News

Equilae introduces a new concept to the world of knees: the Meniscus-Tibial-Popliteus-Fibular Complex

 

At Equilae we are constantly working on different lines of research with the aim of improving the results obtained after a surgical procedure.

Once again, the investigations carried out have borne fruit, giving rise to a recent publication, by means of the prestigious Arthroscopy journal, which shows the results of an anatomical and histological study by means of dissecting cadaveric knees.

The study assesses the anatomical relationship existing between the body of the lateral meniscus and the lateral meniscotibial, popliteomeniscal and popliteofibular ligaments. The set that these structures form (recently called the Meniscus-Tibial-Popliteus-Fibular Complex) and the relationship between them could play a significant role in the extrusion of the lateral meniscus.

This work shows a thorough and accurate analysis of said anatomical region that, from now on, will help to improve the understanding of the injury mechanism of the lateral meniscus and will provide clear and appropriate nomenclature for this area of the knee. In addition, this new knowledge will contribute to developing various surgical techniques aimed at controlling extrusion after a meniscal transplant by repairing or reconstructing these structures.

This study goes hand in hand with another two (one with clinical outcomes and another radiological one) that were previously published and are part of the Doctoral Thesis of Dr Àngel Masferrer, a member of the Equilae team.

This working group is pleased and proud to be able to share these results with the whole international scientific community.

You can access the article published in the Arthroscopy journal here.


 

Equilae presents a modification to the hybrid technique for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children

Designing and perfecting the various ligament reconstruction techniques is one of our main objectives at Equilae, particularly when dealing with paediatric patients.

In recent years, an increase has been detected in the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in children, probably due to the fact that these patients are more actively involved in sporting activities with higher demands in terms of knee rotation.

Dr Juan Ignacio Erquicia, a member of the Equilae team, is now sharing a modification to the conventional hybrid technique used to reconstruct the ACL in paediatric patients.

The aim of this modification is to enable ligament reconstruction which does not damage the femoral physis with a mixed femoral tunnel, thus avoiding the “killer angle” and subsequent failure of the reconstruction. The modification in the sequence when carrying out the femoral tunnel enables ACL reconstruction using a slightly curved tunnel which protects the graft.

The technique presented is anatomical, reproducible and involves minimal or no use of X-rays. It would be indicated in patients with a Tanner stage of between 2 and 4, with tibial fixation using an interference or post-type screw, depending on the size of the tibial physis.

Here at Equilae, we are continuing research to improve our reconstruction techniques.

You can watch the video here (which has also been published on the Smith & Nephew site: Education & Evidence) which shows the modification of this technique in paediatric patients.


 

What are infiltrations?

Infiltration is a procedure through which the doctor injects a drug or biological product into a joint, the synovial sheaths of the tendons, the periarticular bursa, the spinal nerve roots or other structures, with the aim of the product acting on that area.

In some joints, such as the hip and possibly the knee and shoulder, it is recommended that infiltrations be performed under ultrasound guidance, since this increases the effectiveness of the procedure.

To perform the infiltration, the area must be sterilized to reduce the possibility of infection.

For these reasons, among others, it is of the utmost importance that this procedure always be performed by a professional with suitable experience and knowledge.

What is the purpose of an infiltration?

The main objective is to reduce inflammation, achieving greater comfort of the patient and, in some cases, delaying the need for surgery.

Infiltrations are indicated in cases of inflammatory disease, joint effusions, tendinitis, osteoarthritis or in sports-related muscle injuries, among others.

 Are there different types of effusions?

Specifically for the knee, and at an intraarticular level, the content of the infiltration can vary depending on the injury. The main solutions are:

  1. Hyaluronic acid
  2. Platelet-rich plasma
  3. Mesenchymal cells (stem cells)
  4. Corticosteroids

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the human body that is found in particular in the joints, skin and vitreous humor.

Joints have synovial fluid, whose primary component is hyaluronic acid. This synovial fluid has viscoelastic characteristics that lead it to participate in homeostasis, that is, that maintain their stable internal conditions, generating a “lubricating” effect and acting as a natural “shock absorber” against impacts.

Due to the progressive accumulation of sports activities and the joint’s own degenerative processes, the components of the synovial fluid begin to change, affecting the functions of the hyaluronic acid.

To respond to this condition, intraarticular infiltration of hyaluronic acid has been a possibility for years. These have progressed to the point that, currently, it is no longer necessary to repeat them every 2 or 3 weeks as in the past; instead, a single infiltration can be done, thanks to the development of high-molecular-weight drugs which, for the most part, are very effective and well tolerated.

