The Importance of Patellar Resurfacing in Total Knee Arthroplasty for Symptomatic Valgus Degenerative Deformity.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Patellar surface replacement during total knee arthroplasty is still a matter of discussion among orthopedic surgeons. The purpose of this study was to examine possible benefits of patellar surface replacement in selected patients with symptomatic degenerative valgus deformity. We have not found any studies in the literature that compare the results of patella management solely for valgus or varus knee deformity nor those that compare both. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients were randomly assigned to a group that would receive patellar surface replacement during total knee arthroplasty and a group of patients in whom total knee arthroplasty was performed without patellar surface replacement. 60 patients were included in the study. Total knee arthroplasty with patellar resurfacing (TKAPR) was performed in 30, and without PR (TKA) in 30 of them. Results were prospectively gathered and compared at regular intervals. RESULTS There were no significant differences between groups for examined parameters except for Oxford Knee Score at 6 months which was in favor of patellar resurfacing group. DISCUSSION The decision whether to replace the patella or not is currently exclusively a matter of surgeon's choice. Establishing selection criteria for patients that would benefit from patella resurfacing could, therefore, be very useful for both patients and orthopaedic surgeons performing total knee replacement. CONCLUSIONS Although evidence in our study could not strongly suggest performing patella resurfacing in patients with valgus deformity, the results were slightly better in the patella resurfacing group and this trend could increase if larger series of patients would be employed. A longer follow-up period would be required for clear-cut decisions and more prospective studies are warranted. Key words: knee, arthroplasty, patella, replacement, valgus, deformity.

Acetabular component position of the noncemented total hip endoprosthesis after previous Chiari pelvic osteotomy.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to determine the validity of acetabular component position of the noncemented total hip endoprosthesis after Chiari pelvic osteotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 75 patients operated on at the Institute of Orthopedic Surgery "Banjica" in the period from 1990-2009. The first group consisted of 39 patients (46 hips) who underwent Chiari pelvic osteotomy and also later the implantation of a noncemented total hip endoprosthesis. A control group consisted of 36 patients (47 hips) who underwent total hip arthroplasty due to degenerative hip dysplasia. RESULTS: In the previously operated patients the centre of rotation of the hip was on the average placed more proximally, while in the control group of patients the position of the acetabular component was closer to the anatomical one. In the group of patients after Chiari osteotomy the mean acetabular cup abduction angle rated 41.8°±9.8°, while in the control group this value was on the average higher (45.4°±8.6°). DISCUSSION: There was a significant difference between the studied groups in relation to the distance between the acetabular component of endoprosthesis and the acetabular teardrop (t=-2.763; p=0.007). No statistically significant difference was determined in the mean value of the angle of acetabular abduction component of endoprosthesis between the studied groups of patients (t=1.878; p=0.064). CONCLUSIONS: Acetabular component position of the total hip endoprosthesis was not compromised by anatomic changes of the acetabulum caused by Chiari pelvic osteotomy.

[Unstable fractures of the pelvis treated by Ilizarov external fixation device].

We reviewed seven patients with an unstable fracture of the pelvic ring who had been treated with a Ilizarov external fixation device after a mean follow-up of 5.5 years. There were four "open-book" injuries (type B according to Tile) and three rotationally and vertically unstable injuries (type C according to Tile). In all patients union of fracture site had been achieved after a mean period of 65 days in patients with type B injuries and 98 days in patients with type C injuries. In the four patients with an "open-book" injury the symphyseal diastasis was partially reduced from 46 mm to 13 24mm to 13mm. The radiological result was excellent in one patient, good in one and poor in two patients. The functional outcome was rated as excellent in three patients and good in one patient. In patients with type C injury vertical displacement was partially reduced from 21mm to 12mm. The patients in this group had excellent, good and poor radiological result, respectively. The functional outcome was excellent in two cases and good in one case. General surgical complications were not seen. Infection at the pin sites was seen in six patients. In our study unsatisfactory or poor functional result was not registrated due to construction characteristics of Ilizarov device. Because of this characteristics there were no residual vertical displacement more then 8 mm.

[Diagnosis and treatment of Paget disease of the spinal vertebrae].

