Four to 6° Is the Target Posterior Tibial Slope After Tibial Deflection Osteotomy According to the Knee Static Anterior Tibial Translation.

PURPOSE: To correlate changes in posterior tibial slope (PTS) with changes to static anterior tibial translation (SATT) with tibial deflexion osteotomy (TDO), in order to define a target postoperative tibial slope based on postoperative SATT. METHODS: We reviewed a consecutive series of primary and revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with TDO between 2011 and 2022. PTS and SATT were measured pre- and postoperatively directly from the radiographs by 2 independent reviewers. Regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship of postoperative SATT with PTS, gender, graft type, and meniscal injury. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients were included in this study. The mean (SD) decrease in PTS and SATT was 8.85° (3.03°; 12.5° to 3.59°, P < .01), and 7.93 mm (3.68; 5.37 to -2.55 mm, P < .01), respectively. Upon univariate analysis, the only factor influencing ΔSATT was ΔPTS. For each 1° of decreased slope, SATT was reduced by 0.46 mm. The mean (SD) PTS for a negative SATT was 2.81° (2.78°) compared to 5.09° (3.25°) for a SATT of 0 to 5mm (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: This study reports weightbearing SATT in association with PTS after TDO. The TDO successfully reduced the SATT, with the change in PTS the only significant predictor of postoperative SATT. Based on our results, our previously held target of 2° to 5° PTS overcorrected the SATT. Therefore, considering as a goal 0 to 5 mm of SATT, we suggest a new target of 4° to 6° PTS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective cohort study.

Sulcus-deepening trochleoplasty grants satisfactory results with minimal patellofemoral arthritis at 23-30 years of follow-up.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiographic and clinical outcomes of sulcus-deepening trochleoplasty at a minimum follow-up of 23 years. METHODS: The authors evaluated a retrospective series of 10 patients (11 knees) who underwent trochleoplasty between 1993 and 2000. All patients were assessed at a minimum follow-up of 23 years by an independent clinician who noted any patellar redislocations and collected the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Kujala scores and range of motion. Radiographic examination was performed to assess patellofemoral arthritis using the Iwano classification. RESULTS: A total of 11 knees, from five women and five men aged 25.6 ± 6.9 years (range, 15-47 years) underwent trochleoplasty during the inclusion period. All 11 knees underwent adjuvant procedures during trochleoplasty (100%): 10 had tibial tuberosity osteotomy (TTO) and vastus medialis plasty and 1 had only vastus medialis plasty (had prior TTO). At a follow-up of 24.4 ± 2.1 years (range, 23-30 years), two patients were lost to follow-up (18%). The Iwano classification was Grade 1 in three patients (33%), Grade 2 in four patients (44%) and Grade 4 in two patients (22%). The flexion range was 130 ± 8.7° and satisfaction was 9.2 ± 0.7, Kujala was 76.9 ± 8.5 and IKDC was 65.5 ± 13.8. CONCLUSION: At 23-30 years following sulcus-deepening trochleoplasty in this small series of 10 patients (11 knees), patients had satisfactory clinical scores, only 1 patient reported an episode of traumatic patellar dislocation, and two knees had patellofemoral arthritis of Iwano Grade >2 (22%). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Medial orientation of the trochlear groove is a strong indicator of high-grade trochlear dysplasia.

PURPOSE: The objective is to evaluate the orientation of the trochlear groove in patients with objective patellar instability (OPI) compared to a control group. The hypothesis is that the trochlear groove angle (TGA) is correlated with the severity of the trochlear dysplasia. METHODS: From 2019 to 2023, magnetic resonance imaging of 82 knees with OPI were compared with 82 control knees. TGA quantified the angle between the femoral anatomical axis and the trochlear groove. The intraclass correlation coefficient for TGA was evaluated. Central spur in the sagittal plane (CSSP) and cranial trochlear orientation (CTO) angle were also measured. TGA, CSSP and CTO were compared between the two groups. A TGA subgroup analysis separating the OPI group into low-grade (CSSP < 5 mm or negative CTO) and high-grade dysplasia (CSSP ≥ 5 mm or positive CTO) was also performed. RESULTS: A significant difference (p < 0.001) was found between the TGA of the OPI group (mean [SD], 11.3 [3.7]°) and the control group (4.2 [2.5]°). TGA for patients with high-grade dysplasia (11.9 [3.8]°) was significantly higher than patients with low-grade dysplasia (9.6 [3.9]°). CONCLUSION: Patients with OPI have a TGA of 11°, compared to the control group, which exhibits a TGA of 4°. The femoral mechanical axis can be considered an appropriate threshold for separating these two groups. Furthermore, TGA is correlated with the severity of dysplasia. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

