Long-Term Clinical and MRI Results after Refixation of osteochondral Fractures with resorbable Implants

Aims and Objectives: Refixation with resorbable implants is a common surgical treatment in patients with an osteochondral fracture of the knee or the upper ankle joint. Up to date there are no studies, which outline long-term outcome of this procedure. As a consequence aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical und MRI results. Materials and Methods: In this study 12 patients were examined 13,9 (#CHR: plusmn# 1,2) years after refixation of an osteochondral fragment of the knee (10) and the upper ankle joint (2) with a mean size of 3.16 cm² (#CHR: plusmn# 2,27) by resorbable implants (SmartNail, Conmed). We used eight established clinical scores (VASS, Tegner, Lysholm, McDermott, KSS, WOMAC, AOFAS, FADI+Sports). Furthermore we ascertained integration of bone and cartilage morpholgy by MRI (3 Tesla) using proton-weighted- and cartilage-sensitive double-echo-steady-state (DESS) sequences. To identify a possible osteonecrosis we used T1-weighted sequences with a contrast agent (Gadolinum). The morphologic results were objectified with a modified MRI-Score based on Henderson et al. (2003). Results: After 13,9 (#CHR: plusmn# 1,2) years the patients with an injury of the knee as well as of the upper ankle joint showed good to excellent results (Knee: VASS: 1,3 (#CHR: plusmn# 1,7); Tegener 4,4 (#CHR: plusmn# 1,3); Lysholm 85,7 (#CHR: plusmn# 12,2); McDermott 90,7 (#CHR: plusmn# 8,6); KSS 189 (#CHR: plusmn# 15,9); WOMAC (6,16% (#CHR: plusmn# 8,45)) (Upper Ankle joint: VASS: 2,5 (#CHR: plusmn# 2,5); Tegener 5,5 (#CHR: plusmn# 1,5); Lysholm 87 (#CHR: plusmn# 13), McDermott 88 (#CHR: plusmn# 12); WOMAC (8,54% (#CHR: plusmn# 8,54); AOFAS 75,5 (#CHR: plusmn# 24,5); FADI+Sports 118 (#CHR: plusmn# 18)). There was a good integration of the osteochondral fragment in all cases in the MRI. 5 patients showed moderate subchondral cysts. There were changes of the cartilage contour in all patients. The mean Henderson-Score was 14,4 (#CHR: plusmn# 2,0) (Best: 8, Worst: 32), which correlates with good results. Conclusion: Because of its good clinical and MRI results the refixation by resorbable implants can be recommended to treat osteochondral flakes.

Finite Element Analysis Of Large Deformation Of Articular Cartilage In Upper Ankle Joint Of Occupant In Military Vehicles During Explosion

The paper presents the analysis of the load of lower limbs of occupants in the armoured military vehicle, which has been destroyed by detonation of the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) charge under the vehicle. A simplified model of the human lower limb focused on upper ankle joint was developed in order to determine the reaction forces in joints and load in particular segments during the blast load. The model of upper ankle joint, include a tibia and an ankle bone with corresponding articular cartilage, has been developed. An analysis of the stress distribution under the influence of forces applied at different angles to the biomechanical axis of a limb has been performed. We analyzed the case of the lower limb of a sitting man leaning his feet on the floor. It has been shown that during a foot pronation induced by a knee outward deviation, the axial load on the foot causes significantly greater tension in the tibia. At the same time it has been shown that within the medial malleolus, tensile stresses occur on the surface of the bone which may lead to fracture of the medial malleolus. It is a common case of injuries caused by loads on foot of passengers in armored vehicles during a mine or IED load under the vehicle. It was shown that the outward deviation of the knee increases the risk of the foot injury within the ankle joint.

Upper ankle ligament rupture and long term problems in a patient with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome — a case report

Rupture of the upper ankle joint ligaments is a common injury. Therapy in patients with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a challenge due to the autosomal-dominant collagenopathy. Therapeutic recommendations and long term results in treatment of patients with EDS are rare. Therefore uncertainty exists. We present a case of clinical and radiologic long term results after ligament rupture of the upper ankle joint in a patient with EDS. A literature review tries to reveal current therapeutic strategies in patients with EDS.

