Outcomes of medial collateral ligament reconstruction with suture-augmented semitendinosus autograft

Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluates patient-reported outcomes among patients who underwent medial collateral ligament (MCL) reconstruction with suture-augmented semitendinosus autograft (SASA).

Methods: Patients who underwent SASA MCL reconstruction between 2017 and 2022 participated in preoperative and postoperative surveys for patient-reported outcomes: Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), Marx Activity Rating Scale (MARS), and Veterans Rand 12 (VR-12). Paired t-tests were performed to compare preoperative and postoperative scores. Postoperative complications were analyzed for all patients.

Results: A total of 19 operations were identified during the study period, and 16 patients were included in the study. Patients reported significant decreases in VAS (mean [95% CI] of -3.86 [-6.09, -1.63], p = 0.0022) and WOMAC (-24.87 [-40.30, -9.4], p = 0.0037) scores postoperatively. Patients also reported significant increases in KOOS (22.60 [9.79, 35.40], p = 0.0019), SANE (38.06 [18.83, 57.27], p = 0.0007), and VR-12 Physical (14.32 [6.38, 22.27], p = 0.0017) scores. Patients did not report significant changes in MARS (0.87 [-1.88, 3.63], p = 0.5081) or VR-12 Mental (-2.90 [-9.37, 3.56], p = 0.3516) scores after surgery. Four patients required reoperation for either arthrofibrosis (n = 3) or ACL reinjury following a multiligament procedure that did not require revision to the MCL reconstruction (n = 1).

Conclusion: In this cohort of patients undergoing MCL reconstruction with SASA, patients reported significant improvement in functional outcomes and reduction in pain postoperatively. SASA is a safe and effective technique for MCL reconstruction.

Keywords: Internal brace; Medial collateral ligament; Semitendinosus autograft; Suture augmentation.