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ABSTRACT: Recently there have been several evolving trends in the practice of shoulder surgery. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression has been performed with greater frequency by orthopaedic surgeons, and there has been considerable recent interest in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The purpose of this study was to identify trends in practice patterns for subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair over time and in relation to the location of practice, fellowship training, and declared subspecialty of the surgeon.
We reviewed the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Part II database to identify patterns in the utilization of open and arthroscopic subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair among candidates for board certification. All procedures involving only arthroscopic or open subacromial decompression and/or rotator cuff repair from 2004 to 2009 were identified. The rates of arthroscopic and open subacromial decompression and/or rotator cuff repair were compared in terms of year, geographic region, fellowship training, and declared subspecialty of the surgeon.
Between 2004 and 2009, 12,136 surgical procedures involving only arthroscopic or open subacromial decompression and/or rotator cuff repair were performed. There were significant differences in treatment with respect to year, geographic region of practice, declared subspecialty, and fellowship training (p < 0.001). There was a significant increase over time in the utilization of arthroscopy among all candidates (p < 0.001). Surgeons with sports medicine fellowship training or a sports-medicine-declared subspecialty performed significantly more subacromial decompressions and rotator cuff repairs arthroscopically than all other candidates (p < 0.001). During this time period, there was a significant decrease in the rate of arthroscopic subacromial decompression, both as an isolated procedure and combined with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (p < 0.001).
From 2004 to 2009, there was a significant shift throughout the United States toward arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and subacromial decompression among young orthopaedic surgeons, with sports medicine fellowship-trained surgeons performing more of their procedures arthroscopically than surgeons with other training. However, there was an increasing frequency of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair performed without subacromial decompression, and, overall, there was a decrease in the frequency of isolated arthroscopic subacromial decompression over time.
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 08/2012; 94(16):1492-9. · 3.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Combined injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterolateral structures of the knee is a rare yet increasingly recognized clinical entity. In children or adolescents with open growth plates, this injury pattern is considered to be even more rare than in adults. Because knee ligaments are felt to be stronger than the adjacent physeal plates, the energy of pathologic translational and rotatory stress commonly results in fracture or avulsion injuries rather than ligamentous injury. The appropriate treatment for either injury remains controversial in the skeletally immature patient, with no previously reported case of this combined injury pattern in a patient with open physes. We present a case of a 12-year-old boy who sustained an ACL-posterolateral corner injury while playing football, and subsequently underwent acute repair of the posterolateral structures with a plan to perform ACL reconstruction at a later date.
The journal of knee surgery 07/2012;
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of medial meniscus tear morphology with the pathogenesis of articular cartilage degeneration.
From May 2006 to December 2007, we prospectively evaluated 103 patients diagnosed with an isolated medial meniscus tear. Meniscus tear morphology and location, cartilage degeneration according to the Noyes score, and covariates including age, body mass index, gender, and injury date were documented. The relationship between severity of articular cartilage degeneration and meniscus tear morphology was analyzed by analysis of variance. Regression analysis was used to analyze predictors of severity of cartilage lesions.
Analysis of variance showed significant differences in the severity of articular cartilage lesions based on medial meniscus tear morphology (P < .05). Compared with bucket-handle/vertical tears, root and radial/flap tears were associated with significantly greater degeneration on the medial femoral condyle; root and complex tears were associated with significantly greater degeneration on the medial tibial plateau; and radial/flap tears were associated with significantly greater degeneration on the lateral tibial plateau. Age and gender were significant predictors of the Noyes medial-compartment score, and age, body mass index, and meniscus tear morphology were significant predictors of the Noyes lateral-compartment score.
Meniscus tears with increasing disruption of the circumferential meniscal fibers were significantly associated with cartilage lesions of increasing severity in both the medial and lateral compartments of the knee.
Level IV, prognostic case series.
Arthroscopy The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery 03/2012; 28(8):1124-1134.e2. · 3.02 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Evidence suggests that single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction does not reliably prevent the development of knee osteoarthritis (OA).
This study was conducted to determine the overall prevalence of and risk factors for the development of radiographic knee OA after single-bundle ACL reconstruction.
