Radiological landmarks for placement of the tunnels in single-bundle reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament

There is little evidence examining the relationship between anatomical landmarks, radiological placement of the tunnels and long-term clinical outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The aim of this study was to investigate the reproducibility of intra-operative landmarks for placement of the tunnels in single-bundle reconstruction of the ACL using four-strand hamstring tendon autografts. Isolated reconstruction of the ACL was performed in 200 patients, who were followed prospectively for seven years with use of the International Knee Documentation Committee forms and radiographs. Taking 0% as the anterior and 100% as the posterior extent, the femoral tunnel was a mean of 86% (sd 5) along Blumensaat's line and the tibial tunnel was 48% (sd 5) along the tibial plateau. Taking 0% as the medial and 100% as the lateral extent, the tibial tunnel was 46% (sd 3) across the tibial plateau and the mean inclination of the graft in the coronal plane was 19 degrees (sd 5.5). The use of intra-operative landmarks resulted in reproducible placement of the tunnels and an excellent clinical outcome seven years after operation. Vertical inclination was associated with increased rotational instability and degenerative radiological changes, while rupture of the graft was associated with posterior placement of the tibial tunnel. If the osseous tunnels are correctly placed, single-bundle reconstruction of the ACL adequately controls both anteroposterior and rotational instability.     

Arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using allograft tendon

Treatment of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knee using an arthroscopic technique and freeze-dried allograft tendons in 23 patients was studied prospectively. Accurate placement of drill holes and anchoring positions for the allografts was effected through a standard arthroscopic approach combined with a 3 cm incision on the medial tibial flare. Candidates for reconstruction were those who were unable to tolerate brace therapy and who had no degenerative arthritis. The 23 patients were drawn from a group of 60 treated patients because their follow-up had been greater than or equal to 1 year. Their knees were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively with a Lysholm knee rating scale, Lachman test with KT-1000 arthrometric quantitation, pivot shift, Biodex test, and radiographs. Knee rating values improved in all knees, and only one patient had a significant deterioration in the KT-1000 reading. All patients with at least 20 months follow-up have resumed their preinjury activity levels.     

Knee stability following anterior cruciate ligament rupture and surgery. The contribution of irreducible tibial subluxation

BACKGROUND: Knee stability after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is generally determined by measuring total anteroposterior tibial motion. In spite of a decrease in excessive anteroposterior tibial motion after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, problems can still develop. In the present study, we sought to define the tibiofemoral relationship more accurately with use of stress radiographs of human knees after anterior cruciate ligament rupture and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. METHODS: A previously described radiographic technique was used to evaluate the position of the tibia relative to the femur with the application of an anteriorly directed tibial force and subsequently with the application of a posteriorly directed tibial force. Tibial position and total tibial translation were calculated from these radiographs. In addition, KT-1000 measurements were obtained. Three groups of patients were studied: Group 1 included twenty-eight patients with an untreated anterior cruciate ligament rupture, Group 2 included nineteen patients who had undergone a clinically successful anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and Group 3 included twenty-five control subjects with normal knees. RESULTS: KT-1000 testing showed that the average side-to-side differences in Group 1 (5.8 mm) and Group 2 (2.7 mm) were significantly different from that in Group 3 (0.8 mm) (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Stress radiographs showed that the average total tibial translation in Group 1 (9.8 mm) was significantly different from those in Group 2 (5.6 mm) and Group 3 (4.3 mm) (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Within Group 1, knees with radiographic signs of osteoarthritis were more stable, with an average total tibial excursion of 6.8 mm. The improved stability of the reconstructed knees in Group 2 and the osteoarthritic knees in Group 1 was not entirely the result of decreased anterior tibial translation; it was, in part, due to an irreducible anterior subluxation of the tibia. A posteriorly directed stress in these knees did not reduce the tibia to the anatomic position relative to the femur; the osteoarthritic knees in Group 1 were 9.9 mm short of full reduction and the knees in Group 2 were 3.1 mm short of full reduction (p < 0.01) CONCLUSIONS: Irreducible tibial subluxation can be present in the knee following surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. Osteoarthritic changes following an untreated anterior cruciate ligament rupture are also associated with uncorrectable tibial subluxation along with a decrease in instability. The irreducible tibial subluxation could explain why osteoarthritic changes still may develop in stable, reconstructed knees in spite of the improved stability. Currently used arthrometric measurements, such as KT-1000 scores, do not measure this phenomenon.     

