Delaying anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction for more than 3 or 6 months results in lower risk of revision surgery.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to investigate the risk of revision surgery when delaying anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) past 3 months or 6 months after injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30,280 patients with isolated ACLR were identified in the Danish Knee Ligament Reconstruction Registry and divided into four groups; ACLR < 3 months, > 3 months, < 6 months, or > 6 months after injury. Primary outcome was revision surgery and secondary outcome were objective and subjective clinical outcome. The 2 year relative risk, crude, and adjusted hazard ratio (HR) were calculated. RESULTS: Comparing ACLR < 3 months to ACLR > 3 months of injury the 2 year relative risk of revision surgery was found to be 1.81 (95% CI 1.46-2.23; P < 0.001) with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.27 (95% CI 1.12-1.44; P < 0.001). Comparing ACLR < 6 months to ACLR > 6 months of injury the 2 year relative risk of revision surgery was found to be 1.61 (95% CI 1.34-1.92; P < 0.001) with an adjusted HR of 1.27 (95% CI 1.15-1.40; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The risk of revision ACLR surgery was found to be increased when ACLR was performed within 3 months or 6 months of injury compared with later surgery. The 1 year postoperative objective knee laxity and the subjective patient-related outcome was found to be without a clinically significant difference; however, those with early ACLR (< 3 months or < 6 months) were found to have a higher activity level 1 year postoperatively. The information about increased risk of revision when having early surgery should be informed to patients when deciding timing of ACLR treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Seven percent of primary anterior crucial ligament reconstruction patients have arthroscopic resection of cyclops lesions within 2 years: A cohort study of 2556 patients.

PURPOSE: After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R), a localised scar tissue called cyclops lesion may develop anterior to the graft causing knee extension deficits, pain, oedema, clicking and reduced knee function. This study determined the incidence of arthroscopic resection of a cyclops lesion within 2 years after ACL-R and investigated the associations of patient characteristics and surgical techniques with the need for arthroscopic resection of a cyclops lesion. METHODS: This study included patients who underwent primary ACL-R with adult surgical technique from 2005 to 2019 at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. The cohort was identified in a national registry. To identify patients who had resected a cyclops lesion within the first 2 years after ACL-R, patients' surgical records were reviewed. RESULTS: In 2005-2019, 2556 patients underwent primary ACL-R; 176 developed cyclops lesions that were resected within 2 years, equivalent to an incidence of 6.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.9-7.9). When stratified by the femoral drilling technique used, this incidence was 8.9% (95% CI: 7.7-10.3) with the anteromedial technique and 1.9% (95% CI: 1.0-3.1) with the transtibial technique. The incidence was 8.5% (95% CI: 6.8-10.3) in women and 5.7% (95% CI: 4.6-7.1) in men. Age, graft choice and the presence of cartilage or meniscal lesions did not affect the incidence. CONCLUSION: The overall incidence of a cyclops lesion removal within 2 years post-ACL-R was 6.9%. This was five times higher with the anteromedial femoral drilling technique than with the transtibial technique. Women had a 47% higher incidence of cyclops lesion removal than men. This is relevant for the surgeon when planning an ACL-R. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Single- or two-stage revision after failed ACL reconstruction: No differences in re-revision rates and clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: The surgeons' choice of a single-stage or a two-stage procedure in revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLr) is based on the possibility of reuse of the tibia and femoral bone tunnels after primary ACLr. The purpose of this study was to compare failure rates and clinical outcomes following single-stage and two-stage ACL revisions in a cohort of patients from The Danish Knee Ligament Reconstruction Registry. METHODS: Patients identified from 2005 to 2022 with ACL revision and met the following criteria: minimum 2-year follow-up, isolated ACL revision and registered single- or two-stage ACL revision. The primary outcome was ACL re-revision rate. Secondary outcomes were arthrometer sagittal knee laxity (side-to-side difference) and pivot shift (rotational stability difference) evaluated at 1-year follow up. RESULTS: One thousand five hundred seventy-four ACL revisions were included in the study (1331 = single-stage and 243 = two stage). Baseline characteristics showed no difference in relation to age, gender, knee laxity, pivot shift, meniscus injury, cartilage damage or injury mechanism between the two groups. Significant differences were found in relation to the type of graft. No statistical difference in 2-years revision rates between single-stage group 2.79 (95% CI 2.03-3.84) and two-stage group 2.93 (95% CI 1.41-6.05) was found. No significant difference was seen in knee laxity and pivot shift between stage-groups at 1-year follow up. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in knee stability from baseline to 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: The present study found that ACL revision outcomes were similar in terms of rerevision rates and knee laxity for patients managed with a single- or a two-stage surgical strategy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

The Risk of Growth Disturbance Is Low After Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With a Femoral Growth Plate Sparing Technique.

