Femoral tunnel length in anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction is correlated with height, weight, and knee bony morphology.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to reveal the correlation between femoral tunnel length in anatomical single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and body size and/or knee morphology. METHODS: Thirty-one subjects undergoing anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction were included in this study (20 female, 11 male; median age 46, 15-63). Pre-operative height, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) were measured. In pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging, the thickness of the quadriceps tendon and the whole anterior-posterior (AP) length of the knee were measured using the sagittal slice. Using post-operative three-dimensional computed tomography, accurate axial and lateral views of the femoral condyle were evaluated. The correlation of femoral tunnel length, which was measured intra-operatively, with the height, weight, BMI, quadriceps tendon thickness, AP length of the knee, trans-epicondylar length, the notch area (axial), length of Blumensaat's line, and the height and area of the lateral wall of the femoral intercondylar notch were statistically analyzed. Tunnel placement was also evaluated using a Quadrant method. RESULTS: The average femoral tunnel length was 35.6 ± 4.4 mm. The average height, body weight, and BMI were 162.7 ± 7.2 cm, 61.9 ± 10 kg, and 23.4 ± 3.5, respectively. Femoral tunnel length was significantly correlated with height, body weight and the height and area of lateral wall of the femoral intercondylar notch, and the length of the Blumensaat's line. CONCLUSION: For clinical relevance, the risk of creating a femoral tunnel of insufficient length in anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction exists in subjects with small body size. Surgeons should pay careful attention to prevent this from occurring. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case-controlled study, Level III.

The evaluation of muscle recovery after anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction using a quadriceps autograft.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to reveal the degree of muscle recovery and report the clinical results of anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction using a quadriceps autograft. METHODS: Twenty subjects undergoing anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction using a quadriceps autograft were included in this study. A 5-mm-wide, 8-cm-long graft, involving the entire layer of the quadriceps tendon, was harvested without bone block. The average graft diameter was 8.1 ± 1.4 mm. An initial tension of 30 N was applied. The femoral tunnel was created from the far-medial portal. Each femoral and tibial tunnel was created close to the antero-medial bundle insertion site. For the evaluation of muscle recovery (quadriceps and hamstring), a handheld dynamometer was used. The evaluation of muscle recovery was performed pre-operatively, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after surgery. Muscle recovery data were calculated as a percentage of leg strength in the non-operated leg. Anterior tibial translation (ATT), pivot shift test, and IKDC score were evaluated. RESULTS: The average quadriceps strength pre-operatively, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after ACL reconstruction was 90.5 ± 19, 67.8 ± 21.4, 84 ± 17.5, and 85.1 ± 12.6 %, respectively. The average hamstring strength pre-operatively, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after ACL reconstruction was 99.5 ± 13.7, 78.7 ± 11.4, 90.5 ± 19, and 96.7 ± 13.8 %, respectively. ATT pre-operatively and at 12 months after surgery was 5.4 ± 1.3 and 1.0 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. No subjects exhibited positive pivot shift after surgery. Within 6 months following surgery, quadriceps hypotrophy was observed in all subjects. However, the hypotrophy had recovered at 12 months following surgery. No subjects complained of donor site pain after surgery. CONCLUSION: Anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction using a quadriceps autograft resulted in equivalent level of muscle recovery and knee stability when compared with previously reported ACL reconstruction using hamstrings tendon with no donor site complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case controlled study, Level III.

New meniscus repair by an all-inside knot suture technique.

The indications for the all-inside knot suture technique include tears in the red-red zone or red-white zone in the meniscus, and a horizontal tear, a vertical tear, and a peripheral tear. First, find an appropriate place for a suture insertion site with a Kateran needle or a spinal needle. Make sure it exits beyond the tear in the meniscus. Once the insertion site is chosen, a suture is passed into and through the joint. The suture is slowly pulled back. You should be able to feel the tip of the suture come out of the joint capsule. If you want to make a vertical suture to suture the tear, move the suture vertically apex. Then insert the suture back into the joint through the capsule. Make sure the suture stays inside the joint. Find and grab the suture with a punch inserted from the clear cannula. Pull the suture out of the joint through the clear cannula with the punch. Tighten the knot with a knot pusher. Then confirm the stability of the sutured site with the probe. Our all-inside knot suture technique can be performed arthroscopically, allowing reliable repair of the torn meniscus.

Patellar dislocation: arthroscopic patellar stabilization with anchor sutures.

There are many procedures to treat recurrent patellar subluxations and dislocations. Most of these procedures are open repairs for acute conditions or open reconstructions for chronic conditions, and both surgeries need large skin incisions. Although there are many arthroscopic procedures for meniscal and ligament injuries, there are very few arthroscopic procedures described for patellofemoral instability. In this report, we describe a new arthroscopic method to stabilize the patella for acute dislocation. Our technique includes an arthroscopic lateral release and a medial structure repair. We suggest that this procedure is minimally invasive and easier than traditional open procedures. Moreover, this may prevent patients from developing chronic instability of the patellofemoral joint.

Bactericidal effect of photodynamic therapy using Na-pheophorbide a: evaluation of adequate light source.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) against methicillin resistant-Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by selecting different light sources for irradiation and combining them with the photosensitizer Na-Pheophorbide a (Na-Phde a). BACKGROUND: The treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infection is a serious issue. Recently, as a new clinical approach against septic arthritis, an experimental in vivo and in vitro model for the inactivation of MRSA by PDT using the photosensitizer Na-Phde a has been developed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Na-Phde a solution (280 micromol/L) was mixed with MRSA strain bacterial inoculum. After 60 minutes, light was irradiated for 30 minutes using the following light sources: GaA1p semiconductor laser (300 mW, 670 nm), halogen lamp (75 W), xenon lamp (300 W) and fluorescent lamp (27 W). Bacterial growth was evaluated after 24 hours incubation in a blood agar culture. RESULTS: The semiconductor laser and halogen lamp groups showed perfect bactericidal effects after PDT. The xenon lamp and fluorescent lamp groups showed partial bactericidal effects. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this experiment showed that PDT using the combination of Na-Phde a with a semiconductor laser or halogen lamp showed a better bactericidal performance than with xenon or fluorescent lamps. These findings indicated that PDT using Na-Phde a could be a useful treatment for septic arthritis and soft tissue infection.