Arthroscopically assisted meniscal allograft transplantation with and without combined anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The menisci provide a vital role in load transmission across the knee joint as well as contribute to knee stability, particularly in the ACL-deficient knee. Loss of the meniscus, in part or in total, significantly alters joint function and predisposes the articular cartilage to degenerative changes, which has been well documented both clinically and radiographically. This study examined clinical and patient-reported outcomes following meniscal allograft transplantation with and without combined ACL reconstruction in a select group of 31 patients with complaints of pain and/or instability (34 meniscal allografts); 11 underwent isolated meniscal transplantation and 20 meniscal transplantation combined with ACL reconstruction. Bony fixation was performed with bone plugs for medial transplants and using a bone bridge for lateral transplants. All patients completed several knee-specific and general measures of health-related quality of life and underwent a comprehensive physical examination. Flexion weightbearing PA radiographs at latest follow-up were compared to those obtained preoperatively. Mean follow-up was 2.9 years (range 2-5.5 years). The Activities of Daily Living and Sports Activities Scale scores were 86+/-11 and 78+/-16, respectively, and the average Lysholm score was 84+/-14. There were no significant differences in these scores based upon which meniscus (medial or lateral) was transplanted, concurrent ACL reconstruction, or the degree of chondrosis at arthroscopy. SF-36 scores indicated that patients were functioning at a level similar to the age- and sex-matched population. Twenty-two patients stated they were greatly improved, 8 were somewhat improved, 1 was without change. All but one patient reported that knee function and level of activity were normal or nearly normal. The average loss of motion compared to the noninvolved side was 3 degrees for extension and 9 degrees for flexion. All but one patient had a negative or 1+ Lachman's test. The remaining patient had a 2+ Lachman's test. Assessment with the KT-1000 arthrometer revealed a side-to-side difference of 2 mm (range -2 mm to 7 mm). Average hop and vertical jump indices were both 85% of the contralateral extremity. No statistically significant joint space narrowing was observed by radiography over time. Meniscal allograft transplantation with and without combined ACL reconstruction in carefully selected patients with complaints of compartmental joint line pain and/or instability appears able to provide relief of symptoms and restore relatively high levels of function, particularly during activities of daily living.     

Twenty-year results of combined meniscal allograft transplantation,anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and advancement of the medial collateral ligament

The purpose of this study was to determine the objective and subjective long-term outcomes of the first free meniscal allograft transplantations in five patients with complete absence or non-repairable lesion of the medial meniscus after 20 years. Between 1984 and 1986 five patients underwent concomitant medial meniscal transplantation with a deep frozen meniscal allograft, ACL reconstruction and femoral advancement or temporary detachment of the MCL. The clinical outcome of the patients was evaluated 20 years postoperatively using clinical assessment, Lysholm-score, KOOS, IKDC-score, radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. The Lysholm-score ranged between 21 and 97 points of 100 maximal available points. Corresponding to this the total KOOS ranged between 28.4 and 91.1%. The results of the IKDC-score were evaluated as nearly normal (B) (n = 2), abnormal (C) (n = 2) and severely abnormal (D) (n = 1). The radiological evaluation according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification showed an increase of the degenerative changes between one and four grades. The radiological results revealed clear degenerative changes with long-term follow-up after meniscal allograft transplantation even though some patients did relatively well regarding the subjective and clinical results in the 20-year follow-up examination in comparison with the literature. Despite these relative clear results the question if medial meniscal transplantation can protect against development of arthritis cannot definitely be answered because in this first case series some aspects of meniscus transplantation that have not been considered which turned out to be of importance during the last 20 years. Furthermore, it has to be taken into account that all patients revealed a cartilage damage at the time of surgery and an ACL reconstruction was performed in addition. Nevertheless from biomechanical point of view it might be taken into consideration to combine the medial meniscus transplantation at least with a high tibial osteotomy. Level of evidence was (IV, case series).     

Clinical outcomes of allograft versus autograft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are the most common complete ligamentous injury to the knee. The optimal graft should be able to reproduce the anatomy and biomechanics of the ACL, be incorporated rapidly with strong initial fixation, and cause low graft-site morbidity. This article reviews the literature comparing the clinical outcomes following allograft and autograft ACL reconstruction and examines current issues regarding graft choice.     

Fresh-frozen allograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament provides consistently good to excellent results allowing return to work and sport. Allograft tissue is an alternative to autografts when appropriate donor tissue is not available or its use is not advisable for other reasons. The technique and results for allograft use are similar to those for autograft, making its use appropriate in a variety of clinical scenarios. This article reviews the indications for allograft ACL reconstruction, graft options, and technique for allograft use.     

