Lateral femoral tunnel preparation and graft fixation for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction–A discussion

This article provides a discussion and commentary around the recent advances in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction(ACLR),with a focus on the aspects of lateral femoral tunnel preparation and graft fixation techniques.The paper explores and comments on a recently published review by Dai et al,titled"Research progress on preparation of lateral femoral tunnel and graft fixation in ACLR",while providing insight into its relevance within the field of ACLR,and recommendations for future research.

Anatomical Risk Factors for Rupture of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament:Magnetic Resonance Imaging Based Knee Joint Assessment

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is one of the most frequently encountered traumatic ligamentous lesions of the knee. Several intrinsic and extrinsic factors are linked to this lesion. Anatomical factors increase the anterior translation of the knee and thus promote the stretching and rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament. Objectives: To determine the anatomical risk factors favouring ACL rupture by comparing morphometric parameters of patients with knee ACL rupture to patients without ACL rupture, as well as the intercondylar notch index and the tibial slopes of the two groups and describing the ruptured ACLs and associated signs. Materials and Methods: We conducted a case-control descriptive analytical study in imaging centres of the General Henri Mondor of Aurillac Hospital Centre in France (CHM) and the Jordan Medical Centre of Yaoundé in Cameroon (CMJ). MRI exam protocols included T1 SE, T2 SE, proton density and Fat Sat sequences, with slices in all three planes. Morphometry knee variables measured in our study were: intercondylar notch index and the tibial slopes. These measurements were obtained from images stored in DICOM format and post processing software OsiriX MD®for CMJ patients and Explore®for CHM patients. Results: The study included 92 individuals, 38 in the case group and 54 in the control group. The mean age was 36.6 years for both groups;35.5 years for the cases and 37.4 years for the controls. The sex ratio was 1.87 men for 1 woman in both groups;2.16 men for 1 woman for the case group. 53% of ACL ruptures are partial, with the predominant direct sign being morphologic and signal abnormalities of the ACL. The most significant indirect sign of ACL rupture was mirror-image bone contusion that was observed in 47.3% of cases. In the case group, the mean lateral tibial slope was 4.003°, whereas it was 2.92°in the control group. The comparison of means was estimated at approximately 0.039 (p Conclusion: The increase in the lateral tibial slope was a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament rupture in our study population. Intercondylar notch index and medial tibial slope did not show any statistical significant difference.

Unhappy triad of the knee:What are the current concepts and opinions?

The association between injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament,medial collateral ligament,and medial meniscus(MM)has been known to orthopedic surgeons since 1936;O’Donoghue first used the term"unhappy triad"of the knee to describe this condition in 1950.Later studies revealed that involvement of the lateral meniscus is more common than MM in these cases,leading to a change in the definition.Recent studies have revealed that this triad may be primarily linked to knee anterolateral complex injuries.Although there is not a definite management protocol for this triad,we try to mention the most recent concepts about it in addition to expert opinions.

Anatomy of the anterolateral ligament of the knee joint

Despite remarkable improvements in clinical outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction,the residual rotational instability of knee joints remains a major concern.The anterolateral ligament(ALL)has recently gained attention as a distinct ligamentous structure on the anterolateral aspect of the knee joint.Numerous studies investigated the anatomy,function,and biomechanics of ALL to establish its potential role as a stabilizer for anterolateral rotational instability.However,controversies regarding its existence,prevalence,and femoral and tibial insertions need to be addressed.According to a recent consensus,ALL exists as a distinct ligamentous structure on the anterolateral aspect of the knee joint,with some anatomic variations.The aim of this article was to review the updated anatomy of ALL and present the most accepted findings among the existing controversies.Generally,ALL originates slightly proximal and posterior to the lateral epicondyle of the distal femur and has an anteroinferior course toward the tibial insertion between the tip of the fibular head and Gerdy’s tubercle below the lateral tibial plateau.

Anatomical Reconsideration of the Lateral Collateral Ligament in the Human Knee: Anatomical Observation and Literature Review

In the published literature as well as in the most commonly used textbooks, the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is described as having 1 attachment at the lateral epicondyle of the femur and another at the head of the fibula. In this article, we reconsider the attachments, the length of the LCL, and the tissues surrounding the LCL by presenting our anatomical observations and by reviewing the literature. Our results have shown that the LCL is not only attached to the lower part of the lateral epicondyle of the femur, but also extends to the upper part of the lateral epicondyle. The attachment of the LCL on the fibula is enclosed by 2 insertion points of the biceps femoris tendon. The average length of the LCL in 71 knees was 51.4 mm. There is an “incomplete gap” on the LCL that is interrupted under the tendon of the biceps femoris.

