Background and purpose There is growing interest in minimally invasive surgery techniques in total hip arthroplasty (THA). In this study, we investigated the learning curve and the early complications of the direct anterior approach in hip replacement.Methods In the period January through December 2010, THA was performed in 46 patients for primary osteoarthritis, using the direct anterior approach. These cases were compared to a matched cohort of 46 patients who were operated on with a conventional posterolateral approach. All patients were followed for at least 1 year.Results Operating time was almost twice as long and mean blood loss was almost twice as much in the group with anterior approach. No learning effect was observed in this group regarding operating time or blood loss. Radiographic evaluation showed adequate placement of the implants in both groups. The early complication rate was higher in the anterior approach group. Mean time of hospital stay and functional outcome (with Harris hip score and Oxford hip score) were similar in both groups at the 1-year follow-up.Interpretation The direct anterior approach is a difficult technique, but adequate hip placement was achieved radiographically. Early results showed no improvement in functional outcome compared to the posterolateral approach, but there was a higher early complication rate. We did not observe any learning effect after 46 patients.

No abstract

No abstract

PurposeAcromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations are common in a young and active population, especially in people performing contact sports. Full recovery with a fast and high rate of return to sport is desirable. This systematic review aims to combine patient outcomes in order to help surgeons in addressing patient expectations regarding the return to sport after surgical intervention for AC dislocations.MethodsTo conduct this systematic review, the PRISMA guidelines were followed. Articles were included if written in English or Dutch and evaluated return to sport after any type of surgical intervention for Rockwood types III to VI AC dislocations in patients practicing sports. Outcome parameters were return to sport, time to return to sport, level of sport, functional outcome scores and complications.ResultsTwelve studies involving 498 patients were included, of which 462 patients practiced sports. 432 (94%) patients returned to sport. The weighted mean time to return to sport was 4.0 months. 338 out of 401 patients (84%) returned to the same level of pre-injury sport and 35 patients (9%) lowered their level of sport. The weighted mean Constant score was 92 out of 100.ConclusionThe rate of return to sport after surgical intervention for Rockwood (RW) III–VI AC dislocations is high. However, the level of evidence was low and due to the methodological heterogeneity between studies, subgroup analyses of return to sport outcomes were not feasible.Level of evidenceSystematic review of level I–IV studies, level IV.

Diagnosis of a complete scapholunate ligament (SLL) injury is most often largely based on history, clinical examination, and plain radiographs.1-3 Unfortunately, an unequivocal diagnosis cannot always be made because a rupture is partial or because a complete rupture has intact secondary scaphoid stabilizers (the scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal, scaphocapitate, and radioscaphocapitate ligaments). AbstractObjective To determine the sensitivity and specificity of 3.0-tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a dedicated hand coil in diagnosing scapholunate ligament (SLL) injury compared with intraoperative findings. Methods From January 2006 until September 2010, 3.0-T MRI scans were performed on 38 wrists (37 patients) with clinically unclear but suspected lesions of the SLL. These scans were evaluated by two experienced radiologists. Radiological findings were compared with intraoperative findings during arthrotomy. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive value were calculated. Results An SLL lesion was identified during arthrotomy in 37 wrists. The first radiologist identified an SLL lesion on MRI in 26 wrists, all of which were confirmed intraoperatively. The second radiologist identified SLL lesions in 31 patients; however, intraoperatively it was found that there was no lesion of the ligament in one patient. Sensitivity ranged from 70 to 81% with a specificity of 100% and a positive predictive value of 97 to 100%. Accuracy measured 71 to 79%. Conclusions 3.0-T MRI of the wrist is moderately sensitive and very specific for detection of SLL lesions. However, if there is a high clinical suspicion of an SLL rupture, a 3.0-T MRI does not often have an additional value. Level of Evidence Diagnostic, level II

Purpose The correlation between the degree of developmental hip dysplasia (DDH) measured on ultrasound images compared with that measured on radiographs is not clear. Most studies have compared ultrasonography (US) and radiographic images made at different times of follow-up. In this study the correlation between US images and radiographs of the hip made on the same day was evaluated. Methods US images and radiographs of both hips of 74 infants, who were treated for stable DDH, were reviewed in a retrospective study. Only infants who had an US examination and a radiograph on the same day were included. Results The correlation between α-angle of Graf and femoral head coverage on US was strong (p ≤ 0.0001). Weak correlations were found between the acetabular index of Tönnis on radiographs and α-angle of Graf on US (p = 0.049) and between acetabular index of Tönnis on radiographs and femoral head coverage of Morin on US (p = 0.100). Conclusion This study reports on the correlation between US and radiographic imaging outcomes, both made on the same day in patients for treatment and follow-up of DDH. Level of Evidence IV

Purpose Septic knee arthritis in children can be treated by arthrocentesis (articular needle aspiration) with or without irrigation, arthroscopy or arthrotomy followed by antibiotics. The objective of this systematic review was to identify the most effective drainage technique for septic arthritis of the knee in children. Methods The electronic PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were systematically searched for original articles that reported outcomes of arthrocentesis, arthroscopy or arthrotomy for septic arthritis of the knee. The quality of all included studies was assessed with the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria. This systematic review was performed and reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results Out of 2428 articles, 11 studies with a total of 279 knees were included in the systematic review. The quality of evidence was low (MINORS median 4 (2 to 7)). A meta-analysis could not be performed because of the diversity and low quality of the studies. In septic knee arthritis, additional drainage procedures were needed in 54 of 156 (35%) knees after arthrocentesis, in four of 96 (4%) after arthroscopy and in two of 12 (17%) after arthrotomy. Conclusion Included studies on treatment strategies for septic arthritis of the knee in children are diverse and the scientific quality is generally low. Knee arthroscopy might have a lower risk of additional drainage procedures as compared with arthrocentesis and arthrotomy, with acceptable clinical outcomes and no radiological sequelae. Level of evidence IV

This study concludes that joint distraction of the osteoarthritic CMC1 joint is technically feasible. In this small, prospective pilot study the majority of the results were favourable during short-term follow-up.