Objective The anterior cruciate l igament (ACL) is the important stable structure of the knee. To evaluate the method and outcome of bone-ACL-bone (B-ACL-B) allograft under arthroscope in reconstruction of ACL. Methods Between October 2007 and February 2010, arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with deep-freezing B-ACL-B allograft was performed on 22 patients with ACL ruptures. There were 15 males and 7 females with an average age of 27.6 years (range, 19-55 years). The causes of ACL rupture were sport trauma in 12 cases, fall ing injury in 1 case, heavy crush in 2 cases, and traffic accident in 7 cases. The locations were the left knee in 14 cases and the right knee in 8 cases. The disease durationwas 7 days to 12 months (median, 65 days). Nineteen patients showed the positive results of anterior drawer test and pivot shift test, and 21 patients showed the positive results of Lachman test. According to International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) criteria, there were 5 abnormal and 17 severely abnormal. The subjective IKDC score was 49.6 ± 6.9. The Lysholm score was 48.5 ± 5.3. The Tegner scale scores were 6.8 ± 1.2 before injury and 2.1 ± 0.5 before operation. The MRI showed the ACL injuries in 18 of 20 patients. Results The mean operative time was 75 minutes (range, 65-85 minutes); the mean blood loss was 110 mL (range, 80-150 mL). All incisions healed by first intention. No immunologic rejection and deep vein thrombosis of lower l imbs occurred. All patients were followed up 7-34 months (mean, 18 months). At last follow-up, the flexion of the knee ranged from 125 to 135° (mean, 130.5°). Two patients showed the positive results of anterior drawer test, 1 patient showed the positive result of pivot shift test, and 3 patients showed the positive results of Lachman test. According to the IKDC criteria, 10 patients rated as normal, 11 patients as nearly normal, 1 patient as abnormal. The subjective IKDC score was 90.0 ± 5.8, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative one (t=4.653, P=0.021). The Lysholm score was 91.6 ± 7.1, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative one (t=4.231, P=0.028). The Tegner scale score was 6.1 ± 1.5, showing no significant difference when compared with one before injury (t=1.321, P=0.070) and showing significant difference when compared preoperative one (t=3.815, P=0.033). The arthroscopic examination showed no rupture of grafts in 19 patients, 17 grafts showed normal tension, and 2 showed sl ight relaxation at 6 months after operation. Conclusion Reconstruction of the ACL with B-ACL-B allograft under arthroscope is a safe and effective method, which can anatomically reconstruct ACL and obtain a good recovery of the knee function after operation.
Objective To review the research progress regarding the over-the-top technique for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. MethodsThe relevant literature on ACL reconstruction using the over-the-top technique was analyzed for its evolution, clinical application, advantages, and limitations. Results Over-the-top technique for ACL reconstruction is a combined intra- and extra-articular technique. Because it avoids drilling the femoral tunnel, its advantages are mainly highlighted in the protection of the femur. Therefore, it is widely used in children and adolescents with epiphyseal occlusion and in patients with revision reconstruction. In addition, significant improvements in postoperative joint stability, functional scores, and return to exercise rates are found in long-term follow-up studies of patients with primary ACL reconstruction and combined anterolateral tenodesis. However, the technique also has some limitations, such as poor stability of knee flexion after operation, high requirement for graft length, and easy impact of graft in the intercondylar fossa. Conclusion The current research results show the effectiveness and safety of the over-the-top technique for primary and revision ACL reconstruction, with the advantages of wide application, simple operation, and quick recovery; however, more researches are needed to further optimize the selection of grafts and femoral condyle management problems, and to clarify the long-term effectiveness.
Revision of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is more challenging than primary ACL reconstruction and often yields less favorable outcomes. The European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA) has established a consensus regarding preoperative diagnosis, assessment, and selection criteria for ACL revision surgery. This consensus addresses 18 key issues that are most pertinent to clinical practice, providing guiding recommendations aimed at improving the prognosis of ACL revisions.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of the femoral tunnel angle on the femoral tunnel after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in rabbits. MethodsFifty-four healthy 4-5 months old rabbits (weighing, 1.8-2.3 kg, male or female) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=18). The ACL reconstruction models of the right knee were established in 3 experimental groups using its Achilles tendons, and the left knee served as the control group. On the coronal position, the angle between the femoral tunnel and the femoral shaft axis was 30°, 45°, and 60°. The level of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the synovial fluid at 1, 2, and 4 weeks, the maximum load of the ligament and the rate of bone tunnel enlargement at 4, 8, and 12 weeks were detected. ResultsThe level of TNF-α significantly increased, and the maximum load of the ligament significantly decreased in the 3 experimental groups when compared with ones in the control group (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found among 3 experimental groups (P>0.05). The bone tunnel enlargement was observed in 3 experimental groups at each time point and reached the peak at 4 weeks, but no significant difference was shown among 3 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe 30-60° angle between the femoral tunnel and the femoral shaft axis in the coronal position has no significant effect on the femoral tunnel enlargement after ACL reconstruction in rabbits.
