Purpose: Running, jumping/landing and cutting/change of direction (CoD) are critical components of return to sport (RTS) following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), however the electromyographic (EMG) activity patterns of the operated leg during the execution of these tasks are not clear.Methods: A systematic review was conducted to retrieve EMG studies during running, jumping/landing and cutting/(CoD) in ACLR patients. MEDLINE, PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science databases were searched from 2000 to May, 2022 using a combination of keywords and their variations: “anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction” OR “ACLR”, “electromyography” OR “EMG”, “running”, “jumping” OR “landing”, “cutting” OR “change‐of‐direction” OR “CoD”. The search identified studies comparing EMG data during running, landing and cutting/(CoD) between the involved limb and contralateral or control limbs. Risk of bias was assessed and quantitative analyses using effect sizes were performed.Results: Thirty two studies met the inclusion criteria. Seventy five percent (24/32) of the studies reported altered EMG activity pattern of the ACLR leg during running, jumping/landing and cutting/(CoD) when compared with either the healthy control leg or the contra‐lateral leg. Twelve studies showed decreased, delayed or earlier onset and delayed peak in quadriceps EMG activity with small to large effect sizes and 9 studies showed increased, delayed or earlier onset and delayed peak in hamstrings EMG activity with small to large effect sizes. Four studies showed a “hamstrings‐dominant” strategy i.e. decreased quadriceps coupled with increased hamstrings EMG activity in both running and jumping/landing irrespective of graft type. One study reported that on the grounds of decreased quadriceps activity, lower hamstrings EMG activity was predictive of ipsilateral re‐injury in ACLR patients.Conclusion: This systematic review of Level III evidence showed that the ACLR leg displays decreased quadriceps or increased hamstrings EMG activity or both despite RTS. Simultaneous decreased quadriceps and increased hamstrings EMG activity was shown for both running and jumping/landing. From a clinical perspective this “hamstrings dominant” strategy can serve as a protective mechanism against graft re‐injury.Level of evidence: III.
Introduction: Knee arthrodesis is a limb salvage intervention for persistent periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) when revision total knee arthroplasty fails. Conventional arthrodesis techniques are associated with the increased rate of complications, especially in patients with extensive bone loss and extensor tendon deficiency. Methods: Eight patients with a modular silver-coated arthrodesis implant after failed exchange arthroplasty for infection, were retrospectively reviewed. All patients had significant bone loss, while 5 displayed extensor tendon deficiency. Survivorship, complications, leg length discrepancy, median Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oxford Knee score (OKS) were evaluated. Results: The median follow up was 32 months (range 24–59 months). The survivorship rate of the prosthesis was 86% during the minimum time of follow up of 24 months. In one patient recurrence of the infection was observed and above-knee amputation was performed. The median postoperative leg length discrepancy was 2.07 ± 0.67 cm. Patients were able to ambulate with mild or no pain. The median VAS and OKS was 2.14 ± 0.9 and 34.7 ± 9.3, respectively. Conclusions: The results of our study demonstrated that knee arthrodesis with a silver coated arthrodesis implant, performed for persistent PJI in patients with significant bone loss and extensor tendon deficit, provided a stable construct, allowed eradication of infection and was associated with good functional outcome.
27 January 2024 in European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology
Purpose: Glenoid tumors are extremely rare, and reconstruction remains very challenging. The aim of this study is to present the clinical and functional outcomes, of a new glenoid reconstruction method using 3-dimensional-printed implant. Methods: Four patients with primary glenoid tumors underwent reconstruction using 3-dimensional-printed glenoid implant linked with reverse shoulder arthroplasty. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and functional outcome, using MSTS and DASH score, as well as complications’ rate. Results: Wide excision was achieved in all patients. No local recurrence or distant metastasis was diagnosed at the follow-up period. The mean MSTS score was 80.5%, and DASH score was 15.2%. According to Hendersons’ classification, there were no postoperative complications. Conclusion: The use of 3-dimensional-printed implants, can be a very reliable solution with satisfying clinical and functional outcomes for reconstruction, in patients with musculoskeletal malignancies of the glenoid. Level of evidence IV Treatment Study.
