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Biomedical subjects

William R Beach

Publications and source records attributed to William R Beach.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Reverse rotator interval closure.

We describe a technique for reducing capsular volume arthroscopically by shifting the anterior inferior glenohumeral ligament (AIGHL) and capsule up to the top of the subscapularis. This procedure is performed when laxity exists in the absence of a Bankart lesion. The AIGHL is first released from the capsule. This allows sutures to be placed through the capsule inferiorly so that it can be shifted up superiorly during the repair. The AIGHL and capsule are then released from the underlying subscapularis. Sutures are then passed through the capsule and out of the accessory anterior portal, progressing laterally. A BirdBeak suture passer (Arthrex, Naples, FL) is inserted through the superior edge of the subscapularis and is used to grasp each undersurface strand of suture and pull it through and out of the anterior portal. The sutures are then tied sequentially, effectively shifting the capsule and ligament up in a superior direction.

Arthroscopy↗

Vascular risk associated with bicortical tibial drilling during anteromedial tibial tubercle transfer.

For select patients with persistent patellofemoral pain, the anteromedial tibial tubercle transfer (Fulkerson osteotomy) provides excellent clinical results. This procedure, indicated for patients with patellar malalignment, has become one of the most popular distal realignment procedures. One potential concern with this technique is the proximity of the posterior vascular structures during bicortical tibial drilling for screw placement. To address this concern, we measured the proximity of these structures in 7 consecutive fresh-frozen cadaveric knees. For each knee, barium was injected into the femoral artery, and anteroposterior (AP) radiographs were taken to document the location of the popliteal vessels. Next, the initial steps of the Fulkerson osteotomy were performed. Then, a lateral release and the tibial osteotomy were performed, the tubercle was advanced into position, and two 9/64-inch extralong drill bits were placed through the tubercle and the posterior tibial cortex. Repeat AP radiographs were obtained, and digital calipers were used to measure the distance from the drill bits to the popliteal vessels. The vascular structure closest to the exit point of the superior drill bit was the bifurcation of the popliteal artery (mean distance, 8.3 mm; SD, 9.3 mm; range, 0.0-21.3 mm), and in 2 knees this structure directly overlay the bifurcation on the AP radiograph; the vascular structure closest to the exit point of the inferior drill bit was the posterior tibial artery (mean distance, 9.0 mm; SD, 8.0 mm; range, 0.0-20.0 mm), and again in 2 knees the drill bit lay directly over the artery on the AP radiograph. Bicortical drilling for screw placement during the anteromedial tibial tubercle transfer procedure may come precariously close to the posterior vascular structures of the knee, so orthopedic surgeons must take extreme caution not to drill past the posterior cortex during this part of the operation.

Angiography↗

Fracture of Bilok interference screws on insertion during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

New femoral and tibial interference screws for use during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have been developed using a composite of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP). The combination is described as having better incorporation than standard bioabsorbable screws with no loss of mass during incorporation and without the brittle nature associated with conventional TCP implants. However, the screw can fracture during insertion, leaving the distal third inside the femoral or tibial tunnel, making extraction and revision difficult. This is a report of 2 cases of PLLA-TCP screw breakage, 1 occurring in the femoral tunnel and 1 occurring in the tibial tunnel.

Absorbable Implants↗

An improved technique for arthroscopic resection of the acromioclavicular joint.

Resection is the accepted treatment for arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint. It may be performed either open or arthroscopically. During arthroscopic resection, visualizing the superior aspect of the joint and determining the limit of resection can be difficult. We describe a new technique to improve visualization during the procedure.

Acromioclavicular Joint↗

Use of a Caspari suture punch to repair a radial tear of the lateral meniscus.

SUMMARY: Radial meniscal injuries in young patients are challenging problems. A technique not previously described in the literature is presented for radial meniscal repair. A Caspari suture punch is used to repair the inner leaf of the radial tear followed by standard inside-out augmentation with zone-specific cannulas and No. 2.0 PDS suture. This technical note describes the technique and its result in a case report.

Adult↗

Allograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in patients over 40 years of age.

