General, spinal or regional anaesthesia does not affect strength performance 6 months after ACL reconstruction.

PURPOSE: The recovery of strength is a key element in successfully returning to sports after ACL reconstruction. The type of anaesthesia has been suspected an influential factor in the post-operative recovery of muscle function. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, n = 442 consecutive patients undergoing primary isolated ACL reconstruction using a hamstring autograft were analysed by pre- and post-operative isokinetic tests in a single orthopaedic centre. These were subdivided into four cohorts: (1) general anaesthesia (n = 47), (2) general anaesthesia with prolonged (48 h) on-demand femoral nerve block (n = 37), (3) spinal anaesthesia (n = 169) and (4) spinal anaesthesia with prolonged (48 h) on-demand femoral nerve block (n = 185). Primary outcome was the change from pre- to post-operative isokinetic strength during knee extension and flexion. RESULTS: Using one-way ANOVA, there was no significant influence of the type of anaesthesia. The main effect of anaesthesia on change in extension forces was not significant, and effect sizes were very small (n.s.). Similarly, the main effect of anaesthesia on change in flexion forces was statistically not significant (n.s.). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study support the interpretation that the type of anaesthesia has no significant effect on the ability to recover thigh muscle strength 6 months after isolated hamstring ACL reconstruction. With regard to the recovery of athletic performance and return-to-sports testing criteria, there is no reason to avoid regional anaesthesia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

The effect of meniscal repair on strength deficits 6 months after ACL reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can be accompanied by meniscal lesions. Generally, the rehabilitation protocols are altered by meniscal repair. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of meniscal repair on the early recovery of thigh muscle strength in ACL reconstruction (ACLR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a matched cohort analysis of n = 122 isolated ACLR (CON) compared to n = 61 ACLR with meniscal repair (ACLR + MR). The subgroups of meniscal repair consisted of 30 patients who had undergone medial meniscus repairs (MM), 19 lateral meniscus repairs (LM) and 12 repairs of medial and lateral meniscus (BM). Isokinetic strength measurement was performed pre-operatively and 6 months post-surgery to perform a cross-sectional and a longitudinal analysis. All injuries were unilateral, and the outcome measures were compared to the non-affected contralateral leg. RESULTS: Six months postoperatively overall there is no significant difference between the groups (extension strength MR 82% vs. CON 85% and flexion strength 86% vs. 88%, resp.). Subgroup analysis showed that medial repairs exhibit a comparable leg symmetry while lateral repairs performed worse with leg symmetry being 76% in extension and 81% in flexion strength. Patients undergoing BM repair performed in between lateral and medial repairs (82% extension, 86% flexion). CONCLUSION: Generally, meniscal repair in conjunction with ACLR does not significantly alter the recovery of limb symmetry in strength at 6 months postoperatively. Interestingly, medial repairs seem to perform superior to lateral meniscal repair and repair of both menisci. Since the recovery of symmetric strength is a major factor in rehabilitation testing, these results will help to advise surgeons on appropriate rehabilitation protocols and setting realistic goals for the injured athlete. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective cohort study.

[Sports activities after osteotomies around the knee]. / Sportfähigkeit nach kniegelenknaher Osteotomie.

In the current literature, the rate of return to sports following high tibial osteotomy is high. Patients are largely able to carry out the type of exercise done before the onset of symptoms and are satisfied with the clinical outcome. In general, however, a differentiated view of the sporting ability should be made, and the different requirements of the sport should be considered. A classification according to functional and biomechanical movement analysis seems to advisable. In addition, the recommendations of the treating physician seem to have a high impact on the postoperative level of the sports activities of the patients. A realistic assessment (by both the patient and the treating physician) that considers the sport, its requirements and the level of performance is necessary.