Male Sex, Revision Surgery, Low Volume of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Remnant, and Significant Instability Are Risk Factors for Posterior Root Tear of the Lateral Meniscus in Patients Undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of lateral meniscus posterior root tears (LMPRTs) in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and identify associated risk factors. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study using data from the Francophone Arthroscopic Society's registry. The study included all the patients in the registry who underwent ACL reconstruction surgery between June 2020 and June 2023; we excluded incomplete data. We compared delay from injury to surgery between LMPRTs group and no-LMPRTs group. Variables investigated as potential risk factors for LMPRTs included age, sex, nature of surgery (primary or revision), pivot shift test result, side-to-side laxity under anesthesia, presence of ACL remnant, occurrence of medial meniscal tear, and presence of collateral ligament injury. Risk factors were analyzed using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Among the 5,359 patients analyzed, LMPRTs occurred in 7.0% (n = 375) of cases during ACL reconstruction. Mean age at surgery was 29.3 ± 10.3 years old [11-77]. Concerning delay to surgery, the mean time was 8.4 ± 23.1 weeks [0.0-347.2] in the no-LMPRTs group and 6.5 ± 10.2 weeks [0.2-61.6] in the LMPRTs group (P = .109). Univariate analysis revealed that male sex (P < .001), revision surgery (P < .001), medial meniscal injury (P = .007), ACL remnant (0% vs >70%, <10% vs >70%, 10%-30% vs >70%, >30%-50% vs >70%, >50%-70% vs >70%; P < .001), and greater pivot shift grade (P = .011) were significantly associated with a presence of LMPRTs. Age, side-to-side laxity, and collateral ligament injury were not found to be significant risk factors. In multivariate analysis, male sex, revision surgery, pivot shift test result, and a low volume of ACL remnant remained significant. Side-to-side laxity was also a significant factor in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified male sex, revision surgery, low volume of ACL remnant, side-to-side laxity, and greater grade of pivot shift as significant risk factors for LMPRTs during ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative case series.

Risk factors and prevalence of ramp lesions in ACL ruptures: An analysis from the registry of the Francophone Arthroscopic Society.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of ramp lesions among patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and identify risk factors associated with these lesions. METHODS: A retrospective, multicentre cohort study was conducted using data from the Francophone Arthroscopic Society's registry, including 5359 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction (ACLR) from June 2020 to June 2023. Potential risk factors for ramp lesion such as patient demographics, revision surgery, pivot shift, side-to-side anteroposterior laxity, medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury, lateral meniscal tear and the volume of ligament remnant were evaluated using multivariate regression analyses. BMI and delay to surgery were also assessed. RESULTS: Ramp lesions were identified in 822 patients (15.3%). Univariate analysis identified male sex, younger age, revision surgery, lateral meniscal injury, percentage of ACL remnant (all p < 0.0001) and pivot shift (p = 0.0103) as significant risk factors. MCL injury was associated with a lower risk (p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, male sex, younger age, revision surgery, lateral meniscal injury and percentage of ACL remnants remained significant risk factors, while MCL injury remained a protective factor. The anteroposterior laxity wasn't a significant predictor in either analysis. In subgroup analysis, there were no differences concerning body mass index (n.s) and the delay to surgery (n.s). CONCLUSION: The study identified male sex, younger age, revision surgery, lateral meniscal injury and pourcentage of ACL remnant as significant risk factors for ramp lesions, with MCL injury acting as a protective factor. This will help regarding the suspicion and identification of ramp lesions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Younger age, longer delay to surgery and meniscal tears are associated with a smaller ACL remnant: An analysis from the registry of the Francophone Arthroscopic Society.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate which preoperative patient, injury or clinical factors were associated with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) remnant volume in patients undergoing ACL surgery. It was hypothesized that the main factors determining an insufficient ACL remnant volume at the time of surgery were younger age and longer time to surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis from the Francophone Arthroscopic Society's registry was conducted, including 1565 patients with an ACL lesion underdoing a primary ACL surgery (reconstruction or repair) between June 2020 and June 2023. Patients were excluded in case of revision surgery and incomplete data. Preoperative factors-including patient demographics, delay to surgery, preoperative laxity and the presence of meniscal tears or cartilage lesions-were analysed to determine their influence on ACL remnant volume (estimated by the surgeon as the percentage of residual volume). Univariate, multivariate and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to explore these relationships. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses demonstrated that younger age (<20 years and 20-30 years compared to ≥40, p = 0.02), higher time from injury to surgery (≥12 months compared to <3 months, p = 0.01) and the presence of a medial (p = 0.01) or a lateral meniscal tear (p = 0.02) were significant predictors of an ACL remnant volume ≤ 50%. CONCLUSIONS: Younger age (under 30 years of age), a time from injury to surgery above 12 months and the presence of medial and lateral meniscal tears are associated with higher odds of observing a smaller ACL remnant volume at the time of the ACL surgery. These factors should be considered when planning ACL remnant preservation techniques. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Low reoperation rate following lateral meniscus root repair: clinical outcomes at 2 years follow-up.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to review the outcomes of lateral meniscus posterior root tears repair at the time of ACL reconstruction at a minimum 2-year follow-up. METHODS: Between March 2015 and August 2018, 2017 patients underwent primary ACL reconstruction and were considered for study eligibility. Lateral meniscus posterior root tears were identified arthroscopically, and repair was performed with a transtibial pull-out suture technique or a side-to-side suture technique. Clinical outcomes were recorded at the time of physical examination. At the end of the study period, patients were contacted to determine whether they had required reoperation. RESULTS: Lateral meniscus posterior root tears were identified in 153 out of the 2,017 primary ACL reconstructions (7.6%). Ninety-nine patients were included for analysis: 23 transtibial pull-out sutures and 76 side-to-side repairs. At a mean follow-up of 42 ± 10 months, one patient (1%) had undergone reoperation for failure of the side-to-side repair. There were 11 reoperations in 10 patients (10.1%), including 6 cyclops syndrome, 1 graft rupture, 1 tibial bone cyst, 1 medial and 1 lateral meniscus repair failure, and 1 arthrolysis. Postoperatively, ninety (90.9%) patients were graded A for the IKDC objective score and 9 (9.1%) patients were graded B, with an IKDC subjective score of 86.9 ± 7.6, a Lysholm score of 90.7 ± 6.7 and a median Tegner Activity Scale of 6 (3-9). All of their objective and subjective evaluations improved after surgery (p < 0.001) except for the Tegner Activity Scale. Ten patients underwent second look arthroscopy (10.1%), lateral meniscus healing was observed in 9 out of 10 patients (90%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that lateral meniscus posterior root tear repair is a safe procedure with a very low reoperation rate at a minimum follow-up of 2 years. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

