【Abstract】 Objective To compare the therapeutic effect of anterior cruciate l igament (ACL) reconstruction bymeans of four-strand semitendinosus tendon autograft and l igament advanced reinforcement system (LARS) by arthroscopy. Methods From July 2002 to April 2005, 42 patients underwent ACL reconstruction by arthroscopy. Twenty-seven patients were treated by four-strand semitendinosus tendon autograft (semitendinosus tendon autograft group), including 22 males and 5 females, with the age from 20 years to 52 years. Among these patients, there were 12 sports injuries, 8 traffic accidents and 7 other injuries. There were 16 cases of left knees and 11 of right knees. The pre-operation Lysholm score was 50.70 ± 6.68, and the course of the disease was 2 to 12 months. Other 15 patients were treated by LARS artificial l igament (LARS group), including 12 males and 3 females, with the age from 17 years to 40 years. Among these patients, there were 8 sports injuries, 4 traffic accidents and 3 other injuries. There were 6 cases of left knees and 9 of right knees. The pre-operation Lysholm score was 50.20 ± 6.22, and the course of the disease was 3 to 12 months. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P gt; 0.05). The ranges of motion, stabil ity and compl ication of the knee were evaluated during the follow-up. Results All incisions healed at the first stage. The patients in the semitendinosus tendon autograft group were followed up for 22 months to 43 months, while 18 months to 40 months in the LARS group. There were 5 patients (19%) whose tensile gap was more than3 mm when the max tensile force text was done in the semitendinosus tendon autograft group, and 3 patients (20%) in the LARS group. The Lysholm score was 87.80 ± 3.41 in the semitendinosus tendon autograft autograft group, and 88.90 ± 3.30 in the LARS group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P gt; 0.05). The final evaluation based on the improved Lysholm classification standard showed the choiceness rate was 92.6% (18 excellent cases, 7 good cases and 2 faircases) in the semitendinosus tendon autograft group, and 93.3% (11 excellent cases, 3 good cases, 1 fair case) in the LARS group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P gt; 0.05). The joint motion capabil ity evaluation, according to the Tegner standard, showed 3 to 6 class (with the average class of 4.93) in the semitendinosus tendon autograft group, and 3 to 7 class (with the average class of 5.03) in the LARS group. There was no statistically significant difference (P gt; 0.05). The knee extension in 2 cases was 5° less than the normal, and in 5 cases 5-10° less than the normal in the semitendinosus tendon autograft group. But in all cases in the LARS group, joint motion recovered to the normal (P lt; 0.05). There was no sign of synovitis in both groups. Conclusion The recent cl inical result of ACL reconstruction with the four-strand semitendinosus tendon autograft or LARS artificial l igament by arthroscopy is satisfactory without significant difference. LARS can shorten the recovery time without compl ications such as synovitis in 2-year follow-up.
Objective To summarize the current research progress of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) anatomy, and discuss its effect on the reconstruction technique. Methods The literature concerning ACL anatomy and reconstruction at home and abroad was extensively reviewed and summarized. Results The anatomy and morphology of ACL has gained new recognition in recent years, and the " Ribbon-like” ACL has gradually been paid attention to by researchers. In present researches, it seems the " Ribbon-like” anatomy theory has advantages in theory when compared with the previous anatomy theory. It is more in line with the anatomy and isometric reconstruction. Conclusion The understanding of ACL anatomy guided the development of ACL reconstruction. The " Ribbon-like” ACL anatomy theory is the different understanding of the anatomy theory, which remains controversy. The " Ribbon-like” reconstruction maybe has more advantages in theory, but further study is needed.
