Do outcomes of outpatient ACL reconstruction vary with graft type?

BACKGROUND: Studies establishing the feasibility of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction as an outpatient procedure in France were usually conducted with hamstring tendon grafts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of outpatient ACL reconstruction according to whether the graft was harvested from the hamstring tendons or patellar tendon. HYPOTHESIS: Outpatient ACL reconstruction can be performed using any type of graft. METHODS: A single-centre retrospective study was conducted in consecutive patients older than 16 years who had primary ACL reconstruction using patellar tendon or hamstring tendons, with or without lateral tenodesis. Patients who underwent other procedures on bones or peripheral ligaments and those with a previous history of ACL reconstruction were excluded. The primary evaluation criterion was the occurrence of complications within 45 days after surgery. Secondary evaluation criteria were the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain during the first 3 postoperative days, patient satisfaction on day 3, and the IKDC and Lysholm clinical scores on day 45. RESULTS: The analysis included 104 knees (one knee per patient). Hamstring tendons were used in 77 (74%) knees and patellar tendon in 27 (26%) knees. In the hamstring group, 2 (2.6%) patients spent the first postoperative night in the hospital and 2 others were re-admitted. No hospitalisations were recorded in the patellar-tendon group. None of the patients required revision surgery within 45 days of the reconstruction procedure. None of the postoperative criteria studied showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. DISCUSSION: ACL reconstruction can be performed on an outpatient basis using any type of graft. The main determinants of successful outpatient ACL reconstruction are a standardised clinical management strategy and an appropriate anaesthesia protocol. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective study.

Partial meniscectomy and anterior cruciate ligament rupture in soccer players. A study with a minimum 20-year followup.

A retrospective review of 77 soccer players with 91 affected knees that had undergone the same operation, a rim-preserving meniscectomy, was made with a minimum followup of 20 years and an average followup of 27 years. The patients were divided into groups based on the presence of an intact (Group 1) or ruptured (Group 2) anterior cruciate ligament. At 5 years after meniscectomy, 75% of Group 1 and 52% of Group 2 were still playing soccer, and 13% in Group 1 as opposed to 28% in Group 2 had given up sports. The sporting class assessment was good in 80% of the Group 1 knees and 62% in the Group 2 knees. By followup, 5% of Group 1 and 32% of Group 2 required further meniscectomies, and 2% of Group 1 and 16% of Group 2 required operations for osteoarthritis. Radiologically diagnosed osteoarthritis was present in 24% of Group 1 knees compared with 77% of Group 2. Functionally, 60% of the Group 1 knees were excellent at followup as opposed to 9% in Group 2 knees. In Group 1, 49% were still involved in sports compared with 22% in Group 2. However, 97% of Group 1 were satisfied with their knees compared with 74% of Group 2. All of these differences were statistically significant.

[Knee imaging: what is the best modality]. / Imagerie du genou: quel examen choisir?

A wide range of exams are available for imaging the knee: standard radiography, ultrasound, bone scintigraphy, CT scan, arthroscan, MRI, arthro-MRI. The radiologist must be aware of the performance capacities of each technique in order to orient the clinician's choice towards the most appropriate exam in a given clinical situation. In the first part of this paper, we examine the performances, advantages and disadvantages of each technique: exam conditions (patient position, incidence, slice thickness, sequence.) are detailed as required. The second part is a practical guide for some typical clinical situations with decision trees for ordering necessary and sufficient explorations.

[Patellar entrapment due to a force-impaction fracture of the lateral condyle. Apropos of a case]. / Incarcération patellaire par impaction dans une fracture enfoncement du condyle latéral. A propos d'un cas.

Dash board injuries lead to well known osseous or ligamentous injuries. The authors report a case of femoral condyle impaction fracture with patellar entrapment. The deepening trochleoplasty experienced by H. Dejour in patellar instabilities was used for lateral condyle resurfacing. The final result after one year was excellent.

