Graft fixation strength with arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Two-incision rear entry technique compared with one-incision technique.

To compare the fixation strengths of two arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction techniques, we harvested 10-mm bone-patellar tendon-bone grafts with 25-mm bone plugs from 12 fresh-frozen cadaveric knees. One knee of each pair was fixed using Acufex instruments and the two-incision technique; one knee was fixed using Arthrotek instruments and the one-incision technique. We used cannulated 9 x 25 mm Kurosaka screws for femoral and tibial tunnel fixation. All knees were mounted on the Instron Test System and were stressed to failure by recreating a pivot shift maneuver. The one-incision technique graft fixation was significantly stronger (mean failure, 695 N) than that with the two-incision technique (mean failure, 593 N). In all one-incision technique knees, either the patellar tendon graft avulsed off a bone plug or the plug broke. In five of six two-incision technique knees, the tibia bone plug pulled out around the interference screw. Patellar tendon graft length ranges from 90 to 105 mm, and the average two-incision technique tunnel length is 120 mm. The interference screw compressed the femoral bone plug into conical bone but compressed the tibial bone plug into cancellous bone in the two-incision technique, while in the one-incision technique the bone plug was compressed into cortical bone on both sides.

Acute rupture of the tibialis anterior tendon: a case report.

Acute rupture of tendons on the dorsum of the foot is rare and the diagnosis can be difficult. We present the case of a 51-year-old man who sustained an acute rupture of the tibialis anterior tendon. Pain about the medial aspect of the midfoot and ambulation with a steppage gait were the keys to formulating a correct diagnosis. The tendon was repaired primarily 10 days after injury. At his final follow-up examination 6 months after surgery, the patient was asymptomatic and ambulated with a normal gait.

External fixation of distal radial fractures: results and complications.

External fixation of unstable fractures of the distal radius yields satisfactory results but has a high complication rate. We studied thirty-five fractures in thirty-four patients to determine whether the results obtained with external fixation warranted it use. At a mean follow-up period of 31 months, the results of treatment were assessed by interviews and clinical and radiographic examination of both wrists. Twelve fractures had an excellent result, twelve had a good result, ten had a fair result, and one had a poor result. Radiographic results were graded excellent in ten fractures, good in thirteen, fair in five, and poor in seven. No correlation was found between the anatomical results and the clinical results or the patients' subjective ratings. Complications that were related directly to the fixation pins occurred in fourteen of the fractures. There were forty-five additional complications. The frequency of complications and the limitations of external fixation demand caution on the part of the surgeon to prevent iatrogenic morbidity, which would limit the benefits of the technique.

Fractures of the posterolateral tibial plateau.

We reviewed the clinical records and operative notes of 28 patients with fractures of the posterolateral tibial plateau seen at our institution from 1949 to 1982. Five of the 28 patients had chronic depressions of the posterolateral tibial plateau after initial treatment elsewhere. All five were disabled because of significant functional instability when the knee was in flexion. There were 23 acute fractures, of which 4 were initially nondisplaced and treated nonoperatively. One nonoperative patient was lost to followup; the remaining three were rated as having had good or excellent results. Nineteen patients had acute depressed fractures and were treated operatively with open reduction, elevation of the depressed area, and bone grafting, with or without internal fixation. All patients treated operatively at the time of injury were seen for followup from 24 to 145 months postoperatively, with a mean followup of 59 months. One patient was lost to followup; the other 18 were rated using both objective and subjective criteria. Seventeen (94%) achieved a final rating of excellent or good; one patient (6%) achieved a rating of fair. We have observed these fractures occurring in a younger population and producing significant disability in activities requiring a stable knee in flexion. The depressed posterolateral tibial plateau fracture is best assessed by AP, lateral, and 45 degrees internal oblique views on radiographic examination. Because of continued disability caused by chronic, depressed fractures of this type, we recommend open reduction and bone grafting in acute cases to eliminate instability in flexion. This procedure produces good or excellent results in most cases.

Lateral roentgenographic projections of the acromioclavicular joint.

Although the acromioclavicular joint is frequently injured in both contact and noncontact sports, the treatment is nonspecific, as demonstrated by the numerous methods of treatment currently employed. Despite treatment, some shoulders still develop chronic symptoms and disability during overhead lifting, throwing, and swinging. Perhaps these difficulties develop as a result of an incomplete evaluation of the joint and because the exact nature of the injury is not appreciated. Therefore, the shoulder develops chronic problems. We have routinely utilized a lateral roentgenogram of the acromion to evaluate the acromioclavicular joint. This has significantly aided us in the diagnosis and treatment of acromioclavicular joint injuries, especially when there was posterior dislocation of the distal clavicle. This presentation reviews standard roentgenography of the acromioclavicular joint and illustrates the method of obtaining the lateral projection as described by O. M. Alexander. We will also show how this method has helped us clinically in detecting posterior dislocations of the distal end of the clavicle.