Full-thickness peroneus longus tendon autograft for anterior cruciate reconstruction in multi-ligament injury and revision cases: outcomes and donor site morbidity.

PURPOSE: Peroneus longus tendon (PLT) autograft has been successfully used for isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction cases. Being a powerful evertor and flexor of great toe, there might be associated ankle morbidity with this autograft option. However, there are only a few studies exploring whether the ankle morbidity is significant or not. This study aims to assess the functional outcomes, donor site morbidity, and ankle strength after harvesting ipsilateral peroneus longus autograft for ACL reconstruction in revision ACL and multi-ligament injury cases. METHODS: This was a prospective case series. All of the patients were evaluated by clinical examination for knee for laxity, ankle joint stability, and using visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, and Lysholm score, preoperatively and postoperatively at two-year follow-up. Morbidity of donor ankle was assessed using American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, bilateral evertors, and first ray plantarflexion strength measurement using an isometer (Innovative Design Orthopedics) at two-year follow-up. RESULTS: Ipsilateral PLT graft was used in ten patients of revision ACL reconstruction and 27 patients of the multi-ligament knee injury. The mean length of PLT harvested (cm) was 26.2 (standard deviation 2.6, range 22-31), and mean diameter of the doubled graft (mm) was 7.9 (standard deviation 0.68, range 7.5-8.5). There was a significant improvement in VAS score for pain, Lysholm, and IKDC scores (p = < 0.001) at two -year follow-up. There were no cases of graft failure, superficial, or deep infection. Ankle dorsiflexion(p = 0.32), ankle plantarflexion (p = 0.19), eversion strength(p = 0.6), first ray plantarflexion strength(p = 0.52), and AOFAS score(p = 0.29) were found to be comparable to the normal side in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Peroneus longus autograft can be considered as a potential autograft option for ACL reconstruction in multi-ligament knee injuries and revision ACL reconstruction. No significant donor site morbidity was noted at follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Do Spinopelvic Parameters Relate with Secondary Hip Spine Syndrome in Secondary Hip Arthritis?

Background: The prevalence of low back pain (LBP) with primary osteoarthritis (OA) hip undergoing total hip replacement (THA) has been studied. However, secondary OA hip affects younger individuals where changes in the sagittal spinal parameters (SSPs) could be reversible to reduce LBP. The study aims to document changes in clinical and radiological parameters following THA. Methods: Thirty patients with secondary OA hip were included in the prospective analysis, excluding anyone with previous spine/hip surgery of known spinal diseases, including deformity, inflammatory or infective pathology. Visual analog scale for (VAS) hip and LBP, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Harris core (HHS) along with SSPs were measured at baseline and three months and analyzed. Results:  Mean age was 42.8 ± 8.9 years which 17 unilateral (U/L) and 13 bilateral (B/L) OA. Overall, no significant changes were seen in SSPs that included pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) was seen except for an improvement in the sagittal vertical axis (SVA) [40.22 ± 36.67 to 24.06 ± 21.93, p < 0.001]. However, clinical variables such as VAS hip and LBP, ODI, and HHS improved post-hip THA. Similar findings were seen in sub-group analysis when U/L affected were compared to B/L affected. Conclusion: The sagittal SSPs except SVA does not change significantly following THA in patients with secondary OA, though LBP improves clinically. Hence, we assume routine measurement of these parameters is not mandatory when planning for THA in these patients.

Outcomes of Continued Intensive Conservative Treatment Versus Arthroscopic Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis Release for Recalcitrant Lateral Epicondylitis: A Non-randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: There is no consensus on treatment of recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis (RLE). This is a prospective, non-randomized, interventional study comparing pain scores and functional outcomes between arthroscopic extensor carpi radialis brevis release and continued intensive conservative treatment. Materials and Methods: The study compared two groups: Group 1, consisting of 25 patients undergoing continued conservative treatment for 24 months, and Group 2, consisting of 25 patients undergoing arthroscopic extensor carpi radialis brevis release with decortication (ARD). VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) score for lateral elbow pain at rest and after routine daily activities were compared at 6 weeks, 24 weeks, 12 months and 24 months. Functional outcomes were compared with grip strength, and patients reported functional outcome scores, pre-intervention and 24 months post-intervention. Results: There was a significant improvement in VAS scores for pain, functional outcome scores, and grip strength in both the groups post-intervention (P < 0.05). VAS scores for pain at rest in both the groups were significantly better after the interventions, at all follow-up durations (P < 0.001). VAS scores for pain after routine daily activities were significantly better in group 2 at 24 weeks (P = 0.002) and afterward (P < 0.001). Group 2 had significantly better functional outcome scores at 24 months (P < 0.001) though the difference in grip strength was not statistically significant (P = 0.121). Conclusion: The present study shows favourable functional outcomes and pain scores of ARD compared to continued intensive conservative treatment for RLE. Level of Study: II, Non-randomized comparative study. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43465-022-00649-w.

