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Although anatomical anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) can provide satisfactory outcomes, little is known about how this procedure impacts patellar height. Since harvesting bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autografts is a potential risk factor for decreased patellar height, we examined changes in patellar height after anatomical ACLR with BTB autograft with a focus on the size of the harvested graft.Subjects were 84 patients (49 males, 35 females; mean age, 23 years) who underwent primary anatomical ACLR with central third BTB autograft. Preoperative to postoperative Caton-Deschamps index (CDI) ratio was calculated using lateral knee radiographs before and 6 months after surgery. The length and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the graft were measured intraoperatively, and the CSA of the contralateral patellar tendon was measured by ultrasound 6 months postoperatively. The difference in graft CSA relative to the contralateral tendon CSA, expressed as a percentage (gCSA:ctCSA percentage), was also calculated.Patellar height decreased slightly after surgery (preoperative CDI: 0.856 ± 0.113; postoperative CDI: 0.841 ± 0.113), with a mean difference between preoperative and postoperative CDIs of -0.015 (range: -0.293 to 0.101). Although the CDI of male subjects significantly decreased after surgery (preoperative: 0.852 ± 0.117; postoperative: 0.827 ± 0.115), no significant changes were noted in female subjects (preoperative: 0.862 ± 0.108; postoperative: 0.861 ± 0.108). Graft length and CSA did not significantly impact the CDI ratio (r = -0.138 and r = -0.038, respectively). Moreover, no significant relationship was observed between the gCSA:ctCSA percentage and CDI ratio (r = 0.118).Although patellar height slightly, but significantly, decreased at 6 months after anatomical ACLR with BTB autograft, it was not affected by the length and CSA of harvested grafts. The decrease in postoperative patellar height was observed only in male subjects, suggesting the potential importance of sex differences in soft tissue healing during the postoperative period.

Posterior ankle impingement syndrome is mainly seen in ballet dancers and frequently associated with specific movements in ballet such as pointe and demi pointe in which the whole-body weight is applied to the maximally plantar flexed ankle. We performed arthroscopic debridement for 2 dedicated ballet dancers on the intervening soft tissue causing posterior ankle impingement syndrome (PAIS). In both cases, T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed low-signal intensity of meniscus-like soft tissue without abnormal osseous findings, connecting from the posterior side of the talus to Kager's fat pad. To examine the intervening soft tissue in detail, we performed histological evaluation by hematoxylin and eosin staining, Safranin O fast green staining, and immunohistochemistry for type I collagen and type II collagen. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that there was cartilage-like tissue including chondrocyte-like cells in contact with fibrous tissue. The extracellular matrix in the cartilage zone was consistently stained by Safranin O staining and type II collagen without any staining with type I collagen. These findings suggested that the meniscus-like soft tissue appearing as low-signal intensity on MRI at the posterior side of talus included hyaline-like cartilage. To the extent of our knowledge, these were rare cases of hyaline-like cartilage generation causing PAIS in ballet dancers, which might be associated with ballet specific movements resulting in chondrogenesis.

Purpose Second-look arthroscopy is invasive but still one of the most useful postoperative evaluation methods since graft morphology including graft tension, graft tear, and synovial coverage can be directly evaluated. However, only a few studies have evaluated transplanted posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) grafts. This study aimed to clarify the PCL graft morphology and chondral damages at second-look arthroscopy after double-bundle PCL reconstruction (PCLR) and to investigate the effects of patient age on these arthroscopic findings. Methods This study retrospectively included 26 patients who underwent second-look arthroscopy at the time of hardware removal 14 months after double-bundle PCLR for isolated PCL injury from January 2007 to December 2020. The patients were divided into two groups: group A, 39 years or younger (n = 14); and group B, 40 years or older (n = 12). At second-look arthroscopy, the grafts were evaluated based on tension (taut, graft tension as tense as a normal PCL; lax, graft tension looser than a normal PCL, unclassified, completely torn graft), tear (one or more tendon strands torn), and synovial coverage (good, synovial coverage greater than 80% around the graft; fair, synovial coverage greater than 50%; and poor, synovial coverage less than 50%). The chondral damages were evaluated using the Outerbridge classification system. Radiographic posterior tibial translation with gravity sag view as well as clinical outcomes were also evaluated. Results Anterolateral (AL) graft tension was lax in 8% of the patients, whereas posteromedial (PM) graft tension was lax or unclassified in 24% (p = 0.043). Graft tear was observed only in the PM graft of 19% patients (p = 0.022). Synovial coverage of AL grafts was good or fair in all cases, whereas that of PM grafts was poor in 28% cases (p, Highlights • Second-look arthroscopy is a direct evaluation of the transplanted graft. • There are very few studies of second-look arthroscopy of transplanted PCL grafts. • Arthroscopic findings in the PM graft were inferior to those in the AL graft. • Poorer synovial coverage in the PM graft was observed in the patients ≥40 years.

