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Patients › Knee

MPFL重建

Updated Sep 2026
Illustration: knee

本页面由机器翻译,尚未经临床医生审核。英文版本为权威版本。

为何建议进行此手术

此手术重建位于髌骨内侧的韧带。该韧带(MPFL)将髌骨固定在滑车沟内,防止其脱位滑出。当髌骨脱位超过一次,且支具固定或物理治疗未能带来足够改善时,我们建议进行此手术。我们不会仅针对髌骨疼痛或退行性关节炎提供此手术。在做出决定前,我们会检查您的髌骨、关节形态以及髌骨后方的软骨。部分患者还需要进行骨移动或骨重塑手术,如果您的关节形态有此要求,我们会将其纳入计划。该手术旨在保持髌骨位置稳定,使您能够活动和正常使用膝关节,而不会出现打软失稳。

手术前

手术前您需要完成一些影像学检查,以便我们制定手术方案。通常包括X线检查和磁共振成像(MRI)扫描,后者可详细显示膝关节软组织的情况。有时也会使用超声检查。

在手术前的几周内,我们会向您提供明确的指导说明。您需要在手术前七小时停止进食和饮水。我们要求七小时而非六小时,以便在手术排程提前时能让您提前进入手术室。某些药物可能需要暂停服用;我们会告知您具体哪些药物以及何时停用。请携带一份您正在服用的所有药物的书面清单,包括任何补充剂。请安排他人在术后驾车送您回家,因为您将无法自行驾驶。手术当天请穿着宽松、舒适的衣物。

如果您患有其他疾病,可能需要进行血液检查或由麻醉师(负责手术期间您医疗护理的专科医生)进行评估。大多数人无需进行这两项检查。

手术当日

您抵达医院的手术入院单元,在此办理入院手续并做术前准备。您将在该处见到麻醉医生。本手术在全身麻醉下进行。有时会追加区域神经阻滞以缓解术后疼痛;麻醉医生将在当日就此与您沟通。随后,您将被带入手术室进行手术。

您将在复苏区苏醒,期间护士会监测您的状况,直至麻醉作用消退。待您的生命体征平稳后,将根据手术类型及您的恢复情况,决定您是转入病房还是直接回家。若当日出院,您此前安排的人员将驾车送您回家。

手术内容

您的外科医生将重建内侧髌股韧带(MPFL),这是位于髌骨内侧、将其固定在滑车沟内的韧带。新韧带由一段肌腱制成。该肌腱可能取自您自身的身体,通常来自腘绳肌肌腱,也可能来自捐赠的肌腱组织。两者的效果相同,您的外科医生会选择适合您的方案。

外科医生会在膝关节周围做小切口,以到达髌骨及其旁边的股骨。随后,肌腱移植物被固定在髌骨的内侧和股骨上,以便在膝关节弯曲和伸直时,将髌骨保持在滑车沟内。移植物通过小螺钉或锚钉(固定在骨骼上的小型装置)固定。这些装置在移植物愈合到位期间将其牢固固定。切口用缝线缝合,并覆盖敷料。

有时膝关节的关节形态也需要处理。如果您的髌骨位置过高,或其运行的滑车沟过浅,外科医生可能在同一次手术中移动或重塑胫骨前部的骨骼。这会在术前根据您的X光片和扫描结果进行规划。如果髌骨后方的软骨受损,也可以同时进行治疗。

所有这些操作的目的是确保髌骨在您活动、弯曲和腿部负重时保持在滑车沟内。

术后

您将在恢复区苏醒,麻醉消退期间,护士会全程看护。您的膝关节将覆盖敷料,可能会佩戴支撑袖而非厚重的支具。护士会协助您控制疼痛,并定期查看您的情况。大多数人当天在协助下即可站立并行走几步,物理治疗师可能会向您演示如何安全行走。由于您可能会感到嗜睡或步态不稳,回家后最初的24小时内应有人陪同。医疗团队会告知您是当天回家还是住院一晚。我们会保留敷料约10天;除非我们告知您,否则请勿在此之前拆除。我们将在复诊时为您更换或拆除敷料。

