Management Of Multiligament Knee Injury Research Articles

Surgeon Factors Rather than Patient Factors Account for Variation in Recommended Treatment Strategy for Patients with Multi-ligament Knee Injury

Objectives: To seek the factors associated with timing, staging, and type of surgery in the management of multi-ligament knee injuries. Design: Cross-sectional scenario-based experiment. Setting: 15 fictional patient scenarios with randomized elements. Participants: Fracture surgeons of the Science of Variation Group, an international collaborative of musculoskeletal surgeons that studies variation in care, were invited to participate. Surgeons with limited experience treating multi-ligament knee injuries were asked to self-exclude. Outcome measures and comparisons: Surgeon recommendations for operative treatment, timing of surgery, and use of open surgery in addition to arthroscopy were measured. Patient factors (age, time from injury, contralateral fracture, knee dislocation, combinations of ruptured ligaments, pre-existing osteoarthritis) and surgeon factors (gender, practice location, years of experience, supervision of trainees) associated with surgeon recommendations were assessed. Results: Eighty-five surgeons participated, of which most were men (89%) and practiced in the United States (44%) or Europe (38%). Operative treatment was less likely among older patients (OR=0.051) and pre-existing osteoarthritis (OR=0.32), and more likely in knee dislocation (OR=1.9) and disruption of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) with or without medial collateral ligament (MCL; OR=5.1 and OR=3.1, respectively). Disruption of ACL, PCL, and MCL was associated with shorter time to surgery (β=-11). Longer time to surgery was associated with contralateral fracture (β=9.2), and surgeons supervising trainees (β=23) and practicing in Europe (β=13). Surgeon factors accounted for more variation in timing than patient and injury factors (5.1% vs 1.4%, respectively). Open surgery was more likely in patients with LCL injury (OR=2.9 to 3.3). Conclusion: The observation that surgeons were more likely to operate in younger patients with more severe injury has face validity, while the finding that surgeon factors accounted for more variation in timing of surgery than patient or injury factors suggests that treatment variation is based on opinion more so than evidence. Level of Evidence: Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Multiligament knee injuries. Ten years' experience at a public university, level I Trauma Center.

To describe our institutional experience and results in the surgical management of multiligament knee injuries (MLKI). Retrospective series of MLKI consecutively operated on at a single, level I Trauma Center. Data on patients' baseline characteristics, injuries, treatments, and outcomes were recorded up to one-year follow-up. Recorded outcomes included the Tegner-Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (TLKSS), return to work, and patient satisfaction. MLKI incidence was 0.03% among 9897 orthopedic trauma admissions. Twenty-four patients of mean age 43.6years were included in analysis. The mean Injury Severity Score was 12.6. Five patients presented with knee dislocations and six had fracture-dislocations, two of them open fractures. There was one popliteal artery injury requiring a bypass and four common peroneal nerve palsies. Staged ligamental reconstruction was performed in all cases. There were seven postoperative complications. The median TLKSS was 80 and, though patient satisfaction was high, and dissatisfaction was largely restricted to recreational activities (only 58.3% satisfied). Seventeen patients returned to their previous employment. We found a high aggregation of fracture-dislocations secondary to road traffic accidents. One in four patients experienced complications, particularly stiffness. Complications were more common in cases involving knee dislocation. Most patients had good functional results, but 25% were unable to return to their previous work, which demonstrates the long-lasting sequelae of this injury.

Outcomes of Operative Management of Multi-Ligament Knee Injuries in an Adolescent Population: A Retrospective Case Series