Background/objective: For early return to sports after a lateral ankle sprain (LAS) and recurrence prevention, effective rehabilitation and gradual return to sports should be initiated while predicting the return time based on the appropriate severity evaluation immediately after injury. However, since severity evaluations performed in previous studies required large space and stairs and involved high-revel activity, their use as a test and index to evaluate severity after LAS was not appropriate considering convenience and risk of re-injury. Therefore, a quick and simple test was developed to evaluate the severity of acute LAS. This study aimed to verify the association between ankle function for severity evaluation and anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injury type by ultrasonography and to clarify the usefulness for acute LAS severity evaluation of the single-leg loading (SLL) test. Methods: In total, 50 patients (34 men, 16 women) out of 58 patients who visited our sports clinic within 3 days after acute LAS and who conformed to the study criteria were included in this study. During the first visit, SLL test and objective/subjective ankle joint evaluation were performed. The SLL test consists of single-leg standing, single-leg heel raising and single-leg hopping, and patients were classified into four levels from 1 to 4 according to results. In addition, ultrasonographic evaluation was performed within 1 week after the first visit to evaluate the type of ATFL injury. Type I was defined as intact ATFL, Type II as swollen ATFL with an almost intact fibrillar pattern and Type III as ATFL appearing swollen with a disrupted fibrillar pattern. The relationship between the SLL test and each evaluation item was investigated using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results: As a result of the SLL test, 15 patients had Level 1 (30%), 19 Level 2 (38%), 5 Level 3 (10%) and 11 Level 4 (22%). With regard to correlation coefficients of the SLL test, Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot ankle/hindfoot scale and sports activity were rs = 0.71 (p

Objective Trochlear dysplasia is a major predisposing factor of patellar instability (PI). Dysplasia types are generally evaluated using the Dejour classification, but it is unclear whether this classification covers the entire spectrum. The objective of this study was to confirm whether the trochlear types on an axial view categorised according to the classification represent the entire trochlear shape. Methods Ninety knees from 81 patients with PI and 15 knees from 10 healthy volunteers (HVs) were evaluated. Three-dimensional knee models were created by MRIs. The femoral trochlear planes (FTPs) were defined as virtual cross sections including the transepicondylar axis, closer to the perpendicular plane of the articular surface. FTP 0 was defined as the reference plane including the proximal edge of the femoral trochlea and FTP θ as the plane making optional angle θ to FTP 0. Trochlear dysplasia types according to the classification were evaluated at every 10 degrees of FTPs up to 60 degrees (FTP 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60). A trochlea with a sulcus angle Results Eighty-six knees (96%) in patients with PI and 12 (80%) in HVs showed changing trochlear types in different FTPs. Patterns of change varied among patients with PI and HVs. This suggests morphological variation of dysplastic trochleae. Agreement of trochlear type on each FTP with the clinically used Dejour classification was 42% on FTP 10, 49% on FTP 20, 33% on FTP 30, 22% on FTP 40, 22% on FTP 50% and 22% on FTP 60 in patients with PI, and 20% at FTP 10, 80% at FTP 20 and 100% on FTP 30 through FTP 60 in HVs. This suggests that the trochlear types in the clinically used plane do not always match the ones on the planes describing the contact surface to the patella. Conclusion The trochlear types on an axial view provided by the Dejour classification do not represent the entire trochlear geometry. Multiple axial planes should be clinically used to more precisely describe the entire trochlear shape.

Lateral patellar dislocation is a relatively common knee injury in children and adolescents (Nietosvaara et al., J Pediatr Orthop 14(4):513–5, 1994; Fithian et al., Am J Sports Med 32(5):1114–21, 2004), and it may lead to recurrent patellar instability and functional disability (Macnab, J Bone Joint Surg Am 34:957–67, 1952; Hawkins et al., Am J Sports Med 14(2):117–20, 1986). Furthermore, most patients tend to have articular cartilage lesions in their patellofemoral (PF) joint (Nomura et al., Arthroscopy 19(7):717–21, 2003); these lesions get worse with time and lead to patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) (Nomura and Inoue, Osteoarthr Cartil 13(11):1029–36, 2005; Salonen et al., Am J Sports Med 45(6):1376–82, 2017). The therapeutic objectives would be preventing further dislocation, improving subjective apprehension, and reducing the risk of future osteoarthritis (OA). Numerous surgical procedures for stabilizing an unstable patella have been reported for over a hundred years. However, few procedures have demonstrated the prevention of further aggravation of osteoarthritis. The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) has been regarded as a primary restraint for lateral displacement of the patella, and reconstructing an MPFL has become the first choice of treatment in patellar instability. The present chapter focuses on the current status of MPFL reconstruction, especially from a viewpoint of its possibility for preventing future OA.

The aim of this study was to assess early graft failure after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction according to chronicity of ACL deficiency (ACLD) and clarify predisposing factors.A total of 731 patients who underwent anatomic ACL reconstruction were divided into 3 groups based on chronicity of ACLD:6 months (Group 1), 6 months to 2 years (Group 2), and2 years (Group 3). Types of ACL grafts used included single-bundle hamstring tendon (HT), multiple-bundle HT, and rectangular bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) grafts. Preoperatively and immediately postoperatively, lateral radiographs in full extension were taken to examine anterior tibial subluxation (ATS). All ACL grafts were evaluated by MRI at 6 months to identify graft failure. The group with the highest failure rate was further examined to compare possible risk factors between the intact and failure subgroups, followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify predisposing factors.Early graft failure on MRI without any episode of postoperative trauma was observed in 7 (1.4%), 2 (1.8%), and 11 (9.2%) patients in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, with a significantly higher rate in Group 3 (P 0.001). Of the 119 patients in Group 3, significant differences were observed between intact and failure subgroups with regard to surgical procedure (P = 0.03), chondral lesions (P 0.01), and preoperative ATS (P 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that surgical procedures (odds ratio, 3.8; 95%CI, 1.16-12.59) and preoperative ATS (odd ratio, 2.4; 95%CI, 1.26-4.38) were predisposing factors of early graft failure.Patients with ACLD for2 years experienced early graft failure with an incidence rate of 9.2%. Predisposing factors of early graft failure in these patients included the use of single-bundle HT grafts and preoperative ATS. The use of rectangular BTB grafts resulted in a lower graft failure rate.Case Series.

