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Background: Tibial rotation is an important topic in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery, and many efforts are being made to address rotational stability. The exact role of the ACL in controlling tibial rotation in clinical studies is unknown.Purpose: To quantify the effect of ACL reconstruction on the amount of tibial rotation based on the current available literature.Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.Methods: A literature search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases was performed in August 2019. Two independent reviewers reviewed titles and abstracts as well as full-text articles. A total of 2383 studies were screened for eligibility. After screening of titles and abstracts, 178 articles remained for full-text assessment. Ultimately, 13 studies were included for analysis. A quality assessment was performed by means of the RoB 2.0 (revised tool for Risk of Bias in randomized trials) and the ROBINS-I (Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies-of Interventions) tools.Results: According to the studies using computer-assisted surgery that were included in this review, ACL reconstruction resulted in an average reduction in tibial rotation of 17% to 32% compared with preoperatively; whether the range of tibial rotation returned to preinjury levels remained unclear. In the current literature, a gold standard for measuring tibial rotation is lacking. Major differences between the study protocols were found. Several techniques for measuring tibial rotation were used, each with its own limitations. Most studies lacked proper description of accompanying injuries.Conclusion: ACL reconstruction reduced the range of tibial rotation by 17% to 32%. Normal values for the range of tibial rotation in patients with ACL deficiency and those who undergo ACL reconstruction could not be provided based on the current available literature owing to a lack of uniform measuring techniques and protocols. Therefore, we advocate uniformity in measuring tibial rotation.

Background: Tibial rotation is an important topic in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery, and many efforts are being made to address rotational stability. The exact role of the ACL in controlling tibial rotation in clinical studies is unknown. Purpose: To quantify the effect of ACL reconstruction on the amount of tibial rotation based on the current available literature. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A literature search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases was performed in August 2019. Two independent reviewers reviewed titles and abstracts as well as full-text articles. A total of 2383 studies were screened for eligibility. After screening of titles and abstracts, 178 articles remained for full-text assessment. Ultimately, 13 studies were included for analysis. A quality assessment was performed by means of the RoB 2.0 (revised tool for Risk of Bias in randomized trials) and the ROBINS-I (Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies–of Interventions) tools. Results: According to the studies using computer-assisted surgery that were included in this review, ACL reconstruction resulted in an average reduction in tibial rotation of 17% to 32% compared with preoperatively; whether the range of tibial rotation returned to preinjury levels remained unclear. In the current literature, a gold standard for measuring tibial rotation is lacking. Major differences between the study protocols were found. Several techniques for measuring tibial rotation were used, each with its own limitations. Most studies lacked proper description of accompanying injuries. Conclusion: ACL reconstruction reduced the range of tibial rotation by 17% to 32%. Normal values for the range of tibial rotation in patients with ACL deficiency and those who undergo ACL reconstruction could not be provided based on the current available literature owing to a lack of uniform measuring techniques and protocols. Therefore, we advocate uniformity in measuring tibial rotation.

This article describes the complex anatomic structures that pass across the lateral aspect of the knee, particularly the iliotibial tract and the underlying anterolateral ligament and capsule. It provides data on their strength and roles in controlling tibiofemoral joint laxity and stability. These findings are discussed in relation to surgery to repair or reconstruct the anatomic structures, or to create tenodeses with similar effect.