The role of the most cranial trochlear orientation in patellar maltracking to better characterise trochlear morphology.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study is to describe a magnetic resonance imaging quantitative parameter to assess the morphology of the trochlea that could be measurable from normal to high-grade trochlear dysplasia while evaluating the most proximal slice with trochlear cartilage. METHODS: Two groups of patients have been compared: patients with no patellofemoral pain, no previous trauma and undergoing surgery for a suspected isolated meniscal tears (group A) and patients with objective patellar instability (group B). The cranial trochlear orientation (CTO) angle is defined as the angle between the posterior bicondylar line and the most lateral and most medial points on the subchondral bone covered by cartilage digitised on the first and most cranial image with the trochlear cartilage clearly visible. RESULTS: The final cohort included 253 patients (109 in group A and 144 in group B). CTO was significantly higher in group B (-2.5 ± 8.4 vs. -10.8 ± 5,1; p < .001). Moreover, 75% of knees in group B had a CTO > -7°, while 75% of knees in group A had a CTO < -7°. CTO was measurable in all 253 knees, whereas the lateral trochlear inclination and the sulcus angle were measurable in only 202 knees. The entire cohort was also divided into knees with CTO ≤ 0° and CTO > 0°. All knees with a CTO > 0 were in group B, and 49% of knees with CTO < 0 were in group B. CTO was positively correlated with lateral patellar tilt. CONCLUSIONS: CTO is the only parameter that can be measured on the most cranial slice, in every patient, even in high-grade trochlear dysplasia. According to this new system, the axial trochlear shape may be divided into two types: a positive CTO and a negative CTO, with the trochlea serving, respectively, as a medial and lateral barrier. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Anterior cruciate ligament zoobiquity: Can man's best friend tell us we are being too cautious with the implementation of osteotomy to correct posterior tibial slope.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) is used to treat clinical instability post ACL rupture, however, there is a high rate of incomplete return to sport and rerupture. There is increasing interest in posterior tibial slope as an intrinsic risk factor for ACLR failure and persistent instability. Zoobiquity describes the collaboration between the human and veterinary professions in order to advance the scientific understanding of both fields. Given the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in dogs is synonymous with the anterior cruciate ligament in humans, functioning to control internal rotation and anterior translation, but osteotomies, rather than ligament reconstruction, are the mainstay of treatment for CCL rupture, this editorial sort to gain insights into this form of treatment from the veterinary world. Level of Evidence: Level V, evidence.

A Supratuberosity Anterior Closing-Wedge Proximal Tibial Osteotomy Increases Patellar Height: A Simulated Time Zero Uniplanar Radiographic Study.

PURPOSE: To simulate the effect of supratuberosity tibial anterior closing-wedge osteotomy (ACWO) in knees with posterior tibial slope (PTS) ≥12° on patellar height when aiming for a target PTS of 5°. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed true lateral radiographs of the knees of skeletally mature patients scheduled for primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and included all knees with excessive PTS (≥12°). Coordinates of 11 landmarks were digitized to calculate patellar height (Caton-Deschamps index, CDI) and mid-shaft posterior tibial slope (mPTS). The change in patellar height following a simulated supratuberosity ACWO was calculated and compared for knees with patella norma versus alta. A linear univariable regression model predicted the effect of change in mPTS on CDI. RESULTS: In the final cohort of 83 patients, a simulated supratuberosity ACWO increased CDI from 1.13 (range, 0.73-1.74) to 1.29 (range, 0.84-1.91; P < .001). In 56 patients with patella norma, a simulated supratuberosity ACWO increased CDI from 1.02 (range, 0.73-1.19) to 1.18 (range, 0.84-1.41; P < .001), whereas in patients with patella alta, a simulated supratuberosity ACWO increased CDI from 1.33 (range, 1.20-1.74) to 1.52 (range, 1.36-1.91; P < .001). The linear regression model revealed that a 1° decrease in mPTS increased CDI by 0.02. CONCLUSIONS: Simulation of a supratuberosity ACWO revealed that the procedure increases patellar height in all knees but did not induce significant differences in patellar height characteristics between knees with patella norma versus alta. A linear regression model revealed that a 1° decrease in mPTS could theoretically increase CDI by 0.02. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: If preoperative planning indicates that supratuberosity ACWO would increase patellar height from norma (CDI <1.2) to alta (CDI ≥1.2), the surgeon could consider a trans- or infra-tuberosity ACWO, which is less likely to increase patellar height.

