ACL Study Group presents the global trends in ACL reconstruction: biennial survey of the ACL Study Group.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this survey was to gauge the current global trends in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) as reported by the members of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Study Group (SG). METHODS: A survey was created and distributed among the members of the ACL SG consisting of 87 questions and 16 categories related to ACLR, including member demographics, preoperative management, primary ACLR techniques and graft choice, use of concomitant procedures and biological augmentation, postoperative rehabilitation, and more. RESULTS: The survey was completed by the 140 members of the ACL SG. Fifty per cent of members are from Europe, 29% from the USA, 15% from the Asia-Pacific and the remaining 6% are from Latin America, the Middle East, New Zealand and Africa. Most (92%) do not believe there is a role for non-operative management of ACL tears in higher level athletes; conversely, most agree there is a role for non-operative management in lower impact athletes (92%). A single-bundle (90%) technique with hamstring autograft (53%) were most common for primary ACLR. Tunnel position varied among respondents. Sixty-one per cent do not use allograft for primary ACLR. Fifty per cent of respondents use cortical suspensory fixation on the femur, with variable responses on the tibia. Most (79%) do not use biologics in primary ACLR, while 83% think there is a selective role for extra-articular augmentation in primary ACLR. Fifty per cent prefer bone-tendon-bone autograft for revision ACLR and extra-articular augmentation is more commonly used (13% always, 26% often) than in primary ACLR (0% always, 15% often). A majority (53%) use a brace after primary ACLR. The most common responses for minimal time to return to play after primary ACLR were 6-8 months (44%) and 8-12 months (41%). CONCLUSION: We presented the thoughts and preferences of the ACL SG on the management of ACL injuries. This survey will help to facilitate an ongoing discussion with regard to ACLR by providing global insights into the current surgical trends in ACLR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, Expert Opinion.

ACL Study Group survey reveals the evolution of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction graft choice over the past three decades.

PURPOSE: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) aims to restore knee function and stability, allowing patients to return to the activities they enjoy and minimize further injury to the meniscus and cartilage and their ultimate progression to osteoarthritis. This study aims to present the evolution of graft choice over the last three decades according to members of the ACL Study Group (SG). METHODS: Prior to the January 2020 ACL SG biannual meeting, a survey was administered consisting of 87 questions and 16 categories, including ACLR graft choice. A similar questionnaire has been administered prior to each meeting and survey results from the past 14 meetings (1992 through 2020, excluding 1994) are included in this work. Survey responses are reported as frequencies in percentages to quantify changes in practice over the surgery period. RESULTS: In 1992, the most frequent graft choice for primary ACLR was bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autograft, at nearly 90%. Hamstring tendon (HT) autografts have increased in popularity, currently over 50%, followed by just under 40% BTB autograft. Recently, quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft has increased in popularity since 2014. CONCLUSION: Autograft (HT, BTB, QT) is an overwhelming favorite for primary ACLR over allograft. The preference for HT autograft increased over the study period relative to BTB autograft, with QT autograft gaining in popularity in recent years. Graft selection should be individualized for each patient and understanding the global trends in graft choice can help orthopaedic surgeons discuss graft options with their patients and determine the appropriate graft for each case. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, Expert Opinion.

An analysis of specific lower extremity injury rates on grass and FieldTurf playing surfaces in National Football League Games: 2000-2009 seasons.

BACKGROUND: Players in the National Football League (NFL) sustain injuries every season as the result of their participation. One factor associated with the rate of injury is the type of playing surface on which the players participate. HYPOTHESIS: There is no difference in the rate of knee sprains and ankle sprains during NFL games when comparing rates of those injuries during games played on natural grass surfaces with rates of those injuries during games played on the artificial surface FieldTurf. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: The NFL records injury and exposure (ie, game) data as part of its injury surveillance system. During the 2000-2009 NFL seasons, there were 2680 games (5360 team games) played on grass or artificial surfaces. Specifically, 1356 team games were played on FieldTurf and 4004 team games were played on grass. We examined the 2000-2009 game-related injury data from those games as recorded by the injury surveillance system. The data included the injury diagnosis, the date of injury, and the surface at the time of injury. The injury data showed that 1528 knee sprains and 1503 ankle sprains occurred during those games. We calculated injury rates for knee sprains and ankle sprains-specifically, medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprains, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) sprains, eversion ankle sprains, and inversion ankle sprains-using incidence density ratios (IDRs). We used a Poisson model and logistic regression odds ratios to validate the IDR analysis. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to adjust the odds ratio for weather conditions. RESULTS: The observed injury rate of knee sprains on FieldTurf was 22% (IDR = 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.36) higher than on grass, and the injury rate of ankle sprains on FieldTurf was 22% (IDR = 1.22, 95% CI, 1.09-1.36) higher than on grass. These differences are statistically significant. Specifically, the observed injury rates of ACL sprains and eversion ankle sprains on FieldTurf surfaces were 67% (P < .001) and 31% (P < .001) higher than on grass surfaces and were statistically significant. The observed injury rates of MCL sprains and inversion ankle sprains were also not significantly higher on FieldTurf surfaces (P = .689 and .390, respectively). CONCLUSION: Injury rates for ACL sprains and eversion ankle sprains for NFL games played on FieldTurf were higher than rates for those injuries in games played on grass, and the differences were statistically significant.

