Background: The outcomes of first metatarsal (M1) distal osteotomies in hallux valgus (HV) can be improved, especially for intermetatarsal angle (IMA) correction, which is mainly based on lateral displacement of the M1 head (i.e., translation) through the osteotomy. Conversely, there is a spontaneous reduction in the IMA in first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP1) arthrodesis. But we do not know whether this can be applied to distal osteotomies. We propose a distal osteotomy, called 3D chevron, which combines supination and varization of the M1 head. This might realign soft tissues around the MTP1, potentially leading to a spontaneous reduction in the IMA by an analogous mechanism to MTP1 fusion. Therefore, our study aimed to assess whether spontaneous reductions in IMAs exist in distal M1 osteotomies in the absence of lateral translations of M1 heads. Methods: A prospective continuous series of 25 3D chevrons was performed. Two groups were formed during surgery. Patients requiring no M1 head lateral displacement were included in the “successful correction without translation” group, and patients requiring M1 head lateral displacement were included in the “failed correction without translation” group. Radiographic analysis was performed preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. Results: Twenty-two women and three men, with a mean age of 44.8 ± 14.2 years and a mean body mass index of 22.6 ± 4.1 kg/m2, underwent follow-up at one year after surgery. The “successful correction without translation” group was composed of HV with milder deformities (13/25 HVs, median preoperative IMA = 13 (IQR 2)) compared to the “failed correction without translation” group (median IMA = 16 (IQR 2.25) p < 0.001). Spontaneous reductions in IMAs were observed in the “successful correction without translation” group, with a median decrease in the IMA of 6 degrees (CI95%[5.5; 8.0]; p < 0.001) between preoperative and 1-year radiographs. Conclusion: Distal osteotomies allow for spontaneous reduction in the IMA in HV. First metatarsal head translation through an osteotomy should not be considered as the only procedure to correct IMAs in distal osteotomies.
28 October 2025 in Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics
Purpose: Medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (mUKA) may offer significant advantages for octogenarian patients due to its reduced surgical burden. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical and radiological outcomes, including complications and implant survivorship, in octogenarians following robotic‐assisted mUKA compared to patients aged ≤60 years. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on robotic‐assisted mUKA performed between 2018 and 2022, with a minimum follow‐up of 24 months. Inclusion criteria were patients aged ≥80 years and patients aged ≤60 years. Participants without consent were excluded. A total of 203 patients were included in the final analysis. Propensity score matching was performed to balance the two cohorts (Young: ≤60 years; Octogenarians: ≥80 years) based on body mass index (BMI), Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and Knee Society Score (KSS). The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare continuous variables both preoperatively and postoperatively, as well as clinical improvements across cohorts. The Wilcoxon Signed‐Rank Test and the minimally clinically important difference (MCID) were used to evaluate postoperative clinical outcome improvements within each cohort. The Chi‐Square test was used to compare survival and complication rates between groups. Results: No differences were found between groups in any clinical or radiographic parameters, either preoperatively or postoperatively. Both groups showed comparable and clinically meaningful improvements in KSS and OKS scores. In the octogenarian group, there were two cases of intracortical lateral tibial fractures managed conservatively. One case of subpopliteal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurred in the younger cohort. No differences in implant survival were observed between the groups. Conclusion: Advanced age alone should not preclude octogenarian patients from undergoing robotic‐assisted mUKA, as they can achieve meaningful functional improvements comparable to those of younger patients. Level of Evidence: Level III.
Posterior lateral meniscal root (PLMR) tears are commonly observed in conjunction with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. The presence of PLMR tears exacerbates knee instability, increasing stress on ACL grafts and accelerating joint degeneration if left untreated. Anatomical repair of PLMR tears is therefore crucial for restoring native knee kinematics and reducing tibiofemoral contact pressures, thereby safeguarding the ACL graft. However, the standard use of a single medial tunnel approach for concomitant PLMR and revision ACL reconstruction may require reconsideration to prevent the potential risks of tunnel overlapping, which could undermine graft anatomical integrity. This article, to prevent the risk of tunnel overlapping, introduces a surgical approach that employs an additional lateral tibial tunnel for PLMR repair, instead of the typically used single medial one, for PLMR repair during simultaneous revision ACL reconstruction. Technique Video: video See video under supplementary data.
