Modified Lemaire Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis in the Pediatric Patient: An Adjunct to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Management of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears in Skeletally Immature Patients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Anterior cruciate ligament (ALC) tears are increasingly common in skeletally immature patients, as more children and adolescents participate in intensive sports training and specialization at increasingly younger ages. These injuries were historically treated nonoperatively, given concerns for physeal damage and subsequent growth disturbances after traditional ACL reconstruction techniques. However, there is now sufficient data to suggest superior outcomes with operative treatment, specifically with physeal-sparing and physeal-respecting techniques. This article reviews considerations of skeletal maturity in patients with ACL tears, then discusses surgical techniques, with a focus on their unique indications and outcomes. Additional surgical adjuncts and components of postoperative rehabilitation, which may reduce retear rates, are also considered.

RECENT FINDINGS

Current research shows favorable patient-reported outcomes and high return-to-sport rates after ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients. Graft rupture (ACL retear) rates are low, but notably higher than in most adult populations. Historically, there has been insufficient research to comprehensively compare reconstruction techniques used in this patient population. However, thoughtful systematic reviews and multicenter prospective studies are emerging to address this deficit. Also, more recent data suggests the addition of lateral extra-articular procedures and stringent return-to-sports testing may lower retear rates. Physeal-sparing and physeal-respecting ACL reconstructions result in stabilization of the knee, while respecting the growth remaining in children or skeletally immature adolescents. Future research will be essential to compare these techniques, given that more than one may be appropriate for patients of a specific age and skeletal maturity.

Quadriceps Tendon Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients: 3-Year Clinical and Patient-Reported Outcomes

BACKGROUND

The rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in active, skeletally immature patients is increasing. Although hamstring tendon autograft (HTA) was previously deemed the gold standard, recent studies have shown HTA to have a high failure rate in this high-risk population of young competitive athletes, and quadriceps tendon autograft (QTA) has yielded excellent preliminary outcomes in some studies examining this population.

PURPOSE

To evaluate 3-year clinical and patient-reported functional outcomes of primary ACL reconstruction (ACLR) with soft tissue QTA in skeletally immature patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

Skeletally immature patients who underwent ACLR with a full-thickness soft tissue QTA were included. Preoperative patient and surgical data were collected. The ACLR technique was selected predicated upon skeletal age and included all-epiphyseal and complete transphyseal techniques. Patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years with successive clinical visits or were contacted via telephone. Patients who did not have minimum 2-year follow-up after 3 contact attempts via telephone were excluded. Information regarding return to sports (RTS) and concomitant or subsequent surgical procedures was collected. Pediatric International Knee Documentation Committee (Pedi-IKDC), Hospital for Special Surgery Functional Activity Brief Scale (HSS Pedi-FABS), and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scores were collected.

RESULTS

Of 85 adolescent patients aged 11.1 to 17.6 years (mean age, 14.1 ± 1.2 years), 2 patients were determined to be lost to follow-up after 3 failed contact attempts. Of the patients included in this study (N = 83), 26 patients (31%) underwent all-epiphyseal and 57 patients (69%) underwent complete transphyseal ACLR. Additionally, 48 patients (58%) underwent concomitant lateral extra-articular tenodesis using the iliotibial band with a modified Lemaire technique. The mean follow-up time was 3.7 ± 1.2 years (range, 2-7 years). Twenty (24%) patients had subsequent surgical procedures, of which 3 (4%) were due to graft failures. At a mean 3-year follow-up, the mean Pedi-IKDC, HSS Pedi-FABS, and SANE scores were 90, 23, and 94 respectively; the RTS rate was 100%; and the rate of RTS at the previous level of performance was 93%.

CONCLUSION

Use of a soft tissue QTA for ALCR in a high-risk skeletally immature population of athletes resulted in excellent postoperative outcomes with low rates of graft failure and high return to sport rates.

Impact of Lateral Extra-Articular Procedure Augmentation on Rerupture Risk and Tegner Activity Scale Outcomes in Adolescent Anterior Cruciate Ligament: A Matched Comparative Study With a Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

BACKGROUND

Despite the well-established role of lateral extra-articular procedures (LEAPs) in reducing failure rates after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) in the adult population, similar in-depth research for the adolescent and pediatric population remains lacking.

