Brace Ligament Research Articles

Multiligament instabilities of the knee in sports injuries : An update of the Hamburg concept

Knee dislocation (KD) is arare but severe injury of the knee joint, with ahigh rate of concomitant neurovascular injuries. The severity of the ligamentous injury, which is classified according to the Schenck classification, the mechanism of injury, concomitant injuries and individual factors determine the treatment strategy in KD. Furthermore, aclear differentiation between high-velocity (HV) and low-velocity (LV) injuries is necessary. Generally, surgical treatment within 7-10days should be aspired. Herein, the one-stage hybrid treatment using augmented ligament sutures (ligament bracing) in combination with primary ligament reconstruction (posterolateral and ACL) leads to very good functional results in the mid-term. Ultra-low-velocity (ULV) dislocations and those with concomitant peroneal lesions require amodified approach, due to alimited prognosis. During rehabilitation, the individual progress must be closely monitored and follow an early functional approach. In approximately 20% of all cases, early arthroscopic arthrolysis shows ahigh success rate.

Anatomic repair and ligament bracing as an alternative treatment option for acute combined PCL injuries involving the posteromedial or posterolateral corner—results of a multicentre study

IntroductionCombined PCL injuries involving the posteromedial/-lateral corner (PMC/PLC) usually require surgical management. Literature shows controversy regarding the standards of treatment. Suture-augmented repair leads to excellent results in acute knee dislocations but has not been investigated clinically in combined PCL injuries. The purpose of this multicentre study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of this technique in acute combined PCL injuries.Materials & methodsN = 33 patients with acute combined PCL injuries involving the PMC/PLC were treated by one-stage suture repair with ligament bracing of the PCL and suture repair of the accompanying PMC/PLC injuries with/without ligament bracing or primary augmentation by semitendinosus autograft. Outcome was assessed by IKDC questionnaire, Lysholm Score, Tegner Activity Scale and KOOS. Additional PCL stress-radiography was performed.ResultsN = 31 patients with combined PCL injuries (female: male = 7:24; age 39.1 ± 13.8 years) with a follow-up of 16.8 ± 9.6 months were finally evaluated. 18 had PMC injuries, 13 PLC injuries. 32.2% presented with accompanying meniscal tears (70% medial meniscus). 19.4% showed cartilage injuries grade III-IV. Complications included one infection and four knee stiffnesses. Three had symptomatic postoperative instability, all affiliated to the PLC group. The IKDC was 69.8 ± 16.5, Lysholm score 85 ± 14.4 and KOOS 89.7 ± 8.1. Median loss of activity (Tegner) was 0.89 ± 1.31. Comparing PMC and PLC, all scores showed a tendency towards more favourable outcomes in the PMC group (n.s.). Stress-radiography showed an overall side-to-side difference of 3.7 ± 3.8 mm. Subgroup evaluation showed statistically significant better results (p = 0.035) of PMC (2.5 ± 1.5 mm) versus PLC (5.8 ± 5.6 mm).ConclusionsOne-stage suture repair with ligament bracing is a viable technique for acute combined PCL injuries and predominantly leads to good and excellent clinical outcomes. Patients with PLC injuries show a tendency towards inferior outcomes and higher instability rates compared to PMC injuries. These results may help in therapy planning and counselling patients with these rare injury pattern.Level of evidenceLevel II.

Ligament bracing for lateral ankle joint instability

Ligament bracing for lateral ankle joint instability

The ligament bracing technique for acute knee dislocations

The ligament bracing technique for acute knee dislocations

Biomechanical Stability of Lateral Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction and Repair of the Elbow: The Role of Ligament Bracing on Gap Formation and Stabilization

