Stacked Biocomposite Screws in a Single-Stage Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Has Acceptable Fixation Strength in a Porcine Cadaveric Model

2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110151
Author(s):  
Hasan Baydoun ◽  
Ian D. Engler ◽  
Ali Hosseini ◽  
Lance LeClere ◽  
Joeri Zoon ◽  
...  

Background: Stacked screws is a commonly used technique in single-stage revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in the setting of bone loss, but there are limited data to support its use. Hypothesis: Two configurations of a biocomposite stacked screws construct have similar fixation strength and linear stiffness as a primary ACL reconstruction construct in a biomechanical model. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 30 porcine legs were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 underwent primary ACL reconstruction with a patellar tendon graft fixed into the femur, with an 8-mm biocomposite interference screw of beta-tricalcium phosphate and poly lactide-co-glycolide. For a revision ACL reconstruction model, groups 2 and 3 had bone tunnels created and subsequently filled with 12-mm biocomposite screws. New bone tunnels were drilled through the filler screw and the surrounding bone, and the patellar bone plug was inserted. Group 2 was fixed with 8-mm biocomposite screws on the side of the graft opposite the filler screw, while group 3 had the interference screw interposed between the graft and the filler screw. The construct was loaded at 1.5 mm/s in line with the tunnel until failure. Load to failure, linear stiffness, and mode of failure were recorded. Results: The mean pullout strength for groups 1, 2, and 3 was 626 ± 145 N, 653 ± 152 N, and 720 ± 125 N, respectively ( P = .328). The mean linear stiffness of the construct in groups 1, 2, and 3 was 71.4 ± 9.9 N/mm, 84.1 ± 11.1 N/mm, and 82.0 ± 10.8 N/mm, respectively. Group 2 was significantly stiffer than group 1 ( P = .037). Conclusion: Two configurations of a biocomposite stacked screws construct for a single-stage revision ACL reconstruction in the setting of bone loss show a similar fixation strength and linear stiffness to a primary ACL reconstruction at time zero in a porcine model. Clinical Relevance: In the setting of bone loss from tunnel malpositioning, a single-stage revision ACL reconstruction using a stacked screws construct may provide adequate fixation strength and linear stiffness.

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (02) ◽  
pp. 112-116
Author(s):  
Brian Bufkin ◽  
Alan Litsky ◽  
Matthew Barnhart

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical properties of four different methods of artificial cranial cruciate ligament fixation in canine cadaveric tibias and femurs. Methods Femurs and tibias from skeletally mature large breed canine cadavers were assigned into four fixation groups: group 1, 4.5-mm interference screw (IS); group 2, 4.5-mm IS and 4.0-mm screw and spiked washer (SW); group 3, 5.0-mm IS; group 4, 5.0-mm IS + SW. Results The mean ultimate load was significantly greater for femur fixations than for tibias, when a SW was added, and for 5.0-mm IS compared with 4.5-mm sizes. There was also a significant interaction between SW and IS size. A SW significantly increased stiffness, a 5.0-mm IS in femurs provided more stiffness than 4.5-mm IS and was greater than 5.0-mm IS in tibias. In tibias, a 4.5-mm IS was stiffer than a 5.0-mm IS and a 4.5 IS + SW had greater stiffness than a 5.0-mm IS + SW. Groups 1 to 3 and tibias in group 4 failed by artificial ligament pullout. Nine femurs in group 4 failed by fracture, 5 by artificial ligament pullout, and 1 by artificial ligament tearing. Clinical Significance A 5.0-mm IS + SW provided superior artificial ligament fixation strength in femurs and tibias compared with a 4.5-mm IS without SW. Overall, artificial ligament fixation with 5.0-mm IS in femurs had the mechanical characteristics that most closely matched those reported in normal canine cranial cruciate ligaments.


