scholarly journals Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Concomitant Meniscal Repair: Is Graft Choice Predictive of Meniscal Repair Success?

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 232596712110335
Author(s):  
Hytham S. Salem ◽  
Laura J. Huston ◽  
Alexander Zajichek ◽  
Eric C. McCarty ◽  
Armando F. Vidal ◽  
...  

Background: When meniscal repair is performed during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR), the effect of ACL graft type on meniscal repair outcomes is unclear. Hypothesis: The authors hypothesized that meniscal repairs would fail at the lowest rate when concomitant ACLR was performed with bone--patellar tendon--bone (BTB) autograft. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients who underwent meniscal repair at primary ACLR were identified from a longitudinal, prospective cohort. Meniscal repair failures, defined as any subsequent surgical procedure addressing the meniscus, were identified. A logistic regression model was built to assess the association of graft type, patient-specific factors, baseline Marx activity rating score, and meniscal repair location (medial or lateral) with repair failure at 6-year follow-up. Results: A total of 646 patients were included. Grafts used included BTB autograft (55.7%), soft tissue autograft (33.9%), and various allografts (10.4%). We identified 101 patients (15.6%) with a documented meniscal repair failure. Failure occurred in 74 of 420 (17.6%) isolated medial meniscal repairs, 15 of 187 (8%) isolated lateral meniscal repairs, and 12 of 39 (30.7%) of combined medial and lateral meniscal repairs. Meniscal repair failure occurred in 13.9% of patients with BTB autografts, 17.4% of patients with soft tissue autografts, and 19.4% of patients with allografts. The odds of failure within 6 years of index surgery were increased more than 2-fold with allograft versus BTB autograft (odds ratio = 2.34 [95% confidence interval, 1.12-4.92]; P = .02). There was a trend toward increased meniscal repair failures with soft tissue versus BTB autografts (odds ratio = 1.41 [95% confidence interval, 0.87-2.30]; P = .17). The odds of failure were 68% higher with medial versus lateral repairs ( P < .001). There was a significant relationship between baseline Marx activity level and the risk of subsequent meniscal repair failure; patients with either very low (0-1 points) or very high (15-16 points) baseline activity levels were at the highest risk ( P = .004). Conclusion: Meniscal repair location (medial vs lateral) and baseline activity level were the main drivers of meniscal repair outcomes. Graft type was ranked third, demonstrating that meniscal repairs performed with allograft were 2.3 times more likely to fail compared with BTB autograft. There was no significant difference in failure rates between BTB versus soft tissue autografts. Registration: NCT00463099 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 298-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Kurt P. Spindler ◽  
Laura J. Huston ◽  
Alexander Zajichek ◽  
Emily K. Reinke ◽  
...  

Background: Physicians’ and patients’ decision-making process between bone–patellar tendon–bone (BTB) and hamstring tendon autografts for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) may be influenced by a variety of factors in the young, active athlete. Purpose: To determine the incidence of both ACL graft revisions and contralateral ACL tears resulting in subsequent ACLR in a cohort of high school– and college-aged athletes who initially underwent primary ACLR with either a BTB or a hamstring autograft. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Study inclusion criteria were patients aged 14 to 22 years who were injured in sports, had a contralateral normal knee, and were scheduled to undergo unilateral primary ACLR with either a BTB or a hamstring autograft. All patients were prospectively followed for 6 years to determine whether any subsequent ACLR was performed in either knee after their initial ACLR. Multivariable regression modeling controlled for age, sex, ethnicity/race, body mass index, sport and competition level, baseline activity level, knee laxity, and graft type. The 6-year outcomes were the incidence of subsequent ACLR in either knee. Results: A total of 839 patients were eligible, of which 770 (92%) had 6-year follow-up for the primary outcome measure of the incidence of subsequent ACLR. The median age was 17 years, with 48% female, and the distribution of BTB and hamstring grafts was 492 (64%) and 278 (36%), respectively. The incidence of subsequent ACLR at 6 years was 9.2% in the ipsilateral knee, 11.2% in the contralateral normal knee, and 19.7% for either knee. High-grade preoperative knee laxity (odds ratio [OR], 2.4 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-3.9]; P = .001), autograft type (OR, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.3-3.5]; P = .004), and age (OR, 0.8 [95% CI, 0.7-1.0]; P = .009) were the 3 most influential predictors of ACL graft revision in the ipsilateral knee. The odds of ACL graft revision were 2.1 times higher for patients receiving a hamstring autograft than patients receiving a BTB autograft (95% CI, 1.3-3.5; P = .004). No significant differences were found between autograft choices when looking at the incidence of subsequent ACLR in the contralateral knee. Conclusion: There was a high incidence of both ACL graft revisions and contralateral normal ACL tears resulting in subsequent ACLR in this young athletic cohort. The incidence of ACL graft revision at 6 years after index surgery was 2.1 times higher with a hamstring autograft compared with a BTB autograft.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (7_suppl5) ◽  
pp. 2325967119S0035
Author(s):  
Hytham S. Salem ◽  
Laura J. Huston ◽  
Alex Zajichek ◽  
Michelle Lora Wolcott ◽  
Eric C. McCarty ◽  
...  