Purpose: To evaluate radiological tibial and femoral length and axis growth disturbances, as well as clinical outcome in skeletal immature anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) patients treated with a femoral growth plate-sparing ACLR technique. Methods: Skeletally immature patients who underwent operation between 2013 to 2019 with ALCR using the femoral growth plate-sparing technique were investigated with follow-up after growth plate closure. The inclusion criteria were isolated ACL rupture in patients with open physis in the distal femur and proximal tibia seen at plain radiography. The minimum follow-up time was 29 months. Patients were evaluated with full extremity radiographs measuring limb length discrepancy and coronal knee alignment compared to contralateral leg, as well as clinical evaluation with Rolimeter measurements and the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee form (IKDC), and Tegner Activity Scale scores. Results: Sixty-five patients were examined with radiography, and 52 patients were assessed with clinical examination. The mean follow-up time was 68 (range, 29-148) months. No limb-length discrepancy (-0.65 mm [confidence interval {CI}, -2.21 to 0.92]) or angular deformity at tibia (-0.25° [CI, -0.78° to 0.28°]) was found. There was a small but statistically significant different angular deformity at the distal femur compared to the contralateral leg (-1.51° [CI, -2.31 to -0.72]) at follow-up. The side-to-side difference in knee laxity at follow-up was 2.4 mm. At follow-up the KOOS Sport, KOOS Quality of Life (QoL), IKDC, and Tegner scores were 80, 75, 86, and 5, respectively. Sixty-seven percent of the patients met the Patient Acceptable Symptom State, and 52% reported results exceeding the KOOS Sport MCID Level and 69% the KOOS QoL level. Conclusions: Femoral physis-sparing ALCR is associated with a low risk of alignment and length disturbances. The technique provides otherwise good subjective clinical outcome and knee stability. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Low-load exercises with concurrent blood flow restriction as rehabilitation for unspecific knee pain to a former American football player: A case report.

Former athlete, 30 years of age, suffered several months of moderate anterior knee pain during daily life activities where daily life activities such as negotiating stairs and lifting heavy objects were moderately painful. Magnetic resonance imaging showed normal meniscus and cruciate ligaments and no extra joint fluid. The patient was referred to a physiotherapist who introduced a strengthening program. Low-load resistance training with concurrent blood flow restriction can induce significant gains in maximal muscle strength and mass with minimal exacerbation of knee-joint pain. We describe the outcome of 12 weeks low-load resistance training with concurrent blood flow restriction as a rehabilitation method for anterior knee pain. The patient performed low-load resistance training with concurrent blood flow restriction for the lower limbs (goblet squat, single-leg knee extensions and flexions). After the low-load resistance training with concurrent blood flow restriction, the patient increased isometric knee extensor muscle strength (31%), single-leg hop test performance (23%), obtained clinically relevant improvements in patient-reported outcomes and was able to return to his usual high-loading training regime. Low-load resistance training with concurrent blood flow restriction seems promising to transition patients back to a healthy lifestyle of training and being physically active.

Similar outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in paediatric and adult populations: a 1-year follow-up of 506 paediatric operations in Denmark.

