Previous Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Research Articles

Changes in Y-Balance Test Scores During Months 4, 5, and 6 of ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is well researched since injuries typically result in lengthy recoveries and rehabilitation periods until athletes can return to full activity. Although a large body of literature on the early and late stages of rehabilitation following ACL reconstructive (ACLR) surgery exists, less is known regarding the mid-phase of ACL rehabilitation and healthy versus injured limb differences in functional testing during this stage. The purpose of this study is to determine if Y-Balance Test (YBT) scores obtained during the mid-phase of ACLR rehabilitation change over months 4, 5, and 6. Case Series. Research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 27 participants (17 females; 18.96±3.02 years (range 15-24); 173.63±10.29cm; 72.55±17.83kg) who sustained a unilateral ACL injury, experienced no episodes of instability or knee giving away, had not suffered a previous ACL injury, and expressed a desire to return to sport at the end of rehabilitation came in once a month following ACLR to participate in a battery of tests. YBT scores in the anterior, posterolateral (PL), and posteromedial (PM) directions in the healthy and reconstructed limbs. A main effect for limb was observed for the anterior (Healthy: m4: 78.8cm±5.8, m5: 79.5cm±5.2, m6: 79.4±5.8; Reconstructed: m4: 77.2±5.9, m5: 78.5±5.1, m6: 78.1±6.4, p=0.023) and PM (Healthy: m4: 80.0cm±8.7, m5: 81.0cm±9.1, m6: 82.9cm±8.9; Reconstructed: m4: 79.3cm±6.8, m5: 79.4cm±8.2, m6: 81.1cm±8.5, p=0.013). directions indicating that the reconstructed limb performed worse than the healthy limb. A main effect for time was observed for the PL direction (Healthy: m4: 78.8cm±5.8, m5: 79.5cm±5.2, m6: 79.4cm±5.8; Reconstructed: m4: 77.2cm±5.9, m5:78.5cm±5.1, m6: 78.1cm±6.4, p=0.023). The YBT measured improvement in the PL direction across time in the reconstructed limb. In the PM and anterior directions, the YBT did not measure these same improvements across this period.

Which jump test is most sensitive for classifying ACL injury history in fatigued or non-fatigued athletes?

Introduction & Purpose In fast-paced clinical decision-making, jump-landing movement assessments are rarely used to guide return-to-sport (RTS) decisions after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. While these tests are crucial for identifying deficits in movement execution (e.g., dynamic valgus, extended knee, knee internal rotation) that could predispose to ACL re-rupture (Kaplan & Witvrouw, 2019), identifying these deficits can be challenging. To integrate RTS movement assessments into clinical practice, the first step is to identify the most sensitive jump-landing test that can best expose remaining deficits in neuromuscular control and resulting landing kinematics associated with ACL injury. Further, RTS tests are mostly performed in a non-fatigued state although fatigued individuals often fail to reach the RTS criteria (Dingenen & Gokeler, 2017). This exploratory study aimed to rank common jump-landing tests in their ability to identify (sensitivity and classification rate) deficits in whole-body landing kinematics following ACL injury, under both fatigued and non-fatigued conditions. Methods A total of 43 volunteers were recruited into ACL group (n = 21, 11 females, 3.9 years post ACL injury) and control group (n = 22, 12 females). 3D motion data (Vicon, 250 Hz) were recorded during a single-leg forward hop (SH), single-leg countermovement jump (CMJ), single-leg triple crossover hop (COH), and single-leg 90° medial rotation hop (MRH) before and after a fatigue-inducing intervention (single-leg squats and step-ups). Thirteen joint angles (50 ms after initial contact) from the lower body, trunk, and pelvis representing the landing kinematics were calculated in OpenSim. A correlation analysis was performed to check for multicollinearity issues. Eight distinct logistic regression models (four jumps, fatigued/non-fatigued, α = .05) were computed to predict ACL injury history based on a combination of joint angles. For each model, a backward stepwise method was employed to determine which combination of joint angles resulted in the highest classification rates. Results ACL injury history was successfully predicted in seven (χ² > 4.4, p < .036) of the eight logistic regression models (Figure 1). The SH in the fatigued condition (χ² = 22.5, p = .008) demonstrated the highest sensitivity of 85.7% and a classification rate of 86%. Significant predictors for this model were knee rotation (Odds ratios [OR] = 1.537), hip abduction (OR = 1.385), hip rotation (OR = 1.525), and ankle flexion (OR = 0.771). The CMJ (non-fatigued) showed the second-highest sensitivity of 81% and a classification rate of 81.4% (p = .027). Significant predictors were knee rotation (OR = 1.440), hip abduction (OR = 1.428), hip rotation (OR = 1.297), and pelvis rotation (OR = 0.664). The MRH in the non-fatigued condition exhibited the lowest sensitivity, and no classification was possible in the non-fatigued COH model (χ² = 3.6, p = .056). Discussion & Conclusion The fatigued SH was the most sensitive jump-landing test for classifying groups and detecting kinematic differences due to previous ACL injury. Thus, we recommended the SH over other tests for RTS decision-making, as it is most likely to reveal kinematic abnormalities. Higher classification rates in the fatigued condition support RTS testing in fatigued states to better identify movement deficits. To integrate jump-landing assessments into RTS decisions in a feasible way, our future work will involve 3D motion capture using pose estimation algorithms on video data.

