scholarly journals Effect of Demineralized Bone Matrix, Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells, and Platelet-Rich Plasma on Bone Tunnel Healing After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Comparative Micro-Computed Tomography Study in a Tendon Allograft Sheep Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 232596712110341
Author(s):  
Adam T. Hexter ◽  
Aikaterina Karali ◽  
Alex Kao ◽  
Gianluca Tozzi ◽  
Nima Heidari ◽  
...  

Background: The effect of demineralized bone matrix (DBM), bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on bone tunnel healing in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has not been comparatively assessed. Hypothesis: These orthobiologics would reduce tunnel widening, and the effects on tunnel diameter would be correlated with tunnel wall sclerosis. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 20 sheep underwent unilateral ACLR using tendon allograft and outside-in interference screw fixation. The animals were randomized into 4 groups (n = 5 per group): Group 1 received 4mL of DBM paste, group 2 received 10 million BMSCs in fibrin sealant, group 3 received 12 mL of activated leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma, and group 4 (control) received no treatment. The sheep were euthanized after 12 weeks, and micro-computed tomography scans were performed. The femoral and tibial tunnels were divided into thirds (aperture, midportion, and exit), and the trabecular bone structure, bone mineral density (BMD), and tunnel diameter were measured. Tunnel sclerosis was defined by a higher bone volume in a 250-µm volume of interest compared with a 4-mm volume of interest surrounding the tunnel. Results: Compared with the controls, the DBM group had a significantly higher bone volume fraction (bone volume/total volume [BV/TV]) (52.7% vs 31.8%; P = .020) and BMD (0.55 vs 0.47 g/cm3; P = .008) at the femoral aperture and significantly higher BV/TV at femoral midportion (44.2% vs 32.9%; P = .038). There were no significant differences between the PRP and BMSC groups versus controls in terms of trabecular bone analysis or BMD. In the controls, widening at the femoral tunnel aperture was significantly greater than at the midportion (46.7 vs 41.7 mm2; P = .034). Sclerosis of the tunnel was common and most often seen at the femoral aperture. In the midportion of the femoral tunnel, BV/TV ( r = 0.52; P = .019) and trabecular number ( r S = 0.50; P = .024) were positively correlated with tunnel widening. Conclusion: Only DBM led to a significant increase in bone volume, which was seen in the femoral tunnel aperture and midportion. No treatment significantly reduced bone tunnel widening. Tunnel sclerosis in the femoral tunnel midportion was correlated significantly with tunnel widening. Clinical Relevance: DBM might have potential clinical use to enhance healing in the femoral tunnel after ACLR.

Author(s):  
Tsuneari Takahashi ◽  
Tomohiro Saito ◽  
Tatsuya Kubo ◽  
Ko Hirata ◽  
Hideaki Sawamura ◽  
...  

AbstractFew studies have determined whether a femoral bone tunnel could be created behind the resident's ridge by using a transtibial (TT) technique-single bundle (SB)-anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The aim of this study was to clarify (1) whether it is possible to create a femoral bone tunnel behind the resident's ridge by using the TT technique with SB ACL reconstruction, (2) to define the mean tibial and femoral tunnel angles during anatomic SB ACL reconstruction, and (3) to clarify the tibial tunnel inlet location when the femoral tunnel is created behind resident's ridge. Arthroscopic TT-SB ACL reconstruction was performed on 36 patients with ACL injuries. The point where 2.4-mm guide pin was inserted was confirmed, via anteromedial portal, to consider a location behind the resident's ridge. Then, an 8-mm diameter femoral tunnel with a 4.5-mm socket was created. Tunnel positions were evaluated by using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) 1 week postoperatively. Quadrant method and the resident's ridge on 3D-CT were evaluated to determine whether femoral tunnel position was anatomical. Radiological evaluations of tunnel positions yielded mean ( ±  standard deviation) X- and Y-axis values for the tunnel centers: femoral tunnel, 25.2% ± 5.1% and 41.6% ± 10.2%; tibial tunnel, 49.2% ± 3.5%, and 31.5% ± 7.7%. The bone tunnels were anatomically positioned in all cases. The femoral tunnel angle relative to femoral axis was 29.4 ± 5.5 degrees in the coronal view and 43.5 ± 8.0 degrees in the sagittal view. The tibial tunnel angle relative to tibial axis was 25.5 ± 5.3 degrees in the coronal view and 52.3 ± 4.6 degrees in the sagittal view. The created tibial bone tunnel inlet had an average distance of 13.4 ± 2.7 mm from the medial tibial joint line and 9.7 ± 1.7 mm medial from the axis of the tibia. Femoral bone tunnel could be created behind the resident's ridge with TT-SB ACL reconstruction. The tibial bone tunnel inlet averaged 13.4 mm from the medial tibial joint line and 9.7 mm medial from the tibia axis.


2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 1609-1617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Neddermann ◽  
Elmar Willbold ◽  
Frank Witte ◽  
Christof Hurschler ◽  
Stefan Hankemeier ◽  
...  

Background A common clinical concern after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is the expansion of the bone tunnels as seen radiographically. The etiology and clinical relevance of this phenomenon remain unclear. Hypothesis Tunnel widening results in an increased anteroposterior translation, and there are specific histologic changes due to osteoclastic bone resorption associated with this phenomenon. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Thirty sheep (age, 4 months) underwent an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a soft tissue graft. Graft fixation was achieved using the EndoButton and Suture Washer. Six animals each were sacrificed at 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks after surgery. Each anterior cruciate ligament–reconstructed knee was examined by computed tomography. Anteroposterior translation was determined using a universal force-moment sensor robot. The bone surrounding the tunnel was evaluated histologically. Results The prevalence of tunnel enlargement on the femoral side was 77.3%. Animals with tunnel widening did not demonstrate increased anteroposterior translation. Widening of the femoral tunnel was significantly associated with a higher stiffness of the graft (P <. 05) and hypertrophy of the graft throughout the remodeling process. The histologic evaluation of the bone tunnel walls demonstrated an increase of bone volume in animals with tunnel enlargement. No statistically significant correlation could be found between the number of osteoclasts and the presence of tunnel widening. Conclusion In this large animal model of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, animals with significant tunnel widening did not suffer increased anteroposterior translation. Tunnel widening was associated with a high stiffness of the graft, graft hypertrophy, and an increase in bone volume of the tunnel wall. Clinical Relevance The present data correspond to the current opinion in humans that tunnel widening is not associated with knee instability. Further research is needed to understand the role of graft stiffness, graft hypertrophy, and the increase in bone volume in this phenomenon.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (11_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967114S0027
Author(s):  
Osman Çiloğlu ◽  
Hakan Çiçek ◽  
Ahmet Yılmaz ◽  
Metin Özalay ◽  
Gökhan Söker ◽  
...  