PURPOSE: To present 1-year results after all paediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions in Denmark (5.9 M inhabitants) for the 10½ year period, 1 July 2011 to 31 December 2021. METHODS: All children who had an ACL reconstruction were enrolled. They were asked to complete Pedi-IKDC preoperatively and at 1-year follow-up. Independent observers performed pivot shift test and instrumented laxity assessment preoperatively and at 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: The median age of the 506 children (47.2% girls) was 14.3 years (9.3-15.9). The Pedi-IKDC score increased from preoperatively 61.6 ± 15.8 (mean ± SD) to 85.9 ± 13.0 at 1-year follow-up (p < 0.0001). There were concomitant injuries (to meniscus and/or cartilage) in 49.9%, but these children had preoperative and follow-up Pedi-IKDC scores similar to the scores for children with isolated injury to ACL (n. s.). Instrumented anterior laxity was 4.3 ± 1.4 (mean ± SD) mm preoperatively and 1.4 ± 1.4 mm at follow-up (p < 0.0001). Preoperatively, 3% had no pivot shift whilst this was the case for 68% postoperatively (p < 0.0001). Twenty-five children (5.6%) had 4 mm instrumented laxity or more relative to the unoperated knee at follow-up. Two patients (0.4%) had an operatively treated deep infection, three (0.5%) were operated on for reduced range of motion and two (0.4%) had a revision ACL reconstruction. CONCLUSION: ACL reconstruction resulted in a clinically meaningful increase in Pedi-IKDC, an improved instrumented stability, a reduction in the grade of pivot shift and the complication rate was low at 1-year follow-up. The risk of graft insufficiency at 1-year follow-up was the same as in an adult population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

A comparison of multi-ligament reconstruction and isolated anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction at one year follow-up: results from the Danish Knee Ligament Reconstruction Registry.

INTRODUCTION: The Danish Knee Ligament Reconstruction Registry (DKRR) has monitored the outcomes of surgeries for multi-ligament knee injuries (MLKI) since 2005. This study aimed to compare the subjective clinical outcomes of patients who had undergone surgery after MLKI with those of patients who had received isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used patient-reported outcome scores at 1-year follow-up as the primary outcome and contains the outcome data of knee ligament surgeries retrieved from the DKRR. Clinical subjective outcomes and knee function were evaluated with Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) and Tegner Activity Scale (Tegner) scores. Demographic differences were examined using the Student's t-test and the chi-square test. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the data and adjust for potentially confounding factors. P-values < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 31,686 knee ligament surgeries were registered in the DKRR between 2005 and 2017, resulting in 1,160 multi-ligament patients and 28,843 isolated ACL patients. The mean age of the MLKI group was significantly higher than that of the isolated ACL group (33.2 years [95% CI 32.5-33.9] vs. 28.3 years [95% CI 28.1-28.4]). The adjusted KOOS Sport and Quality of Life (QoL) sub-scores and Tegner scores of the MLKI group significantly improved from the baseline to the 1-year follow-up (16.7 points [95%CI 12.8;20.6], 12.6 points [95%CI 9.6;15.6] and 1.76 points [95%CI 1.43;2.08], respectively). The KOOS Sport and QoL sub-scores of the isolated ACL group were significant and increased more than those of the MLKI group. No differences in the Tegner scores were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical reconstruction after multi-ligament knee injury resulted in significant subjective outcome improvements at 1- year follow-up. The KOOS Sport and QoL sub-scores of the isolated ACL group significantly increased compared to those of the MLKI group.

A high level of knee laxity after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction results in high revision rates.

PURPOSE: The literature indicates a lack of consensus on the correlation between knee laxity after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and subjective clinical outcomes and the need for revision surgery. Therefore, using high-volume registry data, this study aimed to describe the relationship between objective knee laxity after ACLR and subjective symptom and functional assessments and the need for revision surgery. The hypothesis was that greater postoperative knee laxity would correlate with inferior patient-reported outcomes and a higher risk for revision surgery. METHODS: In this study, 17,114 patients in the Danish knee ligament reconstruction registry were placed into three groups on the basis of objective side-to-side differences in sagittal laxity one year after surgery: group A (≤ 2 mm), Group B (3-5 mm) and Group C (> 5 mm). The main outcome measure was revision rate within 2 years of primary surgery, further outcome measures were the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) as well as Tegner activity score. RESULTS: The study found the risk for revision surgery was more than five times higher for Group C [hazard ratio (HR) = 5.51] than for Group A. The KOOS knee-related Quality of Life (QoL) sub-score exhibited lower values when comparing Groups B or C to Group A. In addition, the KOOS Function in Sport and Recreation (Sport/Rec) sub-score yielded lower values for groups B and C in comparison with Group A. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that increased post-operative sagittal laxity is correlated with an increased risk for revision surgery and might correlate with poorer knee-related QoL, as well as a decreased function in sports. The clinical relevance of the present study is that high knee laxity at 1-year follow-up is a predictor of the risk of revision surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Clinical outcomes after revision hip arthroscopy in patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) are inferior compared to primary procedures. Results from the Danish Hip Arthroscopy Registry (DHAR).

