Search

Abstract: Purpose. This study was performed to investigate the effect of shock wave treatment on the healing at tendon–bone interface in rabbits. Materials and methods. Thirty-six New Zealand White rabbits were used in this study. The anterior cruciate ligament was excised and replaced with the long digital extensor. The right knees (study group) were treated with 500 impulses of shock waves at 14kV, while the left knees (control group) received no shock waves. Histomorphological studies were performed in 24 rabbits at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks. Biomechanical studies were performed in 12 rabbits at 12 and 24 weeks. Results. There was significantly more trabecular bone around the tendons noted in the study group compared with the control group at different time intervals after 4 weeks (P <0.05). The contacting between bone and tendon was significantly better in the study group than the control group after 8 weeks (P <0.05). The tensile strength of the tendon–bone interface was significantly higher in the study group than the control group at 24 weeks (P =0.018), whereas similar modes of graft failure were noted between the two groups. Conclusion. Shock wave treatment significantly improves the healing rate of the tendon–bone interface in a bone tunnel in rabbits. The effect of shock waves appears to be time-dependent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This prospective study compared the clinical results of single- and double-bundle posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. There were 35 patients including 19 single- and 16 double-bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions using hamstring autograft. The average age was 29.4±13.6 years versus 28.2±10.4 years; and the average follow-up was 41.0±13.1 months versus 28.2±4.2 months for single- and double-bundle reconstruction, respectively. The indication for surgery was functional disability of the knee due to pain and instability as the result of high-energy PCL injury. The evaluation parameters included functional assessment, ligament laxity, functional score and radiographs of the knee. The results showed no significant difference in functional assessment, ligament laxity, functional score and radiographic changes of the knee between the two techniques. The rate of overall satisfaction with the operation was comparable from patient and surgeon perspectives. Contrary to many recent reports, the results of this study showed that single- and double-bundle PCL reconstruction using hamstring autograft produced comparable clinical results in medium-term follow-up. The difference between single- and double-bundle PCL reconstruction, if any, can be concluded only with long-term results and larger number of patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Despite good early functional results, the posterior laxity of the knee is not completely eliminated after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. The PCL can retain the normal tension only when the injured ligament is maintained anatomically. This article describes a technique of PCL reconstruction using hamstring tendon graft with PCL remnant augmentation. The harvested hamstring tendons were quadrupled, sized, and pretensioned before use. The PCL remnants and the synovium were preserved. Minimal debridement was performed to gain access to the insertion sites. The tibia and femoral tunnels were created with graft size–matched reamers. The graft was transfixed at 70° of knee flexion with a 15-lb anterior drawer force on the proximal tibia. This surgical technique has several advantages. The hamstring graft acts as an independent PCL reconstruction and maintains the PCL remnant tension. The PCL remnants and synovium may be beneficial to ligament healing and postoperative rehabilitation. The procedure is technically feasible and cosmetically acceptable. The selection of autograft precludes the risks of allograft and artificial ligament. The short-term results are encouraging, but long-term results are needed to confirm the value of this technique for PCL reconstruction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This prospective clinical study was performed to compare the functional results and clinical outcomes of 32 autogenous and 23 allogenous posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstructions with an average follow-up of 34 months. Both groups showed similar age, gender and follow-up time. The indications for surgery included knees with functional disability due to pain and instability from high-energy PCL injury with failure of conservative treatments. Arthroscopic single-bundle PCL reconstruction was performed with a similar technique in both groups with the exception of graft selection. All patients received the same postoperative rehabilitation. The evaluation parameters included functional assessment, ligament laxity, functional score, kinematics evaluation and radiographic examination. Autogenous and allogenous PCL reconstructions showed comparable functional results and clinical outcomes. No statistically significant difference was noted in ligament laxity and radiographic changes between the two groups. Complications were more prevalent with autogenous grafts. In conclusion, autogenous and allogenous tendon grafts are equally effective in PCL reconstruction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]