Medial Soft Tissue Research Articles

Surgical Technique: Computer-assisted Sliding Medial Condylar Osteotomy to Achieve Gap Balance in Varus Knees During TKA

Extensive posteromedial release to correct severe varus deformity during TKA may result in mediolateral or flexion instability and may require a constrained implant. We describe a technique combining computer navigation and medial condylar osteotomy in severe varus deformity to achieve a primary goal of ligament balance during TKA. The goal of this procedure was to achieve mediolateral gap balance in varus knees with rigid, recalcitrant medial contracture, with or without excessive lateral laxity, not amenable to extensive medial soft tissue releases. A sliding medial condylar osteotomy (SMCO) was performed under navigation guidance and the condylar block internally fixed using cancellous screws. We prospectively evaluated mediolateral laxity, Knee Society scores, and knee ROM after SMCO in 12 varus arthritic knees in 11 patients (five men, six women) undergoing TKA with a minimum followup of 2 years (mean, 2 years; range, 2-2.5 years). The degree of mediolateral knee laxity improved from Grade 2 (in four knees) and Grade 3 (in eight knees) preoperatively to Grade 1 (< 5 mm) in all knees at last followup. Mean Knee Society score improved from 30 (range, 10-54) to 92 (range, 86-100). Mean knee flexion improved from 106° (range, 90°-120°) to 112° (range, 100°-124°), and no knee had any extensor lag or residual flexion deformity (> 5°). Three knees had asymptomatic fibrous union at the osteotomy site. Computer-assisted SMCO in varus knees with recalcitrant medial contracture achieves improved mediolateral stability and knee function after TKA. Our technique uses navigation to accurately reposition the medial condylar block to equalize medial and lateral gaps, thereby ensuring a stable well-aligned knee without deploying constrained implants.

Factors Correlated with the Reducibility of Varus Deformity in Knee Osteoarthritis: An Analysis Using Navigation Guided TKA

BackgroundWe hypothesized that a number of clinical and radiologic parameters could influence the reducibility of varus deformity in total knee arthroplasty. The aim of this study was to identify the factors correlated with reducibility of varus deformity and predict more accurately the amount of medial soft tissue release required in varus deformity total knee arthroplasty.MethodsOne hundred forty-three knees with preoperative varus alignment and medial osteoarthritis were included in this retrospective study. The total knee arthroplasties were performed using a navigation system (OrthoPilot) by single surgeon. To assess varus deformity, the authors measured preoperative mechanical axis angles and valgus stress angles. Mechanical tibial angles, mechanical femoral angles, femoral osteophyte sizes, and tibial osteophyte sizes were measured. The Ahlbäck grading scale was applied for radiologic parameters, and clinical parameters (age, body mass index, sex, duration of pain, and preoperative range of motion) were documented. Correlations between these factors and preoperative valgus stress angle were analyzed.ResultsA negative correlation was found between preoperative mechanical axis angle and preoperative valgus stress angle (p < 0.01, r = -0.38), and a positive correlation was found between the preoperative mechanical tibial angle and preoperative valgus stress angle (p = 0.01, r = 0.19).ConclusionsThe present study shows that preoperative varus deformity and proximal tibial vara (measured by preoperative mechanical axis angle and mechanical tibial angle, respectively) are correlated with reducibility of varus deformity (measured by preoperative valgus stress angle), and clinical parameters (age, range of motion, duration of pain and body mass index) and other radiologic parameters (osteophyte size, severity of osteoarthritis and angulation of distal femoral joint surface) were not significantly correlated with reducibility of varus deformity.

Lateral soft tissue laxity increases but medial laxity does not contract with varus deformity in total knee arthroplasty.

