No significant histological or ultrastructural tendinosis changes in the hamstring tendon in patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee?

PURPOSE: To investigate the periarticular degenerative changes of the knee joint in association with osteoarthritis (OA). More tendinosis was expected to be found in the semitendinosus tendon in patients with knee OA than in patients without knee OA. METHODS: Samples from 41 patients were included between January 2016 and October 2017. Twenty-one patients median age 53 (33-63) years with mild to moderate OA underwent high tibial osteotomy (HTO) and 20 patients median age 38 (31-57) years without OA underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Biopsies from the semitendinosus tendon were obtained at the time of surgery and examined histologically, morphologically and ultrastructurally using light and electron microscope. RESULTS: The histological evaluation of the semitendinosus tendon revealed the presence of more hemosiderin in the ACLR group. No significant morphological or ultrastructural differences were shown between patients in the HTO and ACLR group. CONCLUSION: Patients with mild and moderate medial compartment knee OA displayed no more degenerative changes in their semitendinosus tendon than patients without OA, as seen in both the light and the electron microscope. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Antimicrobial coating is associated with significantly lower aerobic colony counts in high-touch areas in an orthopedic ward environment.

BACKGROUND: Hospital acquired infections (HAI) are the most common complication found in the hospital environment. The aim of the study was to examine whether the use of an antimicrobial coating in high-touch areas in an orthopedic ward could reduce bacterial growth and HAI. METHODS: From December 2017 to February 2018, HAI were registered on two orthopedic wards. A second registration was performed from December 2018 to February 2019. On the second occasion, an antimicrobial organosilane coating was applied just before the study period and thereafter weekly on one ward, while the other ward served as a control. Twenty defined high-touch areas on each ward were cultured before treatment and after 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 14 and 16 weeks. Samples were cultured for aerobic colony counts, Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. RESULTS: The total aerobic colony counts were 47% lower on the treated ward compared with the non-treated ward over the study period (p = 0.02). The colony counts for Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli were low on both wards. During the first registration period, the incidence of HAI was 22.7% and 20.0% on the non-treated and subsequently treated ward respectively. On the second occasion, after treatment, the incidence was 25.0% and 12.5% (treated ward) respectively (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a long-lasting antimicrobial organosilane coating appears to reduce the bioburden and reduce HAI. Since the incidence of HAI varies substantially over time, longer observation times are needed.

The Long-Term Outcome After Early and Late Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

PURPOSE: To compare long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients undergoing either early (group A) or late (group B) surgery after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. METHODS: ACL reconstruction using hamstring tendon autografts was performed in 30 patients in group A (median age, 23 years; range, 17-49 years) and 31 patients in group B (median age, 27 years; range, 17-38 years). The patients in group A were operated on within 5 months (median, 3 months; range, 2-5 months) of injury, whereas those in group B were operated on more than 24 months (median, 30 months; range, 24-48 months) after injury. The follow-up period was 10 years (median, 117 months [range, 77-222 months] in group A and 129 months [range, 77-206 months] in group B; P = .44). Multiple objective clinical evaluation tests and patient-reported outcome measures were obtained preoperatively and at follow-up. At follow-up, radiographic assessments of knee osteoarthritis (OA) bilaterally were performed. RESULTS: The frequency of meniscectomy at the index operation was significantly lower in group A (20%) than in group B (52%) (P = .01). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of Tegner and Lysholm scores and laxity tests both preoperatively and at follow-up. Both groups improved over time in terms of Tegner and Lysholm scores (P < .05). At follow-up, significantly more medial-compartment OA in the index knee was found in group B than in group A (P = .037) according to the Ahlbäck classification system. The index knee showed significantly more OA than the contralateral knee in both groups (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent early ACL reconstruction required significantly fewer meniscectomies at the index operation than patients who underwent late reconstruction and showed significantly less OA on the medial side of the knee 10 years after reconstruction. However, no significant differences were found between the groups in terms of clinical assessments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

