Partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Research Articles

Mucoïde degeneratie van de voorste kruisband als oorzaak van diepe kniepijn

Mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament: a little-known cause of deep knee pain Mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a little-known cause of deep atraumatic knee pain that is relatively frequent. Recent studies have reported a prevalence of 1,8-9,2% on MRI of the knee. Mucoid lesions consist of interstitial deposits of glycosaminoglycan between the collagen bundles. This causes hypertrophy of the ACL, which leads to mechanical impingement at the femoral notch, typically resulting in deep or posterior knee pain in terminal flexion and/or extension. Unlike the often-occurring traumatic ACL ruptures, there are no instability complaints. The gold standard for diagnosing mucoid degeneration of the ACL is MRI. This shows an abnormally thickened and ill-defined ACL with an increased intraligamentary signal on all sequences, but the orientation and continuity are usually maintained. Arthroscopically, the mucoid degeneration can be recognized by a hypertrophic ACL with yellowish to brown substances between the fibers. In addition, an absence of the synovial outline of the ACL is seen regularly. An arthroscopic partial or total ACL resection is the treatment of choice for symptomatic mucoid degeneration of the ACL and results in good post-operative outcomes without development of instability.

Meniscal tears associated with complete vs partial anterior cruciate ligament injury

Purpose: To investigate the incidence and location of meniscal tears in relation to complete vs partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.Subjects and Methods: We collected MRI of 114 patients (114 knees) diagnosed with combined ACL and meniscal injury at a follow up 3 months to 2 years of knee injury at our center in last 3 years. The subjects comprised 68 males and 46 females ranging in age from 20 to 55 years. The patients were divided into two groups: Meniscal tears with Partial ACL injury and Complete ACL injury and the results were compared between this two groups.Results: The incidence of complete ACL injury diagnosed with MRI was 52.63% (60 of 114 knees) and partial ACL injury was 47.36% (54 of 114 knees). Regarding the locations of meniscal tears, in complete ACL injury (60 knees), medial meniscal tear was found in 60% (36 of 60 knees), lateral meniscal tear in 31.66 % (19 of 60 knees), and bilateral meniscal tears in 8.33 % (5 of 60 knees). In Partial ACL injury (54 knees), medial meniscal tear was found in 46.29 % (25 of 54 knees) and lateral meniscal tear in 42.59 % (23 of 54 knees) and bilateral (including medial and lateral) meniscal tears in 11.11 % (6 of 54 knees). Bucket handle tear was observed in 11 knees (medial: 8 knees, lateral: 3 knees) in complete ACL injury, and 4 knees (medial: 3 knees, lateral: 1 knee) in partial ACL injury.Conclusion: Incidence of medial meniscus tear was more than 50% in complete ACL injury. Lateral meniscus tear was more associated with partial ACL injury compared to complete ACL injury.

Does anterolateral ligament injury change the treatment option in patients with partial ACL tears?

Patients with ACL tears with ALL injury have more clinical complaints (instability, feeling of the pop on the knee or knee sliding). patients have ALL injury with partial ACL tears, It is unclear whether the choice of treatment will be conservative or surgical. This study aimed to determine the effect of anterolateral ligament (ALL) status, whether intact or ruptured, on the choice of conservative or surgical treatment in patients with partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Between 2015 and 2019, patients with suspected partial ACL tears were identified on both physical examination and MR imaging. 122 patients who had partial ACL tears and also status of patient's ALL could be evaluated by radiologist were included in the study, retrospectively. Sixty-two patients who underwent ACL reconstruction were determined as group 1, and 60 patients who did not undergo ACL reconstruction were defined as group 2. In patients with partial ACL rupture with or without ACL reconstruction, it was evaluated whether a ruptured or non- ruptured ALL was effective in this decision of conservative or surgically. The MRIs of patients with partial ACL tears were evaluated by a radiologist and it was concluded that the ALLs of 50 patients were ruptured, and 72 were intact. The ALLs of 36 patients in group 1 were ruptured, and 26 patients were intact. Fourteen patients in group 2 had ruptured ALLs, 46 patient's ALLs were intact. Seventy-two percent of the patients with partial ACL tears who had ruptured ALLs in MRI underwent ACL reconstruction. It was found that ACL reconstruction was performed more frequently in patients with partial ACL tears with ALL rupture. Therefore, we believe that preoperative evaluations of ALLs using MRI in patients with partial ACL tears are essential for surgical planning.

