Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in young females playing soccer at senior levels

The aim of this investigation was to study the consequences of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female soccer players. Special interest was focused on young female soccer players (< 16 years) sustaining anterior cruciate ligament injuries when playing at a senior level, which means playing together with players 19 years or older. In Sweden, all players belonging to an organized soccer club are insured by the same insurance company, the Folksam Insurance Company. Data of all soccer-related knee injuries in females reported to the Folksam Insurance Company between 1994 and 1998 were collected. A questionnaire was sent to 978 females who were registered to have sustained a knee injury before the age of 20 years. The response rate was 79%. Three hundred and ninety-eight female soccer players who had sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury before the age of 19 years were analysed. Most of their anterior cruciate ligament injuries had been diagnosed using arthroscopy or magnetic resonance imaging (84%). Thirty-eight percent of the players had been injured before the age of 16 years. Of these, 39% were injured when playing in senior teams. When playing in senior teams 59% of the players below the age of 16 years and 44% of the players 16 years or older sustained their ACL injuries during contact situations. At the time of this investigation (2-7 years after the anterior cruciate ligament injury), altogether 78% (n = 311) reported that they had stopped playing soccer. The most common reason (80%) was symptoms from their anterior cruciate ligament-injured knee. It appears that many young female soccer players injure their anterior cruciate ligament when playing at a senior level. Therefore, we suggest that female soccer players under the age of 16 years should be allowed to participate only in practice sessions but not games at a senior level.     

Effect of functional bracing on knee injury in skiers with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: The role of knee bracing in anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions is controversial. HYPOTHESIS: Functional bracing will have an effect on subsequent knee injury in skiers with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: From 1991 to 1997, 11606 skiers at a major destination ski resort underwent preseason knee screening. The anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed group consisted of 820 skiers who had had an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction 2 years or more earlier. Of these, 257 skiers selected the use of functional knee brace during skiing. The dependent variable was subsequent knee injury, identified via workers' compensation records. Covariates included age, gender, ski occupation, Lachman grade, pivot-shift grade, KT-1000 arthrometer manual maximum displacement, and use of a functional brace. Univariate and multivariate risk factors for subsequent knee injury were determined. RESULTS: In this study, 257 skier-employees with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction wore braces and 563 skier-employees with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction did not. Braced skiers had significantly higher preseason rates of grade II or higher Lachman and pivot-shift tests (braced, 29% and 22%, respectively; nonbraced, 11% and 10%, respectively; P < .05). Sixty-one subsequent knee injuries were identified, 51 (8.9 injuries/100 knees/ski season) in the nonbraced group and 10 (4.0 injuries/100 knees/ski season) in the braced group (P = .009). Nonbraced skiers were 2.74 times more likely to suffer subsequent injury than were braced skiers (odds ratio, 2.74 [confidence interval, 1.2-4.9]). Logistic regression modeling identified nonbracing as a significant independent multivariate risk factor for subsequent knee injury in the high-demand skiers with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. CONCLUSION: Because of the increased risk of subsequent knee injury in nonbraced skiers, the authors recommend functional bracing for skiers with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Whether the protective effect of functional bracing can be extrapolated to other high-demand patients is yet to be determined.     

Intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament injury in Australian footballers

The aim of this study was to examine the interaction between intrinsic (player-related) and extrinsic (environment-related) variables as risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament injury in Australian football. Between 1992 and 1999, 100,820 player-match exposures were analyzed for risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury using logistic regression analysis. There were 63 surgically proven noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries. The strongest risk factors were a player history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction either in the previous 12 months (relative risk [RR], 11.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.02 to 31.91) or before the previous 12 months (RR, 4.44; 95% CI, 2.46 to 8.01). Weather conditions that were associated with dry field conditions--high water evaporation in the month before the match (RR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.44 to 4.52) and low rainfall in the year before the match (RR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.30 to 6.32)--were also significantly associated with these injuries. The increased risk of injury in the first 12 months after reconstruction was associated with the reconstructed knee, whereas after 12 months there was an even distribution of new injuries to the reconstructed knee and contralateral knee. A history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is a risk factor for further injury. Weather conditions of high evaporation and low rainfall before matches are associated with noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury.     

