Equal rates of bone healing and reduced surgical time with iliac crest allograft compared to autograft in medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Iliac crest autograft is frequently used to fill in bone defects after osteotomies. Nonetheless, surgery for bone autograft procurement is associated with morbidity and pain at the donor site. Alternatives to it have been explored, but there is no consensus to guide their application as a routine practice in several orthopedic procedures. Thus, this study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety between iliac crest autograft and allograft in medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients with a symptomatic unilateral genu varum and an indication for high tibial osteotomy were randomly assigned to receive either autograft or allograft to fill the osteotomy site. Operative time, bone healing, and complication rates (delayed union, nonunion, superficial and deep infection, loss of correction, and hardware failure) were recorded after a one-year follow-up. Data were expressed as Mean ± Standard Deviation and considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. RESULTS: The time to radiologic union was similar between both groups (Allograft: 2.38 ± 0.97 months vs. Autograft: 2.45 ± 0.91 months; p = 0.79). Complication rates were also similar in both groups, with one infection in the allograft group and two in the autograft group, two delayed unions in the allograft group, and three in the autograft group. The operative time differed by 11 min between the groups, being lower in the allograft group (Allograft: 65.4 ± 15.1 min vs. Autograft: 76.3 ± 15.2 min; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Iliac crest allografts can be safely and effectively used in medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy as it promotes the same rates of bone union as those achieved by autologous grafts, with the benefits of a shorter operative time. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: U1111-1280-0637 1 December 2022, retrospectively registered.

Surgical Treatment of Chronic Rupture of the Quadriceps Using a Modified Pulvertaft Weave Technique.

The extensor mechanism provides active knee joint extension and stability of the patellofemoral joint. Rupture of the quadriceps tendon, although uncommon, is therefore associated with impairment in knee joint stability and, thus, requires surgical repair. Although various techniques provide excellent clinical outcomes for acute rupture, treatment of chronic rupture remains clinically challenging. We describe our modified technique for quadriceps tendon repair using a semitendinosus tendon autograft, with suturing of the quadriceps tendon stump to the patella via transosseous sutures, wherein the use of allograft and anchors is avoided. Our modified Pulvertaft weave technique is simple and reproducible.

Femoropatellar radiographic alterations in cases of anterior cruciate ligament failure.

OBJECTIVE: To make a comparative analysis on three femoropatellar radiographic parameters, between knees with chronic failure of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and normal knees. METHODS: Thirty volunteer patients with a diagnosis of unilateral isolated chronic ACL injury for more than one year and a normal contralateral knee were selected. Digital radiographs were produced for all the patients, on both knees in absolute lateral view at 30° of flexion, with and without load-bearing on one leg, and in axial view of the patella at 30°. The Caton-Deschamps patellar height index, Merchant patellar congruence angle and Laurin lateral patellar tilt angle were measured on the radiographs obtained from the normal knees and knees with ACL injuries, and comparative analysis was performed between these two groups. RESULTS: The patellar height was statistically significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the knees with ACL failure than in the normal knees, both on radiographs without loading and on those with single-foot loading. The Merchant patellar congruence angle was significantly smaller (p < 0.001) in the normal knees and the lateral patellar tilt angle was smaller (p < 0.001) in the knees with ACL failure. CONCLUSION: Chronic ACL failure gave rise to a statistically significant change in the femoropatellar radiographic values studied (p < 0.001). Knees with injuries to this ligament presented lower patellar height values, greater tilt and lateral displacement of the patella, in relation to the femoral trochlea, in comparison with the normal contralateral knees.

OBJETIVO: Análise comparativa de três parâmetros radiográficos femoropatelares entre joelhos com insuficiência crônica do ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) e joelhos normais. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados 30 pacientes voluntários com diagnóstico de lesão crônica isolada unilateral do LCA havia mais de um ano e joelho contralateral normal. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a radiografias digitais de ambos os joelhos nas incidências em perfil absoluto a 30° de flexão, com e sem carga monopodal, e axial de patela a 30°. Foram mensurados, nas radiografias obtidas, o índice de altura patelar de Caton-Deschamps, o ângulo de congruência patelar de Merchant e o ângulo de inclinação lateral da patela, descrito por Laurin, nos joelhos normais e nos joelhos com lesão do LCA e foi feita análise comparativa entre esses dois grupos. RESULTADOS: A altura patelar foi inferior, de forma estatisticamente significante (p < 0,001), nos joelhos com insuficiência do LCA em comparação com os joelhos normais, tanto nas radiografias sem carga quanto nas com carga monopodal. O ângulo de congruência patelar de Merchant foi significativamente menor (p < 0,001) nos joelhos normais e o ângulo de inclinação lateral da patela foi inferior (p < 0,001) nos joelhos com insuficiência do LCA. CONCLUSÃO: A insuficiência crônica do LCA alterou de forma estatisticamente significante (p < 0,001) os valores dos parâmetros radiográficos femoropatelares estudados. Joelhos com lesão desse ligamento apresentaram menores valores de altura patelar, maior inclinação e deslocamento laterais da patela em relação à tróclea femoral comparados com os joelhos contralaterais normais.

