Is Remnant Preservation Truly Beneficial to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Healing? Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluations of Remnant-Preserved Reconstruction

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 1049-1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuya Naraoka ◽  
Yuka Kimura ◽  
Eiichi Tsuda ◽  
Yuji Yamamoto ◽  
Yasuyuki Ishibashi

Background: Remnant-preserved anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction was introduced to improve clinical outcomes and biological healing. However, the effects of remnant preservation and the influence of the delay from injury until reconstruction on the outcomes of this technique are still uncertain. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purposes of this study were to evaluate whether remnant preservation improved the clinical outcomes and graft incorporation of ACL reconstruction and to examine the influence of the delay between ACL injury and reconstruction on the usefulness of remnant preservation. We hypothesized that remnant preservation improves clinical results and accelerates graft incorporation and that its effect is dependent on the delay between ACL injury and reconstruction. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 151 consecutive patients who underwent double-bundle ACL reconstruction using a semitendinosus graft were enrolled in this study: 74 knees underwent ACL reconstruction without a remnant (or the remnant was <25% of the intra-articular portion of the graft; NR group), while 77 knees underwent ACL reconstruction with remnant preservation (RP group). These were divided into 4 subgroups based on the time from injury to surgery: phase 1 was <3 weeks (n = 24), phase 2 was 3 to less than 8 weeks (n = 70), phase 3 was 8 to 20 weeks (n = 32), and phase 4 was >20 weeks (n = 25). Clinical measurements, including KT-1000 arthrometer side-to-side anterior tibial translation measurements, were assessed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after reconstruction. Magnetic resonance imaging evaluations of graft maturation and graft-tunnel integration of the anteromedial and posterolateral bundles were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months after reconstruction. Results: There was no difference in side-to-side anterior tibial translation between the NR and RP groups. There was also no difference in graft maturation between the 2 groups. Furthermore, the time from ACL injury until reconstruction did not affect graft maturation, except in the case of very long delays before reconstruction (phase 4). Graft-tunnel integration was significantly increased in both groups in a time-dependent manner. However, there was no difference between the NR and RP groups. Conclusion: Remnant preservation did not improve knee stability at 2 years after ACL reconstruction. Furthermore, remnant preservation did not accelerate graft incorporation, especially during the acute and subacute injury phases.

Author(s):  
Daniel V. Boguszewski ◽  
Jason T. Shearn ◽  
Christopher T. Wagner ◽  
David L. Butler

As many as 250,000 people suffer anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury annually [1]. As the primary ligamentous restraint to anterior tibial translation [2–3], the ACL is surgically reconstructed in an attempt to restore knee stability. However, up to 10–25% of reconstructions still fail [4]. While reconstructions restore antero-posterior kinematics, abnormal kinematics persist in other directions [5], leading to a shift in cartilage contact and poor adaptation to altered load [5]. With or without reconstruction, the likely prognosis after ACL injury is long-term osteoarthritis [6]. Improving this outcome requires assessment of the limitations of ACL graft reconstruction compared to normal ACL forces during simulated activities of daily living (ADLs). Our objective in this study was to evaluate the magnitude and temporal changes in force for the intact versus ACL-reconstructed knee over 2000 cycles of a simulated ADL.


Author(s):  
Georg Mattiassich ◽  
Reinhold Ortmaier ◽  
Harald Kindermann ◽  
Jürgen Barthofer ◽  
Imre Vasvary ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury can lead to reduced function, meniscal lesions, and early joint degeneration. Preservation of a torn ACL using the Internal Brace technique might re-establish normal knee kinematics, avoid donor-site morbidity due to tendon harvesting, and potentially maintain proprioception of the knee. Methods Fifty subjects were recruited for this study between December 2015 and October 2016. Two groups of individuals who sustained a unilateral ACL rupture were included: those who underwent surgery with preservation of the injured ACL (Internal Brace technique; IB) and those who underwent ACL reconstruction using a hamstring tendon graft (all-inside technique; AI). Subjective self-administered scores were used: the German version of the IKDC Subjective Knee Form (International Knee Documentation Committee), the German version of the WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index), SF-36 (short form), the German version of the KOOS (Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score), and the German version of themodified Lysholm Score by Lysholm and Gillquist. Anterior tibial translation was assessed using the KT-1000 Arthrometer (KT-1000 Knee Ligament Arthrometer, MEDmetric Corp., San Diego, CA, USA). Magnetic resonance evaluation was performed in all cases. Results Twenty-three subjects (46 %) were men, and the mean age was 34.7 years. The objective IKDC scores were “normal” in 15 and 14 patients, “nearly normal” in 11 and 7 patients, and “abnormal” in 1 and 2 patients, in the IB and AI groups, respectively. KT-1000 assessment showed a sideto-side difference of more than 3 mm on maximum manual testing in 11 (44 %) and 6 subjects (28.6 %) in the IB and AI groups, respectively. In the postoperative MRI, 20 (74 %) and 22 subjects (96 %) in the IB and AI groups had an intact ACL. Anterior tibial translation was significantly higher in the IB group compared with the AI group in the manual maximum test. Conclusions Preservation of the native ACL with the Internal Brace primary repair technique can achieve comparable results to ACL reconstruction using Hamstring autografts over a short term. Clinically relevant limitations such as a higher incidence of pathologic laxity, with patients more prone to pivot-shift phenomenon were observed during the study period.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuki Asai ◽  
Junsuke Nakase ◽  
Rikuto Yoshimizu ◽  
Mitsuhiro Kimura ◽  
Hiroyuki Tsuchiya