Case control study; Level of evidence, 3.
There were 249 individuals who had undergone primary single-bundle ACL reconstruction included in this retrospective cohort study. Follow-up radiographs were scored by a single orthopaedic surgery sports medicine fellow using the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) scale to determine the degree of OA in the medial, lateral, and patellofemoral compartments. Radiographic OA of the involved knee was considered to be present if, compared with the noninvolved knee, there was at least a 2-grade difference in the KL score in at least 1 compartment or a 1-grade difference in at least 2 compartments. Predictors of OA that were explored included patient age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status activity level, meniscectomy before or concurrent with ACL reconstruction, chondral injury present at the time of ACL reconstruction, graft type and source, tibial and femoral tunnel positions, need for revision, and length of follow-up. Univariable and stepwise multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify factors that were associated with radiographic knee OA.
Thirty-nine percent of the patients had radiographic OA an average of 7.8 years after surgery. Female sex, BMI, time from injury to surgery, medial and patellofemoral compartment chondrosis, prior medial or lateral meniscectomy, concurrent medial meniscectomy, and length of follow-up were associated with radiographic knee OA after ACL surgery. Stepwise multivariable logistic regression indicated that prior medial meniscectomy (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39-6.85), grade 2 or greater medial chondrosis (95% CI, 1.27-6.73), length of follow-up (95% CI, 1.07-1.24), and BMI (overweight 95% CI, 1.08-3.84; obese 95% CI, 1.34-7.80) were the best set of predictors of knee OA.
Despite reduced laxity and instability and improved activity and participation, individuals who have undergone ACL reconstruction are still at high risk for developing knee OA compared with the general population. The strongest predictors of knee OA after ACL reconstruction were obesity and grade 2 or greater chondrosis in the medial compartment. These results may aid in identifying patients at risk for OA after ACL reconstruction.
The American journal of sports medicine 12/2011; 39(12):2595-603. · 3.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to examine clinical and patient-reported outcomes as well as return to sport in athletes younger than 25 following ACL reconstruction with either bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) or hamstring (HS) autografts using a matched-pairs case-control experimental design.
Twenty-three matched pairs were obtained based on gender (57% women), age (18 ± 3 years BTB vs. 18 ± 3 HS), and length of follow-up (5 ± 2 years BTB vs. 4 ± 2 HS). Patients reported participating in very strenuous (soccer, basketball, etc.) or strenuous (skiing, tennis, etc.) sporting activity 4-7 times/week prior to their knee injury. Patient-reported outcomes included return to play data, the IKDC, SAS, ADLS, and SF-36 forms. Clinical outcomes included knee range of motion, laxity, and hop/jump testing.
The majority of patients in both groups were able to participate in very strenuous or strenuous sporting activity 4-7 times per week following surgery [17 (74%) BTB vs. 16 (70%) HS]. However, only 13 (57%) of the BTB subjects and 10 (44%) of the HS patients were able to return to pre-injury activity levels (P = n.s.). HS patients showed higher ADLS (P < 0.01) and SAS (P < 0.01) scores, better restoration of extension (P < 0.05), and less radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis (P < 0.05).
Hamstring and bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts allow approximately 70% of young athletes to return to some degree of strenuous or very strenuous sporting activity, while only approximately half of patients were able to return to their pre-injury sporting activity level. Hamstring grafts lead to better preservation of extension, higher patient-reported outcome scores, and less radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis.
Therapeutic (case-control study) Level III.
Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy 11/2011; 20(8):1520-7. · 2.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study sought to compare patient-reported and objective outcomes in high-demand patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with either patellar tendon allograft or autograft by use of a matched-pairs case-control experimental design.
Nineteen matched pairs were obtained based on gender (36.8% female patients), age (27.9 +/- 8.1 years in autograft group v 28.1 +/- 9.1 years in allograft group), and length of follow-up (9.1 +/- 2.7 years in autograft group v 10.3 +/- 2.6 years in allograft group). All patients reported participating in very strenuous (soccer, basketball, and so on) or strenuous (skiing, tennis, and so on) sporting activity 4 to 7 times per week before their knee injury. Patient-reported outcomes included the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form, Activities of Daily Living and Sports Activity Scales of the Knee Outcome Survey, and Short Form 36. Clinical evaluation included knee range of motion, laxity, and functional strength.
