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Biomedical subjects

W M Mihalko

Publications and source records attributed to W M Mihalko.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Preoperative planning for lower extremity osteotomies: an analysis using 4 different methods and 3 different osteotomy techniques.

Lower extremity osteotomy is a common procedure for managing deformity and unicompartmental gonarthrosis. One consideration not typically addressed is how the osteotomy will affect the leg length of the extremity. This article presents a numerical analysis of apparent leg-length change before and after osteotomy surgery. It also compares the differences resulting from the 3 different major types of osteotomies (closing wedge, opening wedge, and dome). Three different preoperative planning methods and a fourth intraoperative technique were studied. Using different methods of preoperative planning with the same osteotomy technique resulted in leg-length changes of 0.5 to 3 mm. Differences > 7 degrees in lower extremity alignment may result depending on the planning method used. When comparing osteotomy techniques, 2 cm in leg-length difference was calculated.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Polyethylene liner dissociation with the Harris-Galante II acetabular component.

Dissociation of the polyethylene liner from its metal shell has been reported as a rare occurrence. During a 4-year period, six hips in five patients who had the Harris-Galante II porous acetabular component implanted as part of a primary or revision total hip arthroplasty presented with acute onset of pain and difficulty ambulating more than 2 years after surgery (range, 27-103 months). Radiographic evaluation revealed an eccentrically placed femoral head within the acetabular component. In patients whose acetabular shells were well-fixed, a polyethylene liner was cemented into the acetabular shell (four hips in three patients), and in one patient (one hip), the acetabular component was revised because of fracture of the metal shell. One patient who had a radiographically well-fixed component refused surgery (one hip). During a 4-year period, from 1990 to 1994, this implant was used resulting in a 2.6% incidence of dissociation. This case series is the largest of this complication for one prosthetic design.

Adult↗

Stability after medial collateral ligament release in total knee arthroplasty.

Six knees from cadavers were tested for change in stability after release of the medial collateral ligament with posterior cruciate-retaining and substituting total knee replacements. Load deformation curves of the joint were recorded in full extension and 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees flexion under a 10 N-m varus and valgus torque, 1.5 N-m internal and external rotational torque, and a 35 N anterior and posterior force to test stability in each knee. The intact specimen and posterior cruciate ligament-retaining total joint replacement were tested for baseline comparisons. The superficial medial collateral ligament was released, followed by release of the posterior cruciate ligament. The knee then was converted to a posterior-stabilized implant. After medial collateral ligament release, valgus laxity was statistically significantly greater at 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees flexion after posterior cruciate ligament sacrifice than it was when the posterior cruciate ligament was retained. The posterior-stabilizing post added little to varus and valgus stability. Small, but significant, differences were seen in internal and external rotation before and after posterior cruciate ligament sacrifice. The posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty was even more rotationally constrained in full extension than the knee with intact medial collateral ligament and posterior cruciate ligament.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗

The effects of severe femoral bone loss on the flexion extension joint space in revision total knee arthroplasty: a cadaveric analysis and clinical consequences.

Five revision total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) involving severe femoral bone loss were performed in 1994. Each had sufficiently severe femoral bone loss in which collateral ligament origins and posterior capsular attachments were violated. A paradoxical phenomenon was observed in each case. Unlike primary TKAs, in which larger distal femoral bone resection leads to laxity of the knee joint in extension, these cases with severe distal femoral bone loss, after initial component selection, developed the opposite situation, a flexion contracture. It was hypothesized that femoral bone loss involving collateral ligament origins would permit distraction of the tibia below the femur with the knee held in flexion, but when the knee was brought to full extension, intact posterior structures would maintain a normal tibial position. To investigate this hypothesis, six fresh-frozen cadaveric lower limbs were tested in full extension and 45 degrees and 90 degrees of flexion after release of the femoral attachments of the collateral ligaments and the posterior capsule from the femur. Joint space changes were measured via a motion tracking device. Results showed that with loss of collateral attachments, 17.2+/-8.9 mm of joint space is created in 90 degrees of flexion, whereas the joint space in full extension is conserved (1.5+/-1.7 mm). With additional loss of the posterior capsule, the joint space at 90 degrees of flexion increased to 26.2+/-6.1 mm, with minimal changes in the extension gap (3.4+/-0.8 mm). Distal femoral bone loss was associated with an increase in the flexion gap compared to the extension gap.

Aged↗

Anatomic and biomechanical aspects of pie crusting posterolateral structures for valgus deformity correction in total knee arthroplasty: a cadaveric study.

