A follow-up study of arthroscopic combined reconstruction of anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments with allograft patellar tendon

Objective： To evaluate the therapeutic effect of combined reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament （ ACL ） and posterior cruciate ligament （ PCL ） simultaneously by using allograft patellar tendon under arthroscopy. Methods： From May 2003 to November 2005, 10 cases of ruptured ACL and PCL were fixated with compressed screws and reconstructed under arthroscopy with allograft patellar tendon simultaneously. The clinical results were evaluated according to IKDC, Lysholm, and Tegner clinical rating scales. Results. All patients were followed up for 12-30 months （mean： 18 months ）. At the last follow-up, there was no knee extension limitation and knee flexion was between 120° and 135°, with an average of 128.38°. The Lysholm score of the 10 cases was 66. 5 ± 5. 6 before operation and 89.8 ± 3.4 at last follow up. The difference was statistically significant （ P 〈 0.01 ）. The average Tegner activity score decreased from 6.9 ± 1.7 （ range ： 4-9 ） before injury to 5.5 ± 1. 6 （rang： 2-9） at the follow-up （P=0.53）. At the end of follow-up, IKDC score was graded as A in 4 cases （40.0 % ）, B in 5 （50.0 % ）, and C in 1 （10.0%）. Of the 10 patients, 8 returned to the same sports level as before injury and 2 were under the level. Conclusion. Arthroscopic combined reconstruction of ACL and PCL with allograft patellar tendon has the advantages of minimal trauma in surgery and reliable satisfactory outcome.     

Arthroscopic double-bundled posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with quadriceps tendon–patellar bone autograft

Summary: An arthroscopic technique for double-bundled reconstruction for posterior cruciate ligament with quadriceps tendon–patellar bone autograft is presented. Anterolateral and posteromedial tunnels were created to simulate and reproduce the double-bundle structure of the posterior cruciate ligament. The bone plug is situated at the tibial tunnel and fixed by a titanium interference screw. Each of the bundles of tendon graft is rigidly fixed at the femoral tunnel with a bioabsorbable screw.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related surgery, Vol 16, No 7 (October), 2000: pp 780–782     

Arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction by using hamstring tendon autograft and transosseous screw fixation: minimal 3 years follow-up

Background

The aim of this trial is to prospectively evaluate the outcomes of PCL reconstruction by means of quadruple hamstring tendon autograft with a double-fixation method at minimal 3-year follow-up.

Materials and methods

Only patients who underwent PCL reconstruction without any other concomitant injury were included in this study. A hamstring tendon graft is composed of a quadruple-stranded gracilis tendon and semitendinosus tendon about 10 cm in length. An arthroscopic technique via a two incision and a double-fixation method was applied. Clinical evaluations were performed for 52 patients. Clinical assessment of patients included the Lysholm knee scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, thigh muscle evaluation, and radiographic investigation.

Results

On the Lysholm knee score, 90 % of the patients displayed good or excellent rating in the final assessment. In the IKDC rating analyses, 60 % of the patients demonstrated 3–5-mm ligament laxity. For the IKDC final rating, 81 % were normal or nearly normal. Seventy-nine percent of the cases revealed less than a 10-mm difference in thigh girth between their reconstructed and contra lateral limbs.

Conclusion

Arthroscopic PCL reconstruction using quadruple hamstring tendon autograft provides acceptable outcomes at a minimum 3-year follow-up. The four-stranded hamstring tendon graft is suitable in graft size and results in minimal harvesting morbidity. We recommend that quadruple hamstring tendon graft be chosen for PCL reconstruction to achieve good ligament reconstruction. A double-fixation method which has been applied in this trial can be used to provide rigid fixation.     

Bone–patellar tendon–bone autograft versus LARS artificial ligament for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The optimized graft for use in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is still in controversy. The bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB) autograft has been accepted as the gold standard for ACL reconstruction. However, donor site morbidities cannot be avoided after this treatment. The artificial ligament of ligament advanced reinforcement system (LARS) has been recommended for ACL reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to compare the midterm outcome of ACL reconstruction using BPTB autografts or LARS ligaments. Between July 2004 and March 2006, the ACL reconstruction using BPTB autografts in 30 patients and LARS ligaments in 32 patients was performed. All patients were followed up for at least 4 years and evaluated using the Lysholm knee score, Tegner score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, and KT-1000 arthrometer test. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the data of Lysholm scores, Tegner scores, IKDC scores, and KT-1000 arthrometer test at the latest follow-up. Our study demonstrates that the similarly good clinical results are obtained after ACL reconstruction using BPTB autografts or LARS ligaments at midterm follow-up. In addition to BPTB autografts, the LARS ligament may be a satisfactory treatment option for ACL rupture.     