Background: Augmented (internal braced) lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) repair has been biomechanically compared with reconstruction techniques in the elbow. However, LUCL repair alone has not yet been compared with augmented repair and reconstruction techniques. Hypothesis: Internal bracing of LUCL repair would improve time-zero stabilization regarding gap formation, stiffness, and residual torque as compared with repair alone and reconstruction techniques to restore native elbow stability. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Overall, 24 cadaveric elbows were used for either internal braced LUCL repair (Repair-IB) or single- and double-strand ligament reconstruction with triceps (Recon-TR) and palmaris longus tendon graft (Recon-PL), respectively. Laxity testing in external rotation was consecutively performed at 90° of elbow flexion on the intact, dissected, and repaired conditions and with the previously assigned techniques. First, intact elbows were loaded to 7.0-N·m external torque to evaluate time-zero ligament rotations at 2.5, 4.0, 5.5, and 7.0 N·m. Rotation-controlled cycling was performed (total of 1000 cycles) for each surgical condition. Gapping, stiffness, and residual torque were analyzed. Finally, these and 8 additional intact elbows underwent torque-to-failure testing (30 deg/min). Results: The dissected state showed the highest gap formation and lowest peak torques (P < .001). While gap formation of Repair-IB (P < .021) was significantly lower than that of repair without internal bracing at all rotation levels, gaps of Recon-PL were similar to and Recon-TR were significantly higher than those of Repair-IB except for the highest torsion level. Residual peak torques at specific rotation angles between native state and Recon-TR (α2.5), Recon-PL (α4.0), and Repair-IB (α5.5) were similar; all other comparisons were significantly different (P < .027). Torsional stiffness of Repair-IB was significantly higher at all rotation angles measured. Analysis of covariance showed significantly less gap formation over residual peak torques for Repair-IB (P < .001) as compared with all other groups. The native state failure load was significantly higher than Recon-PL and Recon-TR failure loads, with similar stiffness to all other groups. Conclusion: Repair-IB and Recon-PL of the LUCL showed increased rotational stiffness relative to the intact elbow for restoring posterolateral stability to the native state in a cadaveric model. Recon-TR demonstrated lower residual peak torques but provided near-native rotational stiffness. Clinical Relevance: Internal bracing of LUCL repair may reduce suture-tearing effects through tissue and provide sufficient stabilization for healing throughout accelerated and reliable recovery without the need for a tendon graft.

Prospective clinical results of an additive ligament bracing for stabilizing simple and complex elbow instabilities.

Ligament bracing augments ligament repair using a non-absorbable suture tape. Although biomechanically an increase in primary stability has been proven, there is a lack of clinical evidence. Purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical results of patients treated with ligament bracing due to primary elbow instability, including an analysis of complications. Furthermore, clinical results for patients treated with and without early functional mobilization were compared. This prospective case-series evaluated clinical and functional results from patients treated with ligament bracing due to primary elbow instability. Clinical outcome measures were range of motion (ROM) as well as objective and subjective elbow scores [Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS); Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score (DASH score)]. Stability was evaluated sonographically by humero-radial gapping under varus stress. This study involved 34 patients treated with ligament bracing. After a mean follow-up of 12.9months ROM was 112° ± 29, MEPS 88 ± 13 points, DASH 91 ± 11 points, and 84% were satisfied with their result. Lateral joint gapping was 2.4mm. No significant difference was observed regarding a postoperative mobilization with and without limitations. Most common complication after ligament bracing was elbow stiffness including heterotopic ossifications in four patients (12%). Operatively treated elbow instability with additional ligament bracing results in good clinical outcomes with high patient satisfaction and recovery of elbow stability. The high primary stability of the ligament bracing allows early functional mobilization without bracing, which facilitates postoperative rehabilitation. Elbow stiffness with heterotopic ossification seems to be a potential complication. Furthermore, the optimal tensioning of the ligament bracing remains challenging, including the risk of an over tensioning. III.

