Long-term functional outcomes of multiligament knee reconstructions with lateral injuries

Variability in the Spectrum of Reporting on the Schenck KD I Classification in the Orthopaedic Literature: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

There has been a marked increase in the number of Schenck knee dislocation (KD) I injuries reported in the multiligament knee (MLK) injury (MLKI) and KD literature.

Purpose

To examine the heterogeneity of the Schenck KD I classification in the MLKI and KD literature.

Study Design

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

A systematic literature search of PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library was conducted for all studies that investigated KDs and/or MLKIs, utilized the Schenck or an MLKI classification system, and included patients with KD I or MLK 1 injuries. Pooled analysis determined the total number of KD I or MLK 1 injuries and the specific ligamentous tear patterns. Binary meta-analyses of the studies that reported neurovascular injury within each Schenck KD class compared the pooled odds ratio (OR) of vascular and neurological injury in unicruciate (KD I) and bicruciate (KD II-IV) injuries.

Results

Included were 50 studies in which 3460 KD I injuries were reported out of 7872 KDs and MLKIs (43.9%). Of the 2912 patients reported to have had a Schenck KD I injury, 26 patients (0.9%) had a clinically and/or radiographically confirmed tibiofemoral KD. The overall prevalence of Schenck KD I injury with documented tibiofemoral KD was 26 of 7872 (0.3%). A total of 22 studies (n = 1702 patients) reported the specific ligamentous tear patterns; the most common patterns were posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)/lateral collateral ligament (LCL) (n = 526; 30.9%), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)/LCL (n = 488; 28.7%), ACL/medial collateral ligament (MCL) (n = 408; 24.0%), and PCL/MCL (n = 198; 11.6%). Meta-analyses demonstrated that when compared with bicruciate KD or MLKI, unicruciate KD or MLKI was significantly less likely to have concomitant vascular injury (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.15-0.51; P < .0001) and concomitant neurologic injury (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.37-0.65; P < .00001).

Conclusion

The number of true, clinically and/or radiographically confirmed unicruciate KDs was extremely rare, representing <1% of all reported Schenck KD I injuries. A misappropriation of these injury patterns as true KDs may be taking place, affecting outcome studies and potentially biasing published clinical results. An MLKI classification system must document whether a confirmed KD has occurred.

Outcomes after multiligament knee injury worsen over time: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Multiligament knee injuries (MLKIs) are devastating injuries that can have life-long consequences. A management plan requires the decision to perform surgery or not, timing of surgery, consideration of repair versus reconstruction, reconstruction technique and reconstruction graft choice. The purpose of this study was to analyze development of clinical outcomes of MLKIs over time at a minimum of 2 years of follow-up.

METHODS

Four databases were queried for surgical outcome-based studies of MLKIs published from 01/2000 through 09/2022 with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Technique articles, nonoperative treatment, arthroplasty, pediatric and review articles were excluded. Study characteristics including design, number of patients, age, follow-up period, anatomical region and posterior-cruciate ligament (PCL)-based injury were collected. Primary outcomes were Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) outcome scores and Tegner activity score. Random-effects model analysis was performed.

RESULTS

After the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 3571 patients in 79 studies were included in the analysis. The mean age at surgery was 35.6 years. The mean follow-up was 4.06 years (range 2-12.7). The mean Lysholm score at 2-year follow-up was 86.09 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 82.90-89.28], with a yearly decrease of -0.80 [95% CI: -1.47 -0.13], (p = 0.0199). The mean IKDC at 2 years was 81.35 [95% CI: 76.56-86.14], with a yearly decrease of -1.99 [95% CI: -3.14 -0.84] (p < 0.001). Non-PCL-based injuries had a higher IKDC 83.69 [75.55-91.82] vs. 75.00 [70.75-79.26] (p = 0.03) and Lysholm score 90.84 [87.10-94.58] versus 84.35 [82.18-86.52] (p < 0.01) than PCL-based injuries, respectively.