Inconsistent repeatability of the Dejour classification of trochlear dysplasia due to the variability of imaging modalities: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to critically assess the quality of papers that report on the intra- and inter-observer repeatability of the Dejour classification for trochlear dysplasia, and to identify the possible causes for poor repeatability. METHODS: Two authors independently conducted an electronic search (four databases) on 8 February 2023 for studies (English or French) that assessed trochlear dysplasia classifications on imaging of skeletally mature participants. Exclusion criteria were reviews of clinical studies, conference proceedings, or editorials. After title, abstract, and full-text screening, characteristics of eligible studies were tabulated (author, year, journal, study design, cohort characteristics, and intra- and/or inter-observer agreement coefficients). The methodological quality of studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies. Authors analysed three components of the included studies: (1) classifications based on true lateral radiographs and slice imaging; (2) dysplasia graded into Type A vs B vs C vs D and 3) coefficients of intra- and/or inter-observer agreement. RESULTS: The electronic search returned 3,178 references, and after removal of duplicates and irrelevant studies, ten were eligible for data extraction. A second search (31 July 2023) yielded one additional study. Eight studies did not include lateral radiographs, two studies did not explicitly state if radiographs were true lateral views, and one used true lateral radiographs in isolation. Classification of trochlear dysplasia into A vs B vs C vs D using different imaging modalities resulted in moderate to near-perfect intra-observer agreement, and slight to near-perfect inter-observer agreement. Studies distinguished between moderate and severe dysplasia using a variety of combinations: A vs B/C/D, A/B vs C/D and A/C vs B/D. CONCLUSION: This systematic review revealed that the Dejour classification remains the most widely used to assess trochlear dysplasia and that the majority of studies that assessed the reliability of the Dejour classification, reported moderate to near-perfect inter-observer agreement; however, pooling of results for comparison among the included studies was inappropriate due to substantial variation in imaging protocols and non-standardised criteria to distinguish severe from moderate dysplasia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV. TRIAL REGISTRY: The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42023386731.

First revision ACL reconstruction combined with tibial deflexion osteotomy improves clinical scores at 2 to 7 years follow-up.

