Concomitant Ligament Injury Research Articles

Arthroscopic evaluation for tibial plateau fractures on the incidence and types of cruciate ligamentous injuries following closed reduction and internal fixation.

To evaluate the overall incidence and types of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries associated with tibial plateau fractures (TPFs) following closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF), and to identify the relationship between the incidence and types of cruciate ligamentous injuries with Schatzker classification and "three-column" classification. From January 2016 to January 2018, 185 patients with closed TPFs who underwent CRIF were included in this retrospective study. All patients were performed with arthroscopic examination after CRIF, and then, the incidence and types of cruciate ligamentous injuries were recorded and evaluated. The overall incidence rates of cruciate ligamentous injuries associated with TPFs were 37.3% with 21.6% of these being ACL injuries and 15.7% had PCL injuries. Importantly, patients with fractures in "two-column" fractures have a significantly higher incidence rate of ACL avulsion fracture and PCL complete tears (P < 0.05) than other fracture types, especially involving anteromedial and posterior column fractures. In addition, the incidence of PCL partial tears in patients with three-column involvement was 11.8%, which was higher than other fracture patterns based on three-column classification system (P < 0.05). In the current study, Schatzker IV was most commonly associated with ACL injuries, occurring in 48.1% of our series. Furthermore, PCL injuries occurred at a significantly higher incidence in Schatzker VI with 34.5% than other fracture types (P < 0.05). Statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference between Schatzker classification and incidence of injury to the ACL (P < 0.05) and PCL (P < 0.05). Of note, avulsion fracture was the most common types of ACL injuries which was observed in 45% ACL injuries, while partial tear was the most common types of PCL injuries. However, no significant relationship was identified between the types of cruciate ligamentous injuries and Schatzker classification (P> 0.05). In the recognition of concomitant cruciate ligamentous injuries associated with TPFs based on Schatzker classification and three-column classification, orthopaedic trauma surgeons may better guide optimal surgical protocols for patients.

The role of concomitant ligament injury in the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis after distal radius fractures: a protocol for a systematic review

IntroductionTreatment of distal radius fractures (DRFs) aims to restore anatomic position of the fracture fragments and congruity of the articular surface to optimise functional outcomes and prevent osteoarthritis in the...

Diagnosing the Impact of the Syndesmotic Injury on Lateral Ankle Stability using Dynamic Ultrasound

Category:Ankle; Basic Sciences/Biologics; Sports; TraumaIntroduction/Purpose:There is a high prevalence of coexisting lateral ankle ligament injuries and syndesmotic ligamentous injuries. However, it is unclear whether syndesmotic ligaments directly contribute toward the stability of the lateral ankle.Dynamic ultrasonography (US) is an imaging modality increasingly used for the care of orthopaedic foot and ankle patients because it allows dynamic evaluation of structures at the point of care with little risk to the patient and at low-cost. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of syndesmotic injury as well as combined syndesmotic and lateral ankle injury on the stability of the lateral ankle.Methods:Sixteen fresh frozen above-knee amputated cadaveric specimens, divided into two groups, underwent ultrasound evaluation for lateral ankle stability. In both the groups, the assessment was first done with all ligaments intact and later with sequential transection of anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL), interosseous ligament (IOL), posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL), anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) and posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL). In all scenarios, two loading conditions were considered: (1) Anterior drawer test: 50N and 80N and (2) Lateral clear space (LCS): 1.7Nm torque. The talar translation and LCS to the fixed tibial plafond were measured using Image J. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare the findings of each ligamentous transection state to the intact state. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:In group 1 after transection of the all syndesmotic ligament and ATFL, an increase in the anterior drawer and lateral clear space values were found as compared to the intact state. Similarly, in group 2 the anterior drawer and lateral clear space values significantly increased after transection of the AITFL and ATFL as compared to the intact state (p-values = 0.01).Conclusion:Ultrasound can be used to evaluate the impact of the syndesmotic injury on lateral ankle stability while performing dynamic stress maneuvers. Lateral ankle instability appears after injury to all syndesmotic ligaments and ATFL, or after one syndesmotic ligament rupture (AITFL) with a concomitant anterior talofibular ligament rupture (ATFL). These findings suggest that surgeons should lower their threshold for stabilizing the syndesmosis if there is a concomitant lateral ankle ligament injury.

