Purpose: The objective of this article is to determine the importance of an intact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) stump and its role in the clinical outcome of an ACL reconstruction.
Method: A PubMed database search was conducted using the key words "anterior cruciate ligament healing" and "double-bundle structure". Articles concerning ACL healing, reconstruction, and rehabilitation were obtained. A total of 35 studies were incorporated in this article, and factors preset in the intact ACL stump were taken into consideration.
Results: Four factors were noted to be important in preserving the stump: protection in early rehabilitation, maintenance of vascular supply, preservation of proprioceptive receptors and may serve as reference for accurate tunnel placement. Also noted was the significance of the intact stump in the natural history, examination, and imaging of such injuries.
Conclusion: This study provides a detailed justification in preserving ACL remnants and their vital role in surgical reconstruction of partial anterior cruciate ligament tears.