Five Strand Hamstring Tendon Autograft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Provides No Benefit over the Gold Standard Four Strand Repair for Anterior Stability of the Knee: A Prospective Cohort Study

The Four-Strand Hamstring Tendon Autograft has been long established as the gold standard for surgical reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament. Some studies have suggested wider grafts, such as a Five-Strand hamstring graft, may provide greater strength and a larger scaffold for incorporation of the graft into the bone tunnels, leading to greater postoperative anterior stability of the knee. 28 (n = 18 Four-Strand and n = 10 Five-Strand) patients with planned ACL reconstructive surgery by a single surgeon were recruited for this study. The KT-1000 Arthrometer (MED metric, CA, USA) was used to quantify AP translation in the subjects’ knees before (T0) and after surgery at 6 (T1) and 12 (T2) weeks. At 12 weeks there was significantly higher (p = 0.01) mean anterior laxity on Maximum Manual Test in the Five- Strand group (9.1 ± 1.7 mm) than the Four Strand Group (6.9 ± 2.3 mm). Further, there were significantly higher mean side-to-side differences (p = 0.01) on Maximum Manual Test in the Five-Strand cohort (5.1 ± 3.5 mm) compared to the Four-Strand cohort (1.9 ± 2.2 mm). A significantly larger positive mean change in anterior laxity (p = 0.02) from 6 - 12 weeks was evident in the Five-Strand group (1.4 ± 0.9) than the Four-Strand group (-0.3 ± 1.9 mm). No significant correlations were seen between graft widths and measures of anterior stability on KT-1000. This study illustrated that there was no benefit to using a Five-Strand Hamstring Tendon Autograft when compared to the gold standard Four-Strand Repair specifically with regards to anterior stability of the knee.

Current practice variations in the management of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in Croatia

AIM: To investigate current preferences and opinions on the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) injury in Croatia. METHODS: The survey was conducted using a questionnaire which was sent by e-mail to all 189 members of the Croatian Orthopaedic and Traumatology Association. Only respondents who had performed at least one ACL reconstruction during 2011 were asked to fill out the questionnaire. RESULTS: Thirty nine surgeons responded to the survey. Nearly all participants(95%) used semitendinosus/gracilis tendon autograft for reconstruction and only 5% used bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft. No other graft type had been used. The accessory anteromedial portal was preferred over the transtibial approach(67% vs 33%). Suspensory fixation was the most common graft fixation method(62%) for the femoral side, followed by the cross-pin(33%) and bioabsorbable interference screw(5%). Almost all respondents(97%) used a bioabsorbable interference screw for tibial side graft fixation. CONCLUSION: The results show that ACL reconstruction surgery in Croatia is in step with the recommendations from latest world literature.

Imaging of the anterior cruciate ligament

The anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)is an important structure in maintaining the normal biomechanics of the knee and is the most commonly injured knee ligament.However,the oblique course of the ACL within the intercondylar fossa limits the visualization and assessment of the pathology of the ligament.This pictorial essay provides a comprehensive and illustrative review of the anatomy and biomechanics as well as updated information on different modalities of radiological investigation of ACL,particularly magnetic resonance imaging.

The 45-Degree Arthroscope Improves Visualization of the Femoral Attachment of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Background: Exposure of the insertion site of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is important for appropriate tunnel placement in ACL reconstruction surgery. However, observing the femoral ACL insertion site via the standard anterolateral portal is sometimes difficult. In this study, we compared views of the femoral ACL insertion site between 30-degree and the 45-degree arthroscopes. Methods: We first inserted the 30-degree and the 45-degree arthroscope into the anterolateral portal of a knee simulator in which we had drawn a lattice pattern on the lateral intercondylar notch based on the quadrant method. Next, we compared the arthroscopic views provided by the 30-degree and 45-degree arthroscopes during ACL reconstruction surgery by measuring the area of the lateral intercondylar notch visible through each of the arthroscopes. Results: In the knee simulator, the 45-degree arthroscope showed the entire area of the lateral intercondylar notch, whereas the 30-degree arthroscope had to be introduced more deeply to show the most superior and posterior quadrant, where the attachment of the anteromedial bundle of ACL is located. During the ACL reconstruction, the area of the lateral intercondylar notch in the field of view was larger through the 45-degree arthroscope than through the 30-degree arthroscope. Conclusion: The 45-degree arthroscope provides a better view of the femoral ACL insertion site via the anterolateral portal, which may be helpful during ACL reconstruction.