Introduction There was little information about the isolated medial meniscal tears in the anterior–middle segment. This study aimed to report the infrequent cases of the isolated medial meniscal tears in the anterior–middle segment related to kicking motion among young soccer players with a short-term postoperative outcome. Presentation of case In the retrospective review of the surgical records from 2000 to 2018, there were 15 cases with the corresponding tear. They were all young male soccer players with a mean age of 16.7 years (range: 10–23 years). The cause of injury was kicking motion during playing soccer in all the patients. The most frequent symptom was locking in 80% of the cases. In the arthroscopic evaluation, all the cases presented with a longitudinal (bucket-handle) tear in the anterior–middle segment in the peripheral zone with a length of 25 to 30 mm, while the posterior segment and the cruciate ligaments were intact. Meniscal repair was performed for all the cases. At one year, all the patients could return to play soccer with a pre-injury level without any symptoms. In the second-look arthroscopy at six months among four cases, all meniscal tears healed completely. Discussion and conclusion Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of isolated peripheral longitudinal tear in the anterior–middle segment of the medial meniscus, which is related to the kicking motion among young soccer players and mainly causes locking., Highlights • Isolated medial meniscal tears in anterior–middle segment are relatively infrequent. • These tears cause after kicking motion among young soccer players. • Longitudinal (bucket-handle) tears are observed in the periphery. • Clinical outcomes after repair are good.

Recently, successful clinical outcomes for symptomatic discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) have been reported following partial meniscectomy (saucerization) with repair. In contrast, some studies using radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have suggested that function of load transmission might not be appropriately maintained after saucerization with repair. Therefore, in pursuit to uphold load transmission after surgery for DLM, this study tried to preserve the DLM shape to keep the original DLM function. Discoid lateral meniscus repair without saucerization was indicated, with strict criteria, for those who had a painful peripheral longitudinal tear with purely intact body caused after a single traumatic incidence. The repair was performed without saucerization for four adolescents (two males, two females; mean age 16.2 years; three complete types of DLM, and one incomplete type of DLM). Postoperatively, the following were evaluated with radiography and MRI at six, 12, and 24 months after surgery: clinical outcomes, degenerative changes, and morphology of repaired DLM. They all showed good clinical outcomes. Furthermore, no degeneration, deformation, nor extrusion was observed at the two-year follow-up after surgery. For limited cases of DLM, as mentioned above, DLM repair without saucerization can be one treatment option.

Context: Yoga improves physical and respiratory functions in healthy inactive middle-aged people. Aim: This study aimed to assess the effects of 8 weeks of asana and asana with pranayama lessons in order to clarify the influence of two different combinations of yoga practice on physical and respiratory functions in healthy inactive middle-aged people. Subjects and Methods: A total of 28 participants (mean age: 52.7 years) were divided into a yoga asana (YA) group and YA with pranayama (YAP) group. Participants attended a 70-min session once a week for 8 weeks. The YA group practiced basic asana without specific breathing instructions, while the YAP group practiced basic asana with specific breathing instructions (pranayama). Respiratory function was measured with an autospirometer. Physical function assessments included the 30-s chair stand test and upper and lower extremity flexibility. All tests were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention. Statistical Analysis: Changes in scores were analyzed with the paired t-test for each group. Pre-post results were compared for all the measured values. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in physical and overall respiratory functions after the 8-week yoga intervention. However, the maximal inspiratory pressure and lower extremity flexibility improved only in the YAP group. Conclusions: The 8-week yoga intervention for healthy inactive middle-aged people improved the overall respiratory and physical functions, and the inclusion of pranayama had the added benefit of improving inspiratory muscle strength and global body flexibility.

In animal studies after ACL reconstruction (ACL-R) using the bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB), the graft-healing pattern was found to depend on the relationship between bone plug and the tunnel wall. This difference of graft-healing pattern could influence the postoperative morphological changes of the tunnel. However, no study has assessed the relationship between bone plug position and the change of tunnel morphology. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the bone plug position within femoral or tibial tunnel and morphological changes of each tunnel aperture in ACL-R using computed tomography. Subjects were 30 consecutive patients (six females and 24 males; mean age, 20.4 ± 5.4 years) who underwent primary ACL-R using BTB. The distance from the tunnel aperture to the tendon-bone junction (TBJ) at 2 weeks postoperatively, and tunnel aperture enlargement and tunnel wall migration from 2 weeks to 6 months postoperatively, were evaluated. The distance from the femoral tunnel aperture to the TBJ in most cases was less than 2 mm, whereas the TBJ was located within the tibial tunnel. Femoral tunnel aperture was significantly enlarged (17.0 ± 11.7%) distally, and the tibial tunnel aperture was significantly enlarged (19.6 ± 12.5%) posterolaterally. Only the position at distal portion of femoral bone plug was correlated with femoral tunnel aperture enlargement (r = 0.454, p = 0.0015). Both femoral and tibial tunnel aperture were significantly enlarged distally and posterolaterally 6 months postoperatively. Only correlation between the position at distal portion of femoral bone plug and femoral tunnel enlargement were found, suggesting the deep plug position in the tunnel is a risk factor for femoral tunnel enlargement, highlighting the importance of accurately locating the TBJ just at the femoral tunnel aperture. Another option is to deviate the harvest site in the patellar tendon to match the shape of the TBJ and the tunnel aperture. 4 (case series).

