No risk of arthrofibrosis after acute anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Purpose

To compare acute ACL reconstruction (ACLR) within 8 days of injury with delayed reconstruction after normalized range of motion (ROM), 6–10 weeks after injury. It was hypothesized that acute ACL reconstruction with modern techniques is safe and can be beneficial in terms of patient-reported outcomes and range of motion.

Methods

Sample size calculation indicated 64 patients would be required to find a 5° difference in ROM at 3 months. Seventy patients with high recreational activity level, Tegner level 6 or more, were randomized to acute (within 8 days) or delayed (6–10 weeks) ACLR between 2006 and 2013. During the first 3 months following surgery patients were contacted weekly by SMS and asked ‘How is your knee functioning?’, with answers given on a Visual-Analog Scale (0–10). ROM was assessed after 3 months by the rehab physiotherapist. Patient-reported outcomes, objective IKDC and manual stability measurements were collected by an independent physiotherapist not involved in the rehab at the 6-month follow-up.

Results

At 3-month follow-up, 91% of the patients were assessed with no significant differences in flexion, extension or total ROM demonstrated between groups. At the 6-month follow-up, the acute group had significantly less muscle atrophy of the thigh muscle compared to the contralateral leg. Furthermore, a significantly higher proportion of patients in the acute group passed or were close to passing the one leg hop test (47 versus 21%, p?=?0.009). No difference was found between the groups in the other clinical assessments. Additionally, no significant difference between the groups was found in terms of associated injuries.

Conclusion

Acute ACLR within 8 days of injury does not appear to adversely affect ROM or result in increased stiffness in the knee joint when compared to delayed surgery.

Level of evidence

II.

     

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)     

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.     

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.     

Restoration of anterior cruciate ligament-hamstring reflex arc after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

It has recently been emphasized that restoration of neuromuscular function contributes to dynamic stability of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructed knee. The existence of an ACL-hamstring reflex arc, one of the protective ligament-muscular pathways, has been revealed in normal human knees. Although reinnervation to the reconstructed ACL has been observed histologically, it remains unclear whether the ACL-hamstring reflex arc is reestablished. This study examined the existence of the ACL-hamstring reflex arc in ACL-reconstructed knees by analyzing the changes in the hamstring EMG elicited by electrical stimulation to the reconstructed ACL. The patellar tendon grafts transplanted as an ACL substitute in three patients were electrically stimulated via a bipolar wire electrode inserted arthroscopically. The surface EMG was monitored from the ipsilateral biceps femoris and semitendinosus. In two of the three patients the significantly increased EMG value of the biceps femoris was detected between 120 and 140 ms after the onset of electrical ACL stimulation. The increased EMG activity detected in the biceps femoris after the stimulation to the patellar tendon graft indicated reestablishment of the ACL-hamstring reflex arc in the ACL-reconstructed knee.     

Infrapatellar heterotopic ossification after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is currently a common procedure. We report a case of ACL reconstruction using an autologous patellar tendon graft, where great infrapatellar heterotopic ossification occurred post-operatively. We found no similar cases in the literature. We discuss about the probable origin.     

Isokinetic muscle strength after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the isokinetic muscle strength 6 months after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). In order to recommend full-load come-back in sport, sufficient muscle strength may be important. Ninety female elite team handball players (mean 24.1 years) were postoperatively tested with Biodex. The operated limb was compared with the contralateral limb: 82.2% had a hamstring strength of a minimum of 49.6 Nm, corresponding to at least 90% of the non-operated limb, while only 12.2% fulfilled the recommended strength of 117.7 Nm for quadriceps femoris. Patients over 26 years showed significantly lower muscle strength in the operated limb than their younger counterparts. Increased focus on quadriceps femoris muscle strength during rehabilitation may improve the knee function faster after ACL reconstruction.     

