scholarly journals Autologous chondrocyte implantation combined with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: similar short-term results in comparison with isolated cartilage repair in ligament intact joints

Author(s):  
Julian Mehl ◽  
Matthias Feucht ◽  
Andrea Achtnich ◽  
Andreas B. Imhoff ◽  
Philipp Niemeyer ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Both acute ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) as well as chronic ACL insufficiency show a high association with focal cartilage defects of the knee. However, the results after combined ACL reconstruction and cartilage repair are not well investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the short-term outcomes after autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in combination with ACL reconstruction and to compare the results with patients who underwent isolated ACI in ligament intact knees. Methods All patients who were registered in the German Cartilage Registry with ACI for focal cartilage defects in the knee joint in combination with ACL reconstruction and who completed the 24 month follow-up were included in the study group. A matched-pair procedure according to gender, defect location, defect size, and age was used to create a control group of patients with isolated ACI in ACL intact joints. The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and the numeric analog scale for pain (NAS) were used to assess the preoperative state as well as the clinical outcomes 12 and 24 months after surgery. Results A total of 34 patients were included in both the study group (age mean 33.3 ± SD 8.8 years) and the control group (33.6 ± 8.4 years) with a median defect size of 466 (25%-75% IQR 375–600) mm2 and 425 (IQR 375–600) mm2, respectively. In comparison with the preoperative state (median 67, IQR 52–75), the study group showed a significant increase of the total KOOS after 12 months (78, IQR 70–86; p = 0.014) and after 24 months (81, IQR 70–84; p = 0.001). The NAS for pain did not change significantly in the postoperative course. In comparison with the control group there was no significant difference for the total KOOS neither preoperative (control group median 67, IQR 52–73) nor at any postoperative time point (12 months: 82, IQR 67–93; 24 months: 81, IQR 71–91). Conclusion The clinical short-term outcomes after ACI at the knee joint in combination with ACL reconstruction are good and similar to the results after isolated ACI in ligament intact knees. Level of evidence III.

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 1143-1149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaohua Liu ◽  
Hong Li ◽  
Hongyue Tao ◽  
Yaying Sun ◽  
Shiyi Chen ◽  
...  

Background: The hamstring tendons are commonly harvested for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with detachment of the tibial insertion. Retaining the insertion may help to preserve vascularity and viability of the graft and bypass the stages of avascular necrosis and revascularization, which might be beneficial to graft maturity. Purpose: To investigate and compare graft maturity by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after ACL reconstruction with preservation or detachment of hamstring tendon tibial insertion at up to 2 years. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Forty-five patients (age range, 18-45 years) undergoing isolated ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon were enrolled and randomized to 2 groups. The tibial insertion of the hamstring tendon was preserved in the study group (n = 21) and detached in the control group (n = 24). Patients had follow-up at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, which consisted of the following: (1) clinical examination and (2) MRI evaluation of graft signal intensity based on signal/noise quotient (SNQ) values. Finally, 18 patients in the study group and 19 in the control group received full follow-up evaluation (ie, at all 4 time points). Results: All knees acquired full range of motion at 24 months without significant laxity. At each time point, the KT-1000 arthrometer revealed no significant difference between groups; the clinical scores significantly improved in both groups, although the difference between groups was not significant. In the control group, the SNQ value increased from 3 months, peaked at 6 months, and then decreased (3 months, 21.4 ± 12.7; 6 months, 25.6 ± 12; 12 months, 18.3 ± 7.7; 24 months, 15.3 ± 6.3). However, the insertion-preserved graft in the study group maintained relatively lower and unchanged signal intensity throughout all time points (3 months, 15.0 ± 11.2; 6 months, 14.9 ± 6.3; 12 months, 12.6 ± 7.0; 24 months, 14.6 ± 7.0). Between groups, there was no significant difference at 3 or 24 months ( P = .11 and .75, respectively), while the SNQ values were significantly lower in the study group versus the control group at 6 and 12 months ( P = .002 and .02, respectively). Conclusion: The insertion-detached hamstring tendon grafts underwent a significantly increasing change in signal intensity during the first 2 years after ACL reconstruction, while the insertion-preserved grafts kept a relatively lower and unchanged signal intensity. The difference was most significant at 6 and 12 months postoperatively.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 232596711769359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew N. Pike ◽  
Tim Bryant ◽  
Takahiro Ogura ◽  
Tom Minas

