Comparison of Postoperative Infection-Related Complications between Cemented and Cementless Hemiarthroplasty in Elderly Patients: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this review was to assess the risk of infection-related complications following cemented and cementless hemiarthroplasty in elderly patients. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases for published randomized clinical trials comparing cemented hemiarthroplasty with cementless hemiarthroplasty in patients with a femoral neck fracture and more than 65 years of age. Eight randomized controlled trials were available for analysis. A meta-analysis (with a fixed-effects model) and a meta-regression analysis (with continuous variables) were performed. RESULTS: The 8 trials included 1,204 hips (608 cemented and 596 cementless). There was no significant difference between the cemented and cementless groups regarding the incidence of deep infection, superficial infection, pneumonia, and urinary tract infection. The overall incidence of postoperative deep infection was 2.3% (14/608) in the cemented group and 1.2% (7/596) in the cementless group (relative risk, 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.74 to 4.14; I2 = 0%; p = 0.206). No publication bias was found in the funnel plot. CONCLUSIONS: Results of our meta-analysis suggest that when selecting a fixation method for hemiarthroplasty, infection-related postoperative complications are not the determinant factor to consider.

Injury to the Anterior Tibial Artery during Bicortical Tibial Drilling in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Many complications have been reported during or after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, including infection, bleeding, tibial tunnel widening, arthrofibrosis, and graft failure. However, arterial injury has been rarely reported. This paper reports a case of an anterior tibial arterial injury during bicortical tibial drilling in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction, associated with an asymptomatic occlusion of the popliteal artery. The patient had a vague pain which led to delayed diagnosis of compartment syndrome and delayed treatment with fasciotomy. All surgeons should be aware of these rare but critical complications because the results may be disastrous like muscle necrosis as in this case.

Predictive factors associated with failure of nonoperative treatment of superior labrum anterior-posterior tears.

BACKGROUND: Uncertainty remains in the natural course of superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) tears treated conservatively with rehabilitation and activity modification. Our purpose was to evaluate clinical outcomes after nonoperative treatment of type II SLAP tear in young active patients and to identify factors related to negative outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 63 patients who initially underwent nonoperative treatment for isolated type II SLAP tear. Assessments were made at baseline and at 6 months, and telephone survey was used to evaluate the final outcome. All included patients underwent a consistent nonoperative treatment protocol, and patient-specific data on the outcome were assessed. Failure was defined as abandonment of nonoperative management for surgery at any time points, <20-point improvement in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score at final follow-up, or inability to return to activities. RESULTS: At the average follow-up of 21 months, pain relief and function improved significantly (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, 54.2-86.4; Visual Analog Scale score, 4.6-1.7; P < .05) in 45 patients (71.4%) with successful nonoperative treatment. Eighteen patients (28.5%) were either dissatisfied with treatment or had arthroscopic surgery and were considered a failure group. Multivariate analysis showed that failure of nonoperative treatment is strongly linked with history of trauma, positive compression-rotation test result, and participation in overhead activities (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: An initial trial of nonoperative management may be considered in young active patients with isolated SLAP tear. Patients with history of trauma, mechanical symptoms, and demand for overhead activities are less likely to succeed.

Medial meniscus allograft transplantation using a modified bone plug technique: clinical, radiologic, and arthroscopic results.

PURPOSE: To determine clinical, radiologic, and arthroscopic results of our meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT) by use of modified bone plug technique, which permits easy passage of the allograft by reducing the size of the posterior bone plug. METHODS: From December 2004 to December 2008, 22 consecutive patients (20 men and 2 women) with a mean age of 35.9 years underwent medial MAT with the modified bone plug method. The Lysholm score and International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee score were documented. Joint space narrowing and Kellgren-Lawrence grade changes were evaluated on radiographs, and graft healing status, arthrosis changes in cartilage, and meniscal extrusion were investigated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 24.9 months. The mean Lysholm score improved significantly, from 68.2 to 89.7 (P = .002). The International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee score improved significantly, from 60.3 to 85.4 (P = .003). Joint space narrowing was insignificant, and arthrosis progression was observed in 3 of 22 cases (13.6%) on radiographs. On MRI, complete healing of the grafts was observed in 18 cases (100%), 15 cases (83.3%), and 17 cases (94.4%) at the anterior root, posterior root, and meniscal rim, respectively. Mean meniscal extrusion was 4.35 ± 1.76 mm, and arthrosis progression was observed in 4 of 18 cases (22.2%). During second-look arthroscopy, complete healing of the grafts was observed in 11 cases (100%), 9 cases (81.8%), and 10 cases (90.9%) at the anterior root, posterior root, and meniscal rim, respectively. Cartilage degeneration was advanced in 4 cases (36.4%). No significant correlations were found between meniscal extrusion and other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our modified bone plug method was an effective surgical method. MRI and second-look arthroscopic examinations showed sound evidence of graft healing. Meniscal extrusion was observed in most cases but was not correlated with other clinical and radiologic outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Sesamoid arthritis mimicking trigger thumb.

This article presents a case of undiagnosed sesamoid arthritis with coexisting trigger thumb. A 25-year-old woman presented with a 2-year history of metacarpophalangeal joint pain and triggering of the thumb. She was a right-handed bank employee and recalled a trivial thumb sprain. The pain improved slightly while on medication, but the triggering recurred 1 month after the steroid injection. Six months after the first visit, she underwent A1 pulley release surgery for the triggering without a more detailed evaluation such as radiographs or sonographs. Intraoperatively, no definite abnormalities in the fibrous flexor sheath or flexor tendon were observed. The triggering resolved, but the pain persisted. One month postoperatively, a repeat physical examination was performed, and the painful region was localized to the radial sesamoid area. Radiography was then performed, which showed joint space narrowing of the sesamoid metacarpal head and sclerotic changes and spur formation on the metacarpal head. An additional diagnosis of sesamoid arthritis of the thumb was made and the pain finally resolved as a result of the sesamoidectomy. Orthopedic surgeons often overlook pathologies around the metacarpophalangeal joint, especially those related to triggering. A high index of suspicion and clinical findings consistent with intermittent mechanical obstruction and tenderness in the palmar aspect of the metacarpophalangeal joint warrant inclusion of sesamoid arthritis as a differential diagnosis for metacarpophalangeal joint pathology. Detailed physical examinations should be performed and proper radiographs taken in all patients with tenderness in the metacarpophalangeal joint even if triggering of the thumb is present.

One-stage treatment of deep infection following repair of Achilles tendon rupture with flexor hallucis longus transfer.

We present one-stage treatment of deep infection following repair of Achilles tendon rupture using flexor hallucis longus transfer. Flexor hallucis longus was used not only to connect the defect in Achillles tendon, but also to control the soft tissue infection with its abundant blood supply, simultaneously. The clinical results for the two patients in this report were excellent without major complication.