To investigate the feasibility of using the pedicled patella for repaire of the superior articular surface of the medial tibial condyle, 37 lower limbs were studied by perfusion. In this series, there were 34 obsolete specimens and 3 fresh specimens of lower legs. Firstly, the vessels which supply to patella were observed by the methods of anatomy, section and casting mould. Then, the form and area of the patellar and tibial medial conylar articular surface were measured in 30 cases. The results showed: (1) the arteries supplied to patella formed a prepatellar arterial ring around patella, and the ring gave branches to patella; (2) medial inferior genicular artery and inferior patellar branches of the descending genicular arterial articular branch merge and acceed++ to prepatellar ring at inferior medial part of patella; (3) the articular surface of patella is similar to the superior articular surface of the tibial medial condyle on shape and area. It was concluded that the pedicled patella can be transposed to medial tibial condyle for repaire of the defect of the superior articular surface. The function of the knee can be reserved by this method.
Objective To compare the long-term effectiveness of patellar denervation by electrotomy combined with patellar replacement and patellar denervation by electrotomy alone in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 30 patients treated with primary TKA of both knees between July 2013 and March 2015 who met the selection criteria. There were 11 males and 19 females, aged 56-79 years, with an average age of 67.6 years. One knee was randomly selected for patellar denervation by electrotomy combined with patellar replacement during TKA (combined group), while the other knee was treated with patellar denervation by electrotomy alone (control group). All patients adopted the same type of total knee prosthesis. After surgery, the patients were followed up regularly, and the occurrence of complications was recorded. The functions of the knee and patella were evaluated using the Knee Society Score (KSS) and Feller score, respectively. The position of the prosthesis, patella trajectory, and prosthesis loosening and wear were observed by imaging examination. Results All 30 patients were followed up 81.4-103.5 months, with an average of 90.4 months. The patellar thickness of the combined group ranged from 21 to 26 mm, with an average of 23.0 mm. The position of the prosthesis and patella trajectory in the combined group and the control group were good, without obvious loosening or wear. After operation, 2 sides (6.7%) in the combined group and 3 sides (10.0%) in the control group presented joint adhesion and poor activities. No complication such as lower limb deep vein thrombosis, aseptic fractures, and infections around the prosthesis occurred in both groups. At last follow-up, the KSS clinical score, KSS function score, and Feller score showed no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). According to the KSS score, 24 patients (80.0%) had no obvious preference for patellar denervation combined with patellar replacement, 3 patients (10.0%) preferred patellar replacement combined with patellar denervation, and 3 patients (10.0%) preferred no patellar replacement. Anterior knee pain occurred in 6 sides (20.0%) of both groups. Conclusion There is no significant difference in the long-term effectiveness between patellar denervation combined with patellar replacement and patellar denervation alone conducted in patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing primary TKA.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of improved and traditional Kirschner wire tension band fixation in treatment of type C patellar fractures.MethodsBetween January 2017 and January 2019, 26 patients with type C patellar fractures were treated with improved Kirschner wire tension band fixation (group A), and 24 patients were treated with traditional Kirschner wire tension band fixation (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injury cause, disease duration, and side and type of fracture between 2 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at 1 and 3 days after operation, the fracture healing time, and the occurrence of complications (skin irritation of Kirschner wires, failure of internal fixation, fracture reduction loss) were recorded, and the knee function was evaluated by Lysholm scoring standard in 2 groups.ResultsThe operation time in group A was significantly less than that in group B (t=−4.742, P=0.000). There was no significant difference in the intraoperative blood loss and VAS scores at 1 and 3 days after operation between 2 groups (P>0.05). All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 8-15 months, with an average of 11 months. The fracture healing time was (3.3±0.6) months in group A and (3.2±0.6) months in group B, showing no significant difference (t=0.589, P=0.559). At last follow-up, the knee joint function was evaluated according to Lysholm scoring standard. And there were 15 cases of excellent, 8 cases of good, and 3 cases of fair, with an excellent and good rate of 88.5% in group A; there were 8 cases of excellent, 7 cases of good, 7 cases of fair, and 2 cases of poor, with an excellent and good rate was 62.5%. The difference between 2 groups was significant (Z=2.828, P=0.005). The internal fixators were removed after the fracture healed in 2 groups. At last follow-up, no skin irritation of Kirschner wires occurred in group A, but 3 cases in group B. X-ray films reexamination showed that 5 cases of internal fixation failure and no fracture reduction loss were found in group A, while 9 cases of internal fixation failure and 1 case of fracture reduction loss in group B. The incidence of complications in group A was 19.2% (5/26), which was significantly lower than that in group B (54.2%, 13/24) (χ2=6.611, P=0.010).ConclusionCompared with the traditional Kirschner wire tension band fixation, the improved Kirschner wire tension band fixation in treatment of type C patellar fracture can shorten the operation time, reduce the incidence of complications, and benefit the functional recovery of knee joint.
