Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction versus Nonoperative Treatment: Better Function and Less Secondary Meniscectomies But No Difference in Knee Osteoarthritis—A Meta-Analysis

Cartilage ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1658S-1670S
Author(s):  
Marco Cuzzolin ◽  
Davide Previtali ◽  
Stefano Zaffagnini ◽  
Luca Deabate ◽  
Christian Candrian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Nonoperative Treatment ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Knee Oa ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
The Impact

Objectives The impact of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction on knee osteoarthritis (OA) is still unclear. The aim of the current meta-analysis was to compare surgical treatment versus nonoperative management of ACL tears to assess the impact of these approaches on knee OA development at a 5 and 10 years of follow-up. Design A meta-analysis was performed after a systematic literature search (May 2021) was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Both randomized and nonrandomized comparative studies with more than 5 years of follow-up were selected. Influence of the treatment was assessed in terms of knee OA development, subjective and objective clinical results, activity level, and risk of further surgeries. Risk of bias and quality of evidence were assessed following the Cochrane guidelines. Results Twelve studies matched the inclusion criteria, for a total of 1,004 patients. Level of evidence was rated low to very low. No difference was documented in terms of knee OA development, Tegner score, subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and Lysholm scores. A significant difference favoring the surgical treatment in comparison with a nonsurgical approach was observed in terms of objective IKDC score ( P = 0.03) and risk of secondary meniscectomy ( P < 0.0001). The level of evidence was considered very low for subjective IKDC, low for knee OA development, objective IKDC, number of secondary meniscectomies, and Lysholm score, and moderate for post-op Tegner score. Conclusions The meta-analysis did not support an advantage of ACL reconstruction in terms of OA prevention in comparison with a nonoperative treatment. Moreover, no differences were reported for subjective results and activity level at 5 and 10 years of follow-up. On the contrary, patients who underwent surgical treatment of their ACL tear presented important clinical findings in terms of better objective knee function and a lower rate of secondary meniscectomies when compared with conservatively managed patents. Protocol Registration: CRD420191156483 (PROSPERO)

scholarly journals Arthroscopic primary repair of proximal anterior cruciate ligament tears seems safe but higher level of evidence is needed: a systematic review and meta-analysis of recent literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 1946-1957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelle P. van der List ◽  
Harmen D. Vermeijden ◽  
Inger N. Sierevelt ◽  
Gregory S. DiFelice ◽  
Arthur van Noort ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Primary Repair ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Outcome Scores ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Abstract Purpose To assess the outcomes of the various techniques of primary repair of proximal anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in the recent literature using a systematic review with meta-analysis. Methods PRISMA guidelines were followed. All studies reporting outcomes of arthroscopic primary repair of proximal ACL tears using primary repair, repair with static (suture) augmentation and dynamic augmentation between January 2014 and July 2019 in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane were identified and included. Primary outcomes were failure rates and reoperation rates, and secondary outcomes were patient-reported outcome scores. Results A total of 13 studies and 1,101 patients (mean age 31 years, mean follow-up 2.1 years, 60% male) were included. Nearly all studies were retrospective studies without a control group and only one randomized study was identified. Grade of recommendation for primary repair was weak. There were 9 out of 74 failures following primary repair (10%), 6 out of 69 following repair with static augmentation (7%) and 106 out of 958 following dynamic augmentation (11%). Repair with dynamic augmentation had more reoperations (99; 10%), and more hardware removal (255; 29%) compared to the other procedures. All functional outcome scores were > 85% of maximum scores. Conclusions This systematic review with meta-analysis found that the different techniques of primary repair are safe with failure rates of 7–11%, no complications and functional outcome scores of > 85% of maximum scores. There was a high risk of bias and follow-up was short with 2.1 years. Prospective studies comparing the outcomes to ACL reconstruction with sufficient follow-up are needed prior to widespread implementation. Level of evidence IV.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Radiographic Knee Osteoarthritis After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, With or Without Meniscectomy: An Evidence-Based Practice Article

