[Modified pendulum osteotomy to correct severe tibial varus deformity]. / Modifizierte Pendelosteotomie zur Korrektur einer hochgradigen tibialen Varusdeformität.

OBJECTIVE: Correction of a severe tibial varus deformity near the knee joint with only a slight influence on leg length and patella height. INDICATIONS: Medial osteoarthritis and/or cartilage damage with a severe varus deformity > 10° with a medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) < 80°. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Femoral varus deformity with lateral distal femoral angle > 91°, severe lateral cartilage damage, lateral osteoarthritis, lateral meniscus loss. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Skin incision of approx. 8-10 cm between the tibial tuberosity and the head of the fibula. Exploration of the peroneal nerve. Detachment of the extensors. Insertion of an obliquely ascending guidewire ending approximately 10 mm below the medial articular surface. Insertion of a second guidewire. This aims at the middle of the first wire (hemi wedge). Check the wire position under fluoroscopy. Osteotomy with an oscillating saw under cooling. Removal of the wedge and closure of the osteotomy. Percutaneous needling of the medial collateral ligament with a cannula to carefully lengthen the ligament. Check the correction result with a metal rod. Osteosynthesis with lateral angle-stable plate. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Partial weight-bearing with 10 kg for 6 weeks postoperatively, free range of motion. RESULTS: Reports from the literature show that good clinical results can be achieved with this procedure for severe tibial varus deformities. Postoperative leg length discrepancies are less common with this procedure than with laterally closing osteotomy.

[Medial closing wedge osteotomy for correction of valgus deformity]. / Medial schließende biplanare Osteotomie an der proximalen Tibia zur Korrektur des Genu valgum.

OBJECTIVE: Correction of a proximal tibial valgus deformity. INDICATIONS: Lateral osteoarthritis of the knee or cartilage damage in a valgus deformity > 5° with a medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) > 90°. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Medial proximal tibial angle < 90°, medial cartilage damage, medial meniscus loss. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Skin incision medial of the tibial tuberosity approximately 8-10 cm. Insertion of two converging guidewires directly above the pes anserinus, ascending obliquely, and ending at the tip of the fibula. Control of the wire position with the image intensifier. Osteotomy with an oscillating saw. Removal of the wedge and closure of the osteotomy. Osteosynthesis with a medial angle-stable plate. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Partial load bearing with 10-20 kg for 2 weeks, then step-wise increase in load. Mobility: free. RESULTS: We performed this surgery in the manner described in 21 patients with lateral osteoarthritis or cartilage damage (17 men, 4 women, average age: 51 years). The valgus deformity was reduced from an average of 5.6 to -0.5°. The KOOS-PS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Physical Function Short-form) score decreased significantly from 39.1 ± 14 to 25.8 ± 20 points.

[Refixation of a posterior medial root lesion in combination with centralization by a meniscotibial suture]. / Refixation einer posterioren medialen Wurzelläsion in Kombination mit Zentralisation durch meniskotibiale Naht.

OBJECTIVE: Refixation of a posterior root lesion of the medial meniscus via a tibial drill tunnel and prevention of extrusion using a meniscotibial suture (centralization). INDICATIONS: Posterior root lesion of the medial meniscus. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Grade 4 cartilage damage in the corresponding compartment, uncorrected varus or valgus deformities, symptomatic instabilities, extensive degenerative tears apart from the root region. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Knee arthroscopy via the high anterolateral standard portal. Diagnostic arthroscopy to check indication. Locate the insertion zone on the tibial plateau and local debridement until the bone of the tibial plateau is visible. Insertion of a targeting device and drilling of a targeting wire into the center of the insertion zone in the area of the intercondylar eminence. Overdrill the target wire with a 4.5 mm drill. Reinforcement of the medial meniscus posterior horn with braided suture material. The reinforcing thread is inserted into the bone tunnel via an eyelet wire with a thread loop. Optional additional centralization with incision in the middle part of the meniscus. Reinforcement of the meniscus base with braided suture material using the "outside in" technique and fixation of the inner meniscus base at the edge of the tibial plateau using a transosseous extraction suture or a suture anchor. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Six weeks nonweight-bearing (0 kg), then gradually increased load. Range of motion: 4 weeks E/F 0-0-60°, 2 weeks 0-0-90°, optionally use of a valgus brace (varus of < 5°). RESULTS: In root lesions of the medial meniscus, transosseous refixation significantly improves knee function (Lysholm, Hospital for Special Surgery, International Knee Documentation Committee, visual analog scale for pain, Tegner, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome scores) and reduces osteoarthritis progression. However, a transosseous suture alone could not significantly reduce postoperative extrusion. However, previous studies have shown that additional centralization can significantly reduce extrusion.

