Arthroscopic studies of variants of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus

The objective of this study was to arthroscopically analyse the morphology and dynamics of variants of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus of the knee (VAMM) and to then consider the pathological significance of these variants. VAMM was defined as knees in which the anterior horn of the medial meniscus is not attached to the tibia. Between April 1992 and March 1995, arthroscopy was performed on 953 knees of 903 patients. At the time of this examination, observation and probing were performed to determine the condition of the synovium, the synovial plica, the cartilage in all compartments, the meniscus, the cruciate ligaments, and the popliteal tendon. In particular, detailed examination was made of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus with regard to the point of insertion to the tibia and the degree of movement in knee flexion/ extension. Cases of VAMM diagnosed on the basis of the arthroscopic findings were classified into the following four categories: the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) type, where the anterior horn of the medial meniscus was attached to the ACL; the transverse ligament type, where the anterior horn of the medial meniscus was attached to the transverse ligament; the coronary ligament type, where the anterior horn of the medial meniscus was attached to the coronary ligament; and the infrapatellar fold type, where the anterior horn of the medial meniscus was attached to the infrapatellar synovial fold. These patients were then analyzed with regard to the arthroscopic findings and the intra-articular lesions other than VAMM. In 98 (10.9%) of the total patients, 103 knees were classified as VAMM. Classification of those 103 knees using the above criteria showed 39 ACL type knees, 51 transverse ligament type knees, 11 coronary ligament type knees, and 2 infrapatellar fold type knees. The arthroscopic findings indicated that the anterior horn of the medial meniscus was not attached directly to the tibia in any of these knees. Probing and flexion/extension of the knee revealed hypermobility at the anterior horn of the medial meniscus. In this study, anterior knee pain syndrome was diagnosed in 12 (11.7%) of the 103 VAMM knees. In addition, there was no clear history of trauma in 20 of 23 knees found to have an isolated medial meniscus tear. In these cases, even detailed arthroscopic observation proved the causes of the symptoms or injury. On the basis of these findings, we surmised that the anterior portion shows hypermobility at the time of flexion/extension of the knee, regardless of the type of VAMM. In this study, we discussed the possibility that the existence of VAMM may become the cause of pain or injury to the meniscus.     

Chronic anterior cruciate ligament deficiency is associated with increased anterior translation of the tibia during the transition from non-weightbearing to weightbearing.

Translation of the tibia relative to the femur was measured while a group of subjects with normal knees and group with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears underwent transition from non-weightbearing to weightbearing stance. Subjects were positioned in the Vermont knee laxity device (VKLD) with muscles relaxed and the limb segment and compressive joint load offset (non-weightbearing). A lateral radiograph of the knee, with the posterior aspects of the femoral condyles superimposed, was obtained to document the position of the tibia relative to the femur. Immediately after, a compressive load equal to 40% of bodyweight was applied to each foot, and a second radiograph was obtained to document the change in position of the tibia relative to the femur. The transition from non-weightbearing to weightbearing produced a significant increase of anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur (mean; 3.4 mm) for the subjects with ACL tears compared with the contralateral normal knees (0.8 mm). Similarly, there was a significant increase in anterior translation of the tibia for the subjects with ACL tears compared to the group of subjects with normal knees (1.2 mm). The fourfold increase in anterior translation of the tibia for the knees with ACL tears compared to the contralateral side is a concern because it is substantially greater than the 95% confidence limits of the side-to-side differences in anterior-posterior knee laxity measured from subjects with normal knees. This observation could explain, at least in part, one of the mechanisms that initiates damage to the meniscus and articular cartilage in subjects that have suffered an ACL tear.     

