Stability tests in knee ligament injuries

Summary For 182 knee joints with ligamentous injuries confirmed at surgery the records contained a complete and documented stability examination. In anterior cruciate ligament injuries the Lachman test and the anterior drawer sign were of similar value with regard to the frequency of false negatives — they missed half of the injuries — but their accuracy improved when they were repeated under anesthesia. The pivot shift was useful only under anesthesia. The medial collateral ligament injuries were usually detected because of valgus instability, also without anesthesia. The stability tests done with the patient under anesthesia are sufficiently reliable for making decisions about knee ligament surgery.     

Knee laxity in cruciate ligament injury: Value of examination under anesthesia

Arthrometry was performed before and during anesthesia in 41 patients with acute or old anterior cruciate ligament injuries and only minor signs of valgus or varus instability. The uninjured contralateral knee served as a control. The influence of anesthesia on the anterior stability was distinct in acute knee injuries. There was also a small, but definite, increase in anterior laxity in uninjured knees. Knees with old injuries were more lax, and the injured-uninjured difference in anterior laxity was more pronounced. Stability examination under anesthesia is of great value for acutely injured knees.     

Knee laxity in cruciate ligament injury. Value of examination under anesthesia

Arthrometry was performed before and during anesthesia in 41 patients with acute or old anterior cruciate ligament injuries and only minor signs of valgus or varus instability. The uninjured contralateral knee served as a control. The influence of anesthesia on the anterior stability was distinct in acute knee injuries. There was also a small, but definite, increase in anterior laxity in uninjured knees. Knees with old injuries were more lax, and the injured-uninjured difference in anterior laxity was more pronounced. Stability examination under anesthesia is of great value for acutely injured knees.     

Diagnosis and treatment of the cruciate ligament injury of knee joint

During 1959 to 1986, 62 Cases with cruciate ligament injury of the knee joint were treated in our hospital. Thirty of these cases were anterior cruciate ligament injuries and 32 cases were posterior The diagnosis of the cruciate ligament injuries was made by stability tests of the cruciate ligament. When the knee was greatly swollen with multiple ligament injuries, a series of X-ray films should be taken to test the knee stability under local or nerve block anesthesia. Fresh tear of the cruciate ligament (33 cases) was treated with immediate surgical repair except in one. Old ligament injuries (28 cases) were treated by conservative method (10 cases) or surgical reconstruction (18 cases). All patients were followed for 2 to 18 years (mean 6 years). The results showed that the fresh tear of the cruciate ligament treated surgically had excellent and good rates in 87.9% (29/33). In the conservative treatment group, only 27.3% (3/11) obtained good result, and most of them were complicated with meniscal lesions and osteoarthritis. Eighteen cases treated by ligament reconstruction gave 34.5% (8/18) good result.     

LARS人工韧带关节镜下重建膝前交叉韧带

目的 探讨关节镜下LARS人工韧带治疗膝关节前交叉韧带（ACL）完全性损伤的疗效。方法对12例ACL完全损伤患者实施关节镜下LARS人工韧带重建术。结果12例均获随访,时间3～11个月,膝关节前直向不稳症状均消失,前抽屉试验阴性,关节功能良好,未并发急性滑膜炎。患膝伸屈度0°～120°。根据Lysholm膝关节评分法,膝关节评分由术前（45．45±1．18）分提高到术后（84．77±2．26）分。结论LARS人工韧带组织相容性好,是理想的韧带移植材料。关节镜下LARS人工韧带重建ACL完全性损伤疗效好,创伤小,并发症少,患膝稳定性早期即可完全恢复,术后关节功能能达到正常运动要求。     

Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging with operative findings in acute traumatic dislocations of the adult knee

OBJECTIVES: To compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with examination under anesthesia and with surgical findings in evaluating soft tissue injuries in acute traumatic knee dislocations in adults. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Level I trauma center. PATIENTS: For a single surgeon, all patients who underwent MRI before surgical treatment for knee dislocations (ten individuals). INTERVENTION: Incompetent ligaments were repaired or reconstructed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: MRI of knee dislocations was compared with clinical examination under anesthesia and with intraoperative findings at arthrotomy in ten cases. Pertinent positive and negative findings were recorded, and accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. RESULTS: Two mid-grade sprains of the anterior cruciate ligament were erroneously read as complete tears. One rupture or avulsion of each the biceps tendon, the lateral collateral ligament, and the posterolateral and posteromedial corners were considered intact on MRI. The MRI studies erroneously identified tears of the lateral collateral ligament and medial meniscus in one case each. Otherwise, the study was highly accurate. CONCLUSIONS: MRI is useful for defining the presence of ligamentous injuries in knee dislocations; however, clinical examination under anesthesia is more accurate.     

