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Acute patella dislocations account for approximately 2%–3% of knee injuries and are therefore a relatively common presentation in the accident and emergency department. The majority of patella dislocations can be reduced with simple manoeuvres or even spontaneously and can be managed conservatively by bracing and rehabilitation. The aim of this study is to identify and review the main causes of the unique and unexpected event of irreducible patella dislocation and their characteristic presentations. Irreducible patella dislocations can happen but are very rare. Currently, a limited number of case reports are available, prompting for a need for research on this topic. This case study can shed light on the possible pathogenesis and pathognomonic features of irreducible patella dislocations and provide insight on the available therapeutic approaches.

Metaphyseal augmentation has in recent years formed a key strategy in management of bone loss in revision knee arthroplasty. There are studies reporting excellent short-term results, however long- term data is lacking. There is also a paucity of studies comparing the most frequently utilised augments, metaphyseal sleeves, and cones. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate and compare the mid to long term outcomes of metaphyseal cones and sleeves. We conducted systematic search of 4 databases (Medline, Embase, CINALH and PubMed). Seventeen studies were found to be eligible for inclusion of which ten investigated metaphyseal sleeves and the remaining seven investigated cones. Mean follow up across all studies was 6.2 years. The total number of patients included in the studies was 1319 and the number of knees operated on was 1431. We noted a higher revision rate of metaphyseal cones when compared to sleeves 10.85% vs 6.31 (p=0.007). Reoperation rates were also higher in cones compared to sleeves, 13.78% vs 3.68% (p

INTRODUCTION: Chondral defects can be a particularly challenging clinical presentation. Because damaged cartilage does not heal itself, an evolution of multiple new surgical treatments designed specifically for cartilage repair and restoration have been introduced. Internal fixation has demonstrated good benefits in case reports and small qualitative studies. Our systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of internal fixation in the management of acute chondral fractures. METHODS: A comprehensive search strategy was carried out using the NICE Healthcare Databases Advanced Search. The systematic review was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022302976) and was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: Eleven studies consisting of fifty patients were included in this systematic review. Seventy-eight percent of patients showed good results and twenty-two percent of the cases had excellent results. Ninety-two percent of patients returned to preoperative level of sport activities at the end of the follow-up period. All of them returned to the original activity level without pain, stiffness, or restriction of movement after 1 year latest. The majority of patients had no complications at all, good recovery time and satisfactory outcomes for pain and activity level. The only complications presented were patella instability and quadriceps weakness. CONCLUSION: Internal fixation for acute chondral fractures is an effective method to treat acute chondral fractures in both adolescents and young adults that want to get back to an active lifestyle. However, more data examining the long-term functional status, quality of life (QoL), recovery post-injury and pain free sports activity involvement are needed.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been a successful treatment for ACL rupture. However ongoing rotational instability can be an issue. Several surgical techniques have been recommended to overcome this including lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) and more recently anterolateral ligament reconstruction (ALLR).To compare the clinical outcomes following ACL reconstruction (ACLR) alone or ACLR with either LET or ALLR.A systematic review was conducted by means of four databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and Clinical.Trials.Gov), and thePooled meta-analyses illustrated that ACLR with additional LET or ALLR results in improved pivot shift test scores, compared to isolated ACLR. There was no statistically significant difference in International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) clinical scores with addition of either LET or ALLR. ACL re-rupture rates were compared between LET and ALLR techniques. There was a statistically significant difference between techniques, with a 1.14% rupture rate in ACLR +ALLR, and 4.03% rupture rate in ACLR + LET. Isolated ACLR re-rupture rates were 12.59%, significantly higher than when augmented with either ALLR or LET (This meta-analysis has found that use of either LET or ALLR in addition to ACLR results in improved mechanical outcomes suggesting surgeons should consider augmenting ACLR with an extra-articular procedure in patients with rotatory instability. Furthermore, both anterolateral extra articular procedures in addition to ACLR lead to reduced ACL re-rupture rates compared to isolated ACLR. Moreover, ALLR results in reduced ACL re-rupture rates, compared to LET. More research is needed to compare the two respective extra-articular procedures.

