Einfluss der Retropatellararthrose auf das funktionelle Ergebnis nach unikondylären Schlittenprothesen

Background

Patellofemoral osteoarthritis is generally considered a contraindication for unicondylar knee arthroplasty. Therefore, even with an intact lateral compartment, bicondylar surface replacement is preferred when patellofemoral osteoarthritis is present, despite comparatively worse functional results. In the present study, the influence of patellofemoral osteoarthritis on the outcome of the Oxford III unicondylar implant was investigated.

Material and methods

The HSS and the patella score according to Turba were used to retrospectively evaluate the outcome of 44 Oxford III unicondylar implants at an average follow-up of 35 months. The degree of patellofemoral osteoarthritis was radiographically graded according to the Sperner score.

Results

The HSS score improved to an average of 92.3 points (68–99; p<0.001 vs preoperative score). With the patella score, only good and very good results were observed. At follow-up examination almost 70% of the knees showed patellofemoral osteoarthritis of degree III–IV. No correlation was found between the functional scores and the degree of patellofemoral osteoarthritis.

Conclusion

Radiographic patellofemoral osteoarthritis seems to have no influence on the functional outcome of the Oxford III unicondylar knee arthroplasty. Therefore, unicondylar surface replacement is indicated even with radiographic evidence of patellofemoral osteoarthritis, provided that it is clinically asymptomatic.     

Umstellungsosteotomie vs. unikondyläre Prothese bei Gonarthrose

Background

Osteotomy around the knee and unicondylar knee replacement can both produce excellent results in unilateral knee osteoarthritis. The indications for these procedures differ significantly and are discussed in this article.

Methods

A weight-bearing long-leg radiograph, clinical stability tests and varus-valgus-stress radiographs are mandatory for a preoperative analysis. Osteotomy is a safe and reproducible procedure when a biplanar cutting technique is used and fixation is achieved with a plate fixator. Unicondylar knee replacement can be performed minimally invasive with a quadriceps-sparing arthrotomy.

Evaluation

High tibial osteotomy and unicondylar knee may produce good results in unilateral osteoarthritis of the knee. Our multicenter follow-up study with 533 patients revealed good functional outcome scores with a low complication rate. The subjective ratings were better than in comparable groups with unicondylar knee replacement and with total knee arthroplasty.

Conclusions

The main criterium for osteotomy versus unicondylar knee replacement is constitutional deformity of femur or tibia. In constitutional deformity, osteotomy has a very good prognosis. The results are not dependent on age, BMI, or grade of osteoarthritis. Activity and ligament stability of the knee are secondary criteria in favor of osteotomy. Medial osteoarthritis without constitutional deformity should be treated with unicondylar knee replacement.     

Flaps for closure of soft tissue defects in infected revision knee arthroplasty

Purpose

Total knee arthroplasty revision has wound healing deficits of up to 20 %. Defects in the knee region of multimorbid patients are hard to treat as complete explantation and revision arthroplasty is often too burdensome for them. In this study, we present our results with flaps for the treatment of defects after knee replacement, arthrodesis or osteosynthesis.

Methods

Twenty-five patients (26 knees) with defects in the knee region were treated with flaps. Mean follow-up was 37 months (13–61) and the patients had a mean age of 72 years (49–85). A total of 39 flaps were performed (27 muscle flaps, seven fascio-cutaneous flaps and five free flaps).

Results

Patients with more than three comorbidities showed higher risk of complications after surgery. Fifteen patients showed no infection at last follow up. Five patients received an arthrodesis of the knee, two showed persistent infection of the implant with fistula, and three were amputated above the knee.

Conclusions

Amputation could be avoided in 22 cases (85 %). The gastrocnemius muscle flap showed good results in the treatment of defects after arthroplasty or arthrodesis of the knee in multimorbid patients. This procedure can be used if further revision surgery is not indicated.     

Joint-preserving surgical treatment of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee

Background

To date, reports of surgical treatment of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SPONK) refractory to non-operative treatment have primarily focused on knee arthroplasty. This report presents an overview of the characteristics of SPONK and reports our experience with joint-preserving surgical treatment of this condition.

Methods

Fifteen patients who had joint-preserving surgery after failed non-operative modalities were studied. These patients were treated at a single center between January 1998 and September 2006 with a combination of arthroscopy and core decompression, or osteochondral autograft transfers.

Results

Thirteen of the 15 knees (87%) had knee joint survival with a mean Knee Society Score of 81 points (range 45–100 points) at a mean follow-up of 40 months (range 9–120 months). Five of seven knees treated with core decompression had a successful clinical outcome. One of the patients who failed core decompression later underwent osteochondral autograft transfer, and eight of nine knees treated with this modality had a successful outcome.

