Combined intra- and extra-articular grafting for revision ACL reconstruction: A multicentre study by the French Arthroscopy Society (SFA)

Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2017 Dec;103(8S):S223-S229. doi: 10.1016/j.otsr.2017.08.007. Epub 2017 Sep 7.

Abstract

Background: A careful analysis of the reasons for ACL reconstruction failure is essential to selection of the optimal surgical revision technique designed to ensure good rotational stability and to minimise the risk of re-rupture.

Objective: To evaluate anterolateral ligament (ALL) stabilisation during revision ACL reconstruction.

Hypothesis: ALL stabilisation during revision ACL reconstruction provides good rotational stability without increasing the risk of complications.

Material and methods: This multicentre study included 349 patients, 151 retrospectively and 198 prospectively. There were 283 males and 66 females. Inclusion criteria were an indication for revision ACL reconstruction surgery with combined intra-articular reconstruction and ALL stabilisation after failed autograft ACL reconstruction, and intact PCL. Exclusion criteria were primary ACL reconstruction and concomitant peripheral medial and/or lateral lesions. Each patient underwent a clinical and radiographic evaluation before and after revision surgery. Before revision surgery, the mean IKDC score was 56.5±15.5 and 96% of patients were IKDC C or D.

Results: Rates were 5.0% for early and 10.5% for late postoperative complications. Lachmann's test had a hard stop at last follow-up in 97% of patients. The pivot-shift test was positive in 1% of patients. The mean subjective IKDC score was 84.5±13.0 and 86.5% of patients were IKDC A or B. The proportions of patients with radiographic knee osteoarthritis at last follow-up was unchanged for the lateral tibio-femoral and patello-femoral compartments but increased by 9.7% to 21.2% for the medial tibio-femoral compartment. The re-rupture rate was 1.2% and the further surgical revision rate was 5.4%.

Conclusion: Anterior laxity at last follow-up was consistent with previous studies of revision ACL reconstruction. However, rotational stability and the re-rupture risk were improved. ALL stabilisation is among the techniques that deserve consideration as part of the therapeutic options for revision ACL reconstruction.

Level of evidence: IV, retrospective and prospective cohort study.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Anterolateral ligament; Lateral tenodesis; Revision ACL reconstruction.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament / diagnostic imaging
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament / surgery*
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / complications
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / surgery*
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / adverse effects
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / methods*
  • Arthroscopy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • France
  • Hamstring Tendons / transplantation
  • Humans
  • Joint Instability / etiology*
  • Knee Joint / diagnostic imaging
  • Knee Joint / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoarthritis, Knee / diagnostic imaging
  • Patellar Ligament / transplantation
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiography
  • Recurrence
  • Reoperation / adverse effects
  • Reoperation / methods*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult