Partial ACL tears augmented with distally inserted hamstring tendons and over-the-top fixation: an MRI evaluation.
This study evaluated the mid-term MRI appearance of partial ACL tear augmentation with quadrupled distally inserted hamstrings, while preserving the intact ACL bundle. Twenty-eight patients with ACL partial tear underwent augmentation. After 15-40 months follow-up, patients were evaluated clinically and by MRI. The mean IKDC score at follow-up was 93.8. Twenty-five patients were rated as excellent, three as fair. The mean tibial tunnel section area decreased by 27%. A correlation was noted between the clinical and MRI results: the graft was not visible or continuous with high intensity areas and the mean decrease in the tunnel section area was 3% in the three cases rated as fair. The graft appeared continuous and low intensity and the reduction in tibial tunnel section area was 30% in the cases with excellent clinical results. The residual part of the ACL was still recognizable in 79% of cases. The tibial hamstring attachment appeared normal in 93% of cases. In conclusion, excellent results correlated with a decrease in tunnel size and normal graft appearances on MRI. The poor results showed that the graft was not visible or not continuous, with high intensity areas and intra-ligamentous cystic formation within the tunnel. MRI scanning is useful in evaluating hamstring ACL grafts after reconstruction.
Buda
R
R
Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, University of Bologna, Italy. roberto.buda@ior.it
Di Caprio
F
F
Giuriati
L
L
Luciani
D
D
Busacca
M
M
Giannini
S
S
D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013709:Tendon Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D013710:Tendons / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome