Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using quadriceps tendon autograft is a viable option for small-statured female patients.

PURPOSE: The choice of graft for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains controversial. The quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft is a good alternative for ACL reconstruction. However, concerns regarding its use in short-statured patients, related to donor site morbidity, anterior knee pain, or loss of muscle strength remain. This study aimed to compare muscle strength and morbidity between patients with short and normal statures following ACL reconstruction with a QT autograft. METHODS: A total of 73 female patients (mean age, 33.8 ± 11.5 years) who underwent primary ACL reconstruction between 2016 and 2019 were included. Patients were categorized into two groups: group S, with a height ≤ 163 cm, and group L, with a height > 163 cm. Muscle strength, harvesting site morbidity, and ACL-return to sport after injury scale (ACL-RSI) were evaluated, with a mean timing of the follow-up of 9.0 ± 2.3 months. RESULTS: The mean quadriceps strength for the isokinetic measurements at 60° and 240° was 65.0% and 74.0% in group S, respectively, and 70.0% and 75.7% in group L, respectively. There was no significant difference in the postoperative muscle strength or mean ACL-RSI (group S, 70.0; group L, 65.9) between the groups. No donor site morbidity was observed in either group. CONCLUSION: Muscle strength recovery, morbidity, and readiness to return to sports were similar in both groups, which supports the possibility of QT autografts for patients with a small stature. The results of this study may provide useful information for surgeons who are hesitant to perform QT autografts because of patient physique. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

In vivo static and dynamic lengthening measurements of the posterior cruciate ligament at high knee flexion angles.

PURPOSE: Rehabilitation is an important aspect of both non-operative and operative treatments of knee ligament tear. Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) non-operative treatment consists of a step-by-step rehabilitation protocol and is well described. It goes from rest (phase I) to strengthening exercises (phase IV). More specific and high-intensity exercises such as cutting, sidestepping or jumps are, however, not described in detail, as no in vivo data exist to tell how these exercises constrain the ligaments and whether they have the same effect on all of them, in particular regarding lengthening. The goal of this study was to measure the ligament lengthening in static knee flexion based on 3D reconstructions from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and from motion capture and ligament simulation during dynamic exercises. METHODS: The knee of nine volunteers was first imaged in a closed-bore MRI scanner at various static knee flexion angles (up to 110°), and the corresponding lengthening of the PCL and the other major knee ligaments was measured. Then, the volunteers underwent motion capture of the knee where dynamic exercises (sitting, jumping, sidestepping, etc.) were recorded. For each exercise, knee ligament elongation was simulated and evaluated. RESULTS: According to the MRI scans, maximal lengthening occurred at 110° of flexion in the anterior cruciate ligament and 90° of flexion in the PCL. Daily living movements such as sitting were predicted to elongate the cruciate ligaments, whereas they shortened the collateral ligaments. More active movements such as jumping put the most constrain to cruciate ligaments. CONCLUSION: This study provides interesting insights into a tailored postoperative regimen. In particular, knowing the knee ligament lengthening during dynamic exercises can help better define the last stages of the rehabilitation protocol, and hence provide a safe return to play.

Multi-body optimization with subject-specific knee models: performance at high knee flexion angles.

When estimating knee kinematics from skin markers and stereophotogrammetry, multi-body optimization (MBO) has provided promising results for reducing soft tissue artefacts (STA), but can still be improved. The goal of this study was to assess the performance of MBO with subject-specific knee models at high knee flexion angles (up to 110°) against knee joint kinematics measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Eight subjects were recruited. MBO with subject-specific knee models was more effective in compensating STA compared to no kinematic and spherical constraints, in particular for joint displacements. Moreover, it seems to be more reliable over large ranges of knee flexion angle. The ranges of root mean square errors for knee rotations/displacements were 3.0°-9.2°/1.3-3.5 mm for subject-specific knee models, 6.8°-8.7°/6.0-12.4 mm without kinematic constraint and 7.1°-9.8°/4.9-12.5 mm for spherical constraints.

[Current treatment strategy of meniscal lesions in athletes]. / Prise en charge actuelle des lésions méniscales chez l'athlète.

The primary goal of meniscal treatment in elite athletes is to guarantee knee function for sports performance and to prevent osteoarthritic changes. The meniscus acts not only as cushion in the femorotibial joint but also as a major secondary stabilizer with its posterior medial and lateral horns. Therefore, the integrity of the meniscal tissue is crucial for knee function and needs to be preserved, especially when the meniscal lesion is found in the periphery (vascularized zone). For ideal tissue healing, a stable knee is prerequisite.Partial meniscectomy as little as possible is only performed, if the lesion cannot be sutured, is highly degenerative or localized in the non-vascularized (white-white) area which has low to none healing potential.

