OBJECTIVE To investigate a new operative method for repairing nonunion and defect of tibia. METHODS First, observe the relation between the joint branches of descending genicular artery and the saphenous branch of descending genicular artery in 10 cadevers. Then the medial femoral condylar bone flap pedicled with the saphenous vessels was prepared in 4 cadavers for simulated purpose. Clinically, two patients with tibial nonunion were treated by transplantation of this pedicled bone flap. RESULTS: In the 4 simulated operations, the ink which was injected into the femoral artery could be released from the joint branches. And in the clinical operation, the area of the pedicled bone flaps were 5.0 cm x 2.0 cm x 1.5 cm and 4.5 cm x 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm respectively. Followed up for 8 to 12 weeks, the fracture unioned well. CONCLUSION: This operation is simple and reliable, it is characterised by 1. unnecessary to anastomosis the vessels 2. reliable blood supply 3. high quality of bone flap 4. either bone flap or bone-skin flap can be chosen 5. long vessel pedicle.
Objective To study the diagnosis and treatment of the acute medial collateral ligament ruptures of the knee.Methods From August 1998 to August 2003, 87 cases of acute medial collateral ligament ruptures were examined with physical method and MR imaging. Out of them, 35 cases of Ⅰdegree and Ⅱ degree ruptures were treated with non-surgery and 52 cases of Ⅲ degree ruptures were treated surgically. The torn medial collateral ligaments were mended, 21 of which were strengthened with the anterior partial gracilis muscle tendon after the arthroscopy. Results In 35 cases of Ⅰ and Ⅱ degree ruptures, 32 were followed up 13 months on average. According to Lysholm scoring system, the clinical results were classified as excellent or good in 93.7% of the cases. In 52 cases of Ⅲ degree ruptures, 50 were followed up 16 months on average. The excellent or good result was 90%.Conclusion For Ⅰ and Ⅱ degree ruptures, MR imagimg is an important way to definitely- diagnose medial collateral ligament ruptures. Abduction stress test of knee extension shows that the medial direct instability is a main way to definitely diagnose Ⅲ degree ruptures. The results of conservative treatment of Ⅰ degree and Ⅱ degree ruptures are excellent. Surgical therapy are fitfor the cases of Ⅲ degree ruptures.
Objective To investigate the method and the cl inical outcomes of reconstruction of the knee stability after resection of tumors of the proximal fibula. Methods The cl inical data were retrospectively analyzed, from 16 patients with tumors of the proximal fibula undergoing proximal fibular resections and reconstructions of the lateral collateral ligament and the tendon of the biceps femoris with anchors between January 2008 and December 2009 (test group). Five patients underwent proximal fibular resection but were not given reconstruction surgery at the same period as the control group. There was no significant difference in gender, ages, disease duration, and tumor site between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Lateral stress test was performed after operation; X-ray films were taken to measure the joint space. Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) functional score system was used to evaluate the joint function. Results All incisions healed by first intention in 2 groups. Iatrogenic complete peroneal nerve function loss occurred in patients undergoing Malawer type II surgical resection. The patients in both groups were followed up 12 to 36 months, with an average of 30 months. One patient with osteosarcoma of the test group developed local recurrence, and died of lung and systemic metastases after 12 months; the other patients had no recurrence. At last follow-up, the results of knee lateral stress test were negative in the test group, and the joint space increased and was classified as grade A; the results of knee lateral stress test were positive in the control group, and the joint space was classified as grade D. The MSTS score was 97.5 ± 3.5 in the test group and 87.5 ± 3.5 in the control group, showing significant difference (t=2.85, P=0.01). Conclusion The reconstruction of the bony attachment of the lateral collateral ligament and the tendon of the biceps femoris with anchors after resection of the proximal fibula is a safe, rel iable, and simple technique to reconstruct knee stabil ity after resection of tumors of the proximal fibula.
