Unicompartmental knee replacement combined with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction provides comparable results to total knee replacement with no increased risk of complications.

Introduction: There is controversy about the management of unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis (OA) in young, active patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insufficiency. This study compares the subjective, radiological, and functional results of total knee replacement (TKR) vs. combined medial unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) with ACL reconstruction.

A four-step approach improves long-term functional outcomes in patients suffering from chronic ankle instability: a retrospective study with a follow-up of 7-16 years.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term outcomes of the treatment of chronic ankle instability (CAI) with a four-step protocol.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with isolated anterior talo-fibular ligament (ATFL) lesion suffering from CAI who underwent surgical treatment between 2000 and 2009 were assessed. All the patients underwent a four-step protocol including synovectomy, debridement of ATFL lesion borders, capsular shrinkage, and 21-day immobilization and nonweightbearing.

Unicompartmental Knee Replacement Combined to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Midterm Results.

A study was conducted to retrospectively evaluate the outcomes of combined medial unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The hypothesis was that this procedure would lead to satisfying results in patients affected by medial osteoarthritis and ACL insufficiency. Fourteen patients with ACL deficiency and concomitant medial compartment symptomatic osteoarthritis were treated from 2006 to 2010.

Early Response to Warfarin Initiation and the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism After Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Background: Venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis with warfarin is common after total joint arthroplasty. Early response to warfarin initiation has been theorized to engender a transient increase in the risk of venous thromboembolism. We hypothesized that a rapid rise in the international normalized ratio is a risk factor for venous thromboembolism after total joint arthroplasty.

Medial unicondylar knee arthroplasty combined to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate the outcomes of patients who underwent combined medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The hypothesis was that this procedure would lead to a high success rate in patients affected by isolated medial unicompartmental osteoarthritis and concomitant ACL deficiency.

Methods: Fourteen patients with primary ACL lesion and concomitant medial compartment symptomatic osteoarthritis treated from 2006 to 2010 were followed up for an average time of 26.

Incidence of bacterial contamination and predisposing factors during bone and tendon allograft procurement.

The aim of this study was to analyze factors contributing to bacteriological contamination of bone and tendon allograft. Between 2008 and 2011, 2,778 bone and tendon allografts obtained from 196 organ and tissue donors or tissue donors only were retrospectively analysed. Several variables were taken into account: donor type (organ and tissue donors vs.

Lateral ligament reconstruction with allograft in patients with severe chronic ankle instability.

Introduction: Chronic ankle instability is a condition of perception of giving way and persistent pain usually following multiple ankle sprains. In case of severe joint laxity, surgical treatment with reconstruction of the lateral ligamental complex is recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome of patients treated with lateral ligament reconstruction with allograft for severe chronic lateral ankle instability.

Single-bundle versus double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: assessment with vertical jump test.

Purpose: The study was designed to compare the clinical results of traditional single-bundle (SB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with those of double-bundle (DB) ACL reconstruction.

Methods: This study comprised 80 patients aged 18 to 45 years with an isolated ACL lesion: 40 patients underwent SB reconstruction, and 40 patients underwent DB reconstruction. Patients were assessed preoperatively with functional assessment including the International Knee Documentation Committee 2000 knee subjective form and visual analog scale, as well as physical examination (including the pivot-shift test and instrumented knee laxity measurement).

Revision surgery after failed ACL reconstruction with artificial ligaments: clinical, histologic and radiographic evaluation.

Synthetic ligament for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been widely used in the past. Long-term follow-up has demonstrated the unreliability of many of these devices in ACL surgery, and problems may arise for the surgeon approaching a patient with failed artificial ligament reconstruction. The aim of this study is to investigate whether revision surgery may improve clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients with failed synthetic ACL reconstruction.

Single- and double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in patients aged over 50 years.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to retrospectively evaluate the outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring in patients aged 50 years or older. In addition, we present, for the first time, the outcomes of a subgroup of middle-aged patients treated with double-bundle (DB) reconstruction.

Methods: Fifty patients aged 50 years or older underwent primary ACL reconstruction with hamstring.

Treatment of post-traumatic osteochondral lesions of the talus: a four-step approach.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the treatment of post-traumatic osteochondral lesions (OCLs) of the ankle with a four-step protocol.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients with at least one MRI-documented OCL of the ankle were treated from 2004 to 2010. Median age at surgery was 39 years (range: 18-52).

Arthroscopic four-step treatment for chronic ankle instability.

Background: Chronic lateral ankle instability is a condition of perception of giving way and persistent pain usually following multiple ankle sprains. Open reconstructive procedures carry the disadvantages of subtalar joint stiffness and potential morbidity at the harvesting site. Recently, arthroscopic treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability has been proposed in order to minimize invasiveness, reduce operating time, and allow a faster rehabilitation period.

Management of anterior cruciate ligament rupture in patients aged 40 years and older.

The aim of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is essentially to restore functional stability of the knee and to allow patients to return to their desired work and activities. While in the young and active population, surgery is often the best therapeutic option after an ACL tear, ACL reconstruction in middle-aged people is rather more controversial due to concerns about a higher complication rate. The purpose of our article is to establish, through a systematic review of the literature, useful decision-making criteria for the management of anterior cruciate ligament rupture in patients aged 40 years and older, guiding surgeons to the most appropriate therapeutic approach.

Repair of osteochondral lesions in the knee by chondrocyte implantation using the MACI® technique.

Purpose: Matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI(®)) is an innovative therapeutic option for the treatment of chondral and osteochondral lesions of the knee.

Methods: Fifty-three patients (54 knees) with MRI-documented osteochondral lesions were treated with MACI(®). A clinical assessment was performed using VAS score, Lysholm score, and Tegner activity level after an average follow-up of 27 months (SD: 2.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with synthetic grafts. A review of literature.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, one of the most common knee injuries in sports, results in anteroposterior laxity, which often leads to an unstable knee. Traditional ACL reconstruction is performed with autograft; disadvantages of this technique are donor site morbidity and a long rehabilitation period. In the 1980s, artificial ligaments became an attractive alternative to biological grafts.

Synthetic grafts for anterior cruciate ligament rupture: 19-year outcome study.

Artificial ligaments for ACL replacement have been widely used in the 1980s and early 1990s in orthopaedic surgery. Synthetic devices have been utilized either as a prosthetic material or as an augmentation for a biological ACL graft substitute. The initial enthusiasm surrounding the introduction of synthetic graft materials stemmed from their lack of donor morbidity, their abundant supply and significant strength of these devices.