Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction Using Quadrupled Hamstring Graft-Result of Stump Preserving Technique: Follow-up More Than 3 Years

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This article describes the technique for ACL reconstruction using hamstring grafts and looped sutures to preserve the tibial remnant of injured ACL effectively and reports the clinical results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From Feb. 1995 to May 1996, fourteen injured ACL knees were treated with arthroscopic reconstruction using a quadrupled hamstring autograft. At the last follow-up(average 41 months), subjective and OBJECTIVE assessments were evaluated. Two proprioceptive function tests(motion and position sense) were performed and statistically analysed(paired t-test). Clinical results were recorded by HSS rating scale. RESULTS: Average HSS score was improved from 56.2(preoperative) to 92.1(last follow-up). At the last follow-up, the average anterior displacement(side to side difference) was measured 3.1mm on stress x-rays and 3.4mm on KT-1000 arthrometer(maximum manual force). No significant differences in mean proprio-ceptive values were found between both knees(p<0.05). CONCLUSTION The clinical results were satisfactory and we suggest the possibility of preservation of the proprioception is increased if integrity of tibial stump of the ACL is preserved. Further supportive studies for the proprioception will be needed.