恢复

术后最初几天,您的膝盖会感到疼痛和肿胀。这是正常现象,会在接下来的几周内逐渐消退。休息、冰敷以及您的医疗团队开具的止痛药可以缓解不适。坐着时抬高腿部也有助于减轻肿胀。

大多数人可以在手术当天在协助下站立并迈出几步。此后,物理治疗师将指导您的康复训练。早期,您将重点练习膝盖的屈伸活动,并重新激活大腿肌肉。随着活动能力的恢复,您将过渡到力量训练以及涉及多个关节协同运动的练习,例如受控的深蹲或登阶训练。您的物理治疗师将根据您的具体情况定制训练计划,并根据您膝盖的恢复情况逐步推进。您可以在家中活动并进行轻微的日常生活任务,但在您的医疗团队确认安全之前,应避免对手术侧腿部进行扭转、旋转或用力蹬伸的动作。

每个人的恢复情况各不相同,您的时间表可能与他人不同。您的外科医生和物理治疗师将在每个阶段为您提供指导。保持耐心是值得的:在膝盖完全准备好之前重返运动,可能会导致后期出现更多疼痛和更差的功能。等到您的力量、活动能力和信心恢复后,新的韧带才能发挥最佳作用。一些人在恢复活动过程中,可能会担心髌骨再次脱位。这种情况很常见,与您的医疗团队沟通讨论可以帮助您克服这一心理障碍。

可能出现的并发症

大多数患者恢复良好,但偶尔可能出现一些问题。您的外科医生和医疗团队会密切监测您,以便尽早发现任何问题。

最常见的问题是僵硬,即膝关节弯曲幅度未达到应有的程度。您可能会注意到膝关节无法完全弯曲或伸直,或者感觉紧绷且抵抗运动。如果新植入的韧带略微过紧,就可能出现这种情况。请在下次复诊时告知您的医疗团队;早期进行物理治疗通常有助于改善。

髌骨仍可能再次滑出或脱位,尽管这种情况并不常见。您会感觉到与术前相同的突然失稳感,通常伴有疼痛和肿胀。如果发生这种情况,请联系诊所。有时感觉较轻微:一种髌骨可能滑动的感觉,或者在转身时对膝关节失去信心。请在复诊时提及这一点,因为可以进行检查和治疗。

罕见情况下,髌骨可能骨折。这会导致膝关节前方突然、剧烈的疼痛,常伴有肿胀,您可能无法在腿上负重或在对抗重力的情况下伸直它。如果发生这种情况,请前往急诊科。

移植物附着于股骨的位置至关重要。如果位置不完全正确,髌骨可能仍感觉不稳定,或者膝关节可能无法平滑地运动。如果您的膝关节在数月后仍未感觉稳定,请在复诊时提出,以便进行评估。

有些人需要进一步的手术。原因包括髌骨仍然脱位、持续的僵硬,或用于固定移植物的微小螺钉或锚钉引起的不适。如果您在这些部位附近感到持续的酸痛,或注意到膝关节有卡顿感,请告知我们。

如果您的手术还包括对胫骨前部骨骼的移动或重塑,整体出现问题的几率会略高,尽管髌骨往往能更可靠地保持原位。您的医疗团队会在手术前与您讨论这一点。

本页上的并发症表格列出了典型的发生率,如果您想了解具体细节,可以参考。

何时联系我们

大多数问题都会早期显现,我们更希望尽早得知。如果您出现发热,伤口周围皮肤变得更红或开始渗出液体,或疼痛突然明显加重,请致电我们。如果您出现小腿肿胀或疼痛,或呼吸急促,请立即前往急诊,因为这些可能是血栓的迹象。如果您的腿部出现麻木、颜色改变或无法活动,也请立即前往急诊。


Evidence & references

This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.

