Primary Rotating-Hinge Total Knee Arthroplasty: Good Outcomes at Mid-Term Follow-Up

We evaluated the clinical and radiologic outcomes of primary knee replacements using a rotating-hinge knee prosthesis in 12 knees with a minimum follow-up of 10 years. Indications for the operation included gross joint destruction, significant axial deformities and contracture with a dysfunctional medial collateral ligament in all cases. The patients’ WOMAC and Knee Society scores improved, and the use of mobility aids decreased. No loosening of implants was observed. Nonprogressive radiolucent lines were identified around three tibial components. Three patients required marginal wound excision with resuturing and thereafter healed uneventfully. With significant improvement in function, pain and range of motion, the rotating-hinge knee prosthesis can be used as a salvage device in patients with medial collateral ligament deficiency, contracture, and gross joint destruction.     

The effect of section of the medial collateral ligament on force generated in the anterior cruciate ligament

Ten fresh-frozen knees from cadavera were instrumented with a specially designed transducer that measures the force that the anterior cruciate ligament exerts on its tibial attachment. Specimens were subjected to tibial torque, anterior tibial force, and varus-valgus bending moment at selected angles of flexion of the knee ranging from 0 to 45 degrees. Section of the medial collateral ligament did not change the force generated in the anterior cruciate ligament by applied varus moment. When valgus moment was applied to the knee, force increased dramatically after section of the medial collateral ligament; the increases were greatest at 45 degrees of flexion. Section of the medial collateral ligament had variable effects on the force generated in the anterior cruciate ligament during internal rotation but dramatically increased that generated during external rotation; these increases were greatest at 45 degrees. Section of the medial collateral ligament increased mean total torsional laxity by 13 degrees (at 0 degrees of flexion) to 20 degrees (at 45 degrees of flexion). Application of an anteriorly directed force to the tibia of an intact knee increased the force generated in the anterior cruciate ligament; this increase was maximum near the mid-part of the range of tibial rotation and minimum with external rotation of the tibia. Section of the medial collateral ligament did not change the force generated in the anterior cruciate ligament by straight anterior tibial pull near the mid-part of the range of tibial rotation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

肘关节“恐怖三联征”中内侧副韧带及合并损伤的治疗策略

目的 探讨肘关节“恐怖三联征”中内侧副韧带及合并损伤的治疗策略.方法 回顾性分析2010年2月至2012年4月治疗的21例肘关节“恐怖三联征”患者病历资料,男17例,女4例;年龄16～57岁,平均37.6岁;左侧12例,右侧9例.术前常规行MR检查并根据其结果制定内侧副韧带及合并损伤的治疗策略.对于MRI提示没有损伤或部分撕裂但内侧副韧带前束完整的患者,术中并不常规探查修补;对于MRI提示内侧副韧带前束起、止点撕脱或体部断裂者,则常规采用前内侧入路探查修补,对于起、止点撕脱者采用锚钉予以缝合,对于体部断裂者则采用“8”字缝合,合并屈肌-旋前圆肌复合体损伤者也同时予以缝合修补.术后予以可屈性支具固定,无一例患者采用外固定支架固定.结果 术后随访平均12.4个月(6～26个月)°所有患者术后末次随访时肘关节平均屈伸活动度为135.2°±10.2°,平均伸直受限6.7°±2.2°,平均屈曲142°±11.0°.Mayo肘关节功能评分平均为92分(85～100分),17例患者功能为优,4例为良.术后并发症包括一过性尺神经麻痹3例、异位骨化2例、迟发性尺神经炎1例,无肘关节残留不稳定、脱位、肘关节僵硬等并发症.结论 对于内侧副韧带前束起、止点撕脱或体部断裂者应常规采用内侧入路探查修补,有利于恢复肘关节即刻稳定性.     

