Peak torque angle of anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed knee flexor muscles in patients with semitendinosus and gracilis autograft is shifted towards extension regardless of the postoperative duration of supervised physiotherapy
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ABSTRACT: The study investigated whether the flexor muscles peak torque (PT) angle shifting towards extension observed in the involved knee in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using semitendinosus and gracilis tendons (STGR) autograft is associated with the time of postoperative physiotherapy supervision.
Project description:BACKGROUND:The observational cohort study investigated whether the flexor muscles peak torque (PT) angle shifting towards extension observed in the involved knee in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using semitendinosus and gracilis tendon (STGR) autograft is associated with the postoperative physiotherapy supervision duration. METHODS:From 230 ACL-reconstructed males, we identified patients after ACLR utilizing STGR autograft and divided them into those who completed supervised physiotherapy <6 months (Group I; n = 77) and those who completed supervised physiotherapy ≥6 months (Group II; n = 66). The mean follow-up time was 6.84 ± 1.47 months. The ACL-reconstructed patients were compared to 98 controls (Group III). Bilateral knee flexor muscle PT measurements were performed. The relative PT at 180°/s (RPT), PT angle at 180°/s, and range of motion at 180°/s were analysed. The RPT limb symmetry index (LSI) was calculated. Tests for dependent samples, one-way analysis of variance, post hoc test, and linear Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) calculations were performed. RESULTS:The shift towards extension was noted when comparing the ACL-reconstructed limb to the uninvolved limb (Group I, p ≤ 0.001; Group II, p ≤ 0.001) and to Group III (p ≤ 0.001), but it was not correlated with physiotherapy supervision duration (r = -0.037, p = 0.662). In ACL-reconstructed patients, there was a moderate association of supervision duration and knee flexor LSI (r = 0.587, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:The ACL-reconstructed knee flexors PT angle shift towards extension was observed regardless of the duration of postoperative physiotherapy supervision. However, the analysis revealed that the duration of supervised physiotherapy positively influenced the RPT and LSI in patients after the ACLR.
Project description:BackgroundWhether there is a difference in harvesting the semitendinosus tendon alone (S) or in combination with the gracilis tendon (SG) for the recovery of knee flexor strength after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the recovery of knee flexor strength based on the autograft composition, S or SG autograft at 6, 12, and ≥ 24 months after ACL reconstruction.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search was performed encompassing the Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, PEDRo and AMED databases from inception to January 2023. Inclusion criteria were human clinical trials published in English, comprised of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), longitudinal cohort-, cross-sectional and case-control studies that compared knee flexor strength recovery between S and SG autografts in patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction. Isokinetic peak torques were summarized for angular velocities of 60°/s, 180°/s, and across all angular velocities, assessed at 6, 12, and ≥ 24 months after ACL reconstruction. A random-effects model was used with standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. Risk of bias was assessed with the RoBANS for non-randomized studies and the Cochrane RoB 2 tool for RCTs. Certainty of evidence was appraised using the GRADE working group methodology.ResultsAmong the 1,227 patients from the 15 included studies, 604 patients received treatment with S autograft (49%), and 623 received SG autograft (51%). Patients treated with S autograft displayed lesser strength deficits at 6 months across all angular velocities d = -0.25, (95% CI -0.40; -0.10, p = 0.001). Beyond 6 months after ACL reconstruction, no significant difference was observed between autograft compositions.ConclusionThe harvest of S autograft for ACL reconstruction yields superior knee flexor strength recovery compared to SG autograft 6 months after ACL reconstruction, irrespective of angular velocity at isokinetic testing. However, the clinical significance of the observed difference in knee flexor strength between autograft compositions at 6 months is questionable, given the very low certainty of evidence and small effect size. There was no significant difference in knee flexor strength recovery between autograft compositions beyond 6 months after ACL reconstruction.Trial registrationCRD42022286773.
Project description:Treatment of meniscal tears has evolved over the last few decades, and preservation has now become the gold standard of treatment. Advancements in repair technique have extended the indication of repair. However, meniscectomy has to be performed in some situations. In these situations, meniscal allograft transplantation is considered the gold standard. But allografts are not available in every part of the world. Collagen implants and synthetic polymers are also advocated. But again, its limited research, availability, and high cost have restricted its widespread use. Many authors have advocated autograft transplantation, but there are no long-term results, and there is a lack of uniform surgical techniques. There is a technique described for lateral meniscus, but a medial meniscus autograft transplant technique is not very well elaborated. In this report, we aimed to describe a medial meniscus replacement technique using a hamstring autograft.
Project description:Patellar instability is a common complaint after traumatic dislocation of the patella. Traumatic dislocation always leads to tearing of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL). Treatment consists of recovery from the traumatic injury, followed by reconditioning and physical therapy to strengthen the dynamic stabilizers of the patella. In patients with recurrent instability, detailed evaluation of the cause is required to determine the needed interventions. In patients with an incompetent MPFL and recurrent instability, reconstruction is indicated, along with other procedures to address other contributing factors. This article details our technique for MPFL reconstruction using semitendinosus autograft, which can be performed alone or in concert with other realignment procedures.
