Physical prognostic factors predicting outcome following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

Late (≥60 years old) and middle adulthood (40-59 years old) patients achieve similar improvement in patient-reported outcomes following ACL reconstruction

PURPOSE

This study aimed to compare the range of motion (ROM), surgical outcomes, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction outcomes in patients 60 years or older at the time of surgery to 40- to 59-year-old patients.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study from 2015 to 2022, a 3:1 propensity match was performed to match late adulthood patients (≥60 years old) undergoing ACL reconstruction with middle adulthood (40-59 years old) ACL reconstruction patients. Patients were matched based on sex, ACL graft utilized and concomitant procedures performed during ACL reconstruction. Statistical analysis compared demographics, preoperative injury management, surgical outcomes, PROMs, and minimal clinical important difference (MCID) and substantial clinical benefit (SCB) achievement rates for all ACL reconstruction patients included.

RESULTS

Twenty late adulthood and 60 middle adulthood patients who underwent ACL reconstruction were included in the final cohort. Patients who were 60 years or older experienced no difference in reoperation rate (n.s.), incidence of retears (n.s.) or ROM (n.s.) at 1 year post-operatively. There were also no differences in International Knee Documentation Committee (ΔIKDC) (31.3 ± 19.1 vs. 34.2 ± 18.2, n.s.) or ΔPCS-12 (12.4 ± 9.8 vs. 12.9 ± 10.8, n.s.) scores at 1 year post-operatively. Furthermore, the younger and older patient cohorts demonstrated similar rates of achieving the MCID (80.0% vs. 83.3%, n.s.) and SCB (50.0% vs. 61.7%, n.s.) scores for IKDC.

CONCLUSION

Patients 60 years or older and 40- to 59-year-old patients demonstrated similar outcomes after undergoing ACL reconstruction with allograft. This study concludes that ACL reconstruction in late adulthood can still be a successful treatment option and should allow surgeons to feel more comfortable when performing indicated surgical intervention for older patients who experience an ACL tear.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, Therapeutic III, retrospective cohort study.

Serial Assessment of Factors Associated With Patient-Reported Outcomes up to 2 Years After ACL Reconstruction Using Autologous Hamstring Tendon: Results From the TMDU MAKS Study

Background

Understanding the factors related to patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) can lead to more effective interventions.

Purpose/Hypothesis

The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with PRO scores after ACLR. It was hypothesized that concomitant meniscal treatment and postoperative range of motion (ROM) would be associated with early postoperative PRO scores and that postoperative physical findings would be associated with 2-year postoperative PRO scores.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods

We examined the data from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University Multicenter Arthroscopic Knee Surgery (TMDU MAKS) Study for patients who underwent primary ACLR with autologous hamstring tendon grafts; 1252 patients in the TMDU MAKS Study were eligible for inclusion. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Lysholm score of the patients at 3 months (n = 675), 1 year (n = 660), and 2 years (n = 375) postoperatively were assessed using multiple regression to evaluate the strength of the relationship between PRO scores and the following predictor variables: patient-specific factors, treatment-specific factors, and physical findings.

Results

Improvement in all PROs significantly exceeded the minimal important change at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. Older age and female sex were predictive of lower PRO scores up to 2 years postoperatively. Concurrent meniscal treatment and limited range of knee motion were predictive of lower PRO scores at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively. A tighter knee (ie, less anterior translation) on the injured side compared with the contralateral knee was predictive of lower KOOS-Quality of Life and IKDC scores at 2 years postoperatively. At all 3 postoperative time points, greater side-to-side difference in knee ROM was predictive of lower PRO scores.

Conclusion

Inferior PRO scores were associated with concomitant meniscal treatment and limited postoperative ROM until 1 year postoperatively and with older age and female sex up to 2 years postoperatively. PRO scores were associated with knee stability at all assessed time points.

Prognostic Factors for Multiligament Knee Injury Treated With Multiligament Reconstruction: Functional and Radiological Outcomes at 2 to 8 Years Postoperatively

Background

Multiligament reconstruction (MLR) has become the standard surgical approach for treating multiligament knee injuries (MLKIs).

Purpose

To identify prognostic factors for patient-reported outcome measures, return to work (RTW), return to sports, and radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) (Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥2) after MLR for MLKI.

Study Design

Case-control study; Level of evidence 3.

Methods

Included were 52 consecutive patients (age, 35.5 ± 11 years; 75% men), with MLKI sustained between 2013 and 2019 and treated with MLR. At a mean follow-up of 3.8 ± 1.6 years, patient-reported outcome measure scores-including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI), and the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey-RTW, return to sports, and weightbearing radiographs were obtained. A total of 20 determinants were hypothesized and tested by univariate logistic regression for binary variables or linear regression for continuous variables. Only factors identified as significant (P < .10) were entered into a multivariate logistic regression model.

Results

The prevalence of injury severity according to the Schenck knee dislocation (KD) classification was as follows: KD I (44%), KD III (36%), KD IV (10%), and KD V (10%). Increased KD grades resulted in decreased IKDC (P = .002) and all 5 KOOS subscales (P≤ .007 for all) scores. Medial meniscectomy (23%) was associated with a worse ACL-RSI score (P = .007) and RTW failure (odds ratio [OR], 36.8; P = .035). Peroneal nerve palsy (6%) was associated with a worse ACL-RSI score (P≤ .001). Radiographic OA was observed in 38%, with distribution predominantly patellofemoral (80%) and medial tibiofemoral (45%). Traumatic cartilage damage (Outerbridge grade >2 [37%]) was associated with secondary patellofemoral (OR, 10; P = .012) and medial tibiofemoral (OR, 10; P = .019) OA. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction failure (7%) was a risk factor for medial tibiofemoral OA (OR, 25.8; P = .006).

Conclusion

Increased Schenck KD grade, permanent peroneal nerve palsy, and irreparable medial meniscus lesions were prognostic factors for worse functional outcomes 3.8 years after MLKI was treated with MLR. Traumatic cartilage damage and anterior cruciate ligament failure were associated with the development of early OA.

Physical measures of physical functioning as prognostic factors to predict outcomes in low back pain: Protocol for a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) is a highly prevalent condition that substantially impairs individuals' physical functioning. This highlights the need for effective management strategies to improve patient outcomes. It is, therefore, crucial to have knowledge of physical functioning prognostic factors that can predict outcomes to facilitate the development of targeted treatment plans aiming to achieve better patient outcomes. There is no synthesis of evidence for physical functioning measures as prognostic factors in the LBP population. The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize evidence for physical measures of physical functioning as prognostic factors to predict outcomes in LBP.

METHODS

The protocol is registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews and reported in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P). Prospective longitudinal observational studies investigating potential physical prognostic factors in LBP and/or low back-related leg pain population will be included, with no restriction on outcome. Searches will be performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL databases, grey literature search using Open Grey System and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, hand-searching journals, and reference lists of included studies. Two independent reviewers will evaluate the eligibility of studies, extract data, assess risk of bias and quality of evidence. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Quality in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool. Adequacy of clinical, methodological, and statistical homogeneity among included studies will decide quantitative (meta-analysis) or qualitative analysis (narrative synthesis) focused on prognostic factors and strength of association with outcomes. Quality of cumulative evidence will be evaluated using a modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).

DISCUSSION

Information about prognostic factors can be used to predict outcomes in LBP. Accurate outcome prediction is essential for identifying high-risk patients that allows targeted allocation of healthcare resources, ultimately reducing the healthcare burden.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, CRD42023406796.