Long term results of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Author(s): Dr. Venkata Suresh Babu Tummala M S and Dr. Suresh Babu Surapaneni M S

Abstract: The anterior cruciate ligament is the weaker of the two cruciate ligaments stabilizing the knee joint, and therefore gets torn easier than the posterior cruciate ligament. Reconstruction of ACL and restoration of musculoskeletal function is a fundamental goal of orthopaedic treatment. This study was conducted to determine pattern of anterior cruciate ligament injury and its management in a tertiary care center and to assess the long term outcome of knee function after anterior cruciate Ligament reconstruction. 28 patients with ACL injury were included. In this study. A detailed history regarding the pattern of injury was noted and ACL reconstruction was done using BT Bone graft with mini-arthrotomy and arthroscopic assisted ACL reconstruction. The clinical follow-up evaluation was done following the surgery and postoperative rehabilitation. International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm Score were used to assess the functional outcome. The mean age of the study subjects was 30.6±7.3 years and majority were males. Majority of the ACL injury was sports related and was on the right knee. 64% underwent arthroscopic assisted ACL reconstruction; majority of them had normal range of motion of the knee. According to the IKDC rating scale, 80% of the patients had normal or nearly normal final outcome. The mean Lysholm score was 80. About 10 of the patients had anterior knee pain, as classified by the IKDC. Patients with early reconstruction had less degenerative changes in the tibiofemoral joint, were subjectively more satisfied to the result, and could return to the pre-injury level of activities. Our present study concludes that most common age group involved was 20-30 years and ACL injury was more common among males. Patients with an early ACL reconstruction were more satisfied with the end result. Also, ACL reconstruction techniques using BTB auto graft leads to good ligamentous stability and function of the knee. Mild anterior knee pain and osteoarthritis after reconstruction was a common finding.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/ortho.2017.v3.i1j.91