Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods Between August 2014 and August 2016, 42 patients with ACL ruptures who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction were randomly divided into 2 groups: 21 patients received graft soaked with PRP (trial group) and 21 patients received routine graft in ACL reconstruction (control group). Because 6 patients failed to be followed up, 17 patients of trial group and 19 of control group were enrolled in the study. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, side, injury reason, disease duration, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS), Lysholm score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) activity scores between 2 groups (P>0.05). VAS score, Lysholm score, and IKDC activity scores were used to evaluate pain and function at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Further, second arthroscopy and MRI examination were performed at 12 months postoperatively. Results The patients in both groups were followed up 3 to 12 months with an average of 9.83 months. The VAS score, Lysholm score, and IKDC activity scores were significantly improved at 3 and 12 months after operation in 2 groups (P<0.05), and the scores of trial group were significantly better than those of control group at 3 months (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups at 12 months (P>0.05). No complications of effusion, infection, and allergy were observed in 2 groups during follow-up. MRI showed good position of ACL grafts and good signal quality of the graft in the majority of the cases. However, mixed hyperintense and presence of synovial fluid at the femoral bone-tendon graft interface were found in 3 patients of trial group and 4 patients of control group, indicating poor remodeling ligamentation. MRI score was 3.53±1.13 in trial group and was 3.21±0.92 in control group, showing no significant difference (t=0.936,P=0.356). The second arthroscopy examination showed ligament remodeling score was higher in trial group than control group (t=3.248,P=0.014), but no significant difference was found in synovial coverage score and the incidence of cartilage repair (t=2.190,P=0.064;χ2=0.090,P=0.764). Conclusion PRP application in allograft ACL reconstruction can improve knee function and relieve pain after operation, which may also accelerate graft remodeling.
ObjectiveTo summarize the relationship between lateral femoral notch sign (LFNS) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. MethodsThe relevant literature of LFNS at home and abroad in recent years was retrospectively reviewed, and its mechanism, diagnostic criteria and influencing factors in diagnosis of ACL rupture were summarized and analyzed.ResultsThe LFNS is associated with rotational stability of the knee. As an indirect sign of ACL rupture, the LFNS has high clinical diagnostic value, especially the diagnosis of ACL rupture with lateral meniscus injury.ConclusionThe diagnostic criteria and influencing factors of LFNS in diagnosis of ACL rupture are still unclear and controversial, which needs further study.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of establishing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction model using hamstring tendon autograft in cynomolgus monkeys. Methods Twelve healthy adult male cynomolgus monkeys, weighing 8-13 kg, were randomly divided into two groups (n=6). In the experimental group, the ACL reconstruction model of the right lower limb was prepared by using a single bundle of hamstring tendon, and the ACL of the right lower limb was only cut off in the control group. The survival of animals in the two groups was observed after operation. Before operation and at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, the knee range of motion, thigh circumference, and calf circumference of the two groups were measured; the anterior tibial translation D-value (ATTD) was measured by Ligs joint ligament digital body examination instrument under the loads of 13-20 N, respectively. At the same time, the experimental group underwent MRI examination to observe the graft morphology and the signal/ noise quotient (SNQ) was caculated. Results All animals survived to the end of the experiment. In the experimental group, the knee range of motion, thigh circumference, and calf circumference decreased first and then gradually increased after operation; the above indexes were significantly lower at 3 and 6 months after operation than before operation (P<0.05), and no significant difference was found between pre-operation and 12 months after operation (P>0.05). In the control group, there was no significant change in knee range of motion after operation, showing no significant difference between pre- and post-operation (P>0.05), but the thigh circumference and calf circumference gradually significantly decreased with time (P<0.05), and the difference was significant when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). At 6 and 12 months after operation, the thigh circumference and calf circumference were significantly larger in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). At 3 and 6 months after operation, the knee range of motion was significantly smaller in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). Under the loading condition of 13-20 N, the ATTD in the experimental group increased first and then decreased after operation; and the ATTD significantly increased at 3, 6 months after operation when compared with the value before operation (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference between the pre-operation and 12 months after operation (P>0.05). There was no significant change in ATTD in the control group at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation (P>0.05), and which were significantly higher than those before operation (P<0.05). At each time point after operation, the ATTD was significantly smaller in the experimental group than in the control group under the same load (P<0.05). The MRI examination of the experimental group showed that the ACL boundary gradually became clear after reconstruction and was covered by the synovial membrane. The SNQ at each time point after operation was significantly higher than that before operation, but gradually decreased with time, and the differences between time points were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The ACL reconstruction model in cynomolgus monkey with autogenous hamstring tendon transplantation was successfully established.
ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of lateral posterior tibial slope (LPTS) on tibial tunnel expansion after anatomical single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and the effect of tibial tunnel expansion on knee joint function.MethodsA clinical data of 52 patients with ACL rupture, who underwent arthroscopic anatomical single-bundle reconstruction between November 2018 and December 2019, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 32 males and 20 females with an average age of 34.3 years (range, 14-64 years). There were 22 cases of left knee and 30 cases of right knee. The time from injury to operation ranged from 7 to 30 days, with an average of 15.9 days. The knee function was evaluated by International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and Lysholm score before operation and at 3 and 6 months after operation. At 3 and 6 months after operation, the LPTS and the width of exit, middle segment, entrance, and 2 cm from the exit of the articular surface of the tibial tunnel were measured based on MRI. The expansion of tibial tunnel was calculated and graded (degrees 0-3). According to LPTS, the patients were divided into group A (<6.0°), group B (6°-12°), and group C (>12°), and the difference in the expansion of tibial tunnel between groups was compared.ResultsAll the 52 patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 7.1 months). The IKDC and Lysholm scores at 3 and 6 months after operation were significantly different from those before operation (P<0.05); and the difference of knee scores between 3 and 6 months after operation was significant (P<0.05). The tibial tunnel expanded after operation, and the relative expansion at the exit and the middle segment showed significant difference between 3 months and 6 months after operation (P<0.05). The expansion degree of tibial tunnel was rated as degree 0 in 5 cases, degree 1 in 28 cases, degree 2 in 16 cases, and degree 3 in 3 cases at 3 months after operation, and degree 0 in 5 cases, degree 1 in 20 cases, degree 2 in 25 cases, and degree 3 in 2 cases at 6 months after operation. There was no significant difference in IKDC and Lysholm scores between patients with different expansion degrees of tibial tunnels (P>0.05). The LPTS of 52 patients ranged from –0.8° to 18.7° (mean, 10.6°); there were 7 cases in group A, 24 cases in group B, and 21 cases in group C. There was no significant difference in age, gender, preoperative IKDC and Lysholm scores, and initial width of tibial tunnel between groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the relative expansion of tibial tunnel at exit and middle segment between groups at 3 months after operation (P>0.05), and there was significant difference at 6 months after operation (P<0.05).ConclusionAfter anatomical single-bundle reconstruction of ACL, the tibial tunnel would expand to some extent in a short time. LPTS had a significant effect on tibial tunnel expansion, and the larger the angle was, the more obvious the expansion of the proximal tibial tunnel was. However, early knee function is not affected by tibial tunnel expansion.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction assisted by personalized femoral locator based on the apex of deep cartilage (ADC) combined with patient imaging data. Methods Between January 2021 and January 2022, a total of 40 patients with primary ACL rupture were selected and randomly divided into study group (ACL reconstruction assisted by personalized femoral locator based on ADC) and control group (ACL reconstruction assisted by intraoperative fluoroscopy and traditional femoral locator), with 20 cases in each group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, affected side, cause of injury, and preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lyshlom score, and Tegner score between the two groups (P>0.05). IKDC score, Lyshlom score, and Tegner score were used to evaluate the functional recovery of the affected knee before operation and at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation. CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction were performed before and after operation to measure the horizontal distance from ADC to the anterior cartilage margin (L) and the horizontal distance from ADC to the center of the femoral canal (I), and the anteroposterior position of the bone canal (R) was calculated by I/L; the distance from the center to the distal cartilage margin (D) was measured on the two-dimensional cross section; the R value and D value were compared between the two groups. Results The operation time of the study group was significantly less than that of the control group [MD=−6.90 (−8.78, −5.03), P<0.001]. The incisions of the two groups healed by first intention, and no complication such as intra-articular infection, nerve injury, and deep vein thrombosis of lower limbs occurred. There was no significant difference in the R value and D value between the preoperative simulated positioning and the actual intraoperative positioning in the study group [MD=0.52 (−2.85, 3.88), P=0.758; MD=0.36 (−0.39, 1.11), P=0.351]. There was no significant difference in the actual intraoperative positioning R value and D value between the study group and the control group [MD=1.01 (−2.57, 4.58), P=0.573; MD=0.24 (−0.34, 0.82), P=0.411]. The patients in both groups were followed up 12-13 months (mean, 12.4 months). The IKDC score, Lysholm score, and Tegner score of the two groups increased gradually with time, and there were significant differences between pre- and post-operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the scores between the two groups at each time point after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion The personalized femoral locator based on ADC can accurately assist the femoral tunnel positioning in ACL reconstruction, which can shorten the operation time when compared with traditional surgical methods, and achieve satisfactory early effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between graft maturity and knee function after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.MethodsA total of 50 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with autologous tendons between August 2016 and August 2018 were included in the study. There were 28 males and 22 females, with an average age of 31.0 years (range, 18-50 years). At 6 months and 2 years after operation, the signal to noise quotient (SNQ) values of tibial and femoral ends of graft were measured by MRI, and the mean value was taken as the SNQ value of graft. The function of knee joint was evaluated by Tegner, Lysholm, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores. The differences in SNQ values between tibial and femoral ends were analyzed at 6 months and 2 years after operation. The correlation between SNQ value at 6 months after operation and knee function score at 2 years after operation was analyzed. According to SNQ value at 6 months after operation, the patients were divided into group A (SNQ value≥12) and group B (SNQ value<12) and the correlation between SNQ value and knee function score was further analyzed.ResultsAll incisions healed primarily without infection or injury of blood vessels and nerves. All patients were followed up 24-28 months (mean, 26.6 months). The IKDC, Lysholm, and Tegner scores at 6 months and 2 years after operation were significantly higher than those before operation (P<0.05), and all scores at 2 years after operation were also significantly higher than those at 6 months (P<0.05). The SNQ values at 6 months and 2 years after operation were 12.517±6.272 and 10.900±6.012, respectively, and the difference was significant (t=1.838, P=0.007). The SNQ values of graft at 6 months after operation were significantly different from those at 2 years after operation (P<0.05), and the SNQ values of tibial and femoral ends of graft at the same time point were significantly different (P<0.05). The SNQ value of 50 patients at 6 months after operation was negatively correlated with Lysholm, IKDC, and Tegner scores at 2 years after operation (r=–0.965, P=0.000; r=–0.896, P=0.000; r=–0.475, P=0.003). The patients were divided into groups A and B according to the SNQ value, each with 25 cases; the SNQ values of the two groups at 6 months after operation were negatively correlated with Lysholm, IKDC, and Tegner scores at 2 years after operation (P<0.05).ConclusionAfter ACL reconstruction, the knee function scores and graft maturity of patients gradually improved. The lower the SNQ value in the early stage, the higher the knee function score in the later stage. The SNQ value of MRI in the early stage after ACL reconstruction can predict the knee function in the later stage.
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.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopic GraftLink technique reconstruction combined with suture anchor fixation in treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and medial collateral ligament (MCL) grade Ⅲ injury.MethodsBetween June 2015 and February 2018, 28 patients with ACL rupture and MCL grade Ⅲ injury were treated. Arthroscopic GraftLink technique was used to reconstruct ACL with autologous peroneus longus tendon (PLT), and suture anchor fixation was used to repair MCL. There were 22 males and 6 females, aged 21-47 years, with an average age of 30.4 years. The cause of injury included traffic accident in 18 cases, falling from height in 7 cases, and sports injury in 3 cases. The time from injury to admission was 1-2 weeks, with an average of 1.3 weeks. The preoperative Lysholm score of knee joint was 46.8±3.0 and the International Knee Documentation Commission (IKDC) score was 49.2±2.7. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score of ankle joint was 98.29±0.72. Both Lachman test and valgus stress test were positive. There were 8 cases of meniscus injury and 2 cases of cartilage injury.ResultsThe operation time ranged from 55 to 90 minutes, with an average of 72.5 minutes. All incisions healed by first intention after operation, and no complications related to operation occurred. All patients were followed up 6-38 months, with an average of 20.7 months. At 3 months after operation, the range of motion of the knee joint was 116- 132°, with an average of 122°. Lachman test showed that the anterior translation more than 5 mm in 2 cases, and the others were negative; while the valgus stress test showed that all patients were positive. At 6 months after operation, the Lysholm score and IKDC score of knee joint were 90.2±1.8 and 93.5±2.3, respectively, which were significantly higher than preoperative scores (t=31.60, P=0.00; t=29.91, P=0.01); AOFAS score of ankle joint was 97.86±0.68, with no significant difference compared with preoperative score (t=2.89, P=0.08). KT-1000 test showed that the difference of anterior relaxation between bilateral knee joints was less than 2 mm in 25 cases and 3 to 5 mm in 3 cases.ConclusionThe method of ACL reconstruction via arthroscopic GraftLink technique with PLT and MCL repair via suture anchor fixation has the advantages of less knee injury and faster recovery, and there is no significant impact on ankle function after tendon removal.
ObjectiveTo discuss the effectiveness of arthroscopic treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial eminence avulsion fracture in adolescents by using double heads compressive cannulated screw fixation.MethodsTwenty-four patients with ACL tibial eminence avulsion fractures were treated by arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation with double heads compressive cannulated screw fixation between June 2014 and June 2017. There were 15 males and 9 females with an average age of 12.3 years (range, 5-18 years). The body mass index was 19.3-26.4 kg/m2 (mean, 23.3 kg/m2). The injury causes included traffic accident injury in 10 cases, sports injury in 8 cases, and falling injury in 6 cases. According to the Meyers-McKeever classification, there were 19 cases of type Ⅱ and 5 cases of type Ⅲa. All patients’ drawer test and pivot shift test were positive. The interval between injury and operation was 3-14 days (mean, 6.2 days). During the follow-up period, the fracture healing condition of patients were determined by X-ray examination; Lysholm score, International Knee literature Committee (IKDC) score, and Tegner score were used to evaluate the knee function.ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in all patients after operation. All the 24 patients were followed up 6-32 months (mean, 16.4 months). At 6 weeks after operation, 3 patients had difficulty in knee flexion. After the release of the knee joint by manipulation, the knee joint function recovered normally at 6 months after operation. At last follow-up, the X-ray films showed that all the fractures healed and no epiphyseal dysplasia, knee joint deformity, or leg length discrepancy occurred. The Lysholm score, IKDC score, and Tegner score were improved from preoperative 44.3±5.4, 43.7±4.4, and 3.0±1.3 to postoperative 93.1±4.3, 94.6±3.3, and 8.1±1.2, the differences were all significant (t=25.152, P=0.000; t=28.634, P=0.000; t=13.226, P=0.000).ConclusionThe arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation with double heads compressive cannulated screw in treatment of ACL tibial avulsion fracture (Meyers-McKeever type Ⅱ and Ⅲ) in adolescents has so many advantages, such as minimal trauma, simple operation, firm fixation, little effect on the epiphyseal plate, and has a good joint function recovery.
Objective To study the short-term effectiveness of absorbable anchor in repairing of partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Methods Between December 2013 and February 2015, 22 patients with partial ACL rupture were repaired with absorbable anchor under arthroscopy. There were 12 males and 10 females with an average age of 27.5 years (range, 20-44 years). The injury located at left knee in 8 cases and at right knee in 14 cases. The time from injury to admission ranged from 2 to 13 days (mean, 9.8 days). Sixteen partial ACL ruptures combined with meniscus injury. The effectiveness was assessed by Tegner score, Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and MRI, as well as knee laxity was evaluated by KT-1000. Results All incisions healed at stage Ⅰ without any complication. All patients were followed up 12 months. ACL rerupture did not occurred during follow-up. There was no significant difference in Tegner score, Lysholm score, and IKDC score between before injury and at 12 months after operation (P>0.05). And the median satisfaction VAS score was 9.5 (range, 9-10). The tibial anterior translation difference was 0.5 mm (range, 0-6 mm). MRI showed that the scarring and continuity of the ligament were rated as grade 1 in all patients. Conclusion Arthroscopic repairing by absorbable anchor is a feasible method for partial ACL rupture, with ideal knee function, good satisfaction, and satisfactory short-term effectiveness.