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Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate if the operated knee environment remains abnormal in patients successfully treated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL‐R). Methods: Thirty asymptomatic patients were enrolled (28 men, 2 women, age 28.6 ± 6.54 years, body mass index: 24.9 ± 3.0 kg/m2) and evaluated at 42.2 ± 12.5 months after surgery. Patients were assessed with patient‐reported outcome measurements and with a triaxial accelerometer. The temperature of the knees as well as four regions of interest were evaluated with an infrared thermographic camera FLIR T1020 (FLIR® Systems) according to a standardised protocol including a baseline evaluation and further evaluations immediately after exercise and after 5, 10 and 20 min. The temperature of the ACL‐R knee was compared to that of the contralateral healthy knee for the purpose of the study. Results: The mean temperature of the knee was higher (p = 0.010) for the ACL‐R knees (31.4 ± 1.4°C) compared to the healthy knees (31.1 ± 1.6°C), as well as for the patellar area (p = 0.005), the lateral area (p = 0.016) and the medial area (p = 0.014). The analysis of the response to the exercises of the ACL‐R knees showed similar trends to the healthy knees but higher temperature values at all time points (p < 0.05). Patients who underwent ACL‐R with concomitant meniscal treatment showed higher knee temperatures compared to ACL‐R knees without concomitant meniscal treatment after 5 (p = 0.047), 10 (p = 0.027) and 20 min (p = 0.048). Conclusions: The temperature of asymptomatic knees previously treated with ACL‐R is higher than the contralateral healthy knee, both at rest and after exercise, with a further increase in knees that underwent both ACL‐R and meniscal treatment. These results suggest an inflammatory state persisting years after the surgery, which could predispose to the early onset of knee degeneration. Level of Evidence: III, Case–control study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Patellar cartilage lesions are a frequent and challenging finding in orthopaedic clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate a chitosan‐based scaffold's mid‐term clinical and imaging results patients with patellar cartilage lesions. Methods: Thirteen patients (nine men, four women, 31.3 ± 12.7 years old) were clinically evaluated prospectively at baseline, 12, 24 and at a final minimum follow‐up of 60 months (80.2 ± 14.7) with International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and Tegner scores. A magnetic resonance analysis was performed at the last follow‐up using the Magnetic resonance Observation of CArtilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) 2.0 score. Results: An overall significant clinical improvement in the scores was observed from baseline to all follow‐ups, with stable clinical results from 24 months to the mid‐term evaluation. The IKDC subjective score passed from 46.3 ± 20.0 at baseline to 70.1 ± 21.5 at the last follow‐up (p = 0.029). Symptoms' duration before surgery negatively correlated with the clinical improvement from baseline to the final follow‐up (p = 0.013) and sex influenced the improvement of activity level from the preoperative evaluation to the final follow‐up, with better results in men (p = 0.049). In line with the clinical findings, positive results were documented in terms of cartilage repair quality with a mean MOCART 2.0 score of 72.4 ± 12.5. Conclusions: Overall, the use of this chitosan‐based scaffold provided satisfactory results with a stable clinical improvement up to mid‐term follow‐up, which should be confirmed by further high‐level studies to be considered a suitable surgical option to treat patients affected by patellar cartilage lesions. Level of Evidence: Level IV, prospective case series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the fragility index (FI) as a statistical tool used to assess the robustness of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in orthopaedics. It highlights the increasing number of studies using the FI to evaluate RCTs and the common conclusion that RCTs in orthopaedics are frequently fragile. However, the article argues that direct comparisons between the FI and the number of patients lost to follow-up are misleading and inaccurate. It suggests that the interpretation of fragility values should be done in the context of each individual RCT and that multiple metrics, including p values, confidence intervals, and FIs, should be considered to determine the validity of RCT conclusions. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: to provide a comprehensive overview of all the surgical techniques published in the literature for repairing meniscal ramp lesions focusing on the technical aspects and the pros and cons of every procedure. Such lesions can be managed using various approaches, each of this with its specific advantages and disadvantages. Methods: Pubmed Central, Scopus, and EMBASE databases were systematically reviewed according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analysis (PRISMA) guidelines for studies on surgical techniques for repairing meniscal ramp lesions through May 2023. Overall, 32 articles matched the selection criteria and were included in the study. Results: Debridement alone may be sufficient for small stable meniscal ramp lesions but, for tears in the menisco‐capsular junction that affect the stability of the medial meniscus, it seems reasonable to