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Background: Acromioclavicular (AC) separations are commonly seen shoulder injuries. Numerous surgical reconstruction techniques have been described. In this study, we present a series of patients who underwent an anatomic reconstruction using a synthetic ligament and allograft construct. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients with type IV or V AC separations who underwent primary or revision AC reconstruction with a luggage-tag synthetic ligament and a semitendinosus allograft placed through the anatomic insertion sites of the coracoclavicular ligaments. Patient-reported outcomes, as well as complication rates, were recorded at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Results: Ten patients with a mean age of 44.2 ± 14.9 years were included in the study. The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 15.5 ± 15.4; mean Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, 81.8 ± 12.1; mean Simple Shoulder Test score, 11.4 ± 1.1; mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, 84.6 ± 15.7; mean Constant score, 82.5 ± 11.6; and mean visual analog scale score, 2 ± 2.6. Conclusion: The technique using a luggage-tag synthetic ligament along with an anatomic allograft coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction is a safe, effective alternative to other techniques described in the literature.

A synthetic ligament (LockDown, Worcestershire, England) has become available to treat complete acromioclavicular dislocation with promising clinical results and potential benefit to avoid postoperative loss of reduction. We investigated the biomechanics of this synthetic ligament in a simulated immediate postoperative rehabilitation setting, hypothesizing that the synthetic ligament would demonstrate less superior coracoclavicular displacement to cyclic loading and higher ultimate load-to-failure values than a coracoclavicular suspensory construct. Seven matched-pair cadaveric shoulders (mean age at time of death, 79 years) were loaded cyclically and to failure. One specimen in each pair was randomly assigned to the synthetic ligament or coracoclavicular suspensory construct. Superiorly directed 70-N cyclic loading for 3000 cycles at 1.0 Hz was applied through the clavicle in a fixed scapula simulating physiologic states during immediate postoperative rehabilitation, followed by a load-to-failure test at 120 mm/min. After 3000 cycles, the superior displacement of the clavicle in the synthetic ligament (9.2 ± 1.1 mm) was 225% greater than in the coracoclavicular suspensory construct (2.8 ± 0.4 mm, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.4, 8.3; P <.001). Average stiffness of the synthetic ligament (32.8 N/mm) was 60% lower than that of the coracoclavicular suspensory construct (81.9 N/mm, 95% CI 43.3, 54.9; P <.001). Ultimate load-to-failure of the synthetic ligament was 23% (95% CI 37.9, 301.5; P =.016) lower than the coracoclavicular suspensory construct (580.5 ± 85.1 N and 750.2 ± 135.5 N, respectively). In a simulated immediate postoperative cadaveric model, the synthetic ligament demonstrated poorer biomechanics than the coracoclavicular suspensory construct. These findings suggest that a coracoclavicular suspensory construct may be preferable to a synthetic ligament if early rehabilitation is intended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System (LARS®) is a synthetic ligament consisting of fibres made of polyethylene terephthalate. Despite the LARS being used as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) device for nearly 30 years and the well-documented complications from earlier synthetic ligament designs, there is a paucity of published medium- to long-term results. The aim of this study is to report the clinical and functional outcomes after ACL reconstruction using the LARS at a minimum follow-up of 6 years.Methods: Results of a single surgeon's entire cohort of 55 patients who underwent primary LARS ACL surgery were reviewed at a median of 7.8 years (6.0-9.4). Patient-reported outcome measures including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were collected and clinical assessment consisted of range of motion (ROM) and the KT-1000 arthrometer to assess the side-side difference in the operative and non-operative knee. Mechanical failures of the graft were confirmed at revision surgery and a survivorship analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results: The overall mechanical failure rate was 17/51 (33.3%) with ruptures occurring at a median 3.9 years (0.6-8.8 years) following primary LARS ACL surgery. Secondary operative procedures were performed in 39.2% of patients. For intact grafts, there was no statistically significant difference is side-to-side ROM or anterior knee laxity and subjective scores revealed a median IKDC subjective score of 85.1 (26.4-100) and SF-36 physical component score of 94.1.Conclusion: The rates of LARS ACL construct failure (33.3%) in this cohort are high and based on these results the LARS should