Objectives: The success rate of meniscal repair is known to increase with concurrent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, the influence of ACL graft choice has not been described. The current study examines the effect of ACL graft choice on the outcome of meniscal repair performed in conjunction with ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Methods: Patients who underwent meniscal repair with concurrent primary ACLR were identified from a longitudinal, prospective cohort. Patient demographics and subjective outcome measures including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Marx activity rating scale were collected preoperatively. Arthroscopic assessment of meniscal tear characteristics and associated repair technique were recorded intraoperatively. Patients with subsequent repair failure, defined as any subsequent surgical procedure addressing the meniscus repaired at index surgery, were identified and operative notes were obtained in order to accurately classify pathology and treatment. A logistic regression model was built to assess the association of patient specific factors, ACL graft, baseline Marx activity level and meniscal tear laterality with the occurrence of repair failure at 6-year follow-up. Results: A total of 646 patients underwent ACLR with concurrent meniscal repair. Bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) and soft tissue (ST) autograft were used in 55.7% and 33.9% of cases, respectively, while allografts were utilized in the remaining cases. Table 1 summarizes the univariate analysis of each baseline variable. A total of 101 patients (15.6%) required subsequent surgery on the meniscus repaired at index surgery, including 89 meniscectomies (87 partial, 2 subtotal), 11 revision meniscal repairs, and 1 meniscus allograft transplantation. No statistically significant difference in meniscal repair failure rate was observed based on patient age, sex, BMI or smoking status. The odds of meniscal repair failure within 6 years of surgery for patients with only a lateral meniscal repair are 68% less than those with only a medial meniscal repair (CI: 41%, 83%; p<0.001). There is a statistically significant relationship between baseline Marx activity and the risk of subsequent meniscal repair, though it is nonlinear—patients with low or high baseline activity are at the highest risk of meniscal repair failure (CI: 1.05,1.31; p=0.004, Figure 1). The estimated odds of meniscal repair failure for BTB allograft, ST allograft, and ST autograft were 2.78 (CI: 0.84,9.19; p=0.09), 2.29 (CI: 0.97,5.45; p=0.06), and 1.42 (CI:0.87,2.32; p=0.16) times that of BTB autograft, respectively, although none proved statistically significant. Meniscal repair failure is associated with significantly lower 6-year scores for all KOOS components and the IKDC (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in MARX activity at 6-years (p=0.27). Conclusion: In the setting of primary ACLR, the risk of meniscal repair failure is increased with medial versus lateral meniscal repair. Patients with low or high baseline activity levels are also at an increased risk. ACL graft choice seems to have an effect on meniscal repair failure that approaches but does not reach statistical significance. A larger sample size may be required to accept the null hypothesis. [Table: see text][Figure: see text]


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (9) ◽  
pp. 2498-2500
Author(s):  
Bogdan Sendrea ◽  
Antoine Edu ◽  
George Viscopoleanu

Magnetic resonance imaging has become the gold standard for soft tissue lesions evaluation especially after a traumatic event where there is need for diagnostic confirmation. The objective of the current paper was to evaluate the ability of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing soft tissue lesions in patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction compared with arthroscopic findings. Through the ability to diagnose soft tissue injuries, particularly meniscal lesions, magnetic resonance imaging should be considered as fundamental in guiding therapeutic management in patients with anterior cruciate ligament lesions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 232596712098164
Author(s):  
Steven F. DeFroda ◽  
Devan D. Patel ◽  
John Milner ◽  
Daniel S. Yang ◽  
Brett D. Owens

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in National Basketball Association (NBA) players can have a significant impact on player longevity and performance. Current literature reports a high rate of return to play, but there are limited data on performance after ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Purpose/Hypothesis: To determine return to play and player performance in the first and second seasons after ACLR in NBA players. We hypothesized that players would return at a high rate. However, we also hypothesized that performance in the first season after ACLR would be worse as compared with the preinjury performance, with a return to baseline by postoperative year 2. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: An online database of NBA athlete injuries between 2010 and 2019 was queried using the term ACL reconstruction. For the included players, the following data were recorded: name; age at injury; position; height, weight, and body mass index; handedness; NBA experience; dates of injury, surgery, and return; knee affected; and postoperative seasons played. Regular season statistics for 1 preinjury season and 2 postoperative seasons were compiled and included games started and played, minutes played, and player efficiency rating. Kaplan-Meier survivorship plots were computed for athlete return-to-play and retirement endpoints. Results: A total of 26 athletes underwent ACLR; of these, 84% (95% CI, 63.9%-95.5%) returned to play at a mean 372.5 days (95% CI, 323.5-421.5 days) after surgery. Career length after injury was a mean of 3.36 seasons (95% CI, 2.27-4.45 seasons). Factors that contributed to an increased probability of return to play included younger age at injury (odds ratio, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.47-0.92]; P = .0337) and fewer years of experience in the NBA before injury (odds ratio, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.45-0.93]; P = .0335). Postoperatively, athletes played a significantly lower percentage of total games in the first season (48.4%; P = .0004) and second season (62.1%; P = .0067) as compared with the preinjury season (78.5%). Player efficiency rating in the first season was 19.3% less than that in the preinjury season ( P = .0056). Performance in the second postoperative season was not significantly different versus preinjury. Conclusion: NBA players have a high rate of RTP after ACLR. However, it may take longer than a single season for elite NBA athletes to return to their full preinjury performance. Younger players and those with less NBA experience returned at higher rates.


