髌腱复合体重建创伤性前后交叉韧带

目的：为了评价髌腱复合体(带骨块的髌韧带，即骨—髌膜—骨)对前后交叉韧带断裂后重建的手术疗效。方法：1995—2001年，收治32例前后交叉韧带损伤的患者给予髌腱复合体重建术。结果：所有病人患膝关节稳定性明显增强，术后抽屉试验全部阴性。结论：带骨块的髌韧带具有强抗牵拉力，固定可靠，等长重建，功能改善明显等优点。髌膜复合体是理想的前后交叉韧带替代材料。     

Some clinical aspects of reconstruction for chronic anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.

A total of 250 patients was reviewed 71.8 months (range 49-105 months) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction for disabling instability that had not responded to conservative treatment or correction of internal derangements. Knees that had undergone previous operation or had damage to other ligaments were excluded. Four techniques were used; MacIntosh extra-articular lateral substitution alone (n = 18), extra-articular reconstruction plus intra-articular carbon fibre (n = 29), extra-articular reconstruction plus a free graft from the medial third of the patellar tendon (n = 74), or extra-articular reconstruction plus a Leeds-Keio prosthesis (n = 129). The knees were assessed 1, 3 and 6 years after reconstruction using the Lysholm score and clinical examination for the anterior drawer, Lachman and pivot shift signs. The mean Lysholm score after 6 years was 77.4 (range 31-100) in the extra-articular group; 74.4 (range 34-100) in the carbon fibre group; 95.4 (range 43-100) in the patellar tendon group; and 91.2 (range 45-100) in the Leeds-Keio group. The patellar tendon group had the highest scores (P < 0.003). The pivot shift sign returned in 39% of the extra-articular group; 48% of the carbon fibre group; 1% of the patellar tendon group, and 36% of the Leeds-Keio group. The pivot shift returned least often in the patellar tendon group (P < 0.001). There were 44% satisfactory results (pivot shift negative and Lysholm score 77 or more) in the extra-articular group; 55% in the carbon fibre group; 92% in the patellar tendon group; and 60% in the Leeds-Keio group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Instrumented Lachman tests for the evaluation of anterior laxity after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament

Using a KT-1000 arthrometer, in fifty subjects were measured the anterior ligamentous laxity in a knee in which the anterior cruciate ligament had been reconstructed and in the normal, contralateral knee. We also determined the anterior tibial displacement and anterior compliance, using the Lachman test. The subjects were divided into groups according to the type of autogenous intra-articular substitute (either the central one-third of the patellar tendon or the semitendinosus tendon) that had been used for the anterior cruciate ligament and according to the duration of follow-up (range, twenty-four to 101 months). Lachman tests were performed, applying sixty-eight and ninety newtons of force, and indices for anterior compliance were calculated. Although significantly more anterior laxity was demonstrated with both sixty-eight and ninety newtons of force in the reconstructed knees than in the contralateral, normal knees (p less than 0.001), thirteen subjects, of whom eight lacked full extension of the reconstructed knee, had more anterior laxity in the normal knee. Analyses of variance showed no significant differences in the results of the Lachman tests as related to either the type of reconstruction or the length of postoperative follow-up. The results suggested that the two types of ligamentous substitute that were used in this study were equally efficient in limiting anterior tibial displacement, as demonstrated by the Lachman test. The study also demonstrated that the substitutes did not elongate significantly during the period of the study.     

Medium-Term Course of Clinical Function and Progression of Osteoarthritis after Primary Reconstruction of Anterior Cruciate Ligament: 5- to 8-Year Results

This retrospective study reveals medium-term postoperative results in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a bone-tendon-bone autograft of the middle third of the patellar ligament, 5 to 8 years after surgery. A total of 44 patients with a mean age of 34.7 years was followed up for an average of 72.5 months. Objective stability of the knee was evaluated by means of Lachman, pivot shift, anterior drawer and KT-1000 arthrometer measurements. 95.5% of the knees were stable, with a side-to-side difference < 3 mm. The evaluated knee score systems showed excellent results. Mean Lysholm score amounted to 95.5 points, and with the Tegner activity score, 81.8% of the patients regained their pre-injury activity level. Using IKDC grading, 88.6% of the knees were rated normal (A) or nearly normal (B), and asked for a personal assessment of their knee function, 93.2% of the patients rated it A or B, expressing a high grade of satisfaction with the result of surgery. The postoperative course of osteoarthritis showed a deterioration on the IKDC scale in 5 knees (11.4%), 2 with grade C signs of progressive osteoarthritis. A highly significant correlation (p < 0.01) was observed for progression of osteoarthritis and laxity of reconstruction >: 2 mm in the KT-1000 measurement. Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using a bone-tendon-bone autograft of the patellar ligament leads to good medium-term results with minimal progression of osteoarthritis. Restoration of ligamentous stability of the knee is important in preventing or retarding the progression of osteoarthritis following anterior cruciate ligament injury.     