Intraoperative Qualitätskontrolle bei der Bohrkanalplatzierung zum vorderen Kreuzbandersatz

The reconstruction of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a frequently performed operation, however technically demanding with a revision rate of approximately 10%. The correct placement of bone tunnels in femur and tibia is the most important variable to achieve a successful outcome. A distinct knowledge of the anatomic insertion sites is crucial. The ideal location for the femoral bone tunnel is achieved when a 1-2 mm posterior wall is left to the over-the-top position and when the entry to the bone tunnel is at 10 o'clock (right knees) or 14 o'clock (left knees) in the frontal plane. The femoral bone tunnel can be drilled through the tibial bone tunnel (transtibial technique) or through an anteromedial arthroscopic portal. According to recent studies the use of an anteromedial portal helps to reduce the risk of misplacement of the bone tunnel. The center of the tibial bone tunnel should be located on an imaginary line between medial border of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus and the medial tibial spine. The position of the tibial guide wire has to be far enough posterior to avoid impingement of the graft with the roof of the intercondylar notch. Measures for quality control include the intraoperative use of an image intensifier (fluoroscopy), instrumented laxity measurements and a postoperative radiograph in 2 planes. The use of computer assisted surgery cannot routinely be recommended at present.     

Volume and Contact Surface Area Analysis of Bony Tunnels in Single and Double Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Autograft Tendons: In Vivo Three-Dimensional Imaging Analysis

Background

Regarding reconstruction surgery of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), there is still a debate whether to perform a single bundle (SB) or double bundle (DB) reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the volume and surface area of femoral and tibial tunnels during transtibial SB versus transportal DB ACL reconstruction.

Methods

A consecutive series of 26 patients who underwent trantibial SB ACL reconstruction and 27 patients with transportal DB ACL reconstruction using hamstring autograft from January 2010 to October 2010 were included in this study. Three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) was taken within one week after operation. The CT bone images were segmented with use of Mimics software v14.0. The obtained digital images were then imported in the commercial package Geomagic Studio v10.0 and SketchUp Pro v8.0 for processing. The femoral and tibial tunnel lengths, diameters, volumes and surface areas were evaluated. A comparison between the two groups was performed using the independent-samples t-test. A p-value less than the significance value of 5% (p < 0.05) was considered statistically significant.

Results

Regarding femur tunnels, a significant difference was not found between the tunnel volume for SB technique (1,496.51 ± 396.72 mm³) and the total tunnel volume for DB technique (1,593.81 ± 469.42 mm³; p = 0.366). However, the total surface area for femoral tunnels was larger in DB technique (919.65 ± 201.79 mm²) compared to SB technique (810.02 ± 117.98 mm²; p = 0.004). For tibia tunnels, there was a significant difference between tunnel volume for the SB technique (2,070.43 ± 565.07 mm³) and the total tunnel volume for the DB technique (2,681.93 ± 668.09 mm³; p ≤ 0.001). The tibial tunnel surface area for the SB technique (958.84 ± 147.50 mm²) was smaller than the total tunnel surface area for the DB technique (1,493.31 ± 220.79 mm²; p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions

Although the total femoral tunnel volume was similar between two techniques, the total surface area was larger in the DB technique. For the tibia, both total tunnel volume and the surface area were larger in DB technique.     

Relationship between geometry of the extensor mechanism of the knee and risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury

The complex inter‐segmental forces that are developed across an extended knee by body weight and contraction of the quadriceps muscle group transmits an anteriorly directed force on the tibia that strain the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). We hypothesized that a relationship exists between geometry of the knees extensor mechanism and the risk of sustaining a non‐contact ACL injury. Geometry of the extensor mechanism was characterized using MRI scans of the knees of 88 subjects that suffered their first non‐contact ACL injury and 88 matched control subjects with normal knees that were on the same team. The orientation of the patellar tendon axis was measured relative to the femoral flexion–extension axis to determine the extensor moment arm (EMA), and relative to tibial long axis to measure coronal patellar tendon angle (CPTA) and sagittal patellar tendon angle (SPTA). Associations between these parameters and ACL injury risk were tested with and without adjustment for flexion and internal rotation position of the tibia relative to the femur during MRI data acquisition. After adjustment for internal rotation position of the tibia relative to the femur there were no associations between EMA, CPTA, and SPTA and risk of suffering an ACL injury. However, increased internal rotation position of the tibia relative to the femur was significantly associated with increased risk of ACL injury in female athletes both in univariate analysis (Odds Ratio = 1.16 per degree of internal rotation of the tibia, p = 0.002), as well as after adjustment for EMA, CPTA, and SPTA.: © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:965–973, 2017.