2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 504-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Wilde ◽  
Asheesh Bedi ◽  
David W. Altchek

Context: Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most common surgical procedures, with more than 200,000 ACL tears occurring annually. Although primary ACL reconstruction is a successful operation, success rates still range from 75% to 97%. Consequently, several thousand revision ACL reconstructions are performed annually and are unfortunately associated with inferior clinical outcomes when compared with primary reconstructions. Evidence Acquisition: Data were obtained from peer-reviewed literature through a search of the PubMed database (1988-2013) as well as from textbook chapters and surgical technique papers. Study Design: Clinical review. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Results: The clinical outcomes after revision ACL reconstruction are largely based on level IV case series. Much of the existing literature is heterogenous with regard to patient populations, primary and revision surgical techniques, concomitant ligamentous injuries, and additional procedures performed at the time of the revision, which limits generalizability. Nevertheless, there is a general consensus that the outcomes for revision ACL reconstruction are inferior to primary reconstruction. Conclusion: Excellent results can be achieved with regard to graft stability, return to play, and functional knee instability but are generally inferior to primary ACL reconstruction. A staged approach with autograft reconstruction is recommended in any circumstance in which a single-stage approach results in suboptimal graft selection, tunnel position, graft fixation, or biological milieu for tendon-bone healing. Strength-of-Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT): Good results may still be achieved with regard to graft stability, return to play, and functional knee instability, but results are generally inferior to primary ACL reconstruction: Level B.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 232596712091643
Author(s):  
Philipp Kruppa ◽  
Anne Flies ◽  
Dag Wulsten ◽  
Robert Collette ◽  
Georg N. Duda ◽  
...  

Background: Tibial-sided graft fixation is thought to be critical for the success of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Nevertheless, little is known about the graft force after fixation during the first 24 hours after surgery or the influence of screw diameter and length during this time. Purpose: To investigate the force, over the course of 24 hours, in soft tissue grafts secured with a tibial interference screw and to evaluate the effect of different screw diameters (7, 8, and 9 mm) and lengths (25 and 30 mm) on the force in these grafts. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Quadruple-strand flexor tendon grafts were fixed with bioabsorbable interference screws in 60 porcine tibiae. Grafts were pretensioned at 80 N over 10 minutes, and screws were inserted outside-in while a preload force of 80 N was applied. Different screw lengths (25 and 30 mm) and diameters (7, 8, and 9 mm), resulting in 6 groups with 10 specimens each, were tested. After release of the preload, graft force was recorded over 24 hours. Results: A significant decrease in graft force progressed in all groups over the 24-hour period. In total, a median loss of 75 N (IQR, 68-79 N) compared with the initial loading force was observed. Compared with the loading force of 80 N, this corresponded to a median loss of 91%. No significant differences in the remaining graft force could be found among the 6 different screw length and diameter groups after 10 minutes, 100 minutes, or 24 hours. Conclusion: Graft force in soft tissue grafts secured with a tibial interference screw decreased substantially over the first 24 hours after fixation. Neither the screw diameter nor the screw length affected the decrease in graft force. This raises substantial questions regarding the remaining fixation strength in vivo. Clinical Relevance: It should not be expected that ACL reconstruction can mechanically restabilize an injured knee as would an intact ACL. Reconstructed knees should be protected from mechanical overload in the early postoperative period.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (04) ◽  
pp. 366-371
Author(s):  
Lingaraj Krishna ◽  
Xin Yang Tan ◽  
Acksen Thangaraja ◽  
Francis Wong

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to describe our surgical technique of using five-strand hamstring autograft with interference screw fixation in primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and to report the early postoperative outcomes of this technique. Patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction using five-strand hamstring autografts with interference screw fixation between December 2014 and June 2016 were included in this study. The five-strand configuration was used in these patients because the four-strand configuration produced a graft diameter of less than 8 mm. Subjective questionnaires, including the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and the Lysholm Score, were administered preoperatively, as well as at 1- and 2-year follow-ups. Paired t-test was used to compare the pre- and postoperative outcome scores. The study group comprised 25 patients. There were no intraoperative complications. The mean follow-up period was 17.8 months (12–24). There were 19 males and 6 females. The median age was 24 years (16–41), and median body mass index was 23.9 (18.5–30.2). The median diameter of the five-strand graft was 9 mm (8–10 mm), with a mean of 9.06 ± 0.60 mm. This was associated with a median graft length of 90 mm (80–100 mm). The postoperative Lysholm, KOOS symptoms, KOOS Pain, KOOS daily function, KOOS sports function, KOOS quality of life, and Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary scores improved significantly compared with the preoperative scores. The use of the five-strand hamstring graft with interference screw fixation in primary ACL reconstruction is associated with significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes in the early postoperative period. The five-strand graft technique is a useful means of increasing graft diameter when faced with an undersized hamstring graft.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10_suppl5) ◽  
pp. 2325967121S0030
Author(s):  
Adnan Saithna ◽  
Charles Pioger ◽  
Johnny Rayes ◽  
Ibrahim Haidar ◽  
Thomas FRADIN ◽  
...  

