Transverse incision advantages for total knee arthroplasty

Background If a transverse incision can be safely used for total knee arthroplasty (TKA), decreases in scar formation, reduced injury of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve and improved kneeling motion will be observed. Methods We evaluated 95 patients (101 knees) on whom primary TKA was performed with follow-up of more than 2 years. A longitudinal incision was used for the first 40 knees and a transverse incision for the remaining 61 knees. Operation time, blood loss, complications and Knee Society Score were evaluated. Wound lengths, widths and the Manchester Scar Scale (MSS) were measured 1 year after the surgery. Further examination evaluated sensory disturbances and whether kneeling was possible. Results The complication rate in both groups was almost the same. The wound lengths measured at a 90° kneeflexed position were about 15 cm with no significant difference between the groups. The average width measured at a maximum area was significantly smaller in the transverse group than in the longitudinal group. MSS of the transverse group was also significantly lower than that of the longitudinal group. Sensory disturbance was found to be significantly smaller in the transverse group than in the longitudinal group both in subjective and objective evaluation at 1 year after surgery. When a transverse incision was used, the direction of the incision corresponded to the running direction of the saphenous nerve, and thus, we were able to reduce sensory disturbances on the distal lateral side of the knee joint. The transverse group (70.4%) performed significantly better than the longitudinal group (40.6%) at kneeling motion. Conclusions We showed that making a transverse incision is a safe method, resulting in a reduction of scar formation and less dysfunction of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve, and improvement of kneeling motion. © The Japanese Orthopaedic Association 2011

A Case Report of Isolated Cuboid Nutcracker Fracture

Isolated cuboid fractures are very rare, since they typically occur in combination with midfoot fractures or dislocations. A 61-year-old man presented at our hospital with pain and swelling on the outside of his right foot. The lateral column of his right foot was shortened by approximately 6.5 mm on X-ray. CT showed displacement of the joint surface between the cuboid and the fourth metatarsal, with a 3.5 mm depression. An MRI revealed no other injuries. Based on these findings, we diagnosed the patient with an isolated nutcracker fracture of the cuboid. Using a 1.9 mm arthroscope, we examined the Lisfranc joint. Then the depressed fragments were elevated until the regular joint line was restored. A bone biopsy needle was then used to fill in the large defect with artificial bone. In this case, we did not plate the fracture. Six months after surgery, patient could walk without pain. We report a very rare case of isolated nutcracker fracture of the cuboid. In addition, we suggest our new treatment plan of this fracture

Arthroscopic observation was useful to detect loosening of the femoral component of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in a recurrent hemoarthrosis

A case of recurrent hemarthrosis of the knee after a mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA; Oxford UKA) is described. A 58-year-old man met with a road traffic accident 10 months after UKA. He developed anteromedial pain and hemarthrosis of the knee joint 1 month after the accident, which required multiple aspirations. Physical examination showed no instability. Plain radiograph revealed no signs of loosening. All laboratory data, including bleeding and coagulation times, were within normal limits. Diagnostic arthroscopy demonstrated loosening of the femoral component. Any intraarticular pathology other than nonspecific synovitis was ruled out. The loose femoral component and polyethylene meniscal bearing were revised. Since then, hemarthrosis has not recurred

A Case Report of Isolated Cuboid Nutcracker Fracture

Isolated cuboid fractures are very rare, since they typically occur in combination with midfoot fractures or dislocations. A 61-year-old man presented at our hospital with pain and swelling on the outside of his right foot. The lateral column of his right foot was shortened by approximately 6.5 mm on X-ray. CT showed displacement of the joint surface between the cuboid and the fourth metatarsal, with a 3.5 mm depression. An MRI revealed no other injuries. Based on these findings, we diagnosed the patient with an isolated nutcracker fracture of the cuboid. Using a 1.9 mm arthroscope, we examined the Lisfranc joint. Then the depressed fragments were elevated until the regular joint line was restored. A bone biopsy needle was then used to fill in the large defect with artificial bone. In this case, we did not plate the fracture. Six months after surgery, patient could walk without pain. We report a very rare case of isolated nutcracker fracture of the cuboid. In addition, we suggest our new treatment plan of this fracture