Comparative Analysis of Neuromuscular Activation Patterns Associated with Force between Semi-Professional Female Soccer Players with Previous Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery and Healthy Players in Thigh Musculature Related to Valgus Collapse

This study investigates electromyography activation and force development differences in key lower limb muscles between female football players with previous anterior cruciate ligament injuries compared with healthy players. Twenty-two semi-professional players were divided into ACL-injured (n = 11) and non-injured groups (n = 11). Participants underwent maximal voluntary isometric contractions while electromyography activation, peak and average, and peak torque of force were measured. Results indicated significant differences in electromyography activation patterns between anterior cruciate ligament players and non-injured players, particularly in biceps femoris and gluteus maximus muscles. These differences were also evident when comparing between limbs within anterior cruciate ligament players. Interestingly, both groups exhibited similar peak torque of force during maximal contractions, suggesting a compensatory neuromuscular strategy that supports a return to sport based on kinetic and kinematic factors. However, these findings underscore persistent muscle integration imbalances potentially contributing to the high rate of anterior cruciate ligament reinjury. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of evaluating electromyography activation alongside force development in understanding neuromuscular adaptations post anterior cruciate ligament injury. These insights emphasize the need for comprehensive rehabilitation strategies that address muscle imbalance to mitigate the risk of recurrent anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female football players.

Knee Biomechanics During Cutting Maneuvers and Secondary ACL Injury Risk: A Prospective Cohort Study of Knee Biomechanics in 756 Female Elite Handball and Soccer Players.

An athlete who returns to sport after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury has a substantially high risk of sustaining a new secondary ACL injury. Because ACL injuries most frequently occur during cutting maneuvers, such movements should be at the center of research attention. To investigate whether knee biomechanical parameters during side-step cutting maneuvers differ between female elite athletes with and without a history of ACL injury and to evaluate whether such parameters are associated with future secondary ACL injury. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. A total of 756 female elite handball and soccer players, of whom 76 had a history of ACL injury, performed a sport-specific cutting task while 3-dimensional kinematics and kinetics were measured. ACL injuries were registered prospectively over an 8-year follow-up period. Seven knee-specific biomechanical variables were the basis for all analyses. Two-way analyses of variance were applied to assess group differences, whereas logistic regression models served to evaluate associations between the knee-specific variables and future secondary ACL injury. When players with a previous ACL injury performed the cutting maneuver with their ipsilateral leg, they exhibited lower knee abduction angles (mean difference [MD], 1.4°-1.5°; 95% CI, 0.2°-2.9°), lower peak knee flexion moments (MD, 0.33 N·m/kg-1; 95% CI, 0.18-0.48 N·m/kg-1), lower peak knee abduction moments (MD, 0.27 N·m/kg-1; 95% CI, 0.12-0.41 N·m/kg-1), and lower peak knee internal rotation moments (MD, 0.06 N·m/kg-1; 95% CI, 0.01-0.12 N·m/kg-1) compared with injury-free players. When players performed the cut with their contralateral leg, no differences were evident (P < .05). None of the 7 knee-specific biomechanical variables was associated with future secondary ACL injury in players with an ACL injury history (P < .05). Approximately 4 years after ACL injury, female elite team-ball athletes still unloaded their ipsilateral knee during cutting maneuvers, yet contralateral knee loading was similar to that of injury-free players. Knee biomechanical characteristics were not associated with future secondary ACL injury.

