lesion 1year after the surgery (adjusted OR=63.31 [95%CI: 5.94-674.8]; p=0.001). There were no significant differences in terms of bone bruise on MRI (p=1.0), or for the IKDC (p=0.310), Lysholm (p=0.416) and Tegner (p=0.644) functional scores. The LFNS was still present in 21 out of 30 patients (70%) at 1year postoperative. The preoperative LFNS was significantly smaller in the group without a chondral lesion compared to the group with a chondral lesion 1year after the surgery (median=2.30mm [IQR: 1.40; 3.00] versus 3.10mm [IQR: 2.50; 3.40]; p value=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a preoperative LFNS are three times more likely to have a chondral lesion in the notch region 1year after surgery. These chondral lesions are concomitant to the injury and do not progress over time. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Axillary Artery Injuries Associated With Proximal Humerus Fractures: A Literature Review and a Proposal of a Novel Multidisciplinary Surgical Approach.

INTRODUCTION: Proximal humerus fractures (PHF) are common injuries that can lead to axillary artery injury, which carries the risk of not being identified during initial assessment. The aim of this study was to describe the management of suspected axillary artery injury associated with PHF according to our experience and to describe a new multidisciplinary surgical approach. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study. A database was created for patients admitted for PHF to the emergency department of the Hospital of Cannes between October 2017 and October 2019. Patients admitted with PHF associated with suspected ipsilateral upper limb ischemia, and/or massive diaphysis displacement, and/or upper limb ipsilateral neurological deficits were included in this study. RESULTS: In total, 301 patients diagnosed with PHF were admitted within these periods. Among these patients, 12 presented with suspected axillary artery lesions, of whom, 6 were included in the present study and treated according to our new approach. A description of these 6 cases, along with an extensive literature review is presented. CONCLUSION: Based on our experience, the endovascular approach proposed for the management of axillary artery injury associated with proximal humerus fractures is effective, feasible and reproducible.

Comparison Between Continuous and Separate Grafts for ALL Reconstruction When Combined With ACL Reconstruction: A Retrospective Cohort Study From the SANTI Study Group.

BACKGROUND: While various techniques have been described to augment the anterolateral side of the knee, such as lateral extra-articular tenodesis and anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction (ALLR), it is unclear how they affect clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the results of 2 ALLR techniques for combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)/ALL reconstruction. HYPOTHESIS: The graft rupture rate, complications, and patient-reported outcomes are similar between a reconstruction technique using a continuous gracilis graft (CG) and single femoral tunnel for ACL/ALL reconstruction, and one using a separate gracilis graft (SG) and independent femoral tunnels. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data collected prospectively at 2 hospitals was conducted: one in which a CG is preferred when performing combined ACL/ALL reconstruction and the other in which an SG is preferred. The medical records at these 2 hospitals were searched to identify ACL-deficient patients who had undergone ACL/ALL reconstruction between 2015 and 2020. Eligible patients were between 18 and 60 years of age, had the reconstruction surgery done within 24 months of the injury, and had ≥2 years of follow-up. The eligible patients were contacted to gather outcomes, or their outcomes were collected in person during their last follow-up visit. Outcomes evaluated included graft rupture rate, complication rate, and Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC-SKF) scores. Preoperative and intraoperative data were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 237 patients were available for analysis in the GC group and 178 in the SG group with a mean follow-up of 3 years (CG: SD, 9.6 months; SG: SD, 8.1 months). The authors found a low rate of graft rupture (CG: 3.4%; SG: 2.8%; P = .785) and no difference between techniques. The complication rate was 6% in the CG group, while it was 10% in the SG group (P = .112). The mean value of the IKDC-SKF was similar between techniques (CG: 88.1; SG: 87.9; P = .267), and the mean Lysholm score was excellent in both sets of patients (CG: 90.0; SG: 92.4; P < .001). CONCLUSION: This study found little to no difference in the graft rupture rate, complication rate, and functional knee scores when using a CG or SG for ALLR during combined ACL/ALL reconstruction. Both techniques are equivalent and can be used for an anterolateral augmentation procedure in combination with ACL reconstruction.

Three-Dimensional Measurement of Proximal Humerus Fractures Displacement: A Computerized Analysis.

