Publications

AIM: To describe an approach to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using autologous hamstring by drilling via the anteromedial portal in the presence of an intramedullary (IM) femoral nail.

METHODS: Once preoperative imagining has characterized the proposed location of the femoral tunnel preparations are made to remove all of the hardware (locking bolts and IM nail). A diagnostic arthroscopy is performed in the usual fashion addressing all intra-articular pathology. The ACL remnant and lateral wall soft tissues are removed from the intercondylar, to provide adequate visualization of the ACL footprint. Femoral tunnel placement is performed using a transportal ACL guide with desired offset and the knee flexed to 2.09 rad. The Beath pin is placed through the guide starting at the ACL's anatomic footprint using arthroscopic visualization and/or fluoroscopic guidance. If resistance is met while placing the Beath pin, the arthroscopy should be discontinued and the obstructing hardware should be removed under fluoroscopic guidance. When the Beath pin is successfully placed through the lateral femur, it is overdrilled with a 4.5 mm Endobutton drill. If the Endobutton drill is obstructed, the obstructing hardware should be removed under fluoroscopic guidance. In this case, the obstruction is more likely during Endobutton drilling due to its larger diameter and increased rigidity compared to the Beath pin. The femoral tunnel is then drilled using a best approximation of the graft's outer diameter. We recommend at least 7 mm diameter to minimize the risk of graft failure. Autologous hamstring grafts are generally between 6.8 and 8.6 mm in diameter. After reaming, the knee is flexed to 1.57 rad, the arthroscope placed through the anteromedial portal to confirm the femoral tunnel position, referencing the posterior wall and lateral cortex. For a quadrupled hamstring graft, the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons are then harvested in the standard fashion. The tendons are whip stitched, quadrupled and shaped to match the diameter of the prepared femoral tunnel. If the diameter of the patient's autologous hamstring graft is insufficient to fill the prepared femoral tunnel, the autograft may be supplemented with an allograft. The remainder of the reconstruction is performed according to surgeon preference.

RESULTS: The presence of retained hardware presents a challenge for surgeons treating patients with knee instability. In cruciate ligament reconstruction, distal femoral and proximal tibial implants hardware may confound tunnel placement, making removal of hardware necessary, unless techniques are adopted to allow for anatomic placement of the graft.

CONCLUSION: This report demonstrates how the femoral tunnel can be created using the anteromedial portal instead of a transtibial approach for reconstruction of the ACL.

Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is the most common cause of shoulder pain. Treatment options for SIS include conservative modalities such as use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and subacromial corticosteroid injections (CSIs). Although studies have found improvement in pain, function, and range of motion after CSI, the effect of injection route (anterior or posterior) on shoulder pain in patients with SIS has not been investigated. In the study reported here, patients were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups: anterior CSI and posterior CSI. Pain was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS) and function with the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE). Patients were evaluated before injection (baseline) and 1, 3, and 6 months after injection. Of the 55 patients enrolled, 25 received anterior CSI and 30 received posterior CSI. The 2 groups showed no significant difference in VAS pain at baseline or 1, 3, or 6 months after injection. SANE scores were statistically different at 3 months. Each group had significantly less pain and better function 1, 3, and 6 months after injection than at baseline. Age, sex, and body mass index did not significantly affect the efficacy of anterior or posterior CSIs. In patients with SIS, subacromial CSI reduces pain and improves function for up to 6 months. These effects are no different for anterior and posterior injection routes. As a result, clinicians should rely on their clinical acumen when selecting injection routes, as anterior and posterior are both beneficial.

Injury to the lunotriquetral ligament can result in midcarpal instability, with resultant alterations in normal wrist kinematics and subsequent arthrosis. We performed a previously undescribed technique of lunotriquetral ligament reconstruction in two patients utilizing a palmaris longus tendon autograft. Average age at presentation was 24 years old with a mean follow up of 10 months. Average range of motion was 62.5° of flexion and 57.5° of extension. Total arc of motion was 83% of the contralateral uninvolved extremity. Average grip strength was 31 kg which was 91% of the contralateral extremity. Average Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 12.5 and Modern Activity Subjective Survey of 2007 was 1.5. No complications were noted.

CASE: A 49-year-old man presented with a rapidly growing thigh mass. Histologic analyses demonstrated separate regions that were consistent with a collision tumor composed of a primary leiomyosarcoma and a metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma. After responding to chemotherapy, the patient underwent resection of the tumor and a total thyroidectomy; he was disease-free 9 years after the diagnosis.

CONCLUSION: A wide diagnostic differential and thorough histologic analysis are necessary in patients presenting with neoplasms of the extremities. A leiomyosarcoma may be a hospitable location for metastatic disease, and the presence of a collision tumor should be considered when pathology findings are equivocal.

Patients commonly present with shoulder complaints to the primary care and orthopaedic setting. The differential includes rotator cuff tears, subacromial impingement, osteoarthritis, and adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder. Despite the prevalence of adhesive capsulitis, it is commonly misdiagnosed and management remains unclear. This article reviews the presentation of adhesive capsulitis, presents an overview of the pathophysiology of this poorly understood disease, and evaluates nonoperative treatment options for adhesive capsulitis. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 26(4):193-199, 2017).