Ioannis Karikis1, Lars Ejerhed2, Ninni Sernert2, Lars Rostgård-Christensen3, Jüri Kartus4. 1. Department of Orthopaedics, NU Hospital Group, Trollhättan/Uddevalla, Sweden; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: ioannis.karikis@vgregion.se. 2. Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Research and Development, NU Hospital Group, Trollhättan, Sweden. 3. Department of Radiology, Lidköping Hospital, Lidköping, Sweden. 4. Department of Orthopaedics, NU Hospital Group, Trollhättan/Uddevalla, Sweden; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Research and Development, NU Hospital Group, Trollhättan, Sweden.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To radiographically assess the tibial tunnel up to 5 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using hamstring tendon autografts and biocomposite interference screws. METHODS: Fifty-one patients underwent anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction with metal interference screws in the femur and biocomposite interference screws in the tibia. Standardized digital radiographs with weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral views of the index knee were taken in the early postoperative period and at 2 and 5 years postoperatively. Of 51 patients, 40 (78%) underwent radiographic assessment on all 3 occasions. Subjective and objective clinical assessments were obtained preoperatively and at the 5-year follow-up. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 65 months (±3.9 months), with a minimum of 59 months. The width of the tibial tunnel on the anteroposterior view was 9.4 mm (±1.4 mm) in the early postoperative period and 9.2 mm (±1.5 mm) at 5 years (P = .64). The corresponding widths on the lateral view were 9.6 mm (±1.5 mm) in the early postoperative period and 9.0 mm (±1.4 mm) at 5 years (P = .014). In 33 of 40 patients (83%) the width of the tibial tunnel had decreased on 1 or both views at 5 years compared with the early postoperative period. The study group had improved significantly at the 5-year follow-up compared with the preoperative assessments in terms of the KT-1000 arthrometer laxity tests (MEDmetric, San Diego, CA), pivot-shift test, Tegner activity scale, and Lysholm knee score (P < .001). No correlations were found between the tunnel widths and the KT-1000 assessment. CONCLUSIONS: In 83% of patients, the width of the tibial tunnel had decreased on 1 or both radiographic views at 5 years compared with the early postoperative period after ACL reconstruction using biocomposite interference screws. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective study.
PURPOSE: To radiographically assess the tibial tunnel up to 5 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using hamstring tendon autografts and biocomposite interference screws. METHODS: Fifty-one patients underwent anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction with metal interference screws in the femur and biocomposite interference screws in the tibia. Standardized digital radiographs with weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral views of the index knee were taken in the early postoperative period and at 2 and 5 years postoperatively. Of 51 patients, 40 (78%) underwent radiographic assessment on all 3 occasions. Subjective and objective clinical assessments were obtained preoperatively and at the 5-year follow-up. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 65 months (±3.9 months), with a minimum of 59 months. The width of the tibial tunnel on the anteroposterior view was 9.4 mm (±1.4 mm) in the early postoperative period and 9.2 mm (±1.5 mm) at 5 years (P = .64). The corresponding widths on the lateral view were 9.6 mm (±1.5 mm) in the early postoperative period and 9.0 mm (±1.4 mm) at 5 years (P = .014). In 33 of 40 patients (83%) the width of the tibial tunnel had decreased on 1 or both views at 5 years compared with the early postoperative period. The study group had improved significantly at the 5-year follow-up compared with the preoperative assessments in terms of the KT-1000 arthrometer laxity tests (MEDmetric, San Diego, CA), pivot-shift test, Tegner activity scale, and Lysholm knee score (P < .001). No correlations were found between the tunnel widths and the KT-1000 assessment. CONCLUSIONS: In 83% of patients, the width of the tibial tunnel had decreased on 1 or both radiographic views at 5 years compared with the early postoperative period after ACL reconstruction using biocomposite interference screws. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective study.