Artificial ligaments are a useful tool in ligament reconstruction. Although the new generation of artificial ligaments shows encouraging clinical results, in contrast to earlier generations studies on the biological properties are lacking. Biopsies were taken from a ligament advancement reinforcement system (LARS) 6 months after implantation and investigated by histochemistry. An in vitro study seeding human fibroblasts or osteoblast-like cells (up to 10⁶ cells for 21 days) on ligament pieces (5 × 5 mm) was conducted and analyzed by histochemistry. The biopsies showed complete cellular and connective tissue ingrowth in the LARS ligament. In vitro fibroblasts and osteoblast-like cells encapsulated the fibers by building a cellular net around them. To our knowledge, these findings demonstrate for the first time the cellular ingrowth into the LARS ligament. This mechanism might explain the strength and the inert behavior of the ligament without the synovialitis shown in clinical studies.

We analyzed the clinical outcome of patients who had reconstruction of the extensor apparatus with a new polyester ligament after extensive resection of malignant tumors around the knee. Twenty-two patients were included; 19 were evaluated after a mean followup of 44 months (range, 8-67 months) to assess active and passive knee range of motion, walking ability, need for revision, and TESS and Enneking scores. The patients were divided into two groups; patients in Group A had a weakened extensor mechanism and patients in Group B had a completely dissected extensor mechanism. Seven patients had excellent knee function with an extension lag less than 5 degrees. Five patients had an extension deficit less than 20 degrees, three patients had a deficit less than 40 degrees, and four patients could not extend their limb against gravity. However, all patients were able to walk without walking aids. They had a mean Enneking score of 83 points and a mean TESS score of 82 points. Patients who had distal femur resections had worse results than patients who had proximal tibia resections. The LARS ligament proved promising for augmentation and complete reconstruction of the extensor apparatus of the knee after extensive tumor resection, with excellent and good results in 59% of patients.

Intraoperative US significantly facilitates the detection of calcific deposits during arthroscopic debridement by speeding up surgery and reducing the number of needle punctures. Hence, we have changed our method of detecting calcific deposits intraoperatively from fluoroscopy to ultrasound.

Despite the small number of patients in the study, patient location for positioning the focus in ESWT in treatment of plantar fasciitis with a heel spur is recommended.

To our knowledge, this trial analyzes the largest cohort of elRG to date. Hence, it is clearly alluded that intensive training in RG is a significant factor causing more and stronger pain than in a CG.

Navigated shock-wave therapy significantly improves pain and shoulder function. Patients obtained nearly equal results after three low-energy or two middle-energy sessions of shock-wave treatment. We therefore recommend two sessions of middle-energy shock-wave therapy, as performed in Group II, because of the time-saving factor.

Large defects of functional soft tissue structures, e.g., extensor mechanism, ligaments, muscles, and joint capsule, may occur in tumor surgery or revision surgery following conventional joint replacement. Reconstruction can be performed using biological grafts such as free or pedicled tendon-muscle flaps, allografts, or synthetic material. Prerequisites for synthetic material are good biologic tolerance with fibroblastic ingrowth, mechanical resistance to fatigue, and a maximum of tension force with a minimum of elongation. In this study we used a nonresorbable band of longitudinal polyester fibers with a minimal rupture level of 4000 N and an elongation rate less than 7% of its original length. The shape of the band was designed for universal use with 40 cm length and 6 cm width. Its primary indication was augmentation or complete reconstruction of the extensor mechanism of the knee joint after large extra-articular tumor resections in primary bone tumors. Furthermore, its use for hip joint capsule reconstruction in luxation, coverage of megaprostheses of the humerus, and augmentation after biological reconstruction of tendons achieved excellent results.

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