PURPOSE

To examine the effect of the LEAP augmentation on the rerupture rate after ACLR in patients aged <18 years.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from October 2012 to June 2020, involving adolescents <18 years old undergoing primary ACLR with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Two groups, matched for age, sex, Tegner activity scale, and presence of meniscal injury, were established: ACLR alone and ACLR+LEAP augmentation. The primary outcome measure was the rate of rerupture after ACLR. The secondary outcome measures were the rate of non-graft rupture related reoperation after ACLR; rate of return to sport (RTS) rate, timing, and level compared with preinjury status; and functional scores including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) (Pain, Symptoms, Activities of Daily Living, Sport and Recreation, and Quality of Life), Tegner activity scale score, ACL Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) score, and Lysholm score.

RESULTS

After accounting for follow-up losses, we analyzed 132 patients who underwent ACLR alone and 121 patients who underwent ACLR+LEAP from the initial 147 per group. The mean age of the patients in both groups was 16.1 years (SD, 1.1 and 1.0 years, respectively), with similar patient and injury characteristics across both groups (P > .05). Both groups also showed comparable preoperative functional scores. A significantly lower preoperative ACL-RSI score was observed in the ACLR-alone group compared with the ACLR+LEAP group (P = .0044). Graft rupture was significantly less common in the ACLR+LEAP group (2.5%) than in the ACLR-alone group (13.6%) (P = .002). The attributable risk reduction for ACLR+LEAP was 11.1%, and the calculated number needed to treat was 9. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly better rerupture-free survival at 5 years for the ACLR+LEAP group (P = .001). Cox regression confirmed a 6-fold increased rerupture risk in the ACLR-alone group (P = .004). At the final follow-up, despite similar IKDC, KOOS, Lysholm, and ACL-RSI values across both groups, the ACLR+LEAP group had a significantly higher Tegner score (7.2 vs 6.3; P = .0042). No significant differences were observed in RTS rates or sport level compared with preinjury states between the groups.

CONCLUSION

ACLR+LEAP augmentation significantly reduced rerupture risk and facilitated higher postoperative activity levels in adolescents.

REGISTRATION

NCT02511158 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Association of Quadriceps Tendon Harvest for ACL Reconstruction With Development of Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Patella in Pediatric Patients

Background

There are various reported complications after primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) necessitating additional surgery in skeletally immature patients, regardless of technique and autograft type.

Purpose

To analyze the rate and type of complications encountered with soft tissue quadriceps tendon autograft (QTA) for ACLR in patients ≤18 years as well as the overall rate of second surgery, unrelated to the use of the QTA.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

A total of 141 patients ≤18 years who underwent ACLR with a QTA and had minimum 6-month follow-up were included. All patients underwent ACLR by utilizing a full-thickness soft tissue QTA. Complications associated with the QTA harvest site and use of QTA were reported.

Results

The mean age of the included cohort (84 men, 57 women) was 14.8 ± 1.6 years. The average follow-up was of 2.0 ± 1.2 years. A total of 30 (21%) patients had a subsequent complication that required surgical intervention; in 11 (8%) patients, the complication was specifically associated with the use of a QTA, whereas in 19 (13%) patients, the complication was related to the ACLR. In addition, 13 (9%) patients underwent a contralateral ACLR procedure. Of the QTA-related complications, 2 patients developed osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)-like lesions in the superior aspect of the patella, 2 patients had injured their quadriceps extensor mechanism and required surgical repair, and 8 patients had a subsequent procedure to remove nonabsorbable sutures used for donor site quadriceps tendon closure. One of the patients who underwent the removal of nonabsorbable sutures also had an arthroscopic debridement of patellar chondral damage.

Conclusion

We reported complications encountered with soft tissue QTA for ACLR. The complication rate for QTA harvest was 8%. However, given that the removal of nonabsorbable sutures from the donor site was caused by the surgical technique used, the revised nonsuture-related complication rate for QTA graft harvest was 2%. Although the use of a QTA has recently gained popularity due to its high return-to-sport and low graft-failure rates, surgeons should be aware of the complications associated with using this graft type.

