Recreational runners with Achilles tendinopathy have clinically detectable impairments: A case-control study

ObjectivesTo confirm what impairments are present in runners with Achilles tendinopathy (AT) and explore the variance of AT severity in an adequately powered study.DesignCase-control study.SettingTwo private physiotherapy clinics in Australia and Spain.ParticipantsForty-four recreational male runners with AT and 44 healthy controls matched by age, height, and weight.Main outcome measuresDemographics, activity (IPAQ-SF), pain and function (VISA-A), pain during hopping (Hop pain VAS), hopping duration, psychological factors (TSK-11, PASS20), and physical tests regarding lower-limb maximal strength and endurance.ResultsBody mass index (BMI), activity, VISA-A, pain, and duration of hopping, TSK-11, PASS20, standing heel raise to failure, seated heel raise and leg extension 6RM, hip extension and abduction isometric torque were significantly different between groups (P < 0.05) with varied effect sizes (V = 0.22, d range = 0.05–4.18). 46% of AT severity variance was explained by higher BMI (β = −0.41; p = 0.001), weaker leg curl 6RM (β = 0.32; p = 0.009), and higher pain during hopping (β = −0.43; p = 0.001).ConclusionRunners with AT had lower activity levels, lower soleus strength, and were less tall. BMI, pain during hopping, and leg curl strength explained condition severity. This information, identified with clinically applicable tools, may guide clinical assessment, and inform intervention development.     

The patellar ligament: A comprehensive review

The patellar ligament (PL) is an epiphyseal ligament and is part of the extensor complex of the knee. The ligament has gained attention due to its clinical relevance to autograft and tendinopathy. A variety of anatomical variations of the PL such as aplasia, numerical variations, and vascularity are being reported recently by clinicians and anatomists. The aim of this literature was to review the available literature to provide a consensus regarding anatomic variations of the PL, neurovasculature surrounding the PL, histology of the PL, and various aspects of PL measurements with relevance to the surgical considerations and sex and age-related differences. A narrative review of the patellar ligament was performed by conducting a detailed literature search and review of relevant articles. A total of 90 articles on the patellar ligament were included and were categorized into studies based on anatomical variations, neurovasculature, morphometrics, microanatomy, sex and age-related difference, and ACL reconstruction. The anatomical variations and morphometrics of the PL were found to correlate with the frequency of strain injuries, tendinopathy, and efficacy of the PL autograft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The sex differences in PL measurements and the effect of estrogen on collagen synthesis explained a higher incidence of patellar tendinopathy in women. An awareness of its variations enables careful selection of surgical incisions, thereby avoiding complications related to nerve injury. Accurate knowledge of the PL microanatomy assists in understanding the mechanism of ligament degeneration, rupture, autograft harvesting, and ligamentization results.     

Prospective comparative study of intraoperative “Towel clip test” and “Vertical patella test” assessing lateral retinaculum tightness in patients undergoing TKA

BackgroundProper patellar tracking is one of the most important aspect of TKA to ensure good functional outcome. A patellar tracking problem noted intraoperatively serves as a warning sign and should prompt the surgeon to reassess position of each component. Various tests are there to assess lateral retinaculum tightness viz. "No thumb test", "Towel clip test". A new test "Vertical patella test" is described to assess lateral retinaculum tightness. A study was conducted to assess the effectiveness, correlation and validity of two techniques.Materials & MethodsPatients >50 years of age and with diagnosis of Osteoarthritis knee having less than 30 varus and flexion deformity going in for primary TKA were selected with a sample size of 100 knees in a tertiary care centre. Revision cases or patients with flexion contracture more than 30, complex knee surgery; with pre existing patellar tilt were excluded from study.ResultsResults of both tests were found to correlate in 75% of case with sensitivity of 96.65% and specificity of 75.00%. Kappa came out to be 0.634 which shows good agreement of vertical patella test and towel clip test. Result was computed using excel and SPSS and was found to be significant with p value< 0.05. Lateral retinaculum release was done in 8 knees.ConclusionsVertical patella test correlates with towel clip test, is easy to perform and saves time. The limitation of our study was small sample size.     

The use of frame fixation in the management of open distal extensor mechanism avulsion fracture in a dislocated knee

An avulsion fracture of the tibial tubercle is a common injury in traffic accident. If the fracture is closed, then a comparatively good prognosis can be expected through reinforcement of the bone via osteosynthesis and the use of artificial ligaments. In this case, an open wound was observed in the tibial tubercle, and the wound was so polluted that the healing process was significantly delayed. It was therefore difficult to provide simultaneous surgical treatment and so three operations were required to perform the reconstruction of the extensor mechanism. The reconstruction of extensor mechanism and the frame fixation between the patella and tibia was performed. Six months after the injury, the patient was able to walk without aid, had a range of movement from 5°to 130°, and did not show any indications of ADL disorder. Using this method of frame fixation between the patella and tibia proved to be an effective technique for the reconstruction of the open knee extension mechanism injury.     

膝前框形钢丝内固定治疗髌骨骨折

目的　总结采用钢丝环扎 +膝前方框形张力带钢丝内固定法治疗髌骨骨折的经验和临床效果。方法　对 3 5例髌骨骨折应用此方法治疗 ,其中男性 2 4例 ,女性 11例 ,3 0例获得 3～ 2 4个月随访。结果　优 19例 ,良 10例 ,可1例 ,优良率 96 7%。术后未出现骨折再移位 ,无伤口感染。愈合时间 6～ 12周。结论　该方法符合生物力学原理 ,操作简便 ,适应证广 ,能早期关节活动 ,是治疗髌骨骨折的理想方法之一。     

CPM在髌骨骨折张力带内固定术后的应用

目的 探讨CPM在髌骨骨折改良张力带内固定术后的应用效果。方法 早期应用CPM治疗髌骨骨折行改良张力带内固定术后病人156例。结果 所有病例均得到随访，临床疗效优良率为98％。结论 在髌骨骨折行改良张力带内固定术后早期应用CMP，可显著利于膝关节功能恢复，提高治愈率。     

Proprioceptive abilities of patients with a patellar pain syndrome with special reference to the effect of an elastic knee bandage

Summary In the presented study, knee joint proprioception of 43 patients with a patellar pain syndrome of the knee joint was evaluated. In a control group, the proprioception of 30 healthy volunteers with clinical and anamnestic inconspicous knee joints was examined. We tested the proprioceptive capability of the subjects with a passive angle reproduction test. Additionally, all knee joints were measured with and without an elastic knee bandage. The patient group showed significant deterioration of angle reproduction capability (13.2 °± 6.1 °) compared to the control group (7.8 °± 2.8 °). After applying an elastic knee bandage, the angle reproduction capability significantly improved to 9.2 °± 4.5 °. Proprioception of the contralateral, noninvolved knee joint in the patients (11.6 °± 6.3 °) was worse compared to the control group. Applying an elastic knee bandage did not significantly improve the proprioception of the uninjured knee joint.