Objective Patellar instability (PI) represents various underlying pathologies, including patellar malalignment. Continuous patellar alignment develops to patellar tracking and is regarded as the end product of combined predisposing factors. We quantitatively investigated the inhomogeneity of patellar tracking in PI. Methods Sixty knees of 56 patients with PI and 15 knees of 10 healthy volunteers (HVs) were studied. Three-dimensional (3D) computer models were created based on MRIs at 10° intervals over 0°–50° of flexion, and patellar tracking was quantitatively analysed using patellar 3D shift. Classification was performed according to the maximum 3D shift (max-shift), indicating the extent of lateral deviation, and the change of 3D shift from 0° to 50° (change0–50), indicating movement direction. First, the cut-off value (COV) of the max-shift was defined based on the data from HVs. When a value was greater than the COV, it was defined as a major subluxation, and when the value was smaller it was defined as a minor subluxation. Next, the two COVs of change0–50 were similarly defined. When a value was greater than the upper COV, it was defined as a major-lateral type, laterally moving the patella with flexion, and when smaller than the lower COV it was defined as a major-medial type, medially moving the patella with flexion. When a value fell between the two COVs, it was defined as a major-straight type. Results Fifty-three patellae (88%) with values larger than the COV of the max-shift (mean +1 SD of HV) were defined as major subluxations and seven (12%) showing smaller values as minor subluxations. Among the major subluxations, 25 (42%) showing a smaller value than the lower COV of change0–50 (mean –2 SD of HV) were defined as major-medial type, while 7 (12%) showing a larger value than the upper COV of change0–50 (mean +2 SD) were defined as major-lateral type. Twenty-one (35%) were defined as major-straight type. No further analysis was performed on the seven minor subluxations (the minor type). Conclusion PI was quantitatively classified into four types according to the extent of lateral deviation and the movement direction of the patellae with flexion, showing inhomogeneity of patellar tracking.

Historically, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) suture repair mostly resulted in failure because of intra-articular hypovascularity and poor intrinsic healing capacity of ACL. ACL reconstruction was therefore deemed the gold standard with a high success rate because of more evolved surgical technique. There are, however, clinical and subclinical disadvantages of reconstruction; low rate in full recovery to sports, donor harvest morbidity, tunnel enlargement, and incomplete microscopic healing of the graft. Recent experimental and clinical studies on biological augmentation of mesenchymal stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, or the other biologic agents with scaffold suggested potential feasibility of positive effects by such bio-therapies for both ACL repair and reconstruction. Biological augmentation of ACL surgery is still in the exploratory stages and more evidence from preclinical and clinical studies is required for implementation in clinical practice.

To determine whether preoperative quadriceps strength predicts the likelihood of return to sports (RTS) following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in competitive athletes.Case-control study.Single-center.A total of 221 competitive athletes who underwent primary ACLR were followed and divided into RTS (n = 177) and non-RTS (n = 44) groups based on self-reported sports activities at one year postoperatively.Isokinetic quadriceps strength tests were performed preoperatively and at six months and one year postoperatively, and the quadriceps index (QI) was calculated. Functional performance was evaluated by the single-leg hop (SLH) test at six months postoperatively.Preoperative QI significantly predicted the likelihood of RTS (odds ratio, 1.68 per 10-unit increase; P 0.001), with a preoperative QI cut-off of 66% (AUC: 0.74; sensitivity: 68.9%; specificity: 77.3%). Subjects with a preoperative QI66% had a significantly lower postoperative QI, SLH, and rates of RTS compared to those with a higher preoperative QI (P 0.01).Preoperative quadriceps strength could predict the likelihood of RTS following ACLR, and a preoperative QI 66% was associated with a greater risk of unsuccessful RTS at one year postoperatively. Preoperative QI should be evaluated as a predictor of RTS.

Background: Articular cartilage has limited healing capacity, owing in part to poor vascularity and innervation. Once injured, it cannot be repaired, typically leading to high risk for developing osteoarthritis. Thus, cell-based and/or tissue-engineered approaches have been investigated; however, no approach has yet achieved safety and regenerative repair capacity via a simple implantation procedure. Purpose: To assess the safety and efficacy of using a scaffold-free tissue-engineered construct (TEC) derived from autologous synovial membrane mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for effective cartilage repair. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Five patients with symptomatic knee chondral lesions (1.5-3.0 cm2) on the medial femoral condyle, lateral femoral condyle, or femoral groove were included. Synovial MSCs were isolated from arthroscopic biopsy specimens and cultured to develop a TEC that matched the lesion size. The TECs were then implanted into chondral defects without fixation and assessed up to 24 months postoperatively. The primary outcome was the safety of the procedure. Secondary outcomes were self-assessed clinical scores, arthroscopy, tissue biopsy, and magnetic resonance image–based estimation of morphologic and compositional quality of the repair tissue. Results: No adverse events were recorded, and self-assessed clinical scores for pain, symptoms, activities of daily living, sports activity, and quality of life were significantly improved at 24 months after surgery. Secure defect filling was confirmed by second-look arthroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging in all cases. Histology of biopsy specimens indicated repair tissue approaching the composition and structure of hyaline cartilage. Conclusion: Autologous scaffold-free TEC derived from synovial MSCs may be used for regenerative cartilage repair via a sutureless and simple implantation procedure. Registration: 000008266 (UMIN Clinical Trials Registry number).