A predictive score of high tibial osteotomy survivorship to help in surgical decision-making: the SKOOP score.

INTRODUCTION: The high tibial osteotomy (HTO) survival rate is strongly correlated with surgical indications and predictive factors. This study aims to assess HTO survival in the long term, to determine the main predictive factors of this survival, to propose a predictive score for HTO based on those factors. METHODS: This multicentric study included 481 HTO between 2004 and 2015. The inclusion criteria were all primary HTO in patients 70 years old and younger, without previous anterior cruciate ligament injury, and without the limitation of body mass index (BMI). The assessed data were preoperative clinical and radiological parameters, the surgical technique, the complications, the HKA (hip knee ankle angle) correction postoperatively, and the surgical revision at the last follow-up. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 7.8 ± 2.9 years. The HTO survival was 93.1% at 5 years and 74.1% at 10 years. Age < 55, female sex, BMI < 25 kg/m2 and incomplete narrowing were preoperative factors that positively impacted HTO survival. A postoperative HKA angle greater than 180° was a positive factor for HTO survival. The SKOOP (Sfa Knee OsteOtomy Predictive) score, including age (threshold value of 55 years), BMI (threshold values of 25 and 35 kg/m2), and the presence or absence of complete joint line narrowing, have been described. If the scale was greater than 3, the survival probability was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than if the scale was less than 3. CONCLUSION: A predictive score including age, BMI, and the presence or absence of joint line narrowing can be a helpful in making decisions about HTO, particularly in borderline cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective cohort study.

