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Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of cadaveric ankle arthroscopy courses in reducing iatrogenic injuries., Methods: A total of 60 novice surgeons enrolled in a basic cadaveric ankle arthroscopy course were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 32) was lectured on portal placement and use of the arthroscope, whereas group B (n = 28) was in addition lectured on specific portal-related complications. Following the performance of anterior ankle arthroscopy and hindfoot endoscopy, the specimens were dissected and carefully assessed for detection of any iatrogenic injuries., Results: The rate of injury to the superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) was reduced from 25 to 3.6%, in group A compared with B (p = 0.033). Injuries to the peroneus tertius or extensor digitorum longus, the flexor hallucis longus and the tibial nerve or the Achilles tendon were also reduced in group B. Overall, the number of uninjured specimens was 50% (n = 30) and higher in group B (57%) than group A (44%). Lesions to the plantaris tendon, the sural nerve or the posterior tibial artery were more common in group B, however, without reaching statistical significance. Overall, 25 (13.9%) anatomic structures were injured in anterior arthroscopy compared to 18 (5%) in hindfoot endoscopy, out of a potential total of 180 and 360, respectively (p = 0.001)., Conclusion: Dedicated lectures on portal-related complications have proven useful in reducing the risk of injury to the SPN, the commonest iatrogenic injury encountered in ankle arthroscopy. Hindfoot endoscopy is significantly safer than anterior ankle arthroscopy in terms of injury to anatomical structures.

Purpose: Despite the increased use of ankle dorsiflexion without distraction, no reports have specifically addressed the arthroscopic anatomy of the ankle in this position. The purpose of this study was to describe the normal arthroscopic anatomy of the ankle joint, when using the ankle dorsiflexion and the dynamic distraction technique, and to propose an arthroscopic examination system for the anterior ankle compartment., Methods: Ankle arthroscopy was performed in 20 fresh frozen specimens. Arthroscopic examination was performed with the arthroscope introduced through the anteromedial portal. The anterior compartment was examined in ankle dorsiflexion without distraction. The compartment was examined in four steps: (1) lateral area including the lateral gutter; (2) the central area of the anterior tibial rim; (3) the medial area including the medial gutter; (4) the talar neck. Next, distraction was applied to visualise the anterior compartment again and to examine the central and posterior ankle compartments., Results: Anatomic intra-articular structures were visualised in all specimens. Four intra-articular fat pads, one anteromedial, two syndesmotic and another posteromedial, were constantly observed. A description of the normal arthroscopic anatomy of the ankle using the ankle dorsiflexion and the dynamic distraction technique is detailed for the anterior, central and posterior compartments., Conclusion: The ankle arthroscopic procedure without distraction allows constant visualisation of the ATFL's superior fascicle on the floor of the lateral gutter, the ATiFL's distal fascicle laterally and the most anterior margin of the deltoid ligament in the medial gutter (anterior tibiotalar ligament). However, ankle distraction is required to observe the central and posterior compartments, but it does not provide optimal visualisation of the anterior ankle compartment structures., Level of Evidence: V.

Purpose: A thorough understanding of the arthroscopic anatomy is important to recognise pathological conditions. Although some ankle ligaments have been described as intra-articular structures, no studies have assessed the full visibility of these structures. The purpose of this study was to assess arthroscopic visibility of medial and lateral ankle collateral ligaments., Methods: Arthroscopy was performed in 20 fresh frozen ankles. The arthroscope was introduced through the anteromedial portal and the anterior compartment was explored in ankle dorsiflexion without distraction. Intra-articular structures were tagged using a suture-passer introduced percutaneously and they were listed in a table according to the surgeon's identification. After the arthroscopic procedure, the ankles were dissected to identify the suture-tagged structures., Results: According to the suture-tagged structures, 100% correlation was found between arthroscopy and dissection. In the anterior compartment, the superior fascicle of the anterior talofibular ligament, the distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament and the anterior tibiotalar ligament on the medial side were observed. The deep fascicle of the posterior tibiofibular ligament and the intermalleolar ligament were tagged at the posterior compartment., Conclusion: Ankle dorsiflexion and non-distraction arthroscopic technique allows full visualisation of the medial and lateral ankle collateral ligaments: the superior fascicle of the anterior talofibular ligament, the distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament and the anterior tibiotalar ligament. When using distraction, posterior structures as the deep fascicle of the posterior tibiofibular ligament and the intermalleolar ligament can be observed with anterior arthroscopy.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common cause of hip pain and dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to report outcome 2 years after the arthroscopic treatment of FAI using validated outcome measurements. Two hundred and eighty-nine patients (males = 190, females = 99) with a mean age of 37 years underwent arthroscopic surgery for FAI. Patients were included consecutively in a hip arthroscopy registry. The cohort was evaluated using online web-based validated health-related patient-reported outcomes measurements, including the iHOT-12, HAGOS, EQ-5D, HSAS for physical activity level, VAS for overall hip function and overall satisfaction. The mean follow-up time was 25.4 months. Pre-operative scores compared with those obtained at follow-up revealed statistically and clinically significant improvements (P < 0.05) for all measured outcomes; iHOT-12 (43 vs 66), VAS for global hip function (50 vs 71), HSAS (2.9 vs 3.6), EQ-5D index (0.58 vs 0.75), EQ-VAS (67 vs 75) and HAGOS different subscales (56 vs 76, 51 vs 69, 60 vs 78, 40 vs 65, 29 vs 57, 33 vs 58). At the 2-year follow-up, 236 patients (82%) reported they were satisfied with the outcome of surgery. We conclude that arthroscopic treatment for FAI resulted in statistically and clinically significant improvements in outcome parameters., (© 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: Surgical hip dislocation (SHD) and hip arthroscopy are surgical methods used to correct deformity associated with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Though both of these approaches appear to benefit patients, no studies exist comparing healthcare resource utilization of the two surgical approaches. This systematic review examines the literature and the records of two surgeons to evaluate the resource utilization associated with treating symptomatic FAI via these two methods., Methods: EMBASE, MEDLINE and PubMed were searched for relevant articles. The articles were systematically screened, and data was abstracted in duplicate. To further supplement resource utilization data, a retrospective chart review of two surgeon's patient data (one using SHD and another using an arthroscopic approach) was completed. Experts in pharmacy, physiotherapy, radiology, anaesthesia, physiatry and the local hospital finance department were also consulted., Results: There were 52 studies included with a total of 460 patients (535 hips) and 3886 patients (4147 hips) who underwent SHD and arthroscopic surgery for FAI, respectively. Regardless of approach, most patients treated for symptomatic FAI improved across various outcomes measures with low complication rates. Surgical time across all approaches was similar, averaging 118 ± 2 min. On a per patient basis, hip arthroscopy ($10,976) uses approximately 41 % of the resources of SHD ($24,379)., Conclusion: There were no significant differences in outcomes for FAI treated with SHD or arthroscopy. However, with regard to healthcare resource utilization based on the OHIP healthcare system, hip arthroscopy uses substantially less resources than SHD within the first post-operative year., Level of Evidence: Systematic Review of Level IV Studies, Level IV.