Conclusion

Overall, these results demonstrate that joint-preserving surgical treatment can successfully postpone the need for knee arthroplasty in selected patients with pre-collapse SPONK.     

Stellenwert der knienahen Osteotomie bei medialer Gonarthrose

Background

Frontal plane deformities result in significant overload of the (ipsilateral) affected compartment of the knee and in rapid progression of osteoarthritis. The indication for osteotomy around the knee is related mainly to the constitutional metaphyseal deformity in the frontal plane.

Methods

Exact analysis and planning based on a long-leg standing radiograph is mandatory. Valgus high tibial osteotomy can be performed safely and atraumatically by biplanar open-wedge osteotomy from medial using a specific plate-fixator. A new technique of closed wedge biplanar distal femur osteotomy with fixation by a new plate fixator is also presented.

Results

Our multicenter follow-up study with 533 patients revealed good functional outcome scores with a small complication rate. The subjective ratings were better than in comparable groups with unicondylar knee replacement and with total knee arthroplasty. Metaanalysis from the literature have proven good long-term results of osteotomy around the knee.

Conclusion

Osteotomy around the knee results in good middle-term and long-term results if the indication criteria are respected and a specific surgical technique is used.     

Ligament bracing – Augmentierte Primärnaht bei multiligamentären Verletzungen des Kniegelenks

Objective

Reconstruction of knee stability by primary ligament sutures and additional augmentation after knee dislocation.

Indications

Acute knee dislocation Schenck type III and IV. Operative treatment should be performed within 7 days after injury.

Contraindications

Chronic instability after knee dislocation, refixable bony avulsions, critical soft tissue, infection, lack of compliance.

Surgical technique

Supine position with electric leg holder. Short arthroscopic assessment of concomitant injuries. Schenck type III medial injuries and Schenck IV injuries: anteromedial parapatellar arthrotomy. Injuries type Schenck III lateral: anteromedian arthrotomy. Armoring of ligament stumps for transosseus sutures. Placement of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) drill tunnels. Extracortical diversion of the suture armorings and insertion of augmentation systems. Fixation of the PCL augmentation in 70–90° flexion. Fixation of the ACL augmentation in 20–30° flexion. Knotting of the transosseus ligament sutures. If necessary (postero-)lateral and/or medial stabilization.

Postoperative management

Limited weight bearing with 20 kg for 6 weeks. Stabilizing brace (e.g., Hypex-Lite®, Albrecht) generally for 12 weeks. Mobilization under tension of the quadriceps muscle for 6 weeks.

Results

In total, 20 patients have been treated using the principle of “ligament bracing”. So far 8 patients (aged 18–60 years, median 33 years) have been assessed with a follow-up of 10–15 months (median 12 months) postoperatively. In all, 6 patients showed stable knees with good results. Recurrent instability of the ACL was observed in 2 patients; the collateral ligaments and PCL were stable. For the evaluation the following scores were used: IKDC score, Tegner score, and Lysholm score. To objectify the data, stress radiography and physical examination were performed. Using the operative technique mentioned above, no complications occurred. During follow-up 2 patients reported a deficiency of flexion.     

Utility of tibial tubercle osteotomy in the setting of periprosthetic infection after total knee arthroplasty

Purpose

This study reports radiographic and clinical treatment outcomes of tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) used for two-stage revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the setting of periprosthetic infection.

Methods

Thirty-six patients with 51 TTOs used for infected TKA were retrospectively analysed from 2000 to 2010. In 15 of 36 patients, TTO was used in a sequential manner during both first and second stage procedures. The mean follow-up period was 57?months (range seven–126?months).

Results

The mean pre-operative range of knee motion was 40° (range 10–90°), and at latest follow-up it was 92° (range 50–140°). The Knee Society knee scores and function scores were 47 and 9 pre-operatively and 82 and 72 at latest follow-up, respectively. Bony union was achieved in all cases except one nonunion of an avulsion fragment of the osteotomy segment without functional deterioration.

Conclusions

TTO can be a useful extensile surgical approach for treatment of infected TKA with satisfactory clinical and radiographic outcomes.     

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) autograft reconstruction with hamstring tendons: clinical research among three rehabilitation procedures

Objective

To compare the effects of the three rehabilitation procedures following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) autograft reconstruction with hamstring tendons.

Design

An observational and retrospective case-controlled series.

Setting

The Department of Sports Medicine, Shenzhen Second People Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China.

