Search

Background: Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) with a bone–patellar tendon–bone graft (BTB) is a reliable surgical option for the control of anterior knee laxity after ACL injury. The addition of a lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) may improve control of rotation knee laxity and improve short-term graft survival in high-risk patients. Purpose: The aims of this study were to compare long-term patient-reported outcomes, graft survival, and risk of osteoarthritis between ACLR with and without LET. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: This study included 121 consecutive knees (120 patients) presenting to a single center with an ACL rupture between 1998 and 1999. In total, 61 knees were randomized to an isolated BTB ACLR, and 60 knees were randomized to a BTB ACLR with an extra-articular lateral tenodesis with gracilis tendon (modified Lemaire). Results: Eighty knees in 79 patients (66%) were available for follow-up at a postoperative mean of 19.4 years (range, 19-20.2). Of those patients, 43 had a clinical examination and completed patient-reported outcome questionnaires, and the other 37 patients were evaluated through the questionnaires alone. Standard radiographs were available for 45 patients and laximetry (TELOS) for 42 patients. Mean subjective International Knee Documentation Committee score at last follow-up was 81.8, and no differences were noted between the BTB and BTB-LET groups ( P = .7). Two-thirds of patients were still participating in pivoting sports. A total of 17 knees (21%) experienced a graft failure, 5 of which (6%) underwent revision ACLR. There was no significant difference in graft failure risk between the BTB group (29%) and the BTB-LET group (13%; P = .1). Lateral tibiofemoral osteoarthritis was significantly more frequent in the BTB-LET group (59%) as compared with the BTB group (22%; P = .02). Lateral compartment osteoarthritis was correlated with partial lateral meniscectomy. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in long-term patient-reported outcomes after ACLR with or without an LET. LET may increase the risk of lateral compartment osteoarthritis at long-term follow-up. There was a trend toward decreased graft failure risk with the addition of LET but this study was underpowered to assess this outcome.

Objectives: In combined ACL and anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction with outside-in femoral drilling, there is a risk of femoral tunnel collision. The objective was to determine the optimal combination of ACL and ALL femoral tunnel orientation to minimize the risk of collision. Methods: Forty patients with isolated ACLR with inside-out femoral drilling were included. For each patient, a postoperative MRI of the femur was reconstructed in 3D. An ALL tunnel was modeled virtually with a pair of coronal and axial angles varying from 0° to 40°. The minimum distance to the existing ACL tunnel was measured for each pair of angles. For each patient, based on the optimal ALL orientation identified, a correlation between the ACL angle in relation to the axial plane and the distance between the ACL and the ALL tunnel was established. Results: The lowest collision rate between the ACL and ALL tunnels was measured at 0% with a 0° coronal and 40° anterior axial ALL fixation angle. In order to avoid the risk of femoral trochlea breaking when the ALL femoral tunnel is being created, it should not exceed 30 mm in length. In this context, the risk of trochlea breaking by the guide pin was evaluated at 42%. The closer the orientation of the ACL tunnel to the axis of the femoral shaft, the greater the distance to the ALL tunnel, which decreases the risk of collision of the 2 tunnels. A fixation system without guide wire should be used if trochlear breaking of the ALL guide pin is to be avoided. Conclusion: In a combined inside-out ACL and ALL reconstruction, we recommend creating the ALL tunnel with a 0° coronal and 40° axial fixation angle and the ACL tunnel with the orientation closest to the axis of the femoral shaft.

Objective: Patellofemoral instability is common and affects a predominantly young age group. Chondral injury occurs in up to 95%, and includes osteochondral fractures and loose bodies acutely and secondary degenerative changes in recurrent cases. Biomechanical abnormalities, such as trochlear dysplasia, patella alta, and increased tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance, predispose to both recurrent dislocations and patellofemoral arthrosis. Design: In this article, we review the mechanisms of chondral injury in patellofemoral instability, diagnostic modalities, the distribution of lesions seen in acute and episodic dislocation, and treatments for articular cartilage lesions of the patellofemoral joint. Results: Little specific evidence exists for cartilage treatments in patellofemoral instability. In general, the results of reparative and restorative procedures in the patellofemoral joint are inferior to those observed in other compartments of the knee. Conclusion: Given the increased severity of chondral lesions and progression to osteoarthritis seen with recurrent dislocations, careful consideration should be given to early stabilisation in patients with predisposing factors.

