[A man with a painful knee with restricted flexion]. / Een man met een pijnlijke knie met flexiebeperking.

A 39-year-old man presented with knee pain and limited knee flexion. MRI showed a mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (celery stalk sign). This rare condition can be treated with arthroscopic debridement with volume reduction of the anterior cruciate ligament. In severe cases, anterior cruciate ligament resection could be considered.

Impaction bone grafting and a cemented cup after acetabular fracture.

PURPOSE: Patients suffering from post traumatic osteoarthritis of the acetabulum often require a total hip arthroplasty at a relatively young age. Long-term data outcome studies for this population are lacking. We report on the long-term outcome of 20 acetabular fractures in 20 patients treated with impaction bone grafting and a cemented cup after a mean follow-up of 18 years (range, 12-26 years). METHODS: The group consisted of 14 males (70%) and six females (30%) with an average age of 53.3 years (range, 35-75 years) at time of surgery. No patients were lost to follow-up. Four patients died and three patients underwent a revision; at review 13 patients were still living with their implant in situ. Survivorship analysis was performed at 20 years follow-up for three endpoints. RESULTS: Survival rate with endpoint revision for any reason at 20 years postoperative was 74.7% (95% confidence interval (CI), 40-91%), 80.0% (95% CI, 41-95%) for endpoint aseptic loosening, and 63.9% (95% CI 32-84%) for endpoint radiographic failure. Three acetabular components were revised at 14.5, 15.3, and 16.7 years postoperative. Two cups failed for aseptic loosening and one cup failed due to septic loosening. The average postoperative Harris hip score was 82 (range, 56-100). CONCLUSION: Acetabular reconstruction with impaction bone grafting and the use of a cemented cup after acetabular fracture is an attractive technique with acceptable long-term results and a low complication and re-operation rate.

Complications in ankle arthroscopy.

PURPOSE: To determine the complication rate for ankle arthroscopy. METHODS: A review of a consecutive series of patients undergoing ankle arthroscopy in our hospital between 1987 and 2006 was undertaken. Anterior ankle arthroscopy was performed by means of a 2-portal dorsiflexion method with intermittent soft tissue distraction. Posterior ankle arthroscopy was performed by means of a two-portal hindfoot approach. Complications were registered in a prospective national registration system. Apart from this complication registry, patient records, outpatient charts and operative reports were reviewed. Patients with a complication were asked to visit our hospital for clinical examination and assessment of permanent damage and persisting complaints. RESULTS: An overall complication rate of 3.5% in 1,305 procedures was found. Neurological complications (1.9%) were related to portal placement. Age was a significant risk factor for the occurrence of complications. Most complications were transient and resolved within 6 months. Complications did not lead to functional limitations. Residual complaints did not influence daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: Our complication rate is less than half of what has been reported in literature (3.5 vs 10.3%). The use of the dorsiflexion method for anterior ankle arthroscopy can prevent a significant number of complications. Posterior ankle arthroscopy by means of a two-portal hindfoot approach is a safe procedure with a complication rate that compares favourably to that of anterior ankle arthroscopy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective prognostic study, Level II.

Novel metallic implantation technique for osteochondral defects of the medial talar dome. A cadaver study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A metallic inlay implant (HemiCAP) with 15 offset sizes has been developed for the treatment of localized osteochondral defects of the medial talar dome. The aim of this study was to test the following hypotheses: (1) a matching offset size is available for each talus, (2) the prosthetic device can be reproducibly implanted slightly recessed in relation to the talar cartilage level, and (3) with this implantation level, excessive contact pressures on the opposite tibial cartilage are avoided. METHODS: The prosthetic device was implanted in 11 intact fresh-frozen human cadaver ankles, aiming its surface 0.5 mm below cartilage level. The implantation level was measured at 4 margins of each implant. Intraarticular contact pressures were measured before and after implantation, with compressive forces of 1,000-2,000 N and the ankle joint in plantigrade position, 10 dorsiflexion, and 14 plantar flexion. RESULTS: There was a matching offset size available for each specimen. The mean implantation level was 0.45 (SD 0.18) mm below the cartilage surface. The defect area accounted for a median of 3% (0.02-18) of the total ankle contact pressure before implantation. This was reduced to 0.1% (0.02-13) after prosthetic implantation. INTERPRETATION: These results suggest that the implant can be applied clinically in a safe way, with appropriate offset sizes for various talar domes and without excessive pressure on the opposite cartilage.

