MRI findings of acute anterior instability of the knee in the absence of recent trauma

2021 ◽  
pp. 028418512110359
Author(s):  
Michail E Klontzas ◽  
Evangelia E Vassalou ◽  
Apostolos H Karantanas

Background Anterior knee instability is usually encountered in the context of trauma, with the clinical examination and imaging focusing on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) disruption. Limited data exist on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of acute anterior knee instability in the absence of recent trauma. Purpose To provide the first comprehensive account of MRI findings in acute anterior knee laxity in the absence of acute trauma and to evaluate predictors of ACL integrity and pain. Material and Methods A total of 84 consecutive patients with non-traumatic knee instability were prospectively studied. Instability was assessed with Lachman’s, pivot shift, and Lelli’s tests. MRI findings were recorded, and ACL integrity was surgically confirmed in all 24 cases of MRI suggesting tear and in 21/60 cases of MRI suggesting no tear. Binary logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of ACL tears and pain, and Mann–Whitney U test served for comparisons between continuous variables. The study was approved by the institutional review board. Results Osteoarthritis and notch bony outgrowth (NBO) were present in 44% and 42.9% of all knees, respectively. NBO did not correlate with osteoarthritis ( P = 0.606). NBO (odds ratio [OR] = 4.157; P = 0.016) and ACL grafts (OR = 9.277; P = 0.01) predisposed to non-traumatic ACL tears (torn in 28.6% of total cases). Presence of osteoarthritis was predictive of pain (OR = 17.671; P < 0.001). Conclusion We present a comprehensive analysis of MRI findings in clinically significant non-traumatic anterior instability, showing that NBO and ACL grafts predispose in non-traumatic ACL tears, whereas osteoarthritis is the only predictor of pain.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5_suppl4) ◽  
pp. 2325967120S0030
Author(s):  
Lena Alm ◽  
Matthias Krause ◽  
Karl-Heinz Frosch ◽  
Ralph Akoto

Aims and Objectives: While patients following primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery show satisfying results, the outcome after revision ACL reconstruction (ACLR) seems to be less favourable. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients after revision ACLR. We hypothesize that peripheral knee instabilities and further concomitant lesions are risk factors for failure of revision ACLR. Furthermore, we hypothesize that peripheral stabilisation will reduce the risk of failure. Materials and Methods: Between 2013 and 2016, 111 patients with revision ACLR (revision surgery after primary ACL reconstruction) were included in the retrospective study. All patients were clinically examined with a minimum of 2 years after revision surgery (mean 35 months) and identified as “failed revision ACLR” (side-to-side difference greater than 5mm and/or pivot-shift grade 2/3) and “stable revision ACLR”. Multiple logistic regression modeling was used to evaluate whether certain predisposing factors were associated with increased odds of failure of the revision ACLR. Results: Failure after revision ACLR occurred in 14.5% (n=16) of the cases. Preoperative medial knee instability (n=36) was associated with failure of revision ACLR, thus patients had a 17 times greater risk of failure when medial knee instability was diagnosed preoperatively. Also, the risk of failure was reduced when patients had peripheral medial (n=24) and/ or antero-lateral stabilisation (n=51). Increased posterior tibial slope (PTS, n=11 greater than 12°) and high-grade anterior knee laxity (side-to-side-difference greater than 5 mm and/or pivot-shift grade 3, n=41) were associated with failed revision ACLR. Furthermore, patients had a 9 times greater risk of failure when they were obese (BMI greater than 30 kg/m2, n=30). Also, postoperative functional scores in comparison to preoperative scores were shown to be significantly higher (Lysholm 85±27 vs. 51±31.9, p=0.024; Tegner 6.5± 1.3 vs. 4± 2.6, p=0.015). Conclusion: Results following revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are less favourable than primary ACLR. Peripheral medial knee instability, high-grade anterior knee laxity, increased PTS and high BMI are risk factors for failure in revision ACLR while additional medial and/or antero-lateral stabilisation reduces the risk of failure.


2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652199967
Author(s):  
Kadir Büyükdoğan ◽  
Michael S. Laidlaw ◽  
Michael A. Fox ◽  
Michelle E. Kew ◽  
Mark D. Miller