Effect of Donor Age on Patellar Tendon Allograft ACL Reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with patellar tendon allograft tissue is a common orthopedic procedure. It is unknown what effect, if any, the donor age has on clinical outcomes. Biomechanical studies have shown the strength of cadaveric patellar tendon to be independent of age, but no clinical studies have evaluated patient outcomes related to this variable. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of allograft donor age on clinical outcomes of patients undergoing allograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with patellar tendon allograft.Case logs were reviewed to identify primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with allograft patellar tendon by a single surgeon using a standard endoscopic transtibial technique with interference screw fixation. Revision and multiligamentous surgeries were excluded. Seventy-seven patients who met these criteria were identified. Allografts were fresh-frozen, aseptically harvested patellar tendons from a single tissue bank. The donor age was obtained. Clinical outcomes were obtained by contacting patients by telephone and retrospective chart review. Pre- and postoperative Lysholm and Tegner knee scores were used for comparison.Data from 75 patients with an average follow-up of 24 months were obtained. Average donor age was 44 years (range, 14-65 years), and average patient age was 37 years (range, 18-60 years). Statistical analysis of pre- and postoperative Lysholm scores demonstrated statistically significant improvement (P?.001). Using donor age as a continuous variable, no effect was found on postoperative improvement in Lysholm score or Tegner score (P=.6).     

Nerve regeneration during patellar tendon autograft remodelling after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: An experimental and clinical study

The innervation of the rat and human anterior cruciate ligament, patellar tendon, and patellar tendon autograft after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament was investigated by immunohistochemical and histological methods. A rat model of reconstruction with patellar tendon autograft was evaluated during active graft remodelling (2–16 weeks) and compared with normal ligament and tendon. The knees of 10 patients who had undergone reconstruction with patellar tendon autograft were examined 5–37 months postoperatively (remodelling fully completed) with arthroscopy and biopsy. As a control, biopsies from normal ligament and tendon were obtained from four patients. Nerve fibers were identified using antisera for protein gene product 9.5, a general neural marker. Neuronal regeneration was assessed by the expression of growth-associated protein 43/B-50. The sensory type of innervation was characterized by assessing the distribution of nerves containing the sensory neuropeptides calcitonin gene related peptide and substance P. Immunoreactivity for all neural markers was found in both rat and human anterior cruciate ligament and patellar tendon. Two weeks after reconstruction, the rat autograft was acellular and no innervation could be identified. After 4 weeks, the grafts were viable, and immunoreactivity for protein gene product 9.5, growth associated protein 43/B-50, and calcitonin gene-related peptide was found until the 16th week postoperatively. Immunoreactivity for substance P was found in rat autografts at 4 weeks postoperatively only. All biopsies of human patellar tendon autograft showed signs of the remodelling process being fully completed, with revascularization and a sinusoidal collagen pattern with fibroblast repopulation. Neuropeptide immunoreactivity, however, was not found. The presence of immunoreactivity to sensory neuropeptides in the anterior cruciate ligament and patellar tendon may indicate a nociceptive and neuromodulatory function of these structures. The expression of sensory neuropeptides in the rat patellar tendon autograft suggests a possible involvement of sensory innervation during healing of the graft.     

Two-stage reconstruction with autografts for knee dislocations

Traumatic knee dislocations are severe injuries that involve damage to the anterior cruciate ligament, the posterior cruciate ligament, and the lateral or medial ligamentous structures. There are no established methods of treatment. The objective of the current study was to report the clinical outcome of a two-stage autologous reconstruction on nine knees (eight patients). The mean followup was 40.1 months. The first stage of the reconstruction was done at a mean of 2 weeks after the injury, and the posterior cruciate ligament was reconstructed by an arthroscopically assisted technique using contralateral autogenous hamstring tendon as the graft material. Three months later, the second stage of the reconstruction was done for the ligaments that had not healed with conservative treatment. Arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was done on all of the knees using the ipsilateral autogenous hamstring tendon or bone-patellar tendon-bone as the graft material. At the same time, a medial collateral ligament reconstruction using an autogenous semitendinosus tendon was done on one knee, and reconstruction of the posterolateral ligamentous structures using a biceps tendon was done on three knees. Each of the knees that was reconstructed was capable of full extension, and the mean degree of passive flexion was 139.5 degrees +/- 5.2 degrees. The mean side-to-side difference in anteroposterior total laxity (KT-1000 arthrometer, manual maximum) was 2.3 +/- 1.9 mm. None of the knees had lateral or medial instability. All of the injured ligaments were able to be reconstructed with autografts, and severe contracture was able to be prevented. A good clinical outcome can be achieved when two-stage reconstruction is used for traumatic knee dislocations.     