Objective Several studies have been published regarding the treatment of medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) injuries for professional overhead athletes. However, there is a paucity of data regarding non‐professional athletes. The aim of this systematic review was to compare the rate of outcome scores and complications of conservative versus operative treatments both in non‐professional athletes and in non‐sport‐related trauma patients with MUCL lesions. Methods A systematic review of the published literature was performed by applying the PRISMA guidelines. A search was conducted using three databases: Medline, Science Direct, and Web of Science. The keywords used were “ulnar collateral ligament injury,” “elbow,” “surgery,” and “conservative treatment”. Patients were divided into three groups: patients who underwent conservative treatment (C‐group), surgical treatment (S‐group), and surgery after a failed conservative treatment (C&S‐group). Clinical outcomes were analyzed: Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Conway scale, Carson score, and Kerlan–Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic score (KJOC). Results A total of 15 studies were included, evaluating 513 patients. Although good and excellent outcomes were found for most patients during daily and/or sport activities, independently of the type of treatment, the C‐group had better results. Excellent results were found in 98.8% of the C‐group, in 88.1% of the S‐group, and in 87.7% of the C&S‐group. The complication rate in the C‐group was statistically higher compared to the S and C&S groups (P

The success of conversion Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) among primary THA and revision THA re- mains unclear. We hypothesized that most conversion THAss can be performed using primary implants and will have an uncomplicated post-operative course. Thirty-six patients (23 females, mean age 68,0y) who underwent conversion THA for failed interventions for proximal femur fractures in the period 2006-2018 were matched sequentially against patients of the same sex and age who underwent primary THA or revision THA. Data was collected on implants used, major complications, and mortality. PROMs used included the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index, Harris Hip Score, Visual Analogue Scale and the EQ-5D Health Questionnaire. Seventy- two percent of patients who underwent conversion THA were treated with primary implants and never suffered from a major complication. PROMs were excellent for this group of patients. The distinction primary / conversion / revision THA could not explain differences in outcomes, however the necessity of using revision implants and the development of major complications could. The majority of conversion total hip arthroplasties can be considered a primary replacement. Predicting outcomes for THA should focus on patient frailty and technical difficulties dealing with infection, stability and loss of bone stock and should discard the conversion versus revision terminology.

Background: Osteochondral lesions are a common clinical problem and their management has been historically challenging. Mesenchymal stem cells have the potential to differentiate into chondrocytes and thus restore hyaline cartilage to the defect, theoretically improving clincal outcomes in these patients. They can also be harvested with minimal donor site morbidity. Purpose: To assess the clinical and functional outcomes of mesenchymal stem cell implantation to treat isolated osteochondral defects of the knee. A secondary purpose is to assess the quality of the current available evidence as well as the radiological and histological outcomes. We also reviewed the cellular preparation and operative techniques for implantation. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of 4 databases was carried out: CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, and PubMed. We searched for clinical studies reporting the outcomes on a minimum of 5 patients with at least 12 months of follow-up. Clinical, radiological, and histological outcomes were recorded. We also recorded demographics, stem cell source, culture technique, and operative technique. Methodological quality of each study was assessed using the modified Coleman methodology score, and risk of bias for the randomized controlled studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. Results: Seventeen studies were found, encompassing 367 patients. The mean patient age was 35.1 years. Bone marrow was the most common source of stem cells utilized. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy consistently demonstrated good short- to medium-term outcomes in the studies reviewed with no serious adverse events being recorded. There was significant heterogeneity in cell harvesting and preparation as well as in the reporting of outcomes. Conclusion: Mesenchymal stem cells demonstrated a clinically relevant improvement in outcomes in patients with osteochondral defects of the knee. More research is needed to establish an optimal treatment protocol, long-term outcomes, and superiority over other therapies. Registration: CRD42020179391 (PROSPERO).

Perioperative hypothermia (below 36°C) has been associated with post-operative morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of post-operative hypothermia in hip arthroscopy patients and factors affecting perioperative body temperature variation. A prospective audit of 50 consecutive patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for a variety of pathologies was carried out. The final sample size was 46 due to missing data in 4 patients. Core body temperature was measured with a nasopharyngeal temperature probe at the induction of anaesthesia and at the end of the procedure. Other recorded variables were type of warming blanket, ambient theatre temperature and duration of surgery. It was noted whether the patient was shivering immediately post-operatively. The following demographic details were recorded : age, sex, body mass index and the American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status score. The statistical analysis was performed with Stata® 12 (StataCorp LP, College Station, Texas) by use of a conditional regression model to calculate associations between post-operative body temperature and other variables. The series included 30 female and 16 male patients aged 18 to 57 years (mean 35), with a mean BMI of 26.4 (standard deviation 4.2). Overall incidence of hypothermia below 36°C was 61%. Results of the conditional regression analysis suggested a positive association between post-operative body temperature and pre-operative body temperature (P.001). Incidence of hypothermia in hip arthroscopy patients is high (61%). We recommend warming patients pre-operatively with forced air warming devices to reduce this incidence. Level of evidence : IV.

Despite the success of hip and knee arthroplasty, risks of failure due to component malposition remain a problem. Robotic technology is now available to surgeons for use in hip and knee arthroplasties to increase the precision of planning and placement of components. This chapter reviews the key aspects of robotic hip and knee surgery and aims at providing an update of this technology.

There exist limited options for treatment of patients with combined medial compartment arthritis and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency. Ideal treatment is one that offers lasting relief of symptoms not compromising any future surgery. Unicompartmental knee replacement has shown consistently good results in the relatively young and active population, but there is a high reported incidence of failure up to 20%, if performed in ACL-deficient knees. One of the recognized treatment modality is combined ACL reconstruction and unicompartmental arthroplasty. A systematic review was conducted looking at the demographics, techniques, complications and outcome of combined ACL reconstruction with unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. A systematic literature search within the online Medline, PubMed Database, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane and Google Scholar was carried out until October 2016 to identify relevant articles. A study was defined eligible if it met the following inclusion criteria: the surgical procedure combined unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; patient’s clinical and/or functional outcomes were reported; any complications intra-operatively and post-operatively were reported; and the full-text articles, written in English, German, Italian, Dutch or Spanish, were available. Quality and risk of bias assessments were done using standardized criteria set. A total of 8 studies met the inclusion criteria encompassing 186 patients who were treated with simultaneous ACL reconstruction and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. The mean age was 50.5 years (range from 44 to 56) with a mean follow-up of 37.6 months (range from 24 to 60). There was an improvement in mean Oxford Score from 27.5 to 36.8. Complications reported included tibial inlay dislocation (n = 3), conversion to a total knee arthroplasty (n = 1), infection requiring two-stage revision (n = 2), deep-vein thrombosis (n = 1), stiffness requiring manipulation under anaesthesia (n = 1), retropatellar pain requiring arthroscopic adhesiolysis (n = 1). Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty combined with ACL reconstruction can be a valid treatment option for selected patients, with combined medial unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis and ACL deficiency. Systematic Review of Level IV Studies, Level IV.

Obstetric traumatic separation of the distal humeral epiphysis is a very uncommon injury, which presents a diagnostic challenge. These case serials reviewed the functional outcomes of 5 patients who had sustained a fracture-separation of the distal humeral epiphysis at birth. The diagnosis was made at a mean time of 40.8 h after delivery. All the patients were treated with gentle close manipulation, reduction under fluoroscopy and above-elbow cast application. After discharge, the patients were followed up for a mean of 30 months. Clinico-radiological results were excellent in four patients. One case necessitated closed reduction and percutaneous K-wire fixation at one week follow-up due to failed reduction. Cubitusvarus deformity was the only complication noted in 1 case. Good functional outcome can be expected in newborns with fracture-separation of the distal humeral epiphysis wherein the physis is anatomically reduced.

Background Advances in perioperative care and growing demand for hospital beds have progressively reduced the length of stay in lower limb arthroplasty. Current trends in population demographics and fiscal climate have also added to this change. Individual institutions have reported good outcomes with outpatient hip and knee arthroplasty. Debate remains regarding the safety of this practice, the optimal protocol, and the applicability in different subsections of population. The primary purpose of this review is to assess the complication and reoperation rates of outpatient arthroplasty. Methods We performed a systematic review of all papers reporting on 30 and/or 90-day complication rates of outpatient total hip, total knee, and unicondylar knee arthroplasty published from January 1, 2009 to November 1, 2019. Patient demographics, anesthesia, analgesic protocol, selection criteria, and reasons for failed discharge were also extracted. Results Nineteen manuscripts with a total of 6519 operations between them were analyzed as a part of this systematic review. Mean 90-day readmission rates were 2.3% (range 0%-6%) with 1.61% (range 0%-4%) rate. Overall rate of successful same calendar day discharge was 93.4%. Nausea/dizziness was the most common reason identified (n = 45) for failure of discharge. Conclusion The patients recruited for outpatient joint arthroplasty were younger, more active, and had suffered from less medical comorbidities than the more typical lower limb arthroplasty patient. There are significant differences in the reported complications between the studies reviewed. More research is needed to establish if an outpatient program can produce similar outcomes to a fast-track program. Further research is also needed to establish the optimal perioperative protocols.

Background. The purpose of this prospective study was first to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Minimally Invasive Distal Metatarsal Metaphyseal Osteotomy (DMMO) in treating central metatarsalgia, identifying possible contraindications. The second objective was to verify the potential of DMMO to restore a harmonious forefoot morphotype according to Maestro criteria. Methods. A consecutive series of patients with metatarsalgia was consecutively enrolled and treated by DMMO. According to Maestro criteria, preoperative planning was carried out by both clinical and radiological assessment. Patient demographic data, AOFAS scores, 17-FFI, MOXFQ, SF-36, VAS, and complications were recorded. Maestro parameters, relative morphotypes, and bone callus formation were assessed. Statistical analysis was carried out (p < 0.05). Results. Ninety-three patients (93 feet) with a mean age of 62.4 (31-87) years were evaluated. At mean follow-up of 58.7 (36-96) months, all of the clinical scores improved significantly (p < 0.0001). Most of the osteotomies (76.3%) had healed by 3-month follow-up, while ideal harmonious morphotype was restored only in a few feet (3.2%). Clinical and radiological outcomes were not different based on principal demographic parameters. Long-term complications were recorded in 12 cases (12.9%). Conclusion. DMMO is a safe and effective method for the treatment of metatarsalgia. Although Maestro criteria were useful to calculate the metatarsal bones to be shortened and a significant clinical improvement of all scores was achieved, the ideal harmonious morphotype was restored only in a few feet. Hence, our data show that Maestro criteria did not have a predictive value in clinical outcomes of DMMO.

