[Suture-bridge fixation under arthroscopy in treatment of tibial eminence avulsion fracture of anterior cruciate ligament in adolescents]

[Application of transosseous suture in situ technique in repair of anterior cruciate ligament for multiple ligament injuries with knee dislocation]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the method and effectiveness of transosseous suture in situ technique in repairing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) avulsion injury for the multiple ligament injuries with knee dislocation (MLIKD).

METHODS

The clinical data of 27 patients (27 knees) with MLIKD between September 2010 and April 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 21 males and 6 females, with an average age of 42 years (range, 24-60 years). The injury was caused by traffic accident in 9 cases, heavy-weight crushing in 9 cases, sports sprain in 6 cases, falling from height in 3 cases. The interval from injury to operation was 1-19 days (mean,10.8 days). There were 20 cases of femoral avulsion injury of ACL, 7 cases of tibial avulsion injury of ACL, and there were 17 cases of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries. According to the Schenck classification, there were 15 cases of KD-Ⅲ-M type, 8 cases of KD-Ⅲ-L type, and 4 cases of KD-Ⅳ type. All patients were positive in the posterior drawer test and Lachman test; 8 cases were degree Ⅲ positive in varus stress test, and 15 cases were degree Ⅲ positive in valgus stress test. The Lysholm score of knee was 27.6±6.5, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 25.5±6.2, and the range of motion (ROM) of knee was (45.1±10.2)°. The injured PCL was reconstructed with a single bundle of autologous hamstring tendon. ACL was repaired with double bundle traction by transosseous suture in situ technique. Medial cruciate ligament, lateral cruciate ligament, joint capsule, and other damaged structures were repaired at the same time.

RESULTS

All incisions healed by first intention. There were 3 cases with joint effusion and 3 cases with incomplete flexion. All patients were followed up 12-36 months (mean, 22 months). The X-ray films showed good stability in all directions. At last follow-up, the anterior and posterior drawer tests were all negative; Lachman test was degreeⅠpositive in 4 cases, valgus stress test was degreeⅠpositive in 3 cases, varus stress test was degreeⅠpositive in 1 case; and all tests were negative in the rest patients. At 1 year after operation, the ROM of knee was (119.3 ±12.6)°, Lysholm score was 87.2±6.3, and IKDC score was 87.9±6.3, showing significant differences when compared with the preoperative scores ( P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Transosseous suture in situ technique can be used to repair the ACL avulsion injury for MLIKD, which can significantly improve the stability, mobility and function of the knee joint, and obtain satisfied short-term effectiveness.

[Early effectiveness of arthroscopic three-point suture technique in treatment of anterior cruciate ligament tibial eminence avulsion fracture]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the early effectiveness of three-point suture technique in treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial eminence avulsion fracture by arthroscopy.

METHODS

Between January 2016 and December 2017, 12 patients with ACL tibial eminence avulsion fractures underwent arthroscopic fixation of avulsion fractures with Ethibon suture using three-point suture technique. There were 9 males and 3 females, with an average of 36.4 years (range, 18-50 years). The fracture caused by traffic accident in 10 cases and sports in 2 cases. Among them, 1 patient was old fracture and 11 was fresh fracture. According to the modified Meyers-McKeever classification criteria, the fractures were rated as type Ⅲ in 7 cases and type Ⅳ in 5 cases. There were 2 cases of medial collateral ligament injury and medial meniscus injury. The preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 37.9±4.7 and Lysholm score was 46.0±3.7.

RESULTS

All operations completed smoothly. The operation time was 45-70 minutes (mean, 61.3 minutes). The incisions healed by first intention in all patients. The hospitalization stays ranged from 4 to 9 days (mean, 5 days). All patients were followed up 3-20 months (mean, 9.3 months). The anterior drawer test, Lachman test, and axis shift test in all patients were negative after operation. At last follow-up, the IKDC score was 89.7±2.5 and Lysholm score was 90.2±1.9, which were significantly higher than those before operation ( t=-30.94, P=0.00; t=-33.03, P=0.00). At last follow-up, the X-ray films showed 9 cases of fracture anatomical reduction and 3 cases of almost anatomical reduction, and 12 cases of fracture healing.

CONCLUSION

For ACL tibial eminence avulsion fracture, arthroscopic three-point suture technique can effectively restore the stability of knee joint and obtain satisfactory early effectiveness.