Reconstruction of a Neglected Patellar Tendon Rupture in an Adolescent: A Case Report.

We present a case of a neglected patellar tendon rupture, misdiagnosed as an anterior cruciate ligament tear, in a 12-year-old child with open physis without an avulsion fracture. The patient was treated with an ipsilateral hamstring tendon autograft with preserved distal insertions, a transpatellar tunnel, and a transtibial fixation. At the final follow-up, the patient had a full range of motion and a fully functional knee. The described technique results in complete muscle strength, full range of motion, and pain-free gait. It can be used in chronic patellar tendon ruptures and is a valuable addition to the therapeutic quiver for this type of injury.

Quadriceps tendon versus hamstring tendon graft for primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is most commonly performed with hamstring tendon (HT) or bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autografts, although the quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft has recently increased in popularity. This systematic review and meta-analysis review compares QT and HT autografts for primary ACLR with a sole focus on randomised controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: A prospective protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023427339). The search included MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science until February 2024. Only comparative RCTs were included. The primary outcome was the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Evaluation Form score. Secondary outcomes included: other validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), objective strength scores, complications, and return to sport and work. RESULTS: From 2,609 articles identified, seven were included (n = 474 patients). This meta-analysis did not identify a significant difference in post-operative IKDC scores (5 articles; p = 0.73), Lysholm scores (3 studies; p = 0.80) or Tegner activity scales (2 studies; p = 0.98). There were no differences in graft failure rates (4 studies; p = 0.92) or in overall adverse events (4 studies; p = 0.83) at 24 months post-ACLR as per meta-analysis. Donor site morbidity scores were significantly lower in the QT group (MD -4.67, 95% CI -9.29 to -0.05; 2 studies, 211 patients; p = 0.05, I2 = 34%). CONCLUSION: There were no differences between QT and HT in PROMs, graft failure rates or overall complications based on low- to moderate-quality evidence. There may possibly be lower donor site morbidity with the QT autograft, however, the evidence is not sufficient to draw definitive conclusions.

Peroneus Longus Tendon Autografts have Better Graft Diameter, Less Morbidity, and Enhanced Muscle Recuperation than Hamstring Tendon in ACL Reconstruction.

Background: Recently the peroneus longus tendon (PLT) gained popularity in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and has been utilized with satisfactory outcomes. However, there are concerns regarding donor site morbidity. This study aims to compare the functional outcome of ACL reconstruction using hamstring (HT) and PLT autografts and evaluate the donor site morbidity. Methods: Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction were allocated to two groups (HT and PLT). Graft diameter was measured intraoperatively. Knee functional outcome was evaluated with IKDC and Tegner-Lysholm scores preoperatively, and postoperatively after 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Donor site morbidities were assessed with thigh circumference measurements, subjective evaluation of sensory disturbances, and ankle scoring with AOFAS and FADI scores. Results: At 1-year follow-up, the PLT group showed comparable IKDC (p = 0.925) and Tegner-Lysholm (p = 0.600) scores with those of the HT group. The mean graft diameter in the PLT group (7.93 ± 0.52 mm) was larger compared with the HT group (7.43 ± 0.50 mm) (p < 0.001). The incidence of thigh atrophy (HT-16.7%, PLT-10%) and sensory disturbances (HT-73.3%, PLT-10%) was greater in the HT group. There was no significant ankle donor site morbidity in the PLT group (AOFAS-98.67 ± 3.45, FADI-99.23 ± 1.69). Conclusion: ACL reconstruction with PLT had comparable functional outcome with that of HT at 1 year. However, PLT demonstrated larger graft diameter, less donor site morbidity, and enhanced muscle recovery without significantly affecting the ankle function. PLT can be safely used as an acceptable alternative graft choice harvested from outside the knee for ACL reconstruction.

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.

