Are Articular Cartilage Lesions and Meniscus Tears Predictive of IKDC, KOOS, and Marx Activity Level Outcomes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?

Abstract Background When discussing potential treatment with patients choosing to undergo surgery for disruption of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and their families, surgeons spend considerable time discussing expectations of the short- and long-term health of the knee. Most of the research examining patient expectations in orthopedic surgery has focused largely on arthroplasty. Questions/Purposes The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess the differences between the patient’s and the surgeon’s expectations before primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Methods In this case series, we prospectively enrolled 93 patients scheduled for primary ACLR between 2011 and 2014. Expectations were measured using the Hospital for Special Surgery 23-item Knee Expectations Survey; scores were calculated for each subject. Results In all but six categories, patients had expectations that either aligned with their surgeons’ or were lower. The largest discordance between surgeon and patient expectations in which the patient had lower expectations was employment; 75% of patients had similar expectations to the surgeon when asked if the knee would be “back to the way it was before the problem started,” less than 1% had higher expectations, and 17% had lower expectations. Conclusion In general, patient expectations align well with surgeon expectations. Patients who are older, have a lower activity level, and who have selected allograft over autograft for ACLR could also be at risk for greater discordance. Understanding these differences, and their predictors, will help guide physicians when they are counseling patients about ACLR and also help them interact with patients after surgery as they assess outcomes.

Download Full-text

Improvements in Thigh Strength Symmetry Are Modestly Correlated With Changes in Self-Reported Function After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967118807459 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (11) ◽

pp. 232596711880745 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kristy A. Pottkotter ◽

Stephanie L. Di Stasi ◽

Laura C. Schmitt ◽

Robert A. Magnussen ◽

Mark V. Paterno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Rank Order ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Activity Level ◽

Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Anterior Cruciate ◽

The Relationship ◽

Time Point

Background: The association between quadriceps strength and functional outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a focus of current research, while evaluations of hamstring strength are limited, despite the frequent use of hamstring autografts. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between changes in quadriceps and hamstring strength symmetry and self-reported outcomes before ACLR and at 12 and 24 weeks after surgery. We hypothesized that improvements in quadriceps and hamstring strength symmetry would be correlated with improvements in self-reported outcome measures within the first 6 months after ACLR. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Thirty patients who underwent ACLR with a hamstring autograft were enrolled. Quadriceps and hamstring strength and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) values were assessed before and at 12 and 24 weeks after ACLR; limb symmetry indexes for strength were calculated at each time point. The Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to analyze changes in KOOS values over time. Spearman rank-order correlations were used to test the relationship between changes in strength and KOOS values between each time point. Results: Hamstring and quadriceps limb symmetry significantly increased with time ( P ≤ .03). Fair correlations were observed between changes in the hamstring index and changes in the KOOS Symptoms subscore from before surgery to 12 weeks postoperatively ( r = 0.48; P ≤ .05). Changes in the quadriceps index (QI) were moderately correlated with changes in the KOOS Sport/Recreation subscore ( r = 0.60; P = .001), and fair correlations were seen between the QI and the KOOS Quality of Life subscore ( r = 0.39; P ≤ .04) from preoperatively to 12 weeks after surgery. Moderate correlations were seen between the QI and the KOOS Sport/Recreation subscore ( r = 0.57; P = .005) from 12 to 24 weeks after surgery. Conclusion: Improvements in quadriceps and hamstring strength symmetry were modestly associated with improvements in athletes’ perceived function in the first 6 months after ACLR. Specifically, improvements in hamstring symmetry were associated with improvements in knee symptoms within the first 12 weeks postoperatively, while improvements in quadriceps symmetry were associated with improvements in self-reported sport function throughout the first 6 months after ACLR. The restoration of strength symmetry within the first 6 months may be a critical component of rehabilitation aimed at maximizing function after ACLR. Further investigation is warranted to comprehensively evaluate whether the timing of strength gains predicts future function, including those who successfully return to their preinjury activity level after ACLR.

Download Full-text

Septic arthritis of the knee following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Orthopedic Reviews ◽

10.4081/or.2009.e3 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 3 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Matjaz Sajovic ◽

Gorazd Lesnicar ◽

Mojca Z. Dernovsek

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Septic Arthritis ◽

Range Of Motion ◽

Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Case Series ◽

Activity Level ◽

Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Septic arthritis of the knee is a rare complication after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and the most appropriate treatment is unclear. All case series reported so far have been retrospective, and case numbers of septic arthritis have ranged from 4 to 11. From a consecutive case series of 1,283 patients who underwent arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction between January 1997 and May 2008, we report on 3 patients (0.23%) with post-operative septic arthritis. All patients had acute infection (≤ 2 weeks), bacterial cultures showed Staphylococcus species in 2 patients, while the bacterial culture was negative in the third. All of them underwent immediate arthroscopic debridement and lavage with continuous irrigation, as well as antibiotic treatment. The results were evaluated with physical and radiographic examination, functional testing, KT-2000, Lysholm and Tegner scales. The infection was successfully eradicated without further surgical treatment and the ligament graft was retained in all patients. Follow-up, at an average of 33 months, revealed that the patients had full symmetric knee range of motion and no effusion. The average Lysholm score was 91 points. In the patient with a lower subjective score, radiographs demonstrated patellofemoral joint-space narrowing, which is most probably in correlation with his anterior knee pain problems and lower activity level. The 134 N KT-2000 arthrometer side-to-side differences averaged 13 mm. Their performance in the single-legged hop test gave excellent results. The goals of treatment for septic arthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction are, primarily, to protect the articular cartilage and, secondly, to protect the graft. Through early diagnosis and prompt treatment, the infection can be successfully eradicated, with stability of the knee and full range of motion achieved.

Download Full-text