Finite element graft stress for anteromedial portal, transtibial, and hybrid transtibial femoral drillings under anterior translation and medial rotation: an exploratory study.

Stress concentration on the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLr) for femoral drillings is crucial to understanding failures. Therefore, we described the graft stress for transtibial (TT), the anteromedial portal (AM), and hybrid transtibial (HTT) techniques during the anterior tibial translation and medial knee rotation in a finite element model. A healthy participant with a non-medical record of Anterior Cruciate Ligament rupture with regular sports practice underwent finite element analysis. We modeled TT, HTT, AM drillings, and the ACLr as hyperelastic isotropic material. The maximum Von Mises principal stresses and distributions were obtained from anterior tibial translation and medial rotation. During the anterior tibia translation, the HTT, TT, and AM drilling were 31.5 MPa, 34.6 Mpa, and 35.0 MPa, respectively. During the medial knee rotation, the AM, TT, and HTT drilling were 17.3 MPa, 20.3 Mpa, and 21.6 MPa, respectively. The stress was concentrated at the lateral aspect of ACLr,near the femoral tunnel for all techniques independent of the knee movement. Meanwhile, the AM tunnel concentrates the stress at the medial aspect of the ACLr body under medial rotation. The HTT better constrains the anterior tibia translation than AM and TT drillings, while AM does for medial knee rotation.

Steadiness training improves the quadriceps strength and self-reported outcomes in persistent quadriceps weakness following nine months of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and failed conventional physiotherapy.

Background Persistent quadriceps weakness may occur after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, limiting the strength gain. However, steadiness strengthening might change the inability to gain strength. Hence, we determined whether strength training with force steadiness and visual biofeedback can improve knee quadriceps torque, self-reported pain and knee stability in patients with persistent quadriceps weakness after knee anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Methods Twenty-five patients (aged 43.7 ± 12.2 years) with persistent quadriceps weakness following knee anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and 34-weeks of physiotherapy performed unilateral strength training for both lower limbs. Four-weeks of conventional physiotherapy at week-30 were given, confirming the inability to gain torque. Then, steadiness training (isometric knee extension with visual biofeedback) was given for 7-weeks. Knee quadriceps peak torque, strength improvement, determination of responders to the intervention, coherence of strength gain between limbs, and self-reported outcomes (pain and knee stability) were obtained. Descriptive statistics and data inference using mixed-ANOVA, McNemar test, and χ2 test were described. Findings Quadriceps torque in the reconstructed knee improved (98.2 ± 47.2-155.2 ± 78.9 Nm; p = 0.031) for most patients (84%). Nevertheless, the torque was lower than the healthy side maintaining asymmetry (155.2 ± 78.9 vs. 209.5 ± 101.8 Nm; p = 0.026). There was high (20%) and medium coherence (80%) between limbs. Knee stability and pain improved in 72% of the patients (p < 0.001). Interpretations Steadiness training after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction followed 9 months of surgery and failed conventional physiotherapy, improves the persistent weakness and self-reported outcomes, but gain strength was dissimilar between limbs.

Return to play after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction among amateur soccer players / Volver a jugar después del ligamento cruzado anterior reconstrucción entre futbolistas aficionados

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to assess the return to play among amateur soccer league players after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The surgical protocols of ACL reconstruction surgeries performed in a sports medicine clinic from July 1st, 2013, to June 30th, 2014, were included in the study. Only the charts of amateur soccer league players who played once or twice a week were selected. The follow-up time was calculated as the number of months between surgery and the telephone survey. At the follow-up, the current status of the soccer playing was recorded. Those patients who were no longer playing in a team were asked what kind of sport they were currently practicing, as well as the main reason for not returning to team playing. RESULTS: A total of 61 (25.6%) patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up time was of 22.4 3.4 months. At the follow-up, 30 (49.1%) patients were playing in amateur soccer teams. Among the patients who were no longer playing in a team, 19 (61.2%) were playing soccer occasionally, 11 (35.4%) were practicing other sports, and 1 developed a sedentary life style. The reasons for not returning to team playing were: fear of reinjury in 26%; knee symptoms in 26%; lack of confidence in the knee in 23%, family or job commitments in 23%; and not being eligible to participate in competitive sports in 2%. CONCLUSION: After an average of two years of ACL reconstruction, only half of the amateur soccer league players return to play.

