Mean International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Score Research Articles

Clinical outcomes of primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using six-strand hamstring autograft

Objectives: Quadrupled and five-strand hamstring tendon (HT) autografts are commonly used in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), but there is significant variability in graft diameter. The six-strand HT autograft has been introduced to increase graft diameter in patients with undersized HT grafts and may achieve better clinical outcomes. None of the studies has reported clinical outcomes following this technique in Indian patients. We investigated clinical outcomes in patients who underwent primary ACLR using a six-strand HT autograft technique with a minimum six-month follow-up. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five patients who underwent primary ACLR using six-strand HT autografts with interference screw fixation were included in the study. These patients were followed up at three and six months for the evaluation of clinical outcomes. Subjective evaluations included the TegnerLysholm score, anterior cruciate ligament-quality-of-life (ACL-QOL) score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score. Laxity assessments of the knees were performed using the Lachman test and the pivot-shift test. Functional evaluation of the patients was performed with an overall IKDC objective score. Results: The mean IKDC subjective score was significantly improved at three-month (63.42 ± 5.38) and six-month (82.82 ± 7.49) follow-up after surgery (P < 0.05) when compared with pre-operative scores (50.55 ± 1.84). A similar finding was also noted with the Tegner-Lysholm score and ACL-QOL score in our study. All patients have achieved normal to near-normal functional outcomes at six months in our study without any major complications. The most commonly found complication was paresthesia (21.80%) in the present study. Conclusion: In the primary ACLR, six-strand hamstring autograft achieves similar clinical outcomes and complications as reported with four-strand or five-strand HT autografts. However, the percentages of patients who achieved normal to near-normal outcomes were higher in the present study (100%) as compared to earlier reported data using four-strand or five-strand HT autografts (~85%). The six-strand graft technique is a useful means of increasing graft diameter when faced with an undersized hamstring graft.

Anatomic reconstruction of the posteromedial corner of the knee: The Versailles technique

IntroductionMultiligament knee injury with posteromedial laxity is serious and usually requires surgery. Reconstruction is preferable to repair. The main aim of the present study was to report clinical results and laximetry for an original posteromedial corner (PMC) allograft reconstruction technique known as The Versailles Technique. The secondary aim was to determine prognostic factors for surgery. The study hypothesis was that anatomic PMC reconstruction by tendon allograft provides satisfactory medium-term clinical and laximetric results. MethodsA retrospective study assessed postoperative clinical and laximetric results after PMC allograft reconstruction at a minimum 12 months’ follow-up. Laxity was assessed on comparative bilateral stress X-rays, and functional results on the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, the Lysholm score and the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). ResultsTwenty-six patients were included between 2013 and 2019. Mean follow-up was 27.4±9 months. Mean subjective IKDC score was 69.21±17.36, mean Lysholm score 77.78±14.98 and mean KOOS 66.44±18.52. ObjectiveIKDC results were 77% grade A, 22% grade B, and 0% grade C or D. Mean medial differential laxity in forced varus was 0.83±1.26mm. Mean subjective IKDC scores were poorer in Schenck KD-III than KD-I (p=0.03). Functional results were comparable with acute and with chronic laxity. Age correlated inversely with median KOOS (p=0.009). There was no correlation between postoperative radiologic laxity in forced varus and functional results. DiscussionVersailles anatomic PMC allograft reconstruction for acute or chronic posteromedial knee laxity showed medium-term efficacy in restoring good objective and subjective stability. Level of evidenceIV; retrospective observational study.

