title: Double semitendinosus anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: 10-year results.
abstract: In a series of 30 consecutive patients who suffered from chronic instability of the knee joint, reconstruction of the torn anterior cruciate ligament was performed with a looped semitendinosus tendon, reinforced by an extra-articular anterolateral procedure. Of these 30, 27 could be followed up 9-11 years after the operation. The evaluation included the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaire and was completed by testing with a Kneelax arthrometer at 132 N and by anteroposterior standing X-ray, in order to evaluate the degenerative changes. At the time of the check-up: 96% of the study group considered that they had normal or nearly normal knees, and 81% had recovered to the same sports activity level as before their injury. The degenerative changes noted at the index operation did not progress notably, except in two cases. Laxities of 7 knees were normal, with a side-to-side difference of less than 2 mm; 15 were nearly normal, with a mean difference of 3.45 mm; and 5 were abnormal, with a mean difference of 6.2 mm. The study shows that the procedure is efficient in restoring a satisfactory stability for most patients and stabilises the evolution of the degenerative lesions as shown by standing X-ray.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Orthopédique de la Suisse Romande, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Meystre
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vallotton
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Benvenuti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*