Objectives: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are often associated with meniscal and chondral lesions. Meniscal lesions are present in up to 50% of ACL injured knees, and chondral lesions occur with an incidence of 20% to 40% in acute ACL-injured knees. The major importance of this lies in the fact that menisectomy and severe chondral damage are important predictors of poor outcomes including the subsequent development of knee osteoarthritis. Furthermore, patient reported outcomes following revision ACL reconstruction remain inferior to primary ACL reconstruction and this may, at least in part, be due to an increased incidence and severity of meniscal and chondral injuries. Although multiple studies have demonstrated that meniscal and chondral lesions are generally present at a higher rate at the time of revision ACL reconstruction when compared to primary ACL reconstruction, large studies following individual patients through primary and revision ACL reconstruction and tracking the change in the occurence of these injuries are scarce. The primary objective of this study was to determine the proportion of patients with meniscal and chondral injuries at the time of primary ACL reconstruction and determine how this rate changed by the time they underwent revision ACL reconstruction. The hypothesis was that the proportion of patients with meniscal and/or chondral lesions would be significantly greater at revision ACL reconstruction when compared to the primary procedures. Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent primary and then revision ACL reconstruction between March 1999 and February 2018 were identified using a single center registry. Patient characteristics, and intraoperative data from each procedure were collected and analyzed. This specifically included the occurrence and type of meniscal and chondral pathology. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the study sample using medians, descriptive data analysis was conducted depending on the nature of the criteria. Comparison between variables were assessed with student’s t test for quantitative variables and Mcnemar test for categorical variables. Statistical significance was set a t p<0.05. Results: 213 consecutive patients underwent both primary ACL reconstruction and then revision surgery during the study period. The average time from primary ACLR to Revision was 46.8 ± 36.6 months (range 5-181).The mean age of patients at primary ACLR was 22.21±7.21 years. The mean age of patients at revision ACLR 26.1 ± 8.3 years. The mean IKDC for the entire population was 85.53 ± 11.59, The mean ACL-RSI score was 71.89 ± 23.95. The mean Lysholm score was 91.77±10.24. The proportion of patients with chondral lesions significantly increased from 7% at primary ACL to 15.5% at revision ACL (p < 0.05). Meniscal lesions also significantly increased from 44.6 % at primary ACLR to 70% at revision ACLR (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the rate of lateral meniscal lesions (11.7 vs 13.1, p > 0.05). However, the proportion of patients with a medial meniscus lesion (25.4 vs 36.2, p < 0.05) and bimeniscal lesions (7.5 vs 20.7, p < 0.05) increased significantly at revision ACL reconstruction. Conclusions: The proportion of patients with meniscal and//or chondral injuries at the time of revision ACL reconstruction is significantly higher than at the time of primary ACL reconstruction. Specifically, the rate of medial meniscus and bimeniscal injuries is significantly higher in patients undergoing revision ACL reconstruction


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 2578-2585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoann Bohu ◽  
Shahnaz Klouche ◽  
Hasan Basri Sezer ◽  
Serge Herman ◽  
Olivier Grimaud ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To compare return to sport and knee function 1 year after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using autografts with and without vancomycin presoaking. Methods A case–control study based on a retrospective analysis of prospective data included athletes over the age of 16 operated from 2012 to 2018 for ACL reconstruction. There were two groups of patients due to a change in treatment protocols: Group 1 « without vancomycin » before November 2016 and Group 2 « with vancomycin» after this date. In Group 2, the graft was soaked in a vancomycin solution for 10 min and then fixed into the bone tunnels. The primary evaluation criterion was the return to sport 1 year after surgery. The secondary criteria were various knee scores. The number of patients needed to perform a non-inferiority study was calculated. Results 1674 patients fulfilled the selection criteria, 1184 in Group 1 and 490 in Group 2. The series included 1112 men and 562 women, mean age 30 ± 9.7 years, 68 professional athletes, 674 competitive athletes and 932 recreational athletes. While seven patients presented with post-operative septic arthritis in Group 1, this complication was not found in Group 2. No significant difference was identified in the return to running between the two groups 1 year after surgery (75.9% vs. 76.1%, n.s.). Significantly more of the patients in Group 2 returned to their preinjury sport (p = 0.04). Knee function was comparable between the groups. Conclusion Vancomycin-soaked grafts during ACL reconstruction reduce the risk of post-operative infection of the knee without affecting the return to sport or knee function. Level of evidence III. Trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02511158


