Outcomes of surgical treatment of patellar instability in children with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: patellar instability is a relatively frequent musculoskeletal disorder in children with Down syndrome (DS). However, such a condition has seldom been studied in the literature, even less its surgical treatment. Different techniques have been offered for this condition; the evidence for surgical options is scarce and primarily based on case reports or case series with few patients and heterogeneous techniques. Given this background, we aimed to evaluate the outcomes of a uniform kind of surgical procedure for such a condition that combined lateral soft tissue release, medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction (using a partial-thickness quadriceps tendon autograft), the Roux-Goldthwait procedure, and V-Y quadricepsplasty (if needed). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study involved 11 skeletally immature patients (12 knees; 9 males and 2 females), 5.5 to 14.1 years of age, with DS who had patellofemoral instability (PFI) and were managed by this technique between October 2018 and March 2020. Preoperative radiography, CT scan, and MRI were performed to evaluate the physis status, lower limb alignment, patellar height, trochlear morphology, and any associated knee pathology. A functional knee assessment was done by using the Kujala score and the modified Lysholm score. RESULTS: The mean time of follow-up (± SD) was 47.7 ± 5.8 months (range: 39-56). Pre-operatively, the Kujala score (± SD) was 52.6 ± 14.3 (range: (31-74), and at final follow-up, it was 92.2 ± 4.4 (range: (88-98), showing a significant improvement (P < 0.001). The preoperative modified Lysholm score (± SD) was 54.3 ± 8.1 (range: 39-62), and at final follow-up it was 92.4 ± 5.3 (range: 82-96), showing a significant improvement (P < 0.001). All patients had a stable patella without a recurrence of instability and regained full ROM. There was no incidence of a patellar fracture or femoral physis injury. CONCLUSIONS: Our proposed technique of combined soft tissue procedures, including lateral soft tissue release, MPFL reconstruction (using a partial-thickness quadriceps tendon autograft), the Roux-Goldthwait procedure, and V-Y quadricepsplasty, was an effective method for treating patellar instability in children with DS while avoiding physeal injury and patellar fracture. Functional scores and radiological outcomes were improved. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective case series.

Double-Bundle Quadriceps Tendon Autograft for Reconstruction of the Medial Patellofemoral Complex to Manage Recurrent Patellar Dislocation in Patients With Open Physes.

Management of chronic patellar instability in patients with open physis requires special reconstruction techniques to minimize the risks of femoral growth plate injury due to the close proximity of the open physis to the native femoral origin of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL). Children and adolescents have a relatively smaller patella than the adult group, so, there is a higher risk of patellar fracture when tunnels are performed in the patella. It is wise to mimic the normal anatomy of the medial patellofemoral complex (MPFC) by reconstruction of both of the medial quadriceps tendon femoral ligament (MQTFL) and MPFL, so as to restore the normal fan-shaped MPFC, with its wide anterior attachment to both of the patella and quadriceps tendon (QT). This article describes a simple, safe, reproducible, and cost effective technique for surgical management of chronic patellar instability in patients with open physis by reconstruction of the MPFC using a double-bundle QT autograft.

Biological Bone Plate and Iliac Bone Autograft for Proximal Tibial Slope Changing Osteotomy in Genu Recurvatum.

Genu recurvatum (GR) is defined as knee hyperextension greater than 5°, with the normal physiological accepted limits of up to 10 to 15° of extension. Physiological GR is commonly bilateral, symmetrical, and mostly asymptomatic. Pathologic GR is usually asymmetric, symptomatic, and can be congenital or acquired. Acquired GR can be classified according to the origin of the deformity into pure osseous, soft tissue, and combined types. Symptomatic GR can present with anterior knee pain and/or instability. Surgery is generally indicated in symptomatic (pain, instability), pathologic GR with an associated causative correctible deformity (bony, soft tissue, or a combination of both). Tibial slope-reversing osteotomy is indicated for the osseous or mixed types where there is inverted tibial slope. Varu-correcting osteotomy is indicated in the posttraumatic soft-tissue type (posterior and lateral soft-tissue injury as in knee dislocation), the aim of osteotomy is to protect the reconstructed ligaments. No role for osteotomy in the nontraumatic soft tissue type (gradual stretching of the posterior structures). In this article, we describe a technique to correct a unilateral genu recurvatum deformity with inverted tibial slope, mostly due to Osgood-Schlatter disease. Correction is done by performing an anterior open-wedge osteotomy of the proximal tibia and impaction of 2 wedges of autogenous iliac bone grafts within the osteotomy. The proximal portion of the tibia is cut in the coronal plan and is used as a biologic plate for fixation with no need for additional hardware (e.g., plate or staples) for fixation of the osteotomy.

Arthroscopic Single-Tunnel Pullout Suture Fixation for Tibial Eminence Avulsion Fracture.

Various arthroscopic techniques have been devised for fixation of tibial eminence avulsions, namely percutaneous K-wires, arthroscopy-guided screw fixation, staples, TightRope (Arthrex)-suture button fixation, and transosseous suture fixation. Such techniques provide well-pronounced advantages including less postoperative pain, a reduced hospital stay, and minimal scar with resultant earlier and more compliant rehabilitation. As for transosseous suture fixation, the standard technique comprises the creation of 2 tibial tunnels exiting on both sides of the footprint of the avulsion fracture using an anterior cruciate ligament tibial guide with the angle set at 45°. Our technique entails the creation of a single tibial tunnel directed from the proximal anteromedial tibia to the center of the tibial eminence. The technique uses Ethibond suture (No. 5) and/or FiberWire suture (Arthrex) to fix the tibial eminence by pulling the anterior cruciate ligament fibers and tightening the pullout suture at the tibial exit of the tunnel with a 4-hole button. This modified single-tunnel pullout suture technique is an appealing option that has proved to be effective and economical with a shorter operative time. Moreover, it provides a less invasive option for skeletally immature patients.