Triaxial accelerometer evaluation is correlated with IKDC grade of pivot shift.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between tibial acceleration parameters measured by the KiRA device and the clinical grade of pivot shift. The secondary objective was to report the risk factors for pre-operative high-grade pivot shift. METHODS: Two-hundred and ninety-five ACL deficient patients were examined under anesthesia. The pivot shift tests were performed twice by an expert surgeon. Clinical grading was performed using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scale and tibial acceleration data was recorded using a triaxial accelerometer system (KiRA). The difference in the tibial acceleration range between injured and contralateral limbs was used in the analysis. Correlation coefficients were calculated using linear regression. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for high grade pivot shift. RESULTS: The clinical grade of pivot shift and the side-to-side difference in delta tibial acceleration determined by KiRA were significantly correlated (r = 0.57; 95% CI 0.513-0.658, p < 0.0001). The only risk factor identified to have a significant association with high grade pivot shift was an antero-posterior side to side laxity difference > 6 mm (OR = 2.070; 95% CI (1.259-3.405), p = 0.0042). CONCLUSION: Side-to-side difference in tibial acceleration range, as measured by KiRA, is correlated with the IKDC pivot shift grade in anaesthetized patients. Side-to-side A-P laxity difference greater than 6 mm is reported as a newly defined risk factor for high grade pivot shift in the ACL injured knee. DIAGNOSTIC STUDY: Level II.

Clinical outcome and failure analysis of medial meniscus bucket-handle tear repair: a series of 96 patients with a minimum 2 year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: The failure rate of meniscal repair remains significant, especially for bucket-handle tears. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes, failure rate and risk factors for failure of bucket-handle medial meniscal tear repairs performed during ACL reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed on a consecutive series of 96 ACL reconstructions with meniscal arthroscopic suture of a bucket-handle tear of the medial meniscus with a minimum 2 year follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative evaluation at last follow-up included objective IKDC rating, instrumented differential laxity and Tegner activity level. Functional outcome was evaluated with Lysholm score at last follow-up. Failure rate, survival curves and risk factor analysis using Cox proportional hazard ratio models were performed to analyze suture repair failure. RESULTS: At IKDC rating, all patients were C or D preoperatively, whereas they where all A or B at last follow-up. Instrumented differential laxity improved from 6.77 mm (1.57) to 1.02 mm (1.15) mm at last follow-up (p = 1.9 E-18). The mean Tegner score before injury was 6.79 (± 1.47) and 6.11 (± 1.75) at last follow-up (p = 0.0011). Mean Lyholm score at last follow-up was 91.53 (± 11.6). The average entire cohort failure rate was 19% at final follow-up of 35.2 ± 9.8 months. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that the probability of the absence of failure decreased constantly over time. No significant difference in the objective IKDC, Lysholm or Tegner scores was observed between the failure group and the success group. Multivariate analysis revealed that younger patients and a procedure of ACL revision are more at risk for suture repair failure. In the majority of cases, the meniscal lesion observed at revision was equivalent or less extensive than the initial lesion. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that failure rate remains high for medial meniscus bucket-handle tears, suture repair of bucket-handle tears should be encouraged taking into account the long-term consequences of menisectomy.

Reconstruction of chronic patellar tendon rupture with contralateral bone-tendon-bone autograft.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and functional outcome following the reconstruction of chronic patellar tendon ruptures using the contralateral bone-tendon-bone (BTB) autograft. METHODS: The records of seven patients who underwent reconstruction of chronic patellar tendon rupture with contralateral patellar BTB were retrospectively reviewed. Chronic tears were defined as a minimum of 3 months from injury to initial clinical evaluation. Clinical assessments included range of motion of the knee, Tegner, Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and a radiographic analysis of patellar height (Caton-Deschamps index). Postoperative complications and quadriceps strength at last follow-up were reported. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients undergoing surgery was 33 (±10.5) years with a mean follow-up of 41.3 (±29.7) months. Reconstruction surgery was performed at an average of 16 months (3-60 months) after the injury. 86 % of the patients had a normal patella height with mean of patellar height of 1.5 (±0.2) in preoperative radiographs and of 1.2 (±0.07) on postoperative evaluation (p = 0.0136). The mean IKDC was 45.5 (±10.8) before surgery and 64.5 (±12.4) at the last follow-up (p = 0.0001), and Lysholm score was 45.4 (±11.3) and 79 (±11.8), respectively (p = 0.0001). The median Tegner activity scale preinjury was 6 (range 5-7), preoperatively was 1 (range 1-2) and 4 (range 2-5) postoperatively (p = 0.0001). All patients had quadriceps wasting with a difference in thigh girth between the injured side and healthy side of 3.6 ± 0.7 cm (ns). No surgical complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: In this limited cohort, surgical reconstruction of chronic patellar tendon ruptures using contralateral bone-tendon-bone graft was a safe and viable option that improves clinical and functional outcomes compared to presurgical function. However, despite the restoration of a normal patellar height, function did not return to preinjury level.

