Autograft for anterior cruciate ligament revision surgery : Lateral extra-articular tenodesis in skeletally mature patients under 25 years of age

Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis Augmentation of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Is Most Commonly Indicated for Pivot Shift of Grade 2 or Greater and for Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

PURPOSE

To determine the most common indications for lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) augmentation of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from 2000 to the present (June 2022). Studies that met the following criteria were included: patients of any age who underwent LET in addition to ACLR, studies reporting at least 1 indication for LET, and observational/randomized controlled trial study designs including prevalence of indications. Publications had to be reported in English and peer reviewed and to have originated in the United States or countries offering identical protocols and procedures.

RESULTS

A total of 463 studies were identified from the initial search, 23 of which met inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Eight of the 23 studies (34.8%) used a modified Lemaire technique, seven (30.4%) used a MacIntosh modified by Arnold-Coker, and eight (34.8%) used other techniques to perform LET. A total of 2,125 patients (53% female, 47% male [3 studies did not report sex]) underwent ACLR augmented with LET. The indications along with prevalence were as follows: positive pivot shift test (grade ≥2) (19 of 23, 82.6%), revision ACLR (12 of 23, 52.2%), ligamentous laxity (11 of 23, 47.8%), general sports participation (11 of 23, 47.8%), age less than 25 years (8 of 23, 34.8%), high risk of graft failure (5 of 23, 21.7%), and positive Lachman test (4 of 23, 17.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Pivot shift grade ≥2 was the most common reason orthopaedic surgeons chose to add LET to ACLR, with revision ACLR, patient age <25, and general sports participation following closely behind.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I to IV, systematic review of studies.

Good rates of return-to-sport in athletes after revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autologous patellar tendon and lateral extra-articular tenodesis: a 2-year follow-up prospective study

BACKGROUND

Most athletes who undergo revision of the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) aim to return to their preinjury sport at a similar level of performance while minimizing the risk for reinjury. Additional lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) has recently been correlated with improved outcomes and low complication rate. Yet, there are few series evaluating return-to-sport (RTS) and clinical outcomes after revision ACLR using bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) and LET in athletes.

METHODS

The study cohort consisted of 19 eligible athletes who had undergone their first revision ACLR using BPTB and LET (modified Lemaire) between January 2019 and 2020. Patients were prospectively followed and interviewed in a sports activity survey during a 2-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Despite all patients returning to sports after revision ACLR surgery, 52.6% resumed playing at their preinjury level. Furthermore, patient-reported functional outcomes improved significantly following revision surgery, as evidenced by improvements in IKDC [64.4 (± 12) to 87.8 (± 6)], Lysholm [71.27 (± 12) to 84.2 (± 9.7)], and SF-12 scales [Physical: 53.3 (± 3) 57 (± 1.2); Mental: 50.2 (± 3.3) to 52.7 (± 2.4)]. One case (5.3%) experienced persistent pain and underwent reoperation for a partial meniscectomy.

CONCLUSION

After revision ACLR using autologous BPTB and LET, all active individuals are expected to RTS, similar to primary ACLR. The difference comes down to returning to the preinjury level, where the levels are lower depending on the sport and initial level of play. Good mid-term functional outcomes with a low complication rate can be expected in most cases.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence IV.

ETHICAL COMMITTEE APPROVAL NUMBER

PR(ATR)79/2021 and HCB/2023/0173.

Return to Play After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Extra-Articular Augmentation: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

The purpose of the current study is to systematically review the current evidence in the literature to ascertain rates of return to play after ACLR with extra-articular augmentation (EA).

METHODS

A literature search was performed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were included if they evaluated and reported on return to play after ACLR + EA; case studies and review articles were excluded. The outcomes measured focused on (1) return to play, (2) return to play at the same or higher level, and (3) timing of return to play. Qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis were performed using SPSS.

RESULTS

Overall, 19 studies met our inclusion criteria. Among patients undergoing primary ACLR, 82.8% to 100% were able to return to play, with 64% to 100% able to return at the same or higher level of play. All professional athletes were able to return to play, and 85.7% to 100% were able to return to the same level of preoperative play. The mean time to return was 5 to 11 months in those undergoing primary ACLR + EA. Among those undergoing revision ACLR, 50% to 88.4% were able to return to play, with 41.5% to 77.8% able to return at the same or higher level of play. None of the 5 studies that compared rate of return to play (at any level) between ACLR + EA and ACLR alone found a significant difference between them. However, among the 6 studies that compared rate of return to play at the same level between ACLR + EA and ACLR alone, 2 studies found a significantly higher rate of return to play with ACLR + EA.

CONCLUSION

ACLR + EA resulted in high levels of return to play in those undergoing either primary or revision ACLR. Additionally, comparative studies of patients undergoing primary ACLR with or without EA reported similarly high rates of return to play.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, systematic review of level I to IV studies.

Adding a modified Lemaire procedure to ACLR in knees with severe rotational knee instability does not compromise isokinetic muscle recovery at the time of return-to-play

Purpose

To determine whether isokinetic muscle recovery following ACLR using a hamstring tendon (HT) would be equivalent (non-inferior) in knees that had high-grade pivot-shift and adjuvant modified Lemaire procedure versus knees that had minimal pivot-shift and no adjuvant modified Lemaire procedure.

Methods

We evaluated 96 consecutive patients that underwent primary ACLR. Nine were excluded because of contralateral knee injury, and of the remaining 87, ACLR was performed stand-alone in 52 (Reference group), and with a Lemaire procedure in 35 (Lemaire group) who had high-grade pivot-shift, age < 18, or genu recurvatum > 20°. At 6 months, isokinetic tests were performed at 240°/s and 90°/s to calculate strength deficits of hamstrings (H) and quadriceps (Q). At 8 months, patients were evaluated using IKDC, Lysholm, and Tegner scores.

Results

Compared to the Reference group, the Lemaire group were younger (23.0 ± 2.5 vs 34.2 ± 10.5, p = 0.021) with a greater proportion of males (80% vs 56%, p < 0.001). The Lemaire group had no complications, but the Reference group had one graft failure and one cyclops syndrome. Strength deficits at 240°/s and at 90°/s were similar in both groups, but mixed H/Q ratios were lower for the Lemaire group (1.02 ± 0.19 vs 1.14 ± 0.24, p = 0.011). IKDC and Lysholm scores were similar in both groups, but Tegner scores were higher in the Lemaire group (median, 6.5 vs 6.0, p = 0.024).

Conclusions

ACLR with a modified Lemaire procedure for knees with rotational instability grants equivalent isokinetic muscle recovery as stand-alone ACLR in knees with no rotational instability. For ACL-deficient knees with high-grade pivot-shift, a Lemaire procedure restores rotational stability without compromising isokinetic muscle recovery.

Study design

Level III, comparative study.