Retrograde dynamic locked nailing for valgus knee correction: a revised technique

Outcome of Dome Osteotomy With Plate Osteosynthesis for Genu Valgum in Late Adolescents and Young Adults

Aim

To evaluate the degree of correction and outcomes after correction of genu valgum deformity using dome osteotomy with plate osteosynthesis in late adolescents and young adults.

Methods

A total of 27 knees in 21 patients underwent correction using dome osteotomy fixed with 3.5-mm low-profile proximal humeral locking system (PHILOS) plate. The functional, clinical, and radiological assessments were performed preoperatively and at six months postoperatively. Functional assessment was performed using the Bostman score, while clinical and radiological assessments were performed by measuring intermalleolar distance, tibiofemoral angle, mechanical lateral distal femoral angle, and mechanical axis deviation. All values were compared preoperatively and postoperatively using the paired t-test and Wilcoxon’s test.

Results

The comparison between preoperative and postoperative data was statistically significant (P<0.0001). Twenty patients had an excellent knee score, and one patient had a good score. None had an unsatisfactory score.

Conclusions

Dome osteotomy fixed with well-contoured, 3.5-mm low-profile PHILOS plate allows deformity correction at the CORA (center of rotation of angulation) of the knee and permits early knee mobilization without significant procedure or implant-related complications with excellent outcomes.

Does pelvic width influence patellar tracking? A radiological comparison between sexes

INTRODUCTION

Pelvic width has been believed to affect patellar tracking by influencing the quadriceps angle (Q-angle). Anatomically, the upper arm of the Q-angle does not closely match the orientation of the quadriceps femoris. The pelvis is often considered wider and the Q-angle larger in female than in male individuals. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the accuracy of such an assumption by using a radiologic comparison, which might be more objective.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred consecutive adult patients (50 men and 50 women) aged 18-30 years with unilateral injury to the lower extremity were studied. Full-length standing X-rays of these patients was used to analyze the relationship between the pelvis and the uninjured lower extremity and compare it between the sexes. The pelvic width was defined as the distance between the centers of the bilateral femoral heads.

RESULTS

The pelvic width did not differ statistically between male and female (P=0.74). The femur length and sum of the lengths of the femur and tibia differed between the sexes (both P<0.001). Normalization of the pelvic width to the femur length or sum of the lengths of the femur and tibia resulted in a significant difference between male and female (P<0.001). The angle formed by the femoral and tibial mechanical axes correlated strongly with the angle formed by the femoral anatomic and tibial mechanical axes (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.89).

DISCUSSION

Pelvic width does not differ with respect to gender. The pelvis may appear relatively wider in women due to the difference in body height. However, this difference may not increase Q-angle. Patellar mal-tracking may stem from other, more critical predisposing factors.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV. Anatomic study.