Loop changes after knee flexion-extension movement in a cadaveric anterior cruciate reconstruction model / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Recently, adjustable-loop devices (ALDs) have been widely used, and their reliability has always been the focus of attention. This study compared loop length changes under pull stress caused by flexion and extension of the cadaver knee between ALDs and fixed-loop devices (FLDs) in terms of femoral fixation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.@*METHODS@#ACL reconstruction in cadaveric knee joints was performed under arthroscopy with femoral suspension devices and tibial fixation by tying sutures on staples. The knee joint was repeatedly flexed and extended 30 times after fixation. According to the femoral fixation device used (Endobutton or Ultrabutton), the knee joints were divided into two groups: the ALD group (12 specimens) and the FLD group (ten specimens). The length of the loop before and after fixation was measured, and the loop length of the ALD group was re-measured 1 day after reconstruction.@*RESULTS@#There was no significant difference in the length of the loop between the two groups (t = 0.579, P = 0.569). One day later, the loop length of the ALDs retracted by 0.29 ± 0.33 (0-1.1) mm, and there was no retraction in three specimens.@*CONCLUSION@#There was no significant difference in the loop length under flexion and extension stress after ACL reconstruction between ALDs and FLDs.

Epidemiological study of bone and joint injury based on urban medical insurance database / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To estimate the prevalence rate of bone and joint injury in China and to describe the three-dimension distribution of the disease (area, time and people).@*METHODS@#Based on a cross-sectional design, a retrospective study was conducted by using Chinese basic medical insurance database from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017 to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of bone and joint injury. The prevalence rate of bone and joint injury in each city was calculated, and then using meta-analyses to estimate the pooled prevalence of each area and the whole country. The pooled prevalence rates were compared among the different groups of populations, in terms of geographical area, time and population characteristics (age and gender).@*RESULTS@#A total of 28 419 264 subjects were included in this study, including 705 793 patients with bone and joint injury. From 2013 to 2017, in Chinese basic medical insurance database, the overall prevalence rate of bone and joint injury was 141.5(95%CI: 90.4－203.7) per 10 000 population, and the prevalence rates of non-specific or polyarticular disease, knee disease, and shoulder disease were 101.6 (95%CI: 63.5－148.4)per 10 000 population, 22.5(95%CI:15.1－31.4)per 10 000 population and 10.9 (95%CI: 6.4－16.4)per 10 000 population. The prevalence rates varied across the areas, the highest rate was observed in North China, with the prevalence of 310.6 (95%CI: 12.6－989.7) per 10 000 population, and the lowest rate was observed in Southwest China, with the prevalence of 59.0 (95%CI: 37.5－85.2) per 10 000 population. The prevalence rate of bone and joint injury increased over the study period, from 111.1 (95%CI: 56.0－182.5)per 10 000 population in 2013 to 175.5 (95%CI: 116.8－245.5)per 10 000 population in 2017. The prevalence of bone and joint injury in the female population was 149.1 (95%CI: 94.2－215.9) per 10 000 population, which was higher than that of men [133.6(95%CI: 86.2－190.9) per 10 000 population]. The higher prevalence of knee disease, unspecified or polyarticular disease, and bone and joint injury were observed in people aged 60 years and older, while the prevalence of shoulder disease peaked in 40－59 years old people [20.6 (95%CI: 12.5－30.5) per 10 000 population].@*CONCLUSION@#This study reported a relative low prevalence of bone and joint injury in China from 2013 to 2017. The prevalence increased over the study period, and the highest prevalence rate was observed in North China. The prevalence rate showed differences among different groups of populations, and higher rates were observed in females and people aged 60 years and older.