Relationship between Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury and Subtalar Pronation in Female Basketball Players: Case-Control Study.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a common issue in basketball. Several studies point to subtalar pronation as a relevant risk factor for these injuries, despite their multiarticular and multiplanar nature. This study evaluated the correlation between subtalar pronation and ACL injuries in female basketball players. A total of 30 players were recruited and divided into two groups: 15 with previous ACL injury and 15 without injury. The navicular drop test (NDT) and drop vertical jump test were applied to quantify parameters such as navicular drop, calcaneal eversion, ankle dorsiflexion, knee flexion, and dynamic valgus. The results showed significantly higher NDT values (6.93 ± 1.64 mm vs. 5.41 ± 1.96 mm, p = 0.029) and maximum calcaneal eversion angle (10.94 ± 3.22° vs. 5.30 ± 3.33°, p < 0.001) in the injured group. There were also significant differences in maximum dynamic valgus (152.73 ± 15.00° vs. 165.26 ± 5.628°, p = 0.005) and knee flexion (93.70 ± 7.47° vs. 82.92 ± 11.14°, p = 0.004) between groups. These findings suggest that subtalar pronation, assessed by NDT, and calcaneal eversion could be indicators of higher susceptibility to ACL injuries in female basketball players.

Anterior cruciate ligament injury occurrence, return to sport and subsequent injury in the Australian High Performance Sports System: A 5-year retrospective analysis

ObjectivesTo report anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury occurrence, return to sport (RTS) timeframes and ACL subsequent injuries recorded in the Australian High Performance Sports System according to athlete sex. MethodsACL injury data of injured athletes were prospectively collected by the treating sports and exercise physicians and physiotherapists within the Australian High Performance Sports System between January 1, 2015 and May 31, 2020. RTS time frames for ACL injuries and the proportion of subsequent ACL injuries were calculated. The RTS time was compared between sexes, age groups and ACL injury categories using the Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test. ResultsA total of 132 ACL injuries were reported in 108 athletes (77 female, 31 male). ACL injuries accounted for 6.4% of all reported knee injuries, with almost half (48.5%) of the ACL injuries reported to occur during training. Median RTS time was 369 days (IQR = 273–487), with RTS times reducing with increasing age (X2 (Zbrojkiewicz et al., 2018) = 11.781, p = 0.008). The presence of concurrent knee pathology did not significantly affect the RTS timeframes. ACL injuries were most frequently reported in netball, winter sports, basketball, field hockey and gymnastics. One quarter of the ACL reported (n = 34, 25.8%) were subsequent to a prior ACL injury, with the majority of these injuries occurring to the ipsilateral knee (n = 26) as opposed to contralateral knee (n = 6). ConclusionsDespite ACL injuries accounting for a small proportion of all knee injuries reported in the Australian High Performance Sports System, more than a quarter are subsequent to a previous ACL injury. Shorter RTS times were observed in older athletes; however, considerable periods of time-loss occur as a consequence of ACL injuries. Effective primary prevention, rehabilitation processes, and ongoing tertiary prevention strategies are warranted in this population.

Evaluating the diagnostic pathway for acute ACL injuries in trauma centres: a systematic review

ObjectiveThis review sought to evaluate the literature on the initial assessment and diagnostic pathway for patients with a suspected Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear.MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL were systematically searched for eligible studies, PRISMA guidelines were followed. Studies were included if they used at least one assessment method to assess for ACL injury and participants were assessed at an acute trauma centre within 6-weeks of injury. Article quality was evaluated using the QUADAS-2 checklist.ResultsA total of 353 studies were assessed for eligibility, 347 were excluded for the following reasons: injuries were not assessed in an acute trauma setting, injuries were not acute, participants had previous ACL injuries or chronic joint deformities affecting the knee, participants were under 18, or participants included animals or cadavers. A total of six studies were included in the review. Common assessment methods included: laxity tests, joint effusion, inability to continue activity, and a history of a ‘pop’ and ‘giving way’ at the time of injury. Diagnostic accuracy varied greatly between the assessment method and the assessing clinician. Gold standard diagnostics were MRI and arthroscopy. A weighted meta-mean calculated the time to reach diagnosis to be 68.60 days [CI 23.94, 113.24]. The mean number of appointments to reach diagnosis varied from 2–5. Delay to surgery or surgical consultation ranged from 61 to 328 days.ConclusionClinicians in the Emergency Department are not proficient in performing the assessment methods that are used for diagnosis in acute ACL injury. Reliance on specialist assessments or radiological methods inevitably increases the time to reach a diagnosis, which has repercussions on management options. There is an ever-growing demand to improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency; further exploration into quantitative measures of instability would aid the assessment of peripheral joint assessment.

Is There an Association in Young Patients Between Quadriceps or Hamstring Strength After ACL Reconstruction and Graft Rupture?