Dynamic Evaluation Of The Effect Of Syndesmotic Injury On Lateral Ankle Stability Using Fluoroscopy

Category:Ankle; Sports; TraumaIntroduction/Purpose:There is a high incidence of concomitance between lateral ankle ligament injuries and syndesmotic ligamentous injuries. However, it is unclear whether syndesmotic ligaments directly contribute toward the stability of the lateral ankle. Stress radiographs are an accepted technique to assess the degree of lateral ankle instability by providing a static view of the ankle when subjected to the anterior drawer (AD) and talar tilt (TT) tests. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of syndesmotic injury as well as combined syndesmotic and lateral ankle injury on the stability of the lateral ankle.Methods:Sixteen fresh frozen above-knee amputated cadaveric specimens, divided into two groups, underwent fluoroscopic evaluation for lateral ankle stability. In both the groups, the assessment was first done with all ligaments intact and later with sequential transection of anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL), interosseous ligament (IOL), posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL), anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) and posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL). In all scenarios, two loading conditions were considered: (1) Anterior drawer test: 50N and 80N and (2) Talar tilt and Lateral clear space (LCS): 1.7Nm torque. The talar translation, talar tilt, and LCS were measured using Image J. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare the findings of each ligamentous transection state to the intact state. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:In group 1 after transection of the AITFL and IOL, an increase in the anterior drawer, talar tilt, and lateral clear space values was found as compared to the intact state. Similarly, in group 2 the anterior drawer, talar tilt, and lateral clear space values significantly increased after transection of the AITFL and ATFL as compared to the intact state (p-values = 0.001).Conclusion:Lateral ankle instability appears after injury to two syndesmotic ligaments (AITFL and IOL), or after one syndesmotic ligament rupture (AITFL) with a concomitant anterior talofibular ligament rupture (ATFL). These findings suggest that surgeons should lower their threshold for stabilizing the syndesmosis if there is a concomitant lateral ankle ligament injury.

Tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT–TG) distance is a reliable measurement of increased rotational laxity in the knee with an anterior cruciate ligament injury

BackgroundThe aims of this study were: 1. To evaluate the use of the tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT–TG) distance as a measurement showing rotational instability after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. 2. To determine the effect of concomitant anterolateral ligament (ALL) injury on TT–TG distance. MethodsKnee magnetic resonance (MR) images of 251 patients were retrospectively evaluated to compare the study group (131 patients) who underwent ACL reconstruction due to acute complete ACL injury and the control group (120 patients) without any trauma and/or patellofemoral instability. The rate of secondary signs of ACL injury (Anterolateral ligament injury, Kissing lesion, Anterior tibial translocation, Buckling of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)) in the study group was noted. The relationship between the TT–TG distance and other secondary signs was examined. ResultsTT–TG distance was measured as 10.83 ± 1.2 mm, 12.88 ± 1.1 mm, 14.17 ± 1.5 mm in control, isolated ACL and ACL + ALL groups, respectively (p < 0.05). TT–TG distance was significantly higher in the patients with ALL injury and kissing lesions than the patients without these lesions (p ˂ 0.05). TT–TG distance did not differ significantly between the patients with and without anterior tibial translocation or buckling of the PCL (p ˃ 0.05). TT–TG distance measurements showed significant interobserver 0.994 (0.992–0.996) and intraobserver 0.997 (0.996–0.998) correlation. ConclusionsTT–TG distance measurement can be used as a reliable quantitative measure of the increased rotational instability after ACL injury. TT–TG distance increases significantly if there is an ALL injury accompanying the ACL injury.

Four Risk Factors for Arthrofibrosis in Tibial Spine Fractures: A National 10-Site Multicenter Study