Is quadruple semitendinosus tendon strands autograft a better choice than hamstring autograft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction? A comparative study with a mean follow-up of 3 years

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology - The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of ST4 with those of STGs with a minimum follow-up of 3 years....     

One-incision endoscopic technique for posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with quadriceps tendon–patellar bone autograft

Quadriceps tendon–patellar bone autograft is an alternative graft choice for posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. A 2-incision technique with outside-in fixation at the femoral condyle is generally used. In this article, we describe a 1-incision endoscopic technique for PCL reconstruction with quadriceps tendon–patellar bone autograft. The graft consists of a proximal patellar bone plug and central quadriceps tendon. The bone plug is trapezoidal, 20 mm long, 10 mm wide, and 8 mm thick. The tendon portion is 80 mm long, 10 mm wide, and 6 mm thick, including the full-thickness of the rectus femoris and partial thickness of the vastus intermedius. Three arthroscopic portals, including anteromedial, anterolateral, and posteromedial, are used. All procedures are performed in an endoscopic manner with only 1 incision at the proximal tibia. At the femoral side, the bone plug is fixed by an interference screw. At the tibial side, the tendon portion is fixed by a suture to a screw on the anterior cortex and an interference bioscrew in the posterior tibial tunnel opening. Quadriceps tendon autograft has the advantages of being self-available, allowing for easier arthroscopic technique, and providing comparable graft size. The 1-incision technique provides a simple reconstruction method for PCL insufficiency without a second incision at the medial femoral condyle.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 17, No 3 (March), 2001: pp 329–332     

Second-look arthroscopy after anatomic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Bone-patellar tendon-bone versus hamstring tendon graft

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare the morphological and clinical outcomes between anatomic rectangular tunnel (ART) ACL reconstruction with a BTB graft and anatomic triple-bundle (ATB) ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon (HST) grafts.MethodsThe anatomic ACL reconstructions were performed on 467 patients; 233 patients with ART technique and 234 with ATB procedure. ART procedure was predominantly indicated for athletes with higher motivation to return to sports and aggressiveness for muscle training. A total of 113 patients, with a mean age of 20.7 years, had consented to undergo second-look arthroscopy. The average time from ACL reconstruction to the second-look was 10.0 months. This study included 56 ART techniques and 57 ATB procedures. The grafts underwent meticulous probing, and were evaluated based on tension, graft damage, and synovial coverage. Moreover, the femoral tunnel aperture was also observed in detail to assess the space between the femoral tunnel and the graft. As clinical evaluation, knee effusion, range of motion, Lachman test, pivot shift test, KT side-to-side difference, and Lysholm score were assessed.ResultsThere was no significant difference in graft tension between two procedures, while HST graft in ATB procedure had more cases with graft damage (p = 0.05). Good synovial coverage was found in 98% in ART procedure and 70% in ATB procedure, showing a significant difference (P < 0.001). At femoral tunnel aperture, there were no cases with the space around BTB graft, while 33% showed the space around HST graft, again showing a significant difference (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes.ConclusionBTB graft with the ART procedure was superior to HST graft with the ATB procedure in morphology at second-look arthroscopy, while there was no significant difference in clinical outcomes between two procedures.     

Long-term results of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a comparison with non-operative treatment with a follow-up of 17–20 years

Purpose

The aim of our study was to review the clinical and radiological outcome of patients who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in comparison to a group of non-operatively treated patients.

Methods

In a retrospective study we compared ACL reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft with a non-operatively treated group of patients 17–20 years later. Fifty-four patients that met the inclusion criteria, with arthroscopically proven ACL rupture, were treated between 1989 and 1991. Thirty-three patients underwent ACL reconstruction, forming group one. Eighteen non-reconstructed patients continued with rehabilitation and modification of activities (group two). The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective and objective evaluation forms and the Lysholm and Tegner scale were used to assess the knees at follow-up. Radiographic assessment was performed using the IKDC grading scale.