Articular cartilage homeostasis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Several factors may be responsible for osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The detrimental effect of the surgical technique may explain part of the progression of the pathologic process. In this study, the effect of ACL reconstruction on articular cartilage was investigated by measuring proteoglycan fragments (PF) in synovial fluid collected from patients who had undergone this operation. Synovial samples were obtained from 44 patients with chronic ACL deficiency aged 26 ± 7 years preoperatively, and from some of them, samples were collected for monitoring at 1 month (n = 22), 3 months (n = 17), 6 months (n = 18) and 12s month (n = 18). Synovial fluid taken from 12 contralateral asymptomatic knees of 12 patients (not necessarily opposite knees of ACL-deficient cases) served as controls. Preoperative values were significantly larger than controls (P < 0.05). PF level reached its maximum value in the 1st month (P < 0.05) and then gradually decreased. It was significantly lower than preoperative values at 6 and 12 months but still greater than controls (P < 0.05). It seems that surgical trauma affects cartilage metabolism for the first 3 months postoperatively. Although reconstruction of the ACL contributes to articular cartilage homeostasis, a complete return to normal values cannot be achieved in 1st postoperative year at least in knees with chronic ACL deficiency. Long-term monitoring is needed to see whether these findings are early signs of osteoarthritis. Further studies may more clearly demonstrate the effect of the surgical procedure on knees with acute and subacute ACL deficiency. Received: 6 February 1997 Accepted: 22 August 1997     

Return to play after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The goal of knee ligament reconstruction is to return the athlete to the previous level of function as quickly and as safely as possible. The appropriate level of aggressiveness in returning the athlete to sport remains controversial. Information in the literature regarding safe return to play has been dominated by the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction literature. The basic concepts that hold true for returning the ACL-reconstructed athlete to play can be generalized to injuries treated nonoperatively as well. This article presents a review of the principles of rehabilitation following knee ligament reconstruction, with an emphasis on criteria for return to play.     

Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Our understanding of the structure and function of the anterior cruciate ligament has progressed rapidly over the past decade. Arthroscope-assisted anterior cruciate ligament replacement is a new procedure that allows isometric placement of the anterior cruciate ligament graft. Postoperative rehabilitation is enhanced by preservation of the extensor mechanism.     

Fixed tibial subluxation after successful anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction results in improved function and stability in many patients. However, it is not known whether the improved stability is associated with an improved tibiofemoral relationship. We used stress radiographs to determine not only stability but also the tibiofemoral relationship in 15 patients who had a clinically successful anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Their results were compared with those of 14 volunteers with normal knees. The average Lysholm score for the patients was 94. None of the patients had more than 3 mm of side-to-side difference on KT-1000 arthrometer testing. Maximal anteroposterior tibial translation as measured by stress radiography was slightly increased in the reconstructed knees but was not statistically significantly different (6.6 +/- 3.2 mm versus 5.0 +/- 3.3 mm). However, with a posteriorly directed stress the tibia in the reconstructed knees did not translate posteriorly to the same extent as did the control knees, resulting in a significant difference in tibial position (-1.2 +/- 3.0 mm versus -4.0 +/- 3.3 mm). Surgical anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction may result in reduced anteroposterior tibial translation, accomplished, in part, through restraining posterior translation, leaving the tibia with persistent subluxation. Fibrosis and contracture of the posterior structures may explain this phenomenon.     

Health-related quality of life after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Purpose  

Recently the patients’ own evaluation has become an important complement to post-operative clinical assessments. For many patients, there is a change in life situation after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL), which may affect the health-related quality of life in many ways. The aims of the study were to evaluate the results in terms of health-related quality of life 2–7 years after an ACL reconstruction and to compare the results with a gender- and age-matched control group. Furthermore, to compare the results for males and females using either the bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft (BPTB) or hamstring tendon autograft (HT).     

Loss of motion after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

We did a retrospective review and follow-up examination to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of patients who developed loss of motion after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Two hundred forty-four patients with a minimum followup of 1 year were reviewed. Loss of motion (defined as a loss of extension of more than 10 degrees or flexion of less than 125 degrees) was identified in 27 patients for an overall incidence of 11.1%. Factors associated with loss of motion included acute reconstruction (less than 1 month from initial injury), male sex, and concomitant medial collateral ligament repair or posterior oblique ligament reefing or both. Twenty-one patients required surgery to regain their motion; three patients required a second procedure. Twenty-one of 27 patients with loss of motion underwent a detailed followup and were compared with 24 randomly chosen controls who had a normal range of motion after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. At followup, patients who experienced loss of motion had a significant decrease in noninvolved to involved knee extension and flexion compared to the control patients. There was no difference between our patients and the controls regarding patellofemoral problems, anterior knee laxity, and functional strength. Sixty-seven percent of patients with loss of motion had a good or excellent result in comparison to 80% of the controls.     