Synthetic and allograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Although still in the early stages of development, the use of synthetics and allografts in ACL surgery appears promising. Two prosthetic ligaments, the Kennedy LAD and Gore-Tex, are FDA approved for limited indications. The Kennedy LAD has been shown to be effective in augmenting an autograft with inherent structural weakness in its central portion. The proposed benefits of using this device with grafts of greater strength are unproved. The Gore-Tex ACL reconstruction allows a rapid initiation of vigorous rehabilitation and return to full activities. However, the complication rate with this procedure appears to be higher than that with autograft reconstruction. The use of allograft for ACL reconstruction also has many potential advantages and short-term clinical trials have shown good results. However, the benefits must be weighed against the possibility of long-term failure and potential spread of infectious disease.     

Change in meniscal strain with anterior cruciate ligament injury and after reconstruction

Meniscal injury has been well documented in association with injury to the anterior cruciate ligament. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of anterior cruciate ligament transection and reconstruction on meniscal strain. Four differential variable reluctance transducer strain gauges were placed in the medial and lateral menisci of nine cadaveric knees. Each specimen was mounted to a six-degree-of-freedom knee testing device. Testing was conducted with the knee fully extended and at 45 degrees and 90 degrees of flexion, both with and without applied axial load. At each angle of flexion, an anterior and posterior tibial load was applied. Next, the anterior cruciate ligament was transected and the testing sequence was repeated. Finally, the ligament was reconstructed using a central one-third patellar tendon graft and the testing sequence was repeated. The results demonstrated statistically significant increases in meniscal strain in ligament-transected knees compared with intact specimens. A reduction in meniscal strain to a level similar to that detected in the ligament-intact knees was observed after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. These results have important clinical implications regarding the potentially deleterious effect of the anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee on meniscal strain and the potential benefit of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.     

Arthroscopic evaluation of meniscal repairs after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and immediate motion

Sixty-six patients who had meniscal repair at the same time as an ACL reconstruction were followed-up with arthroscopy at an average of 12 months postoperatively. All patients underwent immediate postoperative range of motion from 20 degrees to 90 degrees and began partial weightbearing between the 1st and 3rd postoperative weeks. The rate of meniscal healing was classified as complete, partial, or failed. We statistically analyzed the effect of rim width, length of the tear, type of meniscus, age of patient, length of time between injury and repair, length of time between surgery and follow-up arthroscopy, and open versus arthroscopically assisted surgical procedure on the rate of meniscal healing. The overall results showed that 63 (80%) of the menisci completely healed, 11 (14%) partially healed, and 5 (6%) failed. The only factor that had a statistically significant impact on the rate of healing was rim width. Repairs in the outer one-third region had a higher incidence of healing (98% retained menisci) than those in the central one-third region (79% retained menisci, P less than 0.01). Still, the ability to repair a majority of central one-third meniscus tears that occur in the avascular zone (including flap tears and double longitudinal tears) suggest repair be considered when clinical grounds warrant preserving the meniscus. There were no complications, nor were there any deleterious effects from immediate knee motion or early weightbearing on the meniscal repairs. This allows an aggressive, immediate motion program to be followed with ACL reconstruction when concomitant meniscus repair is performed.     

异体移植解剖重建前交叉韧带的疗效观察

目的观察前交叉韧带(ACL)损伤后应用深低温冷冻保存的异体骨-ACL-骨钮扣钢板固定法重建ACL后2～4年的中期临床疗效,探讨解剖重建ACL的可行性和必然性。方法自1999年9月至2002年10月,对15例应用深低温冷冻保存的异体骨-ACL-骨钮扣钢板固定法重建ACE的单侧膝关节ACL损伤患者进行回顾分析。平均随访36．9个月,对中期的肌力恢复程度、活动度、Lachman试验、轴移试验、Lysholm评分及X线片隧道扩大现象进行对比研究。结果大腿周径与健侧相差(0．976±0,119)cm。伸膝受限＜3°12例。屈曲受限＜5°13例。Lachman试验均阴性。Lysholm评分从术前(66．2±4．6)分提高至术后(89．4±3．2)分。X线片所显示的隧道无扩大现象。结论关节镜引导下应用深低温冷冻保存的异体骨-ACL-骨钮扣钢板固定法重建ACL,可以使ACL同时达到等长重建和解剖重建。在重建ACL方面,骨-ACL-骨更有利于ACL的功能恢复。     

Effect of meniscal loss on knee stability after single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Purpose

The menisci are known to be important secondary constraints to anterior translation of the tibia in the ACL-deficient knee. The effect of meniscal loss on knee stability as measured by the magnitude of the pivot shift following ACL reconstruction is unknown. The objective of this investigation was to determine the effect of meniscectomy on knee stability following two single-bundle ACL reconstruction strategies.