Treatment of anterior cruciate ligament injuries, part 2

Anterior cruciate ligament tears, common among athletes, are functionally disabling; they predispose the knee to subsequent injuries and the early onset of osteoarthritis. A total of 3810 studies published between January 1994 and the present were identified and reviewed to determine the current state of knowledge regarding the treatment of anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Part 1 of this article focused on studies pertaining to the biomechanical behavior of the anterior cruciate ligament, the prevalence of and risk factors for injuries related to it, the natural history of the ligament-deficient knee, injuries associated with anterior cruciate ligament disruption, indications for the treatment of anterior cruciate ligament injuries, as well as nonoperative and operative treatments. Part 2 includes technical aspects of anterior cruciate ligament surgery, bone tunnel widening, graft healing, rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and the effects of sex, age, and activity level on the outcome of such reconstructive surgery.     

Anterior rim tibial plateau fractures and posterolateral corner knee injury

The aim of this study was to review MRI findings of clinically suspected posterolateral corner knee injuries and their associated internal derangements. Sixteen knees in 15 patients who had evidence of a posterolateral corner knee injury on the physical exam underwent MRI to evaluate the posterolateral corner of the knee and to look for associated injuries. Two musculoskeletal radiologists reviewed the scans. Surgery was performed on 10 of the knees. Tibial plateau fractures were present in 6 knees; 5 of the fractures were anteromedial rim tibial plateau fractures. The popliteus muscle was injured in 13 knees and the biceps femoris in 6 knees. The lateral collateral ligament was ruptured in 12 knees. The posterior cruciate ligament was completely ruptured in 7 knees and avulsed from its tibial attachment in 1 knee. Eleven knees had a complete anterior cruciate ligament rupture. The anterior cruciate ligament was edematous without complete disruption of all fibers in 3 knees. There was excellent correlation between the MRI results and operative results in regard to the presence of a posterolateral corner injury of the knee (9 of the 10 knees had a posterolateral corner injury). In our study MRI readily detected posterolateral corner injuries. Posterolateral corner injuries of the knee are frequently associated with a variety of significant injuries, including cruciate ligament tears, meniscus tears, and fractures. Fractures of the peripheral anteromedial tibial plateau are not common; however, given their relatively common occurrence in this study, they may be an indicator of a posterolateral corner injury to the knee.     

Correlation between occult bone lesions and meniscoligamentous injuries in patients with traumatic knee joint disease

To identify any correlation between the distribution of occult bone lesions and meniscoligamentous injuries, magnetic resonance images of 333 patients with traumatic knee joint disease were reviewed. Bone lesions of the knee were commonly associated with medial meniscal injuries and/or anterior cruciate ligament injuries. While knees with bone lesions showed a higher incidence (P < 0.05) of anterior cruciate ligament injury than knees without bone lesions, the presence of a lateral femoral condylar lesion resulted in a significantly higher incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries (P < 0.01). However, no significant positive correlation was found between other occult bone lesions and meniscoligamentous injuries.     

Anterior cruciate ligament injury incidence among male and female professional alpine skiers

A retrospective review of anterior cruciate ligament injuries among professional alpine skiers was performed to compare sex-related differences in injury incidence. We screened 7155 ski patrollers or instructors (4537 men and 2618 women) for knee injuries before each ski season between 1991 and 1997. Screening involved a ski history questionnaire, a knee injury history questionnaire, and a knee physical examination. Any patient with an equivocal Lachman or pivot shift test was evaluated by KT-1000 arthrometry and excluded from the study if the manual maximum side-to-side difference was 3 mm or more. Thus, the study population was limited to subjects with intact anterior cruciate ligaments. Skiers injured during the study were identified through mandatory workers' compensation claims. Each injured skier was reevaluated using an injury questionnaire and physical examination. The men skied an average of 110 days per year (499,070 skier-days) and the women skied an average of 87 days per year (227,766 skier-days). Thirty-one skiing-related anterior cruciate ligament injuries were diagnosed, 21 in men and 10 in women. The incidence of ACL disruption was 4.2 injuries per 100,000 skier-days in men and 4.4 injuries per 100,000 skier-days in women. These data suggest that the incidences of anterior cruciate ligament injuries among male and female professional alpine skiers are similar.     

