Martinus Richter

BACKGROUND: Studies of traumatic knee dislocations have failed to provide a consensus regarding the best method of treatment. PURPOSE: Our purpose was to evaluate the results after surgical repair or reconstruction versus nonsurgical treatment and to compare the influence of prognostic factors. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients were treated for traumatic knee dislocation. Surgical repair or reconstruction of the cruciate ligaments was performed in 63 patients (repair, 49; reconstruction, 14). In 26 patients, nonsurgical treatment was undertaken. RESULTS: At an average follow-up of 8.2 years, the mean Lysholm and Tegner scores were 75 and 3.7, respectively. The outcome in the surgical group was better than in the nonsurgical group. The scores were higher in patients who were 40 years of age or younger, who had sports injuries rather than motor vehicle accident injuries, and who had undergone functional rehabilitation rather than immobilization. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical repair or reconstruction of the cruciate ligaments was superior to nonsurgical treatment. Functional rehabilitation was the most important positive prognostic factor. Surgical repair or reconstruction of the cruciate ligaments is mandatory to achieve sufficient stability for functional rehabilitation. In cases of cruciate ligament avulsion, repair with transosseous fixation is a reasonable alternative to reconstruction, provided that it is performed within 2 weeks of trauma.

In the last decade, cone-beam computed tomography technology with improved designs allowing flexible gantry movements has allowed both supine and standing weight-bearing imaging of the lower extremity. There is an increasing amount of literature describing the use of weightbearing computed tomography in patients with foot and ankle disorders. To date, there is no review article summarizing this imaging modality in the foot and ankle. Therefore, we performed a systematic literature review of relevant clinical studies targeting the use of weightbearing computed tomography in diagnosis of patients with foot and ankle disorders. Furthermore, this review aims to offer insight to those with interest in considering possible future research opportunities with use of this technology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, expert opinion.

Etiology and outcome of 155 patients with midfoot fractures between 1972 and 1997 were analyzed to create a basis for treatment optimization. Cause of injuries were traffic accidents (72.2%), falls (11.6%), blunt injuries (7.7%) and others (5.8%). Isolated midfoot fractures (I) were found in 55 (35.5%) cases, Lisfranc fracture dislocations (L) in 49 (31.2%), Chopart-Lisfranc fracture dislocations (CL) in 26 (16.8%) and Chopart fracture dislocations (C) in 25 (16%). One hundred and forty eight (95%) of the midfoot fractures were treated operatively; 30 with closed reduction, 115 with open reduction, 3 patients had a primary amputation. Seven (5%) patients were treated non-operatively. Ninety seven (63%) patients had follow-up at an average of 9 (1.3-25, median 8.5) years. The average scores of the entire follow-up group were as follows: AOFAS - sum of all four sections (AOFAS-ET): 296, AOFAS-Midfoot (AOFAS-M): 71, Hannover Scoring System (HSS): 65, and Hannover Questionnaire (Q): 63. Regarding age, gender, cause, time from injury to treatment and method of treatment no score differences were noted (t-test: p>0.05). L, C or I showed similar scores and CL significantly lower scores (AOFAS-ET, AOFAS-M, HSS, Q). The highest scores in all groups were achieved in those fractures treated with early open reduction and operative fixation. Midfoot fractures, particularly fracture dislocation injuries, effect the function of the entire foot in the long-term outcome. But even in these complex injuries, an early anatomic (open) reduction and stable (internal) fixation can minimize the percentage of long-term impairment.

Intramedullary nailing of metaphyseal fractures may be associated with deformity as a result of instability after fixation. Our aim was to evaluate the clinical use of Poller screws (blocking screws) as a supplement to stability after fixation with statically locked intramedullary nails of small diameter. We studied, prospectively, 21 tibial fractures, 10 in the proximal third and 11 in the distal third in 20 patients after the insertion of Poller screws over a mean period of 18.5 months (12 to 29). All fractures had united. Healing was evident radiologically at a mean of 5.4+/-2.1 months (3 to 12) with a mean varus-valgus alignment of -1.0 degree (-5 to 3) and mean antecurvatum-recurvatum alignment of 1.6 degrees (-6 to 11). The mean loss of reduction between placement of the initial Poller screw and follow-up was 0.5 degrees in the frontal plane and 0.4 degrees in the sagittal plane. There were no complications related to the Poller screw. The clinical outcome, according to the Karström-Olerud score, was not influenced by previous or concomitant injuries in 18 patients and was judged as excellent in three (17%), good in seven (39%), satisfactory in six (33%), fair in one (6%), and poor in one (6%).