No abstract

Background:Subvastus approach in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) spares the quadriceps and may assist in faster rehabilitation. The present randomised controlled study was conducted to determine if the subvastus approach results in early recovery, faster mobilization, shorter hospital stay, and improved function.Materials and Methods:100 patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral TKA were randomized into two groups: subvastus group and medial parapatellar group. The patients were assessed clinically using VAS, time to straight leg raise, ability to stand with walker, ability to use a commode chair, ability to climb stairs, flexion at discharge, and day of discharge. Perioperative blood loss and duration of surgery were also compared. The patient were kept on same pain management and physiotherapy protocol. The evaluation was done at day 0,1,3 and at discharge. Statistical analyses tested the null hypotheses of no differences in patients treated with either group at 95% significance level (P < 0.05).Results:The VAS score was significantly lower in subvastus group on day 1 and day 3. Also mean hospital stay was 2.04 days less in subvastus group. Patients with subvastus approach were able to perform straight leg raising 0.44 days earlier. Though time to stand with walker was same for both groups, the ability to use commode chair, and climb stairs was significantly early (P < 0.05) in the subvastus group. The average flexion at the time of discharge in subvastus and parapatellar group were 100.8 and 96.8°, respectively. The mean perioperative blood loss in subvastus group and parapatellar group were 343 ml and 372 ml, respectively. Average surgical time required for subvastus approach and parapatellar approach were 108.5 and 94.3 min, respectively.Conclusions:Subvastus approach produce appreciably less pain and faster mobilization due to lesser insult to quadriceps, thus assisting in early rehabilitation, shorter hospital stay, less expenditure, and more patient satisfaction.

We believe that fixation with hydroxyapatite augmentation for fractures of the distal radius in elderly patients is an attractive therapeutic option. This experience has changed our clinical practice.

Currently available routine tibial preparation techniques result in partial or total posterior cruciate ligament detachment. Fibula head as a landmark aids to predict the PCL location and to estimate its disruption pre- and postoperatively on AP-view radiographs.

Purpose. To evaluate the safety of simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement (TKR). Methods. 124 women and 26 men (mean age, 66 years) underwent simultaneous bilateral TKR for tricompartmental osteoarthritis using a posterior-stabilised, high-flexion implant. All patients underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography for detection of any silent cardiac comorbidity by a cardiologist. None had any adverse effect after testing. Five patients had positive outcome and underwent coronary angiography to detect any significant coronary blockage. Functional outcome was evaluated using the Knee Society Score (KSS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). Tranexamic acid was given intravenously to reduce peri-operative blood loss. Femoral blocks and patient-controlled analgesia were used to facilitate early recovery. Aggressive physiotherapy was allowed. Patients were followed up at months 3, 6, and 12, and yearly thereafter. Results. At the 2-year follow-up, the mean range of motion improved from 95° to 129° (p=0.032), the mean KSS from 120 to 158 (p<0.001), and the WOMAC from 51 to 88 (p=0.002). One patient developed patellar crepitus at week 6, which resolved with conservative treatment. Another patient developed infection in both knees at month 6. Despite salvage procedures, infection recurred after 3 months and the patient underwent bilateral arthrodesis. No patient developed deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, or other cardiac event. Conclusion. Simultaneous bilateral TKR is safe for properly selected patients.