Objective To evaluate the surgical techniques and effectiveness of arthroscopic treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial eminence avulsion fracture with non-absorbable suture fixation combined with the mini-plate. Methods Between January 2009 and March 2012, 32 patients with ACL tibial eminence avulsion fractures were treated. There were 18 males and 14 females, aged 12-40 years (mean, 17.5 years). The injury causes included traffic accident injury in 15 cases, sport injury in 6 cases, and falling injury in 11 cases. The time from injury to operation ranged 7-18 days with an average of 9.5 days. Before operation, the results of Lachman test were all positive; the Lysholm score was 52.13 ± 4.22 and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 44.82 ± 2.44. According to Meyers-McKeever classification criteria, there were 12 cases of type II and 20 cases of type III. After arthroscopic poking reduction of fracture, tibial eminence avulsion fractures were fixed with the Ethibond non-absorbable sutures bypass figure-of-eight tibial tunnel combined with the metacarpal and phalangeal mini-plate. Results Primary healing was obtained in all incisions; no joint infection or skin necrosis occurred after operation. All patients were followed up with an average time of 22.4 months (range, 12-50 months). The patients showed negative Lachman test at 12 weeks after operation. Except 3 patients having knee extension limitation at last follow-up, the knee extension range of motion (ROM) was normal in the other patients; the knee flexion ROM was normal in all patients. The Lysholm score and IKDC score were significantly improved to 94.19 ± 0.93 and 94.35 ± 1.22 at last follow-up, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative values (t=55.080, P=0.000; t=101.715, P=0.000). Conclusion The arthroscopic treatment of ACL tibial eminence avulsion fracture with Ethibond non-absorbable suture fixation combined with mini-plate is an effective procedure with the advantages of minimal trauma, reliable fixation, and satisfactory recovery of the knee joint function.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of different concentrations of osteoprotegerin (OPG) combined with deproteinized bone (DPB) on the bone tunnel after the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. MethodsThe femoral epiphyseal side was harvested from newborn calf, and allogenic DPB were prepared by hydrogen peroxide-chloroform/methanol method. Then, DPB were immersed in 3 concentrations levels of OPG (30, 60, 100 μg/mL) and 3 concentration ratios (30%, 60%, 100%) of the gel complex were prepared. Sixty healthy New Zealand white rabbits, male or female, weighing (2.7±0.4) kg, were divided randomly into 4 groups (n=15):control group (group A), 30% (group B), 60% (group C), and 100% (group D) OPG/DPB gel complex. The ACL reconstruction models were established by autologous Achilles tendon. Different ratios of OPG/DPB gel complex were implanted in the femoral and tibial bone tunnel of groups B, C, and D, but group A was not treated. The pathology observation (including the percentage of the femoral bone tunnel enlargement) and histological observation were performed and the biomechanical properties were measured at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after operation. ResultsOne rabbit died of infection in groups A and D, 2 rabbits in groups B and C respectively, and were added. General pathology observation showed that the internal orifices of the femoral and tibia tunnels were covered by a little of scar tissue at 4 weeks in all groups. At 8 weeks, white chondroid tissues were observed around the internal orifices of the femoral and tibia tunnels, especially in groups C and D. At 12 weeks, the internal orifices of the femoral and tibia tunnels enlarged in groups A, B, and C, but it was completely closed in group D. At each time point, the rates of the femoral bone tunnel enlargement in groups B, C, and D were significantly lower than that in group A, and group D was significantly lower than groups B and C (P<0.05); group C was significantly lower than group B at 8 weeks, but no significant difference was found at 4 and 12 weeks (P<0.05). Hisological observation showed that fresh fibrous connective tissue was observed in 4 groups at 4 weeks; there was various arrangements of Sharpey fiber in all groups at 8 weeks and the atypical 4-layer structure of bone was seen in group D; at 12 weeks, Sharpey fiber arranged regularly in all groups, with typical 4-layer structure of bone in groups B, C, and D, and an irregular "tidal line" formed, especially in group D. Biomechanics measurement showed that the maximum tensile load in group D was significantly higher than that in groups A and B at 4 weeks (P<0.05), but no significant difference was shown among groups A, B, and C, and between groups C and D (P>0.05); at 8 weeks, it was significantly higher in groups C and group D than group A, and in group D than group B (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between groups A, C and group B (P>0.05); at 12 weeks, it was significantly higher in groups C and D than groups A and B, and in group D than group C (P<0.05), but difference was not significant between groups A and B (P>0.05). ConclusionDifferent concentrations ratios of OPG/DPB gel complexes have different effects on the bone tunnel after ACL reconstruction. 100% OPG/DPB gel complex has significant effects to prevent the enlargement of bone tunnel and to enhance tendon bone healing.
