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Clinical outcome after implant-free ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon graft

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Abstract

Introduction

To assess the outcome of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with quadruple hamstring tendon graft using all press-fit technique with bone plugs near the native insertion of the ACL.

Patients and methods

This prospective study included 50 consecutive active patients. There were 47 males and 3 females. The mean age was 30 years (range 17–44). The mean follow-up was 24 months (range 12–48). Patients were evaluated using subjective as well as objective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) assessment forms, Tegner Lysholm knee score. Instrumental testing included digital rolimeter as well as the KT-1000 testing.

Results

Assessment using IKDC scoring revealed that 95 % of the patients had normal or nearly normal knee (IKDC score of A/B). Postoperative level of activity was excellent in 82 % of patients. The mean side-to-side difference using the digital rolimeter measurements was 1.3 mm (range 0.1–5.5 mm). The mean side-to-side difference using the KT 1000 measurements was 1.4 mm (range 0–5 mm). On pivot shift test, we have 97 % of our patients with either equal pivot shift tests on both sides or just a glide. The mean preoperative Tegner Lysholm score was 52 (41–90) while the mean postoperative score was 92 (range 67–100). We found no graft displacement on follow-up radiographs.

Conclusion

This study showed that arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with quadruple hamstring tendon graft using all press-fit technique with bone plugs is a reliable, cost-effective technique with fast bone-to-bone healing, and ease for revision surgery.

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Compliance with ethical standards

This study has been approved by the appropriate ethics committee and has therefore been performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki. All persons gave their informed consent prior to their inclusion in the study. Details that might disclose the identity of the subjects under study have been omitted.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Funding disclosure

The authors confirm that no funding was received related to this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cairo University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt

    Hazem Farouk, Ahmed Rizk, Mahmoud Abdel Karim, Ayman Taha, Walid R. Awadallah & Abdel Aziz Singergy

  2. 33 A Kasr Al-Ainy Street, 7th Floor, Cairo, Egypt

    Mahmoud Abdel Karim

Authors
  1. Hazem Farouk
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  2. Ahmed Rizk
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  3. Mahmoud Abdel Karim
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  4. Ayman Taha
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  5. Walid R. Awadallah
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  6. Abdel Aziz Singergy
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mahmoud Abdel Karim.

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Farouk, H., Rizk, A., Karim, M.A. et al. Clinical outcome after implant-free ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon graft. Eur Orthop Traumatol 6, 363–371 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12570-015-0324-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12570-015-0324-0

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