Simultaneous bilateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
BACKGROUND
There are no reports on the outcome of bilateral simultaneous anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.


OBJECTIVE
There is no difference in outcome between unilateral and simultaneous bilateral operations.


METHODS
Case control study.


METHODS
We compared the short-term outcome (mean, 37.2 months) of 28 patients who had bilateral simultaneous reconstructions with that of a matched group of patients who had unilateral reconstruction.


RESULTS
Postoperative narcotic requirements for pain did not differ between groups. The mean quadriceps muscle strength for the simultaneous group was 99% in the right leg and 102% in the left leg compared with the strongest leg preoperatively; the mean for the unilateral group was 99%. The mean modified Noyes score for the simultaneous group was 91.2 points in the left knee and 93.5 points for the right knee; the mean for the unilateral group was 88.7 points. The mean time to return to full-time work and to full sports was 4.1 weeks and 6.1 months for the simultaneous group and 3.0 weeks and 6.3 months for the unilateral group. The mean hospital costs were US dollars 6687 and US dollars 4307, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
When clinical indications exist, we recommend simultaneous bilateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction as opposed to staged procedures because it is a safe, effective, and cost-effective option.
Jari
Sanjiv
S
Methodist Sports Medicine Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Shelbourne
K Donald
KD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000191:economics; D016896:Treatment Outcome