Return to Sport after ACL Surgery: A Comparison between Two Different Reconstructive Techniques

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (06) ◽  
pp. 513-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Baldassarri ◽  
Luca Perazzo ◽  
Diego Ghinelli ◽  
Marco Ricciarelli ◽  
Federico Pilla ◽  
...  

AbstractThe anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has become a very common surgical procedure. One of the main success indicators of the surgical procedure is the return to preinjury sporting level. In recent years, reconstructive techniques have been geared toward less morbidity and optimized ligaments process to speed up the recovery of sports activity. This study compares clinical and imaging data, to evaluate the timing of return to sport, of two populations undergoing ACLR using two different techniques: ACLR with hamstring maintaining tibial insertion (MHG) and an all-inside technique with complete hamstring detachment (DHG). Patients were clinically evaluated with Marx rating scale, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, and Tegner activity scale at a minimum follow-up (FU) of 4 years. The two groups have homogeneous characteristics: age, sex, type, and level of sports activity. Since November 2012, 59 patients with unilateral ACL insufficiency underwent ACLR: 31 patients using the MHG technique and 28 patients using the DHG technique. In both groups, a significant improvement in the clinical scores of the administered tests was observed. The MHG group reported a higher percentage of normal knees (83.8%) compared with the DHG group (78.6%). IKDC subjective score improved at each FU. Comparing the two techniques, at 12 months' FU the MHG group achieved better IKDC results (89.6) compared with the DHG technique (84.2). Marx and Tegner score values improved over time reaching comparable results at final FU. At final FU, 98% of patients returned to the same preinjury professional sporting level. Both techniques have been able to provide good clinical results. The MHG group, however, had a resumption of sports activity of the same level and intensity slightly longer (6.3 months) than that in the DHG group (5.9 months). Furthermore, the resumption of training and athletic gestures for the type of sport practiced was earlier than the DHG group. However, in the long run the level of sporting activity leveled in both groups, demonstrating the effectiveness of both techniques.

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre Filipe Santos-Magalhaes ◽  
Karen Hambly

Context:The assessment of physical activity and return to sport and exercise activities is an important component in the overall evaluation of outcome after autologous cartilage implantation (ACI).Objective:To identify the patient-report instruments that are commonly used in the evaluation of physical activity and return to sport after ACI and provide a critical analysis of these instruments from a rehabilitative perspective.Evidence Acquisition:A computerized search was performed in January 2013 and repeated in March 2013. Criteria for inclusion required that studies (1) be written in English and published between 1994 and 2013; (2) be clinical studies where knee ACI cartilage repair was the primary treatment, or comparison studies between ACI and other techniques or between different ACI generations; (3) report postoperative physical activity and sport participation outcomes results, and (4) have evidence level of I–III.Evidence Synthesis:Twenty-six studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Three physical activity scales were identified: the Tegner Activity Scale, Modified Baecke Questionnaire, and Activity Rating Scale. Five knee-specific instruments were identified: the Lysholm Knee Function Scale, International Knee Documentation Committee Score Subjective Form, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Modified Cincinnati Knee Score, and Stanmore-Bentley Functional Score.Conclusions:Considerable heterogeneity exists in the reporting of physical activity and sports participation after ACI. Current instruments do not fulfill the rehabilitative needs in the evaluation of physical activity and sports participation. The validated instruments fail in the assessment of frequency, intensity, and duration of sports participation.


2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 1692-1698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Stengel ◽  
Dirk Casper ◽  
Kai Bauwens ◽  
Axel Ekkernkamp ◽  
Michael Wich

Background Biodegradable cross-pins have been shown to provide higher failure loads than do screws for fixation of hamstring tendons under laboratory conditions. Purpose To compare the clinical results of biodegradable pins (RigidFix) and interference screws (BioCryl) for fixation of hamstring grafts in arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Study Design Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods To test the hypothesis of a difference of 1.0 ± 1.2 mm in anterior knee laxity between the two fixation options, 54 patients were randomly assigned to groups via a block randomization scheme and sealed envelopes. All patients underwent standardized hamstring graft reconstruction and had similar postoperative aftercare by an accelerated rehabilitation protocol. Measures assessed at baseline and after 1 and 2 years of follow-up included (1) the side-to-side difference in anterior laxity (KT-1000 arthrometer), (2) Short Form 36 physical and mental component scores, and (3) the International Knee Documentation Committee form scores. Results After 1 and 2 years, 26 and 21 patients in the BioCryl group and 28 and 24 patients in the RigidFix group were available for follow-up examination. No significant difference was noted in instrumented anterior translation between BioCryl and RigidFix fixation: 1 year, 0.11 (95% CI, —0.60 to 0.82; P = .7537); 2 years, 0.33 (95% CI, —0.43 to 1.08 mm; P = .3849). Also, there were no significant differences in the mean physical and mental component scores and International Knee Documentation Committee form scores and in overall complication and surgical revision rates. A pin dislocation was classified as the sole procedure-specific serious adverse event. Conclusion Bioresorbable pins do not provide better clinical results than do resorbable interference screws for hamstring graft fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 232596712110213
Author(s):  
Julian A. Feller ◽  
Brian M. Devitt ◽  
Kate E. Webster ◽  
Haydn J. Klemm

Background: Lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) has been used to augment primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction to reduce the risk of reinjury. Most LET procedures result in a construct that is fixed to both the femur and the tibia. In a modified Ellison procedure, the construct is only fixed distally, reducing the risk of inadvertently overconstraining the lateral compartment. Purpose: To evaluate the use of the modified Ellison procedure in a cohort of patients deemed to be at a high risk of further ACL injury after primary ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Included were 25 consecutive patients with at least 2 of the following risk factors: age <20 years at the time of surgery, previous contralateral ACL reconstruction, positive family history of ACL rupture (parent or sibling), generalized ligamentous laxity (Beighton ≥4), grade 3 pivot shift in the consulting room, a desire to return to a pivoting sport, and an elite or professional status. All patients underwent primary ACL reconstruction with an additional modified Ellison procedure. Postoperatively, patients completed the IKDC subjective knee evaluation form (International Knee Documentation Committee), KOOS Quality of Life subscale (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score), ACL–Return to Sport After Injury Scale, Marx Activity Rating Scale, and SANE score (Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation). Results: At 12-month follow-up, the mean outcome scores were as follows: SANE, 94/100; IKDC, 92/100; Marx, 13/16; ACL–Return to Sport, 85/100; and KOOS, 77/100. At 24 months, return-to-sport data were available for 23 of 25 patients; 17 (74%) were playing at the same level or higher than preinjury and 2 at a lower level. One patient (4%) sustained a contact mechanism graft rupture at 12 months. There were 2 (9%) contralateral ACL injuries, including 1 ACL graft rupture, at 11 and 22 months postoperatively. There was a further contralateral ACL graft rupture at 26 months. Conclusion: The use of the modified Ellison procedure as a LET augmentation of a primary ACL reconstruction to produce a low graft rupture rate appeared to be safe in a cohort considered to be at a high risk of reinjury. The procedure showed promise in terms of reducing further graft injuries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 232596712110525
Author(s):  
Samuel C. Barnett ◽  
Martha M. Murray ◽  
Gary J. Badger ◽  
Yi-Meng Yen ◽  
Dennis E. Kramer ◽  
...  

Background: Bridge-enhanced anterior cruciate ligament repair (BEAR) has noninferior patient-reported outcomes when compared with autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) at 2 years. However, the comparison of BEAR and autograft ACLR at earlier time points—including important outcomes such as resolution of knee pain and symptoms, recovery of strength, and return to sport—has not yet been reported. Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that the BEAR group would have higher outcomes on the International Knee Documentation Committee and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, as well as improved muscle strength, in the early postoperative period. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: A total of 100 patients aged 13 to 35 years with complete midsubstance anterior cruciate ligament injuries were randomized to receive a suture repair augmented with an extracellular matrix implant (n = 65) or an autograft ACLR (n = 35). Outcomes were assessed at time points up to 2 years postoperatively. Mixed-model repeated-measures analyses were used to compare BEAR and ACLR outcomes. Patients were unblinded after their 2-year visit. Results: Repeated-measures testing revealed a significant effect of group on the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Score ( P = .015), most pronounced at 6 months after surgery (BEAR = 86 points vs ACLR = 78 points; P = .001). There was a significant effect of group on the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Symptoms subscale scores ( P = .010), largely attributed to the higher BEAR scores at the 1-year postoperative time point (88 vs 82; P = .009). The effect of group on hamstring strength was significant in the repeated-measures analysis ( P < .001), as well as at all postoperative time points ( P < .001 for all comparisons). At 1 year after surgery, approximately 88% of the patients in the BEAR group and 76% of the ACLR group had been cleared for return to sport ( P = .261). Conclusion: Patients undergoing the BEAR procedure had earlier resolution of symptoms and increased satisfaction about their knee function, as well as improved resolution of hamstring muscle strength throughout the 2-year follow-up period. Registration: NCT02664545 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier)


Author(s):  
Joshua S Everhart ◽  
Alex C DiBartola ◽  
Christian Blough ◽  
Steven E Schiele ◽  
Kristie M Harris ◽  
...  

Abstract Context: It is unknown how specific coping strategies are associated with the short-term outcomes among athletes following knee surgery. Objective: 1) To determine whether specific coping strategies are associated with satisfaction, return to sport, self-reported knee function, or kinesiophobia following sports-related knee surgery. 2) To determine whether these associations vary by age, sex, or surgical procedure. Study design: Case series. Methods: Athletes (n=184 total; n=104 men, n=80 women; n=38 age &lt;20 years, n=35 age 20–25, n=36 age 26–31, n=36 age 32–40, n=39 age &gt;40) who underwent outpatient knee surgery were enrolled from a single center. Utilization of specific coping strategies (self-distraction, use of emotional or instrumental support, venting, positive reframing, and acceptance) was assessed pre-operatively with the Brief-COPE inventory. Relationship between coping strategies and post-operative satisfaction, return to sport, International Knee Documentation Committee-subjective (IKDC-S) and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia scores at median 10.7 months follow-up were determined with consideration for age, sex, and surgical procedure. Results: Return to prior level of sport was 72%, and satisfaction was 86%. Most coping strategies had age-specific utilization rates; positive reframing was utilized least frequently in ages &lt;20 years. Satisfaction increased with greater positive reframing among ages &lt;20 years and decreased with greater self-distraction among men. Return to sport was higher with greater positive reframing in ages &lt;32 years. No coping strategies predicted IKDC-S scores. Greater positive reframing correlated with lower kinesiophobia in ages &lt;20 years. Greater instrumental support correlated with lower kinesiophobia in ages &gt;40 years. No other coping strategies were associated with outcomes. Surgical procedure was not related to association between coping strategies and outcomes. Conclusion: Coping strategies have age-specific associations with outcomes after knee surgery in athletes. Positive reframing is infrequently utilized in younger athletes. Greater use of positive reframing in this group may improve satisfaction, return to sport, and lower fear of re-injury.


Author(s):  
Francesco Dini ◽  
Andrea Tecame ◽  
Aldo Ampollini ◽  
Paolo Adravanti

AbstractAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction represents one of the most successful orthopedic surgical procedures. Nevertheless, ACL revisions are still very frequent, with a small but relevant number of failures. The purpose of this study is to analyze the failure causes and the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent a re-revision ACL reconstruction. Between January 2009 and December 2017, 263 ACL revisions were performed by a single senior surgeon. Seventeen patients (12 males and 5 females) underwent re-revision ACL reconstruction meeting the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 28.4 years (range, 19–41 years). Before the re-revision, the patients were evaluated preoperatively and after a mean follow-up of 29 months (range, 13–58 months). Assessment included subjective and objective evaluations (Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC]), KT-2000 arthrometer, radiographic study, and preoperative computed tomography scan. Five patients showed a too anterior previous femoral tunnel and seven a too vertical and posterior tibial tunnel; eight meniscal tears were found. Five patients had grade III–IV according to Outerbridge cartilage lesions. IKDC showed a statistically significant improvement (A + B 35%, C + D 65% preop, A + B 82%, C + D 18% postop, odds ratio: 0.1169; p = 0.0083). The mean Lysholm score ranged from 43 ± 9 to 87 ± 7 (p < 0.001). The KT-2000 arthrometer showed a statistically significant improvement from a mean of 5.8 ± 1.4 to 1.5 ± 1.1 (p < 0.001) at last follow-up. Out of 17 patients, only 4 returned to sports activity at the same preinjury levels. Postoperatively at the last follow-up after last revision surgery, no osteoarthritis evolution was observed. This study showed good clinical and radiological results after the last revision ACL surgery in patients with multiple failures of ACL reconstruction but only one-fourth of the patients returned to the same preoperative sport level. Traumatic events, technical errors, and untreated peripheral lesions are the main causes of multiple previous failures; the worst clinical outcomes were found in the patients with high grade of chondral lesions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian J. Dempsey ◽  
Grant E. Norte ◽  
Matthew Hall ◽  
John Goetschius ◽  
Lindsay V. Slater ◽  
...  