Comparable Instrumented Knee Joint Laxity and Patient-Reported Outcomes After ACL Repair With Dynamic Intraligamentary Stabilization or ACL Reconstruction: 5-Year Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Technical innovation has led to the renaissance of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair in the past decade. Purpose/Hypothesis: The present study aimed to compare instrumented knee joint laxity and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after ACL repair with those after primary ACL reconstruction for acute isolated ACL tears. It was hypothesized that ACL repair would lead to comparable knee joint stability and PROs at 5 years postoperatively in comparison with ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: A total of 85 patients with acute ACL tears were randomized to undergo either ACL repair using dynamic intraligamentary stabilization (DIS) or primary ACL reconstruction with a semitendinosus tendon autograft. The primary outcome was the side-to-side difference in anterior tibial translation (ΔATT) assessed by Rolimeter testing at 5 years postoperatively. Follow-up examinations were performed at 1, 2, and 5 years. PROs were assessed using the Tegner activity scale, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, and the Lysholm score. Furthermore, the rates of recurrent instability, other complications, and revision surgery were recorded. A power analysis was performed a priori, and the Friedman test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Bonferroni correction were applied for statistical comparisons with significance set at P < .05. Results: The mean age at inclusion was 28.3 ± 11.5 years in the ACL repair group and 27.1 ± 11.5 years in the ACL reconstruction group. At 5 years postoperatively, a total of 64 patients (ACL repair: n = 34 of 43 [79%]; ACL reconstruction: n = 30 of 42 [71%]) were available for follow-up. At 5 years, ΔATT was 1.7 ± 1.6 mm in the ACL repair group and 1.4 ± 1.3 mm in the ACL reconstruction group (P = .334). Preinjury PROs were restored as soon as 1 year after surgery and plateaued until 2 and 5 years postoperatively in both groups. At the 5-year follow-up, the mean Lysholm score was 97.0 ± 5.4 versus 94.5 ± 5.5 (P = .322), respectively, and the mean IKDC subjective score was 94.1 ± 9.9 versus 89.9 ± 7.8 (P = .047), respectively, in the ACL repair group versus ACL reconstruction group. At 5 years postoperatively, 12 patients in the ACL repair group (35%; age <25 years: n = 10/12; Tegner score ≥7: n = 10/12) had recurrent instability, of whom 10 underwent single-stage revision ACL reconstruction. In the ACL reconstruction group, there were 6 patients with recurrent instability (20%; age <25 years: n = 6/6; Tegner score ≥7: n = 5/6); however, in 5 patients, staged revision was required. Differences between both groups regarding recurrent instability (P = .09) or ACL revision surgery (P = .118) were not statistically significant. Recurrent instability was associated with age <25 years and Tegner score >7 in both groups. Conclusion: At 5 years after ACL repair with DIS, instrumented knee joint laxity and PROs were comparable with those after ACL reconstruction. Although no significant difference was found between repair and reconstruction, a critical appraisal of the rates of recurrent instability (35% vs 20%, respectively) and revision surgery (38% vs 27%, respectively) is needed. Young age and a high preinjury activity level were the main risk factors for recurrent instability in both groups. However, single-stage revision ACL reconstruction was possible in each case in the ACL repair group. Although ACL reconstruction remains the gold standard in the treatment of ACL tears, the present study supports the use of ACL repair with DIS as a feasible option to treat acute ACL tears in patients aged ≥25 years with low to moderate activity levels (Tegner score <7). Registration: DRKS00015466 (German Clinical Trials Register).

Leukocyte-Rich versus Leukocyte-Poor Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind Randomized Trial

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is gaining large interest in clinical practice as a minimally invasive injective treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Different preparation methods are available, and the presence of leukocytes, deemed detrimental in some preclinical studies, is one of the most debated aspects regarding PRP efficacy. Purpose: To compare the safety and effectiveness of leukocyte-rich PRP (LR-PRP) and leukocyte-poor PRP (LP-PRP) for the treatment of knee OA. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: A total of 192 patients with symptomatic knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1-3) were randomly allocated to 3 weekly injections of LR-PRP or LP-PRP. LP-PRP was obtained with a filter for leukodepletion. LR-PRP and LP-PRP were divided into aliquots of 5 mL, with a mean platelet concentration of 1146.8 × 109/L and 1074.9 × 109/L and a mean leukocyte concentration of 7991.4 × 106/L and 0.1 × 106/L, respectively. Patients were evaluated at baseline and thereafter at 2, 6, and 12 months for the primary outcome, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score; and for secondary outcomes, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales, EuroQol–visual analog scale (EQ-VAS), and Tegner score. Results: No differences between groups were observed in terms of absolute values or improvement of the clinical scores across all follow-up intervals. The mean IKDC subjective score at baseline and 12 months improved from 45.6 to 60.7 in the LR-PRP group as compared with 46.8 to 62.9 in the LP-PRP group (P = .626). No severe adverse events were described in either group, although 15 mild adverse events (knee pain or swelling) were reported: 12.2% for LR-PRP and 4.7% for LP-PRP (P = .101). No statistically significant difference was also found between LR-PRP and LP-PRP in terms of failures (7.8% vs 3.5%, P = .331). Conclusion: This double-blind randomized trial showed that 3 intra-articular LR-PRP or LP-PRP injections produced similar clinical improvement in the 12 months of follow-up in patients with symptomatic knee OA. Both treatment groups reported a low number of adverse events, without intergroup differences. The presence of leukocytes did not significantly affect the clinical results of PRP injections. Registration: NCT02923700 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Tibial Guidewire Insertion Timing- Does it Affect the Functional Outcome in Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction? A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Introduction: Tibial fixation site of graft in arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction has an effect on anterior displacement and internal rotation of the tibia. The position of the interference screw determines the final orientation of the graft. The screw position in turn depends on the position of the tibial guidewire. The tibial guidewire can be placed before introducing the graft or after the graft placement. There are no studies in the literature comparing the outcome of tibial guidewire placement timing in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. Aim: To compare the functional outcome of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction, with placing the tibial guidewire before and after graft passage. Materials and Methods: This prospective longitudinal study was conducted at Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, India, from February 2020 to January 2021, among patients undergoing arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. A total of 84 patients with an isolated ACL tear, who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstructionwere followedup for a minimum period of nine months. Two groups were studied, each with 42 patients. In group 1, the tibial guidewire was placed posterolaterally in the tibial tunnel and then the graft was pulled through femoral and tibial tunnels. In group 2, the guidewire was placed after the graft was passed through femoral and tibial tunnels. Functional outcomes were evaluated with International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm knee scores after nine months. Statistical analyses were carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistics version 22.0. Results: The median age of the study subjects were 27 (22;35) years. Fifty nine (70.2%) patients were males. Forty eight (57.1%) patients had left-sided injuries. The majority of injuries (n= 58, 69%) were due to sports injuries. In 14 patients (16.7%), the mode of injury was due to road traffic accidents and in 12 patients (14.3%) it was due to a fall. In the majority of the cases (n=50, 59.5%), the duration between injury and ACL reconstruction was 3 months. The mean IKDC subjective score of group 1 was 86±5.51 and that of group 2 was 81.9±6.64; (p-value=0.003). The mean Lysholm score of group 1 was 84.9±8.73 and that of group 2 was 79.6±9.56; (p-value=0.009). Conclusion: Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction placing the tibial guidewire posterolaterally prior to graft passage has got a better functional outcome compared to placing the guidewire after passing the graft. Prior placement of guidewire before graft ensures the posterolateral position of the interference screw at the tibial tunnel and increases the graft obliquity

