Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® 3/2012

01-03-2012 | Symposium: Complex Knee Ligament Surgery

Surgical Technique: Does Mini-invasive Medial Collateral Ligament and Posterior Oblique Ligament Repair Restore Knee Stability in Combined Chronic Medial and ACL Injuries?

Authors: Gian Luigi Canata, MD, Alfredo Chiey, MD, Tommaso Leoni, MD

Published in: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® | Issue 3/2012

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Residual laxity remains after ACL reconstruction in patients with combined chronic ACL and medial instability. The question arises whether to correct medial capsular and ligament injuries when Grade II and III medial laxity is present.

Description of Technique

We developed a mini-invasive medial ligament plasty to repair the medial collateral ligament to correct residual medial valgus and rotatory laxity after ACL reconstruction.

Patients and Methods

We prospectively followed 36 patients with an ACL deficiency combined with chronic Grade II or III valgus and rotatory medial instability. The mean age was 37 years (range, 15–70 years). For all patients, we obtained preoperative and postoperative Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome, International Knee Documentation Committee, Lysholm, and Tegner Activity Level Scores. The minimum followup was 2 years (median, 3 years; range, 2–7 years).

Results

The mean subjective International Knee Documentation Committee score improved from 36 preoperatively to 94 at the last followup. While all patients had an International Knee Documentation Committee score of Grade C or D preoperatively, no patient did postoperatively. The mean Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score improved from 45 preoperatively to 93 postoperatively. Valgus and external rotatory tests were negative in all patients. The mean Tegner activity level decreased from 7 preinjury to 6 postoperatively, and the mean Lysholm score improved from 40 preoperatively to 93 at last followup.

