Editorial Commentary: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair or Reconstruction With Internal Bracing, for Properly Indicated Patients, Is Safe, Biocompatible, and Biomimetic.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with internal bracing (IB)-and ACL repair with IB when indicated-reduces graft or repair failure. IB is safe and protects ligament reconstructions and repairs. The IB construct should not be misunderstood as a synthetic ligament. To be effective, suture tape must be independently secured with the knee in full extension, reflecting the terminal length of the ACL. Regardless of graft type, the graft must be cyclically tensioned independent of the IB to allow for creep, and when properly performed, this significantly increases the ultimate tensile strength of the construct and reduces graft elongation, without stress shielding. Thus, the generic term "suture augmentation" may be misleading because the successful results reported apply to the IB technique. In our experience, the failure rate after ACL reconstruction with IB is 1% at the 5-year follow-up period. Notably, these results were achieved without an additional lateral extra-articular procedure.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Accelerated Rehabilitation with InternalBrace™ Augmentation in a Professional Footballer.

INTRODUCTION: Interest in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair has been increasing as an alternative to traditional reconstructive techniques and encouraging results have been demonstrated using internal bracing with suture tape augmentation (FiberTape®, Arthrex, Naples, Florida). ACL repair is challenging if the rupture is mid-substance or distal. We describe the case of a hybrid ACL reconstruction with internal brace augmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective case report documents the rehabilitation process of a 31-year-old professional footballer who had an isolated ACL rupture. The patient underwent a hybrid ACL reconstruction with bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft and suture tape augmentation 10 days after his injury. A task-based rehabilitation programme defined by six progressive phases relevant to performance-based outcome measures was undertaken. Each phase had clear, functional, progressive goals incorporating exercises to improve mobility, neuromuscular control, strength, and a progressive return to running and sport-specific movements. RESULTS: Using the rehabilitation framework outlined, this player produced excellent results in all objective criteria postoperatively and was able to return to unrestricted full team training in under five months (146 days) following surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This case presentation demonstrates the safe and accelerated return to professional football following ACL reconstruction augmented with internal bracing. The player was able to meet all criteria-based aspects of return to play.

Satisfactory patient-reported outcomes at 5 years following primary repair with suture tape augmentation for proximal anterior cruciate ligament tears.

PURPOSE: An enhanced understanding of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) healing and advancements in arthroscopic instrumentation has resulted in a renewed interest in ACL repair. Augmentation of a ligament repair with suture tape reinforces the ligament and acts as a secondary stabilizer. This study assesses the 5-year patient-reported outcomes of primary repair with suture tape augmentation for proximal ACL tears. METHODS: Thirty-seven consecutive patients undergoing ACL repair with suture tape augmentation for an acute proximal rupture were prospectively followed up for a minimum of 5 years. Patients with midsubstance and distal ruptures, poor ACL tissue quality, retracted ACL remnants and multiligament injuries were excluded. Patient-reported outcome measures were collated using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS), Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS-pain), Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) and the Marx Activity Scale. Patients with a re-rupture were identified. RESULTS: Three patients were lost to follow-up leaving 34 patients in the final analysis (91.9%). The mean KOOS at 5 years was 88.5 (SD 13.8) which improved significantly from 48.7 (SD 18.3) preoperatively (p < 0.01). The VAS score improved from 2.3 (SD 1.7) to 1.0 (SD 1.5) and the VR-12 score improved from 35.9 (SD 10.3) to 52.4 (SD 5.9) at 5 years (p < 0.01). However, the Marx activity scale decreased from 12.4 (SD 3.4) pre-injury to 7.3 (SD 5.2) at 5 years (p = 0.02). Six patients had a re-rupture (17.6%) and have since undergone a conventional ACL reconstruction for their revision surgery with no issues since then. These patients were found to be younger and have higher initial Marx activity scores than the rest of the cohort (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Primary repair with suture tape augmentation for proximal ACL tears demonstrates satisfactory outcomes in 28 patients (82.4%) at 5-year follow-up. Six patients sustained a re-rupture and have no ongoing problems following treatment with a conventional ACL reconstruction. These patients were significantly younger and had higher initial Marx activity scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Repair with Suture Tape Augmentation: A Case Series With Five-Year Follow Up.