Background: Tibial spine fractures (TSFs) are relatively rare pediatric injuries. Postoperative arthrofibrosis remains the most common complication, with few studies having examined factors associated with its development. Purpose: To identify risk factors for arthrofibrosis and required MUA or lysis of adhesions in the largest known cohort of patients with TSFs. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This was a multicenter study of 249 patients ≤18 years old who had a TSF between January 2000 and February 2019. Patients were separated into cohorts based on whether they developed arthrofibrosis, defined as a 10° deficit in extension and/or 25° deficit in flexion at postoperative 3 months or a return to the operating room for manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) and/or lysis of adhesions. Results: A total of 58 (23.3%) patients developed postoperative arthrofibrosis, with 19 (7.6%) requiring a return to the operating room for MUA. Patients with arthrofibrosis were younger (mean ± SD, 11.3 ± 2.7 vs 12.3 ± 2.8 years; P = .029). They were more likely to have a nonsport, trauma-related injury (65.4% vs 32.1%; P < .001) and a concomitant ACL injury (10.3% vs 1.1%; P = .003). Those with arthrofibrosis had longer operative times (135.0 vs 114.8 minutes; P = .006) and were more likely to have been immobilized in a cast postoperatively (30.4% vs 16.6%; P = .043). In multivariate regression, concomitant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury (odds ratio [OR], 20.0; P = .001), traumatic injury (OR, 3.8; P < .001), age <10 years (OR, 2.2; P = .049), and cast immobilization (OR, 2.4; P = .047) remained significant predictors of arthrofibrosis. Concomitant ACL injury (OR, 7.5; P = .030) was additionally predictive of a required return to the operating room for MUA. Conclusion: Surgeons should be cognizant of arthrofibrosis risk in younger patients with concomitant ACL tears and traumatic injuries not resulting from athletics. Furthermore, postoperative immobilization in a cast should be avoided given the high risk of arthrofibrosis. Concomitant ACL injury is associated with a higher return to the operating room for MUA.

Ulnar collateral ligament injuries of the first metacarpophalangeal joint: prevalence of associated injuries on radiographs and MRI

PurposeTo evaluate the prevalence of associated findings at the first metacarpophalangeal joint on radiographs and MRI following acute ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries.Materials and methodsThis retrospective study included 25 patients with an injury of the UCL at MRI. Presence of associated injuries to the volar ligaments (checkrein and phalangoglenoid ligaments and volar plate) was assessed on radiographs and MRI independently by two musculoskeletal radiologists. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare frequencies of injuries between both modalities (p < 0.05). Interreader variability was calculated.ResultsComplete tears of the UCL (48%/60%, reader 1/2) were more common than partial tears (24%/16%) on MRI. Dislocation of the UCL ≥ 3 mm was detected in 40%/56% on MRI. UCL avulsion fractures were more frequently seen on MRI (28%) compared with radiographs (12%) for reader 1. Associated avulsion injuries of the phalangoglenoid ligament were evident in 12%/8% on radiographs and in 80%/76% on MRI. Almost all patients (100%/79%) with a dislocated UCL tear showed a concomitant volar ligament injury; and even two-thirds (66%/72%) of the non-displaced UCL tears had an injury to the volar ligaments. Interreader agreement was moderate to excellent (κ = 0.60–1.0).ConclusionUCL tears are often associated with volar ligament injuries, even in lesser degrees of an UCL injury.

Mid-term outcomes of surgical management of complex, isolated radial head fractures: a multicentre collaboration.

The available literature discussing optimal surgical management of Mason II and III radial head (RH) fractures without concomitant bone or ligamentous injuries is limited. We aim to help determine the appropriate management of these functionally significant injuries. We present our retrospective cohort study of outcomes of surgically managed isolated, displaced RH fractures SETTING: Study from three trauma centres. Adults who underwent surgical treatment for isolated displaced RH fractures. RH open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), replacement or excision MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Elbow range of motion (ROM), pain and function using Oxford Elbow Score (OES), Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), Patient-Rated Elbow Evaluation (PREE) and QuickDASH (QD). Of 46 patients included (mean age 47 years and mean follow-up 48 months), 12 type II fractures were treated with ORIF and 34 type III injuries had ORIF (16), replacement (12) or resection (6). ROM was comparable in all groups, with mean arcs of flexion-extension of 131° and pronation-supination of 147°. Mean visual analogue score for pain was 1.3 in those treated with ORIF compared to 1.9 with arthroplasty and 2.5 with excision. Mean functional scores were 41, 92, 14 and 14 for OES, MEPS, PREE and QD, respectively. Complication rates were 39% for ORIF, 33% for arthroplasty and 33% for resection. Overall re-operation rate was 13%. Functional outcome is similar in all groups of surgically treated patients with isolated, displaced RH fractures. Complication rates are higher than that reported previously in the literature but with low re-operation rates. IV.