PURPOSE: To report outcomes of first revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with tibial deflexion osteotomy (TDO) in patients with posterior tibial slope (PTS) >10° at >2 years. METHODS: The authors studied outcomes of a consecutive series of 16 patients that underwent first revision ACLR with TDO, including Lysholm score, IKDC subjective and objective scores, Lachman test, PTS, and signs of osteoarthritis. One woman was excluded because of early signs of knee arthritis, as the first revision ACLR took place 27 years following the primary ACLR. This left a final cohort of 15 patients assessed at minimum follow-up of 2 years. RESULTS: The final cohort comprised 14 men and 1 woman aged 25.3 ± 6.6 years (range 16-39) at first revision ACLR. At final follow-up of 4.4 ± 1.5 years (range, 2-7), PTS was corrected from 12.5 ± 1.8° (range 8-15°) to 1.9 ± 3.6° (range - 4 to 8°), and none of the knees had radiographic signs of osteoarthritis. Lysholm score was 83.8±12.5, IKDC subjective score was 80.3±16.2, and IKDC objective score was A in 5 (33%), and B in 10 (67%). The net improvement exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in 93% of patients for the IKDC subjective score and in 80% of patients for the Lysholm score. None of the knees had any retears, and only one required a reoperation to re-suture a medial meniscal tear due to trauma. CONCLUSION: At 2-7 years following revision ACLR combined with TDO, net improvement exceeded the MCID in 93% of patients for IKDC subjective score and in 80% of patients for Lysholm score, with no retears or major complications. These results suggest that TDO is a safe technique to protect the ACL graft and might be considered as of first revision ACLR to correct excessive PTS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Management of anterior cruciate ligament revision in adults: the 2022 ESSKA consensus: part II-surgical strategy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this ESSKA consensus is to give recommendations based on scientific evidence and expert opinion to improve the diagnosis, preoperative planning, indication and surgical strategy in Anterior Cruciate Ligament revision. METHODS: Part 2, presented herein, followed exactly the same methodology as Part 1: the so-called ESSKA formal consensus derived from the Delphi method. Eighteen questions were ultimately asked. The quality of the answers received the following grades of recommendation: Grade A (high level scientific support), Grade B (scientific presumption), Grade C (low level scientific support) or Grade D (expert opinion). All answers were scored from 1 to 9 by the raters. Once a general consensus had been reached between the steering and rating groups, the question-answer sets were submitted to the peer-review group. A final combined meeting of all the members of the consensus was then held to ratify the document. RESULTS: The review of the literature revealed a rather low scientific quality of studies examining the surgical strategy in cases of ACL reconstruction failure. Of the 18 questions, only 1 received a Grade A rating; 5, a Grade B rating; and 9, grades of C or D. The three remaining complex questions received further evaluations for each portion of the question and were looked at in more detail for the following grades: B and D; A, C and D; or A, B, C and D. The mean rating of all questions by the rating group was 8.0 + - 1.1. The questions and recommendations are listed in the article. CONCLUSION: ACL revision surgery, especially the surgical strategy, is a widely debated subject with many different opinions and techniques. The literature reveals a poor level of standardization. Therefore, this international European consensus project is of great importance and clinical relevance for guiding the management of ACL revision in adults. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Management of anterior cruciate ligament revision in adults: the 2022 ESSKA consensus part I-diagnostics and preoperative planning.

PURPOSE: The aim of this ESSKA consensus is to give recommendations based on evidence and expert opinion to improve diagnosis, preoperative planning, indication and surgical strategy in ACL revision. METHODS: The European expert surgeons and scientists were divided into four groups to participate in this consensus. A "literature group" (four surgeons); "steering group" (14 surgeons and scientists); "rating group" (19 surgeons) and finally "peer review group" (51 representatives of the ESSKA-affiliated national societies from 27 countries). The steering group prepared eighteen question-answer sets. The quality of the answers received grades of recommendation ranging from A (high-level scientific support), to B (scientific presumption), C (low level scientific support) or D (expert opinion). These question-answer sets were then evaluated by the rating group. All answers were scored from 1 to 9. The comments of the rating group were incorporated by the steering group and the consensus was submitted to the rating group a second time. Once a general consensus was reached between the steering and rating groups, the question-answer sets were submitted to the peer review group. A final combined meeting of all the members of the consensus was held to ratify the document. RESULTS: The literature review for the diagnosis and preoperative planning of ACL revision revealed a rather low scientific quality. None of the 18 questions was graded A and six received a grade B. The mean rating of all the questions by the rating group was 8.4 ± 0.3. The questions and recommendations are listed below. CONCLUSION: ACL revision surgery is a widely debated subject with many different opinions and techniques. The literature reveals a poor level of standardisation. Therefore, this international consensus project is of great importance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Good patient satisfaction with low complications rate after trochleoplasty in patellofemoral instability.