Relationship between hamstring strength and hop performance at 8 and 12 months after ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon autografts.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between hamstring strength and hop performance after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring tendon (HT) autografts has not been well elucidated. The aim was to investigate the relationship between eccentric hamstring strength, assessed with the NordBord, and concentric hamstring strength, assessed with the Biodex, with hop performance at 8 and 12 months after ACL reconstruction. METHODS: Registry study. Patients ≥ 16 years who had undergone primary ACL reconstruction with HT autograft, followed by muscle strength and hop tests at 8 and 12 months were included. Correlations of the relative hamstring strength (Nm/kg or N/kg) and limb symmetry index (LSI) with hop performance were analyzed. Pearson's correlation coefficient, and coefficient of determination (r2) were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 90 patients were included, of which 48 (53%) were women. The mean age at ACL reconstruction was 27.0 ± 8.0 years. Relative hamstring strength had significant positive correlations with hop performance, ranging from r = 0.25-0.66, whereas hamstring strength LSI had significant positive correlations which ranged from r = 0.22-0.37 at 8 and 12 months after ACL reconstruction. At 12 months, the relative hamstring strength in the Biodex explained 32.5-43.6% of the hop performance in vertical hop height, hop for distance relative to height, and the total number of side hops, whereas the relative hamstring strength in the NordBord explained 15.2-23.0% of the hop performance. CONCLUSION: The relative hamstring strength in the Biodex test explained 32.5-43.6% of the hop performance, whereas the relative hamstring strength in the NordBord explained 15.2-23.0%. Thus, our findings suggest that relative hamstring strength, especially in the hip-flexed position may be a better indicator of hop performance at 8 and 12 months after ACL reconstruction in patients treated with HT autograft.

Comparative effectiveness of peroneus longus tendon (PLT) autografts versus hamstring tendon (HT) autografts in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a comprehensive systematic review and meta analysis.

The hamstring tendon (HT) autograft is currently the most widely utilised autograft option for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, recent studies endorse the peroneus longus tendon (PLT) autograft as a viable alternative. To evaluate this, we systematically reviewed randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the efficacy of PLT against HT autografts. Our search encompassed Cochrane, Embase, OVID, PubMed, and Scopus databases for RCTs comparing outcomes of PLT and HT autografts in ACL reconstruction. Primary outcomes included Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, while secondary outcomes involved American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, graft diameters and donor-site complications. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 (Cochrane Collaboration) and heterogeneity was assessed with I2 statistics. 683 patients from 6 RCTs were included, with 338 (49.5%) patients treated with PLT autografts. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 30 months. Despite lower preoperative Lysholm scores in the PLT group, no significant differences were observed at 6 and 12 months. Although preoperative and 6-month IKDC scores were lower in the PLT group, no significant differences were found at 12 and 24 months. AOFAS scores showed no significant preoperative difference, but slightly lower scores were noted in the PLT group at 12 or 24 months. There was no significant difference in graft diameter, while donor-site complications were fewer in the PLT group. In summary, the PLT autograft is a promising and non-inferior alternative to the HT autograft, demonstrating equivalent outcomes in patient-reported knee and ankle metrics, comparable graft diameters and fewer donor-site complications.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: effect of graft type and gender on early to mid-term clinical outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is a debilitating condition and often requires surgery to restore joint stability. Common autografts used for reconstruction include patella tendon and hamstring tendons. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the early to mid-term clinical outcomes of ACL reconstruction using validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The secondary aim was to compare clinical outcomes between patella tendon and hamstring tendon autografts. The tertiary aim was to compare clinical outcomes between males and females. METHODS: Patients with an ACL rupture were evaluated before and after surgery using PROM scores which included Lysholm, Tegner, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Short Form-12 Item (SF-12) and EQ-5D-5L. RESULTS: A total of 87 patients were included in the study. All PROM scores significantly improved following surgery (p < 0.001) at a mean follow-up time of 28 months (range 12 to 88 months). The patella tendon subgroup (n = 27) had superior post-operative results as compared to the hamstring tendon subgroup (n = 60) for KOOS sport and recreation (p = 0.005), KOOS quality of life (p = 0.025), KOOS overall (p = 0.026), Tegner (p = 0.046) and IKDC (p = 0.021) scores. There was no significant difference of PROM scores between males (n = 60) and females (n = 27) (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ACL reconstruction significantly improves clinical outcomes for patients with symptomatic instability consequent to ACL rupture. Overall, patella tendon autograft resulted in better clinical outcomes as compared to hamstring tendon autograft following surgery. Gender did not influence clinical outcome following ACL reconstruction.

