Introduction: Two stage revision procedures is the gold standard in management of periprosthetic infections. Cement spacers impregnated with antibiotics have long been used to preserve the space created during resection procedure and to release antiobiotics within the created dead space. However, the problems related to cement as an antibiotic carrier are well recognised (random porosity, thermal necrosis, unspecified antibiotic delivery rate). The rationale of this study is that calcium hydroxyapatite antibiotic carrier (PerOssal) overlaps the known disadvantages of cement spacers, and leads to better outcome in terms of clinical parameters and re-infection rate.

Purpose: Our purpose was to identify specific clinical and laboratory differences between cases submitted to conventional two stage revision arthroplasty vs cases treated with PerOssal as an antibiotic carrier.

Material & Methods: During 2004 to 2008, 46 patients (38 females and 8 males, mean age 65.3 years, range 32 to 84) with infected TKR were revised using a two-stage revision protocol. In 31 patients (group A – 25 females and 6 males) a conventional articulating spacer impregnated with antibiotics was used, whereas in the remaining 15 patients (group B – 13 females, 2 males) a combination of an articulating spacer and PerOssal as antibiotic carrier was used. All patients were reviewed with laboratory exams (WBC, ESR, CRP) every 7 days and joint fluid aspiration prior to re-implantation, which was performed at mean 8 months post 1st stage (range, 6 to 12 months).

Results: At a mean follow-up of 36 months (range, 8 to 60 months) no patient was lost or died. WBC count and ESR showed no statistically significant differences at any time interval (p> 0.05). However, CRP values had a statistically significant difference between the two groups after the second week postoperatively (p3rd week= 0.042) and group B had significantly lower CRP values compared to group A at every check point thereafter (p4th week=0.038, p5th week=0.031, p6th week=0.034). Re-infection rate was 16.12% in group A and 6.6% in group B (p=0.192).

Conclusions: PerOssal can be used as an additional antibiotic carrier in cases of periprosthetic infections of TKR. It is associated with more rapid reduction of CRP levels, probably due to greater porosity and better antibiotic delivery comparing to impregnated cement. Larger series of patients could reveal potential differences in the re-infection rates as indicated by our study.

To evaluate the operative treatment of Blount disease using the TSF external fixator and to evaluate the system.

During January 2004 and August 2008, 8 males and 2 females with Blount disease (16 limbs) were treated using TSF system. For the radiological assessment we obtained standard long-leg standing radiographs and we measured the anatomic medial proximal tibial angle (aMPTA), the diaphyseal-metaphyseal tibial angle (Drennan), and the femoro-tibial angle.

The mean follow-up was 29 months (15 to 45). No patient had pain around the knee, medial or lateral instability. The range motion of the knee immediately after frame removal was 10° to 90° of flexion in two patients while in the other it was from 0° to 110°. The mean leg-length discrepancy was reduced postoperatively from mean 1,9 cm (1,7–3,2) to 0,9 cm (0− +1,5). The aMPTA angle increased from mean 73° (59°– 83°) to 94° (107°–90°), Drennan angle from 17° (14°–22°) to 3° (0°–7°), and femoro-tibial angle from 17° (10°–30°) varus to 7° (2°–10°) valgus. The frame was removed at mean 9 weeks (7–14). Two patients had delayed union, two presented with loss of correction (due to dissociation of struts and secondary to medial physeal bar), two patients had pin track infection. No neurologic complications were referred.

Accurate corrections of multiplanar deformities as varus, internal rotation and shortening of the limb that coexist in Blount disease may be accomplished using TSF system

Purpose: The goal of this prospective study was to evaluate the results of arthroscopic meniscal repair with the FasT-Fix repair system.

Type of study: Prospective case series.

Methods: 83 meniscal repairs with the FasT-Fix meniscal repair system in 80 patients with a mean age of 29 years were performed between 2001 and 2004. Concurrent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction was performed in 70% of the cases. All tears were longitudinal and located in the red/red or red/white zone. Criteria for clinical success included absence of joint line tenderness, locking, swelling, and a negative McMurray test. Clinical evaluation included also the Lyscholm knee score, and KT-1000 arthrometry.