Surgical Treatment for Avulsion Fractures of the Anterolateral Ligament Associated with Periarticular Fractures of the Knee.

The existence and anatomy of the anterolateral ligament (ALL) of the knee are a somewhat controversial topic in orthopaedic surgery. The fixation of the avulsion fracture of the ALL (Segond fracture), associated with periarticular knee fractures, is rarely given much consideration while the major fracture fragments are reconstructed. This study aims to confirm the existence of ALL and evaluate the clinical outcomes of surgical management for avulsion fractures, involving its insertion, when associated with periarticular knee fractures. Twenty-three patients (16 males and 7 females) with avulsion fractures of the ALL associated with periarticular knee fractures were fixed with a spider plate, cannulated screw, or suture anchor. Eight patients were diagnosed with distal femoral fracture, 10 with tibial plateau fracture, and 5 with tibial eminence avulsion fracture. All patients underwent X-rays at follow-up. Clinical and functional outcomes were assessed with the pivot-shift test, objective and subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, and Tegner activity scale. The ALL was found and identified as a distinct ligamentous structure in all patients. Prior to Segond repair, patients had significantly more instability, as determined by pivot-shift test, than seen postoperatively (p < 0.0001). At final follow-up, the mean subjective IKDC score was 83.2 ± 10.3. Fourteen patients were graded A, 6 were graded B, and 3 was graded C on the IKDC objective score. The mean Lysholm score was 85.4 ± 12.2. The mean Tegner score was 7.5 ± 1.2. This study confirmed that the ALL is a distinct structure in the anterolateral portion of the knee. The fixation of the avulsion fracture of the ALL associated with periarticular knee fractures can be an effective procedure without specific complications. Long-term and comparative follow-up studies are necessary to confirm the effects.

Clinical evaluation after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation : a comparison of four different graft types.

AimsThe aim of this retrospective study was to determine if there are differences in short-term clinical outcomes among four different types of matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT).MethodsA total of 88 patients (mean age 34 years (SD 10.03), mean BMI 25 kg/m2 (SD 3.51)) with full-thickness chondral lesions of the tibiofemoral joint who underwent MACT were included in this study. Clinical examinations were performed preoperatively and 24 months after transplantation. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form, the Brittberg score, the Tegner Activity Scale, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain. The Kruskal-Wallis test by ranks was used to compare the clinical scores of the different transplant types.ResultsThe mean defect size of the tibiofemoral joint compartment was 4.28 cm2 (SD 1.70). In total, 11 patients (12.6%) underwent transplantation with Chondro-Gide (matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI)), 40 patients (46.0%) with Hyalograft C (HYAFF), 21 patients (24.1%) with Cartilage Regeneration System (CaReS), and 15 patients (17.2%) with NOVOCART 3D. The mean IKDC Subjective Knee Form score improved from 35.71 (SD 6.44) preoperatively to 75.26 (SD 18.36) after 24 months postoperatively in the Hyalograft group, from 35.94 (SD 10.29) to 71.57 (SD 16.31) in the Chondro-Gide (MACI) group, from 37.06 (SD 5.42) to 71.49 (SD 6.76) in the NOVOCART 3D group, and from 45.05 (SD 15.83) to 70.33 (SD 19.65) in the CaReS group. Similar improvements were observed in the VAS and Brittberg scores.ConclusionTwo years postoperatively, there were no significant differences in terms of outcomes. Our data demonstrated that MACT, regardless of the implants used, resulted in good clinical improvement two years after transplantation for localized tibiofemoral defects.Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(7):370–379.

