Bridge-Enhanced Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair Is Not Inferior to Autograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction at 2 Years: Results of a Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Preclinical studies suggest that for complete midsubstance anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, a suture repair of the ACL augmented with a protein implant placed in the gap between the torn ends (bridge-enhanced ACL repair [BEAR]) may be a viable alternative to ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Hypothesis: We hypothesized that patients treated with BEAR would have a noninferior patient-reported outcomes (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] Subjective Score; prespecified noninferiority margin, –11.5 points) and instrumented anteroposterior (AP) knee laxity (prespecified noninferiority margin, +2-mm side-to-side difference) and superior muscle strength at 2 years after surgery when compared with patients who underwent ACLR with autograft. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: One hundred patients (median age, 17 years; median preoperative Marx activity score, 16) with complete midsubstance ACL injuries were enrolled and underwent surgery within 45 days of injury. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either BEAR (n = 65) or autograft ACLR (n = 35 [33 with quadrupled semitendinosus-gracilis and 2 with bone–patellar tendon–bone]). Outcomes—including the IKDC Subjective Score, the side-to-side difference in instrumented AP knee laxity, and muscle strength—were assessed at 2 years by an independent examiner blinded to the procedure. Patients were unblinded after their 2-year visit. Results: In total, 96% of the patients returned for 2-year follow-up. Noninferiority criteria were met for both the IKDC Subjective Score (BEAR, 88.9 points; ACLR, 84.8 points; mean difference, 4.1 points [95% CI, –1.5 to 9.7]) and the side-to-side difference in AP knee laxity (BEAR, 1.61 mm; ACLR, 1.77 mm; mean difference, –0.15 mm [95% CI, –1.48 to 1.17]). The BEAR group had a significantly higher mean hamstring muscle strength index than the ACLR group at 2 years (98.2% vs 63.2%; P < .001). In addition, 14% of the BEAR group and 6% of the ACLR group had a reinjury that required a second ipsilateral ACL surgical procedure ( P = .32). Furthermore, the 8 patients who converted from BEAR to ACLR in the study period and returned for the 2-year postoperative visit had similar primary outcomes to patients who had a single ipsilateral ACL procedure. Conclusion: BEAR resulted in noninferior patient-reported outcomes and AP knee laxity and superior hamstring muscle strength when compared with autograft ACLR at 2-year follow-up in a young and active cohort. These promising results suggest that longer-term studies of this technique are justified. Registration: NCT02664545 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier)

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Accelerated Versus Nonaccelerated Rehabilitation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546511422349 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 39 (12) ◽

pp. 2536-2548 ◽

Cited By ~ 79

Author(s):

Bruce D. Beynnon ◽

Robert J. Johnson ◽

Shelly Naud ◽

Braden C. Fleming ◽

Joseph A. Abate ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Acl Reconstruction ◽

Degrees Of Freedom ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Knee Laxity ◽

Thigh Muscle ◽

Anterior Cruciate ◽

6 Degrees Of Freedom

Background: The relationship between the biomechanical dose of rehabilitation exercises administered after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and the healing response of the graft and knee is not well understood. Hypothesis: After ACL reconstruction, rehabilitation administered with either accelerated or nonaccelerated programs produces the same change in the knees’ 6 degrees of freedom, or envelope, laxity values. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with a bone–patellar tendon–bone autograft were randomized to rehabilitation with either accelerated (19 week) or nonaccelerated (32 week) programs. At the time of surgery, and then 3, 6, 12, and 24 months later, the 6 degrees of freedom knee laxity values were measured using roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis and clinical, functional, and patient-oriented outcome measures. Results: Eighty-five percent of those enrolled were followed through 2 years. Laxity of the reconstructed knee was restored to within the limits of the contralateral, normal side at the time of surgery (baseline) in all participants. Patients in both programs underwent a similar increase in the envelope of knee laxity over the 2-year follow-up interval (anterior-posterior translation 3.2 vs 4.5 mm, and coupled internal-external rotations 2.6° vs 1.9° for participants in the accelerated and nonaccelerated programs, respectively). Those who underwent accelerated rehabilitation experienced a significant improvement in thigh muscle strength at the 3-month follow-up ( P < .05) compared with those who participated in nonaccelerated rehabilitation, but no differences between the programs were seen after this time interval. At the 2-year follow-up, the groups were similar in terms of clinical assessment, patient satisfaction, function, proprioception, and isokinetic thigh muscle strength. Conclusion: Rehabilitation with the accelerated and nonaccelerated programs administered in this study produced the same increase in the envelope of knee laxity. A majority of the increase in the envelope of knee laxity occurred during healing when exercises were advanced and activity level increased. Patients in both programs had the same clinical assessment, functional performance, proprioception, and thigh muscle strength, which returned to normal levels after healing was complete. For participants in both treatment programs, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) assessment of quality of life did not return to preinjury levels.