Conclusions

This simple technique restored medial stability and knee function to normal or nearly normal in all patients.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Branch TP, Mayr HO, Browne JE, Campbell JC, Stoehr A, Jacobs CA. Instrumented examination of anterior cruciate ligament injuries: minimizing flaws of the manual clinical examination. Arthroscopy. 2010;26:997–1004.PubMedCrossRef Branch TP, Mayr HO, Browne JE, Campbell JC, Stoehr A, Jacobs CA. Instrumented examination of anterior cruciate ligament injuries: minimizing flaws of the manual clinical examination. Arthroscopy. 2010;26:997–1004.PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Fetto JF, Marshall JL. Medial collateral ligament injuries of the knee: a rationale for treatment. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1978;132:206–218.PubMed Fetto JF, Marshall JL. Medial collateral ligament injuries of the knee: a rationale for treatment. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1978;132:206–218.PubMed
3.
go back to reference Galway RD, Beaupre A, Macintosh DL. Pivot shift: a clinical sign of symptomatic anterior cruciate insufficiency. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1972;54:763–764. Galway RD, Beaupre A, Macintosh DL. Pivot shift: a clinical sign of symptomatic anterior cruciate insufficiency. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1972;54:763–764.
4.
go back to reference Griffith CJ, LaPrade RF, Johansen S, Armitage B, Wijdicks C, Engebretsen L. Medial knee injury. Am J Sports Med. 2009;37:1762–1770.PubMedCrossRef Griffith CJ, LaPrade RF, Johansen S, Armitage B, Wijdicks C, Engebretsen L. Medial knee injury. Am J Sports Med. 2009;37:1762–1770.PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Halinen J, Lindahl J, Hirvensalo E. Range of motion and quadriceps power after early surgical treatment of acute combined anterior cruciate and Grade-III medial collateral ligament injuries. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009;91:1305–1312.PubMedCrossRef Halinen J, Lindahl J, Hirvensalo E. Range of motion and quadriceps power after early surgical treatment of acute combined anterior cruciate and Grade-III medial collateral ligament injuries. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009;91:1305–1312.PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Hughston JC, Eilers AF. The role of the posterior oblique ligament in repairs of acute medial (collateral) ligament tears of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1973;55:923–940.PubMed Hughston JC, Eilers AF. The role of the posterior oblique ligament in repairs of acute medial (collateral) ligament tears of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1973;55:923–940.PubMed
7.
go back to reference Inoue M, McGurk-Burleson E, Hollis JM, Woo SL. Treatment of the medial collateral ligament injury. I: The importance of anterior cruciate ligament on the varus-valgus knee laxity. Am J Sports Med. 1987;15:15–21.PubMedCrossRef Inoue M, McGurk-Burleson E, Hollis JM, Woo SL. Treatment of the medial collateral ligament injury. I: The importance of anterior cruciate ligament on the varus-valgus knee laxity. Am J Sports Med. 1987;15:15–21.PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Irrgang JJ, Anderson AF, Boland AL, Harner CD, Neyret P, Richmond JC, Shelbourne KD; International Knee Documentation Committee. Responsiveness of the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form. Am J Sports Med. 2006;34:1567–1573.PubMedCrossRef Irrgang JJ, Anderson AF, Boland AL, Harner CD, Neyret P, Richmond JC, Shelbourne KD; International Knee Documentation Committee. Responsiveness of the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form. Am J Sports Med. 2006;34:1567–1573.PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Irrgang JJ, Ho H, Harner CD, Fu FH. Use of the International Knee Documentation Committee guidelines to assess outcome following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 1998;6:107–114.PubMedCrossRef Irrgang JJ, Ho H, Harner CD, Fu FH. Use of the International Knee Documentation Committee guidelines to assess outcome following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 1998;6:107–114.PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Kim SJ, Lee DH, Kim TE, Choi NH. Concomitant reconstruction of the medial collateral and posterior oblique ligaments for medial instability of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2008;90:1323–1327.PubMedCrossRef Kim SJ, Lee DH, Kim TE, Choi NH. Concomitant reconstruction of the medial collateral and posterior oblique ligaments for medial instability of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2008;90:1323–1327.PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Kovachevich R, Levy BA, Shah JP, Arens AM, Dahm DL, Stuart MJ. Operative management of the medial collateral ligament in the multi-ligament injured knee: an evidence-based systematic review. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2009;17:823–829.PubMedCrossRef Kovachevich R, Levy BA, Shah JP, Arens AM, Dahm DL, Stuart MJ. Operative management of the medial collateral ligament in the multi-ligament injured knee: an evidence-based systematic review. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2009;17:823–829.PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Laprade RF, Bernhardson AS, Griffith CJ, Macalena JA, Wijdicks CA. Correlation of valgus stress radiographs with medial knee ligament injuries: an in vitro biomechanical study. Am J Sports Med. 2010;38:330–338.PubMedCrossRef Laprade RF, Bernhardson AS, Griffith CJ, Macalena JA, Wijdicks CA. Correlation of valgus stress radiographs with medial knee ligament injuries: an in vitro biomechanical study. Am J Sports Med. 2010;38:330–338.PubMedCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Lind M, Jakobsen BW, Lund B, Hansen MS, Abdallah O, Christiansen SE. Anatomical reconstruction of the medial collateral ligament and postero-medial corner of the knee in patients with chronic medial collateral ligament instability. Am J Sports Med. 2009;37:1116–1122.PubMedCrossRef Lind M, Jakobsen BW, Lund B, Hansen MS, Abdallah O, Christiansen SE. Anatomical reconstruction of the medial collateral ligament and postero-medial corner of the knee in patients with chronic medial collateral ligament instability. Am J Sports Med. 2009;37:1116–1122.PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Lysholm J, Gillquist J. Evaluation of knee ligament surgery results with special emphasis on use of a scoring scale. Am J Sports Med. 1982;10:150–154.PubMedCrossRef Lysholm J, Gillquist J. Evaluation of knee ligament surgery results with special emphasis on use of a scoring scale. Am J Sports Med. 1982;10:150–154.PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Marshall JL, Wang JB, Furman W, Girgis FG, Warren R. The anterior drawer sign: what is it? J. Sports Med. 1975;3:152–158.PubMedCrossRef Marshall JL, Wang JB, Furman W, Girgis FG, Warren R. The anterior drawer sign: what is it? J. Sports Med. 1975;3:152–158.PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference McCarroll JR, Shelbourne KD, Porter DA, Rettig AC, Murray S. Patellar tendon graft reconstruction for midsubstance anterior cruciate ligament rupture in junior high school athletes: an algorithm for management. Am J Sports Med. 1994;22:478–484.PubMedCrossRef McCarroll JR, Shelbourne KD, Porter DA, Rettig AC, Murray S. Patellar tendon graft reconstruction for midsubstance anterior cruciate ligament rupture in junior high school athletes: an algorithm for management. Am J Sports Med. 1994;22:478–484.PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Millett PJ, Pennock AT, Sterett WI, Steadman JR. Early ACL reconstruction in combined ACL-MCL injuries. J Knee Surg. 2004;17:94–98.PubMed Millett PJ, Pennock AT, Sterett WI, Steadman JR. Early ACL reconstruction in combined ACL-MCL injuries. J Knee Surg. 2004;17:94–98.PubMed
18.
go back to reference Miyamoto RG, Bosco JA, Sherman OH. Treatment of medial collateral ligament injuries. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2009;17:152–161.PubMed Miyamoto RG, Bosco JA, Sherman OH. Treatment of medial collateral ligament injuries. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2009;17:152–161.PubMed
19.
go back to reference Muller W. [The Knee: Form, Function and Ligament Reconstruction] [in Italian]. Milano, Italy: Ghedini Ed; 1986:66–70. Muller W. [The Knee: Form, Function and Ligament Reconstruction] [in Italian]. Milano, Italy: Ghedini Ed; 1986:66–70.
20.
go back to reference Nakamura N, Horibe S, Toritsuka Y, Mitsuoka T, Yoshikawa H, Shino K. Acute Grade III medial collateral ligament injury of the knee associated with anterior cruciate ligament tear: the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging in determining a treatment regimen. Am J Sports Med. 2003;31:261–267.PubMed Nakamura N, Horibe S, Toritsuka Y, Mitsuoka T, Yoshikawa H, Shino K. Acute Grade III medial collateral ligament injury of the knee associated with anterior cruciate ligament tear: the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging in determining a treatment regimen. Am J Sports Med. 2003;31:261–267.PubMed
21.
go back to reference Osti L, Papalia R, Del Buono A, Merlo F, Denaro V, Maffulli N. Simultaneous surgical management of chronic Grade-2 valgus instability of the knee and anterior cruciate ligament deficiency in athletes. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2010;18:312–316.PubMedCrossRef Osti L, Papalia R, Del Buono A, Merlo F, Denaro V, Maffulli N. Simultaneous surgical management of chronic Grade-2 valgus instability of the knee and anterior cruciate ligament deficiency in athletes. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2010;18:312–316.PubMedCrossRef
22.
go back to reference Outerbridge RE. The aetiology of chondromalacia patellae. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1961;43:752–757.PubMed Outerbridge RE. The aetiology of chondromalacia patellae. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1961;43:752–757.PubMed
23.
go back to reference Pugh L, Mascarenhas R, Arneja S, Chin PY, Leith JM. Current concepts in instrumented knee-laxity testing. Am J Sports Med. 2009;37:199–210.PubMedCrossRef Pugh L, Mascarenhas R, Arneja S, Chin PY, Leith JM. Current concepts in instrumented knee-laxity testing. Am J Sports Med. 2009;37:199–210.PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Ritchie JR, Miller MD, Harner CD. History and physical examination of the knee. In: Fu FH, Harner CD, Vince KG, eds. Knee Surgery. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins; 1994;253–273. Ritchie JR, Miller MD, Harner CD. History and physical examination of the knee. In: Fu FH, Harner CD, Vince KG, eds. Knee Surgery. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins; 1994;253–273.
25.
go back to reference Robins AJ, Newman AP, Burks RT. Postoperative return of motion in anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament injuries: the effect of medial collateral ligament rupture location. Am J Sports Med. 1993;21:20–25.PubMedCrossRef Robins AJ, Newman AP, Burks RT. Postoperative return of motion in anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament injuries: the effect of medial collateral ligament rupture location. Am J Sports Med. 1993;21:20–25.PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Roos EM, Roos HP, Lohmander LS, Ekdahl C, Beynnon BD. Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS): development of a self-administered outcome measure. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1998;28:88–96.PubMed Roos EM, Roos HP, Lohmander LS, Ekdahl C, Beynnon BD. Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS): development of a self-administered outcome measure. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1998;28:88–96.PubMed
27.
go back to reference Scott WN. Ligament and Extensor Mechanism Injuries of the Knee: Diagnosis and Treatment. St Louis, MO: CV Mosby; 1991:89. Scott WN. Ligament and Extensor Mechanism Injuries of the Knee: Diagnosis and Treatment. St Louis, MO: CV Mosby; 1991:89.
28.
go back to reference Shelbourne KD, Nitz P. Accelerated rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Am J Sports Med. 1990;18:292–299.PubMedCrossRef Shelbourne KD, Nitz P. Accelerated rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Am J Sports Med. 1990;18:292–299.PubMedCrossRef
29.
go back to reference Steiner ME, Brown C, Zarins B, Brownstein B, Koval PS, Stone P. Measurement of anterior-posterior displacement of the knee: a comparison of the results with instrumented devices and with clinical examination. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1990;72:1307–1315.PubMed Steiner ME, Brown C, Zarins B, Brownstein B, Koval PS, Stone P. Measurement of anterior-posterior displacement of the knee: a comparison of the results with instrumented devices and with clinical examination. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1990;72:1307–1315.PubMed
30.
go back to reference Tegner Y, Lysholm J. Rating systems in the evaluation of knee ligament injuries. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1985;198:43–49.PubMed Tegner Y, Lysholm J. Rating systems in the evaluation of knee ligament injuries. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1985;198:43–49.PubMed
31.
go back to reference Torg JS, Conrad W, Kalen V. Clinical diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament instability in the athlete. Am J Sports Med. 1976;4:84–93.PubMedCrossRef Torg JS, Conrad W, Kalen V. Clinical diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament instability in the athlete. Am J Sports Med. 1976;4:84–93.PubMedCrossRef
32.
go back to reference Wojtis EM, Carpenter JE. Instrumented knee laxity. In: Fu FH, Harner CD, Vince KH, eds. Knee Surgery. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins; 1994:297–310. Wojtis EM, Carpenter JE. Instrumented knee laxity. In: Fu FH, Harner CD, Vince KH, eds. Knee Surgery. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins; 1994:297–310.
33.
go back to reference Woo SL, Inoue M, McGurk-Burleson E, Gomez MA. Treatment of the medial collateral ligament injury. II: Structure and function of canine knees in response to differing treatment regimens. Am J Sports Med. 1987;15:22–29.PubMedCrossRef Woo SL, Inoue M, McGurk-Burleson E, Gomez MA. Treatment of the medial collateral ligament injury. II: Structure and function of canine knees in response to differing treatment regimens. Am J Sports Med. 1987;15:22–29.PubMedCrossRef
34.
go back to reference Zaffagnini S, Bignozzi S, Martelli S, Lopomo N, Marcacci M. Does ACL reconstruction restore knee stability in combined lesions? An in vivo study. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2007;454:95–99.PubMedCrossRef Zaffagnini S, Bignozzi S, Martelli S, Lopomo N, Marcacci M. Does ACL reconstruction restore knee stability in combined lesions? An in vivo study. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2007;454:95–99.PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Surgical Technique: Does Mini-invasive Medial Collateral Ligament and Posterior Oblique Ligament Repair Restore Knee Stability in Combined Chronic Medial and ACL Injuries?
Authors
Gian Luigi Canata, MD
Alfredo Chiey, MD
Tommaso Leoni, MD
Publication date
01-03-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® / Issue 3/2012
Print ISSN: 0009-921X
Electronic ISSN: 1528-1132
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-011-2018-4

Other articles of this Issue 3/2012

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® 3/2012 Go to the issue

Obituary

Obituary