Are There Any Clinical and Radiographic Differences Between Quadriceps-sparing and Mini-medial Parapatellar Approaches in Total Knee Arthroplasty After a Minimum 5 Years of Follow-up? / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Although the early clinical outcomes of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using minimally invasive surgery techniques have been widely described, data on the mid- to long-term outcomes are limited. We designed a retrospective study to compare the two most common TKA techniques - The modified quadriceps-sparing (m-QS) approach and the mini-medial parapatellar (MMP) approach - In terms of the clinical and radiographic parameters, over a minimum follow-up period of 5 years.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The m-QS approach was used in 31 knees and the MMP approach, in 36 knees. Knees in both groups were compared for component position and alignment, knee alignment, length of the skin incision, range of motion, Visual Analog Scale score, muscle torques, Knee Society Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and number of complications.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no major intergroup differences in any of the clinical and radiographic outcomes assessed at the final follow-up examination.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>On the basis of numbers studied, the m-QS group, which requires more technique, showed equivalent results with the MMP group in the postoperative 5 years. Preservation of the extensor mechanism in the m-QS approach could not ensure any improvement in the clinical outcomes during the mid-term follow-up duration.</p>

Remnant-preserving posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with graft tension-relieving: a comparative study with conventional technique / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear is a severe injury to the knee joint and often requires surgical reconstruction. A number of PCL reconstruction techniques have been reported. However, the problem of residual laxity after surgery is not unusual with conventional techniques. This study aims to introduce a modified PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation and graft tension relieving.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between December 2008 and June 2011, 36 cases of PCL reconstruction were performed in our institute, 20 with conventional technique (Group I) and 16 with modified technique (Group II). Pre- and post-operative results of the international knee documentation committee knee evaluation form (IKDC), Lysholm, Tegner, and KT2000 side-to-side difference were obtained.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant improvements of IKDC, Lysholm, Tegner, and KT2000 results after surgery were found in both groups. Group II showed better improvement in all subjective examinations and significantly more decrease of KT 2000 side-to-side difference.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Modified PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation and graft tension relieving showed better results in restoration of posterior stability compared to conventional technique.</p>

Failed anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: analysis of factors leading to instability after primary surgery / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery can be expected to become more common as the number of primary reconstruction keeps increasing. This study aims to investigate the factors causing instability after primary ACL reconstruction, which may provide an essential scientific base to prevent surgical failure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and ten revision ACL surgeries were performed at our institute between November 2001 and July 2012. There were 74 men and 36 women, and the mean age at the time of revision was 27.6 years (range 16 - 56 years). The factors leading to instability after primary ACL reconstruction were retrospectively reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fifty-one knees failed because of bone tunnel malposition, with too anterior femoral tunnels (20 knees), posterior wall blowout (1 knee), vertical femoral tunnels (7 knees), too posterior tibial tunnels (12 knees), and too anterior tibial tunnels (10 knees). There was another knee performed with open surgery, where the femoral tunnel was drilled through the medial condyle and the tibial tunnel was too anterior. Five knees were found with malposition of the fixation. One knee with allograft was suspected of rejection and a second surgery had been made to take out the graft. Three knees met recurrent instability after postoperative infection. The other factors included traumatic (48 knees) and unidentified (12 knees).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Technical errors were the main factors leading to instability after primary ACL reconstructions, while attention should also be paid to the risk factors of re-injury and failure of graft incorporation.</p>

Sex, age, and annual incidence of primary total knee arthroplasty: a university affiliated hospital survey of 3118 Chinese patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>In recent years, the number of patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty in China has rapidly increased. However, the incidence of primary total knee arthroplasty is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the sex, age and, annual incidence of primary total knee arthroplasty based on 3118 Chinese patients who underwent the procedure during the period of 2000 - 2011.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total knee arthroplasties were performed on 511 males and 2607 females in our hospital during the period of 2000 - 2011. The sex, age, and annual incidence of primary total knee arthroplasty were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The annual incidence of primary total knee arthroplasty increased from 35 knees in 2000 to 681 knees in 2011. The average annual percentage increase in incidence was 33.2%. Females accounted for 83.2% of the patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty. In both males and females, the highest incidence was observed in the group aged 65 - 74 years.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This study demonstrated a rapid increase in the incidence of primary total knee arthroplasty in our Chinese study population. The sex and age incidence of primary total knee arthroplasty in our study population differed from those reported in Western populations.</p>