Neer's classification for proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) uses 10 mm and 45° thresholds to distinguish displaced fragments. While this system was originally developed referencing 2D X-rays, fracture displacements occur in three dimensions. Our work aimed to develop a standardized and reliable computerized method for measuring PHF 3D spatial displacements. CT scans of 77 PHFs were analyzed. A statistical shape model (SSM) was used to generate the pre-fracture humerus. This predicted proximal humerus was then used as a "layer" to manually reduce fragments to their native positions and quantify translation and rotation in three dimensions. 3D computerized measurements could be calculated for 96% of fractures and revealed that 47% of PHFs were displaced according to Neer's criteria. Valgus and varus head rotations in the coronal plane were present in 39% and 45% of cases; these were greater than 45° in 8% of cases and were always associated with axial and sagittal rotations. When compared to 3D measurements, 2D methods underestimated the displacement of tuberosity fragments and did not accurately assess rotational displacements. The use of 3D measurements of fracture displacement is feasible with a computerized method and may help further refine PHF analysis and surgical planning.

Preserving the Semitendinosus Distal Attachment Is Associated With Improved Graft Remodeling After ACL Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The semitendinosus (ST) tendon can be used by itself as a graft for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. An increasing number of these procedures are being done while preserving the ST's tibial attachment, but there are no data on the remodeling of an attached ST (aST) graft. PURPOSE: To compare graft remodeling on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at 1 year after ACL reconstruction between standard free ST graft and aST graft. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 180 patients who were undergoing ACL reconstruction: 90 with the ST graft and 90 with the aST graft. The analysis was performed 1 year after the surgery. The main endpoint was the signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) on MRI scans (T1-weighted sequence). The secondary endpoints were tibial tunnel widening (TTW), graft maturation (Howell classification), retear rate, new surgery rate, Simple Knee Value, Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, postoperative Tegner score, difference between pre- and postoperative Tegner scores, ACL-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI), return-to-sports rate, and time to return to sports. RESULTS: The mean adjusted SNQ was 1.18 (95% CI, 0.72-1.65) in the aST group and 3.88 (95% CI, 3.42-4.34) in the ST group (P < .001). The new surgery rate was 2.2% in the aST group and 10% in the ST group (P = .029). The median Lysholm score was significantly higher in the aST group (99; interquartile range [IQR], 95-100) than in the ST group (95; IQR, 91-99) (P = .004). The mean time to return to sports was significantly shorter in the aST group (248.73 ± 141.62 days) than the ST group (317.23 ± 144.69 days) (P = .002). No statistically significant difference was found between groups in the TTW (P = .503), Howell graft maturity grade (P = .149), retear rate (P > .999), Simple Knee Value (P = .061), postoperative Tegner score (P = .320), pre- to postoperative difference in Tegner score (P = .317), ACL-RSI (P = .097), IKDC score (P = .621), and return-to-sports rate (P > .999). CONCLUSION: At 1 year postoperatively, remodeling of an ST graft assessed using MRI is better when its distal attachment is left intact.

Congenital hypoplasia and aplasia of the quadriceps: Diagnosis and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Congenital absence of the quadriceps is an extremely rare condition whose management is not standardised. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical presentation, treatments, and outcomes of a multicentre cohort. HYPOTHESIS: Classification of the type of abnormality at birth helps to guide management decisions. METHODS: Fifteen patients (19 knees) were included retrospectively in this multicentre study. Data on joint range-of-motion and management were analysed. We divided the patients into three groups based on whether they had continuous hypoplasia (involving the entire quadriceps), discontinuous hypoplasia (hypoplasia of some of the muscle groups or aplasia of the distal third of the quadriceps), or aplasia (complete absence of the quadriceps with replacement by fat). RESULT: Physiotherapy was provided initially to all patients. The main treatment in the 6 patients with continuous hypoplasia was posterior release and biceps femoris lengthening. At last follow-up all 6 patients were able to walk unaided, although 4 of them had persistent knee extension lag. Quadriceps reconstruction and osteotomy to correct knee recurvatum deformity were performed in most of the 11 patients with discontinuous hypoplasia. Among them, 10 were able to walk unaided at last follow-up, and 5 had knee extension lag. The 2 patients with aplasia required knee arthrodesis after multiple surgical procedures. Both were able to walk. DISCUSSION: Depending on the classification of the abnormality at birth, different surgical procedures should be considered. Surgery should only be performed after non-operative treatment. The treatment goal is to obtain a normal mechanical axis of the limb with the knee in extension and no extension lag, in order to enable walking. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective observational study.