Background: Residual posterior sagging may occur after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction (PCLR), yet when it mainly occurs is not fully understood. Purpose: To elucidate sequential changes in radiographic posterior tibial translation (PTT) after PCLR. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The authors retrospectively investigated the radiographic findings from 22 patients who underwent bisocket double-bundle PCLR for isolated PCL injury with at least 2 years of follow-up (mean, 4.5 years; range, 2-10 years). Injury severity was assessed using PTT on lateral radiographs with gravity sag views and was stratified according to side-to-side difference in the tibial-femoral stepoff: grade 1 (Results: Preoperatively, 13 patients had a grade 2 injury, and 9 had grade 3 injury. The PTT, restored immediately after PCLR, significantly increased at 3 months ( P < .001) but remained unchanged thereafter ≥2 years. There were 7 cases of postoperative PTT ≥5 mm on radiographs. Patients with residual posterior sagging had significantly larger mean PTT than did those without residual posterior sagging at all time points except for immediately postoperatively (preoperatively, 9.1 ± 1.6 vs 12.2 ± 2.3 mm; 3-month follow-up, 2.7 ± 1.6 vs 7.0 ± 1.8 mm; ≥2-year follow-up, 3.4 ± 1.0 vs 6.5 ± 1.4 mm; P < .001 for all). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative grade 3 injury was independently associated with residual posterior sagging (OR, 26.809; 95% CI, 1.257-571.963; P < .001). Conclusion: The initially reduced postoperative PTT significantly increased within 3 months using conventional rehabilitation protocols, but no progression was observed up to 4.5 years after PCLR. Preoperative grade 3 injury was independently associated with residual posterior sagging.

Objectives Some studies have found that sex can affect the clinical results after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We hypothesized that sex would significantly affect the healing of the postoperative patellar tendon. This study evaluated the patellar tendon after bone–patellar tendon–bone autograft harvest, specifically with regard to sex-dependent differences. Methods At 6 months postoperatively, an ultrasonographic evaluation was performed. We measured the residual donor site gap width between tendon tissues and the thickness of newly formed nontendinous tissue in the gap. In addition, the cross-sectional area of tendon tissue was measured. The ratios between the operated and contralateral sides were calculated, and the sexes were compared. A paired Student t test was performed, with P

Background: Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) for recurrent lateral patellar dislocation is gaining popularity. However, the morphological changes in the femoral tunnel after MPFL reconstruction are still not fully documented. Purpose: This study used 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomography to evaluate morphological changes in the femoral tunnel after MPFL reconstruction with hamstring tendon graft to investigate factors affecting the phenomenon and to elucidate whether it is associated with clinical outcomes. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Twenty-three patients with recurrent patellar dislocation were prospectively enrolled in this study. The patients included 6 males and 17 females with a mean age of 24 years (range, 14-53). The MPFL was reconstructed by creating 2 patellar bone sockets and 1 femoral bone socket anatomically under X-ray control, and the semitendinosus autograft was fixed with cortical suspension devices. Computed tomography scans obtained 3 weeks and 1 year after surgery were reconstructed into 3D constructs with a volume analyzer. Cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the aperture and inside the femoral tunnel were compared between the 2 time points. Likewise, the location of tunnel walls and center of the femoral tunnel footprint were evaluated. Relationships were assessed between femoral tunnel morphological changes and potential risk factors—such as age, body mass index, sex, femoral tunnel positioning, patellar height, sulcus angle, congruence angle, lateral tilt angle, degree of trochlear dysplasia, lateral deviation of the tibial tubercle, and Kujala score. Results: No patient reported recurrence of patellar dislocation during the follow-up period. The CSA of the femoral tunnel aperture enlarged by 41.1% ± 34.7% ( P < .01). The center, anterior border, and proximal border of the femoral tunnel significantly shifted in the anterior direction ( P < .01). The distal border significantly shifted in both anterior and distal directions ( P < .01). Patella alta was associated with distal migration of the tunnel center ( P < .05). Morphological changes were not associated with other risk factors or Kujala score. Conclusion: The CSA of the femoral tunnel aperture enlarged, and the tunnel aperture migrated anteriorly with time after MPFL reconstruction. Risk factors for patellar dislocation other than patella alta did not influence morphological changes of the femoral tunnel.

This study aimed to identify independent predictive factors for return to sports (RTS) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in competitive-level athletes and to determine optimal cut-off values for these factors at 6 months after surgery. A total of 124 competitive athletes (50 males and 74 females; mean age, 17.0 years; preinjury Tegner activity scale > 7) who underwent primary ACL reconstruction were enrolled. Assessments at 6 months after surgery consisted of knee functional tests [quadriceps index, hamstrings index, and single-leg hop for distance (SLH)] and 2 self-report questionnaires [IKDC subjective score and ACL-Return to Sport after Injury scale (ACL-RSI)]. At 1 year after surgery, athletes were classified into the RTS group (n = 101) or non-RTS group (n = 23) based on self-reported sports activities. After screening possible predictive factors of RTS, multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to identify independent factors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified SLH (odds ratio, 2.861 per 10 unit increase; P

