Biomechanical and Histopathological Analysis on Different Approaches for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 609-614
Author(s):  
Li Shu ◽  
Hao Chai ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Rongxin Sun ◽  
Kan Jiang

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the common injuries in sports and vehicle accidents. ACL decreases joint stability, leading to increased incidence of osteoarthritis. Although there are various approaches for the reconstruction of ACL, no consensus has been reached on the safest and most effective method to achieve joint stability. Here we have compared the biomechanical and histopathological outcomes of three different approaches: intra-articular ACL reconstruction, remnant-preserving and re-tensioning and non-remnant-preservation technique, using finite element analysis, histopathologic observation as well as qPCR and western blot analysis. Results of the current study showed no significant differences among the three methods concerning biomechanical, histopathological analysis and mRNA and protein levels of chondrocyte apoptotic markers such as JNK, MMP-1 and SIRT1 (P > 0 05). Those results indicated that remnant preservation techniques such as intra-articular ACL reconstruction and remnant-preserving and re-tensioning are similar in their ability to achieve joint stabilization and prevent chondrocyte regeneration to non-remnantpreservation technique.

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 897-906
Author(s):  
XiaoChen Ju ◽  
Hao Chai ◽  
Sasirekha Krishnan ◽  
Abinaya Jaisankar ◽  
Murugan Ramalingam ◽  
...  

Acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a key structure that stabilizes knee joints. The objective of this research is to investigate the influence of ligament remnants preserved on the tendon-bone healing following ACL reconstruction and to examine postoperative articular cartilage degeneration in rabbit as a model animal. Sixty New Zealand rabbits are randomly divided into an ACL reconstruction without remnant preservation group (Group A; n = 30) or ACL reconstruction with remnant preservation group (Group B; n = 30). The expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and micro vessel density (MVD) in the transplanted tendon was detected by immunohistochemical staining at week 6 and 12 after the operation. The signal intensity of the transplanted tendon was observed by MRI scanning, and the width of the bone tunnel was measured by CT scanning at week 6 and 12 after the operation. The graft biomechanics was tested 12 weeks after the operation. The JNK and MMP-13 expression levels were compared to analyze the cartilage degeneration of the knee at week 12 after the operation. The experimental results were analyzed and showed that the remnant-preserving ACL reconstruction is beneficial for bone healing of the tendon in rabbits, but ACL reconstruction with or without ligament remnants preserved will not affect knee articular cartilage degeneration post-surgery.


Author(s):  
Ritwik Ganguli ◽  
Swagatam Jash

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is one of the most common procedures in orthopaedics. Orthopaedic surgery is vastly evolving to give better functional outcome. Apart from stability, proprioception, ligament healing are important factors for return to sports. The presence of remnant containing mechanoreceptors and free neural endings can help reinnervate the ACL auto graft. Aims and objectives were to evaluate clinical outcomes in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with remnant preservation.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: One hundred and six patients who underwent ACL reconstruction between April 2014 and March 2020. Among these 80 patients underwent remnant preservation. Analysis is done based on international knee documentation committee score (IKDC), modified Cincinnati knee rating system (MCKRS) and Tegner-Lysholm scoring system. Other factors are Lachman test, pivot shift test, return to sports and graft rupture rate.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Lachman test became negative in 98% at 12 weeks and in all the patients at 24 months post-operatively. 74 patients (92.5%) among 80 patients develop full range of knee movement after ACL surgery. Post-operative scores are 95, 93, and 92 respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Remnant preserving ACL reconstruction having excellent clinical outcome with good knee stability, early return to sports activities and no incidence of graft rupture in our series.</p>


2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 1708-1716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsuneari Takahashi ◽  
Eiji Kondo ◽  
Kazunori Yasuda ◽  
Shin Miyatake ◽  
Yasuyuki Kawaguchi ◽  
...  