Background: Anterolateral complex injuries are becoming more recognized. While these are known to affect tibiofemoral mechanics, it is not known how they affect patellofemoral joint behavior. Purpose: To determine the effect of (1) sectioning the anterolateral complex and (2) performing a MacIntosh tenodesis under various conditions on patellofemoral contact mechanics and kinematics. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were tested in a customized rig, with the femur fixed and tibia free to move, with optical tracking to record patellar kinematics and with thin pressure sensors to record patellofemoral contact pressures at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion. The quadriceps and iliotibial tract were loaded with 205 N throughout testing. Intact and anterolateral complex–sectioned states were tested, followed by 4 randomized tenodeses applying 20- and 80-N graft tension, each with the tibia in its neutral intact alignment or left free to rotate. Statistical analyses were undertaken with repeated measures analysis of variance, Bonferroni post hoc analysis, and paired samples t tests. Results: Patellar kinematics and contact pressures were not significantly altered after sectioning of the anterolateral complex (all: P > .05). Similarly, they were not significantly different from the intact knee in tenodeses performed when fixed tibial rotation was combined with 20- or 80-N graft tension (all: P > .05). However, grafts tensioned with 20 N and 80 N while the tibia was free hanging resulted in significant increases in lateral patellar tilt ( P < .05), and significantly elevated lateral peak patellofemoral pressures ( P < .05) were observed for 80 N. Conclusion: This work did not find that an anterolateral injury altered patellofemoral mechanics or kinematics, but adding a lateral tenodesis can elevate lateral contact pressures and induce lateral patellar tilting if the tibia is pulled into external rotation by the tenodesis. Although these in vitro changes were small and might not be relevant in a fully loaded knee, controlling the position of the tibia at graft fixation is effective in avoiding overconstraint at time zero in a lateral tenodesis. Clinical Relevance: Small changes in lateral patellar tilt and patellofemoral contact pressures were found at time zero with a MacIntosh tenodesis. These changes were eliminated when the tibia was held in neutral rotation at the time of graft fixation. The risk of overconstraint after a lateral tenodesis therefore seems low and in accordance with recent published reports.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to quantify the contributions of medial soft tissues to stability following cruciate-retaining (CR) or posterior-stabilised (PS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Using a robotic system, eight cadaveric knees were subjected to ±90-N anterior-posterior force, ±5-Nm internal-external and ±8-Nm varus-valgus torques at various flexion angles. The knees were tested intact and then with CR and PS implants, and successive cuts of the deep and superficial medial collateral ligaments (dMCL, sMCL) and posteromedial capsule (PMC) quantified the percentage contributions of each structure to restraining the applied loads. RESULTS: In implanted knees, the sMCL restrained valgus rotation (62 % across flexion angles), anterior-posterior drawer (24 and 10 %, respectively) and internal-external rotation (22 and 37 %). Changing from CR TKA to PS TKA increased the load on the sMCL when resisting valgus loads. The dMCL restrained 11 % of external and 13 % of valgus rotations, and the PMC was significant at low flexion angles. CONCLUSIONS: This work has shown that medial release in the varus knee should be minimised, as it may inadvertently result in a combined laxity pattern. There is increasing interest in preserving constitutional varus in TKA, and this work argues for preservation of the sMCL to afford the surgeon consistent restraint and maintain a balanced knee for the patient.

Background:Lateral extra-articular soft tissue reconstructions in the knee may be used as a combined procedure in revision anterior cruciate ligament surgery as well as in primary treatment for patients who demonstrate excessive anterolateral rotatory instability. Only a few studies examining length change patterns and isometry in lateral extra-articular reconstructions have been published.Purpose:To determine a recommended femoral insertion area and graft path for lateral extra-articular reconstructions by measuring length change patterns through a range of knee flexion angles of several combinations of tibial and femoral insertion points on the lateral side of the knee.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were freed of skin and subcutaneous fat. The knee was then mounted in a kinematics rig that loaded the quadriceps muscles and simulated open-chain knee flexion. The length changes of several combinations of tibiofemoral points were measured at knee flexion angles between 0° and 90° by use of linear variable displacement transducers. The changes in length relative to the 0° measurement were recorded.Results:The anterior fiber region of the iliotibial tract displayed a significantly different ( P < .001) length change pattern compared with the posterior fiber region. The reconstructions that had a femoral insertion site located proximal to the lateral epicondyle and with the grafts passed deep to the lateral collateral ligament displayed similar length change patterns to each other, with small length increases during knee extension. These reconstructions also showed a significantly lower total strain range compared with the reconstruction located anterior to the epicondyle ( P < .001).Conclusion:These findings show that the selection of graft attachment points and graft course affects length change pattern during knee flexion. A graft attached proximal to the lateral femoral epicondyle and running deep to the lateral collateral ligament will provide desirable graft behavior, such that it will not suffer excessive tightening or slackening during knee motion.Clinical Relevance:These results provide a surgical rationale for lateral extra-articular soft tissue reconstruction in terms of femoral graft fixation site and graft route.