repair it, even though the clinical results available in literature are contrasting. All‐inside sutures through anterior portals seems to be an effective solution for meniscal ramp lesions with MTL tears. All‐inside sutures through posteromedial portals are particularly useful for large meniscal ramp lesions, in which an inside‐out suture can also be performed. Conclusion: Meniscal ramp lesions can be managed using various approaches, each of this with its specific advantages and disadvantages. Further research is required to determine the optimal technique that can be considered as the gold standard and can provide the better results. Level of Evidence: Level III, systematic review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction is a technically demanding surgical procedure that requires optimal identification of both the femoral and the tibial anatomical footprints. To aid the tibial tunnel placement and many authors recommend creating a posteromedial (PM) portal. The further addition of a second PM portal, which could be used as a "working portal", may further allow a more straightforward reconstruction by improving the identification of the anatomical footprint, the clearing of the stump, and the graft passage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulse lavage (PL) debridement is the standard treatment used in Debridement, Antibiotics and Implant Retention (DAIR) for bacterial biofilm removal during acute and early postoperative cases of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The failure rate of DAIR is still high due to the inadequacy of PL in removing the biofilm. Ultrasound‐based techniques are a well‐established tool for PJI diagnosis due to their ability to completely eradicate the biofilm from implant surfaces. Hence, this study investigates the efficiency of a piezoelectric ultrasonic scalpel (PUS) in removing bacterial biofilm from different orthopedic implant materials in vitro and compares the results with PL. Biofilms of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains were grown on titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V ELI), stainless steel (AISI 316L), and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) disks for 24 h. The disks of each material were divided into three groups: (i) a control group (no lavage/debridement), (ii) a group treated with PL, (iii) a group treated with PUS. The disks were then sonicated for viable cell count to measure the residual biofilm content. Compared to the initial cell count (105 CFU/mL for each material), PL showed a two‐log reduction of CFU/mL (p < 0.001 for each material), while for PUS a four‐log reduction was found (p < 0.001 for each material). The comparison between the two lavage/debridement displayed a two‐log reduction of CFU/mL (p < 0.001 for each material) of PUS compared with PL. Its increased efficiency compared with PL promotes the use of PUS in removing bacterial biofilm from orthopedic implants, suggesting its implementation to improve the success rate of DAIR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents with an evidence based approach, the kinematical rationale, biological evidence and the long term results of the "Over-The-Top" anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with lateral plasty technique. This surgery was developed more than 25 years ago at the Rizzoli Institute by professor Marcacci and Zaffagnini and it is still widely performed in many orthopedic center worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The anterolateral ligament (ALL) has been defined as a key stabilizer of internal tibial rotation at 35° or more of knee flexion, with a minimal primary or secondary stabilizing role in the AP direction. This study aimed to demonstrate that anatomical reconstruction of the ALL confers rotational stability equal to that of the uninjured knee. Hypothesis: anteroposterior (AP) and rotatory laxity will significantly vary after ALL tenotomy and ALL reconstruction with the author's previously described technique. Methods: After ultrasound (US) ALL identification, different kinematic measurements were performed with an image-less Computer-Assisted Navigation System with dedicated software for Laxity Analysis in 5 knee specimens. Anteroposterior (AP) translations and varus/valgus (VV) and Internal-External (IE) rotations were evaluated by two trained orthopedic surgeons before ALL section, after ALL section, and after ALL anatomical reconstruction with doubled ipsilateral autologous gracilis tendon. Results: ALL resection significantly increased laxity in IE rotations with knee 90° flexed (IE90) and AP translation with tibia internally rotated and the knee 30° flexed (APlat) (p < 0.05). ALL reconstruction significantly reduced laxity in IE90 and APlat (p < 0.05) and reduced VV rotations at 30° of flexion (VV30) (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant elongation differences between native ALL and reconstructed ALL (graft) during laxity tests. The inter-operator repeatability of the tests was excellent for each measurement. Conclusions: ALL acted as an important internal tibial rotation restrain at 90° and a significant (secondary) AP stabilizer at 30° of knee flexion. The presented ALL reconstruction technique significantly restored the increase of knee laxity produced by the ALL section. Scientific level: Case-Controlled Laboratory Study, Level III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are caused by both contact and non-contact injuries. However, it can be