Seeing Beyond Morphology-Standardized Stress MRI to Assess Human Knee Joint Instability.

While providing the reference imaging modality for joint pathologies, MRI is focused on morphology and static configurations, thereby not fully exploiting the modality’s diagnostic capabilities. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of stress MRI combining imaging and loading in differentiating partial versus complete anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-injury. Ten human cadaveric knee joint specimens were subjected to serial imaging using a 3.0T MRI scanner and a custom-made pressure-controlled loading device. Emulating the anterior-drawer test, joints were imaged before and after arthroscopic partial and complete ACL transection in the unloaded and loaded configurations using morphologic sequences. Following manual segmentations and registration of anatomic landmarks, two 3D vectors were computed between anatomic landmarks and registered coordinates. Loading-induced changes were quantified as vector lengths, angles, and projections on the x-, y-, and z-axis, related to the intact unloaded configuration, and referenced to manual measurements. Vector lengths and projections significantly increased with loading and increasing ACL injury and indicated multidimensional changes. Manual measurements confirmed gradually increasing anterior tibial translation. Beyond imaging of ligament structure and functionality, stress MRI techniques can quantify joint stability to differentiate partial and complete ACL injury and, possibly, compare surgical procedures and monitor treatment outcomes.

Effectiveness of partial anterior cruciate ligament suture repair with wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet technique

To investigate the effectiveness of partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) suture repair with wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique. Between July 2017 and July 2019, 18 patients with partial ACL injury were admitted. There were 10 males and 8 females, with an average age of 40.5 years (range, 22-57 years). There were 5 cases on the left knee and 13 cases on the right knee. Forteen cases had a clear history of trauma or sports injury, and 4 cases had no obvious cause. The time from injury to operation was 1-6 months (median, 3 months). Partial ligament was sutured using WALANT technique under arthroscopy. The operation time, total hospital stay, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded. Lachman test and anterior drawer test were performed to evaluate the knee joint stability after treatment, and Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores were used to evaluate the knee function. Five-point Likert scaling were used to evaluate postoperative patient satisfaction. The operation time was 30-100 minutes (mean, 64.2 minutes). The total hospital stay was 2-12 days (mean, 4.5 days). Postoperative hospital stay was 1-4 days (mean, 1.8 days). All incisions healed by first intention after operation, and no surgery-related complications occurred. All patients were followed up 12-36 months (mean, 19.1 months). Lachman test and anterior drawer test were negative after operation. Lysholm score and IKDC score at 6 and 12 months after operation were significantly higher than those before operation, and at 12 months after operation were higher than those at 6 months after operation, the differences were significant ( P<0.05). At last follow-up, according to five-point Likert scaling of patient satisfaction, 7 cases were very satisfied, 10 cases were relatively satisfied, and 1 case was general. The total patient satisfaction rate was 94.4% (17/18). MRI scan showed the good ligament tension. Using WALANT technique to repair partial ACL injuries under arthroscopy can retain the patient's own ligament tissue to the maximum extent and achieve satisfactory short-term effectiveness.

Structural Consequences of a Partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury on Remaining Joint Integrity: Evidence for Ligament and Bone Changes Over Time in an Ovine Model