Osteochondral Autograft Transplant as a Potential Salvage Procedure for Articular Cartilage Defects of the Lateral Compartment in Lateral Meniscus-Deficient Knees: Results From a Country With Limited Availability of Meniscal Transplant.

Background:The treatment of a meniscus-deficient knee is challenging, especially when patients are young and active and are not favorable candidates for prosthetic joint replacement.Hypothesis:We hypothesized that osteochondral autologous transplant (OAT) alone can be considered a salvage treatment for patients with cartilage damage of the lateral compartment of the knee, even with lateral meniscal deficiency, if the knee alignment is close to neutral.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:Patients with lateral meniscal deficiency, whose femorotibial angle was 170° to 180° and who underwent OAT on the lateral compartment of the knee without concomitant realignment osteotomy, were retrospectively included in this study. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score for knee osteoarthritis (JOA knee score) were recorded. The International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) cartilage repair assessment was used to evaluate the repaired cartilage at second-look arthroscopy.Results:The study included 10 patients (mean ± SD age, 31.7 ± 19.7 years; 3 men and 7 women) who had ICRS grade 4 cartilage lesions (mean size, 3.5 ± 1.7 cm2); the mean follow-up was 73.8 ± 42.5 months. From preoperative assessment to final follow-up, the mean IKDC subjective score improved significantly from 53.5 ± 10.0 to 85.4 ± 10.1, and the mean JOA knee score improved significantly from 81.0 ± 8.4 to 95.6 ± 5.3 (P = .004 for both). One patient with a femorotibial angle of 170° underwent revision distal femoral osteotomy owing to prolonged symptoms and progression of the valgus deformity, and 2 other patients with femorotibial angles of 170° and 171° also exhibited progression of valgus malalignment or low clinical scores postoperatively. Patients with a favorable femorotibial angle (174°-178°) exhibited relieved symptoms and preservation of femorotibial angle alignment within 1° of change at follow-up. At second-look arthroscopy (n = 8 patients), 6 patients had an ICRS score of nearly normal or normal.Conclusion:In the study patients, for which a meniscal allograft was unavailable, the OAT procedure was able to relieve the symptoms associated with cartilage lesions, even with lateral meniscal deficiency, when the femorotibial angle alignment was close to neutral.

Multiligament knee injuries treated by one-stage reconstruction using allograft: Postoperative laxity assessment using stress radiography and clinical outcomes

BackgroundSurgical treatment of multiligament knee injuries (MLKIs) leads to better outcomes but there are controversies about optimal surgical strategies. Debates remain about timing of surgery: acute, staged or delayed and about graft choice: autograft, allograft or a combination of both. Therefore, we performed a retrospective study aiming to evaluate postoperative laxity using stress radiographs and clinical outcomes after one-stage reconstructions of injured ligaments using non-irradiated, fresh-frozen allografts. HypothesisMLKIs treated by one-stage reconstructions using non-irradiated, fresh-frozen allograft may lead to satisfactorily postoperative laxity and clinical outcomes. MethodsBetween November 2013 and July 2015, 23 patients with MLKIs underwent one-stage reconstruction using allograft. Knee injuries were defined according Schenk classification of Knee Dislocation (KD). Patients were evaluated using the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Evaluation Form at a minimum follow-up of 24 months. Postoperative anterior, posterior, varus, and valgus laxities were assessed using stress radiographs and expressed as side-to-side differences (SSD) in millimeters. ResultsThree of 23 patients were lost to follow-up. There were 6 KD-I, 12 KD-III, and 2 KD-IV lesions, 12 lateral-side and 10 medial-side lesions, and 13 acute and 7 chronic cases. Three patients had associated neurovascular injuries. Mean follow-up was at 29.4±6.1 months. Mean valgus SSD was 0.2mm±1.4mm (range, −2.1–2.2mm), mean varus SSD was 1.4mm±2.5mm (range, −1.7–6.0mm), mean posterior SSD was 7.2mm±3.9mm (range, 1.2–16.0mm), mean anterior SSD was 3.6mm±5.1mm (range, −4.8–16.8mm). Overall IKDC ratings were: 4 grade A, 3B, 7C, and 6D. Three patients complained of postoperative instability, with an IKDC rating of D. The mean subjective IKDC score was 67.2±19.6, the mean Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale was 77.3±16.5, and the mean KOOS results were 78.5±16.6 for pain, 67.7±17.4 for symptoms, 86.5±14.2 for daily activities, 56±25.4 for sports, and 47.2±28.6 for quality of life. Nineteen of 20 patients returned to sport—6 to the same level. One patient underwent an arthroscopic arthrolysis due to postoperative arthrofibrosis. ConclusionsUsing non-irradiated allografts for one-stage reconstructions of all the injured ligaments in MLKIs is effective and safe. Anteroposterior stability was difficult to restore, but patients returned to their daily activities and sometimes to their sports activity at the same preinjury level. Level of evidenceLevel IV, case series.