Sustainability studies in orthopaedic surgery: The carbon footprint of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction depends on graft choice

PURPOSE

Environmental sustainability in medicine is a growing concern. Determining the carbon footprint of medical procedures may aid in selecting a less impactful technique moving forward. The purpose of this study was to understand the environmental impact of different anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction techniques, for which there is no consensus in terms of optimal graft.

METHODS

A life cycle analysis of different anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction techniques was performed. These included quadrupled semitendinosus graft, bone-patellar tendon-bone graft, iliotibial band augmented with gracilis graft, doubled semitendinosus and doubled gracilis graft, and quadriceps tendon graft. All procedures were systematically paired with a lateral extra-articular procedure. The study was conducted in a specialised centre using surgeon preference cards, with the help of a dedicated organisation for calculation according to the ISO 14044 standard. The primary outcome measure was the carbon footprint of each of the five techniques. Secondary outcomes included other environmental impact indicators, including human carcinogenic toxicity and mineral resource scarcity, among others, based on the ReCiPe 2016 midpoint guideline. The analysis had three scopes, each encompassing varying numbers of processes: graft implantation, full procedure, and entire environmental impact, from medical prescription to patient discharge. Results were reported as percentage increases compared to the graft technique with the lowest environmental impact.

RESULTS

It was demonstrated that the surgical procedure itself accounted for <40% of the life cycle, with arthroscopy being 88% of surgery's GHG emissions, and scrubbing and draping contributing 39% to the carbon footprint. The iliotibial band augmented with gracilis tendon technique had the lowest carbon footprint (0.199 Kg Co2 eq), and the least impact in most categories at all scopes of the life cycle analysis. Using this technique as a reference, in terms of graft implantation, it was determined that extensor mechanism grafts had the highest carbon footprint (300% higher than the reference). Greater scopes showed a similar trend, with percentage differences decreasing significantly, reaching 1-3% when considering the entire environmental impact for most categories. Nevertheless, among the aforementioned factors of the ReCiPe 2016 guidelines, the semitendinosus graft paried with a lateral extra-articular procedure displayed greater difference in human carcinogenic toxicity and mineral resource scarcity (6% and 10% respectively) compared to the reference. The individual processes with the highest impact were also highlighted.

CONCLUSIONS

In the institution where the study was conducted, the studied iliotibial band graft option was found to have the lowest environmental impact. Such analyses of standardised procedures can be replicated in individual institutions in order to determine their environmental impact. Identification of procedures with comparable results and differing environmental consequences may influence the future decision-making process.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, prospective cohort study.

Anterolateral augmentation procedures during anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions in skeletally immature patients: Scoping review of surgical techniques and outcomes

Purpose

Graft failure rates after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in children and adolescents are higher compared to adults. Anterolateral augmentation procedures have recently generated increased focus regarding their ability to reduce graft failure rates. Concerns in skeletally immatures are potential growth disturbances and overconstraint after anterolateral augmentation. The aim of this scoping review is to provide an overview of all current anterolateral augmentation procedures in skeletally immature patients and to discuss surgical techniques, clinical and biomechanical outcomes.

Methods

This scoping review was performed following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) statement extension for scoping reviews. On 22 December 2022, an information specialist performed a systematic literature search in Cochrane, PubMed (Medline) and EMBASE databases. Inclusion criteria were anterolateral augmentation procedures, including lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) and anterolateral ligament reconstruction (ALLR), in combination with ACLR in skeletally immatures.

Results

Twenty studies were included after screening 1.485 abstracts. Seventeen studies describe LET techniques, four studies ALLR techniques and one study both techniques. Biomechanical data is scarce and shows conflicting results. Two studies compared ACLR with LET to ACLR in skeletally immatures with promising results in favour of the combined procedure. There were no differences in outcomes between LET and ALLR.

Conclusions

Several LET and ALLR techniques have been described for skeletally immature patients and the first clinical data on LET and ALLR is available, which showed promising results. Further research is necessary to evaluate the risk of growth disturbances and overconstraint in skeletally immatures.

Level of Evidence

Level IV.

Approximately half of pediatric or adolescent patients undergoing revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction return to the same level of sport or higher: A systematic review

PURPOSE

To summarise the surgical techniques and clinical outcomes in paediatric and adolescent patients undergoing revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (r-ACLR).

