Short-term complications in intra- and extra-articular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Comparison with the literature on isolated intra-articular reconstruction. A multicenter study by the French Arthroscopy Society.

INTRODUCTION: Lateral tenodesis (LT) is performed to limit the risk of iterative tear following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in at-risk patients. By adding an extra procedure to isolated ACL graft, LT reconstruction increases operating time and may complicate postoperative course. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the rate of early complications. The study hypothesis was that associating ALL reconstruction to ACL reconstruction does not increase the complications rate found with isolated ACL reconstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective multicenter study included 392 patients: 70% male; mean age, 29.9 years; treated by associated ACL and LT reconstruction. All adverse events were inventoried. RESULTS: Mean hospital stay was 2 days, with 46% day-surgery. Walking was resumed at a mean 27 days, with an advantage for patients treated by the hamstring technique. The early postoperative complications rate was 12%, with 1.7% specifically implicating LT reconstruction: pain, hematoma, stiffness in flexion and extension, and infection. There was a 5% rate of surgical revision during the first year, predominantly comprising arthrolysis for extension deficit. The 1-year recurrence rate was 2.8%. DISCUSSION: The complications rate for combined intra- and extra-articular reconstruction was no higher than for isolated intra-articular ACL reconstruction, with no increase in infection or stiffness rates. The rate of complications specific to ALL reconstruction was low, at 1.7%, and mainly involved fixation error causing lateral soft-tissue impingement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, prospective multicenter study.

Midterm results of combined intra- and extra-articular ACL reconstruction compared to historical ACL reconstruction data. Multicenter study of the French Arthroscopy Society.

INTRODUCTION: During anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction procedures, anterolateral reconstruction (ALR) can also be performed to improve the knee's rotational stability. However, the effectiveness of this supplemental technique and its impact on the risk of retears and on the onset of secondary degenerative changesare controversial. HYPOTHESIS: ALR improves control over the pivot shift, reduces the retear risk and delays the appearance of secondary degenerative lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical examination, knee laxity measurements and X-ray evaluations were done in 478 patients with more than 3years' follow-up after combined ACL and ALR from 11 participating hospitals. The mean patient age at the time of surgery was 28years. Eighty-eight percent of the patients participated in pivot sports and 45% were competitive athletes. The findings of this study were compared to historical isolated ACL reconstruction data. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 6.8years. No detectable pivot shift was found in 83% of patients, while 12.8% of patient had a smooth glide. The side-to-side difference in anteroposterior knee laxity with maximum manual force was less than 3mm in 66% of patients and less than 5mm in 95%. The retear rate was 5.4%, with half of these patients undergoing revision ACL surgery. Secondary meniscus damage requiring surgery occurred in 6.3% of patients; the radiological osteoarthritis rate was 17.5%. DISCUSSION: When compared to historical ACL reconstruction data, combined intra- and extra-articular reconstruction does not increase the complication rate. At a mean follow-up of 6.8years, it provides better control over the pivot shift along with a low retear rate and low occurrence of secondary meniscus injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, multicenter study.

Combined intra- and extra-articular grafting for revision ACL reconstruction: A multicentre study by the French Arthroscopy Society (SFA).

BACKGROUND: A careful analysis of the reasons for ACL reconstruction failure is essential to selection of the optimal surgical revision technique designed to ensure good rotational stability and to minimise the risk of re-rupture. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate anterolateral ligament (ALL) stabilisation during revision ACL reconstruction. HYPOTHESIS: ALL stabilisation during revision ACL reconstruction provides good rotational stability without increasing the risk of complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This multicentre study included 349 patients, 151 retrospectively and 198 prospectively. There were 283 males and 66 females. Inclusion criteria were an indication for revision ACL reconstruction surgery with combined intra-articular reconstruction and ALL stabilisation after failed autograft ACL reconstruction, and intact PCL. Exclusion criteria were primary ACL reconstruction and concomitant peripheral medial and/or lateral lesions. Each patient underwent a clinical and radiographic evaluation before and after revision surgery. Before revision surgery, the mean IKDC score was 56.5±15.5 and 96% of patients were IKDC C or D. RESULTS: Rates were 5.0% for early and 10.5% for late postoperative complications. Lachmann's test had a hard stop at last follow-up in 97% of patients. The pivot-shift test was positive in 1% of patients. The mean subjective IKDC score was 84.5±13.0 and 86.5% of patients were IKDC A or B. The proportions of patients with radiographic knee osteoarthritis at last follow-up was unchanged for the lateral tibio-femoral and patello-femoral compartments but increased by 9.7% to 21.2% for the medial tibio-femoral compartment. The re-rupture rate was 1.2% and the further surgical revision rate was 5.4%. CONCLUSION: Anterior laxity at last follow-up was consistent with previous studies of revision ACL reconstruction. However, rotational stability and the re-rupture risk were improved. ALL stabilisation is among the techniques that deserve consideration as part of the therapeutic options for revision ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective and prospective cohort study.

