Spontaneous Locking of the Knee After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction as a Result of a Broken Tibial Fixation Device

The Intrafix device (DePuy Mitek, Raynham, MA) is one of a number of recently developed products whose aim is to improve fixation of quadrupled hamstring grafts when used for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We present a case of failure and intra-articular migration of the sleeve of an Intrafix device causing locking of the knee 10 weeks after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We were unable to identify the cause of the failure or migration of the device. Rehabilitation had been progressing normally and without incident. The broken fragments were removed arthroscopically, and the reconstruction was found to be intact and healing well. Presumably, the device retained enough mechanical function to allow healing to progress, despite failure of the sleeve. This is, to our knowledge, the first reported case of such an event occurring with the new generation of hamstring graft fixation devices.     

Arthroscopic Reconstruction of Posterior Cruciate Ligament with Embedded Tibial Tendon Bolt

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of newly designed arthroscopic reconstruction of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) using tibial tendon bolt.MethodsThe effects of embedded tendon pin were observed by X‐ray of knee joint. From October 2010 to September 2015, 51 PCL injury patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this retrospective study. The arthroscopically assisted reconstruction of the PCL with tibial tendon bolt was performed on all patients. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score, Tegner activity score, Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) assessment, posterior drawer test (PDT), and KT‐1000 activity score were evaluated preoperatively and at 1‐year postoperative and 3‐year postoperative.ResultsThe preoperative, 1‐year postoperative, and 3‐year postoperative IKDC score (15.8% ± 14.8%, 89.6% ± 5.8%, and 86.8% ± 5.4%), Lysholm score (17.4 ± 10.7, 91.2 ± 2.8, and 88.2 ± 3.1), VAS score (5.8 ± 1.2, 1.3 ± 0.5, and 0.6 ± 0.5), Tegner activity score (1.2 ± 0.8, 8.1 ± 0.8, and 7.4 ± 0.8), and KT‐1000 score (15.6 ± 3.6, 4.5 ± 2.4, and 5.4 ± 1.8) were obtained. There were significant differences in these outcomes among preoperative, 1‐year postoperative, and 3‐year postoperative (all P < 0.0001). After 1‐ and 3‐year surgery, 31 (60.8%) and 26 (51.0%) patients had the negative PDT, indicating that the PCL injury was improved. There were no postoperative complications.ConclusionThe application of tendon pin fixed by tibial inlay 8‐shaped tibial tunnel to reconstruct PCL was an effective, simple, and safe surgical procedure for PCL injury.     

A Proposal for a New Tibial Guide System for Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is always a challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon. It is difficult when the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is intact. We propose a new guide system through the posteromedial portal, avoiding ACL damage. The arthroscope is inserted anteromedially (30°), and anterolateral portals are used for instruments to confirm the diagnosis and inspect the joint to search for and treat associated lesions that may appear eventually. The posteromedial portal is located posterior to the collateral medial ligament superficially, adjacent to a portion of the posteromedial femoral condyle, which is located 1 cm proximal to the posteromedial tibial plate (where a skin marker must be used before insufflation of the knee). Our system is designed with an articular end in the form of a rasp, which helps prepare the area of the posterior tibia to be stripped before the tibial tunnel is drilled while being protected by the drill guide; this simplifies the preparation and creation of the tibial tunnel via a single device, which can be done with a 30° arthroscope but is easier with a 70° arthroscope. The guide system through the posteromedial portal is used to determine a fixed 40° angle of approach to the tibia in the anteroposterior direction to drill the tibial tunnel; this approach is particularly helpful in the presence of an intact ACL. The graft into the femoral tunnel is fixed with a bioabsorbable interference screw whose size must fit the graft and the tunnel walls. Before tibial graft fixation, it is necessary to reduce the posterior drawer. In the tibia the bundle corresponding to the anterolateral portion is tensioned and fixed under flexion, followed by the posteromedial portion in extension, by means of a Bottom Fix system (Smith & Nephew, Mayfield, MA) placed near the exit of the tibial tunnel.     

