METHODS: Thirty rabbits either had anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) procedure or injected intra-articularly with monosodium iodoacetate (MIA, 8 mg) into the right knee. The joints were anatomically assessed, and the synovial fluid proteins analyzed using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2DGE) and MALDI TOF/TOF mass spectrometry analysis at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The proteins' upregulation and downregulation were compared with control healthy knees.
RESULTS: Seven proteins (histidine-rich glycoprotein, beta-actin-like protein 2 isoform X1, retinol-binding protein-4, alpha-1-antiproteinase, gelsolin isoform, serotransferrin, immunoglobulin kappa-b4 chain-C-region) were significantly expressed by the surgical induction. They characterized cellular process (27%), organization of cellular components or biogenesis (27%), localization (27%) and biological regulation (18%), which related to synovitis, increased cellularity, and subsequently cartilage damage. Three proteins (apolipoprotein I-IV precursor, serpin peptidase inhibitor and haptoglobin precursor) were significantly modified by the chemical induction. They characterized stimulus responses (23%), immune responses (15%), biological regulations (15%), metabolism (15%), organization of cellular components or biogenesis (8%), cellular process (8%), biological adhesions (8%) and localization (8%), which related to chondrocytes glycolysis/death, neovascularization, subchondral bone necrosis/collapse and inflammation.
CONCLUSIONS: The surgical induced OA model showed a wider range of protein changes, which were most upregulated at week 12. The biological process proteins expressions showed the chemical induced joints had slower OA progression compared to surgical induced joints. The chemical induced OA joints showed early inflammatory changes, which later decreased.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data on 130 patients who underwent primary ACL reconstructions was analysed. Their preoperative magnetic resonance images (MRI) were reviewed for the presence of posterolateral tibial bone bruise. The presence of meniscal injuries was recorded based on the arthroscopic findings from the operative records.
RESULTS: 95 patients were recruited into the study. The prevalence of posterolateral bone bruise in this study was 41%. There was a statistically significant difference when comparing the prevalence of bone bruising to the time of injury to MRI (p<0.001). The prevalence of an injury to at least one meniscus at the time of ACLR surgery was 83.2%. The prevalence of lateral meniscus injuries in patients with bone bruise was found to be 53.9%. The crude odds ratio of a patient having a lateral meniscal tear in the presence of bone bruising was 1.56 (0.68, 3.54). This figure was even higher when it was adjusted for time to MRI and was 2.06 (0.77, 5.46).
CONCLUSION: Prevalence of posterolateral tibial bone bruising in our study was 41%, and the prevalence of meniscal injury to either meniscus at the point of surgery was 83.2%, out of which the lateral meniscus tears were identified during ACLR surgery in 47.3% of the patients. We found there was no association between posterolateral tibial bone bruising to sex, age and mode of injury, but was sensitive to the interval between time of injury and MRI. The overall prevalence of lateral meniscal tears was higher in patients with posterolateral bone bruising but was not statistically significant with a P value of 0.31; however, the Crude odd ratio was 1.56 (0.68, 3.54) and was higher when adjusted to time of injury to MRI 2.06 (0.77, 5.46). We suggest for MRI to be done as soon as possible after injury in regard to bone bruising identification. We should be vigilant to look for lateral meniscal tears and anticipate for its repair in ACL injuries, especially so when we identify posterolateral tibial bruising on the preoperative MRI.
HYPOTHESIS: Medial MAT would improve anteroposterior stability, and lateral MAT would improve rotational stability.
STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.
METHOD: We retrospectively investigated 31 cases of MAT after a previous total or nearly total meniscectomy and ACL reconstruction between November 2008 and June 2017. Cases were divided into medial (16 cases) and lateral (15 cases) MAT groups. The patients were assessed preoperatively and at the 2-year follow-up.
RESULTS: In the medial MAT group, the International Knee Documentation Committee, Lysholm, Lysholm instability, and Tegner scores improved significantly at the 2-year follow-up, and there were also significant improvements in the anterior drawer, Lachman, and pivot-shift tests. In the lateral MAT group, the Lysholm and Tegner scores improved significantly at the 2-year follow-up, as had the anterior drawer and Lachman tests but not the pivot-shift test. The medial MAT group showed significant improvement in side-to-side difference on Telos stress radiographs, from 6.5 mm (preoperatively) to 3.6 mm (2-year follow-up) (P = .001), while the lateral MAT group showed no significant change. There was no progression of arthritis in either group.
CONCLUSION: Medial MAT improved not only anteroposterior stability but also rotational stability in the meniscus-deficient ACL-reconstructed knee. Lateral MAT showed improvements in the anterior drawer and Lachman tests but not in the pivot-shift test or side-to-side difference on Telos stress radiographs in meniscus-deficient ACL-reconstructed knees. Instability and pain are indications for MAT in meniscus-deficient ACL-reconstructed knees.
