ACL Reconstruction Using Quadrupled Semitendinosus Versus Double-Stranded Semitendinosus and Gracilis Autograft: 2-Year Results From a Prospective Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: A disadvantage of using hamstring tendon autograft consisting of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is pain from tendon harvesting and persistent hamstring weakness. In the tendon-sparing all-inside technique, a quadrupled semitendinosus graft and adjustable-loop cortical fixation are suggested to give less postoperative flexion deficits while displaying overall similar clinical results to the traditional hamstring technique. However, there are a limited number of high-quality studies comparing these techniques with inconsistent results. PURPOSE: To investigate differences between the all-inside (quadrupled semitendinosus) and traditional hamstring (double-stranded semitendinosus and gracilis) technique regarding (1) self-reported function, (2) hamstring strength, and (3) knee laxity. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: A total of 98 patients were randomized to either the all-inside or the traditional hamstring technique. Perioperatively, duration of surgery and graft size were obtained. The International Knee Documentation Committee 2000 Subjective Knee Form score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Tegner Activity Scale score, knee laxity (KT-1000 arthrometer side-to-side difference and pivot shift), range of motion, isokinetic knee strength, and hop test score were collected preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively. Return-to-sport readiness was evaluated 9 months postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 89 patients completed 2-year follow-up, 45 patients with the all-inside technique and 44 patients with the traditional hamstring technique. There were no significant differences between groups in any of the outcome measures 2 years after surgery, but there was a tendency in the all-inside group toward having increased anterior translation (mean, 3.6 mm vs 2.7 mm), a higher number of revision surgeries (5 patients vs 2 patients), and more patients having +1 and +2 pivot-shift values (29 vs 18 patients) when compared with the traditional group. CONCLUSION: The all-inside technique yields equivalent results to the traditional hamstring technique 2 years after surgery and should be considered a reliable technique to use for ACL reconstruction. Sparing the gracilis tendon does not lead to less persistent hamstring weakness. Long-term follow-up is needed to further determine whether the tendency of increased anterior translation seen at 2 years postoperatively will lead to a higher risk of graft failure.

It is time to target psychological readiness (or lack of readiness) in return to sports after Anterior Cruciate Ligament tears.

Functional recovery has for long been the focus of rehabilitation after an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. It is now increasingly recognized that more attention should be given to patients` mental recovery, their psychological readiness for returning to sport, after such an injury. Within this relatively new field of science, clinicians need clarity on when and how psychological factors should be monitored and how inexpedient psychological responses may be addressed during rehabilitation. In this Expert Opinion suggestions on how targeting psychological readiness may improve rehabilitation and return-to-sport evaluations are made based on current evidence-and issues in need of further clarification are addressed.

Cross-cultural Validation of the Norwegian Version of the Banff Patellofemoral Instability Instrument 2.0.

Background: The Banff Patellofemoral Instability Instrument (BPII) 2.0 is a disease-specific quality of life questionnaire for patients with patellofemoral instability. While good psychometric properties have been demonstrated, the data lack cross-cultural validity, construct validity, and an established measurement error. Purpose: To (1) translate and cross-culturally adapt the BPII 2.0 to the Norwegian version (BPII 2.0-No) and (2) examine the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The BPII 2.0 was translated according to international guidelines. A cohort of 100 patients surgically treated for recurrent patellofemoral instability completed the BPII 2.0-No, related outcome measures (Norwich Patellar Instability Score, International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form 2000, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia), and functional tests (Y-Balance Test-Lower Quarter, single-leg hop tests, and knee extension strength) before and/or 6 months after surgery. We evaluated the face and content validity, internal consistency (Cronbach α), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]), measurement error (SEM and smallest detectable change at the individual [SDCind] and group levels [SDCgroup]). Construct validity was assessed by testing 9 hypotheses on the correlation between the BPII 2.0-No and the outcome measures/functional tests (Pearson r). Results: The BPII 2.0-No had good face and content validity. Internal consistency was excellent (α = .95), and no floor or ceiling effects were found. Test-retest reliability was high (ICC2,1 = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.77-0.93), and measurement error was low (SEM = 7.1). The SDCind was 19.7 points and the SDCgroup was 2.8 points. Eight of the 9 hypotheses regarding construct validity were confirmed. Conclusion: The BPII 2.0-No was found to be valid and reliable. This study adds further knowledge on the measurement properties of the BPII 2.0 that can be used internationally.

Patients' experiences of living with patellar instability before and after surgery: a qualitative interview study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the experience of living with patellar instability before and after surgery. DESIGN: Qualitative individual semistructured interviews of patients with patellar instability using a four-step thematic cross-case analysis strategy (systematic text condensation). SETTING: Two orthopaedic units within two large Hospitals in Norway. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 15 participants, aged between 16 and 32 years, who had undergone surgery for patellar instability within the last 6-12 months. RESULTS: Participants offered rich and detailed descriptions of the impact and lived experience of patellar instability, including fear of new dislocations, increased awareness of the knee and adaptations to avoidance behaviour in everyday life both before and after surgery. The four major themes that emerged from the data were: (1) fear of patella dislocations governs everyday life activities, (2) adaptation to avoidance behaviour, (3) feeling different, misunderstood and stigmatised affects self-esteem and (4) feeling stronger, but still not fully confident in the knee after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: These findings offer insight into the experience of living with patellar instability. Patients reported that the instability had major impacts on their everyday life, affecting ability to participate in social life and physical activities both before and after surgery. This may imply that an increased attention towards cognitive interventions may be useful in the management of patellar instability. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05119088.