Potential market for new meniscus repair strategies: evaluation of the MOON cohort.

This study aimed to determine the incidence of meniscal tears and describe the tear morphology and selected treatment in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. We also will discuss the potential market for future tissue engineering aimed at preserving meniscal function. A multicenter cohort of 1014 patients undergoing ACL reconstruction between January 2002 and December 2003 was evaluated. Data on patient demographics, presence of a meniscus tear at time of ACL reconstruction, tear morphology, and meniscal treatment were collected prospectively. Meniscal tears were categorized into 3 potential tissue engineering treatment strategies: all-biologic repair, advanced repair, and scaffold replacement. Of the knees, 36% had medial meniscal tears and 44% had lateral meniscal tears. Longitudinal tears were the most common tear morphology. The most frequent treatment method was partial meniscectomy. Thirty percent of medial meniscal tears and 10% of lateral meniscal tears are eligible for all-biologic repair; 35% of medial meniscal tears and 35% of lateral meniscal tears are eligible for an advanced repair technique; and 35% of medial meniscal tears and 55% of lateral meniscal tears are eligible for scaffold replacement. Although meniscal preservation is generally accepted in the treatment of meniscal tears, most tears in this cohort were not repairable, despite contemporary methods. The results of this cohort will hopefully stimulate and focus future research and development of new tissue engineering strategies for meniscus repair.

Success of meniscal repair at anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Meniscal repair is performed in an attempt to prevent posttraumatic arthritis resulting from meniscal dysfunction after meniscal tears. The socioeconomic implications of premature arthritis are significant in the young patient population. Investigations and techniques focusing on meniscus preservation and healing are now at the forefront of orthopaedic sports medicine. HYPOTHESIS: Concomitant meniscal repair with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is a durable and successful procedure at 2-year follow-up. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: All unilateral primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions entered in 2002 in a cohort who had meniscal repair at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were evaluated. Validated patient-oriented outcome instruments were completed preoperatively and then again at the 2-year postoperative time point. Reoperation after the index procedure was also documented and confirmed by operative reports. RESULTS: A total of 437 unilateral primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions were performed with 82 concomitant meniscal repairs (54 medial, 28 lateral) in 80 patients during the study period. Patient follow-up was obtained on 94% (77 of 82) of the meniscal repairs, allowing confirmation of meniscal repair success (defined as no repeat arthroscopic procedure) or failure. The overall success rate for meniscal repairs was 96% (74 of 77 patients) at 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Meniscal repair is a successful procedure in conjunction with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. When confronted with a "repairable" meniscal tear at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, orthopaedic surgeons can expect an estimated >90% clinical success rate at 2-year follow-up using a variety of methods as shown in our study.

A systematic review of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction rehabilitation: part I: continuous passive motion, early weight bearing, postoperative bracing, and home-based rehabilitation.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common surgical knee procedure that requires intensive postoperative rehabilitation by the patient. A variety of randomized controlled trials have investigated aspects of ACL reconstruction rehabilitation. A systematic review of English language level 1 and 2 studies identified 54 appropriate randomized controlled trials of ACL rehabilitation. Topics discussed in this part of the article include continuous passive motion, early weight bearing in motion, postoperative bracing, and home-based rehabilitation.