Healing of the medial collateral ligament after a combined medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament: Comparison of repair and nonrepair of medial collateral ligament tears in rabbits

The optimal treatment for a combined injury of the medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments is controversial, and the question remains as to whether repair of the medial collateral ligament and reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament improves healing of the medial collateral ligament. We compared reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with and without repair of the medial collateral ligament in a rabbit model of a combined injury of these two ligaments. The anterior-posterior translation and varus-valgus rotation of the knee, the structural properties of the femur-medial collateral ligament-tibia complex, and the mechanical properties of the midsubstance of the medial collateral ligament were evaluated immediately after surgery and at 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Repair of the medial collateral ligament led to significantly less varus-valgus rotation of the knee than did no repair, but the anterior-posterior translation of the knees in the repair and nonrepair groups were not significantly different at any study time. At 12 weeks, the cross-sectional area and ultimate load in the repair group were 60 and 53% greater, respectively, than in the nonrepair group. Among 12 specimens that were repaired (six specimens at 6 weeks and six specimens at 12 weeks), failure occurred within the midsubstance in four (two at each time period); in all of the specimens that were not repaired, failure occurred at the tibial insertion site. There was no significant difference between the modulus of the midsubstance in the repaired and the nonrepaired medial collateral ligaments. Thus, the improved structural properties of the femur-medial collateral ligament-tibia complexes that were repaired resulted from an increase in cross-sectional area of the repaired medial collateral ligament and healing of the tibial insertion site. Postoperative healing time had little effect on the tensile properties. In this rabbit model, repair of the medial collateral ligament with reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament may lead to better healing of the medial collateral ligament in the early phase than does reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament alone.     

旋转铰链型人工膝关节临床应用近期疗效观察

目的探讨旋转铰链型人工膝关节临床应用的近期疗效。方法2002年7月～2005年4月，应用旋转铰链型人工膝关节假体进行全膝关节置换术治疗膝关节严重畸形和不稳定17例17膝。其中男8例，女9例；年龄41～79岁，平均59岁。左侧10例，右侧7例。患者均因膝关节疼痛人院，病程1～7年。其中骨性关节炎10例，类风湿性关节炎5例，左股骨骨折术后创伤性关节炎1例，左胫骨平台骨折术后创伤性关节炎合并前交叉韧带、内侧半月板损伤及内侧侧副韧带断裂1例。术前HSS（hospital for special surgery）评分36-58分，平均48．6分；术前膝关节屈曲活动度21～80°，平均57．4°。结果术后患者均获随访7个月～3年，平均23．6个月。无下肢静脉血栓形成或肺栓塞，无腓总神经麻痹、骨折或伸膝装置断裂等并发症发生。1例患者术后3个月出现迟发感染，再次手术取出假体，应用抗生素骨水泥间隔行膝关节旷置待二期置换。其余16例最后随访时，HSS评分78～98分，平均91．1分，较术前平均增加45．5分，且差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；术后2周，膝关节屈曲活动度为75～100°，平均85．2°，最后随访时膝关节屈曲活动度为85～123°，平均108．3°，与术前比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论旋转铰链型人工膝关节置换术近期疗效肯定，远期疗效尚待进一步随访。     

Total condylar III knee prosthesis. Long-term follow-up study

The total condylar III knee prosthesis (TCP III) is a constrained, unlinked knee that provides medial and lateral stability through a rectangular tibial post and a high femoral box. Thirty-one knees were implanted in 25 patients. There were 17 primary arthroplasties and 14 revisions. The average follow-up period was 3.8 years. The average arc of motion was improved from 63 degrees to 97 degrees. This resulted in 77% good and excellent results. There were five failures (16%), all of which occurred in the revision group. These results compare favorably with results of constrained prostheses; however, the deformity in this group was quite severe. The major indications for use of TCP III would be medial ligament loss, severe valgus or combined deformities, or cases of unstable revision in which a surface arthroplasty will not suffice. The prosthesis should not be used in cases that demonstrate massive bone loss. In those cases, the prosthesis should have a weight-bearing intramedullary stem to transfer stress lines to cortical bone.     

