[Knee laxity in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction : The influence of graft rotation using interference screw fixation]. / Kniegelenklaxizität beim vorderen Kreuzbandersatz : Einfluss der Transplantatrotation um die Interferenzschraube.

BACKGROUND: The use of interference screws for femoral graft fixation in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring grafts can result in rotation of the graft around the screw leading to changes in the final position of the graft within the bone tunnel. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective study 107 patients (54 right and 53 left knees) underwent ACL reconstruction with a hamstring tendon autograft. Femoral fixation of the graft was performed with a standard right-thread screw in all cases. Patients were assessed at 6 months postoperatively with the international knee documentation committee (IKDC) standard evaluation including instrumented laxity measurements and the results were compared between right and left knees. RESULTS: A significantly higher postoperative anterior laxity was observed in left knees with a negative Lachman test in only 64 % of the cases compared with 87 % in the group of right knees. Accordingly, instrumented laxity measurements of the reconstructed knee compared with the contralateral knee revealed significant differences between left and right knees (left knees 1.8±1.2 mm and right knees 1.0±1.4 mm). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the importance of femoral graft positioning and its sensitivity to multiple influencing factors. The use of standard right-thread interference screws for femoral graft fixation in the mirrored situation of right and left knees may produce a systematic error in ACL reconstruction. Due to a possible rotation of the graft around the screw, the final position of the transplant may vary thus leading to significant changes in anterior translation of the operated knee.

[Knee laxity in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The influence of graft rotation using interference screw fixation]. / Kniegelenklaxizität beim vorderen Kreuzbandersatz. Einfluss der Transplantatrotation um die Interferenzschraube.

BACKGROUND: The use of interference screws for femoral graft fixation in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring grafts can result in rotation of the graft around the screw leading to changes in the final position of the graft within the bone tunnel. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective study 107 patients (54 right and 53 left knees) underwent ACL reconstruction with a hamstring tendon autograft. Femoral fixation of the graft was performed with a standard right-thread screw in all cases. Patients were assessed at 6 months postoperatively with the international knee documentation committee (IKDC) standard evaluation including instrumented laxity measurements and the results were compared between right and left knees. RESULTS: A significantly higher postoperative anterior laxity was observed in left knees with a negative Lachman test in only 64 % of the cases compared with 87 % in the group of right knees. Accordingly, instrumented laxity measurements of the reconstructed knee compared with the contralateral knee revealed significant differences between left and right knees (left knees 1.8±1.2 mm and right knees 1.0±1.4 mm) CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the importance of femoral graft positioning and its sensitivity to multiple influencing factors. The use of standard right-thread interference screws for femoral graft fixation in the mirrored situation of right and left knees may produce a systematic error in ACL reconstruction. Due to a possible rotation of the graft around the screw, the final position of the transplant may vary thus leading to significant changes in anterior translation of the operated knee.

[IKOP-Infection control in the operating theatreConsensus on the theme "Barrier measures during operations and invasive procedures"]. / IKOP-Infektionskontrolle im OperationsbereichKonsensus-Papier zum Schwerpunkt "Barrieremassnahmen bei Operationen und invasiven Eingriffen"

Postoperative surgical site infections remain frequent despite intensive control programs. With rising numbers of operations and invasive procedures in the outpatient setting and in immunocompromised patients, the prevention of wound infections presents a rapidly growing challenge to the medical community. Barrier measures including drapes and surgical gowns to prevent wound contamination, have clearly reduced the rate of wound infections. The optimal material characteristics for operating gowns and drapes are well defined, but there is still a long running controversy on the use of single-use versus reusable materials. We review the efficacy and ecological impacts of these different approaches. Currently no superiority of any of these approaches with regard to either efficacy or ecological impact can be found. The European Union has recently published a series of mandatory standards to specify material characteristics of barrier materials used in operating theatres (EN 13795). Their scope include production standards of these materials as well as specific processes in auditing their characteristics. The implementation of these norms will clearly present a challenge to European hospitals but will lead to better material characteristics in the end.

[Intraoperative quality control of the placement of bone tunnels for the anterior cruciate ligament]. / Intraoperative Qualitätskontrolle bei der Bohrkanalplatzierung zum vorderen Kreuzbandersatz.

The reconstruction of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a frequently performed operation, however technically demanding with a revision rate of approximately 10%. The correct placement of bone tunnels in femur and tibia is the most important variable to achieve a successful outcome. A distinct knowledge of the anatomic insertion sites is crucial. The ideal location for the femoral bone tunnel is achieved when a 1-2 mm posterior wall is left to the over-the-top position and when the entry to the bone tunnel is at 10 o'clock (right knees) or 14 o'clock (left knees) in the frontal plane. The femoral bone tunnel can be drilled through the tibial bone tunnel (transtibial technique) or through an anteromedial arthroscopic portal. According to recent studies the use of an anteromedial portal helps to reduce the risk of misplacement of the bone tunnel. The center of the tibial bone tunnel should be located on an imaginary line between medial border of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus and the medial tibial spine. The position of the tibial guide wire has to be far enough posterior to avoid impingement of the graft with the roof of the intercondylar notch. Measures for quality control include the intraoperative use of an image intensifier (fluoroscopy), instrumented laxity measurements and a postoperative radiograph in 2 planes. The use of computer assisted surgery cannot routinely be recommended at present.

[Computed tomography of the patellofemoral alignment after arthroscopic reconstruction following patella dislocation]. / Postoperative Bestimmung des patellofemoralen Alignements nach Patellaluxation--eine computertomographische Analyse.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic impact of different CT-based measurements to analyze the patellofemoral alignment after arthroscopic reconstruction in patients with patella dislocation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 18 patients with dislocation of the patella, CT of the patellofemoral joint was performed after arthroscopic reconstruction. Various methods recommended in the literature were used to analyze the structure and the alignment of the patellofemoral joint with a relaxed quadriceps muscle. Axial CT scans were taken in four different knee flexion angles (15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees ). RESULTS: After arthroscopic stabilization in patients with patella dislocation, only the lateral patellofemoral angle (15 degrees and 30 degrees knee flexion) and the congruence angle (15 degrees knee flexion) showed significant differences between the CT-measurements in the normal and the operated group. The differences of the remaining mean values were not significant due to a high standard deviation. With increasing flexion of the knee, the differences between the normal and the dislocation group almost disappeared. Only the lateral patellofemoral angle, the patella tilt and the lateral patella shift revealed differences between the normal and the group with recurrent dislocation in every degree of knee flexion. With increasing knee flexion above 30 degrees and especially at 60 degrees, the majority of the measured values returned to the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: For CT-measurements of the patellofemoral joint after arthroscopic stabilization, the patellofemoral angle and the congruence angle seemed to be most useful. The measurements of the patellofemoral joint should be taken in various degrees of knee flexion.

[Transplant selection for primary replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament]. / Transplantatauswahl für den primären Ersatz des vorderen Kreuzbandes.

Various graft choices have evolved over the past few decades for the primary reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Three predominant autologous graft choices exist today: patellar, hamstring, and quadriceps tendons. Clinical studies have as yet failed to demonstrate significant differences in clinical outcome among these grafts, irrespective of their varying fixation techniques. Therefore, other factors such as graft harvest morbidity have become more important when comparing different grafts. These factors can differ substantially between the grafts, depending on the type of patients' activities, the injury pattern, and the associated injuries of the knee joint. A basic knowledge of these factors and the parameters that affect the mechanical and biological behavior of the reconstructed ACL can help to find the appropriate graft choice for each individual patient. Factors such as harvest site morbidity, fixation techniques, osseous integration, and tunnel widening are discussed based on current clinical and basic science studies. Finally, an outlook is given for future alternatives with evolving techniques for tissue-engineered grafts, allografts, or the transplantation of xenogeneic donor tissue.

The position of the tibia during graft fixation affects knee kinematics and graft forces for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Ten cadaveric knees (donor ages, 36 to 66 years) were tested at full extension, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, and 90 degrees of flexion under a 134-N anterior tibial load. In each knee, the kinematics as well as in situ force in the graft were compared when the graft was fixed with the tibia in four different positions: full knee extension while the surgeon applied a posterior tibial load (Position 1), 30 degrees of flexion with the tibia at the neutral position of the intact knee (Position 2), 30 degrees of flexion with a 67-N posterior tibial load (Position 3), and 30 degrees of flexion with a 134-N posterior tibial load (Position 4). For Positions 1 and 2, the anterior tibial translation and the in situ forces were up to 60% greater and 36% smaller, respectively, than that of the intact knee. For Position 3, knee kinematics and in situ forces were closest to those observed in the intact knee. For Position 4, anterior tibial translation was significantly decreased by up to 2 mm and the in situ force increased up to 31 N. These results suggest that the position of the tibia during graft fixation is an important consideration for the biomechanical performance of an anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed knee.