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 606-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer S. Ruano ◽  
Michael R. Sitler ◽  
Jeffrey B. Driban
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
International Knee Documentation Committee ◽  
Knee Oa ◽  
Kellgren And Lawrence ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Reference:  Claes S, Hermie L, Verdonk R, Bellemans J, Verdonk P. Is osteoarthritis an inevitable consequence of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction? A meta-analysis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2013;21(9):1967–1976. Clinical Question:  What is the prevalence of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) at a mean follow-up equal to or greater than 10 years after autologous anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, with or without meniscectomy? Data Sources:  The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines were used to conduct this meta-analysis. Studies were identified by searching PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library dating from their earliest file until October 2010. Key terms applied for searching were anterior cruciate ligament or ACL, autologous, follow-up, long-term, outcome, reconstruction, results, treatment, and (osteo)arthritis or osteoarthrosis. The reference lists of included studies were also manually checked to ensure that relevant articles were not omitted. Study Selection:  The authors limited their search to English- and French-language journals. Included studies provided radiographic outcomes after autologous ACL reconstruction and had a mean follow-up of ≥10 years. Excluded studies evaluated ACL reconstruction with major concomitant surgical procedures (eg, meniscal allograft transplantation, high tibial osteotomy). In addition, data from 2 studies completed by the same research team with identical patient populations were limited to the article with the longest follow-up. Finally, manuscripts with inaccurate or incomplete data were excluded. Data Extraction:  The following key characteristics of each study were extracted: type of study (prospective or retrospective); ACL surgical procedure (eg, open or arthroscopic bone-patellar tendon-bone graft); time frame of surgery; mean follow-up (in years) post–ACL reconstruction; total number of participants with radiographs; total number of participants with radiographic OA at follow-up; and number of participants with meniscectomy before, during, or after ACL reconstruction. Although the OA diagnosis was based on radiographic criteria, the included studies used 4 OA classifications and grading scales: Ahlbäck, Fairbanks, Kellgren and Lawrence, and International Knee Documentation Committee. Regardless of classification or grading scale, OA was defined as the presence of joint-space narrowing: Ahlbäck grades 1 through 5, modified Fairbanks grades 2 and 3, Kellgren and Lawrence ≥2, and International Knee Documentation Committee grades C and D. Tibiofemoral and patellofemoral OA data were collapsed due to the lack of reporting specificity among the studies. Participants were categorized into a meniscectomy or nonmeniscectomy group if this information was reported. Partial or total meniscectomies before, during, or after ACL reconstruction were collapsed regardless of location (medial or lateral compartment), and those patients who underwent a meniscal repair were grouped into the nonmeniscectomy group. Data were analyzed using odds ratios, the Cochran χ2 test, and a random-effects meta-regression analysis. The DerSimonian and Laird approach was used to assess study heterogeneity. P values below .05 were considered statistically significant. Main Results:  The initial computerized database search resulted in 211 possible studies. However, after the authors applied the inclusionary and exclusionary criteria, only 16 studies were relevant. A total of 1554 participants were available at the follow-up period. Mean follow-up ranged from 10 to 24.5 years; 11 of the 16 articles had a mean follow-up between 10 and 12 years. Heterogeneity was large (I2 = 96%), which indicated that the included studies generated a wide range of knee OA prevalence (2%–79%). Almost 28% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 16.3%, 43.5%) of participants had radiographic knee OA. A total of 1264 participants were involved in studies that evaluated meniscectomies (n = 11). Among the 614 participants with either partial or total meniscectomies, 50.4% had radiographic knee OA (95% CI = 27.4%, 73.1%). In contrast, only 16.4% (95% CI = 7.0%, 33.9%) of those without a meniscectomy had radiographic knee OA. Conclusions:  The findings of Claes et al reflected a radiographic knee OA prevalence at a minimum average of 10 years' postautologous ACL reconstruction that was lower than commonly perceived (up to 79%). In addition, meniscectomy was an important risk factor (3.54-fold increase) for developing OA after ACL reconstruction.

scholarly journals Twenty-Year Follow-up Study Comparing Operative Versus Nonoperative Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptures in High-Level Athletes