Anatomical study of the anterolateral and posteromedial bundles of the posterior cruciate ligament for double-bundle reconstruction using the quadruple bone-tunnel technique / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Several techniques have been described for posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. However, double-bundle PCL reconstruction using the quadruple bone-tunnel technique has been seldom reported. The current study investigated this technique, focusing on the anatomy of the femoral and tibial insertions of the anterolateral (AL) and posteromedial (PM) bundles of the PCL.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-two fresh, healthy adult cadaveric knees were dissected and measured. The PCL was divided into the AL bundle and PM bundle at the insertion footprint. The insertion footprints of the AL and PM bundles, their location, size, and the clock positions were measured and described.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>On the femur, the clock position of the footprint of the AL bundle was 11:21 ± 0:23 (left) or 0:39 ± 0:23 (right), and the PM bundle was 9:50 ± 0:18 (left) or 2:10 ± 0:18 (right), with the knee flexed at 90 degrees. The distances from the center of the femoral insertions of the AL and PM bundles to the anterior cartilage margins of the medial femoral condyle were (7.79 ± 1.22) mm and (8.36 ± 1.63) mm, respectively. On the tibia, the vertical distances from the center of the tibial insertions of the AL and PM bundles to the tibial articular surface were (3.25 ± 1.20) mm and (6.91 ± 1.57) mm, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results have led to a better definition of the anatomy of the AL and PM bundle footprint of the PCL. The technique of double-bundle PCL reconstruction using quadruple bone-tunnel is feasible. Application of these data during PCL reconstruction using the quadruple bone-tunnel technique may help optimize knee stability.</p>

Proliferation and apoptosis property of mesenchymal stem cells derived from peripheral blood under the culture conditions of hypoxia and serum deprivation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The proliferation and apoptosis property of mesenchymal stem cells derived from peripheral blood (PB-MSCs) were investigated under hypoxia and serum deprivation conditions in vitro so as to evaluate the feasibility for autologous PB-MSCs applications in cartilage repair.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MSCs were mobilized into peripheral blood by granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and AMD3100. The blood samples were collected from central ear artery of rabbits. Adhered cells were obtained by erythrocyte lysis buffer and identified as MSCs by adherence to plastic, spindle shaped morphology, specific surface markers, differentiation abilities into osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondroblasts in vitro under appropriate conditions. MSCs were cultured in four groups at different oxygen tension (20% O2 and 2% O2), with or without 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) conditions: 20% O2 and 10% FBS complete medium (normal medium, N), 20% O2 and serum deprivation medium (D), 2% O2 and 10% FBS complete medium (hypoxia, H), 2% O2 and serum deprivation (HD). Cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/PI and terminal deoxynucleotide transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Spindle-shaped adherent cells were effectively mobilized from peripheral blood by a combined administration of G-CSF plus AMD3100. These cells showed typical fibroblast-like phenotype similar to MSCs from bone marrow (BM-MSCs), and expressed a high level of typical MSCs markers CD29 and CD44, but lacked in the expression of hematopoietic markers CD45 and major histocompatibility complex Class II (MHC II). They could also differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondroblasts in vitro under appropriate conditions. No significant morphological differences were found among the four groups. It was found that hypoxia could enhance proliferation of PB-MSCs regardless of serum concentration, but serum deprivation inhibited proliferation at the later stage of culture. Apart from that, hypoxia or serum deprivation could promote the apoptosis of PB-MSCs after 48 hours; the effect was stronger when these two conditions combined together. Furthermore, the effect of serum deprivation on apoptosis was stronger compared with that of hypoxia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PB-MSCs possess similar phenotypes as BM-MSCs. Their differentiation and proliferation abilities make them a new source of seed cells for ischemia-related cell therapy and tissue engineering in the field of the articular cartilage repair.</p>