METHODS: From April 2014 to December 2015, a total of 72 knees in 64 patients that underwent OWHTO, second-look arthroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment, were enrolled. Preoperative and postoperative coronal and sagittal translation, joint line orientation angle, the distance between medial femoral notch marginal line and medial tibial spine, and PTS were evaluated. ACL status was arthroscopically graded from grade 1 (best) to 4 (worst). The MRI signal of the graft in three portions (proximal, middle, and distal) was graded from grade 1 (best) to 4 (worst).
RESULTS: High grade (3: partial, and 4: complete rupture) was noted in 28 cases (38.9%) at the second-look arthroscopy compared with 10 cases (13.9%) at index arthroscopy. The MRI signal grade significantly increased at follow up MRI compared with preoperative MRI (P<0.01). An increased signal was commonly noted in the middle and distal portions of the graft.
CONCLUSIONS: Geometric changes after OWHTO were related to ACL deterioration. The ACL was commonly affected at the middle and distal portions and rarely at the proximal portion. There is a possibility of impingement because of the geometric changes.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.
METHODS: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane database were systematically searched. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) English articles, (2) noncomparative study or relevant study reporting clinical and/or stability results, and (3) timing of the ACL reconstruction as a primary objective. Study type, level of evidence, randomization method, exclusion criteria, number of cases, age, sex, timing of ACL reconstruction, follow-up, clinical outcomes, stability outcomes, and other relevant findings were recorded. Statistical analysis of the Lysholm scores and KT-1000 arthrometer measurements after early and delayed ACL reconstruction was performed using R version 3.3.1.
RESULTS: Seven articles were included in the final analysis. There were 6 randomized controlled trials and 1 Level II study. Pooled analysis was performed using only Level I studies. All studies assessed the timing of ACL reconstruction as a primary objective. The definition of early ranged broadly from 9 days to 5 months and delayed ranged from 10 weeks to >24 months, and there was an overlap of the time intervals between some studies. The standard timing of the delayed reconstruction was around 10 weeks from injury in the pooled analysis. After pooling of data, clinical result was not statistically different between groups (I2: 47%, moderate level of heterogeneity). No statistically significant difference was observed in the KT-1000 arthrometer measurements between groups (I2: 76.2%, high level of heterogeneity) either.
CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis performed using currently available high-quality literature provides relatively strong evidence that early ACL reconstruction results in good clinical and stability outcomes. Early ACL reconstruction results in comparable clinical and stability outcomes compared with delayed ACL reconstruction.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, a systematic review and meta-analysis of Level I and II studies.
METHODS: This prospective comparative study was conducted from 2009 to 2012. Patients with ACL injuries who underwent knee arthroscopy and MRI were included in the study. Two radiologists who were blinded to the clinical history and arthroscopic findings reviewed the pre-arthroscopic MR images. The presence and type of meniscal tears on MRI and arthroscopy were recorded. Arthroscopic findings were used as the reference standard. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) of MRI in the evaluation of meniscal tears were calculated.
RESULTS: A total of 65 patients (66 knees) were included. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV for the MRI diagnosis of lateral meniscal tears in our patients were 83, 97, 92, 96, and 90 %, respectively, whereas those for medial meniscus tears were 82, 92, 88, 82, and 88 %, respectively. There were five false-negative diagnoses of medial meniscus tears and four false-negative diagnoses of lateral meniscus tears. The majority of missed meniscus tears on MRI affected the peripheral posterior horns.
CONCLUSION: The sensitivity for diagnosing a meniscal tear was significantly higher when the tear involved more than one-third of the meniscus or the anterior horn. The sensitivity was significantly lower for tears located in the posterior horn and for vertically oriented tears. Therefore, special attention should be given to the peripheral posterior horns of the meniscus, which are common sites of injury that could be easily missed on MRI. The high NPVs obtained in this study suggest that MRI is a valuable tool prior to arthroscopy.
METHOD: A single, masked, controlled study was designed. This comprised two matched groups of 12 chronically ACLD patients awaiting reconstruction and a group of 12 matched uninjured control subjects. Only one ACLD group received a home-based exercise and educational programme. Assessment before and after the exercise intervention included: knee joint stability (clinical and KT1000 evaluation); muscle strength (Cybex II); standing balance and functional performance (agility, [corrected] and subjective tests).
RESULTS: At the time of initial assessment there were no statistically significant differences in any measures for the two ACLD groups but both ACLD groups were significantly different from the uninjured control group as regards quadriceps strength and function. Measures taken after six weeks showed no significant improvement in the untreated ACLD group or in the uninjured control group. The treated ACLD group showed significant improvement in the following measures: quadriceps strength measured at 60 degrees and 120 degrees per second (p < 0.001); single leg standing balance with eyes closed (p < 0.001); instrumented passive stability at 20 lb (89 N) force (p = 0.003); agility and subjective performance (p < 0.001). The incidence of unstable episodes had decreased in the treated ACLD group, reducing further damage to the joint.
CONCLUSION: This study leaves little doubt that pre-operative physiotherapy had a positive effect on motor function in ACLD subjects and should be prescribed routinely to maximize muscle stabilizing potential prior to reconstruction. Patients report improved stability and, in certain cases, may avoid surgery. The finding that exercise increased the passive stability of the joint was unexpected and requires further investigation.