Tibial tunnel enlargement following anterior cruciate reconstruction: does post-operative immobilisation make a difference?
The aetiology of tunnel enlargement following anterior cruciate reconstruction is still not fully understood. We studied, with particular reference to the tibial tunnel appearances, a group of 28 patients 1 year from anterior cruciate reconstruction by a four-strand hamstring technique. Fourteen underwent accelerated rehabilitation and 14 were immobilised post-operatively for 2 weeks following reconstruction. Tunnel enlargement was significantly greater in the immobilised group. There was no significant correlation between tunnel enlargement and the clinical result at 1-year post-reconstruction.
Holly House Hospital, High Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex IG9 5HX, UK.
A N
AN
Murty
M Y
MY
el Zebdeh
J
J
Ireland
D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001182:Arthroscopy; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016896:Treatment Outcome