Second-look arthroscopic evaluation of the articular cartilage after primary single-bundle and double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Several reports have shown the progression of articular cartilage degeneration after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. No report has been published about the cartilage comparing changes after single-bundle (SB) and double-bundle (DB) ACL reconstructions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the articular cartilage changes after SB and DB ACL reconstructions by second-look arthroscopy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-nine patients who received arthroscopic ACL reconstruction were retrospectively reviewed at an average of 14 months after reconstruction, 58 patients underwent SB ACL reconstruction and 41 patients underwent DB ACL reconstruction. Hamstring tendon autografts were used in all patients. Second-look arthroscopy was done in conjunction with the tibial staple fixation removal at least one year after the initial ACL reconstruction. Arthroscopic evaluation and grading of the articular cartilage degeneration for all patients were performed at the initial ACL reconstruction, and at the second-look arthroscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average cartilage degeneration at the patellofemoral joint (PFJ) was found significantly worsened after both SB and DB ACL reconstructions. This worsening were not seen at medial tibiofemoral joint (TFJ) and lateral TFJ. Grade II cartilage damage was the most common. At second-look arthroscopy, the average patellar cartilage degeneration was 1.14 ± 0.14 (at first look 0.52 ± 0.11) for the SB group, and 1.22 ± 0.15 (at first look 0.56 ± 0.12) for the DB group. The average trochlear cartilage degeneration was 1.05 ± 0.16 (at fist look 0.10 ± 0.06) and 0.66 ± 0.17 (at fist look 0.17 ± 0.09), respectively. The average patellar cartilage degeneration showed no significant difference in both groups. However, the average trochlea cartilage degeneration in DB group was significantly less than in SB group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Patellofemoral cartilage degeneration continued to aggravate after ACL reconstruction. DB ACL reconstruction could significantly decrease the trochlea cartilage degeneration compared with SB ACL reconstruction.</p>

Clinical research for reason analysis of posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction revision / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To study and analyze the clinical factors contributing to the failure of primary posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction and to guide our clinical treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From November 2001 to May 2007, 8 patients underwent PCL reconstruction revision because of pathological instability after primary PCL reconstruction. And the clinical failure factors of the primary reconstruction were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One case was reconstructed with bone-patellar tendon-bone (B-T-B) autografts, 7 cases with hamstring tendon autograft. The most probable causes of failure were improper graft placement in 7 cases (both femoral bone tunnels were behind the predicted one and tibial tunnels were in front of the predicted one). The reconstructed PCL in 4 cases ruptured absolutely and had been absorbed. Three cases had obviously loosen but still partly linked reconstructed ligament. These 8 cases all received primary PCL revision reconstruction. Among them, 6 cases were reconstructed with autograft (using a single-bundle quadruple hamstring graft in 3 cases, double-bundle quadruple hamstring graft in 1 case, single-bundle B-T-B autograft in 2 case), and 2 cases were reconstructed with allograft (using a single-bundle and a double-bundle B-T-B allograft reconstruction).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Incorrect bone tunnel placement is the major factor contributing to the surgical failure in many reasons for the failure of PCL reconstruction. So, it might be suggested that there is a great need for a more precise anatomical bone tunnel placement.</p>

An anatomical and histological study of human meniscal horn bony insertions and peri-meniscal attachments as a basis for meniscal transplantation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Allograft meniscal transplantation is an increasingly popular treatment option for the symptomatic young patients with meniscus deficiency. However, many questions still surround it. In this research, we studied the anatomical location and histological structure of human meniscal horn bony insertions and to observe the anatomical morphology and histomorphology of peri-meniscal attachments based on meniscal allograft transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-two fresh-frozen adult cadaver knees were dissected. The locations of meniscal anterior and posterior horn bony insertions to tibia were measured. The anatomical morphology of peri-meniscal attachments was observed and the histological structure of meniscal horn bony insertions and peri-meniscal attachment were studied by HE staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The anterior horn bony insertion of medial meniscus was (9.19 +/- 1.83) mm inferior to the corresponding anterior border of tibial plateau, and (7.81 +/- 2.25) mm lateral to the axial line of the medial intercondylar eminence. The posterior horn bony insertion of medial meniscus was in the posterior intercondylar fossa of tibia, located between the anterior fibers of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tibial insertion and anterior border of the tibial posterior intercondylar fossa, and was (5.05 +/- 1.18) mm lateral to the axial line of the medial intercondylar eminence. The distance between anterior and posterior horn bony insertions of the lateral meniscus was (13.68 +/- 2.19) mm. Anterior horn bony insertion of the lateral meniscus was (3.99 +/- 1.27) mm medial to the axial line of the lateral intercondylar eminence, and the posterior horn bony insertion of the lateral meniscus was (5.80 +/- 1.36) mm medial to the axial line of the lateral intercondylar eminence. Except for the meniscal horn bony insertions, which is the typical enthesis, we call the attachment of the other parts of menisci as 'peri-meniscal attachment'. The morphological and histological study showed that the main peri-meniscal attachment was the meniscotibial ligament, through which the meniscus attached to the tibia with enthesis structure, and there was only loose connective tissue between menisci and capsule.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In meniscal allograft transplantation, the traditional meniscal size-matching method which take medial and lateral intercondylar eminences as references is not as accurate as expected. Attention should be taken to locate both anterior and posterior horn tunnels of medial meniscal allograft inferior to the tibia plateau, and to locate anterior and posterior horn tunnels of lateral meniscus close enough (mean 13.68 mm). The best way to reconstruct the peri-meniscal attachment is to suture the allograft to the preserved outer remnant of the original meniscus.</p>