Anatomy & Pathophysiology

Bony Anatomy

  • The bones of the knee are the distal femur, the proximal tibia, and the patella [1].
  • The medial femoral condyle is larger and projects farther posteriorly and distally than the lateral condyle [3].
  • The lateral femoral condyle projects farther anteriorly and is wider in the medial-lateral direction than the medial femoral condyle [3].
  • The sulcus terminalis is a small ridge on the lateral femoral condyle just distal to the intercondylar notch that separates the patellofemoral and tibiofemoral articular surfaces [3].
  • The trochlear groove separates the femoral condyles anteriorly and constitutes the patellofemoral articulation [3].
  • The intercondylar notch is of variable width and is the site of attachment of the cruciate ligaments [3].
  • The tibial articular surface slopes 7° to 10° in the sagittal plane [3].
  • The medial tibial plateau is larger than the lateral plateau and is concave in its frontal and sagittal planes [3].
  • The lateral tibial plateau is smaller and more circular than the medial plateau, concave in the frontal plane and convex in the sagittal plane [3].
  • The tibial tuberosity is the site of attachment of the patellar tendon and is typically located in the midline anteriorly but may be slightly lateral [3].
  • Gerdy’s tubercle is the insertion site of the iliotibial band and is located 2 to 3 cm lateral to the tibial tubercle on the proximal tibia [3].
  • The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body and averages 2.5 cm in thickness [3].
  • The patella has the thickest articular surface in the body, approximately 5 mm in the midportion and 2 mm on the sides [3].
  • The articular surface of the patella contains a vertical, central ridge that separates the broader lateral facet from the medial facet, and a smaller, more medial facet called the odd facet [3].
  • The posterior slope of the tibia is a mean of 10.7° in the medial plateau and 7.2° in the lateral plateau [17].
  • The fibular head is located a mean of 1.5 cm distal to the joint line, with a range of 6 to 32 mm below the joint line [17].
  • The MCL originates on the femoral sulcus approximately 3.2 cm proximal and 4.8 cm posterior to the articular surface of the femur at the knee [17].
  • The lateral trochlear facet resists lateral subluxation of the patella [17].
  • The sulcus terminalis is a transverse ridge extending from the oblique facets of the femoral trochlea that is deeper on the lateral condyle than on the medial condyle [17].
  • The PCL inserts on the anteromedial wall of the intercondylar notch and the ACL inserts on the posterolateral wall [17].

Vascular and Nerve Anatomy

  • The blood supply to the knee is formed from an anastomosis around the knee derived from the descending geniculate artery, medial and lateral superior geniculate arteries, medial and lateral inferior geniculate arteries, middle geniculate artery, and anterior tibial recurrent arteries [3].
  • The middle geniculate artery supplies both the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments [3].
  • The inferior geniculate arteries pass deep to their respective collateral ligaments [3].
  • The blood supply of the patella is derived from the geniculate artery complex with some contribution from the anterior tibial recurrent artery and primarily exists in the middle to inferior portions of the patella [3].
  • The knee is innervated by branches of the femoral nerve (L2, L3, L4), obturator nerve (L2, L3, L4), and sciatic nerve (L4, L5, S1, S2) [3].
  • The largest nerve providing innervation of the intra-articular knee is the posterior articular branch of the tibial nerve [3].
  • The posterior articular branch of the tibial nerve supplies the infrapatellar fat pad, the synovial covering over the cruciate ligaments, and the periphery of the meniscus [3].
  • Nerves to the cruciate ligaments contain vasomotor and pain fibers as well as mechanoreceptors that may be involved in proprioception [3].
  • The infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve arises proximal to the knee joint medially and crosses distal to the patella to innervate the skin over the region of the anterior knee and proximal tibia [3].
  • The popliteus artery travels through the adductor hiatus, where it is relatively immobile, and distally through the fibrous arch deep to the soleus muscle [23].
  • The common peroneal nerve travels along the posterior edge of the biceps femoris and continues distally around the fibular neck [23].
  • The tibial nerve, after branching from the sciatic nerve, courses distally through the center of the popliteus fossa [23].

