Double level osteotomy (DLO) for severe genu varum is not a common technique. We performed our first computer-assisted double level osteotomy (CADLO) in March 2001 and we published our preliminary results in 2005 and 2007. The rationale to perform this procedure is to avoid oblique joint line in order to have less difficulty in case of revision to a total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The goal of this paper is to present the results of 37 cases operated on between August 2001 and January 2010.

The series was composed of 35 patients (two bilateral), nine females and 26 males, aged from 39 to 64 years old (mean age: 50.5 +/− 7.5). We operated on 20 right knees and 17 left ones. The mean BMI was 29.3 +/− 4.3 for a mean height of 1.71 m and a mean weight of 85.8 kg. The functional status was evaluated according to the LYSHÖLM and TEGNER score. The mean score was of 42.4 +/− 8.9 points (22–69). According to modified AHLBÄCK criteria we operated on seven stage 2, 22 stage 3, five stage 4 and two stage 5. We measured HKA (Hip-Knee-Ankle) angle using RAMADIER's protocol and we also measured the femoral mechanical axis (FMA) and the tibial mechanical axis (TMA) to pose the right indication. These measures were respectively: 168° +/− 3.4° (159°–172°), 87.5° +/− 2.1 (83°–91°) for the FMA and 83.7° +/− 2.6° (78°–88°) for the TMA.

The inclusion criteria were a patient younger than 65 years old with a severe varus deformity (more than 8° − HKA angle ≤ to 172°) and a FMA at 91° or less. All the osteotomies were navigated using the ORTHOPILOT® device (B-BRAUN-AESCULAP, TUTTLINGEN, GERMANY). The procedure was performed as follows: after inserting the rigid-bodies and calibrating the lower leg, we did first the femoral closing wedge osteotomy (from 4 to 7 mm) which was fixed by a an AO T-Plate, and secondly, after checking the residual varus, the high tibial opening wedge osteotomy using a BIOSORB® wedge (Tricalcium phosphate) and a plate (AO T-plate or C-plate). The goals of the osteotomy were to achieve an HKA angle of 182° +/− 2° and a TMA angle of 90° +/− 2°.

The functional results were evaluated using the LYSHÖLM-TEGNER score and the KOOS score. The patients answered the questionnaire at revision or by phone, and the radiological results were assessed by plain radiographs and standing long leg X-Rays between three and six months postoperatively.

We had no complication in this series but one case of recurrence of the deformity related to an impaction of the femoral osteotomy on the medial side. Two patients were lost to follow-up after removing of the plates (24 months) but were included in the results because the file was complete at that date. All the patients were assessed at a mean follow-up of 43 +/− 27 months (12–108). The mean LYSHÖLM-TEGNER score was 78.7 +/− 7.5 points (59–91) and the mean KOOS score was 94.9 +/− 3.3 points (89–100). Thirty-five patients were satisfied (18) or very satisfied (17) of the result. Only two were poorly satisfied. Regarding the radiological results, if we exclude the patient who had a loss of correction, the goals were reached in 32 cases (89%) for the HKA angle and in 31 cases (86%) for the TMA with only one case at 93°. The mean angles were: 181.97° +/− 1,89° (177°–185°) for HKA, 89.86° +/− 1,85° (85°–93°) for TMA and 93.05° +/− 2.3° (89°–99°) for FMA. At that mid-term follow-up no patient had revision to a total knee arthroplasty.

DLO is a very demanding technique. Navigation can improve the accuracy of the correction compared to non computer-assisted osteotomies. The functional results are satisfying and the satisfaction of the patients is very high. Despite the difficulty of the procedure, complications are, in our hands, very rare. We recommend DLO for severe genu varum deformity in young patients to avoid oblique joint line, which will be difficult to revise to TKA.

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this work was to analyse the long-term results obtained with 43 medial Oxford unicompartmental prostheses implanted from 1988 to 1994 for varus deviation of the knee.

Material and methods: Initially, the series included 56 patients (59 prostheses), but data were incomplete for nine patients who had died and five who were lost to follow-up. The analysis thus included 40 patients (74%): 16 were living at the time of this review (40%), 14 had died (35%) and ten had a total knee arthroplasty after failure of the Oxford prosthesis (25%). Mean age at initial surgery was 68.83±7.54 years (range 47–86). There were 13 surgical revisions: four for loosening, three for deterioration of the lateral compartment of the knee, two for repeated meniscal dislocation, two for rupture of the femoral implant and one repeated revision for impingement between the meniscal element and the femoral condyle. For ten knees, we replaced the implant with a total knee arthroplasty and in three others, we changed the meniscal piece.

