Evaluation of the results of reconstruction of chronic anterior Cruciate Ligament insufficiency using a bone - patellar tendon-bone autograft

ABSTRACT

Reconstruction the Anterior Cruciate Ligament using one-third of the patellar tendon, as a graft has been a popular procedure. Today, the central third of the tendon used as a free graft with a bony plug at each end, is Considered the best procedure Nineteen male patients with a mean age at the time of injury of 24 years [range 18-32 years] were followed up for average of 20 months after operative reconstruction of Chronic cruciate injuries with a minimal arthrotomy using a bone-patellar- tendon-bone autograft. The average duration between the initial injury and the surgery ranged from 1 to 30 months [mean= 13 months]. Initially, 12 patients [63.20%] were classified as competitive and 7 [36.8%] as recreational athletes. At follow-up, 12 patients [63.20%] were satisfied subjectively and .13 [68.4%] were classified objectively as excellent or good on Lysholm's score. Anterior stability was good in 18 knees [94.7%]. The Lachman test showed that 10 cases [52.6%] were completely stable. The test was strongly positive in one patient. The pivot shift test was negative in 14 patients [73.7%] and markedly positive in one [5.3%] and wasting of the thigh was more prominent in 5 patients. So reconstruction of ACL insufficiency with a bone-patellar ligament-bone graft using a miniarthrotomy leads to good stability and good function and most patients will be able to return to their sport activity