Simultaneous Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Research Articles

Arthroscopic meniscal repair with an absorbable screw: results and surgical technique.

The results of a new method for arthroscopic all-inside meniscus repair using a biodegradable cannulated screw (Clearfix meniscal screw) were assessed in a medium-term follow-up prospective study. The Clearfix meniscal screw system consists of delivery cannulae, screw driver, and screw implants. After tear debridement, a screw is located on the driver and passed through the cannula to the insertion site, holding the two sides of the tear together under linear compression. Forty-eight patients (48 repairs) with a mean age of 32.7 years were included in the study. Ligament stabilizing procedures were done in 39 patients (81%) who had anterior cruciate ligament deficient knees. Only longitudinal lesions in the red/red or red/white zone were repaired. Follow-up averaged 19 months, with a range from 12 to 48 months. Patients were evaluated using clinical examination, the "Orthopaedische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Knie (OAK)" knee evaluation scheme and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Criteria for clinical success included absence of joint-line tenderness, absence of swelling and a negative McMurray test. Postoperatively, there were no complications directly associated with the device. Twelve of 48 repaired menisci (25%) were considered failures according to the above-mentioned criteria. According to the OAK knee evaluation scheme, 38 patients (79%) had an excellent or good result. MRI, however, showed persisting grade III or IV lesions in 35 patients (73%). Analysis showed that age, length of tear, and simultaneous anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction did not affect the clinical outcome. In contrast, risk factors for failure of meniscus repair are chronicity of injury, location of tear more than 3 mm from the meniscosynovial junction and meniscus side (medial).

Treatment of tear of the anterior cruciate ligament combined with localised deep cartilage defects in the knee with ligament reconstruction and autologous periosteum transplantation.

An acute tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is frequently associated with injuries to the joint cartilage and subchondral bone. These injuries may progress to deep cartilage defects, causing disabling pain, and represent a therapeutic challenge in patients with the combination instability and pain. At our clinic we treat patients with the combined injury with simultaneous ACL reconstruction and autologous periosteum transplantation of the cartilage defect. This report describes the technique for periosteum transplantation of full-thickness cartilage defects in the medial femoral condyle. Our clinical report includes the first 7 patients (6 men and 1 woman, mean age 29.1 years at operation) who have been followed for 2 years or longer of 14 consecutive patients (12 men and 2 women). All patients had suffered a total tear of the ACL and a full-thickness defect of the cartilage at the medial femoral condyle. The cartilage defects had a mean area of 7.3 cm2 (range 1.0-13.5 cm2). All patients had disabling instability and medial knee pain when walking. The anterior cruciate ligament was reconstructed with a bone-tendon-bone graft of the central third of the patellar ligament. After preparation of the cartilage lesion, the periosteum transplant was anchored to the underlying bone with suture anchors and fibrin glue. Postoperatively, these patients (n = 7) were initially treated with continuous passive motion, followed by active flexibility training and slowly progressing strength training and weight-bearing activities. At follow-up a mean of 31.3 months (range 24-38 months) later, 6 patients evidenced subjectively stable knees, no pain during rest or when walking, and had returned to not too heavy knee-loading work. One patient had a subjectively stable knee, but felt medial knee pain. Meticulous surgical technique and rigorous postoperative rehabilitation are probably of the greatest importance in this procedure. With the use of suture anchors and fibrin glue, the periosteum transplant can be well adapted to the condylar subchondral bone bed.

Return of Motion After Simultaneous Repair of Displaced Bucket-Handle Meniscal Tears and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Summary: Patients with displaced bucket-handle (DBH) meniscal tears in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knees are prone to flexion contracture following meniscal repair and simultaneous ACL reconstruction. It has been suggested that ACL reconstruction be delayed until full range of motion has returned after the meniscal repair. A retrospective analysis was performed comparing the return of extension in patients undergoing simultaneous ACL reconstruction and repair of DBH tears (group A) versus a control group of patients with non-DBH tears (group B). Age, sex, body mass index, duration of time from injury to surgery, and preoperative extension were also compared between groups and evaluated for their significance as risk factors. Patients in group A achieved recovery to −5° and 0° of extension 22% and 35% more slowly, respectively, when compared with group B. These differences were not statistically significant. Female patients tended to heal more rapidly in both groups. We conclude that a one-stage procedure is sufficient in allowing patients with DBH tears in ACL-deficient knees to regain a functional knee to within 5° of full extension.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 15, No 2 (March), 1999: pp 192–196