Knee instability after fractures of the intercondylar eminence of the tibia

Fifteen children with fracture of the intercondylar eminence of the tibia were reviewed. Three with type I or type II fractures had closed treatment. Twelve with type III fractures had open reduction and internal fixation. Follow-up examination included history and examination of the knee; nine had follow-up radiographs. The mean follow-up period was 7 years. Seven patients were free of symptoms; eight had varying degrees of pain, of which four had to avoid some athletic activities; and two described subluxation episodes. All had normal motion, four had atrophy, and all had some evidence of anterior cruciate ligament laxity. The anterior cruciate ligament probably stretches before its tibial attachment fractures. Even though the fracture heals in its normal position, mild degrees of anterior cruciate ligament laxity often will result.     

自体胭绳肌腱和骨-髌腱-骨移植重建前交叉韧带的比较

目的前瞻性、随机对照研究应用自体胭绳肌腱、骨-髌腱-骨移植重建前交叉韧带的临床效果。方法选择2008年1月至2010年1月青岛市市立医院（东院区）骨科、莱阳市中心医院骨科确诊的前交叉韧带损伤患者137例为研究对象,随机分为A、B两组。A组采用自体骨-髌腱-骨移植,B组采用自体胭绳肌腱移植,随访两组患者的手术情况、手术前后膝关节活动度、膝关节稳定性、Lysholm评分、国际膝关节评分委员会评分及应用KNEELEX3测试膝关节屈曲30。和90。时胫骨端前移的距离,并进行统计学分析。结果共111例患者获得超过2年完整随访。两组患者术前情况未见明显差异（P〉0．05）。术后2年,两组患者的膝关节活动度、膝关节稳定性、Lysholm评分、国际膝关节评分委员会评分及应用KNEELEX3测试膝关节屈曲30°和90°时胫骨端前移的距离未见明显差异（P〉0．05）。B组患者的手术时间、术后并发症的发生情况显著低于于A组（P〈0．05）。结论应用自体胭绳肌腱移植重建前交叉韧带可以达到应用自体骨-髌腱-骨重建的临床疗效,但其髌前疼痛等并发症的发生率却显著低于自体骨-髌腱-骨,故此,从早期疗效来看,应用自体胴绳肌腱重建前交叉韧带比自体骨-髌腱-骨具有更大的优势。     

Radiographic evaluation of anterior cruciate ligament graft failure with special reference to tibial tunnel placement

Graft failure in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction can result from anterior placement of the tibial tunnel. Conventional radiographic evaluation of this problem does not take into account potential changes in tibio-femoral relationship caused by ACL instability. A retrospective radiographic evaluation of failed as well as successful ACL reconstructions was carried out. Both published radiographs as well as those obtained of patients treated by the authors were evaluated for tibial tunnel placement, roof impingement, and tibial position relative to the femur. In the second part of the study, the radiographs were obtained under standard conditions in both failed ACL reconstructions and normal knees. The results of both parts of the study indicate that lateral radiographs of the extended knee with ACL instability are likely to show subtle anterior tibial subluxation. The subluxation can give the impression of roof impingement on the graft. However, the majority of the failed knees had similar tibial tunnel placement compared with successful reconstructions and would appear unimpinged once corrected for subluxation. The diagnosis of graft impingement by the femoral intercondylar roof has to take into account potential tibial subluxation. Impingement as a cause graft failure may be less common than previously thought.Arthroscopy 1998 Mar;14(2):206-11     

Incidence and mechanism of the pivot shift. An in vitro study.