Ligaments

  • The ACL travels from the medial border of the lateral femoral condyle to its insertion site anterolateral to the medial tibial spine [1].
  • The ACL prevents anterior translation and rotation of the tibia on the femur [1].
  • The PCL prevents posterior subluxation of the tibia on the femur [1].
  • The PCL runs from the lateral aspect of the medial femoral condyle to the posterior aspect of the tibia, just below the joint line [1].
  • The medial collateral ligament has superficial and deep portions which stabilize the knee to valgus stresses [1].
  • The lateral collateral or fibular collateral ligament runs from the lateral femoral condyle to the head of the fibula [1].
  • The lateral collateral ligament is the main stabilizer against varus stress [1].
  • The popliteofibular ligament is present in 90% of knees and runs from the tendon of the popliteus muscle to the styloid on the posterior fibular head [1].
  • The ACL is composed of 90% type I collagen and 10% type III collagen [3].
  • The mean length of the ACL is 33 mm and the mean midsubstance width is 11 mm [3].
  • The femoral attachment of the ACL is a semicircular area (20 mm long and 10 mm wide) on the posteromedial aspect of the lateral femoral condyle [3].
  • The tibial attachment of the ACL is a broad, irregular, oval-shaped area (30 mm long and 10 mm wide) slightly medial and anterior to the midline and between the medial and lateral tibial spinous processes [3].
  • The ACL is an intra-articular ligament but technically extrasynovial as it is surrounded by synovium [15].
  • The ACL has a variable length of 22 to 41 mm and width of 7 to 12 mm, consistently narrowest in the midsubstance [15].
  • The femoral origin of the ACL is on the posteromedial edge of the lateral femoral condyle, posterior to the lateral intercondylar ridge (Resident’s ridge) [15].
  • The AM bundle of the ACL arises from the superior and anterior aspects of the femoral attachment and the PL bundle arises from the posterior and inferior aspects [15].
  • The AM and PL bundles of the ACL are often separated by the lateral bifurcate ridge [15].
  • Using a clock-face description based on the posterior outlet of the femoral intercondylar notch, the bulk of the AM bundle is attached between 9.30 and 11.30 o'clock and the PL bundle between 8.30 and 10 o'clock [15].
  • The distance on the femur between the centers of the AM and PL bundles varies from 8 to 10 mm [15].
  • The tibial footprint of the ACL is on the tibial plateau in the anterior intercondylar fossa between the medial and lateral tibial spines [15].
  • The tibial insertion of the ACL is 120% larger than the femoral insertion [15].
  • The tibial insertion of the ACL is anterolateral to the medial tibial spine, with some fibers passing deep to the transverse meniscal ligament and some merging with the anterior aspect of the lateral meniscus [15].
  • The most commonly used landmarks for the tibial footprint of the ACL are the anterior aspect of the PCL (7 to 10.4 mm anterior to the PCL), the posterior border of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus, and the medial tibial spine [15].
  • The center of the PL bundle is 4 ± 1 mm from the medial tibial spine and the center of the AM bundle is 5 ± 1 mm from this landmark [15].
  • The PCL has a mean length of 38 mm and mean width of 13 mm [17].
  • The PCL has a broad, crescent-shaped femoral attachment on the anterolateral medial femoral condyle with a mean length of 30 mm and mean width of 5 mm [17].
  • The tibial insertion of the PCL onto the posterior central sulcus is 10 to 15 mm distal to the joint line of the knee [17].
  • The middle geniculate artery is the primary blood supply to the PCL [17].
  • The popliteal artery is near the PCL, and the distance increases with knee flexion [17].
  • The posterior articular branch of the posterior tibial nerve provides innervation to the PCL [17].
  • The anterolateral bundle of the PCL is stronger and stiffer than the posteromedial bundle [17].
  • The anterolateral bundle of the PCL is tight in knee flexion and the posteromedial bundle is tight in knee extension [17].
  • The ACL is typically subjected to peak loads of 170 N during walking and up to 500 N with running [18].
  • The ultimate strength of the ACL in young patients is about 1750 N [18].
  • The ACL fails by serial tearing at 10% to 15% elongation [18].
  • Sectioning the PCL increases contact pressures in the medial compartment and the patellofemoral joint [18].
  • The ACL's primary function is to resist anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur [23].
  • The ACL's secondary function is to resist varus/valgus stresses in full extension [23].
  • The PCL's primary function is to resist posterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur [23].
  • The PCL's secondary function is to resist tibial external rotation [23].
  • The MCL resists valgus stress [23].
  • The FCL resists varus stress [23].
  • The posterolateral corner (PLC) resists posterior translation, external rotation, and varus angulation of the tibia [23].
  • The posteromedial corner (PMC) resists valgus stress [23].
  • The anteromedial bundle of the ACL is tight in knee flexion and the posterolateral bundle is tight in knee extension [17].
  • The posterolateral bundle of the ACL is responsible for preventing the pivot-shift phenomenon and stabilizes against anterior translation with 30° of knee flexion [17].
  • The anteromedial bundle of the ACL increases anterior tibial translation at 60° and 90° of knee flexion [17].
  • The AM bundle of the ACL originates proximal to the bifurcate ridge and is tight in flexion [4].
  • The PL bundle of the ACL originates distal to the bifurcate ridge and is tight in extension [4].
  • The AM bundle of the ACL is primarily an anterior restraint evaluated by Lachman and anterior drawer tests [4].
  • The PL bundle of the ACL is primarily a rotatory restraint evaluated by pivot shift test [4].
  • The ACL has a length of 30 mm and diameter of 11 mm [4].
  • The sMCL proximal division resists valgus tibial translation and tibial external rotation [4].
  • The sMCL distal division resists tibial external rotation in knee extension and tibial internal rotation [4].
  • The deep MCL resists valgus translation and tibial internal and external rotation [4].
  • The posterior oblique ligament resists tibial internal rotation (especially in knee extension) and tibial external rotation [4].
  • The lateral collateral ligament resists varus tibial translation and tibial external rotation (especially at 30 degrees of knee flexion) [4].
  • The popliteus tendon resists tibial external rotation (especially in knee flexion) and varus tibial translation [4].
  • The popliteofibular ligament resists tibial external rotation (especially in knee flexion) and posterior tibial displacement [4].
  • The oblique popliteal ligament resists knee hyperextension and varus tibial translation [4].