METHODS

Three databases (MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE) were searched from inception to 29 July 2023. The authors adhered to the PRISMA and R-AMSTAR guidelines as well as the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data on demographics, surgical details, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), rates of instability, rupture and return to sport (RTS) were extracted.

RESULTS

Eight studies comprising 706 (711 knees) patients were included (48.7% female). The mean age at r-ACLR was 17.1 years (range: 16.5-18.0). Autografts (67.5%) were more common than allografts (32.2%) in revision, with bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) being the most prevalent autograft source (59.6%). Bone grafts were used in seven patients (4.8% of 146 patients). The most common femoral and tibial fixation techniques were interference screws (37.6% and 38.1%, of 244 patients, respectively). The most common tunnelling strategy was anatomic (69.1% of 236 patients), and meniscus repairs were performed in 39.7% of 256 patients. The re-rupture rate was 13.0% in 293 patients. RTS at the same level or higher was 51.6% in 219 patients. The mean (SD) Lysholm score was 88.1 (12.9) in 78 patients, the mean (SD) Tegner score was 6.0 (1.6) in 78 patients, and the mean (SD) IKDC score was 82.6 (16.0) in 126 patients.

CONCLUSION

R-ACLR in paediatric and adolescent patients predominantly uses BPTB autografts and interference screw femoral and tibial fixation with concomitant meniscal procedures. Rates of re-rupture and RTS at the same level or higher were 13.0% and 51.6%, respectively. Information from this review can provide orthopaedic surgeons with a comprehensive understanding of the most commonly used operative techniques and their outcomes for revision ACLR in this population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Tibial spine fractures: State of the art

Tibial spine fractures (TSFs) are avulsion fractures at the site where the anterior cruciate ligament inserts onto the tibial eminence. TSFs typically affect children and adolescents aged 8-14 years. The incidence of these fractures has been reported to be approximately 3 per 100,000 per year, but the rising involvement of paediatric patients in sporting activities is increasing the number of these injuries. TSFs are historically classified on plain radiographs according to the Meyers and Mckeever classification system, which was introduced in 1959, but the renewed interest in these fractures and the increasing use of magnetic resonance imaging led to the recent development of a new classification system. A reliable grading protocol for these lesions is paramount to guide orthopedic surgeons in determining the correct treatment for young patients and athletes. TSFs can be addressed conservatively in the case of nondisplaced or reduced fractures or surgically in the case of displaced fractures. Different surgical approaches and, specifically, arthroscopic techniques have been described in recent years to ensure stable fixation while limiting the risk of complications. The most common complications associated with TSF are arthrofibrosis, residual laxity, fracture nonunion or malunion, and tibial physis growth arrest. We speculate that advances in diagnostic imaging and classifications, combined with greater knowledge of treatment options, outcomes, and surgical techniques, will likely reduce the occurrence of these complications in paediatric and adolescent patients and athletes, allowing them a timely return to sports and everyday activities.

Management of Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: A Critical Analysis

» Overall evidence for the treatment of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in a pediatric or skeletally immature patient remains lows.» An ACL reconstruction is recommended with concomitant repairable chondral and meniscus injury or with symptoms of persistent instability despite high-quality rehabilitation.» Treatment decision for pediatric ACL reconstruction should use a shared decision-making model weighing the risks and benefits of both a nonoperative vs. surgical treatment.

Lateral augmentation procedures in anatomic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. How to avoid tunnel collision with intraoperative tunnel visualization: A technical note

Lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) or anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction can be used as an augmentation procedure in anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and are thought to minimize rotational instability, lower re-rupture rates of the ACL graft and improve functional outcomes after surgery. Young patients with high-grade pivot shift or generalized laxity participating in high demand/pivoting sports are considered as the ideal candidates for such a procedure. Both in LET and in ALL reconstruction, femoral fixation of the graft using an interference screw remains a challenge due to the possibility of tunnel convergence of the two tunnels created in the femur, namely the ACL femoral tunnel and the tunnel created in the lateral femur for the LET or ALL procedure. With this technical note, we aim to describe a safe approach for femoral tunnel creation by providing the surgeon not only with instructions for a safe orientation but also with the possibility to check for a possible tunnel collision by using the arthroscope through the anteromedial portal. Although instructions can be used both for LET and ALL reconstruction (same femoral tunnel), a modified Lemaire LET is extensively described since this procedure is the authors' preference for augmenting anatomic ACL reconstruction.