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and mechanism of the pivot shift phenomenon in the normal and anterior cruciate ligament transected knee in vitro. Fifteen knees were tested under a range of valgus moments and iliotibial tract tensions when intact and after anterior cruciate ligament transection. Knee kinematics were measured and described in terms of tibial rotation as the knee flexed. Eight knees pivoted after anterior cruciate ligament transection. The mean pivot shift motion was an external tibial rotation of 17 degrees (+/- 11 degrees standard deviation) over a range of 27 degrees (+/- 24 degrees) knee flexion, at a mean flexion angle of 56 degrees (+/- 27 degrees). Clinically, this corresponds to a reduction of an anteriorly subluxed lateral tibial plateau as the knee flexes. When intact, pivoting and nonpivoting knees had similar anteroposterior laxity, but after anterior cruciate ligament transection, the pivoting group had significantly greater laxity. The loading required to elicit the pivot shift was critical and variable between knees, which raises questions about comparing clinicians' techniques and results in assessing the buckling instability attributable to anterior cruciate ligament injury.     

Anterior cruciate ligament replacement: comparison of bone-patellar tendon-bone grafts with two-strand hamstring grafts. A prospective,randomized study

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate replacement of a torn anterior cruciate ligament with either a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft or a two-strand semitendinosus-gracilis autograft to compare the results of clinical testing, patient satisfaction, activity level, functional status, and muscle strength. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with a torn anterior cruciate ligament were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Twenty-eight underwent reconstruction with a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft, and twenty-eight were treated with a two-strand semitendinosus-gracilis autograft. Patients were followed for an average of thirty-nine months (range, thirty-six to fifty-seven months). At the time of final follow-up, twenty-two patients in each group were evaluated in terms of clinical test findings, patient satisfaction, activity level, functional status, and isokinetic muscle strength. RESULTS: The objective outcome of replacement of the torn anterior cruciate ligament with a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft was superior to that obtained with a two-strand semitendinosus-gracilis graft. At the three-year follow-up interval, the patients in whom a hamstring graft had been used had an average of 4.4 mm of increased anterior knee laxity compared with the laxity of the contralateral, normal knee, whereas the patients in whom a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft had been used had an average of 1.1 mm of increased knee laxity. Fourteen percent (three) of the twenty-two patients with a hamstring graft had a mild pivot shift, and 27% (six) had a moderate pivot shift. Only 14% (three) of the twenty-two patients with a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft had a mild pivot shift, and none had a moderate pivot shift. At the same follow-up interval, the patients in whom a hamstring graft had been used had significantly lower peak knee-flexion strength than those who had a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft (p = 0.039). In contrast, the two treatments produced similar outcomes in terms of patient satisfaction, activity level, and knee function (ability to perform a one-legged hop, bear weight, squat, climb stairs, run in place, and duckwalk). CONCLUSIONS: After three years of follow-up, the objective results of anterior cruciate ligament replacement with a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft were superior to those of replacement with a two-strand semitendinosus-gracilis graft with regard to knee laxity, pivot-shift grade, and strength of the knee flexor muscles. However, the two groups had comparable results in terms of patient satisfaction, activity level, and knee function.     