Association Between Psychological Readiness and Knee Laxity and Their Predictive Value for Return to Sport in Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Deciding when patients are ready to return to sport (RTS) after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) is challenging. The understanding of which factors affect readiness and how they may be related is limited. Therefore, despite widespread use of RTS testing, there is a lack of knowledge about which tests are informative on the ability to resume sports. PURPOSE: To examine whether there is an association between knee laxity and psychological readiness to RTS after ACLR and to evaluate the predictive value of these measures on sports resumption. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Patients aged ≥16 years engaged in physical activity/sports before injury were recruited at routine clinical assessment 9-12 months after ACLR. Exclusion criteria were concomitant ligament surgery at ACLR and/or previous ACL injury in the contralateral knee. At baseline, a project-specific activity questionnaire and the ACL-Return to Sport After Injury (ACL-RSI) scale were completed. Knee laxity was assessed by use of the Lachman test, KT-1000 arthrometer, and pivot-shift test. Two years after surgery, knee reinjuries and RTS status (the project-specific questionnaire) were registered. Associations between psychological readiness and knee laxity were evaluated with the Spearman rho test, and predictive ability of the ACL-RSI and knee laxity tests were examined using regression analyses. RESULTS: Of 171 patients screened for eligibility, 132 were included in the study. There were small but significant associations between the ACL-RSI score and the Lachman test (rho = -0.18; P = .046) and KT-1000 arthrometer measurement (rho = -0.18; P = .040) but no association between the ACL-RSI and the pivot-shift test at the time of recruitment. Of the total patients, 36% returned to preinjury sport level by 2 years after surgery. Higher age, better psychological readiness, and less anterior tibial displacement (KT-1000 arthrometer measurement) were significant predictors of 2-year RTS (explained variance, 33%). CONCLUSION: Small but significant associations were found between measurements of psychological readiness and anterior tibial displacement, indicating that patients with less knee laxity after ACLR feel more ready to RTS. ACL-RSI and KT-1000 arthrometer measurements were independent predictors of 2-year RTS and should be considered in RTS assessments after ACLR.

The Role of Psychological Readiness in Return to Sport Assessment After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the predictive value of return to sport (RTS) test batteries applied after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is limited. Adding assessment of psychological readiness has been recommended, but knowledge of how this affects the predictive ability of test batteries is lacking. PURPOSE: To examine the predictive ability of a RTS test battery on return to preinjury level of sport and reinjury when evaluation of psychological readiness was incorporated. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: A total of 129 patients were recruited 9 months after ACLR. Inclusion criteria were age ≥16 years and engagement in sports before injury. Patients with concomitant ligamentous surgery or ACL revision surgery were excluded. Baseline testing included single-leg hop tests, isokinetic strength tests, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form 2000, a custom-made RTS questionnaire, and the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale. The RTS criteria were IKDC 2000 score ≥85% and ≥85% leg symmetry index on hop and strength test. At a 2-year follow-up evaluation, further knee surgery and reinjuries were registered and the RTS questionnaire was completed again. Regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed to study the predictive ability of the test battery. RESULTS: Out of the 103 patients who completed the 2-year follow-up, 42% returned to their preinjury level of sport. ACL-RSI 9 months after surgery (odds ratio [OR], 1.03) and age (OR, 1.05) predicted RTS. An ACL-RSI score <47 indicated that a patient was at risk of not returning to sport (area under the curve 0.69; 95% CI, 0.58-0.79), with 85% sensitivity and 45% specificity. The functional tests did not predict RTS. Six patients sustained ACL reinjuries and 7 underwent surgery for other knee complaints/injuries after RTS testing. None of the 29 patients who passed all RTS criteria, and were therefore cleared for RTS, sustained a second knee injury. CONCLUSION: ACL-RSI and age were predictors of 2-year RTS, while functional tests were not informative. Another main finding was that none of the patients who passed the 85% RTS criteria sustained another knee injury.

Anterior cruciate ligament-return to sport after injury scale: validation of the Norwegian language version.

PURPOSE: Evidence is emerging on the importance of psychological readiness to return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The ACL-Return to Sport after Injury scale (ACL-RSI) is developed to assess this. The aim of the current study was to translate ACL-RSI into Norwegian and examine the measurement properties of the Norwegian version (ACL-RSI-No). METHODS: ACL-RSI was translated according to international guidelines. A cohort of 197 ACL-reconstructed patients completed ACL-RSI-No and related questionnaires nine months post-surgery. One hundred and forty-six patients completed hop tests and 142 patients completed strength tests. Face and structural validity (confirmative factor analysis and explorative analyses), internal consistency [Cronbach's alpha (α)], test-retest reliability [Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC)], measurement error [Standard error of measurement (SEM) and smallest detectable change at individual (SDCind) and group level (SDCgroup)] and construct validity (hypotheses testing; independent t tests, Pearson's r) were examined. RESULTS: ACL-RSI-No had good face validity. Factor analyses suggested that the use of a sum score is reasonable. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were good (α 0.95, ICC 0.94 (95% CI 0.84-0.97) and measurement error low (SEM 5.7). SDCind was 15.8 points and SDCgroup was 2.0. Six of seven hypotheses were confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: ACL-RSI-No displayed good measurement properties. Factor analyses suggested one underlying explanatory factor for "psychological readiness"-supporting the use of a single sum score. ACL-RSI-No can be used in the evaluation of psychological readiness to return to sport after ACL injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.