全关节镜下膝关节后外复合体重建

目的 介绍全关节镜下腘肌腱重建、腘肌腱联合腘腓韧带重建或膝关节后外复合体(posterolateral corner,PLC)解剖重建的手术技术,探讨全关节镜下PLC重建治疗膝关节后外不稳定的效果.方法 2008年8月至2010年4月,共完成全关节镜下后十字韧带(posterior cruciate ligament,PCL)+PLC重建手术34例.患者在接受手术时平均年龄34.1岁(15～52岁);男32例,女2例;从受伤到手术平均10.7个月.所有病例均为陈旧性损伤,且均为复合韧带损伤.所有PCL损伤的病例都存在PLC损伤.合并前十字韧带损伤6例(17.6%),合并前十字韧带、内侧副韧带损伤2例(5.9%),合并内侧副韧带损伤5例(14.7%).对膝关节PLC损伤进行分型,采用不同的重建技术进行治疗.对于A型旋转不稳定,采用全关节镜下腘肌腱重建、腘肌腱联合腘腓韧带重建;对于C型后外不稳定,采用全关节镜下PLC解剖重建.结果 14例患者获得随访并进行二次关节镜检查,平均随访18.5个月(13～25个月).终末随访包括:膝关节查体、KT-1000测量、膝关节应力像和胫骨外旋稳定性.使用膝关节应力像测量胫骨后移程度,胫骨后移由术前平均15.56mm减少为术后5.16mm,手术前后差异有统计学意义.使用屈膝30°位胫骨外旋试验评估膝关节后外旋转不稳定.对比患侧与健侧胫骨外旋的差值,由术前平均14.92°减小为术后-0.22°,手术前后差异有统计学意义.术后患者平均屈曲受限4.23°,无伸膝受限.结论 对于膝关节PLC损伤导致的不稳定,采用全关节镜下PLC重建的手术技术,能够有效恢复膝关节后外旋转不稳定.这种手术技术能够与PCL重建联合应用.

Abstract：

Objectiye To introduce the surgical technique of arthroscopy assisted anatomical posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstruction,including popliteal ligament,popliteofibular ligament and lateral collateral ligament,and evaluate the results of this technique.Methods From August 2008 to April 2010,34arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and PLC reconstruction surgeries were performed.The average age of the patients was 34.1 (15-52) years.There were 32 males and 2 females.The average time period from injury to surgery was 10.7 months.All patients were chronic injuries and combined ligament injuries,including PCL and PLC injuries.Some cases had other ligament injury,including 6 patients of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury (17.6%),2 of ACL combined medial cruciate ligament (MCL) injuries (5.9%),and 5 of MCL injuries (14.7%).According to Fanellis classification,for type A posterolateral rotation instability,we performed arthroscopic popliteal ligament reconstruction or popliteal ligament combined popliteofibular ligament reconstruction.For type C posterolateral instability,we performed arthroscopic PLC anatomical reconstruction.Results During the follow-up period,14 patients had undergone a second look arthroscopic examination and removal of hardware.The average follow-up time was 18.5 months (13-25 months).At the final follow-up,physical examination,stability evaluation with KT-1000 and Telos stress view,and dial test were performed.The posterior displacement of the knee had decreased from 15.56 mm preoperatively to 5.16mm postoperatively.The external rotation instability had decreased from 14.92° preoperatively to -0.22°postoperatively.The average limitation of knee flexion was 4.23° and no knee extension was limited.Conclusion With the surgical technique of arthroscopy assisted anatomical PLC reconstruction,we can restore the external rotation stability of knee.This technique can be performed combine with PCL reconstruction.     

Acute hemarthrosis of the knee: indications for diagnostic arthroscopy

The objective of this study was to define the role of early diagnostic knee arthroscopy for patients with an acute knee injury and hemarthrosis. Forty-five patients with an acute knee injury followed by a posttraumatic hemarthrosis during a 1-year period were prospectively reviewed. All patients were evaluated preoperatively followed by examination under anesthesia and arthroscopy of the knee. The majority of patients, 32 (71%), had an anterior cruciate ligament tear. Meniscal tears occurred in 21 patients (47%). Meniscal tears requiring surgery occurred in only 10 of 25 meniscal tears (40%). Seven patients (16%) had medial collateral ligament and/or posteromedial capsular sprain. Eight patients (18%) had an osteochondral fracture or patellar dislocation associated with an osteochondral fracture. The majority of knees with a torn meniscus or osteochondral fracture had an anterior cruciate ligament tear. Clinically, 18 of 21 knees (86%) with an acute complete anterior cruciate ligament tear were diagnosed preoperatively with the Lachman test. The Lachman test conducted with patients under anesthesia was positive for 19 of 21 knees (90%) with an acute complete anterior cruciate ligament tear. The preoperative examination correctly identified six of seven knees (86%) with a medial collateral ligament sprain. The preoperative Lachman test was positive in only two of five knees (40%) with a partial anterior cruciate ligament tear. The Lachman test with patients under anesthesia was positive for four of five knees (80%) with an acute partial anterior cruciate ligament tear. Preoperative examination yielded the correct diagnosis in only 9 of 21 knees (43%) with a meniscal tear and 1 of 6 knees (17%) with an osteochondral fracture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

急性完全性前交叉韧带损伤的膝关节镜下早期重建治疗

目的　探讨膝关节镜下对急性完全性前交叉韧带 (ACL)断裂的早期重建治疗 ,以尽早恢复膝关节稳定性。　方法　ACL急性断裂早期在关节镜下应用挤压螺钉固定骨 髌腱 (中 1/ 3) 骨复合体自体移植重建ACL ,止点重建或缝合修复治疗内侧副韧带断裂。　结果　 1998年 2月～ 1999年 3月共治疗急性完全性ACL断裂合并内侧副韧带断列患者 10例 ,术后平均随访 10个月 ,近期效果良好。　结论　急性ACL损伤早期可以在关节镜下完成重建 ,手术创伤小 ,治疗及时 ,可同时处理合并损伤 ,能早期恢复膝关节稳定性和运动功能。     

关节镜下修复重建膝关节脱位合并多发韧带损伤的疗效观察

目的 探讨关节镜下重建断裂的前交叉韧带(anterior cruciate ligament,ACL)和后交叉韧带(posteriorcruciate ligament,PCL)及修复膝关节内部结构,治疗膝关节脱位合并多发韧带损伤的临床疗效.方法 2003年7月-2006年8月,收治24例膝关节脱位患者,采用关节镜下重建ACL和PCL,修复内侧副韧带(medial collateral ligament,MCL)、外侧副韧带(lateral collateralligament,LCL)和其他膝关节损伤结构.男19例,女5例;年龄20～69岁,平均42岁.均为单膝损伤,其中左膝11例,右膝13例.于伤后4h～6个月入院.ACL、PCL、MCL及LCL损伤8例,ACL、PCL及MCL损伤12例,ACL、PCL及LCL损伤4例.合并腓总神经损伤1例,内侧半月板损伤3例,外侧半月板损伤7例.评估患者术后并发症、膝关节活动范围和手术前后症状改善情况,Lysholm评分评估手术前后膝关节功能情况.结果 术后患者均获随访11～36个月,平均25个月.4例出现轻微关节僵硬,3例出现轻微关节疼痛,均未作特殊处理.11例(45.8%)运动功能恢复至伤前运动水平;13例(54.2%)显著改善,不需要辅助独立行走.24例Lachman试验、膝内外翻应力试验及前、后抽屉试验均为阴性,胫骨前后移动均<5 mm.1例腓总神经损伤者感觉运动恢复良好.Lysholm膝关节功能评分术前(41.8 ±4.3)分,术后(87.0±6.0)分:关节活动范围术前(87.5±12.5).术后(125.0 ±9.2)°术前、后比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 膝关节脱位后关节镜下重建ACL、PCL和修复其他膝关节结构是治疗膝关节脱位的一种有效方法.     

双极射频在前交叉韧带重建中的应用

目的:探讨关节镜下双极射频在前交叉韧带重建术中的应用。方法:在关节镜下应用双极射频对16例前交叉韧带重建术中的移植物进行皱缩,男12例,女4例;年龄18～46岁,平均31岁。单纯前交叉韧带损伤5例,合并半月板损伤10例,合并后交叉韧带损伤1例。术中和术后对所有病例观察随访,记录临床检查结果和Lysholm评分。结果:术中可见应用双极射频处理后的韧带逐渐收缩变短,韧带张力明显提高,麻醉状态下抽屉试验和Lachman试验均呈阴性。术后随访6～13个月,平均9.5个月,膝关节主观和客观稳定性均明显改善,Lysholm评分从术前(51.7±3.9)分提高到(86.2±3.5)分(P<0.01)。结论:关节镜下应用双极射频在前交叉韧带重建术中对移植物进行皱缩,可使重建韧带收缩变紧,提高关节的稳定性。     