Transepiphyseal replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament in skeletally immature patients. A preliminary report

BACKGROUND: Fear of iatrogenic growth disturbance has prevented the routine use, in children, of anatomic methods of anterior cruciate ligament replacement that have proven successful in adults. To minimize the risk of growth disturbance, extra-articular or modified physeal sparing procedures have been performed to stabilize the knee, but these procedures do not provide isometry. This study was performed to evaluate the results of a transepiphyseal replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament in skeletally immature athletes. METHODS: From 1993 to 1999, twelve patients with a mean age (and standard deviation) of 13.3 +/- 1.4 years underwent replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament with a quadruple hamstring tendon graft performed with an arthroscopic technique and intraoperative fluoroscopic imaging for precise tunnel placement. The femoral and tibial tunnels went through the epiphyses but avoided the physes. Eight of the twelve patients also had a meniscal repair. All patients returned for follow-up, at a mean of 4.1 +/- 1.9 years (range, two to 8.2 years) after surgery. RESULTS: The mean amount of growth from the time of surgery to the time of follow-up was 16.5 +/- 10.0 cm (range, 8 to 38 cm). The difference between the lengths of the lower limbs, as measured on orthoradiographs, was not clinically relevant. The mean score on the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee form was 96.5 +/- 4.4 points (range, 86 to 100 points). Ligament laxity testing with a KT-1000 arthrometer revealed a mean side-to-side difference of 1.5 +/- 1.1 mm. The rating according to the criteria of the objective 2001 IKDC knee form was normal for seven patients and nearly normal for five. CONCLUSIONS: Transepiphyseal replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament, a technically demanding procedure with a small margin of error, should be attempted only by accomplished knee surgeons. The preliminary results in this small series, however, demonstrate that this surgical technique can be performed in prepubescent patients with efficacy and relative safety.     

Gross osteolytic tibia tunnel widening with the use of Gore-Tex anterior cruciate ligament prosthesis: a radiological, arthrometric and clinical evaluation of 17 patients 13-15 years after surgery

BACKGROUND: Postoperative widening of the bone tunnels have been found after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autologus bone-patellar tendon-bone or hamstring tendon grafts. These changes seem to be of no clinical significance in a short to midterm follow-up. We investigated if a synthetic graft evokes the same bone tunnel widening and if it is of clinical significance in a longterm follow-up. METHODS: We examined 17 patients, 13-15 years after their anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a Gore-Tex ligament prosthesis. The follow-up consisted of clinical examination, K-1000 arthrometric measurement, Tegner, Lysholm and IKDC scores, and CT examination of their tibia bone tunnels. 6 patients had been reoperated before follow-up, 3 because of graft rupture and 3 because of effusion and/or pain. RESULTS: 5 patients were graded as normal (n = 2) or nearly normal according to the IKDC score, and 4 of these patients still had their Gore-Tex prosthesis intact. 15 of the patients had a tibia bone tunnel wider than the drilled 7.9 mm diameter, ranging from 9.6 to 26 mm. These changes in the bone tunnels were in some cases without symptoms and could not be detected with arthroscopy, clinical examination, arthrometry or evaluation scores. We do not know whether they are progressive. INTERPRETATION: Based on our findings, we recommend that patients who have had a Gore-Tex anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction should be examined not only clinically or by questionnaire, but also with CT.     

Gross osteolytic tibia tunnel widening with the use of Gore-Tex anterior cruciate ligament prosthesis

Background Postoperative widening of the bone tunnels have been found after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autologus bone-patellar tendon-bone or hamstring tendon grafts. These changes seem to be of no clinical significance in a short to midterm follow-up. We investigated if a synthetic graft evokes the same bone tunnel widening and if it is of clinical significance in a longterm follow-up.

Methods We examined 17 patients, 13–15 years after their anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a Gore-Tex ligament prosthesis. The follow-up consisted of clinical examination, K-1000 arthrometric measurement, Tegner, Lysholm and IKDC scores, and CT examination of their tibia bone tunnels. 6 patients had been reoperated before follow-up, 3 because of graft rupture and 3 because of effusion and/or pain.

Results 5 patients were graded as normal (n = 2) or nearly normal according to the IKDC score, and 4 of these patients still had their Gore-Tex prosthesis intact. 15 of the patients had a tibia bone tunnel wider than the drilled 7.9 mm diameter, ranging from 9.6 to 26 mm. These changes in the bone tunnels were in some cases without symptoms and could not be detected with arthroscopy, clinical examination, arthrometry or evaluation scores. We do not know whether they are progressive.

