Standing radiographs cannot determine the correction in high tibial osteotomy

The use of standing radiographs to determine correction angles for high tibial osteotomy is not appropriate because the relative angle of the articular surfaces (condylar-plateau angle) in the weight-bearing knee changes after the osteotomy. This may give unpredictable results postoperatively. We found that the condylar-plateau angle in postoperative standing films is very similar to that seen in non-weight-bearing supine views, and suggest that these latter radiographs be used for pre-operative planning. We describe our early results, using a special osteotomy jig, in 140 knees.     

Rotational profile of lower limb and axis for tibial component alignment in varus osteoarthritic knees

The purposes of this study were to describe the changes in tibial torsion and knee rotation in varus osteoarthritic knees and to check the reliability of reference axis, for tibial component placement, based on femoral transepicondylar axis in these patients. A secondary goal was to determine which reference axis based on proximal tibia is most accurate for determining tibial component rotation. Fifty-two varus osteoarthritic knees and 20 normal knees were analyzed using computed tomographic scan. Tibial torsion and knee rotation were significantly reduced in patients with osteoarthritis. Reference axis based on posterior tibial condyles was most accurate and least variable for tibial component alignment. A significant negative correlation was found between knee rotation and tibial axis based on transepicondylar axis (r = -0.485).     

Magnetic resonance imaging analysis of kinematics in osteoarthritic knees

Kinematics in osteoarthritic knees may be impeding efforts to reproduce "normal" knee kinematics in the prosthetic knee. Fourteen subjects with unilateral symptomatic knee osteoarthritis performed a supine leg press from 0 degrees to 90 degrees flexion against a 150-N load. The tibiofemoral contact pattern was recorded for both knees using sagittal T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Severity of osteoarthritis ranged from Kellgren Lawrence grade 2 to 4 in the symptomatic knees and from 0 to 3 in the contralateral knees. Contact in the lateral and medial compartments of osteoarthritic knees was more anterior on the tibial plateau than healthy knees, both in knee extension and to 90 degrees flexion (P < .01). This anterior contact pattern was associated with severity of osteoarthritis (P < .01).     

Efficacy Analysis of Selection of Distal Reference Point for Tibial Coronal Plane Osteotomy during Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Literature Review

Total knee arthroplasty is an effective treatment for end‐stage knee osteoarthritis. The tibial platform osteotomy must take full account of the coronal plane, the sagittal plane, and the rotational alignment of the tibial prosthesis. During surgery, individual differences in the coronal alignment of the tibia need to be taken into account as poor alignment after surgery can lead to rapid wear of the tibial platform, reducing the longevity of the prosthesis and adversely affecting quality of life. Intraoperative tibial osteotomies are often performed using extramedullary alignment. When an extramedullary alignment approach is used, the proximal tibial osteotomy guide is usually placed in the medial third of the tibial tuberosity. There is no consensus on the most reliable anatomical landmarks or axes for achieving distal tibial coronary alignment. Anatomical points or reference axes that are highly reproducible and precise need to be identified. From available data it appears that most surgeons use the extensor hallucis longus tendon, the second metatarsal, and the anterior tibial cortex to determine the distal localization point. However, its accuracy has not been confirmed in clinical and radiographic data, and the alignment concept and preoperative planning for total knee arthroplasty has paid more attention to rotational alignment, but there are few studies on the coronal alignment of the tibia. This article reviews the recent use of the distal tibial coronal osteotomy reference point in total knee arthroplasty. However, due to there being only a small number of studies available, the evidence collected is insufficient to prove that a certain reference axis has obvious advantages and a combination of different reference points is needed to achieve the ideal lower extremity force line angle.     

胫骨高位截骨治疗膝骨性关节炎中长期疗效分析

目的 :分析胫骨高位截骨治疗膝骨性关节炎的中长期疗效。方法 :自2001年1月至2005年12月,采用胫骨高位截骨术治疗45例63膝关节内侧间室骨性关节炎患者,男10例(15膝),女35例(48膝);年龄45~64岁,平均(54.76±5.54)岁。术前常规行膝关节负重正侧位X线检查,准确测量股胫角大小,根据术前股胫角决定胫骨外侧截骨量,手术均在硬膜外麻醉下常规行胫骨高位截骨术,大部分行腓骨中段截骨,部分病例行上胫腓关节松解。术后第2天即行功能锻炼,2周开始无负重下床活动,术后8~10周开始负重。术后第2天、8~10周、半年、1年及以后每年1次拍片复查,对全部病例术前、术后3~5年、术后10~14年采用视觉模拟评分(VAS)、美国特种外科医院膝关节评分(HSS)和美国膝关节协会评分(KSS)评价膝关节疼痛、畸形、功能和运动范围。结果 :43例(61膝)进行了10年及以上的随访,全部患者手术切口Ⅰ期愈合,术后8~10周截骨处均达骨性愈合。术后10~14年HSS评分平均76.24±5.27,优27膝,良25膝,可7膝,差2膝。术前与术后3~5年、术前与术后10~14年VAS、HSS、KSS比较有差异,术后3~5年与术后10~14年各项评分无明显差异。结论:胫骨高位截骨治疗膝骨性关节炎(内侧间室关节炎)只要手术指征掌握适当,术后积极锻炼,其中长期疗效满意。     

股骨髁上截骨治疗中青年外翻性膝骨关节炎

目的:探讨股骨髁上外侧开放性楔形截骨治疗外翻性膝骨关节炎的临床疗效。方法:自2008年4月至2015年6月,对21例(23膝)符合纳入标准的外翻性膝骨关节炎患者,采取股骨外髁上开放性楔形截骨后自体髂骨植骨并股骨远端解剖钢板内固定的手术方式进行治疗。男8例(8膝),女13例(15膝),年龄30~54岁,平均41.2岁,所有患者伴有膝关节外侧间室疼痛及外翻畸形,术前通过下肢负重位全长X线测量出胫股角平均为(162.0±2.6)°。通过观察术后骨愈合时间、手术并发症,比较治疗前后膝关节炎进展情况、HSS评分及胫股角等,综合评价该手术方法治疗外翻性膝关节炎的效果。结果:所有患者术后膝关节外翻畸形得到矫正,骨愈合时间(3.9±1.5)个月,未发现明显延迟愈合或不愈合病例,无严重并发症发生。HSS膝关节总评分从术前的57.3±3.1提高到末次随访时的88.6±2.7。胫股角提高到术后的(176.0±1.4)°。结论:股骨髁上开放性楔形截骨解剖入路清晰,术中容易控制截骨量,能够有效矫正膝关节外翻畸形,同时改善膝关节功能,是治疗中青年外翻性膝骨关节炎的有效方法。     

Single stage osteotomy and total knee arthroplasty for tibio-femoral malunion with osteoarthritis of the knee

Extraarticular tibiofemoral malunion causing malalignment and osteoarthritis of the knee can be managed by an extraarticular osteotomy, or by compensatory distal femoral or proximal tibial wedge resection along with total knee replacement, to achieve limb alignment and improve knee function. We operated on 6 knees with tibiofemoral malunion with osteoarthritis of the knee. All knees had an extraarticular osteotomy either at the site of malunion (3 knees) or away from the malunion site (3 knees). There were 4 femoral deformities and 2 tibial malunions. In one patient a femoral osteotomy was done as a part of revision knee replacement for loosening with supracondylar malunion. 5 of these patients had a press fit stemmed superstabiliser total knee replacement. In the remaining patient with tibial malunion, a conventional total condylar total knee replacement was done along with a high tibial osteotomy. At a mean follow-up of 45 months (range 24 to 84), one osteotomy had not healed inspite of bone grafting and one patient had an above knee amputation for infection. The HSS (Hospital for Special Surgery) scores revealed a good result in 4 knees, fair in 1 and poor in 1 patient. None of the surviving knee replacement has required a revision to date for clinical or radiological loosening. All patients had a good mechanical alignment of the lower limb, with no ligamentous imbalance following surgery. Single stage osteotomy and total knee arthroplasty is a technically demanding surgery associated with complications and should be reserved for large deformities. Minor deformities should be corrected by intraarticular distal femoral or proximal tibial wedge resection taking due care that ligament balance is not compromised and a satisfactory alignment is restored.      

