METHODS: Patients treated for Blount disease using external fixator from 2002 to 2016 were recruited for the study. We used Ilizarov and Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) external fixator to perform simultaneous correction of all the metaphyseal deformities without elevating the tibia plateau. Surgical outcome was evaluated using mechanical axis deviation (MAD), tibial femoral angle (TFA), and femoral condyle tibial shaft angle (FCTSA).
RESULTS: A total of 22 patients with 32 tibias have been recruited for the study. The mean MAD improved from 95 ± 51.4 mm to 9.0 ± 37.7 mm (medial to midpoint of the knee), mean TFA improved from 31 ± 15° varus to 2 ± 14° valgus, and mean FCTSA improved from 53 ± 14° to 86 ± 14°. Mean duration of frame application is 9.4 months. Two patients developed pathological fractures over the distracted bones, one developed delayed consolidation and other developed overcorrection.
CONCLUSIONS: Correction of Blount disease can be achieved by gradual correction using Ilizarov or TSF external fixator with low risk of soft tissue complication. Longer duration of frame application should be considered to reduce the risk of pathological fracture or subsequent deformation of the corrected bone.
METHODS: From April 2014 to December 2015, a total of 72 knees in 64 patients that underwent OWHTO, second-look arthroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment, were enrolled. Preoperative and postoperative coronal and sagittal translation, joint line orientation angle, the distance between medial femoral notch marginal line and medial tibial spine, and PTS were evaluated. ACL status was arthroscopically graded from grade 1 (best) to 4 (worst). The MRI signal of the graft in three portions (proximal, middle, and distal) was graded from grade 1 (best) to 4 (worst).
RESULTS: High grade (3: partial, and 4: complete rupture) was noted in 28 cases (38.9%) at the second-look arthroscopy compared with 10 cases (13.9%) at index arthroscopy. The MRI signal grade significantly increased at follow up MRI compared with preoperative MRI (P<0.01). An increased signal was commonly noted in the middle and distal portions of the graft.
CONCLUSIONS: Geometric changes after OWHTO were related to ACL deterioration. The ACL was commonly affected at the middle and distal portions and rarely at the proximal portion. There is a possibility of impingement because of the geometric changes.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.
METHODS: Fifty computed tomography scans of nonarthritic knees were evaluated using three-dimensional image processing software. Four distal femoral rotational axes were determined in the axial plane: the transepicondylar axis (TEA), transcondylar axis (TCA), posterior condylar axis (PCA), and a line perpendicular to Whiteside's anterior-posterior axis. Then, angles were measured relative to the TEA. Tibial joint line obliquity was measured as the angle between the proximal tibial plane and a line perpendicular to the axis of the tibia.
RESULTS: There was a strong positive correlation between PCA-TEA and tibial joint line obliquity (r = 0.68, P < .001) as well as TCA-TEA and tibial joint line obliquity (r = 0.69, P < .001). In addition, the tibial joint line obliquity and TCA-TEA angles were similar, 3.7° ± 2.2° (mean ± standard deviation) and 3.5° ± 1.7°, respectively (mean difference, 0.2° ± 0.2°; P = .369).
CONCLUSION: Both PCA-TEA and TCA-TEA strongly correlated with proximal tibial joint line obliquity indicating a relationship between distal femoral rotational geometry and proximal tibial inclination. These findings could imply that the native knee in flexion attempts to balance the collateral ligaments toward a rectangular flexion space. A higher tibial varus inclination is matched with a more internally rotated distal femur relative to the TEA.
CONCLUSIONS: Open MM fracture with bone and soft tissue loss is rare. It is feasible to treat this injury with a novel surgical reconstruction technique involving autogenous bicortical iliac bone graft and radial forearm free flap.