Objective To compare early graft healing between over-the-top (OTT) and anatomic single-bundle (SB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods A clinical data of 40 patients underwent ACL reconstruction, who admitted between June 2021 and October 2022 and met the selective criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 20 patients were treated with OTT reconstruction (OTT group) and 20 with SB reconstruction (SB group). There was no significant difference between groups (P>0.05) in the gender, age, affected side, disease duration, degree of meniscus injury, body mass index, and preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and KT-2000 measurement. At 3, 6, and 12 months, MRI was performed to measure the signal noise quotient (SNQ) of the proximal end, middle, and distal end of the graft in the two groups, as well as at the corner of the graft with lateral femoral condyle and 1 cm around the femoral fixation point in the OTT group, to observe the degree of graft healing. Before operation and at 3, 6, and 12 months, the knee function and pain were evaluated by IKDC score, Lysholm score, and VAS score. Before operation and at 12 months after operation, the KT-2000 measurement was taken to evaluation the knee joint stability. Results All operations were successfully completed in both groups and the incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-15 months (mean, 12.9 months), with no significant difference in the follow-up time between groups (P>0.05). After operation, the IKDC score, VAS score, and Lysholm score improved gradually over time in both groups, with significant differences between different time points (P<0.05). The differences between groups at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation were not significant (P>0.05). The anterior and posterior stability of the knee joint improved significantly in both groups at 12 months after operation, and the difference in KT-2000 measurements was significant when compared with the preoperative value (P<0.05), but the difference of pre- and post-operation between groups was not significant (P>0.05). At 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, MRI showed that the differences in the SNQ of the proximal end and middle of the grafts between the two groups were not significant (P>0.05), and the SNQ of distal end was significantly higher in the SB group than in the OTT group (P<0.05). At each time point, grafts in the OTT group had the highest SNQ at the corner and the lowest at the fixation point, and the differences were significant compared to the other sites (P<0.05). In the two groups, except for the fixation point, the SNQ of the remaining sites were highest at 6 months and lowest at 12 months (P<0.05). In addition, there were significant differences in SNQ between the different sites of grafts (P<0.05), and the SNQ was lowest at proximal end and highest at distal end. At last follow-up, the knee grafts in both groups were in good shape and no graft necrosis or loosening of the internal fixation was observed. Conclusion The knee joint function and graft healing after OTT reconstruction of ACL are similar to those of SB reconstruction, but it should be noted that the healing at the corner of the graft is slower.
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of MR imaging for anterior cruciate ligament. Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CBM, CSJD and CJFD to find all diagnostic tests about MR imaging in anterior cruciate ligament. QUADAS items were used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. We used Meta-disc software for data collection, and sensitivity, specificity and SROC curves were calculated to assess the diagnostic value of individual diagnostic tests. Results Twenty-nine studies met the eligibility criteria and were included. Compared with arthroscope, the summary values of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and SROC curve of MR imaging were 93%, 93%, 9.85, 126.39, and 0.971 4, respectively. Conclusion MR imaging can be regarded as an effective and feasible method for ACL tears diagnosis and screening clinically, based on the results of this systematic review.
Objective To summarize the evaluation methods of return to sports (RTS) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in recent years, in order to provide reference for clinical practice. Methods The literature related to the RTS after ACLR was searched from CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, and Foreign Medical Information Resources Retrieval Platform (FMRS) databases. The retrieval range was from 2010 to 2023, and 66 papers were finally included for review. The relevant literature was summarized and analyzed from the aspects of RTS time, objective evaluation indicators, and psychological evaluation. Results RTS is the common desire of patients with ACL injury and doctors, as well as the initial intention of selecting surgery. A reasonable and perfect evaluation method of RTS can not only help patients recover to preoperative exercise level, but also protect patients from re-injury. At present, the main criterion for clinical judgement of RTS is time. It is basically agreed that RTS after 9 months can reduce the re-injury. In addition to time, it is also necessary to test the lower limb muscle strength, jumping, balance, and other aspects of the patient, comprehensively assess the degree of functional recovery and determine the different time of RTS according to the type of exercise. Psychological assessment plays an important role in RTS and has a good clinical predictive effect. ConclusionRTS is one of the research hotspots after ACLR. At present, there are many related evaluation methods, which need to be further optimized by more research to build a comprehensive and standardized evaluation system.