CONCLUSION

According to the present systematic review and meta-analysis of MLKIs with minimum 2-year follow-ups, the patients who suffered an MLKI can expect to retain around 80-85% of knee function at 2 years and can expect a yearly deterioration of knee function, depending on the score used. Inferior outcomes can be expected for PCL-based injuries at 2 years postoperative.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV meta-analysis.

Patients undergoing multiligament knee reconstruction injured during pivoting sports demonstrate similar clinical, functional and return to sport outcomes by 2 years compared with those undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

PURPOSE

This study investigates the clinical and activity-based outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) versus multiligamentous knee reconstruction (MLKR) following a pivoting sports injury.

METHODS

Fifty MLKR patients were included, of which 20 (40%) were injured during pivoting sports. A further 50 patients undergoing ACLR following an injury during pivoting sports were consecutively recruited for comparison. Patients were assessed before the surgery and at 6-, 12- and 24 months with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form, Tegner activity scale (TAS) and anterior cruciate ligament return to sport after injury (ACL-RSI) score. Knee movement, the single (SHD) and triple (THD) hop tests for distance, and peak isokinetic knee extensor and flexor strength were assessed, with Limb Symmetry Indices (LSIs) calculated. Outcomes were compared across groups: (1) ACLR (n = 50), (2) MLKR (n = 50) and (3) MLKR due to pivoting sport injury (n = 20).

RESULTS

IKDC, TAS and ACL-RSI scores remained lower (p < 0.05) in the full MLKR versus ACLR cohort at all timepoints. Comparing the ACLR and MLKR cohort that had injuries specifically during pivoting sports, the IKDC (p < 0.001) and TAS (p = 0.009) were higher in the ACLR group at 6 months, and the ACL-RSI was higher at 6 (p < 0.001) and 12 (p = 0.007) months, there were no further differences. Hop and knee extensor strength LSIs were lower (p < 0.05) in the full MLKR (versus ACLR) cohort at all timepoints (apart from the 24-month SHD LSI). However, the ACLR group only demonstrated greater LSIs than the pivoting sport MLKR for the SHD at 6 months (p < 0.001), and knee extensor strength at 6 (p < 0.001) and 12 (p < 0.001) months.

CONCLUSIONS

While the recovery of patients undergoing MLKR due to a pivoting sports injury is delayed compared with their ACLR counterparts, the clinical outcome and activity profile are similar by 24 months.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Anatomic reconstruction of the posteromedial corner of the knee: The Versailles technique

INTRODUCTION

Multiligament knee injury with posteromedial laxity is serious and usually requires surgery. Reconstruction is preferable to repair. The main aim of the present study was to report clinical results and laximetry for an original posteromedial corner (PMC) allograft reconstruction technique known as The Versailles Technique. The secondary aim was to determine prognostic factors for surgery. The study hypothesis was that anatomic PMC reconstruction by tendon allograft provides satisfactory medium-term clinical and laximetric results.

METHODS

A retrospective study assessed postoperative clinical and laximetric results after PMC allograft reconstruction at a minimum 12 months' follow-up. Laxity was assessed on comparative bilateral stress X-rays, and functional results on the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, the Lysholm score and the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS).

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients were included between 2013 and 2019. Mean follow-up was 27.4±9 months. Mean subjective IKDC score was 69.21±17.36, mean Lysholm score 77.78±14.98 and mean KOOS 66.44±18.52.

OBJECTIVE

IKDC results were 77% grade A, 22% grade B, and 0% grade C or D. Mean medial differential laxity in forced varus was 0.83±1.26mm. Mean subjective IKDC scores were poorer in Schenck KD-III than KD-I (p=0.03). Functional results were comparable with acute and with chronic laxity. Age correlated inversely with median KOOS (p=0.009). There was no correlation between postoperative radiologic laxity in forced varus and functional results.

DISCUSSION

Versailles anatomic PMC allograft reconstruction for acute or chronic posteromedial knee laxity showed medium-term efficacy in restoring good objective and subjective stability.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV; retrospective observational study.