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the excessive anterior tibial translation (ATT) and muscle strength of patients with ramp lesions. We hypothesised that the higher ATT, lower hamstring-to-quadriceps (HQ) ratio, and higher flexion peak torque influenced by semimembranosus would be associated with ramp lesions. Methods One hundred and twenty-one patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical evaluation included ATT of the contralateral uninjured limb measured using a KT-1000 arthrometer, the knee flexor and extensor muscle strength of the contralateral uninjured limb at 60°/s and 180°/s of an angular velocity measured using an isokinetic dynamometer, and HQ ratio at 60°/s and 180°/s during the preoperative state. Binary stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors of ramp lesions. Results Ramp lesions were found in 27 cases of ACL injuries (27/121, 22.3%). Male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.913; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.090–7.787; P = 0.033), longer time between injury to surgery (OR, 2.225; 95% CI, 1.074–4.608; P = 0.031), and higher ATT in the contralateral uninjured limb (OR, 1.502; 95% CI, 1.046–2.159; P = 0.028) were indicated as the independent risk factors of the presence of ramp lesion associated with an ACL injury. Conclusions Male sex, longer period from injury to surgery, and higher ATT in the contralateral uninjured limb were significantly associated with ramp lesion. These findings are advantageous for identifying patients with a greater risk of developing a ramp lesion with an ACL injury in the clinical setting. Level of evidence Level IV


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georg Mattiassich ◽  
Reinhold Ortmaier ◽  
Harald Kindermann ◽  
Jürgen Barthofer ◽  
Imre Vasvary ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury can lead to reduced function, meniscal lesions, and early joint degeneration. Preservation of a torn ACL using the Internal Brace® technique might re-establish normal knee kinematics, avoid donor-site morbidity due to tendon harvesting, and potentially maintain proprioception of the knee. Methods Fifty subjects were recruited for this study between December 2015 and October 2016. Two groups of individuals who sustained unilateral ACL rupture were included: those who underwent surgery with preservation of the injured ACL (Internal Brace® technique; IB) and those who underwent ACL reconstruction using a hamstring tendon graft (all-inside technique; AI). Subjective self-administered scores were used: the German Version of the IKDC Subjective Knee Form (International Knee Documentation Committee), the German Version of the WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index), SF-36 (short form), the German Version of the KOOS (Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score), and the German Version of the modified Lysholm-score by Lysholm and Gillquist. Anterior tibial translation was assessed using the KT-1000 arthrometer® (KT-1000 Knee Ligament Arthrometer, MEDmetric Corp., San Diego, CA, USA). Magnetic resonance evaluation was performed in all cases. Results Twenty-three subjects (46%) were men, and the mean age was 34.7 years. The objective IKDC scores were “normal” in 15 and 14 patients, “nearly normal” in 11 and 7 patients, and “abnormal” in 1 and 2 patients, in the IB and AI groups, respectively. KT-1000 assessment showed a side-to-side difference of more than 3 mm on maximum manual testing in 11 (44%) and 6 subjects (28.6%) in the IB and AI groups, respectively. In the postoperative MRI, 20 (74%) and 22 subjects (96%) in the IB and AI groups showed an intact ACL. Anterior tibial translation was significantly higher in the IB group compared to the AI group in the manual maximum test. Conclusions Preservation of the native ACL with the Internal Brace ® primary repair technique can achieve comparable results to ACL reconstruction using Hamstring autografts over a short term. Clinically relevant limitations such as a higher incidence of pathologic laxity, with patients more prone to pivot shift phenomenon were observed during the study period.