Preoperative gabapentin decreases anxiety and improves early functional recovery from knee surgery

Gabapentin has antihyperalgesic and anxiolytic properties. We thus tested the hypothesis that premedication with gabapentin would decrease preoperative anxiety and improve postoperative analgesia and early postoperative knee mobilization in patients undergoing arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament repair under general anesthesia. Forty patients were randomly assigned to receive 1200 mg oral gabapentin or placebo 1-2 h before surgery; anesthesia was standardized. Patients received morphine, 0.1 mg/kg, 30 min before the end of surgery and postoperatively via a patient-controlled pump. Pain scores and morphine consumption were recorded over 48 h. Degrees of active and passive knee flexion and extension were recorded during physiotherapy on days 1 and 2. Preoperative anxiety scores were less in the gabapentin than control group (visual analog scale scores of 28 +/- 16 mm versus 66 +/- 15 mm, respectively; P < 0.001). The gabapentin group required less morphine than the control group (29 +/- 22 mg versus 69 +/- 40 mg, respectively; P < 0.001). Visual analog scale pain scores at rest and after mobilization were significantly reduced in the gabapentin group. First and maximal passive and active knee flexions at 24 and 48 h were significantly more extensive in the gabapentin than in the control group. In conclusion, premedication with 1200 mg gabapentin improved preoperative anxiolysis, postoperative analgesia, and early knee mobilization after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament repair.     

Relation of the fibular head sign to other signs of anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency. A follow-up letter to the editor.

The fibular head sign is a clinical finding that seems not to have been previously reported for the diagnosis of chronic anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency (ACLI) associated with lateral rotatory instability of the knee joint. The fibular head could be palpated as a prominent bony lump, felt subcutaneously in the posterior lateral corner of the popliteal fossa. In a prospective study of 20 patients with ACLI, the mean age of the patients (15 males, five females) at the time of assessment was 26 years (range, 18-57 years). The left knee was involved in 11 patients, the right knee in the remaining nine patients. All the patients sustained their knee ligament injury in sporting activities except one patient who was involved in a motor vehicular accident. The majority of the patients had instability-related symptoms for more than six months. After history taking, physical examination in the clinic, and examination under anesthesia, and arthroscopy in the operating room of all patients, it was determined that there were 13 ACL injuries, four posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries, and three combined A/PCL injuries. All ACL injury patients had a prominent fibular head sign. Other associated signs included passive hyperextension of 10-20 degrees, and major anterolateral, and to a lesser degree a posterolateral, rotatory instability. The fibular head sign was negative in isolated posterior cruciate injuries and in combined A/PCL injuries.     

Partial rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament. Natural course

A prospective study was done of 29 patients with conservatively treated partial ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament that were stable at the initial examination under anesthesia. The ruptures were reevaluated for stability and knee function from 12 to 60 months after injury. Many had developed signs of instability. The forward drawer sign (Lachman test) and the pivot shift tests were positive. There was also measurable sagittal instability (anterior drawer sign). In every case, knee function was almost completely restored.     

生物可吸收挤压螺钉在膝关节韧带重建术中的应用

目的探讨生物可吸收挤压螺钉在膝关节韧带重建术中的应用和疗效。方法2002年4月~2004年8月,收治膝关节韧带损伤患者39例,其中男33例,女6例;年龄15~65岁,中位年龄25岁。单纯前交叉韧带(anterior cruciate ligament,ACL)损伤29膝,单纯后交叉韧带(posterior cruciate ligament,PCL)损伤6膝,ACL和PCL联合损伤4膝。合并内侧或外侧侧副韧带损伤3膝,合并后外侧结构损伤1膝。病程1周~8年。所有患者均行关节镜下或结合开放韧带重建术,采用自体移植物及生物可吸收螺钉固定。采用Lysholm临床评分系统对膝关节功能进行评估。结果术后34例获随访6~28个月,平均13.7个月。术后膝关节功能评分由术前43.6±13.4分,增加至术后85.4±16.3分,且差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。患者疼痛均消失,关节稳定,无交锁和无力等症状,均恢复关节活动度,螺钉无松动。术后1例出现感染征象,3例发生局部积液和滑膜炎,经保守治疗后好转。结论在膝关节韧带重建术中,生物可吸收挤压螺钉固定疗效可靠,能有效重建韧带,恢复膝关节稳定性。     

Soccer after anterior cruciate ligament injury— an incompatible combination? A national survey of incidence and risk factors and a 7-year follow-up of 310 players

All players in Swedish soccer teams are required to have insurance in the same company. From the archives of the insurance company, all 3,735 injuries reported in 1986 in 188,152 Swedish soccer players were reviewed. Of these, 937 were knee injuries. All players were asked by mail to fill in a questionnaire and 83 percent replied. The patient records from the different hospitals were requested. The anterior cruciate injuries represented one third of the reported knee injuries.