Compare the clinical results of double-bundle with single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical results of double and single bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 2005 May to December the data of 33 patients (4 lost follow) with double-bundle and 41 patients (8 lost follow) with single-bundle reconstruction of ACL using auto-hamstring tendons was retrospectively investigated. The follow-up was 14-22 months (average 18 months) of double-bundle group and 14-21 months (average 18 months) of single-bundle group. The IKDC, Lysholm and Tegner scores, KT-2000 and Biodex were used to evaluate the clinical results.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The IKDC, Lysholm and Tegner scores were increased significantly from 60, 66, 4 before the operation to 85, 94 and 6 respectively after the double-bundle reconstruction. The KT-2000 results showed that at 30 and 90 degree 134 N the anterior-posterior translations were significantly decreased from 5.8 and 2.4 mm to 1.2 and 1.1 mm respectively of the double-bundle group (P < 0.01). The peak torques of the extend and flex muscles of the involved knee at 60 degrees/s and 120 degrees/s were only at 81%, 87%, 76% and 85% of the contralateral knee of the double-bundle group. And the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). There were no differences between the two groups of any index, but the KT value at 30 degree and the extensor peak torque of the double-bundle group manifested a better tendency.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Both double-bundle and single-bundle ACL reconstruction can restore the stability and improve the function of the knee, and the double-bundle group shows a better tendency at the 30 degree stability and the extensor strength.</p>

Diagnosis and management of septic arthritis after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summary the experience in the diagnosis and management of septic arthritis after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The knee joint infections after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were retrospectively studied. From January 1997 to July 2007, 16 of 3638 patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions experienced postoperative septic arthritis. The incidence, cause, presentation, laboratory results, treatment, and outcome of all infected patients were analyzed. The experiences of diagnosis and management of septic arthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were summarized.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of septic arthritis after ACL reconstruction was 0.44%. The most common symptoms of the infected patients were fever, swelling, severe pain, tenderness, restricted motion. Eleven (68.8%) patients were positive for bacteria cultures, and Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common bacteria. Nine of the 16 patients were performed arthroscopic debridement, and the other 7 patients were conservatively treated. All patients regained full range of motion and normal stability at the 19.7 months follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Septic arthritis, which could bring the dysfunction of the joint, is subsequent with cartilage injury and the failure of the ACL grafts. Early diagnosis and treatment of arthroscopic debridement in time are essential to the ultimate clinical outcome.</p>

