[Optimization location of femoral attachment in medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction assisted with arthroscopy for patellar dislocation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the technique of optimizing the location of femoral attachment in medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction assisted with arthroscopy and evaluate the effectiveness. METHODS: Between January 2014 and September 2018, 35 patients with patellar dislocation were admitted. There were 14 males and 21 females with an average age of 22.6 years (range, 16-38 years). All patients had a history of knee sprain. The disease duration ranged from 1 to 7 days (mean, 2.8 days). Patellar dislocation occurred 2-4 times (mean, 2.5 times). The preoperative Lysholm score and Kujala score were 47.60±11.24 and 48.37±9.79, respectively. The patellar congruence angle was (31.40±6.81)°, the patellar tilt angle was (29.95±5.44)°, the lateral patellofemoral angle was (-11.46±5.18)°, and the tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance was (16.66±1.28) mm. All patients were treated by MPFL reconstruction with the semitendinosus tendon under arthroscopy. During operation, the suture anchors were inserted into the midpoint and the 1/3 point of superomedial edge of the patella. Then, the femoral tunnels were created in medial femoral condyle through limited excision. For tendon fixation, the Kirschner wires were inserted into adductor tubercle, medial epicondyle of femur, and the midpoint between the two points, as well as the anteriorly and posteriorly. Afterwards, the changes of ligament length and tension, patellar tracking, and the relationship of patella and femoral trochlea were evaluated, thereby determining the optimized femoral attachment for MPFL reconstruction. Finally, the patellar congruence angle, patellar tilt angle, and lateral patellofemoral angle were measured by imaging to assess the relationship of patella and femoral trochlea. Moreover, Lysholm score and Kujala score were used to evaluate the knee joint function. RESULTS: All incisions healed by first intention without infection. All patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 15.4 months). At 12 months, the Lysholm score was 94.40±3.99 and the Kujala score was 92.28±4.13, which were significant higher than those before operation ( P<0.05). No patellar dislocation occurred during follow-up. At 12 months, the patellar congruence angle was (6.57±4.59)°, the patellar tilt angle was (9.73±2.82)°, the lateral patellofemoral angle was (7.14±4.63)°, which were superior to those before operation ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION: During the MPFL reconstruction under arthroscopy, a higher positioning accuracy for the femoral attachment and satisfactory effectiveness can be obtained by evaluating MPFL length and tension, patellofemoral joint kinematics, and patellar tracking.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Femoral Tunnel Placement: An Analysis of the Intended Versus Achieved Position for 221 International High-Volume ACL Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Femoral tunnels that are not anatomically placed within the native anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) footprint during ACL reconstruction are associated with residual instability, graft rupture, and poor clinical outcomes. Although surgeons may intend to place their femoral tunnels within the native ACL attachment, this is not always achieved. This study assesses the variation between intended and achieved femoral tunnel positions in a large cohort of experienced ACL surgeons. HYPOTHESIS: The accuracy with which experienced ACL surgeons achieve their intended femoral tunnel position is dependent on viewing portal, localization strategy, and drilling technique. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: A total of 221 surgeons indicated their intended femoral tunnel location on a true lateral radiograph of a cadaveric knee specimen and a scaled photograph. Each surgeon then arthroscopically demonstrated the femoral tunnel on the specimen. The position was captured using fluoroscopy. The Euclidean distance (the straight-line distance between 2 points) between the intended and achieved tunnel positions, referenced to a grid applied to the lateral femoral condyle, was compared. Data were analyzed according to surgeons' viewing portal (anteromedial [AM] or anterolateral [AL]), tunnel localization strategy (offset aimer, estimation from landmarks, ACL ruler, or C-arm fluoroscopy), and stated drilling technique (transtibial, AM portal, or outside-in). RESULTS: Surgeons who viewed the lateral intercondylar notch wall through the AM portal were closer (mean distance, 9.5) to their intended position than those who viewed through the AL portal (mean distance, 15.1; P < .0001). By localization strategy, the mean distance between achieved and intended tunnel positions was greater for surgeons who used an offset aimer (14.5) and estimated the femoral tunnel position (12.9) than for those using a malleable ACL ruler (8.1; P < .0001) and fluoroscopy (4.3; P < .0001). Surgeons' preferred drilling technique (AM portal, transtibial, or outside-in) had no effect on distance between intended and achieved positions. However, the mean achieved position was higher in the intercondylar notch for those using transtibial drilling (P < .042). CONCLUSION: Surgeons using the AM portal to view the femoral attachment site were closer to their intended tunnel position than those who viewed it with the arthroscope in the AL portal. Surgeons who used fluoroscopy to localize femoral tunnel position were the closest to their intended position. Those who used estimation or an offset aimer had the farthest distance between achieved and intended tunnel positions. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although accurate tunnel placement can be achieved using any method, given the disparity between intended and achieved tunnel positions, it may be advisable, even for high-volume surgeons, to verify the placement of their tunnels using either fluoroscopy or a malleable ACL ruler to ensure that they achieve their intended position. Fluoroscopy may be particularly useful for cases where the native femoral stump is no longer visible and for revisions. Viewing through the AM portal is recommended to aid accuracy of tunnel placement.