PURPOSE: Trochlear dysplasia has been recognized as the most common factor in patients with patellofemoral dislocation. Trochleoplasty is a surgical procedure whose primary goal is to modify the femoral trochlea's abnormal shape in patients suffering from patellar instability, requiring good surgical skills, correct indication, and accurate patient information. METHODS: The review aims to describe preoperative planning, patient selection, most common surgical techniques, and clinical results of trochleoplasty in patellar instability in a reproducible manner. RESULTS: Trochleoplasty can be considered a general term to describe a group of different procedures that reduce trochlear dysplasia's impact on patellar instability, aiming to restore patella-trochlear congruency, remove the supratrochlear bump, allowed a new groove positioning and are generally associated with other procedures. Recent studies showed satisfactory long-term results with the restoration of patellar stability, improving radiological findings of patellofemoral instability. CONCLUSION: Trochleoplasty is a technically demanding technique, requiring careful patient selection, detailed knowledge, and surgical skills to avoid severe complications. Good patient satisfaction with a low risk of significant complications such as patellofemoral arthritis has been revealed. In conclusion, trochleoplasty should be systematically included in the treatment of patellar dislocation, if indicated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

Tibial slope correction combined with second revision ACLR grants good clinical outcomes and prevents graft rupture at 7-15-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: To update previously published outcomes (at 2-8 years) of second revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) combined with tibial deflexion osteotomy (TDO), after an interval of 5 more years (at 7-15 years), and monitor evolution of clinical scores and progression of osteoarthritis. METHODS: The initial retrospective consecutive series included nine patients that underwent one-stage second revision ACLR with TDO, all of whom were contacted for second follow-up at minimum 7 years. An independent observer collected IKDC-SKF, the Lysholm score, and assessed radiographs for signs of osteoarthritis. RESULTS: Of the nine original patients, seven were assessed at the clinic, one could only be assessed by telephone, and one was lost to follow-up. At final follow-up of 9.9 ± 3.0 years, the eight patients assessed maintained or improved clinical scores, compared to the previous follow-up at 4.0 ± 2.9 years. The mean Lysholm score improved from 73.8 ± 5.8 (65-82) to 84.5 ± 11.9 (59-95), and IKDC improved from 71.6 ± 6.2 (62-79) to 82.9 ± 12.1 (61-98). Of the three patients that had signs of arthritis at the previous follow-up, the stage of osteoarthritis increased in one (from grade 2 to grade 3), remained unchanged in one, and could not be assessed in one. CONCLUSION: At 7-15 years following second revision ACLR with TDO, patients maintained or improved clinical scores compared to the previous follow-up at 2-8 years, without retears or reoperations. Although eight of the nine knees had meniscectomies or meniscal sutures, osteoarthritis progressed in only one of the six knees that had signs of arthritis at the previous follow-up. These results confirm that TDO can protect the ACL graft from retear, with minimal progression of osteoarthritis and/or risks of meniscal tears, suggesting that correction of excessive tibial slope should be considered when performing ACLR, whether a revision or primary procedure.

Implant survival of 3rd-condyle and post-cam posterior-stabilised total knee arthroplasty are comparable at follow-up > 10 years: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To summarise the literature on 3rd-condyle total knee arthroplasty (TKA) designs and compare their survival rates to those of post-cam TKA designs. The null hypothesis was that 3rd-condyle TKAs would have equivalent survival rates compared to contemporary post-cam TKAs. METHODS: An electronic literature search for Level I-V studies was independently conducted by two researchers using Medline® and Web of Science for studies published between January 1984 and October 2020 that specifically reported on rates of implant survival and complications, joint kinematics, clinical outcomes, and radiographic outcomes of 3rd-condyle TKA. The methodological quality of clinical studies was assessed according to the Downs and Black Quality Checklist for Health Care Intervention Studies, and for in vitro and in silico studies according to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool for assessing analytical cross-sectional studies. Findings extracted for each TKA design were presented as reported and synthesised narratively. Survival rates at 5, 10 and > 10 years of 3rd-condyle TKA designs were graphically compared to rates of post-cam TKA designs published in joint registries. RESULTS: A total of 38 studies were identified that reported on kinematics, clinical outcomes, radiographic alignment, and rates of complications and survival. Mean survival rates ranged from 96 to 98% at 5 years, 78-100% at 5-10 years, and 86-99% at > 10 years for 3rd-condyle PS TKAs. Mean survival rates ranged from 93 to 98% at 5 years, 89-99% at 5-10 years, and 88-95% at > 10 years for post-cam PS TKAs. CONCLUSION: Implant survival rates of 3rd-condyle TKAs are comparable to those of post-cam TKAs at follow-up > 10 years. When compared to post-cam PS TKA, 3rd-condyle designs offer an alternative for younger and more active patients when considering the added benefits of a lowered point-of-contact and larger congruent contact area at the intercondylar tibial sulcus, that reduce risks of loosening and component wear. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