Background: Severe injury to the knee joint often results in accelerated posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). In an ovine knee injury model, altered kinematics and degradation of the cartilage have been observed at 20 and 40 weeks after partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) transection (p-ACL Tx) surgery. However, changes to the integrity of the remaining intact intra-articular ligaments (posterolateral [PL] band and posterior cruciate ligament [PCL]) as well as the subchondral bone after anteromedial (AM) band Tx remain to be characterized. Purpose: (1) To investigate histological alterations to the remaining intact intra-articular ligaments, the synovium, and the infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) and (2) to quantify subchondral bone changes at the contact surfaces of the proximal tibia at 20 and 40 weeks after AM band Tx. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Mature female Suffolk cross sheep were allocated into 3 groups: nonoperative controls (n = 6), 20 weeks after partial ACL transection (p-ACL Tx; n = 5), and 40 weeks after p-ACL Tx (n = 6). Ligament, synovium, and IPFP sections were stained and graded. Tibial subchondral bone microarchitecture was assessed using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Results: p-ACL Tx of the AM band led to significant change in histological scores of the PL band and the PCL at 20 weeks after p-ACL Tx (P = .031 and P = .033, respectively) and 40 weeks after p-ACL Tx (P = .011 and P = .029) as compared with nonoperative controls. Alterations in inflammatory cells and collagen fiber orientation contributed to the greatest extent of the combined histological score in the PL band and PCL. p-ACL Tx did not lead to chronic activation of the synovium or IPFP. Trabecular bone mineral density was strongly inversely correlated with combined gross morphological damage in the top and middle layers of the subchondral bone in the lateral tibial plateau for animals at 40 weeks after p-ACL Tx. Conclusion: p-ACL Tx influences the integrity (biology and structure) of remaining intact intra-articular ligaments and bone microarchitecture in a partial knee injury ovine model. Clinical Relevance: p-ACL Tx leads to alterations in structural integrity of the remaining intact ligaments and degenerative changes in the trabecular bone mineral density, which may be detrimental to the injured athlete’s knee joint in the long term.

Primary Partial Transphyseal Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Children with Open Physes

The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in skeletally immature patients is increasing, with ACL reconstruction preferred as it has been shown to have chondroprotective benefits in this population. Due to concerns with growth disturbances following ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients, results of various physical-sparing, partial-transphyseal, or complete-transphyseal techniques have been explored. Currently, there is no consensus on the most effective ACL reconstruction technique in skeletally immature patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of a partial-transphyseal, over-the-top (OTT) ACL reconstruction in a cohort of skeletally immature patients. All patients with radiographic evidence of open tibial and femoral physes that underwent primary ACL reconstruction using the partial-transphyseal OTT technique between 2009-2018 at a single tertiary-care institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, physical examination findings, graft ruptures, return to sport, and Tegner activity levels were analyzed. Statistical significance was defined as p <0.05. Overall, 22 males and 2 females (25 knees) with a mean age of 13.0 years (Standard Deviation [SD], 1.7 years) were included in the study. The mean postoperative follow-up was 2.1 years (SD, 1.7 years). There were four cases of ACL graft rupture (16%). All patients successfully returned to unrestricted sport at an average time of 7.3 months. Preinjury and postoperative Tegner activity levels were documented in 22 knees, of which 21/22 (95%) returned to the same or higher level. There were no documented cases of clinically significant longitudinal or angular growth disturbance. Partial transphyseal ACL reconstruction using a transphyseal tibial tunnel and an extra-articular, OTT position on the femur in skeletally immature affords minimal risk of growth disturbance with a graft rupture rate of 16% and a 95% return to sport at the same or higher level.

Management of Partial Tears of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament: A Review of the Anatomy, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

Partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears comprise an estimated 10% to 27% of isolated ACL injuries. Partial ACL tears may be challenging to clinically diagnose. We reviewed relevant studies focusing on the anatomy, diagnosis, imaging, and treatment of a partial injury with the goal of providing guidance to clinicians. Although a comprehensive patient history, thorough clinical examination, and imaging studies are helpful in arriving at a diagnosis, the benchmark for diagnosis remains visualization and examination of the ACL at the time of knee arthroscopy. Currently, limited data exist about the long-term outcomes of nonsurgical treatment. Some studies demonstrate that younger, active patients have the risk of progressing to a complete ACL rupture with conservative treatment. The decision to proceed with surgery is based on careful history and physical examination findings that suggest either a "functional" or "nonfunctional" ACL. Surgical treatment consists of augmenting the intact bundle with a selective bundle reconstruction versus a traditional ACL reconstruction. Selective bundle reconstruction has limited data available but is an option. The best evidence supports traditional ACL reconstruction for the surgical management of patients with documented nonfunctional partial tears of the ACL.