Anterolateral Ligament Expert Group consensus paper on the management of internal rotation and instability of the anterior cruciate ligament - deficient knee.

Purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the latest research on the anterolateral ligament (ALL) and present the consensus of the ALL Expert Group on the anatomy, radiographic landmarks, biomechanics, clinical and radiographic diagnosis, lesion classification, surgical technique and clinical outcomes. A consensus on controversial subjects surrounding the ALL and anterolateral knee instability has been established based on the opinion of experts, the latest publications on the subject and an exchange of experiences during the ALL Experts Meeting (November 2015, Lyon, France). The ALL is found deep to the iliotibial band. The femoral origin is just posterior and proximal to the lateral epicondyle; the tibial attachment is 21.6 mm posterior to Gerdy's tubercle and 4-10 mm below the tibial joint line. On a lateral radiographic view the femoral origin is located in the postero-inferior quadrant and the tibial attachment is close to the centre of the proximal tibial plateau. Favourable isometry of an ALL reconstruction is seen when the femoral position is proximal and posterior to the lateral epicondyle, with the ALL being tight upon extension and lax upon flexion. The ALL can be visualised on ultrasound, or on T2-weighted coronal MRI scans with proton density fat-suppressed evaluation. The ALL injury is associated with a Segond fracture, and often occurs in conjunction with acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Recognition and repair of the ALL lesions should be considered to improve the control of rotational stability provided by ACL reconstruction. For high-risk patients, a combined ACL and ALL reconstruction improves rotational control and reduces the rate of re-rupture, without increased postoperative complication rates compared to ACL-only reconstruction. In conclusion this paper provides a contemporary consensus on all studied features of the ALL. The findings warrant future research in order to further test these early observations, with the ultimate goal of improving the long-term outcomes of ACL-injured patients. Level of evidence Level V-Expert opinion.

Repair of Meniscal Ramp Lesions Through a Posteromedial Portal During Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Outcome Study With a Minimum 2-Year Follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of arthroscopic all-inside suture repair of medial meniscal ramp lesions through a posteromedial portal during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: All patients who underwent a suture of the posterior segment of the medial meniscus using a suture hook device through a posteromedial portal during ACL reconstruction with minimum 2 year-follow-up were included in the study. Repair was performed for longitudinal tears within the rim of less than 3 mm (capsulomeniscal junction or red-red zone) or 3 to 5 mm (red-white zone) of an unstable torn meniscus. Patients were assessed pre- and postoperatively with IKDC score and Tegner activity scale. Instrumented knee testing was performed with the Rolimeter arthrometer. Complications including reoperation for failed meniscal repair were also recorded. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-two patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up time was 27 months (range, 24 to 29 months). The average subjective IKDC rose from 63.8 ± 13.5 (range, 27 to 92) preoperatively to 85.7 ± 12 (range, 43 to 100) at last follow-up (P < .0001). The Rolimeter test decreased from a side-to-side difference in anterior knee laxity of 7 mm (range, 5 to 14 mm) to a mean value of 0.4 mm (range, -3 to 5 mm) at last follow-up (P < .0001). The Tegner activity scale at the last follow-up (6.9 ± 1.72) was slightly lower than that before surgery (7.2 ± 1.92; P = .0017). Nine patients (6.8%) had failure of the meniscal repair. In 5 cases, recurrent tears were related to a newly formed tear located anterior to the initial tear. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that arthroscopic meniscal repair of ramp lesions during ACL reconstruction through a posteromedial portal provided a high rate of meniscus healing at the level of the tear and appeared to be safe and effective in this group of patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study, case series (no control group).

Clinical Outcomes of Different Management Techniques for Medial Meniscal Type 3 Ramp Lesions in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Comparative Analysis Between All-inside Repair, Suture Hook Repair, and Lesions Left In Situ.