not be considered as a graft option for primary ACL reconstruction.Level Of Evidence: III, cohort study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The anterior cruciate ligament rupture is a common injury which mainly affects young and active population. Faced to this problem, the development of synthetic structures for ligament reconstruction is increasing. The most recent researches focused on the development of biodegradable structures that could be functionalized to enhance host integration. This work describes the elaboration of different poly(ε -caprolactone) prototypes for the rat anterior cruciate ligament replacement in order to found the best design for further in vivo assays. Methods According to the literature, it was decided to elaborate two different poly(ε -caprolactone) prototypes: a braided one and a free-fibers one. A chemical grafting of a bioactive polymer–poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) – was performed on both prototypes and mechanical and biological testing were assessed. Based on these results, one rat was implanted with the best prototype. Results The mechanical and biological results demonstrated that the best prototype to implant was the poly(sodium styrene sulfonate)-grafted braided prototype. After one-month implantation, no inflammation was observable around the scar. The rat demonstrated good flexion and extension of the lower limb without any anterior drawer. The prototype was highly anchored to the bone. ESEM images of the explanted prototype showed the presence of cells and tissue ingrowth along and around the fibers. Conclusion This work demonstrates the feasibility to implant a bioactive and biodegradable synthetic ligament in the rat model without any inflammation and with a good tissue anchoring at a short-term time. This will lead to an extensive in vivo assay. Graphical abstract Highlights • The set up pNaSS grafting process can be extended to a fibers complex structure. • The pNaSS grafting improves cell proliferation and spreading. • pNaSS-grafted PCL synthetic ligament can be successfully implanted in rat model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the longitudinal outcomes of acute repair and augmentation for the reconstruction of dislocated knees, using LARS synthetic ligaments.Methods: Patients with a knee dislocation surgically treated using LARS synthetic ligament augmentation, with a minimum follow-up of 24 months, were enrolled between 1996 and 2014. Range of motion, Lachman, pivot shift, posterior drawer, step off sign, valgus, varus, KT-1000 arthrometer, Telos technique, IKDC, Lysholm, Tegner, and Meyers scores were obtained every 2 years up to 10 years.Results: Median age was 32.1 years (IQR 23.2-43.3) at time of surgery. Median time from trauma to surgery was 9 days and mean follow-up time was 6.6 years. Median questionnaire scores were: Lysholm 79.5 (IQR 65.0-89.0), Tegner 4.0 (IQR 3.7-6.0), Meyers 3.0 (IQR 3.0-4.0), and mean IKDC was 63.8 (SD 18.9). Median flexion and extension of the injured knee was 124° (IQR 115-129.5) and 0° (IQR - 5 to 0), respectively. Median KT-1000 differential was 0.7 mm (IQR 0.1-3.1) for ACL and 0.9 mm (IQR 0.2-1.4) for PCL. Mean differential for Telos was 2.5 mm (SD 5.8) for ACL, 4 mm (IQR 2-6.3) for PCL 30°, and 8.2 mm (SD 4.4) for PCL 90° (consistent with PCL laxity). More than 90% of patients had good anterior articular stability and > 60% of patients had good posterior articular stability.Conclusions: Acute repair and augmentation of knee dislocations with LARS synthetic ligaments resulted in satisfactory outcomes for the ACL and collateral structures. Telos stress radiography showed PCL laxity in more than half of cases despite low laxity results with KT-1000. The perception of patients about knee function was sustained in time.Level Of Evidence: IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The injury of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) causes joint instability and, in the absence of adequate treatment, progressive joint deterioration, meniscal lesions and development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis.Methods: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical, functional and radiographic outcomes and complications in a consecutive case series of 60 patients with minimum follow-up of 5 years who underwent an arthroscopic surgery for ACL reconstruction using LARS™ ligament. Patients with concomitant meniscal or chondral lesions in the same knee were excluded.Results: The subjective evaluation of the patients involved in the study (Lysholm score, IKDC score and Tegner activity level scale) shows good/excellent results. The range of movement is optimal in most patients, and pain symptoms are considered mild. A total of 31.25% of the patients did not change their lifestyle that they had before the injury. None of the patients underwent resurgery in the same knee. In 85.4% of cases, X-ray images showed no signs of osteoarthritis after ACL reconstruction.Conclusions: Comparable with other series showed in the