Risk factors associated with acute hip prosthetic joint infections and outcome of treatment with a rifampinbased regimen

Background and purpose?Acute prosthetic infection is a serious problem. We report factors related to the incidence of acute infection and results of combined joint debridement and prolonged rifampicin-based antibiotic therapy.

Patients and methods?Between 1998 and 2004, 14 acute infections occurred after 819 primary hip arthroplasties. The association between patient-related and surgical factors and the risk of infection were analyzed. Infections were treated with multiple joint lavage, debridement, 2 weeks of antibiotic therapy, and then oral antibiotics for a minimum of 6 months.

Results?There was a correlation between having a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 30, and also more than 2 co-morbidities, and an increased risk of infection. Diabetes was a potential risk factor. Following our regime of treatment, 11 of 14 patients retained their prosthesis. 2 of 3 who required resection arthroplasty underwent successful staged revision, while the third patient had no further surgery because of being deemed unfit.

Interpretation?Primary joint replacement was salvaged in 11 of 14 patients. When successful re-implanta-tion was included, 13 of 14 patients had a mobile prosthetic joint without further infection.     

The influence of local bone quality on fracture pattern in proximal humerus fractures

IntroductionBone mineral density and fracture morphology are widely discussed and relevant factors when considering the different treatment options for proximal humerus fractures. It was the aim of this study to investigate the influence of local bone quality on fracture patterns of the Neer classification as well as on fracture impaction angle in these injuries.Materials and methodsAll acute, isolated and non-pathological proximal humerus fractures admitted to our emergency department were included. The fractures were classified according to Neer and the humeral head impaction angle was measured. Local bone quality was assessed using the Deltoid Tuberosity Index (DTI). The distribution between DTI and fracture pattern was analysed.Results191 proximal humerus fractures were included (61 men, mean age 59 years; 130 women, mean age 69.5). 77 fractures (40%) were classified as one-part, 72 (38%) were two-part, 24 (13%) were three- and four-part and 18 (9%) were fracture dislocations. 30 fractures (16%) were varus impacted, whereas 45 fractures (24%) were classified as valgus impacted. The mean DTI was 1.48. Valgus impaction significantly correlated with good bone quality (DTI ≥ 1.4; p = 0.047) whereas no such statistical significance was found for the Neer fracture types.DiscussionWe found that valgus impaction significantly depended on good bone quality. However, neither varus impaction nor any of the Neer fracture types correlated with bone quality. We conclude that the better bone quality of valgus impacted fractures may be a reason for their historically benign amenability to ORIF. On the other hand, good local bone quality does not prevent fracture comminution.     

Active knee motion after cruciate ligament rupture

In 10 patients with an old injury of the anterior cruciate ligament, the three-dimensional movements of the knee joint were studied when the patients flexed their knees. Tibial motions were recorded using roentgen stereopho-togrammetric analysis. Internal rotation and adduction of the tibia were reduced in the injured knees when compared with the intact knees; during flexion of the knee joint, the tibial intercondylar eminence occupied a more lateral and posterior position on the injured side. Our results may indicate that the knee joint is continuously exposed to abnormal stresses when the anterior cruciate ligament is torn.     

