Combined Intra- and Extra-Articular Technique in Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate the “over the top” (OTT) nonanatomical technique for revision of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods Twenty-four patients with a mean age of 31.9 ± 11.2 years underwent revision of ACL reconstruction using OTT technique. International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Lysholm score, Tegner score, Subjective Patient Outcome for Return to Sport (SPORTS) score, Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport After Injury (ACL-RSI) scale, and KT-1000 evaluation were recorded at a mean follow-up of 30.7 ± 18.9 months. Results Postoperatively, the IKDC objective total score significantly improved (p = 0.0046). The KOOS, Lysholm, and Tegner scores also improved, but the results were not statistically significant (62.4 vs. 72.6, 6.5 vs. 75.8, and 4.1 vs. 6.0, respectively). The subjective IKDC evaluation score improved from an average of 51.1 points to 63.7 points at the last follow-up (p = 0.0027). The RTP prevalence was 81.8%, with 44.4% of the patients returning to the same preinjury level. According to the SPORTS score, 16.6% of patients played sport without limitations in activity and performance. The average ACL-RSI score was 52.1 ± 27.0. No major complications were reported. A total of 21.5% of patients underwent surgical removal of staples. The failure prevalence was 14.3% and the cumulative survivorship, calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, was equal to 70% at 60 months of follow-up. Conclusion The OTT technique in the revision ACL reconstruction provided improvement in objective and subjective scores, good RTP prevalence, and acceptable rate of complication and failure. One of the advantages was the possibility to avoid the femoral tunnel. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Download Full-text

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with LARS Artificial Ligament—Clinical Results after a Long-Term Follow-Up

Joints ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1653950 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 06 (02) ◽

pp. 075-079 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Paolo Parchi ◽

Gianluca Ciapini ◽

Carlo Paglialunga ◽

Michele Giuntoli ◽

Carmine Picece ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Acl Reconstruction ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Case Series ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Purpose The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the subjective and functional outcome of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with the synthetic Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System (LARS) ligament. Methods Twenty-six patients were reviewed at an average follow-up of 11.6 years. Objective clinical evaluation was performed with stability tests. Patient-reported outcomes (Visual Analogue Scale, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and Cincinnati Knee Rating Scale) were used to assess subjective and functional outcomes. Results Overall satisfactory results were obtained in 22 cases (84.6%). Four patients (15.4%) showed mechanical failure of the graft. No cases of synovitis or infection were reported. Conclusion LARS ligament can be considered a safe and suitable option for ACL reconstruction in carefully selected cases, especially elderly patients needing a rapid postoperative recovery. Level of Evidence Level IV, retrospective case series.

Download Full-text

Use Caution When Assessing Preoperative Leg-Length Discrepancy in Pediatric Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546520952757 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (12) ◽

pp. 2948-2953

Author(s):

Madison R. Heath ◽

Alexandra H. Aitchison ◽

Lindsay M. Schlichte ◽

Christine Goodbody ◽

Frank A. Cordasco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Acl Reconstruction ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Case Series ◽

Surgical Reconstruction ◽

Radiographic Examination ◽

Leg Length ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Background: Pre- and postoperative standing hip-to-ankle radiographs are critical for monitoring potential postoperative growth arrest and resultant deformities after pediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Purpose: To determine the prevalence of apparent preoperative leg-length discrepancies (LLDs) that resolve at the first postoperative radiographic examination in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction in order to understand what proportion of the noted preoperative deformities may have been inaccurate. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected preoperative and first postoperative full-length hip-to-ankle radiographs was performed in a cohort of skeletally immature patients who had an acute ACL injury and underwent subsequent surgical reconstruction. Leg length measurements for both the injured and the uninjured legs were obtained for comparison. Results: A total of 112 patients (mean age, 12.7 ± 1.7 years) were included (79 boys and 33 girls). Leg-length measurement interrater reliability among 3 raters for 25 randomly chosen images was nearly perfect (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.996; 95% CI, 0.994-0.998). At baseline, there was no apparent preoperative LLD (<5 mm) in 48% (n = 54) of participants, while 37% (n = 41) displayed a small apparent LLD (5 to <10 mm), 12% (n = 13) displayed a moderate apparent LLD (10 to <15 mm), and 4% (n = 4) displayed a large apparent LLD (≥15 mm). Of the patients with an apparent preoperative LLD, 66% (n = 38) of them tore their ACL on the leg measuring shorter. At first postoperative radiographs, 48% (n = 28) of patients with an apparent preoperative LLD showed resolution to no LLD: 46% (n = 19) of patients with a small apparent preoperative LLD, 54% (n = 7) of patients with a moderate apparent LLD, and 50% (n = 2) of patients with a large apparent LLD. Conclusion: A high percentage of patients (48%) with apparent preoperative LLDs showed resolution to no LLDs by their first postoperative imaging, indicating that preoperative hip-to-ankle radiographs display some false LLDs in patients with recent ACL tears who are unable to fully extend their injured leg and bear weight.