Background:The aims of this prospective study were first to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive distal metatarsal diaphyseal osteotomies (DMDOs) for treating a consecutive series of diabetic patients with chronic plantar diabetic foot ulcers (CPDFUs) and second to assess their clinical-functional and radiographic outcomes.Methods:A consecutive series of patients affected by diabetes mellitus with CPDFUs, not responsive to previous nonoperative management, underwent DMDO. The CPDFUs were evaluated using the University of Texas Diabetic Wound Classification System (UTDWC). Demographic parameters, Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, healing times, and complications were recorded. Maestro et al criteria and bone callus formation were analyzed radiologically. Statistical analysis was carried out ( P < .05). Thirty consecutive enrolled patients with a mean age of 66.7 (range, 53-75) years presented 35 CPDFUs with a mean diameter of 16.3 mm and a mean duration of 10.3 months. The most frequent grade of the UTDWC was IIIB (42.9%).Results:All ulcers recovered with a mean healing time of 7.9 ± 4.0 (range, 4-17) weeks. AOFAS scores improved significantly from 55.3 to 81.4 points ( P < .001). At a mean follow-up of 25.3 months (range, 18-71), no cases of ulcer recurrence were recorded, while a major complication or a wound infection required longer healing time.Conclusion:Minimally invasive DMDO was a safe and effective method in promoting CPDFU healing, regardless of the grade of severity, by the reduction of the high plantar pressure under the metatarsal heads. This technique improved functional and radiographic outcomes with few complications.Level of Evidence:IV, case series.

The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) continues to be a widely debated and researched topic worldwide. Several diagnostic tools are currently available for PJI, and new ones continue to be added to the available options to the clinician. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a molecular biology technique that is used as a diagnostic modality in periprosthetic joint infection. In this chapter, we discuss indications, advantages and limitations of this molecular diagnostic technology.

The purpose of this study was to measure the time to perform particular activities in the operating room and calculate the cost per minute to perform each activity. We timed how long it takes to perform 15 individual activities carried out by orthopedic trainees during total hip and knee arthroplasty. We developed an algorithm, and then measured the time taken for the preparation of 20 consecutive patients using it. With the algorithm, overall preparation time was reduced by 25.32% for each hip arthroplasty and by 27.60% (P < .0001) for each knee arthroplasty, saving £84.32 and £93.44 per case, respectively. Coordination between surgeons and theater staff is essential to reduce the time spent performing activities, and this will help improve theater efficiency.

This review provides a comprehensive description of clinical, functional outcomes, and complications after open and minimally invasive surgery for Achilles tendon ruptures.We systematically searched Medline (PubMED), EMBASE, CINHAL, Cochrane, Sports Discus and Google scholar databases using the combined keywords 'open repair', 'percutaneous surgery', 'minimally invasive surgery' 'Achilles tendon rupture', 'complications', 'infections', 'wound disorders' to identify articles published in English, Spanish, French and Italian.Twelve studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Six studies were retrospective, five were randomized controlled trials and one was a prospective investigation. Of a total of 781 patients, 375 underwent open repair and 406 percutaneous surgery. Different procedures were performed for open and minimally invasive repair.The range of motion was significantly greater after percutaneous repair than open surgery. The number of complications that occurred after open surgery was higher than after minimally invasive surgery.Minimally invasive surgery is less expensive and less time demanding.Minimally invasive and open surgery of the Achilles tendon are grossly equivalent. However, iatrogenic neurological complications are more frequent after percutaneous repair. Novel percutaneous repairs have been proposed to minimize the risk of sural nerve injury.

Simultaneous bilateral presentation of psoas abscess with prosthetic joint involvement is extremely rare. A 68-year-old woman presented to us with bilateral dull aching groin pain of 6 months' duration, which flared up in the past month, associated with pyrexial symptoms. She had undergone bilateral hip replacements in the past with uneventful recovery. MRI showed bilateral psoas muscle collection in communication with the hip joints. Preoperative hip aspirate demonstrated frank pus with positivity on Gram stain and radiographs confirmed prosthetic loosening of bilateral hips. The patient subsequently underwent two-stage revision arthroplasty of both infected hip implants. At 5-year follow-up, the patient remains asymptomatic with good functional outcome and no recurrence on serial MRI.