Technical considerations in lateral extra-articular reconstruction coupled with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A simulation study evaluating the influence of surgical parameters on control of knee stability.

BACKGROUND: Surgical parameters such as the selection of tibial and femoral attachment site, graft tension, and knee flexion angle at the time of fixation may influence the control of knee stability after lateral extra-articular reconstruction. This study aimed to determine how sensitive is the control of knee rotation and translation, during simulated pivot-shift scenarios, to these four surgery settings. METHODS: A computer model was used to simulate 625 lateral extra-articular reconstructions based upon five different variations of each of the following parameters: femoral and tibial attachment sites, knee flexion angle and graft tension at the time of fixation. For each simulated surgery, the lateral extra-articular reconstruction external rotation moment at the knee joint center was computed during simulated pivot-shift scenarios. The sensitivity of the control of knee rotation and translation to a given surgery setting was assessed by calculating the coefficient of variation of the lateral extra-articular reconstruction external rotation moment. FINDINGS: Graft tension had minimal influence on the control of knee rotation and translation with less than 2.4% of variation across the scenarios tested. Control of knee rotation and translation was the least affected by the femoral attachment site if the knee was close to full extension at the time of graft fixation. The choice of the tibial attachment site was crucial when the femoral fixation was proximal and posterior to the femoral epicondyle since 15 to 67% of variation was observed in the control of knee rotation and translation. INTERPRETATION: Femoral and tibial attachment sites as well as knee flexion angle at the time of fixation should be considered by surgeons when performing lateral extra-articular reconstruction. Variation in graft tension between the ranges 20-40 N has minimal influence on the control of knee rotation and translation.

Radiographic Location Does Not Ensure a Precise Anatomic Location of the Femoral Fixation Site in Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: A frequently used method to determine the anatomic femoral fixation point in the operating room during medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction is the radiographic method. However, the ability of this radiological method to establish an anatomic femoral attachment point might not be as accurate as expected. PURPOSE: (1) To evaluate the accuracy of the radiological method to locate the anatomic femoral fixation point in MPFL reconstruction surgery and (2) to determine the factors influencing the predictability of this method to obtain this objective. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) knee examinations were performed at 0° of extension in 87 patients treated for chronic lateral patellar instability. For each knee, 2 virtual 7 mm-diameter femoral tunnels were created: 1 using the adductor tubercle as a landmark (anatomic tunnel) and the other according to the radiological method described by Schöttle et al (radiographic tunnel). We measured the percentage of overlap between both tunnels. Moreover, of the 100 included knees, 10 were randomly selected for a variability study. RESULTS: Considering an overlap area greater than 50% as reasonable, the radiographic method achieved this in only 38 of the 100 knees. Intrarater and interrater reliability were excellent. There was a trend for female patients with severe trochlear dysplasia to have less overlap. This model accounted for 64.2% of the initial variability in the data. CONCLUSION: An exact anatomic femoral tunnel placement could not be achieved with the radiographic method. Radiography provided only an approximation and should not be the sole basis for the femoral attachment location. Moreover, in female patients with severe trochlear dysplasia, the radiographic method was less accurate in determining the anatomic femoral fixation point, although differences were not statistically significant.