PURPOSE: As many as 10% of primary hip arthroscopies end up with a revision arthroscopy procedure when treating patients suffering from femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). In general, revision procedures are indicated because of residual impingement, but only a few studies present outcome data from revision hip arthroscopy after failed FAIS surgical treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes after revision hip arthroscopy in a FAIS cohort and compare outcomes with a primary FAIS hip arthroscopy cohort and describe potential causes of failure after the primary hip arthroscopy. It was hypothesized that subjective outcomes improve after revision hip arthroscopy although outcomes were expected to be inferior to primary hip arthroscopic outcomes. METHODS: Three-hundred and thirty-one arthroscopic revision hip FAIS patients were included from the Danish Hip Arthroscopy Registry (DHAR). Patient-related outcome measures (PROM's), Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Scores (HAGOS), Hip Sports Activity Scale (HSAS), EQ-5D and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain, were assessed in the study cohort prior to the primary procedure and at revision and at follow-up one year after the revision procedure. These data were compared with 4154 primary hip arthroscopic FAIS patients. RESULTS: One-year after revision surgery, mean follow-up (in months ± SD): 12.3 ± 1.6, significant improvements (p < 0.05) in all PROMs was demonstrated, but FAIS patients in the primary hip arthroscopic cohort demonstrated significantly higher outcomes, in all PROMs, when compared at one-year follow-up. Scar tissue, residual osseous impingement and insufficient healing of the labral repair were reported as the main reasons for revision surgery. The conversion to total hip arthroplasty was low (6.4%). CONCLUSION: Revision hip arthroscopy in FAIS patients improves subjective outcomes significantly, although they are poorer than after primary FAIS hip arthroscopy. Main reasons for revision arthroscopy was scar tissue, residual femoroacetabular impingement and insufficient healing of labral repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

High-volume image-guided injection in the chronic recalcitrant non-insertional patellar tendinopathy: a retrospective case series.

PURPOSE: To evaluate if High-volume Image-guided Injection (HVIGI)-treatment for chronic Patellar tendinopathy (PT) improve function and reduce pain at 16-months follow-up. METHODS: Patients with resistant PT who failed to improve after a three-month eccentric loading program were included in the study. Maximal tendon thickness was assessed with ultrasound. All patients were injected with 10 mL of 0.5% Marcaine, 0.5 mL Triamcinolonacetonid (40 mg/mL) and 40 mL of 0.9% NaCl saline solution under real-time ultrasound-guidance and high pressure. All outcome measures were recorded at baseline and at 16 months. A standardised Heavy Slow Resistance rehabilitation protocol was prescribed after HVIGI-treatment. Clinical outcome was assessed with the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Patella tendon questionnaire (VISA-P) and statistically analyses were performed. RESULTS: The study included 28 single treatment HVIGI procedures in PT in 23 patients (19 men, 4 women) with a mean age of 30.3 (range 19-52). The mean duration of symptoms before HVIGI was 33 months. The baseline VISA-P score of 43 ± 17 (range 15-76) improved to 76 ± 16 (range 42-95) after 16 months (p < 0.01). Of the 28 HVIGI procedures 12 patients (15 PT) were not satisfied after the initial HVIGI procedure. Of these, 5 patients (5 PT) had additional HVIGI, 2 patients (2 PT) had corticoid injection and 6 patients (8 PT) needed surgery. Of the remaining 11 patients (13 PT), 9 patients had more than a 13-point improvement in the VISA-P score after 16 months. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective case-study, only 9 patients (32%) did benefit of a single HVIGI treatment at 16-months and a 33-point significant improvement was seen on the VISA-P score.

The effect of high-volume image-guided injection in the chronic non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy: a retrospective case series.

