[InternalBrace ACL Repair - First Experiences and Outcomes]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY In recent years attempts have been made again to repair anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in order to maintain native kinematics and knee joint proprioception. The method of choice is the arthroscopic suture of the ligament using the InternalBrace ligament augmentation. This study presents the first experience gained with this surgical technique and the clinical outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the period from November 2016 to December 2018, a total of 46 patients with acute ACL rupture underwent the ACL repair using the InternalBrace ligament augmentation. This study includes only the patients followed up for a minimum period of 12 months postoperatively. For the evaluation of patients, the well-established clinical scores were used - the Tegner Activity Level Scale, the IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) subjective scale and the Tegner Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale. The measurements were taken preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS The evaluations concerned 20 patients who had undergone surgery in the period from February 2017 to February 2018. In the aforementioned group of patients, there were 3 cases of reconstruction failure (15%), subsequently requiring the ACL reconstruction. The average preoperative Tegner Activity score was 8.2 (6-10; median 8.0). At six months postoperatively, the average value of this score was 7.35 (5-10; median 7), and at 12 months postoperatively it was 7.35 (4-10; median 7). The average preoperative Lysholm score was 66.4 (16-100; median 69). At six months postoperatively, the average value of this score improved to 90.70 (71-100; median 92) and at 12 months postoperatively to 91 (75-100; median 90). The average IKDC subjective score before the surgery was 49.8 (36-74; median 49). At six months postoperatively the average achieved score was 87.70 (71-99; median 90) and at 12 months postoperatively it was 88.9 (63-99; median 93). The differences between the preoperative values and the values at 6 months after the surgery were significant in all the followedup parameters. Conversely, the differences between the values at 6 and at 12 months were not significant. DISCUSSION The clinical outcomes of the patients after the ACL repair are valuable and comparable to the data published in literature. They were largely achieved within 6 months after the surgery. A fairly high percentage of failure of this method compared to literature (Jonkergouw 7.5%, McKay 1.5%) can partly be ascribed to the learning curve even though the surgeries were performed exclusively by experienced surgeons. A certain role could also be played by more challenging indication for this procedure or a faster return to postoperative load. CONCLUSIONS Anterior cruciate ligament suture with the InternalBrace ligament augmentation judging from the results achieved by our group of patients brings very good clinical outcomes already at 6 months postoperatively. This method allows the athletes to return to full load soon. It maintains the kinematics and knee joint proprioception, and thus can potentially contribute to the prevention of post-traumatic arthritis. Strict application of indication criteria is a precondition to success. A longer follow up and evaluation of a larger number of patients will, however, be necessary to definitely confirm the success of this surgical technique. Key words: arthroscopy, ACL rupture, ACL repair, InternalBrace, clinical evaluation.