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 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.
Objective To investigate the method and short-term effectiveness of arthroscopic reconstruction of anterior cruciate l igament (ACL) using RetroButton-allogeneic tendon-interference screw. Methods Between June 2009 and October 2009, 23 patients with ACL rupture were treated by arthroscopic reconstruction with RetroButton-allogeneic tendon-interference screw. There were 15 males and 8 females with an average age of 32.5 years (range, 19-46 years), including 17 left knees and 6 right knees. The injury causes were sport trauma (13 cases), traffic accident (8 cases), and fall ing injury(2 cases). There were 7 acute cases (lt; 6 weeks) and 16 chronic cases (gt; 6 weeks). Among the cases, 11 cases compl icated by medial meniscus injury, 6 by lateral meniscus injury, 3 by the both injuries, and 5 by articular cartilage injury. All cases had no injuries of posterior cruciate l igament, medial or lateral collateral l igament, or posterolateral structure. The time from injury to operation ranged from 3 weeks to 32 months. Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores were used for subjective evaluation, while Lachman test and KT-1000 measurement for objective evaluation. Results All wounds healed by first intention. The symptoms of unstable knee were improved obviously. No high fever, infection, or immunologic rejection were observed. Refractoriness synovitis and joint effusion occurred in 1 case after operation, and was improved after articular cavity flushing for 7 times within 3 weeks. All cases were followed up 10-17 months (mean, 14.7 months). There were significant differences in Lysholm score, IKDC score, Lachman test, and KT-1000 measurement between pre-operation and last follow-up (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Arthroscopic reconstruction of ACL with RetroButton-allogeneic tendon-interferencescrew is simple and safe, and its short-term effectiveness is satisfactory.
Objective The anterior cruciate l igament (ACL) is the important stable structure of the knee. To evaluate the method and outcome of bone-ACL-bone (B-ACL-B) allograft under arthroscope in reconstruction of ACL. Methods Between October 2007 and February 2010, arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with deep-freezing B-ACL-B allograft was performed on 22 patients with ACL ruptures. There were 15 males and 7 females with an average age of 27.6 years (range, 19-55 years). The causes of ACL rupture were sport trauma in 12 cases, fall ing injury in 1 case, heavy crush in 2 cases, and traffic accident in 7 cases. The locations were the left knee in 14 cases and the right knee in 8 cases. The disease durationwas 7 days to 12 months (median, 65 days). Nineteen patients showed the positive results of anterior drawer test and pivot shift test, and 21 patients showed the positive results of Lachman test. According to International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) criteria, there were 5 abnormal and 17 severely abnormal. The subjective IKDC score was 49.6 ± 6.9. The Lysholm score was 48.5 ± 5.3. The Tegner scale scores were 6.8 ± 1.2 before injury and 2.1 ± 0.5 before operation. The MRI showed the ACL injuries in 18 of 20 patients. Results The mean operative time was 75 minutes (range, 65-85 minutes); the mean blood loss was 110 mL (range, 80-150 mL). All incisions healed by first intention. No immunologic rejection and deep vein thrombosis of lower l imbs occurred. All patients were followed up 7-34 months (mean, 18 months). At last follow-up, the flexion of the knee ranged from 125 to 135° (mean, 130.5°). Two patients showed the positive results of anterior drawer test, 1 patient showed the positive result of pivot shift test, and 3 patients showed the positive results of Lachman test. According to the IKDC criteria, 10 patients rated as normal, 11 patients as nearly normal, 1 patient as abnormal. The subjective IKDC score was 90.0 ± 5.8, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative one (t=4.653, P=0.021). The Lysholm score was 91.6 ± 7.1, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative one (t=4.231, P=0.028). The Tegner scale score was 6.1 ± 1.5, showing no significant difference when compared with one before injury (t=1.321, P=0.070) and showing significant difference when compared preoperative one (t=3.815, P=0.033). The arthroscopic examination showed no rupture of grafts in 19 patients, 17 grafts showed normal tension, and 2 showed sl ight relaxation at 6 months after operation. Conclusion Reconstruction of the ACL with B-ACL-B allograft under arthroscope is a safe and effective method, which can anatomically reconstruct ACL and obtain a good recovery of the knee function after operation.