Menisci

  • The menisci are C-shaped fibrocartilaginous disks in the knee that provide shock absorption, allow for increased congruency between joint surfaces, enhance joint stability, and aid in distribution of synovial fluid [1].
  • The medial meniscus is firmly attached to the joint capsule along its entire peripheral edge [1].
  • The lateral meniscus is attached to the anterior and posterior capsule, but there is a region posterolaterally where it is not firmly attached [1].
  • The medial meniscus has less mobility than the lateral meniscus and is more susceptible to tearing when trapped between the femoral condyle and tibial plateau [1].
  • The lateral meniscus is larger than the medial meniscus and carries a greater share of the lateral compartment pressure than the medial meniscus carries for the medial compartment [1].
  • The knee menisci are wedge-shaped fibrocartilaginous structures situated between the femoral condyles and tibial plateau [13].
  • The medial meniscus has a semicircular shape, which covers approximately 50% to 60% of the medial tibial plateau in adulthood [13].
  • The posterior horn of the medial meniscus averages 11 mm in the anterior-posterior dimension, whereas the anterior horn is narrower [13].
  • The anterior horn of the medial meniscus attaches to the tibia anterior to the ACL near the intercondylar fossa [13].
  • The transverse, or intermeniscal, ligament connects the anterior horns of the medial and lateral menisci [13].
  • The posterior root attachment of the medial meniscus lies in the posterior intercondylar fossa between the lateral meniscus and PCL [13].
  • The meniscotibial (coronary) ligament stabilizes the medial meniscus through its attachment from the inferior aspect of the posterior horn to the tibia [13].
  • The medial meniscus is firmly attached to the deep medial collateral ligament and joint capsule, limiting its mobility [13].
  • The lateral meniscus has a more circular C-shape with symmetric sizes of the anterior and posterior horns [13].
  • The lateral meniscus anterior root attaches anterior to the intercondylar eminence and just lateral to the ACL insertion site on the tibia [13].
  • The lateral meniscus posterior root attaches posterior to the lateral tibial spine just anterior to the medial meniscus posterior root [13].
  • The popliteomeniscal fascicles extend from the lateral meniscus to the posterior capsule to create the popliteal hiatus [13].
  • The meniscofemoral ligaments are variably present structures which connect the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to the medial femoral condyle [13].
  • The ligament of Humphrey crosses anterior to the PCL and the ligament of Wrisberg crosses posteriorly [13].
  • The less continuous attachment of the lateral meniscus to the capsule allows for greater meniscal mobility [13].
  • Mean lateral meniscus excursion is 11.2 mm versus a mean medial meniscus excursion of 5.1 mm occurring from knee extension to flexion [13].
  • Menisci have three zones based on vasculature and extracellular matrix composition: white-white (ww), red-white (rw), and red-red (rr) [13].
  • The inner one-third of the meniscus is avascular and called the white-white zone (WWZ) [13].
  • The middle zone is called the red-white zone (RWZ) because it has limited vasculature [13].
  • The back one-third is called the red-red zone (RRZ) because it is the most vascularized tissue region that has access to blood supply through vessels arising from the geniculate arteries [13].
  • The menisci are crescent-shaped, fibrocartilaginous structures with a triangular cross section [17].
  • The menisci consist of type I collagen fibers arranged obliquely, radially, and vertically [17].
  • Vascular supply to the menisci is derived from the geniculate arteries, which penetrate into 20% to 30% of the peripheral medial meniscus and 10% to 25% of the peripheral lateral meniscus [17].
  • The menisci are attached to collateral ligaments via coronary ligaments [17].
  • The medial meniscus is crescent-shaped and attaches more anterior and posterior [17].
  • The lateral meniscus is circular in shape and covers a larger proportion of the tibial plateau [17].
  • The anterior attachment of the lateral meniscus is adjacent to the tibial insertion of the ACL [17].