ObjectiveTo assess the outcomes in indirect reduction technique via Nice knot for transverse patellar fractures.MethodsThe clinical data of 25 patients with transverse patellar fractures meeting the inclusion criteria between January 2017 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into trial group (n=13) and control group (n=12) according to different intraoperative reduction methods. No significant difference was found in gender, age, affected side, cause of fracture, classification, or the time from injury to operation between the two groups (P>0.05). In the trial group, No.2 suture was used to cross the quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon to construct the Nice knot, then the suture was tightened to make the distal and proximal fracture segments contact in an indirect reduction pattern. Depend on Nice knot’s sliding compression and self-stabilizing function, the suture mesh created an anterior tension band as a temporary fixation. In the control group, Weber’s clamp was used to hold the fracture segments directly and fixed temporarily. After reduction, terminal fixation was conducted using a titanium Kirschner wire with titanium cable in both groups. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, follow-up time, fracture healing time, and complications were recorded and compared in the two groups. At last follow-up, the knee function was evaluated according to the Böstman scoring criteria for efficacy in patellar fractures.ResultsThe operation time in the trial group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (t=−2.165, P=0.041). There was no significant difference of intraoperative blood loss between the two groups (t=0.514, P=0.612). The incisions of the two groups healed by first intention. All the patients were followed up 12-16 months, with an average of 14.4 months, no significant difference was found in the follow-up time between the two groups (t=−0.309, P=0.760). One patient in the control group developed soft tissue irritation symptoms at 1 day after operation, and no special treatment was given, the symptoms disappeared at 2 months after operation. The fractures of the two groups healed at the 12-week follow-up. During the follow-up, there was no complication such as loosening and fracture of titanium cables and tendon tissue calcification. At last follow-up, the Böstman score presented no significant difference between the two groups (t=−0.086, P=0.932). In the trial group, an 80-year-old female patient was evaluated as good (score, 27) due to atrophy of the quadriceps femoris, leg weakness, and affected stair climbing, and the rest 24 patients were all evaluated as excellent.ConclusionThe indirect reduction with Nice knot can shorten the operation time in the treatment of transverse patellar fractures, and obtain good effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo compare the biomechanical difference between petal-shaped poly-axial locking plate and tension band wire cerclage in fixing star-shaped 6-part patellar fractures in cadaver model, and provide the experimental data for clinical use.MethodsThe paired 12 knee specimens from 6 human cadavers were randomly divided into 2 groups (the control group and the test group) after a star-shaped 6-part patellar fracture model was established. The specimens were weighted, and the control group was fixed with tension band wire cerclage and the test group was fixed with petal-shaped poly-axial locking plate. The specimens were connected to CMT5105 biomechanics test machine by a customized fixture, the total fracture gap of patellar fracture blocks was measured before testing. The knee extensor load test was performed to record the extensor load of knees at 90° flexion to extension. Then the anti gravity physiological knee extension process at 90° flexion was stimulated according to the knee extensor load. The cyclic times until failure and the total fracture gap of patellar fracture blocks after failure were recorded.ResultsThe specimens weight and the total fracture gap of patellar fracture blocks before testing between 2 groups had no significant difference (t=0.410, P=0.690; t=0.650, P=0.530). In the biomechanical test, there was no significant difference of knee extension load between 2 groups (t=0.490, P=0.638). The total fracture gap after failure in test group was significantly smaller than that in control group (t=3.026, P=0.013), and the cyclic times until failure in test group was significantly more than that in control group (t=2.277, P=0.046). The failure reasons in control group were all the wires slipped off the Kirschner wires, while the failure reasons in test group were the screws pulled out from the upper pole in 5 cases (83.3%) and from the lower pole in 1 case (16.7%).ConclusionThe petal-shaped poly-axial locking plate has better biomechanical stiffness to fix the star-shaped 6-part patellar fractures when compared with tension band wire cerclage method. However, this type of fracture is a serious comminuted type, and the early excessive activity still carries the risk of displacement.
