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 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 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 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 evaluate the surgical techniques and effectiveness of arthroscopic treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial eminence avulsion fracture with non-absorbable suture fixation combined with the mini-plate. Methods Between January 2009 and March 2012, 32 patients with ACL tibial eminence avulsion fractures were treated. There were 18 males and 14 females, aged 12-40 years (mean, 17.5 years). The injury causes included traffic accident injury in 15 cases, sport injury in 6 cases, and falling injury in 11 cases. The time from injury to operation ranged 7-18 days with an average of 9.5 days. Before operation, the results of Lachman test were all positive; the Lysholm score was 52.13 ± 4.22 and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 44.82 ± 2.44. According to Meyers-McKeever classification criteria, there were 12 cases of type II and 20 cases of type III. After arthroscopic poking reduction of fracture, tibial eminence avulsion fractures were fixed with the Ethibond non-absorbable sutures bypass figure-of-eight tibial tunnel combined with the metacarpal and phalangeal mini-plate. Results Primary healing was obtained in all incisions; no joint infection or skin necrosis occurred after operation. All patients were followed up with an average time of 22.4 months (range, 12-50 months). The patients showed negative Lachman test at 12 weeks after operation. Except 3 patients having knee extension limitation at last follow-up, the knee extension range of motion (ROM) was normal in the other patients; the knee flexion ROM was normal in all patients. The Lysholm score and IKDC score were significantly improved to 94.19 ± 0.93 and 94.35 ± 1.22 at last follow-up, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative values (t=55.080, P=0.000; t=101.715, P=0.000). Conclusion The arthroscopic treatment of ACL tibial eminence avulsion fracture with Ethibond non-absorbable suture fixation combined with mini-plate is an effective procedure with the advantages of minimal trauma, reliable fixation, and satisfactory recovery of the knee joint function.
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.
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.
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.