Higher rates of anatomical insertion of medial hamstring tendon regeneration post-anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with stump preservation graft harvesting technique: A prospective, randomised, double-blinded clinical trial with magnetic resonance imaging evaluation.

OBJECTIVE(S): The purpose of this study was to compare the regeneration of semitendinosus and gracilis tendons from two different graft harvesting techniques, which are the stump preservation and conventional graft harvesting techniques. We hypothesised that the stump preservation graft harvesting technique, which preserved the distal attachment of tendons at their insertion, would facilitate anatomical regeneration to the pes anserinus. METHODS: This is a prospective, randomised, double-blinded study whereby thirty consecutive patients who underwent single bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with ipsilateral semitendinosus and gracilis autografts were recruited. The patients were randomly assigned to the stump preservation group (14 patients) or conventional group (16 patients). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation was performed preoperatively and at six months post-operatively. RESULTS: At 6-month follow-up, MRI evaluations showed a higher percentage of insertion of regenerated semitendinosus and gracilis at the pes anserinus in the stump preservation group (75.0%) than that in the conventional group (68.8%). There was a significantly higher proximal shift of the musculotendinous junction of semitendinosus (5.70 â€‹cm versus 3.36 â€‹cm, p â€‹= â€‹0.029) and gracilis (5.28 â€‹cm versus 3.16 â€‹cm, p â€‹= â€‹0.045) in the conventional group post-operatively. CONCLUSION: The stump preservation technique yields a higher percentage of anatomical insertion of regenerated tendons and a lesser amount of proximal shift of the musculotendinous junction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III - Prospective study with up to two negative criteria.

Simultaneous Ipsilateral Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Proximal Hamstring Tendon Ruptures: A Case Report.

Introduction: Simultaneous anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and ipsilateral hamstring ruptures have never been reported in the literature. The purpose of this article is to describe a treatment approach for such a case. The principles in this case can help guide treatment for any patient with concomitant ACL and hamstring pathology. Case Report: We describe the case of a 53-year-old male who presented with left ipsilateral simultaneous complete proximal hamstring tendon (HT) and ACL tears after an acute tennis injury. He was successfully treated with a staged procedure, first with a proximal HT repair and later with a delayed ACL reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft. Conclusion: Ipsilateral simultaneous complete proximal HT and ACL tears can be successfully treated with acute proximal HT repair and delayed ACL reconstruction after rehabilitation from the HT repair. The synergistic relationship between the ACL and hamstring muscles in preventing anterior translation of the tibia necessitates staged reconstruction in the setting of a simultaneous injury.

Hamstring Tendon Autograft Is Associated With Increased Knee Valgus Moment After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Biomechanical Analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence related to the effects of autograft type on functional performance after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to compare biomechanical outcomes during a drop vertical jump (DVJ) between patients with a hamstring tendon (HT) autograft, quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft with bone block, QT autograft without bone block, and bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft at 6 months postoperatively in an adolescent population. The authors' hypothesized there would be differences in DVJ biomechanics between athletes depending on the type of autograft used. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Patients aged 8 to 18 years who underwent primary ACLR were included for analysis. Kinematic and kinetic data collected during a DVJ using a 3-dimensional computerized marker system were assessed at 6 months after ACLR and compared with the uninjured contralateral limb. RESULTS: A total of 155 participants were included. There were no significant differences in terms of age, sex, or affected leg (P≥ .1973) between groups. The HT group was significantly associated with a larger knee valgus moment at initial contact compared with the QT group (28 × 10-2 vs -35 × 10-2 N·m/kg, respectively; P = .0254) and a significantly larger maximum hip adduction moment compared with the QT with bone block group (30 × 10-2 vs -4 × 10-2 N·m/kg, respectively; P = .0426). Both the QT with bone block (-12 × 10-2 vs -3 × 10-2 N·m/kg, respectively; P = .0265) and QT (-13 × 10-2 vs -3 × 10-2 N·m/kg, respectively; P = .0459) groups demonstrated significantly decreased mean knee extension moments compared with the HT group. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that utilizing an HT autograft resulted in a significantly increased knee valgus moment at initial contact compared with a QT autograft without bone block at 6 months after ACLR in adolescent patients performing a DVJ. A QT autograft was found to be associated with significantly decreased extensor mechanism function compared with an HT autograft. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study adds unique kinematic and kinetic information regarding various ACLR autograft options and highlights the biomechanical deficits that should be taken into consideration in rehabilitation.