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 1129-1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daan T. van Yperen ◽  
Max Reijman ◽  
Eline M. van Es ◽  
Sita M.A. Bierma-Zeinstra ◽  
Duncan E. Meuffels
Keyword(s):  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Nonoperative Treatment ◽  
Pivot Shift Test ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
High Level ◽  
Nonoperative Group

Background: An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture has major consequences at midterm follow-up, with an increasing chance of developing an old knee in a young patient. The long-term (≥20 years) effects of the operative and nonoperative treatment of ACL ruptures are still unclear. Purpose: To compare the long-term treatment outcomes of operative versus nonoperative treatment of ACL ruptures in high-level athletes. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Fifty patients with an ACL rupture were eligible for participation, and they were treated either nonoperatively (n = 25) in 1992, consisting of structured rehabilitation and lifestyle adjustments, or operatively (n = 25) between 1994 and 1996 with an arthroscopic transtibial bone–patellar tendon–bone technique. The patients in the nonoperative group were drawn from those who responded well to 3 months of nonoperative treatment, whereas the patients in the operative group were drawn from those who had persistent instability after 3 months of nonoperative treatment. Both groups were pair-matched and assessed at 10- and 20-year follow-up regarding radiological knee osteoarthritis, functional outcomes (Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC], Tegner, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score), meniscal status, and knee stability (KT-1000 arthrometer, pivot-shift test, Lachman test, 1-legged hop test). Results: All 50 patients (100%) were included in the current study for follow-up. After 20 years, we found knee osteoarthritis in 80% of the operative group compared with 68% of the nonoperative group ( P = .508). There was no difference between groups regarding functional outcomes and meniscectomy performed. The median IKDC subjective score was 81.6 (interquartile range [IQR], 59.8-89.1) for the operative group and 78.2 (IQR, 61.5-92.0) for the nonoperative group ( P = .679). Regarding the IKDC objective score, 21 patients (84%) in the operative group had a normal or near normal score (A and B) compared with 5 patients (20%) in the nonoperative group ( P < .001). The pivot-shift test finding was negative in 17 patients (68%) versus 3 patients (13%) for the operative and nonoperative groups, respectively ( P < .001), and the Lachman test finding was negative in 12 patients (48%) versus 1 patient (4%), respectively ( P = .002). Conclusion: In this retrospective pair-matched follow-up study, we found that after 20-year follow-up, there was no difference in knee osteoarthritis between operative versus nonoperative treatment when treatment was allocated on the basis of a patient’s response to 3 months of nonoperative treatment. Although knee stability was better in the operative group, it did not result in better subjective and objective functional outcomes.

scholarly journals What’s the rate of knee osteoarthritis 10 years after anterior cruciate ligament injury? An updated systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (18) ◽  
pp. 1162-1167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marthe Mehus Lie ◽  
May Arna Risberg ◽  
Kjersti Storheim ◽  
Lars Engebretsen ◽  
Britt Elin Øiestad
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Acl Tear ◽  
Knee Oa ◽  
Symptomatic Knee ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

BackgroundThis updated systematic review reports data from 2009 on the prevalence, and risk factors, for knee osteoarthritis (OA) more than 10 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.MethodsWe systematically searched five databases (PubMed, EMBASE, AMED, Cinahl and SPORTDiscus) for prospective and retrospective studies published after 1 August 2008. Studies were included if they investigated participants with ACL tear (isolated or in combination with medial collateral ligament and/or meniscal injuries) and reported symptomatic and/or radiographic OA at a minimum of 10 years postinjury. We used a modified version of the Downs and Black checklist for methodological quality assessment and narrative synthesis to report results. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO.ResultsForty-one studies were included. Low methodological quality was revealed in over half of the studies. At inclusion, age ranged from 23 to 38 years, and at follow-up from 31 to 51 years. Sample sizes ranged from 18 to 780 participants. The reported radiographic OA prevalence varied between 0% and 100% >10 years after injury, regardless of follow-up time. The studies with low and high methodological quality reported a prevalence of radiographic OA between 0%–100% and 1%–80%, respectively. One study reported symptomatic knee OA for the tibiofemoral (TF) joint (35%), and one study reported symptomatic knee OA for the patellofemoral (PF) joint (15%). Meniscectomy was the only consistent risk factor determined from the data synthesis.ConclusionRadiographic knee OA varied between 0% and 100% in line with our previous systematic review from 2009. Symptomatic and radiographic knee OA was differentiated in two studies only, with a reported symptomatic OA prevalence of 35% for the TF joint and 15% for PF joint. Future cohort studies need to include measurement of symptomatic knee OA in this patient group.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016042693.