A Biomechanical Study of Pivot-Shift and Lachman Translations in Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Sectioned Knees, Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Reconstructed Knees, and Knees With Partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Slackening: Instrumented Lachman Tests Statistically Correlate and Supplement Subjective Pivot-Shift Tests

To determine the statistical and predictive correlation between instrumented Lachman and pivot-shift tests with progressive loss of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) function. The kinematic correlations between pivot-shift and Lachman anterior tibial translations (ATTs) in ACL-deficient and ACL-reconstructed states and in partially lax ACL grafts were determined with precise robotic testing in cadaveric knees. The Lachman test (100-N anteroposterior) and 2 pivot-shift loadings were conducted: anterior tibial loading (100 N), valgus rotation (7 Nm), and internal rotation (5 Nm and 1 Nm). The tibia was digitized to study the resulting medial, central, and lateral tibiofemoral compartment translations. In group 1 knees, 15 bone-patellar tendon-bone reconstructions were first tested, followed by ACL graft loosening with 3- and 5-mm increases in Lachman ATT. In group 2, 43 knees underwent robotic testing before and after ACL sectioning and underwent analysis of the effect of 3- and 5-mm increases in Lachman ATT and complete ACL sectioning on pivot-shift compartment translations. In group 1 knees, ACL graft loosening allowing a 3-mm increase in Lachman ATT resulted in increases in pivot-shift lateral compartment translation (lateral compartment ATT) of only 1.6±0.3 mm and 2.2 ± 1.0 mm (internal rotation of 5 Nm and 1 Nm, respectively) that were one-half of those required for a positive pivot-shift test finding. In group 2, for a 3-mm increased Lachman test, there were no positive pivot-shift values. In both groups, a Lachman test with an increase in ATT of 3 mm or less (100 N) had a 100% predictive value for a negative pivot-shift test finding. With ACL graft loosening and a 5-mm increase in the Lachman ATT, group 1 still had no positive pivot-shift values, and in group 2, a positive pivot-shift test finding occurred in 3 of 43 knees (7%, pivot shift 1-Nm internal rotation). After ACL sectioning, a highly predictive correlation was found between abnormal increases in Lachman and pivot-shift translations (P < .001). ACL graft slackening and an instrumented Lachman test with an increase in ATT of 3 mm or less were 100% predictive of a negative pivot-shift subluxation finding and retained ACL stability. Further graft slackening and a 5-mm increase in the Lachman ATT produced pivot-shift lateral compartment ATT increases still less than the values in the ACL-deficient state; however, 7% of the knees (3 of 43) were converted to a positive pivot-shift test finding indicative of ACL graft failure. Instrumented Lachman tests provide objective data on ACL function and graft failure to supplement subjective pivot-shift tests and are highly recommended for single-center and multicenter ACL studies. In the past decade, a near majority of published ACL studies no longer reported on instrumented Lachman tests, relying solely on highly subjective pivot-shift grading by multiple examiners.

The underlying mechanism of partial anterior cruciate ligament injuries to the meniscus degeneration of knee joint in rabbit models

BackgroundThe diagnosis, treatment, and efficacy evaluation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) partial rupture remains controversial. This research aims to investigate the underlying mechanism of partial ACL injuries to the meniscus degeneration in the rabbit knee.MethodsSixty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups including an experimental group, a sham group (n = 6), and a blank control group (n = 6). The experimental group is composed of an anteromedial bundle (AMB) rupture group (n = 24) and a posterolateral bundle (PLB) rupture group (n = 24). Rabbits in the experimental group were subjected to right hind limbs knee surgery to induce ACL part injury under the arthroscopy. Finally, eight rabbits including 6 in the model group and 2 in the control group were sampled randomly on the 2nd, 4th, and 8th weeks respectively. We observed the typical form of the meniscus through HE staining. Expressions of inflammatory factors including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-17 in the knee joint fluid were determined by means of an ELISA. Analysis of the mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinases-13(MMP-13) was performed to evaluate the inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of the meniscus.ResultsHE staining results showed that the surface was rough and the tissues were loose displaying collagen fibers of varying thickness. Both IL-1β and IL-17 in the synovial fluid and the positive rate of MMP-13 in addition to MMP-13 mRNA showed a demonstrable increase treads from the 2nd to the 8th week. The significant difference was found (P < 0.05) compared to the control group.ConclusionWe conclude that the elevated levels of IL-1β and IL-17, along with increased MMP13 expression, resulted in meniscus degradation in the rabbit knee joint model with partial ACL injury.