Unlabelled: A total of 20 patients scheduled for wrist arthroscopy, all with clinical signs of rupture to the triangular fibrocartilage complex and distal radioulnar joint instability, were tested pre-operatively by an independent observer for strength of forearm rotation. During surgery, the intra-articular pathology was documented by photography and also subsequently individually analysed by another independent hand surgeon. Arthroscopy revealed a type 1-B injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex in 18 of 20 patients. Inter-rater reliability between the operating surgeon and the independent reviewer showed absolute agreement in all but one patient (95%) in terms of the injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex and its classification. The average pre-operative torque strength was 71% of the strength of the non-injured contralateral side in pronation and supination. Distal radioulnar joint instability with an arthroscopically verified injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex is associated with a significant loss of both pronation and supination torque., Level of Evidence: Case series, Level IV., (© The Author(s) 2015.)

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is characterized by an abnormality in the shape of the femoral head-neck or acetabulum that results in impingement between these two structures. Arthroscopic treatment has become the preferred method of management of FAI owing to its minimally invasive approach. Surgical correction involves resection of impinging osseous structures as well as concurrent management of the associated chondral and labral pathology. Research from the past 5 years has shown that repair of the labrum results in a better anatomic correction and improved outcomes compared with labral debridement. Research is underway to improve cartilage assessment by using innovative imaging techniques and biochemical tests to inform predictions of prognosis. Several ongoing randomized controlled trials, including the Femoroacetabular Impingement Trial (FAIT) and the Femoroacetabular Impingement Randomized Controlled Trial (FIRST), will provide critical information regarding the diagnosis, management and prognosis of patients undergoing arthroscopic management of FAI.

Unlabelled: Although several arthroscopic procedures for lateral ligament instability of the ankle have been reported recently, it is difficult to augment the reconstruction by arthroscopically tightening the inferior extensor retinaculum. There is also concern that when using the inferior extensor retinaculum, this is not strictly an anatomical repair since its calcaneal attachment is different to that of the calcaneofibular ligament. If a ligament repair is completed firmly, it is unnecessary to add argumentation with inferior extensor retinaculum. The authors describe a simplified technique, repair of the lateral ligament alone using a lasso-loop stitch, which avoids additionally tighten the inferior extensor retinaculum. In this paper, it is described an arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament repair using lasso-loop stitch alone for lateral instability of the ankle that is likely safe for patients and minimal invasive., Level of Evidence: Therapeutic study, Level V.

Purpose: This systematic review examines outcomes and risk profiles of the hip arthroscopy in the supine versus lateral decubitus positions to elucidate any superiority of one approach over the other., Methods: Three databases (Embase, PubMed, and Medline) were searched for studies that addressed hip arthroscopy performed in either position, and were subsequently screened by two reviewers with data abstracted in duplicate., Results: Similar outcomes were observed. Supine studies showed a greater mean postoperative improvement for modified Harris hip score (33.74), visual analog scale (-3.99), nonarthritic hip score (29.61), Harris hip score (35.73), and hip outcome score (31.4). Lateral decubitus studies showed greater improvement using the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis (14.76) score. Supine studies reported more neuropraxic injuries (2.06% v 0.47%), labral penetration (0.65% v 0%), and heterotopic ossification (0.21% v 0%). Lateral decubitus studies reported more fluid extravasation (0.21% v 0.05%) and missed loose bodies (0.08% v 0.01%). Similar rates of revision (1.8% lateral, 1.4% supine) and conversion to open procedures (2.6% in lateral, 2.0% in supine) were also identified., Conclusions: Because of quality of evidence, direct comparisons are currently limited; however, the supine position is associated with more neuropraxic injuries, labral penetration, and heterotopic ossification, whereas lateral decubitus has increased risk of fluid extravasation and missed loose bodies. At this time, no evidence exists to establish superiority of one position., Level of Evidence: Level IV, systematic review of Level II, III, and IV studies., (Copyright © 2016 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the efficacy of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prophylaxis for preventing heterotopic ossification (HO) in the setting of hip arthroscopy., Methods: A systematic search was performed in duplicate for studies comparing the use of NSAID prophylaxis for HO in the setting of hip arthroscopy until March 2015. Study parameters--including sample size, incidence of HO, adverse effects, and level of symptoms--were obtained. Furthermore, the level of evidence of studies was collected and quality assessment was performed. The difference in incidence as well as pooled odds ratios were calculated and analyzed to compare no prophylaxis versus NSAID prophylaxis., Results: This systematic review identified 5 studies, consisting of 1,662 patients, investigating NSAID prophylaxis in hip arthroscopy. HO was diagnosed with the use of postoperative hip radiographs at follow-up, with 95% of cases classified using the Brooker classification. The incidence of HO was 13.4% without NSAID prophylaxis and 3.3% with NSAID prophylaxis. Pooled odds ratios from the prospective studies were 0.07 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02 to 0.28; P = .0002; I(2) = 0%), showing with statistical significance that NSAID prophylaxis decreased the incidence of HO. The retrospective data similarly showed pooled odds ratios of 0.03 (95% CI, 0.00 to 1.43); P = .08; I(2) = 84%), although it was not statistically significant. Most of the patients who experienced HO in both groups were not reported to be symptomatic. Adverse effects and compliance were not consistently reported., Conclusions: The available orthopaedic literature suggests that the incidence of postoperative HO may be decreased with the use of NSAID prophylaxis in hip arthroscopy. However, the evidence is unclear regarding NSAID drug regimen choice, drug compliance, and adverse effects., Level of Evidence: Level III, systematic review of Level I, Level II, and Level III studies., (Copyright © 2016 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Hip arthroscopy is a rapidly expanding field in orthopaedics. Indications and surgical procedures are increasing. Although several studies report favourable clinical outcomes, further scientific evidence is needed for every aspect of this area. Accordingly, a registry for hip arthroscopy was developed. The purpose of this study is to describe the development of the registry and present its baseline data., Methods: A Scandinavian expert group agreed to use a set of functional outcome scores for the evaluation of hip arthroscopy patients. They were the international hip outcome tool-12, hip and groin outcome score, EQ-5D, hip-specific activity level scale and visual analogue scale for overall hip function. These scores were validated and culturally adapted to Swedish. A database was created for web-based, self-administered questionnaires. Perioperative data were also collected., Results: The process leading to the registry is reported. Baseline data from the first 606 patients collected during a 14-month period are presented. The preferred surgical technique is presented. The mean operation time was 69 (SD 14) minutes. In 333 procedures, mixed cam and pincer pathology were addressed, compared with 223 procedures with the treatment of isolated cam pathology. Outpatient surgery was performed in all patients., Conclusion: The baseline data in this study can be used as reference values for future scientific work from this registry. Knowledge of the process leading to the development of the registry could be useful to other researchers planning similar work.