Background: Cartilage injury associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures is common; however, relatively few reports exist on concurrent cartilage repair with ACL reconstruction. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been utilized successfully for treatment of moderate to large chondral defects. Hypothesis: ACL insufficiency with relatively large chondral defects may be effectively managed with concurrent ACL reconstruction and ACI. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patients undergoing concurrent ACL primary or revision reconstruction with ACI of single or multiple cartilage defects were prospectively evaluated for a minimum 2 years. Pre- and postoperative outcome measures included the modified Cincinnati Rating Scale (MCRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, visual analog pain scales, and postsurgery satisfaction surveys. ACI graft failure or persistent pain without functional improvement were considered treatment failures. Results: Twenty-six patients were included, with 13 primary and 13 revision ACL reconstructions performed. Mean defect total surface area was 8.4 cm2, with a mean follow-up of 95 months (range, 24-240 months). MCRS improved from 3.62 ± 1.42 to 5.54 ± 2.32, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index from 45.31 ± 17.27 to 26.54 ± 17.71, and visual analog pain scale from 6.19 ± 1.27 to 3.65 ± 1.77 (all Ps <.001). Eight patients were clinical failures, 69% of patients were improved at final follow-up, and 92% stated they would likely undergo the procedure again. No outcome correlation was found with regard to age, body mass index, sex, defect size/number, follow-up time, or primary versus revision ACL reconstruction. In subanalysis, revision ACL reconstructions had worse preoperative MCRS scores and greater defect surface areas. However, revision MCRS score improvements were greater, resulting in similar final functional scores when compared with primary reconstructions. Conclusion: Challenging cases of ACL tears with large chondral defects treated with concurrent ACL reconstruction and ACI can lead to moderately improved pain and function at long-term follow-up. Factors associated with clinical failure are not clear. When combined with ACI, patients undergoing revision ACL reconstructions have worse function preoperatively compared with those undergoing primary reconstructions but have similar final outcomes.


2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652098197
Author(s):  
Akira Tsujii ◽  
Yasukazu Yonetani ◽  
Kazutaka Kinugasa ◽  
Tomohiko Matsuo ◽  
Kenji Yoneda ◽  
...  

Background: Meniscal function after repair of longitudinal tears of the lateral meniscus (LM) with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has not been comprehensively investigated. Purpose: To evaluate not only the clinical outcomes and radiographic findings of patients who underwent repair of longitudinal tears of the LM combined with ACLR but also the healing status of the repaired meniscus and changes in chondral status with second-look arthroscopy. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Among 548 patients who underwent primary anatomic ACLR at our institution between 2010 and 2017, 39 who had concomitant longitudinal tears of the LM and underwent repair were studied. During follow-up for more than 2 years, all patients were evaluated clinically (pain, range of motion, swelling, and knee instability) and with imaging (plain radiograph and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]), and compared with a matched control group (based on age, sex, body mass index, and follow-up period) without any concomitant injuries who underwent ACLR. Measurements on MRI were recorded preoperatively, immediately after surgery, and at final follow-up, and the change in the values over time was assessed. Of the 39 patients in each group, 24 were assessed by second-look arthroscopy with hardware removal 2 years postoperatively. Results: The mean follow-up times of the study and control group were at a mean of 42.4 and 45.4 months, respectively. There were no significant differences in clinical findings, lateral joint space narrowing on radiographs, and chondral status at the lateral compartment between groups, whereas lateral and posterior meniscal extrusion on MRI progressed significantly in the study group (0.43 ± 1.0 mm vs -0.29 ± 1.1 mm, P = .003; 1.9 ± 1.9 mm vs 0.14 ± 1.1 mm, P < .0001, respectively). Second-look arthroscopy revealed complete healing in 12 patients (50%), partial healing in 9 (37.5%), and failure in 3 (12.5%) in the study group, and no new tear in the control group. Conclusion: The clinical and imaging outcomes after repair of longitudinal tears of the LM combined with anatomic ACLR were successful and comparable with those after isolated ACLR without any other injuries at 42 months postoperatively, although meniscal extrusion showed progression on coronal/sagittal MRI. Based on the MRI findings and the result that only half of patients achieved complete healing, meniscal function could not be fully restored even after repair. Although degenerative changes were not apparent, longer-term follow-up is needed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-92
Author(s):  
Takuma Hoshiba ◽  
Hiroki Nakata ◽  
Yasuaki Saho ◽  
Kazuyuki Kanosue ◽  
Toru Fukubayashi