More histologic and ultrastructural degenerative signs in the subscapularis tendon and the joint capsule in male patients with shoulder impingement.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to analyze biopsy samples from the subscapularis tendon and from the joint capsule from male patients with shoulder impingement syndrome (SAIS) and compare them with samples from male patients with post-traumatic recurrent shoulder instability. The hypothesis of the study was that patients with SAIS would have more histologic and ultrastructural degenerative changes in their subscapularis tendon and joint capsule than patients with post-traumatic recurrent shoulder instability. METHODS: Male patients scheduled for surgery, with either subacromial decompression or Bankart reconstruction, were included. Four biopsies from each patient were obtained from the capsule and four from the subscapularis tendon during arthroscopic surgery. The histologic characteristics and the presence of glycosaminoglycans were assessed using the light microscope, and the ultrastructure was assessed using a transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Eight patients, median age 53 (45-74) years (p < 0.0001), were included in the impingement group, and 12 patients, median age 27 (22-48) years, were included in the instability group. The histologic assessment revealed significantly higher cellularity and total degeneration score in the capsule (p = 0.016 and p = 0.014 respectively) in patients with subacromial impingement compared with the instability patients. The corresponding finding was not made for the subscapularis tendon. The ultrastructural evaluation revealed that the instability patients had more fibrils with a large diameter (indicating less degeneration) in both the subscapularis tendon and the capsule compared with the impingement patients (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Male patients with subacromial impingement have more histologic and ultrastructural degenerative changes in their shoulder compared with patients with post-traumatic recurrent shoulder instability. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It appears that in patients with subacromial impingement, the whole shoulder joint is affected and not only the subacromial space. It is the opinion of the authors that intra-articular therapeutic injections could be tried more often in these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Radiographic Tibial Tunnel Assessment After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Hamstring Tendon Autografts and Biocomposite Screws: A Prospective Study With 5-Year Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: To radiographically assess the tibial tunnel up to 5 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using hamstring tendon autografts and biocomposite interference screws. METHODS: Fifty-one patients underwent anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction with metal interference screws in the femur and biocomposite interference screws in the tibia. Standardized digital radiographs with weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral views of the index knee were taken in the early postoperative period and at 2 and 5 years postoperatively. Of 51 patients, 40 (78%) underwent radiographic assessment on all 3 occasions. Subjective and objective clinical assessments were obtained preoperatively and at the 5-year follow-up. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 65 months (±3.9 months), with a minimum of 59 months. The width of the tibial tunnel on the anteroposterior view was 9.4 mm (±1.4 mm) in the early postoperative period and 9.2 mm (±1.5 mm) at 5 years (P = .64). The corresponding widths on the lateral view were 9.6 mm (±1.5 mm) in the early postoperative period and 9.0 mm (±1.4 mm) at 5 years (P = .014). In 33 of 40 patients (83%) the width of the tibial tunnel had decreased on 1 or both views at 5 years compared with the early postoperative period. The study group had improved significantly at the 5-year follow-up compared with the preoperative assessments in terms of the KT-1000 arthrometer laxity tests (MEDmetric, San Diego, CA), pivot-shift test, Tegner activity scale, and Lysholm knee score (P < .001). No correlations were found between the tunnel widths and the KT-1000 assessment. CONCLUSIONS: In 83% of patients, the width of the tibial tunnel had decreased on 1 or both radiographic views at 5 years compared with the early postoperative period after ACL reconstruction using biocomposite interference screws. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective study.

Long-Term Examination of Bone Mineral Density in the Calcanei After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Adolescents and Matched Adult Controls.