Purpose: Disruption in the balance of shoulder stability can produce a widely varied spectrum of clinical symptoms, ranging from minor shoulder instability to frank shoulder dislocation, followed by recurrent instability. In this study, a series of patients suffering from minor shoulder instability, all with clinical signs of preoperative subacromial impingement associated with instability, were treated. The shoulder instability alone was addressed, with the aim of eliminating the clinical symptoms of subacromial impingement and pain., Material: In this study, 20 patients with minor shoulder instability, presenting with subacromial impingement symptoms, underwent arthroscopic treatment to address capsule-labral pathology. All patients underwent a preoperative assessment by one independent physiotherapist, using Constant and WOSI scores, as well as the Castagna test, on both the affected and non-affected sides. The Hawkins test and subacromial pain in 90° of abduction and internal rotation were also evaluated. All patients followed the same rehabilitation protocol by a second physiotherapist. All patients were followed up at 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively by the same independent physiotherapist., Results: We observed that 20/20 patients had a positive Hawkins sign at >20° of internal rotation preoperatively, while 4/19 had a positive Hawkins sign--all with less pain--at the 24-month follow-up (P < 0.0001). Moreover, 20/20 had a positive Castagna test preoperatively, while 1/20 had a positive Castagna test at the 24-month follow-up. In terms of shoulder scores, at 24 months, the Constant score had improved from a median value of 70 (51-91) preoperatively to a median value of 91 (86-100). The median WOSI score was 48.3 (12.7-78.6) preoperatively and improved to 84.9 (39.5-98.5) at 24 months postoperatively., Conclusion: Minor shoulder instability is an intra-articular pathology presenting with extra-articular subacromial impingement symptoms. By treating the intra-articular pathology, the extra-articular symptoms can be relieved in the vast majority of patients.

Purpose: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate studies published on anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction., Methods: A systematic electronic search was performed by use of the Medline and Embase databases. Studies that were published from January 1995 to April 2009 were included. The selection criteria were studies that reported on a surgical technique for "anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction" on skeletally mature living human subjects and were written in English. Data collected and analyzed included a variety of surgical data. Tables were created to provide an overview of surgical techniques for anatomic ACL reconstruction., Results: Seventy-four studies were included in this review. Some surgical factors were adequately reported in the majority of the articles: visualizing the native ACL insertion sites, placing the tunnels in the footprint, graft type, and fixation method. However; ACL insertion site measurement, femoral intercondylar notch measurement, individualization of surgery, and intraoperative/postoperative imaging were poorly reported. The most variety was seen in knee flexion angle during femoral tunnel drilling and tensioning pattern of the grafts., Conclusions: For most surgical data, there was a gross under-reporting of specific operative technique data. We believe that the details of an "anatomic" operative technique are crucial for the valid interpretations of the outcomes. Thus we encourage authors to report their surgical technique in a specific and standardized fashion.

