No abstract

I.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair has once again become a focus of research because of the development of new techniques. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to compare the functional results and recurrent instability rates in patients undergoing ACL repair with dynamic intraligamentary stabilization (DIS) versus primary ACL reconstruction (ACLR) for acute isolated ACL tears. The hypothesis was that functional results and knee joint stability after ACL repair with DIS would be comparable with that after ACLR. Study Design: Randomized clinical trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: A total of 85 patients with acute ACL tears were randomized to undergo either ACL repair with DIS or primary ACLR. The preinjury activity level and function were recorded. Follow-up examinations were performed at 6 weeks and 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Anterior tibial translation (ATT) was evaluated using Rolimeter testing. The Tegner activity scale, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective form, and Lysholm knee scoring scale scores were obtained. Clinical failure was defined as ΔATT >3 mm in combination with subjective instability. Recurrent instability and other complications were recorded. Results: There were 83 patients (97.6%) who were successfully followed until 2 years. ATT was significantly increased in the DIS group compared with the ACLR group (ΔATT, 1.9 vs 0.9 mm, respectively; P = .0086). A total of 7 patients (16.3%) in the DIS group had clinical failure and underwent single-stage revision. In the ACLR group, 5 patients (12.5%) had failure of the reconstruction procedure; 4 of these patients required 2-stage revision. The difference in the failure rate was not significant ( P = .432). There were 4 patients (3 in the DIS group and 1 in the ACLR group) who showed increased laxity (ΔATT >3 mm) without subjective instability and did not require revision. Recurrent instability was associated with young age (<25 years) and high Tegner scores (>6) in both groups. No significant differences between ACL repair with DIS and ACLR were found for the Tegner, IKDC, and Lysholm scores at any time. Conclusion: Whereas ATT measured by Rolimeter testing was significantly increased after ACL repair with DIS, clinical failure was similar to that after ACLR. In addition, functional results after ACL repair with DIS for acute tears were comparable with those after ACLR. The current study supports the use of ACL repair with DIS as an option to treat acute ACL tears. Registration: DRKS00015466 (German Clinical Trials Register)

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with locking plates or primary arthroplasty remains a controversial issue in the management of complex proximal humerus fractures. Aim of this study was to evaluate the surgeon- and patient-based outcome of patients older than 65 years who underwent ORIF using locking plate fixation of a 3- or 4-part fracture of the proximal humerus. Twenty-seven patients older than 65 years were treated with locking plate fixation (PHILOS, Fa. Synthes, Umkirch, Germany). At an average follow-up of 44 months, the clinical and the subjective outcome were evaluated, and complications were analyzed. The mean age- and gender-related Constant score was 70% (30–100%) compared with 92% (47–108%) of the contralateral non-injured shoulder. The mean DASH score was 29 points (0–71). Five patients (18.5%) showed clinical signs of an impingement, which was related to malpositioning of the plate in 3 cases. Screw cutout was seen in 22.2% (6 patients). Avascular necrosis of the head or the tubercula was found in 8 patients (29.6%). The revision rate was 29.6%. However, the patients considered the functional status of their shoulder as “good” or “satisfactory.” The functional and patient-orientated results of the locking plate fixation of complex displaced proximal humerus fractures in the elderly are comparable to those of primary arthroplasty and minimally invasive treatment. Proper surgical technique (screw length, plate position) is mandatory for reducing the revision rate.

DIS with a preload of 80 N restores knee joint kinematics comparable to that of an ACL-intact knee and is therefore capable of providing knee joint stability during ACL healing. DIS therefore provides a new technique for primary ACL repair with superior biomechanical properties in comparison with other techniques that have been described previously, although further clinical studies are required to determine its usefulness in clinical settings.