In TKA, soft tissue balance (the joint gap) depends on the amount of resected bone and soft tissue release. Some studies report preoperative bony deformity correlates with soft tissue balance evaluated intraoperatively and that the medial tissues are contracted with varus deformity. However, these studies did not take into account the amount of resected bone and did not describe whether the soft tissue was tight or loose. Therefore, it remains unclear whether in varus deformity the soft tissues on the medial side are contracted. We compared (1) intraoperative joint gap, (2) amount of resected bone, and (3) intraoperative soft tissue laxity on the lateral and medial sides according to severity of preoperative varus deformity. We retrospectively reviewed 70 patients with osteoarthritis and varus deformities who underwent 90 TKAs. We retrospectively divided the 90 knees into three groups according to degree of preoperative alignment: mild varus group (<10°), moderate varus group (10°-20°), and severe varus group (>20°). To evaluate intraoperative soft tissue tension, we calculated the soft tissue gap by subtracting the thickness of the resected bone from the joint gaps on the medial and lateral sides, respectively. We then explored the relationship between the soft tissue gap and preoperative alignment. The lateral soft tissue gap was larger in the severe varus group than in the mild and moderate varus groups. The medial soft tissue gap was larger in the severe varus group than in the mild varus group, but there were no differences in the medial joint gaps among the groups. After the bone is resected, the soft tissue on the lateral side is more lax; however, the soft tissue on the medial side is not shorter with greater preoperative varus deformity.

Successful repair of an isolated osteochondral fracture of the patella presenting with locking of the knee

A 15-year-old boy presented with a locked knee after a football injury. Sudden valgus impact to the planted right leg caused a patellar osteochondral fracture diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. The 2.5-cm fragment had avulsed off the medial facet without damage to the medial retinaculum or the medial patellofemoral ligament. The fracture was stabilised with headless compression screws. It had healed at 8 weeks, with the patient being able to bear full weight, and with a full range of active knee movement. At 4 months, he had returned to playing football for his school team.Normally, such a fracture occurs due to sheering force on the patella against the femur during the relocation phase of an acute patellar dislocation. In this case, the patella may have subluxed and then reduced spontaneously, without causing a true dislocation or damage to the medial soft tissue restraints. The energy dissipated at contact with the femur would however be sufficient to sheer the fragment off the patella. We believe this is the first report of successful repair of an osteochondral patellar fracture sustained by this mechanism.

Orthopaedic Case of the Month: A 14-Year-Old Boy With a Medial Thigh Soft Tissue Mass

Orthopaedic Case of the Month: A 14-Year-Old Boy With a Medial Thigh Soft Tissue Mass

Growth Plate Fractures of the Distal Femur

Growth plate fractures of the distal femur are challenging to treat, with complications that require a secondary surgery 40% to 60% of the time. These fractures often necessitate operative intervention, even in the youngest patients and even with minimal apparent displacement. Treatment varies with the Salter-Harris (SH) classification and with the extent of initial displacement, ranging from simple casting for nondisplaced SH I fractures to open reduction and internal fixation for almost all SH III and IV fractures. Poor outcomes have been associated with pediatric fracture care of SH III and IV in 29% to 32% of cases. There are many pitfalls that have to be avoided in the treatment of these fractures to prevent malunion, growth arrest, and posttraumatic arthritis.

