Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with a Synthetic Material Graft: Surgical Techniques and Effectiveness

Abstract

The aim of our study is to analyses the clinical results of reconstruction using the synthetic material in patients who had presented with a symptomatic torn anterior cruciate ligament. Method: Between January 2014 and January 2018, we have researched 42 patients with isolated, symptomatic anterior cruciate ligament injury. Before the operation, all the patients should be taken physical examination and analysed; physical findings and functional scores were recorded and knee radiographs were identified. Rehabilitation therapy was applied for 6 months. Result: Forty-two patients were available for follow up which include physical examination, knee score, radiograph at the mean of twenty-four months. 36 (85%) of the patients had negative Lachman and pivot shift tests. The mean IKDC score bettered from 58 points preoperatively to 91 points at the time of follow-up (p < 0.01). The mean ADLS score bettered from 61 to 86 points (p < 0.01). Three patients (7%) had a positive pivot shift test but had no history of additional trauma to the knee. Three patients (7%) had a traumatic rupture of the graft, occurring at a mean of 10.7 months postoperatively. There is no evidence of progressive degenerative change in follow-up radiographs compared with the appearance on the preoperative radiographs. Conclusions: Using synthetic material grafit, 85% of patients with anterior tibial subluxation could be recovered and the overall rate of failure was 15%. The functional knee scores were significantly increased at the time of follow-up.