膝关节韧带损伤的MRI诊断

目的 探讨膝关节韧带损伤的MRI表现及诊断价值. 方法 回顾性分析32例经手术或关节镜检查证实的膝关节韧带损伤的MRI资料,所有病例均行常规MRI扫描,对疑有前交叉韧带损伤的患者,加扫斜矢状位T_2WI像,对疑有胫侧副韧带损伤的患者加扫冠状脂肪抑制T_2WI像. 结果 32例膝关节中MR诊断韧带损伤共36条,其中前交叉韧带损伤16条,后交叉韧带损伤14条,胫侧副韧带损伤5条,腓侧副韧带损伤1条.韧带损伤包括韧带完全撕裂和部分撕裂. 结论 MRI 是理想的诊断膝关节韧带损伤的无创性检查方法.     

Functional bracing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a prospective, randomized, multicenter study

BACKGROUND: Bracing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is expensive and is not proven to prevent injuries or influence outcomes. PURPOSE: To determine whether postoperative functional knee bracing influences outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial. METHODS: One hundred volunteers from the 3 US service academies with acute anterior cruciate ligament tears were randomized into braced or nonbraced groups. Only those subjects with anterior cruciate ligament tears treated surgically within the first 8 weeks of injury were included. Patients with chondral injuries, significant meniscal tears, or multiple knee ligament injuries were excluded. Surgical procedures and the postoperative physical therapy protocols were identical for both groups. The braced group was instructed to wear an off-the-shelf functional knee brace for all cutting, pivoting, or jumping activities for the first year after surgery. RESULTS: Ninety-five subjects were available with a minimum 2-year follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in knee stability, functional testing with the single-legged hop test, International Knee Documentation Committee scores, Lysholm scores, knee range of motion, or isokinetic strength testing. Two braced subjects had reinjuries, and 3 nonbraced subjects had reinjuries. CONCLUSIONS: In this young, active population, postoperative bracing does not appear to change the clinical outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.     

Operative and nonoperative treatments of medial collateral ligament rupture with early anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a prospective randomized study

BACKGROUND: The apparent consensus is that solitary medial collateral ligament rupture can be treated nonoperatively, but treatment of severe combined ruptures of the medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament remains controversial. HYPOTHESES: Nonoperative and early operative treatments of grade III medial collateral ligament rupture lead to similar results when the anterior cruciate ligament is reconstructed in the early phase. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: Forty-seven consecutive patients with combined anterior cruciate ligament and grade III medial collateral ligament injuries were randomized into 2 groups. The medial collateral ligament injury was treated operatively in group 1 (n = 23) and non-operatively in group 2 (n = 24). In both groups, the anterior cruciate ligament injury was treated with early reconstruction, using bone-patellar tendon-bone graft and interference screw. Two years postoperatively, knee stability was measured with a KT-1000 arthrometer and Telos valgus radiography and knee extension strength with a Biodex dynamometer and a 1-legged hop test. An International Knee Documentation Committee evaluation form and Lysholm score were completed. RESULTS: All 47 patients were available for clinical evaluation for a mean of 27 months (range, 20-37 months) after surgery. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups with respect to subjective function of the knee, postoperative stability, range of motion, muscle power, return to activities, Lysholm score, and overall International Knee Documentation Committee evaluation. The subjective outcome and Lysholm score were good and anteroposterior knee stability excellent in both groups. CONCLUSION: Nonoperative and operative treatments of medial collateral ligament injuries lead to equally good results. Medial collateral ligament ruptures need not be treated operatively when the anterior cruciate ligament is reconstructed in the early phase.     

