Search

Objective: To compare the extent of cartilage deterioration in knees with prior meniscal resection related to trauma versus knees with resection related to degenerative disease, and to compare cartilage deterioration in knees with meniscal surgery to knees without meniscal surgery, controlling for prior knee trauma.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we assessed cartilage deterioration in right knees of Osteoarthritis Initiative participants: (i) with meniscal surgery due to injury (n = 79); (ii) matched control knees with a prior injury but without meniscal surgery (n = 79); (iii) with meniscal surgery but without preceding injury (n = 36); and (iv) matched control knees without meniscal surgery or prior knee injury (n = 36). Cartilage composition was measured using T2 measurements derived using semi-automatic cartilage segmentation of the right. Linear regression analysis was used to compare compartmental values of T2 between groups.Results: Comparing the mean T2 values in surgical cases with and without injury our results did not show significant differences (group i vs. iii, p > 0.05). However, knees with previous meniscal surgery showed significantly (p < 0.001) higher mean T2 values across all compartments (i.e., global T2) when compared to those without meniscal surgery for both knees with a history of trauma (group i vs. ii) and knees without prior trauma (group iii vs. iv). Similar results were obtained when analyzing the compartments separately.Conclusions: Cartilage deterioration, assessed by T2, is similar in knees undergoing meniscal surgery after trauma and for degenerative conditions. Both groups demonstrated greater cartilage deterioration than nonsurgical knees, controlling for prior knee injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We performed a randomised controlled trial (RCT) in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction (ACLR) using either quadriceps tendon graft (QT) or semitendinosus/gracilis hamstring (STG) graft. We compared subjective outcome (primary outcome) and knee stability, donor site morbidity and function (secondary outcomes).Methods: From 2013 to 2015, we included 99 adults with isolated ACL injuries in the RCT. Fifty patients were randomised to QT grafts and 49 to STG grafts and followed for 2 years. Patient evaluated outcomes were performed by subjective International Knee Documentation Committee, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Kujala and Tegner activity scores. Knee laxity was measured with a KT-1000 arthrometer. Donor site morbidity was evaluated by the 'donor site-related functional problems following ACLR score'. One-leg hop test tested limp strength symmetry.Results: At 2-year follow-up, there was no difference between the two graft groups regarding subjective patient outcome, knee stability and reoperations. Also, at 2 years, donor site symptoms were present in 27% of patients in the QT group and 50% of patients in the STG group. The donor site morbidity score was 14 and 22 for the QT and STG, respectively. Hop test demonstrated lower limp symmetry for QT graft than STG graft of 91% and 97% respectively.Conclusion: QT graft for ACLR did not result in inferior subjective outcome compared with STG graft. However, QT graft was associated with lower donor site morbidity than STG grafts but resulted in more quadriceps muscle strength deficiency than hamstring grafts. Both graft types had similar knee stability outcome.Trial Registration Number: NCT02173483. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Arthroscopic surgery procedures vary depending on the types of meniscus tear, including meniscectomy and meniscus repair. Among the several types of meniscus tear, the horizontal tear of the lateral meniscus at the popliteal hiatus region is a common injury, and its surgical treatment is still inconsistent.Methods: Between January 2018 and October 2018, 20 patients who underwent all-inside repair with suture hook for the horizontal tear of the lateral meniscus at the popliteal hiatus region were recruited. Any operative complication was recorded, and postoperative MRI scans were conducted at the 6 months. The clinical results were graded based on the scale of the Lysholm knee score preoperatively and at follow-up.Results: No operative complications were recorded. Postoperative MRIs at the 6 months showed that there was no re-tear for all patients, though signal intensity remained high in T2-weighted MRI in the lateral meniscus for nine cases. The average preoperative Lysholm knee score was 58.6 ± 10.1, which increased significantly to 89.3 ± 7.8 (t = - 11.01, p = 0.001) at the last follow-up. Recurrence or aggravation of symptoms was not noted at the final follow-up.Conclusion: All-inside repair with suture hook may be a good option for the horizontal tear of the lateral meniscus at the popliteal hiatus region which preserves the meniscus; avoids iatrogenic injury on the adjacent popliteal tendon, common peroneal nerve, and inferior lateral geniculate artery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We sought to determine the indications, type, and outcomes of reoperations on the aortic root after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).Methods: Eleven centers belonging to the European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association contributed to the data collection process. We included 36 patients who underwent surgical procedures on the aortic root, including surgery on the aortic valve and ascending aorta, between January 1975 and December 2017. Original diagnoses included TOF-pulmonary stenosis (n = 18) and TOF-pulmonary atresia (n = 18). The main indications for reoperation were aortic insufficiency (n = 19, 53%), aortic insufficiency and dilatation of the ascending aorta (n = 10, 28%), aortic root dilatation (n = 4, 11%), and ascending aorta dilatation (n = 3, 8%).Results: The median age at reoperation was 30.4 years (interquartile range 20.3-45.3 years), and mechanical aortic valve replacement was the most common procedure performed. Five patients died early after reoperation (14%), and larger ascending aorta diameters were associated with early mortality (P = .04). The median age at the last follow-up was 41.4 years (interquartile range 24.5-51.6 years). Late death occurred in five patients (5/31, 16%). Most survivors (15/26, 58%) were asymptomatic at the last clinical examination (New York Heart Association, NYHA class I). The remaining patients were NYHA class II (n = 7) and III (n = 3). The most common symptoms were fatigue (n = 5), dyspnea (n = 4), and exercise intolerance (n = 3).Conclusions: Reoperations on the aortic root are infrequent but may become necessary late after TOF repair. The main indications for reoperation are aortic insufficiency, either isolated or associated with a dilatation of the ascending aorta. The surgical risk at reoperation was high and the presence of ascending aorta dilation is related to higher mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical properties of load distribution following a centralization procedure for extruded lateral menisci with posterior root deficiency in a porcine model.Methods: Six porcine knee joints were analyzed in a universal tester, as follows: 1) Intact; 2) Extrusion (meniscus extrusion was created by resecting the posterior root of the lateral meniscus, as well as the posterior synovial capsule); and 3) Centralization (two anchors were inserted at the lateral tibial plateau, and the meniscus was sutured to secure it close to the original position). Meniscus extrusion was evaluated using two markers put on the posterior cruciate ligament and the lateral meniscus, and the load distribution were assessed using a pressure mapping sensor system after applying a loading force of 200 N to the knee joint.Results: Distance between two markers (mm, Average; 95% CI) was larger in the extrusion group (21.9; 17.8, 25.6) than in the intact (18.1; 15.1, 22.7) or the centralization (15.3; 12.9, 18.0) groups. The contact area (mm2) in the middle of the meniscus was significantly smaller in the extrusion group (45.8; 18.5, 73.2) than in the intact (85.7; 72.1, 99.2) or the centralization (98.3; 88.8, 107.8) groups. The maximum contact pressure (MPa) in the tibial plateau was significantly higher in the extrusion group (0.37; 0.35, 0.40) than in the intact (0.29; 0.21, 0.37) or the centralization (0.29; 0.22, 0.36) groups.Conclusions: The centralization procedure enabled a reduction of the meniscus extrusion in the lateral meniscus with posterior root deficiency and restored the maximum load and contact pressure to values close to those of the normal knee joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the knee joint of children following arthroscopic fixation of osteochondral lesions using bioabsorbable nails and to correlate these imaging findings with time from arthroscopic treatment and with risk factors at the time of imaging.Materials and Methods: Our study included postarthroscopic MRI studies from 58 children (mean age at arthroscopy, 13.8 + 2.1 years) who have undergone bioabsorbable nail fixation of unstable osteochondral lesions between February 1, 2011 and September 30, 2017. All studies were retrospectively reviewed for broken nails, intra-articular debris, and internal knee derangement. Demographic information and information pertaining to active symptoms was obtained from both MRI questionnaire that was completed at the time of the study and clinical note that preceded the study. Marginal logistic regression models estimated using generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to identify factors associated with a broken nail and joint effusion.Results: A total of 104 postoperative studies were reviewed, which included 60 with symptoms and 44 without symptoms. Nail breakage was present in 38 (36.6%) studies and associated with presence of symptoms (OR 2.43, p = 0.036) and effusion (OR 2.76, p = 0.025). An effusion was present in 40 (38.5%) studies which decreased with increasing time from treatment (OR 0.89, p = 0.007) and increased with symptoms (OR 10.87, p < 0.001). Meniscal tear was present on 8 (7.7%) and chondral irregularity on 14 (13.5%) studies.Conclusion: Broken nail, effusion, and less commonly, meniscal tears and chondral irregularity, are all complications that can arise following fixation of osteochondral lesions with bioabsorbable nails. MRI can serve as a valuable tool in assessing these complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case: A 17-year-old boy had persistent knee pain 1 year after medial meniscal root repair augmented with bone marrow aspirate concentrate injection. Radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated an intrameniscal ossicle which was not present on MRI performed before 6 months. He underwent arthroscopic excision of the meniscal ossicle. At the 7-month follow-up, he had complete relief of his pain. Conclusions: It is possible that the meniscal ossicle developed because of osteoinductive cells and cytokines from the injected bone marrow or the drill hole for root repair and should be considered as a possible complication of this procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite absence of evidence of a clinical benefit of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM), many surgeons claim that subgroups of patients benefit from APM.Objective: We developed a prognostic model predicting change in patient-reported outcome 1 year following arthroscopic meniscal surgery to identify such subgroups.Methods: We included 641 patients (age 48.7 years (SD 13), 56% men) undergoing arthroscopic meniscal surgery from the Knee Arthroscopy Cohort Southern Denmark. 