Self-Made Distal Femoral Extramedullary Positioning Osteotomy Template In Total Knee Arthroplasty

Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess the success of total knee arthroplasty with the use of extramedullary positioning osteotomy templates for limb alignment in contrast to traditional intramedullary positioning rods. Methods: Between September 2019 and February 2021, 70 participants underwent total knee arthroplasty with lower limb positioning using an extramedullary distal femur positioning template and intramedullary positioning rods. The participants were divided into two groups each to receive either of the two limb positioning techniques. The groups were divided randomly and were similar at the beginning of the study. Therefore, the participants were equally divided into 35 participants per group. Participants' indication for the procedure was severe osteomyelitis or rheumatoid arthritis, and they underwent distal femoral osteotomy. The force lines of the lower limb were identified by locating the center of the head of the femur. The patients were monitored for intraoperative bleeding, surgical trauma and surgical time. They were followed up during the first and second weeks post-operation to assess for knee joint movement graded using the HSS knee score and assessed for deviation. Participants were treated equally throughout the study and during the follow-up phase. Results: The participants did not have any statistically significant differences at the beginning of the study. The intramedullary group had a lesser average age but without any significant difference from the extramedullary group. In addition, their HSS knee scores, body mass index, knee joint range of motion, and the angle of deviation of the knee, hip, and ankle were of no statistical significance with a p-value of more than 0.05. The operation time for the extramedullary group was approximately 96.57 minutes with a margin of error of (+/-) 8.576 minutes. In contrast, the intramedullary group had an average time of 104.8 minutes and a margin of error of (+/-) 8.864. Intraoperative bleeding for the extramedullary group was less at approximately 89.97 ml, while it was 95.4ml in the intramedullary group. Postoperative drainage was also more in the intramedullary group as compared to the intramedullary group. The differences between both groups were statistically significant, with a p-value of less than 0.05. There was no significant difference in HKA angle deviation, coronal plane angle, and flexion angle of femoral prosthesis (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Extramedullary distal femoral osteotomy positioning templates proved superior to intramedullary positioning rods. The template demonstrated less surgical trauma hence the lower risk of deformity, less intraoperative bleeding, therefore, more safety and less risk for infection than the intramedullary positioning rods.

Return to Work and Sport After Distal Femoral Osteotomy: A Systematic Review

Context: Distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) is a joint preservation procedure that corrects genu valgum deformities and patellofemoral maltracking, thereby restoring kinematics and unloading contact pressures in the lateral tibiofemoral and patellofemoral compartments. Objective: To evaluate the rates of return to work (RTW) and return to sport (RTS) after DFO for valgus malalignment and lateral compartment osteoarthritis through a systematic review of the literature. Data Sources: A systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted on the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases. Study Selection: The search terms femoral osteotomy AND ( sports OR work) were used. Studies in which patients underwent concomitant total knee arthroplasty were excluded. Study Design: Systematic review. Level of Evidence: Level 4 (systematic review of level 4 studies). Data Extraction: Data included the number of patients, age, gender, laterality of operation, time to follow-up, rate of RTW and RTS, time to RTS, activity level on return, and activity level scores (Tegner, Marx, Lysholm, and the International Knee Documentation Committee). Risk of bias was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria. Results: Seven articles with 194 patients were included. The average age ranged from 19 to 49 years with a mean postoperative follow-up range of 36 to 90 months. RTW data were available for 125 patients, of whom 42.1% to 91.3% returned by final follow-up. Data on RTS were available for 149 patients, of whom 70% to 100% returned at a range of 8.3 to 16.9 months postoperatively, and 41.6% to 100% returned to the same or greater level of sports activity. The Tegner and Marx activity level scores ranged from 3 to 4 and from 5 to 11, respectively, at final follow-up. Conclusion: Patients treated with DFO reported high rates of RTW and RTS, with most patients being able to return to recreational sport after surgery.

