Biomechanical Comparison of the Simple Suture Technique, Meniscal Matrix-Assisted Repair, and a Novel Meniscus Cap Suture Technique for Complex Meniscal Repair.

Background: Meniscal repair is the gold standard for simple morphology tears. However, when the morphology and chronicity of the tear are less favorable, the success of the standard techniques is reduced. Purpose/Hypothesis: To compare meniscal repair augmented by a new bioresorbable implant (Meniscus Cap) versus a traditional simple suture technique and the currently available augmented repair collagen matrix meniscus wrapping technique. It was hypothesized that the Meniscus Cap suture technique would increase ultimate failure load and less displacement during cyclic loading. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 80 fresh porcine menisci were harvested. Complex tears were created in 60 menisci, and 20 intact menisci were tested as the control group. Repairs were performed on the 60 meniscal tears using 1 of the 3 techniques (20 menisci each): an inside-out H-suture group (SS), the collagen matrix wrapping technique (CMW), and the Meniscus Cap bioresorbable implant group (CM). The menisci were subjected to 500 loading cycles from 4 to 20 N at a frequency of 1 Hz, and the total displacement was recorded. Then, the specimens underwent load to failure testing at a rate of 3.15 mm/s, and the failure mode was noted. Results: After 500 cycles of cyclic loading, there were no significant differences in displacement between the controls and CM group (0.524 vs 0.448 mm; P = .95). The displacement after the CM was significantly smaller compared with the CMW and the SS (0.448 vs 1.077 mm [P = .0009] and 0.448 vs 0.848 mm [P = .04], respectively). The ultimate load to failure was significantly greater for the controls and the CM group compared with the SS and CMW groups (controls, 1278.7 N and CM, 628.5 N vs CMW, 380.1 N and SS, 345.1 N; P < .05). The failure mode was suture breakage (suture failure) for all repairs. Conclusion: In a porcine specimen meniscal repair model, the biomechanical properties of a novel Meniscus Cap repair technique were superior to that of the simple suture and CMW techniques. Clinical Relevance: The results suggest that the Meniscal Cap repair technique may provide sufficient primary stability of the meniscal fixation even in the cases of complex meniscal tears.

Arthroscopic Matrix-Based Meniscus Repair Surgical Technique With "Goat" Instrument.

Human meniscal treatment with an arthroscopic matrix-based meniscal repair technique is a promising procedure. Heretofore, the procedure has required a skilled surgeon with a great amount of experience in knee arthroscopic surgery and meniscal suturing. A surgical technique using a "goat" delivery clamp has been developed. Technique development followed extensive review and the application of earlier arthroscopic matrix-based meniscal repair techniques, along with cadaveric refinement of the proposed arthroscopic technique. The presented technique includes preparation of the meniscus with initial stabilization of the damaged fragments, preparation of the collagen matrix and placement of this matrix into the open jaws of the goat delivery clamp, introduction of the collagen matrix into the knee and placement of this matrix on the meniscus, suturing of the collagen matrix to the meniscus, and bone marrow blood aspirate injection between the collagen matrix and meniscus.