Comparison of knee flexor strength recovery between semitendinosus alone versus semitendinosus with gracilis autograft for ACL reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Whether there is a difference in harvesting the semitendinosus tendon alone (S) or in combination with the gracilis tendon (SG) for the recovery of knee flexor strength after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the recovery of knee flexor strength based on the autograft composition, S or SG autograft at 6, 12, and ≥ 24 months after ACL reconstruction. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search was performed encompassing the Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, PEDRo and AMED databases from inception to January 2023. Inclusion criteria were human clinical trials published in English, comprised of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), longitudinal cohort-, cross-sectional and case-control studies that compared knee flexor strength recovery between S and SG autografts in patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction. Isokinetic peak torques were summarized for angular velocities of 60°/s, 180°/s, and across all angular velocities, assessed at 6, 12, and ≥ 24 months after ACL reconstruction. A random-effects model was used with standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. Risk of bias was assessed with the RoBANS for non-randomized studies and the Cochrane RoB 2 tool for RCTs. Certainty of evidence was appraised using the GRADE working group methodology. RESULTS: Among the 1,227 patients from the 15 included studies, 604 patients received treatment with S autograft (49%), and 623 received SG autograft (51%). Patients treated with S autograft displayed lesser strength deficits at 6 months across all angular velocities d = -0.25, (95% CI -0.40; -0.10, p = 0.001). Beyond 6 months after ACL reconstruction, no significant difference was observed between autograft compositions. CONCLUSION: The harvest of S autograft for ACL reconstruction yields superior knee flexor strength recovery compared to SG autograft 6 months after ACL reconstruction, irrespective of angular velocity at isokinetic testing. However, the clinical significance of the observed difference in knee flexor strength between autograft compositions at 6 months is questionable, given the very low certainty of evidence and small effect size. There was no significant difference in knee flexor strength recovery between autograft compositions beyond 6 months after ACL reconstruction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CRD42022286773.

Increased risk for early revision with quadriceps graft compared with patellar tendon graft in primary ACL reconstructions.

PURPOSE: Bone patella-tendon bone (BPTB) and hamstring tendon (HT) autografts are the most used grafts in primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions (ACLR) in Norway. Quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft has gained more popularity during the past years. The purpose of this study is to compare revision rates and patient-reported outcomes of primary QT with BPTB and HT autograft ACL reconstructions in Norway at 2-year follow-up. It was hypothesized that there would be no difference in 2-year revision rates between all three autografts. METHODS: Data included primary ACLR without concomitant ligament surgeries, registered in the Norwegian Knee Ligament Register from 2004 through 2021. Revision rates at 2 years were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Hazard ratios (HR) for revision were estimated using multivariable Cox regression analysis with revision within 2 years as endpoint. Mean change in patient-reported outcome was recorded preoperatively and at 2 years through the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subcategories 'Sport' and 'Quality of Life' was measured for patients that were not revised and analysed with multiple linear regression. RESULTS: A total of 24,790 primary ACLRs were identified, 10,924 with BPTB, 13,263 with HT and 603 with a QT graft. Patients in the QT group were younger (23.5 years), more of them were women (58.2%) and over 50% had surgery <3 months after injury. The QT group had the highest prevalence of meniscal injuries (61.9%). Revision estimates at 2-years were 3.6%, 2.5% and 1.2% for QT, HT and BPTB, respectively (p < 0.001). In a Cox regression analysis with QT as reference, BPTB had a lower risk of revision (HR 0.4, 95% Cl 0.2-0.7, p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed in the revision risk between QT and HT (HR 1.1, 95% Cl 0.7-1.8, n.s.). The two most common reported reasons for revision were: traumatic graft rupture and nontraumatic graft failure. There were no differences between the groups in change of KOOS in subcategories 'Sport' and 'Quality of Life' at 2-years follow-up. CONCLUSION: The 2-year risk of revision after ACLR with QT was higher than BPTB and similar to HT. No difference was found between the groups in patient-reported outcomes. This study provides valuable insights for both surgeons and patients when making decisions about the choice of autografts in primary ACL reconstructions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Examining Postoperative Posterior Cruciate Ligament Index: A Structural Paradigm in Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstructions With Hamstring Tendon Autograft.