Objective To investigate effectiveness of a improved technique for perforation of patella combined with suture anchor and non-tourniquet for repairing acute rupture of the bone tendon junction of quadriceps tendon. Methods Between June 2010 and June 2016, 15 patients with acute rupture of the bone tendon junction of quadriceps tendon were treated with the improved technique for perforation of patella combined with suture anchor and non-tourniquet. Of them, 14 were male and 1 was female, aged from 19 to 74 years (mean, 44 years). Seven cases were sports injuries, 5 cases were caused by slipping, and 3 cases were caused by violent trauma. The duration of quadriceps tendon rupture ranged from 3 hours to 3 days (median, 2 days). The right side was involved in 9 cases, and the left side in 6 cases. All of the cases were closed injuries. The patients had no sequelae of limb dysfunction and no limb joint surgery in the past. All the patients received anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films of the knee joint and patella axial films during follow-up. Knee function of the patients after operation was evaluated by Lysholm scoring system and Kujala scoring system. Results The operation time was 50-60 minutes (mean, 55 minutes). The intraoperative blood loss was 50-150 mL, with an average of 87 mL. Primary healing of incision was obtained in all patients without complications. All patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 18 months). At 1 year after operation, the knee joint function of all patients recovered well; the knee Lysholm score was 92-96, with an average of 94 and the patellofemoral joint Kujala score was 90-95, with an average of 93. There was no re-rupture of quadriceps tendon or loosening of internal fixation during follow-up. According to the lateral and axial X-ray films at 1 year after operation, the patella depth index, femur trochlea depth, sulcus angle, and Insall-Salvati index were 3.62-4.09 (mean, 3.84), 4.45-6.50 (mean, 5.56), 137-145° (mean, 142°), and 0.90-1.18 (mean, 1.06). The lateral patellofemoral angle increased, and the patellar tilt angle and the patella lateral shift distance reduced, all showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). Conclusion The improved technique for perforation of patella combined with suture anchor and non-tourniquet for repairing acute rupture of the bone tendon junction of quadriceps tendon can reconstruct a stable patellofemoral joint, increase the strength of fixing, disperse stress effectively and evenly, and increase the area for tendon-bone healing.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of reconstructing medial patellofemoral l igament with hamstring tendon autografts for the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation under arthroscopy. Methods Between January 2005 and January 2010, 22 cases of recurrent patellar dislocation were treated by lateral retinacular release and reconstructionof the medial patellofemoral ligament with hamstring tendon autografts under arthroscopy. There were 5 males and 17 females, aged 15-19 years (mean, 17.3 years). The average number of dislocation was 4 (range, 3-8). The main cl inical symptoms were pain and swell ing of knee joint, weakness in the leg, and limited range of motion (ROM). The patellar tilt test, pressing pain of patellofemoral ligament insertion, and apprehension sign showed positive results. According to International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scoring criteria, the subjective IKDC score was 36.7 ± 4.7, and the Lysholm score was 69.3 ± 3.8. X-ray films showed that the patella inclined outwards. Results All incisions healed by first intention. Twenty-two cases were followed up 18-49 months (mean, 34 months). Pain and swelling of knee joint and weakness were improved obviously. No recurrence was found during follow-up. The ROM of knee in flexion and extension was improved when compared with preoperative ROM. The subjective IKDC score was 92.4 ± 5.3 and the Lysholm knee score was 91.7 ± 5.2, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative scores (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament with hamstring tendon autografts under arthroscopy is an effective method to treat recurrent patellar dislocation.
