Modulation of early osteoarthritis by tibiofemoral re-alignment in sheep.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether tibiofemoral alignment influences early knee osteoarthritis (OA). We hypothesized that varus overload exacerbates early degenerative osteochondral changes, and that valgus underload diminishes early OA. METHOD: Normal, over- and underload were induced by altering alignment via high tibial osteotomy in adult sheep (n = 8 each). Simultaneously, OA was induced by partial medial anterior meniscectomy. At 6 weeks postoperatively, OA was examined in five individual subregions of the medial tibial plateau using Kellgren-Lawrence grading, quantification of macroscopic OA, semiquantitative histopathological OA and immunohistochemical type-II collagen, ADAMTS-5, and MMP-13 scoring, biochemical determination of DNA and proteoglycan contents, and micro-computed tomographic evaluation of the subchondral bone. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses revealed that OA cartilaginous changes had a temporal priority over subchondral bone changes. Underload inhibited early cartilage degeneration in a characteristic topographic pattern (P ≥ 0.0983 vs. normal), in particular below the meniscal damage, avoided alterations of the subarticular spongiosa (P ≥ 0.162 vs. normal), and prevented the disturbance of otherwise normal osteochondral correlations. Overload induced early alterations of the subchondral bone plate microstructure towards osteopenia, including significantly decreased percent bone volume and increased bone surface-to-volume ratio (all P ≤ 0.0359 vs. normal). CONCLUSION: The data provide high-resolution evidence that tibiofemoral alignment modulates early OA induced by a medial meniscus injury in adult sheep. Since underload inhibits early OA, these data also support the clinical value of strategies to reduce the load in an affected knee compartment to possibly decelerate structural OA progression.

Younger age and hamstring tendon graft are associated with higher IKDC 2000 and KOOS scores during the first year after ACL reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Although reference values in healthy subjects have been published for both the International Knee Documentation Committee 2000 subjective knee form (IKDC 2000) and the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), data obtained during the first year after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) are sparse. The aim was to establish patient reference values for both questionnaires at different time points and depending on nine individual patient characteristics during the first year after ACL-R. METHODS: Prospectively recorded data from a hospital-based registry were retrospectively extracted from the database. IKDC 2000 and KOOS questionnaires were self-administered pre-operatively and 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 and 12 months following primary ACL-R. Score values were compared according to nine individual patient criteria: gender, age, body mass index, level of activity, involvement in competition, previous contralateral knee injury and/or surgery, graft type, meniscal repair and/or cartilage lesions. The feature which had a significant and consistent impact on the outcomes was considered as main reference. RESULTS: Two-hundred and nighty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the score values increased over time after ACL-R. At 12 months, they were significantly greater than at any other time point (p < 0.05). The main individual feature influencing the IKDC 2000 score was age. Patients below 30 years of age had up to 9 points higher IKDC 2000 score values at all time points (p < 0.05). The main individual characteristic influencing the KOOS score was graft type. Patients with hamstring tendon grafts (STGR) had up to 15 points higher KOOS score values than patients with bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) grafts during the first months after ACL-R (p < 0.05). At 12 months, no differences in KOOS score values could be identified anymore. CONCLUSIONS: Younger age (< 30 years) and STGR grafts were related to higher IKDC 2000 and KOOS score values within the first year after primary ACL-R. The patient reference values adjusted to age and graft provided in this study may help to identify patients with lower outcomes within the first year after ACL-R. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Ramp lesions of the medial meniscus are associated with a higher grade of dynamic rotatory laxity in ACL-injured patients in comparison to patients with an isolated injury.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare preoperative knee laxity between two groups of patients with primary or revision ACL reconstruction with or without an associated ramp lesion of the medial meniscus. METHODS: Two-hundred and seventy-five patients with an ACL reconstruction (243 primaries; 32 revisions) were prospectively screened using direct arthroscopic visualisation and divided into a ramp lesion group (RLG) and a control group (CG) regardless of the presence of other associated meniscal tears. All patients were clinically examined under anaesthesia before surgery by grading the Lachman and pivot shift tests. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were included in the RLG. The CG included 217 patients. With all meniscus lesions included, there were no significant differences between the two groups. After excluding all other meniscus lesions in both groups except for ramp lesions in the RLG, the prevalence of a grade III pivot shift was higher in the RLG (32 remaining patients; 47% grade III) compared to the CG (91 remaining patients; 24% grade III, p = 0.02). The difference of patients with a grade III pivot shift between the CG and RLG remained significant after removal of revision ACL reconstructions (CG, 85 remaining patients; 25% grade III-RLG, 27 remaining patients; 44% grade III, p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with an isolated ramp lesion of the medial meniscus in association with an ACL injury displayed a higher amount of dynamic rotational laxity as expressed by the pivot shift test in comparison to patients with isolated ACL injury and no ramp lesion. The association between ramp lesions of the medial meniscus and increased pivot shift grading suggests that it is important to diagnose and repair them during ACL reconstruction surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Anterior buttress plate is successful for treating posterior sterno-clavicular dislocation.