Results: One year after the initial operation, the overall IKS score was 189.67±14.43 points (115–200), i.e. 93% good and very good outcomes. Regarding the initial radiographic results, overall varus of the lower limb had improved from 171.31±0.46 (161–180) preoperatively to 178±3.21 (170–186) postoperatively. Sixty-three percent of the patients had normal alignment or slight undercorrection (0–4), 19% had a greater undercorrection (5–9), 2% an excessive undercorrection (10), and 16% an over correction (181–186). At review, mean follow-up was 14.8±1.16 years (13–17) and mean patient age was 82 years (n=16). The mean overall IKS was 145.52±39.90 points. Sixty-nine percent of the patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the prosthesis. The prosthesis survival was 93% at one year, 90.5% at five years, 74.7% at ten years and 70.1% at fifteen years.

Discussion: Globally, the unicompartmental Oxford prosthesis has not provided in our hands the results we expected. Certain failures could undoubtedly have been avoided and should be included in the learning curve. Nevertheless, this prosthesis is certainly difficult to insert and carries a non-negligible risk of undercorrection, especially when the deviation is overcorrectible and care is taken to avoid dislocation of the meniscal element.

Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study was compare dislocation rates of total hip arthroplasties (THA) implanted with a dual-mobility cup versus those implanted with a conventional cup.

Material and method: The first series (DM) included 105 patients who underwent first-intention THA implanted by one operator (DS) from January 2005 to June 2007. Dual mobility cups with a 28 mm head were implanted. There were 60 women and 45 men, mean age 76.6±5.65 years (range 53–93). Degenerative disease predominated (n=95, 90.%). The cups were Novae press-fit (SERF) (n=94), Stafit (Zimmer° 5N+5°? Avantage (Biomet) (n=5), and Gyros (Depuy) (n=1). The second series (S) included 108 patients who underwent the same procedure performed by the same operator (DS) from January 2003 to June 200 for the same indication. This series was the control series. There were 56 women and 52 men, mean age 74.19±5.9 years (range 53–87). Degenerative disease predominated (n=100, 92.6%). All implantations used metal-polyethylene bearing with a 28 mm head. The implants were St Nabor cups (Zimmer) (n=44), Cédior cups (Zimmer (n=41), and sealed cups (n=22). The same femoral stem with a 12–14 cone was used in both series. The reduced posterior approach was used in all cases without section of the pyramidal tendon. Inclusion required at least one year follow-up. Fischer’s test was used to compare dislocation rates. Other variables were analysed with the chi-square test.

Results: Regarding the dual-mobility cup series (DM) there were no cases of dislocation. In the conventional cup series (S) there were five early dislocations (< 3 months), giving a rate of 4.63%. although the dislocation rate was obviously higher in the S series, the difference was at the limit of significance (p=0.0597). In addition, the DM population was slightly older than the S series (p=0.0026).

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and reproducibility of a new arthroscopic procedure combining a Bristow-Latarjet lock with Bankart reinsertion of the lambrum.

Material and methods: Forty-seven consecutive patients with significant bone defects in the glenoid and a deficient capsule were treated arthroscopically: arthroscopic Bankart had failed in six. The procedure was performed exclusively arthroscopically using a special instrumentation: after its osteotomy and identification of the axiallary nerve, the coracoids was passed through the subcapular muscle with its tendon; the block was fixed on the scapular neck after 90° lateral rotation so as to prolong the natural concavity of the glenoid. Anchors and sutures were then used to refix the capsule and the labrum onto the glenoid border, leaving the block in an extra-articular position. Follow-up included a physical examination and standard x-rays at 45, 90 and 180 days; 31 patients had a postoperative scan. Three independent operators read the images.

Results: The procedure was completed arthroscopically in 41 of 47 patients (8%); conversion to a deltopectoral approach was required for six patients (12%). The axillary nerve was successfully identified in all shoulders. The block had a subequatorial position in 98% (46/47 shoulders) and equatorial in one. The block was tangent to the surface of the glenoid in 92% (43/47), lateral in one (2%) and too medial (> 5mm) in three (6%). One patient presented an early fracture of the block and five patients exhibited block migration; there was a partial lysis of the block in two patients. The final rate of nonunion of the block was 13% (6/47). Fractures, migrations and non-unions were related to technical errors: screws too short (unicortical) and/or poorly centred in the block.

Conclusion: Our results show that arthroscopic transfer of the coracoids to the scapular neck is a safe and successful operation. The rate of correctly positioned healed blocks was equivalent or superior to conventional techniques. The complications observed show that the arthroscopic block technique is difficult with a long learning curve.