[Postoperative low patella. Treatment by lengthening of the patellar tendon]. / La rotule basse postopératoire. Traitement par allongement du tendon rotulien.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Patella infera is a post operative complication that can be prevented in most cases. This study was undertaken to determine etiological factors and to determine the means to avoid patella infera following knee surgery. The authors describe a new surgical technic to correct this complication and describe prognostic factors for achieving good results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1985 to 1991, 35 patellar tendon lengthenings were performed in 35 patients. There were 28 female and 7 male patients with an average age of 37 years (21 to 72). Follow-up averaged 27 months and all patients had radiographic follow-ups. All patients had previous knee surgery: 21 for patellar pain (= patellar pain), 9 ACL reconstructions, 5 traumatic lesions. The range of motion of the knee was between 5 and 120 degrees. Patients complained of a burning pain in the patellar region and the sensation that the knee was held in a vice. The average Insall index was 0.55 (0.3 to 0.87). 25 patients had osteoporosis of the patella and 31 patients had a typical "sunrise" aspect on axial radiographs in 30 degrees of flexion. The usual diagnosis was that of algodystrophy. All patients underwent patellar tendon lengthening. RESULTS: Intra operative findings showed transverse retractions leading to resection of the medial and lateral retinaculum. The patellar tendon was short but its histological structure was normal. 15 patients had excellent results with no residual pain and were able to resume sports activities. 11 had good results with residual pain in hyperflexion and 9 had poor functional results, however nocturnal pain disappeared. Range of motion was between 0 and 130 degrees. Radiographic results were excellent since the preoperative average Insall score of 0.55 increased to 1.02 at follow-up. DISCUSSION: Patella infera is caused by combination of two factors: patellar surgery (painful patellar syndrome, patellar instability, ACL reconstruction using the mid third of the patellar tendon) and painful post operative rehabilitation with no active quadriceps contractions. To avoid this complication, the knee should be braced in 20 degrees of flexion to tense the patellar tendon and rehabilitation should be undertaken with active quadriceps contractions. Patellar lengthening is a successful procedure with the results being dependent upon number of previous surgeries, cartilage damage and, most importantly, the patellar index: between 0.8 and 0.65 the results are uncertain, < 0.6, the results are usually good. CONCLUSION: Patella infera is not a frequent complication of knee surgery. It is important to diagnose it early in order to prevent it. For chronic cases, surgical criteria should be strict: sensation of burning pain, lack of motion, unstable flexed monopodal stance, "sunrise" aspect on axial radiographs and a patellar index < 0.6. Patella infera differs from algodystrophy and re operation by retinacular release is indicated if the delay from previous surgery is < 2 months. In older cases, patellar tendon lengthening should be undertaken.

[Quadriceps dysplasia and patellar tilt in objective patellar instability]. / Dysplasie du quadriceps et bascule rotulienne dans l'instabilité rotulienne objective.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Dysplasia of the vastus medialis, a well-known landmark of patellar instability, is difficult to point out pre-operatively. We propose the measurement of patellar tilt on the CT scans in order to appreciate abnormality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 3 well defined groups: 143 knees operated on for a true dislocation of the patella, either for the first time or a recurrent episode, 67 asymptomatic and nonoperated contralateral knees and 54 control knees. The patellar tilt in extension was measured on the CT-scan with the quadriceps relaxed and contracted. RESULTS: The results showed the increase of the patellar tilt as an characteristic factor of patellar instability (28.8 + 10.5 degrees against 11.8 degrees + 5.7 degrees in the control group). Patellar tilt was not a consequence of the dislocation because it was also significantly increased in the asymptomatic contralateral group (17 degrees + 9 degrees). Quadricipital contraction increased the patellar tilt only in the two groups of patellar instability (+ 6 degrees) and asymptomatic contralateral group (+ 13 degrees) but not in the control group (+ 1.6 degrees). The mean of the relaxed and the contracted quadriceps patellar tilt includes the dynamic trouble. We propose the threshold of 20 degrees to determine a pathological patellar tilt. In this case, sensibility is 90 per cent and the specificity is 91 per cent. In the other patellar instability factors, only severe trochlear dysplasias involved the patellar tilt. DISCUSSION: We think that the patellar tilt in extension is a landmark of a functional disorder of the whole quadriceps muscle more than the vastus medialis only. The mean of the relaxed and contracted quadriceps patellar tilt measures permitted to point out the border cases of this functional abnormality. This measurement is reliable and can be considered pathologic above 20 degrees. The results of Insall's muscular plasty were only symptomatic because this procedure could not correct the effect of the quadricipital contraction.

[Chronic anterior laxity of the knee treated with free patellar graft and extra-articular lateral plasty: 10-year follow-up of 148 cases]. / Laxités antérieures chroniques du genou traitées par greffe libre de tendon rotulien avec plastie latérale extra-articulaire. 148 cas revus à plus de 10 ans.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Assess long-term subjective, functional and radiographic outcome after free patellar graft and extra-articular lateral plasty for chronic anterior laxity of the knee. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 148 cases of chronic anterior laxity of the knee treated by free patellar graft and extra-articular lateral Lemaire plasy were reviewed after a mean follow-up of 11.5 years (range 10-15 years). A complete work-up was performed in all cases at 4 years postsurgery to assess objective, sport, function and radiographic outcome (objective laxity and osteoarthritic status). RESULTS: Subjectively, 65 p. 100 of the patients were very satisfied and 24 p. 100 were satisfied. According to the IKDC classification, functional outcome was in class A in 22 p. 100 and in class B in 49 p. 100. All failures (14 p. 100) except one occurred during the first year. When the meniscus was healthy or repaired, the failure rate was only 4 p. 100. Two principal factors favoring failure were severe laxity (meniscectomy) and poor femoral position. Residual laxity measured on the lateral view in the one-leg weight bearing position was 3.3 mm in the overall series, 2.4 mm for cases with isolated anterior laxity, and 4 mm for chronic laxities. Residual laxity was higher if the medial meniscus was totally or partially removed. There was no change between the 4th and 11th year of follow-up. A secondary meniscectomy was performed in 5 p. 100 of the cases despite renewed sports activity in 80 p. 100 of the cases. Osteoarthritic degeneration was the most important factor for less favorable outcome: 42 p. 100 of the cases developed preosteoarthitis or osteoarthritis. Joint degeneration occurred almost exclusively in patients who had undergone medial meniscectomy. Only 2 p. 100 of the patients with a healthy or repaired meniscus developed osteoarthritis. When the anterior laxity was the only anomaly, the functional result was very excellent, with renewed sports activity. Even in cases with persistent residual laxity, there were almost no failures or secondary meniscal lesions if the femoral position was correct. DISCUSSION: For chronic laxity, free patellar graft alone cannot avoid a high rate of failure and/or joint degeneration, particularly favored by an incorrect femoral position. Improved results can only be achieved by preserving the meniscus and possibly associating a lateral or medial plasty whose effect remains to be evaluated.

The introduction of a new MRI index to evaluate sagittal patellofemoral engagement.

INTRODUCTION: Patella alta is one of the primary factors of patellofemoral instability and its importance lies in the reduced engagement between patella and trochlea during the early degrees of flexion. The evaluation of patellar height is based on conventional x-rays, CT scan and, more recently, MRI. The objective of this multicentric prospective study is to describe a novel index to assess in the sagittal plane the functional engagement between patella and trochlea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-five patients with objective patellar dislocation were prospectively enrolled between April 2010 and September 2011 and were compared with a second group of 45 controls. All patients underwent a standard MRI and a complete radiographic study. Sagittal engagement was measured as the ratio between the articular cartilage of the patella and the trochlear cartilage length measured on two different MRI slices. RESULTS: The mean Sagittal Patellofemoral Engagement (SPE) index was 0.43 ± 0.18 and ranged from 0.02 to 0.913 in the Objective Patellar Dislocation group versus 0.42 ± 0.11 range 0.22 to 0.55 in controls. In the Patellar Dislocation group the mean Caton-Deschamps index was 1.18 ± 0.21 (range 0.71 to 1.91). There were 58 patients with patella alta, in whom the mean SPE was 0.39 ± 0.18 (range 0.02 to 0.87). Sagittal engagement was significantly higher when compared with patients in the Patellar Dislocation group who had no patella alta (mean 0.46 ± 0.16, range 0.1-0.913). DISCUSSION: The present study introduces a new method to measure the SPE with the use of MRI. The evaluation of the functional engagement of the patella with the femoral trochlea in the sagittal plane can serve as a supplementary tool to the existing methods of evaluating patellar height, and may help to better identify the cases where inadequate engagement is recorded despite the absence of patella alta, so that the need for tibial tuberosity osteotomy may be re-assessed.

