Isokinetic flexion strength recovery after ACL reconstruction: a comparison between all inside graft-link technique and full tibial tunnel technique

Introduction: Recently, a new minimally invasive single bundle technique for anatomic ACL reconstruction has been described, called the ‘All-Inside graft-link technique’. One of the advantages of this procedure is the reduced morbidity at the donor site as the graft choice is the quadrupled semitendinosus, thus sparing the gracilis tendon. The aim of this study was to evaluate isokinetic flexion strength recovery in patients who underwent a gracilis sparing technique compared to those with a full-tibial tunnel technique using a doubled gracilis and semitendinosus tendons (DGST) graft.

Methods: Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (22 patients) who underwent ACL reconstruction performed with an All-Inside graft-link technique; Group B (22 patients) who underwent ACL reconstruction with an Out-In technique and DGST graft. At a mean follow-up of 13 months, quadriceps and hamstring isokinetic peak torque deficits were recorded.

Results: In group A, the mean side to side peak torque flexion difference between the operated and non-operated limbs was ?3% and the mean torque at 30° was ?7.5% at high angular velocity (180°/sec); the mean peak flexion torque was 7.2% and the mean torque at 30° was 3.1% at low angular velocity (60°/sec).

In group B, the mean side to side peak flexion torque was ?3.5% and the mean torque at 30° was ?7.6% at high angular velocity (180°/sec); the mean peak flexion torque was ?7.2% and the mean torque at 30° was ?11% at low angular velocity (60°/sec).

A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups at lower angular velocity both for the mean peak flexion torque and the mean torque at 30° (p = 0.009), with better results in the study group.

Discussion/conclusion: Gracilis sparing technique is a minimally invasive technique for ACL reconstruction and yielded a significantly better flexion strength recovery at lower angular velocity compared to a full tibial tunnel technique with DGST for ACL reconstruction.     

Outcome of isolated posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction at mean 6.3-year follow up: a consecutive case series

Objectives: There is a paucity of reporting on surgical outcomes of isolated posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (PCLR). We hypothesize that isolated PCL injuries failing nonoperative treatment achieve good outcomes and are able to return to sport following PCLR.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed to identify patients with isolated PCL injuries that underwent reconstruction between 2001 and 2014. Patients with multi-ligamentous injury or another concomitant knee pathology were excluded. Medical records were reviewed for demographic, clinical and operative data. Patients were contacted for administration of a telephone-based questionnaire which included the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Evaluation form, Lysholm-Tegner scales, Marx activity scale (MAS), return to sport status, and patient satisfaction instruments.

Results: A total of 15 isolated PCL reconstructions in 14 patients with a mean age of 27.5 years (range 17–43) met the study inclusion criteria; mean follow up was 6.3 years (range 1.4–15.2). Pre-operatively, the primary complaint was knee instability in all patients; on physical examination, lack of a firm end point during posterior drawer testing was found in 93% (14/15) of the knees. In total, 12 of 15 knees underwent transtibial, single-bundle PCLR and three of 15 underwent tibial inlay, double bundle PCLR. Graft types included: quadriceps autograft (7/15), Achilles allograft (6/15), and hamstring autograft (2/15). There were no graft failures in our patient cohort. At most recent follow up the mean scores respectively on the IKDC form, Lysholm-Tegner scales and MAS were (standard deviation): 77.3 (16.5), 83.1 (17.9), 6.13 (2.6), and 7.1 (6.0). All fourteen patients were athletes prior to their injury and 79% (11/14) returned to sport and overall patient satisfaction was 9.2/10.

Conclusions: Isolated PCLR provides good outcomes at mean medium-term follow up with restoration of function, high rate of return to sport and overall patient satisfaction.     

Predictive factors of positive online patient ratings of spine surgeons

BACKGROUND

Online physician rating websites are increasingly used by patients to evaluate their doctors. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate factors associated with better spine surgeon ratings.

Charcot foot reconstruction outcomes: A systematic review

BackgroundCharcot neuroarthropathy is a complex condition characterised by progressive deformity, limited treatment options and a high amputation rate. Surgical reconstruction of Charcot foot has been proposed as a method to preserve the foot. However, limited information exists on the different methods of reconstruction available, their outcomes and complications.MethodsWe systematically analysed published data from Jan 1993 to Dec 2018 to assess methods of fixation and associated outcomes for the surgical reconstruction in Charcot neuroarthropathy. Statistical analyses were undertaken to determine the amputation rates, return to ambulation and complications associated with these techniques.ResultsA total of 1116 feet (1089 patients) were reported to have undergone reconstruction with significant heterogeneity in patient selection. Of these, 726 (65%) were reported to undergo internal fixation, 346 feet (31%) external fixation and 44 (4%) undergoing simultaneous internal and external fixation. No single technique demonstrated a significant benefit over the other. Overall, the bone fusion rate was 86.1%. Complications directly attributable to the technique employed were noted in 36% of individuals. The reported post-reconstruction amputation rate was only 5.5% with 91% apparently returning to ambulation.ConclusionsAlthough no preferential method of fixation was identified, we find that the current options for surgical reconstruction could offer limb salvage with a low amputation risk in a highly selected population. However, the lack of controlled studies, inconsistent reporting of outcomes and heterogeneity of patient selection mean that the quality of evidence is low.     

Gd-EOB-DTPA增强MRI评估功能性肝体积与肝功能Child-Pugh分级的相关性

目的：对比解剖性肝脏体积（ALV）和功能性肝脏体积（FLV）与肝功能Child-Pugh分级的相关性。方法：选择温州医科大学附属第二医院育英儿童医院2014年1月至2019年4月同时行增强CT和Gd-EOB-DTPA增强MRI扫描的肝硬化患者25例。对所有患者进行肝功能Child-Pugh评分，检测所有入组患者每个肝段的Gd-EOB-DTPA增强MRI平扫期和肝胆特异期的信号对比增强率（CER），以CT扫描的数据为基础利用MI-3DVS计算每个肝段的ALV和全肝的FLV。分析ALV和FLV与肝功能Child-Pugh分级的相关性。结果：肝功能Child-Pugh分级与ALV呈负相关（r=-0.792，P＜0.001），曲线拟合的决定系数（R2）=0.63；肝功能Child-Pugh分级与FLV亦呈负相关（r=-0.911，P＜0.001），曲线拟合的R2=0.80。FLV与肝功能Child-Pugh分级有更显著的负相关性。结论：结合Gd-EOB-DTPA增强MRI平扫期和肝胆特异期的信号CER和ALV计算所得的FLV较ALV能更好地反映肝脏的功能状态。     

Are patient-reported outcome measures biased by method of follow-up? Evaluating paper-based and digital follow-up after lumbar fusion surgery

Background Context

Long-term follow-up of patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) is essential in both modern spinal care and research. Lack of time and staff are commonly reported barriers to implementing long-term follow-up of PROM. Automated and digital follow-up systems for PROM collection are seeing widespread use, yet their validity and comparative effectiveness have never been evaluated.