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (14) ◽  
pp. 3210-3215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher L. Gaunder ◽  
Tracey Bastrom ◽  
Andrew T. Pennock

Background: Segond fractures may be identified when an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is diagnosed and likely represent an avulsion of the anterolateral ligament. It is currently unclear whether these fractures can be ignored at the time of ACL reconstruction or if they should be addressed surgically. Purpose: To compare the incidence of Segond fractures in patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction compared with those undergoing revision ACL reconstruction in an attempt to determine if the presence of a Segond fracture predisposes to ACL reconstruction failure. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing primary or revision ACL reconstruction between 2007 and 2014 was performed. Demographic data (age, sex, body mass index), injury variables (acuity, mechanism of injury), and radiographic features (concomitant ligamentous injuries, growth plate status) were documented. Each Segond fracture was analyzed for its specific location, size, displacement, and healing using both radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. Statistical analysis was performed using a P value of <.05. Results: A total of 552 patients underwent primary ACL reconstruction, and 47 patients underwent revision ACL reconstruction who met inclusion criteria. The incidence of Segond fractures was 6% in the primary reconstruction group. The fracture fragment averaged 6.6 mm in height and 2.3 mm in width and was displaced a mean of 5.0 mm. The fracture fragment bed was localized at the tibial attachment site of the anterolateral ligament a mean 20.6 mm posterior to the Gerdy tubercle in nearly all patients. After ACL reconstruction, the Segond fracture healed in 90% of patients. The incidence of Segond fractures was 3 times as common in male patients ( P = .02); otherwise, its presence was not associated with any other demographic data, injury variables, or radiographic features ( P > .05). No patients undergoing revision surgery had a Segond fracture, and no patient with a Segond fracture had graft failure. Conclusion: Patients with a Segond fracture are at no higher risk to require revision ACL reconstruction compared with patients without a Segond fracture. This may be attributable to its high union rate. At the time of primary ACL reconstruction, if a Segond fracture is identified, it can be ignored (not repaired or reconstructed), and this approach does not appear to predispose to early ACL graft failure.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 2586-2594 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Christina R. Allen ◽  
Allen F. Anderson ◽  
Daniel E. Cooper ◽  
Thomas M. DeBerardino ◽  
...  