Return to sports and re-rupture rate following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in amateur sportsman: long-term outcomes.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate patient satisfaction, the return-to-sport rate and activity level at a long-term follow-up in a large cohort of amateur sportsmen who underwent primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. A total of 218 patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction between 2004 and 2011, were successfully recontacted and retrospectively reviewed at an average follow-up of 10.5 years (range, 7 to 14 years). All surgeries were performed by one single surgeon. All of them underwent primary ACL reconstruction with autogenous hamstring tendon grafts. Assessment included Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form, Tegner activity level. Patients were also asked what kind of injury they sustained (either direct or indirect trauma), what kind of sport they were performing when they got injured, at what time they did return to sports and which sport they practised before and after surgery. Fourteen patients underwent re-rupture. In 11 cases, this was due to a new trauma occurring at an average time of 22.9 (SD 23.8) months following primary surgery. In 3 cases rupture occurred during rehabilitation period. Mean postoperative KOOS score was 88.5 (SD 8.5), while mean IKDC subjective score was 87.5 (SD 10.9). At the time of follow-up, most patients (214 subjects, 98%) were participating in sport. 156 subjects returned to pre-injury level (71.6%). The study reported long-term favourable subjective outcomes in amateur sportsman following ACL reconstruction, with a low re-rupture rate and a high percentage of subjects (93.6%) returning to sports participation 12 months after surgery. Most patients (71.6%) were able to return to their preprimary level of activity and sport. Younger age at the time of ACL reconstruction positively affected return to sports; however, younger patients were significantly more likely than older patients to undergo re-rupture.

Midterm Outcomes following Acute Repair of Grade III Distal MCL Avulsions in Multiligamentous Knee Injuries.

There is limited evidence guiding management of medial collateral ligament (MCL) avulsions or functional disruptions distal to the medial joint line. This study aims to determine outcomes of a series of patients with grade III distal MCL injuries managed with acute surgical repair. Patients with grade III, distal MCL injuries, with or without multiligament involvement were identified. Demographic, clinical examination, and midterm patient-reported outcomes (PRO) data were collected. Clinical follow-up included physical examination and ligamentous stress testing at a minimum of 6 months. PROs included Lysholm's knee scoring scale, Tegner's activity score, and subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores at minimum of 2 years follow-up. Of the 24 eligible patients, outcomes data were available for 20 (83%). Of the 20 included patients, 16 had a concomitant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, 3 had ACL and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries, and 1 had an isolated MCL injury. Mean time from injury to surgery was 5 weeks. At mean clinical follow-up of 20.3 months, all patients showed valgus stability and satisfactory range of motion (ROM). Anteroposterior stability was normal in all but one patient who demonstrated a 2+ posterior drawer but with firm end points. At a mean follow-up of 5.7 years for PROs, mean Lysholm's score was 91.5 (standard deviation [SD] = 12.2), median Tegner's activity score was 7 (range, 4-9), and mean subjective IKDC score was 88.8 (SD: 9.9). The surgical repair of grade III distal MCL injuries delivered satisfactory clinical and functional outcomes. Future comparative studies with larger patient samples are needed.

Reconstrucción primaria del ligamento cruzado anterior utilizando porción central de tendón Cuadricipital. Cohorte longitudinal

BackgroundThe use of a free quadriceps tendon graft without the use of a bone plug is not the first choice for primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. A series of patients, with a minimum follow-up of two years, is presented in which the choice of free quadricipital tendon graft without a bone plug will be evaluated as a reliable and safe alternative for primary reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. MethodsPatients undergoing surgery for a period of 24 months (2013-2015) were included in this study. A follow-up was carried out for a minimum of 2 years. Controls were carried out at 8 and 15 days, when the sutures were removed. The first 2 months were then evaluated every 3 weeks and every 6 weeks for 6 months, and then at 1 year, 18 months, and two years. A record was made of the values obtained by each patient on the Lysholm, Tegner, and IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) scales. ResultsThe study included 92 patients that met the inclusion criteria. The mean subjective IKDC score at one-year follow-up was 80.44 points, and the mean Tegner activity index reduction was 0.82 index points. The mean Lysholm and Gillquist score was 89 points per year, with good results being obtained in 89.1%. DiscussionThe central quadriceps tendon graft without a bone plug is a technically reproducible procedure with no greater morbidity in the donor site. This has been reflected in the excellent scores on functional scales and in the satisfaction expressed by the patients during two years of follow-up.Evidence Level: III.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Outcomes for Quadriceps Tendon Autograft Versus Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone and Hamstring-Tendon Autografts