Download Full-text

Equivalent Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores 12 and 24 Months After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Results From the Swedish National Knee Ligament Register

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546517702871 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 45 (9) ◽

pp. 2085-2091 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Kristian Samuelsson ◽

Robert A. Magnussen ◽

Eduard Alentorn-Geli ◽

Ferid Krupic ◽

Kurt P. Spindler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Acl Reconstruction ◽

Knee Injury ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Knee Ligament ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Background: It is not clear whether Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) results will be different 1 or 2 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Purpose: To investigate within individual patients enrolled in the Swedish National Knee Ligament Register whether there is equivalence between KOOS at 1 and 2 years after primary ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: This cohort study was based on data from the Swedish National Knee Ligament Register during the period January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2013. The longitudinal KOOS values for each individual at the 1- and 2-year follow-up evaluations were assessed through the two one-sided test (TOST) procedure with an acceptance criterion of 4. Subset analysis was performed with patients classified by sex, age, graft type, and type of injury (meniscal and/or cartilage injury). Results: A total of 23,952 patients were eligible for analysis after exclusion criteria were applied (10,116 women, 42.2%; 13,836 men, 57.8%). The largest age group was between 16 and 20 years of age (n = 6599; 27.6%). The most common ACL graft was hamstring tendon (n = 22,504; 94.0%), of which the combination of semitendinosus and gracilis was the most common. A total of 7119 patients reported on the KOOS Pain domain at both 1- and 2-year follow-ups, with a mean difference of 0.21 (13.1 SD, 0.16 SE [90% CI, −0.05 to 0.46], P < .001). The same results were found for the other KOOS subscales: symptoms (mean difference −0.54, 14.1 SD, 0.17 SE [90% CI, −0.81 to −0.26], P < .001), activities of daily living (mean difference 0.45, 10.8 SD, 0.13 SE [90% CI, 0.24 to 0.66], P < .001), sports and recreation (mean difference −0.35, 22.7 SD, 0.27 SE [90% CI, −0.79 to 0.09], P < .001), quality of life (mean difference −0.92, 20.0 SD, 0.24 SE [90% CI, −1.31 to −0.53], P < .001), and the combined KOOS-4 score (mean difference −0.41, 14.5 SD, 0.17 SE [90% CI, −0.70 to −0.13], P < .001). Analyses within specific subsets of patients showed equivalent results between the 2 follow-up evaluations. Conclusion: Equivalent results within patients were found in KOOS values at 1- and 2-year follow-ups after ACL reconstruction. The finding was consistent across all KOOS subscales and for all evaluated subsets of patients. This result implies that there is no additional value in capturing both 1- and 2-year KOOS outcomes after ACL reconstruction. However, these findings of equivalence at 1- and 2-year endpoints do not alleviate the need for longer follow-up periods.

Download Full-text

Return to Play After Patellar Tendon Autograft for Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Rugby Players

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/23259671211000460 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 232596712110004

Author(s):

Eoghan T. Hurley ◽

Dan Withers ◽

Enda King ◽

Andrew Franklyn-Miller ◽

Mark Jackson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Acl Reconstruction ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Return To Sport ◽