PURPOSE: The aims were to evaluate the results 10 to 20 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction performed in adolescents in terms of bone mineral density (BMD) in the calcanei using the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) technique, activity level, and quality of life. METHODS: A case-control study of adolescents who underwent ACL reconstruction between 1992 and 2002 was performed. The inclusion criterion was a unilateral ACL injury. The exclusion criteria were bilateral ACL injury, contralateral ACL reconstruction, posterior cruciate ligament injury, and previous or present fractures of either lower extremity. The BMD was measured in both calcanei using the DXA technique and compared with a control group of adult ACL-reconstructed patients and with a DXA reference database. The age of the control group was similar to that of the patient group at the time of BMD assessment, performed 60 months after reconstruction. Activity was measured with the Tegner activity scale. The EQ-5D was used to evaluate quality of life. RESULTS: Thirty-two adolescents (11 boys and 21 girls), aged 12 to 16 years, with a symptomatic unilateral ACL rupture, underwent reconstruction at near skeletally mature age. Of these patients, 29 (91%) took part in the follow-up examination. The BMD values for the male patients were lower on the injured and non-injured sides (-15.2% [P = .02] and -11.8% [P = .05], respectively) compared with the control group. The values for the female patients were -0.8% (P = .84) and -2.2% (P = .69), respectively. Correspondingly, the BMD values for the male patients were lower on the injured and non-injured sides (-8.2% and -4.9%, respectively) compared with the male reference database. The BMD values for the female patients were higher on the injured and non-injured sides (4.1% and 4.3%, respectively) compared with the female reference database. In the control group, female patients had a significantly lower value for the Tegner activity scale preoperatively (median, 2.0; range, 0 to 5) than the female patients in the study group (median, 3.0; range, 2 to 8) (P = .006). In the study group, the Tegner activity scale at follow-up showed a significant correlation with the BMD on the injured side for male patients (ρ = 0.67, P = .03) but not on the non-injured side (ρ = 0.50, P = .14). In the control group, the Tegner activity scale at follow-up showed a significant correlation with the BMD on the non-injured side for female patients (ρ = 0.61, P = .03) but not on the injured side (ρ = 0.34, P = .25). The Tegner activity scale and EQ-5D showed no significant differences between the study groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the long-term, the BMD in the calcanei of patients who were adolescents at the time of ACL reconstruction differed from that of a control group and a reference database. This study indicates that boys with an ACL injury and subsequent ACL reconstruction run a subsequent risk of a significantly lower BMD in their calcanei as adults and, consequently, an increased future fracture risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control study.

Bone mineral decreases in the calcanei in men after arthroscopic shoulder surgery: a prospective study over 5 years.

PURPOSE: It is well known that injuries and surgical procedures in the lower extremities affect bone mineral both in the injured limb and in the contralateral limb. The possible effect on bone mineral after upper extremity surgery is not well studied, and the aim of this study was to study the effect on bone mineral in the calcanei after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. METHODS: Twenty-two men scheduled for arthroscopic shoulder surgery underwent bone mineral area (BMA) mass measurements in both calcanei using the Calscan DXL device prior to surgery and after 6, 18, 36 and 60 months. On every occasion, the Tegner activity score and EuroQoL 5-dimensions (EQ-5D) were assessed. RESULTS: During 5 years, there was a significant decrease in the BMA in both calcanei (p = 0.003). The Tegner activity score decreased from preinjury to the operation and did not increase significantly after the operation. The EQ-5D increased significantly after the operation. CONCLUSION: The bone mineral in the calcanei in men during the 5-year study period decreased more than the expected age-dependent decline after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. There was an increase in health-related quality of life as measured with the EQ-5D after arthroscopic Bankart reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case-control study, Level III.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction reduces bone mineral areal mass.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to prospectively follow bone mineral areal mass (BMA) changes in the calcaneii, hips, and lumbar spine after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using hamstring tendon autografts. METHODS: Patients with a unilateral ACL injury scheduled for reconstruction were included in the study. The BMA mass was measured in both calcaneii, the hips, and the lumbar spine using the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) technique. Quality of life was estimated using the EQ-5D questionnaire, and activity was measured using the Tegner activity score. The patients were assessed before surgery and after 6, 18, 36, and 60 months. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients (21 female and 27 male patients), median age 31 years (17 to 64 years), participated in the study for 5 years. After 5 years, the female patients had lost 9.5% (P < .001) and 10.1% (P < .001) of their BMA in the calcaneus on the operated and nonoperated sides, respectively. Correspondingly, the male patients had lost 6.5% (P = .004) and 8.5% (P < .001) on the operated and nonoperated sides, respectively. In the hips, the female patients had lost 4.0% (P < .001) and 2.7% (P < .001) on the operated and the nonoperated sides, respectively. Among the male patients, the BMA loss was 3.4% (P = .002) and 4.8% (P < .001) in the hips on the operated and the nonoperated sides, respectively. The EQ-5D index was a mean (standard deviation [SD]) of 0.72 (0.23) before surgery and 0.86 (0.17) (P < .001) after 5 years. The preinjury Tegner activity level was a median (range) 7.5 (1 to 10). The preoperative Tegner activity level was 2.5 (0 to 9) and increased to 4 (1 to 9) (P = .002) after 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Both female and male patients had a significant decrease in BMA in both calcaneii and both hips during the 5-year study period compared with a reference population of Swedish healthy women and men. The patients increased their Tegner activity level and improved their EQ-5D index during the 5-year follow-up period. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prognostic prospective study.

