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Rebisyon ng pagpapalit ng tuhod

Updated Sep 2026
Illustration: knee

Ang pahinang ito ay isinalin ng makina at hindi pa nasusuri ng isang doktor. Ang bersyong Ingles ang siyang opisyal.

Bakit iminungkahi ang operasyong ito

Ang operasyong ito ay nangangahulugan ng pagtanggal ng ilan o lahat ng mga bahagi ng iyong orihinal na knee replacement at paglalagay ng mga bago. Kadalasan namin itong iminumungkahi para sa impeksyon sa paligid ng implant, pagluwag ng implant, instability, paninigas, o pagkapudpod ng plastic spacer. Ang revision knee replacement ay nagbabawas ng sakit at nagpapabuti ng function at stability. Karamihan sa mga tao ay maaaring asahan ang isang makabuluhang pagbuti sa pakiramdam at paggana ng kanilang tuhod.

Bago ang operasyon

Sa mga linggo bago ang operasyon, maingat naming paplanuhin ang iyong operasyon. Sasailalim ka sa X-ray ng iyong tuhod, at kung minsan ay CT o MRI scan din, upang makita namin ang implant, ang buto sa paligid nito, at kung gaano karaming buto ang kailangang muling buuin. Pupunta ka rin para sa isang assessment kung saan susuriin namin ang iyong tuhod, ang iyong balat, ang iyong pangkalahatang kalusugan, at rerepasuhin ang iyong mga lumang tala ng operasyon at mga scan. Kung mayroon kang iba pang kondisyong medikal, maaaring kailanganin mo ng mga blood test o pagsusuri kasama ang anaesthetist bago ang araw ng operasyon. Sa mga araw bago ang operasyon, bibigyan ka namin ng malinaw na mga tagubilin tungkol sa iyong mga gamot, kabilang ang kung alin ang dapat itigil at kailan. Sa araw ng operasyon, huwag kumain o uminom pitong oras bago ito. Humihingi kami ng pitong oras sa halip na ang standard na anim upang ang iyong operasyon ay maaaring iapaaga kung maagang matapos ang listahan sa theatre. Mag-ayos ng taong maghahatid sa iyo pauwi pagkatapos. Magsuot ng maluwag at komportableng damit at magdala ng listahan ng iyong mga kasalukuyang gamot.

Sa araw ng operasyon

Pupunta kayo sa surgical admissions unit ng ospital, kung saan kayo ay i-che-check in at ihahanda para sa theatre. Makikipagkita kayo sa anaesthetist, na susuriin kasama ninyo ang inyong kalusugan at ang inyong mga gamot. Ang operasyong ito ay ginagawa sa ilalim ng general anaesthetic. Minsan ay nagdaragdag ng regional nerve block para sa pagbawas ng sakit pagkatapos ng operasyon; tatalakayin ito ng anaesthetist sa inyo sa araw na iyon. Pagkatapos ay dadalhin kayo sa operating theatre, kung saan isasagawa ang operasyon. Ang operasyon ay maaaring tumagal nang higit pa kaysa sa unang knee replacement, dahil kailangang tanggalin nang maingat ang mga lumang parte at maaaring kailanganing muling buuin ang buto.

Magigising kayo sa recovery area, kung saan babantayan kayo nang maigi ng mga nurse habang nawawala ang bisa ng anaesthetic. Kapag stable na kayo, maaaring ilipat kayo sa ward o uuwi na, depende sa operasyong ginawa sa inyo at kung paano ang takbo ng inyong paggaling. Kung uuwi kayo sa parehong araw, dapat may magmamaneho para sa inyo at may sasama sa inyo. Kung mananatili kayo sa ospital, paplanuhin namin ang inyong discharge kasama ninyo bago kayo umalis.