[Meniscus refixation: suture or anchor?]. / Meniskusrefixierung: Faden oder Anker?

Suture techniques are the standard for fixation of meniscus bucket-handle lesions. In 1993 a new method for meniscus repair with self-reinforced biodegradable "arrows" was introduced. Currently, various meniscus implants are available in Germany and are widely used clinically. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate and discuss the literature on biodegradable meniscus implants. Relevant articles were retrieved from Medline of the National Library of Medicine (1966 until July 2000) using the combined search strategy for the keywords "meniscal repair" and "arrow." Ten publications were found. The reported advantages of meniscus arrows are the reduced operation time, the easy surgical technique, and the reduced risk of neurovascular injury. In most experimental studies, lower failure strength of meniscus arrows was found compared to meniscus sutures. In clinical studies, the meniscal healing rates comparing the arrow technique and suture technique are comparable. Various complications of the new arrow technique have been reported such as inflammatory foreign-body reaction, cartilage lesions, and arrow displacement. Based on the existing literature, no final judgment is possible. Currently, individual indications depending on the kind of meniscal lesion and location are recommended. A combination of suture and arrow technique might be a treatment option, but further prospective randomized studies and longer follow-ups are necessary.

[Differential transplant selection in cruciate ligament surgery]. / Differenzierte Transplantatauswahl in der Kreuzbandchirurgie.

Over the past century numerous graft materials have been used for the reconstruction of the cruciate ligament of the knee. Among the autologous tissues that are currently recommended as graft materials, the central bone patellar tendon bone graft, a quadrupled hamstring graft and the central quadriceps tendon graft have the greatest clinical significance. With some limitations, allograft materials can also be used. Each of the three mentioned grafts has specific features regarding morphological and structural properties, graft fixation and graft incorporation. Clinical studies have failed to identify any of the three grafts as superior to the others. When choosing the graft for surgery the different anatomy and function of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments have to be considered. For the treatment of multiple ligament injuries and for revision cases, thorough preoperative planning is necessary and modified graft selection may be required.

Mechanical behavior of two hamstring graft constructs for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.

We compared the mechanical behavior of two common hamstring graft constructs that are frequently used for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament-Graft A: quadrupled semitendinosus tendon fixed with titanium button/polyester tape and suture/screw post, and Graft B: a double semitendinosus and double gracilis tendon fixed with a cross pin and two screws over washers. The experimental protocol used to evaluate each graft construct included stress relaxation (with and without preconditioning), cyclic loading, and a tensile load-to-failure test. The amount of stress relaxation without preconditioning was 60.6% for Graft A and 53.8% for Graft B. With preconditioning, it significantly decreased (p < 0.05) to 48.7 and 42.3%, respectively. Elongation of the graft construct in response to 100 cycles of loading (20-150 N) was 1.8 and 0.6% of the original length for Grafts A and B, respectively. However, after a series of five cyclic loading tests, the residual permanent elongation for each construct was 3.8 +/- 1.2 and 0.3 +/- 0.2 mm, a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the two graft constructs. Further analysis found more than 90% of the permanent elongation in the proximal and distal regions of Graft A, which consisted of polyester tape tied to a titanium button (proximal) and sutures tied around a screw post (distal). The tensile load-to-failure tests also revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) between the two graft constructs. Linear stiffness was 32 +/- 1 and 119 +/- 19 Nmm and ultimate load was 415 +/- 36 and 658 +/- 128 N for Grafts A and B, respectively. For Graft A, the polyester tape consistently failed; for Graft B, slippage or tearing from the washers was the mode of failure. We conclude that a quadruple-hamstring graft fixed over a cross pin proximally and with metal washers distally (Graft B) has less permanent elongation in response to cyclic loading and has structural properties superior to those of a graft construct that includes suture and tape material (Graft A). The large permanent elongation following repetitive loading of a graft construct with tape and suture material during the early postoperative period is of concern.