Femoral insertion site of the graft used to replace the medial patellofemoral ligament influences the ligament dynamic changes during knee flexion and the clinical outcome.

PURPOSE: This study's purpose was to investigate how an ideal anatomic femoral attachment affects the dynamic length change pattern of a virtual medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) from an extended to a highly flexed knee position; to determine the relative length and length change pattern of a surgically reconstructed MPFL; and to correlate femoral attachment positioning, length change pattern, and relative graft length with the clinical outcome. METHODS: Twenty-four knees with isolated nonanatomic MPFL reconstruction were analysed by three-dimensional computed tomography at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° of knee flexion. The lengths of the MPFL graft and a virtual anatomic MPFL were measured. The pattern of length change was considered isometric if the length distance changed <5 mm through the entire dynamic range of motion. RESULTS: Knee flexion significantly affected the path lengths between the femoral and patellar attachments. The length of the anatomic virtual MPFL decreased significantly from 60° to 120°. Its maximal length was 56.4 ± 6.8 mm at 30°. It was isometric between 0° and 60°. The length of the nonanatomic MPFL with a satisfactory clinical result decreased during flexion from 0° to 120°. Its maximal length was 51.6 ± 4.6 mm at 0° of knee flexion. The lengths measured at 0° and 30° were isometric and statistically greater than the lengths measured at higher flexion degrees. The failed nonanatomic MPFL reconstructions were isometric throughout the dynamic range, being significantly shorter (27.1 ± 13.3 %) than anatomic ligaments. CONCLUSION: The femoral attachment point significantly influences the relative length and the dynamic length change of the grafts during knee flexion-extension and graft isometry. Moreover, it influences the long-term outcome of the MPFL reconstructive surgery. A nonanatomic femoral fixation point should not be considered the cause of persistent pain and instability after MPFL reconstruction in all cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

The anatomy and isometry of a quasi-anatomical reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament.

PURPOSE: To describe the anatomy of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) and its relationship to the Adductor Magnus (AM) tendon as well as the behaviour exhibited in length changes during knee flexion. METHODS: Ten cadaveric knees were dissected. The length from the superior and inferior patellar origin of the MPFL to its femoral insertion was measured at different degrees of knee flexion (0°, 30°, 60°, 90° and 120°). The same measures were made from both patellar origins of the MPFL up to the femoral insertion of the AM. The distance between the insertion of the AM and the Hunter canal was also measured. RESULTS: In general, isometry up to 90° was seen in all measures of the MPFL and those of the AM. The most isometric behaviour was seen in 2 measures: the length of the AM femoral insertion up to the inferior origin of the MPFL on the patella and the length of the femoral insertion of the MPFL up to the inferior origin of the MPFL on the patella. Similar behaviour was seen regardless of the anatomical or quasi-anatomical femoral point of attachment (n.s.). The distance from the AM tendon to the Hunter canal had a mean value of 78.6 mm (SD 9.4 mm). CONCLUSION: The behaviour exhibited during the changes in the length of the anatomical femoral footprint of the MPFL and the AM is similar. Neurovascular structures were not seen at risk. This is relevant in the daily clinical practice since the AM tendon might be a suitable point of insertion for MPFL reconstruction.

Does radiographic location ensure precise anatomic location of the femoral fixation site in medial patellofemoral ligament surgery?

