Stuart, Michael J.

AbstractMany different techniques with multiple graft types have been described for the reconstruction of the injured posterior cruciate ligament (PCL); autograft versus allograft, single- versus double-bundle, open inlay versus arthroscopic inlay versus arthroscopic transtibial, and recently described the arthroscopic “all-inside” socket technique. Reported clinical outcomes have demonstrated no significant difference in any of these PCL reconstruction techniques, likely because of the heterogeneity in injury characteristics and patient population. The ideal surgical technique should be safe, simple, and reproducible while allowing treatment of concomitant knee injuries resulting and return to function.

Background: Wrestlers are highly active, young athletes prone to meniscal injuries that often require surgery. However, there is a lack of data evaluating the results of meniscal repair or partial meniscectomy in this cohort. Purpose: To describe the outcomes (subjective function, return to play, complications, reoperation rates, and progression of osteoarthritis) for treatment (meniscectomy or repair) of meniscal injuries in a cohort of competitive wrestlers. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: All competitive wrestlers (high school, collegiate, or professional leagues) with a history of a meniscal injury and isolated meniscal surgery at a single institution between 2001 and 2017 were retrospectively identified. Failure was defined as a reinjury of the operative meniscus by clinical or advanced imaging examination, reoperation, or any additional surgical treatment of the meniscus after the index procedure. All patients were contacted for determination of reinjury rates, current sport status, and International Knee Documentation Committee and Tegner activity scores. Results: Of 85 male wrestlers with isolated meniscal tears, 34% underwent a meniscal repair, and 66% received a partial meniscectomy. Index surgery failed for 9.4% of the cohort. Among wrestlers treated with initial meniscal repair, 21% required a subsequent partial meniscectomy at a mean 2.2 years, and of those treated with partial meniscectomy, 3% underwent a second operation ( P < .001). All secondary operations were revision partial meniscectomies occurring at a mean 3.2 years (95% CI, 0.01-6.4 years) after the index procedure. At final follow-up, 89% of patients were able to return to sport, with 65% returning to wrestling competition. There was significant improvement in the Tegner score from a mean 6.5 (95% CI, 5.9-7.2) preoperatively to 8.3 (95% CI 8.0-8.6) postoperatively ( P < .001). Conclusion: The reoperation rate after meniscal surgery in wrestlers was quite low, but only 65% returned to competitive wrestling. Meniscal repair and partial meniscectomy improved patient-reported outcomes and activity levels at short-term follow-up. However, 21% of wrestlers treated with initial meniscal repair required a subsequent partial meniscectomy at a mean 2.2 years.

Debate remains regarding the utility of mechanical axis alignment as a predictor of durability after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Our study aimed to assess the effects of coronal alignment on implant durability, clinical outcomes, and radiographic results with a single fixed-bearing TKA design. All patients undergoing primary cemented TKA of a single design (Stryker Triathlon) from 2005–2007 with >10 years of follow-up and available pre-operative and post-operative hip–knee–ankle radiographs were included (n = 89). Radiographs were measured to determine coronal alignment and assessed for loosening. Mean preoperative mechanical axis alignment was −6° ± 6.7° (varus, range, −16°–23°), while mean post-operative alignment was −1° ± 2.7° (varus, range, −3°–15°). The aligned group was defined as knees with a post-operative mechanical axis of 0° ± 3° (n = 73) and the outlier group as those outside this range (n = 16). No patients underwent revision. Ten-year survivorship free from any reoperation was 99% and 100% in the aligned and outlier groups, respectively (p = 0.64). Knee Society scores improved significantly in both groups (p < 0.001) and did not differ at final follow-up (p = 0.15). No knees demonstrated radiographic evidence of loosening. Post-operative mechanical axis alignment within 3° of neutral was not associated with improved implant durability, clinical outcomes, or radiographic results at 10 years following primary TKA.