Background: Comprehensive studies evaluating quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction are lacking. The optimal choice of graft between bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB), hamstring tendon (HT), and QT is still debatable. Hypothesis: The current literature supports the use of QT as a strong autograft with good outcomes when used in ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was performed in PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Ovid databases to identify published articles on clinical studies relevant to ACL reconstruction with QT autograft and studies comparing QT autograft versus BPTB and HT autografts. The results of the eligible studies were analyzed in terms of instrumented laxity measurements, Lachman test, pivot-shift test, Lysholm score, objective and subjective International Knee Documentation committee (IKDC) scores, donor-site pain, and graft failure. Results: Twenty-seven clinical studies including 2856 patients with ACL reconstruction met the inclusion criteria. Comparison of 581 QT versus 514 BPTB autografts showed no significant differences in terms of instrumented mean side-to-side difference (P = .45), Lachman test (P = .76), pivot-shift test grade 0 (P = .23), pivot-shift test grade 0 or 1 (P = .85), mean Lysholm score (P = .1), mean subjective IKDC score (P = .36), or graft failure (P = .50). However, outcomes in favor of QT were found in terms of less donor-site pain (risk ratio for QT vs BPTB groups, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.18-0.36; P < .00001). Comparison of 181 QT versus 176 HT autografts showed no significant differences in terms of instrumented mean side-to-side difference (P = .75), Lachman test (P = .41), pivot-shift test grade 0 (P = .53), Lysholm score less than 84 (P = .53), mean subjective IKDC score (P = .13), donor-site pain (P = .40), or graft failure (P = .46). However, outcomes in favor of QT were found in terms of mean Lysholm score (mean difference between QT and HT groups, 3.81; 95% CI, 0.45-7.17; P = .03). Conclusion: QT autograft had comparable clinical and functional outcomes and graft survival rate compared with BPTB and HT autografts. However, QT autograft showed significantly less harvest site pain compared with BPTB autograft and better functional outcome scores compared with HT autograft.

Revision Single-Stage Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using an Anterolateral Tibial Tunnel.

Revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a technically demanding enterprise. Management of widened or previously malpositioned tunnels is challenging and often requires innovative approaches. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the function and clinical results of revision single-stage ACL surgery using an anterolateral tibial tunnel (ALTT). A consecutive series of knees with arthroscopic ACL revision surgery were analyzed prospectively between April 2012 and September 2015. Among the 93 patients presented with revision ACL reconstruction, 25 patients met the study inclusion criteria for the ALTT technique and were followed up for a minimum of 2 years (range: 24-51 months). The clinical results were evaluated by means of the Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, and Tegner activity level scale, and the knee stability was assessed by the Lachman test, pivot shift test, and anterior drawer test. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the index knee before the surgery and 2 years after revision surgery was assessed. The mean IKDC subjective score, mean Tegner activity level scale, and mean Lysholm score significantly improved in all study participants. This study showed that ACL revision surgery with ALTT can reliably restore stability and provide fair functional outcomes in patients with ACL retear. One could expect acceptable lateral tibial tunnel length compared with medial tibial tunnel in classic ACL revision, intact bony surround, and good graft fixation. This technique is clinically relevant in that making an anterolateral tunnel in one-stage ACL revision surgery had a good subjective result with low complication rate in midterm follow-up.

Early Revision Surgery for Tibial Plateau Fractures.

To describe patients' outcomes after revision of tibial plateau fracture fixation within 12 months of the initial surgical procedure. To assess differences in objective outcome scores [International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), short form-36, arthrosis score, physical examination] depending on whether patients were treated for malreduction, malunion, or nonunion. Retrospective case series. Twenty-seven patients who underwent revision within 1 year of primary surgery and with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. IKDC Subjective Knee Form, alignment, osteoarthritis, timed up and go test, range of motion, and physical and mental health (using the short form-36 survey). At the most recent follow-up, the mean IKDC subjective knee score of all patients within the study group was 62 (SD 17). In the malreduction group, the mean was 71 (SD 17), in the malunion group the mean was 56 (SD 17), and in the nonunion group, the mean was also 56 (SD 12; χ 0.94; P = 0.624). Comparing the malreduction group with the malunion and nonunion groups combined, there was a significantly higher IKDC score (P = 0.019) in the malreduction group. A suboptimal outcome after open reduction and internal fixation of a tibial plateau fracture is common. If the underlying cause of the fracture is malreduction, malunion, or a nonunion, salvage of the joint without a knee replacement is worthwhile. When using a strategy incorporating revision plate fixation, osteotomy (intra- and/or extraarticular), debridement, and bone grafting when needed, patients should experience favorable long-term outcomes, including less residual pain and functional limitations. Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Outcome after Combined Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Revision in Professional Soccer Players.

