Analysis of Posterior Tibial Slope as Risk Factor to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear.

Objective The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury by indirect trauma and increased posterior tibial inclination. Methods Retrospective study, performed by analysis of medical records and digital radiographs of patients, present in a database of a tertiary orthopedic hospital. The sample consisted of two groups, the first group consisting of patients diagnosed with ACL injury by indirect trauma, and a control group matched by age. Results Each group consisted of 275 patients, whose measurements of posterior tibial inclination were measured by three specialists. It was observed that the group of patients with ACL lesion presented a significantly higher tibial slope (in degrees) than the control group in the total sample and in the subsamples stratified by gender. The best cutoff point for the first group was identified as a posterior tibial inclination ≥ 8°, achieving a sensitivity of 63.3% and a specificity of 62.5%. The first group also had a tibial slope ratio ≥ 8° (63.3%), significantly higher than the control group (37.5%), with an odds ratio of 2.8. Conclusion It was concluded that the increase of the posterior tibial inclination is associated with an increased risk for injury of the ACL by indirect trauma, mainly for values ≥ 8°.

Analysis of Posterior Tibial Slope as Risk Factor to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear / Análise da inclinação tibial posterior como fator de risco para lesão do ligamento cruzado anterior

Abstract Objective The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury by indirect trauma and increased posterior tibial inclination. Methods Retrospective study, performed by analysis of medical records and digital radiographs of patients, present in a database of a tertiary orthopedic hospital. The sample consisted of two groups, the first group consisting of patients diagnosed with ACL injury by indirect trauma, and a control group matched by age. Results Each group consisted of 275 patients, whose measurements of posterior tibial inclination were measured by three specialists. It was observed that the group of patients with ACL lesion presented a significantly higher tibial slope (in degrees) than the control group in the total sample and in the subsamples stratified by gender. The best cutoff point for the first group was identified as a posterior tibial inclination ≥ 8º, achieving a sensitivity of 63.3% and a specificity of 62.5%. The first group also had a tibial slope ratio ≥ 8º (63.3%), significantly higher than the control group (37.5%), with an odds ratio of 2.8. Conclusion It was concluded that the increase of the posterior tibial inclination is associated with an increased risk for injury of the ACL by indirect trauma, mainly for values ≥ 8º.

Resumo Objetivo O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a relação entre pacientes com lesão do ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) por trauma indireto e o aumento da inclinação posterior da tíbia. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo, realizado por análise de prontuários e radiografias digitais de pacientes, presentes em banco de dados de um hospital terciário de ortopedia e traumatologia. A amostra foi composta por dois grupos, sendo o primeiro formado por pacientes com diagnóstico de lesão do LCA, por trauma indireto, e um grupo controle pareado por idade. Resultados Cada grupo foi formado por 275 pacientes, cujas medidas de inclinação tibial posterior foram aferidas por 3 especialistas. Observou-se que o grupo dos pacientes com lesão do LCA apresentou slope tibial (em graus) significativamente maior que o grupo controle na amostra total e nas subamostras estratificadas por gênero. Identificou-se como o melhor ponto de corte (cutoff) para o primeiro grupo uma inclinação tibial posterior ≥ 8º, atingindo uma sensibilidade de 63,3% e uma especificidade de 62,5%. O primeiro grupo também apresentou proporção de slope tibial ≥ 8º (63,3%), significativamente maior que o grupo controle (37,5%), com razão de chances de 2,8. Conclusão Concluiu-se que o aumento da inclinação tibial posterior está associado com um maior risco para lesão do LCA por trauma indireto, principalmente para valores ≥ 8º,

Surgical Treatment for Chronic Rupture of the Patellar Tendon Performed in 2 Stages.

Patellar tendon rupture is an uncommon but disabling lesion. It usually occurs in men younger than 40 years, through direct or indirect trauma. Obtaining satisfactory results with treatment of chronic injuries and re-ruptures in which the patella retracts owing to quadriceps contraction is a challenge. This is of major concern especially in cases in which the patella cannot be positioned in its anatomic position when distal traction is performed. In these cases, V-Y stretching of the quadriceps can be performed in an attempt to perform reconstruction in 1 stage. Instead, a 2-stage procedure can be chosen, in which the first stage relies on patellar trans-skeletal traction to achieve distalization of the patella. In 1981, a technique for the treatment of chronic injuries of the patellar tendon in 2 stages was described. In that procedure, the first stage consisted of transpatellar traction and the second stage was tendon-tendon suturing with fascia lata reinforcement. We describe a surgical technique performed in 2 stages; in the first stage, trans-skeletal traction is performed, and in the second stage, the technique of Kelikian et al. with our modification is performed. This technique is used in patients with chronic rupture of the patellar tendon associated with a high patella with nonreducible quadriceps shortening.