Effects of sectioning the posterolateral structures on knee kinematics and in situ forces in the posterior cruciate ligament.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of sectioning the posterolateral structures (PLS) on knee kinematics and in situ forces in the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in response to external and simulated muscle loads. Ten human cadaveric knees were tested using a robotic/universal force-moment sensor testing system. The knees were subjected to three loading conditions: (a) 134-N posterior tibial load, (b) 5-Nm external tibial torque, and (c) isolated hamstring load (40 N biceps/40 N semimembranosus). The knee kinematics and in situ forces in the PCL for the intact and PLS-deficient knee conditions were determined at full extension, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, and 120 degrees of knee flexion. Under posterior tibial loading posterior tibial translation with PLS deficiency increased significantly at all flexion angles by 5.5+/-1.5 mm to 0.8+/-1.2 mm at full extension and 90 degrees, respectively. The corresponding in situ forces in the PCL increased by 17-19 N at full extension and 30 degrees of knee flexion. Under the external tibial torque, external tibial rotation increased significantly with PLS deficiency by 15.1+/-1.6 degrees at 30 degrees of flexion to 7.7+/-3.5 degrees at 90 degrees, with the in situ forces in the PCL increasing by 15-90 N. The largest increase occurred at 60 degrees to 120 degrees of knee flexion, representing forces two to six times of those in the intact knee. Under the simulated hamstring load, posterior tibial translation and external tibial and varus rotations also increased significantly at all knee flexion angles with PLS deficiency, but this was not so for the in situ forces in the PCL. Our data suggest that injuries to the PLS put the PCL and other soft tissue structures at increased risk of injury due to increased knee motion and the elevated in situ forces in the PCL.

Biomechanical analysis of a posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Deficiency of the posterolateral structures as a cause of graft failure.

We hypothesized that posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions are often compromised by associated injuries to the posterolateral structures. Therefore, we evaluated a posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in isolated and combined injury models using a robotic/universal force-moment sensor testing system. The resulting knee kinematics and the in situ forces in the native and reconstructed posterior cruciate ligament were determined under four external loading conditions. In the isolated injury model, reconstruction reduced posterior tibial translation to within 1.5+/-1.3 to 2.4+/-1.4 mm of the intact knee at 30 degrees and 90 degrees under a 134-N posterior tibial load. In the combined injury model, deficiency of the posterolateral structures increased posterior tibial translation of the reconstructed knee by 6.0+/-2.7 mm at 30 degrees and 4.6+/-1.5 mm at 90 degrees of flexion. External rotation increased up to 14 degrees while varus rotation increased up to 7 degrees. In situ forces in the posterior cruciate ligament graft also increased significantly (by 22% to 150%) for all loading conditions. Our results demonstrate that a graft that restores knee kinematics for an isolated posterior cruciate ligament deficiency is rendered ineffective and may be overloaded if the posterolateral structures are deficient. Therefore, surgical reconstruction of both structures is recommended in the setting of a combined injury.

In situ forces in the human posterior cruciate ligament in response to muscle loads: a cadaveric study.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of hamstrings and quadriceps muscle loads on knee kinematics and in situ forces in the posterior cruciate ligament of the knee and to evaluate how the effects of these muscle loads change with knee flexion. Nine human cadaveric knees were studied with a robotic manipulator/universal force-moment sensor testing system. The knees were subjected to an isolated hamstrings load (40 N to both the biceps and the semimembranosus), a combined hamstrings and quadriceps load (the hamstrings load and a 200-N quadriceps load), and an isolated quadriceps load of 200 N. Each load was applied with the knee at full extension and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 degrees of flexion. Without muscle loads, in situ forces in the posterior cruciate ligament were small, ranging from 6+/-5 N at 30 degrees of flexion to 15+/-3 N at 90 degrees. Under an isolated hamstrings load, the in situ force in the posterior cruciate ligament increased significantly throughout all angles of knee flexion, from 13+/-6 N at full extension to 86+/-19 N at 90 degrees. A posterior tibial translation ranging from 1.3+/-0.6 to 2.5+/-0.5 mm was also observed from full extension to 30 degrees of flexion under the hamstrings load. With a combined hamstrings and quadriceps load, tibial translation was 2.2+/-0.7 mm posteriorly at 120 degrees of flexion ut was as high as 4.6+/-1.7 mm anteriorly at 30 degrees. The in situ force in the posterior cruciate ligament decreased significantly under this loading condition compared with under an isolated hamstrings load, ranging from 6+/-7 to 58+/-13 N from 30 to 120 degrees of flexion. With an isolated quadriceps load of 200 N, the in situ forces in the posterior cruciate ligament ranged from 4+/-3 N at 60 degrees of flexion to 34+/-12 N at 120 degrees. Our findings support the notion that, compared with an isolated hamstrings load, combined hamstrings and quadriceps loads significantly reduce the in situ force in the posterior cruciate ligament. These data are in direct contrast to those for the anterior cruciate ligament. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the effects of muscle loads depend significantly on the angle of knee flexion.

Hamstring graft motion in the femoral bone tunnel when using titanium button/polyester tape fixation.