Correction of valgus deformity during total knee arthroplasty is usually carried out by releasing lateral supporting structures from the femoral side of the joint. A new technique has been advocated that involves multiple stabs of the scalpel blade or pie crusting of the posterolateral corner. It is the hypothesis of this study that the correction achieved by using this technique occurs when the lateral collateral ligament is effectively released and that the common peroneal nerve may be at risk. Using a cadaveric model with 6 knees tested, significant differences were determined between 2 separate pie crusting steps as well as between releasing the lateral collateral ligament and popliteus tendons. Anatomic dissection studies also showed that in full extension the peroneal nerve may be less than the depth of a number 11 blade (16 mm) from the posterolateral corner, and the nerve may be at risk during this technique. These results show that major deformity correction obtained using the pie crusting technique is probably through effective release of the lateral collateral ligament.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗

Functional medical ligament balancing in total knee arthroplasty.

Function of the anterior and posterior oblique portions of the medial collateral ligament and the posterior capsule in flexion and extension was evaluated in eight knee specimens after posterior cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty. The posterior oblique portion of the medial collateral ligament was released subperiosteally in four specimens, and the anterior portion was released in four specimens. The medial posterior capsule was released in each group, then the remaining portion of the medial collateral ligament was released. Release of the posterior oblique portion produced moderate laxity at full extension and at 30 degrees flexion, and posterior capsule release produced additional laxity in full extension. Release of the anterior portion produced major laxity at 60 degrees and 90 degrees flexion. Complete medial collateral ligament release increased laxity significantly in both groups in flexion and extension. This rationale was tested in a clinical study of 82 knees (76 patients) in which 62 (76%) required medial collateral ligament release to correct varus deformity during posterior cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty. Twenty-two knees (35.5%) were tight medially in extension only, and were corrected by releasing the posterior oblique portion. Thirty-one knees (50%) were tight medially in flexion only, and were corrected by releasing the anterior portion. Nine knees (14.5%) were tight medially in flexion and extension and required complete medial collateral ligament release, but three knees (4.8%) remained tight in extension and required medial posterior capsule release to correct flexion contracture and medial ligament contracture. Seventeen (27%) had partial posterior cruciate ligament release to correct excessive rollback of the femoral component on the tibial surface.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗

Total knee arthroplasty ligament balancing and gap kinematics with posterior cruciate ligament retention and sacrifice.

This cadaver study was undertaken to gain insight into the effects that posterior cruciate ligament retention and sacrifice would have on the amount of deformity correction obtained with medial and lateral structure release during total knee arthroplasty. Twenty-seven cadaveric specimens were used to sequentially release medial and lateral structures with and without posterior cruciate support. Each release sequence was tested in full extension and 90 degrees flexion. In full extension, the resulting change into valgus after release of the posterior cruciate ligament, posteromedial capsule/oblique ligament complex, superficial medial collateral ligament, and pes anserinus and semimembranosus tendons was 6.9 degrees, and it increased to 13.4 degrees in 90 degrees flexion. With preservation of the posterior cruciate ligament this decreased to 5.2 degrees in extension and 8.7 degrees in flexion. Changes seen in 90 degrees flexion were significantly greater than those in full extension. For the valgus knee model with release of the posterior cruciate ligament, posterolateral capsule, lateral collateral ligament, iliotibial band, popliteus tendon, and lateral head of the gastrocnemius, 8.9 degrees of change into varus was seen in extension and 18.1 degrees in 90 degrees flexion. With posterior cruciate ligament retention 5.4 degrees and 4.9 degrees of change into varus was seen in extension and flexion, respectively. Significantly less change with retention of the posterior cruciate ligament was seen with both medial and lateral release and more opening of the flexion gap was seen on the release side of the joint for all groups except those with lateral release with sacrifice of the posterior cruciate ligament.

Aged↗

Transient peroneal nerve palsies from injuries placed in traction splints.

Two patients thought to have distal femur fractures presented to the emergency department (ED) of a level 1 trauma center with traction splints applied to their lower extremities. Both patients had varying degrees of peroneal nerve palsies. Neither patient sustained a fracture, but both had a lateral collateral ligament injury and one an associated anterior cruciate ligament tear. One patient had a sensory and motor block, while the other had loss of sensation on the dorsum of his foot. After removal of the traction splint both regained peroneal nerve function within 6 hours. Although assessment of ligamentous knee injuries are not a priority in the trauma setting, clinicians should be aware of this possible complication in a patient with a lateral soft tissue injury to the knee who is placed in a traction splint that is not indicated for immobilization of this type of injury.

Adult↗

Flexion-extension joint gap changes after lateral structure release for valgus deformity correction in total knee arthroplasty: a cadaveric study.