Patients or participants

Forty-five patients who were made to undergo ACL reconstructions by using quadrupled semitendinosus and gracilis tendons were divided into three groups: accelerated rehabilitation procedures group, aggressive rehabilitation procedures group, and self-made rehabilitation procedures group.

Main outcome measures

The knee range of motion, thigh perimeter, IKDC score, and bone tunnel diameter in 3D-CT films were evaluated 3 and 6 months and 1 year later.

Results

The knee range of motion and thigh perimeter of group A were higher than those of group B and group C at 3, 6, and 12 months. IKDC scores of group C were better than those of groups A and B. The bone tunnel widening with group B was larger than that with groups A and C, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Early rehabilitation is beneficial for restoration of knee function after ACL reconstruction. Moderate procedure is better than accelerated procedure.     

Oxford phase 3 unicondylar knee arthroplasty through a minimally invasive approach: long-term results

Purpose

Surgical treatment options for medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee include high tibial osteotomy, total knee arthroplasty or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), depending on the patient’s age, level of physical activity and the degree of deformity.

Methods

In this study, we evaluated the long-term results of patients who underwent the Oxford cemented meniscal-bearing unicondylar knee prosthesis through a minimally invasive approach including a clinical, functional and radiographic assessment.

Results

Favourable clinical and radiological outcomes were registered overall at ten years after surgery. Overall results of UKA according to the American Knee Society (AKS) using Insall’s criteria showed an excellent or good outcome for 492 knees (96.28 %), fair for 11 (2.15 %) and poor for eight (1.57 %) in the post-operative long term.

Conclusions

We believe that with appropriate surgical technique, patient selection, prosthetic design and specific training, surgeons should achieve good outcomes with the added advantages of a minimally invasive approach. High volume for this technique is important in our opinion.     

A comparative analysis between fixed bearing total knee arthroplasty (PFC Sigma) and rotating platform total knee arthroplasty (PFC-RP) with minimum 3-year follow-up

Background

Since the introduction of mobile bearing total knee designs nearly 30?years back, many studies have been done to evaluate its long-term result. Comparison with fixed bearing designs has been done in the past, but the studies were confounded by variables such as disease, surgeon, bone quality, pain tolerance, etc. We attempt to eliminate these variables in this study.

Methods

A total of 50 patients who had bilateral arthritis of the knee with similar deformity and pre-operative range of motion on both sides agreed to have one knee replaced with mobile bearing total knee design (PFC-RP) and the other with a fixed bearing design (PFC Sigma) were prospectively evaluated. Comparative analysis of both the designs was done at a mean follow-up of 40?months, minimizing patient, surgeon and observer related bias. Clinical and radiographic outcome, survival and complication rates were compared.

Results

At a mean follow-up of 40?months (range 36–47?months), no benefit of mobile bearing (PFC-RP) over fixed bearing design (PFC Sigma) could be demonstrated with respect to Knee Society scores, pain scores, range of flexion, subject preference or patello-femoral complication rates. Radiographs showed no difference in prosthetic alignment. No patient required a revision surgery till last follow-up.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated no advantage of the mobile-bearing arthroplasty over fixed bearing arthroplasty with regard to clinical results at short-term follow-up. However, longer follow-up is necessary to confirm whether these results are sustained.     

UKA in combination with PFR at average 12-year follow-up

Introduction

Safety and efficacy of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has been shown in large patient series. Patellofemoral replacement (PFR) is known to be a viable solution to end-stage patellofemoral arthritis. Bicompartmental osteoarthritis (OA) affecting the medial tibio-femoral and the patello-femoral compartment (medio-patellofemoral OA) is often treated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It was hypothesized that medio-patellofemoral OA can successfully be treated with bicompartmental arthroplasty.

Method

In a retrospective approach nine patients who had received UKA in combination with PFR were included into the study. Intact ACL and lateral compartment were conditions for the indication. Patients were clinically examined including clinical scores (KSS and WOMAC) and radiographies were evaluated. Satisfaction of patients was recorded under four categories.

Results

Average follow-up after bicompartmental arthroplasty was 11.8 ± 5.4 years (4–17 years). Among the nine patients there were eight females and one male at an average age at operation of 64 ± 5 years. No surgical revisions were required following bicompartmental arthroplasty. The KSS score increased from a preoperative 68.8 ± 26.2 to 175.5 ± 22.9 at latest follow-up (p = 0.002). WOMAC was 18.3 ± 8.6 at latest follow-up. All patients included were satisfied (n = 3) or very satisfied (n = 6) with the outcome of this surgical procedure.