Radiography and sonography of clubfoot: A comparative Study

Background:Congenital talipes equinovarus is a common foot deformity afflicting children with reported incidence varying from 0.9/1000 to 7/1000 in various populations. The success reported with Ponseti method when started at an early age requires an imaging modality to quantitate the deformity. Sonography being a radiation free, easily available non-invasive imaging has been investigated for this purpose. Various studies have described the sonographic anatomy of normal neonatal foot and clubfoot and correlated the degree of severity with trends in sonographic measurements. However, none of these studies have correlated clinical, radiographic and sonographic parameters of all the component deformities in clubfoot. The present study aims to compare the radiographic and sonographic parameters in various grades of clubfoot.Materials and Methods:Thirty-one children with unilateral clubfoot were examined clinically and graded according to the Demeglio system of classification of clubfoot severity. Antero-posterior (AP) and lateral radiographs of both normal and affected feet were obtained in maximum correction and AP talo-calcaneal (T-C), AP talo-first metatarsal (TMT) and lateral T-C angles were measured. Sonographic examination was done in medial, lateral, dorsal and posterior projections of both feet in static neutral position and after Ponseti manouever in the position of maximum correctability in dynamic sonography. Normal foot was taken as control in all cases. The sonographic parameters measured were as follows : Medial malleolar- navicular distance (MMN) and medial soft tissue thickness (STT) on medial projection, calcaneo-cuboid (C-C) distance, calcaneo-cuboid (C-C) angle and maximum length of calcaneus on lateral projection, length of talus on dorsal projection; and tibiocalcaneal (T-C) distance, posterior soft tissue thickness and length of tendoachilles on posterior projection. Also, medial displacement of navicular relative to talus, mobility of talonavicular joint (medial view); reducibility of C-C mal alignment (lateral view); talonavicular relation with respect to dorsal/ ventral displacement of navicular (dorsal view) and reduction of talus within the ankle mortise (posterior view) were subjectively assessed while performing dynamic sonography. Various radiographic and sonographic parameters were correlated with clinical grades.Results:MMN distance and STT measured on medial view, C-C distance and C-C angle measured on lateral view and tibiocalcaneal distance measured on posterior view showed statistically significant difference between cases and controls. A significant correlation was evident between sonographic parameters and clinical grades of relevant components of clubfoot. All radiographic angles except AP T-C angle were significantly different between cases and controls. However, they did not show correlation with clinical degree of severity.Conclusion:All radiographic angles except AP T-C angle and sonographic parameters varied significantly between cases and controls. However, radiographic parameters did not correlate well with clubfoot severity. In contrast, sonography not only assessed all components of clubfoot comprehensively but also the sonographic parameters correlated well with the severity of these components. Thus, we conclude that sonography is a superior, radiation free imaging modality for clubfoot.

Multiple Needle Puncturing: Balancing the Varus Knee

The so-called "pie crusting" technique using multiple stab incisions is a well-established procedure for correcting tightness of the iliotibial band in the valgus knee. It is, however, not applicable for balancing the medial side in varus knees because of the risk for iatrogenic transsection of the medial collateral ligament (MCL). This article presents our experience with a safer alternative and minimally invasive technique for medial soft tissue balancing, where we make multiple punctures in the MCL using a 19-gauge needle to progressively stretch the MCL until a correct ligament balance is achieved. Our technique requires minimal to no additional soft tissue dissection and can even be performed percutaneously when necessary. This technique, therefore, does not impact the length of the skin or soft tissue incisions. We analyzed 61 cases with varus deformity that were intraoperatively treated using this technique. In 4 other cases, the technique was used as a percutaneous procedure to correct postoperative medial tightness that caused persistent pain on the medial side. The procedure was considered successful when a 2- to 4-mm mediolateral joint line opening was obtained in extension and 2 to 6 mm in flexion. In 62 cases (95%), a progressive correction of medial tightness was achieved according to the above-described criteria. Three cases were overreleased and required compensatory release of the lateral structures and use of a thicker insert. Based on these results, we consider needle puncturing an effective and safe technique for progressive correction of MCL tightness during minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty.

Development of femoral trochlear groove in growing rabbit after patellar instability

The geometry of an articular surface is an important determinant of joint function. Although the geometry of the trochlear groove is considered to be important in the pathogenesis of patellofemoral joint disorders, the effects of the patella during the development of the femoral trochlear groove are unclear. This animal study aimed to investigate the relationship between the position of the patella and development of femoral trochlear groove in growing rabbits. Twenty-four knees of 12 rabbits were included in this study and were divided into two groups. First group consisted of the left knees and was used as the control group to which no surgical procedures were applied. Second group involved the right knees to which medial soft tissue restraints release was applied before 1 month of age. Computed tomographic (CT) evaluation of both knees of each rabbit was made in their first month of age before medial retinacular release and also during post-op 1-year follow-up. CT measurements included both the angle and depth of the femoral trochlear groove from 3 different parts (proximal, middle and distal) of the distal femur, and then these measurements were averaged. Measurements revealed that while in the control group the groove angle decreased 27.4 degrees and the depth increased 0.11 mm, in the operated counterparts groove angle decreased 16.8 degrees and groove depth increased 0.03 mm, which indicated the flattening of the femoral groove in the operated group. These differences were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). The results indicated that distal femoral groove with inadequate patellar position becomes more flattened and causes predisposition for patellar instability. Consequently, the clinical relevance of this study was that early reconstruction of the patellofemoral joint should be performed in the childhood to prevent the patellofemoral problems that are likely to be encountered in the following years.