Results: The average follow-up was 38 months (range, 24–61 months). Six of 83 repaired menisci (7.23%) were considered failures according to our criteria. Therefore, the success rate was 92.77%. Time required for meniscal repair averaged 15 minutes. Postoperatively, the majority of the patients had no restrictions in sports activities. 92% had an excellent or good result according to the Lysholm knee score. Four patients had a restriction of knee joint motion postoperatively, and an arthroscopic arthrolysis was performed in one of them. Analysis showed that, age, length of tear, simultaneous ACL reconstruction, chronicity of injury, and location of tear did not affect the clinical outcome.

Conclusions: Our results, shows that arthroscopic meniscal repair with the FasT-Fix repair system provides a high rate of meniscus healing and offers reduction of both the risk of serious neurovascular complications and operative time.

The incidence of periprosthetic knee infection is generally low (0.5%–2%) but the economic impact is great. The rates are higher for rheumatoid arthritis and revision knee surgery. Treatment of periprosthetic knee infection takes into account the acuteness of the infection, the overall immune/medical status of the patient, and the local factors at the site of infection.

Evaluate the results of two-phase exchange arthroplasty with the use of articulating spacer in III-A-1 and III-B-1 periprosthetic knee infection.

From 1990–2005, 24 patients with minimum (< 2) systemic and no local compromising factors were treated for chronic periprosthetic knee infection. These patients staged as III-A-1 or III-B-1 according to MSIS staging system. Diagnosis was clinical, radiological, laboratory and from knee aspiration cultures. Two-phase exchange arthroplasty was performed. Initially, there was removal of the prosthesis, surgical debridement and placement of a PMMA spacer impregnated with antibiotic. The spacer was shaped as a knee joint permitting motion. In 6 cases a hybrid spacer was used (PMMA and TECRES® spacer). Intravenous antibiotic therapy according to intraoperative cultures followed for 6–8 weeks. Re-implantation was always done after the completion of the antibiotic therapy and on the ground of normal CRP, ESR and negative aspiration cultures. All patients received antibiotics after the re-implantation.

Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. No infection recurrence was noted over a 2–15 years follow-up. All patients returned to normal everyday activity. A custom-made prosthesis was placed in one patient and there was a rupture of the extensor mechanism in another.

Patients with periprosthetic knee infection, staged as III-A-1 and III-B-1, when treated with two-stage exchange arthroplasty combined with antibiotic impregnated articulating spacer and i.v. antibiotics can have excellent results.

Aim of study: Comparison of clinical and radiological results of the applied methods.

Material and method: 20 patients with osteochondritis dissecans of the talus were treated. Autologous chondrocyte transplantation was applied to a group of 10 patients (Group A) and autologous osteochondral transplantation to the rest 10 patients (Group B).Group A: Average-age=30,8 years, -follow up time= 33,6 (12–48) months, -lesion size= 20×16,2 (35–15 × 25–15) mm and depth =7 (20–5) mmGroup B: Average –age =33, 7 years, follow up time =32,4 (12–48) months, – lesion size=16,5×15 (25–10 × 20–10) mm and depth=4 (5–3) mm.All patients underwent clinical und radiological investigation and the symptoms were classified in accordance with the Finsen classification. Group A was treated with autologous chondrocyte and Group B with autologous osteochondral transplantation. Osteotomy of the medial or lateral malleolus was necessary by 6 Group A – patients and 4 Group B – patients. Postoperative treatment : Non-weight bearing for 6 weeks, continuous passive motion of the joint, clinical and radiological follow up 3rd, 6th, 12th and yearly basis

Results: Postoperatively the average Finsen score showed for Group A an improvement from 3,5 (very bad) to 1,1 (excellent) and for Group B from 3,6 (very bad) to 1 (excellent). MRI follow up showed defect coverage by 7 patients of Group A and 9 patients of Group B after 12 months. Second look arthroscopy was performed by 4 patient of Group A and 3 patients of Group B showing full coverage of the defect site. Complications: persisting swelling for an average time of 2,7 months in Group A and 4,3 months in Group B. Additionally 10 degrees loss of joint extension in 4 patients of Group A and 3 patients of Group B.

Conclusion: Autologous chondrocyte transplantation as well as autologous osteochondral transplantation present very good clinical results. As methods of articular surface restoration they have their advantages and disadvantages playing an important role in chosing one of them, in combination always with the surgeons philosophy. The existence of these methods is important in influencing the course of the ankle joint towards a good prognosis, in cases of osteochondral lesion. Further investigation is necessary.