Ano ang kinapapalooban ng operasyon

Ang revision knee replacement ay nangangahulugang pagtanggal ng ilan o lahat ng mga bahagi ng iyong orihinal na knee replacement at paglalagay ng mga bago. Ginagamit ng iyong surgeon ang parehong pangkalahatang approach gaya ng iyong unang operasyon, karaniwan sa pamamagitan ng hiwa sa harap ng tuhod, madalas ay kasabay o malapit sa lumang peklat. Binubuksan ng surgeon ang tuhod at nililinis ang scar tissue sa paligid ng joint, kabilang ang mga sticky band na maaaring mabuo sa pouch sa itaas ng kneecap at sa mga gilid nito. Ang paglilinis na ito ay nagbibigay ng espasyo upang makita ang buong joint at upang maialis muna ang kneecap para maabot ang mga lumang bahagi.

Pagkatapos ay tatanggalin ang mga lumang bahaging metal at plastik. Ang dami ng natitirang buto ang magdidikta kung ano ang susunod na gagawin. Kung may maliliit na uka sa buto, maaaring punan ang mga ito ng bone cement o ng maliliit na chips ng donor bone. Kung may mas malalaking bahagi ng buto ang nawawala, maaaring muling buuin ng surgeon ang mga ito gamit ang mga metal block o shaped metal sleeve, o gamit ang mga espesyal na cone na kasya sa loob ng buto at nagbibigay ng matibay na kapitan para sa mga bagong bahagi. Pagkatapos ay ikakabit ang mga bagong bahagi. Maaari itong ikabit gamit ang cement, nang walang cement, o kombinasyon ng dalawa, at ang ilang mga design ay may mga stem na nakalagay sa loob ng buto ng hita (thigh bone) at binti (shin bone) para sa karagdagang suporta.

Bago isara ang balat, huhugasan ng surgeon ang joint at tatanggalin ang anumang tissue na hindi malusog. Pagkatapos ay tatahiin ang hiwa at tatakpan ng dressing. Kung impeksyon ang dahilan ng revision, ang operasyon ay maaaring gawin sa mga yugto (in stages), kung saan ang mga bagong bahagi ay ilalagay sa isang susunod na operasyon kapag nawala na ang impeksyon.

Pagkatapos ng operasyon

Magigising ka sa recovery area, pagkatapos ay ililipat ka sa ward kapag stable ka na. Susuriin ng mga nurse ang iyong tuhod, ang iyong sakit, at kung ano ang iyong nararamdaman. Ipaplano para sa iyo ang iyong pain relief, at maaari mong sabihin sa mga nurse kung hindi kontrolado nang maayos ang iyong sakit. Ang iyong tuhod ay tatakpan ng dressing. Pananatilihin namin ang dressing sa loob ng humigit-kumulang 10 araw; pakiusap huwag itong tatanggalin bago ang panahong iyon maliban kung sinabi namin sa iyo. Papalitan o tatanggalin namin ito kapag nakita ka namin. Karamihan sa mga tao ay tumatayo at humahakbang nang kaunti gamit ang frame o crutches sa loob ng unang araw, at ituturo sa iyo ng physiotherapist kung paano. Sasabihin sa iyo ng iyong team kung uuwi ka sa parehong araw o mananatili ng isang gabi sa ospital. Dapat may kasama ka sa unang 24 oras pagkatapos mong makauwi.

Paggaling

Ang iyong tuhod ay magiging masakit at mamamaga sa mga unang araw at linggo. Normal ito pagkatapos ng isang malaking operasyon na gaya nito. Ang pamamaga ay madalas na mukhang mas malala sa harap ng tuhod at sa itaas ng peklat, at maaaring matagalan bago ito humupa. Ang pagpapahinga, paglalagay ng ice, at pagpapanatiling nakataas ng iyong binti kapag nakaupo ay magpapabawas sa discomfort. Inumin ang iyong gamot sa sakit ayon sa nireseta, at ipaalam sa iyong team kung hindi ito gumagana.

