Ligament augmentation and reconstruction system (LARS) synthetic grafts are safe and effective for medial collateral ligament and posterolateral corner reconstructions in elite athletes.
Mary Jones, Vitor H Pinheiro, J Samuel Church, Simon V Ball, Andy Williams
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: This study documents the efficacy and safety of using a Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System (LARS) ligament graft to augment extra-articular knee ligament reconstructions in elite athletes by reporting return-to-play (RTP) rates and levels, career longevity and complications.
Methods: A consecutive series of all extra-articular knee ligament reconstructions augmented by LARS ligaments in elite athletes undertaken by three specialist sports knee surgeons between 2013 and 2020 were reviewed. Seventy-six elite athletes, aged over 16 years old, and more than 2 years postsurgery were included. RTP was defined as competing at professional level or national/international level in amateur sport.
Results: There were 64 medial collateral ligament (MCL) and 12 posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstructions. Fifty-two (68.4%) underwent concomitant autograft cruciate ligament(s) reconstruction. The mean age was 25.1 years (SD ± 4.5). Most were football (35, 46.1%) or rugby players (35, 46.1%). Sixty-seven athletes (88.2%) RTP with 65 (97.0%) of these playing at the same or higher Tegner level. Fifty-six (83.6%) of the athletes that RTP were still playing at 2 years postsurgery. Twenty (57.1%) of those who had RTP and were more than 5 years postsurgery were still playing at 5 years. Six (7.9%) players required further surgery relating to the LARS/metalwork. One case had soft tissue inflammation adjacent to the proximal end of the synthetic graft, but it is unknown if this was mechanical irritation or a biological reaction. One MCL reruptured 4 years after RTP.
Conclusion: Utilising LARS to augment extra-articular knee ligament reconstructions allows 88.2% of athletes with a variety of knee ligament injuries to return to elite sport. The low morbidity rates coupled with 57% of athletes still playing 5 years postsurgery demonstrates that the LARS is safe and effective in these cases. Although there are reports of LARS ligaments being used in MCL and PLC reconstructions, there is very little evidence investigating if they are safe and effective. This study demonstrates that LARS synthetic grafts can be safely used for MCL and PLC reconstructions in elite athletes and they permit a high RTP with a low risk of complications.
期刊介绍：
Few other areas of orthopedic surgery and traumatology have undergone such a dramatic evolution in the last 10 years as knee surgery, arthroscopy and sports traumatology. Ranked among the top 33% of journals in both Orthopedics and Sports Sciences, the goal of this European journal is to publish papers about innovative knee surgery, sports trauma surgery and arthroscopy. Each issue features a series of peer-reviewed articles that deal with diagnosis and management and with basic research. Each issue also contains at least one review article about an important clinical problem. Case presentations or short notes about technical innovations are also accepted for publication.
The articles cover all aspects of knee surgery and all types of sports trauma; in addition, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention, and all types of arthroscopy (not only the knee but also the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, ankle, etc.) are addressed. Articles on new diagnostic techniques such as MRI and ultrasound and high-quality articles about the biomechanics of joints, muscles and tendons are included. Although this is largely a clinical journal, it is also open to basic research with clinical relevance.
Because the journal is supported by a distinguished European Editorial Board, assisted by an international Advisory Board, you can be assured that the journal maintains the highest standards.
Official Clinical Journal of the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA).
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