Repair or Reconstruction in Acute Posterolateral Instability of the Knee: Decision Making and Surgical Technique Introduction

Clinical results after arthroscopic reconstruction of the posterolateral corner of the knee: A prospective randomized trial comparing two different surgical techniques

INTRODUCTION

Arthroscopic reconstruction techniques of the posterolateral corner (PLC) of the knee have been developed in recent years. Reconstruction techniques for higher-grade PLC injuries have not yet been validated in clinical studies. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes of two different techniques and to present results of the first prospective randomized clinical trial of patients to undergo these novel procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

19 patients with Fanelli Type B posterolateral corner injuries and additional posterior cruciate ligament ruptures were included in this prospective study. They were randomly assigned to one of two novel arthroscopic reconstruction techniques, based on open surgeries developed by Arciero (group A) and LaPrade (group B). Follow-up was conducted at 6 and 12 months postoperatively and included clinical examinations for lateral, rotational and posterior stability, range of motion and subjective clinical outcome scores (IKDC Subjective Score, Lysholm Score, Tegner Activity Scale and Numeric Rating Scale for pain).

RESULTS

At 6 and 12 months postoperative, all patients in both groups presented stable to varus, external rotational and posterior forces, there were no significant differences between the two groups. At 12-month follow-up, group A patients showed significantly higher maximum flexion angles (134.17° ± 3.76° vs. 126.60° ± 4.22°; p = 0.021) compared to patients of group B. Duration of surgery was significantly longer in Group B patients than in group A (121.88 ± 11.63 vs. 165.00 ± 35.65 min; p = 0.003). Posterior drawer (side-to-side difference) remained more reduced in group A (2.50 ± 0.69 mm vs. 3.27 ± 0.92 mm; p = 0.184). Subjective patient outcome scores showed no significant differences between groups (Lysholm Score 83.33 ± 7.79 vs. 86.40 ± 9.21; p = 0.621).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates sufficient restoration of posterolateral rotational instability, varus instability and posterior drawer after arthroscopic posterolateral corner reconstruction without neurovascular complications. Increased postoperative range of motion and a shorter and less invasive surgical procedure could favor the arthroscopic reconstruction technique according to Arciero over LaPrade's technique in future treatment considerations.

Comparative Success of Repair Versus Reconstruction for Knee Extra-articular Ligament Injuries

Background

Surgical techniques and associated outcomes in treating acute and chronic extra-articular ligament knee injuries are in evolution, and there is question as to whether repair or reconstruction is optimal.

Purpose/Hypothesis

The purpose of this study was to compare the subsequent surgery rate between surgical repair versus reconstruction for all extra-articular ligament injuries of the knee utilizing a large database. Our hypothesis was that overall surgical repair of both lateral and medial extra-articular knee injuries would have a higher revision rate than those treated by reconstruction.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

The PearlDiver Mariner data set (2010-2019), with 122 million patients, was utilized to generate 2 patient cohorts: those who underwent surgical repair and those who underwent surgical reconstruction of a knee extra-articular ligament injury. All patients had a minimum of 2 years follow-up. Rates of concomitant or subsequent cruciate ligament reconstruction and rates of secondary procedures were assessed and compared between the 2 cohorts.

Results

In total, 3563 patients were identified: extra-articular ligament reconstruction was performed for 2405 (67.5%), and repair was performed for 1158 (32.5%). Cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed for 986 (27.7%), of which 888 of 986 (90.1%) were performed on the same day as their extra-articular ligament procedure. At 2-year follow-up, the reconstruction cohort had higher rates of revision surgery compared with the repair cohort (8.2% vs 2.5%; P < .001).

Conclusion

Using a large national database, knee extra-articular ligamentous reconstructions (those on both the lateral and the medial side) had a 3.3 times higher rate of revision surgery compared with repair at 2-year follow-up. Further study is needed to investigate the causes leading to revision surgery and to determine the optimal surgical treatment for both medial and lateral extra-articular knee ligament injuries.