Infiltration of hyaluronic acid aims to act as a potent local anti-inflammatory, which goes directly to the joint to reestablish the viscoelastic properties of the synovial fluid, keeping the homeostasis of the knee in optimal conditions.

A low percentage of patients experience swelling/joint pain in the first 24/48 hours after the infiltration; use of ice and relative rest during this period is therefore recommended.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (also called “Growth factors”)

After collecting the patient’s blood and subjecting it to a specific centrifuge process, the so-called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is obtained. This has been shown to have a potent local inflammatory effect, at both the myotendinous and joint level. These effects are motivated by “growth factors,” which are substances that act by inhibiting the proinflammatory cytokines that participate in the mechanisms that trigger pain.

Despite the good results obtained with this technique in terms of inflammatory control in knees with excessive sports-related demands or patients with early degenerative processes, there is no clear scientific evidence that demonstrate repair and/or regeneration at the joint through the use of this practice.

Mesenchymal cells

Also known as “stem cells.” Today, there is a great discrepancy of opinion regarding their use and indications.

They are cells derived from the mesoderm (one of the three primary germ layers that make up the embryo), which have pluripotent differentiation, that is, they have the ability to differentiate into different types of cells.

Currently, and based on the existing scientific evidence, it can be concluded that they exert their effect through a potent anti-inflammatory action.

In daily practice, we believe it is logical and prudent to be very clear with patients about the expectations of this type of treatment, based on the existing scientific evidence, and thus avoid failures based on expectations that are often too high.

Corticosteroids

They act as potent anti-inflammatory agents and can be infiltrated along with anesthetics.

It is currently one of the most-used drugs for performing intraarticular infiltrations. However, it is not the first choice at Equilae, due to the undesirable effects that can occur in the joint over time.


 

Everything you need to know about the menisci: tears, treatments and their function

What are they?

The menisci are crescent-shaped fibrocartilaginous structures found in line with the medial and lateral tibiofemoral joint. There are two on each knee: the lateral meniscus is positioned on the outer or lateral region of the knee joint, while the medial meniscus is found on the inner or medial region.

What is their function?

One of their most important functions is to provide stability to the knee joint and increase the contact area between the convex articular surface of the femur and the tibia, which is concave on the medial side and convex on the lateral. Additionally, they serve to distribute contact forces between the two bones and are crucial for shock absorption and lubrication. Furthermore, they provide joint proprioception, which is the ability of our brain to perceive the position and movement of our body.

How does one tear their meniscus?

Meniscus tears are common in sports, especially in football, basketball, rugby and skiing, mainly due to the following actions:

  • A sudden turn or change of direction by pivot.
  • Deep squatting or forced bending of the knee.
  • Landing incorrectly after a jump.
  • Although it’s not as common, a meniscus may also be torn as a result of a direct blow to the knee.

However, tears may also occur from activities that have nothing to do with sport and are part of our daily routine. Age is an important factor, because as we age the likelihood of suffering such injuries increases. This is because the collagen component of the menisci gradually loses its elasticity, making them more susceptible to possible tearing.

In older people, what we call “degenerative tears” often appear. These develop after repetitive minor stresses weaken a previously worn meniscus, or can be caused by general wear and tear over time.

How common are meniscus tears?

They are one of the most common knee injuries, causing discomfort and functional limitation in patients. Meniscus repair surgery is the most common surgical procedure in sports medicine.

What are the symptoms of a meniscus tear?

Whether a meniscus tear is caused by high-energy or low-energy movement, patients often feel pain. Over the following days, in addition to the pain, the patient may notice one or more of these symptoms:

  • A swollen joint.
  • Difficulty bending the knee.
  • Difficulty walking.
  • The feeling of the knee locking or catching, and not being able to extend it completely.

Can you operate on all meniscus tears?

Not at all. All tears are different and not all should be operated on, so cases should be considered on an individual basis. Treatment is decided according to the
severity of the symptoms and how much they affect the patient’s day-to-day living. MRI scans are used to observe and analyse the characteristics of the meniscus tear, which is instrumental for diagnosis and treatment.

Like with all kinds of injuries, conservative treatment—i.e. nonsurgical treatment—should be considered first. Such treatment involves anti-inflammatory medication and rehabilitation, and is mainly for those patients whose pain is infrequent and does not significantly affect their daily activities.