     

Posterior root tear fixation of the lateral meniscus combined with arthroscopic ACL double-bundle reconstruction: technical note of a transosseous fixation using the tibial PL tunnel

According to our observation in ACL reconstruction, we find root tears of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus as a common concomitant injury in ACL-deficient knees. This might be a consequence of initial trauma or of the increased anterior–posterior translation of the tibia and an overload impact on the posterior meniscus root in ACL-deficient knees. A tear of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus causes a 25% increase in peak pressure in the medial compartment compared with that found in the intact condition. The repair restores the peak contact pressure to normal (Allaire et al. in J Bone Joint Surg Am 90(9):1922–1931, [2008]). A tear of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus might have similar consequences. We hypothesize the surgical anatomical reattachment of the root at the tibia helping to restore knee joint kinematics and helping to advance ACL-graft function. This article presents an arthroscopical technique to reattach the posterior meniscus root in combination with ACL double-bundle reconstruction. The procedure uses the tibial PL tunnel to fix the meniscus suture.     

3D CT evaluation of femoral and tibial tunnels in anatomic double bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

BackgroundAn anatomical double bundle ACL reconstruction replicates the anatomy of native ACL as the tunnels are made to simulate the anatomy of ACL with AM and PL bundle foot prints. The goal of anatomic ACL reconstruction is to tailor the procedure to each patient’s anatomic, biomechanical and functional demands to provide the best possible outcome. The shift from single bundle to double bundle technique and also from transtibial to transportal method has been to provide near anatomic tunnel positions.PurposeTo determine the position of femoral and tibial tunnels prepared by double bundle ACL reconstruction using three dimensional Computed tomography.Study designA prospective case series involving forty patients with ACL tear who underwent transportal double bundle ACL reconstruction.MethodComputed tomography scans were performed on forty knees that had undergone double bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction models of the knee joint were prepared and aligned into an anatomical coordinate axis system for femur and tibia respectively. Tibial tunnel centres were measured in the anterior-to-posterior and medial-to-lateral directions on the top view of tibial plateau and femoral tunnel centres were measured in posterior to anterior and proximal-to-distal directions with anatomic coordinate axis method. These measurements were compared with published reference data.ResultsAnalysing the Femoral tunnel, the mean posterior-to-anterior distances for anteromedial and posterolateral tunnel centre position were 46.8% ± 7.4% and 34.5% ± 5.0% of the posterior-to-anterior height of the medial wall and the mean proximal-to-distal distances for the anteromedial and posterolateral tunnel centre position were 24.1% ± 7.1% and 61.6% ± 4.8%. On the tibial side, the mean anterior-to-posterior distances for the anteromedial and posterolateral tunnel centre position were 28.8% ± 4.3% and 46.2% ± 3.6% of the anterior-to posterior depth of the tibia measured from the anterior border and the mean medial-to-lateral distances for the anteromedial and posterolateral tunnel centre position were 46.5% ± 2.9% and 50.6% ± 2.8% of the medial-to-lateral width of the tibia measured from the medial border. There is high Inter-observer and Intra-observer reliability (Intra-class correlation coefficient).Discussion and conclusionFemoral AM tunnel was positioned significantly anterior and nearly proximal whereas the femoral PL tunnel was positioned significantly anterior and nearly distal with respect to the anatomic site. Location of tibial AM tunnel was nearly posterior and nearly medial whereas the location of tibial PL tunnel was very similar to the anatomic site Evaluation of location of tunnels through the anatomic co-ordinate axes method on 3D CT models is a reliable and reproducible method. This method would help the surgeons to aim for anatomic placement of the tunnels. It also shows that there is scope for improvement of femoral tunnel in double bundle ACL reconstruction through transportal technique.     

