Long-term clinical outcomes of combined BPTB ACL reconstruction and popliteus tendon plasty

High variability and lack of standardization in the evaluation of return to sport after ACL reconstruction: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Return to sport (RTS) after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) has been recognized as an important outcome, which is associated with success of the surgery. This study aimed to assess the methods used to determine return to sport after ACLR in the published literature, report on variability of methods and evaluate their strength in establishing accurate RTS data.

METHODS

Electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase) were searched via a defined search strategy with no limits, to identify relevant studies from January 2008 to December 2020 for inclusion in the review. Defined eligibility criteria included studies specifically measuring and reporting on return to sport after ACLR with a clear methodology. Each included study was assessed for the definition of successful RTS, successful return to pre-injury level of sport and for methods used to determine RTS.

RESULTS

One hundred and seventy-one studies were included. Of the included studies, six studies (4%) were level of evidence 1 and seventy-two studies (42%) were level of evidence 4. Forty-one studies (24%) reported on return to a specific sport and 130 studies (76%) reported on return to multiple sports or general sport. Sixteen studies (9%) reported on RTS in the pediatric population, 36 (21%) in the adult population and 119 (70%) reported on a mixed-aged population. The most commonly used definition of successful RTS was return to the same sport (44 of 125 studies, 35%). The most common method used to determine RTS was a non-validated study-specific questionnaire (73 studies, 43%), which was administered in various ways to the patients. Time of RTS assessment was variable and ranged between 6 months and 27 years post-surgery.

CONCLUSION

This review demonstrates high variability in defining, evaluating and reporting RTS following ACLR. The findings of this study reveal low reliability and unproven validity of methods used to evaluate RTS and highlight the challenges in interpreting and using RTS data reported in literature.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Clinical Outcomes and Osteoarthritis at Very Long-term Follow-up After ACL Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background:

Few studies on outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) have provided insight into the very long-term effects of this procedure.

Purpose:

To systematically review the outcomes, failure rate, incidence, and predictors of osteoarthritis (OA) for different ACLR techniques at a minimum 20-year follow-up.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A search of the PubMed, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases was performed on June 2020 for studies of patients who underwent ACLR and had a minimum follow-up of 20 years. We extracted data on patient and surgical characteristics, patient-reported outcomes (Lysholm score, subjective International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], and Tegner score), clinical outcomes (IKDC grade, pivot shift, Lachman, and KT-1000 laxity), degree of OA (Kellgren-Lawrence, Ahlbäck, and IKDC OA grading), revisions, and failures. Relative risk (RR) of OA between the operated and contralateral knees was calculated as well as the pooled rate of revisions, failures, and conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Results:

Included were 16 studies (N = 1771 patients; mean age, 24.8 years; mean follow-up, 22.7 years); 80% of the patients underwent single-bundle bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB) reconstruction. The average Lysholm (89.3), IKDC (78.6), and KOOS subscale scores were considered satisfactory. Overall, 33% of patients had “abnormal” or “severely abnormal” objective IKDC grade, 6.7% had KT-1000 laxity difference of ≥5 mm, 9.4% had Lachman ≥2+, and 6.4% had pivot shift ≥2+. Signs of OA were reported in 73.3% of patients, whereas severe OA was reported in 12.8%. The operated knee had a relative OA risk of 2.8 (P < .001) versus the contralateral knee. Identified risk factors for long-term OA were male sex, older age at surgery, delayed ACLR, meniscal or cartilage injuries, BPTB autograft, lateral plasty, nonideal tunnel placement, residual laxity, higher postoperative activity, and postoperative range of motion deficits. Overall, 7.9% of patients underwent revision, and 13.4% of ACLRs were considered failures. TKA was performed in 1.1% of patients.

Conclusion:

Most patients had satisfactory subjective outcomes 20 years after ACLR; however, abnormal anteroposterior or rotatory laxity was found in nearly 10% of cases. The presence of radiographic OA was high (RR 2.8 vs uninjured knee), especially in patients with concomitant meniscal or cartilage injuries, older age, and delayed surgery; however, severe OA was present in only 12.8% of cases, and TKA was required in only 1.1%.

Midterm outcomes following anatomic-based popliteus tendon reconstructions

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to document subjective outcomes following anatomic-based reconstruction of the popliteus tendon when the popliteus tendon was the only injured posterolateral knee structure. It was hypothesized that popliteus tendon reconstruction would result in improved patient outcomes after surgery regardless of the concurrent ligamentous or intra articular pathology.

METHODS

A consecutive series of 5 patients with a median age of 23 years (range, 22-36 years) who underwent anatomic popliteus tendon reconstruction along with concomitant ligament reconstruction or meniscus repair (if needed) were included in this study. All patients completed pre-operative and post-operative subjective questionnaires, which included the Lysholm score to document function, the Tegner activity scale to document activity level, and a patient satisfaction with outcome question.

RESULTS

All patients were available for a final follow-up at a median time of 2.8 years (range, 2-3.9 years) following the index surgery. Three patients had a combined popliteus tendon and posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Two of the three PCL reconstructions were revision procedures. The Lysholm score improved to from 53 (range, 34-90) to 91 (range, 44-100) at post-operative follow-up. The median pre-operative Tegner activity scale improved from 3 (range, 0-9) to a median score of 4.8 (range, 2-7) at post-operative follow-up. The median patient satisfaction with outcome was 9 (range, 7-10). The dial test at 30° and 90° improved in all patients following surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Anatomic-based popliteus tendon reconstructions resulted in improved outcomes and a high patient satisfaction in patients with a complete tear of the popliteus tendon and symptomatic knee instability.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, case series.