Altered tibiofemoral position following ACL reconstruction is associated with cartilage matrix changes: A voxel-based relaxometry analysis.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between postsurgical tibial translation (TT) and tibial rotation (TR) with cartilage matrix changes using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging, specifically voxel-based relaxometry with T1ρ and T2 mapping sequences. Knee magnetic resonance imaging's (MRI's) of 51 patients with unilateral anterior cruciate ligament injury, no concomitant ligamentous injury, history of osteoarthritis (OA), and previous knee surgery were scanned prior to surgery. Thirty-four patients completed follow-up MRI scans at 6-month, 1- and 2-year post-reconstruction and were included in this study. Knee biomechanics, T1ρ, and T2 were calculated using an in-house Matlab program. Compared to the contralateral knee, the injured knee demonstrated significantly increased anterior TT at baseline (P < .001), 6-month (P < .001), 1- (P = .001), and 2-year (P < .001). Furthermore, patients were divided into groups based on TT at 6-month. When compared to patients with normal TT, those with increased anterior TT at 6-month displayed significantly longer T1ρ and T2 relaxation times in 10.4% and 7.4% of the voxels in the injured medial tibia at 1-year, respectively, as well as 12.4% and 9.8% of the voxels in the injured medial tibia at 2-year, respectively. Our results demonstrate an association between abnormal tibiofemoral position and early degradative changes to the articular cartilage matrix of the injured knee. Clinical significance: These findings suggest that altered tibiofemoral position following ACL reconstruction is associated with early degeneration of knee cartilage. Future prospective studies employing longer follow-up times are warranted to evaluate the relationship between abnormal tibiofemoral position and the early onset of posttraumatic OA.

Return to Play and Career Length After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Among Canadian Professional Football Players

Background: For many athletes, a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) represents a significant injury that requires a prolonged period away from the sport with substantial rehabilitation. Hypothesis: There will be no difference in return to play (RTP) and career length after hamstring tendon (HT) ACL reconstruction in a group of Canadian Football League professional players as compared with what has been already been reported in the literature among professional football players. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data on athletes who sustained an ACL injury were collected by team physicians and head athletic trainers from 2002 to 2017 from 2 Canadian Football League teams. Patient details included age at the time of injury, initial injury date, position, practice versus game injury, and primary versus rerupture with injury-specific data, such as affected limb, concomitant injuries, graft choice, and procedure performed. RTP rates and career length data were collected through publically available internet sources. Comparisons between the non-RTP and RTP groups were made with independent-sample t tests. Binomial logistic regression was performed to determine variables (ie, games preinjury, graft type, meniscal injury, collateral ligament injury) that contributed to players not being able to RTP. Results: A total of 44 ACL reconstructions were performed over the study period (HT, n = 32 [72.7%]; bone–patellar tendon–bone [BPTB], n = 8 [18.2%]; allograft, n = 4 [9.1%]). Overall, 69.8% (n = 30) were able to RTP in at least 1 game, while 30.2% (n = 13) did not return. Mean time to return was 316.1 days (range, 220-427 days), or 10.4 months. For those players who did RTP, mean career length after ACL reconstruction was 2.8 seasons, or 34.4 games. The majority (56.8%) of injuries occurred early in the season. Breakdown by graft type demonstrated RTP rates among HT, BPTB, and allograft of 64.5% (n = 20), 87.5% (n = 7), and 75% (n = 3), respectively. Career length among HT, BPTB, and allograft was 2.9, 2.4, and 3 seasons. Logistic regression analysis found only concomitant medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries to be a negative predictor for RTP. Meniscal injuries were associated with a decreased RTP rate and career length, but this was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The RTP rates after ACL reconstruction in this study are similar to those reported in National Football League players. A concomitant injury to the MCL injury was a negative predictor of RTP. Meniscal injuries demonstrated a trend for decreased RTP rate and career length, but this was not a significant predictor. A large portion of injuries occur early in the season, and further study should be done to examine potential preventative strategies to reduce ACL injuries.

The risk of concomitant injuries of the contralateral side in valgus injured knee by lateral bumper impact – “Windswept injury mechanism”-

