To study the incidence of heterotopic ossification after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Previous studies have enumerated the advantages of an arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction with the use of a Bone Patellar Tendon Bone (BPTB) graft. Complications are extremely rare in such surgeries and one such known complication, which is an extra-articular heterotophic ossification at the femoral tunnel site, is rarely seen only in few patients.

To evaluate the incidence of heterotrophic ossifications at the femoral tunnel site and the efficacy of the preventive measures which were undertaken, in patients who had undergone ACL reconstructions with the use of bone patellar tendon bone grafts.

A total of 285 patients who had ACL tears within a duration of six years, were evaluated prospectively for the incidence of heterotrophic ossifications after they underwent arthroscopic reconstructions with the use of bone patellar tendon bone grafts by the double incision technique. The effect of the efficacy of various preventive measures on the incidence of the heterotophic ossifications post surgery was also studied.

The observed incidence of the heterotophic ossifications was 2.58% in patients whom preventive measures were not used. In contrast, an incidence of 1.54% of similar complications was recorded, after preventive measures were undertaken. Our results showed that heterotophic ossifications after arthroscopic reconstructions with the use of bone patellar tendon bone grafts were a rare complication and that their incidence could be further reduced if preventive measures were taken.

The heterotophic ossification is a rare complication after an ACL reconstruction is done with the use of a bone patellar tendon bone graft by the double incision technique. Its incidence reduces significantly after preventive measures are undertaken.