Single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in active young men using bone-tendon achilles allograft versus free tendon achilles allograft.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose was to prospectively compare the outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using bone-tendon Achilles allograft with those of free tendon Achilles allograft in 2 groups of active young men.


METHODS
We enrolled 72 subjects in the study. Of these, 33 subjects who had ACL reconstruction with Achilles allograft with calcaneal bone block on its end (group I) and 34 who had ACL reconstruction with free tendon Achilles allograft (group II) were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. The Lachman test, pivot-shift test, and 1-leg hop test were evaluated at the last follow-up. The International Knee Documentation Committee classification, Lysholm score, and side-to-side difference were assessed preoperatively and at the last follow-up. The Tegner activity scale was evaluated before injury and at the last follow-up.


RESULTS
The mean follow-up period was 30.9 months (range, 26 to 38 months). At the last follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups for the Lachman test, pivot-shift test, 1-leg hop test, International Knee Documentation Committee classification, Lysholm score, and side-to-side difference (P > .05). Three subjects in group I and three in group II showed an activity level 2 steps below the preinjury activity level. The rest of the subjects returned to the preinjury activity level or showed a level 1 step below the preinjury activity level.


CONCLUSIONS
There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes of ACL reconstructions using Achilles allograft between the bone-tendon group and the free tendon group in active young men. Free tendon Achilles allograft may be considered an option for ACL reconstruction.


METHODS
Level II, therapeutic study, randomized controlled trial.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon-si, South Korea.
Jung Ho
JH
Noh
Bo Gyu
BG
Yang
Seung Rim
SR
Yi
Young Hak
YH
Roh
Jun Suk
JS
Lee
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000637:transplantation*; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000379:methods*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D055815:Young Adult