Influence of cartilage and menisci on the sagittal slope of the tibial plateaus

We analyzed the magnetic resonance studies of the knee in 80 subjects, 45 men and 35 women with a mean age of 38.9 years, who showed no pathological condition of the joint. Using an imaging visualization software, the sagittal longitudinal axis of the tibia was identified. The angle between this axis and a line tangent to the bone profile of the tibial plateau (bone slope) and to the superior border of the menisci (meniscal slope) were calculated. Thickness of anterior and posterior portion of menisci and underlying cartilage were also measured. The bone slope averaged 8° and 7.7° on the medial and lateral sides, respectively. The mean meniscal slope was 4.1° and 3.3° on the medial and lateral sides, respectively, with a significant difference compared with the bone slope. Menisci and underlying cartilage were significantly thicker in their posterior than their anterior portion (7.6 and 5.2 mm, respectively, in the medial compartment; 8.6 and 5.2 mm, respectively, in the lateral compartment). The presence of cartilage and menisci implies a significant decrease in the posterior tibial slope. In the lateral compartment, the greater the bone slope, the larger the difference between bone and meniscal slope, which means that a marked posterior tilt of the lateral tibial plateau is decreased by the cartilage and meniscus. These findings should be taken into account in planning surgical procedures which affect the slope of the articular tibial surface. Clin. Anat. 26:883–892, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The pivotal role of the coronal fracture line for a new three-dimensional CT-based fracture classification of bicondylar proximal tibial fractures

IntroductionClassical fracture classifications (AO/OTA, Schatzker) are commonly used to characterize bicondylar proximal tibial fractures. However, none of these classifications allows for a treatment algorithm. The aim of our study was to use 3D appearance of these fractures in CT imaging to improve the clinical value of the classification.Materials and methods3D appearance of 81 CT scans of bicondylar proximal tibial fractures were systematically analyzed and were classified in 3 subtypes, based on the fracture lines orientation. The novel classification was compared for reliability and for clinical relevance with AO and Schatzker classification.ResultsA total of 159 fracture lines were identified which were most frequently oriented in sagittal (89/159), and in coronal (41/159) direction. Based on the orientation of the major fracture lines three fracture types were defined. A special emphasis was drawn to the coronal fracture line of the medial plateau leading to a surgical treatment algorithm. Interobserver reliability was analyzed for all 81 patients resulting in an excellent reliability of К = 0.936 for the 3D classification scheme compared to К = 0.720 for the AO/OTA, К = 0.785 for the Schatzker classification. Correlations with clinical parameters were only observed for the 3D classification.DiscussionThe presented classification scheme based on the 3D geometry of bicondylar proximal tibial fractures demonstrates a good reliability of clinical relevance.     

Fractures of the foot and ankle

Fractures of the foot and ankle are common in all age groups. Soft tissue swelling, smoking and co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease should be considered when forming the management plan.Careful attention to neurovascular status and the soft tissue envelope of the foot and ankle is essential to the management of these injuries especially where crush injuries have occurred. Open fractures should be treated urgently with a combined approach with the plastic surgeons.A good understanding of surgical anatomy is key to managing these fractures. Good intra-articular involvement and ligamentous stability are crucial in predicting long-term prognosis.The core principles of management are: to maintain the soft tissue envelope (minimize disruption); to obtain appropriate alignment; restoration of joint surfaces; and rehabilitation to obtain optimum function.     

胫骨侧单重与双重固定重建前交叉韧带的比较研究

目的:比较胫骨侧单重固定与双重固定在关节镜下以自体腘绳肌重建前交叉韧带的临床效果。方法:对2008年1月～2011年12月期间在我院接受前交叉韧带重建术的80例患者进行回顾性随访,比较胫骨侧单重固定与双重固定的临床疗效,在末次随访时检查患者Lachman试验、轴移试验、前抽屉试验、关节活动范围、在30°及90°位胫骨的位移度、IKDC评分、Lysholm评分、Tegner评分。结果:膝关节活动范围双重固定组(137±21)°大于单重固定组(123±23)°(P<0.01),在30°及90°位胫骨的位移度,双重固定组均小于单重固定组(P<0.05),双重固定组膝关节Lysholm评分94.3±6.9、IKDC评分86.3±9.8,单重固定组Lysholm评分89.2±7.8,IKDC评分81.7±10.3,两组间具有显著性差异(P<0.01),两组间Tegner评分无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:在关节镜下行自体腘绳肌前交叉韧带重建,胫骨侧移植物附加Suture Disc纽扣钢板固定的双重固定临床效果优于单重界面螺钉固定。