Paget disease, localized only on thoracic spine is extremly rare. It is a huge diagnostic problem and an equally big therapy challenge. Course of this disease is slow, it chronically worsens, thus demanding differentiation of various conditions, along with orthopaedic, neurological, radiographic and endocrine evaluation. Paget disease is followed by back pain, progressive weakening of legs and sphincter functions, due to pathological spine fractures and spinal stenosis. The treatment is surgical, in form of decompression and applying biphosphonates. Three patients are presented, all with worsening back pain which lasted several months. Hyperthonia and hyperreflexion of lower extremities were developed significantly. Over the course of time, neurological deficite got worse, almost to the point of spastic parapalegia. All of the patients were male, 50 to 68 years old. They had higher values of alcaline phosphatase and serum calcium than usual. In all cases, bone scintigraphy was positive where the lesion of thoracic spine existed. Biopsy suggested hyperparathyroidism, but, as it turned out, wrongly. After surgical treatment, neurological improvement was noticed on all three patients. In case of two, recidives occurred after three and five years respectively, so surgical reinterventions were made. These recidives are consequences of Paget disease progression. Aside from surgical treatment, they were treated by encrinologist. Remission of the disease lasted for seven and twelve years, respectively. Third patient had his condition recognized almost two years after first reception, and, due to big changes on vertebral body and paraplegia, posterior and anterior decompression of spinal canal and stabilization were done simultaneously. Biopsy confirmed Paget disease. During the postoperative course, nearly complete neurological improvement occured almost instantly. Only moments after hospital release, twenty four days after the operation, patient got sick in the hall. Unfortunately, he passed away due to massive lung embolism, even though he recieved adequate thromboembolic prophylaxion. Monoostotic form of Paget disease localized on vertebral body must be taken and considered seriously, especially when the patients suffer from progressive evolution of neurological deficite, followed by adequate biochemical blood and urine analysis, as well as radiographic signs of pathological fracture or invasive vertebral process. Surgical treatment can lead to significant improvement of clinical findings, but due to recidive, biphosphonate treatment is recommended.

[Congenital club foot].

Congenital club foot is the most frequent foot deformity. It occurs in 1% of newborns, two times more frequently in boys, with family inheritance. Patoanatomicaly, entity consists of bone deformities, articular malpositions and soft tissues retraction. All these produce adduction of the forefoot and varus and equinovarus of the hindfoot. Lateral side of the foot is convex and medial side is concave. Forefoot is in adduction and plantar flexion in relation to the hindfoot. The heel is rotated medialy which induces varus and eqinus of the foot. The aim of the treatment is to establish anatomically normal foot, painless, with moderate movements, which is suitable for normal shoes. At the beginning treatment is nonsurgical. If nonsurgical treatment fails further step should be surgical treatment. The success of treatment of congenital clubfoot depends on the time of diagnosis and treatment beginning.

[Chondrofibrosis of adolescent hip].

Authors present 420 hips with slipped capital epiphysis treated in the IOHB "Banjica", during the period between 1970 and 2005. Research includes the analysis of incidence, diagnostics and causes which contribute to the genesis of hip chondrofibrosis. Risk factors are shown, as well as the approach to eliminate them. 39 hips in which this complication occured were individually analyzed. Every hip was separately studied with intent to determine the cause of the condition's genesis, it's evolution, treatment and it's final functionality result. Synovia biopsy was performed in 7 cases, as well as the biopsy of the capsule, articular hyaline cartilage and subchondral bone of the femoral head, which enabled detailed description of both microscopic and macroscopic changes that follow this condition. Regardless of still hypothetical comprehension of the inception of chondrofibrosis, authors clearly state all the risky procedures during treatment that can contribute to the development of chondrofibrosis. The importance of early diagnostics and well-timed treatment are highlighted in this article, for they are crucial. Results of treated hip chondrofibrosis presented here give hope for the destiny of the ill joint, which was considered highly uncertain for a long time.

[Developmental dislocation of the hip is still important problem--therapeutic guidelines].

The authors are describing currently important problem--developmental dislocation of the hip. Guidelines for the treatment have been given according to literature date and upon their own experience. Therapeutic suggestions for the first twelve months of life are based on the ultrasound typing--it is advised to perform nonoperative treatment (abduction devices, "over head" traction, Pavlik harnesses). During the second year of life a pause in the treatment should be adviced in order to avoid postreduction avascular hip necrosis as a very important complication. After that period surgical treatment has to be done (open reduction, pelvic and femoral osteotomies). Special suggestions have been given for the treatment of consecutive leg length inequality and the deformities caused by postreduction avascular hip necrosis.

[Effect of resection of the lateral retinaculum of the knee in surgical treatment of symptomatic patello-femoral incongruency].