We report the functional outcome after combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) for ACL re-rupture and high-grade pivot shift in professional soccer players. For this retrospective review, the medical records of 24 professional soccer players were analyzed. The mean age at surgery was 23.8 ± 4.2 years and the mean follow-up was 42.2 ± 16.9 months. Pre- and postoperative assessment included the KT-1000 Lachman test, pivot shift test, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee evaluation, Tegner activity scale (TAS), and Lysholm score. The rate of return to sports and the level of play at final follow-up were recorded. ACL revision was performed with an autologous bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft or a hamstring graft. LET was performed using an extra-articular MacIntosh procedure as modified by Arnold-Coker. Anterior-posterior laxity was significantly reduced at the final clinical assessment (p < 0.0001): 22 patients (91.7%) had a negative pivot shift and 2 (8.3%) had residual glide (+), with significant improvement (p < 0.0001). The mean subjective IKDC and Lysholm score improved from 69.5 ± 11.1 (range: 56-90) to 88.4 ± 8.9 (range: 62.1-100) and from 58.1 ± 11.7 (range: 33-72) to 97.4 ± 3.2 (range: 88-100), respectively, with significant improvement (p < 0.0001) over preoperative values. The overall failure rate was 8.3%. There were no differences between mean preinjury and final TAS scores (p > 0.05). The rate of return to sports at the same level was 91.7% and the mean time to return to sports was 9.2 ± 2.2 months. Mid-term functional outcome after combined extra-articular reconstruction and ACL revision surgery was satisfactory, with a reduction in residual postoperative rotatory instability and degree of pivot shift.

Outcomes after bone grafting in patients with and without ACL revision surgery: a retrospective study

BackgroundCurrent literature is lacking of data regarding functional outcomes in patients following bone tunnel grafting with or without revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical outcome in patients with (RACL) or without revision ACL reconstruction (OBG) following bone grafting.MethodsFifty-nine patients (18 female, 41 male) who underwent bone grafting due to recurrent, symptomatic ACL deficiency following ACL reconstruction between 2011 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. In 44 patients (mean age: 30,5 ± 8,5 years) a staged revision ACL reconstruction (RACL) was performed after bone grafting. 10 patients (mean age: 33.2 ± 10.3 years) refused to have ACL revision surgery after bone grafting (OBG). Outcome measures included instrumented laxity testing, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Lysholm score and Tegner activity scale.ResultsAfter mean period of 33,9 ± 17.0 months, 54 patients were available for follow up examination. In the RACL group, the Lysholm score was 77,2 ± 15,5 (range 35–100), the mean IKDC subjective knee score was 69,0 ± 13,4 (range 39,1–97,7) and the mean Tegner activity score was 4,1 ± 1,5 (range, 1–9). Similarly, in the OBG group the mean Lysholm score was 72,90 ± 18,7 (range 50–100), the mean IKDC subjective score was 69,3 ± 20,0 (range 44,1–100) and the mean Tegner activity score was 4,6 ± 1,2 (range, 3–6). No significant difference was observed between the two groups. Knee laxity measurements were elevated without revision ACL surgery, however the difference was not significant.ConclusionBone tunnel grafting with or without second stage ACL revision surgery showed no significant difference in functional outcome score. Thus, in case of revision ACL instability careful patient selection is necessary and expectations should be discussed openly with the patients.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using a Hybrid Graft Versus a Hamstring Autograft

This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with a hybrid graft versus an autograft after 3years of follow-up. Among 57 patients with an ACL injury who underwent ACL reconstruction, 28 patients received a hybrid graft (gracilis and semitendinosus tendon autograft plus a soft tissue allograft) and 29 patients received an autograft (gracilis and semitendinosus tendon autograft). The 2 groups were compared after a minimum 3-year follow-up regarding International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) assessment of knee function and stability, pivot-shift test, Lachman test, and KT-1000 side-to-side differences. The patient-reported Tegner activity score, Lysholm score, and subjective IKDC score were also compared. Graft failures were identified by patient-reported outcomes, physical examinations, or magnetic resonance imaging, and were confirmed on second-look arthroscopy; failure rate was compared between groups. At final follow-up, the 2 groups significantly differed in pivot-shift test result (P= .013) and Lachman test result (P= .027). The failure rate tended to be greater in the hybrid graft group (14.3%) than in the autograft group (3.4%) (P= .148). All 5 patients with failed graft reconstruction were revised after second-look arthroscopy. The KT-1000 side-to-side differences at final follow-up were significantly inferior in the hybrid graft group (3.5 ± 2.0) compared with the autograft group (2.5 ± 1.0, P= .024). The hybrid graft group also had a lower mean Lysholm score (P= .000) and subjective IKDC score (P= .006) than the autograft group. The mean Tegner activity score was 6.8 ± 0.8 in the hybrid graft group and 6.9 ± 0.6 in the autograft group (P= .436). The knee stability and patient-reported scores in the autograft-irradiated allograft hybrid graft ACL reconstruction group were significantly inferior compared with those in the autograft ACL reconstruction group. Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Relationship Between Preoperative Extrusion of the Medial Meniscus and Surgical Outcomes After Partial Meniscectomy

