Iranian Journal of Orthopedic Surgery

Abstract Background: In a total knee arthroplasty surgery the goal is to produce 90 degree angle between the knee articular lobe and the mechanical femoral line. Most orthopedic surgeons usually utilize a 5 to 7 degree for distal femoral cutting angle. In this study we will aim at clearing this question, that whether the” five-seven degree” distal femoral cutting angle supposed to be an equable spectrum?
Method: In this three year course of study, 123 candidate patients for knee arthroplasty with varus knee deformities underwent pre operatore radiologic assessment before joint replacement surgery. The femoral bowing angle, distal femoral cutting angle, neck shaft angle, angle between knee articular line and mechanical femoral angle were assessed and statistically analyzed.
Results: The mean varus angle was in 13.71±4.34 in male and 16.41±7.87 in female. The mean distal femoral cutting angle (DFCA) was 6.50±1.09 in male and 7.38±1.75 in female. In 48 patients (%39) the female DFCA was out of 507 degree range. In 32 (26%) of patients the DFCA was 7-9 degrees and in 8 (%6) it was over 9 degrees, and in 8 (%6) was less than 5. The angle differences had no sex-related variation. There was a good co-relation between DFCA and bowing angle (r=0.769). The co-relation between DFCA and NSA was moderator (r=0.523). The co-relation between DFCA and DFA (r=0.11) and varus angle with LDFA (r=0.28) was low. LDFA was also related to NSA (r=0.15). Therefore, the candidates for knee replacement who have varus deformity may need a distal femoral cutting angle over 7 degrees. Based on these results, the distal femoral cutting angle in patients in need of a knee arthroplasty and varus deformity might be more than seven degrees.
Conclusion: The distul femoral cutting angle in knee arthroplasty in face of severe varus does not have a constant value and maybe over 7 degrees. A long standing radiograph is needed to measure the mechanical and correlate with axis the anatomic axis of distal third of femur. When the bowing angle is high the DFCA will need to be higher.
 

Abstract Background: Preoperative onlay templating is prevalently used to determine the size and placement of acetabular and femoral components before total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy and reliability of preoperative onlay templating in uncemented THA. Methods: In a cross sectional study, 50 patients who underwent uncemented THA for hip osteoarthritis were selected in one teaching hospital, retrospectively. The study was done in a 4-month period. Using onlay templates, four surgeons determined the size of acetabular and femoral component on plain anteroposterior hip radiographs. Finally, the average percentage of agreement between template and implanted components were considered as the accurate representation. Kappa coefficient was utilized to determine the interobserver reliability.Results: The accuracy of templating for acetabular and femoral component size was 60% and 59.5%, and the interobserver reliability was 49% and 52%, respectively.Conclusions: Based on our findings, preoperative onlay templating cannot provide us with proper component selection and intraoperative determination of correct size is required for best outcome achievement.

Abstract Background: Mechanical articulated devices can replace the intervertebral disc in patients with chronic back degenerated pain. We would like to report our short-term experience with a disc prosthesis in a small group of L5-S1 disc degeneration.Methods: In a cohort study, 21 consecutive patients (17 males, 4 females) with degenerative L5-S1 disc disease with over 6 months history of disabling back symptoms non-responsive to conservative treatment were treated by disc prosthesis. The mean age was 36±5.7 years (22-48 years) at surgery and the average follow-up was 11 months (13-24 months). The cases were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI) for disability, and also for personal satisfaction at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months post surgery.Results: Early improvement with pain control and return to function were seen in all patients (p < /em>

Abstract Background: Avascular necrosis (AVN) of femoral head, with resultant joint destruction, is a common disabling disease of fourth and fifth decades of life. Metal-on-metal resurfacing is a relatively newer treatment modality for this disease. The aim of this study is to compare the result of resurfacing for osteonecrosis with that of resurfacing for other causes.Methods: Twenty eight patients with stage III or IV (Ficat & Arlet) osteonecrosis who underwent metal-on- metal hip resurfacing were compared with 24 cases of grade IV or V (Croft’s) osteoarthritis (OA) who had undergone the same kind of arthroplasty during a 2 year period in Akhtar hospital in Tehran. These cases were matched in terms of gender and age, and were assessed by Harris hip score with 41(±22) months follow-up.Results: The AVN cases had 30.86 (±7.5) and OA cases 47.88 (±12.6) years at surgery. Three patients from each of the above groups had sustained complications of either femoral neck or acetabular cup fracture and had required revision surgery. The average Harris hip score was 94(±7.2) in AVN and 91.2(±9.4) in OA group. The collective hip range of motion was 216(±6.2) in AVN and 196±(5.6) in AO patients.Conclusions: Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing gives similar satisfactory results in avascular necrosis and in osteoarthritis of hip joint in short-term, with no statistically significant difference.

Abstract Background: The association between wound drainage and subsequent periprosthetic infection is well known. However, the most appropriate treatment of wound drainage is not well understood. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 10325 patients (11785 procedures), among whom 300 patients (2.9%) developed persistent (greater than 48 hours postoperatively) wound drainage. Wound drainage stopped spontaneously between 2 and 4 days in 217 patients treated with local wound care and oral antibiotics. The remaining 83 patients (28%) underwent further surgery.Results: A single débridement resulted in cessation of drainage without subsequent infection in 63 of 83 patients (76%), whereas 20 (24%) patients continued to drain and underwent additional treatment (repeat débridement, resection arthroplasty, or long-term antibiotics). Timing of surgery and the presence of malnutrition predicted failure of the first débridement. There were no differences between the success and failure groups with regard to all other examined parameters, including demographic or surgical factors.Conclusions: We found patients who underwent débridement at a mean of 5 days following the onset of drainage were more likely to be infection free at one year postoperatively compared to patients who underwent debridement at a delayed time (mean, 10 days). Our data confirmed that malnourished patients (serum transferrin less than 200 mg/dL, serum albumin less than 3.5 g/dL, or total than 1500/mm3) undergoing total joint arthroplasty are lymphocyte count less more likely to develop deep infection and require further treatment after irrigation and débridement. Based on these findings, we recommend early (within 7 days) surgery for persistent wound drainage in general, and particularly for those with malnutrition

Abstract Background: Knee replacement is one of the final remedies for severe, symptomatic knee destruction. The results of this surgery are usually excellent. The number of reports from Iran on this subject is very few. We would like to report our experience with knee replacement in Kerman.Methods: In a clinical trial and prospective study, 54 patients (11 males, 43 females) with knee disease who underwent joint replacement from 2001 to 2006 in a Teaching hospital in Kerman, were studied. Mean age was 65 years (41-80) and mean follow-up 34.4 months (3 months to 5 years). 46 cases had osteoarthritis and 8 rheumatoid arthritis. The pre and post operative findings were assessed using the ‘Knee Society’ evaluation system. The opposite knees were used to compare the patients’ satisfaction from the procedure.Results: In a study on 54 cases, the pain score of ‘Knee Society’ improved from 33 to 77 and the functional score improved from 41 to 72. Ninety six percent of the cases were satisfied with their surgeries. The complications included 1 deep and 1 superficial infection, 2 wound healing problem and one patellar dislocation. Three revisions become necessary: 2 due to infection, one for loosening and deformity in tibial component.Conclusions: Knee replacement in Kerman is associated with high satisfaction rate in short-term. Early failure is mostly related to infection or technical errors in surgery.