ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of semitendinous and gracilis transfer for the treatment of medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury caused by total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MethodsBetween March 2009 and May 2014, 11 patients (11 knees) with MCL injuries caused by primary TKA were treated by semitendinous and gracilis transfer in primary TKA (injury group). Another 18 patients (21 knees) without MCL injury were included as the control group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, injury sides, disease duration, body mass index, knee varus deformity, and preoperative Knee Society Score (KSS) between 2 groups (P>0.05), with comparability. KSS score was used to evaluate the function after operation. ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in all patients, and no complications of joint instability and pain occurred. The follow-up time was 6-29 months in injury group and was 7-34 months in control group. At last follow-up, the KSS clinical score and functional score were significantly increased to 89.82±3.76 and 89.54±3.50 in the injury group (P<0.05) and were significantly increased to 90.19±3.39 and 90.00±3.53 in the control group (P<0.05) respectively, but no significant difference was shown between 2 groups (t=0.158, P=0.877; t=0.820, P=0.432). X-ray films showed no prosthetic loosening or subsidence during follow-up. ConclusionThe semitendinous and gracilis transfer is reliable for the treatment of MCL injury caused by TKA. The insertions of semitendinous tendon and gracilis are close to that of the knee MCL, which can effectively improve knee function.
ObjectiveTo explore the association of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) degeneration with intercondylar notch impingement and the medial meniscus tear in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MethodsBetween July 2014 and February 2016, 55 KOA patients (55 knees) with ACL degeneration (degeneration group) and 55 KOA patients (55 knees) without ACL degeneration (control group) were included in the study. No significant difference was found in gender, age, body mass index, and side between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The notch width index was measured on preoperative MRI to evaluate whether the intercondylar notch was narrow. The location of the medial and lateral meniscus tear and osteophyte of the ACL tibial insertion were observed under arthroscopy, and the incidences of the meniscus tear and osteophyte were calculated. ResultsThere was no significant difference in anterior horn and body tear of the medial meniscus and in anterior horn, body, posterior horn, and root tear of the lateral meniscus (P > 0.05). Significant difference was found in the posterior horn and root tear of the medial meniscus, osteophyte of the ACL tibial insertion, narrow intercondylar notch, and the notch width index between 2 groups (P < 0.05). The incidence of root tear of the medial meniscus was 53.8% (7/13) in 13 knees with osteophyte of the ACL tibial insertion and was 16.5% (16/97) in 97 knees without osteophyte, showing significant difference (χ2=9.671, P=0.002). ConclusionThere is a strong association of ACL degeneration with posterior horn and root tear of the medial meniscus and intercondylar notch impingement in KOA. And the high incidence of root tear of the medial meniscus in knee is correlated with osteophyte of the ACL tibial insertion.