Background: No previous study has examined arthritic change after meniscectomy with regard to extrusion of the medial meniscus. Purpose: (1) To determine the factors related to preoperative meniscal extrusion; (2) to investigate the relationship between medial meniscal extrusion and postoperative outcomes of partial meniscectomy, and to identify a cutoff point of meniscal extrusion that contributes to arthritic change after partial meniscectomy in nonosteoarthritic knees. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 208 patients who underwent partial meniscectomy of the medial meniscus between January 2000 and September 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. The extent of extrusion and severity of degeneration of the medial meniscus as shown on preoperative MRI were evaluated. The minimum follow-up duration was 7 years. Clinical function was assessed with the Lysholm knee scoring scale, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee evaluation form, and the Tapper and Hoover grading system. Radiological evaluation was conducted by use of the IKDC radiographic assessment scale. Regression analysis was performed to identify factors affecting preoperative extrusion of the medial meniscus and factors influencing follow-up results after partial meniscectomy. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to identify a cutoff point for the extent of meniscal extrusion that was associated with arthritic change. Results: The mean ± SD preoperative Lysholm knee score was 65.0 ± 6.3 and the mean IKDC subjective score was 60.1 ± 7.5. The mean follow-up functional scores were 93.2 ± 5.1 (P < .001) for the Lysholm knee score and 89.0 ± 6.2 for the IKDC subjective score (P < .001). Preoperative extent of meniscal degeneration (P < .001) and preoperative pattern of meniscal tear (P < .001) were related to preoperative meniscal extrusion. Preoperative extrusion of the meniscus showed a tendency to increase as the extent of intrameniscal degeneration increased, and the medial meniscus was extruded more in patients with horizontal, horizontal flap, and complex tears. The preoperative extent of meniscal extrusion had a statistically significant correlation with follow-up Lysholm knee score (coefficient = −0.10, P = .002), IKDC subjective score (coefficient = −0.09, P = .007), Tapper and Hoover grade (odds ratio = 1.05, P < .001), and IKDC radiographic grade (odds ratio = 1.13, P < .001) at the mean follow-up period of 88.6 months. The cutoff point for the relative value of preoperative meniscal extrusion associated with arthritic change was 34.6% (sensitivity = 69.3%; specificity = 82.7%; accuracy = 77.9%). Conclusion: The preoperative extent of intrameniscal degeneration and the preoperative patterns of meniscal tear including horizontal, horizontal flap, and complex tears were associated with preoperative extrusion of the medial meniscus. The preoperative extrusion of the medial meniscus was negatively correlated with outcomes of partial meniscectomy. The preoperative extent of meniscal extrusion can be used as a predictive factor for osteoarthritis in partial meniscectomy.

Is It Necessary to Repair Stable Ramp Lesions of the Medial Meniscus During Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction? A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: A special type of meniscal lesion involving the peripheral attachment of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus (PHMM), termed a “ramp lesion,” is commonly associated with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. However, its treatment is still controversial. Recently, stable ramp lesions treated with abrasion and trephination alone have been shown to have good clinical outcomes after ACL reconstruction. Hypothesis: Stable ramp lesions treated with abrasion and trephination alone during ACL reconstruction will result in similar clinical outcomes compared with those treated with surgical repair. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was performed in 91 consecutive patients who had complete ACL injuries and concomitant stable ramp lesions of the medial meniscus. All patients were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 groups based on whether the stable ramp lesions were surgically repaired (study group; n = 50) or only abraded and trephined (control group; n = 41) during ACL reconstruction. All surgical procedures were performed by a single surgeon who was blinded to the functional assessment findings of the patients. The Lysholm score, subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, and stability assessments (pivot-shift test, Lachman test, KT-1000 arthrometer side-to-side difference, and KT-1000 arthrometer differences of <3, 3-5, and >5 mm) were evaluated preoperatively and at the last follow-up. Moreover, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate the healing status of the ramp lesions. Results: All consecutive patients who were screened for eligibility from August 2008 to April 2012 were enrolled and observed clinically. There were 40 patients in the study group and 33 patients in the control group who were observed for at least 2 years. At the final follow-up, there were no significant differences between the study group and the control group in terms of the mean Lysholm score (88.7 ± 4.8 vs 90.4 ± 5.8, respectively; P = .528), mean subjective IKDC score (83.6 ± 3.7 vs 82.2 ± 4.5, respectively; P = .594), pivot-shift test results (P = .658), Lachman test results (P = .525), KT-1000 arthrometer side-to-side difference (1.6 ± 1.2 vs 1.5 ± 1.1, respectively; P = .853), or KT-1000 arthrometer grading (P = .738). Overall, for both groups (n = 73), 67 patients showed completely healed (38 study, 29 control), 3 showed partially healed (1 study, 2 control), and 3 showed nonhealed (1 study, 2 control) signals on follow-up MRI when evaluating the healing status of the ramp lesions. There was no significant difference regarding the healing status of the ramp lesions between the 2 groups (P = .543). Conclusion: This prospective randomized controlled trial showed that, in terms of subjective scores, knee stability, and meniscal healing status, concomitant stable ramp lesions of the medial meniscus treated with abrasion and trephination alone during ACL reconstruction resulted in similar clinical outcomes compared with those treated with surgical repair.