Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 5, 2026
Surgical Retrieval, Isolation and In vitro Expansion of Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament-derived Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications
Published on: April 30, 2014
Selective bundle reconstruction in partial ACL tears leads to excellent long-term functional outcomes and a low
Simone Perelli1, Federico Ibañez1, Pablo Eduardo Gelber2
1ICATME-Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, C/Sabino Arana 5, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
Background:
The optimal treatment of partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears continues to be debatable. Short-term results of selective bundle reconstruction have already been widely shown. The purpose of this study was to assess functional outcomes, subjective satisfaction and the failure rate of selective bundle reconstructions for partial ACL tears over a five to nine year follow-up period.
Methods:
Patients who underwent ACL selective bundle reconstruction between October 2008 and October 2012 were studied. Functional assessment was performed with the objective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) ligament evaluation form, the Lysholm knee scale and the Tegner activity level scale. Cumulative failure and level of satisfaction have also been investigated.
Results:
Seventy-six patients were included. The average follow-up period was 85 months (range 65-110). Thirty-four had AMB tear and 42 had PLB tears. An overall statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001) was obtained in terms of the subjective IKDC and the Lysholm questionnaire between preoperative and last follow-up. The same or no more than one level lower Tegner score was restored in 97.3% of the cases. Cumulative failure was observed in two patients (2.6%). Dissatisfied patient percentage was 15% (4/76).
Conclusions:
Selective bundle reconstruction in partial ACL tears leads to excellent long-term functional outcomes, a low percentage of failures and a high degree of subjective satisfaction in patients.
Level Of Evidence:
Therapeutic case series; level 4.
