Patterns of presentation and early treatment outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament injury at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

The purpose of this study was to determine the patterns of presentation and early treatment outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament tears at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study in which the details of all anterior cruciate ligament injuries seen from January 2014 to December 2018 in our facility were noted. The bio-demographic details of the patients were noted as well as the side of the injury, mechanism of injury, type of sporting activity patient was engaged in at the time of injury and the early outcome of treatment of the patients were noted. A total of 19,707 new orthopaedic and musculoskeletal trauma cases were seen in the period. The overall hospital period prevalence rate of anterior cruciate ligament injury in the period was 3.6 per 1000 patients with a gender-specific prevalence rates of 5.7 per 1000 and 1.6 per 1000 for male and female patients respectively. The mean time between injury and presentation was 16 (±21) months with a range of 1-120 months. The commonest aetiology of anterior cruciate ligament injury was non-contact injury during sporting activities. There was a greater involvement of the young and active population in this injury. Sports and road traffic crash related injuries were the commonest injury aetiology in our environment. The early treatment outcomes revealed a significant improvement of the post-operative functional knee scores over the pre-operative functional knee scores.

Association of Quadriceps Strength Symmetry and Surgical Status With Clinical Osteoarthritis Five Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the association of quadriceps strength symmetry and surgical status (anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] reconstruction or nonoperative management) with early clinical knee osteoarthritis (OA) 5 years after ACL injury or reconstruction. METHODS: In total, 204 of 300 athletes were analyzed 5 years after ACL injury or reconstruction. Quadriceps strength was measured and reported as a limb symmetry index. We identified participants with early clinical knee OA using the criteria that 2 of 4 Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales score ≤85%. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) using logistic regression and adjusted for age, sex, meniscal injury, and body mass index to examine the associations of quadriceps strength and surgical status with clinical knee OA. RESULTS: In all, 21% of participants met the KOOS criteria for clinical knee OA. For every 1% increase in quadriceps limb symmetry index, there was a 4% lower odds of clinical OA (adjusted OR [ORadj ] 0.96 [95% CI 0.93-0.99]) at 5 years. Surgical status was not associated with clinical knee OA (ORadj 0.58 [95% CI 0.23-1.50]). CONCLUSION: More symmetric quadriceps strength, but not surgical status, 5 years after ACL injury or reconstruction was associated with lower odds of clinical knee OA.

Prevalence of Early Knee Osteoarthritis Illness Among Various Patient-Reported Classification Criteria After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of participants meeting different patient-reported criteria for early osteoarthritis (OA) illness after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). METHODS: Participants completed the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS) at a single time point 5.0-7.9 months post-ACLR. We used established KOOS subscale criteria (i.e., Luyten original and Englund original) to define patient-reported early OA illness. A two-by-two contingency table and McNemar's test were used to compare the prevalence of participants who met the Luyten original versus Englund original KOOS criteria for early OA illness. These analyses were repeated using KOOS subscale thresholds based on established population-specific patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) within the Luyten and Englund KOOS criteria (i.e., Luyten PASS and Englund PASS). RESULTS: A greater prevalence of participants with ACLR met the Luyten original criteria (n = 165 [54%]) compared to those who met the Englund original criteria (n = 128 [42%]; χ2  = 19.3, P < 0.001). When using the KOOS subscale PASS as thresholds, a significantly greater prevalence of participants with ACLR met the Luyten PASS criteria (n = 133 [43%]) compared to those who met the Englund PASS criteria (n = 85 [28%]; χ2  = 48.0, P < 0.001). When combining the Luyten and Englund KOOS criteria and using the original/PASS subscale thresholds, respectively, 40%/57% of participants met neither, 24%/15% met only 1, and 36%/28% met both KOOS criteria. CONCLUSION: Regardless of the classification criteria used to define early OA illness, it is concerning that 28-54% of patients report considerable symptoms ~6 months post-ACLR. Our findings will improve the classification criteria to define early OA illness, which may raise awareness for the need of population-specific criteria.

ACL Reconstruction Delay in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients Is Associated with a Progressive Increased Risk of Medial Meniscal Tears.

