Assessment of Radiological Outcomes of Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Tears Associated With Meniscal Extrusions After Open Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy

Objective The aim of this study is to compare preoperative and postoperative radiological results in knees with medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRT) and varus alignment, with a particular emphasis on medial meniscal extrusion (MME), following high tibial osteotomy (HTO) without root repair. Method Patients who underwent open wedge HTO for medial compartment osteoarthritis between January 2015 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The inclusion criteria were defined as patients with preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and weight-bearing radiographs including radiological images of the entire lower extremity. After conducting data screenings, patients diagnosed with a preoperative MMPRT were included in the study. Patients underwent measurements of medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), and mechanical axis deviation (MAD) on anteroposterior radiographs encompassing the entire lower extremity during the preoperative and postoperative first year. In order to determine the degree of arthritis, The Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading system was employed on preoperative and the most recent anteroposterior knee radiographs of the patients. MME, the distance (in millimeters) between the peripheral border of the meniscus body (meniscocapsular junction) and the medial border of the tibial plateau, was measured and calculated on coronal MRI. Preoperative and postoperative measurements of MPTA, MAD, MME, and KL staging were compared. Results The study included a total of 21 patients, comprising 7 males and 14 females. Among these, 6 were left-sided and 15 were right-sided cases, with an average age of 52.2 (±6.1) years. The mean follow-up duration for the patients was 5.4 (±2.3) years, with an average time of 2.2 (±1.6) years from surgery to the MRI. While significant differences were observed between preoperative and postoperative measurements for MAD and MPTA (p <0.01), no significant difference was found in MME measurement (p: 0.507). Pearson correlation analysis was employed to determine the correlation between preoperative and postoperative values of MME, MPTA, and MAD. A significant negative correlation was observed between preoperative MME and MPTA (r: -0.464, p:0.034). No significant correlation was found between postoperative MME and MAD or MPTA. Comparisons based on KL staging between the preoperative and postoperative periods did not reveal any significant differences (p: 0.525). Conclusion In knees with both MMPRT and varus alignment, our study demonstrated that postoperative MME and radiological progression of arthritis did not increase after HTO without MMPRT repair. These findings suggest that HTO treatment performed without MMPRT repair may prevent an increase in MME and the progression of arthritis. According to the results of our study, we observed a negative correlation between MME and MPTA during the preoperative period, which supports the relationship between varus deformity and MME.

Increased Medial Femoral Condyle Angle and Narrow Intercondylar Notch Are Associated With Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Tear

PURPOSE

To investigate the correlation between nontraumatic medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) and bone morphology of the knee with a particular emphasis on MMPR impingement.

METHODS

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were examined between January 2018 and December 2020. MRI findings of patients with traumatic MMPRT, Kellgren Lawrence stage 3-4 arthropathy on radiographs, single- or multiple-ligament injuries and/or those who underwent treatment for these diseases, and surgery in and around the knee were excluded from the study. MRI measurements included medial femoral condylar angle (MFCA), intercondylar distance (ICD), and intercondylar notch width (ICNW), distal/posterior medial femoral condylar offset ratio, notch shape, medial tibial slope (MTS) angle, and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) measurements and spur presence and were compared between groups. All measurements were performed by two board-certified orthopedic surgeons on a best agreement basis.