Conclusion

This small case series shows that a bicompartmental arthroplasty can be a successful approach to prevent or postpone TKA. However, this intervention is technically demanding and requires experience in both UKA and PFR.     

A novel technique to preserve range of motion in two-stage revision of infected total knee arthroplasty

Purpose

Two-stage revision represents the gold standard in the treatment of infected total knee arthroplasty. Different techniques have been proposed, mostly not preserving range of motion. An articulated antibiotic-loaded cement spacer made in association with two unicompartmental implants has been used as an alternative to a static spacer in an effort to retain as much movement as possible between the stages in young, high-demand patients with preserved ROM.

Methods

We evaluated nine consecutive patients with a mean age of 66.5 years. The second stage was performed after lab tests returned to normal and culture proved negative. Mean follow-up was 4.6 years.

Results

Mean ROM from a preoperative value of 105.6° was 103.5° after the first stage, and improved to 110.0° after the definitive implant. Mean Knee Society score was 27.6 preoperatively improving to 86.4 points postoperatively. WOMAC score showed that six patients were very satisfied with the overall result of their reimplanted knee, three subjects were somewhat satisfied. No recurrence of infection, no significant radiolucent lines or osteolysis were recorded at clinical and radiological follow-up and the patients were satisfied with the outcome.

Conclusions

Results indicated that this technique may ensure the advantages of a static spacer, but allow a greater ROM and better functional recovery. It may be considered as a viable option in selected cases even though the higher costs of two unicompartmental implants should be considered in the light of other aspects, such as prolonged hospital stay and rehabilitation in revision of infected total knee arthroplasty.     

In vivo kinematics of a robot-assisted uni- and multi-compartmental knee arthroplasty

Background

There is great interest in providing reliable and durable treatments for one- and two-compartment arthritic degeneration of the cruciate-ligament intact knee. One approach is to resurface only the diseased compartments with discrete unicompartmental components, retaining the undamaged compartment(s). However, placing multiple small implants into the knee presents a greater surgical challenge than total knee arthroplasty, so it is not certain that the natural knee mechanics can be maintained or restored. The goal of this study was to determine whether near-normal knee kinematics can be obtained with a robot-assisted multi-compartmental knee arthroplasty.

Methods

Thirteen patients with 15 multi-compartmental knee arthroplasties using haptic robotic-assisted bone preparation were involved in this study. Nine subjects received a medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), three subjects received a medial UKA and patellofemoral (PF) arthroplasty, and three subjects received medial and lateral bi-unicondylar arthroplasty. Knee motions were recorded using video-fluoroscopy an average of 13 months (6–29 months) after surgery during stair and kneeling activities. The three-dimensional position and orientation of the implant components were determined using model-image registration techniques.

Results

Knee kinematics during maximum flexion kneeling showed femoral external rotation and posterior lateral condylar translation. All knees showed femoral external rotation and posterior condylar translation with flexion during the step activity. Knees with medial UKA and PF arthroplasty showed the most femoral external rotation and posterior translation, and knees with bicondylar UKA showed the least.

Conclusions

Knees with accurately placed uni- or bi-compartmental arthroplasty exhibited stable knee kinematics consistent with intact and functioning cruciate ligaments. The patterns of tibiofemoral motion were more similar to natural knees than commonly has been observed in knees with total knee arthroplasty. Larger series are required to confirm these as general observations, but the present results demonstrate the potential to restore or maintain closer-to-normal knee kinematics by retaining intact structures and compartments.     

Knee pain after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: evaluation of a rehabilitation protocol

Introduction

Anterior knee pain (AKP) is a rare and difficult complication following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. This disabling pain is persistent with conventional rehabilitation protocols. The aim of this work is to validate a new rehabilitation protocol that may improve the patients and allow return to daily activities including sports.

Materials and methods

Forty-three patients identified with functional AKP after ACL reconstruction was enrolled in the rehabilitation protocol between 2009 and 2011. The series included twenty-six patients with hamstring grafting and seventeen patients with patellar tendon transplant. This study compares the functional outcomes and pain scores before and after the isokinetic protocol until the last follow-up at an average of 25.7 months after surgery. The evaluation was performed according to the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and included a pain assessment using the visual analog scale. Statistical analysis used Student’s t-test for unpaired data and the Pearson correlation test for the variables. The IKDC scores were compared by the Wilcoxon test.

Results

Functional outcomes and pain are significantly improved (p < 0.0001). The average IKDC score improved with 28 points and the pain improved with 3.2 points on the visual analog scale (VAS). The results are correlated with the follow-up time (p = 0.008) but not correlated with the delay between the surgery and the beginning of the isokinetic protocol.

