ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of the clavicular hook plate combined with trapezius muscle fascia for reconstruction of acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments to treat acute complete acromioclavicular dislocations. MethodsBetween January 2008 and April 2012, 66 patients with acromioclavicular dislocation were treated with the clavicular hook plate combined with trapezius muscle fascia for reconstruction of acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments in 32 cases (experimental group) and with the clavicular hook plate in 34 cases (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injured side, the cause of injury, and the time from injury to operation between 2 groups (P>0.05). Visual analogue scale (VAS), Constant shoulder scores, and coracoid clavi-cledistance (CC.Dist) were measured at preoperation and at 2 years after operation. Signal/noise quotiem (SNQ) was measured by MRI at 2 years after operation. The operation complications were observed. ResultsThe patients of 2 groups obtained primary healing of incision. The morbidity of complication in experimental group (12.5%, 4/32) was significantly lower than that in control group (91.2%, 31/34) (χ2=40.96, P=0.00). All the cases were followed up 2.8 years on average (range, 2 to 4 years). VAS scores and CC.Dist significantly decreased at 2 years after operation when compared with preoperative values in the 2 groups (P<0.05). VAS scores and CC.Dist of the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). According to Constant shoulder scores at 2 years after operation, the results were excellent in 19 cases, good in 11 cases, and general in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 93.75% in the experimental group; the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 8 cases, general in 16 cases, and poor in 3 cases with an excellent and good rate of 44.11% in the control group; and significant difference was shown between 2 groups (t=2.30, P=0.03). SNQ was significantly lower in experimental group than in control group at 2 years after operation (t=55.03, P=0.00), indicating that ligament healing was better in experimental group than control group. ConclusionCompared with simple clavicular hook plate fixation, the clavicular hook plate combined with trapezius muscle fascia for reconstruction of acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments is successful in treating acute complete acromioclavicular dislocations, with the advantages of higher ligament healing, less complication, and early improvement of shoulder functions.
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 evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of computer-assisted preoperative planning system—ACL Detector in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods Between March 2009 and January 2012, 80 patients with ACL rupture received arthroscopic ACL single-bundle reconstruction with autologous hamstring tendon transplantation. Before operation, the preoperative planning was done by computer-assisted preoperative planning system—ACL Detector (trial group, n=40) or by conventional method (control group, n=40). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, injury cause, preoperative Lysholm score, and preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). After operation, the effectiveness was evaluated by Lachman test, pivot shift test, Lysholm score, and IKDC score; the digital three-dimensinal model of knee was reconstructed, and the impingement rate of ACL graft was measured. Results All incisions healed by first intention, and no complication was found. The patients were followed up 18-25 months (mean, 20 months) in trial group and 18-24 months (mean, 21 months) in control group. The Lysholm score and IKDC score were significantly increased at 18 months after operation when compared with preoperative scores (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The results of Lachman test and pivot shift test at 18 months after operation were significantly better than those before operation in 2 groups (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference between 2 groups after operation (P gt; 0.05). MRI showed that impingement was observed in 1 case of trial group (2.50%) and in 8 cases of control group (20.00%), showing significant difference (χ2=4.51, P=0.03). Conclusion The computer-assisted preoperative planning system—ACL Detector could be successfully applied to ACL reconstruction. It has the same improvement in knee functional score as conventional surgery, but it is better than conventional surgery in reducing the impingement incidence.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction with remnant preservation and autogenous quadrupled hamstring tendons under arthroscopy. Methods Between October 2007 and August 2012, 32 patients with PCL rupture were treated and followed up for more than 1 year. There were 24 males and 8 females, aged 20-53 years (mean, 35.6 years). The causes of injury included traffic accident injury in 21 cases, sports injury in 8 cases, and falling injury from height in 3 cases. The disease duration ranged 1 week to 2 years (median, 6.3 weeks). Nine patients had simple PCL rupture, 23 patients complicated by ligament injury, including 10 cases of anterior cruciate ligament rupture, 11 cases of posterolateral corner injury, and 2 cases of posteromedial corner injury. Preoperative Lysholm score was 53.8 ± 7.1. According to the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) rating criteria, 10 cases were classified as grade C and 22 cases as grade D. PCL was reconstructed with autogenous quadrupled hamstring tendons, the tendons were fixed with EndoButton at the femoral side and with interference screw at the tibial side; floats of stump were cleaned up, and the structural stability and continuity ligament remnants were preserved. Results Primary healing was obtained in all incisions; no early complication occurred after operation. Thirty-two patients were followed up 23.4 months on average (range, 12-36 months). All patients had no symptom of knee instability; the results of tibia sags sign, posterior drawer test, and Lachman test were negative. At last follow-up, the knee range of motion (ROM) returned to normal in all cases. The Lysholm score was 92.3 ± 2.0, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative score (t= — 34.32, P=0.00). According to the IKDC rating criteria, 26 cases were classified as grade A and 6 cases as grade B at last follow-up, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative grade (Z= — 5.57, P=0.00). Conclusion Arthroscopic single-bundle reconstruction of PCL with remnant preservation and quadrupled hamstring tendons has advantages of minimal trauma, simple operation, and good knee function recovery.