RESULTS

MRI examinations of patients aged 40-60 were analyzed. MRI findings were divided into two groups: the study group of MRI findings of patients with MMPRT (n = 100) and the control group of MRI findings of patients without MMPRT (n = 100). MFCA was found to be significantly higher in the study group (mean: 46.5 ± 3.58) than in the control group (mean: 40.04 ± 4.61) (P < .001). In the study group, the ICD (study group mean: 76.26 ± 4.89; control group mean: 78.18 ± 6.1) was significantly narrower (P = .018), and the ICNW (study group mean: 17.19 ± 2.23; control group mean: 20.48 ± 2.13) was significantly shorter (P < .001). The ICNW/ICD ratio was significantly lower in patients in the study group (0.22 ± 0.02) than in the control group (0.25 ± 0.02) (P < .001). Bone spurs were present in 84% of the study group and only in 28% of those in the control group. In the study group, the most common notch type was A-type with 78%, while the least common was the U-type notch with 10%. However, in the control group, the most common notch type was A-type with 43%, and the least common was the W-type notch with 22%. The distal/posterior medial femoral condylar offset ratio was statistically lower in the study group (0.72 ± 0.07) than in the control group 0.78 ± 0.07) (P < .001). No significant intergroup differences were found in MTS (study group mean: 7.51 ±2.59; control group mean: 7.83 ± 2.57) (P = .390) and MPTA (study group mean: 86.92 ±2.15; control group mean: 87.48 ±1.8) measurements (P = .67).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased medial femoral condylar angle, low distal/posterior femoral offset ratio, narrow intercondylar distance and intercondylar notch width, A-type notch shape, and spur presence are associated with MMPRT.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Exploration of Flexible Pes Planus as a Potential Risk Factor for Cardiac Pathologies in Pediatric Cases

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between flexible pes planus (FPP) and cardiac pathologies in pediatric patients, with a particular emphasis on hypermobility status.

METHODS

Between January and June 2022, a retrospective screening was conducted on a total of 68 patients aged between 6 and 18 years who had been diagnosed with FPP. Eight patients were excluded from the study due to suspicion of connective tissue or neuromuscular diseases following systemic examinations conducted by a pediatric specialist. The included 60 patients underwent comprehensive cardiac examinations conducted by pediatric cardiology specialists and were evaluated through echocardiography (ECHO) as part of the study. Simultaneously, a control group of healthy individuals aged 6 to 18, without a diagnosis of pes planus (PP), was selected from those who applied for health reports for the purpose of obtaining sports licenses. Patients diagnosed with FPP were compared to a control group in terms of the presence of cardiac pathology. Furthermore, the Beighton Hypermobility Scores (BHSs) of patients diagnosed with FPP were compared based on the presence of cardiac pathology.

RESULTS

A total of 60 patients (40 males, 20 females) diagnosed with FPP were included in the study, and a control group consisting of 453 healthy individuals (287 males, 166 females) was selected. The incidence of cardiac pathology in patients diagnosed with FPP (23.3%) was found to be significantly higher compared to the control group (7%) (p <0.01). The risk of cardiac pathology in patients diagnosed with FPP was determined to be four times higher compared to the control group (Odds ratio: 4 (1.993-8.046), p<0.01). Among patients with FPP, individuals who were found to have cardiac pathology had statistically significantly higher average BHSs compared to those without cardiac pathology (p: 0.043).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that there may be a significant relationship between FPP and high cardiac pathology risk in pediatric patients. We observed a significant increase in the incidence of cardiac pathologies among patients diagnosed with FPP. Additionally, the presence of higher hypermobility scores among patients diagnosed with FPP suggests a potential connection between the two. In the evaluation of FPP in the pediatric population, it should be considered as a potential risk factor for cardiac pathologies and its potential association with hypermobility.

Evaluation of the effect of pelvis type in percutaneous acetabular column fixation: a computed tomography study

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pelvis type in percutaneous acetabular column fixation. What is the effect of pelvis type in percutaneous acetabular colon fixation? The available pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans which were obtained in the diagnostic imaging center with a 1 mm slice width were evaluated. The pelvic type was classified with the help of MPR (Multiplanar Reformat) and 3D (Three Dimensional) imaging modes. All evaluated bony pelvic structures were anatomically intact. 40 types of android, gynecoid, anthropoid, and platypelloid pelvis were determined. CT sections were created in MPR imaging mode. Anterior obturator oblique (AOO) and inlet images were created for anterior column evaluation, while iliac oblique (IO) and outlet images were created for posterior column evaluation. The possibility of obtaining a linear corridor for acetabular columns was investigated by measuring corridor width and lengthon images of pelvic CTs. A linear corridor could not be obtained between the pubic tubercle and the supraacetabular region of 12 (30%) CTs in the anterior column of gynecoid pelvis group. The diameter of the anterior column corridor was below 5.5 mm in 10 (25%) of Gynecoid pelvis group, 5 (12.5%) of Anthropoid pelvis group, and 10 of Platypelloid pelvis group, , and all those scans belonged to the female gender. There was a statistically significant difference between pelvis types in terms of anterior and posterior column diameters (p <0.001). While the android pelvis type had the highest diameter and corridor length in both anterior column and posterior column measurements, the gynecoid pelvic type had the lowest diameter and corridor length. In the evaluations made according to gender, both anterior and posterior column diameters were larger and longer in males than in females (p <0.001). Pelvis type is an important factor which can affect anterior and posterior column diameter and length of acetabulum. Pelvic typing before acetabular surgery can help the surgeon determining the most appropriate patient position, surgical approach, and implant selection. Level of Evidence: Level 2.

