Effects of higher femoral tunnels on clinical outcomes, MRI, and second-look findings in double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a minimal 5-year follow-up / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#To perform anatomical anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), tunnels should be placed relatively higher in the femoral anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) footprint based on the findings of direct and indirect femoral insertion. But the clinical results of higher femoral tunnels (HFT) in double-bundle ACLR (DB-ACLR) remain unclear. The purpose was to investigate the clinical results of HFT and lower femoral tunnels (LFT) in DB-ACLR.@*METHODS@#From September 2014 to February 2016, 83 patients who underwent DB-ACLR and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were divided into HFT-ACLR (group 1, n = 37) and LFT-ACLR (group 2, n = 46) according to the position of femoral tunnels. Preoperatively and at the final follow-up, clinical scores were evaluated with International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Tegner activity, and Lysholm score. The stability of the knee was evaluated with KT-2000, Lachman test, and pivot-shift test. Cartilage degeneration grades of the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) were evaluated on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Graft tension, continuity, and synovialization were evaluated by second-look arthroscopy. Return-to-sports was assessed at the final follow-up.@*RESULTS@#Significantly better improvement were found for KT-2000, Lachman test, and pivot-shift test postoperatively in group 1 ( P >0.05). Posterolateral bundles (PL) showed significantly better results in second-look arthroscopy regarding graft tension, continuity, and synovialization ( P <0.05), but not in anteromedial bundles in group 1. At the final follow-up, cartilage worsening was observed in groups 1 and 2, but it did not reach a stastistically significant difference ( P >0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in IKDC subjective score, Tegner activity, and Lysholm score between the two groups. Higher return-to-sports rate was found in group 1 with 86.8% (32/37) vs. 65.2% (30/46) in group 2 ( P = 0.027).@*CONCLUSION@#The HFT-ACLR group showed better stability results, better PL, and higher return-to-sports rate compared to the LFT-ACLR group.

Retrospective analysis and comparison of total internal disability preservation technique and standardized reconstruction technique / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the efficacy and clinical results of total internal protection technique in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.@*METHODS@#A total of 56 patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction treated from January 2018 to December 2019 were selected. According to the different surgical methods, they were divided into total internal reconstruction group and standard bone tunnel group. There were 21 patients in the total internal reconstruction group, including 15 males and 6 females, aged from 20 to 48 with an average of (35.6±6.7) years old, and 35 patients in the standard tibial tunnel group, including 26 males and 9 females, aged 22 to 51 years old with an average of (33.7±9.6) years old. Preoperative examination of Lachman test was positive, magnetic resonance indicated anterior cruciate ligament rupture. There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, sex, body mass index, time from injury to ACL reconstruction, combined meniscus injury and operation method, operation time, ligament diameter, ligament length and other general information. Postoperative evaluation included operation duration, length and diameter of transplanted tendon after braid. International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, Tegner score and perioperative complications 2 years after surgery.@*RESULTS@#Both groups were followed up, ranging from 24 to 30 months with an average of (26.9±3.4) months. Postoperative incision healing was good, and no failure or joint infection occurred at the last follow-up. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in IKDC score, Lysholm score and Tegner score before, 1 year and 2 years after surgery. However, IKDC score, Lysholm score and Tegner score at 1 year and 2 years after surgery.@*CONCLUSION@#The same postoperative function and stability of knee joint can be obtained by both the residual whole technique and the standardized reconstruction technique. In the residual whole group, only the semitendinosus muscle is taken, and the femoral thin muscle is retained, with greater tibial bone mass preserved, which is safe and effective in clinical practice.

Reconstrucción de ligamento cruzado anterior: incidencia de infecciones y trombosis venosa profunda en una serie de 714 casos consecutivos / ACL reconstruction. Incidence of Infection and deep venous thrombosis. 714 case series

Introducción: La reconstrucción artroscópica del ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) tiene un bajo índice de complicaciones postoperatorias. Cuando se presenta una infección en el postoperatorio inmediato, tanto el cirujano como el paciente se enfrentan a un escenario complejo y de difícil aceptación, que en algunos casos tiene consecuencias graves. En este contexto es importante conocer la incidencia reportada en la literatura para compararla con lo que ocurre en nuestras instituciones. El objetivo del presente trabajo es evaluar la incidencia de infección en una serie de casos consecutivos de reconstrucciones de LCA. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio retrospectivo del período comprendido entre enero de 2015 y diciembre de 2017, donde se evaluó la incidencia de infección en una serie consecutiva de reconstrucciones de LCA. Fueron evaluados un total de setecientos catorce pacientes: seiscientos veintinueve masculinos y ochenta y cinco femeninos con un promedio de edad de veintiocho años (15-50).Resultados: de los setecientos catorce casos analizados, se encontraron seis infecciones postquirúrgicas (dos profundas y cuatro superficiales). Conclusiones: la incidencia de infección aguda postoperatoria luego de reconstrucción artroscópica del LCA fue del 0.84%, similar a lo reportado en la literatura. Se observó un franco predominio de infecciones en las reconstrucciones de LCA con injerto de isquiotibiales con respecto al resto de los injertos. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Introduction: Complication rate of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is low. Post-operative infection place both, the surgeon and patient in a difficult situation with an unknown outcome and possible serious sequalae. It is important to investigate the incidence of these complications in our institutions to compare them with existing literature. The aim of this study is to report the incidence of infection in a consecutive case series of ACL reconstruction. Materials and methods: retrospective study of consecutive ACL reconstructions performed between January 2015 to December 2017. The incidence of infection was evaluated in 714 cases, 629 males and 85 females, with average age of 28 years (15-50).Results: six post-operative infections were found (four superficial and two deep infections). Conclusions: the incidence of infection was 0.84% in this case series. Most of the infections were in patients with autologous gracilis-semitendinous grafts. Level of Evidence: IV

Después de una cirugía de ligamento cruzado anterior, ¿cuándo puedo manejar? Evaluación postoperatoria de habilidades de conducción y de reacción de frenado / After anterior cruciate ligament surgery, when can I drive? Postoperative assessment of driving skills and braking reaction

Introducción: La mayoría de las personas que se someten a una reconstrucción del LCA están en edad de conducir, por lo tanto, es importante saber cuándo es seguro para el paciente reanudar la conducción. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar de manera prospectiva cuándo los pacientes recuperan las habilidades de manejo y de reacción de frenado después de la reconstrucción primaria de LCA, y compararlos con un grupo control de voluntarios sanos. Materiales y métodos: estudio prospectivo de una serie de pacientes que se sometieron a reconstrucción primaria del LCA utilizando injerto semitendinoso y recto interno. Se excluyeron pacientes en los que se empleó otro tipo de injerto o se les realizó otro gesto quirúrgico y laborales. Se evaluó la capacidad de volver a manejar de manera segura a las 2-3 semanas y a las 4-5 semanas postoperatorias mediante test de reacción simple y de resistencia a la monotonía, y se compararon los resultados con un grupo control de voluntarios sanos. Resultados: en total fueron ciento sesenta y seis pacientes, treinta fueron casos y ciento treinta y seis, controles. Se hallaron diferencias significativas (p = 0.03) entre los casos y controles en las pruebas realizadas tempranamente en cuanto a la aprobación, y no, de los test. Según el promedio en segundos obtenido en cada test realizado, se observan diferencias significativas en el primera prueba de resistencia a la monotonía (p = 0.0001) a favor del grupo control. Discusión: de acuerdo a la prueba de reacción simple y al test a la monotonía evaluados en nuestro trabajo, los pacientes que se someten a reconstrucción del LCA con autoinjertos de ST-RI están en condiciones de manejar un automóvil luego de las 4-5 semanas de la cirugía

Introduction: Most people who undergo ACL reconstruction are of driving age, it is important to know when it is safe for the patient to resume driving. The objective of this work was to prospectively evaluate when patients recover driving skills and brake reaction skills after ACL reconstruction and compare them with a control group of healthy volunteers. Materials and methods: prospective study of a series of patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction using semitendinosus and medial rectus graft. Patients in whom another type of graft was used, or another surgical and labor gesture was performed, were excluded. The ability to return to driving safely at 2-3 weeks and 4-5 weeks postoperatively was evaluated using the simple reaction and resistance to monotony tests, and the results were compared with a control group of healthy volunteers.Results: a total of 166 patients, 30 are cases and 136 controls. Significant differences (p = 0.03) were found between cases and controls in the tests carried out early in terms of passing and not passing the tests. The relationship according to the average in seconds obtained in each test carried out, significant differences are observed in the first test of resistance to monotony (p = 0.0001) in favor of the control group. Discussion: according to the simple reaction test and the monotony test evaluated in our study, patients who undergo ACL reconstruction with ST-RI autografts are able to drive a car 4-5 weeks after surgery

En la búsqueda de predictores que nos ayuden a obtener un mejor resultado en la cirugía de revisión de ligamento cruzado anterior / In the search for predictors that help us obtain a better result in anterior cruciate ligament revision surgery

Introducción: Los factores de riesgo de re-ruptura de LCA son errores técnicos, características del injerto, lesiones meniscales, condrales o lesiones no tratadas. El objetivo de nuestro trabajo fue reconocer predictores modificables que nos ayuden a obtener un mejor resultado en la cirugía de revisión de LCA. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal. Serie de pacientes tratados en nuestro centro entre 2011 y 2021 a los cuales se les realizó cirugía de revisión de LCA. Se registraron edad, sexo, falla de cirugía primaria traumática, o no, fijación utilizada, ubicación de ambos túneles, injerto utilizado en la cirugía primaria, lesiones articulares condrales y meniscales antiguas y nuevas y tipo de injerto utilizado en cirugía de revisión. Resultados: se analizaron un total de ciento nueve pacientes. Con mayor frecuencia, los pacientes masculinos se sometieron a revisión entre los veinte y los cuarenta años. La principal causa traumática fue la práctica deportiva (40.37%), seguida de accidente de tránsito o en domicilio (7.33%) y en ambiente laboral (24.8%), y sin causa demostrable (27.5%). La mala posición del túnel femoral aislada fue la falla técnica más común en un 41.29%, sin error técnico en 38.53%, y falla de colocación de túnel tibial aislada en 2.75%. En el total de los pacientes evaluados, el 28.44% (treinta y un pacientes) no presentó lesión meniscal previa ni actual; mientras que el 71.56% (setenta y ocho pacientes) evidenció algún tipo de lesión. La elección del injerto fue autoinjerto de H-T-H (30.28%), aloinjerto de tibial posterior (30.28%), aloinjerto de tibial anterior (19.27%), autoinjerto de ST-RI (11.01%), y otros aloinjertos Aquiles, Peroneos y ST (9.17%).Discusión: serán necesarios más estudios para determinar si esta tasa de falla persiste a pesar de nuestro mayor conocimiento de la técnica y diversos aspectos de la cirugía de revisión. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Introduction: Risk factors for ACL rupture are technical errors, graft characteristics, meniscal and chondral injuries, or untreated injuries. The objective of our work was to recognize modifiable predictors that help us obtain a better result in ACL revision surgery. Materials and methods: cross-sectional descriptive study. Series of patients treated at our center between 2011 and 2021 who underwent ACL revision surgery. Age, sex, traumatic or non-traumatic primary surgery failure, fixation used, location of both tunnels, graft used in primary surgery, old and new chondral and meniscal joint injuries and type of graft used in revision surgery were recorded. Results: a total of one hundred and nine patients were analyzed. Most often, male patients underwent revision between the ages of twenty and forty. The main traumatic cause was sports practice (40.37%), followed by traffic accident or at home (7.33%) and in the work environment (24.8%), and without demonstrable cause (27.5%). Isolated femoral tunnel malposition was the most common technical failure at 41.29%, no technical error at 38.53%, and isolated tibial tunnel placement failure at 2.75%. In all the patients evaluated, 28.44% (thirty-one patients) did not present a previous or current meniscal lesion; while 71.56% (seventy-eight patients) showed some type of injury. Graft choice was H-T-H autograft (30.28%), posterior tibial allograft (30.28%), anterior tibial allograft (19.27%), ST-RI autograft (11.01%), and other Achilles, fibular, and ST allografts (9.17%) Discussion: more studies will be necessary to determine if this failure rate persists despite our greater knowledge of the technique and various aspects of revision surgery. Level of Evidence: IV

Reconstrucción de ligamento cruzado anterior con isquiotibiales manteniendo su inserción tibial / ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft maintaining tibial insertion

Introducción: La no desinserción tibial de semitendinoso-recto interno (ST-RI) parece constituir una opción para evitar la necrosis avascular en el proceso de ligamentización. El objetivo de nuestro trabajo es hacer una comparación entre ST-RI desinsertado versus ST-RI no desinsertado. Materiales y métodos: estudio comparativo, prospectivo, randomizado, doble ciego, para el que se formaron dos grupos. El grupo de estudio, conformado por treinta y ocho pacientes con plástica de LCA sin desinserción tibial de ST-RI; el grupo de control, de treinta y nueve pacientes con desinserción tibial. Se realizaron evaluaciones de RM a los seis meses del postoperatorio, se evaluaron el Coeficiente Señal ruido (CS) y la orientación del neoligamento en planos sagital, coronal y axial. La valoración clínica, a través de IKDC, Tegner Lysholm y KT-1000, fue efectuada por médicos en forma ciega.Resultados: el CS valorado por RM a los seis meses mostró diferencias significativas entre el grupo de estudio (14.4) y el de control (24.9) con un valor p <0.001. No existieron diferencias en cuanto a la orientación del injerto entre ambos grupos, ni en el plano sagital, coronal, ni axial. En cuanto al IKDC y Tegner Lysholm, sin diferencias entre grupos a los nueve meses. En el KT-1000 tampoco se encontraron diferencias entre grupos (p = 0.518).Discusión: la no desinserción tibial de ST-RI es una opción válida que podría evitar la fase de necrosis avascular de la ligamentización. Nuestros resultados, sustentados en RM, nos estimulan a utilizarla como una opción con cierta ventaja biológica.

Introduction: Non disinsertion of hamstring autograft tendons may result in avoiding cellular necrosis at the early stage of ligamentization process. The aim of this study was to compare between disinserted vs non disinserted hamstring autograft. Materials and methods: in this prospective, double-blind, randomised controlled trial, two groups were created. In the study group, hamstring tendon retraction (n=39) was performed. In the control group, maintaining tibial insertion (n=38) harvesting technique was used. Patients were evaluated with MRI after six months of follow-up. Graft maturity was evaluated with the signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) and graft direction and orientation with sagittal, coronal, and axial views. Clinical outcomes were assessment of IKDC, Tegner-Lisholm activity level score and KT-1000 evaluation from a blind ortopaedic surgeon.Results: signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) was significantly lower in non disinserted hamstring group (study group 14.4 vs control group 24.9-p = 0.001). There were no differences in graft direction between both groups. KT-1000 measurements showed no difference, the same as clinical outcomes assessment of IKDC and Tegner-Lisholm scores.Discussion: non disinserting hamstring tendons autograft is a valid option and may avoid the necrosis phase in ligamentization process. Our results, sustained on MRI imaging encourage us to use it with some biological advantage.

Establishment of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction model in cynomolgus monkey with autogenous hamstring tendon transplantation / 中国修复重建外科杂志

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.

Correlation between preoperative MRI measurement of cross-sectional area of hamstring tendon and graft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To study the corretation between the cross-sectional area of hamstring tenden measured by MRI and gragt in anterior cruciate ligament rexonstruction.@*METHODS@#MRI data of 50 patients who planned to undergo anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction from November 2021 to March 2022 were collected, including 32 males and 18 females, aged from 19 to 48 years old with an average of(31.1±8.7) years. Before the operation, the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons were measured and recorded by MRI, and then the anterior cruciate ligament was reconstructed under arthroscope. During the operation, gracilis and semitendinosus tendons were taken to prepare the final tendon to be transplanted, and the diameter of the prepared final graft was measured during the operation. Finally, the data were analyzed by statistical software.@*RESULTS@#The cross sectional areas of semitendinosus tendon, gracilis tendon, semitendinosus tendon and gracilis tendon measured by MRI were significantly and positively correlated with the diameter of grafts required in anterior cruciate ligament surgery, the r values were 0.858, 0.728, 0.842(P<0.001), respectively. The area under curre (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of the sum of the cross sectional areas of semitendinosus tendon and gracilis tendon were 0.925, 90.48%, and 85.71%, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#In patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, preoperative MRI measurement has a strong statistical correlation with the diameter of hamstring muscle transplantation during operation. The sum of the cross sectional areas of semitendinosus tendon and gracilis tendon has a high predictive value for the diameter of grafts during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and can predict the size of grafts during operation.

Application of femoral I.D.E.A.L localization in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with single bundle anterior cruciate ligament / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effect of femoral I.D.E.A.L localization in single bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).@*METHODS@#From January 2019 to October 2022, 122 patients with anterior cruciate ligament injury were treated with ACLR, including 83 males and 39 females. The age ranged from 23 to 43 years old, with an average of (32.19 ±8.55) years old. The course of disease ranged from 1 week to 6 months. According to the different surgical schemes, the patients were divided into two groups, namely the traditional group, which adopted the over-the-top femoral lateral positioning scheme, including 64 patients. The I.D.E.A.L group adopted the I.D.E.A.L femoral lateral positioning scheme, including 58 patients. The patient has pain and dysfunction of knee joint before operation. MRI of knee joint indicates anterior cruciate ligament injury. The visual analogue scale(VAS), International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC) scoring system and Lysholm scoring system were used to evaluate the knee joint function of the patient. KT-2000 was used to detect the recovery of knee joint after operation and to count the postoperative complications.@*RESULTS@#The wounds healed well after operation. One hundred and twenty-tow patients were followed up for 15 to 46 months, with an average of (25.45±9.22) months. The knee joint stability of patients after operation was significantly increased. The VAS at 1 day and 1 week after operation of patients in the I.D.E.A.L group was significantly lower than that in the traditional group(P<0.05). The IKDC score and Lysholm score of patients in the I.D.E.A.L group were significantly higher than those in the traditional group(P<0.05). In the traditional group, there were 6 cases of short-term (<1 month) complications and 19 cases of long-term (≥1 month)complicatios. In the I.D.E.A.L group, there were 3 cases of short-term complications and 7cases of long-term complications(P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The single bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and femoral I.D.E.A.L positioning can achieve better early postoperative effect and reduce early postoperative pain.

Study on application of posterior tibial slope angle in anterior cruciate ligament / 中国骨伤

Posterior tibial slope angle (PTSA) is a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and has attracted a lot of attention, but its mechanism of action and diagnosis are still not systematically studied in the field of sports medicine. In this paper, we believe that PTSA should be measured by full-length lower extremity films and combined with multiple imaging data for comprehensive assessment to reduce errors. A large PTSA may increases risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury, so patients with more than 12 degrees of PTSA should be treated by preserving meniscus as much as possible during ACL reconstruction and combining with tibial osteotomy if necessary, which could effectively prevent risk of ligament re-injury. At the same time, gait analysis has an important reference value for preoperative pathogenic pattern and postoperative rehabilitation function, so the author believes that it will have a guiding significance for the development of individualized rehabilitation strategy based on PTSA, in order to achieve the best treatment effect.

Research on Runx2 gene induced differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells into ligament fibroblasts in vitro and promotion of tendon-bone healing in rabbits / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate whether the Runx2 gene can induce the differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) to ligament fibroblasts in vitro and promote the tendon-bone healing in rabbits.@*METHODS@#hAMSCs were isolated from the placentas voluntarily donated from healthy parturients and passaged, and then identified by flow cytometric identification. Adenoviral vectors carrying Runx2 gene (Ad-Runx2) and empty vector adenovirus (Ad-NC) were constructed and viral titer assay; then, the 3rd generation hAMSCs were transfected with Ad-Runx2 (Ad-Runx2 group) or Ad-NC (Ad-NC group). The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to detect Runx2 gene and protein expression to verify the effectiveness of Ad-Runx2 transfection of hAMSCs; and at 3 and 7 days after transfection, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was further used to detect the expressions of ligament fibroblast-related genes [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), collagen type Ⅰ, Fibronectin, and Tenascin-C]. The hAMSCs were used as a blank control group. The hAMSCs, hAMSCs transfected with Ad-NC, and hAMSCs were mixed with Matrigel according to the ratio of 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 to construct the cell-scaffold compound. Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay, and the corresponding cell-scaffold compound with better proliferation were taken for subsequent animal experiments. Twelve New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups of sham operation group (Sham group), anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction group (ACLR group), anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction+hAMSCs transfected with Ad-NC-scaffold compound group (Ad-NC group), and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction+hAMSCs transfected with Ad-Runx2-scaffold compound group (Ad-Runx2 group), with 3 rabbits in each group. After preparing the ACL reconstruction model, the Ad-NC group and the Ad-Runx2 group injected the optimal hAMSCs-Matrigel compunds into the bone channel correspondingly. The samples were taken for gross, histological (HE staining and sirius red staining), and immunofluorescence staining observation at 1 month after operation to evaluate the inflammatory cell infiltration as well as collagen and Tenascin-C content in the ligament tissues.@*RESULTS@#Flow cytometric identification of the isolated cells conformed to the phenotypic characteristics of MSCs. The Runx2 gene was successfully transfected into hAMSCs. Compared with the Ad-NC group, the relative expressions of VEGF and collagen type Ⅰ genes in the Ad-Runx2 group significantly increased at 3 and 7 days after transfection ( P<0.05), Fibronectin significantly increased at 3 days ( P<0.05), and Tenascin-C significantly increased at 3 days and decreased at 7 days ( P<0.05). CCK-8 detection showed that there was no significant difference ( P>0.05) in the cell proliferation between groups and between different time points after mixed culture of two ratios. So the cell-scaffold compound constructed in the ratio of 1∶1 was selected for subsequent experiments. Animal experiments showed that at 1 month after operation, the continuity of the grafted tendon was complete in all groups; HE staining showed that the tissue repair in the Ad-Runx2 group was better and there were fewer inflammatory cells when compared with the ACLR group and the Ad-NC group; sirius red staining and immunofluorescence staining showed that the Ad-Runx2 group had more collagen typeⅠ and Ⅲ fibers, tending to form a normal ACL structure. However, the fluorescence intensity of Tenascin-C protein was weakening when compared to the ACLR and Ad-NC groups.@*CONCLUSION@#Runx2 gene transfection of hAMSCs induces directed differentiation to ligament fibroblasts and promotes tendon-bone healing in reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament in rabbits.

Treatment of tibial insertion avulsion fracture of anterior cruciate ligament involving anterior root of lateral meniscus with multi-point fixation with anchor and suture / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopic multi-point fixation with anchor and suture in the treatment of tibial insertion avulsion fracture of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) involving the anterior root of lateral meniscus (LM).@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 28 patients with tibial insertion avulsion fracture of ACL involving the anterior root of LM who were treated with arthroscopic multi-point fixation with anchor and suture between October 2017 and January 2023. There were 12 males and 16 females with the mean age of 26 years (range, 13-57 years). There were 20 cases of sports injury and 8 cases of traffic accident injury. In 2 cases of old fracture, the time from injury to operation was 45 days and 90 days, respectively; in 26 cases of fresh fracture, the time from injury to operation was 3-20 days (mean, 6.7 days). According to the Meyers-McKeever classification, there were 4 cases of type Ⅱ, 11 cases of type Ⅲ, and 13 cases of type Ⅳ. The preoperative Lysholm knee function score was 42.1±9.0, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 40.0±7.3, and the Tegner score was 0.7±0.7.@*RESULTS@#All operations were successfully completed, and the incisions healed by first intention. All the 28 patients were followed up 5-60 months (mean, 20.4 months). During the follow-up, there was nocomplication such as infection, vascular or nerve injury, loosening or breakage of internal fixator, or stiffness of knee joint. Postoperative X-ray films showed satisfactory fracture reduction and firm fixation. All fractures healed clinically, and the healing time was 8-16 weeks (mean, 10.3 weeks). At last follow-up, Lachman test and anterior drawer test were negative. At last follow-up, Lysholm knee function score was 92.4±5.5, IKDC score was 91.6±4.4, and Tegner score was 5.2±1.1, which significantly improved when compared with preoperative scores ( t=-22.899, P<0.001; t=-29.870, P<0.001; t=-19.979, P<0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#Multi-point fixation with anchor and suture in the treatment of tibial insertion avulsion fracture of ACL involving the anterior root of LM can not only fix the LM, but also effectively reduce and fix the avulsion fracture, which can obtain good effectiveness.

Research progress on bioactive strategies for promoting tendon graft healing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To review the bioactive strategies that enhance tendon graft healing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), and to provide insights for improving the therapeutic outcomes of ACLR.@*METHODS@#The domestic and foreign literature related to the bioactive strategies for promoting the healing of tendon grafts after ACLR was extensively reviewed and summarized.@*RESULTS@#At present, there are several kinds of bioactive materials related to tendon graft healing after ACLR: growth factors, cells, biodegradable implants/tissue derivatives. By constructing a complex interface simulating the matrix, environment, and regulatory factors required for the growth of native anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the growth of transplanted tendons is regulated at different levels, thus promoting the healing of tendon grafts. Although the effectiveness of ACLR has been significantly improved in most studies, most of them are still limited to the early stage of animal experiments, and there is still a long way to go from the real clinical promotion. In addition, limited by the current preparation technology, the bionics of the interface still stays at the micron and millimeter level, and tends to be morphological bionics, and the research on the signal mechanism pathway is still insufficient.@*CONCLUSION@#With the further study of ACL anatomy, development, and the improvement of preparation technology, the research of bioactive strategies to promote the healing of tendon grafts after ACLR is expected to be further promoted.

High frequency transcutaneous electrical stimulation in the immediate postoperative period of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a randomized clinical trial / Estimulação elétrica transcutânea de alta frequência no pós operatório imediato de reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior: um ensaio clínico randomizado

INTRODUCTION: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is an important structure for knee stability. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is an electrical current applied for significant pain relief. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of high-frequency TENS on the immediate postoperative period of ACL reconstruction. METHODS: 46 patients in the postoperative period of ACL reconstruction were randomly assigned to a control group (CG=23) and a TENS group (TG=23). Knee range of motion (ROM), pain, muscle strength, and drug intake were assessed before surgery and 24 and 48 hours after surgery. The TENS intervention protocol started in the recovery room, shortly after surgery, and was maintained continuously for the first 48 hours after surgery. RESULTS: The TENS group (TG) significantly controlled the increased level of postoperative pain (p<0.05) and significantly increased flexion ROM (p<0.05). When compared to the Control group (CG), the TENS group had a lower intake of ketoprofen (48.27%), diazepam (256.98%), and dipyrone (121.21%), morphine (320.77%), and tramadol (437.46%). CONCLUSION: Continuous high-frequency TENS significantly reduced pain intensity and significantly improved ROM, muscle strength, and drug intake in the postoperative period of ACL reconstruction.

Assessment of The Addition of Epinephrine to Intra-articular Bupivacaine for the Control of Acute Pain in Patients underwent to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Avaliação da adição da epinefrina à bupivacaína intra-articular no controle da dor aguda em pacientes submetidos a reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior

Abstract Objective To evaluate postoperative pain, using the visual analog scale (VAS), in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and receiving intra-articular anesthetic solutions. Methods The present is a randomized clinical trial with a sample of 48 patients divided into 4 groups: Group I (n » 12) - 20 mL of saline solution (control); Group II (n » 12) - 20 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine; Group III (n » 12) - 20 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine þ 0.1 mg of epinephrine; and Group IV (n » 12) - 20 mL of saline solution þ 0.1 mg of epinephrine. These solutions were injected into the knee at the end of the surgery. Pain was assessed using the VAS immediately and 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after the procedure. Results The VAS scores were highly variable among the groups. A Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance (ANOVA), considering a level of significance of 5%, revealed that all intra-articular anesthetic solutions influenced the assessment of pain (p » 0.003), and that Group-III subjects presented less postoperative pain. There was no evidence of a higher or lower use of supplemental analgesic agents, or of adverse effects resulting from these anesthetic solutions. Conclusion Bupivacaine combined with epinephrine was the most effective solution for pain control in patients undergoing ACLR, but with no statistically significant differences when compared to Group II (p » 0.547). There was no decrease or increase in the use of supplemental analgesics or in the occurrence of adverse systemic effects (p > 0.05).

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar primariamente a dor pós-operatória, por meio da escala visual analógica (EVA), nos pacientes submetidos a reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior (RLCA) que receberam soluções anestésicas intra-articulares (IAs). Métodos Ensaio clínico randomizado com uma amostra de 48 pacientes, divididos em 4 grupos: Grupo I (n » 12) - 20 ml de solução fisiológica (controle); Grupo II (n » 12) - 20 ml de bupivacaína a 0,5%; Grupo III (n » 12) - 20 ml de bupivacaína a 0,5% þ 0,1 mg de epinefrina; e Grupo IV (n » 12) - 20 ml de solução fisiológica þ 0,1 mg de epinefrina, injetados no joelho ao término da cirurgia. A dor foi avaliada pela EVA imediatamente e 6, 12, 24 e 48 horas após o procedimento. Resultados Observou-se grande variabilidade nos resultados da EVA entre os pacientes avaliados em cada grupo. Verificou-se, pela análise de variância (analysis of variance, ANOVA) de Kruskal-Wallis, considerando um nível de 5% de significância, que as soluções anestésicas IAs de cada grupo influenciaram na avaliação da dor desses pacientes (p » 0,003), sendo os do Grupo III os que apresentaram menor dor pósoperatória. Não se evidenciou um maior ou menor consumo de drogas analgésicas suplementares, ou efeitos adversos das decorrentes das soluções empregadas. Conclusão A solução combinada de bupivacaína e epinefrina foi a mais eficaz no controle da dor nos pacientes submetidos a RLCA, mas sem diferenças estatisticamente significativas com relação ao grupo II (p » 0,547). Não se observou diminuição ou aumento no consumo de analgésicos suplementares, ou o aparecimento de efeitos sistêmicos adversos (p > 0,05).