Background: It remains unclear if use of the lateral meniscus anterior horn (LMAH) as a landmark will produce consistent tunnel positions in the anteroposterior (AP) distance across the tibial plateau. Purpose: To evaluate the AP location of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction tibial tunnels utilizing the LMAH as an intra-articular landmark and to examine how tunnel placement affects knee stability and clinical outcomes. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 98 patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction with quadrupled hamstring tendon autografts between March 2013 and June 2017. Patients with unilateral ACL injuries and a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included in the study. All guide pins for the tibial tunnel were placed using the posterior border of the LMAH as an intra-articular landmark. Guide pins were evaluated with the Bernard-Hertel grid in the femur and the Stäubli-Rauschning method in the tibia. Patients were divided by the radiographic location of the articular entry point of the guide pin with relation to the anterior 40% of the tibial plateau. Outcomes were evaluated by the Marx Activity Scale and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form. Anterior knee laxity was evaluated using a KT-1000 arthrometer and graded with the objective portion of the IKDC form. Rotational stability was evaluated using the pivot-shift test. Results: A total of 60 patients were available for follow-up at a mean 28.6 months. The overall percentage of AP placement of the tibial tunnel was 39.3% ± 3.8% (mean ± SD; range, 31%-47%). Side-to-side difference of anterior knee laxity was significantly lower in the anterior group than the posterior group (1.2 ± 1.1 mm vs 2.5 ± 1.3 mm; P < .001; r = 0.51). The percentage of AP placement of the tibial tunnel demonstrated a positive medium correlation with side-to-side difference of anterior knee laxity as measured by a KT-1000 arthrometer ( r = 0.430; P < .001). The anterior group reported significantly better distribution of IKDC grading as compared with the posterior group (26 grade A and 6 grade B vs 15 grade A and 13 grade B; P = .043; V = 0.297). The pivot-shift test results and outcome scores showed no significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: Using the posterior border of the LMAH as an intraoperative landmark yields a wide range of tibial tunnel locations along the tibial plateau, with anterior placement of the tibial tunnel leading toward improved anterior knee stability.


Author(s):  
Hsiu-Chen Lin ◽  
Weng-Hang Lai ◽  
Chia-Ming Chang ◽  
Horng-Chaung Hsu

Female athletes are more likely to sustain an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury than male athletes. Previous study has showed that female individuals had larger anterior knee laxity than their male counterparts [1]. Researchers have also reported that knee laxity and hyperextension knee were a possible factor contributing to ACL injury [2]. Loudon showed that a person with hyperextension knee, either healthy or ACL-injured, had poorer proprioceptive control. Even more, ACL-injured subjects with hyperextension knee demonstrated a declined function of proprioception feedback loop and the ability to initiate protective reflexes [3].


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 232596711986300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate E. Webster ◽  
Julian A. Feller

Background: Younger athletes have high rates of second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Return-to-sport criteria have been proposed to enable athletes to make a safe return, but they frequently lack validation. It is unclear whether commonly recorded clinical measures can help to identify high-risk athletes. Purpose: To explore the association between commonly recorded clinical outcome measures and second ACL injury in a young, active patient group. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Included in this study were 329 athletes (200 males, 129 females) younger than 20 years at the time of first primary ACL reconstruction surgery who had subsequently returned to sport participation. Clinical examination included range of knee motion (passive flexion and extension deficits), instrumented anterior knee laxity, and single- and triple-crossover hop for distance. Patients also completed the subjective International Knee Documentation Committee form. All measures were collected prospectively at a 12-month postoperative clinical review. Patients were evaluated for a minimum 3 years to determine the incidence of subsequent ACL injury. Results: A total of 95 patients (29%) sustained a second ACL injury following clinical assessment and return to sport. There were 50 graft ruptures and 45 contralateral ACL injuries. Patients with a flexion deficit of 5° had over 2 times the odds of sustaining a graft rupture (odds ratio, 2.3; P < .05), and patients with a side-to-side difference in anterior knee laxity of 3 mm or greater had over 2 times the odds of sustaining a contralateral ACL injury (odds ratio, 2.4; P < .05). Overall, 29% (94 of 329) of patients met the threshold for satisfactory function on all 6 clinical measures; these patients had a 33% reduction in the risk of sustaining a second ACL injury ( P = .05) as compared with those who did not meet all clinical thresholds. Conclusion: Clinical measures of knee flexion and stability may have utility to screen for and identify patients who are at greater risk for a second ACL injury in an already high-risk group (ie, age and activity level).


2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 460-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsin-Min Wang ◽  
Sandra J. Shultz ◽  
Randy J. Schmitz