Patients with stage II of the knee osteoarthritis most likely benefit from the intra-articular injections of autologous adipose tissue-from 2 years of follow-up studies.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common, chronic, progressive and degenerative disease which affects patients' quality of life and may cause disability and social isolation. OA is a huge economic burden for the patient and a large strain for the whole healthcare system. Articular cartilage has a small potential to repair, with progressively more clinicians emphasizing cellular therapy. Subcutaneous fat tissue in human body is a large reservoir of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and is been harvested in minimally invasive, simple procedure. The purpose of this study was to define a specific group of patients with knee osteoarthritis, who are the most likely to benefit from the treatment with intra-articular injection of an autologous adipose tissue (AAT). METHODS: From 2016 to 2018, 59 symptomatic bilateral and unilateral knee OA patients were treated with a single intra-articular (IA) injection of an autologous adipose tissue (AAT). Before the treatment and at the follow-up, the participant was asked to fulfill the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the International Knee Documentation Committee 2000 (IKDC 2000), The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Health Questionnaire EQ-5D-5L and to quantify the pain in the affected joint with a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Moreover, the patients were asked to: (i) assess their satisfaction with the effects of the conducted treatment: from 0 (unsatisfied) to 10 (very satisfied), (ii) describe the rehabilitation, if it was performed (supervised or individual and duration in weeks) and (iii) indicate any additional treatment applied, like IA injections of hyaluronic acid (HA) or platelet-rich plasma (PRP), knee arthroscopy, partial or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) at the follow-up. RESULTS: The mean age of 37 participants (16 males and 21 females) included into statistical analysis was 57.78 ± 7.39 years, the mean BMI was 31.30 ± 7.51. The questionnaires were fulfilled after the average follow-up time of 27 ± 6.5 months. A significant difference (p < 0.05) compared with the baseline, was observed in pain [NRS], WOMAC, KOOS index, pain, symptoms, ADL, Sport and Rec, QoL, EQ-5D-5L index. The satisfaction in the whole group was 6.16 ± 3.07. There was no significant difference between satisfied and unsatisfied patients in BMI and pain [NRS] at the baseline. 6 out of 7 patients with stage IV in K-L were unsatisfied with the effects of the treatment with AAT. DISCUSSION: The main conclusion of this study is that the patients with stage II of the knee OA with normal BMI are were most likely to benefit from IA injection of AAT, in contrast to the patients with stage IV, who will not beware not satisfied with the effectiveness of this kind of treatment. There were no adverse events reported at the donor site as well as in the treated knee joints.

Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC) for Focal Chondral Lesions of the Knee: A 2-Year Follow-Up of Clinical, Proprioceptive, and Isokinetic Evaluation.

(1) Background: The autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) is a bio-orthopedic treatment for articular cartilage damage. It combines microfracture surgery with the application of a collagen membrane. The aim of the present study was to report a medium-term follow-up of patients treated with AMIC for focal chondral lesions. (2) Methods: Fourty-eight patients treated surgically and 21 control participants were enrolled in the study. To evaluate the functional outcomes, the proprioceptive (postural stability, postural priority) and isokinetic (peak value of maximum knee extensor and flexor torque in relation to body mass and the total work) measurements were performed. To evaluate the clinical outcomes, the Lysholm score and the IKDC score were imposed. (3) Results: Compared to the preoperative values, there was significant improvement in the first 2 years after intervention in the functional as well as subjective outcome measures. (4) Conclusions: AMIC showed durable results in aligned knees.

Meniscectomy is still a frequent orthopedic procedure: a pending need for education on the meniscus treatment possibilities.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current status of education of polish surgeons in the subject of meniscus repair possibilities. The analysis of the possible correlations between the number of knee arthroscopy procedures performed by polish surgeons and their decision whether to remove or to repair the damaged meniscus has been performed. METHODS: Two-hundred and five registered orthopedic surgeons took part in surveys. The questionnaire contained the description of 20 patients with different types of meniscus damage and three questions concerning the experience in knee arthroscopy (two questions) and a choice of the treatment method (one question). Comparisons were made between knee arthroscopy experts (> 100 arthroscopies performed per year) and non-experts (≤ 100 cases). RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 194 knee surgeons from Poland with different levels in knee arthroscopy experience. For most cases, experts and non-experts agreed on the meniscus treatment method. Statistically significant differences in the recommended treatment between experts and non-experts were observed in 4 cases, where experts decided to repair the damage rather than to perform the meniscectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Meniscectomy remains a frequent orthopedic procedure, despite meniscal sparing having been advocated for several decades now and despite the existence of meniscus repair technique which gives good clinical outcomes-augmentation of the damaged meniscus with a collagen membrane. Polish surgeons still need education on the meniscus treatment possibilities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

Complex Meniscus Tears Treated with Collagen Matrix Wrapping and Bone Marrow Blood Injection: Clinical Effectiveness and Survivorship after a Minimum of 5 Years' Follow-Up.