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)     

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。     

Flipped patellar tendon autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

To determine the efficacy of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft that customizes length and facilitates anatomic outlet fixation, a prospective study of the "flipped" patellar tendon autograft ACL reconstruction began in 1995. This technique shortens the tendon portion to match the intra-articular length by rotating 1 bone plug 180 degrees proximally onto the tendon, thus flipping the bone plug over its ligamentous insertion. Bioscrews (poly L-lactic acid; Linvatec, Largo, FL) secured the grafts. All patients undergoing this procedure with a minimum 21 months follow-up were reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative Tegner, Lysholm, and IKDC activity scores, and Lachman and pivot shift tests were obtained. Postoperative KT testing and radiographs were obtained. Fifty patients were followed-up for an average of 28 months (range, 21 to 39 months). Average patient age was 34 years (range, 16 to 52 years). Tegner scores increased from 2.0 preoperatively to 6.0 postoperatively. Lysholm scores increased from 46 preoperatively to 93 at follow-up, with 86% excellent (66%) or good (20%). IKDC activity scores increased from 3.1 preoperatively to 1.7 postoperatively. KT manual-maximum difference at follow-up averaged 0.7 mm, with 74% less than 3-mm, 18% 3- to 5-mm, and 8% greater than 5-mm difference. Postoperative Lachman results were 0 in 45 patients and 1+ in 5 patients. Postoperative pivot shift was absent in all but 1 patient. Full extension was achieved in all cases and flexion averaged 136 degrees with no patient having less than 120 degrees flexion. No lytic bone changes or tunnel widening were seen. The flipped patellar tendon autograft reduces graft length to its intra-articular portion, increasing graft stability, isometry, and stiffness, and avoiding tunnel graft mismatch with clinically excellent results.     

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

The bone-patellar tendon-bone has been widely used and considered a good graft source. The quadriceps tendon was introduced as a substitute graft source for bone-patellar tendon-bone. We compared the clinical outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions using central quadriceps tendon-patellar bone and bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts. We selected 72 patients who underwent unilateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using bone-patellar tendon-bone between 1994 and 2001 and matched for age and gender with 72 patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using quadriceps tendon-patellar bone. All patients were followed up for more than 2 years. We assessed anterior laxity, knee function using the Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee scores, and quadriceps strength, the means of which were similar in the two groups. More patients (28 or 39%) in the bone-patellar tendon-bone group reported anterior knee pain than in the quadriceps tendon-patellar bone group (six patients or 8.3%). Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the central quadriceps tendon-patellar bone graft showed clinical outcomes comparable to those of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the patellar tendon graft, with anterior knee pain being less frequent in the former. Our data suggest the quadriceps tendon can be a good alternative graft choice. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III Therapeutic study.     

Revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the lateral third of the ipsilateral patellar tendon after failure of a central-third graft: a preliminary report on 10 patients

Long-term outcomes were reported for 10 (77%) of 13 cases of revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using the lateral third of the ipsilateral patellar tendon as a graft. All primary ACL reconstructions were ipsilateral central-third bone-patellar tendon-bone graft procedures. Mean age at follow-up was 30.7 years, and mean time from revision ACL surgery to follow-up was 42.9 months. At follow-up, average KT-1000 difference between knees was 2.4 mm. All patients had a negative pivot shift, extension within 5 degrees of the contralateral knee, and flexion within 15 degrees. Mean bilateral comparison ratios for isokinetic strength and hop testing were: extension, 83.5%; flexion, 96%; and single-leg hop 96.9%. No patella fractures or tendon ruptures had occurred. All patients had returned to their previous work level, and 8 of the 10 patients could participate in at least "moderate" sports activities (e.g., skiing and tennis). The results were comparable to published outcome reports for both primary and revision ACL reconstruction. The lateral third of the ipsilateral patellar tendon is a good graft option for revision ACL reconstruction.     