Background: There is controversy regarding the efficacy of remnant tissue preservation on graft healing in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Hypothesis: The preserved remnant tissue will (1) adhere to the graft surface and undergo a remodeling process, (2) accelerate graft revascularization, (3) increase the number of graft mechanoreceptors by 4 weeks, and (4) improve anteroposterior knee laxity and structural properties of the graft by 12 weeks. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Forty-two sheep were randomly divided into 2 groups of 21 animals. In group I, the ACL was completely removed. In group II, the ACL was transected at the midsubstance but not debrided. ACL reconstruction was performed using a semitendinosus tendon autograft in both groups. Histological changes of the grafted tendon and the remnant tissue were evaluated at 4 and 12 weeks after surgery. Biomechanically, anterior translation and knee joint stiffness under an anterior drawer force and the structural properties of the femur-graft-tibia complex were evaluated. Results: The preserved remnant tissue was histologically distinct from the graft at 4 weeks, while the tissue partially adhered to the graft surface at 12 weeks. The ACL remnant tissue significantly accelerated revascularization in the grafted tendon at 4 weeks and significantly increased the number of mechanoreceptors at 4 and 12 weeks. In addition, remnant preservation significantly improved anterior translation (9.3 ± 2.1 mm and 5.4 ± 1.7 mm at 60° of knee flexion in groups I and II, respectively) and knee joint stiffness at 12 weeks. However, there were no significant differences in the structural properties between the 2 groups at 4 and 12 weeks after surgery. Conclusion: Preservation of the ACL remnant tissue in ACL reconstruction enhanced cell proliferation, revascularization, and regeneration of proprioceptive organs in the reconstructed ACL and reduced anterior translation. However, remnant preservation did not improve the structural properties of the graft. Clinical Relevance: These results imply that preservation of the ACL remnant tissue may improve graft healing after ACL reconstruction.


2022 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 230949902110733
Author(s):  
Dong Won Suh ◽  
Woo Jin Yeo ◽  
Seung Beom Han ◽  
Sang-Yeon So ◽  
Bong Soo Kyung

Background Many studies exist about remnant preservation in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, concern remains for development of a cyclops lesion during remnant preservation. To prevent this, a tensioning method has been suggested. Current study evaluated the clinical and radiologic results of remnant preservation in ACL reconstruction with tensioning compared to classical ACL reconstruction. Methods From January 2016 to June 2017, ACL reconstruction patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 2 years postoperatively were enrolled. For comparison, all participants were divided in two groups: remnant preservation with tensioning (group R) and controls (group C). Clinically, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm scores, and incidence of symptomatic cyclops lesions were evaluated. Radiologically, signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) and size of the synovium on MRI as well as anterior instability in Telos stress radiographs were evaluated. Results A total of 64 patients were enrolled (42 in group R and 22 in group C). The IKDC score in group R (70) was better than that in group C (62; p < 0.05). One patient in group R had a cyclops lesion with clinical symptoms and arthroscopic excision was recommended. Radiologically, the SNQ, synovium area, and anterior instability on Telos radiography showed no difference between the two groups. Conclusion Remnant preservation with tensioning is a good option for ACL reconstruction without the development of a cyclops lesion.


Author(s):  
Willem M.P. Heijboer ◽  
Mathijs A.M. Suijkerbuijk ◽  
Belle L. van Meer ◽  
Eric W.P. Bakker ◽  
Duncan E. Meuffels

AbstractMultiple studies found hamstring tendon (HT) autograft diameter to be a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction failure. This study aimed to determine which preoperative measurements are associated with HT autograft diameter in ACL reconstruction by directly comparing patient characteristics and cross-sectional area (CSA) measurement of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendon on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fifty-three patients with a primary ACL reconstruction with a four-stranded HT autograft were included in this study. Preoperatively we recorded length, weight, thigh circumference, gender, age, preinjury Tegner activity score, and CSA of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendon on MRI. Total CSA on MRI, weight, height, gender, and thigh circumference were all significantly correlated with HT autograft diameter (p < 0.05). A multiple linear regression model with CSA measurement of the HTs on MRI, weight, and height showed the most explained variance of HT autograft diameter (adjusted R 2 = 44%). A regression equation was derived for an estimation of the expected intraoperative HT autograft diameter: 1.2508 + 0.0400 × total CSA (mm2) + 0.0100 × weight (kg) + 0.0296 × length (cm). The Bland and Altman analysis indicated a 95% limit of agreement of ± 1.14 mm and an error correlation of r = 0.47. Smaller CSA of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendon on MRI, shorter stature, lower weight, smaller thigh circumference, and female gender are associated with a smaller four-stranded HT autograft diameter in ACL reconstruction. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the combination of MRI CSA measurement, weight, and height is the strongest predictor.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 232596712098164
Author(s):  
Steven F. DeFroda ◽  
Devan D. Patel ◽  
John Milner ◽  
Daniel S. Yang ◽  
Brett D. Owens