PURPOSE: To evaluate if High-volume Image-guided Injection (HVIGI)-treatment for chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (AT) improve function and reduce pain at 12-months follow-up. METHODS: Patients with resistant mid-portion AT who failed to improve after a three-month eccentric loading program were included in the study. Maximal tendon thickness was assessed with ultrasound. All patients were injected with 10 mL of 0.5% Marcaine, 0.5 mL Triamcinolonacetonid (40 mg/mL) and 40 mL of 0.9% NaCl saline solution under real-time ultrasound-guidance and high pressure. All outcome measures were recorded at baseline and 12 months. A standardized eccentric rehabilitation protocol was prescribed after HVIGI-treatment. Clinical outcome was assessed with the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles tendon questionnaire (VISA-A) and statistically analyses were performed. RESULTS: The study included 30 single treatment HVIGI procedures in AT in 28 patients (23 men, 5 women) with a mean age of 45.1 (range 16-63). The mean duration of symptoms before HVIGI was 37 months. The baseline VISA-A score of 50 ± 15 (range 14-74) improved to 61 ± 21 (range 31-94) after 1 year (p = 0.04). Of the 30 AT procedures 10 patients (11 AT) were not satisfied after the initial HVIGI procedure. Of these, 8 patients (9 AT) needed additional HVIGI and two patients needed surgery. Of the remaining 18 patients (19 AT), 10 patients had more than a 10-point improvement in the VISA-A score after 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective case-study, only 10 patients (33%) did benefit of a single HVIGI treatment at 12-months and an 11-point significant improvement was seen at on the VISA-A score.

Effects of Autograft Types on Muscle Strength and Functional Capacity in Patients Having Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The effects of different autograft types for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) on muscle function are sparsely investigated in randomized controlled trials. Our aim was to investigate the effects of quadriceps tendon autograft (QTB) vs. semitendinosus-gracilis autograft (StG) on thigh muscle strength and functional capacity, and a patient-reported outcome 1 year after ACL-R, and to compare the results to healthy controls. METHODS: ACL-R patients (n = 100) and matched controls (CON, n = 50) were recruited, with patients being randomly assigned to QTB (n = 50) or StG (n = 50) ACL-R. One year after ACL-R, bilateral knee extensor (KE) and flexor (KF) muscle strength (isometric, dynamic, explosive, limb symmetry index [LSI], hamstring:quadriceps ratio [HQ ratio]) were assessed by isokinetic dynamometry, along with functional capacity (single leg hop distance [SHD]) and a patient-reported outcome (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] score). RESULTS: KE muscle strength of the operated leg was lower (9-11%) in QTB vs. StG as was KE LSI, while KF muscle strength was lower (12-17%) in StG vs. QTB as was KF LSI. HQ ratios were lower in StG vs. QTB. Compared with the controls, KE and KF muscle strength were lower in StG (10-22%), while KE muscle strength only was lower in QTB (16-25%). Muscle strength in the StG, QTB, and CON groups was identical in the non-operated leg. While SHD and IKDC did not differ between StG and QTB, SHD in both StG and QTB was lower than CON. The IKDC scores improved significantly 1 year following ACL-R for both graft types. CONCLUSION: One year after ACL-R, muscle strength is affected by autograft type, with StG leading to impairments of KE and KF muscle strength, while QTB results in more pronounced impairments of KE only. Functional capacity and patient-reported outcome were unaffected by autograft type, with the former showing impairment compared to healthy controls. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02173483.

A simple rehabilitation regime improves functional outcome in patients with patellafemoral pain after 12 month.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a 3-month multimodal intervention including patient education, a simple hip exercise program, footwear adjustment, and foot orthoses to reduce symptoms in patients with patellafemoral pain (PFP). METHODS: Patients were diagnosed based on a physical examination, patient symptoms and ruled out intra-articular knee pathologies by MRI. Patients were educated on PFP and participated in a 3-month exercise program; shoes with solid heel-caps were recommended, and custom made orthoses with arch support were recommended to patients with foot pronation. The Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS) and the pain numeric rating scale (NRS) were used to evaluate the outcomes of the intervention and collected at baseline, 3 and 12-months follow-ups. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients (age 18 years (9-32)) were included in a consecutive prospective cohort. The AKPS score improved from 71 ± 24 to 89 ± 9 (p < 0.01) at 12 months follow up. The NRS-rest and NRS-activity improved from 3 to 0 (p < 0.01) and 7 to 3 (p < 0.01) respectively. 78% of the patients clinically improved (i.e., demonstrated a > 10-point improvement (minimal clinically important difference (MCID))) considering the AKPS; and 76% and 73% clinically improved (i.e., demonstrated (MCID) a ≥ 2-point improvement) in their NRS-rest and NRS-activity, respectively. No patients experienced a decrease in their AKPS score or an increase in their NRS-rest and NRS-activity scores at 12-months. CONCLUSION: A 3-month PFP multimodal treatment strategy focusing on patient education, footwear adjustment, orthoses, and simple hip muscle exercises significantly improved functional outcomes and reduced pain at a 12 month follow-up.