Background:Younger patients who sustain anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are at high risk for reinjury after ACL reconstruction. Restoring muscle strength before return to sports (RTS) is regarded as an important factor in reducing the reinjury risk, and quadriceps and hamstring strength assessment is commonly included in RTS testing. However, it is not clear whether reduced strength is a risk factor for subsequent graft rupture in this patient population.Purpose:To investigate the association between quadriceps and hamstring strength at 12 months after primary ACL reconstruction and ACL graft rupture in young patients.Study Design:Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:The cohort consisted of 210 patients (100 men and 110 women) who were younger than 20 years at the time of primary ACL reconstruction with a hamstring tendon autograft and who had no previous contralateral ACL injury. Isokinetic strength testing (60 and 180 deg/s) of knee flexors and extensors was performed at 12 months postoperatively, and the limb symmetry index (LSI) for each strength outcome was calculated. RTS rates and the incidence of further ACL graft ruptures were recorded.Results:Measures of central tendency (mean and median) of LSI values ranged from 88 to 98. The percentage of patients with LSI ≥90 was 57% to 69% for quadriceps strength and 45% to 47% for hamstring strength. Overall, 19 patients (9%) sustained an ACL graft rupture. No significant differences were found between the patients who sustained an ACL graft rupture and those who did not in terms of quadriceps and hamstring strength at 12 months. No significant associations were found between achieving LSI ≥90 for quadriceps peak torque and subsequent ACL graft rupture.Conclusion:In young patients who underwent an ACL reconstruction, no association was noted between quadriceps and hamstring strength at 12 months postoperatively and subsequent graft ruptures. The role of strength testing as part of the RTS criteria after ACL reconstruction, and specifically the use of limb symmetry thresholds, warrants further investigation and clarification.

A Prediction Model for Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Using Artificial Intelligence.

Background:Supervised machine learning models in artificial intelligence (AI) have been increasingly used to predict different types of events. However, their use in orthopaedic surgery has been limited.Hypothesis:It was hypothesized that supervised learning techniques could be used to build a mathematical model to predict primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries using a set of morphological features of the knee.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:Included were 50 adults who had undergone primary ACL reconstruction between 2008 and 2015. All patients were between 18 and 40 years of age at the time of surgery. Patients with a previous ACL injury, multiligament knee injury, previous ACL reconstruction, history of ACL revision surgery, complete meniscectomy, infection, missing data, and associated fracture were excluded. We also identified 50 sex-matched controls who had not sustained an ACL injury. For all participants, we used the preoperative magnetic resonance images to measure the anteroposterior lengths of the medial and lateral tibial plateaus as well as the lateral and medial bone slope (LBS and MBS), lateral and medial meniscal height (LMH and MMH), and lateral and medial meniscal slope (LMS and MMS). The AI predictor was created using Matlab R2019b. A Gaussian naïve Bayes model was selected to create the predictor.Results:Patients in the ACL injury group had a significantly increased posterior LBS (7.0° ± 4.7° vs 3.9° ± 5.4°; P = .008) and LMS (–1.7° ± 4.8° vs –4.0° ± 4.2°; P = .002) and a lower MMH (5.5 ± 0.1 vs 6.1 ± 0.1 mm; P = .006) and LMH (6.9 ± 0.1 vs 7.6 ± 0.1 mm; P = .001). The AI model selected LBS and MBS as the best possible predictive combination, achieving 70% validation accuracy and 92% testing accuracy.Conclusion:A prediction model for primary ACL injury, created using machine learning techniques, achieved a >90% testing accuracy. Compared with patients who did not sustain an ACL injury, patients with torn ACLs had an increased posterior LBS and LMS and a lower MMH and LMH.

Association Between Psychological Readiness and Knee Laxity and Their Predictive Value for Return to Sport in Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Deciding when patients are ready to return to sport (RTS) after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) is challenging. The understanding of which factors affect readiness and how they may be related is limited. Therefore, despite widespread use of RTS testing, there is a lack of knowledge about which tests are informative on the ability to resume sports. Purpose: To examine whether there is an association between knee laxity and psychological readiness to RTS after ACLR and to evaluate the predictive value of these measures on sports resumption. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients aged ≥16 years engaged in physical activity/sports before injury were recruited at routine clinical assessment 9-12 months after ACLR. Exclusion criteria were concomitant ligament surgery at ACLR and/or previous ACL injury in the contralateral knee. At baseline, a project-specific activity questionnaire and the ACL–Return to Sport After Injury (ACL-RSI) scale were completed. Knee laxity was assessed by use of the Lachman test, KT-1000 arthrometer, and pivot-shift test. Two years after surgery, knee reinjuries and RTS status (the project-specific questionnaire) were registered. Associations between psychological readiness and knee laxity were evaluated with the Spearman rho test, and predictive ability of the ACL-RSI and knee laxity tests were examined using regression analyses. Results: Of 171 patients screened for eligibility, 132 were included in the study. There were small but significant associations between the ACL-RSI score and the Lachman test (rho = −0.18; P = .046) and KT-1000 arthrometer measurement (rho = −0.18; P = .040) but no association between the ACL-RSI and the pivot-shift test at the time of recruitment. Of the total patients, 36% returned to preinjury sport level by 2 years after surgery. Higher age, better psychological readiness, and less anterior tibial displacement (KT-1000 arthrometer measurement) were significant predictors of 2-year RTS (explained variance, 33%). Conclusion: Small but significant associations were found between measurements of psychological readiness and anterior tibial displacement, indicating that patients with less knee laxity after ACLR feel more ready to RTS. ACL-RSI and KT-1000 arthrometer measurements were independent predictors of 2-year RTS and should be considered in RTS assessments after ACLR.

First-time anterior cruciate ligament injury in adolescent female elite athletes: a prospective cohort study to identify modifiable risk factors

PurposeTo identify modifiable biomechanical and neuromuscular anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk factors for first-time ACL injury in adolescent female elite football and team handball players.MethodsAdolescent female elite football and handball players with no previous ACL injury participated in the present study. At baseline, players were tested during side-cutting manoeuvres performed in a 3-dimensional motion analysis laboratory with concomitant electromyography (EMG) measurements. Maximal isometric lower limb muscle strength was assessed by handheld dynamometry. Players were prospectively followed for 2 years after baseline testing, and all magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) verified ACL injuries were registered. The effect of 16 risk factor candidates on the relative risk (RR) of ACL injury was estimated using Poisson regression analysis.ResultsNinety players (age 16.9 ± 1.2 years) were included in the analyses. Nine first-time ACL injuries (injury incidence 10.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.4–18.6%)) were registered during the 2-year follow-up period. Four risk factor candidates were significantly associated with the risk of ACL injury: (1) hip flexion angle at initial contact (IC) [RR 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34–0.92], (2) internal knee rotation angle at IC [RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.08–1.19], (3) semitendinosus EMG activity 50 ms prior to IC [RR: 0.62, 95% CI 0.43–0.89], and (4) external hip rotator strength [RR: 0.77, 95% CI 0.66–0.89].ConclusionFour distinct ACL injury risk factors related to the side-cutting manoeuvre were identified in a population of adolescent female elite football and team handball players with no previous ACL injury. As ACL injury typically occur during side-cutting, intervention programmes to modify these risk factors pose a promising strategy for ACL injury prevention in adolescent female elite football and team handball.Level of evidenceII.

Risk Estimation of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury in East Java Puslatda Pencak Silat Athletes

Background: Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Sports Clinic Surabaya reported that the incidence of knee injuries was rather high, particularly in martial art athletes. Injuries in pencak silat athletes are dominated by Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries (16.7%) Several risk factors are thought to influence ones’ propensity for these injuries.Aim: To analyze risk estimation between intrinsic and extrinsic factors in the occurrence of ACL injury in East Java Puslatda Pencak Silat Athletes.Material and Methods: This study was an analytic observational study with a case control design involving 18 pencak silat athletes from East Java Regional Training Centre. Age, gender, body mass index, previous ACL injury, range of motion, laxity, and flat foot were included as intrinsic factors; while duration of each training, training frequency, and sparring frequency were included as extrinsic factors. Data analysis was done using the Chi-Square Test. Odds Ratio was calculated through cross-tabulation.Results: It was found that 3 of 18 athletes (16.7%) had ACL injuries. None of the intrinsic and extrinsic factors significantly affected the incidence of ACL injury (p&gt; 0.05). However, the odds ratio calculation showed that adult athletes older than 25 years-old (OR = 1.4), male (OR = 1.667), obese (OR = 1.4), with laxity (OR = 2.5), and flat foot (OR = 1) had higher risk in having ACL injury.Conclusion: Adult athletes, male, obese, with laxity, and flat foot had a higher risk of ACL injury.

Medial meniscus ramp and lateral meniscus posterior root lesions are present in more than a third of primary and revision ACL reconstructions.

The purpose of this study was (1) to describe the meniscus tear pattern in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-injured patients, with a special focus on medial meniscus (MM) ramp lesions and lateral meniscus (LM) root tears and (2) to determine whether patient and injury characteristics were associated with meniscus tear patterns. Data from 358 cases of ACL primary and revision reconstruction surgeries were extracted from a center-based registry. During arthroscopy, the presence of associated meniscus lesions was documented by systematically inspecting the anterior and posterior tibiofemoral compartments. With a special focus on MM ramp lesions and LM root tears, groups of different injury tear patterns were formed. Chi-square tests were used to determine whether these groups differed with respect to various patient and injury characteristics, including gender, previous ipsilateral ACL injuries, the injury's relation to sport, person contact during injury and the type of ACL tear. Median age at surgery and body mass index were compared between groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Two hundred and thirty-nine ACL injuries (67%) showed additional meniscal injuries, of which 125 (52%) involved the MM ramp and/or the LM root. Ramp lesions were more frequent in males (23% vs 12% in females, p < 0.01), in contact injuries (28% vs 16% in non-contact, p < 0.05) and in complete ACL tears (21% vs 5% in partial, p < 0.05). Combined injuries of the MM ramp and the LM root showed a higher percentage of contact injuries compared to non-contact injuries (10% vs 4%, p < 0.05). Two-thirds of all ACL injuries showed a concomitant meniscus injury, of which half involved the biomechanically relevant, but previously often undiagnosed RLMM or the PRLM. These findings provide evidence that until recently about half of ACL-associated meniscus injuries were not properly identified. Ramp lesions were more frequent in males, contact injuries and in complete ACL tears. These findings stress the need for a systematic assessment and a better understanding of the pathomechanism of these specific injuries which may have an important impact on knee biomechanics and the outcome of ACL reconstruction. III.

