Time Of Second-look Arthroscopy Research Articles

High tibial osteotomy for medial meniscus posterior root tears in knees with moderate varus alignment can achieve favorable clinical outcomes

PurposeFavorable clinical results have been reported following high tibial osteotomy (HTO) for medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) in knees with varus alignment. However, the effect on the preoperative neutral alignment of the knee is not known. This study sought to evaluate the clinical outcomes of medial open-wedge HTO for MMPRT with neutral alignment.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 119 medial open-wedge HTOs and analyzed 22 knees with MMPRT. The knees were divided according to the preoperative hip-knee-ankle angle into a moderate varus alignment group (≤4° of varus alignment) and a varus alignment group (> 4° of varus alignment). The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Forgotten Joint Score-12 (FJS-12) values were evaluated preoperatively and at the latest follow-up. The healing status of MMPRT at the time of second-look arthroscopy, performed at a mean of 15.4 ± 4.2 months, was compared with that after the primary HTO.ResultsThere were 11 knees in the moderate varus alignment group and 11 in the varus alignment group. In terms of perioperative patient-reported outcome measures, there was no significant difference in the preoperative or postoperative KOOS subscale score or FJS-12 score between the moderate varus and varus alignment groups. The healing rate was significantly higher in the moderate varus alignment group.ConclusionFavorable clinical results were obtained by medial open-wedge HTO in knees with MMPRT and moderate varus alignment in the short term. Surgeons should consider the indications for medial open-wedge HTO, even with moderate varus alignment, when planning treatment for MMPRT with persistent knee pain.Level of evidenceIV

Second-look arthroscopic cartilage status is related to intermediate-term outcomes after medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy.

To determine the relationship between articular cartilage status and clinical outcomes after medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOHTO) for medial compartmental knee osteoarthritis at intermediate follow-up. We reviewed 155 patients (155 knees) who underwent MOHTO from January 2008 to December 2016 followed by second-look arthroscopy with a mean 5.3-year follow-up (2.0 to 11.7). Arthroscopic findings were assessed according to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) Cartilage Repair Assessment (CRA) grading system. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of normal or nearly normal quality cartilage in the medial femoral condyle: good (second-look arthroscopic) status (ICRS grade I or II; n = 70), and poor (second-look arthroscopic) status (ICRS grade III or IV; n = 85) groups at the time of second-look arthroscopy. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and 36-Item Short Form survey. Significant improvements in all clinical outcome categories were found between the preoperative and second-look arthroscopic assessments in both groups (p < 0.001). At the latest follow-up, the mean IKDC and WOMAC scores in the good status group further improved compared with those at the time of second-look arthroscopic surgery (p < 0.001), which was not shown in the poor status group. The mean IKDC (good status, 72.8 (SD 12.5); poor status, 64.7 (SD 12.1); p = 0.002) and mean WOMAC scores (good status, 15.7 (SD 10.8); poor status, 21.8 (SD 13.6); p = 0.004) significantly differed between both groups at the latest follow-up. Moreover, significant correlations were observed between ICRS CRA grades and IKDC scores (negative correlation; p < 0.001) and WOMAC scores (positive correlation; p < 0.001) at the latest follow-up. Good cartilage status was found more frequently in knees with the desired range of 2° to 6° valgus correction than in those with corrections outside this range (p = 0.019). Second-look arthroscopic cartilage status correlated with clinical outcomes after MOHTO at intermediate-term follow-up, despite the relatively small clinical differences between groups. Cite this article: Bone Joint J2021;103-B(11):1686-1694.

Abrasion arthroplasty promotes improvement of degenerated femoral trochlear cartilage after medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy

ObjectivesSeveral studies have reported negative effects of open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) on patellofemoral joints with cartilage degeneration and recommended performing other procedures. However, if chondral resurfacing surgery could promote improvement of cartilage degeneration in the patellofemoral joint, OWHTO would be an acceptable option. The purposes of this study were to arthroscopically evaluate the femoral trochlear articular cartilage after abrasion arthroplasty combined with OWHTO and to investigate the factors promoting improvement of that cartilage.MethodsThe present study cohort comprised 18 knees of 18 patients with varus osteoarthritis of the knee who had (1) International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade 4 femoral trochlear chondral lesions at the time of OWHTO; (2) undergone abrasion arthroplasty of the femoral trochlear cartilage in combination with OWHTO; (3) undergone second-look arthroscopy; and (4) been followed up for more than 2 years. Cartilage status was arthroscopically graded at the time of OWHTO and second-look arthroscopy. Patients were allocated to two groups according to the status of the femoral trochlear cartilage at the time of second-look arthroscopy: the improved group comprised patients with an ICRS grade of less than 3, and the not improved group comprised those with an ICRS grade of 4. Clinical outcomes, expressed as Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (symptoms, pain, activities of daily living, function in sports/recreation and quality of life) and selected radiographic variables were compared between the two groups.ResultsThere were 11 (61%) knees in the improved group and 7 (39%) in the not improved group. A comparison of radiographic variables between the two groups revealed that neither limb alignment nor patellar height affected cartilage changes. The two groups had similar results on the symptoms, pain, sports/recreation and activities of daily living subscales of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. However, the quality of life subscale significantly differed between the two groups (p=0.025).ConclusionDegenerated femoral trochlear cartilage can improve after combined abrasion arthroplasty and OWHTO. A comparison of clinical outcomes between the improved and not improved groups revealed that neither radiographic variables nor clinical symptoms, including pain, affected cartilage changes at short-term follow-up.Level of evidenceCase series, level V.

Preoperative Rather Than Postoperative Intra-Articular Cartilage Degeneration Affects Long-Term Survivorship of Periacetabular Osteotomy

To determine whether intra-articular lesions changed in short-term follow-up after periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) and whether the intra-articular lesion changes impacted the long-term survivorship of PAO. We reviewed patients with hip dysplasia who underwent PAO with arthroscopic observation between 1990 and 2001. Patients who underwent second-look arthroscopy were included. The correlations between the intra-articular lesion changes and the long-term outcome of PAO were analyzed for patients with >10 years of follow-up. The possible risk factors included demographic factors (age, sex, and body mass index), radiographic factors (Tönnis grade, lateral center-edge angle, Tönnis angle, acetabular head index, crossover sign, posterior wall sign, and joint congruity), and arthroscopic findings (full-thickness lesions at the time of PAO and lesions changes at the time of second-look arthroscopy). A total of 64 patients (72 hips) were studied. Second-look arthroscopy was performed at a median of 1.4 years after PAO. Intra-articular lesions were observed in 93% in the acetabulum, 81% in the femoral head, and 97% in the labrum, respectively. These lesions unchanged in 74% in the acetabulum, 76% in the femoral head, and 79% in the labrum, respectively. Cartilage repair was observed in the acetabulum and the femoral head in 24% and 17% of hips, respectively. Labral repair occurred in 10%. Intra-articular lesion changes were not a predictor of failure. Multivariate analysis identified International Cartilage Repair Society grade 4 lesion in the femoral head as an independent risk factor for failure. Our results suggest that PAO prevents further deterioration in mild cartilage lesions and results in cartilage repair in some cases with advanced cartilage degenerations in the short term. However, these postoperative changes were not associated with long-term survivorship. Thus, appropriate surgical indications based on the preoperative intra-articular cartilage degeneration is paramount to achieving long-term success in PAO. Level IV, therapeutic study.

Arthroscopic evaluation after osteochondral autogenous transfer with osteotomy of medial malleolus for osteochondral lesion of the talar dome

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the second-look arthroscopic evaluation after osteochondral autogenous transfer (OAT) for osteochondral lesion of the talar dome (OLT) with the criteria of the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS). MethodsTen patients (twelve ankles) with OLT underwent OAT with osteotomy of the medial malleolus. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale. The condition of the transplanted cartilage was evaluated at the time of second-look arthroscopy using the ICRS Cartilage Repair Assessment. ResultsThe AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale was significantly improved from 65.1 ± 1.9 points before surgery to 98.1 ± 2.8 points at the time of second-look arthroscopy (p < 0.01). The ICRS Cartilage Repair Assessment was 11.4 points on average (9–12 points). ConclusionsThe OAT for OLT is considered to be a useful treatment even if invasion by medial malleolus osteotomy is added. Level of evidenceLevel IV, Case series.

Second-look arthroscopic findings after medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy combined with all-inside repair of medial meniscus posterior root tears.