Axial MRI index of patellar engagement: a new method to assess patellar instability.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to define a new index to measure lateral patellar displacement (LPD) using nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an axial index of engagement of the patella (AEI) obtained from two different axial MRI views then to validate its use in a prospective series of patients presenting an objective patellar instability (OPI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-five patients with OPI and no history of surgery of the patella were included in a prospective study organized by the French Society of Arthroscopy performed between June 2010 and August 2012. All patients underwent axial and sagittal MRI. The AEI was obtained by projecting predefined patellar and trochlear landmarks (cartilaginous landmarks) on 2 different axial MRI views (one trochlear and one patellar). The results were compared with a series of controls (n=45). RESULTS: The preoperative AEI of the patella was 0.94 ± 0.09 for the control group and 0.84 ± 0.16 for OPI group (P=0.000016). The AEI could be obtained in 100% of the cases if it was measured on 2 MRI views while it could not be measured in 38.5% of the cases if the measurement was only obtained from one MRI view or whenever the widest part of the patella was not across from the femoral trochlea. The AEI did not significantly depend on dysplasia or the presence of a supratrochlear spur. The lowest AIE values were associated with trochlear dysplasia with a supratrochlear spur (P=0.0023) and a more prominent trochlea (P=0.0016). The AEI was correlated with patellar tilt (P<0.000001) and TT-TG on MRI (P<0.000001). DISCUSSION: AEI is a new index to measure LPD. It can be obtained in all cases because it is obtained from two different MRI views. The normal value is close to 1. It can be used to measure patellar instability on the axial plane in patients with OPI, especially in the most severe cases.

Bone-patellar tendon-bone graft via a single minimally-invasive approach versus a classical approach in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a prospective study.

UNLABELLED: Harvesting the patellar ligament for anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions can be a source of anterior knee pain and hypoesthesia of the lateral side of the knee. We analyzed the feasibility of a minimally-invasive technique via a single patellar approach and postulate that it reduces anterior pain and limits the hypoesthesia area. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, comparative, non-randomized, single-center study was conducted on two groups: one undergoing surgery with the classical anteromedial approach, the other with the minimally-invasive approach. Each group included 20 patients. Both series were reviewed between the 6th and 8th month after surgery. The revision was clinical, radiological, and ultrasonographic. RESULTS: The grafts harvested via the classical approach in all 20 cases presented good characteristics, versus eight out of 18 for the grafts harvested via the minimally-invasive approach. A prominent anterior tibial tuberosity improved the quality of the tibial bone block. A hypoesthesia zone was found in 16 cases out of 18 in the classical approach group, it measured a mean 10.3 ± 5.6 cm(2). A surface area of 3 cm(2) was noted in one case from the minimally-invasive group. No significant difference was found for the subjective and objective IKDC and Lille patellofemoral scores between the two groups. Anterior pain was present in four patients in the classical group and six in the minimally-invasive group. DISCUSSION: The minimally-invasive technique reduces the risk of cutaneous hypoesthesia. It does not prevent anterior pain related to harvesting the patellar tendon and a good-quality transplant can be obtained if the anterior tibial tuberosity is prominent. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III: case-control study.

A comparison of Telos™ stress radiography versus Rolimeter™ in the diagnosis of different patterns of anterior cruciate ligament tears.

INTRODUCTION: Our knowledge on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) pathomechanics has increased. The diagnosis of partial ACL tears must be accurate in order to adjust the operative planning to anatomic status and injury severity. Instrumented measurement of knee laxity is a useful preoperative tool to quantify anterior tibial translation and several laximetry tests are available. Yet, their accuracy remains to be established. HYPOTHESIS: Clinical examination combined to instrumented laximetry with Telos™ 15 kg and/or Rolimeter™ would increase their sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of various ACL injury patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and seventy-seven patients were prospectively included. The ACL status was validated by arthroscopy. Around 69.5% had a complete ACL tear and 30.5% had a partial ACL tear. RESULTS: Gross laxity with positive clinical tests was associated with complete ACL tears. Mean side-to-side difference was significantly greater with both laximetry methods in complete versus partial ACL tears. Laximetry results among different types of partial tears were not significantly different. Telos™ results were consistent with gross laxity confirmed by pivot-shift test, while this was not recorded with Rolimeter™. Gross laxity with clinical tests and anterior tibial translation more than 5mm with Telos™ were substantially associated with complete ACL tears. DISCUSSION: The combination of standard clinical examination with Telos™ was more accurate than with Rolimeter™ in the preoperative identification of the ACL injury pattern. Applying additional diagnostic tools can help the surgeon to preoperatively diagnose partial or complete ACL ruptures and propose an injury-specific surgical treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III (case-control study).

[Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) in France]. / La maladie de Chagas (ou trypanosomose américaine) en France.

Chagas disease is an anthropozoonotic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted by a hematophagous triatomine insect vector belonging to the Reduviidae family, while taking a blood meal. There is a large reservoir of wild and domestic mammals. Human contamination may come via vectorial, transplacental, and digestive routes, blood transfusion, organ or tissue transplantation, and by accident. The disease has two phases. The acute phase, oligosymptomatic, is frequently undiagnosed. It is followed by a chronic phase. Most of the infected patients remain asymptomatic all life-long. But 10 or 25 years later, one third of infected patients present with cardiac or digestive complications. Chagas disease is endemic in Latin America, from Mexico to Argentina. In French Guyana, the prevalence of the infection was estimated at 0.25% and 0.5% (from 500 to 1000 infected patients) on blood samples collected from 1992 to 1998. In 2000 and 2009, 192 cases were diagnosed. In this district, there is no established domestic vector and the transmission risk is low. The vector is very easily found in forest habitats and even in the peridomestic persistent forest, with an infection rate of 46 to 86%. Vectorial eradication is impossible. Fighting against Chagas disease in French Guyana relies more on individual protection, control of blood transfusion, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, diagnosis, and treatment of infected patients than on vectorial control.

[Evaluation of anterior knee laxity on MRI]. / Évaluation de la laxité antérieure du genou en IRM: la laxi-IRM.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the ACL and anterior knee laxity on MR during anterior tibial translation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three groups were identified based on clinical and arthrometric (KT-1000) data: normal ACL (n=12), complete tear (n=10) and partial tear (n=20). MRI was performed without and with anterior tibial translation (pneumatic device) with morphological and laximetric analysis: drawer tests and dynamic evaluation of ligamentous tension. RESULTS: Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was excellent, correlated to arthrometric data and clinical tests (Lachman, pivot shift). The difference between the drawer signs of normal subjects and patients with ACL tear was significant for a threshold value of 1,1mm for the anterior drawer (sensitivity: 93.33%, specificity: 91.7%) and 2.8 mm for the posterior drawer (sensitivity: 86.7%, specificity: 100%). Dynamic evaluation of ligamentous tension was also reproducible, statistically correlated to the MR drawer tests and reliable for the diagnosis of ACL lesions. In this preliminary study, the distinction between complete and partial ACL tears could not be detected. CONCLUSION: Anterior cruciate ligament function can be demonstrated on MR. The predictive value of this morphological and functional association should be determined in the management of patients with partial tears.

Current concept of partial anterior cruciate ligament ruptures.

A partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament is a frequent pattern of ACL injury, observed in 10 to 27% of isolated ACL lesions. There are three reasons to preserve these remnants: biomechanical, vascular and proprioceptive advantages for the patient. Good quality fibers work as graft protection during the healing process. Periligamentous and endoligamentous vessels present into the native ACL tissue may enhance the vascularization of the ACL augmentation. Mechanoreceptors still remaining in the residual ACL fibers may have proprioceptive function. Definition is controversial, based on anatomy, on clinical examination, on instrumental laxity assessment or on MRI findings. Continuous remnant ACL fibers bridging the femur and tibia, from native femoral ACL footprint to native tibial ACL footprint seem to be a good definition. Diagnostic is suspected by accumulation of arguments brought by a thorough clinical examination, precise MRI analysis and examination under anesthesia. But the final diagnostic needs an arthroscopic evaluation to confirm the presence of fibers in good position and to validate its good mechanical properties. The treatment of ACL partial tear is a demanding surgery; difficulties to visualize the graft insertion site, especially on the femoral side, require a perfect knowledge of the normal anatomy of the native ACL footprint. Adapted portals, perfect controls of the tunnel drilling process, intercondylar notch space management are the keys of success. The pivot shift test under anesthesia, a hard stop Lachman test, MRI findings, level and type of sport, arthroscopic aspects of the remnants and its mechanical properties, allow the surgeon decide between non operative treatment, ACL augmentation or standard ACL reconstruction.

Anterior cruciate ligament mucoid degeneration: selecting the best treatment option.