BACKGROUND: The current study aimed to compare the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) index values of patients who underwent hamstring tendon (HT) autograft reconstruction due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. The comparison involved assessing these values in a similar cohort and evaluating the association between the alteration in the PCL index and functional results. METHODS: Patients who were clinically diagnosed with a complete, unilateral ACL tear and underwent ACL reconstruction (ACLR) using HT autograft between January 2018 and January 2021 constituted the operated group (Group 1) of the study. The control group (Group 2) consisted of patients selected from a convenience sample without ACL rupture, meniscal lesion, or cartilage damage who underwent an MRI during an outpatient orthopaedic consultation for knee pain. The operated group was submitted for an MRI of the knee one year after the operation for any reason such as pain, graft healing, the presence of tunnel widening, or suspicion of re-rupture. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Evaluation Form and the Lysholm Scoring System were applied to the patients in the operated group in the preoperative and postoperative periods to evaluate their complaints, function, and participation in sports and to assess functional ability and functional capacity. A radiologist with five years of experience measured the PCL index in the sagittal section of an MRI. In the operated group, changes in PCL index, IKDC, and Lysholm values during the postoperative period were assessed, along with their correlation. Additionally, a comparison was made between the values of the operated group and the non-operated group. RESULTS: No statistically significant correlation was found between the PCL index alteration and the functional score alteration (IKDC and Lysholm) in the operated group (p>0.05). In comparison to the non-operated group, the preoperative PCL index measures of the operated group were significantly lower (p: 0.000; p<0.05). The increase in the postoperative PCL index measurements of the operated group was similarly statistically significant (p: 0.000; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Although the PCL index appears to be a strong anatomical structural parameter in ACLR patients performing HT autograft in the postoperative period, its correlation with functional results is weak.