Biologically Augmented Suture for Ligament Bracing Procedures Positively Affects Human Ligamentocytes and Osteoblasts In Vitro

The purpose was to evaluate the response of human ligamentocytes and osteoblasts after biological augmentation with thrombin, concentrated bone marrow aspirate (cBMA), or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on two different types of nonresorbable flat braided suture used for ligament bracing. Uncoated (U) and collagen-coated (C) flat braided suture material was augmented with either thrombin (T), cBMA (B), PRP (P), or a combination of these three (A), while platelet-poor plasma was used as a source for fibrin (F) in each assay. Previously cultured ligamentocytes and osteoblasts were added with a defined density and assayed after the required time period for adhesion, proliferation, and alkaline phosphatase activity. Biological augmentation of uncoated [(UFT, UFBT, UFA; P < .001), (UFPT; P= .017)] and collagen-coated suture (CFT, CFPT, CFBT, CFA; P < .001) led to a significantly higher ligamentocyte adhesion. Significantly higher adhesion was also observed for osteoblasts (UFT, UFPT, UFBT, UFA; P < .001; CFT, CFPT, CFBT, CFA; P < .001). Similarly, ligamentocyte proliferation was significantly higher [(UFT, UFPT, UFA; P= .009), (UFBT; P= .001), (CFT; P=.009), (CFBT; P= .001), and (CFA; P= .01)]. Osteoblasts showed significantly higher proliferation as well [(UFT, UFPT,UFA; P= .002), (UFBT; P= .001); (CFT: P= .003), and (CFPT, CFBT, CFA; P= .001)]. Augmentation with thrombin, PRP, and BMA for uncoated (UFT; P= .006, UFPT; P= .035, UFBT; P= .001) and BMA for coated suture (CFBT; P= .027) led to significantly higher alkaline phosphatase activity. Biological enhancement of suture used for ligament bracing significantly increased ligamentocyte and osteoblast adhesion and proliferation, as well as alkaline phosphatase activity of osteoblasts in an invitro model. After biological augmentation, cellular adhesion, proliferation, and alkaline phosphatase activity changed up to 1,077%, 190%, and 78%, respectively. Furthermore, no overall superiority between uncoated or collagen-coated suture material was observed for cellular adhesion, proliferation, or alkaline phosphatase activity. This study provides invitro data on a new treatment concept of biologic augmentation for acute ligamentous lesions treated with ligament bracing that has not been widely described. This concept may improve the healing of injured ligaments, in addition to providing immediate biomechanical stabilization.

Biomechanical Comparison of Two Fixation Techniques for Lateral Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair With Ligament Bracing

Ligament bracing is a technique of suture reinforcement that can be used to augment lateral ulnar collateral ligament repair in the treatment of posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow, thereby improving early stability of the repair. However, multiple failures of the ulnar anchor during implantation have been documented. We hypothesized that the use of a cortical button for ulnar fixation of the ligament brace would be biomechanically comparable to a suture anchor construct. Sixteen elbows were tested with a materials testing machine. The intact, dissected, and repaired lateral collateral ligament complex was tested with a cyclic varus rotational torque of 0.5-3.5 Nm in 120°, 90°, 60°, and 30° elbow flexion. For the repair, the specimens were randomized into 2 groups: ulnar fixation of the ligament bracing using a suture anchor and ulnar fixation of the ligament bracing using a cortical button. The number of implant failures was documented. A load-to-failure protocol was conducted in 90° elbow flexion. Load to failure was comparable and was found to be 20.7 Nm in the suture anchor group and 21.8 Nm in the cortical button group. Laxity after ligament bracing did not differ significantly between suture anchor and cortical button fixation. Compared with the native ligament, the laxity was significantly reduced after ligament bracing. The failure mode was slippage of the suture tape through the humeral anchor in all cases. Additionally, the capitellum was damaged in 9 of 16 cases. A cortical button for ulnar fixation of the ligament bracing was comparable with a suture anchor fixation with regard to biomechanical properties such as laxity and load to failure. A cortical button fixation is less prone to failure of insertion. This would improve the implantation technique, while clinical results are expected to be comparable.