INTRODUCTION: Mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a little-known entity. The clinical presentation is one of posterior pain with limited flexion. Its interstitial nature within the ACL structure contrasts with synovial cyst of the ACL. Arthroscopic treatment may include ACL resection, which raises the questions about the harmlessness of this procedure and the risk of anterior instability. HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopic resection of ACL mucoid degeneration is effective for treating pain and flexion limitation, but at the expense of anterior laxity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This bicentric, retrospective cohort study with an average follow-up of 6years involved 27 patients (29 knees) presenting with symptomatic ACL mucoid degeneration validated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Noninfiltrating synovial cysts of the ACL were excluded. Average patient age was 49 (22 to 68) years. Preoperative assessment included a questionnaire, clinical examination (Lachman and pivot shift tests), MRI and standard radiography. Arthroscopic examination analyzed the ACL aspect and its associated lesions (meniscus, cartilage). Anatomopathology samples were collected in 18 cases. Postoperative follow-up included standard radiography and dynamic examination, measuring laxity with a Telos device. RESULTS: Pain was posterior in 23 knees (80%). Fourteen knees (48%) had limited flexion, on average 97 degrees. Twelve partial and 17 total resections were performed. Twenty knees (69%) had associated cartilaginous lesions and 19 (66%) had meniscal lesions. Meniscectomy was undertaken in 11 cases (41%). Posterior pain disappeared in 27 cases (93%), on average 3.7 weeks after the procedure. Average improvement in flexion was 21.5 degrees (0 to 60 degrees). Twenty-eight knees (97%) showed soft and/or delayed stops on postoperative Lachman testing. Average postoperative differential laxity on the Telos device was 8.3 mm (5 to 13 mm). Average postoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) were 71.2 (42.5 to 92.0) and 78.2 (26.4 to 99). Two patients uderwent secondary ligamentoplasty. DISCUSSION: Treatment of ACL mucoid degeneration by arthroscopic resection is effective for posterior pain and flexion limitation. It results in postoperative laxity, but rarely in frank instability. Therefore, indications for ACL resection must be carefully selected. Young and active patients should be warned about the risk of requiring secondary ligamentoplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV (retrospective cohort study).

[The ACL tear from the pre-operative analysis to a 2-year follow-up, influence of the graft choice on the subjective and objective evaluation]. / La rupture du ligament croisé antérieur, de l'analyse préopératoire du type de rupture à l'évaluation finale à deux ans, retentissement selon le transplant choisi sur les résultats subjectifs et objectifs.

This study is a synthesis of three series. The first study was prospective on 418 patients with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear (group I). Two population of ACL ruptures were identified. One population with a postero-lateral bundle preserved in 16%, the mean medial anterior tibial translation side to side was 4.97 mm, the Lachman test was delayed in 40% with no or glide pivot shift in 73%. The second population with a complete ACL tear had a mean medial anterior tibial translation side to side of 7.93 mm, the Lachman test was soft in 98% with gross pivot shift in 80%. The second study was a retrospective study on 258 patients (group II) at 26 months follow-up, it correlated the impact of the type of graft on the clinical objective and subjective results. Twenty-eight percent had anterior knee pain, 33% for the patellar tendon and 25% for the hamstrings, the subjective IKDC was significantly lower for the painful knees, and 68% of the patellar tendon had a hypoesthesia and only 32% for the hamstrings. The ability to walk on the knee was 68% for the hamstrings and 35% for the patellar tendon. The third study was retrospective on 127 patients, 24 months after ACL reconstruction (group III), all were tested on a isokinetic machine for the extensor, the flexor and the internal rotator. In the total population, a 10% extensor and flexor deficit and a 5% rotator deficit was noted. A significant difference between patellar tendon and hamstrings in terms of muscular recovery was found. It pointed out that a more specific rehabilitation should be done on the hamstring group. The muscular recovery was correlated to the highest subjective score. This study allowed the surgeon to be more specific in the ACL tear definition, to adapt the graft choice to the type of sport activity but also to the type of work the patient does and finally to modify the rehabilitation protocol for the hamstring technique.

[Clinical, radiological and arthroscopic analysis of the ACL tear. A prospective study of 418 cases]. / Analyses clinique, radiologique et arthroscopique de la rupture du LCA. Etude prospective de 418 cas.

