Arthroscopic Dissection of the Distal Semimembranosus Tendon: An Anatomical Perspective on Posteromedial Instability and Ramp Lesions.

Ramp lesions are increasingly recognized as a hallmark of posteromedial knee instability. Although the precise mechanisms through which these lesions occur is not completely understood, the distal semimembranosus complex has been implicated in their pathogenesis due to its attachment to the posterior horn of the medial meniscus (PHMM). Arthroscopic dissection of the distal semimembranosus tendon, and the application of traction to it, results in posterior translation of the PHMM and stretching of the meniscocapsular region. This demonstrates a mechanism through which ramp lesions can occur. Furthermore, the subsequent open dissection highlights the complex anatomical relationships of the distal semimembranosus tendon complex, particularly its tensioning effect on the posterior oblique ligament. The clinical relevance of this is that when a ramp lesion occurs, it is likely to be part of a spectrum of posteromedial injury and it should be considered a hallmark of posteromedial instability rather than an isolated meniscocapsular injury

Anterolateral Ligament Expert Group consensus paper on the management of internal rotation and instability of the anterior cruciate ligament - deficient knee

Purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the latest research on the anterolateral ligament (ALL) and present the consensus of the ALL Expert Group on the anatomy, radiographic landmarks, biomechanics, clinical and radiographic diagnosis, lesion classification, surgical technique and clinical outcomes. A consensus on controversial subjects surrounding the ALL and anterolateral knee instability has been established based on the opinion of experts, the latest publications on the subject and an exchange of experiences during the ALL Experts Meeting (November 2015, Lyon, France). The ALL is found deep to the iliotibial band. The femoral origin is just posterior and proximal to the lateral epicondyle; the tibial attachment is 21.6 mm posterior to Gerdy's tubercle and 4-10 mm below the tibial joint line. On a lateral radiographic view the femoral origin is located in the postero-inferior quadrant and the tibial attachment is close to the centre of the proximal tibial plateau. Favourable isometry of an ALL reconstruction is seen when the femoral position is proximal and posterior to the lateral epicondyle, with the ALL being tight upon extension and lax upon flexion. The ALL can be visualised on ultrasound, or on T2-weighted coronal MRI scans with proton density fat-suppressed evaluation. The ALL injury is associated with a Segond fracture, and often occurs in conjunction with acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Recognition and repair of the ALL lesions should be considered to improve the control of rotational stability provided by ACL reconstruction. For high-risk patients, a combined ACL and ALL reconstruction improves rotational control and reduces the rate of re-rupture, without increased postoperative complication rates compared to ACL-only reconstruction. In conclusion this paper provides a contemporary consensus on all studied features of the ALL. The findings warrant future research in order to further test these early observations, with the ultimate goal of improving the long-term outcomes of ACL-injured patients. Level of evidence Level V-Expert opinion

Impact of bone deformities and labral and cartilage lesions on early functional results of arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement.

Place: FranceInternational audienceINTRODUCTION: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a frequent cause of inguinal pain. Treatment failure rates range between 2.9% and 13.2%. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of preoperative bone deformities (BD), labral lesions (LL) and cartilage lesions (CL) on clinical results of arthroscopic treatment of FAI. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective operational study included patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI. All patients had full radiographic work-up and clinical assessment on Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), preoperatively and at 1year. Hips with Tönnis grade\textgreater1, coxa profunda [VCE (vertical center edge angle)\textgreater35°] or borderline dysplasia (VCE\textless25°) were excluded. The Czerny classification was used for the labrum and the Beck classification for the cartilage. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of preoperative BD, LL and CL on clinical results of arthroscopic treatment of FAI. The study hypothesis was that type of lesion does not influence early functional results at 1year, whatever the technique used for the labrum. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-seven patients were included. Mean preoperative NAHS was 59.1±17.5. There were 145 patients with labral suture (73.6%), 42 with labral debridement (21.3%) and 10 with conservative treatment (5.1%). At 1year, mean NAHS was 88.1±15.3: i.e., a significant improvement (p\textless2.2×10(-16)). Improvement was also significant in the debridement, non-operative and suture subgroups. BD showed significant correction in the overall population (alpha angle 48.2° postoperatively versus 66.7° preoperatively; crossing sign in 14.5% versus 62.9% of cases). There were no significant differences in functional scores according to extension or type of labral or cartilage lesion. At follow-up, 3 patients (1.5%) required repeat arthroscopy. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that early functional results of arthroscopic treatment of FAI were unaffected by the severity of bone deformity (alpha and VCE angles), or extension or type of labral or cartilage lesion. Regardless of BD, LL and CL, 1-year clinical progression was satisfactory when all bone deformities were treated by the arthroscopic procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; prospective non-comparative study

Treatment of Habitual Patellar Dislocation in an Adult by Isolated Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction

Habitual patellar dislocations are rare in adults. Treatment is difficult, and often associated with significant morbidity. A 30-year-old man, construction worker, presented a habitual patellofemoral dislocation which was caused by direct trauma to the knee as a child. Clinical examination showed a 3 cm leg-length discrepancy with no rotational deformities. The patient had a limp and loss of function; the patella was dislocated laterally and had locked at 20° of flexion with a range of motion of 0°/0°/30°. Open surgery was performed associating lateral retinacular release, reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament with an ipsilateral gracilis tendon graft. The postoperative course was simple with no complications. Four months after surgery the patient has begun working normally. At the final 50-month clinical follow-up, knee range of motion was 0°/0°/130°, and functional results were excellent on clinical assessment scores of Kujala, Lysholm, and subjective IKDC. MPFL reconstruction alone seems effective in habitual posttraumatic patellar dislocation in adults without any associated bone anomalies