Ikaw ay papatayuin at pagagalawin agad pagkatapos ng operasyon. Karamihan sa mga tao ay nakakatayo at nakakagawa ng ilang hakbang gamit ang frame o crutches sa loob ng unang araw. Gagabayan ng iyong physiotherapist ang iyong mga ehersisyo, na nakatuon sa pagbaluktot at pagtuwid ng tuhod at pagpapalakas ng iyong hita. Ipagpatuloy ang paggawa nito sa bahay, nang paunti-unti ngunit madalas. Hindi ka magsusuot ng brace para sa operasyong ito. Maaari kang maglakad-lakad sa loob ng iyong bahay hangga't kaya mo, ngunit iwasan ang pagpihit (twisting), pagluhod, at pagbubuhat ng mabibigat hangga't hindi sinasabi ng iyong team. Ang pagtulog nang nakatihaya ay madalas na pinaka-komportableng posisyon sa simula. Iwasang magpahinga nang may unan sa ilalim ng iyong tuhod, dahil ang pagpapanatiling nakabaluktot nito ay nagpapahirap na maituwid nang buo ang tuhod.

Ang mga milestone ay dumarating bilang mga kaganapan sa halip na mga petsa. Kapag humupa na ang pamamaga, nagiging mas madali ang paglalakad. Habang bumabalik ang paggalaw, ang pag-akyat sa hagdan at ang pagsakay at pagbaba ng kotse ay hindi na gaanong nakakailang. Kapag binigyan ka na ng clearance ng iyong surgeon na magmaneho, maaari ka nang bumalik sa kalsada. Maraming tao ang bumabalik sa kanilang mga nakasanayang aktibidad pagkatapos ng operasyong ito, bagaman madalas itong nangyayari nang mas huli kaysa pagkatapos ng unang knee replacement. Ang paggaling ay nag-iiba-iba bawat tao, at ang iyong timeline ay maaaring magkaiba. Gagabayan ka ng iyong surgeon at physiotherapist sa bawat hakbang.

Ano ang maaaring maging problema

Karamihan sa mga pasyente ay nagiging maayos, ngunit paminsan-minsan ay may mga problemang maaaring mangyari. Binabantayan kayo nang maigi ng inyong surgeon at ng team upang maagapan ang anumang isyu.

Ang impeksyon sa paligid ng bagong joint ang problemang pinakamasusing binabantayan namin. Maaari nitong gawing mainit, namamagà, at masakit ang tuhod, na may pamumula na kumakalat mula sa sugat. Ang ilang tao ay nakararamdam ng pangkalahatang panghihina o nilalagnat. Kung mapansin ninyo ang alinman sa mga senyales na ito, tumawag agad sa klinika sa halip na maghintay para sa inyong susunod na bisita. Ang impeksyon ay maaari ring lumitaw pagkalipas ng ilang buwan o taon, kaya banggitin ang anumang bagong sakit o pamamaga sa anumang review, gaano man ito kaliit sa inyong tingin.

Minsan, ang mga bagong parte ay lumuluwag kahit walang impeksyon. Karaniwan itong nararamdaman bilang sakit na unti-unting bumabalik, madalas ay lumalala kapag kayo ay nakatayo o naglalakad, pagkatapos ng isang panahon kung kailan ang tuhod ay naging maayos na. Kung ang inyong tuhod ay nagsimulang maging hindi gaanong matatag kaysa dati, o kung nagbago ang katangian ng sakit, banggitin ito sa inyong susunod na review.

Maaaring magkaroon ng paninigas (stiffness) kung ang tuhod ay hindi nakatutupi at nakadiretso nang kasing-layo ng inaasahan. Maaaring mapansin ninyo na hindi kayo nakakapagbaba ng hagdan nang komportable, o ang pagtupi ay nararamdamang masikip at barado. Patuloy na susuriin ng inyong physiotherapist ang inyong paggalaw. Kung huminto ang pag-unlad, sabihan ang inyong team, dahil kung minsan ay may karagdagang procedure na makakatulong upang maibalik ang paggalaw.

Paminsan-minsan ay maaaring mabuo ang blood clot sa binti pagkatapos ng operasyon. Nararamdaman ito bilang biglaang pamamaga at pananakit (tenderness) sa calf, kung minsan ay may kasamang init o mabigat na kirot. Kung mapansin ninyo ito, o kung kayo ay kapusin sa hininga o magkaroon ng sakit sa dibdib, pumunta agad sa emergency department o tumawag ng ambulansya.