Does Intravenous or Intraarticular Tranexamic Acid (TXA) Reduce Joint Bleeding Following Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction and Arthroscopic Meniscectomy? Can Intraarticular Use be Harmful to Chondrocytes?

Arthroscopic knee surgery to perform partial meniscectomy and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is frequent and effective, although a possible complication is postoperative intra-articular bleeding. When this complication occurs, in addition to the associated pain, the patient usually requires an arthrocentesis to avoid loss of joint mobility. Sometimes this problem ends up associated with a poor result of surgery due to loss of knee mobility. Therefore, recently, the use of tranaexamic acid (TXA) has been considered in order to reduce postoperative bleeding and its potential associated complications.

Arthroscopic Primary Repair for Partial Proximal Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear in Military Personnel.

To evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes of arthroscopic primary repair for partial proximal anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in a young, active duty military population. Retrospective cohort study. A national tertiary-level medical and academic institution. Nineteen active duty military patients with partial proximal ACL tears and excellent tissue quality were included and 18 were finally analyzed. All patients underwent arthroscopic primary repair using a suture anchor technique between March 2014 and June 2016. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using anterior drawer test (ADT), Lachman test, pivot shift test, 3-km run test, 10 m × 5 shuttle run test, physical readiness test (PRT) score, Tegner activity score, Lysholm score, modified Cincinnati score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, and magnetic resonance imaging. At final follow-up, 17 patients had negative ADT, Lachman, and pivot shift examination findings, and 1 patient had a 1+ ADT, negative Lachman, and pivot shift result. Mean 3-km run time at final follow-up was not statistically different from that preinjury (12:55 vs 12:39, P = 0.071), nor were the 10 m × 5 shuttle run time (23.4 vs 22.9, P = 0.235), PRT score (82.5 vs 85.1, P = 0.086), and Tegner activity score (7.8 vs 7.9, P = 0.083). Mean Lysholm score at final follow-up was significantly improved compared with that preoperative (93.1 vs 70.7, P < 0.001), so were the modified Cincinnati score (90.4 vs 58.6, P < 0.001) and IKDC subjective score (88.3 vs 67.4, P < 0.001). Arthroscopic primary repair can achieve short-term clinical success in high-demand military patients with partial proximal ACL tears and excellent tissue quality.

Tranexamic acid is effective in decreasing postoperative intraarticular bleeding in arthroscopic knee surgery.

: Arthroscopic knee surgery to perform partial meniscectomy and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is frequent and effective, although a possible complication is postoperative hemarthrosis. When intraarticular bleeding occurs, in addition to the associated pain, the patient usually requires joint aspiration (arthrocentesis) to avoid loss of range of motion (ROM). Sometimes this complication ends up associated with a poor result of surgery due to a loss of ROM. The aim of this narrative review of the literature is to attempt to clarify whether tranexamic acid (TXA) should be utilized in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction and arthroscopic meniscectomy and by what route (intraarticular or intravenous). A number of studies seem to favor the use of intravenous TXA in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction and arthroscopic synovectomy to diminish articular postoperative bleeding and its consequences (pain, swelling, loss of ROM, and the need for arthrocentesis). Regarding the use of intraarticular TXA, one in-vitro study has indicated that TXA in high concentrations is cytotoxic to chondrocytes. Common sense leads me to conclude that until better designed studies can confirm that intraarticular TXA is not cytotoxic to chondrocytes, its use should not be advised. Currently, for patients undergoing arthroscopic ACL reconstruction and arthroscopic meniscectomy, it seems safer to use intravenous TXA.

