scholarly journals The aspiration test reveals an instability of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus in almost one-third of ACL-injured patients

Author(s):  
Christophe Jacquet ◽  
Caroline Mouton ◽  
Amanda Magosch ◽  
George A. Komnos ◽  
Jacques Menetrey ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries often lead to associated injuries of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus (PHLM). Arthroscopic, assessment of PHLM instability may be difficult in the absence of a visible meniscus damage. The main objective of this prospective multi-center study was to compare the ability of the probing and aspiration tests to identify PHLM instability in a population of patients undergoing ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and a control group of patients with an intact ACL undergoing knee arthroscopy. Methods A prospective case–control analysis was performed in three sports medicine centers. One-hundred and three consecutive patients operated for a primary isolated ACLR without structural lateral meniscus damage other than a root tear were included. They were compared to a control group of 29 consecutive patients who had a knee arthroscopy with an intact ACL and no structural lateral meniscus lesion. The probing and aspiration tests were consecutively executed according to previously published methods. Results In the control group, no lateral meniscus lesions were visualized during arthroscopy, and both probing and aspiration tests were negative in all patients. In the group of ACL-injured patients, a Forkel type I–III posterolateral meniscus root tear (PLMRT) was found in 12 patients (12%). In this subgroup, the probing test was positive in 4/12 patients (33%) and the aspiration test in 5 additional patients (75%). In 15 patients (15%), an elongation of the posterior root of the lateral meniscus (defined as type IV PLMRT as an addendum to the Forkel classification) could be observed during arthroscopy. In this subgroup, only 1 patient displayed a PHLM instability with the probing test (7%), whereas the aspiration test was positive in 13/15 patients (87%). In the remaining 76 patients (74%), no structural lesion of the PHLM could be identified. Nevertheless, an instability of the PHLM could be identified in 8 of them (11%) with the probing test, and the aspiration test was positive in 2 additional knees (13%) of this apparently normal subgroup. Altogether, in the entire ACL injury cohort, a positive probing test was observed in 13/103 patients (13%) and a positive aspiration test in 32/103 knees (31%) (p < 0.01). Conclusion Careful observation and examination of the PHLM with the aspiration test revealed a substantial amount of previously undiagnosed lateral meniscus instabilities in ACL-injured knees. The prevalence of PHLM instability as evaluated by the aspiration test was high (31%). The aspiration test was superior to the probing test in detecting an instability of the PHLM in a population of ACL-injured patients. Level of evidence II.

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 2888-2894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Tsujii ◽  
Yasukazu Yonetani ◽  
Kazutaka Kinugasa ◽  
Tomohiko Matsuo ◽  
Kenji Yoneda ◽  
...  

Background: Meniscal function after repair of radial/flap tears of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus (LM) with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has not been comprehensively investigated. Purpose: To evaluate not only the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients with repair of radial/flap tears of the posterior LM with ACLR but also the healing status of the repaired meniscus and changes of chondral status with second-look arthroscopy. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: From January 2008 to April 2016, 41 patients of a consecutive series of 505 primary anatomic ACLR cases had a concomitant radial/flap tear of the posterior horn of the LM and underwent side-to-side repair with an inside-out or all-inside technique. All patients were followed for >2 years, evaluated clinically and radiologically (radiograph and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]), and compared with a control group without any concomitant injuries that underwent ACLR. Of the 41 patients, 30 were assessed by second-look arthroscopy 2 years postoperatively. Results: The mean follow-up times of the study and control groups were 3.4 and 3.9 years, respectively. The study group showed no significant differences in clinical findings, lateral joint space narrowing on radiograph, and coronal extrusion on MRI as compared with the control group, whereas sagittal extrusion on MRI progressed significantly in the study group (1.2 ± 1.5 mm vs 0.32 ± 1.0 mm, P < .001). Eighteen patients (60%) obtained complete healing; 9 (30%) showed partial healing; and 3 (10%) failed to heal on second-look arthroscopy. Changes of chondral status in the femoral condyle showed no significant difference between the groups ( P = .29). However, chondral status of the lateral tibial plateau worsened significantly in the study group ( P = .0011). Conclusion: The clinical and radiographic outcomes after repair of radial/flap tears of the posterior horn of the LM as combined with anatomic ACLR were successful and comparable with those after isolated ACLR without any other injuries at a mean postoperative follow-up of 3.4 years, except for sagittal extrusion on MRI. Chondral lesions of the lateral tibial plateau deteriorated regardless of meniscal healing at 2 years postoperatively. Surgeons should keep in mind that chondral injuries might progress over the midterm.


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.


Author(s):  
Beate Stelzeneder ◽  
Bernhard Michael Trabauer ◽  
Silke Aldrian ◽  
David Stelzeneder ◽  
Vladimir Juras ◽  
...  