BACKGROUND: We sought to investigate the relationship between the time from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear to the surgical procedure and meniscal tears in the pediatric and adolescent population. METHODS: Patients who were ≤18 years of age and had undergone an ACL reconstruction from 2006 to 2018 were identified in a retrospective, multicenter cohort. The primary outcomes were arthroscopically confirmed medial meniscal or lateral meniscal tears specifically and, in general, if any meniscal tear was present (medial and/or lateral). A multivariable Poisson regression model was used to determine whether the time from the injury to the surgical procedure was a risk factor for subsequent meniscal injury, after controlling for sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). Multivariable Poisson regression was also used to characterize associations of age, sex, and BMI with meniscal injury. RESULTS: In this study, 546 patients with a mean age (and standard deviation) of 15.3 ± 1.6 years were identified. For each week that the surgical procedure was delayed, there was a 2% increased risk of a medial meniscal tear (adjusted relative risk [ARR], 1.02 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01 to 1.03]). The weekly increase in risk of a medial meniscal injury was significant for male patients (ARR, 1.03 [95% CI, 1.01 to 1.05]), but not for female patients (ARR, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.97 to 1.04]), even though the effect modification was not significant (p = 0.24). Obese male patients had a 77.9% increased risk of medial meniscal tear for each 10-week delay (p < 0.001). The use of crutches was associated with a decreased risk of medial meniscal tears (ARR, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.34 to 0.64]). CONCLUSIONS: In pediatric and adolescent patients, the risk of meniscal injury is substantial after an ACL tear. A delay from the injury to the surgical procedure was associated with a 3% weekly increased risk of medial meniscal injury for male patients, but not for female patients. The increased risk of medial meniscal injury with delays to the surgical procedure was particularly high for obese male patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Association Between Knee Alignment and Meniscal Tear in Pediatric Patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate the association between elapsed time from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to surgical treatment and the incidence of meniscal tears in a cohort of patients ≤16 years old with varus-aligned and non-varus-aligned knees. METHODS: The study cohort included 123 patients ≤16 years old who underwent primary ACL reconstruction between January 2016 and March 2020. Knee alignment was expressed as the hip-knee-ankle angle (HKAA), as measured preoperatively on an anteroposterior view of 3-dimensional computed tomography of the full length of the lower limb. Varus alignment was defined as an HKAA ≥181.0°, and non-varus alignment was defined as an HKAA <181.0°. Patients were divided into groups according to knee alignment and the elapsed time from injury to surgical treatment: early-treatment group (<60 days) and delayed-treatment group (≥60 days). RESULTS: A total of 64 varus-aligned and 59 non-varus-aligned knees were identified. Among patients with varus-aligned knees, those in the delayed-treatment group showed a significantly lower rate of lateral meniscal tears (6 of 30, 20%) compared with those in the early-treatment group (17 of 34, 50%; p = 0.015). Among patients with non-varus-aligned knees, there was no significant difference in meniscal tears of any type between the early and delayed-treatment groups. Among patients without medial meniscal injury identified on initial magnetic resonance imaging, those with varus-aligned knees in the delayed-treatment group showed a significantly higher rate of medial meniscal tears at the time of the surgical procedure (8 of 20, 40%) compared with those with non-varus-aligned knees (1 of 18, 6%; p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed ACL reconstruction in patients ≤16 years old with varus-aligned knees might be associated with an increased incidence of secondary medial meniscal tears. Accordingly, earlier ACL reconstruction in patients with varus-aligned knees should be considered. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Clinical, Functional, and Physical Activity Outcomes 5 Years Following the Treatment Algorithm of the Delaware-Oslo ACL Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries can be treated with or without ACL reconstruction (ACLR), and more high-quality studies evaluating outcomes after the different treatment courses are needed. The purpose of the present study was to describe and compare 5-year clinical, functional, and physical activity outcomes for patients who followed our decision-making and treatment algorithm and chose (1) early ACLR with preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation, (2) delayed ACLR with preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation, or (3) progressive rehabilitation alone. Early ACLR was defined as that performed ≤6 months after the preoperative rehabilitation program, and late ACLR was defined as that performed >6 months after the preoperative rehabilitation program. METHODS: We included 276 patients from a prospective cohort study. The patients had been active in jumping, pivoting, and cutting sports before the injury and sustained a unilateral ACL injury without substantial concomitant knee injuries. The patients chose their treatment through a shared decision-making process. At 5 years, we assessed the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC-SKF), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Marx Activity Rating Scale, sports participation, quadriceps muscle strength, single-legged hop performance, and new ipsilateral and contralateral knee injuries. RESULTS: The 5-year follow-up rate was 80%. At 5 years, 64% of the patients had undergone early ACLR, 11% had undergone delayed ACLR, and 25% had had progressive rehabilitation alone. Understandably, the choices that participants made differed by age, concomitant injuries, symptoms, and predominantly level-I versus level-II preinjury activity level. There were no significant differences in any clinical, functional, or physical activity outcomes among the treatment groups. Across treatment groups, 95% to 100% of patients were still active in some kind of sports and 65% to 88% had IKDC-SKF and KOOS scores above the threshold for a patient acceptable symptom state. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ACL injury who were active in jumping, pivoting, and cutting sports prior to injury; who had no substantial concomitant knee injuries; and who followed our decision-making and treatment algorithm had good 5-year knee function and high sport participation rates. Three of 4 patients had undergone ACLR within 5 years. There were no significant differences in any outcomes among patients treated with early ACLR, delayed ACLR, or progressive rehabilitation alone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Graft Preference Most Dependent on Patient Age: A Survey of United States Surgeons.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to define the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) graft preference of surgeons and to explore factors associated with their predilection. METHODS: A 15-question survey regarding ACLR graft preference in various situations was completed by 514 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Association of North America surgeons. Surgeon and practice demographics, along with various patient factors, were evaluated with bivariate and multivariable models for association with surgeon preference. Surgeons were also queried about their preference for their own ACLR. For surgeons who personally sustained an ACL, an additional 6 questions inquired about their experience. RESULTS: Surgeons reported the 5 most important factors in patient graft choice, in order: patient age, graft failure in literature and practice, pivot sport, and patient preference. Autograft patellar and quadriceps tendon were strongly preferred for younger, pivoting athletes (P < .001), among those with fellowship training (47% vs 33%, P = .006), in academic practices (52% vs 44%, P = .003), and in more sports medicine-specific practices, with a higher number of ACLRs performed per year (P < .001). Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, and Southwest surgeons had lower hamstring autograft preference (P < .001). Non-fellowship-trained surgeons preferred hamstring autograft (P = .010). Allograft was preferred for older patients (P < .001). Nonsignificant predictors included highest level of athlete for whom an ACLR had been performed, level of athlete serving as team physician, and years in practice. No factors were associated with surgeon preference for their own ACLR despite deeming these factors important for patients. ACL tears were reported by 13% of respondents, with 86% stating it influenced their decision to enter orthopaedics. CONCLUSIONS: Patient age was the most important factor in graft choice, with patellar and quadriceps tendon autograft the preferred graft for ACLR for younger, pivoting athletes. Fellowship training and practice demographics were also correlated with graft choice for patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Graft preference for ACLR varies among surgeons and is associated with surgeon experience and patient characteristics, including patient age, type of sport, and patient preference.