Anatomical repair and ligament bracing of Schenck III and IV knee joint dislocations leads to acceptable subjective and kinematic outcomes

PurposeThe aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of anatomical repair and ligament bracing for Schenck III and IV knee dislocation (KD).MethodsThe results of 27 patients (15 and 12 cases of Schenck III and IV KD, respectively) after a mean follow-up of 18.1 ± 12.1 months (range 6–45 months) were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-two patients suffered high-kinetic-energy accidents, whereas five patients suffered ultralow-velocity (ULV) trauma due to obesity. The outcome measures were the Lysholm score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score, Knee Society Score (KSS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Short Form 36 (SF-36) score. A kinematic 3D gait analysis with five walking trials was performed to compare the patients and healthy controls.ResultsThe mean KSS, HSS score, Lysholm score, and KOOS were 77.4 ± 14.4, 84.6 ± 11.2, 81.5 ± 10.4, and 67.3 ± 16.8, respectively. No intra- or postoperative complications occurred. The mean range of motion deficiency compared to the healthy side was 24.4 ± 18.5°. Ten patients had first-degree residual laxity of the anterior cruciate ligament; 12 and 2 patients had first- and second-degree residual laxity of the collateral ligament, respectively. Five patients underwent additional arthroscopic arthrolysis due to arthrofibrosis at an average of 6.2 ± 1.9 months (range 4–9 months) after the initial surgery. The 3D gait analysis showed no major differences in joint stability or movement between the patients and healthy controls. Only the ULV trauma patients had significantly lower outcome scores and showed larger kinematic deviations in joint movement during the gait analysis.ConclusionAnatomical repair with ligament bracing is a suitable surgical procedure in the treatment of KD and provides evidence in clinical practice with the benefit of early, definitive repair and preservation of the native ligaments. Patients reach acceptable subjective and objective functional outcomes, including mainly normalized gait patterns during short-term follow-up, with only minor changes in kinematics and spatial–temporal characteristics. Obese patients who suffered ULV trauma showed significantly inferior outcomes with larger deviations in joint kinematics.Level of evidenceLevel III.

Combined posteromedial or posterolateral PCL injuries: Anatomic repair and ligament bracing as a new treatment option - first results of a multicentre study

Aims and Objectives:Acute, isolated PCL injuries can succesfully be managed non-operatively whereas combined PCL injuries usually require surgical management. Currently, there is a lack of evidence regarding the standard of treatment (repair vs. reconstruction, one-stage vs. two-stages procedures). Suture augmented repair leads to good and excellent results in cases of acute knee dislocations. This technique has not been investigated clinically in combined PCL injuries, yet. The aim of this multicentre study was to evaluate the clinical outcome after surgical repair with additional suture augmentation (ligament bracing) of all torn ligaments in acute combined pcl injuries (posteromedial or posterolateral).Materials and Methods:From 2016 to 2018, 25 patients with an acute combined PCL injury were treated with one stage anatomical repair and ligament bracing of the torn ligaments within 14 days at 6 trauma centres (5xGER, 1x SUI). Inclusion criteria: Follow-up min. 6 months, age > 18y. Exclusion criteria: ACL Injury, posteromedial AND posterolateral injury. During the follow-up evaluation, various scores were collected (International Knee Documentation Committee IKDC Score, Tegner Score , KOOS and Lysholm Score). Additional stress radiography was performed (TelosTM) postoperatively.Results:For now 14 combined PCL injuries (posteromedial or -lateral) with a follow-up of 20 months (range 8-33) were evaluated. 10 patients had a posteromedial (PCL + MCL/POL), 4 patients had a posterolateral (PCL + LCL) injury. 10 additional articular lesions were detected (6 meniscus tears, 4 grade IV chondral lesions) and 1 transitional peroneal nerve injury. The average IKDC score was 62.2±18.5, the average Lysholm score was 78±19.2, average KOOS 88.7±7.6. Median loss of activity in the Tegner score was 1 (range 0-5) point. Side-to-side pcl-stress-radiographs showed a difference at a mean of 4.8±3.0mm (range 1-10). 2 cases with symptomatic knee instability, both posterolateral, and 3 patients with knee stiffness needed reoperation. Interestingly, patients with posteromedial injuries showed predominantly good or excellent results according to Lysholm score and were graded as A (4/10) or B (2/10) whereas ligament bracing in posterolateral combined injuries had a high failure rate (Grade D 2/4).Conclusion:Primary anatomic repair and additional suture augmentation predominantly leads to good and excellent clinical results in cases of combined posteromedial PCL injuries. Patients with posterolateral injuries showed inferior clinical outcome and relatively high instability rates following ligament bracing. In conclusion, primary augmented suture repair seems to be a promising treatment option. The overall results of this study have to be evaluated for more exact recommendations.

