Alison Waller

Clinical Results and Risk Factors for Reinjury 15 Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Prospective Study of Hamstring and Patellar Tendon Grafts

Background: There is a lack of prospective studies comparing the long-term outcome of endoscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with either a patellar tendon or hamstring tendon autograft. Purpose: This prospective longitudinal study compared the results of isolated endoscopic ACL reconstruction utilizing a 4-strand hamstring tendon (HT) or patellar tendon (PT) autograft over a 15-year period with respect to reinjury, clinical outcomes, and the development of osteoarthritis. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Ninety consecutive patients with isolated ACL rupture were reconstructed with a PT autograft, and 90 patients received an HT autograft, with an identical surgical technique. Patients were assessed at 2, 5, 7, 10, and 15 years. Assessment included the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) knee ligament evaluation including radiographic evaluation, KT-1000 arthrometer testing, and Lysholm knee score. Results: Patients who received the PT graft had significantly worse outcomes compared with those who received the HT graft at 15 years for the variables of radiologically detectable osteoarthritis (grade A: 46% in PT and 69% in HT; P = .04), motion loss (extension deficit <3°: 79% in PT and 94% in HT; P = .03), single-legged hop test (grade A: 65% in PT and 92% in HT; P = .001), participation in strenuous activity (very strenuous or strenuous: 62% of PT and 77% of HT; P = .04), and kneeling pain (moderate or greater pain: 42% of PT and 26% of HT; P = .04). There was no significant difference between the HT and PT groups in overall IKDC grade (grade A: 47% of PT and 57% of HT; P = .35). An ACL graft rupture occurred in 17% of the HT group and 8% of the PT group (P = .07). An ACL graft rupture was associated with nonideal tunnel position (odds ratio [OR], 5.0) and male sex (OR, 3.2). Contralateral ACL rupture occurred in significantly more PT patients (26%) than HT patients (12%) (P = .02) and was associated with age ≤18 years (OR, 4.1) and the PT graft (OR, 2.6). Conclusion: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using ipsilateral autograft continues to show excellent results in terms of patient satisfaction, symptoms, function, activity level, and stability. The use of HT autograft does, however, show better outcomes than the PT autograft in all of these outcome measures. Additionally, at 15 years, the HT graft–reconstructed ACLs have shown a lower rate of radiological osteoarthritis.

Survival of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft and the Contralateral ACL at a Minimum of 15 Years

Background: The risks for primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture have been established. What is less well known is the risk of graft rupture after reconstruction and also the risk of a primary ACL rupture in the contralateral knee. Purpose: To determine the long-term survival of the ACL graft and the contralateral ACL (CACL) after reconstruction and to identify factors that increase the odds of subsequent ACL injury. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: All patients having undergone primary ACL reconstruction in 1993 or 1994 by a single surgeon in a single unit were considered. Patients were contacted to complete a subjective interview by telephone or e-mail questionnaire at a minimum of 15 years after surgery. Results: A total of 755 patients met the inclusion criteria, and ACL reconstruction was performed using a single-incision endoscopic technique with either autologous bone–patellar tendon–bone graft (BPTB; n = 314) or hamstring tendon graft (HT; n = 359) and metal interference screw fixation. Of these patients, 673 (89%) completed the questionnaire; 23% had sustained either a graft rupture or CACL rupture. Expected survival of the ACL graft was 95%, 93%, 91%, and 89% at a respective 2, 5, 10, and 15 years after reconstruction. Expected survival of the CACL was 97%, 93%, 90%, and 87%, respectively. Survival of the ACL graft was less favorable in men than in women (P = .007); ACL graft survival was not significantly different between the HT (88%) or BPTB (91%) groups (P = .149). Rupture of the CACL occurred twice as frequently as graft rupture in the BPTB group (graft survival, 84% vs 89%; P = .003). A positive family history of ACL rupture doubled the odds of both ACL graft and CACL rupture. The mean International Knee Documentation Committee subjective score at 15 years was 85. Return to preinjury sport levels was reported in 73% of patients, and 51% were still participating in strenuous or very strenuous activities at 15 years. Conclusion: Fifteen years after ACL reconstruction, expected survival of the ACL graft was 89% and expected survival of the CACL was 86%. Graft choice did not affect ACL graft rupture, but using BPTB increased the risk of CACL rupture compared with HT. Men had a less favorable survival rate of the ACL graft than did women, and a family history of ACL rupture increased the risk of both ACL graft and CACL rupture.

