Journal of Knee Surgery 

About: Journal of Knee Surgery is an academic journal published by Thieme Medical Publishers (Germany). The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Anterior cruciate ligament & Arthroplasty. It has an ISSN identifier of 1538-8506. Over the lifetime, 2040 publications have been published receiving 32869 citations. The journal is also known as: Knee surgery.

The microfracture technique in the treatment of full-thickness chondral lesions of the knee in National Football League players.

Abstract: Between 1986 and 1997, 25 active National Football League (NFL) players underwent microfracture to treat full-thickness chondral lesions. Average follow-up was 4.5 years (range: 2-13 years). Preoperative and postoperative data were rated according to symptoms (4 = severe, 1 = none), function (5 = unable to perform, 1 = no limitations), and activity level (10 = full activity, 1 = unable to perform). Nineteen (76%) players returned to football the season following microfracture. Six players retired for various reasons. At follow-up, pain, swelling, running, cutting, and squatting improved. Activities of daily living, strenuous work, and strenuous sport levels also improved. Those who returned to play averaged 4.6 seasons of participation (range: 1-13 seasons) and 56 games (range: 2-183 games) after microfracture. Nine (36%) players continue active participation in the NFL. Results of microfracture to resurface full-thickness chondral lesions in high-demand NFL players are encouraging. Microfracture is safe, effective, and appears to improve symptoms, function, and activity levels in NFL players.

Fresh osteochondral allografts.

Abstract: Fresh osteochondral allografts have a long clinical history and have demonstrated use in a wide spectrum of knee joint pathology. The allografting procedure takes advantage of the unique characteristics of osseous and chondral tissue components. Transplanted bone is readily incorporated by the host while the articular cartilage survives transplantation. Allografts have demonstrated >75% clinical success in the treatment of focal femoral condyle lesions due to trauma, chondral injury, osteochondral trauma, osteochondritis dissecans, avascular necrosis, and post-traumatic reconstruction. Fresh allografts also are finding an increasing role in the salvage of difficult cases that have failed other cartilage procedures, and particularly in individuals who are believed to be too young and active for joint arthroplasty. Further refinements in the technical aspects of the allografting procedure, as well as further understanding of the biology of osteochondral allografts, should lead to improved clinical outcomes.

Reducing knee and anterior cruciate ligament injuries among female athletes: a systematic review of neuromuscular training interventions.

Abstract: There is evidence that neuromuscular training not only decreases the potential biomechanical risk factors for ACL injury, but also decreases knee and, specifically, ACL injury incidence in female athletes. Five of the six interventions in this systematic review demonstrated significant effects on overall knee or ACL injury rates. It appears that plyometric power, biomechanics and technique, strength, balance, and core stability training can induce neuromuscular changes and potential injury prevention effects in female athletes. However, it is unknown which of these components is most effective or whether the effects are combinatorial. Future research should assess the relative efficacy of these interventions alone and in combination to achieve the optimal effect in the most efficient manner possible. Selective combination of neuromuscular training components may provide additive effects, further reducing the risk of ACL injuries in female athletes. Additional research directions include the assessment of relative injury risk using mass neuromuscular screening, the development of more specific injury prevention protocols targeted toward high-risk athletes, and the determination of when these interventions should be implemented. It may be that prepubertal or early pubertal female athletes may have the potential to achieve optimal biomechanical changes and the greatest chance of injury-free sports participation throughout their careers.

Revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: etiology of failures and clinical results.

Abstract: A retrospective study was performed to determine the etiology of failed primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and evaluate the clinical results of revision ACL surgery. From January 1989 to January 1996, 90 patients with failed ACL reconstructions underwent revision ACL surgery. The etiology of failed ACL reconstruction included 47 surgical technical errors, 22 traumatic reinjuries, 7 lack of graft incorporation, 3 loss of motion, 3 related to synthetic grafts, and 8 alignment or combined ligamentous instability patterns not addressed. Of 52 revision ACL patients with minimum 2-year follow-up, 43 responded to a questionnaire and underwent a comprehensive physical examination. The Hospital for Special Surgery knee ligament evaluation revealed 63% good/excellent results. Objective laxity test revealed 77% of all patients had 0/+1 grade on Lachman and a mean 2.86-mm KT 1000. The overall results of revision ACL surgery are encouraging in providing symptomatic relief and restoring stability; however, they are significantly lower than primary ACL surgery.