Influence of lower-limb torsion on long-term outcomes of tibial valgus osteotomy for medial compartment knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: The results of tibial osteotomy used to treat osteoarthritis of the medial compartment of the knee deteriorate over time even when the initial correction is optimal. Studies have shown that tibial and femoral torsion and the femorotibial index (tibial torsion minus femoral torsion) contribute, together with coronal malalignment, to the development of single-compartment knee osteoarthritis. The objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of femoral and tibial torsion and of coronal realignment on the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of valgus tibial osteotomy. METHODS: A function score was calculated for sixty-eight patients at a mean of thirteen years after the osteotomy. Anteroposterior single-leg-stance radiographs were used to evaluate loss of the femorotibial joint space. Goniometry was used to measure coronal malalignment preoperatively, at one year, and at the time of the last follow-up, and postoperative computed tomography was performed to measure femoral anteversion and tibial torsion and to calculate the femorotibial index. We looked for associations linking body mass index, initial loss of joint space, coronal malalignment, femoral and tibial torsion, the femorotibial index, and functional outcomes. RESULTS: Worse outcomes were associated with changes in coronal alignment (>/=2 degrees ) over time, which were associated with deterioration of the femorotibial space. Femoral anteversion was significantly greater in patients in whom valgus increased over time than in those in whom valgus decreased over time. Stability of coronal alignment seemed to be dependent on a linear relationship between the femorotibial index and the degree of postoperative realignment. A body mass index of >25 kg/m(2) was associated with a long-term loss of coronal realignment. Preoperative loss of the medial femorotibial joint space, coronal alignment at one year, and age were not associated with secondary malalignment or functional outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term success of a valgus tibial osteotomy is related to the stability over time of the postoperative coronal realignment. Therefore, the results of our study suggest that modifying the realignment according to the extent of femoral anteversion may improve long-term outcomes.     

Linear mixed modeling on the effects of varus knee surgery on the ankle joint weight-bearing axis

BackgroundVarus knee correction may affect the ankle and subtalar joints and impact the prognosis of ankle arthritis because the weight-bearing load on the lower extremity extends from the hip to the foot. We aimed to evaluate the changes in the mechanical axis and the weight-bearing axis of the ankle after varus knee surgery.MethodsPatients with a varus knee were followed up after undergoing high tibial osteotomy or total knee replacement arthroplasty. The inclusion criteria were age (>18 years) and a history of preoperative and postoperative scanograms. The postoperative change to the ankle joint axis point on the mechanical axis and weight-bearing axis according to the hip–knee–ankle angle correction was adjusted by multiple factors using a linear mixed model.ResultsOverall, 257 limbs from 198 patients were evaluated. The linear mixed model showed that the change in the ankle joint axis point on the mechanical axis was not statistically significant after high tibial osteotomy and total knee replacement arthroplasty (p = 0.223). The ankle joint axis point on the weight-bearing axis moved laterally by 0.9% per degree of postoperative hip–knee–ankle angle decrease (p < 0.001).ConclusionsVarus knee correction could affect the subtalar joint and the ankle joint. Our findings require consideration when utilized during pre- and postoperative evaluations using the weight-bearing axis of patients undergoing varus knee correction.     

Tibial shaft axis does not always serve as a correct coronal landmark in total knee arthroplasty for varus knees

Predicted postoperative knee alignment was calculated when total knee arthroplasty was performed after 1 of 3 different methods of tibia preparation in 30 osteoarthritic knees with varus deformity. In Method 1, the tibia was cut perpendicular to the tibial shaft. In Method 2, the tibia was cut perpendicular to a line connecting the center of the tibial plateau and the center of the talar dome. In method 3, tibial resection was determined with an original template so that tibial resection would be perpendicular to a line connecting the center of the resected tibial plateau and the center of the talar dome. Methods 1 and 2 caused significantly more valgus alignment than Method 3 (P<.0001). The postoperative weight-bearing ratio was in Method 1, 57.7%, in Method 2, 53.6% and 50.0% in Method 3. These results suggest that cutting the tibia perpendicular to the tibial shaft can cause valgus alignment in total knee arthroplasty for varus knees.     