To examine the results of medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) combined with all-inside repair focusing on medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRT) by second-look arthroscopy and determine the clinical relevance of the findings. From June 2015 to June 2017, 27 consecutive patients underwent MOWHTO and meniscal treatment for MMPRT using all-inside repair. All were available for second-look arthroscopy evaluation at the time of plate removal. Cartilage regeneration in the medial condyles and healing status of the MMPRT were assessed at the time of second-look arthroscopy. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores and the Lysholm score scale. The potential factors affecting the healing of MMPRT, including age, body mass index (BMI), weight-bearing line rate (WBLR) and femorotibial angle (FTA) were discussed. There were 11 (41%) cases with complete healing (group A) and 16 (59%) cases with lax healing (group B). A complete cartilage coverage of chondral lesions was observed at second-look arthroscopy. Improvements of HSS in both groups were 41.25 ± 6.18 and 38.82 ± 5.43, while improvements in Lysholm score seen in both groups were 30.40 ± 4.84 and 32.65 ± 4.11. There was no significant difference in the postoperative clinical results between the two groups. In group A, the age (months), BMI, WBLR, and FTA are 54.61 ± 2.53, 23.58 ± 2.39, 66.10 ± 2.86% and 169.00 ± 2.62°, respectively, while in group B, they are 55.16 ± 4.92, 29.58 ± 3.91, 57.51 ± 5.49% and 175.21 ± 2.87°, respectively. A significant difference has been identified between two groups except for age. As seen in this retrospective study, a higher healing rate of MMPRT using all-inside repair and regeneration of degenerated articular cartilage in the medial condyles after MOWHTO can be expected. Healing of the MMPRT was not related to a better clinical outcome. Moreover, it can be inferred that BMI, WBLR and FTA may affect the healing status of MMPRT.

Post-traumatic Articular Cartilage Lesions Increase at Second-look Arthroscopy Following Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) after ACL rupture improves the instability of the knee joint and decreases mechanical stress to the meniscus and articular cartilage. However, there are reports that post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is observed over time following ACLR. In this study, we assessed changes in cartilage lesions by arthroscopic findings following anatomical double-bundle ACLR and at post-operative second-look arthroscopy about 14 months later. We retrospectively evaluated 37 knees in cases with patients <40 years of age who had undergone an anatomical double-bundle ACL reconstruction <1 year after ACL rupture injury from March 2012 to December 2016. Clinical results and arthroscopic cartilage/meniscal lesion were evaluated and compared between a cartilage lesion-detected group and intact-cartilage group. Surgery improved anteroposterior laxity and other clinical measures; however, cartilage lesions were detected at 11 sites during ACLR and at 54 sites at second-look arthroscopy. The periods from injury to second-look arthroscopy and from ACLR to second-look arthroscopy were significantly longer in the cartilage-lesion group (n=23) than in the intact-cartilage group (n=14). Conversely, 96% of meniscal damage observed during ACLR was cured at the time of second-look arthroscopy. Knee articular cartilage lesions after ACL rupture cannot be completely suppressed, even using the anatomical ACL reconstruction technique. This study suggested that articular cartilage lesions can progress to a level that can be confirmed arthroscopically at approximately 17 months after ACL injury. Therefore, in ACLR patients, the possibility of developing knee articular cartilage lesions and PTOA should be considered.

Short-term clinical outcomes and second-look arthroscopic findings of high tibial osteotomy combined with medial meniscus posterior root repair

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes and second-look arthroscopic findings after high tibial osteotomy (HTO) combined with medial meniscus posterior root (MMPR) repair. Methods Twenty-five patients who underwent HTO combined with MMPR repair were subjected to second-look arthroscopy and retrospectively analyzed. Biplane HTO combined with MMPR repair was performed on these patients. Arthroscopic transtibial pullout repair was employed to repair the MMPR. The relative degree of the medial meniscus extrusion (MME) were measured. Cartilage regeneration and the healing of MMPR were evaluated at the time of second-look arthroscopy. Clinical outcomes were assessed based on Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores and Lysholm scores. Results The MMPRs were completely healed in 12 cases (48%), partially healed in 9 cases (36%), healed with scarring in 3 cases (12%), and no healed in 1 case (4%). Follow-up duration was 13.04±1.06 months (12-16 months). There were no statistically significant differences in the Kellgren-Lawrence classifications of the cases before and after surgery (χ2=0.786, P=0.675). The relative position of the mechanical axis of the lower extremity through the tibial plateau was 19.88%±6.44% preoperatively and 58.68%±7.71% after operation with significant difference (t=-18.561, P 0.05). The comparison between different degree of cartilage regeneration groups revealed no statistical differences in all variables (P>0.05). Conclusion HTO combined with MMPR repair can effectively improve the lower limb alignment and patients' symptoms with a satisfactory healing rate of MMPR. The effects of post-root repair after a short period is not obvious. The longer-term clinical effects is worthy of further observation. Key words: Tibia; Osteotomy; Arthroscopy; Reconstructive surgical procedures; Menisci, tibial; Genu varum; Osteoarthritis, knee