Author(s):  
R. W. Colbrunn ◽  
J. E. Dumpe ◽  
T. F. Bonner ◽  
J. D. Kolmodin ◽  
W. K. Barsoum ◽  
...  

A pivot shift is a useful exam for evaluating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. A positive result is a perceived “clunk” and is quantified by the kinematics that occur during the tibial reduction phase. In vitro evaluation of ACL reconstruction techniques includes robotic testing of cadaveric knees where the applied loads represent estimated in situ loads. Early understanding of the mechanism of the pivot shift has resulted in a simplified representation where static “rotary loads” (10Nm valgus torque, 5Nm internal tibial torque) are applied at a few discrete flexion angles, and changes in anterior tibial translation (ATT) are compared [1]. Building upon this work, and with advances in technology, we are now able to create a robotic test that is more like the clinical exam. Our hypothesis was that kinematics produced during the robotically simulated pivot shift would be similar to the clinical pivot shift but would be significantly different from the rotary loads method. The ability for a test to produce larger kinematic differences between native and deficient states may suggest a more robust methodology by which to evaluate the efficacy of ACL reconstructions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 232596712199806
Author(s):  
Michèle N.J. Keizer ◽  
Egbert Otten ◽  
Chantal M.I. Beijersbergen ◽  
Reinoud W. Brouwer ◽  
Juha M. Hijmans

Background: At 1 year after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), two-thirds of patients manage to return to sports (copers), whereas one-third of patients do not return to sports (noncopers). Copers and noncopers have different muscle activation patterns, and noncopers may not be able to control dynamic anterior tibial translation (ATTd) as well as copers. Purpose/Hypothesis: To investigate whether (1) there is a positive correlation between passive ATT (ATTp; ie, general joint laxity) and ATTd during jump landing, (2) whether ATTd is moderated by muscle activating patterns, and (3) whether there is a difference in moderating ATTd between copers and noncopers. We hypothesized that patients who have undergone ACLR compensate for ATTd by developing muscle strategies that are more effective in copers compared with noncopers. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 40 patients who underwent unilateral ACLR performed 10 single-leg hops for distance with both legs. Lower body kinematic and kinetic data were measured using a motion-capture system, and ATTd was determined with an embedded method. Muscle activity was measured using electromyographic signals. Bilateral ATTp was measured using a KT-1000 arthrometer. In addition, the Beighton score was obtained. Results: There was no significant correlation between ATTp and ATTd in copers; however, there was a positive correlation between ATTp and ATTd in the operated knee of noncopers. There was a positive correlation between the Beighton score and ATTp as well as between the Beighton score and ATTd in both copers and noncopers in the operated knee. Copers showed a negative correlation between ATTd and gastrocnemius activity in their operated leg during landing. Noncopers showed a positive correlation between ATTd and knee flexion moment in their operated knee during landing. Conclusion: Copers used increased gastrocnemius activity to reduce ATTd, whereas noncopers moderated ATTd by generating a smaller knee flexion moment. Clinical Relevance: This study showed that copers used different landing techniques than noncopers. Patients who returned to sports after ACLR had sufficient plantar flexor activation to limit ATTd.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 419
Author(s):  
Chien-Kuo Wang ◽  
Liang-Ching Lin ◽  
Yung-Nien Sun ◽  
Cheng-Shih Lai ◽  
Chia-Hui Chen ◽  
...  

We sought to design a computer-assisted system measuring the anterior tibial translation in stress radiography, evaluate its diagnostic performance for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, and assess factors affecting the diagnostic accuracy. Retrospective research for patients with both knee stress radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at our institution was performed. A complete ACL rupture was confirmed on an MRI. The anterior tibial translations with four different methods were measured in 249 patients by the designed algorithm. The diagnostic accuracy of each method in patients with all successful measurements was evaluated. Univariate logistic regression analysis for factors affecting diagnostic accuracy of method four was performed. In the inclusive 249 patients, 177 patients (129 with completely torn ACLs) were available for analysis. Mean anterior tibial translations were significantly increased in the patients with a completely torn ACL by all four methods, with diagnostic accuracies ranging from 66.7% to 75.1%. The diagnostic accuracy of method four was negatively associated with the time interval between stress radiography and MRI as well as force-joint distance on stress view, and not significantly associated with age, gender, flexion angle, intercondylar distance, and force-joint angle. A computer-assisted system measuring the anterior tibial translation in stress radiography showed acceptable diagnostic performance of complete ACL injury. A shorter time interval between stress radiography and MRI as well as shorter force-joint distance were associated with higher diagnostic accuracy.


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