Anterior cruciate ligament graft fixation has become one of the most investigated topics in the sports traumatology literature. With over 400 publications within the past decade, a plausible explanation for the popularity of the topic would be that anterior cruciate ligament graft fixation represents an obvious clinical problem. Yet this does not seem to be the case. We set out to analyze the veracity of the notion that the fixation site is the weak link in a reconstructed knee in the early postoperative period. A mere temporal association is found between the first clinical reports on increased anterior tibial translation relative to the femur with soft-tissue grafts and the first pullout studies reporting lower ultimate failure loads with such grafts. This association was sufficient to convince the orthopaedic community at large that actual causality exists between soft-tissue graft fixation failure and increased knee laxity during healing. Thus the concept of "graft slippage" was born. Even with the imminent risk of being misconstrued as contentious, we submit that the entire concept of graft slippage is a myth, founded on poor scientific practice and affected by commercial bias. As a way forward, clinically important phenomena should be demonstrated through experiments with clear and sound clinical endpoints. As for preclinical studies, although they are indisputably helpful in the elaboration of such phenomena, serious hazards lie in declaring them a sufficient scientific basis for new research or, worse, for clinical standards of care. More importantly, no matter how sophisticated or fascinating their methodology, preclinical studies do not relieve us from the necessity and duty of proving our theories, whenever possible, with randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: The primary aim was to summarize and assess current evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on anterior cruciate ligament injuries, with special reference to graft type and surgical technique. The secondary aims were to identify the relative strengths and weaknesses of the selected studies, to resolve contradictions in the literature, and to evaluate the need for further studies., Methods: A PubMed database search using the key words "anterior cruciate ligament" was performed. The search was limited to RCTs published in English between January 1995 and March 2009. Articles on the subject of graft type and surgical technique were identified. After initial screening and a subsequent quality appraisal based on the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) Statement, a total of 39 articles were included in this review., Results: There are no differences between the bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) graft and the hamstring tendon (HT) graft in terms of laxity, clinical outcome, time to return to sports, patellofemoral crepitations, 1-leg hop test, range of motion, thigh muscle circumference, or anterior knee sensory deficit. The BPTB graft produces more anterior knee pain and kneeling pain than the HT graft, but the difference disappears with time. The harvest site affects muscle strength initially but not over time. There is a possible correlation between the development of osteoarthritis and the BPTB graft. The HT graft produces more tunnel widening than the BPTB graft, but there is no correlation between tunnel widening and clinical outcome or laxity. The semitendinosus and gracilis graft is associated with inferior knee flexion at higher angles, as compared with the semitendinosus graft. There are probably no differences between the BPTB graft and the bone-HT-bone graft in terms of laxity and clinical outcome. Semitendinosus and gracilis tendon harvesting probably reduces hamstring muscle strength for approximately 1 year. Double-bundle reconstruction produces less rotatory laxity than single-bundle reconstruction. Double-bundle reconstruction by use of an 8-strand HT graft probably produces less laxity than single-bundle reconstruction. There are no differences in clinical outcome when single-bundle and double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions are compared., Conclusions: In the quality assessment several weaknesses in the study design of the RCTs were found. This emphasizes the need for further high-quality studies, especially with long-term follow-up., Level of Evidence: Level II, systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: The primary aim was to investigate and assess the current evidence of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, with special reference to the choice of surgical techniques and aspects of rehabilitation. A secondary aim was to clarify relative strengths and weaknesses of the selected studies, resolve literature conflicts, and finally, evaluate the need for further studies., Methods: A PubMed database search using the key words "anterior cruciate ligament" was performed. The search was limited to only RCTs published in English during the period of January 1995 to March 2009. Articles concerning surgical technique and rehabilitation were obtained. After initial screening and subsequent quality appraisal based on the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) Statement, a total of 70 articles were included in this review., Results: Initial graft tension and the use of a ligament augmentation device do not affect clinical outcome. Bioabsorbable screws and titanium screws produced equal clinical outcome, regardless of graft type. Radiographic signs of osteoarthritis develop in 50% of ACL-injured patients, regardless of treatment. Meniscectomy further increases the risk. Furthermore, the use of a postoperative knee brace does not affect the clinical outcome after ACL reconstruction. Closed kinetic chain exercises produced less pain and laxity while promoting better subjective outcome than open kinetic chain exercises after patellar tendon reconstruction., Conclusions: In terms of quality assessment, several weaknesses pertaining to study design were discovered among the included RCTs, which intelligibly stress the need for further high-quality studies., Level of Evidence: Level II, systematic review of RCTs.

