A comparison of femoral tunnel placement in ACL reconstruction using a 70° arthroscope through the anterolateral portal versus a 30° arthroscope through the anteromedial portal: a pilot 3D-CT study.

Background: Graft malposition is a risk factor for failure of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. A 70° arthroscope improves visualisation of the medial wall of the lateral femoral condyle without switching portals. We investigated whether the use of this arthroscope affected the accuracy and precision of femoral tunnel placement.

Remnant preservation does not affect accuracy of tibial tunnel positioning in single-bundle ACL reconstruction.

Purpose: Remnant preservation, in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, has potential biological advantages. However, graft positioning remains vital to functional outcome and the prevention of failure. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy and precision of tibial tunnel positioning in remnant preservation single-bundle hamstring reconstruction.

Biomechanical testing of fixed and adjustable femoral cortical suspension devices for ACL reconstruction under high loads and extended cyclic loading.

Purpose: To compare loop elongation after 5000 cycles, loop-elongation at failure, and load at failure of the fixed-loop G-Lok device and three adjustable-loop devices (UltraButton, RigidLoop Adjustable and ProCinch RT), during testing over extended cycles under high loading.

Methods: Five devices of each type were tested on a custom-built rig fixed to an Instron machine. The testing protocol had four stages: preloading, cyclic preconditioning, incremental cyclic loading and pull-to-failure.

Failure to Return to Preinjury Activity Level after Hamstring Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Factors Involved and Considerations in Goal Setting.

Background: Recent interest in the return to sports, following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, has focused on the influence of psychological factors. However, many factors contribute to this endpoint. This study aimed to investigate the ability of nonprofessional athletes to return alongside the reasons for failure.

Flexible reamers create comparable anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction femoral tunnels without the hyperflexion required with rigid reamers: 3D-CT analysis of tunnel morphology in a randomised clinical trial.

Purpose: The hyperflexion required for femoral tunnel drilling in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction can be challenging in patients with increased body habitus or musculature. Whilst allowing femoral tunnel creation without hyperflexion, additional benefits of flexible reamers have been proposed in terms of tunnel dimensions. The purpose of this study was to examine whether these theoretical benefits are seen in a clinical study.

The magnetic resonance imaging appearance of the anterolateral ligament of the knee in association with anterior cruciate rupture.

Objective: The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of the anterolateral ligament (ALL) has been described. However, the appearance of this structure and injury, in the presence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, is less well defined. We studied the incidence of injury to the ALL and the pattern of this injury on MRI.

Anatomic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: The Use of the Anterior Horn of the Lateral Meniscus as a Guide to Tibial Tunnel Placement.

Anatomic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has been shown to reduce the risk of graft failure and to improve patient-related clinical outcomes. The posterior border of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus is a useful marker for anatomic tibial tunnel placement. Assessment of a preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scan can allow surgical planning of tibial tunnel placement to allow for anatomic, patient-specific tibial tunnel placement during anatomic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

The use of radiofrequency energy for arthroscopic chondroplasty in the knee.

We present a review of the current literature surrounding the use of radiofrequency energy for arthroscopic chondroplasty in the knee. This review article summarizes basic science, clinical efficacy, and recent advances in the understanding of radiofrequency energy use for the treatment of chondral lesions. Laboratory evidence of increased mechanical stability and decreased release of inflammatory mediators associated with the use of radiofrequency energy chondroplasty is described with clinical evidence of decreased pain and increased functional scores when compared with mechanical chondroplasty.

Bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts versus hamstring autografts for reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament: meta-analysis.

Objectives: To compare bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts with hamstring autografts for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Data Sources: Medline, WebSPIRS, Science Citation Index, Current Contents databases, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Review methods All randomised controlled trials reporting one or more outcome related to stability (instrumented measurement of knee laxity, Lachman test, or pivot shift test) and morbidity (anterior knee pain, kneeling test, loss of extension, or graft failure).