Materials and Methods

A mechanized pivot shift was performed on cadaveric specimens in the ACL-intact and ACL-deficient state. Tibiofemoral translation was recorded using a surgical navigation system. The ACL was reconstructed utilizing a nonanatomic graft (n = 10) extending from the posterolateral tibial footprint to the anteromedial femoral footprint, or an anatomic anteromedial single-bundle graft extending from the anteromedial tibial footprint to the anteromedial femoral footprint (n = 10) and testing repeated. The medial or lateral meniscus was sectioned and the examination repeated. The other meniscus was sectioned and the examination subsequently repeated.

Results

Lateral compartment translation during the pivot shift was significantly reduced following anatomic ACL reconstruction. In the nonanatomic group, lateral compartment translation increased by 9.1 mm (P < 0.001) after unicomparmental meniscectomy and 11.5 mm (P < 0.001) after bicompartmental meniscectomy. In the anatomic reconstruction group, lateral compartment translation increased by 7.6 mm (P < 0.001) after bicompartmental meniscectomy.

Conclusion

With isolated ACL injury, anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction controlled the pivot shift during time zero testing. However, significant increases in lateral compartment translation during the pivot shift are seen following bicompartmental meniscectomy. Nonanatomic ACL reconstruction was less effective in controlling the pivot shift at time zero testing, and significant increases in lateral compartment translation during the pivot shift were seen following both unicomparmental and bicompartmental meniscectomy.

     

Satisfactory outcomes following combined unicompartmental knee replacement and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Purpose

There exist limited options for treatment of patients with combined medial compartment arthritis and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency. Ideal treatment is one that offers lasting relief of symptoms not compromising any future surgery. Unicompartmental knee replacement has shown consistently good results in the relatively young and active population, but there is a high reported incidence of failure up to 20%, if performed in ACL-deficient knees. One of the recognized treatment modality is combined ACL reconstruction and unicompartmental arthroplasty. A systematic review was conducted looking at the demographics, techniques, complications and outcome of combined ACL reconstruction with unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

Methods

A systematic literature search within the online Medline, PubMed Database, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane and Google Scholar was carried out until October 2016 to identify relevant articles. A study was defined eligible if it met the following inclusion criteria: the surgical procedure combined unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; patient’s clinical and/or functional outcomes were reported; any complications intra-operatively and post-operatively were reported; and the full-text articles, written in English, German, Italian, Dutch or Spanish, were available. Quality and risk of bias assessments were done using standardized criteria set.

Results

A total of 8 studies met the inclusion criteria encompassing 186 patients who were treated with simultaneous ACL reconstruction and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. The mean age was 50.5 years (range from 44 to 56) with a mean follow-up of 37.6 months (range from 24 to 60). There was an improvement in mean Oxford Score from 27.5 to 36.8. Complications reported included tibial inlay dislocation (n = 3), conversion to a total knee arthroplasty (n = 1), infection requiring two-stage revision (n = 2), deep-vein thrombosis (n = 1), stiffness requiring manipulation under anaesthesia (n = 1), retropatellar pain requiring arthroscopic adhesiolysis (n = 1).

Conclusion

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty combined with ACL reconstruction can be a valid treatment option for selected patients, with combined medial unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis and ACL deficiency.

Level of evidence

Systematic Review of Level IV Studies, Level IV.

     

Successful anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and meniscal repair in osteogenesis imperfecta

A case of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with meniscal repair in an osteogenesis imperfecta patient is reported. A 24-year-old female with osteogenesis imperfecta type 1a suffered from a valgus extension injury resulting in tear of ACL and medial meniscus. She underwent an arthroscopic-assisted ACL reconstruction and medial meniscus repair. Meniscal tear at the menisco-capsular junction of the posterior horn of medial meniscus was repaired with three absorbable sutures via inside-out technique. ACL reconstruction was then performed with a bone-patellar tendon-bone allograft. The patient was followed up for 1 year with intact ACL grafts and healed medial meniscus. This case report showed that successful ACL reconstruction and meniscal repair is possible in an osteogenesis imperfecta patient.Level of evidence V.     

