Factors Affecting the Extent of Graft Tendon Synovialization after Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Based on Second-Look Arthroscopic Findings

BACKGROUND: We aimed to examine the factors that influence synovialization of the grafted tendon after double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction based on second-look arthroscopic findings. METHODS: Out of 205 knees that were treated between August 2008 and May 2016 with double-bundle ACL reconstruction using bio-absorbable cross-pins and Endobuttons for femoral tunnel fixation, we enrolled 65 knees (64 patients) that underwent second-look arthroscopy with hardware removal at 1 year postoperatively. Measured clinical outcomes included the Lysholm score and Tegner activity score that were evaluated preoperatively and during the final follow-up. We analyzed the relationship between synovial coverage and patient age, length of the preserved remnant tissue on the tibial side, type of bundle (anteromedial or posterolateral), type of graft (autograft or allograft), and time from injury to surgery. RESULTS: The area of synovial coverage showed a significant statistical correlation with patient age and the length of the preserved remnant tissue on the tibial side. The average synovial coverage was significantly better for the anteromedial bundle than for the posterolateral bundle, better for the autograft than for the allograft reconstruction, and better when treated in the acute stage than in the chronic stage. However, synovialization of grafted tendon did not correlate to clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: While we were able to identify several factors influencing synovialization of the grafted tendon after double-bundle ACL reconstruction, including patient age, length of preserved remnant tissue of the torn ACL, type of bundle, type of graft, and time from injury to surgery, we found no evidence that increased synovialization improves clinical outcomes at 1 year postoperatively.

Relationship between the Synovialization and the Clinical Results after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Tibialis Tendon Allograft / 대한스포츠의학회지

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the second-look arthroscopic findings of synovialization and the clinical results after the arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with the fresh-frozen tibialis tendon allograft. Fifty-seven patients could be examined with the second-look arthroscopy after the ACL reconstruction with tibialis tendon allograft. The average duration from reconstruction to second-look arthroscopy was 18.4 months (range, 4-48 months). The patients were classified, according to the extent of synovialization, into 3 groups; 37 cases (64.9%) in group A (good), 15 cases (26.3%) in group B (partial), and 5 cases (8.8%) in group C (poor). The clinical results were compared in each group. The 2000 International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee score was 80 or more in 31 cases (83.8%) in group A, 9 (60%) in group B, and 1 (20%) in group C respectively. All thirty seven cases (100%) in group A had negative or 1+firm end-point Lachman test and negative pivot shift test, however, only 2 cases (40%) in group C. KT-1000 arthrometer measurement was less than 5 mm in 37 (100%) in group A, 14 (93.3%) in group B, and 2 (40%) in group C. According to the 2000 IKDC knee examination form, 37 (100%) in group A, 14 (93.3%) in group B, and 2 (40%) in group C respectively were normal or nearly normal. The synovialization of the graft had positive correlation with the clinical results after the ACL reconstruction with fresh-frozen allograft.