TY - JOUR T1 - SportsMedUpdate JF - British Journal of Sports Medicine JO - Br J Sports Med SP - 987 LP - 989 DO - 10.1136/bjsm.2010.077693 VL - 44 IS - 13 AU - Martin P Schwellnus Y1 - 2010/10/01 UR - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/44/13/987.abstract N2 - In an animal model of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, the application of a collagen-platelet composite (CPC) at the time of ACL reconstruction improved structural properties of the graft and reduced early antero-posterior knee laxity at 15 weeks after surgery. Fleming BC, Spindler KP, Palmer MP, et al. Am J Sports Med 2009;37:1554–63.OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text Background The outcome of ACL reconstruction is variable, and many patients have increased joint laxity postoperatively. Research question/s Does the placement of a CPC around the graft at the time of ACL reconstruction decrease postoperative knee laxity and improve the structural properties of the graft? Methodology Animal material: Thirteen immature pigs that underwent unilateral ACL reconstruction with a bone–patellar tendon–bone allograft following ACL resection. Experimental procedure: The animals were randomly assigned to a standard allograft (CON=6) or an allograft where a CPC was placed around the allograft (CPC=7). Animals were killed after 15 weeks and assessed clinically: AP laxity, structural properties (yield load, maximum load to failure, stiffness) and qualitative histology. Measures of outcome: Yield load, maximum load, stiffness (all as a percentage of reconstructed to intact side), histology. Main finding/s ▶. AP laxity: In the CPC group, there was a significant reduction in AP laxity (reconstructed knees, normalised to the contra-lateral), 60° and 90° of knee flexion compared with the CON group, p<0.001.▶. Histology: Cellular and vessel infiltration were observed in both the CON and CPC groups; regions of necrosis were present only in the CON group. Conclusion/s In an animal model of an ACL injury, the application of a CPC at the time of … ER -