Effect of Modified Lemaire Anterolateral Extra-articular Tenodesis on the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Maturity Signal of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Hamstring Graft

Lateral extra-articular tenodesis does not enhance ACL graft healing, however, does reduce graft tunnel widening

PURPOSE

The study hypothesized that the addition of lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LEAT) in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) had a significant effect on ACL graft healing.

METHODS

A total of 80 patients were divided into two cohorts matched for gender, age, body mass index, time from surgery to post-operative MRI and graft diameter. Forty patients underwent ACL reconstruction alone, while 40 underwent ACLR in addition to LEAT. Patients underwent a magnetic resonance imaging scan at 12 months post-surgery; tunnel apertures were measured using multiplanar reformation, graft healing was assessed using signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) in three regions of interest and finally graft maturity and integration were classified using the Howell and Ge scale, respectively. In addition, clinical evaluation and patient-reported outcome measures were collected.

RESULTS

The mean femoral tunnel widening at 12 months post-surgery was 39.8 ± 14.0% in the ACLR + LEAT group and 55.2 ± 12.7% in the ACLR alone group (p < 0.05). The mean tibial tunnel widening was 29.3 ± 12.7% in the ACLR + LEAT group and 44.4 ± 12.1% in the ACLR group (p < 0.05). The mean adjusted graft SNQ was 9.0 ± 14.9 in the ACLR + LEAT group and 9.5 ± 11.4 in the ACLR group (n.s.).

CONCLUSION

At 1 year post-operatively, we noted significantly less femoral and tibial tunnel widening in the ACLR + LEAT group. LEAT did not result in a statistically significant effect on graft healing.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Evaluation of Graft Maturation by MRI in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With and Without Concomitant Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction

Background

Single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (SB-ACLR) with concomitant anterolateral ligament reconstruction (ALLR) has been associated with better clinical results when compared with isolated SB-ACLR. However, it is not known whether the improved outcomes are the result of the influence of concomitant ALLR on ACL graft healing.

Purpose/Hypothesis

The purpose of this study was to determine whether concomitant ALLR is associated with improved graft ligamentization after SB-ACLR. It was hypothesized that ALLR would not affect graft healing.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

A 1 to 1 matching study was conducted on a consecutive series of 732 patients who underwent ACLR using a hamstring tendon autograft between 2007 and 2019. Patients were excluded if they had skeletal immaturity, inflammatory joint disease, multiple ligament reconstruction (other than ALLR), or a graft rupture. Patients with concomitant SB-ACLR and ALLR (SB-ACLR/ALLR) and isolated SB-ACLR were matched 1 to 1 based on age, sex, examination under anesthesia (EUA) grade 3 pivot shift, EUA grade 3 anterior drawer test, presence of graft impingement, sagittal graft angle, skeletal maturity, lack of generalized ligamentous laxity, and multiple ligamentous injury. A total of 40 matched pairs underwent postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within the second year after surgery to assess graft ligamentization, which was measured by the signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) of the ACL graft.

Results

The mean follow-up period was 41 months, with a 2-year follow-up rate of 80% in the SB-ACLR/ALLR group and 98% in the isolated SB-ACLR group. The mean duration between the index operation and MRI was 16.4 ± 3.4 months. No significant difference was observed in the SNQ of the ACL graft between the SB-ACLR/ALLR and SB-ACLR groups (6.9 ± 4.6 vs 5.2 ± 4.8, respectively; P = .066).

Conclusion

Study findings indicated that a concomitant ALLR at the time of hamstring tendon autograft ACLR did not affect graft healing as assessed by the SNQ of the ACL graft.

Factors Affecting Graft Remodeling and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: MRI Study of 180 Knees

BACKGROUND

Several factors affect the retear rate after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, but there are few data on which factors affect graft remodeling.

PURPOSE

To determine which factors are associated with the remodeling of an ACL graft.

STUDY DESIGN

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the relationship between various exposure factors and the occurrence of an "event": graft remodeling measured with the signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ). Data were collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively for this study. The endpoint was the SNQ on magnetic resonance imaging at postoperative 1 year. The effect of the following parameters on SNQ was investigated: sex, smoking habits, age at surgery, body mass index, time to surgery, time to return to sports, type of sport (in-line, pivot, contact), type of graft (free semitendinosus [ST] or attached ST), and addition of lateral tenodesis.