Outcome of Anatomic Transphyseal Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Tanner Stage 1 and 2 Patients With Open Physes

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are being seen with increasing frequency in children. Treatment of the ACL-deficient knee in skeletally immature patients is controversial. Purpose: To determine the outcome of all-arthroscopic transphyseal anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction in Tanner stage 1 and 2 patients at a minimum of 2 years after surgery. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Between 2007 and 2008, 16 prepubescent patients underwent ACL reconstruction using soft tissue grafts. All patients were Tanner stage 1 and 2. Outcomes were assessed at a minimum of 2 years after surgery and included limb alignment, limb length, instrumented testing with the KT-1000 arthrometer, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. Results: Mean age at the time of surgery was 12 years (range, 8-14 years). Graft choices included the following: living donor–related hamstring tendon allograft (n = 14), hamstring tendon autograft (n = 1), and fresh-frozen allograft (n = 1). Mean IKDC subjective score was 96 (range, 84-100). All patients had a stable knee postoperatively. Eleven patients had a negative Lachman test result, and 14 had a negative pivot-shift test result. The remainder had grade 1 Lachman and pivot-shift test findings, respectively. At 2 years after surgery, all patients had returned to strenuous activities, and normal or nearly normal overall IKDC score was documented in 94% of patients. There were no cases of limb malalignment or growth arrest. Conclusion: We present a case series of transphyseal anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction in Tanner stage 1 and 2 patients at a minimum of 2 years after surgery. Excellent clinical outcomes were obtained with high levels of return to desired activities. Importantly, no growth disturbances were seen in this series of patients.

Twenty-Year Outcomes of a Longitudinal Prospective Evaluation of Isolated Endoscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Patellar Tendon Autografts

Background: Long-term prospective follow-up studies of single-incision endoscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction are limited and may include confounding factors. Purpose: This longitudinal prospective study reports the outcomes of isolated ACL reconstruction using middle-third patellar tendon autografts in 90 patients over 20 years. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Between January 1993 and April 1994, a total of 90 patients met study inclusion criteria: evaluation at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 years after surgery. Exclusion criteria were associated ligamentous injuries requiring surgery, previous meniscectomy or meniscal injuries requiring more than one-third meniscectomy, chondral injuries, and an abnormal contralateral knee. Results: At 20 years, 32 (36%) patients had sustained another ACL injury: 8 (9%) to the index limb and 27 (30%) to the contralateral limb (3 injuring both knees). The mean International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 86. Of the patients, 50% participated in strenuous/very strenuous activities, and kneeling pain was present in 63%. Radiographic degenerative change was found in 61%; 20% had IKDC grade C, and 0% had grade D. The IKDC clinical examination revealed that 95% had a normal/nearly normal knee. Significant sex differences existed: when compared with male patients, female patients were less likely to reinjure the reconstructed ACL (18% vs 2%, respectively; P = .01), reported poorer IKDC subjective scores (90 vs 83, respectively; P = .03), had more activity-related pain (20% vs 57%, respectively; P = .02), and were less likely to participate in strenuous activities (66% vs 35%, respectively; P = .009). ACL graft survival was not related to age. Patients <18 years old had an increased odds ratio (3.2) for rupturing the contralateral ACL. A coronal graft angle <17° increased the risk of failure compared with an angle >17° (77% vs 96% survival, respectively) by a factor of 8.5. Conclusion: Injuries more commonly occurred in the contralateral ACL than in the reconstructed ACL graft, and the most significant predictor of a contralateral ACL injury was age <18 years. The most significant predictor of an ACL graft rupture was a coronal graft angle <17°. Female patients had lower rerupture rates, poorer subjective scores, and decreased participation in strenuous activities, putting the graft at a lower risk of failure. Kneeling pain remained persistent over 20 years. Radiographic osteoarthritis was evident in 61% of patients, but symptomatic osteoarthritic symptoms were rarely reported.

Fifteen-Year Survival of Endoscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Patients Aged 18 Years and Younger

