Impact of magnetic resonance imaging on arthroscopic surgeries of knee joint

Background: Though magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is popular as a diagnostic tool, questions arise regarding imaging when clinical diagnosis of most internal derangements of knee can be done. Treatment of meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries usually involves arthroscopic surgery after MRI. But accurately performed examination with positive signs alone will be justified for arthroscopy directly without MRI. The aims and objectives of this study are to assess the impact of MRI in selecting or excluding cases which genuinely require an arthroscopic surgery. To know whether routine MRI is required pre-operatively in all cases with positive clinical findings.Methods: 60 cases underwent clinical examination of affected knee and a preliminary diagnosis was made. Further they were subjected to MRI. Results of arthroscopy were considered as definitive diagnosis and results of clinical examination and MRI were judged accordingly.Results: Of 60 patients, examination revealed 85% accuracy, 82% sensitivity, 89% specificity for ACL injuries. For medial meniscus 58% accuracy, 66% sensitivity, 48% specificity. For lateral meniscus 55% accuracy, 58% sensitivity, 50% specificity. MRI revealed 73% accuracy, 82% sensitivity, 63% specificity for ACL injuries. For medial meniscus 63% accuracy, 90% sensitivity, 39% specificity. For lateral meniscus 62% accuracy, 79% sensitivity, 50% specificity.Conclusions: Clinical examination is more sensitive, specific and accurate in diagnosis of ACL. MRI is more sensitive but less specific for meniscal injuries. Clinical examination for cruciate injuries can surpass the MRI findings. Arthroscopy can be performed without MRI in single lesion injuries. However, MRI will play a role in meniscal injuries or doubtful cases

Study of functional outcome of muller type C distal femur fracture treated with locking compression plate

Background: To evaluate the functional outcome of Muller type C distal femur fracture treated with locking compression plate (LCP). Methods: This prospective study was carried out at Al-Ameen medical college and hospital, Vijayapura. Forty patients (24 males and 16 females) with Muller type C distal femur fractures were enrolled in our study. Patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with LCP. They were followed up for 9 months with clinical examination and serial x-rays. The functional outcome was evaluated using Neer’s scoring system. Results: Forty patients who completed follow up of 9 months were included. There were 18 muller type C1, 14 muller type C2 and 8 Muller type C3 fractures. The functional evaluation with Neer’s scoring system was excellent in 8 patients, good in 20 patients, fair in 8 patients and poor in 4 patients. Complications observed were difficulty in reduction, superficial infections, knee stiffness and limb length discrepancy. Conclusions: The LCP is a safe and effective tool to manage these difficult fractures as we had no incidence of implant failure, delayed union, non-union and revision surgery except that we had knee stiffness as commonest complication which can be tackled by early surgery, surgical expertise, meticulous soft tissue handling and vigorous early knee mobilisation.

A prospective study on operative management of displaced fracture of midshaft of clavicle

Background: Clavicle fractures had been traditionally treated non-operatively which resulted in high rates of non-union. The present study has been undertaken to study the role of precontoured locking compression plate in the fixation of mid-third clavicle fractures.Methods: We reviewed the results of 25 cases of displaced middle third clavicle fractures (Robinson type 2B) which were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with pre-contoured locking compression plate at Al-Ameen Medical College and Hospital.Results: Out of 25 patients operated with precontoured LCP, 21 were male and 4 were female patients. One patient had hypertrophic scar, one patient had plate prominence, two patients had delayed union and one patient had implant failure, none of them developed non-union. Constant Murley score was excellent in 19, good in 4 and fair in 1 patient and poor in 1 patient. Conclusions: Precontoured locking compression plate fixation has better functional outcome, immediate pain relief, early return to function and avoids complications of conservative methods