Purpose. To determine the 5-year success rate of the "all-inside" technique of arthroscopic meniscus suture and collagen membrane wrapping along with bone marrow blood injection, to evaluate the progression of degenerative changes and the impact of simultaneous anteriro cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods. Fifty-four consecutive patients with complex meniscal tears were treated with the previously described technique. The subjective scores (International Knee Documentation Committee 2000, Lysholm, EQ-5D-5L) and Barret clinical criteria of meniscal healing were recorded. Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) were assessed at 2 and 5 years postoperatively, using the Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS) criteria. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed in order to assess the survivorship after the index procedure. Thirty-nine patients were divided into 2 groups: group A-isolated meniscus repair and group B-meniscus repair with concurrent ACL reconstruction. Results. Fifty-four patients were treated and 44 were available for analysis. There was a statistically significant improvement in subjective scores and clinical assessment between the preoperative, 2-year follow-up, and 5-year follow-up time points. EQ-5D-5L utility value was 0.9 ± 1 at final follow-up. The WORMS osteoarthritis severity grade had increased from 6.9 ± 5.0 points at the 2-year follow-up to 11.1 ± 9.6 points at the 5-year follow-up (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the groups after 60 months. The overall survival rate at final follow-up was 88%. Conclusions. The treatment option evaluated in this study has shown very good mid-term clinical and MRI-based outcomes as well as a favorable survival rate. Simultaneous ACL reconstruction is likely a factor for osteoarthritis progression.

Autologous adipose tissue injection versus platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, controlled study - study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common, chronic, progressive and degenerative disease which affects patients' quality of life and may cause disability and social isolation. OA is a huge economic burden for the patient and a large strain for the whole healthcare system. Articular cartilage has a small potential to repair, with progressively more clinicians emphasizing cellular therapy. Subcutaneous fat tissue in human body is a large reservoir of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and is been harvested in minimally invasive, simple procedure. Up to date there is no prospective randomized controlled studies demonstrating effectiveness and role of adipose tissue injections in OA treatment. The purpose of this study is to assess functional and clinical changes among patients with symptomatic knee OA treated with intra-articular injections of autologous adipose tissue or platelet rich plasma (PRP) and to compare efficacy of both therapeutic methods. METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Patients who meet inclusion criteria will be allocated to Fat Tissue group or PRP group randomly. Subjects will receive an intra articular injection with autologous adipose tissue and PRP respectively. Patients will be assessed five times: before treatment and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the treatment. The assessment consists of patient reported outcome measures (The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, International Knee Documentation Committee 2000, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, the Health Questionnaire EQ- 5D- 5 L), three functional tests (The Timed Up and Go Test, The 5 Times Sit to Stand Test, The 10 m Walk Test) and Maximal Isometric Voluntary Contraction. DISCUSSION: This study protocol has several strengths and weaknesses. One of strongest point of this study is the wide, multidimensional functional assessment which will give a large amount of objective data. On the other hand, lack of blinding has to be considered as a risk of both subject and investigator bias. TRIAL REGISTRATION: name of registry: ClinicalTrials.gov, trial registration number: NCT04321629, retrospectively registered on date of registration.

Minimally invasive reconstruction technique for chronic Achilles tendon tears allows rapid return to walking and leads to good functional recovery.