Results

Follow-up results showed that 83% of reconstructed patients had stable knees and normal or nearly normal IKDC grade. Patients in the non-reconstructed group had unstable knees with 84% having abnormal or severe laxity. The subjective IKDC score was significantly in favour of group one: 83.15 compared to 64.6 in group two. The Lysholm and Tegner score was also significantly better in group one. Conservatively treated patients all had unstable knees and worse scores. The rate of osteoarthritis showed more severe changes in non-reconstructed patients with additional meniscus injury.

Conclusions

We can conclude that 94% of patients who underwent ACL reconstruction had stable knees after 15–20 years and there was a significantly lower percentage of osteoarthritis in comparison to conservatively treated patients.     

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with LARS™ artificial ligament results at a mean follow-up of eight years

Purpose

The aim of this study was to review patients that underwent ACL reconstruction with the LARS™ ligament in the First Orthopaedic Division of Pisa University during the period between January 2003 and December 2005.

Methods

Twenty-six patients were reviewed with an average follow-up of 95.3 months (7.9 years). The review protocol was articulated in three phases: (1) a subjective evaluation using three grading scales: VAS, KOOS and the Cincinnati knee rating scale, (2) a clinical and objective evaluation, and (3) a biomechanical evaluation of the knee stability.

Results

A global positive result was obtained in 92.3 % of the patients (16 optimal results and eight good results), with a fast functional recovery and a high knee stability. A global poor result was reported in two cases. In our series we did not record cases of infection or knee synovitis. We recorded only one case of mechanical graft failure. The results obtained from our study are encouraging and similar to those in the literature.

Conclusions

We conclude that the LARS™ ligament can be considered a suitable option for ACL reconstruction in carefully selected cases, especially for older patients needing a fast functional recovery.     

Patellar tendon rupture 3 years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a central one third bone–patellar tendon–bone graft

Use of the central one third bone–patellar tendon–bone autograft is an accepted technique for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Patellar tendon rupture following ACL reconstruction is an acknowledged, although rarely reported, complication of this procedure. Of the limited patellar tendon rupture cases reported in the literature, most are described early in the postoperative period. We present a case of late patellar tendon rupture more than 3 years after uneventful ACL reconstruction in a 32-year-old man.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 17, No 6 (July-August), 2001: pp 648–652     

Tunnel enlargement 5 years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a radiographic and functional evaluation

Purpose

The aetiology and clinical significance of enlargement of bone tunnels following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains controversial. This phenomenon has been attributed to biological factors and mechanical factors. We wanted to study the amount of femoral and tibial tunnel enlargement 5 years post-ACL reconstruction. By standardizing the type of femoral fixation, we also wanted to determine whether the type of tibial fixation had any bearing to the amount of tibial tunnel enlargement.

Methods

All patients who underwent arthroscopic hamstring autograft ACL reconstruction between January 2000 and December 2000 were identified. All grafts were fixed with close-looped endobutton proximally. The grafts were fixed on the tibial side with staples or bioabsorbable interference screws. At a minimum of 5 years after surgery, these patients were recalled. They were assessed with Lysholm knee, Tegner activity and the IKDC Subjective and Objective forms and a KT-1000 arthrometer. The diameter of the bone tunnels and tunnel positions in the anterior–posterior and lateral radiographs were measured using digital callipers by a two blinded researchers.

Results

We found that the femoral tunnel enlarged more than the tibial tunnel. At 5 years, the mean tibial tunnel enlargement was 2.46 mm and the mean femoral tunnel enlargement was 3.23 mm. All 54 patients had endobutton femoral fixation. Of them, 34 patients had tibial graft fixation with staples (extracortical fixation) and 20 patients had tibial graft fixation with bioabsorbable interference screws (aperture fixation). The mean enlargement as measured by the two independent observers in the extracortical group was 1.98 mm (24.7 %)* and 1.51 mm (18.2 %)**compared to 3.27 mm (40.4 %)* and 2.92 mm (30.0 %)** in the aperture fixation group. This difference in tibial tunnel enlargement between the groups was significant (p < 0.001, mean difference 1.29 mm). However, this was not correlated with any significant difference in clinical outcome at 5 years.