May ilang mga problemang pangkalusugan na nagpapataas ng posibilidad ng mga komplikasyon pagkatapos ng operasyong ito, kabilang ang pagiging smoker, pagkakaroon ng labis na timbang, at mga problema sa bato. Pag-uusapan namin ang inyong sariling mga risk bago ang operasyon, at may mga hakbang kaming ginagawa habang at pagkatapos ng operasyon upang mabawasan ang mga ito.

Ang table ng mga komplikasyon sa pahinang ito ay naglilista ng mga tipikal na rate kung nais ninyo ang mga detalye.

Kailan dapat tumawag sa amin

Tumawag agad sa amin kung kayo ay may lagnat, kung ang balat sa paligid ng inyong sugat ay lalong namumula o nagsisimulang maglabas ng likido, o kung ang inyong tuhod ay nagiging mainit at namamaga. Tumawag sa amin kung mayroon kayong biglaang matinding sakit sa inyong tuhod, o kung hindi ninyo maramdaman o maigalaw ang inyong binti. Pumunta sa emergency department o tumawag ng ambulansya kung ang inyong calf (binti sa ibaba ng tuhod) ay biglang namaga at masakit kapag hinahawakan, o kung kayo ay nahihirapang huminga o may pananakit ng dibdib. Kung mayroon kayong anumang inaalala, tumawag sa amin. Mas gusto naming malaman ang isang maliit na alalahanin nang maaga kaysa hayaan kayong maghintay.


Evidence & references

This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.

Anatomy & Pathophysiology

Bony Anatomy

  • The bones of the knee are the distal femur, the proximal tibia, and the patella [1].
  • The medial femoral condyle is larger and projects farther posteriorly and distally than the lateral condyle [3].
  • The lateral femoral condyle projects farther anteriorly and is wider in the medial-lateral direction than the medial femoral condyle [3].
  • The tibial articular surface slopes 7° to 10° in the sagittal plane [3].
  • The medial tibial plateau is larger than the lateral plateau and is concave in its frontal and sagittal planes [3].
  • The lateral tibial plateau is smaller and more circular than the medial plateau, concave in the frontal plane and convex in the sagittal plane [3].
  • The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body, averaging 2.5 cm in thickness [3].
  • The patella has the thickest articular surface in the body, approximately 5 mm in the midportion and 2 mm on the sides [3].
  • The posterior slope of the medial tibial plateau averages 10.7° and the lateral plateau averages 7.2° [17].
  • The fibular head is located a mean of 1.5 cm distal to the joint line, with a range of 6 to 32 mm [17].

Ligaments

  • The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) prevents anterior translation and rotation of the tibia on the femur [1].
  • The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) prevents posterior subluxation of the tibia on the femur [1].
  • The medial collateral ligament stabilizes the knee to valgus stresses [1].
  • The lateral collateral ligament is the main stabilizer against varus stress [1].
  • The ACL is composed of 90% type I collagen and 10% type III collagen [3, 4, 17].
  • The mean length of the ACL is 33 mm and the mean midsubstance width is 11 mm [3, 17].
  • The femoral attachment of the ACL is a semicircular area on the posteromedial aspect of the lateral femoral condyle, measuring 20 mm long and 10 mm wide [3, 17].
  • The tibial attachment of the ACL is a broad, irregular, oval-shaped area measuring 30 mm long and 10 mm wide [3].
  • The ACL consists of anteromedial and posterolateral bundles named according to their tibial insertions [4, 7, 15].
  • The anteromedial bundle of the ACL is tight in knee flexion [4, 7, 17].
  • The posterolateral bundle of the ACL is tight in knee extension [4, 7, 17].
  • The PCL has a mean length of 38 mm and a mean width of 13 mm [17].
  • The PCL has a broad, crescent-shaped femoral attachment on the anterolateral medial femoral condyle, measuring 30 mm long and 5 mm wide [17].
  • The tibial insertion of the PCL is located 10 to 15 mm distal to the joint line of the knee [17].
  • The ACL is typically subjected to peak loads of 170 N during walking and up to 500 N with running [18, 19].
  • The ultimate strength of the ACL in young patients is about 1750 N [18, 19].
  • The ACL fails by serial tearing at 10% to 15% elongation [18, 19].
  • Sectioning the PCL increases contact pressures in the medial compartment and the patellofemoral joint [18, 19].