Delayed anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction increases the incidence of medial meniscal bucket handle tears and medial compartment chondral injuries in patients aged 40 years and older.

INTRODUCTION: No widely accepted evidence-based indications exist for the initial surgical management of patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries ≥ 40 years old, and treatment for these patients remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the association between elapsed time from ACL injury to surgery and the incidence of meniscal tears and chondral injury in patients aged ≥ 40 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction were divided into two groups based on elapsed time from injury to surgery: early group, < 12 months; and delayed group, ≥ 12 months. Patient records were reviewed for incidence and types of meniscal tears and chondral injuries in each group. Chondral injury grades were evaluated with International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) Criteria. RESULTS: This study evaluated 67 knees in the early group and 33 knees in the delayed group. Mean ages in each group were 46.9 ± 6.5 and 46.9 ± 6.0. The delayed group showed significantly higher rates of medial meniscal tear [31 of 33, 93.9% vs 29 of 67, 43.3%; P < 0.0001; odds ratio (OR), 20.31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.49-91.9], medial femoral condyle chondral injuries ≥ ICRS grade II (15 of 33, 45.5% vs 8 of 67, 11.9%; P < 0.001; OR, 6.15; 95% CI 2.24-16.83), and medial tibial chondral injuries ≥ ICRS grade II (7 of 33, 21.2% vs 3 of 67, 4.5%; P < 0.05; OR, 5.74; 95% CI 1.38-23.9) compared with the early group. With respect to types of medial meniscal tear, the delayed group showed a significantly higher frequency of bucket handle tears (11 of 33, 33.3%) compared with the early group (2 of 67, 3.0%; P < 0.0001; OR, 16.25; 95% CI 3.34-79.1). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed ACL reconstruction was associated with increased incidence of chondral injuries and medial meniscal tears, particularly bucket handle tears in this cohort. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Epidemiology of patients with anterior cruciate ligament injuries undergoing reconstruction surgery in a multi-ethnic Asian population.

We conducted an epidemiological study to identify the demographics and pre-operative characteristics of patients undergoing primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in a multi-ethnic Asian population. A retrospective study was performed on 696 patients who registered in our ACL reconstruction registry from January 2013 to August 2016. Important inter-ethnic differences were found. Indian patients were significantly older compared to Malay and Chinese patients. Malay and Indian patients were more likely to be male, overweight, and obese compared to Chinese patients. Soccer was the predominant sport involved, although ethnic predominance in specific sports exists. Novel findings from this study include increased prevalence of concomitant chondral injuries in the Chinese population compared to Malays and Indians, and significantly higher rates of concomitant intra-articular injuries in soccer and basketball compared to netball. Identification of these high-risk subgroups would serve useful in guiding the formulation of prevention strategies within our multi-ethnic community.

Current State of Care for Pediatric ACL Ruptures in the Netherlands: A Survey.

The management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in the skeletally immature patient is an area of controversy. The purpose of this survey is to inventory the current state of care for pediatric ACL injuries in the Netherlands. This survey was conveyed by e-mail among all members of the Dutch Arthroscopy Society (Nederlandse Vereniging van Arthroscopie [NVA]) and promoted on the Web site of the NVA. It was developed by the scientific committee of the NVA by a consensus meeting discussing relevant topics in pediatric ACL injuries. All members of the NVA received the survey (n = 540). A total of 158 (29%) members responded to the survey, of which 143 were completed. A total of 126 responses were analyzed after exclusion. The main finding of this survey is that 78% of the respondents tend to treat children with open physes nonoperatively, while 65% tend to treat children with closed physes operatively. The most frequently performed procedure is the transphyseal reconstruction. Many considerations were involved in choosing operative treatment. The postoperative follow-up period varies from less than 1 year (24%) until fully grown (27%). In conclusion, this survey shows that the current state of care for pediatric ACL injuries is variable and a matter of debate in the Netherlands. Although the response rate seems low, this survey provides an overview of the opinions of specialized orthopaedic surgeons in the Netherlands. The results of this survey led to the development of the national registry for pediatric ACL in the Netherlands. The level of evidence for this study is V.

Trends of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children and young adolescents in Italy show a constant increase in the last 15 years.

PURPOSE: The aim of this 15-year nationwide study was to investigate the trend in ACL reconstructive surgeries in patients younger than 15 years old in Italy, as well as their social and economic impact. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National Hospital Discharge records (SDO) collected by the Italian Ministry of Health in the 15-year period between 2001 and 2015 were analyzed. This contains anonymous data including patients' age, gender, ICD-9-CM codes for diagnosis and intervention, census region, region of hospitalization, length of the hospitalization, and public or private reimbursement. RESULTS: 1,350 ACL reconstructions were performed in Italy in the population younger than 15 years old, with an incidence rate ranging from 0.16 to 2.04 procedures per 100,000 age-matched individuals. Similarly, the percentage of surgeries in 0-14 year old patients increased with respect to the total number of ACL reconstruction from 0.13% in 2001 to 0.95% in 2015. The age range 10-14 years is the most involved, accounting for 97.3% of surgeries recorded in the study period. The male:female ratio was 1.05 and most of these procedures were performed in the North of Italy (78.3%). CONCLUSION: ACL reconstructions in patients aged 10-14 years are increasing constantly since 2001, and thus, specific actions aimed to define the best management strategy as well as national educational programs to prepare the future surgeons to this new reality are mandatory in the interest of the public health. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Responsiveness, minimal important difference, minimal relevant difference, and optimal number of patients for a study.

