Double-bundle versus single-bundle ACL reconstruction using the horizontal femoral position: a prospective, randomized study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using the double bundle technique (DB) improves stability in the knee compared with the single bundle technique (SB) with the femoral tunnel in a more horizontal position (2 or 10 o'clock). We conducted a randomized, prospective study. Forty patients were randomized to the DB group (20 patients) and the SB group (20 patients). Four-stranded semitendinosus and gracilis autologous grafts were used in the SB group and in the DB group the conventional four tunnel technique was carried out using the same tendons. The IKDC complete form was used for the preoperative evaluation, and in the follow-up the IKDC subjective knee evaluation form, IKDC current health assessment form and IKDC knee examination form were used. Anteroposterior (AP) laxity was evaluated by standardised and forced radiology in all patients. No significant preoperative between-group differences were found. During the follow-up, no differences were found between groups, except for significant between-group differences (P < 0.05) between the preoperative and postoperative evaluations. The IKDC index also showed significant differences in the 2-year follow-up. Median scores increased from 48 (range 41-54) to 81 (range 75-87) (P = 0.01) in the SB group and from 52 (range 46-58) to 80 (range 72-88) (P = 0.02) in the DB group. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of functional scores. In conclusion, the 2 and 10 o'clock placements showed no significant differences between SB and DB techniques in the pivot-shift test, manual and radiological anterior posterior laxity and IKDC scores. However, significant between-group differences were found between the preoperative and postoperative evaluations.