Assessment Of The Functional Outcome Of Anatomical Reconstruction Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament With Hamstring Graft: A Follow-Up Study

Abstract

Aim: The objective of the present study was to assess the functional outcome of anatomical reconstruction of ACL with quadrupled hamstring graft.

Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics, Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College and Hospital, Kumarhatti, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India for the period of 1.5 years and 50 patients were included in the study who had undergone Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction using quadrupled Hamstring graft.

Results: The youngest patient was 21 years and the oldest patient was 52 years old. The maximum number of patients were in the age group of 18-25 (40%) followed by the age group 26-29yrs (30%). The mean age was 29.2 yrs. In our series of 50 patients, 40 patients (80%) were males and 10 patients (20%) female, (Male Predominance). It may be because of the involvement of males in outdoor activities like sports and motor vehicle accidents. Right knee was injured in 42 patients (84%) and left knee was injured in 8 patients (16%). Most of the ACL tears were caused by RTA (72%). Next common cause was sports activities (16%). Some patients (12%) got injured while doing daily activities like slip and fall. 40% Patients were having instability and 28% cases presented with knee pain. 12% gave history of locking of knee, 20% presented with instability and knee pain. Diagnostic arthroscopy prior to ACL reconstruction confirms the medial meniscal tear in 36% cases and 12% lateral meniscal tear. Both the menisci were injured in 8%. 44% were isolated ACL injuries.

Conclusion: Anatomical reconstruction of ACL with quadrupled hamstring graft gives better clinical outcomes. The advantages of using hamstring graft are reduced donor site morbidity and less anterior knee pain in long term follow up. It has better subjective and objective functional outcome with low graft rejection or failure rate.