18 preoperative factors identified from literature and/or orthopaedic surgeons (patient demographics, medical history, symptom onset and duration, knee-related symptoms, etc) were combined in a multivariable linear regression model. The outcome was change in Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS4) (average score of 4 of 5 KOOS subscales excluding the activities of daily living subscale) from presurgery to 52 weeks after surgery. A positive KOOS4 change score constitutes improvement. Prognostic performance was assessed using R2 statistics and calibration plots and was internally validated by adjusting for optimism using 1000 bootstrap samples.Results: Patients improved on average 18.6 (SD 19.7, range -38.0 to 87.8) in KOOS4. The strongest prognostic factors for improvement were (1) no previous meniscal surgery on index knee and (2) more severe preoperative knee-related symptoms. The model's overall predictive performance was low (apparent R2=0.162, optimism adjusted R2=0.080) and it showed poor calibration (calibration-in-the-large=0.205, calibration slope=0.772).Conclusion: Despite combining a large number of preoperative factors presumed clinically relevant, change in patient-reported outcome 1 year following meniscal surgery was not predictable. This essentially quashes the existence of 'subgroups' with certain characteristics having a particularly favourable outcome after meniscal surgery.Trial Registration Number: NCT01871272. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1 and T2 mapping to detect and quantify cartilage matrix and meniscal degeneration between normal healthy volunteers and early osteoarthritis patients. Material and methods: A prospective study including 25 patients and 10 healthy volunteers was done. Patients with symptoms of early osteoarthritis and Kellgren-Lawrence grade I-II on plain radiograph were included for MRI knee. Patients with inflammatory arthritis, infection, trauma, and history of knee surgery were excluded. Healthy, normal adult volunteers (preferably age and sex matched) without symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee were drawn from patient's relatives/hospital employees/colleagues for MRI knee. Results: T1 and T2 relaxation time values of articular cartilage and menisci were significantly higher in osteoarthritis patients as compared to healthy volunteers. No significant difference was found in morphological thickness of articular cartilage and menisci in early osteoarthritis patients and healthy volunteers. Conclusions: T1 and T2 mapping are noninvasive MRI techniques reflecting changes in the biochemical composition of cartilage and menisci. T1 values reflect changes in proteoglycan content, and T2 values are sensitive to interaction between water molecules and collagen network. Mapping techniques assess early cartilage and meniscal matrix degeneration in osteoarthritis of the knee, and help in initiating treatment and monitoring disease progression. MRI is a sensitive modality for assessment of pathological changes in articular cartilage. With use of T1 and T2 mapping techniques, it is possible to evaluate the collagen network and proteoglycan content in articular cartilage and meniscal matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate arthroscopic assisted Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction using Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone (BPTB) graft using anteromedial approach to drill the femoral tunnel followed by accelerated ACL rehabilitation protocol in terms of Lysholm score. Study Design: Prospective comparative study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Rawalpindi and Combined Military Hospital Malir, Pakistan, from Nov 2013 to Dec 2015. Methodology: This study was an analysis of prospectively collected data of patients who had undergone Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction. All patients below the age of 35 years presenting with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Grade 3 tear were assessed objectively and subjectively using Lysholm score pre and post operatively. Manual laxity of knee was assessed with anterior drawer and Lachman test; and being compared with normal contralateral knee. Rotational instability was assessed by pivot shift test. Results: Nineteen patients, all males, were included in this study with the mean age of 26.7 ± 4.68 years. All patients underwent arthroscopic assisted Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction with uneventful recovery. Every patient had his pre and post-operative Lysholm scoring done. Mean pre-operative Lysholm score was 53.89 ± 3.81. Patients were followed up at 5 months and at 9 months and their mean Lysholm scores were 84.74 ± 6.31and 92.47 ± 3.04 respectively with the p-value of <0.001. Only 2 patients had residual Grade I Lachman laxity and none of the patients had any rotational instability. Conclusion: Arthroscopic assisted Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction using Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone graft followed by accelerated Anterior Cruciate Ligament rehabilitation protocol led to significant improvement of Lysholm score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate effect of autograft selection on the infection risk following arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. Materials and Methods: Between June 2004 and October 2018, 840 consecutive patients who underwent primary arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with either a hamstring tendon autograft or a bone patellar tendon bone (BTB) autograft were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were assigned into two groups based on the type of graft used: First group was bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autograft group (n=354) and second group was hamstring tendon autograft group (n=466). These two groups were compared statistically in terms of demographic characteristic and postoperative infection status. After primary ACL reconstruction, local and systemic clinical findings of infection (knee effusion, systemic fever, nausea, weakness) supported by laboratory findings (CReactive Protein (CRP), Erytrocyt Sedimentation Rate (ESR)) were defined as infection. Results: There was as tatistically increased risk of infection with hamstring tendon autograft compared to BTB autograft. While the infection rate in the first group (BTB) was 0.3 % (n=1), the infection rate in the second group (Hamstring tendon) was 4.7 % (n=22). Conclusion: In this study, a higher infection rate was found in primary ACL cases treated with hamstring tendon autograft compared to those using BTB autografts. Orthopedic surgeons should be aware of the increased risk of infection when hamstring autograft is used in ACL reconstruction surgery and should prefer BTB autograft over hamstring autograft in appropriate indication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the suitability of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) sequences using the 3T MRI-unit for assessment of potential intraarticular pathologies in patients with acute and chronic torsion trauma of the knee joint. Material and methods: Sixty-three patients with subacute and chronic rotary knee joint trauma of either the left or right knee were studied using an Achieva MRI 3T device (Philips, Amsterdam, Netherlands). Ground truth was set by two expert radiologists with seven and 10 years of experience in musculoskeletal imaging. Readings were performed separately for meniscus and joint space including synovia, ligaments, and periarticular soft tissue. Haemorrhage was defined as any lesion that was either T1 or SWI positive, without proton density (PD)-hypointensity (calcification). A lesion was defined as any pathology/variant with any signal positivity of either T1, PD, or SWI. Results: A total of 63 patients were included (F : M = 22 : 41). The median age of the cohort was 29 years (range 13 to 71 years). Thirty-nine patients showed a meniscal tear, and only three of them (7.7%) demonstrated a meniscal haemorrhage. A total of 18 patients suffered from a periarticular injury, and 16 patients (88.9%) demonstrated a concomitant periarticular haemorrhage. Conclusions: These data suggest that SWI can be used for the diagnosis of intra- or periarticular blood metabolites because their potential have an impact on mechanical conflict with the surface of the knee joints, in particular the cartilage and their effect on malacic lesions, but it performs poorly in the detection of meniscal pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of knee biomechanics with an irreparable lateral meniscus defect using the centralization capsular meniscus support procedure in the setting of the ACL-reconstructed knee in a porcine model. The hypothesis is the arthroscopic centralization will decrease the laxity and rotation of the ACL-reconstructed knee.Methods: Twelve fresh-frozen porcine knees were tested using a robotic testing system under the following loading conditions: (a) an 89.0 N anterior tibial load; (b) 4.0 N m internal and external rotational torques. Anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction with a 7 mm-diameter bovine extensor tendon graft was performed. A massive, middle segment, lateral meniscus defect was created via arthroscopy, and arthroscopic centralization was performed with a 1.4 mm anchor with a #2 suture. The LM states with ACL reconstruction evaluated were: intact, massive middle segment defect and with the lateral meniscus centralization procedure.Results: The rotation of the ACL reconstructed knee with the lateral meniscus defect was significantly higher than with the centralized lateral meniscus under an external rotational torque at 30° of knee flexion, and under an internal rotational torque at 30° and 45° of knee flexion. There were no systematic and consistent effects of LM centralization under anterior tibial translation.Conclusions: In this porcine model, the capsular support of middle segment of the lateral meniscus using arthroscopic centralization improved the residual rotational laxity of the ACL-reconstructed knee accompanied with lateral meniscus dysfunction due to massive meniscus defect. This study quantifies the benefit to knee kinematics of arthroscopic centralization by restoring the lateral meniscal function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Traditionally, MRI has not been used to predict meniscus tear reparability. An attempt has been made in this study to predict meniscal reparability using MRI, and a new scoring system to help with the same has been developed and tested.Methods: Thirty repaired menisci were compared with equal number of meniscectomy cases retrospectively. Various clinical and radiological (radiographs and MRI) characteristics like chronicity of tear, pattern of tear, etc, were tabulated. Based on their association with the outcome of repair or meniscectomy, odds ratio of each attribute were calculated. A scoring system-Ortho One PROMT Score (Prediction of Reparability of Meniscal Tears)-to predict meniscal repair was formulated. Using this score, meniscus surgery outcomes were prospectively predicted in 120 cases and results tabulated.Results: The newly devised Ortho One PROMT score predicted medial meniscus repair with a sensitivity of 90.9% and a specificity of 93.2% and medial meniscectomy with a sensitivity of 93.2% and a specificity of 90.9%. It predicts lateral meniscus repair with a sensitivity of 69.2% of patients and lateral meniscectomy with a sensitivity of 78.8% of patients.Conclusion: Ortho One PROMT score is a useful scoring system to predict the outcomes of meniscus surgery preoperatively. It uses a combination of clinical and radiological (MRI and plain radiograph) characteristics. With this scoring system, both the surgeon and the patient are better prepared preoperatively regarding the outcome of a particular meniscus surgery. The scoring shall make day-to-day arthroscopic meniscus surgery less stressful.Level Of Evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The menisci transmit load by increasing the contact area and decreasing peak contact stresses on the articular surfaces. Meniscal lesions are among the most common orthopedic injuries, and resulting meniscectomies are associated with adverse polycaprolactone contact mechanics changes and, ultimately, an increased likelihood of osteoarthritis. Meniscus scaffolds were fabricated by 3D‐printing a network of circumferential and radial filaments of resorbable polymer (poly(desaminotyrosyl‐tyrosine dodecyl ester dodecanoate)) and infused with collagen‐hyaluronan. The scaffold demonstrated an instantaneous compressive modulus (1.66 ± 0.44 MPa) comparable to native meniscus (1.52 ± 0.59 MPa). The scaffold aggregate modulus (1.33 ± 0.51 MPa) was within 2% of the native value (1.31 ± 0.36 MPa). In tension, the scaffold displayed a comparable stiffness to native tissue (127.6–97.1 N/mm) and an ultimate load of 33% of the native value. Suture pull‐out load of scaffolds (83.1 ± 10.0 N) was within 10% of native values (91.5 ± 15.4 N). Contact stress analysis demonstrated the scaffold reduced peak contact stress by 60–67% and increased contact area by 38%, relative to partial meniscectomy. This is the first meniscal scaffold to match both the axial compressive properties and the circumferential tensile stiffness of the native meniscus. The improvement of joint contact mechanics, relative to partial meniscectomy alone, motivates further investigation using a large animal model. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B:2457–2465, 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The number of arthroscopic knee surgeries performed annually has increased over the last decade. It remains unclear what proportion of individuals undergoing knee arthroscopy is at risk for subsequent ipsilateral procedures. Better knowledge of risk factors and the incidence of reoperative ipsilateral arthroscopy are important in setting expectations and counselling patients on treatment options. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of repeat ipsilateral knee arthroscopy, and the risk factors associated with subsequent surgery over long-term follow-up.Methods: The New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative Systems outpatient database was reviewed from 2003 to 2016 to identify patients who underwent elective, primary knee arthroscopy for one of the following diagnosis-related categories of procedures: Group 1: cartilage repair and transfer; Group 2: osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions; Group 3: meniscal repair, debridement, chondroplasty, and synovectomy; Group 4: multiple different procedures. Subjects were followed for 10 years to determine the odds of subsequent ipsilateral knee arthroscopy. Risk factors including the group of arthroscopic surgery, age group, gender, race, insurance type, surgeon volume, and comorbidities were analysed to identify factors predicting subsequent surgery.Results: A total of 765,144 patients who underwent knee arthroscopy between 2003 and 2016, were identified. The majority (751,873) underwent meniscus-related arthroscopy. The proportion of patients undergoing subsequent ipsilateral knee arthroscopy was 2.1% at 1-year, 5.5% at 5 years, and 6.7% at 10 years of follow-up. Among patients who underwent subsequent arthroscopic surgery at 1-, 5-, and 10-year follow-up, there was a greater proportion of patients with worker's compensation insurance (p < 0.001), index operations performed by very high volume surgeons (p < 0.001), and cartilage restoration index procedures (p < 0.001), compared with those who never underwent repeat ipsilateral surgery.Conclusion: Understanding the incidence of subsequent knee arthroscopy after index procedure in different age groups and the patterns over 10 years of follow-up is important in counselling patients and setting future expectations. The majority of subsequent surgeries occur within the first 5 years after index surgery, and subjects tend to have higher odds of ipsilateral reoperation for up to 10 years if they have worker's compensation insurance, or if their index surgery was performed by a very high volume surgeon, or was a cartilage restoration procedure.Level Of Evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Extrusion of the medial meniscus evaluated on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been described as indirect radiological sign for meniscus root tears. However, ultrasound detectable dynamic extrusion is observed in normal physiological settings. The aim of the present study was to analyze the dynamic meniscal extrusion using ultrasound (US) examination in patients with MRI-confirmed meniscal root tears. The hypothesis was that dynamic meniscus extrusion is reduced in patients with medial root tear but not in the healthy meniscus.Methods: Twenty-five patients with a medial root lesion of the meniscus (group I) and 25 healthy controls (group II) were enrolled in this study. The medial meniscus extrusion (MME) of the index knee was determined using ultrasound (US) in supine position and under full weight bearing. Standard knee MRI was used for determining whether the patients were eligible for this study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, respectively.Results: In group I, the mean MME was 3.6 mm (± 1.0 mm) in supine position and 3.7 mm (± 0.9 mm) under full weight bearing according to US measurements. The mean Δ-extrusion was 0.1 mm (± 0.2 mm) and the ratio was 1.0 (± 0.1). Mean medial meniscus extrusion on MRI was 3.9 mm (± 0.9 mm). In group II, mean MME was 1.3 mm (± 0.3 mm) in supine position (US) and 2.3 mm (± 0.4 mm) under full weight bearing (US). The mean Δ-extrusion was 1.0 mm (± 0.4 mm) and the extrusion ratio was 1.8 (± 0.4). In this group, mean extrusion in MRI was 1.4 mm (± 0.7 mm). The difference in mean ultrasound Δ-extrusion, ratio, and MRI extrusion between both groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001).Conclusions: Based on the results of dynamic ultrasound examination of the medial meniscus, medial root tear leads to significantly decreased dynamic medial displacement of the meniscus compared to healthy meniscus status. The absence of dynamic meniscus extrusion may be an indicator for medial meniscus root injury and could be detected using ultrasound ("dead meniscus sign").Level Of Evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Partial meniscectomy dramatically increases the risk for post-traumatic, tibiofemoral osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Concomitant medial meniscus surgery influences walking biomechanics (e.g., medial tibiofemoral joint loading) early after ACLR; whether medial meniscus surgery continues to influence walking biomechanics two years after ACLR is unknown.Research Question: Does medial meniscus treatment at the time of ACLR influence walking biomechanics two years after surgery?Methods: This is a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from a clinical trial (NCT01773317). Fifty-six athletes (age 24 ± 8 years) with operative reports, two-year biomechanical analyses, and no second injury prior to two-year testing participated after primary ACLR. Participants were classified by concomitant medial meniscal status: no medial meniscus involvement (n = 36), partial medial meniscectomy (n = 9), and medial meniscus repair (n = 11). Participants underwent biomechanical analyses during over-ground walking including surface electromyography; a validated musculoskeletal model estimated medial compartment tibiofemoral contact forces. Gait variables were analyzed using 3 × 2 ANOVAs with group (medial meniscus treatment) and limb (involved versus uninvolved) comparisons.Results: There was a main effect of group (p = .039) for peak knee flexion angle (PKFA). Participants after partial medial meniscectomy walked with clinically meaningfully smaller PKFAs in both the involved and uninvolved limbs compared to the no medial meniscus involvement group (group mean difference [95%CI]; involved: -4.9°[-8.7°, -1.0°], p = .015; uninvolved: -3.9°[-7.6°, -0.3°], p = .035) and medial meniscus repair group (involved: -5.2°[-9.9°, -0.6°], p = .029; uninvolved: -4.7°[-9.0°, -0.3°], p = .038). The partial medial meniscectomy group walked with higher involved versus uninvolved limb medial tibiofemoral contact forces (0.45 body weights, 95% CI: -0.01, 0.91 BW, p = 0.053) and truncated sagittal plane knee excursions, which were not present in the other two groups.Significance: Aberrant gait biomechanics may concentrate high forces in the antero-medial tibiofemoral cartilage among patients two years after ACLR plus partial medial meniscectomy, perhaps explaining the higher osteoarthritis rates and offering an opportunity for targeted interventions.Level Of Evidence: Level III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate in vivo T2 mapping as quantitative, imaging-based biomarker for meniscal degeneration in humans, by studying the correlation between T2 relaxation time and degree of histological degeneration as reference standard.Methods: In this prospective validation study, 13 menisci from seven patients with radiographic knee osteoarthritis (median age 67 years, three males) were included. Menisci were obtained during total knee replacement surgery. All patients underwent pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging using a 3-T MR scanner which included a T2 mapping pulse sequence with multiple echoes. Histological analysis of the collected menisci was performed using the Pauli score, involving surface integrity, cellularity, matrix organization, and staining intensity. Mean T2 relaxation times were calculated in meniscal regions of interest corresponding with the areas scored histologically, using a multi-slice multi-echo postprocessing algorithm. Correlation between T2 mapping and histology was assessed using a generalized least squares model fit by maximum likelihood.Results: The mean T2 relaxation time was 22.4 ± 2.7 ms (range 18.5-27). The median histological score was 10, IQR 7-11 (range 4-13). A strong correlation between T2 relaxation time and histological score was found (rs = 0.84, CI 95% 0.64-0.93).Conclusion: In vivo T2 mapping of the human meniscus correlates strongly with histological degeneration, suggesting that T2 mapping enables the detection and quantification of early compositional changes of the meniscus in knee OA.Key Points: • Prospective histology-based study showed that in vivo T 2 mapping of the human meniscus correlates strongly with histological degeneration. • Meniscal T 2 mapping allows detection and quantifying of compositional changes, without need for contrast or special MRI hardware. • Meniscal T 2 mapping provides a biomarker for early OA, potentially allowing early treatment strategies and prevention of OA progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether cortical non-contact or delayed contact of an adjustable-loop button for femoral fixation could affect knee stability following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.Methods: Eighty subjects who underwent single-bundle ACL reconstruction using an adjustable-loop femoral cortical button were retrospectively reviewed regarding patient demographics, graft size, combined surgery, and postoperative 2-year results of knee stability, functional scores, and radiographic tunnel widening. We compared the contact and the non-contact groups determined by position of the button observed in immediate postoperative radiographs. According to 2-year postoperative radiographs, the non-contact group was further divided into two subgroups (delayed contact and persisting non-contact subgroups) and results were compared.Results: The contact group had 46 patients and the non-contact group had 34 patients. The average gap distance in the non-contact group was 1.9 ± 0.6 (1.1-3.4) mm. There were no significant differences in KT-1000 arthrometric knee stability (p = .667) or Lysholm score (p = .198), or International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score (p = .091) between the two groups. No significant differences in tunnel widening were found at femoral and tibial tunnels on anteroposterior and lateral radiographs (p > .1, all tunnels). In addition, delayed contact subgroup and persisting non-contact subgroup showed similar radiographic and clinical outcomes.Conclusion: Surgeons should strive to obtain cortical contact of the adjustable-loop femoral button. Nevertheless, cortical non-contact with less than 3 mm of gap distance did not affect knee stability, radiographic outcomes, or clinical outcomes.Level Of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Meniscal function after repair of radial/flap tears of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus (LM) with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has not been comprehensively investigated. Purpose: To evaluate not only the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients with repair of radial/flap tears of the posterior LM with ACLR but also the healing status of the repaired meniscus and changes of chondral status with second-look arthroscopy. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: From January 2008 to April 2016, 41 patients of a consecutive series of 505 primary anatomic ACLR cases had a concomitant radial/flap tear of the posterior horn of the LM and underwent side-to-side repair with an inside-out or all-inside technique. All patients were followed for >2 years, evaluated clinically and radiologically (radiograph and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]), and compared with a control group without any concomitant injuries that underwent ACLR. Of the 41 patients, 30 were assessed by second-look arthroscopy 2 years postoperatively. Results: The mean follow-up times of the study and control groups were 3.4 and 3.9 years, respectively. The study group showed no significant differences in clinical findings, lateral joint space narrowing on radiograph, and coronal extrusion on MRI as compared with the control group, whereas sagittal extrusion on MRI progressed significantly in the study group (1.2 ± 1.5 mm vs 0.32 ± 1.0 mm, P <.001). Eighteen patients (60%) obtained complete healing; 9 (30%) showed partial healing; and 3 (10%) failed to heal on second-look arthroscopy. Changes of chondral status in the femoral condyle showed no significant difference between the groups (P =.29). However, chondral status of the lateral tibial plateau worsened significantly in the study group (P =.0011). Conclusion: The clinical and radiographic outcomes after repair of radial/flap tears of the posterior horn of the LM as combined with anatomic ACLR were successful and comparable with those after isolated ACLR without any other injuries at a mean postoperative follow-up of 3.4 years, except for sagittal extrusion on MRI. Chondral lesions of the lateral tibial plateau deteriorated regardless of meniscal healing at 2 years postoperatively. Surgeons should keep in mind that chondral injuries might progress over the midterm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Posterior root repair of the medial meniscus (MM) can prevent rapid progression of knee osteoarthritis in patients with a MM posterior root tear (MMPRT). The anatomic reattachment of the MM posterior root is considered to be critical in a transtibial pullout repair. However, tibial tunnel creation at the anatomic attachment is technically difficult. We hypothesized that a newly developed point-contact aiming guide [Unicorn Meniscal Root (UMR) guide] can create the tibial tunnel at a better position rather than a previously designed MMPRT guide. The aim of this study was to compare the position of the created tibial tunnel between the two meniscal root repair guides. Materials and methods: Thirty-eight patients underwent transtibial pullout repairs. Tibial tunnel creation was performed using the UMR guide (19 cases) or MMPRT guide (19 cases). Three-dimensional computed tomography images of the tibial surface were evaluated using the Tsukada's measurement method postoperatively. The expected anatomic center of the MM posterior root attachment was defined as the center of three tangential lines referring to three anatomic bony landmarks (anterior border of the posterior cruciate ligament, lateral margin of the medial tibial plateau, and retro-eminence ridge). The expected anatomic center and tibial tunnel center were evaluated using the percentage-based posterolateral location on the tibial surface. The distance between the anatomic center and tunnel center was calculated. Results: The anatomic center of the MM posterior root footprint was located at a position of 79.2% posterior and 39.5% lateral. The mean of the tunnel center in the UMR guide was similar to that in the MMPRT guide (posterior direction, P = 0.096; lateral direction, P = 0.280). The mean distances between the tunnel center and the anatomic center were 4.06 and 3.99mm in the UMR and MMPRT guide group, respectively (P = 0.455). Conclusions: The UMR guide, as well as the MMPRT guide, is a useful device to create favorable tibial tunnels at the MM posterior root attachment for pullout repairs in patients with MMPRTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery can restore biomechanical stability, however, such surgery cannot reliably prevent the onset of post‐traumatic osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular response that occurs within the menisci following a surgical injury that allows bleeding into the joint space, and then to investigate the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on this molecular response. Cell viability studies following acute controlled exposure to blood and blood plus DEX were also conducted. Forty‐eight New Zealand white rabbits were randomly allocated into control, sham, surgical, and surgical  + DEX groups (each group n  =  6). Animals were sacrificed at 48 h and 9 weeks, and menisci were harvested. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels for key inflammatory, and degradative proteins, as well as mRNA levels for autophagy pathway molecules were quantified, and statistically significant changes were described. Meniscal cell viability was calculated by incubating groups of medial and lateral menisci in autologous blood, or autologous blood plus DEX for 48 h (each group n  =  4; total of eight medial and eight lateral menisci), and then conducting a histological live/dead assay. Results indicated a significant reduction in only medial meniscal cell viability when the tissue was exposed to blood in combination with DEX. A single administration of DEX following surgery significantly suppresses the elevated molecular expression for key inflammatory and degradative markers within menisci at 48 h and 9 weeks post‐surgery. In vitro, autologous blood did not affect cell viability, but addition of DEX uniquely impacted the medial menisci. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2043–2052, 2019 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of cyst formation after using all-inside meniscal repair device and analysed the risk factors associated with it.Methods: Between August 2008 and September 2013, 51 menisci of 46 patients were included in the study, 46 menisci of which had concomitant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures and had an ACL reconstruction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee was performed at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after meniscal surgery. The MRIs were assessed to detect the development of cysts encasing the suture anchors and to evaluate meniscal healing. Statistical analysis was performed using multiple regression analysis.Results: Out of the 51 menisci examined, MRI revealed cysts in 15 menisci. Cysts were detected in 3 menisci at 6 months, in 9 menisci at 12 months, and in 3 menisci at 24 months after surgery. Only 3 patients (6.5%) were symptomatic, and cystectomy was performed in 2 of these patients and arthroscopic debridement in the other. Compared with using both the suture device and an inside-out suture repair, using the suture device alone was more likely to be associated with cyst development [odds ratio (OR), 12.04]. The medial meniscus was also significantly more likely to develop a cyst compared with the lateral meniscus (OR, 12.48). There was an increased outcome for the number of device use (P = 0.033). Though it was not statistically significant, the patients with anterior knee laxity (side-to-side difference > 3 mm using a knee arthrometer) were more likely to develop cysts than those without anterior knee laxity (P = 0.06). There were no significant differences between the remaining variables.Conclusions: The prevalence of cyst formation around the suture implant was 29%, but most cases were not symptomatic. Significant risk factors for cyst formation included the use of a suture device alone, and a location in the medial meniscus.Level Of Evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injuries to articular cartilage and menisci can lead to cartilage degeneration that ultimately results in arthritis. Different forms of arthritis affect ~50 million people in the USA alone, and it is therefore crucial to identify methods that will halt or slow the progression to arthritis, starting with the initiating events of cartilage and meniscus defects. The surgical approaches in current use have a limited capacity for tissue regeneration and yield only short-term relief of symptoms. Tissue engineering approaches are emerging as alternatives to current surgical methods for cartilage and meniscus repair. Several cell-based and tissue-engineered products are currently in clinical trials for cartilage lesions and meniscal tears, opening new avenues for cartilage and meniscus regeneration. This Review provides a summary of surgical techniques, including tissue-engineered products, that are currently in clinical use, as well as a discussion of state-of-the-art tissue engineering strategies and technologies that are being developed for use in articular cartilage and meniscus repair and regeneration. The obstacles to clinical translation of these strategies are also included to inform the development of innovative tissue engineering approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, more and more patients limit their recovery period due to lack of time or pain disappearance. But the disappearance of pain is not the end of the recovery program. After a medial meniscus surgery, the time to complete recovery is at least 6 months. Reducing this period can be beneficial to the patient. Purpose: Through our study, we want to highlight the utility and efficiency of the computerised BIODEX System 4 PRO dynamometry in the recovery of medial meniscus surgery, with the significant reduction of recovery time. Subjects and methods: 5 patients aged between 30 and 45 years who underwent medial meniscal surgery were studied. The recovery program was performed using the BIODEX System 4 PRO computer dynamometer for a period of 5 months, with 3 weekly sessions of 90 minutes/session. Results: At the final evaluation, the subjects achieved a 2 to 1 force ratio in favour of extensors and an absolute force of at least 1500 J for the knee extension, indicating the end of the recovery program. It also highlights a reduction in recovery time of at least 20% and the knee stabilisation at optimal parameters. Conclusions: Computerised dynamometer is effectively used in both muscle strength testing and rehabilitation after surgery, reducing the risk of relapse to zero in the case of daily demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arthroskopie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The ability of lateral meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) to improve knee stability and the meniscal load-bearing function in patients after meniscectomy is critical for surgical success. Purpose: To compare the effects of 2 lateral MAT fixation techniques—bone block and suture only—on knee kinematics and forces. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: With a robotic testing system, loads were applied during flexion on 10 fresh-frozen cadaveric knees: 134-N anterior tibial load + 200-N axial compression, 5-N·m internal tibial + 5-N·m valgus torques, and 5-N·m external tibial + 5-N·m valgus torques. Kinematic data were recorded for 4 knee states: intact, total lateral meniscectomy, lateral MAT bone block, and lateral MAT suture-only fixation. In situ force in the anterior cruciate ligament and resultant forces in the lateral meniscus and in the meniscal allograft were quantified via the principle of superposition. A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyze variations in kinematics and forces at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion. Significance was set at P <.05. Results: When anterior loads were applied, a decrease in medial translation of the tibia that was increased after total lateral meniscectomy was observed at 30°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion for both the lateral MAT bone block (54.2%, 48.0%, and 50.0%) and the MAT suture-only (50.0%, 40.0%, and 34.6%) fixation techniques (P <.05). Yet, most of the increases in knee kinematics after lateral meniscectomy were not significantly reduced by either lateral MAT technique (P >.05 for each MAT technique vs the total lateral meniscectomy state). Resultant forces in the meniscal allograft were 50% to 60% of the resultant forces in the intact lateral meniscus in response to all loading conditions at all flexion angles (P <.05). Overall, no significant differences between lateral MAT techniques were observed regarding kinematics and forces (P >.05). Conclusion: Lateral MAT partially restored medial translation of the tibia, and the resultant forces in the meniscal allograft were only 50% to 60% of the intact lateral meniscus forces in the cadaver model. In the majority of testing conditions, no significant changes of the in situ force in the anterior cruciate ligament were observed. Surgeons should consider the potential benefits of lateral MAT when deciding the appropriate treatment for symptomatic patients after lateral meniscectomies. Both lateral MAT techniques functioned similarly. Clinical Relevance: The load-bearing function of the meniscal allograft observed in this study may be beneficial in ameliorating the short- and long-term disability associated with lateral meniscal deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Meniscal root tear s are becoming increasingly recognized. They can cause rapidly progressive arthritis. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to document the radiological and functional outcome of arthroscopic management of meniscal root tears injuries. Patients and Methods: This study was held on 20 patients suffered from meniscal root tears at Al-Azhar University Hospitals. There were 11 males and 9 females with mean age 41.63 (23-50) years old. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with mean follow up 6 months. Results: Clinical outcome measures significantly improved after surgery. Preoperatively there were 13 patients (65%) had poor score and 7 patients (35%) had fair score. Postoperatively there were 3 patients (15%) had poor score, 4 patients (20%) had fair score, 6 patients (30%) had good score and 7 patients (35%) had excellent score. The mean IKDC score for meniscal repair increased, and the mean IKDC score for partial meniscectomy increased. Postoperative MRI showed complete healing in 12 patients and failure in 8 patients preoperative ME was ˃ 3 mm in 17 patients and ≤ 3 mm in 3 patients postoperative ME was ≤ 3 mm in 11 patients and ˃ 3 mm in 9 patients. Conclusions: Meniscal root repair has increased in popularity and when done in selected patients results in a high rate of healing and restoring the ability of the meniscus to dissipate axial tibiofemoral loads, thereby slowing or halting arthritic progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In tight knee joints with a narrow medial joint space, there is a risk of iatrogenic articular cartilage injury, even by an arthroscopy specialist which may predispose to osteoarthritis of the knee. Objective: The aim of the study was to detect if there is any residual knee laxity after the Pie-crusting technique or any other complications. Patients and methods: This prospective randomized analytical clinical study included a total of thirty patients with torn posterior horn of the medial meniscus with tight medial compartment of the knee attending at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Al-Azhar University Hospitals. In this study percutaneous release of the medial collateral ligament was done. Results: All the patients complained post-operative pain over the site of the release (grade I MCL sprain) that has resolved within 1-2 weeks. Conclusion: It could be concluded that in cases with tight knees, the Pie-crusting technique is safe and efficient for visualization of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. It allows the avoidance of causing iatrogenic chondral damage or fracture of the medial femoral condyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the technique of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is developing in the following areas: reduction of surgical trauma, improvement of the anatomical position of the graft, increased strength of its attachment, stimulation of regeneration of attachment sites, modification of postoperative of rehabilitation treatment. The «all-inside» technique meets most requirements. The recovery period of the patient after ACL reconstruction significantly associated with the speed of integration of the transplant into the surrounding tissue. Objective: to develop a method for using transplants from the patellar ligament (BTB) and quadriceps tendon (QT) during ACL reconstruction according to the «all-inside» technique. Methods: the study included patients (12 men, 2 women) who in addition to ACL reconstruction had meniscus removal, meniscus suture, cartilage shaving and microfracturing of small defects (no more than 3 cm2). Revision operations was carried out in 3 patients. The channels were drilled with a RetroDrill® t ool o r F lipCutter ®. The grafts in the femur and tibia were fixed using TightRope ® suspension system or its analogue. Results: a method was developed for the use of BTB and QT grafts with 180° turnover of bone fragment to restore ACL according to the method «allinside ». Clinical testing of the method in primary and the revision of the ACL reconstruction has shown good and excellent results. On 2-3 days, VAS pain indicator is 3-4 points, after a week all patients recovered knee flexion up to 90°. Instability of the knee joint is not detected. After 12 months 71.2% of patients were assigned to group A on the IKDC scale. Conclusions: proposed method can be used in the primary and, especially, revision ACL reconstruction, because by turning the bone fragment you can get the end of the graft significantly larger diameter comparing with traditional methods for the preparation of BTB and QT transplants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The time required to develop a secondary cartilage or meniscal injury in the medial compartment after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is not well understood. Purpose: To determine the association between time delay until ACL reconstruction and the presence of medial compartment Outerbridge grade 3 or 4 chondral injury or medial meniscal tear requiring treatment. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 609 patients underwent primary ACL reconstruction at a single institution at a median 46 days between injury and surgery (61.4% male; mean age, 26.5 years [SD, 11.1]). Chondral status was graded according to Outerbridge criteria at the time of surgery. Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between time delay until surgery and medial compartment chondral injury or meniscal injury requiring treatment. Adjustment was performed as needed for patient demographics, sporting activity, and prior knee injuries. Time until surgery had a nonlinear association with medial compartment health and was more effectively described in discrete intervals rather than as a continuous variable. The optimal time intervals to predict medial compartment health were determined by comparison of Bayes information criterion values between fully adjusted regression models. Results: After controlling for relevant confounders, delay of surgery >8 weeks had an increased likelihood of a medial meniscal tear requiring partial meniscectomy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.30; 95% CI, 1.04-5.12; P = .04) and a decreased likelihood of a meniscal tear requiring repair (aOR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.32-0.76; P = .001). Delay of surgery >5 months had an increased likelihood of a medial Outerbridge grade ≥3 chondral defect (aOR, 3.11; 95% CI, 1.64-5.87; P = .001) or a grade 4 defect (aOR, 3.84; 95% CI, 1.75-8.45; P = .001). Conclusion: From the time of ACL injury, risk of an irreparable medial meniscal tear found at the time of ACL reconstruction is significantly increased by 8 weeks, and risk of high-grade medial chondral damage is increased by 5 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyse the clinical outcome and survivorship of meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT), performed in a single unit, specifically to assess the impact of concomitant operations and the influence of articular cartilage lesions on outcome.Method: A prospective case series analysis of 240 patients undergoing MAT with follow-up greater than 12 months (range 1-10 years) was performed. Group A represented patients with good chondral surfaces (ICRS 0-3A); Group B had good chondral surfaces with concomitant realignment osteotomy. Group C had good chondral surfaces with ACL reconstruction performed at the same time. Groups D and E had bare bone on one or both surfaces respectively. Kaplan-Meier survivorship and PROMS including Lysholm, KOOS, Tegner, and IKDC subjective scores were analysed.Results: Overall survivorship was 96.7% at 1 year, 87% at 5 years and 82.2% at 7 years. Groups A-C (knees without significant chondral damage) had significantly improved survivorship (95% at 5 years) compared to Groups D, E (full-thickness chondral wear) with 77% survivorship at 5 years. Survivorship and PROMS were equivalent between Groups A-C. Groups D and E had similar PROMS to Group A, but did have a higher failure rate. Overall 27% required further operative intervention.Conclusions: Meniscal transplantation is clinically effective in treating patients with symptomatic meniscal deficiency. Where indicated, the addition of osteotomy or ACL reconstruction achieves results similar to patients undergoing simple meniscal transplantation in stable and normally aligned knees. Survivorship is lower in patients with full-thickness chondral loss and future treatments should, therefore, be directed at improving success in this at-risk group. The results support encouragement for earlier referral of symptomatic patients to a specialist meniscal reconstruction centre before a significant chondral damage is sustained.Level Of Evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess mid-term survivorship of meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) and determine the effect that pre-operative meniscal sizing has upon functional outcome and mechanical survivorship.Methods: A prospectively collected database of patients receiving MAT from 2001 to 2017 was analysed. Data include demographics; sizing measurements, complications, further surgery, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Allografts were fresh frozen, non-irradiated, and sized using the Pollard technique.Results: Seventy-three MATs were performed in 67 patients; mean age at MAT was 34 years (range 14-52 years). 