INTRODUCTION: The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is the main restraining force against lateral patellar displacement in the first 20 degrees of knee flexion and is often disrupted following patellar subluxation or dislocation. MPFL reconstruction is commonly performed to restore patellar stability but requires autograft harvest with associated donor site morbidity. The aim of this study was to assess the five-year outcomes of MPFL repair performed with suture tape augmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent isolated MPFL repair for recurrent patellar instability between 2011 and 2017 were included. Patients requiring any additional surgery, such as osteotomy, were excluded. Patient-reported outcomes were measured at two-year follow up using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome (KOOS) Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS-pain), Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12), Marx Activity Scale, and an overall satisfaction questionnaire. At the end of the study period, any complications or secondary surgeries were determined. RESULTS: Eighteen patients underwent MPFL repair with one lost to follow up. There was a significant improvement in all subscales of the KOOS scoring systems, the WOMAC functional score, and the VR-12 physical score. A significant decrease was seen in the VAS-pain score. A non-significant decrease was seen in the Marx activity scale from pre-injury. The majority of patients reported satisfaction with reduction in pain and return to sporting activities. There were no complications with no further instability episodes. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that describes the five-year follow-up results of patients treated with MPFL repair and suture tape augmentation. Our results show that this technique is an alternative treatment to traditional MPFL reconstruction with comparable outcomes and avoidance of autograft harvest.

Meniscal Preservation is More Likely When Performed with Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair Rather Than with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) often occurs in conjunction with meniscal tears. In this study, we investigate the rates and outcomes of meniscal repair surgery performed with ACL reconstruction compared with acute ACL repair surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was collected for all patients undergoing surgery for ACL ruptures between 2012 and 2018, including ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft and primary ACL repair augmented with suture tape. Patients undergoing multi-ligament surgery were excluded. Meniscal injury was evaluated intraoperatively and the treatment was determined by type of tear, reducibility, and quality of meniscal tissue. If possible, tears were repaired using all-inside anchors and all others were resected. RESULTS: There were 272 ACL reconstructions and 134 ACL repairs, and mean age was 28 (±9) and 35 (±14) years, respectively (p <0.01). The mean Tegner activity score was 6.6 in both groups. The mean interval from injury to surgery was longer in the reconstruction group (26.2 vs. 1.3 months, p <0.01). Fifty-five percent of reconstructions and 43% of ACL repairs required meniscal surgery at the time of their ACL procedure. In the reconstruction group, 123 (70%) were meniscectomies and 53 (30%) were meniscal repairs, compared to 31 (50%) of each in the ACL repair group. Meniscal repair was more likely to be possible when carried out as part of acute ACL repair surgery, c2(1, n=238)=7.94, p <0.01. The success rate of meniscal repair was 97% in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of meniscal repair is 67% higher when performed early with ACL repair. When ACL reconstruction is performed, meniscal resection was more likely. Rates of post-traumatic osteoarthritis are high after ACL reconstruction when performed with meniscal resection. Furthermore, the success rate of meniscal repair in conjunction with ACL surgery is high (97%). Therefore, meniscal repair should be encouraged whenever possible to improve long-term outcomes.