自体中1／3髌韧带重建前十字韧带术后膝关节内并发症的探讨

目的探讨应用自体中1/3髌韧带移植重建前十字韧带术后膝关节内有关的并发症及其发病机制。方法1994年1月～1997年11月 ,对18例前十字韧带断裂的患者采用关节镜或小切口关节切开术 ,完成自体中1/3髌韧带移植重建前十字韧带。术后平均随访2年 ,对所有病例进行临床检查 ,确定膝关节疼痛部位 ,检查膝关节活动度及稳定性 ,并利用膝关节屈曲90°的侧位X线片测量髌韧带长度。结果随访18例患者 ,17例术后膝关节存在触发性或功能性疼痛 ,膝关节疼痛常位于髌股关节、髌骨下极、髌韧带供区及胫骨结节部位。8例患者术后患膝活动度有不同程度受限。6例患者髌韧带发生不同程度的短缩 ,平均短缩2.8mm。4例患者髌股关节间隙变窄。两种术式以上并发症的发生率及严重程度差异无显著性意义。结论应用自体中1/3髌韧带重建前十字韧带不仅应注意疼痛等并发症的发生 ,还应关注髌韧带供区及髌股关节并发症的发生 ,重视其发病的病理基础。髌韧带中1/3缺损可引起髌韧带短缩及髌股关节退变。     

Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in females

Purpose: To compare the clinical results of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in female patients using quadruple-looped hamstring autograft versus patellar tendon autograft at minimum 2-year follow-up. Type of Study: Case series. Methods: A prospective clinical review was performed to compare the results of ACL reconstruction with hamstring versus patellar tendon autograft in a group of female patients. Exclusion criteria included chronic injuries (greater than 3 months), associated collateral ligament injuries, Workers’ Compensation or litigation cases, and bilateral anterior cruciate ligament injuries. There were 39 female patients in the hamstring group (average follow-up, 40.9 months) and 37 female patients in the patellar tendon group (average follow-up, 52 months). Both types of grafts were fixed with an EndoButton proximally and with sutures tied over a post or button distally. The postoperative rehabilitation regimen was identical for both groups. Objective parameters evaluated included preinjury and postoperative Tegner and Lysholm scores, side-to-side KT-1000 maximum-manual arthrometer differences, and clinical examination including Lachman and pivot-shift tests. Graft failure was defined by any one of the following: a KT-1000 difference of greater than 5 mm, a 2+ Lachman, a 1+ or greater pivot shift, or revision surgery. Results: The failure rate in the hamstring group was 23% versus 8% in the patellar tendon group, which was not statistically significant (P > .1). Comparison of preinjury Tegner activity scores to postoperative scores revealed that patients in the hamstring group did not return to their preinjury level of activity (preinjury 6.54 v postoperative 5.17) as well as patients in the patellar tendon group (preinjury 6.20 v postoperative 6.59). Patients in the hamstring group had a significant increase in pain compared with the patellar tendon group (P = .034). Conclusions: Although not statistically significant, the hamstring group had more failures, more laxity on clinical examination, and more patients with larger KT-1000 arthrometer differences. These results indicate a trend toward increased graft laxity in female patients undergoing reconstruction with hamstring autograft compared with patellar tendon when evaluated by a single surgeon using similar fixation techniques at short- to medium-range follow-up. More studies with larger patient numbers using current fixation techniques are necessary to confirm these findings.     

Lateral collateral ligament reconstruction using quadriceps tendon–patellar bone autograft with bioscrew fixation

The lateral collateral ligament is the primary stabilizer against varus stress and is also an important contributor in maintaining posterolateral knee stability. Quadriceps tendon–patellar bone autograft has been used for anterior or posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We introduce a reconstructive procedure to restore the lateral collateral ligament using a quadriceps tendon–patellar bone autograft. The procedure is designed for unstable knees with concomitant cruciate ligament tear and posterolateral complex injury. This is a reasonable choice especially when allograft tissue is not available or in patients who are not suited for the use of bone–patellar tendon–bone autograft.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 17, No 5 (May-June), 2001: pp 551–554     

Pain after use of the central third of the patellar tendon for cruciate ligament reconstruction: 33 patients followed 2-3 years

We performed reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in 33 patients using the central third of the patellar tendon. In 20 patients we did an arthroscopies! ly-assisted procedure, while 13 patients had an additional mini-arthrotomy through the gap in the patellar tendon. After 2-3 years the subjective knee function, according to the Lysholm score, was excellent or good in 18 knees and fair or poor in 15 knees, mainly due to anterior knee pain. Although 18 patients complained about anterior knee pain, only 1 patient required further surgery. After the operatio the patella had a lower position. A flexion contractur was found in 7 patients, and 13 had heterotopic bon formation at the apex of the patella. Although stabilit was restored in 31 of the 33 reconstructed knees anterior knee pain was a frequent complicatior There were no correlations between the anterior kne pain and patellar height, flexion contracture or hetei otopic bone formation.     

