Study to evaluate the outcomes of surgical stabilization of distal 1/3rd fracture shaft femur with retrograde nailing

Background: Distal femur is a complex fractures and most of times a personalized approach is needed for these fractures. Over a period of time variety of approaches and implants have been used for these fractures. The use of retrograde femur nail for fixing femur fracture, using entry from inter-condylar notch of femur, is a known method of treatment, but most surgeons are apprehensive of making an entry from the knee joint because of possible complications like knee pain, arthro-fibrosis, infections etc .The aim of this study was to investigate its effectiveness in fixation of distal 1/3rd fracture of femur with special emphasis on the outcome and inherent surgical challenges.Methods: A prospective study of 40 patients with fracture femur diaphysial distal one third were treated by retrograde nailing, from July 2010 to January 2016, after obtaining required approval from the Institutional ethical & research committee. All the patients were followed till fracture union and evaluated on the basis of demography, duration of healing, complications and surgical challenges.Results: We observed that mean age of patients was 35.8 years (18 years to 62 years) where 87.5% were male and 12.5% were female. Average duration of healing was 17.75 weeks (ranging from 10 weeks to 36 weeks) with 100% healing achieved. Mean knee range of motion was 124.5 degree (70 to 140 degree), rate of knee pain 10% (4/40), re-operation rate 5% (2/40), infection rate 2.5% (1/40), and fat embolism 2.5% (1/40). Conclusions: Retrograde femoral nailing is a reliable alternative to antegrade nailing or plate fixation for diaphyseal fracture distal one third femur, and may be in some situations even advantageous when antegrade nail entry is challenging like ipsilateral hip fractures, previous implant in hip & proximal femur, ipsilateral pelvi-acetabular injury, bilateral femoral shaft fracture, floating Knee injuries, poly-trauma and obese patients

Anterior referencing versus posterior referencing in total knee arthroplasty: a prospective observational study

Background: Femoral component rotation in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is essential for patella-femoral tracking, flexion gap balance and normal kinematic function of the knee. The two referencing techniques used for sizing and adjudging the femoral rotation are anterior referencing (AR) and posterior referencing (PR).The current study was designed so as to identify which referencing system determines the femoral rotation more accurately.Methods: This study involved 34 consecutive patients (22 females and 12 males) with 60 osteoarthritic knees (bilateral=26; unilateral =8) who satisfied the inclusion criteria. The trans-epicondylar axis, was taken as gold standard to adjudge the correct femoral rotation and was marked as E. The axis of rotation as per anterior instrumentation (A), and as per posterior instrumentation (P) were marked and compared as to which of the axis (A or P) was parallel to E.Results: A was always parallel to E, however P was parallel to E in 42 knees. In 18 knees (6 with valgoid deformity, 12 with hypertrophic osteoarthritis involving the medial femoral condyle), P and E tend to converge laterally, suggestive of excessive internal rotation. Conclusions: Anterior referencing determines femoral rotation more accurately than posterior referencing for knees with severe valgoid deformity or those with hypertrophic osteoarthritis involving the overgrowth of medial femoral condyle

A non-randomized prospective study of the blood sparing effect of tranexamic acid in total knee replacement

Background: Several techniques are available to minimize the likelihood of blood transfusion following total knee arthroplasty. Tranexamic acid, an inhibitor of fibrinolysis that blocks the lysine-binding site of plasminogen to fibrin has been reported to reduce intraoperative and postoperative blood loss in patients undergoing total hip and total knee arthroplasties with or without cement. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of antifibrinolytic treatment along with other measures like saline adrenaline infusion, no drain, no tourniquet and hypotensive anaesthesia in reducing perioperative blood loss during total knee replacement.Methods: Between January 2011 to January 2016,  seventy five consecutive patients who had given written informed consent, undergoing a TKR received tranexamic acid 15 mg/kg body weight intravenous 5 minutes before the skin incision and two doses afterwards (3 and 6 hours after the first dose respectively). TKR was performed in a routine fashion without tourniquet. The saline adrenaline (1:200000) was infiltrated into the skin subcutaneous tissue and capsule before skin incision. A routine closure was carried out without drain. Total blood loss including the hidden blood loss was calculated. All patients were monitored for anemia and postoperative thromboembolic complications.Results: The average total blood loss in study group is 433 ± 148 ml. This is much lesser than what other studies have reported. Mean reduction in hemoglobin levels (gm/dl) between preoperative and postoperative readings is 1.6 gm/dl. One patient had a postoperative DVT which was treated with rivaroxaban 20 mg OD for 6 weeks (oral anticoagulant). Conclusions: Antifibrinolytic agents like tranexamic acid used along with other measures reported in this study produces a significant decrease in blood loss in patients undergoing total knee replacement

