The aim of this study was to determine if elite athletes could return to professional sport after MCL or PLC reconstruction using LARS ligaments and to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of LARS by reporting sport longevity, subsequent surgeries and complications. A retrospective review of all extra-articular knee ligament reconstructions in elite athletes utilising LARS ligaments by 3 knee surgeons between January 2013 and October 2020 was undertaken. Return to play (RTP) was defined as competing at professional level or national/ international level in amateur sport.Abstract
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Methods
The aim of this study was to determine the factors affecting return to sport (RTS) and career longevity of elite athletes after microfracture of the knee. A retrospective review of a consecutive series of elite athletes with chondral injuries in the knee treated with microfracture was undertaken. RTS was defined as competing in at least one event at professional level or national/ international level in amateur sport. Demographic, pre, intra and post operative factors affecting RTS were analysed.Abstract
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The study aims were to demonstrate rates, level, and time taken to RTP in elite sports after ACL reconstruction (ACL-R) and compare football and rugby. A retrospective review of a consecutive series of ACL-R between 2005 and 2019 was undertaken. Patients were included if they were elite athletes and were a minimum of 2 years post primary autograft ACL-R. The outcomes measured were return to play (RTP), (defined as participation in a professional match or in national/ international level amateur competition), time to RTP after surgery, and RTP level (Tegner score).Abstract
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Methods
The aim of this study was to determine which factors affect a professional footballer's return to play performance level after ACL reconstruction (ACL-R). Additionally, to report their playing performance at 2 and 5 years post ACL-R compared to their preinjury performance. A retrospective review of a consecutive series of primary ACL-R undertaken in professional footballers between 2005 and 2019 was undertaken. Performance was determined by the number of minutes played and the league level compared to their pre-injury baseline. Playing time (minutes) was classified as same (within 20%), more, or less playing time for each season compared to the one year prior to surgery.Abstract
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Methods
The popularity of all-inside meniscal repair devices has led to a shift away from inside-out meniscus repair without comparative studies to support the change. The aim of this study was to compare the failure rate and time to failure of all-inside and inside-out meniscus repair performed in elite athletes. A retrospective review was performed of all elite athletes who underwent meniscal repair, with a minimum of two-year follow-up between 2013 and 2019. Repairs were classified as all-inside or inside-out according to the repair technique. Failure was defined as undergoing a subsequent surgery to address a persistent meniscal tear.Abstract
Introduction
Methodology
Anterolateral procedures can reduce the risk of re-rupture after ACL reconstruction in high risk patients however, this effectiveness has never been evaluated in elite athletes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of lateral extra-articular tenodesis in reducing revision rates in ACL reconstructions in elite athletes. A consecutive cohort of elite athletes between 2005 and 2018 undergoing ACLR reconstruction with or without modified Lemaire lateral extra-articular tenodesis were analysed. A minimum of 2 years of follow-up was required. The association between the use of LET and ACL graft failure was evaluated with univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.Abstract
Introduction
Methodology
Elite athletes sustaining a graft re-rupture after ACL reconstruction (ACL-R) undergo revision reconstruction to enable their return to elite sport. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of return to play (RTP) and competition levels at 2 and 5 years post revision ACL-R. A consecutive series of revision ACL-R in elite athletes undertaken by the senior author between 2009 and 2019 was retrospectively reviewed. Outcome measures were RTP rates and competition level.Abstract
Introduction
Methodology
The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of MRI scan for the detection of meniscal pathology in our unit. There are published data which show that both sensitivity and specificity can approach 90% when compared to arthroscopic findings. We retrospectively analysed a single surgeon series of 240 scopes for all indications The arthroscopic reports included an outline diagram of the meniscus upon which the surgeon recorded operative findings. 112 of these patients had also had recent MRI. We looked at whether the MRI report showed a tear, and this was graded Y/N. The arthroscopic report was graded for tear: Y/N. 66 patients had a positive scan. 64 of these were found to have a tear at surgery. 37 scans were reported as “no tear”, of which 4 were found to have a tear at surgery. Nine scans were not easy to classify as they were descriptive. In our series of 112 knees, MRI was 90.5% sensitive, 89.5% specific and 90.1% accurate. When a definite diagnosis of “tear”, or “no tear” was made at scan, there were two false positives and four false negatives. False positives may be unnecessarily exposed to the risks of surgery. Patients with negative scans had a mean delay to surgery of 33 weeks compared to 18 weeks for patients with positive scans. False negatives may wait longer for their surgery. Two of the false negative scans clearly showed meniscus tears which were missed by the reporting radiographer. In our series the scan itself was more accurate than the reporting. It is important to have an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist to minimise the number of missed tears. It is also important for surgeon to check the scan as well as the report.