The objective of this study was to determine the relative motion of a quadruple hamstring graft within the femoral bone tunnel (graft-tunnel motion) under tensile loading. Six graft constructs were prepared from the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons of human cadavers and were fixed with a titanium button and polyester tape within a bone tunnel in a cadaveric femur. Three different lengths of polyester tape (15, 25, and 35 mm loops) were evaluated. The femur was held stationary and uniaxial tensile loads were applied to the distal end of the graft using a materials testing machine. Each construct was subjected to loading for ten cycles with upper limits of 50 N, 100 N, 200 N and 300 N. Graft-tunnel motion was then determined using the distances between reflective tape markers placed on the hamstring graft and at the entrance to the femoral bone tunnel, which were tracked with a high-resolution video system. Graft-tunnel motion was found to range from 0.7 +/- 0.2 mm to 3.3 +/- 0.2 mm, and significant increases in graft-tunnel motion were observed with increasing tensile loads (P < 0.05). Shorter tape length (15 mm) resulted in significantly less motion when compared to longer tape length (35 mm) (P < 0.05). We conclude that graft-tunnel motion is significant and should be considered when using this fixation technique. Early stress on the graft, as seen in postoperative rehabilitation exercises and athletic activities, may cause large graft-tunnel motion before graft incorporation is complete. A shorter distance between the tendon tissue and the titanium button is recommended to minimize the amount of graft-tunnel motion. Alternative fixation materials to polyester tape, or different fixation techniques, need to be developed such that graft-tunnel motion can be reduced. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of graft-tunnel motion on graft incorporation in the bone tunnel.

Bone tunnel enlargement after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: fact or fiction?

Radiographic enlargement of bone tunnels following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been recently introduced in the literature; however, the etiology and clinical relevance of this phenomenon remain unclear. While early reports suggested that bone tunnel enlargement is mainly the result of an immune response to allograft tissue, more recent studies imply that other biological as well as mechanical factors play a more important role. Biological factors associated with tunnel enlargement include foreign-body immune response (against allografts), non-specific inflammatory response (as in osteolysis around total joint implants), cell necrosis due to toxic products in the tunnel (ethylene oxide, metal), and heat necrosis as a response to drilling (natural course). Mechanical factors contributing to tunnel enlargement include stress deprivation of bone within the tunnel wall, graft-tunnel motion, improper tunnel placement, and aggressive rehabilitation. Graft-tunnel motion refers to longitudinal and transverse motion of the graft within the bone tunnel and can occur with various graft types and fixation techniques. Aggressive rehabilitation programmes may contribute to tunnel enlargement as the graft-bone interface is subjected to early stress before biological incorporation is complete. Further basic research is required to verify the effect of the various proposed factors on the etiology of bone tunnel enlargement. We recommend that routine follow-up examinations after ACL reconstruction should include the measurement of bone tunnel size in order to contribute to a better understanding of the incidence, time course, and clinical relevance of this phenomenon. Improved and more anatomical surgical fixation techniques may be useful for the prevention of bone tunnel enlargement.

The effects of a popliteus muscle load on in situ forces in the posterior cruciate ligament and on knee kinematics. A human cadaveric study.

To investigate the effect of simulated contraction of the popliteus muscle on the in situ forces in the posterior cruciate ligament and on changes in knee kinematics, we studied 10 human cadaveric knees (donor age, 58 to 89 years) using a robotic manipulator/universal force moment sensor system. Under a 110-N posterior tibial load (simulated posterior drawer test), the kinematics of the intact knee and the in situ forces in the ligament were determined. The test was repeated with the addition of a 44-N load to the popliteus muscle. The posterior cruciate ligament was then sectioned and the knee was subjected to the same tests. The additional popliteus muscle load significantly reduced the in situ forces in the ligament by 9% to 36% at 90 degrees and 30 degrees of flexion, respectively. No significant effects on posterior tibial translation of the intact knee were found. However, in the ligament-deficient knee, posterior tibial translation was reduced by up to 36% of the translation caused by ligament transection. A coupled internal tibial rotation of 2 degrees to 4 degrees at 60 degrees to 90 degrees of knee flexion was observed in both the intact and ligament-deficient knees when the popliteus muscle load was added. Our results indicate that the popliteus muscle shares the function of the posterior cruciate ligament in resisting posterior tibial loads and can contribute to knee stability when the ligament is absent.

