Objective To evaluate the clinical results of bioabsorbable interference screw in knee ligament reconstruction. Methods From April 2002 to August 2004, 39 patients with knee ligament injury were treated, including 33 males and6 females with a median age of 25 years (15 to 65 years). The involved ligament included 29 anterior cruciate ligament of knee(ACL), 6 posterior cruciate ligament of knee(PCL)，4 combined ACL and PCL, 3 medial collateral or lateral collateral ligaments of knee point and 1 posterolateral complex injury of knee. All of patients underwent anatomic ligament reconstructions under arthroscopy or open surgery by autografts and fixation with bioabsorbable interference screw. Results All 34 patients were followed up 6 to 28 months (mean 13.7months). The patients were evaluated by Lysholm knee functional scales, the knee scores were 43.6±13.4 before operation and 85.4±16.3 after operation, showing significant difference (Plt;0.05). There was no limitation of rangeof motion and loosening of the screw. However, one case suffered from infection, and 3 cases suffered from effusion and synovitis after surgery and recovered after management. Conclusion Bioabsorbable interference screw fixation is a reliable method in knee ligament reconstruction and is effective to restore knee joint stability.
ObjectiveTo study the analgesia and rehabilitation effect of femoral nerve block after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). MethodsDuring June to September 2014, 62 patients who were scheduled to undergo ACLR were randomly divided into two groups:femoral nerve block group (n=31) and control group (n=31). All the patients were given celecoxib 200 mg (twice per day) three days before surgery. Patients in the femoral nerve block group were given a single-injection femoral nerve block (SFNB) half an hour before surgery (ropivacaine 0.75%, 30 mL), Both of the two groups underwent ice therapy after surgery. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, knee joint range of motion, the muscle strength of quadriceps femoris, the side effects, complications and infection rate were recorded after the operation. ResultsThe VAS scores were significantly lower in the femoral nerve block group within 2 hours to 7 days after surgery (P<0.05), and the use of morphine was less than the control group in all the time points with statistical significance (P<0.05). The muscle strength of quadriceps femoris was significantly weaker in the femoral nerve block group than the control group in the first 12 hours (P<0.05). The side effects and infection rate between the two group had no significant difference (P>0.05). ConclusionThe femoral nerve block in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction before surgery has a good effect on postoperative analgesia and rehabilitation, which is worth popularizing and applying.
ObjectiveTo study the effect of the femoral tunnel position on the knee function recovery after medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical date of 43 cases (43 knees) of recurrent patellar dislocation undergoing MPFL reconstruction and patellofemoral lateral retinaculum lysis between August 2013 and March 2014. There were 12 males and 31 females, aged 19.4 years on average (range, 9-35 years). All patients had trauma history and recurrent dislocations. The results of apprehesion test and J syndrom were positive. The patellar tilt test showed patellofemoral lateral retinaculum was tension. The effectiveness was evaluated using Lysholm knee functional score after operation. The distance from the center of the femoral tunnel to the femoral isometric point was measured on CT three dimensional reconstruction image. Whether the femoral tunnel position was isometric was evaluated. The correlation was analyzed between the distance from the center of the femoral tunnel to the femoral isometric point and Lysholm score. ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in all patients. The patients were followed up 13-18 months (mean, 15 months). No patellar dislocation or subluxation occurred. The result of apprehensive test was negative. At last follow-up, the average Lysholm score was 93.8 (range, 83-100). The average distance from the center of the femoral tunnel to the femoral isometric point was 5.61 mm (range, 2-16 mm). The femoral tunnel position was isometric in 30 cases (69.8%) and non-isometric in 13 cases (30.2%). The distance from the center of the femoral tunnel to the femoral isometric point was negatively correlated with postoperative Lysholm score (r=-0.851, P=0.000). The postoperative Lysholm score was 95.7±2.3 in patients with isometric tunnel and was 89.4±3.5 in patients with non-isometric tunnel, showing significant difference (t=6.951, P=0.000). ConclusionFor patellofemoral joint instability, preparing the femoral isometric tunnel can establish a good foundation for the recovery of the knee function in MPFL reconstruction.
