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[Results 13 years after ACL plasty using a carbon prosthesis]
F von Lübken1, R Farhoumand, W Schwarz
1Abteilung für Unfallchirurgie, Chirurgische Klinik, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Ulm.
Zeitschrift Fur Orthopadie Und Ihre Grenzgebiete
|October 15, 2005
Summary
Long-term results of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using carbon prostheses are unsatisfactory, showing high rates of joint instability and secondary arthrosis. Clinical findings often do not align with patient-reported outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Biomaterials in medicine
Background:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common orthopedic procedure.
- Carbon prostheses were utilized for ACL plasty between 1985 and 1989.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term outcomes of carbon prostheses used in ACL reconstruction.
- To determine revision rates, joint instability, and arthrosis development following this procedure.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 101 patients who underwent ACL plasty with carbon prostheses.
- Clinical examination including Lachmann sign, KT1000 testing for tibial translation, and conventional X-rays.
- Patient questionnaires and evaluation using standardized scoring systems.
Main Results:
- 70% of patients exhibited pathological tibial translation and a positive Lachmann sign.
- 93 patients showed grades III and IV gonarthrosis on radiological studies.
- Significant discrepancy noted between objective clinical findings and subjective patient complaints.
Conclusions:
- ACL reconstruction with carbon prostheses demonstrates unsatisfactory long-term joint stability.
- High incidence of secondary arthrosis observed, indicating potential material or technique limitations.
- Further research needed to understand the discordance between clinical assessments and patient-reported symptoms.