Publication:

Functional assessment after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using quadrupled semitendinosus graft

Background Anterior cruciate ligament is the primary stabilizer of the knee and prevents translation and rotatory forces and it is one of the most prevalent ligament injuries in the knee. Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction is recommended for which different graft options can be Quadrupled Semitendinosus and Gracilis, doubled Peroneus, Quadriceps Tendon, and Bone patellar tendon-bone. As all grafts have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of donor site morbidity, fixation, and failure rate; the ideal ACL reconstruction graft remains a point of contention. So, we did a functional assessment after ACL reconstruction using Quadrupled Semitendinosus graft.

Methods The prospective cohort study included 30 patients under the age of 55 years admitted with ACL deficiency from August 2019 to August 2020 in the orthopedic department of a Sapthagiri hospital, Bangalore who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. This study aims to evaluate the functional result of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with only quadrupled semitendinosus tendon graft using the Tegner, Lysholm, and IKDC knee grading systems.

Results Patients were followed up for a minimum period of one year. On evaluation, the maximum Lysholm, IKDC score achieved was 97 and 79 respectively while the minimum score was 86 and 69 respectively. Comparisons of pre-and postoperative improvement scores were statistically significant.

Conclusions Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with quadrupled semitendinosus graft yields good functional results with minimal postoperative morbidity irrespective of graft diameter.