METHODS: A total of 137 patients with 212 consecutive knees who underwent TKAs with or without functional stepwise MNP of superficial medial collateral ligament was recruited in this prospective cohort. Eighty-one patients with 129 knees who performed serial stress radiographs were enrolled in the final assessment. Superficial medial collateral ligament was punctured selectively (anteriorly or posteriorly or both) and sequentially depending on the site and degree of tightness. Mediolateral stability was assessed using serial stress radiographs and comparison was performed between the MNP and the non-MNP groups at postoperative 6 months and 1 year. Clinical outcomes were also evaluated between 2 groups.
RESULTS: Fifty-five TKAs required additional stepwise MNP (anterior needling 19, posterior needling 3, both anterior and posterior needling 33). Preoperative hip-knee-ankle angle and the difference in varus-valgus stress angle showed significant difference between the MNP and the non-MNP groups, respectively (P = .009, P = .037). However, there was no significant difference when comparing the varus-valgus stress angle between the MNP and the non-MNP groups during serial assessment. Clinical outcomes including range of motion also showed no significant differences between the 2 groups.
CONCLUSION: Functional medial ligament balancing with stepwise MNP can provide sufficient medial release with safety in TKA with varus aligned knee without clinical deterioration or complication such as instability.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, Prospective cohort study.
METHODS: From April 2014 to December 2015, a total of 72 knees in 64 patients that underwent OWHTO, second-look arthroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment, were enrolled. Preoperative and postoperative coronal and sagittal translation, joint line orientation angle, the distance between medial femoral notch marginal line and medial tibial spine, and PTS were evaluated. ACL status was arthroscopically graded from grade 1 (best) to 4 (worst). The MRI signal of the graft in three portions (proximal, middle, and distal) was graded from grade 1 (best) to 4 (worst).
RESULTS: High grade (3: partial, and 4: complete rupture) was noted in 28 cases (38.9%) at the second-look arthroscopy compared with 10 cases (13.9%) at index arthroscopy. The MRI signal grade significantly increased at follow up MRI compared with preoperative MRI (P<0.01). An increased signal was commonly noted in the middle and distal portions of the graft.
CONCLUSIONS: Geometric changes after OWHTO were related to ACL deterioration. The ACL was commonly affected at the middle and distal portions and rarely at the proximal portion. There is a possibility of impingement because of the geometric changes.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.
METHODS: Patients aged 60 years and above, who were admitted for neck of femur fracture from January 2017 to December 2020, and treated surgically with arthroplasty, were included. Information on patient demography, comorbidities, perioperative data, mobility, hip function and complications were retrospectively collected. Outcome measures used were independent ambulation and recovery of pre-fracture mobility at 1 year after surgery while hip function was assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) total, pain, stiffness, and physical function scores. Factors associated with these outcomes were analyzed.
RESULTS: 168 patients with a mean age of 75.2 (SD 8.4) years met the inclusion criteria. 32.1% of patients regained their pre-fracture mobility and 59.6% remained independent 1 year after surgery. Logistic regression analysis identified age, gender, surgical procedure, and time to surgery as significant contributors to recovery of pre-fracture mobility. Older age and increasing requirement for postoperative ambulatory aid resulted in worse WOMAC total and physical function scores. No significant differences were observed in patient-reported hip function between those who had a total hip arthroplasty and those who had a hemiarthroplasty.
CONCLUSION: Most geriatric patients with displaced neck of femur fractures did not regain pre-fracture mobility despite surgical treatment with arthroplasty.