Context: Postoperative rehabilitation is critical to optimize outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). However, the relationship between physical therapy (PT) and clinical outcomes is unclear. Objective: To describe PT characteristics following ACLR and to assess the relationships between PT characteristics, surgical procedure, and clinical outcomes. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Laboratory. Patients (or Other Participants): A total of 60 patients (31 females/29 males, age = 22.4 [9.2] y, height = 171.7 [9.9] cm, and mass = 70.2 [14.7] kg) with a history of primary unilateral ACLR (53.6% patellar tendon and 46.4% hamstring) participated. Intervention(s): Patients completed a performance assessment and rated subjective knee function prior to physician clearance (mean = 6.3 [1.3] mo postoperatively) and were contacted within 6 months of clearance to complete a PT questionnaire. Main Outcome Measures: PT questionnaire item response, knee extension maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque, peak isokinetic knee extension torque, single leg hop distance, and International Knee Documentation Committee were measured. Correlations assessed relationships between PT quantity and clinical outcomes. Independent t tests compared PT quantity and clinical outcomes based on return-to-sport status, readiness to return to sport, and surgical procedure. Results: Patients completed regular PT (2 d/wk, 25 wk, 58 visits) and were most likely to conclude when discharged by the therapist (68.3%). More than half (56.7%) returned to sport, yet most (73.3%) felt unready at discharge. Isokinetic torque was correlated with days of PT/week (r = .29, P = .03). Isokinetic torque and hop symmetry were reduced in patients who returned to sport (P < .05). Patients who felt ready to return completed fewer weeks of PT (P < .05). Patients with a patellar tendon graft completed more days of PT/week and total visits, but demonstrated lower MVIC torque, MVIC symmetry, and isokinetic symmetry (P < .05). Conclusions: Many patients felt unready to return to sport at PT discharge. PT frequency was associated with isokinetic torque, yet this relationship was small. Outcomes were reduced in patients who returned to sport, suggesting premature resumption of preinjury activity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967120S0018
Author(s):  
Christin M. Zwolski ◽  
Laura C. Schmitt ◽  
Staci Thomas ◽  
Mark V. Paterno

Background: Incidence of second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury among the population of young athletes is reported to be as high as 30%. Time between ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and return to sport (RTS) has been considered as a factor in second injury risk. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of time between ACLR and RTS on incidence of 2nd ACL injury. The tested hypothesis was that incidence of 2nd ACL injury among young athletes would not be influenced by time to RTS or patient-reported function following primary ACLR. Methods: 188 participants (mean age=16.8±3.0 years; 124 females) underwent ACLR, completed rehabilitation, and were medically cleared to RTS. Subjects were enrolled in the study within 4 weeks of their medical clearance to RTS. At this time, each subject completed the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Survey, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and was grouped into an early RTS group (<6 months post-operative (PO)) (n=19), an average RTS group (6-9 months PO)(n=106), and a late RTS group (≥9 months PO)(n=63). Subjects were then tracked for 24 months to record the incidence of a second ACL injury to either the involved limb or contralateral limb. One-way ANOVA was used to identify differences in demographics and patient-reported outcomes among the groups. Crude incidence of 2nd ACL injury was identified within each group and chi-squared analyses were used to determine the difference in proportion of 2nd ACL injuries between groups. Results: No significant differences in age (p=0.40), height (p=0.65) or weight (p=0.92) existed among the groups. At time of RTS, no differences between the early RTS, average RTS and late RTS groups were seen in patient-reported function on the IKDC (84.9±10.8, 90.5±9.5, 88.7±10.9; p= 0.08) and all KOOS subscales (p=0.05-0.41). With respect to 2nd ACL injury, there were no group differences (p=0.716) in the proportion of patients within each group who suffered a 2nd ACL injury within 24 months of RTS date (26.3% (5/19) of patients in the early RTS group, 18.9% (20/106) in the average RTS group and 22.2% (14/63) in the late RTS group). Conclusion: In accordance with our hypothesis, length of time between ACLR and RTS had no influence on incidence of second ACL injury among a population of young athletes after ACLR. Furthermore, patient-reported function at time of RTS was similar among groups, regardless of time between ACLR and RTS.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (7_suppl5) ◽  
pp. 2325967119S0035
Author(s):  
Jacob John Capin ◽  
Mathew Failla ◽  
Angela H. Smith ◽  
Ryan Zarzycki ◽  
Celeste Dix ◽  
...  