Effect of Age at Menarche on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Incidence and Anterior Knee Laxity in Collegiate Athletes

Female athletes suffer painful, costly, and career-limiting non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries more often than males. Previous research suggests that pubertal neuromusculoskeletal development contributes to this sex-bias, but the manner in which variation in pubertal development affects injury risk within females is poorly understood. Age at menarche is a variable, significant pubertal developmental event, signaling the onset of estrogen cycling and affecting musculoskeletal development. Earlier menarche may increase injury risk, possibly by increasing anterior knee laxity through prolonged estrogen exposure. The purpose of this case-control study was to test the primary hypothesis that collegiate athletes with previous ACL injuries have earlier age at menarche than their uninjured peers, and to test the secondary hypothesis that earlier menarche is related to greater anterior knee laxity in injured and uninjured athletes. The study sample consisted of female NCAA Division-I varsity athletes (N=14 injured, N=120 uninjured). Outcome measures included: menstrual history and ACL injury details (injury age, activity at time of injury, contact vs. non-contact), assessed by questionnaire; and anterior knee laxity assessed by KT-1000 arthrometer. Correlation, t-tests, and regression analysis were used to test for associations between age at menarche, injury incidence, and knee laxity. Fourteen athletes reported ≥1 non-contact ACL injury, and had significantly earlier menarche than uninjured athletes (12.6±1.3 y vs. 13.4±1.4 y; P=0.05). Earlier menarche also significantly predicted injury status (Wald c2=7.43; Pb=-1.02±0.37; OR=0.36; 95% CI:0.17-0.75), but was not correlated with anterior knee laxity. Within injured athletes, however, laxity in the unaffected knee was significantly related to time since menarche (r2=0.79, Pr2=0.72, P

EVALUATION OF SERUM RELAXIN CONCENTRATIONS AND KNEE VALGUS AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

Background:Athletes who sustain an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury are more likely to develop adverse health outcomes, such as knee osteoarthritis, knee pain, and obesity. It is assumed that the long-term consequences of ACL reconstruction are caused by the reconstruction itself. Studies have observed that relaxin, a peptide hormone similar in structure to insulin, interferes with the structural integrity of the ACL and elicits long term effects on bone, joint, muscle, and tendon health. Given the known effects of relaxin, it is reasonable to wonder if relaxin contributes to the development of these long-term health outcomes, independently of the ACL injury.Hypothesis/Purpose:The purpose of this study was to evaluate knee valgus and serum relaxin concentrations (SRC) in athletes who have and have not sustained an ACL injury. It was hypothesized that athletes who previously tore their ACL would have higher SRC and more knee valgus than those who were injury free.Methods:Twenty-two female athletes participated. Participants were assigned to one of two groups: ACL injury (6.0 ± 3.3 years after surgery, N = 4) and injury free (N = 18). Kinematic data were collected at 100 Hz using The MotionMonitor. Participants performed a single leg squat (SLS), single leg crossover dropdown (SCD), and drop vertical jump (DVJ) at two different time points in their menstrual period: pre-ovulatory phase and mid-luteal phase. Blood samples were collected when SRC are measurable (mid-luteal phase), and SRC were determined using a Quantikine Human Relaxin-2 Immunoassay.Results:Independent samples t-tests revealed significant differences between those who tore their ACL and those who were injury free in SRC and knee valgus during the SLS in the mid luteal phase, DVJ in both phases, and SCD in both phases. Specifically, the participants who tore their ACL had significantly higher SRC and more knee valgus than those who did not tear their ACL.Conclusion:These findings suggest that a previous ACL injury could place one at an increased risk of re-tear and other adverse effects on their joints, muscles, and tendons. Thus, further investigating hormonal risk factors during long term monitoring of recovery is needed.

Knowledge and awareness toward anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury among population of Aseer region, Saudi Arabia.