Snowboarder's Talus Fracture

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 871-880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Valderrabano ◽  
Thomas Perren ◽  
Christian Ryf ◽  
Paavo Rillmann ◽  
Beat Hintermann
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Subtalar Joint ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Sport Activity ◽  
Treatment Algorithm ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Talus Fracture ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Lateral Process

Background Fracture of the lateral process of the talus is a typical snowboarding injury. Basic data are limited, particularly with respect to treatment and outcome. Hypothesis As the axial-loaded dorsiflexed foot becomes externally rotated and/or everted, fracture of the lateral process of the talus occurs. Primary surgical treatment may improve the outcome of this injury, reducing the risk of secondary subtalar joint osteoarthritis. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods We recorded details of the treatment and evaluation of 20 patients (8 female and 12 male; age at trauma, 29 years [range, 17-48 years]) who sustained a lateral process of the talus fracture while snowboarding. The injury pathomechanism was documented. The patients were treated either nonsurgically or surgically based on a fracture-type treatment algorithm. The evaluation at most recent follow-up (mean, 42 months [range, 26-53 months]) included clinical and functional examination, follow-up of sport activity, and radiological assessment (radiograph, computed tomography scan). Results The injury mechanism included axial impact (100%), dorsiflexion (95%), external rotation (80%), and eversion (45%). Using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hindfoot score, the patients obtained a mean of 93 points; the surgically treated group (n = 14) scored higher (97 points) than did the nonoperative group (n = 6; 85 points) (P <. 05). Degenerative disease of the subtalar joint was found in 3 patients (15%; operative, 1 patient; nonoperative, 2 patients). All but 4 (20%, all after nonsurgical treatment) patients reached the same sport activity level as before injury. Conclusion The snowboarding-related lateral process of the talus fracture represents a complex hindfoot injury. In type II fractures, primary surgical treatment has led to achieving better outcomes, reducing sequelae, and allowing patients to regain the same sports activity level as before injury.

scholarly journals Combined Intra- and Extra-Articular Technique in Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Joints ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 05 (03) ◽  
pp. 156-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Zanovello ◽  
Federica Rosso ◽  
Alessandro Bistolfi ◽  
Roberto Rossi ◽  
Filippo Castoldi
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Return To Sport ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
Over The Top

Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate the “over the top” (OTT) nonanatomical technique for revision of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods Twenty-four patients with a mean age of 31.9 ± 11.2 years underwent revision of ACL reconstruction using OTT technique. International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Lysholm score, Tegner score, Subjective Patient Outcome for Return to Sport (SPORTS) score, Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport After Injury (ACL-RSI) scale, and KT-1000 evaluation were recorded at a mean follow-up of 30.7 ± 18.9 months. Results Postoperatively, the IKDC objective total score significantly improved (p = 0.0046). The KOOS, Lysholm, and Tegner scores also improved, but the results were not statistically significant (62.4 vs. 72.6, 6.5 vs. 75.8, and 4.1 vs. 6.0, respectively). The subjective IKDC evaluation score improved from an average of 51.1 points to 63.7 points at the last follow-up (p = 0.0027). The RTP prevalence was 81.8%, with 44.4% of the patients returning to the same preinjury level. According to the SPORTS score, 16.6% of patients played sport without limitations in activity and performance. The average ACL-RSI score was 52.1 ± 27.0. No major complications were reported. A total of 21.5% of patients underwent surgical removal of staples. The failure prevalence was 14.3% and the cumulative survivorship, calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, was equal to 70% at 60 months of follow-up. Conclusion The OTT technique in the revision ACL reconstruction provided improvement in objective and subjective scores, good RTP prevalence, and acceptable rate of complication and failure. One of the advantages was the possibility to avoid the femoral tunnel. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.