PURPOSE: Traumatic posterior instability of the sternoclavicular joint is a potentially life-threatening injury. In contrast to the low incidence there is a plethora of different strategies to treat this lesion. It was the objective of this retrospective analysis to evaluate and further develop current strategies. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis all posterior dislocations that were diagnosed and treated between 2011 and 2018 were included. In this 7 year period, eight male patients (median age 32 years) were operated. RESULTS: Three patients were not diagnosed at the primary institution and were referred later. Five patients were treated with an anterior buttress plate with clavicular stabilisation only. One patient was stabilized with a temporary sternoclavicular arthrodesis. Two patients were operated using an autologous tendon graft. All of the patients underwent an immediate postoperative CT-scan that documented the anatomical articulation. All patients treated with a plate underwent implant removal. A final CT examination after removal documented the maintenance of the anatomic alignment. CONCLUSIONS: The buttress plate technique with clavicular screw fixation is a sufficient treatment to restore and preserve a normal sternoclavicular alignment. The technique finds its indication in unidirectional posterior instability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Ramp lesions associated with ACL injuries are more likely to be present in contact injuries and complete ACL tears.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyse patient and injury characteristics as well as arthroscopic findings in a prospective cohort of ACL-injured patients with or without an associated ramp lesion. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-four patients undergoing a primary (n = 196) or revision (n = 28) ACL reconstruction were included. The presence of a ramp lesion was determined by a systematic arthroscopic inspection of the posteromedial compartment. Chi-square tests were used to compare the population of ACL-injured patients with and without a ramp lesion regarding sex, age, body mass index, previous ACL injuries, sport before injury, and injury characteristics. Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Fifty-three out of 224 patients had a ramp lesion (24%). The presence of the latter was not related to any of the analysed patient characteristics. The prevalence of the lesion was higher in contact injuries (n = 19; 41%) compared with non-contact injures (n = 34; 19%; p < 0.001). It was higher in patients with complete ACL ruptures (n = 49; 27%) as opposed to partial ruptures (n = 1; 4%; p = 0.01). A patient was 2.98 [95% CI 1.49-5.98] times more likely to have a ramp lesion if the ACL injury was declared to have been caused by direct contact and 8.71 [95% CI 1.15-66.12] times more likely if the ACL tear was complete. CONCLUSION: Ramp lesions may be anticipated in almost one out of four patients undergoing ACL reconstruction, especially if a patient sustained a contact injury and in the presence of a complete ACL tear. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

A finite element model of the lower limb during stance phase of gait cycle including the muscle forces.

BACKGROUND: Results of finite element (FE) analyses can give insight into musculoskeletal diseases if physiological boundary conditions, which include the muscle forces during specific activities of daily life, are considered in the FE modelling. So far, many simplifications of the boundary conditions are currently made. This study presents an approach for FE modelling of the lower limb for which muscle forces were included. METHODS: The stance phase of normal gait was simulated. Muscle forces were calculated using a musculoskeletal rigid body (RB) model of the human body, and were subsequently applied to a FE model of the lower limb. It was shown that the inertial forces are negligible during the stance phase of normal gait. The contact surfaces between the parts within the knee were modelled as bonded. Weak springs were attached to the distal tibia for numerical reasons. RESULTS: Hip joint reaction forces from the RB model and those from the FE model were similar in magnitude with relative differences less than 16%. The forces of the weak spring were negligible compared to the applied muscle forces. The maximal strain was 0.23% in the proximal region of the femoral diaphysis and 1.7% in the contact zone between the tibia and the fibula. CONCLUSIONS: The presented approach based on FE modelling by including muscle forces from inverse dynamic analysis of musculoskeletal RB model can be used to perform analyses of the lower limb with very realistic boundary conditions. In the present form, this model can be used to better understand the loading, stresses and strains of bones in the knee area and hence to analyse osteotomy fixation devices.

Surgical anatomy of medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy: crucial steps and pitfalls.

PURPOSE: To give an overview of the basic knowledge of the functional surgical anatomy of the proximal lower leg and the popliteal region relevant to medial high tibial osteotomy (HTO) as key anatomical structures in spatial relation to the popliteal region and the proximal tibiofibular joint are usually not directly visible and thus escape a direct inspection. METHODS: The surgical anatomy of the human proximal lower leg and its relevance for HTO are illustrated with a special emphasis on the individual steps of the operation involving creation of the osteotomy planes and plate fixation. RESULTS: The posteriorly located popliteal neurovascular bundle, but also lateral structures such as the peroneal nerve, the head of the fibula and the lateral collateral ligament must be protected from the instruments used for osteotomy. Neither positioning the knee joint in flexion, nor the posterior thin muscle layer of the popliteal muscle offers adequate protection of the popliteal neurovascular bundle when performing the osteotomy. Tactile feedback through a loss-of-resistance when the opposite cortex is perforated is only possible when sawing and drilling is performed in a pounding fashion. Kirschner wires with a proximal thread, therefore, always need to be introduced under fluoroscopic control. Due to anatomy of the tibial head, the tibial slope may increase inadvertently. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced surgical knowledge of anatomical structures that are at a potential risk during the different steps of osteotomy or plate fixation will help to avoid possible injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Expert opinion, Level V.

Effect of open wedge high tibial osteotomy on the lateral tibiofemoral compartment in sheep. Part III: analysis of the microstructure of the subchondral bone and correlations with the articular cartilage and meniscus.

PURPOSE: First, to evaluate whether medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) induces alterations of the microstructure of the lateral tibial subchondral bone plate of sheep. Second, to test the hypothesis that specific correlations exist between topographical structural alterations of the subchondral bone, the cartilage and the lateral meniscus. METHODS: Three experimental groups received biplanar osteotomies of the right proximal tibiae: (a) closing wedge HTO (4.5° of tibial varus), (b) opening wedge HTO (4.5° tibial valgus; standard correction) and (c) opening wedge HTO (9.5° of valgus; overcorrection), each of which was compared to the non-osteotomised contralateral proximal tibiae. After 6 months, subchondral bone structure indices were measured by computed tomography. Correlations between the subchondral bone, the articular cartilage and the lateral meniscus were determined. RESULTS: Increased loading by valgus overcorrection led to an enlarged specific bone surface (BS/BV) in the subarticular spongiosa compared with unloading by varisation. The subchondral bone plate was 3.9-fold thicker in the central region of the lateral tibial plateau than in the submeniscal periphery. Its thickness in the central region significantly correlated with the thickness of the articular cartilage. In the submeniscal region, such correlation did not exist. In general, a higher degree of osteoarthritis (OA) correlated with alterations of the subchondral bone plate microstructure. OA of the submeniscal articular cartilage also correlated with worse matrix staining of the lateral meniscus. CONCLUSION: Osteoarthritis changes are associated with alterations of the subchondral bone plate microstructure. Specific topographical relationships exist in the central region between the articular cartilage and subchondral bone plate thickness, and in the submeniscal periphery between and the articular cartilage and lateral meniscus. From a clinical perspective, the combined follow-up data from this and the previous two investigations suggest that open wedge valgus HTO is a safe procedure for the lateral compartment to manage medial osteoarthritis of the knee with varus malalignment in the short term.