Association between knee alignment and knee pain in patients surgically treated for medial knee osteoarthritis by high tibial osteotomy. A one year follow-up study

Background  

The association between knee alignment and knee pain in knee osteoarthritis (OA) is unclear. High tibial osteotomy, a treatment option in knee OA, alters load from the affected to the unaffected compartment of the knee by correcting malalignment. This surgical procedure thus offers the possibility to study the cross-sectional and longitudinal association of alignment to pain. The aims were to study 1) the preoperative association of knee alignment to preoperative knee pain and 2) the association of change in knee alignment with surgery to change in knee pain over time in patients operated on for knee OA by high tibial osteotomy.     

Quadriceps muscle function after high tibial osteotomy for osteoarthritis of the knee

In patients with osteoarthritis of the knees, quadriceps muscle dysfunction is an early and common clinical feature and an important determinant of disability. In the current study, changes in quadriceps muscle strength and voluntary quadriceps muscle activation after high tibial osteotomies for primary osteoarthritis of the knee in 19 patients were investigated. Quadriceps muscle function was assessed during different degrees of isometric maximum voluntary contraction using a specially built chair. One year after surgery all patients had reexamination of their surgically treated and contralateral knees. Voluntary activation and maximum voluntary contraction values of the followup assessment were significantly lower in the surgically treated knees compared with the preoperative assessment. In the contralateral knees, there were no differences between preoperative and followup measurements. High tibial osteotomy is an extraarticular operative therapeutic approach to treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee that does not lead to improvement of quadriceps muscle function. Because there is evidence that quadriceps sensorimotor dysfunction is important not only for the disability in osteoarthritis of the knee, but also for progression of the disease, knee function may be worsened by high tibial osteotomy in some patients.     

术中下肢机械力线精确定位在胫骨高位截骨中的应用

目的:评价术中精确定位下肢机械力线在胫骨高位截骨术中的作用。方法:自2005年3月至2010年7月,收治膝内侧间室骨关节炎患者57例(63膝),男24例,女33例;年龄34～68岁,平均52岁。均行胫骨高位内侧开放截骨术,并在术中运用精确定位下肢机械力线以获取良好截骨角度,分别于术后第3个月和最终随访时拍摄双下肢全长位片,观测股胫角,并运用纽约特种医院膝关节评分标准(HSS评分)分别从疼痛、行走功能、活动度、肌力、屈曲畸形、稳定性等方面评价疗效。结果:57例均获随访,时间24～60个月,平均36.7个月。所有患者截骨部位获得良好愈合,股胫角得到合理矫正,由术前(182.8±2.9)°改变到术后(167.6±2.5)°及末次随访时的(168.1±2.5)°(P<0.01),膝关节外翻恢复正常,术前膝内侧疼痛等症状消失。HSS评分由术前的69.5±7.1提高至术后的91.1±4.9及末次随访时的92.2±5.6(P<0.01)。根据HSS评分标准,术后膝关节功能优43膝,良18膝,中2膝。结论:在胫骨高位内侧截骨手术中,即刻运用金属线精确定位下肢机械力线,能获得良好且个体化的股胫角矫正;该方法简单易行,精准有效。     

膝骨关节炎骨赘放射学大小与负重位下肢力线相关性分析

[目的]探讨膝OA患者膝关节放射学骨赘大小与负重位下肢力线的关系。[方法]对40例接受人工全膝关节置换术的原发性骨关节炎患者(共40膝),利用躯体X线测量系统进行负重位下肢力线的测量。将膝关节正位X线片导入计算机,应用Photoshop软件长度测量工具分别测量股骨远端、胫骨平台宽度和骨赘长度。骨赘长度与骨端宽度的比值,称为骨赘突起指数。应用SPSS软件通过Pearson相关检验,评价测量者内及测量者间骨赘突起指数重复性,探索膝OA患者膝关节放射学骨赘大小和负重位下肢力线之间的关系。[结果]40例膝OA患者负重位下肢力线平均为:12.53°±5.62°。测量者内及测量者间骨赘突起指数有较好相关性,r接近1(P<0.001)。负重位下肢力线与股骨内侧髁骨赘突起指数呈正相关(r=0.530,P<0.001),与胫骨平台内侧骨赘突起指数呈正相关(r=0.618,P<0.001)。负重位下肢力线与股骨外侧髁(r=-0.008,P=0.961)、胫骨平台外侧(r=0.244,P=0.129)骨赘突起指数间无相关性存在。[结论]膝OA患者股骨内侧髁骨赘突起指数、胫骨平台内侧骨赘突起指数与负重位下肢力线呈正相关,机械应力通过...     