Evaluation and treatment of posterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Improved basic science data on the anatomy and biomechanics of the human posterior cruciate ligament have provided the orthopaedic surgeon with new information on which to base treatment decisions. Injuries to the posterior cruciate ligament are reported to comprise approximately 3% of all knee ligament injuries in the general population and as high as 37% in an emergency department setting. While the diagnosis of a posterior cruciate ligament injury can often be made with a physical examination, ancillary studies such as radiographs and magnetic resonance images can be very helpful in detecting associated ligament and bony injuries. In general, most partial (grades I and II) posterior cruciate ligament injuries can be treated nonoperatively. However, surgical reconstruction is usually recommended for those posterior cruciate ligament injuries that occur in combination with other structures. In this review, current surgical techniques of posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction based on anatomic and biomechanical studies will be discussed.

In situ forces in the posterolateral structures of the knee under posterior tibial loading in the intact and posterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee.

The posterolateral structures of the knee consist of a complex anatomical architecture that includes several components with both static and dynamic functions. Injuries of the posterolateral structures occur frequently in conjunction with ruptures of the posterior cruciate ligament. To investigate the role of the posterolateral structures in maintaining posterior knee stability, we measured the in situ forces in the posterolateral structures and the distribution of force within the structures' major components, i.e., the popliteus complex and the lateral collateral ligament, in response to a posterior tibial load. Eight cadaveric knees were tested. With use of a robotic/universal force-moment sensor testing system, a posterior tibial load of 110 N was applied to the knee, and the resulting five-degree-of-freedom kinematics were measured at flexion angles of 0, 30, 60, 75, and 90 degrees. The knees were tested first in the intact state and then after the posterior cruciate ligament had been resected. These tests were also performed with an additional load of 44 N applied at the aponeurosis to simulate contraction of the popliteus muscle. In the intact knee, the in situ forces in the posterolateral structures were found to decrease with increasing knee flexion. After the posterior cruciate ligament was sectioned, these forces increased significantly at all angles of flexion. With no load applied to the popliteus muscle, the in situ forces in the popliteus complex were similar to those in the lateral collateral ligament. However, with a load of 44 N applied to the popliteus muscle, in situ forces in the popliteus complex were three to five times higher than those in the lateral collateral ligament. These results reveal that in response to posterior tibial loads, the posterolateral structures play an important role at full extension in intact knees and at all angles of flexion in posterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees. The popliteus muscle appears to be a major stabilizer under this loading condition; thus, the inability to restore its function may be a cause of unsatisfactory results in reconstructive procedures of the posterolateral structures of the knee.

Does the mode of data collection change results in a subjective knee score? Self-administration versus interview.

Our objective was to compare the effect of two methods of data collection on results in a functional knee score. Two Lysholm scores were obtained for 61 patients 1 year after anterior cruciate ligament surgery at the same clinic visit. First, the patients completed a self-administered questionnaire, and second, the Lysholm score form was completed by the investigator in the course of a patient interview. A comparison of the scores revealed that the mean score was significantly lower with self-administration (self, 89.3 +/- 10.6; interviewer, 92.2 +/- 7.4) (P = 0.0035, Wilcoxon rank sum test). The assignment to one of four categories (excellent, good, fair, poor) was also significantly altered by the manner of data collection. Nineteen patients (31%) were assigned to different categories based on the mode of data collection. We believe that the major reason for a better score result with an interview was the presence of interview bias. The more the investigator is involved in the treatment of the patient, the greater the influence of this bias may be. To avoid such potential bias we suggest that a standardized self-administered questionnaire be used as the method of choice for obtaining subjective data in clinical settings.

Local and intra-articular infiltration of bupivacaine before surgery: effect on postoperative pain after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

In a double-blind, randomized trial, 40 patients undergoing open anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft were randomly allocated to two groups: group A (n = 20) received an intra-articular instillation of 20 mL bupivacaine (0.25%) and a local infiltration of 20 mL bupivacaine (0.5%) 15 minutes before surgery. Group B (n = 20) received an injection of saline solution in the same manner. Patient-controlled on-demand analgesia (PCA) with intravenous piritramid was used for postoperative pain control. A significant decrease in pain scores on a visual analog scale (VAS scale, 0 to 10) was found in the bupivacaine group (group A) at bedrest on the day of surgery only (pain score, 5.5 v 7.3 (scale, 0 to 10), P < .05). At all other times, no significant differences were found. The overall supplemental opioid requirements were not different between the study groups (63.9 v 62.6 mg piritramid/72 hours). A long-lasting, clinically relevant, pain-reducing effect with infiltration of bupivacaine before surgery could not be shown with this study.