PURPOSE: To correlate the location of the medial patellofemoral ligament femoral fixation site in knees suffering a chronic lateral patellar instability, by using radiographic references and by using the most important anatomic reference point (i.e. the adductor tubercle) identified by means of 3-dimensional (3D) surface reconstructions by computed tomography (CT) imaging. METHODS: Thirty consecutive knee 3D-CT examinations at 0º of knee extension were obtained from patients (20 females, 10 males; median age of 23.5 years; range, 14-48 years) treated for chronic lateral patellar instability with at least two documented patellar dislocations. For each knee, three virtual 7-mm-diameter femoral tunnels were created. One of the tunnels used an anatomic fixation landmark (anatomic fixation), while the other two used established radiologic methods. We calculated the percentage of the anatomic tunnel covered by the tunnel created according to the method described by Schoettle, and the percentage of the anatomic tunnel covered by the tunnel created according to the method described by Stephen. These percentages were compared using paired Student's t test. RESULTS: The percentage of anatomic tunnel area covered by the femoral tunnel created using Schoettle's method was 36.7 ± 25.2 %. When using Stephen's method, the percentage of overlap with the anatomic femoral tunnel was 25.5 ± 21.5 %. There were no significant differences between the two radiographic methods (n.s.). CONCLUSION: None of the standard radiographic methods allowed a precise anatomic femoral placement. Conventional radiographic identification of the femoral graft placement site is only an approximation and should not be the sole basis for femoral attachment location. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Behind-remnant arthroscopic observation and scoring of femoral attachment of injured anterior cruciate ligament.

PURPOSE: To describe the femoral anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) attachment based on the behind-remnant observation with a new scoring system and to investigate the characteristics of an ACL injured knee. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six ACL injured knees with four standardized arthroscopic photos and full evaluation under anaesthesia were included in the study. Sixty non-ACL injured knees were also evaluated as control. A scoring system for the femoral ACL attachment was set as follows based on behind-remnant findings; the direct insertion was divided into three portions as proximal, middle and distal. The fibrous extension from the articular surface (indirect insertion) and the severity of synovitis were also graded into 2, 1 and 0 points. The total score was 10 as full marks. The correlation between each score and total score, as well as age at surgery, gender, anterior laxity, pivot-shift test and meniscus injuries, was statistically evaluated with a significance of 0.05. RESULTS: The femoral attachment score of the ACL injured knees was statistically different from that of the non-ACL injured knees. Anterior laxity was dependent only on the integrity of the proximal portion. Knee instability was significantly correlated with the status of the direct insertion. Medial and lateral meniscus injuries were correlated with the middle part and the distal part of the direct insertion, respectively. The direct insertion was less preserved in distal and articular sides. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic observation behind the remnant of the injured ACL showed clearer findings of the femoral attachment than that from the front. Behind-remnant observation greatly assists in the creation of a correct anatomical tunnel with the preserving remnant. The scoring system indicated several significant correlations between the score and preoperative patient status.

Avulsion of the Femoral Attachment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Associated with Ipsilateral Femoral Shaft Fracture in Skeletally Mature Patient: A Case Report

Avulsion fracture at the femoral attachment of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is very rare and has been reported mostly in skeletally immature patients. Authors experienced a case of avulsion fracture at the femoral attachment of ACL in a skeletally mature, a 21-year-old male associated with ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture. Here, authors report on the case with a literature review. Care should be taken because an avulsion fracture at the femoral attachment of ACL can be accompanied by ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture in skeletally mature patients.

Isometry of grafts in PCL reconstruction under femoral tunnel shifting condition / 医用生物力学

Objective To explore the isometry of grafts in PCL(posterior cruciate ligament)double-bundle re-construction under femoral tunnel shifting condition.Method Knee specimens from ten fresh frozen cadavers were used.PCL were divided into anterolateral bundles(ALB)and posteromedial bundles(PMB)to the inser-tion footorint.The anterior,postedor,proximal,distal and central points of the two bundles'femoral attachment site were respectivelyanchored to the middle of the PCL's tibial attachment site by the trial wires.Changes in length of the intra-articular part of the wires were recorded while the knee was flexed from 0°to 120°.Result The length changes in every point were compared.All of the maximal length changes of ALB's proximal,pos-todor points and PMB's proximal points were not greater than 2mm.No significant difference between the length changes of ALB's proximal point and posterior(P=0.864>0.05)was found.Conclusions The femo-ral tunnel for the PCL double-bundle reconstruction should be located as follows:ALB should be at the middle point of upper edge of femoral attachment site(proximal point),while PIVIB at the middle point of femoral attachment site(proximal point).