Abstract Posterolateral corner injuries are complex injuries, and their therapeutic management varies from one individual to another. Biomechanical studies demonstrate that anatomic posterolateral corner reconstruction restores knee kinematics better than nonanatomic reconstruction. The purpose of this report is to describe an all‐arthroscopic procedure for anatomic posterolateral corner reconstruction. Technique Video video See video under supplementary data.

Abstract Arthroscopic assessment of posterior compartments of the knee and the posterior aspect of the proximal tibial and fibula is challenging because of the relative proximity of the neurovascular bundle. This Technical Note describes a reproducible arthroscopic surgical approach in a cadaveric model that aims to identify and expose the popliteus tendon, posterior fibular head, fibular collateral ligament popliteal fibular ligament, biceps femoris tendon, and peroneal nerve. Technique Video video See video under supplementary data.

Abstract Tears of the posterior medial meniscus root commonly result in extrusion of the meniscus and disruption of tibiofemoral contact mechanics. Transtibial pull‐through repair of the root often results in healing of the tear, but postoperative extrusion may persist. In this scenario, the meniscus is unlikely to be chondroprotective. Therefore, an additional centralization procedure is necessary to improve the extrusion. Biomechanical studies have demonstrated that centralization can improve meniscus mechanics and potentially reduce the risk of osteoarthritis. This Technical Note describes an arthroscopic technique for medial meniscus posterior root repair that combines transtibial pullout and centralization sutures. Technique Video video See video under supplementary data.

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine patient-reported outcomes, hardware removal rates, as well as conversion to arthroplasty at mid-term follow-up following high tibial osteotomy (HTO) with a modern polyetheretherketone (PEEK) system. All PEEK system-based HTOs performed at a single institution between January 2010 and January 2016 with a minimum of 2 years follow-up were reviewed. Rates of postoperative complications, hardware removal and conversion to arthroplasty were calculated. Patient-reported outcomes including visual analog pain scale (VAS), Tegner activity scale, Lysholm, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) were obtained. Forty-seven HTOs in 43 patients (mean age: 37.6 ± 10.8 years; 30 M, 13 F) were followed for a mean of 6.0 ± 1.5 years. A total of four postoperative complications occurred in three patients, resulting in an overall complication rate of 6.4%. Hardware removal occurred in three patients at a mean of 0.73 ± 0.53 years after surgery, with overall survival free of hardware removal of 96% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 85–99) at 1 year, 94% (95% CI: 82–98) at 2 years, and 94% (95% CI: 82–98) at 8 years. Conversion to arthroplasty occurred in three patients at a mean of 3.2 ± 1.0 years after surgery, with mean survival of 100% (95% CI: 94–100) at 1 year, 100% (95% CI: 94–100) at 2 years, and 93% (95% CI: 81–98) at 8 years. VAS at rest improved, from 3.1 ± 2.5 preoperatively to 1.1 ± 1.6 postoperatively (p < 0.001). Patients remained active, with a mean Tegner activity scale of 4.4 ± 1.4 at final follow-up and satisfactory Lysholm, KOOS, and SF-36 scores. At mid-term follow-up, medial opening-wedge HTO using a modern PEEK-based system was found to be safe, efficacious, and durable, with satisfactory outcome scores and a low rate of conversion to arthroplasty. PEEK-based implants were found to have low hardware removal rates of 6% at 5 years, which compares favorably to historic metal fixation. This is a Level III study.