Investigations

Plain Radiography

  • Plain radiographs are appropriate initial imaging studies for most knee conditions because they allow the assessment of traumatic injury, arthritis, patellofemoral alignment, osteochondral injury, bone neoplasm, and surgical implants [21].
  • Imaging studies should include at least two perpendicular views: AP and lateral [21].
  • Weight-bearing AP (extension) views are used to assess cartilage loss from the distal femur and tibial plateau [21].
  • Weight-bearing PA (Rosenberg; flexion) views are used to assess cartilage loss from the posterior femur and tibial plateau [21].
  • Patellofemoral views are used to assess patellofemoral alignment (tilt/subluxation), patellar and trochlear morphology, osteochondral injury, and patellofemoral arthritis [21].
  • A notch view is used to assess posterior femoral cartilage, notch width, and osteophytes [21].
  • Radiographs should be inspected for acute fracture, lateral capsular avulsion (Segond fracture), loose bodies, Pellegrini-Stieda lesion (MCL calcification), and evidence of patellar dislocation [9].
  • Lateral capsular avulsion (meniscotibial ligament) is pathognomonic but not essential for ACL injury [21].
  • Avulsion of the medial femoral epicondyle (Pellegrini-Stieda lesion) may appear within a few weeks of proximal MCL avulsion injury [21].
  • Stress radiographs should be obtained in patients prior to skeletal maturity to rule out an epiphyseal fracture [9].
  • Radiographs can underestimate isolated chondral lesions but may demonstrate joint space narrowing, osteophytes, sclerosis, and cysts [25].
  • Weight-bearing AP and lateral views and an axial view of the patellofemoral joint should be reviewed for articular cartilage evaluation [25].
  • The ability to detect subtle narrowing or an isolated chondral defect on the flexion surface may be improved with a semiflexed PA view [25].
  • Long leg alignment views are used to determine the mechanical axis [25].
  • If the mechanical axis traverses the involved compartment (varus knees with medial compartment lesions or valgus knees with lateral compartment lesions), realignment may need to be considered as an initial procedure or as an adjunct to a cartilage restorative procedure [25].
  • Radiographs should be inspected for fibular head avulsions in patients with suspected LCL injury [30].
  • With chronic posterolateral instability, degenerative changes of the lateral compartment are often noted on radiographs, including lateral joint space narrowing with osteophytes and subchondral sclerosis [30].
  • Stress radiographs can help to better quantify the amount of varus angulation present in LCL injuries [30].

