Objective To introduce the arthroscopic technique of figure-of-eight suture fixation for tibial eminence fracture, and to report its clinical results. Methods From January 1998 to June 2001, 21 cases of tibial eminence fracture were treated arthroscopically with figure-of-eight suture fixation technique. Active rehabilitation began one week after operation. The patients were followed up 6-24 months. The reduction and union of fracture, knee laxity, range ofmotion, and total knee function were evaluated. Results All fracture healed without displacement six weeks after operation. Three months postoperatively, no knee laxity or instability was detected in all patients; full range of motion of the affected knee returned in all patients when compared with the normal side. Six months postoperatively, the Lysholm knee score was 93.4±2.7. Conclusion Arthroscopic treatment of tibial eminence fracture with figure-of-eight suture fixation technique is reliable for fracture reduction , fixation and early mobilization. Arthroscopy is conducive to diagnoses and treatment of associated knee arthropathy, reduces the morbidity associated with arthrotomy, and restores knee function to the greatest extent when combined with figure-of-eight suture fixationtechniques.
Objective To compare advantage and disadvantage of internal fixation method for tibia intercondylar eminence fracture between absorbable screw and metallic screw. Methods From 1996 to 2002, 200 patients with fracture of tibia intercondylar eminence were divided into group A (with absorbable screw, n=120) andgroup B (with metallic screw, n=80). And the biological compatibility, biomechanics, bone union and complications were compared between two groups.Results There were no obvious differences in operating time and circumstance of recovery position between two groups. Group A was obviously better than group B in biological compatibility, biomechanics, bone union, joint function recovery. The average healing time of group A was three months, that of group B was three and half months. The good rates of joint function in two groups were 98.0% and 95.0% respectively. The occurrence rates of wound arthritis were 1.7% and 3.7%. There wassignificant difference between them(P＜0.01). Conclusion Absorbable screw is a more ideal material of internal fixation to treat tibia intercondylar eminence fracture.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of percutaneous reduction by leverage and fixation using nonabsorbable suture with neckwear knot loop l igature to treat tibial intercondylar eminence avulsion fractures under the arthroscope. Methods Between February 2003 and December 2008, 28 patients with tibial intercondylar eminence avulsion fractures were treated, including 16 left knees and 12 right knees. There were 15 males and 13 females with an average age of19.5 years (range, 14-45 years). The injury causes included traffic accident injury in 11 cases, sport injury in 10 cases, and sprain injury in 7 cases. Based on Meyers-McKeever classification, there were 18 cases of type III and 10 cases of type IV. The X-ray films showed the tibial intercondylar eminence displaced fracture. The mean time between trauma and operation was 7 days (range, 4-12 days). All patients were treated surgically with an arthroscopically assisted reduction by leverage and fixation using 5-0 Ethibond suture with neckwear knot loop l igature. Results All incisions healed by first intention without infection or injuries of nerves and vessels. Twenty-eight patients were followed up 26 months on average (range, 12-66 months). The X-ray films showed fracture heal ing within 9-13 weeks (mean, 11 weeks). At last follow-up, all patients were able to return to their pre-injury activity and daily l ife. The knee joint was stable with no l imp or impingement of intercondylar fossa. The knee joint range of motion was 0-130°. The results of Lachman and anterior drawer tests were negative in all patients. At last follow-up, the Lysholm score was 93.5 ± 2.5, showing significant difference when compared with the preoperative one (29.0±2.2, t=53.000, P=0.000). Conclusion Percutaneous reduction by leverage and fixation using nonabsorbable suture with neckwear knot loop l igature is minimally invasive and satisfied reduction and fixation in treating the tibial intercondylar eminence avulsion fracture under the arthroscope, so it is benefit for early functional exercises, and can achieve excellent results.
