PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of computed tomography (CT) for spiral tibia shaft fracture by analyzing associated distal tibia intra-articular fractures diagnosed by CT only which met the indication of surgical fixation and were fixed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-five spiral tibia shaft fractures with preoperative ankle plain radiographs and CT were analyzed retrospectively. The incidence and type of associated distal tibia articular fractures were evaluated by reviewing ankle plain radiography and CT. The number of fractures diagnosed by CT that correspond with the indication of fixation and that were actually fixed were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 95 spiral tibia shaft fractures, 62 cases (65.3%) were associated with distal tibia intra-articular fracture. There were 37 cases of posterior malleolar fracture, 5 cases of avulsion fracture of the distal anterior tibiofibular ligament, 5 cases of medial malleolar fracture, and 15 cases of complex fracture. Among 52 posterior malleolar fractures including complex fracture, 20 cases were diagnosed by ankle plain radiograph. Of these 20 cases, 16 posterior malleolar fractures (80.0%) met the indication of surgical fixation, and 14 cases were actually fixed with a screw. Among 32 posterior malleolar fractures diagnosed by CT only, 26 cases (81.3%) met the indication of surgical fixation and 18 cases (56.3%) were fixed by screw. CONCLUSION: Approximately 50% of associated fractures were diagnosed by CT only and more than 80% of associated posterior malleolar fractures met the indication of surgical fixation and among these fractures, 18 cases (56.3%) were actually fixed by screw. This result suggests that CT is useful in diagnosis and treatment of distal tibia intra-articular fracture associated with spiral tibia shaft fracture.
Ankle ; Ankle Fractures ; Diagnosis ; Incidence ; Intra-Articular Fractures* ; Ligaments ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibia*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristic MR findings of hemophilic arthropathy of the knee. MATERIALS & METHOD: Seven knees in six patients with hemophilia (five hemophilia A and one hemophilia B) were retrospectively studied with MR images and plain radiographs. Patients were aged between 2 and 20 years (mean, 11) and all had a clinical history of repeated hemarthrosis. MR images of the knee were analyzed with respect to intra- andextra-articular hemorrhage, the state of synovial tissue, articular cartilage, bone, menisci, and ligaments. RESULTS: Synovial hypertrophy and articular cartilage destruction were revealed in all seven knees ; pannus wasfound in four, and was seen as low signal intensity on T1-weighted image and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. All five instances of synovial hypertrophy and pannus were enhanced. Joint effusion, presented in five ofseven knees, demonstrated slightly low signal intensity on T1-weighted image and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, and was associated with peripheral low signal intensity of hemosiderin. Subchondral and marginal erosion was seen in six cases, patellar deformity in three, meniscal damage in four and cruciate ligament damage in one case. CONCLUSION: MR is superior to plain radiography in demonstrating chronic repeated hemarthrosis (manifested as thick intra-articular effusion), hemosiderin, synovial hypertrophy, erosion ordestruction of articular cartilage and bone, and meniscal or cruciate ligament injury of hemophilic arthropathy ofthe knee. MR is therefore thought to be a useful imaging study for accurate evaluation of hemophilic arthropathyof the knee.
Cartilage, Articular ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Hemarthrosis ; Hemophilia A ; Hemorrhage ; Hemosiderin ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Joints ; Knee* ; Ligaments ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Radiography* ; Sulindac

Adolescent ; Adult ; Ankle Injuries ; Ankle Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Ligaments, Articular ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Rupture

BACKGROUND: In the present study, we aimed to compare clinical and radiographic outcomes between hook plate fixation and coracoclavicular (CC) ligament reconstruction for the treatment of acute unstable acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation. METHODS: Forty-two patients who underwent surgery for an unstable acute dislocation of the AC joint were included. We divided them into two groups according to the treatment modality: internal fixation with a hook plate (group I, 24 cases) or CC ligament reconstruction (group II, 18 cases). We evaluated the clinical outcomes using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and Constant-Murley score, and assessed the radiographic outcomes based on the reduction and loss of CC distance on preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up plain radiographs. RESULTS: The mean VAS scores at the final follow-up were 1.6 +/- 1.5 and 1.3 +/- 1.3 in groups I and II, respectively, which were not significantly different. The mean Constant-Murley scores were 90.2 +/- 9.9 and 89.2 +/- 3.5 in groups I and II, respectively, which were also not significantly different. The AC joints were well reduced in both groups, whereas CC distance improved from a mean of 215.7% +/- 50.9% preoperatively to 106.1% +/- 10.2% at the final follow-up in group I, and from 239.9% +/- 59.2% preoperatively to 133.6% +/- 36.7% at the final follow-up in group II. The improvement in group I was significantly superior to that in group II (p < 0.001). Furthermore, subluxation was not observed in any case in group I, but was noted in six cases (33%) in group II. Erosions of the acromion undersurface were observed in 9 cases in group I. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of acute unstable AC joint dislocation, hook plate fixation and CC ligament reconstruction yield comparable satisfactory clinical outcomes. However, radiographic outcomes based on the maintenance of reduction indicate that hook plate fixation is a better treatment option.
