This paper explores the impacts of accelerated rehabilitation protocols following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction(ACLR)on bone tunnel enlargement(BTE).While accelerated rehabilitation can shorten the recovery time and improve the knee function,it may increase the risk of BTE.In the early rehabilitation phase after ACLR,excessive early weight-bearing and rapid progression of knee flexion angles should be avoided,along with the proper use of braces.Continuous passive motion is not recommended in the early phase post-ACLR to prevent potential effects on BTE.Further research is needed to investigate the mechanisms of BTE and develop more effective rehabilitation strategies.This will help to select appropriate rehabilitation protocols for patients and balance functional recovery with the risk of BTE,thereby reducing the revision rate and improving postoperative outcomes.
Humans ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/rehabilitation*

BACKGROUND: The achievement of an optimal return to sport (RTS) has remained a key goal after sports-related injuries, with the ongoing debate on the effectiveness of different surgical approaches for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. This study aims to assess clinical outcomes and RTS across various surgical methods, such as anatomical single-bundle reconstruction (ASBR), central-axial single-bundle reconstruction (CASBR), and double-bundle reconstruction (DBR). METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted, comprising 191 patients who underwent ACL rupture. These patients were divided into three groups based on the ACL reconstruction techniques they received (ASBR, CASBR, DBR). Over the 2-year follow-up period, the study assessed RTS through four single-hop tests, isokinetic extension tests, and limb asymmetry indices. Postoperative graft status was determined using the signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ), while knee function was evaluated using the International Knee Documentation Committee 2000 (IKDC-2000) score, Lysholm score, Tegner score, and degree of knee laxity. A binary logistic regression model was developed to forecast the factors influencing ideal RTS. RESULTS: DBR (67.63%) and CASBR (58.00%) exhibited higher RTS passing rates compared to ASBR (30.39%; χ2 = 19.57, P <0.05). Quadriceps strength symmetry in the lower limbs was identified as the key determinant of RTS ( χ2 = 17.08, P <0.05). The RTS rate was influenced by SNQs of the graft's tibial site (odds ratio: 0.544) and quadriceps strength of the reconstructed knee joint at 60°/s (odds ratio: 6.346). Notably, the DBR group showed enhanced knee stability, evidenced by superior results in the Lachman test ( χ2 = 13.49, P <0.01), objective IKDC-2000 ( χ2 = 27.02, P = 0.002), and anterior instability test ( χ2 = 9.46, P <0.01). Furthermore, DBR demonstrated superior clinical outcomes based on the Lysholm score (DBR: 89.57 ± 7.72, CASBR: 83.00 ± 12.71, ASBR: 83.21 ± 11.95; F = 10.452, P <0.01) and IKDC-2000 score (DBR: 90.95 ± 7.00, CASBR: 84.64 ± 12.68, ASBR: 83.63 ± 11.41; F = 11.78, P <0.01). CONCLUSION: For patients with ACL rupture, more ideal RTS rate and clinical outcomes were shown in the DBR group than in the ASBR and CASBR groups. Autograft status and quadriceps strength are postively related to RTS. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05400460).
Humans ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery* ; Young Adult ; Return to Sport ; Adolescent ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

Revision of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is more challenging than primary ACL reconstruction and often yields less favorable outcomes. The European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA) has established a consensus regarding preoperative diagnosis, assessment, and selection criteria for ACL revision surgery. This consensus addresses 18 key issues that are most pertinent to clinical practice, providing guiding recommendations aimed at improving the prognosis of ACL revisions.
Humans ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/methods* ; Arthroscopy/methods* ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries ; Societies, Medical ; Reoperation ; Consensus ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery* ; Europe ; Sports Medicine ; Knee Injuries/surgery* ; Knee Joint/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To compare early graft healing between over-the-top (OTT) and anatomic single-bundle (SB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: A clinical data of 40 patients underwent ACL reconstruction, who admitted between June 2021 and October 2022 and met the selective criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 20 patients were treated with OTT reconstruction (OTT group) and 20 with SB reconstruction (SB group). There was no significant difference between groups ( P>0.05) in the gender, age, affected side, disease duration, degree of meniscus injury, body mass index, and preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and KT-2000 measurement. At 3, 6, and 12 months, MRI was performed to measure the signal noise quotient (SNQ) of the proximal end, middle, and distal end of the graft in the two groups, as well as at the corner of the graft with lateral femoral condyle and 1 cm around the femoral fixation point in the OTT group, to observe the degree of graft healing. Before operation and at 3, 6, and 12 months, the knee function and pain were evaluated by IKDC score, Lysholm score, and VAS score. Before operation and at 12 months after operation, the KT-2000 measurement was taken to evaluation the knee joint stability. RESULTS: All operations were successfully completed in both groups and the incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-15 months (mean, 12.9 months), with no significant difference in the follow-up time between groups ( P>0.05). After operation, the IKDC score, VAS score, and Lysholm score improved gradually over time in both groups, with significant differences between different time points ( P<0.05). The differences between groups at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation were not significant ( P>0.05). The anterior and posterior stability of the knee joint improved significantly in both groups at 12 months after operation, and the difference in KT-2000 measurements was significant when compared with the preoperative value ( P<0.05), but the difference of pre- and post-operation between groups was not significant ( P>0.05). At 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, MRI showed that the differences in the SNQ of the proximal end and middle of the grafts between the two groups were not significant ( P>0.05), and the SNQ of distal end was significantly higher in the SB group than in the OTT group ( P<0.05). At each time point, grafts in the OTT group had the highest SNQ at the corner and the lowest at the fixation point, and the differences were significant compared to the other sites ( P<0.05). In the two groups, except for the fixation point, the SNQ of the remaining sites were highest at 6 months and lowest at 12 months ( P<0.05). In addition, there were significant differences in SNQ between the different sites of grafts ( P<0.05), and the SNQ was lowest at proximal end and highest at distal end. At last follow-up, the knee grafts in both groups were in good shape and no graft necrosis or loosening of the internal fixation was observed. CONCLUSION The knee joint function and graft healing after OTT reconstruction of ACL are similar to those of SB reconstruction, but it should be noted that the healing at the corner of the graft is slower.
Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/rehabilitation* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries/surgery* ; Patient Positioning/methods* ; Recovery of Function ; Pain Measurement ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of the modified Lemaire procedure in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in patients with a highly positive pivot shift test. METHODS: The clinical data of 18 patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and highly positive pivot shift test between April 2020 and September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 13 males and 5 females with an average age of 28.3 years (range, 17-41 years). Causes of injury included 11 cases of direct violence injury, including 6 cases of traffic accident injury, 4 cases of sports injury, 1 case of falling injury; 7 cases of indirect violence injury, all sports injury. All patients had complete ACL rupture, including 15 acute injuries and 3 old injuries. The preoperative pivot shift test was grade Ⅱ in 9 cases and grade Ⅲ in 9 cases. All patients were treated with ACLR combined with modified Lemaire procedure. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and Lysholm score were used to evaluate the effectiveness before operation and at 3, 6, 12 months after operation. KT-2000 arthrometer was used to measure the anterior stability of the knee joint, and the difference between the healthy and affected sides was recorded. Pivot shift test was used to evaluate the rotational stability of the knee joint. During the follow-up, X-ray films were taken to observe the bone tunnel and internal fixation, and MRI was used to examine the healing of ACL, anterolateral collateral ligament and fibular collateral ligament grafts. RESULTS: All patients completed the operation successfully without complications such as knee joint infection, vascular and nerve injury. All patients were followed up 12-19 months (mean, 13.2 months). After operation, the rotational stability of the knee joint recovered satisfactorily, and there was no adverse symptom such as knee instability and locking at last follow-up. X-ray film and MRI showed that the bone tunnel was anatomically located and healed well, the internal fixation was in good position, and the reconstructed ACL and iliotibial band were continuous and in good tension. The IKDC score, Lysholm score, and the difference of KT-2000 between the healthy and the affected sides significantly improved at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation ( P<0.05). All the indicators further improved with time after operation, except that there was no significant difference in IKDC score between 3 and 6 months after operation and in the difference of KT-2000 between 3 months and 6, 12 months after operation ( P>0.05), and there were significant differences in other indicators between different time points ( P<0.05). Pivot shift test was negative immediately after operation and at last follow-up. CONCLUSION In ACL injuries with a highly positive pivot shift test, ACLR combined with the modified Lemaire procedure can effectively restore anterolateral knee stability, leading to satisfactory knee stability and function in the early postoperative period.