Interpretation Based on our findings, we recommend that patients who have had a Gore-Tex anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction should be examined not only clinically or by questionnaire, but also with CT.     

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using hamstring tendon graft without detachment of the tibial insertion

Introduction: We report results of the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a four-strand hamstring graft without detachment of the tibial insertion of the tendons. Material and Methods: In 74 patients the hamstring graft was fixed using an endobutton on the femoral side and a barbed staple on the tibial side. There were 69 male and 5 female patients. The mean age at the time of operation was 35.1 years (21–53 years). Postoperatively, an accelerated rehabilitation was followed with no protective braces. The mean follow-up period was 64 months (range 48 to 84 months). Results: All patients achieved full range of motion with a stable knee joint. The mean side-to-side difference using KT-1000 was 1.43 mm (SD 3.86). The average Lysholm score improved from 42 to 79.2 and the Tegner score improved from 3.4 to 5.9. Conclusion: Detachment of hamstring tendons from their tibial insertion is unnecessary and our results with accelerated rehabilitation without protective braces are satisfactory and comparable to other studies.     

镜下自体相绳肌与同种异体半腱肌重建膝前交叉韧带对比研究

目的观察关节镜下自体桐绳肌肌腱与同种异体半腱肌腱单骨道重建膝关节前交叉韧带（anterior cruciate ligament,ACL）的疗效与差异。方法选择2009年10月至2010年11月膝关节前交叉韧带单骨道重建患者115例,分为两组。A组：自体桐绳肌肌腱移植57例,获随访49例,男40例,女9例;年龄16～54岁,平均28．8岁。B组：同种异体半腱肌腱移植58例,获随访52例,男44例,女8例;年龄12～50岁,平均27．9岁。根据骨骺闭合时间,大于21岁自体捐绳肌肌腱组50例、同种异体半腱肌腱组47例,股骨端均采用Rigidfix系统固定;小于21岁自体桐绳肌肌腱组7例、同种异体半腱肌组11例,股骨端采用Endobutton系统固定;胫骨端均采用生物挤压螺钉加自制门型钉悬吊固定。评价项目包括手术时间、发热人数、膝关节活动度、国际膝关节评分委员会评分、Lysholm评分及KT2000测定。结果101例患者均获随访,随访时间15～31个月,平均22．4个月。两组患者术后膝关节稳定性均得到明显改善,除手术时间、发热人数外,物理检查及功能评分差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论关节镜下自体与同种异体肌腱重建ACL都有较好的疗效,移植肌腱的选择需根据患者的伤情及自身要求来确定。     

Effect of PEEK polymer on tunnel widening after hamstring ACL reconstruction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the AperFix device (Cayenne Medical, Inc, Scottsdale, Arizona), composed of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) polymer, on tunnel widening after hamstring anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction as compared with 2 other fixation devices: the TransFix (Arthrex, Inc, Naples, Florida) and the EndoButton (Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, Mansfield, Massachusetts). Sixty-seven patients with isolated total ACL ruptures who underwent arthroscopically assisted reconstruction using hamstring autografts at the authors' institution were included in the study. Patients were assigned into 1 of 3 groups in a nonrandomized fashion: AperFix (n=18), TransFix (n=29), and EndoButton (n=20). Mean follow-up was 30 months. Tunnel widening measurements were performed on anteroposterior and lateral digital plain radiographs taken in postoperative week 1 and at final follow-up. Laxity testing, Lysholm scoring, and arthrometric evaluation were performed.All 3 graft fixation devices resulted in significant tunnel widening in both tibial and femoral tunnels at final follow-up when compared with the immediate postoperative period. Tunnel widening between groups was not significantly different in terms of coronal and sagittal femoral tunnel diameters. Tibial tunnel diameter increase in the sagittal plane in the EndoButton group was significantly smaller than that in the TransFix and AperFix groups. No correlation was found between the amount of tunnel enlargement and clinical outcomes of ACL surgery. This study's findings suggest that tunnel enlargement after ACL reconstruction is influenced by the type of graft fixation on the tibial side irrespective of clinical outcome, and PEEK polymer does not have an effect on tunnel widening after hamstring ACL reconstruction.     