Computed Tomography

  • Computed tomography provides a three-dimensional study with enhanced bone detail [21].
  • Imaging in the axial, sagittal, and coronal planes may help visualize fracture lines and displacement, osteolytic lesions around joint arthroplasty, and cortical disruption in cases of infection or neoplasia [21].
  • Three-dimensional reconstructions may help with preoperative planning for complex intra-articular fractures, multiplanar osteotomy for limb malalignment, and reconstitution of bone loss in joint arthroplasty [21].
  • Axial plane imaging of the hip and knee can help assess the rotational alignment of components of a total knee arthroplasty in cases of patellar maltracking [21].
  • Three-dimensional CT with remodeling is used for preoperative planning for reconstruction associated with dysplasia, post-trauma planning, and complex total knee arthroplasty (TKA) planning [29].

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

  • Increasing strength of the magnetic field (measured in Tesla units) increases the resolution of images [21].
  • An injected contrast agent (intravenous or intra-articular) may help delineate specific tissues of interest on MRI [21].
  • The presence of edema, intra-articular fluid, disruption of ligament fibers, and an atypical ligament contour may suggest cruciate ligament injury on MRI [21].
  • Patterns of meniscal injury can be identified by location (anterior, midbody, posterior, peripheral, articular), pattern (horizontal, longitudinal, radial, complex), and displacement on MRI [21].
  • MRI may identify the degree of articular cartilage injury (chondrosis, full-thickness cartilage loss), the presence of associated bone marrow edema, and the location (medial condyle, lateral condyle, trochlea, patella; anterior, posterior) [21].
  • Edema, avulsion, or discontinuity may be identified for the MCL/lateral collateral ligament (LCL) or associated posteromedial and posterolateral ligamentous complexes on MRI [21].
  • MRI may be used to assess the continuity of the quadriceps or patellar tendon [21].
  • MRI may be used to assess the margin of resection for a neoplasm, identify vascular malformation, or define the location of nerves or vessels relative to popliteal cysts [21].
  • MRI is useful for confirming MCL injury and identifying the site of injury [9].
  • MRI is useful to detect the presence of meniscal and other injuries to the knee in the context of MCL injury [9].
  • Relative indications for an MRI include an uncertain ACL status despite multiple examinations, evaluation of a suspected meniscal tear, or preoperative evaluation for a planned MCL reconstruction or repair [9].
  • MRI is often a useful adjunct for diagnosing posterolateral corner and LCL injuries in the severely injured knee [30].
  • MRI findings can refocus the examination to the posterolateral structures when posterolateral injury can often go unnoticed during an initial evaluation [30].
  • MRI is not indicated if the joint space is significantly narrowed on radiograph in the arthritic patient population [29].
  • MRI is used when osteonecrosis is suspected in the arthritic patient population [29].
  • MRI can be used to evaluate articular cartilage morphology [25].
  • A systematic review quantified the accuracy of MRI for detection of meniscal injury and ACL tear [27].
  • Compositional MRI techniques (ie, T1ρ, T2*, dGEMRIC, gagCEST) have been used for early recognition of cartilage degeneration [27].