Humans ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/physiopathology* ; Adult ; Adolescent ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Joint Instability/surgery* ; Knee Joint/physiopathology* ; Range of Motion, Articular

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the research progress of suture augmentation (SA) in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: A comprehensive review of recent literature about SA in ACL reconstruction at home and abroad was conducted. The efficacy of SA in ACL reconstruction was evaluated by examining the definition, biomechanics, and histological studies of SA, along with its clinical application status in ACL reconstruction. RESULTS: SA demonstrates significant advantages in enhancing the biomechanical stability of ACL grafts, reducing the risk of re-rupture, and accelerating postoperative recovery. Specifically, SA improves graft stiffness, ultimate failure strength, and cyclic stability, thereby diminishing the risk of early postoperative failure and joint instability. Histologically, it fosters remodeling and tendon-bone integration through early load-sharing mechanisms; however, stress shielding may interfere with natural remodeling processes, warranting further attention. Clinically, SA reduces graft failure rates and the need for revision surgeries, markedly improving knee joint stability and functional recovery in young patients. Nevertheless, its impact on graft maturation and potential complications remains controversial. CONCLUSION Despite the many advantages of SA in ACL reconstruction, future endeavors should focus on optimizing tensioning techniques, developing bioactive materials, and conducting large-scale randomized controlled trials to further elucidate its clinical value and scope of applicability, providing a more reliable solution for ACL reconstruction.
Humans ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/methods* ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery* ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery* ; Suture Techniques ; Sutures ; Tendons/transplantation* ; Joint Instability/prevention & control* ; Knee Joint/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of one-stage direct suture technique under arthroscopy for the treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury combined with anterior meniscus root injury. METHODS: The clinical data of 9 patients with ACL injury or tibial intercondylar eminence fracture combined with anterior meniscus root injury who were admitted between September 2017 and September 2024 and met the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed. There were 3 males and 6 females, aged 21-62 years, with an average age of 37.1 years. The time from injury to surgery ranged from 5 days to 5 years, with a median time of 40 days. Among them, 5 cases had ACL injury, including 4 cases of type 1 and 1 case of type 2 according to modified Sherman classification; 4 cases had tibial intercondylar eminence fracture, including 3 cases of type 3 and 1 case of type 2 according to Meyers-McKeever classification. There were 7 cases of anterior root injury of lateral meniscus and 2 cases of anterior root injury of medial meniscus. The preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 45.0±12.3, and Lysholm score was 49.2±12.4. Preoperatively, 7 cases were positive in anterior drawer test, Lachman test, and McMurray test, while 2 cases could not complete the test due to pain limitation. Preoperatively and at last follow-up, IKDC score and Lysholm score were used to evaluate knee joint function, anterior drawer test and Lachman test were used to evaluate knee joint stability, and McMurray test was used to evaluate meniscus condition. RESULTS: The operation time was 30-100 minutes, with an average of 64.2 minutes; the total hospital stay was 2-12 days, with an average of 4.5 days; the postoperative hospital stay was 1-4 days, with an average of 1.8 days. All incisions healed by first intention without surgery-related complications. All 9 patients were followed up 2-30 months, with an average of 18.8 months. No internal fixation-related complications occurred during follow-up. At last follow-up, MRI review showed good ligament tension, and CT showed good fracture healing. The results of anterior drawer test and Lachman test were all negative. McMurray test was negative in all cases. The IKDC score was 88.3±5.1, and Lysholm score was 88.3±5.6, both showing significant improvement compared to preoperative scores ( t=14.001, P<0.001; t=10.192, P<0.001). CONCLUSION One-stage direct suture technique under arthroscopy for repairing ACL injury or tibial intercondylar eminence fracture combined with anterior meniscus root injury can achieve good effectiveness without fixation device-related complications.