BACKGROUND: There is ongoing debate about the best way to manage ramp lesions at the time of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). Type 3 lesions are not visible by the transnotch approach without superior debridement, making the management debate even more problematic. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rate of secondary surgical interventions according to the management method of a type 3 ramp lesion concomitant with primary ACLR. The hypothesis was that the rate of secondary ACL or meniscal interventions would be higher in patients who underwent all-inside repair. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent primary ACLR with a type 3 ramp lesion between January 2012 and May 2020, regardless of the treatment method, was performed. The main criterion analyzed in this cohort was a secondary surgical intervention, defined as revision ACLR or a reintervention of the repaired meniscus. A survivorship analysis was performed to evaluate secondary surgical interventions in 3 groups: all-inside repair, suture hook repair, and left in situ. The following data were collected preoperatively and at the last follow-up: patient characteristics, time to surgery, side-to-side difference in laxity, pivot shift, Lysholm score, subjective International Knee Documentation Committee score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Tegner score, and meniscal repair failure rate. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients who underwent type 3 ramp lesion repair concomitant with ACLR were included: 52 (46.0%) in the all-inside repair group, 23 (20.4%) in the suture hook repair group, and 38 (33.6%) in the lesion left in situ group. There were 17 patients (15.0%) who underwent a secondary intervention because of ACL graft failure (n = 6) or meniscal repair failure (n = 15 [4 of whom underwent a concomitant ACL reintervention]). Overall, 62 patients (54.9%) underwent combined ACLR and anterolateral ligament reconstruction, while 51 patients (45.1%) underwent isolated ACLR. In the adjusted Cox model, the type of meniscal repair was not statistically significantly associated with secondary surgical interventions. The only risk factor for secondary surgical interventions in this cohort was isolated ACLR (hazard ratio, 8.077; P = .007). CONCLUSION: The rates of secondary surgical interventions after medial meniscal type 3 ramp lesion repair concomitant with ACLR were similar regardless of the management method of the meniscal lesion. Despite not being associated with meniscal treatment, this rate was 8 times higher for patients who underwent isolated ACLR in this cohort; this is probably because of the protection that lateral extra-articular procedures provide to the ACL graft.

Repair of radial tears of the lateral meniscus on a stable knee: Results at a minimum follow-up of 2 years.

INTRODUCTION: In younger patients, meniscal repair is recommended for isolated lateral meniscus tears that are most often due to acute trauma. But there is little published data on the outcomes of repairing this specific type of lesion. The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes, report the failure rate of repairing radial tears of the lateral meniscus in stable knees and determine the risk factors for failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who had a stable knee and underwent arthroscopic repair of a radial lateral meniscus tear between April 2013 and December 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Failure was defined as revision surgery for recurrence of symptoms (pain, locking) with intraoperative confirmation that the meniscus did not heal. The following data were collected: demographics (age, sex, BMI), time to surgery, clinical outcome scores (Tegner, Lysholm, IKDC), surgical details (repair technique, lesion zone, number of sutures). RESULTS: Thirty patients were included having a mean age of 20.1years (14-31). The follow-up ranged from 24 to 110months (mean 66.8±25.2). An all-inside repair was done in 6 patients (20%); an outside-in technique was done in 17 patients (57%) and a combination of all-inside and outside-in was done in 7 patients (23%). Four patients (13%) had a recurrence of their symptoms later on, while participating in sports. All the recurrences were at the initial tear site. The time to revision surgery was 16, 19, 24 and 37months in these four patients (mean 24±9). All the other patients were able to resume sports at their pre-injury level. Significant improvement in the IKDC, Lysholm and Tegner functional scores were found between the preoperative and postoperative assessments. No statistically significant risk factors for failure were identified. DISCUSSION: The functional healing rate after repair of a radial lateral meniscus tear in a stable knee was 86% at a mean follow-up of 5years, with the surgical technique having no impact on the long-term result. Most of the failures occurred within 2years of the repair procedure. We recommend repairing these tears as they have considerable healing potential. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective observational cohort study.

Double-level osteotomy for varus knees using patient-specific cutting guides allow more accurate correction but similar clinical outcomes as compared to conventional techniques.