In cases where more conservative treatment does not work, or where the pain and functional limitation affects the patient’s quality of life, arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery is required. This procedure will be performed according to the type of fracture, expected level of future physical activity and the needs of each patient.

What surgical treatments are available?

In cases where surgery is required, there are different options available depending on each case, which are set forth below.

Meniscectomy: This is the partial or total resection of the damaged meniscus tissue until a stable meniscus remains. The aim of this procedure is always to conserve the maximum amount of meniscus tissue possible, due to the benefits this brings to the state of the knee in both the short and long term.

Suturing the tear (repair): The tear will be stitched up whenever possible, which will depend on certain factors such as age, location of the tear and when the tear took place. Before surgery, the doctor will consider the possibility of a longer rehabilitation period than is the case with a meniscectomy, and discuss this with the patient.

Suturing techniques will vary depending on the condition and location of the tear.

Meniscus replacement: After performing a partial meniscectomy, pain may gradually appear in the area where a part of the meniscus was removed. This is
called “post-meniscectomy syndrome”. According to the general condition of the joint and the remaining meniscus, the meniscus can be completely replaced in order to reduce pain.

Meniscus transplant: This is the alternative treatment for “post-meniscectomy syndrome”, undertaken in cases where the patient has undergone a total meniscectomy. This procedure replaces the meniscus with a meniscal allograft from a tissue bank.

Do all surgical procedures have the same rehabilitation process?

Rehabilitation processes for meniscus surgery always depend on the surgical procedure performed. However, there is an initial stage (approximately two weeks) that remains the same for all types of operation, in which the goal is to minimise pain and inflammation:

  • Ice the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes every three hours.
  • Take painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, as indicated at discharge.
  • Elevate the limb.
  • Perform isometric exercises to activate the quadriceps.

After this initial stage, a second stage of rehabilitation begins. This is particular to each type of surgery, as explained below.

Partial meniscectomy

  • Practise progressive partial weight-bearing exercises with crutches.
  • Perform knee flexion exercises.

Tear suture

  • Until the third week, practise proprioceptive weight-bearing exercises (putting minimum weight on the healthy leg) with crutches and a knee extension splint. From the third to the sixth week, practise partial progressive weight-bearing exercises with crutches, but without the splint.
  • Then practise full extension exercises with a splint until the stitches are removed (after 10 to 15 days), having bent the knee 0-60º until the third week and 0-90º until the sixth week.

Meniscus replacement or transplant

  • You will receive a full discharge and be given crutches and a knee extension splint to keep until the third week. After three weeks have passed, begin to practise progressive weight-bearing exercises with crutches and no splint until the sixth week.
  • Then practise full extension exercises with a splint until the stitches are removed (after 10 to 15 days), having bent the knee 0-60º until the third week and 0-90º until the sixth week.

 

Swollen knee: what’s the cause?

The increase in the amount of intra-articular fluid is often referred to as knee effusion. The severity and urgency of the clinical picture will depend on the original cause.

What are the main causes of knee effusion?

This clinical picture may result from different causes, including direct or indirect trauma (knee sprains or twists), synovial diseases, the existence of a degenerative disease and infections, or septic arthritis.

In the case of post-traumatic knee effusion, sprains or physical overexertion, the cause may be:

  • Torn knee ligaments
  • Meniscal injuries
  • Degenerative diseases
  • Joint fractures

Secondary knee effusion can also emerge from systemic diseases (diagnosed or undiagnosed) such as:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Septic arthritis
  • Gout
  • Pseudogout
  • Transient synovitis

What to do when joint effusion occurs

After a sprain: If the effusion appears after trauma or spraining, it is advisable to rest the limb immediately, use crutches to walk, and apply a cold pack to the knee every two to three hours, while avoiding direct contact with the ice to prevent burns on the skin.

The patient should then seek emergency care as soon as possible, where they will perform necessary examinations and additional tests.

If severe effusion occurs, joint aspiration will control the pain significantly. It will also help determine a possible diagnosis, based on the contents of the evacuated knee (haematic, synovial, etc).

Postoperatively: Sometimes, as with postoperative processes, inflammation or knee effusion can occur, which may also result in an increased local temperature of the knee and the body. This clinical picture is to be expected, in isolation, within the first seven to ten days after the operation. It not recommended to take any antibiotics without first seeking medical care to undergo, when necessary, a joint aspiration (arthrocentesis) and a joint fluid culture. The appearance of the symptoms described above is often a result of the postoperative inflammatory process, without any relation to an infectious process. It is recommended to monitor the situation closely and remain vigilant, while also regularly monitoring the body temperature.