Physical Examination

  • The physical examination begins with observation of the patient’s gait [1].
  • The uninjured knee is examined as a basis of comparison with the injured knee [1].
  • Any swelling or effusion should be noted during physical examination [1].
  • A small effusion will cause obliteration of the recesses on the medial and lateral aspects of the patellar tendon [1].
  • With a larger effusion, diffuse swelling is present in the region of the suprapatellar pouch [1].
  • A fluid wave can be palpated on the sides of the patella with a larger effusion [1].
  • Active and then passive range of motion is tested carefully [1].
  • The knee is palpated to define areas of localized tenderness [1].
  • The joint lines are located at the level of the inferior pole of the patella when the knee is flexed to 90 degrees [1].
  • Laxity to valgus stresses is assessed by the amount of medial joint space opening that occurs at 30 degrees of flexion for MCL injuries [9].
  • It is important to stress the knee at 30 degrees of flexion because with the knee in full extension the posterior capsule and PCL will stabilize the knee to valgus stress [9].
  • Zero opening is considered normal, with 1-4 mm indicating a grade I injury, 5–9 mm indicating a grade II injury, and 10–15 mm indicating a complete or grade III injury for MCL injuries [9].
  • Grade I and II MCL injuries typically have a firm end point, whereas a grade III injury tends to have a soft end point to valgus stress [9].
  • The integrity of the LCL is assessed by placing a varus stress, with the knee in full extension and 30 degrees of flexion [30].
  • Baseline varus opening is widely variable and should be compared to the contralateral leg [30].
  • The average baseline for varus opening is 7 degrees [30].
  • Exam findings with an isolated LCL injury should include varus laxity at 30 degrees of flexion and no instability in full extension [30].
  • The most useful test to evaluate for posterolateral instability is the dial test [30].
  • The dial test is performed at 30 and 90 degrees of flexion with a significant difference being an angle 5 degrees or greater than the contralateral leg [30].
  • Injury to the posterolateral capsule alone is confirmed with greater external rotation at 30 degrees, an isolated PCL at 90 degrees, and to both structures when there is greater rotation at 30 and 90 degrees compared to the uninjured leg [30].
  • A careful neurovascular examination should be performed as the incidence of neurovascular injury, particularly peroneal nerve injury, has been reported in 12–29% of posterolateral knee injuries [30].
  • An examination under anesthesia can be valuable when physical examination is unreliable because of the patient guarding the knee [9].
  • Diagnostic arthroscopy can be used to evaluate for coexisting pathology [9].
  • Both examination under anesthesia and diagnostic arthroscopy have largely been replaced by MRI [9].

Nuclear Medicine

  • Nuclear medicine involves labeled radionuclide injection followed by delayed imaging of gamma radiation [21].
  • Areas of increased radionuclide concentration appear bright or “hot” [21].
  • Nuclear medicine provides a nonspecific study that does not define the etiology of an abnormality but rather the presence of an abnormality that may correlate with a clinical concern [21].
  • Increased radionuclide activity in bone may be a normal postoperative finding for up to 6 to 12 months after a fracture repair or arthroplasty [21].
  • Technetium-99 (Tc-99) is a radionuclide that may help identify infection, neoplasia, occult fracture, bone healing, active phases of heterotopic ossification, implant loosening, or failure of osseointegration [21].
  • Gallium-67 (Ga-67) is a radionuclide that may help differentiate between aseptic and septic prosthetic loosening; 24 to 72 hours are needed for a complete study [21].

References

[1] A Lange Medical Book Current Diagnosis Treatment In Orthopedics Fifth Edition. 3Sports Medicine > Image KNEE INJURIES.

[3] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Knee > I. Anatomy.

[4] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. SECTION 1 KNEE > ANATOMY (FIG. 4.1).

[9] A Lange Medical Book Current Diagnosis Treatment In Orthopedics Fifth Edition. 3Sports Medicine > 1. Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries.

[13] Orthopaedic Basic Science Fifth Edition Print Ebook. Biology and Mechanics of the Skeletal Extracellular Matrix > Gross Anatomy.

[15] Rockwood And Green S Fractures In Adults. 59: Patellar Fractures and Dislocations and Extensor Mechanism Injuries > Anterior Cruciate Ligament Anatomy.

[17] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Radiographic Evaluation and Surgical Anatomy of the Knee > II. Surgical Anatomy of the Knee.

[18] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. ARTHRODESIS PERSON > Kinetics.

[21] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Radiographic Evaluation and Surgical Anatomy of the Knee > I. Radiographic Evaluation.

[23] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Knee Dislocations and Patellar Fractures* > I. Knee Dislocations.

[25] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Articular Cartilage Injury and Treatment > IV. Full-­Thickness Outerbridge Grade IV Defects.

[27] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Knee Arthroscopy and Preservation, Knee Reconstruction > Annotated References.

[29] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. SECTION 16 PATELLAR TRACKING IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY > SECTION 11 KNEE ARTHRITIS ASSESSMENT.

[30] A Lange Medical Book Current Diagnosis Treatment In Orthopedics Fifth Edition. 3Sports Medicine > 2. Lateral Collateral Ligament Injuries.

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