Supplemental Tibial Fixation for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

This report describes transosseous backup suture fixation for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) grafts of all varieties, used to distally augment proximal screw fixation in the tibia. Using a simple suture configuration, this method secures the ACL graft to the tibial cortex in conjunction with a proximal interference screw. The technique is applicable for all graft configurations, including allograft, autograft, bone, and both 2- and 4-strand soft-tissue grafts. The described technique is intended to be used for secondary or backup fixation of the graft in the tibial tunnel and not as primary fixation. This construct can be reproducibly created, making use of the sutures that are typically present on the graft after the interference screw is placed. This technique for backup tibial fixation precludes the need for external hardware, which in many instances may be symptomatically proud. Furthermore, use of this technique may represent a potential cost savings because no additional devices or equipment is used or purchased. This technique is simple, fast, and inexpensive, making use of available constructs to enhance the security of graft fixation during ACL reconstruction.     

关节镜下胫骨端RigidFix、股骨端IntraFix固定技术重建后交叉韧带

目的探讨胫骨端RigidFix和股骨端IntraFix固定重建技术治疗后交叉韧带损伤的临床疗效。方法2007年3月-2010年3月,采用同种异体胫前肌腱为移植物重建后交叉韧带35例,男27例,女8例。年龄25—42岁,平均32．5岁。左膝12例,右膝23例。移植物胫骨端以RigidFix横穿钉固定,股骨端以Intra Fix挤压螺钉固定。术后通过体格检查、Lysholm评分及国际膝关节文献管理委员会（International Knee Documentation Committee,IKDC）评分来评价手术疗效。结果所有手术成功,无骨折或定位偏离等并发症。术后随访24～60个月,平均35．3月。末次随访时35例胫骨下陷征均为阴性;Lachman征阴性33例,I度阳性2例;后抽屉试验阴性31例,I度阳性3例,Ⅱ度阳性1例。Lysholm评分85．0±4．5（80～98）分,优9例,良25例,中1例。IKDC评分85．1±2．6（81～95）分,A级9例,B级26例。上述指标均较术前明显改善。结论胫骨端RigidFix和股骨端IntraFix固定重建后交叉韧带时不用顾忌移植物长度限制,操作简单;中心固定不会影响移植物的位置,可避免对移植物造成切割,避免干扰腱骨界面。此项技术切实可行、固定可靠,且不易发生并发症,疗效优良。     

关节镜下应用EndoPearl与Intrafix固定双侧绳肌肌腱一期重建膝关节前后交叉韧带

目的探讨关节镜下应用EndoPearl与Intrafix固定双侧腘绳肌肌腱同时重建膝关节前后交叉韧带的近期临床效果。方法对2004年6月~2005年3月收治的10例膝关节前后交叉韧带同时断裂的患者,切取双侧腘绳肌腱,2条半腱肌腱和2条股薄肌腱分别对折成四束,折端固定同直径EndoPearl。关节镜下利用两组移植物同时分别重建膝前后交叉韧带。股骨端应用可吸收界面螺钉顶压固定EndoPearl与移植肌腱,胫骨端应用Intrafix固定四束肌腱。结果10例均获得随访,平均7.5个月(6~15个月),切口Ⅰ期愈合,无感染。其中新鲜损伤4例,陈旧性损伤6例,合并后外侧复合体损伤3例,均予同期修复,合并内侧副韧损伤6例,未予特殊处理,5例曾急诊修复腘动静脉。术后3个月膝关节活动范围均超过120°,无伸膝受限,后抽屉试验Ⅰ度阳性2例,其余为阴性;Lyshlom评分(92.6±3.2)分。结论关节镜下应用EndoPearl与Intrafix固定双侧腘绳肌肌腱同时重建膝关节前后交叉韧带方法确切,可有效恢复膝关节功能。     

Antegrade Tibial Tunnel Technique for Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction remains a difficult procedure even in experienced hands0 because there is a lack of consensus regarding the most reliable and least technically challenging technique. The commonly used retrograde anteromedial tibial tunnel leads to excessive angulation at the posterior tibia and risks catastrophic neurovascular complications. We present a technique of drilling the transtibial PCL tunnel in an antegrade fashion through a posteromedial portal. This technique offers the advantage of an anterolateral route to reduce graft angulation, as well as drilling away from the important posterior neurovascular structures.     

Suture Bridge Fixation Technique for Posterior Cruciate Ligament Avulsion Fracture

We presented a surgical technique including a suture bridge technique with relatively small incision for the reduction and fixation of posterior ligament avulsion fractures. A suture anchor was used to hold the avulsed fragment and a knotless anchor was used to continuously compress the bony fragment into the fracture site, thereby maintaining reduction during healing.