Acromioclavicular Joint/injuries/radiography/*surgery ; Acute Disease ; Adult ; Arthroscopy ; Bone Plates ; Dislocations/radiography/*surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Ligaments, Articular/surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the preoperative distractive stress radiographs in order to quantify and predict the extent of medial release according to the degree of varus deformity in primary total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: We evaluated 120 varus, osteoarthritic knee joints (75 patients). The association of the angle on the distractive stress radiograph with extent of medial release was analyzed. The extent of medial release was classified into the following 4 groups according to the stage: release of the deep medial collateral ligament (group 1), release of the posterior oblique ligament and/or semimembranous tendon (group 2), release of the posterior capsule (group 3) and release of the superficial medial collateral ligament (group 4). RESULTS: The mean femorotibial angle on the preoperative distractive stress radiograph was valgus 2.4degrees (group 1), valgus 0.8degrees (group 2), varus 2.1degrees (group 3) and varus 2.7degrees (group 4). The extent of medial release increased with increasing degree of varus deformity seen on the preoperative distractive stress radiograph. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative distractive stress radiograph was useful for predicting the extent of medial release when performing primary total knee arthroplaty.
Aged ; *Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/methods ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Deformities, Acquired/etiology/radiography ; Knee Joint/*radiography ; Ligaments, Articular/radiography ; Male ; Medial Collateral Ligament, Knee/*surgery ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/complications/radiography/*surgery

BACKGROUND: Several tendon graft and fixation methods have been introduced in medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction for recurrent patellar dislocation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of MPFL reconstruction using a gracilis autograft fixation without bone tunnel in patients with recurrent patellar instability. METHODS: Nine patients (four males and five females) diagnosed with recurrent patellar instability from July 2009 to January 2013 and had MPFL reconstruction using a gracilis autograft were included. The average age of the patients was 24.6 years (range, 13 to 48 years), and the average follow-up period was 19.3 months (range, 12 to 30 months). For every patient, femoral attachment was fixed using suture anchors securing the patella by suturing the periosteum and surrounding soft tissue. Clinical evaluation included the Kujala, Lysholm, and Tegner scores; in addition, patients were examined for any complication including recurrent dislocation. The congruence angle and patella alta were assessed radiologically before and after surgery. RESULTS: The Kujala score improved from an average of 42.7 ± 8.4 before surgery to 79.6 ± 13.6 (p = 0.008) at final follow-up; the Lysholm score improved from 45.8 ± 5.7 to 82.0 ± 10.5 (p = 0.008); and the Tegner score improved from 2.8 ± 0.8 to 5.6 ± 1.5 (p = 0.007). The Insall-Salvati ratio changed from 1.16 ± 0.1 (range, 0.94 to 1.35) before surgery to 1.14 ± 0.1 (range, 0.96 to 1.29; p = 0.233) at the final follow-up without significance. The congruence angle significantly improved from 26.5°± 10.6° (range, 12° to 43°) before surgery to -4.0°± 4.3° (range, -12° to 5°; p = 0.008) at final follow-up. Subluxation was observed in one patient and hemarthrosis occurred in another patient 2 years after surgery, but these patients were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: We achieved good results with a patellar fixation technique in MPFL reconstruction using a gracilis autograft employing soft tissue suturing in patients with recurrent patellar dislocation.
Adolescent ; Adult ; *Autografts ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Injuries/radiography/*surgery ; Ligaments, Articular/radiography/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal/surgery/transplantation ; Patella/radiography/*surgery ; Patellofemoral Joint/radiography/*surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures/adverse effects/instrumentation/*methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Thigh/surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of deltoid ligament and distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury on 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients (mean age, 35 years) who had undergone preoperative 3T MRI and surgical treatment for CLAI were enrolled. The prevalence of deltoid ligament and syndesmosis injury were assessed. The complexity of lateral collateral ligament complex (LCLC) injury was correlated with prevalence of deltoid or syndesmosis injuries. The diagnostic accuracy of ankle ligament imaging at 3T MRI was analyzed using arthroscopy as a reference standard. RESULTS: On MRI, deltoid ligament injury was identified in 18 (36%) patients as follows: superficial ligament alone, 9 (50%); deep ligament alone 2 (11%); and both ligaments 7 (39%). Syndesmosis abnormality was found in 21 (42%) patients as follows: anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL) alone, 19 (90%); and AITFL and interosseous ligament, 2 (10%). There was no correlation between LCLC injury complexity and the prevalence of an accompanying deltoid or syndesmosis injury on both MRI and arthroscopic findings. MRI sensitivity and specificity for detection of deltoid ligament injury were 84% and 93.5%, and those for detection of syndesmosis injury were 91% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Deltoid ligament or syndesmosis injuries were common in patients undergoing surgery for CLAI, regardless of the LCLC injury complexity. 