A Comparison of Clinical Results and Second-Look Arthroscopic Findings between Early and Delayed Reconstruction in Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was conducted for comparison of clinical and second look arthroscopic results between early and delayed reconstruction of acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients who underwent ACL reconstruction between March 2008 and October 2011 were enrolled in this study. We divided the patients into two groups, those in the early reconstruction group underwent surgery before one week, and those in the delayed reconstruction group underwent surgery after three weeks, before six weeks. We checked clinical results and second look arthroscopic results and analyzed correlation of clinical and second look arthroscopic results. RESULTS: At the final follow up, the Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee, and Tegner score were not statistically different between the two groups (p=0.173, p=0.154, p=0.109). No difference for the range of motion (p=0.808, p=0.680), Lachman test (p=0.377), and pivot shift test (p=0.894) was observed between the groups. In the results of second look arthroscopy, there was no difference in graft continuity (p=0.936), tension (p=0.944) and synovial coverage (p=0.789). No statistical clinical correlation was observed between clinical and second look arthroscopic results (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: We obtained satisfactory clinical and second look arthroscopic results in both the early and delayed ACL reconstruction groups. Therefore, early reconstruction of ACL performed before one week could be a treatment options for acute ACL injury.