The irreducible knee-luxation after low-velocity trauma

Aims and Objectives: Knee-luxations are severe and rare injuries. Within the last years there is an incline on low velocity trauma leading to a nee-luxation. The luxated knee should be reduced immediately to minimize collateral damage to soft-tissue structures, nerves, vessels, etc. Materials and Methods: We report about a 87-year old man who was brought to our emergency room after he fell out of his bed. He showed a to the lateral side luxated tibial-head, which could not be reduced in analog sedation. The foot pulses could be measured with the Doppler, the patient was under massive pain so we decided to perform an immediate operative intervention. Even under maximum relaxtion the knee stayed in medial luxation. Results: The open reposition showed the destruction of all medial structures including the subcutaneous fat. The medial condyle was completely uncovered. The sartorious fascia, the ruptured M. vastus medialis and fibres of the medial collateral ligament have been trapped in the medial tibial joint line. The reposition was made possible by incision of the sartorious fascia. The tibially ruptured acl was refixated in a modified canula technique, the medial structures were adapted with sutures and additionally stabilized with ligament bracing for the medial collateral ligament. Postoperatively, the knee was immobilized in an external fixation for two week. Afterward we started with functional rehabilitation. The postoperatively obtained CT-angiography showed now traumatic vascular damage. This case is completely foto-documented. Conclusion: The irreducible knee-luxations are rare complications. So far there are 4 cases published. In all cases there has been an interposition of the musculus vastus medialis an the surrounding structures. An immediate open intervenvtion to reposition the knee has to be performed to avoid severe damage to. Especially the elderly patient benefits from a single-staged procedure to reconstruct the ruptured ligaments. To realize the best outcome early functional rehabilitation under close supervision of the surgeon is necessary.

Management of acute knee dislocations: anatomic repair and ligament bracing as a new treatment option-results of a multicentre study.

The literature shows no consensus regarding the best method and timing for the treatment of acute knee dislocations. Studies indicate that a one-stage procedure performed in the early stages of injury can lead to superior results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results after performing early surgical repair with additional suture augmentation (ligament bracing) of all torn ligaments in acute knee dislocations. In this prospective multicentre study, 73 patients with an acute type III or IV knee dislocation were treated with one-stage ligament bracing within 10days. Twenty-six patients sustained a type III medial dislocation, thirty-nine patients sustained a type III lateral dislocation, and eight patients presented a type IV dislocation. Four patients were lost to follow-up. Within the follow-up evaluation, various scores were collected (International Knee Documentation Committee IKDC Score, Tegner Score and Lysholm Score). Additional stress radiography was performed (Telos™) postoperatively. Sixty-nine knee dislocations (Schenck III and IV) with a follow-up at a mean of 14 ± 1.6months were evaluated. The average IKDC score was 75.5 ± 14.5, the average Lysholm score was 81.0 ± 15.5, and the median loss of activity in the Tegner score was 1 (range 0-3) point. Stress radiographs showed side-to-side differences at a mean of 3.2 ± 1.3mm for the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and of 2.9 ± 2.1mm for the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The operative revision rate (early and late) was 17.4%. In the early stage, one wound infection and one case of transient common peroneal nerve (CPN) paresis were successfully revised. In the later stage, four patients with knee stiffness and six cases with symptomatic knee instability needed reoperation. Patients without ultra-low velocity (ULV) dislocations or CPN showed good or excellent results in 87.5% according to the Lysholm score. In cases of acute knee dislocation, primary ACL and PCL transosseous sutures with additional suture augmentation predominantly lead to good and excellent clinical results. Obese patients sustaining ultra-low velocity (ULV) dislocations and patients following injury to the CPN show inferior outcomes. In patients without ULV and CPNintraoperative and postoperative complications occurred in 10.1%. The obtained results and revision rates show that early primary suture repair is a promising option. Prospective multicentre study, II.

