Sven Scheffler

Fresh-frozen free-tendon allografts versus autografts in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: delayed remodeling and inferior mechanical function during long-term healing in sheep.

PURPOSE The objective of this study was to investigate the biologic healing and restoration of the mechanical function of a free soft tissue autograft and compare these to an identical nonsterilized fresh frozen allograft for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in an in vivo sheep model. METHODS Forty-eight merino sheep received either an allograft or autograft ACL reconstruction with a long flexor tendon. Each group was analyzed at 6, 12, and 52 weeks for descriptive analysis of histologic changes and quantitative analysis of recellularization, revascularization, and mechanical function. RESULTS Recellularization and revascularization was significantly delayed at 6 and 12 weeks of healing, while at 52 weeks, differences had become less distinct. Overall remodeling had not been completed compared to the intact ACL. Significantly lower structural and mechanical properties and anterior-posterior laxity were found at 52 weeks for allografts, with no differences at the early healing time points. CONCLUSIONS Allograft remodeling is delayed in ACL reconstruction and resulted in reduced long-term stability and mechanical function compared to autologous ACL reconstruction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Caution should be used with early full-weight bearing after allograft ACL reconstruction, because remodeling is delayed and long-term stability might be affected. Clinical studies should be warranted to examine the impact of varying rehabilitation protocols on long-term outcome.

MR imaging of patellar instability: injury patterns and assessment of risk factors.

First-time patellar dislocation typically occurs with twisting knee motions, during which the medial ligamentous stabilizers rupture, and the patella strikes against the lateral femoral condyle. The typical injury pattern is a tear of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) and bone bruises of the patella and the lateral femoral condyle. Additionally, complex injuries to bone, cartilage, and ligaments may occur. The ensuing loss of medial restraint favors future patellar dislocations, especially if additional risk factors are present. Recurrent patellar dislocations usually occur in individuals with anatomic variants of the patellar stabilizers, such as trochlear dysplasia, patella alta, and lateralization of the tibial tuberosity. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is reliable in identifying risk factors for chronic patellar instability and in assessing knee joint damage associated with patellar dislocation. MR imaging can thus provide important information for individually tailored treatment. Patients with primary patellar dislocation without severe internal derangement who lack major risk factors can be treated conservatively. Patients with pronounced ligamentous tears or large osteochondral lesions require prompt surgery. In addition, surgical correction of anatomic variants will help reduce the potential for chronic instability. The most common procedures, in addition to MPFL reconstruction, include trochleoplasty, medialization of the tibial tuberosity, and medial capsular plication. For comprehensive assessment of patellar dislocation, a radiologist should be able to identify typical injury patterns, know standard methods to assess risk factors for patellar instability, and be familiar with surgical options.

Graft remodeling and ligamentization after cruciate ligament reconstruction

After reconstruction of the cruciate ligaments, replacement grafts have to undergo several phases of healing in the intra-articular graft region and at the site of graft-to-bone incorporation. The changes in the biological and mechanical properties of the healing graft in its intra-articular region are described as the ligamentization process. Significant knowledge has been added in the understanding of the several processes during the course of graft healing and is summarized in this article. The understanding of the spatial and time-dependent changes as well as the differences between the different models of graft healing are of significant importance to develop strategies of improved treatment options in cruciate ligament surgery, so that full restoration of function and mechanical strength of the intact cruciate ligaments will be achieved.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis of Rotational Alignment in Patients With Patellar Dislocations

Background: The role of anatomic risk factors in patellofemoral instability is not yet fully understood, as they have been observed in patients either alone or in combination and in different degrees of severity. Purpose: To prospectively analyze rotational limb alignment in patients with patellofemoral instability and in controls using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Thirty patients (mean age, 22.9 y; range, 12-41 y) with a history of patellar dislocation and 30 age- and sex-matched controls (mean age, 25.2 y; range, 16-37 y) were investigated. The patients underwent MRI of the leg at 1.5 T using a peripheral angiography coil and a T2-weighted half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE) sequence for measuring femoral antetorsion, tibial torsion, knee rotation, and mechanical axis deviation (MAD). The mean values of these parameters were compared between patients and controls. In addition, the patients underwent an assessment to determine the influence of rotational limb alignment on lateral trochlear inclination, trochlear facet asymmetry, trochlear depth, Insall-Salvati index, and tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove distance. Results: Patients had 1.56-fold higher mean femoral antetorsion (20.3° ± 10.4° vs 13.0° ± 8.4°; P < .01) and 1.6-fold higher knee rotation (9.4° ± 5.0° vs 5.7° ± 4.3°; P < .01) compared with controls. Moreover, patients had 2.9 times higher MAD (0.81 ± 0.75 mm vs −0.28 ± 0.87 mm; P < .01). Differences in tibial torsion were not significant. Also, there were no significant correlations between parameters of rotational alignment and standard anatomic risk factors. Conclusion: Our results suggest that some patients with nontraumatic patellar instability have greater internal femoral rotation, greater knee rotation, and a tendency for genu valgum compared with healthy controls. Rotational malalignment may be a primary risk factor in patellar dislocation that has so far been underestimated.