Comparison of Onlay Anchor Fixation Versus Transosseous Fixation for Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis During Revision ACL Reconstruction

Background

There is evidence on the clinical effectiveness of the Lemaire technique for lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) in patients undergoing revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), but the best fixation technique is unknown.

Purpose

To compare the clinical outcomes of 2 fixation techniques after revision ACLR: (1) onlay anchor fixation, which would avoid tunnel conflict and physis injury, and (2) transosseous tightening and interference screw fixation. Pain at the area of LET fixation was also assessed.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

This was a retrospective 2-center study of patients with first-time revision ACLR and either LET with anchor fixation (aLET) with a 2.4-mm suture anchor or LET with transosseous fixation (tLET). Outcomes at minimum 12-month follow-up were assessed with the International Knee Documentation Committee score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, visual analog scale for pain at the LET fixation area, Tegner score, and anterior tibial translation (ATT). A subgroup analysis within the aLET group investigated passing the graft over or under the lateral collateral ligament (LCL).

Results

In total, 52 patients were included (26 patients in each group); the mean ± SD follow-up was 13.7 ± 3.4 months. No statistically significant differences were detected between the groups with respect to patient-reported outcome scores, clinical examination, or instrumented testing (side-to-side difference in ATT at 30° of flexion; aLET, 1.5 ± 2.5 mm; tLET, 1.6 ± 1.7 mm). Clinical failure was detected in 1 patient with aLET and none with tLET. Subgroup analysis revealed a small, nonsignificant flexion deficit in knees in which the iliotibial band strand was passed under (n = 42) or over (n = 10) the LCL. No clinically relevant tenderness was detected at the area of LET fixation in any group (aLET, 0.6 ± 1.3; tLET, 0.9 ± 1.7; over the LCL, 0.2 ± 0.6; under the LCL, 0.9 ± 1.6).

Conclusion

Onlay anchor fixation and transosseous fixation of the LET were equivalent with respect to outcome scores and instrumented ATT testing. Clinically, there were minor differences in passage of the LET graft over or under the LCL.

A Modified Lemaire Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis in High-Risk Adolescents Undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Quadriceps Tendon Autograft: 2-Year Clinical Outcomes

BACKGROUND

The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) in children and adolescents has increased significantly, and many such patients are at increased risk for ACL retear. Lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) may be performed in conjunction with ACLR to reduce the risk of ACL retear.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the 2-year clinical outcomes of ACLR with soft tissue quadriceps tendon (QUAD) autograft performed with a concomitant LET using a modified Lemaire technique in skeletally immature patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

A consecutive series of adolescent patients who underwent QUAD autograft ACLR and LET with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up data were analyzed retrospectively. ACLR techniques, including all-epiphyseal and complete transphyseal, were indicated based on skeletal age. Outcome measures included return to sports, concomitant or subsequent surgical procedures, and multiple patient-reported outcome measures, including Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), Pediatric International Knee Documentation Committee (Pedi-IKDC), and Hospital for Special Surgery Pediatric Functional Activity Brief Scale (HSS Pedi-FABS) scores.

RESULTS

The final cohort included 49 consecutive adolescent patients aged 11 to 16 years (mean, 14.2 ± 1 years) with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. One patient was lost to follow-up. Of the patients included in the study (N = 48; 27 male, 21 female), 98% participated in high-risk competitive sports. Two (4%) patients were undergoing revision ACLR. Thirty-eight (79%) patients underwent complete transphyseal, and 10 (21%) patients underwent all-epiphyseal ACLR. Sixteen (33%) patients had subsequent surgical procedures, including 5 contralateral ACLR, 4 meniscal surgery, 4 QUAD autograft scar revision, 4 irrigation and debridement (2 patients, 2 each), and 3 hardware removal (2 for hemi-epiphysiodesis and 1 tibial socket button removal) procedures. The rate of graft rupture was 0%. At a mean follow-up of 3.4 ± 1.2 years (range, 2-7 range), the mean SANE score was 93, the mean Pedi-IKDC score was 89, and the mean HSS Pedi-FABS score was 23. The return-to-sports rate was 100%.

