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Purpose This study aimed to compare the difference in posterior tibial slope (PTS) measurements based on the full-length and half-length tibial anatomic axes of the same group of patients. It was hypothesized that the obtained PTS values would be affected by the length of tibia chosen during the measurements. Methods Full-length true lateral tibia radiographs were obtained for each patient who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in our department. PTS measurements were obtained by measuring the angle between the full-length or half-length tibial anatomic axis and an average of the lateral and medial tibial plateau. The anatomic axis was defined as the center of the tibial diaphysis. The PTS measurements from the full-length and half-length true lateral tibia radiographs were obtained and compared. Additionally, the absolute difference and the relationship between the two PTS measurements were calculated and analyzed. Results A total of 200 ACL-injured patients were included in this study. The average PTS values using the anatomic axis were 15.9 ± 3.7° and 14.1 ± 3.7° on full-length and half-length true lateral tibial radiographs. There was a significant difference between the measurements with the full-length and half-length tibial radiographs ( P  < 0.01). Additionally, 49.5% ( n  = 99) of patients had ≥ 2.0° differences between the full-length and half-length anatomic axis PTS measurement techniques; meanwhile, a strong and significant linear relationship ( r  = 0.95; P  < 0.001) was identified between the two PTS measurements. Conclusion There were significant differences and linear relationships between PTS measurements that measured the anatomic axis from full-length and half-length true lateral tibia radiographs. Therefore, the obtained PTS values were strongly associated with the length of tibia chosen during the measurements. Surgeons should pay more attention to the measurement techniques and the tibial length when considering the role of PTS in ACL injury and ACLR failure. Knowledge of the association is very important for calculating potential closing wedge proximal tibial osteotomies to correct excessive PTS in the setting of ACLR failures. Level of evidence IV.

Background During lower limb lengthening, poor bone regeneration is a devastating complication. Several local or systemic applications have been used to promote osteogenesis, and biologic stimulations are gaining attention, but their utility has not been proven in this setting. Questions/purposes In patients undergoing bilateral tibial lengthening, we compared those receiving an osteotomy site injection of autologous bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) plus platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with those not receiving such an injection in terms of external fixator index (time in external fixation divided by amount of lengthening), full weightbearing index (time until a patient was permitted to do full weightbearing divided by amount of lengthening), four cortical healing indexes (time until each cortical union divided by amount of lengthening), and callus shape and type. Methods Twenty-two patients (44 tibias) undergoing bilateral tibial lengthening enrolled in this randomized trial. Two patients were excluded, one due to insufficient radiographic evaluation and one who was lost to followup, leaving 20 patients (40 segments) for inclusion. Ten patients (20 segments) received BMAC combined with PRP injection (treatment group) and 10 patients (20 segments) received no injection (control group). All patients underwent stature lengthening for familial short stature with the lengthening over nail technique. Autologous BMAC combined with PRP was injected at the tibial osteotomy site at the end of the index surgery. Mean distraction rates were similar between groups (0.75 mm/day in the treatment group versus 0.72 mm/day in the control group; p = 0.24). Full weightbearing was permitted when we observed radiographic evidence of healing at two cortices; this assessment was made by the surgeon who was blinded to the treatment each patient received. Minimum followup was 24 months (mean, 28 months; range, 24–34 months). Results There was no difference in mean external fixator index between groups. However, mean cortical healing indexes (anterior/posterior/medial/lateral) were 1.14/0.81/0.96/0.88 months/cm in the treatment group and 1.47/1.26/1.42/1.22 months/cm in the control group (all p < 0.001), showing faster healing in the treatment group at each cortex. Full weightbearing was permitted earlier in the treatment group than in the control group (index: 0.99 months/cm and 1.38 months/cm, respectively, p < 0.001). Callus shape and type were not different between groups. Conclusions Autologous BMAC combined with PRP injection at the osteotomy site helped improve bone healing in distraction osteogenesis of the tibia, although the effect size was small. Level of Evidence Level I, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Purpose This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes and arthroscopic findings after high tibial osteotomy (HTO) between neutral and classic targeted coronal alignments in patients with medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRTs). Methods Ninety-eight patients with MMPRT were prospectively enrolled in the final cohort and randomized into two groups. Fifty-two patients with the targeted alignment through the Fujisawa point (60–62.5% of the entire tibial plateau width measured from the medial side) during HTO were included in group A, whereas 46 patients with the targeted alignment through the point at 50–55% of the tibial plateau width were included in group B. The clinical and radiographic outcomes and second-look arthroscopic findings were statistically compared for comprehensive assessments. Results After a mean follow-up of 37.1 months, we found no significant differences between the two groups regarding the final Lysholm ( p  = 0.205) and Hospital for Special Surgery scores ( p  = 0.084). However, we only observed significant differences between the two groups in terms of the final hip–knee–ankle angle, weight-bearing line ratio, and medial proximal tibial angle ( p  < 0.001). Second-look arthroscopy did not reveal a significant difference in meniscal healing rate ( p  = 0.786). Conclusions Performing HTO with the aim to achieve neutral alignment leads to similar clinical outcomes in patients with MMPRT compared to classic alignment. Although subsequent research is required, the current study provides clinical evidence for the safety and efficacy of the new targeted alignment during HTO, which may avoid long-term complications associated with overcorrection when using the traditional technique.

Purpose Both, knee joint distraction as a relatively new approach and valgus-producing opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO), are knee-preserving treatments for knee osteoarthritis (OA). The efficacy of knee joint distraction compared to HTO has not been reported. Methods Sixty-nine patients with medial knee joint OA with a varus axis deviation of <10° were randomized to either knee joint distraction ( n  = 23) or HTO ( n  = 46). Questionnaires were assessed at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months. Joint space width (JSW) as a surrogate measure for cartilage thickness was determined on standardized semi-flexed radiographs at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Results All patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) improved significantly over 1 year (at 1 year p  < 0.02) in both groups. At 1 year, the HTO group showed slightly greater improvement in 4 of the 16 PROMS ( p  < 0.05). The minimum medial compartment JSW increased 0.8 ± 1.0 mm in the knee joint distraction group ( p  = 0.001) and 0.4 ± 0.5 mm in the HTO group ( p  < 0.001), with minimum JSW improvement in favour of knee joint distraction ( p  = 0.05). The lateral compartment showed a small increase in the knee joint distraction group and a small decrease in the HTO group, leading to a significant increase in mean JSW for knee joint distraction only ( p  < 0.02). Conclusion Cartilaginous repair activity, as indicated by JSW, and clinical outcome improvement occurred with both, knee joint distraction and HTO. These findings suggest that knee joint distraction may be an alternative therapy for medial compartmental OA with a limited mechanical leg malalignment. Level of evidence Randomized controlled trial, Level I.

Purpose Medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOW HTO) is now a successful operation with a range of indications, requiring an individualised approach to the choice of intended correction. This manuscript introduces the concept of surgical accuracy as the absolute deviation of the achieved correction from the intended correction, where small values represent greater accuracy. Surgical accuracy is compared in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) between gap measurement and computer navigation groups. Methods This was a prospective RCT conducted over 3 years of 120 consecutive patients with varus malalignment and medial compartment osteoarthritis, who underwent MOW HTO. All procedures were planned with digital software. Patients were randomly assigned into gap measurement or computer navigation groups. Coronal plane alignment was judged using the mechanical tibiofemoral angle (mTFA), before and after surgery. Absolute (positive) values were calculated for surgical accuracy in each individual case. Results There was no significant difference in the mean intended correction between groups. The achieved mTFA revealed a small under-correction in both groups. This was attributed to a failure to account for saw blade thickness (gap measurement) and over-compensation for weight bearing (computer navigation). Surgical accuracy was 1.7° ± 1.2° (gap measurement) compared to 2.1° ± 1.4° (computer navigation) without statistical significance. The difference in tibial slope increases of 2.7° ± 3.9° (gap measurement) and 2.1° ± 3.9° (computer navigation) had statistical significance ( P  < 0.001) but magnitude (0.6°) without clinical relevance. Conclusion Surgical accuracy as described here is a new way to judge achieved alignment following knee osteotomy for individual cases. This work is clinically relevant because coronal surgical accuracy was not superior in either group. Therefore, the increased expense and surgical time associated with navigated MOW HTO is not supported, because meticulously conducted gap measurement yields equivalent surgical accuracy. Level of evidence I.