Objective To explore the technique of the soft tissue balancing inthe total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for the patients with the knees of varus deformity and flexion contracture. Methods From January 2001 to December 2005, 86 patients (19 males, 67 females; age, 57-78 years;average, 66 years) with the knees of varus deformity and flexion contracture underwent primary TKA and the balancing of the soft tissues. All the patients had suffered from osteoarthritis. The unibilateral affection was found in 68 patients and the bilateral affection in 18. The varus deformity angle was averaged 12.3° (range, 6-34°). The soft tissue varus accounted for 56.7% and the bony varus accounted for 43.3%. The flexion contracture lt; 10° was found in 21 knees, 10-19° in 45 knees, 20-29° in 22 knees, and gt;30° in 16 knees, with an average angle of 18.9°. Results The flexion contractures were improved. Before operation the average angle ofthe flexion contracture was 18.9° but after operation only 4 patients had a residual flexion contracture of 5° and the remaining patients had a complete correction. The follow-up for 37 months (range, 6-72 months) in all the patients revealed that only 6 patients had a residual flexion contracture of 5-10° and the others had a full extension. Before operation the average varus angle was 12.3°(range, 6-34°) and the average tibiofemoral angle was 174.7° (range, 70.3-175.6°), but after operation the residual varus angle gt; 3° was only found in 2 patients. The complications occurring during operation and after operation were found in 6 patients, injuries to the attachment of the medial collateral ligaments in 2, patellar clunk syndromes in 2, cerebral embolism in 1, and lacunar infarction in 1, with no nerve disorders left after the medical treatment. No skin necrosis, the cut edge infection or deep infection occurred. Conclusion The balancing of the soft tissues is a major management for correction of the varus deformity and the flexion contracture. The proper balancing of the softtissues can achieve an obvious recovery of the function and correction of the varus deformity after TKA.
Objective To investigate a modified robotized hydraulictensor for management of the ligament balance in the total knee arthroplasty. Methods The effect of the modified robotized hydraulic tensor on the mechanical behaviour of the ligament system balance in the total knee arthroplasty was analyzed andthe related information was obtained. Results The robotized hydraulic tensor acted as a tensorsensor system, which could assist the surgeon by providing thequantitative information to align the lower limb in extension, equalize the articular spaces in extension and flexion, balance the internal and external forces, and define the femoral component rotation, and by providing the information toplan the releasing of the soft tissues and the rotating of the femoral component. Conclusion The modified robotized hydraulic tensor can enable the surgeon to properly manage the ligament balance in the total knee arthroplasty.
Objective To make a retrospective analysis on an early clinical outcome of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for the knees with different degrees of flexion-contracture deformities. Methods Ninety-seven knees of 65 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty with the Scorpio posterior-stabilized knee prosthesis from January 2000 to December 2003 were reviewed, including 51 osteoarthritis patients (74 knees) and 14 rheumatoid arthritis patients (23 knees). Thirtythree patients underwent unilateral TKA, and 32 patients underwent bilateral TKA. The average range of motion (ROM) before operation was 82.8°(range, 5-140°).According to the preoperative flexion-contracture degrees of the knees, these patients were divided into 2 groups, group A and group B. Group A consisted of the patients with flexioncontracture less than 20° (range, 0-15°), and group B consisted of the patients with flexion-contracture not less than 20° (range, 20-60°). In group A, the average flexion-contracture degree, ROM, KSS (knee society score), and function score were 10.7±8.0°, 104.6±20.0°, 29.1±18.0, and 32.6±20.7, respectively. But the corresponding data were much worse ingroup B than in group A, which were 28.2±7.8°, 60.8±26.6°, 12.1±13.2, and 26.8±18.1. All the operations were primary total knee arthroplasty, and they were performed by the same group of surgeons. The time for the prosthesis installed lasted for 25.6 minutes, and the average tourniquet time was 34.7 minutes. Three or four days after operation, the patients began the continuous passive motion (CPM) and active functional exercise of the knee.Results The patients were followed up for an average of 2 years and 7 months(range, 8 mon-3.5 yr). During the follow-up period, the average flexion-contracture degree, ROM, KSS, and function score in group A were 0.4±2.1°, 108.6±19.0°, 82.1±13.8, and 72.3±29.1, respectively; and the corresponding data in group B were 1.3±3.2°, 986±16.4°, 75.9±8.2, and 81.4±26.9, respectively. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups. No revision or deep infection was found. Conclusion The curative effect is mainly determined by the surgeon’s good operational skills, rich clinical experience, and familiarity with the prosthesis, and it is not influenced by severity of the knee flexioncontracture deformity. The knee ROM after TKA, which has a “toward middle ROM”phenomenon, is influenced by many clinical factors. It is very important for the patientto perform a functional exercise of the knee as early as possible after operation.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacy between medial collateral ligament (MCL) repair and MCL reconstruction in multi-ligament injury. MethodsThirty-one patients with MCL rupture and multi-ligament injury of knee joint were treated between August 2008 and August 2012, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Of 31 patients, 11 cases underwent MCL repair (repair group), and 20 cases underwent MCL reconstruction (reconstruction group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass, injury side, injury cause, and preoperative knee Lyshlom score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, range of motion, and medial joint opening between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The postoperative knee subjective function and stability were compared between 2 groups. ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention, and no postoperative complication occurred. All patients were followed up 2-4 years (mean, 3.2 years). At 2 years after operation, the IKDC subjective score, Lyshlom score, and range of motion were significantly increased in 2 groups when compared with preoperative ones (P < 0.05). The range of motion of reconstruction group was significantly better than that of repair group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in IKDC subjective score and Lyshlom score between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The medial joint opening was significantly improved in 2 groups at 2 years after operation when compared with preoperative one (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionBoth the MCL reconstruction and MCL repair can restore medial stability in multi-ligament injury, but MCL reconstruction is better than MCL repair in range of motion.