Overview of the anterolateral complex of the knee

In the last few years,much more information on the anterolateral complex of the knee has become available.It has now been demonstrated how it works in conjunction with the anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)controlling anterolateral rotatory laxity.Biomechanical studies have shown that the anterolateral complex(ALC)has a role as a secondary stabilizer to the ACL in opposing anterior tibial translation and internal tibial rotation.It is of utmost importance that surgeons comprehend the intricate anatomy of the entire anterolateral aspect of the knee.Although most studies have only focused on the anterolateral ligament(ALL),the ALC of the knee consists of a functional unit formed by the layers of the iliotibial band combined with the anterolateral joint capsule.Considerable interest has also been given to imaging evaluation using magnetic resonance and several studies have targeted the evaluation of the ALC in the setting of ACL injury.Results are inconsistent with a lack of association between magnetic resonance imaging evidence of injury and clinical findings.Isolated ACL reconstruction may not always reestablish knee rotatory stability in patients with associated ALC injury.In such cases,additional procedures,such as anterolateral reconstruction or lateral tenodesis,may be indicated.There are several techniques available for ALL reconstruction.Graft options include the iliotibial band,gracilis or semitendinosus tendon autograft,or allograft.

Anterolateral complex of the knee: State of the art

Rotatory instability of the knee represents the main reason for failure and poor clinical outcomes regarding anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)reconstruction techniques.It is now clear that the anterolateral complex(ALC)of the knee possesses a fundamental role,in association with the ACL,in controlling internal rotation.Over the past decade,ever since the anterolateral ligament has been identified and described as a distinct structure,there has been a renewed interest in the scientific community about the whole ALC:Lateral extra-articular tenodesis have made a comeback in association with ACL reconstructions to improve functional outcomes,reducing the risks of graft failure and associated injuries.Modern ACL reconstruction surgery must therefore investigate residual instability and proceed,when necessary,to extra-articular techniques,whether functional tenodesis or anatomical reconstruction.This review aims to investigate the latest anatomical and histological descriptions,and the role in rotational control and knee biomechanics of the ALC and its components.The diagnostic tools for its identification,different reconstruction techniques,and possible surgical indications are described..In addition,clinical and functional results available in the literature are reported.

Bilateral Symptomatic Lateral Parapatellar Synovial Plica of the Knee in an Adolescent Athlete: A Case Report

We report herein a rare case of lateral parapatellar synovial plica that developed simultaneously in both knees. A 15-year-old competitive soccer player visited our institution with a six-month history of anterolateral pain and catching sensation in both knee joints. On physical examination, he complained of tenderness along the joint line of bilateral patellofemoral joint (PFJ). Visible and palpable popping was observed at the lateral margin of each patella during active knee motion. Magnetic resonance imaging showed obvious synovial soft nodules in the lateral side of the PFJ. On arthroscopy, a yellowish, thick, tongue-shaped tissue extending transversely from the lateral parapatellar synovium was identified in both knees, and parts of this tissue showed avascular hypertrophy. Arthroscopic findings of both knees are almost symmetrical in anatomical location, but no similar in size. After arthroscopic excision, the patient became asymptomatic. At 24-month follow up, he demonstrated full knee function, without evidence of local recurrence.

Consensus Delphi study on guidelines for the assessment of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in children

Background:Knee examination guidelines in minors are intended to aid decisionmaking in the management of knee instability.Clinical question:A Delphi study was conducted with a formal consensus process using a validated methodology with sufficient scientific evidence.A group consensus meeting was held to develop recommendations and practical guidelines for use in the assessment of instability injuries in children.Key findings:there is a lack of evidence to analyse anterior cruciate ligament injuries in children and their subsequent surgical management if necessary.Diagnostic guidelines and clinical assessment of the patient based on a thorough examination of the knee are performed and a guide to anterior cruciate ligament exploration in children is developed.Clinical application:In the absence of a strong evidence base,these established guidelines are intended to assist in that decision-making process to help the clinician decide on the most optimal treatment with the aim of benefiting the patient as much as possible.Following this expert consensus,surgical treatment is advised when the patient has a subjective sensation of instability accompanied by a pivot shift test++,and may include an anterior drawer test+and a Lachman test+.If these conditions are not present,the conservative approach should be chosen,as the anatomical and functional development of children,together with a physiotherapy programme,may improve the evolution of the injury.

Cyclops syndrome following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Can relapse occur after surgery?

