Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with quadruple hamstring grafts

ABSTRACT

Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with quadruple hamstring grafts was performed for 26 patients with an average age of 27.5 years [range, 19 to 42]. Eighteen patients were male [69%] and eight patients [31%] were female. Fourteen left knees [54%] and twelve right knees [46%] were injured. All the patients had unilateral ACL insufficiency without other ligamentous injuries, and no patient had a history of previous knee surgery. The medial meniscus was injured in 5 knees, and the lateral meniscus in 3 knees. Average follow-up was 20 months [range; 15-30 months]. At 12 months after surgery, two patients had ruptured their graft. These two patients were excluded from further analysis and from the final results. According to Lysholm Knee Score, twenty one patients [87.5%] had good or excellent results. Overall IKDC assessment revealed that twenty two patients [91.7%] were assessed as normal or nearly normal. A grade 0 Lachman test [A] was demonstrated in 16 patients [67%]. Six patients [25%] had grade one laxity [B] and two patients [8%] had grade two laxity [C]. A grade 0 pivot shift testing [A] was demonstrated in 18 patients [75%]. The remaining 6 patients [25%] had a grade 1 pivot shift [B]. Anterior kneeling pain was present in 3 patients [12.5%] at the most recent follow-up. Hamstring pain was felt in 4 patients [16.7%]. Three patients had pain in the lower third of the hamstring muscles and one patient had pain in the middle third