Trochleoplasty in major trochlear dysplasia: current concepts

Trochleoplasty is the theoretical solution to persistent symptoms (pain and/or instability) related to trochlear dysplasia where there is not only a trochlear flatness but also a trochlear prominence. The threshold of prominence indicating surgical intervention has as yet not been determined. A bump of 5 mm is generally accepted as the inferior limit. Given the interventional nature of this demanding procedure, it should be proposed in selected cases after considerable discussion with the patient. Trochleoplasty is indicated as a primary procedure for major trochlear dysplasia with a prominence > 5 mm. Stabilization is obtained in most of the cases with the risk of residual mild anterior knee pain. It is also indicated as a salvage procedure when a previous surgery failed. Despite the reputation of the procedure, the published results are encouraging in terms of prevention of re-dislocation, satisfaction index, and radiological outcomes. Post-operative stiffness is the main complication, which may require manipulation under anaesthesia or arthroscopic arthrolysis. There are few other complications reported and to date secondary necrosis of the trochlea has not been reported. Technically speaking, the deepening trochleoplasty is a difficult procedure without reliable landmarks. We propose a recession wedge trochleoplasty which is an easier procedure. It is never undertaken as an isolated procedure, but always in conjunction with other realignment procedures of the extensor apparatus according to the "a la carte" surgery concept

The effect of anterolateral ligament reconstruction on knee constraint: A computer model-based simulation study

Background To determine the influence of anterolateral ligament reconstruction (ALLR) on knee constraint through the analysis of knee abduction (valgus) moment when the knee is subjected to external translational (anterior) or rotational (internal) loads. Methods A knee computer model simulated from a three-dimensional computed tomography scan of healthy male was implemented for this study. Three groups were designed: (1) intact knee, (2) combined Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and Antero-Lateral Complex (ALC) deficient knee, and (3) combined ACL and Antero- lateral Ligament (ALL) reconstructed knee. The reconstructed knee group was subdivided into four groups according to attachment of reconstructed anterolateral ligament to the femoral epicondyle. Each group of simulated knees was placed at 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40° and 50° of knee flexion. For each position an external anterior (drawer) 90-N force or a five-newton meter internal rotation moment was applied to the tibia. The interaction effect between the group of knees and knee flexion angle (0-50°) on knee kinematics and knee abduction moment under external loads was tested. Results When reconstructed knees were subjected to a 90-N anterior force or a five-newton meter internal rotation moment there was significant reduction in anterior translation and internal rotation compared with deficient knees. Only the ALLR procedure using posterior and proximal femoral attachment sites for graft fixation combined with ACL reconstruction allowed similar mechanical behavior to that observed in the intact knee. Conclusions Combined ACL and ALLR using a minimally invasive method in an anatomically reproducible manner prevents excessive anterior translation and internal rotation. Using postero-proximal femoral attachment tunnel for reconstruction of ALL does not produce overconstraint of the lateral tibiofemoral compartment

Suture Repair of Full Radial Posterior Lateral Meniscus Tears Using a Central Midline Portal.

Full radial posterior lateral meniscus root tears are frequently associated with injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament. Left unrepaired, they result in loss of the meniscus hoop stress function and can lead to overload of the lateral compartment and early degenerative changes. Arthroscopic suture repairs show successful results with long-term follow-up. However, previously described suture repair techniques have often required special instrumentation and can be technically demanding. This Technical Note describes the use of an accessory portal through the patellar tendon as a safe and easy method for repairing full posterior radial tears of the lateral meniscus

Postoperative regular use of a self‐rehabilitation mobile application for more than two weeks reduces extension deficit and cyclop syndrome after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Abstract Purpose To investigate the minimum use that correlates with the best outcomes in term of complications associated with self‐directed rehabilitation mobile application and to explore the user profile and usage habits. Methods This was a single‐center retrospective study of 356 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction surgery between November 2019 and August 2020. Complications were defined as the presence of an extension deficit ≥ 5° after 6 weeks and/or the presence of cyclops syndrome. The demographics, sports competition level and number of connections were collected by the application. Results The complication rate was reduced 4.2‐fold with at least 2 weeks of use (2.4% (3/123) (with 0.8% (1/123) of cyclops syndrome) versus 10.8% (23/212) (with 3.3% (7/212) cyclops syndrome), p = .04). The mean duration of use was 20 ± 23 days with a frequency of 2.1 ± 2.3 connections per day. The usage rate was 50% in week 1, 35% in week 2, and 24% in week 3. There was one peak in the abandon rate during the first few days of use and a second peak at Day 10 when physiotherapy sessions started. There were two dips in the abandon rate associated with the follow‐up visits at Days 21 and 45. Greater use was found in older patients (p = .0001) and female patients (p = .04). Conclusions When using the application for a minimum of 2 weeks, the risk of complications was reduced 4.2‐fold. The typical users of a self‐directed rehabilitation application after ACL surgery in this study were women and patients over 30 years of age. Level of evidence IV, retrospective