Background: Multi-ligament knee injuries in adolescent patients are rare. The aim of this study was to describe the presentation, surgical management, and patient outcomes following multi-ligament knee injuries in an adolescent cohort.Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted involving all patients aged ≤18 years who underwent surgery for a multi-ligament knee injury at a single institution between March 2005 and January 2015. Outcome questionnaires were administered, including the pediatric version of the International Knee Documentation Committee (Pedi-IKDC), Lysholm score, Tegner activity scale, and an internal physical activity questionnaire.Results: Twenty-three knees from 23 patients were included with a mean (SD) age of 16.4 (± 2.3) years at time of injury. In this study, multi-ligament knee injuries in adolescents resulted mainly from sports-related accidents. The most commonly injured structures requiring reconstruction or repair were the anterior cruciate ligament (91%), the medial collateral ligament (57%), posterior cruciate ligament (22%), posterolateral corner (22%), and lateral collateral ligament (15%). Meniscal procedures were performed concurrently in 65% of knees. Examination at final follow-up, occurring at a median of 20.1 months, demonstrated 100% knees could achieve full extension, and 87% could achieve full flexion. Subsequent manipulation under anesthesia and arthroscopic lysis of adhesions was performed in four (17%) knees. Prior to the management of arthrofibrosis, the average range of motion was 13 degrees fixed flexion to 95 degrees flexion, which increased postoperatively to 2 degrees fixed flexion to 120 degrees flexion at a median of 20 months. Questionnaires were returned by 12 patients (52%) at a median of 3.7 years postoperatively. The mean Pedi-IKDC, Lysholm, and Tegner scores were 81.0 ± 18.1, 82.5 ± 15.5, and 8.3, respectively.Conclusions: The most commonly injured structure requiring reconstruction or repair was the anterior cruciate ligament after multi-ligament knee injury. Patients with multi-ligament knee injuries should be investigated for concomitant meniscal injuries. Patients were generally able to achieve good functional outcomes at short-term follow-up.Level of Evidence: IV retrospective case seriesKey Concepts•In this study, multi-ligament knee injuries in children and adolescents resulted mainly from sports-related injuries, and a smaller number were related to traffic accidents.•The most commonly injured structures requiring reconstruction or repair were the anterior cruciate ligament, followed by the medial collateral ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, posterolateral corner, and lateral collateral ligament.•Meniscal injuries should be investigated in this population, as concomitant meniscal procedures were required in 65% of knees.•• Postoperative functional results following operative management of multi-ligament knee injuries were good at shortterm follow-up and return to sport activities was possible.

Diagnosis and treatment strategies of the multiligament injured knee : a scoping review protocol.

Multiligament knee injuries (MLKI) are devastating injuries that can result in significant morbidity and time away from sport. There remains considerable variation in strategies employed for investigation, indications for operative intervention, outcome reporting, and rehabilitation following these injuries. At present no study has yet provided a comprehensive overview evaluating the extent, range, and overall summary of the published literature pertaining to MLKI. Our aim is to perform a methodologically rigorous scoping review, mapping the literature evaluating the diagnosis and management of MLKI. This scoping review will address three aims: firstly, to map the current extent and nature of evidence for diagnosis and management of MLKI; secondly, to summarize and disseminate existing research findings to practitioners; and thirdly, to highlight gaps in current literature. A three-step search strategy as described by accepted methodology will be employed to identify peer-reviewed literature including reviews, technical notes, opinion pieces, and original research. An initial limited search will be performed to determine suitable search terms, followed by an expanded search of four electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science). Two reviewers will independently screen identified studies for final inclusion. We will map key concepts and evidence, and disseminate existing research findings to the wider orthopaedic and sports medicine community, through both peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed literature, and conference and in-person communications. We will highlight gaps in the current literature and determine future priorities for further research.Cite this article: Bone Jt Open2022;3(11):894-897.

Multiligament Knee Injuries in Young Athletes.

Evaluation and management of multiligament knee injuries (MLKI) require a comprehensive understanding of anatomy and biomechanics. In addition to a thorough history and physical examination, stress radiographs provide a reliable method to assess knee stability. Single-stage anatomic reconstruction techniques should be performed, as they restore native knee kinematics and enable early knee range of motion and superior outcomes.

Multi-ligament reconstructions as a risk factor for adverse outcomes in arthroscopic surgery.

Multi-ligament knee injuries are a serious consequence of knee dislocation with a poorly evaluated post-operative complication profile due to low incidence. The aim of this study is to assess the risk of adverse post-operative events associated with operative management of multi-ligament knee injuries. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was used to identify patients undergoing surgical procedures for multi-ligament knee injuries from 2006 to 2016 using Current Procedural Terminology codes. We evaluated data on patient demographics and used a propensity score algorithm to adjust for baseline differences in these patients and developed univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to assess effects on minor and severe 30-day post-operative complications. We identified 444 patients in this database who underwent multi-ligament knee reconstructions between 2006 and 2016. After propensity matching, minor and major adverse post-operative events were more frequent in patients with multi-ligament knee injuries (1.4% vs 0.2%, p < 0.001 and 2.7% vs 1.1%, p = 0.002, respectively). Patients with multi-ligament knee injuries experienced a 55-fold increase risk of need for transfusion (p < 0.001) and a fivefold increased risk of pulmonary embolism (p = 0.025), with most occurring in bicruciate reconstructions (Schenck Classification KD-III and KD-IV injuries). The surgical management of multi-ligament knee injuries confers significant increased risk of 30-day post-operative minor or severe adverse event over arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. These patients are most at risk for post-operative blood transfusion requirement, and pulmonary embolism, with patient's undergoing surgery for bicruciate ligament injuries at particularly high risk of complication. IV.

