Abstract
The efficacy of thermal modulation of collagen utilizing an electrothermal device to treat low to moderate demand patients with mid-substance anterior cruciate ligament tears was studied. Ten patients with partial ACL tear were treated with thermal modulation of the ligament. A chondral pick was utilized to create vascular inlet channels within the intercondylar notch. The mean follow up was 18 months (range of 12 to 36 months).
The patients ranged from 21 to 47 years of age. On the physical examination and KT-1000 testing eight patients had good to excellent clinical results, one patient an acute traumatic failure at 18 months and one a poor outcome. However the KT-1000 results deteriorated after one year.
There may be some benefit in treating moderate to low demand patients with this technology; however the long term results are unknown.
There have been very few studies evaluating the efficacy of thermal modulation of the ACL, and those studies have included patients who have previously undergone ACL reconstruction and have developed a loose graft. To our knowledge, this is the only study that evaluates primary ACL injuries, and utilizes vascular inlet channels to allow cellular population of the treated ACL.
Correspondence should be addressed to Ariella Neustadt at Studio EGA, Professional Congress Organisers, Viale Tiziano, 19 - 00196, Rome - Italy.