Purpose To investigate the effect that femoral and tibial tunnel positions have on long-term reported and clinical outcome and to identify a safe zone based on favourable outcome. Methods Seventy-eight patients from a previous randomised controlled trial were included and were followed with a mean follow-up of 11.4 years. All patients had primary trans-tibial anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction performed. The femoral and tibial tunnel positions were visualised and translated in percentages with three-dimensional computed tomography post-operatively. There were 3 separate outcome variables: patient-reported outcome measured with the IKDC Subjective Knee Form, overall failure, and radiographic osteoarthritis. The correlation between tunnel aperture positions and outcome was determined with multivariate regression. The area with best outcome was defined as the safe zone and was determined with Youden’s index in conjunction with receiver operating characteristics. Results No significant relationship was found between tunnel aperture positions and IKDC Subjective Knee Form at 10-year follow-up. The posterior-to-anterior femoral tunnel aperture position parallel to Blumensaat line showed a significant relationship ( p  = 0.03) to overall failure at 10-year follow-up. The mean posterior-to-anterior tunnel position of the group that did not fail was 37.7% compared to 44.1% in the overall failure group. Femoral tunnel apertures placed further anteriorly had more overall failures at long-term. The cut-off point lies at 35.0% from posterior-to-anterior parallel to Blumensaat. Of the 16 overall failures, 15 (93.8%) were placed further anteriorly than the cut-off point. No significant relationship was found between tunnel aperture positions and radiographic osteoarthritis. Conclusion Femoral and tibial tunnel positions were not associated with long-term patient-reported outcome and radiographic osteoarthritis. Long-term overall failure was more frequently seen in patients with a more anteriorly placed femoral tunnel. This study identified a safe zone located at the most posterior 35% of the femoral condyle parallel to Blumensaat. This knowledge offers guidance to surgeons to operate more precisely and accurately and reconstruct a long-lasting graft. Level of evidence Level III.

Purpose Open wedge high tibial osteotomy is a widespread treatment option in patients with varus malalignment and medial compartment osteoarthritis. There is no standardised protocol for post-operative rehabilitation available. The purpose of this study was to compare two post-operative rehabilitation protocols and to evaluate the clinical outcome of early full weight-bearing after open wedge HTO. Methods One hundred and twenty consecutive patients with varus malalignment and medial compartment osteoarthritis received an open wedge HTO using an angular locking plate fixation between December 2008 and December 2011. All patients were assigned randomly into one of two groups with different post-operative rehabilitation protocols (11-day vs. 6-week 20-kg partial weight-bearing). Clinical outcome was evaluated using established instruments (Lequesne, Lysholm, HSS and IKDC scores) preoperatively, 6, 12 and 18 months post-operatively. Deformity analysis was performed preoperatively and during follow-up. Results All clinical scores showed a significant pre- to post-operative improvement. After 6 months, there was a higher improvement in the group of early full weight-bearing. The difference between preoperative and 6-month follow-up for the group with early full weight-bearing and for the group with 20-kg PWB for 6 weeks was 28 ± 26 and 18 ± 22, respectively, for the Lysholm score and −5.0 ± 5.1 and −3.0 ± 3.6, respectively, for the Lequesne score. Conclusions Early full weight-bearing (11-day 20-kg partial weight-bearing) after open wedge HTO without bone graft leads to earlier improvement of the clinical results and can be recommended for post-operative rehabilitation after open wedge HTO and fixation with an angular locking plate. Level of evidence Therapeutic study, Level I.

Purpose Comparing the MRI features of the grafts between a group of patients treated with an over-the-top anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction technique that preserves the hamstring attachment and a control group with a classical reconstruction technique. Methods Patients were assigned to a standard reconstruction technique or an Over-the-top plus lateral plasty technique. All patients underwent preoperative, 4-months and 18-months MRI; together with a clinical evaluation with KOOS and KT1000 laxity assessment. MRI study involved different parameters: the “Graft” was evaluated with the continuity, Howell Grading system, presence of liquid and signal noise quotient. The “Tibial Tunnel” was evaluated with the signal noise quotient, presence of edema or liquid and tunnel widening. All points assigned to each parameter formed a composite score ranging from 0–10. Tunnel and graft positioning were evaluated. Results At 18-month 20 MRIs (10 each group) were available, demographics were not significantly different between groups. The non-detached group showed significantly less liquid within the graft at 4-months ( p  = 0.008) and 18-months ( p  = 0.028), the tunnel was significantly smaller ( p  < 0.05) and less enlarged at both follow-ups ( p  < 0.05), signal noise quotient of the intra-tunnel graft was lower at 18-months ( p  < 0.05). The total score of the non-detached group saw a significant improvement at 4-months ( p  = 0.006) that remained stable at 18-months (n.s.). Conclusions Hamstring grafts, which tibial insertions were preserved, showed better MRI features at 4-and 18-months follow-up, especially in terms of liquid effusion, tunnel enlargement and signal noise quotient. Level of evidence IV.