Return To Play ◽

Rate Of Return ◽

Anterior Cruciate ◽

Rugby Players ◽

Mean Time

Background: There is scant literature on outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in rugby players, and no prior study has evaluated the outcomes of bone–patellar tendon–bone (BTB) autograft ACL reconstruction. Purpose: To assess the rate of return to play, the timing of that return, and the subsequent graft reinjury rate among rugby players after ACL reconstruction with BTB autograft. Methods: The ACL registry at a single hospital was screened for professional and amateur rugby players who had undergone a primary ACL reconstruction with BTB autograft. Professional rugby players were those playing for one of the professional provincial teams in Ireland. Outcomes were analyzed for the rate and timing of return to play, functional outcomes, and subsequent graft ruptures. Additionally, outcomes were compared between professional and amateur athletes. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Results: A total of 126 patients with 24 months of follow-up were enrolled. The overall rate of return to play was 84.9%, with 75.4% returning to the same level of play; 8.7% of patients did not return to play secondary to non–knee-related issues. The mean time to return was 10.9 ± 4.9 months. Among professional rugby players, 93.3% were able to return at a mean time of 9.7 ± 4.4 months; 80% returned to the same level. The mean Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Return to Sport after Injury score was 78.4 ± 20.2, the Cincinnati knee score was 92.5 ± 8.0, the International Knee Documentation Committee score was 88.2 ± 8.1, and the Marx score was 9.7 ± 5.3. Two patients sustained a subsequent rerupture of the reconstructed ACL, and 4 players sustained a contralateral ACL injury within the follow-up interval of 2 years. Conclusion: Rugby players receiving BTB ACL reconstruction demonstrated good clinical outcomes with a high rate of return to sport, with the majority returning before 12 months. The rate of a subsequent ACL injury was low among the authors’ cohort at short-term follow-up.

Download Full-text

Patient Participation During Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Improves Comprehension, Satisfaction, and Functional Outcomes: A Simple Way to Improve Our Practices

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967119841089 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 232596711984108 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Louis Courtot ◽

Fabrice Ferre ◽

Nicolas Reina ◽

Vincent Marot ◽

Philippe Chiron ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Acl Reconstruction ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Group Versus ◽

Return To Sport ◽

Standard Group ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

The Mean ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Background: It is estimated that 28% of patients are dissatisfied after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, in part because they do not understand the procedure well enough. Purpose: To assess the postoperative comprehension, satisfaction, and functional outcomes of 2 patient groups: 1 undergoing a standard surgical procedure (standard group) and 1 involved in their surgery (participation group). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Over a 4-month period, 62 patients were included: 31 in the standard group and 31 in the participation group. The preoperative information, surgical technique, anesthesia, and postoperative course were identical in both groups. Patients in the participation group were allowed to watch the arthroscopic portion of their surgery live on a video screen, and standardized information was given to these patients during the arthroscopic phase. Self-administered questionnaires were given to assess comprehension (Matava score), satisfaction (visual analog scale [VAS] for satisfaction, Net Promoter Score [NPS], and Evaluation du Vécu de l’Anesthésie LocoRégionale [EVAN-LR]), and outcomes (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] form and Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Return to Sport after Injury [ACL-RSI] scale) between groups. Results: Postoperative comprehension was significantly improved in the participation group, as the Matava score increased by a mean of 7.1 ± 5.3 points versus 2.7 ± 5.6 points in the standard group ( P = .0024). The mean VAS satisfaction score immediately after surgery was 9.8 ± 0.6 in the participation group versus 8.9 ± 1.9 in the standard group ( P = .0033); this difference was still present at 1 year postoperatively (9.8 ± 0.6 vs 9.1 ± 1.7, respectively; P = .0145). The NPS was 96.8% in the participation group versus 64.5% in the standard group ( P = .0057) in the immediate postoperative period and 100.0% in the participation group versus 71.0% in the standard group at 1 year postoperatively ( P = .0046). The mean total EVAN-LR score was 89.1 ± 6.5 in the participation group and 84.6 ± 9.9 in the standard group ( P = .0416). At 1 year postoperatively, the mean IKDC score was 86.0 ± 7.5 in the participation group versus 80.0 ± 7.4 in the standard group ( P = .0023). The mean ACL-RSI score was 80.9 ± 7.7 in the participation group versus 74.3 ± 8.4 in the standard group ( P = .0019). Conclusion: Involving patients in their ACL reconstruction surgery improves their understanding of the procedure and their satisfaction with their care, which results in better outcomes at 1 year postoperatively.

