The purpose of this study is to define the clinical features and characteristics of radial tears in the root of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus and to report the outcome of arthroscopic treatment. Arthroscopic meniscus surgery was performed on 7,148 knees. Of those, 722 (10.1%) were radial tear in the root of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. We reviewed the medical records from a random sample of 67 subjects studied (mean age 55.8 years, range 38-72, mean follow-up period 56.7 months, range, 8-123), which included surgical notes and detailed arthroscopic photographs of 70 knees. All patients were treated with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. The age distribution, preoperative physical signs, results of magnetic resonance imaging , body mass index, and surgical findings of the study subjects were analyzed and the clinical results were graded with the Lysholm knee scoring scale and a questionnaire. Radiologic evaluation consisted of preoperative and at the latest follow-up radiographs. Eighty percent of the patients were older than 50 years, and 80.6% were either obese or morbidly obese. The mean Lysholm score improved from a preoperative value of 53 to a value of 67. The average preoperative Kellgren-Lawrence radiograph grade was 2 (range 0-3 points), a value that increased to 3 (range 2-4) at the latest follow-up, which showed a significant worsening. The preoperative MRI was reevaluated after the arthroscopic confirmation of a medial meniscal root tear. A tear could be demonstrated in only 72.9% of the patients, the rest of whom demonstrated degeneration and/or fluid accumulation at the posterior horn without a visible meniscal tear. Radial tears in the root of the medial meniscal posterior horn, which may not be visible in about one-third of the preoperative MRI scans, are common. That type of meniscal tear is strongly associated with obesity and older age and is morphologically different from the degenerative tears that often occur in the posterior horn. Partial meniscectomy provides symptomatic relief in most cases but does not arrest the progression of radiographically revealed osteoarthritis.

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The VAC therapy may help to reduce the flap size and need for a flap transfer for type IIIB open tibial fractures. However, prolonged periods of VAC usage, greater than 7 days, should be avoided to reduce higher infection and amputation risks.

Case series with no comparison group, Level IV.

BackgroundNovel bone substitutes have challenged the notion of autologous bone grafting as the ‘gold standard’ for the surgical treatment of fracture nonunions. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that autologous bone grafting is equivalent to other bone grafting modalities in the management of fracture nonunions of the long bones.MethodsA retrospective review of patients with fracture nonunions included in two prospective databases was performed at two US level 1 trauma centers from January 1, 1998 (center 1) or January 1, 2004 (center 2), respectively, until December 31, 2010 (n = 574). Of these, 182 patients required adjunctive bone grafting and were stratified into the following cohorts: autograft (n = 105), allograft (n = 38), allograft and autograft combined (n = 16), and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) with or without adjunctive bone grafting (n = 23). The primary outcome parameter was time to union. Secondary outcome parameters consisted of complication rates and the rate of revision procedures and revision bone grafting.ResultsThe autograft cohort had a statistically significant shorter time to union (198 ± 172–225 days) compared to allograft (416 ± 290–543 days) and exhibited a trend towards earlier union when compared to allograft/autograft combined (389 ± 159–619 days) or rhBMP-2 (217 ± 158–277 days). Furthermore, the autograft cohort had the lowest rate of surgical revisions (17%) and revision bone grafting (9%), compared to allograft (47% and 32%), allograft/autograft combined (25% and 31%), or rhBMP-2 (27% and 17%). The overall new-onset postoperative infection rate was significantly lower in the autograft group (12.4%), compared to the allograft cohort (26.3%) (P < 0.05).ConclusionAutologous bone grafting appears to represent the bone grafting modality of choice with regard to safety and efficiency in the surgical management of long bone fracture nonunions.

Purpose The aim of the study was to compare the intermediate‐term clinical outcomes between lateral ligaments augmentation using suture‐tape and modified Broström repair in a selected cohort of patients. The hypothesis of the presented study is that suture‐tape augmentation technique has comparable clinical and radiological outcomes with arthroscopic Broström repair technique. Methods Sixty‐one consecutive patients with chronic ankle instability were operated between 2012 and 2016 randomized to 2 groups. First group was composed of 31 patients whom were operated using an arthroscopic Broström repair technique (ABR) and second group was composed of 30 Patients whom were operated using arthroscopic lateral ligaments augmentation using suture‐tape internal bracing (AST). At the end of total follow‐up time, all patients were evaluated clinically using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Radiological evaluation was performed using anterior drawer and varus stress radiographs with standard Telos device in 150 N. Talar tilt angles and anterior talar translation were measured both preoperatively, 1 year postoperatively and at the final follow‐up. Results Preoperative total FAOS scores for ABR and AST groups were 66.2 ± 12 and 67.1 ± 11, respectively. Postoperative Total FAOS scores for ABR and AST groups were 90.6 ± 5.2 and 91.5 ± 7.7, respectively. There was no statistical difference in between 2 groups both pre‐ and postoperatively (n.s). According to FAAM, sports activity scores of ABR and AST groups were 84.9 ± 14 and 90.4 ± 12 at the final follow‐up, which showed that AST group was significantly superior (p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in preoperative and postoperative stress radiographs between the two groups. Mean operation time for AST and ABR groups were 35.2 min and 48.6 min, respectively, which shows statistically significantly difference (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in recurrence rate of instability between to operation techniques (n.s). Conclusions Arthroscopic lateral ligament augmentation using suture tape shows comparable clinical outcomes to arthroscopic Broström repair in the treatment of chronic ankle instability at intermediate‐term follow‐up time. Arthroscopic lateral ligament augmentation using suture tape has a significant superiority in the terms of less operation time and no need for cast or brace immediate after surgery which allows early rehabilitation. It also has a significant superiority in the terms of FAAM scores at sports activity. However, there was no difference during daily life. Level of evidence II.

No abstract

Racial and ethnic THA and TKA utilization disparities exist. These disparities are not explained by lower disease prevalence. The existing data suggest patient education, improved health literacy regarding THA and TKA, and a patient-provider relationship leading to improved trust would be beneficial. Research providing a better understanding of the root causes of these disparities is needed.