Clinical research on revision after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the management principle of revision after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and the factors contributing to its result.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of 12 patients who received revision after ACL reconstructions from November 2001 to July 2006 were studied retrospectively. The indication of the operation, the management during the procedure and the clinical results were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients had pathological instability after primary ACL reconstructions. In this group, 2 cases received primary bone transplantation. The other 10 cases received primary ACL revision. Among them, 4 cases were reconstructed with STG obtained from the same lateral, 4 cases were obtained from the opposite lateral, 1 case was reconstructed with bone-patellar tendon-bone (B-PT-B) obtained from the same lateral, and 1 case was reconstructed with iliotibial tractus. One year later, the mean side-to-side difference of KT-2000 examination were 1.6 mm and 3.1 mm at 90 degrees and 30 degrees. The mean IKDC, Lysholm and Tegner scores were 72.8, 78.3 and 4.9.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The functional results and objective stability could be obtained through revision ACL reconstruction. However, outcomes are less favorable than those with primary reconstructions, which might be related to the factors including deficiency of previous surgery and impact of revision procedure.</p>

Comparative study on early period of recovery between minimally invasive surgery total knee arthroplasty and minimally invasive surgery-quadriceps sparing total knee arthroplasty in Chinese patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Different kinds of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) procedures have now been used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Compared with traditional TKA procedure with a long skin incision, clinical studies showed MIS procedures had some advantages. Quadriceps sparing (QS) procedures are the most minimally invasive MIS procedure until now. This study was aimed to find the insertion types for Chinese patients' vastus medialis and if the QS procedure had some advantages in patients' early recovery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between February 2006 and May 2007, 120 consecutive patients underwent unilateral primary TKA under general anesthesia, among whom 14 patients were lost to follow-up, the remaining 106 cases were enrolled in this study. Among the 106 cases there were 85 right knees, 21 left knees (15 men and 91 women, with a mean age of 65.1+/-7.4 years); osteoarthritis in 97 patients (91.5%) and rheumatoid arthritis in 9 patients (8.5%). MIS TKA was performed in 49 cases (MIS TKA group), while MIS-QS TKA in 57 cases (MIS-QS TKA group). During the operation, the type I, II and III insertions of the vastus medialis for all patients were recorded. Each knee was rated post-operatively according to the Hospital of Special Surgery (HSS) scoring system. Clinical follow-up was undertaken at 1 week, 2, 6, 12 and 24 weeks. Operating time and complications were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for gender distribution, age, left or right knee incidence, pre-operative diagnosis, incidence of varus or valgus deformity. Of the 106 cases there was 1 (0.9%) case with a type I insertion of the vastus medialis, 4 (3.8%) cases with type II insertions, 101 (95.3%) cases with type III insertions. The HSS scoring was significantly different between the MIS-QS TKA group and MIS TKA group within the first two weeks post operation. From 2 weeks later to 24 weeks, no significant difference was found. The average operating time was (53.3+/-12.4) minutes in the MIS TKA group and (64.1+/-15.1) minutes in the MIS-QS TKA group (P<0.001). In the MIS-QS TKA group, 1 patient had delayed healing of the partial skin incision (1.8%). No other complications were found in either group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Although most of the Chinese patients had type III insertions of the vastus medialis, the MIS-QS TKA procedure showed less injury to the quadriceps than the standard MIS TKA and this could contribute to the earlier recovery of the patients. But a shorter skin incision and more tension on the skin may also lead to more skin complications.</p>

Relationship between different skin incisions and the injury of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>After anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, some patients suffered from sensory disturbance around the surgical incision of the leg. This research was aimed to investigate the relationship between the different skin incisions and the injury of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve (IPBSN) post ACL reconstruction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>ACL reconstructions were performed with quadruple hamstring tendon for 60 patients. Sensory disturbance around the skin incision was followed up at an average of 14.5 +/- 4.7 months post operation. Among the 60 patients, vertical incision for 35 patients and oblique incision for 25 patients were used for graft taking during ACL reconstruction. The lengths of the incisions were measured. The patients were asked to mark the sensory disturbance zone at follow up time, and then the marked area was measured. The IPBSN of 15 cadaver knees were anatomized. The distance between the IPBSN and the upper edge of the pes anserinus tendon at the middle point of the incision was measured. Independent-samples t-test, chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were used for statistical analyses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients' age (P = 0.329), the follow-up time (P = 0.681), and the incision length (P = 0.732) between the two groups had no significant difference. Twenty-three patients (65.7%) in the vertical incision group had IPBSN injury compared with 6 patients (24.0%) in oblique incision group (P = 0.002). The average sensory disturbance area in vertical incision group ((48.0 +/- 75.3) cm(2)) was significantly larger (P = 0.004) than that in the oblique group ((8.4 +/- 19.4) cm(2)). The anatomy measurement showed the average distance between IPBSN and the upper edge of the pes anserinus tendon was 0.6 cm at the incision.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Oblique incision with less risk of damage for IPBSN may be better for graft harvesting in ACL reconstruction. As the IPBSN is so near and parallel to the hamstring tendons, damage to the IPBSN is one of the potential complications for graft harvesting, regardless of the incision used. That's why even in the oblique incision group, 24% patients also had sensory disturbance complication.</p>