Increase in medial meniscal extrusion in the weight-bearing position observed on ultrasonography correlates with lateral thrust in early-stage knee osteoarthritis

BackgroundLateral thrust is known to be risk factors for knee osteoarthritis progression. Medial meniscus extrusion is also known to be risk factors for knee osteoarthritis progression; moreover, the amount of change in medial meniscus extrusion from non-weight bearing to weight bearing is an important factor for the progression of knee osteoarthritis. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between lateral thrust and the change in medial meniscus extrusion.MethodsIn total, 44 knees from 44 patients (mean age, 68.9 years) with knee osteoarthritis were divided into two groups according to the Kellgren–Lawrence grade: early-stage osteoarthritis (Kellgren–Lawrence = 2) and severe osteoarthritis (Kellgren–Lawrence = 3 or 4). The lateral thrust during gait, represented as the lateral acceleration peak immediately after heel strike, was recorded by an inertial sensor. The amount of change in medial meniscus extrusion, which was the difference between weight-bearing (unipedal standing) and non-weight-bearing (supine) conditions, was evaluated using ultrasonography.ResultsThe mean value of the lateral acceleration peak in the severe osteoarthritis group was higher than that of the early-stage osteoarthritis group (p < 0.05). The non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing medial meniscus extrusion in the severe OA group were significantly higher than those of the early-stage osteoarthritis group (p < 0.001). However, the amount of change in medial meniscus extrusion in severe osteoarthritis group was significantly lower than in the early-stage osteoarthritis group (p < 0.05). The amount of change in medial meniscus extrusion showed a significant correlation with the lateral acceleration peak in the early-stage osteoarthritis group (r = 0.56, p < 0.001). On the other hand, there was no significant correlation in the severe osteoarthritis group.ConclusionThe lateral thrust shows a positive correlation with the amount of change in medial meniscus extrusion by weight bearing in patients with early-stage knee osteoarthritis.     

Total knee arthroplasty after high tibial osteotomy

Between 1980 and 1995, 95 consecutive total knee replacements were performed at an average of 10 years 4 months after high tibial osteotomy. The average age of the 82 patients was 66 years, with a preoperative diagnosis of osteoarthritis in 94 knees. One patient died 6 months after surgery. The followup of the remaining 81 patients (94 knees) averaged 8.6 years (range, 2-17 years). Knee Society knee score at final followup improved to an average of 87.6 points from a preoperative average of 38.1 points. No pain was present in 86.2% of knees, and 12.8% of knees had only mild or occasional pain. Tibial radiolucencies were identified in 12 (12.8%) knees at final followup, and in only four knees were radiolucent lines found about the lateral zones. Only one tibial component required revision 3 years after surgery. Although no preoperative factor was identified that predisposed to an inferior knee score, function score, or pain score, the severity of the preoperative flexion contracture and the number of previous surgeries did relate to diminished postoperative motion. However, an increased number of patellar radiolucencies were seen in the knees in which the lateral joint line was raised (referenced from the fibular head) a greater degree. The clinical results of total knee replacement after high tibial osteotomy appeared similar to those of primary total knee replacement. The previous high tibial osteotomy had no adverse effect on the eventual results of a cemented posterior cruciate retaining total knee replacement.     

