Do lateral extra-articular tenodeses play a role in the control of sagittal knee laxity in short hamstring tendon graft ACL reconstruction? A retrospective study of 80 cases with and without tenodesis.

INTRODUCTION: Lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) associated with an intra-articular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) provides better rotational control, especially in knees with injuries to the anterolateral structures that are characterized by the presence of a gross pivot shift. However, the role of LET in the control of sagittal knee laxity remains debated. We hypothesized that LET plays a role in the control of sagittal knee laxity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center, single-surgeon study of 80 patients operated on between January 2014 and December 2016 for a complete primary ACL tear. We compared 43 patients who underwent an isolated short hamstring tendon graft ACLR with 37 patients who underwent an ACLR using intra- and extra-articular grafts. Knee laxity measurements were taken with a GNRB® arthrometer preoperatively, at 1, 3, 6, and 9months (M1-M9), 1year, and at the last follow-up. The side-to-side differences (healthy vs. operated knees) in graft laxity (ΔL in mm) and compliance (ΔC in µm/N) were calculated for each patient from the generated force-displacement curves. RESULTS: No differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of the ΔL and ΔC evolvement profiles. All laxity parameters decreased significantly between the preoperative assessment and M1. ΔL and ΔC increased at low forces between M1 and M9. ΔL and ΔC stabilized after M9. DISCUSSION: Sagittal control remains the primary function of the ACL. The anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction and LET do not improve sagittal postoperative laxity. CONCLUSION: Sagittal laxity measurements recorded during the postoperative period did not show that adding LET to short hamstring tendon graft ACLRs improved either graft laxity or compliance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study.

Patellofemoral Arthroplasty Is an Efficient Strategy for Isolated Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis with or without Robotic-Assisted System.

There is relative paucity in the literature concerning outcomes after robotic-assisted Patellofemoral Arthroplasty (PFA). The aims were (1) to evaluate outcomes in patients undergoing PFA with inlay or onlay components, with or without robotic arm assistance and (2) to identify risk factors of poor outcomes after PFA. This retrospective study included 77 PFA for isolated patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis, assigned to three groups (18 conventional technique, 17 image-free robotic-assisted system and 42 image-based robotic-assisted system). The demographic data were comparable between the three groups. The clinical outcomes assessed were: Visual Analogue Scale, Knee Society Score, Kujala score and satisfaction rate. The radiological measures were: Caton Deschamps index, patellar tilt and frontal alignment of the trochlea. Functional outcomes, satisfaction rate and residual pain were comparable between the three groups. Patellar tilt improvement was superior when a robotic device was used (either image-based or image-free) compared to the conventional technique. There were three revisions (3.9%) at the last follow-up related to femorotibial osteoarthritis progression. Multivariate analysis found no significant risk factors for poor outcomes, with respect to the surgical technique or implant design. Functional outcomes and revisions rate after PFA were comparable between the surgical techniques and implants. Robotic-assisted systems were associated with a superior improvement of the patellar tilt compared to the conventional technique.

ACL autograft reconstruction revisions with tendon allografts: Possibilities and outcomes. A one-year follow-up of 39 patients.

BACKGROUND: The number of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions is steadily rising in France. Re-tear rates of up to 25% have been reported and graft selection remains a notable challenge. Allografts, although rarely used in France, can be a viable option. The primary objective of this study was to demonstrate the benefits of ACL revision with allografts, by determining subjective scores (IKDC score and KOOS), measuring laxity, and evaluating the rate of return to sports. HYPOTHESIS: Tendon allografts are reliable and can be used in France for ACL reconstruction revision. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including 39 patients managed in two centres between 2004 and 2016 and followed up for at least a year. Patients were eligible if they had undergone tendon allograft reconstruction for ACL revision with or without rupture of a peripheral plane. We excluded underage patients and patients with a history of ligament injury in the contralateral knee. Mean age was 32 years. The allografts were extensor mechanisms, anterior or posterior tibial tendons, fascia lata tendons, hamstring tendons, and a short fibular tendon. They were obtained from French and Belgian tissue banks. They were used for the reconstruction of 39 ACLs and 11 collateral ligaments. The IKDC score and KOOS were determined in all patients. Laximetry was performed in 31 patients by an independent examiner. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 3.5 years. Arthroscopic release was required in one patient, and 2 patients experienced re-tears. No deep surgical site infections were recorded. The subjective IKDC score and the KOOS improved significantly, from 53.6 to 80.7 and from 60.4 to 83.2, respectively. Mean postoperative differential laxity was 1.4mm (KT 1000) and 1.6mm (GNRB®). Of the 3 patients who were professional athletes, 2 had returned to sports at the same level one year later, and among the recreational athletes, 54% had resumed their previous sporting activities. CONCLUSION: In the setting of complex ligament reconstruction revision, tendon allografts are reliable and can be used in France. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective cohort study.