ObjectiveTo observe the effect and significance of autologous fibrin clot on tendon-bone healing after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.MethodsBetween October 2014 and January 2016, 34 patients (34 knees) with ACL injury were enrolled in the study. During ACL reconstruction, autologous fibrin clot was used in 17 cases (trial group) and was not used in 17 cases (control group). The anterior drawer test, Lachman test, and axial displa-cement test were positive in 2 groups before operation. There was no significant difference in gender, age, causes of injury, injury side, disease cause, and preoperative knee joint activity, Lysholm score, and American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score between 2 groups (P>0.05), with comparable. The results of anterior drawer test, Lachman test, and axial displacement test were recorded and compared between 2 groups after operation. The knee joint activity, Lysholm score, and HSS score were used to evaluate the knee function recovery at 6, 24, and 48 weeks after operation; the graft signal intensity, graft signal to noise ratio, bone tunnel expansion, and graft tendon-bone node T2 value were measured.ResultsAll patients were followed up 48 weeks. Surgical incision healed at stage I. No joint infection and joint adhesion occurred. The drawer test, Lachman test, and axial shift test were negative in 2 groups. At 6, 24, and 48 weeks after operation, the Lysholm score of trial group was significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in knee joint activity between 2 groups (P>0.05). The HSS score of trial group was significantly higher than that of control group at 24 and 48 weeks (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found at 6 weeks (P>0.05). MRI measu-rement showed that there was significant difference in graft signal intensity, bone tunnel expansion, and graft signal to noise ratio between 2 groups at 6, 24, and 48 weeks after operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in graft tendon-bone node T2 value between 2 groups (P>0.05) at 48 weeks after operation, but difference was significant at 6 and 24 weeks (P<0.05).ConclusionAutologous fibrin clot can effectively enhance graft revascularization, and accelerate the process of tendon-bone healing after ACL reconstruction.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy of exercise therapy on functional and activity recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL).MethodsPubMed, EMbase, WanFang Data and CNKI databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of exercise therapy on functional and activity recovery after ACL from inception to May 2019. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies, then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 11 RCTs involving 602 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: 1 week (MD=3.07, 95%CI 1.37 to 4.77, P=0.000 4) and 3 weeks (MD=4.53, 95%CI 2.34 to 6.71, P<0.000 1) conventional exercise training rehabilitation effects were better than natural recovery under orthopedic routine care in promoting knee joint function recovery. The recovery effects of over 6 months neuromuscular training was significantly increased compared with conventional rehabilitation (MD=11.48, 95%CI 8.25 to 14.71, P<0.000 01). In addition, there was significant difference between open and closed chain exercise rehabilitation after more than 6 months rehabilitation training (MD=6.77, 95%CI 0.86 to 12.68, P=0.02).ConclusionsThe current evidence shows that over 6 months neuromuscular training significantly enhance the recovery of motor function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. According to different reconstruction methods, individualized rehabilitation program is developed to maximize the recovery of knee joint function. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify above conclusions.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction by meta-analysis. Methods The databases searched included Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Chongqing VIP. The search time range was from the establishment of the databases to September 2022. All randomized controlled trials using tranexamic acid in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were collected. The outcome indicators were postoperative blood loss, postoperative joint cavity puncture rate, postoperative hematoma rate, postoperative Visual Analogue Scale score, and postoperative knee joint range of motion. RevMan 5.3 analysis software was selected for meta-analysis. Results A total of 6 articles were included, including 660 patients. Meta-analysis showed that the postoperative blood loss in the tranexamic acid group was lower than that in the control group [weighted mean difference (WMD)=−24.32 mL, 95% confidence interval (CI) (−33.73 mL, −14.91 mL), P<0.000 01]. The postoperative Visual Analogue Scale score in the tranexamic acid group was lower than that in the control group [WMD=−0.69, 95%CI (−1.21, −0.18), P=0.009]. The postoperative knee joint range of motion in the tranexamic acid group was higher than that in the control group [WMD=2.88°, 95%CI (0.55°, 5.21°), P=0.02]. The postoperative joint cavity puncture rate in the tranexamic acid group was lower than that in the control group [risk ratio (RR)=0.25, 95%CI (0.12, 0.53), P=0.0003]. The postoperative hematoma rate in the tranexamic acid group was lower than that in the control group [RR=0.40, 95%CI (0.21, 0.78), P=0.007]. Conclusion The patients who used tranexamic acid in in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction have less postoperative bleeding, lower knee joint puncture rate and hematoma formation rate, which are conducive to pain relief and functional rehabilitation.
