scholarly journals High incidence of superficial and deep medial collateral ligament injuries in ‘isolated’ anterior cruciate ligament ruptures: a long overlooked injury

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Willinger ◽  
Ganesh Balendra ◽  
Vishal Pai ◽  
Justin Lee ◽  
Adam Mitchell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Medial Collateral Ligament ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Attachment Site ◽  
Injury Patterns ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
Bone Oedema ◽  
Complex Injuries

Abstract Purpose In anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, concomitant damage to peripheral soft tissues is associated with increased rotatory instability of the knee. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and patterns of medial collateral ligament complex injuries in patients with clinically ‘isolated’ ACL ruptures. Methods Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction for complete ‘presumed isolated’ ACL rupture between 2015 and 2019 were retrospectively included in this study. Patient’s characteristics and intraoperative findings were retrieved from clinical and surgical documentation. Preoperative MRIs were evaluated and the grade and location of injuries to the superficial MCL (sMCL), dMCL and the posterior oblique ligament (POL) recorded. All patients were clinically assessed under anaesthesia with standard ligament laxity tests. Results Hundred patients with a mean age of 22.3 ± 4.9 years were included. The incidence of concomitant MCL complex injuries was 67%. sMCL injuries occurred in 62%, dMCL in 31% and POL in 11% with various injury patterns. A dMCL injury was significantly associated with MRI grade II sMCL injuries, medial meniscus ‘ramp’ lesions seen at surgery and bone oedema at the medial femoral condyle (MFC) adjacent to the dMCL attachment site (p < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis identified younger age (OR 1.2, p < 0.05), simultaneous sMCL injury (OR 6.75, p < 0.01) and the presence of bone oedema at the MFC adjacent to the dMCL attachment site (OR 5.54, p < 0.01) as predictive factors for a dMCL injury. Conclusion The incidence of combined ACL and medial ligament complex injuries is high. Lesions of the dMCL were associated with ramp lesions, MFC bone oedema close to the dMCL attachment, and sMCL injury. Missed AMRI is a risk factor for ACL graft failure from overload and, hence, oedema in the MCL (especially dMCL) demands careful assessment for AMRI, even in the knee lacking excess valgus laxity. This study provides information about specific MCL injury patterns including the dMCL in ACL ruptures and will allow surgeons to initiate individualised treatment. Level of evidence III.

scholarly journals Medial meniscal ramp lesions in ACL-injured elite athletes are strongly associated with medial collateral ligament injuries and medial tibial bone bruising on MRI

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Willinger ◽  
Ganesh Balendra ◽  
Vishal Pai ◽  
Justin Lee ◽  
Adam Mitchell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Medial Collateral Ligament ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Tibial Slope ◽  
Diagnostic Study ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Ramp Lesion ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
Bone Oedema

Abstract Purpose Medial menisco-capsular separations (ramp lesions) are typically found in association with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency. They are frequently missed preoperatively due to low MRI sensitivity. The purpose of this article was to describe demographic and anatomical risk factors for ramp lesions, and to identify concomitant lesions and define their characteristics to improve diagnosis of ramp lesions on MRI. Methods Patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction between September 2015 and April 2019 were included in this study. The presence/absence of ramp lesions was recorded in preoperative MRIs and at surgery. Patients’ characteristics and clinical findings, concomitant injuries on MRI and the posterior tibial slope were evaluated. Results One hundred patients (80 male, 20 female) with a mean age of 22.3 ± 4.9 years met the inclusion criteria. The incidence of ramp lesions diagnosed at surgery was 16%. Ramp lesions were strongly associated with injuries to the deep MCL (dMCL, p < 0.01), the superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL, p < 0.01), and a small medial–lateral tibial slope asymmetry (p < 0.05). There was also good correlation between ramp lesions and bone oedema in the posterior medial tibia plateau (MTP, p < 0.05) and medial femoral condyle (MFC, p < 0.05). A dMCL injury, a smaller differential medial–lateral tibial slope than usual, and the identification of a ramp lesion on MRI increases the likelihood of finding a ramp lesion at surgery. MRI sensitivity was 62.5% and the specificity was 84.5%. Conclusion The presence on MRI of sMCL and/or dMCL lesions, bone oedema in the posterior MTP and MFC, and a smaller differential medial–lateral tibial slope than usual are highly associated with ramp lesions visible on MRI. Additionally, a dMCL injury, a flatter lateral tibial slope than usual, and the identification of a ramp lesion on MRI increases the likelihood of finding a ramp lesion at surgery. Knowledge of the risk factors and secondary injury signs associated with ramp lesions facilitate the diagnosis of a ramp lesion preoperatively and should raise surgeons’ suspicion of this important lesion. Level of evidence Diagnostic study, Level III.

scholarly journals IS PERCUTANEOUS MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT (MCL) RELAXATION DURING ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION A SAFE OPTION FOR GAINING ACCESS TO THE MEDIAL KNEE COMPARTMENT IN CHILDREN?