Revision total knee arthroplasty: how much constraint is enough?

Revision total knee arthroplasty is a complex situation that requires meticulous technique to restore a functional outcome. The surgical objective is the same as primary total knee arthroplasty: restore the original anatomy, restore function, and provide a stable joint. To this point of stability, it is preferable to implant the prosthesis with the least degree of constraint. Therefore, in the majority of patients undergoing revision surgery, a posterior-stabilized articulation is used. However, if there is functional loss of the medial collateral ligament or lateral collateral ligament, inability to balance the flexion and extension spaces, or a severe valgus deformity, then a constrained condylar prosthesis is necessary.     

Medial collateral ligament healing one year after a concurrent medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament injury: An interdisciplinary study in rabbits

The optimal treatment for concurrent injuries to the medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments has not been determined, despite numerous clinical and laboratory studies. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of surgical repair of the medial collateral ligament on its biomechanical and biochemical properties 52 weeks after such injuries. In the left knee of 12 skeletally mature New Zealand White rabbits, the medial collateral ligament was torn and the anterior cruciate ligament was transected and then reconstructed. This is an experimental model previously developed in our laboratory. In six rabbits, the torn ends of the medial collateral ligament were repaired, and in the remaining six rabbits, the ligament was not repaired. Fifty-two weeks after injury, we examined varus-valgus and anterior-posterior knee stability; structural properties of the femur-medial collateral ligament-tibia complex; and mechanical properties, collagen content, and mature collagen crosslinking of the medial collateral ligament. We could not detect significant differences between repair and nonrepair groups for any biomechanical or biochemical property. Our data support clinical findings that when the medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments are injured concurrently and the anterior cruciate ligament is reconstructed, conservative treatment of the ruptured medial collateral ligament can result in successful healing.     

Rupture of finger distal interphalangeal collateral ligament treated with a mini soft anchor

BackgroundRuptured finger distal interphalangeal (DIP) collateral ligament is a rare injury, with controversial treatment until the present. Our case series aimed to demonstrate feasible surgical intervention using a mini anchor.MethodsThe present study includes four patients with ruptured finger DIP collateral ligaments who received primary repair in a single institute. They have suffered from joint instability due to ligament loss caused by infection, motorcycle accidents, and work-related accidents. All patients were operated on similarly using a 1.0 mm mini anchor for ligament reattachment.ResultsThe finger DIP joint range of motion (ROM) was documented in all patients during follow-up. Joint ROM recovered to almost normal degrees, and the pinch strength recovered to > 90% compared to the contralateral side in all patients. Additionally, collateral ligament re-rupture, DIP joint subluxation or re-dislocation, and infection were not noted during follow-up.ConclusionsRuptured finger DIP joint ligament requiring surgery is usually based on a combination with other soft tissue injuries and defects. However, repair with a 1.0 mm mini anchor is a feasible surgical intervention to reattach the ligament with minimal complication.     

Experimental elbow instability after transection of the medial collateral ligament

In 12 osteoligamentous autopsy elbow preparations, the stability of the elbow was independent of the collateral ligament with flexion of less than 20 degrees and greater than 120 degrees. The anterior part of the collateral medial ligament was the prime stabilizer of the elbow in this range of motion, i.e., the flexion range of function. The maximum valgus and internal rotatory instability after transection of the medial collateral ligament, 20.2 degrees and 21.0 degrees, respectively, were found at elbow flexions from 60 degrees to 70 degrees. Selective repair or reconstruction of the anterior part of the elbow medial collateral ligament may prove to be effective in the treatment of acute or chronic elbow instability.     