Several terms are used to describe changes in PROM scores in relation to treatments. Whether the change is small, large, or relevant is defined in different ways, yet these change scores are used to recommend or oppose treatments. They are also used to calculate the necessary number of patients for a study. This article offers a theoretical explanation behind the terms responsiveness, minimal important difference (MID), minimal important change (MIC), minimal relevant difference (MIREDIF), and threshold of clinical importance. It also gives instructions on how these and the optimal number of patients for a study are calculated. Responses to two domains of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), before and 1 year after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of 164 patients, are used to illustrate the calculations. This paper presents the most common methods used to calculate and interpret MID. Results vary substantially across domains, patient location on the scale, and health conditions. The optimal number of patients depends on the minimal relevant difference (MIREDIF), the standard error of the measure (SEM), the desired statistical power for the measurement, and the responsiveness of the measurement instrument (the PROM). There is often uncertainty surrounding the calculation and interpretation of responsiveness, MID, and MIREDIF, as these concepts are complex. When MID is used to evaluate research results, authors should specify how the MID was calculated, and its relevance for the study population. These measures should only be used after thorough consideration to justify healthcare decisions.

Low surgical routine increases revision rates after quadriceps tendon autograft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: results from the Danish Knee Ligament Reconstruction Registry.

PURPOSE: Recent registry data have demonstrated a higher revision rate of quadriceps tendon (QT) graft compared with hamstring tendon (HT) and patellar tendon (PT) grafts. Clinic routines could be an important factor for revision outcomes. The purpose of this study is to use the Danish Knee Ligament Reconstruction Registry (DKRR) to compare revision rates in patients who have undergone ACLR with QT, HT and PT grafts related to individual clinic surgical routine. METHODS: Data on primary ACLRs entered in the DKRR from 2012 through 2019 were analysed since QT graft usage started in 2012. Revision rates for QT, HT and PT grafts were compared according to clinic activity (0-100 and > 100 procedures). Revision rates for the three autograft cohorts are presented, as well as adjusted revision hazard rates. Instrumented knee stability and pivot-shift tests were performed at a one-year follow-up. RESULT: QT revision rate (6.4%) for low-activity clinics was higher than for high-activity clinics (2.9%) (p = 0.003). The adjusted revision hazard ratio for low-activity clinics was 2.3 (p = 0.01). QT autograft was associated with statistically significant, increased side-to-side laxity at follow-up (1.4 mm) compared with HT and PT autografts (1.0 mm) (p < 0.01), as well as an increased positive pivot-shift rate. CONCLUSION: QT autografts for ACLR were associated with higher revision rates in clinics with lower than 100 procedures performed from 2012 to 2019. QT graft usage is not associated with a high revision rate when routinely performed. Learning curve is an important factor when introducing QT ACLR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Hamstrings substitution via anteromedial portal with optional anterolateral ligament reconstruction is the preferred surgical technique for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a survey among ESSKA members.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to report on a worldwide web-based survey among the ESSKA community developed to investigate current recommendations regarding ACL reconstruction surgical procedures. METHODS: All contacts in the official mailing list of the ESSKA were contacted to investigate preferences regarding graft type, anterolateral ligament reconstruction, femoral tunnel drilling technique, single-bundle vs double-bundle technique, femoral and tibial fixation methods. RESULTS: Eight-hundred and twenty responses were analyzed. Hamstrings autograft was the graft of choice in male patients for 634 (79%) and in female patients for 674 (84%) responders, while its preference for ACL reconstruction in professional athletes was for 401 (50%). 480 (63%) surgeons surveyed would include anterolateral ligament reconstruction only if diagnosed and remaining instability after ACL surgery or revision. 598 (75%) respondents were in favor of anteromedial portal for femoral tunnel drilling. The most popular femoral fixation technique was found to be cortical suspension (500-66%), while a compression system was preferred on the tibial side by 537 (71% of the sample). CONCLUSIONS: This survey study found that HT autograft, single-bundle reconstruction, anteromedial portal for femoral tunnel drilling, cortical suspension systems for femoral fixation and compression systems for tibial fixation represent the current standard of ACLR in a large community of orthopedic surgeons. The present study performed with surgeons who are members of the ESSKA community will help to comprehend the actual ACLR worldwide practice patterns. Due to low response rate, these results should be interpreted with caution and not to be intended to represent the state of the art of ESSKA community. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Minimum volume standards in day surgery: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to find out if and for what indications are minimum volume standards (MVS) applied in the day surgery setting and whether the application of MVS improves patient relevant outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive systematic literature search in seven databases on July 12th, 2019. Concerning effectiveness and safety, the data retrieved from the selected studies were systematically extracted into data-extraction tables. Two independent researchers (MS, CS) systematically assessed the quality of evidence using the quality assessment tool for individual studies of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) called Task Force Checklist for Quality Assessment of Retrospective Database Studies. No instances of disagreement occurred. No further data processing was applied. RESULTS: The systematic literature search, together with hand search, yielded 595 hits. No prospective or controlled studies were found. Data from eight retrospective studies were used in the analysis of clinical effectiveness and safety on seven indications: anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, cataract surgery, meniscectomy, thyroidectomy, primary hip arthroscopy, open carpal tunnel release, and rotator cuff repair. All interventions (except for carpal tunnel release and thyroidectomy) confirmed a volume-outcome relationship (VOR) with relation to surgeon/hospital volume, however, none established MVS for the respective interventions. Safety related data were reported without its relationship to surgeon/hospital volume. CONCLUSIONS: This present paper provides some evidence in favor of the VOR, however, it based on low quality retrospective data-analyses. The present results cannot offer any clear-cut MVS thresholds for the day surgery setting and so the simple transition from inpatient results (that support MVS) to the day surgery setting is questionable. Further quality assuring policy approaches should be considered.