Our experience of the management of severe bone defects in primary total knee arthroplasty with cement and screws with undersizing of tibia

Background: There are several options for dealing with tibial bone defects during total knee arthroplasty in severe primary osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to report the midterm results of TKA with screw and cement augmentation of moderate-sized tibial bone defects.Methods: Patients with osteoarthritis who had posterior stabilised TKA with screw and cement augmentation of the tibia were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were assessed preoperatively and at follow-up using the International knee society knee score and function score, and radiographic analysis of alignment and signs of loosening.Results: 60 knee in 60 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 71 years; mean follow-up was 58 months. KS improved from 46 to 76 and FS from 51 to 92. The femorotibial mechanical angle changed from 174 to 178. There were no signs of osteolysis or loosening, and no revisions. Radiolucent lines at the cement bone interface were common but non- progressive.Conclusions: Midterm clinical and radiographic results of TKA with screw and cement augmentation for moderate tibial defects were satisfactory

Autologous grafting of non manupulated freshly isolated - adipose tissue derived stromal vascular fraction in single surgical sitting for treatment of knee osteoarthritis

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the major cause of morbidity, having a substantial influence on health quality of life, imposing enormous burden of cost on the health care system. It is a chronic degenerative disorder that is characterised by articular cartilage degeneration. It can be caused by aging, heredity and injury from trauma or disease. Primary symptoms of OA include joint pain, stiffness and limitation of movement. Disease progression is usually slow but can ultimately lead to joint failure with pain and disability. Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) derived from adipose tissue is a rich source of pre adipocytes, mesenchymal cells (MSC), endothelial progenitor cell, T cells, B cells, mast cells as well as adipose tissue macrophages. It can be easily obtained from loose connective tissue that is associated with adipose tissue by lipoaspiration under local anaesthesia. SVF is isolated without using any enzymes or chemicals and its autologous grafting is done in a single surgical sitting. Here, we evaluated safety and clinical efficacy of freshly isolated Autologous SVF cells in patients with grade 2-4 degenerative osteoarthritis (OA).  .Methods: A total of 116 joints mainly knee OA were treated with autologous grafting of SVF done in a single surgical sitting. A total of 116 joints studied out of which 80 joints were followed up for 12 months, 88 joints followed for 9 months, 110 joints followed for 6 months and finally all 116 joints were followed for minimum 1 month for safety and efficacy.Results: Modified KOOS clinical score was used to evaluate clinical effect and was based on pain, non-steroid analgesic usage, limping, extent of joint movement, and stiffness evaluation before and at pre-operative, 1 Month post-op, 6 months post-op and 12 Months post-op after grafting. No side effects, systemic infection or cancer was associated with Autologous grafting of SVF. There was a significant improvement from pre-op to post op in all the followed patients. Average KOOS score improved from pre-operative 46.4 to post-operative 12 months average 77.9 i.e. very significant improvement in all grades. All sub-scale parameter for pain, symptoms, activity of living and quality of life showed significant improvement. Higher grade of OA were associated with comparatively slower healing.Conclusions: Autologous grafting of SVF in single surgical sitting is a novel and promising treatment approach for patients with degenerative OA. This treatment method was found to be minimal invasive, safe and cost-effective treatment modality for osteoarthritis.

Assessment of foot print of femoral tunnel placement with commercially available off set guide in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction

Background: Accurate placement of the femoral tunnel is critical for long-term clinical success following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.  Current trends in ACL reconstruction favor anatomic positioning of ACL attachment sites. Surgical inaccuracy in femoral tunnel positioning can lead to potential early graft failure and early-onset osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome in patients who underwent arthroscopic anatomic ACL reconstruction using hamstring tendon graft.Methods: The study was conducted in the Orthopedics Department of IIMCHRC, Indore the placement of femoral tunnel, using femoral off set guide with other techniques. All the patients who were diagnosed clinically and radiologically with ACL tear and all who gave the consent were included in the study. All patients were enrolled to undergo primary arthroscopically assisted ACL reconstruction.Results: In the present study out of 42 patients; 23 patients (55%) had right sided ACL injury and remaining 19 patients (45%) had left sided ACL injury. We assessed functional outcome of the patients through pre-operative and post-operative IKDC scoring. The mean of the pre-op IKDC scoring was 33.61 with SD of 9.67 and the mean of the post-operative IKDC scoring was 77.95 with SD of 15.15. Conclusions: The commercially available off set guide technique of the femoral tunnel placement in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction is easy, reliable and reproducible with the foot print at anatomical place on the femoral site