Combined Anterior Cruciate Ligament Primary Repair With an Autograft Reconstruction

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using an autograft gives good results that could provide improved failure rates. ACL augmentation saving the remnant has demonstrated advantages, such as saving vascular supply and nerve receptors, which could be useful for healing. Conversely, isolated repair techniques are gaining interest but do not give good results because structural augmentation is necessary to reinforce the repair and expect healing. We describe a technique combining the advantages of both techniques with an autograft using the semitendinosus and repair of the remnant. This combined technique allows protection and redirection of the remnant, improves graft incorporation, and covers more graft by suturing the remnant around an autologous graft.