Context: Greater anterior knee laxity (AKL) has been identified as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk factor. The structural factors that contribute to greater AKL are not fully understood but may include the ACL and bone geometry. Objective: To determine the relationship of ACL width and femoral notch angle to AKL. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Controlled laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Twenty recreationally active females (age = 21.2 ± 3.1 years, height = 1.66.1 ± 7.3 cm, mass = 66.5 ± 12.0 kg). Main Outcome Measure(s): Anterior cruciate ligament width and femoral notch angle were obtained with magnetic resonance imaging of the knee and AKL was assessed. Anterior cruciate ligament width was measured as the width of a line that transected the ACL and was drawn perpendicular to the Blumensaat line. Femoral notch angle was formed by the intersection of the line parallel to the posterior cortex of the femur and the Blumensaat line. Anterior knee laxity was the anterior displacement of the tibia relative to the femur (mm) at 130 N of an applied force. Ten participants' magnetic resonance imaging data were assessed on 2 occasions to establish intratester reliability and precision. Using stepwise backward linear regression, we examined the extent to which ACL width, femoral notch angle, and weight were associated with AKL. Results: Strong measurement consistency and precision (intraclass correlation coefficient [2,1] ± SEM) were established for ACL width (0.98 ± 0.3 mm) and femoral notch angle (0.97° ± 1.1°). The regression demonstrated that ACL width (5.9 ± 1.4 mm) was negatively associated with AKL (7.2 ± 2.0 mm; R2 = 0.22, P = .04). Femoral notch angle and weight were not retained in the final model. Conclusions: A narrower ACL was associated with greater AKL. This finding may inform the development of ACL injury-prevention programs that include components designed to increase ACL size or strength (or both). Future authors should establish which other factors contribute to greater AKL in order to best inform injury-prevention efforts.


Author(s):  
Andrew Froehle ◽  
Joseph Cox ◽  
Jedediah May ◽  
Kimberly Grannis ◽  
Dana Duren

Female athletes suffer painful, costly, and career-limiting non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries more often than males. Previous research suggests that pubertal neuromusculoskeletal development contributes to this sex-bias, but the manner in which variation in pubertal development affects injury risk within females is poorly understood. Age at menarche is a variable, significant pubertal developmental event, signaling the onset of estrogen cycling and affecting musculoskeletal development. Earlier menarche may increase injury risk, possibly by increasing anterior knee laxity through prolonged estrogen exposure. The purpose of this case-control study was to test the primary hypothesis that collegiate athletes with previous ACL injuries have earlier age at menarche than their uninjured peers, and to test the secondary hypothesis that earlier menarche is related to greater anterior knee laxity in injured and uninjured athletes. The study sample consisted of female NCAA Division-I varsity athletes (N=14 injured, N=120 uninjured). Outcome measures included: menstrual history and ACL injury details (injury age, activity at time of injury, contact vs. non-contact), assessed by questionnaire; and anterior knee laxity assessed by KT-1000 arthrometer. Correlation, t-tests, and regression analysis were used to test for associations between age at menarche, injury incidence, and knee laxity. Fourteen athletes reported ≥1 non-contact ACL injury, and had significantly earlier menarche than uninjured athletes (12.6±1.3 y vs. 13.4±1.4 y; P=0.05). Earlier menarche also significantly predicted injury status (Wald c2=7.43; Pb=-1.02±0.37; OR=0.36; 95% CI:0.17-0.75), but was not correlated with anterior knee laxity. Within injured athletes, however, laxity in the unaffected knee was significantly related to time since menarche (r2=0.79, Pr2=0.72, P


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (14) ◽  
pp. 3478-3485
Author(s):  
Ralph Akoto ◽  
Lena Alm ◽  
Tobias Claus Drenck ◽  
Jannik Frings ◽  
Matthias Krause ◽  
...  

Background: Both an elevated posterior tibial slope (PTS) and high-grade anterior knee laxity are often present in patients who undergo revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery, and these conditions are independent risk factors for ACL graft failure. Clinical data on slope-correction osteotomy combined with lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) do not yet exist. Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of patients undergoing revision ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and slope-correction osteotomy combined with LET. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Between 2016 and 2018, we performed a 2-stage procedure: slope-correction osteotomy was performed first, and then revision ACLR in combination with LET was performed in 22 patients with ACLR failure and high-grade anterior knee laxity. Twenty patients (6 women and 14 men; mean age, 27.8 ± 8.6 years; range, 18-49 years) were evaluated, with a mean follow-up of 30.5 ± 9.3 months (range, 24-56 months), in this retrospective case series. Postoperative failure was defined as a side-to-side difference of ≥5 mm in the Rolimeter test and a pivot-shift grade of 2 or 3. Results: The PTS decreased from 15.3° to 8.9°, the side-to-side difference decreased from 7.2 to 1.1 mm, and the pivot shift was no longer evident in any of the patients. No patients exhibited revision ACLR failure and all patients showed good to excellent postoperative functional scores (mean ± SD: visual analog scale, 0.5 ± 0.6; Tegner, 6.1 ± 0.9; Lysholm, 90.9 ± 6.4; Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS] Symptoms, 95.2 ± 8.4; KOOS Pain, 94.7 ± 5.2; KOOS Activities of Daily Living, 98.5 ± 3.2; KOOS Function in Sport and Recreation, 86.8 ± 12.4; and KOOS Quality of Life, 65.4 ± 14.9). Conclusion: Slope-correction osteotomy in combination with LET is a safe and reliable procedure in patients with high-grade anterior knee laxity and a PTS of ≥12°. Normal knee joint stability was restored and good to excellent functional scores were achieved after a follow-up of at least 2 years.


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