Case Reports in Orthopedics

There is widespread use of matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation. Initial use of autologous bone grafting in combination with the matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation procedure has shown efficacy in small- to medium-sized osteochondral lesions. This case report demonstrates use of the “Sandwich” technique in a large, deep osteochondritis dissecans lesion of the medial femoral condyle. Technical considerations that are key to containment of the lesion and outcomes are reported.

Fractures of the anterior tibial tuberosity are uncommon, ranging from 0.4% to 2.7% of all epiphyseal lesions reported. Bilateral sequential fractures are even rarer, with less than twenty-eight cases described to date and, as such, there is very little consensus data on their treatment as a whole. We report the first two documented cases of bilateral tibial tuberosity avulsions of the anterior tubercle in Switzerland, treated by open reduction and internal fixation. Both cases were 14-year-old healthy males with no previous medical history, who both suffered extra-articular fractures after falling from a height. The first case was treated in 2012 with a four-year long clinical follow-up and full recovery. The second, treated in 2019, was clinically followed for one year with a complete recovery and has returned to sporting activity at a pre-injury level. Due to the rarity of the condition, a lack of consensus on the optimal therapy, we believe the documentation of these two cases treated by the same team may be of clinical relevance.

Background. Limb lengthening and deformity correction in patients with abnormal bone associating fragility often require an approach combining methods of external and internal fixation. This study demonstrates results of simultaneous application of external fixator, and telescopic rod for femoral lengthening and deformity correction in three children with osteogenesis imperfecta or severe form of Ollier’s disease. Materials and Methods. Three patients (two boys with Ollier’s disease and a girl with osteogenesis imperfecta, type I) were operated on for femoral lengthening with combined technique associating Ilizarov frame and titanium telescopic intramedullary rodding. Results. Planned amount of lengthening and deformity correction were achieved for all patients. We found neither rod bending nor pull out of threaded tips. There was no difficulty of expanding of telescopic intramedullary rods made of titanium alloy during distraction phase of lengthening procedure. Conclusion. This short series proved feasibility of performing one-stage surgery with external frame and telescopic rodding in limb lengthening. The technique of telescopic rods in lengthening procedure is promising method requiring meticulous insertion of rod in centralized positioning in epiphysis. Acute alignment of the segment been elongating should be achieved at surgery. No any progressive angular deformity correction in postoperative period is authorized in order to avoid bending of telescopic rod. This combined approach does not affect bone healing.

In the setting of total hip arthroplasty (THA), pseudoaneurysms are extremely rare and can be difficult to diagnose, as clinical symptoms can mimic symptoms of other more common complications, such as periprosthetic joint infection, hematoma, and nerve damage. We present a case of a 69-year-old male with a history of slipped capital femoral epiphysis 56 years prior and subsequent right THA. The right hip primary arthroplasty was subsequently complicated by multiple dislocations and recurrent prosthetic joint infections. The most recent infection was treated with debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) in 2017. The patient later presented in 2019 with right thigh pain. Upon further analysis, he was diagnosed with Streptococcus bovis positive periprosthetic joint infection. The patient underwent a two-stage revision of the hip using an antibiotic spacer. Two weeks following the second stage, he presented with a sudden onset of uncontrolled atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response and a low hemoglobin. The computed tomography scan revealed a large hematoma involving both the anterior and posterior thigh compartments with lab markers that were questionable for infection. An operation to remove the hematoma revealed no purulence, and a large pulsatile pseudoaneurysm on the posterolateral aspect at the mid femur was found. A sharp bone fragment was noted next to the pseudoaneurysm. The pseudoaneurysm was repaired by a vascular surgeon, and the bone fragment was removed. Following this procedure, the patient developed a subsequent periprosthetic joint infection requiring a double DAIR procedure six weeks following the pseudoaneurysm repair and is now on chronic antibiotic suppression. Orthopedic surgeons should be aware of the potential for pseudoaneurysm in the setting of total joint arthroplasty when treating a postsurgical hematoma of sudden onset.

Talar neck fractures occur on a continuum of injury severity. Hawkins classification, later modified by Canale, is the gold standard method of describing talar neck fractures by the degree of dislocation. It has proven to be clinically relevant in predicting risk of osteonecrosis. Despite its merits, talar neck fractures present on a wide spectrum of involvement of the body and neck, dislocation, and concomitant injuries, making every situation a challenge in treatment. We present a unique case of a talar neck fracture in which the talar dome had dislocated and inverted 180°, which is not described in the widely used Hawkins classification. We recommend urgent open reduction, low threshold for use of a transcalcaneal traction pin and dual incisions, and guarded prognosis of osteonecrosis and posttraumatic arthritis.

Tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) is a rare neoplasm of the joint synovium that has a wide clinical spectrum including pain and stiffness in the affected joint, joint swelling, periarticular erosions, and cartilage loss, which can severely impact quality of life. The mainstay treatment for TGCT has been surgery involving partial or total synovectomy using arthroscopic or open techniques. However, surgical resection alone is associated with high recurrence rates, particularly in diffuse-TGCT (D-TGCT) cases. The 3 cases presented here summarize a combination approach (surgery+pexidartinib [tyrosine kinase inhibitor]) in patients with previously unresectable or inoperable D-TGCT. Case 1-Hip. A 29-year-old male was treated with pexidartinib prior to surgery, resulting in tumor reduction. A left total hip arthroplasty (THA) was then performed with a lack of recurrence in 12 months postoperative, and the patient currently on pexidartinib treatment. Case 2-Foot. A 35-year-old female, nearly a decade following a left foot mass resection, was treated with pexidartinib following disease recurrence. A decrease in soft tissue lesions at the midfoot and decreased marrow enhancement at the first metatarsal head were seen within 4–5 months of pexidartinib treatment; the patient is currently on pexidartinib (400 mg/day) with improved symptom control. Case 3-Knee. A 55-year-old male patient received pexidartinib pre- and postoperatively. A reduction in swelling and the size of the popliteal cyst was significant and maintained, with the synovial disease growing when pexidartinib was discontinued. Surgery and adjuvant therapy eliminated the disease as of the last follow-up visit (11 months postoperative). These cases provide a unique perspective based on tumor location, type/timing of treatment strategy, and patient outcomes. Optimal treatment strategies for this debilitating disease may entail utilizing a combination approach (surgery+systemic treatment) to reduce surgical morbidity and the risk of postoperative disease recurrence.