Definitive landmarks for reproducible tibial tunnel placement in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The purpose of this prospective study was to define constant anatomic intraarticular and extraarticular landmarks that can be used as definative reference points to reproducibly create a tibial tunnel for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction that (1) results in an impingement-free graft in full extension without an intercondylar roofplasty; (2) positions the tibial tunnel's intraarticular orafice sagittally central in the original ACL insertion without visually guessing; (3) positions the tibial tunnel such that the sagittal tunnel-plateau angle is parallel with the sagittal intercondylar roof-plateau angle in full extension to minimize shear seen by the graft at the tibial tunnel inlet, and by doing so; (4) maximizes tunnel length to avoid patellar tendon graft-tunnel length mismatch allowing for endosteal interference screw fixation on both sides of the joint. Anatomic dissections in 50 knees showed the ACL sagittal central insertion point on the intercondylar floor averages 7 mm (range 7 to 8 mm) sagittally anterior to the anterior margin of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) with the knee flexed 90° such that the PCL may be used as a reliable reference landmark for locating the ACL sagittal central insertion. This constant relationship was found to be independent of knee size. Extraarticularly, beginning the tibial tunnel sagittally 1 cm above the superior (sartorial) border of the pes anserinus insertion and coronally 1.5 cm posteromedial from the medial margin of the tibial tubercle along the superior surface of the pes, directed toward the sagittal central ACL insertion, led to a sagittal tunnel-plateau angle that averaged 68°(range 64° to 72°) with a corresponding tunnel length that averaged 58 mm (range 50 to 65 mm) in 23 knees. This data correlated well with data obtained clinically in a series of 50 consecutive ACL reconstructions using intraarticular PCL and extraarticular pes anserine-medial tibial tubercle referenced tibial tunnels in which postoperative full extension lateral radiographs confirmed a sagittal tunnel-plateau angle parallel or near parallel with the intercondylar roofplateau angle in all cases averaging 68° ± 3.8°. Tibial tunnel length averaged 60 mm (range 52 to 66 mm) and in no case was there a patellar tendon autograft-tunnel length mismatch.     

膝关节前交叉韧带胫骨止点的软组织解剖标记

背景：膝关节前交叉韧带（ACL）重建时,胫骨骨道定位不准会产生重建韧带与髁间窝的撞击或起不到维持膝关节稳定性的作用。因此,确定ACL胫骨止点的位置非常重要。目的：研究膝关节ACL胫骨止点前内束（AMB）和后外束（PLB）与软组织标记后交叉韧带（PCL）和外侧半月板前角的距离,从而明确ACL胫骨止点在胫骨平台的位置,为ACL损伤双束重建提供理论支持。方法：解剖18个膝关节尸体标本（左膝10个,右膝8个）,测量ACL中点、AMB中点、PLB中点与PCL和外侧半月板前角的距离,并分析左、右膝关节是否存在差异。结果：AMB中点与PCL和外侧半月板前角的距离分别为（15.00±3.97）mm和（19.78±4.10）mm;PLB中点与两者的距离分别为（10.17±5.56）mm和（19.50±4.40）mm;ACL中点与两者的距离分别为（12.67±4.52）mm和（19.61±3.87）mm。左右膝关节ACL中点、AMB中点、PLB中点与软组织解剖标记的距离无明显统计学差异。结论：膝关节ACL损伤行手术重建时,可采用PCL和外侧半月板前角作为定位标记。     

Tibial subluxation in anterior cruciate ligament–deficient knees: Implications for tibial tunnel placement