PURPOSE: Chronic Achilles tendon tears, including chronic ruptures with end gap over 6 cm making end-to-end suturing impossible, can be treated with autologous hamstring graft reconstruction. The primary goal of this study was to present the biomechanical and long-term clinical results of recently developed minimally invasive Achilles tendon reconstruction technique. METHODS: Minimally invasive Achilles tendon reconstruction was applied to 8 foot and ankle cadaveric specimens as well as 18 patients with chronic Achilles tendon tears. Repaired cadavers were subjected to the biomechanical testing using a cyclic loading protocol. Patients with reconstructed Achilles tendon were subjected to the clinical, functional and isokinetic tests at 12 months after the treatment. RESULTS: All of tested Achilles cadaveric specimens survived 2 loading blocks (250 cycles of 10-100 N load followed by additional 250 cycles of 10-200 N load). With three specimens, it was possible to perform the third cyclic loading block with 20-300 N load and two specimens survived the fourth block with 20-400 N load. Therefore, a mean number of 838 cycles (±178) within the range of 509-1000 was recorded. Two specimens which survived all 1000 cycles were pulled to failure at 25 mm/s rate. The results obtained in the load to failure testing were as follows: 398 N and 608 N of maximum load. The results of functional heel rise endurance test and single leg hop for distance test indicated a decrease in the endurance and strength of the injured limb. However, the results of the weight-bearing lunge tests indicated no tendency for elongation of the Achilles tendon. A comparative analysis of the isokinetic test results for the non-injured and injured limb was revealed no statistically significant differences for every isokinetic test (n. s.), with significant difference for isometric strength parameters (p = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the biomechanical tests as well as 1-year extensive functional, clinical and isokinetic results of the minimally invasive technique for chronic Achilles tendon tears are encouraging. Patients returned to their normal physical activity, including sport pre-injury level in most cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Minimally invasive, endoscopic Achilles tendon reconstruction using semitendinosus and gracilis tendons with Endobutton stabilization.

BACKGROUND: Plantaris tendon, peronus brevis tendon and flexor hallucis longus tendon augmentation, commonly used in Achilles tendon rupture, often lead to weakening of injured foot and they require the immobilization after the surgery. It is essential to develop the technique, which gives no such limitation and allows for immediate functional improvement. METHODS: We present our method of minimally invasive, endoscopic Achilles tendon reconstruction using semitendinosus and gracilis tendons with Endobutton stabilization. RESULTS: Posterolateral and posteromedial portals were made approximately 3 cm above the posterosuperior part of the calcaneus to clean the area of the Achilles tendon endoscopically. Then the hamstrings are harvested and prepared for the "Endobutton" system. A midline incision of the skin is performed approximately 1 cm above the posterosuperior part of the calcaneus to approach to the posterosuperior part of the calcaneus. Then under fluoroscopy the calcaneus was drilled through using K-wire. The distal end of the graft equipped with an Endobutton loop was entered into the drilled tunnel in the calcaneus. Later, 8 consecutive skin incisions are performed. Proximal ends of the graft were brought out through the native Achilles tendon reaching medial and lateral skin incisions. The final step was to transfer and tie the graft ends through the most proximal skin incision. CONCLUSIONS: This minimally invasive, endoscopic technique allows reconstruction of the Achilles tendon using semitendinosus and gracilis tendons with Endobutton stabilization and can be used in so-called "difficult", resistant cases as a "salvage procedure".

Complex Meniscus Tears Treated with Collagen Matrix Wrapping and Bone Marrow Blood Injection: A 2-Year Clinical Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVE: To collect and analyze the 2-year follow-up clinical and MRI results of patients treated with an arthroscopic technique of collagen membrane-based meniscus repair. DESIGN: 53 consecutive patients with combined (horizontal and radial or longitudinal component) and complex meniscal tears (tear extended through avascular zones or/and composed with two or more morphological tear pattern) were treated with an "all-inside" arthroscopic suture of meniscus and wrapping with a collagen membrane (Chondro-Gide) technique with bone marrow blood injection. The IKDC 2000 subjective score, IKDC 2000 clinical evaluation score, Lysholm score and Barret clinical criteria of meniscal healing were recorded. All patients were examinated by MRI 2 years postoperatively, using modified WORMS criteria for meniscal integrity. RESULTS: The 2 year follow-up was achieved in 50 cases. Of these, 2 patients were excluded from the evaluation due to incomplete data and 2 patients underwent partial meniscectomy and were classified as failures. In 46 patients (86.8% of the intended to treat cases), a statistically significant improvement in IKDC 2000 subjective, Lysholm scores and IKDC 2000 clinical assessment between preoperative and the 2-year follow-up time points were obsereved. Barret criteria demonstrated an improved clinical outcome between pre- and post-operative values. MRI revealed a non-homogeneous signal without meniscal tear (WORMS grade 1) in 76% of the operated menisci (13% WORMS grade 2). CONCLUSIONS: The 2-year follow-up data demonstrate that this technique is safe and can offer an additional tool to save the meniscus in the patients otherwise scheduled for meniscal removal. Level of evidence IV.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Chondral and Osteochondral Defects in the Ankle Using the Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis Technique.