The natural history of osteochondral lesions in the ankle.

Most osteochondral lesions (defects) of the talar dome are caused by trauma, which may be a single event or repeated, less intense events (microtrauma). A lesion may heal, remain asymptomatic, or progress to deep ankle pain on weight bearing, prolonged joint swelling, and the formation of subchondral bone cysts. During loading, compression of the cartilage forces water into the microfractured subchondral bone. The increased flow and pressure of fluid in the subchondral bone can cause osteolysis and the slow development of a subchondral cyst. The pain does not arise from the cartilage lesion but most likely is caused by repetitive high fluid pressure during walking and a concomitant decrease in pH produced by osteoclasts, which sensitize the highly innervated subchondral bone. Prevention of further degeneration depends on several factors, including the repair of the subchondral bone plate and the correct alignment of the ankle joint.

Osteochondral defects in the ankle: why painful?

Osteochondral defects of the ankle can either heal and remain asymptomatic or progress to deep ankle pain on weight bearing and formation of subchondral bone cysts. The development of a symptomatic OD depends on various factors, including the damage and insufficient repair of the subchondral bone plate. The ankle joint has a high congruency. During loading, compressed cartilage forces its water into the microfractured subchondral bone, leading to a localized high increased flow and pressure of fluid in the subchondral bone. This will result in local osteolysis and can explain the slow development of a subchondral cyst. The pain does not arise from the cartilage lesion, but is most probably caused by repetitive high fluid pressure during walking, which results in stimulation of the highly innervated subchondral bone underneath the cartilage defect. Understanding the natural history of osteochondral defects could lead to the development of strategies for preventing progressive joint damage.

Treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus: a systematic review.

The aim of this study was to summarize all eligible studies to compare the effectiveness of treatment strategies for osteochondral defects (OCD) of the talus. Electronic databases from January 1966 to December 2006 were systematically screened. The proportion of the patient population treated successfully was noted, and percentages were calculated. For each treatment strategy, study size weighted success rates were calculated. Fifty-two studies described the results of 65 treatment groups of treatment strategies for OCD of the talus. One randomized clinical trial was identified. Seven studies described the results of non-operative treatment, 4 of excision, 13 of excision and curettage, 18 of excision, curettage and bone marrow stimulation (BMS), 4 of an autogenous bone graft, 2 of transmalleolar drilling (TMD), 9 of osteochondral transplantation (OATS), 4 of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), 3 of retrograde drilling and 1 of fixation. OATS, BMS and ACI scored success rates of 87, 85 and 76%, respectively. Retrograde drilling and fixation scored 88 and 89%, respectively. Together with the newer techniques OATS and ACI, BMS was identified as an effective treatment strategy for OCD of the talus. Because of the relatively high cost of ACI and the knee morbidity seen in OATS, we conclude that BMS is the treatment of choice for primary osteochondral talar lesions. However, due to great diversity in the articles and variability in treatment results, no definitive conclusions can be drawn. Further sufficiently powered, randomized clinical trials with uniform methodology and validated outcome measures should be initiated to compare the outcome of surgical strategies for OCD of the talus.

A soccer player with idiopathic osteonecrosis of the complete lateral talar dome: a case report.

