Clinical results after very early, early and late arthroscopic arthrolysis of the knee

Purpose Impaired patient outcome can be directly related to a loss of motion of the knee following surgical procedures. If conservative therapy fails, arthroscopic arthrolysis is an effective procedure to improve range of motion (ROM). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients undergoing very early (< 3 months), early (3 to 6 months), and late (> 6 months) arthroscopic arthrolysis of the knee. Methods With a follow-up on average at 35.1 ± 15.2 (mean ± SD, 24 to 87) months, 123 patients with post-operative motion loss (> 10° extension deficit/ < 90° of flexion) were included between 2013 and 2018 in the retrospective study, while eight patients were lost to follow-up. A total of 115 patients were examined with a minimum follow-up of two years. Twenty percent (n = 23) of patients of this study population had a post-operative motion loss after distal femoral fracture, 10.4% (n = 12) after tibial head fracture, 57.4% (n = 66) after anterior/posterior cruciate ligament (ACL/PCL) reconstruction, 8.7% (n = 10) after infection of the knee, and 3.4% (n = 4) after patella fracture. Thirty-seven patients received very early (< 3 months, mean 1.8 months) arthroscopic arthrolysis, and 37 had early (3 to 6 months, mean 4.3 months) and 41 late (> 6 months, mean 9.8 months) arthroscopic arthrolysis after primary surgery. Results The average ROM increased from 73.9° before to 131.4° after arthroscopic arthrolysis (p < 0.001). In the group of very early (< 3 months) arthroscopic arthrolysis 76% (n = 28) of the patients had a normal ROM (extension/flexion 0/140°), in the group of early (3–6 months) arthrolysis 68% (n = 25) of the patients and in the group of late arthrolysis 41.5% (n = 17) of the patients showed a normal ROM after surgery (p = 0.005). The total ROM after arthrolysis was also significantly increased in the group of very early and early arthrolysis (136.5° and 135.3° vs. 123.7°, p < 0.001). A post-operative flexion deficit occurred significantly less in the group of very early and early arthroscopic arthrolysis compared to the late arthroscopic arthrolysis (3.9° and 4.2° vs. 16.6°, p < 0.001). Patients treated with very early (< 3 months) and early (3 to 6 months) showed a significantly increased post-operative Tegner score of 4.8 ± 1 and 4.7 ± 1.1 compared to 3.8 ± 1.1 in the group of late arthroscopic arthrolysis (> 6 months, p < 0.001). Conclusions An arthroscopic arthrolysis is highly effective and leads to good to excellent mid-term results. An early arthroscopic arthrolysis within 6 months after primary surgery leads to significantly improved ROM and functional scores compared to the late arthrolysis (> 6 months).

The Tibial Plateau Map: Fracture Line Morphology of Intra-Articular Proximal Tibial Fractures

The purpose of this study was to characterize the patterns of a large series of tibial plateau fractures with the use of fracture mapping, with regard to different fracture types using the OTA/AO and Schatzker classification. Patients with intra-articular fractures of the tibial plateau were evaluated, using the OTA/AO and Schatzker classification on CT scans. For fracture mapping, the axial slice that completely displayed the tibial joint plane was first identified, then matched to a template congruently, and the fracture lines were identified and reproduced. In addition to epidemiological data (age and gender), the trauma mechanism (high-energy, low-energy, and pathological fracture) was recorded. In total, 271 patients with 278 intra-articular fractures of the tibial head were analyzed, including seven patients with both sides affected. The mean age was 49.1 years (men 46.3 years, women 53.5 years). The majority of fractures was caused by high-energy trauma. No significant difference could be shown with respect to trauma mechanism and resulting fracture type in terms of OTA/AO ( p = 0.352 ) or Schatzker classification ( p = 0.884 ). A significant difference could be found with respect to gender and resulting fracture type in terms of OTA/AO ( p = 0.031 ). 170 (61.2%) were OTA/AO type B fractures, and 108 (38.8%) were type C fractures. Using the Schatzker classification, we found 53 type I (19.1%), 60 type II (21.6%), 27 type III (9.7%), 32 type IV (11.5%), 16 type V (5.8%), and 90 type VI (32.4%) fractures. The main affection was found in the lateral and intermedial column of the tibial plateaus, concerning both OTA/AO and Schatzker classification. The variability of intra-articular tibial head fractures is very high. In consequence, an individual analysis of fracture patterns and therapy planning by using CT scans is crucial.

Clinical Analysis of Classification for Tibial Plateau Fractures and Popliteal Artery Injury