Background:Anterolateral soft tissue structures of the knee have a role in controlling anterolateral rotational laxity, and they may be damaged at the time of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures.Purpose:To compare the kinematic effects of anterolateral operative procedures in combination with intra-articular ACL reconstruction for combined ACL plus anterolateral–injured knees.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:Twelve cadaveric knees were tested in a 6 degrees of freedom rig using an optical tracking system to record the kinematics through 0° to 90° of knee flexion with no load, anterior drawer, internal rotation, and combined loading. Testing was first performed in ACL-intact, ACL-deficient, and combined ACL plus anterolateral–injured (distal deep insertions of the iliotibial band and the anterolateral ligament [ALL] and capsule cut) states. Thereafter, ACL reconstruction was performed alone and in combination with the following: modified MacIntosh tenodesis, modified Lemaire tenodesis passed both superficial and deep to the lateral collateral ligament, and ALL reconstruction. Anterolateral grafts were fixed at 30° of knee flexion with both 20 and 40 N of tension. Statistical analysis used repeated-measures analyses of variance and paired t tests with Bonferroni adjustments.Results:ACL reconstruction alone failed to restore native knee kinematics in combined ACL plus anterolateral–injured knees ( P < .05 for all). All combined reconstructions with 20 N of tension, except for ALL reconstruction ( P = .002-.01), restored anterior translation. With 40 N of tension, the superficial Lemaire and MacIntosh procedures overconstrained the anterior laxity in deep flexion. Only the deep Lemaire and MacIntosh procedures—with 20 N of tension—restored rotational kinematics to the intact state ( P > .05 for all), while the ALL underconstrained and the superficial Lemaire overconstrained internal rotation. The same procedures with 40 N of tension led to similar findings.Conclusion:In a combined ACL plus anterolateral–injured knee, ACL reconstruction alone failed to restore intact knee kinematics. The addition of either the deep Lemaire or MacIntosh tenodesis tensioned with 20 N, however, restored native knee kinematics.Clinical Relevance:The current study indicates that unaddressed anterolateral injuries, in the presence of an ACL deficiency, result in abnormal knee kinematics that is not restored if only treated with intra-articular ACL reconstruction. Both the modified MacIntosh and modified deep Lemaire tenodeses (with 20 N of tension) restored native knee kinematics at time zero.

Purpose: To inventory the examination methods available to assess antero-medial rotational laxity (AMRL) of the knee following medial collateral ligament injury. Methods: Searches were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines and using four online databases: WEB OF SCIENCE, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and AMED. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme guidelines for Diagnostic Test Studies were used for the quality assessment of the articles. Results: A total of 2241 articles were identified from the database searches. From this, four articles were included in the final review. All were case–control studies, considered a combined ACL/MCL injury and had small study populations. Specialised equipment was required in all studies, and one needed additional imaging support before measurements could be taken. Two employed commercially available measuring equipment as part of the assessment process. Conclusion: Clinical assessment of AMRL in relation to a MCL injury remains challenging. Although methods have been developed to support clinical examination, they are limited by a number of factors, including the need for additional time in the clinical environment when setting up equipment, the need for specific equipment to produce and measure rotational movement and imaging support. In addition, there are patient safety concerns from the repeated imaging. A reliable and valid clinical examination remains to be found to truly assess antero-medial rotational laxity of the knee.

The Dutch Orthopaedic Association has a long tradition of development of practical clinical guidelines. Here we present the recommendations from the multidisciplinary clinical guideline working group for anterior cruciate ligament injury. The following 8 clinical questions were formulated by a steering group of the Dutch Orthopaedic Association. center dot What is the role of physical examination and additional diagnostic tools? center dot Which patient-related outcome measures should be used? center dot What are the relevant parameters that influence the indication for an ACL reconstruction? center dot Which findings or complaints are predictive of a bad result of an ACL injury treatment? center dot What is the optimal timing for surgery for an ACL injury? center dot What is the outcome of different conservative treatment modalities? center dot Which kind of graft gives the best result in an ACL reconstruction? center dot What is the optimal postoperative treatment concerning rehabilitation, resumption of sports, and physiotherapy? These 8 questions were answered and recommendations were made, using the "Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation" instrument. This instrument seeks to improve the quality and effectiveness of clinical practical guidelines by establishing a shared framework to develop, report, and assess. The steering group has also developed 7 internal indicators to aid in measuring and enhancing the quality of the treatment of patients with an ACL injury, for use in a hospital or practice.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to determine, in vivo, the effect of different types of meniscectomy on an ACL-deficient knee. Methods: Using a computer-assisted navigation system, 56 consecutive patients (45 men and 11 women) were subjected to a biomechanical testing with Lachman test (AP30), drawer test (AP90), internal/external rotation test, varus/valgus rotation test and pivot-shift test. The patients were divided into three groups according to the status of the medial meniscus. Group BH, 8 patients with bucket-handle tear of medial meniscus underwent a subtotal meniscectomy; Group PHB, 19 patients with posterior horn body of medial meniscus tear underwent a partial meniscectomy; and Group CG with isolated ACL rupture, as a control group, with 29 patients. Results: A significant difference in anterior tibial translation was seen at 30 grades and in 90 grades between BH and PHB groups compared to the CG. In response to pivot-shift test, no significant differences in terms of AREA and POSTERIOR ACC were found among the three groups (n.s). Concerning the anterior displacement of the pivot shift a statistically significant differences among the three tested groups was found. Conclusion: The present study shows that meniscal defects significantly affect the kinematics of an ACL-deficient knee in terms of anterior tibial translation under static and dynamic testing.

The replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient knee with the central third of the patellar tendon using bone – tendon - bone construct is a popular surgical procedure to regain knee stability. To minimize problems in rehabilitation like postoperative pain, muscle wasting and disturbance of the proprioreceptors we use a surgical technique for endoscopic ACL-reconstruction popularized by Rosenberg. This arthroscopic procedure will be described., Ön çapraz bağdan yoksun dizlerde, patellar tendonun 1/3 ortasıyla kemik- tendon - kemik yapısı sağlanarak replasman diz instabilitesini yeniden kazanmanın popüler cerrahi girişimlerden biridir. Postoperatif ağrı, kas kitlesinde kayıp, proprioseptörlerde bozulma gibi problemleri en aza indirgemek için Rosenberg tarafından propülarize edilmiş endoskopik ön çapraz bağ rekonstrüksiyonunu kullanmaktayız. Burada artroskopik cerrahi girişimi anlatılacaktır.

Objective: Unreconstructed anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears cause repeated incidences of giving-way and rotational-translational instability. The aim of this study was to test our hypothesis that delayed surgical treatment of patients with ACL tears, especially those with high Tegner activity levels, results in more severe and complicated meniscal and osteochondral lesions with potential affect on the outcome. Methods: This study included 385 patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction between 2001 and 2009. Patients' arthroscopic video records or MRI scans and patient files at the time of surgery were analyzed. We defined severe meniscal and osteochondral lesions which could negatively affect the outcome and labeled them meniscal lesions affecting outcome (MLAO) and osteochondral lesions affecting outcome (OLAO). The relation between MLAO, OLAO, time since injury and Tegner activity levels were statistically analyzed. Results: The incidences of MLAO and OLAO grew statistically higher as time elapsed between the injury and surgery increased (p=0.001, p005). Conclusion: Delays in ACL reconstruction surgery result in an increase in the incidence of meniscal and osteochondral lesions which have the potential to negatively affect the surgical outcome.

To investigate the effects of age on the reciprocal peak torque ratios during knee muscle contractions, 25 elite male soccer players, aged 22.3 +/- 3.8 yr (18-28), volunteered for the present study. The players were grouped as adult (>21 years, n = 13) and young players (less than or equal to 21 years, n = 12). Maximal concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) isokinetic thigh muscle strength was measured at angular velocities of 30 degrees, 180 degrees, 240 degrees and 300 degrees/s. ECC and CON peak torques of knee flexors (hamstring, HAM) and CON peak torques of knee extensors (quadriceps, QUA) in the dominant knee were greater (P < 0.05) in adult players than in young players at 180, 240 and 300 degrees/s. ECC HAM/CON QUA peak torque ratio at 300 degrees/s was greater (P < 0.05) for adult players compared to young players in the dominant knee but not in the nondominant knee. Furthermore, conventional HAM/QUA peak torque ratios of the dominant knee at all angular velocities for ECC contraction were higher (P < 0.05) in adult players than in young players. In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicate that the reciprocal torque ratio is influenced by age in the dominant knee of elite soccer players. Because there was no effect of age for the nondominant leg, the findings of the present study are more likely to be the result of the training background of the players than their age.