Efficacy of tibiofibular-based reconstruction technique with single femoral tunnel for Fanelli type C posterolateral complex injury / 中华创伤杂志

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of tibiofibular-based reconstruction technique with single femoral tunnel for Fanelli type C posterolateral complex (PLC) injury.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 16 patients with Fanelli type C PLC injury admitted to Tianjin Hospital from July 2016 to July 2019, including 10 males and 6 females, aged 20-61 years [(36.5±13.9)years]. PLC reconstruction was performed by tibiofibular-based technique with single femoral tunnel using gracilis tendon and semi-tendinosus autografts. If the posterior and anterior cruciate ligaments (PCL/ACL) rupture were combined, arthroscopic single bundle reconstruction was performed simultaneously. If the posteromedial corner (PMC) injury was combined, PMC repair or reconstruction surgery was performed simultaneously. Operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. When the bone needle and tunnel for PLC were drilled during the operation, the interference of the femoral tunnel through the cruciate ligament was observed under the arthroscope. Before and at 6 and 12 months after operation, the varus stability of the knee joint was evaluated with the difference of lateral joint space width of both knees and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) objective classification of varus stability of the knee joint; the external rotation stability was evaluated with the difference of external rotation angle of both knees and the IKDC objective classification of external rotation stability of the knee joint. Before, at 6 and 12 months after operation and at the last follow-up, IKDC 2000 subjective score and Lysholm score were compared. The occurrence of complications was observed.Results:All the patients were followed up for 12-36 months [24(15, 33)months]. The operation time was 100-220 minutes [175.0(111.3, 200.0)minutes], with intraoperative blood loss of 30-150 ml [(84.3±36.5)ml]. Intraoperative arthroscopy showed no interference of perforation between PLC and cruciate ligament femoral tunnel. The differences of lateral joint space width of both knees at 6 and 12 months after operation were 0.5(0.2, 1.4)mm and 0.6(0.2, 1.5)mm respectively, which were both significantly improved compared with 12.1(10.8, 12.6)mm before operation ( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference at 6 and 12 months after operation ( P>0.05). The IKDC objective classification of varus stability of the knee joint was grade A in 13 patients, grade B in two and grade C in one at 6 or 12 months after operation, and showed statistical difference from grade D in all the patients before operation ( P<0.01). At 6 and 12 months after operation, the difference of external rotation angle of both knees was -2.0(-3.2, 1.3)° and -1.4(-3.0, 1.7)° respectively, which were significantly improved compared with 16.8(13.9, 18.4)° before operation ( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference at 6 and 12 months after operation ( P>0.05). IKDC objective classification of external rotation stability of the knee joint was grade A in 14 patients, grade B in one and grade C in one at 6 or 12 months after operation, and showed statistical difference from grade C in 14 patients and grade D in 2 before operation ( P<0.01). At 6 and 12 months after operation and at the last follow-up, the IKDC 2000 subjective scores [(76.3±4.7)points, (80.3±4.4)points, (79.9±3.8)points respectively] and the Lysholm scores [(76.1±3.9)points, (81.1±4.3)points, (82.8±3.2)points respectively] were significantly improved compared with those before operation [(48.6±3.7)points and (52.6±2.4)points] ( P<0.05). The IKDC 2000 subjective scores and Lysholm scores were significantly improved at 12 months after operation and at the last follow-up than those at 6 months after operation ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the IKDC 2000 subjective scores and Lysholm scores at 12 months after operation and at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). There were no complications such as wound infection, vascular and nerve injury, joint stiffness or ectopic ossification. Conclusion:For Fanelli type C PLC injury, tibiofibular-based reconstruction technique with single femoral tunnel reduces the interference between the lateral femoral tunnels, significantly improves the varus and external rotation stability and the function of the knee joint, and has few complications and satisfactory short-term clinical efficacy.

Internal Structural Connections in the Popliteus Tendon Complex with Posterior Cruciate Ligament and Clinical Implications / Conexiones Estructurales Internas en el Complejo Tendón Poplíteo con Ligamento Cruzado Posterior e Implicaciones Clínicas

SUMMARY: At present, the anatomical relationship the mid-portion of popliteus tendon complex (PTC) and the surrounding tissues is still unclear, especially its relationship to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). It affected the anatomical reconstruction of the posterolateral complex (PLC) injury. A total of 30 cases of the adult human knee joint fixed with formalin were used. Sagittal sections were made in 14 knee joints by the P45 plastination technique and dissection of 16 cases of knee joints. The P45 section revealed that the popliteus muscle fascia ran superiorly over the posterior edge of the tibial intercondylar eminence, and turned forward to be integrated into the PCL. Laterally, near the posterior edge of the lateral tibial plateau, the popliteus tendon penetrates through the articular capsule (AC), where two dense fibrous bundles were given off upwards by the popliteus tendon: one was the ventral fiber bundle, which ran superiorly over the posterior edge of the tibial plateau and then moved forwards to connect with the lateral meniscus; the dorsal fibers bundle ascended directly and participated in the AC. Meanwhile, the popliteus muscle dissection showed that at the posterior edge of the platform of the lateral condyle of the tibia, at the tendon-muscle transition, the PTC and AC were anchored to PCL.

En la actualidad, la relación anatómica entre la porción media del complejo tendinoso poplíteo (CTP) y los tejidos circundantes aún no está clara, especialmente su relación con el ligamento cruzado posterior (LCP). Esto afecta la reconstrucción anatómica de la lesión del complejo posterolateral (LCP). Se utilizaron un total de 30 casos de articulaciones de rodillas humanas de individuos adultos fijadas con formalina. Se realizaron cortes sagitales en 14 articulaciones de rodilla mediante la técnica de plastinación P45 y disección de 16 casos de articulaciones de rodilla. La sección P45 reveló que la fascia del músculo poplíteo discurría superiormente sobre el margen posterior de la eminencia intercondílea tibial y giraba hacia delante para integrarse en el LCP. Lateralmente, cerca del margen posterior de la platillo tibial lateral, el tendón poplíteo penetra a través de la cápsula articular (CA), donde el tendón poplíteo desprendió hacia arriba dos haces fibrosos densos: uno era el haz de fibras ventral, que corría superiormente sobre el margen posterior de la meseta tibial y luego se movió hacia adelante para conectar con el menisco lateral; el haz de fibras dorsales ascendía directamente y participaba en la CA. Por su parte, la disección del músculo poplíteo mostró que en el margen posterior del platillo del cóndilo lateral de la tibia, en la transición tendón-músculo, el CTP y el AC estaban anclados al LCP.

Evaluation of knee stability after simulated reconstruction of the core ligament of the posterolateral complex / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Injury of the posterolateral complex of the knee joint is a common type of multiple ligament injuries of the knee joint. The reconstruction of the posterolateral complex can restore the posterior and lateral stability of the knee joint and rebuild the stability of the knee joint. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the feasibility and clinical effect of modified LaPrade method for functional reconstruction of posterolateral complex of knee with autograft peroneus longus tendon. METHODS: Fourteen patients with posterolateral complex and posterior cruciate ligament injuries who were treated in the Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from October 2014 to March 2017 were enrolled in this study. Posterior cruciate ligament and posterolateral complex were simultaneously constructed in stage one. The injury of the posterolateral complex of the knee joint was Fanelli type C. Modified LaPrade method was used to functional reconstruction of posterolateral complex of knee with peroneus longus tendon. The anatomy and function of the core ligament of the posterolateral complex was simulated. Follow-up time was beyond 1 year. The tibia posterior displacement on stress radiographs, lateral compartment gapping on varus stress radiographs at 0° knee extension, and external rotation angle of tibia at 30° knee flexion were compared before and after surgery. The joint function was evaluated according to the score of International Knee Documentation Committee and Lysholm Knee score. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) All patients were followed up for 12-18 months. All patients had no knee-length restriction, with flexion limitation in some patients. (2) At the last follow-up, the tibia posterior displacement on stress radiographs, lateral compartment gapping on varus stress radiographs and external rotation angle of tibia at 30° knee flexion were reduced from preoperation, with statistically significant differences (P=0.000). (3) The International Knee Documentation Committee function was corrected from D preoperatively to A in 8 cases and B in 6 cases postoperatively. The average Lysholm score was increased from (32.4±5.6) preoperatively to (82.7±6.4) postoperatively, and the differences were statistically significant (P=0.000). (4) It is indicated that with peroneus longus tendon, the anatomy and function of the core ligament of the posterolateral complex were simulated by modified LaPrade method to functional reconstruction of posterolateral complex of knee, and the postoperative knee function recovered well.

Surgical strategies for anteromedial tibial plateau compression fracture complicated with posterolateral corner injury / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To discuss the surgical strategies for anteromedial tibial plateau compression fracture complicated with posterolateral corner injury.Methods:From 2015 January to 2020 July, 18 patients with anteromedial tibial plateau compression fracture complicated with posterolateral corner injury were admitted to Department Ⅲ of Orthopaedics, Zhongshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. They were 11 males and 7 females, aged from 28 to 57 years (average, 38.6 years). By the CT three-column theory, all their fractures were medial column ones; by the Fanelli classification, there were 5 cases of type B and 13 cases of type C. Seventeen patients with fresh fracture were treated with arthroscopic ligament reconstruction and meniscus repair followed by primary reduction and fixation of tibial plateau fracture. The one patient with obsolete injury was treated with high tibial osteotomy around the knee joint and reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. Recorded were the patients' fracture healing time, knee Lysholm score, joint range of motion and complications.Results:The 17 patients with fresh injuries were followed up for 12 to 24 months (average, 18.4 months). Their fracture healing time ranged from 12 to 24 weeks (average, 17.7 weeks). By one year after surgery, their knee extension reached 0° and their knee flexion from 120° to 135° (average, 131.9°); their knee Lysholm scores ranged from 88 to 95 points (average, 91.2 points). The one patient with old injuries was followed up for 18 months, with fracture healing time of 18 weeks, knee range of motion from 0° to 120° and knee Lysholm score of 86 points by one year after operation. None of the patients reported such complications as neurovascular injury, wound infection, internal fixation failure or nonunion.Conclusion:For anteromedial tibial plateau compression fracture complicated with posterolateral corner injury, primary repair and reconstruction can restore knee joint stability, leading to fine therapeutic outcomes.

Técnica de larson original modificada para la reconstrucción del ligamento colateral lateral de la rodilla, reporte de un caso / Modified original larson technique for the knee´s lateral collateral ligament reconstruction, a case report

El ligamento colateral lateral (LCL), que forma parte de los estabilizadores de la rodilla, constituye una estructura importante dentro del complejo posterolateral de la misma (CPL), que restringe al varo, en los ángulos de flexión de esta, especialmente a los 30°, además de controlar la rotación externa. Son infrecuentes las lesiones que afectan a este complejo, etiológicamente entre el 50- 90% se asocian a otras lesiones ligamentosas con predominio del 60% de daño del ligamento cruzado posterior. La técnica de Larson se basa en la reconstrucción del LCL y del complejo poplíteo, utilizando una inserción proximal única en el epicóndilo femoral. Presentamos el caso de un paciente masculino de 28 años de edad, sin antecedentes clínicos, que acude debido a un varo forzado de la extremidad mientras realizaba actividad deportiva y tras recibir impacto directo en la región lateral interna de pantorrilla derecha, posterior a lo cual presenta dolor a los movimientos pasivos e imposibilidad a la deambulación. Además, presenta equimosis, edema, escoriaciones superficiales en cara lateral externa y dolor a la digitopresión en trayecto de ligamento colateral externo. A maniobras de exploración de rodilla: signo de bostezo en varo positivo, cepillado rotuliano positivo, hiperpresión de rotula positivo, limitación funcional a la flexión y extensión de la articulación. Esta técnica, Larson modificada, resulta como una de las más prometedoras por sus varias características, como la menos exigente y al mismo tiempo brindando resultados alentadores. Este procedimiento se fundamenta en la reconstrucción del LCL y del tendón poplíteo (TP) en conjunto, resumiéndose así la reconstrucción del Ligamento Poplíteo Peroneo (LPP) como estabilizador estático del TP, con su inserción a nivel de la cabeza del peroné en conjunto con la del LCL y la restitución de ambas inserciones en el epicóndilo femoral, tomando en cuenta la morfología del peroné y los ángulos de movimientos de la rodilla.

The lateral collateral ligament (LCL), which is part of the knee stabilizers, constitutes an important structure within the posterolateral complex of the same (CPL), which restricts the varus, in the flexion angles of this, especially at 30°, in addition to controlling external rotation. Lesions that affect this complex are infrequent, etiologically between 50-90% are associated with other ligamentous injuries with a predominance of 60% damage to the posterior cruciate ligament. The Larson technique is based on the reconstruction of the LCL and the popliteal complex, using a single proximal insertion in the femoral epicondyle. We present the case of a 28-year-old male patient, with no medical history, who attended due to a forced varus of the limb while performing sports activity and after receiving a direct impact on the internal lateral region of the right calf, after which he presented pain to passive movements and inability to ambulation. In addition, he presents ecchymosis, edema, superficial abrasions on the external lateral aspect and pain on acupressure in the course of the external collateral ligament. A knee examination maneuvers: positive varus yawn sign, positive patellar brushing, positive patella hyperpressure, functional limitation to flexion and extension of the joint. This modified Larson technique turns out to be one of the most promising due to its various characteristics, as the least demanding and at the same time providing encouraging results. This procedure is based on the reconstruction of the LCL and the popliteal tendon (PT) as a whole, thus summarizing the reconstruction of the Peroneal Popliteal Ligament (LPP) as a static stabilizer of the PT, with its insertion at the level of the head of the fibula in conjunction with the of the LCL and the restitution of both attachments in the femoral epicondyle, taking into account the morphology of the fibula and the angles of movement of the knee.

Pure Varus Injury to the Knee Joint

A 30-year-old male was involved in a car accident. Radiographs revealed a depressed marginal fracture of the medial tibial plateau and an avulsion fracture of the fibular head. Magnetic resonance imaging showed avulsion fracture of Gerdy's tubercle, injury to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), posterior horn of the medial meniscus, and the attachments of the lateral collateral ligament and the biceps femoris tendon. The depressed fracture of the medial tibial plateau was elevated and stabilized using a cannulated screw and washer. The injured lateral and posterolateral corner (PLC) structures were repaired and augmented by PLC reconstruction. However, the avulsion fracture of Gerdy's tubercle was not fixed because it was minimally displaced and the torn PCL was also not repaired or reconstructed. We present a unique case of pure varus injury to the knee joint. This case contributes to our understanding of the mechanism of knee injury and provides insight regarding appropriate treatment plans for this type of injury.