Background: Revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been documented to have worse outcomes compared with primary ACL reconstruction. Hypothesis: Certain factors under the control of the surgeon at the time of revision surgery can both negatively and positively affect outcomes. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients undergoing revision ACL reconstruction were identified and prospectively enrolled between 2006 and 2011. Data collected included baseline demographics, intraoperative surgical technique and joint disorders, and a series of validated patient-reported outcome instruments (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] subjective form, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC], and Marx activity rating scale) completed before surgery. Patients were followed up for 2 years and asked to complete an identical set of outcome instruments. Regression analysis was used to control for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), activity level, baseline outcome scores, revision number, time since last ACL reconstruction, and a variety of previous and current surgical variables to assess the surgical risk factors for clinical outcomes 2 years after revision ACL reconstruction. Results: A total of 1205 patients (697 male [58%]) met the inclusion criteria and were successfully enrolled. The median age was 26 years, and the median time since their last ACL reconstruction was 3.4 years. Two-year follow-up was obtained on 82% (989/1205). Both previous and current surgical factors were found to be significant contributors toward poorer clinical outcomes at 2 years. Having undergone previous arthrotomy (nonarthroscopic open approach) for ACL reconstruction compared with the 1-incision technique resulted in significantly poorer outcomes for the 2-year IKDC ( P = .037; odds ratio [OR], 2.43; 95% CI, 1.05-5.88) and KOOS pain, sports/recreation, and quality of life (QOL) subscales ( P ≤ .05; OR range, 2.38-4.35; 95% CI, 1.03-10.00). The use of a metal interference screw for current femoral fixation resulted in significantly better outcomes for the 2-year KOOS symptoms, pain, and QOL subscales ( P ≤ .05; OR range, 1.70-1.96; 95% CI, 1.00-3.33) as well as WOMAC stiffness subscale ( P = .041; OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.02-3.03). Not performing notchplasty at revision significantly improved 2-year outcomes for the IKDC ( P = .013; OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.08-1.99), KOOS activities of daily living (ADL) and QOL subscales ( P ≤ .04; OR range, 1.40-1.41; 95% CI, 1.03-1.93), and WOMAC stiffness and ADL subscales ( P ≤ .04; OR range, 1.41-1.49; 95% CI, 1.03-2.05). Factors before revision ACL reconstruction that increased the risk of poorer clinical outcomes at 2 years included lower baseline outcome scores, a lower Marx activity score at the time of revision, a higher BMI, female sex, and a shorter time since the patient’s last ACL reconstruction. Prior femoral fixation, prior femoral tunnel aperture position, and knee flexion angle at the time of revision graft fixation were not found to affect 2-year outcomes in this revision cohort. Conclusion: There are certain surgical variables that the physician can control at the time of revision ACL reconstruction that can modify clinical outcomes at 2 years. Whenever possible, opting for an anteromedial portal or transtibial surgical exposure, choosing a metal interference screw for femoral fixation, and not performing notchplasty are associated with significantly better 2-year clinical outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanjun Teng ◽  
Xiaohui Zhang ◽  
Lijun Da ◽  
Jie Hu ◽  
Hong Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Interference screw is commonly used for graft fixation in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, previous studies had reported that the insertion of interference screws significantly caused graft laceration. The purposes of this study were to (1) quantitatively evaluate the graft laceration from one single insertion of PEEK interference screws; and (2) determine whether different types of sutures reduced the graft laceration after one single insertion of interference screws in ACL reconstruction. Methods The in-vitro ACL reconstruction model was created using porcine tibias and bovine extensor digitorum tendons of bovine hind limbs. The ends of grafts were sutured using three different sutures, including the bioabsorbable, Ethibond and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) sutures. Poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) interference screws were used for tibial fixation. This study was divided into five groups (n = 10 in each group): the non-fixed group, the non-sutured group, the absorbable suture group, the Ethibond suture group and the UHMWPE suture group. Biomechanical tests were performed using the mode of pull-to-failure loading tests at 10 mm/min. Tensile stiffness (newtons per millimeter), energy absorbed to failure (in joules) and ultimate load (newtons) were recorded for analysis. Results All prepared tendons and bone specimens showed similar characteristics (length, weight, and pre-tension of the tendons, tibial bone mineral density) among all groups (P > 0.05). The biomechanical tests demonstrated that PEEK interference screws significantly caused the graft laceration (P < 0.05). However, all sutures (the bioabsorbable, Ethibond and UHMWPE sutures) did not reduce the graft laceration in ACL reconstruction (P > 0.05). Conclusions Our biomechanical study suggested that the ultimate failure load of grafts was reduced of approximately 25 % after one single insertion of a PEEK interference screw in ACL reconstruction. Suturing the ends of the grafts using different sutures (absorbable, Ethibond and UHMWPE sutures) did not decrease the graft laceration caused by interference screws.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanjun Teng ◽  
Lijun Da ◽  
Xiaohui Zhang ◽  
Hong Wang ◽  
Hua Han ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Interference screw is commonly used for graft fixation in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction However, previous studies h a d reported that the insertion of interference screws significantly caused graft laceration . The purpose of this study was to determine whether sutures reduce d the graft laceration from the insertion of interference screws in ACL reconstruction. Methods: Porcine tibias and bovine extensor tendons were used for establishing a knee model of ACL reconstruction in vitro . The ends of grafts were sutured using three different sutures, including the bioabsorbable, Ethibond and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) sutures Poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) interference screw s w ere used fortibial fixation Biomechanical tests were performed to investigate the protective effects of different sutures on grafts Results : All prepared tendons and bone specimens showed similar characteristics (length, weight, and pre tension of the tendons, tibial bone mineral density) among all groups ( P 0.05). The biomechanical test s demonstrated that PEEK interference screw s significantly caused the graft laceration P 0.05). However, all sutures (the bioabsorbable, Ethibond and UHMWPE sutures) did not reduce the graft laceration in ACL reconstruction P 0.05). Conclusions : PEEK interference screw s significantly weakened the biomechanical properties of grafts during tibial fixation in ACL reconstruction. Absorbable Ethibond and UHMWPE sutures did not provide protective effects on grafts during ACL reconstruction.


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