Download Full-text

Progression of the Psychological ACL-RSI Score and Return to Sport After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Prospective 2-Year Follow-up Study From the French Prospective Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Cohort Study (FAST)

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967118812819 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (12) ◽

pp. 232596711881281 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Mansour Sadeqi ◽

Shahnaz Klouche ◽

Yoann Bohu ◽

Serge Herman ◽

Nicolas Lefevre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Acl Reconstruction ◽

Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Return To Sport ◽

Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Background: Successful return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction requires optimal physical and psychological recovery. The main validated tool to quantify a patient’s psychological readiness to return to sport after this surgery is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale. Purpose: The primary aim was to analyze the progression of the ACL-RSI score from preoperatively to 2-year follow-up. A secondary goal was to identify the factors associated with returning to the same preinjury sport. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: This prospective study included athletes older than 16 years in all sports and levels of play who underwent primary and revision isolated ACL reconstruction from 2012 to 2015 and responded to all study questionnaires at 2-year follow-up. The primary outcome was the ACL-RSI score obtained preoperatively and at 4-month, 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up. The secondary outcomes were return to sport (running and the same preinjury sport) and various functional scores. The optimal threshold value of the ACL-RSI score for returning to the same preinjury sport was determined with the receiver operating characteristic curve. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify other factors associated with returning to the same sport at 2-year follow-up. Results: A total of 681 patients were analyzed (467 men, 214 women; mean age, 30.2 ± 9.5 years); 298 (43.8%) patients were professional or competitive athletes. The ACL-RSI score improved significantly over time: 41.3 ± 25.4 preoperatively, 55.1 ± 21.3 at 4 months, 58.3 ± 22.3 at 6 months, 64.7 ± 24.2 at 1 year, and 65.2 ± 25.3 at 2 years ( P < .00001). At 2-year follow-up, 74.9% of patients had returned to running and 58.4% to their same preinjury sport. The ACL-RSI score was significantly higher in patients who had returned to sport and in those who returned to the same level of play or higher ( P < .00001). The optimal ACL-RSI score threshold to return to the same sport at 2-year follow-up was ≥65. Multivariate analysis showed that the predictive factors of returning to the same preinjury sport at 2-year follow-up were primary reconstruction, professional or competitive level of play, an ACL-RSI score ≥60 at 6-month follow-up, and the absence of postoperative complications. Conclusion: The psychological ACL-RSI score improved regularly after ACL reconstruction and was strongly and significantly associated with return to sport. Registration: NCT02511158 ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier)

Download Full-text

Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Outcomes at a Minimum of 5-Year Follow-Up: A Systematic Review

The Journal of Knee Surgery ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1641137 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (03) ◽

pp. 218-221 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Lea Johnson ◽

Robert Brophy ◽

Ljiljana Bogunovic ◽

Matthew Matava ◽

Matthew Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Acl Reconstruction ◽

Patient Reported Outcomes ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Revision Acl Reconstruction ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Anterior Cruciate

AbstractRevision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction typically has worse outcomes than primary reconstructions. Minimal long-term data exist regarding 5-year results. We chose to perform a systematic review to evaluate midterm (5-year) revision ACL reconstruction outcomes (patient-reported outcomes, reoperation, stability, arthritis) in comparison to primary ACL reconstructions at similar time points. Embase, Cochrane, and PubMed databases were queried, and four studies met the inclusion criteria. Two authors reviewed and performed data extraction. All were level 4 studies. Review of the studies demonstrated that results at 5 years are consistently worse than those noted in primary reconstructions for objective and patient-reported outcomes. Revision ACL reconstruction outcomes remain worse than primary reconstructions at midterm 5-year follow-up. The level of evidence is 4.

Download Full-text

Return to sport outcomes in the younger patient with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967117s00173 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (5_suppl5) ◽

pp. 2325967117S0017

Author(s):

TS Whitehead ◽

JA Feller ◽

KE Webster

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Acl Reconstruction ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Return To Sport ◽

Acl Injury ◽

Younger Patients ◽

Reconstruction Surgery ◽

Anterior Cruciate ◽

Work Commitments

Objective: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is generally regarded as a successful procedure, however only 65% of patients return to their pre-injury sport. While return to sport rates are likely higher in younger patients, there is a paucity of data on this topic. The purpose of this study was to investigate a range of return to sport outcomes in younger athletes who had undergone ACL reconstruction surgery. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study design. A group of 140 young patients (<20 years at surgery) who had one ACL reconstruction and no subsequent ACL injuries were surveyed regarding details of their sport participation at an average follow up of 5 years (range 3-7). Results: Overall, 76% of the young patient group returned to the same pre-injury sport. Return rates were higher for males than females (81% vs. 71% respectively, p>0.05). Of those who returned to their sport, 65% reported that they could perform as well as before the ACL injury and 66% were still currently playing in their respective sport. Young athletes who never returned to sport cited fear of a new injury (37%) or study/work commitments (30%) as the primary reasons. For those who had successfully returned to their pre-injury sport but subsequently stopped playing, the most common reason was study/work commitments (53%). At follow-up 48% of female patients were still participating in Level I sports as were 54% of males. Conclusions: A high percentage of younger patients return to their pre-injury sport following ACL reconstruction surgery. For this group who have not sustained a second ACL injury, the majority continue to play and are satisfied with their performance.