At the time of total knee arthroplasty, the surgeon generally corrects excessive valgus knee alignment to anatomic valgus through release of lateral supporting structures. This study used a cadaveric model to i) study the amount of correction achieved with each release step in 2 sequences of lateral release, ii) compare the amount of release in extension versus flexion, and iii) measure any associated rotational changes of the tibia. Six fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were used to test the amount of change into varus after sectioning the iliotibial band (ITB), the popliteus tendon (Pop), the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), and the tendon of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius (LG). This sequence was then compared with a second sequence in another 6 cadavers as follows: LCL, Pop, ITB, and LG. The amount of valgus correction was tested in 90 degrees, 45 degrees flexion, and full extension. At each flexion angle, the corresponding releases were assessed with the tibia oriented vertically under its own weight, under tibial distraction with equal support from the lateral and medial soft tissues, and under a maximal varus deforming stress. Results showed that complete lateral structure release provides limited correction into a varus direction with a balanced distracted soft tissue gap or extension space (8.9 degrees with the LG released), and the lateral aspect of the flexion gap opens more than the extension gap (8.9 degrees compared with 18.1 degrees in flexion). Early LCL release provided a more uniform release of the joint gap, and rotational changes were variable, tending toward external rotation of the tibia (6.0 degrees in full extension with release of the LCL). We suggest that when severe valgus deformities are present, the LCL should be considered first for release and the Pop and ITB be used to grade the release.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗

Posterior cruciate ligament effects on the flexion space in total knee arthroplasty.

Twelve fresh frozen anatomic specimen knees were used in this study to measure changes in the tibiofemoral joint gaps after sacrificing the posterior cruciate ligament. Joint gap changes were measured using a motion tracking device in full extension and at 45 degrees and 90 degrees flexion. Tibiofemoral gaps were measured with no external compressive loads and under tension to define the flexion gap, the space available to be filled by components. After initial anterior cruciate ligament removal, meniscectomy, and a 1-cm tibial plateau cut, sacrifice of the posterior cruciate ligament caused significant differences in the flexion gap. At 90 degrees flexion the tibia distracted from the femur 5.26 +/- 1.9 mm (range, 3.2-9.1 mm) at rest and 6.4 +/- 2.5 mm under tension. No differences in the joint space were calculated in full extension under either loading case. The authors conclude that a major result of posterior cruciate ligament sacrifice is the creation of a larger flexion gap. This result provides insight into relative joint line changes that can occur after posterior cruciate ligament sacrifice. It also suggests the need for greater attention to flexion stability when sacrificing the posterior cruciate ligament and rethinking the role of posterior cruciate ligament release in the management of pure, primary flexion contracture.

Aged↗

A new technique for determining proper mechanical axis alignment during total knee arthroplasty: progress toward computer-assisted TKA.

Successful total knee arthroplasty (TKA) relies on proper positioning of prosthetic components to restore the mechanical axis of the lower extremity. This report presents and analyzes a new noninvasive method using the Optotrack (Northern Digital Inc, Ontario, Canada) to accurately determine the center of the femoral head. This method, together with direct digitization of the bony landmarks of the knee and ankle intraoperatively, permits placement of the lower extremity in proper alignment intraoperatively. It also permits the surgeon to follow all the angles of movement or rotation and all displacements that occur at each step of the operative procedure. knee intraoperatively via a customized Windows-based program. In addition to presenting our first case, which, importantly, represents the first computer-assisted TKA in a patient, we report on the accuracy and reproducibility of the technique for locating the center of the femoral head obtained during an extensive series of cadaver studies. Location of the femoral head, a major aspect of effecting neutral mechanical axis alignment, appears to be possible to within 2-4 mm, which corresponds to an angular accuracy of better than 1 degree. This method requires no computed tomography scans or other preliminary marker placement. The only basic requirement other than the instrumentation described is a freely mobile hip, which is generally present in TKA patients.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗

The effect of medial release on flexion and extension gaps in cadaveric knees: implications for soft-tissue balancing in total knee arthroplasty.