Background: There exists little information in the relevant literature regarding tunnel enlargement after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction (PCLR). Purpose: To sequentially evaluate tunnel enlargement and radiographic posterior laxity through double-bundle PCLR using autologous hamstring tendon grafts. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: We prospectively analyzed 13 patients who underwent double-bundle PCLR for an isolated PCL injury. Three-dimensional computed tomography images were obtained at 3 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively, and the tunnel enlargement was calculated by sequentially comparing the cross-sectional areas of the bone tunnels. We also sequentially measured radiographic posterior laxity. The correlation between the tunnel enlargement ratio and the postoperative increase in posterior laxity was evaluated. Results: The cross-sectional area at the aperture in each tunnel significantly increased from 3 weeks to 6 months ( P < .003), but it did not continue doing so thereafter. The 6-month tunnel enlargement ratios of the femoral anterolateral tunnel, the femoral posteromedial tunnel, the tibial anterolateral tunnel, and the tibial posteromedial tunnel were 31.6% ± 23.5%, 90.3% ± 54.7%, 30.5% ± 26.8%, and 49.6% ± 37.0%, respectively, while the corresponding ratios at 1 year were 28.1% ± 19.8%, 83.1% ± 56.9%, 26.8% ± 32.8%, and 47.6% ± 39.0%, respectively. The posterior laxity was 9.0 ± 4.0 mm, −1.5 ± 2.3 mm, 3.4 ± 2.0 mm, and 3.9 ± 1.9 mm, preoperatively, immediately after surgery, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively, respectively. From the immediate postoperative period, the posterior laxity significantly increased at 6 months postoperatively ( P < .001), but it did not thereafter. The postoperative increase in posterior laxity had a significant positive correlation with the anterolateral tunnel enlargement ratio in both femoral and tibial tunnels at 6 months (ρ = 0.571-0.699; P = .011-.041) and 1 year (ρ = 0.582-0.615; P = .033-.037). Conclusion: Tunnel enlargement after PCLR mainly occurred within 6 months, with no progression thereafter. The anterolateral tunnel enlargement positively correlated with postoperative increase in posterior laxity.

Background: Previously, we developed a hybrid implant composed of hydroxyapatite (HA)–based artificial bone coupled with a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)–based scaffold-free tissue-engineered construct (TEC) and demonstrated its feasibility for osteochondral repair. Beta-tricalcium phosphate (βTCP) may be a promising alternative to HA, as it is a highly biocompatible material and is resorbed more rapidly than HA in vivo. Hypothesis: A βTCP-based hybrid TEC implant will exhibit superior osteochondral repair when directly compared with an HA-based hybrid implant, as tested using a rabbit osteochondral defect model. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Osteochondral defects were created in the femoral groove of skeletally mature rabbits. The TEC and artificial bone, using either HA or βTCP with the same porosities and similar mechanical properties, were hybridized and then implanted in the defects. A histological evaluation and microindentation testing were performed for the assessment of repair tissue. Results: Osteochondral defects treated with the TEC/βTCP implants showed more rapid subchondral bone repair at 1 month, but the cartilaginous tissue deteriorated over time out to 6 months after implantation. Osteochondral defects treated with the TEC/HA implants maintained good histological quality out to 6 months after implantation and also exhibited better biomechanical properties at 6 months as compared with the TEC/βTCP implants. Conclusion: Contrary to our hypothesis, the TEC/HA hybrid implant facilitated better osteochondral repair than did the TEC/βTCP implant. The results of the present study suggest the importance of a stable restoration of subchondral bone for long-term effective osteochondral repair rather than rapid remodeling of subchondral bone. Clinical Relevance: This study contributes to the future selection of suitable materials for patients with osteochondral lesions.

Double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using hamstring tendon grafts is a standard procedure for ACL injury. However, its clinical effectiveness is not always satisfactory. One cause of this was problems with the graft-tunnel healing of the posterolateral bundle (PLB) on the femur. To solve this problem, we devised a new anatomic ACL reconstruction technique to improve the graft-tunnel healing of the femoral PLB by using a single-bundle with one bone tunnel on the femoral side and a double-bundle on the tibial side. We have performed 40 procedures with excellent results and no cases of intra- or postoperative complication. This procedure can help improve the graft-tunnel healing around the femoral bone tunnel aperture for the PLB.

Objective This retrospective case series describes a hybrid fixation technique and determines the clinical outcomes, knee function, and activity level of patients at short-term follow-up. Design Seventeen patients (18 knees) with unstable osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions involving the knee were treated with a hybrid fixation technique in which the salvageable fragment was fixed and osteochondral autograft transplantation system (OATS) was used for the unsalvageable fragment. Thirteen lesions involved the medial femoral condyle, 4 involved the lateral femoral condyle, and 1 involved the patella. Mean patient age was 17 years (range 12-28 years). All lesions were International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade III or IV. The patients were prospectively followed postoperatively. Outcome measures included the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the Tegner activity scale. Results At mean follow-up of 36 months (range 24-67.2 months), the mean postoperative KOOS scores, given as mean (SD), were as follows: Quality of Life (QoL) 91.1 (17.0), Activities of Daily Living (ADL) 99.5 (1.5), Sport 94.5 (11.2), Pain 97.4 (5.8), and Symptoms 95.9 (6.5). Mean IKDC score was 96.2 (7.0). There was no significant difference between mean preinjury (7.95, SD = 1.1) and mean postoperative (7.45, SD = 1.5) Tegner scores ( P = 0.363). The mean Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score was 87.5 at a mean 7.8 months (range 3-18 months) postoperation. There were no reported complications. Conclusion The results of this case series suggest that patients with partially salvageable OCD lesions involving the knee can have positive short-term outcomes and can expect a low complication rate when treated with a hybrid technique of fixation with osteochondral autograft transfer.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that long-term anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency can give rise to an abnormal tibiofemoral relationship and subsequent intra-articular lesions. However, the effects of chronic ACL deficiency (ACLD) on early graft failure after anatomic reconstruction remain unclear. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that patients with long-term ACLD lasting more than 5 years would have a greater rate of early graft failure due to insufficient intraoperative reduction of the tibia and that the preoperative and immediately postoperative abnormal tibiofemoral relationship in the sagittal plane, such as anterior tibial subluxation (ATS), would correlate with the graft status on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 358 patients who had undergone anatomic ACL reconstruction with hamstring grafts were divided into 5 groups based on chronicity of ACLD: (1) 0 to 6 months, (2) 6 months to 1 year, (3) 1 to 2 years, (4) 2 to 5 years, and (5) longer than 5 years. Preoperatively and immediately postoperatively, lateral radiographs in full extension were taken in all patients to evaluate the tibiofemoral relationship, specifically with regard to ATS, space for the ACL (sACL), and extension angle. All patients underwent MRI at 6 months to reveal graft status. Groups with a high rate of graft failure were further analyzed to compare demographic and radiographic factors between the intact and failure subgroups, followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify predisposing factors. Results: Graft failure without trauma was observed in 4 (1.8%), 0 (0%), 1 (3.7%), 3 (9.7%), and 8 patients (17.7%) in groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Of the 76 patients in groups 4 and 5, significant differences were noted between the failure and intact subgroups in preoperative ATS (4.9 vs 2.4 mm, respectively; P < .01), side-to-side differences in sACL (sACL-SSD) (4.7 vs 1.9 mm, respectively; P < .01), extension deficit (4.4° vs 1.3°, respectively; P < .01), and chondral lesions ( P = .02), while postoperative ATS and sACL-SSD showed no differences. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that of these factors, preoperative sACL-SSD could be a risk factor for early graft failure (odds ratio, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.37-7.46). Conclusion Early graft failure at 6 months increased in patients with ACLD longer than 2 years. In this population, preoperative sACL-SSD was the most significant risk factor for early graft failure on MRI. However, immediately postoperative radiographic measurements had no effect on graft failure rates.

