Our study is still in progress. The results mentioned in the abstract are preliminary results. The final results will be provided at the time of presentation.

Over the past decade, the widespread availability of high-resolution ultrasonography coupled with advances in regional anaesthesia have popularised peripheral nerve blocks for anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions (ACLRs). The aim of this study is to investigate whether the femoral nerve block (FNB) administered at the time of ACLR has any long-term impact on the quadriceps strength as compared to patients who did not receive a FNB.

This is a retrospective study. Four hundred charts of patients who underwent ACLR at our institution and had subsequent Biodex testing (an isokinetic rehabilitation test that provides objective information about muscle strength deficits and imbalances of the operated leg compared to the non-operated leg) from 2004 to 2015 were reviewed. Patients who had prior ipsilateral knee surgery, multi-ligament knee injury or at extreme ages were excluded from the study. The following baseline patient characteristics was recorded for each reviewed chart: age, sex, medical comorbidities, the date of the injury, date of the surgery, surgery technical notes and associated procedures, the surgeon, the hospital were the patient was operated, the Biodex test date and the Biodex test results. Data extraction assessed any association between the ACLR patients' who received FNB with the results of the Biodex test after completing the rehabilitation protocol. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the type of anaesthesia, mode of pain control and the results of the Biodex tests between patients grouped by the mode of anaesthesia used at the time of surgery (FNB versus no FNB). A multivariate regression model then compared quadriceps strength (inferred by Biodex test results) between groups while controlling for baseline differences between groups.

Fifty five percent of the ACLR patients received FNB compared to 45% that did not receive FNB over the last 11 years of performing ACLRs (2004–2015) at our institute. Fifty percent of the patients that received FNB failed to achieve more than or equal to 80% quadriceps strength (compared to the contralateral non-operated leg) at 6 months on Biodex test. On the other hand, only 20% of the non-FNB group failed to achieve more than or equal to 80% quadriceps strength.

This study lead us to think that ACLR patients that received FNB are significantly weaker in quadriceps strength at 6 months post ACLR in comparison to non-FNB ACLR patients. This finding subsequently might affect the time needed to return to sports and might indicate a considerable clinical consequence of the FNB on ACL-reconstruction patients.

Closing wedge tibial osteotomy has been the gold standard in proximal osteotomy procedures to correct uni-compartmental osteoarthritis. Opening wedge tibial osteotomies are achieving similar long-term results while avoiding some of the pitfalls of the closing wedge procedure. Opening wedge osteotomies maintain patellar length, tibial inclination, and proximal tibia bone stock. This allows for a technically easier conversion to a total knee arthroplasty in the future.

The purpose of this study was to assess the functional outcomes as well as the anatomical changes caused by opening wedge high tibial osteotomy

Opening and closing wedge osteotomies have been shown to have near equivolent long-term results. Using functional outcome studies (SF-36 and WOMAC ) and radiographic review we have shown good outcomes while maintaining the original anatomy of the knee.

Opening wedge tibial osteotomy will allow for a less complicated conversion to a total knee arthroplasty than the closing wedge tibial osteotomy

The patients attained a significant valgus correction that was maintained postoperatively (pre-op 6.12 varus to 5.5 valgus)

Clinical status of the patient was improved significantly in the functional outcomes testing using the WOMAC knee score( pre-op value 29.75 to 19.5; p = 0.0318 ) and the SF-36 ( pre-op value 64.4 to 81.7; p = 0.0035 ).

Patellar height (Pre-op Insall-Salvati ratio 1.15 to 1.09; p = 0.2339 ) and tibial inclination( pre-op 7.3 degrees to 6.85 degrees; p = 0.6743 ) were maintained.

This study retrospectively examined twenty-two patients with medial joint uni-compartmental osteoarthritis. Radiographic review of the pre-operative and post-operative films assessed the valgus correction, patellar height, and tibial inclination. The patients were seen in follow-up to assess the clinical exam and functional outcomes were measured using the SF-36 and WOMAC knee scores.

Opening wedge HTO is able to achieve acceptable correction of deformity while maintaining the normal anatomy of the knee.

Purpose: Despite a number of recently published reports on the success of meniscal repair devices, there are no anatomic studies documenting their safety. The purpose of this cadaveric and radiographic study was to anatomically determine the proximity of a common commercially available meniscal repair device to the popliteal neurovascular structures

Methods: Five human cadaveric knees were obtained and procured from the medical school anatomy lab. Two Biostingers (Linvatec) measuring 16mm in length were placed in the posterior one third of the medial meniscus. Each specimen was then placed prone with the knee extended to expose the posterior aspect of the knee. The distance to the neurovascular bundle for each device was then measured with a ruler calibrated to the nearest 0.1cm. To validate our anatomic dissection results, fifty calibrated human knee MRI scans were reviewed by two independent radiologists. The distances measured were from the popliteal artery to the closest point at the lateral meniscus periphery/capsule and the medial meniscus periphery/capsule. The average distance as measured by the two radiologists was calculated as was the average for the entire population of fifty subjects

Results: The mean distance in the cadaveric study was 15.6mm (14.0–18.0mm) between the tip of the repair device needle and the neurovascular bundle. The mean distance on MRI from the popliteal neurovascular bundle to the closest point in the posterior medial meniscus was 20.0 mm (13.0 mm–28.7 mm). The mean distance from the popliteal structures to the posterior lateral meniscus was 9.4 mm (3.2 mm–16.5 mm).

Conclusions: Considering the potential for significant morbidity, we recommend medial meniscal repair should be performed carefully with repair devices. Specifically, one should limit posterior capsule penetrations to less than 15 mm based on these findings.