The Chitranjan Ranawat Award: Is Neutral Mechanical Alignment Normal for All Patients?: The Concept of Constitutional Varus

Most knee surgeons have believed during TKA neutral mechanical alignment should be restored. A number of patients may exist, however, for whom neutral mechanical alignment is abnormal. Patients with so-called "constitutional varus" knees have had varus alignment since they reached skeletal maturity. Restoring neutral alignment in these cases may in fact be abnormal and undesirable and would likely require some degree of medial soft tissue release to achieve neutral alignment. We investigated what percentage of the normal population has constitutional varus knees and what are the contributing factors. We recruited a cohort of 250 asymptomatic adult volunteers between 20 and 27 years old for this cross-sectional study. All volunteers had full-leg standing digital radiographs on which 19 alignment parameters were analyzed. The incidence of constitutional varus alignment was determined and contributing factors were analyzed using multivariate prediction models. Thirty-two percent of men and 17% of women had constitutional varus knees with a natural mechanical alignment of 3° varus or more. Constitutional varus was associated with increased sports activity during growth, increased femoral varus bowing, an increased varus femoral neck-shaft angle, and an increased femoral anatomic mechanical angle. An important fraction of the normal population has a natural alignment at the end of growth of 3° varus or more. This might be a consequence of Hueter-Volkmann's law. Restoration of mechanical alignment to neutral in these cases may not be desirable and would be unnatural for them.

Relationship of the Scarf Valgus-Inducing Osteotomy of the Calcaneus to the Medial Neurovascular Structures

The Scarf valgus inducing osteotomy of the calcaneus is an operative technique to correct varus deformity of the hindfoot. It is versatile with significant corrective power; however, the neurovascular structures are in close proximity on the medial side and thus may be harmed during the osteotomy. Moreover, because this type of osteotomy can cause a great lateral translation, traction of the medial neurovascular structures is possible. We performed an anatomic study to evaluate the medial soft tissues after a lateralizing Scarf-type calcaneal osteotomy. The osteotomies were carried out on ten fresh-frozen cadaver specimens. We performed the osteotomy and induced valgus. Then we performed a medial dissection to identify the important medial structures: the medial and lateral plantar nerve (MPN , LPN) and the posterior tibial artery (PTA). We noted their relation to the osteotomy and their integrity. In several cases, one or more of the structures were sectioned. In five cases, all the structures crossed the osteotomy, four of which even a transection of one or both of the plantar nerves occurred. Although the PTA crossed the osteotomy in eight specimens, there was no transection of this structure. Scarf osteotomy of the calcaneus is a highly corrective osteotomy. However, caution must be exercised when performing as the medial neurovascular structures cross the osteotomy lines and transection can occur. When performing the osteotomy one should keep in mind that vigorous sawing and large displacement can cause damage to the medial neurovascular structures.

Persistent Knee Swelling After Fall - Walking

HISTORY: 45 year old female with hip dysplasia, status post bilateral hip replacements in 2004, who fell directly onto her left knee approximately one month ago. Diagnosed with prepatellar bursitis and since initial presentation has been drained twice and received a corticosteroid injection once. Denies discomfort, catching, locking, and feelings of instability. Complains that fluid is annoying with ambulation but denies pain. No previous history of knee trauma or swelling. Denies history of fevers, chills, fatigue, rashes, and increased warmth or redness of left knee. Patient denies family history of musculoskeletal conditions. PHYSICAL EXAM: Standing examination reveals severe pes planus and approximately 20 degrees of genu valgus bilaterally. Large collection of fluid appreciated on the anteromedial aspect of left knee. No ecchymosis or erythema appreciated. With supine examination no effusion appreciated. Fluid mobile and fluctuant, distributed over the pes anserinus, medial joint line, and medial hamstring. Fluid collection extends to prepatellar region with palpation. No tenderness with palpation of joint lines, patellar facets, or patellar tendon. Flexion to 110 degrees and extension to zero degrees. Negative lachmans, negative varus and valgus stresses at both zero and 30 degrees. Negative McMurrays. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: 1. Prepatellar bursitis 2. Pes Anserine bursitis 3. Occult fracture 4. Ligamentous or Meniscal injury 5. Inflammatory arthropathy 6. Gout TESTS AND RESULTS Bilateral 45 degree PA, bilateral Merchant, and lateral view left knee -medial soft tissue swelling, medial joint space narrowing, mild degenerative changes -moth eaten pattern of lateral femoral condyle MRI left knee without contrast -prominent distension of prepatellar bursa 8.1 × 8.1 × 1.6 cm -Lateral femoral condyle OCD lesion measuring 1.7 by 3 cm FINAL WORKING DIAGNOSIS -Prepatellar bursitis -Large lateral femoral condyle OCD TREATMENT AND OUTCOMES -After MRI prepatellar bursal swelling drained, 89 ml of serosanguineous fluid aspirated and 40 mg of corticosteroid injected -Provided with knee sleeve for compression -Patient referred for surgical consultation of OCD lesion