Organizational Characteristics and Readiness for Tobacco-Free Workplace Program Implementation Moderates Changes in Clinician's Delivery of Smoking Interventions within Behavioral Health Treatment Clinics.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is elevated amongst individuals with behavioral health disorders, but not commonly addressed. Taking Texas Tobacco Free is an evidence-based, tobacco-free workplace program that addresses this, in-part, by providing clinician training to treat tobacco use in local mental health authorities (LMHAs). This study examined organizational moderators of change in intervention delivery from pre- to post-program implementation. METHODS: LMHA leaders completed the Organizational Readiness for Implementing Change (ORIC) and provided organization demographics pre-implementation. Clinicians (N = 1237) were anonymously surveyed about their consistent use of the 5As (Asking about smoking; Advising clientele to quit; Assessing willingness to quit; Assisting them to quit; Arranging follow-up) pre- and post-program implementation. Adjusted generalized linear mixed models were used for analyses (responses nested within LMHAs), with interaction terms used to assess moderation effects. RESULTS: Clinician delivery of 5As increased pre- to post-implementation (p < .001). LMHAs with fewer employees (ref = ≤300) demonstrated greater increases in Asking, Assessing, and Assisting over time. LMHAs with fewer patients (ref = ≤10 000) evinced greater changes in Asking over time. Less initial ORIC Change Efficacy, Change Commitment, and Task Knowledge were each associated with greater pre- to post-implementation changes in Asking. Less initial Task Knowledge was associated with greater increases in Advising, Assessing, and Assisting. Finally, less initial Resource Availability was associated with greater increases in Assisting (all moderation term ps < .025). CONCLUSION: The smallest and least ready LMHAs showed the largest gains in tobacco cessation intervention delivery; thus, low initial readiness was not a barrier for program implementation, particularly when efficacy-building training and resources are provided. IMPLICATIONS: This study examined organizational moderators of increases in tobacco cessation treatment delivery over time following the implementation of a comprehensive tobacco-free workplace program within 20 of 39 LMHAs across Texas (hundreds of clinics; servicing >50% of the state) from 2013 to 2018. Overall, LMHAs with fewer employees and patients, and that demonstrated the least initial readiness for change, evinced greater gains in intervention delivery. Findings add to dissemination and implementation science by supporting that low initial readiness was not a barrier for this aspect of tobacco-free workplace program implementation when resources and clinician training sessions were provided.

Acromioclavicular Joint Stabilisation Using the Internal Brace Principle.

INTRODUCTION: Injury of the acromioclavicular joint (AC joint) is one of the most common conditions affecting the shoulder girdle in athletes, particularly in contact sports. It is generally agreed that surgical management provides superior outcomes in high-grade injuries (Rockwell Grades IV-VI), with nonoperative management preferred in low-grade injuries (Grades I-II). Controversy still exists regarding the optimal treatment for Grade III injuries, with various sources reporting quicker return to activity and reduced complications with nonoperative management, but superior long-term function and satisfaction in cases managed surgically. Mean predicted return to sporting action in surgical cases varies in the literature from four months to 9.5 months.

Effects of a Tobacco-Free Work Site Policy on Employee Tobacco Attitudes and Behaviors, Travis County, Texas, 2010-2012.

BACKGROUND: The adoption of tobacco-free policies in behavioral health settings is an important step in reducing staff tobacco use as well as the high rates of tobacco use among people with mental illness and behavioral disorders. Studies have demonstrated the importance of staff support when implementing tobacco-free workplace policies, but there is limited research examining tobacco use prevalence among staff and staff attitude before and after policy adoption. COMMUNITY CONTEXT: Integral Care, a local authority for behavioral health and developmental disabilities in Austin, Texas, and Austin Public Health embarked on a comprehensive planning process before implementing a 100% tobacco-free campus policy. The objectives were 1) assess staff tobacco use and attitudes toward a tobacco-free policy, 2) communicate policy to staff, 3) provide staff education and training, and 4) provide cessation resources. METHODS: Integral Care and Austin Public Health conducted a web-based employee survey 6 months before and 6 and 12 months after implementation of the policy to measure tobacco use prevalence and attitudes among employees. OUTCOME: Employees had significant improvements in tobacco use prevalence and attitudes toward the tobacco-free policy from pre-implementation to post-implementation. Tobacco use prevalence among staff decreased from 27.6% to 13.8%, and support for the policy increased from 60.6% to 80.3% at 12 months post-implementation. INTERPRETATION: Adoption of 100% tobacco-free campus policies in behavioral health settings can result in significant reductions in staff tobacco use. Leadership should provide staff with education, training, and cessation support before adoption of tobacco-free work site policies to ensure success.