膝关节弯曲位3T 磁共振成像的临床分析

目的：探讨3 TMR膝关节弯曲位成像的优越性。方法58例临床怀疑膝关节损伤的患者行3 TMRI检查,58例患者同时行常规成像和弯曲位成像。采用双盲法对2种方法得出的常规图像和弯曲位图像按照韧带显示程度和对病变的显示能力进行评价。结果58例膝关节常规成像中,前后交叉韧带同时完整显示19例,显示韧带损伤25例（前交叉韧带损伤9例,后交叉韧带损伤16例）。58例膝关节弯曲位成像中,前后交叉韧带同时完整显示45例,Wrisberg韧带完整显示7例,显示韧带损伤28例（前交叉韧带损伤11例,后交叉韧带损伤16例,Wrisberg 韧带损伤1例）。结论膝关节弯曲位成像的交叉韧带、Wrisberg韧带和病变显示程度明显优于常规方法。     

Risk factors associated with noncontact injury of the anterior cruciate ligament: a prospective four-year evaluation of 859 West Point cadets

BACKGROUND: The causes of noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury remain an enigma. PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate risk factors for noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries in a large population of young athletic people. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: In 1995, 1198 new United States Military Academy cadets underwent detailed testing and many parameters were documented. During their 4-year tenure, all anterior cruciate ligament injuries that occurred were identified. Statistical analyses were used to identify the factors that may have predisposed the cadets to noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries. RESULTS: Among the 895 cadets who completed the entire 4-year study, there were 24 noncontact anterior cruciate ligament tears (16 in men, 8 in women). Significant risk factors included small femoral notch width, generalized joint laxity, and, in women, higher than normal body mass index and KT-2000 arthrometer values that were 1 standard deviation or more above the mean. The presence of more than one of these risk factors greatly increased the relative risk of injury. All female cadets who had some combination of risk factors sustained noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries, indicating that some combinations of factors are especially perilous to the female knee. CONCLUSION: Several risk factors may predispose young athletes to noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury.     

Comparison of estimated anterior cruciate ligament tension during a typical and flexed knee and hip drop landing using sagittal plane knee modeling

Noncontact mechanisms, such as landing from a jump, account for over 70% of all anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Increased knee and hip flexion during landing has been suggested to decrease anterior cruciate ligament tension; however, current literature utilizing knee modeling approaches has not investigated this. Our purpose was to compare estimated anterior cruciate ligament tension in females between a typical and flexed knee and hip drop landing performance. A sagittal plane knee model based on kinematic, kinetic, electromyography, and cadaveric data was used to estimate forces on the anterior cruciate ligament during a typical and flexed drop landing for 23 females. Model estimated peak anterior cruciate ligament tension decreased by 10% during the flexed landing performance (p=0.008). This was accounted for by an increase in hamstring shear force by 6% of body weight and a reduction in patellar tendon shear force and femur-tibia shear force by 3% of body weight each. Results suggest that simple verbal cues for increased knee and hip flexion during landing may be effective in reducing anterior cruciate ligament tension and potential risk of injury during landing.     

Delayed anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in adolescents with open physes

BACKGROUND: Treatment of anterior cruciate ligament rupture in adolescents with open physes is controversial. HYPOTHESIS: Delaying reconstruction until the physes bridge will affect the rate of additional knee injuries. STUDY DESIGN: Case control. METHODS: The physes group was 13 adolescents with open physes whose anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions were delayed until their physes bridged. Specific types of activity were absolutely restricted during the delay. The physes groups' rates of additional injuries, identified arthroscopically at reconstruction, were compared to rates among 116 skeletally mature adolescents. The comparison adolescents were stratified into four groups by interval from injury to reconstruction (<1 week, 1 to 6 weeks, 6 to 26 weeks, >26 weeks). RESULTS: The additional injury rates in the physes and four comparison groups were 46%, 50%, 47%, 43%, and 69%, respectively. Severity of additional injury, mechanism of injury, and rate of additional surgical procedures were similar among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence that intentionally delayed anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction increased the rate of additional knee injuries. Delayed reconstruction is a valid treatment option for adolescents with open physes at injury. Absolute activity restriction is key to decreasing the risk of additional knee injuries.     