Background: Meniscus root tears are increasingly being recognized. Meniscal extrusion has previously been associated with medial root tears; however, the relationship between secondary meniscal restraints, such as the meniscotibial (MT) ligament, extrusion, and root tears has yet to be formally evaluated. Purpose: To better understand the association between MT ligament competence, medial meniscal extrusion, and medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRTs) as well as to determine the progression of meniscal extrusion over time. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were reviewed for patients who showed evidence of medial meniscal extrusion and MMPRTs on at least 1 of ≥2 available MRI scans. All patients were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis. All MRI scans were analyzed independently by 2 board-certified musculoskeletal radiologists. MT ligament disruption, medial meniscal extrusion, and MMPRTs were recorded for each MRI scan. The time between MRI scans, presence of insufficiency fractures, and Outerbridge classification for the medial femur and tibia were also evaluated. Results: Overall, 27 knees in 26 patients were included in this study, with a total of 63 MRI scans analyzed (21 knees with 2 MRI scans, 3 with 3 MRI scans, and 3 with 4 MRI scans). All patients demonstrated clear medial meniscal extrusion and MT ligament disruption before the subsequent development of MMPRTs ( P < .001). Mean extrusion at the time of initial MRI was 3.3 ± 1.1 mm and increased significantly to 5.5 ± 1.8 mm at the time of first imaging with an identified MMPRT ( P < .001). The mean time between initial MRI and the first identification of an MMPRT on later MRI was 1.7 ± 1.6 years. Conclusion: In a sample of 27 symptomatic knees with serial MRI scans both before and after an MMPRT diagnosis, all patients demonstrated MT ligament disruption and associated meniscal extrusion before the development of subsequent medial meniscus root tears. These findings suggest that MT ligament disruption and medial meniscal extrusion represent early and predisposing events contributing to MMPRTs. Therefore, this provides a possible explanation of why meniscal extrusion is not corrected with medial meniscus root repair.

Purpose To compare the (1) rates of complications and reoperations, (2) rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft failure, and (3) patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) among patients after hamstring autograft ACL reconstruction (ACLR) with and without independent suture tape reinforcement at a minimum 2‐year clinical follow‐up. Methods We performed a 1:2 matched‐cohort comparison of patients who underwent hamstring autograft ACLR with and without independent suture tape reinforcement between July 2011 and July 2017. Patients were matched according to age, sex, body mass index, preinjury Tegner activity score, and concomitant meniscal injury. Medical records were reviewed for demographic characteristics, additional injuries, and concomitant procedures. PRO scores (including Tegner activity, Lysholm, and International Knee Documentation Committee scores) and physical examination findings were collected both preoperatively and at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. Results Overall, 108 patients who underwent ACLR were included: 36 patients (mean age, 25.3 years; range, 13‐44 years) with independent suture tape reinforcement and 72 patients (mean age, 24.9 years; range, 13‐54 years) without suture tape reinforcement. Overall, 5 of 36 suture tape patients (14%) and 10 of 72 control patients (14%) underwent reoperations. At an average follow‐up of 26.1 months in the suture tape cohort and 31.3 months in the control cohort, 1 patient in the suture tape cohort and 4 patients in the control cohort experienced graft failure. There were no statistically significant differences between the suture tape and control groups regarding return‐to‐sport rate (89% and 88%, respectively), postoperative International Knee Documentation Committee score (94.4 and 93.8, respectively), and postoperative Lysholm score (95.6 and 94, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference between the suture tape and control groups in postoperative Tegner activity score, at 7.1 (95% confidence interval, 6.5‐7.6) and 6.4 (95% confidence interval, 6.2‐6.6), respectively ( P = .026). Conclusions ACLR with hamstring autograft and independent suture tape reinforcement was performed safely with low rates of complications, graft failure, and reoperations with similar PROs, function, and return‐to‐sport rates when compared with hamstring autograft ACLR without suture tape reinforcement at a minimum 2‐year follow‐up. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative study.

AbstractCartilage defects in the knee are common resulting in significant pain and morbidity over time. These defects can arise in isolation or concurrently with other associated injuries to the knee. The treatment of small (< 2–3 cm2) cartilage deficiencies has changed as our basic science knowledge of tissue healing has improved. Advancements have led to the development of new and more effective treatment modalities. It is important to address any associated knee injuries and limb malalignment. Surgical options are considered when nonoperative treatment fails. The specific procedure depends on individual patient characteristics, lesion size, and location. Debridement/chondroplasty, microfracture, marrow stimulation plus techniques, fixation of unstable osteochondral fragments, osteochondral autograft transfer, and osteochondral allograft transplantation, all have roles in the treatment of small cartilage defects.