[Reconstruction of the medial collateral ligament complex with a flat semitendinosus auto- or allograft]. / Rekonstruktion des medialen Kollateralbandkomplexes mit einem flachen autologen oder allogenen Semitendinosussehnentransplantat.

OBJECTIVE: Replacement of superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL) and posterior oblique ligament (POL) with an allograft. INDICATIONS: Chronic 3° isolated medial instability and combined anteromedial or posteromedial instability. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Infection, open growth plates, restricted range of motion (less than E/F 0-0-90°). SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Longitudinal incision from medial epicondyle to superficial pes anserinus and exposure of the medial collateral ligament complex. Thawing of the allogeneic semitendinosus tendon graft at room temperature, reinforcement of the tendon ends with sutures and preparation of a two-stranded graft. Placement of guidewires in the sMCL and POL insertions and control with image intensifier. Tunnel drilling. Pulling the graft loop into the femoral bone tunnel and fixation with a flip button. Pulling the two graft ends into the tibial tunnels. Tibial fixation by knotting the suture ends in a 20° flexion on the lateral cortex. Suture the tendon bundles to the remaining remnants of the medial collateral ligament complex to adopt the flat structure of the natural medial collateral ligament complex. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Six weeks partial weight-bearing, immediately postoperatively splint in the extended position, after 2 weeks movable knee brace for another 4-6 weeks. Mobility: 4 weeks 0-0-60, 5th and 6th weeks 0-0-90. RESULTS: From 2015-2021, this surgical procedure was performed in 19 patients (5 women, 14 men, age 34 years). Mean Lysholm score at follow-up after at least 2 years was 89 (76-99) points. In 6 patients, there was restricted range of motion 3 months postoperatively, which resulted in further therapy (3 נsystemic cortisone therapy, 3 נarthroscopically supported manipulations under anesthesia).

[Reconstruction of the patellar tendon with autologous or allogeneic semitendinosus tendon transplant for chronic rupture]. / Rekonstruktion der Patellarsehne mit autologem oder allogenem Semitendinosussehnentransplantat bei chronischer Ruptur.

OBJECTIVE: Reconstruction of a patellar tendon defect in the event of a chronic rupture. INDICATIONS: Chronic rupture of the patellar tendon due to delayed diagnosis or failure of primary refixation with a dehiscence that does not allow for anatomical refixation without patellar tendon shortening. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Infection. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Approximately 15 cm long incision from the tibial tuberosity to the patella. Depicting the rupture. Debridement of the tendon and insertion. Suture in the quadriceps tendon and distalization of the patella. If sufficient distalization of the patella is not possible, optionally perform a VY-plasty of the quadriceps tendon. Measuring the dehiscence. Securing the height of the patella by applying a patellotibial cerclage (strong suture cord). Extension of an existing tendon stump using a Z-plasty. Creation of 2 bone tunnels (diameter approx. 5 mm) in the patella and the tibial tuberosity. Insertion of an autologous or allogeneic semitendinosus tendon transplant and securing it by knotting the retaining threads in front of the tibial tuberosity. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Six weeks of partial weight-bearing with 10 kg of body weight in a straight, removable splint. Range of movement: weeks 1-4 E/F 0-0-60°, weeks 5-6 E/F 0-0-90°. RESULTS: Seven patients who underwent this surgery as described above had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Secondary lengthening of the quadriceps tendon had to be performed twice due to excessive retraction. All patients were able to perform active extension postoperatively. The Lysholm score rose from 49.3 to 83.2 points. No further rupture was detectable in the final ultrasound examination.

[VY-plasty for chronic quadriceps tendon rupture]. / VY-Plastik bei chronischer Ruptur der Quadrizepssehne.