A comparative analysis of the efficacy of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with autologous ligament grafting at different time points.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to compare the clinical efficacies of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with autologous ligament grafting at different time points. METHODS: Eighty-five patients with ACL were categorized into two groups: Group A (GA, n = 45), who underwent early-stage (≤3 weeks) surgery, and Group B (GB, n = 40), who underwent advanced-stage (>3 weeks) surgery. Perioperative conditions, knee joint functions, activity and stability before and at 6 months postoperatively, changes in quality of life (QOL), good and excellent rates of knee joint functions, and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In both groups, there was an increase in the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, and QOL and a decrease in the knee joint angle flexion limitation, angle of spread limitation, positive rates in the anterior drawer test (ADT), and Lachman test score (P < .05) after surgery. At 6 months postoperatively, the IKDC score, Lysholm score, and QOL were higher in GA than in GB (P < .05). The good and excellent rates of knee joint functions were higher in GA than in GB (93.33% vs. 77.50%) (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with autologous ligament grafting can achieve good effects whether performed in the early or advanced stage; however, the improvements in patients' knee joint functions and QOL are better in the early stage. Therefore, early ACL reconstruction with autologous ligament grafting is suggested.

Bilateral Comparisons of Quadriceps Thickness after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background and objectives: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) often results in quadricep atrophy. The purpose of this study was to compare the bilateral thickness of each quadricep component before and after ACLR. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study design. In 14 patients who underwent ACLR, bilateral quadricep muscle thicknesses were measured using a portable ultrasound device, 1 h before and 48-72 h after ACLR. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare muscle thickness pre- and post-ACLR between the limbs. Results: The primary finding was that the vastus intermedius (VI) muscle was significantly smaller in the reconstructed limb after ACLR compared to that in the healthy limb (Reconstructed limb; RCL = Pre-operated (PRE): 19.89 ± 6.91 mm, Post-operated(POST): 16.04 ± 6.13 mm, Healthy limb; HL = PRE: 22.88 ± 6.07, POST: 20.90 ± 5.78 mm, F = 9.325, p = 0.009, η2p = 0.418). Conclusions: The results represent a selective surgical influence on the quadricep muscle thickness. These findings highlight the need of advanced strengthening exercises in order to restore VI thickness after ACLR.