Comparison of surgical treatments for knee dislocation

This retrospective study compared three surgical procedures for acute knee dislocation. Eleven patients (group 1) underwent direct repair of the cruciate ligaments, 6 patients (group 2) underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring tendons and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reattachment, and 6 patients (group 3) underwent PCL reconstruction with ipsilateral bone-patellar tendon-bone and ACL reconstruction with doubled semitendinosus and gracilis tendons. Average follow-up was 6.9 years (range: 24 months to 19 years). Surgical results were evaluated using the IKDC evaluation form, KT-2000 arthrometer, and Lysholm and Tegner scores. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test and the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test to compare different surgical procedures. In terms of stability and range of motion, results were less favorable after direct repair and cruciate ligament reattachment. Better results were reported after combined ACL and PCL reconstruction. Average side-to-side total anteroposterior translation as measured by the KT-2000 arthrometer at 20 degrees +/- 5 degrees of knee flexion was 6.67 mm, 3.6 mm, and 3.2 mm in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. At final International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) evaluation, only 2 group 3 patients achieved a group qualification A, while a group qualification B was achieved by 5 patients (2 patients in group 1, 2 patients in group 2, and 1 patient in group 3). Nine patients in group 1, 4 patients in group 2, and 3 patients in group 3 achieved group qualifications C and D (fair or poor results). Based on these results, we do not recommend reattachment of the cruciate ligaments after knee dislocation for obtaining a stable knee with full range of motion.     

Ten-year survival and clinical results of constrained components in primary total knee arthroplasty

The use of constrained prostheses in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is unusual. This is a study of the indications, clinical results, and 10-year survival of these components. Fifty-four knees (44 patients) were prospectively followed, and 42 knees (34 patients) had 5 to 16 years (mean, 9 years) of follow-up. The indications for the components were valgus deformity with incompetent medial collateral ligament in 27 knees, severe flexion contracture with inability to balance the knee in 12, and others in 3. Knees were evaluated by the Hospital for Special Surgery and Knee Society score systems. Statistical analysis included paired Student t test and survivorship analysis. Of the entire cohort of 54 knees, there were only 2 failures: a tibial loosening revised at 3 years and a femoral loosening (no stem) revised at 1 year. Of the 42 knees with minimum 5-year follow-up, 12 knees were rated as excellent, 24 good, 3 as fair, and 3 as poor. There was a significant improvement in postoperative knee score, but not in the function score. The mean flexion contracture preoperatively was 17 degrees; postoperatively, 1.7 degrees; and mean flexion preoperatively, 93 degrees; postoperatively, 97 degrees. The 10-year survival with failure, defined as component revision for loosening, was 96% (confidence interval, 90.6%-100%). In difficult primary TKAs, there were 86% good or excellent results and a 10-year survival of 96% despite the increased constraint. The constrained condylar TKA remains indicated for knees with severe valgus deformity, incompetent medial collateral ligament, or severe flexion contracture in which the knee cannot be properly balanced.     

采用自体腘绳肌腱重建膝关节多发韧带损伤

目的 探讨采用自体腘绳肌腱"人"字形加强修复膝关节内侧侧副韧带浅层(sMCL)和后斜韧带(POL)的新技术,分析其对膝关节内侧稳定的作用.方法 2002年8月至2004年2月,采用自体腘绳肌腱"人"字形加强修复损伤的sMCL和POL治疗19例患者,患者均合并交叉韧带损伤且需手术重建,故有时需取健侧腘绳肌腱作为韧带重建结构.结果 19例患者得到49～67个月(平均57个月)随访.根据国际膝关节文献委员会评分系统(IKDC),所有患者膝关节在O和30°位应力外翻试验时内侧稳定性完全恢复正常.术前膝关节Lysholm评分为(58.5±4.2)分(37～70分),终末随访时为(92.2±3.6)分(84～96分),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).其中6例患者术后3个月因膝关节活动受限而接受手法松解.除2例患者主诉健侧膝关节内侧麻木外,所有健侧患肢在取腘绳肌腱后无功能受限.结论 采用自体腘绳肌腱"人"字形增强修复损伤的sMCL和POL能有效恢复膝关节内侧稳定.     