Objectives: Outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are not uniformly acceptable and are worse among young female athletes. Developing better rehabilitation and return-to-sport (RTS) training programs and evaluating their outcomes are essential. The purposes of this study were to: 1) Test the effect of strength, agility, plyometric, and secondary prevention (SAPP) exercises with and without perturbation training (SAPP+PERT) on strength, hops, functional outcomes, activity levels, and RTS rates in young female athletes 1 and 2 years after ACLR; and 2) Compare 2-year functional outcomes and activity levels among young female athletes in the ACL-SPORTS trial to homogeneous cohorts who completed criterion-based post-operative rehabilitation alone (MOON) and in combination with extended pre-operative rehabilitation (DE-Oslo). We hypothesized that SAPP+PERT would result in superior outcomes compared to SAPP alone; and female athletes who structured completed post-operative RTS training, compared to those who did not, would have higher functional outcomes. Methods: Aim 1 is a randomized control trial (NCT01773317) while aim 2 is a cohort study. For aim 1, we enrolled 39 female athletes, based on power calculations described previously. Athletes were enrolled 3-9 months after primary ACLR when they achieved impairment resolution. Participants were randomized to 10 SAPP or SAPP+PERT sessions (˜2x/week) and tested 1 and 2 years after ACLR on quadriceps strength, 4 hop tests, functional outcome measures, and RTS rates. We used 2x2 mixed-model ANOVA to test aim 1 (α = 0.05). Secondary to no group differences, we collapsed across SAPP and SAPP+PERT for aim 2. We applied inclusion/exclusion criteria and constrained sex (female) and age (13 to < 25 years) to compare these athletes who received post-operative RTS training (ACL-SPORTS) to homogeneous subsets who completed criterion-based post-operative rehabilitation alone (MOON) and combined with extended pre-operative rehabilitation (DE-Oslo) on 2-yr outcomes: the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation Form (IKDC), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Marx Activity Rating Scale. We tested aim 2 using 3-way ANOVA and Chi-Square test of proportions to compare the proportion of individuals in each group who met the Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) thresholds. Results: There were no significant or clinically meaningful differences between SAPP and SAPP+PERT; groups were collapsed for comparison to the other cohorts. ACL-SPORTS had the highest scores on every outcome (Table 1). A higher proportion of ACL-SPORTS achieved the PASS thresholds for the IKDC, KOOS Activities of Daily Living, and KOOS Sport and Recreation (Fig 1, p ≤ .01). Conclusion: Our 1st hypothesis, that the addition of perturbation training would result in superior clinical and functional outcomes, was not supported. Our 2nd hypothesis, that a structured RTS training program would improve outcomes over existing cohorts, was supported. Post-operative RTS training incorporating strengthening, agilities, and plyometrics but not necessarily perturbation training, may improve functional outcomes and activity levels among young female athletes after ACLR. We provide a prototype for RTS training that would be feasible to implement into group or non-clinical environments. Future RCTs should assess the comparative effectiveness of RTS training in various settings. [Table: see text][Figure: see text][Figure: see text][Figure: see text]


Author(s):  
Jayson Lian ◽  
João Victor Novaretti ◽  
Neel K Patel ◽  
Adam C Popchak ◽  
Ryosuke Kuroda ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThe purpose of this investigation was to identify clinical and demographic variables that may predict compliance, defined as patient follow-up at 1-year and 2-year postoperative appointments, after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).MethodsA total of 107 patients undergoing primary ACLR across four centres were prospectively followed for 2 years. Demographic and clinical data were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively, including patient-reported outcomes such as the Marx Activity Rating Scale, Cincinnati Occupational Rating Scale (CORS), International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation Form and Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADLS). Compliance was retrospectively defined using the presence or lack of outcome measures at 1-year and 2-year postoperative visits. Univariate analysis was done to compare demographic and clinical variables between compliant and non-compliant patients at 1-year and 2-year follow-up. Significant variables were entered into a logistic regression model. Significance was set at p<0.05.ResultsThe overall rate of compliance at 1-year and 2-year postoperative appointments was 83.2% (89/107) and 57.0% (61/107), respectively. Regression analysis showed that residence in Kobe, Japan compared with Pittsburgh, USA (OR 10.28; 95% CI 1.0003 to 105.28), and ‘very strenuous’ (OR 16.74; 95% CI 3.21 to 87.43) and ‘strenuous’ (OR 18.78; 95% CI 2.01 to 175.78) preinjury activity level were independent factors associated with compliance at 1-year follow-up. At 2 years follow-up, younger age (OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.91 to 0.997), and greater preoperative score on CORS (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.06) and on ADLS (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07) were independently associated with compliance.ConclusionWhile patients with greater level of strenuous activity were more likely to follow-up after ACL surgery at 1 year, patients who were younger and had higher preoperative function measured by CORS and ADLS were more likely to follow-up at 2 years. Differences in follow-up rates among the USA, Italy, Sweden and Japan may highlight important cultural, socioeconomic and infrastructural differences across international healthcare systems. Orthopaedic surgeons may consider the results of this study during preoperative discussion with their patients and design of future ACL clinical research trials.Level of evidenceLevel III, prospective cohort.


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