Objective To study the feasibility of virtual intercondylar notchplasty by applying MRI two-dimensional (2D) images to reconstruct three-dimensional (3D) images and measure the size of intercondylar notch. Methods Thirty healthy volunteers who had no knee joint disease and surgery history were selected. There were 15 females and 15 males with an age range of 20-30 years, weight range of 45-74 kg, and height range of 150-185 cm. They were divided into male group and female group, and the knees of each group were divided into 2 subgroups (the left group and right group). MRI scan of the left and right knees was performed, and the 2D images of MRI were imported into Mimics10.01 medical image control system for 3D reconstruction. The related anatomical data as follows were measured from the 3D digital model and analyzed by statistical software: notch width (NW), condylar width (CW), and notch width index (NWI). Then the 3D knee images of patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury were collected between January and March 2010, and 4 patients with narrow intercondylar notch (NWI≤0.2) were selected for reconstructing the 3D model of the knee and simulating the intercondylar notch plasty. Then, the volume of osteotomy in 3D model was calculated and applied in the ACL reconstruction surgery, and whether the graft had impingement with intercondylar notch or not was evaluated. Results There were significant differences in NW and CW between male group and female group (P≤lt;≤0.05), but no significant difference was found in the NWI (P≤gt;≤0.05). And there was no significant difference in NW, CW, and NWI between the left and right knees both in male group and female group (P≤gt;≤0.05). After ACL reconstruction and intercondylar notchplasty, the shape of intercondylar notch became normal (NWI≤gt;≤0.22), no impingement occurred between the graft and intercondylar notch under arthroscopy within 3-month follow-up. Conclusion The shape of intercondylar notch of 3D model based on MRI 2D images is similar to the real intercondylar notch. NWI is one of important indexes which can reflect the narrow level of intercondylar notch. The virtual intercondylar notchplasty may provide preoperative plan and guidence for ACL reconstruction operation to avoid the impingement between graft and intercondylar notch after surgery.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of portable bracket of lower limb in the reconstruction of anterior cruciate l igament (ACL) by the long fibular muscle tendon under arthroscopy. Methods Between March 2008 and September 2010, 22 patients with ACL injury were treated. The limb position was maintained by portable bracket of lower limb and ACL was reconstructed with the long fibular muscle tendon under arthroscopy. There were 15 males and 7 females with an average age of 33.8 years (range, 19-64 years). The causes of ACL injury were traffic accident injury in 14 cases, sport trauma in 5 cases, and fall ing injury in 3 cases. The locations were the left knee in 10 cases and the right knee in12 cases, including 12 fresh injuries and 10 old injuries. Of 22 patients, 17 had positive anterior drawer test, 19 had positive pivot shift test, and 20 had positive Lachman test. According to International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) criteria, there were 6 abnormal and 16 severely abnormal. The subjective IKDC score was 57.64 ± 6.11. The Lysholm score was 55.45 ± 4.37. Results All incisions healed by first intention, and no complication was found. All patients were followed up 9-38 months (mean, 15 months). At last follow-up, the flexion of the knee ranged from 120 to 135° (mean, 127°). One patient had positive anterior drawer test, 1 patient had positive pivot shift test, and 2 patients had positive Lachman test. No ligament loosening and breakage occurred. According to the IKDC criteria, 10 patients rated as normal, 11 patients as nearly normal, and 1 patient as abnormal. The subjective IKDC score was 90.44 ± 6.11, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative one (t=4.653, P=0.021). The Lysholm score was 90.12 ± 5.78, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative one (t=4.231, P=0.028). Conclusion Portable bracket of lower limb in the reconstruction of ACL has the advantages of saving manpower and easy operation. The long fibular muscle tendon is enough long and b to reconstruct the ACL, which can increase the contact surface between the tendon and bone and is beneficial to tendon-bone heal ing.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction between the ligament advanced reinforcement system (LARS) and bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autograft. MethodsBetween July 2007 and July 2011, 50 cases (50 knees) of ACL injury were treated with LARS in 24 cases (LARS group) and with BPTB in 26 cases (BPTB group), respectively. There was no significant difference in age, gender, time from injury to surgery, and injury reason between BPTB group and LARS group (P gt; 0.05). The postoperative rehabilitation protocol was performed in 2 groups. ResultsAll incisions healed at the first stage. All patients were followed up 2-3 years. The results of Lachman test, anterior drawer test, and pivot shift test were negative. Screw loosening in femur and tibia occurred in 1 case of each group respectively, anterior knee pain in 2 cases of BPTB group and in 1 case of LARS group. The Lysholm and Tegner scores were significantly higher in LARS group than in BPTB group at 2 and 6 months after operation (P lt; 0.05); but no significant difference was found between 2 groups at 12 and 24 months (P gt; 0.05). The IKDC scores showed no significant difference between 2 groups at different time points after operation (P gt; 0.05). During follow up, KT-1000 arthrometer and knee stability showed significant differences in antedisplacements of the tibia between 2 groups at all time points after operation (P lt; 0.05). ConclusionLARS has less trauma and earlier functional recovery than BPTB autograft for ACL reconstruction, but the long-term effectiveness is similar.