Computer-assisted surgery and patient-specific instrumentation improve the accuracy of tibial baseplate rotation in total knee arthroplasty compared to conventional instrumentation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To determine whether patient-specific instrumentation (PSI), computer-assisted surgery (CAS) or robot-assisted surgery (RAS) enable more accurate rotational alignment of the tibial baseplate in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) compared to conventional instrumentation, in terms of deviation from the planned target and the proportion of outliers from the target zone. METHODS: The authors independently conducted three structured electronic literature searches using the PubMed, Embase®, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from 2007 to 2020. Studies were included if they compared rotational alignment of the tibial baseplate during TKA using conventional instrumentation versus PSI, CAS, and/or RAS, and reported deviation from preoperatively planned rotational alignment of the tibial baseplate in terms of absolute angles and/or number of outliers. Methodological quality of eligible studies was assessed by two researchers according to the Downs and Black Quality Checklist for Health Care Intervention Studies. RESULTS: Fifteen studies, that reported on 2925 knees, were eligible for this systematic review, of which 6 studies used PSI, and 9 used CAS. No studies were found for RAS. Of the studies that reported on angular deviation from preoperatively planned rotational alignment, most found smaller deviations using PSI (0.5° to 1.4°) compared to conventional instrumentation (1.0° to 1.6°). All studies that reported on proportions of outliers from a target zone (± 3°), found lower rates of outliers using PSI (0 to 22%) compared to conventional instrumentation (5 to 96%). Most studies reported smaller angular deviation from preoperatively planned rotational alignment using CAS (0.1° to 6.9°) compared to conventional instrumentation (1.1° to 7.8°). Of the studies that reported on proportions of outliers from a target zone (± 3°), most found fewer outliers using CAS (10 to 61%) compared to conventional instrumentation (17 to 78%). CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that both CAS and PSI can improve the accuracy of rotational alignment of the tibial baseplate by decreasing angular deviation from the preoperatively planned target and reducing the proportion of outliers from the target zone. The clinical relevance is that PSI and CAS can improve alignment, though the thresholds necessary to grant better outcomes and survival remain unclear. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Female gender and medial meniscal lesions are associated with increased pain and symptoms following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in patients aged over 50 years.

PURPOSE: Several studies report satisfactory clinical outcomes following ACLR in older patients, but none evaluated the effects of meniscal and cartilage lesions. The aim was to evaluate the influence of meniscal and cartilage lesions on outcomes of ACLR in patients aged over 50 years. METHODS: The authors prospectively collected records of 228 patients that underwent primary ACLR, including demographics, time from injury to surgery, whether injuries were work related, and sports level (competitive, recreational, or none). At a minimum follow-up of 6 months, knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome scores (KOOS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and Tegner activity level were recorded, and differential laxity was measured as the side-to-side difference in anterior tibial translation (ATT) using instrumented laximetry devices. Regression analyses were performed to determine associations between outcomes and meniscal and cartilage lesions as well as nine independent variables. RESULTS: A total of 228 patients aged 54.8 ± 4.3 years at index ACLR were assessed at a follow-up of 14.3 ± 3.8 months. KOOS subcomponents were 85 ± 13 for symptoms, 91 ± 10 for pain, 75 ± 18 for daily activities, 76 ± 18 for sport, and 88 ± 12 for quality of life (QoL). The IKDC score was A for 84 (37%) knees, B for 96 (42%) knees, C for 29 (13%) knees, and D for 8 (4%) knees. Tegner scores showed a decrease (median 0, range -4 to 4) and differential laxity also decreased (median - 4, range - 23.5 to 6.0). KOOS symptoms worsened with higher BMI (p = 0.038), for women (p = 0.007) and for knees that had medial meniscectomy (p = 0.029). KOOS pain worsened with higher BMI (p ≤ 0.001), for women (p = 0.002) and for knees with untreated (p = 0.047) or sutured (p = 0.041) medial meniscal lesions. Differential laxity increased with follow-up (p = 0.024) and in knees with lateral cartilage lesions (p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: In primary ACLR for patients aged over 50 years, female gender and medial meniscal lesions significantly compromised KOOS symptoms and pain, while lateral cartilage lesions significantly increased differential laxity. Compared to knees with an intact medial meniscus, those with sutured or untreated medial meniscal lesions had worse pain, while those in which the medial meniscus was resected had worse symptoms. These findings are clinically relevant as they could help surgeons with patient selection and adjusting expectations according to their functional demands. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Editorial Commentary: Trochlear Dysplasia: Can We Change its Natural History or Degenerative Prognosis?