Kinematic analysis of a posterior cruciate retaining mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty

Using video fluoroscopy, 10 subjects having a mobile-bearing posterior cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty were analyzed to determine their in vivo kinematic patterns. Under weight-bearing conditions, while in extension, the average contact position was posterior to the mid-tibia sagittal plane with posterior translation of both condyles to 60 degrees of flexion, followed by anterior translation to 120 degrees of flexion. Under non-weight-bearing conditions, the average condylar contact positions were significantly more anterior from full extension to 90 degrees of knee flexion (P=.01). The average range of motion was 129 degrees under non-weight-bearing conditions and 119 degrees during weight-bearing. Although subjects in this study exhibited variable motion patterns, they are accommodated by the unconstrained optimized articulation of this highly conforming mobile-bearing implant.     

Radiological changes five years after unicompartmental knee replacement

Failure of a unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) may be caused by progressive osteoarthritis of the knee and/or failure of the prosthesis. Limb alignment can influence both of these factors. We have examined the fate of the other compartments and measured changes in leg alignment after UKR. A total of 50 UKRs was carried out on 45 carefully selected patients between 1989 and 1992. At operation, deliberate attempts were made to avoid overcorrection of the deformity. Four patients died, one patient was lost to follow-up and two knees were revised before review which was at a minimum of five years. Standard long-leg weight-bearing anteroposterior views of the knee and skyline views of the patellofemoral joint were taken before and at eight months and five years after operation. The radiographs of the remaining 43 knees were reviewed twice by blind and randomised assessment to measure the progression of osteoarthritis within the joints. Overcorrection of the deformity in the coronal plane was avoided in all but two knees. Only one showed evidence of progression of osteoarthritis within the patellofemoral joint, and this was only identified in one of the four assessments. Deterioration in the state of the opposite tibiofemoral compartment was not seen. Varus deformity tended to recur. Recurrent varus of 2 degrees was observed between eight months and five years after operation. There was no correlation between the postoperative tibiofemoral angle and the extent of recurrent varus recorded at five years. Changes in alignment may be indicative of minor polyethylene wear or of subsidence of the tibial component. The incidence of progressive osteoarthritis within the knee was very low after UKR. Patients should be carefully selected and overcorrection of the deformity be avoided.     

A radiographic analysis of anterior-posterior translation in total knee arthroplasty

We performed radiological analyses to examine the relationship between the knee flexion angle and the anteroposterior translation movement relative to the prosthetic components (NexGen type) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Cruciate-retaining (CR) type TKA was performed in 12 knees with osteoarthritis (OA) and 9 knees with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in which no posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear was present. Posterior-stabilized (PS) type TKA was performed in 7 OA knees and 7 RA knees in which the PCL was defective or resected. The measurements were performed according to the methods of Watanabe. The contact point ratio (percentage) was calculated by dividing the distance to the contact point (CP; the closest point of contact between the femoral and tibial components) by the antero-posterior length of the tibial component. After TKA, the CP at full extension was positioned more posteriorly than in the normal knee both under weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions. Except for the RA knees in the PS group, the CP translated anteriorly in the early phase of flexion and then posteriorly. Under weight-bearing conditions, the posterior translation occurred earlier and was smaller in magnitude. For RA knees in the PS group, the CP moved gently posteriorly right from the beginning. Received: May 16, 2000 / Accepted: April 10, 2001     

Medial torsion of the tibia in Japanese patients with osteoarthritis of the knee

To assess the reliability of the landmarks for the rotationally neutral alignment of the tibial component in total knee arthroplasty for Japanese patients, the rotational position of the medial (1/3) of the tibial tuberosity relative to the femoral epicondylar line (Angle TT) and that relative to the center of the ankle (Angle TT-AA) were measured in 24 knees with medial femorotibial osteoarthritis and in 28 normal knees by computed tomography. Angle TT-AA shows the degree of medial torsion of the tibia. The range of Angle TT and that of Angle TT-AA each was greater than 40 degrees. The position of the tibial tuberosity and degree of medial torsion of the tibia varied by individual. In patients with severe medial torsion, the internal rotation of the foot is extreme if the medial (1/3) of the tibial tuberosity is used for the rotationally neutral alignment of the partially constrained tibial component. In the treatment specifically of patients from East Asian countries, medial torsion of the tibia should be taken into account in total knee arthroplasty to ensure proper patellar tracking and proper rotation of the foot in knees with medial femorotibial osteoarthritis.