Is a Partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear Truly Partial? A Clinical, Arthroscopic, and Histologic Investigation

(1) To determine whether examination under anesthesia (EUA) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an accurate means for determining patient selection for a selective-bundle reconstruction, (2) to determine whether the preoperative clinical assessment correlates with the arthroscopic examination, and (3) to examine histologically whether a partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is truly partial in terms of vascular insult. This prospective, nonrandomized cohort study included 95 patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction from January 2013 through May 2014. All patients underwent an EUA, MRI, and arthroscopic evaluation. In patients with partial ACL tears, the intact bundle was resected and underwent histologic examination. The χ2 test was used to compare EUA and MRI in the detection of partial tears. Of the 95 patients included, 40 (42%) had EUA findings consistent with a partial ACL tear whereas 22 (23%) had MRI findings interpreted as showing a partial ACL tear. Arthroscopic examination confirmed a partial ACL tear in only 11 patients (12%). The sensitivity of EUA and MRI in the detection of partial ACL tears was 100% and 90.9%, and the specificity was 65% and 85.7%, respectively. The χ2 test suggested statistically significant associations between the method of evaluation and diagnostic outcome [χ2(1)= 7.83, P= .005]. MRI was 1.24 times more likely to correctly identify a partial tear (95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.45). EUA was 2.23 times as likely to incorrectly identify a partial tear (95% confidence interval, 1.24-4.02). The histologic analysis showed increased numbers of lymphocytes, absent polymorphonuclear leukocytes, predominant fibroblasts, neovascularization, and variable collagen orientation. There is a disparity between EUA, MRI, and arthroscopic findings in the evaluation of partial ACL tears. Arthroscopy remains the gold standard for diagnosing the macroscopic integrity of the intact bundle. Microscopic analysis reveals that the integrity of the remaining intact ligament material is altered and may show a histologic response similar to a complete ACL rupture. Level III, prospective, nonrandomized cohort study.

Joint laxity varies in response to partial and complete anterior cruciate ligament injuries throughout skeletal growth

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are increasingly common in the skeletally immature population. As such there is a need to increase our understanding of the biomechanical function of the joint following partial and complete ACL injury during skeletal growth. In this work, we aimed to assess changes in knee kinematics and loading of the remaining soft tissues following both partial and complete ACL injury in a porcine model. To do so, we applied anterior-posterior tibial loads and varus-valgus moments to stifle joints of female pigs ranging from early juvenile to late adolescent ages and assessed both kinematics and in-situ loads carried in the bundles of the ACL and other soft tissues including the collateral ligaments and the menisci. Partial ACL injury led to increased anterior tibial translation only in late adolescence and small increases in varus-valgus rotation at all ages. Complete ACL injury led to substantial increases in translation and rotation at all ages. At all ages, the medial collateral ligament and the medial meniscus combined to resist the majority of applied anterior tibial load following complete ACL transection. Across all ages and flexion angles, the contribution of the MCL ranged from 45 to 90% of the anterior load and the contribution of the medial meniscus ranged from 14 to 35% of the anterior load. These findings add to our current understanding of age-specific functional properties of both healthy and injured knees during skeletal growth.

Prevalence of anterolateral complex injury and associated injuries in knees with acute complete and partial anterior cruciate ligament injury