Objectives: To describe clinical changes with two protocols of physiotherapy following arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) over two years. Reliability of Functional Index of the Shoulder was performed., Design: A prospective, randomized pilot study, within-subject design., Subjects: Thirty-four shoulders (13 women), mean age 46 (SD 7) years with primary shoulder impingement, listed for arthroscopic subacromial decompression., Interventions: The traditional group (n = 20) started with active assisted range of motion exercises on the day of surgery, dynamic exercises for the rotator cuff after six weeks and strengthening exercises after eight weeks. The progressive group (n = 14) started active assisted range of motion and dynamic exercises for the rotator cuff on the day of surgery. Strengthening exercises started after six weeks., Main Measures: A clinical evaluation was made preoperatively, six weeks, three, six, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Pain, patient satisfaction, active range of motion and muscular strength were evaluated. Shoulder function was evaluated using Constant score, Hand in neck, Pour out of a pot and Functional Index of the Shoulder., Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in pain during activity and at rest, in range of motion in extension and abduction, in strength of external rotation and in function. There were no clinical differences in changes between groups. Most patients were pain-free from six months. After two years, the majority of patients achieved > or = 160 degrees in flexion, > or = 175 degrees in abduction and 80 degrees in external rotation, the traditional achieved 67 and the progressive group 87 with Constant score., Conclusions: Early activation using a comprehensive, well-defined and controlled physiotherapy protocol can be used safely after arthroscopic subacromial decompression.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare the clinical and radiographic results after arthroscopic Bankart reconstruction using 2 different types of absorbable implant., Type of Study: Randomized controlled trial., Methods: A randomized series of 40 patients who had recurrent, unidirectional, post-traumatic shoulder instability were included in the study. All patients underwent an arthroscopic Bankart reconstruction involving either polygluconate co-polymer (PGACP group, n = 20) or self-reinforced poly-L-lactic acid polymer (PLLA group, n = 20) tack implants. The patients underwent clinical and radiographic assessments preoperatively and at 2 years. Additional radiographic assessments were performed at 6 months., Results: Preoperatively, the study groups were comparable in terms of demographics as well as clinical parameters. One patient in each group had a redislocation (5%) during the follow-up period of 2 years. No subluxations were registered. No statistically significant differences were found between the study groups in terms of strength in abduction, range of motion, and Rowe or Constant scores. There was a significant increase in degenerative changes during the follow-up period in both study groups (P = .004). However, no significant differences in degenerative changes were registered between the study groups either preoperatively or at the 2-year follow-up. There were no significant differences in the radiographic visibility of the drill holes used for the absorbable implants between the study groups at the 6-month assessment. However, at the 2-year assessment, the radiographic visibility of the drill holes was significantly greater (P = .004) in the patients in the PLLA group than those in the PGACP group. At the 2-year assessment, no correlation was found between the appearance of the drill holes and the degenerative findings (PGACP group, rho = 0.44; PLLA group, rho = 0.42)., Conclusions: Two years after arthroscopic Bankart reconstruction using either PGA polymer or PLA polymer implants, the overall clinical results were comparable. Radiographic assessments revealed that the degenerative changes increased in both study groups during the follow-up period. Furthermore, the visibility of the drill holes on the 2-year radiographs was greater after using PLLA implants than after using PGACP implants., Level of Evidence: Level I.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the outcome and risk factors after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in a large group of patients., Type of Study: Case series., Methods: Included in this retrospective study were 948 patients (323 female, 625 male) with a symptomatic unilateral ACL rupture, who underwent arthroscopic reconstruction using patellar tendon autograft and interference screw fixation at 3 Swedish hospitals. The median age of the patients at the time of the index operation was 26 years (range, 14 to 53 years). The patients underwent surgery at a median of 12 months (range, 0.5 to 360 months) after their injury. Independent physiotherapists performed the follow-up examinations at a median of 32 months (range, 21 to 117 months) postoperatively., Results: Of the 948 patients, 550 (58%) underwent meniscal surgery before, during, or after the ACL reconstruction. The median Tegner activity level was 8 (range, 2-10) before injury, 3 (range, 0-9) preoperatively, and 6 (range, 1-10) at follow-up (P < .0001 preoperative v follow-up). At follow-up, the median Lysholm score was 90 points (range, 14-100), the median KT-1000 anterior side-to-side laxity difference was 1.5 mm (range, -6 to 13 mm), and the median 1-leg hop test quotient was 95% (0% to 167%) compared with the contralateral normal side. At follow-up, 69.3% of the patients were classified as normal or nearly normal according to the International Knee Documentation Committee evaluation system. However, 36% of the patients were unable to or had severe problems performing the knee-walking test. Inferior results correlated with increased time period between the index injury and reconstruction and concomitant joint damage found at the index operation., Conclusions: Overall, the results were good after ACL reconstruction using patellar tendon autograft and interference screw fixation. Concomitant joint damage and a long time period between the injury and reconstruction are major risk factors for inferior outcome after ACL reconstruction., Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare knee laxity in a group of patients with a unilateral right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and a group of patients with a unilateral left ACL rupture. Another goal was to analyze and compare the knee laxity of the right and left knees in a group of persons without any known knee problems., Type of Study: Prospective examination of the same patients preoperatively and 2 years after the reconstruction with examination of the healthy controls at 2 different occasions., Methods: Group A was composed of 41 patients with a right-sided chronic ACL rupture, and group B was composed of 44 patients with a left-sided chronic ACL rupture. All patients underwent an arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using patellar tendon autograft. Group C was composed of 35 persons without any known knee problems. One experienced physiotherapist performed all the KT-1000 measurements and the clinical examinations., Results: Group A displayed an increased difference in side-to-side laxity between the injured and non-injured side compared with group B in terms of both anterior and total knee laxity. This difference was found to be statistically significant preoperatively (P =.01, anterior; P =.001, total) and at follow-up evaluation 2 years after the index surgery (P =.008, anterior; P =.006, total). In group C, a significant increase was seen in absolute anterior and total laxity in the right knee compared with the left knee when 2 repeated measurements were performed (P <.0001 and P =.003, anterior; P <.0001 and P =.001, total)., Conclusions: The KT-1000 arthrometer revealed a significant increase in laxity measurements in right knees compared with left knees. This difference was found both preoperatively and postoperatively in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction. The same thing was found in a group of persons without any known knee problems., Level of Evidence: Level II.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction on the bone mineral area mass (BMA) in the calcaneus on the injured and noninjured sides., Type of Study: A prospective cohort study with sequential assessments of bone mineral in the calcaneus before and after ACL reconstruction., Methods: Thirty-four consecutive patients with a unilateral ACL rupture underwent arthroscopic reconstruction using patellar tendon autografts. The BMA was assessed bilaterally in the calcaneus using a gamma camera according to the dual-energy photon absorptiometry technique, before surgery and after 6 and 26 months., Results: Thirty-one of 34 patients (20 men and 11 women) underwent all BMA measurements. The median age at index surgery was 27 (16 to 50) years, and the reconstruction was performed 12 (2 to 192) months after the injury. The median preoperative Tegner activity level increased from 3 (2 to 8) to 7 (2 to 9) at 26 months (P <.0001). The BMA in the calcaneus on both the injured and noninjured side decreased by 16% and 17% respectively from the preoperative measurement to the 26-month control (P =.0014; P =.0006). On all occasions, the BMA was lower on the injured side than on the noninjured side (P =.012)., Conclusions: Patients with a unilateral ACL rupture had a lower BMA in the calcaneus on the injured side compared with the noninjured side. Although patients increased activity levels after reconstruction, the BMA in the calcaneus decreased on both the injured and the noninjured side up to 2 years after surgery., Level of Evidence: Level II-1, prospective cohort study.

Background: There are well-known problems with the use of bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, especially in terms of donor site morbidity. Hamstring tendon grafts have been increasingly used as an alternative, but there are very few controlled studies comparing the methods., Hypothesis: Use of semitendinosus tendon grafts will cause less donor site morbidity and result in better knee-walking ability., Study Design: Prospective randomized clinical trial., Methods: Seventy-one patients who had a unilateral anterior cruciate ligament rupture underwent arthroscopic reconstruction with interference screw fixation and use of either bone-patellar tendon-bone or semitendinosus tendon graft. Outcome assessment was performed by physiotherapists not involved in the patients' care., Results: At the 2-year follow-up, no differences were found in terms of the Lysholm score, Tegner activity level, KT-1000 arthrometer side-to-side laxity measurement, single-legged hop test, or International Knee Documentation Committee classification results. The knee-walking test was rated difficult or impossible to perform by 53% of the bone-patellar tendon-bone group and by only 23% of the semitendinosus graft patients, a significant difference., Conclusions: The semitendinosus tendon graft is at least an equivalent option to the bone-patellar tendon-bone graft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and we recommend its use., (Copyright 2003 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine)