Background: Many factors are involved in causing patellar instability or recurrent patellar dislocations. However, factors affecting the outcomes of anatomic medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction have not been fully documented. Purpose: To evaluate the rate of recurrent patellar instability after isolated MPFL reconstruction and to elucidate factors affecting the outcomes of isolated MPFL reconstruction using multivariable statistics. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 42 patients (44 knees) who underwent isolated, anatomic MPFL reconstruction using a semitendinosus autograft without any additional patellar stabilization procedures for treating recurrent patellar dislocations were included in this study. All patients were followed for more than 2 years; the mean follow-up period was 3.2 years (range, 2-9 years). Postoperative patellofemoral instability was diagnosed when the patient complained of recurrent patellar subluxations or dislocations or had a positive apprehension sign during follow-up. Preoperative radiographic findings were obtained using plain radiography and computed tomography. Femoral tunnel positions were assessed on postoperative radiographs. The strength of the relationship between postoperative patellofemoral instability and potential risk factors such as preoperative age, sex, body mass index, patellar type, sulcus angle, congruence angle, lateral tilt angle, patellar height, tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, degree of trochlear dysplasia, and femoral bone tunnel position were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: At follow-up, 2 knees had experienced a redislocation (4.5%). A positive apprehension sign was still evident in 8 knees (18.2%). Three factors, including the sulcus angle, the congruence angle, and trochlear dysplasia, were extracted by single linear regression analysis. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the sulcus angle (odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22; P = .04) and trochlear dysplasia (OR, 3.04; 95% CI, 1.39-6.63; P = .01) were associated with postoperative patellofemoral instability. Trochlear dysplasia was independently associated with postoperative patellofemoral instability by multivariable logistic regression analysis ( P < .05). An increased TT-TG distance exerted a significant effect on the outcomes of MPFL reconstruction, particularly in patients with type D trochlea. Conclusion: Severe trochlear dysplasia is the most important predictor of residual patellofemoral instability after isolated MPFL reconstruction. In addition, an increased TT-TG distance affected the outcomes in patients with type D trochlea. Additional patellar stabilization procedures should be considered for patients with severe trochlear dysplasia and an increased TT-TG distance.

Most patients with recurrent patellar dislocation show cartilage damage in the patellofemoral joint. Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction has become one of the most important surgical techniques for treating recurrent patellar dislocation. However, patellofemoral chondral status after this reconstruction has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction on articular cartilage in the patellofemoral joint by comparing the arthroscopic chondral status at the time of reconstruction with that at second-look arthroscopy. Participants in the present study comprised 31 patients (22 females, 9 males; 32 knees) who underwent second-look arthroscopy at a median of 12 months (range 6–40 months) after dual tunnel medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction using a double-looped autologous semitendinosus tendon graft. Median age at the time of initial surgery was 20 years (range 13–43 years). The patellofemoral joint was divided into six portions, comprising the medial facet of the patella, central ridge, lateral facet of the patella, anterior medial femoral condyle, femoral groove, and anterior lateral femoral condyle. Chondral status in each portion according to the International Cartilage Repair Society classification was retrospectively evaluated at the time of initial surgery and second-look arthroscopy. Before medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction, chondral lesions were observed in the patellofemoral joint in 31 knees (97 %). At the central ridge of the patella, chondral damage was observed in 22 knees (69 %) at initial surgery and damaged cartilages showed recovery in 6 knees. No significant difference in the alteration of chondral status was seen for the medial facet, lateral facet of the patella, anterior medial femoral condyle, femoral groove, and anterior lateral femoral condyle. According to short-term results, the patellofemoral chondral status after medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction was not altered at second-look arthroscopy in most part of patellofemoral joint. At the central ridge of the patella, significant improvement of the International Cartilage Repair Society grading was observed.