La prise en charge d'une lésion méniscale chez l'athlète consiste, entre autres, à obtenir la cicatrisation de cette dernière dans le but de retrouver l'indolence et de limiter l'évolution arthrosique. Comme le ménisque est non seulement un amortisseur, mais contribue aussi hautement à la stabilité articulaire avec ses cornes postérieures interne et externe, sa préservation méniscale est primordiale, d'autant plus si elle est périphérique (zone vascularisée du ménisque), donc à fort potentiel de cicatrisation. Pour la guérison méniscale, l'intégrité ligamentaire du genou est indispensable. La méniscectomie ne doit être envisagée qu'en dernier recours lorsque la lésion n'est pas réparable, ou située dans la zone avasculaire du ménisque, qui est à faible potentiel de cicatrisation. Dans tous les cas, la méniscectomie doit être la plus économe possible.

Correlation of clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings in hips of elite female ballet dancers.

PURPOSE: To understand why professional female ballet dancers often complain of inguinal pain and experience early hip osteoarthritis (OA). Goals were to examine clinical and advanced imaging findings in the hips of dancers compared with those in a matched cohort of nondancers and to assess the femoral head translation in the forward split position using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Twenty professional female ballet dancers and 14 active healthy female individuals matched for age (control group) completed a questionnaire on hip pain and underwent hip examination with impingement tests and measurement of passive hip range of motion (ROM). All had a pelvic 1.5 T MRI in the back-lying position to assess femoroacetabular morphologic features and lesions. For the dancers, additional MR images were acquired in the split position to evaluate femoroacetabular congruency. RESULTS: Twelve of 20 dancers complained of groin pain only while dancing; controls were asymptomatic. Dancers' passive hip ROM was normal. No differences in α neck angle, acetabular depth, acetabular version, and femoral neck anteversion were found between dancers and controls. MRI of dancers while performing splits showed a mean femoral head subluxation of 2.05 mm. MRI of dancers' hips showed labral tears, cartilage thinning, and herniation pits, located in superior and posterosuperior positions. Lesions were the same for symptomatic and asymptomatic dancers. Controls had proportionally the same number of labral lesions but in an anterosuperior position. They also had 2 to 3 times fewer cartilage lesions and pits than did dancers. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study are consistent with our hypothesis that repetitive extreme movements can cause femoral head subluxations and femoroacetabular abutments in female ballet dancers with normal hip morphologic features, which could result in early OA. Pathologic changes seen on MRI were symptomatic in less than two thirds of the dancers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Extreme hip motion in professional ballet dancers: dynamic and morphological evaluation based on magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) of the cam or pincer type based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a group of adult female professional ballet dancers, and to quantify, in vivo, the range of motion (ROM) and congruence of the hip joint in the splits position. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval and informed consent from each volunteer were obtained. Thirty symptomatic or asymptomatic adult female professional ballet dancers (59 hips) and 14 asymptomatic non-dancer adult women (28 hips, control group) were included in the present study. All subjects underwent MRI in the supine position, while, for the dancers, additional images were acquired in the splits position. Labral abnormalities, cartilage lesions, and osseous abnormalities of the acetabular rim were assessed at six positions around the acetabulum. A morphological analysis, consisting of the measurement of the α angle, acetabular depth, and acetabular version, was performed. For the dancers, ROM and congruency of the hip joint in the splits position were measured. RESULTS: Acetabular cartilage lesions greater than 5 mm were significantly more frequent in dancer's hips than in control hips (28.8 vs 7.1%, p = 0.026), and were mostly present at the superior position in dancers. Distribution of labral lesions between the dancers and the control group showed substantially more pronounced labral lesions at the superior, posterosuperior, and anterosuperior positions in dancers (54 lesions in 28 dancer's hips vs 10 lesions in 8 control hips). Herniation pits were found significantly more often (p = 0.002) in dancer's hips (n = 31, 52.5%), 25 of them being located in a superior position. A cam-type morphology was found for one dancer and a retroverted hip was noted for one control. Femoroacetabular subluxations were observed in the splits position (mean: 2.05 mm). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of typical FAI of the cam or pincer type was low in this selected population of professional ballet dancers. The lesions' distribution, mostly superior, could be explained by a "pincer-like" mechanism of impingement with subluxation in relation to extreme movements performed by the dancers during their daily activities.

ACL reconstruction and extra-articular tenodesis.

The purpose of this article is to update the orthopedic community on the role of lateral extra-articular tenodesis in the management of anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees. Information includes historical perspective, current applications and techniques, and a review of published outcomes.