We report a 13-year-old soccer player with osteonecrosis of the talus and a large carticular fragment. The defect was revitalized with curettage and drilling and filled with autologous bone graft followed by the fixation of the carticular fragment with two conventional lag screws. Screw placement was such that they could be removed arthroscopically. Healing was uneventful. Eighteen months postoperative hardware was indeed removed arthroscopically. He returned to his former competitive level without restrictions or complaints.

Determination of consistent patterns of range of motion in the ankle joint with a computed tomography stress-test.

BACKGROUND: Measuring the range of motion of the ankle joint can assist in accurate diagnosis of ankle laxity. A computed tomography-based stress-test (3D CT stress-test) was used that determines the three-dimensional position and orientation of tibial, calcaneal and talar bones. The goal was to establish a quantitative database of the normal ranges of motion of the talocrural and subtalar joints. A clinical case on suspected subtalar instability demonstrated the relevance the proposed method. METHODS: The range of motion was measured for the ankle joints in vivo for 20 subjects using the 3D CT stress-test. Motion of the tibia and calcaneus relative to the talus for eight extreme foot positions were described by helical parameters. FINDINGS: High consistency for finite helical axis orientation (n) and rotation (theta) was shown for: talocrural extreme dorsiflexion to extreme plantarflexion (root mean square direction deviation (eta) 5.3 degrees and theta: SD 11.0 degrees), talorucral and subtalar extreme combined eversion-dorsiflexion to combined inversion-plantarflexion (eta: 6.7 degrees , theta: SD 9.0 degrees and eta:6.3 degrees , theta: SD 5.1 degrees), and subtalar extreme inversion to extreme eversion (eta: 6.4 degrees, theta: SD 5.9 degrees). Nearly all dorsi--and plantarflexion occurs in the talocrural joint (theta: mean 63.3 degrees (SD 11 degrees)). The inversion and internal rotation components for extreme eversion to inversion were approximately three times larger for the subtalar joint (theta: mean 22.9 degrees and 29.1 degrees) than for the talocrural joint (theta: mean 8.8 degrees and 10.7 degrees). Comparison of the ranges of motion of the pathologic ankle joint with the healthy subjects showed an increased inversion and axial rotation in the talocrural joint instead of in the suspected subtalar joint. INTERPRETATION: The proposed diagnostic technique and the acquired database of helical parameters of ankle joint ranges of motion are suitable to apply in clinical cases.

Current concepts: treatment of osteochondral ankle defects.

Osteochondral ankle defects cause various symptoms including pain, swelling, and limited range of motion. When surgical treatment is necessary, several treatment options exist. Arthroscopic debridement and drilling, arthroscopic autologous osteochondral transplantation (mosaiclasty), and autologous chondrocyte transplantation are discussed more extensively. Treatment results of each technique are discussed, and a guideline for treatment is presented.

Bone impaction grafting and a cemented cup after acetabular fracture at 3-18 years.

UNLABELLED: The outcome of total hip arthroplasty after acetabular fracture is compromised. We studied if the bone impaction grafting technique could provide long-term prosthesis survival in deformed and irregular acetabula. We studied 20 hips in 20 patients (mean age, 53.3 years; range, 35-75 years) that were reconstructed with acetabular bone impaction grafting and a cemented total hip prosthesis after acetabular fracture. No patient was lost to followup. At review the mean followup was 9.5 years (range, 3-18 years) and the average Harris hip score was 93 (range, 62-100). During followup there were two cup revisions: one after 14.5 years for septic loosening, and one after 15.3 years for aseptic loosening. The Kaplan-Meier survival rate of the cup with end-point revision for any reason was 100% at 10 years and 80% (95% CI; range, 62-98%) after 15 years. With end-point cup revision for aseptic loosening the survival rate was 100% at 10 years. Acetabular bone impaction grafting with a cemented cup is a biologically attractive technique with good long-term survival used to reconstruct bone stock loss after posttraumatic arthritis. The complication and reoperation rate was low in this relatively young group of patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, Level IV (Case series--no, or historical control group). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.