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Bilateral Spontaneous Osteonecrosis of Knee with Concomitant Medial Femoral and Tibial Condyle Involvement – A Rare Presentation and Short Review

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Bilateral Spontaneous Osteonecrosis of Knee with Concomitant Medial Femoral and Tibial Condyle Involvement – A Rare Presentation and Short Review

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Concomitant SPONK of MFC and MTP in bilateral knee is very rare. In advanced stages, TKR with revision augments can provide good radiological and functional outcome.


Case Report | Volume 10 | Issue 7 | JOCR October 2020 | Page  25-29 | Kunal Ajitkumar Shah, Mohan M Desai, Swapneel S Shah, Deven R Kuruwa. DOI: 10.13107/jocr.2020.v10.i07.1904


Authors: Kunal Ajitkumar Shah[1], Mohan M Desai[1], Swapneel S Shah[1], Deven R Kuruwa[2]

[1]Department of Orthopedics, Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

[2]Department of Orthopedics, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital and Medical College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Address of Correspondence:
Dr. Kunal Ajitkumar Shah,
Department of Orthopedics, Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: kunalajitshah@gmail.com


Abstract

Introduction: Osteonecrosis of knee is classified as primary spontaneous osteonecrosis of knee (SPONK) and secondary osteonecrosis of knee. Primary SPONK usually involves medial femoral condyle (MFC). Incidence of medial tibial plateau (MTP) is only 2% among the patients with SPONK and simultaneous involvement of MFC and MTP is very rare.
Case Report: We report a very rare case of 45-year-old female with SPONK affecting both MFC and MTP simultaneously with subchondral insufficiency fractures. She presented with pain in both the knees and difficulty in walking since 1 year. Physical examination revealed decreased range of motion and local tenderness over MFC and medial tibial condyle. Subchondral fracture with articular surface collapse of MFC with joint space narrowing and varus deformity was seen on X-ray in both the knees. Sclerosis was seen in the medial tibial condyle bilaterally. Magnetic resonance imaging showed characteristic focal hyperintense areas surrounded by band like hypointense areas in both MFC and MTP which was suggestive of subchondral collapse with ill-defined bone marrow changes. X-ray of both knees revealed SPONK in Koshino’s Stage IV and Carpintero’s Stage IV. Bilateral total knee replacement (TKR) was planned. First left knee was operated. A cruciate retaining type of TKR was done. Two weeks, later right side TKR was operated. MFC of right side also had a large osteochondral fragment which was excised to leave defect with depth more than 2 cm. Defect was reconstructed with bone graft obtained from posterior condylar cuts. Posterior stabilized type of knee replacement component was used along with femoral extender stem. Histopathological examination revealed necrotic bone surrounded by an area of fibrovascular granulation tissue on both the femoral and tibial sides. Patient has good functional outcome at 2 years follow-up.
Conclusion: Concomitant SPONK of MFC and MTP in bilateral knee is very rare and in advanced stages TKR can provide good radiological and functional outcome. Furthermore, pre-operative assessment of bone defects is necessary and appropriate use of augments (extender stem or metal wedges) is crucial.
Keywords: Spontaneous osteonecrosis of knee, osteonecrosis, total knee replacement.


Introduction
Osteonecrosis of knee is classified as primary spontaneous osteonecrosis of knee (SPONK) and secondary osteonecrosis of knee [1]. Primary SPONK usually involves medial femoral condyle (MFC) and occurs in patients older than 55 years of age. It is not associated with risk factors for osteonecrosis. On the other hand, secondary osteonecrosis of knee involves multiple condyles and occurs in patients younger than 55 years of age and is associated with risk factors such as alcohol, and corticosteroids [2, 3]. SPONK can rarely involve lateral femoral condyle, medial tibial plateau (MTP), or patella. Incidence of MTP is only 2% among the patients with SPONK and simultaneous involvement of MFC and MTP is very rare [2, 4]. SPONK may sometimes extend to lateral aspect of knee in end-stage disease and when significant degenerative changes occur it is difficult to differentiate end-stage SPONK from severe osteoarthritis (OA) [5]. Yamamoto and Bullough reported that SPONK may result from subchondral insufficiency fractures [6]. Early diagnosis is difficult as X-ray may look normal initially but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect early changes in subchondral region. Here, we report a very rare case of SPONK affecting both MFC and MTP simultaneously in both knees with subchondral insufficiency fractures.

Case Report
A 45-year-old female patient presented to us with pain in both the knees since 1 year. She also had difficulty in walking. Pain had gradually increased over the period of 1 year. She had no history of the previous trauma, steroid use, meniscus surgery, alcohol intake, or smoking. Physical examination revealed local tenderness over MFC and medial tibial condyle and decreased range of motion. Laboratory investigations showed no specific findings. Subchondral fracture with articular surface collapse of MFC with joint space narrowing and varus deformity was seen on X-ray in both the knees. Sclerosis was seen on X-ray in the medial tibial condyle on both the sides. X-ray of both knees revealed SPONK in Koshino’s Stage IV and Carpintero’s Stage IV (Fig. 1). MRI of right knee showed characteristic focal hyperintense areas surrounded by band like hypointense areas in both MFC and MTP which was suggestive of subchondral collapse with ill-defined bone marrow changes (Fig. 2). Computed tomography (CT) scan of both knees was done to assess the deformity. Right knee showed a defect measuring 2.51 cm in the MFC (Fig. 2). Left knee CT scan also showed defect in MFC (Fig. 3). Taking the deformity and disability into consideration, total knee replacement (TKR) was planned for both sides. Initially, left knee was operated. Large longitudinal osteochondral flap was seen intraoperatively on MFC’s extensor surface. The MTP was depressed and cartilage fibrillation was seen. After excising the flap, there was defect seen in medial condyle with sclerotic bone at base. An auto-bone graft obtained after cutting posterior condyle was used to build up the defect (Fig. 4). A cruciate retaining type of TKR was done (Fig. 5). Two weeks later, right side TKR was done. MFC of right side also had a large osteochondral fragment which was excised to leave defect with depth more than 5 mm. This defect was reconstructed with bone graft obtained from posterior cuts. MTP of right side had similar findings as left side (Fig. 6). Posterior stabilized type of knee replacement component was used along with femoral extender stem (Fig. 5).Histopathological examination was done of the excised osteochondral fragments and tibial cuts. It revealed necrotic bone, surrounded by an area of fibrovascular granulation tissue on both the femoral and tibial sides (Fig. 7). Patient was mobilized full weight bearing after surgery and has good functional outcome at 2 years follow-up.