PURPOSE: Patient-specific cutting guides are increasingly used in the field of osteotomies around the knee and can improve the accuracy of planned correction and more specifically in the case of double-level osteotomy (DLO). The purpose of this study was to analyse the accuracy of postoperative coronal alignment after DLO using patient-specific cutting guides techniques (PSI) compared to conventional techniques. The secondary objective was to compare the functional results between the two groups at short-term follow-up. HYPOTHESIS: The accuracy of global correction (HKA angle) is better with patient-specific cutting guides compared to conventional techniques for double-level osteotomy METHODS: This multicentric comparative retrospective study included 53 patients (mean age: 53.8 ± 5.2 years, male/female: 44/9) who underwent a DLO for knee varus malalignment. The coronal correction accuracy (as expressed by the difference between postoperative angular values and preoperative targeted correction) was compared between techniques using patient-specific cutting guides (PSI group, n = 27) or conventional techniques (n = 26) for the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and the lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA). Postoperatively, the global alignment expressed by the hip-knee-ankle angle and the joint line obliquity were compared between groups. The postoperative functional results for KOOS and UCLA activity scale score were also compared at a mean follow-up of 1.7 years (1.0-3.1 years). RESULTS: No difference was observed for the postoperative global alignment between the PSI and the conventional groups (Δ = 0.6 °, p = 0.11) neither for the postoperative posterior proximal tibial angle (Δ = 1.6°, p = 0,99) or the joint line obliquity (Δ = 0.3°, p = 0,17). In the coronal plane, the postoperative MPTA was lower in the PSI group (Δ = 2.3°, p < 0.001) as well as the postoperative LDFA (Δ = 0.9°, p = 0.01). Concerning correction accuracy in the coronal plane, the results showed a significant higher accuracy of the planned correction in the PSI group compared to the conventional group for MPTA (2.2 ± 0.2 versus 0.8 ± 0.7, Δ = 1.5 °, p < 0.001) and LDFA (1.3 ± 1.0 versus 0.6 ± 0.9, Δ = 0.7°, p < 0.001). No improvement difference was observed between the conventional group and the PSI group respectively for the KOOS symptoms (p = 0.12), the KOOS Pain (p = 0,57), the KOOS activities of daily living (p = 0.61), the KOOS sport/rec (p = 0.65), or for the KOOS Quality of Life (p = 0.99) neither for the UCLA (p = 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the use of custom-made cutting guides improves the accuracy of planned correction in double-level osteotomy compared with conventional techniques, which may have implications particularly in centers not performing a large volume of osteotomies. This improved accuracy is not associated with any difference in joint line obliquity or functional results but these results need to be confirmed by a randomized prospective study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; Retrospective comparative study.

Osteotomies for genu varum: Should we always correct at the tibia? A multicenter analysis of practices in France.

INTRODUCTION: Tibial correction is often performed during a valgus-producing osteotomy for genu varum. However, overcorrection and the creation of a joint line obliquity (JLO) have been associated with unfavorable functional outcomes after high tibial osteotomy (HTO). The aims of this study were to analyze: 1) the corrections obtained after HTO; 2) the rationale behind the indication per the European Society for Sports Traumatology Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA) recommendations; and 3) the correlation between the postoperative corrections obtained and functional outcomes. HYPOTHESIS: A significant number of patients who underwent an isolated HTO did not present an "ideal" theoretical indication based on the preoperative angles and correction targets to be performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter study included 289 isolated HTOs. Demographic and morphometric data were anonymized and compiled in a database. Preoperative radiographic parameters were compared with the ESSKA consensus recommendations on osteotomies for genu varum. The consensus defined the "ideal" indication for performing an HTO as medial tibiofemoral compartment pain with significant tibial varus deformity (medial proximal tibial angle [MPTA]<85°), no significant femoral varus deformity (lateral distal femoral angle [LDFA]<90°), an expected postoperative obliquity of less than 5°, and a correction resulting in moderate tibial valgus (postoperative MPTA<94°). The incidence of patients with an "ideal" theoretical indication for isolated HTO and those with a theoretical indication not perfectly justified by the radiographic data and preoperative planning were recorded. RESULTS: Under the ESSKA consensus criteria, 25.3% (n=73) of isolated HTOs, 15.6% (n=45) of isolated femoral osteotomies, 9.3% (n=27) of double-level osteotomies, and 49.9% (n=144) of cases where no osteotomy was performed due to the lack of significant extra-articular tibial and/or femoral deformity were deemed justified. The presence of a preoperative femoral deformity and the absence of an "ideal" indication for HTO did not affect the postoperative Tegner Activity Scale or the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores (p>0.05). A high preoperative hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle and MPTA, which indicated less varus, were associated with a greater risk of there being no "ideal" theoretical indication for an HTO (coefficient of determination [R2]=0.19 and R2=1, respectively; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study showed that isolated HTOs in current practice were not justified in a significant number of patients, even though they could lead to tibial overcorrection and excessive JLO. This did not impact the functional results of this series, but it might complicate the performance of a secondary knee arthroplasty. Nevertheless, some young patients in this series underwent a salvage osteotomy outside the "ideal" indications of the European recommendations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; case series.