Magnetic resonance imaging can increase the diagnostic accuracy in symptomatic meniscal repair patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate meniscal repair healing in symptomatic patients through combined clinical assessment, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and re-arthroscopy. This study investigated the diagnostic accuracy of MRI and clinical assessment in determining failed meniscal repair in symptomatic meniscal repair patients, as verified by re-arthroscopy. METHODS: Eighty patients were included. All had undergone a primary meniscal repair followed by an MRI and re-arthroscopy due to clinical symptoms of a meniscal lesion. A validated semi-quantitative scoring system was employed for identifying MRI-diagnosed healing failure. The clinical assessment was divided into joint swelling, joint-line tenderness, locking and a positive McMurray's test. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of MRI and positive clinical findings were calculated using second-look arthroscopy as a standard. RESULTS: The MRI results showed healing of 22 (27.5%) of the menisci and 58 (72.5%) unhealed menisci, whereas second-look arthroscopy identified 15 (19%) healed menisci and 65 (81%) unhealed menisci. The isolated MRI findings were 0.85, 0.8, 0.95 and 0.55 for sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV, respectively. The PPVs of the clinical assessments were 0.78, 0.85 and 0.94, with one, two and three clinical findings, respectively. A grade 3 MRI combined with joint-line tenderness presented a PPV of 0.98. CONCLUSION: A supplementary MRI will increase diagnostic accuracy when fewer than three clinical findings are present in a symptomatic meniscal repair patient. The clinical relevance of this finding is that MRI contributes to enhancing the diagnostic accuracy of an unhealed meniscal repair when there are limited clinical signs of meniscal pathology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Quadriceps tendon grafts does not cause patients to have inferior subjective outcome after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction than do hamstring grafts: a 2-year prospective randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: We performed a randomised controlled trial (RCT) in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction (ACLR) using either quadriceps tendon graft (QT) or semitendinosus/gracilis hamstring (STG) graft. We compared subjective outcome (primary outcome) and knee stability, donor site morbidity and function (secondary outcomes). METHODS: From 2013 to 2015, we included 99 adults with isolated ACL injuries in the RCT. Fifty patients were randomised to QT grafts and 49 to STG grafts and followed for 2 years. Patient evaluated outcomes were performed by subjective International Knee Documentation Committee, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Kujala and Tegner activity scores. Knee laxity was measured with a KT-1000 arthrometer. Donor site morbidity was evaluated by the 'donor site-related functional problems following ACLR score'. One-leg hop test tested limp strength symmetry. RESULTS: At 2-year follow-up, there was no difference between the two graft groups regarding subjective patient outcome, knee stability and reoperations. Also, at 2 years, donor site symptoms were present in 27% of patients in the QT group and 50% of patients in the STG group. The donor site morbidity score was 14 and 22 for the QT and STG, respectively. Hop test demonstrated lower limp symmetry for QT graft than STG graft of 91% and 97% respectively. CONCLUSION: QT graft for ACLR did not result in inferior subjective outcome compared with STG graft. However, QT graft was associated with lower donor site morbidity than STG grafts but resulted in more quadriceps muscle strength deficiency than hamstring grafts. Both graft types had similar knee stability outcome. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02173483.

Danish Hip Arthroscopy Registry: predictors of outcome in patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).

PURPOSE: Predictors of outcome after femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) surgery are not well-documented. This study presents data from the Danish Hip Arthroscopy Registry (DHAR) for such analyses. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of poor outcome after FAI surgery in a Danish FAI population. The primary hypothesis was that older patients, patients with severe cartilage damage and female patients might have inferior outcome results compared with younger patients, patients with minor cartilage damage and male patients. METHODS: Radiological and surgical data as well as patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) from FAI patients in DHAR between January 2012 and May 2015 were collected. PROMs consisting of Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS), quality of life (EQ-5D), Hip Sports Activity Scale (HSAS) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores were assessed. The patients were divided into three age groups (< 25, 25-39 and ≥ 40 years). Cartilage injuries were classified according to International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) (femoral side) and modified Becks (acetabular side) classifications. A non-parametric statistic method was used to analyze the differences between the preoperative and postoperative PROM values. RESULTS: Data from 2054 FAI procedures in DHAR was collected. 53% of the procedures were done in female patients. All HAGOS sub-scales, EQ-5D, HSAS and NRS pain (rest and walk) demonstrated significant improvements in all age groups at follow-up. Comparison between age groups demonstrated poorer outcomes in both older age groups when compared with the < 25 years age group at 1- and 2-year follow-ups. Higher degrees of femoral and acetabular cartilage injury did have a negative influence on outcome at follow-up. Comparison between genders demonstrated lower preoperative outcomes in females and lower outcome score (HSAS) 1 and 2 years after FAI surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Age above 25 and major cartilage injury might negatively affect the outcome of surgery, however, gender could not be identified as a negative predictor of clinical outcome after FAI surgery, but might negatively affect sports participation in females. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, prospective cohort study.