关节镜下膝关节前、后交叉韧带重建53例

目的总结关节镜下前、后交叉韧带（ACL、PCL）及膝内外侧复合体重建的经验。方法关节镜下移植中1/3骨-髌腱-骨组织、4股腘绳肌腱及LARS人工韧带重建膝关节ACL、PCL。合并膝内、外侧结构损伤患者在重建的同时进行膝关节侧副韧带和关节囊的修补。术后佩戴可调式膝关节固定带3个月行康复训练。结果53例随访2个月～5年4个月,Lysholm评分由术前平均（20±4.6）分提高到（85±7.3）分。所有患者术前抽屉试验及Lachman试验存在阳性体征,术后1例后抽屉试验阳性,4例Lachman试验弱阳性。所有患者关节功能明显改善。结论在关节镜直视下交叉韧带重建能准确定位ACL、PCL解剖止点,具有损伤小,关节粘连率低,恢复快的优点,能达到坚强固定,早期功能锻炼的目的。     

Combined anterior cruciate-ligament reconstruction using semitendinosus tendon and iliotibial tract

We are reporting the results of a reconstructive procedure designed to decrease anterior tibial subluxation due to disruption of the anterior cruciate ligament. The operation combines both intra-articular and extra-articular methods. The semitendinosus tendon and the iliotibial tract are both routed from opposite directions over the top of the lateral femoral condyle and through the same oblique drill-hole in the proximal part of the tibia: the semitendinosus tendon is passed up through the tibial drill-hole, across the knee joint, over the top of the lateral femoral condyle, and deep to the fibular collateral ligament, and the iliotibial tract is passed deep to the fibular collateral ligament, over the top of the lateral femoral condyle, across the knee joint, and down through the drill-hole. Both grafts are simultaneously pulled tight while the semitendinosus tendon is sutured to the iliotibial tract laterally and the iliotibial tract is sutured to the semitendinosus tendon medially below the drill-hole. The posteromedial and lateral parts of the capsule are advanced to tighten the secondary restraints. One hundred of the first 106 consecutive patients with chronic instability who had this procedure were evaluated using subjective and objective criteria at three to seven and one-half years after surgery. The positive anterior-drawer sign tested at 25 degrees of flexion was eliminated or reduced to 1+ in eighty knees, and the positive pivot shift was reduced to zero or 1+ in ninety-one knees. The objective assessment of isokinetic muscle performance and passive tibial rotation showed significant improvements in strength and normalization of tibial rotation.     

陈旧性前十字韧带损伤的诊断

目的评估前抽屉试验、Lachman试验、轴移试验和MRI在陈旧性前十字韧带损伤诊断中的意义。方法107例手术证实为陈旧性前十字韧带损伤患者,术前均行前抽屉试验、Lachman试验、轴移试验和MR检查。术后计算各项检查的敏感性,并分析产生假阴性的原因。结果前抽屉试验的阳性率为78.5%,Lachman试验为97.2%,轴移试验为91.6%,而MRI敏感性为93.5%。10例患者的关节镜检查显示前十字韧带近侧撕裂端再附着于后十字韧带。在此10例中,前抽屉试验的阳性率为60%,Lachman试验为80%,轴移试验为60%,而MRI敏感性为40%。本组9例轴移试验假阴性的患者中,有4例为撕裂的前十字韧带再附着于后十字韧带而替代了部分前十字韧带的功能,因此关节镜下显示胫骨外侧髁半脱位受限。2例Lachman试验假阴性的患者经关节镜证实为前十字韧带断端再附着伴有半月板桶柄样撕裂。在10例再附着患者中有3例MRI表现为韧带倾斜度变化。结论Lachman试验对诊断陈旧性前十字韧带损伤敏感性最高。MRI和轴移试验较敏感,但结果受MR检查技术和伴发损伤等诸多因素的影响。     