PurposeValgus injury of high energy of the lateral bumper impact can lead blows to the inside of the knee that push the knee outwards or indirect injury where a varus force is applied to the contralateral knee, which injury pattern named as “Windswept injury mechanism” in this study. The objective of this study was to establish injury pattern in the contralateral side knee on the basis of this pattern recognition to enhance a diagnosis of interrelated osseous and soft-tissue injuries. MethodsSixteen patients by “Windswept injury mechanism” were identified, who visited a level 1 trauma center between Jan 2007 and Dec 2016. We first evaluated the osseous and soft tissue injuries at primary impacted site by valgus force after checking MRI. Thereby, assessed the contralateral knee which structures were injured. To find any correlation between both knees in ligament injuries, patients were divided into two groups according to coincided anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. ResultsBy the “Windswept injury mechanism”, MCL total rupture was observed in all primary knees, and the major ligament injuries also were coincided on the contralateral knee. In primary knee, either ACL or PCL was ruptured in all cases. 9 patients (56%) had combined ACL rupture with MCL injury, 12 patients (75%) of combined PCL injury, and 5 patients (31%) had combined injury of both ACL and PCL. In contralateral knee, lateral collateral ligament injury was observed in 69%. 7 patients (44%) was combined with ACL injury, 7 patients (44%) with combined PCL injury, 4 patients (25%) with combined both ACL and PCL injury. In comparison of two groups, significantly higher risk of ACL injury in the contralateral knee was identified when coincided ACL and MCL injury in primary knee (p = 0.003). ConclusionThe specific mechanism-based injury pattern of “Windswept injury mechanism” was the first to identify the mechanism that showed concomitant major ligament injuries in the contralateral knee and to develop validated the higher risk of ACL injury in the contralateral knee when combined ACL and MCL injuries in primary knee, which improving diagnosis of potentially subtle and easily missed knee injuries.

Association of meniscal flounce in the knee with the pattern and location of meniscal tear, concomitant ligamentous injury, amount of knee joint effusion, and flexion and rotation angles: a magnetic resonance evaluation.

To determine the association of meniscal flounce with the pattern and location of the meniscal tear, concomitant ligamentous injury, amount of knee joint effusion, and flexion and rotation angles. A total of 283 knees of 280 patients were retrospectively reviewed over a 9-month period. Thirty-one magnetic resonance images of patients with meniscal flounce were compared with those of age- and sex-matched control group (n = 62) without meniscal flounce. The presence of meniscal tear was evaluated and, if present, its location and pattern were recorded. The amount of joint effusion was graded, and the joint angle was measured. The Fisher's exact, Cochran-Armitage trend, and t tests were performed to compare the findings between the two groups. The decision tree analysis was employed to determine the most significant factor of meniscal flounce. Meniscal flounce was present in 11.0% (31/283) of the adult population. Approximately 80.6% of meniscal flounce occurred in the torn medial menisci. The presence of meniscal flounce was significantly associated with tears at the body (p = 0.007), posterior horn (p = 0.001), and meniscocapsular junction (p = 0.002) of the medial meniscus. The decision tree analysis revealed that the posterior horn tear of the medial meniscus was the most significant predictor of meniscal flounce. The most significant factor associated with meniscal flounce is tear at the posterior horn of the medial meniscus, followed by tear at the meniscocapsular junction.

Promising clinical and magnetic resonance imaging results after internal bracing of acute posterior cruciate ligament lesions in multiple injured knees.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of acute posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) lesions in multiple injured knees that were surgically treated with internal bracing. Acute complete PCL lesions in multiple injured knees with subsequent internal-bracing treatment within 21days between 2014 and 2016 were eligible for inclusion. At final follow-up, patients were assessed with Tegner, Lysholm, and IKDC scores. PCL stability and healing were verified with KT-2000, stress radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fourteen patients [mean age 37.4 (± 17.8; SD) years] were evaluated after a mean follow-up of 19.9 (± 7.7; SD) months. Thirteen patients suffered complete lesions of the PCL with concomitant ligamentous injuries (Schenck I: six cases, Schenck III M: five cases, Schenck IV N: one case, Schenck V: one case). Median Tegner, mean Lysholm and mean IKDC scores at follow-up were 4 (2-7; interquartile range), 69.1 (± 16.6; SD) and 68.9 (± 18.1; SD) respectively. Posterior translation averaged 5.8 (± 2.2; SD) mm with the KT 2000 and stress radiography showed a mean posterior tibial translation of 5.5 (± 4.1; SD) mm in the side to side comparison. MRI showed adequate PCL healing. Internal bracing as treatment for acute PCL ruptures in multiple injured knees showed adequate restoration of posterior tibial translation in a single-centre study including 14 cases. IV.