Purpose: This study was performed to determine whether subtle anterior subluxation occurs in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)–deficient knees with the knee in full extension. Type of study: Radiographic evaluation of tibial position in ACL-intact and ACL-deficient knees. Methods: Twenty-four subjects with arthroscopically documented ACL-deficient knees were compared with 20 subjects with arthroscopically documented ACL-intact knees. A previously reported method was used to evaluate the tibial position relative to the femur. Results: Measurements on standing lateral radiographs revealed asymptomatic but significant anterior subluxation of the tibia compared with the ACL-intact subjects. Conclusions: The possibility of anterior tibial subluxation with the knee in full extension should be taken into account when deciding on tibial tunnel placement or when evaluating for postoperative graft impingement by the intercondylar notch.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 17, No 9 (November-December), 2001: pp 960–962     

Precision of ACL tunnel placement using traditional and robotic techniques.

The objective of this study was to examine the precision of ACL tunnel placement using: (1) CASPAR (orto MAQUET GmbH Co. KG)--an active robotic system, and (2) four orthopedic surgeons with various levels of experience (between 100 and 3,500 ACL reconstructions). The robotic system and each surgeon drilled tunnels for ACL reconstruction in 10 plastic knees (total n = 50) that included a reference cube in the medial aspect of the proximal tibia and distal femur. For the robotic system, the placement of each tunnel was planned preoperatively using custom software and CT data for each femur and tibia. The robotic system then drilled the tunnels in the femur and tibia based on the preoperative plan. For the surgeons, tunnel placement was accomplished using their preferred technique, which was based on the one-incision arthroscopic technique. The distribution of intra-articular points on the tibia was contained within a sphere of radius 2.0 mm (robot system), 2.1 mm (Fellow 1), 2.4 mm (Fellow 2), 3.4 mm (Experienced Surgeon 1), or 2.0 mm (Experienced Surgeon 2). On the femur, no significant differences in the distribution of intra-articular points could be demonstrated between the robotic system (2.1 mm), Fellow 1 (4.5 mm), Fellow 2 (4.1 mm), Experienced Surgeon 1 (2.3 mm), and Experienced Surgeon 2 (3.0 mm). The direction of the tunnels drilled in the femur and tibia was different with the robotic and traditional techniques. However, the robotic system had the most consistent tunnel directions, while the surgeons' tunnels were more dispersed. Variation in surgeon precision of tunnel placement for ACL reconstruction is greater on the femur than the tibia, and this can be correlated with experience. Our data also suggest that the robotic system has the same precision as the most experienced surgeons.     

X线影像导航系统辅助关节镜下前交叉韧带重建术

目的 探讨X线影像导航系统辅助关节镜下前交叉韧带重建手术的可行性和隧道位置的精确性。方法 2005年12月至2006年2月共行X线影像导航系统辅助前交叉韧带重建手术30例（导航手术组）,同期使用传统关节镜手术技术重建前交叉韧带40例（传统手术组）,术前进行股骨、胫骨隧道理想位置的设计。术中C臂透视机获得正侧位影像后传输入计算机系统形成虚拟工作界面。膝关节周围分别固定股骨、胫骨追踪器。手术工具装配追踪器。经过注册及校准后,导航系统通过捕获追踪器发射的信号实时跟踪手术工具的位置方向,并叠加在工作界面上,达到导航的目的。本文对导航手术组进行总结,术后进行胫骨隧道位置测量,并与传统手术组进行比较。结果术后测量,导航手术组胫骨隧道位置平均值45．90％（41．00％～49．80％,标准差2．36％）,传统手术组胫骨隧道位置在41．05％（范围25．00％～54．00％,标准差6．01％）,两组结果差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。同时导航组的平均手术时间较传统组延长20min,透视次数为4次。术后短期随访（1-3个月）,两组膝关节稳定性无明显差异。结论 X线影像导航系统辅助关节镜下前交叉韧带重建手术是安全、可行的,通过术前规划,可以使股骨、胫骨隧道位置更精确。     