Objective To investigate whether the outlet of the femoral tunnel will cause iatrogenic injury to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) during posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (PCLR) and estimate the safe angle of femoral tunnel placement. MethodsThirteen formaldehyde-soaked human knee joint specimens were used, 8 from men and 5 from women; the donors’ age ranged from 49 to 71 years, with an average of 61 years. First, the medial part of the femur was carefully dissected to clearly expose the region of the MCL course and attachment on the femoral medial aspect and to outline the anterior margin of the region with a marked line. The marked line divided the medial femoral condyle into an area with an MCL course and a bare bone area which is regarded relatively safe for no MCL course. Then, the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was cut to identify the femoral attachment of the PCL. After the knee joint was fixed at a 120° flexion angle, the process of femoral tunnel preparation for the PCL single-bundle reconstruction was simulated. The inside-out technique was used to drill the femoral tunnel from the PCL femoral footprint inside the knee joint with an orientation to exit the medial condyle of the femur, and the combination angle of the two planes, the axial plane and the coronal plane, was adapted to the process of drilling femoral tunnels at different orientations. The following 15 angle combinations were used in the study: 0°/30°, 0°/45°, 0°/60°, 15°/30°, 15°/45°, 15°/60°, 30°/30°, 30°/45°, 30°/60°, 45°/30°, 45°/45°, 45°/60°, 60°/30°, 60°/45°, 60°/60° (axial/coronal). The positional relationship between the femoral tunnel outlet on the femoral medial condyle and the marked line was used to verify whether the tunnel drilling angle was a risk factor for MCL injury or not, and whether the shortest distance between the femoral exit center and the marked line was affected by the various angle combinations. Furthermore, the safe orientation of the femoral tunnel placement would estimated. ResultsWhen creating the femoral tunnel for PCLR, there was a risk of damage to the MCL caused by the tunnel outlet, and the incidence was from 0 to 100%; when the drilling angle of the axial plane was 0° and 15°, the incidence of MCL damage was from 69.23% to 100%. There was a significant difference in the incidence of MCL damage among femoral tunnels of 15 angle combinations (χ2=148.195, P<0.001). By comparison between groups, it was found that when drilling femoral tunnels at 5 combinations of 45°/45°, 45°/60°, 60°/30°, 60°/45°, and 60°/60° (axial/coronal), the shortest distances between the tunnel exit and the marked line were significantly different than 0°/45°, 0°/60°, 15°/45°, 15°/60°, and 30°/30° (axial/coronal) (P<0.05). Additionally, after comparing the median of the shortest distance with other groups, the outlets generated by these 5 angles were farther from the marked line and the posterior MCL. ConclusionThe creation of the femoral tunnel in PCLR can cause iatrogenic MCL injury, and the risk is affected by the tunnel angle. To reduce the risk of iatrogenic injury, angle combinations of 45°/45°, 45°/60°, 60°/30°, 60°/45°, and 60°/60° (axial/coronal) are recommended for preparing the femoral tunnel in PCLR.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the operability and effectiveness of a self-developed patellar bone canal locator (hereinafter referred to as “locator”) in the reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL). Methods A total of 38 patients with recurrent patellar dislocation who met the selection criteria admitted between January 2022 and December 2022 were randomly divided into study group (the patellar canal was established with a locator during MPFL reconstruction) and control group (no locator was used in MPFL reconstruction), with 19 cases in each group. There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05), such as gender, age, body mass index, disease duration, patella Wiberg classification, constituent ratio of cartilage injury, Caton index, tibia tubercle-trochlear groove, and preoperative Lysholm score, Kujal score, Tegner score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and so on. The Lysholm score, Kujal score, Tegner score, and VAS score were used to evaluate knee joint function before operation and at 3 days,1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after operation. The ideal prepatellar cortical thickness and canal length were measured before operation, and the actual prepatellar cortical thickness and canal length after operation were also measured, and D1 (the distance between the ideal entrance and the actual entrance), D2 (the ideal canal length minus the actual canal length), D3 (the ideal prepatellar cortical thickness minus the actual prepatellar cortical thickness) were calculated.ResultsPatients in both groups were followed up 6-8 months (mean, 6.7 months). The incision length and intraoperative blood loss in the study group were smaller than those in the control group, but the operation time was longer than that in the control group, the differences were significant (P<0.05). There was no complication such as incision infection, effusion, and delayed healing in both groups, and no further dislocation occurred during follow-up. One patient in the study group had persistent pain in the anserine area after operation, and the symptoms were relieved after physiotherapy. The VAS score of the two groups increased significantly at 3 days after operation, and gradually decreased with the extension of time; the change trends of Lysholm score, Kujal score, and Tegner score were opposite to VAS score. Except that the Lysholm score and Kujal score of the study group were higher than those of the control group at 3 days after operation, and the VAS score of the study group was lower than that of the control group at 3 days and 1 month after operation, the differences were significant (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in the scores between the two groups at other time points (P>0.05). Patellar bone canal evaluation showed that there was no significant difference in preoperative simulated ideal canal length, prepatellar cortical thickness, and postoperative actual canal length between the two groups (P>0.05). The postoperative actual prepatellar cortical thickness of the study group was significantly smaller than that of the control group (P<0.05). D1 and D3 in the study group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in D2 between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe locator can improve the accuracy of MPFL reconstruction surgery, reduce the possibility of intraoperative damage to the articular surface of patella and postoperative patellar fractures.