Introduction: Octogenarians undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) face increased risks of complications due to reduced bone support following osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to describe our preferred technique to balance robotic-assisted UKA in this specific patient population and to present its results. Methods: This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data examined 121 consecutive octogenarian patients (median age 84 years, IQR 82–86) who underwent robotic-assisted medial UKA between September 2018 and December 2022 with ≥24 months follow-up. Patients aged ≤80 years, with ≤2 years of follow-up, or without informed consent were excluded. Data collection included radiographic measurements (HKA, LDFA, MPTA, joint line height), patient-reported outcome measures (Oxford Knee Score, Knee Society Score), and complications. Statistical analysis employed descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, Cohen’s d for effect sizes, and the McNemar test for categorical variables. Results: The hip–knee–ankle angle improved significantly from 174.43° to 178.04° (mean difference 3.61°, 95% CI 3.13–4.09, p < 0.001). Patient-reported outcomes demonstrated substantial improvements: the Knee Society Score increased by 83.09 points (95% CI 79.76–86.42, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 4.53), and the Oxford Knee Score increased by 17.09 points (95% CI 15.42–18.76, p < 0.001), with both exceeding minimal clinically important differences. Only 7.4% (9/121) of cases exhibited joint line lowering of >2 mm, with 1.7% (2/121) having both post-operative HKA 2 mm. The implant survival rate was 100% with minimal complications, including two conservatively managed tibial plateau fractures and two cases of wound dehiscence with no further surgery needed. Conclusions: Robotic-assisted medial UKA can consistently preserve joint line height while achieving excellent alignment correction and clinical outcomes in octogenarians, potentially addressing failure risks in this specific population.
Background/Objectives: Proximal femoral fractures (PFF) are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in elderly patients. Early identification of individuals at increased risk of death remains challenging. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inexpensive and readily available biomarker reflecting systemic inflammation and physiological stress, but its role as a risk stratification tool in surgically treated PFF patients is not fully established. The aim of this study was to validate NLR as a prognostic biomarker for mortality risk stratification in elderly hip fracture patients by evaluating its independent association with mortality, establishing clinically relevant risk categories, and assessing its ability to identify distinct mortality risk groups. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 1113 patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent surgery for AO/OTA 31.A (trochanteric) or 31.B (femoral neck) proximal femoral fractures between January 2021 and February 2024 at a single institution. NLR was calculated from routine admission bloodwork. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis stratified patients by clinically relevant NLR categories (10). Cox proportional hazards regression identified independent predictors of mortality. ROC analysis was performed secondarily to identify an optimal binary threshold. Results: At mean follow-up of 33.9 months, overall mortality was 36.2% (352/972). Stratified survival analysis demonstrated a clear dose–response relationship, with mortality rates of 26.2%, 36.5%, and 54.4% for NLR < 5, 5–10, and >10, respectively (log-rank p < 0.001). In multivariable Cox regression, NLR remained independently associated with mortality (HR = 1.042, 95% CI: 1.032–1.053, p < 0.001) after adjusting for age and time to surgery. ROC analysis identified an optimal binary cut-off of 6.59 (AUC 0.614). Conclusions: Elevated preoperative NLR is independently associated with increased mortality following surgery for proximal femoral fractures, particularly in very elderly patients. Given its simplicity and universal availability, NLR may represent a useful adjunct for early perioperative risk stratification.
Sagittal imbalance leads to adjustments in the pelvis, hips, and knees to keep a level gaze with minimal energy use. People who have a stiff spine adjust their posture by extending their hips, bending their knees, and tilting their pelvis back. This study hypothesized that type IIB spino-pelvic imbalance may influence the occurrence of flexion contracture after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We retrospectively evaluated all patients who received a robotic-assisted TKA between 2019 and 2024 at a single center. patients who had a postoperative range of motion (ROM) > 90°, a residual postoperative flexion contracture > 0°, and a final surgery report from the robotic platform confirming full extension at the end of the surgery. hip osteoarthritis or arthroplasty, preoperative stiff knees (full ROM < 70°), and limb length discrepancy > 1 cm. Patients were divided into the IA-IB-IIA-IIB categories according to the 2021 Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons spino-pelvic classification. There were two different knee surgeons who meticulously measured the residual flexion contracture with a goniometer. Linear regressions were used to assess whether spino-pelvic alignment would be associated with flexion contracture. Logistic regressions assessed whether a type IIB independently predicted residual flexion contracture. Preoperative ROM, hip-knee-ankle angle, age, and body mass index were set as potential confounders. The model's fit was assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow (P > 0.43). A total of 112 patients were included. The postoperative median flexion contracture was two (interquartiles range, one to four) in Cohort 1 and 10 (interquartiles range 7.2 to 14) at the final follow-up. There were 31 patients who were type IA (27.7%), 20 patients (17.9%) type IB, eight patients (7.1%) IIA, and 53 patients (47.3%) IIB. A higher incidence of residual flexion contracture was found in IIB patients (24.1, P < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed IIB as an independent predictor of postoperative flexion contracture (B = 0.7, SE = 0.3, Wald = 5.6, P = 0.016, 95% confidence interval= 4.3 to 6.9). The sagittal spino-pelvic alignment is a predictor of residual postoperative flexion contracture following TKA.