Objective To study the effectiveness of anterior cruciate l igament (ACL) reconstruction using autologous periosteum wrapping tendon allograft by comparing with using simple tendon allograft. Methods Between March 2008 and November 2008, 68 patients with ACL injury were treated, who were in accordance with the inclusion criteria. They were divided into 2 groups randomly according to different treatment methods: ACL was reconstructed with autologous periosteum wrapping tendon allograft in 31 patients (test group) and with simple tendon allograft (control group) in 37 patients. There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, the cause of injury, and functional score preoperatively between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction was performed in 2 groups. Results Little exudation at tibial tunnel incision was found in 1 case respectively in both groups at 2 weeks after operation and was cured by dressing change and antibiotics. The other incisions healed by first intention. The patients were followed up 24-29 months (mean, 26 months) in the test group and 24-32 months (mean, 27 months) in the control group. CT showed bone tunnel enlargement in both groups at 2 years after operation, but the rate of the tunnel enlargement was less inthe test group (5/31, 16.1%) than in the control group (14/37, 37.8%), showing significant difference (χ2=3.948, P=0.047). At 2 years after operation, the results of Lachman test and pivot shift test were negative in 23 cases (74.2%) and 25 cases (80.6%) of the test group, and in 26 cases (70.3%) and 30 cases (81.1%) of the control group, respectively. KT-1000 examination showed the displacement of the test group [(1.74 ± 0.88) mm] was less than that of the control group [(2.36 ± 0.83) mm], showing significant difference (t= —2.979, P=0.004). There was no significant difference in Lysholm score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, Tegner score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score between 2 groups at 2 years after operation (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Compared with simple tendon allograft, ACL reconstruction with autologous periosteum wrapping tendon allograft can improve tendon-bone heal ing, and decrease the rate of bone tunnel enlargement, so it has good short-term outcome.
Objective To evaluate the feasibility of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with 6 strands of hamstring tendons enveloped by periosteum. Methods Between April 2008 and April 2009, 34 patients with ACL injury were treated, ACL of whom was reconstructed with 6 strands of hamstring tendons enveloping of periosteum and double Rigidfix fixation. There were 30 males and 4 females, aged 19-54 years with an average of 29.4 years. The causes of injury included sport in 19 cases, traffic accident in 8 cases, falling from height in 5 cases, and other in 2 cases. The locations were left knee in 19 cases and right knee in 15 cases. The disease duration was 3 weeks to 18 months (median, 9.4 months). The results of Lachman test and anterior drawer test were positive. The Lysholm knee score was 61.5 ± 3.6. MRI examination revealed ACL rupture in 26 cases and ACL injury in 8 cases. Results All incisions healed by first intention, and no early complication occurred. Twenty-eight cases were followed up 12-32 months (mean, 16.1 months). The result of Lachman test was negative at 12 months after operation; in all patients, knee extension reached 0°, and flexion reached 120-150° (mean, 132.5°). The AP and lateral X-ray films and MRI showed no bone tunnel expansion. At last follow-up the therapeutic effect evaluation was excellent in 25 cases, good in 1 case, and fair in 2 cases; the excellent and good rate was 92.9%. The postoperative Lysholm score was 91.0 ± 3.2, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative score (t=32.78, P=0.00). Conclusion Six strands of hamstring tendons can ensure sufficient tensile strength, and use of the double Rigidfix absorbable screw makes fixation more reliable. Facing outside suture of periosteal flap can promote tendon-bone healing, so it is a good method of ACL reconstruction.