Effect of open wedge high tibial osteotomy on the lateral tibiofemoral compartment in sheep. Part II: standard and overcorrection do not cause articular cartilage degeneration.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) results in structural changes in the articular cartilage in the lateral tibiofemoral compartment of adult sheep. METHODS: Three experimental groups received biplanar osteotomies of the right proximal tibiae: (a) closing wedge HTO (4.5° of tibial varus), (b) opening wedge HTO (4.5° tibial valgus; standard correction), and (c) opening wedge HTO (9.5° of valgus; overcorrection), each of which was compared to the contralateral knees that only received an arthrotomy. After 6 months, the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the articular cartilage of the lateral tibiofemoral compartment were assessed. RESULTS: The articular cartilage in the central region of the lateral tibial plateau in sheep had a higher safranin O staining intensity and was 4.6-fold thicker than in the periphery (covered by the lateral meniscus). No topographical variation in the type-II collagen immunoreactivity was seen. All lateral tibial plateaus showed osteoarthritic changes in regions not covered by the lateral meniscus. No osteoarthritis was seen in the peripheral submeniscal regions of the lateral tibial plateau and the lateral femoral condyle. Opening wedge HTO resulting in both standard and overcorrection was not associated with significant macroscopic and microscopic structural changes between groups in the articular cartilage of the lateral tibial plateau and femoral condyle after 6 months in vivo. CONCLUSION: Opening wedge HTO resulting in both standard and overcorrection is a safe procedure for the articular cartilage in an intact lateral tibiofemoral compartment of adult sheep at 6 months postoperatively.

[Sense or nonsense of unloader braces]. / Sinn oder Unsinn der "unloader braces"

BACKGROUND: Unloader knee braces are a viable and cost-effective alternative in for treatment of medial osteoarthritis of the knee in selected patients. They provide the potential to predict which patients could benefit from a high tibial osteotomy (HTO) and which patients should better be treated which a unicondylar or bicondylar knee replacement. DISCUSSION: A direct clinical benefit in pain reduction as well as improved knee function has been shown in several clinical studies; however, the underlying mechanism remains uncertain. A potential reduction of the load in the medial compartment of the knee joint by reducing the varus or valgus deformity as well as a reduction of enhanced muscle contraction is discussed. CONCLUSION: Despite the promising short-term results, possible long-term benefits of unloader braces are controversial. As possible reasons, natural progression of the underlying osteoarthritis as well as compliance of the patients to wear the braces diminishes significantly with time.

The preclinical sheep model of high tibial osteotomy relating basic science to the clinics: standards, techniques and pitfalls.

PURPOSE: To develop a preclinical large animal model of high tibial osteotomy to study the effect of axial alignment on the lower extremity on specific issues of the knee joint, such as in articular cartilage repair, development of osteoarthritis and meniscal lesions. Preoperative planning, surgical procedure and postoperative care known from humans were adapted to develop a HTO model in the adult sheep. METHODS: Thirty-five healthy, skeletally mature, female Merino sheep between 2 and 4 years of age underwent a HTO of their right tibia in a medial open-wedge technique inducing a normal (group 1) and an excessive valgus alignment (group 2) and a closed-wedge technique (group 3) inducing a varus alignment with the aim of elucidating the effect of limb alignment on cartilage repair in vivo. Animals were followed up for 6 months. RESULTS: Solid bone healing and maintenance of correction are most likely if the following surgical principles are respected: (1) medial and longitudinal approach to the proximal tibia; (2) biplanar osteotomy to increase initial rotatory stability regardless of the direction of correction; (3) small, narrow but long implant with locking screws; (4) posterior plate placement to avoid slope changes; (5) use of bicortical screws to account for the brittle bone of the tibial head and to avoid tibial head displacement. CONCLUSION: Although successful high tibial osteotomy in sheep is complex, the sheep may--because of its similarities with humans--serve as an elegant model to induce axial malalignment in a clinically relevant environment, and osteotomy healing under challenging mechanical conditions.

Wedge volume and osteotomy surface depend on surgical technique for high tibial osteotomy.

PURPOSE: Biplanar open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) is thought to promote rapid bone healing due to the increased cancellous bone surface compared to other HTO techniques. However, precise data on the bone surface area and wedge volume resulting from both open- and closed-wedge HTO techniques remain unknown. We hypothesized that biplanar rather than uniplanar HTO better reflects the ideal geometrical requirements for bone healing, representing a large cancellous bone surface combined with a small wedge volume. METHODS: Tibial saw bones were assigned to 4 different groups of valgisation high tibial osteotomies: group 1: open-wedge uniplanar HTO; group 2: open-wedge biplanar HTO with ascending frontal cut; group 3: open-wedge biplanar HTO with descending frontal cut (retrotubercule osteotomy technique), and group 4: closed-wedge uniplanar HTO. Bone surface areas of all osteotomy planes were quantified. Wedge volumes were determined using a prism-based algorithm, applying standardized wedge heights of 5, 10, and 15 mm. RESULTS: The open-wedge biplanar osteotomy with a descending frontal cut (group 3) created significantly larger bone surfaces compared to the "classic" biplanar technique with an ascending frontal cut (group 2) and compared to all uniplanar techniques. Bone surfaces after the classic open-wedge technique (group 2) were slightly larger compared to all uniplanar techniques (group 1 and 4). No significant differences of wedge volumes were found between the retrotubercle (group 3) and classic open-wedge techniques (group 2). Wedge volumes were significantly higher in the uniplanar open-wedge technique (group 1) compared to the biplanar open-wedge techniques (group 2 and 3). CONCLUSION: Bone geometry following HTO suggests that the biplanar open-wedge techniques simultaneously create smaller wedge volumes and larger bone surface areas compared to the uniplanar open-wedge techniques. The relatively neglected closed-wedge technique still offers in theory the best healing potential, characterized by an almost absent wedge volume and a large bone-to-bone contact area. Although this idealized geometric view on bony geometry excludes all biologic factors that influence bone healing, the current data suggest a general rule for the applied standard osteotomy techniques and all of their surgical modifications: reducing the amount of slow gap healing and simultaneously increasing the area of faster contact healing may be beneficial for osteotomy healing. Thus, a biplanar rather than a uniplanar osteotomy may be performed for high tibial osteotomy in clinical practice.

Wedge volume and osteotomy surface depend on surgical technique for distal femoral osteotomy.

PURPOSE: Biplanar distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) is thought to promote rapid bone healing due to the increased cancellous bone surface compared to other DFO techniques. However, precise data on the bone surface area and wedge volume resulting from both open- and closed-wedge DFO techniques remain unknown. We hypothesized that biplanar rather than uniplanar DFO better reflects the ideal geometrical requirements for bone healing, representing a large cancellous bone surface combined with a small wedge volume. METHODS: Femoral saw bones were assigned to 4 different groups of varization distal femur osteotomies: group 1, lateral open-wedge uniplanar DFO; group 2, medial closed-wedge uniplanar DFO; group 3, lateral open-wedge biplanar DFO; and group 4, medial closed-wedge biplanar DFO. Bone surface areas of all osteotomy planes were quantified. Wedge volumes were determined using a prism-based algorithm, applying standardized wedge heights of 5, 10 and 15 mm. RESULTS: The biplanar osteotomy techniques (groups 3 and 4) created significantly larger femoral surface compared to the uniplanar groups (groups 1 and 2) (p = 0.036). Bone surfaces after the lateral biplanar open-wedge technique (group 3) were slightly larger than the medial biplanar closed-wedge technique (group 4) and biplane techniques significantly larger than the uniplanar techniques (groups 1 and 2). Wedge volumes were significantly higher in the lateral uniplanar open-wedge (group 1) and biplanar open-wedge (group 3) techniques compared to the closed-wedge techniques (groups 2 and 4) that have nearly absent wedge volumes. CONCLUSION: Bone geometry following DFO suggests that the medial biplanar closed-wedge technique simultaneously creates smaller wedge volume and larger bone surface areas compared to the lateral biplanar open-wedge and the uniplanar DFO techniques. The horizontal cuts of the biplane DFO techniques are positioned behind the trochlear area in better healing metaphysial bone, which further enhances bone healing potential. Although this idealized geometric view on bony geometry excludes all biological factors that influence bone healing, the current data confirm the general rule for osteotomy techniques: reducing the amount of slow gap healing and wedge volumes and simultaneously increasing the area of faster contact healing by larger bone surface areas may be beneficial for osteotomy healing.