56% were male and 62% were medial. The mean follow-up was 75 months (6.25 years). Mechanical survival at 5 and 10 years was 96% and 89.4%, respectively. There were statistically significant improvements in all PROMs; mean Lysholm score improved by 17.5 points [95% confidence interval (CI) 22.2-12.9, p < 0.001]; mean IKDC score improved significantly by 13.3 points (CI 19.3-7.4, p < 0.001); mean OKS improved by 5.6 points (CI 9.2-2.2, p < 0.002); and the median Tegner improved by 1 point. Forty-one MATs (56%) were undersized for width (range 1-11 mm). Seven MATs (10%) were undersized for length (range 1-4 mm). There was no statistically significant difference in mechanical survivorship or clinical outcomes between undersized, matched, or oversized grafts overall; however, sub-group analysis demonstrated increased failure when allografts were undersized by more than 5 mm in width.Conclusions: MAT is an effective treatment to improve function and alleviate pain with excellent survivorship in this series. Accepting an allograft that is more than 5 mm smaller in width than pre-operative templating increases the likelihood of clinical and mechanical failure. We, therefore, urge surgeons to be familiar with the measuring process used by their individual tissue bank provider to avoid graft-host mismatch that could affect outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The need for meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) in children is rare, and as a result, there is a paucity of evidence detailing survivorship and clinical outcome. MAT has been shown to significantly reduce pain and improve function in the adult population. The aim of this study was to document the outcomes of a single surgeon case series of MAT in the paediatric population.Methods: Analysis of a prospective meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) group database of 280 patients was performed. Twenty-three patients met the inclusion criteria-undergoing MAT aged 18 years or younger.Results: Fourteen were female and nine were male with median age of 17 (range 8-18). Thirteen (57%) were right knee and nineteen (83%) were lateral. Additional procedures included high tibial osteotomy, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and microfracture procedures. The median follow-up was 3.8 years (range of 0.2 to 7.8 years). There have been no cases of graft failure. All patients demonstrated improvement in all the modalities of the KOOS outcome scores. At 5 years, the Lysholm score had improved from 57.9 to 87.6 (SD 12.1), Tegner activity score had improved from 2 to 5 (range 4-7) and IKDC score had improved from 40.6 to 78.6 (SD 15.8). Four patients required secondary surgical intervention. No patients developed a superficial or deep infection.Conclusion: Meniscal allograft transplantation in children is founded on the successful results of MAT in the adult population. We have demonstrated in this series that MAT can improve function and reduce pain in the paediatric population, and is, therefore, a viable treatment option for the management of the symptomatic paediatric meniscal-deficient knee. Early referral should be considered in the patients with post-meniscectomy syndrome, pain on weight bearing with a history of previous menisectomy.Level Of Evidence: IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This in vivo histological study using an ovine model evaluated the 90-day healing of unilateral segmental meniscal allograft transplantation.Methods: Fresh-frozen medial menisci were transplanted to replace the right medial meniscus of six female sheep. Tissue healing was evaluated using semi-quantitative, descriptive methods. Formalin-fixed meniscal, distal femur and proximal tibia tissues were evaluated using Rodeo (cellularity/collagen), Ishida (reparative bonding), Collagen I IHC (collagen I), and Mankin (cartilage organization) scores at the medial femoral condyle (MFC) and medial tibial plateau (MTP). Meniscocapsular evaluations were performed at the: (a) peripheral junction; (b) posterior sector-native meniscus junction; (c) anterior sector-native meniscus junction; (d) posterior horn internal control; and (e) anterior horn internal control.Results: Three animals were euthanized at 39 ± 2.6 days post-surgery because of their knee condition. These animals had moderate Rodeo scores, low Ishida scores, and high Collagen I staining scores indicating moderately high fibrocartilaginous changes, mild or minimal healing and high collagen I content. Cartilage scores were low in the MFC and moderately high in the MTP, indicating mild MFC cartilage changes and moderately high MTP cartilage changes. Full-term (90 day) euthanized animals (n = 3) displayed improving Rodeo scores with mean scores of 3.3 and 3.6 at junctions (B) and (C), respectively. Ishida scores displayed similar improvements at all sectors. Collagen I staining revealed strong (grade 5) levels in all sections, with mean collagen I scores of 5, 5 and 4 for the peripheral (A), posterior (B) and anterior (C) junctions, respectively. Improved healing was observed at each segmental meniscus sector in terminally euthanized animals.Conclusions: Segmental meniscal allograft transplantation displayed partial healing to remnant meniscal tissue. Further study is needed to better delineate the time needed for complete healing and the joint-loading progression that may enhance it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Meniscal graft extrusion is a concern following meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT). MAT surgical techniques continue to evolve in an effort to reduce extrusion; however, improvements remain difficult to measure in vivo. A novel MRI-compatible in vitro loading device capable of applying physiologically relevant loads has been developed, allowing for the measurement of extrusion under a variety of controllable conditions. The objective of this study was to compare maximal medial MAT extrusion (1) with and (2) without an additional peripheral third point of fixation on the tibial plateau.Methods: Twelve human cadaveric knees underwent medial MAT, utilizing soft tissue anterior and posterior root fixation via transosseous suture, with a third transosseous suture tied over a button providing peripheral fixation on the tibial plateau. The joint was positioned at 5 degrees of flexion and loaded to 1 × body weight (647.7 ± 159.0 N) during MR image acquisition, with and without peripheral fixation. The joint was then positioned at 30 degrees of flexion and the process was repeated. Maximal coronal extrusion was measured.Results: An increase in maximal coronal meniscal extrusion was noted between the unloaded and loaded states. At 30 degrees of flexion, with the addition of a peripheral fixation point, a statistically significant difference in absolute extrusion (p = 0.02) and relative percent extrusion (p = 0.04) between the unloaded and loaded state was found. The addition of a peripheral fixation suture resulted in an overall mean percent difference of - 2.49% (SD 14.1; 95% CI - 11.95, 6.97; n.s.) in extrusion at 5 degrees of flexion and a mean percent difference of - 0.95% (SD 7.3; 95% CI - 5.62, 3.71; n.s.) in extrusion at 30 degrees of flexion. These differences were not statistically significant.Conclusion: These results suggest that the addition of a peripheral anchor in medial MAT does not reduce the amount of maximal coronal extrusion and, therefore, may not confer any clinical benefit. Surgical techniques utilized to reduce MAT extrusion need further investigation to understand if the added technical difficulty and potential expense is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This systematic review intends to give an overview of the current knowledge on how allografts used for the reconstruction of cruciate ligaments and menisci are integrated and specifically perform regarding their biomechanical function.Methods: Two reviewers reviewed the PubMed and Central Cochrane library with focus on the biomechanical integration of tendon ligament and meniscus allografts. The literature search was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses.Results: The analysed literature on tendon allografts shows that they are more vulnerable to overstretching in the phase of degradation compared to autografts as the revascularization process starts later and takes longer. Therefore, to avoid excessive graft loads, allografts for cruciate ligament replacement should be selected that exhibit much higher failure loads than the native ligaments to counteract the detrimental effect of degradation. Further, placement techniques should be considered that result in a minimum of strain differences during knee joint motion, which is best achieved by near-isometric placement. The most important biomechanical parameters for meniscus allograft transplantation are secure fixation and proper graft sizing. Allograft attachment by bone plugs or by a bone block is superior to circumferential suturing and enables the allograft to restore the chondroprotective biomechanical function. Graft sizing is also of major relevance, because too small grafts are not able to compensate the knee joint incongruity and too large grafts may fail due to extrusion. Only adequate sizing and fixation together can lead to a biomechanically functioning allograft. The objective assessment of the biomechanical quality of allografts in a clinical setting is challenging, but would be highly desirable for monitoring the remodelling and incorporation process.Conclusions: Currently, indicators like ap-stability after ACL reconstruction or meniscal extrusion represent only indirect measures for biomechanical graft integration. These parameters are at best clinical indicators of allograft function, but the overall integration properties comprising e.g. fixation and graft stiffness remain unknown. Therefore, future research should e.g. focus on advanced imaging techniques or other non-invasive methods allowing for in vivo assessment of biomechanical allograft properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implantation of allograft tissues has massively grown over the last years, especially in the fields related to sports medicine. Beside the fact that often no autograft option exists, autograft related disadvantages as donor-site morbidity and prolonged operative time are drastically reduced with allograft tissues. Despite the well documented clinical success for bone allograft procedures, advances in tissue engineering raised the interest in meniscus, osteochondral and ligament/tendon allografts. Notably, their overall success rates are constantly higher than 80%, making them a valuable treatment option in orthopaedics, especially in knee surgery. Complications reported for allografting procedures are a small risk of disease transmission, immunologic rejection, and decreased biologic incorporation together with nonunion