Objective To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of arthroscopic single-bundle reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) being centered within the native ligament’s tibial and femoral insertions with independent drilling of tibial and femoral tunnels. Methods Between September 2008 and September 2010, 33 patients with chronic ACL ruptures underwent arthroscopic reconstruction with four-stranded hamstring tendons in single-bundle. There were 19 males and 14 females, aged 22-33 years (mean, 26.4 years). Injuries were caused by traffic accident in 15 cases, by falling in 13 cases, and by sports in 5 cases. The location was the left knee in 20 cases and the right knee in 13 cases. The average time from injury to surgery was 6 months (range, 2-20 months). ACL reconstruction could be optimized when single-bundle grafts were centered within the native ligament’s tibial and femoral insertions with independent drilling of tibial and femoral tunnels. KT-1000 test, Lachman test, and pivot-shift test were used to evaluate the knee stability, and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm scores to assess the knee function. Results Primary healing of incision was obtained in all patients, who had no complications of intra-articular infection, deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity, and injury of blood vessels and nerves. All the patients were followed up 18.6 months on average (range, 13-24 months). At 1 year after operation, the results of Lachman test were negative in 31 cases and I degree positive in 2 cases, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative results (I degree positive in 4, II degree positive in 26, and III degree positive in 3) (Z= — 5.42, P=0.00). The results of pivot-shift test were negative in 31 cases, I degree positive in 2 cases, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative results (I degree positive in 15 and II degree positive in 18) (Z= — 5.17, P=0.00). The KT-1000 results of examination (134 N) showed that the side difference of anterior laxity was (1.2 ± 0.7) mm at 25° flexion and (0.8 ± 0.6) mm at 70° flexion, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones [(7.8 ± 2.1) mm and (5.0 ± 1.8) mm] (t=16.19, P=0.00; t=13.28, P=0.00). The IKDC score was significantly increased from 39.6 ± 4.5 at preoperation to 95.1 ± 1.6 at postoperation (t= — 78.88, P=0.00), and Lysholm score was significantly increased from 48.3 ± 3.6 at preoperation to 92.0 ± 2.5 at postoperation (t= — 42.00, P=0.00). Conclusion It is a reliable procedure to restore the stability of the knee that arthroscopic single-bundle reconstruction of ACL is centered within the native ligament’s tibial and femoral insertions with independent drilling of tibial and femoral tunnels.
Objective To investigate the injury mechanism, clinical characteristics, and treatments of Segond fracture and complications. Methods Fifteen patients suffering from Segond fracture were treated between January 2007 and December 2011. There were 10 males and 5 females, aged 16-50 years (mean, 31.8 years). Fracture was caused by traffic accident in 8 cases, by sports in 6 cases, and by bruise in 1 case. Before operation, the knee range of motion (ROM) was (36.60 ± 8.94)°; the Lysholm score was 32.27 ± 3.73; and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 42.34 ± 4.97. The duration from injury to operation was 1-3 weeks with an average of 1.2 weeks. In 12 patients having associated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, arthroscopic reconstruction of ACL was performed with allogeneic anterior tibial tendon; in 2 patients having associated avulsion fracture of the intercondylar eminence of the tibia, arthroscopic fracture reduction and fixation with Orthocord wire were performed. In 8 patients having associated meniscus injury, meniscus suture and meniscectomy were performed in 3 and 5 patients, respectively. In 7 patients having associated collateral ligament injury, conservative treatment was given in 5 patients, and medial collateral ligament was repair in 2 patients. Results All incisions healed primarily without complications of infection and nerve or blood vessel injury. All the patient were followed up 12-16 months (mean, 14.3 months). At 12 months after operation, the results of anterior drawer test, Lachman test, and lateral stress test were all negative. The knee ROM was (129.27 ± 5.89)°, the IKDC score and Lysholm score were significantly increased to 89.45 ± 3.05 and 87.87 ± 4.12 at 12 months after operation; all showing significant differences when compared with preoperative values (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Segond fracture is often combined with ACL, collateral ligament, and meniscus injuries, and the evidence of Segond fracture can bly suggests the knee injury. Personalized treatment should be chosen according to complications.
Objective To discuss the effectiveness of operation technique for antero-medial rotatory instability (AMRI) of the knee joint caused by motorcycle. Methods Between June 2007 and December 2009, 32 cases of AMRI caused by motorcycle were treated. There were 28 males and 4 females with an average age of 35.5 years (range, 20-50 years). The interval between injury and surgery was 5-10 days (mean, 7 days). The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was injured at the attachment point of the condyles crest; the medial collateral ligament (MCL) was injured at central site in 19 cases, at medial condyles of femur in 10 cases, and at medial condyles of tibia in 3 cases, which were all closed injuries. The bone avulsion of condyles crest was fixed by steel wire and MCL was repaired. Results Red swelling and a little effusion occurred at the incision in 1 case, and the other incisions healed by first intention. Traumatic arthritis of the knee occured in 5 cases. Thirty-two cases were followed up 16-22 months (mean, 18.5 months). The X-ray examination showed that the fracture union time was 5-8 weeks (mean, 6 weeks) after operation. At last follow-up, the extension of knee joint was 0° and the flexion of the knee joint was 110-170° (mean, 155°). According to the synthetic evaluating standard of International Knee Documentation Committee, 24 cases were rated as A level, 6 cases as B, 1 case as C, and 1 case as D at last follow-up. Lysholm knee score was 85.93 ± 3.76 at last follow-up, which was significantly higher (t=53.785, P=0.000) than preoperative score 37.54 ± 3.43. Conclusion In patients with AMRI caused by motorcycle, steel wire is used to fix the bone avulsion of condyles crest and MCL should be repaired simultaneously as far as possible. And associating with the early postoperative functional exercise, the short-term effectiveness is satisfactory, but long-term effectiveness still need further follow-up observation.
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 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.
ObjectiveTo review the bioactive strategies that enhance tendon graft healing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), and to provide insights for improving the therapeutic outcomes of ACLR. Methods The domestic and foreign literature related to the bioactive strategies for promoting the healing of tendon grafts after ACLR was extensively reviewed and summarized. ResultsAt present, there are several kinds of bioactive materials related to tendon graft healing after ACLR: growth factors, cells, biodegradable implants/tissue derivatives. By constructing a complex interface simulating the matrix, environment, and regulatory factors required for the growth of native anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the growth of transplanted tendons is regulated at different levels, thus promoting the healing of tendon grafts. Although the effectiveness of ACLR has been significantly improved in most studies, most of them are still limited to the early stage of animal experiments, and there is still a long way to go from the real clinical promotion. In addition, limited by the current preparation technology, the bionics of the interface still stays at the micron and millimeter level, and tends to be morphological bionics, and the research on the signal mechanism pathway is still insufficient.ConclusionWith the further study of ACL anatomy, development, and the improvement of preparation technology, the research of bioactive strategies to promote the healing of tendon grafts after ACLR is expected to be further promoted.