3T MRI is helpful for the detection of all types of ankle ligament injury. Therefore, careful interpretation of pre-operative MRI is essential.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Ankle Injuries/pathology/*radiography ; Ankle Joint/*radiography ; Arthroscopy ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability/pathology/radiography/*surgery ; Ligaments, Articular/pathology/radiography ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Symphalangism is a rare congenital difference characterized by ankylosis of interphalangeal (IP) joints of the fingers and toes. In adults, there were several attempts to restore the stiff joints into mobile ones, but these treatment options resulted in poor outcomes and could not be applied to growing children. Here, we report our experiences on surgical treatment for children who had symphalangism of the hand. METHODS: We treated 36 joints in 17 children with symphalangism of the hand using dorsal capsulotomy and collateral ligament release. The diagnoses were based on history, physical examination, and simple radiographs. Affected fingers were classified according to our grading system. Simple compressive dressing was applied using Coban after surgery. Passive range of motion (ROM) exercise was started on day one or 2 postoperative, with the help of a hand therapist and patients' parents. The patients were prescribed passive ROM exercises for at least 2 hours a day over a period of 6 months. RESULTS: A single surgeon operated on 30 proximal IP joints, 3 distal IP joints, and 3 IP joints of the thumb. Twenty six joints were classified as grade I, and 10 as grade II. The ROM of affected joints, which was 7.8 +/- 8.1 (mean +/- SD) degrees preoperatively, increased to 46.8 +/- 18.6 degrees at final follow-up. The final ROM was significantly better in grade I joints, especially when the children had operations at ages 24 months or younger. CONCLUSIONS: Symphalangism of the hand in children, can be restored into a mobile joint by release of the collateral ligament, a dorsal capsulotomy, and postoperative physical therapy.
Age Factors ; Ankylosis/radiography/surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Finger Joint/abnormalities/radiography/surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Joint Diseases/classification/*congenital/radiography/surgery ; Ligaments/surgery ; Male ; Orthopedic Procedures/methods ; Physical Examination ; *Range of Motion, Articular ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Symphalangism is a rare congenital difference characterized by ankylosis of interphalangeal (IP) joints of the fingers and toes. In adults, there were several attempts to restore the stiff joints into mobile ones, but these treatment options resulted in poor outcomes and could not be applied to growing children. Here, we report our experiences on surgical treatment for children who had symphalangism of the hand. METHODS: We treated 36 joints in 17 children with symphalangism of the hand using dorsal capsulotomy and collateral ligament release. The diagnoses were based on history, physical examination, and simple radiographs. Affected fingers were classified according to our grading system. Simple compressive dressing was applied using Coban after surgery. Passive range of motion (ROM) exercise was started on day one or 2 postoperative, with the help of a hand therapist and patients' parents. The patients were prescribed passive ROM exercises for at least 2 hours a day over a period of 6 months. RESULTS: A single surgeon operated on 30 proximal IP joints, 3 distal IP joints, and 3 IP joints of the thumb. Twenty six joints were classified as grade I, and 10 as grade II. The ROM of affected joints, which was 7.8 +/- 8.1 (mean +/- SD) degrees preoperatively, increased to 46.8 +/- 18.6 degrees at final follow-up. The final ROM was significantly better in grade I joints, especially when the children had operations at ages 24 months or younger. CONCLUSIONS: Symphalangism of the hand in children, can be restored into a mobile joint by release of the collateral ligament, a dorsal capsulotomy, and postoperative physical therapy.
Age Factors ; Ankylosis/radiography/surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Finger Joint/abnormalities/radiography/surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Joint Diseases/classification/*congenital/radiography/surgery ; Ligaments/surgery ; Male ; Orthopedic Procedures/methods ; Physical Examination ; *Range of Motion, Articular ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: The authors report the results of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) treated with a surgical dislocation. METHODS: From April 2005 to May 2007, 15 FAI hips were treated with a surgical dislocation. The male/female ratio, mean age and mean symptom duration was 12/2, 35.8 years and 2.3 years, respectively. Radiographs and MR arthrograms were taken. The clinical evaluation involved changes in the pre- and postoperative Harris hip score (HHS). RESULTS: There were 12 hips (80%) with at least one structural abnormality in the radiographs, with 11 (79%) labral tears and 8 (73%) abnormally high angles in the MR arthrograms. We performed 15 osteochondroplasties, 12 labral repairs, 12 acetabuloplasty, and 3 debridements. The mean HHS improved from 76 to 93 points. Three non-unions of the trochanteric osteotomy sites were encountered as complications. CONCLUSIONS: Radiographs and MR arthrograms are important for making a proper diagnosis of FAI and planning treatment. A surgical dislocation can be used to treat FAI but further technical improvements will be needed for fixation of the greater trochanteric osteotomy sites.
Acetabulum/surgery ; Adult ; Female ; Femoracetabular Impingement/radiography/*surgery ; Femur Head/surgery ; Humans ; Ligaments, Articular/surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthopedic Procedures/methods ; Osteotomy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult