The functional outcome of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in patients using different graft tension during tibial fixation

Background@# Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction is commonly performed to restore knee kinematics and halt the progression of osteoarthritis. A primary variable that could infl uence the outcome of ACL reconstruction is the tension applied to the graft at the time of fi xation. If the tension is too great, an abnormal compressive force could potentially develop across the tibiofemoral joint, hindering knee motion, and subjecting the articular surfaces to increased stress. If the tension in the graft is too low, the graft will not be effective in restoring normal kinematics. The Tegner Lysholm Knee Scale is a functional scoring for patients with ligamentous injuries. It is a patient-reported measure of knee function and is important for comprehensive assessment conditions in both the clinical and research context. Our objective was to compare which tension technique (15 lbs graft tension using a Mitek Tensioner™ vs maximal sustained two-hand technique) would yield better functional outcome at 6 months and 12 months postoperatively using the Tegner Lysholm Knee Scale. @*Methods @#Twenty-nine patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital Private Division were randomly divided equally into two groups (group A or group B). During tibial fi xation, group A would receive 15 lbs graft tension using a Mitek Tensioner and group B would receive graft tension using the maximal sustained two-handed pull technique. The patients underwent a standard rehabilitation protocol at an institution of their choice and a Lysholm Scoring Scale and Tegner activity scale were self-administered at 6 months and 12 months after the surgery in order to assess their functional outcome.@*Results @#The results showed that the functional outcome scores of group A were higher than group B. The yielded p-value was 0.10 (6 months), 0.07 (12 months) for group A and 0.27 (6 months), 0.46 (12 months) for group B. The results showed no suffi cient evidence of a signifi cant difference between the effects of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with 15 lbs weight using a Mitek Tensioner (group A) and graft tension using the maximal sustained two-handed pull technique (group B) in the knee functional outcome of patients at 6 months and 12 months postoperatively@*Conclusion@#The functional outcome scores of patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using different graft tension did not show signifi cant results. Further re-evaluation of patients’ functional outcome score is necessary after 12 months postoperatively. The desired tensioning technique of the ACL surgeon would be at his/her convenience knowing beforehand the pros and cons of each technique.

ACL Reconstruction Using Freeze-dried Human Allograft / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To evaluate subjective satisfaction of patients and clinical results after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using freeze-dried allograft. Materials & Methods : From May 1994 to January 1997, arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with freeze-dried allograft were performed in 33 patients in ACL deficient knee. Minimum follow-up period is 3 years, and average follow-up is 4.6 years. We analyzed clinical results according to the Lysholm scores, physical examination and KT-2000 knee ligament arthrometer. RESULTS: The average preoperative Lysholm score was 60 11, and the average postoperative score was 89 6. Anterior drawer tests and Lachmann tests were positive in 24 cases preoperatively and in 11 cases postoperatively. Postoperative instrumented laxity tests with KT-2000 knee ligament arthrometer (MEDMetric, San Diego, CA) were also performed postoperatively, and its average results was 3.7mm 1.3mm on 30lbs. There was no restriction or complaint in regular daily activities. But the postoperative ligament laxity was more prominent than that of using fresh-frozen allograft or autograft CONCLUSION: Despite the relatively good outcome of the patient's satisfaction, the use of freeze-dried allograft using the standard technique in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction can cause more laxity than that of fresh-frozen allograft.

Comparision of Results after ACL Reconstruction between Bioabsorbable Interference Screw and Metallic Interference Screw Fixation

PURPOSE: To analysis clinical results after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction between bioabsorbable interference screw fixation and metallic interference screw fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the results of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with patellar tendon autograft between two groups, of which group 1 is used metallic interference screw, group 2 is used bioabsorbable interference screw. All of 53 patients underwent arthroscopic patellar tendon auto-grafts with one incision technique. A minimum 12 months follow-up is available on 31 patients in group 1 and 22 patients in group 2. The average age was 28.4 years(19 to 47 years) in group 1 and 29.7 years(18 to 55 years) in group 2. The average period, from trauma to operation, was 20.7 months in group 1 and 24.6 months in group 2. The average follow-up period was 24.1 months in group 1 and 13.1 months in group 2. In terms of the results of pivot shift test, Lachman test, anterior drawer test, Lysholm score, Arthrometer(KT-2000), Cybex test, simlpe X-ray and MRI findings of group 1 compared with group 2. RESULTS: At the final follow-up, KT-2000 test showed that average maximum manual side-to-side dif-ference(STSD) was 2.7mm for group 1 and 2.7mm for group 2. Average muscle power of injured quadri-ceps muscle compared with normal leg by Cybex test was average 82% for group 1 and 79% for group 2. Lysholm score was average 90 for group 1 and 89 for group 2. 3 cases of group 1 and 2 cases of group 2 were showed instability in physical examination, but there were no evidence of synovitis of knee joint or rerupture of anterior cruciate ligament in the follow-up MRI. CONCLUSIONS: No statistical difference was found between the bioabsorbable interference screw fixation group and the metallic interference screw fixation group. Short-term data support that bioabsorbable interference screw is a reasonable alternative to metallic interference screw.

Tibial tunnel Placement in Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction using Preoperative Radiographic Measurement / 대한정형외과학회잡지

A major cause of less than ideal results following intraarticular anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been imprecise nonanatomic tunnel position for graft placement either in the femur, the tibia, or both. Lack of defined constant reference landmarks for reproducible tunnel placement has contributed to this problem on both sides of the joint. The purpose of this study was to define constant anatomic intraarticular and extraarticular landmarks that can be used as definitive reference points to reproducibly create a tibial tunnel for ACL reconstruction that (1) results in an impingement-free graft in full extension; (2) positions the tibial tunnel such that the sagittal tunnel-plateau angle is parallel with the sagittal intercondylar roof-plateau angle in full extension to minimize shear seen by the graft at the tibial tunnel inlet. Preoperative full extension and 90degrees flexion lateral radiographs were obtained. Preoperative measurements of the tibial tunnel-tibial shaft angle and distance from inferior pole of patella to entry point of tibial tunnel were useful tool for impingement free, Blumensaats line paralleling ACL reconstruction with autogenous bone patella tendon bone graft. The average tibial tunnel-tibial shaft angle was 34+/-4.59degrees (male), 33.5+/-3.37degrees (female). The mean distance between patella inferior pole and tibial tunnel entry point was 6.62+/-0.61cm (male), 6.21+/-0.89cm (female). This study sought to define constant anatomic landmarks extraarticularly as well as intraarticularly that can be used to reliably create an ideal tibial tunnel for ACL reconstruction.