literature, this study assesses that the use of LARS™ in reconstruction of ACL is an excellent option for treating >40-year-old patients requesting rapid return to daily activities/sports also at the first surgery. By restoring knee stability, articular degeneration at short and medium follow-up was avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a structure involved in providing knee stability, is an important restraint for anterior tibial translation and secondary restraint for internal tibial rotation. Injury to ACL, leading to its rupture can cause a lot of problems such as effect on knee stability, cartilage wear and other joint structures. Understanding the anatomy, physiology and the mechanical behavior is important as it helps in the understanding of its function and healing capacity after injury. This review takes a brief look at the anatomy, physiology and mechanical behavior of ACL. The causes of injury and healing process of ACL have also been discussed. This review gives an overview of the surgical treatment options for ACL rupture. These treatment options include methods that have been abandoned like primary repair, methods that are currently in use like the biological grafts and prosthetic grafts that are no longer being used (except LARS which is currently not used widely) due to the complications associated with them. Non-surgical, conservative treatment options for ACL have also been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraoperative injury to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) is a rare but important complication of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). While described treatment methods are mainly primary repair and revision with a more constrained implant, a few studies have investigated the outcomes of primary repair without constrained implants. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of iatrogenic injury to the MCL during primary TKA and determine the clinical outcomes of MCL repair augmented with synthetic material without the use of a constrained device. The incidence of intraoperative tear of the MCL was 0.43% (15/3432). No patient demonstrated instability during the follow-up period. Primary repair of iatrogenic MCL injury without the use of constrained implants appears to be a potential alternative that warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe an augmented surgical repair technique for gluteus minimus and medius tears, along with a supportive case series. A consecutive series of 22 patients presenting with clinical and radiological findings consistent with hip abductor tears, who had undergone failed prior conservative treatments, were prospectively recruited. Patients underwent open bursectomy, Y-iliotibial release, debridement of the diseased tendon, decortication of the trochanteric foot-plate and reattachment augmented with a LARS ligament through a trans-osseous tunnel, together with suture anchors. All patients were assessed pre- and postoperatively to 12 months with the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and a Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS), while a satisfaction scale was employed at 12 months. A statistically significant improvement (p<0.05) was observed for all patient reported outcome measures, while all patients were at least 'satisfied' with the procedure at 12 months. One patient reported some lateral hip discomfort at 10 months, and removal of the LARS interference screw provided immediate relief. One patient had a urological catheter-related complication. With no other complications and no clinical failures of the repair, we believe the technique to be safe and reliable, whilst reducing the incidence of re-tears as reported in the existing literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correct graft placement is critical to the success of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions (ACLR). Whilst current trend is to insert the graft in an anatomical location, synthetic grafts have shown to better perform when they are located in an isometric position. Placement, however, is largely dependent on the surgeon and no consensus has been reached for synthetic grafts. Kinematic flexion-extension data of four separate cadaveric knees was obtained using an optical tracking system. Knees were CT-scanned and computer models were developed for each specimen. Three different graft insertion techniques were simulated in each of the computer models. Kinematic data obtained from the optical tracking was applied to the 3D computer models to simulate knee flexion-extension, and virtual change in ACL graft length was measured over the cycle for each insertion technique. Length changes were plotted onto the Radiological-Quadrant. The isometric region on the femur was found to be a band spreading from the mid to deep end of the Blumensaat's line down to the shallow-inferior end of the femoral condyle. The JP Laboureau isometric point technique was consistently located in the isometric zone, with the following coordinates on the