The Role of Patient Characteristics in the Success of Nonoperative Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1657-1664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelle P. van der List ◽  
Frans J.A. Hagemans ◽  
Dirk Jan Hofstee ◽  
Freerk J. Jonkers
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Nonoperative Treatment ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Acl Injuries ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears can either be treated nonoperatively with physical therapy and then treated operatively if persistent instability is present, or be directly treated operatively. Advantages of early ACL reconstruction surgery include shorter time from injury to surgery and potentially fewer meniscal injuries, but performing early ACL reconstruction in all patients results in surgery in patients who might not need ACL reconstruction. It is important to assess in which patients nonoperative treatment is successful and which patients will require ACL reconstruction and thus might be better treated surgically in an earlier phase. Purpose: To identify patient characteristics that predict the success of nonoperative treatment. Study Design: Cohort study (Prognosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: All patients with complete ACL injuries who were evaluated between 2014 and 2017 at our clinic were included. The minimum follow-up was 2 years. The initial treatment and ultimate ACL reconstruction were reviewed. Univariate analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U tests and chi-square tests and multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression. Results: A total of 448 patients were included with a median age of 26 years and median Tegner level of 7 and mean Tegner level of 6.4. At initial consultation, 210 patients (47%) were treated nonoperatively with physical therapy and 126 of these patients (60%) ultimately required ACL reconstruction. Nonoperative treatment failed in 88.9% of patients <25 years of age, 56.0% of patients 25 to 40 years, and 32.9% of patients >40 years ( P < .001); and 41.9% of patients with Tegner level 3 to 6, and 82.8% of patients with Tegner level 7 to 10. Age <25 years (odds ratio [OR], 7.4; P < .001) and higher Tegner levels (OR, 4.2; P < .001) were predictive of failing nonoperative treatment in multivariate analysis. Patients in the failed nonoperative group had longer time from diagnosis to surgery than the direct reconstruction group (6.2 vs 2.2 months; P < .001), and more frequently had new meniscal injuries (17.4% vs 3.1%; P < .001) at surgery. Conclusion: Nonoperative treatment of ACL injuries failed in 60% of patients and was highly correlated with age and activity level. In patients aged 25 years or younger or participating in higher-impact sports, early ACL reconstruction should be considered to prevent longer delay between injury and surgery, as well as new meniscal injuries.

scholarly journals Anterior Cruciate Ligament, Acute Tears. Spontaneus Healing, is True or False

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (12_suppl5) ◽  
pp. 2325967118S0020
Author(s):  
Lucas Marangoni ◽  
Bernardo Murillo ◽  
Damián Bustos ◽  
Pablo Bertiche ◽  
Iván Bitar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Acl Rupture ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Size Limitation ◽  
Resting Time ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Objectives: To identify patients with a diagnosis of acute and complete ACL rupture that healed spontaneously, and to determine whether such healing is related to age, sex, type of rupture, resting time, and trauma mechanisms. Materials and Methods: 30 patients with complete acute ACL rupture were evaluated by clinical diagnosis and Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI). Both Lysholm test and IKDC 2000 were used for subjective evaluation. Results: All patients improved from the first to the second consult, with the following results: Lachman (p <0.0406), pivot shift (p = 0.071), and anterior drawer (p <0.001). During the follow-up MRI, all patients showed signs of healing in ACL. With an average follow-up of 12 months for men (95% CI 6-17) and 13 months for women (95% CI 31 max.), a nearly complete clinical recovery could be inferred, as well as healing occurring independently of variables such as age, sex, or specific treatment (p = 0.795 and p = 0.841). Discussion: Despite this study size limitation, the objectives were achieved. There would be spontaneous ACL healing associated with a 3-month post-injury resting time, but it is unrelated to age, sex, specific physiotherapy treatments, or the use of immobilizers. Level of evidence: level of evidence IV

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