Tumor formation in Hoffa's infrapatellar fat: Case report.

Although tumors or pseudotumoral lesions are rare in the infrapatellar fat, they may affect it. Osteochondroma is the commonest benign bone tumor. However, extraskeletal presentations are rare. There are three extraskeletal variants of osteochondroma: synovial chondromatosis, para-articular chondroma and soft-tissue chondroma. We present a case of a single intra-articular lesion in the area of Hoffa's fat, in a 78-year-old female patient with a complaint of progressive knee pain associated with severe arthrosis. From the clinical and radiological findings, the diagnosis was para-articular osteochondroma. However, the histopathological findings, after excision of the lesion, showed that this was synovial chondromatosis secondary to osteoarthrosis.

Tumores ou lesões pseudotumorais, apesar de raros, podem acometer a gordura infrapatelar. O osteocondroma é o tumor ósseo benigno mais comum. Entretanto, sua apresentação extraesquelética é rara. Três são as variantes do osteocondroma extraesquelético: a condromatose sinovial, o condroma para-articular e o condroma de partes moles. Apresentamos um caso de lesão intra-articular única na topografia da gordura de Hoffa em uma paciente feminina de 78 anos com queixa de dor progressiva em joelho associada a artrose grave. Pelos achados clínicos e radiológicos o diagnóstico foi de osteocondroma para-articular. Entretanto, os achados histopatológicos ­ após exérese da lesão ­ evidenciaram condromatose sinovial secundária a osteoartrose.

Revision of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: implants used and causes of failure.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the causes of unicondylar knee arthroplasty failures, as well as identify the implants used and the need of bone grafting in patients undergoing revision UKA in Center of Knee Surgery at the Instituto Nacional de Traumatologia e Ortopedia (INTO) in the period between January 1990 and January 2013. METHODS: a retrospective analysis of the medical documentation and imaging, determining the cause of failure of UKA and the time of its occurrence, as well as prosthetic components implanted during the review and the need for bone grafting. RESULTS: in this study, 27 UKA failures in 26 patients were included. Collapse of one or more components was the main cause of failure, occurring in 33% of patients. Aseptic failure was identified in 30% of cases, progression of osteoarthrosis in 15%, infection and pain 7% each, and osteolysis and polyethylene failure in 4% each. Early failure occurred in 41% of all revisions of UKA and late failure in 59%. 23 patients have undergone revision of UK. CONCLUSION: in 35% of revisions the use of bone grafting was needed in tibial area; in 3 cases we needed allograft from Tissue Bank. We did not use metal increase in any of the revision. In one patient we used implant constraint for instability.

OBJETIVO: determinar as causas de falha da artroplastia Unicondilar, assim como identificar os implantes utilizados e a possível necessidade de enxertia óssea nos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de revisão de AUJ no Centro de Cirurgia do Joelho do Instituto Nacional de Traumatologia e Ortopedia - INTO, no período entre janeiro de 1990 a janeiro de 2013 foram analisados. MÉTODOS: análise retrospectiva da documentação médica e exames de imagem, determinando-se a causa da falha da AUJ e o momento de sua ocorrência, assim como os componentes protéticos implantados durante a revisão e a necessidade de enxertia óssea. RESULTADOS: foram incluídos nesta série 27 falhas de revisão de AUJ (26 pacientes). Colapso (afundamento) de um ou mais componentes representou a principal causa de falha, ocorrendo em 33% dos pacientes, soltura asséptica foi identificado em 30% dos casos, por progressão da osteoartrose em 15%, infecção e dor em 7% cada, desgaste do polietileno e osteólise em 4% cada. Falha precoce ocorreu em 41% de todas as indicações de revisões e falha tardia em 59%. A cirurgia de revisão da artroplastia unicompartimental foi realizada em 23 pacientes. CONCLUSÕES: em 35% das cirurgias de revisão foi necessária enxertia óssea no lado tibial, sendo três casos necessário enxerto homólogo de Banco de Tecidos Músculo Esquelético. Não utilizamos aumento metálico em nenhum caso. Em um caso foi implantado prótese semiconstrita por instabilidade.