Isometry of grafts in PCL reconstruction under femoral tunnel shifting condition / 医用生物力学

Objective To explore the isometry of grafts in PCL(posterior cruciate ligament)double-bundle re-construction under femoral tunnel shifting condition.Method Knee specimens from ten fresh frozen cadavers were used.PCL were divided into anterolateral bundles(ALB)and posteromedial bundles(PMB)to the inser-tion footorint.The anterior,postedor,proximal,distal and central points of the two bundles'femoral attachment site were respectivelyanchored to the middle of the PCL's tibial attachment site by the trial wires.Changes in length of the intra-articular part of the wires were recorded while the knee was flexed from 0°to 120°.Result The length changes in every point were compared.All of the maximal length changes of ALB's proximal,pos-todor points and PMB's proximal points were not greater than 2mm.No significant difference between the length changes of ALB's proximal point and posterior(P=0.864>0.05)was found.Conclusions The femo-ral tunnel for the PCL double-bundle reconstruction should be located as follows:ALB should be at the middle point of upper edge of femoral attachment site(proximal point),while PIVIB at the middle point of femoral attachment site(proximal point).

Isometry of grafts in PCL reconstruction under femoral tunnel shifting condition / 医用生物力学

Objective To explore the isometry of grafts in PCL(posterior cruciate ligament)double-bundle re-construction under femoral tunnel shifting condition.Method Knee specimens from ten fresh frozen cadavers were used.PCL were divided into anterolateral bundles(ALB)and posteromedial bundles(PMB)to the inser-tion footorint.The anterior,postedor,proximal,distal and central points of the two bundles'femoral attachment site were respectivelyanchored to the middle of the PCL's tibial attachment site by the trial wires.Changes in length of the intra-articular part of the wires were recorded while the knee was flexed from 0°to 120°.Result The length changes in every point were compared.All of the maximal length changes of ALB's proximal,pos-todor points and PMB's proximal points were not greater than 2mm.No significant difference between the length changes of ALB's proximal point and posterior(P=0.864>0.05)was found.Conclusions The femo-ral tunnel for the PCL double-bundle reconstruction should be located as follows:ALB should be at the middle point of upper edge of femoral attachment site(proximal point),while PIVIB at the middle point of femoral attachment site(proximal point).

Atypical High Attachment of Wrisberg Ligaments in Discoid Menisci

No abstract available.

Arthrocopic Reconstruction of the Posterior Cruciate Ligment: The Effects of femoral attachment points and knee flexion angles at the time of graft fixation on posterior stability / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of the femoral attachment points of the graft and knee flexion angles at the time of graft fixation on stability of posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We analyzed the posterior stability of the knee on 23 patients(24 knees) with posterior cruciate ligament injury whose posterior cruciate ligament had been reconstructed arthroscopically and followed for minimum 1 year period at Asan Medical Center from May 1992 to June 1994. The patients were divided into the two groups according to femoral attachment points of the graft and knee flexion angles at the time of graft fixation. The distance from the junction of the intercondylar notch with trochlear groove of the femoral attachment points and knee flexion angles were 11mm and 0°-30° in group A and 7mm and 70°-90° in group B, respectively. 11 knees were included in group A and 13 knees in group B. Posterior stability was determined by difference in posterior tibial translation between the injured and the opposite knee with Telos device. In group A, 5 cases were at the range of 0-2mm, 3 cases 3-5 mm, 3 cases 6-10mm. In group B, 10 cases were at the range of 0-2mm and 3 cases 3-5mm, respectively. Differences in posterior tibial translation on average were 3.6mm and 1.7mm in group A and B, respectively. Conclusively, arthroscopic postrior cruciate ligament reconstruction with femoral attachment point at 7mm from the junction of interconlylar notch with trochlear groove and 70°