Incidence of and Risk Factors for Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition in Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: A Cross-Sectional Study and Analysis of Associated Factors From the SANTI Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) is a process in which neural inhibition after injury or surgery to the knee results in quadriceps activation failure and knee extension deficit. PURPOSE: To determine the incidence and spectrum of the severity of AMI after acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury using the Sonnery-Cottet classification, to determine the interobserver reliability of the classification system, and to investigate potential important factors associated with AMI after ACL injury. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Consecutive patients who had an acute ACL injury between October 2021 and February 2022 were considered for study inclusion. Eligible patients underwent a standardized physical examination at their first outpatient appointment. This included an assessment of quadriceps inhibition, identification of any extension deficits, and grading of AMI and its reversibility according to the Sonnery-Cottet classification. RESULTS: A total of 300 consecutive patients with acute ACL ruptures were prospectively enrolled in the study. Of them, 170 patients (56.7%) had AMI. Patients evaluated with AMI showed a significantly inferior Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee score, Simple Knee Value, and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score than patients without AMI (P < .0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of effusion, concomitant injuries, and high pain scores were associated with a significantly greater risk of AMI. Additional associations with the presence of AMI included a short duration between injury and evaluation, the use of crutches, and using a pillow as a support at night. In contrast, a previous ACL injury was associated with significantly lower odds of developing AMI (OR, 0.025; 95% CI, 0-0.2; P = .014). Among the 170 patients with AMI, 135 patients (79%) showed a resolution of their inhibition at the end of the consultation after application of simple exercises; the remaining 35 patients required specific rehabilitation. Interobserver reliability of the classification system was almost perfect (95% CI, 0.86-0.99). CONCLUSION: AMI occurs in over half of patients with acute ACL injuries. When it occurs, it is easily reversible in the majority of patients with simple exercises targeted at abolishing AMI. The presence of "red flags" should increase the index of suspicion for the presence of AMI, and these include the presence of an effusion, high pain scores, a short time between injury and evaluation, multiligament injuries, the use of crutches, and using a pillow as a support at night. Patients with a history of ipsilateral or contralateral ACL injury are at a significantly lower risk of AMI than those with a first-time ACL injury.

Patient-specific cutting guides increase accuracy of medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy procedure: A retrospective case-control study.

Purpose: To compare the accuracy of patient-specific guides (PSCG) to the standard technique in medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO). Secondary objectives were to evaluate factors that could influence accuracy and to compare the complication rate and operating time for both procedures. Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospective collected data was performed. Between March 2011 and May 2018, 49 patients with isolated medial knee osteoarthritis who were operated for OWHTO using PSCG and 38 patients using the standard technique were included. Preoperative and postoperative deformities were evaluated on long leg radiographs by measuring the mechanical medial proximal tibial angle, mechanical lateral distal femoral angle, hip knee ankle angle (HKA), and joint line convergence angle. Pre- and postoperative posterior tibial slope was also evaluated. Accuracy was evaluated by analysing the difference between the preoperative planned and the actual postoperative HKA. Operating time and complication rate were also recorded in both groups. Results: The mean preoperative HKA was 173.4° (±3.1°) in the PSCG group and 173.3° (±2.4°) in the standard group (p = 0.8416). Mean planned HKA were 182.8° (±1.1°) and 184.0° (±0°) respectively for the PSCG and the standard group. Mean postoperative HKA were 181.9° (±1.9°) and 182.6° (±3.1°) respectively for the PSCG and the standard group. An accuracy of ±2° in the HKA was achieved in 44 (90%) in the PSCG group and 24 (65%) in the standard group (p = 0.006). The probability of achieving a HKA accuracy was four times higher for patients in the PSCG group (odds ratio [OR] = 4.06, [1.1; 15.3], p = 0.038). Also, higher preoperative Ahlback grade was associated with precision, all other parameters being equal (OR = 4.2, [0.13; 0.97], p = 0.04). Conclusion: In this study, the PSCG technique was significantly more accurate for achieving the planned HKA in OWHTO. Complication rates and operating times were comparable between groups. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case-control study.