Advances and trends in multiligament injuries of the knee relevant to low-resource settings

Recent advances in the management of multiligament knee injuries have led to improvements in diagnosis and management and allowed enhanced understanding of the biomechanics of ligament reconstructions. Most studies arise from subspecialist knee centers in high-income countries and can inform global strategies, but each patient encounter and environment is unique and not all recommendations may be feasible in every setting. For ligamentous injuries, the gold standard is acute arthroscopic, single-stage ligament reconstruction, although this is not always possible in the limited resource setting (LRS). For these circumstances, non-operative management, although rarely promoted, may be preferred in selected patients. Furthermore, acute surgery relies on adequate post-operative physiotherapy, otherwise a delayed surgical approach should be considered. Reconstruction remains the gold standard, but acute repair is an option for medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments and for avulsion fractures. For a vascular examination, a careful clinical assessment and routine angiography should be done in LRS. Due to the heterogeneity of injury and patient profile, outcomes vary widely and need to be interpreted in the context of the surgical setup. The main complications of these injuries are stiffness, residual laxity, and surgical site infections. Future trends will need to include a global perspective and provide solutions for surgeons in various parts of the world.

Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction after Surgical Management of Multiligament Knee Injury.

The purpose of this study is to determine factors associated with the need for revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) after multiligament knee injury (MLKI) and to report outcomes for patients undergoing revision ACLR after MLKI. This involves a retrospective review of 231 MLKIs in 225 patients treated over a 12-year period, with institutional review board approval. Patients with two or more injured knee ligaments requiring surgical reconstruction, including the ACL, were included for analyses. Overall, 231 knees with MLKIs underwent ACLR, with 10% (n = 24) requiring revision ACLR. There were no significant differences in age, sex, tobacco use, diabetes, or body mass index between cohorts requiring or not requiring revision ACLR. However, patients requiring revision ACLR had significantly longer follow-up duration (55.1 vs. 37.4 months, p = 0.004), more ligament reconstructions/repairs (mean 3.0 vs. 1.7, p < 0.001), more nonligament surgeries (mean 2.2 vs. 0.7, p = 0.002), more total surgeries (mean 5.3 vs. 2.4, p < 0.001), and more graft reconstructions (mean 4.7 vs. 2.7, p < 0.001). Patients in both groups had similar return to work (p = 0.12) and activity (p = 0.91) levels at final follow-up. Patients who had revision ACLR took significantly longer to return to work at their highest level (18 vs. 12 months, p = 0.036), but similar time to return to their highest level of activity (p = 0.33). Range of motion (134 vs. 127 degrees, p = 0.14), pain severity (2.2 vs. 1.7, p = 0.24), and Lysholm's scores (86.3 vs. 90.0, p = 0.24) at final follow-up were similar between groups. Patients requiring revision ACLR in the setting of a MLKI had more overall concurrent surgeries and other ligament reconstructions, but had similar final outcome scores to those who did not require revision surgery. Revision ligament surgery can be associated with increased pain, stiffness, and decrease patient outcomes. Revision surgery is often necessary after multiligament knee reconstructions, but patients requiring ACLR in the setting of a MLKI have good overall outcomes, with patients requiring revision ACLR at a rate of 10%.

Delay in Surgical Management of Multiligament Knee Injuries is Associated with Cartilage and Meniscus Injury

Objectives: Multiligament knee injuries (MLKIs) are potentially devastating injuries and can lead to significant functional impairment. Long-term outcomes and reconstructive options for MLKIs have been well described, however limited data exists on meniscus and chondral injuries in the setting of a multiligament deficient knee. The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern of meniscus and cartilage pathology in operative MLKIs and determine the relationship between surgical timing and degree of intra-articular injury. Methods: Consecutive patients with surgically treated MLKIs involving two or more ligaments (ACL, PCL, MCL, or PLC) over a 15-year period at a single large academic institution were retrospectively reviewed. Subjects were grouped based on their ligament injury pattern and the presence or absence of meniscus and chondral injury were recorded. Surgical intervention within 6 weeks of injury was deemed acute, while surgery occurring more than 6 weeks from injury was classified as delayed. Chi square and logistic regression were utilized for statistical analysis, with significance set at p&lt;0.05. Results: In the 15-year study period, 207 patients with MLKIs (age: 28.4 +/- 12.1 years; 74.9% male) were surgically treated at our institution. There were 104 meniscal (50.2%) and 70 chondral (33.8%) injuries in the cohort. The most common ligamentous injury pattern was ACL/MCL (n=47, 22.7%) and ACL/PCL (n=47, 22.7%), followed by ACL/PCL/MCL (n=35, 16.9%) [Table 1]. Meniscectomy (n=52, 50.0%) was the most frequently performed procedure for meniscus injuries followed by meniscus repair (n=32, 30.8%). Compared to acutely managed patients, the delayed intervention group had significantly more meniscus pathology (57.1% vs 42.1%, p=0.03) and were more likely to undergo meniscectomy compared to repair (p=0.002). Of the 70 cartilage injuries, 11 (15.7%) required surgical debridement. Chondral pathology was more frequently present in the delayed intervention group compared to the acutely managed group (p=0.003). Meniscus injury rates in MLKIs sustained during sporting activity did not differ from non-sporting injuries (p=0.59) however, the non-sporting group had significantly more cartilage injuries (42.0% vs 18.1%, p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Surgical reconstruction of MLKIs delayed for more than 6 weeks was associated with increased meniscus and cartilage pathology. This may be the result of the severity of the initial injury, which may warrant surgical delay in more severe cases, or persistent knee instability placing the meniscus and chondral surface at risk for injury.