We performed a prospective study of 117 patients (119 shoulders) with symptomatic, recurrent anterior posttraumatic shoulder instability to compare open versus arthroscopic reconstruction. Arthroscopic reconstructions (N = 66) were performed using bioabsorbable tacks (Suretac fixators), whereas open reconstructions (N = 53) were performed with suture anchors. All of the patients had a Bankart lesion. Independent observers examined 108 of the 119 shoulders (91%) at a median follow-up period of 28 months (range, 24 to 63) for the arthroscopic group and 36 months (range, 24 to 63) for the open group. The recurrence rate, including both dislocations and subluxations, was 9 of 60 (15%) in the arthroscopic group, compared with 5 of 48 (10%) in the open group. At follow-up, the Rowe score was 93 points (range, 39 to 100) and the Constant score was 91 points (range, 56 to 100) in the arthroscopic group, compared with 89 points (range, 53 to 100 and 57 to 100 for the Rowe and Constant scores, respectively) for both scores in the open group. The only significant difference was in external rotation in abduction, which was 90 degrees (range, 50 degrees to 135 degrees) in the arthroscopic group and 80 degrees (range, 25 degrees to 115 degrees) in the open group. Both methods produced stable and well-functioning shoulders in the majority of patients.

From 1993 through 1996, a multicenter study was conducted on the surgical treatment of patients with posttraumatic recurrent anterior shoulder dislocations. Fifty-six patients (40 men, 16 women; mean age 26 years [range 18-51 years]), were evaluated with shoulder arthroscopy. If a Bankart lesion was present, the patients were randomly allocated to either an arthroscopic reconstruction with the use of biodegradable tacks or an open reconstruction with suture anchors. The postoperative rehabilitation protocol for the two groups was identical. In all patients, the range of shoulder motion, stability, and the Constant and Rowe scores were evaluated at 3, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Thirty patients were surgically treated with the arthroscopic technique and 26 patients with the open technique. In the arthroscopic group, there were recurrences in 7 (23%) of 30 patients at a mean of 13 months (range 5 to 21 months) after surgery. All patients with stable shoulders had a negative apprehension test result. In the open group, there were recurrences in 3 (12%) of 26 patients at a mean of 10 months (range 2 to 23 months) after surgery (P = not significant). In the arthroscopic group, 2 patients had new traumatic redislocations, whereas 1 patient redislocated during an epileptic seizure. In the open group, 1 traumatic redislocation occurred. The 2-year results in this study demonstrate a large number of redislocations after reconstruction, even in the open surgery group. Patient noncompliance with the rehabilitation protocol and predisposing disease may partially explain these results. A tendency was seen toward more redislocations in the arthroscopic group, which emphasizes the importance of correct patient selection and careful surgical technique in the difficult surgical procedure.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the results after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft in 99 patients, who were followed up prospectively for four to seven years. The pre-injury Tegner activity level was 7 compared with 5 at the four- to seven-year follow-up (P<0.0001). The preoperative Lysholm score was 74.5 points. At the two-year follow-up, the Lysholm score was 95 points, while it was 90 points at the four- to seven-year follow-up (P<0.0001 preoperative vs two years and preoperative vs four to seven years and P<0.0005 two years vs four to seven years). Using the IKDC evaluation system, 80% of the patients were classified as normal or nearly normal and 20% as abnormal or severely abnormal at the final follow-up. The KT-1000 laxity measurements revealed a side-to-side difference of 2.9 mm preoperatively, 0.6 at two years and 1.0 mm at four to seven years. Twenty-six patients underwent additional surgery during the follow-up period. The results after arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament appear to be satisfactory both at the short- and the medium-term follow-ups, but there appears to be some deterioration between the two-year and the four- to seven-year follow-up.

This prospective randomized evaluated the effect of preconditioning patellar tendon autografts before implantation and fixation during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Fifty-three patients with a unilateral ACL rupture were included in the study. One group of patients had their patellar tendon autograft preconditioned by passive stretching at a constant load of 39 N for 10 min immediately prior to implantation (group P). The other group underwent no preconditioning before the implantation of the graft (group NP). The follow-up examination was performed by independent observers after 26 months (23-29) in group P and after 25 months (23-30) in group NP (n.s.). At follow-up the KT-1000 laxity test revealed a total side-to-side difference of 2.5 mm (-1.5 to +8.5) in group P and 3.0 mm (-7 to +6.5) in group NP (n.s.). The Lysholm score was 86 points (47-100) in group P and 94 points (44-100) in group NP (n.s.). The Tegner activity level was 6 (2-9) in group P and 7 (3-9) in group NP (n.s.). There was no significant difference between the study groups regarding IKDC classification. Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using a preconditioned patellar tendon autograft had no advantages in terms of restoration of laxity or clinical outcome at 2-year follow-up.

We compared analgesic effects and pharmacokinetics of intraarticular versus intravenous administration of morphine after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament surgery. In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, 40 patients were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups. Group I received 1 mg morphine intraarticularly and saline intravenously; group II received 5 mg morphine intraarticularly and saline intravenously; group III received 5 mg saline intraarticularly and morphine intravenously and group IV, the control group, received saline both intraarticularly and intravenously. The pain scores were significantly lower in groups I and II at 24 hours postoperatively than in group IV, and in group II during the rest of the postoperative period, as compared to groups III and IV. After intraarticular injection of 1 mg and 5 mg morphine, respectively, low concentrations of morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) were found in the circulation, while morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) appeared late after the injection in concentrations that considerably exceeded those of morphine in groups I and II. The analgesic effect of intraarticular morphine together with the low levels of morphine and morphine-6-glucuronide in plasma further strengthens the view that opioids have a peripheral mechanism of action.