Factors leading to failure of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the factors contributing to the failure of primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From November 2001 to July 2006, 13 patients underwent ACL reconstruction revision because of pathological instability in daily activities after primary ACL reconstruction, and the data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In this group, 7 cases were reconstructed with bone-patellar tendon-bone (B-PT-B) autografts, 4 cases with hamstring tendon autograft and 2 cases with hamstring tendon allograft. There were malpositioned bone tunnels in 8 cases. Among them 4 cases had a femoral tunnel in the front of the predicted one, and in the other 4 cases, both the femoral and tibial tunnels were in the front of the predicted ones. In 2 cases reconstructed with allograft, one had to receive a twice operation to take out the allograft because of serious rejection, and the other claimed a failure because of the obviously enlarged bone tunnel. In the 2 cases reconstructed with B-PT-B autograft, malposition of the interference screw using to fasten the bone block had been founded in the upper bone tunnel. One case suffered from postoperative infection and had been cured by the anti-biotic treatment after arthroscopic debridement. Then the reconstructed ACL in 7 cases had absolutely ruptured and been absorbed. Four cases had obviously loosen but still partly linked reconstructed ligament. Two cases had a malposited interference screw, and both of them had no fastening function. One case received the lytic operation due to knee stiffness. Two cases received primary bone transplantation and needed to receive a secondary revision operation owing to severe incompletion of spongy bone. The other 10 cases received primary revision. Among them 4 cases reconstructed with STG obtained from the same lateral, 4 cases reconstructed with STG obtained from the opposite lateral, 1 case reconstructed with B-PT-B obtained from the same lateral and 1 case reconstructed with iliotibiali tractus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There are many reasons leading to failure of ACL reconstruction. Nevertheless, malposition of the bone tunnel, invalid fixation, rejection to allograft and other complications such as the enlargement of the bone tunnel, postoperative infection and adhesion are the major factors that predispose the primary construction to failure.</p>

Relationship between tunnel widening and different rehabilitation procedures after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with quadrupled hamstring tendons / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>It has been demonstrated that bone tunnel widening could appear after knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, especially for those patients whose ruptured ACL were reconstructed with semitendinosus and gracilis tendons. Many factors can influence the extent of tunnel widening. Few studies have investigated the relationship between bone tunnel widening and rehabilitation procedures. This research was carried out to find the rehabilitation procedures' influence on the tibial bone tunnel widening after ACL reconstruction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-five cases, whose ACL reconstructions were done using quadrupled semitendinosus and gracilis tendons, were divided into two groups. Group A had 33 cases, 19 men, 14 women, averaged (31.2 +/- 12.4) years old, only ACL reconstruction was done using Paessler's technique, and aggressive rehabilitation procedure was used for function recovery post operation. Group B had 32 cases, 20 men, 12 women, averaged (30.3 +/- 10.3) years old. Except for ACL reconstruction, every patient in group B accepted meniscus repair using re-fixation methods or cartilage repair using microfracture technique, conservative rehabilitation procedure was used post operation. Six months post operation, standard posterior-anterior radiographic plates were taken for each case, CorelDRAW 8.0 software was used to digitize all X-ray plates and measure the upper, middle and lower parts of the tibial tunnel. Magnification effect of X-ray plates was taken out after measurement.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six months after ACL reconstruction the tibial tunnel widening of the upper, middle and lower parts on both the posterior-anterior and lateral X-ray plates in Group A with aggressive rehabilitation procedure was much more serious than in Group B with conservative rehabilitation. KT-1000 knee stability measurement and clinical manifestation showed no difference between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Rehabilitation procedure after ACL reconstruction is one of the reasons for tunnel widening. It not only can directly influence the function recovery of ACL reconstructed knee, but also perhaps indirectly influence the function recovery and long-term clinical result of the operated knee by influencing the tunnel widening.</p>