PURPOSE: The study goal was to determine the results of allograft anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in patients over 40 years old at a minimum of 24 months follow-up (mean, 59.7 months; range, 24 to 110 months). TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective review. METHODS: The records of 57 consecutive patients (mean age at surgery, 45.0 years; range, 40.2 to 60.8 years) were reviewed retrospectively. Nine patients who had undergone either prior ACL reconstruction, extra-articular reinforcement of the intra-articular procedure, or subsequent upper tibial osteotomy were eliminated. One patient was lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 47 patients (48 knees), 29 (62%) were men, and 18 (38%) were women. Twenty-eight of the 47 study patients (60%) were available for clinical interview consisting of physical examination, radiographs, and functional testing. Twenty-seven of these patients also underwent KT-1000 measurement, and 26 underwent Biodex evaluation. The remaining 19 patients were interviewed by telephone. RESULTS: At follow-up, Lachman, anterior drawer, and pivot shift tests were 0 or 1 in 27 (96%) of 28 patients. Differences between the index and contralateral legs as measured by KT-1000 at 20 lb of force were 0 to 2 mm in 22 of 27 patients (81%) and 3 to 5.5 mm in 5 patients (19%). None had a side-to-side difference greater than 5.5 mm. Based on the International Knee Documentation Committee activity classification system, 26 (55%) of 47 patients achieved the same or higher grade of activity postoperatively as they had preinjury. CONCLUSIONS: Results of ACL reconstruction in patients over 40 compare favorably with those observed in younger patients. Age should not be a limiting factor in choosing surgical reconstruction to treat functional instability in the ACL-deficient patient.

Adult↗

Pitfalls associated with FasT-Fix meniscal repair.

There are several devices currently available for all-inside meniscal repair. One of the newest of these devices, the FasT-Fix (Smith & Nephew, Endoscopic Division, Andover, MA), is attractive because it combines advantages of traditional inside-out meniscal repair with an all-inside technique. We chose to critically evaluate these devices in a cadaver model. FasT-Fix devices were inserted arthroscopically in 8 fresh-frozen cadaveric knees at 5 to 7 mm intervals. A total of 45 devices were placed (24 laterally, 21 medially), and the knees were subsequently dissected to determine the location of the inserted devices. Several potential pitfalls were identified during the evaluation. When using the depth penetration limiter that comes preset with the device (to a depth of 22 mm), superficial structures, including the iliotibial tract and even the skin, were at risk for penetration with the needle. The device could not effectively be inserted into the anterior meniscus or the extreme posterior horn. Other potential pitfalls seen during insertion of the FasT-Fix meniscal repair devices include suture tensioning issues (including failure of the suture during tightening), intra-articular deployment of the implants, premature deployment of both the first and second implants, difficulty in advancing the trigger for deployment of the second implant, and difficulty in placing vertical-mattress sutures. Although the FasT-Fix is already in clinical use, additional modifications would likely enhance meniscal repair using this device.

Arthroscopes↗

Vascular risk associated with a posterior approach for posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the tibial inlay technique.

This study evaluated the risk to the popliteal artery associated with the tibial inlay technique in posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. Barium was injected into the femoral arteries of eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knees and anteroposterior (AP) radiographs were obtained. Dissection of the fascia overlying the gastrocnemius muscle, identification of the interval between the medial head of the gastrocnemius and the semimembranosus, and lateral retraction of the medial head of the gastrocnemius (the Burks and Schaffer approach) was performed. Subsequently, a bicortical screw was placed from posterior to anterior through the tibia as is performed in the tibial inlay technique. A second AP radiograph was obtained. The distance from the center of the screw to the edge of the popliteal artery was measured using digital calipers. The closest any screw came to the popliteal artery was 18.1 mm, and the average distance was 21.1 mm (21.1 +/- 4.6 mm, range: 18.1-31.7 mm). When this distance was calculated as a percentage of the tibial plateau width, the smallest value was 19.2% (24% +/- 4.9%, range: 19.2%-35.1%). A posterior approach for a tibial inlay PCL reconstruction procedure appears safe with respect to the popliteal artery.

Aged↗

A review of the special tests associated with shoulder examination. Part I: the rotator cuff tests.

Careful examination of the shoulder is an essential component in forming a diagnosis of problems in this area. A number of tests have been described that are claimed to improve diagnostic accuracy by specifically examining one component of the shoulder complex. Many of these tests are eponymous, and there is confusion about not only how to perform them but also what conclusion to draw from the results. This article attempts to clarify the tests used to examine the rotator cuff by presenting them as described by the original authors with the additional aim of providing a source for those wishing to refresh their knowledge without the need to refer to the original source material.

Humans↗

A review of the special tests associated with shoulder examination. Part II: laxity, instability, and superior labral anterior and posterior (SLAP) lesions.

This is the second of a two-part article describing the various tests that have been used to examine the shoulder to find and treat problems in that area. Part I of this article (January/February 2003, pages 154-160) focused on tests used to examine rotator cuff abnormalities. This article attempts to clarify the tests of laxity, instability, and the superior labral anterior and posterior (SLAP) lesions by presenting them as described by the original authors, with the additional aim of providing a source for those wishing to refresh their knowledge without the need to refer to the original source material.

Humans↗