Download Full-text

Injury-Related Fears During the Return-to-Sport Phase of ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967120909385 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 232596712090938

Author(s):

Adam Meierbachtol ◽

Michael Obermeier ◽

William Yungtum ◽

John Bottoms ◽

Eric Paur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Training Program ◽

Sport Participation ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Case Series ◽

Return To Sport ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Sport Training ◽

Anterior Cruciate ◽

The Individual

Background: Fear of reinjury is common after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and often deters a return to preinjury sport participation. A better understanding of injury-related fear is needed to inform rehabilitation strategies. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to (1) identify individual fear-evoking tasks or situations, (2) compare the intensity and amount of change relative to other injury-related fears (reinjury, knee giving way, and knee pain) after completion of a return-to-sport training program, and (3) determine whether standardized questionnaires can identify the intensity of fear for the individual fear-evoking task or situation and for fear of reinjury. The hypothesis was that the task or situation that evokes fear would vary across patients and the intensity of that fear would be higher and show less change after return-to-sport training compared with other injury-related fears. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Participants included 33 patients (15 males; mean age, 18 years) with ACLR who enrolled in a group-format return-to-sport training program. Questionnaires completed before and after return-to-sport training included items to specify fear-evoking tasks or situations, items to rate the intensity of various injury-related fears, the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Return to Sport after Injury scale (ACL-RSI), and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-11). Results: The most common fear-evoking task or situation was cutting, followed by contact, jumping, and other. Intensity of fear-evoking task or situation was higher than other injury-related fears, but all fears decreased in intensity after training. The ACL-RSI score better identified the intensity of fear for the individual fear-evoking task or situation and for fear of reinjury than did the TSK-11 score. Conclusion: Activities that evoke fear vary across patients, but fear of cutting is common. The intensity of common fears after ACLR decreased after advanced group training, and large effect sizes were seen for nearly all examined fears. Fear of reinjury and intensity of individually feared tasks may be better reflected in the ACL-RSI score than the TSK-11 score.

Download Full-text

Lateral location of the tibial tunnel increases lateral meniscal extrusion after anatomical single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Journal of ISAKOS Joint Disorders & Orthopaedic Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/jisakos-2019-000303 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (6) ◽

pp. 285-289

Author(s):

Takeshi Oshima ◽

Samuel Grasso ◽

Aaron Beach ◽

Brett Fritsch ◽

David A Parker

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Acl Reconstruction ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Tibial Tunnel ◽

Case Series ◽

Single Bundle ◽

Characteristic Analysis ◽

Meniscal Extrusion ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Anterior Cruciate

IntroductionThe tibial footprint of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) overlaps with the anterior lateral meniscal root (ALMR), and there is a possibility that an anatomical tibial tunnel reaming might damage the attachment of ALMR. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between tibial tunnel location and lateral meniscal extrusion (LME) after anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction.MethodsA prospectively collected database and associated intraoperative findings for 153 patients undergoing primary anatomical ACL reconstruction between October 2014 and July 2016 were investigated. Those cases with no meniscal injury seen at surgery and meeting the criteria (52/153) were included. Tibial plateau length (TPL), width (TPW), tibial tunnel location and LME were evaluated from postoperative high-resolution MRI. The location of the centre of the tibial tunnel was evaluated by the position relative to the medial tibial eminence with two measures, the medial–lateral distance (MLD) and anterior–posterior distance. These measures were expressed as a percentage of the TPW and TPL, respectively. The LME was also expressed as a percentage of TPW and correlated with tibial tunnel location.ResultsThere was a positive correlation between percentage of LME (%LME) and percentage of MLD (%MLD) (r=0.478; p<0.001). Applying receiver operating characteristic analysis, we determined that a cut-off value of 4 %MLD was significant. The mean percentage of LME was 1.20 for >4 %MLD, compared with 0.17 for ≤4 %MLD (p<0.001). No significant correlation was found between %LME and clinical outcomes at 1-year follow-up.ConclusionLateral location of the tibial tunnel increases the rate of LME after single-bundle ACL reconstruction.Level of evidenceLevel IV, Case series.

Download Full-text