Objectives: We investigated the effects anatomic or nonanatomic femoral tunnel positions and tunnel fixation methods obtained using two different surgery methods on tunnel widening and clinical results in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions. Methods: Patients with isolated anterior cruciate ligament rupture are included to study who don’t have intra-and extra-articular additional pathology of the knee, without previously a history of operations of both knees. 2 groups were created. Group 1 Aperfix implant were used which can be able to perform non anatomical femoral tunnel and intra tunnel fixation with transtibial technique. In Group 2 Endobutton CL implant were used which can make fixation from outside the cortex with anatomic femoral tunnel in use of anteromedial portal techniques. 27 patients (average age 29,33, range 18 to 55 years) in group 1 and 27 patients (average age 27,51, range 16 to 45 years) in group 2 totally 54 patients were performed surgery. All patients were assessed using the IKDC (International knee documentation committee), Tegner Activity Scala and Lysholm II Functional Scores. Muscle strength measurements in both groups compared to intact knee was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer Biodex System 3 Pro. The location of the femoral tunnel aperture and tunnel widening were imaged with 3D reconstructive computed tomography. All measurements were performed using the same software application by the same radiologist. Results: The two groups were similar with respect to age and sex distribution, operated side, the size of the tunnel created, and follow-up period (p>0.05). After surgery in both groups, the clinical scores showed significant improvement compared to preoperative (p=0,0001). However, postoperative clinical outcomes in the two groups did not show a difference significantly (p>0,005). Isokinetic muscle strength study showed significant differences between the two groups (p=0,0001). Location of femoral tunnel aperture on the medial wall of the lateral femoral condyle showed a significant differences in the two groups (p=0,0001). The expansion of proximal and distal femoral tunnel in two groups showed significant differences (p=0,0001). There was relationship between distal femoral tunnel widening and location of femoral tunnel aperture. Conclusion: Although there is no statistically significant difference between the two groups clinically, difference noticed in terms of isokinetic muscle strength may be due to differences in the degree of shift as a result of multiple loading depending on the biomechanical properties of materials. We thought that the difference seen in the widening of tunnel in the proximal or distal may be due to, the technique of graft fixation, the distance between the fixation point and the joint, and to the location of the femoral tunnel aperture on medial wall of lateral condyle from anatomical or non anatomical region. There is no golden standard in neither surgical technique nor material of fixation. Proper theoretical knowledge and extensive clinical experience are important in the light of an accurate surgical technique applied. We thought that information we have reached in our study should be supported by biomechanical studies


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 1349-1358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian-Chun Zong ◽  
Richard Ma ◽  
Hongsheng Wang ◽  
Guang-Ting Cong ◽  
Amir Lebaschi ◽  
...  

Background: Moderate graft pretensioning in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is paramount to restore knee stability and normalize knee kinematics. However, little is known about the effect of graft pretensioning on graft-to-bone healing after ACL reconstruction. Hypothesis: Moderate graft pretensioning will improve bone formation within the bone tunnel after ACL reconstruction, resulting in superior load to failure. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: 67 male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent unilateral ACL reconstruction with a flexor digitorum longus tendon autograft. The graft was subjected to pretensioning forces of 0 N, 5 N, or 10 N. Custom-made external fixators were used for knee immobilization postoperatively. Rats were euthanized for biomechanical load-to-failure testing (n = 45) and micro–computed tomography (μCT) examination (n = 22) at 3 and 6 weeks after surgery. Three regions of each femoral and tibial bone tunnel (aperture, middle, and tunnel exit) were chosen for measurement of tunnel diameter and new bone formation. Results: Biomechanical tests revealed significantly higher load-to-failure in the 5-N graft pretensioned group compared with the 0- and 10-N groups at 3 weeks (8.58 ± 2.67 N vs 3.96 ± 1.83 N and 4.46 ± 2.62 N, respectively) and 6 weeks (16.56 ± 3.50 N vs 10.82 ± 1.97 N and 7.35 ± 2.85 N, respectively) after surgery ( P < .05). The mean bone tunnel diameters at each of the 3 regions were significantly smaller in the 5-N group, at both the femoral and tibial tunnel sites, than in the 0- and 10-N groups ( P < .05). At 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively, the bone mineral density, bone volume fraction, and connectivity density around the aperture and middle regions of the tibial bone tunnels were all significantly higher in the 5-N group compared with the 0- and 10-N groups ( P < .05). In the aperture and middle regions of the femoral bone tunnels, pretensioning at either 5 or 10 N resulted in increased bone formation compared with the nonpretensioned group at 3 weeks postoperatively. No differences were found in bone formation between any of the 3 femoral tunnel regions at 6 weeks. Conclusion: Graft pretensioning can stimulate new bone formation and improve tendon-to-bone tunnel healing after ACL reconstruction. Clinical Relevance: Optimal graft pretensioning force in ACL reconstruction can improve bone tunnel healing. Further study is necessary to understand the mechanisms underlying the effect of graft pretensioning on healing at the bone-tunnel interface.