Humans ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Arthroscopy/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery* ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Suture Techniques ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Tibial Fractures/surgery* ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/methods* ; Menisci, Tibial/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To compare the impact of different peroneus longus tendon (PLT) stump management techniques on ankle function following arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with autologous PLT grafts. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 60 patients with ACL rupture who met the inclusion criteria between August 2020 and July 2024. All patients underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using the autologous PLT grafts. Patients were assigned to group A [PLT stump sutured to peroneus brevis tendon (PBT), n=30] or group B (no stump intervention, n=30). The two groups showed no significant difference ( P>0.05) in baseline data, including gender, age, body mass index, injury mechanism, affected side, preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, ankle muscle strength, ankle range of motion, and arch-related angles. Postoperative outcomes were assessed using the AOFAS score, ankle muscle strength (eversion and first-ray plantar flexion), arch-related angles (medial/lateral longitudinal and anterior/posterior arch), ankle range of motion (eversion, inversion, dorsiflexion, plantarflexion), and limb symmetry index (LSI). Change values in muscle strength, arch-related angles, and range of motion from preoperative to 12 months postoperatively were calculated for intergroup comparison. RESULTS: Groups A and B had comparable PLT graft lengths and diameters ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up 13-16 months (mean, 14.5 months). Postoperative complications included 1 case of incision infection, 1 case of deep vein thrombosis, and 1 case of knee stiffness in group A, 1 case of knee stiffness in group B. There was no significant difference in the overall complication incidences between groups ( P>0.05). No significant difference was found in the AOFAS scores between different time points and between groups ( P>0.05). At 12 months after operation, neither group showed significant changes from preoperative baseline in ankle strength, range of motion, or arch-related angles, and there was no significant difference in these change values between groups ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in LSI between the two groups at 6 or 12 months postoperatively ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION Both suturing and leaving the PLT stump untreated during arthroscopic ACL reconstruction provided comparable ankle outcomes and well-preserved foot and ankle function.