Analysis of short and long-term results of horizontal meniscal tears in young adults.

INTRODUCTION: Symptomatic horizontal meniscal tears are rare but worrisome lesions in young adults. These are overuse injuries not amenable to the classic arthroscopic sutures. An open meniscal repair allows the meniscal lesion to be suture vertically, perpendicular to its in the vascularized zone. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short and long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of the aforementioned surgical technique. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The first cohort consisted of 24 patients operated between 2009 and 2011 (6 women, 18 men; mean age 26years) having 11 lateral and 13 medial meniscal tears. The second cohort was of 10 patients operated between 2001 and 2002 (3 women, 7 men; mean age 24years) having 8 lateral and 2 medial meniscal tears. Patients were reviewed at the last follow-up using the IKDC, Lysholm and KOOS scores. Patients in the first cohort had an MRI, while those in the second cohort had X-rays. RESULTS: Eighteen patients in the first cohort were reviewed with a mean follow-up of 2 years (12-45 months) and 9 patients from the second cohort were reviewed after 10years (97-142 months). In the first cohort, one patient required secondary menisectomy. The mean Lysholm score was 90 and the subjective IKDC was 85. Every MRI examination found reduced extent and intensity of the hyperintense signal. In the second cohort, no patients required secondary meniscectomy. Two patients had joint space narrowing (less than 50%) on radiographs. The mean Lysholm score was 99 and the subjective IKDC was 91. CONCLUSION: Open repair of horizontal meniscal tears in young adults leads to good subjective and objective results in the short term, which are maintained in the long-term. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV - retrospective study.

Meniscal survival rate after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Meniscal suture provides well-documented benefits. Integrity of the cruciate ligaments of the knee is a prerequisite for meniscal healing. Nevertheless, reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) does not consistently prevent recurrent tearing of a sutured meniscus. We evaluated meniscal survival rates, 5 and 10 years after meniscal suture concomitant with an ACL reconstruction. We compared the outcomes of these repaired menisci to those in which no menisci tears were detected during ACL reconstruction. METHODS: In this multi-centric retrospective study, we included two groups. One group consists of patients who underwent a meniscal repair. This group was further divided into two subgroups based on whether follow-up was 5 years (n=76) or 10 years (n=39). The control group included 120 patients with normal menisci observed during surgery. We studied meniscal survival rates in each group, and we analyzed risk factors associated with the recurrence of meniscal lesions. RESULTS: The 5-year meniscal survival rate was significantly higher in the control group than in the meniscal-repair group (95% vs. 80%, respectively; P=0.0029). The controls group also had a higher meniscal survival rate after 10 years, although the difference was not statistically significant (88% vs. 77%, P=0.07). A difference in knee laxity greater than 4mm was associated with a 5-fold increase in the risk of recurrent meniscal tears (P=0.0057). After 5 years, the risk of recurrence was higher for the medial than for the lateral meniscus, whereas after 10 years the difference was no longer statistically significant. DISCUSSION: Although insufficient healing after meniscal suturing contributes to the risk of further meniscal tears, new lesions can develop in menisci that were undamaged at the time of ACL reconstruction. The risk of a new meniscal lesion is strongly associated with inadequate control of antero-posterior and rotational laxity. Some apparently "new menisci lesions" seems to have been missed during ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study.