Ellis–van Creveld Syndrome in Iran, a Case Report and Review of Disease Cases in Iran, Middle East

Introduction: Chondroectodermal dysplasia (Ellis–van Creveld syndrome (EVC)) (OMIM: #225500) is a rare skeletal dysplasia with unknown exact prevalence. EVC patients may have abnormal skeletal and extra skeletal symptoms. We report a case of EVC patient and review previous cases reported in Iran.Materials and methods: The patient was a 30 years old woman referred to our hand clinic for an extra finger in both hands. She was born to a consanguineous marriage. The patient had a history of bilateral valgus deformity of the knees, for which she underwent proximal tibial and distal femoral osteotomy. Upon examination, the patient had bilateral polydactyly and brachymetacarpia with hypotrophic fingernails. She was about 120 cm tall and had acromesomelic type dwarfism. Oral examination revealed serrated incisal margins, dental transposition, a diastema, conical teeth and, enamel hypoplasia. In the radiographic examination of upper extremity, postaxial polydactyly and polymetacarpia, enlarged distal radius, and fusion of capitate and hamate were seen. We searched online databases (Pubmed, Scopus, Google Scholar) and found 14 Iranian papers with 21 reported patients (there was no time limit). We reviewed available clinical and genetic data and the geographic origins of patients.Results: 14 articles reporting 22 EVC patients (including our patient) from Iran have been published in Persian and English (7 in Persian and 7 in English). All patients presented with characteristic EVC symptoms but were diagnosed at a relatively late age, 18 patients were born to consanguineous marriages.Conclusions: It seems that based on these studies, it is possible to identify some families with this genetic mutation. We can warn such families of the dangers of consanguineous marriage through genetic counseling before marriage. In addition, by identifying families with such problems, we can detect such anomalies in the baby earlier with more careful prenatal care.

Detection of Lateral Hinge Fractures After Medial Closing Wedge Distal Femoral Osteotomy: Computed Tomography Versus Plain Radiography

Background: Limited evidence exists in the literature regarding the detection rates of lateral hinge fracture (LHF) on computed tomography (CT) after medial closing wedge distal femoral osteotomy (MCDFO). Moreover, the effect of LHF on bone healing after MCDFO remains unclear. Hypothesis: The detection rates of LHF after MCDFO would be higher on CT than on plain radiography. The incidence of problematic bone healing would be higher in the knees with LHF than in those without LHF. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis), Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients who underwent MCDFO between May 2009 and July 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. The presence of LHF was evaluated using immediate postoperative plain radiography and CT. The detection rates of LHF on plain radiography and CT were compared. The incidence of problematic bone healing (nonunion, delayed union, and loss of correction) was also compared between the knees with LHF and those without LHF. Results: A total of 55 knees of 43 patients (mean age, 37.7 ± 16.7 years) were included in the study. Although 33 LHFs were detected on CT, only 19 LHFs were detected on plain radiography. The detection rate of LHF was significantly higher on CT than on plain radiography (60% vs 34.5%; P = .008). At 1-year follow-up, 10 cases of problematic bone healing (1 nonunion, 4 delayed unions, and 5 losses of correction) were identified. The incidence of problematic bone healing was significantly higher in the knees with LHF than in those without LHF as shown on plain radiography (36.8% vs 8.3%; P = .001) and CT (30.3% vs 0%; P = .004). Conclusion: LHF can be detected better on CT than on plain radiography and has a negative effect on bone healing after MCDFO. For patients with LHF detected on either plain radiography or CT, careful rehabilitation with close follow-up is recommended.

Closing-wedge distal femoral osteotomy combined with medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction for recurrent patellar dislocation with genu valgum

Background Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) is a well-established procedure for addressing recurrent patellar dislocation (RPD) in young patients. However, despite being a promising procedure for RPD with genu valgum, there is a scarcity of reports on simultaneous MPFLR and closing-wedge distal femoral osteotomy (CWDFO). The purpose of the present study was to observe and analyse the clinical and imaging findings of CWDFO combined with MPFLR for RPD with genu valgum. Methods From May 2015 to April 2018, 25 patients with RPD and genu valgum were surgically treated in our department. Anteroposterior long-leg, weight-bearing, lower-extremity radiographs, lateral radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans of the patellofemoral joint were obtained, and the anatomical femorotibial angle (aFTA), mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), weight-bearing line rate (WBLR), patellar height, patellar lateral shift (PLS) and tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance were analysed. Validated knee scores, such as the Kujala, Lysholm, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Tegner socres, were evaluated preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively. Results 25 patients, with an average age of 19.8 years (14–27), were evaluated. During the 2-year follow-up period, all patients were able to achieve a better sports level without any problems, with no recurrence of patellar instability. Compared with preoperation, the aFTA, mLDFA, WBLR and PLS showed statistically significant improvement following the procedure (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, no significant differences in the Insall index and TT-TG distance were found. The mean Kujala score, average Lysholm score, VAS score and Tegner socres showed significant postoperative improvement. Conclusions CWDFO combined with MPFLR is a suitable treatment for RPD with genu valgum, and can lead to significant improvement in the clinical and imaging findings of the knee in the short term.