claimed that non-contact ones account approximately for 70% of all cases. Thus, several authors have emphasized the role of reduction of muscle strength as a modifiable risk factor referred to non-contact ACL injury, with the latter being targeted by specific training interventions. The present paper wants to review the available literature specifically on the relationship between dynamic knee valgus, gluteal muscles (GM) strength, apart from the potential correlation regarding ACL injury. After a research based on MEDLINE via PubMed, Google scholar, and Web of Science, a total of 29 articles were collected and thus included. Additionally, this review highlights the crucial role of gluteal muscles in maintaining a correct knee position in the coronal plane during different exercises, namely walking, running, jumping and landing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is one of the most common sport-related injuries and the request for ACL reconstructions is increasing nowadays. Unfortunately, ACL graft failures are reported in up to 34.2% in athletes, representing a traumatic and career-threatening event. It can be convenient to understand the various risk factors for ACL failure, in order to properly inform the patients about the expected outcomes and to minimize the chance of poor results. In literature, a multitude of studies have been performed on the failure risks after ACL reconstruction, but the huge amount of data may generate much confusion. The aim of this review is to resume the data collected from literature on the risk of graft failure after ACL reconstruction in athletes, focusing on the following three key points: individuate the predisposing factors to ACL reconstruction failure, analyze surgical aspects which may have significant impact on outcomes, highlight the current criteria regarding safe return to sport after ACL reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study aims were to assess the kinematic data, Internal-External (IE) rotation, and Antero-Posterior (AP) translation of the contact points between the femoral condyles and polyethylene insert and to develop a combined dynamic RSA-FE (Radiostereometric – Finite Element) model that gives results congruent with the literature. Methods: A cohort of 15 patients who underwent cemented cruciate-retaining highly congruent mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty were analyzed during a sit-to-stand motor task. The kinematical data from Dynamic RSA were used as input for a patient-specific FE model to calculate condylar contact points between the femoral component and polyethylene insert. Results: The femoral component showed an overall range about 4 mm of AP translation during the whole motor task, and the majority of the movement was after 40° of flexion. Concerning the IE rotation, the femoral component started from an externally rotate position (− 6.7 ± 10°) at 80° of flexion and performed an internal rotation during the entire motor task. The overall range of the IE rotation was 8.2°. Conclusions: During the sit to stand, a slight anterior translation from 40° to 0° of flexion of the femoral component with respect to polyethylene insert, which could represent a paradoxical anterior translation. Despite a paradoxical anterior femoral translation was detected, the implants were found to be stable. Dynamic RSA and FE combined technique could provide information about prosthetic component's stress and strain distribution and the influence of the different designs during the movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paediatric and adolescent ACL injuries are an emerging health burden, increasing at a higher rate than in adults. They compromise quality of life, affect knee structure and function, lead to the early development of osteoarthritis and are a serious economic burden due to shortened professional careers and subsequent surgeries. Up to 35% of children and adolescents will experience a second ACL injury and this population particularly at high risk of secondary intraarticular soft tissue degeneration and growth abnormalities. However, there is still a lack of high-quality outcome studies on this specific population and many knowledge gaps persist in the current treatment guidelines. It is currently unknown whether ACL reconstruction in this young population decreases the risk of irreversible secondary intraarticular soft tissue degeneration. Furthermore, it is not known whether return to high or elite level sports after paediatric ACL injury or reconstruction should be recommended. The relatively low number of paediatric ACL injuries seen in each hospital makes it necessary to conduct international multi-centre studies to collect robust data to provide evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of these injuries. The Paediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Initiative (PAMI) was thus started by the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery & Arthroscopy and opened for patient inclusion in 2018. This comprehensive overview of the first 2 years of the PAMI registry shows that the project is now well consolidated and accepted by the European orthopaedic community. Future challenges include ensuring additional external funding to ascertain long term sustainability and continuous dissemination of the knowledge acquired in scientific journals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the main focus areas for research and development for furthering the state of meniscus science in 2021. Methods: An electronic survey including 10 questions was sent in a blind fashion to the faculty members of the 5th International Conference on Meniscus Science and Surgery. These faculty served as an expert consensus on the future of research and development areas of meniscus science. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ranking weighted averages were calculated to score survey questions. Results: Of the 82 faculty, 76 (93%) from 18 different countries completed the survey (84% male, 16% female). The highest ranked future research and development focus areas were meniscus repair, biologics, osteotomy procedures, addressing meniscus extrusion, and the development of new therapies for the prevention of posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Currently, the most 'valuable' type of biologic reported for meniscus treatment was platelet-rich plasma. The main reported global research limitation was a lack of long-term clinical outcomes data. The most promising emerging medical technologies for improving meniscus science were 3-D printing, personalized medicine, and artificial implants. Conclusions: This survey suggests that the future of meniscus science should be focused on meniscal preservation techniques through meniscus repair, addressing meniscal extrusion, and the use of orthobiologics. The lack of long-term clinical outcomes was the main reported research limitation globally for meniscus treatment. Future product development utilizing emerging medical technologies suggest the use of 3-D printing for meniscal transplants/scaffolds, personalized treatment, and bioengineering for artificial implants. Level of Evidence: Level V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ESSKA is constantly committed to promoting the improvement of scientific quality through the publication of books and the organization of dedicated conferences. In line with this commitment, this interview paper was crated with the aim of being useful for all the young scientists and orthopaedics keen in musculoskeletal and sport medicine research. Three Editors from the most important journals in our field were invited to participate: Jon Karlsson from Knee Surgery Sport Traumatology and Arthroscopy, Bruce Reider from The American Journal of Sport Medicine and Edward Wojtys from Sports Health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The menisci represent indispensable intraarticular components of a well-functioning knee joint. Sports activities, traumatic incidents, or simply degenerative conditions can cause meniscal injuries, which often require surgical intervention. Efforts in biomechanical and clinical research have led to the recommendation of a meniscus-preserving rather than a meniscus-resecting treatment approach. Nevertheless, partial or even total meniscal resection is sometimes inevitable. In such circumstances, techniques of meniscal substitution are required. Autologous, allogenic, and artificial meniscal substitutes are available which have evolved in recent years. Basic anatomical and biomechanical knowledge, clinical application, radiological and clinical outcomes as well as future perspectives of meniscal substitutes are presented in this article. A comprehensive knowledge of the different approaches to meniscal substitution is required in order to integrate these evolving techniques in daily clinical practice to prevent the devastating effects of lost meniscal tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare in hand and foot. In this paper we present a case of reconstruction of Achilles tendon defect with peroneus brevis transfer reinforced with medial gastrocnemius fascia and plantaris tendon after excision of a local recurrence of epithelioid sarcoma. Case presentation: Fifty-five years-old female. MRI showed a lump of 5 × 2,5 × 2 cm into Achille's tendon with invasion of the anterior fat tissue but no invasion of the surrounding bones. The patient underwent excision of the tumour and reconstruction of the tendinous defect with peroneus brevis transfer. Surgical technique has been widely described. Discussion and conclusions: Epithelioid sarcoma arising from the Achilles tendon is an extremely rare malignant tumour in an atypical site and may easily be confused with other soft tissue masses. It presents a technical challenge because of the large tendon defect remaining following wide resection. Reconstruction with peroneus brevis transfer, reinforced with medial gastrocnemius fascia and plantaris tendon, restore appropriate structural continuity and resistance. Functional results are satisfactory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to acquire and compare by the use of a navigation system the intra-operative flexion-extension movement of the knee performed actively by the patient and passively by the surgeon before and after a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) implantation. Methods: A cohort of 31 patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA), candidate for TKA underwent intra-operative kinematics assessment with a commercial navigation system before and after the definitive implant positioning of a Cruciate Retaining (CR) Mobile Bearing (MB) prostheses. The kinematical data were acquired while surgeon performed the flexion-extension movement (passive ROM - pROM), and while the patient performed it (active ROM - aROM). Differences between pre- and post- implantation and between active and passive motions, were statistically analyzed using paired Student t-tests (p = 