The reharvested patellar tendon has the potential for ligamentization when used for anterior cruciate ligament revision surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to make an in-depth clinical, radiographical, and histological evaluation of patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) revision surgery with reharvested central third patellar tendon autograft. METHODS: Four patients (two women and two men) underwent ACL revision surgery with reharvested patellar tendon autograft 71 (66-120) months after the primary reconstruction. The patients were followed prospectively and underwent a clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at two and 10 years. Furthermore, they underwent a second-look arthroscopy involving a biopsy procedure from the reconstructed ACL 3 years after revision surgery. RESULTS: The clinical results were poor both at two and 10 years, but the knees were stable and had a firm endpoint in all four patients in the Lachman test. At the second-look arthroscopy, the graft appeared macroscopically normal in all four patients. Histologically two patients had a normal or close to normal appearance of the reconstructed ACL with no or slight increase in cellularity and vascularity. Two patients had a marked increase in cellularity and vascularity, and the findings revealed that ligamentization was present in all four patients. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical outcome 10 years after ACL revision surgery was poor in these four patients. In contrast, the reharvested patellar tendon appeared close to normal on MRI, and the second-look arthroscopy with the concomitant histological findings revealed that the grafts were viable 3 years after revision. Therefore, the reharvested patellar tendon seems to have the potential for ligamentization when used for ACL revision surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case series, Level IV.

Dislocation arthropathy and drill hole appearance in a mid- to long-term follow-up study after arthroscopic Bankart repair.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to perform a prospective mid- to long-term clinical and radiographic follow-up after arthroscopic Bankart repair using absorbable tacks with special emphasis on the development of dislocation arthropathy. METHODS: Thirty-four shoulders in 32 patients with post-traumatic shoulder instability were included in the study. Clinical and radiographic follow-ups took place after approximately 2 and 8 years. RESULTS: Thirty-four of 34 (100 %) shoulders in 32 patients returned for the follow-up examination after 95 (53-129) months. Pre-operatively, none of the shoulders had any arthropathy changes. At follow-up, 8/34 (24 %) had minor changes, 6/34 (18 %) had moderate changes, and none had severe arthropathy changes, a significant increment compared with the pre-operative figures (p = 0.005). At follow-up, the drill holes in 24 % of the shoulders still had not healed radiographically. The failure rate in terms of stability was 3/34 (9 %) re-dislocations and 3/34 (9 %) subluxations. CONCLUSION: Eight years after arthroscopic Bankart repair using absorbable tacks, 41 % of the shoulders displayed some degree of radiographic arthropathy changes and in 24 % the drill holes had not yet radiographically healed. There was no correlation between clinical outcome or drill hole appearance and the development of arthropathy changes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Knee laxity measurements after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, using either bone-patellar-tendon-bone or hamstring tendon autografts, with special emphasis on comparison over time.

