Is the patellar tendon responsible for anterior knee pain after intramedullary nailing of tibial fractures?

Background: Anterior knee pain is a frequent condition after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), but its origin remains uncertain. Studies have suggested that donor site morbidity in autologous bone–patellar tendon–bone reconstructions may contribute to patellofemoral pain, but this does not explain why hamstring tendon reconstructions may also present with anterior pain. Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of anterior knee pain after ACLR and its predisposing factors. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We evaluated the records of all patients who underwent ACLR between 2000 and 2016 at a private facility. The prevalence of anterior knee pain after surgery was assessed, and possible risk factors (graft type, patient sex, surgical technique, range of motion) were evaluated. Results: The records of 438 patients (mean age, 30 years) who underwent ACLR were analyzed. Anterior knee pain was found in 6.2% of the patients. We found an increased prevalence of anterior knee pain with patellar tendon graft, with an odds ratio of 3.4 ( P = .011). Patients who experienced extension deficit in the postoperative period had an odds ratio of 5.3 of having anterior pain ( P < .001). Anterior knee pain was not correlated with patient sex or surgical technique. Conclusion: The chance of having anterior knee pain after ACLR was higher when patellar tendon autograft was used compared with hamstring tendon graft, as well as in patients who experienced extension deficit in the postoperative period.

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Use of the suprapatellar approach in intramedullary nailing of a multi-fragmentary dislocated tibia fracture with a hypermobile intermediate fragment in a young patient

Orthopedic Reviews ◽

10.4081/or.2016.6738 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Patrick Haubruck ◽

Ulf Brunnemer ◽

Arash Moghaddam ◽

Gerhard Schmidmaier

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

Intramedullary Nailing ◽

Knee Pain ◽

Anterior Knee Pain ◽

Young Patients ◽

First Grade ◽

Adolescent Female ◽

Suprapatellar Approach ◽

Anterior Knee ◽

Type Of Fracture

A case of an adolescent female patient who suffered from first grade open multi-fragment fracture of the tibia (AO42-C2) with a large hypermobile intermediate fragment is presented in this case report. Intramedullary nailing of the tibia remains the treatment of choice despite a high risk of malformation and anterior knee pain especially in multi-fragment fractures. Here the suprapatellar approach as a semiextended nailing technique seems favorable. The specialty in our case was an early change of procedures necessary due to persistent swelling during external fixation based on the hypermobile intermediate fragment. Decision in favor of this surgical technique was conducted in order to achieve beneficial alignment and union while protecting the softtissue despite the hypermobile intermediate fragment and decrease the risk of anterior knee pain. In our case we achieved successful alignment and proper bone healing without any signs of anterior knee pain or limitations in the range of motion of the knee. With this report we would like to recommend the suprapatellar approach as a favorable alternative in intramedullary nailing in this type of fracture also in young patients.

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