[Comparison of combined extra- and intra-articular stabilization versus isolated arthroscopic semitendinosus repair after rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament]

Abstract

In a prospective study we examined 32 patients with a combined reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament, with arthroscopical use of a loop of semitendinosus tendon for the intraarticular portion and an iliotibial band tenodesis for the extraarticular augmentation in comparison to an isolated intraarticular semitendinosus reconstruction in 26 patients. Additionally the importance of a standardized rehabilitation program in this study was evaluated in comparison to a study on 58 athletes without standardized rehabilitation after an arthroscopic ACL-semitendinosus reconstruction. Lysholm-Score, clinical and radiological findings, KT-1000 stability values and isokinetic tests were evaluated monthly over a year. This data suggests that while both procedures under standardized rehabilitation conditions may obtain excellent functional results, adding the iliotibial band tenodesis to an intraarticular reconstruction significant improvement in stability and muscular strength was observed. Patients were able to resume all activities without pivoting.