Menisci

  • The menisci are C-shaped fibrocartilaginous disks that provide shock absorption, increase joint congruency, enhance stability, and aid in synovial fluid distribution [1].
  • The medial meniscus is firmly attached to the joint capsule along its entire peripheral edge [1].
  • The lateral meniscus is attached to the anterior and posterior capsule but has a region posterolaterally where it is not firmly attached [1].
  • The medial meniscus has less mobility than the lateral meniscus and is more susceptible to tearing when trapped between the femoral condyle and tibial plateau [1].
  • The lateral meniscus is larger than the medial meniscus and carries a greater share of the lateral compartment pressure [1].
  • The medial meniscus has a semicircular shape covering approximately 50% to 60% of the medial tibial plateau in adulthood [13].
  • The posterior horn of the medial meniscus averages 11 mm in the anterior-posterior dimension [13].
  • The lateral meniscus has a more circular C-shape with symmetric sizes of the anterior and posterior horns [13].
  • The mean lateral meniscus excursion from knee extension to flexion is 11.2 mm, compared to a mean medial meniscus excursion of 5.1 mm [13].
  • Menisci bear one-third to one-half of body weight [18, 19].
  • Removal of the menisci increases contact stresses by up to four times the load transfer to bone [18, 19].
  • The vascular supply to the menisci is derived from the geniculate arteries, penetrating 20% to 30% of the peripheral medial meniscus and 10% to 25% of the peripheral lateral meniscus [17].
  • The inner one-third of the meniscus is avascular and called the white-white zone [13].
  • The middle zone of the meniscus is called the red-white zone because it has limited vasculature [13].
  • The back one-third of the meniscus is called the red-red zone because it is the most vascularized tissue region [13].

Vascular and Nerve Anatomy

  • The blood supply to the knee is formed from an anastomosis around the knee derived from the descending geniculate artery, medial and lateral superior geniculate arteries, medial and lateral inferior geniculate arteries, middle geniculate artery, and anterior tibial recurrent arteries [3].
  • The middle geniculate artery supplies both the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments [3].
  • The knee is innervated by branches of the femoral nerve (L2, L3, L4), obturator nerve (L2, L3, L4), and sciatic nerve (L4, L5, S1, S2) [3].
  • The posterior articular branch of the tibial nerve is the largest nerve providing innervation of the intra-articular knee [3].
  • The infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve arises proximal to the knee joint medially and crosses distal to the patella to innervate the skin over the anterior knee and proximal tibia [3].

Kinematics and Joint Forces

  • The knee is a hinge joint that incorporates both gliding and rolling, which are essential to its kinematics [4, 5].
  • The "screw-home" mechanism involves the tibia externally rotating 5 degrees in the final 15 degrees of extension [4, 5].
  • Knee joint surface loads are three times body weight during level walking and up to four times body weight with stair walking [18, 19].
  • The patella bears half the body weight with normal walking and seven times the body weight with squatting and jogging [18, 19].
  • In descending stairs, compressive force in the patellofemoral joint reaches two to three times body weight [18, 19].
  • The mechanical axis of the lower extremity normally passes just medial to the medial tibial spine [18, 19].
  • The mechanical axis of the lower extremity is in 3 degrees of valgus angulation from the vertical axis [18, 19].
  • The anatomic axis of the femur is in 6 degrees of valgus angulation from the mechanical axis [18, 19].
  • The anatomic axis of the tibia is in 2 to 3 degrees of varus angulation from the mechanical axis [18, 19].

