Robert F. LaPrade MD, PhD

Background Medial meniscus ramp tears are present in 22.9–40.8% of anterior cruciate ligament tears. The diagnosis of ramp tears is difficult on MRI, with sensitivity reported around 48%, which has recently emphasized the importance of proper arthroscopic probing for ramp tears. Methods A prospective evaluation was performed on patients undergoing a single bundle ACL reconstruction to assess patient demographics, posterior tibial slope, posterior cruciate ligament angle, Lachman’s exam, and rotational instability to determine secondary findings associated with medial meniscal ramp tears. Results A total of 96 patients underwent ACL reconstruction, of these, 63 patients had an isolated ACL tear, and 33 patients had an ACL tear with a concomitant medial meniscus ramp tear. A high-grade Lachman’s exam and male sex were associated with medial meniscus ramp tears. There were no differences in posterior tibial slope, posterior cruciate ligament angle, or rotational instability between groups. Conclusions This study found that a high-grade Lachman’s exam and male sex were significantly associated with patients with an ACL tear with a concomitant medial meniscus ramp tear. These findings suggest that an ACL tear with concomitant medial meniscus ramp tear may be better diagnosed based upon the clinical evaluation rather than other secondary radiological findings.

BackgroundFibular collateral ligament (FCL) injuries commonly present in a multiligament knee injury pattern. These injuries are associated with significant instability leading to altered tibiofemoral biomechanics and therefore require surgical intervention. Similarly, grade 3 posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries may disrupt normal tibiofemoral and patellofemoral biomechanics and increase the risk of secondary osteoarthritis. Therefore, concomitant reconstruction of the FCL and PCL should be performed to decrease knee laxity and optimize functional outcomes.IndicationsEarly operative treatment is indicated for patients with combined grade 3 FCL injuries and complete PCL tears. Contraindications to this procedure include patients who have significant osteoarthritis, open knee dislocations, or medical comorbidities making them unfit for surgery.Technique DescriptionThe fundamental idea behind this …

BackgroundOutcomes after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction (PCLR) have been reported to be inferior to those of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Furthermore, combined ligament injuries have been reported to have inferior outcomes compared with isolated PCLR.Purpose/HypothesisThe purpose of this study was to report on PCLR outcomes and failure rates and compare these outcomes between isolated PCLR and multiligament knee surgery involving the PCL. The hypothesis was that combined PCL injury reconstruction would have higher rates of subjective failure and revision relative to isolated PCLR.Study DesignCohort study; Level of evidence, 3.MethodsPatients with primary PCLR with or without concomitant ligament injuries registered in the Norwegian Knee Ligament Registry between 2004 and 2021 were included. Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) totals …

BackgroundAnatomically, native posterior tibial slope (PTS) ranges from 6° to 10° and have significant effects on cruciate ligament stability. PTS <6° is correlated with increased posterior tibial translation (PTT) and force on the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), predisposing individuals to PCL injuries and an increased risk of PCL graft attenuation. In rare cases, a reverse tibial slope can occur (<0°) as a result of trauma, physeal arrest, or abnormal development. This results in increased PTT and can lead to posterior tibial subluxation. Reverse tibial slopes in patients can be treated with an anterior opening wedge proximal tibial osteotomy, which increases the PTS to a more anatomic position.IndicationsBiplanar anterior opening wedge proximal tibial osteotomies are indicated in patients with a reverse tibial slope both with the absence of PCL insufficiency or in conjunction with PCL reconstruction.Technique …

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are one of the most common sport-related injuries and occur in greater than 3% of athletes in a four-year window of sports participation. Non-contact injuries are the most common mechanism for ACL injury in elite-level athletes, especially with increased valgus and external rotation of the knee when loading eccentrically in flexion. Because of the immense toll these injuries and their recovery take on athletes especially, optimal treatment has been a subject of great interest for some time. Many ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and repair techniques have been implemented and improved in the last two decades, leading to many surgical options for this type of injury. The surgical approach to high-level athletes in particular requires additional attention that may not be necessary in the general population. Important considerations for optimizing ACL treatment in high-level athletes include choosing repair vs. reconstruction, surgical techniques, choice of auto-or allograft, and associated concomitant procedures including other injuries or reinforcing techniques as well as attention to rehabilitation. Here, we discuss a range of surgical techniques from repair to reconstruction, and compare and contrast various reconstructive and reinforcing techniques as well as associated surgical pearls and pitfalls. Good outcomes for athletes suffering from ACL injury are attainable with proper treatment including the principles discussed herein.

The aim of this study was to assess the epiligament theory by determining the normal epiligament morphology of the proximal and distal parts of the anterior cruciate ligament in humans and analyzing the differences between them and the midportion of the ligament in terms of cell numbers and expression of CD34 and α-SMA. Samples were obtained from the anterior cruciate ligaments of 12 fresh knee joints. Monoclonal antibodies against CD34 and α-SMA were used for immunohistochemistry. Photomicrographs were analyzed using ImageJ software, version 1.53f. The cell density was higher in the epiligament than in the ligament connective tissue. Cell counts were higher in the proximal and distal thirds than in the midsubstance of the epiligament. CD34 was expressed similarly in the proximal and distal thirds, although it seemed slightly more pronounced in the distal third. α-SMA expression was more robust in the proximal than the distal part. The results revealed that CD34 and α-SMA are expressed in the human epiligament. The differences between the numbers of cells in the proximal and distal parts of the epiligament and the expression of CD34 and α-SMA enhance epiligament theory. Future investigations into improving the quality of ligament healing should not overlook the epiligament theory.

PurposeExternal snapping hip syndrome (ESHS) was historically attributed to isolated iliotibial band (ITB) contracture. However, the gluteus maximus complex (GMC) may also be involved. This study aimed to intraoperatively identify the ESHS origin and assess the outcomes of endoscopic treatment based on the identified aetiological type.MethodsFrom 2008-2014, 30 consecutive patients (34 hips) with symptomatic ESHS cases refractory to conservative treatment underwent endoscopic stepwise “fan-like” release, gradually addressing all known reasons of ESHS: from the isolated ITB, through the fascial part of the GMC until a partial release of gluteus maximus femoral attachment occurred. Snapping was assessed intra-operatively after each surgical step and prospectively recorded. Functional outcomes were assessed via the MAHORN Hip Outcome Tool (MHOT-14).ResultsTwenty seven patients (31 hips) were …

BackgroundAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) is a well-established surgical procedure, but it may not always restore complete rotational knee stability. Interest is increasing in anterolateral complex (ALC) procedures, lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) and anterolateral ligament reconstruction (ALLR), in association with ACLR to overcome this problem. The better ALC procedure, LET or ALLR, remains controversial to date.PurposeTo analyze the patient-reported outcome measures and ACL reinjury rate after ACLR with an ALC procedure compared with after isolated ACLR, as well as to analyze the clinical results and graft failure rate of the LET group versus the ALLR group.Study DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 2.MethodsA PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) flowchart was used to conduct a comprehensive …