There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, or body mass index. There was a slight difference in length of follow-up (P < .05). The groups showed no statistically significant differences in any of the patient-reported or objective outcome measures. More autograft patients reported that they were able to perform very strenuous activity without the sense of instability (14 v 7), but this difference only approached statistical significance (P < .07). Twelve autograft patients were able to return to preinjury levels of sporting activity compared with ten allograft patients. Sixteen autograft patients and twelve allograft patients were able to participate in strenuous or very strenuous sporting activity at follow-up. Both differences were not statistically significant.
Autograft and fresh-frozen allograft patellar tendon anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction exhibit similar patient-reported and objective outcomes in high-demand individuals at 3 to 14 years' follow-up.
Level III, therapeutic case-control study.
Arthroscopy The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery 09/2010; 26(9 Suppl):S58-66. · 3.02 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study was to compare frequency of meniscal repair to partial meniscectomy in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons (ABOS) database.
(1) Practice patterns are similar with respect to geographic region. (2) Surgeons with fellowship training perform more meniscal repairs compared with general orthopaedic practitioners. (3) Younger patients are more likely to be treated with meniscal repair at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. (4) The frequency of meniscal repair in conjunction with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has increased over time.
Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.
Information was extracted from the ABOS database from 2002 orthopaedic surgeons who sat for the part II examination from 2003 to 2007. The database was queried for all patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] code 29888) without or with meniscectomy (CPT 29881) or meniscal repair (CPT 29882). Factors affecting meniscal surgery that were investigated included patient age, geographic region of practice, fellowship training, and declared subspecialty of the surgeon.
On average there were 52,000 cases per year registered in the ABOS database, approximately 1700 of whom underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Meniscal repair was most frequently performed in the Southwest region (18.6%, P < .001) and least frequently in the Northwest region (11.3%, P < .001). Combined anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and meniscal repair was performed significantly more often by fellowship-trained surgeons (17%) than by surgeons with other fellowship training (12%) or no fellowship training (12%, P < .001) and in patients younger than age 25 years (19%) compared with those age 40 years and older (8%, P <.001). Meniscal repair was performed in 13.9% of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions in 2003 and in 16.4% of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions in 2007 (P > .05).
Combined anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with meniscal repair was more frequent for younger patients and by surgeons with sports fellowship training. Concomitant meniscal repair is performed by fellowship-trained surgeons in this study in only 18% of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions.
The American journal of sports medicine 05/2010; 38(5):918-23. · 3.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: High tibial osteotomy is technically demanding. Risks include injury to the popliteal neurovascular bundle. The present goal was to further define this risk.
The distance from the posterior tibia to the popliteal artery increases with increasing knee flexion. A saw angle perpendicular to the coronal plane can injure the popliteal artery.
Descriptive laboratory study.
Seven fresh-frozen cadaveric lower extremities were used. Lateral radiographs at knee flexion angles of 90 degrees , 60 degrees , 45 degrees , 30 degrees , and 0 degrees were taken to measure the distance from the anterior border of the popliteal artery to the posterior cortex of the tibia 5.0 mm and 2.0 cm below the joint line. After an opening wedge high tibial osteotomy was made, qualitative assessments were made of the depth of a saw blade inserted into the kerf and the relative encroachment of the saw blade on the popliteal artery. The interval through which the space anterior to the popliteus can be accessed was identified by gross dissection in all specimens.
The distance from the posterior tibia to the popliteal artery increased with knee flexion. At 5.0 mm and 2.0 cm below the joint line, the mean distance at 90 degrees was significantly greater than at all other angles. The popliteal artery could be injured by the oscillating saw at angles greater than 30 degrees to the coronal plane. A protective device inserted anterior to the popliteus protects the neurovascular structures.
The popliteal artery is farthest from the posterior tibia at 90 degrees of knee flexion. Saw angles greater than 30 degrees from the coronal plane put the popliteal neurovasculature at risk of injury.