Biomechanical malfunction of the knee extensor mechanism in the patello femoral joint is regarded as patella malalignment but major patients complaints are anterior knee pain and patellar slipping. Lateral retinacular release is one of the basic surgical procedures in the treatment of patellar malalignment. The aim of the study was to estimate the achievements of the lateral retinacular release in solving particular biomechanical disorders of the patello femoral joint, as well as individual patients complaints. Evaluation of objective parameters x-ray and clinical findings before and after the operation, shows statistically highly significant difference, thus confirming implementation of the fore mentioned surgical procedure. Despite the fact that anterior knee pain subsided postoperatively in the number of patients, statistically significant values, comparing to the preoperative findings, could not be obtained. Incidence of the patellar slipping has shown statistically significant reduction two years following the surgery. Achieving proper biomechanical alignment of the patello femoral joint is obviously not sufficient to provide relief of subjective complaints, especially concerning anterior knee pain, although considerable improvements were registered in the number of patients.

[Modern aspects of the ankle fracture treatment].

The ankle fractures continue to be a topical issue in orthopedic surgery. X-ray diagnostics, but primarily also other modem diagnostic procedures such as CT, MRI, and arthroscopy enable detection of not only fractures but also osteocartilaginous fractures and soft-tissue ligamentary lesions, which are frequent causes of pain and instability of the ankle. The key segment is the posterio-lateral segment and tibio-fibular syndesmosis whose integrity is sometimes only surgically establishable. In the ankle treatment, stable fixation - since recently by means of resorptive osteofixation materials - and early rehabilitation of the operated ankle are aimed at. The open and pylon fractures, as the most severe forms of ankle fractures, are treated by external fixation with minimum internal fixation (hybrid fixation) of the ankle with conversion of the rigid into a dynamic (articulated) external fixator enabling movement and nutrition of the damaged articular cartilage.

[Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)].

The anterior cruciate ligament or ACL (ligamenturn cruciatum anterius) is often injured, either alone or within complex ligament injuries of the knee. Therefore, the knowledge of detailed anatomic (macro- and micro-morphological) characteristics of this ligament is of key importance in therapy. The anatomy, structure, insertions, vascularization and inervation of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee are described from the aspect of modern treatment and rehabilitation methods.

[Thoracic disc herniation causing myelopathy. Our experience using transthoracic approach].

The authors have reported six cases of thoracal discus hernia in five patients. All the patients have recently been examined in neurosurgery institutions. They had different degrees of neurological deficit, with tendency to aggravation. The same procedure has been applying: thoracotomy, large decompression of neural structures, and obligatory spondylodesis with the patient's own rib. In three cases a full recovery has been achieved, a partial recovery in other two. Complete and definitive paraplegia developed in one patient. The degree of the neurological recovery was between one and two points by Frankel scale. Better results have been obtained where symptoms were present for a short period of time, and myelopathic signs were mild. The follow up period was between 43 and 68 months. Three of the patients have been returned to their professional work. In one patient, three years after the first surgery, there has been diagnosed another discus hernia, one level below. She was treated with the same surgical technique as described, for the second time. Multilevel symptomatic thoracic disc herniations are extremely rare. Although a small series, it is clearly pointed the need to think of a discus hernia, and its early diagnostics and adequate surgical treatment. The first experience with the operative technique described, demonstrated that this procedure is good and justified.

[Idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head in adolescents--diagnostics and management].

Idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head still represents incompletely explained clinical entity. In the period 1978-2003. we have treated sixteen hips in ten patients with this condition in the IOHB "Banjica". Diagnosis have been founded on clinical and radiographic features, in addition to MRI findings. One patient have been operated, curretaging necrotic part of the femoral head and placing homografts instead. The other fifteen patients have been treated by the same procedure: skin traction for several months following immediate rehabilitation of the hip. The goal of treatement was reducing the pain, increasing the range of movements and preservation of the normal joint space. Evaluation of the treatement was based on unique criteria founded on Howorth-Ferguson index, clinical and radiographic features.The follow-up period was 2-7 years. The authors have stressed the following advantages of the non-operative treatement in adolescents with idiopathic avascular necrosis if the femoral head: increased range of joint movements, decreased pain and low risk rate of any complications following surgical procedures. Formed changes in the femoral head are irreversible, and they are real basic for premature arthrosis of the hip.

[Treatment of gigantocellular tumor of the tibia metaphysis by means of the Ilizarov method--a case study].

The authors show a 36-year old female patient with a gigantocellular tumor of the distal metaphysis of the left tibia (stage III by Campanacci). A 7.6 cm long distal articular defect of the tibia has been formed by radical segmentary resection. The defect was compensated by the extension of the rest of the tibia; whereas the support function of the limb was provided through tibio-talar arthrodesis. 5.5 years after the surgery, there are no signs of local relapses; the patient walks without any orthopedic aids and works at the same job as prior to the operation.