In degenerative knees: When a patient has a history of degenerative joint disease that leads to knee effusion, they should rest, take the weight off the joint by using crutches and apply ice to the injured area. If effusion occurs when the knee is under tension, the patient should see a specialist, undergo joint aspiration and monitor the progress of the joint.

Diseases of synovial membrane: There are different diseases that affect the synovial membrane and that frequently result in knee effusion, whether synovial fluid or with haematic content (hemarthrosis). When this occurs and in the case of it being practically spontaneous with no apparent cause for joint effusion, a specialist should undergo a puncture of the knee joint. Additionally, images should be taken for review, such as X-rays and MRI to find a specific diagnosis. Occasionally, it may be necessary to refer the patient to rheumatology.

How to avoid effusion when a degenerative joint is involved

When joint effusion is associated with a degenerative process, there are measures to protect the joint and reduce the risk of the knee swelling.

These are:

  • Keeping one’s body weight under control
  • Avoiding high-impact exercise
  • Strengthening periarticular muscles, performing stretching exercises, doing kinaesthetic exercises and maintaining proper joint balance
  • Apply a cold pack to the local area after exercise.

Equilae’s scientific work continues to receive national and international recognition

This May in Santander, the 7th joint AEA-SEROD Conference was held, one of the most important events in the field of arthroscopy and knee surgery—on both a national and international scale.

Equilae saw its members actively participate in various roundtable discussions and training courses. They also presented several projects in different formats (oral presentations, posters and video stream), covering the entire surgical field of knee pathology.

Once again, our team has been honoured with several awards:

  • The prize for ‘The Best Oral Presentation on Arthroscopic Knee Pathology’: In-vivo analysis of controlling rotational instability via the modified Lemaire anterolateral tenodesis, performed in isolation, presented by Dr Simone Perelli.
  • The prize for ‘Best Video Stream of the Conference’: Biological patellofemoral prosthesis. Fresh osteochondral transplantation for the patellar and trochlear surfaces, presented by Dr Maximiliano Ibañez.

Dr Simone Perelli  – ‘In-vivo analysis of controlling rotational instability by modified anterolateral Lemaire tenodesis, performed in isolation’

Dr Maximiliano Ibañez  – ‘Biological patellofemoral prosthesis.’ “Fresh osteochondral transplantation for the patellar and trochlear surfaces”

We also received new recognition during the 23rd International Conference for the Mexican Association of Articular and Arthroscopic Reconstructive Surgery (AMECRA). Here, the spotlight shone on Dr Christian Javier Sánchez Rábago, from Mexico’s Ángeles León hospital, who attended an on-site training course at Equilae between June and November of 2017. During his time on the team, he collaborated on the research project ‘Isolated, implant-free reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament with elastic femoral fixation in case of patellofemoral dislocation’, which was presented and awarded first place in the Podium category.

Dr Christian Javier Sánchez Rábago receiving the award from AMECRA, alongside Dr Joan Carles Monllau, head of the Unit of Arthroscopy and Knee Surgery at ICATME, Equilae Group.

At Equilae, we believe that the exchange of knowledge and experience is one of the best ways to grow. This premise has always been the cornerstone of the fellowship program, and it has yielded results year in, year out.

The recognition and awards we have received fill Equilae with pride, demonstrating our ability to contribute towards the training of great professionals and to encourage a level of teamwork that transcends boundaries.


 

Equilae, pioneers the use of a new technique to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament in children

In Europe, Equilae has pioneered the use of a new technique to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament in children, which had previously only been used in Australia.

The technique involves the transplant of a hamstring tendon from one of the child’s parents. This not only reduces surgical invasiveness for the paediatric patient, but also avoids the risk of the new tendon having insufficient diameter or length. Such risks are fairly common in preadolescents and have been linked to increased rerupture rates of the ligament in the future.

Since the tendon is donated by one of the patient’s biological parents, the risk of transplant rejection can be avoided. In addition, the implementation of specific technical methods during the surgery prevents damage to growth plates and its potential impact on the child’s future growth and development.

These technical modifications, carried out during the reconstruction of the child’s ligament, allow the knee to be effectively stabilised. This avoids the occurrence of meniscal or cartilage lesions, as well as possible premature wear of the joint.