MRI Evaluation of Anterolateral Ligament of the Knee: A CrossSectional Study in Malaysia

Introduction: Anterolateral ligament (ALL) of the knee has been demonstrated to be an important secondary restrainer in providing rotational stability to the knee. ALL stabilizes the internal tibial rotation with increasing knee flexion. ALL injuries with concomitant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries have a higher grade of pivot shift. Magnetic resonant (MR) studies on ALL have been performed but there is no such data among the Malaysian population. We aim to investigate the reproducibility of ALL identification on 1.5T MRI and the association with other ligamentous injuries. Materials and method: Magnetic resonant imaging of the knees with suspected ligamentous injuries from 1st January 2017 to 30th June 2017 were reviewed for suitability of this study. Post-operative MRI and MRI of patients with suspected tumour at the knee region were excluded. 1.5T MRI (Siemens Medical Solution) was used for assessment of all the knees. All MRIs were double read and approved by a consultant radiologist. Results: A total of 36 knee MR images were obtained from 31 patients during the study period. 5 patients were excluded (3 for suspected tumour and 2 for post-operative). Mean age of the patients was 29.44. All three components of ALL were identified in 20 MRIs (55.6%): femoral component (75%); meniscal (69.4%) and tibial (58.3%). There were 11 knees identified to have ALL injury, which was associated with ACL injury. Discussion: ALLs are best visualized on coronal views (PD, PD FS and T2) with lateral inferior genicular artery as a guide to locate the bifurcation of meniscal and tibial components. Delineation of ALLs from other surrounding structures such as lateral collateral ligaments, iliotibial band and popliteus tendon was done in both coronal and axial views. Conclusion: ALLs of the knees are delineated in more than half of the MR images. There is an association between ALL injuries and ACL injuries.

Incidence of Displaced Posterolateral Tibial Plateau and Lateral Femoral Condyle Impaction Fractures in the Setting of Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear

Background: Bone bruising of the posterolateral tibial plateau and the lateral femoral condyle sulcus terminalis has a well-established association with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Impaction fractures of the femur and tibia may occur in these locations; however, there is a paucity of literature describing these fractures. Purpose: The primary objective was to quantify the incidence, size, and location of impaction fractures of the posterolateral tibial plateau and lateral femoral condyle in patients with primary ACL tears. The secondary objective was to investigate the association between impaction fractures and concomitant meniscal and ligamentous injuries. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence 4. Methods: Patients with available magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans who were treated for primary ACL tear by a single surgeon were identified. MRI scans were reviewed with denotation of posterolateral tibial and femoral condylar contusions and displaced impaction fractures. Measurements of the lateral tibial plateau were taken in all patients with displaced lateral tibial plateau fractures and in a subset of control patients without tibial plateau fracture present to characterize the size and location of the bony lesion. Associations of impaction fractures with concomitant meniscal or ligamentous injuries were evaluated through use of chi-square testing. Results: There were 825 knees identified with available MRI scans. Lateral tibial plateau bone bruising was present in 634 knees (76.8%), and lateral femoral condyle bone bruising was present in 407 knees (49.3%). Posterolateral tibial plateau impaction fractures were present in 407 knees (49.3%), and lateral femoral condylar impaction fractures were present in 214 knees (25.9%). Patients with posterolateral tibial plateau impaction fractures were older than patients without these fractures (42.6 vs 32.7 years; P < .001), whereas patients with lateral femoral condylar impaction fractures were younger (23.8 vs 32.7 years; P < .001). There were 71 knees (8.6%) with a posterolateral tibial plateau impaction fracture with greater than 10% loss of lateral tibial plateau depth, and this group had an increased incidence of lateral meniscus posterior root tears (22.1% vs 12.0%; P = .02). Conclusion: Posterolateral tibial plateau impaction fractures occurred with a high incidence (49.3%) in patients with primary ACL tears and demonstrated an increased association with lateral meniscus posterior horn root tears as their size increased. Lateral femoral condylar impaction fractures occurred in 25.9% of patients with primary ACL tears and entailed an increased incidence of lateral meniscal tears and medial meniscal ramp lesions.

Morphologic Variants of Posterolateral Tibial Plateau Impaction Fractures in the Setting of Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear

Background: Impaction fractures of the posterolateral tibial plateau commonly occur in the setting of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, with considerable variability found in fracture size and morphologic features. Purpose: The primary objective was to characterize different morphologic variants of posterolateral tibial plateau impaction fractures. The secondary objective was to investigate the association between these impaction fracture variants and concomitant meniscal and ligamentous injuries. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence 3. Methods: Patients treated for primary ACL tears and having magnetic resonance imaging available were included in this study, and magnetic resonance images were reviewed with denotation of displaced posterolateral tibial impaction fractures. A classification system was created based on morphologic variants of impaction fractures; associations were evaluated through use of independent chi-square testing. Results: There were 825 knees meeting the inclusion criteria, with displaced posterolateral tibial plateau impaction fractures present in 407 knees (49.3%). We observed 3 distinct morphologic variants of lateral tibial plateau impaction fractures: (I) posterior cortical buckle not involving the articular surface; (II) posterior impaction fracture involving the articular surface, with subtypes based on (A) tibial plateau depth bone loss <10% and (B) bone loss >10%; and (III) displaced osteochondral fragment, with subtypes for (A) shear or (B) depressed fragment. Type IIIA impaction fractures were associated with an increased incidence of lateral meniscus posterior root tears (33.3% vs 12.4%; P = .009) and an increased incidence of lateral meniscal tears (83.3% vs 56.7%; P = .024) compared with all knees without type IIIA impaction fracture. An increased incidence of medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears was noted in patients with type IIIA impaction fractures compared with those who had no fracture or had another fracture type (61.1% vs 20.1%; P < .001). Type IIIB impaction fractures were associated with an increased incidence of lateral meniscal tears (80.0% vs 56.2%; P = .005). Conclusion: A high prevalence of displaced posterolateral tibial plateau impaction fractures occur in the setting of ACL tears, and they can be classified into distinct morphologic subtypes. Posterolateral tibial plateau impaction fractures with displaced depressed or shear fragments were both associated with an increased incidence of lateral meniscal tears, whereas impaction fractures with a shear fragment were associated with an increased incidence of lateral meniscus posterior root tears and MCL tears.

Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction After Primary Anatomic Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Case Series of 40 Patients

To evaluate the surgical methods according to the status of tunnels at the time of revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and to evaluate clinical outcomes of revision ACLR in patients who underwent primary ACLR with the anatomic 4-tunnel double-bundle (DB) technique. A total of 487 patients who underwent primary anatomic DB ACLR from April 2010 to July 2016 were retrospectively reviewed, and among those knees, the patients who underwent revision ACLR were included in the study. The patients with concomitant posterior cruciate ligament injuries were excluded. Forty patients (40 knees) were identified and enrolled. The surgical methods were reviewed. The range of motion, objective laxity using KT-2000, Lysholm score, Hospital for Special Surgery score, International Knee Documentation Committee subjective score, and Tegner score after revision ACLR were compared with those after primary ACLR in the same patient using paired t-test with Bonferroni correction. The timing of reinjury after primary ACLR and mean interval between primary and revision ACLR were 18months (range 1.5-80months) and 24months (range 4-82months), respectively. Among 40 patients, 38 patients (95%) underwent 1-stage revision with the DB technique using pre-existing tunnels without compromised positioning of the grafts, and the other 2 patients (5%) underwent 2-stage revision. The postrevision range of motion, KT-2000, Lysholm score, Hospital for Special Surgery score, International Knee Documentation Committee subjective score, and Tegner score were 137 ± 7°, 2.4 ± 1.2mm, 91.4 ± 5.8, 98.9 ± 2.2, 78.6 ± 11.5, and 5.5 ± 1.2, respectively, and did not show any differences from those after primary ACLR. In the revision setting after primary anatomic DB ACLR, most of the cases could be managed with 1-stage revision with DB technique using pre-existing tunnels, and the objective laxity and clinical scores after revision DB ACLR were comparable with those after primary DB ACLR. Case series, Level IV.

Early Outcomes of Scapholunate Injuries With Concomitant Distal Radius Fractures.

Background: There is limited literature regarding the treatment of concomitant scapholunate ligament (SL) injuries in acute distal radius fractures (DRFs). We hypothesized that surgical treatment of SL injuries in adult patients with DRFs leads to improved functional outcomes. Methods: A retrospective review was made of 42 adult patients who underwent surgical treatment of a DRF with a SL injury between 2005 and 2013. In all, 39 of the 42 patients sustained an intra-articular DRF (AO B or C). SL injury was diagnosed by SL diastasis > 3 mm on posteroanterior (PA) radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, or with wrist arthroscopy. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 23 had a SL repair and were treated within 21 days of injury (acute), 8 underwent SL repair greater than 21 days from injury (subacute/chronic), and 11 did not undergo repair (non-operative). Median overall time to clinical follow-up was 5.1 years. Mayo Wrist Scores (MWS) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores were used to evaluate functional outcome. Results: Clinical outcomes measured by the MWS at final follow-up (6 months-12 years) showed no significant differences between the 3 groups. Of patients treated acutely, 17.3% had good to excellent MWS. MWS at 1-year follow-up was 68.4, 70, and 64 in the acute, subacute/chronic, and non-operative groups, respectively. DASH scores were 16.7, 14.3, and 11.8 in the acute, subacute/chronic, and nonoperative groups, respectively, at a mean of 7.8 years. Conclusions: At mid-term follow-up, all 3 treatment groups had similar DASH scores to the general population. There were no statistical functional differences between any of the groups based upon MWS or DASH scores.