OBJECTIVE: Lengthening of the quadriceps tendon for dehiscence in chronic rupture. INDICATIONS: Chronic rupture of the quadriceps tendon with delayed diagnosis or failure of primary refixation with a dehiscence between 1 and 5 cm. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Dehiscence of more than 5 cm. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Reopen the old incision and lengthen it to about 20-25 cm if necessary. Visualize the rupture. Debridement of the tendon and the insertion. Measurement of the dehiscence. Creation of a V-flap and reinforcement with a holding seam. Gradual mobilization of the V­flap distally and reinforcement with two strong suture cords (braided suture size 5). Drilling of three obliquely ascending drill holes through the patella. Transosseous threading of the two reinforcement cords through the three drill holes. Knotting the reinforcement cords on the patella. Closure of the gap between the patella and the superficial tendon leaflet with a #2 braided suture. Closure of the gap between the V­flap and the quadriceps tendon. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Six weeks of partial weight-bearing with 20 kg in a straight orthosis. Mobility: weeks 1-4 E/F 0-0-60, weeks 5 and 6 E/F 0-0-90. RESULTS: We were able to follow-up 8 patients (mean age: 63.1 ± 4.5 years), who underwent this surgery in the manner described. All patients were able to perform an active extension postoperatively. The Lysholm score increased from 46.4 (±â€¯5.4) points preoperatively to 81.6 (±â€¯6.5) points postoperatively. No further rupture was detectable in the ultrasound examination at latest follow-up after an average of 27 (18-36) months.

Direct contact and very rapid valgus distortion characterise the injury mechanism of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures in judo.

PURPOSE: To analyse anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture (ACLR) injury mechanisms in competitive judo using systematic video analysis, focusing on contact situations and biomechanics. METHODS: Seventeen videos of judo competitions wherein athletes developed ACLRs were included and retrospectively evaluated by five analysts. In all videos, the moment of initial contact and the index frame were defined. The judo techniques leading to the injury; the occurrence of direct contact, indirect contact or noncontact mechanisms; the time interval between the initial contact and index frame; the positions of the hip, knee and foot in relation to the initial contact and index frame; and the balance status during the initial contact and index frame were recorded. RESULTS: Eleven (65%) of ACLRs in judo involved direct contact. The mean time interval between initial contact and index frame was 15 ± 22 ms. Thirteen (77%) athletes were not balanced at initial contact. In the index frame, the hip was abducted in all cases and in combination with internal rotation in 12 (71%) cases. From initial contact to index frame, hip flexion increased in all cases; at index frame, the knee joint was internally rotated relative to the trunk in 12 (71%) cases, and the knee flexion angles increased from the initial contact. In the index frame, the foot was externally rotated relative to the knee in 12 (71%) cases, and severe valgus development of the knee with valgus collapse was observed in 14 (82%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: A direct attack on the knee was the most common injury mechanism observed. Valgus distortion appears to be the most important component of the mechanism of injury. With this knowledge, 'modified defence reactions' for specific judo techniques can be developed to reduce the injury risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

[Patient-specific cutting guides in corrective osteotomy near to the knee joint]. / Patientenspezifische Schnittblöcke bei kniegelenknahen Korrekturosteotomien.

OBJECTIVE: Patient-specific cutting guides (PSCG) are used in osteotomy near to the knee joint to simplify the operative technique, shorten the duration of surgery, reduce radiation exposure and to exactly realize the preoperative planning during surgery, especially when complex deformities are corrected simultaneously in multiple planes. INDICATIONS: The application of PSCG is in principle possible in all osteotomies near to the knee joint but is especially useful in multidimensional, complex osteotomy. CONTRAINDICATIONS: No specific contraindications. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: After multidimensional 3D analysis and planning using a preoperative computed tomography (CT) protocol, a 3D-printed patient-specific cutting guide is produced. This PSCG is used during standard osteotomy near to the knee. Using this PSCG the guided sawcut and predrilling of the screw positions inside the bone for the screws of the planned angle stable osteotomy plate are performed. The amount of the deformity correction needed is "stored" in the PSCG and is converted to the bony geometry during placement of the screws in the predrilled holes through the plate after opening or closing the osteotomy. Apart from that, the surgical approach and technique are equivalent to the standard osteotomy types near to the knee. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: The application of PSCG in osteotomy near to the knee does not change the postoperative management of the specific osteotomy. RESULTS: The use of patient-specific cutting guides leads to a higher accuracy in the implementation of the preoperative planning and the desired target axis is achieved with greater accuracy. Multidimensional complex corrections can also be exactly planned and implemented. In addition, the intraoperative radiation exposure for the operation team can possibly be reduced.

[Subtuberosity anterior closing wedge osteotomy to correct the increased posterior slope of the tibial plateau]. / Subtuberositäre anterior schließende Osteotomie zur Korrektur der erhöhten posterioren Reklination des Tibiaplateaus.