Behandlungsalgorithmus der hämophilen Arthropathie des oberen Sprunggelenkes

SummaryThe upper ankle joint is one of the targetjoints of the haemophilic patient. Therefore, the secondary arthritis of the upper ankle joint is one of the most frequent forms of haemophilic arthropathy. It is a secondary form of arthritis not only because of chronic synovitis and cartilage injury resulting from chronic recurrent intraarticular bleeds, but also due to the misalignment of the joint and abnormal joint stress. The consequences are manifest even in young patients and finally lead to upper ankle joint arthritis. In such clinical situations, the upper ankle joint-arthroplasty is a viable alternative to arthrodesis. After several years of bleeding of the upper ankle joint many patients with haemophilia suffer from symptomatic arthritis. Open joint cleansing considerably improves mobility in the upper ankle joint and alleviates the pain in the talonavicular joint. However, the recovered mobility of the arthritic upper ankle joint also activates arthritis, associated with severe pain. With no contraindication to upper ankle joint replacement, a cement-free prosthesis can be implanted. Three months after surgery, the patients are mobile, with good foot rolling properties without orthopaedic aids and without pain in the upper joint ankle. Concludion: In terms of biomechanics the upper ankle joint-arthroplasty is a superior alternative to arthrodesis in haemophilia patients. In order to minimize the complication rate, their treatment should be restricted to specially equipped interdisciplinary centers with adequately trained and experienced surgeons as well as haemostaseologists.

Upper ankle joint prostheses in haemophilia patients

SummarySecondary arthrosis of the upper ankle joint (talocalcanean joint) is one of the most frequent forms of haemophilic arthropathy. It is a secondary form of arthrosis not only because of chronic synovitis and cartilage injury resulting from chronic recurrent intraarticular bleeds, but also due to the misalignment of the joint and abnormal joint stress. The consequences are manifest even in young patients and finally lead to subtalar joint ankylosis with the biomechanical disorder of foot drop (talipes equinus). In such clinical situations, implantation of a subtalar joint endoprosthesis is a viable alternative to arthrodesis. Case report:A man (age: 52 years), suffering from severe haemophilia A (residual FVIII activity < 1 %), no inhibitor formation. The patient has a history of several years of painful ankylosis of the right ankle joint and minor talipes equinus, and suffers from symptomatic talonavicular arthrosis. Open joint cleansing considerably improved mobility in the upper ankle joint and alleviated the pain in the talonavicular joint. However, the recovered mobility of the arthrotic upper ankle joint also activated the patient’s arthrosis, associated with severe pain. As there was no contraindication to upper ankle joint replacement, a cement-free prosthesis was implanted. Three months after surgery, the patient was mobile, with good foot rolling properties without orthopedic aids, and without pain in his upper joint ankle. Conclusion: In terms of biomechanics an upper ankle joint endoprosthesis is a superior alternative to arthrodesis in haemophilia patients. In order to minimize the complication rate, the treatment of haemophilia patients should be restricted to specially equipped interdisciplinary treatment centers with adequately trained and experienced surgeons as well as haemo -staseologists.

Single Hemicerclage for Lateral Type B Malleolar Fracture - A Novel, Minimal and Reliable Osteosynthesis

Aim of study: To investigate the short- and long-term outcome of patients with isolated lateral malleolar fracture type B treated with a single hemicerclage out of metallic wire or PDS cord. Methods: Over an 8-year period 97 patients were treated with a single hemicerclage for lateral malleolar fracture type B and 89 were amenable to a follow-up after mean 39 months, including interview, clinical examination and X-ray controls. Results: The median operation time was 35 minutes (range 15-85 min). X-ray controls within the first two postoperative days revealed an anatomical restoration of the upper ankle joint in all but one patient. The complication rate was 8%: hematoma (2 patients), wound infection (2), Sudeck's dystrophy (2) and deep vein thrombosis (1). Full weight-bearing was tolerated at median 6.0 weeks (range 2-26 weeks). No secondary displacement, delayed union or consecutive arthrosis of the upper ankle joint was observed. All but one patient had restored symmetric joint mobility. Ninety-seven percent of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the outcome. Following bone healing, hemicerclage removal was necessary in 19% of osteosyntheses with metallic wire and in none with PDS cord. Conclusion: The single hemicerclage is a novel, simple and reliable osteosynthesis technique for isolated lateral type B malleolar fractures and may be considered as an alternative to the osteosynthesis procedures currently in use.