Editorial Commentary: How to Increase Hamstring Tendon Graft Size for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

The concept of a five-strand hamstring tendon autograft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is not new. The concept of a five-strand hamstring tendon autograft was largely ignored until recent studies showed higher failure and revision rates for hamstring ACL reconstructions performed with graft diameters less than 8 mm. In the majority of patients in the United Arab Emirates, four-strand hamstring tendon autografts result in a graft diameter between 6.5-7.5 mm. As a result, since 2006, I have completely abandoned using four-strand hamstring tendon autografts in favor of five-and six-stranded hamstring tendon autografts for ACL reconstructions. The key to performing five-or six-strand hamstring tendon autografts lies in the ability to triple the semitendinosus tendon and in the case of six-strand hamstring tendon grafts, the gracilis tendon. Although, five-and six-strand hamstring tendon autografts can increase the diameter of hamstring tendon ACL grafts, the question of whether these grafts will reduce failure and revision rates remains unanswered.     

关节镜下四股腘绳肌腱重建后交叉韧带

目的 探讨关节镜下四股腘绳肌腱重建后交叉韧带及其影响因素。方法 采用开口螺旋肌腱剥离器,保留肌腱远端附着点,肌腱肌肉交界处切断肌腱,对折四股编织转移镜下重腱后交叉韧带,内口侧采用可吸收挤压螺钉固定。结果 12例术后平均随访29个月。术前后抽屉试验10例阳性,术后1例阳性;Lachman试验术前均阳性,术后1例阳性,1例弱阳性;轴移试验术前5例阳性,术后均消失。按照日本骨科协会制定的膝关节疗效评定标准,优良率为83.3％。结论 镜下四股(?)绳肌腱重建后交叉韧带,韧带两端无骨块,通过隧道较B—PT—B顺畅。可吸收螺钉在隧道内口侧固定,愈后内口消失,避免受韧带撞击使之逐渐扩大引起重建韧带松驰、关节不稳。胫骨隧道外口原附着点的牢固附着,股骨隧道外口的坚强固定,使重建后交叉韧带有足够强度。手术具有创伤小,能早期锻炼,功能恢复快的特点。     

Arthroscopic transtibial single-bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using patellar tendon graft compared with hamstring tendon graft

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of arthroscopic transtibial single-bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autologous patellar tendon and hamstring tendon grafts.

Methods

From 1998 to 2007, 59 patients with symptomatic isolated posterior cruciate ligament injury were included in this retrospective study. Twenty-five knees were reconstructed using bone-patellar tendon-bone graft, and 34 knees were reconstructed using hamstring graft. In both groups, surgical techniques were similar, except material of fixation screws. Patients were evaluated pre-operatively and post-operatively at the latest follow-up with several parameters, including symptoms, physical examination, outcome satisfaction, functional scores, radiography and complications.

Results

Average follow-up period was 51.6 months in patellar tendon group and 51.1 months in hamstring tendon group. Significantly more kneeling pain (32 vs. 3 %), squatting pain (24 vs. 3 %), anterior knee pain (36 vs. 3 %), posterior drawer laxity and osteoarthritic change were shown in patellar tendon group than in hamstring tendon group post-operatively. No significant differences were found in other parameters between both groups.

Conclusions

Several shortcomings, including anterior knee pain, squatting pain, kneeling pain and osteoarthritic change, have to be concerned when using patellar tendon autograft. In conclusion, hamstring tendon autograft may be a better choice for transtibial tunnel PCL reconstruction.