Outcomes after Multiligament Knee Injury Reconstruction using Novel Graft Constructs and Techniques

Clinical outcomes after reconstruction for multiligamentous knee injury (MLKI) can be consistently favorable. However, recent implants and technique advances may allow for improvement in outcomes. Our institution has developed novel graft constructs and techniques for reconstructions with preclinical data supporting clinical use. Our study purpose was to assess clinical outcomes after reconstruction for MKLI using our constructs and techniques. Overall success rate, failure/revision rates, return to work (RTW)/return to sports (RTS) rates, and complications were evaluated testing the hypothesis that novel methods would be associated with clinical benefits with respect to applications and outcomes compared with historical results. We reviewed a single-surgeon, longitudinal database of 42 patients who underwent multiligament reconstruction at our institution using these techniques for at least two-ligament injuries. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score and PROMIS (patient-reported outcomes measurement information system) were collected preoperatively and postoperatively at a minimum 1-year follow-up. Among these patients, 33 patients (mean age of 28.9 years, mean body mass index (BMI) of 33.2 kg/m², mean follow-up of 14.2 months) were included for outcomes analyses. With the definition of success as having a VAS score of less than or equal to 2 without revision/salvage surgery due to recurrent/residual instability or arthritis, overall success rate was 88% (29/33). The mean VAS scores improved from 5 ± 2 to 2 ± 2. The mean preoperative PROMIS mental health score was 36.2 ± 7, general health was 33.5 ± 6, pain was 62.7 ± 8, and physical function score was 29.4 ± 3. At the final follow-up, PROMIS MH was 50.2 ± 10, GH was 44.4 ± 9, pain was 54.3 ± 9, and PF was 42.6 ± 8.4. Return to work rate was 94% (31/33), and 52% (17/33) of patients were able to RTS at any level. Our results demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes associated with a primary success rate of 88% and RTW rate of 94%. Intraoperative complications occurred in 9.5% of cases and revision and failure rates were 9% and 3%, respectively. Our initial results suggest that multiligament reconstructions using novel graft constructs and techniques are safe and effective and can be considered an appropriate option for reconstruction of the full clinical spectrum of MLKIs.

Development and Assessment of Novel Multiligament Knee Injury Reconstruction Graft Constructs and Techniques

Multiligament knee injury (MLKI) typically requires surgical reconstruction to achieve the optimal outcomes for patients. Revision and failure rates after surgical reconstruction for MLKI can be as high as 40%, suggesting the need for improvements in graft constructs and implantation techniques. This study assessed novel graft constructs and surgical implantation and fixation techniques for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), posterior medial corner (PMC), and posterior lateral corner (PLC) reconstruction. Study objectives were (1) to describe each construct and technique in detail, and (2) to optimize MLKI reconstruction surgical techniques using these constructs so as to consistently implant grafts in correct anatomical locations while preserving bone stock and minimizing overlap. Cadaveric knees (n = 3) were instrumented to perform arthroscopic-assisted and open surgical creation of sockets and tunnels for all components of MLKI reconstruction using our novel techniques. Sockets and tunnels with potential for overlap were identified and assessed to measure the minimum distances between them using gross, computed tomographic, and finite element analysis-based measurements. Percentage of bone volume spared for each knee was also calculated. Femoral PLC-lateral collateral ligament and femoral PMC sockets, as well as tibial PCL and tibial PMC posterior oblique ligament sockets, were at high risk for overlap. Femoral ACL and femoral PLC lateral collateral ligament sockets and tibial popliteal tendon and tibial posterior oblique ligament sockets were at moderate risk for overlap. However, with careful planning based on awareness of at-risk MLKI graft combinations in conjunction with protection of the socket/tunnel and trajectory adjustment using fluoroscopic guidance, the novel constructs and techniques allow for consistent surgical reconstruction of all major ligaments in MLKIs such that socket and tunnel overlap can be consistently avoided. As such, the potential advantages of the constructs, including improved graft-to-bone integration, capabilities for sequential tensioning of the graft, and bone sparing effects, can be implemented.

Surgical Treatment of Combined ACL, PCL, and Lateral Side Injuries

A knee dislocation that involves at least 2 of the 4 major ligament groups-such as the anterior cruciate ligament, the posterior cruciate ligament, or the posterolateral corner-is a catastrophic event for an athlete or trauma patient. Careful evaluation of these patients is needed to avoid disastrous outcomes. Surgeons must be cognizant of a number of key treatment concerns-such as tunnel crowding, controversies over graft fixation methods, and sparsity of level I clinical data-to make proper ligament repair decisions. This manuscript will review treatment principles that govern high-quality care of this complex injury.

Posterolateral corner of the knee: a systematic literature review of current concepts of arthroscopic reconstruction

INTRODUCTION

Injuries of the posterolateral corner (PLC) of the knee lead to chronic lateral and external rotational instability and are often associated with PCL injuries. Numerous surgical techniques for repair and reconstruction of the PLC are established. Recently, several arthroscopic techniques have been published in order to address different degrees of PLC injuries through reconstruction of one or more functional structures. The purpose of this systematic review is to give an overview about arthroscopic techniques of posterolateral corner reconstructions and to evaluate their safeness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review of the literature on arthroscopic reconstructions of the posterolateral corner of the knee according to the PRISMA guidelines was performed using PubMed MEDLINE and Web of Science Databases on June 15th, 2020. Inclusion criteria were descriptions of surgical techniques to reconstruct different aspects of the posterolateral corner either strictly arthroscopically or minimally-invasive with an arthroscopic assistance.