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Satisfactory patient-reported outcomes at 5 years following primary repair with suture tape augmentation for proximal anterior cruciate ligament tears

Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy ◽

10.1007/s00167-021-06485-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Graeme P. Hopper ◽

Joanna M. S. Aithie ◽

Joanne M. Jenkins ◽

William T. Wilson ◽

Gordon M. Mackay

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Patient Reported Outcomes ◽

Primary Repair ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Acl Repair ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Activity Scale ◽

Anterior Cruciate ◽

Suture Tape

Abstract Purpose An enhanced understanding of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) healing and advancements in arthroscopic instrumentation has resulted in a renewed interest in ACL repair. Augmentation of a ligament repair with suture tape reinforces the ligament and acts as a secondary stabilizer. This study assesses the 5-year patient-reported outcomes of primary repair with suture tape augmentation for proximal ACL tears. Methods Thirty-seven consecutive patients undergoing ACL repair with suture tape augmentation for an acute proximal rupture were prospectively followed up for a minimum of 5 years. Patients with midsubstance and distal ruptures, poor ACL tissue quality, retracted ACL remnants and multiligament injuries were excluded. Patient-reported outcome measures were collated using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS), Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS-pain), Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) and the Marx Activity Scale. Patients with a re-rupture were identified. Results Three patients were lost to follow-up leaving 34 patients in the final analysis (91.9%). The mean KOOS at 5 years was 88.5 (SD 13.8) which improved significantly from 48.7 (SD 18.3) preoperatively (p < 0.01). The VAS score improved from 2.3 (SD 1.7) to 1.0 (SD 1.5) and the VR-12 score improved from 35.9 (SD 10.3) to 52.4 (SD 5.9) at 5 years (p < 0.01). However, the Marx activity scale decreased from 12.4 (SD 3.4) pre-injury to 7.3 (SD 5.2) at 5 years (p = 0.02). Six patients had a re-rupture (17.6%) and have since undergone a conventional ACL reconstruction for their revision surgery with no issues since then. These patients were found to be younger and have higher initial Marx activity scores than the rest of the cohort (p < 0.05). Conclusion Primary repair with suture tape augmentation for proximal ACL tears demonstrates satisfactory outcomes in 28 patients (82.4%) at 5-year follow-up. Six patients sustained a re-rupture and have no ongoing problems following treatment with a conventional ACL reconstruction. These patients were significantly younger and had higher initial Marx activity scores. Level of evidence Level IV.

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Twenty-Year Outcomes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Prospectively Collected Data

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/03635465211027302 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 036354652110273

Author(s):

Joshua S. Everhart ◽

Sercan Yalcin ◽

Kurt P. Spindler

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Acl Reconstruction ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Knee Function ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Patient Reported ◽

