Evaluation of reconstructive surgery using artificial ligaments in 71 acute knee dislocations

Abstract

This retrospective study assessed the results of 71 patients with knee dislocations who underwent acute combined repair and reconstruction using Ligament Advancement Reinforcement System (LARS) artificial ligaments between June 1996 and May 2008 with a follow-up between two and eight years. The outcome measures used were the Lysholm score, the International Knee Documentation Committee form (IKDC 2000), the Tegner activity level score, the Meyers ratings, Telos stress radiography, range of motion and clinical knee stability testing. When comparing high-versus low-energy dislocations and knee dislocation (KD) II/III versus KD IV injuries, a better Lysholm score for the knee dislocation (KD) II/III group was found compared with the KD IV group. The subjective and objective findings from our study are satisfactory and comparable with the results of other studies of knee dislocations. Our findings suggest that with a mean follow-up of 54 months, acute combined repair and reconstruction with LARS ligaments is a valid alternative for treating knee dislocations.

Surgical Management of Traumatic Knee Dislocation With Posterolateral Corner Injury

“…18,19 There are currently no reports in the orthopaedic literature describing a consistent surgical arthroscopic approach to treatment of these patients with autologous grafts of gracilis and semitendinosus tendons of the injured and uninjured knees for reconstruction of the cruciate ligaments and the posterolateral corner reinforced with LARS artificial ligament (LARS ligament is made of terephthalic polyethylene polyester fibers (JK Orthomedic, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec, Canada). 20,21 The reasons we used autologous grafts reinforced with LARS ligaments is because there was not enough material to reconstruct all the injured ligaments and also because of the small size of the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons if they are used separately. In addition, the use of allografts is not allowed in our part of the world.…”

Cationised gelatin and hyaluronic acid coating enhances polyethylene terephthalate artificial ligament graft osseointegration in porcine bone tunnels

“…It is a valid alternative for treating some acute and serious cases [4]. As this type of PET ligament has hydrophobicity and chemical inertia, the graft-bone healing of the LARS artificial ligament is one of the most important concerns after implantation.…”

Functional Polyethylene Terephthalate with Nanometer‐Sized Bioactive Glass Coatings Stimulating In Vitro and In Vivo Osseointegration for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

“…Presently, Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System (LARS) artificial ligament has been accepted as a graft choice for ACL reconstruction when autograft tendons are not available . The LARS artificial ligament, made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers, has been used for treating some acute and serious cases of ACL reconstruction due to its generally nondegradable, biocompatible and mechanically strong properties . However, the major drawbacks of PET artificial ligament are its insufficient surface hydrophilicity and bioactivity which hinder its osseointegration, resulting in poor mechanical anchorage in the bone tunnel after implantation .…”