Arthroscopic Assessment of Syndesmotic Instability in the Sagittal Plane in a Cadaveric Model.

Syndesmotic instability is multidirectional, occurring in the coronal, sagittal, and rotational planes. Despite the multitude of studies examining such instability in the coronal plane, other studies have highlighted that syndesmotic instability may instead be more evident in the sagittal plane. The aim of this study was to arthroscopically assess the degree of syndesmotic ligamentous injury necessary to precipitate fibular translation in the sagittal plane. Twenty-one above-knee cadaveric specimens underwent arthroscopic evaluation of the syndesmosis, first with all syndesmotic and ankle ligaments intact and subsequently with sequential sectioning of the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL), the interosseous ligament (IOL), the posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL), and deltoid ligament (DL). In all scenarios, an anterior to posterior (AP) and a posterior to anterior (PA) fibular translation test were performed under a 100-N applied force. AP and PA sagittal plane translation of the distal fibula relative to the fixed tibial incisura was arthroscopically measured. Compared with the intact ligamentous state, there was no difference in sagittal fibular translation when only 1 or 2 ligaments were transected. After transection of all the syndesmotic ligaments (AITFL, IOL, and PITFL) or after partial transection of the syndesmotic ligaments (AITFL, IOL) alongside the DL, fibular translation in the sagittal plane significantly increased as compared with the intact state (P values ranging from .041 to <.001). The optimal cutoff point to distinguish stable from unstable injuries was equal to 2 mm of fibular translation for the total sum of AP and PA translation (sensitivity 77.5%; specificity 88.9%). Syndesmotic instability appears in the sagittal plane after injury to all 3 syndesmotic ligaments or after partial syndesmotic injury with concomitant deltoid ligament injury in this cadaveric model. The optimal cutoff point to arthroscopically distinguish stable from unstable injuries was 2 mm of total fibular translation. These data can help surgeons arthroscopically distinguish between stable syndesmotic injuries and unstable ones that require syndesmotic stabilization.

Multiplanar Loading of the Knee and Its Influence on Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial Collateral Ligament Strain During Simulated Landings and Noncontact Tears

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and concomitant medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries are known to occur during dynamic athletic tasks that place combinatorial frontal and transverse plane loads on the knee. A mechanical impact simulator that produces clinical presentation of ACL injury allows for the quantification of individual loading contributors leading to ACL failure. Purpose/Hypothesis: The objective was to delineate the relationship between knee abduction moment, anterior tibial shear, and internal tibial rotation applied at the knee and ACL strain during physiologically defined simulations of impact at a knee flexion angle representative of initial contact landing from a jump. The hypothesis tested was that before ACL failure, abduction moment would induce greater change in ACL strain during landing than either anterior shear or internal rotation. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Nineteen cadaveric specimens were subjected to simulated landings in the mechanical impact simulator. During simulations, external knee abduction moment, internal tibial rotation moment, and anterior tibial shear loads were derived from a previously analyzed in vivo cohort and applied to the knee in varying magnitudes with respect to injury risk classification. Implanted strain gauges were used to track knee ligament displacement throughout simulation. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to assess strain differences among loading factors, with Wilcoxon each pair post hoc tests used to assess differences of magnitude within each loading. Results: Each loading factor significantly increased ACL strain (P < .005). Within factors, the high-risk magnitude of each factor significantly increased ACL strain relative to the baseline condition (P≤ .002). However, relative to knee abduction moment specifically, ACL strain increased with each increased risk magnitude (P≤ .015). Conclusion: Increased risk levels of each load factor contributed to increased levels of ACL strain during a simulated jump landing. The behavior of increased strain between levels of increased risk loading was most prevalent for changes in knee abduction moment. This behavior was observed in the ACL and MCL. Clinical Relevance: Knee abduction moment may be the predominant precursor to ACL injury and concomitant MCL injury. As knee abduction occurs within the frontal plane, primary preventative focus should incorporate reduction of frontal plane knee loading in landing and cutting tasks, but secondary reduction of transverse plane loading could further increase intervention efficacy. Constraint of motion in these planes should restrict peak ACL strain magnitudes during athletic performance.