Search

Background: In the currently published literature, a higher risk for developing arthrofibrosis after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been reported for female patients, adolescents, early surgery or concomitant procedures, and the use of a patellar tendon autograft. There is a lack of evidence regarding other graft choices or factors. Hypothesis: Multiple risk factors will play a significant role in the development of arthrofibrosis after ACL reconstruction. Specifically, we hypothesized that the risk of manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) and/or lysis of adhesions (LOA) would be affected by graft choice and patient demographic factors. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The charts of all patients who underwent ACL reconstruction over a 10-year period at a single academic institution were queried from an electronic medical record database and reviewed at a minimum of 6 months after ACL reconstruction, with the collection of demographic and surgical data. The relative risk for undergoing MUA and/or LOA was calculated for each analyzed risk factor. Results: A total of 2424 ACL reconstructions were included, with a chart review at a mean of 56.7 months after surgery (range, 7.6-124.0 months). The rate of MUA and/or LOA for arthrofibrosis was 4.5%. A statistically significantly increased relative risk was found for infection (5.45), hematoma requiring evacuation (3.55), ACL reconstruction with meniscal repair (2.83), use of a quadriceps tendon autograft (2.68), age 25 years (0.34), and use of a tibialis anterior allograft (0.36). In the multivariate regression model, the use of a quadriceps tendon autograft (P = .00007), infection (P = .00126), and concomitant meniscal repair (P = .00194) were independent risk factors, whereas revision ACL reconstruction (P = .0024) was an independent protective factor. Conclusion: Graft type, infection, concomitant meniscal repair, and primary reconstruction are significant risk factors for undergoing MUA or LOA after ACL reconstruction.

Malnutrition in orthopaedic patients, a condition that is overlooked and understudied, has substantial effects on outcomes1-6. Underweight and malnourished elderly patients are at risk of experiencing reduced well-being and autonomy as well as increased mortality as compared with their counterparts of normal weight7. Malnutrition may be simply defined as an imbalance of energy, protein, and nutrients leading to functional and compositional adverse effects on the body8,9. By this definition, as much as 15% of ambulatory and 65% of hospitalized patients are malnourished10. Without adequate nutrition, orthopaedic patients are more susceptible to infections, slower healing rates, and sarcopenia (reduced lean body mass and muscle function)8. Stratifying malnutrition on the basis of etiology (e.g., “starvation-related,” “chronic disease-related,” and “acute injury or illness-related”) facilitates the formation of a more clinically relevant definition11. In starvation, the primary problem is reduced intake, possibly due to socioeconomic factors or secondary to anorexia6. With chronic disease and acute injury, increases in resting energy expenditure and protein requirements due to the inflammatory response contribute to malnourishment7. The new etiology-based approach to the diagnosis of malnutrition …