Retorno deportivo en atletas de alto rendimiento después de reconstrucción de ligamento cruzado anterior de rodilla: análisis de factores y estrategias / Return to sport on high demand athletes before anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: analysis of factors and strategies

Nuestro equipo de trabajo piensa que el éxito en la obtención del retorno deportivo pre lesión se basa no solo en la habilidad del cirujano y la técnica empleada. Definimos tres factores claves para lograr el retorno al deporte en forma satisfactoria: 1- Cirugía: con una adecuada selección de la técnica empleada, el tipo de injerto y los métodos de fijación y la aplicación de estimuladores biológicos a la cicatrización: Concentrado Plaquetario Autólogo con sus respectivos factores de crecimiento. Todo esto definido en base al paciente, su edad, sexo, tipo de deporte y nivel de competencia. 2- Rehabilitación acelerada: en esta etapa el kinesiólogo y fisioterapeuta recuperan la función de la rodilla operada y su capacidad funcional preparando al paciente para su entrenamiento funcional. 3- Entrenamiento funcional: fase en la cual se trabaja intensamente la neuro propiocepción, lo automatización de los gestos técnicos según cada deporte. Objetivo Describir los factores críticos involucrados en la obtención de una exitosa reconstrucción de ligamento cruzado anterior en deportistas de alto rendimiento Material y Método: Se analiza en forma retrospectiva 212 deportistas de alto rendimiento, 152 hombres y 60 mujeres, con un rango de edad de 15 a 28 años. Previo a autorizar el retorno al deporte se evalúa con resonancia magnética, evaluación isocinetica y pruebas funcionales según deporte. Resultados: Con esta evaluación integral el retorno deportivo fue de 94,5 por ciento en forma global, siendo en hombres un 97 por ciento y en mujeres 88 por ciento, en un plazo promedio de 7 meses. El retorno al entrenamiento se inicia en promedio a partir del 4 mes, con un rango entre el 4° Y 5° mes dependiendo del deporte. El 54 por ciento de los pacientes se reconstruyó utilizando tendón patelar y el 46 por ciento empleando isquiotibiales (semitendinoso/gráciles) Conclusiones: La reconstrucción de LCA en deportistas de alto rendimiento debe considerar una serie de factores en la toma de decisiones, ya que lograr un retorno al deporte al mismo nivel pre lesional no solo depende de una adecuada técnica quirúrgica.

Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging findings in anterior cruciate ligament grafts with and without autologous platelet-derived growth factors.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the use of platelet-rich plasma gel (PRPG) affects magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft during the first year after reconstruction. METHODS: A prospective single-blinded study of 50 ACL reconstructions in 50 patients was performed. In group A (study group) PRPG was added to the graft with a standardized technique, and in group B (control group) no PRPG was added. An MRI study was performed postoperatively between 3 and 9 months in group A and between 3 and 12 months in group B. The imaging analysis was performed in a blind protocol by the same radiologist. RESULTS: The mean heterogeneity score value at the time of MRI, assigned by the radiologist, was 1.14 in group A and 3.25 in group B. Both groups were comparable in terms of sex and age (P < .05). The mean time to obtain a completely homogeneous intra-articular segment in group A (PRPG added) was 177 days after surgery, and it was 369 days in group B. Using the quadratic predictive model, these findings show that group A (PRPG added) needed only 48% of the time group B required to achieve the same MRI image (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: ACL reconstruction with the use of PRPG achieves complete homogeneous grafts assessed by MRI, in 179 days compared with 369 days for ACL reconstruction without PRPG. This represents a time shortening of 48% with respect to ACL reconstruction without PRPG.

Cytogenetic studies in children with Down syndrome and acute leukemia.

The frequency of chromosomal alterations was compared among four children groups: those with Down syndrome and acute leukemia (DS/AL), those with acute leukemia (AL), those with only Down syndrome (DS) and healthy children (NC). The frequency of acquired chromosome abnormalities was larger in the AL group, followed by the DS/AL. The gaps and isogaps were more frequent in children with only DS. The polymorphisms of the constitutive heterochromatin were larger in the DS/AL group. These findings appear to imply that more genetic changes are necessary to develop AL in the case of healthy children compared to children with DS.

Traslocación 5;15 familiar asociada al síndrome de Prader Willi / 5;15 familial translocation associate to prader-willi syndrome

El síndrome de Prader-Willi se caracteriza por hipotonía muscular, talla baja, obesidad, infantilismo sexual y retardo mental; se ha reconocido heterogeneidad genética. Se presenta un paciente de seis años de edad con estas características clínicas y con deleción 15q13--pter por translocación 5/15 familiar. Se discuten aspectos clínicos, cromosómicos y de asesoramiento genético.

Anemia de Fanconi: a propósito de un paciente / Fanconi's Anemia

La anemia de Fanconi, entidad autosómica recesiva se caracteriza por pancitopenia, malformaciones congénitas e inestabilidad cromosómica; las manifestaciones clínicas suelen iniciarse a los seis años de edad. Se presenta un paciente de 19 meses de edad cuyo diagnóstico se estableció en fase preanémica. Se discuten aspectos génicos y cromosómicos de la entidad y la importancia de establecer el diagnóstico en etapa temprana.