ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Mucoid degeneration (MD) of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is an unusual cause of knee pain and restricted movement, predominantly affecting the middle-aged population. Arthroscopic partial or total debridement of the mucoid ACL is the surgical treatment of choice. However, little is discussed in the literature regarding subsequent knee instability and functional outcomes following complete ACL excision. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent arthroscopic total ACL excision for mucoid ACL. Pre- and post-operatively, the Tegner-Lysholm score, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form, and subjective functional instability were used to grade the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Ten out of the 13 patients who underwent complete ACL excision were available for evaluation. All patients presented with knee pain on deep flexion or extension with a painfully limited range of motion. Post-operatively, all patients were relieved of their original pain and dysfunction. The mean post-operative IKDC and Tegner-Lysholm scores were 74.96 and 83.6, respectively. All patients had a Lachman test positive, while only two had a grade 1 pivot shift test positive. Two patients had occasional functional instability only after strenuous exercises. None of the patients underwent subsequent ACL reconstruction. CONCLUSION: All patients reported improved functional outcomes. Only two out of 10 reported occasional instability during strenuous activity. Therefore, complete debridement of mucoid ACL in sedentary patients is safe and efficacious. However, active young patients may experience instability and require ACL reconstruction if it hinders their daily activities.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Posterior shoulder instability and consequent labral tear have been predominantly associated with retroversion of the bony glenoid and chondrolabral version. However, literature concerning the degree of glenoid and chondrolabral version and clinical outcomes following labral repair is scarce. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken among patients with posterior shoulder instability who had undergone arthroscopic isolated posterior labral repair. The MRI was used to assess the bony and labral variations of the glenoid using the Friedman method and further categorized as either anteverted or retroverted glenoid. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scores were used to evaluate pre- and postoperative clinical outcomes at a minimum follow-up of one year. Results: 33 shoulder MRIs performed at our institution were available for radiographic analysis. Among the 33 shoulders that underwent posterior shoulder capsulolabral repair, 23 were available for clinical follow-up for at least one year (range, 12-108 months). The mean (±SD) labral version and bony version were -3.98 (±5.68) and -2.83 (±5.20), respectively. The mean (±SD) postoperative ASES, Oxford score, and SANE scores for all participants were 84.04 (±14.14), 43.38 (±3.81), and 78.57 (±17.40), respectively. However, the difference in clinical outcomes in patients with anteverted or retroverted glenoid versions was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our study concludes a strong correlation between posterior glenohumeral instability and higher degree of glenoid retroversion. Nevertheless, variations in the glenoid version appear to have no significant impact on clinical outcomes. Level of study: Level IV, retrospective cohort.
ABSTRACT
A man in his 20s presented with instability of the right knee following an incident of fall from a height. He was clinicoradiologically diagnosed to have an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear for which he underwent ACL reconstruction. Postoperatively, he was started on an accelerated ACL rehabilitation protocol. Six weeks postoperatively, he developed features of subclinical septic arthritis for which he underwent arthroscopic debridement. Intraoperative samples cultured Mycobacterium abscessus complex on MGIT 960 system. The patient subsequently had to undergo another debridement after 1 month as there were clinical signs of persisting infection. The graft was intact even on the second debridement and after removing the implants. This case reports a rare complication of ACL reconstruction with infection by atypical mycobacterium and the clinical outcome. It also emphasises that prompt surgical intervention can save the graft.