Increased trends in the use of treatment-limiting decisions in a regional neurosurgical unit.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment-limiting decisions (TLDs) are employed to actively withhold treatment from patients whom clinicians feel would derive no benefit or suffer detrimental effects from further intervention. The use of such decisions has been heavily discussed in the media and clinicians in the past have been reluctant to institute them, even though it is in the best interests of the patients. Their use is influenced by several ethical, religious and social factors all of which have changed significantly over time. This study reports the trends in use of TLDs in a regional neurosurgical unit over 23 years. METHODS: Patient archives were reviewed to identify the number of admissions and procedures performed at the Institute of Neurological Sciences, Glasgow, in the years 1988, 1997 and 2011. Death certificate records were used to identify mortality in the unit in the year 2011. Patient records were used to obtain details of diagnosis, time from admission to death, and the presence and timing of a TLD. RESULTS: The results show an increase in the use of TLDs, with decisions made for 89% of those who died in 2011, compared to 68% in 1997 and 51% in 1988. The number of admissions has increased substantially since 1988 as has the percentage of patients undergoing surgery (46, 67 and 72% in 1988, 1997 and 2011, respectively). CONCLUSION: There is a trending increase in the number of patients who have a TLD in our regional neurosurgical unit. This demonstrates an increased willingness of clinicians to recognise poor prognosis and to withdraw or withhold treatment in these cases. Continued appropriate use of the TLD is recommended but it is to only ever reflect the best interests of the patient.

Addressing Tobacco Use Among Consumers and Staff at Behavioral Health Treatment Facilities Through Comprehensive Workplace Programming.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States; cigarette smoking is the most common form of tobacco use. Smoking has become increasingly concentrated among individuals with behavioral health needs (e.g., persistent mental illness) and has led to increased morbidity and mortality in this group relative to the general population. Comprehensive tobacco-free workplace programs are effective in reducing tobacco use and cigarette smoke exposure among behavioral health consumers and the individuals who serve them. Taking Texas Tobacco-Free (TTTF) represents an academic-community partnership formed to address tobacco use among consumers and employees at behavioral health clinics across Texas via the dissemination of an evidence-based, multicomponent tobacco-free workplace program. Program components of TTTF include tobacco-free campus policy implementation and enforcement, staff education about tobacco use hazards, provider training to regularly screen for and address tobacco dependence via intervention, and community outreach. These components, the nature of the academic-community partnership, the process of behavioral health facility involvement and engagement, and the benefits and challenges of implementation from the perspectives of the project team and participating clinic leaders are described. This information can guide similar academic and community partnerships and inform the implementation of other statewide tobacco-free workplace programming.

Knotless Repair of Achilles Tendon Rupture in an Elite Athlete: Return to Competition in 18 Weeks.

Rupture of the Achilles tendon is an increasingly common injury, particularly in physically active males, and current evidence favors minimally invasive surgical repair. We describe the case of a 36-year-old male elite bobsled athlete with complete rupture of the Achilles tendon. He was treated with surgical repair of the ruptured tendon using an innovative, minimally invasive procedure based on an internal bracing concept and was able to undergo early mobilization and aggressive physiotherapy rehabilitation. His recovery was such that he returned to training at 13 weeks postoperatively and participated in an international competition at 18 weeks, winning a World Cup silver medal. He subsequently raced at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games at 29 weeks after surgery. At >2 years since his injury, he has experienced no complications or reinjury. This represents an exceptional recovery that far exceeds the standard expected for such injuries. The use of this technique for athletes could enable accelerated return to sporting activity and attainment of their preinjury activity levels.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair with Internal Brace Ligament Augmentation.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using tendon or ligament autograft is the gold standard surgical treatment for acute ruptures; however, this is still associated with subsequent problems and variable outcomes. Renewed interest in healing of injured ACL tissue has led to new surgical repair techniques. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of one of the first patients to undergo this novel procedure of ACL repair with internal bracing. An internal brace is a bridging concept using braided suture tape and knotless bone anchors to reinforce ligament strength. We followed the case of one of the first patients to undergo this technique over two years post-operatively. OUTCOMES: In this case, we present a good functional outcome along with radiographic and arthroscopic evidence of a healed ACL with normal appearance. The successful application of this technique has been demonstrated. DISCUSSION: ACL repair techniques are re-emerging as a promising treatment option for acute proximal ruptures. Repair of the ACL can be performed successfully and has the advantage of retaining the natural proprioceptive fibres of the ligament. The internal brace acts as a secondary stabiliser after repair, which may allow accelerated rehabilitation and return to sports, whilst resisting injury recurrence when this is possible. CONCLUSIONS: Repair with internal bracing of the ACL provides an unobtrusive support which allows accelerated recovery. In this case, we demonstrate with radiographic and arthroscopic evidence, a robustly healed ACL after repair with internal bracing. Functional outcomes are excellent over two years following surgery and long term; retained proprioception may prevent re-injury and development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

Outcomes of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Independently Tensioned Suture Tape Augmentation at 5-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction using autograft remains the gold standard surgical treatment for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. However, up to 10% to 15% of patients will suffer a graft failure in the future. Cadaveric studies have demonstrated that the addition of suture tape augmentation to ACL autograft constructs can increase graft strength and reduce elongation under cyclical loading. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes and rerupture rates after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) with suture tape augmentation. We hypothesized that augmentation with suture tape would lead to lower rerupture rates. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Patients undergoing primary ACLR using hamstring or patellar tendon autografts augmented with suture tape between 2015 and 2019 were recruited prospectively. Patients with multiligament injuries or a concomitant lateral extra-articular procedure were excluded. Patients were observed in person for 6 months, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected at 2 and 5 years postoperatively. All patients were contacted, and records were reviewed to determine the incidence of graft failure. PROMs collected were as follows: Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12), Tegner and Marx activity scores, and visual analog scale for pain (VAS). RESULTS: A total of 97 patients, with a mean age of 34.7 (±13.4) years, were included (76% men; 52 hamstring and 45 patellar tendon grafts). The mean graft diameter was 8 (±1) mm. There was 1 rerupture (1.1%) out of the 90 patients who were contactable at a mean of 5 years postoperatively. Median KOOS scores at 2 years were as follows: Pain, 94; Symptoms, 86; Activities of Daily Living, 99; Sport and Recreation, 82; and Quality of Life, 81. The postoperative scores were significantly higher than the preoperative scores (P < .001). The VR-12 Physical score improved from 43 preoperatively to 55 at 2 years and remained at 56 at 5 years. The VAS pain, Tegner, and Marx scores were 0, 6, and 9, respectively, at 2 years postoperatively. There was no difference in PROMs between graft types. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates encouraging results of suture tape augmentation of autograft ACLR for both hamstring and patellar tendon grafts. The failure rate of 1.1% at a mean follow-up of 5 years is lower than published rates for reconstruction, and PROMs results are satisfactory. The technique is safe to use and may permit a return to the preinjury sporting level with a lower chance of reinjury.

Standardising the clinical assessment of coronal knee laxity.

Clinical laxity tests are used for assessing knee ligament injuries and for soft tissue balancing in total knee arthroplasty. This study reports the development and validation of a quantitative technique of assessing collateral knee laxity through accurate measurement of potential variables during routine clinical examination. The hypothesis was that standardisation of a clinical stress test would result in a repeatable range of laxity measurements. Non-invasive infrared tracking technology with kinematic registration of joint centres gave real-time measurement of both coronal and sagittal mechanical tibiofemoral alignment Knee flexion, moment arm and magnitude of the applied force were all measured and standardised. Three clinicians then performed six knee laxity examinations on a single volunteer using a target moment of 18 Nm. Standardised laxity measurements had small standard deviations (within 1. 1 degree) for each clinician and similar mean values between clinicians, with the valgus laxity assessment (mean of 3 degrees) being slightly more consistent than varus (means of 4 degrees or 5 degrees). The manual technique of coronal knee laxity assessment was successfully quantified and standardised, leading to a narrow range of measurements (within the accuracy of the measurement system). Minimising the subjective variables of clinical examination could improve current knowledge of soft tissue knee behaviour.

Effects of social influence and implementation climate and leadership on nurse-led early mobility behaviours in critical care.

INTRODUCTION: Early mobility (EM), initiating and advancing physical activity in the earliest days of critical illness, has been described as the most difficult component of the ABCDEF bundle to implement and coordinate. Successful implementation of EM in clinical practice requires multiple targeted implementation strategies. OBJECTIVE: Describe the associations of nurses' EM attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, intention, and implementation climate and leadership with self-reported and documented EM behaviour in the intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN: This was a two-site, descriptive, cross-sectional study to explore nurses' perception of the factors influencing EM adherence. SETTING: Three ICUs (medical, surgical and cardiovascular) in an academic medical centre and two ICUs (medical/surgical and cardiovascular) in a regional medical centre in middle Tennessee. PATIENTS: Critically ill adults. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A 34-item investigator-developed survey, Implementation Leadership Scale, and Implementation Climate Scale were administered to ICU nurses. Survey development was informed by a Theory of Planned Behavior based elicitation study and implementation science frameworks. RESULTS: The academic medical centre had markedly lower EM documentation. We found no difference in nurses' EM attitudinal beliefs, social influence, facilitators, and barriers at both sites. Nurses perceived moderate social influence to perform EM similarly across sites and considerable control over their ability to perform EM. We did note site differences for implementation climate and leadership and objective EM adherence with the regional community medical centre demonstrating statistically significant relationships of implementation climate and leadership with self-report and documented EM behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: We identified contextual differences in implementation climate and leadership influence when comparing nurse EM behaviours. Streamlined documentation, leadership advocacy for interprofessional coordination and manpower support, and multicomponent context-based implementation strategies could contribute to better EM adherence.

Posterior cruciate ligament repair with suture tape augmentation: a case series with minimum 2-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is an important stabilizer of the knee and can be damaged in up to 20% of ligamentous injuries. Numerous techniques for surgical treatment have been described in the literature with none shown to be clearly superior. The aim of this study was to assess the 2-year outcomes of PCL repair with suture tape augmentation. METHODS: Seventeen patients undergoing PCL repair with suture tape augmentation were prospectively followed up for a minimum of two years. One patient was lost to follow-up leaving sixteen patients in the final analysis (94.1%). Indications for this procedure were acute Grade III PCL ruptures, symptomatic chronic tears and PCL tears as part of a multi-ligament injury. Exclusion criteria were patients with retracted PCL remnants or poor tissue quality. Patient-reported outcomes were measured using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS-pain), Veterans RAND 12 Item Health Survey (VR-12) and Marx Activity Scale. Patients with any postoperative complications were identified. Mean differences between the outcomes pre-operatively and at two years postoperatively were evaluated using paired t-tests with significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean KOOS at 2 years was 87.0, 75.5, 93.0, 69.6 and 54.2 for pain, symptoms, ADL, sport/recreation and QOL respectively. These improved significantly from 60.2, 49.8, 65.0, 33.0 and 34.2 preoperatively (p < 0.05). The mean WOMAC scores at 2 years were 91.0, 78.3 and 93.0 for pain, stiffness and function respectively. These improved significantly from 63.0, 51.7 and 65.0 preoperatively (p < 0.01). The VAS score improved from 3.0 to 0.8 (p < 0.01) and the VR-12 score improved from 34.9 to 50.9 at 2 years (p < 0.001). However, the Marx activity scale decreased from 8.7 pre-injury to 6.3 at 2 years (N.S.). One patient (6.3%) suffered a re-rupture. CONCLUSION: PCL repair with suture tape augmentation demonstrates satisfactory patient reported outcome measures at minimum 2-year follow-up. These figures compare favorably with success rates described in the literature for PCL reconstruction techniques. Therefore, PCL repair with suture tape augmentation is an effective treatment option in selected patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Autograft With Suture Tape Augmentation.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee, with injury usually occurring as a result of multidirectional sports. The incidence of ACL injury has continued to increase, with most patients opting for surgery to improve stability as well as permit a return to sport. Traditional methods of ACL reconstruction can achieve this but are not without their problems, including graft rupture, residual laxity, and donor-site morbidity. There is therefore a requirement for further research into newer, innovative surgical techniques to help improve complication rates. This article describes, with video illustration, ACL reconstruction using a reduced-size bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft with suture tape augmentation. The augmentation acts as a stabilizer during the early stages of graft incorporation while resisting against reinjury during an accelerated recovery. The ability to use a reduced-size graft decreases the donor-site burden, and retention of residual native ACL tissue, when possible, may help with proprioception.

Stabilisation of pathological humerus fractures using cement augmented plating: A case series.

The humerus is the second most common long bone for metastatic tumours. These lesions result in weakened bone architecture and increased fracture risk with patients suffering pain, loss of function and diminished quality of life, often when life expectancy is short. Fractures or impending fractures require surgical stabilisation to relieve pain and restore function for the remainder of the patient's life without the need for further surgery. Conventional management of these lesions in the humerus is intramedullary nailing, however there are issues with this technique, particularly regarding rigidity of fixation. Advances in contoured locking plates have led to the development of different stabilisation techniques. The preferred technique in our regional oncology unit is curettage of the tumour and plating, augmented with cement to fill the defect and restore the structural morphology. In this case series we evaluate the survivorship of the construct and the clinical outcomes in patients who had an established or prospective pathological humeral fracture treated with curettage and cement augmented plating, since 2010. We identified 19 patients; 17 had metastasis and 2 myeloma of whom 15 had established fractures and four impending. The mean age at surgery was 69 years (51-86), and mean time since surgery 3.2 years. Overall mean follow up time was 20 months with 14 patients deceased and 5 surviving. There was 100% survivorship of the construct with no mechanical failures and no re-operations. There were no post-operative wound complications. Excellent early pain control was achieved in 18 patients with one experiencing pain controlled by analgesia. Function was assessed using Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) and was satisfactory; mean 79/100 (range 72-85). Cement augmented plating for pathological humerus fractures is a suitable alternative to intramedullary nailing and addresses several of the concerns with that technique. It provides immediate rigidity and allows early unrestricted function.

Combined Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair and Anterolateral Ligament Internal Brace Augmentation: Minimum 2-Year Patient-Reported Outcome Measures.

BACKGROUND: The anterolateral ligament (ALL) contributes to anterolateral rotational stability of the knee. Internal bracing of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and ALL reinforces the ligaments and encourages natural healing by protecting both during the healing phase and supporting early mobilization. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: To assess the 2-year patient-reported outcomes of combined ACL repair and ALL internal brace augmentation. We hypothesized that significant improvements in outcomes would be seen. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A total of 43 consecutive patients with acute proximal ACL ruptures were prospectively evaluated for a minimum of 2 years. The mean age at the time of surgery was 25.7 years (range, 13-56 years). Indications for the combined ACL/ALL procedure were associated Segond fractures, grade 3 pivot shift, or high levels of sporting activity. Patients with chronic ruptures or with multiligament injuries were excluded. The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12), and Marx activity scale were collected preoperatively and at 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Patients with any postoperative complications were identified at the time of this analysis. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 44.8 months. Five patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 38 patients (88.4%) in the final analysis. The mean KOOS for Pain, Symptoms, Activities of Daily Living, Sport/Recreation, and Quality of Life improved from a respective 64.9, 58.6, 75.0, 33.7, and 28.9 preoperatively to 91.1, 81.8, 96.1, 82.8, and 74.3 at the 2-year follow-up (P < .0001). The mean WOMAC scores for pain, stiffness, and function improved from 77.5, 65.3, and 75.0 preoperatively to 94.6, 88.6, and 96.0 at the 2-year follow-up (P < .0001). The VAS pain score improved from 3.4 preoperatively to 0.7 at the 2-year follow-up, and the VR-12 physical score improved from 34.4 preoperatively to 52.7 at the 2-year follow-up (P < .0001 for both ). However, the Marx activity score decreased from 13.3 preinjury to 10.6 at the 2-year follow-up (P = .01). Two patients (5.3%) sustained a rerupture. CONCLUSION: Combined ACL repair and ALL internal brace augmentation demonstrated excellent outcomes in 94.7% of the study patients. Based on our experience with this cohort as well as our isolated ACL repair data, we suggest that high-risk patients with ACL ruptures have an additional ALL procedure to provide rotational stability.

Anterior Talofibular Ligament Repair With Suture Tape Augmentation.

The most common injury sustained to the ankle ligaments is a result of inversion of the foot. This mechanism results in injury to the anterior talofibular ligament alone or in conjunction with the calcaneofibular ligament and posterior talofibular ligament. Patients experiencing recurrent ankle sprains despite nonoperative measures often require surgical management. Recent focus has been on augmentation procedures to improve the stability of a lateral ankle ligament repair by protecting it during the healing phase and supporting early mobilization. This article describes, with video illustration, anterior talofibular ligament repair with suture tape augmentation.