OBJECTIVE: Reduction of increased reclination of the tibial plateau (posterior slope) to improve the anterior stability of the knee joint. INDICATIONS: Increased posterior reclination of the tibial plateau greater than 12° in combination with recurrent instability after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Hyperextension of more than 15° (relative). SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Anterior skin incision approximately 8-10 cm above the tibial tuberosity. Insertion of two converging guidewires directly below the patellar tendon ending obliquely in the area of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) insertion. Control of the wire position with the image intensifier core. Oscillating saw osteotomy. Removal of the wedge and closure of the osteotomy. Osteosynthesis with interfragmentary screw and medial angle-stable plate. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Partial load with 10-20 kg for 2 weeks, then step by step increase in load. Mobility: free. RESULTS: To date we have operated on 36 patients with recurrent instability after ACL reconstruction (20 men, 16 women, average age 34.4 years) in the manner described in this article. In 25 cases, enlarged bone tunnels were filled with allogeneic bone at the same time. The posterior slope of the tibial plateau could be reduced from an average of 14.5° to 8.8°. In 28 cases another ACL reconstruction was performed after an interval of 4-12 months. The Lysholm score significantly increased from 76.3 points to 89.2 points.

Late-stage rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A multicentre randomised controlled trial (PReP).

BACKGROUND: At the completion of formal rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, functional capacity is only restored in a small proportion of affected individuals. Therefore, the end of formal rehabilitation is not the end of functional rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: To compare adherence to and effectiveness of a late-stage rehabilitation programme with usual care after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: This prospective, double-blind, multicentre, parallel group, randomised controlled trial, included people aged 18 to 35 years after formal rehabilitation completion (mean [SD] 241 [92] days post-reconstruction). Participants were block-randomised to a 5-month neuromuscular performance intervention (Stop-X group) or usual care (medically prescribed standard physiotherapy, individual formal rehabilitation, home-exercises). All outcomes were measured once/month. Primary outcome was the normalised knee separation distance on landing after drop jump. Baseline-adjusted linear mixed models were calculated. RESULTS: In total, 112 participants (Stop-X: 57; Usual care: 55,) were analysed. Initially, mean (SD) intervention frequency (units/week) was higher in the Stop-X than the Usual care group: 2.65 (0.96) versus 2.48 (1.14) units/week in the first and 2.28 (1.02) versus 2.14 (1.31) units/week in the second month. No between-group*time(*baseline)-differences were found for the primary outcome. Between-group*time-effects favoured the Stop-X-group at 2 months (fewer self-reported knee problems during sport, KOOS-SPORT) (estimate = 64.3, 95 % CI 24.4-104.3 for the Stop-X), more confidence to return to sport (ACL-RSI) (62.4, 10.7-114.2), fewer pain-associated knee problems (KOOS-PAIN) (82.8, 36.0-129.6), improved everyday activity abilities (KOOS-ADL) (71.1, 6.4-135.7), and improved limb symmetry index in the front hop for distance at 3 and 4 months (0.34, 0.10-0.57; 0.31, 0.08-0.54). No between-group*time-effects occurred for kinesiophobia, symptom-associated knee problems or balance hops performance. At the end of the intervention, 79 % of the Stop-X and 70 % of the Usual care participants (p < 0.05) had successfully returned to their pre-injury sport type and level. CONCLUSIONS: The Stop-X intervention was slightly superior to usual care as part of late-stage rehabilitation after ACL-reconstruction. The small benefit might justify its use after formal rehabilitation completion.

Reconstruction of the Medial Collateral Ligament Complex With a Flat Allograft Semitendinosus Tendon.

The aim of this Technical Note is to reconstruct the medial collateral ligament complex with the superior medial collateral ligament and posterior oblique ligament as anatomically as possible. An allograft or contralateral semitendinosus autograft is used for anatomic reconstruction of the superior medial collateral ligament and posterior oblique ligament. After bony fixation, the tendon bundles are sutured to the remnants of the medial collateral ligament complex. Thus, the tubular grafts are pulled apart to form a flat shape that resembles that of the normal medial ligaments.

Management after acute injury of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Part 3: Recommendation on surgical treatment.

PURPOSE: The aim of this consensus project was to give recommendations regarding surgical treatment of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injured patient. METHODS: For this consensus process, an expert, steering and rating group was formed. In an initial online meeting, the steering group, together with the expert group, formed various key topic complexes for which multiple questions were formulated. For each key topic, a structured literature search was performed by the steering group. The results of the literature review were sent to the rating group with the option to give anonymous comments until a final consensus voting was performed. Sufficient consensus was defined as 80% agreement. RESULTS: During this consensus process, 30 topics regarding the surgical management and technique of ACL reconstruction were identified. The literature search for each key question resulted in 30 final statements. Of these 30 final statements, all achieved consensus. CONCLUSIONS: This consensus process has shown that surgical treatment of ACL injury is a complex process. Various surgical factors influence patient outcomes. The proposed treatment algorithm can be used as a decision aid for the surgeon. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V.