Combined Anatomic Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate and Anterolateral Ligaments Using Hamstring Graft Through a Single Femoral Tunnel and With a Single Femoral Fixation.

Patients with complete anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury have different degrees of rotational (internal rotation) laxity. A residual pivot shift has been found to be positive in more than 15% of cases after an accurate ACL reconstruction. Improved understanding of the existence, function, and biomechanical role of the anterolateral ligament (ALL) in controlling rotational instability of the knee has redirected and refocused attention on a supplemental extra-articular reconstruction of the ALL in conjunction with the intra-articular ACL reconstruction so as to restore normal kinematics of the knee. This Technical Note describes a technique that allows for a combined ACL and ALL reconstruction using autogenous hamstring graft (semitendinosus and gracilis tendons). One femoral tunnel is used connecting the anatomic femoral attachment of the ALL on the lateral wall of the lateral femoral condyle to the anatomic femoral ACL footprint on the medial wall of the lateral femoral condyle. The remaining part of the graft is fixed to the proximal tibia midway between Gordy's tubercle and the head of the fibula. This Technical Note describes a technique of both ACL and ALL reconstruction with a continuous hamstring graft.

Combined Anatomic Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Double Bundle Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction.

The results of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction are so far satisfactory and improving over time as a result of the improved understanding of the anatomy and biomechanics of the ACL. Rotational instability confirmed by a positive pivot shift is present in more than 15% of cases who underwent successful ACL reconstruction. Persistent rotational instability interferes with performing pivoting sports, and also may lead to meniscal and chondral injuries, or re-rupture of the reconstructed ACL. Surgeons reconsidered the anatomy and biomechanics of the ACL and introduced the double bundle ACL reconstruction technique aiming to achieve a more rotational control by reconstructing the anteromedial and anterolateral bundles of the ACL. To date, the results of double bundle ACL reconstruction are mixed and inconsistent. The improved understanding of the existence, function, and biomechanical role of the anterolateral ligament (ALL) in controlling the rotational instability of the knee has redirected and refocused attention on a supplemental extra-articular reconstruction of the ALL in conjunction with the intra-articular ACL reconstruction so as to restore normal kinematics of the knee. In this Technical Note, we describe a technique that allows for a combined ACL and double bundle ALL reconstruction using autogenous hamstring graft (semitendinosus and gracilis) tendons. This technique is an extension of our previously described technique of a combined anatomic ACL and single bundle ALL reconstruction. The improved understanding of the anatomy of the ALL makes a double bundle ALL reconstruction more anatomic than single bundle ALL reconstruction, as the native ALL is triangular or inverted Y in shape, with a narrow proximal femoral attachment and a broad distal tibial attachment between Gerdy's tubercle and the head of the fibula.

Autogenous Hamstring-Bone Graft Preparation for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Despite the popularity of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction procedures, the ideal graft for reconstruction remains a matter of controversy. The ideal graft for ACL reconstruction should have histologic and biomechanical characteristics similar to those of the native ACL; should be quickly and fully incorporated within the bony tunnels; should maintain its viscoelastic properties for a long time; should have minimal donor-site morbidity; should be of sufficient length and diameter; should have minimal adverse effects on the extensor mechanism; should have no risk of rejection or disease transmission; and should be cost-effective and readily available. Synthetic grafts are not widely accepted because of their dangerous complications. The main sources of grafts for ACL reconstruction are allografts and autografts. Each type of graft has its own relative advantages and disadvantages. Allografts are not available in every country, besides being expensive, and there are many concerns regarding disease transmission. Autografts, particularly bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB), and hamstring tendon grafts have been the standard for ACL reconstruction. The main advantage of autogenous BPTB grafts is the direct bone-to-bone healing in the tunnel, whereas the main disadvantages of such grafts are related to donor-site morbidity, anterior knee pain, and extensor mechanism dysfunction. The popularity of autogenous hamstring tendon grafts for ACL reconstruction is increasing, but there are still concerns regarding the slow soft tissue-to-bone healing, with delayed healing and incorporation of the graft. We describe a technique for ACL reconstruction with autogenous hamstring-bone graft, aiming to produce a type of graft that combines the main advantages of BPTB and hamstring grafts, with avoidance of the main disadvantages of these 2 most commonly used graft types in ACL reconstruction.

Step-by-Step Arthroscopic Assessment of the Anterolateral Ligament of the Knee Using Anatomic Landmarks.

New insights into the existence and function of the anterolateral ligament (ALL) of the knee have redirected and refocused attention on the secondary restraints of rotational stability of the knee. The importance of assessing the ALL is increasing, especially in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery, to decide on the need for an adjunctive extra-articular reconstruction of the ALL to control rotational instability of the knee. However, preoperative assessment of this ligament is difficult. Clinical assessment of rotatory instability has poor reproducibility. Moreover, it is difficult to assess by current imaging techniques. We describe an easy, simple, practical, safe, and reproducible arthroscopic technique to fully assess the ALL of the knee.