Objective To analyze the relationship between the collateral ligament attachment and the epicondylar axis with rotational alignment of the femoral component in the total knee arthroplasty(TKA).Methods Twenty normal cadaver knee joints were anatomized and 2 holes were drilled on the distal femur from the deep and superficial insertions of the medial collateral ligaments to the lateral condylar part, respectively. Then, all the knees were scanned by MRI on the sagittal plane, making the drilled hole located relatively to the posterior condylar joint surface on the axial plane, and the posterior condylar angle (PCA) and thecondylar twist angle (CTA) were measured.Results The colateral ligament had the deep and superficial parts, and the deep part was strained during the knee flexing. PCA and CTA were 4.50±1.26° and 7.10±0.30° respectively, and there was a significant difference between them(P＜0.05), which were significantly greater than those reported abroad. On the sagittal plane, there wasno significant difference between the radiuses of the posterior medial and lateral condylar circles (Pgt;0.05). The distance from the center of the posterior condylar circle to the deep insertion of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) (d1) was 4.22±0.20 mm, and the distance to the superficial insertionof MCL (d2) was 7.36±0.13 mm. The difference between d1 and d2 was significant(Plt;0.05). Conclusion The center of the posterior condylar circle passes from the deep insertion of the collateral ligament, which can be regarded as a fixed flexionextension axis of the knee. By releasing the different parts of the collateral ligaments, the balance of the flexion and extension gap canbe obtained, and then varus, valgus or flexed contracture deformity of the kneecan be realigned. Besides, the rotational orientation of the femoral prothesis can be made by a reference to the epicondylar insertion of the collateral ligament.
From 1984 to 1993, 49 cases with varioussoft tissue defects around the knee were treated with pedicled calf myocutaneous flap, lateral sural cutaneous artery island skin flap, saphenous neurovascularskin flap and fasciocutaneous flap. The postoperation results were sucessful in 47 cases, and failure 2 cases, in one case with flap infection and theother with scar formation surrounding the knee. Both the failure cases were cured with split skin graft. The patient were followed up for an average of three and a halfyears, the knee function was almost completely regained, and the blood supply of the flaps, the elasticity and colour of the flaps were similiar to that of the normal skin, without being cumbersome. The sensation of the saphenous neurovascular flaps and the lateral suralcutaneous artery island flaps was preserved, except partial numbness was presented at the distal part of the flaps. Operative indications and selection of cases were discussed.
Objective To analyze the effect of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) retaining or not on knee-joint proprioception by comparing the proprioceptive difference between PCL retaining and no PCL retaining in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods Between June 2009 and June 2010, 38 osteoarthritis patients meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into PCL retaining group (group A, n=19) and PCL-substituting group (group B, n=19) according to the random number table. There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, the range of motion of the knee between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The effectiveness and the knee-joint proprioception were separately assessed by the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score and the passive angle reproduction test (30, 60, and 90° of knee flexion) preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. Results All incisons healed by first intention, without complications of infection, fracture, and deep vein thrombosis of lower limb. The patients were followed up 12-17 months (mean, 14.1 months). The knee function after operation was obviously improved when compared with preoperative one; significant differences were observed in the WOMAC scores and the results of passive angle reproduction test between at preoperation and at 12 months after operation (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found between group A and group B (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Whether PCL retaining or not in TKA both can improve knee-joint proprioception, and no obvious difference between them.