Dislocating anterior horn of the medial meniscus

Dislocating anterior horn of the medial meniscus was found in 15 knees of 13 patients during arthroscopic examinations done between 1992 and 1995. All of them were available for follow-up evaluation (4 by telephone). There were 11 men and 2 women (average age, 28 years; range, 17 to 49 years). Nine knees had a history of trauma. Only 1 knee had had trauma in two bilateral cases. Duration of symptoms was an average of 3.3 years (range, 3 months to 10 years). The knees were stable clinically. Arthroscopy revealed associated lesions in 13 knees; hypertrophic medial plicae, meniscal, chondral and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) lesions predominated. Three knees had unusually hypertrophic ligamentum mucosum. Eleven of 13 knees had more than one associated lesions. Only 2 knees (2 patients) had isolated dislocating anterior horn of the medial meniscus. Only the associated lesions were treated (except for ACL lesions) and dislocating anterior horns of the medial menisci were left alone. Follow-up averaged 21 months (7 to 40 months). At follow-up, 11 knees were graded as excellent, 3 as good, and 1 as fair according to the Lysholm scale. Eight knees had minor symptoms and 6 were asymptomatic; no improvement was noted in 1 knee. Overall, 12 patients (14 knees) were satisfied with their treatment. Dislocating anterior horn of the medial meniscus is a normal anatomic variant with little or no clinical significance. When seen during arthroscopy, a significant lesion should be looked for. It is an incidental finding and should be left alone.Arthroscopy 1998 Apr;14(3):246-9     

腘绳肌腱结合双固定技术重建前交叉韧带

目的探讨采用腘绳肌腱股骨端胫骨端双固定技术重建前交叉韧带(ACL)的可行性及近期疗效。方法对25例ACL损伤行关节镜下ACL重建术,采用笔者自行设计双监视法解剖等长重建技术建立股骨胫骨隧道。移植物股骨端用Endobutton钢板和Rigidfix固定,胫骨端用Bio-Intrafix和Stample门形加压钉固定。结果本组获随访12～18(13.76±1.61)个月,未发现滑膜炎、韧带断裂、活动度明显障碍等并发症。根据Lysholm膝关节功能评分,术前评分:20～48(31.32±8.71)分;术后1年评分:90～98(94.96±2.56)分(t=37.69,P<0.01)。结论在腘绳肌腱重建ACL中应用股骨端胫骨端双固定技术具有手术操作简便,固定牢固,效果可靠的优点,值得推广。     

内侧半月板后角Ramp损伤在前十字韧带损伤患者中的发生率及影响因素分析

 目的 研究前十字韧带损伤合并内侧半月板后角 Ramp(内侧半月板后角至后内侧关节 囊滑膜移行区域)损伤的发生率, 并分析其影响因素。方法 2002年 4月至 2007年 10月, 采用韧带重 建手术治疗并确诊为前十字韧带损伤的患者 868例, 男 609例, 女 259例;年龄 15~55岁, 平均 25.2岁。根据手术记录以及术中关节镜探查, 筛选其中存在内侧半月板后角 Ramp损伤的病例, 计算其发生率。 按照性别、年龄段及受伤至手术时间分组, 分析 Ramp损伤发生率的影响因素。结果 868例膝关节确诊为前十字韧带损伤并接受韧带重建手术的患者中, 内侧半月板后角 Ramp损伤的患者为 144例, 男 113例, 女 31例;平均年龄 24.7岁。受伤至手术时间平均 29.3个月。 Ramp损伤的发生率为 16.59% (144/868), 伤后 6周、3、6、12、24个月 Ramp损伤的发生率分别为 12.66%、13.51%、13.17%、14.49%、 15.92%;男性发生率为 18.56%(113/609), 女性为 11.97%(31/259), 两者比较差异有统计学意义;30岁以下的患者 Ramp损伤发生率为 21.59%(114/528), 30岁以上者为 8.82%(30/340), 两者比较差异有统 计学意义。结论 内侧半月板后角 Ramp损伤是前十字韧带断裂的常见合并损伤, 其发生率为 16.59%; 伤后 2年内, Ramp损伤的发生率随受伤时间延长明显增加;男性及 30岁以下患者 Ramp损伤发生率明 显增高。     