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967121S0004
Author(s):  
John A. Schlechter ◽  
Tanner Harrah ◽  
Bryn Gornick ◽  
Benjamin Sherman
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Medial Collateral Ligament ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Deep Infection ◽  
Patient Reported Outcome ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Introduction: With participation in youth sports anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a common occurrence. Nearly 70% of ACL tears in children and adolescents have an associated meniscus tear. Percutaneous medial collateral ligament (MCL) relaxation has been described as utilitarian in accessing the medial meniscus for diagnostic assessment and treatment in the adult population to increase medial compartment working space in arthroscopic surgery. The technique has not been evaluated in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of children and adolescents that underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with and without percutaneous relaxation of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) for meniscal tear management. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients aged 8 to 19 years old that had undergone knee arthroscopy for an (ACLR) with meniscus pathology. Those that underwent MCL relaxation were grouped together and compared to a matched cohort that did not have MCL relaxation performed. Preoperative, operative and postoperative data was analyzed. The primary measurement was obtained using a validated patient reported outcome score (Pedi-IKDC), secondary outcome measures were defined as superficial or deep infection, saphenous nerve dysesthesias, ACL graft failure and return to the operating room. Statistical analysis of the two cohorts was performed. Results: Fifty-four patients were included in the study (27 in each group) with average age 15 years (range 10-19). Average follow-up for the MCL relaxation group was 22.4 months versus 58 months for the non-MCL relaxation group. The average Pedi-IKDC score was 93.3 for the MCL relaxation group and 91.4 for the non-MCL relaxation group (p=0.34). There was no difference in patient demographics, return to the operating room (p=0.49), saphenous nerve dysesthesia (p=0.49), superficial or deep infection (p=0.32). Conclusion: ACL reconstruction in children and adolescents with MCL relaxation for the management of medial meniscal tears appears to be a safe option. Equivocal patient reported outcome scores as compared to the control group were found with no increase in post-operative complications. In children with ACL tears, appropriate diagnosis and management of medial meniscal pathology is important to maintain secondary restraint to anterior tibial translation and prevent premature graft failure. Pediatric knees can have tight medial compartments, making access difficult, potentially leading to poor visualization and iatrogenic chondral damage. Percutaneous medial collateral ligament (MCL) relaxation has been described in the adult population to increase medial compartment working space without long term sequela. We report similar findings in an all pediatric cohort.

Acute Grade III Medial Collateral Ligament Injury of the Knee Associated with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear: The Usefulness of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Determining a Treatment Regimen

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norimasa Nakamura ◽  
Shuji Horibe ◽  
Yukiyoshi Toritsuka ◽  
Tomoki Mitsuoka ◽  
Hideki Yoshikawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Medial Collateral Ligament ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Superficial Layer ◽  
Ligament Injury ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Medial Collateral Ligament Injury ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
Grade Iii

Background: The appropriate management of acute grade III medial collateral ligament injury when it is combined with a torn anterior cruciate ligament has not been determined. Hypothesis: Magnetic resonance imaging grading of grade III medial collateral ligament injury in patients who also have anterior cruciate ligament injury correlates with the outcome of their nonoperative treatment. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Seventeen patients were first treated nonoperatively with bracing. Eleven patients with restored valgus stability received anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction only, and six with residual valgus laxity also received medial collateral ligament surgery. Results: Magnetic resonance imaging depicted complete disruption of the superficial layer of the medial collateral ligament in all 17 patients and disruption of the deep layer in 14. Restoration of valgus stability was significantly correlated with the location of superficial fiber damage. Damage was evident over the whole length of the superficial layer in five patients, and all five patients had residual valgus laxity despite bracing. Both groups had good-to-excellent results 5 years later. Conclusions: Location of injury in the superficial layer may be useful in predicting the outcome of nonoperative treatment for acute grade III medial collateral ligament lesions combined with anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Combined Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries in Adolescents

2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 733-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wudbhav N. Sankar ◽  
Lawrence Wells ◽  
Brian J. Sennett ◽  
Brent B. Wiesel ◽  
Theodore J. Ganley
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Medial Collateral Ligament ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Ligament Injuries ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Anterior Cruciate
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