To perform a safe osteotomy, the knee should be positioned in 90 degrees of flexion with the saw angled less than 30 degrees from the coronal plane. A protective device deep to the popliteus may protect against popliteal injury.
The American journal of sports medicine 03/2010; 38(4):810-5. · 3.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Tears of the posterior root of the medial meniscus are becoming increasingly recognized. They can cause rapidly progressive arthritis, yet their biomechanical effects are not understood. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of posterior root tears of the medial meniscus and their repairs on tibiofemoral joint contact pressure and kinematics.
Nine fresh-frozen cadaver knees were used. An axial load of 1000 N was applied with a custom testing jig at each of four knee-flexion angles: 0 degrees , 30 degrees , 60 degrees , and 90 degrees . The knees were otherwise unconstrained. Four conditions were tested: (1) intact, (2) a posterior root tear of the medial meniscus, (3) a repaired posterior root tear, and (4) a total medial meniscectomy. Fuji pressure-sensitive film was used to record the contact pressure and area for each testing condition. Kinematic data were obtained by using a robotic arm to record the position of the knees for each loading condition. Three-dimensional knee kinematics were analyzed with custom programs with use of previously described transformations. The measured variables were axial rotation, varus angulation, lateral translation, and anterior translation.
In the medial compartment, a posterior root tear of the medial meniscus caused a 25% increase in peak contact pressure compared with that found in the intact condition (p < 0.001). Repair restored the peak contact pressure to normal. No difference was detected between the peak contact pressure after the total medial meniscectomy and that associated with the root tear. The peak contact pressure in the lateral compartment after the total medial meniscectomy was up to 13% greater than that for all other conditions (p = 0.026). Significant increases in external rotation and lateral tibial translation, compared with the values in the intact knee, were observed in association with the posterior root tear (2.98 degrees and 0.84 mm, respectively) and the meniscectomy (4.45 degrees and 0.80 mm, respectively), and these increases were corrected by the repair.
This study demonstrated significant changes in contact pressure and knee joint kinematics due to a posterior root tear of the medial meniscus. Root repair was successful in restoring joint biomechanics to within normal conditions.
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 10/2009; 91 Suppl 2:257-70. · 3.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The use of autologous grafts such as the quadrupled semitendinosus and gracilis tendon is very common in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The diameter of such grafts can be variable and thus unpredictable prior to surgery. In this study, we hypothesized that parameters such as gender, height, age, and body mass index (BMI) can be used pre-operatively to reveal the true graft diameter. All hamstring ACL reconstructions from 1994 to 2002 were reviewed. 536 cases (302 females, 234 males) met the inclusion criteria. Quadruple hamstring constructs and femoral tunnel diameters were measured using 1mm increment graft sizers. Pre-operative measures of height, weight, body mass index, gender, and age were obtained. Multiple regression analysis was used to build a predictive model of the quadruple hamstring graft diameter. The results of the study demonstrated that males had significantly larger grafts than females (8.1+/-0.8 vs. 7.5+/-0.6mm). Multiple regression analysis on the entire group showed that pre-operative height (p<0.0002) and gender (p<0.0047), but not age (p<0.06) or weight (p<0.019) were significant predictors of graft diameter. Height (p<0.0001) was a specific predictor solely in men. In females, none of the pre-operative measures were predictive of graft diameters. Patient height and gender can be used as pre-operative indicators of in vivo quadrupled hamstring graft diameter. Regardless of other variables, 42% of females will have tunnel diameters of 7mm or less. An alternative graft choice should be discussed pre-operatively if graft sizes may be of concern for the tall and large female patients.
The Knee 09/2009; 17(1):81-3. · 1.74 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to identify preoperative and intraoperative factors that predict patient-oriented outcome as measured by the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
We identified 402 subjects who had undergone primary single-bundle arthroscopic ACL reconstruction at a mean follow-up of 6.3 years (range, 2 to 15 years). The IKDC Subjective Knee Form was used to measure patient-reported outcome and was dichotomized as above or below the patient-specific age- and gender-matched population mean. Potential predictor variables included subject demographics, activity level before surgery, previous meniscectomy, and surgical variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the best subset of predictors for determining the likelihood that the IKDC score was better than the age- and gender-matched population mean.