Passive terminal extension causes anterior tibial translation in some anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees

The purpose of the present study was to accurately measure anterior tibial translation during passive terminal extension (ATT-PTE) in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knees, and to investigate correlations between various characteristics of such knees and the magnitude of ATT-PTE. The subjects were 79 patients with unilateral ACL-deficient knees and little flexion contracture. All patients were confirmed to have ACL injury of one knee by arthroscopy. Lateral radiographs of the bilateral knees in passive terminal extension were compared, and ATT-PTE was measured using an original superimposition method. The inter-observer and intra-observer reproducibility of measurement was significantly greater for this method than for the method without superimposition. In 42 of the 79 patients (53%), ATT-PTE was greater than 1 mm, while it was greater than 4 mm in 15 patients (19%). ATT-PTE was significantly larger in patients with a large anterior displacement difference (as measured with the KT-1000 arthrometer) (ATT-KT), a long period since injury, a history of reinjury, injury to the meniscus, and the presence of gross pivot shift. On the other hand, ATT-KT was equal to or greater than 2.5 mm in all 79 patients and showed no significant correlation with the time since initial injury, history of reinjury, on injury to the meniscus. Received for publication on March 29, 1999; accepted on Oct. 7, 1999     

Impact of Partial and complete rupture of anterior cruciate ligament on medial meniscus: A cadavaric study

Background:

The clinical relationship between medial meniscus tear and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture has been well documented. However, the mechanism of this clinical phenomenon is not exactly explained. Our aim is to investigate the biomechanical impact of partial and complete ACL rupture on different parts of medial meniscus.

Materials and Methods:

Twelve fresh human cadaveric knee specimens were divided into four groups: ACL intact (ACL-I), anteromedial bundle transection (AMB-T), posterolateral bundle transection (PLB-T), and ACL complete transection (ACL-T) group. Strain on the anterior horn, body part, and posterior horn of medial meniscus were measured under 200 N axial compressive tibial load at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion, respectively.

Results:

Compared with the control group (ACL-I), the ACL-T group had a higher strain on whole medial meniscus at 0°, 60°, and 90° of flexion. But at 30°, it had a higher strain on posterior horn of meniscus only. As to PLB-T group, strain on whole meniscus increased at full extension, while strain increased on posterior horn at 30° and on body of meniscus at 60°. However, AMB-T only brought about higher strain at 60° of flexion on body and posterior horn of meniscus.

Conclusions:

Similar to complete rupture, partial rupture of ACL can also trigger strain concentration on medial meniscus, especially posterior horn, which may be a more critical reason for meniscus injury associated with chronic ACL deficiency.     

Accuracy in tunnel placement for ACL reconstruction. Comparison of traditional arthroscopic and computer-assisted navigation techniques.

The purpose of this randomized, prospective study was to compare accuracy in tunnel placement as performed with a traditional arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction technique and with KneeNavTM ACL, a computer-assisted surgical navigation technique. Two surgeons experienced in ACL reconstruction, but inexperienced in computer-assisted surgical navigation technique, each randomly used traditional arthroscopic guides or KneeNavTM ACL to drill a tunnel in twenty identical foam knees. Placement of the resulting tibial and femoral tunnels was measured with a computer-assisted digitizing method and compared to traditional biplanar radiographs. Statistical analysis with Student's t-test was used to compare the distance from the ideal tunnel placement to the femoral and tibial tunnels. Accuracy of tunnel placement with KneeNavTM ACL was significantly better than that obtained with the traditional arthroscopic technique. Distances from the ideal tunnel placement to the femoral and tibial tunnels were 4.2 +/- 1.8 mm (mean +/- SD) and 4.9 +/- 2.3 mm, respectively, for the traditional arthroscopic technique, and 2.7 +/- 1.9 mm (femur) and 3.4 +/- 2.3 mm (tibia) for KneeNavTM ACL. These differences were statistically different. Tunnel placement for ACL reconstruction with KneeNavTM ACL, an image-based, computer-assisted surgical navigation device with a simple and intuitive interface, was more accurate than with the traditional arthroscopic technique.     

