Surgical Biomechanics of the Patellofemoral Joint

This review presents objective data, as far as possible, about the current understanding of the biomechanics of the patellofemoral joint as it pertains to the management of patellofemoral problems. When faced with a patellofemoral malfunction, it is important to check all the soft-tissue and articular geometry factors relating to the patella locally and not to neglect the overall lower limb alignment and function. It is important to remember that small alterations in alignment can result in significant alterations in patellofemoral joint stresses and that changes in the mechanics of the patellofemoral joint can also result in changes in the tibiofemoral compartments. Surgical intervention for patellofemoral problems needs to be planned carefully and take into account an individual’s anatomy.     

Arthroscopic Coracoclavicular Ligament Reconstruction Using Biologic and Suture Fixation

Presented in this report is a modified arthroscopic approach to acromioclavicular joint reconstruction via suture and allograft fixation. An arthroscopic approach is used to expose the base of the coracoid by use of electrocautery. After an open distal clavicle excision is performed, clavicular and coracoid tunnels are created under arthroscopic visualization as previously described by Wolf and Pennington. The myotendinous end of a semitendinosus allograft is sutured to a Spider plate (Kinetikos Medical, San Diego, CA). The tendinous end of the graft is prepared with a running baseball stitch. A Nitinol wire with a loop end (Arthrex, Naples, FL) is used to pass 2 free FiberTape sutures (Arthrex) and the leading sutures from the tendinous end of the graft through the clavicular and coracoid tunnels, exiting out the anterior portal. One of the FiberTape sutures is retrieved with a grasper and passed over the anterior aspect of the distal clavicle. The second FiberTape suture and the allograft are passed over the distal end of the resected clavicle. While the acromioclavicular joint is held reduced, the FiberTape sutures are tied to the plate and the allograft is tensioned medially until the plate is embedded against the superior surface of the clavicle. The tendinous end of the graft is secured to the superior surface of the clavicle with a Bio-tenodesis screw (Arthrex) medial to the clavicular tunnel.     

Acromioclavicular Joint Reconstruction Using Peroneus Brevis Tendon Allograft

We describe the use of a double-strand peroneus brevis allograft to reconstruct the coracoclavicular and acromioclavicular (AC) joint ligaments. Through sharp dissection, the distal clavicle, the AC joint, and the torn superior AC and coracoacromial ligaments are identified. The coracoid process and injured coracoclavicular ligaments are identified with blunt dissection. A 1-cm segment of the lateral clavicle is resected. Vertical and connecting horizontal tunnels are created (4.5 mm) in the lateral clavicle and in the medial acromion process. The 5.5- to 6.0-mm-diameter allograft is looped around the coracoid process, and both strands are passed through the vertical clavicle tunnel with a nitinol wire loop. One strand passes through the vertical clavicle tunnel, and the other strand passes through the horizontal tunnel, exiting through the lateral end. The allograft strand passed through the vertical clavicle tunnel is then passed inferiorly through the superior vertical acromion tunnel, and the strand passed completely through the horizontal clavicle tunnel is passed laterally through the medial horizontal acromion tunnel. After both strands exit inferiorly through the vertical acromion tunnel, they are tensioned and sutured with AC joint reduction. Soft tissue closure uses No. 0 and No. 2-0 absorbable sutures with No. 3-0 nylon sutures at the skin.     

关节镜下人工韧带重建前交叉韧带的临床初步体会

目的探讨关节镜下应用LARS人工韧带重建前交叉韧带的可行性及近期疗效. 方法用法国产LARS人工韧带对16例前交叉韧带(anterior cruciate ligament,ACL)损伤行关节镜下ACL重建术.等距点钻胫骨、股骨骨道,将肌腱拉入骨道,韧带游离部分位于关节腔内,拉紧后2枚螺钉固定韧带,合并损伤同期处理. 结果手术时间51～86 min,平均64 min.术后无滑膜炎、韧带断裂、活动明显受限等并发症.16例均随访1.5～6个月,平均3.8月.按照IKDC评分标准:术前C级6例,D级10例;术后A级6例,B级9例, C级1例(χ2=6.264,P<0.05).Lysholm膝关节功能评分术前36～76分,(63.7±7.3)分;术后86～97分,(94.8±9.6)分(t=10.356,P<0.05). 结论关节镜下LARS人工韧带重建ACL,操作简便,可使膝关节获得即时稳定性,早期康复锻炼,最大限度的防止关节功能受限,近期疗效满意.     

Tissue-sparing surgery with the bi-unicompartmental knee prosthesis: retrospective study with minimum follow-up of 36 months

Despite its theoretical advantages in terms of less invasive surgery, bi-unicompartmental knee replacement still represents a controversial knee reconstructive procedure. Many orthopaedic surgeons are skeptical about this demanding procedure despite the possibility of maximally preserving anatomy, with benefits for functional aspects such as gait, muscle activity and proprioception. Presently, no results of bi-unicompartmental knee replacement have been reported in the literature, even if several surgeons use it in selected cases. We present a retrospective analysis of our experience with this implant at a minimum follow-up of 36 months. At the latest follow-up, the mean Knee Society score was 80.58, the mean functional score was 83.5 and the mean postoperative GIUM score was 78. No implant has been revised and all patients are satisfied with the outcome. We consider bi-unicompartmental knee replacement to be a reasonable, less invasive option for the treatment of knee arthritis in selected cases.