Predictive factors for failure of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction via the trans-tibial technique.

INTRODUCTION: Factors for graft failure after trans-tibial (TT) ACL reconstruction, including anterolateral ligament (ALL) injury and degree of synovialization, remain unclear. This study is to evaluate the risk factors for graft failures after TT ACL reconstruction including ALL injury and synovialization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total 391 patients who underwent primary TT ACL reconstruction were included. Failure was defined as greater than grade 2 laxity on the Lachman or pivot shift tests or 5 mm of anterior translation on stress radiograph. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 31 patients with failure were categorized as group 1 and 89 patients without failure were categorized as group 2. Chi-square test and Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed. RESULTS: Preoperatively, 64 patients had ALL injuries (53.3%), 58 had medial meniscal (MM) tears (48.3%), and 62 had lateral meniscal (LM) tears (51.6%). Ninety-three patients (77.5%) had acute injuries and 27 had chronic injuries as per 6-weeks duration. Significant risk factors for failure were LM tear (hazard ratio [HR], 4.018; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.677-9.629; p = 0.002), chronicity (HR, 6.812; 95% CI 2.758-16.824; p = 0.000), presence of ALL injury (HR, 3.655; 95% CI 1.442-9.265; p = 0.006), and poor synovialization (HR, 3.134; 95% CI 1.298-7.566; p = 0.011) in Cox proportional hazard analysis. If combined MM and LM tears were found, an increased risk of failure was also identified (combined tears: HR, 3.951; 95% CI 1.754-8.901; p = 0.001/preoperative high-grade laxity: HR, 4.546; 95% CI 1.875-11.02; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Chronic ACL injuries, meniscus tear, preoperative ALL injuries, preoperative high-grade laxity and poor synovialization are significant risk factors. Therefore, these factors should be carefully assessed and properly treated in TT ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective cohort study.

Quadriceps tendon vs. patellar tendon autograft for ACL reconstruction using a hardware-free press-fit fixation technique: comparable stability, function and return-to-sport level but less donor site morbidity in athletes after 10 years.

INTRODUCTION: The use of quadriceps tendon-patellar bone (QTB) autograft for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is gaining momentum. Yet, long-term results that compare this procedure with established methods are lacking. The aim of this study was to report and compare long-term results of ACL reconstruction using QTB autografts versus bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autografts, both anchored using a hardware-free press-fit fixation technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 athletes (Tegner score ≥6) with primary ACL rupture were prospectively randomized into two groups. 56 patients were evaluated after a mean duration of 12.2 ± 1.9 months (range 10-14) and 43 patients after 10.3 ± 0.2 years (range 10-11). RESULTS: On final follow-up, 90% of patients scored very good and good results in the functional Lysholm score (mean 99 ± 7.1, range 74-100 points). Normal or almost normal IKDC score was reported by 84% of the patients (mean 97 ± 9.5, range 60-100 points). The activity level decreased in the Tegner score from median of 7 before injury to 6 after 10 years. The KT-1000 arthrometer showed a difference in the anterior translation of less than 3 mm (mean 1.0 ± 1.2, range - 1 to 5 mm) in 91% of the patients. Significant degeneration was radiologically detected in one patient per group. No tunnel widening was seen in any patient. Up to 97% of all patients were satisfied with the operative procedure. No significant differences were found in the mentioned parameters between the two groups and also in comparison with the 1-year results. The only significant difference was in the donor site morbidity. Significantly more patients in the BPTB group had complaints during kneeling both at 1 (p < 0.001) and 10 years (p = 0.019). Squatting was also subjectively more problematic in the BPTB group than in the QTB group both after 1 (p = 0.003) and 10 years (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows equally good functional, clinical and radiological long-term results for both hardware-free methods of ACL reconstruction. These results clinically confirm the safety of press-fit anchoring after 10 years. The failure rate in this study was very low, with only one re-rupture in 10 years. The increased donor site morbidity when using the BPTB autograft compared to the QTB autograft supports already reported data. It was also seen in this study for the implant-free press-fit techniques. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective and randomized, level of evidence 2.