Allograft Use Results in Higher Re-revision Rate for Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The literature on revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) outcomes is generally sparse, but previous studies have demonstrated that autograft use results in improved sports function and patient-reported outcome measures compared with allograft. However, knowledge is still lacking regarding the impact of graft type on rates of re-revision. PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical outcomes and failure rates of revision ACLRs performed with either allograft or autograft. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A search of the Danish Knee Ligament Reconstruction Registry identified 1619 revision ACLRs: 1315 were autograft procedures and 221 were allograft procedures (type of graft was not identified for 83 procedures). Clinical outcomes after 1 year were reported via the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the Tegner activity score, and an objective knee stability measurement that determined side-to-side differences in instrumented sagittal knee laxity. Failure was determined as re-revision. Outcomes for revision were provided for the full life of the registry, up to 10 years. RESULTS: The re-revision rate was significantly higher for allograft compared with autograft (12.7% vs 5.4%; P < .001), leading to a hazard ratio for re-revision of 2.2 (95% CI, 1.4-3.4) for allografts compared with autografts when corrected for age. At 1-year follow-up, objective knee stability was significantly different (2.1 ± 2.1 mm for allograft vs 1.7 ± 1.8 mm for autograft; P = .01), and the KOOS subscale scores for symptoms, pain, activities of daily living, sports, and quality of life were 67, 76, 84, 49, and 46 for allograft and 67, 78, 84, 51, and 48 for autograft, respectively, with no difference between groups. CONCLUSION: In this observational population-based study, the ALCR re-revision rate was 2.2 times greater for allograft compared with autograft procedures. Allograft was associated with greater knee laxity at 1-year follow-up. However, subjective clinical outcomes and knee function were not inferior for allograft patients. These results indicate that autograft is a better graft choice for revision ALCR.

Both isolated and multi-ligament posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction results in improved subjective outcome: results from the Danish Knee Ligament Reconstruction Registry.

PURPOSE: There are few descriptions of outcomes after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction in the literature due to the rarity of this type of knee injury. Since 2005, the Danish Knee Ligament Reconstruction Registry (DKRR) has monitored outcomes of PCL reconstructions. This study describes the epidemiology of PCL reconstruction and subsequent outcomes in a Danish population. METHODS: Of 23,253 knee ligament reconstructions performed in 2005-2015, 581 were registered as PCL reconstructions in the DKRR. The types of reconstruction were classified as isolated (n = 237) or multi-ligament (n = 344), and the cause of injury and concomitant meniscus and cartilage injury data were extracted. The outcome at 1-year follow-up was based on the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Tegner activity level. The outcome data were compared with data on 21.820 primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions. RESULTS: Isolated PCL reconstruction was performed in 43% of cases. Meniscus lesions and cartilage lesions were seen in 19 and 15% of cases, respectively. The main causes of PCL injuries were sports (43%) and traffic accidents (33%). The KOOS improved from pre-operative to 1-year follow-up for both isolated PCL reconstructions and multi-ligament PCL reconstructions but did not reach the levels of those recorded in ACL reconstructions. Multi-ligament reconstructions showed the highest improvement in KOOS. The Tegner activity levels for isolated and multi-ligament PCL reconstructions were 4 (0-7) and 4 (0-8), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PCL reconstructions represented only 2.6% of all knee ligament reconstructions in Denmark. Sports and traffic accidents were the main causes of injury. Meniscus and cartilage injuries were less frequent in PCL injuries as compared to ACL injuries. Isolated PCL and multi-ligament PCL reconstructions showed significant improvements in subjective outcomes but did not reach those observed in ACL reconstructions. Patients should be counselled about expected outcomes after PCL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.