AbstractThe study evaluates the meniscal tissue after primary meniscal suturing using 7-Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging with T2* mapping at 6 and 12 months after surgery to investigate the differences between repaired meniscal tissue and healthy meniscal tissue in the medial and lateral compartment. This prospective study included 11 patients (9m/2f) with a mean age of 30.6 years (standard deviation 9.0). Patients with a meniscal tear that was treated arthroscopically with meniscus suturing, using an all-inside technique, were included. All patients and seven healthy volunteers were imaged on a 7-T whole-body system. T2* mapping of the meniscus was applied on sagittal slices. Regions-of-interest were defined manually in the red and white zone of each medial and lateral meniscus to measure T2*-values. In the medial posterior and medial anterior horn similar T2*-values were measured in the red and white zone at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Compared with the control group higher T2*-values were found in the repaired medial meniscus. After 12-months T2*-values decreased to normal values in the anterior horn and remained elevated in the posterior horn. In the red zone of the lateral posterior horn a significant decrease in the T2*-values (from 8.2 milliseconds to 5.9 milliseconds) (p = 0.04), indicates successful repair; a tendency toward a decrease in the white zone between the 6 and 12 months follow-up was observed. In the red zone of the lateral anterior horn the T2*-values decreased significantly during follow-up and in the white zone of the lateral anterior horn T2*-values were comparable. In comparison to the control group higher T2*-values were measured at 6-months; however, the T2*-values showed comparable values in the repaired lateral meniscus after 12 months. The T2* mapping results of the current study indicated a better healing response of the red zone of the lateral posterior horn compared with the medial posterior horn.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (02) ◽  
pp. 138-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhys Holyoak ◽  
Ruan Vlok ◽  
Thomas Melhuish ◽  
Anthony Hodge ◽  
Matthew Binks ◽  
...  

AbstractThe infiltration of local anesthetic has been shown to reduce postoperative pain in knee arthroscopy. Several studies have shown that the addition of agents such as magnesium and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) result in an increased time to first analgesia and overall reduction in pain. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine whether the addition of an α-2 agonist (A2A) to intra-articular local anesthetic, results in a reduction in postoperative pain. Four major databases were systematically searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to July 2017. RCTs containing a control group receiving a local anesthetic and an intervention group receiving the same with the addition of an A2A were included in the review. The included studies were assessed for level of evidence and risk of bias. The data were then analyzed both qualitatively and where appropriate by meta-analysis. We reviewed 12 RCTs including 603 patients. We found that the addition of an A2A resulted in a significant reduction in postoperative pain up to 24 hours. The addition of the A2A increased time to first analgesia request by 258.85 minutes (p < 0.00001). Total 24-hour analgesia consumption was analyzed qualitatively with all included studies showing a significant reduction in total analgesia requirement. Interestingly, none of the studies found an increase in side effects associated with the A2A. This study provides strong evidence for the use of A2As as a means to reduce postoperative pain post arthroscopic knee surgery, without a corresponding increase in side effects.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 232596712094632
Author(s):  
Ahmed Khalil Attia ◽  
Hazem Nasef ◽  
Kareem Hussein ElSweify ◽  
Mohammed A. Adam ◽  
Faris AbuShaaban ◽  
...  

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with hamstring autograft has gained popularity. However, an unpredictably small graft diameter has been a drawback of this technique. Smaller graft diameter has been associated with increased risk of revision, and increasing the number of strands has been reported as a successful technique to increase the graft diameter. Purpose: To compare failure rates of 5-strand (5HS) and 6-strand (6HS) hamstring autograft compared with conventional 4-strand (4HS) hamstring autograft. We describe the technique in detail, supplemented by photographs and illustrations, to provide a reproducible technique to avoid the variable and often insufficient 4HS graft diameter reported in the literature. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data of all primary hamstring autograft ACLRs performed at our institution with a minimum 2-year follow-up and 8.0-mm graft diameter. A total of 413 consecutive knees met the study inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study population was divided into 5HS and 6HS groups as well as a 4HS control group. The primary outcome was failure of ACLR, defined as persistent or recurrent instability and/or revision ACLR. Results: The analysis included 224, 156, and 33 knees in the 5HS, 6HS, and 4HS groups, respectively. The overall ACLR failure rate in this study was 11 cases (8%): 5 cases for 5HS, 3 cases for 6HS, and 3 cases for 4HS. No statistically significant differences were found among groups ( P = .06). The mean graft diameter was 9 mm, and the mean follow-up was 44.27 months. Conclusion: The 5HS and 6HS constructs have similar failure rates to the conventional 4HS construct of 8.0-mm diameter and are therefore safe and reliable to increase the diameter of relatively smaller hamstring autografts. We strongly recommend using this technique when the length of the tendons permits to avoid failures reportedly associated with inadequate graft size.


2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Tang ◽  
Brandon Marshall ◽  
Joon Ho Wang ◽  
Junjun Zhu ◽  
Jian Li ◽  
...  

