Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with LARS™ artificial ligament results at a mean follow-up of eight years.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to review patients that underwent ACL reconstruction with the LARS™ ligament in the First Orthopaedic Division of Pisa University during the period between January 2003 and December 2005. METHODS: Twenty-six patients were reviewed with an average follow-up of 95.3 months (7.9 years). The review protocol was articulated in three phases: (1) a subjective evaluation using three grading scales: VAS, KOOS and the Cincinnati knee rating scale, (2) a clinical and objective evaluation, and (3) a biomechanical evaluation of the knee stability. RESULTS: A global positive result was obtained in 92.3 % of the patients (16 optimal results and eight good results), with a fast functional recovery and a high knee stability. A global poor result was reported in two cases. In our series we did not record cases of infection or knee synovitis. We recorded only one case of mechanical graft failure. The results obtained from our study are encouraging and similar to those in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the LARS™ ligament can be considered a suitable option for ACL reconstruction in carefully selected cases, especially for older patients needing a fast functional recovery.

Early experience about Anteversa(®) plate for lateral femur fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The hip fractures appear to be a real epidemic problem, especially in the western world, due primarily to higher average age. The social and economical impact is considerable with a continue social and health costs up-rising. The female-male ratio is approximately 8:1. PURPOSE: The purpose of this report is to present a system of osteosynthesis for fractures of the lateral femoral neck. This system is a plate developed by INTRAUMA O'nil(®), 3-hole plate with an 130° angle of valgus and 7° of anteversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At the I Orthopedic Department at the University of Pisa from January 2009 to February 2012 were treated 52 fractures of the femur neck side with this system. All patients undergone to a clinical and X-ray evaluation according to the AO classification: 14 31-A1, 7 31-A2, 4 31-A3. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 10 months, in all cases we did not have cut-outs with a TAD average of 23 mm. CONCLUSIONS: This system offers the possibility to perform surgery quickly with low risk of cut-out thanks to 7° of anteversion. Ensures optimal fixation to the femoral shaft and an equitable distribution of forces, eliminating the risk of breakage of the implant and loosening of the screws.