Metal interference screw fixation combinations show high revision rates in primary hamstring tendon ACL reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Different fixation methods in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) have been associated with different revision rates, specifically in the early postoperative period. However, most previous research has either grouped together different fixation types or evaluated femoral-sided fixation or tibial-sided fixation separately. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine ACL revision rates for specific combinations of femoral and tibial fixation methods within 2 years of primary hamstring tendon autograft ACLR based on data from the Swedish National Knee Ligament Registry (SNKLR). METHODS: Patients that underwent primary hamstring tendon autograft ACLR between 2005 and 2018 in the SNKLR were included. The collected data included patient characteristics (age, sex, body mass index [BMI]), activity at time of injury, surgical information (concomitant injuries, time from injury to surgery, fixation types at the femur and tibia), and subsequent revision ACLR. Revision rate within 2 years of the index procedure was chosen, as ACLR fixation is most likely to contribute to ACLR revision within the first 2 years, during graft maturation. RESULTS: Of the 23,238 included patients undergoing primary hamstring ACLR, 581 (2.5%) underwent revision ACLR within 2 years of the index procedure. Among the combinations used for > 300 patients, the femoral metal interference screw/tibial metal interference screw fixation combination had the highest revision rate followed by metal interference screw/resorbable screw and Endobutton/AO screw fixation combinations, with respective revision rates of 4.0, 3.0, and 3.0%. The lowest revision rate within 2 years of ACLR was found in the Endobutton/metal interference screw with backup Osteosuture fixation combination, used in 433 cases, with a failure rate of 0.9%. CONCLUSION: Different early ACL revision rates were found across different combinations of femoral and tibial fixation devices within 2 years of primary hamstring tendon autograft ACLR. Metal interference screw fixation, particularly when performed on both the femoral and tibial sides, most frequently resulted in revision ACLR. These findings may be helpful for surgeons in selecting appropriate fixation devices for hamstring ACLR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Restoring Knee Flexor Strength Symmetry Requires 2 Years After ACL Reconstruction, But Does It Matter for Second ACL Injuries? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether knee flexor strength recovers after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with a hamstring tendon (HT) autograft and whether persistent knee flexor strength asymmetry is associated to a second ACL injury. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to systematically review (1) whether knee flexor strength recovers after ACL reconstruction with HT autografts, and (2) whether it influences the association with a second ACL injury. A third aim was to summarize the methodology used to assess knee flexor strength. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis reported according to PRISMA. METHODS: A systematic search was performed using the Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, PEDRo, and AMED databases from inception to December 2021 and until completion in January 2023. Human clinical trials written in English and conducted as randomized controlled trials, longitudinal cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies on patients with index ACL reconstructions with HT autografts harvested from the ipsilateral side were considered. Knee flexor strength was measured isokinetically in both the reconstructed and uninjured limb to enable the calculation of the limb symmetry index (LSI). The Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-Randomized Studies was used to assess risk of bias for non-randomized studies and the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used for randomized controlled trials. For the meta-analysis, the LSI (mean ± standard error) for concentric knee flexor strength at angular velocities of 60°/second (s) and 180°/s preoperatively and at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months were pooled as weighted means with standard errors. RESULTS: The search yielded 64 studies with a total of 8378 patients, which were included for the assessment of recovery of knee flexor strength LSI, and a total of 610 patients from four studies that investigated the association between knee flexor strength and second ACL injuries. At 1 year after ACL reconstruction, the knee flexor strength LSI had recovered to 89.0% (95% CI 87.3; 90.7%) and 88.3% (95% CI 85.5; 91.1%) for the velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s, respectively. At 2 years, the LSI was 91.7% (95% CI 90.8; 92.6%) and 91.2% (95% CI 88.1; 94.2%), for velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s, respectively. For the association between knee flexor strength and second ACL injuries, there was insufficient and contradictory data. CONCLUSIONS: There was low to very low certainty of evidence indicating that the recovery of knee flexor strength LSI, defined as ≥ 90% of the uninjured side, takes up to 2 years after ACL reconstruction with HT autografts. Whether knee flexor strength deficits influence the association of second ACL injuries is still uncertain. There was considerable heterogeneity in the methodology used for knee flexor strength assessment, which together with the low to very low certainty of evidence, warrants further caution in the interpretation of our results. REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022286773.

Very rare arrangement of the pes anserinus: potential clinical significance.

The pes anserinus superficialis is composed of the semitendinosus, gracilis and sartorius tendons. Normally, they all insert to the medial side of the tibial tuberosity, and the first two are attached superiorly and medially to the tendon of the sartorius muscle. During anatomical dissection, a new pattern of arrangement of tendons creating the pes anserinus was found. The pes anserinus comprised three tendons; the semitendinosus tendon was located superiorly to the gracilis tendon, and they both had distal attachments on the medial side of the tibial tuberosity. This seemed like the normal type, but the tendon of the sartorius muscle created an additional superficial layer, its proximal part lying just below the gracilis tendon and covering the semitendinosus tendon and a small part of the gracilis tendon. After crossing the semitendinosus tendon it is attached to the crural fascia significantly below the tibial tuberosity. Good knowledge of the morphological variations of the pes anserinus superficialis is necessary during surgical procedures in the knee region, especially anterior ligament reconstruction.

Midterm outcomes of autologous bridging of rotator cuff tears with an autologous tendon patch (TEAR patch).