Effect of Increased Coronal Inclination of the Tibial Plateau After Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy

To assess whether the increased inclination of the tibial plateau on the coronal view after opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy affects radiographic coronal alignment, clinical outcomes, and cartilage findings. After adjustment for the preoperative medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), patients who underwent opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy were retrospectively divided into those with postoperative MPTA values of 95° or less (normal group) and greater than 95° (increased group), with each group containing 43 knees. The 2 groups were compared regarding their arthroscopic cartilage findings at 1year postoperatively and radiographic coronal alignment and clinical outcomes at 2years postoperatively. Cartilage regeneration in the medial condyles and cartilage deterioration in the lateral condyles were evaluated at the time of second-look arthroscopy. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by the American Knee Society knee and function scores, Lysholm knee scoring scale, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). The postoperative anatomic femorotibial angle in the increased group was lower than that in the normal group (P < .001), and the amount of overcorrection in the increased group was higher than that in the normal group (P < .001). The postoperative joint line obliquity in the increased group was higher than that in the normal group (P < .001). Cartilage regeneration in the medial condyles and deterioration in the lateral condyles did not differ significantly on the femoral and tibial sides between the groups. The postoperative American Knee Society knee score and KOOS sports and recreational function subscale score in the normal group were higher than those in the increased group (both P < .001). There were no significant differences in the changes in the appearance of the articular surfaces between the 2 groups at 1year postoperatively. Patients with a postoperative MPTA greater than 95° had more valgus alignment and higher joint line obliquity and had a lower KOOS sports and recreational function subscale score than patients with a postoperative MPTA of 95° or less at 2years postoperatively. Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Change of Chondral Lesions and Predictive Factors After Medial Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy With a Locked Plate System

Background: Although cartilage regeneration after medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) has been described, there is a paucity of reports regarding which factors influence cartilage regeneration. Purpose: To document whether cartilage regeneration occurs in the previously degenerated medial compartment of arthritic knees after medial open-wedge HTO without concomitant cartilage procedures and to assess which predictive factors influence regeneration after HTO. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4 Methods: From February 2008 to January 2014, 104 consecutive knees were enrolled retrospectively that received medial open-wedge HTO with a medial locked plate system without any additional cartilage regeneration procedures and were followed by second-look arthroscopy for plate removal 2 years after surgery. The mean ± SD age at the time of index HTO was 56.3 ± 5.4 years. Cartilage status was graded at the time of initial HTO and second-look arthroscopy according to the International Cartilage Repair Society grading system, and regenerated articular cartilage was classified by the macroscopic staging system of Koshino et al at the time of second-look arthroscopy. Variables evaluated for possible association with regeneration of articular cartilage included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), American Knee Society score, mechanical tibiofemoral angle, medial proximal tibial angle, amount of correction angle, and degree of arthritis. Results: Per the International Cartilage Repair Society grading system, the lesions in the medial femoral condyle and the medial tibial plateau were improved in 54 knees (51.9%) and 36 knees (34.6%), respectively, at the time of second-look arthroscopy. According to the macroscopic grading system, partial and total regeneration of articular cartilage in the medial femoral condyle and the medial tibial plateau was observed in 75 knees (72%) and 57 knees (55%), respectively. Based on univariable logistic regression tests, regeneration of articular cartilage was associated with a smaller mean preoperative varus mechanical tibiofemoral angle (odds ratio [OR], 0.7; P = .023) and lower BMI (OR, 0.8; P = .026) for the medial femoral condyle and younger age (OR, 0.9; P = .048) and a larger mean correction angle (OR, 1.1; P = .023) for the medial tibial plateau. The mean preoperative knee and function scores were significantly improved at the last follow-up, but no correlation was found between the clinical outcomes and cartilage regeneration. Multiple logistic regression analysis for regeneration of articular cartilage showed lower BMI (OR, 0.7; P = .015) to be a significant predictor for the medial femoral condyle. Conclusion: Regeneration of degenerated articular cartilage in the medial compartment can be expected while correcting a varus deformity in arthritic knees after medial open-wedge HTO with a locked plate system without any additional cartilage regeneration procedures. Moreover, we suggest that medial open-wedge HTO in the medial arthritic knee with varus malalignment should be highly successful in terms of cartilage regeneration, especially for lower BMI patients.