Effect of open wedge high tibial osteotomy on the lateral compartment in sheep. Part I: Analysis of the lateral meniscus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) results in structural and biochemical changes in the lateral meniscus in adult sheep. METHODS: Three experimental groups with biplanar osteotomies of the right proximal tibiae were tested: (a) closing wedge HTO resulting in 4.5° of tibial varus, (b) open wedge HTO resulting in 4.5° of tibial valgus (standard correction) and (c) open wedge HTO resulting in 9.5° of valgus (overcorrection), each of which was compared to the contralateral knees with normal limb axes. After 6 months, the lateral menisci were macroscopically and microscopically evaluated. The proteoglycan and DNA contents of the red-red and white-white zones of the anterior, middle and posterior third were determined. RESULTS: Semiquantitative macroscopic and microscopic grading revealed no structural differences between groups. The red-red zone of the middle third of the lateral menisci of animals that underwent overcorrection exhibited a significant 0.7-fold decrease in mean DNA contents compared with the control knee without HTO (P = 0.012). Comparative estimation of the DNA and proteoglycan contents and proteoglycan/DNA ratios of all other parts and zones of the lateral menisci did not reveal significant differences between groups. CONCLUSION: Open wedge HTO does not lead to significant macroscopic and microscopic structural changes in the lateral meniscus after 6 months in vivo. Overcorrection significantly decreases the proliferative activity of the cells in the red-red zone of the middle third in the sheep model.

A systematic approach to managing complications after proximal tibial osteotomies of the knee.

Proximal tibial osteotomy (PTO) is an effective procedure for active and young adult patients with symptomatic unicompartmental osteoarthritis and malalignment. They were considered technically demanding and prone to various complications related to the surgical technique, biomechanical or biological origin. Among the most important are hinge fractures and delayed or non-healing, neurovascular complications, loss of correction, implant-related problems, patellofemoral complaints, biological complications and changes in limb length. Being aware of these problems can help minimizing their prevalence and improve the results of the procedure.The aim of this narrative review is to discuss the potential complications that may occur during and after proximal tibial osteotomies, their origin and ways to prevent them.

Comparable biomechanical results for a modified single-row rotator cuff reconstruction using triple-loaded suture anchors versus a suture-bridging double-row repair.

PURPOSE: To compare the biomechanical properties and footprint coverage of a single-row (SR) repair using a modified suture configuration versus a double-row (DR) suture-bridge repair in small to medium and medium to large rotator cuff tears. METHODS: We created 25- and 35-mm artificial defects in the rotator cuff of 24 human cadaveric shoulders. The reconstructions were performed as either an SR repair with triple-loaded suture anchors (2 to 3 anchors) and a modified suture configuration or a modified suture-bridge DR repair (4 to 6 anchors). Reconstructions were cyclically loaded from 10 to 60 N. The load was increased stepwise up to 100, 180, and 250 N. Cyclic displacement and load to failure were determined. Furthermore, footprint widths were quantified. RESULTS: In the 25-mm rupture, ultimate load to failure was 533 ± 107 N for the SR repair and 681 ± 250 N for the DR technique (P ≥ .21). In the 35-mm tear, ultimate load to failure was 792 ± 122 N for the SR reconstruction and 891 ± 174 N for the DR reconstruction (P ≥ .28). There were no statistically significant differences for both tested rupture sizes. Cyclic displacement showed no significant differences between the tested configurations at 60 N (P = .563), 100 N (P = .171), 180 N (P = .211), and 250 N (P = .478) for the 25-mm tear. For the 35-mm tear, cyclic displacement showed significantly lower gap formation for the SR reconstruction at 180 N (P = .037) and 250 N (P = .020). No significant differences were found at 60 N (P = .296) and 100 N (P = .077). A significantly greater footprint width (P = .028) was seen for the DR repair (16.2 mm) compared with the SR repair (13.8 mm). However, both reconstructions were able to achieve complete footprint coverage compared with the initial footprint. CONCLUSIONS: The tested SR repair using a modified suture configuration was similar in load to failure and cyclic displacement to the DR suture-bridge technique independent of the tested initial sizes of the rupture. The tested DR repair consistently restored a larger footprint than the SR method. However, both constructs achieved complete footprint coverage. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: SR repairs with modified suture configurations might combine the biomechanical advantages and increased footprint coverage that are described for DR repairs without increasing the overall costs of the reconstruction.