A systematic review of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction rehabilitation: part II: open versus closed kinetic chain exercises, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, accelerated rehabilitation, and miscellaneous topics.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common surgical knee procedure that requires intensive postoperative rehabilitation by the patient. A variety of randomized controlled trials have investigated aspects of ACL reconstruction rehabilitation. A systematic review of English language level 1 and 2 studies identified 54 appropriate randomized controlled trials of ACL rehabilitation. This part of the article discusses open versus closed kinetic chain exercises, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, accelerated rehabilitation, and miscellaneous topics.

Pronation-external rotation ankle fractures in 3 professional football players.

We found no reports of ankle fracture management in professional football players in the orthopedic literature. In this small series of ankle fractures in professional football players, all 3 had the same pronation-external rotation injury pattern. Given the high demands placed on the ankle by these professional athletes, we chose to use a 4.5-mm screw for fixation of the syndesmosis and a 3.5-mm reconstruction plate for fibular fixation to provide the most stable fixation. All 3 athletes were able to return to preinjury levels of athletic participation in the NFL without residual pain or stiffness.

A biomechanical comparison of posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions using single- and double-bundle tibial inlay techniques.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of using a double-bundle versus single-bundle graft for posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has not been demonstrated. HYPOTHESIS: A double-bundle graft restores knee kinematics better than a single-bundle graft does in tibial inlay PCL reconstructions. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Eight cadaveric knees were subjected to 6 cycles from a 40-N anterior reference point to a 100-N posterior translational force at 10 degrees , 30 degrees , 60 degrees , and 90 degrees of flexion. Testing was performed for the intact and posterior cruciate deficient knee as well as for both reconstructed conditions. Achilles tendons, divided into 2 equal sections, were prepared as both single-bundle and double-bundle grafts. Both grafts were employed in the same knee, and the order of graft reconstruction was randomized. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in translation between the intact state and either of the reconstructions (P > .05) or between either of the reconstructions at any flexion angle (P > .05). CONCLUSION: No differences in translation between the 2 graft options were identified. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of a double-bundle graft may not offer any advantages over a single-bundle graft for tibial inlay posterior cruciate reconstructions.

Evaluation and treatment of posterior cruciate ligament injuries: revisited.

Current knowledge and treatment of posterior cruciate ligament injuries continue to lag behind that of anterior cruciate ligament injuries. This is the result of the relative infrequency of posterior cruciate ligament injuries and the lack of consensus with respect to its natural history, surgical indications, technique, and postoperative rehabilitation. Recent anatomical and biomechanical studies have improved our understanding of the posterior cruciate ligament in an attempt to reproduce its anatomy and function during reconstruction. The following is a comprehensive review on the evaluation and treatment of posterior cruciate ligament injuries with special focus on the current surgical techniques.

Plantar ganglion cyst associated with stress fracture of the third metatarsal.

Ganglion cysts of the foot and ankle occur relatively infrequently. Metatarsal stress fractures occur in a variety of athletes who subject their lower extremities to repetitive loading. In this article, we report the case of a professional football player with a plantar forefoot ganglion cyst associated with a stress fracture of the third metatarsal. After the cyst resolved with aspiration, the stress fracture healed with conservative, nonsurgical treatment.

Jumping versus nonjumping anterior cruciate ligament injuries: a comparison of pathology.

OBJECTIVE: To compare pathology in knees with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury as a result of a jumping mechanism with knees injured from a nonjumping mechanism. DESIGN: This was a prospective study of 263 consecutive patients with a complete ACL tear and no subsequent giving way episodes nor reinjuries prior to undergoing an ACL reconstruction. The patients were placed into one of two groups: those with knees injured as a result of a jumping injury, and those with knees injured as a result of a nonjumping injury. SETTING: This study was performed at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio. PATIENTS: Anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees undergoing ACL reconstruction. Two hundred thirty-eight (91%) of the patients were injured while participating in sports. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURED: Intra-articular pathology documented prospectively at the time of arthroscopy. RESULTS: Knees injured as a result of a jumping mechanism had a higher incidence of medial (p = 0.05) and lateral (p = 0.03) meniscal tears and a lower incidence of medial collateral ligament injuries (p = 0.05). No difference in arthroscopic articular cartilage injuries was seen between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that identifying jumping as a mechanism of ACL tears is important, since a jumping mechanism is associated with a significantly increased meniscus tear rate and may predispose this population to future degenerative changes.

Injuries in Interscholastic Wrestling.

Many of the offensive and defensive leg maneuvers which are taught as an integral part of the interscholastic wrestling style lead to a unique situation for injury to the lower extremities.