Background: The current body of literature surrounding anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) survival and the variables contributing to further ACL injuries after primary ACL reconstruction in children and adolescents is limited, with no long-term evidence examining the incidence and contributing factors of further ACL injuries in this younger patient population. Purpose: To determine the long-term survival of the ACL graft and the contralateral ACL (CACL) after primary reconstruction in patients aged ≤18 years and to identify the factors that increase the odds of subsequent ACL injuries. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patients having undergone primary ACL reconstruction at age ≤18 years between 1993 and 1998 who were included in a prospective database by a single surgeon were considered for this study. Single-incision endoscopic ACL reconstruction was performed with either an autologous bone–patellar tendon–bone graft or a hamstring tendon graft. At a minimum of 15 years after ACL reconstruction, patients completed a subjective survey involving the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaire in addition to questions regarding current symptoms, further ACL injuries, family history of ACL injury, and current level of activity. Results: A total of 288 adolescents (age range, 13-18 years) met the inclusion criteria, of whom 242 (84%) were reviewed at a mean of 16 years and 6 months after ACL reconstruction. Of these patients, 75 (31%) sustained a further ACL injury: 27 (11.2%) suffered an ACL graft rupture, 33 suffered a CACL injury (13.6%), and 15 sustained both an ACL graft rupture and a CACL injury (6.2%) over 15 years. Survival of the ACL graft was 95%, 92%, 88%, 85%, and 83% at 1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively, and survival of the CACL was 99%, 98%, 90%, 83%, and 81%, respectively. Survival of the ACL graft was less favorable in those with a family history of ACL injury than in those without a family history (69% vs 90%, respectively; hazard ratio [HR], 3.6; P = .001). Survival of the CACL was less favorable in male patients than in female patients (75% vs 88%, respectively; HR, 2.1; P = .03) and in those who returned to competitive team ball sports than in those who did not (78% vs 89%, respectively; HR, 2.3; P = .05). Conclusion: After ACL reconstruction in patients aged ≤18 years, a further ACL injury occurred in 1 in 3 patients over 15 years. The 15-year survival rate of the ACL graft was 83%, and the 15-year survival rate of the CACL was 81%. The ACL graft and CACL were most vulnerable within the first 5 years after index surgery. A family history of ACL rupture significantly increased the risk for ACL graft ruptures, and a CACL injury was more common in male patients and those who returned to team ball sports. High IKDC scores and continued participation in sports were maintained over the long term after ACL reconstruction in the adolescent population.

Endoscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Children Using Living Donor Hamstring Tendon Allografts

Background: The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in children is increasing, but ACL reconstruction with traditional autograft sources is associated with high rates of further ACL injury when compared with adult populations. The outcome of ACL reconstruction using an alternative graft source, the living donor hamstring tendon (HT) allograft, has not been reported. Purpose: To determine the outcome of endoscopic transphyseal single-tunnel ACL reconstruction using living donor HT allografts. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Between 2007 and 2008, 32 children underwent endoscopic transphyseal single-tunnel ACL reconstruction using living donor HT allografts. The HT allograft was harvested from a parent. At a minimum 2 years’ follow-up, full International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) knee ligament examination was performed on the children including instrumented testing using the KT-1000 arthrometer. Donors underwent subjective review at a minimum 2 years’ follow-up. Results: Thirty-one children (97%) were able to be contacted for review. Of these, 2 (6%) sustained an ACL graft rupture within 2 years after surgery. Twenty-nine children completed clinical and subjective review. The mean age at ACL reconstruction was 13 years (range, 8-16 years). The mean HT graft size was 7.2 mm (range, 6-8 mm). The mean IKDC subjective score was 97 (range, 84-100). Twenty-eight patients (97%) had a normal or nearly normal IKDC ligament grade. At 2 years after surgery, 27 patients (93%) reported regularly participating in very strenuous or strenuous activities. There were no cases of limb malalignment. Twenty eight (97%) of the donors reported that they would undergo the same procedure again under the same circumstances. Conclusion: Excellent clinical and subjective outcomes were achieved with high levels of return to desired activities. This technique allows a more predictable size of the HTs compared with an autograft from the child and maintains an intact neuromuscular hamstring structure in the child. Finally, the child’s own HTs are reserved for future use. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using living donor allografts should be considered a viable choice in children.

Disabling Synovitis Associated With LARS Artificial Ligament Use in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction A Case Report

The Ligament Augmentation Reconstruction System (LARS, Surgical Implants and Devices, Arc-sur-Tille, France) is a synthetic, nonabsorbable augmentation device made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It has rapidly gained popularity in Australia because of the lack of graft donor site morbidity and the perceived absence of risk permitting an earlier return to sporting activity. While autograft use in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has demonstrated excellent clinical results, little has been published to support the use of artificial ligaments. Poor patient outcomes associated with graft failure, tunnel osteolysis, foreign body synovitis, and premature arthritis are among the reasons that artificial ligaments were abandoned over 2 decades ago. We present a case report of disabling synovitis after LARS artificial ligament implantation that required revision at 1 year. This case is a cautionary note to the implantation of LARS ligaments into young and active patients. The patient provided consent for the use of case information in this publication.

Spontaneous Healing of the Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament A Case Series of 21 Patients