The relative risk of sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament Injury was increased in female players, in elite players, and in players in the forward position. The odds ratios were 1.6 (1.3-2.1), 3.3 (1.7-6.1) and 1.8 (1.4-2.5), respectively. The injuries occurred at a younger age in females than in males. 50 percent of the injured players were treated with anterior cruciate ligament surgery, predominantly as a reconstructive procedure, with use of a patellar tendon transplant. 30 (20) percent of the players with anterior cruciate ligament injury were active in soccer after 3 (7) years, compared to 80 (50) percent of an uninjured control population of soccer players. None of the elite players was active at the same level after 7 years. A comparison of anterior cruciate ligament-injured players, whether treated by surgical reconstruction or not, revealed no difference with regard to the proportion of players still playing soccer after 7 years.     

Editorial Commentary: The Measurement of Knee Laxity: Instrumented Measurement and Stress Radiography for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

The measurement of anterior knee laxity in anterior cruciate ligament injuries is an established method for both clinical practice and clinical studies in regard to anterior cruciate ligament surgery. Stress radiography was succeeded or paralleled by instrumented testing with the development of standardized devices starting in the 1980s. Because knee stability depends on the flexion angle test, conditions need to be comparable for both instrumented testing and stress radiography. The lack of a general consensus becomes even more evident for testing and measuring rotational instability. Knee laxity measurement in all dimensions, such as with robots in cadaver studies, has not found its general application in the clinical setting yet, but will be expected in the near future.     

分期修复重建膝关节多发韧带损伤的临床疗效

目的 :探讨关节镜下分期治疗膝关节多发韧带损伤的临床疗效。方法 :2006年3月至2012年6月,关节镜下分期治疗膝关节多发韧带损伤14例(14膝)。男8例,女6例;年龄20~49岁,平均(31.8±8.1)岁。患者均行X线、MR检查,提示10例前交叉韧带、后交叉韧带及内侧副韧带损伤,4例前交叉韧带、后交叉韧带及后外侧角损伤。合并内侧半月板损伤4例,外侧半月板损伤2例。Ⅰ期手术治疗内侧副韧带损伤、后交叉韧带及半月板,术后固定3周后开始主被动功能锻炼,3~6个月后膝关节活动范围正常且存在明显松弛时Ⅱ期重建前交叉韧带和(或)后交叉韧带。结果:术后切口均Ⅰ期愈合,无感染等手术相关并发症发生。患者均获随访,时间24~80个月,平均48.9个月。末次随访时膝关节Lysholm评分达87.1±2.8,优于术前19.6±0.9(t=12.3,P0.01)。国际膝关节评分委员会(International Knee Documentation Committee,IKDC)评级:9例接近正常,5例异常。结论 :关节镜下分期治疗膝关节多发韧带损伤能有效恢复膝关节稳定性和功能。     

Neuromuscular dynamic restraint in women with anterior cruciate ligament injuries

The purpose of this study was to identify neuromuscular characteristics related to dynamic restraint in the knee. Observing compensatory changes to these characteristics in women with anterior cruciate ligament injuries provides important information for understanding functional knee stability, injury prevention, and performance. Twelve female subjects with anterior cruciate ligament injuries and 17 female control subjects participated in this study to assess electromyographic activity during landing from a hop and knee perturbation; hamstring muscle stiffness and flexibility; and isokinetic strength. Females with anterior cruciate ligament deficiencies had significantly increased preparatory muscle activity in the lateral hamstring before landing, but no differences in reactive muscle activity during landing or reflex latency after joint perturbation. Females with anterior cruciate ligament deficiencies had significantly less hamstring muscle stiffness and flexibility, but also had greater peak torque and torque development for knee flexion. Lower Lysholm scores were observed in females with anterior cruciate ligament deficiencies but no difference was found in functional performance of the single leg hop test. These neuromuscular characteristics provide a foundation for future research investigating injury prevention and rehabilitation techniques that maximize dynamic restraint through stiffness regulation and the timing of specific muscle activation strategies.     

Editorial Commentary: Understanding Anterior Cruciate Ligament Failure: New Questions Emerge as Existing Ones Are Answered

Cartilage injuries are prevalent in patients undergoing knee anterior cruciate ligament revision surgery.