Outcomes of retro-drilled all-inside tibial tunnel vs complete tibial tunnel techniques in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction-a comparative study.

PURPOSE: The all-inside tibial tunnel preparation technique of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction differs from traditional complete tibial tunnel technique in using closed tibial sockets, dual-cortical suspensory graft-fixation, quadrupled semitendinosus tendon graft and lesser bone removal. The study aims to find out if all-inside technique differs from complete tibial tunnel technique of single bundle ACL reconstruction in terms of graft dimensions, functional and clinical outcomes. METHODS: A prospective comparative study was conducted including 80 patients with isolated ACL tears, divided into 2 groups of 40 patients each without any randomization. The two techniques differed in tibial tunnel preparation. Group 1 underwent ACL reconstruction with a complete tibial tunnel drilled from the anteromedial tibial cortex and group 2 underwent all-inside tibial socket preparation. Duration of the surgery, perioperative and midterm complications were noted. All patients had 24 month follow-up. Functional outcome scores (Tegner-Lysholm knee scoring scale and IKDC score) were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 months and 24 months. Hamstring and quadriceps muscle strength was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 months, 9 months and 24 months. Visual analogue score (VAS) for knee pain was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at day 2, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months and 24 months. RESULTS: Quadrupled semitendinosus tendon graft was significantly thicker than doubled semitendinosus and gracilis tendons graft (8.17 ± 0.58 vs 8.71 ± 0.4, p < 0.0001). The VAS score for knee pain at 2 and 6 weeks were lower in group 2 (5.75 ± 0.6 and 1.78 ± 1.0) as compared to group 1 (6.50 ± 0.5 and 2.5 ± 0.8) and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0007 and p = 0.002 respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in functional outcome scores and quadriceps muscle strength between the two groups. However, there were significant difference in hamstring power in two groups. CONCLUSION: The all-inside technique has the advantages of using a single tendon graft, lesser early postoperative pain with similar clinical and functional outcomes compared to the complete tibial tunnel technique. Level of Evidence IIProspective comparative study.

Use of Acetate Templates Over Digital Radiographs for Templating in Total Hip Arthroplasty: Technique and Its Validation.

PURPOSE: Acetate templates were commonly used for templating for total hip arthroplasty. With digital radiographs having replaced conventional analogue radiographs, newer techniques are required. We describe a method for templating images of digital radiographs using conventional acetate templates, which is independent of a magnification marker or PACS system. METHODS: Fifty-one patients (64 hips) who were treated with primary THA were prospectively evaluated. Templating was done by keeping the acetate template directly over the digital image of the radiograph on a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor, after calibrating the linear scale generated by the digital radiography machine. The size of prosthesis predicted on this templating technique was compared with the actual sizes used during the surgery. Inter-observer and intra-observer reliabilities were assessed. Our calibration method was further validated by comparing the size of the cup calculated on postoperative radiograph using digital templating software (mediCAD Hectec GmbH) and the actual size used during surgery. RESULTS: Accurate size was predicted for 36.7% of the acetabular cup and 35.9% of femoral stems. The accuracy within ± one size was 89.9% for acetabular cups and 91.4% for femoral stems. Excellent inter-observer and intra-observer reliability were seen for both femoral and acetabular components. CONCLUSION: The method described provides an accurate, reproducible, convenient and low-cost technique of preoperative templating. It combines the ease of using acetate templates with the convenience of being able to use digital images, without the need for expensive software.

Good validity and reliability of forgotten joint score-12 in total knee arthroplasty in Hindi language for Indian population.