Gait patterns before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The aim of this study is to determine how selected gait parameters may change as a result of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency and following ACL reconstruction. The study was performed on 25 ACL-deficient subjects prior to and 6 weeks, 4 months, 8 months and 12 months after ACL reconstructive surgery by the bone-patellar tendon-bone technique. Gait analysis was performed using the zebris three-dimensional ultrasound-based system with surface electromyograph (zebris Medizintechnik GmbH, Germany). Kinematic data were recorded for the lower limb. The muscles examined include vastus lateralis and medialis, biceps femoris and adductor longus. The results obtained from the injured subjects were compared with those of 51 individuals without ACL damage. The acute ACL-deficient patients exhibited a quadriceps avoidance pattern prior to and 6 weeks after surgery. The quadriceps avoidance phenomenon does not develop in chronic ACL-deficient patients. In the individuals operated on, the spatial-temporal parameters and the knee angle had already regained a normal pattern for the ACL-deficient limb during gait 4 months after surgery. However, the relative ACL movement parameter-which describes the tibial translation into the direction of ACL-and the EMG traces show no significant statistical difference compared with the values of healthy control group just 8 months after surgery. The results suggest that: (1) development of a quadriceps avoidance pattern is less common than previously reported, (2) anterior cruciate ligament deficiency and reconstruction significantly alter the lower extremity gait pattern, (3) the gait parameters shift towards the normal value pattern, and (4) the re-establishment of pre-injury gait patterns--including the normal biphase of muscles--takes at least 8 months to occur.     

Regeneration of hamstring tendons after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Purpose

Primary aim of the study was analysis of hamstring tendon regeneration after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Secondary aim was analysis of isokinetic muscle strength in relation to hamstring regeneration. The hypothesis was that regeneration of hamstring tendons after ACLR occurs and that regenerated hamstring tendons contribute to isokinetic hamstring strength with regeneration distal to the knee joint line.

Methods

Twenty-two patients scheduled for ACLR underwent prospective MRI analysis of both legs. MRI parameters were tendon regeneration and morphology, muscle retraction and muscle cross-sectional area. A double-blind, prospective analysis of isokinetic quadriceps and hamstrings strength was performed.

Results

Regeneration of the gracilis tendon after ACLR occurred in all patients. Regeneration of the semitendinosus tendon occurred in 14 patients. At 1 year, the surface area of the semitendinosus and gracilis muscle decreased compared to both preoperatively (P < 0.01) and the contralateral leg (P < 0.01). The cross-sectional area of the semitendinosus muscle decreased in the absence of tendon regeneration (P = 0.05). The cross-sectional area of the gracilis muscle was greater in case of regeneration distal to the joint line (P = 0.01). Muscle retraction of the semitendinosus muscle was increased in case of nonregeneration (P = 0.02). There was no significant relationship between isokinetic flexion strength and tendon regeneration.

Conclusion

Hamstring tendons regenerated after harvest of both semitendinosus and gracilis tendons for ACLR. There was no relation between isokinetic flexion strength and tendon regeneration.

Level of evidence

Prognostic study, Level II.     

Treatment of limited motion after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Limited motion or arthrofibrosis after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction causes significant pain and functional impairment. Based on physical findings and loss of motion compared with the opposite normal knee, classification systems for the diagnosis and treatment of arthrofibrosis have been developed. The operative techniques and preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation and management are discussed. Range of motion (ROM) problems after ACL reconstruction have been minimized by improved surgical techniques and perioperative rehabilitation programs. The most effective treatment for arthrofibrosis is prevention by delaying ACL reconstruction until the patient has a normal gait and full ROM and minimal swelling in the injured knee and by appropriate ROM exercises after surgery. Received: 13 October 1997 Accepted: 23 June 1998