Investigations

Plain Radiography

  • Plain radiographs are appropriate initial imaging studies for most knee conditions because they allow the assessment of traumatic injury, arthritis, patellofemoral alignment, osteochondral injury, bone neoplasm, and surgical implants [21].
  • Radiographic studies should include at least two perpendicular views: AP and lateral [21].
  • Weight-bearing AP (extension) views are used to assess cartilage loss from the distal femur and tibial plateau [21].
  • Weight-bearing PA (Rosenberg; flexion) views are used to assess cartilage loss from the posterior femur and tibial plateau [21].
  • Patellofemoral views are used to assess patellofemoral alignment (tilt/subluxation), patellar and trochlear morphology, osteochondral injury, and patellofemoral arthritis [21].
  • A notch view is used to assess posterior femoral cartilage, notch width, and osteophytes [21].
  • Radiographs may identify subchondral sclerosis, joint space narrowing, subchondral cysts (variable), osteophytes (variable), and joint subluxation in osteoarthritis [21].
  • Radiographs may identify joint space loss and peripheral bone erosion in inflammatory arthropathy [21].
  • Radiographs may identify subchondral radiolucency, most common in the medial femoral condyle, in osteochondral defects [21].
  • Radiographs may identify linear radiolucency or radiodensity, most common in the proximal medial tibia, in stress fractures [21].
  • Radiographs may identify a mixed sclerotic pattern with a subchondral, epiphyseal, or metaphyseal location in osteonecrosis [21].
  • Radiographs may identify malalignment, osteophytes, cysts, and joint space loss in patellofemoral disease [21].
  • Radiographs should be inspected for acute fracture, lateral capsular avulsion (Segond fracture), loose bodies, Pellegrini-Stieda lesion (MCL calcification), and evidence of patellar dislocation in patients with suspected significant knee injury [9].
  • Stress radiographs should be obtained in patients prior to skeletal maturity to rule out an epiphyseal fracture [9].
  • Stress radiographs can help to better quantify the amount of varus angulation present in LCL injuries [30].
  • Radiographs can underestimate isolated chondral lesions but may demonstrate joint space narrowing, osteophytes, sclerosis, and cysts [25].
  • Weight-bearing AP and lateral views and an axial view of the patellofemoral joint should be reviewed for articular cartilage evaluation [25].
  • The ability to detect subtle narrowing or an isolated chondral defect on the flexion surface may be improved with a semiflexed PA view [25].
  • Long leg alignment views are used to determine the mechanical axis [25].
  • If the mechanical axis traverses the involved compartment (varus knees with medial compartment lesions or valgus knees with lateral compartment lesions), realignment may need to be considered as an initial procedure or as an adjunct to a cartilage restorative procedure [25].
  • Radiographs are still the standard for initial evaluation of knee arthritis [29].
  • Images for knee arthritis evaluation should include weight-bearing AP and lateral views, a view of the weight-bearing knee flexed at 45-degree angle imaged posterior to anterior, a sunrise view (Merchant view), extension and flexion lateral views, and a standing full-length AP radiograph [29].
  • A standing full-length AP radiograph from hip joint to ankle joint is used to evaluate limb alignment and knee deformity and to identify femoral and/or tibial bone deformity [29].
  • The KL rating grades extent of OA based on review of AP knee radiograph [29].
  • Primary features used for KL rating include osteophytes (periarticular and tibial spine), joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis with or without subchondral cysts, and altered shape of periarticular bones [29].
  • KL Grade 0 indicates normal knee features with no OA [29].
  • KL Grade 1 indicates OA possibly present [29].
  • KL Grade 2 indicates OA present with minimal severity [29].
  • KL Grade 3 indicates OA present with moderate severity [29].
  • KL Grade 4 indicates OA present with severe severity [29].
  • Knee arthroplasty is recommended when Grade 4 findings are present [29].

Computed Tomography

  • CT provides a three-dimensional study performed with ionizing radiation that provides enhanced bone detail [21].
  • Imaging in the axial, sagittal, and coronal planes may help visualize fracture lines and displacement, osteolytic lesions around joint arthroplasty, and cortical disruption in cases of infection or neoplasia [21].
  • Three-dimensional reconstructions may help with preoperative planning for complex intra-articular fractures, multiplanar osteotomy for limb malalignment, and reconstitution of bone loss in joint arthroplasty [21].
  • Axial plane imaging of the hip and knee can help assess the rotational alignment of components of a total knee arthroplasty in cases of patellar maltracking [21].
  • Three-dimensional CT with remodeling is used for preoperative planning for reconstruction associated with dysplasia, post-trauma planning, and complex total knee arthroplasty (TKA) planning [29].