Medial Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy May Adversely Affect the Patellofemoral Joint

To evaluate 2-stage arthroscopic findings of the patellofemoral joint before and after medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) and verify whether the patellofemoral joint would be influenced by medial open-wedge HTO. We prospectively reviewed 114 cases of medial open-wedge HTO for the treatment of osteoarthritis with a varus knee. First-look arthroscopy was performed during HTO. The mean age at the time of HTO was 56.34 ± 5.4years (range, 40-69years). Second-look arthroscopy was performed concomitantly with plate removal at an average of 26.1 ± 6.0months (range, 21.6-32.0months) after HTO. We assessed the patellofemoral joint using the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grading system by first- and second-look arthroscopy and compared it before and afterHTO. Postoperative anterior knee pain was also evaluated. Compared with first-look findings, second-look arthroscopic ICRS grading was changed as follows: In terms of the patella, 89 cases (78.1%) were not progressed whereas 25 cases (21.9%) were progressed. In terms of the femoral trochlea, 67 cases (58.8%) were not progressed whereas 47 cases (41.2%) were progressed. There was significant progression of the ICRS grade of the patella (P= .001) and femoraltrochlea (P < .001) compared with first-look arthroscopic findings. The incidence of postoperative anterior kneepain was 11.4% (13 cases), and it was related to the ICRS grade of the patellofemoral joint at the time of second-look arthroscopy (P < .001 for patella and P < .001 for trochlea). This study showed that the patellofemoral joint might be adversely affected by medial open-wedge HTO. Although the incidence of postoperative anterior knee pain was low, it was clinically correlated with patellofemoral arthritis. Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Collagen fibril populations in human anterior cruciate ligament allografts. Electron microscopic analysis.

We studied human anterior cruciate ligament allograft specimens by quantitative electron microscopy to analyze their collagen fibril populations. The specimens were procured at the time of second-look arthroscopy from the superficial region of the midzone of the anterior cruciate ligament grafts after synovial clearage. The grafts used for the anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions were from fresh-frozen allogenic Achilles, tibialis anterior or posterior, or peroneus longus or brevis tendons and had been implanted 3 to 96 months previously. By 12 months after surgery, the anterior cruciate ligament allografts consisted predominantly of small-diameter collagen fibrils (30 to 80 nm), which resulted in a unimodal pattern in the collagen fibril profile. The number of large-diameter fibrils (90 to 140 nm) within the allogenic tendon grafts had decreased. This predominance of small-diameter collagen fibrils persisted in almost all specimens older than 12 months. The anterior cruciate ligament allografts had collagen fibril profiles that did not resemble normal tendon grafts or normal anterior cruciate ligaments, even several years after surgery.

Light and electron microscopic study of remodeling and maturation process in autogenous graft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

We evaluated the remodeling process of autogenous patellar tendon graft for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction by means of light microscopic (LM) and electron microscopic (EM) examinations from the biopsy specimens obtained at the time of second-look arthroscopy. Twenty-one patients were examined at various times postoperatively (from 6 weeks to 15 months, mean 9.5 months), and the results were correlated with the morphology of normal patellar tendon and normal ACL. Our study showed that the graft was revascularized in the early postoperative period, fibroblastic remodeling took place, and the graft obtained gross similarity to the original ACL on their arthroscopic and LM appearances at approximately 1 year postoperatively. However, EM study showed that at both approximately 6 months and 1 year postoperatively the grafts consisted equally of active fibroblasts with a higher cytoplasm-to-nucleus ratio compared with normal ACL. Collagen fibrils of these grafts were of uniformly small diameter compared with normal patellar tendon and ACL. Our results with ultrastructural study suggest that the grafts were still immature even at 1 year postoperatively.

Deterioration of patellofemoral articular surfaces after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

One hundred eighty-seven patients who had undergone intraarticular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using either a fresh-frozen allogeneic tendon or central third autogenous pateller tendon 3 to 89 months previously were arthroscopically evaluated. The focus was on secondary changes of the patellofemoral joint at the time of second-look arthroscopy. Overall, 93 knees deteriorated, 74 knees remained unchanged, and 14 improved. The deteriorative changes were predominantly located around the central ridge of the patellae, although all but two knees remained free from anterior knee pain. Statistical multivariate analysis showed surgical approach by conventional medial parapatellar incision and use of the central one-third of the autogenous patellar tendon graft as possible risk factors for the deterioration, although chi-square analysis failed to demonstrate statistical significance for the latter.