ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of patellar tendon reconstruction by using LARS artificial ligament in treatment of old patellar tendon rupture.MethodsA clinical data of 12 patients with old patellar ligament ruptures, who met the inclusive criteria and reconstructed with LARS artificial ligament between December 2011 and December 2017, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 4 females with an average age of 33.5 years (range, 18-55 years). The cause of injury included traffic accident injury in 4 cases, sport injury in 5 cases, and violent injury in 3 cases. There were 5 cases in the left knee and 7 cases in the right knee. The disease duration was 2-12 weeks (mean, 2.5 weeks). The preoperative Lysholm score and Kujala score were 43.2±3.2 and 43.9±2.6, respectively. The knee range of motion was (106.5±14.7)°. The thigh circumference which was measured at 10 cm above the upper end of the patella was (40.92±1.93) cm. There were 4 cases of patellar ligament body rupture, 1 case of patella distal pola rupture, and 7 cases of tibial tuberosity attachment rupture. Preoperative Caton-Deschamps index was 1.47±0.13.ResultsAll patients were followed up 12-30 months (mean, 20.5 months). All incisions healed by first intention. And no complication such as infection, recurrent rupture, and neurovascular injury occurred. At 1 year after operation, the knee range of motion was (131.0±10.2)°, Lysholm score was 87.4±2.4, Kujala score was 88.3±4.8, the thigh circumference which was measured at 10 cm above the upper end of the patella was (42.58±1.93) cm; all showing significant differences when compared with preoperative values (P<0.05). The effectiveness results were excellent in 9 cases and good in 3 cases according to the Insall evaluation criteria. The Caton-Deschamps index was 1.09±0.11, which was significantly lower than preoperative one (t=8.155, P=0.000).ConclusionPatellar tendon reconstruction with LARS artificial ligament is an effective method for the old patellar ligament rupture, which can effectively repair the knee extension device and restore knee function.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of arthroscopic one-stage reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) with LARS artificial ligament and autogenous hamstring tendon, respectively.MethodsA retrospective study was performed on 23 patients with ACL and PCL injuries, who were treated with one-stage reconstruction, between June 2013 and June 2017. The ACL and PCL were reconstructed with LARS artificial ligament in 11 patients (artificial ligament group) and autogenous hamstring tendon in 12 patients (autogenous tendon group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, side of injury, cause of injury, time from injury to operation, and preoperative Lysholm score and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, the time of recovery of daily activities and preoperative exercise level, the occurrence of surgical-related complications, Lysholm score, IKDC score, and the results of knee stability assessment were recorded and compared between the two groups.ResultsThe operation time and the time of recovery of daily activities and preoperative exercise level were significantly shorter in artificial ligament group than in autogenous tendon group (P<0.05). All incisions healed primarily. In autogenous tendon group, the common fibular nerve injury occurred in 1 case and intermuscular vein thrombosis occurred in 1 case. No complication occurred in the remaining patients of the two groups. All the patients were followed up 24-54 months (mean, 36.4 months). At last follow-up, the Lysholm score and IKDC score of the two groups were significantly higher than preoperative scores (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The varus and valgus stress tests of the two groups were negative. There was no significant difference in anterior drawer test, posterior drawer test, and Lachman test between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionThe effectiveness of arthroscopic one-stage reconstruction of ACL and PCL with LARS artificial ligament or autogenous hamstring tendon was similar. The knee function and stability recover well. But the patients with LARS artificial ligament reconstruction can resume daily activities and return to exercise earlier.