ACL reconstruction by patellar tendon

In 50 knees the length of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the patellar tendon, and the distance between the tibial tuberosity and the femoral origin of the ACL were evaluated by means of three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which permits subsequent reconstruction of any sectional view. The measurements showed that the patellar tendon was always markedly longer than the ACL (mean 14.4 mm), but always shorter than the distance between the tibial tuberosity and the femoral insertion of the ACL (mean 19.2 mm). The mean lengths of the ACL and the patellar tendon were 38.2 mm and 52.6 mm, respectively. The mean distance between the femoral ACL origin and the tibial insertion of the patellar tendon was 71.8 mm. These results demonstrate that a distally based patellar tendon autograft alone (with the patellar bone block but without extension into the periosteum of the patella or the quadriceps tendon) cannot be placed anatomically correctly to the isometric femoral insertion of the ACL. When the patellar tendon is used for ACL reconstruction, it must be implanted as a free autograft. Nevertheless, considerable variations of length must be taken into account.     

Quantitative evaluation of anterior tibial translation during isokinetic motion in knees with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using either patellar or hamstring tendon grafts

We studied 79 patients with unilateral injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The patients were randomly allocated to reconstruction with autologous patellar bone-tendon-bone (BTB) grafts (49 knees) or hamstring tendon (ST) grafts (30 knees). We measured anterior tibial translation (ATT) during isokinetic concentric contraction exercise 18-20 months after surgery using a computerized electrogoniometer. In both groups the highest ATT during exercise was observed at a knee flexion of about 20 degrees and was 13.5+/-3.0 mm in the BTB group and 13.9+/-3.4 mm in the ST group. There was no difference in the ATT between the reconstructed and healthy knees. For a range of knee flexion between 30 and 50 degrees the ATT in the ST group was significantly higher on the reconstructed side than on the healthy side. In the BTB group, the mean ATT in the reconstructed group was similar to that on the healthy side at a knee flexion angle between 0 and 90 degrees .     

Primary repair of the cruciate and collateral ligaments after traumatic dislocation of the knee

The management of traumatic dislocation of the knee in 40 patients (41 knees) with a mean age of 26.3 years is described. They were treated by primary repair and reconstruction with autologous grafting of the anterior (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligaments (PCL) and repair injuries to the collateral ligament and soft-tissue. The ACL and PCL were reconstructed using the patellar tendon and the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons, respectively. Early mobilisation using a continuous-passive-movement machine and active exercises was started on the second day after operation. At a mean follow-up of 39 months no patient reported 'giving way' and all except one had good range of movement. Of the 41 knees, 21 were rated as excellent, 15 good, four fair and one poor. Early reconstruction of the cruciate ligaments and primary repair of the collateral ligaments followed by an aggressive rehabilitation programme are recommended for these young, active patients.     

Influence of the postoperative activity level on tibial bone tunnel enlargement and functional treatment results following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a patellar tendon autograft

AIM: This study was performed to evaluate the influence of the postoperative activity level on tibial bone tunnel enlargement following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a mid-third patellar tendon autograft. METHODS: A clinical and radiological assessment was performed on 50 patients (21 male, 29 female, mean age 32 years, range 18 to 57 years) following ACL reconstruction using a patellar tendon autograft. The average follow-up examination was performed 18 (12 to 30) months after the operation. RESULTS: 33 patients (66 %) developed a tibial bone tunnel enlargement > 1 mm. We found a positive correlation (+ 0.59) of the grade of activity and the muscle status (+ 0.56) to the tibial bone tunnel enlargement. Patients with a major tibial bone tunnel enlargement performed at a higher (p < 0.05) postoperative activity grade (5.2 versus 4.1 in the Tegner grading), rated higher in the Lysholm (88 versus 77 points) and IKDC scores (p < 0.05) and reported a better subjective functional outcome (p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation of the results of the knee stability tests and the age of the patients to the grade of tibial bone tunnel enlargement. CONCLUSIONS: In ACL reconstruction using a patellar tendon autograft we recommend early rehabilitation as the concomitant tibial bone tunnel enlargement does not significantly influence the clinical outcome or knee stability.