A long-term study of anterior cruciate ligament allograft reconstruction

We retrospectively reviewed the long-term clinical outcome of unilateral arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) allograft reconstruction. From October 1995 to December 1997, 64 arthroscopic ACL reconstructions were performed. Multiligamentous knee injuries and ACL injuries in polytrauma patients were excluded and out of the remaining 60 patients 55 were available for follow-up. Three patients had suffered a rerupture caused by major trauma. One patient had a rerupture without significant trauma and one failure was caused by deep infection. These five patients were revised. Fifty patients (36 males, 14 females) were included in the final follow-up. At the time of evaluation, the mean duration of follow-up was 10 years and 6 months. All patients were examined by an independent examiner. Seven patients had an extension lag (<5°) and all patients had a knee flexion of at least 120°, with a mean flexion of 135 ± 5° compared to 135 ± 8°. At the time of follow-up, the median IKDC score was 97 (74–100). The Lysholm scoring scale had a median value of 95 (76–100). The median sports level on the Tegner scale was 6 (4–9). The one-leg-hop test showed a mean value of 95 ± 5%. One patient did not perform the one-leg-hop test because of recent surgery to the Achilles tendon. In conclusion, the tibialis anterior or tibialis posterior tendon allograft ACL reconstruction produced good clinical results in the majority of patients at long-term follow-up.     

Comparison of outcomes between males and females after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Few studies have specifically addressed the potential differences in outcome from ACL reconstruction between males and females. The present study compared patient-reported outcomes between the sexes after a minimum of 2 years following arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft. Patients were also categorized as acute or chronic based on the time from injury to surgery. Outcome questionnaires were mailed to 638 patients, resulting in 151 eligible respondents included in the analysis. The outcome instruments used were the Cincinnati scale, the ACL-Quality of Life scale, and the Tegner activity rating scale. At an average of 5 years following ACL reconstruction no differences were found between males (n=74) and females (n=77) on the ACL-QOL scale. Females perceived a significantly higher activity level prior to surgery according to the Tegner scale. However, no other differences were identified by gender or stage based on prior, highest, or current Tegner activity levels. Results of the Cincinnati scale for the entire sample showed that females scored an average of 5.7 points lower than males. Analysis of this difference by patient age indicates a trend toward lower scores in females between 12-18 and over 24 years old. Chronicity was not a factor that affected outcome in either males or females. No differences were found in the number of patients who complained of anterior knee pain. We conclude that autogenous bone-patella tendon-bone ACL reconstruction is equally successful in well-matched populations of males and females.     

Graft size after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Purpose

The native anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is composed of two distinct bundles, the anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL), and both have been shown to be reliably measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was to measure the size of the AM and PL bundles after ACL double-bundle reconstructions on MRI and compare this to the relative graft size at the time of surgery.

Methods

Between January 2007 and April 2010, 85 knees were identified after allograft double-bundle ACL reconstruction with post-operative MRI (1.5 T) and met inclusion criteria. On standard sagittal, coronal and oblique coronal MRIs, the AM and PL bundles were delineated and the midsubstance width of the ACL graft was measured. The images were independently measured in a blinded fashion by two observers. Linear and curvilinear regression analysis was used to analyse the relationship between graft size and time after reconstruction.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 24.6 years (SD 10.4). Mean time from surgery to post-operative MRI was 271.5 days (SD 183.4). The mean percentage of the original size of the AM bundle was 86.9 % (SD 9.9) and of the PL bundle was 88.6 % (SD 9.9). There was no correlation between the relative size of the AM graft and the time from surgery (r = 0.3, n.s.) and no significant relationship for the PL graft (r = 0.1, n.s).

Conclusion

On average, there was no graft enlargement of the AM and PL grafts 275.1 days after allograft ACL double-bundle reconstruction, as the mean relative graft size was less than 100 % on MRI. This study suggests that surgeons, who use allografts, should measure the ACL and replace it with a similar size, as there is a low risk of hypertrophy of the graft within one year post-operative.

Level of evidence

IV.     

Signal intensity on magnetic resonance imaging after allograft double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Purpose

To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) graft signal intensity after allograft double-bundle (DB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and determine the relationship between signal intensity and time from surgery.