This prospective multicentric study concerns 418 anterior cruciate ligament tears. It correlates the arthroscopic data's and the clinical and radiological data's. Four types of anterior cruciate ligament tears were identified. Complete tears, postero lateral bundle preserved, healing on the posterior cruciate ligament and healing in the notch. The statistical correlations had shown a highest laxity in the complete tear group with a highest rate of soft Lachman and gross pivot shift, a highest incidence of medial meniscus tears was also noted and a longer delay between injury and surgery, 24 months for the complete tear group and seven months for the postero lateral bundle group. The mean medial compartment laxity, side to side, in the postero lateral bundle group was 4.93 mm and 7.93 mm in the complete tear group. These data could help the surgeon in his surgical planning especially in case of partial tears.

[Isokinetic assessment with two years follow-up of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with patellar tendon or hamstring tendons]. / Evaluation isocinétique à deux ans de ligamentoplasties du ligament croisé antérieur au tendon rotulien et aux ischiojambiers.

This retrospective multicentric study was designed to assess the outcome of quadriceps and hamstrings muscles two years after Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction and compare muscles recovery depending on the type of graft and individual variables like age, gender, level of sport, but also in terms of discomfort, pain and functional score. The results focused on the subjective and objective IKDC scores, SF36, the existence or not of subjective disorders and their location. The review included isokinetic muscle tests concentric and eccentric extensors/flexors but also internal rotators/external rotators with analysis of mean work and mean power. One hundred and twenty-seven patients were included with an average age 29 years (+/-10). They all had an ACL reconstruction with patellar tendon or hamstring tendon with single or double bundles. In the serie, the average muscles deficit at two years was 10% for the flexors and extensors but with a significant dispersion. Significant differences were not noted in the mean values of all parameters in term of sex or age (over 30 years or not), neither the type of sport, nor of clinical assessment (Class A and B of objective IKDC score), nor the existence of anterior knee pain. There was a relationship between the level of extensor or flexor recovery and the quality of functional results with minimal muscle deficits close to 5% if the IKDC score was over 90 and deficits falling to 15% in the group with IKDC score less than 90. The type of reconstruction (patellar tendon versus hamstrings) had an influence on the muscle deficit. For extensors, the recovery was the same in the two groups, more than 90% at two years and the distribution of these two populations by level of deficit was quite the same. For flexors, residual deficits were significantly higher in the hamstrings group on the three studied parameters whatever the speed and the type of contraction (concentric or eccentric) with an average deficit of 14 to 18%, while, in the patellar tendon group, there was a dominance over the opposite side of 2 to 3% in concentric contraction. The hamstrings deficit appears to be "harvest dependent". For internal rotators, a significantly higher deficit is observed in eccentric contraction for the hamstrings group. The residual hamstrings deficits were related to the number of tendons harvested: -7% when there was no harvest, 7% with one tendon harvested and 17% with two tendons harvested. The relationship between the level of recovery of the quadriceps muscle and hamstrings at two years and the quality of functional results incite, regarding the significantly higher deficit of flexors in ACL reconstructions with hamstrings, to change the rehabilitation programs and especially on early rehabilitation of hamstrings in eccentric mode in the early weeks postoperative considering the harvest site as an equivalent of muscle tear.

The effect of trochleoplasty on patellar stability and kinematics: a biomechanical study in vitro.

Objective patellar instability has been correlated with dysplasia of the femoral trochlea. This in vitro study tested the hypothesis that trochleoplasty would increase patellar stability and normalise the kinematics of a knee with a dysplastic trochlea. Six fresh-frozen knees were loaded via the heads of the quadriceps. The patella was displaced 10 mm laterally and the displacing force was measured from 0 degrees to 90 degrees of flexion. Patellar tracking was measured from 0 degrees to 130 degrees of knee flexion using magnetic sensors. These tests were repeated after raising the central anterior trochlea to simulate dysplasia, and repeated again after performing a trochleoplasty on each specimen. The simulated dysplasia significantly reduced stability from that of the normal knee (p < 0.001). Trochleoplasty significantly increased the stability (p < 0.001), so that it did not then differ significantly from the normal knee (p = 0.244). There were small but statistically significant changes in patellar tracking (p< 0.001). This study has provided objective biomechanical data to support the use of trochleoplasty in the treatment of patellar instability associated with femoral trochlear dysplasia.