1.Delayed Onset Sciatic Nerve Palsy Secondary to Wound Hematoma following Anticoagulant Therapy Post-Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty - an Uncommon Complication: A Case Report
Balaji G ; Sriharsha Y ; Sharma D
Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal 2019;13(2):49-51
A 58-year old female patient presented to us with a three months’ old fracture of the neck of femur. She underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty. In the immediate postoperative period, she developed deep vein thrombosis for which she was started on anticoagulant therapy. Patient had persistent discharge from the wound since then and underwent regular dressings. On the eighth post-op day, she developed sciatic nerve palsy secondary to wound haematoma. The haematoma was decompressed immediately and she had a dramatic improvement in pain but her neurological deficit persisted. The wound healed completely without any complications. At three months follow up, she had recovered completely with grade 5/5 power in ankle and foot and full sensory recovery in the sciatic nerve distribution. She was ambulating comfortably with a walker. At final follow up around 20 months post-operation, she was pain-free and walking without any support. The wound had healed completely.
2.Accuracy of Femoral Tunnel Placement between Anteromedial and Anterolateral Visualisation Portals in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction - Outcomes of a CT based Cross-Sectional Study
Balaji G ; Yadav G ; Patel SA ; Ramesh A ; Nema S ; Ramalingam T
Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal 2023;17(No.2):7-12
Introduction: Anatomical femoral tunnel placement is
critical for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
(ACLR). Tunnel placement may vary with different surgical
techniques. The aim of this study was to compare the
accuracy of femoral tunnel placement between the
Anteromedial (AM) and Anterolateral (AL) visualisation
portals on post-operative CT scans among a cohort of ACLR
patients.
Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was
conducted from January 2018 to March 2020 after obtaining
ethics clearance. Patients who went for arthroscopic ACLR
in our institute were divided into an AM (group 1) and an AL
(group 2) based on the visualisation portal for creating the
femoral tunnel and a 3D CT scan was done. The femoral
tunnel position was calculated in deep to shallow and high to
low direction using the Bernard Hertel grid. Femoral tunnel
angle was measured in the 2D coronal image. Statistical
analysis was done with the data collected.
Results: Fifty patients with an average age of 26.36 (18-55)
years ±7.216 SD were enrolled in the study. In this study, the
AM technique was significantly more accurate (p<0.01) than
the AL technique in terms of femoral tunnel angle.
Furthermore, the deep to the shallow position was
significantly (p= 0.018) closer to normative values, as
determined by the chi-square test. The chances of error in
tunnel angle in femoral condyle are 2.6 times greater in the
AL technique (minimal clinical difference).
Conclusion: To conclude, in ACLR the anteromedial
visualisation portal can facilitate accurate femoral tunnel
placement compared to the anterolateral visualisation portal.
3.Predictors of Functional Outcome in Unstable Ankle Fractures Treated Surgically – A Prospective Cohort Study
Balaji G ; Bhukya R ; Nema S ; Rajeswari M ; Vellaipandi V
Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal 2021;15(No.1):85-92
Introduction: Unstable ankle injuries require anatomical
reduction and stabilisation for optimal outcome. In spite of
adequate care, a few patients have poor outcome. In this
study, we assessed the risk factors that predict the clinical
outcomes in surgically treated unstable ankle fractures.
Material and methods: This prospective cohort study was
conducted on 68 patients who underwent surgical
management for an unstable ankle injury. Demographic
details, fracture type and associated medical comorbidities
were recorded. Pre-operative radiographic assessment was
done for all patients. At the end of one year follow-up,
clinical (American Orthopaedic foot and ankle societyAOFAS and Olerud-Molander ankle - OMAS) scores and
radiological parameters were assessed and analysed.
Results: Fracture dislocation (0.008), diabetes mellitus
(0.017), level of alchohol consumption (0.008) and preoperative talocrural angle (TCA) > 100° (0.03) were
significant predictors of poor outcomes as per AOFAS.
Fracture dislocation (0.029), diabetes mellitus (0.004), preoperative TCA > 100° (0.009), female gender (0.001), age
more than 60 years (0.002) and open injuries (0.034) had
significantly poor outcome as per OMAS. Other parameters
(smoking, hypertension, classification, syndesmotic injury,
medial clear space and tibiofibular overlap) did not affect the
outcome significantly.
Conclusion: Our study showed that poor outcome
predictors in unstable ankle fractures are age >60 years,
female gender, diabetes mellitus, alcohol consumption,
fracture dislocation, open fractures and pre-op TCA >100°.