The dichotomized IKDC score was associated with body mass index (BMI), smoking status, education, previous medial meniscectomy, and medial chondrosis at the time of ACL reconstruction. The multivariate model containing only factors known before surgery included BMI and smoking status. Subjects with a BMI greater than 30 kg/m(2) had 0.35 times the odds of success as subjects with a normal BMI. Subjects who smoked had 0.36 times the odds of success as subjects who did not smoke. A model including medial chondrosis at the time of surgery had a slightly higher discriminatory power (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.65 v 0.61) and negative predictive value (71.4% v 60.0%) but similar positive predictive power (86.3% v 85.9%).
Lower patient-reported outcome after ACL reconstruction was strongly associated with obesity, smoking, and severe chondrosis at the time of surgery.
Level III, prognostic case-control study.
Arthroscopy The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery 06/2009; 25(5):457-63. · 3.02 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Allografts play a prominent role in sports medicine, and their usage has increased dramatically over the past few decades, but the role of allograft in the future of sports medicine largely depends on several factors: (1) the ability of the tissue banking industry to convince both surgeons and the general population that tissue procurement is safe and nearly disease-free, (2) the ability to sterilize tissue with minimal compromise to tissue integrity, (3) successful clinical outcomes with allograft, and (4) the advent of artificial scaffolds and ligaments that function as well.
Clinics in sports medicine 05/2009; 28(2):327-40, ix. · 1.33 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A custom program for the processing of pressure sensitive (Fuji) film data is presented and validated in this paper. Some of the shortcomings of previous descriptions of similar programs in literature are addressed. These shortcomings include incomplete descriptions of scan resolution, processing technique, and accuracy of results. Of these, the accuracy of results is the most important and is addressed in this study by using Fuji film calibration data. In Fuji film calibration, known loads are applied to forms with known area. The accuracy of this program and that of the two commercially available image processing programs were determined. The results of the custom program are found to be within 10% of the results from the commercial programs and from experimental data. This level of accuracy is the same reported level of accuracy of Fuji film, verifying the custom program for use in Fuji film contact pressure and area measurements.
Journal of Biomechanical Engineering 03/2009; 131(1):014503. · 1.90 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Tears of the posterior root of the medial meniscus are becoming increasingly recognized. They can cause rapidly progressive arthritis, yet their biomechanical effects are not understood. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of posterior root tears of the medial meniscus and their repairs on tibiofemoral joint contact pressure and kinematics.
Nine fresh-frozen cadaver knees were used. An axial load of 1000 N was applied with a custom testing jig at each of four knee-flexion angles: 0 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees. The knees were otherwise unconstrained. Four conditions were tested: (1) intact, (2) a posterior root tear of the medial meniscus, (3) a repaired posterior root tear, and (4) a total medial meniscectomy. Fuji pressure-sensitive film was used to record the contact pressure and area for each testing condition. Kinematic data were obtained by using a robotic arm to record the position of the knees for each loading condition. Three-dimensional knee kinematics were analyzed with custom programs with use of previously described transformations. The measured variables were axial rotation, varus angulation, lateral translation, and anterior translation.
In the medial compartment, a posterior root tear of the medial meniscus caused a 25% increase in peak contact pressure compared with that found in the intact condition (p < 0.001). Repair restored the peak contact pressure to normal. No difference was detected between the peak contact pressure after the total medial meniscectomy and that associated with the root tear. The peak contact pressure in the lateral compartment after the total medial meniscectomy was up to 13% greater than that for all other conditions (p = 0.026). Significant increases in external rotation and lateral tibial translation, compared with the values in the intact knee, were observed in association with the posterior root tear (2.98 degrees and 0.84 mm, respectively) and the meniscectomy (4.45 degrees and 0.80 mm, respectively), and these increases were corrected by the repair.
This study demonstrated significant changes in contact pressure and knee joint kinematics due to a posterior root tear of the medial meniscus. Root repair was successful in restoring joint biomechanics to within normal conditions.