Closing wedge tibial osteotomy has been the gold standard in proximal osteotomy procedures to correct uni-compartmental osteoarthritis. Opening wedge tibial osteotomies are achieving similar long-term results while avoiding some of the pitfalls of the closing wedge procedure. Opening wedge osteotomies maintain patellar length, tibial inclination, and proximal tibia bone stock. This allows for a technically easier conversion to a total knee arthroplasty in the future.

The purpose of this study was to assess the functional outcomes as well as the anatomical changes caused by opening wedge high tibial osteotomy

Opening and closing wedge osteotomies have been shown to have near equivolent long-term results. Using functional outcome studies (SF-36 and WOMAC ) and radiographic review we have shown good outcomes while maintaining the original anatomy of the knee.

Opening wedge tibial osteotomy will allow for a less complicated conversion to a total knee arthroplasty than the closing wedge tibial osteotomy

The patients attained a significant valgus correction that was maintained postoperatively (pre-op 6.12 varus to 5.5 valgus )

Clinical status of the patient was improved significantly in the functional outcomes testing using the WOMAC knee score( pre-op value 29.75 to 19.5; p = 0.0318 ) and the SF-36 ( pre-op value 64.4 to 81.7; p = 0.0035 ).

Patellar height (Pre-op Insall-Salvati ratio 1.15 to 1.09; p = 0.2339 ) and tibial inclination( pre-op 7.3 degrees to 6.85 degrees; p = 0.6743 ) were maintained.

This study retrospectively examined twenty-two patients with medial joint uni-compartmental osteoarthritis. Radiographic review of the pre-operative and post-operative films assessed the valgus correction, patellar height, and tibial inclination. The patients were seen in follow-up to assess the clinical exam and functional outcomes were measured using the SF-36 and WOMAC knee scores.

Opening wedge HTO is able to achieve acceptable correction of deformity while maintaining the normal anatomy of the knee.

The purpose of the present study is to determine a correlation between articular cartilage changes and underlying bone contusions in ACL-deficient knees. Analysis of surgical and MRI findings in thirty-seven knees shows that medial femoral condyle and medial tibial plateau bone contusions, present in 30% of ACL injuries, correlate strongly with articular cartilage damage, irrespective of meniscal status. Although lateral compartment bone contusions are more commonly seen following injury, we have not found this to be associated with the status of the overlying cartilage. Degenerative changes in the ACL-deficient knee are multifactorial, but medial compartment bone contusions may be an important contributor that warrants further investigation.

Despite successful reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament, many patients eventually develop osteoarthritis, suggesting that something in addition to mechanical instability may contribute. The purpose of the present study is to determine a correlation between articular cartilage changes and underlying bone contusions in ACL-deficient knees.

Between January 2002 and March 2003, sixty-eight knees consecutively underwent ACL reconstruction at our institution. Presence and location of bone contusions on MRI were noted, and correlated to presence of articular cartilage changes and meniscal pathology witnessed during surgery.

Of the sixty-eight knees operated, thirty-one were excluded because of either: pre-existing arthritis, previous surgery, presence of multiple ligament injury, or absence of bone contusions on MRI. In the analysis of the thirty-seven remaining knees, bone contusions were present on the medial tibial plateau and medial femoral condyle in 30%, on the lateral tibial plateau in 84%, and on the lateral femoral condyle in 73%. Articular cartilage damage is most commonly seen on the medial femoral condyle, irrespective of meniscal status. Analysis using Fisher’s Exact test shows that medial femoral condyle (p=0.026) and medial tibial plateau articular cartilage damage (p= 0.011) is strongly correlated with presence of underlying bone contusions. No association was found between lateral compartment articular cartilage status and presence of bone contusions.

Although lateral compartment bone contusions are common following ACL injuries, we have not found an association with cartilage damage. Degenerative changes in the ACL-deficient knee are multifactorial, but medial compartment bone contusions may be an important contributor.

Purpose: There is increasing evidence that surgical reconstruction of the ACL deficient knee in active patients over the age of 40 is the treatment of choice. The purpose of this study was to compare the objective and subjective outcomes of patients over 40 years old with those of a group of younger patients, all of whom underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with quadruple hamstring autograft.

Methods: Forty patients were enrolled in this retrospective case-control study. Twenty patients over 40 years of age were compared to twenty patients under the age of 40 from our database. Both groups underwent single incision ACL reconstruction using hamstrings autograft and had a minimum of one year followup. Each patient underwent subjective questioning, radiographic and physical examination by 2 independent clinical reviewers. Subjectively, the groups were then compared using the IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) subjective questionnaire, Lysholm Knee score, Tegner activity level, and SF-36 general health survey. Objectively, they were compared using the IKDC objective questionnaire and KT-1000 arthrometry.

Results: The average age of the older group was 50 while the younger group age was 28. The two groups were also similar in terms of sex distribution, follow-up, and meniscal injury at reconstruction. Two patients in the over 40 group had postoperative infection. One patient in the under 40 group suffered a deep abrasion secondary to the tourniquet.|We found no significant difference between the 2 groups in regards to IKDC Subjective score, Lysholm Knee Score, Tegner Activity Level, and SF-36 General Health Survey. Also we found no significant difference between the groups objectively with IKDC scores, KT-1000 measurement and complication rates.

Conclusions: These results indicate that ACL reconstruction using hamstrings tendon autograft in patients older than 40 years old is comparable with that of a younger cohort. Age alone should not be used to determine whether surgical management of patients with ACL deficiency is necessary.