Project description:Patellar tendon ruptures are rare but potentially devastating injuries. Acute repair after patellar tendon rupture affords the best opportunity for tension-free restoration of the extensor mechanism. Biological augmentation of primary repair is believed to decrease strain across the repair site and reduce the risk of rerupture. We present a technique for primary patellar tendon repair with bidirectional fixation using transosseous tunnels, suture anchor fixation, and ipsilateral hamstring autograft augmentation in a distal patellar pole socket.
Project description:Acromioclavicular (AC) joint separations are common injuries and account for 3.2% of shoulder injuries. These injuries typically occur among adolescent and young adult athletes during contact sports, such as hockey, wrestling, and rugby. Low-grade AC joint separations (Rockwood grade I-II) are often successfully treated nonoperatively. High-grade AC joint separations (Rockwood grade IV-VI) have the potential to alter scapular kinematics, causing painful and restricted motion, and are often treated surgically. Over 150 surgical techniques have been described to treat AC joint separations. Techniques vary in the types of implants used (screws, pins), use of anatomic or nonanatomic reconstructions, number of drill holes used, use of arthroscopic or open procedures, use of distal clavicle resection, and types of augmentation (allografts, autografts, sutures). The procedure can be expensive, with the implants and grafts costing varied amounts and, at times, thousands of dollars. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe an inexpensive method of open anatomic AC joint reconstruction using a single bone tunnel, suture tape, and a semitendinosus autograft.
Project description:Since transplantation of meniscal allograft or artificial menisci is limited by graft sources and a series of adverse events, substitution for meniscus reconstruction still needs to be explored. Natural biomaterials, which can provide a unique 3-D microenvironment, remain a promising alternative for tissue engineering. Among them, autograft is a preferred option for its safety and excellent biocompatibility. In this study, we utilized semitendinosus tendon autograft in meniscus reconstruction to investigate its fibrochondrogenic metaplasticity potential and chondroprotective effect. Tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs) and synovial-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs), two most important stem cell sources in our strategy, exhibited excellent viability, distribution, proliferation and fibrochondrogenic differentiation ability in decellularized semitendinosus tendon (DST) scaffolds in vitro. Histologic evaluation of the tendon grafts in vivo suggested endogenous stem cells differentiated into fibrochondrocytes, synthesized proteoglycan, type II collagen and radial type I collagen at 12 weeks and 24 weeks post-surgery. As for elastic modulus and hardness of the grafts, there were no significant differences between native meniscus and regenerated meniscus at 24 weeks. The protection of condylar cartilage from degeneration was significantly better in the reconstruction group comparing to control group. Overall, semitendinosus tendon autograft seems to be a promising substitution in meniscus reconstruction.
Project description:The management of acromioclavicular dislocations remains controversial. On many occasions, these chronic dislocations are asymptomatic. However, there are patients who, despite good rehabilitation treatment, do present with pain, periscapular muscle fatigue, weakness, paresthesia or scapular dyskinesia. In these patients, surgical treatment is indicated.
Project description:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common to athletes and non-athletes alike. Whereas the literature has historically supported bone-patellar tendon-bone as the gold standard for active patients who elect to undergo ACL reconstruction, other studies have suggested that soft-tissue grafts do not increase the risk of rerupture. Because graft diameter has a direct effect on revision rates, we share a technique for all-inside ACL reconstruction using quadrupled semitendinosus and gracilis autograft that allows for a predictable, robust graft. Reproducible steps of graft harvesting, tunnel preparation, graft passage, and fixation are shared to achieve a robust anatomic reconstruction.
Project description:BackgroundWith aging, the ability to generate muscle force decreases, contributing to declines in physical functions such as walking. While most studies assess muscle force by peak torque, the rate of torque development (RTD) reflects a dynamic component of muscle performance that is important for physical function. Using data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, we assessed whether RTD adds significantly to peak torque in associations with lower extremity performance. If so, RTD may help identify weak older adults for screening and intervention.MethodsWe assessed associations of RTD and peak torque with physical performance independent of demographics, BMI, body composition, and each other in 1089 Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging participants (49.7% women; aged 26 to 96 years; women, 64.0 ± 13.8 years; men, 68.4 ± 14.4 years). Peak torque was assessed by isometric and 30 deg/s isokinetic knee extension tests. Peak RTD was operationalized as the maximum torque-time slope among successive 50 ms epochs over the first 3 s of a test of knee extension isometric strength, with the knee joint positioned at 120 deg of flexion. A battery of lower extremity performance tests included gait speed during a 6 m walk at usual and fast pace (6 m usual and fast), time to complete a 400 m walk at fast pace (400 m), distance covered in a 2.5 min walk at normal pace (2.5 min), time to complete 5 and 10 chair stands, and two summary tests of lower extremity performance. Sex-stratified generalized linear regression models were adjusted for age, race, BMI, appendicular lean mass, and whole body fat mass.ResultsIn men, independent of either measure of peak torque and cofactors, RTD was a significant (P < 0.05) predictor of all lower extremity performance tests except the 400 m and 2.5 min walks. In women, independent of peak torque, RTD was only a significant independent correlate of the 6 m fast walk (P < 0.001).ConclusionsRTD independently contributes to physical functions in men but less in women. The mechanisms underlying the sex difference are unclear and require further study.