ObjectiveTo assess the mid-term effectiveness of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) revision and to analyze the relevant factors that may affect the surgical outcomes.MethodsThe clinical data of 24 patients who underwent ACL revision surgery between April 2009 and July 2018 and were followed up for more than 2 years were retrospectively analyzed. There were 20 males and 4 females with a median age of 30 years [interquartile distance (IQR) was (25, 36) years]. The median body mass index was 24.45 kg/m2 and IQR was (22.93, 25.93) kg/m2. The median time between ACL revision and reconstruction was 41 months and IQR was (15, 85) months. The direct cause of the failure of reconstruction surgery included 14 cases of trauma, 8 cases of no obvious cause, and 2 cases of infection. During the revision operation, 14 patients had a poor bone tunnel position, all of which were drilled with new tunnels, the remaining 10 patients were freshly modified on the basis of the original bone tunnel. Seventeen patients used autogenous tendon revision, 7 patients used LARS ligament; 16 patients had cartilage injury. The Lysholm score, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, and the Tegner sports rating score were used for functional evaluation before operation, at 1 year after operation, and at last follow-up. The Likert satisfaction score was recorded at last follow-up.ResultsPatients were followed up with a median time of 47 months and IQR was (32, 61) months. The Lysholm score, IKDC score, and Tegner sports rating score were significantly improved at 1 year after operation and at last follow-up when compared with preoperative scores (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between at last follow-up and at 1 year after operation (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the median Likert satisfaction score was 4.0 and IQR was (3.0, 4.5). According to the presence or absence of cartilage damage and the type of graft, the above scores at last follow-up were compared between the groups, and the differences were not significant (P>0.05). At last follow-up, 2 patients had graft fractures due to trauma again, and autogenous iliac bones were taken to fill the bone tunnel, and the second stage was revised; the rest of the patients recovered satisfactorily.ConclusionWith preoperative identification of the cause of ACL reconstruction failure, the stability and function of knee joint can be significantly improved by selecting appropriate bone tunnels and grafts during the revision and by active rehabilitation exercises.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the outcome of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) by free autograft of middle one third of bone-patellar tendon-bone complex which was formed by lower edge of patella, middle one third of patellar tendon, and tibial tubercle. METHODS From April 1994 to August 1996, ACL reconstruction by bone-patellar tendon-bone complex was performed in 8 patients with ACL injury. RESULTS All cases were followed up 5 months to 3 years, averaged 26 months, excellent results were obtained in 4 cases, better in 3 cases and moderate in 1 case. The Lanchman test and/or anterior drawer test were positive in 8 cases preoperatively and only 1 case was positive postoperatively. Instability existed in 5 cases preoperatively were disappeared after operation. All patients could basically meet the demands of daily life. CONCLUSION Reconstruction of ACL by free autograft of middle one third of bone-patellar tendon-bone complex is an effective method for the restoration of stability in knee joint.
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of preserving tibial residual fibers on the expressions of ligament remodeling related genes in rabbit anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction model. MethodsSixty healthy adult New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal control group (group A, n=6) , sham-operation group (group B, n=18) , non tibial remnant preserved group (group C, n=18) , and tibial remnant preserved group (group D, n=18) . At 2, 6, and 12 weeks after operation, the ligament tissue was harvested to detect the mRNA expressions of collagen type 1A1(COL1A1) , collagen type 3A1(COL3A1) , transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), growth-associated protein 43(GAP-43) , and neurotrophin 3(NT-3) by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. ResultsAt each time point, there was no significant difference in the mRNA expressions of COL1A1, COL3A1, VEGF, and NT-3 between group A and group B (P>0.05) . In group D, the mRNA expressions of COL1A1, COL3A1, TGF-β1, and GAP-43 significantly increased when compared with those of group C at 6 weeks after operation (P＜0.05) ; an increased level of VEGF mRNA was also detected in the group D at 12 weeks after operation (P＜0.05) ; and an increased level of NT-3 mRNA was also observed in group D at 2 and 12 weeks after operation (P＜0.05) . ConclusionThere is a time-dependent manner of angiogenesis-promoting, repair-related, and nerve-related gene expressions after ACL reconstruction with preserving tibial residual fibers during the process of ligamentization. Furthermore, the remnant preservation in ACL reconstruction can promote the expressions of related genes in some time points.