Comparison of Clinical Results According to Amount of Preserved Remnant in Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction using Quadrupled Hamstring Graft

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze the clinical results in an ACL reconstruction according to the amount of the tibial remnant of the ACL using a hamstring graft and looped sutures. Materials and Methods: Sixteen patients who were followed up for at least 12 months after the ACL reconstruction with four strands of a hamstring tendon using a looped suture technique were enrolled in this study. The average follow-up was 35.1 months. At the last follow-up period, the patients were evaluated using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scale and the HSS score, Lachman test, ant. drawer test, KT-1000, one-leg hoop test and proprioceptive function test (motion and position sense). They were then divided two groups according to whether they had more or less than 30% of the ACL remaining. The final results of the two groups were statistically compared. Results: Average HSS score improved from 65.8 (preoperative) to 95.2 (last follow-up). No significant differences in functional outcome and mechanical stability were found except for proprioception. Regarding the threshold of the detection of the passive motion test at 30 degrees (p=0.030) and the reproduction of the passive positioning test at 15 degrees (p=0.032) and 30 degrees (p=0.024), the more remnant preserved group (>30%) showed better results than the less preserved group. Conclusion: Preserving the tibial remnant will preserve function of the mechanoreceptors and be helpful to the recovery of the function and healing of a graft after surgery.