The aim of this study was to compare the results after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in female and male competitive athletes who had a pre-injury Tegner activity level of > or =7 and a non-injured contralateral anterior cruciate ligament. One hundred and thirty-three female and 296 male patients were followed at 38 (21-68) months after the index operation. All the patients were operated on by experienced knee surgeons using patellar tendon autografts and interference screw fixation. At the index operation the median age of the female patients was 23 (1645) years and the median age of the male patients was 26 (16-47) years. The reconstruction was performed a median of 10 (0-141) and 10 (0-203) months after the injury in women and men respectively. The patients were re-examined by independent observers. At the follow-up, the median Lysholm score was 89 (38-100) points in the female group and 90 (22-100) points in the male group (P=0.015). The IKDC evaluation system, subjective anterior knee pain, subjective evaluation of the results, the knee-walking test and the KT-1000 tests revealed no differences between the groups. The mean (+/-2 SD) pre-injury Tegner activity level was 8.1 (+/-1.9) (median 8 (7-10)) in the female group and 8.4 (+/-1.8) (median 9 (7-10)) in the male group (P=0.003). At the follow-up, the Tegner activity level was 6.2 (+/-3.8) in the female group and 6.8 (+/-3.6) in the male group (P=0.012). At the follow-up, the Tegner activity level had decreased by 1.9 (+/-3.8) for the women and 1.6 (+/-3.3) for the men, as compared with the pre-injury level (n.s.). The difference between the performed and the desired activity level at the follow-up was 1.1 (+/-3.2) in the female group and 0.9 (+/-3.0) in the male group (n.s.). In the female group 53/133 (40%) and in the male group 115/296 (39%) returned to the pre-injury activity level (n.s.). The median one-leg-hop quotient was 93 (0-116)% in the female group and 96 (0-130)% in the male group (P=0.006). Concomitant meniscal injuries prior to the index operation, at the index operation or during the follow-up period were found in 64/133 (48%) women and in 185/ 296 (62%) men (P<0.01). The main conclusion was that the overall results in female and male athletes were comparable two to five years after the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. However, concomitant meniscal injuries were more common in male than females athletes after anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

The aim of this prospective study was to compare two arthroscopic techniques for reconstructing the anterior cruciate ligament, the "outside-in" (two incisions) and the "all-inside" (one incision) techniques. The results obtained for 30 patients operated on using the "outside-in" technique (group I) were compared with those for 29 patients operated on using the "all-inside" technique (group II). Before surgery, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of Lysholm score, Tegner activity level, patellofemoral pain score, or knee laxity. Both groups displayed significant improvements in Lysholm score after 24 months, from 69 (16) to 91 (9) in group I and from 70 (17) to 90 (15) in group II (means (SD)). There were also significant improvements in patellofemoral pain scores in both groups, from 13 (6) to 18 (5) in group I and from 14 (6) to 18 (4) in group II after 24 months. No difference was found between the groups in knee stability at the 24 month follow up. The IKDC score was identical in both groups at follow up. The operation took significantly longer for patients in group I (mean 94 (15)) than for those in group II (mean 86 (20)) (p = 0.03). The mean sick leave was 7.7 (6.2) weeks in group I and 12.3 (9.7) weeks in group II (p = 0.026), indicating that there may be a higher morbidity associated with the "all-inside" technique. It can be concluded that there were no significant differences between the two different techniques in terms of functional results, knee laxity, or postoperative complications. The results were satisfactory and the outcome was similar in both treatment groups.

The objective of this study was to compare the analgesic effects of intra-articularly administered bupivacaine with bupivacaine/morphine during and after therapeutic knee arthroscopy. In a prospective, randomized study, 50 patients with clinical signs of medial meniscal injury were allocated to two groups, A and B. The patients in group A received 40 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine while the same dose of bupivacaine combined with 1 mg of morphine sulphate was administered in group B. Pain was estimated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) during surgery and at 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours after the operation was completed. Supplementary analgesic requirements were also registered, as well as the patients' overall rating of the entire procedure. The pain scores were significantly lower in Group B throughout the whole postoperative observation period. However, no significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of intraoperative pain scores, supplementary analgesic requirements, or the overall rating of the procedure. This study provides evidence that arthroscopic surgery can be performed in a safe manner after intra-articularly administered bupivacaine with or without low-dose morphine. The combination of low-dose morphine and bupivacaine did, however, produce a superior postoperative analgesic effect during the 24 hours following knee arthroscopy compared with bupivacaine alone.

Improvements in techniques and instrumentation are extending the diagnostic and therapeutic indications for ankle arthroscopy. We aimed to study the diagnostic and therapeutic benefits and complication rate from 112 consecutive ankle arthroscopies performed between 1991 and 1994 under local and general anaesthesia. One-hundred and twelve outpatient ankle arthroscopies were performed in 72 male and 37 female patients, 16-64 years old. The patients were comparable in terms of gender and age in the arthroscopies done under local (n = 69) and the arthroscopies done under general anaesthesia (n = 43). The indications for surgery were pain in 75%, instability in 15%, limited function in 7% and swelling in 4%, and these criteria were similar in both groups. Antero-medial and anterolateral portals were used in all cases. No tourniquet was used and an external distractor was used in one case only. In 64 cases (57%) surgery was performed and included synovectomy, removal of loose bodies, shaving drilling of osteochondritic or other cartilage lesions, resection of impinging osteophytes, fibrosis and meniscoid lesions. In 95 ankles (85%) a definite diagnosis was established. Comparable diagnostic and therapeutic potentials were found between local and general anaesthesia. The complication rate was low. One patient who was operated on under general anaesthesia sustained a deep infection, and three suffered minor superficial nerve injuries. In conclusion, ankle arthroscopy may be performed under local or general anaesthesia with similar diagnostic value and with a low complication rate.