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 10/2008; 90(9):1922-31. · 3.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A more complete biomechanical understanding of a combined posterior cruciate ligament and posterolateral corner knee reconstruction may help surgeons develop uniformly accepted clinical surgical techniques that restore normal anatomy and protect the knee from premature arthritic changes. We identified the in situ force patterns of the individual components of a combined double-bundle posterior cruciate ligament and posterolateral corner knee reconstruction. We tested 10 human cadaveric knees using a robotic testing system by sequentially cutting and reconstructing the posterior cruciate ligament and posterolateral corner. The knees were subjected to a 134-N posterior tibial load and 5-Nm external tibial torque. The posterior cruciate ligament was reconstructed with a double-bundle technique. The posterolateral corner reconstruction included reattaching the popliteus tendon to its femoral origin and reconstructing the popliteofibular ligament. The in situ forces in the anterolateral bundle were greater in the posterolateral corner-deficient state than in the posterolateral corner-reconstructed state at 30 degrees under the posterior tibial load and at 90 degrees under the external tibial torque. We observed no differences in the in situ forces between the anterolateral and posteromedial bundles under any loading condition. The popliteus tendon and popliteofibular ligament had similar in situ forces at all flexion angles. The data suggest the two bundles protect each other by functioning in a load-sharing, codominant fashion, with no component dominating at any flexion angle. We believe the findings support reconstructing both posterior cruciate ligament bundles and both posterolateral corner components.
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research 09/2008; 466(9):2247-54. · 2.53 Impact Factor
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The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 06/2008; 90(6):1375-84. · 3.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of and factors associated with loss of extension (LOE) 4 weeks after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using the new IKDC Knee Ligament Evaluation Form criteria for loss of motion.
A retrospective review of patients who had undergone arthroscopic ACL reconstruction between 1995 and 2000 was performed. An endoscopic single tunnel technique with autograft or allograft was used in all cases. A standardized physical therapy program was prescribed to all patients. Subjects with revision ACL reconstruction, concomitant ligament surgery, meniscal transplantation, or any articular cartilage surgery were excluded. LOE was defined as greater than a 5 degrees side-to-side difference in passive knee extension 4 weeks after surgery, the need for repeat arthroscopy to restore extension, or use of a drop-out cast to restore extension.
Fifty-eight of 229 (25.3%) patients developed LOE 4 weeks after ACL reconstruction. LOE was not associated with age, sex, presence of nerve block, concomitant meniscal procedures, specific graft type, or tourniquet time (P > .05). LOE was significantly associated with preoperative extension, time from injury to surgery, and use of autograft (P < .05). Twenty-eight (12.2%) patients underwent an arthroscopic procedure to recover loss of motion. Following arthroscopy, 4 (1.7%) patients had passive motion deficits between 6 degrees and 10 degrees , with none greater than 10 degrees .
Preoperative range of motion and time to surgery are intimately related to a patient's postoperative extension. While 48% of patients that lacked full extension by 4 weeks eventually required arthroscopic debridement to achieve satisfactory extension, our treatment algorithm led to an overall incidence of LOE greater than 5 degrees at final follow-up of 1.7%.
Level III, therapeutic, retrospective, comparative study.
Arthroscopy The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery 03/2008; 24(2):146-53. · 3.02 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: There has been a renewed focus on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insertional anatomy and its biomechanics. It has been postulated that traditional single-bundle transtibial reconstructions have placed grafts in a less anatomic location relative to the true ACL insertion site. In traditional transtibial techniques, the femoral tunnel is predetermined by the position of the tibial tunnel. It is our belief that achieving the most anatomic position for the graft requires the femoral and tibial tunnels to be drilled independently. Use of the anteromedial portal technique provides us with more flexibility in accurately placing the femoral tunnel in the true ACL insertion site as compared with the transtibial technique. Advantages include anatomic tunnel placement, easy preservation of any remaining ACL fibers when performing ACL augmentation procedures, and flexibility in performing either single- or double-bundle reconstructions in primary or revision settings. This technique is not limited by the choice of graft or fixation and offers the advantage of true parallel screw placement through the same portal as that used for tunnel drilling in the case of interference fixation.