Context: Deficits in knee position sense following reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can delay an athlete’s return to sport participation and increase the risk of reinjury. Deficits in position sense postreconstruction have been evaluated using either a position-reproducing or position-matching task. Objective: The aim of our study was to combine both to determine which assessment would be more effective to identify deficits in knee position sense. Design: Longitudinal laboratory-based study. Participants: Eleven athletes (6 men and 5 women; mean age, 20.5 [1.2] y), who had undergone ACL reconstruction with an ipsilateral hamstring autograft, and 12 age-matched controls. Interventions: Position sense was evaluated at 6 and 12 months postreconstruction and once for the control group. In addition, peak isokinetic knee extension and flexion strength, at 60°/s and 180°/s, was assessed for the ACL reconstruction group to evaluate possible influences of muscle strength on knee joint position sense. Main Outcome Measures: The variables include the angular differences between the reference limb and indicator limb, and peak torque values of isokinetic knee extension and flexion. Results: Significant matching differences were identified at 6 months postsurgery on the position-matching task, but not at 12 months postsurgery. No significant between-group and within-subject differences were identified on the position-reproducing task. No significant matching errors were identified for the control group. There was no correlation between errors in position sense and maximum isokinetic strength. Conclusion: The position-matching task is more sensitive than the position-reproducing task to identify deficits in knee position sense over the first year following ACL reconstruction surgery.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 1094-1101
Author(s):  
Jiangyu Cai ◽  
Fang Wan ◽  
Chengchong Ai ◽  
Wenhe Jin ◽  
Dandan Sheng ◽  
...  

AbstractAn enlarged bone tunnel may affect the graft–bone integration and pose a problem for revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of remnant preservation on tibial tunnel enlargement in ACL reconstruction with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) artificial ligament. Twenty-four skeletally mature male beagles underwent ACL reconstruction with PET artificial ligament for both knees. One knee was reconstructed with remnant preservation using sleeve technique (remnant group), while the contralateral was reconstructed without remnant preservation (control group). The animals were sacrificed at 1 day, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after surgery for further evaluation including macroscopic observation, microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), histological assessment, and biomechanical testing. The remnant group had better synovial coverage than the control group at 6 and 12 weeks after surgery. The micro-CT analysis showed the tibial tunnel area (TTA) of the remnant group was significantly smaller and the bone volume/total volume fraction (BV/TV) value was higher than those of the control group at 6 and 12 weeks. Moreover, TTA and BV/TV at each time point were divided into three groups according to the different grade of synovial coverage. Significant association was observed between the synovial coverage degree and the TTA and BV/TV values. The histological assessment revealed that the interface width between the graft and host bone in the remnant group was smaller than that in the control group in the tibial tunnels at 6 and 12 weeks. Moreover, the remnant group had better failure load and stiffness than the control group at 12 weeks. The remnant preservation using sleeve technique could effectively promote the synovial coverage of the graft, decrease the risk of tibial tunnel enlargement by sealing the bone tunnel entrance, and enhance the biological environment for graft–bone healing after ACL reconstruction using PET artificial ligament. This technique provides a potential solution for bone tunnel enlargement following artificial ligament surgery for the acute ACL rupture in the clinical practice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3378
Author(s):  
Dmitry Skvortsov ◽  
Sergey Kaurkin ◽  
Alexander Akhpashev ◽  
Aljona Altukhova ◽  
Alexander Troitskiy ◽  
...  