Author(s):  
Adam T. Hexter ◽  
Anita Sanghani-Kerai ◽  
Nima Heidari ◽  
Deepak M. Kalaskar ◽  
Ashleigh Boyd ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose The effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on tendon allograft maturation in a large animal anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction model was reported for the first time. It was hypothesised that compared with non-augmented ACL reconstruction, BMSCs and PRP would enhance graft maturation after 12 weeks and this would be detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods Fifteen sheep underwent unilateral tendon allograft ACL reconstruction using aperture fixation and were randomised into three groups (n = 5). Group 1 received 10 million allogeneic BMSCs in 2 ml fibrin sealant; Group 2 received 12 ml PRP in a plasma clot injected into the graft and bone tunnels; and Group 3 (control) received no adjunctive treatment. At autopsy at 12 weeks, a graft maturation score was determined by the sum for graft integrity, synovial coverage and vascularisation, graft thickness and apparent tension, and synovial sealing at tunnel apertures. MRI analysis (n = 2 animals per group) of the signal–noise quotient (SNQ) and fibrous interzone (FIZ) was used to evaluate intra-articular graft maturation and tendon–bone healing, respectively. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (r) of SNQ, autopsy graft maturation score and bone tunnel diameter were analysed. Results The BMSC group (p = 0.01) and PRP group (p = 0.03) had a significantly higher graft maturation score compared with the control group. The BMSC group scored significantly higher for synovial sealing at tunnel apertures (p = 0.03) compared with the control group. The graft maturation score at autopsy significantly correlated with the SNQ (r = − 0.83, p < 0.01). The tunnel diameter of the femoral tunnel at the aperture (r = 0.883, p = 0.03) and mid-portion (r = 0.941, p = 0.02) positively correlated with the SNQ. Conclusions BMSCs and PRP significantly enhanced graft maturation, which indicates that orthobiologics can accelerate the biologic events in tendon allograft incorporation. Femoral tunnel expansion significantly correlated with inferior maturation of the intra-articular graft. The clinical relevance of this study is that BMSCs and PRP enhance allograft healing in a translational model, and biological modulation of graft healing can be evaluated non-invasively using MRI.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 232596711988266
Author(s):  
Hong Li ◽  
Shaohua Liu ◽  
Yaying Sun ◽  
Hongyun Li ◽  
Shiyi Chen ◽  
...  

Background: The graft bending angle (GBA), the angle between the femoral bone tunnel and the line connecting the femoral and tibial tunnel apertures, has been proven to influence stress within the graft and could be an important factor in graft healing within the joint and bone tunnel. However, the influence of the GBA on functional outcomes, particularly on return to sports (RTS), is rarely reported. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the GBA on graft maturation, the femoral tunnel, and functional outcomes at 12 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). We hypothesized that a greater GBA might be related to bone tunnel widening, poor graft healing, and inferior functional outcomes after ACLR. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 43 consecutive patients who underwent unilateral ACLR with hamstring tendon autografts participated in this study. Their knees were evaluated using functional scores (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] score, Lysholm knee activity score, Tegner activity scale, RTS) and the anterior tibial translation side-to-side difference (ATTD), as measured using a KT-1000 arthrometer and 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), at 12 months after surgery. Based on MRI, the signal/noise quotient (SNQ) of the graft, the GBA, and the femoral tunnel diameter were measured. Results: The mean GBA was 56° (range, 41°-69°). The GBA had a significant positive correlation with the SNQ (rho, 0.45; P = .003) and bone tunnel diameter (rho, 0.35; P = .02), but it had no significant correlation with any functional scores. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on GBA values: low GBA (LGBA; 40° < GBA ≤ 50°), middle GBA (MGBA; 50° < GBA ≤ 60°), and high GBA (HGBA; 60° < GBA ≤ 70°). The HGBA group had a significantly higher mean SNQ than both the LGBA ( P = .01) and MGBA groups ( P = .02). It also had a greater mean tunnel diameter than the LGBA group ( P = .04). There was no significant difference in IKDC scores, Lysholm scores, ATTD, Tegner scores, or rates of RTS among groups. Conclusion: The GBA did not affect functional outcomes at 12 months after ACLR, although it affected the SNQ of the graft and the femoral tunnel diameter.


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