The aims of the study were to analyse the change in knee laxity over time after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, using either bone-patellar-tendon-bone (BPTB) or hamstring (HS) tendon autografts, and to compare the knee laxity measurements between the study groups both pre-operatively and on multiple follow-up occasions. Another aim was to compare the radiographic findings in terms of degenerative changes between the study groups. A randomised series of 71 patients, who underwent ACL reconstruction using BPTB or HS tendon autografts and interference screw fixation, were included in the study. Of these patients, 47/71 (66%) attended a clinical examination, including laxity measurements using the KT-1000 arthrometer, pre-operatively and on four post-operative occasions; 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 7 years after the reconstruction. The BPTB group consisted of 22 patients, while there were 25 patients in the HS group. There were no significant differences in the mean side-to-side knee laxity between the BPTB and the HS group pre-operatively or at the follow-up examinations. There was a tendency towards a reduction in side-to-side knee laxity over time in both groups, measured with the KT-1000 arthrometer. The decrease was significant when analysing the injured and uninjured knee separately (injured side p < 0.001 (BPTB) and p = 0.005 (HS), uninjured side p = 0.008 and p = 0.042, respectively). Forty-four patients (BPTB 21, ST 23) underwent a radiographic assessment at the 7-year follow-up, which revealed no significant differences between the study groups in terms of osteoarthritic findings classified according to the Fairbank and Ahlbäck rating systems. In overall terms, osteoarthritis was identified in 16% (BPTB 19%; ST 13%; n.s.) according to the Ahlbäck rating system and 68% (BPTB 67%; ST 70%; n.s.) according to the Fairbank rating system. There were no significant differences in knee laxity measurements between the two study groups pre-operatively or at 7 years. A decrease in knee laxity over time was seen in both groups. There were no significant differences between the BPTB and ST groups in terms of osteoarthritic findings at 7 years.

Osteoarthritic changes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using bone-patellar tendon-bone or hamstring tendon autografts: a retrospective, 7-year radiographic and clinical follow-up study.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term radiographic appearance and clinical outcome after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction by use of either bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) or hamstring tendon (HT) autografts and to evaluate how associated meniscal injuries affect the prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: ACL reconstruction was performed in 124 consecutive patients. Of these patients, 113 (91%) (72 BPTB and 41 HT) returned for a follow-up examination at a median of 86 months (range, 67 to 111 months) after reconstruction. The patients underwent standard weight-bearing radiographic examinations and clinical evaluation. RESULTS: The radiographic assessments showed no significant differences between the graft types in terms of OA classified according to the Ahlbäck and Fairbank rating systems. Overall, 23% of the patients had degenerative changes according to the Ahlbäck system, and 74% had degenerative changes according to the Fairbank system. Associated meniscal injuries increased the prevalence of OA. Clinically, no significant differences were found between the graft types in terms of the Tegner activity test, 1-leg hop test, International Knee Documentation Committee evaluation system, disturbed area of sensitivity, manual Lachman test, KT-1000 laxity test (MEDmetric, San Diego, CA), and knee-walking test. The Lysholm score (P = .02) and knee-walking ability (P = .02) were significantly better in the HT group. CONCLUSIONS: At a median of 7 years after ACL reconstruction with either BPTB or HT autografts, the prevalence of OA as seen on standard weight-bearing radiographs and the clinical outcome were comparable. The presence of meniscal injuries increased the prevalence of OA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic, retrospective comparative study.

Patellar tendon or semitendinosus tendon autografts for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a prospective, randomized study with a 7-Year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to compare the results after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using central-third bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autografts and triple/quadruple semitendinosus (ST) autografts. HYPOTHESIS: In the long-term, ACL reconstruction using BTB autografts will render more donor-site problems than ST autografts. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: A randomized series of 71 patients (22 women and 49 men) with a unilateral ACL rupture who underwent reconstructive surgery were included in the study. The BTB graft was used in 34 patients (BTB group) and the ST-tendon graft was used in 37 patients (ST group). The patients were examined a median of 86 months (range, 68 to 114 months) after the reconstruction. RESULTS: Sixty-eight of 71 patients (96%) were examined at follow-up. The clinical assessments at follow-up revealed no significant differences between the BTB group and the ST group in terms of the Lysholm score, Tegner activity level, International Knee Documentation Committee evaluation system, 1-legged hop test, KT-1000 arthrometer laxity measurements, manual Lachman test, and range of motion. A significant improvement was seen in both groups compared with the preoperative values in terms of most clinical assessments. Donor-site morbidity in the form of knee-walking ability, kneeling ability, and area of disturbed anterior knee sensitivity revealed no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: Seven years after ACL reconstruction, the subjective and objective outcomes were similar after using the central-third BTB autograft and triple/quadruple ST autograft. Furthermore, no difference in terms of donor-site morbidity was found between the 2 groups.

A prospective, randomized, clinical and radiographic study after arthroscopic Bankart reconstruction using 2 different types of absorbable tacks.

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.

