Clinical outcome of arthroscopic suture versus screw fixation in tibial avulsion of the anterior cruciate ligament in skeletally mature patients

A novel approach for anterior cruciate ligament tibial avulsion fracture: arthroscopic modified suture bridge fixation technique

INTRODUCTION

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial avulsion fracture is a rare injury, which usually happens in adults with traffic accidents or sports injuries. Surgery interventions are common treatment methods, they can restore knee function and help to return to normal life. In this study, we described an arthroscopic modified suture bridge fixation technique for ACL tibial avulsion fractures and explored the feasibility and therapeutic effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study reviewed data from January 2020 to May 2022. Data were collected on 18 patients (10 males and 8 females) with ACL tibial avulsion fractures and underwent arthroscopic modified suture bridge fixation technique. The study analyzed surgical data about intraoperative blood loss, operation time, hospital stay, fracture healing time, and visual analog scale (VAS). Functional evaluation of the knee joint was performed using the anterior drawer test, Lysholm knee scoring scale, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and knee range of motion (ROM).

RESULTS

All 18 patients were followed up between 12 and 20 months, with an average of 15.22 ± 1.96 months. The intraoperative blood loss was approximately 15-40 mL, averaging 25.78 ± 6.19 mL. The operation time was 65-85 min, with a mean of 74.89 ± 4.86 min. The hospital stay of patients was 3-5 days, with a mean of 3.89 ± 0.76 days. The mean fracture healing time was 8-12 weeks after surgery, with a mean of 9.22 ± 1.7 weeks. All incisions healed grade I without infection. There were no internal fixation failures, neurovascular injuries, and lower extremity deep venous thrombosis. The anterior drawer test was negative in all patients. At the final follow-up, the mean VAS score was 0-3, averaging 1.56 ± 0.71. The Lysholm score of the injured knee was 89-96, with an average of 92.50 ± 2.50; the IKDC score was 88-93, with an average of 90.44 ± 1.89; the knee ROM was 110-126°, with an average of 120.67° ± 4.31°.

CONCLUSION

Results demonstrated that the modified suture bridge fixation technique under arthroscope could provide reliable fixation and favorable clinical effects for ACL tibial avulsion fractures. This is a simple, minimally invasive, effective, and clinically applicable surgical method for ACL tibial avulsion fracture.

Arthroscopic fixation techniques for tibial eminence fractures in pediatric patients: a review

The introduction of new internal fixation devices and arthroscopic techniques has led to significant changes in the surgical treatment of tibial eminence fractures (TEFs) in children. In recent years, arthroscopic surgery has arisen as the gold standard for the treatment of TEFs. This popularity of arthroscopic techniques has reduced surgical complications and improved patient prognosis. In this paper, we investigate the current situation of the use of arthroscopic fixation techniques for pediatric TEFs. We searched the PubMed database using the terms "arthroscopic treatment and tibial eminence," "arthroscopic treatment and tibial spine," "tibial eminence avulsion", "tibial spine fracture", with no limit on the year of publication. From these articles, we reviewed the use of various arthroscopic TEFs fixation techniques reported in the current literature. Overall, we found that the choice of fixation method seems to have no effect on clinical outcomes or imaging results. However, if an easy, strong fixation that is less prone to epiphyseal damage is desired, as a junior practitioner, the anchor technique should be mastered first, whereas for senior practitioners, a variety of fixation techniques for TEFs should be mastered, including anchors, sutures, and screws, so that personalized fixation can be achieved with the least amount of trauma, operative time, and complications. Higher quality studies are needed in the future to provide Useful evidence to determine the optimal fixation technique in terms of clinical outcomes, function, and complications.

Changes in the Lateral Acromion Angle in Rotator Cuff Tear Patients with Acromioplasty

BACKGROUND

Arthroscopic surgery has been established as an efficacious intervention for the treatment of rotator cuff tears. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the modifications in the lateral acromial angle (LAA) subsequent to rotator cuff repair surgery using single-row rivet fixation and double-row rivet fixation techniques. Furthermore, we sought to investigate the influence of LAA on the prognosis of rotator cuff repair surgery.

METHOD

This observational study retrospectively enrolled 105 patients diagnosed with degenerative rotator cuff tears who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between 2016 and 2019. Following the exclusion of two patients with subscapularis or superior labrum anterior and posterior (SLAP) tears, as well as three patients who were lost to follow-up, a cohort of 100 patients was included for clinical and imaging evaluation. Among these individuals, 50 were assigned to the double-row repair group, whereas the remaining 50 comprised the single-row repair group. Bilateral shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were conducted no less than 24 months post-surgery. Experienced arthroscopic surgeons, blinded to the LAA measurements, assessed the rotator interval (RI) using a control MRI. Functional assessment was performed using the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) quick disability of the shoulder and arm, shoulder and hand (qDASH) score. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test for dependent samples was employed to compare data between the pre- and post-intervention groups. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate the relationship between different parameters.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 73 female patients and 27 male patients, with a mean age of 58.32 ± 5.29 years and a mean follow-up duration of 25.88 ± 8.11 months. Preoperatively, the mean LAA was 75.81° ± 11.28°, RI was 4.78 ± 0.62, UCLA score was 17.54 ± 2.44, and qDASH score was 2.45 ± 0.25. The average tear size was 8.95 ± 2.11 mm. A statistically significant difference in LAA was observed between the preoperative and postoperative measurements, with the double-row repair group exhibiting a greater LAA than the single-row repair group. Finally, a significant correlation was identified between LAA, RI, and qDASH scores after a 24-month follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

According to our findings, the utilization of double-row rivet fixation has a greater LAA angle than single-row rivet fixation. Moreover, this preservation of LAA is significantly associated with the functional recovery of the shoulder joint.

Management and Outcomes of Tibial Eminence Fractures in the Pediatric Population: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Tibial eminence fractures (TEF) of Meyers-McKeever type II-III-IV usually require surgical management. No consensus in the literature has been achieved regarding the best treatment option. The aims of the present systematic review were (1) to analyze the current literature and describe the outcomes of surgical treatment for TEF; and (2) to compare the outcomes of different surgical options using arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation (ARIF) with sutures or screws and open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF).

METHODS

A search was carried out with Pubmed, Medline, and Cochrane. Key terms were used "tibial" AND "eminence" or "spine" or "intercondylar" AND "paediatric" or "children" AND "fracture" or "avulsion" AND "treatment". Twelve articles met the inclusion criteria. Demographic data, clinical outcomes, and complication rates were evaluated for each study. Means/standard deviation and sum/percentage were used for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Chi-square or t-student tests were applied. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

ORIF showed superior clinical outcomes (Tegner (p < 0.05) and Lysholm (p < 0.001) scores) relative to ARIF and a lower incidence of arthrofibrosis (p < 0.05) and implant removal (p < 0.01). The Tegner, IKDC, and Lysholm scores showed statistically significant superior results following arthroscopic sutures compared to arthroscopic screws (p < 0.001). The incidence of arthrofibrosis was higher after arthroscopic sutures (p < 0.05), the implant removal was higher after screw fixation (p < 0.001) Conclusions: Better clinical results with low complication rates were achieved with ORIF surgery rather than ARIF; arthroscopic suture fixation resulted in higher clinical results compared to arthroscopic screw fixation and reduced the incidence of postoperative complications.