Objective To summarize the surgical treatment methods and progress of inferior patellar pole fractures and provide reference for clinical application. Methods The literature on surgical treatment of inferior patellar pole fractures was extensively reviewed, and the relevant research progress, advantages, and limitations were summarized. Results The inferior pole of the patella is an important part of the knee extension device, which can strengthen the force arm of the quadriceps. Inferior patellar pole fractures are relatively rare and often comminuted, usually requiring surgical treatment. At present, there are various methods to treat inferior patellar pole fractures, including patellectomy of inferior pole, tension-band wiring technique, plate internal fixation, suture anchor fixation, claw-like shape memory alloy, separate vertical wiring technique. Different methods have their own characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. The single internal fixation method has more complications and is easy to cause fixation failure. Therefore, the trend of combining various internal fixation methods is developing at present. Conclusion When the main fragment of the inferior patellar pole fracture is large and mainly distributed transversely, the combination protocol based on tension-band wiring technique can be regarded as an ideal choice. When the fragments are severely damaged and small, the comprehensive protocol based on suture fixation can result in a better postoperative functional recovery.
ObjectiveTo explore the treatment methed of recurrent patellar dislocation associated with old osteochondral fracture and to evaluate its effectiveness. MethodsBetween August 2010 and August 2014, 12 cases of recurrent patellar dislocation with old osteochondral fracture were treated. There were 4 males and 8 females with an average age of 18.3 years (range, 15-24 years). The left knee was involved in 7 cases and the right knee in 5 cases. All the patients had a history of patellar dislocation, the average interval from injury to first hospitalization was 7.6 months (range, 6-13 months). At preoperation, the range of motion (ROM) of the injured knee was (89.17±13.11)°; the Lysholm score was 56.67±18.91; the Q-angle was (17.50±5.28)°; and tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance was (18.33±4.03) mm. The Q-angle was more than 20° and TT-TG distance was more than 20 mm in 6 of 12 cases. There were 6 cases of patellar osteochondral fracture, 5 cases of lateral femoral condylar osteochondral fracture, and 1 case of patellar osteochondral fracture combined with lateral femoral condylar osteochondral fracture. After osteochondral fracture fragments were removed under arthroscope, lateral patellar retinaculum releasing and medial patellar retinaculum reefing was performed in 2 cases, medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction combined with both lateral patellar retinaculum releasing and medial patellar retinaculum reefing in 4 cases, and MPFL reconstruction, lateral patellar retinaculum releasing, medial patellar retinaculum reefing, and tibial tubercle transfer in 6 cases. ResultsAll wounds healed by first intention with no complication of infection, haematoma, skin necrosis, or bone nonunion. All patients were followed up 12-60 months with an average of 24.2 months. At 3 months after operation, all patellar dislocations were corrected; the Q-angle was (13.33±1.37)° and the TT-TG distance was (12.17±1.17) mm in 6 patients undergoing tibial tubercle transfer, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative values[(22.50±2.17)° and (21.33±2.34) mm] (t=15.25, P=0.00; t=8.27, P=0.00). All patients achieved relief of knee pain and knee locking; the knee ROM and the Lysholm score at last follow-up were (120.42±11.57)° and 89.25±9.71, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (t=-11.61, P=0.00; t=-8.66, P=0.00). ConclusionIt has satisfactory short-term effectiveness to remove old osteochondral fragments that can not be reset and to correct patellar dislocation for recurrent patellar dislocation with old osteochondral fracture.