Conservative Treatment for the Intraoperative Detachment of Medial Collateral Ligament from the Tibial Attachment Site during Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

For intraoperative injuries of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) during primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA), many authors recommended complex reconstructive procedures or conversion to the constrained prosthesis in previous literature. However, it is well known that medial collateral ligament has good healing potential after injuries. This retrospective study evaluated the clinical and radiological results of 15 primary TKAs complicated with intraoperative complete detachment of the MCL from tibial attachment site, which were all treated solely by nonoperative conservative treatment without any other additive procedures or braces. Compared to the MCL-intact contralateral knees, there was no significant difference in terms of clinical and radiological outcome at minimum of 2 postoperative year. There was no case showing clinical instability, either. Solely, the nonoperative conservative treatment for intraoperative injuries of the MCL during primary TKAs is expected not only to be effective with satisfactory results but also to decrease complications derived from other sophisticated reparative or reconstructive procedures.     

The use of a modular rotating hinge component in salvage revision total knee arthroplasty

Revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using a second-generation modular rotating hinge design was performed on 16 knees in 15 patients over a 5-year period. Follow-up of 2 to 6 years (mean, 51 months) was obtained in 14 knees in 13 patients. Indications for revision were aseptic loosening of a hinged prosthesis (8 knees), loosening and bone loss associated with chronic extensor mechanism disruption (2 knees), component instability with chronic medial collateral ligament disruption (3 knees), and comminuted distal femur fracture (1 knee). Clinical and radiographic results were reviewed and compared with 87 patients who underwent revision TKA using a standard condylar revision design during the same period. Early results showed comparable postoperative knee scores and range of motion between the 2 groups despite the use of the rotating hinge component in more complex revision cases. No patient has exhibited radiographic evidence of definite component loosening. Alignment of 5 degrees to 10 degrees of valgus in the frontal plane and within 2 degrees of neutral in the sagittal plane was achieved consistently. Short-term clinical and radiographic results are encouraging and suggest that a second-generation modular rotating hinge component can be used successfully in selected salvage revision cases.     

An irreducible knee dislocation: a case report

An 8-year-old man presented after sustaining an injury during a fall. A closed reduction attempt failed, and after several tests, an open reduction was performed. With posterolateral dislocation of the knee, there can be anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, and medial collateral ligament disruption. At the 6-month (final) follow-up, the patient had no subjective pain or instability. With this type of injury, the approach can be conservative monitoring or repair of all of the ligaments. Because of the age and activity level of our patient, we opted for repair of the medial collateral ligament initially with the possibility of late anterior cruciate ligament and/or posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.     

The effects of transection of the anterior cruciate ligament on healing of the medial collateral ligament. A biomechanical study of the knee in dogs

The effect of concurrent injury to the anterior cruciate ligament on the healing of injuries of the medial collateral ligament was studied in dogs. In Group I, isolated transection of the medial collateral ligament was performed; in Group II, transection of the medial collateral ligament with partial transection of the anterior cruciate ligament; and in Group III, complete transection of both the medial collateral ligament and the anterior cruciate ligament. The three groups of animals were examined six and twelve weeks postoperatively with respect to varus-valgus rotation of the knee and tensile properties of the femur-medial collateral ligament-tibia complex. The varus-valgus rotation of the knee was found to be the largest in Group-III specimens at all time-periods and was 3.5 times greater than the control values at twelve weeks. Group-I and Group-II specimens also showed large varus-valgus rotations at time zero, but the rotations returned to the control values by twelve weeks. For the structural properties of the femur-medial collateral ligament-tibia complex, the values for ultimate load for Groups I and II reached the control values by twelve weeks, while that for Group III remained at only 80 per cent of the control value. Both energy absorbed at failure and linear stiffness for all three groups were less than those for the controls at six weeks, and only linear stiffness returned to the control values by twelve weeks. For the mechanical (material) properties of the healed ligament substance, the values for modulus and tensile strength were markedly lower than the control values for all groups at six weeks. By twelve weeks, the tensile strength of Group-I specimens had increased to 52 per cent of the control value, while those of Groups II and III were only 45 and 14 per cent, respectively. Our results demonstrate that healing of the transected medial collateral ligament is adversely affected by concomitant transection of the anterior cruciate ligament. Both varus-valgus rotation and mechanical properties of the healed ligament failed to recover in knees that had combined transection of the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments. The structural properties of the femur-medial collateral ligament-tibia complex in tension recovered more rapidly as a consequence of the large mass of reparative tissue that formed in the medial collateral ligament of the anterior cruciate-deficient knees.     