RESULTS

Arthroscopic techniques differ with regard to the extent of reconstructed units (popliteus tendon, popliteofibular ligament, lateral collateral ligament), surgical approach (transseptal, lateral) and biomechanical results (anatomic vs. non-anatomic reconstruction, restoration of rotational instability and/or lateral instability).

CONCLUSION

Different approaches to arthroscopic PLC reconstruction are presented, yet clinical results are scarce. Up to now good and excellent clinical results are reported. No major complications are reported in the literature so far.

Increased Risk of Revision, Reoperation, and Implant Constraint in TKA After Multiligament Knee Surgery

BACKGROUND

The risk of major complications and revision arthroplasty after TKA in patients who previously underwent multiligament knee surgery have been poorly characterized.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

Is multiligament knee surgery before TKA associated with (1) worse implant survival, (2) increased use of TKA design constraint, (3) a greater risk for major complications, and (4) poorer scores for pain and function compared with similar patients receiving TKA for primary osteoarthritis?

METHODS

Fifty-nine TKAs were performed at our institution between 1985 and 2014 in 59 patients (36 men, 23 women; mean age, 53 years) with a history of previous multiligament knee surgery (≥ two ligaments). Of those, we had followup for 39 (66%), 18 (31%), and six (10%) patients at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively; mean followup was 5.4 years (range, 1-25 years). A two-to-one matched control group consisting of patients undergoing primary TKA for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis was selected for comparison. Patients were matched based on gender, age at primary TKA (within 5 years), and date of the TKA (within 5 years). Medical records were reviewed for survivorship, TKA design, complications (reoperation, revision, infection, manipulation under anesthesia, and periprosthetic joint infection), TKA design, and clinical outcomes (Knee Society Scores [KSS], Knee Society Function Score [KSS-F]).

RESULTS

The overall 15-year revision-free survival in patients with prior multiligament knee surgery was decreased in comparison to the matched controls (42% [95% CI, 16%-73%] vs 94% [95% CI, 81%-99%]; p < 0.001). Varus-valgus constraint implant design was used for more patients in the multiligament cohort at index TKA than in the matched control group (9/59 [15%] vs 0/110 [0%], respectively; odds ratio [OR], 45; 95% CI, 3-781; p = 0.009). Patients with a history of multiligament knee surgery also were at increased risk of reoperation for any cause (14/59 [24%] vs 7/118 [6%]; OR, 5; 95% CI, 2-14; p = 0.001). With the numbers available, there was no difference in the frequency of manipulation under anesthesia after TKA (10% [6/59] versus 3% [4/118]; p = 0.08) A higher proportion of patients in the multiligament cohort had infections develop compared with the matched controls (4/59 [7%] vs 1/118 [< 1%)], respectively; p = 0.04). There was no difference in the KSS improvement after TKA between the multiligament group and the control group (34 ± 18 vs 28 ± 15; p = 0.088). The final KSS and KSS-F scores likewise showed no difference between those groups (88 ± 13 vs 85 ± 10; p = 0.232) (85 ± 17 vs 84 ± 14; p = 0.75).

CONCLUSIONS

A history of multiligament surgery is associated with lower long-term survivorship, higher use of constrained TKA designs, and higher risk of major complications, including reoperation and infection. Further research is necessary to determine if a particular multiligamentous surgical technique can prevent posttraumatic arthritis and TKA complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic study.

Arthroscopic Technique for Isolated Posterolateral Rotational Instability of the Knee

Isolated posterolateral corner injury is an uncommon injury that could be a source of unexplained knee pain and dysfunction. Most of these patients present instability caused by concomitant ligament injuries. Numerous studies have shown open approach posterolateral repair or reconstruction surgeries to restore posterolateral rotational stability. Still, there is a certain population of patients who present posterolateral rotation instability without significant injury to the fibular collateral ligament, popliteal fibular ligament, and popliteus tendon. The posterolateral capsular ligament is critical to provide posterolateral rotation stability. In this Technical Note, with video, we show a completely arthroscopic approach to stabilize the posterolateral corner, by stabilizing the posterior lateral joint capsule with the lateral meniscus attached to the rim of the lateral tibial plateau.