Objective To investigate the surgical technique and short-term effectiveness of anterior cruciate l igament (ACL) reconstruction with LARS artificial l igament. Methods Between November 2008 and April 2010, eighty patients withACL injury were treated with LARS artificial l igament under arthroscope and successfully followed up. There were 51 males and 29 females, aged from 17 to 43 years with an average of 29.2 years. The injuries were caused by sport in 63 cases, traffic accident in 14 cases, and bruise in 3 cases. There were 43 left knees and 37 right knees. The disease duration ranged from 10 days to 11 months. The anterior drawer test, Lachman test, and pivot shift test for all cases were rated as positive. The preoperative Lysholm score was 55.4 ± 5.7, Irgang score was 48.3 ± 6.2, and Larson score was 54.8 ± 7.4; and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was lower than normal level in all cases. Obl ique coronal MRI showed ACL injury in all cases. Residual ACL and synovium were preserved during surgery. Results All incisions healed by first intention without compl ication of infection or deep venous thrombosis. All patients were followed up 7 to 24 months with an average of 16.8 months. There were 3 cases of screws exposure toward femoral cortical bone, 2 cases of loosening tibial screw, and 1 case of knee extension l imitation, and they were cured after symptomatic treatment. No LARS artificial l igament rupture and joint fibrosis occurred during followup. At last follow-up, the results of anterior drawer test, Lachman test, and pivot shift test were positive in 2, 3, and 3 patients,respectively. There were significant differences in Lysholm, Irgang, and Larson scores of affected knees between preoperation and 6 weeks postoperatively, last follow-up, respectively (P lt; 0.05). The normal rate of IKDC score were 43.75% (35/80) and 97.50% (78/80) at 6 weeks postoperatively and last follow-up, respectively. Conclusion The viscoelastic properties of LARS artificial l igament is different from that of biological materials. The graft should be fixed at a relatively extension position to avoid knee extension l imitation and sl ight loosening of graft tension is permitted at flexion position. Good cl inical result could be achieved if the technique is well appl ied.
Objective To explore the best flexion angle of the transplantation tendon for fixing joint in simultaneously reconstructing of the anterior cruciate l igament (ACL) and posterior cruciate l igament (PCL) using semitendinosus tendon as autologous graft. Methods Twenty-four clean level New Zealand White rabbits [(aged 6-8 months, male or female, and weighing (2.5 ± 0.2) kg] were selected and divided randomly into 3 groups (n=8) according to fixation angle of the reconstructed l igaments. The bilateral semitendinosus tendons of hind legs were used to reconstruct the PCL and ACL of right hind leg, and the reconstructed l igaments were fixed at knee flexion angles of 90° (group A), 60° (group B), and 30° (group A). The rabbit general situation was observed after operation, and the specimens of the knee joints (including 10 cmdistal end and 10 cm proximal end) were harvested for testing extension and flexion, displacement, and internal and external rotation at 3 months after operation. Results All the rabbits survived to the end of experiment. There was no significant difference in maximal displacements of ACL and PCL among 3 groups (P gt; 0.05). The anterior and posterior displacements of shift in 3 groups were less than 1 mm, suggesting good stabil ity. The anterior displacement and the posterior displacement at 30° flexion and 90° flexion in group A were significantly larger than those in group C (P lt; 0.05). There were significant differences in internal rotation angle and external rotation angle between group A and group C (P lt; 0.05), and there was no significant difference among other groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion When simultaneously reconstructing ACL and PCL, the knee flexion angle of 60° for fixing the reconstructed l igaments can achieve the best effect.
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.
Objective To investigate the radiographic and clinical outcomes of dorsal intercarpal ligament capsulodesis (DILC) procedure for chronic static scapholunate dissociation. Methods Between January 2008 and January 2011, 12 patients with chronic static scapholunate dissociation were treated with DILC. Of 12 cases, 10 were male and 2 were female with an average age of 42 years (range, 20-66 years). All injuries were caused by falling. The interval from injury to surgery was 3-19 months (mean, 8 months). Physical examination at admission showed wrist tenderness and limited range of motion (ROM). Radiological examination showed that scapholunate gap was greater than 3 mm on posteroanterior view, and scapholunate angle more than 60° on the lateral view. Before operation, the grip strength was (25.4±8.2) kg; the wrist ROM was (56.7±11.5)° in flexion and (52.0±15.2)° in extension; visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.3±1.4; and disabilities of arm, shoulder & hand (DASH) score was 39.5±7.4. According to Garcia-Elias staging criteria, all cases were rated as stage 4, indicating that the scapholunate interosseous ligament was completely injured and reduction could easily be obtained. Eight patients had wrist instability. Results Primary healing of incision was achieved, no complication was found. All patients were followed up 13-34 months (mean, 15.9 months). During surgery, all deformities were corrected completely, but 7 patients (58%) recurred at 1 month after Kirschner wire removal. Compared with preoperative ones, the scapholunate gap, scapholunate angle, radiolunate angle, lunocapitate angle, and wrist height ratio at 1 month after Kirschner wire removal and last follow-up showed no significant difference (P > 0.05); the wrist flexion and extension ROM were significantly decreaed to (46.8±7.2)° and (42.0±9.0)° at last follow-up (P < 0.05); the grip strength was significantly increased to (32.7±9.6) kg at last follow-up (P < 0.05); VAS score and DASH score were improved to 1.7±1.0 and 8.1±8.7 (P < 0.05). Conclusion Carpal collapse will recur in short time after DILC. DILC is not the best way to treat chronic static scapholunate dissociation.