Surgical Management of the Multiple-Ligament Knee Injury

The management of multiligament knee injury is a complex process starting with the adequate identification of the injury. A detailed physical and radiographic examination with a thorough understanding of knee anatomy is crucial to assess all damaged structures: anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, posteromedial corner including the medial collateral ligament, and posterolateral corner including the lateral collateral ligament. Several surgical techniques have been developed throughout the years to adequately address these ligament insufficiencies. In this surgical technique description, we describe a reproducible method for the assessment and surgical management of a knee dislocation (KDIV) injury. Our approach includes using anatomic single-bundle cruciate ligament reconstructions with modified Bosworth technique for medial-side injuries and a combination of Müller popliteal bypass and Larson figure-of-8 techniques for posterolateral corner injuries. The orders of surgical steps is described concisely, and technical controversies such as graft choice, tunnel positioning, and sequence of graft fixation are discussed in detail.

Factors Associated with Knee Stiffness following Surgical Management of Multiligament Knee Injuries.

Postoperative knee stiffness can influence outcomes following operative treatment of multiligament knee injuries (MLKIs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient and surgical factors that may potentially contribute to stiffness following surgery for MLKIs. All surgically managed MLKIs involving two or more ligaments over a 10-year period at a single level one trauma center were included in this study. A retrospective review was performed to gather objective data related to the development of knee stiffness after surgery. Patients were classified as "stiff" postoperatively if they (1) had a flexion contracture greater than 10 degrees, (2) failed to reach 120 degrees of flexion at final follow-up, or (3) underwent a manipulation under anesthesia with or without arthroscopic lysis of adhesions to improve range of motion. Patient and surgical factors were evaluated systematically to determine factors associated with stiffness. The mean age of the cohort was 27.6 years at the time of surgery and mean follow-up was 50 weeks. Overall, 26/121 (21.5%) knees were diagnosed with postoperative stiffness. In the acute postoperative phase, 17 patients underwent manipulation under anesthesia. There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, associated injuries, mechanism, external fixation use or surgical timing (acute vs. chronic) between stiff and normal knees. Factors associated with the development of postoperative stiffness included knee dislocation (p = 0.04) and surgical intervention on three or more ligaments (p = 0.04). Careful attention to postoperative rehabilitation regimens should be given to patients with knee dislocations and/or those undergoing reconstruction or repair of three or more injured ligaments. Surgeons may utilize spanning external fixation if necessary without increasing the rate of long-term stiffness. Further, acute surgery does not appear to influence rates of postoperative stiffness or the need for manipulation.

Anatomical Considerations in Multiligament Knee Injury and Surgery

The management of multiligament knee injury mandates a comprehensive understanding of the anatomy on all sides of the joint. Imperative to repair or reconstructive procedures is an intimate knowledge of the structure of the cruciate and collateral ligaments, as well as the complex confluence of structures that comprise the posteromedial and posterolateral corners. Beyond the ligamentous anatomy, the surgeon must also be aware of the potential for neurologic and vascular compromise-both from injury and from treatment-that can often complicate multiligament knee injuries. In this article, we outline the basic anatomy and biomechanical function of the ligamentous structures of the knee, structures at risk, and the patterns of injury seen with knee dislocations and multiple ligament knee injuries in general.

Radiology and Management of Multiligament Injuries of the Knee

Multiligament injury of the knee, which may include joint dislocation, is a severe injury that can devastate knee function. It usually results in rupture of three of the four major stabilizing ligaments of the knee, but occasionally only two of the ligaments are torn. Evaluation and management is made more complex due to associated articular and meniscal cartilage injury, bony fractures, and neurovascular injury. What is considered best treatment is often varied and controversial. This article discusses the diagnosis and management of multiligament knee injury and the role of imaging in the context of the published literature and our own experience.