Radiographic Tibial Tunnel Assessment After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Hamstring Tendon Autografts and Biocomposite Screws: A Prospective Study With 10-Year Follow-up.

Background: Biocomposite screws reportedly provide equivalent graft fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) to metallic screws while simplifying subsequent imaging and surgery. One purported complication of biocomposite screws is paradoxical tunnel widening. Previous studies on beta-tricalcium phosphate screws have only reported outcomes at short- and midterm follow-up.

Anatomic Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Is Not Superior to Anatomic Single-Bundle Reconstruction at 10-Year Follow-up: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: The anatomic double-bundle (DB) technique is purported to be a superior technique due to its mimicking of the double-stranded anatomic formation of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Previous studies with 2-, 5- and 10-year follow-up are conflicted as to whether this technique is superior to the previous gold standard method of ACL reconstruction, the anatomic single-bundle (SB) reconstruction.

Purpose/hypothesis: The aim of this prospective randomized study was to compare the outcomes of the anatomic DB technique and anatomic SB technique with independent drilling at 10 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Large Drill Holes Are Still Present in the Long Term After Arthroscopic Bankart Repair With Absorbable Tacks: An 18-Year Randomized Prospective Study.

Background: Studies have demonstrated the development of an osseous reaction at the drill sites of anchors after arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Purpose: To investigate the drill-hole size at 18 years after arthroscopic Bankart repair using either fast polygluconate acid (PGA) or slow polylevolactic acid (PLLA) absorbable tacks and to compare the functional outcomes and development of osteoarthritis.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2.

Subacromial Decompression Yields a Better Clinical Outcome Than Therapy Alone: A Prospective Randomized Study of Patients With a Minimum 10-Year Follow-up.

Background: The long-term outcome after the treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) with either nonsurgical or surgical methods has not been thoroughly investigated. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose was to evaluate the long-term clinical outcome and the presence of rotator cuff injuries and osteoarthritis (OA) after the surgical and nonsurgical treatment of SAIS. The hypothesis was that, at a minimum 10 years after the initial treatment, patients who had undergone acromioplasty would have a better clinical outcome and run a lower risk of developing rotator cuff ruptures and OA as compared with those treated with physical therapy.

The Long-Term Outcome After Early and Late Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Purpose: To compare long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients undergoing either early (group A) or late (group B) surgery after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Methods: ACL reconstruction using hamstring tendon autografts was performed in 30 patients in group A (median age, 23 years; range, 17-49 years) and 31 patients in group B (median age, 27 years; range, 17-38 years). The patients in group A were operated on within 5 months (median, 3 months; range, 2-5 months) of injury, whereas those in group B were operated on more than 24 months (median, 30 months; range, 24-48 months) after injury.

Radiographic Tibial Tunnel Assessment After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Hamstring Tendon Autografts and Biocomposite Screws: A Prospective Study With 5-Year Follow-Up.

Purpose: To radiographically assess the tibial tunnel up to 5 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using hamstring tendon autografts and biocomposite interference screws.

Methods: Fifty-one patients underwent anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction with metal interference screws in the femur and biocomposite interference screws in the tibia. Standardized digital radiographs with weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral views of the index knee were taken in the early postoperative period and at 2 and 5 years postoperatively.

A Randomized Controlled Trial With Mean 16-Year Follow-up Comparing Hamstring and Patellar Tendon Autografts in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: There is no consensus in the current literature on which surgical options render the best long-term results after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in terms of clinical outcomes and the development of radiographic osteoarthritis (OA).

Purpose: To investigate the long-term clinical and radiographic results after ACL reconstruction using either a patellar tendon (PT) autograft or a hamstring tendon (HT) autograft.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2.

Comparison of Anatomic Double- and Single-Bundle Techniques for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Hamstring Tendon Autografts: A Prospective Randomized Study With 5-Year Clinical and Radiographic Follow-up.

Background: The aim of this prospective randomized study was to compare the outcomes of the anatomic double-bundle (DB) and anatomic single-bundle (SB) techniques 5 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Since more effective restoration of rotational laxity is considered the main advantage of the DB technique, the pivot-shift test was the primary outcome variable of the study.

Hypothesis: Double-bundle ACL reconstruction will result in a better outcome in terms of the pivot-shift test.

Inflammatory cytokines and biomarkers of cartilage metabolism 8 years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: results from operated and contralateral knees.