at the graft-host juncture and, rarely, massive allograft resorption. Although allografting is a successful procedure, improved techniques and biological knowledge to limit these pitfalls and maximize graft incorporation are needed. A basic understanding of the biologic processes that affect the donor-host interactions and eventual incorporation and remodelling of various allograft tissues is a fundamental prerequisite for their successful clinical use. Further, the importance of the interaction of immunologic factors with the biologic processes involved in allograft incorporation has yet to be fully dissected. Finally, new tissue engineering techniques and use of adjunctive growth factors, cell based and focused gene therapies may improve the quality and uniformity of clinical outcomes. The aim of this review is to shed light on the biology of meniscus, osteochondral and ligament/tendon allograft incorporation and how collection and storage techniques may affect graft stability and embodiment.Level of evidence V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Aim of this study is to document if combined meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) and ACL reconstruction can improve knee function, reduce pain and allow patients with meniscal defect and ACL lesion to resume sport activities.Methods: Fifty MAT, arthroscopically performed without bone plugs and combined with one-stage primary or revision ACL reconstruction, with or without high tibial osteotomy (HTO), were included. Patients (aged 38.2 ± 10.6 years, 87% males) were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 5 years with Lysholm, Tegner and VAS scores. Patient satisfaction was also recorded, together with complications and failures.Results: VAS and Lysholm scores improved significantly (from 63.7 to 24.5 and from 60.6 to 82.7, respectively, p < 0.001), while the Tegner score did not reach pre-injury values (p < 0.001), but it improved significantly compared to pre-surgery values (from 2.8 to 4.6, p < 0.001). Medial MAT reported significantly better results compared to lateral MAT. Patients undergoing concomitant HTO reported a significantly higher decrease of VAS. Younger patients with higher pre-operative pain and lower activity level presented higher satisfaction. Eight patients needed a reoperation. Three patients were considered surgical failures while four were considered clinical failures, for a total of 15% failures.Conclusions: Meniscal allograft transplantation combined with ACL reconstruction represents a safe and suitable treatment, which should be considered as a suitable option in the clinical practice. All evaluated patient profiles, ACL injury in a patient with post-meniscectomy syndrome, failed ACL reconstruction in patients with a meniscus defect, and ACL reconstruction in patients with malalignment due to meniscal defect, benefited from the combined MAT procedure at medium-term follow-up.Level Of Evidence: IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) causes progression of medial meniscus extrusion (MME). This study aims to calculate the progression rate of MME based on findings in two preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and determine the associated factors. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 33 patients (27 females and 6 males; mean age, 60 years) who underwent MRI twice, at a mean interval of 48 days. We measured the medial meniscus body width, medial joint space width (MJSW), and MME. The MME progression rate was derived from regression analysis of the increase in MME (ΔMME) between the two MRI scans. In addition, the correlations of the MME increase rate with age, body mass index, femorotibial angle, and MJSW were evaluated. Results: The mean MME increased from 3.4 mm to 4.5 mm (p<0.001). A good correlation was observed between ΔMME and the interval of MRI scans (R2=0.621), and the MME progression rate was 0.020 mm per day. A moderate correlation was observed between the MME increase rate and the MJSW (R2=0.432). Conclusions: The MME progression rate was rapid in MMPRT and narrowing of the MJSW was associated with the progression of MME. Level of Evidence: V, Cross-sectional study [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although posterior medial meniscal root (PMMR) repairs are often successful, postoperative meniscal extrusion after a root repair has been identified as a potential clinical problem. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to quantitatively evaluate the tibiofemoral contact mechanics and extent of meniscal extrusion after a PMMR repair. It was hypothesized that the addition of a centralization suture (into the posterior medial tibial plateau) would help restore normal joint load-bearing characteristics and restore the native amount of meniscal extrusion after a root tear. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the amount of meniscal extrusion would be greatest in loaded and flexed knees when measured at the posterior border of the medial collateral ligament (MCL). Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Meniscal extrusion and tibiofemoral contact mechanics were measured using 3-dimensional digitization and pressure sensors in 10 nonpaired, human cadaveric knees. The PMMR of each knee was tested under 6 states: (1) intact; (2) type 2A PMMR tear; (3) anatomic transtibial pull-out root repair; (4) anatomic transtibial pull-out repair with centralization; (5) nonanatomic transtibial pull-out repair; and (6) nonanatomic transtibial pull-out repair with centralization, with randomization of the order of conditions 3 and 4, and 5 and 6. The testing protocol loaded knees with a 1000-N axial compressive force at 4 flexion angles (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°) in each state. Meniscal extrusion was measured with a 3-dimensional coordinate digitizer at 0° and 90° in both the loaded and unloaded states and calculated from the difference from the articular margin of the tibia to the periphery of the meniscus. Peak contact pressure, contact area, and total contact pressure were also recorded for all states at all flexion angles. Statistical analysis investigated the independent effects of flexion, state, and loading using 3 distinct 2-factor models. Results: Differences in the contact mechanics between repair techniques were most notable at higher flexion angles, demonstrating significantly higher average and peak contact pressures for nonanatomic repair states when compared with anatomic repairs with and without centralization (all P <.05). In unloaded knees at full extension, the magnitude of medial meniscal extrusion was significantly higher at the posterior border of the MCL compared with the posterior medial tibia (P <.001) and adjacent to the root attachment on the tibia locations (P <.001). Both anatomic repair states had no significant difference in the degree of extrusion when compared with the intact state. Conclusion: The anatomic transtibial pull-out root repair and the anatomic transtibial pull-out root repair with centralization techniques best restored contact mechanics of the knee and meniscal extrusion when compared with root tear and nonanatomic repair states at time zero. There were no significant differences in contact pressure or magnitude of extrusion between the anatomic repair state and the anatomic repair with centralization state. We found that extrusion is best measured in the coronal plane at the posterior border of the MCL for unloaded knees. However, the degree of extrusion increased as the knee was loaded and flexed to 90°. Clinical Relevance: When there are concerns about meniscal extrusion with a medial meniscal root repair, the addition of a centralization suture may be beneficial for patients in reducing pathologic meniscal extrusion and restoring joint contact mechanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) leads to a rapid degradation of articular cartilage. In the treatment of MMPRT, transtibial pullout repair demonstrates a high clinical survival rate. However, there is no reliable method to evaluate the meniscal healing after surgery. We propose an arthroscopic scoring system for evaluating the meniscal healing status. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations between second-look arthroscopic scores and clinical outcomes after transtibial pullout repair. Methods: Twenty patients who had MMPRTs underwent transtibial pullout repairs. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Japanese Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and pain score evaluated by visual analogue scale at preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. The healing status of repaired MM was assessed at one year post-operatively using a semi-quantitative arthroscopic scoring system (total, 10 points) composed of three evaluation criteria: (i) anteroposterior width of bridging tissues, (ii) stability of the MM posterior root, and (iii) synovial coverage of the sutures. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between second-look arthroscopic scores and clinical outcomes. Results: Transtibial pullout repairs of MMPRTs significantly improved clinical evaluation scores at one year post-operatively. A median of second-look arthroscopic scores was 6.5 (5.75–8). A good correlation was observed between the arthroscopic score and KOOS quality of life (QOL) subscale. A moderate negative correlation between the arthroscopic score and pain score was observed. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that our semi-quantitative scoring system of meniscal healing correlated with the KOOS QOL subscale following MMPRT transtibial pullout repair. Our results suggest that the second-look arthroscopic score using this system may be a useful scale to determine and compare the healing status of the MM posterior root. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the relevance of both push and pull factors is acknowledged in models of innovation, needs, broadly defined, are rarely considered, whereas supply-driven innovation in publicly funded health systems carries the risk that it may not match the underlying problems experienced by patients and consumers.Objectives: To explore a mixed-methods, multistakeholder approach that focuses on pertinent problems when assessing the potential value of an innovation as applied to a case of surgical innovation in meniscus surgery.Methods: Through interviews of stakeholders (n = 11) we sought to identify current problems of meniscus surgery in the Netherlands. On the basis of the subsequent problem definitions, we used stakeholder and literature input to quantify the room for improvement and stakeholder engagement to uncover possible barriers and facilitators to the implementation of the proposed innovation.Results: Despite being enthusiastic about the ingenuity of the proposed innovation and seeing some potential for cost saving, most stakeholders (n = 10) agreed that there are no major problems in current meniscus surgery meriting the innovation. They even discerned pragmatic barriers that would challenge the potential cost savings.Conclusions: By adopting a problem-oriented multistakeholder approach to early health technology assessment, we were able to estimate the potential value of an innovation in its social context, finding that, beyond the initial enthusiasm, the proposed innovation was unlikely to resolve the problems distinguished by the stakeholders. We concluded that our multistakeholder, mixed-methods approach to early health technology assessment is feasible and helps foster more demand-driven innovations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Meniscal changes in the lateral knee compartment after medial-opening high tibial osteotomy (HTO) with valgic overcorrection have not