Humans ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/methods* ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery* ; Tendons/transplantation* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Arthroscopy/methods* ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Muscle Strength ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Ankle Joint/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effective and safety of subarachnoid block (SA), adductor canal block (ACB), and femoral nerve block (FNB) for early analgesia in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: From September 2022 to October 2023, 90 patients with ACL rupture who received unilateral knee arthroscopic ACL reconstruction were selected and divided into ACB group, FNB group and SA group according to different anesthesia methods, with 30 patients in each group. There were 12 males and 18 females in ACB group, aged from 18 to 60 years old with an average of (33.3±13.8) years old;14 patients with gradeⅠand 16 patients with gradeⅡaccording to American Society of Aneshesiologists (ASA);13 patients on the left side and 17 patients on the right side. There were 15 males and 15 females in FNB group, aged from 18 to 60 years old with an average of (33.5±12.9) years old;15 patients with gradeⅠand 15 patients with gradeⅡ;16 patients on the left side and 14 patients on the right side. There were 16 males and 14 females in SA group, aged from 18 to 60 years old with an average of (31.0±12.6) years old;18 patients with grade I and 12 patients with gradeⅡ;17 patients on the left side and 13 patients on the right side. In ACB and FNB groups, the nerve block of ACB and FNB were performed under ultrasound guidance before SA anesthesia with 15 ml of 0.3% ropivacaine. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and quadriceps muscle strength at rest and passive movement were recorded and compared among 3 groups at 4, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 48 h after operation, as well as the dosage of tramadol injection analgesics, incidence of nausea and vomiting, nerve block time and other complications within 48 h after operation were compared. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 11 to 20 (15.8±2.4) months. VAS at 4, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 48 h after operation of SA group was significantly higher than that of ACB and FNB groups, with statistical significance (P<0.05). There were no significant difference in VAS of rest and passive movement at 4, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 48 h after operation between ACB group and FNB group(P>0.05). At 4, 8, 12 and 16 h after operation, the quadriceps muscle strength in SA and ACB groups was higher than that in FNB group, with statistical significance (P<0.05);but there was no statistical significance in quadriceps muscle strength among three groups at 24 and 48 h after operation(P>0.05). One patient occurred nausea and vomiting in ACB group, 2 patients in FNB group and 5 patients in SA group, and no significant difference among three groups (χ²=0.352, P=0.171). The dosage of tramadol in SA group was (300.00±136.50) mg, which was higher than that in FNB group (168.33±73.70) mg and ACB(163.33±70.70) mg, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in nerve block time between ACB group and FNB group (t=1.964, P=0.054). There was no puncture site bleeding, local anesthesia drug poisoning and hematoma formation among three groups. CONCLUSION Both FNB and ACB could provide good early analgesia after ACL reconstruction, but ACB group has little effect on quadriceps muscle strength. Patients could have early postoperative functional training without pain, which is more beneficial to the recovery of knee joint function, and could reduce the use of analgesic drugs, without serious complications, which is safe and reliable method.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Nerve Block/methods* ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Adolescent ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Analgesia/methods* ; Pain, Postoperative/drug therapy* ; Femoral Nerve

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anthropometric parameters that can accurately predict the diameter of the hamstring tendon graft, and to examine the correlation between disease etiology, duration, and graft diameter. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 166 patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using hamstring tendon autografts (semitendinosus and gracilis tendon) between January 2013 and December 2023. The cohort conprised 135 males and 31 females;the age ranged from 14 to 62 years old with an average of (28.87±10.46) years old. Pearson correlation coefficients, partial correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were utilized to elucidate the relationship between the outcome variable (diameter of hamstring tendon grafts) and predictive variables (e.g., height). RESULTS: Correlation analysis revealed significant associations between the diameter of hamstring tendon grafts and height (r=0.379, P<0.001), weight (r=0.225, P=0.002), male gender (r=0.302, P<0.001), age(r=-0.218, P=0.002), and sports injury etiology (r=0.167, P=0.016). No significant correlations were found with surgical side, body mass index (BMI), or injury duration (P>0.05). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis using a backward elimination method indicated that height was the sole significant predictive variable (R²=0.144, P<0.001), with the optimal predictive equation being:Graft size =2.636+0.029×Height (cm). Partial correlation analysis, after controlling for height, showed no significant association between age, gender, weight, and injury etiology with graft diameter. CONCLUSION Height is an effective predictive factor for the diameter of autologous hamstring tendon grafts. Factors such as gender, age, surgical side, body weight, and BMI are not influential to the diameter of the hamstring tendon grafts. Under the condition of the same height, there is no significant difference in the influence of these factors on the graft diameter. Preoperative physical activity level and the duration of injury do not significantly affect the diameter of the hamstring tendon grafts obtained during surgery. It is recommended to use the formula 'Graft Diameter=2.636 + 0.029 × Height (cm)' for preoperative prediction.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Anthropometry ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Tendons/anatomy & histology* ; Autografts ; Hamstring Tendons/transplantation* ; Quadriceps Muscle/surgery*