Background: Reported infection rates following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction are low, but infections are associated with high morbidity including reoperations and inferior clinical outcomes. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the rate of infection after ACL reconstruction with and without graft preparation with a vancomycin irrigant. Methods: All ACL reconstructions performed between May 2009 and August 2018 at a single academic institution were reviewed and categorized based on vancomycin use. Patients with <90-day follow-up, intraoperative graft preparation with an antibiotic other than vancomycin, or previous ipsilateral knee infection were excluded. Infection was defined as a return to the operating room for irrigation and debridement within 90 days after ACL reconstruction. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis using t tests and Poisson regression were performed, with significance defined as p < 0.05. Results: In total, 1,640 patients (952 males; 58.0%) with a mean age (and standard deviation) of 27.7 ± 11.4 years underwent ACL reconstruction (1,379 primary procedures; 84.1%) and were included for analysis. Intraoperative vancomycin was used in 798 cases (48.7%), whereas 842 ACL reconstructions (51.3%) were performed without intraoperative vancomycin. In total, 11 reconstructions (0.7%) were followed by infection, which occurred in 10 (1.2%) of the patients in whom the graft was not soaked in vancomycin and in 1 (0.1%) of the patients in whom the graft was soaked in vancomycin (p = 0.032). Age (p = 0.571), sex (p = 0.707), smoking (p = 0.407), surgeon (p = 0.124), and insurance type (p = 0.616) were not associated with postoperative infection risk. Autograft use was associated with decreased infections (p = 0.045). There was an 89.4% relative risk reduction with the use of intraoperative vancomycin. An increased body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.029), increased operative time (p = 0.001), and the absence of ACL graft preparation with vancomycin (p = 0.032) independently predicted postoperative infection. Conclusions: The use of vancomycin-soaked grafts was associated with a 10-fold reduction in infection after ACL reconstruction (0.1% versus 1.2%; p = 0.032). Other risk factors for infection after ACL reconstruction included increased BMI and increased operative time. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Retrospective Review with Control, Level III.

Background:Patellar height has long been considered a risk factor for patellofemoral instability. However, recent pediatric literature demonstrated a reduction in patellar height measurements following medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction.Purpose:To assess the mean change in patellar height and the percentage of skeletally mature patients with patellar height ratios reduced to within-normal limits following MPFL reconstruction.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:Adult patients undergoing primary MPFL reconstruction for recurrent lateral patellar instability between 2005 and 2013 were identified. Pre- and postoperative (within 1 year of surgery) lateral knee radiographs were assessed for patellar height indices, including Caton-Deschamps, Blackburne-Peel, and Insall-Salvati ratios. The change in patellar height and the number of patients reduced from abnormal to normal patellar height ratios following MPFL reconstruction were assessed.Results:Overall, 32 adult patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 25.7 years (range, 18-55 years). There were 21 women (66%) and 11 men (34%). Insall-Salvati, Blackburne-Peel, and Caton-Deschamps ratios all demonstrated significant reductions in patellar height between pre- and postoperative lateral knee radiographs (P < .001). All 3 indices showed a reduction in the number of patients meeting the criteria for patella alta following MPFL reconstruction. A total of 64% of patients had an abnormal preoperative Caton-Deschamps ratio reduced to within normal limits postoperatively.Conclusion:MPFL reconstruction provides a consistent reduction in patellar height measurements. The Caton-Deschamps ratio was reduced to the reference range following MPFL reconstruction in 64% of patients with preoperative patella alta. Surgeons treating patellofemoral instability should expect a reduction in patellar height after ligament reconstruction, which may affect the need for more invasive distalization procedures.

No abstract

Aims Metaphyseal cones with cemented stems are frequently used in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, if the diaphysis has been previously violated, the resultant sclerotic canal can impair cemented stem fixation, which is vital for bone ingrowth into the cone, and long-term fixation. We report the outcomes of our solution to this problem, in which impaction grafting and a cemented stem in the diaphysis is combined with an uncemented metaphyseal cone, for revision TKA in patients with severely compromised bone. Methods A metaphyseal cone was combined with diaphyseal impaction grafting and cemented stems for 35 revision TKAs. There were two patients with follow-up of less than two years who were excluded, leaving 33 procedures in 32 patients in the study. The mean age of the patients at the time of revision TKA was 67 years (32 to 87); 20 (60%) were male. Patients had undergone a mean of four (1 to 13) previous knee arthroplasty procedures. The indications for revision were aseptic loosening (80%) and two-stage reimplantation for prosthetic joint infection (PJI; 20%). The mean follow-up was four years (2 to 11). Results Survival free from revision of the cone/impaction grafting construct due to aseptic loosening was 100% at five years. Survival free from any revision of the construct and free from any reoperation were 92% and 73% at five years, respectively. A total of six patients (six TKAs, 17%) required a further revision, four for infection or wound issues, and two for periprosthetic fracture. Radiologically, one unrevised TKA had evidence of loosening which was asymptomatic. In all unrevised TKAs the impacted diaphyseal bone graft appeared to be incorporated radiologically. Conclusion When presented with a sclerotic diaphysis and substantial metaphyseal bone loss, this technique combining diaphyseal impaction grafting with a metaphyseal cone provided near universal success in relation to implant fixation. Moreover, radiographs revealed incorporation of the bone graft and biological fixation of the cone. While long-term follow-up will be important, this technique provides an excellent option for the management of complex revision TKAs. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(6 Supple A):116–122.

Level IV--case series.

The most common knee injuries in off-road motorcycling involve the anterior cruciate ligament, menisci, and medial collateral ligament. The use of prophylactic knee bracing appears to have a beneficial effect in preventing medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament injuries as well as overall knee injury occurrence. These findings may be applicable to other sports that involve similar forces and mechanics.

Periacetabular osteotomies (PAOs) are used to treat acetabular dysplasia in younger patients, but are not without morbidity. Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) injuries are commonly associated with the approach for PAOs, but the true incidence and rate of resolution is not known. The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the incidence of LFCN injuries after PAO using an innovative nerve conduction study (NCS) and to report the patient-reported outcomes. We prospectively enrolled 23 patients (24 hips) undergoing PAOs to have pre- and post-operative NCSs at a mean of 12 weeks post-operative. Patients were followed prospectively. Patients were contacted 3 years post-operatively via phone to determine the presence and severity of symptoms. Patient-reported outcome scores were also correlated with patient symptoms. Patients (91%) reported one or more LFCN symptoms post-operatively. The most common symptoms were numbness (91%), tingling (36%), pain (18%) and burning (9%). Patients (67%) had evidence of LFCN injury based on NCSs. Symptoms (40%) resolved 4 months post-operatively. Two-thirds of patients had continued symptoms at 3 years. Only 1 patient required treatment. The incidence of LFCN injury after PAO is 90%, two-thirds of which can be identified objectively by NCS. Numbness is the most common symptom. LFCN symptoms (40%) resolve by 4 months, but two-thirds of patients may continue to have thigh numbness up to 3 years after surgery. Fortunately, symptoms are not clearly associated with outcome score and treatment for this complication is rare.