Satisfactory clinical outcomes with autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis in the treatment of grade IV chondral injuries of the knee.

OBJECTIVE: The research aims to evaluate short- and medium-term outcomes of patients treated using autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) with a hyaluronic acid scaffold (Hyalofast, Anika Therapeutics, MA, USA) in grade IV chondral lesions according to the Outerbridge classification in the knee. METHODS: This is a multicentre, non-randomized, retrospective study conducted between 2017 and 2022. To determine the clinical outcome of the patients, the follow-up was done with the subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, pre-surgery, and with a follow-up at 12, 24, and 32 months. RESULTS: Fifty patients (28 female) with a mean age of 45.9 ± 12.7 years were recruited. The mean size of the lesion was 3.5 cm2, and the injuries located in the patella (30%) and trochlear groove (24%) were the most frequent. The total IKDC clinical score significantly increased from baseline to the 32 months of follow-up with a mean difference of 36.4 (95% CI, 29.1-43.7, p < 0.001). Besides, there was a statistically significant improvement in all categories of the IKDC (symptoms, sports activities, function, and activity of daily living) compared between pre-surgery and 24 and 32 months of follow-up. The patients younger than 45 years presented better clinical outcomes than older ones with a difference between medians of 10.40 (95% CI, 1.10-11.50, p = 0.0247), and a negative correlation was found between the 32-month IKDC score and the age. In addition, no statistically significant difference was found when comparing the last results of the IKDC between patients with and without associated surgical procedures or between patients with single and several lesions, neither nor between men and women. The level of satisfaction with the procedure of all the patients, on a score of 1-10, was on average 8 ± 1.5. CONCLUSION: Results of this study indicate that patients who underwent the AMIC procedure with hyaluronic acid scaffold for the treatment of grade IV chondral lesions in the knee presented satisfactory results throughout the follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Return to sport soccer after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: ISAKOS consensus.

INTRODUCTION: Many factors can affect the return to pivoting sports, after an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Prehabilitation, rehabilitation, surgical and psychological aspects play an essential role in the decision to return to sports. The purpose of this study is to reach an international consensus about the best conditions for returning to sports in soccer-one of the most demanding level I pivoting sports after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: 34 International experts in the management of ACL injuries, representing all the Continents were convened and participated in a process based on the Delphi method to achieve a consensus. 37 statements related to ACL reconstruction were reviewed by the experts in three rounds of surveys in complete anonymity. The statements were prepared by the working group based on previous literature or systematic reviews. Rating agreement through a Likert Scale: strongly agree, agree, neither agree or disagree, disagree and strongly disagree was used. To define consensus, it was established that the assertions should achieve a 75% of agreement or disagreement. RESULTS: Of the 37 statements, 10 achieved unanimous consensus, 18 non-unanimous consensus and 9 did not achieve consensus. In the preoperative, the correction of the range of motion deficit, the previous high level of participation in sports and a better knowledge of the injury by the patient and compliance to participate in Rehabilitation were the statements that reached unanimous consensus. During the surgery, the treatment of associated injuries, as well as the use of autografts, and the addition of a lateral extra-articular tenodesis in some particular cases (active young athletes, <25 years old, hyperlaxity, high rotatory laxity and revision cases) obtained also 100% consensus. In the postoperative period, psychological readiness and its validation with scales, adequate physical preparation, as well as not basing the RTSS purely on the time of evolution after surgery, were the factors that reached unanimous Consensus. CONCLUSIONS: The consensus statements derived from this international ISAKOS leaders, may assist clinicians in deciding when to return to sports soccer in patients after an ACL reconstruction. Those statements that reached 100% consensus have to be strongly considered in the final decision to RTS soccer.