Intra-articular administration of local anaesthetics such as bupivacaine can produce short-term postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing diagnostic arthroscopy or arthroscopic meniscectomy. A peripheral anti-nociceptive effect may also be induced by the administration of intra-articular opiates interacting with local opioid receptors in inflamed peripheral tissue. In the present study we aimed to study the analgesic effects of intra-articularly given bupivacaine and morphine sulphate (as well as the combination of both drugs) on postoperative pain. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind manner 40 patients received one of the following: (a) morphine (1 mg in 20 ml NaCl), (b) bupivacaine (20 ml, 0.375%), (c) combination of both or (d) saline (20 ml, control group) intra-articularly at the end of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The postoperative pain was assessed via a visual analogue scale (VAS) during the first 48 h after surgery, and supplemental analgesic requirements were noted. All comparisons were made versus the control group receiving saline. The pain scores were significantly lower in the morphine group at 24 and 48 h, and in the bupivacaine group at 2, 4 and 6 h after surgery. In the group that received a combination of both bupivacaine and morphine, the pain scores were significantly reduced throughout the whole postoperative observation period. No side-effects or complications from therapy were seen in any of the groups. The conclusion of this study is that intra-articular morphine is effective in the postoperative period after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Axel Öhlin,1 Olufemi R Ayeni,2 Leif Swärd,1 Jón Karlsson,1 Mikael Sansone1 1Department of Orthopaedics, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; 2Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to present the successful management of symptomatic bilateral femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome in a patient who underwent surgical treatment on one side and non-surgical treatment on the other side. Methods: We evaluated the treatment outcome of a young female presenting with bilateral FAI syndrome of cam morphology. A follow-up was performed at 5 years following surgical treatment on the right hip and 2 years following non-surgical treatment on the left hip. The evaluation included a clinical examination, patient-reported outcome measurements (PROM), plain radiographs, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: The patient experienced subjective improvements bilaterally. The clinical examination revealed differences in range of motion between the surgically treated and the non-surgically treated sides, with internal rotation differing the most (20° vs almost 0°). Flexion was, however, the same on both sides (125°). The PROM results were satisfactory on both sides, with slightly better results for the surgically treated side (the short version of the International Hip Outcome Tool [iHOT-12]: 96.9 vs 90, the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score [HAGOS]: 90–100 vs 65–100). On the surgically treated side, the alpha angle decreased by 19° postoperatively. An MRI did not reveal any injury to the cartilage or labrum on either side. Conclusion: This patient with bilateral FAI syndrome treated with arthroscopic surgery on one side and physiotherapy together with reduced physical activity on the other side, presented with good results bilaterally at follow-up. Keywords: arthroscopy, physiotherapy, outcome, comparison

The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the results after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using the four-strand semitendinosus-gracilis (ST/G) autograft in male ( n=141) vs female ( n=103) patients. The patients were operated on between 1996 and 2005, using interference screw fixation and drilling the femoral tunnel through the anteromedial portal. The pre-operative assessments and demographics, apart from age (males 29 years, females 26 years; P=0.02), were comparable at the time of surgery. At 25 (23-36) months post-operatively, no significant differences were found between the study groups in terms of anterior side-to-side knee laxity, manual Lachman test, Tegner activity level, Lysholm knee score, range of motion or donor-site morbidity. Both study groups improved significantly in most clinical assessments and functional scores compared with their pre-operative values. Two years after ACL reconstruction using ST/G autografts, there were no significant differences between male and female patients in terms of clinical outcome or functional scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to examine whether the KT-1000 arthrometer was reliable when it came to distinguishing between a group of patients with a chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and a group of patients without an ACId rupture, and to examine the reproducibility of the examination between two experienced examiners. The aim was also to examine whether the KT-1000 measurements were dependent on whether the patients were awake or under anaesthesia. The study comprised 40 patients: Group A consisted of 20 patients who had a chronic unilateral ACL rupture and Group B consisted of 20 patients who were scheduled for arthroscopy due to knee problems other than an ACL rupture. The KT-1000 examination was performed before surgery by two experienced physiotherapists (PT I and PT Il). PT II subsequently performed a retest of the patients under anaesthesia. The mean anterior side-to-side laxity difference between PT l and PT II was 0.2 rani in Group A and 1.8 mm in Group B (n.s., P=0.03). The anterior side-to-side measurements of knee laxity revealed significant differences between Group A and Group B. independent of who the measurements were made by when the patients were awake (PT I P=0.01 l, PT II P=0.001). However, no significant difference (P=0.063) was found when the patients were under anaesthesia. The interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between PT I and PT I1 in Group A was 0.55 (P=0.005) for the anterior side-to-side laxity while it was 0.60 (P= 0.002) in Group Ii. There were no significant differences within Group A or Group B between the measurements made when people were awake compared with those under anaesthesia. The conclusions of the study were that the KT-1000 arthrometer was able to distinguish a group of patients with an ACL rupture from a group without... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to assess knee function after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and to analyse complications impeding rehabilitation, additional surgery until the final follow-up, as well as residual patellofemoral pain and donor-site problems. Between 1991 and 1994, 635 patients were operated on using patellar tendon autografts and interference screw fixation. Of these, 604 (95.1%) patients (403 male and 201 female) were re-examined by independent observers at the final follow-up 38 (range 21–68) months post-operatively. The Lysholm score was 85 (range 14–100) points and the Tegner activity level was 6 (range 1–10). Using the IKDC score, 206 patients (34.1%) were classified as normal, 244 (40.4%) as nearly normal, 122 (20.2%) as abnormal and 32 (5.3%) as severely abnormal. In patients with an uninjured contralateral knee ( n = 527), the KT-1000 revealed a total side-to-side difference of 1.5 (range –7–11) mm, and 384/527 (72.9%) had a side-to-side difference of ≤ 3 mm. The one-leg-hop test was 95% (range 0%–167%). One or more complications impeding rehabilitation were recorded in 184/604 patients (30.5%). The most common was an extension deficit (> 5°), in 81 patients (13.4%). During the period until the final follow-up, 196 re-operations were performed in 161/604 (26.7%) patients. More than one re-operation was required in 27 patients. Shaving and anterior scar resection due to extension deficit were the most common procedures performed (on 65 occasions). Moderate to severe subjective anterior knee pain related to activity, walking up and down stairs, and sitting with the knee flexed was found in 203/604 patients (33.6%). The median loss of anterior knee sensitivity was 16 (range 0–288) cm2. Patients with a full range of motion had less anterior knee pain than patients with isolated flexion or extension deficits, or combined flexion and extension deficits ( P < 0.05, P = 0.08 and P < 0.001, respectively). Patients with a full range of motion had less anterior knee pain than patients with extension deficits (with and without flexion deficits) ( P < 0.001). Patients with a full range of motion and a minimal loss (≤ 4 cm2) of anterior knee sensitivity had significantly ( P < 0.01) less subjective anterior knee pain than patients who did not fulfil these criteria. A considerable number of complications hindering the rehabilitation and conditions requiring additional surgery until the final follow-up were recorded. Anterior knee pain and problems with knee-walking were correlated with the loss of range of motion and anterior knee sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]