Aim: Kaplan fibers, capsule, ligament (ALL) and Iliotibial band are defined as secondary stabilizers of the internal tibial rotation of the knee. These structures have been summarized as the Anterolateral complex (ALC). We aimed to determine the ALC injury prevalence and the association between Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and ALC injury patterns. Materials and Methods: MRI scans of ACL injuries were retrospectively evaluated for the presence of the ACL injury pattern (partial or complete), ALL, iliotibial band, Kaplans fiber, meniscus, bone marrow edema (BME) and collateral ligament pathology. The patients were divided into groups according to the ACL injury pattern. The prevalence of injury of the anatomical structures between groups was examined. Results: MRI scans of 152 patients (152 knees) were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 28.5±8.6 (range, 18-55). 138 patients were male and 14 were female. Complete ACL injury was detected in 127 (83.6%) patients confirmed by MRI and arthroscopic procedure and partial ACL injury was detected in 25 (16.4%) patients confirmed by MRI. 90 (59.2%) patients had an ALL injury, 87 (57.2%) had an iliotibial band injury, 82 (53.9%) patients had a Kaplans fiber injury, 53 (34.9%) patients had a meniscal injury, 99 (65.1%) patients had BME and 70 (46.1%) patients had a collateral ligament injury. In the complete ACL injury group, the ratio of ALL, iliotibial band, Kaplan fiber, meniscal injury, BME, collateral ligament injury was significantly higher than the partial ACL injury group (p 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of injury in at least one anatomic structure of ALC was significantly higher in patients with a complete ACL injury (73.2%) than those with partial ACL injury (32%) at our institution. This study demonstrated that ALC injuries were statistically higher as well as meniscal injuries, BME, collateral ligament injuries after complete ACL injury compared to partial ACL injury.

The Role of Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of Anterior Cruciate and Posterior Cruciate Ligament Tears

Objective: The objective of our study was to determine the role of diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing and differentiating between complete and partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears and to compare it with conventional MRI sequences. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective study for a period of 2 years from October 2017 to October 2019 on 30 patients with clinically suspected ACL/PCL injuries of the knee. MRI of the knee joint was performed using conventional, and DW sequences and the findings on both the sequences were assessed independently and compared with the intraoperative or follow-up MRI findings. Results: As per operative and follow-up MRI findings, the sensitivity and specificity of conventional MRI were 60% and 33.33% with a positive and negative predictive value of 47.37% and 45.45%, respectively. On the other hand, the sensitivity and specificity of DW MRI were 70.00% and 33.33% with a positive and negative predictive value of 51.22% and 52.13%, respectively. P = 0.417 was statistically not significant. Conclusion: According to our study, adding DW sequence to conventional MR sequences yielded comparable results in diagnosis and differentiation between complete and partial ACL and PCL tears.

Rotatory Knee Laxity Exists on a Continuum in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the magnitude of rotatory knee laxity in patients with a partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, those with a complete ACL tear, and those who had undergone a failed ACL reconstruction. It was hypothesized that rotatory knee laxity would increase with increasing injury grade, with knees with partial ACL tears demonstrating the lowest rotatory laxity and knees that had undergone failed ACL reconstruction demonstrating the highest rotatory laxity. A prospective multicenter study cohort of 354 patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction between 2012 and 2018 was examined. All patients had both injured and contralateral healthy knees evaluated using standardized, preoperative quantitative pivot shift testing, determined by a validated, image-based tablet software application and a surface-mounted accelerometer. Quantitative pivot shift was compared with the contralateral healthy knee in 20 patients with partial ACL tears, 257 patients with complete ACL tears, and 27 patients who had undergone a failed ACL reconstruction. Comparisons were made using 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc 2-sample t tests with Bonferroni correction. Significance was set at p < 0.05. There were stepwise increases in side-to-side differences in quantitative pivot shift in terms of lateral knee compartment translation for patients with partial ACL tears (mean [and standard deviation], 1.4 ± 1.5 mm), those with complete ACL tears (2.5 ± 2.1 mm), and those who had undergone failed ACL reconstruction (3.3 ± 1.9 mm) (p = 0.01) and increases in terms of lateral compartment acceleration for patients with partial ACL tears (0.7 ± 1.4 m/s), those with complete ACL tears (2.3 ± 3.1 m/s), and those who had undergone failed ACL reconstruction (2.4 ± 5.5 m/s) (p = 0.01). A significant difference in lateral knee compartment translation was found when comparing patients with partial ACL tears and those with complete ACL tears (1.2 ± 2.1 mm [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.2 to 2.1 mm]; p = 0.02) and patients with partial ACL tears and those who had undergone failed ACL reconstruction (1.9 ± 1.7 mm [95% CI, 0.8 to 2.9 mm]; p = 0.001), but not when comparing patients with complete ACL tears and those who had undergone failed ACL reconstruction (0.8 ± 2.1 [95% CI, -0.1 to 1.6 mm]; p = 0.09). Increased lateral compartment acceleration was found when comparing patients with partial ACL tears and those with complete ACL tears (1.5 ± 3.0 m/s [95% CI, 0.8 to 2.3 m/s]; p = 0.0002), but not when comparing patients with complete ACL tears and those who had undergone failed ACL reconstruction (0.1 ± 3.4 m/s [95% CI, -2.2 to 2.4 m/s]; p = 0.93) or patients with partial ACL tears and those who had undergone failed ACL reconstruction (1.7 ± 4.2 m/s [95% CI, -0.7 to 4.0 m/s]; p = 0.16). An increasing lateral compartment translation of the contralateral, ACL-healthy knee was found in patients with partial ACL tears (0.8 mm), those with complete ACL tears (1.2 mm), and those who had undergone failed ACL reconstruction (1.7 mm) (p < 0.05). A progressive increase in rotatory knee laxity, defined by side-to-side differences in quantitative pivot shift, was observed in patients with partial ACL tears, those with complete ACL tears, and those who had undergone failed ACL reconstruction. These results may be helpful when assessing outcomes and considering indications for the management of high-grade rotatory knee laxity. Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The Push-Through Sign—Making the Decision for Selective-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery

Partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are often difficult to diagnose and treat. Recent interest in the literature has focused on performing selective-bundle ACL reconstruction in patients with symptomatic partial ACL tears when one of the ACL bundles is intact. However, the clinical examination, magnetic resonance imaging, and arthroscopic evaluation of partial ACL tears may not correlate, and proper assessment of the integrity of the intact portion of the ACL continues to be a challenge. If a selective-bundle ACL reconstruction is performed in a patient with an apparently intact but structurally damaged individual bundle, the outcome would be compromised by leaving the damaged bundle in place. This technical note provides a description of a simple and reliable arthroscopic method to aid in the diagnosis of a partial ACL tear. The use of this method to assess remaining ligamentous tissue will assist surgeons in deciding for or against selective-bundle ACL reconstruction.

Diagnostic Validity of an Isokinetic Testing to Identify Partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries.

To assess the diagnostic validity of an isokinetic testing to detect partial injuries on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Prospective diagnostic study. Orthopedic clinic, physiotherapy clinic, orthopedic hospital, and diagnostic/image clinic. Consecutive patients (n = 29) with unilateral knee complaint submitted to physical examination, magnetic resonance images (MRIs), and isokinetic testing prior to surgery of ACL reconstruction. Not applicable. The isokinetic torque curves data from extensor and flexor muscles were converted to frequency domain by fast Fourier transformation and compared with healthy contralateral limb. Differences were categorized as unstable knees and these conclusions were compared with patient's physical examinations (doctor's conclusion on ACL integrity) and MRIs (as the radiologist conclusions on ACL integrity). After surgery, all intraoperatively confirmed partial injured patient's data were collected. The diagnostic accuracy measures to compare the conclusions of all 3 professionals included sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, disease prevalence, positive likelihood ratio, and accuracy-all using a confidence interval of 95%. Compared with MRI, the sensitivity of isokinetic test for an ACL partial injury was 90.00%, specificity 83.33%, positive predictive value 52.94%, negative predictive value 97.56%, and accuracy 84.48%. Compared with physical examination, the sensitivity of isokinetic test for an ACL partial injury was 85.71%, specificity 78.43%, positive predictive value 35.29%, negative predictive value 97.56%, and accuracy 79.31%. This method of isokinetic data analysis through fast Fourier transformation can be used to improve diagnostic accuracy of a difficult detection injury. Even present, a partial ACL injury can produce a stable knee during isokinetic testing and could be used to detect candidates for conservative treatment based on strengthening exercises, reducing surgery risks, and financial and social impact on patient's life.