Arthroscopically assisted semitendinosus and gracilis tendon graft in reconstruction for acute anterior cruciate ligament injuries in athletes

We evaluated 69 arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions for acute tears at an average followup of 60 months. We used a distally based single semitendinosus and gracilis tendon graft passed over the top and fixed to the femur. Combined medial collateral ligament lesions w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe American journal of sports medicine Vol. 24; no. 6; p. 726
Main Authors Aglietti, P, Buzzi, R, Menchetti, P M, Giron, F
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.11.1996
Subjects
Acute Disease
Adolescent
Adult
Anterior Cruciate Ligament - surgery
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Arthroscopy
Athletic Injuries - surgery
Female
Humans
Knee Injuries - surgery
Male
Retrospective Studies
Tendons - transplantation
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:We evaluated 69 arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions for acute tears at an average followup of 60 months. We used a distally based single semitendinosus and gracilis tendon graft passed over the top and fixed to the femur. Combined medial collateral ligament lesions were seen in 30 knees, and they were repaired when found in the distal third (18 knees). The patients were instructed to recover motion preoperatively, and an early range of motion program was used postoperatively. At followup, symptoms of giving way were seen in five knees (7%). Graft failure was seen in seven knees (10%); failure was defined as a positive pivot shift (clunk or gross) or a side-to-side difference in anterior tibial displacement greater than 5 mm, as measured with a KT-1000 arthrometer. Permanent extension loss (3 degrees to 5 degrees) was found in two knees (3%). Patellofemoral crepitation was seen in eight knees (12%), but the condition was symptomatic in only one knee. Forty-six patients (67%) were active in pivoting sports before surgery and 37 (54%) remained active in these sports at followup. We concluded that this operation is simple, effective, and has a low complication rate. Further studies are necessary to elucidate if a stronger graft (e.g., a patellar tendon) would decrease the rate of graft failure without increasing complications.
ISSN:0363-5465
DOI:10.1177/036354659602400605