One of the greatest challenges nowadays facing orthopaedic surgeons around the world is the problem of articular cartilage defects and their treatment. The autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis technique is based on 2 elements-drilling into bones and matrix application. The purpose of this article is to present the surgical technique of arthroscopic treatment of chondral or osteochondral defects in the ankle using the autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis technique.

Novel Technique of Achilles Tendon Reconstruction Using Semitendinosus and Gracilis Tendon. Preliminary Report.

BACKGROUND: Achilles tendon ruptures are a common clinical problem. While there are many techniques of Achilles tendon reconstruction, there is little evidence that any of them is clearly superior to the others. The most common techniques rely on augmentation of the plantar tendon, peroneus brevis tendon and flexor hallucis longus tendon. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The article describes a novel procedure for Achilles tendon reconstruction using the hamstring grafts, Endobutton stabilization, collagen membrane and the administration of autologous bone marrow cells to the region of the reconstructed tendon. RESULTS: This technique was used by the author (with the good early results) in so-called "difficult cases" as a "salvage procedure". CONCLUSION: The use of a hamstring autograft is safe and does not further affect the injured foot or induce an autoimmune reaction.

Abdominal compartment syndrome--the prevention and treatment of possible lethal complications following hip arthroscopy: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome have been increasingly recognized as a hip arthroscopy complication over the past decade. In the absence of consensus definitions and treatment guidelines, the diagnosis and management of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome remains variable from institution to institution. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the occurrence of the extravasation of fluid into the abdomen during arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement combined with resection of trochanteric bursa and our management of the condition in a 55-year old Caucasian woman. CONCLUSIONS: We present an algorithm of treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome, as a hip arthroscopy complication, according to the consensus definitions and recommendations of the World Society of the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome. In the algorithm options, we have included paracentesis and percutaneous catheter decompression as the main point of treatment. Our algorithm will have a broader clinical impact on orthopedic surgery, anesthesiology and emergency medicine.

Arthroscopically assisted combined anterior and posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with autologous hamstring grafts-isokinetic assessment with control group.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to: 1) evaluate the differences in pre-post operative knee functioning, mechanical stability, isokinetic knee muscle strength in simultaneous arthroscopic patients after having undergone an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) with hamstring tendons reconstruction, 2) compare the results of ACL/PCL patients with the control group. DESIGN: Controlled Laboratory Study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Results of 11 ACL/PCL patients had been matched with 22 uninjured control participants (CP). Prior to surgery, and minimum 2 years after it, functional assessment (Lysholm and IKDC 2000), mechanical knee joint stability evaluation (Lachman and "drawer" test) and isokinetic tests (bilateral knee muscle examination) had been performed. Different rehabilitation exercises had been used: isometric, passive exercises, exercises increasing the range of motion and proprioception, strength exercises and specific functional exercises. RESULTS: After arthroscopy no significant differences had been found between the injured and uninjured leg in all isokinetic parameters in ACL/PCL patients. However, ACL/PCL patients had still shown significantly lower values of strength in relative isokinetic knee flexors (p = 0.0065) and extensors (p = 0.0171) compared to the CP. There were no differences between groups regarding absolute isokinetic strength and flexors/extensors ratio. There was statistically significant progress in IKDC 2000 (p = 0.0044) and Lysholm (p = 0.0044) scales prior to (44 and 60 points respectively) and after the reconstruction (61 for IKDC 2000 and 94 points for Lysholm). CONCLUSIONS: Although harvesting tendons of semitendinosus and/or gracilis from the healthy extremity diminishes muscle strength of knee flexors in comparison to the CP, flexor strength had improved. Statistically significant improvement of the knee extensor function may indicate that the recreation of joint mechanical stability is required for restoring normal muscle strength. Without restoring normal muscle function and strength, surgical intervention alone may not be sufficient enough to ensure expected improvement of the articular function.