Symptomatic cyclops lesions are complications that can be seen at rates of up to approximately 10%after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.However,recurrent cyclops lesions have rarely been documented.There are case rare series in the literature regarding the treatment of recurrent cyclops lesion.Future large studies are needed to investigate factors contributing to the development of cyclops lesions and syndrome and treatment options.

Demographic characteristics of patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction at a tertiary care hospital in India

BACKGROUND Anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)tears are common sports-related injuries.Their incidence is not the same either for all the sports or for the same sport across various nations.This information is maintained by many sports leagues in their registries.However,very few nationwide registries exist for such injuries.This study is carried out to know the demographic characteristics of patients who underwent ACL reconstruction at our hospital in India.AIM To know the demographic characteristics of patients who underwent ACL reconstruction at a tertiary care hospital in India.METHODS All the patients who underwent ACL reconstruction from January 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively studied.Patients with multi-ligament injuries or a history of previous knee surgery were excluded.The patients’history was obtained from the hospital records,they were interviewed telephonically,and online questionnaires were given.Their demographic data was analyzed and compared to the existing literature.RESULTS A total of 124 patients were operated on for ACL reconstruction during this period.The mean age of the patients was 27.97 years.One hundred and thirteen patients(91.1%)were male and 11(8.9%)were female.The majority of the patients(47.6%)sustained this injury by road traffic accidents(RTA)followed by sportsrelated injuries(39.5%).The commonest presenting complaint was giving way of the knee in 118 patients(95.2%).The mean duration from the injury to the first hospital visit among the patients was 290.1 d.The mean duration from the injury to surgery was 421.8 d.CONCLUSION ACL patients’demography is different in developing nations as compared to the developed world.RTA are the leading cause of ACL injuries and are followed by recreational sports as a cause.There is delayed access to healthcare leading to delayed diagnosis as well as even greater time to surgery.This,in turn,leads to poorer prognosis and longer rehabilitation.National registries for developing nations are the need of the hour due to the different demographics of ACL injuries in developing countries.

Should antibiotics be administered before arthroscopic knee surgery? A systematic review of the literature

AIM To explore the current evidence surrounding the administration of prophylactic antibiotics for arthroscopic knee surgery. METHODS Databases were searched from inception through May of 2018 for studies examining prophylactic antibiotic use and efficacy in knee arthroscopy. Studies with patient data were further assessed for types of arthroscopic procedures performed,number of patients in the study,use of antibiotics,and outcomes with the intention of performing a pooled analysis. Data pertaining to "deep tissue infection" or "septic arthritis" were included in our analysis. Reported data on superficial infection were not included in our data analysis. For the pooled analysis,a relative risk ratio was calculated and χ~2 tests were used to assess for statistical significance between rates of infection amongst the various patient groups. Post hoc power analyses were performed to compute the statistical power obtained from our sample sizes. Number needed to treat analyses were performed for statistically significant differences by dividing 1 by the difference between the infection rates of the antibiotic and no antibiotic groups. An alpha value of 0.05 was used for our analysis. Study heterogeneity was assessed by Cochrane's Q test as well as calculation of the I^2 value.RESULTS A total of 49682 patients who underwent knee ar-throscopy for a diverse set of procedures across 19 studies met inclusion critera for pooled analysis. For those not undergoing graft procedures,there were 27 cases of post-operative septic arthritis in 34487 patients(0.08%) who received prophylactic antibiotics and 16 cases in 10911(0.15%) who received none [risk ratio(RR) = 0.53,95% confidence interval(CI): 0.29-0.99,P = 0.05]. A sub-group analysis in which bony procedures were excluded was performed which found no significant difference in infection rates between patients that received prophylactic antibiotics and patients that did not(P > 0.05). All anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction studies used prophylactic antibiotics,but two studies investigating the effect of soaking the graft in vancomycin in addition to standard intravenous(IV) prophylaxis were combined for analysis. There were 19 cases in 1095 patients(1.74%) who received IV antibioitics alone and no infections in 2034 patients who received IV antibiotics and had a vancomycin soaked graft(RR = 0.01,95%CI: 0.001-0.229,P < 0.01).CONCLUSION Prophylactic antibiotics are effective in preventing septic arthritis following simple knee arthroscopy. In procedures involving graft implantation,graft soaking reduces the rate of infection.