Amputation after failure or complication of total knee arthroplasty: prevalence, etiology and functional outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Identify the etiology and incidence, as well to assess functional outcomes of patients, undergoing lower limb amputation after failure or complication of total knee arthroplasty. These patients were treated at the Center for Knee Surgery at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (INTO), during the period of January 2001 to December 2010. METHODS: The patients were interviewed and their charts were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate their functional outcome. RESULTS: The incidence of amputation due to failure or complication of total knee arthroplasty was 0.41% in 2409 cases. Recurrent deep infection was the cause of amputation in 81% of cases, being Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa the most frequent germs. Vascular complications and periprosthetic fracture associated to metaphyseal bone loss were also causes of amputation. In our study, 44% of amputees patients were using orthesis and 62.5% have had the ability to walk. CONCLUSION: Incidence of 0.41%, being the main cause recurrent infection. The functional outcome is limited, and the fitting achieved in 44% of patients and only 62.5% are ambulatory.

OBJETIVO: Identificar a etiologia e a incidência da amputação do membro inferior após falha ou complicação da artroplastia total de joelho e avaliar os resultados funcionais dos pacientes tratados pelo Centro de Cirurgia de Joelho do Instituto Nacional de Traumatologia e Ortopedia (Into) entre janeiro de 2001 e dezembro de 2010. MÉTODOS: Os prontuários foram retrospectivamente analisados para coleta dos dados e entrevista para avaliação do resultado funcional. RESULTADOS: A incidência de amputação em decorrência de falha ou complicação após 2.409 artroplastias totais de joelho foi de 0.41%. Infecção profunda recorrente foi causa de amputação em 81% dos casos. Os germes mais frequentes foram Staphylococcus aureus e Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Complicações vasculares e fratura periprotética associada a perda óssea metafisária representaram indicação em menor número de casos. Em nosso estudo, 44% dos pacientes amputados apresentam­se protetizados e 62.5% apresentavam capacidade de deambulação. CONCLUSÕES: Incidência de 0.41% e principal causa infecção recorrente. O resultado funcional é limitado, a protetização foi alcançada em 44% dos pacientes e somente 62.5% são deambuladores.

ASSESSMENT OF TIBIAL SLOPE ANGLE AND PATELLAR HEIGHT AFTER MEDIAL-OPENING TIBIAL OSTEOTOMY.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the variation in posterior tibial slope angle and patellar height in patients who underwent proximal tibial valgus-producing osteotomy using the medial-opening wedge technique. METHODS: Anteroposterior panoramic radiographs of the lower limbs and lateral radiographs of the knee obtained before and after tibial valgus-producing osteotomy on 46 patients with unicompartmental arthrosis of the knee were analyzed. RESULTS: In 23 patients, an external fixator was used to gradually apply a medial-opening wedge; and in the other 23, a blocked plate with a stop bar was applied as a fixation method. Patients with tricompartmental knee disease and those who underwent osteotomy to treat fracture sequelae were excluded from this study. After surgery, the mean increase in the tibial slope was 1.7 degrees (p < 0.01) in the group in which the blocked plate with a stop bar was used; and 2.7 degrees (p < 0.05) in the group in which the external fixator was used. There was no statistical difference between the groups regarding the increase in the posterior tibial slope. CONCLUSION: The patellar height did not present any change in the cases in which the plate was used, when measured using the Insall-Salvati method, but it presented a decrease in 11 cases (47.8%) when the Caton-Deschamps method was applied. The same tendency was observed regarding change in the patellar height in the cases in which the external fixator was used, such that a decrease was observed in eight cases (34.7%) only when measured using the Caton-Deschamps method.

MOBILE TIBIAL POLYETHYLENE BEARING IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY.

Debris of polyethylene tibial bearings have been recognized as a major cause for the onset of the cascade of biological events leading to osteolysis and loosening of prosthetic components after total knee arthroplasty. Since then, research has been focused on alternative bearing surfaces in order to minimize the amount and rate of polyethylene wear off and, in doing so, increasing the survivorship rate for knee arthroplasties. One such option is to have a mobile tibial bearing allowing more conformity and rotational self-alignment of the components, improving kinetics and kinematics of the prosthesis. The authors present a resumed but throughout and comprehensive review of the rationale, biomechanics fundamentals, indications, pitfalls, outcomes and complications for the use of mobile tibial bearings in total knee replacement.