2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110130
Author(s):  
Stefano Nuccio ◽  
Luciana Labanca ◽  
Jacopo Emanuele Rocchi ◽  
Pier Paolo Mariani ◽  
Paola Sbriccoli ◽  
...  

Background: The acute effects of exercise on anterior knee laxity (AKL) and anterior knee stiffness (AKS) have been documented in healthy participants, but only limited evidence has been provided for athletes cleared to return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to determine if 45 minutes of a soccer match simulation lead to acute changes in AKL and AKS in soccer players returning to sport within 12 months after ACLR. We hypothesized that the reconstructed knee of the ACLR group would exhibit an altered response to sport-specific exercise. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 13 soccer players cleared to return to sport after ACLR and 13 healthy control soccer players matched for age, physical activity level, limb dominance, and anthropometric characteristics were recruited. To assess the effects of a standardized soccer match simulation (Soccer Aerobic Field Test [SAFT45]) on AKL and AKS, an arthrometric evaluation was carried out bilaterally before and immediately after SAFT45. To conduct a comprehensive examination of the force-displacement curve, the absolute and side-to-side difference (SSD) values of both AKL and AKS were extracted at 67, 134, and 200 N. Results: The ACLR and control groups showed similar AKL and AKS at baseline ( P > .05). In response to SAFT45, laxity increased bilaterally at all force levels by 14% to 17% only in the control group ( P < .025). Similarly, AKS at 134 and 200 N decreased in response to SAFT45 only in the control group (10.5% and 20.5%, respectively; P < .025). After SAFT45, the ACLR group had 1.9 and 2.5 times higher SSDs of AKS at 67 and 134 N compared with the control group, respectively ( P < .025), as well as a 1.9 times higher SSD of AKS at 134 N compared with baseline ( P = .014). Conclusion: Soccer players at the time of return to sport after ACLR showed an altered mechanical response to a sport-specific match simulation consisting of bilaterally unchanged AKL and AKS. Clinical Relevance: Soccer players showing altered AKL and AKS in response to exercise after ACLR may not be ready to sustain their preinjury levels of sport, thus potentially increasing the risk of second ACL injuries.


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (07) ◽  
pp. 659-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Cain ◽  
Brent Ponce ◽  
Hikel Boohaker ◽  
Martha George ◽  
Gerald McGwin ◽  
...  

This article aims to evaluate factors associated with chondral and meniscal lesions in primary and revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions. ACL reconstructions from 2001 to 2008 at a single institution were retrospectively analyzed. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between chondral and meniscal injuries and age, gender, tear chronicity, additional ligamentous injuries, sport type, and participation level. Of the 3,040 ACL reconstructions analyzed, 90.4% were primary reconstructions and 9.6% were revisions. Meniscal injuries were significantly lower in the revision group (44.0 vs. 51.9%; p = 0.01), while chondral injuries were significantly higher in the revision group (39.9 vs. 24.0%; p < 0.0001). Inspection of the small subgroup (n = 85) receiving both primary and revision ACL surgery at our center indicated that meniscal injuries at revision were evenly split between menisci with and without previous repairs, whereas the vast majority of Grade III and IV chondral lesions were new. More patients presented for surgery later in the revision group than in the primary group (56.5 vs. 35.3%; p < 0.0001). Male gender, primary reconstruction, and short interval (less than 2 weeks) between injury and surgery were associated with increased likelihood of meniscus tear. Age (greater than 22 years) and long interval (greater than 6 weeks) between injury to surgery and higher sport activity level were associated with chondral lesions. Revision ACL reconstructions are associated with a higher proportion of chondral lesions and a lower proportion of meniscal tears. Early primary and revision ACL construction is recommended to reduce the probability of chondral lesions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 282-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Michael Khair ◽  
Hassan Ghomrawi ◽  
Sean Wilson ◽  
Robert G. Marx

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


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 232596711880745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristy A. Pottkotter ◽  
Stephanie L. Di Stasi ◽  
Laura C. Schmitt ◽  
Robert A. Magnussen ◽  
Mark V. Paterno ◽  
...  

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


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