The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical, functional, and biomechanical symptoms in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture before and after ACL reconstruction. The study enrolled 20 patients and 20 healthy subjects as controls. Walking biomechanics was assessed at three time points: before surgery and three months and a year or more after surgical reconstruction. Impact loads on both sides differed significantly from the respective values before surgery (p<0.05). Walking cycle duration decreased with time after surgery. On both sides (affected and unaffected), hip movement amplitudes were significantly smaller than in control (p<0.05). They remained so in the follow-up periods after the reconstruction. Before ACL reconstruction, the amplitude of the main flexion of the knee was significantly reduced both on the affected and unaffected sides. The amplitude gradually increased after the reconstruction, and a year post-surgery, it reached, on the operated side, the same values as in the control group. Complete functional recovery of the knee joint was not achieved within a year after the ACL surgical reconstruction. The remaining changes, however, were not clinically pronounced and could only be detected by instrumental gait analysis. The compensatory processes developed bilaterally, in both the hip and knee joints.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 573-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guan-yang Song ◽  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Jin Zhang ◽  
Zhi-jun Zhang ◽  
Tong Zheng ◽  
...  

Background: Anterior tibial subluxation (ATS) in extension after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury highlights an increased anterior position of the tibia relative to the femur. Recent studies demonstrated that subluxation is sometimes irreducible and the normal tibiofemoral relationship is not restored by ACL reconstruction (ACLR), which raises concerns regarding clinical outcomes after ACLR. Hypothesis: Excessive preoperative ATS in extension is associated with inferior knee stability after anatomic ACLR. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: From March 2016 to January 2017, a total of 487 consecutive patients with clinically diagnosed noncontact ACL injuries who underwent primary anatomic ACLR were retrospectively analyzed. Of these patients, 430 met the criteria for inclusion in this study. Anterior subluxation of the lateral and medial compartments (ASLC and ASMC) in extension relative to the femoral condyles was measured on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Twenty patients (study group) who demonstrated excessive (>10 mm) ASLC and ASMC in extension were matched 1:2 to 40 participants (control group) who showed minimal or no (<3 mm) ASLC and ASMC in extension. The amount of ASLC and ASMC in extension relative to the femoral condyles at 2 years postoperatively was the primary outcome. Moreover, the Lysholm score, IKDC grade (International Knee Documentation Committee), and stability assessments (pivot-shift test and KT-1000 arthrometer side-to-side difference) were evaluated preoperatively and at the last follow-up visit. Results: The preoperative mean ASLC and ASMC in extension of the study group were both significantly larger than those of the control group (study group vs control group: ASLC, 13.5 mm vs 1.2 mm; ASMC, 12.4 mm vs 1.0 mm; P < .05). Moreover, patients in the study group showed significantly larger posterior tibial slope than the patients in the control group (17.8°± 2.5° vs 9.5°± 1.5°; P < .05). At the final follow-up visit, the mean ASLC and ASMC of the study group were 8.1 mm and 7.3 mm, which were significantly larger than those of the control group (ASLC, 0.9 mm; ASMC, 0.7 mm; P < .05). In addition, the study group showed inferior knee stability when compared with the control group in terms of both the pivot-shift test (study group vs control group: 2 grade 2, 10 grade 1, and 8 grade 0 vs 1 grade 1 and 39 grade 0; P < .05) and the KT-1000 arthrometer side-to-side difference (study group vs control group: 4.4 ± 1.2 mm vs 1.5 ± 0.6 mm; P < .05). Furthermore, the study group showed significantly lower mean Lysholm score (study group vs control group: 80.3 ± 6.3 vs 93.3 ± 4.3, P < .05) and IKDC grading results (study group vs control group: 3 grade C, 16 grade B, and 1 grade A vs 3 grade B and 37 grade A; P < .05) as compared with the control group. Conclusion: In this short-term study, the excessive (>10 mm) preoperative ATS in extension after ACL injury was associated with inferior knee stability after anatomic ACLR.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (07) ◽  
pp. 722-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enes Büyükafşar ◽  
Selda Başar ◽  
Ulunay Kanatli

AbstractAfter the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, a loss of proprioception is observed and it can continue years after the operation. The aim of this study is to evaluate proprioception in standing position at different knee flexion angles in patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with tibialis anterior tendon allograft. The study included 34 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with tibialis anterior tendon allograft and 34 healthy individuals. Proprioception was evaluated in standing position at 15°, 30°, 60° flexion angles with the active joint position sense (AJPS) method using digital inclinometer. Proprioception deviation angle was found to be higher in the operated leg at 30° and 60° flexion angles in the patient group compared with the other leg (p < 0.05), the biggest proprioception difference was between the 15° and 60° flexion angles in both the patient and the control group (p < 0.05) that the difference between 15° and 30° flexion angles is lowest (p < 0.05), and that these differences are higher in the operated leg of the patient group compared with the other leg of the patient group and to the dominant leg of the control group (p < 0.05). As approximately 4 years after ACL reconstruction with tibialis anterior tendon allograft, loss of proprioception at 60° knee flexion continued, ACL injury related to loss of proprioception may occur at angles higher than 30° flexion. Thus, patients may be provided with proprioception-enhancing rehabilitation in the long term, particularly, at flexion angles above medium levels.