All-arthroscopic AMIC procedure for repair of cartilage defects of the knee.

PURPOSE: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were introduced into clinical practice due to their ability to differentiate into many types of cells. Autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) combines the microfracture method with matrix-based techniques that utilizes a collagen membrane to serve as a scaffold for new bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, allowing effective reconstruction of even large fragments of a damaged cartilage surface. METHODS: All-arthroscopic technique to repair knee cartilage defects using the AMIC technique, which includes the use of a collagen matrix (porcine collagen type I and III) and fibrin glue-technique presentation. CONCLUSION: This technical note introduces an all-arthroscopic AMIC technique to reconstruct extensive cartilage defects (without bone defects). The technique may be used for treatment of all location of knee cartilage lesions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

All-arthroscopic technique of biological meniscal tear therapy with collagen matrix.

PURPOSE: The number of meniscus surgeries, including partial or complete meniscectomy, has increased considerably with the progress in knee arthroscopy. An analysis of treatment results, carried out at several centres by numerous study groups, showed a development of early degenerative changes in the knees of treated patients. METHODS: This study is aimed at developing a fully arthroscopic technique to treat meniscal tears by suturing and wrapping them in collagen matrix, followed by injection of liquid bone-marrow collected from the tibial proximal epiphysis, into the area of meniscal lesion. RESULTS: In this paper, we presented arthroscopic technique for wrapping meniscal tears using the collagen matrix sutured with the Fast-Fix sutures. CONCLUSIONS: Proposed surgical technique is not straightforward to perform, but can be learned by adhering to strict arthroscopic principles. The use of collagen matrix and bone marrow aspirate from bone-marrow blood, including stem cells, creates favourable biological conditions for meniscus healing, which may increase the rate of healing.

Linguistic and cultural adaptation into Polish of the IKDC 2000 subjective knee evaluation form and the Lysholm scale.

PURPOSE: The aim of the following paper was Polish cultural and linguistic adaptation including adaptation of particular questions, instructions and possible answers to 2000 IKDC knee form and Lysholm's scale. MATERIAL/METHODS: The cultural adaptation process of this questionnaire was made according to indicators of International Quality of Life Assessment (IQOLA) project, placed in Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. Testing version (pre-final test) was carried out on 30 patients suffering from instability of a knee. Patients underwent arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. The period from operation to filling in the questionnaires took 2 years. The questionnaire was filled up twice, at intervals from 2 days to 2 weeks. RESULTS: We received cultural and linguistic adapted knee evaluation scales which are similar to the original version according to the psychometric proprieties such as accuracy of a single question and whole scales. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to develop a reliable, ISAKOS/ESSKA-compliant instrument for subjective knee function evaluation to be used in the population of Polish patients following arthroscopic reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament. Polish version of IKDC 2000 questionnaire is more reliable--i.e. more useful in clinical evaluation of patients with ACL damage--than the Polish rendition of Lysholm scale.

[Postural control strategy in patients with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency]. / Sposoby kontroli postawy u chorych z niestabilnoscia przednia stawu kolanowego.