Comparison of three surgical techniques of posterolateral knee reconstruction: A cadaver study

BACKGROUND

Injuries to the posterolateral corner (PLC) of the knee are often overlooked but, require reconstruction in order to restore stability in varus and external rotation. Among the many anatomic and non-anatomic PLC reconstruction techniques available, the modified Larson (mLR), LaPrade (LPR) and Versailles reconstruction (VR) procedures are widely used.

HYPOTHESIS

The hypothesis was that anatomic PLC reconstruction (VR and LPR procedures) provides better restoration and control of external rotation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifteen fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were tested to compare the 3 procedures. Varus laxity on stress radiographs in full knee extension and external rotatory laxity on dial test at 30° flexion were quantified at 3 phases: intact knee, PLC sectioned and PLC reconstructed.

RESULTS

Mean varus laxity did not differ significantly between techniques in intact knees (p=.14), after PLC sectioning (p=.14) or after PLC reconstruction (p=.17). After PLC reconstruction, varus laxity was restored, with no statistical difference between mLR, VR and LPR compared to intact test values (respectively, -1.0, -1.3 and -1.5; p=.98). In all 3 groups, mean external rotation laxity on dial test at 30° flexion did not significantly differ between intact knees (p=.32) and after PLC sectioning (p=.15). After PLC reconstruction, the mLR technique was significantly less effective in restoring rotational stability than the VR and LPR techniques (p=.025).

DISCUSSION

The VR technique provided similar outcomes to LPR for restoring stability in varus and external rotation. The 2 "anatomic" reconstruction procedures (VR and LPR) were significantly more effective than the modified Larson technique for external rotation control, confirming the study hypothesis. Consequently, it remains preferable to use anatomic techniques in multiligament injuries involving the PLC.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, cadaver study.

Consensus statement on data to be entered in the ACL tear registry: SFA-DataLake

INTRODUCTION

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a frequent procedure, with room for improvement by rehabilitation measures and associated peripheral and meniscal surgeries that are currently under assessment, requiring follow-up. Outside France, there have been ACL registries for 20 years now. The French Arthroscopy Society (SFA) decided to set up an ACL tear registry within its SFA DataLake registry platform.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

This article presents the methodology underlying the ACL Tear Registry: i.e., identification, definition and coding of essential and relevant data. A test phase comprised an initial assessment to improve data quality and overall coherence, to optimize data-entry time for patients and practitioners, who are the guarantors of the registry's use and efficacy.

RESULTS

The SFA DataLake ACL Tear Registry was made available to SFA members in December 2021. It aims to enable a review of practices for surgeons, early detection of failure of procedures and implants, with rates of failure and abnormal complications, and identification of prognostic factors for outcome, especially regarding original items that do not figure in previous registries.

CONCLUSION

SFA DataLake strikes a balance between "indispensable" and "original" items. The choice of contents and data quality is founded on a robust methodology with overall coherence, enabling analysis of large cohorts and comparisons with the literature and other registries. However, it remains to assess rates of data entry and item relevance as the Registry progresses.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

The SFA datalake platform and anterior cruciate ligament tear registry of the French Society of Arthroscopy (SFA): Rationale, statutes and plans

SFA Datalake is the registry platform of the French Society of Arthroscopy (SFA). It was designed to collect and store data on arthroscopic orthopedic surgery and joint-sparing surgery in French-speaking countries. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear registry is the first registry to be set up based on SFA Datalake. Registries are intended to enable systematic standardized data collection, and provide information for surgeons to improve clinical practice and results. The ACL tear registry was designed in the light of guidelines, the literature and existing registries. Data are collected prospectively on a secure on-line application accessible via a computer or smartphone. Data collection is organized according to clinical examination results, preoperative findings, and follow-up data based on patient-administered subjective quality of life questionnaires. The pilot committee consists of 5 SFA board members, appointed for 2 years. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.