Mid-Term Results after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Four-Strand Single Semitendinosus Tendon / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mid-term results after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using a single four-strand semitendinosus tendon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 81 patients (84 cases) who had undergone ACL reconstruction using an autologous single four-strand semitendinosus tendon. The patients consisted of 77 men and 4 women with a mean age of 28.8 years (15-59 years) years. Most injuries were sports related, and the largest number of cases occurred during a soccer game (38 cases). Combined injuries were meniscus injuries in 43 cases, cartilage injuries in 6 cases and medial collateral ligament injuries in 8 cases. Femoral fixation device was PINN-ACL CrossPin in 44 cases and extracortical suspension device in 40 cases. Suture tie around a screw post and an additional bioabsorbable screw were used for tibial fixation. The mean time from injury to surgery was 9+/-16 months (7 days-10 years) and the mean follow-up period was 72.0+/-8.3 months (53-95 months). Clinical evaluation was performed using Lachman test, pivot-shift test, KT-2000 arthrometer, Lysholm score, Tegner activity score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and return to pre-injury sports activity. Radiologic evaluation was performed using plain radiographs to evaluate joint space narrowing. RESULTS: All patients showed normal range of motion at the final follow-up. The Lachman test was positive in 4 cases, and pivot-shift test was positive in 3 cases. Lysholm score improved from 76.7 to 92.2, Tegner activity score improved from 5.1 to 6, IKDC score improved from 72.0 to 86.5, and mean anterior translation by KT-2000 improved from 7.4 mm to 2.3 mm, and 80.2micro of patients returned to pre-injury sports activity. No significant differences in joint space narrowing were observed in plain radiographs. CONCLUSION: In this study, good results were obtained after ACL reconstructions using the autologous four-strand single semitendinosus tendon with maintaining the joint stability at mid-term follow-up.