Static rotational knee laxity in anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to provide an overview of the non-invasive devices measuring static rotational knee laxity in order to formulate recommendations for the future. RESULTS: Early cadaver studies provided evidence that sectioning the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) led to an increase of static rotational knee laxity of approximately 10-20% between full extension and 30° of knee flexion. Sections of the menisci or of the peripheral structures induced a much higher increase in rotation. This supported the hypothesis that static rotation measurements might be useful for the diagnosis of ACL or associated injuries. In vivo evaluations with measurement devices are relatively new. Several articles were published during the last decade with many different devices and important differences were seen in absolute rotational knee laxity between them. This was due to the varying precision of the devices, the variability in patient positioning, the different methods of measurement, examination protocols and data analysis. As a consequence, comparison of the available results should be performed with caution. Nevertheless, it has been established that rotational knee laxity was greater in females as compared to males and that the inter-subject variability was high. For this reason, it will probably be difficult to categorise injured patients preoperatively, and the interpretation of the results should probably be limited to side-to-side differences. CONCLUSION: Future studies will show whether rotational laxity measurements alone will be sufficient to provide clinically relevant data or if they should be combined to static sagittal laxity measurements.

Objective measurement devices to assess static rotational knee laxity: focus on the Rotameter.

PURPOSE: The present article summarizes the development of a simple, objective, and non-invasive measurement device for tibiofemoral rotation to assess static rotational knee laxity. METHODS AND RESULTS: The device is based on the dial test with the patient lying prone and the knee flexed to 30°. From measurements of 30 healthy participants, the device achieved high inter- and intra-observer reliability and showed a high correlation of the measured results with the contralateral knees of the participants. Measurements of the device were also performed in a human cadaver study and revealed highly correlated results when compared to the simultaneous measurements of a knee navigation system, which was used as an invasive standard method to assess tibial rotation. In human cadaver specimens, it was shown that a simulated tear of the posterolateral bundle as well as a complete ACL tear led to a significant increase in isolated tibiofemoral rotation compared to the intact ACL. A retrospective case series investigated the clinical results as well as knee laxity measurements after ACL surgery in vivo. Rotational, as well as anteroposterior (AP), knee laxity was objectively assessed in 52 patients at a mean postoperative follow-up of 27 months by comparing the measured results with the results of the contralateral unaffected knee in each patient. The clinical results were comparable to the results reported in the literature. Moreover, rotational laxity was successfully restored after ACL reconstruction, whereas AP laxity showed significant differences compared to the contralateral knees although they were defined as clinically successful according to the IKDC classification. CONCLUSIONS: A non-invasive and objective knee rotational measurement device has been developed, which offers good potential for objective quality control in knee ligament injuries and their treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Review article, Level IV.

Quantifying the Human Subchondral Trabecular Bone Microstructure in Osteoarthritis with Clinical CT.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by critical alterations of the subchondral bone microstructure, besides the well-known cartilaginous changes. Clinical computed tomography (CT) detection of quantitative 3D microstructural subchondral bone parameters is applied to monitor changes of subchondral bone structure in different stages of human OA and is compared with micro-CT, the gold standard. Determination by clinical CT (287 µm resolution) of key microstructural parameters in tibial plateaus with mild-to-moderate and severe OA reveals strong correlations to micro-CT (35 µm), high inter- and intraobserver reliability, and small relative differences. In vivo, normal, mild-to-moderate, and severe OA are compared with clinical CT (331 µm). All approaches detect characteristic expanded trabecular structure in severe OA and fundamental microstructural correlations with clinical OA stage. Multivariate analyses at various in vivo and ex vivo imaging resolutions always reliably separate mild-to-moderate from severe OA (except mild-to-moderate OA from normal), revealing a striking similarity between 287 µm clinical and 35 µm micro-CT. Thus, accurate structural measurements using clinical CT with a resolution near the trabecular dimensions are possible. Clinical CT offers an opportunity to quantitatively monitor subchondral bone microstructure in clinical and experimental settings as an advanced tool of investigating OA and other diseases affecting bone architecture.