Evaluation of Quadriceps Strength Post-medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction Using Quadriceps Tendon Autografts

BACKGROUND: Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction using quadriceps tendon (QT) grafts provides favorable results with minimal complications and can be performed in patients with open epiphyseal plates. Following MPFL reconstruction using QT grafts, the outcomes have been evaluated, but the residual quadriceps strength (QS) has never been evaluated. AIM: We analyzed the knee’s range of motion (ROM), thigh circumference (TC), and QS at donor leg sites compared with those at contralateral healthy sites after MPFL reconstruction. The hypothesis was that there is no morbidity at donor sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent MPFL reconstruction using QT autografts between January and December 2017 were recruited. The ROM, TC, and QS were measured 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (8 men, 14 women; mean age, 28.40 ± 10.78 years [range, 16–45]) were included in the study. The TCs at the donor and contralateral sites (medians: 37 and 37.5 cm, respectively) showed no significant difference (p = 0.64). QS measurements showed means of 182 ± 4.6 N and 190 ± 4.7 N at the donor and contralateral sites, respectively (p = 0.376). There were no ROM deficits. CONCLUSIONS: The ROM, TC, and QS at donor sites were similar to those at contralateral sites. The QT is a suitable graft for MPFL reconstruction.

The development of curvature in the porcine radioulna

Long bone curvature in animal limbs has long been a subject of interest and much work has explored why long bones should be curved. However, the ‘when’ and ‘how’ of curvature development is poorly understood. It has been shown that the rat tibia fails to attain its normal curvature if the action of muscles is removed early in life, but it is not clear if this is because the curvature fails to develop or if the bone becomes straighter without the action of muscles. No studies have examined the development of bone curvature in a normally developing quadruped, so this study tracks the course of curvature formation in the radioulna in a series of growing pigs. We also histologically examined the epiphyseal growth plates of these bones to determine if they contribute to the formation of curvature. In all three epiphyseal plates examined, the proliferative zone is thicker and more densely populated with chondrocytes on the cranial (convex) side than the caudal (concave) side. Frost’s chondral modelling theory would suggest that the cranial side of the bone is under more compression than the caudal side, and we conclude that this is due to the action of triceps extending the elbow by pulling on the olecranon process. These results support the idea that bone curvature is an adaptation to habitual loading, where longitudinal loads acting on the curved bone cause bending strains that counter the bending resulting from the habitual muscle action.

Fractures of the spine in children

♦ Spinal injuries in children are rare♦ Pseudosubluxation above C4 is common in healthy children so the sign needs careful interpretation♦ Epiphyseal plates and a high incidence of skeletal variability make the interpretation of spinal x-rays in children difficult. Anterior wedging is also normal as is interpedicular widening♦ Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) may occur for up to one-third of spinal injuries in children♦ Deformity secondary to trauma tends to deteriorate with growth.