Survivorship and Outcomes of Meniscal Ramp Lesions Repaired Through a Posteromedial Portal During Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Outcome Study With a Minimum 10-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated suture repair of ramp lesions of the medial meniscus via a posteromedial approach was associated with a significantly lower rate of secondary meniscectomy. However, these studies are not long-term and highlight the need for extended follow-up research to better understand the outcomes over a more extended period. PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term results and reoperation rate for the failure of arthroscopic all-inside suture repair of ramp lesions of the medial meniscus via a posteromedial approach during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: All patients who underwent all-inside suture repair of the posterior segment of the medial meniscus (ramp lesion) via a posteromedial approach during ACL reconstruction at a minimum follow-up of 10 years were included in the study. Side-to-side anterior laxity was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. Pre- and postoperative functional assessment was based on the subjective International Knee Documentation Committee score for activities of daily living and the Tegner activity scale for sporting ability. Reinterventions for meniscal repair failure and other complications were also recorded at the last follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients met the inclusion criteria for this study. Two patients had an ACL graft rupture with a new ramp lesion and were excluded from the analysis. Additionally, 15 patients were lost to follow-up, leaving a total of 64 patients in the final analysis. The mean follow-up was 124.8 months (range, 122.4-128.4 months). Mean side-to-side difference in anterior laxity significantly improved from 7.4 ± 1.5 mm (range, 5-12 mm) to 0.4 ± 1.3 mm (range, -3 to 4 mm) (P = .01). The mean subjective International Knee Documentation Committee score increased from 64.3 ± 13.4 (range, 34-92) before the operation to 91.1 ± 10.1 (range, 49-100) at the last follow-up (P = .001). The Tegner activity scale score at the last follow-up (6.3 ± 1.6) was lower than that before the trauma (7.1 ± 1.6) (P = .02). Fourteen patients (21.9%) had a failed meniscal repair and were reoperated. The mean time from initial repair to reoperation was 64.5 months (range, 13-126 months), and the median was 60.6 months. The multivariate analysis, including parameters such as lateral tenodesis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.62; P = .50), preoperative Tegner score (HR, 1.66; P = .41), preoperative laxity (HR, 1.75; P = .35), age at surgery (HR, 1.02; P = .97), and number of sutures (HR, 2.38; P = .19), did not reveal any factors associated with suture failure. CONCLUSION: The results show that arthroscopic repair of ramp lesions of the medial meniscus during ACL reconstruction using a posteromedial approach has a high failure rate at the 10-year follow-up, with half of these suture failures occurring within 5 years after the initial repair.

The evolution of ACL reconstruction over the last fifty years.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has evolved considerably over the past 30 years. This has largely been due to a better understanding of ACL anatomy and in particular a precise description of the femoral and tibial insertions of its two bundles. In the 1980s, the gold standard was anteromedial bundle reconstruction using the middle third of the patellar ligament. Insufficient control of rotational laxity led to the development of double bundle ACL reconstruction. This concept, combined with a growing interest in preservation of the ACL remnant, led in turn to selective reconstruction in partial tears, and more recently to biological reconstruction with ACL remnant conservation. Current ACL reconstruction techniques are not uniform, depending on precise analysis of the type of lesion and the aspect of the ACL remnant in the intercondylar notch.

Slope-decreasing anterior closing wedge proximal tibial osteotomies using the freehand technique are accurate to within 2̊.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction requires a detailed analysis of the posterior tibial slope (PTS) as excessive values may cause the reconstruction to fail and require a slope-decreasing anterior closing wedge tibial osteotomy combined with revision of the failed ACL reconstruction. The main purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of correction after slope-decreasing anterior closing wedge tibial osteotomy in cases of chronic anterior instability caused by ACL rerupture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included 19 patients (20 knees) operated on by slope-decreasing anterior closing wedge tibial osteotomy combined with a second revision ACL reconstruction. The mean age was 22.4±3.3 years and the mean follow-up was 12.7±4.4 months. The preoperative planning was based on lateral calibrated X-rays of the entire tibia. The height of the closing wedge, which corresponded to the base of the osteotomy, was measured in millimeters. The procedure was performed using the freehand technique. The accuracy of the correction was defined as the difference between the desired preoperative PTS and the postoperative PTS achieved. An inter- and intraobserver analysis was performed. RESULTS: The mean preoperative PTS was 13.9±2̊ and the mean postoperative PTS was 4.0±1.7̊. The mean PTS correction was 10.1±2.1̊ with a planned target of 5.4±1.8̊. The accuracy obtained between the planned target and the postoperative corrections was 1.7±1.1̊. The regression analysis showed that the accuracy of the PTS correction was not influenced by the patient's age, BMI, excessive preoperative PTS, or degree of correction achieved (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Slope-decreasing anterior closing wedge tibial osteotomies performed using the freehand technique for ACL graft rerupture can correct an excessive PTS within 2̊ of the planned slope correction. This accuracy is not determined by demographic factors, excessive preoperative PTS or degree of correction achieved. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective cohort study.