Meniscectomy versus meniscal repair: 10 years radiological and clinical results in vertical lesions in stable knee.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical management of meniscal lesion consists of either a meniscectomy or meniscal repair. Although repair offers immediate recovery after surgery, it is also associated with higher rates of revision. A meniscectomy, on the other hand is known to be associated with an early onset of osteoarthritis. The present study compared clinical and radiological results at 10 years between meniscectomy and meniscal repair in isolated vertical lesion in an otherwise stable knee. The hypothesis was that repair shows functional and radiological benefit over meniscectomy. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A multi-centric retrospective comparative study of 32 patients (24 male, 8 female). Mean follow-up was 10.6 years (range, 10-13 years). There were 10 meniscal repairs (group R) and 22 meniscectomies (group M), in 17 right and 15 left knees. Mean age at surgery was 33.45±12.3 years (range, 9-47 years). There were 28 medial and 4 lateral meniscal lesions; 26 were in the red-red zone and 6 in red-white zone. RESULTS: Functional score: KOOS score was significantly higher in group R than M on almost all parameters: 98±4.69 versus 77.38±21.97 for symptoms (P=0.0043), 96.89±7.20 versus 78.57±18.9 for pain (P=0.0052), 99.89±0.33 versus 80.88±19.6 for daily life activities (P=0.0002), 96.11±9.83 versus 54.05±32.85 for sport and leisure (P=0.0005), but 91±16.87 versus 68.15±37.7 for quality of life (P=0.1048). Radiology score: in group R, 7 patients had no features of osteoarthritis, and 2 had grade 1 osteoarthritis. In group M, 5 patients had grade 1 osteoarthritis, 10 grade 2, 3 grade 3 and 3 grade 4. Mean quantitative score was 0 (mean, 0.22±0.44) in-group R and 2 (mean, 2.19±0.98) in group M (P<0.0001). DISCUSSION: At more than 10year's follow-up, functional scores were significantly better with meniscal repair than meniscectomy on all parameters of the KOOS scale except quality of life. Functional and radiological scores correlated closely. These results show that meniscal repair for vertical lesions in stable knees protects against osteoarthritis and is therefore strongly recommended. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective study.

The introduction of a new MRI index to evaluate sagittal patellofemoral engagement.

INTRODUCTION: Patella alta is one of the primary factors of patellofemoral instability and its importance lies in the reduced engagement between patella and trochlea during the early degrees of flexion. The evaluation of patellar height is based on conventional x-rays, CT scan and, more recently, MRI. The objective of this multicentric prospective study is to describe a novel index to assess in the sagittal plane the functional engagement between patella and trochlea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-five patients with objective patellar dislocation were prospectively enrolled between April 2010 and September 2011 and were compared with a second group of 45 controls. All patients underwent a standard MRI and a complete radiographic study. Sagittal engagement was measured as the ratio between the articular cartilage of the patella and the trochlear cartilage length measured on two different MRI slices. RESULTS: The mean Sagittal Patellofemoral Engagement (SPE) index was 0.43 ± 0.18 and ranged from 0.02 to 0.913 in the Objective Patellar Dislocation group versus 0.42 ± 0.11 range 0.22 to 0.55 in controls. In the Patellar Dislocation group the mean Caton-Deschamps index was 1.18 ± 0.21 (range 0.71 to 1.91). There were 58 patients with patella alta, in whom the mean SPE was 0.39 ± 0.18 (range 0.02 to 0.87). Sagittal engagement was significantly higher when compared with patients in the Patellar Dislocation group who had no patella alta (mean 0.46 ± 0.16, range 0.1-0.913). DISCUSSION: The present study introduces a new method to measure the SPE with the use of MRI. The evaluation of the functional engagement of the patella with the femoral trochlea in the sagittal plane can serve as a supplementary tool to the existing methods of evaluating patellar height, and may help to better identify the cases where inadequate engagement is recorded despite the absence of patella alta, so that the need for tibial tuberosity osteotomy may be re-assessed.

Axial MRI index of patellar engagement: a new method to assess patellar instability.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to define a new index to measure lateral patellar displacement (LPD) using nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an axial index of engagement of the patella (AEI) obtained from two different axial MRI views then to validate its use in a prospective series of patients presenting an objective patellar instability (OPI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-five patients with OPI and no history of surgery of the patella were included in a prospective study organized by the French Society of Arthroscopy performed between June 2010 and August 2012. All patients underwent axial and sagittal MRI. The AEI was obtained by projecting predefined patellar and trochlear landmarks (cartilaginous landmarks) on 2 different axial MRI views (one trochlear and one patellar). The results were compared with a series of controls (n=45). RESULTS: The preoperative AEI of the patella was 0.94 ± 0.09 for the control group and 0.84 ± 0.16 for OPI group (P=0.000016). The AEI could be obtained in 100% of the cases if it was measured on 2 MRI views while it could not be measured in 38.5% of the cases if the measurement was only obtained from one MRI view or whenever the widest part of the patella was not across from the femoral trochlea. The AEI did not significantly depend on dysplasia or the presence of a supratrochlear spur. The lowest AIE values were associated with trochlear dysplasia with a supratrochlear spur (P=0.0023) and a more prominent trochlea (P=0.0016). The AEI was correlated with patellar tilt (P<0.000001) and TT-TG on MRI (P<0.000001). DISCUSSION: AEI is a new index to measure LPD. It can be obtained in all cases because it is obtained from two different MRI views. The normal value is close to 1. It can be used to measure patellar instability on the axial plane in patients with OPI, especially in the most severe cases.