Outcome and risk factors after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a follow-up study of 948 patients.

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.

A prospective randomized comparison of bone-patellar tendon-bone and hamstring grafts for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the results after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using central-third, bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB group), 3-strand semitendinosus (ST group), or 4-strand semitendinosus/gracilis (ST/G group) autografts. TYPE OF STUDY: Prospective randomized trial. METHODS: A randomized series of 134 patients, all with unilateral ACL rupture was included in the study. In all 3 groups, interference screw fixation of the graft was used at both ends and 125 of 134 (93%) of the patients returned for the follow-up examination after 26 months (range, 20 to 43 months). The preoperative assessments in all 3 groups were similar in terms of gender, Tegner activity level, Lysholm score, KT-1000 measurements, 1-leg hop test, and the knee-walking test. RESULTS: At follow-up, the knee-walking test was significantly worse in the BPTB group than in the ST group (P = .0004) and ST/G group (P < .0001). Furthermore, the knee-walking test was significantly worse at follow-up than preoperatively in the BPTB group (P < .0001). The corresponding findings were not made in the other 2 groups. A significant reduction in knee laxity and an increase in activity level compared with the preoperative assessments were found in all 3 groups, without any significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Two years after ACL reconstruction, the use of ST and ST/G autografts rendered significantly less discomfort during the knee-walking test than the use of BPTB autografts. However, in terms of functional outcome and knee laxity, the groups displayed no significant differences. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I.

Patellar tendon or semitendinosus tendon autografts for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction? A prospective randomized study with a two-year follow-up.

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.

Does the patellar tendon normalize after harvesting its central third?: a prospective long-term MRI study.

BACKGROUND: The central third of the patellar tendon is the most frequently used autograft for ACL reconstruction. HYPOTHESIS: The patellar tendon at the donor site would look normal as seen on MRI 6 years after harvesting its central third. METHODS: Nineteen consecutive patients were included in the study. MRI examinations of the donor site were performed at 6 (5 to 10) weeks, 6 (6 to 8) months, 27 (24 to 29) months, and 71 (68 to 73) months postoperatively. The contralateral normal side was examined only on the first occasion. RESULTS: The size of the donor-site gap decreased significantly (P = 0.0001) between 6 weeks and 6 years. In most patients, a thinning of the central part of the patellar tendon was still found at 6 years. The thickness of the peripheral patellar tendon was increased, compared with the contralateral healthy side, until 2 years (P = 0.003). On all occasions, the width was increased compared with the contralateral side (P < 0.015). CONCLUSION: Prospective MRI examinations revealed that the patellar tendon at the donor site had not normalized 6 years after harvesting its central third. The reharvesting of the patellar tendon can therefore not be recommended.

Revisiting the open Bankart experience: a four- to nine-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The open Bankart technique for posttraumatic recurrent anterior instability has become the procedure of choice for patients who do not respond to nonoperative treatment. HYPOTHESIS: The open Bankart procedure renders stable and well-functioning shoulders in the long term in a large proportion of patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective follow-up study with independent reexaminers. METHODS: Fifty-four patients (54 shoulders) with symptomatic, posttraumatic, recurrent anterior shoulder instability underwent an open Bankart reconstruction procedure with suture anchors. All of the patients had a Bankart lesion. Forty-seven patients (87%) were reexamined by independent observers at a mean follow-up period of 69 months (range, 48 to 114). RESULTS: The recurrence rate, including both dislocations and subluxations, was 17% (8 of 47). The median Rowe score was 90 points (range, 24 to 100) at the follow-up, and the median Constant score was 88.5 points (range, 41 to 100). External rotation in abduction was a median of 90 degrees (range, 25 degrees to 125 degrees ) in the involved shoulders, as compared with 97.5 degrees (80 degrees to 125 degrees ) in the noninjured shoulders (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, in the long term, the open Bankart procedure resulted in an unexpectedly high number of patients with failure in terms of stability. These results emphasize the importance of performing long-term follow-up studies after surgical reconstruction for unidirectional, posttraumatic, anterior shoulder instability using any type of technique.

Right and left knee laxity measurements: a prospective study of patients with anterior cruciate ligament injuries and normal control subjects.

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.