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in National Basketball Association (NBA) players can have a significant impact on player longevity and performance. Current literature reports a high rate of return to play, but there are limited data on performance after ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Purpose/Hypothesis: To determine return to play and player performance in the first and second seasons after ACLR in NBA players. We hypothesized that players would return at a high rate. However, we also hypothesized that performance in the first season after ACLR would be worse as compared with the preinjury performance, with a return to baseline by postoperative year 2. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: An online database of NBA athlete injuries between 2010 and 2019 was queried using the term ACL reconstruction. For the included players, the following data were recorded: name; age at injury; position; height, weight, and body mass index; handedness; NBA experience; dates of injury, surgery, and return; knee affected; and postoperative seasons played. Regular season statistics for 1 preinjury season and 2 postoperative seasons were compiled and included games started and played, minutes played, and player efficiency rating. Kaplan-Meier survivorship plots were computed for athlete return-to-play and retirement endpoints. Results: A total of 26 athletes underwent ACLR; of these, 84% (95% CI, 63.9%-95.5%) returned to play at a mean 372.5 days (95% CI, 323.5-421.5 days) after surgery. Career length after injury was a mean of 3.36 seasons (95% CI, 2.27-4.45 seasons). Factors that contributed to an increased probability of return to play included younger age at injury (odds ratio, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.47-0.92]; P = .0337) and fewer years of experience in the NBA before injury (odds ratio, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.45-0.93]; P = .0335). Postoperatively, athletes played a significantly lower percentage of total games in the first season (48.4%; P = .0004) and second season (62.1%; P = .0067) as compared with the preinjury season (78.5%). Player efficiency rating in the first season was 19.3% less than that in the preinjury season ( P = .0056). Performance in the second postoperative season was not significantly different versus preinjury. Conclusion: NBA players have a high rate of RTP after ACLR. However, it may take longer than a single season for elite NBA athletes to return to their full preinjury performance. Younger players and those with less NBA experience returned at higher rates.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967121S0010
Author(s):  
Brett Heldt ◽  
Elsayed Attia ◽  
Raymond Guo ◽  
Indranil Kushare ◽  
Theodore Shybut

Background: Acute anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) rupture is associated with a significant incidence of concomitant meniscal and chondral injuries. However, to our knowledge, the incidence of these concomitant injuries in skeletally immature(SI) versus skeletally mature(SM) patients has not been directly compared. SI patients are a unique subset of ACL patients because surgical considerations are different, and subsequent re-tear rates are high. However, it is unclear if the rates and types of meniscal and chondral injuries differ. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare associated meniscal and chondral injury patterns between SI and SM patients under age 21, treated with ACL reconstruction for an acute ACL tear. We hypothesized that no significant differences would be seen. Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective review of primary ACL reconstructions performed from January 2012 to April 2020. Patients were stratified by skeletal maturity status based on a review of records and imaging. Demographic data was recorded, including age, sex, and BMI. Associated intra-articular meniscal injury, including laterality, location, configuration, and treatment were determined. Articular cartilage injury location, grade, and treatments were determined. Revision rates, non-ACL reoperation rates, and time to surgery were also compared between the two groups. Results: 785 SM and 208 SI patients met inclusion criteria. Mean BMI and mean age were significantly different between groups. Meniscal tear rates were significantly greater in SM versus SI patients in medial meniscus tears(P<.001), medial posterior horn tears(P=.001), medial longitudinal tears configuration(P=.007), lateral Radial configuration(P=.002), and lateral complex tears(P=.011). Medial repairs(P<.001) and lateral partial meniscectomies(P=.004) were more likely in the SM group. There was a significantly greater number of chondral injuries in the SM versus SI groups in the Lateral(p=.007) and medial compartments(P<.001). SM patients had a significantly increased number of outerbridge grade 1 and 2 in the Lateral(P<.001) and Medial Compartments(P=.013). ACL revisions(P=.019) and Non-ACL reoperations(P=.002) were significantly greater in the SI patients compared to SM. No other significant differences were noted. Conclusion: SM ACL injured patients have a significantly higher rate of medial meniscus tears and medial longitudinal configurations treated with repair, and a significantly higher rate of radial and/or complex lateral meniscus tears treated with partial meniscectomy compared to the SI group. We also found a significantly higher rate of both medial and lateral compartment chondral injuries, mainly grades 1 and 2, in SM compared to SI patients. Conversely, SI ACL reconstruction patients had higher revision and subsequent non-ACL surgery rates.


2021 ◽  
pp. 155633162199200
Author(s):  
Ravi Gupta ◽  
Anil Kapoor ◽  
Sourabh Khatri ◽  
Dinesh Sandal ◽  
Gladson David Masih

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)–deficient knee is seen in approximately 50% of affected patients. Possible causes include biochemical or biomechanical changes. Purpose: We sought to study the correlation between inflammatory cytokines and chondral damage in ACL-deficient knees. Methods: Seventy-six male patients who underwent ACL reconstruction were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Synovial fluid was aspirated before surgery and analyzed for levels of the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1 (IL-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). At the time of ACL reconstruction, the severity of chondral damage was documented as described by the Outerbridge classification. Results: Patients with grade 2 or higher chondral damage were observed to have elevated IL-6 levels when compared to patients who had no chondral damage. Interleukin-6 levels had no correlation with the duration of injury. Conclusion: Elevated levels of IL-6 in synovial fluid were associated with chondral damage in ACL-deficient knees. Further study is warranted to determine whether inflammatory cytokines contribute to the development of OA of the knee after ACL injury.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
Cristina Bobes Álvarez ◽  
Paloma Issa-Khozouz Santamaría ◽  
Rubén Fernández-Matías ◽  
Daniel Pecos-Martín ◽  
Alexander Achalandabaso-Ochoa ◽  
...  

Patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis (KOA) have been shown to have quadriceps muscle weakness and/or atrophy in common. The physiological mechanisms of blood flow restriction (BFR) training could facilitate muscle hypertrophy. The purpose of this systematic review is to investigate the effects of BFR training on quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA), pain perception, function and quality of life on these patients compared to a non-BFR training. A literature research was performed using Web of Science, PEDro, Scopus, MEDLINE, Dialnet, CINAHL and The Cochrane Library databases. The main inclusion criteria were that papers were English or Spanish language reports of randomized controlled trials involving patients with ACL reconstruction or suffering from KOA. The initial research identified 159 publications from all databases; 10 articles were finally included. The search was conducted from April to June 2020. Four of these studies found a significant improvement in strength. A significant increase in CSA was found in two studies. Pain significantly improved in four studies and only one study showed a significant improvement in functionality/quality of life. Low-load training with BFR may be an effective option treatment for increasing quadriceps strength and CSA, but more research is needed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (7_suppl4) ◽  
pp. 2325967118S0013
Author(s):  
Neil Kumar ◽  
Tiahna Spencer ◽  
Edward Hochman ◽  
Mark P. Cote ◽  
Robert A. Arciero ◽  
...  

Objectives: Meniscal injuries are commonly observed with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency. A subset of these injuries includes tears of the medial meniscus at the posterior meniscocapsular junction, or ramp lesions. Biomechanical studies have indicated that ramp injuries may compromise anterior stability of the knee, even after ACL reconstruction (ACLR). These lesions are not consistently diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). One criterion that shows promise is the presence of posterior medial tibial plateau (PMTP) edema. A correlation of PMTP edema and peripheral posterior horn medial meniscal injuries has been observed in the literature. We evaluated a consecutive series of patients who underwent ACLR for incidence of ramp tears. These patients were then compared to patients with non-ramp (meniscal body) medial meniscal tears. The utility of PMTP edema on preoperative MRI for ramp tear diagnosis was then determined. Methods: A retrospective chart review via an institutional database search identified 892 patients who underwent ACLR by one of two senior authors (R.A.A., C.E.) between January 2006 and June 2016. Operative notes identified patients diagnosed arthroscopically with medial meniscal lesions, including ramp lesions. Arthroscopic identification was the gold standard for diagnosis of both ramp and non-ramp (meniscal body) tears. Demographic information such as age, sex, laterality, mechanism of injury (contact/noncontact), sport, revision procedure, multi-ligament procedure, time to MRI, and time to surgery were recorded. Patients without available operative records were excluded. Preoperative MRIs were obtained for all patients and reviewed by an orthopaedic sports medicine fellow for PMTP edema. Axial, coronal, and sagittal T2 and proton-density sequences were utilized. A MRI was considered positive if edema was detected in 2 different planes of sequences. Differences between groups were analyzed with two-sample t test or Chi square test Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models analyzed the relationships among patient factors, MRI findings, and ramp lesions. Results: 852 patients met the inclusion criteria for analysis. 307 patients were diagnosed with medial meniscal tear at the time of ACLR, 127 of which were ramp lesions. The overall incidence of ramp tear was 14.9% and consisted of 41.4% of all medial meniscal tears. Patients with ramp tears were mean 7.5 years younger than patients with meniscal body tears ( p<0.01). There was no difference between the groups in regard to mechanism of injury, revision surgery, or multi-ligamentous injury. Patients with delayed ACLR were at 3.3x greater odds ( p<0.01) of having meniscal body tear compared to ramp lesion. MRI was available for review in 178 patients, 97 of whom had positive MRI for PMTP edema. Sensitivity and specificity of PMTP edema for ramp tear was 66.3% and 55.1%, respectively. Of patients with PMTP edema, 54.6% had ramp lesions and 45.4% had non-ramp tears ( p<0.01). Patients with preoperative MRI positive for PMTP edema were at 2.1 times greater odds ( p<0.01) of having sustained a ramp tear compared to a meniscal body tear. Conclusion: The incidence of ramp tear was 14.9% and was more prevalent in younger patients. Delayed ACLR resulted in 3.3x greater odds of meniscal body tears compared to ramp tears. Patients with PMTP edema on preoperative MRI were at 2.1x greater odds to have ramp lesions compared to a meniscal body tears at the time of ACL reconstruction.


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