Trochlear dysplasia may be asymptomatic and benign, or could engender patellar instability and degenerative arthritis. Autologous chondrocyte implantation is demonstrating promising outcomes for the treatment of patellofemoral cartilage lesions, but may not suffice for knees with underlying mechanical anomalies as trochlear dysplasia, where adjuvant trochleoplasty or tibial tubercle osteotomy may be required to prevent patellofemoral instability and to protect the graft from wear and damage. Rigorous radiographic assessment is important to discern the type of dysplasia, notably the presence of a potentially pathogenic supra-trochlear spur. Trochleoplasty or other realignment procedures such as tibial tubercle osteotomy should be considered where necessary to correct underlying trochlear deformities and thereby avoid iatrogenic complications or failure.

Editorial Commentary: Trochleoplasty: Is It Really That Fearsome and Dangerous a Technique?

Trochleoplasty in patellofemoral instability has always been controversial. Most authors recognize the fundamental role of trochlear dysplasia in the genesis of patellar dislocation, and some strongly defend correcting the abnormality, yet others find it too dangerous or unnecessary. Misunderstanding or undervaluation of trochlear dysplasia leads to inappropriate or failed patellofemoral (PF) surgery, the iatrogenic complications of which are well known. Many surgeons miss a key aspect of trochlear dysplasia: the overhang or the prominence of the trochlea relative to the anterior femoral cortex, characterized by a supra-trochlear spur. Trochleoplasty should not be performed as a secondary or revision procedure, but as a primary procedure with clear indications, and the key to improved outcomes is to ensure the right indication for each patient, which can only be determined by understanding the extent of dysplasia in both the axial and sagittal planes.

Patellar Instability and Dislocation: Optimizing Surgical Treatment and How to Avoid Complications.

Patellar instability is a common problem seen by the orthopedic surgeon. Surgery is indicated in recurrent dislocation to improve patellar tracking and ligamentous restraint in order to decrease risk of recurrence, osteochondral injury, and eventual progression to arthritis. Preoperative imaging studies identify anatomic risk factors that increase risk of patellar dislocation to inform surgical decision making. Surgical management starts with medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction, which is effective in many cases. Tibial tubercle osteotomy realigns the extensor mechanism and is useful in cases of lateralized tibial tubercle or patella alta. For patients with trochlear dysplasia, both tibial tubercle osteotomy and trochleoplasty are options to prevent recurrent dislocation. Chondral lesions are common and, depending upon symptomology and size, can be addressed with débridement, structural grafting, or cell-based treatment. To maximize outcomes, comprehensive preoperative diagnosis and planning must be combined with meticulous surgical technique. Unfortunately, there is minimal evidence to guide when a soft-tissue ligament reconstruction is sufficient versus when is it necessary to correct and alter the bony anatomy. This chapter covers the individualized decision making and surgical pearls for these techniques to improve outcomes and minimize perioperative complications.

Creation of a specialist core curriculum for the European Society for Sports traumatology, Knee surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA).