Arthroscopy The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery 02/2008; 24(1):113-5. · 3.02 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The hamstrings musculature is a vital component of an intricate dynamic knee joint restraint mechanism. However, there is evidence based on research studies suggesting potential deficits to this complex mechanism due to donor site morbidity resulting from harvest of the ipsilateral semitendinosus and gracilis autograft (ISGA) for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The purpose of this retrospective research study was to investigate the effects of ISGA ACLR on neuromuscular and biomechanical performance during a single-leg vertical drop landing (VDL), a functional task and associated mechanism of anterior cruciate ligament disruption during physical activity. Fourteen physically active participants 22.5 +/- 4.1 years of age and 21.4 +/- 10.7 months post ISGA ACLR underwent bilateral neuromuscular, biomechanical and isokinetic strength and endurance evaluations matched to 14 control participants by sex, age, height and mass. Kinetic and kinematic data was obtained with 3-D motion analyses utilizing inverse dynamics while performing single-leg VDLs from a height of 30 cm. Integrated surface electromyography (SEMG) assessments of the quadriceps, hamstrings and gastrocnemius musculature were also conducted. Additionally, knee joint flexion strength (60 degrees s(-1)) and endurance (240 degrees s(-1)) measurements were tested via isokinetic dynamometry. No significant differences existed in hip and net summated extensor moments within or between groups. The ISGA ACLR participants recorded significantly decreased peak vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) landing upon the involved lower extremity compared to uninvolved (P = 0.028) and matched (P < 0.0001) controls. Participants having undergone ISGA ACLR also displayed greater peak hip joint flexion angles landing upon the involved lower extremity compared to uninvolved (P = 0.020) and matched (P = 0.026) controls at initial ground contact. The ISGA ACLR group furthermore exhibited increased peak hip joint flexion angles landing upon the involved lower extremity compared to uninvolved (P = 0.019) and matched (P = 0.007) controls at peak VGRF. Moreover, ISGA ALCR participants demonstrated greater peak knee (P = 0.005) and ankle (P = 0.017) joint flexion angles when landing upon the involved lower extremity compared to the matched control at peak VGRF. The ISGA ACLR group produced significantly greater reactive muscle activation of the vastus medialis (P = 0.013), vastus lateralis (P = 0.008) and medial hamstrings (P = 0.024) in the involved lower extremity compared to the matched control. The ISGA ACLR participants also exhibited greater preparatory (P = 0.033) and reactive (P = 0.022) co-contraction muscle activity of the quadriceps and hamstrings landing upon the involved lower extremity compared to the matched control. In addition, the ISGA ACLR group produced significantly less preparatory (P = 0.005) and reactive (P = 0.010) muscle activation of the gastrocnemius in the involved lower extremity compared to the uninvolved control. No significant differences were present in hamstrings muscular strength and endurance. Harvest of the ISGA for purposes of ACLR does not appear to result in significant neuromuscular, biomechanical or strength and endurance deficiencies due to donor site morbidity. However, it is evident that this specific population exhibits unique neuromuscular and biomechanical adaptations aimed to stabilize the knee previously subjected to ACL trauma and safeguard the ISGA ACLR joint. Co-contraction of quadriceps and hamstrings as well as inhibition of gastrocnemius muscle activation may serve to moderate excessive loads exposed to the intra-articular ISGA during single-leg VDLs. Furthermore, greater muscle activation of the hamstrings in conjunction with increased peak hip, knee and ankle joint flexion angles may assist in enhancing acceptance of VGRF transferred through the kinetic chain following single-leg VDLs.
Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy 01/2008; 16(1):2-14. · 2.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are the most common complete ligamentous injury to the knee. The optimal graft should be able to reproduce the anatomy and biomechanics of the ACL, be incorporated rapidly with strong initial fixation, and cause low graft-site morbidity. This article reviews the literature comparing the clinical outcomes following allograft and autograft ACL reconstruction and examines current issues regarding graft choice.
Clinics in sports medicine 11/2007; 26(4):661-81. · 1.33 Impact Factor