Conclusion

We, like some authors, have shown that the use of interference screws in tibial fixation despite being aperture fixation actually has a greater amount of tibial enlargement. This lends weight to the biological theory to tunnel enlargement.     

Proprioceptive skills and functional outcome after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a bone–tendon–bone graft

Several studies have shown that patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have an improved proprioceptive function compared to subjects with ACL-deficient knees. The measurement of functional scores and proprioception potentially provides clinicians with more information on the status of the ACL-reconstructed knees. To evaluate proprioception in patients following ACL reconstruction with a bone–tendon–bone (BTB) graft, we used the angle reproduction in the sitting, lying and standing positions and the one-leg hop test. Forty-five patients between 19 and 52 years of age were investigated in a 36-month period after the operation. For functional performance measurement, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was used. Very good and good results were seen in 95% of cases. All patients returned to the same activity level as seen before ACL repair. There was a significant difference in the active angle reproduction test between the ACL-reconstructed knees and normal knees in the active sitting position. Tests with passive angle adjustment in the sitting, lying and active standing positions did not show any differences in proprioceptive skills. Good to very good results in the one-leg hop test we found in 95% of patients. After ACL reconstruction, deficiencies in the active angle reproduction test were very small but, nevertheless, were still observed. Overall, the functional and proprioceptive outcomes demonstrate results to recommend the procedure.

---

Résumé  Plusieurs études ont montré que des patients ayant bénéficié d’une reconstruction du ligament croisé antérieur ont été améliorés sur le plan de la fonction proprioceptive surtout si on compare les sujets à des sujets non traités gardant un déficit au niveau du ligament croisé antérieur. La mesure des différents scores, fonction et proprioception, donne un certain nombre d’informations sur ces genoux qui ont été opérés. Nous avons évalué la proprioception de patients opérés par greffes du ligament croisé antérieur par un greffon de type BTB et évalué cette proprioception en position assise, debout, en appui monopodal et après tests de sauts.45 patients entre 19 et 52 ans ont été analysés sur une période de 36 mois après l’intervention chirurgicale. Le score IKDC a également été mesuré. Les résultats ont été considérés comme très bons dans 95% des cas. Les patients ont repris une activité au même niveau que celle qu’ils avaient avant la réparation. Il n’y a pas de différences significatives entre les genoux reconstruits et le genou normal, notamment en ce qui concerne les tests en positions assises. Un très bon résultat des tests de sauts est retrouvé chez 95% des patients. On peut considérer après reconstruction du ligament croisé antérieur, que la récupération fonctionnelle et proprioceptive est excellente et confirme la nécessité de reconstruire les ligaments après rupture.

     

Biomechanical analysis of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction: FiberTape® with knotless anchors versus a semitendinosus tendon autograft with soft anchors

BackgroundWith the use of synthetic materials for medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, graft harvest is not necessary and this may facilitate post-operative rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to compare the structural properties of MPFL reconstruction using a modern synthetic material (FiberTape® (FT), Arthrex) with knotless anchors or a semitendinosus (ST) tendon autograft with soft anchors.MethodsNine human fresh-frozen amputated knees were used in this study. After the tensile strength of the native MPFL was measured, the MPFLs were reconstructed using two different surgical procedures, FT with knotless anchors (group A) and a ST with soft anchors (group B). Mechanical testing to failure of the reconstructed MPFLs was performed, and the ultimate load (N), stiffness (N/mm), and failure mode were recorded.ResultsThe mean (±standard deviation) ultimate load of the native MPFL was 130.6 ± 28.7 N, and all native MPFLs failed at the femoral insertion site. Ultimate load of group A was significantly higher than that of the native MPFL (175.9 ± 34.1 N, p < 0.05). In contrast, the ultimate load of group B was significantly lower than that of the native MPFL (102.7 ± 21.4 N, p < 0.05). The mean stiffness was significantly higher for MPFLs in group A (17.4 ± 4.3 N/mm) than in group B (8.5 ± 1.8 N/mm, p < 0.05). In group A, 5 specimens failed via a knotless anchor pullout at the femoral side, 3 via pullout of knotless anchors at the patella side and 1 via fracture (cheese cut) of the femur without breakage of knotless anchor. In group B, all specimens failed via soft anchor pullout at the patella side. There was no incidence of rupture of FT or ST.ConclusionFT with knotless anchors was stronger than a ST with soft tissue anchors for MPFL reconstruction.     