The Mean ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Background: Several long-term (≥20 years) follow-up studies after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have been published in recent years, allowing for a systematic evaluation of outcomes. Purpose: To summarize outcomes at ≥20 years after ACL reconstruction and identify patient and surgical factors that affect these results. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Prospective studies of primary ACL reconstructions with hamstring or bone–patellar tendon—bone (BTB) autograft via an arthroscopic or a mini-open technique and with a mean follow-up of ≥20 years were identified. When possible, the mean scores for each outcome measure were calculated. Factors identified in individual studies as predictive of outcomes were described. Results: Five studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria with a total of 2012 patients. The pooled mean follow-up for patient-reported outcome measures was 44.2% (range, 29.6%-92.7%) and in-person evaluation was 33.2% (range, 29.6%-48.9%). Four studies (n = 584) reported graft tears at a mean rate of 11.8% (range, 2%-18.5%) and 4 studies (n = 773) reported a contralateral ACL injury rate of 12.2% (range, 5.8%-30%). Repeat non-ACL arthroscopic surgery (4 studies; n = 177) to the ipsilateral knee occurred in 10.4% (range, 9.5%-18.3%) and knee arthroplasty (1 study; n = 217) in 5%. The pooled mean of the International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee function (IKDC) score was 79.1 (SD, 21.8 [3 studies; n = 644]). In 2 studies (n?= 221), 57.5% of patients continued to participate in strenuous activities. The IKDC-objective score was normal or nearly normal in 82.3% (n = 496; 3 studies), with low rates of clinically significant residual laxity. Moderate-severe radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) (IKDC grade C or D) was present in 25.9% of patients (n = 605; 3 studies). Medial meniscectomy is associated with increased risk of radiographic OA. Radiographic OA severity is associated with worse patient-reported knee function, but the association with knee pain is unclear. Conclusion: Currently available prospective evidence for ACL reconstruction with hamstring or BTB autograft provides several insights into outcomes at 20 years. The rates of follow-up at 20 years range from 30% to 93%. IKDC-objective scores were normal or nearly normal in 82% and the mean IKDC-subjective score was 79 points.

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Preliminary Results in Anatomic All-inside Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Journal of Interdisciplinary Medicine ◽

10.1515/jim-2016-0050 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (s2) ◽

pp. 23-26

Author(s):

Octav Russu ◽

Tiberiu Bățagă ◽

Andrei-Marian Feier ◽

Radu Prejbeanu ◽

Radu Fleaca ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Acl Reconstruction ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Knee Laxity ◽

Clinical Results ◽

Lysholm Score ◽

X Rays ◽

The Mean ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Abstract Introduction: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is one of the most common lesions in knee traumatology; therefore the number of ACL reconstructions is increasing worldwide. Usually, an anteromedial (AM) accessory portal is required in anatomical positioning of the femoral tunnel, which is not absolutely necessary in this technique. Aim: Assessment of all-inside ACL reconstruction preliminary clinical results with adjustable loops and buttons on both femoral and tibial surfaces. Method: Our prospective study included 28 subjects (19 male, 9 female) with chronic ACL ruptures. The mean age of the study population was 27.72 ± 8.23 years. In all cases ACL reconstruction was carried out with the use of quadrupled semitendinosus auto-grafts with adjustable loops and buttons on the femoral and tibial surfaces and anatomic placement of both tunnels, using an outside-in technique, with flipcutters (Arthrex®). Clinical and radiological evaluations were carried out before surgery and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, with the Lysholm scoring system, the Tegner activity scale and anterior-posterior and latero-lateral X-rays. Anterior knee laxity was measured in 25° of flexion using a portable arthrometer (RolimeterTM, Aircast®) and maximum manual force. Results: During the final follow-up, the Lysholm score was good and excellent in 27 cases, with a mean Lysholm score of 95.55 ± 4.63; all results were classified as good. The mean preoperative Tegner activity score was 3.46 ± 1.71 (range: 1-7), and the post-operative mean score was 5.75 ± 2.24 (range: 2-10). We found no graft ruptures. Preoperative knee laxity measurements showed a mean displacement of 11.5 ± 3.1 mm and side-to-side differences of 5.6 ± 3.5 mm, while the postoperative measurements at the last follow-up were 6.3 ± 1.54 mm and 2.65 ± 1.86 mm, respectively. Conclusion: Short-term clinical outcomes of all-inside ACL restoration with anatomic placement femoral and tibial tunnels seem to recommend this surgical option, with good subjective and objective results. Additional research will have to prove the long-term success.

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Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Hamstring Tendon Graft and Femoral Cortical Button Fixation at Minimum 20-Year Follow-up

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546520951796 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (12) ◽

pp. 2962-2969

Author(s):

Frans J.A. Hagemans ◽

Freerk J. Jonkers ◽

Matthijs J.J. van Dam ◽

Amber L. von Gerhardt ◽

Jelle P. van der List

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Acl Reconstruction ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Hamstring Tendon ◽

Radiographic Osteoarthritis ◽

Cortical Button ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Anterior Cruciate ◽

Clinical Stability

Background: The short-term outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with bone–patellar tendon–bone or hamstring tendon (HT) graft are excellent with good clinical stability and patient-reported outcomes. Although some studies have reported the long-term outcomes of bone–patellar tendon–bone graft ACL reconstruction, few have reported the outcomes of HT graft ACL reconstruction. Purpose: To assess clinical and radiographic outcomes of HT graft ACL reconstruction with femoral cortical button fixation at a minimum 20-year follow-up. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A prospective study was performed in which all patients undergoing isolated transtibial primary ACL reconstruction between 1994 and 1996 with HT graft and femoral cortical button fixation were assessed clinically and radiographically. Follow-up was obtained in 48 of 94 patients (51%). Median (interquartile range) age at operation was 31 years (26-39 years); median follow-up was 21 years (20-22 years); 65% were male; and 48% had meniscal injury at surgery and underwent partial meniscectomy. Graft rupture, reoperation, and contralateral injury rates were assessed; clinical stability was measured using the KT-1000 arthrometer; patient-reported outcomes were assessed (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC], Lysholm, Forgotten Joint Score, Tegner activity, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], Anterior Cruciate Ligament Quality of Life [ACL-QOL], EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level [EQ-5D-5L]); and radiographic osteoarthritis (defined as Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥2) was assessed for the ipsilateral and the contralateral knee. Results: Graft rupture occurred in 4 patients (8%), contralateral injury in 4 patients (8%), and reoperation in 15 patients (31%), which consisted mainly of meniscal tears or hardware removal. In patients with an intact graft, excellent patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were noted, with a median Lysholm of 90 (78-100), subjective IKDC of 86 (72-95), and KOOS–Sports of 86 (58-100). There was low awareness of the operated knee (Forgotten Joint Score, 81 [60-96]) and good quality of life (ACL-QOL, 85 [75-94]; EQ-5D-5L, 0.87 [0.83-1.00]). Median side-to-side difference, as measured with the KT-1000 arthrometer, was 1 mm (-1 to 3 mm). Radiographic osteoarthritis was evident in 49% of ipsilateral and 10% of contralateral knees and was associated with meniscectomy at index surgery and decreased PROMs at follow-up. Conclusion: Long-term outcomes of transtibial HT graft ACL reconstruction with femoral cortical button fixation are generally good with a low failure rate, low awareness of the operated knee, and good clinical stability. Radiographic osteoarthritis was evident in approximately half of the patients at 20-year follow-up and was associated with meniscectomy at index surgery and decreased PROMs at follow-up.

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Outcomes of Quadriceps Tendon With Patellar Bone Block Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Adolescent Patients With a Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546519885371 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (1) ◽

pp. 93-98 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Alexia G. Gagliardi ◽

Patrick M. Carry ◽

Harin B. Parikh ◽

Jay C. Albright

Keyword(s):

Acl Reconstruction ◽

Graft Failure ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Return To Sport ◽