24 October 2024 in Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
Background: Previous systematic reviews have reported the incidence of anterior knee pain (AKP) and extension deficit (ED) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR); however, both outcomes are estimated separately and thus are assumed to be uncorrelated. Purpose: To estimate whether there is a clinically relevant association between the population effects of ED and AKP after ACLR. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Under PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, a systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library electronic databases for published articles reporting incidence of both AKP and ED after ACLR with either bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB) or hamstring (HS) graft that returned 298 studies after the initial search. A Bayesian hierarchical measurement error model estimated the population effect of ED and AKP. Results: Twelve publications involving 976 patients (mean follow-up, 77.9 months; range, 24-180 months) were included in the systematic review. There was a clear, moderate correlation between population ED and population AKP for the BPTB ( r = 0.40; 95% CI, 0.39-0.42) and the HS grafts ( r = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.33-0.36). Model expected estimates for the population effects of AKP and ED were 24.1% (95% CI, 17.4%-31.9%) and 17.5% (95% CI, 10.6%-25.0%), respectively, for the BPTB graft and 16.1% (95% CI, 9.2%-23.9%) and 13.1% ED (95% CI, 6.0%-20.8%) for the HS graft, respectively. The posterior mean difference in AKP between BPTB and HS grafts was clear and substantial (8.3% [95% CI, 0.3% to 16.1%]); there was no substantial difference in the posterior mean difference of ED between BPTB and HS grafts (4.3% [95% CI, –3.8% to 13.0%). Conclusion: Our systematic review demonstrated a moderate but clear correlation between ED and AKP irrespective of graft type. From a clinical perspective, this association emphasizes the need for intraoperative achievement of full extension and avoidance of situations that may cause ED. The higher incidence of AKP in patients with BPTB graft may also be attributed to factors related to the graft harvest site. Future metaregression analyses could investigate whether additional factors such as follow-up duration or rehabilitation protocols can moderate the association between AKP and ED after ACLR with either BPTB or HS graft.
There is ongoing controversy regarding the best treatment of fingertip amputations, conservative treatment with secondary healing or surgical intervention. Healing by secondary intention has been proven to offer satisfactory recovery and function. More extensive wounds are treated surgically. However, even in Allen III and IV amputations, there is a lack of evidence to support enhanced healing and function of fingertips after surgical treatment compared to conservative management. Regarding fingertip amputations after animal bites, thorough debridement is the preferred treatment due to various micro-organisms, while there is no consensus about the primary closure of the wound. Inclusion criteria are complete amputations even with bone involvement at all levels. Exclusion criteria are skeletonized distal phalangeal bone, not surrounded by soft tissues, joint involvement and exposed tendon. It offers complete regeneration of the fingertip without signs of infection, even in animal bites wounds. There are few reports in the literature regarding the semi-occlusive dressing for treating fingertip amputations-only one report uses this technique after an animal bite in a two-year-old girl. In this case report, an Allen III fingertip amputation caused by a dog bite in a 64-year-old female was managed successfully using the semi-occlusive dressing technique. At the final follow up three months after the injury, the aesthetic results were satisfactory. The fingertip with the nail complex was almost normal with no nail hook deformity. The pad skin regenerated with no signs of infection. The functional results were excellent, with no joint stiffness or disability. The sensibility was satisfactory with two-point discrimination of 4 mm, and there was no tenderness, cold intolerance, or neuroma. The patient was satisfied and able to participate in all daily activities. The semi-occlusive dressing technique is an alternative treatment option for Allen III fingertip amputations after animal bites. It promotes regenerative healing, and despite bacterial colonization, no infection has been reported.
The optimal initial graft tension during ACL reconstruction is still a matter of debate. Manual tension is commonly applied to the graft during tibial fixation. However, this has been associated with a greater graft failure rate than that associated with device-assisted tensioning. This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes between the application of manual tension and the use of the ConMed Linvatec SE™ Graft Tensioning System during graft fixation while performing anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction. Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted between September 2015 and May 2017. Sixty-four patients (mean age 29.3 years, range 14–45) with isolated ACL injuries (and who would be subjected to ACL reconstruction with a quadruple hamstring tendon graft) were divided into two groups. In Group A (n = 29), common tension was applied manually to both grafts. In Group B (n = 35), specific tension was applied to the grafts with the use of a tensioner device (ConMed Linvatec SE™ (Stress Equalization) Graft Tensioning System). A total of 60 N was applied to the semitendinosus, and 40 N was applied to the gracilis. Clinical outcomes were assessed at 6, 12, and 24 months. Results: There were no significant differences between the baseline demographic and clinical data among the patients of the two groups (all p > 0.05). The patients were followed up for a minimum of 24 months (mean ± SD). There were no significant differences in the side-to-side anterior knee laxity, the IKDC, the Lysholm Knee, and the Tegner Activity Scale scores for up to 24 months after operation. The pivot shift test was negative in all cases, and no graft failure was reported at a 2-year follow-up. Conclusion: No significant differences were found with respect to postoperative anterior knee laxity, clinical outcomes, activity level, and patient satisfaction between the application of manual tension and the use of the graft-tensioning system during tibial fixation while performing anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction with a quadruple hamstring tendon graft. Further high-quality clinical studies are required to elucidate whether device-assisted tension is superior to manual tension.