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

  • Increasing strength of the magnetic field (measured in Tesla units) increases the resolution of images [21].
  • An injected contrast agent (intravenous or intra-articular) may help delineate specific tissues of interest in MRI [21].
  • MRI may suggest cruciate ligament injury through the presence of edema, intra-articular fluid, disruption of ligament fibers, and an atypical ligament contour [21].
  • MRI can identify patterns of meniscal injury by location (anterior, midbody, posterior, peripheral, articular), pattern (horizontal, longitudinal, radial, complex), and displacement [21].
  • MRI may identify the degree of articular cartilage injury (chondrosis, full-thickness cartilage loss), the presence of associated bone marrow edema, and the location (medial condyle, lateral condyle, trochlea, patella; anterior, posterior) [21].
  • MRI may identify edema, avulsion, or discontinuity for the MCL/lateral collateral ligament (LCL) or associated posteromedial and posterolateral ligamentous complexes [21].
  • MRI may be used to assess the continuity of the quadriceps or patellar tendon [21].
  • MRI may be used to assess the margin of resection for a neoplasm, identify vascular malformation, or define the location of nerves or vessels relative to popliteal cysts [21].
  • MRI can be helpful in confirming MCL diagnosis and helping to rule out concomitant meniscal injury [9].
  • Relative indications for an MRI in MCL injury include an uncertain ACL status despite multiple examinations, evaluation of a suspected meniscal tear, or preoperative evaluation for a planned MCL reconstruction or repair [9].
  • MRI is often a useful adjunct for diagnosing posterolateral corner and LCL injuries in the severely injured knee [30].
  • MRI findings can refocus the examination to the posterolateral structures when posterolateral injury can often go unnoticed during an initial evaluation [30].
  • MRI should be obtained as a useful adjunct to help diagnose posterolateral corner injuries [30].
  • MRI can be used to evaluate articular cartilage morphology [25].
  • MRI is grossly overused in the arthritic patient population [29].
  • If the joint space is significantly narrowed on radiograph, then MRI is not indicated [29].
  • MRI is used when osteonecrosis is suspected [29].

Nuclear Medicine

  • Nuclear medicine involves labeled radionuclide injection followed by delayed imaging of gamma radiation [21].
  • Areas of increased radionuclide concentration appear bright or “hot” in nuclear medicine imaging [21].
  • Nuclear medicine provides a nonspecific study that does not define the etiology of an abnormality but rather the presence of an abnormality that may correlate with a clinical concern [21].
  • Increased radionuclide activity in bone may be a normal postoperative finding for up to 6 to 12 months after a fracture repair or arthroplasty [21].
  • Technetium-99 (Tc-99) is a radionuclide that may help identify infection, neoplasia, occult fracture, bone healing, active phases of heterotopic ossification, implant loosening, or failure of osseointegration [21].
  • Gallium-67 (Ga-67) is a radionuclide that may help differentiate between aseptic and septic prosthetic loosening [21].
  • 24 to 72 hours are needed for a complete Gallium-67 (Ga-67) study [21].