Dr Joan Carles Monllau García is head of the Knee and Arthroscopic Surgery Unit of ICATME, and of the Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology Service at Hospital del Mar. He is also a member of Equilae. In recent interviews with TV3 and La Vanguardia, he explained what this reconstruction technique involves.

As always at Equilae, we will continue to conduct research in pursuit of the best results through the least invasive methods.


 

10 things you should know about the anterior cruciate ligament

What is it and what does it do?

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four major stabilisers of the knee, forming the ‘central pivot’ along with the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).

It is the main anterior stabiliser of the knee, preventing the tibia from sliding forward on the femur, as well as controlling hyperextension and internal rotation.

How do ACL injuries occur?

Although they can occur in various everyday activities, anterior cruciate ligament injuries are usually related to practicing sports: especially those that require pivoting, such as football, basketball, skiing and rugby.

They tend to occur through self-injury, meaning that the individual’s own movement is the only factor involved. ACL injuries can happen when landing from a jump or changing direction, and when performing any movement that involves contraction of the quadriceps, valgus motion, flexion or external rotation.

What are the symptoms of an ACL tear?

In an acute setting, the individual often experiences intense inflammation of the knee or hemarthrosis (accumulation of blood in the knee), accompanied by pain and a limited range of motion.

After this acute process, the pain decreases and the symptoms of ‘failure’ (joint instability) set in when rotating the knee, doing routine movements or carrying out everyday activities. This is the consequence of tearing one of the knee’s major stabilisers.

What are the risks associated with an ACL tear?

After tearing the ACL, the individual may experience episodes of instability or a sensation of ‘knee failure’ (this is how many of our patients describe it). This results in an increased risk of meniscal tears and cartilage damage, which can lead to the development of arthrosis in the long term.

Do all ACL injuries require surgery?

Surgery is necessary in most cases, as it is the only way to normalise the knee’s stability. However, for patients with low physical demands who do not experience episodes of instability during everyday activities, a conservative or non-surgical treatment may be prescribed.

What techniques are used to reconstruct the ACL?

There are various techniques for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Today, ‘anatomical’ techniques are used. They have replaced the earlier ‘transtibial’ techniques, which were unable to control the knee’s rotational stability.

What is the best type of graft?

Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament requires the use of a graft, which is selected on a case-by-case basis depending on each patient’s age, height and weight. The choice is also influenced by the type of sport and the frequency and intensity with which it is practiced, as well as certain biomechanical characteristics of the joint.

The most commonly used grafts are:

  • Hamstring tendon: Its main advantage is reduced morbidity in the area from which the graft is taken, and the possibility of its regeneration. It is also aesthetically favourable, since the scar is smaller (approx. 25 mm) and is located on the anterointernal part of the knee. As for disadvantages, the main issue is the time it takes for the tendon to attach to the bone (10-12 weeks).
  • Patellar tendon: The greatest advantage is that the graft attaches faster (4-6 weeks), but in exchange, there can be greater anterior knee pain after surgery. It is also less aesthetically pleasing, since the graft is obtained by making an incision of 5-6 cm on the front part of the knee.
  • Quadriceps tendon: This is similar to the patellar tendon technique. The graft is obtained along with a bone fragment from the superior pole of the patella, but there is no bone fragment on the opposite end. The main advantages are rapid attachment to the femur and less anterior knee pain than is generated by patellar tendon grafting. The disadvantage is that it requires the same amount of time to attach to the tibia as the hamstring tendon does.

These are the main options in the case of primary surgery. Other tendon structures or allografts are usually reserved for revision or multiligamentary surgeries.

Which patients have a greater risk of re-tearing after an ACL reconstruction?

There is sufficient evidence to suggest that some patients have a greater rate of failure or re-tearing after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. They include:

  • Patients younger than 18
  • Athletes with a high level of pivoting in the knee
  • Hypermobile patients
  • Patients with a high degree of preoperative rotational instability
  • Patients who undergo revision surgeries

For patients who have one or more of these characteristics, anterolateral tenodesis is usually performed in order to reduce residual instability and/or the rate of re-tearing.

When should surgery be performed?

The ideal moment is when the joint is no longer inflamed, mobility has been completely regained and the pain has subsided. To help make this happen, the patient is prescribed a series of rehabilitation guidelines to follow before the operation, such as performing exercises to strengthen muscles or undergoing cryotherapy. Keep in mind that doing a good job before the operation will optimise postoperative results.

What is the postoperative period like, and how long is the recovery time?

