[Arthroscopic cruciate ligament reconstruction]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Arthroscopy

Background:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in athletes.
• Patellar tendon autografts are a viable option for ACL reconstruction.
• Arthroscopic techniques offer minimally invasive solutions for knee injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a refined arthroscopic technique for ACL reconstruction using a patellar tendon graft.
• To evaluate the clinical outcomes and functional recovery following this specific surgical procedure.

Main Methods:

• Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction utilizing a patellar tendon graft.
• Use of a specialized drill guide system with intraoperative isometricity testing.
• Fixation of the graft using interference screws on both sides.
• Evaluation of 81 patients (34 acute, 47 chronic) with a mean follow-up of 20 months.

Main Results:

• Tegner's activity scores returned to preoperative levels.
• Mean Lysholm score was 97, indicating excellent knee function.
• 14% of patients exhibited a Lachman sign of 1+ or greater.
• 6% of patients had a positive pivot-shift test.
• KT-1000 arthrometer measurements showed no significant differences.

Conclusions:

• Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with patellar tendon graft provides reliable and effective knee function restoration.
• The described technique, including isometricity testing and secure fixation, leads to favorable patient outcomes.
• High Lysholm scores and return to pre-injury activity levels support the efficacy of this surgical approach.