CONCLUSION

An LET performed concomitantly with an ACLR is safe and should be considered as a concomitant procedure for adolescent patients with nonmodifiable risk factors who are at high risk of retear.

Surgical techniques in the management of pediatric anterior cruciate ligament tears: Current concepts

Background

Anterior cruciate ligament injury in the child and adolescent patient remains a controversial topic when considering management, especially regarding surgical choices. Treatment variations are seen not just when comparing different countries but also within nations. This arises partly as contemporary treatment is mostly inferred from the adult population who physiologically and in terms of outcomes differ significantly from children. There is an increasing body of evidence for this cohort of patients who have specific challenges and difficulties when determining the optimum treatment.

Methods

Within this article, we will summarize the current evidence for surgical management of anterior cruciate ligament injury for the pediatric patient.

Results and Conclusions

There remain many controversies and gaps inthe treatment of Paediatric Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and this high risk cohort continues to cause difficulty in identifying the best mode of surgical management.

Level of evidence

level IV.

Modified Lemaire Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis With the Iliotibial Band Strip Fixed on the Femoral Cortical Surface Reduces Laxity and Causes Less Overconstraint in the Anterolateral Lesioned Knee: A Biomechanical Study

PURPOSE

To compare the biomechanical effects of femoral cortical surface fixation and intra-tunnel fixation in modified Lemaire tenodesis on the restoration of native kinematics in anterolateral structure-deficient knees.

METHODS

Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were mounted in a knee-customized jig to evaluate anterior translation in anterior load and internal rotation degree in internal rotation torque at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90°, as well as anterolateral translation (ALT) in a simulated pivot-shift test at 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°. Kinematic tests were performed in the following states: intact; anterolateral knee lesion (AL-Les); modified Lemaire lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) with the femoral iliotibial band (ITB) strip fixed on the cortical surface (cortical fixation), deep to the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) (deep LET-C); and LET with the femoral ITB strip fixed into a tunnel (intra-tunnel fixation), deep to the LCL (deep LET-IT) or superficial to the LCL (superficial LET-IT). The knee kinematic changes in the AL-Les state and the 3 LET states were compared with each other, with the intact state as the baseline.

RESULTS

In the AL-Les state, the increased anterior translation instabilities were significantly mitigated by the 3 LETs at 30°, 60°, and 90° (all P < .001), with overconstraint observed in both the deep LET-IT and superficial LET-IT states at 60° (P = .047 and P < .001, respectively) and 90° (both P < .001). Similarly, the 3 LETs significantly reduced the internal rotation instabilities in the AL-Les state at all flexion angles. The superficial LET-IT state overconstrained the knee at 60° (P = .009) and 90° (P < .001) during internal rotation torque, and the deep LET-IT state did so at 60° (P = .012). Furthermore, the ALT instabilities found in the AL-Les state were significantly reduced by the 3 LETs during the simulated pivot-shift test. At 30° and 45°, these LET states resulted in overconstraint when compared with the intact state, but the superficial LET-IT state (P < .001) or deep LET-IT state (P = .016) presented a larger overconstraint than that in the deep LET-C at 45°, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The 3 Lemaire LET procedures evaluated reduced the anterior, internal rotational, and ALT laxities in AL-Les knees and restored these parameters to the native baseline of the intact state at most flexion angles. However, in deep flexion, some overconstraint occurred in all LETs when compared with the intact state, of which the deep LET-C state resulted in less overconstraint in anterior translation and internal rotation than the deep LET-IT and superficial LET-IT states.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This biomechanical study supports using the femoral cortical fixation technique to fix the ITB strip in the modified Lemaire LET, which similarly improves knee kinematic stability and causes less overconstraint compared with conventional intra-tunnel fixation. These findings need more verification in clinical scenarios.

The Spectrum of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Options for the Pediatric and Adolescent Patient: A Narrative Review

As youth sports participation has increased in recent years, injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) have become increasingly common in pediatric patients. Historically, ACL reconstruction was delayed in pediatric patients to avoid physeal damage with the potential for leg-length discrepancy or angular deformity. Current research shows that delaying reconstruction or choosing nonoperative management is associated with increased rates of meniscal and chondral injuries, persistent knee instability, and low rates of return to previous activity. Early ACL reconstruction using techniques to avoid physeal growth disturbance is now widely accepted among physicians. The purpose of this review was to describe the pediatric ACL in terms of the relevant anatomy and biomechanics, physical examination, and diagnostic imaging. In addition, the importance of skeletal age and possible physeal injury is discussed in the context of ACL reconstruction options by skeletal age and remaining growth potential.