PURPOSE: Commonly used patient-reported outcome measurement (PROM) tools for knee joint have a ceiling effect and may not be able to differentiate between patients achieving outcomes better than the upper limit of the score. Forgotten joint score-12 (FJS-12) is said to be free of this limitation. FJS-12 has been translated and validated in different languages. This study aims to translate and validate FJS-12 in Hindi (Hindi FJS-12). METHODS: Hindi FJS-12 was tested for comprehensibility in a pilot study in 20 patients. This was followed by a prospective cohort study including 140 patients of bilateral total knee arthroplasty, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. The mean age of the patients was 62.0 ± 14.5 years. There were 77 (55.2%) males and remaining were females. All patients were asked to fill up questionnaires of Hindi FJS-12, WOMAC, KSS and OKS. Hindi FJS-12 was tested for validity, reliability, responsiveness, floor effect and ceiling effect. Construct validity was expressed as the Pearson correlation coefficient. Internal consistency was expressed as Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability as the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: In the pilot study, it was seen that all the questions were well answered by most of the participants. The main study showed good construct validity with Hindi FJS-12 showing moderate correlation with WOMAC, KSS and OKS (Pearson coefficients 0.45, 0.32, 0.37, respectively). Hindi FJS-12 had excellent internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha of 0.93 (95% CI 0.90, 0.97). ICC was 0.95 (95% CI 0.90, 0.99). No floor or ceiling effect was observed. CONCLUSION: Hindi FJS-12 has high validity, reliability and reproducibility for knee function after TKA. It is devoid of floor or ceiling effect. Thus, it can be successfully used for studying knee function in the Indian population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective cohort study, Level II.

Translation and Validation of Forgotten Joint Score for Total Hip Arthroplasty for Indian Population.

BACKGROUND: The ultimate success of a total hip replacement lies in patients forgetting about their artificial joints during routine activities. "Forgotten Joint Score (FJS)" is emerging as an important tool in assessing outcomes of total hip arthroplasty. There has been no version of this score available in commonly spoken vernaculars in India. This study aims to formulate and validate the Hindi version of FJS in Indian population. METHODS: A total of 136 patients with a minimum follow-up of 6 months and a maximum follow-up of 18 months after total hip arthroplasty were asked to fill the translated and adapted version of FJS questionnaire, at two points of time 2 weeks apart. The Hindi version of FJS (I-FJS) was tested for reliability and responsiveness, floor and ceiling effect and validity against modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS). Construct validity was expressed as the Pearson correlation coefficient. Internal consistency was expressed as Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability as the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: I-FJS showed excellent internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha of 0.88. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.94. I-FJS showed good correlation with m-HHS (r = 0.8, p = 0.001). The standard error of measurement was 3.6 and the smallest detectable change was 9.97. There was no floor or ceiling effect observed with I-FJS. Data from this study were insufficient to establish adequate responsiveness of I-FJS. CONCLUSION: I-FJS is a valid, reliable and reproducible score for hip function in post-THA patients. It is devoid of any floor or ceiling effect. Hindi version of FJS could be an effective tool for studying hip function in the Indian population.

Reconstruction of a Chronic Posterior Dislocation of the Shoulder using a Limited Posterior Deltoid-splitting Approach: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic posterior dislocation is a very rare injury. Various methods have been described for its treatment. This report describes a rare case of post-traumatic chronic posterior dislocation of the shoulder. Posterior bone block procedure performed through a limited posterior deltoid splitting approach was used with good surgical outcomes. The bone block procedure for chronic posterior dislocation is rarely described in the literature. CASE REPORT: A 30-year-old male presented with complaints of pain on movement of the left shoulder and inability to lift the arm overhead for the past 5 months, following a fall from a moving train on his left shoulder. He had been treated conservatively with no improvement in symptoms. On clinical examination, there was a loss of deltoid contour with painful and restricted abduction and external rotation. The shoulder joint could be reduced by bringing the arm in 90o of abduction in the scapular plane. The anteroposterior radiograph showed a positive light bulb sign and a malunited fracture greater tuberosity. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a reverse Hill-Sachs lesion with intact rotator cuff. Unlike a classical chronically dislocated joint, the shoulder joint was not stiff in this position. The reduction of the joint was possible but was not maintained in the resting position of the limb. Hence, the joint could be reduced intraoperatively, and reduction maintained with a posterior bone block procedure, without any need for further soft-tissue releases. A tricortical iliac crest bone graft was used as the bone block. CONCLUSION: Chronic posterior dislocation of the shoulder is a rarely reported entity, which can be easily missed in clinical examination. The limited deltoid splitting approach is a safe approach with excellent exposure of posterior glenoid rim. Posterior bone block procedure is a viable reconstructive option in treating cases of chronic posterior dislocation.