Purpose It was our hypothesis that patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) can improve the accuracy of the rotational alignment in TKA based on the concept of the system and on the potential to clearly identify pre-operatively during planning the classical anatomical landmarks that serve as references to set-up the rotation both for the femur and tibia. Materials and methods In this prospective comparative randomized study, 40 patients (20 in each group) operated in our institution between September 2012 and January 2013 by the 2 senior authors were included. Randomization of patients into one of the two groups was done by the Hospital Informatics Department with the use of a systematic sampling method. All patients received the same cemented high-flex mobile bearing TKA. In the PSI group, implant position was compared to the planed position using previously validated dedicated software. The position of the implants (frontal and sagittal) was compared in the 2 groups on standard X-rays, and the rotational position was analysed on post-operative CT-scan. Results 90 % of the patients add <2° or mm of difference between the planned position of the implants and the obtained position, except for the tibial rotation where the variations were much higher. Mean HKA was 179° (171–185) in the PSI group with 4 outliers (2 varus: 171° and 172°:184° and 185°) and 178.3° with 2 outliers (171° and 176°) in the control group. No difference was observed between the two groups concerning the frontal and sagittal position of the implants on the ML and AP X-rays. No significant difference of femoral rotation was observed between the two groups with a mean of 0.4° in the PSI group and 0.2° in the control group ( p : n.s). Mean tibial rotation was 8° of internal rotation in the PSI group and 15° of internal rotation in the standard group ( p : n.s). Conclusion Based on our results, we were unable to confirm our hypothesis as PSI cannot improve rotation in TKA. More work needs to be done to more clearly define the place of PSI in TKA, to keep on improving the accuracy of the system and to better define the individual targets in TKA in terms of frontal, sagittal and rotational positioning of the implant for each patient. Level of evidence Prospective comparative randomized study, Level II.

Purpose The aim of the present study was to examine changes in radiological variables in a prospective randomized study comparing opening wedge (OW) and closing wedge (CW) techniques of high tibial osteotomy (HTO). Our hypothesis was that there would be no differences in joint line angles or correction accuracy between the two groups, that patellar height would increase after CW HTO and decrease after OW HTO, and that leg length and posterior tibial slope would decrease after CW HTO and increase after OW HTO. Methods Radiological data were collected from 70 patients participating in an ongoing prospective randomized clinical trial comparing OW and CW HTOs. Digital standing hip–knee–ankle (HKA) radiographs as well as lateral radiographs in 30° of flexion were obtained preoperatively and at 6 months for each patient. Joint line angles, HKA angle, leg length, Insall–Salvati index, Miura–Kawamura index and posterior tibial slope were measured using medical planning software. The complete preoperative radiological examinations of the first 50 patients were used in a study of intra- and inter-rater reliability of the measurements. Results The mean posterior slope was reduced by 2.5° in CW HTO, whereas it remained unchanged in OW HTO ( p  < 0.001). Mean leg length decreased 5.7 mm in CW HTO and increased 3.1 mm in OW HTO ( p  < 0.001). Changes in joint line angles, patellar height indexes and the correction accuracy showed no significant differences comparing the two techniques. Frontal plane reliability measurement intra- and inter-rater intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) varied from 0.81 to 0.99. Sagittal plane intra- and inter-rater ICC varied from 0.60 to 0.87. Posterior tibial slope intra- and inter-rater ICC showed the lowest values (0.70 and 0.60, respectively) corresponding to a smallest real difference of 4.5° and 5.5°, respectively. Conclusions Posterior tibial slope and leg length changes were significantly different in CW compared to OW HTOs. We recommend that possible alterations in tibial slope and leg length are considered when the technique of HTO is to be chosen. Landmark-based medical planning software shows good reliability and can be used in preoperative planning and postoperative evaluations of HTOs. Level of evidence I.