Objective To analyze the correlation between the morphology of tibial intercondylar eminence and non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, and provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and risk identification of ACL injury. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the knee radiographs of 401 patients admitted to the Chengdu Second People’s Hospital between January 2017 and October 2021, including 219 males and 182 females. Non-contact rupture of ACL was observed in 180 patients and confirmed by arthroscopy or surgery, while the remained 221 patients were confirmed to have normal ACL by physical examination and MRI. The heights of medial and lateral tibial intercondylar eminence and the width of tibial intercondylar eminence of the 401 patients were measured, and the risk factors of ACL injury were analyzed. Results The height of medial tibial intercondylar eminence was lower and the width of tibial intercondylar eminence was smaller in male patients with ACL fracture than those in the male control group with statistical significance (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that a narrow width of tibial intercondylar eminence was a risk factor of ACL injury in males (P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the diagnostic threshold was 11.40 mm, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.851 [95% confidence interval (CI) (0.797, 0.896)], the sensitivity was 72.81%, and the specificity was 84.76%. The height of medial tibial intercondylar eminence was lower and the width of tibial intercondylar eminence was smaller in female patients than those in the female control group with statistical significance (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that both a low height of medial tibial intercondylar eminence and a narrow width of tibial intercondylar eminence were risk factors of ACL injury in females (P<0.05). For the width of medial tibial intercondylar eminence, the ROC curve showed that the diagnostic threshold was 8.30 mm, and the AUC was 0.684 [95%CI (0.611, 0.751)], the sensitivity and specificity were 63.64% and 72.41%, respectively; for the height of medial tibial intercondylar eminence, the diagnostic threshold was 11.30 mm, and the AUC was 0.699 [95%CI (0.627, 0.756)], the sensitivity was 89.39%, and the specificity was 47.41%. Conclusions The reduced width of tibial intercondylar eminence is a risk factor and effective predictor of non-contact ACL injury in males. Both the reduced height of the medial tibial intercondylar eminence and the reduced width of tibial intercondylar eminence are risk factors and may be predictors for non-contact ACL injury in females.
ObjectiveTo study the biomechanical stability of neckwear-knot-loop-ligature fixation for tibial eminence avulsion fractures by comparing with cannulated screw fixation and suture anchor fixation. MethodsTwenty-four fresh porcine knee joints were selected. After the model of tibial eminence avulsion fracture (type Ⅲ) was made, 24 samples were randomly divided into 3 groups: neckwear-knot-loop-ligature group (group A), cannulated screw group (group B), and suture anchor group (group C), 8 samples in each group. The Universal electromagnetic and mechanical testing machines were used for the biomechanical tests. After 200 cyclic tests, pull-out test was done until fixation failure. The maximum failure load, yield load, stiffness, and displacement were measured. ResultsFailure mode: the displacement was beyond limit in 8 samples of group A; screws extraction (5 samples) and bone fragment re-fracture (3 samples) were observed in group B; and suture anchor extraction (4 samples), suture rupture (3 samples), and suture thread cutting (1 sample) were found in group C. Biomechanical test: From groups A to C, the maximum failure load and yield load showed significant decreasing tendency (P<0.05), but the displacements showed significant increasing tendency (P<0.05). The stiffness also gradually decreased, but differences was not significant (P>0.05). ConclusionCompared with cannulated screw and suture anchor, neckwear-knot-loop-ligature fixation for tibial eminence avulsion fracture has good biomechanical performance and the advantages of firm fixation and simple operation.
Objective To explore the surgical method and effectiveness of multi-spot suture fixation under arthroscope in treating tibial intercondylar anterior eminence fracture. Methods Between February 2006 and January 2010, 15 patients with tibial intercondylar anterior eminence fracture were treated with multi-spot suture fixation under arthroscope after fracture reduction. There were 14 males and 1 female with a median age of 33 years (range, 7-55 years). The injury causeswere traffic accident in 9 cases, sport in 2 cases, and fall ing in 4 cases. The anterior drawer test, Lachman test, and pivot shift test in all the cases turned out to be positive. The Lysholm score was 64.7 ± 1.3. According to Meyers-McKeever classification, 5 cases were classified as type II, 7 cases as type III, and 3 cases as type IV. Of them, 13 cases had fresh fracture and 2 cases had old fracture. Assisted with anterior cruciate l igament-aimer, bone tunnels (2 mm in diameter) were built through the fracture fragments after fracture reduction, through which Ethibond 2 polyester sutures were guided into the joint by No.18 spine needles; after knot of 2 sutures or knot of only 1 suture was made, the other ends of sutures were fastened together outside the joint. Results The incisions of all the cases healed by first intention with no compl ication of infection or deep venous thrombosis. Fifteen patients were followed up 14-48 months with an average of 24.2 months. The X-ray examination indicated fractures healed in all the cases at 2-4 months (mean, 3 months). At 6 months after operation, 14 cases showed negative results of Lachman test and anterior drawer test but 1 case positive, while all the cases showed negative results in pivot shift test. The extension and flexion spheres of knee activity were normal in 13 cases and were l imited in 2 cases. The Lysholm score was 95.1 ± 2.1, showing significant difference when compared with the preoperative score (t=43.020, P=0.000). Conclusion Multi-spot suture fixation under arthroscope is an effective method with small invasion, rel iable fixation, and simple operation for treating tibial intercondylar anterior eminence fracture.