Long-term follow-up after primary repair of the anterior cruciate ligament: clinical and radiological evaluation 15–23 years postoperatively

Introduction We have previously reported results after 2–5 and 5–10 years follow-up of repair of acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures by suturing. Reports of results after more than 10 years are rare.Materials and methods A total of 140 patients were operated on in the period 1975–1983 (age range 13–71 years, median 28 years) by the modified Palmer technique. Only 2 meniscus resections and 4 meniscectomies were performed at the primary operation; while 28 menisci were sutured. At follow-up,12 patients were dead. Eighteen patients (13%) underwent repeat operations for secondary instability. Of the remaining 110 patients, 81 appeared for follow-up.Results Only 6 secondary meniscus resections were performed, all in the group of 18 patients operated on again for instability. No secondary meniscus surgery was performed on the 81 patients who appeared for follow-up. The median Lysholm score was 88, and 58 of the 81 patients (71%) classified their total knee function as good or excellent. By KT-1000 testing, 33 (41%) patients had less than 3 mm anterior instability, 29 (36%) had 3–5 mm instability, and 17 (21%) had more than 5 mm. With 18 patients from the total of 128 living patients re-operated for instability, we estimate the rate of total failure of stability as 27%. Radiological osteoarthritis grade C was present in 8 operated and 2 control knees, while only 1 operated knee revealed osteoarthritis grade D. Thirty-four operated and 20 control knees had grade B. Osteoarthritis was correlated to more advanced age at injury, while correlation to function could not be proven. Radiographs were obtained of 61 patients at follow-up.Conclusions Some 50% of patients had stable or slightly unstable knees, and 40% good or excellent function according to the Lysholm score. Re-operation for instability was more frequent in younger patients, while ostearthritis was more frequent in older patients. The rate of meniscus resection or extirpation was low. Open repair by suture is no longer recommended. Further research is indicated on the possible use of refixation of the ruptured ACL by arthroscopy.     

Return to sports activity in the revision of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A 2–6 Year follow-up study

Introductionand Objective: The risk of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in young patients and those with sports activity is increasing. Regarding the need of athletes with ACL re-rupture to return to sports, ACL revision surgery has received great importance. This study was conducted to evaluate the outcome of ACL reconstruction revision surgery in athletes.MethodIn general, 62 patients with primary surgery and 62 patients with revision ACL surgery were investigated in this study. The study subjects were matched in terms of age, gender, involved leg, injury mechanism, sports group, time of surgery, and the degree of cartilage injury and ankle meniscus rupture. The studied variables included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), sports group, infection, meniscus injuries, chondral lesion, time to return to sports, quality of return to sports, range of motion, Lachman’s test, and knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS), International Knee Documentation Committee score, Lysholm, and Marx scores. They were obtained through the information in the patients’ medical records and the questionnaire filled out by the participants and the examiner’s physician through the follow-ups. Then, the collected data were imported into the SPSS software and underwent analysis.ResultsThe mean follow-up of patients was 49 months (in the range of 2–6 years). None of the patients had a chronic infection. The mean time to return to sports was 29.2 ± 3.2 and 35.3 ± 4.3 weeks in the primary surgery and revision surgery groups, respectively. In addition, 34 (54.8%) and 25 (40.3%) patients of the primary surgery and the revision surgery groups returned to the same level before injury, respectively. On the latest follow-up, the results of the Lachman test showed no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.222) whereas Lysholm, IKDC, MARX, and KOOS scores on the latest follow-up in primary surgery were significantly higher than those of revision surgery (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe rate of return to sports in revision surgery was 14.5% lower than that of primary surgery, and the average time of return to sports was six weeks. The rate of return to sports, similar to before the injury, was significantly lower in the revision group, females, the age group of over 25 years, and contact sports activity, and patients with a chondral lesion. All knee performance scores were also poorer in the revision surgery.     

Patellar tendon-bone autograft reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament for advanced-stage chronic anterior laxity: is an extra-articular plasty necessary? A prospective randomized study of 100 patients with five year follow-up

This prospective randomized study was conducted to analyze the anatomic and functional impact of an extra-articular lateral plasty associated with patellar tendon-bone autograft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.