[Short-term effectiveness of functional double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with internal brace...

To compare the short-term effectiveness of functional double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with internal brace (F-DBACLR+IB) by helical continuous suture fixation versus anatomical single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (A-SBACLR).

A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 66 patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction between January 2023 and December 2024 and met the selection criteria. Patients were divided into the A-SBACLR group ( n=34) and the F-DBACLR+IB group ( n=32) according to the surgical procedure. No significant intergroup difference was observed in baseline data, including gender, age, body mass index, injured side, preoperative meniscal injury status, or preoperative Tegner score, Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, KT-1000 measurement, and pivot shift test grade ( P>0.05). Intraoperative data including operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. Functional outcomes were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively using the Tegner score, IKDC score, Lysholm score, KT-1000 measurement, and pivot shift test grade.

There was no significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and graft complex diameter between the two groups ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up, the follow-up duration was (22.94±4.55) months in the A-SBACLR group and (21.25±4.25) months in the F-DBACLR+IB group, with no significant difference ( t=1.558, P=0.852). All incisions healed by first intention, and no complication such as knee stiffness/fibrosis or deep joint infection occurred in either group. No revision surgery was performed due to postoperative graft re-rupture in either group. Medial knee pain was reported in 7 patients in the A-SBACLR group and 6 patients in the F-DBACLR+IB group, and peripatellar numbness occurred in 6 and 5 patients, respectively; the incidences showed no significant intergroup differences ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, the F-DBACLR+IB group exhibited significantly greater improvements in the Tegner score, IKDC score when compared with the A-SBACLR group ( P<0.05); no significant difference was found in changes of Lysholm score, KT-1000 measurement, or pivot shift test grade between the two groups ( P>0.05).

Compared with A-SBACLR, F-DBACLR+IB yields superior early postoperative recovery of sporting and effectiveness. The helical continuous suture technique provides reliable internal brace fixation for F-DBACLR.