Quadriceps Tendon ◽

Acl Injuries ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Adolescent Patients ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Background: The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the adolescent population is increasing. The quadriceps tendon–patellar bone autograft (QPA) has been established as a reliable graft choice for ACL reconstruction in the adult population. Purpose: To investigate graft failure, ability to return to sport, patient-reported functional outcomes, joint laxity, and subsequent injury among adolescent patients >2 years after primary ACL reconstruction with the QPA. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent QPA ACL reconstruction performed by a single surgeon were identified from an existing database. Information available in the database included demographics, concomitant/subsequent injuries, surgical procedures, graft failure, return to sport, and Lachman examination collected by medical record review. Pediatric International Knee Documentation Committee (Pedi-IKDC) and Lysholm scores were collected by telephone or during a clinic visit >2 years postoperatively. Results: The final cohort included 81 of 104 consecutive adolescent patients aged 10 to 18 years (mean ± SD, 15.9 ± 1.7 years at the time of surgery) for whom follow-up information was collected at >2 years after surgery. The cumulative incidence of graft failure within the 36-month follow-up period was 1.2% (95% CI, 0.1%-11.4%). The rate of ipsilateral non-ACL injuries was similar (1.2%; 95% CI, 0.2%-7.6%). Contralateral ACL and non-ACL injuries requiring surgical intervention were documented in 9.8% (95% CI, 4.9%-19.5%). The median Pedi-IKDC score was 94 (interquartile range, 89-98). The median Lysholm score was 99.5 (interquartile range, 89.0-100.0). At 36 months after surgery, 87.9% (95% CI, 81.4%-94.9%) of individuals had returned to play. Conclusion: The quadriceps tendon–patellar autograft is a novel graft that demonstrates excellent stability and favorable patient-reported outcomes. Based on these results, the QPA is a reliable choice for primary ACL reconstruction in adolescent patients.

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The Landing Error Scoring System as a Screening Tool for an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury–Prevention Program in Elite-Youth Soccer Athletes

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-50.1.10 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 50 (6) ◽

pp. 589-595 ◽

Cited By ~ 133

Author(s):

Darin A. Padua ◽

Lindsay J. DiStefano ◽

Anthony I. Beutler ◽

Sarah J. de la Motte ◽

Michael J. DiStefano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Screening Tool ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Acl Injury ◽

Receiver Operator Characteristic ◽

Acl Injuries ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Jump Landing ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Context Identifying neuromuscular screening factors for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a critical step toward large-scale deployment of effective ACL injury-prevention programs. The Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) is a valid and reliable clinical assessment of jump-landing biomechanics. Objective To investigate the ability of the LESS to identify individuals at risk for ACL injury in an elite-youth soccer population. Design Cohort study. Setting Field-based functional movement screening performed at soccer practice facilities. Patients or Other Participants A total of 829 elite-youth soccer athletes (348 boys, 481 girls; age = 13.9 ± 1.8 years, age range = 11 to 18 years), of whom 25% (n = 207) were less than 13 years of age. Intervention(s) Baseline preseason testing for all participants consisted of a jump-landing task (3 trials). Participants were followed prospectively throughout their soccer seasons for diagnosis of ACL injuries (1217 athlete-seasons of follow-up). Main Outcome Measure(s) Landings were scored for “errors” in technique using the LESS. We used receiver operator characteristic curves to determine a cutpoint on the LESS. Sensitivity and specificity of the LESS in predicting ACL injury were assessed. Results Seven participants sustained ACL injuries during the follow-up period; the mechanism of injury was noncontact or indirect contact for all injuries. Uninjured participants had lower LESS scores (4.43 ± 1.71) than injured participants (6.24 ± 1.75; t1215 = −2.784, P = .005). The receiver operator characteristic curve analyses suggested that 5 was the optimal cutpoint for the LESS, generating a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 64%. Conclusions Despite sample-size limitations, the LESS showed potential as a screening tool to determine ACL injury risk in elite-youth soccer athletes.