Author(s):  
Adam T. Hexter ◽  
Anita Sanghani-Kerai ◽  
Nima Heidari ◽  
Deepak M. Kalaskar ◽  
Ashleigh Boyd ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose The effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on tendon allograft maturation in a large animal anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction model was reported for the first time. It was hypothesised that compared with non-augmented ACL reconstruction, BMSCs and PRP would enhance graft maturation after 12 weeks and this would be detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods Fifteen sheep underwent unilateral tendon allograft ACL reconstruction using aperture fixation and were randomised into three groups (n = 5). Group 1 received 10 million allogeneic BMSCs in 2 ml fibrin sealant; Group 2 received 12 ml PRP in a plasma clot injected into the graft and bone tunnels; and Group 3 (control) received no adjunctive treatment. At autopsy at 12 weeks, a graft maturation score was determined by the sum for graft integrity, synovial coverage and vascularisation, graft thickness and apparent tension, and synovial sealing at tunnel apertures. MRI analysis (n = 2 animals per group) of the signal–noise quotient (SNQ) and fibrous interzone (FIZ) was used to evaluate intra-articular graft maturation and tendon–bone healing, respectively. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (r) of SNQ, autopsy graft maturation score and bone tunnel diameter were analysed. Results The BMSC group (p = 0.01) and PRP group (p = 0.03) had a significantly higher graft maturation score compared with the control group. The BMSC group scored significantly higher for synovial sealing at tunnel apertures (p = 0.03) compared with the control group. The graft maturation score at autopsy significantly correlated with the SNQ (r = − 0.83, p < 0.01). The tunnel diameter of the femoral tunnel at the aperture (r = 0.883, p = 0.03) and mid-portion (r = 0.941, p = 0.02) positively correlated with the SNQ. Conclusions BMSCs and PRP significantly enhanced graft maturation, which indicates that orthobiologics can accelerate the biologic events in tendon allograft incorporation. Femoral tunnel expansion significantly correlated with inferior maturation of the intra-articular graft. The clinical relevance of this study is that BMSCs and PRP enhance allograft healing in a translational model, and biological modulation of graft healing can be evaluated non-invasively using MRI.


2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lazar Stijak ◽  
Marko Bumbasirevic ◽  
Marko Kadija ◽  
Gordana Stankovic ◽  
Richard Herzog ◽  
...  

Background/Aim. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most frequently injured ligament of the knee, representing 50% of all knee injuries. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in the morphometry of knee injury patients with an intact and a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Methods. The study included 33 matched pairs of patients divided into two groups: the study group with the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament rupture, and the control group with the diagnosis of patellofemoral pain but no anterior cruciate ligament lesion. The patients were matched on the basis of 4 attributes: age, sex, type of lesion (whether it was profession- related), and whether the lesion was left- or right-sided. Measurements were carried out using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results. The anterior and posterior edges of the anterior cruciate ligament in the control group were highly significantly smaller (p < 0.01; in both cases). The control group showed a statistically significantly larger width of the anterior cruciate ligament (p < 0.05). A significant correlation between the width of the anterior cruciate ligament and the width (p < 0.01) and height (p < 0.05) of the intercondylar notch was found to exist in the control group, but not in the study group (p > 0.05). The patients in the control group showed a shorter but wider anterior cruciate ligament in comparison to their matched pairs. The control group of patients was also characterized by the correlation between the width of the intercondylar notch and the width of the anterior cruciate ligament, which was not the case in the study group. Conclusions. According to the results of our study we can say that a narrow intercondylar notch contains a proportionally thin anterior cruciate ligament, but we cannot say that this factor necessarily leads to rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament.


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