Objective To evaluate knee stability after double-bundle and single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomized controlled trials (quasi-RCTs) were collected from MEDLINE (1966 to October 2007), OVID (1950 to October 2007), The Cochrane Library (issue 4, 2007) and China Academic Journals Full-text Database (1979 to October 2007). The quality of included trials was assessed. Data analyses were performed with The Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4.2.10 software. Results One RCT (quality B) and 5 quasi-RCTs (quality C) involving 426 patients met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses showed significant differences between the two operative procedures in terms of anterior stability (WMD –0.75, 95%CI –1.14 to –0.37, P=0.000 1) and rotational stability [RR 1.38, 95%CI 1.17 to 1.61, Plt;0.000 1]. Conclusion The double-bundle anterior cruciate liagament is superior to single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament in terms of anterior stability and rotational stability. Since the included trials were small and of poor quality, more high-quality, large-scale randomized controlled trials are required.
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 the effectiveness of arthroscopic screw and suture fixations in treatment of anterior cruciate ligament tibial eminence avulsion fractures. Methods Between January 2002 and January 2009, 43 patients with freshanterior cruciate ligament tibial eminence avulsion fracture were treated, which were rated as types II and III according to Meyers- McKeever-Zaricznyj classification. Fractures were fixed with either screw (screw group, n=21) or nonabsorbable suture (suture group, n=22). There was no significant difference in sex, age, disease duration, and fracture type between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The range of motion (ROM) and Lysholm score were compared between 2 groups, and the knee stabil ity was evaluated based on the Lachman test and KT-2000 measurement. Results The operation time was 48-60 minutes (mean, 51.6 minutes) in the screw group, and 55-68 minutes (mean, 63.2 minutes) in the suture group, showing significant difference (t=4.645, P=0.032). Incisions healed by first intention and no compl ication occurred in 2 groups. All patients were followed up (5.7 ± 0.6) years in the screw group and (5.3 ± 0.5) years in the suture group. The fracture healed completely in both groups; the heal ing time was (3.3 ± 0.6) months in the screw group and (3.2 ± 0.4) months in the suture group, showing significant difference (t=3.723, P=0.019). Between the screw group and the suture group, no significant difference was found in ROM [(128.6 ± 10.1)° vs. (130.2 ± 14.1)°, P gt; 0.05] and Lysholm score (94.6 ± 14.5 vs. 95.1 ± 17.2, P gt; 0.05). The stabil ities based on KT-2000 measurement were also similar between 2 groups at last follow-up [(0.9 ± 0.3) mm vs. (1.0 ± 0.4) mm, P gt; 0.05]. Lachman test of 2 groups were negative. Conclusion Boththe screw and nonabsorbable suture fixation techniques for anterior cruciate l igament tibial eminence avulsion fracture (type II or III) have good results in terms of functional outcome and stabil ity. However, some patients show flexion contractures of 5° or 10°.
ObjectiveTo investigate the value of ligament remnant preservation during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction by observing the integrity, the tension, the synovial membrane covering, and the color of the reconstructed ligament under arthroscopy. MethodsBetween January 2011 and December 2013, 122 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction and arthroscopic internal fixation removal at 1 year after reconstruction were included in this study. Of these cases, 61 cases underwent ACL reconstruction using the remnant-preserved technique (preservation group);the other 61 cases underwent ACL reconstruction using non remnant-preserved technique (non preservation group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injury side, body mass index, type of injury, the time from injury to reconstruction, and the result of KT-2000 examination between 2 groups (P<0.05). The reconstructed ACL were observed under arthroscopy when internal fixation was removed, and the effectiveness was evaluated according to the criteria of AO Yingfang. ResultsIn preservation group, the results were excellent in 34 cases, good in 22 cases, fair in 4 cases, and poor in 1 case;and in non preservation group, the results were excellent in 29 cases, good in 20 cases, fair in 10 cases, and poor in 2 cases;and there was no significant difference between 2 groups (Z=-1.320, P=0.187). ConclusionIn ACL reconstruction, the remnant-preserved technique is not obviously better than non remnant-preserved technique in the integrity, tension, membrane covering, and color.
Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment of anterior cruciate l igament (ACL) cysts of the knees. Methods The cl inical data were retrospectively analysed from 13 patients with ACL cysts between December 2000 and August 2007. The patients included 7 males and 6 females with an average age of 46.3 years (range, 32-55 years). The locationswere the left knee in 6 cases and the right knee in 7 cases. Seven cases had an obvious history of trauma, 4 cases had a history of chronic injury, and 2 cases had no obvious incentive factor. The disease duration was from 6 to 29 months (mean, 20 months). Anterior drawer test was positive in 1 case, pivot shift test was positive in 1 case, and McMurray test was positive in 3 cases. Six cases were preoperatively diagnosed by MRI. The cysts located near the tibial insertion in 6 cases, between the ACL and the posterior cruciate l igament in 3 cases, and near the femoral attachment in 4 cases. All cysts were arthroscopically resected and had the pathohistological examination. Results The pathohistological examination showed mucoid degeneration of collagen and connective tissues, and the diagnosis result was ACL cyst. All incisions healed by first intention, and no compl ication occurred. Thirteen patients were followed up 2 to 5 years (mean, 2 years and 6 months). The symptoms of arthralgia, swell ing, and interlocking of the affected knees disappeared. At 24 months postoperatively, the anterior drawer test was positive in 1 case, the pivot shift test was positive in 1 case, and McMurray test was positive in 4 cases. There was no recurrence during the follow-up. There were significant differences in the range of motion and Lysholm score between pre- and post-operation (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion ACL cysts may be indicated by simple knee pain, especially when accompanied by l imitation of joint motion without imaging evidence of osteoarthritis. The MRI finding is very important in the diagnosis of ACL cysts, and arthroscopic resection and debridement is the first choice in the treatment of ACL cysts.
ObjectiveTo study the effectiveness of internal tension-relieving technique for arthroscopic assisted anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. MethodsBetween March 2011 and September 2014, 51 cases of complete ACL rupture were randomly divided into 2 groups. Arthroscopic assisted single-bundle ACL reconstruction combined with internal tension-relieving technique was performed in 26 cases (group A), arthroscopic assisted single-bundle ACL reconstruction in 25 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, injured side, body mass index, Outerbridge classification of articular cartilage injury, disease duration, and the preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, and KT-1000 test value between 2 groups (P>0.05). At 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, the KT-1000 was used to measure the anterior stability, and IKDC and Lysholm scores to evaluate the function of knee joint. ResultsHealing of incision by first intention was obtained in all patients of 2 groups, without complications of infection, deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity, and blood vessels and nerves injury. The patients were followed up 12 months after operation. All patients received second microscopic examination. The reconstructed ACL had good continuity and good coverage of synovial tissue. There was no re-rupture in any cases. The range of motion of the knee joint was close to normal. The MRI showed good healing of the ligament and the bone tunnel at 12 months after operation. KT-1000 test value, IKDC score, and Lysholm score at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found among different time points after operation (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in IKDC score and Lysholm score between 2 groups at 3 and 12 months (P>0.05); but IKDC score and Lysholm score of group A were significantly higher than those of group B (P<0.05) at 6 months. At diffenent time points after operation, the KT-1000 test values of group A were significantly lower than those of group B (P<0.05) except the value at 3 months (P>0.05). ConclusionFor patients with ACL rupture, using internal tension-relieving technique can effectively alleviate tension force of reconstructed ligament, which is beneficial to the healing of reconstructed ligament and early rehabilitation of the knee joint.