RESULTS

An overall 180 patients were enrolled (90 with each technique). The following factors were significantly and independently associated with the SNQ: attached ST graft (β = -2.624668; P < .001), age at the time of surgery (β = -0.7948476; P = .012), and time elapsed between the injury event and surgery (β = -0.7137424; P = .046).

CONCLUSION

Leaving the ST graft attached distally, being older at the time of surgery, and having more time elapse between the injury event and ACL reconstruction surgery were significantly associated with better graft remodeling.

Early Postoperative MRI Evaluation of a Fascia Lata Autograft With and Without Polypropylene Mesh Augmentation After Superior Capsular Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Recently, a polypropylene mesh has been introduced and reported to improve clinical outcomes after superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) using a fascia lata autograft (FLA). However, mesh-related events such as a foreign body response may trigger inflammation, which might affect graft healing and remodeling.

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS

The aim was to investigate whether the healing and remodeling of an FLA were affected by the use of a mesh by comparing the signal intensity of an FLA-alone group vs an FLA + Mesh group on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The hypothesis was that the use of a mesh would decrease the MRI signal intensity of FLA during the early postoperative phase.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

Patients who had undergone SCR using an FLA with or without a mesh between March 2013 and August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Follow-up MRI was performed at 3 months. A total of 78 patients (24 in the FLA group and 54 in the FLA + Mesh group) with intact grafts were included. Graft remodeling was evaluated by analyzing the signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) at the humeral, mid-substance, and glenoid sites. Theoretically, lower SNQ ratios indicate higher strength and better healing of the graft.

RESULTS

The mean SNQ was 30.603 (range, 11.790-72.710) in the FLA group and 18.367 (range, 4.464-69.500) in the FLA + Mesh group (P < .001). Furthermore, significant differences were found between the 2 groups at the humeral and mid-substance sites (37.863 [range, 5.092-81.187] vs 15.512 [range, 1.814-80.869], P < .001; and 29.168 [range, 6.103-73.900] vs 16.878 [range, 2.454-92.416], P = .003; respectively). However, there was no difference between the 2 groups at the glenoid site (25.346 [range, 7.565-86.353] vs 20.354 [range, 3.732-88.468], P = .057).

CONCLUSION

At the 3-month follow-up, the FLA + Mesh group showed a lower MRI signal intensity than the FLA group. The healing and remodeling of an FLA may be enhanced when a mesh is used.

Isolated lateral extra-articular tenodesis in ACL-deficient knees: in vivo knee kinematics and clinical outcomes

PURPOSE

To carry out an in vivo kinematic analysis of isolated modified Lemaire lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) to explore its ability to modify the stability of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient knees. The secondary aim was to look at the clinical outcomes of the isolated LET to analyze whether biomechanical changes have an influence on clinical improvement or not.

METHODS

A total of 52 patients who underwent an isolated modified Lemaire LET were prospectively studied. Twenty-two were over 55-year-old patients with ACL rupture and subjective instability (group 1). They were followed up for 2 years postoperatively. Thirty were patients underwent a two-stage ACL revision (group 2). They were followed up for 4 months postoperatively (up to the second stage of the ACL revision). Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative kinematic analyses were carried out using the KiRA accelerometer and KT1000 arthrometer to look for residual anterolateral rotational instability and residual anteroposterior instability. Functional outcomes were measured with the single-leg vertical jump test (SLVJT) and the single-leg hop test (SLHT). Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the IKDC 2000, Lysholm, and Tegner scores.

RESULTS

A significant reduction of both rotational and anteroposterior instability was detected. It was present both with the patient under anesthesia (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007 respectively) as well as with the patient awake (p = 0.008 and p = 0.018 respectively). Postoperative analysis of knee laxity did not show any significant variation from the first to the last follow-up. Both the SLVJT and SLHT improved significantly at the last follow-up (p < 0.001 and p = 0.011 respectively). The mean values of both the IKDC and Lysholm and Tegner scores showed an improvement (p = 0.008; p = 0.012; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The modified Lemaire LET improves the kinematics of ACL-deficient knees. The improvement in the kinematics leads to an improvement in subjective stability as well as in the function of the knee and in the clinical outcomes. At the 2-year follow-up, these improvements were maintained in a cohort of patients over 55 years. Following our findings, to reduce knee instability, an isolated LET in ACL-deficient knees may be used when ACL reconstruction in patients over 55 years is not indicated.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Small Hamstring Tendon Graft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Combined With Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction Results in the Same Failure Rate as Larger Hamstring Tendon Graft Reconstruction Alone

PURPOSE

To compare patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring grafts 7 mm or less in diameter combined with anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction versus isolated ACL reconstruction with grafts greater than 7 mm in diameter.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the descriptive data and clinical outcomes of patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction with hamstring grafts from June 2013 to January 2020 and had a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. Patients with quadrupled or quintupled semitendinosus and gracilis autograft 7 mm or less in diameter combined with single-strand ALL reconstruction (ACL-ALL group) were matched in a 1:2 propensity ratio to patients who underwent isolated single-bundle ACL reconstruction with hamstring grafts greater than 7 mm (ACL group).

RESULTS

We identified 30 patients in our database who met the criteria for the ACL-ALL group. The patients in this group were matched to 60 patients comprising the ACL group. Both groups were similar regarding all preoperative matched and unmatched variables. The mean ACL graft diameter was 6.8 ± 0.4 mm in the ACL-ALL group and 8.6 ± 0.6 mm in the ACL group (P < .001). The ACL-ALL group presented 1 failure (3.3%), and the ACL group presented 3 failures (5%) (P = .717). Postoperative KT-1000 measurements were similar between the groups (2.1 ± 1.1 mm vs 1.9 ± 1.2 mm, P = .114), as were postoperative pivot-shift grades (P = .652). Subjective International Knee Documentation Committee scores and Lysholm scores did not present any differences between the groups (P = .058 and P = .280, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who undergo combined ACL-ALL reconstruction with an ACL graft diameter of 7 mm or less can achieve similar results to patients who undergo isolated ACL reconstruction with a graft diameter greater than 7 mm. An associated ALL reconstruction can be performed to increase knee stability in patients with small-diameter hamstring grafts.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective, comparative therapeutic trial.

Effect of Soft Tissue Interposition and Postoperative Suspensory Cortical Button Migration on Functional Outcomes and Ligamentization After Single-Bundle ACL Reconstruction

Background:

Soft tissue interposition between a suspensory cortical button and the lateral femoral condyle is the most common cause of postoperative suspensory cortical button migration in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Purpose:

To investigate the effects of soft tissue interposition and suspensory cortical button migration after ACLR on functional outcomes and graft ligamentization.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Included were 249 patients who underwent single-bundle ACLR with hamstring tendon autografts. To measure soft tissue imposition, the patients were divided into 2 groups: those in whom the suspensory cortical button was in contact with (group 1) or at least 1 mm away from (group 2) the lateral femoral condyle on 1-day postoperative radiographs. To measure suspensory cortical button migration, the patients in group 2 were further divided into 2 subgroups: those with button migration (group M) and those without migration (group non-M) as observed on 12-month postoperative radiographs. Ligamentization was evaluated according to Howell classification (grades 1-4) on 12-month follow-up magnetic resonance imaging scans. Also recorded were preoperative and 24-month postoperative Lysholm and Tegner scores and 24-month postoperative arthrometer measurements for anterior knee laxity.

Results:

There was no significant difference between groups 1 and 2 or between groups M and non-M in terms of demographic characteristics or additional intra-articular pathologies detected intraoperatively. Normal anterior laxity (<3 mm) was detected in 83.7% of the patients postoperatively, and all patients showed statistically significant pre- to postoperative improvement on the Tegner (from 4.1 to 4.3) and Lysholm (from 44.0 to 89.2) scores (P < .05 for both). No significant difference in postoperative functional results or graft ligamentization was found between either the soft tissue interposition groups (groups 1 and 2) or the suspensory cortical button migration groups (groups M and non-M).

Conclusion:

Differences between patients in soft tissue interposition and suspensory cortical button migration did not significantly affect postoperative clinical or functional outcomes or graft ligamentization after single-bundle ACLR.