Background: Patients who sustain an acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture are at increased risk to develop posttraumatic arthritis (PTA) in the injured knee whether the ACL is reconstructed or treated nonoperatively. Inflammatory cytokines and cartilage degradation biomarkers are elevated at the time of acute injury and postoperatively. This suggests that one mechanism for PTA may be an inflammatory degradative process initiated on the acute injury and sustained for some length of time independent of whether adequate joint stability is restored.

Long-term clinical and radiographic results after delayed anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in adolescents.

Background: The risk of further intra-articular damage associated with nonoperative or delayed anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction must be considered against the risk of growth disturbance with early reconstruction and transphyseal drilling. Long-term follow-ups after the surgical treatment of ACL injuries in adolescents are rare.

Purpose: To evaluate results 10 to 20 years after ACL reconstruction in terms of the radiographic presence of osteoarthritis, clinical assessments, and health-related quality of life in patients who were adolescents at the time of surgery.

Histological Evaluation of Regenerated Semitendinosus Tendon a Minimum of 6 Years After Harvest for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: Semitendinosus (ST) and/or gracilis (G) autografts are the most used grafts for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. The tendons have been shown to be able to regenerate but with focal areas of scar tissue in the short term. There are no long-term histological studies of the regenerated tendons.

A long-term, prospective, randomized study comparing biodegradable and metal interference screws in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery: radiographic results and clinical outcome.

Background: During the past decade, the use of biodegradable implants in anterior cruciate ligament surgery has increased.

Hypothesis: Poly-L-lactide acid (PLLA) interference screws would render the same clinical results but greater tunnel enlargement than metal screws 8 years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using hamstring tendon (semitendinosus/gracilis) autografts.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

A 7-year prospective, randomized, clinical, and radiographic study after arthroscopic Bankart reconstruction using 2 different types of absorbable tack.

Background: Recent studies have shown that techniques for arthroscopic Bankart reconstruction using suture anchors or tacks can equal the results after an open procedure in the treatment of posttraumatic, recurrent, unidirectional shoulder instability. Which kind of technique and which implants to be used still need further study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic results after arthroscopic Bankart reconstruction using 2 different types of absorbable implants.

Osteoarthritic changes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using bone-patellar tendon-bone or hamstring tendon autografts: a retrospective, 7-year radiographic and clinical follow-up study.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term radiographic appearance and clinical outcome after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction by use of either bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) or hamstring tendon (HT) autografts and to evaluate how associated meniscal injuries affect the prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: ACL reconstruction was performed in 124 consecutive patients. Of these patients, 113 (91%) (72 BPTB and 41 HT) returned for a follow-up examination at a median of 86 months (range, 67 to 111 months) after reconstruction.

Ultrastructural collagen fibril alterations in the patellar tendon 6 years after harvesting its central third.

Background: Clinically, donor site problems are common, even in the long term after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using patellar tendon autograft. However, there is a lack of knowledge in terms of the mid- and long-term ultrastructural appearance of the previously harvested tendon in humans.

Hypothesis: The patellar tendon does not regain normal ultrastructure 6 years after harvesting its central third and leaving the defect open.

A prospective, randomized, clinical and radiographic study after arthroscopic Bankart reconstruction using 2 different types of absorbable tacks.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare the clinical and radiographic results after arthroscopic Bankart reconstruction using 2 different types of absorbable implant.

Type Of Study: Randomized controlled trial.

Methods: A randomized series of 40 patients who had recurrent, unidirectional, post-traumatic shoulder instability were included in the study.

Long-term clinical and ultrasound evaluation after arthroscopic acromioplasty in patients with partial rotator cuff tears.

Purpose: Clinical and ultrasound evaluation of patients who had undergone debridement of a partial rotator cuff tear in conjunction with an arthroscopic acromioplasty.

Type Of Study: Retrospective follow-up study.

Methods: Thirty-three consecutive patients were included in the study; 26 of the 33 (79%) patients underwent ultrasound evaluation of both shoulders and were examined by independent observers after a follow-up period of 101 months (range, 60 to 128 months; minimum, 5 years).

Evaluation of harvested and normal patellar tendons: a reliability analyses of magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography.

This study compared the reliability (interchangeability) of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US) examinations of the patellar tendon after using central third patellar tendon autografts during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Nineteen consecutive patients (7 women, 12 men) underwent bilateral MRI and US of the patellar tendons 27 (24-29) months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using ipsilateral central third patellar tendon autografts. Two experienced radiologists blinded to one another evaluated the examinations.