The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mid-term results after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using single four-strand semitendinosus tendon.
The author evaluated 81 patients (84 cases) who had undergone ACL reconstruction using autologous single four-strand semitendinosus tendon. The patients consisted of 77 men and 4 women with mean age of 28.8(15-59years) years. Most of the injuries were sports related, and most common cases occurred during soccer game(38cases). Combined injuries were meniscus injuries in 43 cases, cartilage injuries in 6 cases and medial collateral ligament injuries in 8 cases. Femoral fixation device was PINN-ACL CrossPin in 44 cases and extra cortical suspension device in 40 cases. Suture tie around a screw post and an additional bioabsorbable screw were used for tibial fixation. The mean time from injury to surgery was 9±16months (7days~10years) and the mean follow-up period was 72.0±8.3 (53-95months)months. Clinical evaluation was performed using Lachman test, pivot shift test, KT-2000 arthrometer, Lysholm score, Tegner activity score, IKDC score and return to pre-injury sports activity. Radiologic evaluation was performed using plain radiographs to evaluate joint space narrowing.
All patients showed normal range of motion at the final follow-up. Lachman test was positive in 4 cases, Pivot-shift test was positive in 3 cases. Lysholm score was improved 76.7 to 92.2, Tegner activity score was improved 5.1 to 6, IKDC score was improved 72.0 to 86.5, mean anterior translation by KT-2000 improved 7.4mm to 2.3mm and 80.2% of patient returned to pre-injury sports activity. No significant differences joint space narrowing was observed in plain radiographs.
This study obtained good results after ACL reconstructions using the autologous four-strand single semitendinosus tendon without deterioration of the joint stability in mid-term follow-up.