Effect of suspension training on neuromuscular function, postural control, and knee kinematics in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction patients

BACKGROUND Suspension training(SET)is a method of neuromuscular training that enables the body to carry out active training under unstable support through a suspension therapy system.However,there have been few reports in the literature on the application of SET to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction(ACLR)patients.It is not clear what aspects of the patient's function are improved after SET.AIM To investigate the effect of SET on the neuromuscular function,postural control,and knee kinematics of patients after ACLR surgery.METHODS Forty participants were randomized to an SET group or a control group.The SET group subjects participated in a SET protocol over 6 wk.The control group subjects participated in a traditional training protocol over 6 wk.Isokinetic muscle strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings,static and dynamic posture stability test,and relative translation of the injured knee were assessed before and after training.RESULTS The relative peak torque of the quadriceps and hamstrings in both groups increased significantly(P<0.001),and the SET group increased by a higher percentage than those in the control group(quadriceps:P=0.004;hamstrings:P=0.011).After training,both groups showed significant improvements in static and dynamic posture stability(P<0.01),and the SET group had a greater change than the control group(P<0.05).No significant improvement on the relative translation of the injured knee was observed after training in either group(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Our findings show that SET promotes great responses in quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength and balance function in ACLR patients.

Clinical analysis of laparoscopic lateral peritoneal suspension in the treatment of severe pelvic organ prolapse

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of laparoscopic lateral peritoneal suspension for severe pelvic organ prolapse(POP).Methods:Thirty-eight patients who underwent laparoscopic lateral peritoneal suspension for pelvic organ prolapse in the gynecology department of our hospital from January 2019 to January 2020 were selected for retrospective analysis.Postoperative outcomes were recorded for patients at 3,6,and 12 months postoperatively.Results:All 38 patients completed the surgery safely,and the duration of surgery was 85-190 min,with a mean of(138±40.75)min;surgical bleeding was 30-80 ml,with a mean of(57±35.4)ml;the duration of postoperative catheterization was 4-6 days,with a mean of(5±0.73)days;postoperative hospitalization was 6-12 days,with a mean of(8.49±2.18)days.2.18)days.At 3,6,and 12 months after the end of surgery,all follow-up patients had their uterus and anterior vaginal wall restored to normal position without prolapse.The pelvic floor rehabilitation of the patients after surgery was good and their sexual life was significantly improved in all cases.Conclusion:Laparoscopic lateral peritoneal suspension for severe pelvic organ prolapse is safe,efficacious,minimally traumatic,less painful,with short hospital stay,fast postoperative recovery,greater choice of uterine de-positioning,with the advantages of permanence and good pelvic floor anatomical recovery,and this procedure can maintain a certain vaginal length with 100%efficiency,which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Recurrent cyclops lesion after primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using bone tendon bone allograft:A case report

BACKGROUND Cyclops lesions are a known complication of anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)reconstruction,with symptomatic cyclops syndrome occurring in up to 11%of surgeries.Recurrent cyclops lesions have been rarely documented;this case study documents the successful treatment of a recurrent cyclops lesion.CASE SUMMARY A 28-year-old female presented following a non-contact injury to the right knee.Workup and clinical exam revealed an ACL tear,and arthroscopic reconstruction was performed.Two years later a cyclops lesion was discovered and removed via arthroscopic synovectomy.Seven months postoperatively,the patient presented with pain,stiffness,and difficulty achieving terminal extension.A smaller recurrent cyclops lesion was diagnosed,and a repeat synovectomy was performed.The patient recovered fully.CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge,this is the first documented case of recurrent cyclops lesion after bone-patellar tendon-bone allograft ACL reconstruction presenting as cyclops syndrome.

Lateral patellofemoral ligament reconstruction to restore functional capacity in patients previously undergoing lateral retinacular release

AIM: To study patient outcomes after surgical correction for iatrogenic patellar instability.METHODS: This retrospective study looked at 17 patients(19 knees) suffering from disabling medial patellar instability following lateral release surgery. All patients underwent lateral patellofemoral ligament(LPFL) reconstruction by a single surgeon. Assessments in all 19 cases included functional outcome scores, range of motion, and assessment for the presence of apprehension sign of the patella to determine if LPFL reconstruction surgery was successful at restoring patellofemoral stability.RESULTS: No patients reported any residual postoperative symptoms of patellar instability. Also no patients demonstrated medial patellar apprehension or examiner induced subluxation with the medial instability test described earlier following LPFL reconstruction. Furthermore, all patients recovered normal range of motion compared to the contralateral limb. For patients with pre and postoperative outcome scores, the mean overall knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score increased significantly, from 34.39 preoperatively(range: 7.7-70.12) to 69.54 postoperatively(range:26.82-91.46) at final follow-up(P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This novel technique for LPFL reconstruction is effective at restoring lateral restraint of the patellofemoral joint and improving joint functionality.