UNLABELLED: Dysfunction of the knee joint caused by injury of the anterior cruciate ligament is associated not only with mechanical joint destabilization but also damage of receptors in the ligament responsible for joint proprioception. Sensory disorders associated with damage of receptors in the ligaments may produce abnormalities in the posture control. The study aimed at evaluating postural control strategy in patients with chronic anterior cruciate ligament deficiency and determining a relationship between clinical assessment, subjective evaluation of knee joint functioning, and type of postural control. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Postural control with dynamic and static Riva test in one-legged position was assessed in 46 patients (6 women and 40 men), aged between 15 and 52 years (mean 32 years), in whom damage of the anterior cruciate ligament was diagnosed clinically and/or radiologically. Diagnosis was confirmed arthroscopically in all cases. Clinical evaluation was made with the aid of two subjective scales of knee ailments: Lysholm knee scale and subjective knee evaluation form IKDC 2000. Arthrometer Rolimeter by Aircast was used to measure the difference between lower limbs in anterior knee laxity during "anterior drawer" test and Lachman's test. The way of visual proprioceptive control was assessed with both dynamic (DRT) and static (SRT) Riva tests in monopodalic stance. Tests were performed with the DELOS Postural Proprioceptive System (DELOS s.r.l., Corso Lecce, Torino, Italy) in the biomechanical evaluation laboratory at Rehasport Clinic in Poznan. CONCLUSIONS: Strategy of the postural control in both dynamic and static Riva test does not allow differentiating ACL deficient leg from the mechanically stable leg. The obtained results of postural control in dynamic and static Riva test confirm significant value of knee joint mechanical stability for preservation its functional stability. Knee joint extension (hyperextension) may be one of mechanisms maintaining functional knee joint stability.

[Knee dislocation: concurrent arthroscopic ACL and PCL reconstruction - operating technique]. / Zwichnieie kolana: rekonstrukcja jednoczasowa wszystkich uszkodzonych wi zadel stawu kolanowego--technika operacyjna.

Injuries involving knee luxation or subluxation generally result in damage to two or three out of the four major ligaments which stabilize this joint. Past treatment of this type of multiligament injuries, consisting in 6- to 12-week immobilization in a plaster cast, does not allow for restoration of the normal, anatomical course of these ligaments. A consequence of this type of healing, which involves the formation of random scars in place of ligaments, is mechanical and functional instability of the knee joint. The goal of this article is to present a classification of multiligament knee injuries and surgical treatment options. We also present our own technique of arthroscopic, concurrent reconstruction of knee joint ligaments. The study material consisted of 20 patients who underwent surgical treatment for multiligament knee injuries in the Department of Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology in Poznan. We performed concurrent arthroscopic reconstruction of ACL and PCL in all 20 patients. In addition, reconstruction of the medial complex was performed in 7 patients, and lateral complex was reconstructed in another 7 patients. In three cases we stitched the medial meniscus using a Smith & Nephew FasT-Fix system, and partial menisectomy was performed in 2 patients. The details of the proposed concurrent arthroscopic ACL and PCL reconstruction are extensively discussed. One of the advantages of this operating technique is the exclusive use of autogenous ST and GR tendon grafts for reconstruction of all damaged knee joint structures. The presented operating technique makes possible the reconstruction of all damaged knee joint ligaments in less than two hours, which in turn allows the surgery to be performed in an ischemic setting using an Esmarch band around the limb.

[Operative technique and preliminary results of arthroscopic reconstruction of posterior cruciate ligament]. / Technika operacyjna i wczesne wyniki leczenia chorych z niestabilnoscia tylna stawu kolanowego metoda artroskopowej rekonstrukcji wiezadla krzyzowego tylnego.

Injuries of knee generally result in damage to major ligaments which stabilize this joint. Clendenin observed that 20% failure of ligaments of knee it is PCL rapture. A consequence of this type injuries is mechanical and functional instability of the knee joint. The goal of this article is to present our technique of arthroscopic reconstruction of PCL. We also present preliminary results of our treatment options we have applied in 14 surgery patients. The study material consisted of 14 patients who underwent surgical treatment for PCL injuries in the Department of Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology in Poznan. The arthroscopic reconstructions of PCL in all 14 patients have been performed by first author with the same operative technique. Knee laxity we assessed before and after PCL reconstructive surgery using arthrometer "Rolimeter" (Aircast). Knee ligament rating scales (Lyscholm and IKDC 2000) have been used to perform subjective, functional assessment of knee joint. The follow up was about 2 years. We fund statistical important improvement in all tested data (p = 0.001). The arthroscopic reconstruction of PCL with autogenic hamstring graft improves function and stability of knee joint. Endurance and size of hamstring grafts are sufficient to restore good mechanical and functional stability of knee joint.