Methods

Twenty-six patients with an intact graft on MRI after anatomic allograft DB ACL reconstruction up to 1 year post-operatively were included. All subjects underwent post-operative MRI using a 1.5-T magnet. Sagittal proton density-weighted images (PDWI) and sagittal T2-weighted images (T2WI) were analysed. Using the region-of-interest (ROI) function on imaging software, the anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles of the graft and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) were outlined. Mean signal intensity of the three ROIs were recorded as absolute signal intensity. Signal intensity (SI ratio) was calculated based on the signal intensity of the PCL. Correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the relationship between signal intensity and time from surgery.

Results

SI ratio of the PL bundle was higher than that of the AM bundle for both the PDWI (1.7 ± 1.5 vs. 2.5 ± 1.7, p < 0.05) and T2WI (1.3 ± 0.4 vs 1.6 ± 0.6, p < 0.05). There were weak correlations between AM SI ratio and time from surgery (r = 0.38, p < 0.05 on PDWI), and moderate correlations between PL SI ratio and time from surgery (r = 0.43, p < 0.05 on PDWI) (r = 0.44, p < 0.05 on T2WI).

Conclusions

The PL bundle displayed increased signal intensity compared to the AM bundle and based on previous studies may indicate a longer healing process. Plain MRI may be useful to assess graft healing after ACL reconstruction.

Level of evidence

Retrospective case series, Level IV.     

Patellofemoral problems after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Between 1982 and 1986, 126 patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction were followed in a prospective manner. One year follow-up statistics were reviewed for the presence of 13 different complications. The most prevalent complications were quadriceps weakness, flexion contracture, and patellofemoral pain. Quadriceps weakness (strength less than 80% of the normal side) was present in 65% of patients and correlated positively with flexion contracture, patellar irritabibilty, and ACL reconstructions using patellar tendon grafts. Flexion contracture of 5 degrees or more was present in 24% of patients and correlated positively with increased age and patellar irritability. Patellofemoral pain was present in 19% of patients and correlated positively with flexion contracture. Clinical relevance: The three most common complications of knee ligament surgery are shown to be strongly interrelated. It is likely that a causal relationship is present in which flexion contracture causes patellofemoral irritability, and that both of these factors, alone or in combination, result in quadriceps weakness. If this theory is correct, then it is crucial that postoperative rehabilitation programs place a major emphasis on the avoidance of flexion contracture.     

Gait patterns after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The aim of this study is to analyse the changes in select gait parameters following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The study was performed on 15 subjects who underwent ACL reconstruction by the bone-patellar tendon-bone technique. Gait analysis was performed using the Elite three-dimensional (3D) optoelectronic system (BTS), a Kistler force platform and the Telemg telemetric electromyograph (BTS). Kinematic data were recorded for the principal lower limb joints (hip, knee and ankle). The examined muscles include vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris and semitendinosus. The results obtained from the operated subjects were compared with those of 10 untreated subjects and 5 subjects without ACL damage. In the operated subjects the knee joint angular values regained a normal flexion pattern for the injured limb during the stance phase. The analysis of joint moments shows: (a) sagittal plane: recovery of the knee flexion moment at loading response and during preswing; (b) frontal plane: recovery of the normal patterns for both hip and knee adduction-abduction moments during the entire stance phase. The examination of ground reaction forces reveals the recovery of frontal component features. The EMG traces show the normal biphasic pattern for the operated subjects as compared to the untreated subjects. The results suggest that the gait parameters shift towards normal value patterns.     

Accelerated rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

To overcome many of the complications after ACL reconstruction (prolonged knee stiffness, limitation of complete extension, delay in strength recovery, anterior knee pain), yet still maintain knee stability, we developed a rehabilitation protocol that emphasizes full knee extension on the first postoperative day and immediate weightbearing according to the patient's tolerance. Of 800 patients who underwent intraarticular ACL patellar tendon-bone graft reconstruction, performed by the same surgeon, the last 450 patients have followed the accelerated rehabilitation schedule as outlined in the protocol. A longer than 2 year followup is recorded for 73 of the patients in the accelerated rehabilitation group. On the 1st postoperative day, we encouraged these patients to walk with full weightbearing and full knee extension. By the 2nd postoperative week, the patients with a 100 degree range of motion participated in a guided exercise and strengthening program. By the 4th week, patients were permitted unlimited activities of daily living and were allowed to return to light sports activities as early as the 8th week if the Cybex strength scores of the involved extremity exceeded 70% of the scores of the noninvolved extremity and the patient had completed a sport-specific functional/agility program. The patient database was compiled from frequent clinical examinations, periodic knee questionnaires, and objective information, such as range of motion measurements, KT-1000 values, and Cybex strength scores. A series of graft biopsies obtained at various times have revealed no adverse histologic reaction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)