Purpose:The aim of this article is to determine the knowledge and awareness of population toward anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in Aseer region, and to determine the extent of knowledge about what does a person with ACL injury suffer from, and thus investigate the main sources of information that public obtained their medical information about sport injury from.Materials and Methods:This is a cross-sectional study based on a questionnaire distributed to the participants either in malls, campuses, or campaigns and filled by them in Aseer region. A sample of 576 participants was successfully interviewed. Convenience sampling method was used.Results:Nearly all of the participants considered this injury as a multi-factorial incident resulting from a combination of any of the following risk factors: sports, high body weight, heavy housework, and car accidents. Regarding mechanisms responsible about occurrence of ACL injuries during playing sports, the majority (60.8%) proposed a combination of two or more incorrect technical movements: lack of self-protection awareness, insufficient preparation, and overload of exercise. Regarding the participant's information about methods that could decrease pain of ACL injury, about three quarters of all participants (72.2%) stated that resting could alleviate pain. Moreover, most of individuals with previous ACL injury confirmed this. In addition, those with pervious ACL injury supported the role of ice significantly more than the remainder (53.6% vs. 48.1%). Prescription pain medications were selected by 47.3% of all participants. In all, 53.8% of all participants considered Internet as a main source of information about ACL injury.Conclusion:Findings indicated reasonable awareness of the general population in Aseer region about the seriousness of ACL injury, but there was a lack of information about risk factors other than sports, that is, dangerous actions that increase incidence of ACL injuries and their characteristic symptoms.

A Cam Shaped Femur Might Be A Risk Factor for ACL Injuries

Objectives:Bony morphologic characteristics have been demonstrated to increase the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. While posterior femoral condyle condylar offset is an aspect of distal femoral bony morphology that has been reported to influence range of motion and other aspects of knee joint kinematics, it remains unclear whether this characteristic influences the risk of ACL injury. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between distal femoral morphology and risks of ACL injury, reconstruction failure, and contralateral ACL injury. It was hypothesized that increased posterior femoral condylar depth, quantified as the cam ratio, would correlate with increased risk of primary ACL injuries, ACL reconstruction failures, and contralateral ACL injuries.Methods:Consecutive patients undergoing evaluation for knee complaints at an academic medical center from 2012-2016 with minimum 24-month follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Subjects were stratified into four groups: a control group consisting of patients with no ACL injuries and three groups of patients with a primary ACL injury, failed ACL reconstruction, or previous ACL injury with subsequent contralateral ACL injury. Using lateral radiographs, the ratio of posterior condylar depth over total condylar distance was defined as the cam ratio. Analysis-of-variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc testing were used to test for differences in the mean tomahawk ratio between study groups (p<0.05). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the optimal cam ratio cut-off for detecting increased risk for ACL injury.Results:One hundred and seventy-five patients met inclusion criteria. The mean cam ratios in the control, primary ACL injury, failed ACL reconstruction, and contralateral ACL injury groups were 61.1% (± 2.1), 64.2% (± 3.8), 64.4% (± 3.6), and 66.9% (± 4.0), respectively. Patients with a primary ACL injury, failed ACL reconstruction, or contralateral ACL injury had a significantly higher cam ratio compared to the control group (p<0.008). ROC analysis demonstrated a cam ratio of 63% or greater to be associated with an increased risk for ACL injury with a sensitivity of83% and a specificity of 71%.Conclusion:The data from this study show that an increased posterior femoral condylar depth, or cam ratio, might be associated with increased risk of ACL injury, including primary ACL injury, failed ACL reconstruction, and contralateral ACL injury. The data from this study may help clinicians identify patients at greater risk of ACL injury and re-injury. Future prospective studies will be helpful in investigating the mechanism by which an increased cam ratio increases ACL injury risk and potential strategies to mitigate the increased risk posed by this bony characteristic.