Effect of Electron Beam Irradiation on Biomechanical Properties of Patellar Tendon Allografts in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Sterilization of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) allografts is an important prerequisite to prevent disease transmission. However, mechanical tissue properties are compromised by most current sterilization procedures, so that uncompromised sterilization of allografts is difficult to achieve. Hypothesis/Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the novel electron beam sterilization procedure on the biomechanical properties of human patellar tendon allografts at various irradiation dosages. Electron beam sterilization may be an appropriate alternative to gamma sterilization. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Thirty-two human 10-mm wide bone-patellar tendon-bone grafts were randomized into 4 groups of sterilization with 15, 25, or 34 kGy of electron beam irradiation, respectively. The grafts’ biomechanical properties were evaluated at time zero. Unsterilized grafts functioned as controls. Biomechanical properties were analyzed during cyclic and load-to-failure testing. Results: Strain and cyclic elongation response showed no significant differences between the groups. Electron beam irradiation had no significant effect on stiffness and failure load with the exception of 34 kGy, which resulted in a significant decrease in failure load (1300.6 ± 229.2 N) compared with unsterilized grafts (1630.5 ± 331.1 N). Conclusion: This study showed that electron beam might be an appropriate alternative in sterilization of patellar tendon allografts with minimal effect on mechanical properties of tendon grafts in vitro. Future studies will have to evaluate the effect of the process on the biological properties of allografts in vitro and in vivo. Clinical Relevance: Terminal sterilization of patellar tendon allografts with electron beam irradiation can ensure higher safety of transplanted grafts and hence improve patient safety and acceptance.

Biomechanical comparison of human bone-patellar tendon-bone grafts after sterilization with peracetic acid ethanol

Recent reports of disease transmission following ACL reconstruction with fresh-frozen non-sterilized allografts have highlighted the need for new sterilization techniques that do not impair the mechanical properties as it was shown for most of the current sterilization techniques. In this in-vitro biomechanical study, it was investigated if peracetic acid ethanol sterilization (PES) has any adverse effects on the mechanical properties of human bone-patellar tendon-bone grafts (BPTB). Paired human BPTB grafts either underwent PES or were used as fresh-frozen non-sterilized grafts. Viscoelastic properties (strain, creep) were analyzed during cyclic submaximal loading and mechanical properties were investigated during load-to-failure (LTF) testing. It was found that there were no differences in viscoelastic and mechanical properties between both groups. The findings of this study provide baseline data for future in vitro and in vivo analyses of this promising new sterilization technique for soft-tissue allografts.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Deficient Patients With Passive Knee Joint Laxity Have a Decreased Range of Anterior-Posterior Motion During Active Movements

Background: Although instability of the knee joint is known to modify gait patterns, the amount that patients compensate for joint laxity during active movements remains unknown. Purpose: By developing a novel technique to allow the assessment of tibiofemoral kinematics, this study aimed to elucidate the role of passive joint laxity on active tibiofemoral kinematics during walking. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Using motion capture, together with combinations of advanced techniques for assessing skeletal kinematics (including the symmetrical axis of rotation approach [SARA], symmetrical center of rotation estimation [SCoRE], and optimal common shape technique [OCST]), a novel noninvasive approach to evaluate dynamic tibiofemoral motion was demonstrated as both reproducible and repeatable. Passive and active anterior-posterior translations of the tibiofemoral joint were then examined in 13 patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures that were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and compared with those in their healthy contralateral limbs. Results: Passive tibial anterior translation was significantly greater in the ACL-ruptured knees than in the contralateral healthy controls. However, the femora of the ACL-ruptured knees generally remained more posterior (~3 mm) relative to the tibia within a gait cycle of walking compared with the healthy limbs. Surprisingly, the mean range of tibiofemoral anterior-posterior translation over an entire gait cycle was significantly lower in ACL-ruptured knees than in the healthy joints (P = .026). A positive correlation was detected between passive laxity and active joint mobility, but with a consistent reduction in the range of tibiofemoral anterior-posterior translation of approximately 3 mm in the ACL-deficient knees. Conclusion: It seems that either active stabilization of tibiofemoral kinematics or anterior subluxation of the tibia reduces joint translation in lax knees. This implies that either a muscular overcompensation mechanism or a physical limitation due to secondary passive stabilizers occurs within the joint and thus produces a situation that has a reduced range of active motion compared with knees with physiological stability. Clinical Relevance: The reduced range of active tibiofemoral translation suggests overloading of the passive structures in passively lax knees, either through excessive muscular action or joint subluxation, and could provide a plausible mechanism for explaining posttraumatic degeneration of cartilage in the joint.

Magnetic resonance imaging of double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) using the double-bundle technique is getting highly increasing attention. This surgical approach uses two separate tendon grafts with the intention to reconstruct both anatomic bundles in order to restore the full biomechanical function of the original ligament. With the increasing popularity of this technique, radiologists will be more frequently confronted with patients who underwent this surgical procedure. The aims of this essay are to briefly describe the basic biomechanical and surgical principles and to summarize the magnetic resonance imaging findings of the knee after double-bundle ACL reconstruction.

Percutaneous & Mini Invasive Achilles tendon repair

Rupture of the Achilles tendon is a considerable cause of morbidity with reduced function following injury. Recent studies have shown little difference in outcome between the techniques of open and non-operative treatment using an early active rehabilitation programme. Meta-analyses have shown that non-operative management has increased risk of re-rupture whereas surgical intervention has risks of complications related to the wound and iatrogenic nerve injury. Minimally invasive surgery has been adopted as a way of reducing infections rates and wound breakdown however avoiding iatrogenic nerve injury must be considered. We discuss the techniques and outcomes of percutaneous and minimally invasive repairs of the Achilles tendon.

Anatomical single bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

We present a review of the literature looking at the anatomy of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament, the biomechanical aspects of ACL reconstruction, review the outcomes of single and double bundle ACL reconstruction and present the current techniques for anatomic single bundle reconstruction.