Background: The effect of lateral meniscal posterior root tear and repair—commonly seen in clinical practice in the setting of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction—is not known. Purpose/Hypothesis: This study evaluated the effect of tear and repair of the lateral meniscal posterior root on the biomechanics of the ACL-reconstructed knee. It was hypothesized that anterior tibial translation would increase under anterior loading and simulated pivot-shift loading with the root tear of the posterior lateral meniscus, while repair of the root tear would reduce it close to the noninjured state. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Thirteen fresh-frozen adult human knees were tested with a robotic testing system under 2 loading conditions: (1) an 89.0-N anterior tibial load applied at full extension and 15°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion and (2) a combined 7.0-N·m valgus and 5.0-N·m internal tibial torque (simulated pivot-shift test) applied at full extension and 15° and 30° of knee flexion. The following knee states were tested: intact knee, ACL reconstruction and intact lateral meniscus, ACL reconstruction and lateral meniscal posterior root tear, and ACL reconstruction and lateral meniscal posterior root repair. Results: In the ACL-reconstructed knee, a tear of the lateral meniscal posterior root significantly increased knee laxity under anterior loading by as much as 1 mm. The transosseous pullout suture root repair improved knee stability under anterior tibial and simulated pivot-shift loading. Root repair improved the ACL graft force closer to that of the native ACL under anterior tibial loading. Conclusion: Lateral meniscal posterior root injury further destabilizes the ACL-reconstructed knee, and root repair improves knee stability. Clinical Relevance: This study suggests a rationale for surgical repair of the lateral meniscus, which can restore stability close to that of the premeniscal injury state.


2002 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 511-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.-T. Chen ◽  
T. T.-F. Shih ◽  
H.-Y. Tu ◽  
R.-C. Chen ◽  
W.-Y. Shau

Purpose: To analyze MR direct and indirect signs for knees with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) partial or complete tear. Material and Methods: According to documented MR direct and indirect signs for ACL tear, we retrospectively reviewed the incidence of those signs in 15 partial ACL tear and 17 complete ACL tear patients. The findings were also compared with duration of injury (less or more than 6 weeks, as acute or chronic stages). Results: A residual straight and tight ACL fiber in at least one pulse sequence was more frequently detected in partial ACL tears. The empty notch sign, a wavy contour of ACL, bone contusion at lateral compartment and lateral meniscus posterior horn tear were significantly more frequently seen in complete tear cases. The posterior cruciate ligament angle in chronic complete ACL tear cases (109°±20°) had a tendency to be less than in chronic partial ACL tear cases (119±18°). Conclusion: The empty notch sign, a wavy ACL, bone contusion, and posterior horn of lateral meniscus tears are suggestive of a complete ACL tear. A residual straight and tight ACL fiber seen in at least one image section is a helpful sign to diagnosis of partial ACL tear. In the acute ACL injury stage, a focal increase of the ACL signal intensity is more suggestive of a partial ACL tear.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-294
Author(s):  
Qiang Li

ABSTRACT Introduction In long-term sports, especially in explosive sports such as accelerated starting, athletes are prone to rupture the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). It is the ultimate goal of ACL reconstruction for athletes to restore the stability (static and dynamic) and mechanical structure of the knee joint through reconstruction surgery. Object This article uses ACL reconstruction to repair patients’ ACL and explores the effect of athletes’ nerve recovery after sports. Methods We collected 35 ACL reconstruction athletes and randomly divided them into two groups (experimental group, 18; control group, 17). After reconstruction, the athletes in the experimental group were treated with sports rehabilitation. Results The experimental and control groups had great differences in knee joint exercise indexes and nerve function recovery. Conclusion Sports rehabilitation training can effectively improve the nerve function of the knee joint after ACL reconstruction. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.


2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 2432-2436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shwan Khoschnau ◽  
Håkan Melhus ◽  
Annica Jacobson ◽  
Hans Rahme ◽  
Henrik Bengtsson ◽  
...  

Background Cruciate ligament ruptures and shoulder dislocations are often caused by trauma, but predisposing intrinsic factors might also influence the risk. These injuries are more common in those with a previously injured sibling, an observation that might indicate a genetic predisposition. It is well known that polymorphisms in the collagen I gene are associated not only with osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture risk, but also with osteoarthritis. Hypothesis Because collagen I is abundant in ligaments and tendons, the authors hypothesized that collagen I α1 Sp1 polymorphism also was related to the occurrence of cruciate ligament ruptures and shoulder dislocations. Study Design Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods A total of 358 patients and 325 randomly selected population-based female controls were included in the study. Of the cases, 233 had a cruciate ligament rupture and 126 had had a shoulder dislocation. Age-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimated by unconditional logistic regression were used as measures of association. Results Compared with the homozygous SS category, the heterozygous participants displayed a similar risk (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.76–1.49), whereas the ss genotype was underrepresented in the injured population compared with the controls (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.03–0.68). This latter estimate was similar for both cruciate ligament ruptures and shoulder dislocations, and was furthermore not modified by general joint laxity. Conclusion The authors found a substantially decreased risk of these injuries associated with collagen type I α1 Sp1 polymorphism. The study might encourage other investigators to consider further research in the area of genes and soft tissue injuries.


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