Irreducible lateral knee dislocation with incarceration of the lateral femoral condyle in the posterolateral capsuloligamentary structures: a case report and literature review

Knee dislocations are relatively rare 1 , often associated with neurovascular injury, and usually amenable to closed reduction 2 . The irreducible knee dislocation is an even rarer occurrence 3 , 4 . Irreducibility of a knee dislocation is usually due to the medial femoral condyle being buttonholed through the gap formed by medial capsuloligamentary structures. We have treated a rare irreducible dislocation of the left knee in which the neurovascular status was intact. MRI revealed entrapment of the posterolateral capsuloligamentary structures in the intercondylar notch. Emergency operation was performed to reduce the dislocation and reconstruct the injured ligaments. We have described the case in order to present the characteristics of this dislocation and guidelines for its diagnosis and treatment.

Patellar instability with increased knee flexion due to lateral femoral condyle distal dysplasia: A report of two cases

We present two case reports with clinical and radiological assessment of the anatomical features at the distal lateral end of trochlea and femur in patients with patellar instability in higher knee flexion and how these findings could possibly be involved in the genesis of this rare type of patellar instability. Both patients underwent several (nine and seven) surgical procedures, but the patellar instability could not be successfully eliminated. Our hypothesis was that a short and flattened lateral distal condyle/trochlea may cause lateral patellar instability in higher flexion. We found considerable anatomical variations at the distal lateral femoral condyle and trochlea in both patients. Individually tailored surgical procedures were selected for each patient according to the documented variations and the previous operations. Our surgical interventions consisted of different components, such as osteotomy of the distal lateral femoral condyle/trochlea with lengthening and elevation, balancing of the medial and lateral patellar soft tissue structures, MPFL reconstruction, transposition of the medialised tibial tubercle and the patellar tendon back to lateral to the normal initial anatomical position. With these procedures, lateral patellar instability with increased flexion could be completely eliminated in both patients at the 1- and 2-year follow-up. Our experience of assessment and treatment of these patients let us conclude that variations of the distal lateral femoral condyle/trochlea morphology may be responsible for patellar instability with increased flexion. This is another type of patellar instability caused by distal condyle/trochlea dysplasia compared to the well known and often described types of patellar instability close to extension caused by proximal trochlea dysplasia.

A Medial Soft-Tissue Mass of the Knee

A Medial Soft-Tissue Mass of the Knee

A Medial Soft-Tissue Mass of the Knee

A Medial Soft-Tissue Mass of the Knee

Intraoperative imaging in hallux valgus surgery

This prospective study investigates the use of intraoperative fluoroscopy in hallux valgus surgery. To our knowledge there have been no studies questioning the benefit and reliability of intraoperative fluoroscopy in hallux valgus surgery. We performed a prospective investigation of 28 consecutive cases undergoing hallux valgus surgery. Fluoroscopic images were examined intraoperatively and any significant findings documented. A comparison was made between these images and weight bearing films 6 weeks postoperatively to examine their reliability. We excluded those patients that went on to have an Akin osteotomy. There were no unforseen intraoperative events that were revealed by the use of fluoroscopy and no surgical modifications were made as a result of the intraoperative images. The intraoperative films were found to be a reliable representation of the postoperative weight bearing films but a small increase in the hallux valgus angle was noted at 6 weeks and this is thought to be due to stretching of the medial soft tissue repair. Intraoperative fluoroscopy is a reliable technique. This study was performed at a centre which performs approximately 100 hallux valgus operations per year and that should be taken into consideration when reviewing our findings. We conclude that there may be a role for fluoroscopy for surgeons in the early stages of the surgical learning curve and for those that infrequently perform hallux valgus surgery. We cannot, however, recommend that fluoroscopy be used routinely in hallux valgus surgery.