This study aimed to retrospectively compare the enlargement and migration of the femoral tunnel aperture after anatomic rectangular tunnel anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with a bone–patella tendon–bone (BTB) or hamstring tendon (HT) graft using three-dimensional (3-D) computer models. Thirty-two patients who underwent ACL reconstruction and postoperative computed tomography (CT) at 3 weeks and 6 months were included in this study. Of these, 20 patients underwent ACL reconstruction with a BTB graft (BTBR group), and the remaining 12 with an HT graft (HTR group). The area of the femoral tunnel aperture was extracted and measured using a 3-D computer model generated from CT images. Changes in the area and migration direction of the femoral tunnel aperture during this period were compared between the two groups. In the HTR group, the area of the femoral tunnel aperture was significantly increased at 6 months compared to 3 weeks postoperatively (P

Background:The concepts of lateral deviation and lateral inclination of the patella, characterized as shift and tilt, have been applied in combination to evaluate patellar malalignment in patients with patellar dislocation. It is not reasonable, however, to describe the 3-dimensional (3D) positional relation between the patella and the femur according to measurements made on 2-dimensional (2D) images.Purpose:The current study sought to clarify the relation between lateral deviation and inclination of the patella in patients with recurrent dislocation of the patella (RDP) by redefining them via 3D computer models as 3D shift and 3D tilt.Study Design:Descriptive laboratory study.Methods:Altogether, 60 knees from 56 patients with RDP and 15 knees from 10 healthy volunteers were evaluated. 3D shift and tilt of the patella were analyzed with 3D computer models created by magnetic resonance imaging scans obtained at 10° intervals of knee flexion (0°-50°). 3D shift was defined as the spatial distance between the patellar reference point and the midsagittal plane of the femur; it is expressed as a percentage of the interepicondylar width. 3D tilt was defined as the spatial angle between the patellar reference plane and the transepicondylar axis. Correlations between the 2 parameters were assessed with the Pearson correlation coefficient.Results:The patients’ mean Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.895 ± 0.186 (range, –0.073 to 0.997; median, 0.965). In all, 56 knees (93%) had coefficients >0.7 (strong correlation); 1 knee (2%), >0.4 (moderate correlation); 2 knees (3%), >0.2 (weak correlation); and 1 knee (2%), Conclusion:3D shift and 3D tilt of the patella were moderately or strongly correlated in 95% of patients with RDP at 0° to 50° of knee flexion.Clinical Relevance:It is not always necessary to use both parameters when evaluating patellar alignment, at least for knees with RDP at 0° to 50° of flexion. Such a description may enable surgeons to describe patellar alignment more simply, leading to a better, easier understanding of the characteristics of each patient with RDP.

Background Radial/oblique tears of the midbody of the lateral meniscus significantly impair the ability of the meniscus to withstand the tibiofemoral load, requiring meniscal repair. However, healing status after meniscal repair has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate arthroscopic findings after inside-out suture repair for isolated radial/oblique tears of the midbody of the lateral meniscus. Methods From 2011 to 2015, 18 consecutive patients with isolated radial/oblique tears of the midbody of the lateral meniscus underwent arthroscopic inside-out repair with the tie-grip suture technique. All knees were stable with no previous surgery. All patients were evaluated by second-look arthroscopy at six months postoperatively. Activities including jogging were not allowed until meniscal status was evaluated arthroscopically. To analyze factors associated with healing rates, age, time from injury to initial surgery, and tear zone were compared. Results Second-look arthroscopy revealed complete healing in four (22%) patients, partial healing in seven (39%), and failure to heal in seven (39%). Significant differences were observed for tear zone ( p Conclusions Arthroscopic evaluation revealed that inside-out repair with the tie-grip suture technique for isolated radial/oblique tears of the midbody of the lateral meniscus achieved complete or partial healing only in 61% of patients. Satisfactory results were observed particularly in patients with tears extending to the vascular zone, whereas those with tears in the avascular zone failed to achieve healing. Therefore, the operative indication of inside-out repair for radial/oblique tears of the midbody of the lateral meniscus might be limited to tears extending into the vascular zone. Given that 39% of cases were arthroscopically considered a failure even if patients complained of no symptoms in daily life, decisions should be made carefully to allow patients to return to sports activities.

Some studies have found that sex can affect the clinical results after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We hypothesized that sex would significantly affect the healing of the postoperative patellar tendon. This study evaluated the patellar tendon after bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft harvest, specifically with regard to sex-dependent differences.At 6 months postoperatively, an ultrasonographic evaluation was performed. We measured the residual donor site gap width between tendon tissues and the thickness of newly formed nontendinous tissue in the gap. In addition, the cross-sectional area of tendon tissue was measured. The ratios between the operated and contralateral sides were calculated, and the sexes were compared. A paired Student t test was performed, with P .05 considered statistically significant.The population of 52 patients (32 male and 20 female) had a mean age ± SD of 23 ± 8 years. We observed no significant sex-dependent differences in the residual donor site gap and the thickness of newly formed nontendinous tissue when calculating ratios to the contralateral tendon. The mean cross-sectional area of tendon tissue was 101 ± 26 mmWe have reported a dramatic increase in the cross-sectional area of patellar tendon tissue during the first 6 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft, which was more prominent in male patients than in female patients. This difference might have contributed to the sex-dependent variation in clinical outcomes.

Approximately 26–60 % of patients with ACL injury reportedly have meniscal tears. In acute ACL injuries, the lateral meniscus is more frequently torn, whereas the medial meniscus is more commonly damaged in chronic injuries. About 60 % of meniscus tears with ACL injuries were located at peripheral posterior portion, and in terms of tear patterns, most were longitudinal tears. For the longitudinal tears at peripheral posterior portion of meniscus, the inside-out repair was recommended, because this technique allows for the secure fixation to the capsule. Especially, we recommend an inside-out “double-stacked vertical divergent suture repair” technique.