The End of the Formal Rehabilitation Is Not the End of Rehabilitation: Knee Function Deficits Remain After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To rate athletes' functional ability and return to sport (RTS) success at the end of their individual, formal, medically prescribed rehabilitation after anterior anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: In our prospective multicenter cohort study, 88 (42 females) adults aged 18-35 years after acute unilateral ACL rupture and subsequent hamstring grafting were included. All patients were prospectively monitored during their rehabilitation and RTS process until the end of their formal rehabilitation and RTS release. As outcome measures, functional hop and jump tests (front hop, balance hops, and drop jump screening test) and self-report outcomes (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, ACL-RTS after injury) were assessed. Literature-based cut-off values were selected to rate each performance as fulfilled or not. RESULTS: At 7.5 months (SD 2.3 months) after surgery, the percentage of participants meeting the functional thresholds ranged from 4% (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score SPORT) and over 44% (ACL-RTS after injury sum score) to 59% (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score activities of all daily living) in the self-report and from 29% (Balance side hop) to 69% (normalized knee separation distance) in performance testing. Only 4% fulfilled all the cut-offs, while 45% returned to the same type and level of sport. Participants who successfully returned to their previous sport (type and level) were more likely to be "over-cut-off-performers." CONCLUSIONS: The low share of the athletes who fulfilled the functional RTS criteria highlights the importance of continuing the rehabilitation measures after the formal completion to assess the need for and success of, inter alia, secondary-preventive therapies.

[Treatment of acute injury of the anterior cruciate ligament : Always only reconstruction?] / Behandlung der akuten Verletzung des vorderen Kreuzbands : Immer nur Rekonstruktion?

The aim of treatment of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the return of the patient to an acceptable level of activity without giving way phenomena as well as adequate treatment of prognostically relevant concomitant lesions. The treatment of acute ACL ruptures can be either early reconstruction or a primary physiotherapy with optional later reconstruction. Which path is taken depends on possible concomitant injuries that require early surgical intervention (e.g., repairable meniscal injury or distal rupture of the medial collateral ligament) and on patient-specific factors (age, level of activity). Isolated ruptures of the ACL can also be primarily treated without surgery. Then the injured knee joint should first be so far conditioned by rehabilitative measures that pain, swelling and posttraumatic restriction of movement are improved and neuromuscular training can be started. A screening test consisting of jumping tests, patient-reported outcome measures and the testing for giving way phenomena can be suitable to differentiate compensators (copers) from noncompensators (non-copers). Surgical reconstruction of the ACL should be recommended to non-compensators in the sense of participatory decision-making. Activity modification (adapter) can also be considered as a treatment strategy. If instability events (giving way) or secondary meniscal lesions occur during nonsurgical therapy, cruciate ligament reconstruction should be considered.

Editorial Commentary: Traumatic and Atraumatic Meniscal Root Injuries Can Occur Both Medially and Laterally: No Rule Without Exceptions!

It took a long time for meniscal root injuries to slowly gain scientific and clinical attention some 40 years after the first arthroscopic meniscal resection. Medial root injuries are mostly degenerative in nature and often are associated with obesity and varus deformity. However, lateral root injuries are more commonly traumatic in origin and are associated with anterior cruciate ligament injuries. But, there is no rule without an exception. Laterally, there are isolated root injuries without anterior cruciate ligament involvement and also nontraumatic root injuries that can be associated with a valgus leg axis. Traumatic medial root injuries, on the other hand, occur in the context of knee dislocations. Therefore, the therapeutic concepts should not be based strictly on the localization medial or lateral but on the etiology, traumatic and not traumatic. Even though it has been shown that many patients benefit from refixation of the meniscus root, it seems sensible to search for the etiology of nontraumatic root injuries and to integrate this into the therapeutic concept (e.g., additional osteotomy to correct the varus or valgus deformity). However, the degenerative changes in the relevant compartment must also be taken into account. Recent biomechanical results on the influence of the meniscotibial (medial) or meniscofemoral (lateral) ligaments on extrusion are also relevant with regard to the success of root refixation. These results can provide the rationale for carrying out additional centralization.