A new technique for arthroscopic reduction and fixation of displaced tibial intercondylar eminence fractures, using suture anchor and EndoButton system

A Modified Triangular Arthroscopic Suture-Based Fixation for Tibial Eminence Fractures: Technique, Outcome and Literature Review

Objectives: Tibial eminence fractures account for 2% to 5% of all knee injuries. Low-grade fractures, such as Type I, are typically treated conservatively, whereas high-grade fractures, such as Types III and IV, usually require surgical intervention. This paper describes a modified surgical arthroscopic technique, which employs pull-through triangle suture fixation for Type II and Type III arthroscopic intercondylar eminence avulsion fractures. In addition, we examined the efficacy and complication rate compared to the existing literature. Methods: Data were prospectively collected for knee arthroscopy surgeries and retrospectively analyzed with a minimum two-year follow-up. Twenty-three consecutive adults underwent arthroscopic treatment of displaced intercondylar Type II and Type III eminence fractures, as evidenced by clinical examination and imaging studies between May/2008 and May/2021. The patient's knee evaluation was performed using clinical symptoms and physical examination, along with International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaire and Tegner Activity Score. Compared to the literature, post-hoc power was calculated based on the mean Tegner Activity Score in our analysis. Results: fifteen females and eight males (mean age 33.9 years, range 19-56 years) were enrolled. The average postoperative follow-up was 35.4 months (27-53). The post-hoc power was 95% confidence in terms of the Tegner Activity Score. The mean ± standard deviation postoperative Tegner Activity Score was 8.2 ± 1.7 (6.8-10.0). Fifteen patients were classified as IKDC A (normal), six as IKDC B (nearly normal), and two as IKDC C (abnormal). The mean IKDC subjective score was 72.7 ± 23 (23-100). Twenty-four patients achieved normal flexion degrees compared with the unaffected side, while one patient achieved a flexion of only 0-90°. The group's mean flexion range of motion was 123 ± 16° (90-150°). Conclusion: This study presents a modified surgical arthroscopic suture fixation technique for tibial eminence fractures. The procedure is relatively simple and requires no more than basic arthroscopy equipment. The clinical and radiographic results indicate that this technique is safe, efficient, enables early initiation of rehabilitation, and has a lower complication rate in a variety of aspects compared with other fixation techniques used for tibial eminence fractures.

Surgical management of tibial eminence avulsion fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The ideal surgical management for tibial eminence avulsion fractures remains controversial with varying approach, methods of fixation and post-operative regimes reported throughout literature. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare between the different approaches, methods of fixation and post-operative regimes for tibial eminence fractures.

METHODS

The systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. A search was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE and CINAHL databases. The keywords used were "anterior cruciate ligament", "tibial spine" or "tibial eminence" and "fracture" or "avulsion". All original human studies that reported the surgical outcomes of tibial eminence fractures were included. Individual patient data meta-analysis was performed.

RESULTS

48 studies with 1367 patients were included. Arthroscopic fixation resulted in significantly greater stability in terms of anterior drawer test (p = 0.018) and Lachman's test (p = 0.042), as compared to open fixation, though there was no significant difference for pivot shift test. There was no significant difference identified in functional scores and activity, including Lysholm score, IKDC subjective score, Tegner score and return to sports. Suture fixation had significantly increased stability compared to screw fixation, in terms of anterior drawer test (p = 0.001) and Lachman's test (p = 0.001), though no significant difference was identified for pivot shift test. Significantly better subjective scores and return to activity were also noted for suture fixation, in terms of Lysholm score (p = 0.008), IKDC subjective score (p = 0.001) and Tegner score (p = 0.001), though no significant difference was identified for return to sports.

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic and suture fixation had significantly superior outcomes when compared to open and screw fixation. Arthroscopic fixation resulted in significantly improved stability of the knee as compared to open fixation, though no significant difference was identified in terms of functional knee scores and return to activity. Suture fixation resulted in significantly improved stability of the knee and functional knee screws as compared to screw fixation.

Is arthroscopic assisted double tibial tunnel fixation a good option for tibial eminentia fractures?