BACKGROUND: Large and massive rotator cuff tears and tears after failed surgical repair are a challenging clinical problem with different treatment options. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the midterm outcomes after rotator cuff repair (RCR) with autologous hamstring tendon graft bridging (tissue-enhanced autologous rotator cuff repair [TEAR] patch) with the hypothesis that outcomes would be reasonable and complication rates would be low. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series study of patients who underwent open RCR using a TEAR patch from June 2015 to March 2019. The exclusion criteria included evidence of cuff tear arthropathy, advanced fatty infiltration, moderate-to-severe arthropathy, and workers compensation board or litigation involved. Clinical outcome measures were Constant score; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score; Simple Shoulder Test; Subjective Shoulder Value; range of motion (ROM); and manual muscle test for forward elevation, abduction, external and internal rotation, patient satisfaction, and willingness to perform the operation again. Radiographic outcome measures were magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and radiographs: graft integrity and acromiohumeral distance (AHD). RESULTS: A total of 44 patients were followed (89%) for ≥2 years (45 shoulders, mean age 60.3 years [48-76 years], mean follow-up 4.3 years [2-6 years]). All clinical outcome measures (Constant score, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, Simple Shoulder Test, Subjective Shoulder Value, ROM, and manual muscle test) demonstrated significant improvement except active external and internal rotation. At 2 years of follow-up, the mean patient satisfaction was high (12.2 of 15 points), and 33 of 38 patients (73.3%) would perform the operation again. A perfect graft integration was observed in 30 (66.7%), a small gap in 7 (15.6%), a retear in 3 (7%), and a complete failure of the tendon patch in 5 (11%) patients. Graft integrity was strongly correlated with the postoperative AHD (r = 0.599, P = .001) and the gain in AHD (r = 0.599, P = .001) but not with ROM or patient-reported outcome measures or patient satisfaction. Four patients required revision surgeries (3 due to deep infection and 1 for poor function and pain). CONCLUSIONS: Midterm clinical and radiographic outcomes after RCR with graft bridging using a TEAR patch were reasonable. The procedure resulted in improved shoulder function and a high level of patient satisfaction. The revision rate is acceptable in view of the specific patient group and treatment alternatives. The described technique of the TEAR patch can be a valuable alternative to existing methods and a new autograft source for rotator cuff surgeries that need bridging of a tendon defect.

A prospective randomized controlled study of hamstring and bone-free quadriceps tendons autografts in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is one of the most common surgical procedures worldwide. However, the ideal graft source is still debatable. This study compared hamstring (HT) and bone-free quadriceps (QT) tendon autografts in terms of muscle strength and patient-reported outcomes. METHODS: Between June 2018 and December 2019, 46 patients were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to one of two groups for the ACL reconstruction surgery-the HT autograft group or the QT autograft group. An experienced examiner performed preoperative and postoperative examinations. The HUMAC NORM isokinetic machine (Computer Sports Medicine International-CSMI, 2004) was used to assess flexor and extensor thigh muscle strength. Both groups received the same surgical technique and fixation method. All patients were examined after three, six, nine, and 12 months. The final evaluations were performed at the 24-month follow-up. Patients' scores on the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) evaluation form and the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale were used to evaluate patient-reported outcomes. The two groups were also compared in terms of postoperative complications and activity levels. RESULTS: The difference between preoperative and postoperative knee flexor peak torques (FPT) was lower in the QT group than in the HT group. The average difference between preoperative and postoperative knee extensor peak torque (EPT) was higher in the QT group than in the HT group. As a result, the HT group had a lower postoperative H/Q ratio (flexor strength normalized to body mass divided by extensor strength normalized to body mass) than the QT group (p < 0.001). The mean IKDC scores for the HT and QT groups were 90.13 ± 6.99 and 87.12 ± 6.61, respectively. The scores of the two groups postoperatively were close, and both groups showed significant improvement. The average graft size in the QT group was significantly greater than that in the HT group. Saphenous nerve palsy was the most common complication in the HT group (22%). Thigh hematomas were observed in two patients in the QT group and required urgent intervention (12%). CONCLUSION: After ACL reconstruction, we found a significant decrease in strength at the donor sites in both techniques, with similar patient-reported measures and stability outcomes. The H/Q strength ratio was higher in the QT group postoperatively, which may have a protective effect on the reconstructed ligament. Level of Evidence I It is a randomized controlled trial.

