Single-bundle modified patellar tendon versus double-bundle tibialis anterior allograft ACL reconstruction: a prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare the outcomes of single-bundle (SB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with modified bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) allograft and double-bundle (DB) reconstruction with tibialis anterior allograft. METHODS: With 94 patients enroled in the study, 43 subjects who had SB ACL reconstruction with modified BPTB allograft (group S) and 41 subjects of DB ACL reconstruction with tibialis anterior allograft (group D) were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. Clinical outcomes including Lachman and pivot-shift tests, KT-1000 arthrometer measurements, and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) classification, Lysholm and Tegner activity scores were compared between the two groups at the last follow-up. RESULTS: The mean graft size of the group S, the anteromedial bundle and posterolateral bundle in group D were 9.9 ± 0.2, 7.5 ± 0.4 and 6.6 ± 0.4 mm, with statistically significant difference between the group S graft to either bundle of group D grafts (p < 0.001). At the last follow-up, there was no statistical difference between the two groups for the Lachman test, pivot-shift test and side-to-side difference. Substantial improvements in the subjective knee function scores were achieved in both groups, but without significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: After a 2-year minimum follow-up, SB ACL reconstruction based on modified BPTB allograft achieved similar clinical outcomes to DB reconstruction with tibialis anterior allograft in knee stability, both anterior-posterior and rotational, as well as knee function. The modified BPTB allograft was recommended as an ideal graft option for the SB ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, randomized controlled study, Level II.

The horizontal Y-shaped graft with respective graft tension angles in anatomical two-bundle medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Various techniques for medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction have been described with two bundles of graft tensioned simultaneously. The present study was to introduce an anatomical reconstruction procedure using a horizontal Y-shaped graft with respective graft tension angles and report the preliminary results. METHODS: A surgical technique for MPFL reconstruction using a horizontal Y-shaped semitendinosus tendon autograft with two bundles tensioned at 0° and 30° of knee flexion was described in detail. The patellar stability was evaluated with the apprehension test and an axial computed tomography (CT) scan at 30° of knee flexion. The knee function was evaluated using the Lysholm and Kujala scores. RESULTS: No recurrent dislocation or subluxation was reported for 45 patients at a mean of 33.7-month follow-up. On CT images, congruence angle, patellar tilt angle, lateral patellar angle and lateral displacement were restored to the normal range. At the last follow-up, the mean Lysholm score improved from 51.8±6.2 to 91.7±4.1 and mean Kujala score was from 53.4±5.3 to 90.9±6.6 (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The present anatomical MPFL reconstruction technique with a horizontal Y-shaped two-bundle graft tensioned at respective knee flexion angles could not only recreate the fan-shape of MPFL but also mimic the function bundles of native ligament. Clinical follow-up confirms the good restoration of the patellar stability and significant improvement of knee function without special complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level IV.