Objectives Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) arthroscopic reconstruction with a patellar tendon graft (BTB) is a well-known and reliable surgical option for control of anterior laxity, at short and middle term. Most of those patients are young and practice sports, often at high level. Few studies have evaluated the long term effects of ACL reconstruction, and more specifically lateral tenodesis, on knee function. It has been shown that chronic anterior instability, when left untreated, evolves towards femorotibial osteoarthritis in the 10 to 20 years after ACL rupture. This study aims to compare long-term survival and femorotibial arthritis between ACL reconstruction with and without lateral tenodesis. Methods 121 consecutive knees (120 patients) presenting with an ACL rupture between 1998 and 1999 were included in this prospective randomized monocentric study. For the 61 knees in group BTB, an isolated patellar tendon plasty with outside-in technique was performed. For 60 knees in group BTB-T, the intra-articular plasty was associated with a lateral tenodesis with gracilis tendon. Patients were reviewed at 1 year, 6 years and 19 years post-operatively. Results 80 patients were contacted with a minimum follow-up of 19 years. 43 patients had a clinical examination and the 37 other patients were evaluated through a telephone questionnaire. We had standard X-rays for 45 patients and laximetry (TELOS™) for 42 patients. 41 patients (34%) were lost to follow-up. 16 knees (20%) had experienced a graft failure, 5 of which had had an iterative ACL plasty. The difference between group BTB (27.5%) and group BTB-T (13.2%) concerning graft failure was not statistically significant (p = 0.38). 32 patients (71%) had femorotibial osteoarthritis (IKDC grade C or D). There was no difference between groups BTB and BTB-T concerning medial femorotibial osteoarthritis. Lateral femorotibial osteoarthritis was significantly increased in groupe BTB-T (59%) compared to group BTB (21%) and to the contralateral knee (5%). 36 patients (45%) had had a lateral or medial meniscectomy. Mean subjective IKDC score was 81.8/100, comparable between groups BTB and BTB-T. 67% still practiced pivot sports. Conclusion At 19 years follow-up after patellar tendon ACL plasty, lateral tenodesis did not significantly improve graft survival in our study. Lateral femorotibial osteoarthritis was significantly increased in patients with a lateral tenodesis. However, a follow-up bias may be that lesions of the lateral meniscus were more frequent in BTB-T patients for whom we obtained X-rays. Functional scores were stable at over 80/100 and two thirds of patients still practiced pivot sports. ACL graft survival was 80% at 20 years follow-up.

Background: The association between patella alta and episodic patellar dislocation (EPD) has been well described, but its pathophysiology is not completely clear. Patella alta causes decreased contact between the patella and trochlea and decreased resistance to lateral translation of the patella. Additionally, increased patellar tendon length may allow pathologically increased coronal plane patellar motion. It may thus be desirable to address the length of the patellar tendon itself rather than just its insertion site.Hypothesis: Tenodesis of the patellar tendon in association with tibial tubercle distalization in patients with EPD and abnormally long patellar tendons (>52 mm) results in significant reduction in patellar tendon length, prevention of further patellar dislocation, and good knee function at long-term follow-up.Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods: Twenty-seven knees in 22 patients with EPD and patella alta were treated with patellar tendon tenodesis and tibial tubercle distalization. Following tubercle distalization, the patellar tendon was tenodesed into the original location of the tibial tubercle with suture anchors. Changes in patellar tendon length and patellar height were measured radiographically. Any recurrent dislocation was documented, and patients completed an International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective form at a mean of 9.6 years (range, 6-14 years) after surgery.Results: The mean length of the patellar tendon decreased from 56.3 ± 2.7 mm to 44.3 ± 8.6 mm ( P < .0001). The Caton-Deschamps index decreased from 1.22 ± 0.17 to 0.95 ± 0.22 ( P < .0001), and the Insall-Salvati ratio decreased from 1.42 ± 0.17 to 0.91 ± 0.18 ( P < .0001). No patellar dislocations occurred postoperatively. The mean postoperative subjective IKDC score was 75.6 ± 9.5.Conclusion: Patellar tendon tenodesis and tibial tubercle distalization result in normalization of patellar tendon length, a stable patellofemoral joint, and good long-term knee function in patients with patella alta and EPD.

Background: Several techniques have been described for reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL). The anatomical insertion of the MPFL has been defined; however, there are no reports describing the accuracy of femoral graft positioning assessed postoperatively. Purpose: To analyze our femoral tunnel positioning for MPFL reconstruction in correlation with our clinical results. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The authors reported a prospective series of 29 MPFL reconstructions with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. The tunnel positioning analysis was performed using plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging at 1-year follow-up. Results: Twenty-nine femoral tunnels were analyzed; 20 femoral tunnels (69%) were considered to be in good position on plain radiographs. On magnetic resonance imaging, the authors found 19 femoral tunnels (65%) in a proper location, 5 (17.5%) in a high position, and 5 in an anterior and/or high position. Conclusion: The study highlights the difficulty of reproducible MPFL reconstruction. The surgical procedure continues to be improved and finding a reliable technique to anatomically place the graft remains challenging. Verifying femoral tunnel placement radiographically may be recommended during surgery.