PURPOSE: The European Society for Sports traumatology, Knee surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA) identified the need to develop a core curriculum for clinical specialists that work within the interest areas of ESSKA. A research-based approach was used to define a set of core competencies which could be used to map all of their educational activities, resources and development priorities. This paper describes the aims, development, results and implications of this competency-based core curriculum for orthopaedic conditions relevant to ESSKA members. METHODS: A Core Curriculum Working Group, with leaders and other experts representing the main specialist areas within ESSKA, reviewed existing curricula and the literature in their own specialist areas. Applying expert group methodology, they iteratively developed a draft list of 285 core competencies for Orthopedic specialists within 6 specialist areas of Knee, Shoulder, Foot/Ankle, Hip, Elbow/Forearm and Sports/Exercise. All ESSKA members were then asked to comment and rate the importance of these competencies, and the Working Group used these findings to critically review and refine the curriculum. RESULTS: The expert groups defined 56 competencies related to 10 Knee pathologies; 67 related to 15 Shoulder pathologies; 45 related to 9 Foot/Ankle pathologies; 41 related to 6 Hip pathologies; and 34 related to 12 Elbow/Forearm pathologies and 42 related to 8 Sports/Exercise pathologies. Survey respondent mean ratings were at least 'Important' for all competencies, and the Working Group used these results to separate the competencies into three levels of importance. CONCLUSION: A competency-based core curriculum for Orthopedic specialists was achieved through a systematic and scholarly approach, involving both expert opinion and engagement of the wider ESSKA membership, identifying 285 treatment competencies in 6 specialist areas. It is now being used to guide educational and strategic development for ESSKA and should also be of interest to the wider orthopedic and sports medicine communities.

Management of traumatic meniscus tears: the 2019 ESSKA meniscus consensus.

PURPOSE: The importance of meniscus integrity in the prevention of early osteoarthritis is well known, and preservation is accepted as the primary goal. The purpose of the ESSKA (European Society for Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy) European consensus on traumatic meniscus tears was to provide recommendations for the treatment of meniscus tears based on both scientific evidence and the clinical experience of knee experts. METHODS: Three groups of surgeons and scientists elaborated and ratified the so-called formal consensus process to define the recommendations for the management of traumatic meniscus tears. A traumatic meniscus tear was defined as a tear with an acute onset of symptoms caused by a sufficient trauma. The expert groups included a steering group of eight European surgeons and scientists, a rating group of another nineteen European surgeons, and a peer review group. The steering group prepared twenty-seven question and answer sets based on the scientific literature. The quality of the answers received grades of A (a high level of scientific support), B (scientific presumption), C (a low level of scientific support) or D (expert opinion). These question and answer sets were then submitted to and evaluated by the rating group. All answers were scored from 1 (= totally inappropriate) to 9 (= totally appropriate) points. Thereafter, the comments of the members of the rating group were incorporated by the steering group and the consensus was submitted to the rating group a second time. Once a general consensus was reached between the steering and rating groups, the finalized question and answer sets were submitted for final review by the peer review group composed of representatives of the ESSKA-affiliated national societies. Eighteen representatives replied. RESULTS: The review of the literature revealed a rather low scientific quality of studies examining the treatment of traumatic meniscus tears. Of the 27 questions, only one question received a grade of A (a high level of scientific support), and another received a grade of B (scientific presumption). The remaining questions received grades of C and D. The mean rating of all questions by the rating group was 8.2 (95% confidence interval 8.1-8.4). A general agreement that MRI should be performed on a systematic basis was not achieved. However, MRI was recommended when arthroscopy would be considered to identify concomitant pathologies. In this case, the indication for MRI should be determined by a musculoskeletal specialist. Based on our data, stable left in situ lateral meniscus tears appear to show a better prognosis than medial tears. When repair is required, surgery should be performed as early as possible. Evidence that biological enhancement such as needling or the application of platelet-rich plasma would improve healing was not identified. Preservation of the meniscus should be considered as the first line of treatment because of an inferior clinical and radiological long-term outcome after partial meniscectomy compared to meniscus repair. DISCUSSION: The consensus was generated to present the best possible recommendations for the treatment of traumatic meniscus tears and provides some groundwork for a clinical decision-making process regarding the treatment of meniscus tears. Preservation of the meniscus should be the first line of treatment when possible, because the clinical and radiological long-term outcomes are worse after partial meniscectomy than after meniscus preservation. The consensus clearly states that numerous meniscus tears that were considered irreparable should be repaired, e.g., older tears, tears in obese patients, long tears, etc. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.