Manejo del dolor en plástica de ligamento cruzado anterior. Bloqueo del nervio safeno interno. Estudio comparativo / Pain management in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Saphenous Nerve block. Comparative study

Introducción: El manejo del dolor postoperatorio en pacientes que recibieron una reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) debe ser incluido como objetivo fundamental de toda estrategia quirúrgica. El bloqueo selectivo del nervio safeno interno mediante asistencia ecográfica se presenta como una alternativa eficaz para el control del dolor sin afectar la actividad motora del cuádriceps. El propósito de este estudio fue comparar el dolor postoperatorio en pacientes que recibieron una reconstrucción del LCA con injerto autólogo hueso-tendón-hueso (H-T-H), asistidos con anestesia raquídea, analgesia multimodal más bloqueo selectivo del nervio safeno interno versus pacientes que recibieron anestesia raquídea y analgesia multimodal. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un ensayo clínico no aleatorizado de pacientes consecutivos, comparados en dos grupos de trabajo según tipo de estrategia anestésica utilizada: treinta y seis pacientes en grupo 1 y cuarenta en el grupo 2. El promedio de edad fue de veintinueve años (20­42) en el grupo 1 y de treinta y dos años (18­49) en el grupo 2.Resultados: se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los valores promedio en la escala numérica verbal (ENV), se evidencian menores registros y mejor evolución de dolor en pacientes del grupo 1. También se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los niveles de satisfacción con el tratamiento del dolor a favor del grupo 1. Conclusión: el bloqueo selectivo del nervio safeno interno, asociado a la anestesia raquídea y a un esquema adecuado de analgesia multimodal, provee un excelente control del dolor y permite una externación rápida con alto grado de satisfacción en pacientes que recibieron una reconstrucción artroscópica del LCA con injerto H-T-H autólogo.

Introduction: Postoperative pain management in patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction should be included as a fundamental objective of any surgical strategy. The internal Saphenous Nerve block with ultrasound assistance is presented as an effective strategy for pain control without affecting quadriceps motor activity. The aim of this study is to compare the postoperative pain management in patients who have received an arthroscopic autologous Bone Tendon Bone (BTB) ACL reconstruction, using spinal anesthesia, selective internal saphenous nerve block, and multimodal analgesia scheme versus patients who received spinal anesthesia and same multimodal analgesia scheme. Materials and methods: we performed a non randomized controlled trial, of two prospective series of patients by anesthetic strategy used: thirty-six patients in Group 1 and forty patients in Group 2. The average age by groups was twenty-nine years (range 20­42) in Group 1 and thirty-two years (18­49) in Group 2.Results: statistically significant differences were found between the average pain values reported by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) in two groups, showing lower pain records in Group I, as well in the evolution of pain in favor of Group I. Statistically significant differences were found between the mean levels of satisfaction with pain treatment. Conclusion: in ACL reconstruction using BTB autologous graft, selective internal saphenous nerve block, with spinal anesthesia associated an adequate multimodal analgesia scheme, provides excellent pain control, allowing rapid hospital discharge with a high level of satisfaction

Reconstrucción secuencial de ruptura bilateral del ligamento cruzado anterior. Reporte de un caso / Sequential reconstruction of bilateral anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Case report

Cuando se presentan pacientes con ruptura bilateral del ligamento cruzado anterior y requieren cirugía reconstructiva, se puede optar por procedimientos de reconstrucción unilateral a la vez. Este tipo de abordaje terapéutico ha sido descripto en la literatura, sin embargo, existe muy poca evidencia acerca de la reconstrucción simultánea o secuencial de ambas rodillas en el mismo acto quirúrgico. En este trabajo se presenta un caso de reconstrucción secuencial en el mismo acto quirúrgico, con un solo tiempo anestésico, realizado por un solo equipo quirúrgico en un paciente con ruptura bilateral de ligamento cruzado anterior. Además, se desarrolla una actualización del tema y se compara este procedimiento con aquellos efectuados en dos actos quirúrgicos, desde el punto de vista económico, clínico y funcional, el plan de fisioterapia adoptado y los resultados a mediano plazo mediante la escala de Lysholm. Tipo de Estudio: Reporte de caso y actualización. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

When we face a patient with bilateral anterior cruciate ligament rupture and requires a ligament reconstruction, we can suggest a unilateral reconstruction procedure. This type of surgical management has been described in the literature; however, very scant evidence is published about simultaneous or sequential ACL reconstruction at one stage procedure.This paper presents a case report of a sequential ACL reconstruction made in a one-stage surgical procedure for the same surgical team in a patient with bilateral ACL rupture. A revision of the literature is made, a comparison with those made in two separate procedures is also reported, from a clinical, functional, and economic view, the rehabilitation program and the medium-term outcome by the score of Lysholm. Type of study: Case report and literature review. Level of Evidence: IV