Discussion

Isokinetic rehabilitation provides a significant improvement in the knee function as measured by the IKDC score and by the VAS, regardless of the painful period preceding the program. The function improvement continues after the end of the protocol, but the pain may not completely disappear. The isokinetic rehabilitation program may resume functional AKP related to muscular deficit and may be used as the starter of other physical therapy protocols.

Level of evidence

IV.     

Ligament reconstruction/advancement for management of instability due to ligament insufficiency during total knee arthroplasty: a viable alternative to constrained implant

Background

We aimed to assess the results of ligament reconstruction/advancement for the management of ligament insufficiency during total knee arthroplasty.

Method

We retrospectively reviewed the results of ligament reconstruction/advancement for management of instability due to ligament insufficiency during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Between January 2001 and January 2008 collateral ligament reconstruction/advancement was done in 15 patients. Wherever ligament advancement was not possible (mid-substance tear) ligament reconstruction was done using the hamstring tendon. Knee society scores were calculated and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was done.

Results

Average follow-up was 6.2 years. No patient developed instability until the last follow-up, except one patient who required revision due to instability at six years after primary surgery.

Conclusion

We concluded from this study that ligament reconstruction/advancement during TKA is a viable option to address instability due to ligament insufficiency.     

Outcomes of long retrograde intramedullary nailing for periprosthetic supracondylar femoral fractures following total knee arthroplasty

Background

The treatment of periprosthetic supracondylar femoral fractures following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is challenging because of osteopenia and the limited bone available for distal fixation. The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of periprosthetic supracondylar femoral fractures treated with long retrograde intramedullary nailing.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of 25 patients who were treated with a long retrograde intramedullary nail for periprosthetic supracondylar femoral fractures following TKA. Clinical evaluation included range of motion of knee, Knee Society Score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis (WOMAC) score, and radiologic evaluation including time to union, coronal and sagittal alignment of femoral component, lower limb alignment, and implant loosening. The mean duration of follow-up after the fracture repair was 39 months (range 12–47).

Results

All 25 fractures were united with a mean time of 12 weeks (range 8–20). At the last follow-up, the mean knee flexion was 111° (range 60°–130°), the mean KSS was 81.5 (range 50–100), and the mean WOMAC score was 30.2 (range 5–55). Four (16 %) of the 25 patients developed malalignment according to Rorabeck and Taylor criteria, but all patients had a knee flexion of more than 90°. Coronal and sagittal alignments of femoral component and lower limb alignment did not differ significantly between before and after the fracture repair. Complications included the loosening or breakage of distal interlocking screws in three patients. No deep infection or prosthesis loosening was detected at the last follow-up.

Conclusions

Surgical treatment of periprosthetic supracondylar femoral fractures following TKA with long retrograde intramedullary nailing resulted in high union rates and encouraging functional outcomes.     

Comparing the anatomic single-bundle versus the anatomic double-bundle for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a prospective,randomized, single blind,clinical study

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare the early results of anatomic single bundle versus double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Methods

We conducted a prospective randomized study of anatomic single-bundle versus double-bundle ACL reconstruction using the hamstring tendons of 67 patients with unilateral ACL deficiency. The subjects were randomized into two groups. The single-bundle group consisted of 37 patients and the double-bundle group 30 patients. We used the following evaluations: clinical examination, KT-1000 arthrometry, Tegner knee score, modified Cincinnati score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scale (KOOS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. Two surgeons performed all operations, and a blinded independent author conducted the clinical follow-up assessments.

Results

The mean follow-up period was 25.8 months. The differences between the preoperative and postoperative clinical examinations and the KT-1000 measurements were statistically different in both groups (p?p?Conclusions This prospective study found no difference between the outcomes of the anatomic single-bundle and the anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstructions. Level of evidence II.     

A less invasive procedure for posttraumatic knee stiffness

Introduction

Management of posttraumatic knee stiffness (PTKS) is among the most difficult challenges in postoperative rehabilitation.

Aim

The purpose of this retrospective study was to present the outcomes of a procedure for PTKS. In this study, a less invasive procedure was introduced, which included intra-articular arthroscopic release, extra-articular mini-incision release and ??multiple Z?? lengthening of the knee extensor, as well as an early, aggressive rehabilitation protocol.

Patients

A series of patients aged from 29 to 60?years were treated with this procedure from April 2005 to May 2009, and the mean duration of follow-up was 13.5?months.

Results

The range of motion increased significantly in all patients. Flexion improved from a mean of 51° preoperation to a mean of 100° at discharge, and the average extension loss improved from 10° to 3° (p?p?相似文献