Two-stage procedure in anterior cruciate ligament revision surgery: a five-year follow-up prospective study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to show that this two-stage procedure for ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) revision surgery could be straight-forward and provide satisfactory clinical and functional outcomes.

Materials: This is a five-year prospective analysis of clinical and functional data on 30 patients (19 men and 11 women; average age 29.1 ± 5.4) who underwent a two-stage ACL revision procedure after traumatic re-rupture of the ACL. Diagnosis was on Lachman and pivot-shift tests, arthrometer 30-lb KT-1000 side-to-side findings, and on MRI and arthroscopic assessments.

Results: Postoperative IKDC and Lysholm scores were significantly improved compared to baseline values (P < 0.001). At the last follow up, 20 of 30 patients (66.7%) had returned to preoperative sport activity level (nine elite athletes, 11 county level), seven had changed to lower sport levels, and three had given up any sport activity. At the same appointment, 11 patients had degenerative changes. All these patients reported significantly lower Lysholm scores compared to patients without any degenerative change (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: In ACL revision surgery, when the first femoral tunnel has been correctly placed, this procedure allows safe filling of large bony defects, with no donor site comorbidities. It provides comfortable clinical, functional and imaging outcomes.

Fig. 1

Process of inclusion of patients