The effect of leg length differences on early clinical outcome after total hip arthroplasty remains uncertain. We performed a prospective study on 94 patients who were evaluated preoperatively and one year after surgery for clinical leg length differences, which were then compared with radiological measurements. The effect of leg length differences on walking ability, limp, pain and patient satisfaction was studied. The mean clinical leg length difference after operation was 0.05 cm (–1.5 to 1.5, SD 0.5). Clinical and radiological measurements correlated poorly (ω=0.36 pre- and ω=0.186 postoperatively). Patients with a shorter operated leg on clinical assessment were more prone to limping (p<0.05), and patients with a longer leg had more pain compared to patients with equal leg lengths (p<0.05). Walking ability, Harris Hip Score and patient satisfaction were only marginally affected by leg length differences. Virtually equal leg length was achieved for most patients but small differences had a negative influence in relation to limping and pain. Patients should be counselled pre-operatively about possible leg length differences and associated symptoms.

Die Arbeitsgemeinschaft „Klinische Geweberegeneration“ hat bereits in den Jahren 2004, 2013 und 2016 Empfehlungen in Bezug auf die Indikation für verschiedene knorpelregenerative Verfahren zur Behandlung von Knorpelschäden am Kniegelenk publiziert. Auf Basis neuer wissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisse sollen in der vorliegenden Arbeit diese Empfehlungen auch unter Einbeziehung neuer Behandlungsverfahren aktualisiert werden. Die Einschätzung folgt damit dem Prinzip der besten verfügbaren Evidenz und berücksichtigt über prospektiv randomisierte Studien hinaus auch Studien mit niedrigerem Evidenzniveau. An Stellen fehlender publizierter Evidenz basiert die Entscheidung hier auf einem Konsensusprozess innerhalb der Mitglieder der AG Klinische Geweberegeneration. Das Prinzip der bereits vorausgehend publizierten Arbeiten bleibt auch in den neuen Empfehlungen erhalten. Kleine Knorpelschäden sind nach Ansicht der Arbeitsgruppe für eine Knochenmarkstimulation zugänglich, die matrixassoziierte autologe Chondrozytentransplantation (mACT) ist für größere Knorpelschäden die Methode der Wahl. Auf Basis neuerer Daten wird jedoch die Indikationsgrenze für die mACT auf 2,0 cm² reduziert. Zusätzlich zur arthroskopischen Mikrofrakturierung wird auch die matrixaugmentierte Knochenmarkstimulation in die Empfehlung als Standardverfahren aufgenommen (empfohlene Defektgröße 1–4,5 cm²). Für die Therapie kleinerer osteochondraler Defekte wird neben der osteochondralen Transplantation (OCT) auch die matrixaugmentierte Knochenmarkstimulation empfohlen. Bei größeren Defekten eignet sich die autologe Knorpelzelltransplantation (mACT) in Kombination mit einer Rekonstruktion des subchondralen Knochens. Received: 17 April 2021 Accepted after revision: 02 October 2021 Publication Date: 21 February 2022 (online) © 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

Evans (E) and Hintermann (H) lateral lengthening calcaneal osteotomies (LLCOTs) are commonly used to correct flexible flatfoot deformities. Both methods are well accepted and produce good clinical results. The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative outcomes of both osteotomies. We retrospectively examined 53 patients with flatfoot deformities, who received surgery between October 2008 and March 2014. Seventeen E-LLCOT and 36 H-LLCOT procedures were performed during this time period, with a mean follow-up of 67.7 ± 20.6 and 40 ± 12.9 months, respectively. Data were collected using clinical and radiological examination, as well as clinical scores (Foot and Ankle Outcome Score [FAOS], University of California at Los Angeles [UCLA] activity score, numerical rating scale [NRS], and the Short-Form 36-item Health Survey [SF-36]) during regular follow-up. For both groups of patients, the FAOS score, pain-NRS, and SF-36 improved significantly following surgery (P < .05). The talus–second metatarsal angle, talonavicular coverage, and naviculocuneiform overlap showed significant correction (P < .05). Postoperatively, radiographic degenerative changes were detected in the calcaneocuboid (CC) and subtalar joint in both groups of patients: 41% and 18% after E-LLCOT compared with 25% and 14% after H-LLCOT, although these changes did not have any clinical relevance (P < .05). No secondary arthrodesis was necessary. There were no significant differences in the clinical or radiological outcome parameters when compared between the 2 groups. Both surgical techniques resulted in a significant improvement of clinical outcome scores and led to good radiological correction of flatfoot deformities. It appears that the CC joint develops less degenerative changes following the H-LLCOT procedure. Level III, comparative series.

Background. Single-photon emission computed tomography and computed tomography (SPECT-CT) has a high impact on diagnosis and treatment decision of different joints. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there is a different gain of SPECT-CT for different foot regions.Material and Methods. We retrospectively identified 86 patients who received a SPECT-CT of the foot and ankle between April 2011 and December 2012. We divided all patients into the following subgroups: ankle (group 1), subtalar (group 2), Chopart (group 3), and Lisfranc (group 4). The local ethical committee approved the study.Results. The clinical treatment decision was changed based on SPECT-CT results in 64.5% of group 1, 65.2% of group 2, and 75% each of groups 3 and 4. Eighty patients (93%) had pain relief after treatment based on SPECT-CT. The overall SPECT-CT sensitivity was 0.94 and the specificity was 0.57. The positive and negative predictive values were 0.87 and 0.75, respectively.Conclusion. The impact of SPECT-CT on treatment decision is slightly higher in diseases of the Chopart and Lisfranc joints than in the upper ankle and subtalar joints. The additional information has a clinical relevance due to the high rate of pain relief by treatment based on SPECT-CT diagnosis.