[Comparison study on recovery of proprioception between autograft and allograft for anterior cruciate ligament...

To compare the recovery of proprioception between autograft and allograft for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Between January 2008 and January 2010, 40 patients underwent ACL reconstruction with autologous tendon (autograft group, n = 20) and allogeneic tendon (allograft group, n = 20). No significant difference was found in gender, age, disease duration, and function scores between 2 groups (P > 0.05). All the patients underwent the ACL reconstruction with single-bundle technique. The knee range of motion (ROM), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, and Lysholm score were measured after operation. The proprioception was assessed by the joint position sense (JPS) at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. The normal knee was used as control.

The patients of 2 groups achieved healing of incision by first intention without complication of infection or haemarthrosis. All patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 13.5 months). There were significant differences in knee ROM, IKDC score, and Lysholm score between preoperation and 12 months postoperatively in 2 groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in JPS 30 degrees, JPS 60 degrees, and JPS 90 degrees between affected knees and normal knees in autograft group at 3 months postoperatively (P > 0.05). No significant difference was found in JPS 30 degrees between affected knees and normal knees in allograft group at 3 months postoperatively (P > 0.05); but significant differences were found in JPS 60 degrees and JPS 90 degrees between affected knees and normal knees in allograft group at 3 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in JPS 30 degrees, JPS 60 degrees, and JPS 90 degrees between affected knees and normal knees in 2 groups at 12 months postoperatively (P > 0.05). Significant differences were also found in JPS 60 degrees and JPS 90 degrees between affected knees of 2 groups (P < 0.05) at 3 months postoperatively, whereas no significant difference was found in JPS 30 degrees between affected knees of 2 groups (P > 0.05). No significant difference was found in JPS 30 degrees, JPS 60 degrees, and JPS 90 degrees between affected knees of 2 groups at 12 months postoperatively (P > 0.05).

Autologous and ACL reconstruction is better than allogeneic ACL reconstruction in the recovery of proprioception at early time after surgery.