Postoperative range of motion and stability after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using quadrupled...

The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is increasing, especially in young active adults. Various surgical options like bone-patellar tendon-bone graft and hamstring autograft have been the focus of evaluation and comparison in various aspects, each having specific advantages and demerits. We are increasingly using and analysing quadrupled hamstring autograft for ACL reconstruction. Previously it was advocated as a sports injury, but now we note that road traffic accidents (RTAs) are the most common cause of ACL tear.

Objective of this study was to evaluate clinical results of ACL reconstruction in terms of stability and range of motion using hamstring autograft.

We enrolled 50 patients from June 2011 to May 2014with isolated ACL rupture, used autologous quadrupled hamstring graft and compared the clinical improvement of knee stability and range of motion preoperatively versus postoperatively using pivot shift test and lachman test. Every patient underwent a standardised 6-month rehab follow-up plan and then findings were documented and analysed using SPSS 17.

Marked improvement was seen at 6-month follow-up. Preoperatively 44(88%) patients showed grade 2 positive pivot shift test while postoperatively only 1(2%) showed grade2 positive pivot shift,and 47(94%) patients improved to grade0 pivot shift. Similarly,44(84%) patients were having grade 2 positive lachman test preoperatively which improved to43(86%), showing grade0 lachman test and only 5(10%) showed grade2 positive lachman test.