The patient tends to remain hospitalised until the day after the surgery. A brace is used to protect the knee for the first two weeks and to help keep it extended at night.

During the first days and weeks, pain control (through cryotherapy and specific medication) and muscle activation (through isometrics exercises) are prioritised. Mobility is progressively regained, adding muscle-building exercises according to each patient’s level of tolerance.

At this stage, it is essential to have a personalised rehabilitation process, which requires a coordinated effort between the surgeon and the physiotherapist.

All patients who undergo ACL surgery should resume practicing sports gradually, following a ‘return to play’ programme in accordance with each patient’s specific athletic activity.

During this part of the process, working together with the rehabilitator is vital in order to carry out a programme that involves functional activities, improvement and correction of athletic movements and muscle strengthening. This will not only allow the patient to achieve a high level of satisfaction when it comes to resuming sports, but also decrease their likelihood of suffering a new injury.


 

The training programmes of EQUILAE, a leader in the scientific community

Since 2004, Equilae has been welcoming doctors and consultants in trauma and orthopaedics from all around the world to join us as fellows. Thanks to our teaching efforts, we have not only successfully trained many specialists, but have grown our unit thanks to the exchange of professional experience and knowledge. Our network of contacts has expanded, and we’ve established many valuable friendships that continue to grow stronger.

We continuously improve upon and fine-tune our training programme, which has earned us wide recognition as a teaching centre for scientific studies from the AEA (Spanish Association of Arthroscopy), ESSKA (European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery & Arthroscopy) and ISAKOS (International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery & Orthopaedic Sports Medicine).

Since it was established, the programme has continued to improve with the incorporation of a range of educational activities. At present, we have a monthly arthroscopic simulation practice, a semi-annual cadaver lab and two monthly clinical sessions. In addition, our fellows are given the opportunity to participate in important national and international conferences and various scientific events. The team also takes part in additional care activities (3-5 weekly consultations) and surgical activities (we carry out over 600 surgeries a year).

Due to the programme’s high demand from doctors all around the world, we have set a limit on the number of fellows we accept at a time. By doing so, we have created an organised work structure that guarantees an environment conducive to the highest level of learning where our participants can take full advantage of the programme, paving the way for the team’s research and care activities.

Additionally, since 2003, Equilae has been sponsoring one paid fellow to join the programme each year. This role gives the chosen fellow the opportunity to deepen their involvement with and commitment to the team, and to take on tasks of greater responsibility. In other words, the fellow plays a crucial role in the team’s structure.

At Equilae, we understand that sharing knowledge and experience is one of the best ways to grow. To this day, 83 orthopaedic surgeons, hailing from 28 different countries and 5 continents, have taken part in the fellowship programme.

As is often the case, we believe that it’s best for the fellows themselves to share first-hand accounts of their experiences. In the following video, Dr Simone Perelli from Italy recounts his experience as a fellow from July 2017 to June 2018.

The fellowship programme is one of our top priorities, and we are constantly working to improve it. At Equilae our doors are always open.

Thank you to all those who have made it possible.


 

The Spanish National Congress of Arthroscopy and Knee Surgery awards Equilae for its scientific work

At Equilae, we continue to maintain our commitment and passion for scientific work. This has served us well, earning us recognition from the scientific community over the last few years. During this time, national and international journals have published a great number of articles featuring our research and written by various members of our unit.

Thanks to constant effort in our scientific work, our team, led by Dr Juan Carlos Monllau, has received two prestigious awards. They were presented to us at the 6th AEA-SEROD Joint Congress, held from the 24th to the 26th of May in Zaragoza.

Equilae was awarded the prize for Best Article Published in a Leading International Journal for our recent work on lateral meniscal transplantation, published in the American scientific journal Arthroscopy and entitled ‘Capsulodesis Versus Bone Trough Technique in Lateral Meniscal Allograft Transplantation: Graft Extrusion and Functional Results’. Dr Àngel Masferrer presented it in the team’s name.

In addition, we received a second award for Best Surgical Video for our video entitled ‘Reconstruction of both cruciate ligaments with parental grafts in patients with open physes’, which was presented by Dr Pablo Gelber.

Just as they did at the ESSKA congress in Glasgow several days before, our team members played a prominent role at the congress, participating in various presentations, scientific discussions and live surgeries.

In Zaragoza, the great professionals that make up our unit once again made us proud, both of them and of the new recognition that our scientific and surgical work in the field of knee surgery and arthroscopy has received. We will keep working to remain a leader in this area. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!