Tibial eminentia fractures are avulsion fractures of the anterior cruciate ligament caused with additional injuries like meniscus tears or ligamentous injuries. Arthroscopic assisted internal fixation has become a preferred technique with the development of arthroscopic techniques. We aimed to present our results for arthroscopic assisted double tibial tunnel fixation in patients with displaced eminentia fracture. Twenty patients who were operated on for eminentia fracture between January 2010 and May 2014 were included in this study. All fractures were type II according to Meyers's classification. Eminentia was reduced with two nonabsorbable sutures through the ACL. Two tibial tunnels were created over the medial proximal tibia with a 2.4 mm cannulated drill. The two suture ends taken out of the 2 tibial tunnels were connected on the bone bridge between the tunnels. Patients were evaluated with Lysholm score, Tegner score, IKDC score and examined for clinical and radiological evidence of bony union. Quadriceps exercises were started on the third day. The patients were followed up with a locked knee brace in extension for 3 weeks after surgery and later patients were encouraged to mobilize as pain allowed. The preoperative Lysholm score was 75 ±3.3 and the postoperative Lysholm score was 94.5 ±3. Tegner score was 3.52±1.02 preoperatively and 6.84±1.099 postoperatively. International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC) score was abnormal in all of the 20 patients preoperatively but normal postoperatively. The postoperative scores of the patients were statistically significant when compared with preoperative activity scores(p<0,0001). Tibial eminentia fractures may lead to pain, knee instability, malunion, laxity, or extension deficit. The technique we have described together with early rehabilitation may give good clinical results.

Arthroscopic Two-Point Suture Bridge Fixation Technique for the Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tibial Avulsion Fractures

This study aimed to present and evaluate a new arthroscopic technique that uses two-point suture fixation for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial avulsion fractures. A total of 15 patients diagnosed with ACL tibial avulsion fracture underwent arthroscopic suture fixation from November 2018 to October 2019 and were treated using two-point suture fixation. The patients were followed up and evaluated according to Lysholm scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective scores, Tegner activity level scales, anterior drawer testing, and KT-1000 arthrometer testing. The mean follow-up period was 18 months (12 to 24). All patients had a negative Lachman test and anterior drawer test at final follow-up and showed the radiological union of avulsion fracture at 12-week postoperative radiograph. The Lysholm score improved significantly postoperatively with a mean score of 94.26±3.63 (87 to 98; p < 0.001). The Tegner score improved significantly postoperatively from 3.61 ±1.37 to 7.14±1.51 (P < 0.001). The KT-1000 measured value decreased significantly postoperatively from 7.3±1.5 to 1.4 ±1.2 (P < 0.001). The IKDC category was abnormal or severely abnormal preoperatively, and all patients improved to normal or nearly normal at final follow-up. Arthroscopic treatment using the two-point suture fixation technique is effective for ACL avulsion fracture and can restore the function and stability of the knee joint.

Arthroscopic treatment of tibial eminence fractures using double-loop endobutton device: Surgical technique and short-term treatment outcomes

Objectives

This study aims to explain the arthroscopic surgical technique of double-loop endobutton device for tibial eminence fractures and share the outcomes of this treatment method.

Patients and methods

Thirteen patients (10 males, 3 females; mean age 19.9±5.6 years; range, 14 to 34 years) with tibial eminence fractures type II, IIIa, and IIIb were analyzed retrospectively between March 2017 and March 2019. Knee laxity, Tegner Lysholm knee scores, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, knee mobility, Lachman test, and bone union were analyzed after the arthroscopic fracture fixation with double-loop endobutton device at first and sixth months after surgery.

Results

First month mean IKDC scores were 38.0±7.0 and mean Tegner Lysholm scores were 50.3±5.8. Sixth month mean IKDC scores were 80.2±4.0 and mean Tegner Lysholm scores were 87.1±5.4. All patients showed negative Lachman test and negative pivot-shift test at final follow-up. Radiological bone union without reduction loss was also seen in all patients.

Conclusion

Using double-loop endobutton device provides successful results to fix tibial eminence fractures.