Postoperative MRI signal intensity correlates functional outcomes after superior capsular reconstruction

PURPOSE

Superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) using fascia lata autograft has been performed for irreparable rotator cuff tear recently. The signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) of the graft on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may reflect the degree of graft maturity and healing. However, how SNQ changes with graft remodelling and time and whether this change correlates with postoperative clinical outcomes after SCR remain unknown. This study aimed to explore the correlation between SNQ of the fascia lata autograft and clinical functional outcomes after SCR.

METHODS

Patients with irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tear undergoing SCR using fascia lata autograft between 2013 and 2017 were retrospectively analysed. For clinical outcomes, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant-Murley score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and range of motion (ROM; forward flexion and external rotation) were evaluated at postoperative 6 and 12 months. Signal intensity of the humeral, mid-substance, and glenoid sites and background were measured to calculate the SNQ values on follow-up MRI at 3 and 12 months. The correlations between clinical outcomes and SNQ at different time points were then analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 15 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean postoperative VAS score significantly increased at postoperative 6 months and significantly decreased at postoperative 12 months. Except for forward flexion, all other functional outcomes were improved at postoperative 6 months. Analysis of MRI showed SNQ at the humeral (SNQh), mid-substance, and glenoid sites decreased from postoperative 3 to 12 months with a statistical significance detected in SNQh (P < 0.01). Correlation analyses showed that the SNQh values negatively correlated with VAS, ASES, Constant-Murley score, SANE, ROM (forward flexion), and ROM (external rotation) (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

SNQ of the fascia lata autograft decreased with time in patients receiving SCR. SNQ at the humeral site was negatively correlated with clinical outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Effect of Anterolateral Structure Augmentation on Graft Maturity After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Clinical and MRI Follow-up of 2 Years

BACKGROUND

Anterolateral structure augmentation (ALSA) has been applied to prevent residual rotatory instability and lower clinical failure rates after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR); however, the effect of combined ALSA on the maturity of ACL grafts remains unknown.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the graft maturity and patient-reported outcomes in patients who underwent double-bundle ACLR with or without ALSA.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

A total of 92 patients who underwent double-bundle ACLR between January 2016 and July 2019 were included in the present study-44 patients with isolated ACLR (ACLR group) and 48 patients with combined ACLR and ALSA (ALSA group). Demographic characteristics, intraoperative findings, and patient-reported outcomes were prospectively collected. On postoperative magnetic resonance imaging at the 2-year follow-up, the signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) values were separately calculated for 6 sections of the ACL graft, including the femoral intratunnel graft (FTG), intra-articular graft (IAG), and tibial intratunnel graft (TTG) of the anteromedial bundle (AMB) and the posterolateral bundle (PLB). Superior graft maturity was usually indicated by lower SNQ values.

RESULTS

The rates of return to preinjury sports were 47.9% and 27.3% in the ALSA and ACLR groups, respectively (difference, 20.6% [95% CI, 1.3%-40%]; P = .042). The AMB demonstrated significantly lower SNQ values in the ALSA group than in the ACLR group (FTG, 7.04 ± 3.65 vs 9.44 ± 4.51 [P = .006]; IAG, 6.62 ± 4.19 vs 8.77 ± 5.92 [P = .046]; TTG, 6.93 ± 3.82 vs 8.75 ± 4.55 [P = .040]). The SNQ values were significantly lower in the ALSA group for 2 of the 3 sections of the PLB (IAG, 7.73 ± 4.61 vs 9.88 ± 5.61 [P = .047]; TTG, 5.88 ± 3.10 vs 8.57 ± 4.32 [P = .001]). Partial lateral meniscectomy was correlated with higher SNQ values of the TTG in the AMB (β = 0.27; P = .009) and the PLB (β = 0.25; P = .008), with both groups pooled. Higher body mass index, smaller ACL graft-Blumensaat line angles, larger AMB graft diameters, and lower postoperative Tegner scores were also associated with inferior maturity in specific regions of the ACL graft.

CONCLUSION

A combination of ACLR and ALSA is a desirable option to improve the maturity of ACL grafts for patients who are young or expected to return to pivoting sports. Meanwhile, further investigations with higher levels of evidence and longer periods of follow-up are warranted.