Do lateral extra-articular tenodeses play a role in the control of sagittal knee laxity in short hamstring tendon graft ACL reconstruction? A retrospective study of 80 cases with and without tenodesis.

INTRODUCTION: Lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) associated with an intra-articular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) provides better rotational control, especially in knees with injuries to the anterolateral structures that are characterized by the presence of a gross pivot shift. However, the role of LET in the control of sagittal knee laxity remains debated. We hypothesized that LET plays a role in the control of sagittal knee laxity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center, single-surgeon study of 80 patients operated on between January 2014 and December 2016 for a complete primary ACL tear. We compared 43 patients who underwent an isolated short hamstring tendon graft ACLR with 37 patients who underwent an ACLR using intra- and extra-articular grafts. Knee laxity measurements were taken with a GNRB® arthrometer preoperatively, at 1, 3, 6, and 9months (M1-M9), 1year, and at the last follow-up. The side-to-side differences (healthy vs. operated knees) in graft laxity (ΔL in mm) and compliance (ΔC in µm/N) were calculated for each patient from the generated force-displacement curves. RESULTS: No differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of the ΔL and ΔC evolvement profiles. All laxity parameters decreased significantly between the preoperative assessment and M1. ΔL and ΔC increased at low forces between M1 and M9. ΔL and ΔC stabilized after M9. DISCUSSION: Sagittal control remains the primary function of the ACL. The anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction and LET do not improve sagittal postoperative laxity. CONCLUSION: Sagittal laxity measurements recorded during the postoperative period did not show that adding LET to short hamstring tendon graft ACLRs improved either graft laxity or compliance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study.

Leukocyte-and platelet-rich fibrin with autologous hamstring tendon for traumatic patella dislocation / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Traumatic patellar dislocation with medial patellofemoral ligament tearing at femoral attachment or body is usually performed by medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction surgery.To promote tendon bone healing after medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction,the researchers used a variety of biological treatment technologies including growth factors,stem cells and platelet-rich plasma. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the clinical effect of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction by leukocyte-and platelet-rich fibrin with autologous hamstring tendon for traumatic patellar dislocation. METHODS:Thirty-seven patients with traumatic patellar dislocation in First Hospital of Qinhuangdao from February 2019 to February 2021 were randomly divided into a trial group(n=18)and a control group(n=19).The trial group received medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction by leukocyte-and platelet-rich fibrin with an autologous hamstring tendon.The control group received medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction by a simple autologous hamstring tendon.Patients in the two groups were followed up for 12 months.Knee pain and functional status were evaluated by visual analog scale score,Lysholm score,Kujala patellofemoral joint score and knee range of motion.The patellar tilt angle,patellar congruence angle and patellar lateral shift rate of the patellofemoral joint were measured by MRI and CT films to evaluate the stability and improvement of the patellofemoral joint. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The visual analog scale scores of the two groups at 6 and 12 months after operation were lower than those before operation(P<0.05).The Lysholm score and Kujala patellofemoral joint score at 6 and 12 months after operation were higher than those before operation(P<0.05).The Lysholm score and Kujala patellofemoral joint score in the trial group were higher than those in the control group 6 months after operation(P<0.05).There was no significant difference between the two groups in the visual analog scale score,Lysholm score and Kujala patellofemoral joint score 12 months after operation(P>0.05).(2)The patellar tilt angle,patellar congruence angle,patellar lateral shift rate and range of motion of the patellofemoral joint were significantly improved in both groups 12 months after operation(P<0.05).The patellar tilt angle was smaller in the trial group than that in the control group 12 months after operation(P<0.05).Patellar congruence angle,patellar lateral shift rate,range of motion and MRI score were not statistically significant between the two groups 12 months after operation(P>0.05).(3)These results confirm that medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction by leukocyte-and platelet-rich fibrin with autologous hamstring tendon can treat traumatic dislocation effectively,improve the function of the knee joint,and restore the movement track of the patella.