Ligament bracing – Augmentierte Primärnaht bei multiligamentären Verletzungen des Kniegelenks

Reconstruction of knee stability by primary ligament sutures and additional augmentation after knee dislocation. Acute knee dislocation Schenck type III and IV. Operative treatment should be performed within 7 days after injury. Chronic instability after knee dislocation, refixable bony avulsions, critical soft tissue, infection, lack of compliance. Supine position with electric leg holder. Short arthroscopic assessment of concomitant injuries. Schenck type III medial injuries and Schenck IV injuries: anteromedial parapatellar arthrotomy. Injuries type Schenck III lateral: anteromedian arthrotomy. Armoring of ligament stumps for transosseus sutures. Placement of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) drill tunnels. Extracortical diversion of the suture armorings and insertion of augmentation systems. Fixation of the PCL augmentation in 70-90° flexion. Fixation of the ACL augmentation in 20-30° flexion. Knotting of the transosseus ligament sutures. If necessary (postero-)lateral and/or medial stabilization. Limited weight bearing with 20 kg for 6 weeks. Stabilizing brace (e.g., Hypex-Lite®, Albrecht) generally for 12 weeks. Mobilization under tension of the quadriceps muscle for 6 weeks. In total, 20 patients have been treated using the principle of "ligament bracing". So far 8 patients (aged 18-60 years, median 33 years) have been assessed with a follow-up of 10-15 months (median 12 months) postoperatively. In all, 6 patients showed stable knees with good results. Recurrent instability of the ACL was observed in 2 patients; the collateral ligaments and PCL were stable. For the evaluation the following scores were used: IKDC score, Tegner score, and Lysholm score. To objectify the data, stress radiography and physical examination were performed. Using the operative technique mentioned above, no complications occurred. During follow-up 2 patients reported a deficiency of flexion.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Bracing: Evidence in Providing Stability and Preventing Injury or Graft Re-Rupture

Ligamentous knee injuries are common and costly, both in financial terms and time missed from work and recreational activities. Furthermore, ligamentous injuries appear to predispose patients to future osteoarthritis and other morbidities. Therefore, prevention strategies are important in limiting the potential impact of these injuries. Knee braces are one of the most often prescribed devices in the billion-dollar orthotic industry. Despite widespread use of prophylactic and functional knee braces, the evidence supporting their efficacy in reducing and/or preventing injury remains limited. Knee braces have been shown to be more effective in preventing medial collateral ligament injuries than anterior cruciate ligament injuries in both cadaveric and clinical studies. The use of functional braces after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has been supported and refuted in both postoperative and long-term studies.

Current Recommendations for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Bracing: When to Use

Braces are often used during various stages of recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament tear despite there being sparse definitive research supporting their use. This article reviews the literature on brace use for patients with anterior cruciate ligament tears in order to provide a guide for clinicians. There is evidence to support immediate postoperative bracing, with the goals of maintaining full extension and decreasing effusion. There may be a psychological benefit for its use in return to sport; however, this should be weighed against decreased performance. In the context of modern graft-fixation techniques and early mobilization protocols, empiric functional brace prescription is not required for successful long-term clinical outcomes and return to sport.