Radiographic-Quadrant: t=0.375 (SD 0.0066), h = 0.227 (SD 0.0266). The Bernard-Hertel and Charlie Brown anatomical placement methods were located (13%, - 6%) and (8%, -15%) away, from the JP Laboureau isometric point, respectively, based on t- and h- coordinates of the Radiographic-Quadrant. This study has determined the isometric region using three-dimensional analysis relative to the Radiographic-Quadrant. The JP Laboureau method best finds the isometric point. This information is useful for synthetic graft placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe an all-arthroscopic treatment of acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dislocation and report the clinical results of the procedure. Methods: This study consisted of 54 patients of whom 49 were men and 5 were women. The age of the patients averaged 39 years (range 16-69 years). All the symptomatic acute and chronic acromioclavicular joint dislocations classified according to Rockwood type III-IV were included in the study. All of them underwent standard clinical and radiological examination. Result: All the patients were regularly followed up at the institute with the average follow-up being 15.09 months (range 5-30 months). The results were assessed using the shoulder subjective value (SSV) and the Modified rating of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) for acromioclavicular joint. The mean pre-operative SSV improved from 35.65 to the post-operative value of 88.6. According to the UCLA scale, 40 excellent, 8 good, 4 fair and 2 poor results were achieved. There were few problems encountered with the procedure like failure of ligament, incomplete reduction, capsulitis, and migration of sleeve and fracture clavicle. Conclusion: ACJ dislocations can effectively be treated with arthroscopy-assisted procedure. Since this procedure has given uniformly good to excellent results comparable to open reconstructive procedures, it can be a good treatment option for symptomatic ACJ dislocations. Level of evidence: IV, therapeutic series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Artificial ligaments for ACL replacement have been widely used in the 1980s and early 1990s in orthopaedic surgery. Synthetic devices have been utilized either as a prosthetic material or as an augmentation for a biological ACL graft substitute. The initial enthusiasm surrounding the introduction of synthetic graft materials stemmed from their lack of donor morbidity, their abundant supply and significant strength of these devices. The disadvantages in long-term follow-up were found to be cross-infections, immunological responses, tunnels osteolysis, femural and tibial fractures, foreign-body synovitis and knee osteoarthritis. A total of 126 patients were treated with artificial ACL substitution with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) synthetic ligaments in our Institute between 1986 and 1990. Of the original group, 51 sportsmen aged 15 to 40 were followed-up at a mean of 19years (range 17.5 to 20.6years) after surgery. Assessment was made with KOOS and IKDC score, Tegner activity scale, clinical examination, KT-1000 arthrometer, and X-ray evaluation. Of the 51 patients followed-up, 27.5% were found to have ruptured their PET ligaments and 100% presented degenerative osteoarthritis at the X-ray evaluation according to Ahlbäck radiological classification of arthritis. The objective evaluation showed functional impairment in 29.4% with an average reduction of 3 points in the Tegner activity scale. The osteoarthritis observed in all patients prompted us to avoid the diffusion of this surgical technique. Although in theory well-conceived, studies have yet to substantiate the function of these augmentation devices or to show clinical better results than those achieved with isolated autograft or allograft ACL substitutes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System (LARS) in posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction in isolated PCL injuries and multiligament knee injuries, analysing clinical, radiographic, and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs)., Methods: A systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines was performed through Embase via Ovid, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library to identify studies reviewing LARS use for PCL reconstruction. The methodological quality was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria., Results: From 225 results screened, 13 studies were included published between 2004 and 2020, analysing LARS use for PCL reconstruction. Mean follow-up was 21 months to 11.9 years, however only four studies had follow-up of over five years. Results in isolated PCL reconstruction utilising LARS demonstrated scores that were consistent with good function and minimal limitation in daily or sporting activities, in addition to a significant improvement in knee laxity and low complication rates. Symptomatic rupture and synovitis rates were both 1.7% in this group. LARS use in complex multiligament injuries