This cadaver study examined the effects of medial structure release for varus deformity correction during total knee arthroplasty. Twelve specimens were used to investigate the amount of varus correction achieved with sequential release of medial structures. Varus-valgus and internal-external rotation angles were measured using the Isotrack II motion tracking system. Each release sequence was tested at full extension and 45 degrees and 90 degrees of flexion to compare any differences obtained in the joint gaps. After release of the posteromedial capsule oblique ligament complex, superficial medial collateral ligament (MCL), pes anserinus, and semimembranosus tendons, valgus rotation increased to 6.9 degrees in full extension and 13.4 degrees in 90 degrees of flexion. The largest increase (3.2 degrees) in valgus rotation occurred after the superficial MCL was released. Initial release of the superficial MCL led to a more gradual correction with release of subsequent structures. Changes seen in 90 degrees flexion were significantly greater than those in full extension. While the cadaveric model is limited by the lack of deformity in the specimens, the data provide several clinically relevant conclusions. In many cases requiring major medial release for severe varus deformity, potential flexion-extension differences in the resulting tibiofemoral gaps may require new consideration. These data may help explain the heightened interest in and variety of approaches for addressing femoral component rotation and issues of flexion stability since a significantly larger correction is obtained in flexion. Minimal changes in internal-external rotation of the tibia occurred until both the pes anserinus and semimembranosus tendons were released (4 degrees of external rotation).

Aged↗

Comparison of total hip and knee component weights.

Weights of total hip and total knee components from 4 major orthopaedic device manufacturers are compared. These data provide surgeons with information that is not readily available and may serve as a reference for patient information or possibly biomechanical studies in the future.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗

A comparison of femoral neck fixation with the reconstruction nail versus cancellous screws in anatomic specimens.

Femoral neck fixation techniques were applied to five matched pairs of autopsy specimens to evaluate the fixation of the Russell-Taylor femoral nail in ipsilateral neck and shaft fractures of the femur. Reconstruction nail fixation of the femoral neck was compared with that of three parallel screws. The intact and postfixation femora were subjected to an applied bending moment in 0 degrees, 30 degrees, and 90 degrees of simulated hip flexion. The bending stiffness was determined from the load deformation data for each intact femur and then after the appropriate fixation. The fatigue response of the fixation, presence of osteopenia, degree of fracture reduction, and device alignment showed that the stiffness ratio (fixed to normal) of the nail was greater in most specimens. There was no statistical difference in retained stiffness after cyclic loading between the nail and cancellous screw fixations. The ultimate strength of the nail was 2.5 times the strength of the screw fixation of the femoral neck. Thus, the nail provided biomechanically sound fixation of the femoral neck.

Aged↗

Finite-element modelling of femoral shaft fracture fixation techniques post total hip arthroplasty.

The presence of a femoral prosthesis superior to a shaft fracture severely complicates fixation and treatment. This study uses two-dimensional, multithickness, plane stress finite-element models of a femur with prosthesis to investigate the stresses developed with the application of three popular fixation techniques: revision to a long stem prosthesis, lateral plating with a cortical bone allograft strut and cerclage wires, and custom plate application with proximal Parham band fixation with distal cortical screws (Ogden plate). The plate and bone contact as well as the fracture site contact were modelled by using orthotropic elements with custom-fit moduli so that only the normal stress to the interface was significant. A thermal analogy was used to model the cerclage and Parham band preloads so that representative preloads in the proximal fixation of the two types of plate treatments could be modelled. A parametric study was performed with the long-prosthesis model to show variations in stem lengths of one, two and three femoral diameters distal to the fracture site. The Ogden plate model showed a transfer of tensile stress near the proximal-most band, with the highest tensile stress being at the fracture site with evidence of stress shielding of the proximal lateral cortex. The cortical bone strut model showed a transfer of tensile stress to the bone strut but showed less shielding of the proximal cortex. The cerclage wires at the base of the bone strut showed the highest changes in load with the distalmost wire increasing to almost four times its original preload.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bone Cements↗

Finite element analysis of interface geometry effects on the crestal bone surrounding a dental implant.

Using a two-dimensional axisymmetric finite element analysis technique, different geometrical configurations of implants, abutments, and interfaces have been investigated to alter the stress distribution in the crestal bone region. The crestal bone region is of particular interest due to observations of progressive bone resorption (saucerization). The ability of a prosthetic restoration-implant construct to transfer an appropriate stress at this region will, by definition of Wolff's law (bone's response to strain) and principles of bone remodeling, help to maintain the integrity of the surrounding bone via force transfer. The two geometries investigated involved a traditional flat mating surface and a slanted (oblique) mating surface. In both models a vertical load of 400 N (63 N/rad across 2 pi radians) was applied to the abutment apex. In the crestal bone region the oblique mating surface increased the transfer of horizontal stress 67 percent over the traditional flat mating surface design. The magnitude of stress transferred and the area which it was transferred across was increased in this region. Results indicate potentially more favorable mechanical conditions for bone maintenance surrounding an endosseous dental implant may be achieved if force is transferred preferentially via circumferential grooves and an oblique (dished) implant-abutment mating surface. These theoretical results are consistent with basic principles of stress transfer, stress shielding, and remodeling as well as clinical observations of bone maintenance and resorption.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