An Increased Lateral Femoral Condyle Ratio Is a Risk Factor for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between distal femoral morphology and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, ACL reconstruction (ACLR) failure, and contralateral ACL injury. It was hypothesized that increased posterior femoral condylar depth, quantified as the lateral femoral condyle ratio, would correlate with increased risk of primary ACL injuries, ACLR failures, and contralateral ACL injuries. The charts of consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery at an academic medical center from 2012 to 2016 with minimum follow-up of 24 months were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were stratified into 4 groups: (1) a control group of patients with no ACL injury, (2) patients with primary ACL injury, (3) patients with failed ACLR, and (4) patients with previous ACL injury and subsequent contralateral ACL injury. With use of lateral radiographs, the ratio of posterior femoral condylar depth to total condylar length was defined as the lateral femoral condyle ratio. Differences between study groups were identified with use of analysis-of-variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc testing with significance set at p < 0.05. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the optimal cutoff for detecting increased risk of ACL injury. Two hundred patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean lateral femoral condyle ratios (and standard deviations) were 61.2% ± 2.4% in the control group, 64.2% ± 3.8% in the primary ACL injury group, 64.4% ± 3.6% in the failed ACLR group, and 66.9% ± 4.3% in the contralateral ACL injury group. Patients who had a primary ACL injury, failed ACLR, or contralateral ACL injury had significantly higher ratios compared with the control group (p < 0.008). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that a lateral femoral condyle ratio of >63% was associated with an increased risk for ACL injury, with a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 72%. The data from this study show that increased posterior femoral condylar depth, quantified as the lateral femoral condyle ratio, is associated with an increased risk of ACL injury, including primary and contralateral ACL injuries. The data from this study may help clinicians to identify patients at a greater risk of ACL injury. Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A Tomahawk Shaped Femur is a Risk Factor for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Aims and Objectives: Bony morphologic characteristics have been demonstrated to increase the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The purpose of the study was to examine distal femoral morphology relative to ACL injury, reconstruction failure, and contralateral ACL injury.It was hypothesized that an increased posterior femoral condylar depth, quantified as the tomahawk ratio, would correlate with increased risk of primary ACL ruptures, ACL reconstruction failures, and contralateral ACL injuries. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery at an academic medical center from 2012-2016 with minimum 24-month follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Subjects were stratified into four groups: a control group consisting of patients with no ACL injuries and three groups of patients with a primary ACL injury, failed ACL reconstruction, or previous ACL injury with subsequent contralateral ACL injury. Using lateral radiographs, the ratio of posterior condylar depth over total condylar distance was defined as the tomahawk ratio. Analysis-of-variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc testing were used to test for differences in the mean tomahawk ratio between study groups (p<0.05). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the optimal tomahawk ratio cut-off for detecting increased risk for ACL injury Results: 175 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean tomahawk ratios in the control group, primary ACL injury group, failed ACL reconstruction group, and contralateral ACL injury group were 61.1% (± 2.1), 64.2% (± 3.8), 64.4% (± 3.6), and 66.9% (± 4.0), respectively. Patients with a primary ACL injury, failed ACL reconstruction, or contralateral ACL injury had a significantly higher tomahawk ratio compared to the control group (p<0.008). ROC analysis demonstrated a tomahawk ratio of 63% or greater to be associated with an increased risk for ACL injury with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 71%. Conclusion: The data from this study show that an increased posterior femoral condylar depth, or tomahawk ratio, is associated with increased risk of ACL injury, including primary ACL injury, failed ACL reconstruction, and contralateral ACL injury. Readily identifiable risk factors, such as an increased tomahawk ratio, could assist clinicians in identifying at-risk individuals who may experience greater benefit from targeted ACL injury prevention counseling and intervention. The presence of the tomahawk-shaped femur could also be used to guide treatment decisions and identify ACL reconstruction patients who may benefit from additional surgical procedures such as extra articular tenodesis.

Anterolateral Ligament Injury in Knee Dislocations

The purpose of this study is to describe the prevalence and associated factors of anterolateral ligament (ALL) injury in knee dislocation (KD). A retrospective review of charts and radiological images was done for patients who underwent multiligamentous knee reconstruction surgery for KD in the authors' institution from May 2008 to December 2016. The inclusion criteria were both genders, skeletally mature, and first dislocation. Previous anterior cruciate ligament injury or surgery were the exclusion criteria. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to describe the ALL injury. The association of ALL injury with other variables related to the injury and the patient's background features was examined. Forty-eight patients (49 knees) were included. The mean age of the patients was 32.3 ± 10.6years. High-energy trauma was the mechanism of dislocation in 28 (57.1%) knees. Thirty-one knees (63.3%) were classified as KD type IV. Forty-five (91.8%) knees had a complete ALL injury, and 3 (6.1%) knees had incomplete ALL injury. Forty (81.6%) knees had a complete ALL injury at the proximal fibers of the ALL, while 23 (46.9%) knees had complete distal ALL injury. None of the 46 (93.9%) knees with lateral collateral ligament injury had normal proximal ALL fibers (P=.012). Injury to the distal fibers of the ALL, as well as overall ALL injury, was not associated with any other variables (P > .05). Moreover, all patients with associated tibial plateau fractures (9; 18.4%) had abnormality of the proximal fibers of the ALL (P= .033). ALL injury is highly prevalent among dislocated knees. Most of the injuries are of high grade and involve the proximal, suprameniscal, fibers of the ligament. Level IV, retrospective case series with no comparison group.