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Outcomes of 1- Versus 2-Stage Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546520923090 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 036354652092309

Author(s):

Matthew Colatruglio ◽

David C. Flanigan ◽

Joseph Long ◽

Alex C. DiBartola ◽

Robert A. Magnussen

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Patient Reported ◽

The Mean ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a common orthopaedic sports medicine procedure, but graft failure is not uncommon and often leads to revision ACLR. Revision surgery can be performed in a 1- or 2-stage fashion. Hypothesis: Graft failure risk, patient-reported outcomes, and anterior knee laxity are similar after 1- and 2-stage revision ACLR. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed to evaluate patient outcomes after 1- versus 2-stage revision ACLR. A search was performed with the phrase “revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction” across Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and SportDiscus from the beginning of their archives through July 12, 2019. Results: Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria and included 524 patients: 319 patients who underwent 1-stage revision ACLR and 205 patients who underwent 2-stage revision ACLR. Two studies compared outcomes of 1- versus 2-stage revision ACLR; 4 studies reported outcomes after 2-stage revision ACLR; and the remaining 7 studies documented outcomes after 1-stage ACLR. The mean follow-up was 4.1 years. The 2 studies that compared 1- versus 2-stage ACLR reported no differences in functional, radiologic, or patient-reported outcomes or failure risk. Overall, 9 studies reported subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores; 4 studies, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score values; 8 studies, Lysholm scores; and 7 studies, Tegner scores; 8 studies measured anterior laxity with a KT-1000 arthrometer. The mean weighted subjective IKDC score for all studies including this outcome at final follow-up was 66.6 for 1-stage revisions and 65.9 for 2-stage revisions. Conclusion: The available evidence comparing 1- versus 2-stage revision ACLR is retrospective and limited. The results of each approach are similar in appropriately selected patients.

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Secondary Meniscal Tears in Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: Relationship Among Operative Management, Osteoarthritis, and Arthroplasty at 18-Year Mean Follow-up

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546519844481 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (7) ◽

pp. 1583-1590 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Michella H. Hagmeijer ◽

Mario Hevesi ◽

Vishal S. Desai ◽

Thomas L. Sanders ◽

Christopher L. Camp ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Acl Reconstruction ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Meniscal Tear ◽

Acl Injury ◽

Nonoperative Treatment ◽

Meniscal Tears ◽

Acl Injuries ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most frequent orthopaedic injuries and reasons for time loss in sports and carries significant implications, including posttraumatic osteoarthritis (OA). Instability associated with ACL injury has been linked to the development of secondary meniscal tears (defined as tears that develop after the initial ACL injury). To date, no study has examined secondary meniscal tears after ACL injury and their effect on OA and arthroplasty risk. Purpose: To describe the rates and natural history of secondary meniscal tears after ACL injury and to determine the effect of meniscal tear treatment on the development of OA and conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A geographic database of >500,000 patients was reviewed to identify patients with primary ACL injuries between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2005. Information was collected with regard to ACL injury treatment, rates/characteristics of the secondary meniscal tears, and outcomes, including development of OA and conversion to TKA. Kaplan-Meier and adjusted multivariate survival analyses were performed to test for the effect of meniscal treatment on survivorship free of OA and TKA. Results: Of 1398 primary ACL injuries, the overall rate of secondary meniscal tears was 16%. Significantly lower rates of secondary meniscal tears were noted among patients undergoing acute ACL reconstruction within 6 months (7%) as compared with patients with delayed ACL reconstruction (33%, P < .01) and nonoperative ACL management (19%, P < .01). Of the 235 secondary meniscal tears identified (196 patients), 11.5% underwent repair, 73% partial meniscectomy, and 16% were treated nonoperatively. Tears were most often medial in location (77%) and complex in morphology (56% of medial tears, 54% of lateral tears). At the time of final follow-up, no patient undergoing repair of a secondary meniscal tear (0%) underwent TKA, as opposed to 10.9% undergoing meniscectomy and 6.1% receiving nonoperative treatment ( P = .28). Conclusion: Secondary meniscal tears after ACL injury are most common among patients undergoing delayed surgical or nonoperative treatment of their primary ACL injuries. Secondary tears often present as complex tears of the medial meniscus and result in high rates of partial meniscectomy.

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