The effect of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on the risk of knee reinjury

BACKGROUND: Although there is evidence that very active, young patients are better served with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, there is a lack of objective data demonstrating that future knee injury is prevented by these procedures. HYPOTHESIS: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction protects against reinjury of the knee that would require reoperation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: A cohort of 6576 active-duty army personnel who had been hospitalized for anterior cruciate ligament injury from 1990 to 1996 were identified. Using the Total Army Injury and Health Outcomes Database, the authors followed these individuals for up to 9 years and collected clinical, demographic, and occupational data. These data were evaluated with bivariate and multivariable analyses to determine the effect of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on the rate of knee reinjury that required operation. RESULTS: Of the 6576 study subjects, 3795 subjects (58%) underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and 2781 (42%) did not. The rate of reoperation was significantly lower among the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction group (4.90/100 person-years) compared with those treated conservatively (13.86/100 person-years; P < .0001). Proportional hazard regression analyses adjusted for age, race, sex, marital status, education, and physical activity level confirmed that anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was protective against meniscal and cartilage reinjury (P < .0001). Secondary medial meniscal injury was more common than secondary lateral meniscal injury (P < .003). Younger age was the strongest predictor of failure of conservative management leading to late anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction protected against reoperation in this young, active population; younger subjects were more likely to require late anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Strong consideration should be given to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction after anterior cruciate ligament injury in young, active individuals.     

A multivariate risk analysis of selected playing surfaces in the National Football League: 1980 to 1989. An epidemiologic study of knee injuries.

This study focuses on the injury rates for natural grass and AstroTurf surfaces and the risk factors of game position and type of play. We examined the game-related knee sprains, medial collateral ligament sprains, and anterior cruciate ligament sprains that occurred in the National Football League during the 1980 to 1989 seasons. The findings are controlled for categories of severity (number of games missed due to injury), position, and situation (rushing or passing) at the time of injury. The analysis of the data incorporates epidemiologic techniques associated with incidence density ratios. The data show that there is a statistically significant difference between the higher AstroTurf injury rates for knee sprains. When knee sprains are separated into medial collateral ligament sprains and anterior cruciate ligament sprains, only the anterior cruciate ligament sprains show a statistically significant higher injury rate for AstroTurf. When simultaneous control variables are considered, significantly more knee sprains occurred to backs on rushing plays and linemen on passing plays. When controlling the data for severity, only the Category II injuries (three or more games missed) sustained by linemen on passing plays had statistically significant higher injury rates for the AstroTurf. For medial collateral ligament sprains, only the Category II injuries for linemen on passing plays remain statistically significant. The data for the ACL sprains show statistically significant differences between the injury rate on natural grass and the injury rate on Astro Turf under conditions of special teams play.     

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cruciate Ligament Injuries of the Knee

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are important stabilizers of the knee. These ligaments are commonly injured in sports and motor vehicle accidents. An accurate diagnosis of cruciate ligament injuries is vital in patient care. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can diagnose cruciate ligament injuries with high accuracy. The imaging diagnosis should be based on primary signs, although the secondary signs are sometimes useful, particularly in chronic cases. The detection of associated injuries of other structures of the knee, including menisci, collateral ligaments, cartilage, and bone, are also important. Accurate interpretation of the MRI examination requires a meticulous MRI technique, knowledge of the imaging anatomy, and understanding of the lesion appearance. This pictorial essay reviews the MRI appearance of normal and injured cruciate ligaments. Mechanisms of injury, primary and secondary MRI signs, and associated abnormalities are discussed.