Relationship between tunnel widening and different rehabilitation procedures after ACL reconstruction with quadrupled hamstring tendons / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To find out the relationship between different rehabilitation procedures and the tibial tunnel widening after ACL reconstruction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-five patients undergone ACL reconstructions by using quadrupled semitendinosus and gracilis tendons were divided into two groups. Group A had 33 patients, 19 male, 14 female, average age (31.2 +/- 12.4) years, only ACL reconstruction was performed with Germanic Professor Paessler's technique, and aggressive rehabilitation procedure was used for functional recovery. Group B had 32 patients, 20 male, 12 female, average age (30.3 +/- 10.3) years. Besides ACL reconstruction, every patient in Group B accepted meniscus repair or cartilage repair with microfracture technique, then postoperative conservative rehabilitation procedure was used. Six months after operation, standard posterior-anterior radiographic plates were taken for each patient, CorelDRAW 8.0 software was used to digitize all X-ray plates and measure the upper, middle and lower parts of the tibial tunnel. Magnification of X-ray plates was taken out after measurement. Statistic analysis was done by t-test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six months after ACL reconstruction, on both the posterior-anterior and lateral X-ray plates the tibial tunnel widening of the upper, middle and lower parts in Group B with aggressive rehabilitation procedure was significantly serious than in Group A with conservative rehabilitation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Rehabilitation procedure after ACL reconstruction is one of the reasons for tunnel widening. It perhaps influences the functional recovery and long-term clinical result of the operated knee by affecting the tunnel widening.</p>

Investigation of surgically repaired menisci in 168 cases / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical effects and postoperative complications of arthrotomy and arthroscopy in repair of 170 menisci in 168 cases.Methods One hundred and sixty-eight patients with meniscus injury were repaired by arthrotomy or arthroscopy.They were 121 males and 47 females.There were 77 left knees and 91 right knees;117 medial menisci and 53 lateral ones.Their average age was 25.5?8.4 years old.Arthro- scopic repair methods included puncture and grinding,bio-absorbable meniscus arrow fixation,Outside-In suturing, Inside-Out suturing,Elite scuff instrument repairing,T-Fix fixation and FasT-Fix fixation techniques.The clinical results were assessed on the basis of symptoms,physical signs,Tegner scores and Lysholm scores of the cases. Postoperative complications were also investigated.Re-arthroscopic exploration was done for patients with obvious symptoms and physical signs.Results The average folluw-up time was 49.3?28.8 months.Their mean pre- operative Tegner score was 3.3?2.3,and their postoperative one 6.8?2.1 (P＜0.05).Their preoperative Lysholm score was 30.1?18.2,and their postoperative one 87.5?22.5 (P＜0.01).There were significant differences in Tegner and Lysholm scores before operation and after operation.Ninety-eight repaired menisci were rated as excellent(57.7%),57 as good (33.5%),10 as fair (5.9%),and five as poor (2.9%).The total ex- cellent and good result was 91.2%.Of the 19 patients with obvious symptoms and physical signs,re-arthroscopic exploration found no healing in five and partial healing in six.Postoperative complications included pain at the Outside-In suture nodes in three cases,referred pain at posterior articular capsule resulted from failed Outside-In meniscus anterior horn suturing in one case,and twinge at the meniscus arrow site in the posterior capsule in five cases.No serious lesion occurred at blood vessels or nerves.The postoperative complication incidence was 5.3%. Conclusion The eight methods of arthrotomy and arthroscopy to repair injured menisci investigated in our study can have a high successful rate and low perioperative and postoperative risk.