PurposeTo evaluate the impact of local soaking of the autografts with vancomycin during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction on postoperative infection rates. MethodsBetween 2003 and 2014 (first study period), 1,242 patients underwent ACL reconstruction using autografts, without soaking them in vancomycin solution, while between 2014 and 2019 (second study period) all ACL autografts in 593 patients were soaked in a 5‐mg/ml vancomycin solution, in a territory University Hospital. The same standard treatment of perioperative IV antibiotics was applied in both groups. ResultsPostoperative septic arthritis occurred in seven out of 1,242 patients (0.56%) during the first study period. Bone patellar tendon bone autograft was used in 311 (25%) patients, and hamstring tendon autograft was used in the rest 931 (75%) of the study population during this period. All infected cases were male and had a hamstrings graft implanted. There were no postoperative infections (0%) in 593 ACL reconstructions during the second study period. Bone patellar tendon bone autograft was used in 178 (30%) patients while hamstring tendon autograft was used in the rest 415 (70%) of the study population, during this period. Statistical analysis revealed a significantly reduced postoperative infection rate (p = 0.018) between the two reported periods, with the main impact referring to the use of hamstrings autograft (p = 0.031) for the first study period. ConclusionsSeptic arthritis following ACL reconstruction can be significantly reduced (or even eliminated) by soaking ACL autografts in a 5 mg/ml vancomycin solution. Of note, this strategy seems to be more effective in the setting of hamstring tendon autograft use, since the risk of postoperative knee infection is significantly higher when this type of graft is used.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the maximum load to failure and stifness of three medial patella-femoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction techniques: (i) suture anchor ixation (SA), (ii) interference screw ixation (SF), and (iii) suture knot (SK) patellar ixation. The null hypothesis was that the comparison between these three diferent patella ixation techniques would show no diference in the ultimate failure load and stifness. Methods Reconstruction of the MPFL with gracilis tendon autograft was performed in 12 pairs of fresh-frozen cadaveric knees (24 knees total; mean age, 63.6 ± 8.0 years). The specimens were randomly distributed into 3 groups of 8 specimens; SA reconstruction was completed with two 3.0-mm metal suture anchors; (SF) ixation was accomplished by two 6-mm bio-composite interference screws; SK ixation at the lateral side of the patella was accomplished after drilling two semipatellar tunnels with a diameter of 4.5 mm. The reconstructions were subjected to cyclic loading for 10 cycles to 30 N and tested to failure at a constant displacement rate of 15 mm/min using a materials-testing machine (MTS 810 Universal Testing System). The inal load of failure (N), stifness (N / mm) and failure mode was recorded in each specimen and followed by statistical analysis. Results There was no signiicant diference in mean ultimate failure load among the three groups. The SK group failed at a mean ( ± SD) ultimate load of 253.5 ± 38.2 N, the SA group failed at 243 ± 41.9 N and the SF group at 263.2 ± 9.06 N. The SF group had a mean stifness of 37.8 ± 5.7 N/mm. This was signiicantly higher (p < 0.05) than the mean stifness value achieved for the SK group 21.4 ± 9.5 N/mm and the SA group 18.7 ± 3.4 N/mm. The most common mode of failure in the SA group was anchor pullout, and in the SK group was failure at the graft-suture interface. All the reconstructions in the SF group failed due to tendon graft slippage from the tunnel. Conclusion Load to failure was not signiicantly diferent between the 3 techniques. However, screw ixation was found to be signiicantly stronger than the anchor and the suture knot ixation in terms of rigidity of the reconstruction. From a clinical point of view, all methods of ixation can be used reliably for MPFL reconstruction, since they were found to be stronger than the native MPFL.

Background The double-bundle technique with two points of patellar fixation in the upper half of the patella replicating the broad attachment site of the native medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is the most commonly performed procedure for MPFL reconstruction. Complete transverse patella tunnels pose a threat to the integrity of the patella. We present an implant-free, double-bundle technique for MPFL reconstruction with gracilis autograft, overcoming the problem of complete patella bone tunnels and over-drilling. Methods After standard gracilis graft harvesting, the anteromedial side of the patella is exposed. With the guidance of an anterior-cruciate-ligament (ACL) tibia-aiming device, two 2-mm parallel guide pins are inserted from medial to lateral at the upper half of the patella. The two guide pins are over-drilled with a cannulated 4.5-mm drill bit 2-cm deep, to create two transverse blind semi-patellar tunnels. For the femoral fixation, a 2.4-mm guide pin with an eyelet is drilled at the Schöttle point and over-reamed with a 6-mm cannulated reamer to a depth of 30 mm. The two free ends of the graft (with two running Krakow sutures placed) are pulled into the two patella tunnels and the graft sutures are tied together with tension for stable graft fixation at the lateral patella rim. With the help of a femoral suture loop (which is inserted in the femoral bone tunnel), the graft-loop is advanced into the femoral bone tunnel and the graft is finally fixed with a 7-mm interference screw at 30° of knee flexion. Results The utilization of blind transverse tunnels (not trans-patellar tunnels) offers the advantage of avoiding stress risers at the patella. Thanks to the ACL tibia aiming device, multiple drilling, and breaching of the anterior patellar cortex or articular surface of the patella is avoided. Conclusions This implant-free, and consequently affordable technique, isolated or combined with bony procedures, minimizes possibilities for perioperative bony complications at the patella fixation site.

Background: Arthroscopic Bankart repair is the most common procedure for anterior shoulder instability management. However, the long-term efficacy of the procedure is questionable, and the results are different among different populations. Few studies have focused on specific populations, such as recreational athletes and laborers. Hypothesis: Good to excellent long-term results, with a low recurrence rate, can be achieved using arthroscopic Bankart repair in recreational athletes and laborers suffering from anterior shoulder instability. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A specific group of laborers and recreational athletes were included in this study. A total of 52 patients (52 shoulders) with anterior-inferior traumatic shoulder instability underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair and met our strict criteria for study inclusion. The recurrence rate was recorded. Patients were evaluated at a minimum follow-up of 5 years using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Rowe score, the Constant score, and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. A radiological evaluation for arthritis was also performed according to the Samilson-Prieto classification. Results: The mean follow-up was 105.4 months (range, 65-164 months). Our overall recurrence rate was 11.5% (6/52 patients). All patients were able to return to their previous job status with minimum limitations, and 76.7% of our study population reported returning to their preinjury sporting activities. Postoperatively, all scores were improved, with statistically significant increases from preoperative values ( P < .001). At the last radiographic follow-up, 9 patients (18.8%) had mild arthritis, while 2 patients (4.2%) had moderate arthritis. Conclusion: Arthroscopic soft tissue Bankart repair may provide good to excellent long-term clinical results with an acceptable recurrence rate in medium-demand patients (recreational athletes and laborers).

Proprioception is a specialized sensory modality encompassing the movement of the joint and its position in space, and it involves the conversion of mechanical deformation of tissues into neural signals. Mechanoreceptors are specialized nerve structures able to transmit mechanical deformation through electrical signals to dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons and are abundant in the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the knee joint. They are believed to play an important role in knee proprioception and dynamic knee stability. Proprioception should always be taken into consideration for successful reconstruction of the cruciate-deficient knee and for pain and function management in the arthritic knee. Advances in histological methods of detection are numerous and continue to highlight the presence and role of mechanoreceptors after ligament reconstruction, depending on choice of graft. In this review, we present the current knowledge of anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments and grafts mechanoreceptors, and their role in proprioception of knee joint, focusing on each type of mechanoreceptors.