been investigated clinically with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The hypothesis of this study was that HTO with valgic overcorrection affects the lateral compartment due to the change in the bearing axis and the shift in the pressure load from the medial to the lateral compartment. This should lead to an accelerated degeneration of the lateral compartment.Methods: Twenty-four patients (mean age, 45.7 ± 7.6 years) were prospectively and longitudinally monitored with MRI after medial-opening high tibial osteotomy. The degeneration of the meniscus was assessed at the anterior horn, pars intermedia, and posterior horn using the Stoller classification. The morphological changes were also assessed at the anterior horn, pars intermedia, and posterior horn using the relative vertical and transverse diameters of the examined part of the meniscus, according to the ratio maximal meniscal diameter/maximal tibial width. These parameters were analyzed preoperatively and at follow-up (mean 5.3 ± 1.5 years after surgery).Results: During the follow-up period, there were no significant morphological changes in either the anterior horn, pars intermedia, or posterior horn. Nor were there any correlations between the morphological parameters, bodyweight, and the follow-up period. Despite these findings, an MRI evaluation showed progressive degeneration in every part of the meniscus according to the Stoller classification, and this was significant at the anterior horn (p < 0.01), pars intermedia (p = 0.021), and posterior horn (p < 0.01).Conclusion: High tibial osteotomy did not lead to morphological changes in the external meniscus over a follow-up period of 5.3 ± 1.5 years. However, progressive degeneration of the meniscus was observed in the imaging data. Further research is required to confirm the observed degeneration and to evaluate the consequences of the observed degeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medial meniscus (MM) posterior root has an important role in the maintenance of knee kinematics and articular cartilage. Although transtibial pullout repair of the MM posterior root tear (MMPRT) has become the gold standard, it is associated with several suturing difficulties. The present technical note describes a simple fixation technique using two simple stiches under an expected initial tension. After the degree of knee flexion (20°) and an expected tension (30 N) are checked, tibial fixation is performed using a bioabsorbable interference screw with a spring tensioner. After that, a suture knot is made just below the screw in case the sutures are pulled toward the joint direction. Furthermore, a cancellous screw is inserted at a position 1-cm distal from the tibial tunnel for augmentation and is tightened. MMPRT usually occurs in middle-aged females who often have decreased bone quality. However, there is no risk of tibial fracture with our new technique because the bone does not need to be hit. Adopting the advances of fixation with a spring tensioner and Biosure RG instead of Double Spike Plate, we can determine an expected tension easily and safely. The present fixation technique allows reproducibility for many operators to determine an initial tension and might be a good candidate for arthroscopic repair of the MMPRT. Further follow-up studies including second-look arthroscopy and scoring will be necessary to show the clinical benefits of this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) is a surgical treatment option for patients with meniscus deficiencies. Prior studies have defined clinically significant outcomes such as minimal clinical important difference (MCID) and patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) for commonly administered patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) after MAT. The purpose of this study was to determine the time to achieving MCID and PASS and to identify any risk factors affecting achievement in patients undergoing MAT. Methods: A prospectively maintained MAT registry was retrospectively reviewed from April 2014‐May 2020. Patients who underwent revision MAT or did not complete preoperative PROMs were excluded. International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) were administered preoperatively and at 6‐months, 1‐year, and 2‐years postoperatively. Previously defined MCID and PASS thresholds were utilized and Kaplan‐Meier survival curve analysis with interval censoring was used to calculate the cumulative percentages of MCID, and PASS achievement at each follow‐up time interval (5‐7, 11‐13, and 23‐25 months). Results: Eighty‐four patients (mean age: 28.2±9.7) were included. Time to MCID and PASS is presented in Table 1. Previously reported PASS values for KOOS Pain, Symptoms, and Sport did not reach an AUC>0.70 and thus were not included in analysis. Worker’s compensation status was found to delay time to achieving MCID for all PROs (HR=0.238‐0.305, P=0.008‐0.020) and PASS for KOOS Symptoms (HR=0.171, P = 0.026) and IKDC (HR=1.88, P<0.001) (Table 2 and 3). Higher preoperative PRO score was associated with mildly delaying the time to achieving MCID for all PROs (HR=0.947‐0.970, P<0.001), while higher preoperative PRO scores were associated with shorter time to achieving PASS on KOOS Symptoms and KOOS QOL (HR=1.030‐1.043, P=0.001). Greater BMI (HR=0.946, P=0.020) and the number of focal chondral defects (HR=0.083‐0.255, P=0.007‐0.029) was associated with delayed MCID for KOOS ADL and QOL, respectively, while concomitant realignment surgery decreased time to MCID on KOOS Sports (HR=2.542, P=0.008). Conclusions: This study defined the time to achieving MCID and PASS on IKDC and KOOS subscores for patients undergoing MAT. Worker’s compensation status, BMI, and the presence of focal chondral defects may prolong time to achievement of MCID and PASS after MAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The purpose of this study was to compare short-term clinical outcomes between meniscus procedures performed with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), ACLR (ACLR-only), ACLR with meniscectomy/resection (ACLR-resect), and ACLR with meniscal repair (ACLR-repair) for bone patellar tendon bone grafts (BPTB) and hamstring tendon grafts, separately., Design: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a controlled laboratory setting as part of a large point-of-care collaborative research program., Methods: This study included 314 participants (168 females; mean [SD]: age, 19.7 [4.8]) with primary unilateral ACLR with a BPTB or hamstring tendon. Patients were divided into 3 groups depending on meniscal procedure (ACLR-only, ACLR-resect, and ACLR-repair). Postsurgical testing included: isokinetic assessment of knee extension and flexion, single-leg hop tests, and patient-reported outcomes. Multivariate analysis of covariance compared differences between meniscal procedures on the battery of tests, and for each statistically significant variable an analysis of covariance assessed the effect of meniscal procedure within each graft type. Chi-square analysis assessed the influence of meniscal procedure on tests' pass rates defined as 90% of limb symmetry index., Results: BPTB: ACLR-only had greater hamstring strength than ACLR-resect (P = .05) and ACLR-repair (P = .005). ACLR-only had the highest proportion of participants to pass the hamstring strength test (P = .02). Hamstring tendon: ACLR-only (P = .03) and ACLR-resect (P = .003) had higher International Knee Documentation Committee scale scores than ACLR-repair. There was a significant difference in the proportion of participants who scored >90% limb symmetry index on the timed hop test (P = .05)., Conclusions: The influence of meniscal repair on clinical outcomes is dependent on the graft choice. Following an ACLR with BPTB and a meniscal procedure, hamstring function should be more closely monitored for optimal short-term recovery.

Introduction: Meniscal tears are among the most common indications for knee arthroscopy. Artificial polyurethane scaffolds have demonstrated efficacy in reducing pain and promoting the growth of normal meniscal tissue, with high absorption rates facilitating full tissue regeneration., Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the remodeling of polyurethane meniscal implants post-reconstruction using ultrasonography. This imaging technique not only assesses changes in implant properties, such as echogenicity, but also the shape changes during functional examination., Methods: The assessment of meniscal extrusion, comparing size at rest and under weight-bearing, is an indirect parameter that provides insight into the physical properties of the remodeling implant, with greater extrusion indicating reduced stiffness and inferior physical properties of the meniscus. Ultrasonography has the valuable advantage of allowing for assessment of the blood supply to the meniscus through Power Doppler imaging., Results: The presence of vessels within the meniscal implants serves as evidence of ongoing remodeling. The study included 35 patients (13 female, 22 male; mean age 41.6 years, range 18-66) who underwent arthroscopic meniscal reconstruction with polyurethane implants, with an average time from surgery of 2.8 years (range 0.3-4.5 years). Results showed complete (29.7%), significant (45.9%), or moderate (16.2%) remodeling into natural meniscal tissue in 91.8% of the implants., Conclusion: The mean values of extrusion in the supine position and during 90-degree flexion were significantly greater in the operated limb (2.603) compared to the contralateral limb (1.978; t(35) = 2.442; P < 0.05). No significant differences in extrusion were found between the limbs in a standing position, indicating favorable physical properties of the polyurethane meniscal implants. Further ultrasonography studies of meniscal scaffolds are deemed relevant., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Purpose: The surgeons' choice of a single-stage or a two-stage procedure in revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLr) is based on the possibility of reuse of the tibia and femoral bone tunnels after primary ACLr. The purpose of this study was to compare failure rates and clinical outcomes following single-stage and two-stage ACL revisions in a cohort of patients from The Danish Knee Ligament Reconstruction Registry., Methods: Patients identified from 2005 to 2022 with ACL revision and met the following criteria: minimum 2-year follow-up, isolated ACL revision and registered single- or two-stage ACL revision. The primary outcome was ACL re-revision rate. Secondary outcomes were arthrometer sagittal knee laxity (side-to-side difference) and pivot shift (rotational stability difference) evaluated at 1-year follow up., Results: One thousand five hundred seventy-four ACL revisions were included in the study (1331 = single-stage and 243 = two stage). Baseline characteristics showed no difference in relation to age, gender, knee laxity, pivot shift, meniscus injury, cartilage damage or injury mechanism between the two groups. Significant differences were found in relation to the type of graft. No statistical difference in 2-years revision rates between single-stage group 2.79 (95% CI 2.03-3.84) and two-stage group 2.93 (95% CI 1.41-6.05) was found. No significant difference was seen in knee laxity and pivot shift between stage-groups at 1-year follow up. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in knee stability from baseline to 1-year follow-up., Conclusion: The present study found that ACL revision outcomes were similar in terms of rerevision rates and knee laxity for patients managed with a single- or a two-stage surgical strategy., Level of Evidence: Level III., (© 2024 European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy.)