A quantitative analysis of periorbital aging with three-dimensional surface imaging

Studies of facial aging up to the present have largely been observational and subjective. This study applies state-of-the-art facial imaging and three-dimensional computer modelling to measure changes in the aging female face. The markers of facial aging discussed here go beyond descriptive accounts by individual practitioners and are presented as quantitative measurements of the volume change in the aging periorbital region. Three-dimensional image data sets were acquired of 42 mother-daughter matched pairs (83 individuals). Overall similarity of the faces of the mother-daughter pair were confirmed using best fit analyses prior to further processing of the data. The changes in facial structure secondary to aging were measured using volumetric comparisons of periorbital tissues in the daughter and mother. The age range of the individuals imaged range from 15 to 91 years. A consistent pattern of volume difference and regression of soft tissues associated with the medial canthus nasojugal groove was demonstrated in the aged individual of each pair. The volume difference associated with the tear trough ranged from 0.02cc to 1.27cc with median values of 0.38cc and 0.42cc. Volume differences in the adjacent periorbital tissues are also measured. Imaging clearly shows a consistent pattern of atrophy and regression of soft tissues associated with the medial canthus and nasojugal groove. Histogram depth analysis of the soft tissue shows greatest atrophy in the medial canthal region and soft tissues caudal to the lower lid. Volumetric analysis of the atrophy of these tissues is a useful adjunct in the accurate rejuvenation of the periorbital region.

A New Surgical Technique for Medial Collateral Ligament Balancing: Multiple Needle Puncturing

In this article, we present our experience with a new technique for medial soft tissue balancing, where we make multiple punctures in the medial collateral ligament (MCL) using a 19-gauge needle, to progressively stretch the MCL until a correct ligament balance is achieved. Ligament status was evaluated both before and after the procedure using computer navigation and mediolateral stress testing. The procedure was considered successful when 2 to 4-mm mediolateral joint line opening was obtained in extension and 2 to 6 mm in flexion. In 34 of 35 cases, a progressive correction of medial tightness was achieved according to the above described criteria. One case was considered overreleased in extension. Needle puncturing is a new, effective, and safe technique for progressive correction of MCL tightness in the varus knee.

The Role of Ultrasound in Clubfoot Treatment: Correlation with the Pirani Score and Assessment of the Ponseti Method

To evaluate neonates and infants with clubfoot, clinical and imaging modalities are required. Conventional radiography is of limited value because the studied bones are not fully ossified. We attempted to (1) evaluate clinically and sonographically the reliability of the Ponseti method in correcting clubfeet; and (2) determine whether various ultrasound (US) variables correlated with each other and with the Pirani score before and after treatment. We prospectively followed 17 infants (25 clubfeet) assessed using the Pirani score and US variables (medial malleolus navicular distance, navicular alignment in relation to the talar head, medial soft tissue thickness, talar length, and calcaneocuboid distance) and treated with the Ponseti method. The mean age of the patients at first casting was 30 days, and repeat assessment after treatment was performed at a mean age of 6.3 months. Patients were followed for a minimum of 0.75 months (mean, 14.1 months; range, 0.75-38 months). The Ponseti method corrected all feet. We found three clinical/US correlations. Before treatment, we observed a negative correlation between the clinical midfoot score and the sonographic medial malleolus navicular distance. After treatment we observed two negative correlations: one between the midfoot score and the sonographic talar length and the other between the hindfoot score and medial malleolus navicular distance. Four feet had recurrence of varus, two of which had an increased calcaneocuboid distance despite full restoration of navicular alignment in one foot. US can play a role in clubfoot assessment and may alert the surgeon to feet that may be prone to recurrence. Level II, prospective study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.