Physical Examination

  • The physical examination begins with observation of the patient’s gait [1].
  • The uninjured knee is examined as a basis of comparison with the injured knee [1].
  • Any swelling or effusion should be noted during physical examination [1].
  • A small effusion will cause obliteration of the recesses on the medial and lateral aspects of the patellar tendon [1].
  • With a larger effusion, diffuse swelling is present in the region of the suprapatellar pouch [1].
  • A fluid wave can be palpated on the sides of the patella with a larger effusion [1].
  • Active and then passive range of motion is tested carefully [1].
  • The knee is palpated to define areas of localized tenderness [1].
  • The joint lines are located at the level of the inferior pole of the patella when the knee is flexed to 90 degrees [1].
  • Laxity to valgus stresses is assessed by the amount of medial joint space opening that occurs at 30 degrees of flexion [9].
  • It is important to stress the knee at 30 degrees of flexion because with the knee in full extension the posterior capsule and PCL will stabilize the knee to valgus stress [9].
  • Zero opening is considered normal for valgus stress testing [9].
  • 1-4 mm of medial joint space opening indicates a grade I MCL injury [9].
  • 5–9 mm of medial joint space opening indicates a grade II MCL injury [9].
  • 10–15 mm of medial joint space opening indicates a complete or grade III MCL injury [9].
  • Grade I and II MCL injuries typically have a firm end point to valgus stress [9].
  • A grade III MCL injury tends to have a soft end point to valgus stress [9].
  • The integrity of the LCL is assessed by placing a varus stress, with the knee in full extension and 30 degrees of flexion [30].
  • The average baseline for varus opening is 7 degrees [30].
  • Exam findings with an isolated LCL injury should include varus laxity at 30 degrees of flexion and no instability in full extension [30].
  • The dial test is the most useful test to evaluate for posterolateral instability [30].
  • The dial test is performed at 30 and 90 degrees of flexion with a significant difference being an angle 5 degrees or greater than the contralateral leg [30].
  • Injury to the posterolateral capsule alone is confirmed with greater external rotation at 30 degrees [30].
  • An isolated PCL injury is confirmed with greater external rotation at 90 degrees [30].
  • Injury to both posterolateral capsule and PCL is confirmed when there is greater rotation at 30 and 90 degrees compared to the uninjured leg [30].
  • A careful neurovascular examination should be performed for LCL and/or posterolateral corner injury as the incidence of neurovascular injury, particularly peroneal nerve injury, has been reported in 12–29% of posterolateral knee injuries [30].
  • Patients commonly present with a history of a precipitating traumatic event or previous surgery for articular cartilage defects [25].
  • An effusion, motion deficits, or limb malalignment may be observed in patients with articular cartilage defects [25].
  • Knee stability should be compared with the normal side in patients with articular cartilage defects [25].
  • Patient assessment of knee pain includes a physical examination and diagnostic radiographic modalities [29].
  • Pain with weight bearing is aggravated by stairs, inclines, and transition from sit to stand in knee arthritis [29].
  • Bowing deformity and instability are seen later in the presentation of knee arthritis [29].
  • Knee thrust indicates ligament stretch-out (i.e., abnormal) on the convex side of thrust and is seen later in the clinical presentation of knee arthritis [29].
  • A varus thrust occurs when the knee pushes outward during stance phase of gait, overloading the medial compartment [29].
  • A valgus thrust occurs when the knee pushes inward during stance phase of gait, overloading the lateral compartment [29].

References

[1] A Lange Medical Book Current Diagnosis Treatment In Orthopedics Fifth Edition. 3Sports Medicine > Image KNEE INJURIES.

[3] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Knee > I. Anatomy.

[4] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. SECTION 1 KNEE > ANATOMY (FIG. 4.1).

[5] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. SECTION 16 PATELLAR TRACKING IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY > SECTION 1 KNEE > ANATOMY (FIG. 4.1).

[7] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update Sports Medicine 6. Cruciate Ligament Injuries > Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury > Anatomy and Biomechanics.

[9] A Lange Medical Book Current Diagnosis Treatment In Orthopedics Fifth Edition. 3Sports Medicine > 1. Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries.

[13] Orthopaedic Basic Science Fifth Edition Print Ebook. Biology and Mechanics of the Skeletal Extracellular Matrix > Gross Anatomy.

[15] Rockwood And Green S Fractures In Adults. 59: Patellar Fractures and Dislocations and Extensor Mechanism Injuries > Anterior Cruciate Ligament Anatomy.

[17] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Radiographic Evaluation and Surgical Anatomy of the Knee > II. Surgical Anatomy of the Knee.

[18] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. ARTHRODESIS PERSON > Kinetics.

[19] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. Genetics of musculoskeletal conditions and abnormalities are summarized in Table 1.27 > ARTHRODESIS PERSON > Kinetics.

[21] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Radiographic Evaluation and Surgical Anatomy of the Knee > I. Radiographic Evaluation.

[25] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Articular Cartilage Injury and Treatment > IV. Full-­Thickness Outerbridge Grade IV Defects.

[29] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. SECTION 16 PATELLAR TRACKING IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY > SECTION 11 KNEE ARTHRITIS ASSESSMENT.

[30] A Lange Medical Book Current Diagnosis Treatment In Orthopedics Fifth Edition. 3Sports Medicine > 2. Lateral Collateral Ligament Injuries.

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