scholarly journals Iliotibial Band Autograft Provides the Fastest Recovery of Knee Extensor Mechanism Function in Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Author(s):  
Tishya L. Wren ◽  
Veronica Beltran ◽  
Mia J. Katzel ◽  
Adriana S. Conrad-Forrest ◽  
Curtis D. VandenBerg

Iliotibial band autograft is an increasingly popular option for pediatric anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The purpose of this study was to compare recovery of knee extensor mechanism function among pediatric patients who underwent ACLR using iliotibial band (IT), hamstring tendon (HT), quadriceps tendon (QT), and patellar tendon (PT) autografts. One hundred forty-five pediatric athletes (76 female; age 15.0, range 7–21 years) with recent (3–18 months) unilateral ACLR performed drop-jump landing and 45° cutting with 3D motion capture. Knee extensor mechanism function (maximum knee flexion angle, maximum internal knee extensor moment, energy absorption at knee) during the loading phase (foot contact to peak knee flexion) was compared among graft types (20 IT, 29 HT, 39 QT, 57 PT) and sides (ACLR or contralateral) using linear mixed models with sex, age, and time since surgery as covariates. Overall, knee flexion was significantly lower on the operated vs. contralateral side for HT, QT, and PT during both tasks (p < 0.03). All graft types exhibited lower knee extensor moments and energy absorption on the operated side during both movements (p ≤ 0.001). Kinetic asymmetry was significantly lower for IT compared with QT and PT during both movements (p ≤ 0.005), and similar patterns were observed for HT vs. QT and PT (p ≤ 0.07). Asymmetry was similar between IT and HT and between QT and PT. This study found that knee extensor mechanism function recovers fastest in pediatric ACLR patients with IT autografts, followed by HT, in comparison to QT and PT, suggesting that IT is a viable option for returning young athletes to play after ACLR.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967121S0009
Author(s):  
Curtis D. VandenBerg ◽  
Mia J. Katzel ◽  
Veronica Beltran ◽  
Adriana S. Conrad-Forrest ◽  
Tishya A. L. Wren

Background: While multiple studies have shown clear benefits of autograft over allograft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in young athletes, disagreement remains regarding the optimal autograft choice. Recovery from ACLR may be influenced by autograft type, which can include iliotibial band (IT), hamstring tendon (HT), quadriceps tendon (QT), or patellar tendon (PT) depending on skeletal maturity and surgeon preference. Hypothesis/Purpose: This study compared knee joint function among pediatric athletes with different types of ACLR autografts. We hypothesized that knee extensor function would recover faster for graft types that did not disrupt the knee extensor mechanism (i.e., IT and HT vs. PT and QT). Methods: This retrospective study examined 138 pediatric athletes (73 female; mean age 15.5, SD 2.2, range 8-21 years) who had undergone sports biomechanical testing in our motion analysis laboratory following recent unilateral ACLR (mean 7.7, range 3-18 months post-surgery). All reconstructions used autografts including 20 IT, 26 HT, 37 QT, and 55 PT. Lower extremity sagittal plane kinematics and kinetics were measured during vertical drop jump landing (41 cm height) and 45° cutting. Maximum knee flexion angles, internal knee extensor moments, and energy absorption during the landing phase (initial contact to peak knee flexion) of each movement were compared among graft types and sides (ACLR vs. contralateral) using linear mixed models with sex, age, and time since surgery as covariates. Results: Knee flexion was significantly lower on the operated vs. contralateral side for HT, QT, and PT during drop jump and for QT and PT during cutting (p<0.001). All graft types exhibited lower knee extensor moments and energy absorption on the operated side (p<0.05). This asymmetry was most pronounced for QT and PT and least pronounced for IT (Figure 1.1). Loading on the operated limb decreased from IT to HT to QT and PT, while loading on the contralateral limb increased similarly. Asymmetry of kinetics was significantly lower for IT compared with both QT and PT during both movements (p<0.01). Similar patterns were observed for HT but were not always statistically significant. No differences in asymmetry were observed between IT and HT or between QT and PT. Conclusion: Young athletes with IT and HT autografts exhibit greater engagement of the knee extensors during dynamic loading than peers with PT or QT autografts in the 18 months following ACLR. This may be due to extensor mechanism donor site morbidity associated with PT and QT grafts. Tables/Figures: [Figure: see text]


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (preprint) ◽  
pp. 0000-0000
Author(s):  
Mark A. Lyle ◽  
Jake C. Jensen ◽  
Jennifer L. Hunnicutt ◽  
Jonathan J. Brown ◽  
Cynthia P. Chambliss ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Context: Altered knee moments are common during gait in patients following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Modifiable factors that influence knee moments and are feasible to record in clinical settings such as strength and spatiotemporal parameters (e.g. step length, step width) have not been identified in persons after ACLR. Objective: The objective was to identify strength and spatiotemporal gait parameters that can predict knee moments in persons after ACLR. Design: Cross-Sectional Study Setting: Laboratory Patients: Twenty-three participants with ACLR (14.4 ± 17.2 months post-ACLR) participated. Main Outcome Measures: Peak knee flexion and adduction moments were measured while walking at self-selected speeds. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were recorded with a pressure walkway, and peak isokinetic knee extensor strength (60°/s) was recorded on a dynamometer. Pearson coefficients were used to examine the association of peak knee moments with strength and gait parameters. Variables correlated with peak knee flexion and adduction moments were entered into a stepwise regression model. Results: Step width and knee extensor strength were the strongest predictors of knee flexion moment accounting for 44% of data variance, whereas stance phase time and step width were the strongest predictors of knee adduction moment explaining 62% of data variance. Conclusions: The spatiotemporal variables that were identified could be clinically feasible targets for biofeedback to improve gait after ACLR.


2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianni De Petrillo ◽  
Thierry Pauyo ◽  
Corinna C. Franklin ◽  
Ross S. Chafetz ◽  
Marie-Lyne Nault ◽  
...  

AbstractAnterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is the preferred treatment to anterior cruciate ligament injury. With the increase in anterior cruciate ligament injuries in both adults and skeletally immature patients comes the need for individualized anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction graft selection whether it is the type of graft (auto vs. allograft) or the harvesting site (hamstrings, iliotibial band, quadriceps, patella). Several factors need to be considered preoperatively in order to optimize the patients’ recovery and restore anterior cruciate ligament strength and function. These include age and bone maturity, preoperative knee flexor/extensor strength, sport participation, patient’s needs and anatomical characteristics. This paper aims at bringing evidence supporting the use of a personalized approach in graft selection for faster and more efficient return to sport and propose a theoretical framework to support the approach.


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