title: Synthetic augmented repair of proximal ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament. Long-term results of 66 patients.
abstract: The long-term results (five-to eight-year follow-up evaluation) of 66 patients with high proximal ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) who were treated operatively are presented in a retrospective and uncontrolled study. Technique of surgery was the reinsertion of the ACL in a multiple suture loop technique, augmented with Kennedy-LAD (ligament augmentation device) on over the top route in temporary double-end fixation. This technique was used in patients with proximal rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament found at arthroscopy. In the follow-up as well as in instrumented measurement, 97% of the knee joints have normal joint laxity. According to the evaluation sheet designed by the Orthopädische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Knie (OAK), excellent or good results were found in 86% of the patients. Nine percent had limited range of motion. The ACL reconstruction technique allowed 75% of the patients to regain their preinjury sports activity level. The potential advantages of synthetic augmented reinsertion of the ACL are anatomic reconstruction without destruction of other anatomic structures as grafts; securing early rehabilitation with weight bearing of the operated limb depending on individual pain tolerance; and presenting excellent long-term results of normal joint laxity.
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kdolsky
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kwasny
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schabus
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture; D016896:Treatment Outcome