Three-Year Follow-Up Results of Combined Short Scarf Osteotomy With Akin Procedure for Hallux Valgus.

The short scarf osteotomy has been developed as a less-invasive method of preserving the soft tissue envelope, at the same time maintaining the strength, correction, and utility of a classic long scarf osteotomy. We carried out a review of 166 short scarf osteotomies performed combined with the Akin procedure with a mean follow-up of 34.6 (range 28 to 38) months. These radiographic parameters were evaluated preoperatively, at 6 weeks, and at 3 years. The functional evaluation was based on the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hallux metatarsophalangeal interphalangeal scale score. At follow-up, the mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hallux metatarsophalangeal interphalangeal scale score improved from a preoperative average of 54.6 to a postoperative average of 92.8 (p < .001). The radiographic evaluation gave the following results: the preoperative hallux valgus angle of 27.92° improved to an average of 11.85° (p < .001); the preoperative inter metatarsal angle of 14.03° improved to an average of 9.64° (p < .001). There were no fractures during the procedure. There were no incidences of infection or recurrence of deformity. Three patients have to undergo metatarsophalangeal joint fusion because of progression of osteoarthritis of the joint. No avascular necrosis of the metatarsal head was seen. The short scarf osteotomy along with Akin procedure is minimally invasive compared to the standard scarf osteotomy. It is a simple technique with good mechanical strength, signifying excellent patient satisfaction while reconstructing normal anatomy and restoring radiological measurements with fewer complications.

A comparison of conventional guidewire alignment jigs with imageless computer navigation in hip resurfacing arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Correct positioning of the initial femoral guidewire is vital in order to prepare the femoral head properly for hip resurfacing. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the accuracy and precision of the placement of the initial femoral guidewire with use of conventional alignment jigs and to compare the results with those of imageless computer navigation. METHODS: Five commercially available jigs (two lateral pin jigs, two neck centering jigs, and one head planing jig) were obtained. Four surgeons used each jig and navigation three times to insert a guidewire in 10 degrees of relative valgus and neutral version into individual synthetic femora. A single surgeon then used each jig three times to align the initial guidewire in 10 degrees of relative valgus and neutral version in each of ten human cadaver femora. Radiographs of the synthetic and human femora were made to assess and compare guidewire inclination and version between conventional instrumentation and navigation. RESULTS: Navigation provided ranges of error in the coronal guidewire alignment of up to eight times less than the conventional jigs, but both methods provided similar ranges of error for version. In both arms of the study, there were significant differences in coronal alignment accuracy between the two neck centering jigs. Next to navigation, one lateral pin jig provided the most accurate coronal placement of the initial guidewire whereas one neck centering jig provided the most precise coronal placement of the guidewire. Navigation was similar to conventional jigs in terms of the accuracy and precision of guidewire version. CONCLUSIONS: In hip resurfacing arthroplasty, the choice of a femoral alignment device may influence the accuracy and precision of guidewire insertion, ultimately impacting femoral component placement. Imageless computer navigation can facilitate accurate and precise coronal alignment of the initial femoral guidewire, superior to that of conventional instrumentation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of this study may aid surgeons in the selection of alignment instruments for placement of the initial femoral guidewire during hip resurfacing.

Assessment of accuracy and reliability in preoperative templating for hip resurfacing arthroplasty.

The current study investigated the accuracy and reliability of hip resurfacing component selection based on digital preoperative templating. Four surgeons made a template of preoperative radiographs on 2 occasions for acetabular and femoral components in 50 randomly selected hip resurfacing patients. Component selection reliability was variable among surgeons (kappa = 0.16-0.73) and fair between surgeons (kappa = 0.23-0.32). The average percentage of agreement for the acetabular component was 47% (range, 32%-64%) and for the femoral component was 54% (range, 38%-70%). Surgeons tended to underestimate implant size if the correct implant was not chosen (acetabular, 29%; femoral, 32%). Selection of an undersized femoral component may lead to femoral neck notching or varus implant alignment. This study emphasizes the need for intraoperative verification of preoperative templating results to ensure optimal implant selection in hip resurfacing.

Platelet derived growth factor-AB enhances knee meniscal cell activity in vitro.

Meniscal healing especially in the inner avascular region has always been a major challenge. In this study we investigated the potential for platelet derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB) to promote meniscal tissue regeneration in the inner (avascular), middle, and outer (vascular) zones of the meniscus. Various concentrations of PDGF-AB were tested on sheep meniscal cell cultures. We used the radioactive thymidine uptake assay to assess cell proliferation, and the radioactive sulphur and proline uptake assays and Blyscan assay to assess matrix formation. In general, PDGF-AB stimulated both cell proliferation and matrix formation by cells from all meniscal zones. PDGF-AB at a concentration of 100 ng/ml increased cell proliferation and matrix formation by eight and four fold respectively, by fibrochondrocytes cultured from all meniscal zones (p<0.001). These results indicate that fibrochondrocytes present within the avascular region of the meniscus have the ability to proliferate and form new matrix when exposed to anabolic cytokines such as PDGF-AB.

Promoting the proliferative and synthetic activity of knee meniscal fibrochondrocytes using basic fibroblast growth factor in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Meniscal tears situated within the inner avascular region do not heal despite suturing. New approaches need to be developed to augment surgical repair. HYPOTHESIS: To demonstrate that basic fibroblast growth factor, used as a single agent or in combination with serum, stimulates the activity of fibrochondrocytes by enhancing proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis in all meniscal zones, including the inner (avascular) zone of the meniscus. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Monolayer cell cultures were prepared from the inner, middle, and outer zones of the lateral meniscus. Various concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor were used in the presence or absence of 10% fetal calf serum. The authors measured the uptake of radiolabeled thymidine to assess cell proliferation and radioactive sulfur and proline to assess extracellular matrix formation. RESULTS: Overall, basic fibroblast growth factor-stimulated cells from all meniscal zones to proliferate and to form new extra-cellular matrix (P <.05). The basic fibroblast growth factor (in the absence of serum) increased DNA formation and protein synthesis by cells from the inner meniscal zone by 7- and 15-fold, respectively (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that meniscal cells and, more important, cells from the avascular zone are capable of responding favorably to the addition of basic fibroblast growth factor by expressing their intrinsic potential to proliferate and generate new extracellular matrix. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results suggest that it may be possible to augment surgical repair of the meniscus in the future.