Background To explore the association between the classification for tibial plateau fractures (TPF) and the popliteal artery injury (PAI).Methods 22 TPF patients accompanied by PAI who were treated from May 2012 to July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 19 males and 3 females with an average age of 49.43 years. The Schatzker classification and three-column classification were performed for TPF. The severity of extremity injury was evaluated using the mangled extremity severity score (MESS). Except 3 patients treated with amputation, the remaining patients underwent surgical repair of popliteal artery and fracture external fixation. The outcome was evaluated using the Rasmussen score for tibial head fractures.Results There were 10 cases of Schatzker type IV fractures, 1 case of type V fractures and 11 cases of type VI fractures. Based on the three-column classification, the posterior column was involved in 22 cases, 2 columns in 15 cases and 3 columns in 6 cases. The MESS was 6-10 points, with an average of 7.59 points. Except 1 case directly receiving amputation, 3 cases of segment P1 injury was observed via preoperative DSA + intraoperative exploration, while segment P2 in 6 cases and segment P3 in 12 cases. Popliteal artery was found completely ruptured in 11 cases, partially ruptured in 1 case, and severely contused with thrombosis in 10 cases. The Rasmussen score was given to 19 patients at the last follow-up, except for the cases undergoing amputation. The outcome was satisfied in 14 cases, unsatisfied in 5 cases.Conclusion: In patients with complex TPF, the risk of PAI becomes higher with the increase of Schatzker classification level. Knee CT scan is helpful in determining the severity of fractures and evaluating PAI. Based on the three-column classification, PAI should be suspected when the fractures involve the medial and posterior column.PAI is mainly in the segment P3, and artery rupture or severe contusion with extensive thrombosis may occur.

The irreducible knee-luxation after low-velocity trauma

Aims and Objectives: Knee-luxations are severe and rare injuries. Within the last years there is an incline on low velocity trauma leading to a nee-luxation. The luxated knee should be reduced immediately to minimize collateral damage to soft-tissue structures, nerves, vessels, etc. Materials and Methods: We report about a 87-year old man who was brought to our emergency room after he fell out of his bed. He showed a to the lateral side luxated tibial-head, which could not be reduced in analog sedation. The foot pulses could be measured with the Doppler, the patient was under massive pain so we decided to perform an immediate operative intervention. Even under maximum relaxtion the knee stayed in medial luxation. Results: The open reposition showed the destruction of all medial structures including the subcutaneous fat. The medial condyle was completely uncovered. The sartorious fascia, the ruptured M. vastus medialis and fibres of the medial collateral ligament have been trapped in the medial tibial joint line. The reposition was made possible by incision of the sartorious fascia. The tibially ruptured acl was refixated in a modified canula technique, the medial structures were adapted with sutures and additionally stabilized with ligament bracing for the medial collateral ligament. Postoperatively, the knee was immobilized in an external fixation for two week. Afterward we started with functional rehabilitation. The postoperatively obtained CT-angiography showed now traumatic vascular damage. This case is completely foto-documented. Conclusion: The irreducible knee-luxations are rare complications. So far there are 4 cases published. In all cases there has been an interposition of the musculus vastus medialis an the surrounding structures. An immediate open intervenvtion to reposition the knee has to be performed to avoid severe damage to. Especially the elderly patient benefits from a single-staged procedure to reconstruct the ruptured ligaments. To realize the best outcome early functional rehabilitation under close supervision of the surgeon is necessary.

Impact of posttraumatic steps on the intra-articular pressure of the lateral tibial plateau after fracture reconstruction: A biomechanical human cadaver study

Aims and Objectives: The aim of reconstructing a tibial head fracture is the anatomical reconstruction. Which deviations from the anatomical position are tolerable and which misalignments could be treated conservatively, is currently not investigated. It is known that after tibial plateau fractures up to 7.3% of even treated patients develop a posttraumatic osteoarthritis requiring a prosthesis after 10 years. A rate of osteoarthritis after 5 1/2 years up to 40% is known after tibial head fractures. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the reduction on the intra-articular pressure distribution within the lateral tibial plateau in various degrees of flexion. Materials and Methods: In a human lateral tibial plateau fracture model (AO 41 B1, n = 8), the intra-articular pressure distribution was measured depending on misalignment after reposition (0-8 mm step in 1.0 mm steps) in various angles of flexion (0°, 15, 30°, 60°, 90°). Preserving the relevant ligamental structures, the soft tissues was removed and the knees wer embedded in PMMA cement (Technovit 3400, Heraeus). A standardized osteotomy, dividing the lateral articular surface in the middle of the primary-load zone has been performed. The lateral fragment was fixed by a self-constructed sled with an angular-stable plate (LCP TomoFix, Fa. Synthes) and moved in 1 mm steps from the anatomical position distal. The intra-articular pressure distribution was measured by pressure sensors (S2015 Double kneepad sensor, Fa. Novel) under axial compression on a servo-hydraulic testing machine (Instron 8874, Fa. Instron). Taking the mean of the averaged pressure distribution in the medial and lateral plateau, data was measured for 20 sec with a reading rate of 10 frames per second. Results: Increasing the misalignment-step, there is an increasing mean pressure in both plateaus in every angle of flexion. For example at 90° of flexion relative growth in pressure (means) in 1 mm increments steps: In the lateral plateau -5.6%; -2.1%; + 9.3%; + 11.8%; + 13.3%; + 15.9%; + 20.6%; + 23%. In the medial plateau, the pressure change is as follows: + 4.8%; + 8.0%; + 8.3%; + 8.8%; + 9.0%; + 9.3%; + 9.4%; + 9.5%. The data is similar in the other investigated degrees of flexion. The turning point of the pressure increase is lateral always at the 1-2 mm step. Conclusion: Small steps of only 2 mm lead to a significant increase in pressure - initially in the intact and later also in the fractured plateau. Referring to these findings, the indication for primary operative or conservative care and revision operations should be made. Intraoperative reposition should be performed as precise as possible - preferably controlled f.e. arthroscopically. The influence of the menisci on the pressure distribution is seen in the lateral plateau as it compensates the loss of area in smaller joint-steps. This mechanism will be content of further studies.