Discussion
SPONK has been well described radiologically and pathologically. During the early stage, the radiographs are normal, even if patients are having severe symptoms [7]. Later on radiolucent shadow is seen in the subchondral bone of weight bearing area of MFC. This later expands and is surrounded by sclerotic halo. Because of these structural changes in the MFC, MTP is affected, leading to sclerosis, narrowing of joint space, and formation of osteophytes. In late stages, it becomes difficult to even differentiate it from severe OA [5, 8]. MRI helps in early diagnosis of SPONK as it is more sensitive and specific and provides extensive information. In early SPONK, T1 imaging shows focal hypointense lesion while T2 imaging shows hyper-intense lesion surrounded by band of low intensity signal in the subchondral region [9]. Our patient presented with Koshino’s Stage IV in both the knee which was difficult to distinguish from severe OA on radiographs but was diagnosed on MRI with typical findings on T2 and T1 imaging. To the best of our knowledge, there are case reports with MFC and MTP simultaneous involvement, but they show unilateral knee involvement [10, 11]. Our case is the first ever documented report of SPONK with simultaneous involvement of MFC and MTP in bilateral knees. In MFC SPONK, lesion size is the prognostic factor for OA. If the lesion size is more than 40% of joint surface then it is reported to develop OA. In contrast, natural course of SPONK in MTP may range from complete resolution to progressive joint degeneration. Extensive collapse of MTP is rare [8]. The characteristic crescent like subchondral collapse is a finding in SPONK [3, 7, 8]. In contrast, our case has longitudinal track like subchondral collapse due to advanced stage. Our patient had bilateral SPONK affecting both MFC and MTP. There was severe collapse of MFC and sclerosis of MTP in both the knees. Mont et al. have reported good functional outcome in patients with extensive bone collapse at 9 years follow-up in 97% of patients with total knee arthroplasty. Other option available in early stages of SPONK is unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. SPONK is frequently associated with medial meniscal tears (50–75%) [9]. Meniscal damage leads to increased contact stresses in medial compartment. This leads to subchondral overload predisposing to development of osteonecrosis. Meniscal root injuries are reported in 80% of patients with SPONK [12]. Our patient presented in late stage of SPONK resembling OA with degenerative tears in meniscus. The formation of unstable fragment distal to fracture and its loss of blood supply are due to impaired healing after subchondral fractures which result in osteonecrosis. This suggests that subchondral insufficiency fractures are the underlying cause. Histology of early stages of SPONK is identical to that of subchondral fractures with no evidence of necrosis and in advanced SPONK resembles that of delayed union or nonunion with fibrovascular tissue and cartilage [6]. Histological examination in our patient revealed subchondral crack and bone healing reaction. Fibrous granulation tissue and necrosis were seen.

Conclusion
Concomitant SPONK of MFC and MTP in bilateral knee is very rare. In advanced stages, TKR can provide good radiological and functional outcome. Furthermore, pre-operative assessment of bone defects is necessary and appropriate use of augments (extender stem or metal wedges) is crucial.

Clinical Message
Concomitant SPONK of MFC and MTP in bilateral knee is very rare. In advanced stages, TKR with revision augments can provide good radiological and functional outcome.

References
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3. Mont MA, Marker DR, Zywiel MG, Carrino JA. Osteonecrosis of the knee and related conditions. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2011;19:482-94.
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7. Koshino T. The treatment of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee by high tibial osteotomy with and without bone-grafting or drilling of the lesion. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1982;64:47-58.
8. Lotke PA, Abend JA, Ecker ML. The treatment of osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1982;171:109-16.
9. Björkengren AG, AlRowaih A, Lindstrand A, Wingstrand H, Thorngren KG, Pettersson H. Spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee: Value of MR imaging in determining prognosis. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1990;154:331-6.
10. Fujita S, Arai Y, Honjo K, Nakagawa S, Kubo T. A case of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee with early and simultaneous involvement of the medial femoral condyle and medial tibial plateau. Case Rep Orthop 2016;2016:2574975.
11. Jung KA, Lee SC, Hwang SH, Kim DS, Kim TK. Spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee involving both the medial femoral condyle and the medial tibial plateau: Report of three cases. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2008;16:759-62.
12. Yao L, Stanczak J, Boutin RD. Presumptive subarticular stress reactions of the knee: MRI detection and association with meniscal tear patterns. Skeletal Radiol 2004;33:260-4.


Dr. Kunal Ajitkumar Shah Dr. Mohan M Desai  Dr. Swapneel S Shah Dr. Deven R Kuruwa 

How to Cite This Article: Shah KA, Desai MM, Shah SS, Kuruwa DR. Bilateral Spontaneous Osteonecrosis of Knee with Concomitant Medial Femoral and Tibial Condyle Involvement – A Rare Presentation and Short Review. Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports 2020 October;10(7): 25-29.

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