The relationship of C-reaktif protein level after knee artroplasty with gender difference and type of artroplasty

PURPOSE

It was aimed to reveal the relationship between CRP level after knee arthroplasty and gender difference and arthroplasty type.

METHODS

Preoperative and postoperative (1st and 7th day, 1st and 3rd months) CRP values of the patients who underwent TKA or UKA were examined. The data were compared by categorizing them into primary male-female, secondary TKA-UKA groups.

RESULTS

967 patients were included in the study (151 male, 685 female in the TKA group and 25 male, 106 female in the UKA group) In the TKA group, the mean age was 67.38 in males and 65.54 in females. In the UKA group, the mean age was 58.72 in males and 57,63 in females. CRP values were found to be statistically significantly lower in females compared to males in the preoperative period, postoperative 1st and 3rd months in patients who underwent TKA (p < .05). In the UKA group, it was found to be significantly lower in females in the preoperative period and at the postoperative 3rd month, p < .05). When the CRP values and their effect on the course of arthroplasty were evaluated according to the type of arthroplasty, there was no significant difference between the CRP values of the preoperative patients (p = .686). In addition, in the comparison made on the postoperative 1st day, 1st week, 1st month, and 3rd month, CRP values of the patient who underwent UKA were found to be significantly lower (p < .05). When analyzed separately by arthroplasty type, postoperative CRP values decreased to normal limits in 96.3% of patients who underwent TKA and 98.5% of patients who underwent UKA in the third month.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that the uncomplicated course of CRP after TKA and UKA is gender-specific, and higher CRP values are observed in males than in females. The UKA group exhibited significantly lower postoperative CRP levels than the TKA group.

Reliability of Fossae Lumbales Laterales and Pelvic Incidence for Estimating Transsacral Corridors Assessed Using Reconstruction Computed Tomography

Background

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of fossae lumbales laterales and pelvic incidence (PI) on transsacral corridors.

Methods

Patients who underwent pelvic computed tomography (CT) during routine therapy in a single center between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients’ age and sex were documented during CT examination. Measurements were performed for both the upper and second sacral segments. Height and weight of the patients were determined using appropriate tools and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Transsacral corridors were identified in true coronal and true sagittal planes and their width was determined as the maximum gap measured so that no screws could come out of the transacral corridors. PI was measured.

Results

Our study included 244 (57%) male and 184 (43%) female patients, who had a mean age of 49.3 ± 14.15 years (range, 18–89 years) and a mean BMI of 26.57 ± 2.38 kg/m². No statistically significant correlation was found between the detection of the dimple sign in physical examination and the presence of an adequate corridor. The PI was statistically significantly higher in the patients with dimples (p < 0.001). PI of the female patients was higher than that of the male patients (p = 0.026). The correlation between PI and the existence of adequate corridors for S1 and S2 screws was not statistically significant (p = 0.858 and p = 0.129, respectively). On the relationship between the presence of adequate S1 and S2 corridors where transsacral screws could be sent, an inverse relationship was detected: if the S1 transsacral corridor was adequate, the S2 corridor was inadequate or vice versa.

Conclusions

We could not obtain meaningful results on the use of the dimples of Venus or PI instead of CT to evaluate the adequacy of transverse corridors. Nevertheless, we confirmed that an increased PI was associated with the presence of dimples of Venus.