Stability after medial collateral ligament release in total knee arthroplasty.

Six knees from cadavers were tested for change in stability after release of the medial collateral ligament with posterior cruciate-retaining and substituting total knee replacements. Load deformation curves of the joint were recorded in full extension and 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees flexion under a 10 N-m varus and valgus torque, 1.5 N-m internal and external rotational torque, and a 35 N anterior and posterior force to test stability in each knee. The intact specimen and posterior cruciate ligament-retaining total joint replacement were tested for baseline comparisons. The superficial medial collateral ligament was released, followed by release of the posterior cruciate ligament. The knee then was converted to a posterior-stabilized implant. After medial collateral ligament release, valgus laxity was statistically significantly greater at 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees flexion after posterior cruciate ligament sacrifice than it was when the posterior cruciate ligament was retained. The posterior-stabilizing post added little to varus and valgus stability. Small, but significant, differences were seen in internal and external rotation before and after posterior cruciate ligament sacrifice. The posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty was even more rotationally constrained in full extension than the knee with intact medial collateral ligament and posterior cruciate ligament.     

Strain in the human medial collateral ligament during valgus loading of the knee

The medial collateral ligament is one of the most frequently injured ligaments in the knee. Although the medial collateral ligament is known to provide a primary restraint to valgus and external rotations, details regarding its precise mechanical function are unknown. In this study, strain in the medial collateral ligament of eight knees from male cadavers was measured during valgus loading. A material testing machine was used to apply 10 cycles of varus and valgus rotation to limits of +/- 10.0 N-m at flexion angles of 0 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees. A three-dimensional motion analysis system measured local tissue strain on the medial collateral ligament surface within 12 regions encompassing nearly the entire medial collateral ligament surface. Results indicated that strain is significantly different in different regions over the surface of the medial collateral ligament and that this distribution of strain changes with flexion angle and with the application of a valgus torque. Strain in the posterior and central portions of the medial collateral ligament generally decreased with increasing flexion angle, whereas strain in the anterior fibers remained relatively constant with changes in flexion angle. The highest strains in the medial collateral ligament were found at full extension on the posterior side of the medial collateral ligament near the femoral insertion. These data support clinical findings that suggest the femoral insertion is the most common location for medial collateral ligament injuries.     

Results of a second-generation constrained condylar prosthesis in primary total knee arthroplasty

This is a prospective study of the results of a second-generation modular constrained condylar knee (CCK) prosthesis in primary total knee arthroplasty. Of 418 consecutive total knee arthroplasties performed by 1 surgeon, a second-generation modular CCK prosthesis was indicated for intraoperative stability in 30 knees (7.2%). Three knees were lost to follow-up, and 27 knees had a mean follow-up time of 5.4 years (range, 2-11.5 years). All tibial components had a cemented 35-mm stem extension, and 26 femoral components had a 100-mm uncemented stem extension. The indication for use of the CCK components was most commonly severe valgus deformity and incompetent medial collateral ligament. There were no revisions for loosening, patella problems, or tibial post fracture. A lateral retinacular release of the patella was performed in 6 knees (22%). An asymptomatic, minimally displaced patella fracture was noted in 2 knees (7.4%). Constrained condylar knees are used infrequently now but are successful for the treatment of the unstable primary knee that cannot be balanced. These results may be design specific.