Lateral extra-articular tenodesis and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in young patients: clinical results and return to sport

Lateral extra-articular tenodesis (L.E.T.) have been proposed to reduce the tibia's anterior translation and internal rotation in concomitant to Anterior cruciate ligament (A.C.L.) reconstruction. Recent studies show that the addition of L.E.T. to A.C.L. reconstruction results in a statistically significant reduction in graft failure. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes, complications, and rate of return to preinjury sports level in pediatric patients who underwent combined A.C.L. reconstruction with L.E.T. at a minimum 2-year follow-up. The authors retrospectively evaluated 42 pediatric patients at high risk of graft failure who experienced ACLR connected to L.E.T. IKDC and Tegner-Lysholm Knee Scores Scale were used to assess clinical outcomes, and the Tegner Activity Scale to evaluate the return to sport. No graft failure or subsequent surgery related to A.C.L. reconstruction occurred. Furthermore, 88% of patients returned to the sport. Satisfactory clinical results were obtained on a short and medium-term follow-up. These findings help to consider this procedure for active adolescents at a high risk of graft failure to enhance A.C.L. reconstruction.

Lateral-extra articular tenodesis vs. anterolateral ligament reconstruction in skeletally immature patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study was to review the most recent available evidence about lateral-extra articular tenodesis (LET) and anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction in young patients treated for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

RECENT FINDINGS

The ALL of the knee acts as a secondary stabilizer of the knee preventing anterior translation and internal rotation. In vitro and in vivo biomechanical studies as well as prospective clinical trials have shown the importance of the ALL in knee biomechanics. The ALL injury has a synergetic impact on the knee stability in patients with acute ACL injury. ALL augmentation of ACL provides reduction of knee instability and graft failure and higher return to sport rates in high-risk patients. It has not been demonstrated that extra-articular procedures increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis secondary to knee over-constriction. Both Iliotibial band (ITB) ALL reconstruction and modified Lemaire LET have been shown safe and effective. Minimal biomechanical or clinical differences have been found between the two reconstruction methods.

SUMMARY

Young patients with ACL tears and risk factors such as laxity or pivot shift willing to return to sports may benefit from ALL augmentation. Therefore, it is essential to identify these high-risk patients to individualize treatment.

Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis: A Technique With an Iliotibial Band Strand Without Implants

The main goal in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) should be to restore normal knee biomechanics so the chances of failure decrease. The persistence of knee instability after ACLR goes from 0.7% to 20%. Several factors have been identified and studied, but there are some selected cases in which it seems that without adding lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) it is not possible to control rotational instability. Data exist supporting that LET could reduce pivot shift (PS), without losing flexion/extension range of motion nor adding risk of osteoarthritis. Recently, LET has been used in addition to ACLR to add restriction to internal tibial rotation forces, and different authors have shown their techniques to achieve this task. Also, biomechanical studies have compared different techniques for LET procedures. This article aims to describe our technique performing a modified Macintosh LET as an addition to ACLR in selected patients who require extra internal tibial rotation control. This is a reproducible, easy to learn, and inexpensive procedure in terms that only a high resistance suture is needed and not any other implant, such as a stapler, anchors, or screws, reducing the risk of tunnel coalition.

Minimally Invasive Modified Lemaire Tenodesis

Increasing emphasis in the literature is recently being put on controlling rotational stability in patients with an anterior cruciate ligament rupture by addressing the anterolateral complex during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Many different techniques for lateral extra-articular tenodesis have been described, with the (modified) Lemaire technique being widely favored. Recent literature does report that lateral extra-articular tenodesis leads to a reduction in persistent rotatory laxity and graft rupture rate, but also may be associated with increased pain, reduced quadriceps strength, reduced subjective functional recovery, and cosmetic complaints. Thus this article aims to describe our minimally invasive technique for a modified Lemaire tenodesis.