Objectives: It is widely believed that ACL tears are incapable of healing. However, there are anecdotal experiences of the healed ACL and sporadic case reports and series documenting either clinical or radiographic evidence of healed ACL tears. A truly healed ACL would demonstrate a clinically stable knee on Lachman and pivot shift testing, normal return to function and MRI and/or arthroscopic documentation of a continuous ligament. This is in contrast to “copers” who have an ACL deficient knee but lack instability either because of good neuromuscular control or non-participation in activities which are heavily ACL dependent. In this prospective series we report on the presentation and 5 year follow-up of patients with both clinical and radiographically healed ACLs. Methods: 19 patients who presented between July 2007 and April 2010 within 6 weeks of injury with clinical laxity and MRI confirmed ACL rupture. Patients subsequently demonstrated clinical knee stability at 8-12 weeks after pre-habilitation to obtain a pain free mobile joint. Prospective data was collected on these patients with MRI at 12 months, IKDC clinical and subjective scores, KT1000 instrumental laxity testing and Lysholm knee score at 12, 24 and 60 months. Results: At one year follow-up MRI 18/19 patients demonstrated a healed ACL with normal signal, normal trajectory and continuity of fibres. Remainder 1 patient demonstrated bridging of ACL tear with scar tissue and abnormal trajectory of fibers. 5 of 19 patients re-ruptured within 5 years of follow-up. At 5 years follow-up, intact healed ACL patients had a mean IKDC score of 88, mean Lysholm score of 92 and mean KT1000 score of 1.7 mm. 100% reported regular participation in strenuous sport. Conclusion: Although rare, spontaneous healing of the ACL is possible. The mechanism by which this occurs in unknown. It is recommended that reassessment of knee stability should be performed in the non-acute phase after an appropriate prehabilitation program prior to ACL reconstruction to ensure spontaneous healing of the ACL has not occurred.

Radiographic Osteoarthritis, Clinical Outcomes and Re-Injury 20 Years after ACL Reconstruction A Prospective Study Of Hamstring and Patellar Tendon Grafts

Objective: This prospective longitudinal study compares the outcome of isolated endoscopic ACL reconstruction utilizing 4-strand hamstring tendon (HT) and patellar tendon (PT) autograft over a 20-year period. Method: Observational Series. 90 consecutive patients with isolated ACL rupture were reconstructed with a PT autograft and 90 patients received HT autograft, with an identical surgical technique. Patients were assessed at 2, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 20 years. Assessment included the IKDC Knee Ligament Evaluation including radiographic evaluation, KT1000, Lysholm Knee Score, kneeling pain, and clinical outcomes. Results: Subjects who received the PT graft had significantly worse outcomes compared to those who received the HT graft at 20 years for the variables of radiologically detectable osteoarthritis (59% v 39%, p=0.01), kneeling pain (38% v 20%, p=0.02), and incidence of contralateral ACL injury (30% v 14%, p=0.04). There was no significant difference between the HT and PT groups in overall IKDC grade (p=0.23), or IKDC subjective score (p=0.18). Subgroup gender differences were identified. The female PT group had significantly lower mean IKDC subjective scores (p=0.05), and more difficulty with kneeling (p=0.04) compared to the other subgroups. ACL graft rupture occurred in 18% of HT and 10% of the PT (p=0.13), and was associated with males (Hazard Ratio(HR)=3.9, p=0.007), age <18 years (HR=4.6, p=0.003), and non ideal radiological tunnel placement (HR=3.6, p=0.02). Contralateral ACL injury was associated with age <18 years (HR=3.4, p=0.001), and the PT graft (HR=2.2, p=0.02). Conclusion: At 20 years both HT and PT autografts continue to provide good subjective outcomes and objective stability. However, ACL reconstruction using the PT graft is associated with persisting kneeling pain and radiological osteoarthritis, compared to the HT graft. Risk factors for ACL graft rupture include males, young age, and those with tunnel malposition. This information may help in the counseling of patients undergoing this procedure and stratifying their individual risk of re-injury.

Ten-Year Comparison of Oxidized Zirconium and Cobalt-Chromium Femoral Components in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if oxidized zirconium femoral components had better outcomes than cobalt-chromium in vivo at medium and long term and if the use of oxidized zirconium components had clinical adverse effects. Methods: Forty consecutive patients (eighty knees) underwent simultaneous bilateral cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty for primary osteoarthritis from January 2002 to December 2003. For each patient, the knees were randomized to receive the oxidized zirconium femoral component, with the contralateral knee receiving the cobalt-chromium component. Outcome measures included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Knee Society score, and British Orthopaedic Association patient satisfaction scale. Radiographic outcomes include the Knee Society total knee arthroplasty roentgenographic evaluation and scoring system and measurement of radiographic wear. Patients and assessors were blinded to the treatment groups and results. Results: There were no significant differences in clinical, subjective, and radiographic outcomes between the two implants at ten years postoperatively. Ten years following surgery, 36% of the patients preferred the cobalt-chromium knee compared with 11% who preferred the oxidized zirconium knee (p = 0.02) and 53% had no preference. Conclusions: Ten-year outcomes after total knee arthroplasty with oxidized zirconium and cobalt-chromium femoral components showed no significant differences in clinical, subjective, and radiographic outcomes. Patients had no preference or preferred the cobalt chromium prosthesis to the oxidized zirconium prosthesis. There were no adverse effects associated with the use of oxidized zirconium femoral implants.