0.05). Results: No statistically significant difference were found between aROM and pROM with paired Student t-test regarding internal-external rotation and anterior-posterior translation of the femoral component with respect to the tibia during flexion-extension movement before and after TKA implant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Active muscle contraction seems to not significantly affect TKA kinematics. The ROM performed by the surgeon during operation resemble the movement actively performed by the patient. The clinical relevance of this study further supports the use of CAS system in performing intra-operative analysis concerning knee biomechanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate clinical ad radiological outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with an immunochemically modified porcine patellar tendon xenograft controlled against human Achilles tendon allograft at 24-month minimum follow-up. Methods: 66 patients undergoing arthroscopic ACL reconstruction were randomized into 2 groups: 34 allografts and 32 xenografts treated to attenuate the host immune response. Follow-up was 24-month minimum. Anterior knee stability was measured as KT − 1000 side-to-side laxity difference (respect to the contralateral healthy knee). Functional performance was assessed by one-legged hop test. Objective manual pivot-shift test and subjective (IKDC, Tegner and SF-36) outcomes were collected. MRI and standard X-Ray were performed. Results: 61 subjects (32 allograft, 29 xenograft) were evaluated at 12 and 24 months. Six of the subjects in xenograft group (20.6%) got an infection attributed to a water-based pathogen graft contamination in processing. Intention-to-treat analysis (using the last observation carried forward imputation method) revealed higher KT − 1000 laxity in xenograft group at 24-month follow-up (P =.042). Also pivot-shift was higher in xenograft group at 12-month (P =.015) and 24-month follow-up (P =.038). Per-protocol analysis (missing/contaminated subjects excluded) did not revealed clinical differences between groups. Tibial tunnel widening in the allograft group was low, whereas xenograft tunnel widening was within the expected range of 20–35% as reported in the literature. No immunological reactivity was associated to xenograft group. Conclusions: High infection rate (20.6%) was reported in xenograft group. Both groups of patients achieved comparable clinical outcomes if missing/contaminated subjects are excluded. Improved harvesting/processing treatments in future studies using xenografts for ACL reconstruction are needed to reduce infection rate, otherwise xenograft should not be used in ACL reconstruction. Level of evidence: Multicenter and double-blinded Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial, Level I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: One of the main problems of Kirschner wire fixation of fifth metatarsal base fractures (in combination with a tension band wiring technique) seems to be hardware intolerance and several studies in athletes also report failure after isolated fixation with a screw only. These reports prompted us to look at new materials and a novel technique through fixation with an intramedullary screw combined with a high-resistance suture via the presented F.E.R.I. (Fifth metatarsal, Extra-portal, Rigid, Innovative) technique. Methods: This cadaveric study describes F.E.R.I. technique. On a cadaver, through two mini portals, a full reduction and solid internal fixation with an intramedullary screw and suture cerclage with Fiberwire of a fifth metatarsal base fracture is achieved. In this article, the cadaveric study and proposed surgical technique are explained and illustrated step by step. Results: The presented internal fixation F.E.R.I. technique is indicated in acute proximal fractures, stress fractures or non-union of metatarsal 5 (Zone 2–3 by Lawrence and Botte) and it resulted feasible and stable during manual stress test. The authors intend to study this technique in the clinical setting in the near future. Conclusions: Fifth metatarsal base fractures gain specific interest when occurring in athletes. In this group of patients, internal fixation is often required to obtain a satisfactory outcome and time to return to play. The aim of the presented cadaveric study is to illustrate an innovative concept of internal fixation, named F.E.R.I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT) is a surgical procedure performed in patients complaining post-meniscectomy syndrome. Although the effectiveness of MAT on knee stability has been already demonstrated in cadaveric studies, its biomechanical role has been poorly evaluated in-vivo. Methods: A narrative review of the biomechanical effect of meniscectomy and MAT was performed. Furthermore, two cases were presented, of one patient who underwent Medial MAT and Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction, and one who underwent Lateral MAT. During the surgery, knee laxity was evaluated using a surgical navigation system. Results: AP laxity and IE rotation were reduced of 25% to 50% at both 30° and 90° of knee flexion after MAT transplantation. Discussion: In both cases, almost all the tests performed showed a reduction of knee laxity after meniscus transplant, when compared with pre-operative knee laxity. This assessment confirms the insights of previous in-vitro studies and underline a crucial role of MAT in knee biomechanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]