腘绳肌腱移植单隧道双束保残重建前交叉韧带的疗效

目的:探讨腘绳肌腱单隧道双束保残重建前交叉韧带(ACL)的可行性及近期疗效。方法:自2011年8月至12月采用关节镜下腘绳肌腱单隧道双束保残重建ACL25例,其中男19例,女6例;年龄16～50岁,平均(26.26±9.53)岁;左侧15例,右侧10例;病程1～60d,平均9.6d;新鲜损伤20例,陈旧性损伤5例。新鲜损伤患者均有膝关节肿胀、疼痛,其中前抽屉试验阳性14例,Lachman试验阳性17例。5例陈旧性损伤膝关节疼痛,均有关节不稳,前抽屉试验及Lachman试验均阳性。采用膝关节镜髌腱入路保留ACL残端,前内侧入路(AM)建立股骨隧道,胫骨端用点对点ACL瞄准器建立隧道。隧道股骨端采用Femoral-Intrafix固定,将腘绳肌腱分为前内侧束及后外侧束。通过旋转胫骨端移植物,将移植物调整为生理的双束位置,采用Bio-Intrafix和staple固定胫骨端。所有患者术前及术后分别行前抽屉试验和Lachman试验,并采用Lysholm膝关节功能评分评价膝关节功能。结果:25例均获随访,时间12～18个月。根据Lysholm膝关节功能评分:术前25～49分,平均34.08±7.60;术后12个月89～98分,平均94.52±2.86(t=21.29,P<0.01)。术后评分高于术前。结论:腘绳肌腱单隧道双束保残重建ACL,手术操作简便,固定牢固,效果可靠。     

Accuracy of anterior cruciate ligament tunnel placement with an active robotic system: A cadaveric study

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of tunnel placement for ACL reconstruction performed with an active robotic system. Type of Study: Cadaveric analysis. Methods: A reference screw containing 4 fiducials was placed in the femur and tibia of 13 fresh-frozen cadaveric knees. A preoperative plan was developed using images from 3-dimensional computed tomography reconstructions of the knee. The active robotic system then drilled the tunnels. The location and direction of each planned tunnel in the femur and tibia were determined from the preoperative plan. To compare these parameters postoperatively, a mechanical digitizer and a tunnel plug were used. The deviation in location and direction between the planned and drilled tunnel was determined. Results: In preliminary trials, the tibial tunnel was located inaccurately because slippage of the drill bit occurred on the bone at the start of tunnel drilling. This was minimized by decreasing the feed rate of the robot by 75%. For the remaining 10 knees, deviations with respect to the preoperative plan were found of 2.0 ± 1.2 mm and 1.1° ± 0.7° for the intra- articular tibial tunnel location and direction, respectively. For the femur, the deviations were 1.3 ± 0.9 mm for the tunnel location (intra-articular) and 1.0° ± 0.6° for the tunnel direction. Conclusions: The active robotic system is highly accurate for tunnel placement during ACL reconstruction, meaning that the robot drills the tunnels very close to the surgeon’s plan. Comparison to a control group of surgeons could not be made because no preoperative plan is usually created in traditional surgery. However, accuracy values in this study were found to be below the values for precision of repeated tunnel placements reported in the literature.