[Unicompartmental knee replacement]. / Prothèses unicompartimentales du genou.

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasties (UKA) have been created to treat primary unicompartmental knee arthritis. They are indicated in case of lower-limb deformity due to unicompartmental arthritis, but not to treat unicompartmental arthritis due to extra-articular deformity. Early failures are do to ligamentar problems or to surgical technical errors. Late failures as wear or loosening are undoubtely delayed by adequate surgical indication and technique. Indeed the 10 years PUC survival is 90%. Patient age is not a selection criteria because both young (50-60 years old) and old (> 80 years old) patients may benefit of a UKA. UKA allows a young patient to continue low-impact sports and octagenarians will benefit of the lower morbidity of UKA surgery.

Noninsertional Achilles tendinopathy treated with gastrocnemius lengthening.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is frequently considered an option for refractory, symptomatic noninsertional Achilles tendinopathy. Gastrocnemius equinus can result in mechanical overload of the Achilles tendon and may be a factor in its etiology. Our hypothesis was that reducing load transmission to the Achilles tendon by gastrocnemius lengthening (Strayer procedure) may be an effective treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective case series of all patients with a minimum 1-year symptomatic noninsertional Achilles tendinopathy who underwent gastrocnemius lengthening was evaluated before surgery, and at 1 and 2 years after surgery. There were 14 patients (17 tendons). RESULTS: One year after surgery, the median American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot score was 100 points, as compared to 71 points preoperatively (p < 0.001). The median total Foot Function Index (FFI) decreased significantly from 39 to 12 points at 1 year (p < 0.001) and remained stable (12 points) at 2 years. An electronic goniometer recorded a mean gain in ankle dorsiflexion of 13 degrees. At 1 year after surgery the MRI in all eight patients (ten tendons) with a preoperative MRI demonstrated a decrease in signal hyperintensity and tendon size, signifying an improvement of the tendinopathy. At 2 years after surgery, patient satisfaction assessment revealed that all but one patient was satisfied with the result and 11 of the 14 (79%) patients were able to resume their previous sporting activities. There were no complications. CONCLUSION: Gastrocnemius lengthening was an effective treatment for chronic Achilles noninsertional tendinopathy. Two-year results show good to excellent clinical outcome.

Assessment of congruence and impingement of the hip joint in professional ballet dancers: a motion capture study.

BACKGROUND: Early hip osteoarthritis in dancers could be explained by femoroacetabular impingements. However, there is a lack of validated noninvasive methods and dynamic studies to ascertain impingement during motion. Moreover, it is unknown whether the femoral head and acetabulum are congruent in typical dancing positions. HYPOTHESIS: The practice of some dancing movements could cause a loss of hip joint congruence and recurrent impingements, which could lead to early osteoarthritis. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Eleven pairs of female dancer's hips were motion captured with an optical tracking system while performing 6 different dancing movements. The resulting computed motions were applied to patient-specific hip joint 3-dimensional models based on magnetic resonance images. While visualizing the dancer's hip in motion, the authors detected impingements using computer-assisted techniques. The range of motion and congruence of the hip joint were also quantified in those 6 recorded dancing movements. RESULTS: The frequency of impingement and subluxation varied with the type of movement. Four dancing movements (développé à la seconde, grand écart facial, grand écart latéral, and grand plié) seem to induce significant stress in the hip joint, according to the observed high frequency of impingement and amount of subluxation. The femoroacetabular translations were high (range, 0.93 to 6.35 mm). For almost all movements, the computed zones of impingement were mainly located in the superior or posterosuperior quadrant of the acetabulum, which was relevant with respect to radiologically diagnosed damaged zones in the labrum. All dancers' hips were morphologically normal. CONCLUSION: Impingements and subluxations are frequently observed in typical ballet movements, causing cartilage hypercompression. These movements should be limited in frequency. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The present study indicates that some dancing movements could damage the hip joint, which could lead to early osteoarthritis.

[Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: indications and techniques]. / Reconstruction du ligament croisé antérieur: indications et techniques.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a key structure for the knee joint stability and is frequently injured. Patients can be classified as "low-risk" or "high-risk" to have subsequent knee instability or meniscal injuries. This risk is based on the pre-injury level of sports participation and on the initial knee stability. For low-risk patients (mostly sedentary, senior), conservative treatment with physiotherapy leads to a satisfactory outcome. For high-risk patients (the young, competitive athlete), early ligament reconstruction is mandatory. Numerous ACL reconstruction techniques exist with auto- or allografts. However these guidelines must be adapted to the patient characteristics, motivations and expectations, in order to offer a treatment "a la carte".