demonstrated satisfactory PROMs, although there was concern regarding residual laxity on stress radiography., Conclusions: LARS demonstrates good outcomes in PCL injury reconstruction in the short to mid-term, particularly in isolated PCL injuries, achieving equivocal or improved results compared to autograft reconstruction using hamstring tendon in the three comparative studies included. LARS has a quicker recovery time and no donor-site morbidity, however long-term data is lacking. Utilising LARS for reconstruction of the PCL in multiligament injuries revealed more variable results., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: the choice of treatment of chronic grade III acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation is controversial. Several surgical techniques have been described in the literature, responding differently to nonoperative treatment. The aim of this study is to describe a modified technique of stabilizing an AC joint dislocation with the new Infinity-Lock Button System, in order to demonstrate that it is effective in optimizing outcomes and decreasing complications. Methods: this is a retrospective study of 15 patients who underwent surgical stabilization of the AC joint dislocation between 2018 and 2019, through modified surgical technique using the Infinity-Lock Button System. Active range of motion (ROM), Specific Acromio Clavicular Score (SACS) and Constant Score (CS) were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at last 18 months follow up. Patients rated their outcomes as very good, good, satisfactory, or unsatisfactory. Results: a total of twelve patients rated their outcome as very good and three as good; no patients were dissatisfied with surgery. The mean Constant Score increased from 38 points preoperatively to 95 postoperatively, the average SACS score decreased from 52 points preoperatively to 10 postoperatively, both significantly. No complications were detected. Conclusion: the described technique is effective for treatment of chronic grade III AC joint dislocation, resulting in elevated satisfaction ratings and predictable outcomes. Nevertheless, further longer term follow-up studies are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acromioclavicular (AC) separations are commonly seen shoulder injuries. Numerous surgical reconstruction techniques have been described. In this study, we present a series of patients who underwent an anatomic reconstruction using a synthetic ligament and allograft construct., Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients with type IV or V AC separations who underwent primary or revision AC reconstruction with a luggage-tag synthetic ligament and a semitendinosus allograft placed through the anatomic insertion sites of the coracoclavicular ligaments. Patient-reported outcomes, as well as complication rates, were recorded at a minimum 2-year follow-up., Results: Ten patients with a mean age of 44.2 ± 14.9 years were included in the study. The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 15.5 ± 15.4; mean Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, 81.8 ± 12.1; mean Simple Shoulder Test score, 11.4 ± 1.1; mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, 84.6 ± 15.7; mean Constant score, 82.5 ± 11.6; and mean visual analog scale score, 2 ± 2.6., Conclusion: The technique using a luggage-tag synthetic ligament along with an anatomic allograft coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction is a safe, effective alternative to other techniques described in the literature.

Objective: Evaluate the short-term outcomes of a novel synthetic ligament for treatment of naturally occurring canine cranial cruciate ligament disease., Study Design: Prospective clinical study., Animals: Dogs with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease (n = 50)., Methods: Patient parameters evaluated included a five-point lameness score, evaluation of craniocaudal stifle instability, and radiographic findings over 24 weeks. Any postoperative complications were recorded., Results: Thirty-four out of 42 dogs experienced significant improvements in lameness between the preoperative and 24 week time points. Lameness scores in those dogs improved significantly at all measured time intervals after postoperative week 2. Recurrence of stifle instability increased significantly over the study period from immediate postoperative measurements. Cranial drawer recurred in seven out of 42 of dogs by week 4 and 18/42 by week 24. Implant changes were not noted between the immediate and six-month postoperative radiographs except where complications occurred. Overall, 25 dogs experienced a total of 32 complications (22 major and 10 minor). Sixteen dogs had major complications, and nine had minor complications., Conclusion: The procedure was generally effective at improving lameness scores, but did not consistently maintain postoperative stifle stability and had an unacceptably high complication rate. This synthetic ligament procedure cannot be recommended for use in its current form.